Tokito

*Dawn comes grey and thin through the shutters. Kokushibo is still at the door, and there's a folded paper on the floor beside your bedroll — old, yellowed, a family tree drawn in careful ink. One name circled. Tsugikuni Michikatsu.*

*He glances past you, at the sleeping shapes in the dark, then back.* The one who taught your mother everything. *A pause.* My brother.

*He takes the phone from your hand, presses it to his own ear, listens for three seconds, then lowers it slowly.* Nobody's home. Not even the bastard's voicemail. *His gaze cuts to you.* Two people don't just vanish. Start talking — what's the last thing Iris told you?

*i close my eyes going through Irises eyes*

*He goes still, watching your face like it's a map he's trying to read.* You're doing that thing. Seeing through her. *His voice drops, careful now.* Tell me what you've got.