Chapter Forty-One: What Has to be Done:

Tsuzuki and Anna sat in the living room. He turned to his wife.

“Are you okay?” the shinigami asked.

“No,” Anna muttered. The clock ticked in the background. She drummed her fingers on her knee. Tsuzuki took a breath.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said.

“Uh-huh,” she said in a flat tone. That was a lie. They had just put Kirika-chan down for the night. Tsuzuki told everything today. Anna took it stoically.

“I got another call,” she said.

“Oh no,” he said.

“I won’t play along,” she said. “I won’t do it. I won’t.” Tsuzuki grabbed her shoulders.

“You don’t have to,” he said. “We’re going to end this.” Anna didn’t look convinced. He didn’t blame her.

Tsuzuki turned to Anna on the couch. “What do you want to do first?”

“Find my friend,” Anna said. Her husband once.

“Okay,” he said. “We will do that.”

“But, how?” she asked.

“We’re working on that as we speak,” he assured her. Anna shifted in her place.

“Can I see your phone?” Tsuzuki asked. Anna handed it to him.

“Thanks,” he said. The shinigami scrolled through the messages. He found the latest one. Tsuzuki tapped the screen. Anna glanced up as he started reading. Her husband looked confused.

“What is this?” he asked.

Black bird. That’s what the text said.

“I won’t buy it,” Anna said.

“Okay,” he said. “I get it.” Tsuzuki handed back her phone.

“Thank you,” Anna said. She shoved it into her jeans pocket.

“We’re going out to that park tonight,” the shinigami said. “Hisoka and I.”

“I see,” Anna said.

“We are getting close.”

“I see.”

Tsuzuki touched her hand. “We will find her. Don’t worry.” She wanted to believe him. His wife does trust him. Tsuzuki gave her an odd look.

“What is the problem?” he asked. Anna shook her head.

“Usagi…” he said.

“Just… Please be careful,” Anna said. Tsuzuki pulled her into his arms.

“What are you going?” she asked.

“Shhh,” he said. She started to open her mouth again.

“Shhh,” the shinigami said again. His wife finally went quiet. They don’t have the answers. Unplanned and impulsive. But that’s been okay. That might not be the case this time. Tsuzuki finally let go.

“Better?” he asked.

“I guess,” Anna said. He took hold of her hands.

“I’ll keep in touch with you,” Tsuzuki said. “I promise.”

“Thank you,” Anna said. He gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. His warmth felt so genuine. But the cold came back when he pulled away.

“Do you want me to hold you again?” Tsuzuki asked.

“Yes,” Anna said. Her husband pulled her into his arms again. This would have to do for now.