Editor's comments and actions are denoted by [brackets]. Sound effects are written {like this}. (Parenthesis) indicate side notes in the dialogue bubble or the mangaka's note. And finally, italics are thoughts.

[An interesting side note: This 2 part story arc is called "Bara no Namae Hen" or the "Name of the Rose Chapter." "Name of the Rose" is also the name of a movie with Sean Connery and Christian Slater based on a best-selling book of the same name. It's about a monk who goes to investigate a murder at a monastery during the Inquisition with his young sidekick. The hilltop abbey is full of deceit and corruption. As more and more people are murdered the mystery deepens and involves discussions on religion, God, the meaning of life, and such. Matsushita-sensei apparently saw it on TV and fell in love.]

Tsukiori raises a large knife above Hisoka's sleeping head.

{sound f/x shuu: Tsukiori slowly raising the knife}

{sound f/x riin: candle burning}

Tsukiori: El el nam meirin. God, you saved me... God, you—— AIDED ME!!!

{sound f/x dosu: spurting blood}

Tsukiori brings the knife down hard. Hisoka leaps out of the bed, sheet and all. The knife plunges deep into the mattress.

{sound f/x basa: rustling of the sheets}

Hisoka: You're...

{sound f/x da: Hisoka hitting the floor}

Hisoka: Tsukiori! Why're you...

{sound f/x suu: Tsukiori breathing deeply}

Tsukiori: ———...

Tsukiori goes back on the attack, slashing at a quickly dodging, confused Hisoka.

{sound f/x shuu: quick slashing movemevnts}

{sound f/x bi: Hisoka shouting}

Hisoka: AHH~!!

Tsukiori slashes again, this time hitting Hisoka lightly under one eye.

{sound f/x ba: impact}

Hisoka: Ow~...!! Quit it!!

{sound f/x bata: impact}

{sound f/x gata: fall}

Hisoka: Stop, Tsukiori~!!! !!

{sound f/x gua: Tsukiori slashing downward with the sword}

Tsukiori doesn't listen and goes in for the killing blow. At the last second, Hisoka puts up a psychic field, stopping the short sword and saving his skin.

{sound f/x gaki: clash}

Immediately afterwards, Hisoka realizes what he's done.

{sound f/x paripari: crackle of energy}

Hisoka: ———... ...Dammit. My instinctive power...!!

Tsukiori stares down Hisoka.

Tsukiori: You're still not yet experienced, are you Kurosaki-kun.

{sound f/x paki: the psychic field powering down}

Hisoka: !?

Tsukiori: You casually use your powers in public...

Hisoka: Huh...?

Tsukiori: Didn't Tsuzuki-san teach you to behave like a normal human as much as possible during an investigation?

Hisoka: Wh... What's this guy... What's this about Tsuzuki!?

Tsukiori: Let me introduce myself formally. I am Demon Exorcist Kira. I am pleased to meet your acquaintance... Enma-chou's Mr. Elite. [Kira refers to herself as "atashi" a word that only females would use to talk about themselves.]

Hisoka looks shocked.

Hisoka: Huh...? Wait a~...

(Pure white.)

(He does poorly in unexpected situations.)

Hisoka: A~... A... ATASHII~~~~!!?

Tsukiori genkily smiles at Hisoka.

{sound f/x gan: Hisoka's shocking revelation}

(Woman)

{sound f/x nya: Tsukiori's cute kitty kitty noises}

In the church, Tsuzuki listens carefully to Mitani's confession.

{sound f/x jiji: flickering candles}

Mitani: Father, do you know why homosexual love is prohibited?

Tsuzuki: Huh?

(Surprised.)

Tsuzuki: Um... Well... (What's he suddenly talking about, this guy...)

Mitani: God presents all things with a reason for existence. To me... and to you. Everything born onto this world has a reason for existence. Everything on this world was born for something... Our lives are connected in order for the next generation to be created. Yet nothing is born from homosexual love... Therefore God prohibited this truly impossible act. Yet we... violated that warning.

Tsuzuki looks shocked.

Tsuzuki: !?

([pointing to the frame of Tsuzuki's eye] Tsuzuki.)

Tsuzuki: Sensei... No way, you...!!

Mitani: That's right. The one who killed Izuru... Okazaki and Fujisawa was me.

Tsuzuki can only stare at Mitani-sensei, shocked.

(Dumbfounded.)

Mitani: He... Izuru, he longed for me from early on. I [watashi] ... no I [boku] was bewildered by his feelings at the beginning, but I couldn't refuse his earnest emotions...

[In the sentence above, Mitani switches from calling himself watashi, which he had been using the entire rest of the story, to boku. Both mean "I," but watashi is far more polite and upstanding I suppose. Boku is casual and more direct. I'm assuming that he switches forms because he's ashamed of what he's done and therefore cannot call himself by the more polite, sophisticated term while discussing his actions.]

Mitani: Finally, we bound ourselves together. After that——— we were insatiable for each other. We repeated that filthy act again and again. But I was lost. Is it okay to do this sort of thing? Even if we're violating taboo is it okay? Izuru probably became aware of my lost state. One night in the midst of our act——— He cut off his own fingers. He said that by doing it, the feelings became even better... He burned his skin and pierced his arm with a knife...

Tsuzuki: Then, the wounds were ... done by Izuru himself... (......)

Mitani: I stopped in desperation. But it was still steadily escalating and in the end... He passed away above me. I'm filthy... It's the same as if I killed him... Father, you will surely despise me.

Tsuzuki stares at Mitani silently.

Tsuzuki: ———...

Mitani: I fell in love with a person who I shouldn't... Furthermore, I did it only to satisfy my own curiosity... But as I'm a scholar I wanted to know why. I wanted to try and see what kind of things were in the world that God has prohibited to man... I took advantage of his feelings... Just once... I wanted to try and see it... Was it a beautiful paradise? Was it beneath the darkness of the earth...?

Mitani clutches his head in sorrow and agony as Tsuzuki carefully watches him.

Tsuzuki: I understand.

Mitani raises his head slowly as Tsuzuki somewhat sorrowfully speaks to him.

Tsuzuki: ...I also... I had an unforgivable love——... have had similar feelings... Then...long before——...

Outside the church, it's starting to pour.

{sound f/x go: ominous atmosphere}

{sound f/x pishi: splash of rain}

{sound f/x po: water dripping from a leaf}

{sound f/x para: splashing rain}

{sound f/x zaa: pouring rain}

In another area of the school, Hisoka and Tsukiori are talking in the hallways.

Tsukiori: I came here under King Enma's secret command. I'm protecting Tsuzuki-san from those bastards from the Demon Empire.

{sound f/x pasha: splashing rain}

Hisoka: Protecting?

Tsukiori: Demons are entangled in this affair.

Hisoka: What'd you say~!?

{sound f/x ka: click of Hisoka's heel}

{sound f/x go: ominous atmosphere}

Tsukiori: It's an unconfirmed report but... It looks like demons throughout the empire are after him.

Hisoka: ...the Surgatanus case? [This happened in... okay I forgot, but let's just pretend it was volume 2 or so, okay?]

Tsukiori: (That's right.) But as for enemies and such... It's not like that. There are strong beings in the demon world... More than other places, superior beings take precedence over everything else. In other words Tsuzuki-san defeated the previous Ryuuki Division Brigade Commander Surgatanus—— That means that he is the one who should inherit that position. Of course, there's no precedent for a human to command in the Demon Empire. But Lord Ashitarote stresses the importance of true strength so...

Hisoka: Hey... You're not saying that...

{sound f/x goro: thunder rolling}

Tsukiori: That's right. It appears that Prince Ashitarote intends to...

{sound f/x ka: flash of lightening}

Tsukiori: ...welcome him as the Empire's next Brigade Commander for the Ryuuki Division.

{sound f/x gara: crash of thunder}

Hisoka: !?

Back in the cathedral, Tsuzuki and Mitani-sensei are still talking.

Tsuzuki: ———... So does that mean Father Robert...

Mitani: Yes... He started talking about speaking to the police about me. I thought I wouldn't be able to keep the rest a secret. I was afraid of the incident being discovered, so I served him poison and killed him. But I didn't throw the body into the ocean. Please, you must believe me...

Tsuzuki: (hmm...) ——— Then who in the world...?

The cross on Tsuzuki's neck suddenly starts beeping loudly and flying off of his neck.

{sound f/x bii: high pitched beeping}

Tsuzuki: !? Tatsumi? What is it?

{sound f/x pipi: beep beep}

Tatsumi: [from the cross] "It's an emergency. Izuru's body has disappeared from police custody."

Tsuzuki: What did you say~!?

At that moment, strange noises come from outside the church. Tsuzuki looks up in shock.

Tsuzuki: !!

{sound f/x gatan: something falling}

{sound f/x ka: flash of lightning}

Outside of one window, a very bloody corpse stares back at Tsuzuki. In another area of the school, Hisoka and Tsukiori are still making their way to the church.

Hisoka: ...... Wait a second... Just a bit ago you said that Tsuzuki had demons after him, right?

{sound f/x ka: click of heels against the hallsways}

Hisoka: So why is the Empire's next Brigade Commander...?

Tsukiori: Don't you understand? The Empire's lower-class demons want to take the position of Brigade Chief from him.

Hisoka: Like he took the position from Surgatanus. A...~!! (I see.)

Tsukiori: According to top secret intelligence, demons have invaded Saint Michael's by concealing themselves inside of a student here. I used the comparative freedom of the dorm president's position to collect intelligence.

(Miss Kira acts independently of the various governments.)

Tsukiori: And then one thing the same with the deaths of Okazaki and Fujisawa——— Finally I was able to uncover the demon.

Hisoka: One thing...!? What in the world is that...!!

The conversation is interrupted by a giant energy explosion from the church.

{sound f/x kashaan: huge crash}

Hisoka: !? What's that!?

Tsukiori turns and starts running for the church.

{sound f/x ba: suddenly turning}

Tsukiori: Hurry up! Their goal is erasing Tsuzuki!!

Back at the church, the decomposing, tortured body of Okazaki Izuru pads into the room, losing bandages, blood, and excess body parts along the way.

Okazaki: ...I didn't disappear, Father...

{sound f/x poto: dropping... something important looking}

{sound f/x hita: Okazaki slowly stepping forward}

{sound f/x hyoo: cold wind}

Okazaki: I'm alive...

{sound f/x go: threatening atmosphere}

{sound f/x basa: rustling bandages}

Okazaki: And I'm here———... I'm still...

Tsuzuki: Okazaki Izuru!?

Okazaki: Not dead...

Tsuzuki: ...That's impossible!! How come he's alive!?

Mitani: ...... Izuru...? Are you really... Izuru...?

Okazaki crosses over to Mitani-sensei who caresses the other's cheek carefully.

Okazaki: That's right, Sensei...

{sound f/x basa: rustling bandages}

Okazaki: I came back. And just like before, you'll love me... In Sensei's room... Just the two of us...

Tsuzuki: Don't do it, Sensei!!

{sound f/x da: Tsuzuki dashing forward}

Tsuzuki: Don't get near him~!!

Okazaki kisses Mitani-sensei deeply.

Okazaki: I love you, Sensei... Really... So much I could die...

Mitani: (m~...~) Izuru...~...

Blood flies through the air as Mitani-sensei's cry is muffled.

{sound f/x boto: falling blood}

Mitani: U...~

Okazaki's tortured flesh makes its way into Mitani-sensei's body through their mouths. It's... rather graphic, so I won't say anything more than that.

Okazaki: Hey, love me more...

{sound f/x zuru: slurping sound}

{sound f/x gobo: gushing sound}

Okazaki: Love me with your body...

Mitani: (Agg...~)

Tsuzuki: Sensei~!!!

From behind Tsuzuki, someone unseen throws water on Okazaki, burning the demon and releasing his hold on Mitani-sensei.

{sound f/x byun: throwing water}

Voice: Blessed water, cleanse the impurity!!

{sound f/x basha: splash}

Okazaki: AHH~!!

Hisoka: Tsuzuki!

Tsuzuki: Hisoka...~?

(A human ghost phenomena.)

Okazaki: Bastard! Who the hell are you~!!

Tsukiori and Hisoka leap into action.

Tsukiori: That's my line, Focalor!

{sound f/x ba: Tsukiori leaping forward}

Tsukiori: Have you forgotten my face!?

Okazaki: Impossible... Kira~?

Tsukiori: Are you okay, Tsuzuki-san?

Tsuzuki: I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Sensei's...

Okazaki: Bastard! Don't interfere——~~!!

{sound f/x bishi: whipping attack}

Demon Okazaki sends out another round of innards from his mouth. Hisoka protects Tsuzuki from the gush with a psychic shield.

{sound f/x ban: hitting the shield}

Tsuzuki: Hisoka! Are you okay~!?

Hisoka: (hm~) In what way, huh.

The fight continues between Enma-chou's people and the Demon Okazaki. To one side, Mitani-sensei sits bleeding where he was thrown.

{sound f/x gara: clattering}

{sound f/x pakin: more fighting sounds}

Mitani: ...... Izuru... The truth is... Things such as God or acts prohibited on earth... They didn't matter. But I was a teacher... and you were my student... I didn't have the confidence to make you happy... I replaced it with different feelings... Many times I became lost... hesitated. I continued wandering inside of myself... But always inside of my heart...

Mitani clutches his chest with a bloodied hand. In his minds eye, he sees Okazaki smiling at him, happily.

{sound f/x gyu: grab}

Mitani: In the end I couldn't betray you or my own heart... I could never say it. I'm sorry, Izuru... Sorry... More than anyone... More than the heavenly Father... I loved you——...

Back with the fight, Tsuzuki crawls towards Demon Okazaki.

{sound f/x jari: debris crunching under Tsuzuki's hand}

Tsuzuki: ...why... Why are you doing such...~ Why!!

Okazaki: Isn't it only natural?

{sound f/x basa: rustling as demon wings spring from Okazaki's back}

Okazaki: I did this to lure you out here. If a mysterious event rises up then Juuou-chou moves out. For that I slipped you some bait. This guy's wish... He wanted to be loved by a man like Mitani, so I granted his desires. In exchange, I snatched this guy's body and spirit, killed him, and sunk him into the ocean. It was quite a mystery, wasn't it?

Tsukiori: Focalor is the general of the Wind and Ocean. He has a strange habit of throwing corpses into the ocean.

Hisoka: I see... That was what they had in common...

Okazaki: If I kill you, I'll become the Empire's Ryuuki Division Brigade Commander. I would only rank under the great Ashitarote-sama!! We don't need anything like a human commander in the Demon Empire!!

{sound f/x byooo: blowing wind}

Tsuzuki: ———— For a thing like that... you killed everyone... ............I'll never forgive you...

{sound f/x gishi: Tsuzuki grinding his teeth in anger}

Tsuzuki: You... and the demons, too...

The demon Focalor swoops in to attack Tsuzuki.

{sound f/x go: threatening atmosphere}

Okazaki: DIIIIE~~~~~~~~~!!!

{sound f/x gaba: energy explosion}

Tsuzuki suddenly explodes in a mass of energy.

Tsuzuki: I'll absolutely never forgive you~~!!!

Okazaki: (Urg...)

Mitani, Kira, and Hisoka brace themselves as they're blown back by the force of Tsuzuki's energy explosion.

{sound f/x go: ominous atmosphere}

Mitani: (Uh~ !!)

Tsukiori: This terrifying energy. ...... This is what Prince Ashitarote wanted.

Tsuzuki chants to himself as he gathers energy.

Tsuzuki: Ruling over destruction and rebirth, the raging red flame.

{sound f/x bua: Tsuzuki gathering energy}

Tsuzuki: With wings of devastation, pierce through the sky. Come forth Suzaku!!!

(Man I'm exhausted...)

{sound f/x do: giant impact}

Suzaku bursts forth in a blaze of wings and fire. The Demon Okazaki, or Focalor, is obliterated.

{sound f/x gua: Suzaku's roar}

{sound f/x kyaa: the demon's death scream}

{sound f/x gabaa: the demon's gurgling noises}

{sound f/x ka: bright light}

{sound f/x dokaa: energy explosion from the chapel}

In the aftermath, Hisoka and Tsukiori are crouching to one side. The church is partially in flames.

Tsukiori: (...~!!) (Ouch~~)

{sound f/x garagara: clattering}

Hisoka: Did we get him...?

{sound f/x pachipachi: fire crackling}

{sound f/x baki: small explosion}

(It's still breaking down...)

{sound f/x goo: ominous atmosphere}

Tsuzuki pants as the energy calms down around him.

Tsuzuki: ............ [panting]

{sound f/x shuu: the mist around Tsuzuki clearing}

Tsuzuki: !!

{sound f/x shara: Tsuzuki's cross whipping around}

Tsuzuki: Sensei!! Sensei!! Hang on, Mitani-sensei!!

Tsuzuki kneels next to a very bloodied Mitani-sensei, clutching the body desperately.

Tsuzuki: Please hang on!!! Sensei!!

{sound f/x shara: Tsuzuki's cross whipping around}

Hisoka: Stop it, Tsuzuki. It's no use anymore.

Tsukiori: I'll take the proper steps to report this to the underworld. Tsuzuki-san... You are the one who possesses the claim to be the Demon Empire's Ryuuki Division Brigade Commander. That point wasn't made clear to you. After this, will you leave everything up to me? Tsuzuki-san.

{sound f/x hyuu: cold wind}

Tsuzuki: ...my... It's my fault...

Tsuzuki looks at the others desperately, still clinging to Mitani-sensei's body.

{sound f/x gata: Tsuzuki reeling in shock}

Tsuzuki: It's my fault that Mitani-sensei was killed by...~... Why...

Hisoka: ...Tsuzuki.

Tsuzuki: Why does this always happen? It's not me. It... It's the same as if I killed him. [For those who may not notice, this is exactly what Mitani-sensei said during his confession.]

Hisoka: ...Tsuzuki!

Tsuzuki: I'm... Everyone who I have anything to do with... I'm...~...!! And that time, too——!!

Hisoka: TSUZUKI!!

Tsuzuki: ———...

Tsuzuki stops his ranting to look up at Hisoka. Hisoka closes his eyes briefly before looking straight at Tsuzuki.

Hisoka: It's not your fault.

Tsuzuki: ......

Tsuzuki stares at Hisoka briefly. He then bites his lip as the tears roll down his face. He clutches Mitani-sensei's body to his chest desperately.

Tsuzuki: ——...~ Wounds that cannot be healed... Mitani-sensei...

Until you disobeyed God, was this mortal world paradise? Or was it——...

Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

Manga belongs to Matsushita Youko, Hana to Yume, and Hakusensha, taken from the Yami no Matsuei, Volume 4 manga, ISBN4-592-17404-6. Not like the story makes sense if you haven't read the manga anyway. Romanized and translated into English very badly by Mina-P, with desperately needed help, as always, by Mako-chan. Any comments or corrections can be mailed to Mina-P at Minako@senshigakuen.com.

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