Happy New Year every one. I've been away for too long but now for the new year, I bring you the next chapter of "The Trial." I'm so flattered by all your amazing reviews. I love my readers and that's why I stuck to this story despite my crazy busy life in the past year.
There were some questions asked in the most recent reviews that I would like to answer. Emi-chan wanted to know where Watari has left 003 :) Well, that's answered in this chapter. About including Touda in the story, I too am very fond of him and I wished I could find a place for him in the story but I already have too many characters to juggle and I don't know what to do with another powerful being who'd fuss over Tsuzuki ""shoves a pouting Touda away"" maybe I'll let him play in my next story.
I am completely floored by ManderNaner's kind words. It's reviews like this that give you courage to carry on knowing that there are people out there who are actually enjoying it. ManderNaner asked what grade I was in. I finished my bachelor's degree in Computer Science 2 years ago and now I'm studying Game Art and Animation at a local college. I hope to get a job in the videogame industry as soon as I graduate. Writing is my passion and I do it for fun even though I still take it very seriously.
There were some reviewers that weren't happy about my take on the TatsumixTsuzuki relationship and Hisoka's role in the story. To those who say that Tatsumi and Tsuzuki are nothing more than ex-partners I suggest they read manga vol. 5 very carefully. There are multiple pages in that book in which Tatsumi is speaking to Tsuzuki in his mind, talking about his feelings for him: "However far I may be from you…I always think about you. I don't care if you notice it. Just allow me to continue…to watch you from a distance…" Taken right out of the manga.
About Hisoka I agree that as far as the majority of YnM fanfiction go, he has a smaller role in my fic. That is because I intended this story to be a Tsuzuki centric story from the beginning. I know that most of the fandom is leaning more towards Hisoka and there are legions of stories about him. I think he has gotten enough spotlight from other writers that I, an ardant Tsuzuki fan, am allowed to dedicate at least one story to my own favorite shinigami.
Once again, I apologize for the long wait (Gosh, that's getting old, isn't it) but my school schedule was crazy last semester. I even had to stay up one night all night to finish a project. There's only one more chapter left and I hope I can bring it to you as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy this chapter and continue to feed me with your excellent reviews like you always do.
What happened so far- Tatsumi answered Isorou's invitation and went to meet him on the appointed hill where Tsuzuki was held. Isorou trapped Tatsumi in an intricate game of words that ended in him confessing his feelings for Tsuzuki. Soon after that Hisoka, affected by Nourian's spell, arrived and attacked Tatsumi because he thought he was Muraki. Tsuzuki, witnessing his friends' battle finally lost it and called upon the Apocalypse, the deadly demonic power hidden inside of him that had the capacity to wipe away entire villages. Things went downhill from there as Watari came and tried to help his friends only to be beaten by Isorou. Just as everything seemed lost an explosion happened and from the middle of it Tsuzuki's two most trusted shikigamis descended from the sky.
The Trial – Chapter Thirteen
"Suzaku!"
Watari's cry – although faint from his lack of strength and barely audible above the commotion – was the only pronouncement that put a name on the spectacle that was happening around them. Everyone looked in wonder as the fiery red and black bird came from the sky, stepping into a circle of flames and taking on a human form as soon as her foot touched the ground. At her back, Byakko appeared, already in human form and hair flying in all directions. Together with the displays of fire and wind that showcased their powers they were an image to behold.
The flames slowly died down as the raven haired woman and the man with the swishing tail looked around to see where they had landed. For some reason – perhaps since he had called Suzaku's name - Watari was the one they both settled their eyes on. But while Suzaku's gaze stayed with the scientist, Byakko's trailed to the side where Hisoka's lifeless body laid.
"Suzaku!" Watari called again. "Thank gods you are here."
For a moment the phoenix stood confused. She took another look around and then, with stomping strides, walked up to Watari and grabbed him by the front of his lab coat. "What the hell is going on?" she inquired, "Where is Tsuzuki-san?"
Watari tried to answer but found his voice caught. Suzaku shook him hard and his eyes went wide; sliding to the side he stared past the phoenix to a point beyond. It got Suzaku's attention, her fingers releasing him and turning sharply around to be faced with the sight of Byakko already kneeling beside their unconscious master. The world around her began to spin.
A heartbeat passed in which Suzaku looked completely frozen, absorbing the terrible image and the worried looks the other Shikigami was giving her. Then she was rushing in a whirlwind towards them, collapsing on the ground beside Tsuzuki and taking his limp and injured body in her arms. She screamed. "Tsuzuki-san!!! No, by Enma, no…Tsuzuki-san. What happened? Who did this to you? Tell me who did this?"
The second question was as much directed to Tsuzuki as to the watching audience. Her flaming eyes scanned them in search of the culprit responsible for the abomination in front of her. She was breathing hard, arms protectively holding Tsuzuki pressed to her chest like a mother would her child. Byakko sat back, regarding her with darkened eyes. It wasn't clear whether the wariness in those eyes were due to his master's injuries or his concern over what Suzaku might do next. When it came to her beloved Tsuzuki-san, Suzaku was not known to be patient.
The woman's eyes finally settled on a face, the only unfamiliar one in the crowd. She took a sharp breath, releasing it with a growl as some kind of recognition – or lack there of – set in. There was a signature there, in the grey eyed man looking at them in shock. She could …feel…something from him. Evil, Makai.
"You bastard! I should have known." She yelled before she unleashed her attack on him.
To say that Isorou was surprised was an understatement; he was, after all, interrupted in the middle of a spell when the shikis had arrived. But the main reason for his astonishment was what he was seeing in front of him: two gods - the mighty protectors of South and West - fretting over his little prisoner. Somehow – from instinct perhaps – he knew that these must be Tsuzuki's guardians, even though his mind couldn't accept it. Despite having heard about Tsuzuki's extraordinary powers and his standing as the strongest member of JuOhCho it had been a shocker even the first day when he'd heard – from Tsuzuki himself– just how many of the godly beasts he controlled. That among them were two of the four gods of Gensoukai was something his mind could never have imagined.
What other secrets did this strange shinigami withhold? And how unsettling, to know that Tsuzuki had held such a great power in his hands yet hadn't even used it once despite all that Isorou had put him through.
But it was too late for contemplations now as in the next instant he was knocked over by a great force that stole his breath and filled his world with the taste of ashes and flame.
He was attacked by the great guardian spirit of the South.
Suzaku hadn't reverted to her beast form when she threw herself at him, blinded by her anger. She battered him with a force that had her divine powers behind it, mighty and unbeatable, a goddess punishing a demon for his sins. But with the way her appearance was, it looked more like an Amazon warrior beating up on an ordinary man in a suit. Isorou did try some of his own tricks to deflect the phoenix's assault, but the opponent proved to be too strong this time. Suzaku's unrestrained anger, coupled with her ungodly strength was enough to leave him sprawled and bleeding on the ground only a few minutes into the battle.
She still wasn't satisfied after that, panting and kicking the prone man in the side she yelled, "You Goddamned evil monster. Puny little Mahorath puppet. You thought you could get away with this? Treating him like this, like he's some kind of squeeze toy you can vent off all your sickness on, you disgusting pest? I'll show you what it feels like to be hurt. I'll string you up myself and burn you to a crisp slowly so you'd feel every blistering second of it."
Isorou tried to retaliate on a different ground, pulling on strings other than his powers from hell that were already rendered useless by Suzaku's constant attacks. He turned to her the first chance he got and spat, "Who gave you permission to lay a hand on one of Mahorath's first rate officials? I'll have you answer for this. A war will ensue between Gensoukai and Makai and the Golden Emperor will know--"
Suzaku shrieked, "Don't you dare mention SohRyu, you clueless lunatic. If he hears what you've done to his master… let's say there will be a war for sure, but it'll be between Gensoukai and you." She didn't let the shock fully register on his face before she mercilessly pounded into it.
It was then that Byakko held her from behind. "That's enough, Neesan." He said softly, "You don't want to kill him. It would bring Makai's wrath upon us, make things worse for Tsuzuki."
Suzaku stopped, but the exclamation didn't keep her from standing over the fallen man threateningly while glowering and breathing hard. Isorou was lucky the tiger had come to his rescue since Suzaku was so angry no one else would've dared touch her to save his life.
Finally the phoenix left him alone, turning all her attention back to her master. A face that moments ago had been filled with an expression of vengeful rage all of a sudden filled with sadness as she saw his prone body on the ground where Byakko had released him using his powerful claws. She walked up to him, kneeling down and lifting his lifeless body into her arms so that his head would rest in her lap. Slowly her hands combed through the unruly, wet hair and she started speaking to him as if they were the only ones there.
"Why didn't you call us, you baka?" she said in a strained voice, "How many times do we have to tell you we are there for you? That we are ready to put our lives in line for you? We are the ones bound to protect you not the other way around. When will you get that into your thick scull?"
She dropped her head, her voice going down to a mere whisper after that.
"I am so sorry I came late. I should have known something was wrong. I should have come here right away instead of listening to that baka tiger and going to Chijou instead. I failed you once again Tsuzuki-san, I failed you in so many ways. I am sorry…"
A touch on her shoulder brought her back to where she was and she looked up to see Byakko. "Neesan," he said, "I think the best way to find out what happened is to ask them." He pointed at the three shinigamis who where in different positions on the ground, two of them silently staring at her.
Suzaku nodded and looked at Tatsumi, since the other two currently looked occupied (Watari having resumed the task of feeding Hisoka his potion.) She said, "Tatsumi-san, please explain to us what happened. Be aware that we already know about the deal between Enma and Mahorath although we know nothing about the details."
Tatsumi lowered his head. He had to take a few deep breaths to clear his throat; Isorou's invisible blows to his lungs had done him in pretty bad this time. At last he raised his head and moved to sit in a more dignified position. He would have stood had he been confident in the strength of his legs, but it was too much of an optimistic endeavor for now.
A sideway glance at Watari and Hisoka was his only preamble before he started telling the shikigamis the story of what had happened in the past week.
Half way through, Watari took over. Tatsumi had been away from the centre of the events for most of it and while he was the one standing guard in front of the Earl's mansion, it had been the scientist who had been up close and personal with most of the trial. Tatsumi's heartbeat quickened in parts as he listened to what had happened while he had been away, about Isorou's rough handling of Tsuzuki and Hisoka, his annoying habit of harassing Watari by demanding his friendship, the way he and his bipolar companion had spread fear and nightmares through JuOhCho, turning life into a living hell for all occupants alongside their convict. He was as surprised as the other two listeners when he heard about Isorou's past, the fact that he used to be a shinigami himself and that, in Watari's opinion, his actions were more a payback for what he had suffered for rather than following the orders of either of the two deities.
When Watari finally fell silent Tatsumi felt like he had aged a few additional centuries. So much had happened and he hadn't been there to protect his friends, especially the one most precious to him. He looked over at Tsuzuki, sleeping fitfully in Suzaku's lap, and knew – should both of them survive this experience - he would never be able look at him the same way again and proclaim his role as his protector.
Even if they both survived, something would be lost, something even more important than the partnership he had lost decades ago. Now Tsuzuki would see in him neither as the lover nor the guardian.
He would be nobody to him.
Hisoka come around rather violently. Watari had to hold him down before he could leap up and head butt him in the chin. He held the gasping boy tight, trying to calm him as he took lungfuls of air and looked around wildly. Tatsumi was at his side right away, momentarily setting aside his turbulent thoughts in favor of helping the injured boy.
Fianlly Hisoka settled down, his emerald eyes moving from Watari to Tatsumi and then to Byakko who stood a few feet away.
"Wh…what happened?" he asked.
Watari carefully swept a few strands of hair away from the boy's eyes and smiled.
"Welcome back, Bon. You got us kind of worried there."
Hisoka made an attempt to sit up and this time Watari allowed him. The youngest shinigami continued looking around, his eyes lingering on Byakko and then on Suzaku who was still on the ground nursing an unconscious Tsuzuki next to a badly beaten and equally unconscious Isorou. He put a hand to his forehead and sighed.
"Ahh, I see. Tsuzuki finally summoned his shikis."
"Actually, no," Byakko replied, fidgeting a bit, "We, sort of, came here on our own, after Tsuzuki-san cut us off and we weren't quite sure what was going on," he looked at his companion, "Suzaku neesan even went as far as confronting SohRyu about it. She wasn't aware that he already knew about the whole trial deal."
Suzaku whispered things under her breath too quiet for anyone to hear, but Byakko could guess what the colorful words were. Still, he wasn't as angry with the water dragon as his friend was, knowing that SohRyu himself must have felt trapped between a rock and a hard place when Enma and Mahorath had come to him.
Hisoka next turned to Tatsumi, "Does this mean Tsuzuki is free now?" he asked expectantly.
Tatsumi almost felt guilty not giving those hopefully shining eyes the answer they craved. Faintly, he shook his head.
"I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun. Tsuzuki summoned an Apocalypse, and that could mean the condemnation of his soul."
Hisoka kept staring, and when he didn't get the explanation he so obviously expected he looked around at the rest of them.
"What's an Apocalypse?" he asked.
Watari threw up his shoulders and shook his head, indicating having no clue.
"What's an Apocalypse?" He turned to the shikigamis only to realize they were avoiding his eyes. Knowing that fact made him even more worried. "What's an Apocalypse?" He raised his voice this time.
"Kurosaki-kun, do you remember that dream you saw of Tsuzuki's past?"
"Uh-huh."
"Do you remember how Tsuzuki-san wiped out an entire village when he was seventeen?"
Hisoka's face became pale as a ghost's. He looked up at Tatsumi with wide eyes. "Are you saying…? Oh my God, no."
Tatsumi slowly shook his head yes, closing his eyes as if in defeat.
Hisoka looked to the side. "But what…why isn't everything destroyed?"
"Isorou delayed it. He was planning to get himself and his minions out before it happened."
"Well that sucker isn't going anywhere now." Suzaku growled from where she sat on the ground, clutching Tsuzuki's body tighter to her breast and sending a look worth ten thousand daggers to where Isorou's unmoving body lay.
Hisoka turned his face back to Tatsumi. "So what are we going to do?"
"I don't know. At least if Tsuzuki was conscious we could have asked him to somehow stop it, if that were at all possible." Tatsumi replied.
All of them looked over at Tsuzuki.
"Is there really nothing we can do?" Watari checked out the empty vile he held in his hand. "I can always go back and brew some more…"
"We have no time for that. Besides, I don't think he has the kind of coma you can fix with that drug." Tatsumi said.
"What? Well thank you very much for the brownies, Mr. Know-it-all. Did you forget it was that same drug that saved you from death and brought the kid back to life? You still don't have any faith in my science do you?" Watari countered.
Tatsumi pinched the bridge of his nose. "Watari-san, I really don't think this is the right time for--"
"Maybe I can help."
Everyone turned to look at Hisoka, which made the boy blush.
"Kurosaki-kun, what do you mean?"
"My empathy might help. I've already been inside Tsuzuki's head a few times. Maybe I can reach him while he's unconscious and bring him back somehow."
Tatsumi looked at Watari. The scientist shrugged in reply, "I don't see why not, as long as there is no harm coming to Bon."
Tatsumi turned to Hisoka. "You heard that, Kurosaki-kun. Make sure you won't get hurt doing this."
Taking that as the confirmation he so desperately sought, Hisoka sat up.
Getting to his shaky feet was a different matter, a feat he wasn't able to achieve without using Watari's shoulder as a crutch. He walked slowly toward Tsuzuki. It seemed a bit unreal. After not being able to get close to him for so long, yet knowing he was out here just beyond reach, now walking so freely towards the man he cared so much for was like coming home. He knelt beside Suzaku and slowly allowed her to transfer some of Tsuzuki's weight onto his arms. He looked down at the face, so innocent and softened in his sleep. Although his own mind was still fuzzy and weak from his recent experience he felt calm as he brushed his palm over Tsuzuki's smooth features. This was not a cumbersome task, this was like slipping into a familiar warm bed, going to a friend's place and hanging out while eating cookies and milk and watching TV. This was something he wanted to do, and not just to help Tsuzuki.
Hisoka adjusted his position on the ground. His right arm was holding Tsuzuki's upper body, assisting Suzaku – who clearly showed no desire to leave her master entirely in someone else's care, even Hisoka's – while his left hand was placed over Tsuzuki's heart, splayed there on the purple eyed shinigami's chest. He closed his eyes with an involuntary sigh and plunged in.
Dark. It was the first thing he thought when he blinked his clairvoyant eyes in the completely pitch black backdrop. He blinked a few more times; trying to determine if there was anywhere he could go. Any hints as to where Tsuzuki's subconscious might be hiding.
He heard a soft sound coming from somewhere. He knew he had to follow it but the area around him was so dark he was afraid he might step into an abyss. Trying to feel his way toward where the noise was coming from he soon realized there was absolutely nothing there except level ground. Whatever the torments of the trial had done to Tsuzuki, they'd also rendered his mind into a featureless landscape with nothing hopeful or depressing to register. His consciousness was just a big endless void.
Unaware of how far he had walked, Hisoka suddenly found himself in a grassy field. Flocks of fireflies were dancing all around him. He could hear the sound clearly now, wisps of a children's rhyme. Carefully he walked through the thick grass and past the fluttering fireflies until he reached a clearing in the middle of the field. There was a small lake bordering it with clear, reflective water. A distance away from its shore a paper lamp was placed on the ground with more fireflies dancing around it. Hugging his knees on the ground sitting next to it was a dark haired, glittery eyed child.
It was a boy, about the age of ten or so as Hisoka discovered when getting closer. He was wearing a green shirt and dark blue shorts, his profile towards him partially blocked by the lamp so that Hisoka couldn't see it clearly. He was humming the tune and Hisoka could see him rocking back and forth to the sound of his own singing.
Fireflies, fireflies
Dancing gently in the light
If you catch a glowing one
You will make it through the night
Hisoka stood over the boy's back staring down at him. There was no question in his mind who this boy was. The only thing that bewildered him was why Tsuzuki had locked himself up like this, in the form of a ten year old, in his subconscious mind.
The child lifted his head looking at him. His face split into a smile. "Oh, hi Hisoka. How did you get here?"
Hisoka actually took a step back. It was too weird for this child to know him while he had never seen or talked to him before. He had to remind himself that this was in reality Tsuzuki with the same knowledge and memories as the twenty six year old man. But it still seemed strange to be talking to this younger version of him accepting that it was in fact his old Tsuzuki.
The young Tsuzuki stood up facing him. He stretched out his hand and- with his smile firmly in place- held something out to him. "I found it in the field," he said. Hisoka saw a tiny purple flower with looping petals held between the child's fingers. He took it in his hand and looked at it in puzzlement. It too must have been a part of Tsuzuki's imagination because he had never seen a flower like that before.
"It's a Demon Weed. It grows in the shadows and only people with demon blood can find it. It will bring you luck." Tsuzuki said.
Hisoka looked up sharply. The boy was still smiling, but he had already sat back down.
"Tsuzuki, may I talk to you for a second…"
"I know what you're gonna say. I did the bad thing again." His voice was tiny and childish, and he was hugging his knees tightly while hiding his face in his arms. it made Hisoka wince.
"Actually, that's not--"
"I didn't want to do it. Like last time…I don't know how it happened. Now I've ruined everything, and I'm scared, I'm so scared."
His voice turned to a whimper at the end and for a moment, he almost sounded like the old Tsuzuki. Hisoka didn't know what to do so he simply walked around and sat down next to the boy.
"You know," he started, "you shouldn't think like that. We all do stupid things, right? When I was your age… I mean…your age like you are right now, my father used to beat me when I told him about what I saw in other people's minds. He would lock me up in the basement and not let me out before I promised not to ever tell him such lies again. I always promised, not because I thought he was right or what I had said were lies, but because by the time he came down to get me I was already so weak and tired from hunger and being left alone that I'd say anything to make him let me out. Yet I'd still do it the next time, even though I knew about the consequences. I just couldn't help it because I couldn't control my powers." He gave him back his flower.
Tsuzuki twirled it between his fingers, seemingly deep in thought. He said, "I thought it was gone after the first time. Now I see it's always been somewhere inside me, like a burst of energy ready to explode when I told it to. I don't remember telling it this time. But it's not like I can't control it at all."
Hisoka stared at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"It's this thing I can do. I mean, don't get me wrong, I can't stop it or anything like that once it's started. But when the time comes I sort of have a choice to spread it out or call it in. It is like I can explode and get all the dark and ugly stuff out of me or suck them in from the outside and make them collide within me. "
His words didn't make sense. Little as he knew about Tsuzuki's powers Hisoka could only guess that the young boy was talking about the different kinds of destruction he could bring about with his control over the dark forces.
"Um, Tsuzuki, do you think you can come back? I mean…to us, to Meifu where we all are?"
Tsuzuki looked up, "Ano, you mean wake up?"
Hisoka nodded.
"I don't know," the boy said, dragging the flower at his feet and drawing imaginary pictures on the ground, "I kind of like it here. It's too cold and painful in Meifu. Maybe I'll stay here a little longer, until the end of the trial."
Hisoka's eyes clouded over with grief. "But the trial is over, Tsuzuki. Suzaku beat Isorou and released you. You just have to leave this place and come back."
Tsuzuki blinked. "Really? Suzaku neesan is there? She's so nice. But how did she hear about it?"
"We don't know. She said she suspected something was wrong so she went to search for you. Byakko came with her too." Hisoka said.
"Hm, then everything should be fine. I guess I can come back. Later though. When I've rested a bit," he peered at Hisoka from where he rested his head on his knees, "I'm really tired, you know."
Hisoka shook his head in agreement. He didn't feel like pushing him. After all, Tsuzuki looked genuinely happy hiding here. But then, there was the matter of Apocalypse.
"You know, Tsuzuki. There's one more thing though…about the Apocalypse. If you don't come back, Meifu will go up in flames because of the dark thing you called."
Tsuzuki frowned a little at that before immediately brightening up, remembering something. "Oh, I see. Don't worry about that, Hisoka. I called it in. There won't be much damage."
Again, Hisoka was confused. He wanted to ask Tsuzuki again when all of a sudden the boy threw his arms around him and hid his face in his neck.
"I'm so happy you came, Hisoka. I didn't think you would."
Hisoka froze. He could feel the affection and need oozing out of the other boy like a tangible thing and his body was paralyzed to react to it. He did the simplest thing that came to his mind, putting his arms around the other boy though with much hesitation.
"Last time, you didn't come." Tsuzuki mumbled against his shirt, "It was Hijiri who came for me. I liked Hijiri a lot, but somewhere inside, I'd wished it were you. Then again I knew I couldn't make you like me like he did. Even though I still wished it I knew it didn't work that way."
Hisoka's heart trembled. "But I like you." He voiced out loud. 'Love you, need you, adore you, can't live my days without you.' But he didn't say any of those.
The boy looked up, smiling with the light from the lamp dancing in his damp, purple eyes. "Arigato, soka-chan. I like you very much too." He hugged him tighter and snuggled his head into Hisoka's neck. "Like you, like you very much," he said.
Hisoka was ramrod straight and looking ahead, a strange feeling settling over him. A voice inside screamed at him to tell the other how much he meant to him and how silly this all was. To tell him that Tsuzuki was more to him than he could ever imagine. That he had given him a new life, a new meaning for which to live for. That he couldn't have wished for anything better than being with him all the time and that he would have gladly followed him into afterlife had he fallen to Saagatanas or Touda's fire in Kyoto.
But all he did was to sit there and look at the fireflies as they hopped over the surface of the lake.
He didn't know how it happened but the next thing he saw was Watari's concerned face blinking above him. He blinked back to get his vision cleared just as he realized he was back with his friends once again.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"Are you alright, Bon?" Watari asked.
He nodded yes, even though his mind was still far away.
Tatsumi hovered close by, torn between his concern over the boy and his need for answers. Watari seemed in much the same condition only he hid it better. Not that either of them could hide anything from an empath. With a sigh Hisoka looked up and decided to put them out of their miseries.
"Yes, I saw him."
Tatsumi immediately came forward. "And? How is he doing? Is he going to wake up any time soon?" he asked impatiently.
"Not soon, but eventually. He's very tired. And--he feels guilty over the whole Apocalypse thing."
"But--if he doesn't wake up, how is he going to stop it?" Watari asked.
Hisoka looked at him tiredly. "He said there is no way for him to stop it now. Only that we shouldn't worry because the thing was initiated in a special way. I didn't understand what he exactly meant by it but it had something to do with calling it to himself instead of out of himself."
Tatsumi's twitched, his face turning almost imperceptively pale. Hisoka picked it up quickly through his empathy and looked at him. "Tatsumi-san, you know something about this?"
"I think I understand what you are talking about." Tatsumi replied.
"What? What? Fill us in please," said Watari.
Tatsumi breathed calmly, but his hand was slightly shaking when he reached up to adjust his glasses. "There are two ways to initiate the Apocalypse: to release it from within or to call it in from without. Only the most prominent demons of the underworld can perform such a task. And only those in the highest ranks of the dark power can perform both."
He fell silent but kept staring straight ahead. Hisoka and Watari on the other hand couldn't help but to steal glances towards Tsuzuki.
"But he said it is ok. Why did he say it was ok now that he's called it from outside?" Hisoka asked.
Tatsumi seemed to not have heard him. Watari reached over and pulled on his sleeve. "Hey, Tatsumi-san. What's the difference between the two? What does it matter if he calls the damn thing to him or out of him?"
Tatsumi shook his head. "The difference is in where it hits worst. If it's an explosion the greatest damage is on the periphery of the blast. It will wipe away everything as it spreads, getting more and more destructive until its energy runs out. If it's an implosion however, it will rush towards a center. It will still destroy things as it moves, but not as greatly, and the core of its destruction would be that center."
Hisoka and Watari went mute, Tatsumi's explanation finally revealing to them the reason for his carefully camouflaged distress. Slowly Hisoka stood up and walked over to Tsuzuki, who had been dragged by Suzaku a distance away from them where the mother bird could resume tending to him. He sat down next to them, Suzaku barely reacting.
"Suzaku-san, how is he?"
"A little better. I don't know what you did but it definitely helped. He's a bit calmer now."
"Um, Suzaku-san, you know that the--"
"I heard. It's gonna hit here."
Watari and Tatsumi joined them. So did Byakko.
"And? What are you going to do?" Hisoka asked.
Suzaku ran a hand through her master's hair. "I'm going to protect him."
Byakko sat were he was kneeling on the other side of Tsuzuki and put a hand over Suzaku's. She looked up, showing a smile for the first time since her arrival. Their eyes connected and some kind of communication passed between them. A promise of kinds, then both of them turned their faces to the rest of the crowd.
"You are staying here." Watari said. It wasn't a question, just an echo of what he had read in those beastly, bright eyes.
"So am I."
Hisoka added his hand to the pile on top of Tsuzuki's chest. His eyes were resolute, the green determination in them leaving no room for argument.
Still Tatsumi stepped in. "Watari-san, take Kurosaki-kun with you and return to the office. Tell everyone to stay inside and by no means approach this place."
"But Tatsumi-san…" Watari argued.
"Do it."
"NO!!!" Hisoka yelled. It took everyone by surprise, as did the rest of his words. "I will not be left behind again. I won't let you try to protect me. I should be right here beside him. You told me so yourself, remember? In front of the Earl's castle. You said I was the best decision you made regarding Tsuzuki and that I should be there for him all the time. Well now is that time. Why won't you let me fulfill that promise?"
Tatsumi laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Because you will die."
"So will Tsuzuki, so what's the point?"
There was no answer to that. Watari sat back, looking lost. Tatsumi looked at Suzaku.
"Neesan, is there anything you can do?"
"I'll be transforming very soon. I will shield him with my wings."
"Me too. I'll create a wind barrier around him to protect him from the worst of it. It might lessen the damage." Byakko put in.
"Will it be enough to protect Hisoka too?" Tatsumi asked.
"It will protect anyone who stays in the cover of my body. How well though is something I don't know?" she replied.
"But Suzaku-san, what about you?" Asked Hisoka.
She looked at him warmly. "Don't worry about us," she squeezed Byakko's hand and they both smiled. "We've seen worse."
"We still need to warn the others." Tatsumi pondered.
"Leave that to me." Watari said. He put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. A second later a small, fluttery thing appeared over their heads and came down to perch on Watari's shoulder ruffling its tiny feathers. Watari gave it a friendly nudge and it tilted its head, hooting.
The scientist whispered something in the bird's ear. He reached into his pocket and brought out a small notebook and a pencil. After jotting down some notes he ripped the page and held the note to the little owl who took it in its beak. Soon after, the bird known as 003 was flying towards JuOhCho taking Watari's message to the people there.
That done, Watari settled down again, leaning against one of the polls and putting his arms behind his head. Tatsumi stared at him for a while before turning his head away. He didn't need to ask; it was obvious Watari was staying too.
A sound from behind caught their attention. Isorou was coming around. Suzaku growled low in her throat and Byakko squeezed her hand in a warning plea. Watari peered at him suspiciously. Tatsumi's hands turned to fists and Hisoka leaned forward to hug Tsuzuki's body closer to his chest.
Tatsumi stood up and walked over to the still dazed and awakening man. Holding his anger tightly in check he looked down at him. "I want you to stop the Apocalypse." He said.
Isorou was still coming around. But he did look up into the blue, unforgiving eyes. His answer was a snort as he sat up, grabbing his bruised ribs as if to staunch the pain. There was blood on his mouth that he wiped away with his sleeve.
"Can't do that," he said wryly, "Only Mahorath and Enma have such powers."
"Bullshit, you delayed it. You must be able to stop it." Tatsumi barked.
"Mahorath gave me the power to do that. But that's as far as I can go."
"You lie. If you're not good for that then I don't see a reason why we should keep you around."
"You can do whatever you want but it won't change a thing. It is all in Mahorath's hands now. Only he has the power to decide what will happen next."
"We won't let you get away," yelled Hisoka from were he sat, "You will die along with us."
The gray eyes sparked as they turned to him. "That too would be Mahorath's decision. And your friend by the way belongs to him now." He gestured with his chin at Tsuzuki, which caused Hisoka to unconsciously hug him tighter.
He felt Tsuzuki stir then. Looking down, he wondered if Tsuzuki was waking up. He reached over and wiped the sweat from the other's forehead, brushing his cheek. Suzaku came alert and, supporting more of Tsuzuki's weight, started calling to him, "Tsuzuki, Tsuzuki. Are you awake?"
Tsuzuki mumbled something but he didn't seem to have the strength to open his eyes. Byakko leaned close, so did Watari, and Tatsumi returned to the circle, forgetting momentarily about Isorou.
Bending over Hisoka's shoulder, Tatsumi looked at the prone man with worried eyes and said in a hushed voice. "Is he really coming around?"
Hisoka didn't answer. The boy looked troubled somehow, which was strange considering Tsuzuki was finally waking up.
"What's wrong, Hisoka?" Watari asked, seeing the worried, almost frightened look on the boy's face.
"I don't understand," Hisoka said, "He's waking up, but it's like something is pulling him away. Like his soul is being dragged by some kind of dark power."
"Mahorath," Isorou interjected, his voice reaching them from outside their circle, "It's about time."
Tatsumi looked back sharply, his eyes piercingly looking at the prosecutor who was slowly getting to his feet. The man stared back, confident and unflinching. And soon they were standing across from each other once again, facing one another with flaming looks passing between them, two incredibly powerful beings locked in a never ending circle of hatred and rage.
Tatsumi opened his mouth to say something but his voice turned into a gasp as the world around him plunged into darkness. Tatsumi whipped around, searching for the rest of the group and saw them huddled on the ground looking equally frightened and confused. It was as if they had fallen into a pit, or slipped into an underground tunnel trough an invisible hole, the environment spinning and rushing around them at an incredible speed. The earth started to shake and Tatsumi had to go down on one knee to prevent falling on his face. Was it the Apocalypse? From the few glimpses he had had of the phenomenon he doubted it. Apocalypse was a powerful force that swept everything on its way. This was more like a nightmare come true; as if their reality was sucked into a black hole and was pulled towards a center of gods knew what.
Finally the movement stopped and the earth calmed down by degrees. The shinigamis looked around. It was still dark all around them but through the coils of the shadows one could see they had finally arrived someplace. There was a faint light coming from somewhere they couldn't see, lighting up the space fractionally. It was still hard to adjust their eyes to the change in brightness to tell exactly where they had landed but it was obvious they were no longer outside. Their surroundings, little of it that they could see, seemed like the interior of a large room with a high ceiling and no doors or windows to the outside.
A throne room, Tatsumi thought as he peered through the darkness and saw the meager light bounce off the polished surfaces of ornamented furniture, banisters and dragon statues with round, wild eyes. They were inside a traditional Chinese throne room judging by the platform he could identify at one end of the large place with a frame for an entrance and curtains that surrounded a decorated divan, large enough for four men to sit comfortably on even though it clearly was made for one person. As time passed Tatsumi noticed he was seeing gradually more and more of their surrounding. Now he could see the decorations on the walls, the glossy floor and the pillars that were holding the high, richly painted ceiling over their heads and had golden dragons curled around them. Almost everything in the room was in some shade of red, except the statues and giant vases that were made of gold. It was getting brighter by fractions Tatsumi noticed, not yet lit up, but enough for naked eyes to identify more shapes in their environment.
The silence that had befallen the group was a sharp contrast to the mayhem that had went on before. Everyone was too stunned by the changes to do anything but to stare around frantically. Hisoka looked at Suzaku's face across from his and saw that the phoenix was trying to keep calm. His empathy however sensed the turmoil that was the result of confusion and shock rolling through her body and a fierce protectiveness that was for her master. It was magnified 4 times more by the worried vibes coming from the other occupants of the room, all resonating with one thought in mind: the question of what was happening around them. Only Isorou's vibe was calm. He was silent like the rest of them but his silence extended into his heart and soul.
Isorou was the only one who knew what was going on.
Hisoka wanted to look at him but couldn't see him with Watari and Tatsumi in the way. It didn't matter a moment later when they all heard a loud noise coming from the throne side of the room and their heads turned that way. There was a bright light with a center of darkness growing there. A figure took shape from within and slowly stepped out. It looked like a man, twelve feet tall and dressed in full Samurai amour standing in the center of the red glow. They couldn't see his face covered as it was by the shadow of a horned helmet.
It was a frightening sight, the amour and the sheer size of the creature captivating them in total shock. It stood imposingly on the steps leading to the platform looking over them like a shogun would his subordinates. The metal plates welded into his breastplate reflected the mysterious red light. Then they saw phantom shapes appearing from behind him, robed creatures with equally hidden faces and bony hands who came forward to flank him on either side, the same ghostly underlings that had served Isorou throughout the trial.
For the span of a few minutes no one made any sound, the tall creature doing his observation in silence while the exhausted, bewildered audience watched him in awe. Then someone stepped forward, walking out of the cluster of bodies and toward the magnificent center of attention. He came to a stop in front of it and bowed at the waist in a gesture of respect and servitude.
"We are honored to be in your presence, Lord Mahorath-sama." Isorou's voice echoes under the tall ceiling.
Hisoka felt his heart freeze. So this was Lord Mahorath, the Lord of the underworld and the ruler of hell. For many millennia this dark and dangerous deity had been in charge of punishing the evil and unfortunate souls who had passed through the gates of hell after their fates were decided in the offices of JuOhCho.
He had to admit the creature looked the part.
Mahorath didn't make a move. Didn't even acknowledge Isorou's curtsy. A booming voice came from all around them a second later, ringing deep and commanding in their ears.
Tsuzuki Asato, rise to your new master and god.
It was one of the scariest things Hisoka had heard in his life. He couldn't exactly pinpoint where it was coming from. It seemed like it was echoing in their heads instead of in the room, having nothing to do with the creature that was standing stonily on the stairs. He could tell the others were in the same state, their waves erratic and all over the place. Even though they were beings who had all seen more than their share of frightening things in their lives, it was obvious that none of it had compared to meeting the ruler of hell in person.
It was only a moment before Hisoka felt a movement at his side. His eyes slid down to look at Tsuzuki's face, still lying in his arms. Tsuzuki's eyes were open, looking straight up and through Hisoka. He was astonishingly pale and beautiful, like a porcelain doll. He moved and it took Hisoka by surprise to see him sit up and after a few tries, stand up at last.
Come to me, Tsuzuki Asato. Come to the true origin of your soul and I will purge you of all impurities.
'No'
The thought passed Hisoka's mind just as Tsuzuki was about to take a step forward to whatever that invitation entailed. His hand latched onto Tsuzuki's pant leg, preventing him from walking further. He couldn't tell exactly why but he had a strong urge not to let him get anywhere near that vision of horror.
Tsuzuki stopped. Hisoka was too distressed to say anything, only clutching the fabric in his hands tightly while the unvoiced screams rang through his head. No sound came from any of the other observers. They all seemed to have lost their voices the same way Hisoka had.
Tsuzuki was still for a second, not doing anything but to look ahead. Then slowly he turned and there it was, that familiar smile Hisoka remembered so well showing on his face. He looked down at him and said, "It's ok, 'soka-chan. You can let go now. I won't go anywhere, I promise."
Hisoka was trying his best not to shake too badly, and to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat so he could get some words out. But it seemed like his vocal cords were in a tangle. Tsuzuki looked so much like his own self now. In this weird dimension he was whole, no torn clothes or disarrayed hair and there was not even a speck of blood on him. He looked gorgeous, as if Mahorath had made sure his prize was in perfect condition at the time it was delivered to him.
Tsuzuki knelt beside him and stroked his hair. His smile and kindness were radiating from him in waves and he looked at Hisoka in that cute, gentle way that always broke down all of the boy's defenses. It was that look that destroyed everything Hisoka had achieved in his efforts to find his voice back again and rendered him mute.
"I'm sorry, Hisoka. I didn't mean to leave without saying goodbye." Tsuzuki said softly. He leaned forward, brushing his lips over Hisoka's forehead in a chaste kiss. Then lower, to his lips, not quite touching but very close.
"I wish you all the best," he whispered against them, "Always remember that I loved you." And then he closed the gap with a kiss. So soft and loving it stole Hisoka's breath away to the same place his voice had gone.
He didn't remember seeing much of the rest. He remembered hearing it though but it was like being in one of his blurry dreams. He heard Tsuzuki rise and walk to the rest of the group. Heard him talk to Watari and thank him for happy times. Heard his words to Tatsumi about how he always looked up to him and still regretted their break up and how he had always held a special place in his heart for the older, protective man. He heard him talk to his shikigamis, thanking them for all they'd done for him and telling them to give his regards to the rest of the 12 guardians. Heard Suzaku's protests, the commotion of her hysterical attempt to do something Hisoka couldn't see. And Tsuzuki's quiet apologies to her and to all of them.
Then footsteps. Tsuzuki was coming back to where he was kneeling. He wouldn't stop, Hisoka knew. He'd already said his goodbyes to him. And that thing, that enormous daunting thing standing over there wouldn't probably like it if Tsuzuki took too long. There was only that much time a god would allow a subordinate to waste saying farewell to a bunch of miserable shinigamis.
Tsuzuki walked on. But his pace faltered as he passed Hisoka. Hisoka's heart made a leap, and he looked up…
"I can't be with you anymore, Hisoka." Tsuzuki's voice sounded strangled. He wasn't looking at him.
Hisoka felt heat rise to his face. His voice, the one he had lost since appearing in this place came back to him in a rush of inhaled air, and he breathed out one word, "Tsuzuki…"
"I can't…" Tsuzuki shook his head rapidly. He then turned and Hisoka saw his eyes were lined with tears.
"He's waiting, Hisoka. I have to go."
Hisoka didn't think. Didn't bother fighting for control. He just leaped to his feet and ran the space between them throwing his arms around his partner. He pushed his face into Tsuzuki's chest, his own tears welling up to spill over flushed cheeks. The words came then.
"Why Tsuzuki? Why, why? I thought you wanted to be with us. I thought you said you'd never leave me alone."
Tsuzuki was a statue for a second before putting his arms around the boy's slender frame and pressing him closer to his body. He didn't say anything though and that made Hisoka even more frantic.
"That night, when I had the bad dream and you came to me. You don't remember, do you? That night you promised to never leave me alone. You said you'd always be there for me. Then why…?" the tears choked him and he had to let go of his death grip n Tsuzuki to rub his face. He was frustrated and angry beyond words.
Tsuzuki cupped his cheek in a warm hand and tilted his face up, close to his own again. It was so maddening, to be finally so close to him and knowing that it was farewell.
"Hisoka, I remember that night. I know what you're saying and I'm sorry I failed you. I should have known better. A creature like me does not deserve you."
"That--no--. You--aren't -- how can you--even think -- Tsuzuki, please--" He couldn't speak right. Or maybe it was the constant struggle to say anything through the tears and the emotions that kept pressing on his throat.
Tsuzuki closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against his like Hisoka had done with him in Kyoto. He whispered, "Hisoka, please understand. I'm a demon, and I have to go. It was my fault to get you involved in the first place, my fault I couldn't keep away from you. I caused you pain; I won't anymore."
Hisoka's only reply was a sob.
He was too tired to object when Tsuzuki framed his face in his hands and looked at him affectionately. The sad amethyst eyes were wet, pouring silent rivers over the smooth cheeks. For some reason it reminded Hisoka of how Tatsumi always said it was the saddest thing to see Tsuzuki cry. He thought he agreed with him now.
"Listen Hisoka. I lost the battle. I am His now. And if I don't go soon He might hurt you all. Please understand it is for the best. I'll visit you sometime in Meifu, when this is all over."
He kissed him on the forehead again, but Hisoka was too numb to feel it. When Tsuzuki finally let him go he slumped to the ground. He didn't even sense Tatsumi (or was it Watari?) come to stand beside him. To help him up perhaps. His eyes were fixated on Tsuzuki's back, on the lean tall body in that familiar suit and the hesitant gait as the man walked closer to that center of power.
The red light began to glow brighter behind the powerful deity. Tsuzuki stood a few feet away and raised his head. Tendrils of darkness extended from the creature to wrap themselves around the ex-shinigami. They encircled him, coiling around Tsuzuki's body like a lover's embrace made of wisps of smoke. Tsuzuki remained still though he did let out a surprised gasp at the sudden cold touch. The red glow intensified and in its stark brightness the frightening features of the god of hell became sharply visible. He was standing still, but the dark power that exuded from him to devour the lone man in front of him was as apparent to everyone as were the shadowy branches rising from his body. Hisoka felt the man beside him withdraw in half realized fear and felt a desire in himself to do the same.
Tsuzuki started walking again, and the daunting voice rose around them.
You are now free of all the impurities that clung to your lowly body, Asato. You are purged of all that is humble and elated to the station of Makai's prince. Let me be the first to welcome you to your new life, my beautiful celestial child.
Tsuzuki bowed his head and as if a big curtain was drawn, huge darkness came at him from both sides and swallowed him from their eyes.
You are mine now. My Asato, my child of darkness. You will rise to great heights in my care, and will become truly worthy of your title as a Descendant of Darkness. The wheels of your destiny have finally begun to turn and you have no choice but to accept it.
TBC
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I hope you all liked this chapter. I know it took me a bit longer to post this but I was very busy ""sorry"" As I said, only one more chapter is left. Please let me know what you thought. Your words of encouragement and wisdom will serve to make me a better writer (Wow, that almost sounded like a proverb.) Well to say it in simpler words, I'm basically asking you to please review ;)