"NII-SAN!" she shrieked, running towards the bloodied form of Hisoka, crying in anguish, "NII-SAN! HANG ON!"
Why? Why did it have to come to this? Why did I let him do this! The curse has been activated. I can only imagine how much pain he's going through. Tsu-chan, where are you? Nii-san needs you. He really does, please come back, Setsuko's thoughts were going a mile a minute, ignoring the frantic calls from Wakaba and Watari. All that mattered was getting to Hisoka before he did.
She could see him a little better now, but the sight brought waves of nausea over her. There was Hisoka, her big brother Hisoka, the seemingly cold empath, huddled on the ground. He looked broken, thick crimson liquid smeared over his face, he was curled up in a small ball, hugging his knees to his chest despite the broken ribs he probably had. His eyes were squeezed shut as screams of pain racked his broken body. For some reason, his wounds would not heal, even with his shinigami powers. Setsuko stumbled wildly over the rubble scattered on the ground, tripping in some places, but she didn't take any notice.
"What's wrong, bouya?" the taunting voice that dripped with poison sounded from above her, though directed to the trembling Hisoka. "Afraid that your precious partner won't save you? Well, you're right. He won't! He hates you. And who wouldn't?"
"Haruna." the child hissed through clenched teeth, glaring at the demoness above her, "Leave him alone!"
"Awww, well if it isn't otome? Didn't you both learn your lessons the last time you interfered with master's plans?" a crack of the whip that she clenched in her ghastly white hand, "Is another lesson in order? I certainly believe so."
The whip cracked again, this time coming into contact with the boy's skin. A large red welt appeared where he had been hit and he choked back a sob as it began to bleed. Setsuko trembled with fury. She couldn't control that demon bitch, not that she was hers to control any longer anyway. The whip came down again, reopening the healing wound. Hisoka bit down on his lower lip, it too began to leak the warm red liquid.
"Stop it!" she cried, a mixture of fear and anger, "Leave nii-san alone!"
Haruna smirked, "With him being the owner of the curse, I can do whatever I want with him. You are in no position to stop me anyway. What can you do? Can you save him?"
Setsuko froze, seriously contemplating what Haruna had sneered at her. In all honesty, she knew that Hisoka didn't need her. He liked her, yes, but it wasn't like he felt with Tsuzuki. The boy had been a wreck ever since the man left, definitely frightening her to the core. Tsuzuki was an anchor for the boy, he kept him safe and sane and loved, even if Hisoka would never admit that to anyone but her.
"I-I need him… 'Suko… I don't know what to do without him… I feel lost and scared… I want Tsuzuki to come back… but that's just selfish of me…"
"No. Only one person can do that." she murmured, casting a forlorn look towards the crumpled blonde, yet a certain determination filled her chocolate optics, "But that doesn't mean I won't try!"
She quickly sprinted towards her friend's fallen form, the shriek of the demoness above her startling her. When the whip made contact with her back, she yelped and stumbled over to Hisoka. Without thinking, she placed her hand over the boy's clenched fist and mentally pulled, just as he had done when he had stolen her curse.
The familiar dizzying sensation filled her, her mind swimming as the curse filled her. She concentrated harder on sucking the parasite out of him, his empathy responding by pushing it out. He cried out again, tears mingling with the blood that collected on his cheeks. Her hands stained with his blood now, as she propped him up. Slowly, the pain filled her. She bit her lip, drawing blood, tears trailing down her cheeks. With a forced gasp, the curse entered her once more. Immediately pulling back, it felt like something was burning her insides. Sending her entire being into a burning aura of bitter and destruction. The pain overwhelmed her, a scream of fear escaping her as she hugged her body tightly. This was so much worse than before.
Succumbing to the pain, the last thing Setsuko saw before the fires of her curse overwhelmed her were twin emerald optics blinking up at her. They were tired and confused and full of pain, but they shone with life. And that was enough for her.
Why do I go on living? It's pointless. My existence only causes pain for those around me. No one is here to stop me now. Now I can call upon Touda and finally end it all. Tatsumi is angry with me, it's obvious he hates me. Setsuko is completely furious, I'll only end up killing her in the end. And Hisoka… oh, Hisoka… he's scared of me. Scared! I have frightened him just as Muraki did. I cannot live knowing that he looks at me and thinks of that bastard. I should've tried harder to keep my feelings under control. Should've should've should've should've tried harder… I'm sorry 'Soka… So sorry… Empty violet optics stared down at the ground, void of all life and happiness, just dull orbs.
Tsuzuki was sitting upon a bench in the middle of god-knows-where. He was numb to everything so it didn't matter. Lost within the depths of his own mind, his adrenaline rushing at the prospect of ending it all. No one would save him this time, the coast was clear. He would feel no guilt in leaving anyone behind. Not even his partner.
The strings of his heart tugged at the thought of the blonde boy, making his soul hurt all the more. No tears came to his eyes though. He'd done his share of crying that day. And the day before that and the day before that… Everyday he was without Hisoka since the night in the infirmary. The panic in those emerald pools, the panic and fear at Tsuzuki edging closer to him. The brunette buried his face in his hands. That memory would not leave him alone. What ifs plaguing him, both good and bad. He seriously believed he had lost his mind. His thoughts were no longer controlled by him.
"Hisoka…"
At that moment, Tsuzuki wanted nothing more than to hold his partner close and sob into him. Comfort the boy while obtaining comfort himself. He wanted to stay with Hisoka, just like at the hotel and in the office and when Setsuko ran to him in a panic. He could remember his blood running cold at the sight of her crying that something was wrong with Hisoka. It had only been a nightmare, but it left him feeling uneasy. Had his partner's nightmares been of him in place of Muraki? He shuddered as that thought passed through him.
I'm only prolonging the inevitable. I might as well get it over with. Find someplace quiet where there are no people, no innocents who can get hurt in my destruction. I don't want to hurt anyone any more.
"Tsuzuki-san," the normally cold reached out to him, this time warm with compassion and worry, "Are you alright?"
"H-hai." Tsuzuki stuttered in reply, surprised to see a pair of cobalt eyes hidden behind spectacles gazing down at him. "What are you doing here, Tatsumi?"
The secretary sat down beside him on the bench, "Looking for you, of course. Everyone's worried. Itsuki-chan was in quite a state when she told us you were gone. What have you been doing?"
"Anou, I've just been thinking. I didn't mean to make anyone worry. Gomen nasai." the brunette forced out a chuckle, "I'm probably in trouble now, right? Or fired…"
"No, you're not in trouble or fired. We just want to make sure you're alright. We wouldn't want you going through what happened in Kyoto…" Tsuzuki winced, Tatsumi guessed he hit the nail on the head, "Is this about Kurosaki-kun? Or something else…?"
The violet-eyed man shook his head, "I'm honestly not sure. It does involve Hisoka, but it's mainly because… b-because, all I ever do… is cause people pain and suffering… I'm tired of it… So tired…"
The gaze the secretary had was pained, seeing his friend distressed like that, "Tsuzuki-san… you do not cause pain and suffering… You have helped many, where would any of us be without you?"
"In a much better place…"
Tatsumi sighed, hanging his head just like the man beside him, "I won't try to stop you… I just want you to know what you will be risking and giving up. Alright? Will you listen?"
"Hai, Tatsu-" Tsuzuki was cutoff by a shrill ring.
Both shinigami turned to the direction of the noise. It was a cell phone clipped to Tatsumi's belt. A panic settled in cobalt depths, his hand darting to it and immediately flipping it open. Tsuzuki watched in curiosity, why would Tatsumi be so eager to answer a call? Was it important?
"What happened?" the secretary asked immediately, not even bothering with a hello.
Tsuzuki craned his neck in interest, trying to catch any hint of the conversation. All he could pick up was that it was Watari, the Kansai accent was very distinguishable.
"No, you can't be serious." A pause, then, "So it's been activated… what? What! How did that happen! You don't know. What have you been doing? You were supposed to keep an eye on them! I know, I know. Hai, I found him. Yes, yes, we'll be right there. Just make sure he doesn't kill himself in the process, or Itsuki-chan. He's there too? Great, this will be a wonderful reunion. Was that Wakaba-chan? What? Oh, oh gods… Yes go already! We'll be right there." Tatsumi hung up, then turned to meet violet optics filled with concern, "We've got a problem."
"What? What happened? Is Setsuko alright?" the pitch of Tsuzuki's voice had raised in his concern and worry, "What happened Tatsumi!"
"Itsuki-chan is fine… well, physically. But emotionally…" Tatsumi hesitated for a moment, "We just have to go back. The curse has been activated. Muraki's in Meifu. Itsuki-chan is having an emotional breakdown. And Kurosaki-kun is in trouble."
Tsuzuki's eyes flashed in alarm, "Hisoka? What kind of trouble?"
"Tsuzuki-san…" the other sighed, trying to get him to move.
"Tatsumi! Is Hisoka okay?"
"I won't lie to you. Kurosaki-kun may be dying. Now let's go!"
The secretary grabbed the shoulders of the brunette beside him, pulling him up with him as the two frantically searched for a place to be hidden when they teleport. All that ran through Tsuzuki's head though, was the utter shock and disbelief at his friend's statement. Hisoka's dying? No. No. It's a joke. No. Stop lying to me! He's not dying! Hisoka! Despite the panic he felt, no emotion was reflected on the frozen face of Tsuzuki Asato. Soon his thoughts were drowned out by the sound of his partner's agonizing screams.
"Aka-chan!" Wakaba cried after the girl, as she ran out to Hisoka, "Aka-chan, it's too dangerous! Stop! Setsuko-!"
"Wakaba-chan! I called Tatsumi, he's on his way with Tsuzuki." Watari grabbed her arm to keep the copper-haired girl from going into the middle of the disaster that had formed before them.
The heavens themselves had cracked right down the middle, hordes of demons and beasts swarming Meifu. Buildings had collapsed, everything a barren desolate landscape with only the sakura petals mocking them. The scientist felt pained, horrified, and angered by all that had happened. And as the pleading screams from Hisoka reached him, guilt too. He was supposed to look after the boy while Tsuzuki had been away. Now look what had happened. The poor boy was dying and none of them could do anything about it.
"Oh, Watari-san! What's going to happen? Will they be alright?" Tears were streaming down Wakaba's face, all attempts to free herself from his grasp had dissolved.
Watari couldn't meet her mix-matched eyes, "I… I don't know…"
"TSUZUKI!" he half sobbed half screamed, his body convulsing and writhing on the ground. There was so much blood, and many of his bones were broken. His throat burned and was hoarse from his cries. "TSUZUKI!"
The pain was gradually leaving him, Hisoka assumed he was dying. He could feel it flowing out of his senses, yet the lingering aches were due to his many injuries. Once his sobs quieted, he was aware of the shrieks that came from another. They came from Setsuko.
His vision was blurred and it hurt to try and see. The boy could vaguely make out the form of the child before him, clutching at her body desperately. The wind picked up, rubble and dust blowing wildly around. There seemed to be some kind of barrier around them, he could see the outline of it. The tiny frames of Watari and Wakaba were so far away, calling out to him and Setsuko. Her pain suddenly filled his senses and he yelped, recoiling on the ground. Hisoka rocked back and forth, whimpering as it opened fresh wounds. It felt as if he was broken into a million different little shards. He'd have to piece himself back together again, little by little. If he made it out of there.
With what little coherent thought he had left, the emerald eyed youth believed that there was no chance of him escaping that hell. There was no point either. There was nothing. Tsuzuki hated him. From what Setsuko had told him, his partner was probably gone now. Dead. And it was all his fault.
"What are you afraid of?"
"Tsuzuki-!"
"Are you… are you afraid of me…?"
"Tsu… zuki…"
"Nii-san? Nii-san, are you alright? Open your eyes please! Please! Nii-san, it'll be okay. I promise, just don't leave! Not now, hold on a little longer!" the pleading voice of the girl reached him, though it was distant and close at the same time. "I don't want to lose you! Tsu-chan doesn't want to either! Please, Hisoka!"
"Setsuko…?" he choked out, blood dribbling down from his lips, his half-lidded gaze clouded, "Where's Tsuzuki?"
"He's coming, nii-san. Don't worry. He's coming." she hushed him, brushing his bangs back from his sweaty and dirty forehead.
"I'm right here."
Hisoka felt his body tense involuntarily, even if he couldn't distinguish the voice right away, the gasp from Setsuko was enough to tell him it wasn't good. He could feel her grasp his hand and squeeze it tightly, offering reassurance to the both of them. Fear, hatred, anger, sadness, doubt, and desperate need enveloped him, the boy cried out at the onslaught of emotions. He felt an apology enter soon after and he relaxed a little.
"Why otome, bouya. What a pleasant surprise." the cynical voice of a certain doctor flooded his senses, "Oh my, my… Are you injured, bouya? Do you need me to… examine you?"
Setsuko's voice broke through, "Stay the hell away from him, you bastard!"
"Such naughty language for a doll. Do you require a lesson as well, otome? You were so good up until now. Why did you go and ruin my plan?" Muraki asked, feigning hurt and betrayal, yet amusement in it.
Her voice quivered along with her body, "Shh-shut up! What plan are you talking about!"
"Well, my plan to break Tsuzuki-san and bouya for the final time. With you taking the curse back from him, well, that just destroys my motive. Now, just give it back to bouya." she shook her head violently, Muraki glared, "Well, then. I'll have to force things to go my way after all. Haruna, get over here and kill him. Make it nice and slow, take time in devouring his soul."
"As you wish, Muraki-sama." the now ground-level demoness purred in mock devotion to the doctor.
Setsuko began to panic, "Stay away from him! Don't you hurt him!"
"Ah, but otome, it is my duty to carry out an order once given." Haruna grinned maliciously, "Besides, this one's fear and pain is most delicious to feed upon. It's almost a pity he must be disposed of. Oh well, I will just have to savor every moment of it. Now, step out of the way, otome, your fear no longer satisfies me."
Setsuko stood firmly in between Hisoka and the pair that wished them harm. Her resolve did not falter. Fists clenched at her sides, a protective urge swarmed her. She needed to protect Hisoka from these monsters. That was all that mattered. Nothing else. It is easy to call upon one's inner demon, but to call upon the angel… that takes a lot of effort… I'm willing to try. Try and bring out Haruna's angelic counterpart.
Clasping her hands together and bowing her head, she began the inner chant that she made up on a whim. Please. I don't care if this hurts me. I must stop them from hurting nii-san. Please, wherever you are. Come out. Save him. Save them. The wind picked up again at the sudden rise in spiritual energy. Rubble flying everywhere. Rose petals and sakura petals mingling as they showered upon the group in a rain of floral beauty in this deadly, evil game.
"Please!" she shouted, looking to the sky and spreading her arms out in a parody of a crucifixion. "Don't let anything bad happen to nii-san! Don't let the devil win! Please!"
Maniacal laughter rang out, "Do you really think that you will rescued by some heavenly entity? You are quite the fool, otome."
"You cursed me with both the powers of heaven and hell, did you not, doctor?" she spat at him, keeping her arms outstretched, "The demon comes easy, it's the angel that I want now." And not for myself… I want the angel for Hisoka and Tsuzuki… they need it more than I do.
Suddenly, it felt as if the skin on her back was splitting, pulling apart and allowing blood to pour out the open wound. Setsuko cried out her vision fading, pain causing her to clamp her eyes shut. From behind her, a vaguely conscious Hisoka watched as two pristine, white feathered wings sprouted from her back. The shrill screams brought him further into reality, his vision returning to him. He was drenched in blood, both his own and that of Setsuko's. Demons and beasts hovered high above them, screeching in protest. The demoness, Haruna, appeared furious. Muraki was in shock at the sight before him.
"No, she can't. How can she summon the high arch angel Kaori?" his voice raised, "It's impossible!"
A brilliant white light burst forth from the frail girl's body, the wings expanding. Her back arched as the white light rose from her body. It took on a form, it was a woman looking nearly identical to Haruna. Only a heavenly aura surrounded this one. A pure, light feeling filled the boy, but a sense of foreboding dread as well. With the angel hovering behind her, Setsuko's body had gone limp, like a rag doll.
The angel's hair was long and let loose, a brilliant shade of ivory with a tinge of honey. The white garment that donned her matched perfectly with the equally pale skin. Her glorious white wings were outspread, blood no longer collecting on them. The rain of sakura and roses seemed to match perfectly with this image the woman portrayed. Her eyes opened, revealing twin pale sapphire pools that shone with strength and kindness, but disappointment as well.
"S-setsuko?" Hisoka forced out, his gaze turning from the angel to the tiny girl before him.
The angel stepped out in front of Setsuko and Hisoka, guarding the both of them with her heavenly light. Haruna backed away, obviously frightened by this entity. Muraki glared on, ordering a horde of demons to attack, but none did. With protection in front of them, Setsuko's body fell backwards for lack of support. With quick reflexes, the blonde caught her easily, cradling her prone form in his arms.
The angel lifted her hands sending a radiant beam forth from the palms. Demons shrieked in agony, all attempting to flee and failing miserably. They disintegrated, blood and bones and scraps of flesh was all that was left of them. Citizens of Meifu watched in awe as the golden figure destroyed the horrific creatures that had plagued them. Haruna cried out in dismay, but only met the same fate as the others.
"No! All my plans will not go to waste! Bouya!" Hisoka looked up to Muraki fearfully, "Do not think that you will escape so easily! It will be made sure that you will face all the horrors of hell alone and remain alone! Where is precious Tsuzuki-san now?"
The boy did not reply, he only looked back to the lifeless form of Setsuko. The sound that tore from Muraki's throat was a mixture between a scream, laughter, or sobs. Soon the sound died out, for the man was no longer there. The light faded, leaving no trace of demon with it. The white figure turned and gazed down at Hisoka and Setsuko with saddened blue eyes. The girl in the boy's arms was breathing shakily, life fading from her.
Her skin was unnaturally pale. He touched her lightly and shivered when he felt how cold she was. There was no warmth in her body. Half-lidded chocolate optics had dulled, no life behind them as they stared at something beyond Hisoka. Her head lolled to the side, so he had to support it to make sure it did not fall.
"Setsuko?" he shook her lightly, wincing as he sat up, but more concerned for the child. "Setsuko?"
She coughed and took in a shaky breath, relieving the empath greatly, "Nii..sa-an?"
"Yeah, it's me. Don't worry. You're alright now. We can go home." he bit his lower lip when the feeling of sorrow and pity filled him, "What's wrong? Setsuko? You're alright now, aren't you?"
The only emotion in her quiet brown eyes was that of apology, "I'm sorry nii-san… but… I won't be going home… I won't be okay… The… the only wa-ay to have saved you… and Meifu… was to call upon my tenshi… I'm so sorry… but… Tenshi-sama needs… needs me to come out…"
"What…?" Hisoka stared at her in disbelief, not understanding exactly what she meant.
"In order for her to live… I have to die…"
"No… No, Setsuko. You're not going to die, okay? You're not!" Tears collected in his emerald eyes, mocha eyes boring into his soul with their pity, "Stop it! Stop looking at me like that! Setsuko!"
"I'm sorry…" a tiny hand caressed his cheek, brushing away the tears that cascaded down. "I'm so sorry, nii-san… But… but there wasn't any other way… you couldn't die… not when he needs you… Please don't cry, nii-san. Please." the pleading tone of her voice caused him to nod, despite the sobs that racked his body, "Promise me that you'll be happy? That's all I want… for nii-san and Tsu-chan to be happy… promise?"
"Setsuko-!" Hisoka tried to interject, but Setsuko placed a finger on his lips.
"Promise me?"
"I…" tears came faster as he held the dying child in his arms, "I promise…"
With that, the small smile she had given only him and his partner, that knowing smile that she had only when she was truly happy, appeared on her chalky lips. Peaceful optics slid closed, long lashes caressing pale cheeks. One last sigh escaped her, before death's rattling was heard in her now hollow chest. Setsuko Itsuki no longer existed.
Hisoka trembled violently, his gaze never tearing from the seemingly sleeping face of the girl. Her light honey colored hair spread out around her head like a halo. If not for the blood that stained her, his and hers both, she would've been the perfect picture of an angel. A tenshi as she liked to say. The tears came faster as he shook her gently, calling her name quietly in a desperate attempt to awaken her. Save for her head lolling from side to side, nothing happened. His chest constricted. He clung to her tightly, rocking back and forth.
I killed her. I killed her. I killed her. I did nothing at all. It's all my fault. All my fault. I killed her. I did nothing to stop it. I couldn't- didn't. I'm a monster. I killed her. I'm sorry Setsuko, please wake up. I'm so sorry. Don't be dead. Your blood. Your blood is all over me. Tsuzuki, I'm sorry. I let you down. I killed her, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
He looked up at the angel before him, his entire being quivering. Pleading emerald optics met with sympathizing sapphire ones. They merely stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, the angel bowed her head and kneeled down so that she was level with Hisoka's own kneeling form.
"I'm sorry." her voice was soothing and apology was clearly written in her expression, yet it did nothing to ease Hisoka's pain.
She reached out as if to take Setsuko's lifeless body from him, he sensed this and hugged her tightly to his chest, just as Tsuzuki had done to him so many times. Tsuzuki.
"I want Tsuzuki." he choked out, bile thick in his mouth and his voice still hoarse, "Please. I want them. Don't take them from me."
She did not meet his gaze again, she simply took hold of the body, lifting it up out of Hisoka's grasp. He reached for her, arms shaking as he tried to take her back. The angel kept her head bent as she stood, taking the girl with her. A flurry of feathers, sakura petals, and rose petals danced around the two of them. They began to disintegrate in a blinding white light, leaving more feathers in their wake.
"No…" he whimpered, arms outstretched as if trying to stop them. "Don't..."
They were gone. The wind ceased. All that was left was the rubble, blood, and remnants of feathers and floral petals. Demon corpses lay scattered around the injured boy, his own blood still pooling around his collapsed body. He took shaky breaths, bring his arms back and wrapping them around his own body. He was alone. All alone in a field of destruction and blood. The tears did not stop, even with his once bright green eyes dulling.
His heart ached. Everyone he loved left him in the end. Hisoka was alone. Setsuko was not here, Tsuzuki was not here, his mother was not here, and his father was not here. His mind darkened, his eyes seeing nothing but red and black mixed with some silver and some violet. He was surrounded by corpses, by glass shards, by emotions. Empathy kicked into gear, engulfing him and suffocating with unbearable emotions. Hatred, fear, anger, disappointment, guilt, accusations, blame, betrayal, relief, sadness, misery, depression, need, loathing, loneliness.
You will die alone.
"No." he whispered, but it grew to a scream, "NO!"
A burst of pain rushed through him, a bright red light. Then black. Then darkness. Then nothing.
Tsuzuki.