Wandering Aimlessly

.five.

Well, Hira's gone, so the story can finally start moving. Tsuzuki is to go on his date next chapter, so hang on!! As for the Watari X Tatsuminess. Well, I do think there shall be some of it in this very chapter! Yay…! Well, it's mostly angst, but I think every character started with drama, so Tatsumi shall to. Every once in a while, I hope to make a chapter with some of Hira's POV just so we know what's going on with him (not that anyone cares). I know it's a little weird that Watari's already kind of attached to Tatsumi, but… yeah, you're just going to have to deal with that. Oh, and the cookies I give out… (I forgot to give a bunch of you cookies last chapter. My bad) the recipe for those cookies is NaPap's. Not mine.

Okay, I just realized that I said Tsuzuki was born in 1950 in chapter four. My bad. I was thinking about when Watari was born (which was actually 1953) when I typed that. Tsuzuki was born in 1900.

Have you read Dark Adaptation (by NaPap) or the Wal-Mart Adventurama (By Clouded Coffee)? No!? SHAME!!

DISCLAIMER

I don't own Descendants of Darkness/Yami no Matsuei or any of its bishounen.

EXCHANGE

Tatsumi: Well, I see that I finally get to give my opinion somewhere besides these stupid exchanges.

Watari: I like these!!

Tsuzuki: Me too! I'm rather safe in these.

Muraki: …Really?

Hira: Well I- Oh, wait, I'm not supposed to be here!!

Tatsumi: BEAT IT, WANNABE!!

Hira: (yelps, then vanishes)

Watari: Tatsumi, no!! Be good!!

Tatsumi: Hmph. Fine.

Tsuzuki: (giggles)

Muraki: Isn't Tsuzuki so cute?

All: (twitch and stare)

.Tatsumi Seiichirou.

I really don't know if drowning my sorrows in sake was supposed to work or not. I had tried, certainly, but now the query was whether or not it had been worth it. I sat up in my basic, white and navy bed and immediately cried out as the allegorical spears were stabbed into my cranium. I hadn't been this inebriated before. At least not for half a century. For now my objective was to succeed in obtaining a telephone, exclusive of collapsing. I would not be working today.

I stood up and, imperceptive on how I had managed this, stood still for a good three minutes to gawk at a monotonous, tan wall. Once I had pulled myself out of this vacant and empty condition, I took to approaching the door to exit my bedroom. After a second, I realized that I was not doing well in succeeding my ambition. I had hardly gone a foot and I was paused, bracing myself alongside the obstinate wall.

How was this supposed to work? Well, I suppose I would just have to take my time. I inched along, all the while berating myself for being so irresponsible. I suppose even if I was sober I wouldn't have felt like going to work. Watari would be annoying to see, and Tsuzuki would ultimately crush me under his heel. I felt so discarded. So abandoned! Absolutely rejected. The others didn't perceive me as anything more than a tool. Well, possibly a little above that. It's just that they did not think me as a potential relationship. I was their superior at work, and although we were all so close from the many years of being near each other… they still didn't know me. I suppose that may be a little unsympathetic, and exaggerated, but, hey, I'm awfully drunk.

Before I knew it, (seriously, I hadn't realized) I was in the kitchen, and the phone was just ahead of me, sitting dauntingly on the wooden table. Grouchily, I made for it. I kind of lurched at it due to my lack of balance, but I had gotten a hold of it. Delighted that the meticulous voyage was over, I turned and began punching in the number. I can't say I was surprised that I fell. Honestly, I knew it was coming. Why, then, hadn't I stopped myself? Eh… I was really drunk. I allowed myself to collapse, and just lay there for a second, staring at the display that was my ceiling.

"Hello? Hello? Hello?! Tatsumi?! ((Amou: Caller ID?)) Is everything all right?!" The man's voice erupted into my brain, and at least a dozen more spears were plunged into my sensitive head.

"Agh! Don't talk so loud!" I was twice as deafening as the chief had been, "I'm not going to be at work today, Chief," I droned, laying on the floor, basically quiescent.

"Is everything all right? You took a moment to answer," the Chief was already concerned. Such as I got sometimes. Was I that bothersome to the others? Alarmed so hastily?

"I'm drunk," I informed.

"That's not all right. What happened that made you need to get drunk?" he was somewhere between amazed and annoyed.

"I just got bored," I said. It was very atypical for me to act so unprofessional. There I was, lying on my tiled kitchen floor and acting casual as I told the chief I wouldn't be coming to work. I never missed work. Tsuzuki was going to blame himself. He's going to immediately believe last night's dealings were the reason I was sick and couldn't come to work. I guess, though, that was true.

I sighed and hung up to the voice chatting away in my ear. I stood up shakily, making sure I took the phone with my, should I need it again. Wasn't that the purpose of cell phones?

It was then that I remembered. My cell phone was on my bedside. I hadn't needed to get up to get a phone.

So. Terribly. Drunk.

With transformed fury, I crashed into the next room, where I was providential enough to have a computer. It was time to begin my research. Maybe if I could uncover Mikosei before Mr. Andou I could rub him out of existence. I didn't really hate him as an individual, but he had the ill-fated position of being the one Watari had elected as his boyfriend. So I had to erase him. Easy, right? Wish him away through Mikosei ((Amou: Whee! It rhymed!)). One problem.

I couldn't do it.

I could find Mikosei. He would grant me a wish, I knew, but any wish I did end up making couldn't rework anyone's personal thoughts. I wasn't quite wicked enough. Not quite greedy enough. I was, however, quite enough in love.

Watari.

Watari.

He seemed so out of reach. On no account would he think I had a crush on him. Never. He figures me as overprotective. I suppose he thinks me in love with Tsuzuki. Not so. Had that been the case I would have stayed with him when we were partners. Sure, I console him plenty. I protect him always, but it is only because it seems no one else does. Tsuzuki is extremely fragile, and I don't like to see him break. It scares me. Therefore I shield him to the best of my abilities to any type of threat there might be.

Except Muraki. It was either that I couldn't get Muraki, or Muraki seemed to be just the thing Tsuzuki was needing.

Such as it had been last night. Tsuzuki needed something from Muraki. I didn't know what it was. Neither did Watari, or Muraki. I'm almost positive… that Tsuzuki didn't know either. Perhaps it is that we are all simply in denial.

Anyway…

Sitting down at my desk, I turned on the computer and watched as the monitor flipped through the numerous colors that it always did (and some that it didn't. I was very drunk. Very, very drunk) before finally settling on the main screen. I logged into the bureau's intelligence mainframe, and typed in the password (mgeuisfhuo). The screen did some more fancy bits and pieces before arriving at a search screen. Mikosei. Colors. Colors. Ow, my head. Colors. Results. I leaned forward in my chair and began to read:

((Amou: That password is the word Meifu with the first letters of Gushoshin alternating through it. Nothing fancy. Leave me alone!))

Mikosei, God of Chance (Hope- Mikomi Fate- Shukumei)

Friend to the bureau. Often found in the imaginary world. Carries a staff. Wears white. Strange colored eyes. Has been found in graveyards. Has been found in forest in Okinawa. Only been found at night. Grants wishes only if finds your soul pure. Destroys the impure. Has light hair. Pale. Disappeared February 21, 1900.

((Amou: I used my crumby dictionary for the words hope and fate. Might not be accurate.))

I almost exploded. I already knew all of this! Where else was I supposed to find information on Mikosei if the computers didn't even have anything? Cross, I stood up only to cry out again and clutch my head in my hands. I collapsed back into my chair and moaned in pain and frustration. I needed to get into the Gushoshin's computer. I didn't know what I could tell them that would be persuasive enough for them to let me on, though. I could tell them it was a case, but I never got involved with cases anymore. It wasn't my job.

The phone rang.

Cursing at the ache in my head, I picked up the phone and punched the "talk" button hard enough to injure my finger or the phone, "Hello?" I half moaned into the phone.

"You really don't sound well," came the unstable voice of Watari.

I was immediately stern, "Neither do you," I observed.

"Yeah, well. Just, havin' a lame day."

I nodded, though he couldn't see me, "How's Tsuzuki?" Some defense method. I get panicky talking to the one I find irresistible so I bring up Tsuzuki? Ugh. I was such a piteous fool sometimes.

"I don't know."

"Isn't he at work?"

I saw him shrug in my mind's eye, "I dunno."

I sighed, "Watari, what are you talking about?"

I saw him smiling, "I'm not at work." Neither was Tsuzuki. He had told me he wouldn't be at work last night on the phone. I remembered now. My mind was slow today. Not to my surprise.

I turned off the computer, but I had learned that standing wasn't really very smart, "I see. Pretty shaken up, are you?" I knew he wouldn't be able to see Mr. Andou. This was my opportunity to take him, so I should stop being so reclusive. It was quite a chore, however, and I wasn't finding it achievable.

"Yeah… What about you, though? You've already changed the subject. You're not sounding well."

I smiled to myself, "Well, Watari, how did you guess I wasn't at work? I'm a little out of it, is all. I didn't have a very good day yesterday."

Watari sighed and let a small silence pass before speaking again, "If you love him, you should tell him. I know he needs someone."

For the second time today, I almost exploded. As for what, I'm not sure. I was extremely pleased and extremely aggravated that he said that. Pleased because he finally saw me as someone who could be a lover, aggravated because he had chosen the wrong person for me to be a lover with. Watari was simply unattainable it seemed.

I calmed myself down before giving a response, "I do not love Asato Tsuzuki." I was half afraid that Purple Eyes would somehow appear as I said that. For some reason I had been afraid to say it. Like it was mean, or traitorous.

"Oh?" He seemed so convinced. (( Sarcasm))

I sighed, my headache was beginning to get horrific again, "I don't. He does need someone, but not me. That's not my position with him, Watari."

He seemed disappointed in me, "Well, that's what you let on."

I didn't like where this was going, so I changed our focus, "Why did you call me Watari?"

He was silent, knowing what I was trying to do, but he went along with it, "I have your wallet and your jacket at my apartment. You left them at Good Mornings last night so you could go get drunk," he seemed angry, which was strange.

"I, well, uh, thanks?" I was totally shocked. He had been so venomous with that last bit. Actually, I had forgotten about leaving my belongings. Which was also strange. Me, forgetting my wallet? I really had been upset last night. Who could blame me? Everything had gone wide off the mark for me last night. Mr. Andou had decided to wait for Watari, Tsuzuki utterly rejected my attention, but they both used me to assist in throwing me aside. I had helped them get rid of me. I didn't know I was really that vulnerable to their requests.

"So…" he sighed, calming himself out of the rage, "Where is Tsuzuki going today? He was going somewhere. He said on the phone with you last night."

I had forgotten about that, "He's… going on a date with Muraki." I was wondering what Watari's reaction would be. His reaction was no surprise to me.

"I see."

I raised an eyebrow to myself, "You're going to accept it? Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"Why aren't you surprised?"

"I don't know. It just seems like it was going to happen sooner or later. I mean, he's going willingly, isn't he?" Exactly.

"Sort of. He told me that Muraki had information for him. Meaning he has to go on a date to get it." But he wants to go.

Watari sighed, "Dirty bastard." Not to Tsuzuki.

I sighed too, "That's Muraki."

Silence. Silence. Silence, "Hey, can I come over?"

Hm… I would definitely like that. Had my head not been throbbing and my entire body slow and uncoordinated, it would have been even better. Well, take what you can get and don't complain, I guess, "If you'd like." I would do some cleaning, but I feared I would fall over and make more muddle. I guess I could just go drink a glass of water to try and help sober me up. No puny glass of water would wash the ocean of alcohol I had in me now, but it was worth a try.

"Really?" Watari was surprised. Which made sense. No one had ever been inside my apartment before. People had come plenty of times to tell me something, or see me off after a vacation was over.

"Yes," I said slowly, "Do you remember where it is?"

"Of course I do!" he chirped, "I'll be right over!"

Umm… maybe letting him come hadn't been a very wise decision. I mean, I wasn't much good at talking to Watari informally. It wasn't something I did. With anyone, actually. Depressing. I had no social life, huh?

I stood up (very carefully) and shuffled back into the kitchen, "Alright, Watari," I said with my slurred, drunk voice, "Jut don't expect too much."

"Uh-huh!" and he hung up.

Was there ever a day where Watari didn't find something to get energized over? I highly doubted it. It really wasn't a bad trait to have, actually. It could get annoying after a while. ((Watari: Oh ehm gee! A rock!)) Maybe Watari was just that much in need of company right now. I could understand that… well, no, I really couldn't. I can't see what Watari sees in Mr. Andou, or how he finds him so important that he needs to consult the God of Chance. I know it's actually a bit challenging to achieve the 'pure' status. Put simply, Mikosei was a hard ass, and he didn't want to award wishes unless the recipient was indubitably deserving.

I wasn't even sure if I could make a wish if I ever decided I wanted to. I know I have good qualities, but… nevermind. Not the time to complain about myself. Maybe if I wasn't so drunk I wouldn't be thinking like this in the first place.

Pound-pound-pound!

"Watari?" I turned around and made for the door.

"Yup!" he trilled from behind the wooden barrier. I opened the door and he bustled in past me, not without a good, loud PFFFT!

My cheeks reddened.

Yes. I, Seiichirou Tatsumi, was blushing.

"Gah!?" I yelped, realization exploding unto me like a clap of thunder. I blundered determinedly towards my bedroom, desperate to save myself from Watari's line of vision.

I was wearing navy blue boxers and a pair of black socks.

So. Terrible. DRUNK.

The color coordination (or lack thereof) wasn't the problem. I was- well- obviously I- I was nearly naked!! Why did it matter? I mean, Watari had seen me naked before. Like, back at the hot spring before we had to go find the queen in Hokkaido for those talking animals. Sebastian, Dr. Yan, Ketto C, and Kattsue. I just didn't… love him then. Well, that hardly mattered now.

Watari continued to laugh, "You're pretty drunk, Tatsumi!" He called after me.

"Mmhrmmmnaaooha! Shut up, Watari!" came my garbled reply as I threw open my wardrobe in a desperate search of pants. I heard Watari continue to giggle at my urgent quest for proper attire.

"Oh, shut up," I mumbled, pulling out a very casual pair of navy, plaid, pajama pants and a white, cotton t-shirt. I yanked the clothing on, then emerged again, ultimately bringing on another fit of laughter from the blonde scientist, "Watari!" I roared, "Stoppit…!" Ah, wooziness, "Uhn…" I staggered past him in a desperate attempt to regain my balance, "Want sumthin' to drink?" I slurred.

"Um," he said, following, "Nothing that you've been drinking," he laughed nervously, trying to make sure I didn't suddenly fall, "Go sit down, Tatsumi."

I looked at him, "Can you go get my glasses from my bedroom? I'm just gonna… sit," that's what I did. I sat and waited, trying frantically to calm myself down so I could return to speaking with formality and dignity. I wondered what the chief was thinking about my behavior earlier. I wondered what he was thinking about all of us, since none of us had bothered to show up today. Well, except Hisoka. I'm sure he knew that we'd gone to visit Muraki. Perhaps he'd stayed home, too.

"Sure thing!" he bounced into my room and returned very quickly, "Here!" he presented the glasses to me and I took them, pushing them up my nose and taking a deep breath, "I'm going to have a glass of water," I managed, with much strain and endeavor, "How are you doing?"

"I could be better, you know?"

I rose from my seat and received a glass from one of the many wooden cabinets in my kitchen, "Have you talked to him today?"

"I don't want to," Watari smiled a little when I turned to look at him.

I poured the water and sat down. He sat across from me. I looked at him carefully, "What do you mean?"

"I don't know," Watari sighed, "I just don't feel like talking to him. I feel like I'll say something stupid, like we're starting all over. I guess it just isn't the same anymore. Kinda sad. But, anyway, he did tell me to call him."

I nodded, more to the small amount of relief the water was providing then what Watari was saying, "You should call him then," I said, still nodding, "You can use may- my phone."

He nodded absently in return, "Yeah…" he stood up and wandered over to the refrigerator, "What information do you think Muraki's got for Tsuzuki?"

That was a good question. Probably something I should have asked the purple eyed Shinigami myself. Somehow I hadn't thought about that yet. I could only hope that it wasn't just an excuse Muraki and Tsuzuki came up with together to throw at me so they could… oh, man. No, shouldn't think that way. Tsuzuki was better than that. He can't lie to us, and he doesn't love Muraki. I sat back in my chair, focusing on recovering, "I forgot to ask," I admitted, "We can call him. Well, you can. He probably won't answer me."

Watari withdrew from the fridge, probably having discovered that I had no beer, "Nah," he seated himself again, "Seriously though, Tatsumi," he was serious. He leaned forward, and I was forced to focus on him, "Do you love him?"

I sighed, disappointed that this is the thing he had decided to actually be serious about (besides perhaps Mr. Andou), "Not in a way that would ever instigate a relationship," I said tersely, rubbing my temples as I always did when stressed.

He looked at me, a comically serious expression now painted across his striking features, "Are you sure?" he teased, "I wouldn't be surprised if big, impassive Tatsumi was confused with his feelings!"

I swallowed my monotonous rage and smiled, "I'm not confused," I played back.

Watari leaned back again, "I just don't want Tsuzuki to end up with him."

I nodded, eyes again closed, "I don't think there's anything we can do about that. We know what happened when I tried to stop him last night."

Watari shook his head, smiling, "Tsuzuki seems to be the only one that doesn't realize that it's going to happen."

I opened my eyes, headache having retreated for the moment, "Well, Muraki doesn't know for sure, either. Which is why we've still got a chance to spoil anything between them."

"I wonder," Watari said sadly, "If that's what we're supposed to do."

I smiled a little, "Oh, this is so different then when you were convincing me to rescue Tsuzuki in Kyoto. You were all about our wants then."

Watari nodded, eyes focusing on something behind me, "Yes, well, this time's somewhat different. I mean, how do we not know that Muraki is actually what he needs? I guess this time we don't know what we want."

We sat for a moment, just thinking.

"You want me to take Tsuzuki, don't you?" I said finally, after draining my glass. I already wanted something more. Stronger, like tea or coffee.

"I did," Watari confessed, "But that's so unfair. I just want you to help me keep Muraki kid friendly."

Kid friendly? I chuckled, "All right." I stood up, done with the conversation. Whether I denied it or not, everyone thought I loved Tsuzuki. I guess from anyone else's point of view that it would be rather blatant looking, "Would you like shu-some tea?" I said, trudging to the counter, "Or coffee? I've got coffee."

Watari stood up, "I'll get it. Sit down, drinky."

I let the insult pass by unheard and sat down roughly, "Tea, please," I commanded.

"We've got to sober you up some before Hisoka comes lookin' for Tsuzuki," Watari said, pulling out cups and a container to heat the water.

I looked at him quizzically, "Why'd he be looking for Tsuzuki?"

Watari looked at me quizzically, "Well, because he visited Muraki last night and wasn't at work today."

Oh. Well, wasn't that wonderfully obvious?

"Sweetened?" Watari said, heating the water.

"No," I quipped lackadaisically. I was lucky at this point that I was Shinigami. My healing abilities were very useful, and they were actually able to wash the alcohol out of my system, though very slowly.

"Watari!" I shot to my feet and rushed to him, ignoring the hypothetical spears raping my brain, "Pay attention!" I yanked his hand out of the boiling water and he stared at me for a second before examining the tender, tightened, pink flesh as it healed.

"Oopsie!" Watari chuckled, "Multitasking. Not my thing."

I noticed after he said this that I was confused, "You were multitasking?"

Watari nodded, "Yep! Boiling water and thinking! My mind was somewhere else completely!" he made a flamboyant gesture with his arm, signaling 'somewhere else completely'. Where, exactly? I nodded. He was a little distant so far today. Not fully himself. Less… hyper. Poor soul. I sat down quickly as a restraint. I just wanted to hug him and ask him to 'please, please, please have me!!'. I suppose I could hug him, sine I still quite drunk and sluggish in the head.

"There, all better!" Watari chirped, holding his hand up and observing him healed skin.

"Be careful," I mumbled at the table, nursing my headache once more. I was sick and tired of being drunk.

"Maybe I should call him," he said, "Hira's probably going to feel very betrayed if I don't," he poured the water and dropped a tea bag in each of our cups.

"Yes, but why?" I said, showing him the phone on the table.

Watari grinned, "Poor Hira," he brought our cups over and sat down again, "I guess he might not want to talk to me anymore."

((Hira: (watching grumpily) Unbeknownst to them, I'm suffering in my loneliness right now!! Call me, Watari, love!!
Amou: Calm down, Hira. Shh!))

I blew on the drink and attempted a sip, but it was too hot, "I'm sure he does. He's probably as lonely as you were before you came here."

Watari shook his head, both hands clasped firmly on his warm cup, "He's at work. Plenty of people."

"How do you know?" I insisted, "He might have stayed at home, just waiting for you to call!"

Watari tensed and gasped, "You think!?"

No! No, I don't! Nevermind! Don't call, don't call! Oh, why did I bring up Mr. Andou?! It was a worse defense than bringing up Tsuzuki! Ugh! "You don't have to call him. But if you continue like this, your arrangement with him his- is going to fall abart," not that I cared in the slightest. I suppose I shouldn't be giving you the illusion that I do, either.

Watari sighed again. ((Amou: They sigh a lot, don't they? Probably since I sigh a lot myself. And there's a lot of the word 'suppose'. I apologize. It's a habit, I suppo- guess.)) "I should call him," damn, damn, damn, damn! "Can I use your phone?" he held out his hand, ready to receive the object.

"No."

"Hah? Tatsumi…?" Watari was only half shocked. This is what helped me think of an excuse, "Oh, no, sorry. Guess I'm really drunk," I tried to laugh, but was forced to settle with a rather undignified grunt, "Here," I said, offering the phone to him.

"Must be!" he chirped, taking it, "But can this phone connect to mortal phone lines?"

I grinned maliciously. It sure did, but Watari didn't need to know that, "Oh, no," I said, "My cell phone does. You can use that if it isn't out of battries- batteries." I knew for a fact that my cell phone was totally out. He wouldn't be calling Mr. Andou right no. Bwahaha…

((Hira: Bastard!))

"I'll get it!" Watari stood up, "Where do you keep it?"

"Bedside table."

He bounced off and returned immediately. Now my only worry was that Watari would go home so he could call Mr. Andou. That wouldn't do.

Watari made a frustrated noise and I focused on him again, "I can't turn it on!" he complained, handing it to me. I pressed the power button twice, "Oh, sorry. Guess it's out of batteries," I think he detected the laziness in my voice. He knew I couldn't care less.

"Oh, fine," Watari pouted, sitting down, now abruptly discouraged.

Oh, good! He was going to stay! But what now… why, I obviously needed to reel him in for myself, but perhaps I needed to know how I could do that.

The phone rang, and reawakened the exploding headache. I picked it up as hurriedly as I could, desperate to hush the infernal, volatile ringing, "Hello?"

"Tatsumi? Is Tsuzuki there?" Hisoka's voice asked.

Well… "No, he's on a date," I said lackadaisically. Tsuzuki wasn't gone on the date quite yet, but he would be soon enough. If he wasn't answering his phone, that was the reason why.

"A date? With who?"

I winced, probably not a good idea to bring that up, "More of a meeting, I gi-guess. Tsuzuki just has some questions for Muraki." I said, taking a deep drink of the sobering tea.

"Well… ugh, why? What questions?"

I shrugged, "You told him where Muraki was. Muraki wanted to talk at a more approprate-appropriate time than ten at night. As uzul." Sort of true.

"Why aren't you and Watari at work? Are you going with him?"

"Nope. Well, yeah. Yeah, we're- we're just goin' ta let Tsuzuki dotha talkin'. Uh..."

"What? Are you okay?" Hisoka could hear Watari laughing in the background.

"I'm a little off ta-today, Hisoka."

"I can hear that. Are you drunk?"

Jeez, "Yes." What else could it be, anyway? I had no other excuses to give him.

Hisoka was silent for a second, "I- well, okay. I am talking to Tatsumi Seiichirou right now, right?"

I nodded.

"Right?"

"Oh, yeah. This is Tatsumi."

Watari laughed again, "Give me the phone, Tatsumi!" he took it from me, "Hisoka? This is Watari. Don't worry about Tsuzuki. He'll be fine with us. Tell the chief we're sorry about missing work. Um… I wouldn't tell him we've found Muraki. Don't tell him if you haven't already. Yup, thanks! Bye-bye!" he hung up and looked at me, "Now was that so hard?"

Yes, yes it was. I shrugged, "I'm staring to feel better."

Watari poured himself another cup of tea, "Really? Because you had begun to sound worse." I pouted and drank my tea.

Now was the time for me to conjure up a simple, but effective plan to take Watari away from Mr. Andou. No doubt this was proving difficult, especially since Watari didn't see me as a potential lover. I would have to protect him like I did Tsuzuki to get my point across, apparently. That was impossible and stupid. Watari wasn't ever in need of saving or rescue. Perhaps just in need of assistance.

"This is a lonely place," Watari observed. My apartment really was rather bare. Not cozy at all. Every wall was white, all of the carpets navy. My bed matched the carpet, and all of my furniture was tan leather. Very expensive and scarcely used. I bought a computer instead of a television. I didn't have enough time for television, anyhow.

"Fitting, isn't it?" I said grumpily.

"What do you mean by that?"

I set my cup down so I could look him in the eye, "I haven't been on a date for fifty-three years."

Watari did not laugh. He looked a little surprised, actually, "You've only been dead for forty years. You were born in 1936… died 1967… you were thirty- one when you died… that would mean you hadn't had a date since you were eighteen!"

((These are dates I have chosen for Tatsumi. Matsushita has not said how old he was when he died or what year he died. If she has, and I didn't notice, please tell me! Matsushita is a woman… right?))

I nodded sadly, "I guess I'm shy."

Watari stood up, "No, you're not."

Well, then, what? "Undesirable, then."

"That's definitely not it!"

"Definitely?" Definitely?

Watari blushed and backed away, "Definitely not," he repeated unsurely.

What was I supposed to say to that? I though to stand and approach him, but I decided to remain confused, "Are you drunk, too?"

He watched me, waiting for me to stand, and calmed down when he saw I was going to stay put, "No. I just don't think you're undesirable. Tatsumi, if anything, you're unattainable."

I stared, "Unattainable?" That was the exact word I had categorized him under. Unattainable since I couldn't pull him away from Mr. Andou and reel him in for myself at the same time.

"Tatsumi, you tend to give off the idea that no one is good enough for you, except Tsuzuki. You block people out. You're just too stiff." Watari said uneasily, returning to his seat.

I was thoroughly insulted by this. Too stiff? What did that mean? Was I supposed to part more? Get miserably drunk more? "Meaning?" I expressed. I was really interested now. I did know what he meant, but it was always possible I had the wrong impression.

"I mean… you're a workaholic. No one thinks that you could possibly have any sort of interest in relationships," he said, worried about angering me.

"That isn't fair!" I raged, "I- Of course- Even you and- Everyone gets lonely."

Watari smiled, "Who do you like, Tatsumi? Obviously there's someone!" he teased. I was blushing again.

"You."

-END CHAPTER FIVE-

It isn't even longer than chapter four!! I apologize. I use Word to type these up, and they seem to range at 15-20 pages. Anyway, I forgot to give out cookies last chapter. I don't think anyone really cares, so I'm going to stop with that. I will still reply to your reviews, though! Please excuse the Tatsumi chapter! I'm sure everyone wants to hear about Muraki and Tsuzuki. Chapter six shall be… Muraki's POV!! Yay!! Just because Tsuzuki's POV is too dreary and dramatic. The font has changed since I'm on a laptop. I'll change it later. The cookie recipe was NaPap's by the way! (figures) Oh, and I've only read the manga up to volume eleven. Does anyone know the deal with volume twelve? I asked the people at the bookstore and it wasn't listed to come out any time soon. Can't find it on Google either…

QUESTION TO THE READERS
Would you like shorter chapters so I can update faster, or would you like to wait for longer ones?

Please give your input through a review!

EXCHANGE

Tatsumi: (twitch) I was drunk?

Watari: You're finally getting somewhere with me, though!

Tatsumi: As a drunk.

Tsuzuki: I'm a defense mechanism?

Muraki: You stay away from Mr. Tsuzuki and I, Shinigami! We will be together, whether you like it or not!!

Tsuzuki: Eh?!

Tatsumi: Why did I have to be drunk?

Amagumo: You were grumpy, and got drunk.

Watari: Wouldn't he have a hangover by now? He shouldn't still be drunk.

Amagumo: Um.. it was two in the morning when he finished drinking… and, uh… well, I don't know the details of drunkenness and drinking, okay?!

Tatsumi: Why did you make me older than everyone else?

Amou: You're the adult in this, Tatsumi. Tsuzuki's a baby, Watari's immature, and Muraki's… older than you.

Muraki: Ahem.

Tsuzuki: Ahem.

Watari: Ahem.

Amou: Well… you are.