Chapter Five: Painful Love:

The men approached the doorway. Tsuzuki squinted his eyes.

"Is that� blood?" he asked. Watari took out a swab and tested it. The tip changed to a deep violet-red.

"Positive," the scientist replied. The other two looked at the pattern.

"Tsuzuki," Tatsumi spoke. His former partner looked up.

"Yes?" he asked. The secretary pushed up his glasses.

"Tell me," he said. "What does this pattern tell you?" Tsuzuki took a closer look and shock filled his face.

"Don't tell me�" he said.

"We can't rule that possibility out," Tatsumi said. Tsuzuki looked up, desperate.

"Look," Tatsumi said. "We'll check the house to be certain, okay?"

"Alright," Tsuzuki said. Tatsumi helped him to his feet and the men began their search around the house. Watari sent the sample back for testing.

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May 24th, 2010.

Another normal day unfolded. Hisoka couldn't bring himself to look Tsuzuki in the eye. His happy mood didn't help either. Please stop smiling, he thought. The boy wanted to tell the goofy man that so badly. Instead, he tried to keep the peace.

"Tsuzuki," Hisoka spoke up. His partner looked up from his cheesecake.

"Hm?" he asked. His partner shuffled his feet.

"Are you doing anything this evening?" he asked. Tsuzuki broke into a huge smile.

"Sorry," he said. "I have date tonight." Hisoka forced himself not to scream.

"Oh," he said. "I see."

"She's bored in our apartment, you know?" Tsuzuki said.

"Yes," Hisoka replied.

"I figured a nice trip around the city would do her some good."

"Uh-huh."

"Just a walk and a little dinner."

"Yes."

"Hey, maybe if I am lucky�" Tsuzuki chuckled, but looked up and noticed Hisoka walking out of the room in a hurry. "Hisoka?" Tsuzuki blinked as the door closed loudly. What's wrong with him? The man took another bite of his cheesecake.

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Hisoka gritted his teeth in the hall. Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! He stamped his foot. Didn't Tsuzuki see that he put him in pain because of his marriage to Anna? The boy clenched his fists as he remembered something. I could just spy on them to settle this� The shinigami shook his head. No, that would be wrong. Hisoka breathed out. Still, what choice did he have? His feelings for Tsuzuki kept haunting him and just wouldn't leave. He didn't like Kohaku's suggestion; sounded immoral, but still�

Hisoka dropped his shoulders. Might as well, right?

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That evening, Tsuzuki finished work early. He bid everyone a good night and headed to the elevator. Hisoka waited for thirty minutes before trailing behind. He came out to the main doors. As expected, Anna waited for her husband outside, smiling.

"Hey," she said.

"Hi there," Tsuzuki replied. The woman put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Her husband pulled her into his arms and kissed back.

"Shall we go?" Tsuzuki asked. Anna gave him a puzzled look.

"Go where?" she asked. Tsuzuki shrugged.

"Just anywhere, I suppose," he said.

"Okay then�" Anna said. Once free from her grasp, Tsuzuki took her by the hand and led her out the door. Hisoka followed behind invisibly.

The date ended up being painful for him to watch. Tsuzuki and Anna talked the whole way. They looked so sappy holding hands together. Her giggles filled the late spring evening. Her head rested on his shoulder at one point. Their conversation was filled with mainly nothing. He talked about work while she talked about the latest random thing she looked up.

"You're so smart," Tsuzuki cooed. Anna smiled as he patted her on the head. Not once did Hisoka come up in the conversation. Tsuzuki turned to his wife.

"You hungry yet?" he asked.

"A little," Anna replied. "Have a place in mind?"

"There's a little Shabu-Shabu place near our neighborhood," Tsuzuki said. "It's cheap and good."

"Is that right?"

"Yeah."

"Alright then, take me there!"

"Yea ma'am!"

Her laughter made Hisoka's stomach turn. Dinner made it worse. For then, Hisoka understood everything. Why? Why her? He's never going to look at me with affection or hold my hand. Or kiss me� He won't even say that he loves me. Instead, he showers her with love and affection. Hisoka tightly shut his eyes. Why? Why? Why?! Unable to take anymore, Hisoka headed home in lowered spirits. He made it homed and unlocked the door. Jessie greeted him in the doorway.

"Welcome home," she said. The demon noticed the sad look on his face. "What's the matter?"

"Jessie," Hisoka whimpered.

"Yeah?" she asked. He grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Give me another hit!" he pleaded. "I really need it!" Jessie tilted her head.

"You sure?" she asked.

"Yes!" Hisoka begged. "I really need it tonight!" Jessie shushed him and smiled.

"Come with me," she said. The demon led him into the apartment.