Disclaimer: Yami no Matsuei is not mine, it will never be mine. The
characters are the sole property of Matsushita Youko. This story and
concept are the property of Lockeheart (that's me!) - so please don't
steal. I have been working hard on this!
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.
Oh yeah, Hikaru the demon (Chymos) and Trinity are my own demented little characters. My property, mine. Got that? Everyone else is the property of Matsushita kay?
So on with the Show!
Chapter Seven - Love and Betrayal
By Lockeheart
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It was like a dream.
Tsuzuki looked down to the sleeping youth in his arms. The moon scattered its pale light through the window, casting a blue tinge to everything in the room. Tsuzuki traced the edges of the bandages covering Hisoka's form, and trailed his fingers up to Hisoka's pale face. It seemed almost a sin, to be able to sit still like this, holding his partner. Everything that had happened, everything that was happening . . . Tsuzuki sighed and tightened his hold on Hisoka.
Why did his feelings have to come out now? Hisoka already had enough on his plate, and Tsuzuki was certain that his partner did not need the added stress of dealing with Tsuzuki's feelings for him. He should have been content with Hisoka finally releasing all his bottled up feelings. It would have been a simple thing to let it go at that, and let Hisoka take comfort in the fact that Tsuzuki was there.
But he had said the words. "The one I love . . ." Tsuzuki's voice was little more than a whisper in the quiet room, but the emotion held within it was true. How Hisoka had taken the words, Tsuzuki did not let the boy answer. Exhaustion had claimed Hisoka as soon as the two of them laid still. Tsuzuki smiled and looked down to his slumbering partner. To be able to stay like this, it was like a dream. Especially considering everything the two of them had been through in the past twenty-four hours, it was pleasant to actually rest.
Heaven only knows that they needed it. Tsuzuki traced the tear stains down Hisoka's cheeks and Tsuzuki raised his hand to touch his own. He had almost lost Hisoka . . . lost the most important person in the world to him. Tsuzuki shivered slightly and lowered his arm to rest against Hisoka. There were precious few guarantees in life, and love was a volatile thing at best. Tsuzuki traced his finger lightly across the bandage on Hisoka's cheek.
How long had he held his feelings in check? Afraid to frighten Hisoka away with feelings the boy was unable to return or understand, Tsuzuki had buried his feelings deep within himself. Tsuzuki smiled softly and leaned back against the mass of pillows. When he first met Hisoka, Tsuzuki had been captivated by the youth's vivid green eyes, but was also repelled by the callous, cold attitude that dominated Hisoka.
As the two of them worked together, first as reluctant co-workers, and then later as . . . friends? Tsuzuki had found himself drawn to his partner. Even from the beginning, Tsuzuki had wanted to protect Hisoka, not because he thought Hisoka was weak - far from it. It was just something . . . something deep within him that Tsuzuki could not deny. Tsuzuki frowned as memories surfaced within him.
Even now, a month after the fire, Tsuzuki felt like a stranger among his co-workers. He had been a broken man, there in Touda's fire, and perhaps he still was broken. But it wasn't the same with Hisoka. Hisoka was a solid presence in Tsuzuki's life, something that he had unconsciously clung to. Tsuzuki absentmindedly brushed the edges of Hisoka's wings with his fingers, his thoughts adrift. He knew that people cared for him, he knew that they would have been sad at his leaving. But somehow, there in the fire, none of that had mattered to him. He had been willing and wanting the fire to burn away his immortal life. He was so tired . . . but Hisoka . . . Hisoka had changed that.
He could not end his life, knowing that he would leave Hisoka behind all alone. Tsuzuki knew all to well, what it felt like, to be alone, and there was no way he would leave Hisoka to that feeling again. Hisoka's life had been just as dark as Tsuzuki's own, and his death much more brutal. At least Tsuzuki had the choice of dying. Hisoka's life was cruelly torn from him along with his innocence. Hisoka had finally begun to trust people once again, had finally begun to feel once again. As much as he wanted to end his existence, Tsuzuki just couldn't destroy Hisoka as well.
Never, at any point in his life, and afterwards in his death, had there been anyone quite like Hisoka. Sullen and moody, the boy constantly pushed Tsuzuki away. But like a spring, Tsuzuki always came back for more. Something about Hisoka fascinated him, it willed him to stay by the boy's side even at the times he just wanted to scream into the sky with frustration.
It was those feelings and more, which had snapped him back into reality. That had made him want to live. At that moment, something inside Tsuzuki had clicked, and he didn't quite know what it was, just that it felt right to be there, with Hisoka. It scared Tsuzuki a little, to know just how dependent he was upon his partner, but what frightened him even more, was Hisoka's apparent dependence on him.
Not all his wounds had been physical, and not all of them were fully healed as of yet, but Tsuzuki knew he would recover, as long as Hisoka was with him. Tsuzuki looked down to Hisoka who remained deep in a slumber, his body and soul demanding this rest, and Tsuzuki was more than happy to give his partner this slight respite. He would shield him from Muraki for the rest of his immortal life, if Hisoka let him.
People saw Hisoka as the rational, no nonsense one, and they saw Tsuzuki as the happy-go-lucky, lazy one. It wasn't an image that Tsuzuki preferred, and he knew in his heart that neither image was the true form of either one of them. Masks were funny that way. He looked to the pale moon beyond the motel window and sighed. Two broken hearts, and two broken souls. Perhaps that is what drew Tsuzuki to Hisoka and vice versa.
Everyone just wants to be loved.
Tsuzuki slowly stroked Hisoka's hair, a comforting gesture amidst the surrounding pandemonium. The past twenty-four hours had been a roller coaster of emotion, revelation and fear. Tsuzuki looked to the healing scar along his torso, and then looked to the slightly bloody bandages covering Hisoka's own. The idea that a shinigami's abilities could be dampened, or even taken away was a frightening thought. Tsuzuki had felt that fear when Muraki had cast the Nullify spell on him earlier that night. To be so utterly defenceless . . . it was a scary prospect. Tsuzuki looked to Hisoka's face.
"You really are brave Hisoka . . . do you know that?" He whispered softly, the moon his only witness.
Hisoka was lucky that he himself had innate healing abilities, or he surely would have succumbed to his injuries by now. Tsuzuki pressed lightly against one of the bandages, and frowned as a spot of blood formed beneath the pressure. As it was, Hisoka's body was taxed, trying to heal the wounds, and maintain the demand forced upon Hisoka's mind and soul from the corrupted spells.
What are you up to Muraki? Tsuzuki frowned as he recalled all the devastation the doctor had achieved thus far. Tsuzuki glanced over to the scattered photos across the room. The child Hikaru seemed to be important, but how? Tsuzuki looked back down to Hisoka, and frowned. A child and a demon. They existed within Hisoka, their bodies dead or destroyed. Just how long could a soul survive without a body? The other question, among many, was just how long could Hisoka survive the strain of supporting both Hikaru and Chymos within him? Tsuzuki's frown deepened, and he raked his fingers through his hair.
He was so tired. Tsuzuki yawned and blinked his eyes. He hadn't slept for a good day or so, and sitting like this in a bed did nothing to help Tsuzuki keep awake. He rubbed at his eyes and sighed. Tsuzuki promised Hisoka he would defend him from harm, and Tsuzuki would be damned to hell before he broke this promise. Tsuzuki looked over to GuShoShin with mild concern and pride. The librarian had saved Hisoka. He had charged in and confronted Muraki, saving Hisoka from more harm. GuShoShin was also insanely lucky. The blast Muraki has struck him with had been strong, and Tsuzuki was sure that GuShoShin would be feeling the effects of the blow for some time to come.
What was it about this case . . . these events that was driving all of them to do such insane reckless acts? Tsuzuki shook his head and smiled. He supposed that it was what friends did for one another, what one does to protect the ones they care for.
With that thought, Tsuzuki frowned and continued to smooth Hisoka's hair with his hand. What was going on with division? Why was there a lock down, and why hadn't they been informed of it, especially considering that they were in the field? Tsuzuki shook his head as the unanswered questions milled through his head. There was also the fact that Enma assigned him and Hisoka personally. The two of them were still recovering from Kyoto, the reports had been sent up high, so Tsuzuki was a little perplexed by Enma's decision.
Hisoka stirred for a moment, and Tsuzuki mentally slapped himself. He was supposed to watch Hisoka for signs of distress, and as much as solving their current dilemma was important, Hisoka is what mattered right now. Tsuzuki carefully gauged Hisoka's motions, and a wave of relief washed over him as the pained look vanished from his partner's face. Hisoka sighed softly, and huddled closer to Tsuzuki. Tsuzuki smiled at the unconscious gesture of Hisoka, and he shifted slightly to give Hisoka a better sleeping position.
This was the only thing he could do, the only help that he could give Hisoka that really mattered. Tsuzuki sighed and did a double check on his mental shields. If Tsuzuki could, he would shoulder the burden Muraki unwillingly placed upon Hisoka, but it was something that he could not conceivably do. Tsuzuki settled back against the pillows behind him and cradled his partner. They had so many questions, and not enough answers. But those could wait until morning.
Tsuzuki was just as tired as Hisoka, he himself having been up for the past twenty-four hours himself. But some things . . . some things mattered more than that at the moment. Tsuzuki yawned and shook his head slightly. Hisoka's arms tightened ever so slightly around Tsuzuki, and a smile formed on Tsuzuki's face.
Right now was all that mattered. Right now was all Tsuzuki needed.
********************
The sky began to lighten outside, and Tsuzuki mourned the passing of the night in silence. It was under unfortunate circumstances, but he had been able to hold Hisoka in his arms with no protest for an entire night. Soon Hisoka would awaken, and the 'spell' would be broken. Tsuzuki looked down to the sleeping angel beside him. Would Hisoka remember his words? Or would Hisoka brush Tsuzuki's feeling off as a byproduct of stress?
Tsuzuki frowned as he gently caressed Hisoka's cheek. There were bigger things at stake at the moment, and Tsuzuki would have to be content with this one night. They would have to move, as Muraki knew of this place now. The only reason Tsuzuki had returned to the room in the first place was from sheer desperation, and the theory that Muraki would not attack them so quickly. Even unstable psychos needed to sleep. There was also the lock down to figure out, the involvement of the demons, and the spells imbued within Hisoka . . . Tsuzuki sighed. There was so much to be done. Tsuzuki looked down to Hisoka and frowned again. But there so little time.
He was loathe to do this, but Tsuzuki couldn't get things together with Hisoka still asleep and he wouldn't be able to shield Hisoka otherwise. "Hisoka." Tsuzuki leaned in close and whispered softly. "Hisoka. Come on, you need to get up." Tsuzuki gently shook Hisoka's shoulder and he smiled sadly as Hisoka's face scrunched up slightly at the sound of Tsuzuki's voice.
He's so much like a child, but at the same time so grown up. Tsuzuki sighed and shook Hisoka's shoulder a little harder. The weight of an eternity pressed onto a soul so young. "Hisoka . . ." Tsuzuki smiled as Hisoka's vivid green eyes blinked open slowly, and Tsuzuki felt his heart melt. He had never seen Hisoka like this before. It was endearing, while at the same time saddening. Hisoka would never grow up, at least physically.
Hisoka blinked sleepily and looked up to Tsuzuki, and in a flourish Hisoka abruptly sat up, nearly knocking Tsuzuki's head in the process. "Huh? Where am I?" Tsuzuki watched as the mask that Hisoka normally wore began to set itself in place. Hisoka blushed as he realized his position, and he scooted a little away from Tsuzuki, dragging the blanket with him. "Tsuzuki . . ."
If masks were what Hisoka felt comfortable with, Tsuzuki would play along. His heart felt a little hurt at the way Hisoka was acting, but Tsuzuki reminded himself once again what was at stake. Tsuzuki flourished a beaming smile, closed his eyes and let out a joint popping yawn. His lack of sleep was starting to really get to him. "Good morning Hisoka. I take it you slept well?" Tsuzuki popped one eye open to gauge Hisoka's reaction. The blush upon Hisoka's face deepened and Tsuzuki's smile widened. He lowered his arms and leaned toward Hisoka slightly. "Are you feeling better Hisoka?"
It seemed to Tsuzuki that Hisoka's eyes darkened as he fully comprehended what Tsuzuki really meant. Hisoka's wings folded flat against his back as he stood up, and Tsuzuki watched his partner with concern. "I am . . .okay." Hisoka looked over to Tsuzuki and Tsuzuki shook his head slightly. Leave it to Hisoka to blow off something like nearly being killed as 'okay'. Hisoka frowned as he looked down at the bandages around his frame. "I suppose I should be grateful that I have innate healing abilities . . . or perhaps it is just Hikaru?"
Tsuzuki frowned at Hisoka's comment. There it was again . . . the child Hikaru. There was so much he didn't understand, and Hikaru was another one of them. Muraki had targeted the child as if she had power, and Hisoka had hinted that the girl had abilities. Tsuzuki frowned. Well there was no time like the present to figure out some things. "Hisoka, can you try to explain some things to me? Now that you have had a chance to rest?"
Hisoka raised his green eyes to meet Tsuzuki's concerned violet ones. There was a hint of sorrow there in Hisoka's eyes, and Tsuzuki felt like a jerk for bringing the subject up. But there were things moving beyond the two of them, and if they were to uncover what was going on, they would have to unearth the truth. Hisoka picked at one of the bandages along his arm distractedly. "What do you want to know Tsuzuki?" Hisoka's voice was quiet, and Tsuzuki felt like a heel.
"Well for starters, you keep mentioning Hikaru as if she is well . . . here."
Hisoka glanced sharply up at Tsuzuki. "That's because she IS here." Hisoka tapped his chest. "Both her and the demon . . . I told you this before Tsuzuki." Hisoka shook his head and self consciously wrapped the blanket around his form. "Maybe it is because we are bonded, or maybe it is just because she feels sorry for me . . . I don't know." Hisoka looked to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki felt as if he would cry, seeing the haunted look in his partner's eyes. "All she wants is to survive, and if that means helping me with what means she can, then so be it." Hisoka reached out of the blanket to gingerly touch the feathered edge of one of his wings. "She's like me Tsuzuki. Born with powers she could not understand, and God punished her for it."
Tsuzuki moved forward to stand behind Hisoka, not willing to touch his partner for fear of rejection. "I don't think that God punishes those born different . . ."
Hisoka abruptly spun around to stand almost nose to nose to Tsuzuki, which was quite a feet considering the height difference between the two of them. "No? Well how do you explain what happened to me Tsuzuki? Did I deserve to die the way I did? Did I deserve to be hurt?" Anger and frustration filled Hisoka's voice, and Tsuzuki took a small step back from his partner. "Hikaru's only crime was that she was born different. Did she deserve to be mutilated and killed?"
"Of course not." Tsuzuki's voice was quiet aside Hisoka's embittered one. Tsuzuki shook his head and tentatively reached out a hand to Hisoka. "I was also . . . punished for what I was . . ." Tsuzuki's voice caught slightly as memories surfaced, but Tsuzuki shrugged those thoughts aside. The demons of the past were not their main concern at the moment. "Enma gave all of us free will . . . so it is just plain bad luck . . . or malicious people around that caused those sufferings."
Tsuzuki could see the anger in Hisoka die and Tsuzuki lowered his head. He had not wanted to bring forth the moody Hisoka that was always around, he had wanted to draw the glimpse of the person he had seen last night. Not the hurt one, but the one that was willing to love and be loved.
A quiet chuckle broke the silence that filled the air, and Tsuzuki looked up. Hisoka stood before Tsuzuki, the blanket falling from his grip as a ghost of a smile graced Hisoka's face. "I am an idiot some days Tsuzuki . . . forgive me." Hisoka's eyes were wide, and Tsuzuki was sure that they matched his own. It must be close to the end of the world, because Hisoka had called himself Tsuzuki's namesake and had asked for forgiveness - all in the same sentence. Tsuzuki blinked stupidly back at Hisoka, not knowing how to answer Hisoka's request.
"Why should you ask for forgiveness for being who you are?" Tsuzuki looked Hisoka in the eye, and then frowned. "It is those people who cause such pain, that should be begging for forgiveness."
Hisoka gave Tsuzuki a ghost of a smile and then frowned. "I can still sense him Tsuzuki. Like a shadow lurking on the edge of my senses; Muraki is out there . . . testing my shields." Hisoka shuddered and he looked to Tsuzuki in anger. "I am NOT one of his dolls that he can play with!"
"No . . . you're not." Tsuzuki shook his head and started to pace the space between the two beds with Hisoka looking on. "And if I have any say in the matter, Muraki won't be coherent enough to harm you or anyone ever again." A dark cloud of emotion came over Tsuzuki as he thought about the doctor. Muraki may have been right about a shinigami not being able to hasten the death of a person, but one could live without being sane.
Tsuzuki's dark mood must have permeated the room, because silence was the only response to his solemn words. Tsuzuki turned around to look at Hisoka, who just looked back at him as if in thought. Tsuzuki reached his hand behind his head and laughed sheepishly. "Ah . . . ahem! I think we should get moving while the rest of the world still sleeps." Tsuzuki turned to busily make the bed, the gesture unneeded but it gave his hands something to do. Why was he always such an idiot when he needed to be serious?
The ghost-like touch upon his back nearly sent Tsuzuki through the roof, and he turned around to find Hisoka standing behind him. The blush was back on the youth's face, and to Tsuzuki, it looked as if Hisoka was struggling to get something out of his system. "What is it Hisoka?" Tsuzuki frowned and tentatively reached out to clasp Hisoka's shoulder. It had seemed as if Hisoka had dismissed what had happened between the two of them last night, and although it hurt, Tsuzuki would not push the matter. There were larger problems at the moment.
Hisoka's voice was quiet, so quiet that Tsuzuki had to lean in close to hear what his partner was saying. "I can't hear you Hisoka . . ." Tsuzuki tilted his head in mild confusion. The blush on Hisoka's face got even brighter and Tsuzuki frowned. Hisoka reached forward to lightly touch Tsuzuki's arm, his eyes downcast.
"Thank you . . ."
Tsuzuki physically started. Hisoka's hand was warm against his arm, and Tsuzuki looked at his partner in awe. Hisoka's tone was deceptively neutral, but Tsuzuki could sense a deeper meaning in those two little words. Tsuzuki placed his finger beneath Hisoka's chin, and pulled up to make Hisoka look him in the eyes. There was a little fear in Hisoka's eyes, but lingering with it was also hope and . . . something else.
Tsuzuki smiled gently and reached up to ruffle Hisoka's hair as he would a small child. The action elicited a familiar scowl across Hisoka's face, but Tsuzuki just laughed. "You're welcome. I will always be there for you Hisoka." Tsuzuki stepped back and looked thoughtfully upon his partner once more. "Always."
Hisoka blushed even more and Tsuzuki chuckled once again and turned to GuShoShin. Hisoka was scared, but Tsuzuki didn't blame him. He was as well. These emotions, these actions, they were breaking all the unspoken rules and boundaries that Tsuzuki and Hisoka had placed between them. It was only natural to be afraid. Tsuzuki shook his head. But for the moment, they would have to push those emotions to the back burner. They had bigger problems to deal with.
"We have to get out of here." Tsuzuki walked over to the scattered case report and began to shuffle the papers together. "We aren't safe here. Who knows when we will be attacked? A horde of demons could come, or Muraki once again." Tsuzuki tapped the papers once upon the surface of the table to straighten them. "Without support from division, we are on our own on this one, we have to be careful." Tsuzuki frowned slightly when he got no response from Hisoka, and turned around to find his partner tearing holes into the back of one of his shirts. "What are you doing Hisoka?"
Hisoka looked to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki saw the flash of annoyance fly across Hisoka's face. They were falling into familiar routines, and for now, Tsuzuki didn't mind. "What does it look like? I can't walk around topless forever you know." Hisoka gestured to his wings and shook the shirt in his hand as if addressing a small child. "And I can't very well hide these things now can I?" Hisoka returned to his chore, muttering something about idiots and the like.
The sounds of tearing fabric filled the room and Tsuzuki walked over to GuShoShin. As much as he wanted the librarian to be able to sleep, they needed to move. He shook his companion lightly, and was rewarded with a groan. "Come on GuShoShin . . . we have to get moving."
"Where exactly are we going Tsuzuki?" Hisoka's voice was muffled, and Tsuzuki looked over to find Hisoka struggling to get his shirt around his wings. Hisoka frowned and Tsuzuki fought the urge to laugh at his partner's predicament. "I mean it isn't like I can just walk on the streets looking like this, and we don't have a lot of money."
Tsuzuki frowned as GuShoShin slowly roused from his sleep. Where were they going to go? Tsuzuki walked over to his trench coat and dug out the money Tatsumi had given them for the case. His frown got even larger as he eyed the paltry sum remaining. Where indeed.
"Tsuzuki . . . Hisoka." GuShoShin's voice was slurred, but he was doing as well as could be expected. "Ow . . ." GuShoShin held his head gingerly and Tsuzuki reached out to hand the librarian the aspirin bottle in sympathy. GuShoShin eyed the bottle warily but took the offered item from Tsuzuki. Who knew that the aspirin that Watari had given Hisoka would have been so useful?
Tsuzuki tucked the card back into his coat and leaned down to start throwing what few belongings they had into his duffle bag. They would take only the one bag, seeing as Tsuzuki was the only one of them still able to carry a load without strain. "I haven't really thought that far Hisoka." Tsuzuki looked over his shoulder to watch Hisoka finally get the shirt over his wings. "All I know is that we can't stay here."
Finishing his hasty packing, Tsuzuki whipped his trench coat on and strode over to the door to get his shoes on. "I'm going to go pay the front desk. Then I'll come back and we will think of . . . something." Tsuzuki frowned and looked to his companions. "Pack what you need in my duffle, we are only taking the one bag. We need to get out of here before the owners find the damage to the door."
"Hmm. And here I thought you were waking us up early because you feared for our safety." Hisoka's voice was deadpan, but Tsuzuki could hear the intended joke in it. They needed a little humour, especially in light of things. It was something familiar, and Tsuzuki welcomed it.
"I do. That is why we are getting out of here before the cleaning lady comes along and give us high holy hell for wrecking the establishment." Tsuzuki smiled and gave Hisoka a small wink before he gingerly opened the remains of the door and stepped through. As soon as he stepped out of sight Tsuzuki sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. What were they going to do? Without support from division, they were trapped earth side. Hisoka needed a doctor, as well as GuShoShin. Tsuzuki shook his head and resumed his trek to the front desk.
Where indeed could those being hunted hide?
********************
It had taken some sweet talking to get the room paid for so early in the morning, and the innkeeper had been half asleep when Tsuzuki had rang the bell for service. Tsuzuki supposed that most patrons were considerate enough to wait until a decent hour to pay their tabs. Tsuzuki even placed a fuda on the shattered door frame to give the illusion that the door was indeed intact before they left, to buy them more time. He felt a little bad about lying about the damage, but beggars couldn't be choosers, and the three of them needed to get out of there as soon as possible.
In fact, it was in placing the fuda on the wrecked doorway that Tsuzuki found a way to hide Hisoka's wings. Hisoka had balked at the idea at first, but they were desperate. Tsuzuki looked over his shoulder to find Hisoka fidgeting with the numerous fudas attached to his wings. "You know if you mess around with them you are going to break the spell. It was hard enough to get the charms accurate enough to just hide your wings and not all of you in the first place."
GuShoShin hovered sympathetically aside Hisoka, his own powers working to hide his form from the populace. "I know they bother you Hisoka . . . but you know you have to leave them alone or they won't work." The librarian's voice was quiet, as if he wished to avoid an argument with the moody teenager, and to Tsuzuki, it seemed like a wise decision.
Hisoka scowled back at Tsuzuki, but Tsuzuki was pleased to note that Hisoka quit picking at the paper charms stuck to him. He didn't have a lot of those left, but it was all Tsuzuki could think of to move Hisoka in broad daylight. Tsuzuki stifled a yawn and pressed forward, the weight of the duffle bag in his hand becoming heavier by the minute. Hisoka stepped along beside him, his motions slow and cautious due to his numerous injuries.
Tsuzuki frowned as he watched his partner's actions in silence as he walked. At least Hisoka seemed to be doing better, and Tsuzuki let loose another jaw popping yawn. Had he not been so tired, Tsuzuki would have made himself invisible as well, but seeing that until they made it to wherever they were heading to hide, Tsuzuki would not be able to sleep. And no sleep meant conserving energies. They were also on foot, because their money was slowly dwindling, and although a cab would be quicker, they needed to conserve their funds.
With the problem of Hisoka's wings temporarily fixed, the next problem loomed before the three of them. Where would they go? Tsuzuki pursed his lips in thought as he walked, the swaying of the duffle bag in his hands lulling him. They were taking a big risk walking in broad daylight like this, and with the threat of pursuers Tsuzuki wasn't sure he could protect the lot of them along with the innocents around them.
Tsuzuki shook his head and violently kicked a pop can on the ground. It narrowly missed a group of school children, and their teacher glared at Tsuzuki menacingly. Tsuzuki had the intelligence to at least put a sheepish look on his face before the lady huffed and ushered her gaggle of children along. Tsuzuki watched the children pass and sighed. He looked up to the sun in the sky and shielded his eyes with a raised hand.
Hisoka edged close to him and Tsuzuki could feel Hisoka's eyes boring into his back. "You have no idea where we are going, do you Tsuzuki?" The question was matter of fact, and for once Hisoka's voice did not hold the tinge of annoyance it usually did when Tsuzuki was slow. In fact, to Tsuzuki it sounded more concerned than anything else.
Tsuzuki sighed and shuffled over to a nearby bench. He sat down like a man with a huge burden, and in a sense Tsuzuki did. Hisoka walked over to stand beside him, and Tsuzuki noted that Hisoka wore a pained expression. GuShoShin hovered over to take a seat beside Tsuzuki, his expression worn.
Running his fingers distractedly through his hair, Tsuzuki sighed and rubbed at his weary eyes. "Well to be honest, I really don't have a plan." He smiled sheepishly up to Hisoka who frowned slightly. "I mean, I honestly didn't think our first case would have come with this kind of danger attached." Tsuzuki laughed and let loose a large yawn. "All I can think of for now is to keep moving."
Hisoka leaned forward slightly and frowned again. "But what about you? I mean you're clearly exhausted. You stayed up all night for me and . . ." Hisoka's voice got quieter as he spoke, and Tsuzuki eyed his partner curiously. A blush formed on his cheeks and Hisoka cleared his throat quickly. "What I am saying, is that we need to find somewhere where you can sleep. We need to rest, and we need time to think." Hisoka looked out across the park where they were currently stopped.
Tsuzuki looked out across the park along with his companions. Huge trees filled the area, giving lots of shade to the numerous people out enjoying the beautiful day. It was a shame that they were currently on the run. Tsuzuki yawned once again and looked up to the sky. It was unlikely that they would be attacked in broad daylight, especially amidst such huge crowds, but Tsuzuki wouldn't put it past the demons to forgo their usual methods of staying invisible to the living population. GuShoShin suddenly cleared his throat, bringing Tsuzuki's train of thought to an standstill.
"Why not here?"
Tsuzuki blinked and looked to the librarian in mild confusion. Hisoka also frowned as he continued to look around. Whether his partner was keeping watch or just wanting to keep busy, Tsuzuki was not quite sure. When silence filled the breadth between them GuShoShin shook his head and hovered up to capture both shinigami's attention.
"Why not here?" GuShoShin gestured to the grassy spaces around them. "These are public spaces, so we don't have to pay anyone anything. We just have to find somewhere that is a little out of the way so as to not be pestered by any patrols and stuff." GuShoShin began to gesture excitedly as his idea began to take form in his head. "I have a battery for the laptop so I can still work on getting in contact with division, and we can use the money on some cheap camping equipment or something."
Tsuzuki just stared at his companion with a blank look on his face. The idea was a simple one, and it was either sheer genius or completely insane. Hisoka on the other hand looked at GuShoShin as if the librarian had sprouted tentacles. "That won't work." Tsuzuki yawned and blinked up to Hisoka.
"Why not?" GuShoShin hovered up to be at eye level with Hisoka, and Tsuzuki watched the brewing argument between the two of them with mild amusement. The more Tsuzuki thought about what GuShoShin said, the more it made sense to him, and there was the added benefit of being able to finally sleep. Tsuzuki settled back and let his companions argue it out.
GuShoShin pointed to the trees around them. "Obviously we can't stay near any of the paths but this is a large park. There are other people who sleep in here as well at night so we won't look that out of place even if we were discovered." Tsuzuki nodded in agreement but was quick to overlook his companions' arguments as he noticed something in the trees beyond them. He left GuShoShin and Hisoka to discuss things and stood up.
"So you mean we should be like common bums?"
GuShoShin waggled his finger at Hisoka excitedly. "What's wrong with that? There is a saying that the best place to hide is in plain sight." GuShoShin shook his head. "We need to save our money because we don't know when we will get back in touch with division." GuShoShin whirled around Hisoka and winced as the motion brought him a little pain. "To me it seems like a good plan."
Hisoka frowned and looked around the grounds. "It is more like a plan concocted by desperate people."
"And who's to say we aren't?" GuShoShin defensively retorted back.
Hisoka scowled and turned to look to Tsuzuki. "Tsuzuki what do you think - " Hisoka stopped short when he realized that Tsuzuki not upon the bench anymore, but standing up and scanning the surrounding area warily. Tsuzuki's stance was tense, as was the expression on his face, and Hisoka immediately walked over to Tsuzuki. "What's wrong?"
Tsuzuki looked over to Hisoka and GuShoShin and then back out across the green grass. He could have sworn . . . It felt wrong. It wasn't something that Tsuzuki could explain to his companions, or even totally understand himself. But something was out of place. He kept his mouth shut and scanned the surroundings once more. It was on the edge of his awareness.
Hisoka stepped up beside him, his stance alert and wary. GuShoShin hovered in close as well. The warm sun beat down upon them and a gentle breeze ruffled their clothes. Tsuzuki frowned as he continued to scrutinize the area. He leaned in slightly to Hisoka and whispered. "Reach out with your empathy Hisoka . . . tell me what you feel."
A confused expression flashed across Hisoka's face but he complied. The uneasy sensation continued to disturb Tsuzuki. Something was wrong . . . he was sure of it now. He glanced over to Hisoka whose eyes were closed in concentration. Hisoka's voice was soft, as if he was trying not to be heard, and it was a wise decision. "Something's wrong. We are in the middle of a public park. I should be able to feel emotions coming off of people . . . but I can't sense anything . . ."
GuShoShin hovered slightly above the two shinigami and gazed about. "Where are the people?"
Tsuzuki glanced up to GuShoShin and then around. A moment ago there had been a thong of people about them, laughing and talking. Somehow in the last couple of minutes everyone had cleared out of the area. Tsuzuki tightened his fists and stepped slightly in front of Hisoka. It was like someone had placed a dome over the lot of them. Hisoka opened his eyes and looked to Tsuzuki, concern evident on his face. "It's quiet."
The comment was innocent, but the more Tsuzuki thought about it, it had suddenly gotten terribly quiet. The dread feeling in the pit of his stomach was getting bigger. They had to get out of there . . . now.
Tsuzuki turned around to grab their duffle, ushering Hisoka along with him. "Something isn't right. We need to move." He grabbed the bag looked to his companions. "I know the two of you can feel it too. Something is terribly wrong here." He pointed to the path that they had been following. "Come on lets get going."
GuShoShin led the way, and Tsuzuki looked about them nervously. It could have just been coincidence that everyone in the immediate area suddenly walked off, it was part of a walking path after all, but Tsuzuki couldn't shake the dread he felt. There was also the silence to contend with. No park he had ever been to had been completely silent, at least not a public park such as this one. He reached into his trench coat breast pocket to pull out one of his fudas.
They had managed to walk a little ways away from the bench they had rested at when suddenly GuShoShin crashed into something and fell to the ground. Hisoka bent down to GuShoShin who rubbed his head and Tsuzuki frowned. He stepped forward and placed his hand out, and about the place where GuShoShin had fallen out of the air, he encountered resistance. Tsuzuki dropped the duffle and raised his other hand to find more resistance. There was an invisible barrier stopping them; they were trapped.
"Are you Tsuzuki Asato?"
The booming voice was loud in the unnatural silence of the park. Tsuzuki whirled around and stepped forward slightly, enough to make sure Hisoka was safely behind him. "Who asks?" Tsuzuki scanned the trees about them and he could feel Hisoka's hand lightly touch his back. GuShoShin hovered back up in the air.
A trio of figures materialized in front of the group of them and GuShoShin let loose a startled cry. They were winged as Hisoka was, and the three men eyed Tsuzuki and his companions with cold indifference. Tsuzuki blinked and shook his head. They were angels . . . Enma's personal bodyguards and staff.
The middle one, presumably the leader of the three stepped forward, his majestic wings large and intimidating. He had long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail and wore a deep blue suit. His companions were equally intimidating, both a little bulkier than the leader, but with less ingrained cold threat to them. They were dressed like syndicate members, with clean cut suits and pitch black sunglasses. They looked nothing like the traditional angels that the living world depicted. Tsuzuki felt as if they were slipping from the frying pan and into the fire. "I'm only going to ask once more. Are you Tsuzuki Asato?"
"I am." Tsuzuki eyed the angel before him warily. The angels were a mysterious group, their work and actions often unseen and unreported to the division. They were the elite of the elite, Enma's top staff and rumour had it that the angels dispensed Enma's justice without mercy. They were also part of the clean up squad, and elimination detachment. The angels were considered to be Enma's right hand. At least that is what rumour stated.
The leader scrutinized Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki felt as if he were a bug under glass. The other two angels kept their gazes trained on GuShoShin and Hisoka, and the dread feeling in Tsuzuki's stomach increased. Why were Enma's elite here? Were they the ones who set up the barricade? "And this is your partner Hisoka Kurosaki?"
Hisoka stepped forward and Tsuzuki watched his partner out of the corner of his eye. "I am Hisoka." Hisoka eyed the angels warily and Tsuzuki did not blame his partner. "Are you the ones detaining us?" Hisoka's voice sounded small in the abnormal silence of the area.
The leader looked Hisoka up and down and frowned slightly. Hisoka stepped backwards and Tsuzuki inched slightly in front of Hisoka once again. The angel raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers. In an instant Hisoka's white wings suddenly became visible and Tsuzuki visibly started. The charms were gone, burned instantly into nothingness. Hisoka looked at his wings in apprehension and then looked back to the angel. "So that is what the demons have planned. Leading a lost lamb back home to commence a slaughter." The leader cracked his knuckles and gestured to his companions. "Seize him."
Hisoka stepped backwards only to hit the barrier surrounding them. "Get away from me!" The two imposing angels continued to move forward and Tsuzuki surged forward. He didn't know what the angels wanted, but until he got a proper answer, he would not let them touch Hisoka.
Tsuzuki lifted the fuda in his hand and concentrated for a moment. A burst of energy released from the paper and pushed the two angels backwards and away from Hisoka. The leader frowned at Tsuzuki's actions but Tsuzuki didn't care. He had made sure to not harm the angels, seeing as they were Enma's elite, but until Tsuzuki knew what the angels were detaining them for, he wasn't going to sit idle.
Tsuzuki eyed the leader warily. "Who are you and what do you want with us?" He held his fuda up before him defensively. "You trap us here, speak of lost lambs and threaten. Enma's top staff is quite rude if this is how you operate."
The leader bristled then let loose a laugh. He motioned for his subordinates to stop and back off. The two imposing angels did so and Tsuzuki could see Hisoka's face relax only slightly. "I'm surprised you haven't heard of us. We are Trinity. Enma's right hand."
GuShoShin gasped behind him, and Tsuzuki looked to the librarian sharply. "No . . . not Trinity. We haven't done anything wrong!!" GuShoShin yelled to the Trinity leader, his feathery arms shaking in anger. Tsuzuki noted the librarian's flip of emotion with apprehension.
"You haven't, but the pair of them have been judged." The Trinity leader shook his head and flipped his bangs out of his eyes. He stared back at Tsuzuki. "We are under orders from Enma Himself to apprehend both you and your partner." The Trinity leader reached into his inner coat pocket and produced an envelope. "It is all written here. We can do this the hard way, or the easy way, but either way the pair of you are coming with us. We cannot allow you to wander ChiJou in the state you are in."
"Our state?" Hisoka's voice was laced with anger, and Tsuzuki was confused. Enma had personally assigned them to this case. Why would He assign them a case if He believed that Tsuzuki and Hisoka were a threat. Along that train of thought, just why were they being judged in the first place?
Tsuzuki reached out hesitantly and took the proffered envelope. Hisoka leaned in close to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki couldn't help but feel apprehension. The trio of angels stood silently and watched. With a slight rip, Tsuzuki opened the envelope and pulled out its contents. GuShoShin hovered over Tsuzuki's shoulder and Hisoka stood close by.
Tsuzuki read the note, and his face went ashen. GuShoShin gasped and even Hisoka visibly paled. Lowering the letter slightly, Tsuzuki looked to the angels before him with trepidation. "This has to be some kind of sick joke." The contents of the letter had to be a fake, or some sort of mis- communication.
"I assure you Mr. Asato, Enma does not joke." The Trinity leader brushed his hand through his platinum blonde hair.
"But I haven't done anything wrong! I had some problems during the Kyoto case, but those were extenuating circumstances!!" Tsuzuki crumpled the letter and threw it behind him. GuShoShin scooped the thrown letter up and shoved it into his vest. "Enma cannot believe that I would be a threat, I have worked in the Shokan division for seventy years!"
"Exactly. You tenure in the Shokan division has been overlooked so far because of your extraordinary bond with the Shikigami." The Trinity leader shook his head. "But that doesn't erase the fact that there is an deep-seated power within you that is untapped and dangerous. Most shinigami only remain as shinigami for a short duration, but you Mr. Asato have refused ascension again and again." The leader's eyes flickered to Hisoka and Tsuzuki wanted to punch the angel. "Enma gave you the chance to heal, to get away from all the pain of being a shinigami, but you refused."
"So I don't want to ascend, big deal." Tsuzuki glared menacingly at the Trinity leader. "Yes there is something within me . . . that I haven't touched. But that should matter! I haven't tapped it in spite of its nature." Tsuzuki made a dismissing motion with his hand. It was the first time in a while that Tsuzuki had spoke of that. The reason he had such inhuman violet eyes, despite the face that kindness radiated from them. His past was something better left untouched, and Tsuzuki had thought that it would leave him behind as time passed. Apparently he had been wrong. "My partner has nothing to do with this."
"On the contrary, it has been concluded that Mr. Kurosaki will most likely be the reason you lose control and tap the malevolent power within you. Despite what had been previously thought before." The Trinity leader stared at Tsuzuki with icy blue eyes. "While his empathy is a rare talent, his inexperience and inherent weakness has done nothing but push you closer and closer to unleashing your latent powers." The blonde angel shook his head. "In an effort to curb expenses, the High Council decided to use the two of you to expose the demonic threat and the way they were to strike. At the same time, separating the two of you from the Shokan division would allow Trinity to rectify the situation by taking the two of you in."
"This can't be . . ." GuShoShin's voice was small, and Tsuzuki silently agreed. What the Trinity leader was suggesting was preposterous. Enma had used them? It was outrageous, but in a scary way, it was very much the course Enma would take if He felt there was a large scale problem at hand. His colleagues in the Shokan division would not let Tsuzuki or Hisoka go without a fight, and by separating them, it was the perfect solution to that slight problem. The lock down was not because of something bad happening in Meifu, but because Tsuzuki and Hisoka had been deemed a threat. Enma was God, and what He said was law. But that didn't mean that one could not rebel against His word.
Hisoka stepped forward, his green eyes vivid with emotion. "The demonic threat? Do you mean we were sent down here as scapegoats? Hikaru . . . myself . . . was all of this just a farce? Some elaborate plan of Enma with no thought to those involved?" Hisoka glanced over to Tsuzuki and Tsuzuki could see fear in his partner's eyes. Was it because of him, or for him? Hisoka shook his head and glared at the Trinity leader. "Tsuzuki is not a danger!"
"The demonic menace is quite real, and fortunately or unfortunately you were deemed the target of those foul beings. Of course Enma cares for those involved, but there is also the safety of Meifu and of ChiJou to consider." The lead angel spread out his wings. "What we do know is that in your current state Mr. Kurosaki, you will become a danger to Meifu and to your partner if you continue as you have been." The Trinity leader took a step forward. "You have been tainted, and the longer you remain in this state, the more likely Mr. Asato will become a greater threat as well. Prolonging things now will only shift our focus from capture to eradication."
Tsuzuki's heart seemed to stop at those words. They had been used. Deemed as dangerous by High Council, Tsuzuki and Hisoka had been manipulated to be tools for one last mission. He curled his hands into fists and they shook slightly with emotion. There were many enemies in life, especially working as a shinigami, but Tsuzuki had never thought that the danger would ever come from his God. "What about the Shokan division, surely they could intervene on our behalf!" It was a horrible thought, that the one most trusted to never harm you, would betray you instead.
The Trinity leader looked at Tsuzuki without sympathy. "Your division has been kept in the dark. It was decided that if they knew what was going to happen, they would rebel, and Enma needs a loyal division, not a belligerent one." The Trinity leader cracked his knuckles. "Enma has let the Shokan division get too close. You are suppose to be agents of death, not a family." The leader's blue eyes locked with Tsuzuki's violet ones. "This strike takes care of a number of problems don't you think?"
"What kind of loyalty do you cultivate in your employees if you hurt them?" GuShoShin's question pierced the silence, and Tsuzuki agreed. "Even in the courts of High Council there is protocol to follow! Those being judged have the right to defence!"
The Trinity leader frowned. "Of course that is true. But in some cases, the danger is too prevalent to go through red tape." The leader shook his head. "The safety of the many outweigh the rights of the few or the one." He motioned his companions to step forward. "Or in this case the rights of two."
Tsuzuki frowned and looked up to the angel. "What about Hikaru?" There was the little girl's soul to think about even in all of this predicament. She was an innocent, what was her fate? "She is a victim, does Enma care nothing for her?"
"When we have Mr. Kurosaki constrained we will separate her from him." The Trinity leader spoke his words as if he was commenting on the weather. "The lost lamb will then be judged as you two have for her crimes." The leader gave Tsuzuki and Hisoka a cold smile. "With her gone, the threat to Meifu will die."
"How will you separate us?" Hisoka frowned and looked at the Trinity leader with apprehension. "And what do you mean by lost lamb? Why should an innocent be judged? She hasn't done anything wrong!" Hisoka stepped forward angrily, and Tsuzuki stepped forward as well. "What about my soul?"
"An innocent? Ha! You two know nothing of what is really conspiring! Just what I said. She would be gone." The Trinity leader raised an eyebrow. " The process is highly dangerous. Your soul probably would not survive the procedure intact."
"WHAT!?" GuShoShin flew up into the personal space of the intimidating angel. "How can you say such things? Both Tsuzuki and Hisoka are shinigami and my friends! As one of the head librarians I cannot condone Enma's decree!"
"We don't need your approval for our action 'head' librarian." The Trinity leader glared down at GuShoShin. "You were sent here by your division, and thus are not a target of Enma's command. Once we are done here, the lock down will cease and you can return to your division."
Silence filled the air, and Tsuzuki shook silently with anger. It was unthinkable. There had to be another solution to all of this. He had survived all these years without tapping into the darker side of himself. Hell, that side if himself, Tsuzuki was loathe to admit even existed, and his breakdown in Kyoto was spurred by Muraki reminding Tsuzuki of that side of himself.
Hisoka's arrival in Tsuzuki's life had done nothing but provide Tsuzuki with a light that he had not seen in quite a while. Muraki's actions were heinous and the man would likely not escape Tsuzuki once Tsuzuki found him. Assuming that they could escape the Trinity squad that is. Tsuzuki frowned. If they were given a little time, perhaps the eye of Watari or one of the other healers of Meifu could help. Tsuzuki was sure they could separate Hikaru's soul from Hisoka's without endangering either one of them. Tsuzuki was also sure there had to be an appeal process to the command Enma had given. He needed to speak to Tatsumi and the chief.
Enma could not act like this unchecked. Could he?
The Trinity leader sighed and cracked his knuckles. "So what's it going to be boys? We don't have all day." Tsuzuki looked to the three angels with trepidation and anger. He would not be taken like this, Tsuzuki would not let things end this way.
"No." Tsuzuki's voice was loud in the silence of the dome encasing the lot of them, and Tsuzuki cleared his throat. "No. I will not comply." He stood defiantly before Trinity, his stance calm despite his internal misgivings. He was refusing a command from Enma, who knew what would happen to him?
"And neither will I." Hisoka echoed Tsuzuki's calm inflection and Tsuzuki marvelled at his partner's courage. While he was at it, Tsuzuki marvelled at his own. They were opposing Trinity, Enma's right hand and enforcement squad.
"Well I was getting rather bored with all this talking." The Trinity leader smiled and he motioned to his companions. "I take it this will be going the hard way then."
Tsuzuki eyed his adversaries warily. They were considered Enma's elite for a reason. But Tsuzuki was also considered the most powerful Shinigami for a reason as well. "Hisoka stay behind me." Tsuzuki stood and joined his hands together in front of him. "I bow to thee and beseech to you, the Twelve Gods that protect me," Violet eyes snapped open to gaze cooly at Trinity. "Appear before me, come out - Byakko!"
A brilliant white magic circle formed upon the grass, and Byakko, the white tiger god of the west surged upwards in a brilliant display of grace and majesty. The Trinity hesitated for only a second before initiating their attacks, and Tsuzuki yelled to his shikigami. "Defence and escape Byakko!" The tiger nodded once as all hell broke loose.
The Trinity surged forward as a single unit, intent on separating Tsuzuki and Hisoka. Tsuzuki grabbed Hisoka around the waist, mindful of the wings and sidestepped their assault. The trio moved fast, but Tsuzuki was much faster. Desperation did that to some people. He pushed Hisoka out of the way, pressing a defensive fuda into his partner's hand.
With a grace beyond his size, the tiger leapt forward, dispersing the group of angels. The majestic tiger god whipped back toward Tsuzuki and Tsuzuki reached out a hand to firmly grab the fur around Byakko's neck. Tsuzuki pulled himself upwards and he directed the beast toward where Hisoka and GuShoShin stood. The Trinity surged forward, throwing bolts of energy at Tsuzuki and Byakko as both groups raced towards Hisoka and GuShoShin.
It took a fraction of a second, but Trinity moved swiftly and Tsuzuki found himself casting offensive spells in haste. The leader separated himself from the other two and charged towards Byakko and Tsuzuki, forcing them to dodge. The other two angels went after Hisoka and Tsuzuki found himself fearing for his partner's safety. Hisoka was without his shinigami powers at the moment, but as Tsuzuki watched from the corner of his eye, he found that Hisoka was far from helpless.
Hisoka spread out his wings and the same glow from before shone from them and enveloped Hisoka. A moment later dazzling feathers exploded forth from Hisoka to strike out at the two angels, forcing them to go for cover or be struck down by the deadly force projectiles. Tsuzuki was in a sense grateful for Hikaru's intervention, although he himself did not totally understand the link between the girl and Hisoka. Tsuzuki turned his attention back to the leader as it was dangerous to leave a foe unattended.
"It is useless for you to struggle Tsuzuki Asato!" The leader shook his head and raced / flew aside the sprinting Byakko. The tiger god growled and snapped at the angel, forcing him to back away or be bitten. "Your command of the Shikigami is quite impressive, but in the end it will not matter."
Tsuzuki glared and leaned down close to Byakko. The tiger let loose a deafening roar and Tsuzuki glared at the leader of the Trinity. "That is where you angels fail. You see everything and everyone as tools; pawns in a gigantic board game." Tsuzuki shook his head as Byakko tensed beneath him. "I have a good bond with the Shikigami because I DON'T treat them as tools. They are my friends."
The Trinity leader laughed as he surged forward, heedless of the tiger god. "Tool, pawn, friend. All concepts of inferior beings. Enma's command is absolute." The leader glanced towards his companions who were converging on Hisoka, who was kneeling upon the ground, his body taxed. Tsuzuki saw this as well and blanched. "You see? Even now the other little pest within Mr. Kurosaki helps us. He wishes to be free as well. In the end it doesn't matter though, all bend to God's will." The Trinity leader yelled to his companions. "Get him now!"
"NO!" Tsuzuki urged Byakko forward, dodging the massive flurry of energy bolts flung toward the two of them by the leader. Tsuzuki could see Hisoka look wearily up to the two advancing angels. GuShoShin hovered close to Hisoka the duffle hanging from his feathery hands, as if his presence could somehow relay strength to the shinigami.
Byakko surged forward and blasted bolts of energy to scatter the assault of the angels upon Hisoka. Tsuzuki whispered a command to Byakko and he leaned precariously over the side of Byakko's flank as the two of them raced past Hisoka and GuShoShin. Tsuzuki reached out his hand to Hisoka, and yelled. "Grab my hand Hisoka!" Tsuzuki could see the weariness in Hisoka, but Tsuzuki was pleased to see Hisoka reaching out for him.
In a swift motion, Tsuzuki grabbed Hisoka's arm and used Byakko's momentum to swing Hisoka up behind him upon their unusual mount. Tsuzuki could hear Trinity barking orders behind them, but he didn't care. GuShoShin flew swiftly beside them, and Tsuzuki reached out to pull the librarian to sit securely before him. The Trinity may be Enma's elite, but they were cursed with the arrogant smugness of almost all who became angels. Tsuzuki gave thanks to that little gem, as it would probably save their lives. The angels could instantly kill them, but Enma wanted them alive, and the leader's words gave Tsuzuki an edge. He knew that for all their intimidation, the Trinity could not unleash their full rage against the two of them, not if they still wished to obey Enma's command.
Bolts of deadly energy flew past them, and Byakko grunted in pain as one of the bolts struck him in the side, faltering his graceful stride for a moment. Tsuzuki patted the tiger God's back as if to sooth the hurt. But there was one more thing to deal with before they escaped, and that was the invisible wall trapping them. They needed to escape back into the real world, and not this dome the Trinity had entombed them in.
"We need to find the wall. Byakko should be able to break through it, but he needs to see it first." Tsuzuki motioned to GuShoShin who held the duffle before his form. "Look for one of the fudas GuShoShin - "
"I can help there."
Tsuzuki turned his head to Hisoka, and felt a surge of emotion. Hisoka was exhausted, running on the same fuel as Tsuzuki: Adrenaline, anger and fear. Furious cries called behind them, and Tsuzuki looked behind them to see Trinity in hot pursuit. They needed to get out of here. Hisoka grabbed Tsuzuki's coat and pulled on it, and Tsuzuki looked at Hisoka in horror as his partner precariously raised himself to a kneeling position atop Byakko. "Are you crazy!" Tsuzuki twisted his body around to stabilize Hisoka's position, while at the same time keeping his partner from falling to the ground from the back of Byakko.
Hisoka looked down quickly to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki frowned. "I might be Tsuzuki." Hisoka locked his eyes with Tsuzuki's for a moment and then turned his attention forward. One of the angel's attacks grazed Tsuzuki's arm, and he grunted in pain but refused to loosen his hold on Hisoka.
Hisoka raised his hands before him and closed his eyes. A familiar red haze began to form at Hisoka' fingertips, and Tsuzuki recognized it as the same psychic blast that Hisoka had used upon him during their first case. A brilliant blast of ruby energy flew from Hisoka's hands to speed ahead of them, and it struck the invisible barrier holding them in. The resulting tapestry of cracks showed Byakko what he needed, and with a skilled lunge, the tiger God surged forward and let loose a blast of energy, shattering the outlined barrier into a multitude of crystal fragments.
The onslaught of attacks increased as Tsuzuki and Co. charged through the crimson laced shards, and Tsuzuki hugged Hisoka tightly as the boy slouched forward, his energies tapped. Tsuzuki did not need to direct Byakko though, as the Tiger God had listened to his commands from before. Tsuzuki shivered as he pulled Hisoka to settle in front of him, GuShoShin climbing forward to make room for the unconscious boy. The angels fell back as Byakko unleashed his magics and ran with the speed of the wind. Tsuzuki could see nothing but blurs rushing past them as they fled Trinity, Byakko's power keeping them safe and unseen from those of ChiJou for the time being.
Where they were fleeing, Tsuzuki did not know, but he trusted Byakko's judgement. Byakko would make sure that they were safe when he finally stopped, and that they did not fall. Being a shikigami God had it's privileges. Tsuzuki embraced Hisoka's form close to his own, mindful of the youth's wings. Here, held safe by Byakko's magic, they were safe. Tsuzuki closed his eyes as adrenaline slowly seeped out of his system. They had been forsaken by one Tsuzuki had trusted.
God had betrayed them . . .
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Author's Note:
Well I've finally done it. Now we really start to get interesting. Although I hope I haven't bored you all with what I have written before this chapter. When I started this story, I knew it was going to be large, but I didn't think it was going to become the monster it is becoming.
Ah well, I have always wanted a pet monster. *smiles*
The concept of the angels was a tough one for me. I mean, the shinigami already seem to be quite powerful, and they do the dirty work of Meifu. But with a God, there are angels . . . especially if you consider that there are demons as well. So I decided that angels do exist, but are seldom seen or heard of because they are a different arm of Meifu.
Trinity - as I have come to name the pursuers of Tsuzuki and Hisoka, are considered to be God's right hand so to speak. My concept for them came from Final Fantasy Seven sadly, in the form of the Turks. A clean cut, tough looking group, who are just following orders. But they aren't the main characters of the story, they are there as extras.
Poor Hisoka! I mean the kid's already had a tough time, and I am just tormenting him even more. And we mustn't forget Tsuzuki. I have hinted at an untapped power - one of Tsuzuki's personal demons that have haunted him. I am a mean author aren't I? Ah well, prerogative of the writer I suppose eh?
Reviews and comments on my story thus far would be most appreciated. As a wanna be author, it is encouraging to hear from those who read one's work. So even if you have nothing to say other than 'Good job!', or 'You Suck!', I would still like to hear from you. Those who have reviewed already, I want to thank you for your input! It really does encourage me and helps me get these chapters out.
Also I just have to thank Matsushita for creating such wonderful characters! Humour, darkness, romance - all the fun stuff rolled into one! 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.
Oh yeah, Hikaru the demon (Chymos) and Trinity are my own demented little characters. My property, mine. Got that? Everyone else is the property of Matsushita kay?
So on with the Show!
Chapter Seven - Love and Betrayal
By Lockeheart
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It was like a dream.
Tsuzuki looked down to the sleeping youth in his arms. The moon scattered its pale light through the window, casting a blue tinge to everything in the room. Tsuzuki traced the edges of the bandages covering Hisoka's form, and trailed his fingers up to Hisoka's pale face. It seemed almost a sin, to be able to sit still like this, holding his partner. Everything that had happened, everything that was happening . . . Tsuzuki sighed and tightened his hold on Hisoka.
Why did his feelings have to come out now? Hisoka already had enough on his plate, and Tsuzuki was certain that his partner did not need the added stress of dealing with Tsuzuki's feelings for him. He should have been content with Hisoka finally releasing all his bottled up feelings. It would have been a simple thing to let it go at that, and let Hisoka take comfort in the fact that Tsuzuki was there.
But he had said the words. "The one I love . . ." Tsuzuki's voice was little more than a whisper in the quiet room, but the emotion held within it was true. How Hisoka had taken the words, Tsuzuki did not let the boy answer. Exhaustion had claimed Hisoka as soon as the two of them laid still. Tsuzuki smiled and looked down to his slumbering partner. To be able to stay like this, it was like a dream. Especially considering everything the two of them had been through in the past twenty-four hours, it was pleasant to actually rest.
Heaven only knows that they needed it. Tsuzuki traced the tear stains down Hisoka's cheeks and Tsuzuki raised his hand to touch his own. He had almost lost Hisoka . . . lost the most important person in the world to him. Tsuzuki shivered slightly and lowered his arm to rest against Hisoka. There were precious few guarantees in life, and love was a volatile thing at best. Tsuzuki traced his finger lightly across the bandage on Hisoka's cheek.
How long had he held his feelings in check? Afraid to frighten Hisoka away with feelings the boy was unable to return or understand, Tsuzuki had buried his feelings deep within himself. Tsuzuki smiled softly and leaned back against the mass of pillows. When he first met Hisoka, Tsuzuki had been captivated by the youth's vivid green eyes, but was also repelled by the callous, cold attitude that dominated Hisoka.
As the two of them worked together, first as reluctant co-workers, and then later as . . . friends? Tsuzuki had found himself drawn to his partner. Even from the beginning, Tsuzuki had wanted to protect Hisoka, not because he thought Hisoka was weak - far from it. It was just something . . . something deep within him that Tsuzuki could not deny. Tsuzuki frowned as memories surfaced within him.
Even now, a month after the fire, Tsuzuki felt like a stranger among his co-workers. He had been a broken man, there in Touda's fire, and perhaps he still was broken. But it wasn't the same with Hisoka. Hisoka was a solid presence in Tsuzuki's life, something that he had unconsciously clung to. Tsuzuki absentmindedly brushed the edges of Hisoka's wings with his fingers, his thoughts adrift. He knew that people cared for him, he knew that they would have been sad at his leaving. But somehow, there in the fire, none of that had mattered to him. He had been willing and wanting the fire to burn away his immortal life. He was so tired . . . but Hisoka . . . Hisoka had changed that.
He could not end his life, knowing that he would leave Hisoka behind all alone. Tsuzuki knew all to well, what it felt like, to be alone, and there was no way he would leave Hisoka to that feeling again. Hisoka's life had been just as dark as Tsuzuki's own, and his death much more brutal. At least Tsuzuki had the choice of dying. Hisoka's life was cruelly torn from him along with his innocence. Hisoka had finally begun to trust people once again, had finally begun to feel once again. As much as he wanted to end his existence, Tsuzuki just couldn't destroy Hisoka as well.
Never, at any point in his life, and afterwards in his death, had there been anyone quite like Hisoka. Sullen and moody, the boy constantly pushed Tsuzuki away. But like a spring, Tsuzuki always came back for more. Something about Hisoka fascinated him, it willed him to stay by the boy's side even at the times he just wanted to scream into the sky with frustration.
It was those feelings and more, which had snapped him back into reality. That had made him want to live. At that moment, something inside Tsuzuki had clicked, and he didn't quite know what it was, just that it felt right to be there, with Hisoka. It scared Tsuzuki a little, to know just how dependent he was upon his partner, but what frightened him even more, was Hisoka's apparent dependence on him.
Not all his wounds had been physical, and not all of them were fully healed as of yet, but Tsuzuki knew he would recover, as long as Hisoka was with him. Tsuzuki looked down to Hisoka who remained deep in a slumber, his body and soul demanding this rest, and Tsuzuki was more than happy to give his partner this slight respite. He would shield him from Muraki for the rest of his immortal life, if Hisoka let him.
People saw Hisoka as the rational, no nonsense one, and they saw Tsuzuki as the happy-go-lucky, lazy one. It wasn't an image that Tsuzuki preferred, and he knew in his heart that neither image was the true form of either one of them. Masks were funny that way. He looked to the pale moon beyond the motel window and sighed. Two broken hearts, and two broken souls. Perhaps that is what drew Tsuzuki to Hisoka and vice versa.
Everyone just wants to be loved.
Tsuzuki slowly stroked Hisoka's hair, a comforting gesture amidst the surrounding pandemonium. The past twenty-four hours had been a roller coaster of emotion, revelation and fear. Tsuzuki looked to the healing scar along his torso, and then looked to the slightly bloody bandages covering Hisoka's own. The idea that a shinigami's abilities could be dampened, or even taken away was a frightening thought. Tsuzuki had felt that fear when Muraki had cast the Nullify spell on him earlier that night. To be so utterly defenceless . . . it was a scary prospect. Tsuzuki looked to Hisoka's face.
"You really are brave Hisoka . . . do you know that?" He whispered softly, the moon his only witness.
Hisoka was lucky that he himself had innate healing abilities, or he surely would have succumbed to his injuries by now. Tsuzuki pressed lightly against one of the bandages, and frowned as a spot of blood formed beneath the pressure. As it was, Hisoka's body was taxed, trying to heal the wounds, and maintain the demand forced upon Hisoka's mind and soul from the corrupted spells.
What are you up to Muraki? Tsuzuki frowned as he recalled all the devastation the doctor had achieved thus far. Tsuzuki glanced over to the scattered photos across the room. The child Hikaru seemed to be important, but how? Tsuzuki looked back down to Hisoka, and frowned. A child and a demon. They existed within Hisoka, their bodies dead or destroyed. Just how long could a soul survive without a body? The other question, among many, was just how long could Hisoka survive the strain of supporting both Hikaru and Chymos within him? Tsuzuki's frown deepened, and he raked his fingers through his hair.
He was so tired. Tsuzuki yawned and blinked his eyes. He hadn't slept for a good day or so, and sitting like this in a bed did nothing to help Tsuzuki keep awake. He rubbed at his eyes and sighed. Tsuzuki promised Hisoka he would defend him from harm, and Tsuzuki would be damned to hell before he broke this promise. Tsuzuki looked over to GuShoShin with mild concern and pride. The librarian had saved Hisoka. He had charged in and confronted Muraki, saving Hisoka from more harm. GuShoShin was also insanely lucky. The blast Muraki has struck him with had been strong, and Tsuzuki was sure that GuShoShin would be feeling the effects of the blow for some time to come.
What was it about this case . . . these events that was driving all of them to do such insane reckless acts? Tsuzuki shook his head and smiled. He supposed that it was what friends did for one another, what one does to protect the ones they care for.
With that thought, Tsuzuki frowned and continued to smooth Hisoka's hair with his hand. What was going on with division? Why was there a lock down, and why hadn't they been informed of it, especially considering that they were in the field? Tsuzuki shook his head as the unanswered questions milled through his head. There was also the fact that Enma assigned him and Hisoka personally. The two of them were still recovering from Kyoto, the reports had been sent up high, so Tsuzuki was a little perplexed by Enma's decision.
Hisoka stirred for a moment, and Tsuzuki mentally slapped himself. He was supposed to watch Hisoka for signs of distress, and as much as solving their current dilemma was important, Hisoka is what mattered right now. Tsuzuki carefully gauged Hisoka's motions, and a wave of relief washed over him as the pained look vanished from his partner's face. Hisoka sighed softly, and huddled closer to Tsuzuki. Tsuzuki smiled at the unconscious gesture of Hisoka, and he shifted slightly to give Hisoka a better sleeping position.
This was the only thing he could do, the only help that he could give Hisoka that really mattered. Tsuzuki sighed and did a double check on his mental shields. If Tsuzuki could, he would shoulder the burden Muraki unwillingly placed upon Hisoka, but it was something that he could not conceivably do. Tsuzuki settled back against the pillows behind him and cradled his partner. They had so many questions, and not enough answers. But those could wait until morning.
Tsuzuki was just as tired as Hisoka, he himself having been up for the past twenty-four hours himself. But some things . . . some things mattered more than that at the moment. Tsuzuki yawned and shook his head slightly. Hisoka's arms tightened ever so slightly around Tsuzuki, and a smile formed on Tsuzuki's face.
Right now was all that mattered. Right now was all Tsuzuki needed.
********************
The sky began to lighten outside, and Tsuzuki mourned the passing of the night in silence. It was under unfortunate circumstances, but he had been able to hold Hisoka in his arms with no protest for an entire night. Soon Hisoka would awaken, and the 'spell' would be broken. Tsuzuki looked down to the sleeping angel beside him. Would Hisoka remember his words? Or would Hisoka brush Tsuzuki's feeling off as a byproduct of stress?
Tsuzuki frowned as he gently caressed Hisoka's cheek. There were bigger things at stake at the moment, and Tsuzuki would have to be content with this one night. They would have to move, as Muraki knew of this place now. The only reason Tsuzuki had returned to the room in the first place was from sheer desperation, and the theory that Muraki would not attack them so quickly. Even unstable psychos needed to sleep. There was also the lock down to figure out, the involvement of the demons, and the spells imbued within Hisoka . . . Tsuzuki sighed. There was so much to be done. Tsuzuki looked down to Hisoka and frowned again. But there so little time.
He was loathe to do this, but Tsuzuki couldn't get things together with Hisoka still asleep and he wouldn't be able to shield Hisoka otherwise. "Hisoka." Tsuzuki leaned in close and whispered softly. "Hisoka. Come on, you need to get up." Tsuzuki gently shook Hisoka's shoulder and he smiled sadly as Hisoka's face scrunched up slightly at the sound of Tsuzuki's voice.
He's so much like a child, but at the same time so grown up. Tsuzuki sighed and shook Hisoka's shoulder a little harder. The weight of an eternity pressed onto a soul so young. "Hisoka . . ." Tsuzuki smiled as Hisoka's vivid green eyes blinked open slowly, and Tsuzuki felt his heart melt. He had never seen Hisoka like this before. It was endearing, while at the same time saddening. Hisoka would never grow up, at least physically.
Hisoka blinked sleepily and looked up to Tsuzuki, and in a flourish Hisoka abruptly sat up, nearly knocking Tsuzuki's head in the process. "Huh? Where am I?" Tsuzuki watched as the mask that Hisoka normally wore began to set itself in place. Hisoka blushed as he realized his position, and he scooted a little away from Tsuzuki, dragging the blanket with him. "Tsuzuki . . ."
If masks were what Hisoka felt comfortable with, Tsuzuki would play along. His heart felt a little hurt at the way Hisoka was acting, but Tsuzuki reminded himself once again what was at stake. Tsuzuki flourished a beaming smile, closed his eyes and let out a joint popping yawn. His lack of sleep was starting to really get to him. "Good morning Hisoka. I take it you slept well?" Tsuzuki popped one eye open to gauge Hisoka's reaction. The blush upon Hisoka's face deepened and Tsuzuki's smile widened. He lowered his arms and leaned toward Hisoka slightly. "Are you feeling better Hisoka?"
It seemed to Tsuzuki that Hisoka's eyes darkened as he fully comprehended what Tsuzuki really meant. Hisoka's wings folded flat against his back as he stood up, and Tsuzuki watched his partner with concern. "I am . . .okay." Hisoka looked over to Tsuzuki and Tsuzuki shook his head slightly. Leave it to Hisoka to blow off something like nearly being killed as 'okay'. Hisoka frowned as he looked down at the bandages around his frame. "I suppose I should be grateful that I have innate healing abilities . . . or perhaps it is just Hikaru?"
Tsuzuki frowned at Hisoka's comment. There it was again . . . the child Hikaru. There was so much he didn't understand, and Hikaru was another one of them. Muraki had targeted the child as if she had power, and Hisoka had hinted that the girl had abilities. Tsuzuki frowned. Well there was no time like the present to figure out some things. "Hisoka, can you try to explain some things to me? Now that you have had a chance to rest?"
Hisoka raised his green eyes to meet Tsuzuki's concerned violet ones. There was a hint of sorrow there in Hisoka's eyes, and Tsuzuki felt like a jerk for bringing the subject up. But there were things moving beyond the two of them, and if they were to uncover what was going on, they would have to unearth the truth. Hisoka picked at one of the bandages along his arm distractedly. "What do you want to know Tsuzuki?" Hisoka's voice was quiet, and Tsuzuki felt like a heel.
"Well for starters, you keep mentioning Hikaru as if she is well . . . here."
Hisoka glanced sharply up at Tsuzuki. "That's because she IS here." Hisoka tapped his chest. "Both her and the demon . . . I told you this before Tsuzuki." Hisoka shook his head and self consciously wrapped the blanket around his form. "Maybe it is because we are bonded, or maybe it is just because she feels sorry for me . . . I don't know." Hisoka looked to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki felt as if he would cry, seeing the haunted look in his partner's eyes. "All she wants is to survive, and if that means helping me with what means she can, then so be it." Hisoka reached out of the blanket to gingerly touch the feathered edge of one of his wings. "She's like me Tsuzuki. Born with powers she could not understand, and God punished her for it."
Tsuzuki moved forward to stand behind Hisoka, not willing to touch his partner for fear of rejection. "I don't think that God punishes those born different . . ."
Hisoka abruptly spun around to stand almost nose to nose to Tsuzuki, which was quite a feet considering the height difference between the two of them. "No? Well how do you explain what happened to me Tsuzuki? Did I deserve to die the way I did? Did I deserve to be hurt?" Anger and frustration filled Hisoka's voice, and Tsuzuki took a small step back from his partner. "Hikaru's only crime was that she was born different. Did she deserve to be mutilated and killed?"
"Of course not." Tsuzuki's voice was quiet aside Hisoka's embittered one. Tsuzuki shook his head and tentatively reached out a hand to Hisoka. "I was also . . . punished for what I was . . ." Tsuzuki's voice caught slightly as memories surfaced, but Tsuzuki shrugged those thoughts aside. The demons of the past were not their main concern at the moment. "Enma gave all of us free will . . . so it is just plain bad luck . . . or malicious people around that caused those sufferings."
Tsuzuki could see the anger in Hisoka die and Tsuzuki lowered his head. He had not wanted to bring forth the moody Hisoka that was always around, he had wanted to draw the glimpse of the person he had seen last night. Not the hurt one, but the one that was willing to love and be loved.
A quiet chuckle broke the silence that filled the air, and Tsuzuki looked up. Hisoka stood before Tsuzuki, the blanket falling from his grip as a ghost of a smile graced Hisoka's face. "I am an idiot some days Tsuzuki . . . forgive me." Hisoka's eyes were wide, and Tsuzuki was sure that they matched his own. It must be close to the end of the world, because Hisoka had called himself Tsuzuki's namesake and had asked for forgiveness - all in the same sentence. Tsuzuki blinked stupidly back at Hisoka, not knowing how to answer Hisoka's request.
"Why should you ask for forgiveness for being who you are?" Tsuzuki looked Hisoka in the eye, and then frowned. "It is those people who cause such pain, that should be begging for forgiveness."
Hisoka gave Tsuzuki a ghost of a smile and then frowned. "I can still sense him Tsuzuki. Like a shadow lurking on the edge of my senses; Muraki is out there . . . testing my shields." Hisoka shuddered and he looked to Tsuzuki in anger. "I am NOT one of his dolls that he can play with!"
"No . . . you're not." Tsuzuki shook his head and started to pace the space between the two beds with Hisoka looking on. "And if I have any say in the matter, Muraki won't be coherent enough to harm you or anyone ever again." A dark cloud of emotion came over Tsuzuki as he thought about the doctor. Muraki may have been right about a shinigami not being able to hasten the death of a person, but one could live without being sane.
Tsuzuki's dark mood must have permeated the room, because silence was the only response to his solemn words. Tsuzuki turned around to look at Hisoka, who just looked back at him as if in thought. Tsuzuki reached his hand behind his head and laughed sheepishly. "Ah . . . ahem! I think we should get moving while the rest of the world still sleeps." Tsuzuki turned to busily make the bed, the gesture unneeded but it gave his hands something to do. Why was he always such an idiot when he needed to be serious?
The ghost-like touch upon his back nearly sent Tsuzuki through the roof, and he turned around to find Hisoka standing behind him. The blush was back on the youth's face, and to Tsuzuki, it looked as if Hisoka was struggling to get something out of his system. "What is it Hisoka?" Tsuzuki frowned and tentatively reached out to clasp Hisoka's shoulder. It had seemed as if Hisoka had dismissed what had happened between the two of them last night, and although it hurt, Tsuzuki would not push the matter. There were larger problems at the moment.
Hisoka's voice was quiet, so quiet that Tsuzuki had to lean in close to hear what his partner was saying. "I can't hear you Hisoka . . ." Tsuzuki tilted his head in mild confusion. The blush on Hisoka's face got even brighter and Tsuzuki frowned. Hisoka reached forward to lightly touch Tsuzuki's arm, his eyes downcast.
"Thank you . . ."
Tsuzuki physically started. Hisoka's hand was warm against his arm, and Tsuzuki looked at his partner in awe. Hisoka's tone was deceptively neutral, but Tsuzuki could sense a deeper meaning in those two little words. Tsuzuki placed his finger beneath Hisoka's chin, and pulled up to make Hisoka look him in the eyes. There was a little fear in Hisoka's eyes, but lingering with it was also hope and . . . something else.
Tsuzuki smiled gently and reached up to ruffle Hisoka's hair as he would a small child. The action elicited a familiar scowl across Hisoka's face, but Tsuzuki just laughed. "You're welcome. I will always be there for you Hisoka." Tsuzuki stepped back and looked thoughtfully upon his partner once more. "Always."
Hisoka blushed even more and Tsuzuki chuckled once again and turned to GuShoShin. Hisoka was scared, but Tsuzuki didn't blame him. He was as well. These emotions, these actions, they were breaking all the unspoken rules and boundaries that Tsuzuki and Hisoka had placed between them. It was only natural to be afraid. Tsuzuki shook his head. But for the moment, they would have to push those emotions to the back burner. They had bigger problems to deal with.
"We have to get out of here." Tsuzuki walked over to the scattered case report and began to shuffle the papers together. "We aren't safe here. Who knows when we will be attacked? A horde of demons could come, or Muraki once again." Tsuzuki tapped the papers once upon the surface of the table to straighten them. "Without support from division, we are on our own on this one, we have to be careful." Tsuzuki frowned slightly when he got no response from Hisoka, and turned around to find his partner tearing holes into the back of one of his shirts. "What are you doing Hisoka?"
Hisoka looked to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki saw the flash of annoyance fly across Hisoka's face. They were falling into familiar routines, and for now, Tsuzuki didn't mind. "What does it look like? I can't walk around topless forever you know." Hisoka gestured to his wings and shook the shirt in his hand as if addressing a small child. "And I can't very well hide these things now can I?" Hisoka returned to his chore, muttering something about idiots and the like.
The sounds of tearing fabric filled the room and Tsuzuki walked over to GuShoShin. As much as he wanted the librarian to be able to sleep, they needed to move. He shook his companion lightly, and was rewarded with a groan. "Come on GuShoShin . . . we have to get moving."
"Where exactly are we going Tsuzuki?" Hisoka's voice was muffled, and Tsuzuki looked over to find Hisoka struggling to get his shirt around his wings. Hisoka frowned and Tsuzuki fought the urge to laugh at his partner's predicament. "I mean it isn't like I can just walk on the streets looking like this, and we don't have a lot of money."
Tsuzuki frowned as GuShoShin slowly roused from his sleep. Where were they going to go? Tsuzuki walked over to his trench coat and dug out the money Tatsumi had given them for the case. His frown got even larger as he eyed the paltry sum remaining. Where indeed.
"Tsuzuki . . . Hisoka." GuShoShin's voice was slurred, but he was doing as well as could be expected. "Ow . . ." GuShoShin held his head gingerly and Tsuzuki reached out to hand the librarian the aspirin bottle in sympathy. GuShoShin eyed the bottle warily but took the offered item from Tsuzuki. Who knew that the aspirin that Watari had given Hisoka would have been so useful?
Tsuzuki tucked the card back into his coat and leaned down to start throwing what few belongings they had into his duffle bag. They would take only the one bag, seeing as Tsuzuki was the only one of them still able to carry a load without strain. "I haven't really thought that far Hisoka." Tsuzuki looked over his shoulder to watch Hisoka finally get the shirt over his wings. "All I know is that we can't stay here."
Finishing his hasty packing, Tsuzuki whipped his trench coat on and strode over to the door to get his shoes on. "I'm going to go pay the front desk. Then I'll come back and we will think of . . . something." Tsuzuki frowned and looked to his companions. "Pack what you need in my duffle, we are only taking the one bag. We need to get out of here before the owners find the damage to the door."
"Hmm. And here I thought you were waking us up early because you feared for our safety." Hisoka's voice was deadpan, but Tsuzuki could hear the intended joke in it. They needed a little humour, especially in light of things. It was something familiar, and Tsuzuki welcomed it.
"I do. That is why we are getting out of here before the cleaning lady comes along and give us high holy hell for wrecking the establishment." Tsuzuki smiled and gave Hisoka a small wink before he gingerly opened the remains of the door and stepped through. As soon as he stepped out of sight Tsuzuki sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. What were they going to do? Without support from division, they were trapped earth side. Hisoka needed a doctor, as well as GuShoShin. Tsuzuki shook his head and resumed his trek to the front desk.
Where indeed could those being hunted hide?
********************
It had taken some sweet talking to get the room paid for so early in the morning, and the innkeeper had been half asleep when Tsuzuki had rang the bell for service. Tsuzuki supposed that most patrons were considerate enough to wait until a decent hour to pay their tabs. Tsuzuki even placed a fuda on the shattered door frame to give the illusion that the door was indeed intact before they left, to buy them more time. He felt a little bad about lying about the damage, but beggars couldn't be choosers, and the three of them needed to get out of there as soon as possible.
In fact, it was in placing the fuda on the wrecked doorway that Tsuzuki found a way to hide Hisoka's wings. Hisoka had balked at the idea at first, but they were desperate. Tsuzuki looked over his shoulder to find Hisoka fidgeting with the numerous fudas attached to his wings. "You know if you mess around with them you are going to break the spell. It was hard enough to get the charms accurate enough to just hide your wings and not all of you in the first place."
GuShoShin hovered sympathetically aside Hisoka, his own powers working to hide his form from the populace. "I know they bother you Hisoka . . . but you know you have to leave them alone or they won't work." The librarian's voice was quiet, as if he wished to avoid an argument with the moody teenager, and to Tsuzuki, it seemed like a wise decision.
Hisoka scowled back at Tsuzuki, but Tsuzuki was pleased to note that Hisoka quit picking at the paper charms stuck to him. He didn't have a lot of those left, but it was all Tsuzuki could think of to move Hisoka in broad daylight. Tsuzuki stifled a yawn and pressed forward, the weight of the duffle bag in his hand becoming heavier by the minute. Hisoka stepped along beside him, his motions slow and cautious due to his numerous injuries.
Tsuzuki frowned as he watched his partner's actions in silence as he walked. At least Hisoka seemed to be doing better, and Tsuzuki let loose another jaw popping yawn. Had he not been so tired, Tsuzuki would have made himself invisible as well, but seeing that until they made it to wherever they were heading to hide, Tsuzuki would not be able to sleep. And no sleep meant conserving energies. They were also on foot, because their money was slowly dwindling, and although a cab would be quicker, they needed to conserve their funds.
With the problem of Hisoka's wings temporarily fixed, the next problem loomed before the three of them. Where would they go? Tsuzuki pursed his lips in thought as he walked, the swaying of the duffle bag in his hands lulling him. They were taking a big risk walking in broad daylight like this, and with the threat of pursuers Tsuzuki wasn't sure he could protect the lot of them along with the innocents around them.
Tsuzuki shook his head and violently kicked a pop can on the ground. It narrowly missed a group of school children, and their teacher glared at Tsuzuki menacingly. Tsuzuki had the intelligence to at least put a sheepish look on his face before the lady huffed and ushered her gaggle of children along. Tsuzuki watched the children pass and sighed. He looked up to the sun in the sky and shielded his eyes with a raised hand.
Hisoka edged close to him and Tsuzuki could feel Hisoka's eyes boring into his back. "You have no idea where we are going, do you Tsuzuki?" The question was matter of fact, and for once Hisoka's voice did not hold the tinge of annoyance it usually did when Tsuzuki was slow. In fact, to Tsuzuki it sounded more concerned than anything else.
Tsuzuki sighed and shuffled over to a nearby bench. He sat down like a man with a huge burden, and in a sense Tsuzuki did. Hisoka walked over to stand beside him, and Tsuzuki noted that Hisoka wore a pained expression. GuShoShin hovered over to take a seat beside Tsuzuki, his expression worn.
Running his fingers distractedly through his hair, Tsuzuki sighed and rubbed at his weary eyes. "Well to be honest, I really don't have a plan." He smiled sheepishly up to Hisoka who frowned slightly. "I mean, I honestly didn't think our first case would have come with this kind of danger attached." Tsuzuki laughed and let loose a large yawn. "All I can think of for now is to keep moving."
Hisoka leaned forward slightly and frowned again. "But what about you? I mean you're clearly exhausted. You stayed up all night for me and . . ." Hisoka's voice got quieter as he spoke, and Tsuzuki eyed his partner curiously. A blush formed on his cheeks and Hisoka cleared his throat quickly. "What I am saying, is that we need to find somewhere where you can sleep. We need to rest, and we need time to think." Hisoka looked out across the park where they were currently stopped.
Tsuzuki looked out across the park along with his companions. Huge trees filled the area, giving lots of shade to the numerous people out enjoying the beautiful day. It was a shame that they were currently on the run. Tsuzuki yawned once again and looked up to the sky. It was unlikely that they would be attacked in broad daylight, especially amidst such huge crowds, but Tsuzuki wouldn't put it past the demons to forgo their usual methods of staying invisible to the living population. GuShoShin suddenly cleared his throat, bringing Tsuzuki's train of thought to an standstill.
"Why not here?"
Tsuzuki blinked and looked to the librarian in mild confusion. Hisoka also frowned as he continued to look around. Whether his partner was keeping watch or just wanting to keep busy, Tsuzuki was not quite sure. When silence filled the breadth between them GuShoShin shook his head and hovered up to capture both shinigami's attention.
"Why not here?" GuShoShin gestured to the grassy spaces around them. "These are public spaces, so we don't have to pay anyone anything. We just have to find somewhere that is a little out of the way so as to not be pestered by any patrols and stuff." GuShoShin began to gesture excitedly as his idea began to take form in his head. "I have a battery for the laptop so I can still work on getting in contact with division, and we can use the money on some cheap camping equipment or something."
Tsuzuki just stared at his companion with a blank look on his face. The idea was a simple one, and it was either sheer genius or completely insane. Hisoka on the other hand looked at GuShoShin as if the librarian had sprouted tentacles. "That won't work." Tsuzuki yawned and blinked up to Hisoka.
"Why not?" GuShoShin hovered up to be at eye level with Hisoka, and Tsuzuki watched the brewing argument between the two of them with mild amusement. The more Tsuzuki thought about what GuShoShin said, the more it made sense to him, and there was the added benefit of being able to finally sleep. Tsuzuki settled back and let his companions argue it out.
GuShoShin pointed to the trees around them. "Obviously we can't stay near any of the paths but this is a large park. There are other people who sleep in here as well at night so we won't look that out of place even if we were discovered." Tsuzuki nodded in agreement but was quick to overlook his companions' arguments as he noticed something in the trees beyond them. He left GuShoShin and Hisoka to discuss things and stood up.
"So you mean we should be like common bums?"
GuShoShin waggled his finger at Hisoka excitedly. "What's wrong with that? There is a saying that the best place to hide is in plain sight." GuShoShin shook his head. "We need to save our money because we don't know when we will get back in touch with division." GuShoShin whirled around Hisoka and winced as the motion brought him a little pain. "To me it seems like a good plan."
Hisoka frowned and looked around the grounds. "It is more like a plan concocted by desperate people."
"And who's to say we aren't?" GuShoShin defensively retorted back.
Hisoka scowled and turned to look to Tsuzuki. "Tsuzuki what do you think - " Hisoka stopped short when he realized that Tsuzuki not upon the bench anymore, but standing up and scanning the surrounding area warily. Tsuzuki's stance was tense, as was the expression on his face, and Hisoka immediately walked over to Tsuzuki. "What's wrong?"
Tsuzuki looked over to Hisoka and GuShoShin and then back out across the green grass. He could have sworn . . . It felt wrong. It wasn't something that Tsuzuki could explain to his companions, or even totally understand himself. But something was out of place. He kept his mouth shut and scanned the surroundings once more. It was on the edge of his awareness.
Hisoka stepped up beside him, his stance alert and wary. GuShoShin hovered in close as well. The warm sun beat down upon them and a gentle breeze ruffled their clothes. Tsuzuki frowned as he continued to scrutinize the area. He leaned in slightly to Hisoka and whispered. "Reach out with your empathy Hisoka . . . tell me what you feel."
A confused expression flashed across Hisoka's face but he complied. The uneasy sensation continued to disturb Tsuzuki. Something was wrong . . . he was sure of it now. He glanced over to Hisoka whose eyes were closed in concentration. Hisoka's voice was soft, as if he was trying not to be heard, and it was a wise decision. "Something's wrong. We are in the middle of a public park. I should be able to feel emotions coming off of people . . . but I can't sense anything . . ."
GuShoShin hovered slightly above the two shinigami and gazed about. "Where are the people?"
Tsuzuki glanced up to GuShoShin and then around. A moment ago there had been a thong of people about them, laughing and talking. Somehow in the last couple of minutes everyone had cleared out of the area. Tsuzuki tightened his fists and stepped slightly in front of Hisoka. It was like someone had placed a dome over the lot of them. Hisoka opened his eyes and looked to Tsuzuki, concern evident on his face. "It's quiet."
The comment was innocent, but the more Tsuzuki thought about it, it had suddenly gotten terribly quiet. The dread feeling in the pit of his stomach was getting bigger. They had to get out of there . . . now.
Tsuzuki turned around to grab their duffle, ushering Hisoka along with him. "Something isn't right. We need to move." He grabbed the bag looked to his companions. "I know the two of you can feel it too. Something is terribly wrong here." He pointed to the path that they had been following. "Come on lets get going."
GuShoShin led the way, and Tsuzuki looked about them nervously. It could have just been coincidence that everyone in the immediate area suddenly walked off, it was part of a walking path after all, but Tsuzuki couldn't shake the dread he felt. There was also the silence to contend with. No park he had ever been to had been completely silent, at least not a public park such as this one. He reached into his trench coat breast pocket to pull out one of his fudas.
They had managed to walk a little ways away from the bench they had rested at when suddenly GuShoShin crashed into something and fell to the ground. Hisoka bent down to GuShoShin who rubbed his head and Tsuzuki frowned. He stepped forward and placed his hand out, and about the place where GuShoShin had fallen out of the air, he encountered resistance. Tsuzuki dropped the duffle and raised his other hand to find more resistance. There was an invisible barrier stopping them; they were trapped.
"Are you Tsuzuki Asato?"
The booming voice was loud in the unnatural silence of the park. Tsuzuki whirled around and stepped forward slightly, enough to make sure Hisoka was safely behind him. "Who asks?" Tsuzuki scanned the trees about them and he could feel Hisoka's hand lightly touch his back. GuShoShin hovered back up in the air.
A trio of figures materialized in front of the group of them and GuShoShin let loose a startled cry. They were winged as Hisoka was, and the three men eyed Tsuzuki and his companions with cold indifference. Tsuzuki blinked and shook his head. They were angels . . . Enma's personal bodyguards and staff.
The middle one, presumably the leader of the three stepped forward, his majestic wings large and intimidating. He had long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail and wore a deep blue suit. His companions were equally intimidating, both a little bulkier than the leader, but with less ingrained cold threat to them. They were dressed like syndicate members, with clean cut suits and pitch black sunglasses. They looked nothing like the traditional angels that the living world depicted. Tsuzuki felt as if they were slipping from the frying pan and into the fire. "I'm only going to ask once more. Are you Tsuzuki Asato?"
"I am." Tsuzuki eyed the angel before him warily. The angels were a mysterious group, their work and actions often unseen and unreported to the division. They were the elite of the elite, Enma's top staff and rumour had it that the angels dispensed Enma's justice without mercy. They were also part of the clean up squad, and elimination detachment. The angels were considered to be Enma's right hand. At least that is what rumour stated.
The leader scrutinized Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki felt as if he were a bug under glass. The other two angels kept their gazes trained on GuShoShin and Hisoka, and the dread feeling in Tsuzuki's stomach increased. Why were Enma's elite here? Were they the ones who set up the barricade? "And this is your partner Hisoka Kurosaki?"
Hisoka stepped forward and Tsuzuki watched his partner out of the corner of his eye. "I am Hisoka." Hisoka eyed the angels warily and Tsuzuki did not blame his partner. "Are you the ones detaining us?" Hisoka's voice sounded small in the abnormal silence of the area.
The leader looked Hisoka up and down and frowned slightly. Hisoka stepped backwards and Tsuzuki inched slightly in front of Hisoka once again. The angel raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers. In an instant Hisoka's white wings suddenly became visible and Tsuzuki visibly started. The charms were gone, burned instantly into nothingness. Hisoka looked at his wings in apprehension and then looked back to the angel. "So that is what the demons have planned. Leading a lost lamb back home to commence a slaughter." The leader cracked his knuckles and gestured to his companions. "Seize him."
Hisoka stepped backwards only to hit the barrier surrounding them. "Get away from me!" The two imposing angels continued to move forward and Tsuzuki surged forward. He didn't know what the angels wanted, but until he got a proper answer, he would not let them touch Hisoka.
Tsuzuki lifted the fuda in his hand and concentrated for a moment. A burst of energy released from the paper and pushed the two angels backwards and away from Hisoka. The leader frowned at Tsuzuki's actions but Tsuzuki didn't care. He had made sure to not harm the angels, seeing as they were Enma's elite, but until Tsuzuki knew what the angels were detaining them for, he wasn't going to sit idle.
Tsuzuki eyed the leader warily. "Who are you and what do you want with us?" He held his fuda up before him defensively. "You trap us here, speak of lost lambs and threaten. Enma's top staff is quite rude if this is how you operate."
The leader bristled then let loose a laugh. He motioned for his subordinates to stop and back off. The two imposing angels did so and Tsuzuki could see Hisoka's face relax only slightly. "I'm surprised you haven't heard of us. We are Trinity. Enma's right hand."
GuShoShin gasped behind him, and Tsuzuki looked to the librarian sharply. "No . . . not Trinity. We haven't done anything wrong!!" GuShoShin yelled to the Trinity leader, his feathery arms shaking in anger. Tsuzuki noted the librarian's flip of emotion with apprehension.
"You haven't, but the pair of them have been judged." The Trinity leader shook his head and flipped his bangs out of his eyes. He stared back at Tsuzuki. "We are under orders from Enma Himself to apprehend both you and your partner." The Trinity leader reached into his inner coat pocket and produced an envelope. "It is all written here. We can do this the hard way, or the easy way, but either way the pair of you are coming with us. We cannot allow you to wander ChiJou in the state you are in."
"Our state?" Hisoka's voice was laced with anger, and Tsuzuki was confused. Enma had personally assigned them to this case. Why would He assign them a case if He believed that Tsuzuki and Hisoka were a threat. Along that train of thought, just why were they being judged in the first place?
Tsuzuki reached out hesitantly and took the proffered envelope. Hisoka leaned in close to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki couldn't help but feel apprehension. The trio of angels stood silently and watched. With a slight rip, Tsuzuki opened the envelope and pulled out its contents. GuShoShin hovered over Tsuzuki's shoulder and Hisoka stood close by.
Tsuzuki read the note, and his face went ashen. GuShoShin gasped and even Hisoka visibly paled. Lowering the letter slightly, Tsuzuki looked to the angels before him with trepidation. "This has to be some kind of sick joke." The contents of the letter had to be a fake, or some sort of mis- communication.
"I assure you Mr. Asato, Enma does not joke." The Trinity leader brushed his hand through his platinum blonde hair.
"But I haven't done anything wrong! I had some problems during the Kyoto case, but those were extenuating circumstances!!" Tsuzuki crumpled the letter and threw it behind him. GuShoShin scooped the thrown letter up and shoved it into his vest. "Enma cannot believe that I would be a threat, I have worked in the Shokan division for seventy years!"
"Exactly. You tenure in the Shokan division has been overlooked so far because of your extraordinary bond with the Shikigami." The Trinity leader shook his head. "But that doesn't erase the fact that there is an deep-seated power within you that is untapped and dangerous. Most shinigami only remain as shinigami for a short duration, but you Mr. Asato have refused ascension again and again." The leader's eyes flickered to Hisoka and Tsuzuki wanted to punch the angel. "Enma gave you the chance to heal, to get away from all the pain of being a shinigami, but you refused."
"So I don't want to ascend, big deal." Tsuzuki glared menacingly at the Trinity leader. "Yes there is something within me . . . that I haven't touched. But that should matter! I haven't tapped it in spite of its nature." Tsuzuki made a dismissing motion with his hand. It was the first time in a while that Tsuzuki had spoke of that. The reason he had such inhuman violet eyes, despite the face that kindness radiated from them. His past was something better left untouched, and Tsuzuki had thought that it would leave him behind as time passed. Apparently he had been wrong. "My partner has nothing to do with this."
"On the contrary, it has been concluded that Mr. Kurosaki will most likely be the reason you lose control and tap the malevolent power within you. Despite what had been previously thought before." The Trinity leader stared at Tsuzuki with icy blue eyes. "While his empathy is a rare talent, his inexperience and inherent weakness has done nothing but push you closer and closer to unleashing your latent powers." The blonde angel shook his head. "In an effort to curb expenses, the High Council decided to use the two of you to expose the demonic threat and the way they were to strike. At the same time, separating the two of you from the Shokan division would allow Trinity to rectify the situation by taking the two of you in."
"This can't be . . ." GuShoShin's voice was small, and Tsuzuki silently agreed. What the Trinity leader was suggesting was preposterous. Enma had used them? It was outrageous, but in a scary way, it was very much the course Enma would take if He felt there was a large scale problem at hand. His colleagues in the Shokan division would not let Tsuzuki or Hisoka go without a fight, and by separating them, it was the perfect solution to that slight problem. The lock down was not because of something bad happening in Meifu, but because Tsuzuki and Hisoka had been deemed a threat. Enma was God, and what He said was law. But that didn't mean that one could not rebel against His word.
Hisoka stepped forward, his green eyes vivid with emotion. "The demonic threat? Do you mean we were sent down here as scapegoats? Hikaru . . . myself . . . was all of this just a farce? Some elaborate plan of Enma with no thought to those involved?" Hisoka glanced over to Tsuzuki and Tsuzuki could see fear in his partner's eyes. Was it because of him, or for him? Hisoka shook his head and glared at the Trinity leader. "Tsuzuki is not a danger!"
"The demonic menace is quite real, and fortunately or unfortunately you were deemed the target of those foul beings. Of course Enma cares for those involved, but there is also the safety of Meifu and of ChiJou to consider." The lead angel spread out his wings. "What we do know is that in your current state Mr. Kurosaki, you will become a danger to Meifu and to your partner if you continue as you have been." The Trinity leader took a step forward. "You have been tainted, and the longer you remain in this state, the more likely Mr. Asato will become a greater threat as well. Prolonging things now will only shift our focus from capture to eradication."
Tsuzuki's heart seemed to stop at those words. They had been used. Deemed as dangerous by High Council, Tsuzuki and Hisoka had been manipulated to be tools for one last mission. He curled his hands into fists and they shook slightly with emotion. There were many enemies in life, especially working as a shinigami, but Tsuzuki had never thought that the danger would ever come from his God. "What about the Shokan division, surely they could intervene on our behalf!" It was a horrible thought, that the one most trusted to never harm you, would betray you instead.
The Trinity leader looked at Tsuzuki without sympathy. "Your division has been kept in the dark. It was decided that if they knew what was going to happen, they would rebel, and Enma needs a loyal division, not a belligerent one." The Trinity leader cracked his knuckles. "Enma has let the Shokan division get too close. You are suppose to be agents of death, not a family." The leader's blue eyes locked with Tsuzuki's violet ones. "This strike takes care of a number of problems don't you think?"
"What kind of loyalty do you cultivate in your employees if you hurt them?" GuShoShin's question pierced the silence, and Tsuzuki agreed. "Even in the courts of High Council there is protocol to follow! Those being judged have the right to defence!"
The Trinity leader frowned. "Of course that is true. But in some cases, the danger is too prevalent to go through red tape." The leader shook his head. "The safety of the many outweigh the rights of the few or the one." He motioned his companions to step forward. "Or in this case the rights of two."
Tsuzuki frowned and looked up to the angel. "What about Hikaru?" There was the little girl's soul to think about even in all of this predicament. She was an innocent, what was her fate? "She is a victim, does Enma care nothing for her?"
"When we have Mr. Kurosaki constrained we will separate her from him." The Trinity leader spoke his words as if he was commenting on the weather. "The lost lamb will then be judged as you two have for her crimes." The leader gave Tsuzuki and Hisoka a cold smile. "With her gone, the threat to Meifu will die."
"How will you separate us?" Hisoka frowned and looked at the Trinity leader with apprehension. "And what do you mean by lost lamb? Why should an innocent be judged? She hasn't done anything wrong!" Hisoka stepped forward angrily, and Tsuzuki stepped forward as well. "What about my soul?"
"An innocent? Ha! You two know nothing of what is really conspiring! Just what I said. She would be gone." The Trinity leader raised an eyebrow. " The process is highly dangerous. Your soul probably would not survive the procedure intact."
"WHAT!?" GuShoShin flew up into the personal space of the intimidating angel. "How can you say such things? Both Tsuzuki and Hisoka are shinigami and my friends! As one of the head librarians I cannot condone Enma's decree!"
"We don't need your approval for our action 'head' librarian." The Trinity leader glared down at GuShoShin. "You were sent here by your division, and thus are not a target of Enma's command. Once we are done here, the lock down will cease and you can return to your division."
Silence filled the air, and Tsuzuki shook silently with anger. It was unthinkable. There had to be another solution to all of this. He had survived all these years without tapping into the darker side of himself. Hell, that side if himself, Tsuzuki was loathe to admit even existed, and his breakdown in Kyoto was spurred by Muraki reminding Tsuzuki of that side of himself.
Hisoka's arrival in Tsuzuki's life had done nothing but provide Tsuzuki with a light that he had not seen in quite a while. Muraki's actions were heinous and the man would likely not escape Tsuzuki once Tsuzuki found him. Assuming that they could escape the Trinity squad that is. Tsuzuki frowned. If they were given a little time, perhaps the eye of Watari or one of the other healers of Meifu could help. Tsuzuki was sure they could separate Hikaru's soul from Hisoka's without endangering either one of them. Tsuzuki was also sure there had to be an appeal process to the command Enma had given. He needed to speak to Tatsumi and the chief.
Enma could not act like this unchecked. Could he?
The Trinity leader sighed and cracked his knuckles. "So what's it going to be boys? We don't have all day." Tsuzuki looked to the three angels with trepidation and anger. He would not be taken like this, Tsuzuki would not let things end this way.
"No." Tsuzuki's voice was loud in the silence of the dome encasing the lot of them, and Tsuzuki cleared his throat. "No. I will not comply." He stood defiantly before Trinity, his stance calm despite his internal misgivings. He was refusing a command from Enma, who knew what would happen to him?
"And neither will I." Hisoka echoed Tsuzuki's calm inflection and Tsuzuki marvelled at his partner's courage. While he was at it, Tsuzuki marvelled at his own. They were opposing Trinity, Enma's right hand and enforcement squad.
"Well I was getting rather bored with all this talking." The Trinity leader smiled and he motioned to his companions. "I take it this will be going the hard way then."
Tsuzuki eyed his adversaries warily. They were considered Enma's elite for a reason. But Tsuzuki was also considered the most powerful Shinigami for a reason as well. "Hisoka stay behind me." Tsuzuki stood and joined his hands together in front of him. "I bow to thee and beseech to you, the Twelve Gods that protect me," Violet eyes snapped open to gaze cooly at Trinity. "Appear before me, come out - Byakko!"
A brilliant white magic circle formed upon the grass, and Byakko, the white tiger god of the west surged upwards in a brilliant display of grace and majesty. The Trinity hesitated for only a second before initiating their attacks, and Tsuzuki yelled to his shikigami. "Defence and escape Byakko!" The tiger nodded once as all hell broke loose.
The Trinity surged forward as a single unit, intent on separating Tsuzuki and Hisoka. Tsuzuki grabbed Hisoka around the waist, mindful of the wings and sidestepped their assault. The trio moved fast, but Tsuzuki was much faster. Desperation did that to some people. He pushed Hisoka out of the way, pressing a defensive fuda into his partner's hand.
With a grace beyond his size, the tiger leapt forward, dispersing the group of angels. The majestic tiger god whipped back toward Tsuzuki and Tsuzuki reached out a hand to firmly grab the fur around Byakko's neck. Tsuzuki pulled himself upwards and he directed the beast toward where Hisoka and GuShoShin stood. The Trinity surged forward, throwing bolts of energy at Tsuzuki and Byakko as both groups raced towards Hisoka and GuShoShin.
It took a fraction of a second, but Trinity moved swiftly and Tsuzuki found himself casting offensive spells in haste. The leader separated himself from the other two and charged towards Byakko and Tsuzuki, forcing them to dodge. The other two angels went after Hisoka and Tsuzuki found himself fearing for his partner's safety. Hisoka was without his shinigami powers at the moment, but as Tsuzuki watched from the corner of his eye, he found that Hisoka was far from helpless.
Hisoka spread out his wings and the same glow from before shone from them and enveloped Hisoka. A moment later dazzling feathers exploded forth from Hisoka to strike out at the two angels, forcing them to go for cover or be struck down by the deadly force projectiles. Tsuzuki was in a sense grateful for Hikaru's intervention, although he himself did not totally understand the link between the girl and Hisoka. Tsuzuki turned his attention back to the leader as it was dangerous to leave a foe unattended.
"It is useless for you to struggle Tsuzuki Asato!" The leader shook his head and raced / flew aside the sprinting Byakko. The tiger god growled and snapped at the angel, forcing him to back away or be bitten. "Your command of the Shikigami is quite impressive, but in the end it will not matter."
Tsuzuki glared and leaned down close to Byakko. The tiger let loose a deafening roar and Tsuzuki glared at the leader of the Trinity. "That is where you angels fail. You see everything and everyone as tools; pawns in a gigantic board game." Tsuzuki shook his head as Byakko tensed beneath him. "I have a good bond with the Shikigami because I DON'T treat them as tools. They are my friends."
The Trinity leader laughed as he surged forward, heedless of the tiger god. "Tool, pawn, friend. All concepts of inferior beings. Enma's command is absolute." The leader glanced towards his companions who were converging on Hisoka, who was kneeling upon the ground, his body taxed. Tsuzuki saw this as well and blanched. "You see? Even now the other little pest within Mr. Kurosaki helps us. He wishes to be free as well. In the end it doesn't matter though, all bend to God's will." The Trinity leader yelled to his companions. "Get him now!"
"NO!" Tsuzuki urged Byakko forward, dodging the massive flurry of energy bolts flung toward the two of them by the leader. Tsuzuki could see Hisoka look wearily up to the two advancing angels. GuShoShin hovered close to Hisoka the duffle hanging from his feathery hands, as if his presence could somehow relay strength to the shinigami.
Byakko surged forward and blasted bolts of energy to scatter the assault of the angels upon Hisoka. Tsuzuki whispered a command to Byakko and he leaned precariously over the side of Byakko's flank as the two of them raced past Hisoka and GuShoShin. Tsuzuki reached out his hand to Hisoka, and yelled. "Grab my hand Hisoka!" Tsuzuki could see the weariness in Hisoka, but Tsuzuki was pleased to see Hisoka reaching out for him.
In a swift motion, Tsuzuki grabbed Hisoka's arm and used Byakko's momentum to swing Hisoka up behind him upon their unusual mount. Tsuzuki could hear Trinity barking orders behind them, but he didn't care. GuShoShin flew swiftly beside them, and Tsuzuki reached out to pull the librarian to sit securely before him. The Trinity may be Enma's elite, but they were cursed with the arrogant smugness of almost all who became angels. Tsuzuki gave thanks to that little gem, as it would probably save their lives. The angels could instantly kill them, but Enma wanted them alive, and the leader's words gave Tsuzuki an edge. He knew that for all their intimidation, the Trinity could not unleash their full rage against the two of them, not if they still wished to obey Enma's command.
Bolts of deadly energy flew past them, and Byakko grunted in pain as one of the bolts struck him in the side, faltering his graceful stride for a moment. Tsuzuki patted the tiger God's back as if to sooth the hurt. But there was one more thing to deal with before they escaped, and that was the invisible wall trapping them. They needed to escape back into the real world, and not this dome the Trinity had entombed them in.
"We need to find the wall. Byakko should be able to break through it, but he needs to see it first." Tsuzuki motioned to GuShoShin who held the duffle before his form. "Look for one of the fudas GuShoShin - "
"I can help there."
Tsuzuki turned his head to Hisoka, and felt a surge of emotion. Hisoka was exhausted, running on the same fuel as Tsuzuki: Adrenaline, anger and fear. Furious cries called behind them, and Tsuzuki looked behind them to see Trinity in hot pursuit. They needed to get out of here. Hisoka grabbed Tsuzuki's coat and pulled on it, and Tsuzuki looked at Hisoka in horror as his partner precariously raised himself to a kneeling position atop Byakko. "Are you crazy!" Tsuzuki twisted his body around to stabilize Hisoka's position, while at the same time keeping his partner from falling to the ground from the back of Byakko.
Hisoka looked down quickly to Tsuzuki, and Tsuzuki frowned. "I might be Tsuzuki." Hisoka locked his eyes with Tsuzuki's for a moment and then turned his attention forward. One of the angel's attacks grazed Tsuzuki's arm, and he grunted in pain but refused to loosen his hold on Hisoka.
Hisoka raised his hands before him and closed his eyes. A familiar red haze began to form at Hisoka' fingertips, and Tsuzuki recognized it as the same psychic blast that Hisoka had used upon him during their first case. A brilliant blast of ruby energy flew from Hisoka's hands to speed ahead of them, and it struck the invisible barrier holding them in. The resulting tapestry of cracks showed Byakko what he needed, and with a skilled lunge, the tiger God surged forward and let loose a blast of energy, shattering the outlined barrier into a multitude of crystal fragments.
The onslaught of attacks increased as Tsuzuki and Co. charged through the crimson laced shards, and Tsuzuki hugged Hisoka tightly as the boy slouched forward, his energies tapped. Tsuzuki did not need to direct Byakko though, as the Tiger God had listened to his commands from before. Tsuzuki shivered as he pulled Hisoka to settle in front of him, GuShoShin climbing forward to make room for the unconscious boy. The angels fell back as Byakko unleashed his magics and ran with the speed of the wind. Tsuzuki could see nothing but blurs rushing past them as they fled Trinity, Byakko's power keeping them safe and unseen from those of ChiJou for the time being.
Where they were fleeing, Tsuzuki did not know, but he trusted Byakko's judgement. Byakko would make sure that they were safe when he finally stopped, and that they did not fall. Being a shikigami God had it's privileges. Tsuzuki embraced Hisoka's form close to his own, mindful of the youth's wings. Here, held safe by Byakko's magic, they were safe. Tsuzuki closed his eyes as adrenaline slowly seeped out of his system. They had been forsaken by one Tsuzuki had trusted.
God had betrayed them . . .
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Author's Note:
Well I've finally done it. Now we really start to get interesting. Although I hope I haven't bored you all with what I have written before this chapter. When I started this story, I knew it was going to be large, but I didn't think it was going to become the monster it is becoming.
Ah well, I have always wanted a pet monster. *smiles*
The concept of the angels was a tough one for me. I mean, the shinigami already seem to be quite powerful, and they do the dirty work of Meifu. But with a God, there are angels . . . especially if you consider that there are demons as well. So I decided that angels do exist, but are seldom seen or heard of because they are a different arm of Meifu.
Trinity - as I have come to name the pursuers of Tsuzuki and Hisoka, are considered to be God's right hand so to speak. My concept for them came from Final Fantasy Seven sadly, in the form of the Turks. A clean cut, tough looking group, who are just following orders. But they aren't the main characters of the story, they are there as extras.
Poor Hisoka! I mean the kid's already had a tough time, and I am just tormenting him even more. And we mustn't forget Tsuzuki. I have hinted at an untapped power - one of Tsuzuki's personal demons that have haunted him. I am a mean author aren't I? Ah well, prerogative of the writer I suppose eh?
Reviews and comments on my story thus far would be most appreciated. As a wanna be author, it is encouraging to hear from those who read one's work. So even if you have nothing to say other than 'Good job!', or 'You Suck!', I would still like to hear from you. Those who have reviewed already, I want to thank you for your input! It really does encourage me and helps me get these chapters out.
Also I just have to thank Matsushita for creating such wonderful characters! Humour, darkness, romance - all the fun stuff rolled into one! Thank you!