Izumi was slowly stirring the crock pot, staring out the window to the rising sun, her long blonde hair falling loosely around her lower back, her lips spread softly, into the contented smile she wore so freely these days.

It had been 3 months since things had begun to noticeably change. First the demons that had disappeared began to return to their homes. Of course, the reception was not anything near welcoming, so most of them just packed their things and left, not saying another word. Their shame and guilt at doing things they couldn't control giving rise to one of the highest suicide spikes in recent history.

A few chose to stay, and fight for their right to live in the villages as citizens once more. There was much bitterness over this, and in more than one village, people awoke to find their local demon contingent had been murdered in the night by the enraged citizens.

Some though – some had managed to obtain the rare gift of 'a second chance'. They would never again be trusted, but they were given the opportunity to give back to their communities, for when they had taken so much. Izumi was now living in one such community. Youkai and humans were co-existing now – tensly, yes – but existing.

It was just like Hakkai had said.

She had spoken on behalf of her brethren, she led by example about what a youkai could do to contribute to the village, and how a limiter could contain any evil they still had lurking inside them. After much debate, the village elders agreed, seeing as how Izumi had never harmed anyone, nor given cause for concern. In fact, she soon became the voice of the youkai population within her village. She had status, and respect. She was now someone people looked up to, and could ask for advice, help or blessings.

But besides all that, she would not leave her house on the village outskirts. When asked why, she just smiled and said, "Because it's my home... and I don't want him to think I left after all, should he stop by." Whenever asked who 'he' was, she just smiled again, and shook her head.

Many speculated that she meant her brother, as he had never returned like so many of the others had. Some thought it was perhaps a demon lover she had had before the madness. One lady though she was talking about Santa Clause. Either way, the community in general gradually began to thrive again, their lives slowly turning back to normal.

Izumi lifted the steaming spoon to her lips and tasted the soup. She nodded her head, and pulled it off the stove fire, lifting the pot to set it on the table with a dull thud. The Youkai children would be coming for lunch today – all those youngsters who had lost their parents to the madness, yet were innocent in themselves. Such a sad time it was for them, having to rely on the giving's of others. She let them use her floor occasionally, when they couldn't find anywhere else to sleep. Many had been adopted by the returned Youkai – those who had lost their families and were looking to start rebuilding in that void.

Lost in her thoughts, she almost missed the soft knock on the door. Untying her apron as she made her way to the entrance, she called out lightly, alerting the visitor. Placing her had on the doorknob, she swung it open, momentarily blinded by the glare of morning light. Shielding her eyes, she winced and blinked rapidly, trying to retrieve her vision.

"Hello, Izumi."

…That soft rolling voice. That calming, beautiful voice. That achingly familiar voice.

Her sight returned, and she stared at him, and older, battle scared him. The man she remembered from her dreams. Tears filled her eyes, and she flung herself out the door throwing her arms around him as she cried into his shoulder, her heart fairly bursting in joy.

"I knew it! I knew you'd come back!" She cried, tears streaming down her face, her smile watery and bright. She stared into his eyes, seeing the hope she had put there herself, being rekindled and changing into a burning, passionate emotion He grinned at her, arms around her waist as he pulled her towards him, his lips aching for her touch… he had waited so long…

Izumi blushed, and pressed herself closer to him, murmuring his name, before his lips finally found hers…

"…Hakkai…"