Disclaimer: Not mine.

Note: Bear with me. It'll all make sense in the end. Hopefully.

May The Forces Of Evil Become Confused on The Way To Your House

George Carlin

I headed to Kato and Kawashima's home then. Margarite, who it turned out had been in contact with them for a while, had given me directions beforehand.

It was slightly outside of Shanghai, hidden away. I wondered why.

Once there, Kawashima told me of how Margarite had saved her life, had warned her the Imperial Army was about to have her disposed of. Kawashima and Kato had escaped, going into hiding. They were soon to have a child, Kawashima confided. There were still eight months to go, and she hadn't even told Kato yet.

In return, I told her of our journey. Of Yuri, the others, and I saving the world. Of Albert's plan to destroy it, of his prediction that it was on a path to destruction anyway. At that, Kawashima whispered, "Perhaps he was right,"

I did not say anything in reply. Possibly because I have had that same thought. With a child on the way, Kawashima's view on war and so on were brought sharply into focus. In seventeen, eighteen years her baby could join the army. Would, indeed be forced to if we were still in a state of war. Though, of course, it will be over by Christmas. Everyone knows that.

In eighteen years it would be 1933. I would be forty.

With an icy chill, I remembered that I had less than eighteen months to live.

No. We will find a cure.

Maybe I don't want to.

My thoughts surprised me, but not much. I do not want to succumb to this curse, to lose my soul and memories. But I know – or at least, hope – that even if there is no other cure, there is one thing I can do.

Perhaps.

No. There will be a cure. There is always a cure.

Kawashima did not seem to notice my dazed thoughts. Or, perhaps, she was giving me space because of Zhuzhen. I do not know, and I didn't ask.

I told her of all that had happened since Yuri and I had defeated Albert. When I had finished, she stood for a while, looking off into the distance.

"I know someone who might be able to help," she said eventually.

"Who?"

"Naniwa Kawashima. My father. He's the one who trained Jinpachiro Hyuga,"

I nodded thoughtfully. Yes, perhaps he could help. She gave me his address, and we chatted for a while longer. Then I went upstairs, to sleep.

I was sharing a room with Karin and Margarite. I told them of Naniwa. Margarite asked, "So where shall we go first?"

"Tiffauges Castle," I replied.

"Yes, I thought so," said Margarite.

I lay awake for a while longer, staring at the ceiling. I was no longer afraid to fall asleep, partly because both Karin and Margarite were with me. But I had forgotten how to sleep.

I thought of Zhuzhen. I was glad he got his happy ending despite everything.

I lay awake for a time, letting my thoughts wander. Eventually, I fell asleep. I woke up holding onto Yuri's necklace. The stone was no longer a dull red now. It was as bright as blood.