My All
Limit
Please read and review! *Puppy eyes*
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CHAPTER 2: LIMIT
Tatsumi watched on in concern at the shivering Hisoka.
“Kurosaki-kun..”
“No, I’m alright…. Please… leave me… alone…” Hisoka hugged himself tight and curled under his blanket.
“NAGARE!!! COME ON OUT!!” Tatsumi could hear Kurosaki Iwao yelled. Tatsumi knew Iwao was not a simple person to deal with. At least, he almost poisoned Nagare once even though the latter was his flesh and blood brother.
He sighed and turned to Hisoka and then Watari.
“Don’t worry, I’ll look after Bon!” Watari grinned in glee.
“No, just leave me alone.” Hisoka muttered weakly. Watari petted Hisoka on his head gently: “Sorry, Bon, but we just cannot leave you alone under this circumstance.”
Tatsumi shook his head. Hisoka was not in his normal-self; his frightened form resembled even more like Nagare. What had the boy encountered that scared him so much?
Did the boy meet Kurosaki Kasane?
The next moment he turned to look at Hisoka, the boy was already sound asleep on the bed, though he shifted feverishly in his sleep.
“Don’t worry about him, I’ll watch over Bon to make sure no one can hurt him.” Watari smiled, sitting besides the mattress.
Tatsumi nodded in acknowledgement and proceeded to the hall.
The hall was crowded with many people, mainly Iwao’s men, Nagare’s servants and some important heads of the village.
“Nagare-sama, is it true that Hisoka-sama is still alive?” A village head asked hesitantly.
“Nonsense! There’s nothing of that sort.” Nagare said calmly.
“LIAR! My men witnessed my nephew walking around your house and you still want to deny?!” Iwao exclaimed angrily: “If not, let us open up Hisoka-kun’s grave for all to see! To prove that Hisoka-kun did not arise from the world of dead under your sorcery!”
“You are being ridiculous!” Nagare snapped crossly.
“Oh, so, are you feeling guilty because you were hiding Hisoka-kun somewhere?” Iwao sneered unkindly.
Nagare glared at Iwao in shock as the older man waved his hand impatiently, his men storming out into the yard where Hisoka’s grave laid.
“WAIT!! Ni-san!! You can’t disturb my son’s grave!!! You’ve taken my daughter’s corpse! What more do you want?!” Nagare pulled Iwao by his collar. Iwao snickered.
“STOP THOSE PEOPLE FROM RUINING MY SON’S GRAVE!” Nagare yelled at his servants who ran after the leaving men into the yard. The villagers followed.
“What happen, Master?” Tatsumi asked in concern as he ran into the hall.
“GET THOSE PEOPLE BACK HERE! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TOUCH ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE!!!” Nagare roared at Iwao.
Without waiting for Iwao’s reply, he ran after the mass of people. Iwao smiled and followed.
Tatsumi ran after the people into Hisoka’s graveyard.
He heard many people gashed in shock. He looked on.
The two Hisoka’s graves rose within his viewing range. Beside the girl Hisoka’s empty grave was the boy Hisoka’s grave… it was an empty grave.
“WHERE HAVE YOU TAKEN THE BOY’S CORPSE?!!!” Tatsumi roared at the fearful men.
“We… we do not know! It was already dug out the time we reached here!” some men echoed.
Nagare was staring at the grave in silent shock. First, it was the girl, now was the boy. Where had both of them gone?
Besides him, Iwao smirked: “Admit it, Nagare, you made use of that monster to revive your dead son. Men! Search the house for that monstrous child! He has to be destroyed before he destroys the whole village.”
“You are not fit to be the head of Kurosaki clan, Nagare.”
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The figure of Kurosaki Kasane rose from the stream. Her black, loose hair swayed in the wind, covering part of her face. In her arms was a bony figure of her baby girl, Kurosaki Hisoka.
“Look.. look at our be…loved… Hisoka-chan, she is sleeeppppping….. in my arms……”
“Our Hisoka-chan…..”
Hisoka stared in fear as the figure struggled out of the water. Something long and shinny dragged under her.
Kurosaki Kasane reached out a hand towards Hisoka.
“Come…. Come and look at our Hisoka-chan….”
“Our Hisoka-chan…”
Hisoka screamed. He could feel strong evil like aura and Kasane’s feeling of insane-like emotions flowing into him. The demon-like Kasane dragged him down the stream by his arm.
“LET ME GO!!!!” Hisoka screamed and swept his arm at her.
A force radiated from him, forcing the woman to release him. Hisoka continued to struggle, pushing the distance between him and the woman who resembled so much like his own mother.
“Don’t you want to see our Hisoka-chan? Our Hisoka-chan…”
“LET ME GO!!!!”
“BON!! Wake up!!” Watari shook Hisoka awaked: “Are you having a nightmare again?”
‘This family.. this family of mine… is insane….’ Hisoka panted heavily.
He wanted to get out, get out of this cursed place he used to call home. Anywhere, even Kurikara’s cave was one hundred, no, one million better than this hell.
“Bon! Are you alright?” Watari pulled Hisoka into his arms: “You look very pale, Bon.”
“SEARCH THE WHOLE PLACE!!” Iwao roared.
“NO! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THAT!!” Nagare yelled in anger.
“Wh… what happen?” Hisoka asked weakly, grabbing onto the blond shinigami’s coat like a kitten to a plank in the sea.
Watari looked down at the shivering boy in his arms. Hisoka was not behaving in his strong self. He had to find a way to get Hisoka back to Meifu before Hisoka reached his limit.
Suddenly, the door was pulled open to reveal an excited figure of Kurosaki Iwao. He stared down at the frightened figure of Hisoka in Watari’s arms.
“Now, look what we have got. The little monster child from the world of dead.”
“HEY! Watch your filthy mouth, you stupid fat old man!!” Watari yelled angrily at Iwao, hugging Hisoka even tighter: “He is my younger brother, Watari Asato! Don’t you dare to lay a little finger on him!”
“Nagare-sama, so it’s true after all, you’ve accepted the bribe from the evil god- Yatonogami, so that he could come back to this world!” a village head exclaimed in shock.
“Maybe this child is even the revived Yatonogami himself!!” Another village head gasped in fear.
“People!” Iwao raised his hand: “Now you’ve seen how my disgraceful younger brother collaborated with the demon. Is he still fit to be the head of this clan?”
“Definitely not!” Some men cried out.
“This demonic child must be destroyed!” Some villagers exclaimed fearfully.
“No, no, NO!!!” Hisoka shook his head and clutched onto Watari tighter: “Watari-san, please, please tell me this is only a nightmare!!! GET ME OUT OF THIS PLACE!!!!”
Watari clutched his teeth and lifted Hisoka in his arms. He stared at Tatsumi amidst the crowd. Tatsumi nodded.
Swirls of shadows suddenly rose, pulling floor partitions from the ground. People screamed and went into panic. Watari carried Hisoka and flew out of the house.
“Don’t worry, Bon, I’ll take you back to Meifu.” Watari whispered to the still shaken Hisoka.
Ahead, a white figure stood under the moonlight.
Muraki Kazutaka
“That man..” Watari grinded: “Isn’t he dead yet?”
“Ho, we’ve met again. I’m afraid this boy cannot leave this place yet.” Muraki smiled.
Amidst the swirling sakura petals stood Muraki Kazutaka. White trench coat flew around the man in the wind gracefully.
“That man,” Watari grinded in low voice: “Isn’t he supposed to be dead in Kyoto?”
“Muraki..” Hisoka hissed as he raised his face to meet the doctor’s silver gaze.
“Ho, we’ve met again, boy.” Muraki smiled and raised a gloved hand up.
“What-the…” Watari started as he suddenly found a force hitting him, flying backwards onto the ground. Something warm and wet spilt out of Watari’s mouth; he put up a hand to see blood dripping down his fingers. It took him a moment to realize that the silver hair doctor injured him.
003 flew up from his shoulder in alert and hooted angrily at the enemy.
“No, girl, don’t go to him!” Watari grabbed his pet owl and was shocked to find Hisoka pulling himself out of his arms.
“So, you are the one who lured my uncle into finding me.” Hisoka hissed angrily, ignoring Watari’s shouts.
“Tsuzuki is not here! Even if he is around, we will not allow you to create havocs here!”
Muraki did not seem to bother Watari’s existence and approached the standing Hisoka.
“BON!! RUN!!” Watari shouted and attempted to stand up but failed. Little did he know, Muraki had used a spell to restrict his movement (the spell he used on Tsuzuki in manga 1).
“I… I’m going to fight you!” Hisoka yelled and attacked the approaching man. Muraki smiled and raised his hand.
Splashes of red flew across Hisoka’s eyes.
A name rose in Hisoka’s mind.
Tsuzuki……
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Hisoka…..
Tsuzuki suddenly raised his head. Somehow, he had a very bad feeling. He went to look for Byakko and Suzaku. No matter what happen, he was going to ask them to take him to look for Kurikara who was still in battle with Kijin.
Hisoka must be in trouble, just like he himself many years ago in Kurikara’s test. If he was not mistaken, Kurikara was going to pull out any possible help the candidate could rely on during the test.
Just like what happened when he prevented Tsuzuki’s senpai to assist him during that time.
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“BON!!!!” Watari shouted in angst as blood trickled down Hisoka’s lips and wounded limbs as he continued to force himself to stand. Already, his white kimono was soaked red in his own blood.
“How ignorance, you know you can’t win me.” Muraki snickered and closed his hand round Hisoka’s soft throat. Muraki leaned close to the boy’s face and stroked his cheek: “Don’t worry, I’ll never kill my beloved puppet.”
Hisoka sputtered some blood and made a grab at Muraki’s good eye. Muraki caught the hand with his free hand and tightened his grip round Hisoka’s neck.
“Disobedient little boy. I’m going to send you back to your home and watch how you are to be tortured.” Muraki whispered in Hisoka’s ear and licked the boy’s earlobe lightly.
“MURAKI!!” Tatsumi’s voice suddenly erupted in a distance. After disrupting Iwao’s plan, he had trapped the people in the house, except Nagare. Leaving the man, he flew to look for Watari and Hisoka. And he saw the man again.
“So, it is you again.” Muraki said uninterested.
“I’ve never forgive you for what you’ve done to Tsuzuki-san, and now you are harassing Kurosaki-kun!” Tatsumi growled.
“So do I. You are always in my way of enjoyment.” Muraki said as he pulled the injured Hisoka into his embrace: “I’m taking this boy with me.”
Tatsumi’s glare grew and he summoned his shadows.
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Kurikara narrowed his eyes. He was still in the midst of his fight with Kijin. That arrogance little brat still believed his fate in his father and the yellow dragon-the celestial emperor.
Still, it took him little effort to know something else. Some unrelated people were interrupting the test he had granted Kurosaki Hisoka.
He had to send these people away.
“What are you hesitating? Are you reaching your own limit?” Kijin sneered and sent another attack at Kurikara.
“Yes, I shouldn’t be hesitating. Those with weak will and are not able to overcome their own limit to their greatest fear do not deserve my power as their shikigami.” Kurikara added and raised a finger.
“What are you talking about?” Kijin glared.
“Kurikara! Where have you sent Hisoka?” Tsuzuki’s voice shouted from afar as he approached on Byakko’s back.
“That’s not for you to know!” Kurikara frowned as some force round his fingers whirled into the air, forming a wormhole: “Listen, I do not want to work for someone who is a weakling and replies on others for help in face of any problem!”
Tsuzuki’s eyes became dots: “Is he referring to me?”
The wormhole became bigger.
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Shadows rose around Tatsumi and flew to attack Muraki.
Suddenly, a force formed in front of the white doctor, absorbing the attacks and sucked Tatsumi and Watari into it.
“WHAT-THE???!!!!” Watari screamed.
Within seconds, the two Shinigami vanished before Muraki and Hisoka’s eyes. Hisoka stared on in shock.
“It seems like no one is going to help you now, boy.” Muraki said and struck Hisoka behind his head. Hisoka fell back in Muraki’s arms, limped. Smilingly, Muraki lifted the boy in his arms and proceeded back to Nagare’s house.
He was going to enjoy an interesting show.
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The wormhole glowed and whirled before Tsuzuki’s eyes. Tsuzuki’s eyes widened. He thought he could hear some familiar voices coming from the other side. Was Kurikara sending Hisoka back after all?
“Hisoka!!!” Tsuzuki shouted as he tried to run towards the wormhole, pushing past Byakko’s grip.
“No, wait, Tsuzuki, I don’t think it is Hisoka!” the white tiger said.
“Where are we GOING????!!!!!!!” Watari’s voice screeched as he flew out of the wormhole and slumped onto the ground with a loud thump. He was followed by Tatsumi who managed to balance himself and positioned in a less unsightly manner than Watari.
Immediately, the wormhole vanished.
“Tatsumi? Watari? Why are you both here?” Tsuzuki called aloud and ran towards them.
“That’s supposed to be my question, Tsuzuki!” Watari shouted and jumped up, almost throwing 003 onto the ground: “You are supposed to be in GenSouKai, helping Bon to search for a shikigami!!!”
Byakko nodded: “Yeah, this is GenSouKai. I’m Byakko, Tsuzuki’s shikigami.”
Watari’s eyes became dots: “What-the… HEY!!! What’s going on here?! First, Bon appeared in his old home at Kanagawa and now Tatsumi and I come to GenSouKai. So who’s supposed to be the ones looking for shikigami?!”
“I’m afraid we have a terrible truth here, Watari.” Tatsumi smoothened his coat and adjusted his glasses.
“Y…you mean… Hisoka was transported back to Kanagawa?” Tsuzuki stammered: “And you both were sent here because you were there?”
“Apparently, yes, I believe that was the situation, though I still do not understand why Kurosaki-kun was sent back to his own home. And to make matters worse, that Muraki was there.” Tatsumi said.
“That’s a shikigami test for Hisoka…. Wait, you mention… MURAKI WAS THERE AS WELL????!!!!!” Tsuzuki screamed.
Kurikara did not bother them anymore and concentrated his fight with Kijin.
If Hisoka was not able to overcome his own fear with his own strength, he did not deserve Kurikara’s ability.
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If, you manage to obtain Kurikara’s protection, you’ll gain great strength that you have desired…. On the other hand, you may lose something very important in the form of exchange….. To you, what is the most important thing to you? It is something that you will not think of possessing when you see it… But once you lost it, you’ll realize it’s importance, by then, it is too late…..
A strangely familiar voice drifted amidst the waves of deep blue sea as the waves swayed and rolled in the tides.
Who? Who is talking to me? Hisoka stirred and whimpered in his sleep.
Hisoka….. Hisoka…… where are you?
Tsuzuki, are you calling for me? Where are you? Why are you not staying with me now? Tsuzuki……
Hisoka stirred uncomfortably. Something was constraining his limbs. He could not move his hands that were bound apart in a cross-like manner.
Hisoka opened his eyes weakly. He must have lost a lot of blood.
He heard many people gasped in shock.
“See? This boy can survive even though he lost a lot of blood. I’ve cut his veins on his waists and neck. Yet, the boy’s wounds close at such alarming speed. How can we conclude he is a normal human child?” Muraki’s voice said.
“Indeed, sensei! We would have all being deceived by Nagare’s noble appearance if you have not appeared to disclose this unspeakable acts!” Iwao replied: “I wonder how many lies have Nagare hid if you were not around to expose him!”
Hisoka forced his eyes to open wider and found himself tied to a pole; his arms spread open, bounded by ropes and his mouth was gagged. Many people stood around him, staring him in shock. Muraki and Kurosaki Iwao stood the closest to him. Nearby, Nagare was held back by two of Iwao’s men.
Hisoka could hear the villagers’ thoughts; feel their terrified emotions.
Demonic child
Someone get rid of this monster fast
Don’t let him off, he is a demon!
This child is the rebirth form of Yatonogami!
“What have you got to say now, Nagare? You’ve let this monster come alive. You’ve defied our ancestor- Ren-sama’s purpose to destroy Yatonogami forever.” Iwao sneered darkly.
“You don’t understand the whole situation, ni-san!!” Nagare screamed, struggling harder: “You can’t conclude everything in your own way!!”
“Then,” Iwao said, walking towards Hisoka, pulling open his kimono, revealing the curse marks on his chest: “What have you got to say about him? We all know the boy died with these marks on him two years ago.”
“I…. I don’t know how he came back.” Nagare said, suddenly feeling exhausted and drained.
“It is alright, I know a bit of spell or two, I’ll take care of this demon child for a time being before we choose a date to eliminate him.” Muraki said.
Hisoka glared at Muraki angrily and Muraki smiled back at him.
“Fine, I’ll leave this monster in your care. Men! Lock Nagare up in the basement! We’ll execute this monster two days from now!” Iwao commanded.
Hisoka stared helplessly as he was removed from the pole, still in his bounds and carried into a room prepared for Muraki by Iwao.
What will you do then, boy? You are now at my mercy. Muraki smirked evilly at Hisoka.
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Deep in the darkness, Yatonogami, the snake demon watched on in glee. The entire drama was played well, once the entire Kurosaki clan was wiped out, he would be free from the bounds…
Forever…..
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“MURAKI WAS THERE WITH HISOKA????!!!!!” Tsuzuki screamed on top of his lungs.
“That’s a big problem. Muraki is still alive and now he must have captured Bon..” Watari shook his head: “Wait, who’s the one who sent Bon back to his home for whatever test?”
“He!” Tsuzuki pointed to Kurikara and suddenly dashed up into the sky trying to cut between Kurikara and Kijin’s battle: “This is TOO MUCH, Kurikara!! How can you leave Hisoka with a bunch of enemies back there?? Hisoka will be killed by that man!!! Send him back NOW!!!”
Kurikara swung the man away.
Kijin flew to deliver a blow at the Shikigami: “Your opponent is me, leave Tsuzuki alone!” He shouted without much of a turn to Tsuzuki: “Tsuzuki, go look for Kojirou and Kotarou! They are the gatekeepers. Maybe they can get Hisoka back!”
“Don’t you dare intervene that kid’s test!! If anyone interrupts, I’ll never be his Shikigami and that kid will hate you forever.” Kurikara sneered.
Tsuzuki ran off without looking back at anyone there.
Hold on, Hisoka. I’ll save you even if you are going to hate me forever, I will not let you get hurt… especially not by that man! Wait for me… HISOKA!!!
“Wait, Tsuzuki! I’m coming with you!!” Watari cried out and flew after him. Tatsumi adjusted his glasses and ran after the two Shinigami as well.
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In the poorly lit room of Kamakura, Muraki carried Hisoka and put him onto the bed.
“Now, now, isn’t this a good opportunity for us to chat in privacy?” The doctor smiled gently at the boy.
Hisoka was still in silence shock over the events that happened so fast before him. Only a few moments ago, he was having a walk with Watari and the next moment, Tatsumi and Watari were sucked up into a wormhole that appeared from nowhere.
That wormhole….. it reminded him of Kurikara before he was tossed into something like it…
‘Kurikara isn't a Shikigami to be defeated by your hand!!’ Tsuzuki’s voice echoed in Hisoka’s mind.
So… Could this be one of those Kurikara’s test?…..
“Boy,” Muraki gently crawled on top of the boy and tipped the boy’s chin with a hand: “Let’s have a deal, shall we? You use your curing skill to regenerate my limbs and I’ll get you out of this picture. Surely, you wouldn’t want to be burnt alive by your scary uncle, right?”
Kurikara’s face appeared in Hisoka’s mind eye before he tossed Hisoka into an emerging wormhole: “Let's have test your 'strength' shall we?”
Muraki’s face neared and caressed Hisoka’s soft lips and kissed them: “I wouldn’t like to see a lovely boy like you to be destroyed in this brutal manner…”
I always give up.. But, I don’t want to be protected! I also want to protect ‘someone’… that’s why I… I’LL NEVER RUN AWAY ANYMORE!
‘Not confused anymore?’ Muraki looked in mild surprise as the gleam in Hisoka’s eyes changed from that of depression into determination.
“Is that what you came here for, Muraki?” Hisoka glared.
Hisoka suddenly knocked hard against Muraki causing the latter to back slightly. Hisoka took the opportunity to roll off the bed and ran to push the door with his elbow. His hands were still tied tightly behind him.
“You excite me even more, boy. Perhaps, we’ll play the cat and mouse game five years ago under the sakura trees and I shall pleasure you in any exotic manner I have think of over the past few months.”
Hisoka struggled against the door gap as the silver haired doctor strolled towards him causally, drawing a knife from his trench coat.
“Now, let’s see, I shall slowly cut away your clothes first and…” Muraki looked lustily over the boy’s perfect body, licked the knife blade and smirked wickedly: “I can promise you all the enjoyment you have missed since our last love-making. I can’t wait to feel your beautiful struggle….. And your sweet screams…” Hisoka could see Muraki’s eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation.
Hisoka grinded his teeth and suddenly kicked the door open, running out of the room as fast as his legs could go.
Muraki’s smile vanished and then grinned again. Kurosaki Iwao’s men had heavily guarded the entire house. Hisoka would not be able to escape from his iron grip. He went to look for the running boy.
Their game shall begin.
And the boy would be his.
Hisoka panted heavily as he turned a corner and ducked behind a wall sharply. Two of Kurosaki Iwao’s men passed by, talking uneasily between themselves. Hisoka heard them greeted Muraki. Muraki smoothly lured them away with some words and resumed his slow stroll towards Hisoka’s hiding place.
Come out, my dearest doll, I can feel your pretty body so near that I can’t wait to take you in my arms. I’ll take care of you very very tenderly…
Muraki smiled darkly.
Hisoka’s breath became harsher as he felt the man slowly approached his direction. There was no other escape route now. Maybe he should dash out and try his luck knocking the man over to escape. If only he could fight the man. If only his hands were not tied.
Suddenly, there was another noise at the other end of the corridor and Muraki went towards the noise. Hisoka tensed. A hand reached out from the darkness and quickly covered Hisoka’s mouth before the boy shrieked in shock.
“Shhh, it’s me!” Miya whispered in Hisoka’s ear: “I need your help. Master is trapped in the basement. Can you save him?”
‘Mi…Miya?’ Hisoka thought in surprise.
Kurosaki Iwao was not particularly concerned of Nagare’s servants so they were only under loose supervision, but not locked up. That was why Miya was able to sneak near Muraki’s room.
“You are a good friend of Tatsumi-san, neh? You must be a good person. Please help me save our Master.” Miya begged.
Do I have to save this household? Save the man that I have hated since I was young….. Should I save him?
Hisoka looked at Miya hesitatingly. Miya looked at him hopefully.
“Alright.” Hisoka sighed. No matter what, she had saved him from Muraki’s attention. He would save that man known as his father and leave the place once everything was settled.
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Kurosaki Iwao sat in the master bedroom, chucking happily to himself. Soon, he would be the head of the household. That Nagare would be nothing, but a trash to be removed away. Or maybe, he’ll stay in that dark basement for the rest of his life.
Kurosaki Iwao suddenly roared into laughter. Nothing had been going so well before. He had never been so satisfied, so accomplished in all his life.
That Nagare would soon be history. So was his little boy, Hisoka.
Kurosaki clan would be his alone.
Sounds of dripping water interrupted his silence.
“Who is that?” Iwao roared.
Nagare…. Where are you…. I’ve come to see you… Look at our Hisoka-chan… She is still sleeping so soundly in my arms…. Our Hisoka-chan…..
“Who? Who.. who is that?” Iwao abruptly felt his legs shaking under him. The voice, accompanied by sounds of dripping water was ghastly familiar.
“Is that Kasane? You… you can’t… you can’t scare me….!!” Iwao shuttered nervously, his hands searching around and grabbed the nearest katana he could reach, his eyes probing around for any sign of a figure. Instead, a wet hand grabbed his desperate hands.
Iwao turned his face to see the ghastly pale face of Kurosaki Kasane standing just behind him. A distant lightning flashed to show her death-like face and a greatly decomposed child corpse in her occupied other hand.
“ARGHH!!!!!!!!”
Kurosaki Iwao’s screams penetrated the silence.
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In the dark basement, Kurosaki Nagare sat in despair besides his blank-looking wife-Kurosaki Rui. The woman was subconsciously holding onto the tip of Nagare’s kimono, staring blankly at the ceiling.
“Rui, do you know,” Nagare said, as if to himself: “Our son, Hisoka is back. And Iwao wants to kill him. Like what he did to my daughter-Hisoka. Iwao wants to snatch the title as the owner of this household.”
Yatonogami’s voice seemed to laugh in Nagare’s mind…..
Kukukuku…. Isn’t it funny? That your family is only a sacrifice?… Till then, you will continue to torment the taste of Hell!!!!
“Doesn’t he know that as the head of the household, he will be forever controlled and tortured by Yatonogami?”
Rui only stared at the ceiling blankly as if Nagare was talking to someone else.
“Master!” A small voice called from the top of the trap door: “I’ve asked Watari-kun for help. He’s really good in martial arts and we finally get here.”
‘Hisoka is here?’ Nagare thought uneasily. The boy whom he had neglected….. The boy whom had left in a strange incurable illness…… The boy whom he had sometimes suspected as an offspring of Yatonogami…….
“Hurry up and come up before more of the guards come.” Hisoka snapped coldly at the man down there without much meeting his eyes.
“Hisoka….” Nagare whispered under his breath.
“Hey, are you coming up or not or do you want me to go down to invite you up?” Hisoka growled impatiently.
Seeing no further response, Hisoka climbed down the ladder into the basement and hesitated.
The pit darkness……
Hisoka shivered inwardly. Since he was young, he used to be locked up in this basement and beneath the darkness, he remembered he could feel many strange scary thing lurking in within….
Hisoka’s legs shivered.
Let’s test your strength, shall we? Kurikara smirked challengingly at him.
I will not be defeated! Hisoka screamed inwardly.
Hisoka took a deep breath and made his way through the basement.
“Hurry up, Watari-kun, Iwao-sama’s men could be here anytime!” Miya called softly to Hisoka.
Hisoka breathed deeply and finally found his way near Nagare. He reached out his hand.
“Take my hand, I’ll take you out of here.” Hisoka said.
Hisoka… he has changed…… Nagare looked at Hisoka.
Hisoka is no longer the weak frightened child I used to know…..
That child….. A dark figure looked from a distance. That boy has Kurosaki blood flowing within him. Kukukuku…. It seems that the Kurosaki line has not fated to end yet. Maybe I shall toy his body like what I did with Nagare when the time comes….
Hisoka suddenly looked up. He felt an evil aura somewhere.
“Hurry up, Watari-kun!” Miya called.
Hisoka nodded and pulled Nagare by his arm. He took a look at Rui and pulled her with other hand.
A strong flow of emotion rushed into him.
Help.. Help me, please don’t kill me, Nee-chan sama!!!!! SAVE MEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Hisoka screamed and released Rui’s hand.
“SOMEONE IS DOWN THERE TRYING TO LET KUROSAKI NAGARE GO!!! STOP HIM!!!”
There was another scream somewhere.
“IWAO-SAMA IS DEAD!!! IT MUST BE THAT DEMONIC CHILD!!! CATCH HIM AND ELIMINATE HIM NOW!!!!”
Nagare quickly got up and pulled Hisoka into his arms without a word. He looked back at Rui and sighed: “I’ll come back to you again later.”
He carried the shaken Hisoka out of the basement and looked at Miya: “Listen, take him out of the house and both of you run away from this place as soon as possible. I’ll never leave this place.”
“But…” Miya protested.
“Hurry!” Nagare called strictly and pushed Hisoka to her.
Near the corridor to the basement, Muraki directed the men: “That’s right, that child has escaped and murdered Master Iwao in such cold blood. Don’t let him escape.”
A secret dark smile emerged on Muraki’s lips.
Kukukuku… how native are you, to think that you can escape me…. My dear doll, you will soon and always be mine…..
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In the master bedroom, Kurosaki Iwao lay, his eyes burgling wide open like a dead goldfish. He was thoroughly drenched in stream water and slender finger marks dug into his flesh on his neck like parasite.
He was already dead.
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Not wasting much time, Miya pulled Hisoka’s arm and dashed down the corridor and ducked into a dark corner.
Hisoka slowly regained his steadiness.
He felt the evil aura getting stronger.
Tell me, lovely child, are you the last descendent of Kurosaki Ren? Tell me how does your blood, your body taste like?
Above Miya and Hisoka’s head, over the ceiling, merged Yatonogami.
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Tsuzuki continued to run.
Please, Hisoka, please don’t get into any hurt. I’ll go and save you. Please wait for me!!!!
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Tell me, my sweet child, tell me how does your flesh….. your body…. Your blood tastes like……. Kukukukukukuku……….
Yatonogami opened his mouth and let out a tentacle that slowly edged towards Kurosaki Hisoka………..
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In the woods of GenSouKai, a dark tall figure was panting heavily. His hair and fangs grew in rapid speed.
Afar, Tsuzuki Asato was flying. He had no idea where he could find Kojirou and Kotarou to open up the gate back to the mortal world. He looked down and saw a familiar figure.
“Wait, Tsuzuki, you… you… wait for me!” Watari called from behind, panting heavily.
Tsuzuki called: “Touda! Is that you?” He flew down and hugged the tall man, jumping happily: “Touda! I’m so glad to see you!”
Suddenly, hands flew to strangle him on his neck.
“Wait, what happen, Touda?” Tsuzuki exclaimed in shock.
Far behind, Watari, Tatsumi, Kurikara and Kijin were approaching. Kurikara, fearing Tsuzuki would tamper with the test, decided to stop the battle and pursued him. Kijin feared for Tsuzuki’s safety and followed along.
“I’ll tear off your neck, Celestial Emperor!”
“TOUDA!”
“You’ve been using me along, huh? Till the time when I become worthless, then you’ll discard me away like a trash, I’ll NEVER forgive you!”
“Tou..da…” Tsuzuki said, understandingly: “Do what you want…. If this can..make your wounds feel better…”
“TSUZUKI, are you alright!” Tatsumi shouted from afar, hurrying to meet him.
Just then, Touda’s fangs and hair regained back to normal.
“What… what happen just now?” Touda stammered, quickly releasing Tsuzuki.
Kurikara sneered coldly: “so, this is what happen…..”
“Toudaaa! You are back to normal!” Tsuzuki cried out happily, hugging the tall man: “You mistook me for Celestial emperor just now..”
“What…? I feel someone controlling my body and when I resisted, I almost went crazy…”
“That Celestial Emperor, you were planning from that very beginning, huh.. to use your children as hostage!” Kurikara grinded in his thought: “Such lowly acts!”
Kurikara suddenly flew off.
“HEY, Where are you going!” Kijin called.
“None of your business, you lackey of Celestial Emperor!” Kurikara yelled back.
“Me? A lackey? You!” Kijin screamed angrily.
“It’s alright, we’ll get Touda back to Tenkou first. Then, I’m going to look for Kojirou and Kotarou.” Tsuzuki said.
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In the restaurant of Kyoto, Oriya walked out to the small compound. Somehow, he had a strange feeling that Muraki was still living somewhere…..
“Oriya-sama, there’s a call for you.” A servant walked behind him and bowed.
“Who is it?”
“A lady of name-Ukyou.”
“I’ll be there to answer it.”
“Hah.”
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Hisoka raised his face suddenly, lapsed between the snake god and Miya. Slimy tongue-like tentacles shot at Hisoka, attempting to curl the boy in its web of trap.
Surge of energy sprang within Hisoka, blocking out the attack, burning the tentacles. Yatonogami roared in pain, curled and dispersed into the darkness.
“I’ll still come for you again, boy, I’ll haunt you till your body and soul becomes mine… Fufufufufufufu…”
“What … kind of youkai is this?” Hisoka stammered, still in slight shock.
“Yatonogami, I think…” Miya stammered in the similar manner, cowering behind Hisoka’s back: “He is a demonic god which was trapped by the Kurosaki clan many years ago.”
Hisoka growled: “Just how many secrets are there in this family which I did not know?”
“That Nagare is still in the basement, the boy must be nearby!” one of Iwao’s men shouted from afar.
“Wait,” A villager head said: “We still need the Kurosaki people. Iwao sama is died now, what do you think will happen if the boy and Nagare sama are killed by us? That Yatonogami will be freed to haunt us! Think about our future!”
Hisoka grinded his teeth in his hiding.
Those villagers… so that’s how they treat the Kurosaki clan, a clan to trap and hold onto a demon so that they themselves would be safe.
“Have you found the boy?” Muraki approached the men and asked.
“I would like to remind you, doctor. Now that Iwao-sama is dead, we can’t let Kurosaki Nagare get hurt. You may keep the cursed child if you like.”
“I’ve no objection.” Muraki smiled. His attention turned towards Hisoka and Miya’s hiding place and added: “I think we do not need to go else where.”
“He has noticed us.” Hisoka whispered to Miya.
“Hi, boy, don’t you have the courage to face me?” Muraki called.
“What exactly do you want, Muraki?” Hisoka snarled and walked out of the hiding place. Suddenly, Hisoka grabbed Miya by her wrist and flew towards the villagers, knocking them aside and ran towards the hall where the ancestors’ portraits were kept.
Strangely, Hisoka felt a powerful aura as he neared the hall; there was something there, calling for him.
Hisoka never went into the hall when he was still alive because everyone around him claimed him a demon child and kept him away from the ancestors’ hall. He only knew about the place when he played nearby, learning from people’s thoughts that were standing around there. Now that the house was in chaos, he entered the place without resistance.
In the furthest end of the hall placed kogatana- a small blade that was the Kurosaki clan’s treasure.
Hisoka felt a strange feeling emitting from the small blade. He reached to take it.
“Wait up, Watari-kun, this thing is the Kurosaki’s most treasured item, passed down from Kurosaki Ren-sama!” Miya panted behind him.
‘What is this feeling?’ Hisoka’s eyes fixed onto it as if it was a magnet, attracting his attention.
‘Why is it calling for me?’
Hisoka suddenly felt an evil aura surrounding him.
“That boy is running towards this way!” someone shouted in the far distance, running towards the ancestors’ hall. There were more than ten people this time.
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In the dark basement, Rui was tagging Nagare’s clothes tighter: “She…she’s coming closer… Nee-san sama, she’s coming to kill me.. save me.. save me, Nagare!”
Nagare looked into the far distance. Sounds of dripping water began to be heard as if they were alive and were approaching them.
“Kasane, are you coming for me?” Nagare whispered affectionately: “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. How I miss the time when we were together… of all people, my love for you is true.”
In the far distance, Kasane’s voice was calling eerily: “Come and see our beloved daughter, Hisoka-chan, isn’t she cute when she’s sleeping? Come and see her, Nagare…”
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Back in the ancestors’ hall, the dark aura of Yatonogami became more and more vivid.
That sensation of that kogatana blade… Yatonogami thought in shock.
The blade had not emitted such strong force ever since the time when he was in battle with Kurosaki Ren. After that battle, Kurosaki Ren was seriously injured and the ability to use that treasure was lost after Kurosaki Ren passed away.
This was the first time, the small blade showed its real strength in another person’s hand.
Outside the hall, Muraki was standing behind the villagers.
That aura… Muraki mused. He smiled and turned away.
‘This is getting interesting, boy, I’ll come for you next time.’ Muraki thought: ‘Besides, I’ve something important in my hands now.’
Turning coolly, Muraki made his exit. Obviously, the villagers did not notice his departure; they were too engrossed in the vision from the hall.
Light emitted from the kogatana blade. Light shone in a laser manner from the short handle of the dark and ancient looking blade in Hisoka’s hands.
“I can see you very clearly, Yatonogami.” Hisoka said coldly. He suddenly wielded the blade and it transformed into a long sword. Curves of force flew up the ceiling into the snake god’s body, forcing it to show its true form.
The villagers gasped in shock and tried to escape. Miya was stoned on the spot, staring at the demon and the battle-mode Hisoka.
“Are you sure you want to fight me, boy?” Yatonogami snickered: “Look at how your parents, the villagers treat you, are you still going to save them in your own risk?”
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In the dark basement, the figure of Kurosaki Kasane walked closer to Kurosaki Nagare, chanting in emotionless voice: “Come here, Nagare, come and see our daughter….”
Kurosaki Rui shivered against Nagare’s chest.
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Back in GenSoukai, Tsuzuki managed to find Byakko and got him to carry him with Tatsumi and Watari towards the temple where Kojirou and Kotarou were.
“Tsuzuki, remember the time when a creature from here escaped into the mortal world? How bad is this shield of this place deteriorates now?” Tatsumi asked the violet-eyed Shinigami.
“I’m not too sure,” Tsuzuki shook his head.
“I know it’s getting real bad that SohRyu Ni-san is becoming more hot tempered. I wonder where that Kurikara is going now, since his fight with Kijin has been disrupted.” Byakko said as he flew towards the temple.
“We’ve got some visitors, is it something to do with Kurosaki-dono?” A familiar voice called, followed by flutters of wings. It was Kotarou. Kojirou followed behind him, nodding in his usual quiet manner.
“We need your help. Kurikara has transported Hisoka back to the mortal world. He’s in grave danger now. We need to go there to save him!” Tsuzuki shouted from Byakko’s back.
“Kurosaki-dono is being transported back?” Kotarou echoed.
“Looks like we need to summon the strength and open up the doors of Suzaku.” Kojirou said.
“NO PROBLEM!” Kotarou shouted cheerfully: “We’ll sure do anything if it can keep Kurosaki-dono out of danger. It’s our promise with Miko-sama!”
“Miko-sama?” Watari said.
“He means Wakaba-chan.” Tsuzuki said.
Kotarou and Kojirou wielded their long canes and flashes of light beamed before their eyes……
Amidst the flashes, Tsuzuki thought he could hear Kotarou and Kojirou’s chants.
Soujoubou-sama... The dimensional door that links from there to here, in the name of the watchmen of the Suzaku Gate I order thee…. Grant me the power! Open! The gate of transition!
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TURNING POINT
A ragged looking hand rose up to touch its face.
“It is time…” it said.
Suddenly, wind whirled around the large hall.
In the other part of GenSouKai, Kurikara abruptly raised his head. Someone is meddling with the wormhole- the tunnel that was the passageway linking dimensions.
He had a bad feeling.
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In the basement of the Kurosaki household basement, Rui shrieked and stretched her hands out at her husband as her dead sister closed her hands round her throat.
“Nagare! SAVE ME!”
“Don’t worry, Rui, I’ll follow you shortly after you die.” Nagare said calmly, sitting nearby watching his former wife strangling her twin sister.
“NAGARE!”
Rui’s scream turned higher and eventually weakened down…
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Kill him!
Kill that child!
He cannot inherit as the head of Kurosaki!
“Despite that, you still want to protect these people? The people who ignore you even in your last few days of life?” Yatonogami smirked: “Killing me will not bring you any benefit at all, boy.”
“That’s none of YOUR business!” Hisoka shouted: “Besides, there’s no reason why you should exist and create havocs in this place. No matter what, this is the place where I was born and raised!” He raised his sword and charged at the snake youkai.
“You can’t blame me for savoring you then.” Yatonogami grinned and tentacles shot out of his mouth at the nearing teenager.
Hisoka swung his sword, but some of the tentacles managed to curl round his arms and thighs.
Hisoka grinded his teeth and sunk the blade into the monster’s neck. Unfortunately, due to the constraints, the blade could not fully reach the targeted spot. The villagers had already ran out of the Kurosaki residence at the sight of the house, leaving only the Kurosaki household with the demon inside.
“See, the villagers have already abandoned you just like last time when they treated you as a monster child when you were young.” Yatonogami said, firmly gripped Hisoka by his limbs, his other free tentacles slowly slipping to explore Hisoka’s ivory white body: “Now, it’s my turn to taste you, my beautiful child.”
Hisoka grinded his teeth, but he could not move his arms and legs. He watched in anxiety as the tentacles climbed their ways into his kimono, caressing wantonly on his skin and then crawled downwards….
“Stop touching me, you scaly bastard!” Hisoka screamed and turned the handle of his sword. Then he drove the blade downwards into a tentacle gripping one of his arms.
Yatonogami cried out and that tentacle loosened itself to retreat back to his mouth.
Hisoka took the opportunity to grab it and was pulled closer to Yatonogami’s mouth. Then, he raised his sword again…
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The corpse of Kurosaki Rui lay on the floor; eyes still wide open, staring at the direction where Nagare sat.
“You are coming for me, Kasane. I’ve been thinking about you all the time.” Nagare looked tenderly at the ghastly face of the approaching Kasane who was holding the highly decomposed body of the little girl, Kurosaki Hisoka in her arm.
Nagare smiled sadly to himself as he felt his former wife’s hand reaching his throat.
“Be careful!” A voice shouted and a talisman flew onto Kurosaki Kasane’s back.
The woman collapsed into Nagare’s arms, not moving.
Behind her ran Tatsumi, Watari and a man with black hair whom Nagare had not met.
“Where is Hisoka!” The man with black hair and unusual violet eyes questioned anxiously, looking around.
Tatsumi ran up to Nagare: “My friend here is looking for boy Hisoka. Are you alright?”
“Hisoka….” Nagare said, still looking at Kasane in his arms: “I’ve passed him to Miya, they should be out of the house by now.”
“Master!” Miya’s voice stormed from above: “Bad news! The legendary snake god-Yatonogami suddenly appeared in the ancestor’s hall and Asato kun is now fighting with it!”
“Asato kun?” Tsuzuki Asato echoed puzzled.
“Oh ho! She means Hisoka, Bon! Ha ha!” Watari waved at Miya: “We’re coming up shortly!”
Tatsumi looked at Nagare’s lost expression and then at Tsuzuki: “You and Watari go and assist Kurosaki-kun, I’ll stay here.”
Tsuzuki nodded and ran after Miya and Watari.
Hisoka, you must be alright… Tsuzuki prayed silently.
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Blood spattered onto the four walls as Yatonogami stabbed his free tentacles into Hisoka’s body. He did not want to care about maintaining the completeness of his beautiful target now that this little boy had almost took his life with that ancestor’s sword.
Some of Yatonogami’s tentacles were chopped off, his neck stabbed, though fortunately not too deep to kill him and his body injured at various points. He was going to be destroyed if he couldn’t bring the boy down. Unless the boy could not continue to stand, he would then take his time to enjoy the boy’s body.
“Will I be able to win him?” Hisoka thought to himself. His eyesight was blurring from the loss of blood. He could hardly move.
Almost a zero is not absolute zero, Kurosaki Kun! Tatsumi’s voice echoed in his mind.
“Yes, as long as I have my breath left, I will still stand a chance to win this fight, as long as I do not give up!” Hisoka thought.
‘The boy seems to be filled with energy as compared to just now!’ Yatonogami thought in awe: ‘There’s no way, I’m going to let a little child kill me like an ant. I’m not going to be destroyed and sealed like what Kurosaki Ren did to me many years ago. I will have to kill that boy first.”
More tentacles shot out of his mouth towards Hisoka’s neck and head. Hisoka cut his way through the tentacles, leaped into the air and stabbed through the snake demon’s head. The sword suddenly glowed in unusual brightness as it ran through the demon’s flesh.
Hisoka thought he could hear a strangely familiar voice whispered in his mind: “Arigato, for completing my work, my descendent…”
At the same time, some tentacles stabbed into Hisoka’s chest. Blood spurted out from the teenager’s lips and his newly inflicted wounds.
“HISOKA!”
“BON!”
Through blurry eyes, Hisoka saw Tsuzuki, Watari and Miya running towards him.
“HISOKA!” Tsuzuki was in tears now, running and cuddled Hisoka in his arms protectively: “HISOKA!”
Hisoka looked at the mess of flesh known as Yatonogami. It was slowly dissolving into the sword that was soon reduced back to its wooden original self.
“Tsuzuki… you… you’ve come for me…” Hisoka smiled weakly.
“Hisoka, I’ll never let you leave my side again, I promise!” Tsuzuki rubbed blood off Hisoka’s face and pressed his face against Hisoka’s: “Never ever.”
Hisoka smiled faintly and lost his consciousness.
“He’s losing too much blood.” Watari said: “Better send him back to Meifu as soon as possible.”
“Hisoka-sama?” Miya sighed in relief, noting the stable breathing from the boy in Tsuzuki’s arms: “Haiz, I should have known. He resembles so much of Hisoka-sama before death, I should have known he is Hisoka-sama himself.”
Suddenly, there were winds blowing behind Tsuzuki and Hisoka. Watari’s eyes widened to see a wormhole appearing in the room, pulling Hisoka into it.
Tsuzuki yelped and held onto Hisoka tighter, as a result, both of them were pulled into it.
“TSUZUKI! BON!” Watari screamed and ran towards the hole, but it vanished immediately before he could reach it.
Birds chipping greeted Tsuzuki when he woke up and found himself lying on the soft grass with the unconscious Hisoka in his arms. Tsuzuki caressed Hisoka’s bloodstained face and brushed his hair from his face.
He felt someone flying towards them. His eyes rose to meet Touda’s.
“TOUDA!” Tsuzuki beamed and jumped up to hug his shikigami. Abruptly, Tsuzuki noticed something was amissing. Touda’s hair and nails had grown long like last time when he lost his sanity again and the shikigami’s eyes were not focusing. It was not a good sign.
The normally loyal shikigami forcefully pushed his master away and walk briskly towards Hisoka, picked the boy and vanished.
“WAIT, TOUDA! WHERE ARE YOU TAKING HISOKA!” Tsuzuki screamed and ran forward. But Touda and Hisoka were gone.
Within a day, he lost Hisoka.. AGAIN!
“Tsuzuki, Touda has changed again! I know that serpent cannot be trusted! Did he hurt you!” A female voice called anxiously from behind. A woman in red battle costume was flying hastily towards him. Behind her followed Byakko.
“SUZAKU NEE-CHANNNNNN!” Tsuzuki cried out to her.
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In a large bedroom with golden curtains, a tall figure was looming over a small sleeping figure know as Kurosaki Hisoka in a golden bed surrounded by Chinese like yellow curtains. The boy’s blood had been cleaned and he was changed in silky Chinese-like robe.
The boy stirred uneasily as the figure ran his large callous fingers over Hisoka’s soft pale cheeks.
“Such beautiful body, his curing power will be a perfect solution to solve my problem..” The figure sighed to the sleeping child.
The figure turned to the blank-looking Touda standing behind him and ordered: “Go and keep watch outside. Don’t let anyone, especially that rebel-Kurikara from coming here.”
“With the regain of my original physical self, no one else, especially that rebel Kurikara will be the match of me – Celestial Emperor!”
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On the driver seat of Muraki Kazutaka’s car sat the owner himself. In his arms lay a decomposed corpse of a teenage boy - Kurosaki Hisoka.
He gave a strange smile and started his engine.
He had achieved what he wanted from the Kurosaki household now.
There was no point staying in that crazy household.
Let those idiots clear up the mess themselves. Muraki chuckled to himself.
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