Part 3:

Tsuzuki shows his face at work, late as usual, and popped his head into the office, holding a massive pile of sweets.

"Good morning!"

Hisoka is writing something at his desk, seemingly paying no attention to him. Tsuzuki takes it the wrong way and pouts, hiding behind the door. His silly tail thing waving madly behind him.

"Oh, Soka! Are you mad at me? Please don't ignore me! I'll share breakfast with you if you promise not to tell!"

But Hisoka didn't even look up. Tsuzuki is confused as to why his usually cold partner was not only ignoring him, but why he was… smiling. Hisoka was actually smiling to himself. What was he writing? Tsuzuki didn't know, but he figured it was something that really made him happy- like sweet things do that to Tsuzuki. Tsuzuki is fairly concerned, however, and comes out from the door and takes a step towards his partner's desk.

"Hisoka?"

"Hm?"

The blonde looks up. Tsuzuki is almost scared at seeing that the smile had not disappeared. Hisoka was actually smiling at him; strange that Tsuzuki could not manage to smile back.

"Oh. Good morning, Tsuzuki. I didn't hear you come in."

"'Good morning'? That's it?"

"What else is there?"

"Well, I'm just wondering why you look so… happy today. You haven't yelled at me for being late, and you haven't even called me a baka yet today!"

"What do you mean? You just got here, silly."

"Yeah, but still!"

Hisoka smiled even wider then and he grabbed the letter he had been writing and headed for the door. While he passed him, Hisoka smiled, knocked Tsuzuki softly on the shoulder and spoke.

"Okay, if it'll make you happy. I see you have a watch, why don't you use it and get here on time, okay, baka?"

Then, his voice got slightly more serious.

"I've got to go now."

And he left. The event had left Tsuzuki too shocked to move, and only moments later had he noticed that he was now alone. He ran out the door to go after his partner, but almost ran into Tatsumi. He, on the other hand, and to Tsuzuki's dismay, had not shown any difference at all.

"Tsuzuki, would you come to my office? We have something to discuss."

"Uh, like… what?"

"You tell me."

"Oh."

Tatsumi nearly dragged Tsuzuki off. After a lecture, Tatsumi adjusted his glasses.

"Okay, I will let it slide this time, but don't be late again. You may leave."

"Okay, thanks, but…"

"Hm?"

"I have something I need to talk to you about while I'm here."

"Hm? Like what? That there aren't enough of your favorite sweets left, ever? Well, that's what you get for being late all the time, my friend. I wont show mercy and save you one."

Tatsumi could sense a look about Tsuzuki without even looking and sighed.

"Okay, okay… if you're going to pout, I guess I'll do it for you just onc-"

But, looking up at his former partner, he saw a look of worry and distress that he didn't pick up on sooner. Such a look would befit one who had been up night after night for all eternity, not for the nappy-by type like Tsuzuki. (Tatsumi simply wished he would not fall asleep while on the JOB.) But this look was far more serious.

"It's… Hisoka."

"Kurosaki-kun"

"Yes. He's been acting unnatural for a while. I'm worried for him."

"I've noticed, also. What's the problem, now that he's happy? I thought that was what you wanted for him."

"I do, but this happiness… it's not natural. It happened so suddenly… and he… he talks in his sleep."

"Since when do you see him sleep?"

"He fell asleep in our office, once."

"That is strange. What did he say?"

"To the one I love…Tsubaki. He… I think he is in serious emotional trouble."

"…Because she is dead."