Old memories had a nasty habit of eroding. They could even change if a person kept bringing a memory back to the surface. Past events could be glorified or demonized depending on the current mood. Truth could be conveniently sculpted to fit a person's needs.

When Kurumu had delved deep into Kiria's mind, she had seen his attempts to rationalize the gruesome death of his mother. Those first variations after the incident had removed the clarity, the smell and the overwhelming feelings. Ultimately he had to stop thinking about his mother because fond memories of her would remind him of that tragedy. By the time he had met Lady Chuujitsu, he only had a name and an indistinct image of a blond woman. Whether or not his Hizumi was the Hizumi from Mrs. Shuzen's memories was something Kurumu could never verify.

But trauma was never truly forgotten. While Kurumu lacked a clean memory of his mother, she had fully experienced the discovery of his mother's corpse in their tiny apartment. That carnage had not required any embellishment on her part. She had brought that rotten memory to the surface so that he could see what he had buried, just like she was doing now.

She was a little girl, terrified and surrounded by unfamiliar people. It was a summer night. She was here with her parents to see the fireworks, but had no idea where they were now. They had been here only a moment ago. Most of these strangers had their gazes up at the sky filled with bright, colorful lights.

She had to stay put so her parents could find her. She was scared but had to keep quiet. She bowed her head as she started to cry. With tears crawling down her cheeks, she fussed with the yellow sash of her pale green yukata. It was her first time to wear this garment with a white daisy petal pattern. She felt so hot and stuffy, wanting to take it off.

"Are you lost, little girl?"

She looked up into the dark eyes of a bald man wearing a black robe. Her heart fluttered in terror as she glanced away, shaking her head vehemently. Sniffling, she reached up to wipe away her tears.

"Does anyone here know this little girl?"

His query prompted her to look about with hope. He was a loud, fat man. Several people reacted to his voice but none were her parents. She started to whimper, wondering where they could be.

Several minutes passed and a few strangers spoke with the big man about her. Others were starting to leave and she realized that the firework show was over. She tried hard to be quiet as she sobbed while the loud man continued to call out her presence.

"Sounds like you have a lost child."

Sniffling, she turned her attention to a dark haired man wearing a dark blue uniform and a black cap.

"I've been asking around for over ten minutes and nobody knows her."

The new man hunkered down to look her in the eye. His dark eyes betrayed his weariness.

"Where are your parents?"

She glanced aside, wishing they would come soon. She wanted to go home.

"Did you come here to see the fireworks?"

She swallowed thickly.

"Not talk to strangers."

"I'm a police officer. You can talk to me."

She shook her head stubbornly. Mommy and daddy would come get her soon. She just had to wait.

"Little girl. I'm going to need some information so that I can help you find your parents."

The big guy laughed heartily when she remained silent.

"Well I'm calling it a night, officer. Good luck with her."

The officer sighed, straightening up.

"Hopefully her parents will show up after more of this crowd disperses."

"Farewell, little missy."

She hated the way that big guy smiled as he left. She was frightened and he was enjoying himself.

"I've got a lost child here. Little girl roughly four years old. Wearing a green yukata with a yellow ribbon."

She shook her head vigorously.

"I'm only three and a half."

A hand rested on her head, causing her to tremble.

"Can I have your name?"

The fear of not being found broke through her reluctance.

"Juri. Morisato Juri."

Her name failed to help that man find her parents that night. The stress and fear eventually exhausted her and she succumbed to sleep. She woke up the next day in an unfamiliar building and was introduced to a stern woman with short dark hair and cold eyes whom was in charge of a local orphanage. She had cried when this lady had implied that some kids were simply abandoned.

For months, Juri kept silent out of fear of her true form being discovered. She never talked to the other kids or paid attention to their interactions, making it impossible to recall their names. Within a month the other kids lost interest in her. She only spoke with the adults when she had to which put away the rumors of her being mute. Some of the adults had nametags to identify them. Not that Juri cared.

Three days after visiting the shrine to celebrate the New Year, Juri was called into the office. Her father was in the company of a blond man with blue eyes. They explained the situation. Her mother had fainted and her father had rushed her mother to the hospital. He had thought Juri was with her uncle. Her uncle had thought Juri was with her parents. They had not realized the error until the next day. And this event caused such a rift between the brothers that her father rarely spoke with her uncle even to this day.

The lady was hesitant to believe their story but the blond man insisted that the paperwork proved that Morisato Tonbo was a citizen residing in Ojiya. He also had documents from the hospital for the care of Morisato Megumi on the night of Juri's disappearance. The lady protested that they had nothing proving this little girl was their daughter. For that matter, there was nothing on record proving that a Morisato Juri born on January tenth of 1990 even existed.

When Juri was prompted to acknowledge him as her father, she initially hesitated. She was still plagued with the feelings of being an unwanted and abandoned child. But when she confirmed his identity, that lady reluctantly surrendered her to his care. Juri was taken to her new home in Okataiyou. Supposedly they had moved from Kabashita to get away from her evil uncle.

That blond man was Mr. Ikarashi and he worked for Fairy Tale. He had helped locate Juri and acquire the paperwork essential for her release. That hospital documents had been fake since the humans would not have accepted paperwork from a Fairy Tale hospital. As far as Juri knew, her mother had never gone to a hospital. She had no idea why they had abandoned her, concluding that they had only 'found' her to repair their tarnished reputations as parents.

Kurumu groaned when she realized that constant chime in the background was a phone. The person in her arms pushed against her, causing her to relax her grip as her eyes fluttered open. She was lying on her side upon a futon in the darkness of Tora's room, wearing a gray tank top.

"Let go of me."

Kurumu chuckled softly, scooting back from her captive. Her retreat pulled back the sheet, revealing the grumbling sprite was sporting a pale green camisole with matching shorts. Juri flopped onto her back, stretching her arms up as she let out a heavy sigh.

"What a crummy nightmare."

Kurumu pushed up onto her side, glancing about. The phone was silenced, bringing her attention away from the empty, nearby futon. The light was turned on, betraying Tora's presence near the alcove. The sphinx was wearing a pink and white striped, spaghetti string tank top. A loose pair of gray shorts had black drawstrings tied in a knot to keep the shorts secure about her waist.

As Tora padded over to the closet, Kurumu's attention shifted along the wall to Tora's black desk. It was the only furniture the sphinx had in the room. Her silver phone was connected to the charger which was plugged into the outlet beneath the desk. A family portrait stood upon the desk's surface.

"You should get a bed."

"You should get dressed."

Kurumu smiled at the instruction, glancing at Juri when the sprite crawled over to her schoolbag.

"Did you sleep well?"

Juri snorted, leaning back on her haunches as she pulled her schoolbag into her lap.

"Were we even sleeping?"

"What time did the two of you go to bed?"

"I have no idea. Ask her."

Kurumu glanced at Tora. The sphinx was pulling a pair of cerulean boyshorts with a white cloud pattern up her tanned legs. She grinned when Tora smoothed the upper hem about her waist.

"Wearing blue today."

Tora glanced over her shoulder with a slight frown.

"What about it?"

Kurumu chuckled softly, thinking about the lingerie order. They had not included Tora but it was not like the sphinx was unaware of their silliness.

"Nothing. I fixed Juri, if you hadn't noticed."

Tora smirked, grabbing a cerulean bra with a floral lace pattern out of her closet.

"I noticed that she didn't call herself a whore when we asked her questions."

"At least she fixed that."

Kurumu glanced at Juri, whom had already parted with her pajamas. The nude sprite was pulling white lingerie out of her schoolbag.

"And I still think no other succubus would have done you that favor."

Juri scowled, donning her simple, cotton bra.

"You saw what happened to me."

Kurumu drew the blanket aside, revealing her black cotton shorts. She started folding up the sheet.

"It was not even close to being as bad as you thought it was."

"You were probably changing my memories."

Kurumu huffed, finishing her task in moments. She set the sheet on the futon.

"You were the one doing that. Nothing traumatic happened to you in those five months."

"My parents abandoned me!"

Juri seethed with frustration in her eyes. Her bra was secured about her bosom but her white briefs still remained on the floor by her knee.

"What's this about?"

Tora regarded them with jade eyes as she slowly buttoned up a school blouse over her bra.

"She saw what happened. How do you lose your only child at a festival?"

Kurumu sighed at Juri's rhetorical question.

"Your mother fainted and your father rushed her off to the hospital, thinking you were with your uncle."

"I don't even know if my uncle was there!"

Kurumu grimaced, glancing at her schoolbag on the floor by Tora's desk.

"I'm aware of how much you doubt their story, but you never bothered asking your uncle or your cousin about if they were there like your parents claimed. You would rather hate your parents."

Juri scowled, snatching up her panties. She stood up, putting on her briefs.

"If you didn't notice, my parents aren't exactly on speaking terms with my uncle."

The sprite hunkered back down, pulling her school blouse and vest out of her schoolbag.

"And even if he did admit to being there, I'm not his child or his responsibility. How did this 'emergency' happen without me noticing?"

Kurumu shrugged as Juri started buttoning up her blouse.

"You were only three and were excited about seeing the fireworks. You weren't paying attention to your parents' conversation on the drive to Nagaoka. They probably mentioned meeting your uncle's family."

"Not recalling a conversation isn't the same as not noticing my mother collapsing. You saw that officer calling for someone to claim me. Nobody was there for me. I was abandoned and sent to an orphanage."

"You were in an orphanage for five months?"

Juri glanced at Tora whom already had her skirt on. The sphinx finished tying the red bow at her collar before fetching a school jacket from her closet.

"Apparently so. Kurumu helped me remember this trauma for some dumb reason. My parents claimed they had troubles finding me and getting paperwork together."

"Those are valid reasons."

Having put on her vest, Juri scowled at Kurumu while smoothing the fabric about her torso.

"Dad already had his citizenship and was working for a human company in Ojiya. How do you think he had a license for his car? He drove us to that fireworks show in Nagaoka from Kabashita."

Kurumu sighed, knowing this was the four year old Juri's rationalization to reject her father's excuses.

"Your father told you that he didn't have his citizenship. He was probably driving without a license."

Juri huffed, getting up before stepping into her skirt.

"They only took me back because they had to. I haven't thought about this bullshit since my first day of primary school. It would get in the way of me smiling for the other kids. Nobody likes a melancholy girl."

Kurumu grimaced, knowing that last sentiment was a direct line said by Juri's father in regards to her making new friends.

"You should get dressed."

Tora sauntered over to the alcove, adjusting the strap of her schoolbag on her shoulder. Agreeing with Tora's sentiment, Kurumu crawled over to her schoolbag.

"Do you want to put up the futons?"

"I can do that later."

Kurumu nodded, pulling the schoolbag to her knees. She opened it up, retrieving her sky blue boyshorts and cornflower blue lace bra.

"I just don't get it."

"Get what?"

Kurumu shrugged as she pulled the tank top up over her head, dropping it beside her. She quickly slung on her bra like a jacket, connecting the front clasps.

"Her decision to reject everything her parents told her about this."

Juri huffed, hauling her schoolbag up by its strap.

"I heard their excuses plenty of times. I would have never done that to my child."

Kurumu frowned as she got up to put on her boyshorts.

"You don't even want to be a mother."

"Not my point. What time is it?"

"My alarm was set for a quarter before six. If Kurumu doesn't dally, we can arrive at the dining hall when the doors open."

Kurumu pouted, smoothing the waistband of her boyshorts. She lowered back down by her schoolbag, tugging out her school blouse and vest.

"I doubt Miho would be awake. Do you mind if I leave my pajamas here?"

"That's fine with me. Hurry up, Kurumu."

Kurumu grumbled as she buttoned up her blouse.

"I'm getting dressed. It's not like we need to be there the moment it opens."

"Do any of your friends know about your time in the orphanage?"

Juri shook her head as she wandered over to join Tora in the alcove.

"I certainly wasn't talking about it in school. My parents moved from Kabashita while I was missing so nobody in Okataiyou knew they had a kid."

Kurumu sighed, smoothing her vest over her blouse. She pulled her skirt and socks out of her schoolbag.

"If that was all some scheme to start a new life without you, then why did they ever bother enlisting Mr. Ikarashi's help to find you?"

Juri huffed as Kurumu stood up to put on her skirt.

"Who says they asked for his help? Maybe Fairy Tale got wind of an unregistered child in an orphanage and Mr. Ikarashi realized his new neighbors had the same last name."

Kurumu favored Juri a dubious look as she tightened the waistband of her skirt. This was a new theory that Juri had just created.

"You could ask him."

"As if he would tell me the truth."

Kurumu shook her head, bending over to pull on her socks.

"Like I said. You would rather hate your parents than find out the truth."

"They were rather insistent that I forgive them and tell nobody in Okataiyou about the incident."

Kurumu sighed, kneeling down. Juri's parents had warned her that talking about this would make other kids shun her. Kurumu grabbed her pajamas, stuffing them into her schoolbag.

"You could leave your pajamas here."

Kurumu shrugged at Tora's offer.

"It's just my pajamas. It's not like I'm bringing dirty lingerie to school. Besides. I have to make Kokoa a meal and do her laundry tonight so this just saves time."

"But it is a short day because of the first year assessments."

Kurumu zipped up the bag, hauling the strap up onto her shoulder as she got to her feet.

"It's fine. I doubt Juri wants to see me after school today."

"You got that much right."

Tora tugged open her door, allowing Juri to exit the room. Kurumu forced a smile as she sauntered over to the alcove. She snatched up her loafers before heading out. Tora followed Kurumu out into the hall, pulling the door marked 209 shut behind her.

"Her mother is anemic. She's been in the hospital several times."

Tora perked up with interest as she locked her door. She slipped her keys into her jacket's pocket.

"Is that true?"

Juri scowled as she started down the hall towards the exit stairwell.

"So what if it is? It doesn't mean she was hospitalized that time."

Kurumu flashed Tora a slight smile as they followed the angry sprite.

"Her mother's health is also why Juri was an only child for over a decade."

Juri scoffed at the declaration, striding by the lower numbered doors at a brisk pace.

"You actually believe that nonsense? Anemia doesn't prevent anyone from having a baby, Kurumu."

Kurumu pouted when Juri reached the end of the hall. The sprite pushed open the door, stopping in the swing to keep it open for them.

"It's not like you asked anyone with actual medical experience about that."

Juri rolled her eyes as they passed by her. She moved aside, letting the door close under its own weight. Tora dropped her shoes which prompted Kurumu and Juri to do the same.

"I don't understand why you are determined to take their side on this. You would feel the same way if your mom had abandoned you."

Kurumu sighed as she wiggled her feet into her loafers.

"You think I don't understand how you felt? I experienced it as you."

"It's not the same."

"You completely shut down after a few weeks, adopting a bitter, cynical view of everything."

"I was three!"

Kurumu flinched at Juri's rage. The sprite glanced aside, swallowing.

"I lost everything. You experienced my past, knowing it was not you and that there was more for you in this world. I didn't have that luxury."

Tora tapped Kurumu's shoulder before starting down the stairs.

"We can talk as we walk."

Kurumu nodded, following the sphinx. Before Tora reached the landing, Juri had joined their descent.

"It doesn't matter. I don't expect anyone to understand me."

Kurumu sighed, turning about on the landing and heading down the other flight.

"I understand that you don't trust people enough to bother telling them anything important about you."

"Now you're just making shit up."

Kurumu huffed, arriving at the bottom. Tora had already pushed open the exterior door, allowing the brisk morning air to infiltrate the building. Kurumu strolled over to the bright portal, stepping outside.

"You followed your parents' advice to the letter, telling nobody about this. You even put on the act for your parents to stop them from trying to make things up to you."

Juri huffed as she stalked over to Kurumu's side.

"What did you expect me to do? If I cried or acted sad, they would keep making excuses and trying to make me feel better. The only way to make that stop was smiling and acting like everything was fine."

"But they have treated you well ever since, right?"

Juri scowled at Tora before walking off. They followed after the sprite whom was making a straight path towards the trail which exited the clearing towards the dining hall.

"They only did that because they felt guilty. Nothing will change what they did to me."

"What do you want from them?"

Kurumu sighed at Tora's inquiry.

"That's the problem. Juri doesn't know what she wants."

"I want them out of my life."

Kurumu rolled her eyes.

"So she says but she had the option of staying in the orphanage."

"It was terrible there."

"No. You convinced yourself it was terrible there to rationalize why you were staying with your parents."

"Parents are supposed to take care of their kids."

Kurumu sighed as they neared the edge of the clearing.

"Why do you insist that there is no love involved in that duty?"

Tora laughed softly with a slight shake of her head.

"I admit that I've felt unloved by my parents."

"This is not even close to being as bad as what you went through with your father, Tora."

Tora smiled thinly as they entered the woods a few steps behind Juri.

"I was older, Kurumu. My father had good reasons to reject me."

Juri stopped suddenly, glancing over her shoulder.

"What?"

The trail was too narrow for them to walk by the sprite, forcing them to stop.

"It's nothing."

"Nothing? You spent half of your spring break at your father's funeral."

Tora grimaced at Kurumu's words.

"I don't want to talk about that around Ms. Morisato."

"Sounds like it doesn't matter now that he has passed away."

Kurumu scowled at Juri.

"Would you be okay if your parents just died?"

Juri huffed, turning about and resuming her walk.

"Financially no. Emotionally I would be fine."

Kurumu snarled, walking after the sprite with Tora at her side.

"Only because you put up this huge wall between you and everyone!"

"I had to! You see how easily I was replaced!"

"Your brother is not your replacement!"

"I better not suffer any ailments like barking like a dog if I carelessly say something bad about you."

Kurumu snickered, keeping a step behind the fuming sprite.

"As funny as that would be, I didn't put any conditions on you keeping your word. I only spent time to bring some clarity to your past with the hopes that maybe you would see it differently and open up to someone like Kisurusu or your parents."

"Why would I bother doing that?"

Kurumu let out a frustrated sigh as they reached the trail leading to the bus stop. They crossed over the smooth path, continuing down the narrow path through the woods to the dining hall.

"Because you can't be happy like this. I get why you didn't do this when you were younger but you've been old enough to have a serious discussion with your parents for years."

"Why do you even care? I'm going to stop talking about you and you will go back to whatever it is you are doing with your life. This is over."

"Because I want you to be happy."

"You're just as bad as my parents. People only want you to be happy so they can ignore you."

Kurumu lacked the desire to fight that sentiment, having felt that way on many occasions.

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you decide to start this fight with Kurumu?"

Juri slowed her step with a contemplative expression.

"It was annoying. She was avoiding me because she knew she had done something wrong and yet she was pretending to be a victim in a situation that she had created."

"I barely had anything to do with the creation of that raunchy comic. You were even there, encouraging me while I was doing those poses."

"And there she goes, blaming everyone else for her shitty behavior. What did Naomi ever do to you that justified siding with her rapist?"

Kurumu gasped in disbelief.

"I never sided with the rapist! He was already dead when Doronuma asked to do a concert in memory of him. That was for Doronuma's sake, not him."

"It's the same thing to me."

Tora chuckled softly as the trees before them thinned out. The domed structure of the dining hall could be seen in the distance.

"Kurumu is a very forgiving person, Ms. Morisato."

"I guess that explains why she has no issues breaking school rules whenever it suits her."

"I don't do that."

"Do you think I confronted you expecting you to use your powers against me?"

"What did you even want from me? Clearly apologies aren't ever enough for you."

Juri whirled about the moment she exited the woods.

"I only wanted you expelled because you looked into my mind. I'll admit that I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted from you before that but you were never a good person in my eyes. You've always been a shameless whore. That was not gossip. That was truth."

Kurumu frowned, wishing this girl would cease with this superiority complex.

"It's good that I have these powers instead of you."

She met Juri's gaze, feeling an immense disappointment in someone she had thought was her friend.

"You would be a terrible person."

Juri huffed, stalking off in the direction of the dining hall. As they followed the sprite, Juri gestured at the few students lingering near the one of the entrances.

"Looks like your toy is here."

Nijiro stood by Shiname and Okimune near one of those doors. A familiar group of third year guys from the auto club were also hovering nearby. Most of these guys had on school jackets with red ties fastened about their collars but Shiname was the exception, having his jacket open and lacking the tie. Okimune was wearing the beige vest over her school blouse.

"Looks like we got here before it opened."

Tora shrugged, walking alongside her.

"It might be six fifteen. There are days when the staff opens a few minutes late."

It only took a few seconds for Nijiro to notice her approach. A slight smile touched his lips as he regarded her with mild sexual interest.

"I didn't expect to see you here this morning."

Kurumu grinned, arriving a few steps behind Juri.

"Good morning. I see that you have Ms. Okimune with you."

Okimune giggled, nodding at her greeting.

"I didn't feel like making breakfast today."

Shiname sighed dramatically, touching his chest while his other hand held the strap of his schoolbag which rested upon his shoulder.

"A pity that she is already failing in her duties as my wife."

"Oh shush. You should be grateful that I make any meals for you."

Kurumu smirked, gesturing at the older girl.

"I thought he was banished from your room."

Okimune smiled with a playful light in her buttermilk eyes.

"I tolerate his presence if he brings Mr. Amesuki along."

"I've enjoyed three dinners and two breakfasts made by her capable hands."

Kurumu snickered at Shiname's enthusiasm, glancing at Nijiro.

"Guess that explains why I didn't see you in the dining hall these last two nights."

Nijiro shrugged at her remark with his attention fixated on Juri.

"I wasn't aware that you ate any meals in the dining hall."

Kurumu pouted at his dismissive comment.

"Nijiro. I haven't lived with Moka since the end of February."

His attention shifted to her.

"Don't you have meals with Ms. Sendou?"

"Not every meal."

"And the doors are open!"

Kurumu sighed at Shiname's declaration. The young man gestured at the door which Jishin, the blond with the glasses shaped like a scuba mask, was holding open for his three colleagues.

"I see that Ms. Morisato was with you."

Kurumu nodded as Juri went inside ahead of Shiname and Okimune.

"Yea. I had to clear up an issue with her."

"My sister mentioned that you were in detention yesterday over an altercation with Ms. Morisato. You told me that summons to the office yesterday was nothing to worry about it."

Kurumu grimaced, remaining outside with him.

"It was nothing serious."

"Serious enough that you risked expulsion."

Kurumu pouted at Tora's input, making a shooing gesture at the sphinx.

"It was a calculated risk."

"What exactly did you do?"

Kurumu flinched at his tone.

"I put a subliminal command inside her mind that made her say something whenever she was asked a question. But I removed it last night so it isn't a problem now."

"How bad was this?"

His question was directed at Tora.

"Bad enough that Ms. Morisato took the day off from school."

"And she was going to be expelled for this?"

"Only if Ms. Morisato refused to make peace. Ms. Kiyomizu was ready to expel both of them."

Kurumu brushed the front of his jacket, drawing his attention.

"It's okay now, Nijiro. Juri promised to stop talking shit about me to the first years. Her trash talking may have played a part in the poor turnout for my club recruitment and it certainly can't be good for you if we are allowed to be a couple."

Nijiro sighed heavily, nodding.

"I understand. I had a similar conversation with Manami when she had dinner with us last night. I had to explain to her that even if I broke up with you, it would not make Mom and Dad get back together."

Kurumu smiled thinly, noting Tora was still lingering nearby.

"Yea. Now I just have one other girl spreading lies about me to deal with."

"I can't imagine young Akenuma causing you too much grief. Most of her friends still like you."

Kurumu laughed, having forgotten about that.

"No. I was thinking about Hebihana."

"Hebihana?"

"Some first year in Juri's archery club. Her sister was attending the high school while I was attending the junior high in Kengamine. She claims that I stole her sister's boyfriend before I came to Yokai Academy."

"Did you?"

"No! I never met her sister. I've only seen this Hebihana in Juri's memories."

"We should probably head inside."

Nijiro nodded at Tora's suggestion.

"Yes. We can discuss your newest adversary over breakfast."

Kurumu pouted, thinking there was nothing more to discuss.


Kurumu drifted to the center aisle in the cafeteria, holding her lunch tray which included a can of fruit punch, a cup of udon and a box of nikujaga. The selection of entrées had been more diverse because many students with lunch this hour had opted to leave campus.

Barely anybody was sitting at these first tables reserved for the kappas of the arcade, fishing and diving clubs. None of the mermaids were at the swimming club's table. Only the three local guys were at the rugby table with nobody at the other nearby tables. The first table which was remotely full was the one in use by the girls from Kana's junior high. Kochimaru and that Hiromori girl were with them.

The band tables were missing several faces and there were only the two guys from Kurumu's classroom at Nijiro's math table. She saw no signs of her boyfriend, prompting her to look for Manami. She noted several familiar faces at that table but Manami was not with them.

Dakuhime and Yokumoto were already sitting with the four karaoke girls. Her classmates were facing this direction while the other four faced the interior courtyard.

Kokoa was at her usual table with Nagisa and Mizudake's friends. It was another full table, just like the one in use by the cheerleaders. Shinayaka was on the end with little Kosame between her and Kosame's older sister. The tiny girl had shyly confirmed that she would attend Nyuuwa's birthday this Sunday.

Kusamoto was sitting at the end of the table which she regularly shared with Mikomi and the other local girls. All of those girls were present and in conversation though it was apparent that Kusamoto was not participating. Imai and Tanaka were patiently waiting on Yukari whom would arrive eventually when she felt like it. Koike was alone with Ginei at their usual table. Umizake had already taken Mizore home.

When her eyes met Ginei's gaze, he promptly hopped to his feet. His grin was worrisome.

'Will he sit with us?'

Kurumu sighed at Koyomi's hopeful thought as the succubus strolled over to join her. Mukai and Nyuuwa were also making their way over with nobody left in line for the registers.

"You enjoy his lechery far too much."

'It feels good.'

Kurumu smirked, walking down the aisle the moment the other first years arrived. The other followed in her wake. She had only taken a few steps before the werewolf intercepted her but she did not stop, forcing him to walk alongside her.

"Do you have any afternoon plans?"

"It's Friday. Kokoa will have one of her girls over so I have to make dinner and do her laundry."

"But this is big news that you wanted to hear."

Kurumu huffed as she closed in on the table that Dakuhime shared with the four karaoke girls.

"You can ask Kokoa if I may shirk my duties on the only day that I'm scheduled to do anything this week."

Kurumu decisively placed her tray on the end of the table. Fujihara glanced up with confusion in her different colored eyes. Kurumu made a scooting gesture which caused the nekomusume to grin.

"Make room, kittens."

Tobihaneru grumbled as the other girls shifted her closer to the end. As they made room for Kurumu, Koyomi and the other two first years walked around the table to claim the vacant spots on that bench to the left of Yokumoto. When Kurumu settled down across from Dakuhime, Koyomi had ended up in the middle while Nyuuwa was on the other end.

"I doubt that your lady will listen to me."

"Get lost."

Ginei frowned at Tobihaneru's gruff remark.

"I will as soon as Kurumu agrees to accompany me to the temple in town."

Kurumu pushed her chopsticks out of their cellophane wrapper.

"I'm serious, Ginei. I don't have time to make a run to the town."

Kurumu opened up her box of nikujaga, stirring it up with her chopsticks.

"Tashikana arranged an afternoon meeting for you with Elder Tsuda. It has something to do with that Mizukawa Ai person you were wanting to find out about."

Kurumu's heart skipped a beat. She set her chopsticks aside as she glanced up at him.

"When am I supposed to be there?"

"Three thirty."

"He's lucky that we had a short day."

Ginei chuckled at Dakuhime's comment.

"I'm sure that Tashikana remembers that the first years have assessments after club recruitment."

Kurumu smiled thinly, getting up from her seat.

"Even if he didn't, Yotaku is his cousin and she just spoke to him at Rubi's birthday party."

"That's true. I take it that you're interested."

His smug grin was annoying.

"Yea. I'll be right back."

Kurumu hurried over to Kokoa's table. The older girls were already finished with their meals, giggling over something when Kurumu stopped by their table. The older trio were at the end favoring the aisle with Mizudake sitting across from Uta. Kokoa was at the far end with Nagisa between her and Kirisame. The tall Yoshikawa was between Kurotaki and the blond with the bangs covering her left, hazel eye.

"Kokoa. Ginei just told me about an afternoon meeting today with Elder Tsuda. Can I go?"

Kokoa glanced up from her meal, swallowing down whatever it was she had in her mouth.

"Is this related to the shooting?"

"Not exactly but it might give me some insight about Elder Kunai's past. I'll try to be back as quickly as I can if you don't mind dinner being a little late."

Kokoa nodded, poking at the remnants of rice inside the white box on her tray. Whatever had come with that rice had already been devoured.

"How long is this meeting?"

"I have no idea how chatty Elder Tsuda might be. It could be brief."

Kokoa met her gaze, causing Kurumu to feel unsteady. The vampire was deliberately reviewing probable futures to determine her answer. Kokoa broke eye contact, turning her attention back to her meal.

"Stay on campus with me after lunch. We will wait for Hikari's class to end before we head to town."

"You're coming with me?"

"Yes. I'm going to treat Hikari to dinner at Ichiban Chuubou tonight."

Kurumu grinned, knowing that was the most expensive restaurant in town.

"Am I invited to this dinner?"

"Yes but you will do laundry tonight and serve us breakfast tomorrow morning."

Kurumu laughed but bowed her head when Kokoa looked at her.

"Of course, Milady."

"So you really are her servant."

Kurumu giggled at Kurotaki's remark.

"Yes. I owe her a debt."

"How much do you owe her?"

"It's a favor that can never be repaid."

Kurotaki frowned at Kokoa's stiff answer.

"What exactly did you do?"

Kurumu made a dismissive gesture.

"It's nothing. Did you join the cheerleader squad?"

Kurotaki grinned with her silver eyes lighting up.

"I did. The girls were happy to have me."

"Then why don't you sit with them?"

"They always have a full table."

Kurumu glanced at the table. Shinayaka was at the end favoring the aisle with that first year gyokuto girl whom was Haneru's cousin sitting across from her. Beside the cousin was Garakuta. Shirenai was also on that side of the table, flanked by Juntaku and Kyubane. Kukioba was sitting across from Kyubane with Tsubuyama between her and the older Anagume sister.

"Shinayaka is on the volleyball team. I'm sure that she'd give up her spot for you."

Uta huffed, wagging her hand.

"So is that Kishigun girl but I'd rather not eat with them."

"Threatened by the bounciness of your teammates?"

"I prefer your flat humor."

Mizudake gasped at Uta's smirk, touching her slight bosom.

"I'll have you know that I possess a well-rounded intellect."

Kurumu snickered, gesturing at the pair beside Mizudake.

"Did the two of you join the tennis team?"

"You bet we did!"

Yoshikawa smiled nervously, nodding at her companion's enthusiasm.

"Yea. Though I'm more worried about how well we did on our assessments."

"I'm certain the two of you did fine."

Nagisa giggled at Mizudake's dismissive reassurance.

"Even if you didn't, you'd only have a few weeks of Saturday school."

"Don't you have a lunch to attend to?"

Kurumu grinned at Kokoa's query. She nodded slightly.

"I will see you soon, Milady."

The undines giggled as Kurumu scurried back to her table. Ginei grinned at her approach.

"The look on your face suggests you have permission."

Kurumu stuck her tongue out at him before sitting down on the end of the bench in front of her lunch.

"I do and Kokoa will be joining us. She also intends to bring Hikari along."

"Sounds like a party."

Kurumu snorted, picking up her chopsticks.

"Don't expect her to treat you to dinner."

Ginei chuckled as she resumed stirring her nikujaga up with the rice.

"Speaking of parties, I heard that this little lady shall be turning sixteen on Sunday."

"Which you are not invited to."

Kurumu laughed with the other girls at Dakuhime's immediate response.


The Awashi-Dera stood at the edge of the town near the end of the street which started by the Siren's Lullaby and passed by the theater. This other street in front of the impressive structure continued on a short distance before ending at an archway preceding the town's cemetery. Kurumu and her friends had come from the other direction on this street which ran almost the entire length of town, passing by Ms. Atsumoto's apartment, the Sumeragi bar and the Ichiban Chuubou restaurant.

The temple was one of the most impressive structures in town. Smooth white walls stretched up to a sweeping roof layered with curved, black tiles. Black pillars stood in a row along the temple's exterior facing the street. This porch was elevated from the street by four long steps which were topped with glossy stones of different shades of brown. A massive double door marked the temple's only entrance.

Kurumu had only set foot inside this temple once back when she had held the viewing for her mother. Acquaintances of her mother had bought a few trinkets for mommy's butsudan from the temple's gift shop. It was hard to believe that she had not noticed this place the first time she had walked by it but she had been more focused on following Moka and Inui to the cemetery.

"We should go inside."

Kurumu nodded at Kokoa's suggestion. The vampire had her silver ponytail secured by a plaid ribbon. Hikari held Kokoa's hand while her other touched the strap of her schoolbag resting upon her shoulder. The salamander's cherry curls were pushed back from her brow by a dark green headband matching the one in Ginei's dark locks. The werewolf chuckled as he started up the polished steps.

"No pushing or shoving. We aren't in that much of a hurry."

Kurumu rolled her eyes as Ginei grabbed hold of the black iron handle, tugging the heavy door open. She sighed, gripping her schoolbag strap which crossed her torso. Ascending the stairs with her loafers loudly reporting her progress, Kurumu was first to cross the threshold.

The main chamber was cavernous with kakejiku lining the walls. Each of these wide scrolls had simple images of nature, ranging from birds to foliage. Sconces were between these scrolls, providing most of the light though there were a few ornate lanterns hanging on black cords from the rafters above.

To her left in the corner of this audience hall was the gift shop. Instead of walls, the shop was hemmed in with black, wood counters laden with trinkets and other goods for sale. It was a small shop, consisting of four aisles between black, wood shelves with more temple paraphernalia. There was only one gap in the counters which was flanked by the register. A slender woman with her dark locks pulled back in a bun watched over this register, guarding the entrance to the shop.

As this lady was the only person visible in the temple, Kurumu approached the gift shop. This lady was garbed in a dark blue robe with white trim. She was the same woman whom had been tending the register during Kurumu's last visit. Her silver eyes noted Kurumu's presence and the woman nodded slightly. Her expression remained neutral as Kurumu arrived.

"Excuse me. We are here to see Elder Tsuda."

The woman smiled, nodding again as the others gathered behind Kurumu. The lady picked up a brass bell resting beside the register, ringing it firmly. The sound carried throughout the large chamber.

"Yes, Auntie?"

A young girl had appeared from one of the raised openings leading out of this main chamber. She also had on a dark blue robe with white trim. Her black hair reached the white sash about her slim waist. Her feet were bare.

"Tell Grandpa that Ms. Kurono is here."

The girl nodded emphatically, turning on her heel and darting out of sight.

"Do you know Kurumu?"

The lady smiled at Kokoa's query as her silver eyes settled upon Kurumu.

"I went to school with her mother. She looks so much like Ageha."

Kurumu's heart fluttered.

"You said nothing about that when I was last here."

The woman offered an apologetic smile.

"You did not appear to be in the mood for conversation. And when Ms. Yaisoku explained the nature of your visit, I could only offer my condolences."

Kurumu did recall that. It had been the only thing this woman had said to her right before they had left.

"What is your name?"

The lady bowed her head slightly.

"Tsuda Suzu. I was in Mr. Saitou's homeroom with Ms. Yaisoku."

"You graduated with my mother!"

The woman laughed pleasantly at her surprise.

"Yes, though I never had the pleasure of meeting her. I was always with the other set of teachers."

Kurumu smiled thinly. Back in mommy's time, there had only been eight homerooms. While the whole school had the same lunch period, you were unlikely to cross paths with another student from outside your homeroom whom did not share the same gym and elective periods.

"So you barely knew her."

"For what it is worth, I never believed Elder Kunai's claims against your mother."

Kurumu chuckled softly at the woman's apologetic smile.

"I get the impression that most people didn't believe that."

"People were questioning Elder Kunai's mental acuity years before the fire. He was forced to give control of his bank over to his son shortly after his senseless crusade against your mother."

"He was forced?"

The lady smiled with a slight nod.

"By the other elders. It was put to a vote."

"One of the few times Kyouhei's allies turned against him."

Elder Tsuda had arrived with that young girl at his side. The old man was wearing a white robe with black trim. A black sash was tied about his waist and black socks graced his feet. The stringy, white locks on his head were shorter than the whiskers stretching down from his chin. His silvery white moustache jutted out from beneath his nose like rods.

"Too bad that they didn't also want to strip him of his position on the council."

The lady nodded as the elder strolled over to them at a slow, measured pace.

"Grandfather."

"Nobunaga and I even proposed the retirement of the old guard but Masamune and Hideyoshi refused to give up their positions even to their own descendants. I swear that Masamune will have to die just like Hideyoshi for him to give up his spot."

Kurumu smiled, surmising these were the first names of the other elders.

"I understand that you have information about Mizukawa Ai."

A light flickered in Elder Tsuda's eyes.

"That is a name I haven't heard in a long time. Does Kyouhei feel any guilt over what he did to that girl?"

Kurumu frowned at the elder.

"No. But she seems to be the source of his bitterness towards my mother."

Elder Tsuda nodded, stroking the long whiskers of his chin. He looked through Kurumu with his thoughts elsewhere. Kurumu resisted the temptation to peek at whatever it was in his mind. His silver eyes gained focus as he looked into hers.

"Does your mother have the same eyes as you?"

"Yes. Why?"

The elder nodded with a conclusive air about him.

"That must be it. Come with me."

The elder turned about, retreating to the opening from which he had arrived.

"Towa. Make some tea for our guests."

The young girl sounded an affirmative to the lady's prompting, bounding off across the chamber to a different opening.

"Come on, Kurumu."

Kurumu smiled at Kokoa whom was already following the elder. She hurried to catch up with the vampire whom still held Hikari's hand. They paused at the raised opening, slipping out of their shoes. The elder was a short way down this tatami lined corridor, sliding open a door on the left.

"Please. Have a seat."

Kurumu nodded, stepping up onto the corridor's floor. She padded over to the elder, entering the room a step ahead of the others. A long, low table made from black wood stretched across the center of the room with square, black cushions flanking its sides. Three decorative lanterns hung from the overhead rafters, providing the room's light.

Imagining that the elder would want the cushion at the head of the table, Kurumu walked around to the far side of the table and settled down upon the first cushion.

"I hope that you don't mind us being here."

Elder Tsuda chuckled at Hikari's statement as Kokoa claimed the first cushion across the table from Kurumu. He entered the room after Ginei, closing the door.

"I never expected Ms. Kurono to show up alone. I believe that I've seen this young man before."

Ginei grinned as Hikari lowered onto the cushion beside Kokoa.

"I'm Morioka Ginei, a friend of Mr. Tashikana."

The elder nodded, grunting as he took his place at the head of the table.

"The young man whom requested this audience. I've seen you at town meetings."

Ginei chuckled, moving around the table to claim the cushion beside Kurumu.

"I've attended a few. I am in charge of the school's paper."

"I see. Is Mr. Fujita still encouraging students to recklessly expose truth?"

Kurumu giggled, shaking her head.

"Mr. Fujita stepped down from the newspaper club a decade ago."

"Really? Guess that explains why I haven't heard much from him recently."

"You don't get out much, do you?"

Elder Tsuda chuckled at Ginei's amused query.

"I'm old, Mr. Morioka. I've buried two of my kids and my wife. I've outlived some of my grandchildren."

Ginei gestured at the door.

"That little girl must be a great grandchild."

The elder snorted, crossing his arms below his beard.

"Towa turned fourteen back in February. Her father, Takeo, is my fourth great grandson. He's the one whom I put in charge of the temple's finances because he was the most capable to do the job. That caused quite the family drama."

"Why was that an issue?"

"Koichi, my sixth grandson, was the oldest Tsuda male in Mononoke at that time. He is two years older than Tadao, Takeo's father. He demanded that I should give him or his son that job. When I refused to change my decision, Koichi and his son left Mononoke. Haven't heard from either of them since."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully.

"Will Towa be attending Yokai Academy next year?"

"If her father wants that. She likes to help out at the temple to avoid being at home with her mother and her two younger brothers."

"How many descendants do you have?"

Ginei's question caused the elder to pause with a contemplative look.

"Don't really know. My first son, Ichiro, moved to Aomori after the Great War, taking his wife, his two surviving kids and his grandchild with him. When Amika passed away the year before the fire, I lost all contact with that side of the family."

"How many descendants do you have in town?"

Elder Tsuda chuckled at Ginei's clarification.

"Roughly twenty or so. Only a few live with me in that manor Mr. Tensai built for us. Naturally Takeo, his parents and his kids are with us, as well as his little sister, Suzu. And my lovely daughter, Emiko, is there to look after me. If you really must know about my family history, you would have to talk with her."

"Is it really that many that you can't keep track of them?"

The old man smiled at Hikari's disbelief.

"I was already married with two kids when I came to Mononoke in 1905 and had grandchildren before the Great War. One of Mika's little girls married into the Kurosawa family so she stays with them at one of their farm houses outside of the town."

"We are not here for a family history."

Elder Tsuda nodded at Kokoa's declaration.

"Indeed. You came here to learn about Mizukawa Ai."

He paused, taking in a long breath.

"Though the real story is with that girl's mother. Mizukawa Reina."

Kurumu frowned with a slight shake of her head.

"What does her mother have to do with this?"

"Everything, Ms. Kurono. Kyouhei's first wife was Ito Emiko. Just like me, Kyouhei was already married when he came to Mononoke but he had not had his children yet. He had two sons and a daughter with Emiko. She was such a lovely lady. We named our second little girl after her."

The elder paused with a wistful look in his silver eyes.

"In the summer of 1916 Mikogami came to us with a young woman seeking asylum from Fairy Tale. Her name was Mizukawa Reina and she had a little girl with her whom was not even two years old. She was a succubus and needed somewhere safe to stay and raise her child."

Elder Tsuda chuckled.

"By that point most of the men in the community whom could offer any help were married. My Amika balked at the notion of aiding that gorgeous creature, fearing that she would lose her place in my heart. And she may have been right. Reina had a very tempting, voluptuous body and rich, ebony hair like silk. It was Emiko whom allowed Kyouhei to finance a small home and flower shop for Ms. Mizukawa."

The old man paused, letting out a heavy sigh.

"But running a flower shop was not enough to make ends meet. Mikogami didn't have control over the weather back then so Ms. Mizukawa was out of business when the first winter came around. She started offering nanny services and that worked for a few months but this caused trouble within the community. Some of the men would take liberties with her, blaming her charm for their misbehavior. And their wives were eager to believe that, arguing that was why Fairy Tale had a purge order on Ms. Mizukawa's kind."

"That's horrible."

Elder Tsuda smiled at Hikari's sentiment.

"Emiko was one of the few staunch supporters of Ms. Mizukawa. She was three months pregnant with their second son when she encouraged Kyouhei to hire Ms. Mizukawa as a permanent nanny. Already enamored with Reina, Kyouhei readily agreed."

"Did that old man cheat on his wife?"

The elder smirked at Ginei.

"It was no secret. There was even a rumor floating around town that Ms. Mizukawa had charmed Emiko into allowing that affair, challenging the established belief that succubi only had power over men. My dear Amika believed this new rumor to be true, claiming that no self-respecting woman would endure such a thing. Emiko was more in love with Reina than her own husband."

The door slid open, drawing all attention to the young girl. Towa smiled politely, holding a tray in her hands as she glided into the room. She knelt between the elder and Kokoa, placing the tray on the table. It was stacked with several black tumblers and a kettle. Fragrant steam wafted from the spout.

"Does everyone want tea?"

Kurumu sounded an affirmative in unison with the others. The girl poured out the tea, setting the first tumbler before the elder. Once she had the second tumbler full, she leaned across the table to present the steaming vessel to Ginei. The werewolf grinned, leaning forward to take the offering.

"Are you aware that succubi can charm anyone, regardless of gender?"

The elder chuckled at Kokoa's query as the young girl presented Kurumu with the next tumbler.

"That was not common knowledge back then, young lady. But I prefer to believe that Emiko was too kind for her own good. Allowing Ms. Mizukawa to be her husband's mistress destroyed their marriage."

Towa placed the last drink in front of Kokoa.

"Is there anything else you require?"

"No, my dear. You may go."

The little girl nodded, picking up the tray which only had the kettle. She retreated from the room, closing the door behind her.

Kurumu swallowed in the moment of silence that followed. She pulled the cup to the edge of the table as the elder and the others sipped from their drinks.

"When I looked into his memories, the daughter was the source of his hatred. She took one of his sons."

The elder grunted, lowering his tumbler to his lap.

"Yes. While Kyouhei was busy defiling his new nanny, little Ai became very close to his children. She was Ayaka's best friend, attending her wedding in the summer of 1929 to Saburou, Masamune's third son."

"That would be why Elder Kunai is so close to Elder Kurosawa."

"That is correct, young man. Three years after that wedding, Ai disappeared with Kaito, Kyouhei's eldest son. They left only a note, saying they would find their happiness together."

Kurumu grimaced, having anticipated this.

"He must have opposed their relationship."

"Most of us were unaware that there was that kind of relationship between them though it was obvious that Ai regarded him differently. Kaito was the big brother whom she admired while Satoshi was the annoying, little brother. At some point they must have decided that they were not siblings."

"How did they leave Mononoke? Did it not have a barrier back then?"

Elder Tsuda smirked at Hikari.

"We had a barrier but we also had a mischievous Mr. Nurari whom was known to let lovers out. Koichi's daughter was one of the many whom took advantage of his whimsical services."

"So that's it? He's mad at all succubi because the daughter of the one he was sleeping with decided to run off with one of his sons?"

Elder Tsuda sighed at Kurumu's frustration. He lifted up his drink, taking a sip before lowering it.

"That's not the whole story, Ms. Kurono."

"Did they come back?"

Elder Tsuda shook his head at Hikari's query.

"Not that I'm aware of. But I wanted to tell you about Mizukawa Reina's story. After her daughter ran off with Kaito, Kyouhei did something unforgivable. Reina, whom had been his subservient lover for over a decade, was turned over to Fairy Tale."

Kurumu shuddered, understanding the implications.

"They killed her."

The elder nodded slowly.

"Fairy Tale was very cruel to your kind, Ms. Kurono, even after the purge was rescinded. Mikogami broke the news to us at a town meeting. He was thoroughly disgusted with Kyouhei's actions."

"I'm surprised the old headmaster was even civil with Elder Kunai after that."

"That was all a long time ago, young man. Not everybody harbors grudges for decades."

Kurumu grimaced, thinking Elder Kunai had no problems doing that.

"What happened to his first wife, Emiko?"

"She left him almost immediately after we got that news. She went to live with her brother's family in Hokkaido. She didn't even take Satoshi with her."

"Is he still in town?"

"No, Ms. Kurono. Satoshi died in the Great War like many of my grandsons. Kyouhei was a bitter, lonely man for decades before Akemi, his second wife, came into his life."

"That man didn't deserve a second chance."

Elder Tsuda sighed at Ginei's declaration. He took another sip before placing his tumbler on the table.

"Unfortunately that is all I have to share about Mizukawa. I shouldn't keep you any longer. Tomorrow will be a busy day for me. We will be having the funeral for Kizen Makoto and his wife."

Kurumu forced a smile as her untouched tea warmed her hands through the tumbler's porcelain.

"Their bodies were already turned over to you?"

"Back on Tuesday."

Kurumu nodded, guessing that meant Lord Inazuma's investigation of the crime scene was complete.

"There is one last thing that I should mention, Ms. Kurono, before you go."

Kurumu frowned, meeting his gaze.

"What else is there to say?"

He smiled apologetically.

"This might only be a coincidence, but you have Mizukawa's eyes."

Kurumu shivered, understanding the implication. She swallowed thickly, wondering if there was any way for her to verify the truth.

"Thank you for your time."