Yay! Chapter 2!
Disclaimer: Yami No Matsuei is the property of Matsushita Yoko. I make no claim to the characters, story, etc. Do you know how much paperwork that would require?
Sorry about the grammar/spelling errors in the last chapter. I don't proofread as well as I should. My eye runs over the words too quickly. I'll try to catch them next time.
Comments and constructive criticism wanted and much appreciated. :)
"If I thought that my reply were to
be to someone who would ever return to
the world, this flame would still, without
further motion."--Dante, The Inferno Canto XXVII lines 61-64
Konoe Kacho wondered if this was a good idea, wondered if today was a good day to assign Tsuzuki and Hisoka to a case. But the case was marked particularly for the pair by the Earl. He couldn't refuse nor could he tell the pair why the case was marked for them. The pair had a relationship with the number one suspect. Rarely did a case arrive on his desk with a suspect's name attached but these murders were too similar to the ones which occurred in Kyoto for the GuShoShin to resist attaching a file. And today of all days…
As he was following that train of thought, he heard a knock.
"Come in," he said gruffly. The door opened and the two detectives walked in. Konoe studied Tsuzuki's face carefully. The man, who normally exuded joy and cheer, was abnormally silent and stern. His lips were closed and tight. Hisoka's face was also clouded with the strain of blocking his partner's emotions. Although Tsuzuki was shielding, he couldn't prevent anxiety from spilling over and into the empath.
Konoe gestured toward the seats in front of his desk. The pair sat and he wordlessly handed them the thick folder. His office door opened and closed with a precision that could only indicate Tatsumi Seiichirou, the JuOhCho division's secretary. Tatsumi stood behind the pair. Hisoka adjusted in his seat. He could feel the tension in the air, heavy and cool, like a wet pair of jeans, clinging when he wanted them off. Why is everyone so tense? What happened? he wondered. Why won't they say anything?
In fact, Konoe was reviewing the case but Hisoka wasn't listening. His mind was on Tsuzuki, on the silence, on the heaviness. Stale, like a wolf's breath, he thought and shifted again. Tatsumi did not fail to notice that the usually still boy was fidgety, pulling at his jacket cuffs and twisting in his seat like a schoolboy waiting for the bell to ring.
Today of all days, Tatsumi thought but his face betrayed nothing. Outwardly, he was calm and icy, smoothly reviewing the budget for the men in the seats.
"No more than 3000 yen a day," he reminded them. He expected Tsuzuki to groan and express disapproval, but the younger man was silent. Quietly, the two detectives stood up and Hisoka accepted the card which Tatsumi held out. Giving his thanks, he followed Tsuzuki out the door. Tatsumi shot Konoe a glance which would have cut steel before pushing his glasses up.
"Why today of all days?" he asked. Konoe shrugged.
"It came from the Earl directly with their names on it."
"But division two is Watari's district."
"Yes, I know. Noticed how they didn't."
"You avoided the question."
"I didn't hear one."
"Then let me re-phrase so I'll be sure you understand. Why are they going to Kyoto when Nagasaki is their district?" Tatsumi's voice, usually so cool, was colder than ice, and just as brittle. Konoe met Tatsumi's gaze levelly.
"Because they are familiar with this pattern and familiar with the prime suspect." Tatsumi caught his breath.
"Muraki." It was not a question. Konoe nodded imperceptibly and noticed the skin around Tatsumi's eyes tightening.
"Tatsumi-san, you are not to help in any way. No interference. The only permissible interference is from Watari as it is his district and our resident doctor. The Earl has marked this case."
"Marked it as what?"
"Not as a what. He marked it with a warning. He just wants this entire office to be kept especially alert, to keep an eye on the pair."
"Yet he sends them out there."
"He thinks Muraki is out for Tsuzuki again. Sending Watari would place another Shinigami at risk."
"And sending Tsuzuki, who nearly died because of this man, isn't a risk!"Tatsumi thundered.
"No," Konoe replied calmly. "You know how powerful Tsuzuki is."
"But last time--"Tatusmi was cut off.
"I know. This case is being closely watched, and not just by us. Now, Tatsumi-san, isn't there a budget report due today?" Konoe's voice, calm as usual, indicated a dismissal. Tatsumi straightened and bowed, slightly, before leaving the room as precisely as he entered it. Konoe let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Threatening a Shadow-Master was never a good idea. Nor was sending Tsuzuki and Hisoka straight into Muraki's arms.
"I'm going to regret this. We all are," Konoe whispered.