I'm back again!

This is a short chapter, Gomen. I promise the next one will be longer!

My love and devotion to my reviewers.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Tsuzuki, Tatsumi and Watari were effectively blocking the hallway outside the infirmary. Fortunately it was late, and most of the shinigami had long since left for the day.

"Do you think he's ok?" Tsuzuki asked, not particularly comfortable with the thought of being more than six inches away from Hisoka while he felt he needed him.

"He's fine." Watari patted Tsuzuki's arm. "He's sleeping."

"So what are we going to do?"

"I think that's obvious Tsuzuki-san" Tatsumi's eyes were icy. "We hunt down that damned doctor."

Tsuzuki's eyes flashed. "I'll go."

"No, you won't." Watari interjected. "You will stay right here."

"But…."

"No. Bon's going to need you. Barring some great miracle like Muraki being buried under a five car pile up, or suddenly developing a conscience, you know there are going to be more murders. Bon will need you here for support, and I will need you here to keep him sane."

Tatsumi nodded in agreement. "Kurosaki-kun's going to have a hard time of it until we catch that madman. Besides, there's no use in rushing down to Chijou until we have some idea where he is."

"Until then, I don't want Bon left alone. Not even for a moment."

"He won't like that." Tsuzuki pointed out.

"I don't care if he likes it. Watari returned.

""So who's with him now?"

"003."

"What! You've got your owl babysitting my partner?"

"I'll be in my office if anyone needs me." Tatsumi walked off shaking his head. Nobody noticed.

"003 is perfectly capable of watching Bon."

"Watari! She's an owl!"

XXX

It was dark. Hisoka peered into the utter blackness trying to make out anything at all. He reached out, but couldn't see his own hand. The darkness was like a living, breathing mass around him.

And he wasn't alone.

"Hello bouya."

"Bastard."

"Now, is that nice?" A figure formed in the darkness and drew closer. "After I went through so much trouble to keep you entertained."

Hisoka fisted his hands at his sides, trembling with barely suppressed rage. "Why did you do it? Why did you kill them?"

Muraki shrugged. "They were convenient. Besides, without them there would be no show, and it would be a shame to spoil my fun."

"We'll find a way to stop you!" Hisoka shot out.

"Doubtful."

Muraki's hand whipped out and caught him by the back of the neck. Dragging him closer till their faces were only inches apart. Hisoka's eyes widened. Anger had been holding back his fear, but that now came back full force.

"You, my doll, will never be strong enough to take on the likes of me."

Hisoka tried to pull back, but Muraki held him tight, then swooped down and claimed Hisoka's mouth.

The darkness receded a bit. Hisoka could see a sakura tree not to far away, its petals drifting gently to the ground.

'No!' Hisoka's mind rebelled, and he pushed at the doctor both physically and with his empathic talent.

Muraki let him go.

Muraki smiled.

Muraki reached out for him again.

XXX

"No!" The denial passed his lips as he sat up in bed. His curse marks were burning, but that was of little consequence, he was used to it. He was more bothered by a feeling of profound disgust, and spent several minutes wiping his mouth against his sleeve. Looking around and blinking a few times, he tried to figure out where he was. It was still dark after all. Then he remembered.

Oh yeah. The infirmary.

Hisoka reached out for the other presence that he knew had to be somewhere nearby. It only took him a moment to feel it. Tsuzuki was close by. Feeling somewhat reassured, he lay back down and decided to pass the time counting the holes in the ceiling tile. Such a stimulating way to pass the time.

A soft hooting distracted him before he'd reached 100. Hisoka turned his head to see the familiar ball of feathers perched on the bed frame. An odd sense of déjà vu crept over him.

"I think I'll get up." He told the tiny owl. He climbed out of bed and headed for the door. 003 flew over and landed on his head. He heard voices and cracked the door open.

"Watari! She's an owl!"

The owl in question flew to perch on her masters' shoulder and began chewing on a lock of blond hair.

"003 is a smart bird, she'll let us know if anything happens."

"But Watari…." Tsuzuki was now eyeing the owl on Watari's shoulder.

"And she'll be quiet and let him sleep."

"But Watari…." Tsuzuki's eyes flicked over to the infirmary door he saw Hisoka peeking out. Hisoka put a finger to his lips and grinned. Tsuzuki grinned back.

"No buts, it'll be fine."

"But Watari…."

Hisoka opened the door quietly and slipped out into the hallway behind the blond man.

"But what?"

Hisoka tapped him on the back.

XXX

"They are so cruel!" Watari whined at an uncaring Tatsumi.

"I'm trying to work here Watari-san, do you mind?" Tatsumi gestured to his desk that Watari seemed to have mistaken for a chair.

"They're probably still laughing at me!

Tatsumi sighed and gave up. "It's late. I suppose we should go home and get some sleep. I assume Tsuzuki's staying?"

Watari nodded, showing no inclination of getting off the desk. "He'll stay."

Tatsumi stood up and got his jacket. Then he turned to the blond. "Have you eaten anything?

Watari had to think about that for a minute. "Um, no not since lunch."

"Would you like to come out and have some dinner with me?"

"Sure!" Watari beamed.

XXX

Tsuzuki was snoring.

Smiling faintly, Hisoka looked over to where his partner was sleeping, curled up in the bed next to his. The warm presence was comforting, but he still wasn't going to sleep. He didn't want to dream, he was sure it would be dark.

Hisoka started counting the holes in the ceiling tiles for the second time that night.