Muraki is dead… he is gone, and out of my life… but then…

I look down at my bare arm, and see nothing. There are no more marks to harm me, but I can still feel hem under my skin. They burn, and ache, and make my skin tingle, but they're not there. Why…? Why, after he is gone, does he still torment me? Whatever did I do to deserve this? Why…! I suddenly feel lightheaded, and weak. Why… Muraki… not dead… he can't be…No!

(Normal POV)

Tsuzuki finally got back to the office after Muraki's execution. The look he saw upon the man's face before he died was… unsettling. It still sent shivers down his spine. But, he was back, and the nightmare was over! He breathed a sigh of relief as he walked into his shared office, smiling. Boy, Hisoka would be glad to hear the good news!

He walked in, happy as ever, at least on the outside, but when he opened his eyes, he gasped. His partner was standing up behind his desk, unaware of his entry. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing curse-less arms, but something wasn't right.

"Hisoka?"

The boy was in a daze, staring out at nothing. He was holding his neck ad panting and sweating like he was being strangled and it scared Tsuzuki. It was even more frightening when he collapsed where he stood.

"Hisoka!"

Tsuzuki ran to him and lifted the boy's head up slightly. He felt feverish, and after only a moment of holding him, Tsuzuki began to sweat. What was wrong with his partner? Watari poked his head in, without knocking, and ran to Tsuzuki's side, having heard his yell. He tried to shake the boy's shoulder, but he wouldn't so much as open hi eyes. Watari cursed, which he rarely ever did, and took Hisoka from Tsuzuki, running him out of the office and down the hall t the infirmary. Tsuzuki followed suit, worrying more and more as the boy started to moan and wriggle around in the scientist's/doctor's arms. He wanted to stay with his partner, but Tsuzuki was told to wait outside as Watari brought the boy in.

Watari had called Tatsumi from the infirmary, and the secretary arrived soon after. He stood at a distance for a moment, staring at the worried man with his face in his hands, before walking to him. He took a seat to his left and after a hesitant moment, he put a hand on his back.

"I'm sure Kurosaki will be fine… he's strong."

"T-Tatsumi…What… what could be wrong with him?"

"I don't know…"

The movement on his back was comforting, and Tsuzuki leaned over as Tatsumi hugged him. It was quiet for a long time, and Tsuzuki wanted to fall asleep, but he was shaken out of it when loud, awful screaming came from the other side of the infirmary doors. Tsuzuki jumper to his feet and ran to the door. He couldn't get through. Watari had set up a barrier to keep him out. He got as close as he could to the door and looked to the right. He could just barely see Watari, worried, and a writhing form on the bed.

"Watari!"

He didn't hear him, so Tsuzuki resorted to pounding on the doors with all his might. He could almost sense how much pain his partner was in, and he kept pounding harder and harder until his hands were bleeding. Tatsumi wanted to stop him, but he dared not do so.

"Hisoka! Hisoka, answer me! Hisoka!"