Fate, I think it was fate that was the one. I remember a friend of mine, well my only friend when I was alive. Anyway, she had told me that fate could be altered but not destiny. She had said that everyone weaves themselves so tightly to each other that they begin to believe that fate brought it all together or allowed things to happen. In actuality it was themselves and the little gentle pushes of destiny that had caused things like that. Fate was just a word, a word to describe our own bumbling in destiny’s way. I sure hope that this is all fate and not destiny.

I was still there with those strange turtle shell like masks circling around me. They continued to sing that childish melody of ‘kagome’[1]. I’m no girl and I’m not caged. I just can’t move at the moment. I would sigh if I could. My eyes blinked slowly as the haunting faces rotated around and around. The laughs were beginning to be drowned out by screams. This began to make me wonder. If hell was like this or the way that demons and such lived then what would make people sell their souls? To have power? What a ridiculous excuse. There will always be someone more powerful than you even if they don’t know it.

God I’m tired. I want to sleep so much but there was something in the back on my mind that encouraged me not to give up. It must have been all my friend’s influence. She was always strong and I know she wouldn’t have died with out a fight. Tsuzuki played a good role as well.

Reaching over to the side, I lay my hand on a lump of grass. I didn’t know that I was on grass. Oh well. Leaning down, I lowered myself to my side feeling warmer and colder at the same time. Was I dieing again? I know when I died of my illness it wasn’t like this, it wasn’t this pleasant. Pillowing my head with my arm, I fought to keep my eyes open. That’s when I noticed it, the trees and the small fireflies that flew around. .:When did this all appear?:. I thought as I took in the sent of the grass. It smelled like her. I managed to smirk. Here I was dieing and I was thinking of my friend and not Tsuzuki. .:I wonder what she would say about him? What she would think about the two of us together?:. That triggered a memory.

“Say what?” she looked at me from over her shoulder with a pencil balanced between her nose and upper lip.

“I said I want you to come over and visit my family.” I placed my hands on her desk. We had just gotten into junior high. Ah the wonderful age of 13, that’s what I thought at first. She looked at me with those green eyes. I guess that’s why we stuck together, we were the only ones in the whole school that had green eyes.

She heaved a sigh and got up to her feet. I caught myself nearly chuckling, she was such a tomboy. You could see it in everything that she did. You would usually see her in pants and shirts made for men but for school the uniforms were skirts for girls. Boy did she throw a fit, I was afraid that she was going to get kicked out by the way that she grabbed the head master by the neck. Did I mention that she was short tempered and could kill anything in a blink of an eye? She said that it was because she wanted to be an assassin when she grew up.

“You’re not going to introduce me because you want to go out with me right?” she asked tugging at her skirt.

I rolled my eyes playfully, “Who would want to date you?”

She giggled, almost chuckled, “Same goes for you.”

That day she came home with me. I still remember the feeling of regret soon as we neared my house. That’s when she stopped in the middle of the dirt road. When I turned in the setting sun light to look at her I was a little more than startled when she smiled.

“Na, Hisoka?”

“What?” I threw my school bag over my shoulder.

“Sorry but I can’t go to your house today, maybe tomorrow.”

“But you’re already here.” I walked behind her and began to push her closer to the house, “It won’t kill you to visit just for a few minutes.”

She protested all the way to the door. It was funny how our new servant Miya opened the door and looked at us as if we were boyfriend and girlfriend. Boy did Akara blush when Miya commented on how cute we where together. I had to clear everything up before Akara could calm down enough to even walk. Hn, I knew she liked me in that way but I was too shy to say anything to her… maybe if we hadn’t died then we could have enjoyed our lives together. But now I have Tsuzuki, I love him very much and no one is going to take that away from me… away from me…

.:Don’t let anyone take it away from you! Hisoka! Promise me!:. Those words that now echoed in my mind where the last words that Akara said to me. When I had introduced her to my parents they insisted on speaking to her alone. I don’t think that they knew I could hear them but I did.

“Do you have any idea what you are getting yourself into young lady?” my mother almost hissed.

“He’s a demon. Stay away from him,” my father sternly ordered.

“No,” she said just as demanding as him. I still remember their gasps, even I was surprised about how much authority and determination was in her voice. She spoke as if my family meant nothing to her and it didn’t.

“What did you say?” my father sounded angry.

“I said I will not stay away from him. With all do respect Sir, Madam your son is the most intelligent, bright, wonderful… beautiful being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting in my whole life.”

I turned crimson. Yeah I heard it, she called me beautiful, wonderful, bright… I didn’t expect her opinion of me was so high.

“And to be perfectly honest with you I think that your family pride is killing him. Who do you think is more of a worse influence, me his friend, or you with your selfish pride that is smothering his life away?”

They were silent for once.

“Yes, do think about it. Your pride is consuming even you, it also snuffing out the fire of your only son’s life. Your so damn selfish that at the first glimpse of his gift you brand him a demon. Tell me!” I heard her stand up, “Who is the real demon now?!”

My parents called the police and had her removed from the premises. I remember running off to the courtyard holding her hand, trying to find a way out but the police were quick to find us. I held onto her as she glared at them defiantly mirroring my expression, but they tore her from my arms. They took her from me. I held her hand trying to pull her back.

“Hisoka!” Her grip tightened.

“Akara! Leave her alone, let her go!” I pulled harder.

“Hisoka, Don’t let anyone take it away from you! Hisoka! Promise me!”

I looked at her surprised, she had tears in her eyes. She tugged at my hand as she shouted through her struggle. “Don’t give up with out a fight!!!” Tears fell from her eyes like pearls. That was the first time I had ever seen her cry through out all the years that I had known her.

“I promise, I promise, just don’t-!” They tore her away from me. They took her away from me. I hate that town because that was the last time I saw her alive. That night her house burnt to the ground and she died in the hospital with chard flesh, missing a leg and pneumonia. When I had heard she was in the hospital I rushed there just in time to see her hand fall lifeless out of her mother’s hands. I still remember her mother crying cursing her habit of staying outside when she was sad, I guess that was how she got pneumonia. No she had it building up for a bit, that night was just the kicker that made it full-blown. Damn why couldn’t I have found out earlier. If I was just by her side for those three days when she was in the hospital… That night was the night that Muraki came into my life.

.:Hey that’s right! What am I doing here just laying her like a bump on a long?! I made a promise and I’m going to keep it!:. I thought to myself as I began to raise from the ground.

“Hisoka!” came the voice softer than a whisper.

I got to my knees then I saw it a lighter a red lighter… just like the one that Akara carried around where ever she went. I picked it up and struck the flint wheel. The tiny flame looked like a blessing from god himself. The small creatures that had been circling around me screamed and scrambled away in fear of the light. I climbed to my feet and tore off the strange clothing that they put on me, all that was left covering me was a light weight kimono that was underneath all that excess cloth. I cupped a hand over the flame to prevent it from going out and I ran as fast as I could.

“Hisoka!” came the voice again.
~~~~~

Tsuzuki darted down the honeycombed halls. Ignoring the gruesome sights of crucified people on the walls, he continuously shouted out the name of his lover. Cid was close behind working his magic to keep a small ball of light over the two of them and getting ride of any demon that may get brave enough to come close. A large spinney cat leapt out from the darkness at Tsuzuki. The shinigami covered his head as he braced for the attack. Cid caught the situation with the corner of his eyes. With a quick spell of concentration a green ball of light formed in front of Tsuzuki. The cat headed strait for it in some kind of attempt to attack. The creature was out of luck because sharp whips of lightening sprung from the small ball of light. The lightening entrapped the creature in a cobweb of pain and electricity. Once it disappeared the fowl beast fell down as a charcoal lump.

“Quickly now, remember to follow the grass,” Cid headed off with Tsuzuki beside him.

“So why are we following the grass?” Tsuzuki asked.

“Because I cast a spell asking the earth to lead us to him. He should be in a glen of some sort.”

“What does the glen have to do with anything?!”

“It-it’s like the strong hold! Sharp right!” They turned, “Or… umm… how do I… I got it! Left!” they turned again, “The glen is like the tracking device attacked to him and the grass is just the way to find him.”

“Oh… well why didn’t you say that before?!” Tsuzuki ran faster. “Hisoka!! Hisoka!!”
~~~~~

I turned a corner where I spotted two infant looking creatures that had no legs, there skin was slimy and transparent. They screamed a baby's wail and scuttled out away from the light. My stomach crunch as I looked at what they were feasting on, some pour college kid. Then the lighter grew dimmer, my heart began to race. Dear god, don't let it go out before I get out of this place! I continued to run as fast as I could shielding the weakening light with my hands. I realized that my dream was a premonition, the slime on my feet when I woke was just the beginning of all this. I was being warned the whole time!

It went out, the lighter, my only salvation went out. I was so screwed, then something grabbed me. I attempted to scream when sharp teeth clamped down upon my ankles. There was a flash of light and they ran screaming.

“I told you that I would always be there for you,” a feminine voice said.

I looked up at her as my energy continued to drain. I guess I over execrated myself because I was sleepy again. I could feel my heart beat less and less and my breathing was getting shallower.

“Hey, hang in there man. You want to be with him right?”

I tried to keep my eyes open. She was beautiful as ever, my friend, Akara. I nodded.

“Come on talk to me, let me know that the stubborn, thick headed, alienating Hisoka that I know and love is still there.”

“Shut up,” I wheezed. I only got a smile, she was always like that. “Why are you here?”

“Remember we promised to be there for each other.”

“But I…” my chest was hurting more and my eyes were getting misty. “I wasn’t…”

“The hell you talking about?! Yes you were, I felt you when you came in.”

“You hung on to life that long to see if I was okay?”

She nodded with that know it all smirk. I wanted to slap it right off her face and I tried. I only succeeded in hitting her chin with a pathetic bump. That startled her, I could tell by the look on her face. “Keep talking, loud as you can okay?” she tapped my forehead. Man I hated it when she did that but now it was just calming.

“I forgot to ask you… What do you… think about… Tsuzuki and… I?” It was getting harder to hold on.

“I think, awww what a cute couple. Too bad they can’t get married because they’re both guys maybe that Watari guy should turn one of them into a girl just so that they could-.”

“Shut up you IDIOT!” I hate it when she patronized me like that.
~~~~~~

“IDIOT!”

Tsuzuki halted, he recognized that voice. He kept on running despite the pain in his legs and lungs. “Hisoka!”

I looked over to see a progressing light. I smirked as I lay upon a blood stained floor. She did it again, she provoked me until I helped myself. I guess Akara had a talent for that and now she was gone. That was the very last time I saw her, my friend.

“Hisoka!”

“Tsuzuki!” I called out rather weakly as I tried to prop myself up with my arms.

Tsuzuki was faster than a bullet train I tell you. I swear he just teleported over to me, which was kind of cool about how he did that tuck and roll over me. He was so fast to pick me up into his arms that I didn’t have enough time to get dizzy.

“Hisoka, oh god, Hisoka,” Tsuzuki barely whispered as he held onto me tightly. He was so warm, I always liked that about him.

“Kurosaki-san, tell me how do you feel?” Cid asked running up.

I let out a small breath, “Tired…”

“Hisoka hang in there.”

I turned my attention back to my lover. I slowly raised a hand to his cheek, he was so warm almost hot. A small smile crossed my lips, we were good together me and him. Maybe being a girl wouldn’t be so bad, even though Akara said that only as a joke. Hisoka Tsuzuki, I liked that much more than Hisoka Kurosaki. Tsuzuki placed his larger hand over mine his amethyst eyes shown with worry.

“Hisoka?”

My breathing slowed even more, my chest hurt less now as I closed my eyes. I was safe, finally safe. No more running, no more questions that had to be answered, no more cold, no more loneliness. I felt like I could finally rest. I could feel my hand slipping away from Tsuzuki’s cheek.

“Hisoka! Hisoka!” Tsuzuki’s hand gripped mine.

“Come on, open your eyes kid!” Cid’s voice followed my beloved’s.

“Gomen ne… I couldn't be with you longer… Tsu… zu…”

Everything went dark.

“Hisoka!” Tsuzuki held him closer. Tears started to fall down his cheek, “Don’t leave me alone. Please…” his voice was barely a whisper. “Not after I’ve finally found you.”

Cid closed his eyes, he didn’t know the youth for long but still… he had considered Hisoka and Tsuzuki to be his friends so… So why was this happening?

To be continued…..