The Devil\'s Last Name

Chapter 4

Written by: Fox

Notes:

*-This is a reference to Tsuzuki’s true self as revealed by Kurikara and Touda in the last Hana to Yume installment that I saw.

**-For those that are unfamiliar with this sort of expression, -dono is a more polite and old way of saying -sama. People think that -sama means lord, and it can mean that, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that. It’s just the highest degree of respect, like -san doesn’t directly mean Mr.

This chapter takes place in Gensoukai which is generally peaceful and beautiful, but is anything but due to Hisoka’s mental state. You’ll see why if you read.

As far as when Genbu mentions SouRyu, Tenkou and Kijin in relation to Gensoukai’s weather, I am basing all of this of off the literal translation to their titles. SouRyu is the god of water and of the east, Kijin is “The Thunder Emperor”, and Tenkou is “The Ocean Emperor”.

~*~

Tsuzuki had wrapped Hisoka in his slightly bloody-cuffed jacket when Hisoka had refused to come to. He then teleported back to Meifu, nearly screaming upon his arrival with the boy wrapped tightly in his arms against his chest. He whipped past Terazuma whom was on his feet in hot pursuit, not noticing Wakaba-chan and her two winged guests as he nearly flew by them.

“Tsuzuki no baka (Tsuzuki you idiot) where have- WHAT HAPPENED TO HISOKA!” Terazuma called after him, trying to keep up. Tsuzuki immediately barged into Watari’s lab and over to a medical bed, ignoring the blue haired shinigami as he did so.

Watari sputtered with a mouthful of ramen noodles when he saw the boy and was on his feet ordering 003 to find his medical kit, Terazuma to roll over a set of machines from the corner of the room, and Tsuzuki to stop “squeezing Hisoka as if he were a prized cinnamon roll”.

Tsuzuki gently set Hisoka down and was pushed out with Terazuma by a pudgy, but swiftly flying 003 as Watari began to work.

Watari shook his head as he hooked Hisoka up carefully. “I told him. I told Tatsumi!” he muttered angrily as he watched the machines and began to run tests on the boy.

Terazuma looked Tsuzuki over as the man began pacing wildly outside of Watari’s lab. “What happened?” he asked as he watched him go back and forth.

Tsuzuki looked away stubbornly as he paced. The last thing he wanted was to talk to the hideous man about his partner’s distressing time in Kamakura

Terazuma glared daggers at him in response. “Fine. You don’t have to answer to me, but you will have to answer to Wakaba, Tatsumi, and the two Tengu bastards waiting over there.” he said as he pointed down the hall.

Sure enough outside of Terazuma and Wakaba’s office was Tatsumi holding a shaken Wakaba. Both were watching him, and the Tengu twins stood behind them, looking over their shoulders.

“Oh god...” Tsuzuki moaned in dismay when he saw Tatsumi motion him over. He felt like a jelly blob as Terazuma pushed him forward and made sure he made it to the very calm looking secretary.

“Tsuzuki-san... what happened in Kamakura?” Tatsumi asked quietly. This was a bad omen.

“I...I...” He stumbled as he searched for words.

The tengu twins pushed to the front and faced Tsuzuki. Kotarou looked worried. “You what Master*? Kurikara is raging free across Gensoukai, and he is speaking of not being able to contact Hisoka-dono’s** energy.”

An even worse omen. “We-well...” he mumbled.

Wakaba turned tear filled eyes on him. “Tsuzuki-san... Please... what happened to Hisoka-san?”

This was the worst omen yet.

Terazuma moved to stand next to Wakaba and waited, arms folded and eyebrow raised.

This was horrible.

Tsuzuki mumbled quietly. “He... Hisoka and I went to Hisoka’s house... and... and Muraki was there. And Nagare.”

There were swears all around the male figures and Wakaba burst into tears. She sprang forward and clasped Tsuzuki about his middle.

“Sonna! (No way!) How could Hisoka have not known?!” she cried into his jacket, he looked hurt and pet her head softly.

“He’s been working overtime with me on naturally shielding himself from emotions and others. He was probably shielding even more since he knew what that house would hold for him.” Said a voice from behind the small crowd. The Tengu turned and gasped, then fell to one knee.

“Genbu-dono. How did you find the portal?” Wakaba asked as she rubbed a tear away. She was still clasping Tsuzuki about the waist and was merely looking over her shoulder at the tiny old man. Tsuzuki was in shock that Genbu had even spoken.

“It’s not that hard of a task when you tell Suzaku that she’s the most beautiful woman in all of Gensoukai.” The old man said quietly. “It is her gate after all.”

“A-aa. I’m a little stupid about that sometimes.” Wakaba said quietly.

“No need to worry. Let’s just all wait for the diagnosis.” Genbu said softly. Only five minutes later Watari came back, head bowed, and eyes closed. He handed some papers to Tatsumi whom glanced them over and clenched his jaw.

“Please tell them Watari, I need to file these before I kill someone.” he grit out as he walked past the small group and back toward his office. The shadows around him were whipping about wildly as he left the cowering group. Once out of sight, all eyes turned on Tsuzuki as Watari took a deep breath.

“Bon is mostly okay. Physically he’s healed up and will be able to walk right again in no time, if he chooses to.”

“I-if he chooses to?” A short spiky haired figure popped out of the spinning portal, his armor gleaming under the lights. “What’s that mean?”

Wakaba gasped and the Tengu backed away, but Genbu approached the small man and reached up to pat him on the head.

“Easy Kurikara. We’ll know soon.” Genbu said softly.

Kurikara’s eyes flashed, but he nodded and waited.

“Well... like I said... physically he’s fine, it’s just mentally... It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to, that he’s searching for something.”

“You’re kidding me. He can’t find that! If he does...” Kurikara worried. “Show me to him Watari!”

They all blinked. Watari stepped forward. “Is it what I think it is Kurikara?”

Kurikara nodded and Watari’s eyes widened considerably. He immediately went running back to Hisoka’s room.

Genbu shook his head and tutted them. “Youth does nothing for the foolish.” he murmured.

Kojirou looked between Genbu and the fleeing backs of the other two. “Master Genbu, please, tell us what they are afraid of.”

“It’s not my story to tell. It’s between the boy and his partner.” he said quietly. “But neither remember because neither are allowed to remember for the sake of humanity and the three worlds.”

Tsuzuki had followed after the other two, and hadn’t caught the words. Wakaba shook her head, distress in her eyes. “He’s going to die isn’t he?”

“It all depends on the willingness to help of the other eleven, and of the boy’s own will. All I can do is make a game world for them to try to beat. They’ll discover the truth softly that way, and perhaps, we’ll all stand a chance.” he said quietly. “I’ll go back and talk to the others, please inform Kurikara of my decision.”

And with that Genbu went back through the portal and was gone.

Kojiro went to find Kurikara as Kotarou held a softly sobbing Wakaba, Terazuma pacing quietly nearby.

“If that geezer makes a game, then we’ll all be reduced to being pawns. The only thing about that is the chance of that baka actually making it through to the end is practically zero. And since we can’t tell him...” he sighed. “The boy may never come back, or if he does, he won’t be the Hisoka we know.”

Wakaba looked at him as she rubbed her tears away. “Do you know the secret Hajime-chan?”

Terazuma nodded. “I could smell it. Kuro smelt it first, and I of course smelt it through him. It sucks, but it happened.”

Wakaba blinked confused eyes at her long-term partner as Kotarou sat to listen. \"What happened Hajime-chan?\" she asked quietly, almost fearing the words that she felt were going to be said.

Terazuma pulled out a cigarette and lit it, looking over his hand at Wakaba as he took a hard drag on the toxic pleasure.

\"I can\'t say for sure just what is happening since I really don\'t want to get my head cut off for it, but things around here, including people and places just aren\'t what they\'re pretending to be, Wakaba.\"

[Watari’s Lab]

Kurikara stood by his master’s side, his pose tense as he listened to Kojiro relaying the message.

Well if that old turtle was going to do that, then he might as well resign to it. After all, Genbu had a point about trying to soften the truth. But either way, a lot of people were going to get hurt, and it wasn’t going to be easy to accept, let alone deal with.

His own morals begged him to destroy the root of the problem which was less than half a kilometer from him now but if he did that... if he left his master\'s side...

He looked down at Hisoka and sighed.

No matter what, he was going to protect his master.

Kojiro and Watari watched the two sadly and stood by, trying to keep both of the unstable people somewhat sane. Watari quickly glanced behind himself at Tsuzuki who was sitting in a chair rocking and crying that it was all his fault.

\'What complete bullshit.\' Watari thought angrily.

[Gensoukai]

Sakura petals were falling heavily all around in Gensoukai, almost completely covering the surface of the large lake outside the walls of Ten-kuu. Genbu shuffled along the now pink and white covered walkway quietly. Noticing the extreme disturbance of the water as he approached the palace, he shook his head.

“Foolish actions such as this are the first sign of a disturbed house and are prelude to a fall of pride SouRyu, God of the Water.”

As if in answer there was a distressed dragon-like cry from inside the castle as Genbu walked into the large structure, inhaling deeply. He watched as Byakko bounded toward him on all fours, his robes fluttering behind himself.

“Genbu Genbu! SouRyu has lost his mind!” the normally bouncy tiger panted as he skidded to a halt in front of Genbu. The look on his face was anything but pleased as the sometimes prankster watched the elder god. He was hoping the wise turtle would be able to help relieve the distressed state of SouRyu.

Genbu nodded quietly as he observed the almost dark rain clouds above them. “I noticed his distress, and apparently that of his son’s.” He motioned to the pregnant rain clouds that were swirling and starting to roar above them. He turned to the now cowering tiger and smiled reassuringly. “Tell me, is Kijin in a dream state as we speak? Do you know?”

Byakko blinked in confusion, then nodded. “As a matter of fact, once you opened the gate to go out he started to feel faint, then retired to his rooms early. SouRyu went up after a few minutes and then all of this started to happen. He claims that Kijin is locked away in his own mind, and has been since you left.”

“Good, then he will be receptive to my idea.” he said softly as he watched the water calm slightly. Tenkou must be close by. “Byakko, gather everyone that you can while I try to calm our resident water god enough to hear me out. Rikugou should be able to find those you can’t.” Genbu said before heading to the top of the tower where Kijin’s rooms were. He watched the clouds gather and covered his ears as they clashed outside, lightning splitting the sky above them. He took a breath before rounding the corner to peek into the rooms.

What he found was a bereaved SohRyu clutching his eldest child tightly to his chest in his arms, trying to wake the slender boy. Said boy was paler than normal, and electricity was running all over his limp body as it weakly defended itself against SohRyu’s tiny bites on his arms.

SohRyu looked very much the frightened dragon parent that he was, his teeth nipping at his son’s arms and neck in an almost pseudo-sexual fashion. But Genbu knew he was merely doing what would have come naturally to do in their immense dragon forms.

This was what dragons did as an emergency way to awaken their offspring.

“SouRyu...” Genbu called gently, standing back in case SouRyu raged at him. He was unsure of SouRyu’s mental state, and didn’t want to start a fight before he absolutely had to.

The long blue hair shifted over his regally covered shoulders as SouRyu turned his head to look at Genbu. He was panting with the effort to try to hold out against his son’s constant shock treatment as he turned all of his body toward Genbu and began to walk stiffly to the ancient reptile god. He stopped a few feet from him and fell to his knees.

Genbu walked over to him and gently petted his head. “You’re a good father SouRyu. Now you must show it to everyone.”

“And how do I do that Genbu?” he asked respectfully as he laid his son’s limp body before himself. He brushed a few stray hairs from the teenaged looking face before turning to his one time mentor.

Genbu became grim as he watched SohRyu’s loving gesture. “You must help Hisoka.”

SouRyu’s head snapped up and his gaze became fierce. Even though SouRyu accepted Hisoka as Tsuzuki’s partner, he held no respect or love for the boy. If Hisoka were to die SohRyu would shrug and call it the will of the fates while at the same time try to console their heartbroken master and attempt to order the execution of Kurikara..

“I will not help the monster that freed him. I will never aid that evil child.” he hissed, his body seeming to draw up threateningly as he did so.

Genbu looked at him in minor frustration. “So it’s your will that Kijin dies with him?”

“Kijin is stronger than that!” SohRyu said with a deep sense of pride for his son.

Genbu shook his head. “He is being affected by what is happening in the boy’s heart SohRyu. Hisoka is searching for the hidden truth, and when he finds it, everything will end. Kijin is sensitive to Hisoka because he shares his empathic power as a divination type of shiki.”

SohRyu growled angrily, then looked up at him.

\"What do we have to do to save my son?\"

Genbu nodded. \"Good boy. We have to play a game.\"

~*~

To Be Continued.