Im back! Sorry for the long wait! I got caught up with work and all, but not to worry, I took some time to cook up the last chap to make it more interesting...and longer lol
Yes, this would be the last chap. Im sorry for those of you who have been loyal readers, but I realized that finding time to update would be like 2 months tops. I hate to see you guys wait that long. Plus the reviews aren't that encouraging.
For something to look forward to, I'm planning to make a continuation of Amethyst Embrace (my 1st fic). I hope to post it by oct...pls remember! The title is "And A Baby Makes Three" It's not actually part of the trilogy, just a comedic breather (there was another term for it, I just forgot) before I tackle the last fic. i promise it will be a blast! hehe
for now, enjoy the fic! hope to see you soon!
Chapter 12 The Beginning (ironic, isn't it?)
Tsuzuki stared hard at the blank screen of his desktop, the cursor blinking. Frustrated at his unproductive state, he turned it off and closed his eyes in resignation. Hisoka hasn't come back and Muraki's words still rang on his head.
He'll probably be crazy by now if he continues this melodrama. He tried to keep his mind occupied but every time he ends up staring listlessly into space, which even Tatsumi noticed. Luckily he shrugged it off as being worried on his partner whereabouts. Although Hisoka being AWOL is quite unusual, the more Tsuzuki thought about it, the lesser he felt concerned. He's probably somewhere mulling over what happened. The kid can take care of himself.
Wait…what am I saying? Since when did I start not to care? Tsuzuki cocked his head in confusion. Great, even my emotions are numb all over. Why does it have such an effect on me? It's not like it meant anything…right?
He recalled when Muraki had leaned over, his face close to his as he whispered softly to his ears and Tsuzuki shivered. He swore he could still smell his clean scent and wondered if his skin was as soft as it looks. Startled at his own provocative thoughts, he stood up in alarm. Shake it out, Tsuzuki. You can do this! I have to finish this report or Tatsumi will go berserk.
Taking a deep breath, he composed himself and sat back down. As he quietly typed away, the sound of the keyboard pattering in sequence, he could have sworn he forgotten to do something urgent but he shrugged it off as he focused on the task at hand.
The still pool of water shimmered as the wind gently grazed its surface. A pebble plopped at its bottom, creating ripples which soon subsided. Another fell, followed by another. The source of this particular rain of stones was from a figure sitting on top of the boulder, under the shade. Another was flung across and it went further than the rest.
Somewhat satisfied at his accomplishment, the lone figure stopped. Staring at the pool and its lush green surroundings, he took a sip of his soda and let out an exclamation.
"Maybe Tsuzuki is right. Maybe I am being selfish." Yet his mind refused to believe it. Though Muraki didn't do anything unforgiving…yet, but he knew, based from his experiences, that he was up to something.
He's playing with us; why else would he come meekly to aid us? Because he has a bigger plan in mind and Tsuzuki is too soft to notice. Last night wasn't a coincidence, he was watching me. I need to convince Tsuzuki again – this time, without blowing steam.
But first he has to let Tsuzuki and his own emotions calm again. From what happened, Tsuzuki is probably hurt and is looking for him. He will give him time before he himself goes back. From the looks of it, he'd probably give Tsuzuki a peace offering before he mentions his doubts again. Feeling better, he stood up to stretch and began headed to Enma-chou.
While waiting for the light to turn green, he noticed a familiar pale blonde girl staring at him. He froze when he recognized that it was Racquel. She turned away and slowly headed to the dark alley behind her. Hisoka scrambled to catch up with her amidst the crowd and found himself alone in the empty alley she disappeared. Cursing himself for losing her, he headed back.
"Ohayo, Kurosaki-kun."
Hisoka felt a tiny hand grabbed him and a sharp pain rippled all over his arm to his body. Body weaken, he dropped to the ground. The last thing he saw was two big soulless green eyes staring at him and a smirk on that tiny pink lip, before he passed out.
Hisoka stirred open his eyes. What happened? He groaned as he tried to move about his stiff body. Chains on both hands and feet bind him to a bed. Hisoka gave one of them a hard tug but it didn't budge. The old fear came back and he struggled frantically to get out.
Sakura night...
No...Stop it!
The metal chains clanged loudly at his fruitless attempts. Sweat dripping from the sides of his face, he searched the room for anything to grab. The place looked awfully familiar. Hisoka strained to see though the dark surroundings. The huge room smelled of old boxes and overgrown weeds. Hisoka spied a huge thing covered with a white sheet across him. Strange, it looked like the same one Tsuzuki...the warehouse!
"Brings back memories, doesn't it?" a voice rang out from the blackness. A click of the switch sends the glaring hot light over Hisoka lying figure. Hisoka squinted as his eyes tried to adjust to the blinding glaze, finding the source of the voice. A figure loomed over, whiter than the light itself.
"Welcome back Kurosaki-kun," Muraki leered.
"Muraki! I knew you were up to something!" Hisoka fumed as he struggled to reach out and strangled the smirking doctor.
Muraki wagged a finger at him while shaking his head. "Don't bother sweating out that fragile frame of yours. You could get injured and I won't like that." He fondly disheveled Hisoka's locks. "Do you know how many times you almost ruined my plans?" Hisoka felt Muraki's grip tighten.
Muraki pulled his head up and stared at him face. "I can't let you have this." He shoved his head back.
"What are you going to do to Tsuzuki?" Hisoka shot back
"Me? Nothing really. It's you that's being doing the nosing around. I just wanted him to be my friend." Muraki replied innocently. "But the problem is, you won't let me. You have to be out of the picture."
"Tsuzuki would never listen to you, I'm still his partner." Hisoka replied smugly.
"Really now? So how to you explain him going to my office everyday for a visit?"
Hisoka stared at him incredulously. "Baka! Uso da ne!"
"Deny all you want. I don't need your bratty acceptance on what's going on. Hmm…what were we doing there? Oh wouldn't you want to know. A little something here and there to add some spice. What's the matter? Tsuzuki never told you? And why would he?" Muraki taunted as he loomed closer. "Simple. Because he doesn't need you anymore. Wondering why he refused your request to tattletale?"
"You did this to him," Hisoka glared at him, fist clenching.
"No, my dear puppet. You did." Muraki smiled. "Your needless meddling during the transformation almost cost you your 2nd life. I saved you, regrettable, but I gain half of Tsuzuki's trust, more than what Racquel's situation could do. Good enough but not quite." Muraki traced a finger at Hisoka's heaving chest. "Pity you never realized just how close you are to being one step away from our happy ending." Hisoka squirmed at his touch.
Muraki laughed. "Did you really think both of you saved Racquel's life?"
Hisoka looked at him, uneasily. Muraki gestured his hand and a little girl appeared in the light, her soulless eyes never leaving Hisoka. Hisoka winced as the girl's memory and emotion overlapped his own. Muraki gently lifted her up.
"Racquel is mine, as you are to me. Rosaline is but an attachment, a toy for Racquel's boredom. In fact, she appreciates what I am doing better than you do. And soon Tsuzuki will follow, not as a puppet, but my lover and my source of immortality. You, on the other hand, are garbage, the usefulness squeezed out from your fragile body." He let the words sink in with relish.
"But again, I wouldn't have gone this far without you. Your slap to Tsuzuki's face finally triggered the spell I embedded within him during the fake operation: 'Betrayal and Distrust'. Aside from obtaining one-fourth of his soul for experiment, I will have his willing sacrifice of his remaining soul to me. And during that transition, I shall love him as you never had. Arigato Kurosaki. You did well."
"No!" Hisoka, enraged, struggled to break the spirit sealed chains that binded him. "I'll never let you get Tsuzuki!"
"Oh but I have." Racquel was slowly lowered to the ground. She walked towards Hisoka, observing his thrashing with curiosity. "And you, on the other hand, have to accept it. With Racquel's help, of course."
Hisoka's eyes widen on the girl's approach. Her aura trying to pentrate his shield. He searched for something in the room that could help him.
"Don't worry Kurosaki. You won't feel a thing."
The silent night was interrupted by the sound of a scream followed by a flash of light.
"Muraki!" Saki motioned for him to follow.
"Demo.." the silver eyes pleading
"Now!" came the impatient reply
"I'm coming.." Muraki answered, disappointed. He turned to his new found playmate. "I have to go now. Will you be here tomorrow?" The boy nodded.
Muraki beamed. "Great! Ja ne!" He rushed off to catch up with his brother. He stopped, seemingly forgotten something. Asking permission, he hurried back to the swing. The boy looked at him, perplexed.
"What's your name?"
He smiled. "Tsuzuki. Asato Tsuzuki."
"Kazukata Muraki." Muraki offered Tsuzuki his crayon he always carried with him."Will you be my friend?"
"Hai!" An enthusiastic nod.
"Tsuzuki…" Muraki mouthed out his new friend's name as he went back to his brother's side. "Asato Tsuzuki."
Aww...i hate to leave this story but i have to...pls wait for the next fic! suggestions, comments, criticism are welcome here (for this fic and for the upcoming fic)