Kit - This is a really great issue for T&T fans … but in case you changed your mind - Back to Yami page or Mmm think I will check out other titles

Yami no Matsuei Volume 5

We start the story with Tsuzuki's nightmare that he is assaulted (yet again) by Muraki with his professions of love (seems Tsu couldn't quite recover from volume 3 huh). Just as his goose is about to be cooked, Tatsumi appears in the dream. Tsu runs to Tats for help but realises that Muraki had paid off Tats. As such, instead of helping him, Tats sells him to Muraki and the latter proceeds to continuing his 'love' to Tsu … ugh!) Okay I know what I said about yaoi, but I really would have preferred it to be Tats at least kissing and uhh 'loving' Tsu …. heh heh …

Waking from this disgusting dream all horrified and bothered, Tsu gets the feeling of someone sitting on top of his blanket. At first, Tsu thinks his nightmare has come true, (since it started with him feeling someone ontop of his blanket then to find Muraki). He finds the Earl's butler Watson sitting on him instead, and with a certain degree of relief, bashes Watson into the sky! However, it turns out that Watson was merely trying to deliver to Tsu his invitation to the Earl's party …

Arriving at work all disheveled and disorientated, he bumps into Tats who complains about Tsu not being able to take care of himself. As Tsu proceeds to wipe off a rice grain below Tsu's lips, Tsu blushes and then screams, dashing into the distance … "For money you would even sell me … I hate Tats for - ever …!" (I don't know but it reminds me of a newly wed housewife throwing tantrums before her hubby when he is not as pampering as in courtship). You then see a close up of Tats' thoughtful face before he reverts to his 'monster worker' mode, proceeding to bury himself with files … I just love workaholics in manga don't you?

So like they are all at the Earl's party with Tsu gobbling away happily when Tats bugs him again about the fact he can't take care of himself … Tats proceeds to wipe Tsu's mouth again but then says "breaking up with you was a right decision after all …" Hisoka looks really surprised but Watari goes on to explain what Tats meant (broke up partnership lah …)

Tats being Tats retains his sharp tongue, and when Tsu starts throwing a mild tantrum, caustically tells off Tsu "I hate idiots … didn't you know silly?" Tsu loses control and again screams (housewife mode?) while running into the distance "I hate Tats for - ever …"

Everyone is shocked but Tats drink his tea calmly saying "don't worry that silly guy will return when he gets hungry …" Hisoka and Watari whisper fearfully "Tats is scary … whoever opposes him is D-E-A-D!" (and start worrying for chief who they fear will soon be deposed).

Meanwhile, Tsu runs into the mansion, and on seeing the candles of life, gets depressed by the fact he must kill as a Shinigami (thus extinguishing a candle). He opens a book lying around, and is sucked into the pages! Ughhh!!! We return to the party, but the Earl has left to look for Tsu. Watari excuses himself to finish some work first (promising Watson to be back in a jiffy) ... Tats is asking Watson for the tea recipe while Hisoka wonders where Tsu is.

Okay, I really think this should motivate you to go get the book and read it for yourself, besides I have a lot of work to finish up for my great plan to take over the world (bahhh)… but just to finish up this write-up… baaa … baaa …

Kit (injects) - Stop being so rude you horrid black sheep, you're ruining my stuff here ... (UGGHHH ... pushed off the cliff)

Sweetie - Haha … HAHAHA!!!

Tsu falls into a story world (in the book) where the conclusion of the story develops itself, based on the input initially given by the Earl. Under the original format, Tsu is supposed to be a country lass (one cutie whoooh) who is supposed marry the ruler of the country to pay off her father's debts. (No prizes for guessing that the ruler in question is none other than the Earl who has a thingee for Tsu). Confronted by hunting hounds while trying to rescue a rabbit, Tsu meets the ruler's butler (Tats). The butler on realising Tsu is not the lass, resumes his plans for the wedding festivities between the lass and his liege, even if he must drug the unwilling bride. Watari is a chemist hired to make (and break) the drug and Hisoka is the crabby prince, unwilling to accept his new step-mom (with other characters too).

Well, the Earl had planned for the story to be a focus on the wedding nite (ahem, emphasis added), but thanx to Tsu, the wedding is disrupted. This is no less with the usual amount of destruction we are accustomed to where Tsu is involved. But thanks to him, the lass and the butler finally admit to their mutual love for each other, and the star-crossed lovers finally reconcile, embracing in the midst of the now destroyed cathedral (courtesy of Tsu's destructive nature which Tats is resigned to).

Like the butler loves the lass, but thinks she will be happier with the Earl (wealthier etc.), Tats' bad bout of self-loathing is revealed (this I can identify with). The truth is that he attempts to keep Tsu away to avoid hurting Tsu (Tsu reminds Tats of his aristocratic mother whom he adored and wished to protect but somehow I think he ended up killing). Similarly, the lass' wish that her old playmate the butler would stop hiding his concern for her, is reflected in the admission by Tsu to the butler at the end of the story, "Without Tats I have no happiness."

Finally, Tats enlisting Watari's help rescues Tsu (and remarks are made about Watari's preschool drawing abilities), from the story book. This issue then ends with a final sweet scene in which Tats treats Tsu to a goodies to make up for Tsu's mis-adventure and all the mean things he said earlier. The best part is Tats actually does this without admitting to his concern for Tsu, making it sound like he got the snacks by accident although the tea was Tsu's fav from another province, and the snacks were Tsu's fav from Watari's hometown.

… "All I want is for everyone to be happy. (smiles Tsu)" "True." (nods Tats but silently thinking … but all I want is for you, Tsu to be happy). Genki ne? ;)