Chapter 4

Kanami lie in her bed, snuggling up next to Kazuma. She rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. Normally, these times when it was just her and Kazu-kun, were times of comfort, but it was just this that made her somewhat uncomfortable. Kazuma had stayed with Kanami at night when she was sick, or when someone had passed on, or when he felt guilty for staying out for over three days doing his work. He had stayed with her last night after the death of Arana, but Kanami was sure that she told Kazuma that she was fine now, and that Arana would want her to smile, and how thankful she was that Obason and her grandchild were still alive.

So why was he here? He didn't have a guilty look on his face, the one that he wore before he disappeared for over a week, and he didn't try to soothe her with his voice, he had just come in, and sat down. Kanami decided to not worry about it for the moment, and to enjoy Kazu-kun's company. She held on tightly to him and felt secure in his arms, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Kazuma, on the other hand, was restless. He repeatedly ran his fingers through Kanami's hair and looked down at the little girl that he would give the world to, if only he could. She was the only person who could truly put a smile on his face. But how long would this smile last? Was Kanami really going to die? Kanami's arms were wrapped tightly around Kazuma's waist, sharing the chill of her body with his. She was freezing. Kazuma shifted slightly, trying to warm Kanami's hands, but it was hopeless. He finally fell into an uneasy sleep.

"Kazuma? Hey Kazuma are you in here? Kazuma?" Kimishima's voice could be heard from the door. "Kazuma, wake up..."

Kazuma grabbed Kimishima by the collar of his shirt. "Be quiet! Do you want to wake Kanami up? Did you find anything?"

"There's a job waiting for you outside of town, but why do you want to leave Kanami at a time like this?"

"I've gotta get money so that I can get her a doctor. I don't know if she is really sick or what is wrong with her, but I can't just sit here and watch her like this." Kazuma slid out of Kanami's arms carefully and place a pillow under her head to take his place, but Kanami wasn't fooled. She woke almost the instant he got up. "Kazu-kun... please don't go..."

"I'll be back before you wake up in the morning, Kanami, I promise."

"Cross your heart," Kanami said wearily.

"Cross my heart. Kimishima, stay with Kanami, okay?"

"Right." Kimishima sat down on a chair placed next to the bed.

"See ya," Kazuma said, and with that he was gone. What kinda job would Kimishima get him into this time? All Kazuma could think of was Kanami. He was outside town before he knew it. There a strange looking man met him.

"Are you Kazuma"

"Ya" Kazuma said absent mindedly.

"I need you to rescue my daughter. She was kidnapped by an alter user. You think you can do that?"

"Yeah, sure..." Kazuma replied unenthusiastically.

"Well then, what are you waiting for? Their hide out is on the outskirts of the city. Are you listening to me?"

"Yeah, sure..." Kazuma said once again, and made his way down the road. Not too long after that he was standing in front of an abandoned building. This has gotta be the place, he thought, and approached with caution.

Inside, there were many people in the room, laughing and drinking merrily. "This'll teach him to pay his debts. What do you think we should do with her? Kill her? Her dead beat father deserves it." A little girl lay in the corner unconscious. A little girl just like Kanami. Kazuma was suddenly outraged. The alter power released was immediately noticed by the men.

"What the..." the largest man in the room let off the same kind of power, but it was not released with anger, but curiosity. "You looking for a fight or somethin' kid? Cause I'd be happy to give you one."

Kazuma didn't waste time. The man let out immense alter power, but no evident signs of his power were seen. "Shocking first bullet!" but the alter dodged the first attack narrowly by moving a cabinet in front of him with his mind.

The man laughed in amusement. "Why don't you go home kid, you just might be saving your life."

"No way you creep!" Kazuma yelled at the top of his lungs. Suddenly a table was flying at him with great speed. 'So he can move objects with his mind?' "Annihilating second bullet!" There was an explosion so great it shook the whole building, roof starting to collapse.

"Daddy!" a frantic voice could be heard from the corner.

"Hold on!" Kazuma shouted. He leapt to the side of the building, grabbing the little girl.

"You come back here kid!" The alter user shouted. "I'm not done with you!"
But they were gone.

"Please, please let me go!" the little girl begged Kazuma. "Please, I need to go back to my daddy!"

"It's okay," Kazuma said, dragging her along, "I'm gonna take you to him alright?"

"Okay."

But Kazuma couldn't help thinking of what the man had said, "This'll teach him for not paying his debts." "Her dead beat father deserves it." He suddenly realized that he wasn't getting any money for this job. He had been tricked.

It's not that he wouldn't have done the same thing if he were in the situation of the old man, but going home with no money meant going home to find Kanami sicker, and not being able to help her.