Kuri ate lunch, off in the bleachers.

On the field, Darren had a soccer ball practically glued to his foot. He dribbled through defenders, shot, scored! Steve pumped a fist.

"GOAL! Three to one!" Steve cried.

The other team regrouped, started back upfield with the ball. Darren stole it. A few strides and whump!

Darren caught the goalie too far out. The ball lofted just over the backpedaling goalie's head, bounced into the goal.

"Three to two!" Steve cried exultantly.

Angry at himself, the goalie kicked the ball away. It veered off toward the street. Steve took it as a personal insult.

"What does that prove? Huh?" Steve growled.

The goalie blanched as Steve moved at him. Kids were nervous about Steve. He liked to fight. Darren got between them.

"Go get the ball. It's 3 to 2. Lunch's almost over." Darren warned.

"That's why he kicked it. To kill time. Well, I still got time to kick your face." Steve said menacingly.

Darren blocked him. "Forget it. The ball."

Steve decided and headed after it. The goalie gulped in relief.

"Thanks, Darren." The goalie said. "He's crazy."

Darren watched after Steve. He did have a vicious streak.

Kuri's eyes followed Steve's walk, taking in the passing 1966 LINCOLN Continental.

"And so it begins…" She whispered, almost to herself, as she looked at the flyer floating towards them, her own eyes glistening silver.

Kuri sighed silently, coming back to reality. Looks like another win for their team, but—oh man, she couldn't believe it! The older kids were picking on Darren.

Maybe she was stupid, or maybe she needed someone now that Reiko was leaving. But Kuri couldn't let this stand.

Kuri ran up and stood between Darren and the bullies, a fierce look on her face.

"Leave him alone." Kuri said.

"She can talk!" The older kids yelled.

"Whoa you made the mute talk Darren!" Steve said. "She's pretty tough too."

"She has a name. It's Kuri. I know you guys. Darren, Steve, Tommy, Alan. Best soccer players in the class." Kuri said.

"You live in the big temple right?" Darren said. "I heard it's haunted."

"Sure is." Kuri said. "I'm a priestess in training. Ghosts don't scare me. Some of them are helpful actually."

"So is it true you killed a kid?" Steve asked.

"Steve!" Darren said.

"I didn't kill anyone." Kuri said.

"So why did you wait till now to start talking? And why us and not some girl or something?" Steve said.

"All the girls here are annoying. I started talking today because my sister isn't here to talk for me anymore." Kuri said. "She went away. Now. Who wants to come visit Hikawa Shrine?"