A/N: Another Osomatsu fanfic! I wanted to try out something different and if you read my two oneshots and enjoyed them then hopefully you'll enjoy this story too. Anyways, enjoy! :)

It was raining, a gloomy day, but it was a day that befitted the situation for the brothers. The heavy raindrops landed on multiple black umbrellas. The whole Matsuno family was there including a few friends and acquaintances and they all wore black, a grim theme for the event they were in. Everyone stood up, a few hunched over and shaking, though instead of six brothers standing there were only five, and that one missing person was Karamatsu. The second oldest laid resting peacefully inside the coffin as it lowered down into a ditch.

The only noise throughout the field was Jyushimatsu and Todomatsu's sobbing. Choromatsu emitted soft whimpers as tears streamed down his face while Ichimatsu refused to make any sounds; instead, he bit his lip hard enough for it to bleed but the tears were still distinguishable on his face. None of them watched the coffin lower assisted by three people aside from Osomatsu. He stood tall as he eyed the wooden rectangle. No tears came out but his eyes were lethargic and puffy, most likely from the time that he had the chance to be alone.

Todomatsu leaned against him and hid his face in his chest. Osomatsu accepted the action and wrapped his arms around him, rubbing small circles around his back. They were all soaked. Everyone had umbrellas besides them because they had neither the strength nor care to hold one. So instead they accepted the cold downpour, it was the closest it could get for comfort.

Osomatsu blocked out the sobs and keens. If he listened to them, he feared he might be doing it along with them and he couldn't. Not when he had already done it earlier and his brothers were now huddling closer to him. Out of the corner of his eyes, his parents were bracing each other. His mother hiding her face in his father's neck as he was clutching the back of her shirt, shutting his eyes to keep any tears that threatened to spill inside.

The moment mud shoveled into the hole, the coffin now secured inside, was when Osomatsu finally tore his eyes away. He turned his head up to the sky, squinting to protect his now stinging eyes from the rain. This was finally it. Karamatsu, his brother, was finally disappearing from their lives. They had the chance to see him earlier when the coffin's door had been open inside the church. Each brother had taken turns to walk up and say his final goodbyes. It was then when Karamatsu looked most serene, his smile no longer flashing and his eyebrows no longer arching downwards. He looked like he was sleeping, but what he was in was a reminder that he was not, but that he was dead and never coming back. Clenching his teeth Osomatsu shut his eyes. He just didn't understand. He could accept the fact that his brother was dead, he and the rest of his family had to at some point and he might as well be the first, but what he couldn't accept was how they never knew how he died.

That night a week ago, he and his brothers were playing a board game, their parents sleeping already. Only Karamatsu wasn't present but they didn't mind, he usually came home late at midnight or even later for whatever unknown reasons but they were used to it. All went normal for them and they were about to get ready for bed until a few hasty knocks were made on their door. Everyone immediately felt suspicious and all eyes turned to Osomatsu. Having the sense of responsibility, he made his way to the door without question. There was no peephole in the door so he prepared himself to see who decided to knock past midnight. It couldn't have been Karamatsu. He never needed to knock; everyone knew that he just entered the house and yelled 'I'm home'. Osomatsu had expected it to be Karamatsu anyways or at least he hoped so. When he opened it, he sighed in relief. Karamatsu was there though he was on the ground slumped on his side. Osomatsu snickered as he kneeled down to shake him up. He probably must've been drunk and just passed out right after he knocked. He shook his shoulders, slapped his cheeks, held his nose, anything to wake Karamatsu up. His smirk slowly turned into a frown and his brows knitted together. He shouldn't be doing what he was about to do but he did anyways, and that was to check his heartbeat. Panic shot through him in an instant and he started yelling his name. His other brothers ran to him calling his name. Everything else was a blur after that.

Osomatsu swallowed, relishing the rain sliding down his face. His neck was cramping but he didn't care. He didn't want to see his brother's coffin disappearing underground, it was all too soon and too agonizing. Just finding Karamatsu dead in front of his house was still fresh and vivid in his mind. Honestly, what had happened? Was he murdered? Someone could've just knocked on the door and bolted away leaving Karamatsu's body. But who? The police had done everything they could but there had been no evidence, which left his parents to cry from the pathetic news. Everyone wanted answers, but they weren't going to get any. His brother's death was a mystery that would forever carve their hearts if they never find out.

When he felt Todomatsu slip away, he looked ahead again. Everyone was walking forward to the now fully buried spot. The gravestone was now in place behind it with carved letters of Karamatsu's name and date of birth and death along with a meaningful message. Someone held bouquets of flowers and as people walked forward, they took a one and placed it over the mud. Everyone but Osomatsu moved to pay their final respects. He had to look up at the sky again; he couldn't stand to look at the sight any longer. His chest throbbed and his throat and eyes stung.

A hand patted him on the shoulder but he didn't bother to see who it was. All he was focused on was keeping himself together. This wasn't fair at all. The times he remembered poking fun at Karamatsu, ignored him, and ditched him were now memories that he regretted the most. He clenched his fists. Tears finally slid down his cheeks but he didn't care because he wasn't fine. He wasn't fine at all.

Opening his eyes, Karamatsu awoke to the rain pattering against the windows. He spread his arms to feel around and once realizing that he had been lying down he sat up. It was silent and dark but he could make out that he was in his shared brother's bedroom. After adjusting his eyes he stood up and stretched but a sudden sharp pain in his head had him hissing as he put a hand on his forehead. His mind was fuzzy and a mess overall. He didn't remember how he got here or yet it felt like he didn't remember yesterday at all. He couldn't even pinpoint the last thing he did but he didn't dare try to figure it out as his head was pounding. His whole body felt strangely numb and weightless but he figured that he had been extremely drunk yesterday and the aftereffects were still lingering. He should probably take some medicine but before he could take a step, he faintly heard a door open from downstairs.

Cautiously, Karamatsu crept his way down the stairs and through the hall. The light in the living room had turned on and he heard shuffling inside. Excitement grew in his chest to know that his brothers or parents came home. It felt like ages since he last talked to his family and now that someone was home, he rushed to peek from the side.

"Come on Totty take off your jacket," Osomatsu urged, "It's soaking wet and you're going to catch a cold. Mom and dad are going to be here soon so hurry."

Todomatsu, sitting on the floor, didn't respond as he buried his head in his arms on the coffee table. The only sounds that came from him were soft sniffles.

Osomatsu's brow twitched and he was about to walk up to him and take it off for him but Choromatsu pulled on his sleeve making him stop. When he turned to look at him the younger merely shook his head. Choromatsu's eyes were red and puffy but he didn't look bothered by it. Osomatsu glanced at his other brothers and noticed the same lamented looks. Sighing in defeat his shoulders slumped as he sat himself on the couch. Even when they got back home, the mood around them was still just like the one from the funeral. Though Osomatsu didn't mind, he didn't have it in him to change it.

Just when it was for the best that no one would say anything Jyushimatsu shuffled over to Todomatsu's side and bent down. "Don't cry Totty...," he tried comforting him but the rasp in his voice seemed less convincing. Hesitantly, he rested his hand on his brother's back and rubbed it.

A split second later Todomatsu smacked Jyushimatsu's arm away and whipped around glaring at him. His face was beet red and wetness from his cheeks and nose clung to his face but the way he snarled made Jyushimatsu flinch and back away. "Don't touch me!" he shrieked.

Karamatsu straightened up. His brothers had just gotten home and they were already arguing? Moreover, why was Todomatsu crying? All of their faces looked distressed and tired and he deeply wanted to know why. He stepped in front of the living room's entrance and coughed trying to get their attentions but it proved to be of little work as Todomatsu continued lashing out at Jyushimatsu. He raised an arm weakly as if not knowing exactly what to do. "Hey-"

"After what happened earlier you're telling me not to cry? How can I not cry?! I'm grieving because one of our brothers is dead! Karamatsu is dead!" Todomatsu cried out, "And he's not coming back ever!"

Karamatsu immediately went rigid as his eyes widened. What did he just say? Honestly what was his brother spewing? He was right there in the same room as them alive in flesh and bones. He should probably stop Todomatsu as all of this was starting to make him feel nauseous-

Then it hit him.

His stretched arm fell limply to his side as his head hung low staring at the floor. The pain in his head was now gone but now exactly realizing the feeling of his whole body being numb and light made his mouth agape as he remembered.

He was dead.

It suddenly all crashed to him. He remembered feeling his conscious slip away and his body becoming weak. The visual memory wasn't there but the feeling was. It was faint but it was there and it was enough to have him crashing on his knees, and he grimaced when he couldn't feel anything from the impact.

Then that meant his brothers were this way because he was dead and no longer around? He looked up and examined their faces. Osomatsu had pulled Todomatsu away, as if he was stopping him from lashing out physically, while Jyushimatsu grasped Ichimatsu's shirt and cried. All of their faces looked awful, dark bags under their eyes and their clothes and hair were soaked. Each of them had a look as if they too had all died but on the inside and that made Karamatsu's heart ache in guilt.

Karamatsu buried his face in his hands and bit his lip. His throat had a lump and he felt tears on both his cheeks and hands but he didn't care. What had he done? He left his brother's in such a grieving situation and there was nothing that he could do. He had disappeared from their lives only to make them suffer in return and there was no going back to fix any of it. It was all too much to bear and the feeling of this going on possibly forever made him sob harder. "I-I'm so s-sorry," he choked out wailing, "Oh god w-what have I done I'm s-so sorry!" If it meant being there for his brothers and seeing their smiling faces again then he desperately wished he were alive again. However, it was all too late.

Raising his head, Todomatsu shook himself out of Osomatsu's grip and strained his ears. He narrowed his eyes, which received confusing looks from the others. Only when the sounds became clearer he murmured, "D-Do you hear that?"

Choromatsu sighed, relieved that Todomatsu was no longer furious but not wanting to deal with his possible hallucinations. "No? What is it?" he asked.

"I-I...I think I hear..." Todomatsu shivered as he looked at each of his brothers, "I think I can hear him."

Ichimatsu raised a brow. "Hear who?"

"Him!" Todomatsu repeated sounding desperate, "I can hear Karamatsu-niisan!"

"Totty please don't do this," Osomatsu pleaded. Of all things, he didn't want it coming down to this kind of situation.

"But I swear I can hear him! It- It sounds like he's..." Todomatsu searched around the living room frantically. Hoping that his brother's voice wasn't just all in his head. When he turned his head to the living room's entrance his eyes widened from pure shock and disbelief, "...crying."

There he saw his brother, his brother that was supposed to be gone and never exist anymore, on his knees on the floor with his head buried in his hands and shoulders shaking. Todomatsu couldn't believe it and his reaction had his brothers looking in the same direction and gasping.

"K-Karamatsu?!" Osomatsu stuttered.

At his name called in surprise, Karamatsu jerked his head up. In front of him, his brothers stared at him like a deer in the headlights and that was when he wondered. "Brothers...?" Shakily, he put a foot on the floor and hoisted himself up. He thought hard whether if his brothers were looking at him or at something behind him.

It was dead silent for a few seconds, no one daring to speak as they tried to take in the overwhelming situation. Karamatsu hesitated as he waved a hand at them, still unsure of what to do. He couldn't take a step as their stares were like they were carving into his head. Todomatsu didn't say another word as he bolted up and ran towards him with the others soon following.

"Karamatsu!" They all cried in unison, new tears forming at the corners of their eyes though for the first time in what seemed like forever it wasn't from agony or grieving but more from joy.

Karamatsu flinched as his brothers dashed towards him. He braced himself as he spread his arms, unsure if his brothers would either embrace him or tackle him, either way he would gladly accept whichever ones and he started doubting if all what he thought before was just him being insane.

The moment his brothers reached him Karamatsu expected being in a group hug or on the floor but instead his brothers stumbled past him and fell onto the floor.

Wait

Turning around he found them toppled on one another and slowly getting up in pain. What just happened? They were directly in front of him when they reached out to him so he didn't understand what went wrong. Wincing, Todomatsu turned around and looked at him in bewilderment. Shakily reaching a hand out to him, he spoke, "Karamatsu-niisan... is that really you?"

Karamatsu smiled, tears threatening to spill out again. "Yes it's me my dear brother," he replied reaching out his hand towards his younger brother. He expected to be able to hold Todomatsu's hand in his but that didn't happen. Instead, Todomatsu's hand went right through his as if nothing was there. Todomatsu gasped and retracted his hand back in horror, his brothers having the same distraught faces.

Karamatsu's smile faltered and turned bitter. Oh, that was right. He was dead.

"Oh my god," Osomatsu said, his eyes growing wider, "Is this seriously for real?"

"H-hey what's going on..." Choromatsu panicked, shaking in fear as he stared at Karamatsu.

Karamatsu's gaze trailed to the floor as he frowned. It was true that he was dead after all. What an unfortunate way to see his brothers after who knew how long he had been gone. It still boggled his mind that they were able to see him dead. Looking back up, he took in the sight of his brothers' faces. All of their mouths were agape and their eyes were wide and shaking. They were probably afraid of him now that he was like this. He understood, but it pained him that his brothers were ecstatic to see him again but only to find him as something they couldn't even touch.

Even so, he didn't want to have this kind of relationship with his brothers just because he was some sort of ghost. If he had the chance to be with his brothers again instead of moving on, then he wasn't going to waste that opportunity. He had enough giving his brother sorrow and pain and he was going to fix that. It was the harsh reality that he wasn't in his body with a beating heart to hold his dear brothers, but what mattered most was that he still had some sort of existence. Karamatsu's chest still felt heavy from the acceptance of his death no matter what but he was content that he could still be with them.

Karamatsu raised his hand and examined it. Opening and closing his hand in observation before leaving it clenched, he understood that his fingers could not feel his palm. He looked back up to find that his brothers had calmed down a bit but was still high alert of his presence. "I..." he trailed off, not knowing exactly how to explain it. Would they act differently now that he was a ghost? Probably he figured, but the question was how differently? He sighed. He would find out once he explained it all.

Lightly smiling trying to offer some reassurance he continued, "To be honest here...the Karamatsu you're seeing right now is only a mere ghost, a fragment left behind after I had passed on. However, do not fret brothers, I am still who I am as when I was alive and well. It seems that I, for some reason, have not moved on to where I'm supposed to be."

After saying that it grew dead silent again and Karamatsu shifted in uneasiness, god he really wished his brothers would say something, anything, even if that might be rejection. Did they believe him? It was proof when they had tried to touch him earlier. He waited nervously as he observed their faces. Nothing much had changed besides the shaking that had stopped.

The longer it remained silent the more Karamatsu figured out his answer. It seemed that his brothers weren't okay with the fact he was still right there despite being dead. But that was alright, he understood that it wasn't a situation to accept so easily. He didn't blame them.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. It would be best to leave them now to prevent any possible arguments. If they were going to fear him now, then he shouldn't be around anymore. It hurt because he wanted to be with them at least a little more but if it meant scaring them then he had to go. He gave a small wave to them and was about to bid them farewell but someone beaten him to it.

"Karamatsu nii-san!" Jyushimatsu yelled while dashing towards him.

Karamatsu flinched at the unexpected response. He shielded himself with his arms as Jyushimatsu jumped into the air about to pounce on him. Protecting himself wasn't necessary, but it was a fast reflex that was natural to him as a thud resonated behind him.

"Umph!" The younger cried as he landed face flat on the floor.

Turning around Karamatsu rushed and knelt beside his him, his hands hovering above him unsure even though that wasn't necessary either. "Jyushimatsu are you alright?" Jyushimatsu quickly lifted himself up sat up on his knees ignoring his question. His lips quivered and his eyes began to water and Karamatsu wondered if he was seriously injured. "H-Hey what's wrong?"

Jyushimatsu shook his head as tears finally started pouring out. "Y-You're here nii-san...you're really here," he cried. He reached his sleeves out and tried to grab him but it just effortlessly passed through.

"W-What?" Karamatsu stood up and backed away.

The next person to walk up to him was Osomatsu as he tried to wrap an arm around his neck but ended up making the same mistake. "Whoops, I forgot about that."

Watching his other brothers shifting closer to him Karamatsu put his hands up in front of him. "Wait wait! Aren't you guys scared of me?" At first, they were shivering at the sight of him but now they tried getting closer to him. It was all strange to him how different they acted so suddenly. His thoughts broke by a chuckle that came from his older brother.

"Scared of you?" Osomatsu laughed, "Why would we be scared of you? You're our painful brother!"

Karamatsu's eyes gazed at the floor, still unconvinced. "Yeah but...I'm-"

Osomatsu cut him off, "You're dead. We know, so what?"

Taken aback Karamatsu repeated, "So what? So you guys aren't bothered by the way I am? Are you really fine with this?" Seeing the way Osomatsu's lips pursed into a thin line instantly made him regret what he said.

"No," Osomatsu admitted, "Honestly we'll never be fine with your death. Heck we're still trying to comprehend that you're actually here! But that's the thing Karamatsu." He grinned wide as he moved closer to him. Any trace of fear and confusion long gone that was now replaced with rejoice. "It's that you're still here and that's what matters."

Karamatsu's eyes widened as he stared at his brother. He felt the familiar stinging in his eyes again as his shoulders shook. It was true after all that he would still be able to be with them again. The feeling in his chest was indescribable but all he knew was that he was overjoyed. They still accepted him.

Osomatsu now stood in front of him. Raising his hand he hovered it over Karamatsu's head just enough that it gave the illusion that he was actually touching his head. "Welcome home," he greeted.

Letting the tears fall again Karamatsu tried to picture the feeling on his head as he smiled back. "I'm home."

Osomatsu gave one last gentle look to his brother before stepping back. "Alright let's all take a seat in the living room! I'm exhausted and I need to sit down."

The others nodded and everyone shuffled to sit down on either the couch or the floor. Karamatsu sat on the couch between Todomatsu and Jyushimatsu, the younger two sitting as close as possible without trying to touch him. Ichimatsu sat on the floor in front of the couch right by Karamatsu's feet. His legs were against his chest as he hugged his knees. He kept sending glances his way every few times but hadn't spoken a word since.

Osomatsu and Choromatsu sat across from them on the floor. They understood how the younger ones wanted to be around Karamatsu now that he was back so they let them have that space, opting to sit further way to avoid an uncomfortable cluster.

"So," Osomatsu began, deciding to be the one to initiate the conversation, "How does it feel being...you know- ow!" He rubbed the back of his head where Choromatsu had smacked it.

"Really Osomatsu-niisan? Really?" Choromatsu chided. "Out of all things to say you say that? He probably isn't comfortable talking about it."

"Well what was I supposed to say?" Osomatsu retorted.

"Brothers it's okay," Karamatsu interrupted. Choromatsu gave him a worried look but he nodded in reassurance. "Well besides not being able to touch any of you guys I don't feel all that different."

"But you're able to sit on the couch?" Todomatsu pointed out.

Putting a hand to the couch's cushion Karamatsu felt around it before responding. "I guess I can touch nonliving objects. I can't feel it but my hand won't go through it."

Osomatsu turned his head up at the ceiling and hummed. "That's strange, but at least you won't be falling through the earth," he joked.

Karamatsu laughed. "I'm glad for that my brothers, though I wished I would have been able to hold you in my arms back when you all charged at me. But it's fine, I'm perfectly content with you all being able to see me."

"I'm glad too!" Jyushimatsu agreed. "I'm glad that Karamatsu-niisan is still here!" He kept reaching to the side towards Karamatsu and pulling back his hands every time he remembered what would happen. He wanted to squeeze his brother in a bone-crushing hug, but he knew that he would never be able to do that again.

"We're all glad that he's here," Choromatsu corrected. "But in regards to Karamatsu-niisan..." He turned his gaze towards Karamatsu, his worried expression taking over again as he stared at him. "If you're fine with telling us could you- could you maybe..." He hesitated, thinking if asking that question was really a good idea.

Karamatsu's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What is wrong? Go ahead and tell me, it's alright."

Choromatsu swallowed hard. "I was wondering if you could tell us- you know what it's not important just forget what I said," he hastily replied.

"No go ahead and tell me," Karamatsu urged, "It's fine really."

"He wants to know how you died," Ichimatsu deadpanned.

The room automatically felt suffocating and uncomfortable as it went silent again. All eyes turned to Ichimatsu, who only hugged his legs tighter and stared at the floor, his chin resting on his knees. If no one had the confidence to ask it he might as well be the one to say it, though even he was terrified to know the answer. He bit his lip, despite it still being sore from harshly biting it earlier, and waited for a response.

"I-Ichimatsu!" Choromatsu sputtered.

Osomatsu patted his shoulder, "Relax, you understand just as badly how much we all want to know."

All eyes now turned to Karamatsu. He sat still and rigid and everyone started to fear for the worse. Karamatsu's mouth opened and closed a few times as he stared at his hands resting on his lap. Everyone waited anxiously for his answer but he still didn't respond, or at least not right away. When he finally looked up they all jerked. His expression looked frightened as he eyed every one of them. It was as if he was desperately trying to form an answer.

After what seemed like forever he finally spoke, it was shaky and hesitant, but they were finally going to get an answer. However, it wasn't an answer they expected.

"I- I don't remember..."

Yeah...that's how I ended it lol.

Thank you for reading! Please leave a review! :)