Set Me Free
by Empath no Tenshi
Chapter 3
Tsuzuki had to play in his mind over and over again what Hijiri had
just said that day, in order for him to grasp it. He's currently in his
apartment now (and it's a very cheap-looking one at that. . . all due
thanks to Tatsumi's new and improved budget-tightening plan), and he's
sitting on the couch still trying to figure out what might've been the
reason behind it, what Hijiri had just told them.
--'If Hijiri couldn't find it, then why was it there when Hisoka
came?'-- Tsuzuki thought, scratching his head in annoyance. He's been
thinking about it all this time, but still couldn't get it.
--'Argh! Unless one of them was lying, which is definitely out of the
question, then I might as well say that the key was waiting for Hisoka to
find it!'--
He laid his head down and placed his arm over his forehead to relax a
little. . . then abruptly sat upright again with a frown on his face.
--'Waiting. . . impossible, unless. . . someone else was there. . .'--
Then his frown deepens.
--But who. . .? And why. . .?'--
Tsuzuki falls over from the couch when he was startled as the phone
rang. He went over to the phone and answered it. But just when his hand was
inches away from the receiver, he stopped and hesitated.
--'Oh please. . . don't let this be them. . . don't let this be the go
signal. . .'--
But he answered the phone all the same.
"Moshi moshi."
"Konbanwa, Tsuzuki-san." Came Tatsumi's voice.
Tsuzuki froze in fear.
--'Oh please. . . no. . . don't tell me that I'm already supposed to---
'--
"Tsuzuki-san, are you listening to me?" came Tatsumi's voice again.
This time, quite irritated.
"What? Yes? You were saying???" Tsuzuki asked again.
A sigh. . . then Tatsumi spoke again.
"As I was saying, which you apparently didn't hear, Kachou has ordered
to see you tomorrow. Your regular report is due, which you have undoubtedly
forgotten about."
"That's all?" Tsuzuki asked, clinging on to hope desperately.
"Yes. And one more thing. . ."
Then he's fidgeting nervously again. "What. . .?"
"You're budget report. I expect to see it tomorrow as well. If you
overspent, EVEN by just one. . . single. . . puny. . . little. . . cent. .
. consider yourself fired. Understood?" He gave emphasis to every word
threateningly.
"*gulp* Hai. . ." Tsuzuki answered nervously. *sweatdrops*
"Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow." And Tatsumi hung up.
Tsuzuki went up to his room and collapsed on the bed with relief.
--'Thank goodness. . . So I'm not supposed to kill him yet. If they
ever gave me the go signal tonight, I'd bet my lifetime salary that I'll
fail the job. . . because I. . . I could never hurt Hisoka. . .'--
And his last thought before he fell asleep was. . .
--'And I guess I never will.'--
~)-0-(~
A brown-haired boy dashed across the dojo then moved to initiate an
attack. His opponent dodged it in time, grabbed his arm and flung him,
making him crash on the floor.
The brown haired boy stood up and bowed to his opponent, and the
latter did the same.
"Mou, Kurosaki-kun, were you really the one who just got out from the
hospital? I couldn't even get a hit at you after FIVE consecutive tries
today! Man, you're just too good." The brown haired boy said, commending on
the skills of his opponent.
His partner in practicing, who happens to be none other than Hisoka,
critiqued on his opponent's skills.
"What you're lacking is basically stealth, your movement still needs a
lot of toning down, as they're still a bit too audible. Also, you need to
build up speed. You have great reflexes, but you need to practice moving
faster, especially since you'll be needing them for more complex moves."
Hisoka told him in a matter-of-factly tone.
"Ehhhh!? You can tell all that even by just practicing with me? You're
just amazing." The other boy said in awe.
"Iie. I can only tell, because, I've gone through that too. Tou-sama
would reprimand me just for the same mistakes as yours, when I was new to
this." Hisoka said modestly, but sadness was clearly seen within his deep
emerald orbs.
--'He used to train a lot with me before. It's odd. . . though we
never even spoke, I . . . for some reason. . . I miss those times. . .'--
The two turned to leave, but barely inches from the door, Hisoka felt a
movement from behind. He grabbed a sword from the weapon stand and
unsheathed it, all in a matter of seconds, just in time to block an attack
from his sensei.
"O-- Oriya-san!?"
"Good, good, very good indeed bouya. I can see that your skills
weren't affected at all by that incident. So how are your injuries? Have
they completely recovered now?" Oriya asked, slowly putting back his katana
in its rightful sheath.
Hisoka sheathes his sword too, and politely bows to his sensei.
"Aa. My injuries are more or less healed. Arigatou, sensei."
Oriya walks over and pats Hisoka's shoulder. "That's good. Work hard,
Kurosaki-kun. You have a very good talent in martial arts, and I must say,
you're skills are very rare, especially among people of your age. Keep it
up."
"Hai."
--'Bouya. . . He seems to have more warmth in his eyes now, compared
to when I first met him. He's changed. . . I wonder because of what. . . or
who. . .'-- Oriya mused with an inward smile.
~)-0-(~
"Sugoi, sugoi, sugoi!!!! That was really amazing Minase-kun. That
piece was simply beautiful, and you played it really well! I'm so proud of
you." Maria-sensei exclaimed, clapping her hands all the time.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, sensei. Demo, you have to hand it to Hisoka, he's
the one who gave me this piece."
And, upon hearing that name, Maria-sensei goes into a trance again.
"Uh-oh. . . I really think I shouldn't have mentioned Hisoka's name.
E. . . hehe. . ." Hijiri laughed nervously, and starts to move towards the
door.
"By the way, Minase-kun, now that you brought that up. . . speaking of
Hisoka-san. . ."
And Hijiri dashes out of the door, and out of sight to who knows where
before Maria-sensei is at it again.
"Matte!!!!! Minase-ku~~~n!"
~)-0-(~
In their agency, at Kachou's office, Tsuzuki was giving his report to
their chief.
"So what have you found out about that boy so far?"
"Eh? Ah. . . let me see. Not much. . . He's really hard to approach.
Very anti-social, that guy. He rarely talks, so there isn't much that I
know about him as of yet. Also, forcing information out of him is not an
option, because he's very good at marital arts I hear. I might not be able
to get back here alive."
"Ohh, I see. But have you established a connection with the boy
somehow? Anything at all that might help your job become easier should the
time come?"
" Well. . . no." Tsuzuki said firmly. "But I'll try." Tsuzuki was
lying, and he knew it. But for now, his only goal is to do everything he
can to delay the assassination of the beautiful green-eyed boy.
After delivering his report, Kachou merely nodded and accepted
everything that he said. Tsuzuki's actions were more than obvious after
all. Kachou has known him long enough to tell just what his fellow sweet-
toothed worker is up to.
"Alright then. You may go now. After delivering your budget report to
Tatsumi, you my leave and return to your assignment."
Tsuzuki wasn't able to subside a wide smile, and was even bouncing
when he gave the budget report to Tatsumi. Of course, after seeing the
sudden not-so-good expression that appeared in Tatsumi's face upon
receiving his budget report (which undoubtedly exceeded its respective
budget limit by at least 100,000 yen) Tsuzuki was out of the building in
nanoseconds. Good thing, because exactly three seconds later, shadows
appeared everywhere.
Later, back at Kachou's office, Tatsumi has just walked in. The deadly
expression on the secretary's face was enough to tell Kachou what had
happened.
"Overspent again huh?" Kachou sighed.
"That person, he should consider himself dead the moment he steps on
this office again." Tatsumi said threateningly.
"But still, did you notice something different about him?" Kachou
asked, surprisingly with a smile.
"Ah. He's more cheerful than ever. For some reason, something is
making Tsuzuki-san very, very happy. I mean, real happiness, that is, not
that usual mask that he wears." Tatsumi replied contentedly.
"Something you say? Or maybe. . . someone, ne?" Kachou said naughtily.
~)-0-(~
--'Hm. I wonder why he didn't come to school. Could something have
happened to him. . .? And more importantly. . . WHY am I thinking about
him?'--
"Hisoka!" Hijiri's voice pulled him out of his reverie.
The violinist was panting as though he had run a hundred miles. . .
which is true ^_^!
"Maria-sensei has been chasing you again." Hisoka said with a sigh.
"Ah." Hijiri said through his panting then slouched down on the bench.
" Daijoubu. . . I'll do it. It's the only way that'll make her stop
harassing you, right? So I'll do it."
"Ehhhhh!?" Hijiri exclaimed in surprise, his eyes widened in shock and
his jaw fell on the floor. "You. . . you're sure about this?"
"Ah."
"Hisoka, if it's just for me--"
"Iie." Hisoka cut in, before Hijiri could finish his sentence. " I
want to do this, because. . . the night of the program. . . is my mother's
third death anniversary. I. . . I'd like to sing her song. . . to honor
her." His voice trailed off.
"Oh. . . so it's been three years since then. I see. . ." Hijiri
touched Hisoka's shoulders sympathetically.
~)-0-(~
Tsuzuki felt like flying on his way back to his apartment. He was so
lost in thought, and he was presently thinking of what desserts (and how
much) he'll have for lunch. (If you can call that lunch at all ^_^! And
after what happened back at Tatsumi's office too!) Then, a sudden movement
from the bushes alerted him.
"Who's there?" he asked with seriousness in his voice.
A sly-looking man appeared and smirked evilly.
"Do you recognize me?" the man asked smugly.
And it was Tsuzuki's turn for a smug smile.
"Of course. How could I forget? You're the brother of that bastard who
sold drugs to teenagers!"
"Exactly. The one that you assassinated if I may add. And with him
gone, I've lost my only source of profit." The man said with a tone of
despise.
"Just like your brother, you care more for money, without giving a
damn to the people around you." Tsuzuki retorted.
"Look at you talk! What about you? You think you're any better than I
am?"
"I've long known that my only destination is hell. But your kind,
you'll go to a far worse place." Tsuzuki said bitterly.
"Why you. . . I'll finish you off right NOW!" and he pulled out a gun,
but before he could hit the trigger, Tsuzuki hit his hand and made him drop
the gun. He locked the man's hands tightly behind his back.
"And I could finish you in the blink of an eye." Tsuzuki whispered
threateningly.
KYAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A girl's scream pierced through his ears as one of the man's
companions grabbed a high school girl and held her as hostage.
"Go ahead. One wrong move and that girl dies." The man said with an
even dirtier smile.
Tsuzuki let go of the man and hissed angrily.
"How low can you get."
Then, as soon as the man was free, all his companions came and
attacked Tsuzuki. They beat him up and didn't stop until he was knocked out
on the ground.
~)-0-(~
It's late in the afternoon, and Hijiri and Hisoka are sitting on a
bench at the school grounds still waiting for Tsuzuki. They didn't leave
until the guard shoved them off, telling them that the campus gate will be
closed. They were talking as they walked home.
"So he didn't come to school after all. I wonder what happened to him.
. .?" Hijiri said worriedly.
"He probably ate too much and choked to death. Or maybe, he ate a lot
of sweets and now his teeth hurt like hell." Hisoka said nonchalantly.
Hijiri sighed. "Sounds like Tsuzuki alright." *sweatdrops*
~)-0-(~
Kurosaki Hisoka has absolutely no idea why he's in this place, nor how
he made himself to come here, but right now, he's presently standing in
front of Tsuzuki's apartment. It was then when he felt something and
visions flashed through his mind. He saw a group of people beating up
another man. And he recognized that man.
"Tsuzuki!"
Hisoka ran as fast as he could to where he saw those people were. . .
to where Tsuzuki was in trouble. They were on the outskirts of a village
not so far from Tsuzuki's apartment. As he came nearer, the emotions got
stronger. The suspicious people left as soon as they saw someone coming.
The girl they held as hostage was also able to escape, but ran away at
once, terrified by everything that happened. Hisoka went to Tsuzuki's side.
"Tsuzuki! Tsuzuki!" He tried to shake him awake, but nothing happened.
Then he flung his arms around him.
"Tsuzuki. . . please be alright. . ." Hisoka said desperately.
Tsuzuki heard him, and was barely conscious for a moment. He heard
someone calling him, and he knew that voice so well. It was a voice he
dearly loved.
--'Hisoka'--
He was lying on the ground and could barely move. His entire body felt
numb, and as far as he can tell, he was badly injured. But, someone was
holding him, and he felt a gentle wave of energy that was so soothing. . .
as if healing him.
--'Hisoka. . . I never thought you could be so warm. . .'--
Then he passed out.
~)-0-(~
Tsuzuki's eyes blinked open. He sat up and looked around him. He was
out somewhere, and he. . . fell asleep??? When he looked to his right, he
saw an unconscious form beside him.
"Hisoka!"
He held the boy in his arms. What happened? Why were they here in the
first place? Then he remembered. The kin of one of the people he
assassinated came to take revenge. He would've fought back, but there was a
hostage.
--'That girl. I hope she's alright.'--
Then he also remembered that he was being beaten up pretty badly. He
must've had at least a dozen broken bones. Then, Hisoka came, and he
couldn't remember what happened after that.
--'Wait a minute, that's right. . . I WAS injured. . .'--
But he felt completely fine. He tried to feel if he had any wounds or
whatsoever in his body, but found none, not even a scratch.
--'What just happened here??? And more importantly, I should take
Hisoka somewhere he can rest. He looks so exhausted. I wonder why. . .?'--
So, knowing that none of his questions would be answered for the
moment, he gently lifted the unconscious beautiful boy, and took him to his
apartment.
~)-0-(~
Meanwhile, somewhere else. . .
A man and a young boy were having a little conversation. . . with the
older man having a cold smile on his face as the boy trembled with terror.
"You failed me. . . and more than that. . . he nearly got killed."
Said the older man with a sinister voice.
"I'm sorry. . . I tried. . . but the fire, I , I didn't expect it. .
." said the boy pleadingly.
"All I wanted was the violin, so I could use that violinist to lure
that boy. I even gave you the key, and all you had to do was get it. Was
that so hard now. . .?" the man said with a mockingly disappointed tone.
"I'm sorry. . . I'm so sorry. . ." The boy whimpered.
"You failed me. I am no longer in need of your services."
Then he pulled out a gun.
"No! Mercy. . . please. . . sensei!" The boy pleaded.
"Farewell."
And there was a gunshot heard from somewhere.
"You have to be thankful though, because nothing happened to him. Had
I lost him there in that fire, you would've met a gruesome fate, because
you would've robbed me of my pleasure forever. I wouldn't want anything to
happen to him. . . my precious one. . . my very precious doll. . ." he said
with an evil smirk, an with crazed silver eyes.
Chapter 4