Come one, come all, pull up a seat to enjoy a long overdue treat. Do not bombard with flames galore, take it as it is at door. For you who've come and you who've been, enjoy Once Bitten, Chapter Thirteen.

Muse: That was the worst poem I've ever seen.

Me: Yeah. I wasn't going for awards, just grovelling at the feet of my reviewers.


Chapter Thirteen

"There were two victims; a male and a female living together in an apartment downtown. No prior criminal history, one daughter." Tatsumi sighed as he continued his synopsis. "The daughter's whereabouts are currently unknown."

Hisoka tensed across the break room. Tsuzuki glanced at him, knowing full well what was going through his head. How ironic was it that a child would be taken on the very same day the teen admitted to a hatred for child killers?

Tatsumi sat down as the Chief took control of the proceedings. "At any rate, we are operating on a shoot-to-kill basis. We need to take out this threat as soon as possible."

Tsuzuki and Hisoka nodded in perfect unison, both rising to their feet in the same synchronized pace and making their way to the door, only breaking it as Tsuzuki fell in step behind his partner. They nearly made it, before Konoe barked a fierce command. "Hold it!"

Shuddering and imagining inane errands to indulge Konoe's infamous sweet tooth, both halted in their tracks and turned, slipping back into a symmetric harmony with the other. Watching them, the other shinigami had to wonder if they were even aware of this or just acting naturally. Probably the latter.

"I want Watari to accompany you," The Chief said, swiveling in his chair. "He'll work with the ministry through the network and keep us updated. I've arranged a hotel for you, since it's getting too dangerous to involve humans any longer. That is all."

Both of the Kyushu shinigami let out a groan at the thought of Watari intruding on the peaceful life they had grown accustomed to over the past few days. The blonde scientist jumped up, winking suggestively at the pair. Hisoka almost wondered if he was the empath, but the constant barrage of emotions battering his mind suggested otherwise. He opted to walk out, Tsuzuki at his side and Watari bringing up the rear.

"Don't worry, guys. You won't even know I'm there!"

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of," Hisoka muttered under his breath, blushing slightly at the look Tsuzuki gave him, indicating that he had caught the wayward comment. Watari laughed as well, and Hisoka made up his mind to stop saying his thoughts aloud. It only led to trouble.


As soon as his legs hit the ground in Chijou, Hisoka started walking. He felt his partner materialize not three seconds after him, Watari keeping the same pace. They shadowed him, and for once he felt remotely safe in this town. But knowing that the wolves were potentially waiting around the corner made him uneasy, hence the trip he had to take now.

Tsuzuki had followed without question for a few blocks, but upon seeing their surroundings change from dismal to middle-class, he had reason for inquiry. He quickened his pace to match his partner's and took his place beside him.

Hisoka was making yet another pointed attempt at ignoring him, focusing on weaving through the crowd, though he moved with such adept skill that Tsuzuki was certain he could do it in his sleep.

"Where we going, 'Soka?"

"Don't call me that," Hisoka's voice was a little softer than his usual snap, but it still carried a small strain of annoyance. "We're going to be fighting big ass wolves. I'm going to need some weapons."

"Huh?" Tsuzuki's face showed surprise. "Usually I'm the one shorting the budget, not you."

"Well, I would buy them myself, but since someone," He glared accusingly at Tsuzuki. "Had to drain my cash reserves with his sweet tooth last week, I have to use the ministry's funds. I'll pay them back later."

They halted before a relatively non-descript store exactly halfway between the good and bad sides of town. Hisoka pushed open the door, glancing at both older shinigami. "Wait here."

It was a command, not a request, and the look in Hisoka's eyes was daring them to challenge him. Since he could move things with his mind as well as interpret thoughts through emotions, both Tsuzuki and Watari decided to obey. Hisoka slammed the door behind him, leaving the other two out in the street.

Watari had been watching Tsuzuki and Hisoka, not missing the exchange of words between them moments before. As Tsuzuki slumped against the shop wall with a sigh, the blonde scientist decided it was time for a little relationship counseling.

Watari elbowed the brunette lightly in the ribs. "What's wrong now, big fella? Who's got your tongue; the cat or Bon?"

Tsuzuki sputtered lightly before slumping back against the wall. He replied in a sullen tone. "The cat, though I wouldn't mind it being otherwise."

"And? Give me details." Watari prodded.

"He is beginning to share his thoughts with me, but I don't know how to handle him or if I'm rushing things. It's like I'm walking on glass."

"Sounds like you're being too angsty to me," Watari deadpanned. "Seriously, Tsuzuki, lighten up. If anything, you're the best person for Bon. You're handling him just fine, so stop worrying about whether or not things go wrong and focus on the good things."

"I suppose..." Tsuzuki trailed off, looking up at the sky in a way that completely belied his answer.

Watari was about to issue forth a rather biting and/or suggestive comment when the door swung open again. Hisoka stepped out, carrying too medium sized packages wrapped in brown paper. He was once again refusing to look at anyone or anything, and didn't argue as Tsuzuki began to head uptown, towards the hotel they would be staying at for the remainder of the case.

He didn't say anything as Watari slowed his pace until they were practically walking shoulder-to-shoulder. The blonde lowered his voice by a marginal degree, hoping that Tsuzuki would be too wrapped up in his own thoughts to notice. "I take it you heard that entire exchange?"

Hisoka nodded. "I called in the order earlier; otherwise I wouldn't have been out so fast. Also, I could tell what you were thinking. I'll work on this my own way, not yours, you sick pervert."

At least Watari had the dignity to look sheepish. "And just how long is that going to take, Bon? Get him any more discouraged and you'll have to mail him the resolution."

"That bad, huh?" Hisoka asked, surprising the scientist.

"I thought you were listening."

"I had to pay sometime," Hisoka muttered in a surly tone as he shouldered his packages. Watari eyeballed them with mistrust, wondering just what would require an immediate stop from an empath that could turn a pillow into a deadly weapon.

"Well, your boyfriend is depressed, and getting even more so by the minute. I'd say if you're going to step up, now would be the time to let him know it."

The empath immediately turned a burning glare in his direction. If looks could kill, Watari was certain this one would go through him like a hot knife through melted butter. It was just that bad.

"Exactly what are you implying, Watari?" The blonde's voice held an undercurrent of ice, much like his day-to-day mannerisms, if one knew how to look for it. Tsuzuki was truly the only one to escape from that particular element of Hisoka's cadence.

"I'm not implying anything," Watari answered smoothly. "But I am advising plenty. Think I should make a column in the paper?"

Hisoka glared lightly before shoving rather rudely past Watari to his partner's side. Watari watched as they exchanged a few words, before Tsuzuki sighed and placed an arm around the teen's shoulder. The empath stiffened slightly, but otherwise made no move to complain.

'Perfect start,' The scientist thought, slyly rubbing his hands together. He pulled a flask of liquid out of his coat. 'Now just a little suggestion and I'll have won my bet with Saya and Yuma.'

He snuck closer to the two love-birds, whispering in Hisoka's ear just as they turned into a back alley shortcut to their hotel.

The people walking past the alley jumped as a loud scream permeated the air, followed by a distant splash.

Tsuzuki shook his head as Hisoka kicked the cover back over the man-hole, ignoring Watari's cries for mercy below. "Enlighten me as to why you did that?"

Hisoka shrugged. "Just throwing the rest of him down the gutter to join his mind."


"My hair will never be truly clean again," Watari whined as he stepped out of their bathroom, dressed in a fluffy white cotton robe and with a towel wrapped around his head. He had somehow stowed 003 in his pocket, and the fluffy owl was now snuggling in his damp hair on one shoulder.

"And this hotel will never truly have hot water again," Hisoka was diligently at work on Watari's computer. He gestured pointedly to the wall clock. "You were in there for two hours."

Tsuzuki lounged in a chair, taking up where Watari's whining had taken off. "Can we order room service, 'Soka?"

"No."

"But they have pie."

Hisoka sighed. "How about we eat somewhere that has pie tomorrow?"

"'Kay."

Watari's gaze drifted to the brown packages sitting on what he presumed was Hisoka's makeshift pallet. "Sleeping on the floor, Bon?"

"Of course," Hisoka replied somewhat testily, knowing full well where the blonde's mind was going. "I'd never give you something to tease me about."

"Oh, you've given me enough, I assure you," The scientist commented off-handedly. He hurried to fix himself a cup of coffee from the carafe. He noted with satisfaction that, while more things started flying his way than usual, there were no edged objects among them. "How will we conduct this investigation?"

"I already have a ground plan," The empath shut the laptop with a click. His eyes took on the slightly glazed appearance that indicated that he was deep in thought. "I'll take the patrol tonight, and you two can do a few sweeps to adjust to your surroundings in the daylight hours."

He was beset by both sides almost immediately.

"Nuh-uh! I'm coming too."

"Do you have a death-wish or something, Bon?"

"Relax," He commanded, a pillow floating threateningly off the bed. "Do you think this was a spur-of-the-moment decision? I've taken steps."

The wrapping was pulled off the packages with much gusto, revealing a pair of razor sharps wakizashis: ideal for close combat. Watari noted with admiration that Hisoka had indeed covered most bases as he pulled out a headset and clipped it on to one ear.

"I just finished setting up the software on the computer," The empath declared, moving one side of his jacket to reveal a receiver strapped to his waist. He tapped the device. "This is a GPS tracker, so you'll know where I am at all moments. And if all else fails, I've got this puppy."

He opened the other side of his jacket to reveal a Beretta handgun snugly fitting in a shoulder holster. Tsuzuki's eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets.

"How many illegal things do you know how to do?"

"Enough," The teen admitted. "Just don't ask the how, and you won't be viewed as an accomplice."

"So," He finished, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I've got the short range covered with the swords. I have the medium range covered with telekinesis. And I've got short, medium, and long range covered with the Beretta. Any other objections?"

There was a resounding and rather-put-off silence. Watari hurried to bring the computer back up and get the teen's equipment up and running. Tsuzuki slumped dejectedly in the chair.

"Hey," Hisoka moved to stand next to the older shinigami, effectively commanding his attention. He sighed, making certain that Watari was engrossed in his work and with his back to them before leaning forward and taking Tsuzuki's hand in his own. "This is a one night thing. Tomorrow, it'll be both of us canvassing the streets. I promise."

Tsuzuki's hand squeezed his, knowing full well how hard it was for Hisoka to make promises of any kind.

'And besides,' Hisoka thought to himself as he shut the hotel room door behind him. 'That'll give us some time away from Watari.'


His headset buzzed with static in his ear as Hisoka glanced carefully around a corner. He checked his watch almost anxiously. Six minutes.

The agreement between them was that he would check in with Watari and Tsuzuki every fifteen minutes, almost like a game of Marco Polo, only deadlier. It was a good thing, too. He needed to keep himself focused on the task at hand, psyched for combat as he canvassed a section of downtown back alleys.

This wasn't stealth mode. This was predator mode.

Wind rattled softly through a chain link fence to his right as he emerged from the alley to what looked to be an abandoned playground. The moon shone eerily on a rusted jungle gym and a collapsed play bridge. Even no, the sound of laughter had not been quite erased from the area.

It was also creepy as hell, and Hisoka eased his gun out of the holster as he took a step forward on the sidewalk, cursing how slow the adrenaline made everything seem.

"WHAT UP, BON?!" Watari's voice shrieked in his ear. If he had been in his ghost form, the blonde empath would have undoubtedly been launched into space. As it was, he still cleared a good foot and a half of air and landed with his ankle twisted to one side. There was a loud crack and a wave of nausea and vertigo washed over him.

"I swear to God, Watari, when I get back to that hotel room I will beat you so thoroughly that blood will be seeping out of your pores!" Hisoka hissed as one hand clutched the chain link in a death grip. He stood on one leg, whispering a silent thanks to the gods as he felt his accelerated healing take over.

It was only sprained. True, an incredibly bad sprain, but the teen would take what he could get at this point. A sprain would put him out of commission for a few minutes, but a broken bone could take up to an hour to heal completely. As much as he hated being locked in one position like a sitting duck, it was definitely preferable.

"This is Hisoka," He breathed into the headset, hearing Watari's confirmation on the other end. "It looks like I'll be staying here for a few minutes, so stay in contact."

"Getting tired, Bon?"

"No, your little stunt nearly broke my ankle. Give me time to heal and I'll move out, ASAP."

"We'll come get you," Tsuzuki's vehement voice sounded in his ear. Apparently, Watari had put them on speaker.

"Don't do anything stupid," Hisoka commanded harshly. There was a muffled groan as someone (obviously Tsuzuki) tripped in the background. "You two don't know this area well enough to teleport here, and I can't teleport back while I'm buzzed on pain. By the time you get here on foot, I'll be perfectly fine."

There was momentary silence. "But doesn't pain mean you can't use your telepathy either?"

"Its telekinesis, Tsuzuki, and yes," Hisoka confirmed, knowing that the other shinigami's alarm would be rising at this point. "But I've still got the gun and my swords. My back is to a fence, and I can see the entire area around me."

It was only a little white lie. Already, as if to prey on his insecurities, a light mist was rising in the area. He could see well enough, but only to a certain degree.

He could hear Watari and Tsuzuki conferring back in the hotel room and almost wished he was there. But he wouldn't let jittery nerves conquer him. He could be back soon enough and for now he needed to focus on the present.

A blast of static in his ear.

"Ok," Tsuzuki's soothing voice whispered, and Hisoka drew strength from that. Even if not in person, Tsuzuki was there. He'd be fine. "Continue the sweep. But once your leg had mended, I want you to get as far out of that area as possible."

"Just stay on the line," Hisoka whispered, for once not caring how young and vulnerable he sounded.


Me: Beginning: choppy. Middle: sucked. Ending: pride and joy. I had about a million excuses but now.... I just deserve to be chewed out. Anyone who comes back... I love you. Expect the next one soon, and I won't throw in bad poetry.