Insomnia Part 2
Author's stuff:
Wow…do I suck at writing long chapters! I'm sorry people…it just isn't in me! *sob* Anyhoo, I hope you all like this new chapter. PLEASE review, it gives me writing juices. *nummy* …………………….0.o (I scare myself sometimes)
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Tsuzuki, please don't try to find me!
Tsuzuki sat up in bed gasping. What a nightmare… He looked around his bedroom, needing the security that all was in place. His eyes took in the mussed Japanese style futon, the various articles of clothing spread about, and several stuffed animals. Even with the reassurance that nothing was wrong here, the fear in the pit of his stomach did not diminish.
He quickly stood and got dressed, barely allowing time to get his shoes on properly before he was out the door and walking briskly up the street to Hisoka's small cottage. He needed to see if his partner was alright. He needed to know that it was just a dream. Tsuzuki looked at the peaceful little house. With large windows and lattice-work fencing it could almost be termed "cute". A few potted plants resided here and there, though they were the type that is hardy and doesn't need much care. Tsuzuki strode past a small evergreen bush to rap on the door.
Hisoka did not answer the first knock, or the second, or the third. Oh no…it was real! Tsuzuki began to panic. "HISOKA!" He took a few steps back and kicked in the door. When the object fell out of the way Tsuzuki peered into the depths of the house. The first thing he saw was a pair of burning green eyes.
"BAKA!!! What was that for?!" Tsuzuki flinched as Hisoka's yell rocked the whole house.
"Aaa…eto…ano …you didn't answer…I knocked three times…"Tsuzuki was in teary-eyed puppy mode once again. "I was worried about you."
Hisoka glared at him. "Those "three" knocks were spaced a half-second apart. I WAS coming to get the door." Hisoka's look turned to one of pure venom. "I guess its unnecessary now. Just WHAT did you need me so desperately for?"
Tsuzuki tried to hide in his coat. "I just had a dream…you were in trouble…"
Hisoka was almost foaming at the mouth now. "You broke my door because of a DREAM?!"
Tsuzuki shuffled his feet, looking down at his untied shoes. "I'm sorry Hisoka…it's just, have you not been sleeping?"
Hisoka looked startled at this. "Why do you care?"
"Please tell me…" The green-eyed boy looked troubled. He brushed a hand through his hair before replying.
"No, I haven't been sleeping. But it doesn't matter."
"Did you go to visit Muraki last night?"
Hisoka looked taken aback. "How did you know about that?"
"It was in my dream. Hisoka…he didn't…hurt you did he?" Tsuzuki's eyes begged Hisoka not to hide anything from him.
But the boy only shook his head. "No, we just talked. He "borrowed" some of my energy but after I had recovered a little bit he just let me go."
Tsuzuki still did not look reassured. "Hisoka…are you telling me the truth?"
Hisoka snapped. "YES I'm telling you the truth baka! He let me go. Don't ask me why but he did." His expression turned from anger to suspicion. "Have you been following me Tsuzuki? How did you know I visited him last night?"
"I told you. I had a dream, about you visiting Muraki."
The green eyed boy scoffed. "This is from the person who dreamed that Muraki had hired Tatsumi to paralyze him, AND had a vision of Muraki with his arms hacked off? Forgive me if I don't have too much faith in your dreams." As soon as it came out of his mouth Hisoka knew it had been the wrong thing to say.
Tsuzuki paled at the mention of the vision that had shaken him so much at the Count's party. The sight of Muraki's mangled torso had disturbed him, but what really distressed Tsuzuki were Muraki's proclamations that HE was to blame for crippling him. The violet eyed man's guilt had lain near the surface of his mind long after the Kyoto incident. Not wanting his friends to worry about him, he had tried his best to function around it. Hisoka's barbs hit deep and tore.
"Sorry for disturbing you Hisoka." He said quietly. He turned to leave.
Hisoka felt a wash of guilt. He hadn't meant to hurt Tsuzuki. "Wait" He reached out to stop the older man but Tsuzuki shied out of his reach. Hisoka only managed to brush the tips of his fingers against Tsuzuki's.
Suddenly there was a jolt as if an electric current had passed between them. Both of them pulled away abruptly. Hisoka pulled his tingling hand up to his chest. Tsuzuki just bowed his head and quickly shuffled away.
What was that all about? I have to find him and apologize. I'll see him at work. Tatsumi won't let him get off no matter what.
Even so, Hisoka couldn't help but wonder if there was more going on in that conversation than he realized. He hadn't noticed before but lately his empathy wasn't telling him much.
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Tsuzuki blinked, trying to adjust his eyes as he walked into the office. While Juu oh Cho was always well-lit, nothing could compare to the brightness outside. As he waited for the spots to fade from his vision the violet-eyed man sighed. It was hardly ever rainy in Meifu, most of the time the weather was pleasant. "I don't think I've ever seen a real storm here." He murmured to himself.
"The only storms around here are the ones YOU create." A disdainful voice sounded behind him. Tsuzuki turned around to face Terazuma. He was lounging, as usual, in the swivel chair by his desk. Regarding Tsuzuki with the usual contempt he settled back even further "One would think that after seventy years you would have learned how to control yourself."
Tsuzuki glared. "Ah so now you remember I've been working here seventy years. With all the respect YOU give me one would think I've only been working five. And as I recall, the last "storm" that hit Meifu was assisted by a certain black feline." Terazuma's glare faltered.
Of course he WOULD bring that up. Tsuzuki jumped as a voice sounded in his head. So like him to exploit weaknesses like that. I suppose he thinks that it's his right with TWELVE shikigami serving him. Tsuzuki gasped as shame, anger, and hatred struck him like a blow to the gut. He knows I did not want this shikigami; I don't want to depend on that kind of power! Tsuzuki stumbled away from Terazuma, feeling surprise wafting after him.
What is going on!? Those were…Terazuma's thoughts! Why can I hear them? What is happening to me? Tsuzuki made his way out of the building into the Sakura gardens. He sat down under one of the flowering trees and cradled his head in his hands. His chest hurt as if Terazuma's thoughts had dealt him a physical blow. He had no idea of how much time had passed when he heard soft footsteps behind him.
"You are very predictable Tsuzuki-san. When you are troubled you always come here. What is it about this place, I wonder, that makes you feel more at ease?"
Tsuzuki answered Tatsumi without looking up. "The flowers, they are so light and delicate. It reminds me of the finer things created in the world."
Tatsumi paused a moment before settling down by Tsuzuki. "You told me once that since their beauty faded swiftly it reminded you to live in the moment."
Tsuzuki pulled his knees further up to his chest. "Can this be called living?" He muttered, almost to himself.
Tatsumi just gave him a sad look. "No, but it's what we all wished for. It's what has kept us in this doorway, between life and death. Hoping to snatch something of what we lost."
What I lost...I'm sorry Kaa-san! Tsuzuki stiffened again. Now he was hearing Tatsumi! I could only make you cry...I wanted to protect you! I can't stand watching him...pretend... Tsuzuki jerked as Tatsumi's tightly controlled emotions came pouring loose. Despair, concern, nostalgia, all were vying for control inside the secretary's heart. Finally it became too much for Tsuzuki to stand. He lurched to his feet and fled the grove.
"Tsuzuki-san!!" Tatsumi called after him. However, the violet-eyed man would not stop. Meifu was a well of dampened emotions and pain. He could not stay here. He teleported to the real world, stumbling as he materialized. He did not care where he went, as long as he left Meifu and its twisted emotions behind.
Notes (again) : Sort of a twist to what happened in the first two sections but I figure you can all deal. Was it angsty enough? I think I slowed it down a little so it flows better. Thanks to all the recommendations and reviews. Keep 'em coming!
