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Akira departed from the group after defeating Geisblade. Now that her village had been avenged, she could sleep soundly. She returned to the southern region of the forest—where all the other kitsune tribes had migrated after Geisblade and his general’s raids eight years ago. She was glad to be among her own kind at last; but it would never replace the relationship that had formed between her and the others. Though, before completely departing their own ways, she and Rei made a promise to get the group back together in the near future.
Upon entering the village, Akira was welcomed openly. Many of the kitsune from her village were there as well as all the others from the different parts of the forest. The numerous kitsune showered her homecoming with gifts and a little too much attention. Akira was overwhelmed by the ceremony to say the least. She hadn’t expected such a festive event upon her return.
By the time she was able to get some time to herself, the sun had set and cicada’s hissed from the forest trees. Akira wandered to the river just south of the village and sat on the lush green bank. The fireflies danced around her in their illuminating light, and frogs croaked from nearby on their logs. The forest looked just as mysterious as she could remember when she was a child as she sat there looking across the water mass. Akira reminisced about the times she would go to the forest only to escape the reality of the world. Her childish adventures only seemed to payoff as she had used many strategies she had learned to defeat the menacing Geisblade.
There was a slight rustle coming form behind her. Akira’s ears perked up and she listened further to try and fathom what it may have been. Thinking quickly, she whirled a leg in the air in attempt to take down her stalker as they came close enough.
There was a pause that seemed to go on forever. The lighting wasn’t well enough for Akira to see if what she had hit. She gave her eyes a minute to adjust; only to find out her attack had been caught. She looked into the eyes of her stalker and saw… nothing. Its eyes were blank. She began to panic for a fraction of a second until she heard a chuckle, and he smiled. But it didn’t send chills up her spine like she had first thought. It was warm, as if to tell her that he meant her no harm in the least bit.
Akira became calm as she saw the figure come completely into view. Then she realized that his eyes were just as warm as his smile. She heard his laugh bellowing forth and couldn’t help but recognize the familiarity. But it was only when he spoke that she identified him fully.
“I see…” he said. “You have gotten a lot better with combat.” He paused a moment. Akira noticed his eyes shift down a bit. “But you’re still so modest Akira.” His smile widened. “Black really suites you nicely…”
Akira was lost for a moment. But when her modesty was played out, she snapped back. She realized her skirt was up. Her face felt like it had caught fire and she snatched her leg away, pulling her skirt down. “W-why you—“ Akira was at a loss for words really. It had been about a lifetime since she had seen him, and this was how he greeted her? By peeping up her skirt? “Rajin! You—you’re such a pervert!” She turned away from him, her face still burning with embarrassment. She heard him laughing again as he sat next to her on the ground.
“Aw, come on Akira,” Rajin said, “It’s been too long. I couldn’t resist truthfully.” He playfully nudged her as he laughed.

Her childhood friend Rajin… what was there to say about him? Both children at the tender ages of just eight, they met on the day that would bind them in friendship for longer than they would ever expect. How they met was actually the reason for her actions at that moment. It was spring, the flowers were all coming in to bloom and combat pre-training classes were beginning to take way. Akira was always a popular face in the village, and had accumulated many friends far before school. She remembered as she left the house one day, she was greeted by a small group of her friends. They were to walk to the dojo together. Sure all was still fine by the time Rajin made his way to the picture. But he had sneaked up on her then as well. And just like this time, she had whirled a kick to his head, but he caught her just before she struck him.
“Wow… you’re already good at this!” Rajin piped. Though Akira’s face at that time was a bit angrier, Rajin still smiled warmly. Akira’s friends stood by in awe as Akira stared at Rajin with lowered eyes. Then he did it, he looked down a bit. And his words came next. “Hey… you’re pretty modest aren’t you?”
Akira’s expression turned form angry to confuse. “What… what do you mean?”
“Oh… nothing,” Rajin said. “It’s just that,” His smile came back, “black really suites you.” He began to laugh a bit. Akira snatched her leg back down to the ground and glared angrily at him, her face, then as well, red as ever.
“Y-y-you… pervert!” Akira screamed at him.

Of course, this would be the beginning of their friendship. But that fateful day two years later tore them apart. She left with her trainer, Gale, and he must have gotten away from the havoc Geisblade had caused. She tried to forget the terrible memories of her mother and little sister being killed right in front of her at the hands of the sinister captain.
Not a moment too soon the silence was broken by Rajin’s words. “So… I take it you killed him?”
Akira turned to him. “You mean Giesblade?” She nodded. “We killed him. Some others that were after him and I killed him. And Gale is gone as well. He turned out to be one of Geisblade’s generals that set our village to fire.”
“I see.” Rajin said. He faced the river and watched the fireflies. “I’m just glad you’re alright. I wasn’t sure what had happened to you during the fire.” He turned back to Akira. “It would have been too tragic to die on you’re birthday.”
Akira waved all of this off not wanting to relive the past again. “Well, I’m here! So you have nothing to worry about.” She smiled. “Besides, we have more catching up to do other than living on the past. So, why don’t we start,” She pulled him down to lie next to her and look up at the sky, “by forgetting all of that. And just enjoy what’s happening now.”
Akira rested her arms across her middle and Rajin propped his head up, putting his arms behind his head.
Akira realized she had taken more things for granted than she knew of. But that would change now. She had looked to the future for answers for far too long. Gazing at the night's sky she saw neither the past nor future. She focused on the present; what was happening right then and there. As far as she knew nothing else mattered. And even though her time with Rei and the others had ended, Akira had a feeling that this was only the beginning of something even more.