I See- Chapter One-
Tsuzuki did not enjoy going down to Earth as much as he used to. Holidays were indeed just around the corner, but the weather was so abnormally bitter that Tsuzuki preferred the more mild weather of the ministry. However, Tsuzuki did drag himself down to do his duty. The food was better, as he constantly reminded himself.
Fresh snow began to fall down again, slowly building up on the mounds that were already heaped on corners. Tsuzuki would prefer to fly, or at least enjoy a more convenient form of transportation, but that blasted Konoe gave him strict instructions to patrol Kyushu thoroughly. Tsuzuki was fully prepared to argue against this order, but Tatsumi gave him a hard look and warned him that if he argued, he would get no holiday bonus.
Tsuzuki held his tongue reluctantly. He needed that bonus. Presents needed to be bought, and Tsuzuki was eager to buy something special for Hisoka. After all, the boy didn't see warm enjoyable holidays that often.
With some holiday food and a present for Hisoka in Tsuzuki's mind, he wearily trudged through the snowy streets, gazing dully at the cheery bright windows advertising their goods. As an icy wind gusted through the street, Tsuzuki shivered slightly and tied his trenchcoat tighter around his body.
At least I get out in an hour... he thought wearily, running a hand through his hair. Then I could start my Holiday shopping.
That thought brought a small smile to Tsuzuki's lips. He had been waiting for this. He had even sent his partner to the warmer office to get some paperwork done instead of going out in the field to give himself some privacy.
Hisoka had seen this as a little strange that Tsuzuki went willingly into the field. (The weather being what it was) But he agreed and started on the work that had built up steadily due to Tsuzuki's frequent slacking. Possibly all the work would be done by the time of the incredibly short Holdiday vacation.
Tsuzuki spotted a bench sitting against another bright storefront. I can rest a little...Tsuzuki reasoned, and flopped onto it. Resting his chin in his hands, he observed the holiday shoppers rushing back and forth from store to store, arms laden with heavy bags. Tsuzuki gazed at each bag, trying to imagine what the bag woud contain. I still don't know what to get Hisoka, he thought. A book? No, I wouldn't know which one to shop for. Maybe not a fruit basket either. Oh...Maybe I should bake him something...but what would he eat? Hisoka is strange...he wouldn't eat anything sweet. Maybe I can suprise him with a visit and I'll take him somewhere nice. I could always do that, but I still want to get him something. I'll just look around when my shift is over.
The man shook the snow out of his hair and checked his watch.
Forty-five minutes... I need something to eat to pass the time. Tsuzuki thought, a little more enthused. He stood with a groan, shook out his trenchcoat, and strolled down the block.
Venders cheerily stood on the corner despite the cold weather, and shouted holiday greetings to various passerby.Tsuzuki spotted a nut cart. The woman behind it was smiling, closely observing the shoppers hurrying back and forth. The vender spotted him loking at the cart. Her eyes darted from his coat to his face. She gave him a wide grin and called out. "Hello, sir! You look downright chilled! Would you like some roasted nuts?"
Not a bad idea, Tsuzuki thought, and stepped up to the small stand sitting on the corner. The young woman smiled from behind the cart. Snow collected in her hair, giving her a very festive, cheerful look.
Tsuzuki gave the woman a large grin, and pointed to a bag of honey roasted nuts.
The vender happily handed it over and waited patiently as Tsuzuki fished some yen out of his pocket. Tsuzuki smiled and handed the yen over and took the bag of nuts.
The vender smiled and accepted the money. "So..." she said cheerily before Tsuzuki had the chance to wish her Happy Holidays and stroll away. "You have the look of someone who is looking for a gift for a special someone"
Tsuzuki raised his eyebrows with amazement. "Wow! How did you guess?" he asked, leaning on the nut cart casually, looking at the woman.
The vender smiled. "You had that look of some impatience of not knowing where to go next. You also looked like you were deep in thought" she said brightly. "Maybe I can help"
Tsuzuki emptied the bag of nuts in his mouth and chewed noisily on them. "-hank you" he said, mouth full, bits of nut spewing everywhere. With some effort, he swallowed and grinned at the vender. "Where should I go then? This person is very picky you know" he joked.
The woman pointed down the block. "Go straight down until you meet the corner. The park that is down there has a path. The shop is at a corner of the park. Just follow that path which encircles the perimeter of the park."
Tsuzuki followed the woman's finger down the brightly lit street. A dark, almost eerie like clump of trees stood at the end of the block. "That's funny." He noted. "I don't remember a shop down there..."
"It's well hidden" the woman insisted.
"Oh, really?" Tsuzuki scratched his head, trying to remember the areas around the park. "Well, I'll check it out then" He gave the vender a bright smile. "Thank you very much"
Tsuzuki raised a hand in farewell and walked down the snowy block, his coat wrapped tight around him, damp with the snow.
The vender watched him walk down silently, not bothering to shout holiday greetings to the frantic shoppers. When the man was out of sight, she pulled a small, slim cell phone from her coat pocket, and dialed a number. "Boss" she whispered into the phone. "I saw the man you speak of. -Yes, he is on his way." She cocked her head, listening to the man on the other end. "You won't? Okay. I will. Good luck" The woman slipped the phone back in her pocket.
He really should't flaunt those big purple eyes of his, she thought. That was too easy to find him.
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I wont be caught leaving my shift now, Tsuzuki thought, as he approached the cluster of trees that marked the park. After all, I am still walking around.
After the loud bustle of people around the shops, the quiet that surrounded the park had an eerie air to it. The snow fell silently down, collected on the bare branches of the trees. The path that the woman spoke of wound around the park. The snow that built up on the path was untouched. The man crossed the street, and peered down the dark path. A small structure was indeed standing in the distance.
I guess she was telling the truth, Tsuzuki noted to himself. I'll check this place. I hope it has some things Hisoka may like.
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The store was small and dusty, with a cold draft blowing in from the single broken window in the building. The store owner was lounging in a chair behind the dirty, cracked glass counter. Some oddities were placed in there for show. A gust of wind tore through the shop as the door was blown open. A tall man in a white trenchcoat quietly stepped inside and shut the door before any more snow blew inside.
The man behind the counter looked up dully at the man. "Your back" he said in a wheezy voice, as if his voice box had not been used in several years.
The other man stepped up to the counter, slipping a cell phone into a pocket of his coat. "I am" he replied in an emotionless voice. "You are expected another customer very soon my friend" he told the owner.
The owner raised his eyebrows. "Really? And how would you know that, Doctor?" he asked, leaning foward. This man had now captured his interest.
A hand went inside the doctor's trenchcat, and he began removing some objects from the pockets. "He is a friend of mine" the doctor said. "And he must see these objects. I am willing to give them to you free of charge, but you have to make sure your new customer sees them"
The owner looked down at the objects heaped onto the glass counter. He bit a lip as the doctor placed more objects on the counter. The counter threatened to shatter apart any day now. "Why does he have to see them?" he asked. "Couldn't you just hand them to him?"
Silence stretched between the two for a moment. The wind violently rattled the window. Finally, the doctor stuck his hands in his pocket. "Your new customer has a trechcoat too, and unnatural eyes." The doctor told the owner, as if he didn't hear the owner's last question. "When he walks in, make sure he sees those. Mention who brought them in if he asks"
With a nod, the doctor nodded his farewell, and swiftly left.
The owner watched the door for several moments. He would do the doctor this favor. The doctor had helped him out of several fixes before, even though he was a suspicious person. The grizzled man picked up the objects the doctor had left on the counter and inspected them.
His friend must be an interesting character, the owner thought, setting up the objects for display. I did not know the doctor had many friends.
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My plan is in motion Tsuzuki-san. I hope that when you see these items, I will be in your heart until you see me again. Don't loosen your grip on my soul. If you ever do, I will be forced to remind you of my presence, and you will not like the consequences of those actions. For your own sake, look for me Tsuzuki-san. I will be there, always waiting for you.
