by Rina K. Fenderson
4. Stalemate
�So it is to all our understanding that Muraki Kazutaka holds possession of Kurosaki�s soul?� Tatsumi declared, his eyes flickering around the meeting table where a moderate sized group had gathered. All eighteen of the Shinigami minus Tsuzuki and his partner had been called to JuoOhChou to help with the pressing case. Most of them continued with unrelated cases that needed to be solved, but as well they knew how dire this situation was. Even Terazuma was behaving humbly, not acting out or being very vocal at all, though part of that was probably because his rival wasn�t even present.
There was a murmured affirmative to Tatsumi�s proclamation through the ranks. The secretary began pacing, his hand reaching up to adjust his glasses. �The question �how was it done� has been answered by the symbol on his chest. The demon, Reikonkorekuta, was killed and Muraki has the ability to absorb its power, which we will have to assume he did. That in itself is strange for it is usual for Muraki to hold a spell over a demon to use them as puppets, but in this case he absorbed the power directly, which can be very dangerous as he usually only did so with humans.� �Reikonkorekuta is a difficult creature to control. Even Tsuzuki, our most powerful member couldn�t bring it out as a shikigami,� Watari claimed as he occupied himself with pulling his hair back. �Muraki is intelligent enough, he most likely knew he couldn�t control Reikonkorekuta and decided to rid himself of the burden while gaining power.� �Reikonkorekuta can return souls,� Terazuma said, crossing his arms as he looked at Watari, then Tatsumi. �This Muraki guy would have to worry about it reverting everything back they way it was. Even if he got Reikonkorekuta to take the boy�s soul, the demon might give it back to Hisoka...not only that, but Reikonkorekuta is not know for stability. It might take Muraki�s soul if he took a wrong step.� �This is true. It would give him great motive to kill the demon,� Tatsumi commented with a nod. �But why go to all this trouble? He put a claim on Kurosaki�s soul, but he isn�t pursuing after the boy at all, even with access to Meifu...it�s suspicious.� At that moment the door to the office opened and a tall dark-haired male made his way, timidly, to his seat. Tatsumi didn�t let his entrance slide. �Tsuzuki-san, the meeting began twenty minutes ago.� �Yes, Tatsumi-san, I�m sorry. I was tied up with other matters,� Tsuzuki explained, his usually bright eyes quite dull as they met Tatsumi�s. �I know where you were Tsuzuki-san and although I know your partner is the focus of our worry right now, we needed you here to give us the information you obtained as soon as possible so we could help Kurosaki-kun.� The others watched the transaction between the two men curiously. Most knew Tsuzuki and his usual chipperness, and seeing him in such a sedated state was unnerving, particularly when he glared at Tatsumi for his impassive words. The others knew, as well, of Tsuzuki incapability to keep a partner, and knew Hisoka had lasted the longest and received the most diligent work out of Tsuzuki than all his other partners. Then to have something so unprecedented occur... Tsuzuki seemed too weary to respond with more than the glare, so he resigned himself to sitting back in the chair, loosening his tie, and reporting. �Kurosaki Hisoka had his throat slit and cursed to seal his voice box and keep him mute. The assailant that attacked Hisoka knew my partner...rather well, and knew he wouldn�t be able to communicate very well without words. This curse was placed most likely to give the assailant more time to move on to the next step whatever that may be. I managed to find out what occurred through various unimportant methods. The events...I will write in a report for Tatsumi-san, Konoe-Kaicho, and the Earl as I don�t think everyone needs to hear the information.� Sighing, Tsuzuki ignored the sympathetic looks from his comrades while those that knew all too well what he was implying, refused eye contact with him, though he wasn�t asking for it. �Most of what was revealed has nothing to do with the case. Muraki Kazutaka has been affirmed as the assailant. He attacked Hisoka with the intention of rendering him completely helpless and its assumable that he wanted to separate myself from Hisoka as well. Any actions he has planned hereafter are unknown.� After a long pause, the chief nodded. �Thank you, Tsuzuki-san� The meeting proceeded onward, lasting over an hour with no new revelations. Responsibilities were handed out and the shinigami were instructed to continue with their cases, but be aware of their work for this case as well. Although he mentioned more than once Hisoka was their top priority, Tsuzuki couldn�t feel relieved when their top priority had no leads, no new information, and very little hope. He stared at the table top most of the meeting, barely acknowledging anyone or anything. When the others were dismissed, Tsuzuki remained. Tatsumi gathered his papers up with Konoe speaking to him softly, as the others filed out at leisure. No one asked Tsuzuki to leave, although Wakaba wrapped her arms around him in a brief hug before she bounded out of the room with Terazuma. It was an unspoken agreement amongst them all to not bother their powerful comrade unless he asked for an ear, shoulder, or any other form of support. Many of them had seen first hand how Hisoka had become Tsuzuki�s pillar; Watari and Tatsumi, in particular, saw the support they gave each other, so in fear of giving the impression of �taking Hisoka�s place� they backed off. Tatsumi and Konoe�s conversation lulled, when they were ready to leave, both of them casting uncertain glances at Tsuzuki, unsure if they should urge him to leave and distract himself somehow. Looking at each other, they decided to leave him be and started to turn toward the door. �It happened again...� Tsuzuki�s voice made them pause, then cautiously they both reentered and made their way back to the table. Tsuzuki was still staring at the black wood. �What�s happened again, Tsuzuki-san?� �He�s going to be even more jaded...I thought I had made some progress...and now...� �Tsuzuki-san?� �Muraki raped him again...among other things.� The silence hummed between the trio. It was assumed by all that knew Muraki�s connection to these two shinigami that he had raped the youngest shinigami, but never said and never expected to be said. It brought a certain tightness in the chest, a lump in the throat, made the hands fidget, and the eyes stray. Yet Konoe only crossed his arms over his chest, and lowered his head, while Tatsumi�s expression softened and he moved to sit beside his co-worker. �We thought as much...he isn�t handling it well, is that it?� �Better than I would have guessed. He�s alert and responsive, but he�s getting severely annoyed with not being able to speak,� Tsuzuki said, his voice altering more toward amusement. Then he smiled, a small laugh escaping his lips. �He even pouted and crossed his arms like a little kid. It was adorable.� �I�m glad he�s more active. Watari-san said he would barely look at him when he came to check up on him,� Tatsumi commented, glancing at Konoe with a meaningful look. They had had an argument with each other if the should have let Tsuzuki go or not. Tatsumi had said it would be good for Hisoka and that they probably wouldn�t be able to stop Tsuzuki anyway, while Konoe was fearful that Muraki would chose that vulnerable time to attack. Now, it was clear that Tsuzuki visit had brightened both of their moods considerably. �Did you get him to eat?� �Yeah, but only because I was eating with him,� Tsuzuki replied, finally looking over to his highers. �So you don�t have to try and force me to eat anymore...� Tatsumi smiled and brushed a hand over Tsuzuki cheek. �I�m glad.� �I�d like to spend the night there,� Tsuzuki said, his voice suddenly soft as he knew the probability that they would let him return to that section Meifu was low. Both the other men were silent for a moment, before Tatsumi shook his head slowly. �I�m sorry, Tsuzuki...that would be too much of a risk. Muraki can come for Kurosaki at anytime and I think it better to have those of the other Chous guarding him rather than Muraki�s target.� �Aa,� Tsuzuki agreed, suddenly the previous smile completely gone. �Get some rest, Tsuzuki-kun. You can go back tomorrow,� Konoe said, still standing near the doorway. �You are welcome to visit him everyday, but never chose the same time. Becoming too routine could be just the calm Muraki is waiting for.� �Aa,� Tsuzuki repeated, then rose and exited from the room without another word. Remaining silent in his wake, Tatsumi and Konoe exchanged worried glances, then followed.