By: Trickster Kitsune

A/N: This story is kind of a Halloween story, but I'm using parts of the Pagan holiday of Sovvan (also known as Samhain). Other than being the end of summer and the harvest, this night is also used to remember the dead. So I was thinking, "Why not have Tsuzuki remember the people that have died over the course of the series?" If this is a total failure, oh well. At least I tried, right? ^__^ It most likely contains spoilers for the whole series, so read at your own risk. Post-Kyoto.

By the way, I'm currently reading The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey for the third, maybe fourth, time. So, you can blame that for part of this idea as well. ^__^

Disclaimer: I don't own Yami no Matsuei or the characters. They belong to their rightful owner. I also don't claim to know everything about Pagan holidays, so please excuse me if something is wrong. ^__^

Pairing: None

~*~*~*~*~*~

Tsuzuki knelt down in front of the largest and most beautiful of the ever-blooming sakura trees, five white roses held in one hand. Before him stood a small altar, which was mainly used for those who wished to make an offering or as a memorial. Tonight, it was to be used as a small memorial.

He set up a small stand of nutmeg incense and lit it. Thin scented tendrils of smoke spiraled up and away on the cool wind to disperse amongst the sakura blossoms. Tsuzuki waited for a few moments, his eyes closed, and his head bowed before beginning what was to be a journey to the acceptance.

Hisoka stood a few feet away next to Tatsumi, slightly puzzled by Tsuzuki's actions. "Tatsumi-san, what is Tsuzuki doing?"

"He is remembering the people who have died," Tatsumi replied, pushing up his glasses. "He is mainly remembering the people who have died in the past year."

Hisoka looked back to Tsuzuki, who was holding a rose in his hands. "Why?"

Tatsumi placed a hand on Hisoka's shoulder. "Why don't you go and ask him?"

Hisoka hesitated for a moment, not wanting to disturb Tsuzuki, but his curiosity got the better of him. He closed the distance between Tsuzuki and himself in a matter of moments. He stood uncertainly behind Tsuzuki and watched the older man place the rose he was holding on the altar on top of a scattering of fallen sakura blossoms.

"Hisoka, what's wrong?"

Hisoka jumped slightly at Tsuzuki's quite voice; he hadn't realized that Tsuzuki was watching him.

"Ah�ENothing. I was just wondering what you were doing," Hisoka replied casually.

"Hm, you don't seem like the curious type. But," Tsuzuki grabbed Hisoka's hand and pulled him down next to him, "maybe you can help me."

After the initial shock of Tsuzuki's touch, Hisoka fixed the man with one of his softer glares. "It might help if you told me what exactly you were doing."

Tsuzuki shrugged and smiled. "I'm putting the past behind me by remembering who died this past year. These roses are for those people."

"Where did you get this idea?" asked Hisoka as he examined the four remaining roses.

Tsuzuki perked up a little. "I was reading! I read that there is a holiday celebrated by the Pagan religion called Sovvan. That's a night on October 31^st when you're supposed to remember the dead. So, I decided to do just that."

Hisoka raised an eyebrow. "You? Read? I wish I could have seen that."

"Hi-so-kaaa... I'm trying to be serious."

Hisoka sighed. "I guess I'll do this with you. But don't even think of blaming yourself for any of the deaths."

"That's why I need to do this, Hisoka." Tsuzuki picked up a rose and handed it to Hisoka. "I need to do this as some kind of closure."

Hisoka nodded. "Who is that first rose for?"

"Maria Wong. I guess you could say that if it wasn't for her, we couldn't have become such good partners, right?"

"I guess you could say that..."

Tsuzuki nodded and touched the rose that Hisoka was holding. "That one is for Kazusa. If it wasn't for me, she'd still be alive."

"Tsuzuki," Hisoka began. "Her death wasn't your fault. Her death was caused by that demon Saagatanasu. Don't you dare blame yourself."

Tsuzuki sighed. "I guess you're right..."

Hisoka looked at Tsuzuki out of the corner of his eye as he placed the rose beside the one for Maria Wong. After the Kyoto incident, I feel like I have to reassure him that none of the deaths was his fault. I wonder if he will ever be totally like his old self...

Tsuzuki picked up another rose and a camellia, which was underneath it. He handed the camellia to Hisoka.

Hisoka took the flower and his heart skipped a beat. A camellia flower�ETsubaki-hime...

"Is something wrong, Hisoka?"

"N-no�EIt's nothing. Just whenever I see a flower like this, I can't help but remember the blood on my hands."

Tsuzuki gave Hisoka a quick hug, which shocked the younger boy to no end, and placed the rose next to the others. Hisoka, with a shaking hand, placed the camellia on top of the rose.

"Her death wasn't your fault. If anything, it was Muraki's."

"You're right." Hisoka picked up the last two roses and handed one to Tsuzuki.

"Maki and Mariko... I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to Kyoto," Tsuzuki said sadly.

I don't think anyone will be going back any time soon. There are just too many bad memories."

They sat together in silence, trying not to remember what happened in Kyoto, but then again not forgetting either.

"I swear that if I ever see Muraki again, I'll kill him a thousand times over," Tsuzuki said angrily into the silence.

"Tsuzuki..."

Tsuzuki sighed and bowed his head a little, his eyes softening again. "I'm sorry�EBut Muraki just has to be stopped one way or the other."

"Yes, he does. But this isn't the time to be thinking about him, remember?"

"Yeah..." Tsuzuki put his rose down next to the others and Hisoka did the same.

"I think that's everyone," Hisoka said as he stared at the flowers.

"No, not everyone." Tsuzuki leaned over and pulled Hisoka into his arms in a tight hug.

"Tsu...suzuki..." Hisoka stuttered in surprise.

"Thank you, Hisoka. Thank you for saving my back in Kyoto, and thank you for helping me remember those who were lost."

Left without words, Hisoka carefully returned the hug. He was still trying to get used to being a little more open with his feelings.

Tsuzuki released him and stood up, brushing of sakura petals. His face positively beamed. "Well, Hisoka, how about we go and get something to eat?"

Hisoka stood and sighed. "Idiot�EIs food the only thing you think of?"

"No, not the only thing. I just remembered all of this." Tsuzuki grinned and grabbed Hisoka's hand, pulling him back to their office to get some money.

"Tsuzuki, I swear you are a lost cause..."

~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Well... That's it. I'm sorry if it's really bad. This was pretty much just practice on writing Tsuzuki and to get my muse back on his feet. Please don't hurt me too much... ^__^ And sorry this was so short... But it's not exactly the kind of story that would be long, right? ^__^

Some notes: I used white roses because they are pure, just like the girls that died. And I think the camellia flower can speak for itself. ^__^

You could say that this story is late, but then again, you could say it's right on time. Some people celebrate Samhain on October 31^st, and others on November 1^st. ^__^

Again... I'm sorry if I inadvertently offended anyone. That's not anything that I'd ever want to do. But if I do get flames, they will be used to happily roast marshmallows. ^_~