A/N: Waaah! Waaah! People like my story!! *runs around like a maniac*
There seems to be quite different opinions on who Tsusuki should be with in the end. I hope no one will hate me if it ends in a way you didn't like or expected? Please don't hate me?!! T-T
Now onto the prizes.
Serenity, of course you like Tsusuki! What's not to like!? You get an inu Tsusuki plushie for reviewing and, though you didn't get the number of exclamation marks right ( I counted 32 the first time, but the general opinion seems to be that they were actually 33 @_@) I still give you a plushie of your bishie of choice, just for the effort.
Miyahara Yuuki, (love the name) I can't promise anything but neither can I deny it. You get an inu Tsusuki plushie and a Hisoka plushie, because you seem to want them desperately to be together.
Same to Kyraille Fade. You get Tatsumi and Watari plushies! Yay, someone noticed those two after all!
Kitsune: You also get an inu Tsusuki plushie, but only one because I promised extra prizes for the exclamation mark thingy.
As for the cartoon; am I that old? I think it was a MGM or WB cartoon, one of those one shots that were so funny. The prize for that still stands unclaimed. A clue: the bulldog was wearing a red turtle neck (At least I think it was red; around those days I had a b&w TV and I used to assign colours to the different shades of grey. Later I found to be right most of the time, isn't that weird?!) (In case you're wondering; NO, I'm not *that* old, we were just too poor for a colour TV :P)
Enjoy!
A DEVIL'S THRILL
Tic tac, tic tac, tic tac...
As inaudible as the sound of his wrist watch's mechanism was, Tsusuki could still hear it. He was in a sort of trance, staring dumbly at the handles. He seemed to be waiting for a sudden move; some indication that the time was actually passing, other than the hypnotic tic tac.
Amazing how slowly time can pass when you're waiting for something. If you considered Tsusuki'd lived 96 years and had an eternity ahead of him, those twenty minutes shouldn't have meant anything. And yet the long handle seemed to be stuck on the eight. It was 20 minutes until four, and it had been for at least half an hour, Tsusuki guessed.
He'd like to say that he had thought he shouldn't go. It would have been nice to say he'd considered backing away; that he'd thought about how wrong it was for him to be waiting for his meeting with Hijiri, knowing what were the young man's intentions. Tsusuki shrugged; in all honesty, he hadn't.
The little voice that was his conscience seemed to agree with him that he should stop thinking for once and let himself enjoy. Who cared if Hijiri looked exactly like Hisoka? Yes, he had feelings for his partner, but the young man hated him. And Hijiri was an entire different person; a person he liked by his own merits. Why shouldn't he give the boy a chance?
No, Tsusuki didn't feel guilty or doubtful; in fact, he felt a quite anxious to see where this would lead to; exited about the possibilities. It had been so long since he'd had something to wait for; something that made his days to be more than a simple succession of wasted time.
*stomp* *stomp* *stomp*
Hisoka watched with amazement as Tsusuki paced around the office, his eyes fixated on his watch and, if he had to bet on it, matching his loud footsteps with each passing second.
It was making him nervous, to say the least. Not only he had his own reasons to be nervous, with his and Hijiri's conversation still fresh in his mind; and not also because of the anxiety that he was picking from Tsusuki; the worse were those damned synchronized footsteps!
Still, though he needed to say something to stop his partner from driving him mad, he took a few deep breaths to do so calmly and keep his temper on a leash. After all, he'd agreed with Hijiri to allow him to do this because he wanted nothing more than Tsusuki's happiness; at the same time making a resolve to treat the older man better. He wondered though, if he should let it happen. Would he be able to endure a love sick Tsusuki? Specially when the object of his partner's affection wasn't him?
"Tsusuki..." he said wearily. The older shinigami stopped his pacing and looked at him. The amethyst eyes were dancing like mad; a perfect mirror of their owner state of mind.
"Huh?" Tsusuki answered stupidly. Hisoka sighed.
"You're making me nervous. Why don't you sit down? I promise you, you'll be out of here before you know it."
With a sheepish smile, Tsusuki sat on his desk, his hands fidgeting.
"I'm sorry. It's just...It's been a long day and I want to get home fast."
Oh yeah, Tsusuki hadn't mentioned that he was meeting Hijiri. Hisoka didn't want to be, but he was angry that the older man couldn't trust him enough to tell him. He probably expected Hisoka to mock him or be cruel to him about it in some way. It was clear that was what Tsusuki thought of him. But he wasn't supposed to know about the meeting, so he couldn't call him on the lie. Telling Tsusuki he knew would eventually result on him confessing what he'd discussed with Hijiri, as well as his feelings.
"And you may want to consider keeping your emotions in check..." Hisoka added, not looking at his partner, "You're spreading them around like candy."
Tsusuki tensed. How much of his emotions had Hisoka picked up on? The thought of Hisoka knowing what he was about to do- though he wasn't sure of what that was exactly- sent shivers down his spine. 'Get a hold of yourself, baka!' he thought, 'It's not like you're cheating on him or something; besides, he can't read your mind.'
"So..." Tsusuki's fidgeting worsened; Hisoka rose his eyes from the files. "...uhm...You know Hisoka..."
"Yes?" Hisoka was expectant. Would he tell him? Probably not.
"You and Hijiri..." Tsusuki laughed nervously. "What did you guys talked about yesterday?"
'Dam!' , Hisoka looked around the room as if a good excuse would appear written on one of the walls or something, 'Think; quick!'
"Why do you want to know?" stalling, good strategy. Unless of course the question sounded like you were hiding something, which it did.
"Oh, it's nothing..." Tsusuki shrugged, "...Hijiri mentioned something, but he wasn't specific, and since you two didn't seem on the best of terms yesterday, I thought..."
"What? What did you think?" Hisoka said in a rush, being a bit too aggressive. "If he didn't tell you then it's not my place to tell you, is it? Besides, what do you care if we don't get along, huh?"
Tsusuki winced and Hisoka mentally kicked himself for being so impulsive. No, make that, beat the crap out of himself.
"Hisoka, I know that you don't like me, but Hijiri is a good man and I'd hate for you to have a negative impression of him because of me. That's all."
Tsusuki's tone was something Hisoka wasn't ready for, even when he'd heard it so many times before. Tsusuki didn't seem angry with him for not liking him, as he'd said. The brunette seemed resigned about it, almost as if he agreed he shouldn't be liked. Hisoka wanted to run to the other man and hug him; just show him how wrong he was; tell him that all his aggressions came out of him not knowing what to do with the feelings he had for him. Never in his life Hisoka had cared for someone as much as he did for Tsusuki. It wasn't that surprising after all; he grew up being treated like a monster by his own parents; kept away from the rest of the world and, when he finally had contact with the outside, it had been with the person that would rape him and condemn him to spend the rest of his life in a hospital room.
How could Tsusuki really believe he despised him? Did he not realise, after all they'd gone through together, that there wasn't anyone else in his life?
Hisoka found he didn't have it in him to answer his partner's statement. He just couldn't say it; so he rose from his sit violently and left the office, mumbling 'baka' on his way out.
-----------------------------
*knock* *knock*
Watari jumped in surprise at the unexpected noise. 003 seemed equally disturbed, batting her wings nervously for a few seconds. As many friends that he had, the scientist would find himself to be alone most of the time, company was something he treasured but always surprised him; at least during working hours.
"Come in!" he tried to sound detached; not to show how giddy it made him the idea of talking with someone who could actually reply. 003 was nice enough, but you can only talk to your owl so much.
Tatsumi poked his head in.
"Busy?"
Watari shrugged and shook his head no with a smile.
"Not really. I was transferring some of the old files into the computer. If they waited a hundred years, they can wait a little longer."
The shadow master walked in then, taking a sit next to Watari.
"Oh, I thought you were busy. It's 4:30, you should've gone home by now."
Watari raised his eyebrows in surprise and glanced at his watch.
"Oh, darn! I didn't realise. I would leave my head behind if it wasn't attached to my body."
Tatsumi smirked.
"Well, I'm not paying you extra hours, if that was your plan."
"Ha, ha. Like you'd ever pay extra anything, you cheap bastard." Watari's tone was more playful than scolding, so Tatsumi didn't take it as an insult. Instead, he looked around for a moment and sighed.
"Wanna go catch something to eat?" he said casually. If Tatsumi had been able to show any emotion on his face though, he guessed his face muscles would have been twitching madly.
"Let me guess,..." Watari smiled smugly. "You're starving and you hope I pay for your food?"
In any other circumstance, with any other person- though he'd never show it- Tatsumi would have felt offended by the implications. But Watari was different. He didn't mind Tatsumi being careful with money- because that's what he was; he was not cheap!-, the scientist simply accepted it as a part of his personality. Of course, always as long as it didn't concern his own pay check; then he'd mind.
Tatsumi smiled sheepishly.
"You caught me. Still, you wanna?"
Watari stood up, dusting off his white lab coat.
"But of course! I'm desperately bored here, since *someone* won't let me carry my life and after life's ambition because he's a bit sensitive about being a pet for a day."
The shadow master mentally smiled. He wouldn't say anything now, but one of the reasons he wanted to have dinner with Watari was to inform him that his time was done and he was free again. Yes, that was the reason!
They left the lab and started going through the halls in silence. Tatsumi felt good in the blond's company; Watari had always been a good friend and recently- maybe because an after life of being alone can be a bit tiring- he found himself looking to spend more and more time with the genki scientist. He really didn't know why he hadn't done that before; his days were a lot more bearable since he did.
They were going through the main hall when Hisoka rushed past them, bumping into Watari and nearly knocking him off his feet. Luckily for both of them, Tatsumi was there to catch him.
"Sumimasen!!*" The young man yelled and disappeared from sight.
The two shinigamis stared at the place where the young man had been a few seconds before for a few moments, until Watari realised that Tatsumi was still holding him and blushed furiously, pulling away.
"Are you ok?" Tatsumi asked, just a bit of concern seeping through his voice. Watari nodded. "I'm going to give that boy a piece of my mind tomorrow. What does he think this is? Kinder garden?"
Watari waved him off.
"He seemed in a hurry. He probably didn't see me, it's no biggy. Besides, I feel sorry for him. Go easy on the boy."
"Sorry? Why do you feel sorry for him?" Tatsumi asked curiously.
"Well, I don't know if I should..." Watari seemed hesitant, which made Tatsumi even more curious.
"What? Did something happen?"
"Well, yeah. Tsusuki came to ask me for advice earlier today. It seems he and Hijiri had a date today."
The shadow master blinked a few times, shocked.
"Oh." he blinked a few more times, as if to make a point that he was truly, utterly, surprised. "Oh." he repeated.
Watari shrugged and started walking again.
"I can't blame him. Hisoka couldn't expect him to wait forever, you know?"
"Oh?" Ok, Tatsumi, you know you're more verbal than this!
"Tsusuki isn't the kind that would get tired of waiting, mind you. If Hisoka gave him the slightest hint that he stood a chance, he'd wait for eternity for the boy to make up his mind; but Tsusuki is sure Hisoka hates his guts." Watari got a sad smile on his face and lowered his head. "Maybe it's for the best that he thinks that. It wouldn't be nice for him to always wonder if those things he sees as hints are nothing more than a product of his imagination. At least this way he can find happiness elsewhere."
Tatsumi frowned. The last bit seemed to mean more than what it sounded like. Was it directed to him? That didn't make sense. He wasn't leading Tsusuki on, was he? Sure, he'd been in love with his ex-partner for a while, and still cared deeply for him, but that was it. He shrugged it off as reading more to it than what it was.
"You seem to be convinced that Hisoka loves Tsusuki. I must admit that coming from you it must be true; you're a good judge of character most of the time; but honestly, I don't see it."
Watari smiled tenderly at him; Tatsumi felt butterflies doign a rave parade in his stomach, but he couldn't understand why.
"It's just like you to miss those things. One of this days, Tatsumi, love's gonna smack you in the face and you won't know what hit you; literally."
----------------------
"What do you want to do now?" Hijiri took Tsusuki's hand and led him through the crowd as they left the restaurant.
Maybe it had been the delicious food; maybe it had been the sake; maybe it was the beautiful young man affectionally holding his hand; Tsusuki felt high. All the noises around them were reduced to a faint murmur, the faces seemed blurry and his brain had as much power of reaction as a log.
"Uh...I don't know..."
"Wanna go catch a movie?" Hijiri asked cheerfully.
"Ok." Tsusuki answered dazedly.
By the time he'd regained his senses, both of them where sitting in the darkened cinema, holding hands. What movie were they watching, Tsusuki didn't know, nor he cared. All he could see were those beautiful green eyes, filled with glee, that more often than not were staring at him instead of the screen.
No, he hadn't doubted; but now he was absolutely sure this was the right thing to do. Never had it felt so good to be by Hijiri's side; so right. Tsusuki knew it was because now he didn't have to wonder about what it meant. Hijiri had made it obvious, even though without words, that his interests weren't platonic. It was immensely liberating not having to speculate and get your hopes up for something that probably wouldn't come. Hijiri liked *him*; wanted *him*, and just that was enough to make his heart swell. The young fiddler might have been a bad judge of character, but he wouldn't let this opportunity pass. He'd try to better himself, be the best for this beautiful, warm human that seemed to love him.
Somewhere along the line, Hijiri rested his head on Tsusuki's shoulder and the shinigami took the chance to encircle the boy's body with one arm, pulling him even closer.
"So..." he whispered in Hijiri's ear. "Is this a date?" he finished with a smile on his face.
Hijiri looked up and into his eyes. After contemplating him for a few moments he leaned over and kissed him sweetly. This time he'd been ready for it; he'd waited to do that the entire evening, and Tsusuki didn't waste time in responding. Their lips melted together for what it seemed like an eternity. The boy tasted heavenly. Tsusuki hadn't kissed anyone in so long, he was afraid to be doing everything wrong; but Hijiri's approving, soft moans drove the doubts out of his mind.
The little voice that was his concience didn't seem to notice that he'd closed his eyes; not to enjoy the kiss further, but to avoid getting a glimpse of black hair.
TBC
* Sumimasen: I'm sorry.
Gomen people, I have to try and use this expresions whenever I can, so I won't forget them, and my mom looks at me funny when I talk to her in Japanese.
Time for a Konnie-chan Contest!
If you don't like bishie plushies suggest a prize. (not money ^.^)
1)Tell me what the hell 'bon' means (cuz it's not Japanese, unless Watari is calling Hisoka a mediocre, I think), why Watari calls Hisoka that in every fic and if I should use it too. (if it's an anime thing, tell me, I haven't watched the anime. If it is in the manga and I've missed it, humour me and just ignore the question so I don't feel stupid)
2) I need to know if Watari's age is mentioned in the manga. It's important!
3) Of course anyone who reviews gets a prize :*
A bit of curious information: Tatsumi means southeast, Watari means ferry. Watatsumi means sea. Think about it, one name is a direction, the other is a mean of transportation, and together they make what could be a destination.^-^
Ja ne!
There seems to be quite different opinions on who Tsusuki should be with in the end. I hope no one will hate me if it ends in a way you didn't like or expected? Please don't hate me?!! T-T
Now onto the prizes.
Serenity, of course you like Tsusuki! What's not to like!? You get an inu Tsusuki plushie for reviewing and, though you didn't get the number of exclamation marks right ( I counted 32 the first time, but the general opinion seems to be that they were actually 33 @_@) I still give you a plushie of your bishie of choice, just for the effort.
Miyahara Yuuki, (love the name) I can't promise anything but neither can I deny it. You get an inu Tsusuki plushie and a Hisoka plushie, because you seem to want them desperately to be together.
Same to Kyraille Fade. You get Tatsumi and Watari plushies! Yay, someone noticed those two after all!
Kitsune: You also get an inu Tsusuki plushie, but only one because I promised extra prizes for the exclamation mark thingy.
As for the cartoon; am I that old? I think it was a MGM or WB cartoon, one of those one shots that were so funny. The prize for that still stands unclaimed. A clue: the bulldog was wearing a red turtle neck (At least I think it was red; around those days I had a b&w TV and I used to assign colours to the different shades of grey. Later I found to be right most of the time, isn't that weird?!) (In case you're wondering; NO, I'm not *that* old, we were just too poor for a colour TV :P)
Enjoy!
A DEVIL'S THRILL
Tic tac, tic tac, tic tac...
As inaudible as the sound of his wrist watch's mechanism was, Tsusuki could still hear it. He was in a sort of trance, staring dumbly at the handles. He seemed to be waiting for a sudden move; some indication that the time was actually passing, other than the hypnotic tic tac.
Amazing how slowly time can pass when you're waiting for something. If you considered Tsusuki'd lived 96 years and had an eternity ahead of him, those twenty minutes shouldn't have meant anything. And yet the long handle seemed to be stuck on the eight. It was 20 minutes until four, and it had been for at least half an hour, Tsusuki guessed.
He'd like to say that he had thought he shouldn't go. It would have been nice to say he'd considered backing away; that he'd thought about how wrong it was for him to be waiting for his meeting with Hijiri, knowing what were the young man's intentions. Tsusuki shrugged; in all honesty, he hadn't.
The little voice that was his conscience seemed to agree with him that he should stop thinking for once and let himself enjoy. Who cared if Hijiri looked exactly like Hisoka? Yes, he had feelings for his partner, but the young man hated him. And Hijiri was an entire different person; a person he liked by his own merits. Why shouldn't he give the boy a chance?
No, Tsusuki didn't feel guilty or doubtful; in fact, he felt a quite anxious to see where this would lead to; exited about the possibilities. It had been so long since he'd had something to wait for; something that made his days to be more than a simple succession of wasted time.
*stomp* *stomp* *stomp*
Hisoka watched with amazement as Tsusuki paced around the office, his eyes fixated on his watch and, if he had to bet on it, matching his loud footsteps with each passing second.
It was making him nervous, to say the least. Not only he had his own reasons to be nervous, with his and Hijiri's conversation still fresh in his mind; and not also because of the anxiety that he was picking from Tsusuki; the worse were those damned synchronized footsteps!
Still, though he needed to say something to stop his partner from driving him mad, he took a few deep breaths to do so calmly and keep his temper on a leash. After all, he'd agreed with Hijiri to allow him to do this because he wanted nothing more than Tsusuki's happiness; at the same time making a resolve to treat the older man better. He wondered though, if he should let it happen. Would he be able to endure a love sick Tsusuki? Specially when the object of his partner's affection wasn't him?
"Tsusuki..." he said wearily. The older shinigami stopped his pacing and looked at him. The amethyst eyes were dancing like mad; a perfect mirror of their owner state of mind.
"Huh?" Tsusuki answered stupidly. Hisoka sighed.
"You're making me nervous. Why don't you sit down? I promise you, you'll be out of here before you know it."
With a sheepish smile, Tsusuki sat on his desk, his hands fidgeting.
"I'm sorry. It's just...It's been a long day and I want to get home fast."
Oh yeah, Tsusuki hadn't mentioned that he was meeting Hijiri. Hisoka didn't want to be, but he was angry that the older man couldn't trust him enough to tell him. He probably expected Hisoka to mock him or be cruel to him about it in some way. It was clear that was what Tsusuki thought of him. But he wasn't supposed to know about the meeting, so he couldn't call him on the lie. Telling Tsusuki he knew would eventually result on him confessing what he'd discussed with Hijiri, as well as his feelings.
"And you may want to consider keeping your emotions in check..." Hisoka added, not looking at his partner, "You're spreading them around like candy."
Tsusuki tensed. How much of his emotions had Hisoka picked up on? The thought of Hisoka knowing what he was about to do- though he wasn't sure of what that was exactly- sent shivers down his spine. 'Get a hold of yourself, baka!' he thought, 'It's not like you're cheating on him or something; besides, he can't read your mind.'
"So..." Tsusuki's fidgeting worsened; Hisoka rose his eyes from the files. "...uhm...You know Hisoka..."
"Yes?" Hisoka was expectant. Would he tell him? Probably not.
"You and Hijiri..." Tsusuki laughed nervously. "What did you guys talked about yesterday?"
'Dam!' , Hisoka looked around the room as if a good excuse would appear written on one of the walls or something, 'Think; quick!'
"Why do you want to know?" stalling, good strategy. Unless of course the question sounded like you were hiding something, which it did.
"Oh, it's nothing..." Tsusuki shrugged, "...Hijiri mentioned something, but he wasn't specific, and since you two didn't seem on the best of terms yesterday, I thought..."
"What? What did you think?" Hisoka said in a rush, being a bit too aggressive. "If he didn't tell you then it's not my place to tell you, is it? Besides, what do you care if we don't get along, huh?"
Tsusuki winced and Hisoka mentally kicked himself for being so impulsive. No, make that, beat the crap out of himself.
"Hisoka, I know that you don't like me, but Hijiri is a good man and I'd hate for you to have a negative impression of him because of me. That's all."
Tsusuki's tone was something Hisoka wasn't ready for, even when he'd heard it so many times before. Tsusuki didn't seem angry with him for not liking him, as he'd said. The brunette seemed resigned about it, almost as if he agreed he shouldn't be liked. Hisoka wanted to run to the other man and hug him; just show him how wrong he was; tell him that all his aggressions came out of him not knowing what to do with the feelings he had for him. Never in his life Hisoka had cared for someone as much as he did for Tsusuki. It wasn't that surprising after all; he grew up being treated like a monster by his own parents; kept away from the rest of the world and, when he finally had contact with the outside, it had been with the person that would rape him and condemn him to spend the rest of his life in a hospital room.
How could Tsusuki really believe he despised him? Did he not realise, after all they'd gone through together, that there wasn't anyone else in his life?
Hisoka found he didn't have it in him to answer his partner's statement. He just couldn't say it; so he rose from his sit violently and left the office, mumbling 'baka' on his way out.
-----------------------------
*knock* *knock*
Watari jumped in surprise at the unexpected noise. 003 seemed equally disturbed, batting her wings nervously for a few seconds. As many friends that he had, the scientist would find himself to be alone most of the time, company was something he treasured but always surprised him; at least during working hours.
"Come in!" he tried to sound detached; not to show how giddy it made him the idea of talking with someone who could actually reply. 003 was nice enough, but you can only talk to your owl so much.
Tatsumi poked his head in.
"Busy?"
Watari shrugged and shook his head no with a smile.
"Not really. I was transferring some of the old files into the computer. If they waited a hundred years, they can wait a little longer."
The shadow master walked in then, taking a sit next to Watari.
"Oh, I thought you were busy. It's 4:30, you should've gone home by now."
Watari raised his eyebrows in surprise and glanced at his watch.
"Oh, darn! I didn't realise. I would leave my head behind if it wasn't attached to my body."
Tatsumi smirked.
"Well, I'm not paying you extra hours, if that was your plan."
"Ha, ha. Like you'd ever pay extra anything, you cheap bastard." Watari's tone was more playful than scolding, so Tatsumi didn't take it as an insult. Instead, he looked around for a moment and sighed.
"Wanna go catch something to eat?" he said casually. If Tatsumi had been able to show any emotion on his face though, he guessed his face muscles would have been twitching madly.
"Let me guess,..." Watari smiled smugly. "You're starving and you hope I pay for your food?"
In any other circumstance, with any other person- though he'd never show it- Tatsumi would have felt offended by the implications. But Watari was different. He didn't mind Tatsumi being careful with money- because that's what he was; he was not cheap!-, the scientist simply accepted it as a part of his personality. Of course, always as long as it didn't concern his own pay check; then he'd mind.
Tatsumi smiled sheepishly.
"You caught me. Still, you wanna?"
Watari stood up, dusting off his white lab coat.
"But of course! I'm desperately bored here, since *someone* won't let me carry my life and after life's ambition because he's a bit sensitive about being a pet for a day."
The shadow master mentally smiled. He wouldn't say anything now, but one of the reasons he wanted to have dinner with Watari was to inform him that his time was done and he was free again. Yes, that was the reason!
They left the lab and started going through the halls in silence. Tatsumi felt good in the blond's company; Watari had always been a good friend and recently- maybe because an after life of being alone can be a bit tiring- he found himself looking to spend more and more time with the genki scientist. He really didn't know why he hadn't done that before; his days were a lot more bearable since he did.
They were going through the main hall when Hisoka rushed past them, bumping into Watari and nearly knocking him off his feet. Luckily for both of them, Tatsumi was there to catch him.
"Sumimasen!!*" The young man yelled and disappeared from sight.
The two shinigamis stared at the place where the young man had been a few seconds before for a few moments, until Watari realised that Tatsumi was still holding him and blushed furiously, pulling away.
"Are you ok?" Tatsumi asked, just a bit of concern seeping through his voice. Watari nodded. "I'm going to give that boy a piece of my mind tomorrow. What does he think this is? Kinder garden?"
Watari waved him off.
"He seemed in a hurry. He probably didn't see me, it's no biggy. Besides, I feel sorry for him. Go easy on the boy."
"Sorry? Why do you feel sorry for him?" Tatsumi asked curiously.
"Well, I don't know if I should..." Watari seemed hesitant, which made Tatsumi even more curious.
"What? Did something happen?"
"Well, yeah. Tsusuki came to ask me for advice earlier today. It seems he and Hijiri had a date today."
The shadow master blinked a few times, shocked.
"Oh." he blinked a few more times, as if to make a point that he was truly, utterly, surprised. "Oh." he repeated.
Watari shrugged and started walking again.
"I can't blame him. Hisoka couldn't expect him to wait forever, you know?"
"Oh?" Ok, Tatsumi, you know you're more verbal than this!
"Tsusuki isn't the kind that would get tired of waiting, mind you. If Hisoka gave him the slightest hint that he stood a chance, he'd wait for eternity for the boy to make up his mind; but Tsusuki is sure Hisoka hates his guts." Watari got a sad smile on his face and lowered his head. "Maybe it's for the best that he thinks that. It wouldn't be nice for him to always wonder if those things he sees as hints are nothing more than a product of his imagination. At least this way he can find happiness elsewhere."
Tatsumi frowned. The last bit seemed to mean more than what it sounded like. Was it directed to him? That didn't make sense. He wasn't leading Tsusuki on, was he? Sure, he'd been in love with his ex-partner for a while, and still cared deeply for him, but that was it. He shrugged it off as reading more to it than what it was.
"You seem to be convinced that Hisoka loves Tsusuki. I must admit that coming from you it must be true; you're a good judge of character most of the time; but honestly, I don't see it."
Watari smiled tenderly at him; Tatsumi felt butterflies doign a rave parade in his stomach, but he couldn't understand why.
"It's just like you to miss those things. One of this days, Tatsumi, love's gonna smack you in the face and you won't know what hit you; literally."
----------------------
"What do you want to do now?" Hijiri took Tsusuki's hand and led him through the crowd as they left the restaurant.
Maybe it had been the delicious food; maybe it had been the sake; maybe it was the beautiful young man affectionally holding his hand; Tsusuki felt high. All the noises around them were reduced to a faint murmur, the faces seemed blurry and his brain had as much power of reaction as a log.
"Uh...I don't know..."
"Wanna go catch a movie?" Hijiri asked cheerfully.
"Ok." Tsusuki answered dazedly.
By the time he'd regained his senses, both of them where sitting in the darkened cinema, holding hands. What movie were they watching, Tsusuki didn't know, nor he cared. All he could see were those beautiful green eyes, filled with glee, that more often than not were staring at him instead of the screen.
No, he hadn't doubted; but now he was absolutely sure this was the right thing to do. Never had it felt so good to be by Hijiri's side; so right. Tsusuki knew it was because now he didn't have to wonder about what it meant. Hijiri had made it obvious, even though without words, that his interests weren't platonic. It was immensely liberating not having to speculate and get your hopes up for something that probably wouldn't come. Hijiri liked *him*; wanted *him*, and just that was enough to make his heart swell. The young fiddler might have been a bad judge of character, but he wouldn't let this opportunity pass. He'd try to better himself, be the best for this beautiful, warm human that seemed to love him.
Somewhere along the line, Hijiri rested his head on Tsusuki's shoulder and the shinigami took the chance to encircle the boy's body with one arm, pulling him even closer.
"So..." he whispered in Hijiri's ear. "Is this a date?" he finished with a smile on his face.
Hijiri looked up and into his eyes. After contemplating him for a few moments he leaned over and kissed him sweetly. This time he'd been ready for it; he'd waited to do that the entire evening, and Tsusuki didn't waste time in responding. Their lips melted together for what it seemed like an eternity. The boy tasted heavenly. Tsusuki hadn't kissed anyone in so long, he was afraid to be doing everything wrong; but Hijiri's approving, soft moans drove the doubts out of his mind.
The little voice that was his concience didn't seem to notice that he'd closed his eyes; not to enjoy the kiss further, but to avoid getting a glimpse of black hair.
TBC
* Sumimasen: I'm sorry.
Gomen people, I have to try and use this expresions whenever I can, so I won't forget them, and my mom looks at me funny when I talk to her in Japanese.
Time for a Konnie-chan Contest!
If you don't like bishie plushies suggest a prize. (not money ^.^)
1)Tell me what the hell 'bon' means (cuz it's not Japanese, unless Watari is calling Hisoka a mediocre, I think), why Watari calls Hisoka that in every fic and if I should use it too. (if it's an anime thing, tell me, I haven't watched the anime. If it is in the manga and I've missed it, humour me and just ignore the question so I don't feel stupid)
2) I need to know if Watari's age is mentioned in the manga. It's important!
3) Of course anyone who reviews gets a prize :*
A bit of curious information: Tatsumi means southeast, Watari means ferry. Watatsumi means sea. Think about it, one name is a direction, the other is a mean of transportation, and together they make what could be a destination.^-^
Ja ne!