Haruka entered the house whistling only to find Yoko sitting at the table, sobbing.

"What's wrong, Yoko?" The black-winged tengu asked.

"Kan-chan forgot," she sobbed.

"Does that surprise me?" Haruka muttered under his breath. "What did he forget, Yoko?"

"Today!" She cried, sitting up and glaring at the tengu. "Ever since you came here to live, Kan-chan has been more concerned about you than keeping up his old friendships!" Suddenly she stood and ran past him. "I hate you, Haruka!" She called back over her shoulder. "You ruined everything!"

Haruka stared at Yoko's retreating back in shock, not sure what had just taken place.

"What's going on?" Kantaro asked, entering the room. "I thought I heard Yoko yelling."

"She was." Haruka glanced at his master. "She said something about today and how you forgot."

"I don't know of something I forgot," Kantaro stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Oh, well. Do you want to go over to the tea shop with me?"

"I guess," Haruka said.

--

"Kan-chan," Yoko sobbed from her perch under the maple tree.

"What's the matter?" Suzu asked, having come over to the house with Rosalie only to find no one there. After searching for awhile she finally found Yoko, but now she was confused as to why the female kitsune was sitting under the tree, crying.

"Kan-chan forgot that today is our anniversary!" Yoko sobbed.

"Anniversary?" Rosalie said in her dignified British accent.

"Today is the anniversary of the day that I met Kantaro! Every year he has a special party for me, but this year he forgot!" The brown haired kitsune buried her face in her hands.

"It's okay, Yoko," Suzu said, patting her on the back. "We can have a party without Kantaro."

Yoko raised her head. "Really?"

"Of course!" Suzu exclaimed, a smile on her face. "Rosalie and I will take you shopping!"

Rosalie nodded her head, and then grabbed one of Yoko's hands while Suzu grabbed the other. "We will have fun?" Rosalie said in an uncertain voice.

"Yes!" Suzu cried happily. "We will get Yoko-chan a new scarf! And maybe one of those parasol things that came from where you used to live, Rosalie! Come on!" She giggled, running to the road with Yoko and Rosalie following.

"Yoko-chan!" Kantaro called, exiting the house after just returning, and going over to the maple tree. "Have you…" He stopped short when he saw that she was nowhere in sight. "Hum, I thought that I heard her and Suzu over here. Oh well, maybe Haruka can help me," he grinned, jogging back to the house.

--

Later that day, Suzu, Yoko, and Rosalie returned from their shopping trip, each with several bags.

"That was so much fun," Yoko sighed as she went over to the door.

"Yeah, it was," Suzu grinned.

Rosalie nodded in agreement. "Muu," she said, noticing Muu-chan on the porch.

"Hey, Muu-chan! What'cha doing here?" Yoko asked, bending down to look the small green creature in the eye. "Is Sugino-sama here, too? Or did you run away again?"

"Yoko-chan, Suzu-chan, Rosalie-chan, I'm so glad that you are back!" Kantaro called from the window. "Come inside!" He said with a grin.

"Is something wrong with Kantaro?" Suzu muttered to Yoko as they entered the house.

"Not that I know of…" Yoko glanced around as she set her bags down and removed her shoes.

"Yoko-chan!" Kantaro bounced into the room and grabbed her hand. "Come with me! I have something to show you!" He tugged on her hand and led her into his study that was decorated with bright streamers and balloons.

"Kan-chan, you remembered," Yoko whispered with tears in her eyes as he sat her down at the place of honor.

"How could I forget? It was eight years ago today that you joined this family. You were the first," Kantaro grinned as he handed her a small package. "I had Suzu and Rosalie take you shopping to I could decorate. What do you think?"

"Kan-chan," Yoko cried. "Thank you!"

"Aren't you going to open your gift?" Suzu asked.

"Oh, yeah," Yoko tore into the delicate wrapping paper to reveal a box. She opened it slowly, her eyes taking in the small, golden charm lying on a sea of white. "A fox," she grinned, looking up into Kantaro's eyes.

"It's a charm for a charm bracelet. I promise to get you a new one each year," he grinned, picking up a piece of cake and digging in.

"Um, not to be a party pooper, but who made the cake?" Yoko asked.

"I did!" Kantaro grinned.

"Why me?" Yoko cried, imagining the mess that was left in the kitchen. "Why me?"