A/N: Well, here it is, the end. I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I have (actually, I hope you have enjoyed it more, because I swear there were times I just wanted to go find Matsushita-sensei and punch her for putting ideas into my head) It's been almost a year, can you believe it? And some of you have stuck through this from the start! To all of you, I'm forever grateful. See you around!

AND SO IT ENDS......

A SMILE UPON MY FACE

EPILOGUE

Wakaba hung the phone with a soft click and, a little wide eyed, picked up the tray she'd been carrying before receiving that bizarre call. And to think she'd thought being a cop was dangerous! She was really considering a way to keep Terazuma locked inside the apartment without committing a crime. It just wasn't safe out there!!

She pushed the bedroom door open with her foot, watching the figure that was sitting on the bed, staring peacefully out the window. A wave of tenderness washed over her. He really looked cute when he didn't know he was being watched. Ever so slowly, she made her way towards the bed, careful not to make a sound. It seemed like a sin to disrupt the calm he seemed to be in, but Wakaba knew he would eventually find a reason to go back to his old, grumpy self, and he did have to take his medication, after all. She cleared her throat and watched, amused, as every single muscle of his body tensed up. Terazuma grunted even before turning to look at her, which he did, slowly, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"I made us breakfast." She said cheerfully, unfazed by his glare, as she deposited the tray on his lap and occupied the empty space beside him on the bed.

He did gave the tray a suspicious look, but refrained from making any comments about her cooking, for which she was grateful; she wouldn't have wanted to have to add a shiner to his list of wounds. Terazuma picked his mug up, staring into it with something akin to fear.

"Thanks," he said doubtfully, but took a sip anyway. He made a relieved gesture once the liquid touched his tongue and relaxed visibly. "I... ah...Did I hear the phone just now?" he asked, picking up a cookie.

"Yes, it was the school." She smiled, then, knowing that he wouldn't like what was coming next. "Seems they've caught the guy who attacked you."

"Huh?" He blinked confusedly. "Guy? As in... just one?"

Wakaba laughed.

"You don't need to feel bad, Hajime-chan! He was like, a psycho!"

"But,... but..." Terazuma stammered, not so much in confusion as in embarrassment. "Really? Just one?"

"A student." Wakaba deadpanned, knowing it was a low blow to her boyfriend's ego, but enjoying it too much anyway.

"No way!" Terazuma exclaimed, outraged. "I'm sure he had some sort of help from the outside! A student couldn't have done this to me!!" He pointed at his marred face. Wakaba brushed a few bangs away from his bandaged forehead tenderly.

"He blew up an entire wing of the school, honey. He was no ordinary student." Terazuma huffed, but leaned into the touch. His ears began turning red; He was turning more and more flustered with every second, and she knew he was choking on something. A question, hopefully, or he wouldn't let her cook again. "What is it?" she asked sweetly.

"Is... uhm... the baka OK?"

Wakaba burst out laughing.

"Yes! He's fine! It's so nice of you to worry, Hajime-chan!"

The man turned his head and lifted his chin proudly.

"I'm not worried, I just asked because I know it's just like him to get himself in trouble, that's all."

"Sure, honey," she patronized, gaining herself a death glare. "C'mon, eat your breakfast, and stop worrying."

"Baka," he mumbled, picking up a piece of toast and stuffing it in his mouth.

It was a beautiful morning; one of those pleasant spring mornings that are neither too warm nor too chilly and that carry a fresh, sweet aroma in the air. Even the cold hospital room seemed a little homier under the bright sunshine. Hisoka was feeling elated enough as it was; the weather was just another thing to smile about.

His life was far from being perfect. There was enough to worry and brood about. He'd been in the hospital for two whole days and his parents hadn't bothered with a visit or even a get-well card. Maybe it had been for the best, though; it would be like them to find a reason to blame the entire thing on him and force him to change schools yet again. Besides, it was costing him quite a bit to deal with what had happened; he didn't need to have to explain the unexplainable to people who wouldn't care to listen anyway.

On the other hand, as wonderful as it had been to be Tsuzuki's boyfriend during the last two days- and it truly had been the happiest time of his life- he would have to go back that morning, to school, where Tatsumi would be. They hadn't even talked about how they would explain their... situation to Tsuzuki's former boyfriend. Though Watari had given him enough reason to believe that Tatsumi wouldn't be precisely 'jealous', Hisoka knew it would be awkward and probably painful for Tsuzuki.

Ah, but that was not all! Muraki would also be there when he got back. No, Hisoka hadn't told a soul about the white haired boy's part on his ending up in the hospital; he hadn't had the heart to, since it would mark the other boy for the rest of his life and he 'had' saved him, in a way. Now, Hisoka was beginning to think he'd made a mistake. That boy was disturbed and obviously had something against him; and now he'd have to see him, everyday.

In spite of everything, however, Hisoka was smiling without even realizing he was doing so. He was too happy to care, really. Tsuzuki was bound to return at any moment. He and Konoe-sensei had taken care of everything and now he could go back home. Funny, that he thought of the school as 'home' after such a short period of time. He was fully dressed and impatient to get on his way- he really, really hated hospitals- but he couldn't leave until his boyfriend picked him up. To pass the time, he'd been staring out the window, admiring the gorgeous sight of the blossoming trees, for almost half an hour straight. Still, he wasn't bored, at all. His belly still hurt quite a bit, yet he couldn't say he'd ever felt better than that. He didn't hear the door opening, didn't realized Tsuzuki was back until he wrapped his arms around his waist from behind and deposited a gentle kiss on the base of his neck. A pleasant shiver ran down his spine and Hisoka leaned into the touch.

"Ready?" Tsuzuki asked him softly, turning him around to kiss his lips.

"As I'll ever be, I guess," Hisoka answered, wrapping his arms around the other boy's neck.

"Where are your bags?" The older boy pulled out of the embrace- rather reluctantly, he noticed- and began searching the room with his eyes. Hisoka pointed to the side of the bed. "You packed everything, right?" Hisoka nodded. There hadn't been much to pack, anyway- mostly greeting cards and presents- but Hisoka had made sure to do it the night before, so it wouldn't delay his return. Tsuzuki picked up the bags and smiled at him, just to frown a moment later, raising a curious eyebrow. "You're not taking that?" He pointed over Hisoka's shoulder.

Confused, the green eyed boy turned to see what he was talking about. To his surprise, on a shelf opposite to his bed, where all the flowers and presents had been the night before, rested a lonely stuffed animal with a crispy white envelope attached to it. Hisoka not only couldn't understand how he'd missed it- a stuffed owl that big just doesn't go unnoticed-- but he couldn't imagine when it had been left there, since he'd hardly slept at all because of the anxiety. Not only that, but everyone who would have cared enough to send him something, had already done so.

"I hadn't seen it there," Hisoka said, baffled, as he picked the animal up. "There's a letter..." He then saw the stylish handwriting. "For us both," he finished, a little dread creeping into his voice. It could only be from...

"Tatsumi?" Tsuzuki breathed, as he too saw their names scribbled on the envelope. Then he gasped. "Throw it away! It's a bomb! It has to be!" The older boy took a few steps back in fear.

Hisoka tried to brush away the suggestion as overly dramatic. Still, he he'd heard from Watari that the blue eyed boy knew about their relationship, so he held the letter and plushie close to his ear.

"It doesn't tic," he said, unsure. "I suggest we read it. Maybe it says something about how long we have to live," he tried to joke. His tone was still shaky, though, so the effect was lost.

He ripped the envelope open and took the letter out, while Tsuzuki covered his ears on reflex. Hisoka took a deep breath to ready himself and began reading out loud.

"Dear Tsuzuki and Hisoka:

I hope you forgive me for being such a chicken and not saying this to your faces. I do want to discuss this with both of you in person, but I thought it would be best for all of us if you knew a few things beforehand. I want to get something out of the way, however, before I start, or I'll loose all credibility. The owl was Watari's idea.

First of all, I want you to know I'm aware of the two of you being together. I won't lie, it does hurt a bit to think about it. I am writing this letter mainly because I don't think I'd be able to say all this with you two, 'together', in front of me. But I can't say I'm at all surprised. I knew from the beginning that there was something between you two; perhaps even before you realized it yourselves. Even if, after finishing this letter, it will sound like a lame excuse, it was that knowledge that made me break up with you, Tsuzuki, in the first place. I know that Hisoka will make you happy in a way I never could. So, don't worry, I'm not making plans to have you killed. I'm actually very happy for you and, even if I weren't, I wouldn't have the right to be upset, as you will soon understand.

Tsuzuki, you once asked me if there was someone else I loved. While I never cheated on you- physically, anyway- I did lie that day. There was, and still is, someone else."

Hisoka stopped reading, lifting his eyes from the paper to look at a very pale Tsuzuki, standing a mere feet away from him.

"Should I go on?" he asked in a low tone. "Would you rather read the rest yourself?"

Tsuzuki shook his head no a bit dazedly.

"Go on." He sat on the bed, seemingly dumbstruck. "I don't think I could make any sense of it on my own, anyway."

"OK," Hisoka whispered, moving to sit next to him.

"Don't get me wrong. I still loved you then and I still love you now. I just realized I loved you the wrong way. Everything I told you when I broke up with you was true; every last word. It's not that I love him more, or that I've grown to love you less; I just love you two differently. The reason I'm telling you this now is that, even if I wish I'd waited, maybe talked it over with you, before doing something about my feelings, the situation was such that I would have ended up loosing him too if I didn't do something. I owe you, at least, to make sure you hear it from me first.

I just want to ask one thing from you. I'm well aware I'm in no position to ask anything, but it's not for me, so I'll risk it. Sooner or later, you'll know who this other person is, if you haven't figured it out already. Please, Tsuzuki, I beg you, don't punish him for my doings. He has never done anything to come between us and he'd be crushed he he thought he's hurt you in any way. He hasn't. I did that all on my own, with no help."

Hisoka paused again. He knew that other person was Watari, but he wasn't sure if it was his place to tell or not. Something in Tsuzuki's expression, though, made him suspect the other boy knew already. He was staring at the floor, smiling sadly and appearing just a little betrayed. Hisoka took his hand and squeezed it comfortingly.

"So," Tsuzuki whispered, "That's what 'Tari was talking about."

Hisoka swallowed hard, trying to ignore the conflictive emotions his boyfriend was emanating, and went on reading.

"I never needed any help to hurt you, even if I've never meant to. Perhaps now I won't do it again. I really think this is best for everyone. It feels right, somehow. When- and if- you see things my way, maybe you'll be able to forgive me and we'll be able to be friends again. I do want you in my life. I'm afraid I'll never stop loving you. But it's up to you no; it's your call.

To Hisoka, all I can say is that I don't hold any grudges or ill-feelings against you. You didn't steal anything that was mine to claim. I guess I don't know you that well, but I know I can trust you to take care of him. It's a pity; I'm sure we could have been very good friends, but I also know where your loyalties lie. I wish the both of you the very best.

We really need to talk, Tsuzuki, at least one more time, to tie loose ends and stuff; that way we can both move on. I'll be waiting for you by the park in front of the hospital around noon, today. I figured neutral ground would be advisable. If you don't show up, or just go to tell be to burn in hell, I'll understand. I really hope you'll consider it, though; I hate how final this letter sounds. But I guess that's just me hoping.

Love always-

Tatsumi Seiichirou"

Of course, the only thing that could come after such a letter was an uncomfortable silence. Hisoka looked down, not knowing what to say. He thought he had to agree with Tatsumi; things were definitively better that way. Whether Tsuzuki realized that or not was an entirely different story. Hisoka figured though, that he just needed to give the other boy a little time to recover, to process it all. He could tell Tsuzuki was feeling confused and troubled by what he'd just heard. After a long moment, Hisoka turned to look at him and asked softly.

"What are you going to do?"

Tsuzuki clenched his hands into tight fists, his eyes fixated on the floor. He didn't seem angry, however. The violet eyed boy suddenly jumped off the bed and smiled down at him, even if it was a bit forced.

"I'm going to tie loose ends, and stuff." He leaned down and kissed him firmly, leaving Hisoka a little out of breath before he rushed out the door.

'Well,' Hisoka thought. 'It seems I'm staying here for a while longer. Mind as well go tie a few loose ends of my own."

It really was a good idea.

"He's not coming. Of course he's not coming." Watari watched, his features set in a worried frown, how Tatsumi paced back and forth in front of the bench he and 003 were sitting on. The little bird seemed as baffled about the older boy's behavior as Watari was. He patted her head and sighed. Tsuzuki wasn't even that late, just a couple of minutes. He could understand Tatsumi's anxiety- after all, he'd poured his heart into that letter- but he wished he was coping a little better, since he had enough reasons to be preoccupied as it was.

In spite of Tatsumi's protests, after reading that letter- Tatsumi had insisted he did so- Watari just couldn't sit comfortably in his room while his boyfriend assumed all the blame. He was there to confess his part in the ordeal, as well as to accompany Tatsumi and support him in any way he could. Besides, he really wanted Tsuzuki to know so he could stop sneaking around. Two days of avoiding him at the school and the hospital had been enough to learn that there was nothing exiting about the danger of getting caught when it was your best friend you were hiding from. But he hadn't counted on the wait being so unbearable. It was costing him a great effort not to get up and just start running, and Tatsumi certainly was not helping.

The boy in question stopped walking abruptly, sat down next to him, checked his watch, sighed and got up to start pacing again.

"Five past twelve," he mumbled. "He's not coming."

Watari put 003 down gently and, with a determined look, he stood up and placed himself in front of Tatsumi, blocking his way in an attempt to stop his ascent into madness. He took the other boy's face with both hands and stared straight into his eyes.

"Seii," he said, "Why don't you sit down with me? You know how much time that hospital paper work can take; I'm sure he'll be here any minute now."

Tatsumi stared at him, unsure, and looking more scared than he'd ever seen him before.

"What if..." the boy whispered, "What if he doesn't come? If..."

'Now,' Watari thought, taking Tatsumi's hand and leading him to the bench. 'I know the last couple of days have been hell on earth, but he seriously needs to get a grip. I can't be the sane one!' He pushed the taller, stronger boy by the shoulders, forcing him to sit down.

"Listen to me, Tatsumi," he said sternly. "You know Tsuzuki as well as I do, if not better. You know he's gonna come, no matter how much he might hate us. But what do you think will happen if he sees you so affected by this? He'll blame himself, that's what'll happen. I thought this was meant to admit to our own faults, not to make him feel bad." Tatsumi's face filled with guilt, so Watari brushed a few bangs away from his forehead and placed a soft kiss there to soften his words. "It'll be OK. I promise."

Tatsumi's expression relaxed somewhat and he put both his hands on the small of Watari's back, drawing him closer until he was sitting on his lap. Watari just let his arms fall around the other boy's neck.

"You're right. I guess I should get a hold of myself before he gets here, huh?"

Watari nodded happily.

"Who would've thought I would be the voice of reason?" the blond joked, giving Tatsumi what was meant to have been a feather-like kiss on the lips. Somehow, though, it lingered for a bit longer than he'd planned it to. When they parted, Tatsumi had a sort of glint in his eyes that could have only been described as dangerous.

"Indeed," the blue eyed boy said somewhat hoarsely. "Who would've thought..."

His hands- that were still on Watari's back- started moving in slow, lazy circles, beckoning him to move even closer. The blond's heartbeat quickened considerably under Tatsumi's intense gaze. Of course they kissed again; what else could they do? And there wasn't anything 'feather-like' about it. Tatsumi wasted no time in demanding the other boy parted his lips, by nibbling his lower lip gently. Watari, of course, wasted no time in complying.

The kiss was as heated as it was loving; probably too much of both to be appropriate for such a public place. It was only natural that they shut out all sounds from the outside, engaged as they were in such an attention-demanding activity. So, of course, by the time they heard the person standing next to him, what had once been a polite clearing of the throat had turned into a virtual roar. Watari was the first to notice, pausing and opening his eyes ever so slowly. When he caught sight of whom had interrupted them, he leaped away from Tatsumi, squeaking.

"Oh, fuck!" he yelled, banging an open palm against his forehead. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!!"

Not daring to look at the other in the face, he settled for the floor and waited; for a punch, an insult, he didn't know.

"Tsu... Tsuzuki?" He heard Tatsumi breathe confusedly. "Oh, no."

"Well," Tsuzuki said dryly. "Considering it was you who asked me to come here, you sure look surprised to see me."

Tatsumi stumbled to his feet, nervously.

"I'm sorry, Tsuzuki. You... you weren't supposed to see that! Please..."

The blue eyed boy was cut short, presumably by Tsuzuki, and Watari felt the oldest of the three moving towards him. He tried to lift his head to face him, but all he managed was to stare at a tree over Tsuzuki's shoulder.

"For how long?" Tsuzuki asked icily. Tatsumi got in between them.

"Look, Tsuzuki, I told you; I never cheated on you, OK? If you want to ask me something..."

"I'm talking to Watari," he interrupted. Tatsumi was about to retort but Tsuzuki stopped him with a glare that could have frozen hell all over. "For how long?" he repeated.

"For...for how...long, what?" Watari stammered.

"For how long have you loved him?"

The blond could have easily lied. Tsuzuki had no way of ever knowing the truth and it would have saved them both a lot of pain. But the sternness of the older boy's voice persuaded him against it. Watari gulped.

""I... since, well... For... two years?" he finished in a whisper.

"Do you mean to tell me," Tsuzuki exclaimed, sounding incredulous, "that you've had feelings for him all along?" Watari nodded, shame written all over his face. "All those times I went to you for advice, when I trusted you with my problems? When I told you about our dates?! And you listened while being in love with him yourself??" The older boy sounded more and more astonished with each word he uttered.

"Tsu-chan, I'm... I..."

He saw Tsuzuki moving towards him; Watari guessed it was to deliver that well deserved punch, so he closed his eyes, willing to receive it. He gasped when, instead of a blow to his jaw, he felt a pair of strong arms pulling him into a tight hug.

"God, 'Tari! Why didn't you tell me?!" Tsuzuki cried, surprising Watari even further. "How I must have hurt you! You really thought I wouldn't understand?!"

"Tsu-chan?" The blond blinked, totally bewildered. Of all the outcomes he hadn't imagined, that one had to be the one he'd imagined less. Had Tsuzuki somehow failed to understand what had happened?

"You silly, silly thing!" Tsuzuki hugged him tighter. "You really thought I'd be mad! As if you had a say in who you fall for!"

The older boy let go of him and smiled brightly at him. Watari was just about to start pinching himself.

"You're not... angry? But... but we..." He pointed to himself, then to Tatsumi- who was gaping at them like a fish- and back at himself. Tsuzuki glanced at Tatsumi, sobering up a little, and took a step back to talk to both of them.

"You're together. I know." He smiled sadly. "Are you happy?"

It was Tatsumi the one to answer, once he recovered from his shock.

"We are, Tsuzuki. You should be, too. I mean... we would be happier if... if we knew we weren't causing you pain. We didn't mean..."

"Yes, I know that too." Tsuzuki moved to hug Tatsumi, who didn't hesitate to hug back. "I didn't mean to hurt you either, Tatsumi." His voice broke.

Watari stood aside, knowing better than to be jealous, even if the embrace was obviously rather intimate. It was different now; it didn't hurt anymore.

"You didn't." Tatsumi tried in vain to hide the emotion from his voice. "Are you happy?"

"Yes." Tsuzuki pulled away and Watari was surprised at how honest his smile was. "I am."

"Are we OK?" asked the blue eyed boy, a bit fearful. Watari thought he had enough evidence to support the theory that the answer would be a rotund 'yes', but he still wanted to hear it from Tsuzuki's own lips.

"We're OK," the amethyst eyed boy stated firmly. "I dare say, we've never been better." Tsuzuki gave them both an odd look and his smile turned wicked. "Group hug?" He opened his arms and put on those puppy eyes no one can say no to. Tatsumi groaned and Watari burst out laughing.

"I think we better get going, 'Tari," the blue eyed boy backed away from Tsuzuki as he, arms still extended, approached him slowly and threateningly. "Now, 'Tari!"

Oh, yes; Tatsumi was scared. Of course, Watari had now doubt of which side he'd be on. Yup, he thought, while he and Tsuzuki tackled their victim. Everything would be back to normal in no time.

It had only been two days, yet Oriya had already grown accustomed- almost dependent- to the stillness and profound silence of the small hospital room. Every time he had to go back to school, or even walk the hospital halls for whatever reason, he'd end up with a headache courtesy of the infinite sources of annoying sounds. But it wasn't the calm what had him spending every second that he could locked in that place. He'd fought nurses, doctors, Konoe-sensei and even his father, to be the one who stayed by Muraki's bedside. He might have not been family, but he was the closest thing Muraki had, after all, and visiting hours just weren't enough hours as far as he was concerned. In the end, he'd resulted sort of victorious- he'd probably exhausted everyone else into winning- and no one dared bothering him anymore. The young man put aside the book he'd been reading and rose from his chair to kneel next to Muraki's bed, to start yet another session of silent contemplation of his love's face. The bandage that covered half the boy's face was starting to get dirty; he considered going to find a nurse and demand they changed it, but he couldn't bring himself to move away. Tucking a messy strand of silver hair behind Muraki's ear almost reverently, he decided he'd go later.

Muraki slept, as he did most of the time, thanks to th load of sedatives they kept feeding him. The moments when he was awake were few and far between and, even during those moments, he was either in too much pain or too far gone for Oriya to actually say he'd enjoyed the company. He wasn't sure he'd even spoken more than two words to him, or anyone else, since that night. It didn't matter to him, though; those few times he'd had a chance to look into Muraki's... eye, he'd seen the other boy's love for him, mixed with a whole lot of other disturbing emotions, and it was enough.

Just watching him sleep filled the dark haired boy with so much peace. He knew how close Muraki had been to dying, and worse, to killing. Instead, the white haired boy had started to understand his own feelings- for Oriya and life in general- and, while there was still a long way to go, Oriya was sure he would recover. Even his eye, that would probably serve as a remainder of his mistakes for the rest of his life, wasn't something completely irreparable. There were really good implants in those days. Surely they could replace it without a problem; maybe with one of those cybernetic eyes, that worked almost as good as the real thing.

Oriya, as optimistic as he was trying to be, couldn't help wondering about the future; the only certain thing about it was that it was uncertain. The dark haired boy just couldn't imagine Muraki going back to his old life, going to classes, having lunch alone in their room, playing hooky on Fridays. Everything had changed so much, and not just for Muraki. But he also knew he ought to be grateful for even having the chance to start over. Oriya didn't know to which deity he had to thank for Hisoka not pressing charges against them, so he'd thanked them all.

It was just when he was thinking of these things that the door opened and someone walked in. He didn't bother to see who it was, figuring it was a doctor doing their rounds, or something. HE almost jumps to the ceiling when a hand came to rest on his shoulder and he heard the last voice on earth he'd expected to hear.

"Oriya-kun," the voice said. Oriya turned around to meet a pair of green eyes focused on him with a grave expression. He bolted upright, shocked and suddenly frightened.

"Why are you here?" He tried to sound as polite as he could, but his tone still came out a bit defensive. Hisoka sighed.

"I wanted to talk to him, but I can see he's asleep." The green eyed boy's tone was a bit reproaching, almost sarcastic, making Oriya even more nervous.

"Yes, he's asleep... uhm... Sedatives, you know?" he fumbled with the words.

"I see," Hisoka said, giving Muraki a side-way glance Oriya couldn't interpret. "I guess I'll come back some other time, then."

Hisoka turned to leave rather slowly, really, but it took Oriya quite a while to find the courage to stop him, so he was almost out the door when the dark haired boy finally managed to speak.

"Wait, please," It was only a whisper, but enough to make Hisoka stop. Not enough to make him face him again, though. "Why didn't you turn us in?"

Now Hisoka did turn around and smiled sheepishly.

"And tell the cops, what? That he kidnapped me to lure a demon into killing him?"

Oriya looked down, blushing a bit. It really had been ridiculously unbelievable, hadn't it?

"Is that the only reason? I mean, you could have twisted the truth, if you'd really wanted to."

Maybe he was pushing his luck; perhaps he was digging their own graves by asking, but he really needed to know. Hisoka ran a hand through his hair and sighed tiredly.

"That's what I wanted to talk to him about," he said softly, again directing that weird glance at Muraki. "He did save my life, in a way. And I think I understand why he did all those things. I..." He hesitated. "I forgive him."

Oriya stared at him in disbelief.

"You... forgive him? Really?"

"Really." Hisoka took a step towards him. "But he's not OK. You know that, don't you?" Oriya nodded grimly. "He's on the brink of insanity. I think you can keep him on the sane side, can't you?"

"I can try," he replied without hesitation. It was a question he'd asked himself many times over, after all. Hisoka nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer.

"The day he slips, though, he's not gonna get any pity from me. So," he turned to leave again. "be careful."

"And me?" Oriya rushed to ask. "Do you forgive me?"

"Yes." Hisoka gave him a heartfelt smile. "You're a good guy, Oriya. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise."

Oriya watched him go, relief washing over him. With a smile, he turned back to a supposedly asleep Muraki. Only, he wasn't asleep. The older boy was staring at him fixedly. Oriya ran to his side.

"You're awake!" he said sweetly, brushing his hair. "Did you see what just happened?"

"I..." Muraki winced a little at how raspy his own voice was. "Water?" he croaked. Oriya helped him to sit up and handed him a glass of fresh water. After taking a small sip, he went on. "I heard it... all."

Oriya frowned, unable to make out Muraki's expression.

"You were awake the whole time?" The white haired boy nodded. "So?" Oriya said rather cheerfully. "What do you think? Amazing, huh?"

"Amazing..." Muraki repeated dully, as if he were tasting the word, with that absent looking expression Oriya had become so used to. "Amazing."

Oriya, knowing what that mood meant, sat next to him, in the little space there was for him to occupy, and draped his arms around the other boy's shoulders. Muraki, in turn, rested his head on Oriya's shoulder and sighed contently.

"Better now?" he asked, a little as you would a child, but not to patronize him, just to give him some sense of comfort and safety. God knew Muraki needed that. The white haired boy nodded slowly. "Is there anything I can get you?"

Muraki smirked.

"A cigarette?" he mumbled.

The younger boy smiled from ear to ear, detecting the awareness in his love's voice.

"Ah, no! I've had only two cigarettes in as many days and it's because of you I'm biting my nails again! You're sedate; you can stand it. If you really want one, get well soon so we can start killing ourselves slowly again."

Muraki chuckled a bit, and so did Oriya. The white haired boy wrapped the one arm that wasn't restrained by the I.V around the other's waist and snuggled closer to him. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again, this time with a much graver tone.

"What will you do?"

Oriya stared at the mass of white hair, confusedly.

"About what?"

The older boy shifted to look at him in the face.

"With me, when I slip." There was fear in his features; Oriya doubted it was fear for himself., though.

"If you slip," he corrected in a stern tone. "Have a little faith in yourself, Kazutaka. Everyone else does; even Kurosaki-kun!"

"Will you stop me? Or will you let me hurt you?"

Oriya glared, not pleased with the turn the conversation had taken.

"Instead of thinking about that, you should be thinking about getting better! Hasn't it occurred to you that you might be past all that?"

Muraki looked down resignedly.

"You know I'm not. I still feel it, I... I still want to..."

"Stop it!" Oriya all but yelled, pulling away and virtually dropping Muraki, who hit his head against the pillow hard and gasped in surprise. Lowering his voice- he was in a hospital, remember?- but with the same intensity, he continued. "You reject any kind of help, yet you talk like you can't deal with it yourself. What am I supposed to do? Angst forever?!" He paused, trying to calm himself down. "It can get better, Kazutaka. It doesn't have to be like this.You don't have to live waiting for the day you loose your mind, but I can't help you unless you let me." Muraki looked down again, his brow set in a frown, and mumbled something Oriya couldn't quite get, "What?"

"Help me," Muraki said again, a little louder this time, though just barely. Oriya took a deep, shaky breath, that somehow deformed into a sigh. He walked back to his side and again sat down to hold him in his arms. "Will you help me?"

"Shh, of course I will, you idiot."

They kissed briefly and settled in a comfortable embrace. Muraki, exhausted, fell into a deep slumber within minutes. Oriya just held him, wondering how things would have been if he hadn't been there for Muraki during those few, yet very significant, days. Would he have known how to stop himself? would he have really turned into a monster? All that mattered, though, was that he had been there. Things could get better for them and, if they didn't, if Muraki's fears became a reality, then Oriya would just have to stay with him forever, for as many life-times it took to save him.

"C'mon, Jii-san! Don't be such a wuss!" Aome pushed her partner into the hospital with no regards for propriety or seniority. The older shinigami struggled half-heartedly. "Aome, they wouldn't want to see me now!" Hijiri whined. "They probably want to forget about the whole thing!"

"You're not going back without saying good bye!" Aome declared. The stubborn- and most annoying- girl just wouldn't give up. Realizing it was useless to fight, Hijiri stopped in the middle of the receiving area and shook Aome's hands away.

"Fine!" he hissed. "You win! You treacherous girl!" He dusted his trench-coat and glared at the girl's triumphant smile.

"Now," she said smugly. "Can you go look for them yourself, or do you need me to?"

"I can take care of myself, thank you," he snarled. He could always say he'd go and then sneak out the emergency exit, couldn't he?

"And, just so you know? I'll be watching you." Aome gave him a knowing look and Hijiri hung his head in defeat.

Stupid girl.

Mumbling profanities to himself, the shinigami made his way through the halls. Of course he knew where the room was; he'd been there, keeping an eye on the kids ever since Hisoka had been admitted. But he hadn't let them know he was there; he'd been very careful to pass unnoticed and, considering it was Tsuzuki and Hisoka he was hiding from, it sure had been a lot of work. Now, all his efforts would go down the drain because of a sentimental teenage girl. He didn't need to say good bye! He hadn't said good bye the first time, or the second one; why would he want to do it now? 'Closure,' his mind provided, which had Hijiri cursing even more.

He stopped when he reached Hisoka's hall, spotting Tsuzuki standing with his back against the wall next to the door. He had hoped they would have been gone by then; then he would have had a good excuse. His shoulders slumped; there was no way round it. With slow, reluctant steps, he approached the love of his... the boy. Tsuzuki seemed happy, he noted. He had his hands buried in his pockets and was whistling something very softly, with his eyes upwards and a carefree pose. Hijiri's heart both rejoiced and ached at the sight. The amethyst eyed boy must have heard his footsteps. He turned his head as a reflex and, when he saw it was him, smiled the brightest of smiles.

"Hijiri-san!" he cheered, walking up to him. "You're still here!"

"Hi, Tsuzuki." The shinigami smiled in spite of himself.

"I thought you'd gone back home! I'd wanted to thank you before you left, but you just disappeared!" the boy reproached him, as he gave him a hug Hijiri wouldn't have dreamed of refusing.

"I just came to say good bye," he whispered, giving into temptation and sniffing the boy's hair.

Tsuzuki pulled away and gave him a pleading look.

"I wish you would stay. You could come with me and the guys; we're going to eat out!" he chirped. Hijiri shook his head no.

"I don't think that would be a good idea." Tsuzuki blinked innocently.

"Another day, then?" Hijiri winced.

"Tsuzuki, I... we..." he stammered. "I really have to go back." 'Please don't make it harder for me.'

"Oh," Tsuzuki's face saddened. "I understand," he whispered, moving to hug him again. "Will you look after us? Like our guardian angel, or something?"

Hijiri wrapped his arms tight around the boy, fighting back tears.

"Always." He couldn't help himself; he just had to kiss him. Lucky him, he was able to restrain himself enough to do it to the boy's cheek. "Say good bye to Hisoka for me?"

Tsuzuki, a little stunned, held a hand to his cheek. Something flashed through his beautiful violet eyes and he spoke again before Hijiri could bolt. He really wanted to get out of there; his eyes were starting to burn.

"Hijiri.-san, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" He forced a smile.

"What happens to shinigamis?"

"What do you mean?" Hijiri felt suddenly uncomfortable. That was not an ordinary question, he could tell.

"You can't be shinigamis forever, can you? What happens to you afterwards? Do you reincarnate?"

Hijiri gasped. He couldn't know, could he? The shinigami narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Why do you want to know?"

Tsuzuki shrugged.

"I just want to know if I'll ever see you again. That's all," the boy said simply. Hijiri let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and laughed.

"Well, yes! Probably. Only I guess I won't remember you."

"I see," Tsuzuki smiled. "Then I guess it's 'I'll see you later', huh?"

Hijiri nodded.

"See you." He waved a hand at him and began walking away, feeling a lot better. Maybe it had been a good idea to say good bye, after all.

Tsuzuki watched his friend's retreating form with a pleased, knowing smile on his face. "Maybe next time, Hijiri," he said to the now empty hall and walked inside to fetch Hisoka's bags.

OWARI

A million thanks to:

Kyraille Fade-
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Loki'sRose-
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izumI-
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Anna-
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