Cracks

Rapture like Blood

Chapter One: Cracks:

November 1st, 2009.

This new mess started when Watari spotted the change. He was looking over Anna's chart when he noticed something.

"Huh?" he asked. "That can't be right." The scientist examined the chart closer.

"No way…" he mumbled. The man quickly got on the phone.

"Tsuzuki, get here now!" he said. "You have to see this."

His pal arrived in a short time. "What is it?" Tsuzuki asked. Watari moved the mouse. Anna's chart popped up on the screen. He clicked on the left one.

"This is Daisuke's shield back in March," he said. "Nice and normal, right?" Tsuzuki looked on.

"Okay, so?" he asked.

"Look at this," Watari said. He clicked on the chart on the right. The chart was taken the day before Anna was discharged from the hospital. The shield looked rather pale in comparison, more breakable to be frank. The cracks had increased in number. Tsuzuki quickly caught on.

"The shield looks faint," he said.

"Exactly!" Watari said. His friend turned to him.

"Why is that?" he asked. Watari gave him a grave look.

"The shield is breaking down," he said. Tsuzuki looked at him.

"And?"

"Her kitsune is escaping from the shield to merge with Anna."

Tsuzuki looked shocked. "What? Why?"

Watari patted him on the shoulder. "She was near death last Saturday."

Tsuzuki looked puzzled. "How?"

Watari pulled up the screen. "Every time she comes near death, Daisuke's shield crumbles."

Tsuzuki's mind filled with worry. "So? How long before the kitsune breaks down?"

Watari shook his head. "Can't really say."