Curse Carrier Book 1 Of The Curse Carriers Series

Chapter 49: Warmth

Kiri POV

The month until his death match actually passes by pretty fast. In the last couple weeks Kiri stops going to see Kami. He drops hints he will be going on a long term mission and won't be able to see him for awhile. Instead he has Shin and Kai go and visit him. They already know the story they're to tell Kami and he trusts they won't tell him the truth. Kami is in a delicate place right now and can't take one more bad thing happening.

On the morning the match Kiri is allowed to sleep in since it might be his last day. Well, it will most likely be his last day. He is a little scared but he's accepted it as a consequence for challenging Sammael. He knew this might happen and yet he did it anyways. He shouldn't be surprised.

Instead of sleeping in he wakes up before the lights even come on. He lays on his bed and just thinks. He doesn't regret what he did. In fact it probably saved Kami. Laying on his bed beside him is the now welded shut dagger. Kasai had been confused by his request but she had melted the button latch as he has requested so it couldn't be opened anymore.

I'm going to miss Kami. He thinks to himself. He wonders how many of his memories Mizu will inherit after he is gone. He blushes when he thinks about some of the more embarrassing ones he doesn't want anyone to know. That won't really be his problem anymore though when he's dead.

When the bell to go to breakfast rings in the hallway Kiri considers maybe going to see Kami one last time after all. He turns the thought down as quickly as it appears. He's already so nervous he can feel his hands shaking. Kami would be able to tell something was wrong. Plus he's already supposed to be gone on his mission. Kami would only be suspicious if he went to go see him now. Even though he knows he shouldn't he still wants to go see him one last time. Unlike last time where it would be Kami who died and he who lived he is the one who will be leaving Kami behind. I can live with dying and never telling him. He assures himself. I can die with one regret.

Feeling restless and unable to stand being in his room any longer he gets up. He goes to the cafeteria to get some food. The moment he walks in he can feel eyes on him and whispers. Everyone knows the match between him and Mizu is fixed. At first the people in his class were angry that Utau had set up such an unfair fight. Then he had explained she hadn't and orders had come down directly from the top that he was to be paired with Mizu. Now everyone just feels sorry for him.

He gets his food and prepares to leave when Kai calls out to him. He waits and Kai walks beside him. "I guess today's the day." He says quietly.

"Yeah, but it's okay." Kiri nods.

Kai perks up, "Do have an idea how to beat Mizu?" He asks excitedly.

Kiri shakes his head. "No. I'm just okay."

Kai deflates and keeps walking with Kiri. "Aren't you scared?"

"A little." He admits. "But I've had a whole month to come to terms with it. So I'm okay. Mizu isn't cruel. She'll try to make it as fast as possible." He replies.

"It still sucks. This Sammael guy is a real bastard." Kai says angrily. "Have you gone to see Kami recently?" He then asks more gently.

"No. I still don't want him to know." He tells Kai.

"That's not fair to him. He cares about you to. It's not right to lie to him." He tells him.

"I know, but it will be easier on him this way." Kiri smiles.

Kai looks him in the eyes seriously, "Kami is getting out today. I overheard some of the doctors talking." He says.

Kiri feels his heart sink. "Can you keep him away from the fighting room? Maybe him and Shin can go train somewhere until it's over." Kiri asks him.