Note: Oh my goodness. I've been so caught up in my other fanfics that I haven't been able to get a new chapter of Obscure Reflection done. I've been working on it piece by piece. I promise it won't be as long until I get the next chapter out. Things are going to pick up once again.

Kana climbs out of the pond in the Temple pulling the last aquatic plant off of her. She takes off her shoes and dumps the water out cringing in disgust before ringing out her clothes and her hair as best as she can.

"This might help." Sanne holds out a towel for her.

Kana smiles and takes the towel. "Thanks."

Sanne looks at the suitcase at Kana's side. "What did you bring with you?"

Without stopping drying herself off Kana replies, "Clothes, pictures, a few other personal things, you know."

Sanne picks up the suitcase and carries it with Kana following next to her. "It's been kind of boring here without you. I try my best to keep everything interesting." Kana shoots her a glance. "It's nothing bad I promise just some practical jokes. Greta has missed you a lot and Yuri too. Even Gwendal has missed your help. You've become a part of the group here whether you like it or not."

The two continue to chat as they walk back to the castle. Kana dries off quickly thanks to the towel and a breeze. As they walk through the gate, a welcoming party awaits them.

After everyone says their hellos, Yuri looks at the suitcase that Sanne is still holding. "Kana, what did you bring?"

Kana smiles, "Some personal things along with this." Sanne hands the suitcase over and Kana sets it on the ground and opens it. "Yuri, you brought your sport here but I'm not much of a baseball player so I thought I'd bring my sport with me as well." She holds up a soccer ball for everyone to see. Kana stands up and starts to juggle the ball with her knees. "I started playing when I was in elementary school but quite in junior high and took it back up again in college. I'll be happy to teach anyone who wants to learn."

Wolfram watches her bouncing the ball. "What do you do with it? Are you any good even?"

Kana smiles playfully, "You try to get the ball from one end of the field into the opponents net or goal on the other side and you can't use your hands. And I think I'm pretty good. Yuri, I owe you a flower pot." She lets the ball drop down and smashes it with a precise kick. The ball soars through the air towards the stair railing and crashes into the flower pot that's sitting on the banister.

Greta claps and jumps up and down in the air. "That was really cool!" Even Wolfram gawks a little until he realizes Kana is watching him.

Kana laughs sheepishly and scratches the back of her head. "Again, sorry about that. I'll clean it up and find a new pot."

"No, I'll take care of it", Sanne says walking toward the broken pot. "You have a debt to settle."

"Oh, that's right!" Kana closes her suitcase and picks it up. "Yuri, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." Sanne throws her the ball as she jogs passed.

Yuri and the others stand there confused. "What debt could she have that needs to be repaid in the kitchen?"

Sanne, overhearing him, replies, "Yuri, you are going to love it as well." She continues snickering as she picks up the broken pot pieces.

At dinner that night, all the usual people are there. Yuri walks in with Greta and Wolfram and flops down in his seat. "I'm starving."

"Good", Kana walks into the room pushing the serving cart. "This was Sanne's request but I made it just for you Yuri. I thought it would be nice to bring a little bit of home back with me. So I got your mom's curry recipe." She lifts the lid on one of the dishes and reviles the plate laid out with curry.

"Wow!" is all Yuri get's across.

The dinner goes by wonderfully and everyone enjoys the curry, there is even much more leftover.

Within the following week, Yuri and Ken make a trip back to Earth. When they come back two weeks later, Yuri seems to be keeping something from Kana. She soon discovers just what it is he's hiding.

Kana follows Yuri as he tugs on her wrist. "Come on, come on."

Kana sighs and keeps walking. Yuri opens the door and goes into the dark room. Lights flicker on and the room is full of people. "Surprise!"

"Yuri?" Kana looks down at her cousin.

Yuri grins, "Did you honestly think I would forget your birthday? Happy twenty-third birthday, Kana."

Drinks are passed out and toasts are made. There is talking and dancing, everyone is having a good time.

Kana clinks her glass and all eyes turn to her. "I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight. This is truly amazing. I've only been here for a few months and everyone has made me feel welcome, well, except for those first two weeks but I'd kind of like to forget about that." Everyone chuckles softly. "In all seriousness again, I truly consider Shin Makoku my one and only home. You better get use to me because you're going to be stuck with me now. So, Gwendal, I hope I can keep my job for a lot longer." Gwendal nods his head. "And Gunther, I'm going to need to learn more about Shin Makoku if I'm going to be living here..."

"I would be delighted", he bows his head slightly.

"On a final note, I want to thank Yuri for always believing in me and for throwing this amazing party for me. I think I better stop before I make a fool of myself because I think I've had a little bit too much to drink. So, thank you once again and good night."

Everyone claps. Kana steps forward and trips slightly.

Sanne comes up at Kana's elbow. "I think you better give me that." Sanne takes Kana's drink. "Maybe you should call it a night and go to bed."

"Maybe you're right."

Kana turns around to head out the door and trips over Conrad's foot. He smoothly reaches out and catches her. "Can I help you to your room?"

"Yeah, that would be much appreciated." Kana holds her forehead with one hand as Conrad helps her regain her balance.

Conrad gently guides Kana by her elbow to her room. He opens the door for her and helps her over to the bed. She flops down and laughs, giddy from the alcohol.

"Good night and Happy Birthday, Kana." Conrad turns to leave but Kana grasps his sleeve.

"Don't go", she stats. "Stay."

Conrad turns back and coaxes her hand off of his sleeve. "You're drunk. You don't know what you're talking about."

Kana sits up straight. "I may be drunk but I'm not so drunk that I don't know what I'm doing. I'll beg, I'll plead, I'll do whatever. Just stay."

Conrad stands there for a minute before sighing. "All right, I'll stay." He sits down next to Kana on the bed.