Moment's Change

Response to reviewers:

sakurasango, Warchild, Jou, amethyst: Thanks for ur review! Here's another chapter!

darksaphire: I hope I did a better job! Thanks for ur suggestion!

Dessa: No I didn't get Kasumi's name from pocket monsters. It just popped into my head. Thanks for reviewing!

Subdivision 3

It's been three years since Hisoka resided in the Kokakuro. Oriya had watched for reports or anything that would get the kid off his hands but none of it happened. His parents didn't look for him at all, which really was sad. Or maybe the kid didn't have parents? So instead of throwing him away Oriya decided he could stay as long as he helped around. He didn't do the jobs Kasumi and the others did but he helped clean up.

His workers were very fond of the kid. They did comment that the kid looked prettier than they did. He did have to agree with them. Hisoka was a sight to behold. Luckily Muraki didn't visit in those three years. He called him up and told him that there were no reports about him. But he wouldn't tell his friend that Hisoka was the one to see him three years ago.

Despite all that, Hisoka was a good companion and seemed to understand him more than most. It was as if the kid could read his mind or something. But the Kokakuro became a lot safer thanks to him. There were no more harsh treatments towards his workers. Hisoka had pinpointed them out before anything could happen. He swore the kid was psychic. But since it saved the women he didn't bother asking. It was safer that way.

He took another drag of his pipe. His thoughts were soon interrupted when the door busted open.

"Oriya-san, one of the customers is pestering Hisoka again," Sakura said.

Sakura was one of the employees that had taken care of Hisoka, making sure he got his schooling in. Her statement made him a bit angry. Lately this had been happening when anyone, besides the women or him, made a move on Hisoka he got angry. He just shrugged it off as nothing. But lately there have been customers trying to take Hisoka as one of their entertainers despite the fact that he kept telling them that he was not one of the employees.

Oriya quickly stood up and strutted out the door to where this action was taking place. He could hear Kasumi's voice pleading with the customer. He approached.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked.

"We keep telling him that Hisoka is not one of us. He isn't listening," Kasumi answered. Hisoka was behind Kasumi, who was protecting him.

"She is right, sir. He is not one of the entertainers. He just helps around from time to time," Oriya stated calmly. The customer grumbled under his breath. He saw Hisoka flinch as if he heard it. Kasumi didn't seem to hear it. The customer grudgingly left. Even if the guy had money, he couldn't do anything especially if he had a wife. This would ruin them. Oriya too was a respected man around there.

"Hisoka are you alright?" Kasumi asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," Hisoka answered.

"Good, I was hoping last time was the last one. C'mon we need to feed you," she said dragging him to the dinning place. Oriya and Sakura followed since it was almost time to eat.

-X-

It had been three years and not one word. Hisoka was saddened at the thought. His parents really didn't want him around. But in a sense he was happy. He didn't have to go back to that horrid cell. This place was more welcoming. At least they didn't find out about his abilities yet. Though he knew that Oriya suspected but didn't say anything. He was glad for that.

But sometimes he felt trapped. Oriya wouldn't let him go out by himself unless he was accompanied by one of the women or Oriya himself. He's already sixteen. But he could understand their worry. He was hardly strong physically. Years of malnutrition show even if they'd been feeding him a lot. He still didn't consume a lot.

They were all worried for him. But he assured them that he was fine. Hisoka did lie about not remembering anything but he best leave it at that. He wanted to see if his parents would take him back. Some good that did. He never had a lot of people care about him. Though he did keep wondering if he did tell them about his 'abilities' would they abandon him too? He wasn't going to take the chance. He liked it here. Everyone was nice, except for a few customers but they don't count.

Oh well, it was time for him to help out anyways, no use in dwelling on it. But before he could exit out of the room he felt an overwhelming darkness reach his senses. He hung onto the wall for support, as he felt that immense void of evil intentions. Beads of sweat were already forming on his temples, as it became harder to breathe. After enduring it for a few minutes, he finally gave in to unconsciousness as he fell to the floor.

-X-

Oriya glanced over at his best friend. Muraki was up to something again. He wondered if his friend would come for a normal visit without telling him one of his dirty schemes. He sighed.

"Hello, Oriya. It's been a while," Muraki said in greeting.

"Seeing as how you're not yet arrested, I assume you either got rid of the spy or you weren't ratted on," Oriya said back. He stopped giving his friend normal greetings when he started this psychopathic path.

"Ah, yes even if I was there is no evidence. Anyways, Oriya how have you been?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Can't I come and visit an old friend once in a while?" Muraki asked with a fake hurt tone.

"No." Oriya simply answered. Muraki just laughed amused.

"Actually, I came to tell you, I figured it out on how to lure him out. I could figure out my life long experiment."

"Hn, please do not elaborate for I do not want to hear your sick twisted humor."

"Oriya, I'm hurt you'd think of such things."

Before Oriya could give a retort the door was hurriedly opened. Ayame stood in the doorway out of breath.

"Oriya-san, come quick, Hisoka-kun fainted and we can't wake him up even with the smelling salts. Sakura also said that he wasn't breathing," Ayame explained.

Oriya was alarmed at that. He gave a short apology to Muraki before quickly walking towards his room, where he was sure the kid was. He didn't notice Muraki following him but his mind was elsewhere. What he saw horrified him. When he entered Hisoka was thrashing about as if trapped in a nightmare. Kasumi, Ayame, and Sakura stared at Hisoka worriedly.

"He's getting worse Oriya-san," Kasumi said.

"What happened?" Oriya asked.

"We don't know. He was unconscious when Sakura came to look for him."

"Perhaps," Muraki interrupted, "I should take a look at him." Oriya gave him a look. "I am a doctor after all." How could they ever give his friend a Ph. D, he never knows. Oriya hesitantly moved aside as Muraki came to check Hisoka.

"It seems he's probably suffering from some exhaustion. He should rest for a day and take it easy for a week," Muraki simply said.

He stood up ready to leave. He gave a quick goodbye to Oriya before showing himself out. Oriya returned it then continued to watch the kid. He did notice that Hisoka seemed to get better the farther Muraki got. Maybe the kid knew who Muraki was but just wasn't saying anything knowing it was his friend. Half of him was relieved but the other half was hoping that the kid did speak up. Maybe with Muraki in prison, as he deserves to be, he wouldn't have to fear for the kid's life, although Muraki would never hurt him intentionally.

Oriya snapped out of his thoughts as he heard a soft groan from the unconscious boy. Kasumi, Sakura, and Ayame were immediately at his side. Hisoka blinked his eyes, clearing his vision as his mind was filled with worry. He wasn't the one worried, the people looking at him were. He sat up slowly, avoiding a big headache.

"Hisoka, are you okay?" Sakura asked looking like tears were about to fall. Hisoka just nodded.

"Thank God, we were so worried," Ayame said.

"What happened?" Kasumi asked. Hisoka shook his head.

"Did it have anything to do with-"

"Kasumi, I don't think he wants to talk about anything right now. The doctor said he needed rest. Interrogating him like this would make it harder, hm?" Oriya interrupted. He knew Kasumi noticed Hisoka's condition as soon as Muraki left. "You three have some groceries to pick up. We're running low," he said before Kasumi could protest. The three left without a word. They were sure that he wanted to find out for himself. They were hoping that Oriya wouldn't keep it from them.

After they left, the atmosphere was a tense silence.

Hisoka could practically 'feel' Oriya's curiosity. It was surprisingly comforting but at the same time annoying. He might as well get it over with. He sighed dejectedly.

"I know what you do," Hisoka began. Oriya looked at him curiously.

"Do what?" he asked. Hisoka looked right back at him.

"What you do for your friend. You hide him."

"What are you talking about?" Oriya asked defensively.

"You cover up for him despite how wrong it is." Oriya was about to say something but Hisoka continued. "I was surprised that you didn't tell him that I saw what he'd done. Why?"

Oriya was silent. How this kid found out about what he'd done, it was impossible. Why he didn't report him to Muraki was a mystery to him too. He didn't know.

"What about your family? Why didn't you say anything?" Oriya asked back. He knew that Hisoka knew about his family and just didn't speak out. Because when he told him, Hisoka held a poignant look when he told him the news. Or maybe he didn't have an answer to the question.

"Answering a question with a question is rude." Hisoka answered.

"Answer mine then I'll answer yours."

Oriya swept out the room. He needed to think.

TBC-----------------

BLK Angel of Destruction: Here's the next chapter! Thanks for reviewing!

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