by Rina K. Fenderson
11. Partners
"Good Morning!" Tsuzuki cooed cheerfully, waving slightly as he wandered into the Chief�s office, the inhabitants there; Konoe, Watari, Tatsumi, Hisoka, and the Gushoushin brothers, all looking vaguely surprise to see Tsuzuki up and about and showing them his usual chipper demeanor once again. "Chief, I have a treat for you," Tsuzuki exclaimed, with a little skip in his step and a song in his tone. He placed a box onto his chief�s desk. "It isn�t as good as the sponge cake from the corner street bakery at Nagasaki, but its very good nevertheless."
"A-a-arigato, Tsuzuki, you seem to be...more like yourself today," Konoe said, watching his underling with confusion. Tsuzuki flashed a bright smile, his violet eyes glance to the others, lingering on Hisoka only a split second longer than his other co-workers.
"I feel much better," Tsuzuki replied, then clasped in hands together his attention back on the chief as Watari and Tatsumi exchanged glances of curiosity. "So, when do you need me to start working again?"
Konoe raised his eyebrows and covered up his fumbling surprise by reorganizing papers on his desk. "Well, eh...I supposed you should rest for a few more days. You did have an unexpectedly difficult case so, please, come see me in a few days, Tsuzuki. In the meantime rest up."
"Aa, arigatou," he replied nodding slightly and taking to steps backward, now closer to Tatsumi when he turned to address the others. "Have a good day, minna." As he walked past them he stopped before Hisoka, landing a short kiss on the top of his head. Hisoka started at the action, staring after Tsuzuki in shock as he left the room. Then upon turning back to face the others his cheek flamed crimson.
The chief and Gushoushin were staring blatantly at Hisoka, while Watari and Tatsumi exchanged smiling glances, both of which made Hisoka�s face flush further. "Excuse me, Chief, is that all you needed?"
"Yes, Hisoka, you may take your leave if you would like," Konoe replied, with a upward quirk on the corner of his mouth. Hisoka�s emerald eyes flickered up only briefly before, shoulders hunched, he turned the left the room, thoroughly embarrassed.
"Hmmm," Watari pondered, hand to his chin with his tone playful. "I wonder what *they* talked about yesterday."
Trying to cover his chuckle with his common gesture of adjusting his glasses. Noticing the chief�s confused look he explained. "Kurosaki overheard us speaking of Tsuzuki�s pains yesterday afternoon. We suspect he went and spoke with Tsuzuki--"
"I�m sure they were talking." "Watari," Tatsumi scolded, then failed as he tried to cover his smile. "Consider the smile on Tsuzuki�s face and I do believe I saw them leave the room together early this morning," Watari joked, a mischievous smile on his face. "Watari, we should not jump to conclusions," Tatsumi declared.The blond male only smiled. "Yare, yare."
Both sweatdropping, the Gushoushin brother�s said nothing, as their chief began shuffling papers with a slight blush and Tatsumi and Watari continued their bantering play. Beyond the room, just beside the chief�s office door a young man was pinned against the wall, his blond hair falling into his closed eyes and a dark haired male looming over him. The young man�s arms snaked around his older comrade�s neck as he pulled himself closer, their lips meeting with passion. Both enjoying their embrace, their new partnership, and their reason for living...
*owari*
Read the Sequel Black Leather