Author's Note: Hello all. I apologize for once again taking a long break. Life has gotten a bit crazy and I was having a hard time writing. But I do hope to continue this to it's completion shortly. Thank you for bearing with me and I apologize for such a short chapter. If you've any ideas on how to make this better or opinions, please feel free to let me know. Thank you.

Shito walked in silence as he was escorted down the hallway. It had been a long night of nightmare following nightmare. None of them made much sense to him and only added to his despair and confusion. He cradled his right hand against his chest. He cursed the weakness in it and the slow decay he'd been living with. He'd tried his best to ignore it, but three broken cups proved to him it just wasn't possible. He didn't know why Touhou had sent for him and he didn't' really care. He didn't appreciate the escort either. In the past he was only sent a message that he was requested. He was beginning to feel more and more the prisoner he'd always imagined he was.

"I guess it's because Akatsuki is here now." Shito thought to himself. The phrase stirred a mixture of emotions inside him. He felt the range of despair to elation. Chika was close by yet at the same time so far out of reach. Shito's heart ached both out of misery and fear. If he somehow managed to see Chika, he had no way of knowing what he would find. How he would be received. Chika had said to him over the phone to never go near him again. Shito doubted he meant it but that nagging in his mind kept his belief that it was true. I seemed that the more he questioned it, the more he believed it. The idea didn't make sense but nothing Shito did seemed to convince him otherwise.

Shito shook his head and let out a long, audible sigh. He admitted to himself once or twice that if was given the chance, he'd run and try to find Akatsuki Chika, despite the promptings in his mind to do otherwise. He even for a brief moment started to form a plan to do so. He'd deal with the consequences later. However, he had no idea what room or even which building the other zombie was now living in. That fact, all by itself made the task difficult. Then there was that damned, ever-present voice in his head, filling his thoughts with pessimistic outcomes over and over again. IT told him that Chika hated him. That he never wanted to see Shito again. He had images of Chika throwing him out or calling Shiba or even Touhou to take him away.

Shito faltered in his step as he recalled Shiba's presence. "Shiba." He thought to himself. "Why…Shiba?" It just didn't make any sense to him. He already found it strange that Shito himself had been attracted to Chika. Shiba on the other hand had what Shito believed to be an obsession. Though the way things were at the moment, it seemed that Chika accepted it. There was also the troubling fact that Shiba was even alive. Last anyone had seen him he'd been taken by the shinigami as he fell. Shito saw the scene himself. Either way, the evidence showed that the man should be dead. So why wasn't he? How was it possible that Shiba Reichirou was still alive, and better yet somehow convinced Chika to return his feelings? Had Chika been hiding it from Shito all this time? Had Chika been secretly meeting with Shiba whenever he was away? Questions circled through Shito's head further fueling his despair and confusion.

A gentle prodding behind him reminded Shito that he'd stopped walking. One of the men touched his shoulder and spoke to him in his native Chinese.

"Shito Shao Ye, is everything alright?"

Shito nodded slightly in response then continued down the hallway. The two men walking with him glanced at each other then followed closely after. Everyone who had worked near the beautiful boy in the past, could sense the change in his aura. He'd always been a pitiful child, quiet and solemn. Now they could tell that he was in further despair. Though none of them had lived long enough to have seen him when we was just a child, they had heard the stories. How he never spoke a word to anyone, merely existed. Much like he was now. The two men weren't sure how to treat him beyond what they were ordered. It was awkward for them each time they were sent to do or give something to Shito. Walking in silence with him was even more so. Each feared that speaking would break what little control Shito had at those moments. He seemed to be a ticking bomb, though not one of them knew the exact reason. They all assumed he was angry for having been brought back to Shanghai after just a short time in Japan. Without any other information it was the only logical reason any of the men could come up with.

Chika woke with a start, instantly curling his body tighter. His heart raced as he felt the movement of the bed. For the smallest second he'd thought Shito had come but then the realization of what had all happened, crashed down on his mind. He felt a hot palm cup his face and slowly opened his eyes after a few moments. His eyes met Shiba's face then darted quickly away. He shook his head, curling tighter in a meager attempt to protect himself. He remained silent not speaking at all. He had no desire to acknowledge Shiba's presence let alone the man's dominance.

Shiba smiled gently and pushed Chika's hair from his face. "I've a bit of an odd request for you. It's nothing bad, I promise." Shiba moved closer sitting right next to Chika. "I need you to remove your right hand for me."

Chika turned slightly. "What?" He spoke hoarsely causing Shiba to frown.

"Touhou and I have agreed that you have to trade hands with Shito. He's not happy about it, but it is necessary in order for your hand to heal." Shiba pulled on Chika's shoulder rolling him onto his back. "If you would please remove it? I will return with the other hand in a few minutes."

Chika searched Shiba's face for a moment. "Can we not do it…in person?" Immediately after asking the question Chika regretted it. The look on Shiba's face stunned him back into silence. He nodded quietly and removed his rotting hand. He gripped it tightly for a moment then slowly reached it out towards Shiba's waiting hand. The shinigami stood quickly wrapping the hand in a small towel. He moved to the door.

"I will return shortly." Shiba spoke sharply then left. The door locks clicked into place behind him. He walked quickly down the hallway to the elevator and hit the buttons a little too hard.

For some reason the simple question Chika had asked, irked him. Chika was still thinking about seeing Shito. Shiba's eyes narrowed as the elevator made its way to the level he was waiting on. He became more impatient, gripping Chika's hand tighter in his own. If it weren't for the mistake of that idiotic Ferryman, Shiba could take Chika anywhere in the world he wanted. That damn hand was the only thing standing in his way. The elevator bell dinged as the doors slid open. Shiba promptly stepped inside and smashed his finger into the main level button. He then leaned heavily in the far corner from the panel, his arms folded across his chest awkwardly. He fumed over Chika's words for a moment but slowly calmed himself down.

"He's still learning." Shiba told himself in the silence. "I'll just have to be a better teacher." The shinigami closed his eyes and smirked. Yes, he would be a better teacher. He would teach Chika to crave his company and touch. The boy's body already had slight reactions that pleased him. It would just take more convincing and Chika would no longer wish for Shito, but for Shiba. The shinigami's grin grew further. It was only a manner of hours before Chika would be able to function properly again and Shiba would start teaching him all sorts of things. "It shall be an interesting one on one lesson." Shiba said to himself stepping from the elevator onto the plush carpet of the foyer. He walked down the easily memorized path towards the building Touhou's office was housed.

Shiba caught sight of the small group moving towards the office opposite him and smirked. He saw the raven hair he hated and new instantly that he would have the pleasure of seeing Shito face to face. He loved the idea of torturing his thoughts. Shiba quickly composed himself as both parties drew nearer to each other. He nodded his head politely and stood aside as Shito was led into the room. He seemed to not have noticed Shiba standing there and mistaken him for another of Touhou's many guards.

"Ah, Shito-sama, welcome." Touhou's honey thick voice spoke from the room. Shito walked inside, not making eye contact. Touhou smiled watching him then turned his attention towards the door as Shiba walked inside as well. "Ah, Shiba-san. You've done as I requested, I trust?"

Shito's head shot up at the mention of the shinigami's name. He turned his attention towards Shiba and stared at him, his face expressionless, but his eyes were slightly widened. Shiba nodded holding out the towel. "He gave it willingly. Chika just wants to have it done and over with." Shiba flicked his eyes towards Shito, making eye contact. He held the gaze for a moment then looked away again.

Touhou nodded and turned to Shito. "It seems we'll be able to fix that little rotting problem you've been having."

Shito cocked his head slightly putting things together. He looked at his hand a moment then back at Touhou. "You wish to switch our hands?" Shito nodded. Of course. It was the only way to save his hand. He knew that better than anyone. Aside from Chika. "He's not here?"

Shiba looked at Shito and shook his head. "Of course not. Why in the world would he be?"

Touhou interrupted. "Now, no need to get defensive. Shito knows very well what Akatsuki-kun has requested." Touhou moved around his desk and placed a hand on Shito's shoulder. "If you would be so kind as to switch your hands? Akatsuki-kun must be feeling very inconvenienced right now." Touhou gestured towards the towel in Shiba's hands.

Shito stared at it a moment then pulled his own rotting hand away from his chest and looked at it again. Shiba gently set the towel on the desk and slowly unwrapped it. Despite the bandages wrapped around the hand, it was obvious that it had been rotting for days. Shito hesitated then moved towards it removing his hand and setting it beside the other. He slowly picked up his original hand and carefully connected it at the wrist. He could feel the condition in the hand and sensed that it's degeneration was further along than he'd expected. He looked to Touhou, ignoring Shiba standing too close to him.

"May I return to my room as my hand heals?" Shito met eyes with Touhou as he asked the question. He watched as the Exorcist debated with himself.

"I suppose that would be alright. Resting should be helpful." Touhou nodded and patted the zombie's cheek. He opened the door and motioned for the two men waiting outside to escort Shito back to his room. Shito brushed past Shiba and out into the hallway.

"Be careful with that hand, Shito." Shiba called after him.

Shito stopped for a moment then started walking again. He held the injured hand close to his chest, his other hand supporting it. He swallowed hard trying desperately to keep all of his thoughts in order. This was the closest he'd been to Chika after everything happened. Even though he now had his own original hand, it still felt like it belonged to Chika now. So he would treasure what little time he was given. He didn't care what the men with him thought. It didn't matter. For the briefest of moments he felt sane and clear headed. Perhaps for some reason, switching hands helped him. He quickened his pace as if his room was miles away. The men behind him had to hurry to keep up, both confused as to his sudden burst of energy.

"Please. I'd like to be left alone." Shito spoke quickly as he reached his room. "You can guard from down the hallway." He glared as one man tried to protest. They both nodded and slowly moved away as he stepped inside his room closing the door behind him. No sooner had he done so that a large body was behind him, a hand covering his mouth. Shito's eyes widened, completely caught off guard, he struggled weakly until he heard a familiar voice.

"Shito, please quiet down. We've gone to a lot of trouble to find you."

A/N: And there you are. I hope to post the next chapter within the next couple weeks. Thank you again, for sticking with me so far.