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Chapter Fifteen: /Thorns:/

Tsuzuki tried to remember what happened. He and Anna were walking to the final battle. They didn't know where that was. But the couple had to go there. He was holding her hand. She was behind him. They spoke to each other. She was right there. And then…

There was that smell. He couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. But it made him think of meat left to rot in the desert. Tsuzuki glanced around for the source. What is that smell?

Then it went black.

Tsuzuki currently looked around. Yep, he was alone. He couldn't stop moving though. To stand still would be second suicide. While moving he needed a game plan. Haruka and her kitsune had to be nearby. But where? Where were Anna and Airi for that matter?

Snap!

He's not alone anymore.

Tsuzuki turned around. "Hello." He heard giggling behind him. Footsteps followed. Sounded like running. Tsuzuki drew out his fuda. His eyes shifted left and right. The shinigami slowed down his steps.

"I know you are here," he said. "Come out and show yourself!" More giggling filled the air. A chill ran down his spine. Did it suddenly get colder?

"Hello?" he asked. "Anna-chan? Airi-chan?" Something tapped him on the shoulder. The shinigami turned around. A mist shot in his eyes.

"Gah!" he shouted. The shinigami tried to rub his eyes. Laughing circled his head. Tsuzuki struggled to keep his balance. Two fingers poked him in the back. The sensation of stepping on knives coursed his feet. He clenched his teeth to keep walking.

You will not get to me!

Tsuzuki closed his eyes and kept walking. The pain increased with each step. Whispering joined the laughter. It didn't help that the smell got worse. The sounds made Tsuzuki angrier.

Enough already! I do not have time for your games! Show me where Anna-chan is!

Then it all went silent.

Huh?

Tsuzuki opened his eyes and looked around. He found himself surrounded by thorns. They obscured his vision. Some pierced his sides and back. Tsuzuki struggled to get out.

"What is this?" he asked. Giggling filled the air again. Tsuzuki looked up. A child version of Haruka floated in front of him. She wore a long on her head. The child smirked at his misery.

"Hello," she said. "Welcome to my playhouse." Tsuzuki gritted his teeth.

"What did you do to Anna-chan?" he asked. The little girl twirled about.

"Gone," she said.

"Where?" the shinigami asked. Haruka put her finger to her lips.

"Not telling," Tsuzuki heard in his mind.

"What?" he asked. The child giggled again. She vanished into thin air.

"Hey! Come back here!" he shouted. "Let me out of here! Let me out of here!" Everything went silent. This would not end here. Tsuzuki held up his fuda.

"I'm not sure if this will work," he said to himself. "But I have to try." He took a breath and started chanting. The fuda started glowing. Tsuzuki ignored the heat in his hand. The shinigami opened his eyes.

"Now!" he shouted. Sparks flew out from the fuda. Each out hit the thorns. It felt like shards of glass hitting his face. Small cuts covered Tsuzuki's cheeks and forehead. Blood ran down his skin. All of the thorns broke into dust. Tsuzuki stood but his head was spinning.

"Whoa," the shinigami muttered. He sank to his knees, panting. That damned giggling came again. Tsuzuki gritted his teeth and lifted his head. A faint whisper filled his ear.

"You will not win this," it said. "I will crush you both." Tsuzuki fought to stay conscious but gave in to blacking out after ten minutes.