For any readers who have followed this since the prologue, please feel free to use me for target practice. I humbly apologize for the lateness of the chapter. I really have no acceptable excuse for my laziness in editing. Here's the anniversary installment of "Sakuran," unfortunately unbetaed. I promise future releases will be quicker. Hopefully.
SAKURAN
by Shiraume
PART THREE: Past and PresentGreen eyes flew open, and Hisoka sat up abruptly from his bed. He was drenched in cold sweat, a dull throb all over his body. He could not recall what he had dreamt, just the aftertaste of an unnamed terror. Flinging the comforter aside haphazardly, he got up and left the bed.
The trip to the bathroom seemed unnaturally long, and when he arrived, he did not really want to look in the mirror and see what he looked like, his eyes glazed over with blind terror, looking more dead than ever. Mechanically, the young shinigami took off his shirt, preparing to take a hot shower. His dilated pupils finally cooperated, and his eyes adjusted to the overly bright light of the bathroom. He reached out to turn on the shower, and froze.
His curse marks were burning.
Hisoka took a hasty step back, and his breath left him in a rush as he collided into the bathroom wall. His limbs shaking, Hisoka did not even feel the cold tiles pressing against his back as he stared at the markings. The content of his nightmare was clear, even if he did not remember it. He had dreamt about that night.
It was not Muraki Kazutaka who had violated him that night, not anymore.
But it was the face of Muraki, the older version, which haunted his thoughts even now.
Could a puppet, even without its puppet master, never go back to being human?
The question he had asked once on Queen Camellia over a year ago came back to him. His lips twisted in a bitter smile as the youth remembered the Queen Camellia incident had never happened, either, at least not the way he remembered. What he knew, what he remembered, what he treasured were all gone. His deepest wish had been granted, Tsubaki-hime had said. But by that, what had he gained? His memories were his burdens to bear alone, and no one, not even Tsuzuki, shared them. Didn't he lose everything instead, including the warm affection he had shared with Tsuzuki? The affection which could have become so much more...
And all for what? For his worst nightmare, for his most hated enemy to get another chance.
Hisoka let his body slide down to the floor, heedless of the tiles cold against his bare skin.
He had not gotten rid of his puppet master; he had merely exchanged one for another.
"Hisoka?" Tsuzuki's tentative voice was far away, and Hisoka stared back blankly, more out of habit than actual inclination to listen.
"Are you all right? You look really pale," Tsuzuki remarked worriedly, his violet eyes questioning and warm. "Do you have a fever?" Tsuzuki asked, reaching out to feel Hisoka's forehead.
"Don't touch me!" Hisoka jumped back, turning his chair over in his haste. Tsuzuki stared at him with surprise, quickly turning into hurt.
"Hisoka?"
"Nothing. It's nothing," Hisoka said, gritting his teeth.
"I'm sor-" Tsuzuki began to apologize, but Hisoka turned his face away irritably.
"It's not your fault. I'm just tired," Hisoka snapped. He could not tolerate any kind of physical touch. Not right now. "Excuse me," he said brusquely, unwilling to show Tsuzuki how perturbed he really was. Once outside the office, he leaned back on the hallway wall wearily, closing his eyes. Even the warm concern was stifling today. Other people's emotions flowing into him made him feel sick, almost violated, albeit mentally. He could do nothing in life, when someone took his body and used it as a plaything. Even now, after death, he couldn't stop others' foreign, unpleasant emotions from flooding him. He couldn't do a thing.
Feelings of helplessness swept over him. Before other people could come near him and crowd him with even more emotions, Hisoka quickly walked outside. He needed some time alone.
As he walked under the sakura trees, the petals brushing against his skin felt...unpleasant, to say the least. It reminded him far too much of those touches he felt in his dreams, insistent, subtle in their violence. Cool and soft and invasive...presence that could not be denied...hands caressing everywhere like snake slithering all over his body...making his skin crawl yet he could do nothing but scream, scream until his throat was too hoarse to emit another sound...
Those memories never happened, or had they?
Hisoka was not too sure anymore. He was certain that he had been murdered in this version of world, too, but did his killer also violate him, the way Muraki had? Did it even matter?
He would never be free. He could never become human again. He would never be able to love, or to heal. Not without Tsuzuki. But Tsuzuki did not know, not in this life. And it was not fair for Tsuzuki, who already had so many hidden tragedies in life that he only hinted at, to shoulder Hisoka's burden. Hisoka couldn't possibly confide his secret to Tsuzuki.
He had not told his past to young Kazutaka to make the other understand; he had turned to his would-have-been killer because he had nowhere else to turn to.
"Hisoka-san...?" Kazutaka's soft voice was right next to him, and Hisoka jumped, unused to having someone sneak up on him. Kazutaka looked at him with sincere concern, apologetic. "Excuse me. I didn't mean to startle you. Are you all right? You're really pale today."
"I'm fine," Hisoka replied absently, moving back few paces. Even the kindest concern was very tiring to him right now.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Kazutaka asked, and when Hisoka did not answer, shook his head. "You really should - " Kazutaka drew closer, extending a hand towards Hisoka. Momentarily, the too-bright sunlight became too much for his fatigued state, and Hisoka swayed on his feet. Surprised, Kazutaka reached out to grab Hisoka before the boy could fall.
The same, cool hands, brushing against his skin insistently -
"Let GO!"
Hisoka tore out of the other shinigami's grasp violently, knocking the other back. Kazutaka landed on the ground, hard, and stared up at the green-eyed shinigami in surprise.
"Hisoka-san..."
"Don't touch me," Hisoka whispered. He could not see the gentle, kind expression on Kazutaka's face, only the adult Muraki, smirking at him with those cold mismatched eyes, with a knowing sneer on those lips. Hisoka shook his head, trying to clear his head, to remember where he was, and who the person before him was. The confusion and shock emanating from Kazutaka did not help, as they became stronger, overwhelming him.
Overload -
"Hisoka-san!"
Kazutaka's voice was far, far away, almost in another time and space, as Hisoka stumbled back a few steps. The ground rose up to meet him, then darkness blossomed before his eyes, swallowing him, and Hisoka knew no more.
"Hisoka-san!"
"I don't understand what happened. Tsuzuki-san, what if - " Kazutaka was interrupted by Tsuzuki raising a hand, stopping him.
"Kazutaka, I'm very sure that it wasn't your fault. Hisoka was really jumpy before he went out. You know that he hates being touched sometimes, because he's an empath, right?" Tsuzuki smiled at the younger shinigami kindly, and Kazutaka bit his lip.
"He told me. But..."
"It's not you," Tsuzuki said firmly.
"...I just hope he will be all right," Kazutaka said finally.
"You like him, don't you?" Tsuzuki asked, with a gentle smile. Unexpectedly, Kazutaka blushed. Tsuzuki was just asking whether... Just why on earth was he blushing?
"Yes, of course. I consider him my friend. And I hope he does, too," Kazutaka answered hastily, trying to avoid Tsuzuki's eyes.
"I think Hisoka does. Underneath those icy walls, he really is a kind person. He opens up to you. If he doesn't like you, or doesn't think you're his friend, he wouldn't do that now, would he?" Tsuzuki argued reasonably, and Kazutaka had to admit it made sense.
"I suppose. It's just that...after talking in Nagasaki, I thought..." Kazutaka trailed off.
"What did you two talk about in Nagasaki?" Tsuzuki hastily added, "Um, that's if I can ask."
"We talked about different things, but chiefly, our deepest horrors, I guess." Kazutaka couldn't help a smile. Tsuzuki could go from childlike thoughtlessness to gentle sensitivity in an instant.
"Hisoka told you his deepest horror?" Tsuzuki's voice was quiet.
"Yes, and I told him mine," Kazutaka answered, slightly taken aback by Tsuzuki's serious tone.
"I see." Tsuzuki's voice was even, almost flat.
"He hasn't told you, has he?" Kazutaka asked, finally realizing what was bothering Tsuzuki.
"Whatever it is, no," Tsuzuki answered in the same even voice.
"Forgive me, Tsuzuki-san. Hisoka-san's secret is his own. I couldn't possibly divulge it without his permission, even to you." Kazutaka said, with slight frown of worry. It really wasn't his secret to tell, but he was beginning to guess what Tsuzuki was thinking.
"I understand," Tsuzuki answered with a half-smile, but did not meet Kazutaka's eyes.
"I really am sorry. But you're his partner. I'm sure you know more about Hisoka-san than I ever could," Kazutaka suggested, subtly trying to shift the subject. Tsuzuki gave him a half-smile again, but did not reply. A short stretch of awkward silence followed, until Watari's arrival.
"Yo, Tsuzuki, Kazu-kun!" Watari greeted, coming into the room. The two shinigami greeted back, scooting their chairs over so Watari could get to Hisoka.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you two seemed to get along fine for the past two weeks. So what's the problem now?" Watari threw in casually as he checked Hisoka's vital signs.
"I don't know, Watari-san," Kazutaka murmured, inwardly grateful for Watari's presence.
"Did you two have a fight?" Watari asked without glancing away from Hisoka, and Kazutaka shook his head.
"No," Kazutaka answered honestly.
"Tsuzuki, did you say something to bon?" Watari finally turned his face to fix Tsuzuki with a stern gaze, and Tsuzuki immediately went on the defensive.
"NO! Why are you even asking ME?"
"You're his partner," Watari answered with a shrug, turning his attention back to Hisoka.
"I'm not sure if I should be," Tsuzuki said thoughtfully.
"What?" Watari and Kazutaka chorused. Tsuzuki's cheerful demeanor had disappeared, and the violet eyes were filled with wistfulness.
"I think Hisoka really should hang around people his age...well, his apparent age, anyway." Tsuzuki's smile looked slightly forced, and Watari raised an eyebrow, while 003 hooted incredulously.
"Other than the fact your mental age is about ten years younger than bon's actual age, you two get along fine. So what are you babbling about?" Finished checking over Hisoka, Watari stood back and crossed his arms over his chest, looking at Tsuzuki with a critical gaze.
"I just thought it might be a better idea if..." Tsuzuki began.
"If this is about that talk we had in Nagasaki..." Kazutaka interrupted.
"No, no," Tsuzuki held up his hand hastily, shaking his head. Kazutaka was not fooled, however, and fixed the oldest shinigami with an authoritative look that rivaled Tatsumi's.
"You are being ridiculous if you think Hisoka-san prefers me to you. I think he would be very hurt if he heard that." Kazutaka's tone matched his expression in authority, and Tsuzuki wilted visibly.
"But..."
"Don't you know that Hisoka-san cares about you very much?" Kazutaka's voice was matter of fact, not angry or accusing, but Tsuzuki shrank back even further. Watari, glancing from Kazutaka to Tsuzuki, decided enough was enough.
"Oookay, this conversation is getting too personal. I suggest both of you leave now before Tatsumi gets on your case. If he wasn't so worried about bon, he would have booted both of you back to work already. At least take your discussion outside. You might wake bon, and I think he needs sleep more than anything." Watari settled on one of the chairs vacated by the two shinigami, and watched with fatherly pride as 003 personally escorted both shinigami out the door, hooting and flapping its wings emphatically. When the door closed, Watari turned his attention back to Hisoka. "Bon, you can stop faking sleep now. They're gone."
Hisoka opened an eye, and Watari gave him a sunny smile. Bon was cringing slightly in sleep, and he had surmised that Tsuzuki and Kazu-kun's emotions were crowding him. Again. He waited until the younger shinigami shifted and opened his eyes fully.
"...How did you know?" Hisoka's voice did not sound like someone who had just awakened. Watari, his suspicion confirmed, leaned back in his chair.
"You were tense. Their emotions were bothering you again, no?" Watari asked kindly, not offering help as Hisoka sat up, knowing physical touch would only make Hisoka feel worse. Hisoka sighed.
"I can't help feeling them. Even if I'm asleep, I can feel strong emotions," Hisoka explained tiredly.
"Tsuzuki was that upset, huh?" Watari asked, trying to keep his tone light.
"So was Kazutaka-san," Hisoka agreed. Watari gave him a searching look for a moment, before settling back more comfortably in his chair.
"So what's really bothering you?"
"What?" Hisoka blinked, looking at Watari with surprise.
"Something is really bothering you, or you wouldn't react like that, especially not to Tsuzuki or Kazu-kun," Watari pointed out bluntly.
"I'm just tired," Hisoka replied listlessly.
"I can see that. Any reasons?" Watari persisted. Bon looked like the walking dead, and he wasn't about to let little things like privacy and delicacy get in the way of his duty as a medic and a friend.
"That's..."
"Bon, I'm here as a friend," Watari said quietly, firmly. Listening to the quiet resolve in Watari's voice, Hisoka remembered the other world, and the Kyoto case. Despite countless heartbreaks during the case, he had come to regard both Tatsumi and Watari with much warmer affection. Kyoto incident, as painful as it was, had brought everyone closer to his heart. Even if they did not remember that, he did. And one thing he knew was that those people that he loved and trusted were the same ones here.
"...I had a nightmare," Hisoka finally replied.
"About?" Watari prompted, obviously intent on getting an answer. So Hisoka settled for answering truthfully.
"Being killed."
"I see." Watari's voice was neither encouraging nor discouraging.
"I...don't like being touched after that dream," Hisoka admitted reluctantly.
"You never told anyone you had nightmares?" Watari remarked, his query for the reason unspoken but clear.
"Everyone has nightmares," Hisoka answered, sidestepping the real question. Watari, however, refused to be deterred.
"Yes, but if they're interfering with your rest, you should have told me, or someone."
Hisoka had no answer to that.
"I must remind you again, all of us here are your friends. I'm sorry that I have to remind you that, bon." Watari tone was mildly disapproving, but underneath was also hurt. Hisoka could sense it, shimmering just under the surface along with the warmth and the protectiveness.
"Sorry. But my dreams were never this bad before, and it bothered me today more than usual," Hisoka replied apologetically, aware of Watari's deep concern which belied the calm, even voice.
"Any ideas what brought on your particularly bad nightmare last night?" Watari inquired, the edge of professionalism slipping back into him.
"I don't know," Hisoka answered flatly. A brief silence, then someone cleared throat, and both turned to look at Tatsumi peering through the partially open door.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt, but you and Tsuzuki-san have a new case. If you're not feeling well, we can send someone else with him. Would you prefer that, Kurosaki-kun?" Tatsumi asked quietly, gentle consideration a warm backdrop against the usual coolness in his demeanor. The mixture of coolness and warmth was purely Tatsumi, familiar, and Hisoka felt his usual equilibrium return.
"I'll go," Hisoka answered. His personal problems were personal problems, and work was work. He was no child, and certainly could deal with both.
"Are you sure?" Tatsumi asked, little more coolness, and Hisoka was thankful for it. If the concerns from other co-workers were like lukewarm or warm heat, Tatsumi's was like cool water. It was refreshing.
"Yes," Hisoka answered curtly, but added in a softer tone, "I will be fine, really."
"Then, I will send Muraki-kun with you." Tatsumi announced, and Hisoka stared at the Enmacho's secretary. That was against the usual protocol, and Tatsumi of all people knew that. "Kurosaki-kun, he has great work records. He is very powerful and can summon four shikigami. You can trust him on the job. I'd rather have him back you up then sit here doing nothing when you're obviously not well," Tatsumi explained, all cool reason and perfect reasonableness.
Well, drat. Hisoka had almost forgotten that Muraki had been a formidable opponent in the other world. The younger version of Muraki was probably powerful too, even if not quite on the scale of his adult version.
"Okay, then," Hisoka capitulated. When Tatsumi made up his mind about anything, it was useless to try to convince him otherwise.
"We'll start briefing in ten minutes, at the conference room," Tatsumi said, preparing to leave.
"I'll be there," Hisoka replied, and Tatsumi nodded to him, before leaving. Hisoka slid down from the bed, sensing Watari's concerned gaze fixed on him. To his relief, Watari did not try to assist him like an invalid.
"You want something before you go?" Watari asked when Hisoka got on his feet.
"No, I never used to take meds before. I'll be all right," Hisoka said, making a mental note to tell Watari later that meds did funny things to his empathic ability.
"'K then. Be careful out there," Watari acquiesced, knowing he couldn't persuade Hisoka on this point.
"I will," Hisoka replied blithely, feeling like a chick fussed over by its mother hen. He was glad to find himself relatively steady on his feet, and made it to the conference room without trouble. Feeling more like himself after the brief respite, however short it was, Hisoka did not flinch visibly when he faced the mixed concerns that flooded him as soon as he entered the room. Tatsumi was waiting with Kazutaka, Tsuzuki, and Konoe-kachou, and when Watari joined them with 003 few minutes later, the briefing began.
It was a murder case as usual, in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. There had already been four victims, all teenage males. There seemed to be only one murderer, judging from the fact they were killed in the same way: strangled before being stabbed to death. The only other thing the victims had in common was that all of them were foreigners. Tatsumi read the details of the case, complete with picture slides. When the photograph of the victims appeared on the screen, Kazutaka tensed visibly, and Hisoka, sitting across the table, immediately felt strange mixture of emotions from him. There was compassion as Kazutaka stared at the victims, yet there was also fear, a very strong, consuming fear. Trying to ignore the unease coiling at the pit of his stomach, Hisoka mentally shook himself. He really could not afford to be distracted while on the job.
"...The murderer appears to have violated all of his victims before strangling them, and stabbing them to death. All the victims also have the kanji for 'darkness' carved into their skin," Tatsumi finished his explanation.
"Kanji for 'darkness'?" Kazutaka asked, his voice tight. Kazutaka's increasingly unsettled emotions were starting to prickle uncomfortably at Hisoka's consciousness. Frowning, Hisoka looked back at the pictures, and realized what was so unsettling about them.
The victims all vaguely resembled Kazutaka, with pale skin, and palest blonde hair that could be mistaken for platinum blonde under the moonlight.
He turned his attention back to Kazutaka, and noticed a white-knuckled hand clutched over his heart. The emotions were becoming stronger, pain and anger and hatred and strange anticipation, but most prominently terror and anxiety. Their intensity was becoming quite distracting.
"That's it for the briefing. Tsuzuki-san, Kurosaki-kun, Muraki-kun, please leave immediately for Kikuchi City, and start the investigation," Tatsumi announced, glancing at the three of them for acknowledgement.
"Let's go," Hisoka said quietly, getting up first. Tatsumi, Watari, and Konoe-kachou stared at him. Usually, it was Tsuzuki who jumped out of the seat first, with Hisoka calmly walking after him.
"Kurosaki-kun," Tatsumi's calm voice stopped Hisoka. "Are you sure you will be all right?"
Such simple words, but so much concern and meaning underneath. Hisoka looked back at Tatsumi-san, gratitude softening his features. "I will be fine, Tatsumi-san."
"All right. Be careful," Tatsumi said, signaling their dismissal, and the three of them left the office immediately. For the rest of the trip to earth, Hisoka avoided physical contact with Kazutaka or Tsuzuki, but especially Kazutaka. The stirred-up mixture of emotions was giving him a migraine, and Hisoka was determined to keep it from getting worse. He could ill afford anything less than his full attention on the investigation.
Kikuchi City was located in the northern part of Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island. It was a small city with population of twenty-eight thousand, rich with history and natural beauty. The beautiful scenery of the city made it difficult to believe such violent and gruesome murders were happening there. (1)
"Kazutaka," Tsuzuki called quietly, and Kazutaka turned to give him a mildly questioning look.
"Yes, Tsuzuki-san?" His smile was distracted and slightly strained.
"You seem distracted. Is something bothering you?" Tsuzuki asked, concern in his voice.
"No. I think I'm kind of nervous because I haven't had field assignments for a while," Kazutaka answered easily, but did not seem to be giving Tsuzuki his full attention.
"Just take it easy," Tsuzuki said good naturedly, and Kazutaka gave him a slightly warmer smile.
"I will. Ready, Hisoka-san?"
"Yes," Hisoka answered neutrally, hiding his internal strain. The day counted as A Very Bad Day even in his book, but he did not wish to cause Tsuzuki and Kazutaka unnecessary concern, especially not when they were about to start on a case.
It was difficult tracking down the victims' family and friends. They were all foreigners, and two of them had been tourists. Although they managed to meet most of those who had known the victims, none of them had been a witness to the actual murder, and the entire day of tracking down various people yielded no more information than they had in the beginning.
Frustrated, they headed towards the murder sites to see if they could find anything that the police had missed. Suddenly, Hisoka whirled around, looking back.
"Hisoka? What is it?" Tsuzuki asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing," Hisoka answered distractedly. 'Strange. It felt like someone was watching us.' Hisoka dismissed the idea with a shake of his head. As they walked away, occasionally talking to one another, a figure in shadows watched them with a cold smirk.
"Well, well, well... What do we have here? I didn't expect him to be here... And that boy..." The voice trailed off into dark chuckles. "This is certainly getting more interesting."
After the murder sites similarly disappointed the hopes of getting any useful information, the three called it a night and retired to the hotel room Tatsumi had reserved for them. Tatsumi, as Hisoka had half expected, had gotten them a single room with only two beds. After a short discussion on Tatsumi and pathological parsimony, Tsuzuki took the couch, and Hisoka and Kazutaka the beds. While Tsuzuki took a shower, Hisoka stepped out to the balcony, mentally going over what they had on the case so far, and trying to will away the lingering headache. Kazutaka was in the room, busily typing away at the laptop.
"Hisoka-san."
The shinigami jumped slightly, but managed not to squeak in surprise. Kazutaka's ability to sneak up on other people was by now legendary in Shokan Division; even Tatsumi had been surprised twice.
"Yes?" Hisoka prompted when Kazutaka did not speak again.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready for bed? You need sleep, more than any of us," Kazutaka pointed out, concern plain in his voice.
"I will, soon. I want to take a shower before I go to sleep," Hisoka replied.
"Okay, then you can take one before me," Kazutaka offered good-naturedly.
"That's not necessary," Hisoka said automatically, not in the habit of accepting favors from other people.
"It is. You need your sleep," Kazutaka insisted.
"It's fine - "
"Stop being stubborn, and take the shower. When other people are trying to be nice, it's a courtesy to accept," Kazutaka said sharply, and Hisoka blinked, closing his mouth. A warm hand touched the back of his hand, and Hisoka looked down at Kazutaka's pale hand covering his. "It took me a while before I got used to Ukyou-chan or Oriya being nice to me. It took even longer to accept they had no ulterior motives, same with my co-workers. Other people can be surprisingly kind, Hisoka-san, if you just let them," Kazutaka said gently, and Hisoka swallowed, surprised how quickly Kazutaka saw through him. Was it because they had some similar experiences in the past, or was it just Kazutaka?
"All right," Hisoka acquiesced. Kazutaka smiled genuinely for the first time since the briefing, and Hisoka felt an answering tug on his own lips. "Are you finished with what you were doing, or do you need help?"
"Nearly finished. I just need to e-mail Gushoshin to check something for me. Excuse me," Kazutaka murmured.
"Sure," Hisoka replied, turning his gaze back to the night scene. The air was warmer, and filled with new vitality of spring. He closed his eyes, enjoying the warm breeze caressing his skin.
A sharp jerk went through his body, and Hisoka's green eyes widened, the surprise and the pain canceling each other into a blank state of shock for a few seconds, before the fierce burn of the pain won out and intensified. Hisoka clutched the railing, fighting for consciousness. When the pain receded slightly, he was gasping harshly, trying to regain his breath. The dull throb of his body was sickeningly familiar, persistent, and he pulled his sleeves up with trembling hands.
The curse marks were burning again.
A dark chuckle caught his attention, and he looked around, trying to find the source of the sound. Five stories down, a man stood under a nearby tree, his hair bleached pale golden in the moonlight. The man was looking up, staring at him, cold amusement in his amber eyes. Intense pain raced through his body like lightening, and images flooded Hisoka's mind, numerous and far too fleeting for him to grasp firmly. Pressing a hand against his temple, Hisoka gritted his teeth against the pain lancing through his head, and looked down again. The man was still staring at him, the cold smile widening, with an unspoken command clear in his amber eyes. (2)
Come.
"...I'll be right back," Hisoka said, walking out of the door.
"Hisoka-san?" Kazutaka's surprised voice floated after him, but the door had already closed. Hisoka broke into a run, not caring whether he collided into other patrons of the hotel. His heart was pounding in his ears, as he recalled how he had found out Muraki was his murderer in the alternate world, and he trembled with both fear and anticipation. Wasn't it possible that this man had something to do with how he died in this world?
Racing down the stairs, Hisoka briefly thought about going back to tell Kazutaka or Tsuzuki, but decided otherwise. Despite his confidence in his friend, he did not want Kazutaka directly involved with this, especially if he was right about this man. And Tsuzuki...
He did not want Tsuzuki to know, not when the knowledge would only burden him. Besides, Hisoka was no longer the helpless boy he used to be in life. He was now a shinigami, who had come face to face with numerous dangers and powerful demons, and survived. Whoever was his killer couldn't possibly be as powerful as the adult Muraki. Muraki was always the exception, not the rule. How often did one encounter a psychotic, murdering doctor with kick-ass powers, anyway?
As he neared the tree, where the man had standing only minutes ago, he found no trace of him. The streets were dark and empty, and Hisoka looked around, ready to fly if necessary to cover more ground.
He took few more steps, and strong arms suddenly grabbed him from behind, a hand clasping over his mouth before he could even think to scream.
"I'm glad you came, bouya," a low, amused voice whispered in his ear, and Hisoka's eyes widened impossibly. (3) The presence behind him was dark and cold and searing, so deep and twisted that he could not even begin to see the bottom. This person reminded him of...
Muraki.
"Pretty boys like you shouldn't be wandering around at night, all alone."
The green eyes turned blank, wide open but unseeing, and Hisoka body went limp in the strong arms around him. A chuckle sent warm breath of air over the boy's face. The last thing Hisoka remembered before his consciousness left him was the blood-red full moon high in the sky.
Back in the hotel, Kazutaka waited for good fifteen minutes, but Hisoka did not return, and Kazutaka started to get worried. They had been sent here to investigate a murder case, for crying out loud! Okay, so the shinigami were already dead, and not in danger of being murdered, but that did not mean Hisoka should be wandering around at night by himself. There could be any number of weirdoes out at night, and... Catching himself here, Kazutaka mentally kicked himself. Hisoka was not exactly helpless, and besides, why was he so worried? He didn't know since when, but these days, his attention seemed to invariably settle on Hisoka. At first, he had assumed it was because he could not understand Hisoka, but now, even after knowing the beautiful shinigami's secrets, his fascination had only intensified. Even now, thinking of Hisoka gave him a strange, warm feeling spreading from his insides, warming him like the golden afternoon sunlight. Come to think of it, Hisoka's dark blond hair always did remind him of rich afternoon sunlight...
His train of thoughts was interrupted as Tsuzuki finally emerged from the bathroom, toweling his hair dry.
"Where is Hisoka?" Tsuzuki asked, looking around the room.
"He went out fifteen minutes ago. Tsuzuki-san, I think I should go and see where he has gone. Or...do you want to go by yourself?" The younger shinigami added hesitantly, not wanting to make Tsuzuki-san feel left out.
Tsuzuki smiled at the kind suggestions. Kazutaka really was considerate. "We'll go together. I feel like getting some fresh air, anyway."
The two shinigami headed out, but Hisoka was nowhere to be found. They both knew that their youngest companion liked to stroll around, so they set out from the hotel, looking for the wayward shinigami. It was late, and the streets were dark. Of all the times to pick for a nightly stroll...
Kazutaka was not paying much attention to his feet as he was searching for Hisoka, and he tripped and fell down. "Ow..." Kazutaka ruefully rubbed his knee, wincing.
"Are you all right?" Tsuzuki asked, quickly walking over to him.
"Yes, I just tripped," Kazutaka answered, slightly embarrassed.
Tsuzuki smiled fondly. "Hisoka has bad night vision, too. One time, when we went to the Hokkaido and ended up searching for Queen Beatrice - she's the queen of winter - he would not admit it, but he was very reluctant to walk around at night." Tsuzuki saw a slight frown on Kazutaka's face, and paused before asking, "What's the matter?"
"Nothing. The ground is wet," Kazutaka answered. That moment, the full moon emerged from behind the clouds, illuminating the ground.
"Kazutaka..." Tsuzuki called quietly.
"Tsuzuki-san?" Kazutaka inquired, puzzled. Tsuzuki crouched down and reached out to touch the wet ground. As he withdrew his hand, Kazutaka saw the distinct red smeared on Tsuzuki-san's fingers, accompanied by a metallic scent.
Blood.
He was sitting in a small puddle of blood.
The two looked at each other, then in the next instant sprang to their feet. The blood on the ground formed a trail, and without a second thought, both of them broke into a run, following it. This was their first lead since they left Meifuu. Could they have chanced upon yet another murder?
After a good twenty minutes, they were quite out of breath, but found themselves standing before a promising old mansion, where the blood trail ended. Whether or not they had been too late to prevent the fifth murder weighed heavily on both of their minds as they prepared to enter the building. Tsuzuki took a step forward resolutely. "Let's go."
"What about Hisoka-san?" Kazutaka asked.
Tsuzuki paused as he remembered. In their hunt for the murderer, he had forgotten that they had originally set out to look for Hisoka. They had no way of knowing whether Hisoka was still out walking, or already back at the hotel, wondering where the other two had gone. But they did not have time to go back and check.
"I'll send out a messenger. Hisoka saw it before, so he should recognize it," Tsuzuki decided, taking out an ofuda, and transforming it into a white bird. (4) The bird flew up straight, and the two started towards the building, approaching cautiously but quickly. They were stopped, however, when the bird circled around them, hovering in their way.
"What's the matter with it?" Kazutaka asked. He knew more than enough about shikigami and spells to know that this was not the normal behavior for a messenger.
"...I sent it to find Hisoka," Tsuzuki answered.
"So, why is it staying here?" Kazutaka asked, beginning to dread the answer.
"Because...Hisoka is here," Tsuzuki answered, his voice deceptively quiet. "Let's go."
Swallowing, Kazutaka followed, as cold fear stabbed his heart viciously. Ever since the briefing, he had an idea who the killer might be, and a good guess as to what the killer was capable of doing. What if he had been right? More importantly, what if Hisoka was now in the murderer's clutches? Oh, why had he not confided his suspicion to the others? His indecision might have cost Hisoka much more than it should. Shuddering with guilt and anxiety, he followed Tsuzuki into the mansion.
"We'll split up. We can cover more grounds that way. You can summon shikigami, correct?" Tsuzuki asked, his serious face so different from his usual expression that Kazutaka swallowed before answering.
"I can summon up to four."
"Good. Keep them handy. Ready?" Tsuzuki was all business, cool and confident. Kazutaka felt his anxiety ease, slipping into his professional mood.
"Yes. Good luck."
"You too. Be careful," Tsuzuki said softly before walking away, barely a footfall betraying his presence. Kazutaka, feeling his skin tingle with heady mixture of fear, worry, and anticipation, cautiously walked down the corridor in the opposite direction. Under the pale moonlight, Kazutaka saw a fresher trail of blood, and cried out without thinking.
"Tsuzuki-san!"
He immediately regretted calling out, but the sound of heavy footfalls nearby made him forget his mistake. The noise was coming from straight ahead, where the trail was leading, and he raced down the corridor until he came to a door. Tense with anticipation, he drew out several ofuda and kicked the door open. The sight that greeted Kazutaka made him cry out again.
"Hisoka-san!"
Hisoka stood bound to a bed standing vertically on its foot, with his arms fastened above him with thin, black wires. Without a second thought, he ran towards the young shinigami, his attention only on the unconscious Hisoka.
"Hisoka-san! Wake up!" His hands frantically worked to free Hisoka from the wires, and Kazutaka swore as the glossy wires cut into his fingers. Whatever they were, the wires were obviously much stronger than they looked.
Wait. He did know what the wires were. He had heard about it before.
A chill ran down his spine as he realized the black, glossy threads were strands of women's hair, strengthened with an old spell, virtually unbreakable. (5) The only way to free the victim was to gently untangle the wires, but it was a long and difficult process, because the wires were so thin, and easily cut into skin. Many people, frightened or frustrated, not understanding the power of the wires, would simply pull violently against them, losing their limbs or heads in the process. Carefully, he managed to untangle them, gaining a fair number of cuts, and gently caught the slight, bloodied body into his arms. Once he lowered Hisoka to the floor, Kazutaka checked the vital signs and sighed in relief. Other than numerous small cuts, whatever major wounds that left the bloody trail had already healed. Hisoka's breathing was regular and steady, probably just unconscious from the blood loss.
Footsteps sounded behind him, and Kazutaka cursed himself for his carelessness. He was generally much more careful, but he had been so distracted by the sight of Hisoka that he had forgotten that the killer might be close. Kazutaka turned, and felt his limbs going numb with icy fear, nearly losing his grip on Hisoka.
"Why, what a pleasant surprise, Kazutaka," the man said pleasantly, amber eyes glinting in the moonlight.
"You..." Kazutaka whispered, hands clutching Hisoka convulsively.
"I see you've met my puppet," the blond killer gestured to Hisoka. Snapping out of his paralysis, Kazutaka glared at him.
"So you were the one who did that to him."
"I had to occupy my time somehow, after you died," the man replied with a slight shrug, and Kazutaka felt his anger turn cold, becoming bitter hatred.
"...So you murdered a thirteen-year-old child," Kazutaka said flatly.
"I did more than just killing him, but yes. Isn't my little toy beautiful? I'm sure you would like to know how delightful his sweet body is." The voice was sickening in its mocking sweetness.
"Shut up," Kazutaka snapped. His voice was rising in volume and pitch, but he did not care. He had to get Hisoka out of here. Now.
"Is he your little lover? You seemed quite fond of him."
"Shut UP!" Kazutaka screamed, a light erupting from his body. The other man looked momentarily taken aback.
"I see you've picked up few tricks since your death. Impressive."
Not deigning to respond, Kazutaka summoned one of his shikigami, a white winged dragon.
"Well, well, well, look who's been studying. I really am impressed, Kazutaka. Too bad it didn't serve you before you died, hmm?"
"Fire!" Kazutaka commanded, shifting his hold on Hisoka to use his hand more effectively. The white dragon obeyed readily, breathing fire on the smug killer. After the fire subsided, however, Kazutaka's eyes widened in surprise as the murderer emerged unharmed.
"You see, you were not the only one who's been busy."
"How did you...?" Kazutaka trailed off, aghast. His dragon's flames could kill minor demons easily, let alone humans.
"See, this just proves my point, my Kazutaka-chan. You use the same kind of summoning spells that I use. I was right, wasn't I? You are lucky I killed you when I did. Who knows, had you lived, it might have been you that raped and murdered your precious boy that night."
"SHUT UP!" Again light flashed brightly as Kazutaka summoned two more shikigami. Jointly, they attacked, but when the resulting debris had cleared, the killer was quite untouched, smirking at Kazutaka arrogantly.
"Give it up. You will never win. Not against me."
"Kazutaka! Hisoka!" Tsuzuki's voice rang out from just outside the door.
"Unfortunate, but it seems we have company," the man drawled, "Take care of my little doll for me, Kazutaka? He screams quite deliciously when you take him. Of course, you might know that already."
Kazutaka was so enraged that he could not see straight, let alone form a coherent answer. The door was blasted away as Tsuzuki rushed into the room with Byakko in tow. The killer simply smirked at Tsuzuki, and sent a burst of power towards the two boys.
"Watch out!" Tsuzuki screamed. The attack was too sudden, and Kazutaka knew he did not have time to cast a defensive shield. Instinctively, he threw himself on the ground, shielding Hisoka with his own body. Then the explosion of power hit them.
"HISOKA! KAZUTAKA!"
END OF PART THREE
A/N:
(1) Kikuchi City is under Kyushu, Hisoka and Tsuzuki's district. This information was taken almost verbatim from a website: Regions and Cities, part of Japan Information Network (JIN), ( www . city . kikuchi . kumamoto . jp / foreign / english / index . html ).
(2) Those who have guessed the identity of the killer might object to my choice for the color of his eyes and hair, which is not necessarily supported by the canon. I deliberately chose them for the purpose of this fanfiction, however, since he is meant to be a sort of antithesis or a shadow/reflection of Muraki. Please forbear kicking my rear end, dear fellow canon-obsessed.
(3) "Bouya" is a diminutive of "boy." Muraki in canon calls Hisoka this, as does Tsuzuki when they first meet. Hisoka rather hates being called this for obvious reasons.
(4) An ofuda is a rectangular paper charm. Tsuzuki uses it to create shields (or kekkai), to attack, and to banish ghosts and demons. For this particular use of ofuda, please see the episode three of the anime.
(5) Some of you might be interested to know that in Kyoto, there is a shrine called Honganji (or Hongwanji) where a rope made out of women's hair was actually used. For more information about Honganji, please visit: ( www . orientalarchitecture . com / kyoto / higashiindex . htm ), and ( www . jref . com / practical / nishi (underline) higashi (underline) honganji . shtml ).