by Empath no Tenshi
Chapter 9
Watari was typing with a rate of 500 letters per minute when Tsuzuki and Tatsumi walked in. The blond didn’t even seem to notice that they had arrived. He started when Tsuzuki spoke to him, it was only then that he registered they were already there.
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“Watari, how’s it going?� He asked anxiety clearly audible in his tone.
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“Oh! You’re here. Take a look at this.� He typed something then clicked the mouse. Slowly, the profile of a doctor with silver eyes, silver hair, and immaculate white clothing popped on the screen.
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Tsuzuki’s eyes widened in recognition and he suddenly exclaimed.
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“That’s him!�
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“Yes. His name is Muraki Kazutaka. The hospital he works for is somewhere in Tokyo. He also temporarily worked on a hospital here sometime three years ago. This little piece of information was quite tricky to find.� He breathed a tired sigh, but continued with a proud grin. “It’s good that I still haven’t lost touch with my computer hacking skills!�
He nodded cheerfully to himself, and 003, who was presently perched on his right shoulder, was flapping her wings in a clapping movement. Then his forehead was suddenly creased with a frown as he spoke, this time in a serious tone.
“His arrival coincides with the time bon’s mother died, exactly when bon was brought to the hospital as well. Records say that the cause of bon’s hospitalization was some disease, and Muraki here was his official doctor.�
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Then Tsuzuki cut in.
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“Disease my ass! If I didn’t know any better I’d say he’s the one who cursed Hisoka!� Tsuzuki blurted out angrily.
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Watari nodded at that.
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“That’s what I suspected too. Remember when we first met him at the concert? I really sensed something about him that doesn’t feel right . . . especially the way he looked at bon. And my suspicion grew even deeper when bon told me the things he remembered that were brought by his contact with the dagger. He mentioned something about silver eyes.� Watari said pensively, playing with a few loose strands of his golden locks.
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“But how . . . how do we find him . . .?� Tsuzuki uttered weakly, voice trailing off.
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Watari placed a slender on his shoulder reassuringly.
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“We’ll think of a way okay? But for now, I prepared a list of the possible hospitals where we can look for this guy. I’m sure we’ll figure something out along the way. So cheer up ne? Bon’s strong. I’m confident that he’ll be able to hold on until we find him.� Watari reassured him with a genki, heartening smile.
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“I hope so.� Tsuzuki said softly with a sad, obviously forced smile.
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~)-0-(~
� Consciousness had slowly dawned on Hisoka, but he could not find the strength to open his eyes. He let them stay shut knowing that his captor is just waiting for him to wake up to torment him again�
‘Tormenting his ‘doll�, after all, was his greatest pleasure.� Hisoka mused dejectedly.
He stayed still and kept quiet, hoping that it won’t be apparent that he’s already awake. That lasted for but a few minutes because along with regaining his senses, the pain of his wounds also began to register. A very faint and indiscernible moan escaped his soft lips, which he instantly regretted for the next second he heard footsteps coming nearer.
“Are you awake?�
Hisoka knew that voice sounded familiar, but his mind wasn’t ready to recognize whose it was. What he was sure of was that it didn’t belong to his silver-haired aggressor. This voice was different, and he’d known it long ago. He tried to answer the question addressed to him, but his throat felt too dry. He couldn’t move either, but he realized that he’s no longer bound. He attempted to move, but succeeded only in lifting a finger.
“Don’t try to move just yet. You still need to rest.� The anonymous person’s voice was firm, but held a tone of gentleness.
The thick blanket above him was slowly pulled downwards then he felt careful hands slowly wiping a damp cloth on his bare upper body, which was covered only by bandages. The hand moved in soothing strokes, like a gentle massage. He occasionally flinched when it touched areas surrounding his still healing wounds.
� Afterwards the blanket was placed over him again.
“Go back to sleep. You have to let yourself recover and your body gravely needs rest.� It sounded more of a request, not a demand. �
Hisoka wanted to at least even just nod in reply, but couldn’t. He then simply obeyed.
“Give your wounds some time to heal.� The voice added.
He felt his blanket being fixed, and then he felt the same gentle hands brush through his soft yet flaccid hair, the motion lulling him to slumber.
Once again, Hisoka’s consciousness left him as he drifted back into a dreamless sleep.
~)-0-(~
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So they started on their search for the missing youth. They’ve been to the hospitals on Watari’s list, and more than half of the said list had been crossed out without them finding even a strand of Muraki’s hair. Tired from all that searching, and feeling a bit hungry, Watari decided to call for a short break but Tsuzuki simply declined.
“You guys go on ahead. I don’t feel like eating anyway.� He said, again with another forced upward curve of his lips.�
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“We won’t be able to work well if we’re tired, Tsuzuki. So let’s go. It’s just for a little snack then we go on again. Is that okay? There’s a cinnamon shop nearby. I know you can’t resist those!� Watari said with a wink.
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Tsuzuki managed a feeble smile and gave in to Watari’s request.
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“Okay�
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� They settled down on a table outside on the cafeteria’s porch. A young girl, probably a working student, took their orders with a smile and bounded off cheerfully, admiring the handsome customers. While waiting for their orders, they were able to appreciate their surroundings. The sunset hue gave them a very relaxing background, which was perfect for their tense mind-set.
There were four other tables, and someone reading a newspaper occupied the one farthest from them. Naturally, they weren’t able to tell who it was because his face was covered. They didn’t care anyway, heck; their minds were already filled with enough to worry about. Apart from the fact that their client’s son was missing, now their coworker was going crazy with anxiety, worry and guilt. Watari didn’t say it, but the real reason he proposed a break was actually for them to calm down even just a little bit.
It was only when their orders arrived that they started to talk about what they’ve gotten so far . . . which is close to nothing. Watari was the one who spoke first, uncapping his pen and crossing out a few hospital names on his list.
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“Hmmm let’s see, we’ve been to practically every hospital here, and none of them has records of any Muraki Kazutaka, or any doctor with silver hair and eyes for that matter.� Watari sighed, folding the tiny piece of paper and putting it back in his coat pocket.
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Tsuzuki was just toying with his fork and winding it around the cinnamon roll. The two were worried that he didn’t even touch his food, especially that usually he’d be too greedy to share it because it’s his favorite. . . disregarding a thousand other sweets of course.
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Tatsumi seemed deep in thought and was quiet the entire time too. Then, for a split second, there was a flash of triumphant gleam in his eyes.
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“I have an idea. I’m not a hundred percent sure it’ll work, but if worse comes to worst, then this may well be our last resort.� Tatsumi asserted, fixing his glasses.
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Tsuzuki looked up to him with a pleading look, and Watari tilted his head curiously.
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“What is it, Tatsumi?� Watari queried.
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“Well, if we can’t find the captor, then why not the captive himself? I’ve known Kurosaki-kun, even if it was just a short time, so more or less I’ll be able to recognize his shadow. With that said, I’d be willing to use my power as a shadow master to track him down. However, in order to do that, I’ll have to stay in one place where there is a high level of ki, where I can draw a magic circle. I need to have enhanced senses in order to trace him in case he’s far away.�
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Watari considered this, and then frowned a bit.
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“But in order to do that . . . we need a link.� Watari proposed.
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“That’s right. I have to be able to communicate with Kurosaki-kun one way or another. The subject should be willing before I can use the aid of his own shadow to bring him back.� Tatsumi answered with a sigh.
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They fell silent, and that was when a stranger came up to them.
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“Um, excuse me, but can I talk to you for a moment?�
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Tsuzuki looked up. His eyes widened when he saw who it was, but simply sighed again. It was that guy they met last time at the rundown warehouse.
“What do you want with me this time?� Tsuzuki asked disinterestedly.
The stranger narrowed his eyes and hissed at Tsuzuki’s ears.
� “Mind if you could put up some mental shields? You’re driving me nuts.�
When the new arrival noticed the curious looks that Tatsumi and Watari gave him, he sighed.
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� “Sorry, I was over there.� He gestured at the farthest table. He’s the one who was reading a newspaper. “I can’t help but overhearing parts of your conversation, because this guy here is like mentally shouting already, and I. . .�
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Then an idea sprung up in Tatsumi’s head, and he suddenly interrupted him.
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“You’re a telepath aren’t you? You could be the link that we’re looking for.�
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He looked at Tatsumi and blinked at him curiously. “Eh? What. . .�
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But before he could even ask, Tsuzuki grabbed his arm and started begging.
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“Please help us! We have to find Hisoka! He’s been taken, and we don’t know where! And I can feel he’s in trouble and. . . .� Tsuzuki blabbered frantically.
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“Whoa. Slow down pal. I know, I know. As I told you, you’re projecting too loudly. It’s that empath boy you’re talking about, aren’t you?�
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Tsuzuki let go and nodded sheepishly.
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The telepath gave it a thought for a moment, and then spoke.
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� “Alright, I’ll help. But don’t get me wrong though. It’s just pay back for the trouble I’ve caused . . . and also for something your little friend taught me.�
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‘He made me realize that I shouldn’t judge people by their thoughts . . . but learn to see through their hearts. . .� The telepath mused.
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� He then looked at Tatsumi, and two pairs of blue orbs met.
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“The name’s Ryuji. You need a link right? Why don’t we see if my skills are enough to provide that for you?� He said with a knowing smirk.
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~)-0-(~