[010 | voice, Japanese]

[sweetdeath]

[the sound of footsteps can be heard under Tsuzuki's voice, and the occasional soft ghostly whisper]

Does anybody know where Hisoka went? He still hasn't come back, and it's dark out there now.... I must have lost track of time up on the roof. Man, it's dark in here. The lights aren't working, are they? Anybody know why not?

Come to think of it... has anyone seen Watari since day before yesterday?

[a click, and a few snapping noises]

Oh, come on.

[Snap.]

That's better! At least I can see... a--

[A nearly deafening clatter as the communicator hits the floor, somehow managing not to turn itself off in the fall. The voice is farther away now, spiraling up into hysteria.]

No. No. You're wrong. You don't know me. Who are you? Who are--

[thudding and scraping.]

No! Go away! I am-

[A hoarse sob, and the communicator cuts off abruptly.]


[[ooc: comment logs only; Tsuzuki found his room covered with "You will never be human" and the word never repeated across all of the walls. He's tried to scrape some of them away, but the words are re-written over the smears. Tsuzuki himself is huddled in a ball against the smeared wall.]]

Comments

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

Come to think of it... no, I haven't. I think I saw him on the networks earlier... something about exploring somewhere. I'm not sure.

I'm... sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

Exploring...?

[And Hisoka had his chip in just as Tsuzuki did. He wouldn't heal if anything happened to him. And he was out alone. And he wasn't back now, after dark....]

[Tsuzuki could feel the blood draining from his face.]

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

O-Oh no, don't worry! He was... he was with a group of really strong people. Nothing's going to happen to him.

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[Tsuzuki swallowed; he'd scared her. That hadn't been the point. He tried for a smile.]

Well... with all the ghosts out here, it's a little weird that he's not back, you know?

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

He will be... everything is a little weird in this town.

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[Watari was gone, too. And it had been several days. Going out on his own, at this time of night, would just end with something chewing on him, though. Shaking off the worries, he shrugged and smiled at Namine.]

Yeah, I'm sure he will be. ...Hey, where do you usually live? Want me to walk you back?

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

I... I live over at Gohl. B-But I don't want to be a burden to you...

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[Gohl? Tsuzuki's mouth dropped open. She'd walked that far, at night, here... out of concern over him?]

...Not at all! I'll walk you back. I insist.

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

Well if... if you insist.

Thank you, Tsuzuki.

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

[He took her hand, standing in his turn; his knees popped after the awkward stillness of the last... how long had it been? He wasn't sure. It didn't matter.]

[Without looking at the walls again, he started for the door.]

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

... Your eyes really are a beautiful color.

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[He froze in midstep as Namine's words registered, not realizing that his grip had tightened hard enough to hurt. Never human. Never. Did he have to wear the marks of that so clearly on his face?]

[He lifted a hand to his face, covering his eyes for a moment. The moment stretched.]

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

Tsuzuki, I... I-I'm so sorry, did I say something wrong...? I didn't mean to hurt you...

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[Tsuzuki started at the touch, nails digging briefly into his cheek before he pulled his hand away. With an effort, he summoned a smile. It sat falsely on his face.]

I - no, that's okay - sorry.

[He was tempted to leave it at that, but a whim compelled him to honesty.]

These eyes... the color isn't human.

bawww, this is too adorable in a sad sort of way ;;

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

... I've never seen someone with that color before.

I like it. It's beautiful.

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[He closed the offending eyes. Beautiful? Different. That's all anyone had ever noticed.]

Thank you.

[The words were bitter; he cleared their aftertaste with a smile in return, pulling away from the hand on his cheek. It was kind of her. He just couldn't bear it quite yet.]

[Forcing himself to brighten up, he began walking again, determined stride just slow enough not to lose the small girl.]

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[He reached down again, squeezing her hand.]

It's okay, Namine.

[She hadn't known. And it... it had been nice of her. His smile was almost genuine.]

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

If you're sure. Thank you for walking me back, by the way. It's a lot out of your way...

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

My pleasure.

[Slipping his hands back into the pockets of his coat, he kept walking.]

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

It's the least I can do.

[He glanced to the side at the small girl, wondering just what her story was. It seemed rude to ask... rude, and as if it would break the stillness lingering between them. Between the ghosts and the disappearances, there had been little enough peace and quiet for the last few days.]

Besides, you're being awfully kind to me too, you know. I appreciate it.

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

Well, you're my friend... friends look after other friends, right?

I just... wanted to make sure you were okay. My friends went out to look for the ghost's sister, and they... I thought you wouldn't be coming back, either, and I wanted to do something. Even if I'm not that useful at fighting or anything like that... I needed to make sure you weren't hurt.

[cinnagami.livejournal.com]

[Oh. Oh. Tsuzuki's hands tightened into useless fists, then he unclenched them and reached out, resting a hand on Namine's shoulder.]

...Sorry to hear that. I... well, they ought to be okay, right? Around here, even if the worst happens - it isn't permanent.

[dustedsunlight.livejournal.com]

They... they will be okay. I know it. But... it's hard, you know? To think they had to go through all of that. I'll be alright, though... knowing they'll be back helps.