Chapter Forty-Four: Podophilia:

March 3rd, 2010.

After dinner came bath time. The newlyweds got a private bath tonight as part of the packaged deal for their room. They walked hand-in-hand to the bath house. Anna turned to her husband.

"Shall I wash your back tonight?" she asked. Tsuzuki squealed in his mind. Yay! My dream is coming true! My wife wants to wash my back! I'm so happy! However, he had to play calm for it. The man cleared his throat.

"If you want to," he said.

"I want to!" Anna said. He patted her on the head.

"Alright then," he said. "You can wash my back." They got to the changing rooms to undress. The wife pulled her obi loose. She let her kimono fall to the ground.

"Hey Anna!" she heard her husband call.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I could wash your back if you want," Tsuzuki said. Anna trembled as she shook her head.

"Uh� no!" she said quickly. "I'm good!"

"I'll go slowly," Tsuzuki insisted.

"It's okay," Anna replied. "I just want to wash your back tonight."

"You sure?" he asked.

"Yeah," Anna replied. "It's what a wife is supposed to do for her husband!"

"Okay!" he replied. "Some other time for you then?"

"Yeah," she lied. "Of course."

"I'm heading out now," her husband replied.

"Yes," Anna said. She waited until he was gone to breathe out in relief. She glanced at her back. Strange; Anna thought she would be over that insecurity by now. No, not to be. She still couldn't show him her back. Sure, he had seen it once, but only once. She had vowed to never show him those ugly scars again. That all changed now that they were married. Anna sighed. I knew this would be a problem, she thought. But, might as well try to cope. Anna closed her eyes. My husband is waiting, she thought. She opened her eyes and nodded. Right, the woman thought. Anna joined her husband in the bath.

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April 22nd, 2010.

11:00 p.m.

He should be trying to find his partner, but he's out here instead. Hisoka walked up to Golden Ocean. He frowned at the bright pink flashing lights. Another soapland? Why did she ask to meet in these places? Why not a club or a bar? Why a soapland? Hisoka shook his head. Might as well get this over with. Hisoka drew in a breath and pushed open the door. Soft music pounded in his ears. Hisoka's stomach turned at the moans. He shook his head to himself.

"You okay?" he heard someone ask. The boy jerked his head upwards. The madam watched him from the desk. Come on, Hisoka thought. Say something! He wanted her to toss him out or ask for I.D. or his age. Instead, she said nothing. Hisoka dug for something to say.

"I'm meeting somebody here," he said. Hisoka cleared his throat when she said nothing. "Here is the room." The shinigami handed her a folded sheet of paper. The woman handed him the key after reading the message. Hisoka frowned.

"Thank you," the boy said. He bowed and walked down the hall. The moans made the trip worse. Hisoka shuddered at the sounds. Why did she pick here? This was just� Hisoka came to room seventeen unlocked the door and went inside. Jessie sat on the bed, waiting. She looked up when she heard the door close. The demon smirked.

"Well, well, well," she said. "Here you are." Hisoka held down his temper the best that he could.

"Yes," he said. Jessie leaned forward.

"So?" she asked. "What's your answer?" Hisoka lowered his head.

"Yes," he said.

"Yes, what?" she asked. Hisoka gulped.

"I'll try a hit," he said. Jessie smiled.

"Good," she said. "Do you do you have it?" The shinigami reached into his jacket pocket and held it out to her. She signaled him in closer. Hisoka walked over and gave her the bag. Jessie opened the baggie and dumped the white powder on the counter. She cut it up nice and fine. The demon took a straw and did a line. She closed her eyes and breathed in.

"Mmm," Jessie murmured. She turned to Hisoka and offered him the straw.

"Take a hit," she said. Hisoka lowered his shoulders. Jessie smirked as he picked up the straw. She had him kick the hornets' nest into his darkness.