disclaimer- i do not own any of the characters to Yami no Matsuei. i make no money from this story. all rights and whatnot belong solely to the original author.

Chapter 28: Saying Good-bye and Hello

It has been two weeks since Mizuki and Alicia's lawyer had dropped by and Tatsumi has of yet to go to the penthouse. He gave ever excuse he could think of not to go there. The number one excuse was to make sure Tsuzuki was doing fine. However, Watari and the others knew the real reason, and everyone felt that it was time for the secretary to lay the memories to rest.

Lord Enma ensured him that Tsuzuki and the baby was doing fine. In fact, he had given Tatsumi a few days off. Therefore, there were no more excuses for him not to go to his new home.

When Tatsumi arrived at the apartment complex and went to the top floor. Waiting for him at the door was Watari and Hisoka. "What are you two doing here?"

"We thought you might like some company," said Watari.

"I . . . Thank you," he said grateful for his friends being there. He took the key from his pocket. Slipping it into the lock, he opened the door. As he flipped on the light switch, a flood of memories washed over him as he stepped into the apartment. Tatsumi walked through the apartment looked at everything that was hers. Phantoms of his love would appear and disappear before his eyes.

He walked with calm reverence down the hallway that led to the master bedroom. Walking into the room, ghosts of him and Alicia appeared on the bed making passionate love. Tatsumi closed his eyes and walked into the room. He plopped down on the bed wrapping himself within the embrace of the soft comforter. He could feel the sting of tears in the corner of his eyes. He took a deep breath and fought back his tears. He had cried enough. He was not going to cry any more. Besides, crying never solved anything. Suddenly he felt the mattress dip and poked his head out of the cocoon of the comforter. He turned to see Watari sitting next to him.

He sighed as he stared up at the ceiling. "How am I suppose to live without her," Tatsumi said in sad desperate voice.

Watari could see his friend fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall. The blonde hair shinigami wrapped his arms around the Shadow Masters quivering shoulders and held him tight. He could feel the tears soak through his lab coat.

"I don't know but you have to move forward, for her and your own sake," Watari said stroking the others man's soft hair.

Tatsumi chuckled softly. "I said to myself that I was not going to cry anymore. But now, it seems that I can't stop."

"It's all right. In time you will see, everything will get better."

Just then Hisoka stepped into the room. "Are . . . you all right, Mr. Tatsumi?"

"Yes, I'm fine," said Tatsumi pulling himself out of the comforting embrace of his friend. He took out a handkerchief, removed his glasses and dried his eyes.

"You guys need to come see this," said Hisoka hurrying out of the room.

Tatsumi frowned and got up to follow the boy along with Watari. They went into one of the guest rooms and found Hisoka standing in front of four sheets that was covering something. On each sheet was a person's name pinned on it. "What is this?" asked Watari.

"I don't know but they have our names on each one," said Hisoka. He went to the one that had his name and pulled the sheet off. Everyone gasp. Staring back at them was a portrait of Hisoka dressed as an ancient samurai in full battle amour with his sword drawn. "It's beautiful."

With excitement, Watari removed the sheet that had his name on it. "Oh my." He said in awe. The portrait was of Watari dressed as a sorcerer holding a vial in one hand and a wan in the other hand. Sparkles of magic danced around the wan as the blonde had a mischievous smile on his face. And standing behind him dressed as a rouni warrior was Oriya. With hand on his sheathed sword, his eyes were fierce as they seemed to dare anyone to try to hurt the one he loved. "Did . . . Did Alicia paint these."

"I don't know," said Hisoka. "I knew she could sketch but I have never seen her paint."

"Yes, she did," said Tatsumi smiling as he stared at the portraits. He walked to his but along with his name, there was also a note pinned to the sheet. Taking the note, he began to read it.

"To My Dearest Tatsumi,

If you are reading this note, it means that I am no longer among the living. And that Chitose has informed you of my will. For a long time, I have been having this overwhelming feeling that I will die before the year was out. This feeling only started when the devil, Raylene, appeared and it seemed to get stronger and stronger by the day. I knew I wouldn't make it. The devil had targeted me and I have never fought one. Devils are violent creatures but they become sadistic when they have a specific prey. Which means that I will not live to look into your beautiful blue eyes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this sooner. I just didn't want to worry you encase it was a false alarm.

Anyway, I hope you are doing well and that you are no longer mourning my passing. I did not willingly and gladly give up my life so you would mourn and wither away your afterlife. I want you to live on and be happy. I want you to smile and find yourself a new love. I mean, you can even date Ka-Ka . . . that steroid female that works in security." Tatsumi chuckled to himself. 'Even after all this time, you still refuse to use Kazumi's name.' He continued to read. "Anyway, I'm sure you are wondering what's under the sheets. Although I'm sure Watari and 'little grim' has already looked under the sheets. I have never known men to be quite as nosey as those two."

Watari pouted indignantly. "I am not nosey."

"Of course you are," said Hisoka. "But why she would call me nosey is beyond me."

Both Watari and Tatsumi chuckled as the secertary continue to read the letter. "Anyway, these four paintings are your Christmas presents. I hope you all like them. Now, the portraits of 'little grim' and Watari were done by me. But the other two were done by my darling little Subaru. I'm sure you met him when you went to the monastery to tell them of my death. He wanted so much to do yours and Asato's portraits. I didn't know what he had in mind until he brought them over to show me. I was truly in awe when I saw them. I hope you like your gifts.

And Tatsumi, I want you to know that I will always love you. So, raise your head high and smile, my sweet. Even though I am no longer there to say it. I hope you know my love for you will last for as long as the universe exists and my love will last long after it is gone. Good-bye.

Alicia"

Watari walked over to the other and wrapped his arms around his friend comforting him.

"You think we should take a peek at Tsuzuki's portrait?" asked Hisoka.

"I don't think he would mind," said Watari pulling the sheet away. They gasped. It was a painting of Asato and Kazutaka in the night sky surrounded by stars. Asato had a pair of black wings stretched opened on his back while Kazutaka had a pair of white wings on his back. The two seemed to be in a graceful dance as their hands stretched out to each other with only their fingertips touching as a thin red string was wrapped loosely around them.

"Whoever this Subaru is, he is truly a talented artist." Hisoka looked on in awe.

Tatsumi folded the letter and stared at the sheet covering his portrait. He raised his hand, clutching the sheet and pulled it away.

"Oh my," said Watari as he and Hisoka came to stand behind him. "It's beautiful."

It was truly awe-inspiring. The painting was of Tatsumi and Alicia sitting beside a lake locked in each other's arms in the forest. But the reflection on the water's surface showed Alicia with her wings folded closed on her back and Tatsumi's large black wings were folded lovingly around her as they stared longingly into each other's eyes.

Tatsumi raised his hand and gently traced the outline of his love's face. "I guess . . . the only ones who knew you and your brother were angels were in that village." He smiled sadly. "I wish you were here. I want to hold you in my arms and never let go. But I guess. . . I guess. . ." Tears fell from his eyes. "I do love you Alicia. I don't care if your name is Damia, Judy, Aya, or whatever. I love you and only you. I will try to move on and I will try to find a . . . a new love but I highly doubt it. After all, you were and still are my heart. Rest peacefully my love and know that my love will last for you long after time has come to an end." He placed two fingers to his lips and kissed them. Then he placed them against the image of Alicia. His bottom lip trembled as he did not want to say the words that would close the book on his love but it was time to say them and let go. "Good-bye, my sweet."

xxxxx

When Tsuzuki awakened, he was in a private room. At first, he didn't know why he was there and then his memories started to come back. Tears began to well up in his eyes spilling down the corners. He remembered the battle with his Sire and how in the end, he still lost his husband. His Kazutaka was gone. He will never be able to stare into those silver eyes ever again. He placed his hand over his mouth to hold back his sobs of sorrow. He placed his other hand over his stomach to feel its bulge but stopped in mid stroke as he felt something was wrong. He quickly looked down at his stomach. Flat! His baby! What happened to his baby? Then it hit him. He had awful pains after he saw Kazutaka being taken away.

'Did I give birth?' He bolted upright and grimaced as a stinging pain shot through his stomach. Slowly he sat up and raised his pajama top. He ran his fingers along the long scar that was the length of his stomach. He guessed the scar came after the doctor had to cut him open to get the baby. Suddenly he heard a gentle chirping outside his window. He turned to see a bird perched on the sill. It flew away after chirping a few more times. He smiled as he looked at the calendar that was beside the window. He gasped in shock. Instead of December, the calendar said it was now April. 'Have I been unconscious that long? Perhaps, Tatsumi can tell me . . .' He began to look around the room and was startled to see Damien and Damia's mother sitting in a chair beside him sleeping peacefully. It made sense that she would be there. 'After all, I did have her grandchild.' He looked around and saw a blue bassinet with little curtains around it. He smiled. 'My baby. I didn't lose you.' A sigh of relief filled his heart. He pulled the covers away and gently got to his feet. He was in pain from the operation but nothing was going to keep him from seeing his baby. He got to his feet and fell to the floor as his legs gave out from under him. Since he was laid up for so long the muscles in his legs were like jelly. Clutching the bed, Tsuzuki pulled himself to his feet. Using the bed as a leverage, he slowly made his way over to the bassinet. 'Well little one, I wonder if you will be a boy or a girl.' His smile brightened. 'It really doesn't matter because I will love you anyway. Now pumpkin, let daddy take a look at his baby.' He raised his hand and moved the curtain. "Awww, were you feeling a chill," he whispered so as not to wake up the baby or his mother-in-law. The blanket was over the baby's head. Tsuzuki giggled softly as he removed the blanket to get a look at his child. What he saw made the smile fall from his face. What he saw wasn't even human. What he saw was a large green blob-shaped thing. Suddenly it opened an eye. The violet eye stared at him and then it began to cry. Tsuzuki raised his hands up to his face and screamed in horror as he backed away from the monstrosity in the bassinet. It continued to wail as he continued to back away.

Upon hearing his scream, Aleejah had awakened and quickly went to Tsuzuki's side. She tried to calm him but the violet eye guardian was too hysterical. Suddenly bursting into the room were Tsuzuki's friends, Oriya, Oberon and his father. They quickly grabbed hold of his flailing hands and put Tsuzuki back to bed. His screams of horror and him yelling that he created a monster caused the baby to cry even louder.

"Oh God! It's a monster! I've created a monster!" Asato cried. "A monster! It's a monster!"

Asato was becoming more hysterical with each passing second. "Perhaps we should call a doctor and have him sedated," said Tatsumi holding his frantic friend down.

"I'm sorry Kai! I'm so sorry!" He tried to break free of the restraining grip. "I've failed you! I created a monster!"

Aleejah moved Hisoka out of the way raising a hand she struck Asato across the face silencing his frantic outburst. But he continued to whimper and cry as his watery violet eyes stared up at her. "Was my Damien's beauty the only reason you married him? Was the fact that this child would be pretty like its Sire the only reason you wanted to have it? Are you that shallow?" She placed her palm gently against his stinging cheek.

"No, I love Kai very much," said Tsuzuki wiping tears from his eyes. "I loved him for himself not because he looked handsome."

"In that case, shouldn't you love this child the same." She got up, went to the bassinet and lifted the crying baby into her arms. She cooed at the infant trying to silence it but the child would not stop crying. She brought it back to Tsuzuki and placed it in his arms. It was quite heavy as he cradled it in his arms. "He is yours and my Damien's child. He is not a monster." She looked at him gently. "Have you learned nothing from your own past Asato when those villagers called you a monster?"

As soon as it was in Tsuzuki's arms, the baby stopped wailing but it continued to sniffle as its purple eye stared up at its bearer. He remembered how the village didn't try to know him. They just assumed he was a monster and that every time something bad happened he was the cause of it. When all he wanted was to live as a normal child. Tsuzuki felt his heart break. How could he have been so thoughtlessly cruel to his child? "I'm sorry little one. I didn't mean to say such cruel things and make you cry." He smiled as the sniffling stopped. "And you're not a monster. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I do love you." He raised the child to kiss the top of what he guessed was its head. "I'm sure Kai would be very disappointed in my behavior."

"Well, I'm glad everything is over," said Enma smiling. "Now Asato, I am dying to see if the baby is a boy or a girl." He glanced down at his son. "Don't you think it's time to get the little one out of that?"

Tsuzuki and the others stared at the lord of Hades in confusion. "Get him out?" asked Hisoka. "What do you mean?"

Aleejah giggled. "You humans are so silly. Tell me Asato, how are dragons born?"

"Uh, inside an egg," the violet eye guardian said frowning. "I don't understand." He laid the infant down on the bed between his legs. The infant was very heavy and his arms felt like wet noodles from not using them.

"Although you are not a dragon, Damien and Damia are," said Oberon.

"Are you saying . . ." Watari started but didn't get a chance to finish.

"That's right," said Enma smiling. "The shell probably formed after Raylene had kidnapped Asato." He turned to the dragon. "I would say that the little one is a powerful one if he was able to form that shell to protect himself from harm."

The five men stared at the lord of Hades as though he had gone insane. How could an unborn infant create something like that? Then they turned their gazes back to the infant lying on the bed between Tsuzuki's spread legs. Oberon leaned forward and gently rapped a long, slender knuckle against the shell cracking it.

"Began here," said Aleejah smiling at her son-in-law.

Tsuzuki raised a trembling hand and began to peel the shell away. He gasped as beneath he saw soft pink skin. He quickly but gently peeled away the shell to reveal a healthy baby boy with silver hair and violet eyes. "It's a boy." He lifted the baby into his arms.

"Look," said Hisoka pointing to the infant's back. Everyone smiled as a pair of tiny white wings was protruding from the baby's back.

"My little angel." Tsuzuki kissed the boy on his chubby cheek. "Your father would be so proud of you."

Suddenly the little boy released a bone-rattling wail. Tsuzuki didn't know what to do. He looked to the others for help. "What's wrong? I didn't do anything." He tried rocking the baby while soothing rubbing him on the back but he would not stop crying.

"Maybe he's hungry," said Oriya.

Oberon smirked and Aleejah smiled. "Well, Damien did the same thing when he was born."

"What? Why?" asked Tsuzuki looking to the dragon for answers. "Was something wrong with him?"

"No, there was nothing wrong, at least not to him," said Oberon.

Tsuzuki frowned as he continued to rock the boy trying to silence him.

"If there was nothing wrong with him then what was the problem?" asked Tatsumi.

"Well, he knew something was wrong with his twin sister," said Aleejah. The two sat there waiting to see if it would sink in. Suddenly Tsuzuki's eyes widened in shock.

"You mean . . . there is another one." He looked down at the shell. He placed the boy down and continued to peel away at the shell until he revealed a tiny brown skin girl. Once the child was revealed the infant boy stopped crying. "A girl. I had twins." He lovingly stroked her tiny face. As the little girl opened her eyes, she had a pair of startling silver eyes. Tsuzuki gasped. "You have your father's eyes, my little princess." He lifted her into his arms and kissed her cheek. Like her brother, she also had a tiny pair of white wings on her back.

"You are so blessed Asato," said Aleejah.

Tsuzuki placed his daughter down beside his son and smiled. He watched in awe as the boy reached his hand out to grab his sister's hand. Then both infants began to suck their tiny fists.

"They are so adorable," said Oriya smiling sadly down at the twins. "Kazutaka would have been so proud of them."

"Why would you say he is blessed just because he has twins?" asked Watari handing two blankets to Tsuzuki to wrapped the babies in. "I mean besides the obvious reason."

"Well, twins are very rare in heaven. When twins are born, one of them usually dies leaving the other alone," said Enma. "Sometimes the twin that is left behind goes insane because they are missing their other half. And those that can survive are usual very weak."

"Why would the other twin be weak?" asked Tatsumi.

"Twins are one soul split in half. As you know, like human twins, they share a bond that will last for all eternity," said Oberon. "But also, it means that their powers are doubled as well making them truly powerful."

"How many twins have been born?" asked Oriya.

"I would say, throughout our history, about one-hundred and fifty," said Enma.

"How many survived?"

"Damien and Damia are the only set of twins that have successfully survived," said Aleejah smiling as she stared down at her grandchildren. "That is until these two were born."

They were in awe as they stared down at the two special little angels sucking their fists and holding hands.

Hisoka smirked as he leaned next to his partner to gently tickled the boy's tummy. "They are sort of like Muraki and Alicia. Even though they had no memories of who they were, they were still drawn to each other."

"Exactly and as they get older the bond will become stronger as will their powers," said Oberon.

"But there is something that has been puzzling me." The young blonde hair guardian turned to the elders. "You said that when Damia was born Damien would let no one hold her." He frowned staring at them. "If they were twins how is that possible?"

"Oh, well, when they were born Damia was not completely developed yet. Hence the reason why one twin usually dies," said Aleejah smiling as she remembered the day her twins were born. "Damien howled something fierce when we were told that Damia's lungs and stomach was not developed and that she would die."

"What happened?" asked Watari. "It's obvious she did not die."

"Well, they gave my Damia no more than twenty-four hours to live but she was a spunky little thing and she survived for two days." She closed her eyes as she remembered what happened so long ago. "We could not let our little girl die to leave her big brother only half a man. So, my husband solved the problem. She smiled lovingly at the tall silver hair figure that was her husband. "He changed into his dragon form and swallowed her."

Everyone gasped in shock as they stared at the tall imposing figure smirking at them.

"It's not what you think. Anyway, while inside him, Oberon created an incubation chamber for her to complete her development. It was shaped like a huge egg. Once the egg was formed, he threw the egg that had our daughter inside back up. Every day for ten years we would feed our energy into the egg helping her to develop. Even our little Damien began to feed his energy into helping to save his little sister."

"Alicia was in that egg for ten years!" Watari said shocked.

Aleejah smiled. "Yes, that is why Damien looks older than Damia."

"We had a time with Damien. He did not want to be separated from his twin. We had to sleep near the incubation chamber until she was finally ready to be born again. And this time, she was fully formed and Damien would not let anyone near her," said Oberon smiling. "He was the one to name her."

"Does that mean either Asato's son or daughter is not completely developed?" asked Oriya.

"Oh, no, said Enma. "Both of them are healthy and fully developed. This is the first birth of twins where both are healthy."

"That's good," said Asato in a relieved sigh.

"May I," Tatsumi asked as Tsuzuki nodded his head yes. He lifted the tiny girl into his arms. He smiled as the infant yawned and continued to suck her fist. 'You are such a pretty little thing. I wonder if this is what your Aunt Alicia/Damia looked like when she was an infant.' "So, what are you going to name them?"

"Well we had picked out two names," said Tsuzuki picking up his son. "Since we could not tell if it was a boy or a girl. Now, I can use both of them." He smiled as he stared at his son. "My little prince is Kazuki and my little princess is Karou."

"Karou. Such a pretty name." Tatsumi smiled as the little girl opened her eyes to stare up at him. "Well hello Karou. I'm your Uncle Tatsumi." His smile brighten as he felt a little of his sadness melt away from his heart as he stared into those innoncent silver eyes. "Once you get older, I will tell you all about your Aunt Damia when she was known as Alicia." He began to tickle the infant under her chin. The baby smiled as she grabbed his finger and placed it in her mouth sucking on it. "I believe that she is hungry." Aleejah handed him a bottle. He took a seat at the foot of the bed and began to feed her. "You know if your Aunt Alicia was here, she would spoil you rotten." He kissed her on her forehead as his smile fell some. "I really miss her."

"I know Tatsumi," said Tsuzuki looking down at his son sadly. "I miss Kai as well. But I know they would not want us to be sad."

"I know." Then Tatsumi's smile brighten his blue eyes. "That's why in Alicia's place, I am going to spoil Kazuki and Karou rotten. Then when they become spoil little brats I'm going to give them back to you, and let you deal with them." Then everyone burst out laughing.