Tour Guide to the Underworld - Chapter 4: The deeper you fall

[yoru-no-hikaru.livejournal.com]

Pairing: KinKi Kids
Characters: to be revealed later
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Don't own the JE boys (duh!), but OCs are mine and I created the story
Setting: AU
Warnings: Creepy, language, light making out
Multi-Chapter


Intro: Koichi finds himself in the most impossible situations. Yet, even though he's scared and confused he can't find a way to stop and finds himself moving on into fields that are even more bothersome. Ryo in the meantime finds himself bothered as well. Tsuyoshi seems the least affected, but then, maybe his story weighs heavily on him too?


Note: Finally the long awaited update. :D Actually, I wonder if anyone is still waiting for it. ^^" It took me forever to finish and post - as I expected. I was so busy and drained as I got home, I barely ate before going to sleep. Training os over for now, though. Work will continue for me starting Wednesday and it's still tough, but at least the pressing information into my brain is over now. At nay rate, I hope you'll like this. Ah, btw, I know, again there's no sex-scene. Gomen. But for some reason I want the story to reach a certain point before getting to the details. ^_~ I hope you'll like it anway.




Koichi gripped his hair, biting his lip, as he looked upon the man lying in his bed. What on earth was he doing there? He was not only engaging with a criminal, he already had an intimate relationship with him. He’d lied for the man, which could turn out severely bad for him. With a sigh of frustration Koichi grabbed for a pack of cigarettes. He lit it with swift fingers and took a deep drag.
 


Fuck.
 


He’d stopped smoking about two months ago. The fact that he hadn’t disposed of the remaining cigarettes was basically due to carelessness. At that very moment he was happy, though, that he could supply himself. He got up, looking for an ash tray. Apparently, the noise woke the other.
“Smoking in the bedroom,” Tsuyoshi analysed. “You didn’t seem the type.”
“I’m not,” Koichi told him. “I stopped two months ago.” With that he took another drag and set the ash tray on his bed-side table.
 


“It seems you keep going back to things that you know are bad for you,” Tsuyoshi mused, inching closer and embracing Koichi from behind.
“You mean, I’m a masochist?” Koichi chuckled lightly.
“Well, you seem to revel in doing things that hurt you one way or another,” the other man mumbled, but his words blurred, distorted by Koichi’s skin between his lips as he tenderly caressed a willingly offered neck.
“Are you going to hurt me?” Koichi asked silently.
 


“Well,” Tsuyoshi mused, “if you want me to… I mean, I don’t have any experience in this field…”
“You know what I mean,” Koichi cut in.
Tsuyoshi sighed. “Give me one?” he requested and Kochi readily held out the package for him and lit a cigarette for the other.
For quite a while they were silent, just dragging on their cigarettes and exchanging fleeting caresses every now and then.
“I’m a hunter,” Tsuyoshi finally said evenly. “I steal what you want to keep in the circle of life.”
 


“Why?” Koichi asked.
“That’s a longer story,” Tsuyoshi told him. “And even if I told you, I don’t think you’d understand.”
“Try me,” Koichi dared him.
“Very well,” Tsuyoshi sighed.
He retreated from Koichi, lying down on his back and looking at the ceiling.
“It was a long time ago,” Tsuyoshi began, “I was working in the element regulation department.”
“Wow, that’s quite a job,” Koichi commented.
 


“It was a good job,” Tsuyoshi confirmed. “But then, one day, everything changed. I don’t think I can explain it well. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen a human die. It happens a lot. But that was different. There was that spirit. She had grown to be an old woman. She must have been in the circle for a while. I swear, if you’d been there, if you’d seen her, heard her… she was begging me. She was suffering, Koichi. Really bad. She said she didn’t want it any longer. I don’t know how long she’s been in the cycle, but it must have been a long time and she said she couldn’t take it anymore, starting over and over and then losing everything again in the end… She said she wanted to move on.”
 


“It will happen eventually,” Koichi argued.
Tsuyoshi, however, merely shook his head. “She was in tears, Koichi. Begging me to please help her and make it stop. And so I made a choice… I took her into myself and the moment we melted together I could feel that she was finally at ease.”
It was Koichi’s turn to shake his head. “You destroyed her. You can only unite with a spirit by bending it to fit you.”
“She was glad to do it,” Tsuyoshi opposed.
 


“And ever since then you’ve been `rescuing´ spirits from their dreadful fate?” Koichi laughed sarcastically.
“They suffer,” Tsuyoshi impressed on him. “Every time they die.”
“I guess it’s true,” Koichi sighed. “But still… every soul that you force into your body – it’s a creature that is lost to this level. Are you aware of that? Plus, not all of them feel this way. I dare say that quite a lot of them endure the life-circle quite happily.”
“They don’t know what they lack,” Tsuyoshi stated, putting his cigarette out.
 


“But you do?!” Koichi demanded. “How dare you force it on them?! I still don’t think it’s right if a spirit asks you to unite. But without the explicit wish…”
“They don’t have to suffer anymore,” Tsuyoshi tried yet again. “And they get to be a part of this creature that makes me.”
“That might well be, still…” Koichi cursed in frustration. “You cannot interfere with the circle of life like that. It’s just wrong.”
“According to your rules,” Tsuyoshi shrugged.
 


“That’s not… I’ve guided quite a lot of spirits myself. And I’ve seen a lot of them pass the transformation area. Maybe not all of them are happy, maybe some of them have to suffer too, but it’s all worth it in the end, because you can move on to the next level.”
“And maybe they’ll be just as lost there as on the lower one,” the other man pointed out. “Look at some of the people working here. They’re more like dwelling, waiting to move on to the next level, hoping that it’s gonna be better. I don’t know about it, but I really don’t think it’s gonna get any better. I really think you just keep moving on and it’s hard to move through all of that on your own.”
 


“I don’t know about any of that,” Koichi sighed out. He faced Tsuyoshi, looking sternly at him. “But I know one thing – I’d hate you, had you forced my spirit into your body.”
At that the other bit his lip. Silence spread between them again.
“Why did you want to save that kid today?” Koichi asked.
“I figured if she got some more time before she got to die… it would be better…”
“You mean easier to force her into you,” Koichi said bitingly, “because it’ll weaken her.”
“Obviously, her spirit is fighting the circle already.”
 


“It was a small mistake,” Koichi impressed on the other. “Things like that happen sometimes. That’s why we try to fix these things by getting the spirit out of the harmful body as quickly as possible.”
“What you are calling a small mistake here, is the suffering of a spirit,” Tsuyoshi demanded. “Sometimes it goes on for many years. How can that be any better than what I’m doing?”
“So, your main idea is to simply swallow up every soaring spirit?” Koichi asked. “And then? How do you suppose new spirits can be born? Do you think it’s better to end it all?”
“I,” Tsuyoshi stuttered, “no. I don’t know…”
 


Koichi sighed, sitting down on the bed again. “I hate watching them die,” he mumbled. “Especially when it’s a painful death. But then, I’ve seen spirits moving on to the next level and it’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever witnessed and just knowing that they can achieve it… it makes me think it’s worth everything.”
“What if it’s not?” Tsuyoshi asked silently.
“Then existence itself would be meaningless,” Koichi answered. “And I don’t like that thought.”
 


“Neither do I,” Tsuyoshi sighed. “But really… why do I exist?”
“Who knows?” Koichi shrugged. “But you know, I’ve met spirits that were dreadful too. But then, when I talked to them and brought them to the transformation area, they would be happy and looking forward to moving on.”
“Really?”
 


Koichi nodded. “Sometimes spirits get very disturbed over having died. It’s why we guide them – at least for a first time. Dying is not a pleasant process and the sensations can be very upsetting.”
“Maybe,” Tsuyoshi muttered.
“I know a lot about spirit transformation,” Koichi continued, “but I like to think that it means something in the end. Because I’m here and I’m happy about it.”
 


Tsuyoshi merely kept looking at him. Then he smiled gently.
“You’re an interesting guy, you know,” he said sympathetically.
“And you’re a very kind and emotional person,” Koichi mused. “For a hunter,” he added with a grin.
“Thanks,” Tsuyoshi laughed lightly.
“Ah, better get back to bed,” Koichi sighed. “I’ve gotta get up early tomorrow.”
“Right,” Tsuyoshi nodded. “But then,” he mused, his attitude changing clearly, “wouldn’t it be a waste?”
 


Koichi merely blinked at him.
“To let an opportunity like this simply pass by,” Tsuyoshi explained. “Since we’re both up – and we can’t know when we will meet each other again.”
“You mean when you’re gonna intrude again,” Koichi corrected the other but did not fight warm hands caressing his body lovingly.
 


“Mh, but you like it when I intrude,” Tsuyoshi murmured playfully, trailing soft kisses down Koichi’s neck.
Koichi chuckled, embracing the other to his body. “It’s nice,” he confirmed. “Much better than being here on my own.”
“In that case,” Tsuyoshi whispered to him, “I’ll intrude some more…”





_______________________________________________________________________________________





Tsuyoshi yawned as he opened the door to his shared apartment. It had been a short night. Not at all in a bad way – that collector had quite some fire. Yet he had to be careful about his room mate.
“Long night?”
Talk about...
Tsuyoshi screwed his eyes shut in despair. As he turned around to look at his hunting partner, he shot him the brightest smile he could manage.
“Jun-chi,” he said cheerfully, “you’re up already.”
 


“And you’re up still?” Okada asked sceptically. “Out all night hunting? You never made it that much of a point.”
“There are other things worth hunting than souls,” Tsuyoshi told him evenly.
“Oh?” Okada blinked. “Could it be... you’re cheating on me?”
“We’re not a couple, Jun,” Tsuyoshi sighed exasperatedly, “you’re just sleeping here, because that son of a bitch threw you out over night. You could at least try to find yourself a new apartment, though.”
 


“Why don’t you move in with your new pray and leave this one to me?” Okada suggested playfully.
“That one is not exactly for long-time play,” Tsuyoshi retorted.
“Ah,” Okada nodded. “Pain in the ass?” he analysed.
“You’re such a bothersome perv,” Tsuyoshi complained.
 


“Pretty?” Okada asked, seemingly unimpressed.
“Beautiful,” Tsuyoshi told him. “Really.”
“Hot?”
“Absolutely.”
“Slutty?”
“Yup.”
 


“If you don’t want him anymore, you can give me his number,” Okada joked. “That guy sounds like fun.”
“He’s... an attraction,” Tsuyoshi decided.
“So, are you going out hunting today,” Okada asked, “or will you stay in and recover your worn body?”
Tsuyoshi thought about that for a while.
“I think I’ll go out in the afternoon,” he then answered. “Some more sleep won’t hurt.”
 


“Just report back to Leader-san before you go out.”
Tsuyoshi blinked at him. “Why?”
“Everybody is out today,” Okada explained. “We’ve got to be careful. Since we’re a rather large group, if we attract too much attention, it’ll be bad for us.”
“I’ll check with him, then,” Tsuyoshi nodded. “Good night.”
“Good night.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 
Koichi bit his lip as he stood in front of his office. He was sure that Nishikido was already in – he was a bit late. But what to tell the boy? How to approach him. In addition to the fact that he knew exactly what Koichi had done, he seemed to have a general problem with homosexual relationships.


 
Tricky...
 


But then, Koichi knew a trick, or two, as well. With a determined face and bracing himself as best he could he opened the door to his office. Sure enough, Nishikido was sitting in there, reading in his book. The moment he saw Kochi he tensed, starting to shift around nervously.
“Good morning,” Koichi greeted him politely.
“M-morning,” Ryo answered, obviously surprised by Koichi’s attitude.
“So, how disturbed are you by all of this?” the older man asked directly.
“Pretty much,” Ryo answered truthfully, seemingly yet more uncomfortable.
 


“I see,” Koichi sighed. “Well, I have no patience, nor any will to discuss this with you. My private life is my own damn business.”
“When you’re hanging with criminals, that’s official business, though,” Ryo countered.
Koichi bit his lip. That little brat could indeed be nasty. Not to mention that Koichi felt very much creeped out by the fact that this little newbie could actually destroy his oh-so-neat life.
“Indeed,” Koichi retorted, shooting the younger a murderous glance. “Then how about this: You keep your sweet little mouth shut and I won’t take you down with me.”
 


At that Ryo tensed again. “What do you mean?” he asked warily.
“What I mean is, if you report me, you’re gonna suffer my fate as well. I know all the dirty little jobs that are dealt with by the newbies – because you won’t be checked.”
“I never did any of those things,” Ryo demanded ardently.
“And do you think your word alone will stand when I collect both my friends and my influence in this institution?” Koichi asked dismissively.
 


“So you want to do me in?” Ryo asked in disbelief.
“No,” Koichi answered. “So long as you don’t want to do me in, we’re fine.”
Ryo sighed. “I get it. I... I’m not gonna tell anyone.”
“Good boy. Now get ready for today’s schedule.”
 

Ryo didn’t even answer anymore, but seemingly fled the scene to get his stuff. Koichi sighed heavily once the boy was out the door, gripping his hair in desperation. He didn’t know how to handle this situation. What was more, he didn’t associate the things he kept doing with himself anymore. He had blackmailed that poor kid, threatening him. The boy must be terrified now. But what else to do? He couldn’t risk being reported. Not over some stupid little slip that he’d had. Twice... He sighed yet again. There was no denying it, that hunter was getting to him – and in a very bad way. Having sex was definitely nice, but he could have gotten that from a lot of people. He couldn’t put his finger on why exactly this man attracted him so – but he did.

 


He realised that this could easily turn out really bad for him, to the point where he might get dissolved together with the other. Once more, as he had many times ever since he’d had that talk with Tsuyoshi, he thought about the other man’s words again. Tsuyoshi was no power-hunter. Picking out souls that were caught in the circle of life, or letting the spirit rest in a body... He knew it was wrong. No soul would be left behind in the end, there was hope for everybody. And yet he thought that at least he understood how the other man had come to his attitude. He’d seen souls suffering too and it could be nasty. There were things that wouldn’t leave a soul, no matter the level. Even so it was unacceptable to violate the circle of life. Unacceptable.





_____________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 



Their drive was considerably quiet. Ryo kept shifting nervously and Koichi wanted to slap himself for intimidating the poor kid. Yet, taking his words back was not an option. While Ryo had not reported him immediately, there was no knowing when his conscience or anxiousness would catch up with him. It was still despicable. Koichi decided he had to htink of a way to make up for this mistreatment - not to mention that he could not see Tsuyoshi again. That man did htings to him he had no control over and his entire life seemed to slip through his fingers with his merely standing by and watching. Once they had arrived at their destination, Koichi tried to create a professional mood gain. However, as he opened the book to read about their mission, his eyes grew wide and a knot formed him in stomach. Ryo noticed that something must be off, but remained quiet, scared he might intrude into something that would cause him trouble again. The older man was merely staring at his book, seeming abit shocked. Just when Ryo was about to ask anyway Koichi turned to look at him. His eyes were dark and his gaze stinging.



“Evil spirit,” was all Koichi muttered, slapping his book shut again.
Ryo merely blinked looking after the other. He was, though, still wary about Koichi and thus didn’t dare ask him about the meaning of his statement. Then a thought hit him and he quickly grabbed for his book. He couldn’t find anything that said “evil spirit”, but then a chapter caught his attention.
 


“Karma,” he mumbled, flipping through his book to find the according section. “There are two types of energy that a spirit can collect – positive energy and negative energy. The spirit will be ale to grow with either type. However, negative energy weighs more heavily on a soul that has not absorbed it yet. Transforming can be very tricky and has a higher chance of failing. Spirits which have gathered a lot of negative energy are incomprehensible. Their behaviour can range from greedily eager to depressed and/or confused. It is believed that some spirits collect negative energy on purpose in order to grow faster. Oh, footnote…
 


Ah, negative energy is 80% connected to action set by the spirit, thus it’s easier to create it in bigger amounts. Oh, I understand. So it’s energy that generates from something that I do. Naturally I can gain more of that than of energy that is created when I receive something from others. Okay, back to the description.
 


There is yet no proof on such a thing, though. A well-balanced spirit receives 40% negative energy and 60% positive energy. To understand the categories, check the list below.” Ryo lowered his eyes. “Ah, here it is. Positive energy: Every action you set that will have positive consequences on the majority of souls that will be confronted with those consequences. Actions that are set by others which will have negative consequences for you. So if harm is being dealt to me I’ll get positive energy?” he asked in wonder.
 


“If it doesn’t kill you, it’ll only make you stronger.”
Ryo jumped at the voice behind him. He turned warily to see Koichi standing there, holding a little flask. He blinked for a second, then focused on Koichi again.
“Sorry, I…”
“It’s okay,” Koichi assured him. “I find it very appealing that you are so interested in everything you come across. I understand it might strike you as odd, but it really is as the saying goes. Negative experiences can have a very positive effect on you as a soul. You will learn a lot and thus grow. That’s why it’s gonna be positive energy in the end.”
 


“I see,” Ryo nodded. “Then, negative energy…”
“It’s the very counterpart,” Koichi explained. “Actions that you set that will be harmful for the majority of souls confronted with the consequences. That will give negative energy.”
“Yet, the book says an average of 40% negative is normal,” Ryo mused. “Are we really such bad creatures?”
 


“We’re not like them anymore,” Koichi reminded him, “but I understand what you mean. What you don’t understand, though, is that most of the time you won’t even be aware that you will cause harm to others. It can be the smallest thing that you’d never expect to have consequences at all. Those are the most dangerous in the first place.”
“Why is that?”
“Because such things won’t affect a lot of people. But think about it. If three out of five people suffer at the consequences, your energy level for it will be negative.”
 


“Oh,” Ryo made, nodding his head. “That makes sense.”
“I’ve witnessed many such things,” Koichi told him. “Like, one time I saw how a guy threw his cigarette into a trash bin. He hadn’t put it out, so it was still glowing. A young guy on the street saw it and picked the item up to drag on it a few more times. That was when the police came around the corner. It was a bit of a dodgy area, so they wanted to check him for drugs, obviously because he was smoking something. The guy panicked. I guess he was underage, or something. At any rate, he attacked one of the police men and broke one of his ribs. Later they arrested him and he got a trial.”
“Wow,” Ryo dragged out.
 


“All because that guy dropped a cigarette,” Koichi reminded the other. “Two people suffered at it. With the end of the trial the cigarette issue is naturally over, so no chance of creating positive consequences. It’ll go to your negative record.”
Ryo nodded once more in understanding. Then a thought hit him.
“Hey, can that… carry on in the life-line?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” Koichi asked back, frowning slightly in confusion.
 


“Well, let’s say,” Ryo suggested, “that guy who had to go to court – let’s say he changed because this happened to him.”
“He would naturally,” Koichi shrugged.
“So, does that mean that if he keeps doing bad stuff because of that one incident, the soul who created that first negative situation will be held responsible for that too?”
 


Koichi shook his head. “No. You mean, if he really gets to be a criminal, or a junkie? Only the immediate consequence of the action is taken into account. You have to take into account that this guy will be setting his own actions again and naturally the energy that emerges from that will become strong.”
“But then,” Ryo continued his thought, “if he gets to be a criminal, he will gather a lot of negative energy too, right?”
“It is true that negative energy multiplies more easily than positive energy,” Koichi agreed. “Yet, that has nothing to do with the original action anymore.”
 


“Okay,” Ryo muttered. “I think I got it now.”
“Good,” Koichi nodded. “Then can we go now? It’s not like I’m especially hot for the job, but if he lose this one, that might be very bad indeed.”
“Why did you say evil spirit?” Ryo asked, but climbed out of the car.
They started to walk side by side. Koichi bit his lip, his body tensing.
 


“I know the book says that there is no proof that spirits will gather negative energy purposefully and that their attitude will simply change with the consequences – but I’ve seen things. Bad things. And for a soul that only just ended its first life to have gathered so much negative energy… the mission sheet said 83%. And if the average spirit will reach about 40% without even realising it most of the time… what kind of soul do you think this will be?”
Ryo sunk his head, thinking about that. Then his eyes caught the flask once more.
“What is this?” he asked, pointing at the item.
 


“It’s supposed to keep us save – just in case,” Koichi explained. “Most likely it’s not gonna be dangerous, or even difficult. No matter the reason the negative energy is so high. Most of the spirits come willingly.”
“But not all of them,” Ryo concluded, starting to feel nervous. “But then, how is this gonna work?”
Koichi grinned at that. “Ever saw Dragon Ball?” he asked playfully.
“Yeah,” Ryo answered awkwardly.
 


“This is a very recent device,” Koichi explained, holding the item up. “Something Tomo suggested. He read about it in the comic book and found it a very useful idea. Later an according summoning was created.”
“You mean,” Ryo asked warily, “you can actually catch a soul in this?”
“Yup,” Koichi answered. “It’s not really all that difficult. Maybe I can show you,” he joked.
“Don’t say such things,” Ryo mumbled, feeling scared.
 


Suddenly Koichi stopped in his tracks and looked at the younger man. “It’s okay, Ryo, really. There’s no need to be afraid. I’m good with this. And I’ll protect you, no matter what. You’re in my care and I won’t let any harm be dealt to you, that’s a promise.”
Unexpectedly, the warm and safe feeling Ryo used to have around Koichi came back to him. Even though Koichi still had to fear that he might report something, Koichi still took good care of him. He smiled slightly, feeling relieved for the first time that day. Koichi smiled back at him and gave him a small nod.
“Shall we now?”
“Okay.”


__________________________________________________________________________________________


Okay, done for now. :D Oh dear, Koichi keeps getting himself into trouble. ^^" How is that gonna turn out, I wonder? Well, up to this point, I hope you liked it. Please wait for the next chapter. ^_^  And pardon the style, it seems I'm having formating problems. @_@ I hope you enjoyed this none the less. ^^ Be back soon. *waves*