Chapter Twenty-Two: Cruelty:

“What?” Tsuzuki asked.

“Someone cursed the brat,” Airi said. Anna stood up.

“What are you talking about?” she asked. “Who would do such a thing?” Airi put up her hand.

“One question at a time,” she said. “Come with me.” The kitsune turned and walked out of the room. The couple looked at each other. Anna followed behind.

“Usagi?” Tsuzuki asked. He got up and followed behind.

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Watari looked up when he heard footsteps at the door.

“You’re back,” he said. Airi stood in the doorway with Tsuzuki and Anna.

“What did you find?” the older shinigami asked. April and Kyosuke stood up with Watari.

“Come look at this,” the blonde scientist said. He motioned them over to his little table. The couple walked over and took a look.

“I tested Mimzie’s sample,” Watari said. “I found an interesting link between the ferret and your daughter.” Tsuzuki lifted his head.

“Link?” he asked.

“The little rat is part of the brat’s soul,” Airi said. The parents looked confused.

“What do you mean?” Anna asked. “How did that happen?”

“We’re still looking into that,” Watari said. “Anyway, the ruse found Mimzie and it’s affecting Kirika-chan. See look.” Tsuzuki and Anna looked down at the table. Little black circles floated around the laptop screen. One are up a pink sparkle and blew up.

“What the hell?” Anna asked.

“It’s the curse,” Airi said. The couple looked up. Watari stepped forward.

“We don’t know who casted it or why,” he said. “But we know it’s a death curse.”

“Is there a way to fix this?” Anna asked.

“Yes,” Watari said.

“We just need to find the source,” Kyosuke said. Everyone looked so grim.

“How long do we have?” Tsuzuki asked. “Be honest.”

“Asato,” Anna said. He waved her off.

“Please tell me,” the shinigami pleaded. Watari sighed.

“We don’t have much time,” he said.

“What does mean?” Tsuzuki asked. Watari patted him on the shoulders.

“We can solve this in time,” he said. “Have faith in us please.” Tsuzuki looked hurt. Tears filled his eyes. Anna took hold of his arm with a worried look on her own face. Watari sighed. He wished Tatsumi of Hisoka were here to calm them down.

“We are all doing our best,” he said. “We won’t give up on her. I promise.” April and Kyosuke didn’t look to certain.

Meanwhile, Airi turned and walked out of the room. They didn’t notice as the door slid closed.

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Hisoka sat in Kirika-chan’s room. Her illness made his skin burn. He took in heavy breaths by her futon.

It was then he noticed that they weren’t alone.

Hisoka turned his head. A pair of glowing eyes stared back at him from the window. A chill ran down his spine.

Oh no. No… No!