Starless Nights

[Part III: Tsuzuki's Memoir]

Beautiful, that is what you describe a beautiful morning. That description fits Hisoka's day perfectly. It was due to a certain thought that kept playing and playing in his mind like an endless song…

He was intoxicated by thoughts about a certain amethyst-eyed man he met just yesterday. They did not meet in an unusual way, but still it seems that meeting Tsuzuki (again) became very striking. He could not even remove a single thought in his mind that was connected to the man.

Yes, Hisoka would celebrate those amethyst eyes. Those alluring yet alien color of those eyes suits the older man fairly well. He does a good job of not making it obvious in public that he's different. He was similar to Tsuzuki—he was a boy with dusty, light brown colored hair with violently shaded emerald eyes. Those traits made them stand out from the usual black and dark brown ensemble of the Japanese eyes: they were indeed unusual.

He looked upon the busy sidewalks past the main road. Hisoka had to hide himself from the crowd of people walking. Any sighting of him would cause much staring, interviewing and being pulled in by nasty tabloid photographers trying to get a nasty scoop for news. He had a free day today since yesterday he had his concert anyway, so he had the right of having a peaceful day of rest.

He continued walking in a manner similar to when he was strolling at a park or beach. He saw rows and rows of different multicolored shops. The shops mainly found here were bars, clubs and cafés. It took him time to reach about half of the sidewalk considering his pace of walking.

He gave an inward sigh and thought of having breakfast. That was the only time he decided to enter one of the cozy confines of a coffee shop. Inside of the shop was a small parlor enough to seat at least thirty people and next to it was the lounge with coffee table where most costumers went to sit and order. The whole café had a distinct smell of newly brewed Brazilian coffee that mingled with the sweet smell of the newly baked pastries. It felt so nice to be inside of this shop.

"Sir, may I take your order?" the girl asked. Because Hisoka was in a state of stupor with a hand cupping his chin matched with a lost gaze, he was fairly surprised by the voice that spoke beside him.

"I'm so sorry, sir, I guess I disturbed you…I will return later to take your order…" The waitress stared in awe when she realized who she was to talking to: the popular rock idol Hisoka. Hisoka, however, did not seem to take notice of the girl's stare and looked back at her and smiled, "No, I insist that you take it now."

"Very well, then, sir." The young waitress smiled brightly as she pulled out a pad of paper and a pen from her pocket and began scribbling Hisoka's order. His order consisted of a plain cappuccino and jam-glazed muffins.

When he was savoring the smell and he was about to sink his teeth to the moist and delicious muffin, he caught sight of a person or rather, two people as the other emerged after the first man. That man immediately made Hisoka's appetite suddenly gone. The people were no other than Muraki together with Oriya.

Why on earth did he ever choose the same café he was? Why did his moronic brain did not tell him that Muraki's favorite café at Shibuya was no other than The Sapphire? It was mere coincidence that he picked a café at random but here he was with someone he despised!

He could hide no longer and Muraki took notice of him. His manager stood from his chair and let his tailored clothes swish behind him elegantly.

"Boy, what are you doing here?" Muraki asked, smiling pristinely and ignoring Hisoka's deadly glare. He was the only man to be able to stand the boy's glares because he was also thick enough to repel it.

"Why do you care? I have as much right as you have to be in this café, mind you." Hisoka snapped back. His face could not be painted because of the scowl etched in his face. Certainly, he was not pleased to see even just the hemline of Muraki's clothing.

Muraki fell into a thoughtful silence before speaking again, "I suppose. It is obvious since you are still in side this café. By the way, on the day after this, I arranged for you a press con. You should vivaciously promote you album, Hisoka-kun."

Hisoka was quite aware that Muraki never addressed him as 'kun'. He now had two choices: to verbally assault Muraki or remain silent. He opted for the former but was mistaken incredibly, "Why, is that your way to sneak your way towards being a CEO? Being the president's dearest?"

A pair of green eyes cast a look upon the Oriya at the other end of the café, apparently wearing a face of disgruntlement. A vein suddenly popped at Kazutaka's forehead, making him hiss angrily, "And so? What if I told you, that he is my lover?"

Hisoka's mouth fell open. He was shock of Muraki's little revelation. Adding up to his horror enters Tsuzuki. Therefore, the older man added, "Ahh…you thought you could get away? You also have your koibito here."

"He is not!" Hisoka heatedly replied, his voice quite loud that even the unknowing Tsuzuki spotted him at his table with Muraki. The albino man gave a big, gloating smile and leaned casually on the table. He spoke with finality in tone,

"Ja mata!" After bidding farewell, he walked straight to Tsuzuki and lightly said as if he was joking, "Have fun together."

Of course, a casual contact would really be surprised, especially by the chosen words and the way it passed from Muraki's lips. He didn't have any idea what was transpiring, anyway.

"Hajimemashite?" Hisoka asked Tsuzuki as he neared his table. He still wore those amethyst eyes of his with a clueless expression. It seems that he wouldn't be able to comprehend if Hisoka would not explain.

Hisoka again asked his question. This finally forced a reply from Tsuzuki.

"Ogenki desu….who was that, 'soka-kun? I remember him from last night…"

"Kazutaka Muraki, my manager."

"Why you look so angry with him?" Tsuzuki inquired while stealing glances at Muraki and Oriya's table.

"I'll explain later…" Hisoka stood from his seat, pulled out his wallet, and left the cash to pay for his bill. He just wanted to get out of the café as soon as possible.

Ten minutes later, Tsuzuki just followed Hisoka's lead. Their destination? They both didn't know.

"I didn't like my manager to begin…but my band mates do. I just hate him…for no reason at all. I just don't feel at ease with him."

"Nothing?"

"Nada, nothing, Asato-kun. I find it very unjust but really, part of me burns with hatred whenever I see him."

The brown haired man gave a low chuckle, "Aa…that's not good. Hmm…do you believe in past lives?"

Hisoka shook his head for an answer. He certainly wasn't buying anything like that. Still, in his desire not to put off his only companion, he listened.

"Maybe he's done something to you in your past life… much like, for example, in the past he was a tyrannical and evil king and you were his victim, [1]" a bright voice that was characteristically Tsuzuki's happily narrated.

"What a jest you are," Hisoka told silently.

"Oh, you think so? You'll see how a boring man I must be unlike you…"

Tsuzuki's voice became distant and faded immediately after he decided to take a seat. He chose a spot under the shade of the tree in the quiet avenue. Hisoka did the same and settled himself beside Tsuzuki. However, he was keen on distancing himself so those eyes would not distract him.

Again, he failed, because he sat there no longer listening to the talk Tsuzuki made about the concert and that it was going to be published in three day's time. Instead, Hisoka was lost again at staring.

"Ne, Hisoka-kun?"

"Hisoka-kun?"

"Hisoka?"

Hisoka gave out a yelp, "Gyaa!". He stopped and looked stupidly to Tsuzuki—he was caught off-guard. He couldn't help but to feel the burning sensation on his cheeks. It burned so badly that even his ears tinged a bright vermilion as he avoided looking at Tsuzuki. He was quite sure that Tsuzuki was offended by the intense stare he'd given.

"Gomen ne."

"Ne, would you mind if I invited you later night at the Ephiros tonight?"

"You mean that popular bar found in the 52nd avenue?"

"Yep."

"Okay."

"Hiiiiiisooooookaaaaa!!!!!!!" Amidst the sea of people came blond head zooming past everyone and caught Hisoka. It was to his horror that again, Watari did the disconcerting act in front of a crowd. Tsuzuki only laughed at this after seeing Hisoka's bright crimson shade.

"What are you people doing here?" Hisoka demanded Tatsumi after he regained composure. The pianist merely replied with a small smile and pointed to the others behind, "Why don't you think they don't deserve a break?"

"Uhh…of course you do."

"Then join us!" Wakaba squealed and yanked on Hisoka's arm. He on the other hand was reluctant to leave because Tsuzuki would be left alone. He had no choice but to tell them he was spending the night with Tsuzuki.

Hisoka introduced Tsuzuki to everyone, "Ano, this is Tsuzuki and he is with me…"

"Really? Is he your boyfriend?" Wakaba asked innocently.

"NO!"

"Oh people always deny things like those, Wakaba," a certain Terazuma appeared and teased Hisoka.

"Fine! I don't care what you people think," Hisoka scornfully replied to Terazuma.

"Hey, why don't we play a drinking game?!?" Watari happily suggested obviously giving a false feedback from Tatsumi, "Here? I doubt if you would do dares here."

"I would, in fact you could dare me to do anything you want. Or is it that our straight Tatsumi just afraid to lose?"

"No. I will gladly join. Who is with me?"

"We are!" everybody agreed except for of course, Hisoka. "I won't."

"Ne, join us! It would be fun!!!!" Tsuzuki pleaded, trying to put his 'puppy dog' charm to persuade Hisoka. Well, a few minutes and Hisoka did not decide so they all dragged him anyway.

The rest of the night went along fine with Watari and Tsuzuki winning almost every round. When there's a drinking game, every included in it could not refuse a dare from the winner. Terazuma fared quite well because he could handle his liquor, however, Kannuki was beginning to be tipsy. So far, the nastiest dare that Watari managed to let Tatsumi and Hisoka do was to wear ultra-tight and revealing leather clothes and entertain everyone. (Just let your imagination run with what they did) They did this while Watari happily took out a Polaroid camera and photographed cute Hisoka.

This got the attention of many the people partying in Ephiros. Who would refuse to watch gorgeous men dancing on stage? They even cheered and cahooted especially to Hisoka because he was very drool-worthy indeed.

Soon after, Hisoka could take anything anymore and dropped out of everyone's sight. Tsuzuki did not notice this until a few minutes later when he tried to dare Hisoka again and found him gone. Everyone was surprised when he rose from the table they were in and left without a single word.

Outside, Tsuzuki worriedly looked for Hisoka. He ran fast not caring to look at his path. Due to this, he bumped on a tall man wearing a long white coat. Again, Muraki and Tsuzuki met paths.

"Oi, what's taking you so long, Kazutaka?" Oriya asked from a distance. Muraki turned and answered, "I'm talking to someone. I'll be there with Hisoka."

"Where's Hisoka?" Tsuzuki asked.

"Asleep…poor boy, he never controls his alcohol," Muraki said indifferently. Tsuzuki on the other hand approached Hisoka and scooped his small frame from the floor.

"Taking him home?" Muraki asked. Tsuzuki nodded slowly in reply. He began turning to go to his car parked at the corner of the other street when Muraki spoke again, "Asato-san, please do take care of him, I'm rather fond of your friend."

"I would."

Tsuzuki entered his house and effortlessly carried Hisoka to his room. He sighed slowly, "It's hard to pretend that I don't know you. What shall I do so that you and everybody would remember who they really are? Why don't you remember that it's me, Tsuzuki…the Shinigami in your dreams?"

[to be continued]

Aki7: dear me, I think everybody who are trying to follow this fic might be annoyed that I updated a month after! I'm so sorry!!!!! I tried my best to create a lengthy chapter for everyone so that they wouldn't mind the lateness. Now we have revealed a twist in the fic!!!! Oh I'm excited how this would turn out! I hope you guys are now beginning to have teasers in the brain ^o^  my next chapter would be for Christmas! So hold on tight!

A review on telling me how I fared on this chapter would be greatly appreciated! Besides, I want to know who shall I thank for reading my ficcy  ^_^

Btw, people, I'm introducing Yukie-chan as my new co-author!!!! She would help me bring to you Hisoka and the Shinigamis' new adventure! So say hello to her!

Thanks again for the patience!

~Ja!