25000 Hit Gift Story for Rubie-chan. Request: Next part of the Shikigami series or continuation of Velvet.

Puppet
YnM Fanfiction
Written by Yen

This thing called freedom is a precious pain.

What? Hisoka's eyes flickered open and stared at the dark ceiling. ... I heard something... He heard a sound from beside him on the bed and turned his head to see Tsuzuki sleeping soundly on his side facing him.

... Tsuzuki... Warm red tinged his face down to his throat. His heart tightened, becoming a painful lump in his chest. What just happened between us... He closed his eyes and looked away. I don't think I was ready.

Your will is my will, my Lord.

... What the- Hisoka sat up abruptly. Still hearing the words echoing, the voice which made them seemed familiar. He wasn't hearing it with his ears. They were in his head.

His breathing began to quicken. A low roar began in his ears, numbing them. White fog clouded his sight. A vision was beginning that only he could see.

They make such good servants, don't they.

It was another voice that spoke this time. It had a low rich timber which Hisoka immediately recognized.

Muraki! The hazy shroud lifted, and he saw Muraki standing in what appeared to be in front of an altar in a church. There was someone kneeling before him. Hisoka wasn't sure if it was even a person for it had light grey wings folded on its back.

Well. Well. Another of my puppets is present. Hisoka looked back to Muraki, who smiled that hated confident smile. Welcome, boy. No need for introductions since we all know eachother here.

What? Hisoka could only watch as Muraki gestured the other to stand up and turn around. As he did, his form shimmered, and Hisoka found himself looking at Tilon.

... What are you do- The question broke off when he realized that Tilon's eyes were empty. He had seen such emptiness before in the eyes of the singer Maria Wong when she had been under Muraki's control.

How did you... Release him! Outrage and disbelief warred with fear inside Hisoka. How had Muraki gotten to Tilon who was in Meifu. It should had been impossible for him to enter into Meifu.

Muraki laughed softly. Let's not be greedy, boy. His expression turned intent. You have Tsuzuki now. It's only fair I get something in return.

Tilon has nothing to do with this!

One silver eyebrow lifted. You know so little, boy. This one has a lot to do with you. Muraki's lips twisted in a humorless smile. I should tell you why rather then keep you in blissful ignorance.

... What are you talking about?

Muraki glanced at Tilon, who had remained motionless all this time. He smirked, saying, He's the little bird who guided your soul back to Meifu. Muraki's face darkened. He's the little bird who made you become Tsuzuki's partner.

Hisoka didn't understand what Muraki was saying, and the other man grew impatient.

Foolish boy, you don't even know he's your guardian.

... You are talking nonsense! I don't have a guardian! Before he could argue further, something jolted him out of the vision.

"Hisoka..." His eyes cleared just as arms wound around him and pulled him back. The warmth of Tsuzuki's body seemed to burn against his back.

"Tsuzuki." Hisoka tried to pull away, but Tsuzuki's embrace was strong though he was only half awake. A dreamy smile curved his lips as he held Hisoka closer and nuzzled his ear.

"Let's make love again, Hisoka..." A rush of desire warmed him, and Hisoka couldn't tell whether it was his own or Tsuzuki's.

"Not now, Tsuzuki..." Hisoka pulled at Tsuzuki's hands. He had to get out of here and find Muraki. Indecision frustrated him. Should he tell Tsuzuki about Muraki. He hadn't before, determined to deal with Muraki alone, not wishing to involve his partner.

But now, he has Tilon. Hisoka clenched his eyes shut, angry at himself. I shouldn't have gone to him in the first place!

He felt Tsuzuki's hand brushed his face, strong fingers pressed against his chin and turned his head towards him. Hisoka's eyes opened as Tsuzuki's thumb brushed his lips; his eyes closing again when Tsuzuki kissed him.

I must protect Tsuzuki. It's my fault Muraki is here.

At dawn, he left Tsuzuki's apartment, but not before making sure Tsuzuki was sleeping soundly. A shortwhile later, he appeared in the spot where he had first met Tsuzuki; in Nagasaki, when he had thought Tsuzuki was the vampire he had been ordered to capture.

It was empty save for him. The air was chilly. A faint fog rolled around him. There was a cathedral near here.

He's there, thought Hisoka. I know he's there.

Back in Meifu, Tsuzuki was rudely awaken by someone knocking loudly on his door.

In Chijou, Hisoka's form shimmered solid in the church aisle, eyes narrowed at Muraki standing behind the altar.

"Muraki!" The other man looked up from what he was doing and smiled faintly at Hisoka before lowering his eyes back to his work. There was a large golden goblet before him on the altar.

"Boy," said Muraki by way of a greeting, then lifted a glass rod to stir the contents of the goblet. "Care to join me in a toast?" He asked lightly.

"Stop playing games!" Hisoka looked around. "Where's Tilon?"

Muraki ignored him, removing the rod and lifting the goblet to hold its rim near his nose. He peered into it, his smile deepening. "Elixir of Life," he murmured.

Hisoka was dumbfounded. "... What?"

Muraki's eyes met his squarely. "Your guardian's blood," he stated, drawing a horrified expression from Hisoka.

"... Tilon's blood- you didn't-" His horror turned into rage. "You bastard!"

"Would you rather I use Tsuzuki's blood?" Muraki countered softly, but he didn't seem interested in facing Hisoka. "Enma thinks to placate me with this...," he murmured thoughtfully, "tempting... tempting."

He stepped aside neatly before Hisoka could hit him, and grabbed the hapless boy by the neck.

"Let me go!" Hisoka screamed, clawing at Muraki's arm around his throat. He choked suddenly when the vise around his neck tightened. His lungs began to burn as he struggled to breath. He barely heard Muraki say, "It's time to make you see a little, boy." Then, he felt the cold rim of the goblet against his lips.

***

Do you know the story of Kvasir, Tilon-chan?

Hai, Enma-sama!

Hisoka was seeing a tall dark-haired man talking to a small child.

Tell me about Kvasir.

The child nodded obediently, taking a deep breath before reciting loudly.

Kvasir was a very wise man created by the gods. He was to teach man wisdom so that their lives would be filled with wonder, joy and beauty.

Very good, Tilon-chan. Now, tell me what happened to him.

He was killed, said Tilon simply. The ones who killed him mixed his blood with honey and made a drink from it. Whoever drank it would be as wise as Kvasir.

Enma smiled and kneeled in front of Tilon. He placed his hand on top of Tilon's head. "You are my Kvasir, Tilon-chan."

***

Hisoka woke up suddenly, eyes snapping wide open, breath caught in his throat.

"Do you understand now, boy?" He turned his head to see Muraki. They were no longer in the cathedral. They were now in Muraki's penthouse apartment.

Hisoka pushed himself up to a sitting position, eyes still wide and staring at Muraki. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't say anything. Knowing so much now, he couldn't say anything.

"Why...?" The word tore from him. He felt so lost.

"Why?" Muraki repeated, sounding surprised by it. Then he shrugged. "Even gods have needs."

Hisoka looked at him helplessly, aghast by it all. "T-then Tilon... Tsuzuki..."

"Are pawns," finished Muraki, disinterested. He seemed preoccupied with something else.

Something occured to Hisoka. "Why is Tilon working for you?"

"Hmm? You still don't know? Hmm... yes, I suppose he himself wouldn't know. His kind serves those who create them and those who destroy them."

"... What?"

Muraki's face flickered with irritation. "There is no difference between creation and destruction," he said impatiently, stating the sentence so certainly as if it was a law, "Your guardian cannot tell the difference between Enma and I."

Hisoka was even farther from understanding. He continued staring at Muraki, who glared at him. "Idiot!" It was the first time Hisoka had seen Muraki so bothered. "Tilon doesn't have a will of his own."

Hisoka blinked. "... Perfect servants."

Muraki frozed, staring at Hisoka with surprise. "... Finally, you understand. His kind obeys-"

"Their creator and destroyer," interrupted Hisoka, finishing it.

Muraki nodded, looking for once approving of Hisoka. "They are puppets."

Something else occured to Hisoka. "... Why do you say Tilon is my guardian?"

Muraki looked irritated again. "You really don't know much, do you, boy?" He tapped his temple. "Look inside your head, look through his memories."

Hisoka immediately shook his head. He didn't want to know more than he already knew.

"Coward," said Muraki.
"Shut up," retorted Hisoka.

Someone knocked on the door. Hisoka glanced towards it as Muraki called out, "Come in."

The door opened noiselessly, revealing Tilon with an unconscious Tsuzuki leaning against him.

"Tsuzuki!" Hisoka got off the couch and rushed to them. He almost fell when Tilon dumped Tsuzuki into his arms.

As he struggled to keep standing, he tried to wake up Tsuzuki.

"Very good, Tilon." Hisoka glanced at Muraki who was still sitted.

"Thank you," said Tilon automatically. His eyes never wavered. He didn't seem to even notice Hisoka. Unable to wake up Tsuzuki, Hisoka shouted at Tilon, "Don't listen to him!" But there was no reaction from him, no indication that he even heard Hisoka.

"It's useless, boy." Hisoka looked at Muraki who had finally stood up and was walking towards them. He still looked preoccupied, his brows were furrowed in thought.

"Enma's Kvasnir or Shoukan's best..." Muraki mused, "Who should I choose..."

Hisoka, still holding Tsuzuki, almost dropped his partner. Choose?! What is he talking out?! Hisoka gingerly lowered Tsuzuki to the floor. He sounds like he's shopping... A jolt of pain suddenly stabbed into his mind.

He lifted a trembling hand to his temple and struggled to think despite the pain. Meanwhile, Muraki was standing in front of Tilon and appeared to be inspecting him.

"Enma was foolish," Hisoka heard Muraki say, "As foolish as those old dead gods long ago." What is he talking about... Hisoka looked at him, trying to understand his cryptic words. "You should be kept under lock and key," Muraki seemed to be talking to Tilon, "You shouldn't be wandering around. That's how they lost their Kvasnir before."

Tilon just looked at him silently, and Muraki smile turned appreciative. "Still, your former master has succeeded in making me indecisive... for now."

Then he looked over to Hisoka and Tsuzuki. Hisoka's insides turned into ice at the clear lust that appeared in Muraki's eyes when they fell on Tsuzuki.

"My beautiful Tsuzuki..." Hisoka heard him say with aching want.

"Leave him alone!" Hisoka stood up and placed himself between Muraki and his partner. "I'm not going to let you take him!"

Muraki's eyes flickered in Tilon's direction, and Hisoka yelled, "I'm not letting you get either of them!"

Muraki became amused. "Boy, if Enma can sacrifice one of them, you should be a little less greedy." The look he gave Hisoka was deadly. "You can't have everything your way."

Hisoka glared at him and was about to say something when Muraki held a finger in his face. "Don't even attempt the overused." His finger wagged left to right in front of Hisoka's eyes. "Don't offer yourself as a replacement," said Muraki, "You don't reach the price of my services."

"... What?" Hisoka breathed sharply, the white pain in his mind had doubled in intensity. "What services..."

Muraki's eyes gleamed with secret amusement. "Perhaps, you'll know someday."

***

"Stop it!" A sharp hiss of pain escaped from him as he struggled to get Muraki off him. His fingers clawed into bedsheets, trying to find purchase in smooth silk. "Stop it, Muraki!"

"You're going to wear yourself out soon if you keep fighting me." Hisoka almost spatted in Muraki's face when he said that. He did strike at him when he said, "I'll leave when you start to bore me."

His fist barely grazed a pale cheek when Muraki's hand clamped down tightly around his wrist. He almost screamed in pain when his arm was forced down and twisted behind his back.

Muraki smiled. "If you want this violent, I don't mind at all." His other hand went down and opened Hisoka's jeans.

***

Tilon's head raised and tilted slightly to the side. He could hear anger and pain from the other room. He glanced towards its door than looked back straight again. Tsuzuki was sleeping on the couch. His master had commanded him to put him there.

***

Hisoka watched with bleary eyes as Muraki put on his shirt. The other man glanced at him and smiled. "Awake already?"

Hisoka's jaw tightened, and he forced himself out of bed. As he stood unsteadily, he looked around, then walked as fast as he could in his condition to the closet where he pulled out a robe. He could hear Muraki chuckle as he put it on.

He whirled about just as Muraki said, "A pity."

"You're not getting either of them!" Hisoka yelled at him. Actually, it was more like a croak.

Muraki ignored him and sat down on the bed to put his socks on. Infuriated, Hisoka marched to stand in front of him and snatched the pair of socks from his hands. "You're not getting either of them!" Hisoka yelled again. This time, his voice was stronger.

[Insert author's note: Hisoka means Tsuzuki & Tilon, not the socks.]

Slowly, Muraki lifted his head to meet Hisoka's determined stare.

***

"Wha- what do you think you're doing!"
...
"Let me go!"
"S-stop-"
...

"W-what..." Tilon turned towards Tsuzuki who was waking up. "... Hisoka-" Tsuzuki fell back to sleep as Tilon lifted his hand from his head.

***

"Stop it..." Hisoka lifted his head from Muraki's shoulder, eyes shut, muscles weary. He felt Muraki's arms around his waist tightened momentarily before they relaxed, releasing him. But Hisoka didn't have the energy to stand up and get away. Instead, he just sat there, on Muraki's lap, his legs still wound around the other man's waist.

[Insert author's scream: Wai!!! I've been watching too much Gravitation!]

No matter how much he tried...

"That was quite nice," commented Muraki. A second later, Hisoka glared at him.

"What?" Hisoka was ready to strangle Muraki with the pair of socks he still held in his hand.

Muraki laughed softly, and if it wasn't for the fondness Hisoka imagined he thought he heard in his laughter, he would have been choking him right now.

"Actually," Muraki coughed before continuing lightly, "it was very nice." Muraki was teasing him, realized Hisoka suddenly. He stared at Muraki in shocked silence. Teasing... not tormenting... Hisoka didn't know what to make of it.

He was further derailed when Muraki's arm slipped around his waist, the other around his back. He tilted Hisoka's face up and moved him closer against him, his eyes, intent.

"If you say yes now, Hisoka," Muraki said softly, "I'll take you as my price instead."

... Did he just call me Hisoka... His eyes were wide and fixed on Muraki's face a mere inch from his own. ... He feels different... I feel something else besides anger and hurt from him...

Before he could say anything, the play was gone from Muraki's eyes. "Game is over," murmured Muraki, releasing Hisoka abruptly.

***

To be continued...

Author's note: It's almost finished. Yes!

Below is an extra. It's what I originally started with when I began writing "Puppet."

Hisoka kept still as the man beside him woke up. Keeping his eyes shut, he could feel the other's movements and could hear the noises that they made. There was the faint light scratchy sound of the blanket being pulled open, and Hisoka felt the sudden chill of cold air touching his skin before the blanket was replaced snugly around him.

Unknown to him, his hands had clenched tight into trembling fists. The urge to hit something or someone was almost unbearable.

Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! The word kept ringing in his mind. How could he had let him to that to him?! His entire body tensed as he remembered what had happened. His legs suddenly jerked. Spasms overcame muscles. Inside him, the dull ache he had been ignoring flared into glaring discomfort, reminding him none too subtly of what had happened between them.

Hisoka couldn't help the angry hiss that escaped from his lips, but he quickly rolled to lay on his side, muttering softly and pretending to be still asleep. I don't want to face him now, he thought, I don't think I can face him again.

He suddenly froze, wishing he hadn't when fingers began pulling lightly at his hair as if to wake him. Hisoka kept his pretense of sleeping and soon, the playful tugging ceased, and he became irritated at himself when he found himself missing it.

Surprise suddenly took over when warm hands slipped underneath the blanket to move across his back. Hisoka shuddered involuntarily, and there was an unmistakable sound of amusement.

"Are you awake, Hisoka?" Tsuzuki asked in a low deep tone. Hisoka didn't answer, keeping quiet and not resisting when Tsuzuki's arms slipped down his back and around his stomach. He didn't protest when Tsuzuki pulled him closer against him though he reacted badly when Tsuzuki's hands went down lower.

"Don't touch me there!" Hisoka shouted, turning around awkwardly in Tsuzuki's embrace. With no success, he tried to push the other man away only to end up on his back with his partner over him.

Not again! Hisoka stared at Tsuzuki defensively, his hands pushing futilely against Tsuzuki's chest while at the same time, trying to keep the blanket between them. It did little help, for Hisoka could feel the hard lines of his partner's body all too clearly despite the thick barrier of cloth.

"I knew you were awake," Tsuzuki said, smiling down at him lazily. Hisoka was about to yell at him to get off when Tsuzuki lowered his head to firmly press a kiss on Hisoka's partly opened lips.

***
Do you know what you are like to me, Hisoka?
You are like warm sunshine.
***