Chapter Thirty-Nine: Loveï¿½s Battle:

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Loveï¿½s Battle:

Tsuzuki didnï¿½t feel trouble hit until the next morning. When he made it to Ju-Oh-Cho at 7:30, he found Tatsumi waiting for him at the doors. A puzzled look came over the older shinigamiï¿½s face.

ï¿½Tatsumi?ï¿½ he asked. The secretary gave him a stern look.

ï¿½The chief wants to see you,ï¿½ he said. Tsuzuki couldnï¿½t understand what was happening.

ï¿½Tatsumi?ï¿½ he asked.

ï¿½Now,ï¿½ the secretary pushed. Tsuzuki pressed his lips together.

ï¿½Alright,ï¿½ he said. He followed his former partner to Konoeï¿½s office. The whole time he tried to guess what this was about. Is it because I visited Akio? Did I ruin their surveillance because of it? Tsuzuki shook his head. No, it canï¿½t be that. Maybe, itï¿½s not even that. Heï¿½s probably going to give me a stern talking to and let me go. Yes, that must be it. The men came to Konoeï¿½s office. Tatsumi quietly showed him inside. Tsuzuki looked to see Konoe sitting at his desk with a stern look on his face. The older shinigami swallowed as he prepared his defense.

ï¿½You wanted to see me, sir?ï¿½ he asked. Konoe shoved forward a small stuck of papers. At first, Tsuzuki didnï¿½t get it.

ï¿½Whatï¿½s this?ï¿½ he asked.

ï¿½You tell me,ï¿½ Konoe said. Tsuzuki got a better look at the papers on the desk. It donned on him what he was looking at. All of the color drained from Tsuzukiï¿½s face.

ï¿½Where did you get this?ï¿½ he asked. Konoe glared at him.

ï¿½Let me tell you a little story,ï¿½ he said. ï¿½Yesterday, three agents from the Tokyo sector were running surveillance of Kimoto Haruka and Akio. Haruka said something rather interesting.ï¿½ Konoe put his hand to the papers. ï¿½When was the last time you reported on the Mother?ï¿½ he asked. Tsuzuki did the math in his head.

ï¿½Earlier this month,ï¿½ he answered, ï¿½Why?ï¿½

ï¿½Can you explain why we had to find out about the Mother merging with Annaï¿½s soul through the records of your wifeï¿½s core?ï¿½ the chief asked. Tsuzuki gave him a sheepish shrug.

ï¿½I forgot?ï¿½ he tried to lie. Konoe narrowed his eyes at him. This time, that excuse wouldnï¿½t work.

ï¿½You wouldnï¿½t forget something this big,ï¿½ he pointed out. ï¿½Tell the truth. Why did you neglect to tell us about the Motherï¿½s condition?ï¿½ Tsuzuki looked down at his feet.

ï¿½I want to save her,ï¿½ he mumbled. Konoe gave him a puzzled look.

ï¿½What?ï¿½ he asked. Tsuzuki lifted his head with a determined look on his face.

ï¿½Sheï¿½s still there,ï¿½ he insisted. ï¿½I can get her back.ï¿½

ï¿½You know once the Mother merges with the chosen woman, the vesselï¿½s soul is gone!ï¿½ Konoe argued.

ï¿½I am aware of this,ï¿½ Tsuzuki said with clenched fists. ï¿½But Iï¿½m sure sheï¿½s still there and I will bring her home.ï¿½

ï¿½And what makes you so sure about that?ï¿½ Konoe asked. Tsuzuki bit his lower lip, but didnï¿½t back down.

ï¿½I just know,ï¿½ he pressed. The shinigami took in a deep breath. ï¿½Please, give me five days to get her back,ï¿½ he pleaded. Konoe raised an eyebrow at him.

ï¿½You know it is impossible to bring the vesselï¿½s soul back,ï¿½ his boss pointed out. ï¿½You could risk losing your soul as well.ï¿½

ï¿½Please?ï¿½ Tsuzuki asked. ï¿½I just have to try. I canï¿½t lose her again! I love her that much!ï¿½ Konoe huffed at the puppy dog eyes and other features he gave him. The boss frowned and rolled his eyes.

ï¿½Fine,ï¿½ he muttered. ï¿½You will only get five days. If you fail, we will have no choice but to kill her again.ï¿½

ï¿½Thank you, sir,ï¿½ he said relived with a bow.

ï¿½Just get out,ï¿½ Konoe complained.

ï¿½Yes sir!ï¿½ Tsuzuki repeated. He turned and headed out the door for his latest battle. Konoe shook his head in doubt. Again, he just bent to Tsuzukiï¿½s will about Kimoto-Tsuzuki Anna.

I need to tell him no at one point to keep this all from getting worse than it already is, he thought as he buried his head in his hands. Damn all of this crap. We donï¿½t need this.