12

Onari and Suzaku didn't run into any trouble on their way back to Himeji Castle. They checked in with Suou, informed him of what happened, and went to bed.

Onari slept soundly with the satisfaction of a job well done. Suzaku tossed and turned a bit, thinking about Onari's earlier words and his offer of friendship, but eventually she too fell asleep.

The next afternoon, the pair woke up, and Onari prepared himself to return to Kyoto. Suzaku found herself subconsciously gravitating toward Onari. She wanted to spend as much time with her new friend as possible, but didn't know how to voice her feelings.

Eventually though, the time of Onari's departure came. Suzaku stood with Onari in front of the Himeji Castle's gate. She had requested the guards leave them alone so she could say goodbye in private, and they had complied with her request.

"So… I guess this is goodbye," Suzaku said, trying her best to hide her disappointment behind a kind, stoic facade.

"Chin up, Suzaku," Onari said, making her startle from the familiar address and tapping the bottom of her chin lightly. "This won't be where our story ends. I'll text and call and even do my best to visit when I can. You can come to Kyoto and I can introduce you to my sister and mother. Don't think of this as 'goodbye'. Think of it as 'until next time'. Just… stay strong. Don't let your environment, or the pressure on you, get you down."

Onari's words of encouragement made a genuine smile grow across Suzaku's face, "Then… Until next time, O-Onari."

Suzaku watched with a blushing smile on her face as Onari disappeared in a flash of light. Onari flashed her a reassuring grin as he teleported. The magic circle faded away, smelling faintly of life and fiery energy.

'I promise, Onari,' Suzaku thought hopefully. 'Eventually, I'll be someone you're proud to call a friend.'

Mere minutes later (Onari age:11)

"I'm home!" Onari shouted as he entered his family's apartments in the Youkai faction's castle.

There was a sound from deeper in the apartments, like something had just fallen over, then a very energetic little fox shot into Onari's chest like a bullet. All nine of Kunou's tails were wagging as she hugged and nuzzled her big brother.

"Hey, little fox," Onari said, fondly patting Kunou's head. "Miss me?"

Kunou nodded with her face buried in Onari's chest, "Un. It's boring here without you…"

"Well, I can't promise I won't be leaving again in the future, but I did bring you a gift to make it up to you. And I promise I'll bring you a new gift for every one of my journeys."

"Grrr," Kunou growled softly. "... What is it?"

Onari did a little flourish, producing a small package wrapped in a decorative bit of silk. The silk was green, and had a recreation of Himeji's flag -- an image of a white bird taking flight -- embroidered on it. Kunou pulled away from Onari slightly, still staying in his arms, and traced the bird on the silk.

"Go on," Onari prodded her. "Open it."

Kunou did, carefully unwrapping the silk wrapping to reveal a small ceramic bento box. The box was painted black with a pattern of white curvy lines and stylized red clouds. There was also a sticker of a little anime kitsune fox plastered on the bottom right corner.

"It's so cute!" Kunou said softly but excitedly.

Onari chuckled, "That's not all. Open the bento."

Once again, Kunou did as instructed. Inside the bento box was a small collection of sweets and wagashi. Kunou squealed when she saw the sweets, and immediately popped one of the sata andagi into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed up cutely as she chewed.

"Thank you, Onii-chan!" Kunou said with her mouth still full, and a bright smile on her face.

A smile grew on Onari's face as he resumed patting her head. He walked out of the apartment's entrance way with Kunou still in his arms. She made herself comfortable as Onari started his search for his mother.