YAMI NO MATSUEI – DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS

APOCALYPSE RISING

Chapter Twenty-Nine – Relative Truths

To all the readers and reviewers….

Many thanks for all your support. I am so glad that you are still reading and reviewing.

For all those who have taken time to review and send me their thoughts via email, you have made my day. I love answering questions and communicating beyond the review process. It will be Valentine's Day, or at least the day after when this chapter gets posted. I believe that this chapter will be timely.

To all, belated Happy Valentine's Day. I do hope that you would enjoy this chapter as much as I love writing it.

Luv lots and huggles,

PJ Zatken


The Shokan Division men along with Troy and Ashtarote had gone through the data that the Gushoshin Twins had collected.

First was that the number of deaths that were scheduled to occur per the kiseki but were curtailed due to Enma's absence from the throne followed the Fibonacci series. This fact was consistent with Watari's theory that everything pertaining to this case followed a blueprint. Whatever the reason or design in following such a precise mathematical sequence remained unknown to them.

Second was the fact that murders throughout Japan, the murders and suicides at Holy Innocents' Academy, and Father Opava's maiming still remained a mystery. Makai – through Troy and Ashtarote – sadly knew that the murders could not be subject to be heard at the Inquisition since the victims did not hail from Makai, Meifu, or the Pits of Hell. For now, Muraki and the primordials were still their main suspects. The reason for the murders also remained a puzzle to them.

Third was the sad fact that there were no clear records about Kinu, Gyokuto, or the Mother Project. The Gushoshin have done their best to find a loophole to get Watari and Wakaba back, but that fact also remained elusive to them.

Fourth was the fact that there were no chronicles in Enma-Cho's archives about the primordials.

Ashtarote offered to have the royal librarians at Makai check on that information, with him promising to share whatever information that he could uncover with the Shokan Division.

At the same time, Troy filled everyone in about Caer and Ruen.

Troy then added, "I asked Ruen if her other siblings have awakened yet, but she would not answer that question. There is supposed to be eight of them. We already know of three who are awake – Tsuzuki-san, Caer, and Ruen. I remembered encountering Lumys, Mirmi, Caer, Ruen, and Dymion during the Thousand-Year War in Heaven. When I was with Caer and Ruen, a good amount of my memories from a long time ago have returned. Tsuzuki-san is the sixth primordial that I've encountered in my existence. I have not seen a sign of Naiaca and Tellis."

"So does that mean that they all haven't awakened yet?" was Tsuzuki's question, paying attention to the discussions yet still glancing every now and then at Hisoka's direction just to make sure that his partner was okay.

Tsuzuki and the other gave Troy a sad look as the latter said, "I do not know, Tsuzuki-san. I wish that I knew the answer."

After the long silence that stood between them, Tsuzuki told Konoe, "Kacho, Hisoka and I need to return to Gensoukai. Kinu and Gyokuto attacked the Imperial Palace. We want to make sure that the shikigami are all right. We promised them that we will return tonight."

"I'm going with you."

Tsuzuki and Hisoka looked at each other after Tatsumi declared his intent. After the three exchanged nods, they then heard Konoe say, "Be careful out there. We can't be too careful, especially with everything that's going on."

Once he let out a burdened sigh and gave the chief another nod, Tsuzuki told Konoe, "We'll take Terazuma with us. The shikigami may be able to help him and Kuro further with their wounds."

An equally-exhausted Konoe then said, "All right. I'll see all of you in the morning. I'll stay here at the Division with the Gushoshin."

As his gaze landed on Troy, Konoe remembered the truth he just learned about the latter during the Inquisition. He was empathetic since the latter, as Abigor, had also lost a son. He then asked Troy, "Since we now all know who you really are, should we call you Lord Abigor from now on or do you wish to use your son's name?"

Managing a weak smile, a pale Troy said, "Abigor is fine."

Konoe nodded and then placed his hand over his chest, "Of course…"

Abigor sighed and shook his head when Konoe was about to bow before him. "No, Kacho. We are all friends here. No titles or ceremonial gestures when we are in familiar circles. Just plain Abigor is more than fine with me."

Once everyone smiled and appreciated Troy's words and the intent behind those words, Tatsumi asked Troy, "Are you going to be all right, Abigor?"

"Yes. Ashtarote will make sure of it. We all still need to talk about tonight's Inquisition although it can wait until tomorrow." With Ashtarote's help, he disappeared back to Makai and left behind the name he used when he was mortal from this moment onward.

Tsuzuki, Hisoka, and Tatsumi nodded, the three carrying Terazuma and disappearing before their chief. They then materialized in front of the computer terminal that had been dedicated as the virtual gateway to Gensoukai.

Hisoka typed in the parameters to have Kojiro give them passage once more to the shikigami's realm.


Abigor had finally settled in the comfort of his own bed. His state of body, mind, and soul remained unwell. The heat and the cold continued to clash inside his body, his baser needs becoming more unbearable to simply ignore.

After Abigor dismissed the servants and reassured Ashtarote that he would be fine, he took a long bath in the pool located inside his room.

Although it was a struggle for Abigor to soak and cleanse in the warm and fragrant waters, the promise of relaxation from the water's calming temperature was more than enough to have him try it as an effort to keep his rising libido at bay.

The exotic oils mixed with the water stirred Abigor's senses, his mind's eye vividly recalling things he wished to forget. However, the more that he pushed his mind to ignore or forget the more that he remembered those memories.

The innuendos that sparked the rising lust in Abigor's system….

Those elegantly-shaped fingertips ghosting over Abigor's cheek….

Those enigmatic ice-blue eyes and that disarming smirk that filled Abigor's reveries, chilled his spine, fiddled with his curiosity, and seemed to strip him naked every time without fail….

How could Abigor simply forget the kiss that Caer initiated?

Caer's kiss seared such a memory in his mind's eye. That kiss made him feel the ever-consuming sensations that made him question everything about himself for the first time since he existed. That kiss touched a gamut of emotions ranging from things that he wanted to feel to things that he mostly feared about Caer and himself.

All of those thoughts and emotions were sealed in that moment….

The kiss that they shared before they parted ways solidified everything for Abigor. He agonized over how someone who he had repeatedly and romantically spurned eons ago have such a striking and all-consuming effect on him since they have met.

As Abigor closed his eyes and took a deep breath to get a grip of his emotions as well as control over his pain, he made a last-ditch effort to forget everything. He finished his bath, emerging from the fragrant waters, wearing a robe to dry and cover up his well-toned body, and using a large towel to pat his dark shoulder-length hair dry.

Then the realization of how conflicted he was hit Abigor hard….

The Lord of Makai's servants had prepared a sleeping gown for him to wear before he took his bath. He stared at the clothing for a long time while he combed his hair, as if he was trying to justify in his mind as to why he should wear it and go straight to bed.

When Abigor's efforts to brush aside temptation crumbled, he sat up in bed. He then stared at his open palm, still pondering on whether he should heed or spurn the dictates of his trembling body.

Abigor knew that it was not only his body that yearned to be touched. He knew that everything about him thirsted for something that he had been lacking for a long time. As he thought about his long-time lover, Enma, his chest constricted due to the mixture of guilt and bitterness battling inside him. Shortly thereafter, he pondered about Caer's pragmatic proposal. He hated himself more for even entertaining the thought.

"Should I, or should I not?" Abigor asked himself, his mind still turbulent and his soul more unsettled than before.

With his feet instinctively leading him towards one of his armoire, Abigor opened a pair of doors to present before him clothing that he could wear – none of them intended for sleeping.

At first, Abigor asked himself, "Why bother wearing something when I am already covered up with a robe? What if I finally decide not to go?"

Then Abigor's innate sense of self-respect and discretion dawned upon him, chastising him for listening too much to the dictates of his body.

After taking his time and giving more heed on good judgment, Abigor chose to wear part of his normal uniform when conducting state affairs. He first wore a loose ivory white silk poet's shirt, tight-fitting black riding pants, and his black leather boots. Once he tucked in his shirt with such meticulousness, he then wore a dark crimson satin cummerbund – the main color that he had chosen to represent his flag and realm.

Abigor then stopped, questioning himself once more as to why he was dressing up to leave when he was at his most unstable state. Something deep inside nagged him to continue getting ready, and so he fastened the crimson cummerbund with a badge representing Makai's royal coat of arms.

As Abigor pulled out a long royal-crimson satin cloak which matched his cummerbund and had the cloak drape on his left arm, he then walked towards a full-length mirror and took a long look at the image staring back at him. With a still-uncertain heart, he draped his satin cloak and gazed at the mirror once more. He took in a deep breath and then let out a long sigh, his heart beating so rapidly as the physical and psychic maladies of his entire being worsened.

Eventually the thin fabric of existence that separated one realm from the other had been lifted once Abigor waved his hand, his efforts exhausting much psychic and physical energy from his already-frail and unstable state.

Abigor then entered the portal he created, more chill creeping down his spine as darkness greeted him. His eyes closed as he felt his recently-volatile dark aura mingle with the vast and black void's mystical energies.

Finally, Abigor reached the opposite side of the magical doorway. His knees and legs quivered in anxiety and uncertainty. His perturbed mind and unsettled emotions further stressed his already-fatigued body and soul.

And so Abigor walked into Caer's dark room. He noticed the open glass doors leading to the balcony and providing a tranquil nighttime view – the sight more than enough to make one forget that this was the Pits of Hell.

At first, Abigor walked towards the foot of Caer's bed. His heart deeply sank and his eyes momentarily closed when he saw that the bed was empty. More uncertainty plagued him, with him wanting to kick himself for coming to Caer.

Taking a deep sigh which hinted his conflicting emotions, Abigor stared at the empty bed for a long time.

As his heart grew heavier and his soul wanting to gain a small sliver of peace before he returned to his own empty bed in Makai, Abigor then turned around and walked outside the balcony, he leaned on the ornately-designed black alabaster railing and took in a cleansing breath to relieve some of the tension inside him.

The view outside Caer's bedroom was a mirror of the icy and pristine splendor that Abigor found so comforting whenever he stayed at the balcony of his room in Makai. The clear night sky at the Pits of Hell was beautiful, the full moon veiling its soft silvery light over the blanket of fresh snow and perpetually-green trees – contrary to the ominous blood-red moon that hung over Meifu, Makai, and Chijou's starless night skies.

Another touch of nostalgia visited Abigor, remembering how Heaven's night skies provided the same comfort for his mind, body, and soul. He welcomed those comforts most especially after he had returned from battles under God's banner.

That was a long time ago…an existence that Abigor should be forgetting. His eyes glistened from held-back tears as he had been reminded of what he had lost. At least before, he had something to hold on to as he did his best to make a Heaven out of his literal and figurative Hell.

Now, most especially after Enma's multiple acts of manipulation and betrayal, what was there for Abigor to have?

"He must be outside for a walk with Ruen or one of his other siblings," mused Abigor, his eyes staring as far as his tear-blurred vision could afford him while his fingertips absentmindedly caressed the intricate carvings on the alabaster railing…the combination of the cool breeze, the serene view before him, and the feel of smooth alabaster against his ghosting and quivering fingertips gave him some comfort.

Soon, there were soft footsteps – their owner heading towards the balcony and stopping just less than ten feet from where Abigor stood.

The new arrival watched Abigor in the shadows as the latter continued to seek peace from the surroundings. He noticed that Abigor's dire efforts to find internal harmony slowly but surely began to crumble as he saw the latter's body quiver more strongly. He closed his eyes, his mind trying to picture what Abigor looked like as the latter gazed at the view before them.

After many minutes of internal discourse, Abigor heard the new arrival ask him with quiet intent, "Have you finally decided to let go of your pride?"

Abigor's fingertips trembled more, becoming more self-conscious as he realized that he was not alone. He did his best to stop the shivering of his body as he clenched his fists. As the tears beaded at the corner of his eyes and threatened to fall, he murmured, "I do not have any pride left to let go. Not anymore... Not after everything that I have been through and have discovered..."

With the moonlight as the only source of illumination inside the vast bedroom, Caer stepped away from the shadows and shortened the physical distance between Abigor and him. He wore a white silk sleeping gown that reached down to his feet – the top laced loosely and gave anyone a peek of Caer's creamy white décolleté and smooth chest.

Coming close from behind and making sure that he did not touch the other, Caer whispered in a rich tone, "It is cold out here. Come inside with me. I do not want you to feel cold, especially since you are not feeling well."

Abigor then gazed sideways, his eyes now staring at the hand that Caer had just offered for him to take.

Shortly thereafter, a self-conscious Abigor took Caer's offered hand. He let the handsome primordial lead the way back to the large bed after the latter closed the glass doors. He then sat down beside Caer, his hand still being held by the other. His heart and soul felt as if they were drowning every time that the other affectionately tightened the hold on his hand…something that the other did whenever his hand trembled more from the sporadic and volatile surges of power coursing throughout his body.

Abigor charcoal-gray eyes were transfixed at the full moon and the night sky, the view beautiful yet evoked such deep-rooted melancholy from him. He was silent throughout this entire time as Caer and he sat on the bed.

As the realization of where he now sat dawned upon Abigor, his body trembled. He felt naked and vulnerable. He wanted to withdraw his hand from Caer's hold, but he did not have the resolve to do so. The other's touch helped soothe him and keep those near-amuck surges of powers at bay.

Caer was tight-lipped although his heart was racing. He kept the other company during the silence.

A couple of teardrops escaped from the corner of Abigor's eyes. His body shook just as if he was withdrawing from an addicting drug.

Caer's features softened, putting aside how his mind took the other's return as a sign of victory. Instead, he focused on Abigor and closed the gap between them. He then affectionately touched Abigor's cheek. He gazed at Abigor and wiped the tears away from the other's eyes with the back of his index finger.

Caer's touch felt as if it was water to the desert of Abigor's innermost being, the powers still sealed inside him and wanting to escape reacting to the primordial's touch…their respective magical gifts mingling together.

The primordial then drew the Lord of Makai close to him, planting a lingering and passionate kiss on the other's lips.

The Lord of Makai closed his eyes as he took in a deep breath and then let out a pent-up sigh. His body felt as if it was being consumed by the fires of lust and the empty pit deep in his soul. The unbearable ripping and the volatile release of latent powers colliding inside him worsened as the seconds passed. He felt as if his senses were reeling while Caer carded fingertips through his thick long hair.

The kiss deepened between the two of them, with Caer exploring the other's mouth with his tongue and with Abigor being more than reciprocating. The two slowly but surely drowned into the kisses they now shared.

Caer felt that burning need ignite further inside him, most especially when he felt Abigor's shaky hand drape on his shoulder while the other's hand rested on his thigh.

Abigor's cloak fell as if it was a small crimson pool of satin on the bed,

Caer unbuttoned Abigor's silk shirt, just stopping short from where the cummerbund was. The kisses between them continued, with him also planting kisses on Abigor's neck while he removed the brooch that held the cummerbund in place.

Wanting to feel more of Caer's touch, Abigor followed the dictates of his body while his mind had been rendered numb. He kept his eyes closed, letting his senses swim as Caer slipped a hand inside his shirt. The other's fingertips ghosted over his smooth chest.

As the explorative kisses continued between them, Caer's touches became needier…more passionate…hungrier… His affectionate caresses progressed to more intimate ones as Abigor straddled his lap.

Abigor was lost in the sensations and emotions coursing throughout him especially when Caer began touching him in intimate places, the other's touches eliciting his lust. In spite of the pain due to his powers wanting to awaken with a vengeance, he endured everything. Whatever was going on between the two of them was filling something more than just the needs of his body and psyche.

The logical part of Caer's mind had shut down for him, still not believing who he was with and what was going on between them. A myriad of emotions flowed and filled his being. His mind had been too far gone due to the wants of his body. He was unaware of the fact that his feeling of victory over the surrender of a pride-fallen nemesis changed into unexplainable joy of being with someone who he yearned for all this time.

And now that Caer's wish became a reality, this moment between him and Abigor filled him. He felt complete in ways that have been expectations and surprises for him. There was something in Abigor's entire demeanor towards him that made him feel euphoric and at the same time humbled.

At the same time, Abigor felt something from Caer aside from the other's need for release. The emotions coming from the other was so complex that it pushed his body's pent-up need to release those bottled-up powers wanting to burst out inside him. His cold skin began to heat up, matching to the inner temperature of his body.

As consuming as it felt for both of them, the ministrations continued.

Those feelings were something that Abigor had picked up from the other so strongly…with Abigor reciprocating in kind by surrendering everything to the one who he had spurned over the eons.

The two delved into more intimate pleasures as the night grew deeper….touching, kissing, and giving one full license to explore the other's body. The arrangement so mutual and much-needed….

No strings attached. No regrets. Full acceptance of the repercussions for engaging in something so intimate and being vulnerable before the enemy…

Complete surrender by both even if such arrangements might be just for one night.


Hisoka abruptly sat up in bed, the young man feeling woozy and not realizing that he had already slept for more than an hour.

When he saw the panic in Hisoka's eyes, he swept away the hair covering Hisoka's eyes with gentle affection as he explained in a soothing tone, "Old man Genbu gave you some tea. It has healing properties but it makes one sleepy. Just rest.… You need it especially since our healing powers aren't working as well as they should due to Enma-DaiOh-sama's absence."

Reading his partner's mind and picking up that the other had no plan to sleep, Hisoka reiterated, "You know that this is your bed, too, don't you? You also need rest."

Tsuzuki's eyes reflected that constantly-warm smile that he readily gave Hisoka whenever opportunity permitted. "I know, but I snore in my sleep. You need to rest."

The emerald-eyed shinigami replied in a tone bearing no hint of irritation or blame, "I'm too tired to hear you snore. I won't complain."

Tsuzuki chuckled then bent down to kiss Hisoka's forehead. Referring to the mind link that they shared, he told his partner, "I'll be back, Hisoka. I have a few things to discuss with Tatsumi. Once that's done, I'll come back. If you need anything, you know how to reach me."

Thinking about Tatsumi and Watari, especially about how sorry he felt about the secretary, Hisoka told Tsuzuki, "I know. We haven't told him about Watari-san yet."

"I feel bad that he found out about Watari through the Inquisition. It would've been different if it came from us. He probably wouldn't have snapped just as he did tonight if I had told him earlier about Watari."

"We planned to tell him after the Inquisition. We had no control over the Inquisition's outcome."

Tsuzuki noticed that Hisoka's eyelids were getting heavier. After he gave the other an affectionate smile, he then kissed the other on the cheek and looked into the other's eyes. "Go ahead and sleep. I'll join you as soon as I can. I promise."

Hisoka took in a deep breath, shifting to a more comfortable position and withholding a wince of pain since he moved the wrong way. After he settled in and the pain subsided, he nodded to Tsuzuki as a response.

The longer that Tsuzuki stared into Hisoka's eyes, the harder it was for him to keep his emotions at bay. He then leaned closer to Hisoka, letting their lips touch and linger.

At first, Tsuzuki caught Hisoka by surprise from that kiss.

Eventually, a warm flush lightly veiled over Hisoka's cheeks before he eventually closed his eyes. He allowed his entire being to melt into that kiss. He rested his hand on Tsuzuki's hand, clasping it as they continued kissing.

Tsuzuki drew away from the kiss to catch his breath. He then told his partner, "I love you, Hisoka. No matter what happens, that will never change."

Hisoka's eyes glistened with tears, remembering the possibilities that might happen in the next couple of days. "I love you, too – no matter what happens."

The amethyst-eyed shinigami gazed into Hisoka's eyes. Deep down, he wished that he could reassure Hisoka. Sadness crept in his heart as he knew that he could not give such comforting reassurance to the other.

A pang of guilt hit Tsuzuki as he saw through Hisoka's expressive eyes the other's melancholy, the guilt becoming worse as he felt the other's soft and smooth hand touch his cheek.

"Hisoka…" was all that Tsuzuki managed to say, his eyes closing as he felt his troubled soul be placated from the other's touch.

Tsuzuki felt Hisoka's hand tremble, most probably from his overwhelming emotions bombarding the other. Yet, what touched his burdened heart much more was Hisoka's effort to continue the loving gesture no matter how fatigued, injured, or near-overload the other one was.

"I'm not a kid, Tsuzuki. I'm not as fragile as you think I am. Let me protect you just as you've always protected me," were Hisoka's vulnerably heartfelt words for the other, his gaze meeting the other's enthralling amethyst eyes as he had his fingertips caress over the other's skin.

The two kissed once more, with Hisoka initiating it and Tsuzuki now leaning sideways on the bed. The kisses between them became more affectionate and explorative as time passed, time and physical pain being inconsequential to both.

Eventually, Tsuzuki cuddled Hisoka and planted comforting kisses on the other's forehead every now and then. He did not let go of Hisoka until the other was deep in sleep – all this time watching his partner sleep while thinking as to how beautiful and innocent the other looked.

"I love you, Hisoka. You've been such a blessing to me," thought Tsuzuki as he smiled, the smile becoming warmer as the younger shinigami instinctively snuggled closer against him.

Once Hisoka settled in for the night, Tsuzuki then gently kissed a sleeping Hisoka on the lips before he drew away from the other and exited out of the room.

After the shikigami had updated him of a still-unconscious Terazuma's condition, Tsuzuki bade goodnight to his mystical friends save Byakko. The handsome and lighthearted shikigami and young God and Guardian of the West guided his master to the guest room where Tatsumi stayed.

"We'll take turns watching Terazuma-san, Tsuzuki," was Byakko's reassuring words to his kind master. "His shikigami, Kuro, has been badly injured. Although Terazuma-san's not healing as quickly as shinigami normally should, he'll be all right. We all need to give him time to rest and recover."

"Thanks," said Tsuzuki with a grateful smile. He then hugged Byakko with such warmth before they parted ways for the evening.

It took a while before Tsuzuki stepped inside the guest room. He stood outside as he caught a glimpse of Tatsumi sitting at the balcony and looking at the night sky. He did not know where or how to start telling the other about Watari.

Finally, Tsuzuki took the first step and walked inside the guest room. He went to the balcony and noticed that his long-time friend and once-lover was in deep thought – too deep for the other to notice his presence.

For a long time, Tsuzuki stared at Tatsumi as the latter's eyes remained transfixed at an object resting on the other's hand.

And so Tsuzuki asked Tatsumi, startling the latter, "Do you need company?"

Tatsumi shook off his surprise in his own subtle way. He glanced behind him and saw Tsuzuki, his meditative thoughts interrupted. He had significantly calmed down since they left the Inquisition yet his blue eyes clearly reflected the spark of anger still coursing throughout his body.

The secretary clenched his hand, hiding the object in his hand and eventually slipping it in his coat pocket.

From the moment that his gaze rested on Tsuzuki, Tatsumi genially smiled. "I'm having tea. Why don't you join me? It's chamomile. It'll help us relax."

With his hand, Tatsumi motioned Tsuzuki to join him. He poured a cup of tea for the new arrival and heard Tsuzuki report to him, "Hisoka's resting, and so is Terazuma. Rikugo, Genbu, and the others will be taking turns watching Terazuma. They're insistent for us to rest and recuperate. They wouldn't take 'no' for an answer."

"That's good," was Tatsumi's reply after he let out a soft yet tired sigh. He paused for many minutes as his eyes rested on the blood-red sky and the crimson-veiled moon. "It's beautiful here. It would've been a nice night to spend outside and think. This moon ruined everything."

Still holding his teacup and letting the tea's warm and calming effects soothe him, Tsuzuki pondered aloud, "It's been like this in Meifu and Chijou, too. I come here a lot whenever I need to think or need to be at peace. I'm sure Sohryu and the others wouldn't mind if you join Hisoka and me whenever we pay them a visit."

Tatsumi closed his eyes, feeling so humbled as to how Tsuzuki's mysterious and powerful allies extended such warmth towards him. "They're hospitable. They care about you very much. They deeply respect you."

A smile escaped from Tsuzuki's lips. "All twelve of them are very good and loyal friends. They're family to me – just like all of us at the Division. I love them all very much."

When Tsuzuki mentioned the word 'family,' Tatsumi's chest constricted. It pained him to push down his avoidance and fear, yet his lips managed to say, "Tsuzuki-san…."

Tsuzuki stared at his friend. Although Tatsumi seemed calm to him in demeanor and tone of voice, he could tell that the secretary was perturbed. The other's deep blue eyes expressed the pain, anger, and confusion over everything that had happened thus far.

"About earlier… I didn't mean to push you away. I lost control. I didn't mean to –"

"You were upset, Tatsumi. Don't worry about it."

After the tension-filled silence between them, Tsuzuki then added, "Hisoka and I wanted to tell you about Watari after the Inquisition. We didn't expect it to be brought up during the Inquisition."

Tatsumi was tight-lipped. He let out a sigh to hopefully dispel all the conflicting emotions bombarding him and further fueling his shadows before telling Tsuzuki, "I still couldn't believe that Yutaka's gone. We barely had time since he and I have been together. And then for this to happen to him…."

Blinking a bit since this was the first time that he heard Tatsumi call Watari by first name, Tsuzuki finished his sip of tea and placed the cup on the table before saying, "I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to tell you about Watari much sooner."

"It is I who owes you an apology, Tsuzuki-san. A long, overdue one to be exact…. One apology to cover for the many things that I've done wrong against you…."

Still oblivious about what Tatsumi was trying to say, Tsuzuki replied, "Everything's always been fine between us, Tatsumi. We've been friend for a very long time now. I don't carry grudges – you know that about me."

"We've been far more than friends before, Tsuzuki-san. That's a fact about us that you and I can't ignore any longer."

Feeling the other's struggle, Tsuzuki interjected, "Tatsumi…"

Tatsumi raised his hand, prompting Tsuzuki to give him the floor to speak. In a quiet yet intent tone, he told the other, "We never talked about what happened way back then. No apologies were given. There were no explanations. There was nothing done to bring closure between us. It was my responsibility to do all of those things, and I turned my back on doing what was right. What's worse, I turned my back on you...especially at a time when you needed me most."

"It's all in the past. Don't worry about it anymore. I'm at peace about it."

Although he knew and felt that Tsuzuki was telling the truth to him, Tatsumi nonetheless admitted to his ex-lover, "I know that you have forgiven me, but I haven't forgiven me."

Tsuzuki was too focused at Tatsumi and the latter's sadness to notice that Tatsumi's shadows quietly swirled underneath the circular table where the teapot and their cups rested as well as playfully wrapped around their legs. "Please don't punish yourself about this. You've always been a good friend. You've always been there for me. If you're feeling guilty, you've more than made up for it already."

The shadows flickered and rose as if they were flames dancing and lapping around their master, spiking up so drastically as Tatsumi snapped, "No, I haven't done anything to set things right. Don't pretend that something's all right when it's not!"

Then there was a long pause between the two men.

Eventually, that silence had been broken by the soft sounds of withheld sobs from Tatsumi.

Tears welled in Tsuzuki's eyes as well. He watched his level-headed and normally-collected friend's efforts for control crumble before him. He then reached out and rubbed the other's back to calm down. He kept his silence as he continued helping Tatsumi calm down.

Since Tsuzuki had swept the issue away from his mind for decades, he had almost forgotten as to how much this fact that Tatsumi had pointed out still hurt him. His tone was calm and had no hint of blame when he asked the other, "Then why did you leave me?"

"During that time, you reminded me so much of my mother."

Tsuzuki was stunned…speechless…

Staring at the blood-red moon and letting out a sigh as he reminisced the past, Tatsumi began explaining, "After Father died, Mother had always been sad."

Tatsumi momentarily stopped his tale. He bowed his head, not wanting to be this hurt ever again but also knowing that he needed to continue. "I loved Mother with all my heart and soul. I loved her so much that it hurt me deep inside. I wanted to escape from her sadness. Her sadness worsened when my younger sister Inari died. She killed herself months after we buried my sister. She became sadder ever since I drove my sister away from home."

"I resented my sister for eloping with a corrupt politician. I later found out that he violated her. After he had his way with her, he had his men debase her even further. He then blackmailed her. He threatened to hurt Mother and me if she didn't elope with him. To save face and protect Mother and me, she went with him and became his mistress. She left our home without explanation and never returned. She left wanting me to hate her so that I could forget about her. I then found out after Mother's death that the politician actually murdered her. He used his influence to cover up his deeds."

"I vowed revenge against that man. I sought it every hour of every day that I lived since I discovered the truth. I gave up my soul because of my want for vengeance. I killed many people long before I died…long before I became a shinigami."

Tsuzuki then asked, "And it still wasn't enough, was it?"

The secretary nodded as his shadows continued to play around him. "No, it wasn't. It never was enough for me."

Tatsumi then gazed into the other's eyes, letting Tsuzuki see though his eyes what he was feeling. "Whenever you were at that desolate state and I see you before me, I see her. I couldn't console her and you. When you and I were together, we brought out the best in each other during the good times. Yet for some reason, during times that you need it most, I could not console you from your deepest sadness. I'm strong on many ways, but my inability to bring comfort to you was equaled with my own sadness eating me up from the inside as well. Back then and even up to now, you need someone to be with you in your most desolate state and not be swept away from those emotions….to remain clear for both your sakes. Someone such as Kurosaki-kun…."

The two remained quiet for a long time.

Amethyst eyes remained focused on the eerie moon and ominous night sky as their owner found the courage to say with such quiet vulnerability, "All the while, I thought that you hated me. If it were not for what happened in Kyoto, I would've thought that you still hated me."

"I never hated you, Tsuzuki-san. I hated myself – not you."

Tatsumi then looked into Tsuzuki's eyes and explained, "What I should've done… What a man should've done was to end matters properly between us. I should've asked you what made you sad and stayed with you when you needed me most. I should've been strong enough to get you out of your shell. When the time came, I should've told you about Yutaka. I should've made sure that you'll be fine about me moving on…that I have your blessings."

With a reassuring smile escaping from his lips as he reached out and rested his hand on Tatsumi's hand, Tsuzuki clasped his ex-lover's hand with such warmth. "And I've been so unstable back then. We both have made mistakes. We were right for each other, but it was the wrong time."

Affectionately tightening the hold on Tsuzuki's hand, a teary-eyed Tatsumi said, "I love you, Tsuzuki-san. I'll always love you. I hope that you now, and will always, know that. I'm very happy for you and Kurosaki-kun. You deserve each other. You both deserve to be happy."

Tears of quiet joy beaded at the corner of Tsuzuki's eyes slowly flowed down his cheek. "You've always been good to me, Tatsumi. Watari was a good friend. You made him happy. You were good for each other. Please don't punish yourself because of what happened to him. We'll get him back. As to you and me, I'll always be here for you if you ever need me."

Silence once again ruled over them, with Tatsumi breaking that long-standing pause between them when he said, "In Kyoto, you allowed me to help you. I cherished that day very much. To me, it meant that things were back to normal between us. I needed to do this…to tell you what you deserved to hear. It's the least that I could do to let you know that you've always been dear to me – no matter how much we have moved on since then."

Doing his best to keep his composure and send his point across, Tatsumi quietly told Tsuzuki, "Although I didn't speak at the Inquisition, I beg you. Please don't leave. You've been a big part of all our lives...my life. Many depend on you. All of us will be sad if you leave."

"Tatsumi..." was all that Tsuzuki could manage to say as he closed his eyes tightly, letting the tears of confusion escape from him. He felt embarrassed, conflicted...

Tatsumi then drew Tsuzuki close to him and hugged him, kissing Tsuzuki's forehead in such a protective and loving fashion – something that he did for the other a long time ago. The secretary let the decades' worth of pretense slowly melt away as he cuddled the other, no matter how much the gesture shook the foundations of his being. He loved Tsuzuki then, and he loved Tsuzuki now. He watched over everyone for decades - most especially Watari and Tsuzuki.

Tsuzuki, on the other hand, clung on to Tatsumi as if his life depended on it. He let his body shiver from the gamut of emotions coursing so thickly inside him. To him, his ex-lover had been many things for him. He might have been hurt by the other's departure decades ago, but he was glad that time healed the emotional wounds between them.

And just as Tatsumi felt for Tsuzuki, Tsuzuki loved Tatsumi as well even though the two did not talk about their fateful parting of ways and the feelings behind it until now. The love between them transformed into a bond stronger than friendship or brotherhood...a bond akin to one who would love and protect the other in so many ways. The strong love between them, however, was barely short of the most intimate acts while both being at peace over those self-placed boundaries.

Sure, there were a few inappropriate touches here and there from Tatsumi but the boundaries have not been crossed since he ended his partnership with Tsuzuki and became Konoe's secretary.

The shadows swirled around their master's feet, this time their power more potent as they now became one with their master's state of being. They eventually flickered as they picked up another presence which was equally strong.

Tsuzuki and Tatsumi did not know that someone was watching the tender moment between them.

That someone happened to be Hisoka….

Hisoka picked up the strong emotional imprints from the two.

In spite of how much his body ached and how tired his psyche had been, Hisoka could not stop thinking about his parents. He bumped into Touda after he had looked for Tsuzuki inside the Imperial Palace. Following the shikigami's advice, he walked towards Tatsumi's room. He hoped that Tsuzuki was there while he would ask Tatsumi permission regarding visiting his parents. Part of him also hoped that Tsuzuki would accompany him in this trip.

What Hisoka did not expect was the scene that he just saw….

The youngest member of the Shokan Division quietly returned to the guest room where Tsuzuki left him to rest, slipping underneath the covers to keep warm in this cold night. He closed his eyes, the sight of Tatsumi planting a kiss on his partner's forehead while they hugged still being vivid in his mind.

End of Chapter Twenty-Nine


Terminology

Abigor - Demonology books differ in interpretation about Abigor's position in regards with Ashtarote. Some books say that Abigor is a higher-ranking demon than Ashtarote, and some say otherwise. The books, however, agree with the fact that Abigor is a demon commander, a war strategist, a seer, and the ruler of 60 realms in Hell. For the purposes of this fic, I used the interpretation that Abigor ranks higher than Ashtarote. I also took liberalities in fleshing out a background story for him.

Chapter Eight revealed that Abigor, whose seal has been mysteriously appearing in Kyoto Files Revisited, is none other than Tsuuri Troy. For the purposes of this fic, Enma, the primordial demons, Ashtarote, and the other demons will call him Abigor. Tsuzuki, Hisoka, Tatsumi, Watari, Konoe, Muraki, and Troy's loved ones will call him Troy or Tsuuri-kun. Troy, by this time, is used to being called by either name.

Subsequent chapters of Apocalypse Rising will explain more about his past, how he fell from God's grace, how he obtained his powers, how his relationship had been with Enma, and why he became involved with the Shokan Division. The depiction of Abigor in this fanfic belongs to PJ Zatken. Tsuuri Troy wholly belongs to PJ Zatken.

Ashtarote – The Grand Duke of Hell or Makai. He has been eyeing on Tsuzuki to replace Sargatanas as the Brigadier Commander of the demon army since Sargatanas has been vanquished in The Devil's Trill manga and anime story arc. The series itself refers to Ashtarote, and the depiction of Ashtarote in the YnM series belongs to Matshushita Yoko.

Enma – The Lord of Death. Aside from passing judgment on a soul for deeds (or misdeeds) done during that soul's mortal existence, he also spearheads JuOhCho and EnmaCho.

EnmaCho – The Cho (or division) that Enma spearheads. Also known as the Judgment Bureau.

Father Lorenzo Opava - A minor original character (OC) created by PJ Zatken. A good friend and advisor to Tsuuri Troy, the priest also has psychic abilities. He can see spirits and demons. He can also heal the sick.

In chapter one, Father Opava is maimed by someone. In a later chapter, Troy and Tatsumi retrieve Father Opava's soul. The mystery gets even more complicated when Hisoka's empathic powers pick up that Troy - or someone who looks like Troy - is the one responsible for the priest's assault.

So far, Troy is still implicated in Father Lorenzo Opava's assault.

Gushoshin Twins – The bird-like creatures that are the librarians and chroniclers for the Shokan Division, EnmaCho, and Meifu. They also assist as needed on research and cases.

Kinu and Gyokuto – Golden bird and jade hare respectively. Enma mentions these two names in the Gensoukai/Kamakura story arc. It is insinuated that Enma refers to Watari as Kinu when Watari and Tatsumi "break in" JuOhCho's mother computer. Apparently, the manga-ka's insinuating that Enma has plans for Watari since he talks about Kinu and Gyokuto coming together to fulfill his goals.

Makai – Hell, or the equivalent of Hell.

Meifu – The land of the dead where sakura trees are almost in bloom all year round. Enma oversees Meifu. It is the equivalent of purgatory.

KachoChief. Another name called for Konoe since he is the Shokan Division Chief.

KaGanKokuShunGeiKuro - roughly translated as red-eyed black lion. This is the parasitic shikigami that shares Terazuma's body and takes control when Terazuma is touched by a woman. Watari endearingly calls Terazuma's shikigami as Kuro.

Oriya Mibu or Oriya – Muraki's long-time best friend, the friendship starting at least during their high school years. He is a master swordsman and is the proprietor of the Kokakuro (a restaurant which is also a brothel in disguise for influential clients). He is referred by many as Wakadanna (young master) by his clients and his women.

In the anime and manga, the Kyoto Files Arc, Oriya challenges Hisoka to a duel.

Our beloved manga-ka had done two side-stories which involve three characters – Oriya, Ukyo, and Muraki fairly recently. The stories pick up from after the Kyoto incident where Oriya and Ukyo wait for Muraki's return. I just read the scanlations a couple of days before this chapter posted on

In the stories, the three characters have been friends since their school days. In their earlier days, Oriya constantly wonders as to whether his two friends are a couple. Eventually, the truth comes out and their friendship has endured throughout the years.

In these side-stories, it seems that Oriya is not only fond and loyal of Muraki but also of Ukyo (which gives me the hint that Oriya may be bi). He had been friends with Muraki since high school while he became classmates and close friends with Ukyo during his university days.

You have to read them. Do a Yahoo or Google search on Oriya and Ukyo. I stumbled on them when I was looking for the Tatsumi side-story. The stories, as usual in true YnM style, are adorable.

Major hugs to famous YnM fanfiction author Lyrebird and group for giving the rest of us fans this wonderful treat. Visit the site at lyrebird. demons – A band of demonic beings living in the deepest regions of Hell or Makai. The region where the primordial demons live is mostly unreachable by Hell's residents. There are eight primordial demons – each one representing a point of a Chaos star and all of them drawing powers from Chaotic sources.

More will be revealed about them in the subsequent chapters. As much as this term has been used from time-to-time, the characters comprising of this group of beings has been created by PJ Zatken.

Shikigami – Mystical servants who take on the shape of animals in their battle form.

Shinigami – Angels or Guardians of Death. Those who become shinigami have deep regrets and strong ties to the mortal world. Out of those who die and face judgment before Enma, the Lord of Death selects a handful to become shinigami. All shinigami are to work in pairs to prevent the abuse of privileges, since they each can pass freely between Chijou and Meifu. Each shinigami also chooses a mystical power to master, which will aid him or her during duty. Although they hold one of the most prestigious positions in Meifu, they are also unfortunately the lowest paid employees in JuOhCho.

Shokan Division – The summons sections of EnmaCho or the Judgment Bureau. Their agents, known as shinigami or angels of death, retrieve souls of those who appear in the list but have not faced judgment before Enma.

Terazuma Hajime - He is Wakaba Kannuki's senior partner in the Chugoku area. Although he has pointed ears and dark marks under his eyes due to his parasitic shikigami, he is handsome in his own right and bears a strong resemblance to Tsuzuki. A former detective of the Hiroshima Prefecture Police, an excellent archer, and a current shinigami, Terazuma's motto is efficiency and utilization of strength. He despises Tsuzuki because he sees his senior colleague as a "waste," not only due to Tsuzuki's lackadaisical attitude but also for the latter's possession and almost non-utility of his Fuda and shikigamis' powers. He avoids women and physical contact with women since he turns into his shikigami form with a woman's touch. Hisoka, too, also has the same effect on Terazuma. Although he avoids women, he welcomes Wakaba's presence for more reasons other than his partner's ability to turn him back into his human form.

Almost everyone calls him Terazuma, and Wakaba calls him Hajime-chan. Terazuma Hajime belongs to Matshushita Yoko, the manga-ka.

Todoroki - The chief of the Peace Preservation Bureau. Chief Todoroki is one of Chief Konoe's fiercest enemies, and is an unseen character in the series.

I know. I know...what's Chief Satori doing in the story?

When I was doing my research on the series, I thought that the chief of the Peace Preservation Bureau is un-named. After doing more research for the purposes of this fic, I found out (much to my embarrassment) that Todoroki is the name of the chief. So for less confusion (and in an effort to save face), this is how the story goes...

The Peace Preservation Bureau has two chiefs - one handling internal affairs, and the other managing affairs outside affairs. Chief Satori handles internal affairs, and Chief Todoroki is in charge of external affairs. Although the two of them have different responsibilities, they have equal power and they have their respective staff. At the same time, both of them are thorns in Konoe's side.

Chief Satori is a character created by PJ Zatken, and Chief Todoroki is a creation of manga-ka Matshushita Yoko.

Ukyo / Ukyou / Sakuraiji Ukyou – A young lady from Sakura Pharmaceuticals, a leading drug manufacturer. She is an important woman in Muraki's life. Two years younger than Oriya, they became acquaintances in the university. Together with Oriya, she is anxious about Muraki's fate. In the side-stories, it turned out that Oriya took pharmaceutical sciences with Ukyo at the university.

The excerpt above comes from Lyrebird's site. Many thanks to her and her team for bringing this to life to us who don't speak or read Japanese.

For the purposes of this fic, Ukyo died and Muraki had just found out about it upon his recent return to see the two.

Wakaba Kannuki - She is Terazuma Hajime's partner in the Chugoku area. A Fuda user, she is the only one who could control Terazuma when he changes into his shikigami form. She looks like a pretty and bubbly high school girl in a shaded sailor uniform with long wavy hair entwined with ribbons. Aside from having a sweet disposition, she is an awesome cook and a wonderful baker who spoils Tsuzuki and the rest of the Shokan Division with her pastries.

Her partner, Terazuma, calls her Kannuki. Tsuzuki affectionately calls her Wakaba-chan. The rest of her peers call her Wakaba, and she belongs to Matshushita Yoko.

And a Guide to the Primordials (list will be added as they appear. All that appear in this section are original characters created by PJ Zatken)

Caer – the first of the primordials to have awakened. He is the one who saves Muraki from the fires in Shion University at Kyoto. He appears at the Inquisition Hall to lay claim on Tsuzuki. He bears a grudge against Enma for taking Abigor away from him.

Ruen – the second primordial introduced in the story. She knows Abigor very well and has chatted with him in the past. Do not let her warm sisterly side fool you. She has powers as dark as Caer and knows how to set up chain of events to manipulate those around her and her primordial siblings.

Normal Disclaimer

I do not own Yami no Matsuei and its lovable characters. However, I do own this fic and Chief Satori and other original characters.