Centuries later at a festival at Inari shrine. The lanterns make everything seem pink or red all around as the music plays. Though the drum tones seem drowned out by the laughter all around.
'Another year has passed huh?' Inari sits on the steps to her temple as she stares sadly at the crowd.
"It's been so long and yet…" Inari mutters as she pictures Saya trying to pull Yoko along to one of the games.
Inari begins to cry into her hands. As she weeps, invisible to most, she doesn't notice a child walking up.
"Why are you sad?" A small voice chimes.
"I…" Inari looks up to see a six year old that looks almost identical to Saya.
'S-Saya?' Inari stares frozen in amazement.
"Here, cheer up. Okay?" The short orange hair girl offers her balloon with a big smile.
"Are you sure?" Inari takes a hold of the thin string.
"Yup." The child nods. "Shizu will buy me a new one since it's my birthday." She giggles to herself.
"Birthday huh? In that case have this." Inari pulls a small sakura decorated mirror from her kimono sleeve.
"How pretty." Her pink eyes twinkle. "Th-" she looks over to see the woman is gone.
'Where did she go?' the six year old seems confused.
"Aki!" A long brown haired teen hits her over the head. "What did I say about wondering off?" She lectures holding an orange haired boys hand.
"Sorry Shizu." Aki rubs her sore head holding the mirror close.
"Come on, I'll by you and Kazu some candy apples." Shizuru holds out her free hand.
"Kay!" Aki grabs hold happily.
'Aki huh? I hope you live a good new life.' Inari glances at the girl with a pink glow coming from her chest from inside her temple.
Eight years later on an early spring morning, light streams into Aki's room. All over are drawings of all sorts of things, but what sticks out are those of a faceless fox demon. As the light hits her bed the girl turns away from the window snuggling her fox plushy.
"Aki! Time to get up!" Ms. Kuwabara knocks on her daughter's door.
"Five more minutes." Aki hugs the toy close not ready to open her eyes.
"You'll be late for practice if you wait any longer." Ms. Kuwabara grabs her briefcase. "Also please wake up Kazuma." She heads out the door.
'Darn, guess I have to get up.' Aki yawns as she sits up.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes she dresses in her uniform. After that she walks over to her brother's room.
Seeing him passed out on the floor with a comic on his belly Aki sighs. She calls Eikitchi, sleeping next to him, over. Picking up the brown kitten she than kicks his side forcing him awake.
"Th-that hurt." Kazuma sits up holding his stomach. "Can't you wake me up normally?!" He shouts.
"Come on Eikitchi time for breakfast." Aki ignores him as she heads out with the kitten in hand.
'Heartless sister.' Kazuma hangs his head as she leaves.
After he finishes changing Kazuma comes out to see some food on the table. Glancing around all he sees is Eikitchi snacking on her breakfast. As he sits down to eat he sees a note on the table.
-Note:
Had kendo practice. Try to make to school okay Kazu?
Love Aki-
"Guess she's not so heartless. Huh Eikitchi?" Kazuma glances down at the kitten as he snacks on some toast.
Later on at Sarayashiki Junior High, Aki is running laps. As she runs by some of the guys stare at her. From there they head back to the dojo for a few practice rounds.
After cooling down it is time for classes. By second period Aki sighs with realization that Kazuma and his friends aren't coming.
"Darn we're out of pain." One of the girls looks for supplies for the next class.
"The next period is free so I can run to the store." Aki glances at the clock.
"Are you sure?" A brown haired pigtailed girl seems concerned.
"Don't worry about it Keiko." Aki laughs. "I want to check on my brother anyway."
"Well okay. But take this with you." Keiko hands her some cash.
"See you later." Aki heads off.
After giving her brother some money for his wounds she heads for the store. Leaving with everything she sees a ball about to roll in the street.
Stopping it with her foot she hands it back to the boy. Crossing the street one of the bags breaks, leaning down to pick it up she doesn't see the car coming until it's too close.
"Carrots!" Calls a familiar voice.
Aki is knocked to the side by a black haired teen in a green blazer. 'Y-Yusuke?' She stares as she loses consciousness.
Before passing out she could have sworn she saw a pink kimono. Hours later she wakes up to the sound of Kazuma trying to keep Shizuna from strangling him. Something about not walking his sister back to school.
"So noisy." Aki mutters sitting up.
"Hey there." Shizuna releases Kazuma and turns gentle. "How are you feeling? Hurt anywhere?" She sits on the edge of the bed.
"My ankle hurts a bit, but other than that I feel fine." Aki flinches from the pain.
"Oh good you're up." The doctor walks in. "Your results are back. You have a small concoction and a twisted ankle. Other than that and a stay overnight to monitor that bump you're perfectly fine." He reads off the chart with a smile.
"Thank goodness." Her siblings sigh.
"Sorry to worry you." Aki flushes from embarrassment.
"I'll call mom and let her know before she throws a fit at work." Shizuna takes out her cell. "Kazu don't you dare leave." She points to him as she heads out the door.
"Like I would!" Kazuma shouts after her.
"I'll let you rest now." The doctor bows.
"Wait a minute. What room is Yusuke in?" Aki pounders.
"Urameshi? Why would he be here?" Kazuma lifts an eyebrow confused.
"He's the one that pushed me out of the way." Aki explains. "Please I'd like to thank him. If I need a wheelchair he can push me." She points to her brother.
"Why me?!" Kazuma jumps back a bit.
"Don't you think you should thank him for saving your sister?" Aki huffs.
"I… guess so." Kazuma flushes glancing to the side.
"Actually…" The doctor's look turns sour.
"What's up Doc? He giving the nurses hell?" Kazuma laughs.
"I'm so sorry. He… didn't make it." The doctor glances to the side with a pained expression.
"W-what?" Aki feels her heart drop.
"What did you say?" Kazuma stares frozen with shock.