[In death...]
[An X and Yami no Matsuei Crossover fic]
Standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter 2
Seishirou watched as the cigarette dropped from the window. It had rebounded twice on the pavement before getting trampled on by pedestrians, becoming yet another one of the many cigarette stubs that littered the streets of Tokyo.
But all these went unnoticed as Seishirou continued to stare fixatedly at the window. Such a familiar window, seeing as he had lived there in life. However, it was not the window that enthralled him, but the person that was leaning against the sill.
Subaru...
His eyes were still the most beautiful in the world. But replacing the previous expressiveness was a glaze that concealed a pain beyond the description of words. Most people would have missed it, but not Seishirou. Seeing as he was the cause of that pain. The eyes had widened upon noticing him and for a moment Seishirou could see again the clear, expressive eyes that Subaru used to own.
Realizing his mistake, Seishirou quickly shielded and continued watching as the eyes reflected shock, confusion, disappointment and pain before settling back into its clouded state. The next instant, the window was closed and Seishirou could see Subaru no more.
This was almost too familiar for his comfort. It had not been so long ago when he had been stalking Subaru. But that had been when he was alive. Now, he did not know how define himself. How does one define a Shinigami?
/ 'This is Sakurazuka Seishirou, our newest recruit.' Kanoe-Kachou introduced.
Everyone looked wary. They all knew who and what he was. Truth be told, they were all extremely unsure of this. It was like letting a 'Muraki' into their midst. Surprisingly enough, it was the most tortured victim of Muraki, Tsuzuki, who welcomed him with open and un-guarding arms. His partner, however, was not quite so amiable. Contemplating Seishirou with the coldest eyes ever, Hisoka made no greeting.
For his part, Seishirou could not be bothered. He had not come back for the approval of these people. He had one purpose only. After fulfilling it he fully intended on going on to wherever he should be sent to. He doubted it was heaven.
Kanoe-Kachou continued, 'As we have no free Shinigami at the moment and Shinigami have to work in pairs, you will temporarily join one of the existing pair and form a trio. Tsuzuki, Hisoka, would it be alright if he joined you?' It was not a question.
'What about the Gushoushin? Can't one of them be his partner for the time being?' Hisoka asked.
'They're busy,' Kanoe-Kachou informed him simply, he was not allowing any room for discussion.
For the first time, Seishirou noticed the emerald-eyed boy. Staring into his green eyes, he started for a millisecond before reassuming his cold smile. Inside, he was hardly as composed. The boy reminded him so much of Subaru. Expressive and clear emerald eyes, yet so much pain was hidden within it. It was not quite as brilliant a shade of green as Subaru's, but it still managed to call up Subaru's image. A blushing Subaru of sixteen stammering 'S...S...Seishirou-sannn!'
No they were not as captivating as Subaru's, but they certainly served as a painful reminder. And they made his desire to see Subaru all the more ardent. He needed to escape.
'If that's all, I'll take my leave. Call me if there's an assignment.' Seishirou gave a curt nod and walked away.
Leaving everyone in the Ju-Oh-Cho staring in his wake. /
Seishirou suppressed a shudder at the memory of the boy. Hisoka, his name had been. So much like Subaru, with the almost identical piercing eyes that seemed to bore into his soul. His shields had gone up reflexively and he was thankful for that when he learned that the boy was empathic. It was for his own good anyway, or he would have been knocked unconscious by the sheer intensity of his emotions.
He lingered around for another hour before wandering off for a walk. He still could not muster up the courage to knock on Subaru's door. It was laughable really, that he, the Sakurazukamori (ok, EX-Sakurazukamori), should lack courage. But seeing the pain in Subaru's eyes made him wonder if seeing him would really set him free. Or would it be better to just leave him alone to forget him.
'Damn. I need to calm my nerves,' He muttered to himself while extracting a cigarette from the breast pocket of his black suit. Death had not changed him much.
That was when he heard the scream.