Disclaimer: I do not own the uber awesome Yami no Matsuei written by Matsushita-sensei. I do own my own character however. So noooooo stealing! -shakes finger-
Puppy Tsuzuki: Yeah, noooooo stealing!

Chapter 3: When comfort dies

"Hmm, Tatsumi's being cheap as usual." Tsuzuki sighed, eyeing the hotel room.

It was fairly small, consisting of one queen-sized Western-style bed, a small desk, a chair, a dresser, and a bathroom that was uncomfortably small. Hisoka was also looking over the room with a frown plastered on his face.

"Guess 'Soka-chan gets the futon!" the man sang out as he bounded over to the bed.

Hisoka grumbled slightly, then shuffled over to the closet where a spare futon was located. "Don't get too comfortable, Tsuzuki. We should begin working."

"But we just got here! Can't we have a moment to relax?" he whined pitifully, sprouting ears and a tail that resembled a puppy's.

Hisoka rolled his eyes, then strolled over to situate his futon and set down his stuff. After doing this, he plucked a few folders from the bag, files on the case. Tossing one at his partner, the blonde sat down on the bed and opened one for himself.

"There, you can relax while reading that." he said quietly, not looking at the older Shinigami.

He pouted, "Mou, Hisoka you're so-" he froze mid-sentence, then quickly redeemed himself, "Hisoka you're no fun!"

Hisoka snorted, but gave no further reply. Tsuzuki sighed in relief, he had suddenly remembered the boy's reaction when he was called a meanie. He didn't want to relive that experience again. As if sensing the man's thoughts, which he probably could seeing he was an empath, Hisoka edged away from him ever so slightly. Tsuzuki noticed though, he made sure his mental shields were up before allowing any traces of sadness or disappointment seep through into the boy.

"Ne… Hisoka?"

"What?" he acknowledged his partner's question, even if he didn't raise his gaze from the file.

Tsuzuki fidgeted uncomfortably, "Umm…" He was going to ask if something was bother him, he'd been strangely quiet on the entire trip down to earth. More so then normal. "Do you think we could get some dessert later?"

"Sure."

Any other time, Tsuzuki would be leaping for joy at his partner's agreement to go get dessert, but this seemed different. There was something almost… fearful in his tone. He didn't sound at all like Hisoka. Something clicked in his mind, Tatsumi. It must be something Tatsumi said. But what? Tsuzuki knew his tightwad friend wouldn't say anything to hurt Hisoka, not intentionally anyway.

Tatsumi did seem concerned with us and this case… maybe he told Hisoka that? I forgot that I was supposed to pester it out of him… Oh well, I'll ask now. The violet-eyed shinigami leaned closer to Hisoka, concerned with what the secretary had told him. Is it his empathy? Is he resigning? Oh gods… He's resigning. He doesn't want to be my partner anymore. That's why he's so distant. That's why he- smells like vanilla?

Tsuzuki's worrying faded momentarily, his face hovering just behind Hisoka's shoulder. He had been planning on tapping the kid on the shoulder, but he was suddenly enamored with the way his chest moved up and down calmly, the hidden scent of vanilla on him, the way he chewed on the tip of his pen, lightly yet forcefully. He felt his face heat up at the direction of his thoughts. Sure, it wasn't the first time he observed his partner like this… but it was the first time he was this close and the empath hadn't noticed. His wheat colored bangs blew lightly, caressing his pale skin. The pale skin was slowly reddening. Beautiful…

Emerald optics flashing, Hisoka whirled around to snap at his partner, "What the hell do you-!"

He stopped mid-sentence, he'd been expecting to come face to face with Tsuzuki, but the man was on his side of the bed, pouting and gazing at the file in his hands forlornly. At the sound of Hisoka's voice, he looked up and met his gaze evenly. Subconsciously, his finger tips went to the back of his neck. He could've sworn he felt someone breathing right there. Yet Tsuzuki was much too far away to be the culprit.

"What is it 'Soka?" he asked, chocolate bangs falling into amethyst eyes as he tilted his head in confusion, "Something wrong?"

"N-no… nothing…" Hisoka muttered, turning his back to Tsuzuki and looking back at the case files. There were three things he couldn't explain right there. One, the explanation of the murders. Two, if Tsuzuki wasn't breathing on his neck then who was? And three, if it had been Tsuzuki like he thought… why had he liked it?

So cold. So dark. But have to keep moving, have to...Can't let them find me. Can't let them lock me away again. Don't wanna go back. Somebody… help me…

The tiny form of a girl collapsed in the deep snow banks. Eyes of a dark brown shone dully with a lack of life. Skin paled and frostbitten, lips quivering and turning blue. Limp light brown locks fell around her tired angelic face. Her entire body ached and protested, it was too cold and she was too tired. She just wanted to die. Maybe… it's better this way…

Letting eyelids slip closed, she pressed her baby soft cheek into the powdery snow. Her entire form quivered, shivering in the slight but bitter wind. The light blue coat she had donned no longer shielded her from the cold. Her stockings were soaked through, her boots too big and falling off her feet. Her skirt was also soaked and clinging to her legs. One of the ribbons holding her hair back had been lost a while back, so the thin locks blew haphazardly and clung to tear-stained cheeks.

"Kaa-san… Tou-san…" she murmured sleepily, "Why do you hate me…?"

You are a demon. A monster. No one could come near a monster.

"O… only because… you made me that way…" she debated quietly.

They all hate you. You demon. You murderer. My little doll, come back to me, I'll protect from cruel words and harsh blows. My doll.

She gasped, "No…!"

With little energy, she pulled herself off the ground and stumbled a few feet before collapsing once more. Panting heavily, heavy lidded eyes searched desperately amid all the white surrounding her. But he wears all white… I'd never see him in time… This thought threatened to suffocated her with fear. Soon she was on her feet again, but gravity betrayed her and pulled her down again.

"Stop… please…" she choked out, frightened sobs threatening to take over.

I think someone needs to show you your place.

"No…" she whispered, crawling on the ground, head spinning and making her nauseous. "Please… no…"

"Oh, I think I will." the sadistic smirk was all her near-lifeless eyes could distinguish, "And I don't think you're in a position to stop me."

It was entirely possible. No, it was probably true. Take out the probably and you have one very important fact in solving the case. A description that matched that of Muraki's was held within the case folder that rested in Hisoka's trembling hands. He had been sighted… he had been sighted right before one of the murders had been committed… right where it had taken place.

His lips parted and he tried to call to Tsuzuki, but no sound emerged. It was like that night. Even now, Muraki could prevent his doll from speaking. He had complete control-

"No!"

"Hisoka!"

The loud shattering of something glass rang in his ears, then nothing. Wide green optics stared blankly at the folder he'd flung forward, not aware that he threw it so hard that it would knock over the lamp on the nightstand. It now lay in pieces, broken. Just like me… Flinching inwardly at the thought, Hisoka felt bile rise up in his throat and he suddenly had the need to vomit. Nausea overwhelmed him. He clutched his sides and doubled over. His mental shields faltered, then collapsed. Emotions were running rampart. Anger, fear, joy, guilt, love, concern, confusion, worry, hatred, depression, self-loathing, vengeance, caring, kindness, pain, hostility. Every single emotion that was within the hotel accosted Hisoka's writhing frame and he cried out in anguish.

Oh gods, make it stop! Make it end! Please! He felt hot tears running down his face as his stomach emptied itself of it's contents. If he looked hard enough, he could see a little blood too. He was lightheaded, everything spinning and spinning. His chest constricted. He couldn't breath. The coppery taste of blood in his mouth mingled with the vomit and saliva that had gathered there. A choked sob shook his body, curling up into a tight ball as the dizziness continued.

Then warmth. Everything seemed to slow down, he was aware that he was hyperventilating. Clouded, dazed emerald optics came into focus, the room still blurred by tears. Emotions not his own still entered him, but they blocked out all the others. Relaxing slightly, Hisoka liked this feeling; compassion, concern, affection, and need. They were warm.

He was aware of someone brushing away his tears, soft and gentle. Rubbing his back and smoothing his sweat-drenched hair back, just in case more nausea came upon him. He coughed, blood and spittle, it was violent and made him tense again, but the gentle caress and slow rocking motion immediately calmed him. He didn't feel childish like this. He needed this. The comforting murmurs of nothing reach his ears, he sighed contently. The room stopped spinning.

"Hisoka…"

"Mmmm…?" that was all he could say, he was still lightheaded and exhausted, not really completely aware of his surroundings, like being half asleep.

"Hisoka! You're okay? Oh gods, you scared me. You are okay, right?" Concern was evident in the voice that reached him. "Hisoka?"

"Tsu…zuki…" he mumbled, turning his head so that his half-lidded emerald optics gazed up into bright amethyst. "'m okaay…"

Tsuzuki shifted Hisoka so that the boy was in his lap, his head supported by one arm. His bangs were brushed back by his hand. The boy's forehead was burning and sweat-drenched. It was apparent that he was not well, Tsuzuki wondered what could have made his partner react this way.

Brushing away the remaining tears, the older of the two surveyed the younger, "Hisoka… what happened? You screamed out 'No' and then you just… I don't know what!"

Guilt swarmed the semi-conscious boy as grief echoed in Tsuzuki's voice, "Mmm-mur…" He blinked a few times, then green eyes darted to the fallen file and broken lamp, "… aki…"

Anger flashed in Tsuzuki's eyes, suddenly understanding. There was only one thing, one person, who could scare Hisoka so badly. Reaching down, he made sure not to lose his hold on the limp boy and retrieved the file. He flipped through it, coming across the page Hisoka must've been reading.

"A man with platinum blonde hair streaked with silver was identified at the crime scene, Kanagawa Chapel. He is about six feet tall with one gray eye and one made of glass. He has broad shoulders and was seen wearing a white suit and white coat. It has been discovered that his alias is Dr. Kazutaka Muraki, the renowned physician, but he is a suspect due to the fact that the fourth murder occurred only an hour after his appearance. This was after he stated that we should be very careful around the crime scene, it was not known when the killer would strike next. His knowledge of the next murder was much too coincidental."

Tsuzuki didn't read anymore, he was shaking with fury and fear combined. How? Muraki perished in Touda's fire right? He had to have! There was no possible way he could have survived! But then… it was Muraki they were talking about…

A whimper alerted Tsuzuki that his thoughts were seeping into the weakened and vulnerable empath. He sighed, then pulled up his shields, but just so his anger was hidden. Hisoka relaxed, drifting in and out of consciousness. Tsuzuki gazed down at him tenderly, but sadly, what were they doing here? It was obvious both of them were not ready to take on a case. Especially not one that dealt with their psychotic doctor friend. No… not again…

TBC...

Thank you my beloved reviewers! You all get cookies!
1. kiokie-princess-of-pain: Thanks for the review, more chapters are on the way!
2. Nana-Riiko: Thanks for reviewing! 3. ffpanda: Thank you, yeah I really want to stay true to the actual story-line. It can be very difficult to keep them all in character sometimes though! -smiles- Thanks for reading and reviewing!
4. kinko: Yay! Thank you! I love the story too! 5. lunarkitty14: Thanks for reviewing again! More chapters are on the way!