When the Sakura Stops Falling Chapter 1

It had started out as a fairly typical day at the Summons division of the Judgement Bureau located in the realm Meifu. Chief Konoe had just assigned a new case to the pair of shinigami currently responsible for area 2. After debriefing them he had left them to look over the file, which had led to Hisoka the younger guardian of death to read over the file, while his partner Tsuzuki simply starred off into space. The former sighed in distaste, to say they were less then thrilled would be an understatement, and as per usual the latter was lost in thoughts more then likely revolving around sweets. According to the notes on the case, they would need to investigate a small specialist hospital, and if there was thing Hisoka couldn't stand it would be hospitals. Ever since his last days of his time among the living the large white, sterile buildings did nothing but give him this creepy crawly feeling. Having been born with latent empathic abilities made even being in close proximity left him feeling overwhelmed with wave after wave of negative emotions left behind by those who were dying or afraid a loved one would die. After he'd finished his brief reading session of the case details he couldn't help the way his shoulders sagged slightly, he didn't really see any way out of this for him. Taking a deep breath he steeled his resolve deciding he would prefer to get this over and done with, after all it appeared to be a pretty straight forward case. Their mind set, the file was closed and dropped on to their desk without ceremony as they turned to their purple eyed partner still lost in their own world, 'baka' they thought as they gave him a playful whack around the head to get their attention.

"Heeeeeeeeey" they whined in response, "That's not very nice Hisoka", complained the older death god, indicating that the light tap had achieved its intended purpose. "What did you have to hit me for? Hisoka isn't being very nice to me today….." they continued to complain but their tone changing to take on a more playful hint to it usually reserved for the disgruntled blond teen standing next to him. No matter how long the teen had been a shinigami and worked along side him, Tsuzuki still couldn't help his more childish nature from slipping out and tormenting the other.

"Maybe if you paid more attention to your job then maybe I would not have to treat you like the baka you are…" the emerald teen guardian retorted, voice betraying his frustration, …this should be straight forward enough right Tsuzuki? I mean we just have to go to that hospital and retrieve the woman's soul right?" nervousness lacing the words as he continued to fight down the urge to plead to be allowed to stay back at the office for this one. At the end of the day Tsuzuki knew more then most the problems entering such places would cause for the youngest member of the summoning division, even if he had continued to become stronger over the past few years they had been working together, fear still lingered like an old friend. Muraki's body was never recovered after the fateful fire in Kyoto, and his candle still to this day continued to burn brightly, standing tall and proud amongst it's many brethren in the hall of candles as confirmed by the count each time he had visited. The brunette summoned a small but understanding smile and ruffled the others hair gently.

"Yes it shouldn't take us too long; according to the report her spirit is trapped inside her body despite it being past her time. That is the reason we're being sent to investigate…." The confident assured tone dying off as he was once again lost in his own thoughts. Quickly shaking his head as if trying to shake off the fog he continued "Sorry Hisoka. It's just I can't shake the feeling that her name should be familiar to me for some reason." He added having seen the worried glance being sent in his direction, adding a small giggle for added effect. Inwardly smiling when the worried look morphed to a bored and slightly annoyed expression which was the default look he would normally receive from his colleague. Feeling better he smiled back in return, standing and grabbing is signature black trench coat so they could get going. A trapped and lost soul wasn't going to guide itself to Meifu so they really needed to get started on the case.

Finding the hospital where the woman was currently staying as a patient took less time they expected for Tsuzuki, coming up with a suitable cover story took a lot longer. Neither of these two things had been quite as difficult as working out a way that he could keep his empathic partner occupied with the investigation and keeping them away from the hospital. Upon arriving in Chijou (the world of the living) a cursory review of the information they had been given caused them to decide that splitting up to cover more ground would allow them to resolve the case that much more quickly. Retrieval of the lost soul was the primary objective, but Chief Konoe had also requested that an investigation into what had caused the refusal to pass over also. Thus the more experienced guardian had decided to delegate the secondary task to his younger partner in a bid to spare him from the empathic overload of the hospital patients, and their visitors. This decision meant that he was now standing outside the main entrance of the hospital while Hisoka was making way over to the woman's place of employment stated in the file to be the company Sakura Pharmaceuticals. Naturally our Tsuzuki wasn't particularly fond of the atmosphere of hospitals either, but he had the luxury of age to give him more experience with keeping his emotional responses in check having worked for the Summons Division for over 70yrs. Straightening his tie, and double checking he had his ever trustworthy ofuda papers in his suit jacket's inner pocket he mentally steeled himself for the task ahead. Trying to hide that his nerves were starting to fray ever so slightly as he stood there, swallowing his apprehension down, the feelings were stamped down and he moved forwards. Walking through automatic doors and making his way over to the reception which was currently being staffed by a few young looking girls in nurse's uniforms. As he got closer to the counter one the nurses looked up at him with an expectant look, waiting to hear why he was here so that his request could be dealt with.

"Sorry to bother you…but I was wondering if you could help me? I was recently informed that my younger sister was being taken care of here…" in consideration of how young the woman looked in the photograph they were given he had assumed that claiming to be her older brother would be more convincing than asking for an older relative. Even if according to the file she was apparently in her thirties and he had died at the age of twenty-six. Doing his best not to appear nervous he flashed a warm smile to the young receptionist.

"Name please?" came the simple response to his enquiry, his smile almost faltered in reaction, how could he of forgotten to give the woman's name? It was lucky he hadn't brought Hisoka here with him, there was no doubt he would be calling him an idiot right now.

"Aaah... Gomen, it's Sakuraiji Ukyou, I was out of the country when she fell ill and I've only just now been able to get away from work to come see her." The brunette continued to yammer on in his attempts to be as convincing as possible; the last thing he needed was for the staff to realise she had no siblings and question his real identity. However it appeared that on this occasion lady luck was smiling on him as the receptionist turned back to him with a polite smile having finished pulling up the admittance records.

"Oh of course, she's been with us for just over a month now. Her other visitor did advise us that you would probably be coming to visit soon", they spoke in a conversational tone, not noticing the shinigami's confusion.

"Other visitor? I wasn't aware she'd had any other visitors…" his words sounded dumb even to his own ears, but this would be an unwelcome complication. Fortunately the woman at the desk didn't pick up on his reaction being odd continuing to pay attention to her workstation instead before cheerfully responding.

"Yes, her fiancée has been here practically every day since she was moved here, such dedication is so romantic. Your sister is a lucky woman. It says here he's specifically requested that if her brother were to turn up that we send you straight through to see them. I'm sorry you couldn't be reunited with your sister under better circumstances; he did explain that you'd been estranged from your family for a long time now, so might not know of him. "There was a pause broken by the sound of key strokes… "Ah yes, your sister is currently in one of the private rooms on the third floor, you can take the elevator down the hall. Its room number 309." Tsuzuki simply nodded in reply before thanking her for her help, and turned to follow the directions, which found him standing outside a rather plan looking door with a small sign designated it as '309'. Next to the door was a sign with the patient's name written in a neat elegant hand. Standing in the hallway he couldn't help but feel confused, surely it couldn't have been that simple to fool the staff here? Normally he would have to spend much longer spinning a small yarn about how he has been living abroad only to return home to Japan to see them one last time. Being whisked through without any scrutiny of his claim to be a relative was strange and put him on edge. Perhaps it had been a mistake to send his partner elsewhere for this task? Further still the niggling feeling that this woman's name was familiar wouldn't stop tugging at him, as there was a memory playing hide and seek with him. The answer forever on the tip of his tongue but refusing to come out, as much as he didn't like it he knew he had a job to do and more important things to focus on right now. First and foremost being how he would persuade this fiancée to leave him alone with woman, and how he would convince them he was in deed the long lost brother who actually happened to exist. No doubt they would of have been shown photographs of the, and he would need to be careful to ensure he acted like he actually belonged if this was going to go to plan.

On the other side of the city the young empathic shinigami Kurosaki Hisoka wasn't having much luck with his assigned task either. Well it might be more accurate to specify that he wasn't having much good luck, even if he wasn't having much by the way of bad luck. He'd found the company building easily enough, but when he had arrived at Sakura Pharmaceuticals he had found the staff working the large reception desk originally mistook him for a child who was trying to find their parents. Much to his chagrin at his eternal youthful appearance, he'd managed to keep his tone polite as he'd explained that was not why he was there. However this had backfired as in their errant enthusiasm to be helpful they had then asked if he had come to apply for a work experience placement. Without a better explanation he had decided to run with it, trying not to wince outwardly at the wave of joy which poured from the woman. From experience with his colleagues Saya and Yuma he was able to vaguely pick up that they thought he looked cute, and had to fight not to shudder in revulsion at memories of being made to dress up in a Lolita dress assaulted his mind. Grateful when the conversation naturally lulled enough for him to seek solace in the reception waiting area with its rather comfortable couches and various outdated publications he was able to flick through with a mild disinterest to keep his mind busy. After what felt like hours had passed but was in reality only twenty minutes he was invited for a tour of the building which he accepted, if only for the reprieve from the fawning glances being directed at him every few minutes from the current receptionist on the other side of the room.

Back at the hospital Tsuzuki was considering whether or not he should knock or simply walk into the room, he wasn't sure which would help his cover story more. His other concern was if the fiancée was still here visiting, and how they would react to his entrance, surely just walking while it would make him appear more like he was family be considered rude? The brunette didn't know and was currently pacing up and down the hallway to avoid looking like a statue, blissfully unaware that his shadow could be seen by the room's occupants via the frosted glass window. Well visible to the one occupant who was actually awake at the present time, the other being a patient currently in a coma wasn't able to see much of anything other then the dreams of an endless sleep. Completely unaware of the gentle touch of the long pale fingers which softly moved through the long strands of her ebony hair. Right before the owner of the hand withdrew their touch having counted the movement of the wandering shadow passing back and forth several times. Now deciding to find out who the shadow belonged to, a decision which led to shock for both parties, pleasant for one and no so pleasant for the other when mismatched silver and pale blue met with royal purple across the corridor. The shocked expression gracing the features of the patient's fiancée didn't remain for long as a small smile tugged at their features to replace it.

"I've been expecting you." He said simply, calmly, "Although I must thank you for not bringing the boy with you Tsuzuki-san. I am so pleased it is you who has come". Doctor Muraki Kazutaka stood in the doorway to the private room, dressed in his usual pale attire, the suit jacket draped over a chair back, and his signature coat hung up on the hook just pas the room's entrance. To describe how Tsuzuki was feeling as shock and surprise wouldn't do his feelings in this moment justice. He'd had been certain the man stood before him had died back in Kyoto, in the heat of Touda's black flames. "Please, there is no need to stand out here gaping so ungraciously like a goldfish taken from its home in the pond. Do come and sit with me? I know why you are here; I won't try to stop you. "The speaker's eyes held a hint of amusement, before he turned on his heel and went back into the room letting the door close behind him as he did so. Taking few minutes to compose himself the purple eyed man slowly followed the doctor into the room, finding himself surprised at what he saw. The young woman, who looks so full of life in her photograph, was lying unconscious on the hospital bed looking almost devoid of life. She was hooked up to various machines which the brunette didn't recognize or understand purpose of, but he assumed Muraki obviously would. After all he was a doctor and well known surgeon as he had learned during his mission aboard the Queen Camilla. It wasn't all this which was the most surprising to him however, what struck him as so strange was the gently almost loving way the white suited doctor was holding her hand as he stood next to the bed. His hand once again trailing fingers through her hair as he had been doing whilst waiting for the death guardian to come into the small room. The pale man lips were moving as in a silent offering of prayer and Tsuzuki couldn't help feeling oddly like he was intruding on a clearly private moment which he shouldn't be witness to. However he felt unable to move, standing still and watching as the question which had been bugging him since being handed the case file that morning finally clicked into place.

"It's here isn't it?" he asked keeping his voice quiet, but unsure if he would be heard, "Back then in Kyoto when you forced me to see that Noh play with you. You mentioned that somebody named Ukyou had turned you down or cancelled on you." At first the silvery blond did not respond, continuing with what ever he was doing, leading the shinigami to believe he hadn't been heard. He was about to repeat the question when the other turned to him, fixing him with his steely gaze with a pained sigh.

"You would be correct in that assumption. However she not just somebody, she is my fiancée and I would respectfully ask of you to remember that. I know I do not deserve it, but she is an innocent. She knows nothing of the things I have done… the crimes I have committed." A pregnant pause as he turned back to the woman's sleeping face, "Can you…. Can you promise me that she won't be punished for her love for me Tsuzuki-san? After all she has done nothing wrong. Nothing wrong at all. Except perhaps falling in love with me when we first met during our school years." The last words were spoken with softness that Tsuzuki was not accustomed to hearing in the doctor's words, making him dumfounded for a brief instant. Was it really possible that this was the same man who had pursued him for two years before driving him to attempt suicide all those months ago in Kyoto beneath the Shion University? He didn't know the answer to that question, but he felt a compulsion to answer the spoken one. At the end of the day the woman on the bed was not the one who had brutally murdered and assaulted his partner, it was not her fault that the sadistic doctor had done the things he had done. As such they should have no bearing on her judgement.

"I will talk with the chief on her behalf, upon my return to Meifu, but that is all I can do Muraki. If she is indeed an innocent soul as you claim there really is nothing for you to worry about, Enma Daioh will be fair in his judgement of that you can be certain." He didn't know what he could do, nor did he understand why he felt the strong urge to reassure this man. The same man whom had instilled nothing but fear in him for so long, that he had hated for his past actions, yet had secretly longed to hear his voice. Even if the blond delighted in mocking him with those pick up lines, it had been the first time since his sister's death he had honestly felt somebody wanted him around, had been made to feel wanted. Even if they were a quite likely insane, and certainly a murderer, he had felt wanted and until now he didn't realise he had missed that. It was a strange almost cathartic feeling. Oh now he was really glad Hisoka hadn't come into the hospital with him, he didn't think he could look him in the eyes when they joined back up to discuss he results of the investigation. These were not the feelings he should be having towards his nemesis! The silver eyed man responded with a simple nod and smiled a strained smile.

"Enma must indeed be merciful if he has sent you to be her guiding angel Tsuzuki-san; I've had plenty of time to say my good-byes but still…. I am not sure I'm ready." Pale hands gripped the bed sheets tightly, "There are so few people in this world that matter to me, I'm actually afraid? I'm more afraid of watching her die then I was in that black fire of yours…" a short pause, a slight bow of the head, the death god simply watched as solitary tear dropped from a silver eye, dampening the material beneath. "I've already undone the spell trapping her soul; I don't want to be here when you do…it. You wouldn't be so cruel as to make me watch would you?" the stricken man asked the other without looking up. Was that a slight tremor of fear or discomfort in the usually arrogant and confident voice? Or was he hearing things?

"No, as much as I'd want to make you hurt for all the things you've done. Using her is not how I would want to do it. Pray tell me one thing before you go and I promise to do everything in my power for her. There is something that I've wanted to know for a long time now." The guardian was still stood in the doorway, effectively blocking the room's only exit, keeping the doctor trapped with him for now. He waited for the other to respond as he straightened to his full height, retrieved his suit jacket and put it back on before giving a curt nod to show he would answer. Tsuzuki looked at the man before him, noticing all the little differences, this man before him had done many bad things but had always appeared to be in control. Even as he would delight in making him squirm with his suggestive advances, he was still the first and possibly would be the only one to offer him any form of romantic love. He wondered if this would be the last he would see of him when he let him walk out the door. "What I would like to know Muraki… is why you've always been able to see us even in spirit form. Most mortals don't know we exist, they are not supposed to know. Do you even know why yourself?" The sudden change of expression from the man in white indicated this had not been what he was expecting. As in response he glanced at the prone form of his fiancée one last time and sighed.

"I trained myself to be able to see spirits; my dear Ukyou however was born with the ability. She was my inspiration for learning magic, I wanted to help her and it seemed to be the only way. The boy would likely understand a little better then you perhaps, what it's like to be rejected for having an ability beyond your control. However I think you know just as well as I, how painful it is to be treated differently simply because you and I are different in how we look. For what it's worth I loved her, and she loved me… and I know I have to let her go now…Before I change my mind and decided I can't. Please Tsuzuki-san I know you are merciful, please just this once? Could you take pity on a lost soul like me?" The raw emotion in the other voice left the shinigami confused, unsure of himself and speechless. He'd never considered the once standing in front of him to be capable of such feelings, had no idea that he could have a gentle side to his personality. Hardly surprising when all of his interactions had left him privy to man's lusts and lunacy. Perhaps this woman, his fiancée, was part of why the man simply kept going and just seemed to refuse to die? He knew he'd given his word to let the other leave in return for answering his question, and he was bond by that word even if the answer had left him more questions. With a heavy heart he stepped aside and found himself handing the white trench coat to the grieving man, yes, it was an apt description. Muraki was indeed a lost soul; he'd thought that when they'd first met. The things the doctor had said made him seem far too idealistic for the harsh realities of a career in medicine, but this encounter had him wonder if he had judged too harshly? There was only going to be one way to find out, he needed to find a way to get the man to meet with him again, in secret.

"Eeeh…. Muraki-san?" he addressed the blond doctor as he was about to step through the door, who stopped in surprise at the use of the honorific.

"Yes Tsuzuki-san what is it?" he paused, curiosity peaked and wanting to know what the brunette wanted to say. Ignoring the inner voice telling him to leave before temptation to interfere won out again.

"I... I would like to…to know more about her, your fiancée and bout the two of you. Would you be prepared to let me? To tell me I mean…" he stumbled through his request, half mumbling the words until he was cut off by a finger lightly pressed against his lips.

"Naturally I would be delighted that you would take such an interest in my life, dear Tsuzuki-san but now is not the time. I need to grieve for Ukyou, and I'm sure the boy wouldn't really approve of the two of us having dinner dates just to discuss my past. However if you are indeed serious I'll give you my card, do give me a call and I'll make sure to get back to you. Now if you'll excuse me I have the unpleasant task of informing her remaining family." The shinigami took the small rectangle f card and placed it into one of the pockets of his trousers. Then simply watched the other leave the room, holding the door open as he watched his slowly retreating form. He sighed and ran a hand through his dark brown hair, he had a job to do and he to had his own unpleasant task ahead of him. A small, nervous sounding voice behind him caught his attention pulling him from his thoughts.

"Has Kazu-kun left?" the feminine voice came from the behind where he was standing and he turned in response to see the spirit of the unconscious woman standing by the window. Looking out to the hospital grounds, her back to her body on the bed.

"Yes, I'm sorry, but he's gone now. I'm here to guide you to the next place." He tried to keep his voice soft and gentle, she looked so fragile and he didn't want to cause her to be update or scared. The woman continued to stand by the windows simply staring outside as if watching something vitally important without moving at all. Looking effectively like a projected image of the comatose patient on the bed.

"You're Tsuzuki-kun right?" she asked finally turning around and smiling, "Kazu-kun told me about you while I was sleeping, and that you would take me to my next life and that I would be safe with you." She took a step towards him with the dainty graceful movement which reminded the brunette of a teen girl and not the woman in her thirties she was. "Please watch over him for me? I know he's difficult… and Mibu-san will probably be mad with him for a long time, he doesn't have many friends and I worry about him becoming lonely.", The guardian of death gave a polite nod, noticing that she seemed to be on the verge of tears as she continued, "I'm ready Tsuzuki-kun." She informed him in a quiet voice and held out her hand for him to take, with a slight hesitation that did not go un-noticed. Even in death any man's touch apart from Kazutaka's was frightening to her, but her Kazu-kun had told her she was safe with this man. This guardian of death, and she trusted the doctor, even now. She held onto Tsuzuki's trench coat tightly as he teleported them both to the land of Meifu. Both figures completely unseen by the hospital staff that had come running into the room in response to the flat line beep reported by the life support machine. Completely unaware of the exchange mere moments before as they tried in vain to revive her. Outside the building a man dressed in white looked over his shoulder at the medical building, his eyes searching for the room which once belonged to his betrothed. A feeling on his back of being watched from afar. Seeing nothing he turned away and tried to push the errant feeling away, along with the sudden emptiness in his heart. As he walked away he fished for his phone out of his pocket and called for his ever faithful manservant Sakaki to collect him. Finding a bench in a nearby park he watched the families passing by, and watched the leaves falling from the trees, letting his mind wander. Thinking back on the conversation he had had with his beloved shinigami. Hoping that the other's words had been sincere.