8. Strength.
T: part two of today's double release and I'd advise you to go back to that chapter if you wish explanation/warnings. Plot mine, characters not.
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Finding some hidden well of strength he forces himself up onto his feet and informs the other,
"I will not let you win."
The other opens his lips to respond, to inform him that it is far too late for such aimless bravado and he uses this instant to again 'strike'.
The psychic resonance proves strong enough this time to draw blood and the other glances at the liquid as some alien thing before he remarks,
"It is still not enough, bouya."
The other makes another firm gesture with his hands and the skin beneath his curse marks begins to break open.
He can feel the pain as this occurs, can feel the odd heat of his blood as it begins to coat his limbs, yet they are as the faintest sensations at the very corners of his mind.
"I will not let you win." He repeats as he begins to close the distance between them.
"Why continue to push, bouya, why not simply give in to the inevitable?" He enquires, the confidence drained at last from his voice.
Again he utters the words, "I will not let you win," as he uses the force of his 'weapon' to hold the other in place and stretches out his blooded fingers in order to paint him in his blood.
"What are you doing?" he enquires, the barest tremor in his voice betraying the fear that begins to dominate his emotions.
Feeling powerful and, for the very first time, completely in control of his destiny, he replies, "Exterminating a particularly resilient nuisance," before he returns to the task in hand.
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Once they had arrived in Tokyo Watari had gleefully secured himself a computer and exclaimed,
"Now the fun begins!"
The 'fun' had, on further prodding, proven to be the hacking of the computers at Tokyo general hospital for what the scientist had called 'research purposes'.
The genki one has just begun to hum quietly to himself when suddenly his back tenses and, his mood sobering all but instantly, he says, "You need to see this, Tsu," as he turns the monitor towards him.
On the screen is a detailed log of incoming emergency patients and he is about to enquire as to why the other is showing him such a thing when he spots first Muraki's name and then the description of the 'unidentified male' that'd been brought in with the man.
He is on his feet and half the way out of the door before Watari manages to catch him and, his voice oh so patient, says,
"You're not going to get anywhere charging in head first, Tsu. Give me a few minutes and I'll get us a way in."
Five minutes later he is hovering at Watari's side, listening to the scientist give over their cover story to the individual manning the hospital reception desk.
The gentleman is nodding his head and, after typing a few things into his computer, says,
"The patient is on ward 2 room number 29. Dr Irani should still be with him and he should be able to answer any questions you have."
"Thank you." Watari remarks as he bows politely to the other.
The scientist hesitates a moment outside of the room they have been directed towards and, looking him in the eyes, enquires,
"Are you going to be all right with this, Tsu?"
"I'm going to have to be."
The scientist nods and, opening the door, steps into the ward beyond.
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Dr Irani proves to be a man in his late fifties with a ruddy completion that hints at a dangerously high blood pressure.
He focuses on this fact, on the perspiration all but streaming down the sides of the man's face, this in an attempt to distract his mind from the bloodied figure curled tight on the bed and the odd sound that comes from over his shoulder and Tsuzuki suppresses what would certainly have proven to be a gasp of horror.
"Dr Irani, I am Dr Watari from Kyoto hospital." He remarks as he bows politely to the other.
The doctor returns the gesture and then enquires,
"Is this patient known to you then?"
"That is correct. His name is Nando Juni and he was my patient until he decided to run away to the city and make a 'go of things.'"
"How did you learn that he was here?"
"My aid went to Tokyo in pursuit of Nando-san the day after the child fled and has been searching for him ever since." He gestures towards Tsuzuki and, seemingly catching onto his meaning, the other smiles shakily and says,
"Luckily one of my contacts spotted him being wheeled out of the hotel and I managed to get Watari-san to him before his condition became any worse."
"Then the markings on his skin…"
"A complex hereditary illness that I've spent my life researching and still barely understand." Irani-san looks a little perturbed for being interrupted but, after a moment of thought, enquires,
"Is it possible that this illness is contagious?"
There is something in the intonation of the doctor's voice that sets warnings bells in his head and, choosing to hedge his bests, he responds,
"It is possible."
"There was another individual brought in with Nando-san who also bares these markings on his skin."
"I would guess from the way that you talk of this other that they are more than another patient, is that the case?"
"It is. The man in question is a Muraki Kazutaka, a fellow resident of this hospital and a close personal friend."
"Would I be able to see Muraki-san?"
"Of course." The other responds as he gestures for him to follow.
He has just gotten to the doorway when he turns and says,
"It's probably best that you stay with Nando-san."
There is genuine gratitude in Tsuzuki's eyes once he has given over this 'command' and he flashes the other a hidden smile before he continues after Dr Irani
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T: So I'll see you Fri! Review??