"Then it's settled!" said Lord Death, clapping his hands together in delight. "I'll have that mission taken down from the board, ya?" And then the Shinigami was gone. Blaze stretched.

"It's been a long day, huh, Tsubaki," he said. Despite their failure, he was in a good mood. Normally he'd have taken it harder, but the Strong Soul and Witch had brightened his night. "I just wish that it was a shorter trip back to Death City. Ah well. We can find the Witch once we're rested up."

Despite having to reach up-- Tsubaki was a full head taller than him-- he patted his partner's head affectionately. "Those Souls're ours. I'm gonna make you into a Death Scythe, if it's the last thing I do." He flashed a tired grin. "I just need some no-bean caffeine for the ride home."

[Center][b]=======[/b][/center]

It took several hours to get back to Death City. By then, Blaze was tired, but the energy drink he'd guzzled wouldn't allow him to rest just yet. He parked his jeep outside his apartment complex. He affectionately dubbed the vehicle the Puma. He sighed. "Home sweet home."

Blaze's apartment was paid for by Sid, his legal guardian, at least until Blaze could get a real job. It was a two-bedroom. The other room used to be Izumi's, but now Blaze had filed paperwork to let Tsubaki move in from the dorms.