Alternate Universe

Response to reviewers:

mistressKC - wanteddeadoralive: It sucks when you can't concentrate sometimes. Heh, my mom thinks I'm too dark too.

xangel of death sarah: Thanks!

Jollyolly: No I don't think you're the only MurTsu fan here. Sorry I can't make them have so much interaction in this chapter. But the good part will be later!

Venedy: Thanks!

ThisbeCeyx: Well I hope you update soon on your story!

Liliath: I'm trying to make it as long as I can. I hope this is long enough.

RuByMoOn17: I'm trying! But I need to figure out the right scenes for them. There will be more later on though.

DarkSapphireDragon: I completely forgot about that! Thanks for reminding me!I will make that clear and that Muraki is posing as her doctor as he did in the series. She dies anyway.

BlackWolf22: Thanks!

zadet: I know I need one. I'm looking for one now! But thanks glad you think it's interesting!

Chapter 5

Three people were in a room. You could peer in, at the slightly open door, of the conversation.

"That's difficult Wakabayashi-san. I can't do it," the voice of Kakyoin filtered through.

"Can't do it? This ship belongs to you. I know what you do with this ship. It would be troublesome if I reveal it. The next game. Understand?" Wakabayashi finished before getting up and exiting.

"…"

X-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

A loud scream echoed through the VIP section of the ship. This startled Hisoka out of bed as it woke him up. He realized that he was alone, which was good. He quickly stood up got prepped hurriedly before rushing out of the room. A small crowd was around a room. The only one who seemed to be missing was Wakabayashi. Cursing his short height he couldn't see anything. Finally when it cleared for him he was taken back.

There in the room was Wakabayashi sitting with his eyes wide open. He held a lit candle in his hands while blood was around him.

His heart had been ripped out.

X-

All the VIPs were waiting in the lobby room. They were waiting for the autopsy that Muraki was going to give. He is Tsubaki's doctor after all. He soon came in a few minutes later glancing at the crowd before looking at the clipboard.

"The time of death was approximately between 3 and 4 am. There were traces of strychnine in the body. He was dead before his heart was taken out," Muraki said. "Therefore Wakabayashi was killed. By someone amongst us."

"Sensei!" Piped up Tsubaki's voice in shock.

"What do you mean!" Came Houjo's voice.

"This place is restricted to the VIPs. None of the regulars could even come in with strict security here," Tsuzuki said seriously. He was actually interested in this particular case. For once he didn't know about it. He usually knew some fishy business around wherever he stayed assuring himself that the shinigami would be there preferably Hisoka.

"True. Security has been questioned since last night's party until this morning. No one has entered in this floor. We're in the middle of the ocean and no one can enter from outside. Isn't it natural to assume the culprit is someone from this floor?" Muraki voiced.

"Well it's obvious the culprit is the owner," Houjo spoke up.

"Why would I do this knowing I'd be the one accused," Kakyoin defended.

"I know you wanted to break ties with Wakabayashi."

"Enough, my father wouldn't do anything like that!" Tsubaki fought back. Everyone became silent.

"Even so, we know that it could be anyone. We can never be too careful."

X-

"What do you think bouya?" Muraki asked Hisoka who was settling a couple feet from him.

"I think you know exactly what's going on," Hisoka responded turning to face his partner with a glare before looking straight ahead. Muraki turned his head in fake curiosity looking at Hisoka.

"Now why do you immediately accuse me of knowing something?" Hisoka softly huffed in annoyance.

"Because, I can tell." Muraki smirked and placed a hand on Hisoka's cheek. He avoided the piercing silver gaze that he felt were laughing at him in amusement.

"Now, now bouya, peeking when you're not supposed to. That empathy of yours is going to get you into real trouble one day. But…I've already showed you didn't I?"

Hisoka swung his hand; an attempt to hit the other but it was seized and held behind him with the other's arm around him. He tried with his free hand but the same thing happened. It looked like he was being embraced with his hands behind him so his body was pressed up against his partner's. Unfortunately for him there was no one else around since they were all downstairs. He struggled fruitlessly as the other man wouldn't release him. He hated it when he mentioned about that night or made suggestions about it.

"My, my you have quite the temper. But I guess…that anger makes you feel human doesn't it?" Hisoka's eyes widened in surprise as Muraki whispered that part to him, "It lets you know that you're not feeling someone else's emotions, right? Believe me bouya you can't beat me. I'm stronger than you and I have so much control over you. Besides, a copy can't beat the original. In other words, you're a replica of me, and nothing more my beautiful marionette. I have my reasons in keeping you alive. You, after all, lure him to me like a worm on a hook. When I get my revenge, I won't need you anymore. Don't get too comfortable. But I can never get enough of your screams. Do you have nightmares often…about that night?" Muraki finished before placing his lips over his in a rough unyielding kiss. Hisoka tried avoiding it but was held in place. Any contact with the outdated doctor was pure torture. It felt like spiders were crawling up his skin, darkness was threatening to take over.

"Raping your patients again doctor? Isn't that a crime?" Saved by the violet-eyed nemesis. Muraki pulled away and they both stared at Tsuzuki who was standing there leaning casually against the railing. "I feel very offended by the 'worm on the hook' comment. You're making me feel like a dumb fish."

"Tsuzuki-san, I can't say I'm not pleased to see you again. It's been awhile," Muraki responded.

"Flattered. How about a hand of poker?"

"Oh? And what's the prize?"

"I get the kid. If you win you can have him and you wont get in trouble with Enma for loosing one of his rare shinigamis. So…what'd you say sensei? Up to the challenge?"

"Of course Tsuzuki-san. I can never refuse a challenge from you. But it's such a shame that we don't get to bet for that fine body of yours."

X-

Hisoka sat grudgingly in the chair provided for him. Unluckily enough that he didn't get a chance to escape. He attempted the first time the former doctor said 'yes' but he was caught immediately. But he wasn't tied up. This would've been a good opportunity had he not been put on the other side of the table away from the door. If he tried to escape it would've been fruitless, as one would've subdued him easily. He hated this body. Forever sixteen looking didn't seem so promising.

He glanced at the two 'supposed enemies'. They were in that evil smile phase of trying to outmaneuver the other. He knew those two were lovers before but had kept that rivalry to some extent of who can do the most damage. He figured Tsuzuki would've just won that competition immediately with just one shikigami. After all back in Nagasaki, it was Tsuzuki's firebird that had beaten Muraki, but he was able to escape getting him out also.

The dealer dealt out the cards. Surprisingly no words of love or enmity escaped the lips of the two competitors.

"Please place your bets," the dealer said. Tsuzuki placed his down as Muraki raised him and called.

"Hm, Tsuzuki-san, you seem to know nothing about this case. I bet you're very curious," Muraki spoke, amusement shined in his eyes.

"It seems you've read my mind. Taking lessons?" Tsuzuki retorted.

"No, your expression gave it away. After all you're a very easy person to read, right bouya?"

Hisoka didn't answer the question.

"Please show your cards," the dealer's voice sounded in their conversation.

"Maybe after this hand you can hand over the microchip that Wakabayashi had, Tsuzuki-san, you're tampering with evidence," Muraki said before laying out his hand. He had a full house, kings. Tsuzuki looked defeated as he only had a pair. He fished something out of his pocket throwing it towards his rival.

"Well maybe next time. After all we do have an eternity, don't we?" Tsuzuki said cryptically before standing and walking out of the room.

Hisoka, was to say, relieved at this but then the fear came back with his partner still there. He hastily stood up walking towards the door. But he was pulled back with an arm around his waist holding him in place. He didn't bother escaping as he stayed still fearing what the doctor planned to do with him. Muraki sensed his fear and he relished it for the moment. Then he took Hisoka's hand and placed the little chip into it.

"Get Gushoshin to look into that. When you find what you're looking for meet me there. Don't wait up, you should get some sleep bouya, your skin is looking very pale. You might pass out from exhaustion," Muraki whispered in his ear prior to letting him go. Hisoka stumbled out of his grip and out of the room hurriedly.

X-

Muraki registered his own room. No one in the real world knew of his death so his account and practice in Tokyo were still going on as if he was actually there. Since there seemed to be more missions concerning his district he mostly had to do them and cancel patients unless they were deemed to the extreme importance. Well he needed to place his plan into action. So he fell to sleep.

X-

Hisoka sighed into the night air of the ocean sea. His eyes closed in leisure that the small windy breeze provided for him. His hands held onto the railing as he slightly leaned over the edge. Gushoshin was looking into the microchip that Wakabayashi had. Since it was well encrypted he walked outside for a bit of fresh air. It'd take some time.

His thoughts have been scrambled recently. Really, it felt as if his murderer was taking over his life, well afterlife. He thought of what the doctor said. He hated to admit it, but he was scared. He was scared everything was going to happen again. Hisoka was really grateful that Tsuzuki intervened even if he is the 'enemy'. Though he may act like a goofball he was pretty powerful and smart when he wants to be. He was just stuck in the middle.

Hisoka shivered at that thought. He almost screamed as a hand landed softly on his shoulder barely tapping him. He whipped around quickly not thinking to use his empathy to see who it was but was rather surprised when his eyes met a dark red. He sighed in relief. It was just Muraki's patient, Tsubaki-hime, is what they all call her.

"I'm sorry, did I scare you?" she asked a bit teasingly. Hisoka blushed a little and shook his head after regaining his composure.

"No I thought you were someone else." Hisoka answered before turning back to face the ocean. Tsubaki stood beside him.

There was a long pause.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Tsubaki spoke.

"Yeah," Hisoka responded not really paying attention.

"So what are you to the doctor?" she asked. He thought he caught a little bit of jealousy in the tone but brushed it aside.

"I'm one of his patients that he's paid to take care of." He mentally cursed, he was supposed to say assistant. Damn he got confused. But he couldn't correct it as the words had slipped out of his mouth.

"Oh, well I'm Tsubaki, but call me Tsubaki-hime." She extended her hand to shake.

"Hisoka." He grasped the hand and paused for a moment. He felt her emotions. She loved the doctor and was infatuated with him very much. Though he wished to crush the good doctor's image he couldn't. He understood why she would be jealous. She saw them when Muraki was harassing him earlier. "Don't worry, I have no interest in the doctor," Hisoka said before looking back out at the ocean.

"How did you…"

"The tone of your voice, it sounded jealous and I just made assumptions from there," he explained. He didn't want her to know about his empathy. The words of Muraki came back to him.

"It makes you feel human doesn't it?"

He shook his head and forced it at the back of his mind. He'd deal with it later. Soon enough the two began talking about everything and nothing. Later Hisoka walked her to her room.

"You take care of yourself," he said as she stepped in the doorway.

"I will," she said, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." And the door shut.

Hisoka calmly walked towards the room he was staying in. He sighed that he finally gets a chance to lie down and rest. He reached the room to see Gushoshin still looking upon the files.

"Oh, hello Hisoka-san," Gushoshin said. Hisoka just nodded and walked towards the bed. He closed his eyes immediately giving into his body's weakened state and slept.

X-

Hisoka woke the next day with the incessant knocking. He groaned in annoyance and just covered the blanket over his head to drown out the noise. He was grateful when the knocking awakened him from a nightmare. When it still continued and the person wouldn't get a clue to stop he stood up and answered it. He was rather surprised at the scared and frightened Tsubaki.

"Have you seen Sensei? He didn't come to check on me this morning. I'm really worried." Tsubaki said worriedly.

"Did you check his room?" Hisoka asked knowing the doctor picked another room to stay in. She shook her head and headed towards the room with Hisoka following behind.

Tsubaki arrived before he did. She let out a shrill scream and fainted to the floor. Hisoka came in a few seconds later to see her on the floor. He rushed over and knelt picking her up and cradling her form. He shook her a little, calling her name to see if she was still alive. The steady rising and falling of the chest assured him that she was still alive. He could hear footsteps rushing towards this room. No doubt people heard the scream. He looked around the room wondering what caused Tsubaki's horror. He could've used his empathy but he didn't like what extras came with it. His eyes landed on the bed and his eyes widened at the sight.

Muraki was murdered.

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

BLK Angel of Destruction: Sorry for the lengthy update. My mind was on blank. I'm still looking for a beta reader. If anyone's interested plz e-mail me or if you know anyone and tell them to e-mail me! I would appreciate it. Thanks for your visits!

Review! No Flames! C+C accepted.