Grasper's Note: I've had many complaints about Seii being OOC, so I revised this chapter, and three as well. Sorry, I wave the Tats x Tsu banner. They'd look so cute together!

"What do you MEAN you don't know where he is?!" Konoe-san bellowed, slamming his hands on the surface of his desk.

Tsuzuki shrugged. "He walked away from me."

He growled slightly. "Go FIND him then. What's wrong with you these days, Tsuzuki?! You're reverting back to your old self!"

"Let him off the hook chief, he's in love," a voice teased from behind Tsuzuki. Tsuzuki glanced over his shoulder just as a hand was rested upon it.

"Love?! What do you mean 'love'?"

Tatsumi smiled down at Tsuzuki teasingly. Sometimes he just knew how to get under his skin.

Tsuzuki chuckled nervously and itched his head, knowing there was no way out of this one. "Um ...guess I forgot to mention that."

Konoe fumed in the face. "Just what IS going on here? Tatsumi?"

Tatsumi grinned. "Guess he's in love. Or was..." he added, glancing off to a random spot in the room, thinking. He was quickly snapped out of thought when he was elbowed in the stomach. It wasn't hard, just enough for him to get with the program.

"You have a big mouth, you know that!" Tsuzuki growled, forgetting who he was talking to.

Tatsumi put his hands up defensively. "Hey, just relying the facts. Have to get them out sooner or later," he said, seriously.

Konoe was not satisfied. He reached over his desk and grabbed Tsuzuki by the collar of his shirt and yanked him forth. They met half way, leaning over the desk, noses just about touching. Sweat drops fell from Tsuzuki's face as he swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Spit it out or I'll have you out of here in no time flat!"

Tsuzuki whined. "But chieeeeeeef..."

"It's Hisoka, isn't it? ISN'T IT?"

"Oh for heaven's sake, take it easy on the poor kid, he's had it rough," Tatsumi said, pulling him back with ease and brushing off the front of his coat as if Konoe's touch was chaotic.

"I'll just bet," Konoe said, not losing his growl. "Would that maybe explain why he's not here? Tsuzuki, this is serious. You know very well the crime for this sort of action. As much as it sickens me to say it, you're one of the best we have."

Normally Tsuzuki would be dancing around, bragging at how good he was, but took a serious turn and simply lowered his head.

"Now get out there and find Hisoka. Tatsumi, go with him."

Tatsumi's eyes went wide. "But chief—"

"I said go with him."

___________________

"What really happened?" Tatsumi asked him as they sat in a booth together in a rather budget priced restaurant, courtesy of him and his cheap spending habits. He figured food would be the only way to get Tsuzuki to talk.

Tsuzuki nearly downed his entire glass of soda in one shot. He pushed it away with a sigh and stared at the table before him.

"You probably wouldn't believe me, even if I did tell you. Hell, I don't even believe it. All I know is that I hurt Hisoka and if I could take it all back, I would."

Tatsumi felt sorrow and guilt rush over his body instantly. He had no idea it was true. He was just messing around with Konoe as usual about the love business.

"You're both romantically involved, aren't you?" he asked low.

Tsuzuki was aware of the offense to this, but he never cared. His love for Hisoka was stronger than some stupid 'leave of absence' from the division. Or at least he thought so until he suddenly discovered he had feelings for Hijiri.

He nodded. "We were...but it looks like not anymore."

Tatsumi fell dizzy. As he went to place his glass down onto the table, he was unaware it was tilted slightly to the side and nearly tipped it over, but caught himself.

"Are you okay?" Tsuzuki inquired.

Tatsumi nodded quickly. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" he said, forming fake chuckles. "My former partner's off having the time of his life, why would that bother me? It's not like I care or anything."

It was as Tsuzuki thought. Tatsumi still had his little crush for him, one that had lasted several decades, way back when they were partners. Although now he's wondering if that crush had turned into something more over the years. He has gotten much closer physically to him before Hisoka came along, whenever he could anyway, outside of work. Knowing it would mess things up, he never said a word to anyone about this, not even Tsuzuki. He wanted him to share mutual feelings before saying anything.

Before Tsuzuki could speak, Tatsumi excused himself and was guessed to have went into the bathroom around the corner to cool down. During that short time he was gone, Tsuzuki felt glad that he didn't tell him the whole story. He didn't want to. Him knowing about Hisoka was bad enough, but for him to know that he slept with someone else while being with Hisoka at the same time for no apparent reason whatsoever would be the cause of all hell breaking loose. He would be taking his leave of absence for longer than originally thought. He would have no objections though. He knew what he did to Hisoka was wrong.

In the process of sipping at his now third refill of soda, Tatsumi came back, not making eye contact with him. Tsuzuki however, never took his eyes away from his. Tatsumi showed no hesitation in letting the world know how he felt.

"This bothers you, doesn't it?" he asked.

Tatsumi shrugged. "I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. Ever since he rescued you from The Fire of the Tern Snake. Just my luck, huh?"

Tsuzuki knew he was trying to be tough, but failed miserably.

"Tatsumi..."

"Where is he anyway?" Tatsumi interrupted.

Tsuzuki let out a breath of air. He knew this question was going to come up at least once today.

"No idea," he said, which wasn't a total lie. "But I hope he shows up soon. No doubt we'll have an assignment soon."

They met eye contact, but no sooner did Tsuzuki slither out of his booth and throw his sweatshirt on, feeling a sudden rush of guilt.

"I'm leaving."

"But we haven't eaten yet," Tatsumi informed.

"Who cares, I need to get out of here."

He walked off first, brushing away the tears furiously that threatened his eyes. He may have been dead, but he still had a heart.

"Whoa! Hold up there, speedy. What's the rush?" Tatsumi asked, jogging to catch up to him. "It's not like we're being timed or anything."

"I slept with someone else Tatsumi, okay, satisfied? I don't see why this concerns you anyway. It's none of your business," he blurted, not giving a second thought and didn't bother to turn around and look at Tatsumi's facial expressions, which were rather shocking.

"Hold it!" he said, grabbing him by the arm and forcing him to a halt. "I want you to explain to me what's going on. We're not moving from this spot until you do. I may have no business in your affairs with Hisoka, but I'm still a fellow Shinigami and you will explain this to me."

He forced him to stand against a brick wall on a side street.

"Tell me everything."

Tsuzuki wasn't getting out of this one. He took a deep breath and began, under the watchful eye of Tatsumi.

________________

"Sorry, I have no room in my life for weaklings such as yourself," Muraki said to Hisoka as he was strangely enough practically begging. "But however...I'm curious to know...why all of a sudden do you want to run to me? You could easily get revenge on Tsuzuki in your own creative little ways."

Hisoka looked up at this man with new eyes. He looked past the fact he was raped and murdered by him and also even after death still had to put up with his crap.

"Won't you be banned from the ministry if you become my spawn?"

As Hisoka saw it, Muraki was more innocent than Tsuzuki. It wasn't true in a sane person's mind, but in Hisoka's heart, even a simple kiss and touch from his loved one could ruin him for life. He was more than willing to be manipulated by Muraki and was hoping for a chance to fight with Tsuzuki.

"Being a Shinigami means nothing to me anymore," Hisoka said in a low voice, balling his fist. "The only reason I stayed one is because of Tsuzuki. Now that he's no longer a part of my life, I'd much rather be gone for good."

Muraki smirked. He loved every second of Tsuzuki hate thrown at him. Even though he loved him and wanted to screw him until dawn's early light, he would also do anything to make sure he suffered, giving him ultimate pleasure. There was nothing like seeing your loved one curled in a ball and sobbing for help. Just the delicious thoughts sent chills all around Muraki's bodacious body.

"What exactly do you want from me?"

Hisoka's green eyes shown brightly as he still kept a straight face. "I do believe we're after the same thing. I'm preparing to put my horrific memories of what you had done to me out of the way for now. The moment Tsuzuki sees us together, you'll get what you want and easily."

Muraki looked the boy over with lust lurking in his eyes. Hisoka didn't let it bother him and remained still. He smirked as he closed in on Hisoka, cupping his cheeks with gloved hands.

"Give me what I want and I'll gladly give you what you want."

Hisoka knew what was coming next. His eyes sealed shut as Muraki's mouth crashed down on his own for the second time in his life. It was quite obvious of his next request.

He allowed himself to be pushed to the ground and straddled. Muraki lay across his stomach and chest, brushing his finger gently across his cheek. Hisoka's heart pounded loudly. He half wished for Tsuzuki to bust down the doors and rescue him, but the other half of him knew that he despised Tsuzuki and was doing this only for revenge.

He sat back and let the much older man perform professionally over his fragile body.