[part 1]

Warning: Shonen ai... that's about it, oh and blood later on

Jerk, Oh how I dislike you… Either that or I really like you and I'm living in denial. Both are plausible, I like it how you're always there for me, and I do like it how you attempt to spoil me… But still you're Tsuzuki, the guy that… well… the guy that is living dull light bulb. Or maybe you just act that way because that way you can take pain a little easier. I don't know, you confuse me. Usually I know what I'm doing, what people are doing around me but you, you screw up my senses . You're the one that can synchronize your emotions with me so easily. I like it when we do that, I don't know why, but I do.

"Hisoka~~" you whined for the umpteenth time.

"What?" I asked irritably.

"Can we eat something? We're almost there so please?"

It's been less than three hours and we weren't "almost there" we had five more hours of travel ahead of us and even though we were flying it would take us a while. Flying had it's advantages and disadvantages, you got there faster, usually, but keeping clear of in coming air traffic, stupid flocks of birds, weather even made things difficult.

"Hi~~so~~Ka~~!"

I stopped and turned to my partner that had fallen behind. Folding my arms I looked at him with a frown. He had those big puppy dog eyes again. Idiot… Don't you know how much I hate it when you do that? No, you know it that's why you do it, so you can get your way. I sighed in defeat, I can with stand a few minutes of that at most but… after that I crumble like Tatsumi-san.

"Fine but after wards we go strait to the shrine."

"Sankyuu Hisoka!" He chimed then hugged me.

I blushed and pushed him away, he was getting more touchy feelly towards me. I'm not sure if I like it or not but I'm not sure of much when I'm around that purpled eyed shinigami. So it was off to lunch. I had ordered tempura and waited patiently as Tsuzuki flirted with the waitress. I didn't like it when he did that but I wasn't going to say anything. Soon as that little hussy left with her sluty, hip swinging walk I glowered down at my cup of water. I didn't approve of girls or guys like that, people that sleep around were sick and uncontrolled. Reminded me of Muraki, at the thought I shivered.

"Ah? Why cold?" Tsuzuki asked putting his half-eaten cracker down on his napkin.

"No, I'm fine." Then I coughed, shinigami or not I could still get sick.

My partner reached over the table and placed a hand over my forehead. His hand was warm, almost hot so a pulled back as if escaping the uncomfortable warmth. He frowned and got up. Taking off his trench coat he made his way around the table. Draping the warm, heavy coat over me he commented, "And you say that I have to take better care of myself. You're cold as a snowman and it's only late summer." He then bent down and winked at me, "Honesty, what am I going to do with you?"

I looked away hiding my blush, he was a strange one a very strange one. After lunch, I was suddenly tired. Okay maybe he was right on me being sick but still, I wasn't going to admit that out loud. I honestly don't remember what had happened after wards, I guess I passed out because the next thing I remembered was waking up in a futon. Damn, I was cold, really cold. Trying to look around I found my site to be blurred. I thought then heard the sound of dishes rattling. Looking over I could see the blurred image of Tsuzuki walking in with a tray in his hands. I could smell something, something good? He came over and set the tray down and knelt down.

"How do you feel?" His voice was worried.

Now that he was closer I could see the worry on his face. I reached up my hand to my mouth and coughed thickly. God, I felt like something the cat played with for the longest time. A cat… a twisted cat like Muraki. "Not too good…" I managed to grumbled out as my gut twisted. My throat was soar as ever and it was a challenge to swallow down my own saliva.

"I got some vegetable broth for you." Tsuzuki was kind as ever as he lifted the lid off of the expensive china bowl. "I know my cooking isn't that great so I bought this and only heated it up."

"Where are we?" I asked trying to sit up as Tsuzuki picked up the bowl and spoon.

"At the shrine… It's abandoned and no one lives with in a ten-mile radius of the place. I put up wards inside the house. I figured that would keep the demons and what knots away long enough for you to recuperate."

I blinked in surprise at him, I didn't know my partner could ever be… so… useful. He smiled at me and held up a spoonful of broth. By his look I could tell that I wasn't going to get that spoon away from him even if I bit off his fingers. So I opened my mouth and in went the spoon. The liquid was nice and warm but I could only swallow half of it down. I coughed up the rest. Purple eyes looked at me discouraged, I didn't like it as much as him. The stuff tasted good, I was hungry and tired, and it was warm. I wondered. Then I saw Tsuzuki put the bowl to his lips. That got me angry, it was mine, and I was going to be picky about it because I wanted it damn it! Okay okay, I get picky, annoyed easily, and possessive when I don't feel good. Who doesn't?

I opened my mouth to protest to him drinking it but he grabbed a hold of me, pulled me to him and pressed his lips to mine. Warm broth came from his mouth and went down my throat. I was about to choke but his tongue pushed away open for the liquid to go down. I was turning so red, crimson would be a better word for it. Then I felt some thing warm and wet on my cheeks. Tsuzuki pulled our mouths apart and held onto me. "W-what are you doing you idiot?" I feebly squirmed. Yes I liked the interaction of our mouths, but… But still… Then he began to shake, he was crying. Tsuzuki was crying… Why?

"Don't leave me alone…" he sniffled in my ear. "Never leave me alone… please…"

"W-what are you talking about?" I tried to stay calm.

"You've been unconscious for three days, growing colder and colder each day… A few times you've stopped breathing…"

I hugged him back, the poor guy was going through a lot emotionally thanks to me. I managed, "I'm sorry…" before I passed out again. When I woke the next time warm hands were rubbing against my back and arms. I could smell him, his sent, Tsuzuki's wonderful sent. It reminded me of wide open fields with the sweet smell of a nearby brook. I didn't open my eyes just snuggled into the fleshy warmth. He didn't need to exlpain to me why, I knew he had to take off our clothing and get under the covers with me to bring up my body temprature. A common thing to do when someone was too hot or too cold. He was humming as his hand strocked my back with such tenderness. I keeped my breathing down and eyes closed. I wanted him to think I was still asleep, I wanted to bask for a bit… just a bit.

"I know you're awake," Tsuzuki's voice rummbled sweetly.

"So…" I stayed still. Damn he found me out.

"You don't have to pretend around me," his hand still keeping me warm.

I don't know what snapped in me but something did, maybe it was my sanity but I reached up and kissed him. I felt his body tense I stopped and rolled to my other side. I knew it, he didn't like me but still… I just wanted… just once… God, why was I so stupid at times?

"Hisoka… I…" I heard Tsuzuki almost squeak.

I didn't say anything, I knew if I said something then I would cry. I was hurting more then those feverish nights dreaming of Muraki having his freakish way with me. Dying hurt yes, but this was much more painful. I curled up into a ball with out thinking. Then strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me back, back to Tsuzuki. I looked up at him trying to hold in my emotions but the tears were already making their way down my cheek. Purple eyes closed as soft lips kissed my tears away.

"I love you too Hisoka," Tsuzuki whispered as he held me tighter.

Nothing happened that night we only fell asleep in each other's arms. The next morning I was feeling a lot better and soon as we were awake we were checking out the place.

"It appears that the people just up and left," I said walking in front of my love scanning everything in sight.

"Yep, but these people, by the looks of things… Enjoyed to flaunt their wealth, so why leave behind stuff like this?" He gestured to a display case full of golden and marble figurines of all kinds with real jewels encrusting them.

"I don't-" I was cut off by the sound of someone up stairs. The sounds of creaking footsteps were followed by small bits of dust falling down over our head. We weren't alone and that wasn't a good sign, considering the reputation of the place.