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, but not necessarily all points. Some liberalization taken by me to suit my plot. Hope I don't offend or confuse.
Original Characters are the property of Lockeheart.
So on with the Show!
Chapter Eleven – Breaking Point
By Lockeheart
Just a warning for readers: this chapter is potentially very emotionally charged. Without spoiling things, I thought it would be prudent to give a caution. Mind you, if you have followed my story to this point, it would be kind of silly to not read this chapter for fear of becoming . . . emotional. Nothing graphic or anything like that, so don't be worried.
********************
It was like some sort of sick joke. Oriya held his sword outright before him, the claws and other such appendages of demons reaching out for him. The rift in the darkened sky above him was drawing everything and everyone towards it, a pull that Oriya could not fight. Muraki hung above him, the end of Oriya's katana piercing the doctor's body. Blood, which should have run down the length of the sword, was trailing up and off of the metal, drawn toward the swirling vortex Muraki had opened. The screams coming from Hisoka were devastating, but paled in comparison to the swirling vortex of emotions within Oriya.
He had just stabbed Muraki. Oriya shook his head and looked to Muraki who looked back at him in shock. A bright red line of blood welled across Muraki's suit, flowing from the wounded flesh beneath. "I warned you Muraki! I cannot let you continue this path!" He spoke the words without fear, even though within his heart Oriya was scared. It was as if time had slowed down, and perhaps it did. The winds whipped Oriya's hair about him, and he glanced quickly toward Hisoka, who was now held within Tsuzuki's arms.
Everything would change now, and it could never go back. Hands trembling slightly, Oriya pulled his sword out of Muraki, and eyed the blood that covered the shining blade. Muraki pressed his hand against the wound, and Oriya raised his eyes to Muraki's, his path finally chosen. The wound was a shallow one at best, but it was the very fact that Oriya had wounded Muraki had come as a shock to Oriya. It was a strange thing, to both love and hate the same person, but for Oriya it was true. He loved Muraki, but he hated what Muraki did. It was a twisted logic, for a person and action cannot exist independent from the other, but to Oriya, it was what made the most sense. He could not let Muraki continue to walk the path he was walking, for it would lead to tragedy for many. If that meant he was to fall with Muraki . . . than so be it.
He knew that they were not alone, that they were surrounded by demons clamoring for the gate above them, but to Oriya it was if the world had narrowed down to just Muraki and him. From just beyond his vision, Oriya could see Tsuzuki enter the portal, Hisoka tight in his arms. The consequences of Oriya's actions would come and would probably be swift, but for what his action did allow, Oriya would not regret it. He had only met Tsuzuki and Hisoka for a short while, but even in that short time, he could see the bond between the two Shinigami.
"Oriya . . ."
Oriya pulled his gaze away from the two Shinigami, and back to Muraki. For an instant, Oriya could see the hurt within Muraki's eyes, and then it was gone. "You truly don't understand me . . ." Muraki clutched at his wound, and then looked up to the swirling portal the two of them were being drawn into. Oriya looked to the rift in the sky, and then down to the disappearing ground beneath him. Even if he wished to stop his ascent, he was so high up, that the descent would likely be fatal. It wouldn't be much different than what awaited him beyond the portal though.
Oriya's eyes narrowed as Muraki began to laugh. It was a hollow sound, and it sent shivers down Oriya's spine. He had expected Muraki to retaliate, to strike out at Oriya for letting Tsuzuki escape with Hisoka. It was hard to ignore the twisted faces of the creatures that passed by him, intent on entering the portal to the world beyond. Oriya tightened his grip upon his katana slightly. Meifu . . . the realm of the dead; Muraki had unleashed a nightmare. What kind of trouble having demons invade the realm of the dead, Oriya was unsure, but he was sure that it would have dire consequences.
Muraki stopped laughing, and glanced back down to Oriya. They were nearly at the rift now, and what was beyond it, Oriya was unsure. The howls, cries, and screams of the multitude of demons surrounding them were deafening, and Oriya tried to keep his eyes averted from the monstrosities. Muraki held out his hand, the same hand that was covered in his own blood to Oriya; as if wanting Oriya to grab a hold. The expression on Muraki's face was grim. "You are a stupid, stubborn man Oriya." Muraki shook his head in frustration and then gestured with his hand once again. Oriya looked to the bloody offering in distrust. What was Muraki up to? Oriya raised his eyes to Muraki's, and what he found within them was disturbing.
"Muraki . . ." Oriya looked to Muraki's hand once again, and then up to the chaotic vortex above them. He was out of his element, and Oriya looked to Muraki's offered hand in confusion. Did Muraki want to help him or just was it just to make sure that Oriya was with him so that Muraki could punish him once they went through the portal? Muraki should have been furious, he should have been angry . . . not like this. Oriya gripped his katana tightly in his right hand, and extended his left hand up to Muraki's bloody one.
Muraki's hand was warm around his, and Oriya looked Muraki in the eye as they reached the blinding light of the portal. The cries and screams of the demons faded as the rift encircled the two of them and Oriya tightened his grip upon Muraki's hand. As everything exploded into a brilliant white light, Oriya could feel Muraki's hand tighten about his, and that gesture brought hope to Oriya's wounded heart.
Perhaps he still could save Muraki . . . and at the same time the both of them as well.
********************
Tsuzuki had staggered under the sudden reappearance of gravity and had nearly dropped Hisoka as he tried to orient himself to his surroundings. The rift, was more than just an opening, it seemed as if it cast whoever passed through it to a random place within Meifu. Had Tsuzuki been in a calmer circumstance, he might have found that fact intriguing, but at the moment he had greater concerns.
The pain along his back was tremendous, but it paled in comparison to the pain within Tsuzuki's heart as he held Hisoka's whimpering form close to his own. Blood pooled at his feet, and Tsuzuki knew that his wound was quite serious. As for Hisoka, Tsuzuki was unable to see any physical reason for the boy's collapse, but the thought of what could be happening to Hisoka's mind and soul . . . that drove Tsuzuki to the edge.
It may be the soul of Hikaru in charge, but it was Hisoka's body, and Tsuzuki refused to believe that Hisoka was gone. The tie between body and soul was stronger than that, and the fact that Hisoka's body still lived gave Tsuzuki hope that somewhere deep within, Hisoka's spirit remained as well. Tsuzuki looked to Hisoka's pale face and shivered, it was unthinkable to believe otherwise, lest it snapped Tsuzuki's thin grip on life. The only reason he had come back from Touda's fires was for Hisoka. Even now, months after the incident, there was nothing, save Hisoka that truly gave Tsuzuki a reason to stay. Even now, with his feelings for Hisoka free, it was still only Hisoka that kept him there. If Hisoka was gone, if the shell Tsuzuki held within his arms was all that was left . . . Tsuzuki shuddered at the thought. There would be no reason then, no reason to stay, no reason to hold back . . . nothing.
Muraki would pay for what he had done, but at the moment, nothing else mattered saved for Hisoka's wellbeing. Tsuzuki tightened his hold upon the whimpering boy in his arms, and tried his best to not let those cries bring him to his knees. They were in Meifu now, back among those who could help Hisoka. Tsuzuki winced as his motions drove searing pain throughout his wounded body. With effort beyond his body's ability to cope, Tsuzuki summoned his power and teleported to the only place he could think of; back to 'family', back to home.
********************
Hisoka leaned forward and rested his hands upon his knees, his breath short and heavy. Sweat trickled down his face, and Hisoka winced as his deep breaths aggravated the wounds he had received. It gave Hisoka a grim pleasure though, to see that Chymos was just as exhausted as he was.
He should have known that Chymos would attack. Hisoka recalled the brief conversation he and Chymos had partaken in, and Hisoka was still in shock at the 'truth' Chymos had spoken. Even now, trapped as he was within his own consciousness, Hisoka could still not believe that Hikaru had used him. Hisoka clenched his fists and looked to Chymos who stared back at him just as warily.
It was perhaps ironic in a sense that Hisoka was battling with Chymos, while the one that he had believed to be pure was in fact the enemy. Hisoka could see Hikaru's tear filled face in his minds eye, and he shook his head angrily. She had played him like an instrument by using her knowledge of Hisoka's past to gain Hisoka's trust. He had believed in Hikaru so blindly that even Chymos' cryptic warnings had done little to unseat Hisoka's misplaced trust.
He had been weakening, Hisoka was sure of that, but the source of his weakening was not what he had expected. Muraki had bound Hikaru's soul to his own, and that in itself was a strain to Hisoka. The added baggage of Chymos did little to help matters, but in the end as it was, it would not be the strain of having those two attached to him that would kill him, it was Hikaru's betrayal. Hisoka shook his head in frustration and looked about the darkness that surrounded him. This was the last step, the point of no return. If Hisoka didn't get out of here, and soon, there would be nothing left of himself to save.
"How long can you hold out little Shinigami?" Chymos' voice was loud in the silence between the two of them, and Hisoka raised his head at the sound. Chymos smiled and showed Hisoka his fanged teeth. "You are close to your limits, I can sense it, and I know you know that as well."
Hisoka straightened up and raised his eyes to Chymos. It was bad enough that all of this had happened but Hisoka didn't need a demon to rub his face in it. Who knew what Hikaru was doing with his body at this moment, and it more than a little weird to not know what his body was doing at the moment. Chymos must have read some of Hisoka's questions in his eyes, because the next thing Hisoka knew, Chymos was laughing at him, a smug look upon his face. "Feeling sorry for your self Shinigami?" Chymos sneered and narrowed his smoldering eyes. "My how the righteous have fallen."
"SHUT UP!" Hisoka whirled around to fully face Chymos, but he did not close the gap between the two of them. The quick motion aggravated the few wounds that Chymos had managed to inflict, and Hisoka clutched at them carefully. "You are trapped here as well demon."
Chymos physically started at that remark, and to Hisoka he seemed like a kitten trying to display its bravado. That mental image brought things into focus. Chymos may be a demon, but he was ensnared just as Hisoka was. A small smile crept upon Hisoka's face at that epiphany, and Chymos narrowed his eyes warily at the sudden change of mood. Hisoka let the smile fall from his face and he looked at Chymos with newfound determination.
"How about we make a deal Chymos?"
********************
The blinding light faded quickly, and Oriya was mildly surprised to find solid footing beneath his feet. The sudden reappearance of gravity was not the only thing to shock him. The idea that the realm of the dead was just as mundane as the world of the living also gave Oriya a pause. He stood amidst apartment buildings, complete with hanging greenery from the balconies. The normalcy of his surroundings led Oriya to believe for a moment that he was still in the land of the living, but he could not dismiss the massive portal he had just exited.
Oriya looked down to his hand which was linked to another. Muraki stood beside him, his free hand still clutching his wound. Suddenly self conscious, Oriya pulled his hand out of Muraki's grasp and backed slightly away from the doctor. In the distance, beyond the neighborhood Oriya found himself in, he could hear frightened screams. Columns of smoke rose in the distance and flashes of approaching figures caught Oriya's attention. He raised his katana defensively.
"You are a fool."
Oriya twisted his stance slightly to look to Muraki, who stood stiffly beside him, a look of boredom on his face. Muraki's eyes were upon the smoking horizon, but his words were directed to Oriya, that much Oriya could tell. The flitting shadowy shapes were getting closer, and Oriya dare not take his eyes off of them, even though he knew he should keep his eye on Muraki as well. Oriya shifted his stance slightly to provide him the best possible defense. "Then we are a pair then." The sound of Muraki's quiet laugh startled Oriya slightly, and he shook his head angrily. "Damn it Muraki . . . I didn't want to be a part of your schemes."
"I never forced your hand."
"Oh but you did." Oriya chanced a quick glance to Muraki and then back to the approaching figures. "Maybe not directly, but you did." Oriya tightened his hold on his katana and grimaced. "It seems I do make a good puppet after all." He tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice, but it was hard to do. "Did you know that Tsuzuki would show up at my place? Did you plan for the two of them to drop on my doorstep?"
The silence from Muraki told Oriya everything he needed to know, and he shook his head angrily. "You knew how I felt, and still you sought to use me." The intensity of emotions Oriya felt was a little shocking, but considering circumstances, he was not surprised. The creatures were almost upon them now. "I hope it has given you great pleasure to see me dance upon your strings, to use me."
"Oriya . . ." Muraki's voice was quiet, and for a fraction of a second, Oriya could have sworn he could sense regret in Muraki's tone. He dismissed that thought instantly. It was stupid to believe that Muraki could care for him, despite his actions.
Oriya interrupted Muraki's words, angry at Muraki and angry at himself for letting his heart continue to make decisions. "Even tangled up as I am now, I still don't understand why you are doing all of this." "You never do something for nothing Muraki, even if it satisfies your need for dominance. What do you gain from all this manipulation?"
"Death."
Oriya started to turn his head to Muraki when out of the corner of his eye he noted something nearing his form. He jumped back swiftly and the deadly razor edges of a whip just missed him. His eyes followed the length of the whip up to its owner. A familiar winged woman with golden eyes smiled evilly down at Oriya.
"Hi there pretty boy, long time now see." Kiiyue batted her eyelashes playfully at Oriya and motioned to her companions, who surrounded Muraki and Oriya within seconds. Muraki stood still, eyeing the surrounding demons with distain, somehow managing to look imposing while clutching a bleeding wound; while Oriya kept his focus upon the deadly demoness before him. She pulled her weapon back toward her and smiled. "Still hanging around that sad bag of bones you call a friend?"
The shock of hearing such disregard for Muraki was a little worrisome. Muraki and his power was nothing to scoff at, Oriya had seen some of it first hand. He had also witnessed the rivalry between Muraki and Kiiyue, but there had been a clear definition of who was in charge. Oriya narrowed his eyes and took note of the positions of the surrounding demons. There was about ten of them, eleven if he included Kiiyue. Muraki had still not moved from his silent surveillance of the demons and Oriya was about to open his mouth to speak when Muraki beat him to it.
"Aren't there enough hapless souls around here for you to play with?" Muraki raised his hand and made a motion of critically observing his nails, all the while speaking to the ever angering demons. "I have business to attend to Kiiyue, and I don't have time to play."
"Oh on the contrary doctor, you do have time to play." Kiiyue licked her lips as if in anticipation and Oriya didn't doubt her intentions. "Now that you have fulfilled your end of the contract, there is no need to keep you around." Kiiyue fingered the hilt of her whip, and Oriya found the motion disturbing. "My Master sends his thanks, and his reward."
"If your Master believes that the handful of you will be enough to defeat me, than your Master is an idiot." Muraki's voice was calm, but Oriya could detect a hint of worry in Muraki's tone. "Leave now Kiiyue and you might live." Oriya could see Muraki tighten his fists out of the corner of his eye. "Don't forget Kiiyue, I have no need for you or your kind any longer, now that the seal to Meifu has been breached."
"Oh how I have longed to have the chance to rip your heart out Muraki, and it seems as if you have brought it along for me to kill." Kiiyue smiled, but her eyes remained as cold and calculating as ever. She looked to Oriya, and Oriya tightened his stance at the sudden attention he received. "Didn't I warn you to stay out of a demon's business human?" Kiiyue narrowed her eyes and made a small motion with her free hand.
Oriya blinked at Kiiyue's words, slightly baffled by Kiiyue's meaning, when suddenly there was no more time to think, only action. The surrounding demons leapt into action, forcing Oriya and Muraki to move or be killed. As Oriya fought to retain his defense against such terrible creatures, he could see Kiiyue standing quite still in the chaos of it all. Sweeping claws, brandished weapons, it was unlike any fight Oriya had fought before. There was no honor, no respect for one another as warriors; just bloodthirsty violence, and that shook Oriya to his core. In the thick of things, Oriya lost sight of Muraki, but he ignored it. Muraki was completely capable of taking care of himself with such beasts, Oriya was not.
Two sets of grotesque limbs seized Oriya by his arms, forcing his sword out of his hand with brute force. He struggled fiercely to free himself from the vice-like hold the two demons had upon him, but to little avail. Oriya could hear a huge struggle behind him, and from the sounds of it, the demons were having a run for their money, but Muraki's victory there did little to help Oriya now. Kiiyue turned her horrible lantern- like gaze upon Oriya and smiled. "Such a pretty human . . ."
With a speed unparalleled, Kiiyue leapt toward Oriya with her whip raised high. The deadly blades shown in the faint light, and Oriya could see the look of triumph in Kiiyue's eyes. From somewhere behind him, Oriya was sure he could hear Muraki's voice cry out . . . in fear? Oriya pulled against the tight grip of the demons upon his arms, but they remained still, and the bladed whip arced for his chest.
********************
It was a balm of sorts for Tsuzuki as he forced his way into the building of the Shokan division. He would have teleported directly into the building, but considering the dire circumstances Meifu was under at the moment, Tsuzuki was sure that the Shokan division would be one of the first places to be struck by the vengeful demons. After all, it was the Shinigami that often thwarted the demons schemes. To be able to do something . . . anything was better to Tsuzuki than nothing. He could see smoke rising in the distance, and grimaced. The demons were wasting no time in laying waste to Meifu. He had to hurry.
It came to no surprise to Tsuzuki then, when he burst through the doors to find Tatsumi, Watari and Konoe on their way out. He stood still for a moment, chest heaving from exertion and Tsuzuki shook his head, his heart ever remaining with the frail form of Hisoka within his arms. "Please . . . you have to help him!" The looks of surprise and horror upon his co-workers faces was both relieving and frightening. It had only been a couple of days, but it had felt like a lifetime to Tsuzuki, especially considering circumstances. Tsuzuki looked Tatsumi in the eye, and he could see Tatsumi physically flinch at the eye contact.
Watari reached him first, and the scientist tried to reach out to pry Hisoka out of Tsuzuki's arms, but as soon as Tsuzuki realized what Watari was trying to do, he tightened his grip upon the boy in his arms. Even though he knew Watari was only trying to help, Tsuzuki could not find it in him to let go of his precious load, even if it was to get help for Hisoka.
After only a couple of seconds, Watari stopped trying to pull Hisoka from his arms, and instead gave Tsuzuki a push to move. It was if he was moving in a haze, and Tsuzuki complied with Watari's urgings dumbly. He could hear Tatsumi speaking something to Watari, but through the pain and emotions, it was little more than white noise to Tsuzuki. His back throbbed with pain in time to his fast beating heart, and Tsuzuki tightened his grip upon Hisoka's whimpering form.
"Hang on Hisoka . . ."
********************
It didn't take long to get to the infirmary, and Tsuzuki reluctantly placed Hisoka's body upon the bed and stepped back to let Watari examine the youth. Hisoka's face was very pale as he lay upon against the white sheets. Tsuzuki held Hisoka's slim hand tightly as he watched Watari work frantically over Hisoka's pain wracked form. Tsuzuki could already feel his body repairing itself, torn flesh and muscle reforming and mending the damage Muraki's blast had done to his back. Tsuzuki knew that he should rest, and let his body heal, but he was unwilling to leave Hisoka's side, and Watari let him be.
"Can you help him Watari?" Tsuzuki looked to the scientist with hope in his eyes. It wasn't a question of would Hisoka come to, it was more like 'when' Hisoka would come back to him. Tsuzuki refused to wrap his thoughts around what would happen if Hisoka was lost now, especially now he knew how Hisoka felt. Tsuzuki hadn't felt connected to another person since . . . since Tatsumi. He frowned as he thought about it. Even then, it wasn't quite the same, and the serious secretary had pulled away from Tsuzuki in the end. Hisoka was the only person who had bothered to stick with Tsuzuki through the good times and the bad. Tsuzuki looked up into Hisoka's pale face, and sighed.
Watari grimaced as he placed some sort of strange mechanical contraption against Hisoka's forearm, and Tsuzuki fought the urge to bat the strange device away from Hisoka as it began to beep alarmingly. "I will do everything within my power Tsuzuki." Watari frowned as he read the readings on the strange contraption and Tsuzuki looked up to Watari worriedly. Watari sighed and shook his head. "Look Tsuzuki . . . I can't do anything with you hanging around here." He motioned to some medical supplies on the far side of the room. "Why don't you help me out and find me a clean needle and rubbing alcohol."
Tsuzuki nodded quietly in the wake of Watari's small tirade and reluctantly released Hisoka's hand from his own. It felt as if he was cutting the life line that held Hisoka to him, and Tsuzuki rushed to the other side of the room to quickly complete Watari's request. He didn't want to be apart from Hisoka, not now, not ever.
A shudder ran through the building, and bits of plaster fell from the wall. Watari looked up momentarily and then focused his attention back on his patient. The demons were not wasting their time, and Tsuzuki let his thoughts stray momentarily to his co-workers who were out there trying to stop an invasion. From somewhere beyond the security of the walls Tsuzuki could hear screams of terror and shouts of defiance. The horror Muraki had unleashed upon Meifu was picking up steam, and Tsuzuki prayed that his co- workers were safe.
Another blast struck the building, and the force of the blow nearly brought Tsuzuki and Watari to their knees. Crumbling bits of ceiling fell and Tsuzuki covered his head and a large chunk of the ceiling caved in from the pressure and crashed to the floor. Clouds of dust billowed from the fallen structure, and Tsuzuki coughed as he inhaled the dust. "Watari!" Large cracks formed along the infirmaries walls, and Tsuzuki could see Watari straightening from his protective lean over Hisoka's form.
"We're both fine." Watari frowned as he eyed the growing damage. "It isn't safe here, we have to move."
Tsuzuki swiftly brought his eyes up to meet Watari's. The blonde scientist's eyes were grim, and he watched as Watari began to scoop medical supplies into a side satchel. Tsuzuki looked down to Hisoka who continued to cry out softly in pain, even though his eyes remained closed. "What do you mean? You have to help Hisoka!"
Watari finished grabbing his supplies and he whirled around to face Tsuzuki. "I know Tsuzuki! But at the moment the division building is a prime target for the marauding demons out there!" Watari shook his head and motioned for Tsuzuki to lift Hisoka's pale form up once again. Watari grabbed the needle Tsuzuki had clasped in his hand and pulled out a small bottle of clear liquid. He drew out a minute amount of the substance, and with a quick tap for air bubbles, Watari injected the solution into Hisoka's arm. Tsuzuki looked up to Watari in apprehension.
"Don't worry Tsuzuki." Watari grimaced as he lay down an empty needle. "I just gave him a slight pain killer." Watari frowned as he brushed Hisoka's bangs away from his face. "If he were actually conscious right now, he would probably be screaming, and I don't want that to happen. The pain could kill him." Watari frowned again as he gestured for Tsuzuki to pick up Hisoka's slight form. As Tsuzuki picked Hisoka up, he couldn't help but notice that the great white wings that spilled down Hisoka's back were beginning to lose feathers . . . and fast.
"Where are we going?" Tsuzuki cradled Hisoka close, and was mildly relieved to find that Hisoka had stopped crying out in pain. The drug that Watari had administered had worked. Another shudder ran through the stressed building, and Watari gently pushed Tsuzuki in the back.
"Somewhere we can be safe."
********************
"This is ridiculous."
Hisoka turned his head to look to his newfound, yet unlikely ally who was currently complaining. Chymos was a formidable form at best, and having the demon at such proximity without expecting a claw through the chest was both relieving and unnerving. The demon had a look of disbelief on his face as he trailed a couple steps behind Hisoka.
"Oi! Are you listening little Shinigami?"
"I can hear you." Hisoka muttered as he looked about him with determination. Unyielding darkness stretched out in every direction, and Hisoka took a moment to rest. He was weak, Chymos had not been lying to Hisoka; he was fading. Whatever Hikaru had done to him, it felt as if his life force was siphoning down a drain and Hisoka could find no way to stop it. He took a deep breath to center himself and shuddered as a wracking cough took over his body. He doubled over and let the coughing take its course, and Hisoka was mildly disturbed when flecks of blood appeared on the hand that had covered his mouth. He wiped his mouth with his hand and then brushed his hand against his pants. "What is it now Chymos?"
"If my comrades ever found out I had joined up with a Shinigami . . ." Chymos let the intended insult linger, and Hisoka ignored the barb.
"Well these are strange times we live in." Hisoka's attempt at humor was weak at best, and he turned around to fully face Chymos. It was more than a little strange to be talking to Chymos like this, but in light of circumstances, and in Chymos' own words, Chymos was all Hisoka had. "I promise I will never tell them."
Chymos snorted disdainfully and looked to Hisoka with narrowed eyes. "I'll be surprised if you make it out of here to speak to anyone." The faint cease-fire between the two of them was fragile at best, and Hisoka was still amazed that he had stopped Chymos from attacking him. The promise of freedom was apparently more appealing than the tasty mouthful Hisoka's soul would provide. "You are very pale Shinigami."
"I could care less what you think about me." Sighing softly, Hisoka sat down upon the ground and took deep breaths to try fight off the wave of nausea that overcame him. Chymos stood a little ways away from Hisoka, his glances calculating, and Hisoka trusted Chymos about as far as he could throw the large demon. It didn't bode well for their fragile alliance. A wave of dizziness washed over Hisoka, and he shook his head to clear it. Chymos watched him with a calculated look in his eyes, and Hisoka glared back at Chymos defiantly.
Chymos leered at Hisoka and flapped his wings irritably. "The barrier is probably broken by now, and I bet your protective partner is watching your body's actions in shock. I wonder if he knows it isn't you?" Chymos flapped his shadowy wings irritably. "It is so frustrating to be stuck here with you, when there is so much fun to be had outside."
Hisoka clenched his fists and looked to the blood that marked his pant leg. It would have almost been preferable for Hikaru to have just killed him when she took control of his body, instead of trapping him here. To die like this, slowly and in the sole company of a demon was not the way Hisoka wished to die. Yet if he had a choice he wouldn't die at all, for Hisoka knew another life was held in the balance along with his own. "Tsuzuki . . ." There was also the fact that for the first time in his life, Hisoka felt as if he belonged. He didn't want to lose that now.
Hisoka took a deep breath and looked to Chymos with new determination. He needed to get out of this prison, he had to get back to the conscious world, and he had to stop Hikaru. But how was he supposed to stop her, when he couldn't even reach her?
As if Lady Luck had finally decided to give Hisoka a decent hand, a portal of light formed a little ways away from the two of them. Hisoka quickly got to his feet. Hikaru stumbled from the portal, her wings askew, and the doorway vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Chymos was set to attack the girl, and Hisoka felt the same way, but something about things did not seem right. He laid his hand upon Chymos' arm, and the demon glared menacingly down at him. "Not yet."
Hikaru raised her vivid green eyes to Hisoka and Chymos respectively, and she shook her head. "Hisoka . . ." Her voice was weak, and the relief in Hikaru's voice was unmistakable. It was then that Hisoka noticed blood running down Hikaru's arms, and he rushed forward. Chymos yelled at him as he ran, something about stupidity, but Hisoka ignored the demon's shouts. Hisoka caught Hikaru as she collapsed, and he knelt to the ground, cradling Hikaru's slight form in his arms. It was hard not to care, despite everything that had happened. He was a fool, and Hisoka knew it, but for this moment, he chose mercy over revenge.
He hoped he would not regret it.
********************
He had been wounded before. One did not become a master swordsman without enduring some injuries during training. Oriya looked up at the malicious grin upon Kiiyue's face, and then down to his chest where the end of the whip embedded its deadly barbs deep into his flesh. This was not like any other injury he had ever received. Kiiyue's laughter rang in his ears and she pulled back on her weapon, tearing Oriya's flesh apart as the weapon withdrew from his skin. The wound was unlike anything he had ever experienced and Oriya cried out at the intense pain.
"Isn't the pain delicious human?" Kiiyue leaned in close, her breath warm upon Oriya's pale face. She reached out and roughly pulled open Oriya's kimono, letting Oriya see the torn, bleeding flesh beneath. She leaned in close and licked at the blood oozing from the lacerations. Oriya shuddered at the sight, but remained immobilized in the fierce grip of the demons holding him upright. Kiiyue smiled and straightened up, pushing her body against Oriya's and across the torn flesh, eliciting another groan of pain from Oriya. She pulled out a beautiful, but deadly dagger, and held it up for Oriya to see. "The doctor shouldn't have left his heart out unprotected like this."
"ORIYA!!"
The voice that screamed his name was familiar, and Oriya watched as Muraki raced toward him, an unnatural look upon the doctor's face. Blood spread quickly to stain the front of his kimono and Kiiyue smiled up at him. The motion was swift, and agonizing waves of pain filled Oriya as the demoness pushed the sharp blade of a dagger deep into Oriya's chest. She pulled it out just as swiftly and Kiiyue laughed as Oriya's blood began to pump out of his body. The iron clad grip of the demons holding him disappeared as they let go, and Oriya fell to the ground.
Hitting the ground did not hurt as much as Oriya expected, at least compared to the searing pain already possessing his body. Stars filled Oriya's vision, and blackness threatened to pull him under as waves of pain emanated from his torso. But Oriya was a swordsman through and through, and he knew he could not let go, not yet. In his pain filled haze, Oriya could hear screams and shouts of pain, and for a moment he could see a brilliant red light fill the area. A roaring blast of heat washed over Oriya where he lay, and the smell of singed flesh assaulted Oriya's senses.
It came as a surprise then when Muraki's face swam into Oriya's field of vision, and Oriya could feel Muraki's hands upon his chest, as if the doctor could stop Oriya's blood from flowing out of his body. The emotions tearing across Muraki's face were ones that Oriya had feared he would never see again. They were both alien, but comforting at the same time.
"Damn it Oriya! I warned you didn't I? I told you I couldn't guarantee your safety!" Muraki's voice was harsh, but Oriya could hear the underlying fear within the man's tone. Muraki's hands upon his chest were heavy and Oriya blinked as tears formed in his eyes. "Don't waste your tears on me damn it!" The pain in Muraki's usually dead voice was like a light in the dark, and Muraki could see a faint wetness forming in Muraki's eyes as well.
"I . . . I found . . . you." Oriya smiled slightly as his tears freed from his eyes, and he felt Muraki pull his body up slightly so that he could cradle Oriya's dying form. "I'm . . . glad." It was strange to see anything but hatred or calculated malice within Muraki's face, but Muraki's face was twisted in something very unnatural for the doctor.
Anguish.
"Why didn't you stay away?" Muraki's voice was soft, and Oriya tried to reach up to touch Muraki's face, to touch the solitary tear that tracked its way down the doctor's cheek. "God damn it Oriya . . . why didn't you stay were it was safe? None of this concerned you!"
He was dying, Oriya was sure of that fact, but for some reason, it didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. Perhaps it was with his own death, that Muraki was finally realizing he had a life to live. It really wasn't so bad, if he thought about it that way. Oriya's hand fell to his chest as his vision darkened. "Because you were here . . . and you . . . matter to . . . me." It was getting harder to breath, and Oriya struggled to speak. Oriya looked into Muraki's mismatched eyes, and smiled softly. "Will you stop . . . what you are doing?"
"Oriya . . . I can't . . ."
"Please . . ."
. . . . . . . . .
"ORIYA!!!!"
The cry of unparalleled grief rose to the heavens and beyond, and Oriya Mibu ceased to exist.
********************
Tsuzuki looked about his surroundings with apprehension. Watari's safe place was apparently literally that. It was one of the designated safe zones that Konoe had insisted on implementing after the horrible incident Tsuzuki had encountered with Saagatanasu the demon. The repairs to the library had taken months, and the GuShoShin twins did not let Tsuzuki forget about it. Tsuzuki smiled slightly at a crying child held within her mother's arms, trying to bring a smile to the crying girl's tear streaked face.
The arrival of three Shinigami had come as a relief to the sheltering people, but when they realized that they were hiding just as they were, a number of the people had gotten angry. Watari had yielded to their frightened demands for protection by getting Tsuzuki to keep guard. It was far from what Tsuzuki wished to do, but Hisoka had Watari helping him now, and at the moment, there were people just like the little girl Tsuzuki was smiling at that needed his help.
So far they had been lucky. Along the horizon Tsuzuki could see the onset of clashes between the Shinigami and the demons, and Tsuzuki was sure that the High Council had its hands full dealing with the crisis, rather than continue their man hunt for Tsuzuki. Tsuzuki smiled grimly at that reminder. He was a criminal, both he and Hisoka. They were fugitives from the Law, perhaps the highest Law. Tsuzuki frowned and looked back to Watari who was caring for Hisoka's failing body.
There was no doubt of that now. As they had hurried across Meifu, not willing to risk teleporting for fear of harming Hisoka further, or accidentally coming amidst a horde of demons, Tsuzuki and Watari had skulked in the shadows. It had taken them almost half an hour, but to Tsuzuki it felt like a life time. So now Tsuzuki found himself here, the large tear-filled eyes of a little girl staring at him, while his partner lay dying a couple footsteps away from him.
The little girl was no older than five, and she clutched a shabby one eyed teddy bear in her pudgy hands. Her face was smudged with dirt, as if she had fallen when her family fled to the safety zone. She was afraid, but her eyes were bright, and she held out her arms to Tsuzuki, wanting to be picked up. Her teddy bear hung limply from her hand, and Tsuzuki looked to the parent to get permission. With a hesitant nod of approval from the mother, Tsuzuki knelt down so that he was more or less eye level with the little girl. "Hello there little one, are you okay?"
The little girl smiled a shy smile, and it brought a smile to Tsuzuki's face. "I'm alright." She reached up to gently pat Tsuzuki's face, her eye bright as she stared at Tsuzuki's eyes. "You've got pretty purple eyes mister!"
The comment was innocent, but the implications of it struck a nerve within Tsuzuki. His smile faded as his mood darkened slightly, but then Tsuzuki just pulled his mask back into place. It had served him well to protect him before, and it wasn't as if the child was purposely trying to hurt him. His eyes, beautiful as he was told they were, were just another reminder of just how different Tsuzuki was from everyone else. He reached out to gently ruffle the little girl's hair. "Why yes I do hun." She giggled at Tsuzuki, and it hurt Tsuzuki's heart a little less, knowing that he was protecting people like her.
Tsuzuki tried to smile once again for the little girl, but his smile faltered as the little girl's eyes opened wide and she screamed. Tsuzuki whirled around to see a small group of demons approaching the safety zone, the scent of a potential meal driving them forward. The chaos that erupted within the building was close to panic, and Tsuzuki eyed Watari who hovered over Hisoka's form protectively as people scurried away from the entrance. The little girl clutched her teddy bear tightly, and she looked to Tsuzuki as if asking him to stay.
Tsuzuki raced out of the building, his ragged trench coat flapping in the self induced wind. He pulled a fuda out of his inner pocket and he turned to look at the little girl once more. "Don't worry little one. I'll protect you." He gave her a brave smile and turned about to face the monstrous demons. His body and mind were focused on what lay before him and the people he had to protect, but Tsuzuki's heart remained unerringly with the green-eyed boy who lay at death's door.
********************
"He really did it." Hikaru's voice was faint, and Hisoka had to lean in close to hear her speak. "It goes against everything He is . . . but He did it."
"Hikaru . . ." Hisoka cradled the small child close to himself, ignoring the ranting of Chymos behind him. The silver chains encircling Hikaru's slim wrists were very cold, but paled to the fading heat of Hikaru's body. "What are you talking about?"
Hikaru blinked her wide green eyes open and focused upon Hisoka's. "I know you can feel it Hisoka . . . the same pain that is assaulting me now." She lifted her hands, the chains about them tinkling softly as she raised them to touch Hisoka's face. Seeing Hikaru like this, seeing her so weak, it was hard for Hisoka to hold onto the anger that had fuelled him before. "He has blown the candle out . . . I can't sustain your body."
"What are you talking about Hikaru? What candle?" Hisoka leaned in close, and fought the wave of dizziness that passed through him once more. Hikaru coughed and blood flecked across her red lips. Hisoka wiped at the blood, and he couldn't help but notice that her weakened state mirrored his own.
"Don't listen to her Shinigami! She is just messing with you again!" Chymos' voice was a low growl behind Hisoka, and he turned his head slightly to look at the demon hunched a ways from him. Chymos' blood red eyes narrowed, and he glared at Hisoka and Hikaru hatefully. "Are you going to let her use you again? Kill her and be done with it!"
Hisoka frowned and turned his gaze back to Hikaru, who looked up to Hisoka with wide eyes. "I just wanted to go back home . . . is that too much to ask?" Hikaru sighed softly and smiled. "I never wanted to hurt you Hisoka . . . I just wanted . . ."
"Your selfish desire may cause the destruction of Meifu, and perhaps even more." Hisoka's eyes hardened as he remembered just what Hikaru had allowed to happen. He shook his head and frowned. "There must have been another way . . . another way for you to go home that did not have such a high price."
Hikaru let loose a small laugh, and the sound startled Hisoka. "Enma's word is law. He used me, and then He threw me away." The bitterness in Hikaru's voice was quite apparent, and the flow of emotions from her was almost overwhelming. Hisoka raised his hand to his head as a headache blossomed from the explosion of emotions. "To have free will . . . that is the gift Enma gave to humans, but it was something he forbid his original children . . . the first angels, to ever have. I wanted to have that freedom . . . . . ." Hikaru raised her eyes to meet Hisoka's. "I can see in you . . . that things have changed from when I was one of His beloved."
"Shhh." Hisoka raised his hand to Hikaru's forehead, and brushed back her raven locks lightly. Tears shone unwept in Hikaru's eyes, and Hisoka felt his anger leaving. Hikaru was a little child once again, a scared, lonely child who just wanted to be safe. In a sense, she was the same as him. Hikaru's past was still a mystery to Hisoka, and short of blindly believing Chymos' every word, Hisoka was loath to pin Hikaru as a completely evil person. Hikaru was misguided perhaps and maybe a little selfish, but not evil. "It'll be okay Hikaru."
Hisoka could hear Chymos fuming behind him, and Hisoka kept an eye on the demon. Alliance or not, Chymos was a demon, and Hisoka needed to remember that fact. Hikaru was crying now, and the tears falling down her face were heart wrenching. "You don't understand Hisoka . . . the candle is out." Hikaru raised her hand to Hisoka's face. "He is still angry at me . . . even after all this time. Enma hates me so much, that He is willing to destroy you in order to get to me."
Searing pain lanced through Hisoka's head, and he clutched at it weakly. Through the blinding pain, Hisoka could also see Hikaru's face pale with a similar wave of pain. Forcing his eyes open, Hisoka looked to Hikaru. "What do you mean?" Hisoka panted slightly and shook his head. "I'm weakening, because of Muraki's meddling. He is the one who bound you to me and he is the one responsible for the pain you and I feel now!"
"Do you hate the man that much?"
Hisoka raised his eyes to Hikaru's, and glared. "Till the day I die, and beyond." Hisoka slammed his fist into the unseen ground, which startled Hikaru slightly, and brought a growl from Chymos. "Muraki is a man who delights in using people for his own purposes. He has hurt me, and the one I . . . I love." Hisoka blushed slightly at his admission, and he turned his gaze back onto Hikaru. "I can never forgive him for what he has done."
"Then you will never forgive me either." Hikaru smiled sadly at the shocked look that appeared on Hisoka's face. "I am the same as Muraki, if perhaps not as diabolic." Hisoka felt as if he was reeling from Hikaru's admission. "I have done . . . terrible things . . . for selfish reasons."
"I told you she was no good." Chymos' voice pierced the sudden silence between the two of them, and the demon barred his teeth menacingly. "Force from her the way out of this stupid prison already Shinigami."
Hisoka glared to Chymos, who just shook his head in frustration at Hisoka's expression. Hisoka glanced back down to Hikaru who lay against Hisoka's lap. He could see the similarities, but if Hisoka looked hard enough, he could see the similarity between Muraki and Tsuzuki. That didn't make one unforgivable. Hikaru wasn't the one who raped then cursed Hisoka to die a long horrible death.
"These chains are not Muraki's doing, but a lingering reminder from God." Hikaru raised her arms slightly, and shook the chains binding her limbs. "I sought to change things, by using my ability to manipulate people to the fullest. God punished me for my arrogance." Hisoka watched as Hikaru's mouth formed into a bitter smile. "Even though I was one of His first, Enma never found us good enough. I just wanted Enma to be proud."
"Hikaru . . ."
Another wave of pain crashed into Hisoka, and it was very hard not to scream. At the same time, Hikaru was also curled up in agony. It was harder to brush off the waves of pain that seemed to be coming faster and faster now. Hikaru lay curled upon the ground, and away from Hisoka, her cries weak and needy in the unending darkness. Hisoka wanted to reach out to her, but it was beyond his ability to do so. It was agonizing, and a single tear escaped Hisoka's eye to fall to the ground.
It was Chymos that brought reality back into focus for Hisoka as he lay panting upon the ground. A very smug smile was upon the demon's face as he stood straight and stared down at Hisoka and Hikaru who lay curled upon the ground. "Well, well. It seems that I will be getting out of this hellhole sooner than I thought." Hisoka's eyes widened as Chymos leaned down to leer at Hisoka. "Now that I know what is happening to you, I don't think I have to keep you around anymore."
"You can't!"
Hikaru's voice was shrill, and the anger that lay within it was quite apparent. Chymos scowled as he turned his head to look to Hikaru. "Brave words from a fickle creature. Morality did nothing to stop you from murdering your current parents, nor did it stop you from casting the spell that bound you to Hisoka's form."
Hisoka struggled to his knees in agony. His vision was darkening around the edges, and it wasn't because he was surrounded by perpetual darkness. He coughed and was dismayed to find his blood upon the ground. He was dying, and it was coming fast now.
Chymos laughed and reached down to grab Hisoka roughly by the collar of his shirt. "I think our alliance is null and void now little Shinigami." Chymos raked his eyes up and down Hisoka's form in the same suggestive manner he had used before.
Had Hisoka been in a position to care, he would have spat out defiant words to Chymos' words, but as it was, he could do little than sway in Chymos' terrible grasp. It was hard to breath, and the pain had become so intense that it was almost numb, a sensation that Hisoka was immensely grateful for. The candle was blown out. He hadn't understood Hikaru's words before, but now they made perfect sense. Enma was going to destroy Hisoka, in an attempt to stop things. It was a decision not made lightly, and Hisoka couldn't help but applaud Enma's forethought. Hisoka was just an individual, a rare Shinigami, but replaceable. Meifu was not. He should at least be grateful that he was given the chance to love and be loved back. At least his death would not be completely empty. It would likely save many people.
As Hisoka's vision tunneled, he could hear Hikaru's screams, and Hisoka hoped that Chymos would leave her alone. She wasn't a bad person per say . . . just a little misguided. Hisoka smiled as his conscious thought stole away from him. If he used that same logic though, he could exonerate Muraki of any wrongdoing as well if he tried. Mind you if Hisoka died, both Hikaru and Chymos would be free, so in a sense, his death was a good thing. His biggest regret though, among the many he had, was that he would not get the chance to say goodbye to Tsuzuki.
********************
It had been simple to force the demons away. Bring forth a simple Shikigami and they fled with their tails between their legs. For some of the demons, it was a literal statement. The battle, such as it was took little more than a couple minutes, and the ragged cheers that came from the safety zone brought warmth to Tsuzuki. There was a purpose to him and his powers, and it was to protect those who could not protect themselves.
The little girl with the ragged teddy bear waved happily from the shoulders of her father, and Tsuzuki smiled back at her. To be able to do this, to have the power achieve this, it wasn't such a bad thing sometimes. He walked back slowly to the building, letting the cheers of the people warm his heart. It was the sight of Watari standing at the entrance that brought a numbing fear into Tsuzuki's heart. The look on Watari's face said everything, but Tsuzuki refused to believe it.
"I . . . I tried Tsuzuki. I really did." Watari wrung his hands in front of him and Tsuzuki could see tears in the blonde man's eyes. "His soul was strained too far . . . and I couldn't repair the damage." Watari choked slightly on a sob. "Oh God . . . Tsuzuki . . . I'm so sorry."
"No . . ."
Tsuzuki could do little more than blink stupidly at Watari. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Tsuzuki was supposed to get help for Hisoka, and Hisoka would recover. As if sensing something was happening, the crowd within the safety zone quieted, and Tsuzuki stared at Watari as if the man had grown a second head. Watari looked at Tsuzuki with tear filled eyes, and he shook his head.
"I'll keep watch, and keep the others away . . ." Watari reached out to gently rest his hand briefly upon Tsuzuki's shoulder, which Tsuzuki physically flinched at. Watari lowered his hand, and wiped at the tears that filled his eyes. Tsuzuki stood numbly as Watari walked past him, and as if watching from a distance, he could hear Watari ushering people away.
Tsuzuki stood at the door which separated Hisoka from the milling crowd of the safety zone. A simple wooden door . . . but it was more than just wood that separated Tsuzuki from Hisoka now. Tsuzuki pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit room beyond. If he hadn't known better, Tsuzuki could have sworn that Hisoka was just sleeping. The urge to kneel down and wake Hisoka was strong, even though he knew there would be no beautiful green eyes to look up at him sleepily.
The light was just enough to make Hisoka's hair glitter, and Tsuzuki raised his hand to rake his fingers through those golden strands. Hisoka's face was relaxed, free of the hurt and pain that had filled it in the past couple days. Tsuzuki sank to his knees beside Hisoka upon the floor. The wings that had formed upon Hisoka's back were gone, apparently faded along with the release of Hikaru's soul. White feathers spilled across the floor in abandon, surrounding Hisoka in a shimmering sea of feathers. Tsuzuki reached out to pick up one of the feathers, and he twirled it slowly in the dim lantern light. The feathers had been falling from Hisoka when the portal opened.
The tears that had refused to come to Tsuzuki upon Watari's announcement began to fall in earnest, and the ferocity of his anguish was of little surprise to Tsuzuki. His voice seemed to be lost within, and Tsuzuki's body shook as grief overwhelmed him. It had to be a nightmare, or some sort of sick joke. This was not happening . . . it could not happen.
Tsuzuki drew Hisoka's still form into his arms, and he crushed the body tight in his embrace. It wasn't supposed to be this way . . . Hisoka should be blushing, or slapping him smartly across the shoulders and calling him an idiot. The silence that filled the room, save for Tsuzuki's silent sobs was so utterly wrong, that Tsuzuki could not help but shudder.
"Wake up Hisoka . . . please . . ."
He whispered the words frantically, as if he spoke the words with enough conviction, they would come true. Hisoka remained still in Tsuzuki's embrace, and it was then that Tsuzuki's lost voice broke free and a steadily rising sound of anguish escaped Tsuzuki's grieving soul.
From beyond the open door, Tsuzuki knew the people were trying to peer in, to understand what was going on. But it didn't matter anymore. Nothing mattered anymore. Tsuzuki brushed Hisoka's hair with his hand, and he began to rock back and forth slightly with his precious burden. He had failed to keep his promise to Hisoka, and that hurt almost as much as Hisoka's death. It hurt worse than anything Tsuzuki have ever experienced, even more than his eight year long slide into insanity and death. It was worse than the guilt of all the death and suffering Tsuzuki felt responsible for causing. There was nothing to compare to the pain this was. He cried for who knows how long, and Tsuzuki did not care.
There was nothing left for Tsuzuki now. Hisoka had been his reason to exist. Hisoka had been the reason Tsuzuki was still sane. Without Hisoka . . . there was no reason to hold back. Tsuzuki opened his eyes and had someone else been in the room, they would have been terrified by the utter nothingness within the violet orbs. Like flipping a switch, Tsuzuki's anguished cries ceased, and he carefully drew himself to his feet, cradling Hisoka's empty shell of a body ever so gently in his arms.
The blank empty look continued to fill Tsuzuki's violet eyes, and he looked down to Hisoka's still form and smiled. It was not a happy smile, nor was it sad; just a vacant and disturbing expression that matched the equally disturbing blankness within Tsuzuki's eyes. A creepy hollow laugh began to issue from Tsuzuki's throat, and it grew louder with every passing second.
A solitary feather was clutched tightly in Tsuzuki's grasp, and Tsuzuki continued to stare at Hisoka's pale face. The same hollow laugh continued to spill from Tsuzuki's throat, and a veil of darkness began to rise about Tsuzuki's form. It surrounding him in a haze of vaporous mist, tinged with purple the same color as Tsuzuki's empty eyes. The laughter was at shouting volume now, and Tsuzuki raised his head as if to look to the heavens beyond the dingy grey ceiling that held him within.
He was over the edge now, and nothing short of a miracle would bring Tsuzuki back to the world of the sane. Not that Tsuzuki really cared about that, as a world without Hisoka's light was nothing more than a dank, dark prison. Tsuzuki raised his head and looked to the water damaged ceiling above him. The swirling vapors of purple tinged darkness caressed Tsuzuki's form as a lover would, and the laughter from Tsuzuki died as he lowered his eyes to Hisoka's pale form cradled in his arms.
If Hisoka was not allowed to exist, than by what right did the world have to live?
********************
Hakushaku looked to the extinguished candle with a mixture of self loathing and pain. As much as he constantly baited the beautiful Tsuzuki, it was Tsuzuki's happiness that had mattered most to the Earl. He lowered his trembling hands to his sides and closed his eyes. He could hear Enma move behind him, and the Earl shivered slightly as Enma placed His hand upon Hakushaku's shoulder.
"This is the only way."
The Earl could only nod at Enma's words, and Enma's hand lifted from the Earls shoulder and he could hear Enma quietly walk away. Hakushaku opened his eyes to look upon Hisoka's extinguished candle once more. If this was the correct path, than why did it hurt so much?
********************
Author's Notes:
Well I did warn you . . . didn't I? Writing this chapter was very difficult, and I found myself more than once getting overly emotional as I wrote the sentences. There is a lot of pain, mental anguish, and more pain splashed throughout this chapter, the only light point perhaps the quick banter between Chymos and Hisoka before Hikaru showed up. A very depressing chapter, but required for the story. I believe it should be perhaps one more chapter and an epilogue, but don't quote me on that one.
The demons have been unleashed upon Meifu, and it isn't a pretty sight. Think of ravenous dogs finding a feast. Watari's comment about a buffet table doesn't seem so far fetched now does it? But along with that, is the fact that it isn't enough to kill one's prey, one must play with it and maximize the pleasure of the hunt before the end.
I didn't delve much into Muraki's point of view, even though Oriya's death has seriously affected him. I already have a multitude of viewpoints within this chapter, and although I did try to have them alternate in a pattern, I believe it could be a little confusing. There is also the fact that throughout this story, even though Muraki is very much a part of things, I have never delved into what the doctor has really thought. I hope though, that the thing that Oriya was searching for within Muraki was apparent, or at least you had an inkling of Oriya's search.
As for my favorite pair of Shinigami's, it must remain a secret for now. I have left little hints throughout the chapters that point toward what will be occurring, but even as the writer, I concede that some of them are quite hard to catch. But if it is any consolation to anyone reading this, I do believe that love is a powerful thing, in all forms. Still a cryptic message, but a message none the less.
Please oh please! If you are reading or following this story I would appreciate it if you would review it! I am very curious to know what people are thinking about, or their opinions. To those who have reviewed already, I want to thank you for your input! And to those who have not yet . . . well . . . bad! *smiles* It really does encourage me and helps me get these chapters out. And well, even if you don't, I will still keep writing, but it is nice to hear from those who are reading. I want to apologize once again for the lateness of this chapter.
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, but not necessarily all points. Some liberalization taken by me to suit my plot. Hope I don't offend or confuse.
Original Characters are the property of Lockeheart.
So on with the Show!
Chapter Eleven – Breaking Point
By Lockeheart
Just a warning for readers: this chapter is potentially very emotionally charged. Without spoiling things, I thought it would be prudent to give a caution. Mind you, if you have followed my story to this point, it would be kind of silly to not read this chapter for fear of becoming . . . emotional. Nothing graphic or anything like that, so don't be worried.
********************
It was like some sort of sick joke. Oriya held his sword outright before him, the claws and other such appendages of demons reaching out for him. The rift in the darkened sky above him was drawing everything and everyone towards it, a pull that Oriya could not fight. Muraki hung above him, the end of Oriya's katana piercing the doctor's body. Blood, which should have run down the length of the sword, was trailing up and off of the metal, drawn toward the swirling vortex Muraki had opened. The screams coming from Hisoka were devastating, but paled in comparison to the swirling vortex of emotions within Oriya.
He had just stabbed Muraki. Oriya shook his head and looked to Muraki who looked back at him in shock. A bright red line of blood welled across Muraki's suit, flowing from the wounded flesh beneath. "I warned you Muraki! I cannot let you continue this path!" He spoke the words without fear, even though within his heart Oriya was scared. It was as if time had slowed down, and perhaps it did. The winds whipped Oriya's hair about him, and he glanced quickly toward Hisoka, who was now held within Tsuzuki's arms.
Everything would change now, and it could never go back. Hands trembling slightly, Oriya pulled his sword out of Muraki, and eyed the blood that covered the shining blade. Muraki pressed his hand against the wound, and Oriya raised his eyes to Muraki's, his path finally chosen. The wound was a shallow one at best, but it was the very fact that Oriya had wounded Muraki had come as a shock to Oriya. It was a strange thing, to both love and hate the same person, but for Oriya it was true. He loved Muraki, but he hated what Muraki did. It was a twisted logic, for a person and action cannot exist independent from the other, but to Oriya, it was what made the most sense. He could not let Muraki continue to walk the path he was walking, for it would lead to tragedy for many. If that meant he was to fall with Muraki . . . than so be it.
He knew that they were not alone, that they were surrounded by demons clamoring for the gate above them, but to Oriya it was if the world had narrowed down to just Muraki and him. From just beyond his vision, Oriya could see Tsuzuki enter the portal, Hisoka tight in his arms. The consequences of Oriya's actions would come and would probably be swift, but for what his action did allow, Oriya would not regret it. He had only met Tsuzuki and Hisoka for a short while, but even in that short time, he could see the bond between the two Shinigami.
"Oriya . . ."
Oriya pulled his gaze away from the two Shinigami, and back to Muraki. For an instant, Oriya could see the hurt within Muraki's eyes, and then it was gone. "You truly don't understand me . . ." Muraki clutched at his wound, and then looked up to the swirling portal the two of them were being drawn into. Oriya looked to the rift in the sky, and then down to the disappearing ground beneath him. Even if he wished to stop his ascent, he was so high up, that the descent would likely be fatal. It wouldn't be much different than what awaited him beyond the portal though.
Oriya's eyes narrowed as Muraki began to laugh. It was a hollow sound, and it sent shivers down Oriya's spine. He had expected Muraki to retaliate, to strike out at Oriya for letting Tsuzuki escape with Hisoka. It was hard to ignore the twisted faces of the creatures that passed by him, intent on entering the portal to the world beyond. Oriya tightened his grip upon his katana slightly. Meifu . . . the realm of the dead; Muraki had unleashed a nightmare. What kind of trouble having demons invade the realm of the dead, Oriya was unsure, but he was sure that it would have dire consequences.
Muraki stopped laughing, and glanced back down to Oriya. They were nearly at the rift now, and what was beyond it, Oriya was unsure. The howls, cries, and screams of the multitude of demons surrounding them were deafening, and Oriya tried to keep his eyes averted from the monstrosities. Muraki held out his hand, the same hand that was covered in his own blood to Oriya; as if wanting Oriya to grab a hold. The expression on Muraki's face was grim. "You are a stupid, stubborn man Oriya." Muraki shook his head in frustration and then gestured with his hand once again. Oriya looked to the bloody offering in distrust. What was Muraki up to? Oriya raised his eyes to Muraki's, and what he found within them was disturbing.
"Muraki . . ." Oriya looked to Muraki's hand once again, and then up to the chaotic vortex above them. He was out of his element, and Oriya looked to Muraki's offered hand in confusion. Did Muraki want to help him or just was it just to make sure that Oriya was with him so that Muraki could punish him once they went through the portal? Muraki should have been furious, he should have been angry . . . not like this. Oriya gripped his katana tightly in his right hand, and extended his left hand up to Muraki's bloody one.
Muraki's hand was warm around his, and Oriya looked Muraki in the eye as they reached the blinding light of the portal. The cries and screams of the demons faded as the rift encircled the two of them and Oriya tightened his grip upon Muraki's hand. As everything exploded into a brilliant white light, Oriya could feel Muraki's hand tighten about his, and that gesture brought hope to Oriya's wounded heart.
Perhaps he still could save Muraki . . . and at the same time the both of them as well.
********************
Tsuzuki had staggered under the sudden reappearance of gravity and had nearly dropped Hisoka as he tried to orient himself to his surroundings. The rift, was more than just an opening, it seemed as if it cast whoever passed through it to a random place within Meifu. Had Tsuzuki been in a calmer circumstance, he might have found that fact intriguing, but at the moment he had greater concerns.
The pain along his back was tremendous, but it paled in comparison to the pain within Tsuzuki's heart as he held Hisoka's whimpering form close to his own. Blood pooled at his feet, and Tsuzuki knew that his wound was quite serious. As for Hisoka, Tsuzuki was unable to see any physical reason for the boy's collapse, but the thought of what could be happening to Hisoka's mind and soul . . . that drove Tsuzuki to the edge.
It may be the soul of Hikaru in charge, but it was Hisoka's body, and Tsuzuki refused to believe that Hisoka was gone. The tie between body and soul was stronger than that, and the fact that Hisoka's body still lived gave Tsuzuki hope that somewhere deep within, Hisoka's spirit remained as well. Tsuzuki looked to Hisoka's pale face and shivered, it was unthinkable to believe otherwise, lest it snapped Tsuzuki's thin grip on life. The only reason he had come back from Touda's fires was for Hisoka. Even now, months after the incident, there was nothing, save Hisoka that truly gave Tsuzuki a reason to stay. Even now, with his feelings for Hisoka free, it was still only Hisoka that kept him there. If Hisoka was gone, if the shell Tsuzuki held within his arms was all that was left . . . Tsuzuki shuddered at the thought. There would be no reason then, no reason to stay, no reason to hold back . . . nothing.
Muraki would pay for what he had done, but at the moment, nothing else mattered saved for Hisoka's wellbeing. Tsuzuki tightened his hold upon the whimpering boy in his arms, and tried his best to not let those cries bring him to his knees. They were in Meifu now, back among those who could help Hisoka. Tsuzuki winced as his motions drove searing pain throughout his wounded body. With effort beyond his body's ability to cope, Tsuzuki summoned his power and teleported to the only place he could think of; back to 'family', back to home.
********************
Hisoka leaned forward and rested his hands upon his knees, his breath short and heavy. Sweat trickled down his face, and Hisoka winced as his deep breaths aggravated the wounds he had received. It gave Hisoka a grim pleasure though, to see that Chymos was just as exhausted as he was.
He should have known that Chymos would attack. Hisoka recalled the brief conversation he and Chymos had partaken in, and Hisoka was still in shock at the 'truth' Chymos had spoken. Even now, trapped as he was within his own consciousness, Hisoka could still not believe that Hikaru had used him. Hisoka clenched his fists and looked to Chymos who stared back at him just as warily.
It was perhaps ironic in a sense that Hisoka was battling with Chymos, while the one that he had believed to be pure was in fact the enemy. Hisoka could see Hikaru's tear filled face in his minds eye, and he shook his head angrily. She had played him like an instrument by using her knowledge of Hisoka's past to gain Hisoka's trust. He had believed in Hikaru so blindly that even Chymos' cryptic warnings had done little to unseat Hisoka's misplaced trust.
He had been weakening, Hisoka was sure of that, but the source of his weakening was not what he had expected. Muraki had bound Hikaru's soul to his own, and that in itself was a strain to Hisoka. The added baggage of Chymos did little to help matters, but in the end as it was, it would not be the strain of having those two attached to him that would kill him, it was Hikaru's betrayal. Hisoka shook his head in frustration and looked about the darkness that surrounded him. This was the last step, the point of no return. If Hisoka didn't get out of here, and soon, there would be nothing left of himself to save.
"How long can you hold out little Shinigami?" Chymos' voice was loud in the silence between the two of them, and Hisoka raised his head at the sound. Chymos smiled and showed Hisoka his fanged teeth. "You are close to your limits, I can sense it, and I know you know that as well."
Hisoka straightened up and raised his eyes to Chymos. It was bad enough that all of this had happened but Hisoka didn't need a demon to rub his face in it. Who knew what Hikaru was doing with his body at this moment, and it more than a little weird to not know what his body was doing at the moment. Chymos must have read some of Hisoka's questions in his eyes, because the next thing Hisoka knew, Chymos was laughing at him, a smug look upon his face. "Feeling sorry for your self Shinigami?" Chymos sneered and narrowed his smoldering eyes. "My how the righteous have fallen."
"SHUT UP!" Hisoka whirled around to fully face Chymos, but he did not close the gap between the two of them. The quick motion aggravated the few wounds that Chymos had managed to inflict, and Hisoka clutched at them carefully. "You are trapped here as well demon."
Chymos physically started at that remark, and to Hisoka he seemed like a kitten trying to display its bravado. That mental image brought things into focus. Chymos may be a demon, but he was ensnared just as Hisoka was. A small smile crept upon Hisoka's face at that epiphany, and Chymos narrowed his eyes warily at the sudden change of mood. Hisoka let the smile fall from his face and he looked at Chymos with newfound determination.
"How about we make a deal Chymos?"
********************
The blinding light faded quickly, and Oriya was mildly surprised to find solid footing beneath his feet. The sudden reappearance of gravity was not the only thing to shock him. The idea that the realm of the dead was just as mundane as the world of the living also gave Oriya a pause. He stood amidst apartment buildings, complete with hanging greenery from the balconies. The normalcy of his surroundings led Oriya to believe for a moment that he was still in the land of the living, but he could not dismiss the massive portal he had just exited.
Oriya looked down to his hand which was linked to another. Muraki stood beside him, his free hand still clutching his wound. Suddenly self conscious, Oriya pulled his hand out of Muraki's grasp and backed slightly away from the doctor. In the distance, beyond the neighborhood Oriya found himself in, he could hear frightened screams. Columns of smoke rose in the distance and flashes of approaching figures caught Oriya's attention. He raised his katana defensively.
"You are a fool."
Oriya twisted his stance slightly to look to Muraki, who stood stiffly beside him, a look of boredom on his face. Muraki's eyes were upon the smoking horizon, but his words were directed to Oriya, that much Oriya could tell. The flitting shadowy shapes were getting closer, and Oriya dare not take his eyes off of them, even though he knew he should keep his eye on Muraki as well. Oriya shifted his stance slightly to provide him the best possible defense. "Then we are a pair then." The sound of Muraki's quiet laugh startled Oriya slightly, and he shook his head angrily. "Damn it Muraki . . . I didn't want to be a part of your schemes."
"I never forced your hand."
"Oh but you did." Oriya chanced a quick glance to Muraki and then back to the approaching figures. "Maybe not directly, but you did." Oriya tightened his hold on his katana and grimaced. "It seems I do make a good puppet after all." He tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice, but it was hard to do. "Did you know that Tsuzuki would show up at my place? Did you plan for the two of them to drop on my doorstep?"
The silence from Muraki told Oriya everything he needed to know, and he shook his head angrily. "You knew how I felt, and still you sought to use me." The intensity of emotions Oriya felt was a little shocking, but considering circumstances, he was not surprised. The creatures were almost upon them now. "I hope it has given you great pleasure to see me dance upon your strings, to use me."
"Oriya . . ." Muraki's voice was quiet, and for a fraction of a second, Oriya could have sworn he could sense regret in Muraki's tone. He dismissed that thought instantly. It was stupid to believe that Muraki could care for him, despite his actions.
Oriya interrupted Muraki's words, angry at Muraki and angry at himself for letting his heart continue to make decisions. "Even tangled up as I am now, I still don't understand why you are doing all of this." "You never do something for nothing Muraki, even if it satisfies your need for dominance. What do you gain from all this manipulation?"
"Death."
Oriya started to turn his head to Muraki when out of the corner of his eye he noted something nearing his form. He jumped back swiftly and the deadly razor edges of a whip just missed him. His eyes followed the length of the whip up to its owner. A familiar winged woman with golden eyes smiled evilly down at Oriya.
"Hi there pretty boy, long time now see." Kiiyue batted her eyelashes playfully at Oriya and motioned to her companions, who surrounded Muraki and Oriya within seconds. Muraki stood still, eyeing the surrounding demons with distain, somehow managing to look imposing while clutching a bleeding wound; while Oriya kept his focus upon the deadly demoness before him. She pulled her weapon back toward her and smiled. "Still hanging around that sad bag of bones you call a friend?"
The shock of hearing such disregard for Muraki was a little worrisome. Muraki and his power was nothing to scoff at, Oriya had seen some of it first hand. He had also witnessed the rivalry between Muraki and Kiiyue, but there had been a clear definition of who was in charge. Oriya narrowed his eyes and took note of the positions of the surrounding demons. There was about ten of them, eleven if he included Kiiyue. Muraki had still not moved from his silent surveillance of the demons and Oriya was about to open his mouth to speak when Muraki beat him to it.
"Aren't there enough hapless souls around here for you to play with?" Muraki raised his hand and made a motion of critically observing his nails, all the while speaking to the ever angering demons. "I have business to attend to Kiiyue, and I don't have time to play."
"Oh on the contrary doctor, you do have time to play." Kiiyue licked her lips as if in anticipation and Oriya didn't doubt her intentions. "Now that you have fulfilled your end of the contract, there is no need to keep you around." Kiiyue fingered the hilt of her whip, and Oriya found the motion disturbing. "My Master sends his thanks, and his reward."
"If your Master believes that the handful of you will be enough to defeat me, than your Master is an idiot." Muraki's voice was calm, but Oriya could detect a hint of worry in Muraki's tone. "Leave now Kiiyue and you might live." Oriya could see Muraki tighten his fists out of the corner of his eye. "Don't forget Kiiyue, I have no need for you or your kind any longer, now that the seal to Meifu has been breached."
"Oh how I have longed to have the chance to rip your heart out Muraki, and it seems as if you have brought it along for me to kill." Kiiyue smiled, but her eyes remained as cold and calculating as ever. She looked to Oriya, and Oriya tightened his stance at the sudden attention he received. "Didn't I warn you to stay out of a demon's business human?" Kiiyue narrowed her eyes and made a small motion with her free hand.
Oriya blinked at Kiiyue's words, slightly baffled by Kiiyue's meaning, when suddenly there was no more time to think, only action. The surrounding demons leapt into action, forcing Oriya and Muraki to move or be killed. As Oriya fought to retain his defense against such terrible creatures, he could see Kiiyue standing quite still in the chaos of it all. Sweeping claws, brandished weapons, it was unlike any fight Oriya had fought before. There was no honor, no respect for one another as warriors; just bloodthirsty violence, and that shook Oriya to his core. In the thick of things, Oriya lost sight of Muraki, but he ignored it. Muraki was completely capable of taking care of himself with such beasts, Oriya was not.
Two sets of grotesque limbs seized Oriya by his arms, forcing his sword out of his hand with brute force. He struggled fiercely to free himself from the vice-like hold the two demons had upon him, but to little avail. Oriya could hear a huge struggle behind him, and from the sounds of it, the demons were having a run for their money, but Muraki's victory there did little to help Oriya now. Kiiyue turned her horrible lantern- like gaze upon Oriya and smiled. "Such a pretty human . . ."
With a speed unparalleled, Kiiyue leapt toward Oriya with her whip raised high. The deadly blades shown in the faint light, and Oriya could see the look of triumph in Kiiyue's eyes. From somewhere behind him, Oriya was sure he could hear Muraki's voice cry out . . . in fear? Oriya pulled against the tight grip of the demons upon his arms, but they remained still, and the bladed whip arced for his chest.
********************
It was a balm of sorts for Tsuzuki as he forced his way into the building of the Shokan division. He would have teleported directly into the building, but considering the dire circumstances Meifu was under at the moment, Tsuzuki was sure that the Shokan division would be one of the first places to be struck by the vengeful demons. After all, it was the Shinigami that often thwarted the demons schemes. To be able to do something . . . anything was better to Tsuzuki than nothing. He could see smoke rising in the distance, and grimaced. The demons were wasting no time in laying waste to Meifu. He had to hurry.
It came to no surprise to Tsuzuki then, when he burst through the doors to find Tatsumi, Watari and Konoe on their way out. He stood still for a moment, chest heaving from exertion and Tsuzuki shook his head, his heart ever remaining with the frail form of Hisoka within his arms. "Please . . . you have to help him!" The looks of surprise and horror upon his co-workers faces was both relieving and frightening. It had only been a couple of days, but it had felt like a lifetime to Tsuzuki, especially considering circumstances. Tsuzuki looked Tatsumi in the eye, and he could see Tatsumi physically flinch at the eye contact.
Watari reached him first, and the scientist tried to reach out to pry Hisoka out of Tsuzuki's arms, but as soon as Tsuzuki realized what Watari was trying to do, he tightened his grip upon the boy in his arms. Even though he knew Watari was only trying to help, Tsuzuki could not find it in him to let go of his precious load, even if it was to get help for Hisoka.
After only a couple of seconds, Watari stopped trying to pull Hisoka from his arms, and instead gave Tsuzuki a push to move. It was if he was moving in a haze, and Tsuzuki complied with Watari's urgings dumbly. He could hear Tatsumi speaking something to Watari, but through the pain and emotions, it was little more than white noise to Tsuzuki. His back throbbed with pain in time to his fast beating heart, and Tsuzuki tightened his grip upon Hisoka's whimpering form.
"Hang on Hisoka . . ."
********************
It didn't take long to get to the infirmary, and Tsuzuki reluctantly placed Hisoka's body upon the bed and stepped back to let Watari examine the youth. Hisoka's face was very pale as he lay upon against the white sheets. Tsuzuki held Hisoka's slim hand tightly as he watched Watari work frantically over Hisoka's pain wracked form. Tsuzuki could already feel his body repairing itself, torn flesh and muscle reforming and mending the damage Muraki's blast had done to his back. Tsuzuki knew that he should rest, and let his body heal, but he was unwilling to leave Hisoka's side, and Watari let him be.
"Can you help him Watari?" Tsuzuki looked to the scientist with hope in his eyes. It wasn't a question of would Hisoka come to, it was more like 'when' Hisoka would come back to him. Tsuzuki refused to wrap his thoughts around what would happen if Hisoka was lost now, especially now he knew how Hisoka felt. Tsuzuki hadn't felt connected to another person since . . . since Tatsumi. He frowned as he thought about it. Even then, it wasn't quite the same, and the serious secretary had pulled away from Tsuzuki in the end. Hisoka was the only person who had bothered to stick with Tsuzuki through the good times and the bad. Tsuzuki looked up into Hisoka's pale face, and sighed.
Watari grimaced as he placed some sort of strange mechanical contraption against Hisoka's forearm, and Tsuzuki fought the urge to bat the strange device away from Hisoka as it began to beep alarmingly. "I will do everything within my power Tsuzuki." Watari frowned as he read the readings on the strange contraption and Tsuzuki looked up to Watari worriedly. Watari sighed and shook his head. "Look Tsuzuki . . . I can't do anything with you hanging around here." He motioned to some medical supplies on the far side of the room. "Why don't you help me out and find me a clean needle and rubbing alcohol."
Tsuzuki nodded quietly in the wake of Watari's small tirade and reluctantly released Hisoka's hand from his own. It felt as if he was cutting the life line that held Hisoka to him, and Tsuzuki rushed to the other side of the room to quickly complete Watari's request. He didn't want to be apart from Hisoka, not now, not ever.
A shudder ran through the building, and bits of plaster fell from the wall. Watari looked up momentarily and then focused his attention back on his patient. The demons were not wasting their time, and Tsuzuki let his thoughts stray momentarily to his co-workers who were out there trying to stop an invasion. From somewhere beyond the security of the walls Tsuzuki could hear screams of terror and shouts of defiance. The horror Muraki had unleashed upon Meifu was picking up steam, and Tsuzuki prayed that his co- workers were safe.
Another blast struck the building, and the force of the blow nearly brought Tsuzuki and Watari to their knees. Crumbling bits of ceiling fell and Tsuzuki covered his head and a large chunk of the ceiling caved in from the pressure and crashed to the floor. Clouds of dust billowed from the fallen structure, and Tsuzuki coughed as he inhaled the dust. "Watari!" Large cracks formed along the infirmaries walls, and Tsuzuki could see Watari straightening from his protective lean over Hisoka's form.
"We're both fine." Watari frowned as he eyed the growing damage. "It isn't safe here, we have to move."
Tsuzuki swiftly brought his eyes up to meet Watari's. The blonde scientist's eyes were grim, and he watched as Watari began to scoop medical supplies into a side satchel. Tsuzuki looked down to Hisoka who continued to cry out softly in pain, even though his eyes remained closed. "What do you mean? You have to help Hisoka!"
Watari finished grabbing his supplies and he whirled around to face Tsuzuki. "I know Tsuzuki! But at the moment the division building is a prime target for the marauding demons out there!" Watari shook his head and motioned for Tsuzuki to lift Hisoka's pale form up once again. Watari grabbed the needle Tsuzuki had clasped in his hand and pulled out a small bottle of clear liquid. He drew out a minute amount of the substance, and with a quick tap for air bubbles, Watari injected the solution into Hisoka's arm. Tsuzuki looked up to Watari in apprehension.
"Don't worry Tsuzuki." Watari grimaced as he lay down an empty needle. "I just gave him a slight pain killer." Watari frowned as he brushed Hisoka's bangs away from his face. "If he were actually conscious right now, he would probably be screaming, and I don't want that to happen. The pain could kill him." Watari frowned again as he gestured for Tsuzuki to pick up Hisoka's slight form. As Tsuzuki picked Hisoka up, he couldn't help but notice that the great white wings that spilled down Hisoka's back were beginning to lose feathers . . . and fast.
"Where are we going?" Tsuzuki cradled Hisoka close, and was mildly relieved to find that Hisoka had stopped crying out in pain. The drug that Watari had administered had worked. Another shudder ran through the stressed building, and Watari gently pushed Tsuzuki in the back.
"Somewhere we can be safe."
********************
"This is ridiculous."
Hisoka turned his head to look to his newfound, yet unlikely ally who was currently complaining. Chymos was a formidable form at best, and having the demon at such proximity without expecting a claw through the chest was both relieving and unnerving. The demon had a look of disbelief on his face as he trailed a couple steps behind Hisoka.
"Oi! Are you listening little Shinigami?"
"I can hear you." Hisoka muttered as he looked about him with determination. Unyielding darkness stretched out in every direction, and Hisoka took a moment to rest. He was weak, Chymos had not been lying to Hisoka; he was fading. Whatever Hikaru had done to him, it felt as if his life force was siphoning down a drain and Hisoka could find no way to stop it. He took a deep breath to center himself and shuddered as a wracking cough took over his body. He doubled over and let the coughing take its course, and Hisoka was mildly disturbed when flecks of blood appeared on the hand that had covered his mouth. He wiped his mouth with his hand and then brushed his hand against his pants. "What is it now Chymos?"
"If my comrades ever found out I had joined up with a Shinigami . . ." Chymos let the intended insult linger, and Hisoka ignored the barb.
"Well these are strange times we live in." Hisoka's attempt at humor was weak at best, and he turned around to fully face Chymos. It was more than a little strange to be talking to Chymos like this, but in light of circumstances, and in Chymos' own words, Chymos was all Hisoka had. "I promise I will never tell them."
Chymos snorted disdainfully and looked to Hisoka with narrowed eyes. "I'll be surprised if you make it out of here to speak to anyone." The faint cease-fire between the two of them was fragile at best, and Hisoka was still amazed that he had stopped Chymos from attacking him. The promise of freedom was apparently more appealing than the tasty mouthful Hisoka's soul would provide. "You are very pale Shinigami."
"I could care less what you think about me." Sighing softly, Hisoka sat down upon the ground and took deep breaths to try fight off the wave of nausea that overcame him. Chymos stood a little ways away from Hisoka, his glances calculating, and Hisoka trusted Chymos about as far as he could throw the large demon. It didn't bode well for their fragile alliance. A wave of dizziness washed over Hisoka, and he shook his head to clear it. Chymos watched him with a calculated look in his eyes, and Hisoka glared back at Chymos defiantly.
Chymos leered at Hisoka and flapped his wings irritably. "The barrier is probably broken by now, and I bet your protective partner is watching your body's actions in shock. I wonder if he knows it isn't you?" Chymos flapped his shadowy wings irritably. "It is so frustrating to be stuck here with you, when there is so much fun to be had outside."
Hisoka clenched his fists and looked to the blood that marked his pant leg. It would have almost been preferable for Hikaru to have just killed him when she took control of his body, instead of trapping him here. To die like this, slowly and in the sole company of a demon was not the way Hisoka wished to die. Yet if he had a choice he wouldn't die at all, for Hisoka knew another life was held in the balance along with his own. "Tsuzuki . . ." There was also the fact that for the first time in his life, Hisoka felt as if he belonged. He didn't want to lose that now.
Hisoka took a deep breath and looked to Chymos with new determination. He needed to get out of this prison, he had to get back to the conscious world, and he had to stop Hikaru. But how was he supposed to stop her, when he couldn't even reach her?
As if Lady Luck had finally decided to give Hisoka a decent hand, a portal of light formed a little ways away from the two of them. Hisoka quickly got to his feet. Hikaru stumbled from the portal, her wings askew, and the doorway vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Chymos was set to attack the girl, and Hisoka felt the same way, but something about things did not seem right. He laid his hand upon Chymos' arm, and the demon glared menacingly down at him. "Not yet."
Hikaru raised her vivid green eyes to Hisoka and Chymos respectively, and she shook her head. "Hisoka . . ." Her voice was weak, and the relief in Hikaru's voice was unmistakable. It was then that Hisoka noticed blood running down Hikaru's arms, and he rushed forward. Chymos yelled at him as he ran, something about stupidity, but Hisoka ignored the demon's shouts. Hisoka caught Hikaru as she collapsed, and he knelt to the ground, cradling Hikaru's slight form in his arms. It was hard not to care, despite everything that had happened. He was a fool, and Hisoka knew it, but for this moment, he chose mercy over revenge.
He hoped he would not regret it.
********************
He had been wounded before. One did not become a master swordsman without enduring some injuries during training. Oriya looked up at the malicious grin upon Kiiyue's face, and then down to his chest where the end of the whip embedded its deadly barbs deep into his flesh. This was not like any other injury he had ever received. Kiiyue's laughter rang in his ears and she pulled back on her weapon, tearing Oriya's flesh apart as the weapon withdrew from his skin. The wound was unlike anything he had ever experienced and Oriya cried out at the intense pain.
"Isn't the pain delicious human?" Kiiyue leaned in close, her breath warm upon Oriya's pale face. She reached out and roughly pulled open Oriya's kimono, letting Oriya see the torn, bleeding flesh beneath. She leaned in close and licked at the blood oozing from the lacerations. Oriya shuddered at the sight, but remained immobilized in the fierce grip of the demons holding him upright. Kiiyue smiled and straightened up, pushing her body against Oriya's and across the torn flesh, eliciting another groan of pain from Oriya. She pulled out a beautiful, but deadly dagger, and held it up for Oriya to see. "The doctor shouldn't have left his heart out unprotected like this."
"ORIYA!!"
The voice that screamed his name was familiar, and Oriya watched as Muraki raced toward him, an unnatural look upon the doctor's face. Blood spread quickly to stain the front of his kimono and Kiiyue smiled up at him. The motion was swift, and agonizing waves of pain filled Oriya as the demoness pushed the sharp blade of a dagger deep into Oriya's chest. She pulled it out just as swiftly and Kiiyue laughed as Oriya's blood began to pump out of his body. The iron clad grip of the demons holding him disappeared as they let go, and Oriya fell to the ground.
Hitting the ground did not hurt as much as Oriya expected, at least compared to the searing pain already possessing his body. Stars filled Oriya's vision, and blackness threatened to pull him under as waves of pain emanated from his torso. But Oriya was a swordsman through and through, and he knew he could not let go, not yet. In his pain filled haze, Oriya could hear screams and shouts of pain, and for a moment he could see a brilliant red light fill the area. A roaring blast of heat washed over Oriya where he lay, and the smell of singed flesh assaulted Oriya's senses.
It came as a surprise then when Muraki's face swam into Oriya's field of vision, and Oriya could feel Muraki's hands upon his chest, as if the doctor could stop Oriya's blood from flowing out of his body. The emotions tearing across Muraki's face were ones that Oriya had feared he would never see again. They were both alien, but comforting at the same time.
"Damn it Oriya! I warned you didn't I? I told you I couldn't guarantee your safety!" Muraki's voice was harsh, but Oriya could hear the underlying fear within the man's tone. Muraki's hands upon his chest were heavy and Oriya blinked as tears formed in his eyes. "Don't waste your tears on me damn it!" The pain in Muraki's usually dead voice was like a light in the dark, and Muraki could see a faint wetness forming in Muraki's eyes as well.
"I . . . I found . . . you." Oriya smiled slightly as his tears freed from his eyes, and he felt Muraki pull his body up slightly so that he could cradle Oriya's dying form. "I'm . . . glad." It was strange to see anything but hatred or calculated malice within Muraki's face, but Muraki's face was twisted in something very unnatural for the doctor.
Anguish.
"Why didn't you stay away?" Muraki's voice was soft, and Oriya tried to reach up to touch Muraki's face, to touch the solitary tear that tracked its way down the doctor's cheek. "God damn it Oriya . . . why didn't you stay were it was safe? None of this concerned you!"
He was dying, Oriya was sure of that fact, but for some reason, it didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. Perhaps it was with his own death, that Muraki was finally realizing he had a life to live. It really wasn't so bad, if he thought about it that way. Oriya's hand fell to his chest as his vision darkened. "Because you were here . . . and you . . . matter to . . . me." It was getting harder to breath, and Oriya struggled to speak. Oriya looked into Muraki's mismatched eyes, and smiled softly. "Will you stop . . . what you are doing?"
"Oriya . . . I can't . . ."
"Please . . ."
. . . . . . . . .
"ORIYA!!!!"
The cry of unparalleled grief rose to the heavens and beyond, and Oriya Mibu ceased to exist.
********************
Tsuzuki looked about his surroundings with apprehension. Watari's safe place was apparently literally that. It was one of the designated safe zones that Konoe had insisted on implementing after the horrible incident Tsuzuki had encountered with Saagatanasu the demon. The repairs to the library had taken months, and the GuShoShin twins did not let Tsuzuki forget about it. Tsuzuki smiled slightly at a crying child held within her mother's arms, trying to bring a smile to the crying girl's tear streaked face.
The arrival of three Shinigami had come as a relief to the sheltering people, but when they realized that they were hiding just as they were, a number of the people had gotten angry. Watari had yielded to their frightened demands for protection by getting Tsuzuki to keep guard. It was far from what Tsuzuki wished to do, but Hisoka had Watari helping him now, and at the moment, there were people just like the little girl Tsuzuki was smiling at that needed his help.
So far they had been lucky. Along the horizon Tsuzuki could see the onset of clashes between the Shinigami and the demons, and Tsuzuki was sure that the High Council had its hands full dealing with the crisis, rather than continue their man hunt for Tsuzuki. Tsuzuki smiled grimly at that reminder. He was a criminal, both he and Hisoka. They were fugitives from the Law, perhaps the highest Law. Tsuzuki frowned and looked back to Watari who was caring for Hisoka's failing body.
There was no doubt of that now. As they had hurried across Meifu, not willing to risk teleporting for fear of harming Hisoka further, or accidentally coming amidst a horde of demons, Tsuzuki and Watari had skulked in the shadows. It had taken them almost half an hour, but to Tsuzuki it felt like a life time. So now Tsuzuki found himself here, the large tear-filled eyes of a little girl staring at him, while his partner lay dying a couple footsteps away from him.
The little girl was no older than five, and she clutched a shabby one eyed teddy bear in her pudgy hands. Her face was smudged with dirt, as if she had fallen when her family fled to the safety zone. She was afraid, but her eyes were bright, and she held out her arms to Tsuzuki, wanting to be picked up. Her teddy bear hung limply from her hand, and Tsuzuki looked to the parent to get permission. With a hesitant nod of approval from the mother, Tsuzuki knelt down so that he was more or less eye level with the little girl. "Hello there little one, are you okay?"
The little girl smiled a shy smile, and it brought a smile to Tsuzuki's face. "I'm alright." She reached up to gently pat Tsuzuki's face, her eye bright as she stared at Tsuzuki's eyes. "You've got pretty purple eyes mister!"
The comment was innocent, but the implications of it struck a nerve within Tsuzuki. His smile faded as his mood darkened slightly, but then Tsuzuki just pulled his mask back into place. It had served him well to protect him before, and it wasn't as if the child was purposely trying to hurt him. His eyes, beautiful as he was told they were, were just another reminder of just how different Tsuzuki was from everyone else. He reached out to gently ruffle the little girl's hair. "Why yes I do hun." She giggled at Tsuzuki, and it hurt Tsuzuki's heart a little less, knowing that he was protecting people like her.
Tsuzuki tried to smile once again for the little girl, but his smile faltered as the little girl's eyes opened wide and she screamed. Tsuzuki whirled around to see a small group of demons approaching the safety zone, the scent of a potential meal driving them forward. The chaos that erupted within the building was close to panic, and Tsuzuki eyed Watari who hovered over Hisoka's form protectively as people scurried away from the entrance. The little girl clutched her teddy bear tightly, and she looked to Tsuzuki as if asking him to stay.
Tsuzuki raced out of the building, his ragged trench coat flapping in the self induced wind. He pulled a fuda out of his inner pocket and he turned to look at the little girl once more. "Don't worry little one. I'll protect you." He gave her a brave smile and turned about to face the monstrous demons. His body and mind were focused on what lay before him and the people he had to protect, but Tsuzuki's heart remained unerringly with the green-eyed boy who lay at death's door.
********************
"He really did it." Hikaru's voice was faint, and Hisoka had to lean in close to hear her speak. "It goes against everything He is . . . but He did it."
"Hikaru . . ." Hisoka cradled the small child close to himself, ignoring the ranting of Chymos behind him. The silver chains encircling Hikaru's slim wrists were very cold, but paled to the fading heat of Hikaru's body. "What are you talking about?"
Hikaru blinked her wide green eyes open and focused upon Hisoka's. "I know you can feel it Hisoka . . . the same pain that is assaulting me now." She lifted her hands, the chains about them tinkling softly as she raised them to touch Hisoka's face. Seeing Hikaru like this, seeing her so weak, it was hard for Hisoka to hold onto the anger that had fuelled him before. "He has blown the candle out . . . I can't sustain your body."
"What are you talking about Hikaru? What candle?" Hisoka leaned in close, and fought the wave of dizziness that passed through him once more. Hikaru coughed and blood flecked across her red lips. Hisoka wiped at the blood, and he couldn't help but notice that her weakened state mirrored his own.
"Don't listen to her Shinigami! She is just messing with you again!" Chymos' voice was a low growl behind Hisoka, and he turned his head slightly to look at the demon hunched a ways from him. Chymos' blood red eyes narrowed, and he glared at Hisoka and Hikaru hatefully. "Are you going to let her use you again? Kill her and be done with it!"
Hisoka frowned and turned his gaze back to Hikaru, who looked up to Hisoka with wide eyes. "I just wanted to go back home . . . is that too much to ask?" Hikaru sighed softly and smiled. "I never wanted to hurt you Hisoka . . . I just wanted . . ."
"Your selfish desire may cause the destruction of Meifu, and perhaps even more." Hisoka's eyes hardened as he remembered just what Hikaru had allowed to happen. He shook his head and frowned. "There must have been another way . . . another way for you to go home that did not have such a high price."
Hikaru let loose a small laugh, and the sound startled Hisoka. "Enma's word is law. He used me, and then He threw me away." The bitterness in Hikaru's voice was quite apparent, and the flow of emotions from her was almost overwhelming. Hisoka raised his hand to his head as a headache blossomed from the explosion of emotions. "To have free will . . . that is the gift Enma gave to humans, but it was something he forbid his original children . . . the first angels, to ever have. I wanted to have that freedom . . . . . ." Hikaru raised her eyes to meet Hisoka's. "I can see in you . . . that things have changed from when I was one of His beloved."
"Shhh." Hisoka raised his hand to Hikaru's forehead, and brushed back her raven locks lightly. Tears shone unwept in Hikaru's eyes, and Hisoka felt his anger leaving. Hikaru was a little child once again, a scared, lonely child who just wanted to be safe. In a sense, she was the same as him. Hikaru's past was still a mystery to Hisoka, and short of blindly believing Chymos' every word, Hisoka was loath to pin Hikaru as a completely evil person. Hikaru was misguided perhaps and maybe a little selfish, but not evil. "It'll be okay Hikaru."
Hisoka could hear Chymos fuming behind him, and Hisoka kept an eye on the demon. Alliance or not, Chymos was a demon, and Hisoka needed to remember that fact. Hikaru was crying now, and the tears falling down her face were heart wrenching. "You don't understand Hisoka . . . the candle is out." Hikaru raised her hand to Hisoka's face. "He is still angry at me . . . even after all this time. Enma hates me so much, that He is willing to destroy you in order to get to me."
Searing pain lanced through Hisoka's head, and he clutched at it weakly. Through the blinding pain, Hisoka could also see Hikaru's face pale with a similar wave of pain. Forcing his eyes open, Hisoka looked to Hikaru. "What do you mean?" Hisoka panted slightly and shook his head. "I'm weakening, because of Muraki's meddling. He is the one who bound you to me and he is the one responsible for the pain you and I feel now!"
"Do you hate the man that much?"
Hisoka raised his eyes to Hikaru's, and glared. "Till the day I die, and beyond." Hisoka slammed his fist into the unseen ground, which startled Hikaru slightly, and brought a growl from Chymos. "Muraki is a man who delights in using people for his own purposes. He has hurt me, and the one I . . . I love." Hisoka blushed slightly at his admission, and he turned his gaze back onto Hikaru. "I can never forgive him for what he has done."
"Then you will never forgive me either." Hikaru smiled sadly at the shocked look that appeared on Hisoka's face. "I am the same as Muraki, if perhaps not as diabolic." Hisoka felt as if he was reeling from Hikaru's admission. "I have done . . . terrible things . . . for selfish reasons."
"I told you she was no good." Chymos' voice pierced the sudden silence between the two of them, and the demon barred his teeth menacingly. "Force from her the way out of this stupid prison already Shinigami."
Hisoka glared to Chymos, who just shook his head in frustration at Hisoka's expression. Hisoka glanced back down to Hikaru who lay against Hisoka's lap. He could see the similarities, but if Hisoka looked hard enough, he could see the similarity between Muraki and Tsuzuki. That didn't make one unforgivable. Hikaru wasn't the one who raped then cursed Hisoka to die a long horrible death.
"These chains are not Muraki's doing, but a lingering reminder from God." Hikaru raised her arms slightly, and shook the chains binding her limbs. "I sought to change things, by using my ability to manipulate people to the fullest. God punished me for my arrogance." Hisoka watched as Hikaru's mouth formed into a bitter smile. "Even though I was one of His first, Enma never found us good enough. I just wanted Enma to be proud."
"Hikaru . . ."
Another wave of pain crashed into Hisoka, and it was very hard not to scream. At the same time, Hikaru was also curled up in agony. It was harder to brush off the waves of pain that seemed to be coming faster and faster now. Hikaru lay curled upon the ground, and away from Hisoka, her cries weak and needy in the unending darkness. Hisoka wanted to reach out to her, but it was beyond his ability to do so. It was agonizing, and a single tear escaped Hisoka's eye to fall to the ground.
It was Chymos that brought reality back into focus for Hisoka as he lay panting upon the ground. A very smug smile was upon the demon's face as he stood straight and stared down at Hisoka and Hikaru who lay curled upon the ground. "Well, well. It seems that I will be getting out of this hellhole sooner than I thought." Hisoka's eyes widened as Chymos leaned down to leer at Hisoka. "Now that I know what is happening to you, I don't think I have to keep you around anymore."
"You can't!"
Hikaru's voice was shrill, and the anger that lay within it was quite apparent. Chymos scowled as he turned his head to look to Hikaru. "Brave words from a fickle creature. Morality did nothing to stop you from murdering your current parents, nor did it stop you from casting the spell that bound you to Hisoka's form."
Hisoka struggled to his knees in agony. His vision was darkening around the edges, and it wasn't because he was surrounded by perpetual darkness. He coughed and was dismayed to find his blood upon the ground. He was dying, and it was coming fast now.
Chymos laughed and reached down to grab Hisoka roughly by the collar of his shirt. "I think our alliance is null and void now little Shinigami." Chymos raked his eyes up and down Hisoka's form in the same suggestive manner he had used before.
Had Hisoka been in a position to care, he would have spat out defiant words to Chymos' words, but as it was, he could do little than sway in Chymos' terrible grasp. It was hard to breath, and the pain had become so intense that it was almost numb, a sensation that Hisoka was immensely grateful for. The candle was blown out. He hadn't understood Hikaru's words before, but now they made perfect sense. Enma was going to destroy Hisoka, in an attempt to stop things. It was a decision not made lightly, and Hisoka couldn't help but applaud Enma's forethought. Hisoka was just an individual, a rare Shinigami, but replaceable. Meifu was not. He should at least be grateful that he was given the chance to love and be loved back. At least his death would not be completely empty. It would likely save many people.
As Hisoka's vision tunneled, he could hear Hikaru's screams, and Hisoka hoped that Chymos would leave her alone. She wasn't a bad person per say . . . just a little misguided. Hisoka smiled as his conscious thought stole away from him. If he used that same logic though, he could exonerate Muraki of any wrongdoing as well if he tried. Mind you if Hisoka died, both Hikaru and Chymos would be free, so in a sense, his death was a good thing. His biggest regret though, among the many he had, was that he would not get the chance to say goodbye to Tsuzuki.
********************
It had been simple to force the demons away. Bring forth a simple Shikigami and they fled with their tails between their legs. For some of the demons, it was a literal statement. The battle, such as it was took little more than a couple minutes, and the ragged cheers that came from the safety zone brought warmth to Tsuzuki. There was a purpose to him and his powers, and it was to protect those who could not protect themselves.
The little girl with the ragged teddy bear waved happily from the shoulders of her father, and Tsuzuki smiled back at her. To be able to do this, to have the power achieve this, it wasn't such a bad thing sometimes. He walked back slowly to the building, letting the cheers of the people warm his heart. It was the sight of Watari standing at the entrance that brought a numbing fear into Tsuzuki's heart. The look on Watari's face said everything, but Tsuzuki refused to believe it.
"I . . . I tried Tsuzuki. I really did." Watari wrung his hands in front of him and Tsuzuki could see tears in the blonde man's eyes. "His soul was strained too far . . . and I couldn't repair the damage." Watari choked slightly on a sob. "Oh God . . . Tsuzuki . . . I'm so sorry."
"No . . ."
Tsuzuki could do little more than blink stupidly at Watari. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Tsuzuki was supposed to get help for Hisoka, and Hisoka would recover. As if sensing something was happening, the crowd within the safety zone quieted, and Tsuzuki stared at Watari as if the man had grown a second head. Watari looked at Tsuzuki with tear filled eyes, and he shook his head.
"I'll keep watch, and keep the others away . . ." Watari reached out to gently rest his hand briefly upon Tsuzuki's shoulder, which Tsuzuki physically flinched at. Watari lowered his hand, and wiped at the tears that filled his eyes. Tsuzuki stood numbly as Watari walked past him, and as if watching from a distance, he could hear Watari ushering people away.
Tsuzuki stood at the door which separated Hisoka from the milling crowd of the safety zone. A simple wooden door . . . but it was more than just wood that separated Tsuzuki from Hisoka now. Tsuzuki pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit room beyond. If he hadn't known better, Tsuzuki could have sworn that Hisoka was just sleeping. The urge to kneel down and wake Hisoka was strong, even though he knew there would be no beautiful green eyes to look up at him sleepily.
The light was just enough to make Hisoka's hair glitter, and Tsuzuki raised his hand to rake his fingers through those golden strands. Hisoka's face was relaxed, free of the hurt and pain that had filled it in the past couple days. Tsuzuki sank to his knees beside Hisoka upon the floor. The wings that had formed upon Hisoka's back were gone, apparently faded along with the release of Hikaru's soul. White feathers spilled across the floor in abandon, surrounding Hisoka in a shimmering sea of feathers. Tsuzuki reached out to pick up one of the feathers, and he twirled it slowly in the dim lantern light. The feathers had been falling from Hisoka when the portal opened.
The tears that had refused to come to Tsuzuki upon Watari's announcement began to fall in earnest, and the ferocity of his anguish was of little surprise to Tsuzuki. His voice seemed to be lost within, and Tsuzuki's body shook as grief overwhelmed him. It had to be a nightmare, or some sort of sick joke. This was not happening . . . it could not happen.
Tsuzuki drew Hisoka's still form into his arms, and he crushed the body tight in his embrace. It wasn't supposed to be this way . . . Hisoka should be blushing, or slapping him smartly across the shoulders and calling him an idiot. The silence that filled the room, save for Tsuzuki's silent sobs was so utterly wrong, that Tsuzuki could not help but shudder.
"Wake up Hisoka . . . please . . ."
He whispered the words frantically, as if he spoke the words with enough conviction, they would come true. Hisoka remained still in Tsuzuki's embrace, and it was then that Tsuzuki's lost voice broke free and a steadily rising sound of anguish escaped Tsuzuki's grieving soul.
From beyond the open door, Tsuzuki knew the people were trying to peer in, to understand what was going on. But it didn't matter anymore. Nothing mattered anymore. Tsuzuki brushed Hisoka's hair with his hand, and he began to rock back and forth slightly with his precious burden. He had failed to keep his promise to Hisoka, and that hurt almost as much as Hisoka's death. It hurt worse than anything Tsuzuki have ever experienced, even more than his eight year long slide into insanity and death. It was worse than the guilt of all the death and suffering Tsuzuki felt responsible for causing. There was nothing to compare to the pain this was. He cried for who knows how long, and Tsuzuki did not care.
There was nothing left for Tsuzuki now. Hisoka had been his reason to exist. Hisoka had been the reason Tsuzuki was still sane. Without Hisoka . . . there was no reason to hold back. Tsuzuki opened his eyes and had someone else been in the room, they would have been terrified by the utter nothingness within the violet orbs. Like flipping a switch, Tsuzuki's anguished cries ceased, and he carefully drew himself to his feet, cradling Hisoka's empty shell of a body ever so gently in his arms.
The blank empty look continued to fill Tsuzuki's violet eyes, and he looked down to Hisoka's still form and smiled. It was not a happy smile, nor was it sad; just a vacant and disturbing expression that matched the equally disturbing blankness within Tsuzuki's eyes. A creepy hollow laugh began to issue from Tsuzuki's throat, and it grew louder with every passing second.
A solitary feather was clutched tightly in Tsuzuki's grasp, and Tsuzuki continued to stare at Hisoka's pale face. The same hollow laugh continued to spill from Tsuzuki's throat, and a veil of darkness began to rise about Tsuzuki's form. It surrounding him in a haze of vaporous mist, tinged with purple the same color as Tsuzuki's empty eyes. The laughter was at shouting volume now, and Tsuzuki raised his head as if to look to the heavens beyond the dingy grey ceiling that held him within.
He was over the edge now, and nothing short of a miracle would bring Tsuzuki back to the world of the sane. Not that Tsuzuki really cared about that, as a world without Hisoka's light was nothing more than a dank, dark prison. Tsuzuki raised his head and looked to the water damaged ceiling above him. The swirling vapors of purple tinged darkness caressed Tsuzuki's form as a lover would, and the laughter from Tsuzuki died as he lowered his eyes to Hisoka's pale form cradled in his arms.
If Hisoka was not allowed to exist, than by what right did the world have to live?
********************
Hakushaku looked to the extinguished candle with a mixture of self loathing and pain. As much as he constantly baited the beautiful Tsuzuki, it was Tsuzuki's happiness that had mattered most to the Earl. He lowered his trembling hands to his sides and closed his eyes. He could hear Enma move behind him, and the Earl shivered slightly as Enma placed His hand upon Hakushaku's shoulder.
"This is the only way."
The Earl could only nod at Enma's words, and Enma's hand lifted from the Earls shoulder and he could hear Enma quietly walk away. Hakushaku opened his eyes to look upon Hisoka's extinguished candle once more. If this was the correct path, than why did it hurt so much?
********************
Author's Notes:
Well I did warn you . . . didn't I? Writing this chapter was very difficult, and I found myself more than once getting overly emotional as I wrote the sentences. There is a lot of pain, mental anguish, and more pain splashed throughout this chapter, the only light point perhaps the quick banter between Chymos and Hisoka before Hikaru showed up. A very depressing chapter, but required for the story. I believe it should be perhaps one more chapter and an epilogue, but don't quote me on that one.
The demons have been unleashed upon Meifu, and it isn't a pretty sight. Think of ravenous dogs finding a feast. Watari's comment about a buffet table doesn't seem so far fetched now does it? But along with that, is the fact that it isn't enough to kill one's prey, one must play with it and maximize the pleasure of the hunt before the end.
I didn't delve much into Muraki's point of view, even though Oriya's death has seriously affected him. I already have a multitude of viewpoints within this chapter, and although I did try to have them alternate in a pattern, I believe it could be a little confusing. There is also the fact that throughout this story, even though Muraki is very much a part of things, I have never delved into what the doctor has really thought. I hope though, that the thing that Oriya was searching for within Muraki was apparent, or at least you had an inkling of Oriya's search.
As for my favorite pair of Shinigami's, it must remain a secret for now. I have left little hints throughout the chapters that point toward what will be occurring, but even as the writer, I concede that some of them are quite hard to catch. But if it is any consolation to anyone reading this, I do believe that love is a powerful thing, in all forms. Still a cryptic message, but a message none the less.
Please oh please! If you are reading or following this story I would appreciate it if you would review it! I am very curious to know what people are thinking about, or their opinions. To those who have reviewed already, I want to thank you for your input! And to those who have not yet . . . well . . . bad! *smiles* It really does encourage me and helps me get these chapters out. And well, even if you don't, I will still keep writing, but it is nice to hear from those who are reading. I want to apologize once again for the lateness of this chapter.
Also I just have to thank Matsushita for creating such wonderful characters! Humour, darkness, romance - all the fun stuff rolled into one! Thank you!