Cat-chan: Hey hey hey hey hey 'Soka!
Hisoka: What?
Cat-chan: I have a surprise for you!
Hisoka: I don't want it.
Cat-chan: Aw, why?
Hisoka: Because knowing you, it's probably something dirty. Either finding some way to get me and Tsuzuki together in some hentai way or having me marry some rabid fangirl.
Cat-chan: -gasps- How did you know! Oh yeah, you're an empath... Well too bad! I already promised a faithful reviewer I'd tell you that she wants to marry you!
Tsuzuki: What! But I want to marry 'Soka!
Cat-chan and Hisoka: o.O;;

Chapter 9: Without a sound

"Everything is going according to plan, otome. Thank you for your cooperation. Finally, my doll is learning to be a good doll. Isn't that right bouya? You can sense me… can't you? Living within the flesh of that delicate child. But I won't reveal my plan to you just yet, not when you think you are winning Tsuzuki-san, no… you are far from that." A sinister chuckle issued forth from the doctor as he calmly walked along emptied, frozen streets. "You have no idea what I've got in store for you, my love."

"Kannuki, what the hell are you doing?" the hiss from behind her startled the copper-haired girl, causing her to whirl around to face the emotionless face of her partner.

Wakaba Kannuki let out a relieved sigh, "Oh, Hajime-chan! I'm glad it's just you."

"Cut the crap." he muttered through the cigarette that dangled from his lips, "You didn't answer my question, what are you doing? You're supposed to be in the infirmary."

She sighed, recalling the thought of her injury. It wasn't fatal or anything, a mere run-in with an angered spirit who chose to take out their anger on Wakaba. With the spirit being female, Terazuma had been helpless as his partner took on the full blows while attempting to convince the woman to accompany them peacefully. In the end, she ended up having to use magic on the spirit to send her on. It drained her of her strength and the injuries she had sustained did nothing to help that.

The copper-haired girl couldn't help but beam at her older partner, "Aww! Hajime-chan's worried about me! But, in answer to your question. I got bored!" She pouted, "The infirmary was so dull, no one was in there. So I decided to come to kitchen and bake something. There's nothing wrong with that is there?"

"Yes, there is. You're supposed to be resting stupid girl, you used up too much magic on our last case. Now back to the infirmary with you." Terazuma Hajime ordered, faintly amused by his partner's behavior patterns.

Placing defiant hands on her hips, she retorted: "Thank you for the reminder, okaasan. But I believe that I am capable of taking care of myself. Besides, I'm hungry and the infirmary food tastes terrible! Watari-san should really get a caterer or something."

"I don't think the tightwad over there would approve of that." he smirked, watching the secretary and scientist walk towards kachou's office, "But fine. How about this, I'll get you your damn food and you go back to the infirmary and rest. Deal?"

"Thank you Hajime-chan!" she squealed, moving as if to hug her partner, but then remembered his condition and stepped back, "Gomen. Okay, see you back at the infirmary!"

"Wakaba-chan, Terazuma-san! Wait!" Watari bounded out in front of the girl, startling her and the black-haired man beside her. "Ah, we have a favor to ask of you."

"Feel better now?" Tsuzuki asked the child, who licked her lips of the remnants of pie she had taken a bite of, "Pie makes everyone feel better! Doesn't it 'Soka-chan?"

"No." the boy replied monotonously, initiating the puppy pout from his partner.

Setsuko smiled timidly at the violet-eyed man, rubbing the tear stains off her face, "Y-yeah, actually I do. Thank you Tsu-chan." She appeared thoughtful for a moment, but then asked a question, "So, am I gonna have to stay here?"

"Hai," Tsuzuki nodded, "Nani? Do you not want to?"

"N-no! I do, I do want to stay here. You're all so nice to me, and… thank you. I was just wondering, because, well… who am I going to stay with? You're all guys." she pointed out, causing Tsuzuki and Hisoka to exchange glances.

"Uhh…"

"No need to fear chibi!"

All eyes shifted to where Watari stood now, posed triumphantly with a giddy Wakaba and grumpy Terazuma behind him. Hisoka rolled his eyes, Tsuzuki tilted his head to the side, and Setsuko just blinked up at them innocently.

Watari began to clarify, "You see, after a thorough discussion-"

"You were gone five minutes, how can you have a thorough discussion in five minutes?" Hisoka inquired, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance.

The genki scientist wagged a finger in the boy's face, "Hush, bon. I'm talking. Now! Where was I? Oh yes! After a thorough discussion with Wakaba-chan and Terazuma-san here, it's been decided that you will stay with them. Wakaba-chan is the only female worker here qualified to look after you and she lives with Terazuma, so that's all! Now, formal introductions please."

Wakaba stepped forward and sat down on the other edge of the girl's bed, "Hi, I'm Wakaba Kannuki. You can call me Wakaba-chan or Kannuki or whatever you want, okay?"

"Okay," she smiled sweetly, "I'm Itsuki Setsuko."

"Nice to meet you Setsuko-chan, oh, and this is Hajime-chan. But I advise you call him Terazuma-san or something, he gets kind of grumpy." she patted the girl on the head, "So how old are you?"

"I knew I forgot to ask something!" Tsuzuki suddenly blurted out, the room silent for a few seconds afterward, "Ah… gomen."

Setsuko laughed, "It's okay. I'm nine, my birthday was last month! How old are all of you? If it's okay that I ask that that is…"

"Hmm, let's see. I died when I was fourteen, so that's what I will look like. But I'm really around thirty. Hajime-chan looks twenty-three, but he's also around thirty. (1)" Wakaba explained, then nodded for Tsuzuki to continue with his and Hisoka's age.

The brunette did so, "And I'm twenty-six. But… I've spent seventy-five years as a shinigami. 'Soka here is sixteen! But if he could still age, he'd be eighteen."

"He's still just a baby!" Wakaba cooed, resulting in a death glare from Hisoka who was now undoubtedly pissed off at the entire group. Tsuzuki inched away from his partner, Wakaba doing the same and hiding behind Terazuma. "I-I was only kidding Hisoka-san!"

Setsuko's eyes widened at the frightening image Hisoka portrayed, "Wow, I really don't want to make you angry. That's scary."

"Well yes, I am scary. Thanks for pointing that out." he mumbled sarcastically. "How else do you think I get that baka over there to listen?"

Her mouth opened as if to retort, but realization flooded into her eyes and her lips closed. A smile graced them instead and the realization faded into understanding. She nodded, saying nothing, and snuggled back under the blankets. Hisoka arched an eyebrow, puzzled as to why she said nothing. Everyone in the room was silent for a moment, as if expecting a reply. When none came except for the small, tired sigh from the girl, they all began going on with their own business. Seeing that he would not get an answer, the empath turned to leave.

"They're different, you know…"

The boy spun around to face the child, shock on his features. He had definitely heard someone's voice just then. Not thoughts or emotions, but a voice. He looked to his partner, who was babbling on to Wakaba about "custody rights" and what not while she occasionally replied. Setsuko had fallen asleep, still exhausted from the day's events. Watari was putting his two sense into the conversation, while Terazuma rolled his eyes. There was nothing suggesting anyone had said a thing and if they had, no one had noticed.

Rubbing his temples in order to quell his oncoming headache, Hisoka once again proceeded to leave the room. How did she know?

Lust: To have an intense or obsessive desire, especially one that is sexual.

Love: A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.

Partner: One that is united or associated with another or others in an activity or a sphere of common interest, especially: A member of a business partnership. A spouse. A domestic partner. Either of two persons dancing together. One of a pair or team in a sport or game, such as tennis or bridge.

Need: A condition or situation in which something is required or wanted

Desire: To wish or long for; want.

Nightmare: A dream arousing feelings of intense fear, horror, and distress.

Obsession: Compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.

Gazing with dulled optics at his findings, fingers dancing through thinned locks. He didn't understand why he had felt the impulse to look up the words, originally he had gone to the library for some solace and a new book to read. Now he found himself buried in a dictionary and looking up each word that came to mind. The first two in particular because he couldn't understand them. Couldn't distinguish them.

Being an empath, one would think that he could easily tell the difference between emotions. Unfortunately, he always had a problem when it came to desires, lust, and love. Out of anything, except maybe rejection or fear, he loathed those emotions with a passion. They made him want to curl up in a ball and cry until all the pain and memories faded, leaving him empty. Empty was good sometimes, it didn't hurt so much when he was empty. It didn't hurt so much, then,to see violet instead of silver.

"Hisoka-san?"

The blonde looked up, not surprised by the voice of the Elder GuShoShin looking at him with concern. The other twin was right behind, mirroring the expression. He tried to pull off a look of indifference, but failed miserably. A feathered hand was placed to his forehead.

"You don't look well, Hisoka-san. You should probably go to the infirmary or go home. We can inform kachou and the others if you want." The floating chicken spoke up again, pulling his hand back from the boy's fevered face.

His head shook slowly, "No, I'm fine. Just tired. I can make it through the day. Really." No need for the concern of others.

Hisoka rose from his seat, feeling very uncomfortable with the GuShoShin now and made way to leave. He didn't think to pick up the definitions he had scrawled down, he merely left them there. The twins exchanged glances, not liking the words chosen. However, they said nothing, knowing it was none of there business as to what went on in the empath's head.

TBC

Notes:
1. I'm not sure how old they are exactly, I'm making a rough assumption on Wakaba and Terazuma's ages. Sorry if they're inacurate!

I love reading my reviews, they're always so funny or sweet! Those of you who have stuck by me for these nine chapters so far, I thank you deeply. And those of you who are new to my story, I thank you lots too! I thank everyone!

1. junglebunny: Thank you and T/H is my fave pairing (of course) so there will be T/H action! Lots of it (but not overboard)! I'm not sure if my story's good enough to be in a manga volume, but thanks!
2. lunarkitty14: I WILL CONTINUE DAMMIT! lol. Well I'm glad I have such an eager fan! And 'Soka-chan will hear from me that he has a fangirl who is marrying him, yay! Or wait...he already did! yay!
3. Kyokutou: Thank you for the review!
4. Sam: Heh, okies thank you my spell-checker person! And thank you for the plot compliment! I want to be able to keep the story flowing nicely, adding to the action while explaining what's going on inside the character's minds too. I'm glad you don't think it's too slow or fast. For Setsuko, I just want people to get a good idea of how she is and what her reactions might be to... don't want to give anything away so you'll just have to wait!