Disclaimer: Yami no Matsuei belongs to Matsushita Youko. I don't own it
and make no claim to.
This story is loosely based on the manga and the anime, taking components from both. Some liberalizations taken by me to suit my plot. Hope I don't offend or confuse.
So on with the show!
Desires
Interlude - Those left behind
by Lockeheart
********************
Tatsumi pushed his glasses back up his nose and sighed. A mess of paperwork was spread out before him, and had also extended down to the office floor. Groaning softly, the secretary leaned back in his chair to stare at the ceiling for a moment.
It was hard to focus, and Tatsumi knew exactly why he couldn't. Even absent, the violet-eyed shinigami and his moody partner could distract him from his work. But it was more than their absence, it was the reason why Tsuzuki and Hisoka were gone that worried Tatsumi so. Tatsumi picked up his pen once again and tried to focus on the task before him.
The efficient running of EnmaCho was no laughing matter. Money was tight, and with the case loads that their division dealt with, budget had to be maintained. He looked back down to the report in front of him. There were actually two reports on the case, but Tatsumi had taken one look at Tsuzuki's report and had spread out the multitude of sheets as best as he could so he could actually read it. He had Hisoka's report in his hand, its information short and to the point.
It wasn't that Tsuzuki's reports were bad. They did have all the pertinent information on them. But along with all the case information, was information on the best restaurants, where one could find the finest delicacies of the area, and other such . . . excess trivia. Wading through Tsuzuki's reports was a chore in and of itself, another reason why he was glad that Hisoka had become Tsuzuki's partner. There was a reason why the most powerful shinigami in the division was also deemed the slacker.
Tatsumi had been Tsuzuki's partner once, and it hadn't lasted long. He cared a lot for the violet-eyed man, but Tatsumi had not been able to take the emotional burden that Tsuzuki inevitably placed upon whomever became his partner. It had hurt a lot to tell Tsuzuki that he could no longer partner with him, and it had taken even longer to mend the relationship between the two of them. The fact that Hisoka had lasted longer than Tatsumi as Tsuzuki's partner had astounded him, and had also saddened him in a sense.
He was glad that Tsuzuki had seemed to have found a partner that could handle him, but every day, he was also reminded of what he had lost by dropping Tsuzuki as a partner. He glanced down at the report in his hand. The report was actually for a case a while back, but in the heat of things, some other cases had taken priority over this minor one. It was kind of ironic that Tatsumi was only now reading the reports for a case completed a couple months back, but such was the overload of assignments that shuffled through the Shokan division.
After the Kyoto incident, the entire division had walked on egg shells around the two of them. Even now, months after the ordeal, the ramifications of that day still haunted the pair. Some of those good things, some bad. Tatsumi pulled his glasses off his head and rubbed lightly at his temples. He could feel a headache forming there.
Tsuzuki and Hisoka projected walls of well being, but Tatsumi knew, as did others that the pair were trying to fool, that everything was NOT okay. Sometimes when Tsuzuki thought no one was looking, he would get a pained look in his eyes that Tatsumi could not help but feel guilty for helping put it there. Tsuzuki's partner Hisoka was equally as bad, taking on tasks and jobs beyond his regular workload, all in an attempt to keep from facing all that had happened.
Now, just months after that ill fated assignment, fate had thrown the two shinigami of 2nd block back into hell, so to speak. Tatsumi quietly pulled out a folder buried under a pile of others and flipped it open. The gruesome images appalled Tatsumi's senses and he shook his head slightly. It was a tough case, and in a number of ways terribly unfair to the ones who had been assigned.
Why did Enma specify Tsuzuki and Hisoka specifically while decreeing that none of the other shinigami could come with the pair? Tatsumi rolled a pen in his fingers; a contemplative look on his face. Surely the Lord of the Dead knew what had happened to the two shinigami, Tatsumi himself had made the report for Chief Konoe. So knowing all that happened . . . why precisely choose Tsuzuki and Hisoka?
There is a saying in the world of the living, 'God works in mysterious ways', and Tatsumi was inclined to believe it, if only a little. He just could not comprehend the reasoning behind Enma's command. Was He trying to test the resolve of Tsuzuki and Hisoka? Was He attempting to investigate the strength of the Shokan division? Or did He really just worry about the lost soul of a solitary girl? Tatsumi raked his fingers through his hair absentmindedly. Sometimes, decisions and choices made could not be understood until it was far too late.
The work of a shinigami was often fraught with trials and tribulations, both for the souls being collected, and for the shinigami's themselves. They had dirty jobs, and it took a very special soul to become a shinigami. Usually that special qualification also meant a personality 'quirk'. As much as Tatsumi hated to admit it - normal souls didn't become shinigami.
He sighed and leaned back, the hinges squeaking a little as his weight shifted in the chair. In the land of the dead, there were still rules and regulations that had to be followed, just like in the living world. Enma was the ruler, and His commands overruled all others. There were of course the multiple divisions and the like, and a God cannot be expected to deal with all the mundane tasks of the afterlife. One would think a God would be able to multitask, but Tatsumi didn't pursue that pointless thought.
Tatsumi furrowed his eyebrows as he speculated. To disobey a direct order from Enma, was worse than death - at least with death your soul continued to live on. To go against the wishes of Emma, was to risk the eradication of ones soul. Complete annihilation of ones being. Tatsumi shuddered slightly at the idea. If one was lucky, they might become a ghost - a soulless afterimage of what was - or perhaps a demon, thirsting forever for what they would never have, a soul. And those were the optimistic outcomes. Depending on the severity of the disobedience one could face obliteration.
He and Konoe didn't really have much of a choice, considering the options. They tried to appeal Enma's command, but it had done nothing to change His judgment. Tatsumi knew that this was tearing Konoe up inside, as it was Tatsumi himself. Like the blind leading the deaf, Tatsumi had little choice but to order his coworkers into the depths of hell, without totally understanding why.
Tatsumi stared up at his ceiling, noting the need for some repairs if the budget would allow it. The Shokan division was considered the best of the best, the one other came to when they had no other way to solve the case. Tatsumi prided himself on the abilities of his division - even with all their 'quirks'. Enma trusted them to be able to gather lost souls for Him, so why had He insisted on a command that the Chief of the division was wholly set against, along with most of the people within? Tatsumi closed his eyes and brooded. What was the point if his position, if he couldn't protect his associates . . . no his friends . . . from danger?
Tatsumi looked down to the image of the mutilated girl . . . Hikaru was it? He sighed and traced the image of the butchered girl lightly. "What happened to you child?" Tatsumi whispered softly to the picture. "What in Enma's name did that to you? And where are you now?" It was difficult to think that people could do that to one another but Tatsumi was a realist. The world was not black and white, but shades of grey. Even if sometimes, the one in charge seemed to think it was just black and white. Tatsumi quelled the disapproving thought of Enma, as it did no good to think such things, and did very little to help Tsuzuki and Hisoka's situation.
It had been over a day now, and the trio had not reported in yet. That in itself was disturbing, as Tatsumi had directed GuShoShin to report in; if nothing else but to relay how Tsuzuki and Hisoka were functioning. The case was important to solve, but the well being of his associates was also important to Tatsumi. What were they doing now? Were they okay?
Tatsumi glanced about his tiny office and down to the mess of papers across his desk. Even in trying times, mundane tasks still had to be maintained. Budgets needed to be kept, reprimands needed to be laid down, and order preserved. Enma may be willing to throw the Shokan division into Chaos, but Tatsumi would be damned before he let the situation get out of control. If Enma didn't want any other shinigami to go with Tsuzuki and Hisoka than fine. He didn't need to understand Enma's reasoning to know that his associates were in danger.
Tatsumi adjusted his glasses and stood up. There were ways to get around Enma's command, and Tatsumi was sure those 'ways' would be quite willing to help if given a chance. Enma may be Lord, but Tatsumi was the secretary of the Shokan division, and heaven help anyone who messed with him.
********************
Authors Note:
Hmmm . . . well I hope I didn't piss people off too much with this one. I know people want to know what happened to Hisoka and Tsuzuki, and if Muraki is going to get the best of them, but for some reason this was screaming at me to be written. Take this as a side story - or interlude as I titled it.
I wanted to touch upon some of the other wonderful characters within Yami no Matsuei, and I felt it was important to get some of their views. The world does not revolve around Tsuzuki and Hisoka, despite what some of us might want to believe.
I hope Tatsumi didn't seem totally out of character, but I wanted to portray him as more than the number crunching, cold, blue-eyed secretary of the Shokan division. Also I hope that my depiction of Enma (Or EnMaDaiOh to others) wasn't that bad. I have no idea what the actual lord of the dead does - but I thought it would give some interesting insight here.
Never fear! Chapter three will be coming out. (Or however fanfiction.net seems to number these things). As a writer, it is writer's prerogative to do these sorts of things. :)
Last but not least. Thank you again for reviewing! It really makes me happy to know people are actually reading my story and have something to say!
Thank you!
This story is loosely based on the manga and the anime, taking components from both. Some liberalizations taken by me to suit my plot. Hope I don't offend or confuse.
So on with the show!
Desires
Interlude - Those left behind
by Lockeheart
********************
Tatsumi pushed his glasses back up his nose and sighed. A mess of paperwork was spread out before him, and had also extended down to the office floor. Groaning softly, the secretary leaned back in his chair to stare at the ceiling for a moment.
It was hard to focus, and Tatsumi knew exactly why he couldn't. Even absent, the violet-eyed shinigami and his moody partner could distract him from his work. But it was more than their absence, it was the reason why Tsuzuki and Hisoka were gone that worried Tatsumi so. Tatsumi picked up his pen once again and tried to focus on the task before him.
The efficient running of EnmaCho was no laughing matter. Money was tight, and with the case loads that their division dealt with, budget had to be maintained. He looked back down to the report in front of him. There were actually two reports on the case, but Tatsumi had taken one look at Tsuzuki's report and had spread out the multitude of sheets as best as he could so he could actually read it. He had Hisoka's report in his hand, its information short and to the point.
It wasn't that Tsuzuki's reports were bad. They did have all the pertinent information on them. But along with all the case information, was information on the best restaurants, where one could find the finest delicacies of the area, and other such . . . excess trivia. Wading through Tsuzuki's reports was a chore in and of itself, another reason why he was glad that Hisoka had become Tsuzuki's partner. There was a reason why the most powerful shinigami in the division was also deemed the slacker.
Tatsumi had been Tsuzuki's partner once, and it hadn't lasted long. He cared a lot for the violet-eyed man, but Tatsumi had not been able to take the emotional burden that Tsuzuki inevitably placed upon whomever became his partner. It had hurt a lot to tell Tsuzuki that he could no longer partner with him, and it had taken even longer to mend the relationship between the two of them. The fact that Hisoka had lasted longer than Tatsumi as Tsuzuki's partner had astounded him, and had also saddened him in a sense.
He was glad that Tsuzuki had seemed to have found a partner that could handle him, but every day, he was also reminded of what he had lost by dropping Tsuzuki as a partner. He glanced down at the report in his hand. The report was actually for a case a while back, but in the heat of things, some other cases had taken priority over this minor one. It was kind of ironic that Tatsumi was only now reading the reports for a case completed a couple months back, but such was the overload of assignments that shuffled through the Shokan division.
After the Kyoto incident, the entire division had walked on egg shells around the two of them. Even now, months after the ordeal, the ramifications of that day still haunted the pair. Some of those good things, some bad. Tatsumi pulled his glasses off his head and rubbed lightly at his temples. He could feel a headache forming there.
Tsuzuki and Hisoka projected walls of well being, but Tatsumi knew, as did others that the pair were trying to fool, that everything was NOT okay. Sometimes when Tsuzuki thought no one was looking, he would get a pained look in his eyes that Tatsumi could not help but feel guilty for helping put it there. Tsuzuki's partner Hisoka was equally as bad, taking on tasks and jobs beyond his regular workload, all in an attempt to keep from facing all that had happened.
Now, just months after that ill fated assignment, fate had thrown the two shinigami of 2nd block back into hell, so to speak. Tatsumi quietly pulled out a folder buried under a pile of others and flipped it open. The gruesome images appalled Tatsumi's senses and he shook his head slightly. It was a tough case, and in a number of ways terribly unfair to the ones who had been assigned.
Why did Enma specify Tsuzuki and Hisoka specifically while decreeing that none of the other shinigami could come with the pair? Tatsumi rolled a pen in his fingers; a contemplative look on his face. Surely the Lord of the Dead knew what had happened to the two shinigami, Tatsumi himself had made the report for Chief Konoe. So knowing all that happened . . . why precisely choose Tsuzuki and Hisoka?
There is a saying in the world of the living, 'God works in mysterious ways', and Tatsumi was inclined to believe it, if only a little. He just could not comprehend the reasoning behind Enma's command. Was He trying to test the resolve of Tsuzuki and Hisoka? Was He attempting to investigate the strength of the Shokan division? Or did He really just worry about the lost soul of a solitary girl? Tatsumi raked his fingers through his hair absentmindedly. Sometimes, decisions and choices made could not be understood until it was far too late.
The work of a shinigami was often fraught with trials and tribulations, both for the souls being collected, and for the shinigami's themselves. They had dirty jobs, and it took a very special soul to become a shinigami. Usually that special qualification also meant a personality 'quirk'. As much as Tatsumi hated to admit it - normal souls didn't become shinigami.
He sighed and leaned back, the hinges squeaking a little as his weight shifted in the chair. In the land of the dead, there were still rules and regulations that had to be followed, just like in the living world. Enma was the ruler, and His commands overruled all others. There were of course the multiple divisions and the like, and a God cannot be expected to deal with all the mundane tasks of the afterlife. One would think a God would be able to multitask, but Tatsumi didn't pursue that pointless thought.
Tatsumi furrowed his eyebrows as he speculated. To disobey a direct order from Enma, was worse than death - at least with death your soul continued to live on. To go against the wishes of Emma, was to risk the eradication of ones soul. Complete annihilation of ones being. Tatsumi shuddered slightly at the idea. If one was lucky, they might become a ghost - a soulless afterimage of what was - or perhaps a demon, thirsting forever for what they would never have, a soul. And those were the optimistic outcomes. Depending on the severity of the disobedience one could face obliteration.
He and Konoe didn't really have much of a choice, considering the options. They tried to appeal Enma's command, but it had done nothing to change His judgment. Tatsumi knew that this was tearing Konoe up inside, as it was Tatsumi himself. Like the blind leading the deaf, Tatsumi had little choice but to order his coworkers into the depths of hell, without totally understanding why.
Tatsumi stared up at his ceiling, noting the need for some repairs if the budget would allow it. The Shokan division was considered the best of the best, the one other came to when they had no other way to solve the case. Tatsumi prided himself on the abilities of his division - even with all their 'quirks'. Enma trusted them to be able to gather lost souls for Him, so why had He insisted on a command that the Chief of the division was wholly set against, along with most of the people within? Tatsumi closed his eyes and brooded. What was the point if his position, if he couldn't protect his associates . . . no his friends . . . from danger?
Tatsumi looked down to the image of the mutilated girl . . . Hikaru was it? He sighed and traced the image of the butchered girl lightly. "What happened to you child?" Tatsumi whispered softly to the picture. "What in Enma's name did that to you? And where are you now?" It was difficult to think that people could do that to one another but Tatsumi was a realist. The world was not black and white, but shades of grey. Even if sometimes, the one in charge seemed to think it was just black and white. Tatsumi quelled the disapproving thought of Enma, as it did no good to think such things, and did very little to help Tsuzuki and Hisoka's situation.
It had been over a day now, and the trio had not reported in yet. That in itself was disturbing, as Tatsumi had directed GuShoShin to report in; if nothing else but to relay how Tsuzuki and Hisoka were functioning. The case was important to solve, but the well being of his associates was also important to Tatsumi. What were they doing now? Were they okay?
Tatsumi glanced about his tiny office and down to the mess of papers across his desk. Even in trying times, mundane tasks still had to be maintained. Budgets needed to be kept, reprimands needed to be laid down, and order preserved. Enma may be willing to throw the Shokan division into Chaos, but Tatsumi would be damned before he let the situation get out of control. If Enma didn't want any other shinigami to go with Tsuzuki and Hisoka than fine. He didn't need to understand Enma's reasoning to know that his associates were in danger.
Tatsumi adjusted his glasses and stood up. There were ways to get around Enma's command, and Tatsumi was sure those 'ways' would be quite willing to help if given a chance. Enma may be Lord, but Tatsumi was the secretary of the Shokan division, and heaven help anyone who messed with him.
********************
Authors Note:
Hmmm . . . well I hope I didn't piss people off too much with this one. I know people want to know what happened to Hisoka and Tsuzuki, and if Muraki is going to get the best of them, but for some reason this was screaming at me to be written. Take this as a side story - or interlude as I titled it.
I wanted to touch upon some of the other wonderful characters within Yami no Matsuei, and I felt it was important to get some of their views. The world does not revolve around Tsuzuki and Hisoka, despite what some of us might want to believe.
I hope Tatsumi didn't seem totally out of character, but I wanted to portray him as more than the number crunching, cold, blue-eyed secretary of the Shokan division. Also I hope that my depiction of Enma (Or EnMaDaiOh to others) wasn't that bad. I have no idea what the actual lord of the dead does - but I thought it would give some interesting insight here.
Never fear! Chapter three will be coming out. (Or however fanfiction.net seems to number these things). As a writer, it is writer's prerogative to do these sorts of things. :)
Last but not least. Thank you again for reviewing! It really makes me happy to know people are actually reading my story and have something to say!
Thank you!