Home Visit

It’s been a long time since Sakura went home. It was just going to be a quick visit. Maybe get back just in time to see her family arrive at the hotel. This would be no biggie. She got the call early this morning. Two sentences, eight words.

Come home. I need to tell you something.

Sakura stared at the note. Even without a name, she knew who it was from. What did they need to see her for? This didn’t sound like a casual chat. Sakura left her family a note before she teleported up to Heaven.

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It was quiet up here. Sakura appeared in one of Heaven’s many gardens. She held out the note.

“Hello? Anybody here?” she asked. A gentle breeze blew past her ear. The tenshi-chi turned her head. Kaze-san sat on a stone bench.

“Hello,” she said. Sakura bowed her head.

“Mother,” she said. Kaze-san didn’t stand up.

“You don’t have much time,” she said. “Something is coming for your family.”

“What do you mean?” Sakura asked. Kaze-san stood up. The grim expression on her face provided a sharp contrast to her elegance.

“Hell is coming for your family,” she said. Sakura started to frown.

“What are you talking about? What do you mean?” she asked. Kaze-san lifted her chin. She broke down and told her everything. The color drained from Sakura’s face. She covered her mouth.

“Oh…” she said. Kaze-san walked up to her. She rested her hand on her shoulder.

“I will do everything I can to help you,” the ghost said. Sakura stared at her with big eyes.

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Meanwhile, the plan started to fall into place. He and his minions made it to the hotel just before Spike and Miya got there. Their leader looked around while remaining invisible. His rival’s little darling wasn’t around. He and the little daughter were on the way. Just the owner and staff here.

Perfect.

“Okay, everyone. We only have about ten minutes until the targets arrive,” he said. “Move out!” The minions scattered out throughout the hotel. Each demon took hold of a new vessel. He took in the sounds around him. All was falling into place. They would be here any minute now. He counted down to how many were left. There was going to be some struggle. But it doesn’t take them long to surrender. It doesn’t take long for everything to be almost set. Just…

Three… Two…

“One.”

Everything was set into place. Perfect. Well, almost. He needed to get going himself. He already had the ideal vessel in mind. He disappeared from the spot and got into place.

The hotel became quiet again.

Meanwhile, Kaze-san tried to send Spike and Miya a message trying to warn them of what was going on. For some strange reason, it never got through. Some interference from Heaven maybe? Or could it be…?