Chris: Onto the fourth chapter already folks! So far I haven't even put up the third chapter online yet and I'm working on this. I just want to make sure I finish this and don't leave it and completely forget about it like so many others. Well, once again, thanks for so many reviews, I didn't expect so many. Heh. See ya'll again soon!

Chapter Four

" I'm not going to let you go, ok? I will protect you no matter what."

Soka smiled, hugging him tightly. Tsuzuki patted his back and sighed.

' No matter what...'

OO

It had been about a week since Soka had arrived, everyone enjoying the company of the small child. It was odd, but everyone began to feel at ease. They all took turns caring for him, and before long Soka knew almost every person around. Even the Chief took his turns, and sometimes wouldn't let go. It felt new to them all. Most of the people had been dead for years, and they never got to see someone so tiny, so having the child around was almost refreshing and it reminded them there was more to life, or the afterlife as you may see it.

Soka was also enjoying the attention. It didn't take him long to get acclimated, and all memory of his parents or other world seemed to slip away from his mind. He was happy with all the attention and urged it on, as most five or six year olds do.

Tsuzuki was on the one that seemed to grow close to the child the most, as everyone had seen. He spent almost all hours of the day watching him, while doing his work at the same time. They would walk together, Tsuzuki leading him by the hand, and eat together. At night Soka would sleep curled up in Tsuzuki's arms, sucking his thumb, or even Tsuzuki's on some occasion. If Soka was away from Tsuzuki too long he would cry, and if Tsuzuki was away from Soka too long he would become nervous and go looking for him.

At the one moment Tsuzuki was sitting at him desk, Soka on his lap, and they were each taking turns feeding on the chocolates which lay there. Tsuzuki laughed as Soka opened his mouth and closed his eyes, waiting for the sweetness to be plopped into his mouth.

" Good boy!" He chuckled, watching Soka throw them into the air and catch them. Leaning forward, Soka shoved one into his mouth and he they chewed happily together.

" Good morning!" Came a chipper voice from the doorway.

" Uncle Watari!" Soka cried and hopped off Tsuzuki's lap, running over and practically running into Watari's leg, falling onto his rear and clinging onto it with his arms and legs. Watari laughed and took a step, bringing the child with him as he made his way to Tsuzuki's desk.

" Well." He muttered, looking through some files. " Here are the reports for today, and a few several others. Tatsumi says he wants you to study this sheet."

" Alrighty then."

Suddenly Watari's mood seemed to change. He shifted his weight on leg and picked up Soka, placing him on his hip and rocking back and forth. " We have a problem too Tsuzuki."

" What?"

" Bon-san is coming back today."

OO

Hisoka yawned, stretching his arms over his head as he walked, enjoying the feeling of the crack his limbs made. Thrown over one shoulder was a bag, filled with small trinkets he had found along the way.

Tatsumi had sent him off on a "mission" although it seemed to him more like a vacation, literally. All he did was sit in a hotel and enjoy the view. It was nice though, and it gave him a chance to relax his mind a bit, something that was becoming increasingly harder with everyone being so "happy". God he hated happiness... and hate... and fear... and about every other strong emotion he had to feel thanks to those idiots!

' Cant be too bad of idiots if you bought them things, stupid.'

Shushing the voice in his head Hisoka walked on, brushing away blond strings of hair from his eyes. He made his way into the front doors and walked down the halls, waving at people who said hello on his way.

' Hmm... everyone seems... edgy? Nervous?'

Yes, that was definitely the feeling he was receiving from the many people in the building. They seemed to look at him oddly, like they were force smiling. As he passed by they would whisper. Bad memories began floating around in his mind, but he shook them off. Probably just some idle chatter.

Opening the door to his office Hisoka stepped in, scanning the room for his partner. Sure enough there he was, eating a sugar bun while trying to write notes, or whatever he was doing. A sense of relief flowed through the smaller man as he shut the door behind him and strided over, looking over Tsuzuki's shoulder at what he was doing.

" You really shouldn't be trying to study a report and mess it up with crumbs at the same time."

Tsuzuki looked up and that same smile that was on everyone elses faces plastered his. He stood and rubbed the back of his head, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. Scowling, Hisoka placed his hands on his waist and put his weight on one leg, looking up fiercely.

" Whats going on?" He growled.

Tsuzuki's eyes went big in mock sadness. " Whatever could you mean?"

Patience growing thin Hisoka reached up and grabbed Tsuzuki by the ear, pulling him down to his level. " I said whats going on!" He released and Tsuzuki rubbed the side of his head, wincing. " Everyone is acting weird and you all seem to be nervous around me. Why?"

Once again all the older man could do was laugh nervously and shake his head. Finally sick of it Hisoka turned away, dropping his bag on the floor and stomping out. He would get answers, no matter what!

With all his might, and some self control, Hisoka opened Tatsumi's door, walking in and standing before the secretary. Tatsumi looked up him in mild shock but didn't say a word. That is until Hisoka slammed his fists on his desk.

" Hisoka, I'm glad to see your back."

The young Shinigami growled. " Whats everyones problem!"

" Whatever do you mean?"

" Everyone is acting weird and I want to know. What happened while I was gone?"

The door opened and Watari walked in, same clipboard in his hand as before. Perched on his shoulder was 003, cleaning her feathers delicately. " Tatsumi, I came here to pick up Bon-ch..."

His eyes grew wide at seeing Hisoka in front of Tatsumi's desk, glaring daggers at him. Turning around the scientist was about to head out when he felt a hand clamp on his shoulder and pull him back inside.

" Both of you!" Hisoka cried, finally losing all patience he once held within him. " What in the world is going on, and I know one of you knows."

Neither said a word, only stared at Hisoka, nervousness clinging to them like dirt. Suddenly a squeal came out from under Tatsumi's desk and a small hand came out, a body crawling in between the twitching secretary knee's.

" Did Tsuzuki find me?" It asked.

Hisoka's eyes went wide as he and the little bundle of himself stared at one another, emerald eyes meeting. His breath caught in his throat as his mind tried to think of something to say. One accusing finger pointed downward, shaking. His lips tried to move, but he only began to studder inaudible words. Finally Watari took a cautious step forward, placing one comforting hand on his shoulder.

" You okay Bon-san?"

" What happened?" Was the only real reply, oddly calm, but creepy non-the-less.

Watari began to shake, despite himself, and probably from nervousness. Coughing quietly, he raised a hand to present the small Hisoka. " Bon-san, I kinda teleported your smaller half here... Sorry?"

Hisoka stared numbly, not moving anymore. Looking puzzled Watari raised a hand, waving it in front of the empaths face. When nothing happened he pushed on his shoulder lightly, only to have the kid fall backwards and Tatsumi catching him in a tight grasp.

" Shock probably." Tatsumi concluded, sitting the boy on the chair. " Or his empathy emotions went out of control."

Soka at the time was smiling, walking over to the unconscious boy. Crawling on his lap he looked up at Watari and Tatsumi.

" I like him! Do you think he will play with me?"

OO

Chris: Well, theres another chapter for you. Over 385 people have viewed this story up to now... DAMN! -LMAO- That's awsome! Course only 10 have left a review... Oh Well!

Concerning Hisoka's reaction, I was deciding between many different outcomes.

The shocked scream: This one seemed like it may work, but I really didn't know what to do with it. Usually Hisoka would yell or something, but I had no motivation. If he freaked out this soon I felt all the emotion for next chapters would be drained.

The shocked shockness: The one I chose. All I knew is that if any self respecting person saw THEMSELVES as a small child they probably wouldn't take it very well, I know I wouldn't. Hmm. And this was easier to work with as an "end to chapter" sequence. If it was OOC for Hisoka, I apologize. It was one of those events that truely baffled me as to what to do with the character.

In any case, I hope what I chose made some sense, wasn't too OOC, and you enjoyed another exciting chapter. Hmm... well, I guess now there is only one this to say... Thank you for the 10 that have reviewed! (Yes, I calculated this, its like 12.375498367589 actually) and for those of you who havnt reviewed, if you enjoyed, just keep reading! -