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KYOTO, PART FOUR Muraki talked to Oriya outside of his restaurant, telling him how Kyoto was a spiritual place that he found calming. Oriya told him he only visited when he was planning something and it made him worry. Muraki asked a favor of Oriya, handing him a card key and telling him to use it to delay the Shinigami when they would eventually visit Oriya, if only for a second. Muraki told him it would be the last favor he ever asked of him, and Oriya begged him not to do it. Muraki told him once it was over he would disappear, and Oriya grabbed the front of Muraki's coat and told him not to act like it was goodbye, and asked why he always had to be like that. Muraki calmly explained he had no choice, that one day that behaviour was entered into his program. Muraki told Oriya he was counting on him as he turned and left, leaving Oriya crying silently on his knees. Professor Satomi's body was found in the river, and as Watari, Tatsumi and Hisoka walked away from the crowd that gathered around the discovery Hisoka suddenly stopped in his tracks and said that they would never get Tsuzuki back, that he chose his own life. Tatsumi told him rather firmly to get a hold of himself, and that if he gave up on his partner they'd never be able to rescue him. Hisoka argued that Tsuzuki might not even remember him, but Tatsumi pointed out that they still knew him, and that he would never disappear if they kept Tsuzuki in their hearts. Reinfused with purpose, Hisoka once again was all gung-ho to go save Tsuzuki. Watari researched hotels, looking for Muraki, and when he didn't find a trace of him he looked into other places. He discovered Oriya's restaurant that was really a brothel and the fact that Oriya was a highschool friend of Muraki's made it the perfect hiding place. The three Shinigami paid Oriya a visit, and Hisoka got straight to the point, demanding to know where Tsuzuki was. Oriya told him to not be so aggressive, and said that Muraki was at an underground lab at the college and that Tsuzuki was probably there as well. The Shinigami turned to leave but Oriya pointed out that they couldn't get into the lab without the card key that he carried. Hisoka faced Oriya in a sword duel, and Watari and Tatsumi stood to the side unable to do anything since Hisoka was the only one who knew any martial arts. In the secret lab Muraki had Tsuzuki on an operating chair, dressed only in a robe. He told his grandfather that his patient had finally returned, and when he noticed a single tear escape from Tsuzuki's blank eyes he asked Tsuzuki if he were having a nightmare. Of course there was no reply, as Tsuzuki was comatose. Muraki leaned in close to Tsuzuki's neck and told him that he would soon be free. Back at Ko Kaku Rou, Oriya attacked Hisoka relentlessly, asking if he fought to save Tsuzuki or out of hatred for Muraki. He slashed Hisoka across the chest and told him that he would not be defeated by hate. Hisoka fell to his knees and Oriya thanked him for the duel, but Hisoka stood up, not ready to admit defeat. Hisoka could barely stand and Tatsumi and Watari ran to his side. Hisoka wouldn't listen to their warnings and told them that Tsuzuki had saved him over and over, held him gently in his arms when he was unable to trust others, and watched over him. Now that Tsuzuki was in trouble Hisoka wanted to rescue him, and be the one to comfort him. Oriya told Hisoka that he liked him and that he accepted his offer. The two clashed swords once again, and as the battle raged Hisoka reflected that this was the first time he had found home, and it was because of Tsuzuki. Oriya slashed him across the chest again, but this time Hisoka did not falter, instead he sprung back into battle and gave one last final charge. When it was over Oriya still stood, his back to Hisoka, and he told Hisoka he won. Hisoka told him that the fight wasn't over and he wanted to win fairly, but Oriya ignored his demands for continuation, telling him any madman had a reason for his actions, and that Muraki was fighting for the same reasons as Hisoka was. Oriya handed over the card key and as the three Shinigami ran off he wondered if he did the right thing, and hoped Muraki wouldn't die. At the secret lab Muraki held a knife to Tsuzuki's chest and told him that he would make Saki a new body out of his. Deep within his mind Tsuzuki wandered in a field of white roses. He came across his younger self, who was cutting roses off the branch. Tsuzuki asked his younger self why he was doing that and he replied that all gardeners cut off extra buds so the other roses could survive. Tsuzuki commented that they deserved to become roses as much as the other flowers, but his younger self replied that he was a murderer and had no right to speak that way. Tsuzuki tried to deny it but his younger self asked him to explain what was behind him then. Turning around, Tsuzuki saw all the roses behind him were dead and dripping blood. Muraki had left Tsuzuki to go stand in front of Saki's tank, and without warning Tsuzuki came up from behind and stabbed him with the operating knife. As Muraki fell to the ground Tsuzuki said that he himself wasn't supposed to exist and didn't deserve life, and asked Muraki to come with him. Muraki laughed, asking if he wanted them to die together, but Tsuzuki gave no reply. Instead the knife fell from his fingers and he raised his arms in the air, summoning Touda. Muraki told him even if he killed him he wouldn't be free from his sadness, but Tsuzuki paid him no heed. Muraki went on, saying they were doomed to wander in darkness and there was no escape for either of them. Touda appeared, a serpent-like Shikigami who bathed the room in flames. When Hisoka used the card key to open the doors of the lab the three of them were faced with the inferno within. Tatsumi recognized it as Touda's flames. Muraki lay on the ground wondering if he were to die in such a pathetic way. He grabbed on to a nearby table and pulled himself up, refusing to die until he killed Saki with his own hands. His eye glowed as he laughed maniacally, then flames engulfed where he was. Watari held Hisoka back, trying to stop him from running it to save Tsuzuki. He explained that Touda's flames could kill even a Shinigami. Tatsumi pointed out that Tsuzuki knew that and planned to kill himself. Hisoka wouldn't accept it and ran into the flames. Watari commented to Tatsumi that it was nice to let people do what they wanted, but there was nothing wrong with standing in their way, to which Tatsumi agreed. Sitting amidst the chaos Tsuzuki asked Touda to burn him more, for he should cease to exist since he had caused so much death. Suddenly Tsuzuki heard Hisoka yell out that he was coming to get him, and Hisoka appeared before him and told him it was time to go. Tsuzuki refused, saying he had lived more than his fair share and was tired. His goodbye was cut off however, by Hisoka throwing his arms around him. Hisoka begged him to stay for his sake, and through tears he sobbed that he didn't want to be alone and belonged by Tsuzuki's side. Tsuzuki calmly asked Hisoka if he could stay with him, and Hisoka nodded his agreement. They held each other as the building collapsed in flames around them. At Ko Kaku Rou Oriya quietly asked if he was gone forever.. Konoe was having tea with the Earl, who inquired about Tsuzuki and Hisoka. Konoe told him they were fine; Tatsumi had transported in and pulled them out. They both agreed that Hisoka and Tsuzuki had changed a lot through their association with each other. Tatsumi sat at Tsuzuki's beside, and asked him if he were mad at him for saving him. Tsuzuki told him he wasn't, and thanked Tatsumi for saving his life. There was a knock at the door and Watari, Wakaba, and both GuShoShin burst into the room, bearing dessert. Noticing Hisoka's bed was empty they asked where he was. Hisoka stood outside, staring off into nowhere as cherry blossoms fluttered down around him. Tsuzuki appeared behind him and told him he'd catch a cold. They walked along together, and Tsuzuki thanked Hisoka for calling him back when he was ready to die, to which Hisoka replied that he shouldn't talk out of character. Hisoka pulled down his sleeve to reveal the marks of the curse were still there, and told Tsuzuki that Muraki was still alive, which didn't surprise Tsuzuki. Hisoka said that he had a focus in life as long as Muraki was alive and that he would overcome him someday. Tsuzuki said he knew Hisoka could do it as long as they were together. The two stood there, staring up at the moon, and the series comes to a close. Comments: A wonderful ending to a great series. *sniff* It really left me wanting more though, since the ending wasn't very final. Though I must say it was rather nice to see a happy ending in a really good series (Muraki lived!! *joy*), these days it isn't a very common occurrence. And sadly my summary of this episode doesn't do Muraki's dirty behaviour concerning comatose Tsuzuki justice.. Which is why everyone must run out and watch the series! Right now! [side note: Oriya is so damn cool!] / BACK |