Disclaimer-i do not own any of the characters from Yami no Matsuei

Chapter 5: Truth and Return (part 1)

Dream

A small child with unevenly cut platinum blond hair sat alone huddled in the corner of a school yard playground crying. She was covered with bruises as she had her injured arm cradled against her chest. Suddenly the playground burst into flames. She stared in horror as the flames licked at her wet face. Sweat dripped down face as she could feel her heart rapidly beating against her chest. She could see horrible distorted figures in the dancing flames. They turned to her pointing accusing fingers at her. "Monster! Demon! Freak! Mutant!" the voices screamed at her repeatedly. The child covered her ear with her hand and pressed her wet face against her knees as she continued to sob out her misery and fear. She could feel the flames licking at her skin and draining her of her strength. "You should die!" she heard another of the phantom voices yell at her. "Die Freak, Die! Die Freak, Die!" the voices chanted and laughed at her.

"Kai, help me," she said weakly as her arm fell limply to her side. "Please." The child sat there letting the hateful words seep into heart and she fell deeper and deeper into despair.

Just when she felt as though she could no longer hold on to consciousness, she found herself surrounded by a soothing white light. Looking up, she saw a blurry white figure descending to her. As her vision cleared and she could see the figure was a man dressed in white, her heart leaped into her throat as tears began to fall anew from her silver eyes. The flames fell away from the man as he knelt down in front of her. She smiled sadly at the man.

"Why are you crying?" asked Kazutaka.

"Because you were taken away from me and I am alone again," said the small girl twisting a piece of her badly cut hair around one finger. "I do not want to be here if you are not with me." Sweat and tears trickled down her face like rain.

"But you have to go back." He cradled her warm cheek in his hand. "Remember, you promised to live for me."

"I know but I want to be with you." She got to her knees and rested her forehead against his shoulder and sighed as she continued to feel weak.

"Listen, my little one, you cannot be with me and I do not want you to die," he said smiling at her as he combed his fingers through her short silver tresses. "You're suppose to get married, have children and tell them about me."

"I know but . . ."

"No buts, you promised to live and as a Kurenai warrior I am holding you to your word." He stood up and held a hand out to her. As she took his hand and pulled herself up, Alicia was no longer that small sickly child with the injured arm. Standing before him was the beautiful strong young woman that was his sister.

"I promised so I shall keep my word. I will live for you, my brother," she said smiling at him as the flames slowly began to go out.

"Don't be sad. No matter where I am a part of me will always be with you." Kazutaka leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good bye my little one."

"I thought I told you not to call me that."

"I know," he said smiling and slowly faded away.

End of Dream

xxxxx

Alicia slowly opened her eyes to find herself lying in bed. Sitting next to her was Oriya and Ukyou. "Finally, you're awake," said Oriya smiling down at her.

"What happened?" she asked hoarsely and sitting up stiffly with the help of Ukyou. She poured a glass of water and held it up to Alicia's lips.

"You came down with a terrible fever," said Ukyou. "We almost thought you weren't going to make it."

Alicia gulped down the water. "I almost didn't but . . . I remembered the promise I made to Kai." She sighed sadly and clutched the blanket in her hands. "How long was I ill?"

"For three days," stated Oriya.

"Then you've . . ." she could not force herself to say those awful words.

"No, no, we decided to wait until you were well." Oriya placed his hand on top of hers. "You do not have to worry about the funeral. I have taken care of everything."

"Thank you," she said as tears fell from her eyes.

"You know, this is the first time you have ever thanked me." He smiled.

"Yeah, well don't get use to it," she said with a faint smile on her face.

The next day they buried Kazutaka Muraki. It was a small service with only family and close friends. For Alicia, the day cold day seemed to chill her heart as she stared at the casket. 'I hope you are at peace, my love.'' As family members and friends stood around the grave, Alicia looked up to see Tsuzuki standing alone near a gravestone in the shape of a cross. He had his long black trench coat wrapped tightly around him as he held a bouquet of Red Queen roses.

She wanted so much to hate him. But she knew she couldn't because it was not his fault. How could he have known if he was never given orders to retrieve Saki's foul soul. Also, she had promised to give him a chance. "Father, wait," she said interrupting the priest's eulogy. She walked over to Tsuzuki and held out a hand.

"I do not want to intrude," Tsuzuki said sadly.

"Kai would want you here."

Tsuzuki hesitantly raised his hand and clasped them around hers. She led him to grave to set in a chair beside her and the priest continued the service.

xxxxx

It was almost two weeks after the death of Kazutaka Muraki and the clean up and reconstruction from Alicia's attack was still going on. Tatsumi was sitting in his office trying to get his work done but the constant hammering, drilling and yelling of the construction workers were slowly driving him insane. Suddenly a hammer came crashing through his window landing on his desk. Saying he was angry was an understatement as a large vein throbbed in his forehead. Grabbing the hammer he went to his broken window and opened it.

"You idiots! Watch what you're doing!" yelled Tatsumi throwing the hammer at the worker clunking the man across the head. He turned and put his paper work away and walked out of his office. 'Surely there is somewhere around here that is not ringing with noise.' He walked down the hall. 'I'm so desperate for some peace and quiet I just might venture into Watari's lab to get away from the noise.'

Just then he saw the golden hair guardian running toward him. "Tatsumi, you have to do something about these neanderthals," he ranted. "They are destroying my precious experiments."

"I'm sorry Watari but there is nothing I can do about it," said Tatsumi pushing his glasses back on his nose. "Almost three quarters of the building was destroyed."

"Yes and if those bumbling fools keep drop things everywhere the other half will be destroyed as well." His shoulders slumped as he sighed. "So," he said changing the subject. "How is Tsuzuki doing?"

"Well, he's a lot quieter than he used to be. He's still lazy but he's no longer the energetic knucklehead we have all come to know and care about. He doesn't go crazy over desserts anymore. Not even the thought of apple pie cheers him." Tatsumi leaned against the wall folding his arms across his chest. "He throws himself into his work and doesn't leave the office until well past midnight. It's almost as though part of his soul died the moment Muraki died. It's very painful to see him suffer like that."

"He truly loved Muraki then," said Watari softly. "Hey, did you ever find out what Miss Muraki meant about the ministry was to blame for the doctor turning out the way he did?"

"I'm afraid not. Whatever it is, Muraki's files have been sealed. The only files we are able to access are those pertaining to what we already know about him."

"Could . . . could what Miss Muraki said be true?" the blonde hair guardian was hesitant to ask.

Before he could answer, they heard some commotion coming from downstairs. Running to the end of the hall, both men gasped as they saw Alicia surrounded by several security guards and an angry Kazuma and Terazuma. She was dressed as she was the day she attacked the ministry all in black leather.

"You have a lot of nerves showing your face around here after what you did," growled the angry security deputy.

"And you have a lot of nerves to face me after I soundly thrashed your useless asses," Alicia said smirking at the group. "I thought wild animals usually stayed away from danger but it seems that you lot are dumber than an animal."

"Why you little brat," snarled Terazuma. "I had to stay in the infirmary for nearly three days because of your assault on me. I should . . ."

"Save your lame insults and empty threats for someone that wants to hear them." She said cutting him off in mid threat. "I have business . . ." She looked up and stared Tatsumi directly in the eyes. "With Mr. Tatsumi."

Tatsumi swallowed a dry lump that lodged itself in his throat as he stared into Alicia hauntingly beautiful silver eyes. Although his heart was beating a mile a second, he walked calmly down the stairs and faced her. "If you would like to talk somewhere . . ."

"That won't be necessary," she said cutting him off before he could finish. "What I have to do will only take a second." She reached into the pocket of her leather vest. Everyone flinched and prepared for an attack, but all she did was remove a folded piece of paper. Then she held it out to him.

"Don't do it boss. It's a trick," said Terazuma.

Tatsumi didn't even hesitate as he took the paper and opened it. His eyes bulged out of his head. "What . . . what is this?" he asked looking at her.

"What is it, Tatsumi?" asked Watari looking over his friend's shoulder. The blonde hair guardian nearly fainted as his eyes rolled up into his head and he fell backward.

Terazuma quickly caught the slender man. "Come on man, what was it?" asked Terazuma shaking the scientist.

"It's a check for five hundred million yen."

"What!" everyone exclaimed in shock as Terazuma dropped Watari onto the floor and went to see like everyone else.

They gathered around Tatsumi and eyed the check. "Look at all those zeroes," said one of the guards.

"I have never seen that many zeroes before in my life," said another.

"Is that check real?" another guard asked.

"Wait, where in the hell did a kid like you get this kind of money?" asked Terazuma narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

She snorted. "Do you actually think we Kurenai warriors would risk our lives fighting pretentiously dangerous and deadly demons out of the kindness of our hearts?"

"Why?" asked Tatsumi.

"Compensation. Payment for the damage I caused."

"But this is way too much." His blue eyes softened as he stared into her lovely silver ones. 'Such beautiful eyes. They shine like the stars.'

"Doesn't matter. My debt to this place has been paid in full." She placed a pair of shades over her eyes. "I shall give you a bit of advice free of charge. You stay away from me and I'll stay away from you. Good day." She turned and slowly walked out of the building.

xxxxx

It was now going into the third week after Muraki's death and Tsuzuki walked the halls lost in sadness and guilt. He just could not get the sexy doctor out of his mind. He knows he should move on but he just can't. It was as though part of his soul was missing. After the funeral, he went to the library in Meifu. He wanted to know what Alicia had meant about the 'red threads of fate.' He found what he was looking for in a book about Japanese Myths and Legends. Reading the passage, Tsuzuki clutched his hand over his heart and wept.

As he wanders sadly down the hall, he thinks back to what he read in the book. 'People are born with a red thread or string connecting them to the one they will love.' He opened the door to his office. To his relief, Hisoka was not there. Just as well the kid was not there when he arrived since his emotions were so high. He really wish he could surpress all the pain and hurt for his partner's sake. The pain from his emotions must have the boy in agony. Empathy sucks! He sighed heavily and sat down. On his desk was a brown envelop with only his name on it. Opening it, he takes out a letter. It was from Alicia.

'Dear Mr. Tsuzuki,

I know your library probably wouldn't have a flattering picture of my brother. So enclosed is a picture taken back when my brother was happy and smiling.

Alicia'

Tsuzuki put the letter down and pulled out an 8x11 color photo of Kazutaka. He looked to be younger in the photo but he was still stunning to the eye. The smile on his face was so warm and full of life. It was hard to believe he ever actually smiled like that. But then he had gotten to know Kazutaka for those few weeks and this smile fitted him better than that evil, lecherous smirk he use to wear when they first met.

"Oh Kazu, how I miss you," he said to the smiling photograph as tears fell from his lovely purple eyes. "My heart feel so empty without you here. I wish I was dead. At least, I would be with you again." He laid his head down on his desk and sobbed.

Unknown to him, Hisoka was standing outside the door listening to him. He hated to see Tsuzuki like this. It was as though this sullen, depressed person has consumed his wild, energetic, silly, lazy partner. He should go in and comfort him but he would not know what to do. He was not use to comforting people. What could someone like him say to bring back the partner he was fond of. But he had to do something before Tsuzuki's pain becomes too much for him to bare.

xxxxx

Tatsumi sat in his office staring at the security photo that was taken of Muraki's sister the day she came by and handed him that rather large check to pay for the damages. It was almost as though she knew the camera was watching her as her silver eyes seem to stare into his soul. 'So beautiful.'

A sudden knock at his door jolts him out of his thoughts as he quickly puts the picture away. Then he grabbed some papers and stacked them in front of him, picking up a pen he pretends to be working as he tells whoever to come in.

"Kurosaki," he said looking up at the young guardian. "What can I do for you?"

"It's about Tsuzuki," said the teenager leaning against the closed door. "He has become sullen and depressed since Muraki's death. I'm afraid he might call upon Touda again if the pain becomes too much for him to take."

"You really think it will become that serious?"

Hisoka nodded his head. "I followed him into the library one day. He took out a book and searched through it for some time before he found what he was looking for. After he read what was in it, he walked away as though the world had come to an end and his emotions plummeted so badly until I thought I would die from sadness and heartache. After he left, I went to see what he was reading."

"Well, what was it?" asked Tatsumi.

"It was a book about myths and legends. Remember when Alicia Muraki told Tsuzuki he probably couldn't even see the red threads of fate that binds him to Muraki."

Tatsumi nodded.

"Well, in the book it says that there are people who are born with a red string/thread connecting them to the one they will love."

"If that's true . . . oh my God. Tsuzuki must be in so much pain."

"He is and I don't know what to do about it," said Hisoka sighing sadly. "I want my partner back, Mr. Tatsumi."

Before they could come up with a plan that could help their friend in his time of need, there was another knock on his door. Hisoka stepped to the side and opened it. Watari stuck his head into the office. "Hey guys, Chief Konoe want's to see us in his office."

"Okay, I'll go get Tsuzuki."

"No" Watari stopped Hisoka from leaving. "No, he said he only wanted to talk to us."

"Okay," said Tatsumi standing up and the three men went to the chief's office.

xxxxx

Tsuzuki's head rested on the desk as he snored softly and whimpered as he called for his lover. Sensing someone entering the office, he slowly began to awaken. His eyes opened but all he could see was a white fuzzy object standing over him. As his vision cleared and the object became a man, Tsuzuki eyes widened in shock to see Kazutaka Muraki standing over him. Tears fell from his eyes as he closed them blocking out the sight of his dead lover. "You're not real. I am only dreaming. My Kai is dead and gone. I will never see him again." His eyes snapped opened when Muraki spoke.

"No my beloved," came that familiar silky voice that sent chills up his spine, "you are not dreaming. I am truly here." He smiled at his lover as he gently ran a finger along Tsuzuki's cheek and across his soft lips. "I have returned and I will never leave you again. I promise."

Tsuzuki's eyes widened as he realised that he was in fact not dreaming as he leaped from his chair and into the arms of the man that had become everything to him. "You're really here," he said crying for joy as his grip tightened around the silver hair man's neck. "I love you! I love you! I love you!" He said holding Muraki as though he would disappear if he released him.

He gently loosened Tsuzuki's strangle hold around his neck and stared into those lovely wet violet eyes of his lover. "And I love you." Muraki pressed his lips against those of his favorite guardian in a tender passionate kiss.