wow. i guess i can update early. since unemployed and lots of free boring time lol warning: i cant seem to have the knack of making a thriller chap especially when it has to deal with equipment and transformation so hope you wont mind if i short-cut it a bit coz if i dont hell, im sure it would be comical instead. hehe yay 3 reviews haha lame but at least its not just 2 mwahaha guess what? this chap is longer! lol
Chapter 7: I give thee, thus I can take thee
The pale hand resting on the bed twitched. Martha gently stroke Rosaline's hair, trying to soothe the girl's and her own helplessness. Tsuzuki looked away, tensed at each passing minute. It is already 1:30. He should be here any moment.
Hisoka glanced at his partner pacing about and grab his hand. Tsuzuki stopped. Both exchange brief glance with each other. Tsuzuki finally took a deep breath and sat down.
The door opens.
Both stood up to 'greet' the incoming smiling doctor. Muraki's grin faded upon seeing Hisoka who returned his amused stare with a reproachful look. Martha rushed forward, pleased at the doctor's good mood.
"My dear Martha, do you remember this fine doctor, Dr. Tsuzuki? And his er...lovely assistant nurse Kurosaki-kun?" Muraki introduced, emphasizing the last few words.
She nodded.
"I have good news for you. Dr. Tsuzuki finally agreed to perform Racquel's operation."
Martha couldn't contain her gratitude as she kissed both doctors' hands.
Tsuzuki patted her shoulder. "It's going to be alright."
"Martha would you please excuse us for a moment? We have to discuss the details of the procedure in my office." She nodded happily as the trio left the room. The shinigamis walked briskly with the doctor leading them in the crowded hallway to a quiet office in the far side of the top floor.
Hisoka stared warily at the back of walking doctor. He still hasn't recovered from the empathy surge with Racquel and felt every now and then a twinge of sadness coupled with bit of happiness whenever Muraki's presence is around. He shook his head to clear the forming memories of the girl. Get a grip for goodness sake! This is Muraki we are dealing with. He took a deep breath and went in with Tsuzuki in Muraki's office. Closing the door behind him, Muraki ushered them seats.
"First of all, what the hell is he doing here?" Muraki pointed out.
Annoyed at his question, Hisoka began to retort back. Tsuzuki interrupted, "I asked him to."
"I see. After clearly emphasizing 'to come alone'?"
"Is there a problem...doctor?" Tsuzuki challenged him.
Muraki stared at the two hot-headed companions and sighed. "No problem. I'm just concerned about his inappropriate 'assistance' during the transformation."
"If you are trying to say that I might stop whatever you are planning aside from returning the girl's body to normal, then yes I might," Hisoka shot back. Muraki grinned. "Very well." He handed a piece of paper with an address written on it.
"Be there exactly 9:00 pm sharp. Racquel doesn't want to stay up so late. And we cannot afford more delays since it will reduce her remaining life left." He left the last sentence sink in. "Bouya can tag along if he wishes, but no one else. Any more tagging will further disrupt the operation. Do I make myself clear?"
"We'll be there. You better keep your promise to the girl."
"Or else what?" Muraki cocked his head for the answer, amused.
Agitated, Tsuzuki stood up. Hisoka followed suit, hesitating. Muraki smiled slyly, circled around the two, stopped behind Tsuzuki as he whispered, "Be careful with your words doctor, or it would cause dearly this girl's life." Tsuzuki cringed. Hisoka pulled Tsuzuki towards him as he motioned to the door.
"Let's go. I think we have enough for one meeting."
Tsuzuki fumed and kicked the trash can in front of him. It is still 3 in the afternoon. Six more agonizing hours left to go. He slumped back down in the grass, miserable at his helplessness. Hisoka looked at him in concern.
"I guess we're stuck here until nine," Hisoka commented, unable to find anything else to say.
"Do we have a choice?" Tsuzuki retorted. He faced his partner. "Hey sorry about that. I just feel so...so lost on what to do." Hisoka stared at the birds flying by as the scene of Muraki being near Tsuzuki kept repeatedly flashed back again and again. What is wrong with me?
"Yeah...so am I."
Muraki punched in the code to the hidden laboratory underneath his house. The door parted with ease and welcomed him with the mesmerizing hum of the lab. He smiled. Approaching slowly towards the huge tank across the room, he gently tapped the glass.
"Patience. I'll soon have you out of here. Right after I deal with the others..."
Two men stood near the entrance of the dilapidated warehouse overgrown with weeds and misused. The taller of the two glanced at his partner who in turn nodded. Both approached with caution.
The dark and cool surroundings of the docking area stood silent only to be interrupted by clatter of their footsteps as the duo draw nearer. They stopped upon noticing a hazy figure dressed in white. The figure moved and the blazing lights blinded the intruders temporarily.
"Konbanwa, Tsuzuki...Kurosaki-kun," Muraki nodded greetings.
"Let's get this over with."
Muraki leered. "Don't we all do?" He stood up and walked around. "Like the place? I'm sure you remembered it fairly well especially you, bouya, of all people hm?"
Hisoka flashed a glare at the doctor. He, of course, remembered the time Muraki 1st abducted him when he became a shinigami. Old habits never die. He felt shamed upon even entertaining the thoughts of Muraki as no less but a misunderstood doctor.
"I picked the place knowing well how much this pains you. I know I have been terrible person before and I would like to change that perception. And what better way than to prove it here with you watching."
"You will never change," Tsuzuki spat out.
Muraki watched Hisoka clenched his fist. "We'll see about that." He motioned someone behind the wooden crates. "It's alright. He's here."
Racquel peeked through her hiding place and walked shyly towards Muraki, her green eyes never taking off Tsuzuki. She took his open hand and held it tightly. "Konbanwa" while bowing slowly. "Hajimemashite. I'm so happy to finally meet you." She turned to face Hisoka.
Hisoka reeled from her intense stare. Emotions forced themselves once again in him as he backed away from her glance. Tsuzuki held his partner, alarmed. "What happened? Are you alright?" Hisoka nodded weakly. "Just get on with it."
Muraki watched the two with interest. He turned to Racquel with a questioning look who responded with a nod. Satisfied, he moved towards the covered equipment and revealed a huge odd contraption with interlining wires and tubes around it.
Tsuzuki and Hisoka stared at it apprehensively. Muraki motioned for Tsuzuki to step in a cushion similar to a chair as he assisted Racquel to the opposite one. After securing both, he turned to the main frame and pushed a series of buttons. The machine roared into life.
Hisoka watched in anxiety...and prayed for a safe deliverance. It's now all in Muraki's hands. He squinted as the machine glowed steadily as Muraki recited an incantation. A quick thrust to the power lever and a slap of a life/death seal unto the center base initiated the motion flow of the tubes. A shock blast of light and wind knocked Hisoka off his feet and onto the wall. The last thing he saw was blazing light...a girl's smile and peace overflowing his body.
Arigato..Muraki-sama...
a bit confusing eh? especially with Hisoka's state of mind. hehe you'd probably be wondering why it is leaning onto MuHis. well this is what i can say for now: this is just the beginning...(grin) review pls? i need your support!