Chapter Two: Still Not so Easy:

“We can’t separate them now,” Tatsumi said.

“Is that a bad thing?” Watari asked. The secretary turned his head.

“She was supposed to be dead,” he said.

“I know,” the blonde scientist said. Tatsumi sat down in front of him.

“He’s upset the order because of it,” he said. “Doesn’t that worry you?”

“Not really,” Watari said. The secretary gave him an alarmed look.

“How can you say that?” he asked. The blonde shinigami shrugged.

“I don’t know. Aren’t things better now?” he asked. Tatsumi narrowed his eyes.

“How so?” he asked. Watari sipped his tea.

“Well, the Eda-Kimoto clan is dying faster. We closed that case. Tsuzuki is much happier. He has a family now. Plus, we have the Mother in check.”

Tatsumi frowned. “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

The secretary rubbed his forehead. Watari raised his eyebrow.

“Are you waiting for the other shoe to drop?” he asked. Tatsumi looked up.

“Huh?” he asked. Watari gave him a sympathetic smile.

“You’re like her in a way,” he said. Tatsumi struggled to speak at first.

“How?!” he asked at last. Watari set down his teacup.

“Look,” he said. “You and she aren’t used to peaceful times. You have been so used to everything falling apart around you. You’re almost wishing for something to go wrong.”

“But that’s different.”

“Is it really though?” He watched as the other shinigami fished for a response.

“It’s okay,” Watari said. “You are welcome to feel unease at times.” He reached out for Tatsumi’s hand but the shadow master drew it back.

“But this is a serious matter we were dealing with,” he said. “Some of the higher-ups want them both punished.”

“And what does Enma say?” Watari asked.

“I don’t know,” Tatsumi admitted. “Either no one else knows or they just aren’t saying anything.” The blonde scientist shrugged.

“It can’t be helped,” he said. “Until he says otherwise, we can’t do anything.”

“That’s the worst part,” Tatsumi complained. Watari gave him an odd look.

“Okay, what is this really about?” he asked. The secretary stared at him.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“Eight years and nothing has happened,” the blonde scientist pointed out. “Why would something happen now?” Tatsumi shook his head.

“I don’t know,” he said. The shadow shinigami sighed and dropped his shoulders.

“You’re worried about Tsuzuki, aren’t you?” Watari asked. Tatsumi shot him a cold look. The other shinigami leaned in.

“He has all of us around him,” he whispered. “We will be there.” Tatsumi eyed him with no words. Watari smiled as he picked up the teapot.

“More tea?” he asked. The other shinigami shook his head. Watari shrugged and poured himself more tea. Meanwhile, Tatsumi watched the snow outside. His tea had been long since cold.