In the Quiet of the Night The night was silent as if all of the world had been wrapped tightly in a death shroud. Even the insects and frogs, which usually seemed to serenade the moon and stars, were oddly still as not even a soft breeze breathed across the grounds. The stars twinkled brightly in the ebony expanse of sky, but there were so distant that the sight only made one feel more alone in the darkness.

Tanaka sat as quiet as the night itself at a desk in a small room at the far back of the manor. A candle burned nearby, the flame dancing and twisting as if celebrating some forgotten pagan ritual, as its light fell upon an untouched page. The old man eyed the page before him, but he made no move to mar that spotless surface with ink. Normally, he used these quiet hours to record his thoughts and feelings of each day, but that was becoming more difficult with the passage of time. As much as he hated to admit it, his mind was growing weaker. There were days were he barely remembered anything that had occurred. He had a vague impression – like a dream that was only partially remembered upon waking, but nothing was clear or even seemed real. He was slipping, and his days of being an asset and functional were becoming more and more distant.

A soft noise from the hall caught his attention, and he hurried to the door to check on who or what was stalking Phantomhive Estate like some forgotten ghost, but he was relieved to see that it was only Sebastian. He seemed slightly surprised to see Tanaka standing in the doorway, but he didn't seemed startled or show any fright the way that many man would have upon seeing someone suddenly emerge from a typically vacant room in the middle of the night. "Ah, Sebastian," he said, "I thought I heard someone out here. What are you doing up so late?"

"I was just attending to some chores," Sebastian replied calmly. He carried no candle, but the moonlight streaming through a nearby window highlighted his form and caressed him as gently as a lover. "I hope that I didn't disturb you."

"Oh, not at all," Tanaka replied, "I usually come here to write in my journal, but I'm afraid that my mind is quite blank tonight." He may no mention that he didn't write in the room that he shared with Finnian and Bardroy because the light might disturb them because it was only a reminder of how frail he was becoming. Everyone was afraid for him to even sleep alone.

Sebastian smiled slightly; his face shimmering in the moon's liquid glow. "I'm actually surprised that you heard me," he stated, "I've been told I have a rather light step, but I suppose it's only necessary for a servant of the Phantomhive family to have senses more attuned them most. I still have some things that I need to complete before morning, so if you'll excuse me." He nodded his head and started to turn away.

"Wait!" Tanaka cried, stepping out of his room and reaching on gnarled hand in Sebastian's direction. He had no idea of why he had cried out so, or what he even wanted, so he felt himself collapsing slightly in the doorframe under the weight of Sebastian's gaze. "Would…Would you mind to stay and talk with me for just a bit," he finally managed.

The request was an odd one indeed, so Tanaka was not surprised to see the momentary look of confusion sweep over the other man's handsome features. Sebastian's hand twitched briefly towards his pocket watch, the very watch Tanaka had given him, but he didn't pull it out to check the time. Tanaka mentally thanked him for that. "I suppose that would be acceptable," Sebastian stated before walking over to the room.

Tanaka smiled as he stepped back to allow Sebastian to enter, although he didn't close the door behind him. "Thank you," he said. He walked over and sat down in a nearby chair, but Sebastian only stood until Tanaka motioned to another chair for him to use.

"What is it you wish to talk about?" asked Sebastian calmly. He seemed mildly curious as his eyes sparkled in the dim light of the candle. The flame seem to color his irises so that the rich brown had a slightly fiery hue.

In truth, Tanaka had no idea what he wanted to say, so he simply opened his mouth and began talking. He told Sebastian about his own childhood and how he had first came to work for the Phantomhives. To his credit, Sebastian didn't even attempt to stop his monologue even though Tanaka knew that he was undoubtedly eager to return to his work.

As he spoke, however, the old man began to feel his mind grow hazier and hazier. Each word, each thought took effort and he could almost feel an internal clock counting down his minutes of clarity. "Thank you," he said in a slow, deliberate tone.

"What are you thanking me for?" Sebastian asked.

"For taking over my position," Tanaka continued in the same, difficult tone, "It would have been harder to see an incompetent man try to take charge. It makes it easier…watching you do everything so effortlessly. And thank you for letting me stay here even if I am of no use."

For the first time, a tiny frown took possession of Sebastian's mouth. "I don't see you as useless," he answered, "You taught me so much about the butler's aesthetics, and I am very grateful for that."

Tanaka laughed slightly, but the haze within his own brain was growing thicker. "You learn fast," he said, "You would have picked up it regardless. No. I am mostly useless these days, and I am grateful. Thank you."

As the words left his mouth, he felt himself falling forward. He started to steel himself for the pain of striking the floor, but instead found strong, capable arms holding him. Distantly, he was aware that he was being carried by Sebastian who was no doubt carrying him back to his bed. There had been so much more he wanted to say, but it appeared that it had to weight. As he heard a door open, however, he rallied his remaining strength into speaking a few words.

"You're…a…good person," he gasped.

"Is that so?" Sebastian's voice sounded as if he was great distance away although he knew whose arms carried him.

"You don't…don't know that, I think," Tanaka continued, "You…you have…confidence. You know…you…are a good butler. You are…better than…most, but you don't…know. You are…a good person. Give…yourself…a chance." Opening his eyes, Tanaka looked up and was intrigued by Sebastian's expression. For the first time, he look almost unsure.

The haze clouded his vision and, by the time that he felt himself being laid in his own bed, he felt himself slipping away. His final thought, before succumbing to his peculiar condition, was to wonder if Sebastian had heard and understood his final statement.

Perhaps he would never know.