Wandering Aimlessly

.six.

Yes, this chapter took me forever. Longer than usual, I mean. I was in Washington DC on this lovely little field trip and I wasn't allowed to bring my laptop. Oh, and my creative juices were rather stagnant for a little while. I had to get inspired again before I could start writing since all I've been doing for the past week or so is watching Bleach on YouTube. Good show.

Okay, back to the Tsuzuki X Muraki-ness! Yay! I'm sure most of you are happy to hear that this chapter is from Muraki's point of view instead of Tsuzuki's. First of all, I've done Tsuzuki's POV a lot. Second of all, Tsuzuki's a big baby and he complains a lot. I'm sure it just gets annoying. I know it's annoying to write. I'm in need of constructive criticism, you guys!! So if something's annoying you or I'm doing something wrong, please point it out! I need to feel supported to keep going! Most of you didn't mind if I changed the length of chapters or anything, but everyone likes quick updates so I'll keep the length and try to go as fast as I can!!

You know those little rantings I do with the charries before and after the chapters…? Well, I've been wondering where they're all at when they have those little conversations! I can just picture them in my mind's eye in a little room conversing casually. This would be normal if Muraki wasn't there, but it really makes me laugh. It's like he's been accepted, but is the least popular in the group.

Sorry for my idiocy. Just decided I'd share that with ya.

DISCLAIMER

I don't own Descendants of Darkness/Yami no Matsuei. Darn.

EXCHANGE

Muraki: Ah, finally Tsuzuki and I can be together.

Tsuzuki: What are you talking about? I never agreed to anything like that.

Muraki: Yes, you did. You've given me plenty of permission.

Tatsumi: I only got one chapter? I want to see the reaction you give Watari to my confession in chapter five!
Amagumo: Sorry, 'Tsumi! People would rather read about Muraki going on a juicy date with Tsuzuki then hearing your drunken plea for attention!
Tatsumi: I detest you.
Amou: Awww… don't be like that! You'll be back soon enough!

Watari: What about Hira?
Tatsumi, Tsuzuki, Muraki: No one cares about Hira Andou.

Amagumo + Watari: Jerks!

.Muraki Kazutaka.

Strangely enough, I was not excited about the date I was going on tonight. And, no, I wasn't nervous either. In fact, I had no feelings about it at all besides triumph and determination. I had to make this occasion perfect in every sense of the word. I knew I could, so I had nothing to worry about. Mr. Tsuzuki would be completely blown away. I was sure of it. Tsuzuki couldn't be hard to impress. I already knew how easy of a task it was to seduce him.

Where was I going to take him, anyway? I needed to think of a normal, common sort of date. Dinner, movie, play, orchestra, park… they seemed so unworthy. I suppose I could rent a place for the night, but I was quite sure that Tsuzuki would be very uneasy with no one else around. There was still, however, the possibility that he would bring along Mr. Tatsumi. I dearly hoped that was not going to be the case. Dearly.

What was I to do if he did bring the man? Was I supposed to be polite, or demand that he leave immediately? Obviously the latter would ruin the entire date, but so would Mr. Tatsumi's presence! Choosing to let him stay would get me points, however, so that was probably the wiser alternative. That didn't mean, however, that I didn't still detest the secretary and threat would be hidden under every word I directed to him.

There was still hope, however. Tsuzuki, with some sort motivation, wanted to come meet me alone. That alone flattered me much more Tsuzuki's acceptance to my invitation.

Well, best think about what was important now. I just needed figure out what I would do if Mr. Tatsumi did come. And I still didn't know where to go on the date in the first place. I needed an expert's opinion…

"Hello, Kokakuro. This is Oriya."

"Oriya. Glad to see you're still doing well."

"Muraki?!" I hadn't called Oriya since I left last year. Either he couldn't find me or he didn't want to. I feared the latter.

"How are things at the Kokakuro?" I continued casually. No doubt Oriya would be frustrated with my lackadaisical manner, but then again, when was he not? Emotion, as you well know, was not 'Muraki style'.

"They're fine." He said tersely, "How are things in you head? You know, you could have called before now," the irritation was painted thickly in his words.

Worried, was he? "I was merely keeping to my promise not to bother you anymore," I said simply. This was actually something I had forgotten about until now. Tsuzuki and his Shinigami companions had been the only thing on my mind the past year.

There was a pause, then Oriya sighed, "That is true. So what's so important that you have to call me now? Did you resurrect Shidou and exact a brutal revenge on him?"

I twitched, "No," I said, tense, "It's a little more personal this time."

"Ukyou finally dump you?"

"Oriya, Ukyou thinks I'm dead."

"That's cruel. Aren't you going to call her?"

"No," I confessed, "I'd rather not get involved with her again."

"Bastard," he muttered.

"Maybe," I was smiling.

"Well?" he was definitely aggravated. My guess was tha the was using agitation to cover up emotion… relief.

"What do you think the perfect date it, Oriya?" I said, finally explaining myself.

He laughed, quite loudly, "You can't have a perfect date, Muraki!"

I was already offended, "And why not?"

"No date with you could be perfect." That had been my guess. I'd never really know whether or not Oriya was joking with me or not. For all I knew he might only talk to me so he could turn me in for cash in the future. Or maybe he just liked the thrill I got him. In any case, he really was loyal, and a big help, so I considered him a friend. I had never really heard him say anything kind to me since I… changed?

I sniffed, "Regardless, what do you think the perfect date is?" I was pleased with the silence. It told me that he was going to give me an answer.

"Oh… you finally got a date with Purple Eyes," he said, probably nodding sagely and holding the pipe to his mouth. Why was he so in need of details?

"Yes," I confirmed grumpily, "The date's tonight. Please help me come up with something, Oriya." I said please, didn't I? Now it was time to test the effectiveness of said 'magic word'.

Mibu was silent before speaking again, "Ah, Muraki? What makes you think that I'm an expert dater?" He was single…

"You run a brothel, don't you?" I countered.

"Which is exactly why I don't know the first thing about dating. Brothels are about love making without dating," he was a little grumpy when he said this. I imagine he didn't like it when I called the Kokakuro a brothel.

"No suggestions then?" I said, sighing forlornly.

"None that aren't obvious."

"Tell me the obvious suggestions," it was very likely whatever information he gave me would not have been known by me previously. I was an expert in seduction, but all that romantic foreplay… I knew what I'd seen in movies. I could get somewhere with my romantic skill, but then I would say something wrong and screw myself over.

"Don't tell him how disappointed you are that you couldn't sew your half-brother's head onto his body and don't talk about the amazing rush you seem to get whenever you rape and murder a woman. Or a man… or a child," I could tell he was pleased with himself.

Aw, now I'm not as bad as that!

"Please, Oriya," I begged. I'd said please twice now.

Oriya was silent again. He was going to give me some helpful advice now, right? He was still a good friend, regardless if I was.

I suppose I could probably think up something on my own. Actually, that's probably what I should do. It would make the occasion much more special and much more personal. I wanted it to be very special, and very personal. As much as possible. My chief concern: What if I ended up doing something wrong and Tsuzuki didn't stay with me? The humiliation of all my work to make our date right not being appreciated would be utterly unbearable. This date had to go perfect or he would never meet me somewhere again. Not alone anyway. And I was pretty sure he would be unaccompanied tonight. This was my one chance. He was giving me a chance. I smiled at this.

Mibu finally spoke, "Just be good, Muraki. Be good and sincere. Don't run your mouth, but listen to what he had to say. Don't tease him at all. Don't look down on him. Think of him as your lover, not your love interest."

"What did you mean by that last part?"

Mibu sighed, "Care about him, not what he can give you."

I was still a little hazy on the meaning he was trying to convey with tha, but everything else seemed like it would be easy enough. Unfortunately, he had only spoken my plans and ideas back to me so far.

"I've lost you, haven't I?" he said, exasperated.

"Somewhat," I confessed brazenly.

"You are hopeless."

"Yes," I said, "But so is Mr. Tsuzuki. He'll never know the difference."

Oriya snorted, "How can you be so sure? It took you this long to hook him in, didn't it? You haven't done anything right until now."

"Not like you to care," I casually observed.

"I'm a little more concerned about his good fortune than yours," he paused, "What happened to you, Muraki?" That was what I had been waiting for.

"I've been good. Just going to work every day at the hospital, like before."

Oriya exhaled. His was smoking, as usual, "Like… before you went insane and deciding that murdering people was more productive then saving them?"

I smiled, "Precisely."

He snorted again.

"Thank you, Oriya," I said, realizing he was done with dating ideas.

"Muraki, don't you dare hang up!"

I paused, slightly surprised, "What is it?"

He exhaled again, calming himself, "Why didn't you call me?" he sincerely sounded hurt.

I groaned inwardly. Was he going to try and make me feel guilty? Did he want me to apologize? Fine, then, "I'm sorry, Oriya. I only wanted to keep my promise to you. As I said before. I had promised not to bother you. Actually, I had figured that you didn't want to hear from me anymore."

There was strained silence as Mibu searched for the correct response, "That's not fair," he said finally, "You can't just guess how I feel about something like that. Did I really seem that casual when you left!?"

"Was I wrong?" I teased, amused.

He was silent for half a second, "YES, YOU WERE WRONG!" he barked loudly, "I thought you were dead! You said you would die!!"

I smiled sadly, "It's seems you care about me more than I knew previously."

He didn't say anything this time. He didn't even make a noise in disapproval, "Good luck on your perfect date." He hung up.

((Sorry about the interruption, but I wanted to make it absolutely clear that Mibu Oriya is not crushing on a one Dr. Kazutaka Muraki. At least not in this fic.))

So then… what now?

It was just then that I sparked a rather ingenious plan. It took me a full two and half minutes for me to reach my office. You see, my house is rather… humongous. It was here in the office that I kept my computer. It was in my computer that I kept all of my Shinigami information.

Now, before I go on I would like to say that, no, I did not have Tsuzuki's favorite date spot in my computer (…yet) and, no, I didn't have any of his or the other Shinigami's favorite things either (…yet). What I did have, however, was the cell and home phone numbers of every Shinigami I'd ever met. A whopping four Shinigami.

No, don't worry. I wasn't look up Tsuzuki's number. I, of course, had that committed to heart- er, memory.

I found what I had been searching for and dialed the number. The phone rang once. Twice. A third time and, "Hello? Hisoka is this you again?"

I grinned, "Good morning, Mr. Tatsumi." There was some sort of crash on the other end of the line. I'm still not sure what that might've been, but it was a very loud crash.

"Excuse me? Muraki?" There was unmistakable rage in his voice.

"I wonder if I could ask you a question?" I continued casually. I was pleased, of course, of his reaction to my voice. It would never get old. I heard someone talking in the background, and I listened very carefully. I heard a Kansai accent and realized with relief that Mr. Watari was with Mr. Tatsumi, not Tsuzuki. If Tsuzuki was in Tatsumi's apartment, then there would probably be two people accompanying me on my date tonight.

"Me first," said Tatsumi, "How do you have my number?"

Ah, that. "I saw it on Tsuzuki's phone once."

"Fine. What is it, then?" he said tersely.

I sat back in my chair, "Actually, I was wondering if I could speak to Mr. Watari."

Tatsumi growled something, then, "How did you know he was here?"

I sighed, "I didn't. I could hear him in the background. I think my question would be better asked to him."

Tatsumi snarled something, then, "Fine."

I heard the phone being passed around, "Hello? Muraki?"

"Good morning, Mr. Watari," I said pleasantly.

I felt him smile, "Good morning!" he said, equally as pleasant.

I couldn't help but smile as well. I like Mr. Watari, "I was wondering if I could ask you a question?"

Tatsumi hissed something in the background, "Certainly!" Watari said above his rantings, "What is it, Mr. Muraki?"

Mr. Muraki? How polite. I was still smiling with my next words, "I just wanted to know if you knew a good place for me to take Tsu- Mr. Tsuzuki tonight."

Something snapped in the background on Watari's end, "Tatsumi, stop!" Watari screeched before returning to the conversation, "Actually, Mr. Muraki, I'm not entirely sure. But he really likes good food. Wherever it is you do end up taking him though, it has to be cheap. He doesn't like anyone but Tatsumi to spend money on him. He would feel uncomfortable anywhere too formal since he hasn't got any really nice suits. Don't take him shopping to get one, either, he'll be offended. See, you might have given him a lot of money, Mr. Muraki, but Tsuzuki doesn't like to spend money on clothes. Uh, does that help you at all?"

I leaned back, even more relaxed. Watari was easier to talk to than Oriya, "It did help. I had been planning to take him somewhere very formal. Is he picky about food?"

Watari asked Tatsumi to 'please shut up' and sighed exasperatedly, "Just its price."

"One more thing. Are you angry?" I really wanted to know. It was more than obvious that Tatsumi hated this arrangement. It was common known fact. I wanted to know what Watari thought.

"I'm not exactly mad," Watari said, understanding my question. I actually caught a brief rush of adrenaline with these words. As though they had please me that much, "If Tsuzuki agreed to go with you, then it should be fine. I just wish thee was someone else for him. No offense, Mr. Muraki, but I'm having trouble trusting you."

I nodded, "No offense taken," I said, encouraging him to continue.

He did, "I suppose it doesn't matter if I trust you, anyway. As long as you are good to Tsuzuki and he is happy… with you… then, well, I'm going to let it be."

I smiled a little. It must be hard for him, "I will be very good to him. I love him very much."

A snort, "Doubtful," Mr. Tatsumi had acquired another telephone, apparently. That was very rude and I was very annoyed but I let Watari speak.

"Tatsumi! Get off the phone! That was very rude! Off the phone! Off or I'll kick you out!" Watari squawked. He hadn't moved the phone away from his mouth, so he had successfully given me temporary deafness in my right ear. "IT'S MY HOUSE!" Tatsumi countered. Watari returned his attention to me, "I'll try to get him to see things the way I do, Mr. Muraki."

"Muraki, please," I said, "Now I would like to get things arranged. I may call you later, Mr. Watari-," he interrupted, "Watari, please," I nodded, "I may call you later, Watari to ask if you think my plans are appropriate."

"Do you have my number?" he said.

No, I didn't. Was he going to be cooperative enough to update my database for me? "I don't," I said. And he gave me his number. He didn't have a cell phone, which was regrettable. I would much like to call him much more often then I used to, and I knew how little time Shinigami spent in their homes. Maybe there is something I can do about that.

The phone was heard undergoing turbulence and Tatsumi's voice erupted through the receiver, "Muraki Kazutaka, if I receive a bad report from Tsuzuki then SO HELP ME, I'll-!!" Watari snatched the phone back, so I only half heard the profanities that came next, "I'm sorry, Muraki. Good luck on your date!" and he hung up so he could deal with Mr. Tatsumi. The first thing I did was check my watch. It was one 'o' clock. I had five and half hours.

I rarely ate out anymore. If, for some reason, I was found out and about, I wouldn't be eating at some G rated family restaurant. Not that any of the restaurants I ate at weren't G rated… whatever. So I wasn't really privy with all of those homely type places that Watari had suggested.

I knew Oriya could tell me about them, but I knew it was most certainly better initiative to leave him to himself for the time being. I could call Hira. I probably shouldn't, but, I really didn't feel like going on some stupid expedition to find somewhere to go.

So I dialed the number and sat back, ready for whatever he had heard from the Shinigami last night. I didn't even have to wait for one full ring. Obviously he was expecting a call, "Watari?"

"No, this is Kazutaka." Yes, we were that familiar with each other.

"Oh! Kazu!" Yes, he called me Kazu. Yes, that's extremely uncharacteristic. Yes, we were too old for that. Yes, it's feminine. I didn't particularly care. That was the scary part, "Is everything all right?"

"I am marvelous. How are you doing, Hin?" It sounded like we were lovers. Let me tell you that my voice did not hint such a thing. Calling him 'Hin' was his idea, not mine. So was 'Kazu'. Can't say I knew what he was getting from it, but I know there's a lot of mortification and degradation involved right now. I needed to come up with some sort justification to end this immense travesty. Why hadn't I noticed how wrong this was before?

"Not marvelous," he said.

"I suspected as much. Has Mist- Watari not called you yet?" I said, trying to sound more familiar with the Shinigami. He had asked me to call him Watari, and I would be more than happy to follow through. It got me a point or two with Tsuzuki.

"Precisely," Hira sighed forlornly.

"Well," I said, "I trust it isn't too dreadfully excessive for me to ask you something in your time of weakness?" I smiled, though I wasn't sure at what. Guess I just felt malicious or something.

"Shoot!" Hira said, straightening up.

"I need to know of a warm, popular, quality, homely restaurant I can take Mr. Tsuzuki to tonight."

"Oh, KAZU! Purple-eyes has agreed go out with you!?" His excitement was so piercing, so shrill, that I didn't really understand what he said.

I sighed for a second and shook my head lightly to return normal hearing to my ears, "He did. I'm afraid I haven't been left the wiser as to where to take him…"

"Well, Kazu, you've got to take him to Sora no Murasaki! ((It means… Sky of Purple. I took the first color that came to mind and the first noun I knew in Japanese that came to mind. I don't do titles and stuff, you guys. I like how purple combines the name Muraki and Saki. LOL)) It's traditionally where you go for your first date with a certain person!" he trilled.

"Thanks so much, Hin. I knew you could get me through this one," I think I was giving him a little too much credit, but I knew he felt pretty accomplished. I often wondered why he was only immature around me. It was like a teenage girl flirting with me. I haven't a clue why it didn't bother the Hell out of me. I suppose I just liked having someone to be familiar and casual with. Either way, it was utterly pathetic. I don't like being pathetic.

Moving on…

"Well, I wonder if I could leave you now? I need to get this whole thing better arranged…" I paused, actually feeling a little bad leaving Hira to himself, "I have the number to where Watari's at right now, if you'd like to call him."

"Yes!"

And so I gave him the number, and wished very much that I could listen in on his conversation with Watari. Well, I had much more important and productive things to do. So I left my home and loaded myself into my nice, silver, FANCY CAR HERE. ((That's right. I don't know my cars… I don't think "Ford" or "Chevy" works… so… be creative since I can't.)) I was going to find this Purple Sky place.

So I drove around for a little while before I was finally forced to undergo the degradation of asking for directions. I wasn't too far off from the place but it didn't help my pride. I still hadn't been able to find it on my own. I should have asked Hira. There I was in my uber fancy silver car in my uber fancy white suit asking directions to the humble Sora no Murasaki. Sky of Purple. Ridiculous. This date better go well.

I pulled out my phone as I sat in the parking lot and dialed Tatsumi's number. I needed to get approval now. Busy. I called again. Busy. Busy. Agh, I just gave Hira his number. Damn… I sat in the car for a minute, merely bored out of my mind. It was a strange thing to happen, boredom. Now that I knew the whereabouts and the condition of Mr. Tsuzuki I didn't have to think of him so much. That left me to think about nothing. He was all I had.

"Agh," I complained and dialed again.

"Who is this!?" Watari said finally, "The line is busy! What's so important that you have to call ten million times?!" This was my fourth call…

"I apologize Mr. Watari. I've been anxious."

Watari sighed, "Oh, Muraki. Please just call me Watari," oh yeah, "So, Sora no Murasaki? Wonderful idea! You know, Hira and I had our first actual date there!"

I smiled, instantly plunged in a better mood through conversation with him, "Really? Well, I do apologize for interrupting the two of you. I do hope you safely find Mikosei."

"… Muraki?"

I was just a little startled by his turn in attitude.

"Yes?"

"Please…" he said, obviously less chipper, "Please don't hurt him. Last time… it was just too close…" Actually, I was rather offended by what little faith he had in me. I sighed. He did have a reason to worry… no- wait, I mean no. He didn't. He didn't know how I'd changed. Because I had. I really had. And so had Tsuzuki. For better or for worse, I wasn't yet sure.

"Please, Watari. My goal… I couldn't… now I want nothing more than for him to be with me and be happy and safe. If only I hadn't become such a sinner. He feels guilt much too easily," I could hardly blame myself. Even if I was supposed to be responsible for my actions… I couldn't blame myself. I didn't feel responsible. I still blamed it on Saki. If he hadn't been so horrible I could have led a normal life. I could have been with Tsuzuki without the struggle. I was too focused on revenge, and now I'd hurt the one I loved.

"What do you mean by that?" Tatsumi must not have been in the same room as Watari anymore, for he wasn't interrupting at all.

"He wants to accept me," I said, more to myself, "but he can't, because he feels guilty accepting something as awful as me," I said 'something'. I meant to say 'something', "He feels like he's betraying all of his friends when he accepts something that has hurt and tortured them."

"You haven't tortured me," Watari noted casually.

"I took him from you and gave you the fright of putting him near death. I scarred him, which, in turn, scarred you. Hurting him is hurting you, Watari," I had said it rather coldly. Such were my ways. I was too used to psychological torture. A habit I needed to kick.

Watari was silent. He knew this was true. I don't know why it bothered him so much, "Watari?" He didn't say anything, "Can I talk to Mr. Tatsumi?"

"Of course!" then I heard a chair scrape across the floor as Watari thundered across the apartment, "Tatsumi! Tatsumi!! Phone for you!" Tatsumi answered almost immediately after that last part.

"Tsuzuki!?" he sounded a little excited. I heard Watari hang up the other phone and realized that Tatsumi probably wanted to be invited on the date tonight. I toyed with the idea of inviting him myself.

"Not quite," I said, pleased in disappointing him.

"Why did you call? I think we've talked enough today." He said coldly.

"Why haven't you reported me to the bureau?"

This kept him with me. He was going to answer, though I'm not at all sure why. This had been troubling me, for there was a certain answer I had really been wanting to hear. I wanted to find out if it was as I'd been wanting.

"Because… without you're insane drive for revenge against Shidou… you really can be…" he swallowed. Take your time, I thought, I really want to hear this… "You really can be good for him. Twisted, insane bastard aside, you really can comfort him… and… I think you understand him better than we do."

I had heard more than I wanted. I smiled a little, wondering, though, how he knew that. What evidence did he have of the relationship Tsuzuki and I had? "Does he know you think that?"

"Tsuzuki? Just that last part..." I could hear the blush in his voice. He was embarrassed. For good reason, too. Did he not just admit his defeat to me? Wasn't that what he just did?

"And?"

"He didn't say anything. Which must mean that he agreed. I can't comprehend how he feels with things… I don't know what happened to him in his lifetime. Watari doesn't know either. Not even Hisoka," I twitched at the name, "Somehow you know about that.

Did I understand Tsuzuki better? I never really thought of how much I understood him. Maybe because I did? If you understood something you didn't have to think about it, right?

"Alright. Could you put Watari on again?" And we were back to enemy mode.

"Fine. I suppose," he snapped.

"Sounded interesting," Watari said once he'd returned. It had been. Somewhat.

"I'll leave you to Hira now," I said, "Good bye."

"See ya, Muraki. Please," he reminded, then hung up.

So I turned off my phone and headed home to sit around a little while before getting ready. I knew today would be torturous. I had to sit and wait for my date all day. There was nothing to prepare but myself, which just gave me more time to kill.

Actually, I wanted to go visit the Kokakuro, but that was off in Kyoto. ((He's in Tokyo!)) Oriya probably didn't want to see me right this second, anyway. Maybe tomorrow.

I arrived home and ate a piece of bread, then sat around listening to music for a while, hoping I would be able to sleep a little. I hadn't rested all too well last night. Be it excitement or nerves, I had too much on my mind.

I stood up and made to the master bedroom, which I actually did not sleep in. Most nights I slept on the couch. Beds were too lonely. Too much empty space… specifically there for another person. The master bedroom was where I kept all of my clothes, however. Believe it or not, I owned casual clothing. Something besides suits or work clothes.

It had been a good while since I'd worn anything casual. Even around the house or over the weekends I would wear a dress shirt and slacks. I was accustomed to it. The most relaxed thing I wore were pajamas.

I threw open the closet and was instantly greeted by several white suite jackets and white slacks. Of course I had countless white dress shirts and several ties. I had to search a minute before realizing I had ordered my one and only maid (who only came on Saturday when I was working) to move all of my casual clothing to a guest room. Dress clothing was casual for me. Casual clothes were for special occasions. Of course.

A little frustrated, I moved downstairs to the room under the master bedroom. I moved to the closet and opened it up to find the clothes all there. No doubt wearing too much colour would make me feel insecure, but not wearing anything would make Tsuzuki insecure. Maybe. Actually, he would probably just wear one of his default black suits. I didn't want him to. It was selfish, but I really wanted to see him in something else. I might even consider calling Watari and making a special request. I'm more than sure he would follow through.

I reached in a pulled out a black turtleneck. Interesting… I didn't even remember owning such a think. Maybe something without a neck. I looked a little longer and found a red sweater with a wide collar. This reminded me of Watari. Too revealing for me. I wasn't going to tease people like that. I wasn't a slut. And, uh, neither was Watari, of course.

Next thing I pulled out seemed to work perfect. A green sweater with a normal collar. The only thing was the ends of the sleeves were rolled back into cuffs and it looked a little feminine. I kept the sweater out anyway. Just in case. I mean, I was feminine.

Alright. I had already decided on jeans, but… light or dark? Tight or baggy? And what kind of belt? Brown leather? Black leather? Did I even have any belts that weren't black?! And what about shoes?! This was getting much more convoluted then it should be…

So after many tears were shed and much grumbling done, I had my whole outfit figured out. I had decided on the green sweater, and I would wear a worn, brown leather jacket over this. A pair of dark, baggy jeans and some white tennis shoes (which I wore very uncomfortably). Honestly, I was extremely uncomfortable. I couldn't even name which thing bothered me most. I didn't like wearing such dark clothes… it went against my paper white skin and silver hair. It probably looked fine… I was just being fastidious and uneasy.

So now that that was done I needed to brush my teeth and comb my hair. Then I'd be all set and I could sit moribund in a chair for a few hours and wait. Oh, yes! I could call Watari!

Busy.

I audibly expressed my frustration and called again. Busy. Busy. Busy. It couldn't still be Hira, could it? That was just… ridiculous. I called again and there was a pick up on the first call, "Muraki?" he definitely sounded aggravated. I was really flouting whatever familiarity we'd developed this morning.

"Yes, Watari," I said guiltily, feeling discourteous, "So sorry. I wanted to ask you to do me a favor."

"What is it?" Oh yes, he simply sounded elated.

"Yes, well, I wanted you to call Tsuzuki and tell him that you'd figured out where I was taking him. I wanted him to wear something besides a suit for tonight. I won't be wearing one myself," I added.

"Oh, I get it," he did seem a little amused now, "You want me to call him all excited, 'Oh, Tsuzuki! Muraki's taking you to Sora no Murasaki! You've go to wear something besides a suit! How about I come over and help you pick something out!?' Something like that?" He was sounding dry again.

"Yes," I said simply, "Please?"

"Sure," he said. There was a smile in his voice, "I had planned on going over there anyway. He always helps me."

This surprised me, "So he can pick out these wonderful, colorful outfits for you but only comes up with a suit for himself?" this really amused me.

"Yeah. He's not big for color. Says it makes him uncomfortable," he laughed lightly.

"Well, I'm going to leave you alone now, Watari. Promise. Good bye," I hung up. I didn't want to hear anymore of his requests to 'be good'. It made me nervous that I was going to screw up and lose Tsuzuki forever.

So I ended up sitting in my cushiony chair for a few hours. This was my evening. Then I decided it was time to move to the hospital to wait for Tsuzuki. I got into my nice, silver FANCY CAR HERE and drove off, glad to see it wasn't going to rain on us.

I arrived quickly enough with half an hour to spare. I sat in the car, chilled to the absolute bone, listening to soothing orchestra music (yes, I'm a rich boy and I listen to rich music. I hate the lyrics of songs… Most of the time, anyway.), but eventually I was too restless to just sit anymore, so I got out and sat on the same stone bench from last night to wait and suffer in the frigid winter air.

I was a little more than surprised when Tsuzuki's arrived. A long, low, waaahm noise brought my attention and the air next to me was sucked into some invisible space before, pop, Tsuzuki had appeared. Why would he teleport to somewhere as public as the main hospital of Tokyo? Stranger still, he had managed to 'land' right beside me.

I immediately shook off the uncharacteristic surprise and moved towards him, "Good evening, Mr. Tsuzuki," I welcomed smoothly.

"Good evening," he replied stiffly.

There was no Hisoka. No Tatsumi, either. He had come alone. Pleasing me further was how he had dressed. It was a bit Watari-like, but it was not a suit, and the shirt was tight fitting so I couldn't care less. A nice, warm, maroon turtleneck sweater and casual khakis. Not extravagant, but he really wore it well. Less is more.

Commenting directly on his appearance would irritate him and ultimately encourage him not to dress that way again. So I settled with, "I feel very flattered," he glanced over at me, bemused, "No company…" he realized what I was talking about and turned away again to glare at the parking lot, "No suit and trench coat… You look superb, Tsuzuki." He didn't force the 'Mr' on me. Maybe he hadn't noticed.

He snickered a little before looking at me a little heatedly, "So… are we going to go now?"

I smiled and started for the parking lot he had been staring at so apathetically, "Of course." Now I was excited.

He followed me silently. I even checked once to see if he was still following me. He seemed nervous. Well, what should I have expected. I stopped for him to catch up and walk beside me, but when I stopped so did he. I went back with him and started walking again. His stalled before following again, making sure to stay behind me instead of beside me.

"Hmm…" I expressed, "Are you nervous, Tsuzuki?" he missed it again.

"No," he said, finally looking at me for the first time, "I'm uncomfortable."

Wasn't that because he was nervous? Regardless, I hadn't made a single advance on him yet, and he was already uncomfortable? Not a good sign, "Tsuzuki," he missed it a third time, "I haven't even-," he cut me off, "No, my clothes," he said, smiling a little.

Ah. Well, of course. So was I, "I don't like it so much either but we would have looked a bit conspicuous in suits where we're going." I said this as though to men in tight sweaters dining together at a place called Purple Sky wasn't conspicuous. At least in our suits it could have looked like it was just business.

"Sure. I'm just not used to it," he grumbled.

"Yes," I wanted to lighten the mood, "Have you ever been here before?" I said, stepping to the passenger's side of my FANCY CAR HERE and opening his door before loading myself in the driver's side.

"No," he said, "I don't live in Tokyo."

Right, right. Annoyed with myself, I didn't reply to him. I turned the keys in the ignition and shot the music as soon as it came to life. He'd probably get annoyed with something like that. Probably think it was just an act. Just like he thought everything about me was just an act.

.Tsuzuki Asato.

((Surprise!!))

My stomach was going to empty itself in Muraki's car. I didn't want it to, actually, but it was going to. This was my first real date. Ever. Living or dead. It was with another man. It was with a mass murderer and rapist. It was with someone who recently wanted to decapitate me. It was with the antagonist of everyone who I worked with at the bureau. Everything about this was wrong and selfish. Yet… here I was, all for it. It was making me happy.

Sort of. I mean, I don't want to mislead you. I wasn't happy that I was on a date with Muraki Kazutaka. I was happy I was on a date. I hadn't ever been interested in anyone else. The only people who'd ever asked me out were mortals… I had dodged that to avoid what Watari was doing now.

I wish I knew why the first person I'd accepted after almost a hundred years of chances was him. I gave Muraki a quick glare at this point in my thoughts but he didn't seem to notice so I returned to subjecting the outside scenery to my disappointment.

For some reason or other, Muraki hadn't touched me yet. He hadn't even tried to say anything too alluring, either. Maybe he was just saving it up for later. Whatever the case, something was going to happen eventually tonight.

"Can I ask you something?" his gaze was locked on the road but his voice went straight into me. I shivered and wondered for a second what he would want to ask. It couldn't be anything actually harmful.

"What?" best to sound disinterested. If I showed him how good of a mood I was actually in I he could get cocky and try something. I wanted to hold him off as long as I could and make this semi-normal at least.

"Why didn't you bring someone? Why'd you dress like that?" he watched me as long as the stoplight allowed.

Ah, bad question. I tried to come up with an excuse, but there really was none. He just wanted to hear the answer from me, "That's two questions," I stalled uneasily, "Well…," I tried to answer and couldn't, "Can't you guess?" I said, trying to worm my way out of answering.

"Probably," he agreed, "But I want to hear it from you." Agh. Jeez.

"Look!" I said, turning to face him as he started driving again, "I'm interested, okay?!"

His face lit up considerably. He smiled. Genuinely. Not a smirk or a triumphant grin. A smile. Now he was smirking. His eyelids drooped teasingly and he flashed his teeth, "In me? In us?" of course he had to rape the Hell out of the situation until it wasn't nearly as touching. He needed exact evidence should he want to use it on me later.

"Yes. In you. In us. That's all I'm saying," I was glaring out of my window again so I couldn't see his reactive expression this time. It was quiet after that. His car ran quietly and smoothly.

"Do that again." I said quietly.

"Hm?" he was just as quiet, "Do what?"

"Smile," I said. I wanted to see it again. Him smiling, actually smiling… it made him look like he was actually a good person. You know, since he really kinda… isn't.

He chuckled, "I promise I will smile for you when we get there, but for now, love, I need to drive."

"Love?"

"You're my love."

"That doesn't mean you're mine." I wanted to make that clear.

"… I never said it did."

I think we both noticed that I didn't tell him to stop calling me that.

-END CHAPTER SIX-

I had meant for the date to be in this chapter but it isn't so… yeah. This was just… pointless. The most pointless chapter ever. I should have skipped time or something. Please bear with me. This chapter was boring to write so it took me a while. Next chapter they'll be there. It will be Tsuzuki/Muraki POV. Please don't kill me, but go ahead and flame.

QUESTION TO THE READERS
None. I just want to see if anyone's still with me.

Please give your input through a review!

EXCHANGE

Muraki: That was stupid.

Amagumo: Yeah, thanks for your input there, Muraki.

Tsuzuki: I think we're going a little too fast. Slow us down.

Amou: What do you mean?

Tsuzuki: Muraki and I's relationship is moving too fast.

Amou + Muraki: Nonsense!!
Watari: You'll be fine.

Tatsumi: Now get to work on Chapter 7! Go, Amou, go!

Amou: Slave driver! I'm gonna go work on NaPap's OriTari!!

Watari: Ooh!! Yay!!

Tatsumi: No!! You pus-slurping-dung-eating-spawn-of-evil!!

Amou: You super-sexy-totally-cool-glasses-wearing-money-freak!! (cackles retardedly and runs off to get teafuel.)

Tatsumi: … What just happened?
All: (shrug)