Chapter Ten: Crying in Blood:

Everything began at seven in the morning that Monday.

-October 31st, 2011-

7:00 a.m.

Tsuzuki waited by the door. The baby-sitter would be by in a few minutes. Daycare was only open for so long. How long would this mission take?

Tsuzuki’s phone rang.

“Hello?” he asked. A soft whisper came over the other line.

“I’m sorry, what?” Tsuzuki asked.

“I wish you luck,” the voice said in a clear voice. Tsuzuki narrowed his eyes.

“Hisoka-kun?” he asked. “He was wishing us luck of something.”

“Oh,” she said. Tsuzuki lowered his phone.

“Listen,” he said. “We can turn back if you want.”

“We can’t,” Anna said. “If we don’t stop this now, it will never end.” Her husband nodded.

“You’re right, you’re right,” he said. “I don’t want you backing out of this. Once this is over, we can’t go back.”

“I know.”

“I just want to make sure you sure about this.”

“I am sure!”

Tsuzuki gently shushed her. “Okay. I understand.”

Anna took a breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Just keep in mind how we’re doing this.”

“Do not rush into things. Keep a cool head.”

“Yes. Very good.”

Anna frowned. “When’s the babysitter coming?” Tsuzuki looked at his phone.

“I think about ten more minutes,” he said. Anna shifted in place.

“Oh…” she murmured. Her mind drifted to a dark place.

She was there last night.

Pitch black around her. She couldn’t feel the ground at her feet. Howling wails filled the air. Suddenly, the heat rose around her. She could feel it licking up her back.

What was this?

She turned when the wailing grew louder. All she could see was fire. Flames on either side of her. She had to shield her eyes.

Hello?

No sound came out of her mouth. Fire swirled in front of her. She couldn’t take any steps closer. More screaming filled the air. She tried to cover her ears but the cries gave louder. Words started to form from wails.

Help us! Help us! Help us! Help us! Help us!

Anna slowly sank down to her knees, gasping.

“Usagi? Usagi?!” someone yelled in real life. Anna jerked her head upwards. Tsuzuki stared at her with concerned eyes. She started breathing heavily.

“Are you okay?” the shinigami asked. Anna stared blankly at her husband. She didn’t speak for ten seconds.

“I… I…” she began. Anna lowered her eyes. Tsuzuki pulled her into his arms.

“Shhh,” he whispered. “Shhh. Shhh. Shhh.” His wife slowly started to calm down. Tsuzuki lifted her head. He didn’t need to speak. Anna drew her mouth closed.

They heard someone clear their throat. The couple looked up to see a young woman in her twenties.

“Uh… Is this a bad time?” she asked. Tsuzuki cleared his throat and let go of his wife.

“No,” he said. “You’ve arrived just in time.” After everything was squared away with the baby-sitter, Tsuzuki and Anna marched to battle.