Making Up By Lothlorien (girlthatyoufear @ yahoo.com) At first, it looked like just any other of their quarrels. That is to say, the rest of the Shinigami just rolled their eyes at the couple, and ignored it – after all, Tatsumi and Watari regularly had their little spats. Most often it was a simple case of disagreeing over details, but sometimes they flared up into real fights. Tatsumi would sulk – not that he would call it that, of course – and Watari would be indignant and overactive until a few hours had passed, by which time they were back in each other's arms. They fought more often than Tzusuki and Hisoka – which was saying quite a bit – and everyone was used to them by now. But this seemed to be different. Watari wasn't forthcoming about the details – and none of them even dreamt of daring to ask Tatsumi what had happened exactly – but what they could piece together was that Watari had done something to anger Tatsumi, and instead of making up like usual, the situation had developed such that they had a serious argument where they both said things that shouldn't have been said. End result – they avoided each other like the plague, and when it was impossible, were as cold towards each other as they could be without actually turning into icicles at the mere sight of the other. Watari seemed otherwise unaffected by the quarrel. A bit more hyperactive, a bit more locked up in his lab, a bit more of a workaholic, but otherwise, still mostly the same with respect to his dealings with the others. Tatsumi, on the other hand, was a positive walking timebomb of contained anger just waiting to lash out at the first excuse. His colleagues walked lightly around him and more work was done than usual. The few to incur his wrath regretted it deeply. Even Tzusuki dropped his sweet cute pathetic acts around him and actually tried his hardest to work. Luckily for them the scary secretary spent more time in his office than usual. *** The doorbell rang, and Tatsumi, complaining under his breath, went to open it. He didn't like his relaxing time, such as it was, interrupted. "Hisoka! What are you doing here?" The blond's face was twisted in pain, and his breath was coming in short gasps. "Tatsu…my back…it hurts so much…" Quick and efficient, the secretary picked the blond up and took him to his bed, where he placed him as gently and tenderly as he could on the bed. Hisoka's pain appeared to increase on being carried, but after a bit of lying on the bed, his gasps subsided, until he could speak properly even though it was obvious that he was still in pain. While he was lying down, eyes closed, Hisoka heard Tatsumi exit the room, returning within a few minutes. "I called a doctor," Tatsumi said, leaning over to feel Hisoka's forehead. "What happened exactly?" "I…don't know. I was just walking normally when this pain came over me suddenly. You house was the closest so I dragged myself here. It hurts a lot…" Tatsumi told him not to move, and assured him that the doctor would be there soon. He wasn't very good at being soothing or comforting, but Hisoka knew this, and was quite contented to close his eyes and wait. Tatsumi looked at him anxiously. Right after Tzusuki and Watari – although the scientist didn't count at that particular point in time – Hisoka was his closest idea of a friend. The boy was quiet, good at his work, efficient, and intelligent. Moreover, he was the most serious of all of them. Tatsumi looked upon him as something of a younger brother, and the appearance of a pain filled Hisoka like that was a very unpleasant shock. The doorbell rang, and Tatsumi went to open it quickly. He took the newcomer to the bedroom, and Hisoka opened his eyes as he heard them entering. His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of an unfamiliar woman and he was unable to stop himself from asking, "You didn't call Watari?" "Watari is a scientist and an engineer first and foremost," Tatsumi said, rather stiffly. "He can't be as good as Dr. Lauren here." The woman with him waved a cheerful hi at Hisoka, made her way to the boy and started examining him. "If you please, Tatsumi, could you wait outside?" Tatsumi acceded to her wishes, after promising Hisoka that he'd be in the next room if he needed anything. After the examination was over, the doctor made her way to the blue eyed secretary. "What's wrong with him?" Tatsumi asked. The doctor shrugged, rather helplessly. "I wish I knew. There don't seem to by any physical causes or injuries whatsoever, but the boy is obviously in a lot of pain. Seeing the nature of his work, I'd say the cause is more likely caused by something spiritual, but I have never seen the likes of this. I'll try researching the cause, but I don't know how much luck I'll have." "So you can't do anything for now?" "I've given him painkillers. That should ease the pain a little, if not completely. I'll send you more so that every time they wear off you can give them to him again. Just be sure to not exceed the dosage limit. Although he can hardly die again, it would mess up his system for some time." She made her way out of the room. Then she stopped and turned around. "Oh, and one last thing. The boy's pain increases considerably on being moved, so if you could keep him there without moving him until we find a way to cure him, it would be better. You could always move into his place if you don't have any mattresses or the couch is too hard for you, although I would advise someone to be here most of the time so that if something happens, you can call me." When she had left, Tatsumi went in to see Hisoka. Hisoka seemed to be dozing, but he woke up as Tatsumi entered. "Tatsumi? What did she say?" "She needs research to know what's wrong. But go to sleep now, we'll talk tomorrow." Hisoka made a non committal noise and closed his eyes, almost instantly falling asleep. Tatsumi stood watching over him for some time. Finally he shook his head and made his way softly out. The couch couldn't be that hard. *** The following morning, Tatsumi had to admit that he had been wrong. The couch was hard. Trying to massage some stiffness from his neck, he went to see how his resident patient was getting on. As soon as he entered, a wide awake Hisoka asked him for some of the painkillers the doctor had left for him. Tatsumi complied, and soon Hisoka's pain had abated again. Any touch to his lower limbs or any movement was still however too painful. Tatsumi called Tzusuki before the shinigami would have left for work and told him to make his way to Tatsumi's apartment instead. Tzusuki was surprised, but told him he'd be there as soon as he could. In a few minutes, Tzusuki arrived. Tatsumi explained the situation to him, and on entering the room, Tzusuki was rather white faced, eyes searching Hisoka anxiously, worried for his partner. Tatsumi asked Tzusuki to stay with Hisoka as he couldn't miss a day of work but he didn't want to leave Hisoka alone. Tzusuki accepted quickly, and only groaned when Tatsumi added that he'd have some work sent over from the office so that Tzusuki wouldn't be wasting his time. At the office, Tatsumi explained to the other shinigami that Hisoka was unwell and that Tzusuki was with him. He gave them a very brief explanation of how the blond had ended up at his house, then chivvied everyone briskly to work. Dr. Lauren made another visit to Hisoka that evening, but again came out shaking her head, having made no progress as yet. Examining Hisoka, and looking up what could have caused him the pain had both proved fruitless so far. Tatsumi chased Tzusuki off at night. Tzusuki needed sleep, and Tatsumi could very well take care of Hisoka until morning. Reluctantly, Tzusuki left for home, promising Hisoka to be back early morning. And so life settled again into a kind of routine. Tzusuki would spend his day next to Hisoka, while Tatsumi wasn't at home, and go back to his apartment at night. Tatsumi went to work as usual, and then slept on the couch at night, to make sure that Hisoka didn't lack anything. Every evening, the doctor came to see Hisoka, but she made no headway. After the first week, Hisoka told Tzusuki to go back to work. He was fine on his own, and he didn't need a babysitter. Tzusuki complained, but Tatsumi, seeing that Hisoka could very well stay on his own and read to pass the time, agreed with him. Tzusuki argued to no avail. Finally a compromise was reached. Tzusuki would go to work, leaving Hisoka alone, but he would return early afternoon to stay with him. Meanwhile, Hisoka received a few visitors. Terazuma and Wakaba both went to visit him, as did Chief Konoe. Wakaba and Terazuma didn't stay for long, as Tatsumi absolutely refused to let both Tzusuki and Terazuma stay in the same room with an invalid Hisoka, and Tzusuki couldn't bear the idea of Terazuma being in the same room with his injured partner alone for too long. Their visits cheered up Hisoka, but he was surprised that Watari, out of all people, did not go to visit. He mentioned it casually to Tzusuki, and Tzusuki asked the scientist the next day. Watari sighed, putting down test tube he was studying. "I went already," he said, turning to Tzusuki with eyes void of their usual spark and mischief. "But Tatsumi has warded the house against me." "He has what?!?" Watari shifted uncomfortably. "Well, we had a fight, as you well know," he began. Tzusuki rolled his eyes – as if anyone in his right mind wouldn't have noticed. "And when I tried to go over two days ago, I found that he had warded the house so that I couldn't enter. It's like a force field that blocks my way whenever I try to reach the door. I really do want to see Bon, but as it is…" he shrugged. "Oh come on! Can't you two make up and forget this?" "I'd love to!" Watari said helplessly. "But it's his pride, his stupid, stupid pride which is stopping us. He told me in no uncertain terms that he did not want to see me again unless he actually made the first move – which was stupid of course, as we all know he's too proud to actually ask me back – but as things stand, I cannot do anything." "You want me to ask…?" "He won't listen," Watari sighed defeatedly. "You should know this as well as I do. He just won't listen…" Watari's prediction turned out to be true. As soon as Tzusuki broached the subject, the secretary's face darkened, even though Tzusuki had tried being as delicate and tactful as he could, and he informed the violet eyed shinigami that he should not interfere in other people's business. So Watari had to content himself by sending over his get well wishes to Hisoka by Tzusuki. *** Watari scrubbed furiously at the spreading stain on his counter. His life – as far as it could be called such anyway – was not going too well. His lover refused to look at him without trying to incinerate him with a mere glare, and Hisoka, a good companion, was hurt. Tzusuki spent most of his time with him, so Watari was left with only 003 for company. Apart from the fact that the office had become unbearably boring without them, he was missing them all. Tzusuki for his charm and the inevitable cheer he brought to wherever he was, Hisoka for being the sweet, withdrawn, and yet loveable character that he was, and Tatsumi… Watari bit his lip, and scrubbed even harder at the stain. It hurt. Their quarrel hadn't been the problem really, it was only about a trifling matter, but both had been tired, and they had said heated things in the argument which followed, things which had hurt both of them. Watari was ready to apologize, but he knew that if he tried, the secretary would be cold and unforgiving. Their only chance of making up was for Tatsumi to make the first move. He threw himself suddenly into a chair, rubbing a weary hand over his eyes. He missed the older man so much…he felt like crying. All the external show of activity he put up in front of the others was just that – a show. He had become extremely attached to the secretary, and he was feeling his loss very deeply. He knew that probably both Tzusuki and Hisoka had seen through his act, but it didn't make that much of a difference to him. And without their presence to distract him, it was ten times harder to bear. Moreover, worry about Hisoka was eating at him. It had been over a week now, and the doctor was still baffled about the cause of his pain. The Gushoushin were looking up information to see if they could help, but they had unearthed nothing so far. It was dreadful to think of little Hisoka lying in pain and there was nothing they could do. And he wasn't the only worried one, everyone in the office asked about him regularly in genuine concern, and Tzusuki and Tatsumi were both on edge. Watari rested his head on his arms, closing his eyes for a minute. Soon, he was breathing in deeply and regularly despite his rather uncomfortable position. He didn't hear Tatsumi's footsteps make their way past his lab, and then stop in the open doorway as Tatsumi saw him asleep. Tatsumi studied the scientist for a few minutes, face unreadable. Then he switched off the light so that the harsh glare of the light would not interrupt the blond's sleep, closed the door, and went home. *** "What's the matter, Watari?" Tzusuki asked his friend, who was brimming over with exhilaration, hardly able to contain himself. "Listen," Watari said excitedly. "I think I've got an idea about Hisoka's predicament. I read something similar to that some years past and I only remembered some time ago. Of course, I can't be sure without seeing him, but I really think that…" "You really think you know what it is?" Tzusuki's eyes were filled with hope, as he grabbed the scientist by his shoulders. "What is it?" Watari reached to brush off his hair from his face. "I've only seen it mentioned once, so I'm not surprised the Gushoushin know nothing about it. Apparently, some guy or other says that there exist invisible creatures who tend to attach themselves to humans and live off the energy of those humans, while the humans feel a distinct lack of energy, being tired and having no interest in the world around them. However, if these creatures come into contact with us undead, there is some adverse reaction which causes a lot of pain, especially in the lower back, to the person touched. Of course, there have only been very few cases recorded, and a lot of people involved in the cases where skeptical to the existence of these creatures, but the fact remains that cases like this aren't totally unique and…" "Watari! What about the remedy?" "Oh yes, the remedy. Well, whether those creatures are real or not, the remedy works. It's…" Abruptly, the scientist disengaged himself from Tzusuki's hands and went over to the window, back turned onto Tzusuki. "It's a very difficult potion to make," he said quietly. "But I can make it. However, I cannot administer it to him unless I'm sure that his case is identical to the ones I read about. The only problem," he took a deep breath, "is that I'm not allowed inside Tatsumi's house. You see, when we had that fight, Tatsumi told me that if he ever asked me over to his place, the quarrel could be considered forgotten, but we both know that has no chance of happening. He's too proud to actually do that. So…Tzsuki, could you," he turned round, and his eyes were pleading, "could you ask Tatsumi if he can lower the wards? I'm almost certain that I can cure Hisoka, and I cannot let a fight impede that." Tzusuki nodded determinedly. This time, he would make sure Tatsumi listened to him, even if he had to tie the secretary up and torment him until he agreed to his requests. *** Tzusuki left Hisoka's side as soon as he heard Tatsumi enter the house that evening. "Tatsumi," he said, fixing the man with a firm stare before the blue eyed secretary could take more than two steps away from the door. "I know how we can heal Hisoka. Will you let us take the necessary steps?" "Of course," Tatsumi said, a bit startled by the request. "Anything to see him back on his feet." "Good. Then lift your wards from around this house." "What?" A guarded, suspicious look entered those blue eyes. "Watari thinks he knows what ails him, but he cannot be sure without seeing Hisoka. Please, Tatsumi, lower your wards." "He doesn't need to personally check him over, that can be done just as easily by Dr.Lauren." "Apparently not. You see, the Gushoushin have been unable to find the book that Watari mentioned in the library, and as such, he's the only one who knows anything about the only possible cause for this pain. And the remedy cannot be administered until he knows for certain what's wrong. Please Tatsumi, please let him come and see Hisoka." "Very well," Tatsumi said, relenting after a slight hesitation. "Anything to see Hisoka back to his old self. Watari can come as soon as he can. But bear in mind that I didn't ask him to come – you did." "Yes, Tatsumi!" sighed Tzusuki. Tatsumi really was too proud for his own good. *** As soon as the doorbell rang, Tzusuki looked questioningly at Tatsumi, but Tatsumi avoided his gaze, talking instead to Hisoka. Tzusuki sighed slightly, shook his head, and went to admit Watari. Hisoka's eyes widened in surprise and pleasure at the entrance of the scientist. "Why Tatsumi," he exclaimed, eyes flickering over to the secretary briefly, "You've finally asked Watari over!" "Yes, I…no! I mean…" But it was too late. The words were spoken, and he couldn't take them back. Moreover, Watari's golden eyes were suddenly shimmering with happiness and devotion. A faint pinkish tinge appeared in Tatsumi's cheeks, and he silently made his way rapidly out of the room. "What was all that about?" asked Hisoka mystified. Tzusuki and Watari exchanged grins. " It means you've finally provided the means to end our quarrel, Bon." Hisoka didn't understand, but he remained quiet while the scientist examined him with deft fingers. "I was right!" he exclaimed finally. "This shouldn't be much of a problem to cure. All it needs is that potion I told you about, Tzusuki." "Isn't it strange though? How the Gushoushin couldn't find the only book which spoke about this? I mean, its not like them to misplace a book or anything." "It's not their fault," Watari said absently. "The book is currently hidden under a pile of my books in the lab." Hisoka's eyes opened wide. "Why would you do something like that?" Watari blinked, then smiled roguishly. "If they had found it, anyone could come examine you Bon, and I needed to come myself because of Tatsumi." He winked as the two Shinigami burst into laughter. "I'd better go brew the potion." The scientist left the room, leaving Tzusuki and Hisoka smiling at each other. "I didn't know he was capable of something like that," Hisoka said, almost admiringly. Tzusuki chuckled, admitting that he hadn't expected it either. *** Watari knocked on Tatsumi's study door. A brief pause, and then a "Come in!" sounded, muffled through the thick door. He entered, finding the older man standing at the window with his back to the door. Not deterred by this, he leaned against the closed door, waiting until the secretary either turned towards him or said something first. Finally he spoke, still facing the window. "Well? How's Hisoka?" "The boy will be fine. The brew needs to simmer for ten more hours before he can drink it, but then he'll be fine." Silence fell on the room once again. Watari regarded the back of his lover for a few minutes in silence, until it became obvious that he was not going to make a first move. Then he sighed, moving forward to stand behind Tatsumi, who tensed at the movement. Watari wrapped him in a hug, and after a few moments, Tatsumi relaxed. "Why won't you let me in, Seiichirou?" Watari said softly, face buried in his taller partner's back. "I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it." Tatsumi sighed, then turned to put his arms around his partner. "I didn't either. I was just…angry." Watari smiled. "We both were, at that. All forgiven?" "And forgotten," Tatsumi murmured, and no more words were said after Watari tilted his head up for the first of a long, heartfelt string of kisses. *** Hisoka and Tzusuki looked up with bleary eyes at the entrance of the scientist and the secretary the following morning. "Good morning!" the scientist chirped cheerfully. "Slept well?" "Slept well?" Hisoka glared at him. "We could barely sleep at all…you two were making too much noise in the next room!" A faint reddish tinge rose in Tatsumi's cheeks again, making Hisoka wonder what he would do if Watari kissed him in public – probably have a blue fit and go up in smoke –the man was too reserved about his private life. The scientist couldn't have been more different. He tilted his head to the side, grinning widely. "Too bad!" he said. "But on the other hand, it's a good thing if you're tired, as the creature inside you will be more tired and it will fight less to be removed. Now, drink this." He handed a phial of pale blue liquid to Hisoka, who eyed it apprehensively. "You're sure it won't kill me?" "Never fear, it's only a simple potion which no one could get wrong unless they tried really hard." "What? You told me it's really hard to do yesterday!" Tzusuki protested. Watari scratched the back of his head. "Well, I was lying," he admitted, grinning. "It was just an excuse so that you could convince Tatsumi that only I could…" he coughed as he realized that his lover was in the room, and went on hurriedly, before Tatsumi could think of breaking up with him again. "Um, yes, anyway. Drink that, Hisoka, you have my word you'll be fine." Hisoka still looked disbelievingly at the potion, but he drank the concoction. For a few moments nothing happened. Then a scream ripped out of him and he bucked up wildly in bed. Tzusuki and Tatsumi rushed to his side immediately, but Hisoka stilled immediately, panting slightly in exertion. "Don't worry, that means that it worked," Watari said. "How does it feel, Bon?" Hisoka felt his back in wonder. "It's gone. It doesn't hurt anymore. Thanks, Watari." Everyone sighed in relief. "That's good to hear, Hisoka." Tatsumi smiled slightly. "Finally!" Tzusuki leapt onto the bed to hug his partner enthusiastically. "Welcome back, Hisoka!" "I haven't been anywhere, baka," Hisoka said affectionately. "Thanks for taking care of me, everyone." "Well, since that's settled, we have something we need to talk about. Excuse us, gentlemen," Tatsumi said, and hooking a finger through the collar of Watari's labcoat, dragged the man out of the room, leaving Tzusuki and Hisoka with raised eyebrows. In Tatsumi's locked library, Tatsumi turned to his lover who was looking at him warily. "You lied to trick me," he told him, reaching out to run a hand over Watari's chest. "You know what that means don't you? I'll have to punish you." Watari's wide, answering grin was all the answer needed. *** End go back