Disclaimer: Characters belong to Matsushita Yoko.
The Main Story
Chapter 1: The First Death. Muraki reveals a secret from the past to a certain Shinigami.
Chapter 2: The Second Death. Consequences and lies. Hisoka deals with the aftermath of his encounter with Muraki. Muraki is put to the test.
Chapter 3: The Second Life, Part 1. Enma's messenger brings a new responsibility into Terazuma and Wakaba’s life. Muraki faces the consequences of Hisoka's actions, and Tsuzuki offers a glimpse into the past.
Chapter 4: The Second Life, Part 2. Enma’s decision. Tsuzuki’s relationship with Hisoka furthers while Muraki adjusts to life in the Meifu.
Chapter 5: The True Death, Part 1. A routine case in Tokyo opens the gate. Tatsumi learns how to deal with his new partner, Terazuma and Wakaba join the new team in Tokyo, and Oriya holds the key that Saki is looking for.
Chapter 6: The True Death, Part 2. The Shinigami wrap up their work in Tokyo while Saki makes his first serious move.
Chapter 7: The True Death, Part 3. The Shinigami arrive in Kyoto as Hisoka and Tsuzuki join the hunt for Saki.
Chapter 8: The True Death, Part 4. Events draw to a head as Saki’s experiment follows an unforeseen path, and a midnight visit to Kokakurou weaves together a tangled web.
Chapter 9: The True Death, Part 5. Getting through the night.
Chapter 10: The True Death, Part 6. Morning comes, and the Shinigami move to rescue Hisoka. Now with fanart by Kizu.
Side stories and omake that were originally found at the end of each chapter have now been separated. All chapters except chapters 1 and 3 have side stories or omake.
The Side Stories
Tea for Two. Chapter 2 Side Story
The Path of Stones. Chapter 5 Side Story
Four things that never happened to Saki. Drabble-style. Post-Chapter 5
My little sister, so brave. Chapter 6 Side Story
Asato. Chapter 9 Side Story
Ukyou. Chapter 10 Side Story
Reunion. Sato/Tatsumi short story
Omake! (Outtakes/Satire)That Sensual Night. Chapter 2 Omake
The Path to the King of Practical Jokers I: Professor Watari. Chapter 4 Omake
Desk Job. Chapter 6 Omake
Cat Toy. Chapter 6 Omake
The Path to the King of Practical Jokers II: Chef Watari. Chapter 7 Omake
Kindred Spirits. Post Chapter 8 for characters, but happens in the past, pre-Kyoto, post King of Swords.
Brotherly Love. Chapter 8 Omake
The Drinking Game. Chapter 10 Omake
Disclaimer
Yami no Matsuei belongs to Matsushita Yoko.
Author's Comments
Regarding the series as a whole, I can say for a fact that this was never meant to be this long, or this involved. I wrote the first chapter (intended to be a one-shot) several months after I first watched Yami no Matsuei, after wondering for a very long time if I could do Muraki justice, but that I didn't have any really good ideas for Muraki. Then, one morning, I woke up with the image of Muraki watching someone crying because Muraki had managed to kill their partner (and it wasn't one of the canon Shinigami) so I ended up writing that first chapter.
I kept thinking, as I wrote more, "It will be just one more chapter...after this chapter, I'm done, and I'll stop writing." That worked until about the end of chapter 4 when a certain brother makes his first appearance. After that, a plot actually began to reveal itself, beyond the scope of the basic premise of Muraki's life in the world after life.
I credit the continuation of this fic, from one-shot to epic, to my subconscious desire to write Oriya. If I hadn't written that scene early in chapter 2 where he and Muraki discuss his family tragedy, there would probably have been no more.
But more importantly, I thank my prereaders: RubyD, Cyrus Marriner, Danceswithelvis, and my new proofreader Aeanagwen. Without their suggestions, critiques, input, and occasionally, ideas, this fic would not be nearly as good a read. 10-6-03: Also, please welcome Rinoa into the prereader circle, stepping in temporarily for RubyD.
Also, thanks to you, the reader, for supporting me. Thank you for all your comments and reviews. Please enjoy!