3. Pursuit.
T: The first cliff hanger of the series and I apologise for that fact but it really was the best place to leave things. Warnings remain the same with an addition of a 'WHERE'S THE PLOT GONE?' for this chapter only! I do not own anything you see here apart from Myagi-san but as he's been inspired by Tsuzuki I'm not going to press this fact.
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Tsuzuki scrunches the coloured slip of paper into a tiny ball and, in pure frustration, tosses it across the room.
Tatsumi watches the ball roll across the floor and collide with the ever increasing pile of other such balls before enquiring,
"Perhaps you should distract yourself in another manner, Tsuzuki?"
"Watari confiscated my playing cards yesterday and anyway I've almost got it now!" The other remarks before beginning to fold another square of paper into what, according to Tsuzuki, would eventually be a swan.
Predictably, a moment later one of the delicate folds tares and the scrap is sent to join its brethren.
"I could always bring a few files the next time I come to visit. Imagine how pleased Kurosaki-kun would be to see that you've actually done some work while he was away." At the mention of his partner Tsuzuki's hands still and, a far off look in his eyes, he enquires,
"Is he really doing something for you?" He is uncertain precisely how to respond to that question without either harming Tsuzuki or damaging the strength of the trust that tied the other to his partner.
Unfortunately Tsuzuki draws his own conclusions from his hesitation and, his shoulders slumping, he enquires,
"Did he lie to me out of his own choice or did you ask him to do it in order to protect me?"
"He must have felt that lying about his absence was the only sure way of keeping you here." Tsuzuki contemplates this a moment and, curling further in on himself, he enquires,
"Has he taken another partner on this case?"
"You misunderstand, Tsuzuki, Kurosaki-san has not left on a case but rather in the pursuit of something of a 'personal' nature." Given something positive to focus on Tsuzkuki's posture straitens out and, concern tightening the corners of his eyes, he enquires,
"Do you think that he might be chasing Muraki?"
"He assured me that he was in no immediate danger."
"Which means that he could be searching for him indirectly?"
"It is possible." He knows Tsuzuki well enough that he has only to see the violet of the other's eyes deepen a shade to remark; "I do not think it wise for you to pursue him."
"I can't sit here doing nothing when there is the chance that he might get himself hurt. Also I promised him that we'd beet Muraki together and I've a want to hold to that pledge."
"I shall let you go without fuss, Tsuzuki, but I shall not help you to find him."
"I understand, Tatsumi," the other remarks before smiling brightly and saying, "I'll find my way back to him for sure!" the simple statement full of such a power that it sends a shiver down the secretary's spine.
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He leaves the infirmary his mind full of the sternest lecture Watari could manage and his senses so fogged by pain killers that, though he is unbelievably glad to be 'free' from the place, he can not quite seem to bring a true smile to his lips. This 'predicament' is, he knows, due to the worried glances that fix on him as he passes through the bureaux corridors and the stifled feeling those glances place upon his heart.
He knows, of course, that his attitude to their concern is a little hypocritical considering the number of times that he had forced such unwanted pity on his young partner and yet still he wishes that they could just let him be for a little while...wishes, desperately, that he could go back to fooling them with his smile and his childlike manner.
The fire had burned away all hopes of such a return, had burned away everything that he had used to rely upon to feel strong. Yet when the flames had flickered away he had found a new strength among the ashes of his old life, had found a stable certainty to cling to in a suddenly alien world.
To protect that stability, to protect the new life that he had thought to build from such an anchor point, he was willing to do anything, to give anything. Thankfully, for the moment at least, such sacrifices were not necessary and, forcing a smile onto his face, he makes his way to the library.
The moment that the Elder Gushoshin spots him he is pelted with angry remarks that have, out of pity and concern, been very obviously tempered. He weathers this 'treatment' a great while before enquiring,
"Did Hisoka come here yesterday morning?"
"Yes."
"Might I ask what he discussed with you?"
"I do not think Hisoka-san would wish me to tell you."
"I am worried for him, Gushoshin Elder."
"He's in Tokyo." The first thought that enters his head as that city is mentioned is that Hisoka had, indeed, lied blank faced to Tatsumi and had left the Bureaux with the thought of hunting down and destroying Muraki.
He realises, but a moment after running the thought through to this bleak prediction, that there is another possibility to consider. For Tokyo had, many long years ago, been Tsuzuki's home and it was possible that, upon discovering this fact, Hisoka had chosen to actively pursue his partner's past.
He understands that his constant silence had driven the boy to this point, that Hisoka wishes only to help and yet still he can not quite squash the betrayal that rises at this realisation.
"Did he mention any specific line of enquiry?"
"He went to talk to the son of Myagi Senichi."
"And the location?"
"A moment please." The creature floats over to the computer and after a moment of typing remarks, "You are lucky that Hisoka-san is so efficient, Tsuzuki-san, otherwise I would not be able to give you this." The creature remarks as it writes out the requested address on a scrap of paper.
Once the precious piece of information is secure in his breast pocket he smiles brightly at the creature, the expression given weight for the relief he feels, and says,
"Thank you for trusting me, Gushoshin Elder."
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He had visited his home town often before he had become embroiled into the madness that personified Muraki Kazutaka, before the town had become tainted with the essence of that man, thus he was no longer shocked at how large or how modern the place had become. That was not to say that he was not saddened by the changes, by the reminder that the world had moved so very far since he had breathed his last breath, it was more that he had become hardened to the bitter reality of his placement as a Shinigami and had embraced it as a further part of his atonement.
Focusing his mind back onto the task at hand he raises his hand up to the door before him and taps the wood three times.
The door opens, he catches violet eyes and features that mirror his own and then his mind fades into oblivion.
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He senses the veritable broil of emotions that define his partner a moment before the knock on the door and yet, despite this warning, he does not manage to reach the door before Myagi-san.
He is, however, in time to catch his partner before he connects with the floor and, once he has adjusted to the weight of the other upon his knees he says,
"It seems the introductions will have to wait." Myagi-san seems to recognise the humour for what it is for, his mouth and his emotions tightening into concern, he enquires,
"Let us get him somewhere a little more comfortable shall we?"
He is grateful to the other for giving him something to concentrate upon other than the panic that is clawing its way through his body and the fact that, no matter how hard he pushes, he can not reach his partner's emotions.
They set the elder Shinigami out in Myagi-san's bed and, once assured that his partner is as comfortable as possible, Hisoka turns to his host and enquires,
"Can you explain what has happened to him, Myagi-san? Why it is that I can no longer feel him and, most importantly, can you help him?"
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T: I've taken anime Tsuzuki put him through the literal catharsis of Kyoto and tried to imagine what would immerge out of the other side. I hope I've done a good job…yes that is me fishing for compliments! R+R. Next chapter Tuesday.