Wandering Aimlessly

.two.

NaPap! If you found this, and if (a dream come true?) you decided to read it… I'm sorry!! I bet you think I'm totally copying you! Cause I'm switching from the different character's points of view and stuff… I really didn't mean to! I just liked the idea! Plus, I make the characters talk before and after every chapter… I really am sorry! I'll change it if you'd like. Everyone, credit for the 'point of view idea' and the 'characters talking about stuff idea' goes to NaPap!!

Anyway, you guys should really check out Dark Adaptation. Go! Now! Also, you should check out http://www.havendenovo. It's a role-playing/chat site a friend of mine made! We're really small, but it's a fun place, I swear! We're having a hard time because we just lost one of our biggest contributing members, so come check us out!! big Tsuzuki eyes Pleaaaase?

Oh, and by the way, my pen name is Amagumo, but I'll refer to myself as Amou for short every now and then.

Disclaimer

I don't own Descendants of Darkness/Yami no Matsuei. … Oh, well.

Tsuzuki: We get to be in another chapter?! Yay!

Tatsumi: Hm. I am sort of surprised.

Watari: Me too! That last chapter was so pointless!

Amagumo: You all have no team spirit!

Hira: I'm having fun!

Amagumo: Well… you wouldn't exist without this…

Tatsumi: This is a team thing now?

Muraki: Us against them.

Tsuzuki: Us?

Watari: Muraki's on our team?

Tatsumi: Wonder what that would mean. This a joke?

Amagumo: (mischievously) No… no joke…

All??

Muraki: grin

All: gulp

.Watari Yutaka.

So, Tsuzuki was going to be like that today, was he? No matter, I could just ignore him. I wasn't going to let my date be ruined by Tsuzuki's attention starved behavior. I sighed and collapsed into my chair, rubbing my head, "Damn," I knew he's be on my mind whether I wanted him to be or not. I'm sure he didn't really want attention. Plus, he had apologized to me on my way out. I would definitely be telling Hira about this!

Hira and I had been together for about nine months. Almost a year, you see!? It's because he was wonderful and he loved me. We were made for each other, I swear!! Anyway, this was probably my longest held (after death) relationship ever! Which was bad. He didn't know I was a Shinigami, and I know he wouldn't be all that happy whenever it was I decided to let him figure it out.

He was pretty regal. Very sophisticated and masculine. Actually… he was a lot like Muraki. Minus the killing, rapping, cursing, and insanity, of course. I'm sure that Mibu Oriya guy was lucky enough to know the Hira-type side to Muraki. Why else would he still be hanging around him? I guess I couldn't really put it past Muraki to threaten him, but the one time I saw Mibu, he didn't seem to be the kind of guy to let people threaten him and live.

Well, what did I care, anyway? Muraki had been gone for months. Whatever he was doing to entertain himself now was none of my concern! … … … But… … … … … … But what if he was out there hurting people again? Since the bureau didn't know where he was, he'd probably be on a killing spree. He was untouchable in the mortal world. It took immortal hands to simply faze him, or put a pause on his 'work'. Tatsumi and I used to go out looking for Muraki. For once, we wanted to find him. We went out every Saturday and asked around in Tokyo and Kyoto. That's how I met Hira.

It was such a beautiful day. Dull, grey skies and black clouds. Wet pavement and a strange, chilly humidity that could only be established by a rainy day. Sodden, pale grass and gloomy buildings. The entire city of Tokyo looked positively dismal. Just the way I liked it. Creepy, out of the ordinary. I know, I'm a freak. Anyway, I met Hira at a tiny little breakfast shop. It was like one of those meetings where the girl bumps into the guy and they say "sorry" at the same time, and when they look up to see who they were talking to, they find themselves instantly in love. It was a little different… well, I'll just tell you what happened.

……………

"Come on, Watari. We can ask the people at the coffee shop," Tatsumi tugged on my sleeve, yanking me towards the tiny café. He probably just wanted to escape the cold whether, and save his pants from getting wet! It did look cozy in there though, so I couldn't help but oblige.

"Hey, Tatsumi! Maybe Muraki's been here! Tsuzuki told me he likes omelets! We could check every omelet selling place in Tokyo and ask if he shows up!" I said, holding the door for him.

Did it seem strange that Tsuzuki would know something so… personal about Muraki? He said that Muraki liked talking about himself whenever they met, and I didn't doubt it. It was probably a little odd bit of information he had picked up on during one of his many encounters with the doctor.

Tatsumi didn't seem to understand this sentence. Why Tsuzuki would know something like that didn't seem to click, and he ignored what I said completely, choosing to block it out and appear confused.

"Fine, I'll check them alone," I grumbled, turning and leaving him to his coffee. I'm sure he was dancing inside. Tatsumi was the kind of guy you saw sitting alone, drinking coffee, and doing paperwork. He was quite the loner. I didn't understand people like that. I would go insane if I had to contain my ideas and thoughts to myself. Wait… wasn't I insane already? Ahahaha… anyway….

I entered the fist breakfast place I encountered. Of course, there not being all that many I had a good twenty minute walk before I could shelter myself from the drizzle outside. My hair was probably pretty fuzzy. I was wanting to go home, fix it, eat ice cream, and talk to Tsuzuki on the phone. Couldn't do that. He'd ask me what I was doing in Tokyo.

Besides, I needed to look for Muraki right now. In this… pink breakfast diner… I almost turned around and left. How could Muraki sit down in such a pace?!! It was… it didn't make any sense at all! So not 'Muraki style'. But I was cold and wet, and I wanted to sit down. I could go find Tatsumi later. Or wait for him to come find me.

Now… what should I get to eat? The place had lots of muffins and cookies. Tea, coffee, juice… I could only buy one thing. You know, since I'm totally poor.

I moved towards the counter, the woman at the register looking at me expectantly for my order, "I'll have-," my sentence was interrupted by a high, girly squeak (which I swear wasn't me!) as I slipped on my wet shoes and fell backwards. Desperate to save myself, I wheeled my arm around, trying to propel myself forward and on my feet, or garb onto something. After half a second of falling, my left hand fell into something mushy. That girly squeak sounded off again (not me) as I felt my hand slip in the substance. I slipped backwards even farther, twisting my arm on top of the table strangely as the middle of my back struck the side of the table and I fell to the ground, not without hitting my head on the very same table.

I groaned, happy, at least, that there weren't all that many witnesses. I was very happy that Tatsumi wasn't here. I pulled my arm off of the table behind me and painfully lowered it at my side. I looked at me hand, a brown substance smeared all over it Boldly, I sniffed it. Chocolate? Oh, damn. Who's treat did I just ruin?

In the midst of realization, I spun around, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to ruin your food! I promise, that wasn't my goal in falling down! Here, I'll pay you back right now!"

I stood up and yanked my wallet out of my jacket pocket (it didn't fit in my pants pocket; they were too tight) and opened it. I had two dollars. I couldn't give them the only money I had left! Well, I suppose I had I no choice, did I?

I heard the owner of the chocolate muffin chuckle and I looked up to learn my victim, "Sir," he said laughingly, "It's no problem! Chocolate isn't good for me anyway!" I almost strangled him then and there. Not because of what he said… his pale (very pale), blonde hair wasn't very long, but he wore his bangs over his right eye. His skin was even paler than his hair, and it was smooth and spotless. His visible eye was green, and this was the only thing that saved Hira Andou from my mighty wrath.

"You okay?"

"Yup! Just thought you were someone else?"

"Really? Someone doin' ya ill? That was mighty fierce glare."

What? What was he talking about? Oh, I get it. The look I gave him, "Someone I don't fancy much. No offense."

"None taken. Should I be concerned?"

Concerned!? "Of course not! I couldn't trouble you anymore!" I pulled out the two bills, flustered, "Please accept this!"

I held it out, waiting. He smiled. Nice, white, straight teeth. A good, wide smile, "You're nice, but that's all you've got! Why don't I get you something hot? It looks like you were out there for a while!"

I smiled, "All right," It may have been rude to accept, but I had tot take what I could get, being poor and all.


"Tea?"

"Green tea, please."

"Sure. You want anything else?"

"Actually, I was going to get a lemon poppy seed muffin."

"Mind if we split it?"

"No! You're buying!"

I watched him go over to the counted and smiled inwardly. There were still good people around after all.

……………

So that's how we met! I remember the look on Hira's face when Tatsumi finally found me that day. He was so sad! He thought we were dating! I remember the look on Tatsumi's face, too. He was so mad. So Tatsumi hooked us up unconsciously. Actually, maybe it's a coincidence, but my date with him today was at that same café. Good Mornings. It was a nice little place, and we were friends with the girls that worked there now. Luckily, Muraki had never gone there to eat his omelet's. From what I knew, anyway. I wonder if he wore a disguise? Didn't seem likely. So not 'Muraki style'.

"Hey, Tatsumi!" I said as the man entered the room. I had recognized his silhouette against the open door, for I had left the lights off. He looked over in my general direction, "Watari? Good morning!" Woah! Tatsumi was in a good mood! Better not spoil it!

"You're in a good mood, Watari," he said, setting something down on the table. He didn't turn on the lights. Must be a job he was about to use the projector for.

Me? You are, Tatsumi, "Oh, I get to see Hira today!" I said brightly.

"Oh, you're still with him? Congratulations," he turned on the projector.

Did I detect sarcasm? "Yes! He's perfect!" Tatsumi didn't like Hira much. I'm still convinced it was partly because of the resemblance he had to Muraki. Plus the fact that he was my excuse to get out of work was a little displeasing. I had used this fact to encourage Tsuzuki to get a partner. He was still doubtful. But why didn't he want a relationship, too? It was such a great thing! While it lasted. I mean, this thing with Hira had lasted surprisingly long, which is why it was so necessary for Tatsumi to congratulate me.

I wonder what it would be like whenever we did have to part. My being immortal… it was going to happen sooner than later. Would there be tears? Maybe a warm smile? Maybe it would rain. Whatever did happen, I couldn't help but think that I would be crying, and Hira yelling. I didn't want that to happen! Which is why I didn't even consider telling him about my- well- being dead.

"Watari," Tatsumi said, turning on the lights, "I haven't told the chief about your illegal relationship with Mr. Andou yet. Obviously, you've been with him for quite a while. This is just going to cause more problems when you have to leave him. Watari, I know it isn't my place to say, but I think it is irresponsible for you to hold on to something like this out any longer."

I simply stared at him and I think he was surprised when I barely reacted with any emotion at all. I think he was prepared for the wrath of Watari, "I know," I said quietly, "I just can't break it off."

"We could tell him you died," Tatsumi said bluntly, not seeming to worry about my opinions, or how I felt about the words he spoke, "Or I could dump him for you. You could tell him you're a Shinigami and that you're dead, which would allow you to remain friends… which is still against the rules here," He paused a second, "You could tell him you were going out with me?"

The Hell? Why would he suggest something like that? First of all, I wasn't seeing Tatsumi. Dating someone in the office was also against the rules. Second of all, that would just get Hira really angry with me, and I didn't want his last impression of me to be so awful. Third… Tatsumi hated me! He wanted Tsuzuki. Maybe he was just thinking too hard in search for some way for me to get rid of Hira. Obviously he wanted my love gone, regardless the harm it caused me. Which only strengthens my proclamation of him hating me.

"No, no… I just can't. It's… I don't want to do it, Tatsumi! I'm happy with him!" This was the best thing that had happened to me in my entire deathtime!

Tatsumi sighed heavily and sat down, eyes closed. He appeared to be deep in though, but I couldn't help but believe he was only trying to suppress his irritation, "I'm not sure," he said calmly, "that you have a choice."

He was right. I had to break this thing off or it would just be even more painful and horrible. For both of us, I would expect. I groaned and rubbed my temples the very same way Tatsumi did almost every day when looking at Tsuzuki's food pile up at breakfast. Actually, anything Tsuzuki did seemed to exhaust the man nowadays. "I know!" I was frustrated, "I know." I clenched my teeth in worry. I didn't have a choice. I had to do it. But I couldn't. I couldn't. I absolutely wouldn't. Hira was the reason I got up in the morning anymore. All I had ever wanted. Ever. So far, in the whole nine months we'd been together, he hadn't done anything wrong to upset me or anything. Which would make one wonder, I suppose. I just inferred it meant he was perfect. I couldn't say we were meant to be, since I had been dead for a good while, but we were connected somehow nonetheless.

I guess there was that one thing though. That tiny little detail that made Hira a little bit annoying.

He made me love him too much.

I know, I know, I'm sure it was just an accident. Bt look at the situation I was in now! This was really tough. I mean, what if you had a relationship with someone for nine months, and you found out your other was actually dead? That they could fly, had superpowers, and killed people everyday as a career. 'Yeah, Hira! I'm in the reaping business! Yesterday I got a nice little seven-year-old girl who dreamed of becoming a teacher who donated money to the cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy funds!' He'd love me for sure, huh? Yeah, whatever. I told him I was a scientific engineer. Half true, at least. I made nuclear and chemical weapons, though! How positively attractive. And here he thought I was researching the cure for cancer. Well, I was soon to be found out anyway. Hira had asked many times what lab I worked at. I always told him that there were various labs that I worked at. I didn't really have an explanation for that. Once he had investigated enough, and found no one knew who Yutaka Watari was, and I didn't work at a lab, and I wasn't even a scientific engineer in Tokyo, or anywhere else in Japan, I was done for. I mean, normally that would take someone a while, but Hira was pretty smart. Just. My. Luck.

Though I don't think Hira would mention it whenever he did figure it out. He'd probably be too heartbroken. Or, he's be so disgusted that he'd run off, not even hesitating to hear an explanation. I feared the latter. Hira didn't like liars.

"Tatsumi?" I muttered, "Will you come with me today? On the date?"

He looked at me sadly and nodded, "I'm sorry, Watari. He really was good for you. I wouldn't mind if you went to visit him every once in a while, though I'd feel better if you took Tsuzuki most of the time. Just so you don't get the wrong ideas. Um, not to be rude."

"Well," I said, combing my hand up through my hair, trying to calm down, "We'll just have to explain that if I told him I were a Shinigami, we wouldn't even had lasted this long. We can talk about the death business, can't we?"

"No, it's against the rules, but I won't tell anyone if you don't."

"I'm so scared," I really was terrified. How was I expected to get past this? Would I, even? It just didn't seem possible. And what about Hira? Would he be alright? "Is there really no way to stay together?"

Tatsumi started to upload the case information to the projector so he'd be ready to relay the details to Tsuzuki and the kid more easily, "There are ways I wouldn't suggest pursuing any of them, though."

I hadn't really heard Tatsumi's suggestion. I was sitting as straight as possible, alert. Seeing that I was interested, Tatsumi began, "Well, obviously, you're going to have to become mortal, or he will have to become a Shinigami, preferably to another sector. But getting him to Purgatory would be hard, considering he won't have attachments to the mortal world. He's going to want very badly to be dead so he can join you. He can't create false feelings for the mortal world. This method wouldn't work, put simply. His death would be wasted," Tatsumi paused, considering his actions a little more, "I actually might not want to tell you any of this. Tsuzuki couldn't afford to lose you and Hira shouldn't die just for a relationship. He would have to work as a Shinigami, or make a gruesome deal with the King of Hades that certainly involves more giving than getting," He sighed again, "But I suppose you'll figure all of this out on your own eventually so I'll just tell you myself. I don't want you to be distracted from work But, please, Watari, don't be rash and really think about the effects it's going to have on the rest of us, too. Please."

There was a bit of a silence, "Of course," I was feeling extremely happy, so I had a little trouble sounding truly sincere. Right now, I didn't give a damn about anyone in the office, but I knew I would think much differently when I actually had to make the choice.

"Alright," Tatsumi looked so sad. I didn't understand it. Did he really think Tsuzuki was going to fall into oblivion if I left? It wasn't as though we'd never be able to see each other again. Though, I did feel a little sad when I thought about dying a second time. I probably wouldn't return to Purgatory given a second chance. "First," Tatsumi began, sorrow already dissipated, "He can commit suicide. This, of course, wouldn't carry him to Purgatory. Suicide would mean he desperately wanted release of the mortal world. Tsuzuki's only here because he didn't have a fair chance at life, really. He was too emotionally fragile to survive with those eyes and the trouble they caused him. So Hira would have to send himself here. He would need to carve your entire name into his flesh, and bleed to death from those wounds. His essence will leak out and your body will summon it, then absorb. Then, in a painful, year long ritual, you will have to separate your two essences and recreate Hira with your memories and the raw essence his suicide granted you. This is risky in many different ways. In the process of restoring him, your feelings might change, and you'll abandon restoring him and he'll die. Plus there's the possibility of completely failing the restoration. Maybe you'll resuscitate him, but he won't have any memories. If you're successful, he'll have obtained some Shinigami power from you."

The chief came in then and scanned the room briefly. Seeing the blatant absence of Tsuzuki and the kid, he turned and left without a word.

I looked at Tatsumi, waited for him to finish wiping his glasses, then set myself to listening against as he continued, "Second, he can obtain power by converting the essence of others into something he can use. Muraki uses this method himself, but he doesn't seem interested in joining Purgatory, just destroying it. I wouldn't allow you to use this method anyway. The amount of people you would have to kill is ridiculous. One person alone is too many."

"What if we used people on the kiseki?"

The glare I received encouraged me to hide under the table and cry, "Yutaka Watari!! Are you really so in love that you think killing people is alright!? Think!" he calmed himself quickly, realizing how desperate I was, then spoke, "Okay… I'll pretend you didn't say that.

"Lastly, you can consult the fallen angel Mikosei. This is probably what you should do, but Mikosei has been missing for years. He was the God of Chance. If you asked him to give Mr. Andou and yourself the ability to continue things the way they are now, he would evaluate your soul and decide if you are deserving. He'll either give you what you want, or obliterate you both and absorb your essence and torture it every fifty years.

"Maybe you can find him, Watari. I do tend to underestimate the power of love," he smiled.

Of course! I would find Mikosei! Hira and I both would go on a journey together and find him!

"As for getting you into the mortal world again… there's only one way. You'd have to make a deal with the King of Hades and the Count to get a half life. The reason you want to go back to the mortal world is not satiating to the King, however. You have to be someone like Kurosaki or Tsuzuki if you were to want to go back. Kurosaki was murdered, and he never got to live correctly for the short period of time he existed, and Tsuzuki suffered and barely had a level consciousness, except maybe with his sister, Ruka. You're just wanting to pursue a relationship. You don't stand a chance. So, Watari, restore Mr. Andou's essence with your own, or find the lost Mikosei."

I stood up, "I will be finding Mikosei! What do you know about him Tatsumi?"

Tsuzuki and Hisoka walked in at this moment. Both seemed rather blank (Tsuzuki looked somewhat nervous) and Tsuzuki's eyes were still damp with whatever emotional episode that had ensued after my departure back in the office.

Ignoring them, Tatsumi continued, "He wears traditional robes, and is known for his sharp, strangely colored eyes. I hear they tend to be white or even purple. That's really all I know. I searched for him once," He paused, waiting for a reaction, and continued when I provided nothing more than a nod, "There are several books on him in the library. There're probably files on him on the Gushoshin's computer too."

Tsuzuki hurried past me to Tatsumi, "What? Who!? Who has purple eyes!?" Hisoka glanced over, interested in the reply. I checked my watch and realized I needed to get ready for my date. Speaking of dates, "Tatsumi, you're coming with me still, right?" He nodded. I smiled. I left.

What was I supposed to wear? I usually took Tsuzuki back to my apartment before my dates so he could give me opinions, but Tatsumi had to get the briefing done and then both he and the kid would be studying for whatever case would be taking up the next several days of their afterlife. I guess I was on my own for now.

"Wait, Watari!!" or maybe not. I looked back over my shoulder and saw Tsuzuki coming after me in a mild panic. I turned to face him and he spoke again, "I want to find Mikosei too!" I looked at him, "What wish do you have that you want Mikosei to grant?"

"I don't have a wish. I just want to know why I have these eyes. Tatsumi says his eyes are a strange color, so maybe he'll know."

Oh. "What if there isn't a reason? What if it's just a small defect?"

He grew somber at this suggestion, "Muraki told me I wasn't human. I would wish to be human, but if Mikosei evaluated my soul, he would definitely destroy me. I don't have a chance. I just want to see if he'll answer my question."

He still thought he wasn't human? Why did he insist on trusting Muraki? I mean, I suppose the man understood Tsuzuki better then any of us did, and he always seemed to know what he was talking about, but Tsuzuki hated him! And what about all of those people he'd killed. Tsuzuki was probably just desperate for an explanation for the purple. He probably had a disease, or a small, tiny, miniscule defect in his DNA. Nothing that made him not human. Maybe he was an ancient race, revived under certain circumstances. Or maybe he was an attention whore who wore purple contacts.

Oooh, Yutaka Watari! That was mean! Tsuzuki isn't such an actor anyway! Bad, Watari, bad!!

"I'll help you find him, Watari."

"Alright," I sighed, "I have to get ready for my date. Come with?"

"Could I?" he said hopefully. He looked like a little kid being offered and ice cream cone.

"Of course!" I smiled and led the way, "Did Tatsumi tell you about Mikosei's whereabouts?"

He looked at me expectantly, "No. Is it bad?"

"Well," he'd probably get grumpy when I told him this, but, "He actually disappeared a long time ago."

He remained impassive, "So then how do we find him? You don't think he was destroyed do you?"

I shook my head, "Uh-uh. Maybe he was sealed somewhere. You can break seals, can't you?"

"Depends on the seal," he shrugged, "I'm sure I could break his, though." Tsuzuki had an enormous amount of spirit power. I mean, he had managed to recruit twelve of the most formidable Shikigami in the entire imaginary world. Though I'm still halfway convinced that he only gained them because he was so loveable. Why hadn't Suzaku or Touda killed him? Or Rikugo, Kijin, Tensho, Soryuu? Soryuu hated humans, yet he remained somewhat loyal to Tsuzuki. Unfortunately for him. They had the ability to kill him, but they couldn't do it. Actually, they were pretty emotional for what they were. Except Soryuu, maybe. That guy was stone. But Suzaku had some sort of attachment. And Touda had Tsuzuki withdrawal. Kijin was fragile. Soryuu, obsessed. Rikugo was happy and somewhat oblivious to things he chose not to pay attention to. Of course, Byakko was normal. I swear! That guy knew how to live! ((Watari and Byakko are buds in this fiction.))

We walked in silence for a while, content with not saying anything, then, "You know, Tsuzuki? You haven't been to my apartment for a long time."

He looked over at me, thinking, "You know, you're right. Last time was for your 56th birthday, wasn't it? We've just been going to my place lately."

"Yeah, that was four years ago."

((Watari isn't 60 in this fiction. I don't particularly care if that makes sense or not. I refuse to submit to the tyranny of mathematics! This is my own little system!))

"Has it changed at all?" he said, trying to give my earlier statement a bit more purpose.

"No," I said, then laughed, "I don't have enough money to modify anything at all."

"You don-?" he stopped and grumbled something, disappointed in his forgetfulness. Last year, a month or two before Kyoto, Muraki had given Tsuzuki thousands of dollars. I don't know why. I still didn't know what Tsuzuki did to get that sort of money, either. I did know, however, that Tsuzuki had a cell phone, new furniture, and a lot of pie. He was yet to run out of the money, in fact. Poverty was something he had forgotten and no longer understood.

I still don't know why he excepted that money.

"So, then. How's the high life?" I said, hoping not to frustrate him further.

"Not much different," he said, "Less starving nights."

I nodded sagely, "Oh yes. But I can't even imagine what's it's like to be able to have furniture!"

He laughed, "I'm spoiled."

By who? Your husband? Honestly, it was like Tsuzuki and Muraki were married, but Muraki was in war with another country for a little while, soon to have a dramatic return. Oh, Yutaka Watari! Bad!! Be sympathetic! Be understanding! Bad, bad!

"Here's my building!" I sang, bouncing over and holding the door for Tsuzuki.

"Room 700," Tsuzuki pointlessly confirmed.

"Yup! Floor three."

Tsuzuki didn't like stairwells anymore. On that new TV of his, he watched something about ghosts and their was a haunting in a stairwell. Now we had to take the elevator. I made it sound like a punishment…

Tsuzuki loved elevators anyway. He thought they were really cool for some reason or other. Which was find with me. The old fogey needed to learn how to use modern technology anyway.

"I wanna press the button!" he said, pushing past me and punching the '3' so it shone blue. He began walking around a little once the elevator started moving, just to enhance the strange feeling of rising they gave you. He stared at the floor as though he could see how far down the ground floor was becoming, eyes bright. He didn't seem to notice when the elevator stopped, but he moved when he realized my absence. He hopped out of the compartment and hurried after me, "Which way?" he said, looking to the left.

"It's that way," I said, pointing and moving past him. He really forgot? He hadn't been here for a long time, but he used to frequent my apartment. I was almost offended.

He hurried down the hall and I followed just as quickly, "Hey, Tsuzuki! Are you going to help me find something to wear?"

"Yeah!" he reached the apartment first and waited at the door, "What season is it in Tokyo? We gotta be sure we put you in the right colors!"

I unlocked the door and pushed it open for him as he went inside, "Winter," I said, "It's cold."

((I don't care if the weather stuff doesn't make sense, either. For all I know, it may never get cold in Tokyo.))

"Red!" he exclaimed, throwing my closet open, "Red, green, black, white!" he rummaged around, "Pink!"

I paused, in the process of hanging up my coat, "Uh… I don't have anything that's pink, Tsuzuki."

He didn't say anything in reply. I left him then and moved into the bathroom, ready to fight the battle that was styling my hair.

"How long do we have, Watari?" I heard him say in the other room. I placed two cans of hairspray on the counter next to the sink and plugged in the curling iron, "Do you know what time it is?"

I could see him there, setting down a red shirt and checking the watch on his right wrist, then staring dumbly at it as he figured it out. I was patient, knowing he wasn't very good at telling time, "6:42!" he announced.

I realized that Tsuzuki was supposed to be in the briefing room in three minutes. I could hear Tatsumi telling the chief, 'Oh, Tsuzuki went on a quest to find Mikosei, the God of Chance. He should be back within the century.' I chuckled, "We have until 7:30, Tsuzuki!" and I heard the rummaging continue.

I placed my glasses on the counter and got undressed. I could shower when I waited for the curling iron to heart up. I turned on the water and hopped in. The shock of cold was nothing new. I took cold showers. It was cheaper. You would think that I was greedy, and obsessed with obtaining money, but that wasn't really the case. I just played the part, you know?

Lather, rinse, repeat. Lather, rinse, repeat. Rub, rinse. Pause. Rub, rinse. Rub, rinse. Rub, rub, rub… rub, rinse. Alright! Squeaky clean! I turned off the water, goose bumps blemishing my skin all over. I wrapped my hair up in a white towel, and dabbed myself dry within another, which I then tied around my waist.

"Find anything, Tsuzuki?" I said, reentering the main room of my bland apartment. He had three outfits laid out on the bed, "I can't choose!" he complained.

That was almost half of the winter clothes I owned! He'd barely narrowed it down!

"Not orange," I said, gesturing for it's removal. I didn't look good in orange, anyway, "It's winter. Orange isn't much of a wintery color."

"Okay!" he hung it up without another word.

So, two left. Somehow, despite his own horrible fashion sense, he was pretty good at picking out things for me to wear. Maybe he should try some color himself! Wait… I think I suggested that to him once before. He told me it made him feel insecure because you stuck out more. Pish! You stuck out if you didn't wear color!

One of the remaining outfits was red and black. The other, green and white.

"Green and white, I think, Tsuzuki," I said studying it closely for any stains I had forgotten to wash out. Tight, long, white pants, a tight, long sleeved green turtleneck, and a white jacket with large, golden buttons.

Tsuzuki returned the other outfit to my closet, "Alright!" he said, "Now put that on so I can see!"

I dropped my towel, received some underwear from my dresser, and yanked them on. Pants. Shirt. I left the jacket on the bed. I could put it on after the battle.

I returned to the bathroom and picked up my first weapon of choice. The hairdryer. I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed, "Alright…"

"So, what does he look like?" Tsuzuki said in the other room, probably exploring what little my refrigerator had to offer.

"Mikosei? I'm not sure. Just know he's got strange eyes."

Silence, "I meant Andou. I still haven't met him!"

Good. Whenever you did meet him, there would be a result of violence. Just like when I first met him and nearly attacked him, "Blonde hair, green eyes!" I said lovingly. I wasn't going to be detailed on hairstyle or anything. I didn't want Tsuzuki making any connections with Muraki.

"When can I meet him?"

"I don't know. He still isn't aware of the whole Shinigami thing, you know."

"Oh, Watari, you need to tell him."

"Right. I know."

Doot, doot! Dee da doot! Deed a la doot a dee! Doot, doot!

"Oh, Watari… I think Hisoka's calling me! I've gotta go! Have a good time on your date!" I heard the door open, then close. Great, now I was lonely! I needed Tsuzuki's cell phone number I had a cell phone too, you know! I got it instead of a TV. I wonder if Tsuzuki could ask Muraki to give me some money. Lord knows he'll do anything his purple eyed creature wanted. I say creature because Muraki claims he isn't human. I'm not trying to be offensive right now.

Hairspray #1. Hairspray #2. More hairspray #1! Hurry, hurry!! It's getting flat!! Hairspray #1!! Hairspray #1! Hairspray #1 has failed! Hairspray #2!! There, good. That was close.

Now I was ready.

I was lucky I didn't need to use the curling iron today. I unplugged it and turned out the lights. When I entered the main room, I saw Tsuzuki had left me a note on the bed. I picked it up and pocketed it. I didn't have time to get all solemn over it's content. I pulled on my jacket and stuffed my wallet in the pocket (again, pants too tight) and paused a second, making sure there was nothing else I needed. Umbrella? No… I didn't want to have to carry that around. Oh! Notebook and pencil! Just in case I needed to defend myself. Now all I needed was Tatsumi, who was still at the bureau. Transport!

((Amagumo: Those of you who don't know, Watari brings inanimate objects to life. He can do that to his drawings, too. They don't look they way he drew them, either. That's why he needed notebook and a pencil.))

New surroundings… where was I? Ah, the library, "Hey, kid?"

A mousy brown head popped up a few shelves away, "What is it Watari?"

"Is Tatsumi still in the briefing room?"

"I think so. Have fun on your date, Watari."

"I-I'm not dating Tatsumi!" What could he be thinking?!

"I know…" he seemed confused, "I just noticed you were kind of dressed up."

Oh, right. Smart kid.

"Thanks, I will," I left then, heading back to where I left the secretary not even forty-five minutes ago. I pushed the door open and peeked in, "Hey, Tatsumi?" He apparently preferred the dark, for the lights were all off, and he was sitting down, simply staring. I suppose he might've been thinking about something, if not enjoying the solitude.

"Oh. Ready?" He stood up abruptly.

"Yeah. I can do this. Thanks for coming, Tatsumi. I know you have better things to do."

He smiled as he passed me in making his exit, "Not really. Helping you right now will prove much more productive then trying to explain the purpose of deadlines to Tsuzuki."

So he wasn't going to complain? Not that I wanted him to or anything, it was just a little strange. Maybe he thought watching me tell Hira I was dead would be entertaining. It probably would be, actually.

"Shall we transport, then?" I said, making a wide gesture with my arm.

"Why not?"

And we were off!

And we were there! Or close to being there. We were in an alleyway across from Good Mornings. You couldn't just teleport into the open. ((Amou: I admit it. I didn't feel like writing about Watari's journey back the bureau, or their journey to Good Mornings. It would be justifiable to call me lazy. Or tired from those SATs…))

"So you're sure you want to do this tonight? We could wait a little longer if you wanted."

He tells me this now!? Ugh! "Gotta do it now," I said, suppressing rage, "I'd better not get dumped."

"You don't seem to have any faith in him at all, you know that?" he sounded happy. Sadistic monster.

"I'm just scared," I said defensively, "Sorry."

"Calm down. He'll notice that there's something going on as soon as you walk in if you keep this up."

"You'll be walking in with me anyway. He'll figure it out without my expression. Let's just do this."

Tatsumi opened the door for me and I walked over to the table Hira and I always upset. I sat down, then looked up, "What's up, Yutaka?" I sighed, and looked desperately for Tatsumi, who was standing behind me.

"Hello, Mr. Andou," he said mischievously.

"Seiichiro Tatsumi, right?" he cautiously greeted.

Tatsumi sat down next to me, "Correct. I'm sorry, but I must intrude on your date tonight."

Hira was glaring at him. I was scared for a second that I would be stopping violence. I wouldn't put it past Hira to attack Tatsumi for simply showing up with me more than once now.

"Yutaka? How do you know Mr. Tatsumi, anyway?" he sounded edgy, like he was getting angry. Tatsumi would easily see this, which would provoke him to ignite that venomous tongue of his.

I looked at Hira blankly, "We've worked together for almost half a century."

He thought I was being sarcastic.

"Oh? So you're a professor too then, Mr. Tatsumi?"

"No. Watari isn't really either. Not much of one, anyway."

I let the insult go. This wasn't the time to defend my pride. Not really, anyway.

"What's he saying?" Hira looked at me again for explanation.

"Okay," I took a deep breath, terrified, "I… I" I might've been a little too ill to continue.

Tatsumi looked at me briefly, "We're Shinigami," he said bluntly, registering my condition. How did he just announce it like that? Like it was no big deal? I mean, I suppose it wasn't his loss, but didn't he have any sympathy at all? Didn't he know how hard this was for me?

"What?" Hira stared at him, disbelieving, "Guardians of Death? So then why are you in Tokyo?" So he was going to listen to Tatsumi? That was good. Tatsumi was my friend, and I really wanted them to get along. Same with Tsuzuki, but I was still afraid of introducing him to Hira. He just looked so much like Muraki.

"We were looking for someone when we met you," Tatsumi said looking serious. All business now. "Are we not going to have to prove anything to you?" He was probably surprised that Hira was going along with him. I was too, actually, but that could just mean he had already figured out that I didn't work in Tokyo.

I looked at him then, trying to figure this out. Did he know that I'd been lying?! "Hira, I'm sorry. I wasn't allowed to tell you. I couldn't… I'm so sorry. Are you interested in forgiving me at all?"

He returned my gaze and smiled sadly. Very sadly. Something was going on inside him that I wasn't able to see, "Of course."

Tatsumi sighed, "You cannot continue this relationship as it is. You're either going to have a risky death and journey to Purgatory, or we grant Watari mortality again, which is near impossible," He paused to look at me, "Remember Tsuzuki, Watari. Remember him, please. Think about the impact it'll have on him."

I sat there a second, unresponsive, wondering really how much of a loss I would be if I did leave the bureau. Would I be a loss at all? Tsuzuki would loose his drinking partner, sure, but he shouldn't be drinking so much anyway. I couldn't really think of anything else. My sector wasn't very busy, so I wasn't very useful in the matter of work… Was I really useless? That was impossible!

I must be the comic relief guy.

Hira was angry again, "Why can't we continue this way? It's always been fine!" he was getting snappy, frustrated that Tatsumi was above him in this single moment, and he knew more about me than he did. He was probably jealous, and grumpy that he knew so little about me when he thought he knew so much.

Tatsumi spoke before me, "It's against the rules. If your name was to appear on the Kiseki, which would mean you were to die, Watari would try and save you, which would get the bureau into trouble."

Hira sighed, "Okay. Prove it. How do I know you and Watari aren't dating and this isn't your excuse to dump me?"

Tatsumi was quick to oblige. He picked up a butter knife and showed it to Hira, who thought he was being threatened. He realized different when the silver utensil was driven down into the top of Tatsumi's left hand. The secretary didn't make a single indication of pain or discomfort as he pulled the object and set it down again.

Hira's breathing was irregular as the wound began to close in on itself and heal. "Watch," Tatsumi instructed firmly as Hira began to close his eyes. Reluctantly, Hira watched the unappealing process. Tatsumi wiped his hand and the knife off on a napkin, "Will that suffice?"

"Yup," Hira replied grimly. I watched him intently, trying to figure out what he was thinking on this. I felt a little bad that I didn't know. After nine months I still found Hira completely unpredictable. Maybe he thought the same of me now, since I had announced I was dead. Perhaps he thought himself insane? "Hira," I said, winning his attention, "There's someone who can allow us to keep it this way. His name is Mikosei."

"Where is he?" Hira said urgently, sitting up straight again, "Where does he live?" He had reacted the same way I had when learning of the deity.

I let Tatsumi talk for me again, losing energy quickly in my state of stress, "Mikosei is the God of Chance. He went missing many years ago."

Hira groaned, placing his head in his hands for his moment to regain composure, "God of Chance?" he said, facing us again, "What does the mean?"

"He'll either kill you or grant your wish," Tatsumi said bluntly, cleaning his glasses.

I decided I needed to help Hira now. He'd be happier hearing this things from me, I'm sure, "Either you go on some pain in the ass adventure with me for a chance to keep this relationship, or you dump me." Well, I certainly know which one sounded more convenient.

Tatsumi felt as though hee needed to ass, "And you have to decide now."

Hira stared at me, mollified, "Y-Yutaka… you know I don't want to lose you, right? It's just… well, I have a life here. I'm a doctor, and I have friends and family."

Tatsumi glanced at me quickly. This was heading in a bad direction.

"I understand completely if you don't want to try this," I said dryly. I wanted this to be easy for him. I didn't want him to worry about my feelings in whatever choice he made. He needed to think about himself right now, and make a decision he'll be able to live with. I couldn't impair his life for my death. It was terribly unfair.

I needed Tsuzuki. He wanted to find Mikosei. Maybe I could talk Kannuki Wakaba and Hajime Terazuma into this helping me? Shin and Nonomori could do their share, too. Tatsumi was going to help, wasn't he? And Chidsuru? Even the Gushoshin could help! I'm sure the kid would do it if Tsuzuki did, right?

What was I thinking? I couldn't have every Shinigami in Japan doing this for me! That would be ridiculous! Though I might be able to make it work. It wouldn't hurt to try.

Someone grabbed my hand, and I was convinced for a second that it was Hira, but when I looked at him, he was still deep in thought. I jumped and looked at Tatsumi, who was smiling at me. He looked sad, too. Why was he sad? Was his sympathy finally kicking in?

"I'll leave now, alright? I'm not going back to the bureau, so if you need me, call me. 356- 2792," he stood up, and then let go of my hand, and I nodded, "Sure thing!" I scribbled the number in the notebook I brought and stuffed it in my pocket. If I was dumped, I wanted to tell Tatsumi. Tsuzuki wasn't having a good enough day for me to have him endure any bad news from me.

"Goodbye, Mr. Tatsumi," Hira said, smiling. He wasn't sad. Could it be?

We watched Tatsumi buy a coffee and leave, and that was when he spoke, "I'll do it. I promise, I'll do it. Anything I can. Being a mortal, finding Gods isn't something I'm accustomed to, but I'll assist in every way I can!"

I was shocked. Simply shocked. Was I really worth the trouble? I suppose he didn't have to do much, but still. "You realize," I said, surprised that I was trying to dissuade him, "That we can't see each other in person until we find this Mikosei."

He nodded, "I an call you. And I will. I promise. Yutaka, we'll do this. We'll find Mikosei!"

Regardless of how I felt earlier, I now thought he was being foolish. I too had felt the incredible surge of confidence, but it was gone now, and I regretted suggesting this to him. I should've just pretended I died in a car accident or gang rape or something. Maybe something a little more heroic.

"So," Hira said, smiling a little, "I've always wondered… what's it like to be dead?"

-END CHAPTER TWO-

Tatsumi: Alright, that was better.

Watari: Yay!! I wasn't dumped!

Tatsumi: Hmph.

Tsuzuki: I didn't get yelled at in this chapter!

Hira: I liked it, but I think I was a little OOC.

Amagumo: You can't be OOC, Hira. I created you.

Hira: Well…

Muraki: When do I get to talk?

Tsuzuki: Who cares?

Muraki: You're the one looking for me…

Tsuzuki: I wasn't-! It's not for me to choose! pouts

Watari: Come back next time everyone! Chapter three soon!

Amagumo: Please and thank you! Thanks for the reviews on chapter one everybody! So nice! And I admit, Hisoka was a little OOC. Not completely. I've been a little frustrated with his character lately, is all. A little personal issue, I suppose. So, sorry about that. That website I mentioned before at the top of this page… please visit it! At least say "Hi" on the gray tag board at the bottom of the homepage of the website! Please, please, please!!