Ardent

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the Yami no Matsuei characters.

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Chapter 7 Amethyst Eyes

Scratching his head, Tsuzuki took in the size of castle. It was huge and imposing but quite beautiful. Tsuzuki looked down at the piece of paper that had the address and checked to make sure he was at the right place. Yep, this was the place. Tsuzuki hoped he won’t get lost in the vastness of it all while trying to investigate. He had to admit that it was an intriguing case. Looking over the files, he noted that the Muraki family had been magic users for generations and there had been hints of dark magic use but not to the degree that would cause any suspicion. What was intriguing was that the current head of the Muraki family hasn’t shown any evidence of practicing dark magic but yet he was sent to check out if the guy was clean or not. There had to be something Konoe wasn’t sharing. Tsuzuki let out a big sigh. All this thinking was making him hungry, not to mention he should make himself known to one Kazutaka Muraki. Making his way up to the entrance, he briefly wondered if such a large castle would have an equally large kitchen.

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“Angelface,” Muraki called.

Hisoka looked up from the book he was reading. “Yes?”

“I’ve been informed that you have not visited our son yet. It’s been three days since I told you about him,” Muraki said.

“Hmph,” Hisoka turned back to his book. “Why should you care if I go there or not?”

The book was yanked out from his hands; Hisoka looked up at Muraki, startled.

“I care because he is my child as well as yours. Our son deserves to have his parents’ full attention even before he’s born,” Muraki hissed.

“You don’t care,” Hisoka whispered, still startled by Muraki’s reaction. “You don’t love anyone.”

Muraki laughed softly. “Oh, but I do. Our son means everything to me and I want the best for him. It’s important for him to feel your presence while he’s in the incubator. So, go now, before I take you there by force.”

Hisoka slowly started to head towards the door when Muraki grabbed his arm and pulled him close. He spoke softly into Hisoka’s ear.

“I do love you, in my own way.”

Hisoka looked at him in bewilderment as Muraki let a smirk spread on his face. He patted Hisoka’s butt, telling him to get going. Hisoka glared but did as he was told. Really what could the boy do? Muraki dampened his power so he couldn’t use it against him. His plan was going well and as soon as his child was born, he planned to inform Nagare Kurosaki of Hisoka’s whereabouts. With his son and grandson living with Muraki, Nagare won’t have any choice but to submit to his will and then Muraki will have access to the Kurosaki kingdom. Muraki gazed out the window, replaying his plan in his head when his one of servants came into the room.

“Excuse me, sir, but you have a visitor,” the servant said.

“Do I?”

“Yes, he asked if he could see you right away,”

“Oh, I see. Well, then, please show him to my study and tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

The servant bowed. “Yes, sir.”

“Oh, by the way, what’s his name?” Muraki asked.

“Asato Tsuzuki,” the servant bowed again and left the room.

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Alone in the lab, Hisoka stood inches away from the glass incubator. He couldn’t see the child that was growing in there but he could feel his presence. Unconsciously, he raised his hand to the glass and touched it. He felt something but what was it? He closed his eyes and kept his hand pressed to the glass then he realized what it was. A heartbeat. His son’s heart gently beat in a steady rhythm. Hisoka’s eyes opened in amazement; it felt so soothing to feel the child’s heart palpitate. A tidal wave of sadness swept over him as he pulled his hand away from the glass. This child won’t have a joy filled childhood, not with Muraki and himself as his parents. Despite the tenderness Muraki showed, he was a cold and calculating man who showed little mercy. How can a man like that truly love a small child?

Hisoka took one last look at the incubator and left.

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Tsuzuki was led through the massive hallway by Muraki’s servant to the study.

“The Master wishes for you to wait for him in here,” The servant opened the door and bowed as Tsuzuki walked in.

“Please don’t do that,” Tsuzuki said. He hated it when people bowed; it was degrading.

The servant ignored him and left. Tsuzuki took a look around the study, it seemed like the typical study until his amethyst gaze rested on one particular painting. Tsuzuki blushed. The painting was large with an ornate frame but that wasn’t what made his cheeks turn a dusty pink. It was the youth that lay nude amidst white rose petals, translucent skin flushed like the tips of the delicate petals that made him feel like a blushing school boy. Tsuzuki then noticed the boy’s dark green eyes half lidded from what he assumed to be passion. Those eyes, that skin, held him so spell bounded that he didn’t realize someone came into the room.

“I see you discovered my consort,” a smooth voice said from behind him.

Tsuzuki whirled around. “What?” He saw a man wearing nothing but white with silvery hair, smirking at him.

“My consort looks so beautiful, doesn’t he? He’s youth forever immortalized,” the man said.

“You’re married to him?” Tsuzuki looked perplexed. The man has to be in his 30’s but the boy doesn’t look any order than 16.

“Why yes,” the man answered as he extended his hand. “My name is Kazutaka Muraki. Welcome to my home.”

Wearily, Tsuzuki grasped Muraki’s hands. They felt so cold. “I’m Asato Tsuzuki.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Muraki said, caressing Tsuzuki’s hand before letting it go. “How may I be of service to you?”

“I’m here on behalf of the Ministry to investigate the claims of dark magic being used in this hold.”

Muraki’s smile widened. “Really, well I can assure you no such thing is being performed here. However, if you must investigate then I will not stop you. If I’m not mistaken, the Ministry’s detectives must stay in the vivacity of the investigation, right? I’ll have one of my servants set up a room for you.”

Tsuzuki’s eyes narrowed. Muraki was being too easy going about the whole situation.

I have to be careful around this guy



One of the servants (a different one this time) told Tsuzuki to stay in the parlor until his room was ready before proceeding to climb up an enormous staircase. Tsuzuki sighed as he watched the servant disappear upstairs. He was now alone. Muraki informed him that he had some business to attend to and bid him farewell. Tsuzuki didn’t mind being away from that man’s presence. There was something about him that left a chill clinging to the air. Tsuzuki leaned back on the wall, trying to think of something else. Then images of the boy in the painting flooded his mind. Instantly, his body warmed up from the fire that grew in the deep pit of his belly.

Tsuzuki groaned. Now wasn’t a good time for this.

Sounds of footsteps came down the staircase. About time, Tsuzuki thought. I need a shower. He looked up, expecting to see the servant but instead someone else was on the staircase. He flushed pink again, realizing who it was.

It was the boy, Muraki’s consort, standing in front of him in the flesh, even more beautiful then his portrait.

Tsuzuki gulped. “Unh, uh.”

The boy stared at him coolly. “I take it that you’ve seen my painting?