NOTE: I APPOLOGIZE TO THE READERS OF KITSUNE KIYO FOR MY INNABILITY TO UPDATE THE STORY SOONER.

Chapter seven: a rainy day

The rain fell in sheets as Kazuma trudged down the old dirt road that ran from her house to the main back road of that part of the county. She wondered, as she looked into the dismal sky, what would become of this place after she left. At the moment, her life was looking as grey and bleak as the rain that fell from over-bearing heavens.

She had only received the news that morning, and now, it seemed, after only a few short hours, her life was over. Kazuma’s sister, Zoshi, had broken the news to her after getting off the phone with the investigators. Several years ago, Kazuma’s mother had died, and now their father was missing, presumed dead. Without their father’s income, they would not be able to keep their home. Zoshi was off trying to make arrangements with her fiancée Oegaru Hatoshi (who lived in New York) until Dad was found – if ever.

As she walked, she wondered if perhaps someone she knew could take over the ranch while she was away. If her sister decided they should go live with Hatoshi, she supposed she could get a job there (in New York) and send down money to help with the animals and such. But of course, that was only if someone were willing enough to take over the place. All this she pondered as she walked down the old dirt road in the pouring rain.

Chapter eight: Will you help me?

School that day was as dismal as the rain, and though Kazuma loved the rain, she couldn’t help but admit it was dismal. And dismal was a perfect analogy for that day. Akuyei was the first to notice Kazuma’s lack of energy or glee. That morning’s conversation is as follows:

“Kazuma? Are you all right? You look dead” Akuyei commented as she poked me in the cheek. “Helloo, anybody hoome? Kazuumaa…” Her sing-tone was not helping my mood.

“Leave me alone.” I mumbled as I pulled my arms closer to my face and buried my tear-streaked face into them. My friends had never seen me cry before, and I was not about to let them see it now. Rei was the next to comment.

“Kazuma? Seriously, are feeling alright? You really do look horrible.” She said, sounding genuinely confused. I wondered if she had read my mind yet, and if not, why?

“Do you want me to go get Kiyo? I think he’s in the library, if-“

“No!” I said, jerking my head up so fast I felt like it was about snap off of my spine and go careening down the hallway. It was only when I examined the shocked and horrified expressions on my friends’ faces that I remembered why it was I had buried my face. “…Oh no…” I whispered, and took off down the main entrance hall and out the door, not even caring that it was only the lunch hour, and not even stopping to look for Kiyo before I was toted off to New York City that evening.