Chaptire Eight

Kuro was cradling Lali in his lap; she was still knocked out and breathing slowly. He had her inhaler in his pocket just in case she had another asthma attack. Nicky sat beside him, sitting on Sam’s lap who had his arms wrapped around her waist, secretly kissing her neck.

            “So Lali’s mother finally came forth after ten years…” Nicky said, leaning back exposing more of her neck.

            “Yup.” Kuro said bluntly.

            “Well you know what this means.” Nicky said. “Your protection won’t be enough for her anymore.”

            “I know, I need to contact my mom.” Kuro said.

The car stopped, making them all lean forward. The door opened for them, letting them file out of the car. Sam and Kuro went out back to get the luggage while Nicky carried her sister. Once they had finished unloading the taxi, they paid the driver and headed inside their house. Their house was rather small, only having a few bits of furniture and other needed household objects. Kuro cleared his suitcase of the treasures him and Lali stole and began sorting them out with Sam.

            “Anything good?” Nicky asked.

            “Yup, a few gold goblets and jewels that’ll sell for a high price for collectors.” Kuro said.

            “And these books in Lali’s suitcase?” Nicky asked, she had begun digging through Lali’s suitcase only to see that it was filled with books.

            “Those are her textbooks, she’s gonna need them.” Kuro said. “The plane crash was obviously prevented by Lali when she contacted her mother, unlocking a bit of her demon self when she read the text. Hopefully she hasn’t been sucked too deep.”

            “What’s this book?” Nicky asked, taking out the deadliest looking book. Kuro turned, his eyes widening as he suddenly lunged at Nicky taking the book from her hands. Sam suddenly became over protected, his eyes suddenly turning yellow and his hair blackening, purple flames surrounding him. Before her could attack, or possibly kill, Kuro- Nicky intervened, blocking him from Kuro.

            “Sam, Sam sweetheart calm down!” Nicky said. Sam glared at Kuro, the purple flames dying out and his eyes returning to normal. He looked down at Nicky, who lowered her arms. She took his hand and kissed each knuckle, saying “Calm down…”

Sam calmed down, sitting on the floor and pulling Nicky down on his lap so she was forced to sit in his lap, his face hidden in her neck. Nicky patted his arm, which was tight around her waist and turned to Kuro.

            “What’s wrong with it?” Nicky asked.

            “That’s why she was asking where it was.” Kuro said, suddenly trembling. “We need to hide this thing!”

When Nicky looked closer at his hands, they were scorched as he bolted for the kitchen and threw the book in the freeze. He slammed it shut and pulled out a marker, drawing an alchemy sign on the fridge. He placed his palms on the surface and quietly chanted ancient sealing’s. Once done, he looked down at his hands- they were scorched and stinging.

            “What the hell Kuro?” Nicky said, she was getting tired of Kuro bolting from place to place like a jittered chipmunk.

            “That’s the death book.” Kuro said.

            “I thought the reaper had that.” Nicky questioned.

            “The original reaper retired when Don got his coming of age ceremony and his wife passed away. He probably hid it here, among the treasures Lali and I were looking through.” Kuro said, suddenly angry. “God and Lali was stupid enough to bring it along, of course!”

            “Then give the damn book back to Bubbles.” Nicky said.

            “No that’ll just make things worst.” Kuro said. “Where’s Lali?”

            “I put her in her room to sleep.” Nicky said bluntly. “You know the place where people sleep?”

            “Good, she needs to sleep.” Kuro said. “Nicky whatever happens, don’t let her out of the house!”

            “What?” Nicky asked.

            “Promise me you won’t let her out.” Kuro said strictly. Nicky could feel the panicked vibrations he was giving off also the determination. Nicky stared at the floor then mumbled “Okay I promise.”

Kuro released a sigh of relief and went for the door. Sam was currently looking at a family photo of himself, Nicky, Kuro, Lali and Grandma BB. He looked sad and didn’t look up as Kuro left the house. Nicky was suddenly at his side, putting an arm over his shoulders and pulling his close to him till her face was hidden in his hair.

            “It’s gonna be okay babe.” Nicky reassured, kissing his head. “It’s gonna be okay…”

~ * ~

            Kuro was out in the forest outside of the village they lived in. He looked back, ensuring that he wasn’t followed. He had his metal mallet in his hand now; he gripped the handle tightly and arrived to a barren spot that was his own secluded area. He gripped his mallet with both hands, holding it in front of him and holding it vertical to himself. The staff grew longer, planting itself into the earth and giving off sparks of electricity. The Sarunian symbol on the face of his mallet glowed and ocean blue till an image appeared before him, his mother who appeared weak suddenly.

Oh Kuro… his mother said rather weakly.

            “Mom, what’s wrong?” Kuro said, noticing his mother’s conditions. “You look terrible.

Gee thanks, those are the words I wanted to hear from my son whom I haven’t seen in ten years. Lenora said sarcastically. She looked pale and a bit weak, his kimono looking faded. She was sitting in her large master bedroom where herself and her husband slept together, sitting on the bed.

            “I have urgent news meema.” Kuro said, going back to the name he called her when he was younger. “Bubbles has escaped from her prison and I need help.”

I’ve already been informed that Bubbles had been released. Lenora said. Your fathers aware of your absence…

            “Oh, he’s punishing you?” Kuro guessed.

Yup. Lenora responded, rolling her eyes. No sunlight for three days and he’s been upset lately…

            “So your sex life’s improved?” Kuro asked jokingly, receiving a cold glare from his mother.

Don’t kid about those things. Lenora said, suddenly shivering. I can go out again tomorrow but your fathers been keeping a close eye on Kana. He hasn’t told her about Bubbles or your disappearance. He’s afraid that she’ll go to challenge you.

            “Sounds like her.” Kuro said. “But meema, I need her here to help me with guarding Lali. Lali just encounter her mother on the plane and she took the death book.”

WHAT?! Lenora suddenly shouted, covering her mouth after.

Lenora, what is it? A voice called several floors down.

Nothing Alphonse, just watching a Soap and my favorite character just cheated on the girl! Lenora lied down to her husband then turned back to Kuro. Look, you need to make sure that Lali seals Bubbles to be her servant herself before Bubbles gets her death book. If she doesn’t, she’ll be killed! I gotta go, your fathers coming.

            “’Kay meema, see you soon.” Kuro said and blew a kiss at his mother who returned it. The communication ended, his mallet returning to its normal length and automatically going in his hand. He tied it to his belt and returned to the house, where Lali would be asleep.

~ * ~

            Bubbles arrived to a small village, inhaling the air around her. She wrinkled her nose and mumbled “Human, it reeks here.”

She held the battery in her hand and it turned to full size, revealing the reapers scythe which was looking old and cracked at the blade. She walked through the small village, sniffing the air and following her nose, she attracted attention but she ignored their stares. She soon came to a house; smiling deviously she approached the door and knocked.