Hokay, update time, its been a while since I updated this particular story, so I migh as well do that now. Im sick and with no better thing to do to pass my time (khem, not entirely so, but russian History is killing me at the moment) Hanyways, its the last peaceful chapter, the following ones are going to be action - wheeeeeeee.
Ok, sooo, taking previous constructive criticism into a ccount - I tried editing several typos, but if there are any more, please tell me, dont hesitate, I appreciate that (especially the little perfectionist in my head).
Ok not more ranting just read,
Morality
Tsuzuki sat on the windowsill and twirled a corner of his uniform. After a brief conversation with Tatsumi, who managed persuading the brunette to soften his resolve and keep their cover, Tsuzuki was patiently bearing the pressure of the staff and actually doing what he was ordered to. Not like he didn't have little something for it from the secretary though. Although it was nothing much, Tsuzuki enjoyed it anyway. He smiled faintly remembering the previous morning.
-"Tsuzuki?" Tatsumi had finally discovered his favorite hiding spot.
-"Stay away from me!" Tsuzuki grumbled.
-"Tsuzuki San, I'm serious." The secretary approached him only to receive something akin of electric shock when he came closer than the permitted ten feet.
-"I am serious too, can't you tell?" He replied and looked at Tatsumi who was standing now 10 feet away from the bench he had occupied. The secretary sighed.
-"I'm sorry for what I said, Tsuzuki, how many times do you want me to apologize?" The brunette just huffed and turned his back to him pouting.
-"Tsuzuki, it is work. We have a case to solve, please leave our personal life out of it." Tatsumi tried approaching him again. "Tsuzuki, please." His tone was soft and pleading, rarely heard from the iceberg with glasses usually known as the secretary of the summons section.
The brunette only cringed and pulled his legs towards his chest; however the charged field around him lessened in intensity until it disappeared completely, letting Tatsumi approach his gentle partner. The secretary used this change of moods to clear the things between them.
-"Tsuzuki." He kneeled before the sitting beauty. He looked so petite in this female form, so fragile, he just wanted to hold him and keep him secure. The brunette lifted his amethyst eyes to look at him. Tatsumi smiled and extended a hand towards him – a sign of truce, he was even happier to see that the other man hesitantly extended his arm to lay his hand on top of Tatsumis. The secretary closed his fingers around Tsuzukis hand and held it for moments. It was a silent pact of peace. Or at least Tatsumi hoped it was.
-"Ok, I forgive you Tatsumi, but that doesn't mean I'll return back to work." The secretary almost fell over.
-"Tsuzuki?"
-"Yes, that's my name. But you see, the paragraph 344, subsection C of our contract states that we may refuse an assignment which includes harassing conditions and is poorly rewarded." Tsuzuki smiled at the secretary merrily. "You see, Tatsumi, I didn't spend my time for nothing." The secretary pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
-"But you are not doing any job currently." Tatsumi objected.
-"Yes, I'm on a strike." The brunette was all but happy to clarify things for him.
-"What?" The secretary was baffled.
-"But of course, because my rights have been violated, therefore I strike to make it known. You know, the French do this all the time."
-"And not because you were mad at me?"
-"Well, that too, but since I wasn't speaking to you, it was kind of difficult to get across." Tsuzuki shrugged. "But now you know."
-"And what would you consider proper payment for this work?" Tatsumi rubbed his temples.
-"Hmm, I haven't been on a vacation for a long time, well, paid vacation that is." Tsuzuki smirked at the secretary who looked like he's gotten a heart attack.
-"We usually go on vacation together, remember? Every year, and you know well, it's completely paid for."
-"Hmm, you're right, Tatsumi." Tsuzuki interjected, "But I work for minimal reward."
-"That's mainly because you still have debts in the ministry."
-"Yes, still, I demand a raise on this case."
-"The library is still to be repaired after your last quarrel with Terazuma."
-"But surely he has to pay too."
-"Yes, but he has less debts, so unless you work up to what you should, there will be no raise for you."
-"You're so mean, Tatsumi." Tsuzukis eyes welled up with tears, the secretary felt some of his resolve melting, in his female form the little brunette had this effect on him, now the inner fragility was equally reflected on the outside.
-"How about a meal, for you, lets say – the ramen you like so much."
Tsuzuki snorted – "Working for food, really."
-"That is all I can offer you, and only after this case is closed."
-"Hmm, but you cook for me for a weak." Tsuzuki stated. "Deserts included."
-"A day." Tatsumi stated stoically.
-"Five days!" Tsuzuki begged
-"Three days!" Tatsumi complied, taking his chances of being together with the brunette and not spending all of his savings on feeding Tsuzuki.
-"A deal!" The little maid in front of him chirped joyfully.
Tsuzuki caught a sight of an approaching car. He grinned and leaped from the windowsill and onto the ground below, ordered his skirt and waited impatiently for the car to drive closer. He could see a familiar figure sitting in the back seat. When the car pulled to the driveway and Ukyou climbed out, Tsuzuki rushed forwards to hug her.
-"Morning dear, how are you?"
-"I was fine, but now I'm happy, how was your trip?"
-"Artie says hi and guess what; he's got one real tooth now! Went on grinning all the time."
-"Did he like the camp?"
-"Oh, it was splendid, he wasn't too happy to go to grannies though." She chuckled. "He misses me."
-"Uh, but I thought."
-"Hey, it's ok, dear; he hasn't seen his gran in ages. Come, let's go inside, k?"
-"Yes, but. . . . But I really don't want to make your family life suffer, just because of me."
-"P-shaw. Honey, I was invited, besides, mum was rally upset not to have seen her little Artie." Ukyou finished in a slightly exhilarated voice as if talking to a child. "Bet Muraki and that other guy will not be all too happy to see me. And the best is, each of them has a different reason to hate me, isn't it grand?" The woman seemed to be more excited about it than necessary.
-"You sure like disorder." Tsuzuki remarked as they were on their way upstairs.
-"Who can blame me really?" Ukyou smirked. "Especially punch- spicing, especially at my bros birthday." She grinned.
-"Oh, so that's all the fuss?" The shinigami retorted, huffing while dragging Ukyous luggage up the stairs.
-"C'mon, don't tell me you didn't know, for the love of God, you work here lad!" Tsuzuki blushed.
"Gosh, what did you put in there? Bricks? Rails, disembodied corpses?" Tsuzuki took his liberty of speaking.
-"Here, and you call me a destructive person. Of course not, it's just little something my beloved ex- asked to get for him, that slacker." Tsuzuki quirked an eyebrow, dragging the suitcase up another step landing.
-"You mean Muraki?" He caught his breath, sitting down on top of the luggage.
-"Yeah, Kazzy-poo." Tsuzuki snorted, hearing such a nickname.
-"No way, how come you're calling him like that and are still alive?"
-"Well, it's the matter of timing. Sure I won't call him names when he's raging or so close I cannot escape. God forbid." She visibly shuddered. "Ok, anyways, we gotta get you all prettied up."
-"What?" Tsuzuki looked at her very intently, trying to trace anything Saya-Yumish about her, but when he failed, the woman didn't hesitate to clarify.
-"Well, I had an invitation for two." Ukyou produced a small envelope from her pocket.
-"I thought you and your brother hated each other."
-"Of course we did, and still do, but there is that formal 'Blood is thicker than water' thingy. Usually I ignore him, although this time, well, this time I was all too curious of seeing how you guyz were AND this was the best excuse to come here."
-"Um, do you work?" The shinigami rubbed his sore back.
-"I'm on vacation."
-"I see." Tsuzuki couldn't help but be a bit jealous.
-"It's like soap-opera reality show!" Ukyou announced happily. It didn't make Tsuzukis spirits any dryer.
-"Well this is not very nice, we're not here to amuse you, you know!" In some regards Ukyou and Muraki were alike – their like of destruction, their dislike towards Tatsumi, and... That air around them. They really belonged together . . . Tsuzuki pouted, giving the suitcase another tug. "Hey, lend me a hand here, why don't you, this stuff is heavy."
-"Sorry. Well, that's why you're invited to relax. We're having a costume party!" Ukyou took the other handle of the suitcase and helped hauling the stubborn case up. "Or rather the ball of masks, as the kind secretary chose to write on this fancy strip of paper." She waved the invitation before Tsuzukis nose.
-"What? Right now?"
-"Oh noo, not at all, this evening, and that's why we're getting you all prettied up."
-"Uh, just the moment I negotiated terms with Tatsumi. And what do you mean by "we"?"
-"By negotiations you meant the shadowmaster?" Tsuzuki nodded." But that's great – you'll be doing your job, and attending a party – combining pleasant with useful, see?"
-"I would be good off with that; I think I should tell Tatsumi, he's technically my boss. Ok, he's paying me."
-"Hmm, where is he?" Ukyou asked curiously, amazed by the lack of damage the house had. "If I fully understood my old man's and his hatred for each other – this place should have been blown to bits."
Tsuzuki snorted – "No, no, Tatsumi is very cautious when it comes to finances. He'd rather find a way for your bro to pay him, not the other way round, and I bet he's having something extra from me working here as well."
-"That slave driver." Ukyou stated, obviously stricken by such idea.
-"Yeah, I suppose he is like that, but either way, he knows where to spend a penny when he's 100 percent certain it's beneficial."
-"Oh yeah? Like what?"
-"A library. Which I . . . accidentally, emm, put out of order."
-"No way, you?" Tsuzuki only nodded silently. "Gosh, You must be one of those library haters."
-"No, no, I love libraries, but I'm banned from it, for causing disorders."
-"Good lord – that did you do? Set loose a pack of book eating termites there?"
-"No, I set it on fire, accidentally. Well, there was a quarrel with this other guy, well, it's a long story."
-"I hope you're not one of those silent pyromaniac types?" Tsuzuki blinked.
-"Um, no I don't think so."
-"Oh, speaking of explosive, where those are two no good chunks of spiritual meat?"
-"In your room, together, they have been pretty busy lately. Or trying to finish each other off, I'm not too sure of what exactly."
-"Hey, how come you don't know?"
-"I haven't been speaking with them for some 3 days. Now I realize that was a bit rushed."
-"Hmm, well, it looks like it's about time to change that."
-"But what did you mean by 'we'?" Tsuzuki whined.
-"Oh you'll see."
The door swung open, and one pair and a half of bloodshot eyes turned in their direction.
-"Uh, hi." Tsuzuki waved from behind Ukyous back timidly.
-"Oi there people, now that's what I call real party!" Ukyou looked at stacks of paper and crumpled sheets littering the floor, a couple of empty cups stood on the windowsill, the ashtray was full of cigarette-butts and the air was stale with smoke, coffee and other odors.
-"Goodness, what have you two been doing here?" Tsuzuki looked at the two men now sitting at the laptop – one stopped in middle click and another – raising his sight from the stack of papers he was reading.
Basically now both of them looked like maniacs or otherwise psychologically unstable people. Tatsumis usually so neat hair was tousled and unkempt, Muraki was sporting a shadow of stubble. Both had bags under their eyes and looked like they'd endured the non-sleep competition, and were the last men standing, so to say.
-"You both need one big time out, or rather a sleep out." Ukyou stated, coming across the room and opening a window to let some fresh air in. In the meantime Tsuzuki set Ukyous trunk at the closet and came to both – Muraki and then Tatsumi.
-"You need sleep, both of you. How long have you been up?" Tsuzuki looked sincerely concerned.
-"Yesterday . . " Tatsumi trailed off.
-"I think it was afternoon." Muraki replied thoughtfully as if producing such answer required immeasurable amount of concentration and will from his side.
-"Well, I know where it ends." Ukyou replied, coming back to Muraki, whilst Tsuzuki tended to Tatsumi.
-" Come, you need some sleep." Tsuzuki pulled the papers from the bed and tried ordering the clutter. "How do you think, if we put them both in one bed, would they kill each other in sleep or would it be ok?" Tsuzuki asked a bit puzzled. "I'm not sure if we can transport either one of them anywhere, meaning, they're big and heavy. No offence guys." The brunette stated apologetically.
-"I think they both will survive, being, you know, different." Ukyou shared Tsuzukis lack of enthusiasm when it came to carrying a full-grown man to another wing of the house.
-"Something tells me they're ignoring us." Tatsumi stated exchanging glances with Muraki.
-"More coffee?" The ex-doctor offered.
-"No thanks. Khem!" Tatsumi cleared his throat to get both women's attention. "Mrs. Ukyou, Tsuzuki san, we are completely capable of taking care of ourselves." Both females blinked. Tsuzuki smiled happily.
-"Yaay! Which means you haven't been transformed into mindless, coffee consuming nerd zombies?" This statement was followed by silence and little snickers from Ukyou, who soon fell silent after receiving a death glare from Muraki.
-"Ok guys, I have some info for you." Ukyou started suddenly, shutting the door behind her/ "Tonight my bros throwing a party. Guess who I found in the list of the invited?" Both men tensed visibly. "Saki!" Tatsumi tensed, and Muraki was wearing the most menacing expression Tsuzuki ever remembered him having. Being unaware of the information on the Saki person, Tsuzuki was curious.
-"Who's Saki?" Tense looks were exchanged between Ukyou, Tatsumi and Muraki, however nobody spoke. "Um, hello?" Tsuzuki repeated again, his lower lip trembling because of being ignored."
-"A local celebrity." Tatsumi finally broke the silence and two other companions shot him nasty glares. "Tsuzuki san, I do believe you have some responsibilities to see to right now." Tsuzukis ears and puppy paws appeared
-"Hey, guys, you're hiding something from me, right?" he was more perceptive than usual.
-"Tsuzuki, what did we talk about yesterday?"
-"But I really wanna help IN the case, Tatsumi, is it so wrong for me to know?" Tsuzuki squeaked in a hurt tone.
-"No, Tsuzuki San, it's not of your concern." Tatsumi states stoically indicating that the conversation was over. Tsuzuki opener the door and stated.
-"Y-you're so mean!" Tsuzuki stated and slammed the door behind him, going to tend to his duties.
Silence lingered in the room once again, and Ukyou erupted.
-"The hell, shadow master! It IS his concern, it is very much his concern, He's the main target for heaven's sake! What were you thinking about?!" The woman shouted in a shrill tone.
-"Hush, Ukyou, Tsuzuki san is protected by his femininity." Muraki stated in a prophet-like tone.
-"WHAT?" The woman turned to glare at her ex-fiancé. "What do you mean? You of all people should know how to act around Saki!"
-"Now listen, what he remembers, is a man, and as much as he could see from the tank, however now Tsuzuki's a female. If Tsuzuki san did know, his uneasy body language around Saki would betray him." Muraki explained.
-"Well, you still should have warned him." Ukyou stated.
-"He has enough trouble on him already, not to mention this man." Tatsumi continued.
-"I'm talking about his safety here." Ukyou was waving her hands like if talking to a mentally disabled person.
-"Yes, therefore we all will keep a close watch on him." Tatsumi continued.
-"And don't you think that this will be even more suspicious?" Ukyou hurled her objections in such manner as if she was slapping some sense into the man.
-"Ukyous right. We need to change the tactic and we must warn Tsuzuki." Muraki stated after a silent pause.
-"First of all, we have to keep him away from here." Ukyou stated.
-"We can't, it's his job." Tatsumi objected.
-"Oh how nice of you to put the one you want to get in your bed as a fish bait to lure some demented FREAKS closer to summons bureau." Ukyou snapped back.
-"It is his direct duty." Tatsumi defended.
-"Yes, but not when he's the main target!" Ukyou slammed her fist on the metal table, leaving a distinct indent there.
-"Tem-per." Murakis voice sounded quiet yet she heard it clearly. Something akin of a shadow ran over Ukyous form – as if revealing darker and deeper patterns under her skin, but the vision was soon gone. The woman took several calming breaths and closed her eyes. Afterwards, she opened them and stated in a much calmer tone. "I'm listening."
-"What makes you think he is?" Asked Muraki again.
-"Helloo – Sakis here, Tsuzuki is too, you both dung heads are here! See my point? You're not the only one who can use spiritual disturbances as baits to get what he wants, Muraki!" She stated and leant against the same metal table she'd damaged moments before.
-"We should keep him away." Both ex spouses seemed to ignore the existence of the secretary completely.
-"I suggest keeping an eye on Saki." Tatsumi butted in.
-"I need to feed." Ukyou told Muraki. "You'll be on your own." She hunched her shoulders.
-"Too bad we can't count on your support." Muraki mused, lighting a cigarette.
-"Cest la vie." Ukyou retorted. "Now you both should get some rest, it's more dangerous than you think." Muraki nodded.
-"When does the fest begin?" Tatsumi asked, trying hard not to be intrigued by their exchange.
-"Nine o clock." Ukyou replied, keeping her gaze glued to Muraki. "Get yourselves some rest and dress up nicely, I have invitations for both of you."
-"What is the dress code?"
-"A tuxedo." Ukyou replied, suddenly looking weary. She was panting and her breaths came hard
-"You've drained yourself." Muraki stated, coming to his fiancé.
-"I have to wait only several hours longer." She replied. Muraki traced her cheek gently, trying to put as much affection as he could into the gesture. The woman leaned into the touch like a feline seeking attention and warmth.
-"Don't tease me." She replied, unable to pull back.
-"You need it." The man stated coming closer. "You're too weak to argue this time." Muraki closed the distance between their lips, kissing her passionately. Ukyous fingers curled in his forearm and she released a low groan. Moments passed, as Tatsumi stared at them dumbstruck.
Feeling that there had been enough contact for time being, Ukyou pulled back.
-"It seems that you like watching, shadowmaster." Ukyou replied, her voice thick with satiation. Tatsumi only narrowed his eyes at both of them.
-"How can you both do it, claiming that you love Tsuzuki?" Tatsumi asked shocked. Muraki stepped away from Ukyou who looked better the moment.
-"Shadowmaster, if Tsuzuki gets to know what you've seen now, I swear I'll tear your insides out." She glared at the man. "You know far too little to judge what we do, secretary." Her words rang out like death judgment. The tension in the room grew, charging the air, shadows started twitching in corners of the room. None of the arguers was about to give up.
-"Stop it you two." Murakis words sliced the heavy silence. "This is not the time for throwing tantrums. Ukyou, I want you away from Tsuzuki for all the time until you feed, do I make myself clear?" The woman sighed.
-"Yes, of course. Your things are in the trunk."
-"Good."
In the meantime Tsuzuki was cleaning the fireplace, when he heard his cell-phone go off. He looked at the ringers ID, it was Hisoka. All happy he picked up.
-"Hisokaa, hi, I'm so glad to hear you!"
-"Yeah, I got Watari; I'm coming back on duty!" Tsuzuki leaped up with joy.
-"Yay! When?!"
-"Tonight."
(Tsuzuki) Throwing a tantrum - Muraki you bastard, you claimed to love me, and now youre with another woman!!!
(Muraki) - Why now Tsuzuki, are you jealous, Im flattered
(Ukyou)-Sweetheart - its not what you think, really, Kazzy-poo was just being nice to me, so I wouldnt starve.
(Tatsumi) -What are you talking about?
(Ukyou) - See chapter nine for details, I suppose.
(Tsuzuki)Looks through the chapter - Oh, now I get it.
(Ukyou)Nods - See?
(Muraki) - Stay away from him,
(Ukyou) - Oh go to bed
(Tatsumi) - I still dont get it.Tsuzuki? Little help here?
(Tsuzuki) - Sorry, I dont quite get it myself. But what they did wasnt bad, well, yeah
(Muraki) - Tsuzuki, my lovely, I knew youd understand
(Tatsumi) - I thought he didnt.
(Tsuzuki) - Not my trouble, after all, I gotta do other things. .. . . .