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-
Hisoka: -rolls eyes- I should just steal it to piss her off.
theCatandtheCow and Tsuzuki: GASP!
Hisoka: -scoots away- Or not.
theCatandtheCow: That's better, 'Soka-chan. Behave yourself my little muse! Now, sit back and enjoy the show!
Tsuzuki: Yay!
Hisoka: Whatever...

Chapter 5: Lust is not

"All the murders occurred within ten hours of each other, there were seven victims, but since we didn't really do much last night, there are eight now and if my timing is correct, then the ninth should occur in about half an hour." Hisoka scowled at his choice of wording, it sounded like he was listing show times, "We can't afford to let another person die." Tsuzuki shuddered at this, the boy pressed on, "The first victim was aged twenty, the second was eighteen, third was nineteen, fourth was seventeen, fifth was fifteen, sixth was sixteen, seventh was fourteen, and eighth was twelve. The pattern in the ages is distinguished, but there is also a pattern in genders. First was female, then male, then female, then male, female, male, female, and male. So I'm guessing the next victim is a girl. He age is estimated to be younger, about thirteen, and she is probably going to be murdered at the Cathedral. That's all we have so far, right?"

Sitting across the table from his partner, Tsuzuki nodded, but his eyes kept drifting. Hisoka sighed, his partner had been like that ever since he woke up and they went out for breakfast and to come up with some kind of conclusion seeing as they only had half an hour before the next murder. It was obvious the man was just trying to make sure no one, namely Muraki, snuck up on them, but it was annoying the empath to no end.

"Will you stop that?" he hissed, wanting to smack Tsuzuki across the head.

Amethyst eyes blinked innocently at him, "Stop what?"

"What you're doing! You look rather conspicuous, you know. I suggest you stop projecting that you think Muraki will just pop up behind us and say-"

"Hello bouya, fancy meeting you here."

Hisoka's blood ran cold at the familiar voice, one so sadistic and cruel that it could only belong to one person. One glance at the anger flashing in Tsuzuki's eyes and he knew that his killer and rapist was right behind him. His empathy really sucked lately. Turning his head so that he could see the white demon behind him, a glare entered his eyes.

"Muraki." both he and Tsuzuki replied, hostility tingeing both their seemingly calm voices.

"Ah, ah, ah…" the doctor smiled, "No need to be so rude towards me bouya. My dear Tsuzuki-san, what a pleasure seeing you again. Have you been well? I know Kyoto must have been quite a strain-"

Muraki didn't finish his sentence, for Hisoka found that to be the perfect moment to punch him right in the gut. He had a vantage point anyway, he was seated and in perfect range of hitting him. The chance was too good to pass up. Besides, the bastard didn't have any right to bring up something so painful to Tsuzuki. Hisoka wouldn't allow it.

"What happened in Kyoto hasn't blown over yet, even the slightest of incidents could set him off. So stay close to him, alright?"

Suddenly, Hisoka found himself yanked out of his chair, and pulled forward. Tsuzuki had a firm grip on his forearm, stepping in front of him to act like a shield. Hisoka glared at him, about to yell at him for something or other, but the look on Tsuzuki's face froze his retort. Watching him with a puzzled gaze, Hisoka gulped and fidgeted when he felt the feral urge to protect him emit from his partner. The grip tightened, as if to say: 'You're not going anywhere, so don't fight it.' He let his arm fall slack and Tsuzuki's hold lessened.

It was then that Hisoka realized Muraki had made a grab for him right before Tsuzuki pulled him away. It hadn't been threatening in any way. A simple, yet sick smile plastered on his lips, the gesture had been almost sensual. Hisoka shuddered, suddenly feeling very weak and helpless from behind Tsuzuki and hating every minute of it.

"Let go." he whispered angrily.

Tsuzuki didn't look at him, but Hisoka could feel from his emotions that the answer was most definately 'no'.

"You're becoming a very bad doll, bouya…" he pushed back some of his platinum strands, "Do I need to teach you another lesson?"

Hisoka opened his mouth to retort, but Tsuzuki beat him to it, "Shut the hell up, Muraki. Leave Hisoka alone. And the victims, all those innocents murdered, it was you wasn't it? Wasn't it!"

"Relax, Tsuzuki-san, no need to cause a scene." Muraki chuckled, both shinigami realized many people were staring at them. "But in answer to your question, I'm afraid I'm only half of the problem. You see, my new doll has been acting up, so I'm trying to teach her who holds the strings. Bouya knows, don't you? You're such a good, obedient doll, you scream when I want you to-"

"Stop it! They are not your dolls!" the violet-eyed man was livid, eyes ablaze, his grip on his partner tightening. Hisoka winced at the onslaught of emotions, tugging on his arm in a desperate attempt to escape. "And what about this new 'doll'? What have you done?"

The smile never faded from Muraki's face, "Well, I suppose I've said enough. Do take care dear Tsuzuki-san. Oh, and don't worry, you'll meet my new doll soon enough. I suggest you begin your search in the woods. I believe she was heading over there."

With that said, he walked past them and left the tiny café they had been in. Tsuzuki tried to calm his erratic breathing, while Hisoka tried to calm down his partner's emotions and free his hand. Suddenly, Tsuzuki thrust money down on to the table and walked briskly out of the café, dragging a startled Hisoka behind him.

"What the hell were you thinking! Doing something so brash like that! Were you even considering the consequences! Did you see how he looked at you? Do you want Muraki after you again? Do you?" the harsh tone of his partner caused Hisoka to flinch, and instinctively pulled away, but Tsuzuki wouldn't have it.

The empath glared at him, "No. But he deserved it. He was going to say something-"

"I don't give a damn about what he had to say!" Tsuzuki shouted, receiving stares from passerby's.

The anger was overwhelming, the intense hatred, Hisoka tried to pull away again, "Let go of me."

"No."

"Let go."

"I said, no."

"Let go!"

"No, Hisoka."

"I said, let go!" he cried, suddenly frightened of his partner's behavior, "Let go! Please…!"

Without the support Tsuzuki had been giving him, Hisoka found himself on the snow-covered sidewalk. Regaining his composure, he glared up at the violet-eyed man. Tsuzuki himself appeared startled, as if he hadn't realized what he had been doing.

"I'm not fragile, Tsuzuki. I can take care of myself. I don't need your protection." He didn't care if every word he spoke was a lie, right now the boy was furious that his partner thought him to be defense-less and weak.

"Hisoka…" the man looked on the verge of tears, not necessarily hurt by what he said, but by what he had been doing to him, "Hisoka, I'm sorry… I-"

"Yeah, well, think next time! Your emotions are bad enough as it is, I don't need you touching me to make it worse!" Hisoka had raised his tone slightly, "I don't need you to protect me. And you may think you're helping, but when you touch me it just makes things a hell of a lot worse for me. All your guilt, anger, depression, self-loathing…"

He trailed off when he saw the wounded look in Tsuzuki eyes. I was only trying too help him… The thoughts that rang with distress hit Hisoka head on, accompanied with his own guilt for making his partner upset. But he wasn't going to take any of it back, that would only serve as to make him look stupid and childish.

"I-I'm so sorry, Hisoka…" his voice quivered, as if he would break down right there.

Hisoka got up and brushed off his pants, they were wet now. "It's okay, just stop apologizing, baka."

Tsuzuki didn't say another word as they set off in the direction they believed the woods to be in, aware that they still had a case to solve. The guilt that had failed Hisoka when he spoke the lies now attacked him full on. He felt completely miserable for what he had said, Tsuzuki didn't deserve any of that. Not after all he'd done for him. I'm cruel. Cruel, and rotten, and spoiled… I'm just like him…

Hisoka hesitated, stopping in his tracks. He watched Tsuzuki continue walking, he didn't notice that his partner wasn't beside him until he got to the corner. Whirling around, fear in his gaze, he relaxed when he saw the boy not too far behind. He approached him cautiously, bracing himself for rejection.

"You idiot…" Hisoka murmured, seeing the tears that were trying to be hidden within violet eyes and feeling his heart drop, then stepped forward touched Tsuzuki's cheek lightly and brushed away the liquid that threatened to spill over, "You're such a stupid, stupid idiot, you know that?"

Amethyst orbs widened in surprise, a light blush forming on his cheeks. Hisoka was confusing him, but when the apologetic emerald pools met his, he saw that he hadn't meant one word of his outburst. But then, he normally never did.

"I'm sorry, Tsuzuki." he whispered softly, but loud enough for him to hear, "I didn't mean it. I'm really sorry. So don't cry… okay?"

Hisoka pulled back his hand, blushing furiously, then averted his gaze and began to walk on. Tsuzuki was quick though, his own hand shot out and grabbed Hisoka's. He smiled at his younger friend, appreciating the apology.

"Tsuzuki?"

"Thank you, Hisoka." was all he replied, squeezing the hand gently before letting go and continuing on. Tilting his head to the side in confusion, the empath watched his bittersweet partner for a few moments. Then he broke into a run to catch up.

Tsuzuki had accepted his partner's apology, but he couldn't help but keep his distance from the boy. It wasn't that he was afraid of what Hisoka would do to him, though that was pretty scary to think about too, he was afraid of what he'd do to Hisoka.

He hadn't been aware of his tight grip on him, nor that his darkened emotions were overwhelming his empathic senses. And when Hisoka asked him to let go of him, he didn't. His anger had clouded his mind and all that mattered was getting Hisoka away from Muraki, even if it hurt the boy in the process. Tsuzuki shivered at the thought, he could've hurt his partner physically. He wasn't even sure how tightly he had been holding onto him, but the panicked voice brought him back to reality.

But what could guarantee that he wouldn't do that again? I don't need your protection. It was times like these that made Tsuzuki question his choice. He had continued to live as a shinigami because Hisoka asked, no, pleaded with him to stay. Pleaded because he needed him. Well, if Hisoka didn't need him… what was the point in staying? It would be so simple… sneak off while he slept and summon Touda somewhere far away from any other humans so no more innocent lives would be put at risk. But what about…?

That would mean leaving Hisoka all alone in the same city as Muraki. That was practically begging the doctor to come and take him into his possession again. I didn't mean it. I'm really sorry. Tsuzuki smiled sadly, Hisoka still needed him, that much was certain, whether the boy was ready to admit it or not.

Thank you all my wonderful reviewers! You are all so kind! -gives cookies-
1. ffpanda: I know, I feel so bad for Hisoka -gives 'Soka a hug- I'm sorry 'Soka! Heh, well thank you for the review and sticking with my story! I really appreciate it!

2. Sam: Thank you so much, I'm trying to make it suspenseful and whatnot. And I'm glad you think my spelling and grammar is good, that was one of the things I was worried about. Thanks again for the review!

3. Rev: Yup! Lots of new chapters on the way too! Thanks for the review!