A/N: Again, I updated in time! See? Last time it was just a little slip. Won't happen again!
Someone said something and I thought I should address you all with it. It wasn't criticism or anything, but it worried me somewhat. I know this took forever to get started. You have to understand; this story is set into an entire different scenario. I *had* to write all that to make the story consistent. If you think this is getting too long and you are starting to lose interest, tell me and I'll reconsider my approach. If you think you can stand it, then all the better, because I *promise* you; I WON'T GET TIRED OF THIS.
If I've left stories unfinished in the past, it was because- yes, I'm that petty- no one was reading, and I got frustrated. Reviews are important, no matter what everyone says, and I'm not about to commit myself into something as tiring and stressful (it is stressful) as writing a long fic and posting it in term for it to be read just by me. But this is certainly not the case here. Your comments make me want to write more; it's encouraging to see people liking my baby, er...fic. So by no means, I'm not going to leave this half way through it. I wanna know how it ends too, after all!! ^.^
WARNING: There's a slight gory line. It's just one line though. But maybe I should get this out of the way now? Hn...Ok, *maybe* there will be gory images and descriptions in future chappies. Nothing too gory because I don't wanna throw up all over my keyboard, tho. -
If you want, you can check a little piece of fanart I made for this fic. It really sucks, but what the hell... go to: konnie-chan.deviantart.com and look for it. It's right there in my most recent deviation thingy. Who knows, you might like it.
Enjoy!
A SMILE UPON MY FACE
Papers were flying everywhere. Tatsumi could just stand in the middle of the shower of files and wait for the hammer to fall.
It wasn't that he was self conscious about having been caught; he certainly knew of more than one way to get out of trouble should the new comer intend to cause it. But he was after all, just a boy, and adults could be very intimidating sometimes. Specially if they were at all like him, but with the benefit of experience and freedom. Just the idea of finding an adult of his own mind sent shivers down his spine.
He was already running his options in his head; strategies to blackmail the nurse into silence, pulling some dirt on Konoe, were he to sanction him, amongst other things; he had more than enough resources for him not to be worried about being caught on something so childish.
But after the split second in which Tatsumi had already even planned where to hide the body should things get nasty, his eyes landed on the other man's face and the blue eyed boy got a strange sense of deja vu, making him forget about his dilemma.
He couldn't explain it. The man did look slightly familiar, but just in the way people do when they look remotely like someone you knew from before. He was certain he'd never seen that man before in his life; and yet he stirred something inside Tatsumi...like a distant memory of a dream you can't remember, but is still there.
The new comer- the nurse, Tatsumi realised thanks to the white lab coat- was indeed, a man in his thirties. He didn't look the part of an underpaid school nurse though, Tatsumi noticed upon scrutinizing the stranger a little closer. Yes, he was wearing a wrinkled old lab coat. But the man's entire demeanour spoke of class and elegance. The white shirt underneath the lab coat was obviously expensive and either new or well preserved. Even the way he was holding onto the door while he stared at him made him look suspiciously off character; his hands were way to delicate and his fingers long and agile.
Though his face was slightly marked with age, there was a certain joviality about him. His long, black bangs covered half of his eyes, but his haircut was very neat and evidently done by a professional. What the hair failed to conceal, a pair of glasses with their lenses tinted a bare purple managed to finish the job, making it impossible to determine the colour of the man's eyes, let alone watch the expression in them, and making Tatsumi uncomfortable because of it.
What was it with this stranger, that gave him such strange a feeling? It was almost as if he was supposed to know something that had slipped his mind. He had it on the tip of his brain, but as hard as he tried, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was bothering him. And it wasn't just him, he realised. The stranger was also gazing at him like in a trance.
They could have remained that way for eons for all Tatsumi knew, staring at each other in silence, if it hadn't been for Tsuzuki's voice braking the spell.
"Hey? Hey, let me through!" The older boy, who was holding Hisoka's still form close to his chest, nudged the nurse's leg gently but anxiously with his foot to get him out of his way. The nurse turned around, startled- even more dazed, Tatsumi noted- and moved away.
Apparently Tsuzuki was having trouble with carrying Hisoka and walking through the door without hitting the boy's head with the doorframe at the same time; so Tatsumi shook himself from his own trance and hurried to his side.
"Tsuzuki, what happened?" he asked, gently taking Hisoka from his arms.
Tsuzuki started pacing, obviously upset.
"I swear it wasn't me!! I found him like that!!" he begun ranting, distressed. "Actually he was still awake when I found him, but...I think he was having a seizure or something!! He may have a tumour or...or....I don't know!! I'm not a doctor!! He needs a doctor!! Where's the doctor, where's the doctor!!!" he cried hysterically and Tatsumi seriously considered slapping him to bring I'm back to his senses.
In the end he decided against such a drastic method and, after carefully depositing Hisoka on top of the exam table, he walked towards Tsuzuki and seized him firmly by the shoulders; completely ignoring the other presence in the room.
"Calm down." He said, his voice as stern as only Tatsumi could make it sound.
The older boy blinked a few times, biting his lower lip.
"But...but..."
"*Calm* *down*" A small nod from Tsuzuki and Tatsumi went on. "Now tell me, slowly, what happened?"
Tsuzuki took a deep breath to steady himself.
"I...I was going to the classroom and I found him crumpled on the floor. He seemed to be in a lot of pain so I brought him here. He passed out somewhere along the way."
Tatsumi nodded and moved to where the nurse stood, watching the scene and seeming confused. He didn't have time to say anything though; the older man shook his head with a wistful smile and moved towards the exam table.
Tatsumi and Tsuzuki stood just mere inches behind the man, watching him work intently.
"Well," he started, after barely examining Hisoka. "He seems to be just sleeping now. I'm sure he'll be just fine."
"How do you know? You hardly even looked at him!" Tsuzuki half cried, Tatsumi simply nodded his agreement.
The man smiled again, this time mischievously.
"Trust me. There's nothing wrong with him. At least not anymore. We'll have to ask him what happened once he wakes up. There's nothing I can do until I know what happened." His tone softened as he looked straight into Tsuzuki's eyes. "All he needs is rest, so don't worry, ok?"
Tatsumi was sure the man knew more than he was letting on, but remained silent; maybe he just had a theory he couldn't confirm, and that's why he wasn't saying anything. Maybe.
Tsuzuki nodded again and walked next to the exam table, watching the now sleeping boy with a worried expression on his face. The nurse's gaze lingered on Tsuzuki for a bit longer than what Tatsumi would deem appropriate, but eventually he turned around to look at him; and with him, at the mess he'd forgotten he'd caused.
"What's this?" the man asked, looking more curious than upset, as he knelt to pick one of the files.
Tatsumi cleared his throat and pushed his glasses up his nose.
"The principal sent me to deliver them to you. They're the files of the kids here that need special treatment." he said flatly, not willing to show any kind of remorse or nervousness about his situation.
The older man smiled that increasingly annoying smile of his and looked up to him from his spot on the floor.
"And you figured the floor was a good place for them?"
Tatsumi shrugged.
"You startled me. I've been waiting for a good fifteen minutes for you to get here. I was under the impression that your shift started at 7 a.m?"
It was a good strategy, if you think about it. Mark the other person's fault before they call you out on your own. That way you have them trying to explain themselves instead of focusing on you. Of course, Tatsumi also knelt down to help the man pick up the papers. He wouldn't push his luck. Showing a bit of humbleness might do the trick as well.
The older man shook his head amusedly.
"I *was* doing my job." he said cryptically and he didn't seem to have any intention of elaborating.
Under any other circumstance, Tatsumi would have let it pass. As it was, the man made him very suspicious and ignoring that hint was not an option.
"What do you mean?"
"Curious..." the man said reflectively, eyeing Tatsumi. "I'd expected you to know what goes on around here before anyone."
Tatsumi was obviously caught off guard by this. He blinked a few times and gaped.
"Excuse me??"
"Never mind..." The man smiled knowingly. "I've been tending to Terazuma-san's wounds; you know, the security guard?" he was obviously being sarcastic- always in an overly gentle sort of way- and Tatsumi had to roll his eyes. "Apparently, someone didn't like his face; they did a fine job on it."
Tsuzuki, who up until that moment had been staring at Hisoka, biting his lips in concentration as if looking at him would make the other boy feel better, turned at the mention of Terazuma's name. It was no secret that Terazuma found pleasure in teasing the boy, while Tsuzuki didn't have any kind of problem answering back. So Tatsumi was a bit surprised seeing Tsuzuki's worried expression at hearing the news.
"What? Who'd do such a thing?!" the older boy asked.
The nurse shook his head and, for the first time, Tatsumi saw something beyond polite teasing in his expression. This time he looked concerned. He stood up then and Tatsumi followed suit. He straightened the files he'd picked up, taking the ones Tatsumi handed to him, and placed them on top of the desk.
"The police thinks it might have been one or several students. They're almost sure it was someone from the school, since the gates were never forced or opened. But..."
"The police? Wait a minute, how come I don't know anything about this?" Tatsumi asked, feeling frustrated. It certainly was a first.
He thought he heard the older man whisper something down the lines of 'My point, exactly.' but before he had time to ask about it, he spoke again.
"It all happened this morning. they didn't found Terazuma-san 'til after the police got here, so..."
"Why would the police be here if they didn't know Terazuma-chan was hurt?" Tsuzuki interrupted, looking as bewildered as the blue eyed boy felt.
"Look..." The man rubbed the back of his head, looking distressed. "I don't know how to tell you this but...Well, something happened last night..."
----------------------------
There was a knock on the door. Oriya hid the damp coat behind the shower curtain, dried his hands and checked his expression on the mirror to make sure he looked calmed. Whoever it was knocked again before he was sure enough to move to open it.
One glance at a sleeping Muraki, a deep breath and the door was open to reveal an uniformed man. No surprise there; Oriya had been half expecting them for two hours already.
"Good morning." the cop said with a polite smile. You know, the kind that says 'I'm going to treat you like my best friend just to bust you at the first sign that you're hiding something'.
"Good morning?" the dark haired boy did an excellent job at appearing confused.
The cop took a step inside without invitation, but Oriya remained calmed. He wasn't going to give him the chance to suspect.
"Are you either Muraki... Kazutaka or Oriya Mibu?" the man asked, forcing his eyes to read the piece of paper in his hand.
Oriya nodded.
"I'm Oriya Mibu and that guy sleeping there is Muraki-senpai." he pointed at his friend, fearing his hands were going start shaking at any moment. The cop nodded.
"We were informed of you and your roommate not attending class this morning. Classes were suspended for the day, but the students' presence was still required in their classrooms so we could make sure everyone was safe. Why didn't you two go?" The brusque man tried to sound casual, but failed miserably.
"My friend and I weren't going to class today. He doesn't feel very well, so I stayed behind too to help him out."
"Oh?" The man raised an eyebrow. "The nurse didn't mention you or your friend either."
"The nurse? I thought Terada-san was on leave." Oriya said, looking perfectly calm and oblivious.
Good thing he knew that tid bit of information, he decided. He also knew that there was supposed to be a substitute arriving that day, but he wasn't about to mention that.
"No, there's a substitute," the cop said, sounding bored. "Midori-san (*), I think it's his name. But I guess if you didn't know that he was here, you wouldn't go to the infirmary."
Oriya shrugged.
"Well, no. Besides, it's nothing. Just a bit of a stomach flu, that's all." It was obvious to Oriya that the man was quickly losing interest in him. And he wasn't sure it was because of his acting either.
For what he could make out of the man, he might have a dead person in front of him and a guy with a steaming gun at their side and it would still take him a while to figure it was murder. He also knew it would probably not be the last he'd hear from the cops if he managed to get rid of this one; but that could be dealt with when the time came.
"I see." The cop shrugged and smiled again. "Well kid, I'll let my sarge know you're here and safe. And I'll watch my back if I were you. There's some psycho on the loose."
"A psycho? Why? What happened?" This he didn't need to act out. He was as much as in the dark as if he hadn't found the bloody coat. He just hoped it wasn't that bad. Maybe a vicious beating? Surely Muraki wouldn't go any further than that...
"Some kid; a sophomore. Someone raped him, ripped his belly open and left his guts out in display; and we don't know what was first yet. A gory sight if I've ever seen one." the man said bluntly, wrinkling his nose with distaste.
As much in shock for the man's lack of decorum as for the news he'd just received, Oriya could just stare at the cop wide eyed, doing a nice impression of a goldfish. Idly, he guessed that was good for his alliby. No killer could pretend to look *that* shocked upon hearing about his own crime.
"A...a murder? But..." No, this wasn't happening. Muraki had *not* killed someone. That was just....No.
The cop patted his head patronizingly and Oriya felt like shoving the man's hand up his own fat ass.
"That's ok kid. I guess it would be quite a shock for you. Someone broke into your perfect little world, eh?" The man laughed deep in his throat and waved a hand to him before stepping out. "Comes to show you, there are creeps everywhere."
He refrained himself from slamming the door behind the despicable man, but still kicked it hard once he felt safe enough to do it. A murder. His friend had *murdered* someone.
A part of his brain didn't want to believe it. Just because his coat was stained with blood, didn't mean Muraki had anything to do with what had happened. It sure was a hell of a coincidence, but those kinds of things happened everyday, right? He was his friend and he shouldn't assume something so awful about him.
But another part of him insisted on remembering everything that had happened during the last month. The comments, the strange looks. Even that morning he'd talked about murder, for god's sake! Could it really be that his friend had finally lost the battle with those dark thoughts Oriya knew had been plaguing him?
In any case, Oriya knew the cops wouldn't give it a second thought. He had to make sure the coat was clean and dry before they found it necessary to search the dorms.
----------------------
Muraki cracked one eye open as soon as he heard the door to the bathroom closing.
So, Oriya thought it had been him?
He figured he should feel aggravated; but he didn't, really. He just felt curious. For how long would he back him up?
Why wasn't he telling his life-long friend that he wasn't a murderer? Why wasn't he outraged that Oriya would think such a thing?
~Tsuzuku~
(*) There's a reason for the guy's name. When I can, I'll tell you why he's called that. But Midori (not Medori ^-^;) means green. Why would I hide that from you when you can just look it up? O-o
I'm sorry this chapter is so short. It was either too short or too long. But rest assured, ch.11 is half way done already. I might be posting it sooner than usual. Maybe.
Now to the reviews!!! 12 reviews!?! O.O You guys keep knocking me off my feet every time!!
Cofi: I'm writing! I'm writing! *cries* Anyway, you still like this? *hugs*
Lina: I told you how much I loved the drawing, right? I wish I could show it to everyone. Will you let me show it to everyone? It's really so beautiful...*sniff* So much prettier than mine...And I sorta have to admit the prince charming bit as there cuz I got all fangirly and stuff...*giggles* Sorry, I'm an old lady practically, but I can't help myself!! And you know? I was so shocked cuz FF.net now lets me see how many ppl have me on their author's alert. It's like 21, but most of them were people who reviewed some old stories of fandoms I don't even read anymore, lol. Those little e-mails must be annoying. *-* And, btw, Tsuzuki with an apron...*drool* lol.
xXLil Yu JahXx: Hi there, *waves*. I still don't know whether to have Tsu find out by himself. Those things come up as I write them. But I'm *almost* sure Hisoka will tell him in the near future.
Dodger-chan: Awww *blush* Sankyuu so much! *hugs* So nice to have you here again, *sniff* I feel so luved. T-T
LYK: So happy you like this. And I'm happy that you're able to enjoy the Muriya part of it as well. I do have favourite pairings, so I understand, but what's important I guess is to write a good story, regardless of pairing preference. I must be doing *something* right. *insert inflated ego here*
Mel-chan: So it's ok if I call you Mel-chan? Kewl. Anyway, I saw that pic your friend did. It's so beautiful!! *sniff* And it did remind me of that scene too! I hope you do find that pic; I so wanna see it...And being addicted is just the best!! (As long as it doesn't involve toxic substances or spending money, or both. Trust me, I smoke and it's no fun) Hugs!!
Loki's rose: It depends on what you consider forces of evil *chuckle* Sorry about the lack of Tatariness in this chappy. As I said, I had to cut it in half, and my poor 'Tari-chan was left behind. *sniff* now I feel sorry for him. Waaah!! So sowy 'Tari-chan! Don't hate me! T.T
I guess then that if yo stop reviewing suddenly is not cuz the fic sux? I can't tell you how moved I am by all of you who keep coming back for this every week letting me know what you think of it. It's not so much the *number* of reviews, as it is that I feel I'm...I dunno...connecting with all of you? That's a bit corny, but I can't think of a better way to say it. I luv you guys so much!! *hugs*
Not so innocent bystander: What you said about Muraki, there's something of that...I'm not telling though. And yes, a 'hi there' is enough. I'd still like to hear what you liked best and all so I know what I should keep doing it and what I shouldn't. Reviews make me write better...I...hope?
Kyraille Faye: Thanks to you I'm all devianty deviant now!! What's the word you use all the time? That's a 'spiffy' site, ne? (don't worry, I won't go around using your word ^-^) Thank yous!!
Miko: Here's another...chapter. Dunno if it's lovely tho *-* Hugs!
Anna: (good smeagol, nice smeagol) Thanks so much for what you said in the other review and I'm glad you're liking this too. Stick around?
Lyn: My fellow countrywoman (that's the word, but I had to look it up) I didn't know whether to answer you in english or spanish...*is confused* Lo hago mita y mita? De q' parte de Argentina sos? Y please, please, mandame el fanart? Espero q' el mail q' te mande y la nota de autor fueran suficientes, pero en verdad se q' hasta q' no termine la historia no vas a estar segura. Se cuantas historias quedan olvidadas en el medio y a mi me da mucha rabia cuando eso pasa. Anyway *places back the english chip* The chappies are that long because I'm not fond of short chapters. I don't know, I have trouble writing short. Might be considered a flaw. I'm not sure. Keep reading and I'll keep writing!
And now I want to take a moment to thank everyone who reviewed my other ficcy ' With Love'. Hugs to azdriel (escribí en español si queres), Trickster Kitsune, Lothlorien1, Katsue, Helene, sheilkuroi, Anna, Lina and Nikki. Thanks you guys!!
Ja ne!
Someone said something and I thought I should address you all with it. It wasn't criticism or anything, but it worried me somewhat. I know this took forever to get started. You have to understand; this story is set into an entire different scenario. I *had* to write all that to make the story consistent. If you think this is getting too long and you are starting to lose interest, tell me and I'll reconsider my approach. If you think you can stand it, then all the better, because I *promise* you; I WON'T GET TIRED OF THIS.
If I've left stories unfinished in the past, it was because- yes, I'm that petty- no one was reading, and I got frustrated. Reviews are important, no matter what everyone says, and I'm not about to commit myself into something as tiring and stressful (it is stressful) as writing a long fic and posting it in term for it to be read just by me. But this is certainly not the case here. Your comments make me want to write more; it's encouraging to see people liking my baby, er...fic. So by no means, I'm not going to leave this half way through it. I wanna know how it ends too, after all!! ^.^
WARNING: There's a slight gory line. It's just one line though. But maybe I should get this out of the way now? Hn...Ok, *maybe* there will be gory images and descriptions in future chappies. Nothing too gory because I don't wanna throw up all over my keyboard, tho. -
If you want, you can check a little piece of fanart I made for this fic. It really sucks, but what the hell... go to: konnie-chan.deviantart.com and look for it. It's right there in my most recent deviation thingy. Who knows, you might like it.
Enjoy!
A SMILE UPON MY FACE
Papers were flying everywhere. Tatsumi could just stand in the middle of the shower of files and wait for the hammer to fall.
It wasn't that he was self conscious about having been caught; he certainly knew of more than one way to get out of trouble should the new comer intend to cause it. But he was after all, just a boy, and adults could be very intimidating sometimes. Specially if they were at all like him, but with the benefit of experience and freedom. Just the idea of finding an adult of his own mind sent shivers down his spine.
He was already running his options in his head; strategies to blackmail the nurse into silence, pulling some dirt on Konoe, were he to sanction him, amongst other things; he had more than enough resources for him not to be worried about being caught on something so childish.
But after the split second in which Tatsumi had already even planned where to hide the body should things get nasty, his eyes landed on the other man's face and the blue eyed boy got a strange sense of deja vu, making him forget about his dilemma.
He couldn't explain it. The man did look slightly familiar, but just in the way people do when they look remotely like someone you knew from before. He was certain he'd never seen that man before in his life; and yet he stirred something inside Tatsumi...like a distant memory of a dream you can't remember, but is still there.
The new comer- the nurse, Tatsumi realised thanks to the white lab coat- was indeed, a man in his thirties. He didn't look the part of an underpaid school nurse though, Tatsumi noticed upon scrutinizing the stranger a little closer. Yes, he was wearing a wrinkled old lab coat. But the man's entire demeanour spoke of class and elegance. The white shirt underneath the lab coat was obviously expensive and either new or well preserved. Even the way he was holding onto the door while he stared at him made him look suspiciously off character; his hands were way to delicate and his fingers long and agile.
Though his face was slightly marked with age, there was a certain joviality about him. His long, black bangs covered half of his eyes, but his haircut was very neat and evidently done by a professional. What the hair failed to conceal, a pair of glasses with their lenses tinted a bare purple managed to finish the job, making it impossible to determine the colour of the man's eyes, let alone watch the expression in them, and making Tatsumi uncomfortable because of it.
What was it with this stranger, that gave him such strange a feeling? It was almost as if he was supposed to know something that had slipped his mind. He had it on the tip of his brain, but as hard as he tried, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was bothering him. And it wasn't just him, he realised. The stranger was also gazing at him like in a trance.
They could have remained that way for eons for all Tatsumi knew, staring at each other in silence, if it hadn't been for Tsuzuki's voice braking the spell.
"Hey? Hey, let me through!" The older boy, who was holding Hisoka's still form close to his chest, nudged the nurse's leg gently but anxiously with his foot to get him out of his way. The nurse turned around, startled- even more dazed, Tatsumi noted- and moved away.
Apparently Tsuzuki was having trouble with carrying Hisoka and walking through the door without hitting the boy's head with the doorframe at the same time; so Tatsumi shook himself from his own trance and hurried to his side.
"Tsuzuki, what happened?" he asked, gently taking Hisoka from his arms.
Tsuzuki started pacing, obviously upset.
"I swear it wasn't me!! I found him like that!!" he begun ranting, distressed. "Actually he was still awake when I found him, but...I think he was having a seizure or something!! He may have a tumour or...or....I don't know!! I'm not a doctor!! He needs a doctor!! Where's the doctor, where's the doctor!!!" he cried hysterically and Tatsumi seriously considered slapping him to bring I'm back to his senses.
In the end he decided against such a drastic method and, after carefully depositing Hisoka on top of the exam table, he walked towards Tsuzuki and seized him firmly by the shoulders; completely ignoring the other presence in the room.
"Calm down." He said, his voice as stern as only Tatsumi could make it sound.
The older boy blinked a few times, biting his lower lip.
"But...but..."
"*Calm* *down*" A small nod from Tsuzuki and Tatsumi went on. "Now tell me, slowly, what happened?"
Tsuzuki took a deep breath to steady himself.
"I...I was going to the classroom and I found him crumpled on the floor. He seemed to be in a lot of pain so I brought him here. He passed out somewhere along the way."
Tatsumi nodded and moved to where the nurse stood, watching the scene and seeming confused. He didn't have time to say anything though; the older man shook his head with a wistful smile and moved towards the exam table.
Tatsumi and Tsuzuki stood just mere inches behind the man, watching him work intently.
"Well," he started, after barely examining Hisoka. "He seems to be just sleeping now. I'm sure he'll be just fine."
"How do you know? You hardly even looked at him!" Tsuzuki half cried, Tatsumi simply nodded his agreement.
The man smiled again, this time mischievously.
"Trust me. There's nothing wrong with him. At least not anymore. We'll have to ask him what happened once he wakes up. There's nothing I can do until I know what happened." His tone softened as he looked straight into Tsuzuki's eyes. "All he needs is rest, so don't worry, ok?"
Tatsumi was sure the man knew more than he was letting on, but remained silent; maybe he just had a theory he couldn't confirm, and that's why he wasn't saying anything. Maybe.
Tsuzuki nodded again and walked next to the exam table, watching the now sleeping boy with a worried expression on his face. The nurse's gaze lingered on Tsuzuki for a bit longer than what Tatsumi would deem appropriate, but eventually he turned around to look at him; and with him, at the mess he'd forgotten he'd caused.
"What's this?" the man asked, looking more curious than upset, as he knelt to pick one of the files.
Tatsumi cleared his throat and pushed his glasses up his nose.
"The principal sent me to deliver them to you. They're the files of the kids here that need special treatment." he said flatly, not willing to show any kind of remorse or nervousness about his situation.
The older man smiled that increasingly annoying smile of his and looked up to him from his spot on the floor.
"And you figured the floor was a good place for them?"
Tatsumi shrugged.
"You startled me. I've been waiting for a good fifteen minutes for you to get here. I was under the impression that your shift started at 7 a.m?"
It was a good strategy, if you think about it. Mark the other person's fault before they call you out on your own. That way you have them trying to explain themselves instead of focusing on you. Of course, Tatsumi also knelt down to help the man pick up the papers. He wouldn't push his luck. Showing a bit of humbleness might do the trick as well.
The older man shook his head amusedly.
"I *was* doing my job." he said cryptically and he didn't seem to have any intention of elaborating.
Under any other circumstance, Tatsumi would have let it pass. As it was, the man made him very suspicious and ignoring that hint was not an option.
"What do you mean?"
"Curious..." the man said reflectively, eyeing Tatsumi. "I'd expected you to know what goes on around here before anyone."
Tatsumi was obviously caught off guard by this. He blinked a few times and gaped.
"Excuse me??"
"Never mind..." The man smiled knowingly. "I've been tending to Terazuma-san's wounds; you know, the security guard?" he was obviously being sarcastic- always in an overly gentle sort of way- and Tatsumi had to roll his eyes. "Apparently, someone didn't like his face; they did a fine job on it."
Tsuzuki, who up until that moment had been staring at Hisoka, biting his lips in concentration as if looking at him would make the other boy feel better, turned at the mention of Terazuma's name. It was no secret that Terazuma found pleasure in teasing the boy, while Tsuzuki didn't have any kind of problem answering back. So Tatsumi was a bit surprised seeing Tsuzuki's worried expression at hearing the news.
"What? Who'd do such a thing?!" the older boy asked.
The nurse shook his head and, for the first time, Tatsumi saw something beyond polite teasing in his expression. This time he looked concerned. He stood up then and Tatsumi followed suit. He straightened the files he'd picked up, taking the ones Tatsumi handed to him, and placed them on top of the desk.
"The police thinks it might have been one or several students. They're almost sure it was someone from the school, since the gates were never forced or opened. But..."
"The police? Wait a minute, how come I don't know anything about this?" Tatsumi asked, feeling frustrated. It certainly was a first.
He thought he heard the older man whisper something down the lines of 'My point, exactly.' but before he had time to ask about it, he spoke again.
"It all happened this morning. they didn't found Terazuma-san 'til after the police got here, so..."
"Why would the police be here if they didn't know Terazuma-chan was hurt?" Tsuzuki interrupted, looking as bewildered as the blue eyed boy felt.
"Look..." The man rubbed the back of his head, looking distressed. "I don't know how to tell you this but...Well, something happened last night..."
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There was a knock on the door. Oriya hid the damp coat behind the shower curtain, dried his hands and checked his expression on the mirror to make sure he looked calmed. Whoever it was knocked again before he was sure enough to move to open it.
One glance at a sleeping Muraki, a deep breath and the door was open to reveal an uniformed man. No surprise there; Oriya had been half expecting them for two hours already.
"Good morning." the cop said with a polite smile. You know, the kind that says 'I'm going to treat you like my best friend just to bust you at the first sign that you're hiding something'.
"Good morning?" the dark haired boy did an excellent job at appearing confused.
The cop took a step inside without invitation, but Oriya remained calmed. He wasn't going to give him the chance to suspect.
"Are you either Muraki... Kazutaka or Oriya Mibu?" the man asked, forcing his eyes to read the piece of paper in his hand.
Oriya nodded.
"I'm Oriya Mibu and that guy sleeping there is Muraki-senpai." he pointed at his friend, fearing his hands were going start shaking at any moment. The cop nodded.
"We were informed of you and your roommate not attending class this morning. Classes were suspended for the day, but the students' presence was still required in their classrooms so we could make sure everyone was safe. Why didn't you two go?" The brusque man tried to sound casual, but failed miserably.
"My friend and I weren't going to class today. He doesn't feel very well, so I stayed behind too to help him out."
"Oh?" The man raised an eyebrow. "The nurse didn't mention you or your friend either."
"The nurse? I thought Terada-san was on leave." Oriya said, looking perfectly calm and oblivious.
Good thing he knew that tid bit of information, he decided. He also knew that there was supposed to be a substitute arriving that day, but he wasn't about to mention that.
"No, there's a substitute," the cop said, sounding bored. "Midori-san (*), I think it's his name. But I guess if you didn't know that he was here, you wouldn't go to the infirmary."
Oriya shrugged.
"Well, no. Besides, it's nothing. Just a bit of a stomach flu, that's all." It was obvious to Oriya that the man was quickly losing interest in him. And he wasn't sure it was because of his acting either.
For what he could make out of the man, he might have a dead person in front of him and a guy with a steaming gun at their side and it would still take him a while to figure it was murder. He also knew it would probably not be the last he'd hear from the cops if he managed to get rid of this one; but that could be dealt with when the time came.
"I see." The cop shrugged and smiled again. "Well kid, I'll let my sarge know you're here and safe. And I'll watch my back if I were you. There's some psycho on the loose."
"A psycho? Why? What happened?" This he didn't need to act out. He was as much as in the dark as if he hadn't found the bloody coat. He just hoped it wasn't that bad. Maybe a vicious beating? Surely Muraki wouldn't go any further than that...
"Some kid; a sophomore. Someone raped him, ripped his belly open and left his guts out in display; and we don't know what was first yet. A gory sight if I've ever seen one." the man said bluntly, wrinkling his nose with distaste.
As much in shock for the man's lack of decorum as for the news he'd just received, Oriya could just stare at the cop wide eyed, doing a nice impression of a goldfish. Idly, he guessed that was good for his alliby. No killer could pretend to look *that* shocked upon hearing about his own crime.
"A...a murder? But..." No, this wasn't happening. Muraki had *not* killed someone. That was just....No.
The cop patted his head patronizingly and Oriya felt like shoving the man's hand up his own fat ass.
"That's ok kid. I guess it would be quite a shock for you. Someone broke into your perfect little world, eh?" The man laughed deep in his throat and waved a hand to him before stepping out. "Comes to show you, there are creeps everywhere."
He refrained himself from slamming the door behind the despicable man, but still kicked it hard once he felt safe enough to do it. A murder. His friend had *murdered* someone.
A part of his brain didn't want to believe it. Just because his coat was stained with blood, didn't mean Muraki had anything to do with what had happened. It sure was a hell of a coincidence, but those kinds of things happened everyday, right? He was his friend and he shouldn't assume something so awful about him.
But another part of him insisted on remembering everything that had happened during the last month. The comments, the strange looks. Even that morning he'd talked about murder, for god's sake! Could it really be that his friend had finally lost the battle with those dark thoughts Oriya knew had been plaguing him?
In any case, Oriya knew the cops wouldn't give it a second thought. He had to make sure the coat was clean and dry before they found it necessary to search the dorms.
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Muraki cracked one eye open as soon as he heard the door to the bathroom closing.
So, Oriya thought it had been him?
He figured he should feel aggravated; but he didn't, really. He just felt curious. For how long would he back him up?
Why wasn't he telling his life-long friend that he wasn't a murderer? Why wasn't he outraged that Oriya would think such a thing?
~Tsuzuku~
(*) There's a reason for the guy's name. When I can, I'll tell you why he's called that. But Midori (not Medori ^-^;) means green. Why would I hide that from you when you can just look it up? O-o
I'm sorry this chapter is so short. It was either too short or too long. But rest assured, ch.11 is half way done already. I might be posting it sooner than usual. Maybe.
Now to the reviews!!! 12 reviews!?! O.O You guys keep knocking me off my feet every time!!
Cofi: I'm writing! I'm writing! *cries* Anyway, you still like this? *hugs*
Lina: I told you how much I loved the drawing, right? I wish I could show it to everyone. Will you let me show it to everyone? It's really so beautiful...*sniff* So much prettier than mine...And I sorta have to admit the prince charming bit as there cuz I got all fangirly and stuff...*giggles* Sorry, I'm an old lady practically, but I can't help myself!! And you know? I was so shocked cuz FF.net now lets me see how many ppl have me on their author's alert. It's like 21, but most of them were people who reviewed some old stories of fandoms I don't even read anymore, lol. Those little e-mails must be annoying. *-* And, btw, Tsuzuki with an apron...*drool* lol.
xXLil Yu JahXx: Hi there, *waves*. I still don't know whether to have Tsu find out by himself. Those things come up as I write them. But I'm *almost* sure Hisoka will tell him in the near future.
Dodger-chan: Awww *blush* Sankyuu so much! *hugs* So nice to have you here again, *sniff* I feel so luved. T-T
LYK: So happy you like this. And I'm happy that you're able to enjoy the Muriya part of it as well. I do have favourite pairings, so I understand, but what's important I guess is to write a good story, regardless of pairing preference. I must be doing *something* right. *insert inflated ego here*
Mel-chan: So it's ok if I call you Mel-chan? Kewl. Anyway, I saw that pic your friend did. It's so beautiful!! *sniff* And it did remind me of that scene too! I hope you do find that pic; I so wanna see it...And being addicted is just the best!! (As long as it doesn't involve toxic substances or spending money, or both. Trust me, I smoke and it's no fun) Hugs!!
Loki's rose: It depends on what you consider forces of evil *chuckle* Sorry about the lack of Tatariness in this chappy. As I said, I had to cut it in half, and my poor 'Tari-chan was left behind. *sniff* now I feel sorry for him. Waaah!! So sowy 'Tari-chan! Don't hate me! T.T
I guess then that if yo stop reviewing suddenly is not cuz the fic sux? I can't tell you how moved I am by all of you who keep coming back for this every week letting me know what you think of it. It's not so much the *number* of reviews, as it is that I feel I'm...I dunno...connecting with all of you? That's a bit corny, but I can't think of a better way to say it. I luv you guys so much!! *hugs*
Not so innocent bystander: What you said about Muraki, there's something of that...I'm not telling though. And yes, a 'hi there' is enough. I'd still like to hear what you liked best and all so I know what I should keep doing it and what I shouldn't. Reviews make me write better...I...hope?
Kyraille Faye: Thanks to you I'm all devianty deviant now!! What's the word you use all the time? That's a 'spiffy' site, ne? (don't worry, I won't go around using your word ^-^) Thank yous!!
Miko: Here's another...chapter. Dunno if it's lovely tho *-* Hugs!
Anna: (good smeagol, nice smeagol) Thanks so much for what you said in the other review and I'm glad you're liking this too. Stick around?
Lyn: My fellow countrywoman (that's the word, but I had to look it up) I didn't know whether to answer you in english or spanish...*is confused* Lo hago mita y mita? De q' parte de Argentina sos? Y please, please, mandame el fanart? Espero q' el mail q' te mande y la nota de autor fueran suficientes, pero en verdad se q' hasta q' no termine la historia no vas a estar segura. Se cuantas historias quedan olvidadas en el medio y a mi me da mucha rabia cuando eso pasa. Anyway *places back the english chip* The chappies are that long because I'm not fond of short chapters. I don't know, I have trouble writing short. Might be considered a flaw. I'm not sure. Keep reading and I'll keep writing!
And now I want to take a moment to thank everyone who reviewed my other ficcy ' With Love'. Hugs to azdriel (escribí en español si queres), Trickster Kitsune, Lothlorien1, Katsue, Helene, sheilkuroi, Anna, Lina and Nikki. Thanks you guys!!
Ja ne!