YnM Fanfiction
"Partners"

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Disclaimer: YnM belongs to Youko Matsushita-sensei.

07082001

Author's note: I broke a rule I have always kept when it comes to writing fanfiction. An original character starts this story. --;; Gomen. After going to and fro, trying to write Tsuzuki & Hisoka stories, I finally decided that I could better understand them by writing from a non-canon character's point of view.

This fic is for Thea and Delentye. This is for taking so long to finish their gift stories.

Partners
A YnM Fanfic by Anonym aka Yen

Tilon extended one of his wings, and his hands reached up to smoothen its tip. After all, one must look one's very best before being allowed in Enma-DaiOu's presence.

His wing flicked back in place as he looked over his scrolls on the table in front of him. Must make sure that he didn't forget a single thing. He would never forgive himself if he did forget something. After all, he had a reputation to maintain as a Seeker.

Tilon was standing just aside the huge portal doors which opened into Enma-DaiOu's suite. Two guards kept watch in front of it. Both stood straight and immobile, their beaks kept straight forward and never did waver even as Tilon walked towards them, his arms full to the brim with scrolls. He did forgot something. He forgot his bag to carry them in.

"Kitein, Jisen, please hold these." Both guards jumped when Tilon dumped the scrolls in their arms. Their composure lost, both instinctively received the rolls of parchment, staggering to and fro as scrolls slipped through their awkward holds and fell to the floor with solid thumps.

"Tilon-san," said Kitein with amusement as he tried to keep from having to drop his guardian staff. "You always forget something," he finished wryly.

Jisen was less amused, and he almost slipped and fell down when one of the scrolls got underfoot.

"Jisen, be careful!" Tilon hurriedly picked up the stepped upon scroll. He froze when the doors suddenly rumbled open, revealing Enma-DaiOu.

***

"Your report, Tilon." Enma watched with amusement as the seeker hurriedly opened one of the scrolls scattered across his desk. Something always happens when Head Seeker gave his quarterly report. It was entertaining.

SNAP! The scroll Tilon was opening suddenly rolled itself back up with so much force that it ricochet from the seeker's fingers to hit Jisen squarely in the face.

Kitein quickly dragged his companion out of the room before the latter recovered enough sense to go after Tilon. Enma chuckled softly as the doors slid shut behind them.

"I beg your forgiveness, Enma-sama," Tilon said submissively as he recovered the scroll.

"Perfectly fine, Tilon." Then, he gave Tilon a slight smile. "Perhaps you shouldn't give them personalities." He was referring to the scrolls, which were arranging by themselves before him. Few knew that Tilon had the gift to animate inanimate objects.

Tilon tilted his head, his expression, thoughtful. "... I'm afraid anything with life force will always possess personalities." He then glanced down to his hand which was holding a struggling scroll. Across its side was stamped Jiten's footprint.

"I suppose..." Enma leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers. "Have you found what I asked for, Tilon."

"Yes, Enma-sama. I have found Tsuzuki's antithesis." Tilon quickly rolled open the scroll and read it. "Hisoka Kurosaki."

***
**
*

"Kachou, there's someone here to see you."
"Who is it, Tatsumi-san?"
"Tilon-san."
"Oh? Let him in, Tatsumi-san."

Konoe stood up as a white-haired man entered his office. "Tilon-san, it is good to see you again." He gestured to a chair. "Please do sit down."

"Hello, Kachou," Tilon greeted pleasantly and he thanked Konoe for the offer as he sat down. He shook his head when Konoe offered to get some tea for him.

"Thank you, but no, I fine." Pale eyes blinked slowly then sharpened. "I am here to observe them," he stated suddenly.

Konoe's response was slow but steady. "Enma-DaiOu's request?"

Tilon nodded. "Yes."

***

"Tsuzuki, Kurosaki, this is Tilon. He'll be accompanying you two until further notice."

"Eh?" Tsuzuki stared at the man standing beside Konoe. Colorless eyes stared at him so intently, he grew nervous.

"What is this about?" Asked Hisoka curiously, and Tsuzuki was relieved when Tilon looked away to stare at Hisoka instead.

Konoe harrumphed, and it was Tilon who answered, "I'll be observing your performance in your duties." He then smiled at their startled faces. "It is policy."

"It is?" Tsuzuki scratched his head, trying to recall the last time they had an inspection. He couldn't remember.

***

"Tatsumi, do you know what this is about?" Watari had a worried expression. He kept a wary watch on the newcomer who was sitting on a chair beside the door.

Tatsumi also looked worried. Shoukan never had an inspection before, not that he could recall. After all though Shoukan had the most privileges and status among all the divisions, power was kept in check and balance by giving those of Shoukan the smallest salaries.

I better close my secret account, thought Tatsumi, while Watari went out through the other door rather hurriedly.

***

... This is no good. Tilon's brows furrowed slightly. It had been unwise to make it appear that he was conducting an inspection. But then, this was the first time he had to follow up on one of his recruits.

In front of him, Tsuzuki was hunched over in his workstation, hard at work, while at his desk, Hisoka was calmly reading a book. Both were pretending he wasn't there. However, what bothered him was the distance he felt that seemed to exist between them.

I wish to see how these two interact with each other Tilon glanced to the ceiling, musing on how to resolve this situation. ... And I wonder.

***

"Psychological analysis...?" Six pairs of shocked eyes stared at Konoe in shock.

Their chief raised his hands and waved at them peaceably. "I'll be getting one too," he said, adding, "After he finished with the six of you."

"But," Tatsumi interrupted, frowning. "I've never heard of psychoanalysis being conducted in JuuOuChou."

"Oh," Watari remarked, "It's done here, but it's kept under wraps. Besides, it's a sensitive topic" he added, smiling sheepishly, "I don't think anyone is comfortable with talking about their innermost feelings."

"Is Tilon-san a seishinkai (psychiatrist)?" Asked Hisoka, who looked uneasy.

Konoe hesitated before answering, "Well-"

"I'm not talking to him," said Terazuma, who folded his arms stubbornly.

Wakaba pressed a finger to her lips thoughtfully. "It might be a good idea," she said slowly, pausing when all of them glanced at her with looks of disbelief. Even Konoe and Tsuzuki, who had remained silent with puzzled look on his face.

Wakaba shrugged, her eyes, hesitant; and she looked away from them, murmuring, "Sometimes, I feel like I want to talk to somebody." Five pairs of eyes swiveled to Terazuma, who looked defensive.

***

"Hello, Wakaba-san," Tilon gave her a warm smile, gesturing at her to sit down in the armchair in front of him. She smiled back and sat down, her eyes examining him. Tilon's face was sharply angled but softened by a peaceful expression which he seemed to wear constantly.

"What would you like to talk about, Wakaba-san?"
"... I thought you were going to ask us questions."
"Perhaps, I will. But I prefer to listen rather than to talk."
"... Why are you interviewing us?"
"I wish to know more about you and your companions."

Wakaba looked at him uncertainly, suddenly wary. Tilon noticed and smiled at her again. "Very well," he said, "I will ask questions. You are one who prefer to listen rather than to talk as well, I believe."

When she nodded, he asked, "Tell me. What do you think of your current partner?"

"I think he's wonderful!" Wakaba immediately declared, hands clapping together with delight.

***

Terazuma suddenly sneezed, and Watari commented, "Guess who they're talking about." Konoe chuckled while Terazuma glared at Watari. Tatsumi was preparing straws with Tsuzuki while Hisoka had gone back to his desk and his book.

***

"You do not consider it a handicap that you shouldn't touch your own partner," Tilon asked Wakaba, who at the question looked down to her lap.

"... It's not so bad," she said softly, then she looked up, smiling faintly. "Sometimes, it feels unfair," she admitted honestly, "but it's something that has to be how it is. Hajime-chan cannot help himself."

"You do know that if he tries harder to control himself, it wouldn't matter how many times you touch him."

Her eyes flickered. "... I know." Her eyes closed for several moments, then opened to looked at him directly. "Someday, I can touch him whenever I want," she said confidently. Then her face gentled as did her tone. "But for now, I am happy that I am his partner."

***

"Who's next?" Tilon asked. He was holding the door open for Wakaba, who waved him a cheerful good bye before skipping off to stand very near Terazuma who backed away from her with a suspicious expression.

Watari nudged a reluctant Tatsumi forward.

***

"Please to meet you, Tatsumi-san. Please sit down."
"I prefer to stand, Tilon-san."
"... Oh. Very well. If that is what you wish."
"That is what I wish."
"Yes. Well now. Please tell me about yourself, Tatsumi-san."
"I have nothing to say."
"..."

Tilon looked away from Tatsumi's hard stare, suddenly feeling cold inside. He frowned as he looked at the room's spare interior. Something felt wrong. There were windows covering the upper half of a wall, blinds down. The two chairs in the middle of the room. The ceiling fan whirling softly. The two stand lamps located on two opposite corners of the room. They were on.

Still frowning, Tilon looked down to the hardwood floor and stared at its unblemished surface. ... No shadows, he realized quietly.

"May I go now?" Said Tatsumi.

***

"Watari-san."
"Yes, Tilon-san."

"What is his name?" Tilon was petting the cute little owl perched on Watari's knee.

"Ah. His name is 003." Watari stared at the man seated in front of him. He blinked hard, wondering why he imagined Tilon-san should have wings.

"003?" Repeated Tilon, who was pleased when 003 hooted at him and nipped his thumb playfully.

Watari nodded uncertainly and shifted with unease when Tilon said, "It is said that people spend a great deal of time with animals find it hard to relate with other people."

"... Are you saying I should spend more time around people than around animals?"

"No," Tilon said, giving 003 one final pet before straightening and looking at Watari in the eyes. "I just heard that some people like animals more than other people."

***

"Why do you go berserk when women touch you, Terazuma-san?"

"I'm not telling you, and it's none of your business."

"Do you know that Wakaba-san likes you very much?"

"... That's still none of your business!"

"You know. There is a way to cure your condition. It's called Psychoprophylaxis. Granted it's usually reserved for pregnant women, but it will also be effective for you since your fear of a woman's touch is only in your mind. I can assure you that having women touch you is perfectly natural and-"

"Shut up!"
"But you need help, Terazuma-san."
"I don't need your help or want it!"
"I'm sure Wakaba-san will agree with me on this."
"Leave her out of this!"
"She has every right to be concerned and involved. She's your partner."
"Leave me alone!"

***

Finally, thought Tilon wearily, now I can do my true work. He leaned back in the armchair and stared at the door, waiting for it to open and let either Tsuzuki or Kurosaki in.

Was I right? He wondered. Did I chose correctly? Are they truly meant to be each other's half?

***

"Tsuzuki, what do you think of your partner, Kurosaki?"

"I think he's still a little green," said Tsuzuki with cheerful honesty, "A little too serious too, but he's the best partner I ever had."

"Truly?"

"Truly."

"Is that why you chose to come back, Tsuzuki-san?"

"Come back from where?"

"From your void of despair."

"... You know about that."

"I know about it, but I do not know your reason. Did you decide to be saved because Kurosaki refused to leave you to be devoured by Touda's black fire?"

"... Yes," Tsuzuki finally said though sounding unsure. "I- I couldn't allow him to sacrifice himself for my sake." The muscles in his face tensed. "I couldn't allow that to happen."

"Because you didn't want Kurosaki to die?"

"Yes, because of that. ... And also, because of him, I didn't want to die either."

"You care for your partner that much, and because of him, you cared about yourself as well."

"... Yes." Tsuzuki said firmly.

***

Outside, Tsuzuki and Watari held on to each other with swirly eyes and similarly dazed expressions. "I'm confused again," Tsuzuki groaned, shaking his head. "I thought I understood what that was all about."

Watari was in the same predicament. "All he said to me was that I like animals more than people."

"Eh!" Objected Tsuzuki. "That is not true! ... Is it, Watari-san?" He looked at his friend with wide eyes.

"Of course not, Tsuzuki!" Watari exclaimed, then he paused, staring at Tsuzuki's woebegone puppy eyes.

"It's a waste of time," someone said, and both turned to Tatsumi, who just looked irritated.

"I wonder how Hisoka-kun will fare," said Wakaba, looking worriedly to the closed door.

***

"I was told you consider your partner as an idiot."

"He is an idiot."

"Yet you still remain as his partner."

"That's because no one else wants to be his partner."

"If someone else would accept him as a partner, would you leave him?"

"... No."

"Why?"

"Because I'm his partner."

Tilon's head was starting to ache.

"... Kurosaki, why did go after him in Kyoto?"

"... I told you already. Because he's my partner."

"Your partner is worth your own life?"

"I owe him my life."

"Your friendship is about gratitude then?"

"Isn't that what all relationships are about?"

"What do you mean?"

Kurosaki suddenly leaned towards him, and Tilon blinked, finding himself mesmerized by dark shards of green.

"Why does one love one's parents? Because they gave him life. Because they sheltered and clothed him. Because they fed and educated him. Or simply because they are of the same blood. In any case, it is because of gratitude."

"Friendship isn't the same as family, Kurosaki."

"Isn't it? My parents abhorred me; even though, I am their son. I loved them even though they didn't. They maybe my parents, but we were never a family."

"Then, you think of Tsuzuki and the others as family?"

"Yes, and like in any real family where siblings call each other bad names, they cannot help but love each other"

"It is said that one loves one's own blood instinctively, but respect and liking must be earned. Do you like your partner, Kurosaki?"

"... Yes, I do. Even though, I still think he's an idiot."

Fin.

Author's note: This is why I am awful at writing Tsuzuki & Hisoka stories.

Flames, comments, suggestions, corrections? My email address is y_no_m@yahoo.com