New Hope

ATTENTION: EVERYONE HAS TO RE-READ THE LAST PART OF CHPATER 8 SINCE I POSTED THE WRONG ONE LAST TIME! PLEASE READ THE LAST PART TO KNOW THIS CHAPTER! THANK YOU! IF YOU GET CONFUSED THEN YOU DIDN'T LISTEN!

Response to annonymous reviewers:

Jou: Well, I posted the wrong chap. 8. Here's an update! I hope it's quick enough.

Monogurui-hime: Thanks! Here's more!

Part 9

Duo stopped his swing. There was a speck of blood on the tip. He turned and was surprised.

Hisoka lied there with a gash on his back. He had pushed Trowa away from the attack. Trowa kneeled next to his fallen form.

"Are you alright?" Trowa asked him. Hisoka nodded attempting to get up. His back hurt. It should've begun healing by now. "You shouldn't get up. We should stop the bleeding." Hisoka shook his head.

"I'll be fine. It'll heal." Hisoka said and turned to Duo. "Are you awake now?" Hisoka still couldn't feel anything. Either he was good a shielding something or he was still out of it. Hisoka was able to stand up, although a bit hunched, as Duo walked to stand in front of him. Hisoka knew he couldn't defend himself. He readied himself for any impact, but it never came. He tensed as a hand forced him to look up into red-tinted violet pools. They just stared in silence no one was willing to break.

Tatsumi had told him to not get hurt. He said it would be the end. Is this what he meant… Hisoka thought. He was snapped out of his thoughts as he felt cool lips on his. He snapped to reality as he realized what was going on. He didn't react. He couldn't push him away or do anything. He was relieved when he pulled away.

"I have a message to the chief. Tell Enma, how dare he try to keep me on a leash."

-X-

Heero toyed with his gun. He was confused. He looked over at Hisoka who was sitting next to Duo's unconscious form. He didn't know what happened a few hours earlier and he wanted answers. This waiting was irritating him. A hand rested on his shoulder and looked up. It was Quatre telling him to be patient. Heero nodded and looked back.

Quatre had just entered the room. He really couldn't believe this himself. Duo was alive according to the other three. He had to see for himself. He noticed the other figure sitting on the side in a chair. He was taken back when the figure turned to look at him. He was surprised that he looked so very young. He was confused when the younger looked irritated at him. Did he do something wrong?

It's a damn curse dying at this age, Hisoka thought to himself. He knew the blond sensed his irritation. He wasn't trying to be hostile but he hated it when someone reminded him of how young he looked, even if they didn't know it. Hisoka sensed the curiosity in the air. Looks like he'd have to explain what the hell is happening.

"I'll answer all your questions," he said looking at them. "Is there a place where no one would overhear?" Quatre was surprised at first but then nodded.

"Right this way." He answered and walked out. Heero waited for Hisoka to go before following behind. Hisoka was irritated by the treatment but he understood. Quatre led them to a big sized living room. The elegant furnishings were extravagant. Trowa and Wufei were waiting. They both looked up as they came in.

"Is…he awake yet?" Wufei asked. He almost said Maxwell. Heero shook his head.

Hisoka was directed to sit on the couch across the table. The rest were standing or sitting. Now he just needed to know how to approach this.

"Um…" Quatre began. He was too curious. "Is he really…" Hisoka sighed.

"Yes," Hisoka answered. He felt their relief and suspicions. They were probably asking themselves why Duo didn't come back to them even if they saw him in the coffin at his funeral. "The dead are forbidden to associate with the living." He answered their questions. They all looked at him in confusion.

"Your friend has been dead for six months. He is now a shinigami."

"What's a shinigami?" Quatre asked. He recalled Duo calling himself Shinigami during the wars. It was his trademark.

"Shinigami are agents working on cases that cannot be solved through human means. Shinigami solve cases dealing with souls that haven't made it to be judged. Usually it's just the soul's attachment to the place or someone steals them through means of 'magic', as you'd put it."

"You say he's dead. Why is he walking around?" Heero asked coolly.

"Without a body how are shinigami supposed to work? He may seem alive but he's already dead. You won't be able to kill him again so easily."

"What happened earlier?" Trowa spoke up. Hisoka looked towards him.

"That was Duo's power. Each shinigami has a type of power. That seems to be Duo's power. We didn't know when it would surface. It should've surfaced during the time he was living. So it was suggested he goes out on missions to release it." How'd it develop another personality? Hisoka added silently.

"And you?" Quatre asked.

"I am also a shinigami. We always travel in pairs so at the moment we're partners for this case. I doubted that he'd be able to hide from the four of you."

"What can you do?" Hisoka hated telling people this.

"I'm an empath and a telepath. I can feel your emotions and hear your thoughts should you leave your mind unguarded. Right now you all doubt me. You don't really believe that it's Duo who's resting in that room right now. You think this is a bunch of lies even after all you've seen." Hisoka stood up grabbing a stray knife he saw. He walked back over noting their tensing. He smirked at them. "You don't need to be tense." He placed his hand on the table, held the knife, and stabbed through his hand. Quatre gasped in shock. The others were also in shock. But they were more surprised when the wound healed in a few seconds. "If you still don't believe me then dig up your friends grave. You'll find his body."

"If what you say is true…then why are you here?"

"We're on the case concerning the murders here on L4. The murders are random and you will never find out who did it unless the person came up to you and confessed."

"They'll eventually leave something behind." Heero pointed out.

"When he wants to get caught." Hisoka retorted. "You've had a suspect come in here already. I'm not surprised you didn't catch him."

"You know-"

"Soka-chan!" Duo said as he came in, glomping Hisoka in the process. It seemed he didn't remember earlier. "You're alright!" The others were surprised but smiled nonetheless, except Trowa and Heero. But you could tell with the glint in their eyes. Quatre believed Hisoka's story. He felt Duo's essence. This person was Duo.

"Why couldn't you stay asleep for a few more hours?" Hisoka muttered but the others heard it along with Duo. Duo pouted.

"Meanie…" Duo then looked at his living friends and smiled.

"Hiya guys long time no see! It's been a while Q-man, Hee-chan, Trowa, and you too Wu-man." Duo grinned.

"It's Wufei, Maxwell!" Wufei stated automatically. But stilled his hostility at the familiarity.

"When I was told I couldn't see you guys again I was disappointed but I did anyway! I hope Mr. Tatsumi isn't going to scold me for this… He looks just as bad as Lady Une."

"He'll choke you with your own shadow," Hisoka muttered. "Baka, can you let go of me?" Hisoka told him.

"No," Duo answered nuzzling him, "I get you all to myself until Satan's daughter comes to kidnap you."

"It's nice to see you again Duo," Quatre spoke up. Duo grinned.

"That right! I'm still kickin' it!"

"Unfortunately…" Wufei muttered. This earned a laugh from Quatre and amusement from Trowa and Heero.

"Hold it. How come you guys aren't shooting at me?"

"Your partner explained everything although it's a little hard to digest…" Quatre answered.

"Let go of my mother you lecherous fiend!"

They turned to see Duo now sprawled on the ground and a little girl sitting on Hisoka's lap. They saw Duo getting up and glaring at her. She stuck her tongue out while Duo just growled. Hisoka sighed. They began throwing insults at each other. The other former pilots were amused at the situation. Quatre sensed Hisoka's annoyance and smiled. He then looked up as a blond with glasses walked up from behind Hisoka.

"Sorry Duo, couldn't leave her unattended." Hisoka turned around.

"What are you doing here, Watari?" Hisoka asked cautiously.

"I heard what was happening and decided to come and visit. Duo told me you might need a medical examination and that you might not be feeling well." Watari did notice the four in the background. "Ooh, Sei-chan's not gonna like this." Watari's face turned serious. "I heard that you ran into him." Hisoka turned away.

"I'm fine. Nothing happened."

"I'm not talking about your physical state…"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. A maid stepped in and bowed.

"Mr. Winner, Dr. Muraki is here to see you," she said.

"I'll be there in a moment." Quatre answered. He was about to excuse himself until he noticed the tension coming from Duo, Hisoka, and Watari. Duo was glaring at the door as if expecting something unpleasant would come through. "If you'll excuse me." Quatre said before following the maid out. He'd check on it later.

"Settle down Duo. You're not helping his condition," Watari said motioning to Hisoka.

"What is wrong with him?" Wufei asked. Duo turned away clenching his fist.

"It's nothing." Hisoka said. "Duo's just overreacting."

"Overreacting! Look at you! You look sick! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Karin surprisingly stayed silent.

"Leave it."

"Hisoka-"

"I said leave it!"

It was silent. Hisoka was shaking in anger. He told Duo to drop the subject. He was grateful that Karin leaned to keep quiet. He could feel five pairs of eyes looking at them. He was relieved that the three bystanders, ignorant of the situation, didn't say anything. He felt like lashing out but he didn't.

"How can I, when it's obvious you've been haunted by him ever since," Duo said softly. Hisoka stood up and turned to glare at Watari.

"You told him?" he asked angrily.

"He didn't tell me. Tatsumi-san was the one I asked."

Watari wisely picked up Karin and motioned for the other three to leave the two alone. The three understood and left. Hisoka and Duo were the only ones in the living space. Hisoka glared at his partner. Duo just stared back. It was silent for a minute.

"Hisoka, I-"

Slap!

Duo just stared at the ground not minding that he was just slapped. He knew he deserved it. But he couldn't help but seek out the truth.

"How dare you." Hisoka hissed angrily. "How dare you!" Hisoka was about to hit him again but Duo expertly caught his wrist. Hisoka glared at him intently.

"Why are you being stubborn? Listen to yourself!" Duo yelled at him. "It's obvious you're hurting everyday! You don't bother seeking help, when it's obvious you need help!" Hisoka closed his eyes and turned away.

"Shut up. You don't know anything."

"I would if you'd just let me." Duo used his free hand to turn Hisoka's head to face him. He had a feeling of déjà vu, like he had done this before. He looked into those endless emerald pools.

He leaned down and kissed him.

-X-

Outside Watari was eaves dropping along with Karin. There was yelling but then it got quiet. Karin wasn't too happy leaving the 'lecherous fiend' alone with her mommy. Watari assured her that the 'lecherous fiends' wasn't going to harm her mommy. The other three pilots stood to the side waiting. They were amused by the situation but were anxious to know what was going on between their deceased friend and his deceased partner. It became silent.

All of a sudden a ring sounded from Watari's direction. Watari picked his phone up.

"Hello?"

"…"

"Did you find something out?"

"…"

"I see. Thanks for doing this Wakaba."

"…"

"Don't inform him. I'll tell Sei-chan the situation."

Watari hung up and dialed a number.

"Hello, Seiichirou, we have a problem," he spoke.

"…"

"It concerns our very much alive employee."

TBC-----------------

BLK Angel of Destruction: There's chapter 9! I hope you all listened and read the last part of chapter 8 because that is the only different than the one I posted before. Anyways I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for your reviews! I really appreciate them!

Review! NO Flames! C+C accepted.