InuKimi walked in the field, feeling the light wind carry her white hair across the open air. She hasn't felt the tickling of the grass on her feet in a long time. She lowered herself to the ground and ran her fingers through the green meadow. Memories of the past swarm into her mind, and she welcomed them. So long had she shut them out, trying to forget. The image of Inu no Taisho smiling in the same field warmed her. She laid her head down and stared up at the light blue sky. No clouds: just like that day.
The words of Hirato echoed in her head. "He knew he was going to die. He knew, yet he left. He left without a good-bye." The image of her beloved husband expanded and revealed a beautiful human wrapped in his arms. InuKimi jolted up. Perhaps she wasn't ready. Wrapping her arms around her legs, the youkai put her head on the soft pelt on her clothes. The first gift of Inu no Taisho. She closed her eyes and allowed the liquid running down her face to be absorbed by the fur.
"Sis-" InuKimi was startled to find her sister's legs in front of her. She quickly wiped away her tears while Masami sat next to her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine – I'm fine," InuKimi replied as she faked a smile. She was answered with a warm embrace from her sister along with her sisterly words.
"You've known me for centuries, and you're convinced you can lie to me, and I won't notice? I've been around you long enough to know when you're faking. But, I've also known you long enough to know not to question it. Remember, I'm here if you need me. We will always be together-"
"-forever-"
"-until death-"
"-separates us," InuKimi finished. She didn't understand why, but the words her and Masami always shared made her feel like a child again. No worries, no problems.
"Why don't you ever hug me like that?" The two girls jumped to discover Saburo pouting behind them.
"Because you don't deserve it," Masami explained standing up to push her husband. His pout formed into a smile.
"Then why did you marry me?"
"If I recall, you never let me say no," she answered, annoyance clung to her voice. Saburo thought for a while and stroked his nonexistent beard.
"No, my memory is quite different," he said jokingly. Both stared attentively at each other while InuKimi rose from the soft ground.
"What is it you wanted, Saburo?"
"Hm? Oh yes, now that everyone has settled down, we're starting the games soon," he announced, not taking his eyes off his beloved wife.
"Games? After what happened? Are you sure it's a good idea?" InuKimi asked skeptically.
"Of course I'm sure. I think everyone just got a little moody. Maybe it was the burned rice?"
"Saburo!" someone called from behind the trio. The piercing voice undeniably belonged to Hirato.
"What is it, Hirato?" Saburo asked, finally shifting his attention to his brother. Hirato's attention was fixed on something else. InuKimi was positive he was staring at her, but she thought it was just her imagination.
"Can I speak to you, alone?"
"Of course," he turned to the sisters and added, "I'll talk to you girls later."
"I wonder what that's about," Masami pondered, glaring at the two walking away.
"I'm not sure."
"Well whatever it is, it's probably between the two, which means I'll find out about it later. We should get this thing over with, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess," InuKimi answered as they walked over to the giant banner that read:
Family Reunion
Bloody Reunion in which everyone fights to the
DEATH
"You have got to be kidding me."