((AN: Hello! New fandom for Chiharu! I hope I get everything right, and I hope you all enjoy it. If you see anything too OOC, please let me know right away – and please don't be afraid to critique my writing. I'm tough, I can take whatever you need to say!))

CHAPTER 1

"There are three children. Their names have appeared on the list, but their souls have not reported for judgment." Tatsumi tapped the report folder he held in his hand, and Hisoka and Tsuzuki sat forward in the plastic meeting room chairs and studied their own copies closely. They contained three pictures, each one of what appeared to be a peacefully resting little boy.

"It might be clichéd to say this," Tsuzuki said tentatively, peering at the glossy police photos, "but they really look like they're sleeping, don't they? I mean... they look happy."

"Yes," the secretary agreed, pushing up his glasses. "They were each found dead on three separate mornings. Each was in his own bed, and each wore the serene look you see there. As of this morning, the cause of death was undetermined."

Hisoka frowned and looked at the chief, who was seated next to Tatsumi. "There weren't any clues at all?"

Konoe-kachou shook his head. "None. Each of the children was healthy, and the autopsy reports were clean."

"But there weren't any witnesses? This is an orphanage, and the children were in their rooms. Did they sleep alone?"

"No," Tatsumi answered, shutting his folder. "They died in their dorm rooms, surrounded by other children. If the reports can be believed –" And he didn't look like he believed them, "— no-one saw nor heard anything."

The chief grunted. He leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "Kurosaki. Tsuzuki. The orphanage is near Nagasaki. I'm trusting you two to gather the souls and bring them to Meifu."

"And if we find out who's responsible?" Hisoka asked, looking back at the too-calm pictures.

"If it's someone living, let the police take them. If it's something else... well, I expect you to contact us. Tsuzuki, you'll handle the communication device."

"We're staying over?" Tsuzuki had been serious, but he looked inappropriately cheered by the news. "In Chijou? At a hotel? Will there be a restaurant?"

It was Tatsumi's turn to look inappropriately happy. "Actually, Tsuzuki, you and Kurosaki-kun will be staying at the orphanage itself. They have a volunteer program, and they offer free room and board to all qualified volunteers." The light shone off the lenses of his glasses as he added with relish, "You qualified."

"At the orphanage?" Tsuzuki repeated in disbelief. "But – but – that's like Oliver Twist, or living at the school cafeteria! Tatsumiiii, there won't be anything edible there! School can't even make curry taste good!"

"It's not costing the department anything, so it's perfect. Your stomach is not what determines how things work around here." Tsuzuki looked like he might cry at the thought of school food, but Tatsumi glowered, unrelenting. "We'll see you when you get back. And Tsuzuki? Don't forget the souvenirs."

-------------------------------------------------------

"Well, this is it. Saint Jude's Children's Home. Sort of gothic, don't you think?" Tsuzuki glanced at the map, then tilted his head back, studying the cross that topped the peaked roof. The orphanage looked like it was trying to live up to its depressing function. The whole structure sat like a squat gray toad on the end of the block, with small glass windows set in rows on the higher floors. It was three stories high, and half as long as a football field.

"Tatsumi certainly got a bargain. It looks more like a warehouse than an orphanage, anyway, ne Hisoka?" Wrinkling his forehead, Tsuzuki glanced down at his partner. "Hisoka?"

The boy stood stiffly next to him, his eyes straight ahead, oozing tension. "They're all so young," he said harshly.

Tsuzuki blinked, his violet eyes flicking from the building back to his partner, and understanding sank in. Gently, he reached out and took hold of the young man's sleeve. He pressed briefly with his fingers, feeling Hisoka's arm through the denim jacket he wore, and let his emotion leak away until there was only tranquility. "Easy," he murmured.

"I can do it myself," Hisoka ground out, teeth clenched, but he didn't pull away. The building was full of children, from babies to pre-teens, and to Hisoka's senses it was a riotous, deafening, unshielded mess. The younger shinigami wouldn't admit it, but Tsuzuki was like a pool of serenity in all that noise. He concentrated on that placid stillness, bringing himself into synch with the taller man.

After a moment, Hisoka took a deep breath, and Tsuzuki pulled his hand away without needing to be asked. The elder shinigami smiled suddenly, cocking his head to the side as though nothing had just happened. "Let's go in, shall we? I haven't been a –"He consulted the paper Tatsumi had given them. "— a teacher's aide in a while. It should be fun!"

Now that he was steadier, Hisoka allowed a note of disapproval to creep into his voice. "I suppose."

"Hisoka! Don't you like kids? I do!"

"Of course you do," the blonde boy shot back, moving past his partner without looking at him. "You are one." He went up the steps and pulled the door open, not looking back. Tsuzuki hurried after him, pouting.

"Hisoka's meeeeean!"

"Hello. Can I help you?" They both stopped, Tsuzuki surprised, and the wooden door swung shut behind them with a bang that echoed through the stone hall. A small woman with a neat black ponytail stood a few feet away, smoothing a hand over her bright yellow apron. She smiled hesitantly, looking Tsuzuki over, then Hisoka.

"Hello," Tsuzuki said brightly, giving his toned-down version of the "I'm- so-wonderfully-happy-to-be-here" smile. "Sorry to intrude like this. We were just looking for the office. I'm Tsuzuki Asato, and this is Hisoka, my brother. We're the new volunteers. Could you tell us which way to go?"

"The new volunteers? Oh, how lucky! I'm Iwata Yoshiko, the after-school director of Saint Jude's." She bowed, looking younger and more at ease, and tilted her head back to peer up at Tsuzuki. "I was actually on the lookout for you! I must say, it was really very kind of you to volunteer, especially at a time like this."

"Our pleasure," Hisoka murmured, subdued.

"After all," Tsuzuki put in, "isn't it times like this when children need extra care?"

Yoshiko nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's what I think exactly. I'm so glad you've come. I think you'll fit in fine. Ah -- you're from which organization again?"

"Helping Souls," the taller man answered straight-faced. Hisoka twitched.

"I haven't heard of that one," Yoshiko mused. "It must be new...?"

"Ah, well, it's been around for a while. We don't usually like to do things in a showy manner."

"Oh." Yoshiko looked a little confused, but she continued gamely, "Well, if you don't mind, you'll be helping with the after-class program that I run. We have very nice facilities – but I'm so rude! I just keep talking, and I'm sure you must want to get situated. Shall I show you to the room you'll be using?"

"We'd actually like to get started, if that's okay," Hisoka said firmly. He hated looking weak, and he didn't want to have to depend on Tsuzuki the whole time they were here. It was better to adjust to all the unshielded minds as soon as possible.

"Really?" Yoshiko brightened. "That's so sweet of you! Certainly, I'd be happy to show you to the after-school room."

If Tsuzuki was surprised at his partner's choice, he didn't show it. He nodded to the woman and gestured for her to go first. "After you, Iwata- san."

The woman gave a little laugh and nodded back, talking over her shoulder as she began to move down the hallway. "Please, both of you, Yoshiko's fine. I'm in charge of the kindergarteners, and I'm so used to having young people around I feel sort of out of place if I use my family name."

"Yoshiko-kun, then," Tsuzuki agreed easily. "Please, call me Asato."

Hisoka's green eyes flew to his partner, but Tsuzuki was already ahead of him, following Yoshiko. Asato? Nobody called Tsuzuki 'Asato,' not even those two loud girls from the other section. Hisoka certainly didn't. But this Yoshiko was allowed to, evidently.

"Hai, Asato-kun." Yoshiko was smiling more openly now, and she patted a red door set in the wall. It had the numeral '2' on it, as well as a couple posters of popular anime characters. "This is it. I warn you, the kids are noisy, but they're all sweet. Just don't be surprised if they want to hug you. Most of them just want affection, you know? Okay, get ready!"

Tsuzuki was smiling back as the woman turned the knob, but his hand snuck over his partner's sleeve, touching Hisoka's wrist in warning. Hisoka pulled his arm away, eyes narrowing, but whether he was annoyed by the name exchange or by Tsuzuki's concern he wasn't sure. He decided to be annoyed by the touching. I don't need your help all the time, he thought testily.

Then Yoshiko pushed the door open, and though Hisoka had felt the children before, THEY hadn't known about HIM. All their attention flew to the newcomers, and it seemed as if the wave of excited minds crashed into the younger shinigami, driving him a step back. Tsuzuki glanced at him, but Hisoka stubbornly ignored his partner and looked out over the room, forcing his shields to hold. If he couldn't do this, he wouldn't be much help on the case. It doesn't hurt that much, he tried to tell himself. Exhaling slowly, he used the precious few seconds he had to study the room and find that calm center that always seemed easier to locate with Tsuzuki.

Bright and sunny, the playroom was the complete opposite of the gloomy hallway they'd just been in. Wide windows ran along one side of the wall, looking out over a playing field, and little cubbies ran under those, packed with toys and books. There had to be at least forty children in here, and more were crawling over the play equipment outside. They were all innocently open, and too young to be shielding.

Hisoka felt his jaw tighten. This was going to require some effort.

Their guide, however, was transformed. Now in her element, Yoshiko was strong and confident, exuding happiness and a sort of maternal beauty. "Minna-san!" she called out, her voice cutting clearly through the chatter. "These are our new helpers, Asato-sensei and Hisoka-sensei. What do you say?"

The children stood up, some still clutching their toys, and recited back, "Good afternoon!" The "Asato-sensei" and "Hisoka-sensei" got all tangled up, but it was there. Tsuzuki grinned and gave a little wave, looking for all the world as if Christmas had come early.

"Which one is Asato, and which one is Hisoka?" a little girl asked, running up to hide behind Yoshiko's leg. She peered at the shinigami, a finger in her mouth, her blue eyes bright with curiosity.

Yoshiko gently detached the girl's hand, keeping hold of it as she moved across the room to the supply closet. She pulled out two yellow aprons identical to the one she wore and handed them to her new volunteers, gesturing to each one as she corrected her charge. "Asato-SENSEI, Susan. Hisoka-SENSEI. Be polite."

Tsuzuki tied the apron on, the thick plastic barely coming to mid-thigh. "Nice to meet you," he said, kneeling down. The girl was adorable, with cute white-blonde curls and a dress as blue as her eyes. She smiled shyly as Tsuzuki got closer, ducking her head. "How old are you, Susan?"

The girl took her hand out of her mouth and held up four wet fingers, and Tsuzuki couldn't help grinning. "Four? My, you're a big girl already."

"She's precocious," Yoshiko said fondly, and Susan beamed.

Hisoka was tempted to roll his eyes, but he kept the gesture to himself. He wasn't trying to offend the kids or their teacher, but this was an investigation, not playtime, no matter what room they were in. Sometimes, Tsuzuki got too carried away. He was already picking the little girl up! What next, candy and a story?

Something moved to the side of him, and he looked down to see two younger boys staring up at him. They wiggled fingers at him in a childish wave, and he stared back uncertainly. Even with his reinforced shields, he could feel the children begging for acceptance. It was like standing in a room full of puppies.

Why couldn't I have been a gardener or the mailman or something? Why'd I have to be a teacher? Tatsumi, you did this to me on purpose!

But the kids were still standing there, and he had to at least talk to them. Investigation aside, any silence on his part would surely be taken as rejection, and that was one feeling Hisoka was all too familiar with. He couldn't hurt a couple of little boys, not when a few words would make them happy.

With a huge effort, he opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off before he could even get one word out. An ear-piercing scream sliced through the childish chatter, followed by several more from outside.

"The playground!" Yoshiko whirled to look out the wide windows and gasped. She took off like a rabbit, easily dodging children and toys, and Tsuzuki ran after her. Hisoka followed more slowly, trying to keep an eye on the kids and not catch anyone underfoot.

The playground was just outside the playroom. It held the usual equipment, swings, slide, sandbox and the like, but it was the monkey bars that everyone was staring at. Yoshiko pushed her way through the circle of children, staring up with frightened eyes at the boy perched precariously on top.

"Shuichi! Come down from there right now! What are you doing??"

"Kanbe's here!" Shuichi called back, his face half-obscured by his black bangs. Green sneakers that were too large for his small feet rested on the bars, his legs akimbo. "He dared me to do it, Sensei, I can't tell him no!"

Yoshiko paled, but Tsuzuki stepped forward, his arms held out toward the boy. "You did do it, very impressive," he called cheerfully. "Come down now before you scare your teacher any more, okay?"

"I did it!" Shuichi crowed. He waved to the crowd gathered beneath him, then pointed to one of the children. "See, Yousuke, I did it! I did it, I -"With no warning, his shoe slipped off one of the bars, and time seemed to slow as a look of complete astonishment crossed his face. His arms pinwheeled out, waving frantically, but he toppled backward, falling, and everyone screamed.

"Shuichi!" Yoshiko darted forward and caught the toe of her shoe, stumbling, and Hisoka spun, barely catching her in time. He fell with her to the ground, dizzy with the effort of keeping his shields intact. The boy, he'd felt something around the boy –

"Sensei!" The childish voice piped out of the crowd, and both Yoshiko and Hisoka looked up as a shadow fell over them, blocking out the sun. Something squirmed, and the darkened figure moved, revealing a smiling Tsuzuki, Shuichi safely in his arms.

Yoshiko struggled up, gasping, and hugged the boy, pulling him to her. "Asato-sensei, thank you, thank you so much!" She was trying hard not to cry, but holding the small boy and knowing he was all right let her indulge in angry relief. "What did I tell you about stunts like that?"

"But Kanbe dared me," Shuichi protested. "He did, Sensei, I swear!"

"I don't want to hear about Kanbe! That's ridiculous!"

"But he DARED me!"

"And what did I tell you to do if someone dared you to do something?" Yoshiko demanded.

"...ignore them," Shuichi said slowly, his cheeks pink.

"So why didn't you ignore him?"

"'Cause Shuichi no baaaaka," someone said, and the tension broke as the air was filled with smothered giggles. Hearing the childish laughter, Yoshiko seemed to regain herself. She snorted, moved Shuichi to one hip, and put a hand out to the rest of the kids, a smile tugging at her lips. Several immediately latched onto her, and she turned slowly, heading back toward the room. "Come on, minna-san, back inside! Playground time is over! Back inside!"

"Who's Kanbe?" Hisoka started to ask, but the same two boys who'd been staring at him before hastily snagged each of his hands, clinging to him with sticky fingers and wide eyes. Hisoka felt a slight jolt and shot a look of alarm at Tsuzuki, but his partner had Susan and another little girl in his arms, and more children attached to the now-untucked tail of his shirt. He looked like an overgrown mother hen. They were all grinning, all chattering away, and all following the petite woman in the yellow apron without a backward glance.

Sighing, Hisoka tightened his shields and fell into step behind Tsuzuki, ushering the rest of the little ones inside.

((To be continued...))