Fuda #40 [video]

[idealism]

[Tsuzuki has wanted to avoid making this video, but he doesn't see any other way. During the weeks since Hisoka came back from his abduction, he simply hasn't fared well. He's even gotten worse, which made no sense. Now that it's gotten to the point where he can't leave the house any more, he's quickly running out of options.]

This might sound like an odd request, but... I know we have several healers in town. Who are the strongest ones?


[He looks over his shoulder to make sure Hisoka is nowhere around.]

....I suppose doctors could work, as well. The bottom line is, I need help.

Comments

[idealism]

[To think that there was a time when Hisoka would have slapped that hand away. Tsuzuki lets the strange little comfort happen, brushing Hisoka's cheek with his thumb.]

No, everything is fine. Besides, I don't want you to be alone right now.

[cynicism]

[His eyes close longer than necessary to blink, but force themselves back open with visible effort.]

You shouldn't. ..Worry about that. I've done this before. I know how to handle it.

[idealism]

I know. You're not helpless.

[He moves close enough to support Hisoka's elbow instead of touching his face. That slow blink is one of the first signs that they need to take it easier.]

C'mon, there's no need to stand when we have the couch right here.

[cynicism]

...But I just got up. I need to stay up..

[But it's easy to urge him in another direction.]

[idealism]

You're still up, you'll just be sitting.

[Tsuzuki ends up gently coaxing him to the couch. Once he sits, Tsuzuki comes to cuddle up next to him, carrying his journal.]

Want to check the network with me?

[cynicism]

...okay.

[He leans on Tsuzuki's shoulder, training his eyes down on the book in their laps.]

What day is it?

[idealism]

[That's good. He opens the book so it lies on both their laps, making it easier to read. Tsuzuki is a sap for things like this, so he wraps an arm around Hisoka's shoulders to keep him warm.]

It's sunday. We're in the middle of february, so it's new year back home.

[cynicism]

Oh.. I thought it was still Wednesday. [That's. Upsetting.]

[idealism]

You've been really tired lately, so it's no wonder that you forget.

...Is everything alright?

[cynicism]

[He lets out a long, exhausted sigh.]

...Tsuzuki, I think we need to talk about what's happening. It's not going to go away.

[idealism]

Okay. I'm here.

[He takes Hisoka's hand, quietly offering support. The sooner they talk about this, the better.]

[cynicism]

[He squeezes the offered hand.]

Say I don't make it through this. I might be able to see what branch of meifu reaches this far. I'll have a week until I have to come back.

[idealism]

[His heart hammers, bordering on painful. He doesn't want to talk about this.]

Why do you say that? You don't think you'll... die, do you?

[cynicism]

[He gives Tsuzuki a long stare, bleary eyes trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. He's lost weight, skin a sickly yellowish color, dark circles growing under his eyes.]

I think we need to talk about what happens if this doesn't get better.

[idealism]

[He ducks his head like a kid. It's been impossible not to notice how Hisoka's been wasting away, and he was skinny to begin with. But it's also been something he's determined not to comment on. Until now, that is. He squeezes Hisoka's hand.]

It sounds like you've thought about it for a while.

[cynicism]

I don't have a lot else to do these days.

[idealism]

[Ouch. He pulls Hisoka hand up, so he can give his knuckles a small kiss. It's just to show that he's there for him, that he understands that particular feeling.]

....Maybe you get sent home instead of to the other place. Have you thought about that?

[cynicism]

If that was the case, why hasn't anyone mentioned that before?

Don't you see, Tsuzuki? This could be our chance. If I cross into the underworld, Meifu's so close.

[idealism]

No shinigami has died here before. That may be why.

[He looks thoughtful, trying not to think too closely on the fact that Hisoka will die.]

Then what? How will you contact them?

[cynicism]

Don't know. I don't know what kind of resources will be available.

[idealism]

If you're able to find rice paper there, do you think you'd be able to use ofuda spells?

[cynicism]

I think I can try.

Can you teach me how to make your messenger birds?

[idealism]

There's only one way to find out.

I think you'll be able to make them just fine.

[cynicism]

[He nods once, ultimately slumping against Tsuzuki's body for his effort.]

Yeah.. Just.. Show me now? ...I'll practice it later, I think...

[idealism]

[He doesn't want Hisoka to die. It's terrible that he's suffering and that there's nothing he can do to help him. If he could, and it would help him, he would have taken on the curse himself.

But since he can't, Tsuzuki strokes his wing tenderly.]

Sure. It's not so hard as long as you remember the combination of words.