Thank you reviewers!!! ^___^ *glomps with tears* Who would thought that there are so many Mu x Tsu fans out there! Yeah! and btw, my username here turned into Kaz5.. wow, I got a number, I guess I'm not that original... *drags away by Muraki sensei*

Cold Flower
by Kaz

Standard disclaimer applied
Warnings: Muraki x Tsuzuki, angst, dark, lemon in parts, PG-13 -- NC-17
Notes: Beta-ed by Tiggy, and oh--the title taken from the song by The Brilliant Green, 'Tsumetai Hana' (Cold Flower)

* * * * *

Part 3

Tsuzuki walked limply to Tatsumi's side the minute he entered the health administration building. He gazed into the deep blue of the secretary's eyes, seeking information. Tatsumi shook his head, expression deep with concern. The violet-eyed shinigami bit his lower lip, leaning against the wall. He didn't know exactly what Muraki would do, but he believed in him. For just this one time he would believe in him. But he also knew that Muraki wouldn't help his partner that easily. What if he decided to torture Hisoka instead? What if he changed his mind? What if...

A long sharp cry could be heard from inside the room where Hisoka was, and then the silence resumed. Tsuzuki tensed, looking warily at the secretary. They rushed to the door and almost bumped into Watari who just came out of the room.

"Watari san, how is he doing?" Tatsumi asked.

Watari nodded, looking calmer than before. "I'm not so sure... just a minute ago he looked really in pain, but after that..."

Tsuzuki swallowed hard. "After that...? Watari, please tell me what happened?"

"I'm not sure, Tsuzuki. He looked better, but I can't really tell for how much longer... He looked a bit more relaxed, but I'm not taking chances by releasing him..." Watari explained.

Tsuzuki nodded. So something did change; maybe there was hope after all for Hisoka. Muraki had done something, he was certain of it. "Can I see him now? Is it okay for me to come and see him?"

Watari traded glances with Tatsumi, biting his lip, then shook his head. "Not yet, Tsuzuki. We should really wait for another hour. I'll let you see him after I untie the ropes..."

Tsuzuki felt a bit disappointed, but part of the burden had lifted from his shoulders. Something inside his heart mellowed a little. "Arigatou, Arigatou, Watari..."

The scientist shook his head, smiling brightly. "No, Tsuzuki. You have to thank Bon himself. If he gets through this, that must mean that he has conquered his biggest weakness alone..."

The violet-eyed shinigami could only nod. But he knew that it wasn't over yet. Muraki waited for him. He was the man behind all this, he was the one who had helped Hisoka. Tsuzuki hated the reality, but he was also glad that he had done the right thing. Hisoka would never forgive him if he found out, but there had been no other choice to make. He would be more than glad to give up his life for Hisoka's. The whole world could call him selfish for taking the decision on his own. But he didn't want to lose his friend, his partner, his... family... Even if it meant that he had to become Muraki's.

* * * * *

Darkness... He was surrounded by darkness. No matter where he ran, he could only see the darkness surrounding him. Flashes of red light hurt his eyes. The sight of the red moon above made him ache inside. The vision of his death haunted his every step, sending sharp pains all over his skin.

That man... That man with silver hair haunted him. His voice... his shadow... He hated everything in him. The man who had killed him years ago...

Everything was so painful...

And then he felt something warm behind him. He turned back and saw the images of his dear friend. The beautiful amethyst eyes... The beautiful smile... Everything about him looked so… natural, so friendly... so warm...

"Tsuzuki..."

His hand tried to touch the image but it faded away before his eyes as another sharp pain threatened him. Something was eating him from the inside, every cell in his body burning him, making him tremble again and again until he thought he would die because of it… But he had already died...

"No... no... Tsuzuki, help me... Tsuzuki..." His voice come out as a muffled cry, "...help me out of here... Tsuzuki..."

But the pain wouldn't let him move. He stumbled on his feet, feeling his skin burn, and blood started to drip from every pore of his skin. Blood covered the ground where he stood, filling his vision with crimson color.

"NOOOO...!" He cried into the thick air, tears starting to well in his eyes and wet his cheeks. And when he thought that he would die in pain, he saw a bright light above him. And then suddenly, something warm covered him, embracing him with the power he never had thought existed in this world.

"Tsuzuki..." And then the world went blank.

* * * * *

Watari cut the ropes that bound the young shinigami with full caution. The boy looked better after a few hours and his colour had started to come back. He was a bit worried that a single touch could reawaken the pain and he tried his best to be careful. And then slowly, he saw the emerald eyes open.

"Bon," Watari called, "...you're awake."

Hisoka tilted his head to see him, blinking slowly to adjust his eyes to the light. "Watari-san..."

"Hai, hai. It's me," the amber-eyed man replied cheerfully. "You're feeling okay now?"

He nodded, apparently trying to reassure Watari, and then, "Where is he?"

"Eh?" Watari frowned, and then smiled knowingly. "Tsuzuki's just outside, do you want me to call him in here? He's really worried about you, just like a mother hen..." He shook his head and laughed. "I know there's lots for you two to talk about."

"No." Hisoka shook his head weakly. "You don't have to..."

The scientist nodded in confusion, but then saw that faint smile cross Hisoka's face. The one that proved to him that he really was okay now. Once he was finished with the ropes, he covered the small figure with the blanket, tucking him inside the thick warmth. Hisoka thanked him silently before he went out through the door and to the hallway.

Tsuzuki was still there, sitting on the chair with his head in his hands. He stood up abruptly as he saw the door open. Violet eyes glinted with wariness, as if something was bothering him. "How is he?"

"He's awake."

"Eh?" Tsuzuki's eyes widened in surprise, and then, "Really? ...Can I see him now?"

Watari sighed heavily. "He doesn't want to see you yet."

The violet eyes looked a little disappointed, Tsuzuki looked down to his shoes. "Oh..."

"But you're the first one he asked about when he woke up." Watari smiled widely. "He's okay now, don't worry too much, Tsuzuki..."

The smile was back on Tsuzuki's face, violet eyes had their light back. "Yokatta... That's good news then... I-I better tell Tatsumi about this... He went back to the office because kachou called him just a minute ago…"

"But I'm sure that Bon won't mind if I do let you come in..." Watari sang and looked away for a second, teasing the other man. And then he saw a faint color creeping up Tsuzuki's cheeks and then a wide smile.

"Thank you..." Tsuzuki said silently and walked to the door of the room. "Can... Can you come with me inside? I don't want to be alone with him... I don't think..."

The longhaired man was startled, but nodded anyway at the request. He joined Tsuzuki inside the room. Hisoka still lay in the bed, eyes closed peacefully, but he was far from asleep. As he heard someone entered the room, gem-colored eyes opened and widened as they met a pair of violets.

"I... I said that I don't want to see you..." Hisoka stuttered, his eyes filled with embarrassment. Watari could only smile. He knew that the reason was just because the boy didn't want Tsuzuki to see him like that, lying weak in bed.

Tsuzuki smiled, walking to his side. "But I need to see you." The words melted the boy away. He looked away for only a brief moment, hiding the color in his cheeks. Tsuzuki looked down to the boy on the bed, smiling. "You look better... Yokatta..."

Hisoka restrained himself from smiling, or at least that's what Watari thought he was trying to do. "I guess so..." the boy answered dimly.

Tsuzuki's eyes started to well with tears despite his smiling face. He sank down to the floor, started muttering. "Thank God that you're okay... I was so worried.. and... and... I thought that you'd..."

"Baka!" Hisoka sat up in the bed, turning a little pink. "You don't have to cry like that, you... you baka!" he stretched his hand out to touch Tsuzuki's shoulder. But reluctantly the dark-haired man pulled away, eyes filled with surprise.

"Tsuzuki?" Watari called in concern, "...are you okay?"

Tsuzuki looked a little nervous, and then nodded. Eyes on Hisoka he said quietly, "I... I'd better go now... T-Take care..." And before the other two shinigamis could utter a single word, Tsuzuki had run through the door, leaving Hisoka and Watari alone in the room.

"Tsuzuki!" Hisoka tried to call him, hand catching empty air before him. Watari pushed him back to the bed, tucking him in. The young shinigami glared slightly in annoyance but obeyed him anyway.

"He didn't want me to touch him." The boy's words came, surprising him. "He's afraid that I'll read something inside his heart."

"Eh?" Watari blinked, startled. "Why do you think that?"

Hisoka shrugged. "I don't know..."

"He was really worried about you," Watari smiled. "He didn't want you to see that inside his mind, I guess... he really cares about you, Bon..."

Hisoka nodded. "Maybe. I..."

"Yes?"

"Nothing..." The boy looked away, eyes to the window. Watari nodded as he saw another faint smile on the boy's face. Shaking his head, he excused himself and closed the door behind him as he left the room. Those two could be really hard to deal with sometimes…

* * * * *

The sakura flowers always bloom beautifully in the garden, he noted. He loved the way their flowers hung from the branches, filling it with color. He loved the weather, it was warm and perfect, and everything couldn't be more perfect because he knew that Hisoka would be all right. Yes, he smiled, he would be okay, alive… and nothing could be better than that...

"Tsuzuki."

He turned around, seeing Watari walking towards him with a big smile. "I thought I'd find you here."

Tsuzuki smiled back widely, eyes narrowing to slits as he did so. Leaning against one of the tree trunks, he sighed gladly. "He will be okay now, won't he?"

"Yeah, I hope so... and I don't think there's much doubt that he will." Another reassuring smile from the scientist. "He said something strange though... He said that you don't want him to touch you, afraid that he might read your mind..."

The violet eyes widened a bit when he heard the words. "He... said that?"

"Yup." The smile was gone from Watari's face. "Is it true?"

"I..." The violet-eyed shinigami stammered, "Maybe... I..."

The scientist shrugged, smiling again. "S'okay if you don't wanna tell me, yanno...?"

Tsuzuki nodded, swallowing hard before his next words. "How long before he'll be able to get back to work?"

"Eh? Masaka? Tsuzuki, yer not gonna ask him to go to a mission soon, are you?" Watari scowled.

Tsuzuki shook his head. "Not that, Watari. I just…" He stopped and then continued, "I-I think I'll need some time for myself if that's okay... I mean, Tatsumi probably won't let me..."

Watari was caught by surprise. "You mean you're going? Where? How long?"

"Five days or so..." Tsuzuki forced a smile, "...I'll be back soon. Can you tell Tatsumi tomorrow morning, and tell him not to look for me..."

"Oh, okay... But..." Watari looked confused. "What if Bon..."

"He'll be okay," Tsuzuki cut him off. "Just tell him that I'll be back for him soon... And don't be worried about me..." He smiled, this time sincerely. Watari looked a little confused at first but then smiled widely like his old cheerful self.

"Okay. I'll tell that to the stingy secretary first thing in the morning!" he chimed while making a face.

Tsuzuki chuckled with him, knowing that at least he had one problem solved. Hisoka would be alright, and with a little help from Watari, Tatsumi would probably let him have some days off. It wasn't exactly a vacation for him, knowing what awaited him on earth. He would have to deal with Muraki now. But at least Hisoka was safe, and there was no concern over him anymore.

And soon, he could see Hisoka again. But before that, he had to do something, fulfilling his promise to his worst enemy.

* * * * *

Muraki stood there in front of the church, waiting for him. His white coat fluttered just a little as the wind blew around him. Tsuzuki shivered a little, knowing that he had probably made the worst bargain ever. Muraki reached out a hand as he stood an arm's length from the doctor. He was hesitant, but took the hand, feeling its warmth through his skin. His mouth opened just a little, surprised at the sudden warmth that enveloped him with the simple contact they made.

"Tsuzuki-san, I'm glad that you came." Muraki's voice was deep and low, sending shivers all through the shinigami's body, more than the cold wind could cause.

Tsuzuki nodded, letting himself be pulled into an embrace and a kiss was planted on his cheek. "Come then..." Muraki whispered thickly into his hair.

"Wait," Tsuzuki laid his palm on the other man's chest. "There is one more thing..."

"Oh?" Muraki was only a little annoyed, "You're not going to trick me, are you?" he smirked.

Tsuzuki shook his head, biting his lip. "I... I want you to erase my memory after these five days..."

"Why do I have to?" Muraki frowned, looking a little perplexed by the request.

"Hisoka is an empath, he could read my mind if he touches me. If he knew about what happened, he would rather die than know it was you who saved him," Tsuzuki said in a soft tone. "If that happens, it would be the same as killing him... I don't want that to happen..."

The silver eye glinted with something Tsuzuki couldn't define as he finished his sentence. Muraki's smile faded for just a brief moment. "What a beautiful relationship you have there, Tsuzuki-san... now I am really jealous of the two of you..."

"Muraki?" Tsuzuki felt a little surprise when the doctor released him and walked past him, "...So what do you say?"

The doctor stopped; turning back, he stretched another hand towards the shinigami. "It's a deal." He smiled. "Now, shall we?"

Tsuzuki took the hand and felt that warmth surround him once again. He tried to ignore it, but found himself failing. Muraki walked in front of him, his figure looking so gracious with that long white coat, and his hair sparkled as it was touched by the morning sun. Tsuzuki closed his eyes briefly and felt his heart filled with a little relief. He will forget, he said, he will forget and everything would be back to normal again...

Wouldn't it?

-tbc-

Oookaaaay, now REVIEW! *gives cookies* just like what April-san said, all flames will be given to Shishio while energy blast thrown to Krad. However, all review will be sent to a certain puppy shinigami ^_~
And I hope Yasai-san already found that fic 'Under The Red Moon' the redirection site didn't work too well, did it? I change the site address with the original site now... *sigh*

-signing off- and the part 4 will be out when the review hit 30 - eheh.. just kidding - or do I? - *winks*