Welcome to chapter nine!

Oh my god! I'm not an emotional person but, when I wrote this chapter I cried. I had serious tears. And to add to the utter sadness of the moment, X Japan's Crucify My Love was playing while I wrote it!

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Even though Tsuzuki and Hisoka are not my own character, I feel that these versions of them are my own and I fell in love with them both. I understand why manga-ka are always talking about crying when they make a manga. I grew an attachment to them and it hurt me to see them in pain.

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I wonder if I just took it too seriously or if it really is as sad as it made me feel. Maybe it was just the song?

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Since this is one of those drama filled chapters, I added a little Omake at the end. I couldn't stand posting it without any happiness.

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Chapter Nine: A Separate Life Begins

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"I'll drive you girls home." Tsuzuki sat Hisoka in the driver's seat with himself. "Sorry for the tight squeeze but, it's not really a family car."

"It's okay, sensei…" Yui sat between Hisoka and Mitsuki.

"Sensei… Thank you for looking for me…" Mitsuki was fighting back tears. "I'm sorry about everything."

Tsuzuki smiled. "Don't worry about it. Just think about all the people you are hurting before you do something crazy like that again."

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The car trip to Mitsuki's house was silent. When they pulled into the driveway, Mitsuki's parents ran up to the car. Other than tears and words of thanks to Tsuzuki, nobody spoke. As Tsuzuki drove away from the house Yui turned to him and smiled. "There aren't many teachers that would go as far as you to help his students. I hope you… and Kurosaki-kun never have to feel any sadness."

"Thank you." Tsuzuki smiled and glanced down at the still sleeping Hisoka. "But, I can't help but feel that… something bad is going to happen soon."

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Tsuzuki pushed open the door to his apartment, Hisoka in his arms. "You're a real high maintenance lover, you know that?" He laid Hisoka down on the bed and plopped down next to him. "I'll wait until you're awake to figure out what to do about Muraki…" Tsuzuki brushed Hisoka's hair from his eyes. "You know, even though a lot has happened since we met, I can't imagine never knowing you. No matter what happens, if you're taken away from me I'll travel to the ends of the earth to be near you." He rolled over and looked at the sleeping Hisoka. "That sounds creepy when I say it… but, you didn't hear it either way. Good night." He yawned and immediately fell asleep.

Hisoka turned and looked at Tsuzuki. He sat up and pulled the blankets out from under him, then covered both Tsuzuki and himself. "I'd travel to the end of the earth to find you too…"

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"Pon Pon!" Tsuzuki dropped a cupcake on each student's desk. "I was in a good mood so I made everybody a snack."

"Wow! Sensei can even cook! Amazing!" One of the girls cradled the muffin.

"Eh…" Hisoka cringed. He knew he smelled a terrible scent when he woke up. He wondered if he should give a warning to the students when Tsuzuki wasn't looking.

"I'm multitalented!" Tsuzuki laughed and shuffled through the papers on his desk. He pulled out the tests and smiled. "Finish your muffin and get your test. You guys did great, so I rewarded you!"

"Sensei… Do you think that's a good idea?" Hisoka felt sick just looking at the muffin.

"Hisoka-kun… So mean…" Tsuzuki sniffled. He looked around the room and frowned. "Where are Onmoji and his gang of cronies?"

"I saw him taking an envelope to the principal." Yui was poking at the rock hard muffin.

"Oh?" Tsuzuki clapped. "Okay class! Dig in!"

"Itadakimasu!" The glass said in unison. All but Hisoka bit into their muffins and let out groans.

"Sensei…" One of the girls gagged. "It's so… unique." She crunched down another bite.

Tsuzuki stood proudly at his desk. "My love for my precious students was put into each muffin!"

"Why aren't you eating one, sensei?" Yui shoved the remainder of her muffin down her shirt and walked up for her test.

"It's improper for a teacher to eat in front of his students." Tsuzuki huffed and handed her the test.

"Tsuzuki-san?" Principal Konoe stepped into the room. Onmoji and his group followed him and sat in their seats. Hisoka watched the boys step in. They all seemed to be smirking at him except for Ryu, the boy with glasses. He kept his face turned down. "There's something I would like to discuss with you and Kurosaki-kun."

"Actually, there's something I'd like to talk to you about, too. At lunch?" Tsuzuki smiled.

"This matter must be dealt with immediately. I already talked to their teacher, and the students shall report to gym right now. Please bring your briefcase as well." Konoe dismissed the students and walked out the door. Hisoka and Tsuzuki followed.

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"I was recently given some pictures that brought something unfortunate to my knowledge." Konoe sighed.

"Sir?" Tsuzuki frowned. He looked over at Hisoka. Hisoka was sitting with his eyes closed, slowly swaying back and forth.

"As a school teacher, I am sure you are aware that there are laws pertaining to relationships with minors." Konoe stated flatly. He flipped a brown envelope onto the table. "I can live with your taking an abandoned student into your home but, this goes beyond that.

Tsuzuki opened the envelope and let the contents drop on the desk. Nearly twenty pictures of him and Hisoka from the past weeks spilled out. Tsuzuki's eyes grew wide. Hisoka picked up some of the shots that were taken through the bedroom window and flipped through them.

"I like you, Tsuzuki-san. Therefore, I am not going to the police about this. However, I must remove you from your position here and inform child protective services that Kurosaki-kun must be sent to a foster home." Konoe kept his eyes from Tsuzuki's. He looked down at the pictures on his desk. "I understand this to be a consensual relationship and I would gladly step down but, being given these by who I was… I cannot let any bad word about this school come to pass. You understand?"

Tsuzuki stood and slammed his fists onto the desk. The banging sound made Hisoka jump. He looked up at the shaking man. "I… I can't believe you're doing this… Who did this? WHO?"

Konoe frowned. "The pictures were given to a student by a respectable man who was concerned for the future of this school. I cannot tell you his name."

"Muraki." Hisoka mumbled.

Tsuzuki looked down at him. "What makes you say that?"

Hisoka looked up at the principal then back at Tsuzuki. "Just a hunch. I feel like he's inside of me. When I touched the pictures, the first thing I saw was his face."

Tsuzuki turned back to Konoe. "Sir, you can't be blackmailed into this."

"It's done, Tsuzuki-san." Konoe turned his chair and faced the window. "Please clear out your desk. I have a substitute in place for your classes for the rest of the day. Kurosaki-kun, say your good-byes as I am going to call the services to pick you up shortly."

Tsuzuki dropped his hands to his side. Hisoka took one of them and stood. "Tsuzuki… What's done is done."

Tsuzuki stared down at Hisoka. "You're giving up?"

Hisoka shook his head and pulled Tsuzuki into the hall. "Let's just leave… Principal Konoe obviously is giving us an open chance to just leave. If he wanted us split up, he would have called the services ahead of time and he wouldn't have you bring your briefcase and car keys."

"You think?" Tsuzuki blinked. He peeked back into the office. Konoe still hadn't touched his phone.

"Let's go." Hisoka smiled. He gripped Tsuzuki's hand and they ran down the hallway. As they reached the exit, the stopped short. Muraki was walking in the door with a group of men and women.

"Tsuzuki-san, where could you be going?" The man in white smirked.

"Muraki." Tsuzuki hissed.

Four men walked over to Hisoka and ripped him from Tsuzuki's grip. Four more men grabbed Tsuzuki to restrain him.

"Tsuzuki!" Hisoka withered in the men's' strong grip. He only managed to throw an arm forward. Tears streamed down his cheeks. "Tsuzuki! I'll go to the ends of the earth to find you again! No matter how long it takes! Tsuzuki!" The men shoved him into the back of a car. One man sat on each side of him.

"His… oka…" Tsuzuki fought the grip of the men and managed to slip through. He ran past Muraki but, was caught by six men as he closed in on the door. He felt tears burn his cheeks as the car pulled away. He fell to his knees and stared out the door.

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Omake

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(Class: Two days before dance)

Tsuzuki: So! This weekend is the reversal dance! Ladies, ask a boy to the dance. I hope I'll be going. (wink)

Girls: Kyaaaa! I'll take you, sensei!

Tsuzuki: Now, now, one at a time, ladies. Okay, it's lunch break. See you in forty-five.

Mitsuki: Uh… um… Hisoka-kun?

Hisoka: Hm?

Mitsuki: Hi… Hisoka-kun, would you… go to the dance with me?

Hisoka: Eh? Um…

Tsuzuki: That's a great idea! I'll be chaperoning so I can make sure there's no funny business. Ha ha ha!

Hisoka: Tsuzuki… Okay.

Mitsuki: Ah! Thank you so much!

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(Tsuzuki's Apartment: Day of dance)

Hisoka: Tsuzuki…

Tsuzuki: The girl has a crush… She knows our status but, still wants to go on an innocent date. I can deal. (Ties Hisoka's tie) Wow you look just like a pretty little present. If there wasn't a little girl coming I'd unwrap you right now. (Glomps)

Hisoka: Tsu… Tsuzuki!

(Knock knock knock)

Hisoka: Eh… Tsuzuki she's here. (Peels away and opens the door)

Tsuzuki: Waaaaah! (Pouts) Hey there Mitsuki-chan!

Hisoka: Hello Aki-chan.

Mitsuki: H… Hello Hisoka-kun.

Tsuzuki: Okay, okay! Let's go ride in style.

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(Tsuzuki drives up to the school with Hisoka and Mitsuki in his car. Tsuzuki steps out of the car and is promptly jumped by various girls)

Tsuzuki: Eh heh… Girls, aren't those angry boys over there your dates?

Girl 1: We used them to get into the dance!

Girl 2: We are willing to fight over who gets to escort you!
Girl 3: We won't tell anybody, sensei!

Yui: Neee… Sensei always has a date. (Waves to the woman next to her)

Saiki: Asato-kuuuuuuuuun! (glomps)

Tsuzuki: Saiki-chan! I didn't think you'd come!

Saiki: When I heard you sold Hisoka-kun to a girl I couldn't let my chance slip by!

Tsuzuki: Well, I wouldn't say sold… but, if you'll escort me.

Saiki: Bzzzzzt! (Sticks tongue out at group of girls)

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(An uneventful night comes to an end)

Mitsuki: Hisoka-kun, I had a wonderful time… But you don't look too well.

Hisoka: I just don't do well at parties…

Mitsuki: Hisoka-kun… I really enjoyed tonight. If I could just… I, uh…

(Mitsuki gets on her toes and kisses Hisoka. Tsuzuki pops out from behind a trashcan)

Tsuzuki: Whaaaaat? Hisoka! How could you!

Mitsuki: S-sensei? Hisoka-kun didn't do anything, I… I'm sorry!

Saiki: Hmmm… trouble in paradise? (Comes from behind Tsuzuki)

All: …….

Hisoka: Where you spying on us?

Tsuzuki: Eh, er, uh, um, I… LOOK! A CACTUS!

(Hisoka turns and Tsuzuki speeds off)

Mitsuki: Wow, I can't believe you fell for that.

Hisoka: Ugh… (Smacks head)