This is where this fic and my sequel 'Amethyst Embrace' are going to be merged so watch out! you may want to read the previous fic so you can get the hang of some parts.

Chapter 8: Sakura Dreams

Muraki-sensei...

Hisoka lifted his hand, trying to reach the far away figure of the doctor. It was spring again and pretty sakura petals were grazing the sky with their lovely pink dress. Moving softly through the field, he finally reached him. Muraki turned and smiled.

Muraki-sensei...

What is it bouya?

I don't understand.

You will, momentarily.

But why...?

Hisoka caught a faint sadness in Muraki's eyes and watched him go closer.

Maybe I wanted to redeem myself...

He saw Muraki held his hand and put it in his own face.

Maybe I just wanted to be near you...

Muraki slowly bend his head, parted his lips and softly kissed him. Hisoka felt the same peaceful feeling and kissed back.

Hisoka!

Hisoka Kurosaki woke up with a start. The blurry surroundings started to focus. He realized that he's in someone's room.Tsuzuki smiled at him in relief.

"Yokatta. You're awake."

"What happened?" Hisoka groaned as the ache in his back began to throb.

"You were hit against the wall when the procedure started."

Hisoka winced as he tried to rub the back of his head covered with bandages. "How long was I out?"

"Hours." Tsuzuki brought out the breakfast in a tray. "It's 5:30." He spooned a piece of egg with rice to go with it. Hisoka reddened. "Baka! I can do that myself."

Tsuzuki shook his head. "I can't allow that, not until a physician comes to check on you. Well, technically Muraki is a certified doctor but I need to be sure."

Hisoka made a small smile. "Looks like I'm your prisoner now."

Tsuzuki chuckled. "For the meantime, yes." Hisoka mouthed the food filled spoon obediently and chewed thoughtfully. "Muraki..." Tsuzuki was a bit startled. "Did he really..." Hisoka couldn't continue, the dream still fresh in his mind.

Tsuzuki paused before he answered. "Yes, he did. Racquel is alright. She's now with her sister in the hospital. Rosaline will be discharged in a few days, tops."

"He kept his promise..." Hisoka murmured. Tsuzuki looked at him. "I supposed so." He stood up. "Listen, I've got some errand to run before we head back to report. I'll be right back." Hisoka watched him leave. A light breeze from the window carried the scent of blooming cherry blossoms. Hisoka took in a deep breath and sighed. What's going on?

Tsuzuki played with the pebble, moving it from pavement to pavement. It hit a dead end. A shadow blocked the incoming sunrays and Tsuzuki turned.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine, I guess."

The stranger paused. "I see. And bouya?"

"He's okay."

"Aren't you going to ask me to check on him?"

"You already did before we left. I think one is enough." Tsuzuki shifted his weight. "What am I suppose to tell the department?"

Muraki's glasses gleamed from the reflecting light. "The usual. I don't think the world is ready for my new resolution."

"What about Hisoka?" Muraki smiled. "He knows what to do. All you have to remember is my condition I gave you."

"And if I refuse?" Tsuzuki challenged. Muraki walked towards him. "You know better than that. I'll leave that to your conscience, if you have one." He turned and left. Tsuzuki closed his eyes and stood there for a long time.

"There seemed to be a mistaken report about the present case. As you have discovered, both humans were found alive. There has been neither case of kidnapping nor the findings of a lost soul, am I not mistaken?" Tatsumi confirmed to the two standing shinigamis in his office who nodded. He carefully arranged the file reports and placed them in his file cabinet. "Perhaps shinigamis aren't so far as being mortals after all."

"You mentioned before we started the case that there is a problem in the department," Hisoka recalled.

"Ah, yes. I was coming into that." Tatsumi took about something under the drawers and revealed a three foot files stacked together. He gently placed them down in his desk with a thud. Tsuzuki looked at it warily. "What are these?"

"Your new assignment," Tatsumi announced. Both partners stared at him incredulously. "Next month is Assessment Month wherein each department is to submit the full synopsis of each and every file case it has performed to the head office for review. Within the next 20 days, you are assigned read, file and write the outstanding report on every one of these." He patted the mini leaning tower. "And the word 'outstanding' is not synonymous to only satisfactory cases. Is that understood?" Tatsumi emphasized menacingly.

"Hai..."

This is going to be a long month ahead...

bored already? i hope not. notice the new assignment is the same as the Amethyst Embrace assignment? we are getting closer now. just be patient. more twist coming up next chap! pls support this fic: reviews onegai! thanks