While Kellie, Kiko, and Kenta talked Mika took the opportunity to slip away. She had heard some of Fukushu's followers had defected and after seeing Shinji she needed to see how the rest of them were doing. After doing a bit of sleuthing she discovered Akira and Aikobwere staying at a small Shinto shrine on the outskirts of town.
The journey to the shrine was easy enough, Mika knew its location. The shrine itself had been setup as a retreat of sorts for the monks, meaning it had a living space available. Now it appeared the brother and sister kitsune were setting up residence there until they figured out their next move. As Mika slowly approached she could see the four tail woman sitting outside. Aiko was simply polishing her rifle, her light brown fur blowing in the gentle breeze. Looking up she frowned slightly at Mikas approach, the grip on her rifle tightening. "Akira we have company."
Mika watched as the five tail kitsune now exited the shrine. Akira looked as if he hadn't slept in days. The dark furred kitsune appeared disheveled with dark circles under his eyes as his ears drooped. Seeing the jade one tailed Mika approach he let out a deep sigh. "What do you want Mika?"
"I came to see how you were doing," Mika said quietly, bowing her head respectfully as she approached. "Can we talk?"
"Have you come to curse our names as well little Mika," Akira grunted. "That appears to be all anyone does since our return. They blame us for what happened to Shizen."
"That wasnt your fault," Mika pleaded. Akira scoffed, leaning heavily against the front pillar of the shrine. "We have not had an easy time since we returned," Aiko said sadly as she gazed at her brother. "Akira was Fukushu's most loyal soldier. Your brothers attack on his mother has brought the wrath of the clan down on us. We are your brother scapegoats."
"It is what we deserve," Akira said bitterly. "However even I did not think he would go so far as to strike down his own mother."
Aiko gave her brother a sad look as the five tails shoulders slumped. "I have stood watch outside since we returned," she said. "I fear their are members of our clan who would seek vengeance against my brother."
"I wont let that happen," Mila exclaimed. "And I know Kiko wont either. Everyone makes mistakes, we just want to bring the clan together."
A silence now hung between the three kitsune. Mika anxiously looked between a sullen Akira and a nervous Aiko. It was Akira who finally sighed heavily as he gazed out at the horizon.
"What do you know of the future and fate Mika?"
"The future and fate," Mika asked curiously. Akira nodded turning slightly towards the girl. "The night I attacked the hotel I was stopped by a witch and a werewolf."
"Zack and Mia," Mika stated, genuinely shocked. "But, they're kids!? How did they get to the hotel? And how did they stop you, I mean I know they're powerful but they shouldn't be able to stop a five tailed kitsune."
"It wasn't the Zack and Mia you know," he said. "The ones I met were from the future. A future in which I tortured children before meeting a gruesome end."
Mika gaped at Akira, she had heard of time travelers but had assumed they were strictly from the other timeline. That future versions of people she knew traveled back to this time was a surprise.
"Judging by the look on your face you had no idea," Akira said. "I wouldnt of believed it myself but, deep down I knew it to be true."
"What happened," Mika whispered.
"You know what happened," Akira grumbled. "I was defeated. I was ready to commit seppuku in order to regain my honor but the witch, Mia, she spared my life, she offered me a second chance."
"My brother and I have been at the shrine since our return," Aiko interrupted. "It was not random chance that they appeared."
"Aiko speaks the truth," Akira said softly. "I have prayed night and day, seeking guidance. According to those two my life should have ended shortly in the most violent of ways. In order to find peace I must find what my purpose is."
"We will both find out what our purpose is brother," Aiko smiled, placing a reassuring hand on him.
Mika could only stare in silence as beheld the brother and sister. If their futures could change, perhaps everyone else's could as well. The future was not yet set and now Mika could only hope they could change things before it was too late.