Warning: Bits and pieces of angst, maybe a little graphic romance and violence later on. Shounen-ai.

Pairing: Tsuzuki x Hijiri x Hisoka, mainly Tsuzuki x Hijiri

Disclaimer: All the pretty boys are solely the exclusive property of Yoko Matsushita, as is some of the dialogue. I am just a lowly pervert with too much free time.

A/N: This starts at the end of book two, and continues after it. AU. I actually have already finished the entire story (writing it) and just have to do a bit of major editing as I put it from paper to pixels. I hope you enjoy this!

An Amythest and Two Emeralds

Chapter One

Good-bye: Part One

"You're not going to see me off?" I stood behind Tsuzuki as the Shinigami stared into the placid lake. The water reflected the cherry trees; unnatural pink blossoms laden on each branch, and it reflected us too; human and spirit respectively.

"H-how can I? I... I can't face you... knowing how I tried to... kill you..."

He may have been avoiding a direct confrontation, refusing to turn around, but I sought the eyes of his reflection; his amethyst eyes that always brimmed with emotion. However, they were not filled with his usual enthusiasm, instead being two deep pools of purple sorrow.

"Tsuzuki-" What was I to say? Everything I thought of seemed inadequate. Each word I recalled, I had used too many times before; each utterance had weathered away at it, until the word meant nothing and was only a sound, existing for a few seconds time before it was gone. No, I couldn't speak, so I moved, sliding my arms around the thin waist before me. I embraced Tsuzuki tightly, with the hope that I could stay here, with him, and like this for eternity, but with the knowledge that it was impossible.

"Hijiri... Why? I broke my promise, I couldn't protect you!" Weakly he attempted to escape my hold, but surrendered when I clasped my fingers; locking him within.

"Remember what I told you? I love you."

"You can't mean that! What I did was-"

"Enough." How could he not understand! "It's the past, it doesn't matter. You should live for yourself, not for the things that have been and gone! I love you, the you of the present, and I don't care what the Tsuzuki of the past did. It doesn't change what I feel."

When I had finished my speech, Tsuzuki finally met my gaze, turning in my embrace as his own arms gently enveloped me. I held his gaze, waiting for a response as I forgot I needed to breathe for a moment. As I tried to nonchalantly gasp for air, he lowered his lips to softly brush against mine.

"Thank you, Hijiri."

Silence. I didn't want this to end; knowing it would brought tears pooling in my eyes, but I wouldn't let them escape. I would grow strong, for everyone, especially Tsuzuki.

"I'm going to miss you... You'll come to my concert, right? I promise to play well, for you... and..." The flood was released, I couldn't stop it.

"You have to get going."

I nodded, trying to hide my tears from Tsuzuki. I pressed a final, damp kiss to his cheek, then walked quickly away. I couldn't look back. Looking turned to longing, and I knew I wasn't strong enough, yet.

To be continued...

A/N: I just realized that the chapters in this are very short. Because of this, I'll try to put them up closely together. Reviewing makes me stick to my promises, and not torture readers by taking a 'vacation'.