When they left the infirmary, Tsuzuki paused and turned back around to stare at the doors, reluctant to leave his defenseless partner behind. Watari gave him a minute before putting an arm around the man and pulling him back into the world of the living. Upon returning to the school, the two went to the principle's office and explained why Hisoka was not there, and probably would not be back. Tsuzuki then stepped back as Watari introduced himself.

"So, you're a doctor, Mr. Watari?"

"Yes. I'm actually with a special team who has been put together in order to see specifically to these horrifying cases."

"I had heard that such a murderer had been slaughtering students at other schools… Do you really believe he has migrated here?"

"Yes; according to young Kurosaki's case, that is what we believe."

As the man processed this, Watari looked back at Tsuzuki, who was holding his head low in shame; no doubt thinking about his wounded partner.

"Am I right to assume that you want to speak to the students about this event?"

"Hm? Oh, yes. But, it will be discreet as not to raise a panic. I'll also double as your school's temporary physician."

"Very well. Thank you for telling me. I'm terribly sorry about the boy, Kurosaki. I hope this criminal did not kill him!"

Watari barely had a word out before Tsuzuki burst out of the room. Watari yelled after him, but he didn't answer. The blonde politely bowed his head before walking out to catch up with his distressed friend. But, Tsuzuki was a quick walker, and was far ahead of him. Even from a distance, Watari could see the man's hands were balled into tight fists, which were turning white from the pressure. Finally, Watari broke out into a run and just barely caught up with the amethyst-eyed man. He tugged on his arm.

"Tsuzuki!"

"Let go!"

Tsuzuki roughly pulled his arm away and tried to keep walking, but Watari managed to get ahead of him and took hold of his collar, pulling him into the men's room. There, Watari pressed the man into a tiled wall, and it was there that his desperation showed. Tsuzuki was nearly in tears and his shoulders were shaking as he weakly tried to get out of Watari's strong hold.

"L-let me go, Watari!"

"Where do you think you're going in that state?"

"Hisoka! I have to get back to Hisoka! H-he needs me… he needs my strength now; I can feel it!"

"Does he need your fear and doubt and overwhelming sorrow, too!"

This made Tsuzuki freeze. He hadn't bothered to think of how his sad state of mind would affect the sensitive empath. Once he had a moment to think about this, he slumped to the tiled floor, leaning against the wall, and started sobbing. He wanted Hisoka to be all right, and the principle's words had only frightened him. Watari sighed and knelt by the man, holding out his hand. Tsuzuki stared at it for a moment before looking up to his friend.

"If you want, we can call Tatsumi. Would that make you feel better?"

"I-it would…"

"Okay, then. We can do that now, but since this is an open facility, we should probably move it to your classroom."

"Right…"

Tsuzuki took the offered hand and they went into invisible mode all the way to Tsuzuki's empty class. Watari locked the door and watched as the distraught man sat down at a student's desk, still with puffy red eyes and stared at him. He spared a smile for the man and then got out his cell phone.

After two rings, Watari heard the low, quiet voice of his friend over the phone.

"This is Tatsumi."

"Hi, Tatsumi; this is Watari!"

"I know it's you, but why are you calling? Have you already gotten a break on the case?"

"Well, not necessarily…"

Watari moved to the window, out of Tsuzuki's hearing range and put his hand over the receiver as he continued.

"You see, we came and had a meeting with the head honcho here, but something he said really upset Tsuzuki."

"Tsuzuki? Is he alright?"

"Yes, yes… he's okay physically, but he's overly worried about the kid and he can't seem to focus on anything else!"

"Oh, I see… put him on the phone!"

"Oh, Tsuzuki, it's for you!"

Slowly, Tsuzuki lifted his head and took the phone away from Watari, more quickly.

"Hisoka!"

"No, it's only me…"

"Oh… hi, Tatsumi."

"My, my… you do sound awful!"

"I'm okay… how is Hisoka? Can I talk to him, please?"

"I'm afraid Kurosaki still has not regained consciousness."

"Oh, I see…"

"This may seem a little strange, but could you put the phone to him, anyway?"

"…Sure."

After a moment, Tsuzuki could hear Hisoka's somewhat labored breathing over the other line. As he listened, he put his head in his hands.

"God… what has he done to you…?"

"Tsuzuki? Hey, Tsuzuki?"

"Mm? Yeah… I'm here, still. What is it, Tatsumi?"

"Listen… don't give up hope just yet! Remember, the faster this case is solved-"

"The faster I can get back to you and Hisoka."

"Correct. Just try and hang in there a little bit longer."

"Right. I will."

Tsuzuki hung up the phone and rubbed his eyes with the arm of his sleeve. After a moment, he smiled up at Watari.

"Lets get to work."