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.

Tsuzuki stands alone in darkness.

Tsuzuki: I can't see anything... I can't hear anything... Once again, the darkness is falling down——......

{sound f/x pachin: snapping sound}

In the darkness, a child Tsuzuki kneels on the ground, clipping roses.

Tsuzuki: This is me. And these roses are...?

Asato: You came back here again? Before it was 8 years... How long do you plan to be here this time? [chuckling]

Tsuzuki: What...... are you doing?

Asato: I'm trimming flowers. In order for beautiful large flowers to grow, you let the needless buds fall. It's a standard for rose breeding, isn't it.

Tsuzuki: But... I somehow feel sorry for them. These flowers are... just buds that have put all of their effort into blooming...

Asato: What naïve things you're saying now, Asato. Since you're——... A MURDERER. This rose is you... and then these buds are humans that you've slaughtered... In order for the flower you call yourself to grow, you even allowed your family to die—— Your... huh.

Tsuzuki: You're wrong~ I'm...!!

Asato: Well then, what's that behind you?

Behind Tsuzuki in the darkness, lies a mountain of clipped roses. In the real world, Muraki looks on as tears run from Tsuzuki's blank eyes.

{sound f/x kyu: Muraki wiping Tsuzuki's cheeks}

Muraki raises his hand to his mouth, then slowly leans down to taste Tsuzuki's tears.

Muraki: (Mm...) ...did you have a scary dream? Tsuzuki-san...

{sound f/x ko ko: Muraki's footsteps}

Muraki: It's all right...

{sound f/x kata: rattle of Muraki picking up a large knife}

Muraki: Very soon you—— won't be seeing dreams either.

{sound f/x bishuu: whipping motion of Muraki's hand}

Muraki quickly slashes Tsuzuki's throat, nearly beheading him.

{sound f/x gobo: gurgling noises}

{sound f/x bushu: blood splashing}

Muraki: ...Wonderful!!

{sound f/x gobo}

Blood continues to splash as Tsuzuki's throat heals itself.

Muraki: It looks as if you still haven't lost your special Shinigami characteristics.

{sound f/x pero: Muraki licking blood from the knife}

Muraki: Well then——... Let's begin the final experiment.

{sound f/x garan: clatter of Muraki throwing the knife down}

Muraki stands before a console, typing into it.

{sound f/x pipi: beeping noises}

Computer: Password confirmed. Fingerprint... now comparing...

{sound f/x basa: rustling of Muraki's long coat}

{sound f/x jii: a camera focusing on Muraki}

{sound f/x kasha: the shutter closing as it takes many quick pictures}

Computer: Retina pattern—— confirmed.

{sound f/x pipi}

{sound f/x kasha}

{sound f/x pipi}

{sound f/x uiiii: whirring of the camera}

Computer: Check complete.

(Zo—om.)

{sound f/x googoo: menacing atmosphere}

Computer: Please enter the room.

{sound f/x shuu: mist swirling}

Large doors open, sending mist swirling around Muraki. His breath hangs in the air.

{sound f/x buaa: sudden burst of fog and wind}

{sound f/x ko: Muraki's footstep}

{sound f/x shuu}

Inside, a massive, complicated structure is set up before Muraki.

{sound f/x dokun: heart beat}

{sound f/x zaa: eerie silence}

Inside of glass case, a young man's head and spine hang suspended.

{sound f/x dokun}

{sound f/x kopo: liquids moving inside the structure}

Muraki: How do you feel, Saki? It's dark... and cold in there, isn't it... ............ Just a little more... Just a little more and you'll get your new body——!!! And this time, Saki...

{sound f/x kin: Muraki suddenly glaring at the head}

Muraki: It will be your true death!!! (Ku...) Haha...~ Ahahahahaha~!! (AHAHAHAHA) (A——HAHAHA...HA...)

Back at Kokakurou, Oriya greets his guests.

Oriya: Welcome to Kokakurou... is what I want to say, but... It's not likely you came to enjoy the Kyoukaiseki, fellas.

[Kyousaiseki is basically the fancy set meal that we can assume is served specially at Oriya's restaurant.]

Tatsumi: You know, don't you? That we probably want to know something from somebody...

Oriya: (Well) Once, I heard something from Muraki, but y'know. [giant yawn]

Tatsumi: Please tell us! Where is he!?

{sound f/x kachi kochi: ticking of a clock}

Tatsumi: There is not a moment to lose!!

Oriya: Muraki is in the university's underground research laboratory, probably... The person you're searching for is with him.

Tatsumi: (Sh~) I knew it...!!

Hisoka: Let's go! Hurry!

Tatsumi: ——Tsuzuki-san... Somehow, please be safe...!!

Oriya: Ahh, wait up, fellas! Since you went through all the trouble to come here, don't you want to play a game with me?

Tatsumi: What did you say!!?

Oriya smiles at the Shinigami and hold up Muraki's card keys.

Oriya: Of course, there are prizes.

The SD Shinigami ignore Oriya and turn to leave.

Tatsumi: We don't have time to play with you. Let's go, everyone.

{sound f/x kururi: Tatsumi turning back around}

Watari & Hisoka: (OH—~)

Oriya: (So) I SAID WAIT!!! (Listen to people until they're finished talking~) To enter the research lab, you need to pass these two keys through the checker at the same time!! [pant wheeze] Since Muraki applied a kekkai to the door, for a spiritual form to pass through... That's just impossible!!!

[A kekkai is a force field of sorts, only it's spiritual in nature. Most all series involving people with magical powers, like X or Fushigi Yuugi, involve kekkais somehow.]

Hisoka: (......)

{sound f/x suu: Hisoka slowly fading}

Oriya: Hey! The boy over there!! You're not thinking of disappearing and taking the keys!!? Even if I can't see you with my eyes, my spiritual power is strong. I can see you perfectly!!!

{sound f/x futsu: Hisoka fading back to normal}

Hisoka: ...... Sh~...

Tatsumi: ———— In other words, what you're saying is... in order for us to advance from here... We only have to knock you down...!!

Oriya: With so many obstacles, do you think you can win? Fella.

Later, Oriya and Hisoka stand opposing each other. Hisoka ties his martial arts outfit shut as Oriya holds two swords.

Oriya: This'll be a special two round match.

{sound f/x ton ton: Oriya tapping a sword against his shoulder}

Oriya: If you want the keys, you just have to win 2 straight victories. Boy.

Watari: Are you okay boy...... (I'm worried... there's a big difference in their sizes.)

Tatsumi: It cannot be helped... Kurosaki-kun is the only one with knowledge of martial arts. We must leave this up to him... (Well, even if he gets cut, he won't die...) ——But then...

{sound f/x sara sara: slightly rustling of the sakura}

Tatsumi: To have sakura at this time of year, is that also genetic improvements... things that don't naturally exist all seem to be here for some reason, and no one notices the incongruity... Sakura blooming out of season. A building stopped in time. Everything's abnormal... this man, too...

Oriya: Just to make sure, as I said, our swords are brothers swords that the same sword maker forged from the same iron.

{sound f/x chari: rattle of the sword as Oriya holds it up}

Oriya: The ability of the sword, itself is completely evenly matched——!! The thing that'll decide the match is our own abilities!!! Boy... why do you fight? Is it to take back your friend... Or is it just out of hatred for Muraki...? If that's it, then give up your weak will to fight! You can't ever win against him!

{sound f/x kii: Hisoka glaring at Oriya}

Hisoka: What did you...~!!?

Oriya: His hatred is deep-rooted—— He cursed his parents... the world... God... and then himself, too... and he keeps hating. You can't win against his hatred.

Hisoka: (Sh...~) SHUT UP~~!!! (SHUT UUUUP~)

Hisoka leaps into action, attacking Oriya.

{sound f/x do: blood spurting from Hisoka's chest}

Suddenly, Hisoka is hit and Oriya is crouching behind him.

Hisoka: Wha...~

Watari: (Boy~)

{sound f/x do: Hisoka hitting the ground}

Tatsumi: He... (Sh~...) He's fast~!!

Back in the underground lab, Muraki looks up at the severed head.

Muraki: Shidou......

{sound f/x ooooo: cold wind blowing through}

Muraki: It's your fault my family fragmented, until you even hurt the person dearest to me... Do you remember? The first time that you came to my house. Even now I can clearly recall it... ——— That day... The day that a demon was born before me——!!!

In the past, a young Muraki is introduced to a young boy his age.

Muraki's Father: Kazutaka... this boy is Shidou Saki. He's your older brother.

Saki: [chuckle] Nice to meet you, Kazutaka.

[Calling someone by just their first name is a pretty big deal in Japan. You're either related, best friends, or lovers, basically. For Saki to straight out call him "Kazutaka" is not only pretty shocking, but it almost borders on rude.]

Muraki: The child from a patient who my slightly mad father made advances to... That was my older brother of the same age, Shidou Saki. Just like that, I had a brother... that was also a shock, but more than anything the thing that I couldn't forgive—— the fact that the same day that my mother conceived me, Father got the patient pregnant. Despite that, I made an effort to be able to speak freely with you... Saki...

{sound f/x hyooo: cold wind blowing through}

Muraki: I told you that the one who was wrong was that frustrating man. But you...!!

{sound f/x ki: Muraki glaring at Saki}

{sound f/x gobo: gurgling liquid in the machinery}

{sound f/x ko: Muraki's footstep}

{sound f/x goun: liquid swishing in the machinery}

Muraki: Was it fun...? Was the delight unbearable——...?

{sound f/x gan: Muraki punching Saki's casing}

Muraki: (NATURALLY~~)

{sound f/x gishu: squeaking of Muraki's fingers against the glass case}

Muraki: Because you stole everything from me!!!

{sound f/x gan}

Muraki: These 16 years...... I've come to live only so that I can subdue you myself...!! Go ahead and watch me from there... Go ahead and sneer at me!! THIS TIME!! With my hand... I'LL KILL YOU!!! I'LL JUST KILL YOU!!!!

On a nearby hospital bed, Tsuzuki's blank eyes stare at the knife Muraki left from earlier.

Muraki: (ku~...) This time for sure, I'll achieve my true freedom~!! (kukuku~) (Ha...) Aha... Ahaha... (Ahahaha... Ku~... ku~ haha... Ha... Ha~... ——... Ahahahaha~ A——hahaha... Hi... hi~... ku~ku~ku~ku~ Hahahaha... ha... haha~ ha...)

Back at the Kokakurou, Oriya stares down Hisoka's blood covered but swiftly healing figure.

Oriya: We had our match, Boy. This game——...

{sound f/x yoro: Hisoka staggering}

Oriya: Is your loss.

Hisoka: (Haa...?)

Oriya: You can pull off one key, but it's useless. Give up.

Hisoka: Wait~!!! There's still...

{sound f/x gugu: Hisoka's body healing itself}

{sound f/x bota: blood dripping}

Hisoka: ...a match... remain... ning...

Tatsumi and Watari surround Hisoka as Oriya looks back.

Tatsumi: It's unreasonable, Kurosaki-kun!

Watari: I don't know anything about martial arts, but you're shaking!

Oriya: That's right! That fellow's got good advice!!

Hisoka: No... Until now, Tsuzuki's helped me out so many times... Like a father, like a mother, like a big brother, like a big sister, sometimes like a little brother or sister. He gave me something I couldn't get long ago... something called "family"... Things concerning people were complicated, and even after my death I had closed off my heart. Patiently and slowly, he wrapped me in warm hands and watched over me with a smiling face.

{sound f/x ga: click of the sword against the ground}

Hisoka: More than anything, he... If Tsuzuki's... in trouble now, I want to help...

{sound f/x gugu: Hisoka's body still healing itself}

Hisoka uses his sword to slowly push himself into a standing position.

Hisoka: He saw me as human. With that alone—— This time, I want to try to be Tsuzuki's power. I was healed.

{sound f/x kusu: Tatsumi's small laugh as he smiles at Hisoka}

Oriya: It's 10,000 to 1 that even if you win this match, Boy——— you won't be able to use the key.

(Because it's the second match.)

Hisoka: ———I know but.........

{sound f/x fura: Hisoka trembling}

{sound f/x yura: Hisoka wobbling}

Hisoka: If there's even the smallest possibility, I want to risk it! We can't retreat now!!

{sound f/x gi: Hisoka glaring at Oriya}

Oriya: You're a gambler, Boy. I like that!!

{sound f/x za: Oriya suddenly bursting forward}

Oriya: Next, I'll get serious!!!

Hisoka leaps forward to match Oriya's attack.

Hisoka: (UOOOO)

Oriya: The secret of Shinmeimu Souryuu!!

Hisoka: I hate Muraki... but this battle is different.

Oriya: "OBORO"~!!!

Hisoka: I just...

{sound f/x don: Oriya's attack hitting Hisoka}

Blood flies as Tatsumi and Watari look on in frustration.

Hisoka: Want to take back the place where I belong. Watari-san... Tatsumi-san... Everyone in the Shoukanka...

Tatsumi: (Sh~...)

Hisoka: It's a warm place, like one big family...

(There's a rule that other people can't help out.)

Hisoka: No matter how much I wished, I couldn't get a "family."

{sound f/x gon: Oriya's attack connecting with Hisoka's face}

Hisoka: But there's a family bonded by something deeper than blood there.

{sound f/x bota: dripping blood}

Hisoka pants on the ground.

Hisoka: It was the first time I had a "place"...

{sound f/x hyuu: Oriya's sword quickly sweeping forward again}

Hisoka: But that's because Tsuzuki's there... If he wasn't there, I probably would have even thrown away that "place"...

{sound f/x ga ga: Hisoka blocking Oriya's multiple blows}

Hisoka falls to the ground again, covered in blood and trembling.

Hisoka: Because Tsuzuki was there, I was allowed to exist there... So I fight... in order to protect the place where I belong......

{sound f/x pota: dripping blood}

Hisoka: In order to show that bastard his reason for being!!!

Oriya stares at Hisoka silently

{sound f/x su: Oriya slowly lowering his sword}

Oriya: Thank you... Boy———

{sound f/x chin: Oriya sheathing his sword}

Oriya: I wanted him to hear that...

Hisoka: Wha...!!! What're you doing~ raise your sword!!! I have to win against you!!! I have to take back Tsuzuki!!!

Oriya looks calmly at the panicking Hisoka.

Oriya: Hey, Boy... he's some kind of madman but—— those crimes that have been going on for how long... there's a reason behind them... Muraki's also... fighting for the same reason as you.

{sound f/x dokun: Hisoka's heartbeat}

Oriya holds out the two card keys to Hisoka.

Oriya: Here. Card keys. Hurry up and save your friend. Sorry I interfered... Boy.........

Tatsumi: Kurosaki-kun~ Hurry!!!

Oriya: Boy!! Fight!

{sound f/x pomu: Oriya grabbing his sword dramatically}

Oriya: And then take back the place where you belong!!!

Hisoka: .........

{sound f/x kokun: Hisoka swallowing as he nods slightly}

Oriya watches as the Shinigami leave his grounds

{sound f/x sara: rustling of the sakura}

Oriya catches a sakura petal as it falls towards the ground.

Oriya: ——

{sound f/x gyu: Oriya making a fist around the petal}

Oriya: Is this...... all right...? Don't die. Muraki...!!

Back in the underground lab, Muraki's discarded knife is waved through the air.

{sound f/x gira: glint of the knife}

Tsuzuki: In order to let the beautiful flower bloom, certainly you need a sacrifice..........

Muraki's back is turned as he inspects the machinery.

{sound f/x goun: swishing of liquid in the machinery}

Tsuzuki: Do you understand what that means? Asato...

{sound f/x dosu: blood spurting}

Muraki: Wh......at...?

Muraki whips around. Tsuzuki is crouched nearby. Muraki's knife stains white cloth with blood.

{sound f/x hyuu: Muraki's puff of cold breath}

Muraki: (......)

Muraki reaches a trembling, blood covered hand to trace Tsuzuki's cheek.

Tsuzuki: Your life is possible thanks to others' sacrifice!!!

{sound f/x hyuu}

Muraki: [panting] Tsuzuki-sa.........

{sound f/x gushu: Tsuzuki yanking out the knife}

{sound f/x goho: Muraki coughing up blood}

Tsuzuki glares at Muraki, his face covered in blood.

Tsuzuki: How many people's lives have you thinned out like this...

Muraki: I am a murderer... I am a criminal's son. We were made to be murderers. A false "life".......

Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26

Manga belongs to Matsushita Youko, Hana to Yume, and Hakusensha, taken from the Yami no Matsuei, Volume 8 manga, ISBN4-592-17408-9. 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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