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shiraume_ficTITLE: Sakuran
CHAPTER: 4/6
AUTHOR: Shiraume
RATING: PG-13 (Angst/Romance)
SPOILERS: Entire anime season and manga storyline up to volume 9.
WARNINGS: Slightly AU-ish, and possible squick pairing.
PAIRING: Muraki + Hisoka, Tsuzuki + Hisoka.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing is mine, except the insanity.
Previous chapters are here:
Sakuran - Prologue
Sakuran - Part One: Chance Meetings
Sakuran - Part Two: Advent
Sakuran - Part Three: Past and Present
PART FOUR: Passage to Eden
A hand gently landed on his shoulder, and Hisoka looked up at Tsuzuki's worried face.
"You should be resting, Hisoka." Hisoka said nothing. Tsuzuki sighed.
"...I didn't apologize," Hisoka said suddenly.
"What?"
"Before...before we left for this case... He came looking for me, and I..."
"Before you passed out, you mean?" Tsuzuki asked gently. Hisoka nodded
"It was never his fault. I knew that. Tsuzuki..." Hisoka's voice wavered. Tsuzuki was surprised to find Hisoka's shoulders shaking under his hand, and hastily wrapped his arms around Hisoka.
"Hisoka...it's okay."
Safely ensconced in his partner's arms, Hisoka let his tears fall. Saki had been quite happy to regale him with the full story about that night, from five years ago, replete with excruciating details.
That night, you looked so much like my Kazutaka under those blossoming sakura...
Even if Saki had never gotten as far as physically violating him...Kazutaka was as much a victim as Hisoka.
"Hisoka..." Kazutaka's voice was soft and raspy. Kazutaka's hand, almost as pale as the sheet, moved to touch Hisoka's hand lightly. "Why are you crying?"
Gentle. The white hand was so gentle and warm. As Kazutaka brushes his tears away, Hisoka closed his eyes, basking in the warm emotions that spread from that touch. Such exquisite mixture of relief, concern, and purest affection...he could not remember ever having felt such emotion from anyone. Lost in the warmth of that touch, he did not notice Tsuzuki slowly letting him go, and standing.
"I think I can leave the two of you now. Make sure you both get rest, okay?" Hisoka merely nodded distractedly, and Kazutaka offered a tired smile. Without another word, Tsuzuki strode out of the room, closing the door quietly.
Well. That put the final stamp on the matter.
Hisoka had refused to leave Kazutaka's bedside since he woke up. And Tsuzuki sensed that there was much more than simple gratitude or guilt behind Hisoka's action. During the two years of partnership, Tsuzuki had developed some tentative expectations of further development in their relationship, even though Hisoka had given him very little encouragements, if any. Then Kazutaka walked into their lives, and whatever that could have been between Hisoka and Tsuzuki had been doomed the moment when Tsuzuki saw Hisoka lose his immaculate composure for the first time. [1] Before he even realized, Kazutaka had already shattered the icy walls that surrounded Hisoka that he himself had not even finished measuring.
Tsuzuki Asato was no fool. He had known that Kazutaka was slowly but inevitably falling in love with his beautiful Hisoka. Who wouldn't? Even with his icy demeanor, there was still warmth and fragile trust left within Hisoka, blending purity and innocence with bitterness and maturity. The resulting paradox was simply irresistible. Like his name, Hisoka's heart was a secret, one that was no longer his to unlock.
With a final glance towards the closed door, Tsuzuki turned around, and walked away.
**********
Hisoka could not remember feeling more content as he sat watching Kazutaka sleep, still holding onto his hand tightly. Hisoka thought he knew peace for the first time in his life, knew the beauty of the pale moonlight, and the serenity of the still night. He knew, because he was no longer alone in the dark.
A moan pulled his thoughts back to his surroundings, and Hisoka drew closer, observing Kazutaka with concern. Kazutaka's face was taut with tension, and the knuckles of his hands turning white. Sudden onslaught of emotions caught him off guard, and Hisoka had no time to pull away before he was pulled into Kazutaka's dream, into the myriad of emotions and memories. Helpless, he sank deeper into Kazutaka's consciousness, futilely closing his eyes against the memories, knowing he would still see, would still hear.
...my prized doll...
You would have...worse than I am...
...devil's child...
...what a disappointment...not enough...
Frantically, he pulled against the tight grip, fighting back the foreign memories and emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
Overload -
...You are MINE!
The now-familiar voice of his murderer roared in his ears just as he finally managed to pull his hand away, severing the physical contact and the mental link between himself and Kazutaka. Falling back, even before his body hit the floor, Hisoka was already unconscious, lost in his own nightmare, dreaming. [2]
Of that night.
The memories were more vivid, real, and he knew without doubt that these memories he relived in his dreams now were the true ones in this world. The hair of his attacker was darker, golden, and the eyes were amber, glinting in the moonlight. The hands were colder, more bruising in their force.
...and...
"Hisoka?"
...it was not Muraki.
Hisoka opened his eyes, and immediately closed them against the harsh sunlight. More cautiously, Hisoka opened his eyes again, and found Kazutaka looking at him worriedly.
"I woke up in the middle of the night, and found you passed out on the floor. Again." Kazutaka's voice was laced with disapproval and worry, and Hisoka sat up wearily. His body was still throbbing, as it always did after that particular dream. "I called Watari-san to put you in bed after I found you, but I was really worried. What happened to you?" Kazutaka asked gently.
"...It's nothing."
"Hisoka-san, I hope you don't honestly think I'd believe you." Kazutaka's voice was firm, and after a moment, Hisoka sighed inwardly.
"You were having a nightmare," Hisoka began, and at Kazutaka's nod, continued. "I was pulled into it briefly, and passed out from the resulting overload."
"Oh." Kazutaka's guilt reared up again, and Hisoka winced; he was really not ready to deal with it this early in the morning. "It's because you were holding my hand as I was sleeping, isn't it?"
Hisoka did not contradict him, opting to change the subject - a tact he picked up from Tsuzuki which worked surprisingly well at times. "Were you watching me sleep?" Kazutaka looked completely blank for a moment, then blushed scarlet. It was rather endearing, and Hisoka smiled in spite of himself.
"I couldn't go back to sleep after waking up," Kazutaka mumbled in embarrassment. Hisoka's smile waned, but for once not because of his own nightmare.
"I know the feeling," he murmured gently, hand moving automatically to seek Kazutaka's.
"Yeah, you would know. You experienced it first-hand."
"Kazutaka-san...what happened between you and Saki...that wasn't your fault."
"So, you saw it." The usually warm voice was flat and devoid of life. Kazutaka's hospital gown was loose, and Hisoka could see, just an inch or so below Kazutaka's left collarbone, an artfully carved character of "darkness," like blood on the pale skin. Kazukata's family servant had interrupted Saki's fun sooner than he probably had liked, but Saki had still had time to leave his mark on Kazutaka, identical to the one he left to all of his subsequent victims.
You're the one who tempted me in the first place, dear brother...
"Kazutaka-san..."
You really wanted this, didn't you?
"Kazutaka-san!"
Only what you asked for, sweet Kazutaka. Only what you deserve.
"Kazutaka!"
Kazuaka's wide, unseeing eyes flickered to Hisoka's. Hisoka's both hands were on his shoulders, and a detached part of him thought it must be very painful for the empath to do that while his emotions were in a complete chaos.
"You're here now. They are only shadows of the past. Don't let them control you."
Kazutaka felt his head clear, a little, and looked at Hisoka, who gave him a small nod. With a soft sigh, Kazutaka laid his head on Hisoka's shoulder, feeling the warmth of Hisoka's hand rubbing his back. Hisoka allowed himself a small smile as he held Kazutaka, giving support, giving warmth. The warmth Kazutaka gave him so much, so often... Hisoka did not let go until Kazutaka fell asleep.
Even after Kazutaka was soundly asleep, Hisoka did not let go.
**********
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I just want to be outside for a little while."
"Watari-san will kill you when he finds out."
"You mean, if he finds out."
"You..."
"And he won't."
"Really."
"What, are you going to tattle on me?"
"Maybe," Hisoka glared, but Kazutaka cheerfully ignored him, plopping down underneath a sakura tree in full bloom.
"It's not like I ran away to Earth or something. Watari-san will deal," Kazutaka said after two full minutes of unmitigated glaring.
"You're not well enough to." Hisoka barely resisted adding, 'idiot.' "I see Tsuzuki has been a bad influence on you." Kazutaka merely laughed, and Hisoka shook his head. "Come on. Get up."
"Can't. I'm injured, remember?"
"You walked all the way here," Hisoka said pointedly.
Kazutaka's answer was as ready as ever. "You helped, remember? See, you're already my accomplice."
Hisoka gave a long-suffering sigh. Kazutaka smiled deviously, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Fine, fine. Here, help me up," he said petulantly, extending a hand. When Hisoka grabbed his hand, he gave a sharp pull, simultaneously knocking Hisoka's feet from under him. With a squeak of surprise, Hisoka tumbled to the ground.
Right on top of Kazutaka.
"Why you - "
Laughter rang out again, and Hisoka struggled to get up, but Kazutaka had managed to grab both of his wrists. The sakura petals rained down as they wrestled, shaken loose after someone's foot kicked the tree trunk, hard. Hisoka immediately stopped moving when he heard a sharp gasp of pain.
"Oh! I'm sorry. Are you all right?" Hisoka tried to scramble off, but Kazutaka held him fast, keeping him still. It was then Hisoka realized that their faces were only inches apart, and their bodies pressed from chest to thighs. He flushed scarlet, his breath leaving his lips in a surprised gasp. Kazutaka's eyes were warm, and an emotion much stronger than friendly affection suddenly tugged on Hisoka's heart, growing hotter and stronger, spreading through the physical contact.
"I'm all right," Kazutaka whispered, his eyes locked on Hisoka's. He raised his head until Hisoka could feel their breaths mingling.
His heart pounding in his chest, Hisoka stayed still as Kazutaka drew closer, his face blurring out of focus. Then he felt a tentative brush of lips against his, and let out the breath he had not known he was holding. The mouth under his parted slightly, and suddenly the kiss changed, heat flaring from the contact.
Kazutaka did not know what possessed him to suddenly initiate this, but Hisoka was not pulling away, so he persisted, desperate to feel more. When Hisoka still showed no sign of pulling away, he slowly released Hisoka's wrists and wrapped his arms around Hisoka instead. Hisoka's hands were tangled in Kazutaka's hair, although neither of them was quite sure how they had gotten there.
When they finally broke apart, they were both panting and flushed, each disbelieving that the other had just allowed the kiss. Feeling Kazutaka's heartbeat race against his own, Hisoka felt a surge of emotion inside him, the same emotion that had thrilled through him when he threw his arms around Tsuzuki, heedless of Touda's scorching flame, in another life, another world.
That same emotion burned through him now, burning between them.
Hisoka leaned down to brush a soft kiss against Kazutaka's lips, then shifted to lie on the ground, Kazutaka's arms still wrapped around him. He closed his eyes, his head on Kazutaka's shoulder, his hand resting lightly over Kazutaka's heart, feeling Kazutaka's hand moving over his shoulder and back. Safe in warmth, the sakura blossoms were no longer hateful, but beautiful, bringing him a sense of peace, not nightmares. For this one moment, the world was perfect, and Hisoka was completely and utterly happy.
**********
Ten days after Kazutaka was put in the infirmary, Watari finally declared that he could leave. It had been a week since Kazutaka and Hisoka had shared their first kiss under the rain of sakura. It had been two days since a very flustered Tatsumi caught the two of them kissing (and doing a bit more than kissing) in the infirmary. Hisoka and Tsuzuki escorted the protesting Kazutaka home, and now, Hisoka was preparing tea for both of them; Tsuzuki had left right away, despite invitation from Kazutaka to stay for tea. The teakettle whistled and Hisoka reached over, but faltered when he suddenly felt warm lips against his nape.
"The water is ready," Hisoka murmured, turning off the stove. He could feel a smile against his neck.
"It can wait."
Hisoka's breathing quickened as the gentle arms wound around him and pulled him back into the warm body behind his. Kazutaka kissed the side of his neck, then his jaw, and he closed his eyes with a soft hum, turning around to catch Kazutaka's mouth with his own. A warm hand brushed against his nipple through the thin shirt, and Hisoka moaned softly into the kiss.
"Ah - " Kazutaka opened his eyes in surprise when Hisoka suddenly broke the kiss with a strangled cry.
"Hisoka?" Hisoka had his arms wrapped around himself, shaking. Startled, Kazutaka instinctively reached out, but thought better of it. "Hisoka, what is it? Did I hurt you?" The stab of fear eased when Hisoka shook his head, but it was short-lived. Hisoka was holding himself, trembling as if with pain.
"The marks..." Hisoka whispered, voice nearly inaudible. After a few heartbeat, Hisoka felt the pain let up slightly and continued. "They're burning." Kazutaka gasped when Hisoka unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the marks of the curse burning scarlet.
"What..."
"It means he is calling." Hisoka's voice was flat. There was no question as to who was calling. But Hisoka did not seem afraid.
"What do you want to do?" Kazutaka questioned, although he thought he knew the answer already.
"We have to stop him," Hisoka answered, slowly but firmly. "We can't let him go on."
Kazutaka was silent for a moment. "Do you think we can?"
"I know Tatsumi-san and Tsuzuki have been working on the case. But I want us to be the ones to do this, Kazutaka."
"He's very powerful," Kazutaka pointed out, closing his eyes. He could not bear the thought of facing his brother again, or more importantly, the possibility of losing Hisoka.
Hisoka's expression was understanding, but resolved. "If we don't, we will never be free of him." Hisoka paused, and added softly, "I will never be free of him." Kazutaka just looked at him, pained.
"I don't ever want to lose you, Hisoka," Kazutaka finally whispered.
"You won't." Hisoka's voice was sure, determined. In a softer tone, he added, "You won't, Kazutaka, because I..."
A finger on his lips stopped Hisoka's words, and Kazutaka replaced the finger with his lips, kissing Hisoka chastely. When Kazutaka pulled back slightly, Hisoka saw the suspicious glimmer of wetness in the softened sliver eyes. "Tell me after we defeat him," Kazutaka whispered to him.
Hisoka whispered back just as softly, with all his heart. "I will."
END OF PART FOUR
A/N:
[1] Do recall that any and all occasions of Hisoka showing his less composed, human side to Tsuzuki have been erased at this point; the Nagasaki incident, Queen Camellia incident, and Kyoto incident have not happened in this reality.
[2] ...This scene has no scientific validity whatsoever. My dorky heart compels me to state this clearly.
CHAPTER: 4/6
AUTHOR: Shiraume
RATING: PG-13 (Angst/Romance)
SPOILERS: Entire anime season and manga storyline up to volume 9.
WARNINGS: Slightly AU-ish, and possible squick pairing.
PAIRING: Muraki + Hisoka, Tsuzuki + Hisoka.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing is mine, except the insanity.
Previous chapters are here:
Sakuran - Prologue
Sakuran - Part One: Chance Meetings
Sakuran - Part Two: Advent
Sakuran - Part Three: Past and Present
A hand gently landed on his shoulder, and Hisoka looked up at Tsuzuki's worried face.
"You should be resting, Hisoka." Hisoka said nothing. Tsuzuki sighed.
"...I didn't apologize," Hisoka said suddenly.
"What?"
"Before...before we left for this case... He came looking for me, and I..."
"Before you passed out, you mean?" Tsuzuki asked gently. Hisoka nodded
"It was never his fault. I knew that. Tsuzuki..." Hisoka's voice wavered. Tsuzuki was surprised to find Hisoka's shoulders shaking under his hand, and hastily wrapped his arms around Hisoka.
"Hisoka...it's okay."
Safely ensconced in his partner's arms, Hisoka let his tears fall. Saki had been quite happy to regale him with the full story about that night, from five years ago, replete with excruciating details.
That night, you looked so much like my Kazutaka under those blossoming sakura...
Even if Saki had never gotten as far as physically violating him...Kazutaka was as much a victim as Hisoka.
"Hisoka..." Kazutaka's voice was soft and raspy. Kazutaka's hand, almost as pale as the sheet, moved to touch Hisoka's hand lightly. "Why are you crying?"
Gentle. The white hand was so gentle and warm. As Kazutaka brushes his tears away, Hisoka closed his eyes, basking in the warm emotions that spread from that touch. Such exquisite mixture of relief, concern, and purest affection...he could not remember ever having felt such emotion from anyone. Lost in the warmth of that touch, he did not notice Tsuzuki slowly letting him go, and standing.
"I think I can leave the two of you now. Make sure you both get rest, okay?" Hisoka merely nodded distractedly, and Kazutaka offered a tired smile. Without another word, Tsuzuki strode out of the room, closing the door quietly.
Well. That put the final stamp on the matter.
Hisoka had refused to leave Kazutaka's bedside since he woke up. And Tsuzuki sensed that there was much more than simple gratitude or guilt behind Hisoka's action. During the two years of partnership, Tsuzuki had developed some tentative expectations of further development in their relationship, even though Hisoka had given him very little encouragements, if any. Then Kazutaka walked into their lives, and whatever that could have been between Hisoka and Tsuzuki had been doomed the moment when Tsuzuki saw Hisoka lose his immaculate composure for the first time. [1] Before he even realized, Kazutaka had already shattered the icy walls that surrounded Hisoka that he himself had not even finished measuring.
Tsuzuki Asato was no fool. He had known that Kazutaka was slowly but inevitably falling in love with his beautiful Hisoka. Who wouldn't? Even with his icy demeanor, there was still warmth and fragile trust left within Hisoka, blending purity and innocence with bitterness and maturity. The resulting paradox was simply irresistible. Like his name, Hisoka's heart was a secret, one that was no longer his to unlock.
With a final glance towards the closed door, Tsuzuki turned around, and walked away.
Hisoka could not remember feeling more content as he sat watching Kazutaka sleep, still holding onto his hand tightly. Hisoka thought he knew peace for the first time in his life, knew the beauty of the pale moonlight, and the serenity of the still night. He knew, because he was no longer alone in the dark.
A moan pulled his thoughts back to his surroundings, and Hisoka drew closer, observing Kazutaka with concern. Kazutaka's face was taut with tension, and the knuckles of his hands turning white. Sudden onslaught of emotions caught him off guard, and Hisoka had no time to pull away before he was pulled into Kazutaka's dream, into the myriad of emotions and memories. Helpless, he sank deeper into Kazutaka's consciousness, futilely closing his eyes against the memories, knowing he would still see, would still hear.
...my prized doll...
You would have...worse than I am...
...devil's child...
...what a disappointment...not enough...
Frantically, he pulled against the tight grip, fighting back the foreign memories and emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
Overload -
...You are MINE!
The now-familiar voice of his murderer roared in his ears just as he finally managed to pull his hand away, severing the physical contact and the mental link between himself and Kazutaka. Falling back, even before his body hit the floor, Hisoka was already unconscious, lost in his own nightmare, dreaming. [2]
Of that night.
The memories were more vivid, real, and he knew without doubt that these memories he relived in his dreams now were the true ones in this world. The hair of his attacker was darker, golden, and the eyes were amber, glinting in the moonlight. The hands were colder, more bruising in their force.
...and...
"Hisoka?"
...it was not Muraki.
Hisoka opened his eyes, and immediately closed them against the harsh sunlight. More cautiously, Hisoka opened his eyes again, and found Kazutaka looking at him worriedly.
"I woke up in the middle of the night, and found you passed out on the floor. Again." Kazutaka's voice was laced with disapproval and worry, and Hisoka sat up wearily. His body was still throbbing, as it always did after that particular dream. "I called Watari-san to put you in bed after I found you, but I was really worried. What happened to you?" Kazutaka asked gently.
"...It's nothing."
"Hisoka-san, I hope you don't honestly think I'd believe you." Kazutaka's voice was firm, and after a moment, Hisoka sighed inwardly.
"You were having a nightmare," Hisoka began, and at Kazutaka's nod, continued. "I was pulled into it briefly, and passed out from the resulting overload."
"Oh." Kazutaka's guilt reared up again, and Hisoka winced; he was really not ready to deal with it this early in the morning. "It's because you were holding my hand as I was sleeping, isn't it?"
Hisoka did not contradict him, opting to change the subject - a tact he picked up from Tsuzuki which worked surprisingly well at times. "Were you watching me sleep?" Kazutaka looked completely blank for a moment, then blushed scarlet. It was rather endearing, and Hisoka smiled in spite of himself.
"I couldn't go back to sleep after waking up," Kazutaka mumbled in embarrassment. Hisoka's smile waned, but for once not because of his own nightmare.
"I know the feeling," he murmured gently, hand moving automatically to seek Kazutaka's.
"Yeah, you would know. You experienced it first-hand."
"Kazutaka-san...what happened between you and Saki...that wasn't your fault."
"So, you saw it." The usually warm voice was flat and devoid of life. Kazutaka's hospital gown was loose, and Hisoka could see, just an inch or so below Kazutaka's left collarbone, an artfully carved character of "darkness," like blood on the pale skin. Kazukata's family servant had interrupted Saki's fun sooner than he probably had liked, but Saki had still had time to leave his mark on Kazutaka, identical to the one he left to all of his subsequent victims.
You're the one who tempted me in the first place, dear brother...
"Kazutaka-san..."
You really wanted this, didn't you?
"Kazutaka-san!"
Only what you asked for, sweet Kazutaka. Only what you deserve.
"Kazutaka!"
Kazuaka's wide, unseeing eyes flickered to Hisoka's. Hisoka's both hands were on his shoulders, and a detached part of him thought it must be very painful for the empath to do that while his emotions were in a complete chaos.
"You're here now. They are only shadows of the past. Don't let them control you."
Kazutaka felt his head clear, a little, and looked at Hisoka, who gave him a small nod. With a soft sigh, Kazutaka laid his head on Hisoka's shoulder, feeling the warmth of Hisoka's hand rubbing his back. Hisoka allowed himself a small smile as he held Kazutaka, giving support, giving warmth. The warmth Kazutaka gave him so much, so often... Hisoka did not let go until Kazutaka fell asleep.
Even after Kazutaka was soundly asleep, Hisoka did not let go.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I just want to be outside for a little while."
"Watari-san will kill you when he finds out."
"You mean, if he finds out."
"You..."
"And he won't."
"Really."
"What, are you going to tattle on me?"
"Maybe," Hisoka glared, but Kazutaka cheerfully ignored him, plopping down underneath a sakura tree in full bloom.
"It's not like I ran away to Earth or something. Watari-san will deal," Kazutaka said after two full minutes of unmitigated glaring.
"You're not well enough to." Hisoka barely resisted adding, 'idiot.' "I see Tsuzuki has been a bad influence on you." Kazutaka merely laughed, and Hisoka shook his head. "Come on. Get up."
"Can't. I'm injured, remember?"
"You walked all the way here," Hisoka said pointedly.
Kazutaka's answer was as ready as ever. "You helped, remember? See, you're already my accomplice."
Hisoka gave a long-suffering sigh. Kazutaka smiled deviously, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Fine, fine. Here, help me up," he said petulantly, extending a hand. When Hisoka grabbed his hand, he gave a sharp pull, simultaneously knocking Hisoka's feet from under him. With a squeak of surprise, Hisoka tumbled to the ground.
Right on top of Kazutaka.
"Why you - "
Laughter rang out again, and Hisoka struggled to get up, but Kazutaka had managed to grab both of his wrists. The sakura petals rained down as they wrestled, shaken loose after someone's foot kicked the tree trunk, hard. Hisoka immediately stopped moving when he heard a sharp gasp of pain.
"Oh! I'm sorry. Are you all right?" Hisoka tried to scramble off, but Kazutaka held him fast, keeping him still. It was then Hisoka realized that their faces were only inches apart, and their bodies pressed from chest to thighs. He flushed scarlet, his breath leaving his lips in a surprised gasp. Kazutaka's eyes were warm, and an emotion much stronger than friendly affection suddenly tugged on Hisoka's heart, growing hotter and stronger, spreading through the physical contact.
"I'm all right," Kazutaka whispered, his eyes locked on Hisoka's. He raised his head until Hisoka could feel their breaths mingling.
His heart pounding in his chest, Hisoka stayed still as Kazutaka drew closer, his face blurring out of focus. Then he felt a tentative brush of lips against his, and let out the breath he had not known he was holding. The mouth under his parted slightly, and suddenly the kiss changed, heat flaring from the contact.
Kazutaka did not know what possessed him to suddenly initiate this, but Hisoka was not pulling away, so he persisted, desperate to feel more. When Hisoka still showed no sign of pulling away, he slowly released Hisoka's wrists and wrapped his arms around Hisoka instead. Hisoka's hands were tangled in Kazutaka's hair, although neither of them was quite sure how they had gotten there.
When they finally broke apart, they were both panting and flushed, each disbelieving that the other had just allowed the kiss. Feeling Kazutaka's heartbeat race against his own, Hisoka felt a surge of emotion inside him, the same emotion that had thrilled through him when he threw his arms around Tsuzuki, heedless of Touda's scorching flame, in another life, another world.
That same emotion burned through him now, burning between them.
Hisoka leaned down to brush a soft kiss against Kazutaka's lips, then shifted to lie on the ground, Kazutaka's arms still wrapped around him. He closed his eyes, his head on Kazutaka's shoulder, his hand resting lightly over Kazutaka's heart, feeling Kazutaka's hand moving over his shoulder and back. Safe in warmth, the sakura blossoms were no longer hateful, but beautiful, bringing him a sense of peace, not nightmares. For this one moment, the world was perfect, and Hisoka was completely and utterly happy.
Ten days after Kazutaka was put in the infirmary, Watari finally declared that he could leave. It had been a week since Kazutaka and Hisoka had shared their first kiss under the rain of sakura. It had been two days since a very flustered Tatsumi caught the two of them kissing (and doing a bit more than kissing) in the infirmary. Hisoka and Tsuzuki escorted the protesting Kazutaka home, and now, Hisoka was preparing tea for both of them; Tsuzuki had left right away, despite invitation from Kazutaka to stay for tea. The teakettle whistled and Hisoka reached over, but faltered when he suddenly felt warm lips against his nape.
"The water is ready," Hisoka murmured, turning off the stove. He could feel a smile against his neck.
"It can wait."
Hisoka's breathing quickened as the gentle arms wound around him and pulled him back into the warm body behind his. Kazutaka kissed the side of his neck, then his jaw, and he closed his eyes with a soft hum, turning around to catch Kazutaka's mouth with his own. A warm hand brushed against his nipple through the thin shirt, and Hisoka moaned softly into the kiss.
"Ah - " Kazutaka opened his eyes in surprise when Hisoka suddenly broke the kiss with a strangled cry.
"Hisoka?" Hisoka had his arms wrapped around himself, shaking. Startled, Kazutaka instinctively reached out, but thought better of it. "Hisoka, what is it? Did I hurt you?" The stab of fear eased when Hisoka shook his head, but it was short-lived. Hisoka was holding himself, trembling as if with pain.
"The marks..." Hisoka whispered, voice nearly inaudible. After a few heartbeat, Hisoka felt the pain let up slightly and continued. "They're burning." Kazutaka gasped when Hisoka unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the marks of the curse burning scarlet.
"What..."
"It means he is calling." Hisoka's voice was flat. There was no question as to who was calling. But Hisoka did not seem afraid.
"What do you want to do?" Kazutaka questioned, although he thought he knew the answer already.
"We have to stop him," Hisoka answered, slowly but firmly. "We can't let him go on."
Kazutaka was silent for a moment. "Do you think we can?"
"I know Tatsumi-san and Tsuzuki have been working on the case. But I want us to be the ones to do this, Kazutaka."
"He's very powerful," Kazutaka pointed out, closing his eyes. He could not bear the thought of facing his brother again, or more importantly, the possibility of losing Hisoka.
Hisoka's expression was understanding, but resolved. "If we don't, we will never be free of him." Hisoka paused, and added softly, "I will never be free of him." Kazutaka just looked at him, pained.
"I don't ever want to lose you, Hisoka," Kazutaka finally whispered.
"You won't." Hisoka's voice was sure, determined. In a softer tone, he added, "You won't, Kazutaka, because I..."
A finger on his lips stopped Hisoka's words, and Kazutaka replaced the finger with his lips, kissing Hisoka chastely. When Kazutaka pulled back slightly, Hisoka saw the suspicious glimmer of wetness in the softened sliver eyes. "Tell me after we defeat him," Kazutaka whispered to him.
Hisoka whispered back just as softly, with all his heart. "I will."
A/N:
[1] Do recall that any and all occasions of Hisoka showing his less composed, human side to Tsuzuki have been erased at this point; the Nagasaki incident, Queen Camellia incident, and Kyoto incident have not happened in this reality.
[2] ...This scene has no scientific validity whatsoever. My dorky heart compels me to state this clearly.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-18 12:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-18 09:33 pm (UTC)Based on the label I put on this fic, probably not. I hope you'll enjoy the stay.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-19 01:13 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-20 03:37 am (UTC)Enjoy your stay.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-20 05:43 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-22 08:34 pm (UTC)Enjoy your stay.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-05 01:51 pm (UTC)Ripped my heart out and OW. I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO DO THAT!
*cuddles Tsuzuki*
This is brilliant, m'dear. *pets you* I like very much what you've done with it. My very favorite kind of what if story, a branch of possibility, with the added twist of Hisoka remembering the other world. Guh.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-05 05:01 pm (UTC)*loves you very muchily* <3 Thank you~
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-25 12:47 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-26 04:46 am (UTC)