by Empath no Tenshi
Chapter 10
A middle-aged man with long brown hair watched over the unconscious Hisoka as he puffed a cigarette. He sat on a chair beside the featherbed, his eyes never leaving the figure that, at first glance, seems to be sleeping peacefully. But he knew better than that. He knew that Hisoka wasn’t simply asleep, but had fallen to a very exhausted slumber. The young boy still had very deep cuts that were slowly healing, that’s if they were even healing at all. It didn’t help either that he was still bleeding a lot.
‘At this rate� if this continues� he might just bleed to death…’ he sadly mused. Hisoka stirred a bit, so he held the pale, delicate hand hoping to comfort the youth’s troubled soul. It was so sad to see someone suffering even in sleep. How he wished that he could do something, anything, to ease the child’s pain. This boy was his talented student after all. ‘That Muraki� What has he done to you�?� Oriya-sensei ruminated, eyebrows furrowed with a deep frown.�
And it was then that the subject of his musings arrived.
The wooden sliding door opened and in came the said doctor. He elegantly strode towards where Hisoka was and sat on the edge of his bed. He gently caressed Hisoka’s soft cheeks and looked at Oriya.
“How is he?� He asked monotonously.
“You should know. You’re the doctor here. Besides, you’re the one who did this to him, weren’t you?� Oriya answered sarcastically.
Muraki simply sighs and continues to stroke Hisoka’s now dull hair.
�Really, it’s ironic that you call yourself a doctor. Look at what you’re doing� and…” he turns to face Hisoka sadly. “Look at what you did to him.�
A glint of sadness appeared in Muraki’s silver eyes, so fast that even Oriya, who had known him for the longest time, almost missed it.
“Oriya, please understand that I had to do it. My doll� someone’s trying to steal him away from me, and I wouldn’t let that happen now would I? He’s mine. I made sure of that since we first met.�
‘That’s right�
From the moment I’ve first laid my eyes on you�
I felt this strong desire to make you mine�
This possessiveness that I feel towards you�
I cannot understand�
But one thing’s for sure�
I want you�
To be mine� forever…’
~)-0-(~
Tatsumi then went back to Tsuzuki’s current apartment. Coincidentally, it was built on an area where there is a tremendous amount of ki flowing. He drew two sets of magic circles- one for him and another for Ryuji, which can release the ki energy and use it to boost their skills.
�
Tatsumi explained to him what they have to do.
�
“I’ll try to track down Kurosaki-kun, and while I do so, you have to transmit my thoughts to him. Can you do that?�
�
“Yup. No sweat.� Ryuji confirmed confidently. He sat lotus position (the one used in yoga) on his magic circle and began to extend his telepathy as far as he can. Tatsumi, meanwhile, stood on his and began to summon his shadow to locate Hisoka’s. Their magic circles glowed brightly. Ryuji slowly shut his eyes and frowned in concentration. Tatsumi, meanwhile, stood perfectly still for a long moment, then with a wave of his hand, black shadows sprang forth form where he was standing and departed with unbelievable speed, creating only a minute swooshing sound.
�
~)-0-(~
� It was cold, dark and gloomy as it always was. This room had never changed since his cruel parents first brought him here. He could still remember that day vividly.
***
He was just sitting on the dining table, his parents chatting casually over some things they needed to discuss with their other relatives. His uncle Iwao had been sending cold glances towards his father, which the others didn’t even seem to notice. He didn’t now how, but he knew that his uncle had some unsettled matters with his father.
‘Soon, Nagare, you will be out of my way…’
And he saw his uncle smirk evilly.
‘Go on� just drink that…’
Hisoka felt a cold shudder slide down his spine as he felt the emotions coming from his suspicious uncle.
‘In just a matter of minutes you will die…’�
Hisoka nervously glanced at his father, and he found himself jumping out of his seat and grab his father’s strong hand to stop him from drinking the cursed liquid.
“Tou-sama� please don’t drink that…” He said, his sweet young voice slightly faltering with apprehension.
His father merely smiled at him.
“What’s wrong Hisoka? It’s just wine. Besides, it’s a gift from uncle Iwao, and I don’t want to embarrass him.�
Nagare gently pried his son’s smaller hand off and proceeded to drink the sake.
But little Hisoka stubbornly held his hand again.
“Tou-sama� onegai…”
“Hisoka, go back to your seat and finish your meal.� He stated firmly, yet with a tone of gentleness for the little child.
Nagare was about to take a sip when Hisoka knocked the glass off his hand.
“Hisoka!!� Nagare scolded rather harshly.
Little Hisoka instantaneously scampered to his mother and hugged her in fear.
� His mother gently took her in her arms and tried to comfort him by running gentle strokes on his lithe back.
“That was bad Hisoka� why did you do that?� She gently asked.
“Tou-sama’s wine� will kill him…”
Hisoka’s voice was very soft but some members of the family heard what he just said, his father and his uncle included.
“Preposterous! Are you saying that I’m trying to poison my beloved brother you little bastard!!!� Iwao exclaimed indignantly.
“Oniisan! Please…” Nagare scolded before his brother could say any more. Then he turned his attention to Hisoka who’s shivering in his mother’s arms. “Hisoka� why did you say such a thing?� He asked sternly.
“Because I� felt it…” Hisoka timidly answered.
“Felt!? What kind of illogical explanation is that!? Your kid’s quite a good liar, Nagare.�
Nagare gave Hisoka a piercing serious look this time.
“The truth, Hisoka…”
Hisoka merely hugged his mother tighter.
Nagare released a soft sigh and went over to his seat once more. He poured another serving of sake, walked over to the nearest plant and discarded it there.
Nothing happened.
“Explain yourself, Hisoka.� Nagare stated calmly, but with a tone of voice that said he meant business.
“But� but� it’s true…” Hisoka began to sob, clutching the front fabric of his mother’s kimono tightly. �
Frustrated, Iwao stood up and poured the rest of the sake to the same plant that Nagare did to just a few moments ago, confident that it won’t have an effect.
His mistake.
He barely finished pouring the entire content of the bottle when the plant withered and rotted. Everyone stared at the stunned Iwao, disbelief written all over shocked faces.
“Iwao-san� you didn’t…” Kasane voiced out, surprise almost palpable in her voice.
Iwao looked around helplessly feeling trapped� caught in the act.
“You little brat!!! I’ll get back at you for this!� Iwao hissed angrily before he dashed out of the Kurosaki estate.
A few weeks passed after that incident, and then Iwao once again had the courage (in other words, the nerve) to set foot on the Kurosaki household. He went there to apologize to Nagare, and that he wasn’t serious in planning to kill him. His jealousy had just taken over and he swore never to do it again. Nagare was thankful that the dispute between him and his brother had finally been settled.
Or so it seemed. Little did he know what plot Iwao had planned against little Hisoka.
“Nagare� watch your son carefully. He has powers we do not know of. I don’t know how he found out about what I wanted to do to you the other night, but for sure it wasn’t normal� and neither is your child. He scares me.� Iwao conveyed, mocking concern in his voice. After that he left early in the afternoon saying he had other matters to attend to.
But that night, someone Iwao hired snuck inside the Kurosaki manor, carrying with him a venomous snake. He quietly opened Hisoka’s window and carried out the instructions Iwao gave him. Hisoka sensed someone entering and was jolted awake. However, the intruder fiercely hit his stomach, knocking the poor boy unconscious. He left trails leading to Hisoka’s room, making it look like it came from there, and brought the snake to one of the maid’s quarters. �
Moments later, a pained scream echoed through the night.
The next morning, a maid was reported dead, poisoned by snakebite. The maid was returned to her relatives and is to be given a proper burial. The snake was killed the moment it was found. And Nagare, with Iwao’s words ringing in his ears, locked Hisoka in the cruel cell that, since that day, had become his permanent room.
***
Hisoka sat on the cold concrete floor hugging his arms to himself, shivering uncontrollably. It was raining outside his cell, bringing a bitter chill to his frail body. He also noticed that it had been getting considerably darker by the minute. As each second passed, his surroundings became colder, darker� emptier. He felt himself beginning to float, as he felt a strange presence envelope him.
~)-0-(~
Tatsumi concentrated hard as he navigated his shadow into the different directions where he could feel Hisoka getting nearer. He swiftly passed through the shadows of other people he passed by, watchful enough not to let them disturb his operation. When he finally arrived at the exact location where Hisoka was, he had to be very vigilant not to let the two other people close by, presumably Hisoka’s captors, feel his presence. With one swift move, he eluded their shadows and proceeded to approach his intended target.
Ryuji then did his part and extended his telepathy both to Hisoka and Tatsumi’s mental wavelengths. Tatsumi felt it and started calling out to Hisoka.
“Kurosaki-kun! Kurosaki-kun!!�
Hisoka, still trapped in his dream, heard Tatsumi’s voice and slowly opened his eyes. There he saw a black figure gliding towards him.
‘A shadow…’
“Kurosaki-kun, can you hear me? I need your help so that I can take you out of here.� The shadow’s voice gently stated.
“Tat� Tatsumi-san�?� Hisoka weakly voiced out upon recognizing his voice.
� “Yes� It’s me. I came here to rescue you.� He enlightened the confused boy.
“I� don’t want to go. I’m tired� I can rest here so please, Tatsumi-san� leave me.� Hisoka exhaustedly begged.
“Kurosaki-kun� I know, it’s been hard. But please� you have to come back. Your father is waiting for you. So is Minase-kun and…Tsuzuki-san.� Tatsumi persuaded.
At the mention of Tsuzuki’s name, Hisoka looked up at the shadow’s empty face with jaded eyes.
“Take me back then…” Hisoka wearily declared, but his eyes slowly began to show determination.
“Good� Now, open up your mind to me and let me take over for a while. I promise� I’ll bring you back.� Tatsumi assured.
� Hisoka obediently followed and soon found Tatsumi’s powerful presence carefully entering and dominating his psyche. When Tatsumi felt their minds synchronize, he gently lifted Hisoka and carried him back.
At the apartment, Tsuzuki, Watari and Ryuji saw Tatsumi completely engulfed in darkness and resurfaced, with Hisoka in his arms. Tsuzuki hurriedly scampered towards them and Watari tailed behind. Tatsumi went upstairs to the bedroom and tenderly laid Hisoka down on Tsuzuki’s bed. Watari hastily checked the cupboards for bandages, medicines, and anything at all that might be needed to treat ‘bon�.
After fixing Hisoka’s blanket, Tsuzuki sat worriedly on a chair that he placed beside the bed. He started as Hisoka slowly opened his eyes and reached out to hold his hand.
“Tsuzuki� I� came back� because of you…” Hisoka softly voiced out.
“Hisoka…” Tsuzuki’s eyes began to water as his face shone with a heartfelt smile.
“I want you� to do something for me…” Hisoka weakly continued.
“Anything you want, Hisoka. I’d do anything for you.� Tsuzuki encouraged.
He had no idea that the words would follow will crush his heart.
“Tsuzuki� I came back because you� can do something for me that Muraki won’t. Do your job� release me from this cycle of pain …”
For a very long moment, Tsuzuki stared in shocked silence at Hisoka whose breathing was slow and labored.
“Tsuzuki� please…” He weakly begged.
‘I’ve had enough�
This curse�
These bleeding wounds�
Never healing…’
“Please� set me free…”
‘Let it all end�
Let my life end� �
“Hisoka� If that is what you truly want� then forgive me.� Tsuzuki said, tears pouring down his eyes and regret clearly visible on his dimmed amethyst depths.
~)-0-(~