I don't what to say to you. You're the first person that had ever perplexed me so. It's almost as if you had enchanted me. I thought only Tsuzuki-san could ever, possibly do such things. Nevertheless, when you first walked through that door to become a shinigami for the department of Enma (Enma-chou) you have dazzled me.

Yes! You, Kurosaki Hisoka with the greenest eyes I have ever seen. Your cynical look shows doubt about your partner's abilities and you rude comments to him make me angry inside sometimes.

Now you sit with me at an out-door coffee table with a tray of tea and cookies settled in between us as soft sakura petals dance their way to the ground. Those fragile petals somehow remind me of Tsuzuki-san. They are beautiful and sweet, dance their way through life, but can't produce food no matter how hard they may try. I chuckle a little at the sheer irony that connects my beloved Tsuzuki-san to a Cherry tree that was breed to produce no fruit.

Perhaps this makes you uneasy. I can see it in the way that you move in your seat. I maybe only a simple secretary but I still can tell that there is something on your mind.

"Kurosaki-kun," I casually strike up a conversation. "What is it? You seemed to be preoccupied."

"Well," you obvert your gaze from mine to the doily that your tea cup is resting on. "It just seems a little different that's all. Usually you have tea with Tsuzuki."

I chuckle a little causing you to look up at me. "That I do," I said lifting my teacup to my lips. After a sip of the wonderful tea I continue, "Since he has come down with the flue and everything has quieted down-."

"So that's why you invited me," you look to the side as little dismayed.

"No," I watch you blink a little. "I know that you are fully aware that I love Tsuzuki-san."

That drew your gaze back, that wonderful gaze. With a smile I continue, "And I'm sure that you have suspected something else as well." This time I fell silent looking at your splendid beauty. Did you know that you are simply captivating when you assume that puzzled look? You almost remind me of a curious kitten wishing to know more things about the world and the people around you.

Still my silence causes you to blush. I close my eyes in an attempt to find the right words.

"I know you love him," you suddenly spoke up. "And I know he reminds you of your mother..."

Now it was my turn to look at you in a query. Why do you sound so nervous? I'm not going to get angry at you. I was the one that told you when we where looking for Tsuzuki-san in the Castle of Candles.

"...And if you don't mind me saying, I think you love him in a sense that he IS your mother, or new family," you shift in your seat fiddling with the corner of the table cloth. "I can understand that... because when I first became a shinigami I had no family to call my own, because I never had experienced what it was like to have one."

Oh yes, THOSE infidels that called themselves your family. Oh! How I would like to give them a piece of my mind along with a sample of my shadows.

"But now I have a family," you continue. "Tsuzuki fusses over me like a mother, talks to me like a sibling, and when things get serious he's able to protect me like a father..." You smile just a little, "So I understand how you feel about Tsuzuki, because when it comes to that essence then I share your feelings."

"And what do you think is the other issue?" I ask hoping that he would understand.

You only adopt a slight blush on your pale cheeks. Now it was my turn to feel uncomfortable. I was pretty sure that you didn't return my feelings. And now there is silence resting between us. I'm almost fearful to speak up now, you may reject me, but worst of all you may even hate me. One must state, one's feelings or it will forever haunt you. That is one of the most prominent lessons that Tsuzuki-san has taught me.

"I'm confused at the moment," I speak up now finding my doily suddenly fascinating. "About... how I feel... and odd situations I find myself in... with you and..."

"You love me," you whispered.

"That... could be what I'm trying to say."

You lovely wheat colored hair swayed form side to side as you shook your head.

"No, you love me. I've known that ever since the time you and I were together in the Castle of Candles and the whole ordeal where Tsuzuki was trapped in that book."

That's right you helped me when I needed you the most. You worried over me when I hurt my hand. Kurosaki-kun I can only hope that you understand my feelings.

"So do you think it is wrong of me to harbor such feelings?" I asked fearfully watching you.

Your silence told so much, and your lack of movement caused me to make a conclusion. I pushed my chair back so that I could get up but before I could excuse myself you had shot up to your feet. I watched you in puzzled glee as you rounded the table and threw your arms around me. I smiled gently as I wrapped my arms around you holding you tightly as you whimpered, "Don't go, please." I placed a hand on your kitten soft hair and pulled you fully onto my lap. I knew that you couldn't say the words just yet but your body spoke for you in saying, "I love you."

Now here we sit together entangled in each other's arms under the sakura. Your body relaxing now that you know that I won't leave you, when Tsuzuki-san comes trotting up with his trench coat all buttoned up, a long white scarf wrapped around his neck, and a medical mask covering his mouth in order to prevent him from spreading his germs. Not knowing what we should do we just let go of each other and blush, even though you remain in my lap.

Tsuzuki-san only smiles at us, one could easily tell by his eyes.

"It's about time you guys realized your feelings," he said before coughing.

"What?" we both said at the same time. Did he know this whole entire time?

"W-what are you doing out of bed you moron?" You ask trying to regain your composure.

"Kurosaki-kun is right! You should be resting up."

"Kurosaki-kun?" Tsuzuki chuckled, "Don't you mean Hisoka-chan?"

We blush as he coughed instead of laughed. He sniffed then pulled out two items that he had tucked under his arm.

"Here, Hisoka, you left your favorite book when you came to visit earlier," the kind hearted nimrod said. "And I got those files done for you Tatsumi."

"Baka," we both said as we took our parcels.

"Sticks and stones," he rubbed at his eye tiredly. "Now if you'll excuse me I have an appointment to keep with dream land."

The silly shinigami then left. Soon as he was gone we laughed a little. Tsuzuki-san was very silly when he was ill, half the things he doesn't even remember doing. A unique man indeed.

You open your book and tuck your head under my chin all of the sudden and start reading almost as if you were saying, "Well now, where were we?" I place the files down on the table and wrap my arms around your waist. I can safely say that today was not a waste and that it was quite profitable.

~END~