Here you are. A new chapter.

Summary: And she's chosen where to be, though she's lost her wedding ring—somewhere near her misplaced jar of bougainvillea seeds.


It was a mild, cloudy morning. The air smelled like rain, but he doubted a drop would fall. He had put on his best suit that day, a simple one that consisted of black trousers, starched and stiff white shirt, and a dark grey vest that was a bit too big for him. His black dress shoes were half-buried in the sand.

Black cars and people dressed to match them lined the sidewalks, entering the chapel that faced the ocean. Some had umbrellas opened and held above their heads. They, too, were black. The whole day seemed to be black. The clouds were swiftly turning a jet color, and the sea looked as if it were made of ink.

He shivered and stared at his glossy, black shoes. He'd argued about this day with himself since she died. Should he go to her funeral? Schneizel was going to be there. He couldn't afford to be seen or recognized. But he wanted to say goodbye. Suvi had left everything to him, knowing exactly who he was and what he had done. She hadn't given a damn about where he came from. She gave him a place to live and someone to talk to for as long as she was able. He couldn't let them bury her without seeing her one last time.

Ocean wind whipping at his clothes and hair, he started the walk to the chapel.


"It looks like rain."

Suzaku nodded. Nunnally sat beside him in the limousine, hands folded in her lap and eyes cast toward the sky. It was an angry, swirling grey, and thunder rumbled in the distance.

Schneizel sat across from them. He was silent, his attention turned to the booklet in his hands. It was the same booklet Nunnally had shown him before they left. Once again, those smiling blue eyes gazed at him from behind stylish glasses, almost like they were teasing him.

Both Nunnally and Schneizel had dressed in black for the ceremony. Suzaku even wore a black Zero's uniform; one that he'd had made specifically for occasions like this. As they grew closer to the chapel (which was more like a small cathedral), he saw several people dressed as they were, milling about the small courtyard before disappearing into the large oak doors. He stepped out of the car and helped Nunnally into her wheelchair. They were escorted into the church and seated in one of the balconies inside the service room.

What seemed to be hundreds of people had come to say farewell to Suvi Linninkavi, the renowned and accomplished composer and, from what he'd read, Good Samaritan. That morning he'd done some research. She'd founded and done charity work for several different orphanages, helping children all over the world. Most of them had been in countries Brittania had ravaged through conquest. Finland itself had never been pinpointed by Brittania. Why waste money and war effort attempting to invade a country that wouldn't be of any use?

They sat and waited for the rest of the mourners to gather in the ceremony hall. A priest, a Catholic priest by the looks of his robes, stood at the altar, an open Bible in his hand. The crowds in the pews grew silent instantly. At the foot of the podium he stood at, Suzaku could see a black and gold coffin surrounded by flowers and picture frames. In it lay Suvi Linninkavi, dressed all in black and white, hands folded below her breast. He couldn't see her face; he was too far away.

The priest, Father Pekka, began reading excerpts from the holy book in his hands. After each passage, he explained his reason for choosing that particular section, be it to tell of Suvi's kindness towards the children in all the orphanages, or the musical prodigy she had been since her early childhood. Suzaku himself didn't believe in the Bible or anything it said, but he listened nonetheless. He supposed it was out of respect for Suvi's memory.

After nearly an hour, Father Pekka closed the Bible and placed it on his podium. He clasped his hands and requested that they bow their heads in prayer. Suzaku saw both Nunnally and Schneizel close their eyes and turn their faces to the floor. He bent his head, but kept his eyes open.

"Our Father in Heaven, we ask you to receive this beloved soul with open arms and welcome her into your golden kingdom. She was cherished and loved by many, and has impacted lives of countless children and adults alike. Suvi will never be forgotten by those of us who have gathered here to say our final goodbyes. She and her giving ways will live on in our hearts and in our memories for as long as we live. In the name of your son, we pray to you."

A collective "Amen" echoed throughout the chapel. Suzaku lifted his head and saw that people were standing and beginning to move towards the coffin. Nunnally's hand came to rest on his and he took that a sign to stand. Taking the handles of her wheelchair, he followed Schneizel from the balcony to stand in the line of people leading up to the coffin. He had been told many other famous musicians had come to pay their respects. He saw a famous Japanese violinist and a harpist he'd seen in concert himself once, when he was very young.

When it was their turn to pass the coffin, Nunnally's eyes peered over the edge to look at the woman inside. "She was so pretty," she murmured, her head leaning to Suzaku. "Wasn't she a pretty woman?"

He nodded. Her long hair was settled around her shoulders as if she had just lain down to sleep. Her skin was dull and faded in death, but he guessed in life that it had been a lovely golden-tan color. On her face was a content, peaceful smile, her eyes delicately closed. He wondered if she'd died with that expression, or if it was just the work of some talented mortician.

When their turn was up, Suzaku wheeled Nunnally to the other side of the church to join Schneizel. While they talked, Suzaku's mind drifted. He could hear the chatter of other people around him, talking about the service or admiring the floral arrangements.

"Do you like the display, Mika?"

His ears perked at that. Suvi had left all of her estate to a boy named Mika Karppainen. He wondered if it was the same Mika.

"Yes. It's very beautiful. She looks like she's only sleeping."

He knew that voice. Oh, god, he knew that voice.

"Kiitos, Father Pekka."

"It was my pleasure, Mika."

Suzaku turned around to catch a glimpse of him, but Mika was already gone and he only saw the Father standing beside Suvi's coffin, shaking hands with someone.

A chilling feeling crept of from his stomach to his chest, as if someone had cut him open and poured ice water on his insides. He tried to shake the sensation and return his attention to Nunnally's hand tugging on his sleeve.


"Suzaku, come look!"

Nunnally's eyes fell on the basket that rested sat atop her nightstand. Suzaku, mask-less and beginning to relax, sat next to her on her bed.

"It's a candy basket," she said excitedly, placing it in her lap to tear the cellophane from the wicker basket of sweets. Suzaku looked at the card.

I had Kanon go out to the shoppes to gather some native sweets. I thought you would enjoy them.

-Schneizel

"Try them with me." Nunnally unwrapped what looked like a thin stick of pure chocolate. There was another that contained hazelnuts, which she handed to Suzaku.

They continued to rummage through the basket, not sampling everything but looking at the different varieties they were brought. There was a clear bag with a note on it that said "Especially delicious" in Schneizel's handwriting. Suzaku brought it closer to his eyes.

"Salmiakki," he read. The candies inside looked like little fish-shaped chocolates. Nunnally tilted her head.

"Let's try those next."

"Okay." Suzaku ripped the bag open and put one of the treats in Nunnally's outstretched hand. If they had only stopped to sniff the candy first, it would have saved them quite a bit of misery.

The second Suzaku put the candy fish in his mouth, his stomach heaved and he gagged, spitting it right back into his hand. The taste that lingered on his tongue was enough to make him gag again, and again. Nunnally spit her piece out into a handkerchief and held the cloth to her mouth, lest she dry heave. Suzaku stood to hurriedly get them both a glass of water. Nunnally gratefully accepted hers, gulping it down in seconds.

"What… what is that?" she said, between disgusted pauses. Suzaku looked at the bag again, scanning it for any English he could find.

"Salty licorice," he moaned, taking another drink of water.

Nunnally's face was green. "Schneizel has a sick sense of humor," she muttered. "Throw that stuff away."

"No," Suzaku said. "I can think of a better way to dispose of it."

He rose, put his mask on, and left to find Schneizel. He was in the parlor, drinking his evening tea. Suzaku, knowing very well that Schneizel could deny Zero absolutely nothing, threw the licorice into his lap and ordered him to eat the whole bag.


Ever had Salmiakki? It will change your life.

I couldn't help but put that last part in there.

Review plz.