A/N: This is going to be my first attempt at writing a story with actual plot progression, so please do let me know how I'm doing! This will have spoilers for up to the Kyoto arc only (I think). Enjoy!

A Staircase in the Darkness

Prologue

The door shut with a heavy thud, followed by that characteristic click. Tatsumi's eyes lingered on it for only a brief moment before they slid down to eye the manila folder that had just been deposited on his desk. It looked innocent enough, for all of the nervousness and awkward reluctance Hisoka had left it there with. It was enough that one would think he had been handing off his personal diary, or something of equal privacy, not a simple report on fieldwork.

His hand twitched a little, vaguely in the direction of said folder. No, newly filed reports went to the end of the pile, to be processed once the older ones were out of the way. That's how business worked in Juuouchou, just as it must in any orderly office. Yes, order was a necessary part of the work place. Regardless of this personal mantra of his, the secretary's hand had reached the folder and quickly flicked it open before he stopped himself, eyes seemingly impassive as they scanned the paper within. Everything else about his work, his office, and his desk was in perfect order, after all. It could hardly cause great harm simply to take a quick glance at the report in advance, after all. Just to review it for errors or omissions, naturally.

It had nothing to do with the massive change in atmosphere between the two partners since returning from the case detailed in the file (and he quietly hoped it would be excruciatingly detailed … but for business reasons only, of course). He had seen the signs himself, and heard rumors of even more unusual occurrences. This case was the only possible explanation, and something was definitely up with it. For one thing, Hisoka had turned in the paperwork on the last day that it could possibly still be considered on time, something almost unthinkably inconsistent with his previously displayed work ethic. His behavior as he handed it over only added to the mystery.

Attention now firmly fixed on the paper in question, Tatsumi quickly scanned the cleanly written words, turning the page only to find the opposite side blank. The case had not been brief, nor had it been simple, and yet he had written so much less than his usual standard? The secretary glared at the offending sheet, mind turning. Well, perhaps even the little he had written would provide insight into whatever had happened.

Case 2-137-12, Fieldwork Report

Employees deployed: Tsuzuki Asato, Kurosaki Hisoka

Date arrived on sight: 3/12/99

Date returned: 3/19/99

Location: Fukuoka City, Kyuushuu region

Cause for investigation: Several souls not yet scheduled to die showed up in Meifu, as a result of a series of apparent suicides occurring across Fukuoka. Suspiciously occult-esque similarities were found between the suicides, and so the Shoukan division was called in.

Case status: Closed

Summary of the case: Upon investigation of the deceased's living quarters, several similarities not at first apparent came to light. For one, each victim seemed to have a passion for music. Most notably, however, they all had similar CDs of recorded piano music within their stereo systems, all created by the same man. We first investigated this man, Adrian Mann, a half-German who had spent the last few years of his life in Fukuoka. At the time, though, we deemed him not to be a suspect.

Continuing to look into the similarities between victims, we ran through a series of other suspicious parties. (Here, something has been erased and written over. It's now sadly illegible.) Over time, it became apparent that none of the leads were taking the case any further. After discussing it with my partner (the word "discussing" is rather disjointed, muddled by the remains of previous words that appear to have been furiously erased and written atop of), I returned to Adrian Mann's apartment, where I discovered key articles of evidence suggesting his guilt. However, he also turned out to hold spiritual ability, and discovered my intrusion, despite that I had taken the precaution of going while in spirit form. He was unable to properly wield said ability, and after a relatively harmless encounter, we were able to apprehend the suspect. As such, this case has been closed and there should be no more casualties.

Signature of employee filing report: Kurosaki Hisoka

Tatsumi's eyebrow twitched as he placed the paper back down, the quiet thud of the manila folder closing around it again both emphatic and laced with disappointment. Not only did the report fail to explain what had happened between the partners, it was filled with obvious gaps that made the summary nothing short of illogical. Frankly, it answered fewer questions than it opened up. No wonder Kurosaki-kun was so nervous about handing this in, he thought, exasperated. I should really request a re-write of this, or write him up for omitting potentially important information.

Of course, the secretary had merely been reviewing the file. It hadn't even been processed yet, he reminded himself, nor had the Chief seen it. And besides, he could already acknowledge that he would not be doing either of those things. He had an unfortunate habit of respecting someone's privacy once he considered them a friend.

Of course, this also sadly meant that Tsuzuki's report would be his last chance to reach an understanding of the bizarre shift, and hopefully actually understand their case. He sighed, turning to file the folder into its proper place.