Kurama landed in the tropical country known as Malaysia. It was a beautiful summer's day, and he was glad that he had purchased thin clothes for his days here. As he went through the beautifully artistic airport known as KLIA, he caught a whiff of something familiar. Looking around, he saw nothing that stood out in particular, except for a group of teenagers waiting for their friend, it would seem. He shrugged it off, more irritated with the fact that he could not remember where he had caught the scent before. Kurama was a gardener after all.
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He was walking when he caught sight of her. Long, deep auburn hair cascaded past her shoulders, framing her face in a look of innocence. Her dark brown eyes were framed by frameless spectacles that lent her a mature look. She had soft red lips that were curled in a wistful smile. A scrunchy was on her left wrist, as though it were some armlet.
He passed her on the way to the office, catching a snippet of the conversation with her friends. Her voice was melodic, but very tomboyish. She caught a glimpse of him, but her eyes gave no recognition, only puzzlement. He smiled at her and went on his way, nearly bumping into one of the other staff members. She looked like someone familiar, but he didn't think that she was the girl he'd remembered.
"Sumanae, Dr. Gabriel. Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes, of course. Thanks for asking," she replied.
"Who's that girl?" he asked as they made their way to the meeting room.
"Which one?"
"One of the girls in the Atrium just now. She has dark brown eyes, auburn hair, and she's very tomboyish. She also wears spectacles," he described.
"Was she with a girl who really looks like a China doll?" she asked.
"Yes!" he replied.
"I know her," she said as he held open the door for her. "She's in my Public Relations class."
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"Did you see that cute guy just now?" Min asked.
"Yeah, he was looking at Karen," Shida said.
"Stop it you two! We're here to study!" Karen, the girl in question, blushed.
"So, which chapter is coming out again?" Min asked, and they bent down to their textbooks again.
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When he left the meeting it was about six. The girl was nowhere in sight. He said goodbye to the people, declining their offer to send him back to the hotel. He wanted to wander around this area when there were not so many students. It allowed him to focus his chi better.
He made his way to a small café, ordering a cup of coffee. It was then that he saw her again. She walked past the café, eyebrows drawn in concentration. She was talking to someone, using a wireless kit that left her hands free. Her tone was irritated and annoyed. Anger suited her to a degree, he thought. She looked fierce, adding a luminous beauty to her face.
"Mom! I'm still here, waiting for you! Well, how am I supposed to make my way back now? I don't want to take the LRT," she said, her voice rising higher with each word.
She did not seem to like what was being said on the other side, but she seemed to have finally agreed. She walked into the café, ordered a cup of iced lemon tea, and left. The café owners seemed to know her pretty well. Kurama, on the other hand, was still staring at her. For a moment, he had glimpsed… But it couldn't be! She was dead! Wasn't she? He had thought that this girl who looked like her but…
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He saw her again the next day. She was sitting at the corner of a stage reading while drinking a cool can of coffee. Her shoulders were hunched as she read the textbook. Kurama looked at his watch. He was early today, which was something he had planned. He walked over to her, pretending to look a little lost.
"Excuse me," he said. She looked up and stared at him for a moment. She was not that comfortable with guys coming up to her.
"Yes?" she said, her voice soft.
"Uh… I was wondering where the toilets were. The office is not yet opened, you see," he said, pointing to the glass doors that led to the corporate offices.
"Straight ahead, turn left, second door," she said, pointing. He smiled.
"Thanks. Could you look after my stuff for me?" he said, holding up his briefcase.
She looked at her watch, and then told him that he had fifteen minutes before she had to go for an exam. Thanking her, Kurama went away. Of course, he didn't really need to go to the toilet; it was just an excuse.
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"Sukina-chan! You're going to be late if you don't hurry!" the woman in charge of the orphanage said.
The young blond girl quickly put the rose hairpin to the back of her head. It was holding back six plaits, three from each side. She took a quick comb through her thin fringe that covered her forehead before running downstairs with her suitcase hanging on her wrist as she buttoned up her coat for school. Downstairs, 'Kaa-san Ikari had already seen the children off, and was now at the door with Sukina's lunch box. "Arigato, 'Kaa-san," Sukina said, before running out the door for the bus.
She managed to catch it just as it was about to close. The bus driver had waited an extra two minutes, accustomed to the girl. He was wondering about the changes in her personality, but had decided not to question it. It had made her a more lighter and happier person, he decided, seeing how easily she mixed with people now.
A jagan (do I really need to mention who?) was watching Sukina as she left the house, got on the bus and sat down with her friends. At first he had thought that this was the same Sukina that had beaten him, but it wasn't. This was merely a Ninjen whom Inari most likely had his eye on and whom bore a remarkable resemblance to the Sukina he'd known. Her mannerisms, her attitude. He wished the kitsune were here. He would have been able to make better sense of what was going on.