Author's Notes: A very brief piece written for a personal project in my blog (to write something with a semi-alphabetical theme; Title and Artist of the song I was listening to when I began it both begin with a certain letter).

I normally only write Kurikara and Hisoka stuff for Yami no Matsuei, so this is a departure for me. Very short, very concise, it's not meant to be a particularly in-depth piece; just a little glimpse of how Suzaku thinks of her master. This is an expanded version from the journal orginal, but it's still, very very short.

This reads best if one is up to volume 11 or beyond in the manga, because the shikigami feature so heavily.

Disclaimer: Yami no Matsuei is property of Matsushita Yoko. There is no intention of profit from this work, as it for entertainment only.

C- Certain
Starting Song- Changin' My Life - Myself
Series- Yami no Matsuei (Matsushita Yoko)
Comments- welcome but not necessary
Status- one-shot, complete

Souryu once asked her why she was so attached to Tsuzuki. She sputtered a little, unable to put it into words. She leaned against the railing of the bridge, her hands flapping helplessly and her mouth gaping.

When he gave her an insufferable, smug smile, she snapped at him, "Well, why do you put up with him?"

"Because he's our Master." He had his hands folded into his gargantuan blue-trimmed sleeves, and his head tilted up arrogantly so he looked down his regal nose at her.

Suzaku snorted and folded her arms over her breasts. "And why did you become his? Why did you let him pass your test?" she demanded.

He had no answer for that, and instead fell to thinking with a small frown on his face. She smirked triumphantly.

Still, Souryu's question made her think. Why was she so attached to Tsuzuki? It wasn't merely because the shinigami had passed her test and become her master. There was more feeling to it than that.

All she knew was that when she saw him, she was glad, and when he was happy, she was happy. When he was happy with her, she was ecstatic. And when Tsuzuki was sad, she wanted to comfort him, and when he was hurt, she wanted to rend whomever made him cry limb from limb.

She liked Hisoka because he did, even though she was sure they never would have gotten along otherwise. Hisoka was too wrapped up in being a tough guy, to make up for being stuck in a teenager's body, and she hated that. Well, maybe they would have gotten along. He was pleasant enough kid when he forgot to be surly. Hisoka was like Kuri-chan that way. So maybe it wasn't all Tsuzuki.

Suzaku turned and rested her hands on the railing, staring into the distance. Tsuzuki changed things, changed people. She was even starting to tolerate Touda because he'd asked. And Touda was one of the people she'd rather tear to pieces than tolerate. Again, because of Tsuzuki.

So she wasn't sure why she was so attached to him, not in words. But she could feel it. The words might refuse to come, but she was certain that the love was there nonetheless.