Yuna was sure that she would've been scolded by Shiba-san if he'd been aware of how bored she'd been. Her Oni had made a good decision when he protected her with his power.

"Thank you, Yuna-chan."

"Are you aware, that I really hate it when people listen to my thoughts?"

He chuckled. "Yes, but I think it's something different in our case, isn't it?"

"Hm. I don't like it anyway."

"Well ... We'll have to live with that."

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

"The choice falls on life or death. Much simpler it can't be, right?"

"Probably not."

"Now focus on the ceremony. We owe him that much."

"He doesn't care about this whole humbug. He wasn't religious."

"Maybe. Maybe not. This is irrelevant. It's about respect."

"Yeah, yeah."

When the recitation finally came to an end, the monk bowed and left the room without a word. Shiba-san turned to the audience again. "Now follows the Okoden and the buffet. Please decide for yourself when to come over. For questions, I am happy to assist you. Masuda-san, please come to me."

The audience rose and began to spread through the room. Some went to the buffet, others talked quietly, and a few gathered in Yuna and Shinji's vicinity.

"Isn't the girl getting a break?" moaned Ayumi as she stretched.

"Funerals are a very hard thing, Ayumi-chan." Kyo had been standing next to her all the time, admiring the ceremony with her. Kenji had put on the same clothes as the other staff members, and served at the buffet.

"I know, but my goodness. She should at least be able to drink something."

"Why don't you take care of her well-being?" the policeman suggested.

"Pretty good advice, Detective." The redhead winked at him.

An employee of the burial company came running. "Police chief Watanabe, Narusegawa-sama demands for you."

"Of course. Thank you very much. I'll come right away." The woman nodded and flitted away. Kyo threw a mischievous glance at his friend, who glared at him.

"You weren't lying?" she asked.

"I'm a servant of the law, Ayumi-chan. Policemen never lie." He grinned.

A little ashamed she tugged at her Obi. "Now, you're overdoing it."

"Fine. See you later?"

Thoughtfully, she tilted her head. "Are you following me?"

"I would never do that. I just like your company." With a wink, he walked away in the direction of the mayoress.

She took a deep breath before she fought her way to the buffet. On her way, she glanced over at Yuna, who was talking to an older man, who gave her an envelope with both hands, which she took with her two hands. He spoke a few more words, which were answered by the girl, then he bowed his head, whereupon the blue-haired girl bowed deeply and handed the envelope over to an employee who wrote something on it and placed it in a crate. Then the next person was introduced.

"Well, Darling? What can I get you?" Kenji asked Ayumi at the buffet.

"I need a cup of tea for Yuna. She'll have to drink something, or she's going to faint."

"Coming right away." The Oni whirled around and poured tea into a porcelain cup. "Here you go. Something else? A bite?"

The redhead took the cup. "I'll have something to eat with her afterwards. Save us a few snacks, okay?"

"With the greatest pleasure, my dearest." The fire-devil bowed, broadly grinning.

"You're such a spinner, Kenji-kun."

"Only in your presence, Ayumi-chan."

She laughed softly, while moving to her roommate, who was talking to a young woman. The redhead flowed almost unnoticed between the people, but when she arrived at her friend's side, there were a lot of people waiting to talk to Yuna.

Ayumi bit her lower lip as she pondered for a solution to this new problem.

"I apologize for the absence of my father in all form, Masuda-san." The young woman wore an unspectacular black dress and bowed apologetically.

"Thank you very much. Please give your father my best regards. I'm sure he'd have preferred to be here, instead of catching a cold."

"Certainly. Goodbye, Masuda-san."

"Goodbye, Ikkansai-san." Both bowed, then the young woman went on.

Yuna turned to the next guest as Ayumi stepped beside her. "Ojou-sama, your tea," said the redhead, bowing her head humbly, and holding the cup with her hands to her roommate.

The blue-haired girl turned around. "Ojou-sama? Are you okay?" She had to pull herself together, not to laugh loudly.

"Please, don't embarrass me, Ojou-sama." She stretched out the cup, until Yuna took it from her.

The high-school student noticed the other guests' gazes and then clasped that this was the only chance for Ayumi to push herself forward and bring the tea. Quickly she cleared her throat. "Thank you, Shikibu-chan." The Masuda girl drank a proper sip and placed the cup on the table next to her.

"At your service, Ojou-sama." The redhead retired and had to grin as soon as she could turn away.

"She's good," Kazuki Chigusa whispered to Shinji Shiba.

"As a matter of fact. Masuda-san can be lucky to have someone this competent at her service." The Oni looked at the man whose thoughts he was reading. "To my knowledge, she is a hostess."

The financial expert looked at the red-haired woman who was passing by. "I see. That explains a lot. I have the feeling that I had seen her on other occasions. I'd like to spend a few hours with such a person."

"Maybe I can arrange a contact, Chigusa-san," the bald man offered.

"Don't worry, Shiba-san. The day an undertaker takes care of my well being will be the day of my burial." After seeing the displeased expression of his conversation partner, he added, "this shall not be an offense."

The Oni shrugged. "Of course not. Will you excuse me? I have to look after my staff."

"No problem. See you." Kazuki ran through his hair and pursued the redhead.

Shinji disappeared in the area for the staff and leaned against a wall. He was used to being treated like this. All the people who worked with the dead in Japan were ostracized by society, although they did everything they could to appreciate the dead. But death was considered unclean. And so were those who looked after the dead.

Nevertheless, he loved his profession. No, his calling.

The dead didn't think anymore. They didn't bother him with their thoughts and condemned anyone behind their lifeless faces. Only the deceased were truly sincere. This was something that he hated in humans. Their hypocrisy. Only the direct survivors were in sincere mourning, if they cared for the deceased at all. More and more, no one took part in the death of a human being. No one but the undertaker.

"Are you all right, Shi-chan?"

Shinji wiped his face. "Shouldn't you work, Kenji-kun?"

"I overheard. Don't worry, I gave the bum a plate on which I spat." The fire devil grinned broadly.

"I should fire you for that, you fool." Nevertheless, the Telepath smiled. "Thank you."

"Well, I'm not really working for you."

"I can't wait for the death guard to commence. Then it will be calmer."

Kenji came closer. "Are you getting along?"

"Yes, don't worry. I just need a break every now and then." He took a quick breath. "I'm fine."

"I don't really envy you for your power," the sheriff confessed.

The undertaker grinned. "Sometimes you do."

"After such actions, yes."

"Get to work. Haruka is sure to look out for you."

The two Oni swarmed out, Kenji going to the buffet, while Shinji really looked after his staff this time. As he walked between the guests, more and more thoughts invaded him. He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed his forehead. Why couldn't those people already go? Why did they have to stick around for a dead man they didn't care about?

---

I had an amazing week writing four chapters on Onihunter Yuna 2. I hope that I can keep that pace up, so it will eventually be finished in one or two months. Nevertheless I want to go back to a regular release schedule. Every second week a new chapter shall arrive, while in the weeks between I want to post a chapter in german. ^^