Okay! I am really sorry that I am a gawd awful git! XD I've kept you guys waiting soooooo freakin' long so here's something! My computer has been giving me a lot of trouble. Sorry I haven't replied to your PM, Rin XD

Oh yeah…and to those of you losers who think I'm making Hisoka OoC (I wont say who XD) Shush! I figure, the stuff he's going through would make him act the way I'm writing him. So there!

Yay! Its…-stares at paper- CHAPTER 12! XDDDD Yay! Okay! Now I shall shut up and begin.

Muraki folded his arms and examined his "doll". Hisoka seemed to still be in his control but he was intrigued (and dare he say, a bit worried) by his recent behavior. He couldn't allow that to happen. This could be a turning point and cause him to lose once again and he hadn't even gotten the power he'd needed from Ayumi yet. Worry quickly left his mind though. A smile came across his face as he closed his eyes calmly.

"Are you sure…?"

Hisoka looked over at him and nodded.

"Prove it to me, then…" He continued.

He saw him look quizzically and then answered, "Kill him... It should be no problem, correct?"

"Of course…It would be my pleasure" Hisoka nodded once more and gave an evil smirk to match Muraki's own.

Tsuzuki's eyes widened slightly and he stepped back a pace. He couldn't understand what exactly was going on. Tsuzuki shook his head and Hisoka walked closer.

'I know he's in there but… how can I reach him…?'

He couldn't have just imagined what he'd seen earlier. The look on the face of Hisoka was so much different than how it was right now. Tsuzuki knew the Hisoka he knew wasn't completely lost. However, he hadn't a clue of anything he could do that would cause harm to his partner. He just wished there was some way to free him…

"Ready to die, Tsuzuki?" Hisoka spoke in a dark tone.

Tsuzuki's voice was serious, "Hisoka…You don't have to do this! Muraki's manipulated you!"

Hisoka just laughed and ignored his statement.

Tsuzuki glared, "Listen to me!"

"Hmph…I don't need to listen to you!" Hisoka yelled.

He raised a hand as a white surrounded it. Tsuzuki gasped as he felt his arms and legs lock up as the energy threw his up against the remainder of wall behind him. He let out a grunt. He kept trying to break free but it was as if his arms and legs were chained. Hisoka's head was splitting. He could feel the real Hisoka starting to get control again.

"Kill him…" Muraki would say.

Hisoka gave a small nod. He knew that is what he would do. However, for some reason he would keep hesitating. Every time he would hear Muraki mouth those words something told him to defy them. It told him not to kill Tsuzuki. Could it really have been the real Hisoka trying to break free? He knew it was. He set a hand on the side of his head and shook it; trying to clear his head. It seemed to work and he looked back at Tsuzuki, smiling that same evil smile. He began to speak.

"He's lost Tsuzuki…I'm the only Hisoka left. He'll never break free…"

"I'm not falling for that again. You're not Hisoka…You're nothing like the one I know!" Tsuzuki glared.

"That may be true…but he's not breaking free…ever" Hisoka replied.

Tsuzuki allowed a smirk across his face, "You don't seem so sure of yourself now, do you?"

Hisoka's eyes widened for a change.

"Hisoka was much stronger and smarter than you…" the amethyst eyed shinigami continued; angering this Hisoka with his words.

He violently slapped him across the face, forcing Tsuzuki's head to turn to the right. After a moment or two, he got over the sting and faced him again. He was receiving the coldest, death stare he'd ever gotten. But, that was okay, Tsuzuki thought. He was finally able to get over the thought of his Hisoka being lost forever. That gleam of emotion he'd seen in his partner earlier showed him that. He brought him back for a second so he knew it wasn't impossible. He was so close…or so he thought. Hisoka's evil laughter hit his ears and his face turned serious.

"I see what you're doing…" He said and the brought his face closer to his, "And it's not going to work!" He walked away, turning his back to him, "I must admit, you're much cleverer than I gave you credit for…But…" He turned and looked at him, "Enough small talk…"

Hisoka closed his eyes and began speaking an incantation. His hands moved into different positions as he spoke and different colored smoky energy surrounded him. His aura became a mixture of both red and black. As Hisoka did this, Tsuzuki kept attempting to break free. The harder he tried, it seemed the tighter the hold became.

"Damn it! No good!" Tsuzuki yelled as he searched his thoughts for something that could help him but nothing came. He was stuck and he forbade any thoughts of summoning a shiki. He remembered what happened last time; In order to save him, Suzaku had killed the one causing him pain. He wouldn't be able to bear it if he'd killed Hisoka. He didn't have any other ideas. His only hope was getting Hisoka to come to his senses.

Hisoka opened his eyes and now in hand he had what looked like an archer's bow and arrow made completely of red and black energy.

"This is the end, Tsuzuki…

Darkness was everywhere. It would not give off even a gleam of light. A perfect backdrop for his mood, Hisoka thought. He told himself that he wouldn't give up, that he would keep moving forward. But now, he just didn't see how that was possible when things looked as grim as they did. The maze was gone. Image Hisoka was gone. He was all alone and not even his thoughts would keep him company. He never thought he would lose his mind quite so literally. Hisoka never thought he would let it happen but it would appear that Muraki had finally won.

"Yes…That's it…Give in…I am your master…" The voice seemed to echo throughout the darkness.

It was a voice that Hisoka knew all too well. It scared him even more seeing as he couldn't see the owner. He began to run once more. As much as his legs hurt, he wanted to get away. The voice continued to speak throughout his mind and no matter how far he ran, the tone remained the same. Hisoka lifted a hand and clutched his head.

"Agh…Muraki! Get out of my head!" He yelled and he continued running.

He came to an abrupt halt as he rammed into something; a person. He felt a cold hand grab his wrist violently; sharp nails digging into his flesh. He winced at the pain and then looked upward to see he was facing Muraki. His evil smile widened.

"Well, well, kid. I've finally won and I owe it all to you!" Muraki laughed.

Hisoka just glared and tried to pull away from his grip "Let me go!"

Muraki leaned his face toward Hisoka's until his was only about a few inches away, "What did you think? Did you actually believe that you would find your way out of that maze and be able to save Mr. Tsuzuki all by yourself for a change?"

Hisoka could barely see but he could feel the look he was receiving from the evil doctor and it sent chills down his spine. His words stung and they just made him feel worse than he had before. He had to focus, though. He had to get away from him.

"Even if you had succeeded…" He raised him in the air by his wrist, "…I'd never allow you happiness with him…" He then threw him across the darkened floor.

Hisoka massaged his wrist and tried to catch his breath. This whole ordeal was really taking a toll on him. He began to stand up; this was his chance to escape. He began to run once more. He wouldn't let Muraki win. He couldn't! But again he halted, his eyes widened as another Muraki appeared. He went to another direction and another and then another and then another. It continued until he found himself cornered as they circled around him and he had nowhere to run.

"Afraid…"

Hisoka clutched his head and lowered his face.

"You're afraid..."

He dropped his hands to his sides and tightened them.

"You're afraid of me…"

...Just go away… Hisoka thought to himself.

"Your fear controls you…You will submit to me…"

Hisoka thought he would finally give up but then an image of Tsuzuki came to him; a bunch. It felt as though his life was flashing before his eyes. He remembered Tsuzuki smile. He remembered how much he cared about him and all Tsuzuki had done for him. No one had ever affected him the way he had. He couldn't let that go. He was afraid but he realized that it wasn't for his own safety. Tsuzuki…

"NO!" Hisoka yelled; his head still lowered. He then raised his head quickly with narrowed eyes; no tears, "NO! I'll never allow you to win! I…am afraid but not for myself and not of you. I'm afraid for Tsuzuki and there's nothing in the world that would stop me from saving him! I'm not afraid of you anymore, Muraki…"

Muraki's smile fell and all the images of him seemed to break like glass before him. They all shattered into pieces. The darkness began to fade away. Light filled the room and soon…

Hisoka had paused. He looked almost like he was empty inside. Muraki was confused by this and his eyes narrowed.

"What are you waiting for? Finish him off…" Muraki commanded.

Hisoka seemed to get back, "Right! Ah…" He grabbed his head. He knew he couldn't shake it away anymore. He let go of his weapon and it disappeared. He whispered, "Hisoka…you can't break free! I'm in control! I'm in control!"

Tsuzuki felt the binding around his arms and legs disappear. He landed on one knee and looked up to see what was going on with Hisoka.

"Hisoka?" He questioned.

"Kill him!" was Muraki's order.

"NO! I WON'T!" His reply shocked everyone, especially Muraki. Hisoka had finally regained control.

Tsuzuki's eyes widened with shock and happiness at the same time, "Hisoka…"

Hisoka lifted his head and opened his eyes. The eyes that showed every gleam of emotion that Tsuzuki knew so well. It showed him that he finally was back.

Hisoka frowned as he looked at Tsuzuki. He couldn't believe that he had almost killed him. Tsuzuki smiled for him in relief. After everything, Hisoka felt so tired. He knew he couldn't stand anymore. The ordeal left him feeling so weak, "Tsuzuki…" He managed before he collapsed. Tsuzuki eyes widened again and he reached to catch him before he hit the ground.

"I'm…sorry…Tsuzuki…" He said as he laid there.

Hisoka knew he could never describe how hard it was to finally get free of Muraki's control. All he could do was apologizing. He felt Tsuzuki squeeze him tightly and show a hint of a sob as he spoke, "Welcome back, Hisoka…"

He knew the moment would be short lived and that there still was Muraki to deal with but Hisoka was back. Much danger was still around the corner but at least now Tsuzuki's day was a bit brighter.

Okay! I suck! XD YAY! Chapter 12 is done! I'm really sorry that I've been taking ages. But I hope you liked this and know I am continuing it so I don't want to make you think I'm not. Life's just been crazy! Forgive me XD I'll write chapter 13 soon!