Curse Carrier Book 1 Of The Curse Carriers Series

Chapter 47: Bad News

Utau POV

The following week after the last set of previous death match pairings have fought Utau calls the meeting to announce the next pairings. When Utau looks around the room as the other Curse Carriers enter the room she notices Kiri isn't in the room, and Utau feels a little relieved. She knows she will have to tell him but she would rather pull him to the side and talk to him alone. She doesn't want him to find out he will have to fight in a fixed match like this. She does see Mizu however in a group of class B first generation Curse Carriers. She's talking and laughing with them.

When everyone is gathered and standing or sitting near the stage she whistles to let them know the assembly is about to begin. Everyone stands up and gets into rows by number designation and generation. The first generation stand in the front and organizes themselves into Class A in the front and Class E in the back. When everyone is standing in their lines she steps onto the stage and calls the assembly to order. "Attention! I have an announcement!" She uses her curse to amplify her voice so she doesn't need a microphone. The room quickly falls silent and everyone turns to her. "The pairings for next months matches have been decided. I will read them off. If anyone has any complaints or requests please wait until I'm done." She says. With that she recites the names and the curses of the people who will be fighting each other.

When she's done the room is only silent for a moment before someone raises their hand. Utau calls them up and she looks surprised as Kyokai steps onto the stage. "I want to take Mohatsu's place." She tells her.

Utau has to stop herself from turning the young girl down immediately. "Why?"

"Mojretsu and I have some issues to work out. He's been picking on Mohatsu for months. I feel the match will be unfair if they fight." She tells Utau with a calm and rational tone. "So I want to take Mohatsu's place and fight the match with Mojretsu."

Utau still wants to turn her down. The little girl has been sharing the same room as her since day one and she feels protective of her. Utau looks to Shin to see what he thinks.

"I think these two combatants are acceptable. The match will not be made uneven." Shin says. "I see no problem but you are the leader. The decision is yours to make." He says.

Utau looks back at Kyokai. She can't argue that the match would be uneven. Kyokai's curse isn't fully understood but she's one of the best in hand to hand combat. She can't turn her down due to her own personal feelings. "Very well. Mohatsu, are you fine with this?" Utau asks the eleven year old girl. She looks at Kyokai who nods at her. Mohatsu then looks back to Utau and nods. "Very well. Kyokai will be fighting Mojretsu next week."

With that she ends the assembly. She meets Shin by the door. "I didn't see Kiri here. Is he visiting Kami?" She asks him.

Shin shrugs, "Probably. Lets go check." He says. They walk together and head for the fourth floor. When they reach the isolation ward they see Kiri walking towards the elevators. He stops and looks a them surprised.

"Did you two want to see Kami? He's sleeping right now." Kiri tells them.

Utau shakes her head and feels nervous. She would rather not have to tell him but he needs to know. "I have some bad news." She tells him. She steels herself and spits the words out before they can get stuck inside her, "You've been paired up with the water element curse carrier for a death match at the end of the month." The hallway is dead silent. Utau looks up at Kiri to see his reaction.

He's pale and has a stunned expression as if someone had just slapped him unprovoked. "I've been lined up to fight Mizu?" His voice sounds frail and he looks sick.

Utau lets out a tense breath and a feeling of pity eats at her. "I'm sorry." She tells him sympathetically.

"Water beats fog every time though. Especially in a small space where there's not enough room." He says starting to look scared.