AN: Wow.got a really cool review...~blink~ IT WAS A COOL ONE ^____^v
(I blame the chocolate @_@)
Also, I'm taking a few liberties with Tatsumi's past..it's called artistic
license, and I paid $12.99 for it ~waves it around~ Annyywaayy.
Ap-chan- Really?? @_@ that was a total fluke.I didn't know that @_@ .....coo' ^_^v Thanks for letting me know, that's awesome ^_^
Jade..~sweatdrops, whaps Embyr over the head~.baka...-_-
Me.ow..;-;
Yamatoforever- Weeeelll, I'm not sure if she entirely forgives him, persay but...well, you'll see eventually ^_^v Yes, Tsuzuki's jealous...he doesn't really seem like he would, but I think there's a part of him that does anyway, even in the show ^_^' at least, that's what I'm hoping :P
On with the story!!
****************************************** ************************
Whatever Muraki had been expecting when he woke up, it certainly wasn't this. A low growl sounded above him, and he looked up. Then froze. 'What is a creature of Hell doing in Meifu?' The growl deepened.
' Muraki.' By the gods, it could talk. Just then the door slammed open.
" Muraki!" An angry shinigami stormed into the room, hair flaring out slightly, eyes narrowed. Really, in his position, she looked quite intimidating. So, he stood up as best he could, trying to look intimidating back. It didn't appear to work.
" Hello boy." Jade gave an intolerant snort and a power wave slammed him against a wall. Cerberus just growled. He blinked. This was most unlike Jade.
" I had an argument and came into my room to find the doctor that killed me in. My. Room. I do not want to make idle chat. Tell me WHY you are here, and maybe I'll let you live instead of asking Cerberus here to rip you to shreds." Her tone of voice had almost reached that of the large dog next to her, and she was almost growling. He straightened slightly, and the pressure on him let up a bit. Dusting himself off, he assumed the look that was his trademark. The "I'm here because I meant to be here and there's nothing you can do about it so nyah" look.
" I assume that your curiosity drove you to see what I was like?" By the way she shivered, he had guessed right.
" Yes. I saw..something about Saki." Muraki sighed, rubbing his forehead and dropping the 'greater than thou' attitude. He needed help, and asking for it was going to be difficult.
" He's back. And no, it wasn't me. It was Touda." A room on fire would have been preferable to her look.
" Touda is Tsuzuki-san's shikigami." He raised an eyebrow. Since when was 'san' attached to his name? There was no time for that.
" I would appreciate it if you called off your pet, Jade." A glance, and Cerberus lay down, one head watching him, but not as threatening as before. He nodded his thanks. Clearing his throat, he continued.
" It's complicated.because Tsuzuki went missing, Touda was unable to complete his order. And, since Saki was already dead and I was unconscious, he took the clone I had made for my.brother..and revived him. However, now he is very powerful, and he wishes to kill me. I cannot defeat him alone." Slowly, Jade's eyes widened as she realized what he was saying. And what he was asking for.
" I realize that this decision may take time, Jade. I do ask, however, that you do so quickly, for I do not have much time. Perhaps we could strike a deal?" The look on her face suggested high doubt, but she crept closer, carrying a lamp with her just in case. If anybody had been passing by, they would have heard a gasp and a crash.
******************************************** ************************************
" You WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" Jade, or Hisoka now, winced as disbelief and astonishment pounded on him. Not to mention the actual noise of the cries.
" I said what I said."
" I don't believe that any of you have a right to object to the boy's wishes."
" I do not approve of this."
" ..."
" Hoot!" (so sue me.I can't write animal sounds -_-'''')
" This isn't a good idea, Bon!" Hisoka sighed, rubbing his temple. (If you can guess who said what.I'll give you all internet cookies! @_@)
" I'm going, whether you approve or not. I've made my decision, and I'm sticking with it." Glaring at his co-workers, Hisoka looked at Muraki.
" Any idea where he could be?" Muraki sighed, rubbing his forehead and ignoring the glare that Tatsumi sent him.
" No. For all I know, he could be headed here. But I must go and prepare for the departure. Come when you are ready, boy." He bristled slightly at the nickname that never seemed to leave, but nodded anyway, ignoring the inky blackness surrounding him.
" Fine." One by one, they filed out of the room, and Hisoka sighed, weary after the mental and emotional battle that had raged. Only Tatsumi remained in the room.
" Hisoka, I must state that I do not approve of this. He could be lying." Hisoka frowned.
" I would know if he was." Tatsumi came closer and sat down.
" I do not doubt you, Hisoka. It's just..Jade is very important to us, as you are also. We do not know what to do in this kind of situation, and so we are uncomfortable. The fact that Muraki is here doesn't make things any better." Smiling ever so slightly, Hisoka nodded.
" I understand, Tatsumi-kun. But.if I don't do this, then.." It was Tatsumi's turn to smile.
"Tsuzuki will have a hard time while you are gone. Believe it or not, he'll miss you." Hisoka snorted, rubbing his arm.
" I know. He'll miss me. But not Jade. Jade lied to him and betrayed him. That's the way he sees it." Spinning, Hisoka made to leave, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him, and he nearly shuddered at the feeling of concern there.
" Be careful, Hisoka. And Jade as well. I had a daughter, like her, when I was alive." Now the air was tinged with sadness and regret. Suddenly Hisoka understood.
" She was beautiful.but when she got sick, there was nothing we could do about it. We had to watch..." Hisoka took Tatsumi's hand in his, trying to project as much comfort as he could. Jade was almost in tears inside of him.
" I'll take care of both of us, Tatsumi-kun. Don't worry."
************************************************ ****************************
" Uhhwwaahhhhh!!" Jade let out a noise sigh accompanied with a stretch as soon as her and Muraki were out of Meifu. The corners of the doctors mouth quirked up into a bit of a smile, but he quickly squashed it back to the thin line it was so accustomed too. Jade chuckled.
" Who would have thought that we'd end up working together, hmm Muraki?" Muraki looked over at her, feeling faint surprise. Just that morning she was threatening to kill him, and now she was treating him like a best friend. Then he looked at her more carefully, and saw the wariness and the caution that she was trying so successfully to bury. He was a little more than astonished now. She was actually trying to get along with him.whether it was because they would be working together, fighting together, or his offer, or all three of them together.she was willing to try and forget the past that he had given to her. Jade seemed to notice him watching her, and she dropped her eyes and looked away. Well, if a 16- year-old female could try to overcome boundaries to make working together tolerable, then he'd be damned if he wouldn't do the same. 'Although,' he reconsidered his last statement, 'I'm probably already damned..'
" Indeed. Things have taken an unexpected turn of events. I hope that things end well." Ok ok, it wasn't the best start in the world, but it was better than a death threat. Jade chuckled.
" Trust me. I'll make it work." Suddenly, Muraki did not envy Saki at all. He wasn't even sure Saki would appreciate being alive once Jade caught up with him.
******************************************** ****************************
Saki paced his brothers house. Sooner or later he would have to return, and then he could kill him. Granted, if all of his mind had been replaced when Touda brought him back, he would have realized that.well..his plan was stupid. But all that was left now was his desire to kill his brother...something he did not manage to achieve in his previous lifetime. Chuckling, he decided it would be easy.after all, if his brother gave up after a fight like the one they had previously, then there was no risk of failure. 'This time, there won't be anybody to shoot me in the back.'
******************************************* ****************************
" Jade, what are you.Muraki?? Now this is something I NEVER thought I'd see." Oriya chuckled nervously as Jade and Muraki walked in..together. Jade gave him a preemptive glare as to what he may, and probably was, implying, and Muraki just stayed quiet.
" Very funny, Oriya." Jade flipped a strand of hair over her shoulder, looking around. Muraki stepped forward.
" I'll need my usual room, Oriya. I will discuss this later." With that, he was gone, leaving a staring Oriya and Jade with her mouth hanging open. 'That.JERK! He didn't even offer to.oh crud.' She turned to see Oriya grinning at her.
" Had a change of heart, eh Jade?" Growling, she glared at him.
" Definitely not. If I can't get another room, at LEAST bring in another tatami mat and a screen, please." Laughing, Oriya motioned for her to follow as he went for the supplies.
" So, what made you team up with tall, pale and sadistic?" Rolling her eyes, Jade ran a hand through her hair.
" You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She then concentrated on pulling it back into a braid, struggling with it as she walked. Oriya quirked an eyebrow at her, reaching the storage room.
" Try me." Sighing, Jade let her hair fall, picking up a blanket, and spoke. Oriya dropped the mat.
***************************************************** *********************
Tsuzuki sighed, pacing. He couldn't believe that she would choose to go with Muraki. It didn't make sense! Well...it kind of made sense, but there was a piece in the logic that he was missing. And what was going on between her and Tatsumi? Not that he cared, he rushed to assure himself, but still..
" Tsuzuki-san, I believe you are going to wear a hole in the floor." Tsuzuki paused momentarily to look over at the secretary in question, sighed again, and picked up where he left off. Tatsumi just shook his head.
" You realize that part of this IS your fault." Stopping again, he looked at Tatsumi in confusion.
" How is Jade leaving.WITH Muraki..WITHOUT bothering to tell me...my fault???" Tatsumi just raised an eyebrow and looked at him. Flushing guiltily, he looked away.
" Well, if she'd just have told us in the beginning."
" And what? Have us treat her like Hisoka? In case you didn't notice, Tsuzuki-san, she does NOT act like Hisoka. She wished to live her own life..one that had been taken from her. You know that, and yet you persist in trying to lay the blame on her. Granted, some of this is her fault as well, but still." Tsuzuki went back to grumbling mentally. Tatsumi did have a point, though. He should go apologize or..something. Tatsumi handed him a slip of paper, and then left. Glancing at it, Tsuzuki repressed a grin. Leave it to the secretary to know what he was thinking. On the paper were detailed instructions of where Muraki and Jade planned on going.
" Time to get this over with."
************************************************ ****************************
The door slid open, then shut again. Muraki sat outside, and ignored it, for now. It was just Jade or Oriya. The quiet padding of feet across the room and onto the balcony confirmed Jade's arrival. However, she didn't say anything. Instead, she opted to sit, cross-legged, and stare out into the courtyard, resting her chin in her hand. This time, Muraki decided to start the conversation.
" He will be waiting." A small nod of the head in the corner of his eye was the only indication that she was listening.
" Your co-workers do not approve of this. You didn't tell them why you chose to help me." This time, a shrug.
" They don't care. Not really." Not the ones that matter, the thought hung in the air, almost palpable for the white-haired doctor.
" They do. They just hide it well." Now she snorted, and he looked over to see her eyes momentarily cross in an expression of annoyance. Chuckling, he looked back out into the courtyard, watching the falling Sakura petals.
" They really are beautiful, aren't they? Even in death...they will stay beautiful." Breath hitched in surprise beside him, and he looked back at Jade to see her head lowered, face hidden from view.
" You know....you two sound the same sometimes..it's almost kind of funny." Raising an eyebrow, he shrugged.
" We will return to my house the day after tomorrow." The bowed head nodded.
" Yes."
" If we win, you get what you want." She stood, head still hidden behind a wall of hair, speaking bitterly.
" I don't even know what I want anymore." Turning, she went back inside. Silent for a moment, Muraki threw back his head and laughed.
************************************************** ****************************
They called out to him, beckoning to him to lose his focus for a moment, just a moment, and truly enjoy himself, as he had countless times before. But today, he wouldn't be persuaded. No, today was the day that people stared at him in surprise, the few that saw him on the similar route.
Today, Tsuzuki was walking right by the sweets shop. The newest member of the bakery staff fainted inside the store.
" Gotta apologize....Tatsumi was right, I should've been a little more understanding." Tsuzuki mumbled to himself as he walked, headed for the inn that Hiso...Jade..had taken to staying at. When he reached the inn, he was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn't notice the girl he bumped into. Wary eyes looked up, startled, maroon hair flying everywhere as she backpedaled. He blinked.
" Jade?"
************************************************** ****************************
~eariler~
" ORIYAAAA!! I AM GOING TO MURDER YOU IN YOUR SLEEP!!!!!!!!" Not exactly the best way for a person to wake up, Oriya thought in amusement as he shifted himself off of his tatami mat. However, it was worth it. He had ordered some clothes for Jade and set them in her room when Muraki and her were outside talking. Of course, he had also taken all of her OTHER clothes as well. After a few moments of silence, which he took to pull on his kimono (or whatever he wears ^^"), the door slammed open, Jade following shortly, eyes flashing.
" What is the meaning of this???" He chuckled, taking in the outfit. Jade was tugging at the skirt alternately from the top to the hem, trying to make it longer with her will power, it seemed. The tight black..and short, he snickered...skirt was complimented by a tank top-style light blue shirt with bands of fabric hanging loosely around the her arms (Think princess Jasmine from Aladdin.). However, she was looking decidedly upset. Plastering on the most innocent expression he could manage, Oriya stood.
" Why Jade, is that a new outfit? It looks wonderful." After all, what was the point of acting like a big brother if you couldn't tease your younger 'sister'? Growling at him, she crossed her arms over her front, giving up on the skirt.
" Where are my other clothes, Oriya?" Now he grinned.
************************************************** ****************************
" YOU DID WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" Muraki groaned, forcing his eyes open. That was the second time that Jade had screamed. Sighing, he forced himself up, got changed, and padded in the direction of Oriya's room. He paused, however, when Oriya went flying through the paper door. Jade stormed out after him, eyes blazing.
" You JERK! I can't BELIEVE you BURNED THEM!!!!!" Muraki blinked for a moment, took in Jade's choice of outfits, and then laughed.
" You're not helping, Muraki!" He continued laughing as he went back to his room, ignoring her shouts of protest, and leaving Oriya to defend himself.
************************************************* ****************************
~present time~
Tsuzuki blinked at Jade, who was slowly turning a dark red.
" Jade..uh..." Working frantically to get his vocal chords able to form sentences, he didn't see Muraki stroll up behind her.
" Ah, Tsuzuki-san. To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" He saw her give the doctor a warning glance, and grinning inwardly.
" I....I wanted to talk to Jade." When Muraki didn't move, he frowned slightly.
" Alone." Raising a single eyebrow, Muraki turned and walked back into the building, leaving Jade to give him all the puzzling looks she could manage. Taking her arm, he steered her away from the inn and towards a park he had passed earlier. Once they got there, she tugged her arm back. He rubbed the back of his head.
" Sorry. I just wanted to get away from him." Jade snorted.
" Try having to sleep in the same room as him. Did you know that he snores??" Tsuzuki blinked, and Jade sighed, waving her hand in the air.
" Never mind. So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" The guarded, wary look had come back into her eyes, which didn't make Tsuzuki's resolution any easier.
" I wanted to apologize."
********************************************* ****************************
Ap-chan- Really?? @_@ that was a total fluke.I didn't know that @_@ .....coo' ^_^v Thanks for letting me know, that's awesome ^_^
Jade..~sweatdrops, whaps Embyr over the head~.baka...-_-
Me.ow..;-;
Yamatoforever- Weeeelll, I'm not sure if she entirely forgives him, persay but...well, you'll see eventually ^_^v Yes, Tsuzuki's jealous...he doesn't really seem like he would, but I think there's a part of him that does anyway, even in the show ^_^' at least, that's what I'm hoping :P
On with the story!!
****************************************** ************************
Whatever Muraki had been expecting when he woke up, it certainly wasn't this. A low growl sounded above him, and he looked up. Then froze. 'What is a creature of Hell doing in Meifu?' The growl deepened.
' Muraki.' By the gods, it could talk. Just then the door slammed open.
" Muraki!" An angry shinigami stormed into the room, hair flaring out slightly, eyes narrowed. Really, in his position, she looked quite intimidating. So, he stood up as best he could, trying to look intimidating back. It didn't appear to work.
" Hello boy." Jade gave an intolerant snort and a power wave slammed him against a wall. Cerberus just growled. He blinked. This was most unlike Jade.
" I had an argument and came into my room to find the doctor that killed me in. My. Room. I do not want to make idle chat. Tell me WHY you are here, and maybe I'll let you live instead of asking Cerberus here to rip you to shreds." Her tone of voice had almost reached that of the large dog next to her, and she was almost growling. He straightened slightly, and the pressure on him let up a bit. Dusting himself off, he assumed the look that was his trademark. The "I'm here because I meant to be here and there's nothing you can do about it so nyah" look.
" I assume that your curiosity drove you to see what I was like?" By the way she shivered, he had guessed right.
" Yes. I saw..something about Saki." Muraki sighed, rubbing his forehead and dropping the 'greater than thou' attitude. He needed help, and asking for it was going to be difficult.
" He's back. And no, it wasn't me. It was Touda." A room on fire would have been preferable to her look.
" Touda is Tsuzuki-san's shikigami." He raised an eyebrow. Since when was 'san' attached to his name? There was no time for that.
" I would appreciate it if you called off your pet, Jade." A glance, and Cerberus lay down, one head watching him, but not as threatening as before. He nodded his thanks. Clearing his throat, he continued.
" It's complicated.because Tsuzuki went missing, Touda was unable to complete his order. And, since Saki was already dead and I was unconscious, he took the clone I had made for my.brother..and revived him. However, now he is very powerful, and he wishes to kill me. I cannot defeat him alone." Slowly, Jade's eyes widened as she realized what he was saying. And what he was asking for.
" I realize that this decision may take time, Jade. I do ask, however, that you do so quickly, for I do not have much time. Perhaps we could strike a deal?" The look on her face suggested high doubt, but she crept closer, carrying a lamp with her just in case. If anybody had been passing by, they would have heard a gasp and a crash.
******************************************** ************************************
" You WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" Jade, or Hisoka now, winced as disbelief and astonishment pounded on him. Not to mention the actual noise of the cries.
" I said what I said."
" I don't believe that any of you have a right to object to the boy's wishes."
" I do not approve of this."
" ..."
" Hoot!" (so sue me.I can't write animal sounds -_-'''')
" This isn't a good idea, Bon!" Hisoka sighed, rubbing his temple. (If you can guess who said what.I'll give you all internet cookies! @_@)
" I'm going, whether you approve or not. I've made my decision, and I'm sticking with it." Glaring at his co-workers, Hisoka looked at Muraki.
" Any idea where he could be?" Muraki sighed, rubbing his forehead and ignoring the glare that Tatsumi sent him.
" No. For all I know, he could be headed here. But I must go and prepare for the departure. Come when you are ready, boy." He bristled slightly at the nickname that never seemed to leave, but nodded anyway, ignoring the inky blackness surrounding him.
" Fine." One by one, they filed out of the room, and Hisoka sighed, weary after the mental and emotional battle that had raged. Only Tatsumi remained in the room.
" Hisoka, I must state that I do not approve of this. He could be lying." Hisoka frowned.
" I would know if he was." Tatsumi came closer and sat down.
" I do not doubt you, Hisoka. It's just..Jade is very important to us, as you are also. We do not know what to do in this kind of situation, and so we are uncomfortable. The fact that Muraki is here doesn't make things any better." Smiling ever so slightly, Hisoka nodded.
" I understand, Tatsumi-kun. But.if I don't do this, then.." It was Tatsumi's turn to smile.
"Tsuzuki will have a hard time while you are gone. Believe it or not, he'll miss you." Hisoka snorted, rubbing his arm.
" I know. He'll miss me. But not Jade. Jade lied to him and betrayed him. That's the way he sees it." Spinning, Hisoka made to leave, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him, and he nearly shuddered at the feeling of concern there.
" Be careful, Hisoka. And Jade as well. I had a daughter, like her, when I was alive." Now the air was tinged with sadness and regret. Suddenly Hisoka understood.
" She was beautiful.but when she got sick, there was nothing we could do about it. We had to watch..." Hisoka took Tatsumi's hand in his, trying to project as much comfort as he could. Jade was almost in tears inside of him.
" I'll take care of both of us, Tatsumi-kun. Don't worry."
************************************************ ****************************
" Uhhwwaahhhhh!!" Jade let out a noise sigh accompanied with a stretch as soon as her and Muraki were out of Meifu. The corners of the doctors mouth quirked up into a bit of a smile, but he quickly squashed it back to the thin line it was so accustomed too. Jade chuckled.
" Who would have thought that we'd end up working together, hmm Muraki?" Muraki looked over at her, feeling faint surprise. Just that morning she was threatening to kill him, and now she was treating him like a best friend. Then he looked at her more carefully, and saw the wariness and the caution that she was trying so successfully to bury. He was a little more than astonished now. She was actually trying to get along with him.whether it was because they would be working together, fighting together, or his offer, or all three of them together.she was willing to try and forget the past that he had given to her. Jade seemed to notice him watching her, and she dropped her eyes and looked away. Well, if a 16- year-old female could try to overcome boundaries to make working together tolerable, then he'd be damned if he wouldn't do the same. 'Although,' he reconsidered his last statement, 'I'm probably already damned..'
" Indeed. Things have taken an unexpected turn of events. I hope that things end well." Ok ok, it wasn't the best start in the world, but it was better than a death threat. Jade chuckled.
" Trust me. I'll make it work." Suddenly, Muraki did not envy Saki at all. He wasn't even sure Saki would appreciate being alive once Jade caught up with him.
******************************************** ****************************
Saki paced his brothers house. Sooner or later he would have to return, and then he could kill him. Granted, if all of his mind had been replaced when Touda brought him back, he would have realized that.well..his plan was stupid. But all that was left now was his desire to kill his brother...something he did not manage to achieve in his previous lifetime. Chuckling, he decided it would be easy.after all, if his brother gave up after a fight like the one they had previously, then there was no risk of failure. 'This time, there won't be anybody to shoot me in the back.'
******************************************* ****************************
" Jade, what are you.Muraki?? Now this is something I NEVER thought I'd see." Oriya chuckled nervously as Jade and Muraki walked in..together. Jade gave him a preemptive glare as to what he may, and probably was, implying, and Muraki just stayed quiet.
" Very funny, Oriya." Jade flipped a strand of hair over her shoulder, looking around. Muraki stepped forward.
" I'll need my usual room, Oriya. I will discuss this later." With that, he was gone, leaving a staring Oriya and Jade with her mouth hanging open. 'That.JERK! He didn't even offer to.oh crud.' She turned to see Oriya grinning at her.
" Had a change of heart, eh Jade?" Growling, she glared at him.
" Definitely not. If I can't get another room, at LEAST bring in another tatami mat and a screen, please." Laughing, Oriya motioned for her to follow as he went for the supplies.
" So, what made you team up with tall, pale and sadistic?" Rolling her eyes, Jade ran a hand through her hair.
" You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She then concentrated on pulling it back into a braid, struggling with it as she walked. Oriya quirked an eyebrow at her, reaching the storage room.
" Try me." Sighing, Jade let her hair fall, picking up a blanket, and spoke. Oriya dropped the mat.
***************************************************** *********************
Tsuzuki sighed, pacing. He couldn't believe that she would choose to go with Muraki. It didn't make sense! Well...it kind of made sense, but there was a piece in the logic that he was missing. And what was going on between her and Tatsumi? Not that he cared, he rushed to assure himself, but still..
" Tsuzuki-san, I believe you are going to wear a hole in the floor." Tsuzuki paused momentarily to look over at the secretary in question, sighed again, and picked up where he left off. Tatsumi just shook his head.
" You realize that part of this IS your fault." Stopping again, he looked at Tatsumi in confusion.
" How is Jade leaving.WITH Muraki..WITHOUT bothering to tell me...my fault???" Tatsumi just raised an eyebrow and looked at him. Flushing guiltily, he looked away.
" Well, if she'd just have told us in the beginning."
" And what? Have us treat her like Hisoka? In case you didn't notice, Tsuzuki-san, she does NOT act like Hisoka. She wished to live her own life..one that had been taken from her. You know that, and yet you persist in trying to lay the blame on her. Granted, some of this is her fault as well, but still." Tsuzuki went back to grumbling mentally. Tatsumi did have a point, though. He should go apologize or..something. Tatsumi handed him a slip of paper, and then left. Glancing at it, Tsuzuki repressed a grin. Leave it to the secretary to know what he was thinking. On the paper were detailed instructions of where Muraki and Jade planned on going.
" Time to get this over with."
************************************************ ****************************
The door slid open, then shut again. Muraki sat outside, and ignored it, for now. It was just Jade or Oriya. The quiet padding of feet across the room and onto the balcony confirmed Jade's arrival. However, she didn't say anything. Instead, she opted to sit, cross-legged, and stare out into the courtyard, resting her chin in her hand. This time, Muraki decided to start the conversation.
" He will be waiting." A small nod of the head in the corner of his eye was the only indication that she was listening.
" Your co-workers do not approve of this. You didn't tell them why you chose to help me." This time, a shrug.
" They don't care. Not really." Not the ones that matter, the thought hung in the air, almost palpable for the white-haired doctor.
" They do. They just hide it well." Now she snorted, and he looked over to see her eyes momentarily cross in an expression of annoyance. Chuckling, he looked back out into the courtyard, watching the falling Sakura petals.
" They really are beautiful, aren't they? Even in death...they will stay beautiful." Breath hitched in surprise beside him, and he looked back at Jade to see her head lowered, face hidden from view.
" You know....you two sound the same sometimes..it's almost kind of funny." Raising an eyebrow, he shrugged.
" We will return to my house the day after tomorrow." The bowed head nodded.
" Yes."
" If we win, you get what you want." She stood, head still hidden behind a wall of hair, speaking bitterly.
" I don't even know what I want anymore." Turning, she went back inside. Silent for a moment, Muraki threw back his head and laughed.
************************************************** ****************************
They called out to him, beckoning to him to lose his focus for a moment, just a moment, and truly enjoy himself, as he had countless times before. But today, he wouldn't be persuaded. No, today was the day that people stared at him in surprise, the few that saw him on the similar route.
Today, Tsuzuki was walking right by the sweets shop. The newest member of the bakery staff fainted inside the store.
" Gotta apologize....Tatsumi was right, I should've been a little more understanding." Tsuzuki mumbled to himself as he walked, headed for the inn that Hiso...Jade..had taken to staying at. When he reached the inn, he was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn't notice the girl he bumped into. Wary eyes looked up, startled, maroon hair flying everywhere as she backpedaled. He blinked.
" Jade?"
************************************************** ****************************
~eariler~
" ORIYAAAA!! I AM GOING TO MURDER YOU IN YOUR SLEEP!!!!!!!!" Not exactly the best way for a person to wake up, Oriya thought in amusement as he shifted himself off of his tatami mat. However, it was worth it. He had ordered some clothes for Jade and set them in her room when Muraki and her were outside talking. Of course, he had also taken all of her OTHER clothes as well. After a few moments of silence, which he took to pull on his kimono (or whatever he wears ^^"), the door slammed open, Jade following shortly, eyes flashing.
" What is the meaning of this???" He chuckled, taking in the outfit. Jade was tugging at the skirt alternately from the top to the hem, trying to make it longer with her will power, it seemed. The tight black..and short, he snickered...skirt was complimented by a tank top-style light blue shirt with bands of fabric hanging loosely around the her arms (Think princess Jasmine from Aladdin.). However, she was looking decidedly upset. Plastering on the most innocent expression he could manage, Oriya stood.
" Why Jade, is that a new outfit? It looks wonderful." After all, what was the point of acting like a big brother if you couldn't tease your younger 'sister'? Growling at him, she crossed her arms over her front, giving up on the skirt.
" Where are my other clothes, Oriya?" Now he grinned.
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" YOU DID WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" Muraki groaned, forcing his eyes open. That was the second time that Jade had screamed. Sighing, he forced himself up, got changed, and padded in the direction of Oriya's room. He paused, however, when Oriya went flying through the paper door. Jade stormed out after him, eyes blazing.
" You JERK! I can't BELIEVE you BURNED THEM!!!!!" Muraki blinked for a moment, took in Jade's choice of outfits, and then laughed.
" You're not helping, Muraki!" He continued laughing as he went back to his room, ignoring her shouts of protest, and leaving Oriya to defend himself.
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~present time~
Tsuzuki blinked at Jade, who was slowly turning a dark red.
" Jade..uh..." Working frantically to get his vocal chords able to form sentences, he didn't see Muraki stroll up behind her.
" Ah, Tsuzuki-san. To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" He saw her give the doctor a warning glance, and grinning inwardly.
" I....I wanted to talk to Jade." When Muraki didn't move, he frowned slightly.
" Alone." Raising a single eyebrow, Muraki turned and walked back into the building, leaving Jade to give him all the puzzling looks she could manage. Taking her arm, he steered her away from the inn and towards a park he had passed earlier. Once they got there, she tugged her arm back. He rubbed the back of his head.
" Sorry. I just wanted to get away from him." Jade snorted.
" Try having to sleep in the same room as him. Did you know that he snores??" Tsuzuki blinked, and Jade sighed, waving her hand in the air.
" Never mind. So, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" The guarded, wary look had come back into her eyes, which didn't make Tsuzuki's resolution any easier.
" I wanted to apologize."
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