Disclaimer: I do not own Yami no Matsuei. Edit: I am making no legal transgressions by including "Sigma", as it is a general translation of a Gaelic song and not the actual lyrics.

Shout-outs:

Amberle-chan: I love getting new fans. (Glomp) Thank you very much; you all make my day when I find out that I make you emotional.

jennamarie: There you are! I missed you! (Schnoogle) Thank you very much.

Lady Willowish: Another new fan! (Glomp) Thank you, thank you. I'm glad that people think I write well! I'm also glad you liked the vows.

Kiko812: I missed you too! (TackleGlomp) There's just chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16 to go! (Cries) But…read the fourth Side Note.

AnimeAngelRin: (Bows) Thank you, thank you. About Tsuzuki and Hisoka having "that" kind of a relationship…you'll see how that is going to turn out later. Also, you are a total sweetie. Thank you for the two extra reviews and the compliments!

elirian: Yet another n00b! (Glomp) Thank you much for your compliments.

Aacire: You wish it was part of the series? (Blush) Thank you…a lot.

Pumpkin-Pie 4ever aka Lynn: You are the greatest best friend in the world, you know that? (UberSchnoogleGlomps Pumpkin-Pie)

Amethyst-eyed Koneko: There you are! I was getting worried! (Glomps) I've read translations for all 13 volumes over at theria . net. I'm even planning a little one-shot based on them. And the greatest news of all: Matsushita-sensei ends her hiatus this year!

I'm so glad you all liked the vows. There were a few times when I thought, "Okay, I'm rambling" or "This is too sappy" but I'm really happy with your reactions. To think that my fictional wedding can even compare to actual ones…it's all love between us, sweetie. (Pets George) This chapter is going to be mild and everyone-focused again (think chapter 2), but the next chapter is the honeymoon and we return to all the angsty-introspective romance.

Yuka Hasumi: Thank you, n00b! (Blush) Stick around for next chapter to get your answer!

Side Note #1: Over 5000 hits…I seriously love you guys. (Collective TackleUberSchnoogleGlomp)

Side Note #2: I've been informed that the legal age of heterosexual consent in Japan is 13, and the legal age for homosexual consent is 18.

Side Note #3: VOLUME 11! I GOT IT! SQUEE! Here are my notes:

Odd Things:

1. How Kijin and Tenko were born—from an overflow of Seiryuu's power—sounds an awful lot like The Birth of Venus.

2. I was under the impression that Water defeats Fire. And how did Kurikara know Riko was a Level-1 Water Shiki? Riko never used any attacks.

3. Miya said they gave girl's names to weak boys, which leads me to think that Hisoka was born early. I said earlier that I like November 14th for his brithday, as opposed to October 20th, so perhaps that was his due date? It would make him 3 weeks early, enough to make him pretty weak at birth.

Plot Things:

1. "Kurosaki went missing at the very moment that the damage to the force field occurred." Well, isn't that just convenient?

2. The fights between Ren-Yatonokami and Seiryuu-Kurikara both lasted 8 days. Coincidence? Bad editing? Or something more…?

3. I'm glad I wrote chapter 10 before I read this volume. Otherwise, I might be sympathetic to Nagare, what with, you know, being mind-raped by Yatonokami. But I've read translations for up to Volume 13 and it turns out that Nagare still doesn't care that he psychologically scarred his son, so…no sympathy from me.

Characters:

1. Kurikara is just too cute. He looks like someone out of Pokemon, actually. The evil-villain-who's-really-a-good-guy-but-no-one-knows angle is failing miserably with the audience, though. But dude, he's Emperor Reversed. Abuse of power much?

2. Riko…(Sniffles) Riko…(Tears) And…the look on Hisoka's face…when he picks up the cowboy hat…(Cries with wild abandon and has to be consoled)

3. "I'd rather be pursued by a hot chick." Sure, Kotaro. Which is why you and Kojiro are the essence of twincest, right? You're still forever gay to me. Speaking of him, Baby Kotaro was the most adorable thing. Ever. Baby Hisoka was…well, not. That's a really bad picture of a photo of him.

4. Seiryuu and Tatsumi just keep getting sexier. Seiryuu must wear his hair down more often, and Tatsumi has that vulnerable/mysterious quality.

5. Tatsumi and Watari seriously look like an old married couple in this one, even if they don't act like it. And what is Watari wearing?

6. Rui and Kasane are scary. They look like twin dolls that Muraki might have, that would be covered in dust and bleed when you pick them up.

7. You know, with everything that's happened to Hisoka—being abused and neglected by his parents, being raped (did you see the picture of him in that bloody kimono?) and murdered by Muraki, nearly losing Tsuzuki (the only person he truly loves and trusts), watching Riko die to protect him, and being what would have been mortally wounded by Kurikara—it seriously wouldn't surprise me if the next suicide attempt is his.

Couples

1. I'm finding myself shipping Tatsumi/Miya. I think she has a total crush on him. But since Tatsumi/Watari is already my official pairing here…maybe Miya/Rikugo?

2. "Have you ever felt the warmth of his living body, Seiryuu?" Um…dude…wow. Kurikara, are you a little jealous?

3. The Tsuzuki/Hisoka highlight: "What about Hisoka? Where's Hisoka?" and "Hang on Hisoka, I'm coming!" are the only mentions they get in this book. GRR!

Insightful Commentary

1. Kurikara and Hisoka are the same person. Seriously. First off, they are both very small and feminine in appearance. They both hate being underestimated because of their looks. Kurikara is cold to Hisoka, just like Hisoka was to Tsuzuki in the beginning. He even causes Hisoka skin damage, like when Hisoka ripped up Tsuzuki's hand. But what really got me is how Kurikara spazzes out when he kills Riko: "I wasn't exiled here to do things like this!" It just hit me that it looked a lot like when Hisoka shot Tsubaki: "I wonder if I'll become…Muraki. Infected with him." They all act like Kurikara and Hisoka are so wrong for each other, but they're basically the same character in different roles.

Side Note #4: Okay, it's official. There will be a sequel to Second Death.

This Year's Love

'Cause who's to worry

If our hearts get torn

When that hurt is thrown?

Don't you notice life goes on?

Won't you kiss me on that midnight street

Sweep me off my feet

Singing, "Ain't this life so sweet"?

This year's love had better last

- "This Year's Love", David Gray

"Kannuki, come on…aw, Kannuki, you're not supposed to be crying!"

Wakaba sniffled and wiped her eyes with her thumbs. "I can't help it," she literally blubbered. "That was…that was…that was so beautiful…"

"Still, Kannuki," Terazuma said, attempting reason. "You're not supposed to be all…girly and stuff when you're the miko. You're supposed to be serious."

"I can be as girly as I want," Wakaba said, slightly huffishly. "In case you haven't noticed, Hajime, the ceremony is over."

"I know, I know," Terazuma said defensively. He felt terribly stupid and awkward, talking to her from outside a folded screen, behind which she was changing out of her chihaya and habikama into more western wedding-guest attire. "But it's still lame to get all weepy and pathetic when you're a…a…spiritual person."

"You're such a boy, Hajime," Wakaba said degradingly.

"Well, yeah, I'm a boy," Terazuma said, slightly confused. "I've got the par…ts…"

"Didn't need to think about that, Hajime," Wakaba said, but her voice was teasing. "I'll have you know that I like a man who can be emotional at times. Not a wishy-washy hangdog of a man, of course, but one who's not afraid to show he's got feelings."

"Good luck finding hi…"

Terazuma trailed off as Wakaba stepped out from around the folding screen, brushing out her skirt. Terazuma briefly remembered he had seen pictures of women in ballrooms at some point during his life, and his overly masculine brain somehow managed to make the connection. Her dress was dark blue in a way that matched her orange hair, the skirts folded and ruffled so many times to look like there was more material than there actually was.

But what truly caught his eyes was her hair; pulled high off her neck. At the base of her ponytail, tied up like a shoe with oversized laces, was a red-and-white striped ribbon.

Terazuma had yet another surge of nicotine craving and shoved a cigarette in his mouth, but his hands couldn't find the lighter and they gave up trying after two seconds. His teeth ground into the paper wrapping and the insides spilled out. He spluttered and wiped his tongue with his hand, turning quickly away from Wakaba as she giggled.

He jumped at a hand on his arm and whipped around. Long white gloves covered Wakaba's hands and halfway up her forearm.

"Now, Hajime, I am officially no longer a miko, just a guest with a date. A very handsome date, I might add," she said, smiling coquettishly. "Well?" She patted her gown. "Do you like my dress?"

"It's a very, very, nice dress."

Wakaba laughed. "Like I said, such a boy." She placed her hand lightly on his arm. "Now, I may not be miko anymore, but it's still my duty to introduce them to the reception. So hurry up, we only have a few minutes."

"Uh-huh," Terazuma said dumbly, staring at her hair tie as her hand guided him away.

Kazusa giggled to herself quietly as she pulled out her violin from the case and began tuning it. Throughout the entire ceremony, save when she felt emotional enough to cry, she had just wanted to laugh. Laugh because the two her 8-year-old self had called "old men" had just gotten married. Laugh because she had heard some creepy guy consisting of two gloves and half a mask bawling in the background. Laugh because Hijiri, just before Tsuzuki and Hisoka's appearance, had been making fun of said eccentric man by pulling faces bordering on hysterical.

"I believe we haven't been properly introduced. My name is Wong Maria."

Kazusa stopped laughing and looked up. A purple-haired young woman in a rose-patterned cheong-sam was smiling down at her, adjusting her pashmina.

"You were at those two impromptu parties," Kazusa thought aloud. "I mean…I'm Otonashi Kazusa." She flushed, embarrassed, and took the proffered hand. Maria seemed to emanate elegance. Kazusa briefly wondered if one was able to "catch" sophistication like one caught a cold.

"You're going to play the accompaniment, I presume?" Maria asked, glancing at Kazusa's violin.

"Yes, with Hi-cha… with Hijiri." Kazusa blushed.

Maria smiled again but didn't press the subject. "Well, I'm going to be singing. I'll do justice to what I'm sure will be your fine playing."

"I'll do justice to what I'm sure will be your fine singing," Kazusa imitated.

"Thank you." Maria smiled and allowed a small silence. "So, how do you know Tsuzuki and Hisoka?"

"I was one of their earliest cases," Kazusa said. "With Hi-ch…Hijiri."

"Oh…I think I've heard this story from Saya and Yuma," Maria said. "If you don't mind my asking, how are you…?"

""Still alive"?" Kazusa filled in. "It's nuts, what happened. I was supposed to have been "killed" when I was 8 years old, but my "death" occurred in Meifu. Meifu is the yang half of the yin-yang universe. That means that anyone from the yin half who dies here doesn't actually die. Yay for double negatives."

"You are quite lucky," Maria stated. "As for myself, I'd like to think I got the two of them together. I was their first case. Of course, I was too broken up at the time to realize that I was unwittingly playing matchmaker, but there was something the slightest bit adorable about them."

"Are you a Shinigami?" Kazusa asked.

"Yes. I was…well, I…I had died, and my stepmother brought me back to life, with some…outside help. Tsuzuki broke me out of the spell I was under and let me pass into…you call it "Meifu" in Japan, right?"

"Yes."

"I was grateful…very grateful," Maria continued, her eyes shining with admiration and thankfulness. "I look up to Tsuzuki greatly. I wanted to become what he is—someone who can help people pass into the afterlife peacefully. So I became a Shinigami in Hong Kong."

"I know the feeling," Kazusa said eagerly. "My two favorite people in the world are master violinists, so I had to take it up."

"Your two favorite people in the world…I'm assuming one of them is this Hijiri you keep mentioning?"

Kazusa blushed. "Yes."

"There's something I've been noticing. You stutter every time you say his name. A crush, perhaps?"

Kazusa blushed even deeper.

"Don't be nervous. I think that boy there," Maria pointed towards an even further away figure that went by the appellation of Kijin, "is rather soft on the eyes, if you catch my drift. We might as well act on it while we're here. This is a wedding, it's appropriate for people to pair up…" Her voice trailed on the last word, replacing a conclusion with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Kazusa asked.

"Nothing, it's just my roommate," Maria said. "She's fighting with her girlfriend. It's so ridiculous what they're fighting about, but it's tearing them up. The worst part is I know that my roommate wants to get back together with her; it's just her being foolish and proud. I'm going to give you a good piece of advice, Kazusa. It's not good to hide your feelings. I know the effects of that from experience and they are not fun."

Maria stared at her hands, her mind lost in memories of her stepmother. If she had only defied her earlier, if she had only…maybe she wouldn't have killed herself…maybe those other people wouldn't have died…

"Okay, enough!" Maria clapped her hands. "This is a wedding, not a counseling session."

"That's for sure."

But it wasn't Kazusa who spoke. Both girls looked up to see Hijiri standing over them, clutching his violin. He smiled down on the girls; Maria offered a gracious smile back and Kazusa, a nervous grin.

"Minase Hijiri," he introduced himself, holding out his hand to Maria.

"Wong Maria," she returned, shaking his hand. "And I think you already know Kazusa?"

"Very well," Hijiri said, directing his beaming face at her.

Kazusa blushed as Hijiri turned his face away to talk with someone else, and she suddenly felt a jab from an elbow in her side.

"How old are you?" Maria whispered in her ear.

"12. He's 20."

"You're legal next year, right?" Kazusa nodded. "Ask him to dance. I'm singing a cappela a few times."

"But…!"

"Ask him!"

"Ask me what?" Hijiri queried, turning his attention back to the two girls in time to hear Maria's command.

"Nothing," Kazusa said.

"It's not nothing," Maria informed Hijiri. "Minase-kun, Kazusa would like to dance with you when I sing a cappela."

"She…she would?" Hijiri blinked, taken aback.

"Y-yeah," Kazusa said, her face a good imitation of a tomato.

"Well…well, sure," Hijiri stammered, his face tinting to a shade a fraction of Kazusa's.

"There, that's settled," Maria said, brushing off the length of her cheong-sam as she stood. "And just in time, too. Kannuki-san is entering with Terazuma-san; I think Tsuzuki and Hisoka will be appearing soon."

Kazusa grinned in spite of her flush and maneuvered her violin. Hijiri reached out a hand to her. She stared at it for a second, and then hesitantly let her palm fall on his and allowed him to help her to her feet.

"Attention all! Hey, that means you two over there, too!" Wakaba yelled, and Suzaku and Touda were snapped out of a heated, but rather tame by comparison to previous, altercation. "I think we're all quite ready to get this party started, right? So introducing the men of the hour…Tsuzuki and Hisoka!"

Kazusa and Hijiri raised their violins and sandwiched them in between their shoulders and their chins. Maria stepped up in front of them, sending a wink back at the pair as the first strings were played.

"It's…sort of ethereal, isn't it?"

"Remember that you have to dumb yourself down around me, Hisoka," Tsuzuki reminded him.

"You really should pick up a dictionary every once in a while," Hisoka chided, but he didn't have it in him to be too sarcastic. Not while Tsuzuki was holding onto him, one arm around his back and the other holding his hand up in a classic waltz pose; not while he was holding Tsuzuki back. "I mean "odd", in a fantastical way."

Tsuzuki smiled. "I understand perfectly. I mean, you and I are married. It's kinda like a dream. And this floaty music isn't working against that feeling."

""Floaty music"?" Hisoka repeated, cocking an eyebrow.

"Doesn't it feel like you could just sail over the world listening to this song?" Tsuzuki put forth, turning both of them slowly to the unhurried rhythm of the song.

"I guess," Hisoka admitted. There was something about the slow, deliberate melody that was weighing comfortably on his eyes, filling him with the sensation of pleasant tiredness granted to one who has worked unbelievably hard and earned the comfort of rest. He lightly shut his eyelids and dropped his forehead against Tsuzuki's shoulder, letting his feet move instinctually in time with Tsuzuki's.

"Where did you learn to dance?" Tsuzuki asked softly.

"From Tsubaki-hime," Hisoka answered quietly. "And…Miya used to make me dance with her…when we were really little."

Tsuzuki's hand tightened around Hisoka's. The music swelled; new energy was vitalizing both the song and Hisoka. As Maria switched her lingual intonation from Gaelic to Japanese Hisoka's head rose, and for a very long moment all he could see was dark purple staring back into bright green.

I search for the sign

That sets my soul free

My heart must be pure

So that I can find peace

My grief cannot last

Mylove will be fulfilled

I pray a sign will help to

Set me free

I search for the sign

That sets my soul free

My heart must be pure

So that I can can find peace

The wind is your voice

The rain is your tears

Your burning heart and spirit

Sets me free

As if prompted by gravity Tsuzuki's face moved closer to Hisoka's. Hisoka accepted the uncorrupted advanced by returning the soft kiss. Their eyes shut against the rest of the world, but the last three syllables of the song flowed unhindered into their ears.

Set me free…

The sound of clapping broke them out of their reverie, not immediately, but in time to turn to the audience and bow gracefully, which only made the cheering grow louder and louder.

"What's that word again?" Tsuzuki asked in a whisper.

""Ethereal"," Hisoka whispered back. "Indefinable, delicate, exquisite, heavenly, unearthly, spiritual."

"You memorized the definition, didn't you?"

"That would be so like him."

Hisoka blinked. It took a handful of seconds for his brain to register that the scenery had changed. He was sitting at a table; Tsuzuki was, too; the applause had subsided, and a redheaded girl was smiling at him, shy and familiar simultaneously.

"Miya…?"

"Tsuzuki-san told me that you were getting married," Miya explained. "I wanted…badly…to be here, to see it. He came and got me this morning."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Tsuzuki apologized. "I didn't know how you'd react…"

Hisoka shook his head, trying to organize the thoughts that now seemed scattered on the floor of his brain. His eyes bounced back and forth between Tsuzuki and Miya. Slowly he raised his hand, and then quickly he thumped the back of Tsuzuki's head.

"Idiot. You could've told me. I need all the happy memories I can get."

Miya laughed as Tsuzuki made a whining noise in his throat and then pulled Hisoka against him, stating childlike apologies. The laughter faded away in her throat and was replaced by a smile tinged by the double-edged sword of nostalgia as this same scene with different actors played over and over in her mind.

The memories…

"Even if it's not me getting married to you," Miya said, smiling at the wish she had once so fervently hoped would come true, "I'm glad to see you like this. Seeing you dancing like that…it was…"

The memories were…

"Ethereal," she finished softly. "Definitely."

She leaned over to kiss Hisoka's cheek, and then she awarded another peck to Tsuzuki's face. With a small smile and a wink that effectively held back the moisture she felt forming and saw clouding up her pupils, she stepped away, leaving the dreamlike atmosphere that had surrounded the two.

"I invite you all to a time of mysticism and magic, born in Renaissance Italy," Tsubaki said. Her hand opened out to the congregation, revealing her pack of blue-backed Tarot cards. "For centuries, people have used Tarot to clarify their lives. By connecting their souls to the spirits within the cards, they reveal the innermost secrets of their very essence. There are thousands of ways to use Tarot. However, we're going to do a very simple trick. It's called Shuffle and Pick. You shuffle…" Tsubaki shuffled and bridged the cards "…and then you pick." She pulled a card off the top pile of the deck. "The Empress," she announced, presenting a card featuring a crowned, pregnant woman sitting on a throne, surrounded by copious fruits of agriculture. "In it's upright position, it signifies creation, love, patience, and/or generosity."

She smiled and turned toward where Tsuzuki and Hisoka were sitting.

"Of course, the newlyweds are going to be the first to try this out," Tsubaki said informatively. She set the pack in front of Tsuzuki. "What I want you to do is shuffle the cards, any way you want to, while thinking of yourself. Then get them in one stack, and draw the top card."

"Sounds like fun." Tsuzuki pulled the cards closer to him and began shuffling them—or rather, messily rearranging them to the beat of some unknown tune that played perpetually in his head. It took him several seconds to get them straightened out into one neat pile, and holding up the top card for all to see was something of a triumph for him.

"Death," Tsubaki announced, and the congregation's collective face fell. "Hisoka should recognize this card. Death is the most misunderstood card in the deck. It does not imply evil or fear. Rarely, it can mean actual death, but the best definition of this card is "a transition", from low to high. Granted, the transition will probably be painful, but it takes one to a higher plane of existence." She turned back to Tsuzuki. "Okay, Hisoka, now you do the exact same thing."

Tsuzuki handed the cards to Hisoka, and they were shuffled in a far more orderly manner.

"The Hermit," Tsubaki said. "This one represents introspection. It can also mean seclusion. But mostly it represents peace, or the desperate need for it." She looked back at Hisoka. "Now I want you to shuffle again, but this time think of your marriage."

The slightest hint of a blush graced Hisoka's face and he shuffled and drew a card.

"The Lovers," Tsubaki announced.

The blush deepened, as a joint squeal of "Ooh-ooh-ooh" came from several female guests.

"Believe it or not, this card has nothing to do with anything physical, you naughty-minded girls," Tsubaki teased. "This card represents finding a soul mate, that one thing or person that completes you. It also signifies growth and maturity, and the realization that things are out of your control. It's an excellent commitment card."

Her eye caught hold of a young woman in the audience who was staring at her with an odd expression on her face. Tsubaki quickly turned to take the cards from Hisoka and hand them to Tsuzuki. "Now you do the same thing."

Tsuzuki shuffled and produced a fourth card.

"Judgment," Tsubaki pronounced. "This one means it's time to forget the past, forgive yourself for that past, and move on."

"Tsubaki-hime, come here," Hisoka said, gesturing for her to lean over.

"What is it?"

"What did you put in these cards?"

Tsubaki laughed and straightened up. "I think it's the spiritual atmosphere, Hisoka," she explained. "Besides, Tarot doesn't so much put ideas in your head as it does amplify what's already there."

"Then we must be sending off pretty strong brainwaves," Tsuzuki said, tapping the small stack of cards.

"If you're capable of sending off any at all," Hisoka muttered.

"Hisoka!" Tsuzuki whined, his outer face pouting; his inner face grinning.

"You walked into that one," Hisoka returned, his inner countenance matching Tsuzuki's; his outer matching his inner.

"Yeah, and you walked into this." Tsuzuki reached out, pulled Hisoka half-off his chair, and planted his mouth on Hisoka's ear.

"Did you just lick my ear?"

"Oh, baby!" a grinning Yuma called from her table, fanning herself.

Tsubaki buried her mouth in her hands to stifle giggles. Hisoka's face was enough to send anyone to an early grave. 'And just when I thought "Lovers" had nothing to do with anything physical…'

"Come on, I'm sorry," Tsuzuki apologized with a pout that could put a begging puppy to shame.

"You are dead to me, Tsuzuki."

"Well, we are already dead."

"Shut up."

Tsuzuki laughed and pulled Hisoka almost of his chair again, this time into a normal embrace. He planted an ordinary kiss on Hisoka's head, and then on his temple. "Come on. We need to happy up a little. This engagement has been too sad. Even our vows were sad. We should have a fun wedding, at least."

"Fine," Hisoka acquiesced, biting back a smile. "But if you smash that cake in my face I am going to maim you, clear?"

"Understood," Tsuzuki said brightly, letting Hisoka sit up properly. He was rewarded with a light slap on the arm, and an attempted frown that quickly was recognized as a begrudging smile.

"Y'know, Tsuzuki is dancing with the guests now," Touda informed Suzaku, pointing towards the open floor to where Tsuzuki had dragged his first non-marital partner.

"And?" Suzaku asked, glaring at him.

"Well, he's already got a partner, and the floor's open to everyone else, so I'd like to ask you something."

"What are you—"

Suzaku lurched forward and was unwillingly spun in a circle before having the sensation of being bent slightly backwards. Touda's arm was supporting her balance by wrapping around her back; his other hand had cupped hers and raised it to eye-level.

"Wanna dance?"

"With you?" Suzaku squawked, her eyes wide and horrified.

"No, I'm busy engaging you in lively conversation and sweeping your off your feet so you can have a mad, passionate dance with Daion."

Suzaku snapped her body out of Touda's grip and stomped backward. "If you touch me again, I'll break your fingers."

Touda let out a very long, exasperated sigh that made the furious flush in Suzaku's face darken to a frightening shade of dark pink.

"What?" she demanded.

Touda pulled out a chair and plopped down.

"What?"

"Kyoto was 2 years ago, Suzaku."

"I'm well aware of when Kyoto happened," Suzaku snapped.

"Obviously, because you still haven't let it go."

"Let it go?" Suzaku nearly shrieked. "How am I supposed to let go of you nearly killing Tsuzuki? How am I supposed to—"

Suzaku was cut off as Touda flew out of his seat and clapped his hand over her mouth. She just barely resisted an intense urge to sink her teeth into his palm.

"Mind keeping it down?" Touda hissed. "Why don't we try to remember all the people…at the wedding?"

Suzaku shoved his hand away and made to retort, but before words could escape her mouth Touda had grabbed her wrist and yanked her from her table and through one of Tenkuu's many doors.

"Where are you taking me?" Suzaku hissed.

"Just follow me," Touda snapped, not letting go of her arm. Any attempts to free herself from him ended in failure; small roars of frustration were escaping her mouth and, she hoped, irritatingly barraging Touda's ears.

He finally stopped short in front of a staircase leading downward into the depths of Tenkuu. Staring down the steps, Suzaku could only see about twenty feet down the angle of depression. Cold air was traveling upwards and wafting past her face in unending, invariable, almost maddening small blasts.

"What's this?" she demanded.

"This is where I used to live before Tsuzuki made me his Shiki," Touda spat. "For defying the Emperor, I earned myself a life sentence in there. Imagine if you will, Suzaku, living in total darkness. You can't even see your d-mn hand in front of your face. Imagine sitting in a place that would have a temperature of Absolute Zero if you weren't there creating friction. Imagine spending centuries in there. You'd go mad, wouldn't you? You'd live in a constant state of despair, wouldn't you? You'd want to die, to kill yourself, just to escape, wouldn't you?"

"I…" Suzaku stammered, unsure, unprepared.

"The reason I set fire to that place is because Tsuzuki knew. He knew what it was like to live like that, because he lived it every d-mn day. He freed me, how could I not free him? Yes, I'm d-mn happy that he's still alive, but if Hisoka hadn't been there I would have followed through and I would be proud that I helped my master."

"I love Tsuzuki," Suzaku said, regaining her wits. "And I want to help him by keeping him alive. It's always better to be alive and I am never going to think what you did was a good idea."

"H-ll, I understand, Suzaku. And if I'd had more time to think in that situation I might've done what you would've done. But I tried to kill him because the bottom line is that I love Tsuzuki, too. If nothing else we can agree on that."

"Well…well, good," Suzaku said, her mind once again deserting her. She wasn't accustomed to a Touda that talked like this. The Touda she knew would…what would the Touda she knew do? "Just don't think this'll happen again, us agreeing on stuff, okay?" she snapped, slipping comfortably back into intimidation tactics.

"Don't you get it? That's why I like you, Suzaku."

"That's why you…what?" Suzaku's eyes were open, unblinking, shocked.

"You think I'd like a woman who agreed with everything I ever did?" Touda asked, now cocking a smirk. "Nope, no lifeless little dolls for me, thanks. I like some fire in my life, and you've got it, both figuratively and literally."

Suzaku's mouth fell agape. Of all the times for the rare occasion of her speechlessness to occur, it had to be now.

"So I pose this query again: Wanna dance?" His smirk had grown and he plucked her hand up. "Ah, still wearing the flower, I see."

"Tenko would be upset if I took it off," Suzaku said defensively.

"Convenient," Touda said, smiling complacently, before kissing the back of her hand.

"Who said you could do that?" Suzaku demanded.

"I did," Touda replied smugly, before pulling her closer to him in a tango pose. "You can hum, right?"

"Wha…why?"

"Because if I go back to the reception hall, you'll get away from me, and then I can't dance with you."

"You are so full of it!"

"If "it" is a burning desire to seduce you into a passionate love affair with me, then yes, you're quite correct."

And with that, he fixed his lips on hers. Briefly he wondered if it was shock or agreement when it took her longer than expected to pull away, slap him across the face, and storm off.

"How've you been?"

"What kind of question is that?" Tatsumi replied questioningly. Maria had suggested that Tsuzuki and Hisoka take their closest friends onto the dance floor. On the other end of the room from Tsuzuki and Tatsumi, Hisoka and Tsubaki danced, talking quietly.

"You know what I mean, Tatsumi."

"You shouldn't try the all-knowing angle, Tsuzuki," Tatsumi teased evasively as they turned.

"Tatsumi…"

"Tsuzuki, there's no point in bringing this up," Tatsumi stated firmly. "Please, believe me when I say that I am happy for you. What hurt me most when we were still partners was that I could never help you when you were upset. For you to have someone who can help you makes me happy."

Tsuzuki smiled and tapped Tatsumi's shoulder with his forehead, affectionately.

"Good," he said, with a shaky laugh in his voice. "I was worried, that you might not…be ready for this, and…well, it's a relief."

"Glad to hear it."

They turned again, this time in silence.

"I heard from Watari that you and him have a date tonight."

""You and he", Tsuzuki. And unlike your grammar, that's not incorrect."

Tsuzuki laughed. "I thought he was pulling my leg. Do you know how weird it is to think of you two going on a date?"

"I'm actually acutely aware of the fact, Tsuzuki," Tatsumi said stiffly.

"Sorry," Tsuzuki apologized sheepishly.

"Don't worry."

"Oh, but there's something you should know," Tsuzuki said suddenly, and Tatsumi blinked at the unexpected urgency in Tsuzuki's eyes. "When you're out with him, you shouldn't…don't ask him about any other people he's dated, okay?"

"Why is this such an issue?" Tatsumi asked, remembering his earlier squabble with Watari. "I almost got into an argument with him about it earlier."

Tsuzuki shook his head. "I can't answer that, Tatsumi. But you should know that I only know because he and I were out drinking once and he told me when he was completely wasted. He then proceeded to throw up all over me. It really, really upsets him. So don't ask him about it. He might tell you, if you already know that there's an issue, but let him bring it up, okay?"

"All right," Tatsumi said slowly, his face telltale of his baffled state of mind.

"Good," Tsuzuki said, smiling again. He and Tatsumi pulled apart as the music ended, and they joined in the general applause. Giving each other thankful and friendly bows, they abandoned their small galaxy: Tatsumi for a seat, Tsuzuki for his husband.

"Looks like Tatsumi's having some romance troubles," Tsuzuki half-whispered to Hisoka.

"Same with Tsubaki," Hisoka returned. "She's under the impression that this wouldn't have happened if she'd just stuck with me."

"I hope she's joking."

"Well, she's telling the truth. Her problems with Eileen wouldn't be happening if she had stuck with me. But she's not serious about us ever being an item."

"Good," Tsuzuki said triumphantly, nuzzling his face into Hisoka's neck.

"If you're jealous and you know it…"

"Your name is Tsuzuki," the violet-eyed man filled in for him, grinning.

It was so typical of this particular group that the last dance be shared by the most unusual couples. Hisoka had been unsure of whether to be amused or horrified when Seiryuu and Kouchin took the floor, Maria gave up singing for a non-lyrical dance with Kijin, and Rikugo asked Miya to partner with him. He definitely knew his feelings about being dragged into some bizarre three-way dance with Yuma and Saya, which is why he asked, or rather demanded, that Tsuzuki get to him before they did. The last song was much more lively than the previous ones; the fast pace had a way of wiping his mind of everything but unexpected enjoyment of the dance, both the animated and vivacious playing of twin violins, and the feeling of being one in a crowd as well as being alone with his partner.

But coming down from the high, a sudden pang of nausea hit his stomach and realization slammed into his brain simultaneously.

Tonight, he would…

He looked at Tsuzuki, who did not come to the sudden enlightenment until he fully comprehended what Hisoka's face was practically screaming. Uncertainly Tsuzuki took his hand and squeezed it, before leading him away from the jubilant crowd.

"What are we doing?" Hisoka asked. "We didn't really plan this…"

"I did," Tsuzuki said. "Hisoka, can you just follow along with me on this? We're gonna go home first to get changed, and then there's someplace I really need to go tonight with you. Is that okay?"

Hisoka swallowed and nodded mutely.

"Good." Tsuzuki smiled and leaned over to kiss Hisoka. He tried to stomach his worry when Hisoka felt unresponsive; he turned back toward the congregation.

"Everyone?" Tsuzuki called, clapping his hands to catch their attention. The hubbub settled down; more as a result of Seiryuu's explosive cry of "SILENCE!" then any of Tsuzuki's attempts.

"We're winding down, guys," Tsuzuki called, making a sympathetic look to the overwhelming disappointed sounding of "aww…". "Well, it's getting late, you know," he said. "Anyways. Really, we want to thank you all for being here. It means a lot to us." He was drowned out by roaring applause. "Okay, okay, so we're going to say good-bye now. You guys can stay here for as long as Wakaba is here—"

"Which will be for awhile!" Wakaba interjected.

"—but right now we're going to takeour leave. So, let's say good-night."

There was a mad crush of people towards the two and Hisoka was swept up in trying to fend many guests off of him. It seemed something of a prison break when he finally managed to disentangle himself from the overzealous guests and escape with Tsuzuki, who seemed to find the whole affair terribly amusing.

The Tengu ripped open a hole for Tsuzuki and Hisoka, calling it a wedding favor. Smiling uneasily, Tsuzuki took his partner's hand and stepped into the vortex that would bring them, in solitude, to Meifu.

Hmm…mixed feelings about this chapter. I'm glad to get Suzaku/Touda in here because they're going to be prominent in the sequel (whose working title is currently Southwest of Eden), but it's not exactly what I wanted. I thought of getting rid of the Kazusa-Maria talk, but I liked it too much. I debated greatly with having Miya appear (she is scheduled to show up in the last chapter as well as in the sequel, so it's not like there's a lack of her), but I just wanted really badly to throw Rikugo/Miya in here, just for kicks. I agonized over what song to use, but "Sigma" was the ultimate choice because it's just too perfect for them, and plus I can legally use it since it's a translation and not the actual song. I feel like I'm banging everyone over the heading with the Watari Foreshadowing stick, though I don't think anyone will guess what's coming. I put off more Wakaba/Terazuma and Tsubaki/Eileen for future chapters, which sucks. And, this chapter was so LONG! I'm really surprised. So, I have a love-hate relationship with this chapter.

Anywha. Next chapter is pure Tsuzuki/Hisoka. It earns the T/PG-13 rating but don't get any naughty ideas; I told you I don't write lemons and I stick to my guns.