The Journey of Two Sisters: Book 4 of the Kinstone series

A couple days after Christmas, Fenris and I head down the village alone for the first time.

I really wanted to spend time with everyone, and know for a fact that my friends had been itching to see me again. The air feels cold yet I don’t mind. Heh, Marron’s right, I am lucky to have a natural blanket. The fur on my tails actually adds a small layer of insulation, despite not covering my body.

I enter the village and am immediately ambushed by Yui and Miu. I however sidestep the twins, watching them land on the ground behind me. They grin and once more attempt to tackle me, only for me to yet again dodge the pair.

I hear laughter coming from behind me as I see the rest of my friends standing some distance away. I grin, but in my momentary lapse of concentration, the twin nekomata grab hold of me, wrapping their arms around my body.

I sigh, shaking my head as they lead me over to where everyone else is sitting. Miu and Yui hold onto me purring loudly as they nuzzle me. My cheeks blush softly.

They then peer down, hearing my tails swishing against the snow covered stones. “You have your ninth tail, Aria-chan,” says Miu.

Mayori and Saya both leap off of seats and scramble over, both confirming it. Mayori looks to me, “When did this happen?”

I smile, “Back in July. Had a nasty battle with someone and it grew as a result.”

Ayame grins. I peer over to her, wondering why she never told any of them about it.

Saya sits back down. “I know I keep saying this to you, but you look so much better as kitsune. You are yokai through and through, you should just stay as a kitsune.”

I giggle, “Thanks, Saya-chan.”

The twins purr heavily into me as they hug me tightly.

“You should spend the night over with us, Aria-chan,” says Yui.

“You could stay in our room,” adds Miu.

“I don’t think so,” says Mayori as she leans in and pulls away the twins. “If she goes into your room, there’s little chance she’d come out again.”

I giggle as they pout at her.

Ayame plops down right beside me. “Those two really are in love with you. All they’ve been talking about is you. Now that you’re back in the village, they’ve really been acting up.”

I blush softly curling my tails around me, stroking them. Fenris lies down onto the ground, watching as the pair grumbles, but smiles to me. I smile back, feeling a bit embarrassed.

I pan over to Saya, who gives me the same smile she did when the group visited me a couple weeks ago. Again my heart leaps a bit, but I push the ideas and fantasies out of my mind.

“Aria-chan,” I hear someone calling out to me.

I lean over to see Kenji running towards us. I quickly stand up and hop over to him.

He smiles broadly, “It’s good to see you again. I hope you and your family had a good Christmas.”

My smile beams, “We did, thank you. People from the village brought us so much food that we’re still eating through it.”

He smirks, “No one wanted you to starve.” His gaze then softens, “In a few days it will be New Years. Everyone will be heading to the shrine.” His tails swish softly, “I can’t wait to see you in a kimono.”

My cheeks burn softly, but my smile never fades. “I can’t either Kenji.” In all honesty I really can’t believe that I’ll be wearing a full kimono for the first time since Mom bought one for me.

I still look on that first trip to Japan fondly. Once more it was just Mom and I, spending time alone with each other. Granted, my birth family was still alive at the time and I had lied to them about what I was doing for that entire month. I was on the other side of the world with someone who at the time was my teacher, but also very much like a mother to me.

Kenji leans down, peering into my eyes, “Are you still in there?”

I look to him, a little surprise, snapping back to the present. “Did…did you say something?”

He smirks, “No, but you appeared to be lost in thought.”

I nod slowly, “Sorry.”

He leans in a bit closer, “It’s all right. Getting back onto the topic of the shrine visit, I would love to spend it together with you.”

“You mean…as in another date?” I ask, curling my tails.

He takes my hands, “Yes, but not for very long. I know you’ll want to spend time with your family.”

I giggle, nodding, “You’re right.” He grins, holding my hands even tighter.

“Can you stay?” I ask.

“Unfortunately I can’t,” he says. “We just came in from a long trip out at sea and need to have our catch processed and priced. I will say that we managed to catch three-hundred and fifty kilo yellowfin along with two more two hundred kilo while out.”

My eyes grow wide, “That’s awesome. Bet you three had a tough time hauling them in.”

He smiles, “Nothing we couldn’t handle.” He leans in and places a kiss onto my cheek. “You’re still the most beautiful girl here.”

My cheeks burn even hotter. My ears then flick back, hearing my friends oohing behind me. This is completely and utterly embarrassing.

“Kenji!!”

We turn to Taro along with a couple of the older boys in the distance. He runs over to me, “Aria-chan, it's so good to see you again.”

I giggle, “You too, Taro. I heard you were stuck in Tokyo.”

He nods, “I was, until I finally managed to get through the pass with help of Asharyume-sama.”

I smile, “I want to thank your dad for all he’s done for us.”

He leans in a little closer, “He’s been more than happy to. When he told me you had come home, I wanted to be here for you. But exams and weather kept me in Tokyo.”

I know that sentiment all too well.

He smiles, looking to Kenji, “Hey, your dad’s looking for you.”

Kenji sighs, dropping his head, “I know,” looking to me, “Can’t wait to see you at the temple.”

I grin, “Same here.”

He smiles, stepping back and heading off for the marina.

Taro looks to me, “It’s good to have you home again Aria-chan. I know you’ve been going through a lot back in America. I hope you know you’re safe here with us.”

I smile, “Thanks, Taro.”

He nods, “Well I have to go and help out. I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.”

He smiles then turns and follows after Kenji.

I take a step back and catch a glimpse of Kenji as he rounds the street, disappearing behind a house.

The girls soon gather around me, all baring broad grins on their faces.

I roll my eyes at them. “Guys, I know what you’re thinking.”

Saya smirks, “Yep, you’re going on your third date.”

I sigh, but smile, “Yep, but it’s not a full date.”

She chuckles, “Call it what you want.” Another blast of cold wind rushes against us. “Why don’t we head over to the tea house where it’s warmer?”

We all nod and head over.

The next couple of hours are spent talking about anything and everything. Mostly talking about once the snow clears school starts up again. I listen in softly, thinking about what I should do once it does.

A series of phones all ring off with the girls letting out a collective sigh. Ayame looks at her phone, “Well my dad says he needs me to come and monitor the boats for tonight.”

I smile to her, “Are you going to just watch movies again?”

She smirks, putting away her phone, “I wish. I actually need to pay attention tonight.”

“My mom needs me back to help with our kimonos,” says Saya. Both Miu and Yui nod in agreement.

“I think we’re all going to be doing the same,” says Mayori. She then looks to me, “What about you?”

I smile, leaning onto the table, “Marron’s working on the kimonos Hashibaba gave us. I think she’s having fun with them.”

My friends all smile. No doubt all of them are sharing in the desire to see me in a kimono. I personally can’t wait for how Kateryna and Marron are going to look in one.

“Well, I think we should we break off for now,” says Saya. We all nod and rise from our table and head outside.

The wind again brushes against us. It feels even colder than before, making me wonder if yet another storm is going to blow through.

We all say goodbye to each other and turn for home. Fenris starts heading for the entrance to the village, passing by homes and shops.

I look over to him. “You ok Papa Wolf? You really were quiet during all of that.”

He smiles, leaning in closer as we walk. “I am fine, little Aria. I merely wanted you and your friends to enjoy your time together.”

I smile, stroking his fur. “Always watchful. Love you Fenris.”

The wolf groans happily, stepping closer to me, “And I you, little Aria.”

We soon walk past a couple of people near the entrance of the village. I smile, remembering there were among the group who appeared at my house on Christmas.

They smile to me. “Hello Aria-chan,” greets the husband.

I bow to them, “Afternoon. Thank you so much for bringing us that lovely meal a couple days ago.”

They smile even more. “We were more than happy to do so,” says his wife. “Would you both like to come inside?”

I shake my head, “Thank you but I can’t. We’re actually heading home.”

They nod. “Well, we shall see you later or at the shrine in a few days,” says the husband.

I bow, “Until next time.” Fenris and I then turn and head for home.

We race along the road. He soon flicks his head, a sign he wants me to hop on. I grin and leap onto his back. I dig down into his fur as he speeds through the forest, moving even faster.