Well, this is it, guys! The final chapter...ah, how bittersweet. First and foremost, I would once again like to thank Mainframe for her invaluable help with chapters 5 through 7. I have learned a lot from her advice, and hopefully my writing is somewhat improved now. To everyone who has read or reviewed this fic, thank you so much! Your support and encouragement means a great deal to me. I'm not sure what my next Yami project will be, or when, but I hope you'll be there to read it. Right now, I'm back to working on a GW fic, so stay tuned for that in the future. I hope you guys like this chapter and find it to be a fitting end to the story. Let me know what you think!

White Sherry - Ah, thank you!

Schatten Wolfendorf - LOL. I'm glad I managed to write the argument well. I was worried it might be too lame...

libby - Heh heh. I hope you like this one.

Triskell - I'm very happy to hear it was painful. Sorry this chapter took so long to get out - I wanted to make sure it was up to par.

Keruri - Wow. Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm very happy that you liked the chapter so much. I hope you enjoy this one equally.

Hunter - Thank you! It always gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling when people tell me I'm a good writer. Heh heh.

miko - Aww, you'll just have to read to see how it ends! But I do hope you like the ending.

Kara Angitia - ...you okay? (poke poke)

Kata - One of the biggest reasons I didn't do a Tatsumi POV thing in this fic is because I have a friend who did something similar in a fic, and people only whined about how much it confused them... Ah well.

Watercolor-Dragon - Thanks!

Chapter 7

Tatsumi sat in his office, staring at his desk. His eyes scanned over the budget report Watari had turned in right before everything occurred. He examined the sketchy bunny drawings, recognizable only for the fact that they had long, floppy ears and puffy, round tails. In his mind, the image of Watari's body lying still on the ground haunted him. He kept his jaw shut tightly, trying desperately to refrain from crying out in rage. He didn't bother to raise his head when someone knocked on the door softly.

"Tatsumi-san...?" Tsuzuki opened the door and stepped inside, closing it gently behind him. "Are you...are you okay?"

"...It's my fault," Tatsumi said numbly.

"How can it be your fault? He was protecting me!"

The older man shook his head.

"I should have been stronger...I should have fought harder to break free."

Tsuzuki furrowed his brow, taking a seat across the desk from his friend.

"Tatsumi-san...you tried your hardest. We all know that! You give your all in everything that you do. This demon was just too powerful!"

Tatsumi was unresponsive, too caught up in his guilt to listen to reason.

"...He's going to be okay, you know. It's a bad wound, but he's Shinigami," Tsuzuki pointed out. The older man looked at him sadly.

"It isn't just that...I did other things. I nearly killed 003 and...I tried to kill Kurosaki-kun. I did and said things that can't be taken back..."

"Tatsumi. We know that the demon lied to try to hurt us. None of us believe anything he said, not even for a moment. And it wasn't you doing all those things, it was him. No one blames you for any of it, I promise."

"What if...what if the things he said were true? What if I really feel that way? What if I really do..." Tatsumi asked, not looking the other man in his eyes. Tsuzuki bit his lip, a strong feeling of apprehension filling him.

"Tatsumi...only you can know for sure how you feel, but...you're happy now, aren't you? You can't doubt yourself because of that demon! Watari needs you now. He worked so hard to help you...are you just going to give up on him now? The past doesn't matter, you know," Tsuzuki said, smiling slightly.

"...I can't think about that now. What matters is that Kurosaki-kun and Yu- Watari-san get better."

Tsuzuki grinned, noticing the slip-up.

"Well look at that, I got you talking at least, right? Sitting here feeling guilty isn't going to help anyone. We need your strength right now." He stood, heading to the door. "I'm gonna go check on those two and we'll talk about the demon a little later," he said, leaving the room. Tatsumi sighed, glancing back down at the budget report.

Tsuzuki peered inside the infirmary, his hands lightly clasping the door as he pushed it open. His eyes rested on Watari's still figure, watching the man's chest rise and fall gently. Tsuzuki couldn't help but sigh in relief, letting his tense muscles relax slightly. Intending to stay only a short time, he turned to check on Hisoka and was startled when he met green eyes.

"Tsuzuki."

The older man's heart pounded in his chest as he found himself walking towards the boy's bed, sitting gingerly on the very edge.

"Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Do you want something to eat? Cookies always make me feel better when - "

"You're babbling," the boy chided. "And to answer your question, I'm fine."

Tsuzuki looked at him suspiciously, his eyes inspecting the small sliver of the boy's chest that peeked out from his shirt. Frowning, the older man reached forward, beginning to unbutton the shirt a bit. Hisoka's eyes widened, his cheeks flushing.

"Cut it out!" he growled, prying his partner's hands away. "I nearly die and all you can do is grope me!"

Tsuzuki let his hands fall, lowering his eyes. The sting of accusation in the boy's voice hurt him, even if it was understandable.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay... You didn't see yourself before, Hisoka. It was... When I found you lying in the bathroom like that, I thought my heart was going to stop. I...I was so afraid I would lose you," he admitted, taking a shaky breath. "After seeing what he did to you, I guess...I guess I just needed to see for myself that you're all right."

Hisoka stared at his partner a moment, understanding dawning in his eyes. He could feel the desperation, the fear that Tsuzuki was experiencing. Wordlessly, the boy took his hand, guiding it gently under his shirt to rest at the junction of his now healed ribcage.

"I'm okay," he assured, a wistful smile gracing his features. Tsuzuki could feel the boy's heartbeat beneath the tips of his fingers, a soothing pulsation that seemed to melt away his worries. He wanted so badly to pull Hisoka into his arms, to hold him so tightly that their bodies melted into one another, but he hesitated. He didn't want to upset the boy, not after everything that had happened. Tsuzuki felt a flutter of anxiety in the pit of his stomach as he looked into his partner's eyes.

"Can...can I hug you?" he asked timidly.

Hisoka almost smiled at the beseeching tone.

"Of course." Immediately, he felt himself enveloped in the warmth of Tsuzuki's arms, the man's head buried against his neck. The boy reached his own arms out, wrapping them gently around his partner. He breathed in the man's scent, feeling a knot inside of him loosen and unravel. He sighed, relaxing in Tsuzuki's embrace.

"Tsuzuki?" he mumbled against the man's shoulder. His partner pulled back so he could look into green eyes.

"What is it?" he asked with obvious concern. Hisoka almost smiled at the feeling of warmth that accompanied the knowledge that someone cared about him.

"I thought you might want to know...Watari was awake earlier."

Tsuzuki's eyes widened in surprise. He turned to look at the bed on the other side of the room, watching the sleeping form of his best friend.

"When?" he asked without turning back around.

"An hour ago."

The older man gently disentangled himself from the embrace and stood, biting his lip as he looked down at his partner.

"I need to tell Tatsumi," he explained, his eyes pleading for understanding.

Hisoka nodded and gave an encouraging smile, watching as Tsuzuki left the room. He closed his eyes briefly, fighting a wave of dizziness that resulted from lack of food. He slung his legs over the side of the bed, carefully standing. Straightening his shirt, he tried not to think about Tsuzuki's hands against his skin or the warm shock that the touch evoked. 'I should get out of here,' he thought, glancing at Watari's prone form. 'I'll go home. I can get something to eat, get some sleep, maybe even some peace and quiet...and Tatsumi-san can talk to Watari-san privately.' Nodding his head as if reaffirming his decision, Hisoka left the infirmary, not glancing back as he closed the door.

Tatsumi stood in the hallway, halfway between his office and the infirmary. His breath was caught in his throat, his heart torn between taking a step forward and turning back around. He knew, thanks to Tsuzuki, that Watari was no longer unconscious. The knowledge helped to ease the devastating guilt he felt, but didn't assuage the fear. He wanted so badly to see his lover's face, to let the relief burn away the haunting image of the man's pale, lifeless form, soaked in blood that was spilt by his own hands. Tatsumi shuddered at the thought, shame gripping his heart and making him feel weak. He lowered his head, eyes fixed on his trembling hands. The thought that those very hands had caused so much pain tore through him like a knife. He couldn't escape the knowledge that he had hurt the people he cared most about with those hands, with his sharp words and taunting half-truths. The Kagetsukai shook his head, trying to dispel the images that refused to be banished. Once again, he stared down the hall, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest. 'I'm...I'm terrified,' he admitted to himself, 'but I have to see him. I have to see that he's all right.' Taking a pained step forward, he began the achingly slow trek to the infirmary.

The room was unnervingly silent as Tatsumi turned the door knob and pushed lightly. The silence reminded him of death, and the thought scared him more than he was willing to admit. Stepping inside, he prayed that Watari was still sleeping. He just needed to see that his lover was alive, that his own hands hadn't murdered the scientist. As he turned to face the bed, he froze, his face paling.

"Seii."

He stared at the blonde with something akin to horror, his feet suddenly too heavy to move. Watari looked at him uncertainly, patting the bed next to him. When Tatsumi didn't move, his eyes took on an entreating look. The Kagetsukai felt his body move forward of its own accord, keeping a distance between their seated forms.

"What happened to the demon?" Watari asked immediately.

"He...I...I think I destroyed him," he responded quietly. "When...when he..." He paused, fighting back the bile that rose in his throat. "When I came back, my soul forced itself to the surface, and...the shadows inside of me...they tore him apart."

The blonde smiled weakly. He could feel his lover's trepidation, and it hurt him. He looked at Tatsumi for a minute, his anxiety increasing when the man refused to meet his gaze.

"Are you all right?" he asked. The Kagetsukai looked at him as if his was the most ridiculous question he had ever heard.

"I should be asking you that," he replied. Watari grinned, his need to lighten the mood almost overpowering.

"Sure I'm fine, see?" he said, lifting up his shirt to expose his chest, the wound already healed. His expression faltered when Tatsumi winced and turned away. The blonde slowly lowered his shirt, his fingers toying with the seams. An awkward silence descended between them, each man desperately searching for the words that would make everything better, that would banish the fear and hesitancy they now felt.

"Watari...I'm sorry. I know...I know that doesn't change anything that happened, but...I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say," the secretary finally said, although it was a half-truth. He knew exactly what he wanted to say. He wanted to reassure his lover, to apologize for every little thing he had ever done to hurt Watari. He wanted to admit to the man that he was repulsed by himself, but he couldn't. The words refused to leave his throat. He watched the blonde and waited for either absolution or rejection.

"...Is that how things are now? You might as well call me Watari-san, then," he said quietly. Tatsumi frowned in confusion. Had he said that? He didn't even realize he had taken a more formal tone with the man. Watari's arms were wrapped protectively around his waist, and Tatsumi realized that he had yet again hurt the man he loved.

"I only seem to cause you pain," he said, voicing his thoughts quietly. The scientist looked at him, his honey hair resting against his cheek in waves, sunlight from the window making it glow like gold. The Kagetsukai felt his breath catch in his throat, a painful reminder of how much he wanted to hold Watari, to see the pain in his usually joyful eyes disappear.

"You're as bad as Tsuzuki," the blonde murmured. "Both of you just blame yourselves for everything that happens. Please don't do that right now, Seii."

"It is my fault, Yutaka. I wasn't strong enough...I couldn't protect the people I care about," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the admittance. He could feel the little resolve he had left slipping away.

"Seii..." Watari tapped the man's knee, waiting until blue eyes met amber. "If I had been possessed, would you blame me for the things a demon forced me to do?"

Tatsumi frowned, crossing his arms across his chest. He wasn't dense; he could see where his lover was going with that question. Grudgingly, he shook his head.

"No..."

"Then why do you expect me to blame you?"

The Kagetsukai opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't know what to say. He realized that his worries were unfounded, yet the anxiety didn't ease up. The blonde bit his lip, satisfied at having made his point, but still troubled. He looked at Tatsumi, studying the man's chiseled features. He pictured in his mind all the times they had made love, recalled the feeling of comfort that came from simply lying in bed wrapped in Tatsumi's arms. He thought of the way his partner looked at him, the warmth and love that radiated from those blue eyes. But doubt nagged at him. Had he simply imagined the emotion he saw? Was he only seeing what he wanted to see? If he thought about it, Watari realized that it wasn't unlike the looks Tsuzuki often received. He's settling for you, his friend had said. Those words haunted the scientist, twisted the knife in his heart painfully.

"Do you love me?" he blurted out suddenly.

Tatsumi stared at him with open surprise for a moment.

"Of course I do," he responded firmly. Hesitating, he added "What is this about?"

The blonde shook his head, feeling childish and petty.

"Yutaka...is this about Tsuzuki?"

Watari jerked his head up as if he had been hit. The raw look in his eyes told the older man everything he needed to know.

"What was that fight about?" Tatsumi asked gently.

The blonde pulled his knees up, hugging them against his stomach.

"I came up with the idea that we could pretend to fight each other, maybe have Tsuzuki hurt me...I thought it might help bring you back. But...it turned into a real fight."

"I see..." The Kagetsukai sat in silent contemplation for a moment. He knew it was up to him to reassure Watari, to make him see how much he cared. "I love you both, you know. But I'm in love with you - only you. Even if Tsuzuki didn't have Kurosaki-kun, I wouldn't even consider pursuing him. Please don't ever think that you're second to Tsuzuki," he said softly.

Watari's heart pounded, a feeling of warmth spreading inside of him and banishing some of the doubt he felt. He leaned forward slightly, grasping his partner's shoulder for support. His lips pressed against Tatsumi's in a chaste kiss.

"I love you," he whispered as he drew back.

The Kagetsukai looked at him uncertainly, his eyes questioning.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

The blonde smiled, patting the older man's shoulder.

"I already told you, I'm fine." He could still see the lingering doubt in Tatsumi's eyes, and he knew it would take time for things to go back to normal. 'I'll start by spiking his coffee with something tomorrow,' he decided. 'That'll prove to him that I'm okay.' He nodded to himself, happy to have something to work toward. Beside him, the Kagetsukai eyed him warily, recognizing that odd gleam in his amber eyes.

"I...I should go apologize to everyone," he mumbled, standing.

Watari shrugged, taking the opportunity to stretch out on the bed.

"If you feel like you have to. I think Bon went home, though. Come to think of it, you might as well wait until tomorrow..." He paused, biting his lip. "Seii? Could...could you tell Tsuzuki that I need to talk to him?"

Tatsumi looked down at his partner and nodded. He leaned over, planting a kiss on the top of the man's head before leaving.

Tsuzuki entered the infirmary, nervously shoving his hands into his pockets. Watari stood as he closed the door, standing beside the bed in awkward silence. They looked at each other, and the blonde rushed forward, throwing his arms around his friend's neck. Tsuzuki took a step backward, trying to keep them both balanced. He returned the gesture, holding the man tightly against him.

"I'm sorry," Watari mumbled. "I didn't mean what I said, and I was so stupid to be jealous..."

Tsuzuki sighed, resting his head on the blonde's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, too. I...I feel so bad for saying those things to you, and I really hope you know none of it's true. Tatsumi loves you, I know he does. He loves you more than anything, so don't doubt him, okay?"

Watari nodded, pulling back slightly and smiling.

"I really don't think we should try the whole fake fighting thing again," he said.

Tsuzuki chuckled, relieved that his friend forgave him.

"Ah, well...I should probably go find Hisoka... I should have guess he would leave so you and Tatsumi could talk privately."

Watari raised an eyebrow.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," he warned jokingly.

The older man grinned, ushering the blonde back to the bed.

"Oh, that's saying a lot. You should get some rest, okay? I'll come back later if 'Soka kicks me out of his house or something," Tsuzuki said, waiting until his friend had climbed into bed. He teleported out of the room, leaving the blonde alone. Watari sighed, pulling the sheets over his body. He could feel a headache forming behind his eyes, and his muscles were weak. He turned away from the window in an attempt to block out the sunlight. 'I guess everything's all right now,' he thought skeptically. 'I mean, I talked Seii out of blaming himself, right? And I made amends with Tsuzuki...so why do I still feel so bad? Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I'm sure if I get some rest, I'll feel fine when I wake up.' Closing his eyes, Watari let himself drift off, wrapped in the memory of his lover's arms.

Tatsumi looked down upon his lover's sleeping form. After he had checked on Watari earlier, he thought he would be satisfied by just seeing that the man was safe. He hadn't expected that he would need to see Watari again. Guilt and shame still gnawed at his heart, distracting him from his work. He sighed, perching himself gently on the edge of the bed. The serene look on the blonde's face made him smile softly, and he reached forward to brush a strand of hair away from Watari's cheek. His fingertips lingered on the soft skin, the need to touch his lover nearly overpowering. He hesitated briefly before leaning forward, his reserved nature almost getting the better of him as he kissed Watari's cheek softly. His heart sped up momentarily when he saw the man's eyelids flutter and open, his amber eyes drowsy and unfocused.

"What're you waking me for? I'm under doctor's orders to rest," the blonde mumbled. Tatsumi's eyebrow raised as he straightened up, feeling less than dignified.

"Doctor's orders?"

Watari gave a crooked smile.

"Mmhmm. Doctor Tsuzuki," he said, wiping his eyes and yawning.

The Kagetsukai chuckled softly, patting what he hoped was the scientist's hand under the sheet.

"For once, I agree completely with Tsuzuki. I apologize for waking you up. Why don't you try to rest some more and I'll see to it that your lab is locked up for the day. I hate to think of what might happen if someone were to go in there and start playing with chemicals..." He stood, bending over to kiss Watari's soft lips. 'Gods, how I've missed that feeling,' he thought as he made his way to the door. Glancing back to make sure the man was following his advice, Tatsumi turned off the lights and shut the door quietly.