Welcome to Gaia! ::

(((OOC: Prior to this, there was a little bit involving Tsuzuki getting sticky cinnibon on Hisoka's report. Thus, Tsuzuki promised to take Hisoka to lunch at a western style resturant. Tsuzuki has been noticing that Hisoka has had problems sleeping lately, and it's worrying him.
As a side note, Emonazi05 (who I will refer to as Pip or Pippin) was playing Tatsumi when we needed him and myself... I was playing Muraki when we needed him. Those two characters are free for someone to pick up if they so desire.)))

~ ~ ~


Tsuzuki looked over at Hisoka, his eyes still large and tearful. "Gomen nasai... Hisoka... what if... what if I made it up to you, ne?" the man asked, standing and suddenly brightening. "Lunch is on me today! Anywhere you want to go!"



Hisoka raised his head and looked around. " I suppose that will do for now. I would like to go eat at one of those western resturtants." he said looking away out the window.



"HISOKA!" Tsuzuki cried out happily, hugging the boy before quickly releasing him.
Knowing the younger shinigami was an empath, forced him to curb his normal reactions.
Looking over, Tsuzuki noticed that 003 was sitting on Hisoka's ruined report, picking at the caramel stuck to the papers.
With a smile, Watari patted the owl's head. "Well, now that the two of you are speaking again, time for the big news. This afternoon, the Chief wants us to meet about a new mission. But I think I can cover until the two of you get back from lunch."



Hisoka stood up. " Then its decided.. well go get food and i'll thinkin about forgiving you, Tsuzuki." he said pushing away from the desk in the and standing up his hands behind his head.



Nodding enthusiastically, Tsuzuki grabbed his jacket from a nearby rack. "Watari, just make sure Tatsumi and the Chief don't know we're gone for so long."
The scientist smiled, "Leave it to me, Tsuzuki. You're on an errand for me, ne?"
Returning the smile, Tsuzuki looked to Hisoka. "Let's go." he spoke quickly, leading the way out of the office.



Hisoka followed behind Tsuzuki. " Do you know where your going?" he asked rasing an eyebrow. He shoved his hands in his pockets.



"Of course!" the shinigami replied with a smile, the duo walking through the streets. "There's a great western style cafe just a few blocks from here."



" Something tells me you've eaten at every resturant in town." he said laughing a bit.



Tsuzuki nodded, "They're making a new Thai restaurant... that one's next on my list." he smiled.
They came to a crosswalk, Tsuzuki stopped as they waited for the light to change.
"Hisoka... I really am sorry about messing up your report."



Hisoka snorted. " I knew it." he said shaking his head.



"That I've eaten at every restaurant... or that I'm sorry?" Tsuzuki asked in confusion.



Hisoka rubbed his chin in thought. " A little of both i suppose." he said.



"Honto ni?" Tsuzuki asked with a smile. "Well, I have eaten at them all... and I am sorry..."
The light changed, allowing them to cross the street.



" I know your sorry. No need to tell me again." he said growling in slight anoyance.



Tsuzuki smiled again, "Arigatou, Hisoka. Oh! Here we are!" the shinigami said happily, holding the door to 'Heaven's Corner Cafe', a bistro of western origin, open for his partner.



" What kinda of place is this...?" he asked rasing an eyebrow and walking into the place. " It sounds supious.."



"Nope, it's western." Tsuzuki smiled as they waited to be seated. "And they have the absolute best pie this side of town! Oh, and they have really good coffee. Besides, you said you wanted western food, and this is the best place I know, aside from the name."



Hisoka rolled his eyes. " I should've known that you liked this place cause of the desert they have." he said sighing as he leaned on the table.



"Come on, Hisoka." Tsuzuki replied as he sat down. "You'll love it. I promise."



" Alright. I'll try it." he said picking up the menu off the table and looking at it to see what he should order.



When a waitress came over, Tsuzuki looked like he was in heaven. "I'll have the vegetable soup with the turkey sandwich, and some apple pie for desert... oh! and coffee! with whipped cream!" he looked over to his partner. "What about for you Hisoka?"



" I'll have the salad special, and a tomato juice to drink please." he said the gave her the menu back to the waitress.



Tsuzuki's eyes went wide. "Hisoka.... is that all? You're too skinny as it is!"



" I'm not a bottomless blackhole like you Tsuzuki." He said snorting and leaning back in the booth with both arms over the side. " I don't need moutains of food or sleep to keep me entergized."



Frowning, Tsuzuki nodded. "Sou desu ne... Ah! Hisoka, why were you up so late last night?"



" That is none of your bussiness." he said blushing bright red and turning his head away from Tsuzuki.



"Ah... Gomen, Hisoka... I only wanted to make sure you hadn't come down with a cold or something." Tsuzuki replied softly.



Hisoka turned his head and looked at him. " Can we Shinigami even get sick?"



"Of course! I think..." Tsuzuki frowned. "I know there was one time I was incredibly hung over and Tatsumi thought I was going to die... well, die again... and I was sick in that sense... OH! And one time, Watari DID catch a cold!"



" Well i'm certainaly not sick, i think i would know so." he said snorting. There was no way he was sick. He'd techically been sick enough for a life time.



Tsuzuki nodded, "You just seemed so tired yesterday is all."



" I was kinda of tired. For no reason." he said leaning on his elbows and looking out the window. " Maybe i am getting sick."



Carefully, Tsuzuki put a hand on Hisoka's forehead, his other hand on his own. "Hmmm... you feel normal to me... unless we're both sick..." the shinigami smiled as their drinks were brought. "Has work stressed you out too much lately, Hisoka? Tatsumi isn't still bugging you about my expenses, is he?"



Hisoka removed Tsuzuki's hand from his head. " You worry far to much for your own good. And you ask to many questions." he said as she set there drinks down and took a sip of his. " You're not sick, i'm not sick. Everything is fine."



"Except you're tired." Tsuzuki replied again with a sigh, sticking his fork into his apple pie.
Yes, the shinigami started with desert.
"SUGOI!" Tsuzuki exclaimed. "Na na, Hisoka, maybe we should see if the Chief will let us all go on a vacation again! That should ease your stress levels."



Hisoka stood up and slammed his hands on the table. " I do not need vacation and i need you to stop worrying about me, i'm fine!"



Tsuzuki sighed, "Alright..." the shinigami gave in. "I just worry about you is all... You haven't really seemed yourself lately."



Hisoka sat down and glared. " I still tell you i'm fine. How can you tell i'm off anyway?"



Shrugging, Tsuzuki sipped his coffee. "I just can tell. You're... well... quieter than usual... and it's something about your eyes."



" My eyes.. what's wrong with eyes?" he said rasing his eyebrow and eating his salad.

~ ~ ~

(((OOC: And somehow... I lost a PM that contained the rest of their dinner conversation and their dash back to work... GOMEN NASAI!)))

~ ~ ~

" You're late... both of you." said Tasumi glaring as they came in.
" Its Tsuzuki's fault." said Hisoka sitting down in the chair in front of Tasumi's desk.



Tsuzuki paled, 'Kuso... Watari was supposed to cover.'.
"It... we had lunch, Tatsumi. And it was packed and... and..."



Tatsumi sighed. " I'll forgive you this time. But don't be late next time." he said shaking his finger at him. " So the mission this time.. is a vacation to Hokkaido, to Shiretoko National Park where there are hot springs and nature to enjoy. Just remember, to keep the daily allowance to 3000. I will not tolerate any higher. Even if it a vacation." he said sitting down at the desk.
" I do not need a vacation!" said Hisoka crossing his arms stubbornly.
" This a business paid vacation, you have no choice."



Tsuzuki nodded with a smile, "Arigatou Tatsumi!"
Seconds before the secretary began, Watari ran into the room, 003 fluttering behind the scientist.
"Gomen gomen! Got carried away."
Once they were seated, they had their attention on Tatsumi.
"Awwww Tatsumi.... 5000? Onegai?" Tsuzuki begged, trying to get a little more spending money. "Hot springs are so expensive!"



" The limit is 3000 Tsuzuki. I can't change it, company policy." he said shaking his finger at him. " And stop pouting, Hisoka. You have to go."
Hisoka grumbled.



It seemed that both Hisoka and Tsuzuki were pouting now.
"Come on, guys!" Watari replied happily. "Think of it as a mission to relax!"



Hisoka stood and walked out of the room.
Tatsumi shook head. " Meeting concuded. You may go now. Enjoy your vacation." he said.



Tsuzuki blinked, "Ano... aren't you coming too, Tatsumi? Watari?"



" Well.. i don't know Watari .. why aren't you going?" he asked the blonde man. " Someone has to watch the office, Tsuzuki."



"Couldn't the chief do that?" Tsuzuki asked with a pout.
Watari smiled, "I'm not going... because Tatsumi isn't going." the scientist leaned next to Hisoka and Tsuzuki. "Actually, Tatsumi doesn't want the two of us," he indicated the elder shinigami, "getting drunk at the same time... apparently we're a handful, Tsuzuki."



Tatsumi shook his head. " You better get going Tsuzuki... Hisoka left you behind again."



Tsuzuki looked left and right, then behind himself at the door. "AH! Cho... chotto matte, Hisoka!" the shinigami shouted, chasing after his partner.
Smiling, Watari shook his head. "Yare yare..."



Hisoka walked down the street his apartment, which he shared with Tsuzuki. As soon as he got home, he threw himself on the bed, digging his face into the sheets.



Tsuzuki came running after Hisoka... but he'd forgotten his key.
Eventually making it to the door, the shinigami began knocking.
"Hisoka!!! Let me in!"



Hisoka grumbled and answered the door. " Your an idiot." he said moving his bangs out of his face.



"Gomen, Hisoka..." Tsuzuki smiled sheepishly. "But, we'd better pack... I mean... if we're going to leave."



" I need sleep, Tsuzuki.. I'm not leaving till i get a nap." he said as he walked toward his room.



"Chotto!" Tsuzuki said quickly. "I... I thought that you were... I mean... I thought nothing was wrong..."



" Nothing is wrong.. i want a nap. Is that so wrong?' he asked.



"No, I..." but Tsuzuki shook his head. "Nevermind, Hisoka. Get some rest."
With a smile, the shinigami closed Hisoka's door and turned, leaning against it.
'I just hope he feels better when he wakes up.'



Hisoka grumbled as he got up. He felt slightly better. Though still tired. Maybe he did need this vacation. He never really wanted to admit it, but he had a feeling he'd need it.

~ ~ ~

(((OOC: GOMEN! And somehow... I lost the part about them packing... and Tsuzuki falling over when Hisoka opened the door (that Tsuzuki fell asleep against) and now they're on the train heading for vacation.)))

~ ~ ~

Hisoka rubbed his temples. " We're fighting about..stupid.. s**t....." he said as his eyes slowly drooped and he feel asleep, leaning on his hand. He twitched as he dreamed about Muraki.



"I..." but when Tsuzuki saw Hisoka fast asleep, the man smiled.
Carefully he removed his coat, draping it over his sleeping partner, before looking back out the window.
'If I woke him... I think he'd kill me. I just... I wonder what he's thinking and dreaming about... and... I wonder what... OH! TREES!'
Tsuzuki's attention span got in the way again, and he watched the scenery pass by while Hisoka slept.

But in Hisoka's dream...
"Back again, I see..." Muraki spoke, smiling as he watched Hisoka.
The young man had appeared just feet before the doctor.



" Not of my own free will, you evil son of a b***h." he said growling at him anoyingly.



"Come now, Kurosaki-kun... Surely you can understand what these dreams of yours are meaning." Muraki spoke, holding a hand out and gesturing to a nearby chair. "Have a seat."



" I can, i've know for awhile, i just can't remeber when i'm awake." he said getting up to lean against a random wall.



However, since this was Muraki's illusionary dream...
The wall bounced Hisoka off, forcing the boy to sit in a chair... a chair that came up behind him, knocking him down.
"Kurosaki-kun, do you realize that, with everything you and Tsuzuki have been through... you've become quite... attached to him." the doctor asked, sipping his wine and offering Kurosaki a glass.



Hisoka grunted as he landed in the chair. " I don't want your wine." he said. " I am not close to him."



"Really?" Muraki asked with a slight smirk. "He loves you, you know. Much more than you being his mere partner."
And even if he didn't want it... a glass of wine appeared next to him.



Hisoka glared at it and didn't touch it. " You speak lies, he does nothing of the sort."



Muraki laughed, "My my... you're quite blind, Kurosaki-kun." he shook his head, looking off toward the flames. "I will come for him again... you know that... and you, my dear boy, will be his undoing. We both know he can't live without you..."



" You won't touch him!" he said gripping the arms of the chair in anger. " You'll leave him alone."



"And why should I?" Muraki asked with an amused glance. "Poor little Kurosaki-kun... what would you do if I took your precious Tsuzuki away from you, hmm? Would your heart shatter?"



" I'll kill you if you touch a single hair on his body." he said growling at him. Hisoka growled in his dream grasping the arm of the train seat, and moved to grasp Tsuzuki's hand.



Turning slightly, Tsuzuki looked to Hisoka, about to ask if the boy was alright.

"And if I touch him in all the right places?" Muraki asked with a wicked smile. "He's quite beautiful, Kurosaki-kun... I don't think I can resist."



" I won't let you. He doesn't deserve to be touched by the likes of you." he said standing from the chair. God, Tsuzuki was gonna hate him for this. Hisoka grasped the hand tighter trying to give him warning of what was going on in his head, because he knew he wouldn't remeber afterwords.



And suddenly, as Tsuzuki realized Hisoka had grabbed his hand, the shinigami felt his consciousness slip away.
What he saw next surprised him.
"But Tsuzuki's body just screams to be touched..." Muraki was saying, before he noticed the elder shinigami standing in the background. "Ah... Tsuzuki... so good of you to join us in this dream."



Hisoka turned around shocked looking at Tsuzuki. What was he doing here! God dammed this had backfired, horriably. " Tsuzuki, be careful." he said.



But Tsuzuki was confused as hell.
"Mu... Muraki..." the shinigami spoke quickly.
The doctor smiled, "Yes... he screams to be touched. Come here, Tsusuzki-san... You know that eventually... I always get what I want."
It was strange...
Tsuzuki's mind was clouded, heavy, and he felt as if he couldn't quite figure out where he was or what he was doing...



Hisoka tore himself from the chair and punched him in the face. " Focus you idiot."



Tsuzuki fell onto his a**, looking up at Hisoka. "That hurt!"



"Stop fooling around and pay attention .. to that..." he said grabbing Tsuzuki's face and pointing it at Muraki. He had no fear of touch Tsuzuki in the dream world, he was safe from the empathy here.



Tsuzuki's eyes narrowed, "What's going on, Hisoka? Why's that b*****d here?"
"Come now, Tsuzuki-san... you know you wanted to see me..." Muraki purred.
"Like hell!"



" He's whats been haunting my dreams for the last three months." he said glaring at Muraki. " And making me forget."



"Tsuzuki-san... I think it's time we have a conversation... just one-on-one..." Muraki spoke, raising a hand to adjust his glasses.
Tsuzuki looked to Hisoka, "It's his fault..." angrily, the shinigami turned to Muraki. "You b*****d! Get out of Hisoka's dreams!"
"I came only for you, Tsuzuki-san..."
"And I told you! I don't want anything to do with you, you sick b*****d!" there was a small explosion of power around Tsuzuki as his anger flared.
But Muraki was unphased. "Very well then... if you're going to be insistent..."
And with a flash...
Hisoka was no longer in the dream...
Leaving Muraki... and Tsuzuki... completely alone...



Hisoka woke up sweat dripping down his forehead, he gripped his hand hard, and realized he was still hold Tsuzuki hand. He let go and shook him. " Wake up Tsuzuki... or i'll kill you, you idiot."



But Tsuzuki wasn't waking up.
In fact, he looked as if he were having a nightmare...

Muraki had Tsuzuki pinned against a wall, one hand on the shinigami's chest, the other around his waist.
"Tsuzuki-san... I've waited so long to see you again."
The man turned his head to the side, "Mu... Muraki... don't..."
Smiling, the doctor's lips were right next to Tsuzuki's ear, his voice whispering softly. "Don't fight it, Tsuzuki-san... Stay here... In this dream... Forever..."



Hisoka was scared now, he'd been asleep for awhile. And he had a bad feeling about this, and he didn't know why though. God, this was gonna suck a**. He grabbed Tsuzuki hand again and tried impress his feelings of corage on.



"TOMERU!"
Muraki laughed, having finally discarded Tsuzuki's jacket and tie. The doctor was slowly unbuttoning the shinigami's shirt, keeping him pinned to the wall.
As for Tsuzuki... he was freaking out.
"Tomeru, Muraki! Let go of me!" he shouted, trying to struggle, but finding it useless.
The doctor's hand slid up Tsuzuki's shirt, caressing his bare chest. For his part, Tsuzuki bit his lip, looking away as a blush of embarrassment painted his cheeks. "Onegai... tomeru, Muraki..."



Hisoka growled. This wasn't working and the fact that he wasn't awake, after fourty-five mintues of shaking him. Was scarying the krap of him. Hisoka's eye twitched as he thought of an idea. Hisoka blushed and leaned foward kissing Tsuzuki.



"Muraki, Ore wa..."
But before Tsuzuki could finish that sentence...
Before Muraki's groping hands could touch anything vital...
Tsuzuki's eyes snapped open and he screamed.
Well, tried to... but Hisoka's mouth was over his own.
For a moment, Tsuzuki didn't know what to do. He stared up at Hisoka in astonishment.



Hisoka pulled away blushing. " That was nothing, just to wake you up, you we're worrying me." he said leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms.
Hisoka pushed him away quite forcefully. " Don't please... i can't take it." he said shaking from the dream. " To many emtions." He got up and trugged off to the bathroom for alone.



Tsuzuki stopped, realizing what he had unknowingly done.
Sighing, the shinigami sat, curled up in the chair, his knees on his chest and his arms resting on his knees.
His chin was on his arms... his eyes on the scenery outside.
'Gomen nasai, Hisoka...' Tsuzuki thought, tears almost in his eyes for what his partner was, no doubt, feeling at that very moment.



Hisoka sat on the toliet for a bit breathing hard, before leaving the bathroom. He had to live with the thoughts racing through his head. He sat down next to Tsuzuki, and said nothing.



After a few minutes of silence between them, Tsuzuki spoke, but he didn't look at his partner.
"I don't remember what happened..." the shinigami said. "I only remember being grateful for waking up... I couldn't control the flood of joy I had at realizing I wasn't in a dream... Gomen nasai, Hisoka."



" Muraki was basically sexual abusing you, because he kicked me out of the drea." he said. hugging his knees up to his chin. " You always forget i'm an empath, And i'm not sleeping, i'm not going back to that man. Make sure i don't sleep."



Tsuzuki was confused... and in shock.
"Mu... Muraki was in your dream... in my dream? Hisoka, what happened?!" he asked quickly. "There's no way I'll let you go to sleep. I swear it!"



" Yes, he was in my dream. And somehow you got in my dream, i don't know how. I don't remeber much of the dream, just you and him.. and that's all." he said running a hand thorugh his hair.



Sighing, the shinigami nodded. "Right then. When we get to the Hot Springs, we'll go to a convenience store and get plenty of energy drinks. That should keep you awake."
But Tsuzuki was still unnerved.
And after a while...
"Hisoka... why DID you kiss me?"



Hisoka blushed bright red and dug his face into his knees so Tsuzuki wouldn't see. " Because it was the only thing i could think of to wake you from your sleep. I didn't want to leave you in that dream with Muraki." he said.



"Oh..." Tsuzuki said, his voice betraying a tiny hint of sadness at the reason why.
But the shinigami smiled. "Don't worry, Hisoka. I'll make sure you don't sleep. Wait... does that mean I can't sleep?!"



" No. It means i can't sleep and you have to keep me awake. And you can't touch me or get to close when i'm sleeping, espically if i'm dreaming."



Sighing, Tsuzuki frowned. "But what if you DO fall asleep, what am I supposed to do then?" he asked quickly.
At about that time, the train began to slow down.
They had finally reached their destination.



" Try to wake me up without touching me." he said.



The elder shinigami deadpanned. "And if that doesn't work?"



" Let me sleep till i wake up.. " he said shivering and moving out of his seat, so he could get off the train.



"But... that means you'd be trapped with Muraki!" Tsuzuki replied quickly, standing and following Hisoka off the train, carrying their bags.



" Yeah. But you wouldn't be. I could take the pain. I'd just forget it in the morning anyway." he said walking off.



Tsuzuki frowned, "But.... wouldn't the same be true of me too?"




" Yeah. But do you wanna be sexual harrassed while you sleep?" he asked. " And i'd have to watch.. even if i didn't remeber.. i wouldn't want to see that."



"I see your point..." the elder shinigami replied, leading them from the station and out into the fresh air of nature.
"This place is rather invigorating... Though, it kind of defeats the purpose now... this vacation was to relax you, Hisoka..."
A part of Tsuzuki wished he could remember the dream.
But another part... another part shuddered in absolute terror...



" Your just trying to cheer me." he said taking his bag from Tsuzuki. " Lets just get to the park, we gotta take the bus."



"Oh yeah.... well, we COULD walk... I mean..." Tsuzuki said, following after Hisoka. "It would cut down the possibility of you falling asleep."



" That sounds, like a better idea." he said. " Good thinking Tsuzuki."



The elder shinigami nodded. "Walking it is. It think it's only about fifteen miles down the road, after all."



" That's not.. horriably long." he said sighing. Honestly he'd rather take the bus, but if walking was going to keep him awake then that was clearly the better idea for him.



"Of course... what if walking makes you tired... we COULD just teleport..." Tsuzuki suggested. "I mean, I could teleport us both, that way you wouldn't lose any energy."



" You could. And i would thank you greatly if you did so. I'm exusated." he said if yawning on cue.



Nodding, Tsuzuki took Hisoka's arm and both appeared mere yards from the entrance to the hot springs hotel.
"That... was easier. No sleeping, Hisoka!" the elder shinigami joked, smiling at his partner.



" I know." he said pulling his arm out of Tsuzuki's and walking toward he entrance with his hands in his pockets.



Smiling, Tsuzuki grabbed their bags once more and followed after his partner.
They were greeted by a woman in a kimono. "Irasshaimasu." she smiled checking them into their room.



Hisoka bowed. " Thank you." he said as he enter the room. God, he wanted to sleep, and the bed looked so comfy.



"I don't have to." Tsuzuki replied before smiling.
He put a hand on Hisoka's shoulder.
"But I want to. Please, Hisoka... if you're off on your own... I'll worry. And what's worse, what if Muraki knows where we are? I just... I don't want anything to happen to you..."



Hisoka took a deep breath and sat down next to Tsuzuki. " I don't think know our location yet. Or he won't.. he doesn't really need it. I'll let you protect me for now."



The elder shinigami's eyes widened. "Ho... honto ni?" Tsuzuki asked.
He was about to hug Hisoka... when he remembered that touching the younger shinigami was usually a bad idea.
"Come on then!" Tsuzuki replied, handing Hisoka a towel. "Let's go to the hot springs and see if we can't get rid of at least a little of your worries."



" Turn around then." he said gestering for him to turn around.



Nodding enthusiastically, Tsuzuki turned around, but that didn't stop him from talking.
"We'll get you some green tea... maybe some takoyaki... and try to get you to relax without getting you asleep."



" How can you relax without sleep?" he said stripping his clothes and wrapping his towel aroudn his hips and pulling on his jacket and buttoning it. Leaving only space to see the sysmbols on his legs.



"You can. I mean, it may help clear your mind enough that we can come up with a solution." Tsuzuki replied, turning and smiling at Hisoka.
The man began to unbutton his shirt.



Hisoka blushed bright red and turned around. " Warn me next time...please." he said crossing his arms.



"Ah! Gomen gomen..." Tsuzuki replied, hurrying up with changing.
He stripped out of his clothes, wrapping the towel around himself snuggly.
"Alright, now... let's go to the springs and I'll order us some snacks and drinks."



Hisoka rolled his eyes and he walked out the room. " I just want green tea... you can order what you like. But remeber our buget."



But Tsuzuki shook his head, "Iie... it's on me... well, if the budget doesn't cover it. I've saved up for a while, Hisoka." he smiled, leading the way to the hot spring.



" I don't want liqour , but feel free to order any food." he said following behind Tsuzuki.



"I wouldn't order you liqour, Hisoka." Tsuzuki replied as he opened the door to the hot spring. "I mean, I know how you don't like it and...."
The shinigami froze, for a moment, absolute terror on his face.
There, sitting in the middle of the hot spring, sipping sake and smiling devilishly at both Tsuzuki and Hisoka...
"Yare yare... you both have wonderful timing. I just ordered another bottle... Tsu.zu.ki.kun..."
Muraki.



" Tsuzuki.. move i can't see.. who is it..?" he asked moving around to try and see who it was. He knew he reconzied that voice. But he couldn't put his finger on it.



But instead of moving, Tsuzuki threw out an arm, making sure to keep Hisoka back.
"Why are you here?"
Muraki smirked. "Come now, Tsuzuki-san, let Kurosaki-kun out... I'm just dying to see if he's still as beautiful as I remember..."
This statement made Tsuzuki's blood boil... and as if nature itself was reaction, the hot springs water became even warmer.
Not to mention Muraki's glass shattered.



Hisoka growled, but stopped when he heard the glass shatter. There could only be one person that would make Tsuzuki that mad. " Tsuzuki.. .let me at h im.. i'll kill him!"



Muraki laughed, moving over to the edge and taking a thin piece of cloth from a bag.
"I thought this might be needed to change your minds..." he spoke coldly, throwing it the shinigami pair.
Tsuzuki caught it, looking at it strangely for a long moment.
Until the blond curly strands of hair, strands that still clung to the silky red ribbon, caught his full attention.
"b*****d..." Tsuzuki whispered, handing the ribbon to his partner for Hisoka to inspect.
When the younger man grasped it, he would have seen a rather happy Watari, walking down the streets of Kyoto on one of his patrols.
A carefree Watari that was soon ambushed by the sadistic doctor...
"Now... are we going to play nice... or do I have to start making actual threats, Tsuzuki-san... Hisoka-kun...?"



Hisoka growled. " Tsuzuki. Play nice... he has Watari." he said crushing ribbion in his hand. " The question is what does he want?" he asked rasing an eyebrow.



"What does he ever want?" Tsuzuki asked before Muraki beckoned them both to join him in the hot spring.
The elder shinigami did as asked, though he sat at the opposite end from the doctor.
"Come now... is that any way to treat a friend?" Muraki asked with a smirk, allowing the sake tray to float towards Tsuzuki.
The shinigami, however, didn't drink any of it. "Friend? Just like a friend who would torment someone's every dream? Just like a friend who would kidnap a scientist just to get his way?"
Muraki shrugged, "I never said I played fair."
"I want you to leave Hisoka's dreams alone." Tsuzuki replied quickly.
But the doctor smirked, "Why? He's so adorably cute..."
"Leave. Him. Alone. Muraki."
Sighing, he shook his head, moving in the water until he was right next to Tsuzuki. "What will you give me in return, hmm, Tsuzuki-san?"



Hisoka sat on the side just letting his feet touch the water, he winced and pulled out of the water quickly. Okay, getting in the water... was going to be a bad idea. To many emotions at once.



"Leave. Him. Alone." Tsuzuki reiterated.
Muraki sighed. "I'll give you back your scientist... and I'll leave the boy's dreams alone... but you, Tsuzuki-san... will be coming with me." the doctor's eyes narrowed, "Deal?"
For a moment, Tsuzuki couldn't answer that.
To be in Muraki's clutches was like inviting a serial killer into your bedroom.
Not a good idea...
But after some time... and Muraki's lips teasingly close to the nape of his neck... Tsuzuki nodded. "Leave Hisoka alone, let Watari go, and you'll get what you want."



Hisoka wanted to say something back to Muraki, but he bit his tongue for Tsuzuki's sake. He knew something was fishy, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He simply sat there glaring at Muraki.



"Seems the boy doesn't want you anymore..." Muraki replied with a smile.
But, after brushing his lips over Tsuzuki's own...
The doctor backed off, smirking at the two.
"Actually... I don't want to make the deal, Tsuzuki. As much as I would love the two of us and a quiet get away... I doubt your partner would take kindly to it. Besides... I have other things to do with my time. Meeting the both of you here was purely coincidental, actually."
Tsuzuki blinked, moving to where he could sit just in front of Hisoka now.



Hisoka growled at the Muraki and then he smiled devilishly. " So your just toying with us for your own pleasure.. how fantastic you evil sadistic b*****d."



Muraki smiled, "I'm toying with your dreams, am I not?" he asked, downing more sake. "Think of it this way, Kurosaki-kun... You'll know when I'm done with your scientist that way... course... you'll need sleep for that."
"Stay out of his dreams!" Tsuzuki replied angrily, standing... and very glad that he still had a towel around his waist. "What do you want Watari for?"
"He's a scientist... I'm a doctor... we should get along splendidly..."



Hisoka stood and glared at him. " I'll never sleep if you keep staying inside my head.. you can forget it..."



Muraki stood this time... and he wasn't wearing a towel.
He walked toward the two shinigami, parting them as if they were the Red Sea, and emerging from the water.
However, he stopped just behind them, turning and glancing down at Hisoka. "You'll have to sleep eventually, Kurosaki-kun..." the doctor smiled wickedly before entering the inn.
Tsuzuki paled considerably, and actually looked about ready to faint...



" I've lasted two weeks......" he said but didn't finish his thought before blushing and being totally quiet.



Once Muraki was gone, Tsuzuki slipped into the water, allowing the hot spring to come up to just below his nose.
Not only was he worried, but now he was confused.



Hisoka's eyebrow twitched as he sat at the side of the pool. " What are we suppose to do now?"



Tsuzuki's mouth came up over the water. "I have no idea... Watari's in trouble... demo..." he sighed. "How are we supposed to get him out of your dreams... you can't keep this up indefinitely and... and..."
But Tsuzuki was too disheartened to even go on.



" I say we don't think about it now.. and send a message to the minestry about what happend." he said leaning against one of the walls.



Nodding, Tsuzuki stood.
And promptly collapsed into the water.
"Hi... so... ka..." the shinigami whispered, struggling to keep himself upright.
Suddenly, his arms and legs gave out and he fell into unconsciousness.



" Tsuzuki!" said Hisoka stripping off the jacket and jumping into the water truddging after Tsuzuki. He could deal with it if Tsuzuki was passed out, no emotions. But it scared him that he was passed out.



Tsuzuki was out... quite out...
In his mind, he felt himself floating... he knew he was unconscious...
The shinigami could feel Hisoka's arms around him, cradling him, helping him...
'Why can't I open my eyes?' he wondered, feeling himself drift.
But the man couldn't quite figure out why he was unconscious.
Except...
Muraki had kissed him...
And it hadn't been that long afterward, that Tsuzuki had begun to feel lightheaded and dizzy.



Hisoka grunted as he drug Tsuzuki out of the water. " Gods Tsuzuki your heavy..!" he said heaving the man out and onto the side of the pool.



But Tsuzuki wasn't breathing.
In fact...
He had been face down in the water too long, allowing the liquid to fill his lungs.
Granted, he WAS already dead... but Shinigami could be killed.



Hisoka took a deep breath and leaned down to start CPR. This is not how he wanted to start his trip.



Tsuzuki could almost feel Hisoka's close proximity.
But no matter how hard he tried... darkness continued to surround him.
'HISOKA!' the shinigami shouted, wondering if he could at least hear thoughts to some degree...



Hisoka put his hand on his head and thought. ' Tsuzuki.. you don't have yell...'



The shinigami felt Hisoka's thoughts and concern, though he could hardly do anything about it.
Tsuzuki felt like he was drowning... it was hard to breathe... to even think...
Was he dying again?
No... that couldn't be right...
Could it?



Hisoka took another deep breath and started on CPR again. ' I'm trying Tszuki.. really.. i am.. but i don't knwo what to do.'



He could feel Hisoka's pressure on his chest, his partner's breath trying to draw the shinigami's own.
But try as Tsuzuki might, he couldn't bring himself to the surface.
He felt trapped... cold... confused... and at that moment, wanted nothing more than to see Hisoka again.



God dammit! He wasn't waking up. He pulled away and suddley had an idea. He laid down next to Tsuzuki and closed his eyes allowing sleep to consume him, and waiting for Muraki to enter his dreams.



It took only a few moments before Muraki appeared within Hisoka's mind. "My my... and here I thought you'd last longer than that this time, Kurosaki-kun." the doctor spoke with a smile.
Meanwhile, Tsuzuki felt like he was falling further and further away...



" What did you do to Tsuzuki you b*****d?!" he yelled at him.



Muraki smirked. "Someone's impatient today, hmm?" he stood, walking towards Hisoka, every move calculated. "Why would I tell you that?"



" Oh i'm only slightly impatient because my partner is dying." he said grunting. " Because you want something from me in return for letting Tsuzuki live."



"And what would that something be?" Muraki asked, now standing so close to Hisoka that he was pinning the young shinigami up against the wall. "Take a guess, Kurosaki-kun."



Hisoka reached out grabbing Tsuzuki's hand. He knew that wouldn't help anything.. but it made him feel better, more safe. " My body... My death.. "



Muraki smiled, "No." he replied simply. "I want a contract. You know of demon contracts, Kurosaki-kun? Well... I want you to make one with me. I'll save your partner... I'll even release the scientist... but I want you to make a contract with me, to come when I call."

Drowning... falling... Tsuzuki began to see a light.
'I am dying...' he thought.
But this wasn't entirely true...
He was being pulled into Hisoka's dream.



Hisoka closed his eyes and thought about it. " I'll do it.. but you have to save my friends first."



Smiling, Muraki nodded. "Give Tsuzuki some of the sake I had ordered." he explained, knowing that the tray would still be floating in the water. "Once he's awake, your scientist should be on his way back to Meifu."



Hisoka nodded and forced himself to wake up. He let go of Tsuzuki's hand. And climbed into the pool grabbing the sake, and climbing back out. He lifted Tsuzuki's head so he could drink it. " Come Tsuzuki.. wake up."



After about forty-five seconds... Tsuzuki coughed.
Water mixed with sake fell from his mouth as he expelled the water which had nearly drowned him.
".....soka...." he whispered, finally seeing Hisoka.
The man smiled slightly, "Naniyo?" he asked, wondering what had happened.



" You passed out in the water, i had to give you CPR. And... i can sleep again." he said smilling at him.



Tsuzuki frowned, sitting up.
He put a hand to his head in confusion... and pain.
"I feel sick... what the hell did he do?"
He meaning, 'Muraki'...
"But how, Hisoka? You can't sleep! Muraki will pull you into your dreams again!"



" You were posioned by Muraki's kiss.. Muraki made me a deal and now i can sleep. So don't worry about it."



But this didn't set his heart at ease at all...
"A deal? Hisoka..."
The shinigami didn't feel like his life was worth enough for his partner to have made any kind of deal with Muraki.
"What did you promise him?"



" Not anything of importance. We should be happy that both you, I and Watari will be alright." he said smiling.



"Watari's fine too?" Tsuzuki asked in surprise. "Hisoka how? I mean... how did you do this? I was only out a few minutes..."



" Yes he is. He should be on his way back to headquaters soon." he said. " I went to sleep, which is what Muraki wanted, and he let you go. Tsuzuki you were out for 15 mintues..."



"Out... or dead?" Tsuzuki asked, but then he shook his head. "Nevermind... don't answer that..." he whispered, looking EXTREMELY depressed.
The shinigami sighed, getting to his feet.
"I think we need to get some sleep..."



" Are you sure you don't want an answer..?" he asked getting up and following behind.



"Not really..." Tsuzuki replied tiredly, obviously not his perky self at all.
The thought of actually being dead again...
Hisoka had saved him...
Again...
"Arigatou, Hisoka..." the elder shinigami replied, looking back to his partner as they walked through the inn's halls.



" It was really no problem Tsuzuki. Please don't feel bad this whole trip." he said shaking his head.



Tsuzuki smiled softly, "I just feel bad about you having to save me again, Hisoka... if you weren't there..."



Hisoka shrugged. " I'm your partner. What kinda of partner would i be if I let you save me all the time?" he said smiling.



"Good point... but I just feel that..." he shook his head. "I get the feeling you gave up something to save me... something important..."



" Its nothing you need to worry about Tsuzuki." he said sighing and waiting for him to open the door to the room. " Are you gonna let me inside?"



"Ah! Gomen!" Tsuzuzki said quickly, opening the sliding door to their room.
Inside were two futons, each one laid out next to the other. "Brings back memories of Kyoto..." he whispered.



Hisoka shook his head and walked in. " Its better then one bed." he said sighing and throwing himself onto the bed. " Sleep..."



Tsuzuki nodded, sitting on his own bed.
Though he was still clothed in a towel, the shinigami felt too tired to change into something more comfortable.
He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "Are you sure you can sleep, Hisoka?"



" I'm sure i can. And i will.. just to test it." he said pulling off his wet jacket and dropping it on the floor, and changing into a white long sleeve shirt, and then pulling on dark blue pj's bottoms, and then dropping the towel in the same spot as the jacket.



For a long moment, Tsuzuki didn't say anything.
When the shinigami looked up, Hisoka had already changed clothes.
"Stealthy like the ninja..." Tsuzuzki replied with a slight smile before standing and changing into white pajamas with little blue dots on them.
He yawned, turning down his futon before looking over at Hisoka. "Are you sure?"



" Yes i'm sure i'm fine." he said laying out on the bed. " And i'm sleepin' wiether or not its safe.. my body needs the rest."



Nodding, Tsuzuki watched Hisoka carefully. "I'll be right here, in case you need anything. If... if he comes to your dream again, Hisoka... just reach out. Alright?"



" You think.. you could sleep in the bed with me.. i can't touch you all the way over there Tsuzuki." he said slightly nervous. He didn't want Muraki again and he felt safer with Tsuzuki in the bed.



"Hisoka..." but Tsuzuki smiled kindly. "Hai. I think I can manage that." he replied before getting out of his futon and moving over to Hisoka's.
The elder shinigami carefully got into bed beside his partner, looking to Hisoka for a moment. "And... and you're sure about this?" he asked, wanting to make perfectly sure.



" I'm fine with it. I'll just sleep with my back toward you, that way if i need to touch you, i can just roll over." he said nodding as he got under the blankers. " Its just for tonight.."



Tsuzuki nodded as well, feeling a bit self conscious, but laying down beside Hisoka, his back facing his partner.
"But make sure you grab me if you start having a nightmare, Hisoka. Promise?"



He rolled over his back fasing Tsuzuki. " Yes. I promise." he said cloisng his eyes.



Smiling slightly, Tsuzuki nodded. "Oyasumi nasai, Hisoka..." the shinigami replied before closing his eyes as well.
The bed was warm, especially with the shared warmth of the two shinigami.



" Good night, Tsuzuki." he said yawning and then falling asleep.



Tsuzuki did the same.
Only... he stole a glance at Hisoka before falling asleep.
A smile on his face, the elder shinigami closed his eyes once more.

Meanwhile...
The moment Hisoka fell asleep... Muraki was in his dreams...
"Did you tell him?" the doctor asked with a smirk.



Hisoka shook his head in the negitive. " I didn't speak a word of it to him. He doesn't know."



Smiling, Muraki nodded. "Good... I'd hate to think what might happen to him if he were to come here again." the doctor replied, standing and walking towards Hisoka. "How are you enjoying your trip to the hot springs so far, Kurosaki-kun?"



" Well.. since i'm not sleeping and you're still here. I'm saying i'm not enjoying it." he said glaring at him.



Muraki laughed coldly. "And how is your dear partner, hmm? I take it he's in the next room?"



" No. He's sleeping in the same bed." he said smirking and crossing his arms.



The doctor's gaze narrowed, "Is that so? You should bring him here, Kurosaki-kun." Muraki added, reaching one hand up to place on Hisoka's shoulder. "I bet he would love to join us..."



" You can forget it. I'm not letting him know that i made a deal with you. " he said slapping his hand away.



Muraki didn't take kindly to this.
Instead, he grabbed Hisoka's chin, forcing the young shinigami to look up at him. "I can see your fear, Kurosaki-kun." Muraki whispered, his other hand pressing Hisoka against the wall. "Surely you want your precious Tsuzuki to save you, hmm?"



" No. I don't need him to save me. " he said glaring even harder into his eyes. " And why would i bring him in here.. when you don't need him?"



The doctor laughed slightly, "True..." he tilted Hisoka's chin up, hovering just over the younger man. "Then again... when I get through with you, Kurosaki-kun, you may wish he were here after all." Muraki spoke softly before kissing him.



Hisoka closed his eyes. God, he wanted Tsuzuki, he had promised. But Muraki and him had a deal. And he didn't want break it.



Muraki smiled wickedly, his hands pressing Hisoka back against the wall.
"Will you scream, Kurosaki-kun? Will you call out to your partner?" the doctor asked softly, trailing kisses down Hisoka's neck.

Meanwhile...
Tsuzuki frowned in his sleep, obviously having some sort of nightmare...



" No.." he said hissing. No he would be strong, he'd take this for Tsuzuki.



"No?" Muraki asked, pressing himself up against Hisoka. "Are you sure?" he whispered softly, lavishing his neck with kiss after kiss.

Without realizing what he was doing, Tsuzuki turned over on his other side... and put his arm around Hisoka.



Hisoka's breath hitched as he felt Tsuzuki arms around him. Oh god, this wasn't gonna end well. Hisoka's inner mind wanted Tsuzuki, even if his mouth disagreed, which meant Tsuzuki was coming into his dream. Hisoka punched Muraki in his inner frustration. " GET OFF!"



Stepping back, Muraki rubbed his cheek.
A bruise was beginning to form.
"Teme..." (you little...)
But suddenly, Tsuzuki was there, holding Hisoka. Amethyst eyes opened in confusion.
"Hi... Hisoka?" the elder shinigami asked. "How'd you get in my... night... mare...."
Just as Tsuzuki noticed Muraki a few feet away... everything around them erupted into flames.
The flames of Touda.
Tsuzuki felt his skin burning again, his body on fire. Without thinking, he latched onto Hisoka even stronger.
"To... tomeru..." he whispered, closing his eyes and clinging to his partner. "TOMERU!" (STOP!)
Laughter split the air as Muraki, watching from a few feet away, found amusement in this new turn of events.
Hisoka's dream and Tsuzuki's nightmare had completely merged together.



Hisoka panicked a bit. This was very bad. Not only could he physically feel Tsuzuki emotions, but he was right in the middle of his nightmare, it was torture! " Tsuzuki.. please.. you have let go of me. I can't take both of our dreams at once." he begged tears almost welling up in his eyes.



Tsuzuki collapsed to his knees, still clinging to Hisoka. "Onegai... onegai, Hisoka..." the shinigami begged, pressing his face against the side of his partner's leg. "I don't want to die..."
"Seems he can't hear you properly, Kurosaki-kun." Muraki spoke, laughing. "I couldn't have asked for a better show... and here I thought it'd just be you and me."



Hisoka turned to Muraki and glared. " I don't know what your laughing about.. he doesn't even know your here." he said leaning down to hug Tsuzuki. " Tsuzuki its alright. You're not gonna die, i'm here for you."



"That's the beauty of it." Muraki replied with a smirk.
But Tsuzuki, while he knew Muraki was there, was more preoccupied with the fact that he thought he was dying.
Again...
He latched onto Hisoka. "I can't let go..." the shinigami whispered. "I can't... gomen... gomen..."



" Your not dying. This is one big giant nightmare. You have to be strong. You have to beat this." he said trying to pull away from dream Tsuzuki.



Strangely enough, Tsuzuki physically released Hisoka.
At least his non-dream self.
But Tsuzuki, within the dream, refused to release Hisoka.
And he didn't leave the dream either.
"How can you say that? The flames... Hisoka! They're burning us! We... we can't get out..."

The sleeping Tsuzuki turned back onto his other side, twitching in his sleep as the flames went higher.



Hisoka turned and smiled at Muraki. " But you see.. you won't enjoy this to much longer.. i'm waking up." he said. Hisoka open his eyes and woke up. He sat up in the bed. Well Tsuzuki was alot of help.. and he couldn't wake the man up, that'd end badly.



It was obvious from watching Tsuzuki... that the elder shinigami was stuck in his own dream, no longer in Hisoka's.
He was still burning, mentally calling out for Hisoka's help.



Hisoka sighed and sat there for a bit. He couldn't leave Tsuzuki there crying out for help. He knew the only way to wake up Tsuzuki. And he wasn't going to like it. He took in a deep breath and let out a loud sigh. He moved on the bed leaning over to kiss Tsuzuki on the lips.



The moment Hisoka's lips touched his own... Tsuzuki's nightmare ended.
The fire was gone, and standing in front of him, was Hisoka.
Within the dream, the younger shinigami reached up, wiping away the tears from Tsuzuki's eyes, before kissing him, all the while whispering... "Daijoubu..." (it's okay...)
Thus, when Hisoka really did kiss him, Tsuzuki reached out his arms, pulling Hisoka close and returning the kiss passionately. He even went so far as to try and press his tongue between Hisoka's teeth.
Granted... that was what was happening in his dream...
But to do so in the waking world...



Hisoka blushed bright red and pulled away from the kiss. " TSUZUKI!" he said trying pull out of Tsuzuki's arms.



But Tsuzuki didn't wake up.
In fact, he held Hisoka tighter, pressing his lips more firmly against the younger shinigami's own.



"TSUZUKI!" He said pulling away harder, and but he leaned forward slammed his forehead into Tsuzuki head butting him.



Wincing, Tsuzuki woke up with a cry. "Ittai!" he said, before realizing where his arms were.
"Hi... Hisoka... AH!" quickly the elder shinigami released his partner, sitting up quickly once Hisoka was off of him.
"Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai!!!"



Hisoka sat on the edge of the bed blushing. " Your not sleeping with me in bed any longer. You can keep your thoughts about me to yourself.. on your own bed."



"Hisoka...." Tsuzuki whined, looking at him.
But the elder shinigami was blushing as well.
He got down on his knees, literally bowing on the floor.
"Gomen nasai! It... it was a nightmare... and then you saved me and... and I couldn't stop it... gomen nasai! I didn't know what I was doing..."



Hisoka shook his head. " Its alright." he said getting up from the bed. " Lets.. go get breakfast."



Tsuzuki watched him stand. "Ha... hai..." the elder shinigami replied, standing as well. "Demo... won't they just deliver it to our room?"



" I need the air Tzusuki, i wanna leave the room." he said opening the door.



"Oh..." Tsuzuki whispered, quickly following after Hisoka.
Both... were clad in their pajamas.
"What if we run into Muraki again?" he asked.
Obviously, Tsuzuki didn't remember that Muraki had been in the dream as well.



" I'd rather run into him here on this plain then my dreams. I have control here." he said shruging.



Tsuzuki nodded, "That's true... By the way... why DID you wake me up? I mean, I know I was having a nightmare... but still..."




" Because i could feel.. your certain emotions through myself and i could hear you screaming in my head for help." he said sighing.



"Honto ni?" Tsuzuki asked, awed by this information. "I remember wanting help... wanting you to save me... and then you were there. I thought that somehow, it might have been another one of Muraki's illusions."



" No. It was all your own thinking, your own brain, your own dreams, your own memories. It was all you." he said shruging.



Tsuzuki sighed, "Gomen... Demo, it's not like that happens a lot, Hisoka. I mean, usually when you're in one of my dreams... we're eating ice cream."



" Eating Ice Cream?" he asked rasing an eyebrow. " You mean this was your first dream like that?"



"Mmm." said in agreement, smiling slightly at Hisoka. "Oh, and there was one time that Tatsumi was trying to kill me... cause I spent all of our budget on a bunch of cinnibons... and then you grabbed me and we hid in a storage closet... at least until Watari found us and began laughing because we'd gotten tangled up in a mop..."



Hisoka rolled his eyes. " You have such childish dreams."



"Honto ni? Well, then..." Tsuzuki smiled, rushing in front of Hisoka to make his partner look up. "What do you usually dream about, ne?"



Hisoka rubbed his chin in thought. " I usually. Don't dream."



"Come on, Hisoka!!! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" Tsuzuki pleaded, looking like a puppy.



" Mine are all nightmares.. about.. Muraki.. " he said sighing. " My dreams aren't as happy as yours, Tsuzuki."



Tsuzuki was silent for a long moment. "Mine aren't always happy..." he replied seriously. "But it's the happy ones that I try to dwell on. We need to get you some happy dreams, Hisoka!"



Hisoka rolled his eyes. " You can't just randomly have happy dreams, Tsuzuki."


"Sure you can! You just have to think about happy things before bed!" Tsuzuki replied with a nod. "Like... I was thinking about cinnibons before that one dream..."

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"It doesn't have to be cinnibons." Tsuzuki replied as he sat down at a table, waiting for a hostess to come take their order. "It can be anything... like... like..." he frowned, looking to his partner. "What's your favorite thing in the world, Hisoka?"

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Tsuzuki picked up his own menu. "There has to be something, Hisoka... I mean... what about sakura? Or maybe just a nice cup of tea?"

heart

Laughing, Tsuzuki shook his head. "I meant something you really liked." he replied with a smile, waving a waitress over.

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"And I'll have coffee and... a bacon omelet with one of your chocolate pastries." Tsuzuki replied, handing the waitress both his and Hisoka's menus.
When she had gone, Tsuzuki looked over to his partner again. "Nature? Birds? Cute little puppies? Anything?"

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Tsuzuki smiled sadly, "Well, that's not really the stuff of dreams... but it does sound good to me."
"That wounds me greatly, Tsuzuki-san..."
The shinigami turned around, nearly knocking over his chair in the process.
Muraki's hands were on the back of Tsuzuki's chair, his fingertips brushing the man's back gently.
"Come now, can I not say good morning to two such interesting individuals?" the doctor asked.
Tsuzuki frowned, "No." he replied, turning back to Hisoka and trying to ignore the man behind him.
"I just thought to tell you both," Muraki continued, undeterred, "That my vacation's been cut short. So sorry to disappoint you both."
"No disappointment." Tsuzuki replied coldly.
But Muraki leaned forward, resting his chin just next to the shinigami's ear. He smiled darkly at Hisoka, before whispering...
"Next time, Tsuzuki-san... I won't relent before you're mine..."
And just like that, he stood, leaving the room in a flourish of coattails.
Tsuzuki shivered, realizing there was a slight blush on his face from the close proximity of the doctor... and the light airy breath which had crossed his ear and the nape of his neck.
"You... youkatta..." the shinigami whispered, glad that Muraki was finally out of the picture.

(Youkatta = Thank goodness)

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"Good luck with killing him..." Tsuzuki sighed before pulling a small ofuda scroll from his pajamas.
Saying a few words, the scroll turned into a bird and flew off.
"Tatsumi or Watari should arrive soon... we can fill them in then." the shinigami replied as their tea and coffee was served. "You know..." Tsuzuki mused. "I'd really like to know what Muraki's up to. I mean... he lost his brother's head, right? I kind of... well... it was destroyed in Touda's flames... so..." he shook his head. "I mean... why is he still after us?"

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