http://right-handed.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] right-handed.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] damned_institute2007-08-14 12:56 am

Day 26: Cafeteria, Lunch

Scar felt cold and sick, though more the latter than the former. As he rose from his bed, he didn't quite know which way was up, and the artificial light coming from overhead seemed as hot and as blinding as the Ishbal sun.

His head hurt, but that was nothing new. After all, the last thing he remembered from the night before was fighting a homunculus off of Lust and then having a conversation about events best left forgotten. The man hadn't been his brother. He just hadn't. And if what Lust had said they'd done to her was true...

Scar stood with shakiness that he wanted to attribute more to a bizarrely weakened physical state than a mental one. Had he been knocked out by some kind of lurking monster before the morning had come? He felt as if he had been out for days, being a veteran of such circumstances, though as he took the practiced role of being an obedient follower behind the nurse and orderlies that came for him, it didn't seem as if much had changed.

This place was probably just playing tricks on him again, and he was tired of being the man left out of the loop. He grabbed some food he didn't really care for and sat down, not seeing anyone he knew already seated. On one hand, he wished he had someone to talk to, and on the other, it scared him that he was no longer used to being alone.

He dug his fork into his food and tried to block out any related thought.

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] shiki-master.livejournal.com 2007-08-18 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
By the time Tatsumi looked back, Tsuzuki had managed to take a few shaky breaths. He still couldn't understand what had happened...what he'd done to deserve this. Everything had been going fine, hadn't it? It wasn't like he'd pissed anyone off lately...

And then everything seemed to freeze when Tatsumi spoke again. Hisoka had been taken for therapy. And therapy meant Muraki. It was an unspoken connection. There couldn't be any other doctor that he would be taken to see... And Hisoka had planned all this? With Tatsumi and Kurikara? To keep him out of the way?

Tsuzuki felt sick, regardless of the blow he'd suffered. How could he? How could any of them? Who knew what Muraki would do to the boy if left alone with him, and they agreed to help him?! To let him go off on his own without even trying to stop him? Didn't Hisoka understand how dangerous that was? They were barely even Shinigami here! He could be killed!

Tsuzuki did little to hide the betrayal that registered in his eyes. He couldn't believe his friends had conspired against him like this... And now, Hisoka was gone. In Muraki's clutches.

Byakko's sudden intervention gave Tsuzuki a reason to look away from Tatsumi, stopped him from doing anything rash. At the moment, it would have amounted to little in his injured state, but that wouldn't have stopped him from trying. Instead, he grabbed Byakko's arm as a sort of life line, looking almost panicked. He was the one person who didn't seem to be in on this...

"Hisoka... They took him... Therapy.. Muraki.." His words were broken by small gasps, still trying to breathe properly again and not be sick. But Byakko had to understand... Hisoka couldn't be left alone. Tsuzuki knew where Muraki's office was. If only he could actually make it there...

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] budgetordie.livejournal.com 2007-08-18 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
As Tsuzuki managed to gasp out his words, Tatsumi frowned. Hisoka had conveniently left out the fact that Muraki was his doctor, though in truth the secretary had suspected it. Still, he kept his ground in front of the pair, not wanting their efforts to go to waste.

"Kurosaki-kun was worried that Tsuzuki-san would get hurt, and frankly, I don't blame him." That same tightening threatened to overcome Tatsumi again when he looked to Tsuzuki, but he fought it off for the moment, remaining firm. "With night shift coming, it would be foolish to get sedated now. Remember what you told me on the field, Tsuzuki-san? That you didn't want any of us getting hurt for your sake?"

Harsh words, but they were necessary to keep the pair from going after Hisoka. "Don't you see that Kurosaki-kun wants the same for you? He knows as well as you do that our efforts would be futile should we try and keep them from taking him. This way, he doesn't have to feel the burden of causing you pain!"

It was a burden Tatsumi knew all too well, and it made his words all the stronger. "Please, Tsuzuki-san. Trust Kurosaki-kun, and respect his wishes. He's your partner, and he's trying to protect you."

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] catsandsaucers.livejournal.com 2007-08-19 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
Byakko turned when Tsuzuki grabbed him, his angry expression instantly melting away as he looked at his master, turning into a gentle smile. He wrapped his arms around the shinigami, hugging him close comfortingly. He hated seeing Tsuzuki look upset or worried and now he was looking both. He petted Tsuzuki's hair lightly, concern appearing in his expression as that bastard doctor was mentioned.

He turned back to Tatsumi, lips drawn back over white teeth in something close to a snarl. He wasn't happy at all. How dare they hurt Tsuzuki?! Maybe Tatsumi's words made sense, but at the moment, all he could feel was his master's hurt and upset, his worry. "You hurt him!" he growled. That was really all that mattered here and now. "Tell me where Muraki is and I'll kill him!" And then he'd never have to feel Tsuzuki's despair like that again, never have to feel him try to kill himself.

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] shiki-master.livejournal.com 2007-08-19 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Tsuzuki was glad for Byakko's comfort, clinging tightly when the shikigami embraced him. It scared him, the extent that Hisoka had gone to in order to keep him away, the betrayal. He trusted his friends with everything except the secrets he kept closest, but even so, this had happened... He couldn't believe that it was for his own good. How could it be? He couldn't stand the thought of something happening to Hisoka. How could he just sit idly while his partner was in danger?

Tatsumi's words stung worse than any blow Kurikara could deliver. The secretary didn't understand. He didn't want anyone hurt for his sake, but that didn't mean Hisoka could throw himself into danger of his own accord. It didn't make the pain any less. And he didn't want to be protected. He wanted Hisoka to be safe. Muraki had already killed him once...

"Hisoka...did the same for me. He tried...fought a nurse... How can you expect me..to sit here and..not do the same?.. Muraki could kill him... I can't.." Can't sit here. Can't leave him. Can't lose him. Tsuzuki trailed off, not sure how to end that sentence. Why didn't they understand? If anything happened to Hisoka...

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] budgetordie.livejournal.com 2007-08-19 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
"What good would it do?" Tatsumi shook his head slowly. In truth, he hated Tsuzuki's pain as much as Byakko did, but the rational part of his mind, the part that could see the costs and the gains and the final results, knew the reality of the situation "I know it is hard on you both, but we're all weakened here. In the end, we can't overpower them we have to go about this rationally, or you won't be able to help Kurosaki-kun once he's released."

The secretary looked to the pair, then sighed softly. "None of us like it, Tatsumi-san. But we can't be reckless when we've already been so handicapped. Kurosaki-kun will have a hard time, yes...but this way he won't have to worry about you while he faces Muraki-sensei."

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] catsandsaucers.livejournal.com 2007-08-19 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
Out of all of Tsuzuki's shikigami, Byakko was probably the one least known for being rational. If Tsuzuki wanted it, then he'd gladly face as many nurses and orderlies as it took to rescue Hisoka or to desroy Muraki, just because he wished it. His shikigami loved him, would do whatever he asked just to see him happy. Unfortunately, it also meant that Tatsumi's words had little effect. Sohryuu, maybe, would have been more clear headed.

His arms tightened around Tsuzuki protectively, possessively. "And if he's hurt because we did nothing?" he growled. Tsuzuki would hate himself and that could probably hurt him worse than simply being sedated or hurt physically by the nurses.

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] shiki-master.livejournal.com 2007-08-19 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
What good would it do?

At least they would have tried, right? They couldn't just give up without trying! Even if he knew deep down that he wouldn't get any farther than Hisoka did... No! He couldn't think like that! Hisoka needed him! Even if he didn't realize it... Even if he did set up this entire conspiracy... Did Hisoka really want him to stay away that much? Didn't he trust him?

Tsuzuki rested his head against Byakko, trying not to cry. It all seemed so hopeless. They couldn't rescue Hisoka because this place was too powerful, but they couldn't sit here and do nothing, either... He waited silently for Tatsumi's answer.

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] budgetordie.livejournal.com 2007-08-19 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Tatsumi knew the look on Tsuzuki's face, and had to fight not to let the man run after Hisoka just then. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to focus, and to remain firm.

It'd all be for nothing if he gave in now.

"Let's go to the Sun Room, Tsuzuki-san, Byakko-sama." Tatsumi looked to the tiger-god, speaking quietly. "We should prepare for what could happen, and hope for the best."

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] catsandsaucers.livejournal.com 2007-08-20 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
He hated that look from Tsuzuki, it was sos painful to see. He was meant to be all smiles and glee, possibly over cakes. Not this sadness. And Tatsumi and Hisoka had put it there. It didn't land them in the god's good books. Not one bit.

He kissed the top of Tsuzuki's head softly before turning his attention back to Tatsumi, eyes hardening. "Only if he wants it. If Tsuzuki wants something else, I'll do it." If he wanted to go after Hisoka, then that's what he would gladly do.

Re: [[End of shift]]

[identity profile] shiki-master.livejournal.com 2007-08-22 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Tsuzuki wouldn't have minded at all if he'd gotten himself sedated like Hisoka had a few days ago. This was his partner and he'd do anything for him, even if it seemed futile. But there was Tatsumi, and especially Byakko to think about. He wasn't sure what Tatsumi would do, but he knew that if he fought, Byakko would fight, and they would both be in trouble. Doing foolish things regardless of consequences wasn't quite as easy when you weren't the only one suffering from them.

"Sun room..." Tsuzuki murmured, hating himself with each second that passed. Who knew what could be happening to Hisoka right now, and he couldn't even go after the boy... especially not in his current condition. Even breathing still hurt a little.

But he wouldn't wait forever. An hour. That's how long the sessions were supposed to be. If Hisoka was gone any longer than that, then something was wrong, but he wasn't waiting anymore.