Disclaimer: Yami no Matsuei is the creation of Matushita and associates. FF is non-profit, meant for entertainment only.

FF can be archived anywhere, just let me know where. Please send no flames, I'm sensitive. For all other comments 0_o you may contact me at kaoru_koishii@yahoo.com

Category: Yami no Matsuei

Title: Hidden research, an experiment in death and rebirth.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: An experiment leads to rebirth for a green-eyed shinigami, tearing him away from death and a devoted partner.

Theoricus

*************

Morning light filtered through the open blinds. Hisoka stirred, waking slowly from his slumber. He yawned not surprised to see the purple-eyed man fast a sleep on the bed next to him. He sighed jadedly.

"I see your up?" The blond scientist whispered.

Hisoka nodded. "Am I still being released, today?"

"Yes," Watari retorted. "Konoe-kacho wants you and Tsuzuki to take the rest of the week off. You don't have to come back till Monday."

Hisoka nodded. The blond scientist smiled before he moved away. The green-eyed youth turned his head back to the left to where his partner still slept. Slowly he got out of bed; he walked over to a chair that held some of his clothes before he walked to the bathroom to change. He almost fell back when he caught sight of his reflection. His face, they'd said he'd aged but this . . . . this was . . . . . He was older not as old as Tsuzuki of course still he was older. His once rounded features were now sharper and more angular though he still seemed to retain a softness that he'd never liked. His wheat colored locks were longer covering his eyes. His bangs reached his mouth. This is what he would have looked like at twenty.

He broke his gaze away from his reflection and began getting dressed. He frowned at the shirt, all his clothes to be precise. While the pink sweater was his, it seemed the other items were not. Grudgingly he put on Tsuzuki's white shirt and a new pair of jeans. He felt self conscious in the shirt and in the end he put his sweater on. He made a disgusted sound at the back of his throat before he left the room. He stopped, momentarily surprised by Tsuzuki.

Tsuzuki had woken up, afraid when he hadn't seen his partner. He'd calmed when he'd seen the light from underneath the bathroom door. So he'd sat up and waited. Time seemed to slow as the bathroom door opened and he sucked a breath in anticipation. Standing there in the doorway, the sight of the jade-eyed male made his heart constrict. While he'd always thought the boy was beautiful he'd never felt the overwhelming urge to ravish him. Hisoka flushed, the sight sobered him up. His shield quickly went up before the boy could read into his thoughts. He cursed inwardly, he should know better.

After a moment Hisoka coughed, clearing his throat. "Let's go." He said walking towards the door with Tsuzuki in tow. "Did Watari tell you about our little vacation?" The brunet as enthusiastically.

"Aa."

They walked down the halls, their co-workers turning to look at them as they passed by. Hisoka's face-hardened, as the scowl came back into place. Tsuzuki's smile slipped as they walked through the building. Happy as he was that Hisoka was back to normal, he couldn't help but be afraid now. Muraki hadn't made so much as a squeak. It might have been do to the fact that there were so many shinigamis around. They were safe at EnMaCho but what of the outside? What would happen now? He of course would guard his younger partner but what if the mad doctor took him while he slept or while he stepped into another room. His thoughts seemed to grow darker the more he thought about it. The ominous thoughts were only surpassed by the fierce anger he felt growing inside. He'd nearly killed Hisoka once.

"Baka."

Tsuzuki didn't quite hear the words but he felt the tug of his sleeve. He turned to the green-eyed imp. So lovely, he thought as he gazed at the youth.

"Listen when I'm talking to you."

That he heard. "What?" The brunet asked the youth. He'd obviously been talking while he was lost in thought.

Hisoka sighed in exasperation. "GO get YOUR clothes." He snapped.

Tsuzuki looked up and realized that they where in front of his home. He smiled impishly before he trudged a couple of stairs to his apartment. He should've moved his stuff while the boy slept but he just couldn't bring himself to leave his bedside, never for more than five minutes anyways. He should have asked Tatsumi, he was sure his long time friend would have done it. Specially if had made his puppy dog eyes. Tsuzuki stuffed everything he could into two duffle bags. He zipped them up and was well on his way.

The flaxen haired youth gave him an odd look before they continued.

*************

Hisoka watched his partner with apathy. His cool gaze focused on the spectacle the brunet was making of himself.

Tsuzuki however continued to lick his plate leisurely, lapping at the spaghetti sauce with soft upward strokes of his tongue. He began to lick the outer edge of the plate, swirling his tongue back and forth. The flaxen hair youth licked his suddenly dry lips. And it was then the brunet noticed his audience. His headed tilted to the side questionably just before the youth turned away, his cheeks flaming red as he muttered something that sounded much like swearing to Tsuzuki.

The purple-eyed man looked puzzled for a moment before a smile crept over his features. And even though the boy had fled to the kitchen to wash his plate he kept the smile to himself; less he wanted a beating. His happy thoughts though turned sour again as he glanced back at the front door. His bags where on the floor just a bit to the side. They'd come home some hours ago. And he hadn't made any move to place them into the guestroom. It was just a bit after lunch but he a need to talk to the boy now while it was early rather than wait till later when it would and will most surely turn into an argument.

Hisoka seemed happier in pretending that all he had was a dinner guest but that was not the case. Tsuzuki had spent days think of a way to broche a particular subject concerning their living arrangements. But in the end their seemed to be no right way to say this right. "Hisoka." He began slowly. The boy emerged from the kitchen drying his hands on a small towel. "There's something I want to ask you but you have to promise not to get mad."

Hisoka's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What is it?"

"Promise," Tsuzuki reiterated.

Hisoka huffed, unwilling to give in but playing this game with the purple-eyed man had always deemed him the looser so in the end and with great vehemence he gave in. "Fine, whatever."

Knowing that was Hisoka's way of giving the purpled-eyed man dared. "I need to sleep with you."

The youth's mouth fell open before his face flamed red. "What?" He threatened, daring the purple-eyed baka to repeat what he'd said.

Tsuzuki swallowed hard. "You promised not to get angry." He reminded. But it didn't seem to appease the beautiful boy. "I need to sleep with you." The brunet mumbled his request this time, afraid of the boy's reaction.

"Baka yarou, if you think I'm going to . . . . to . . ." His face was ten shades of red and still he couldn't say it. "You are sadly mistaken." He was so angry he might just hit the idiot.

Tsuzuki felt hurt by the response. "But Hisoka."

"No buts. Just . . . you know what get out." Hisoka's lips were white with anger.

"I can't."

"What do you mean you can't. Yes you can." Hisoka walked over to the door and held it open.

Tsuzuki's shoulders slumped. He walked towards the youth dejectedly. The brunet laid his hand on the knob, which the boy quickly let go off. "I'm not going to leave." He said closing the door. Hisoka's chest seemed to puff with anger. Tsuzuki sighed warily. "I'm not going anywhere because Muraki will come for you when I'm not with you." The brunet explained. "I want to sleep with you so I can be close should he come into the room and try to take you while you sleep."

Hisoka despite the explanation seemed livid. "You are not sleeping with me."

The brunet smiled then knowing he shouldn't push the youth but unable to help himself. "Come on," he began. "Your bed is big and you always sleep to the side, you wouldn't even know I was there."

Cold emerald eyes glared at him. "No."

Tsuzuki demeanor changed from charming to wounded. He turned away from the door and from the youth. Walking towards the couch he sat down. "Do you know what it what like for me Hisoka, to come here and find you missing. I knew the exact moment he took you too. Because I felt it. I felt like he was ripping a part of me away."

Hisoka swallowed the lump in his throat. He'd know for sometime he mattered to the purple-eyed man he'd just never wondered how much. No that wasn't true; he hadn't wanted to know.

"I only want to protect you." Tsuzuki reasoned.

"I can take care of myself." It was an automatic response that slipped past his lips. And he was sorry he'd said it but it seemed that Tsuzuki hadn't heard as he'd kept on talking.

"If he takes you again . . . . I will kill him Hisoka no matter who gets in the way or where the battle takes place. As long as I kill him. Just as long as he dies."

Hisoka put his hand on the brunet's shoulder. He didn't want to make a murderer out of the sweet loving man. And Tsuzuki would most surely die in this battle he was planning. No matter who, no matter what. It chilled his heart to hear the brunet speak that way. "All right Tsuzuki, you can sleep on the bed." He voiced softly.

Tsuzuki's face was in his hand's seemingly deaf to everything but his own thoughts. Hisoka walked around, kneeling in front of the brunet. "It's all right Tsuzuki." Awkwardly and as self-conscious as he felt he embraced the older man. It was too easy to make him cry, he knew. When the brunet really cared for something or someone he went out of his way to keep it or them safe.

The blond pulled away slightly, brushing the tears away from the other's face. "It's all right." He soothed. "I have ice cream." He suggested in hopes of cheering him up.

Tsuzuki smiled weakly before he turned his face away. Tears still trailed a path down his cheeks. The image of a hurt and helpless Hisoka refused to leave his mind.

"You can sleep on the bed Tsuzuki just don't cry anymore, all right?"

Tsuzuki turned and looked at the youth for a long moment. He swallowed the salty knot in his throat before he nodded his head. "Good, I'll get you that ice cream then." The blond said before pulling back, slowly as to not frighten the older man. But even as he moved away and into the kitchen he could still feel the other man's despair.

His thoughts were troubled now. He served large scoops of ice cream into the purple bowl he'd bought just for Tsuzuki. He put he ice cream back in freezer and pulled out the chocolate sauce from the fridge. Fixing the treat just the way the other man liked it.

Had he really thought he'd live forever? This thing with Muraki had to end sometime and from the beginning, the odds had been against him. What would happen to Tsuzuki then? He never meant to get attached. Not to Tsuzuki or anyone, ever but that hadn't been the case. The fact was he did care for the brunet, a lot. More than anyone in life or death. He . . . . treasured the friendship between them.

He swirled the last bit of chocolate over the treat. The man liked every last bit of ice cream covered in chocolate. He sighed as he put the bottle back into the fridge. What was he supposed to do? He picked up the treat and straightened his shoulders. He settled his troublesome thoughts, pushing them below the surface again. With his mask firmly in place, he went back out.

*************

Hisoka face was strangely blank as he moved in and out of his closet. His thoughts drifted much in the same manner. He was making room for Tsuzuki's clothes while the brunet ate his ice cream.

The shinigami's stay was correction is supposed to be temporary so there really is no need for this. He knows that too. But somewhere in the back of his mind there's doubt. About a great many things.

So now, here he is, moving his clothes to the side and hanging up clothes that don't belong to him. His moves are mechanical, folding and refolding the other man's clothes. Clearing a whole side of the dresser for the folded items.

So who's he doing this for?

Certainly not for the brunet. Or to make him feel comfortable, like he belongs. No, he's doing this for himself of course. Or so he tells himself as he folds the other's socks into place. His apartment would get messy if he allowed the idiot to put his own things away much like the other's home. No it was best for him to do it.

Hisoka pulls the last items from the bag, his ties. He folds them over three times, until they're small little squares. Then he puts them into the dresser. There it's all done. He has to go and make dinner now. He walks out of the bedroom and into the hall pausing at the living room to pick up the ice cream bowl. Tsuzuki has fallen asleep. He kept vigilance while he was ill so it's all right for him to rest now.

Hisoka washes the dish, dries it and then puts it away. He is doing everything he can to keep his inner thoughts at bay. But it doesn't really seem to be working. Thought's from earlier in the day come back as he sets about, preparing to start dinner.

"If he takes you again . . . . I will kill him Hisoka no matter who gets in the way or where the battle takes place. As long as I kill him. Just as long as he dies."

How had things come to this point? Tsuzuki. He would rather give himself over to the insane murderer than to have the brunet hurt because of him. Muraki had already done so much to destroy Tsuzuki's spirit. He was not going to allow the other shinigami to get involved. Not if he could help it. He seemed to be the key in Muraki's most recent scheme and though he didn't like it he accepted it. He would take the necessary precautions to remain safe. He only hoped it would be enough not so much for his sake as he had already died at the hands of the silver haired psycho. It was more for Tsuzuki's sake.

He moved around the kitchen, preparing a dry meal for his guest so the lunch incident wouldn't repeat itself. He felt his ears grow hot at the memory. The brunet always found a way to embarrass him. You'd think that after all their years together he'd have found a way to control that damn blushing reflex but no. That would just be too convenient. Why make life easy for him. When he could be embarrassed all the time.

"Hisoka."

The green eyed youth sighed. "What?"

"Just checking."

Hisoka shook his head in mild annoyance. "Baka." He muttered under his breath as he continued dipping chickens strips into batter before he coated them with bread crumbs. All the same his heart lightened, the familiar feeling ran unchecked through him at the sound of the other man's voice. Still he refused to acknowledge anything and so he let it go.

Tsuzuki leaned back on the couch in relief. However dense he appeared, he was very aware that if Muraki came. Which he knew he would. Would come in quietly, as to not arouse suspicion or risk a confrontation. Nothing noisy he was sure and so he had to be extra careful. Hisoka was very dear to him, he was all he had left and all the more precious for it.

I should have posted this two weeks ago when I finished writing it but I wanted to post everything together. Sorry if there was anyone waiting for it. But just so you know I do send previews if you e-mail me.

Small Notes: Hisoka is now twenty and as beautiful as Tsuzuki knew he would have been had his life not been cut short. Deciding that the youth was in too much danger on his own he took it upon himself to guard the boy personally. His need to protect Hisoka pushed him into asking to him stay. Tsuzuki fears the time when Muraki will come back. Unlike Hisoka, who knows it's inevitable.

Latin

Theoricus : contemplative