Persona BLEACHED 4: Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Where the Butterflies Gather
September 17, 2031
Tsubakidai Park, located in Karakura Town. On this Wednesday morning, a lone figure approached a golden plaque that had been placed in the grass. Fresh flowers had been placed around it.
"'In loving memory of Sumiko Sakaki. 2004-2024. For those that dare to be unique, know that you are loved.'" the man read with a thick Southern twang.
The man had disheveled brown-blonde hair, and wore the navy uniform of the Naruki Police Department. He had peach fuzz, and wore a cowboy hat with the word 'Strength' written across it. He was Shijugo Oda, nicknamed 'Jugo', a patrol officer and another of Rin's inner circle of friends. The son of a Japanese detective and an American soldier, Jugo was intensely loyal and rule-following--something that often leads to conflict with the ex-'Underworld Prince' Shūjo.
He took his hat off and stood over the plaque. "Sorry it's been a minute, darlin'. Upholdin' the law, and all that. I can see from those roses that Boss has been around. I ain't gonna lie. It's been hittin' her rough again. Your baby sis got it in her head that Boss only took her in cuz of who she is to you. Word is that they haven't spoken since Sunday."
"She's always admired your kookyness. That's the whole reason she wanted to teach. But I ain't gonna lie. In some ways I think she might be obsessed. We all wish you could still be here. And it ain't on me to tell her how to grieve. But it's been seven years, and she still goes on like it was yesterday. I'm thinkin' your baby sis wants her to choose. Prove that it's got nuthin' to do with you. I can't even start to imagine how messed up Boss' heart's gotta be right now. Her wantin' to do right by you is a beautiful thing. Her takin' in someone else's baby is another beautiful thing. Those two things shouldn't be conflictin'. But now they are. They've both got their share of issues to work through. Damn...might help if I knew what you'd say to her right now."
Jugo noticed something hovering over one of the flowers. It was a giant hornet--Miko's favorite bug. It landed on one of the roses, scaring off a purple butterfly that had been there prior.
"Heh." Jugo snickered. "Good to know you're still listenin'."
A call came in on his radio about a potential robbery. "Duty calls. Say hi to the Boss for me. You'll probably be seein' her a lot sooner than the rest of us. See ya, darlin'."
Jugo replaced his hat, and walked away.
The hornet flew off and onto a nearby tree branch. Appearing on the branch was a transparent girl. All that was visible was clothing resembling that of a jungle explorer, and the somber frown on her face.
---
"...just remember that it's early enough in the school year that you have time to improve. Not everyone is going to be so quick to understand the material. There are plenty of tutoring opportunities to be found posted on boards across the school. Try not to panic so quickly." Rose dictated. She was in her office at the Academy, a comfortable environment with azure furniture and curtains.
She was speaking to a boy with hair dyed silver. "I'm gonna try to keep positive. This place just puts so much pressure on you to succeed, y'know?" He scratched the back of his head.
"I understand completely. I was a student here myself. My advice comes from a place of familiarity." The lunch bell rang. "Time to head back to class. Feel free to come by if there are any other issues."
"Thanks a bunch...uh, actually, there was something else. Dr. Wolfe, you're married to Professor Kubo, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I'm in one of her literature classes. Is something going on with her? She's felt kinda off the last few days. Like she seems really sad."
"..." Rose paused. "There's been some difficulty at home. Our daughter is going through a turbulent time, and she said some rather...hurtful things to Rin. She hasn't been taking it well at all. And I've been struggling with how to help."
"That sucks. Anything we could do to help?"
"It's alright. The most I can ask for is for you to keep being model students for her. Give her less to stress over. Leave the personal dilemma to me."
"Guess we can do that. Alright, I'm gonna be late. Thanks for the time, Dr. Wolfe. Good luck with Professor Kubo." The boy left.
Rose looked at the picture on her desk. Shizuka was seated on Rin's lap. Both were smiling warmly.
"The trials of motherhood." Rose sighed.
---
Later in the evening, Rose was seated in her backyard. Hiyoko and Tenko were seated alongside her. "There hasn't been any improvement?" Hiyoko asked.
"No. Shizuka goes into her room and shuts the door as soon as she gets home. When I bring her dinner or it's time for her bath, she won't say a word to me." Rose replied. "Is Rina doing alright, Tenko?"
"Oh she's right as rain. A couple bags of gummies, and she's back to her bouncy self. Hasn't tried to ninja anybody since, so that's something to keep an eye on." Tenko replied.
"Has Rin gotten any better?" Hiyoko asked.
Rose shook her head. "She'll come home and just...stare at the photo of her and Miko. Or she'll stare at her glasses. She doesn't know how to handle this at all." 
"I'd struggle to find anyone who could do so easily. Her love for a dearly departed friend potentially conflicting with her relationship with Shizuka. There's really no easy answer for it."
"It's getting to where even her students are starting to pick up on something being amiss. One of them asked me if there was anything they could do to help. I had to tell them no. After her first class graduated, the Academy started being insistent that Rin maintain a purely professional relationship with her students. I can see it eating away at her. She wants so desperately to help them on an individual basis. That's the promise she made to Miko when she decided to become a teacher."
"It all goes back to Miko. Her whole reason for teaching was to honor her. Even the glasses she wears. She never used to wear glasses before Miko died. And then there's Shizuka. How does Rin-Rin ever prove to her that Miko had nothing to do with adopting her?" Tenko questioned.
"It's not possible. Shizuka found the flower shop from a picture that Miko had left behind. If it hadn't been for that picture, who knows what could've happened to her? How can we truthfully say that Miko wasn't an influence on our ultimately adopting her? And how can we prove to her that it's not the reason we love her?" Rose rubbed her eyes.
"It's okay, dear." Hiyoko comforted her.
"In the span of a few months, things have completely unraveled. How often do I say that Rin's greatest flaw is that she cares too much? I'm terrified that we'll never be able to reconcile with Shizuka, or make her understand that we truly do love her for her. I fear that Rin could be close to full-on depression at the rate she's going. I've been tasked with helping others through their traumas, and yet those closest to home are the ones I can't solve."
"You can't solve them on your own. That's what we're here for. Death God Order's gotta stick together, right?" Tenko replied.
Hiyoko groaned. "Oh, that name..."
"It certainly doesn't roll off the tongue like 'Ashen Artisans' does." Rose added.
"That's besides the point! What I'm getting at is that we've gotta bring Rin-Rin back up from the pits together. Same as always." Tenko replied.
"What do you suggest?"
"We get Ms. Hana and Tan Man and the whole gang together. Show her how much love she's built up and how good of a friend and mom she is. She's not gonna be able to talk it over with Shizuka until she's right in the head."
"So...an intervention."
"Something like that, yeah. Just, y'know, without the booze angle. I was thinking maybe Friday night after we all get out of work? Sooner the better, right?"
Rose gave it some thought. "If we're going to do this...then there's someone who needs to be here. Someone who can get through to both Rin and Shizuka. A really stubborn sort who won't take no for an answer."
"Do you mean...?" Hiyoko questioned.
"Yes. I do. It's going to be a major inconvenience to her, but I'm running out of time and options. Would you two give me a moment?"
"You're gonna make the call right now?" Tenko asked.
"She needs enough time to make arrangements if indeed she can make the trip here. As you said. The sooner the better."
"Let us know what the plan is, then. I'll be heading home for now." Hiyoko said.
"Ditto. The perilous journey of a couple feet away." Tenko quipped.
The two left, leaving Rose alone. She took out her phone and dialed. "...yes, I'll accept the charges...good evening. Or, I suppose it's still morning where you are now. Do you have a moment? There's been some dire developments around here...and I think you're one of the few who might be able to help..."
---
September 19, 2031
The clock on the wall of the Kubo household ticked. It was 6 in the afternoon. Hana and Tan were sitting around waiting. So were Hiyoko, Tenko and Jin. Jugo was standing by the door. Rose was pacing back and forth, looking at the time.
"Still nothing, Rosie?" A man emerged from the kitchen. He was an intimidating figure, wearing a black suit, with the words 'Crazy Diamond' emblazoned on the back. He had long brown hair tied back, as well as an eyepatch over his left eye. This was Hiyoko's husband, the entrepreneur and former Yakuza kingpin, Shūjo Higashikata.
"No...she told me she was going to run a quick errand and then come home." Rose replied.
"Do quick errands usually take more than two hours?" Tan questioned.
"I was afraid of this. When her mind starts to wander somewhere dark, she tends to go off and disappear just to get away." Hana surmised.
"Well we know she wasn't ambushed. She'd turn anyone that tried to ashes in a second." Jin said.
"Way too early to call it in. She probably just went off on her lonesome." Jugo said.
"Ace detective skills, Farmer Brown." Shūjo took a swig of his drink.
"Hush, JoJo. Don't start." Hiyoko warned.
"So are we just gonna sit here and wait for her to maybe show up?" Tenko questioned.
"I want to give her some time to think, if that's what's happening. But it just isn't like her not to call me back or let me know what she's doing..." Rose replied.
"Guess she really doesn't want any of us to know where she's at. Man, I thought she'd gotten her heart in order a long time ago." Tan said.
"She's never truly been able to get over what happened to poor Sumiko. I can understand her pain more than anyone. And I know where that level of guilt and darkness can take someone. Nowhere good." Hana worried.
"I get her heartache, really I do. I hate to sound mean about it, but...it does feel at times like she's fixated on it. To a worryin' level. Enough that the little one's picked up on it." Jugo said.
"There isn't a textbook limit for how long someone should grieve." Hiyoko asserted.
"My mom says the same thing. But at some point Shizuka started to notice how much Rin would talk about her, and why wouldn't she? Rin saved her life, and then she died in her arms. Nobody teaches how you're supposed to feel about that." Jin dictated.
"And what's a little girl who was neglected and abused supposed to think about that? It's no wonder her mind drifted to 'Mom only loves me for this one reason'. And there's really no way to prove or disprove it." Tenko added.
"I mean, the kid looks just like her big sis. Loves bugs like her, too. Kinda hard not to compare the two. Why now, all of a sudden?" Shūjo questioned.
"Her teacher thinks he might know the answer." Rose replied. "When I spoke with him, he mentioned how much he and Rin talked about Miko when they had lunch together with Shizuka. It wasn't long after that this withdrawn behavior really began to intensify." She sighed. "How is a little girl with her experiences and issues supposed to perceive being compared to a sister that she never even met? We espouse to her the virtues of being unique, then say things like 'You're just like your sister in so many ways'." She covered her face at the realization. "Mother, this was inevitable, wasn't it?"
"It's not your fault, dearie. It's an innocent enough thing to do." Hana insisted.
"Yeah, except ZuZu doesn't see it that way. What do we even try to say to her?" Tan questioned.
"We can't exactly barge into her room and talk her down like with Red." Shūjo replied.
"No way. That'd make things a thousand times worse." Jin added.
"There has to be something we can do..." Hiyoko pondered.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. 
"Is that her?" Tenko questioned.
"Can't be. Why would she knock when she's got a key?" Jugo retorted.
Rose opened the door. "Hello?"
"Yo-ho, Doc. It's me, the answer to all your problems." Kat said.
"Hello to you too, Ms. Kit. I'm happy to see you again. Though I wish it were under better circumstances."
"Oh, boy. I hear trouble." Jin grunted.
"Hidey-ho to you too, Sir Growlsalot." Kat chimed.
Suddenly, someone poked their head over Kat's shoulders. "Hello~! Top of the morning...or evening, I suppose. Haha."
The others realized that the girl accompanying Kat was floating off the ground, her legs hovering while she clung to Kat by the shoulders. "What's with this chick?" Tenko questioned.
"I dunno, but I ain't takin' chances--" Jugo reached for his holster.
"Whoa whoa whoa, time out! She's with me!" Kat intervened.
"Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to cause any extra fuss." Tabby responded.
"Ms. Kit." Rose sternly uttered.
"I know, I know! She was in trouble and we had no choice but to let her awaken. She's up to speed on everything." Kat explained.
Tabby inquisitively looked at Rose. "Kitty Kat, is this the alien doctor you were talking about?"
"I am NOT an alien." Rose denied.
"Right. She just comes from the moon." Shūjo added, prompting a piercing stare from Rose.
"In any case, would you mind introducing yourself?"
"Right. I'm Tabby Fairweather. I'm a classmate of Kitty Kat's. I'm also her sidekick!" Tabby exclaimed.
"You're NOT my sidekick." Kat denied.
"Partner, then."
Kat sighed. "She insisted on tagging along when I said I was coming here. She wanted to see the place that 'built me', and the people. Mainly Prof, but...looks like she's not here."
"No. She isn't. We don't know where she went. We've got a crisis on two fronts at the moment. Thank you for coming here on such short notice." Rose replied.
"No prob. Anything to help Prof and the princess. I told my professors that I had a family emergency. I've got people covering for me. Y'all have us for a week. Let me get to working on those crises. Where's Shizuka?"
"Locked in her room, as per usual. She refuses to talk to us. If anyone can get a word out of her..."
"Say no more. Wait here, Tabs. I've got some tough love to dish out." Kat went in the direction of Shizuka's room.
Tabby stood around awkwardly. "So...which one of you makes the soul-piercingly terrible music?"
"'Terrible'?!" Tan exclaimed.
"He said it. None of us." Jugo stated.
Kat knocked on Shizuka's door. No response. "...you know I can just pick the lock no problem, right?"
All it took was the sound of her voice. Someone on the other side of the door got up from bed, and scampered over to the door. It opened. Shizuka wrapped her arms around Kat's waist. 
Kat patted her on the head. "I missed you too, princess."
Shizuka began whimpering, the sounds muffled with her face pressed against Kat.
"C'mon, big girl, don't fall to pieces on me now. I've only been in town for five minutes."
The girl tried to wipe her tears, but they wouldn't stop flowing. Kat got on her knees and hugged her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what was gonna happen when I left. But I'm here now. And we've gotta talk."
Shizuka tugged on Kat's jacket. "Not here. In there."
"Okay. Inside the Bug Cave it is."
Kat went inside and shut the door behind her. The room was filled with several plush toys of bugs, along with many pictures drawn by Shizuka. She enjoyed drawing things--people, animals, anything--with butterfly wings.
Kat looked at one picture on the desk. It resembled Shizuka herself, with the signature wings, looking sad, with a tear coming down one or her eyes. "You haven't been having an easy time of it, have you?"
Shizuka sat down on her bed, and started fiddling around with a spider plushie. "Look, princess. I didn't come here out of the blue for no reason. I took a week off of school because I heard things haven't been going good for you or your moms. What's going on? You not liking school?" Kat asked.
Shizuka shook her head.
"How come?"
"Kids won't leave me alone at lunch. I just wanna draw by myself."
"Are they being mean to you?"
Shizuka shook her head again.
"Are they trying to talk to you? Maybe they wanna be friends?"
Shizuka nodded.
"Why's that a bad thing? Why are you so scared of people?"
"I just am. Mr. Yasegawa says I don't like crowds and noisy things cuz I have artism."
"I think you mean 'autism', sweets. I get it. You're gonna react to people differently than say, me or your moms. But you don't have to be scared of other kids, especially when they wanna be your friend. Take it from me. I was the same way when I was little, and after a while other kids went from wanting to be friends to picking on me nonstop. I had to change schools so many times cuz of it. You can't be shut in your room your whole life. Know what else you can't do?"
Shizuka shook her head.
"Something you might've done on Sunday to the neighbors' kid?"
She shook her head again.
"Shizuka. Don't lie to me. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"She jumped on me so I hit her! Why's that so bad?"
"You're right. She shouldn't have jumped on you. But you shouldn't have hit her. She's little. Would you punch a puppy? Or step on a caterpillar?"
"No..."
"So why hit a toddler?"
"I wanted to be alone and she touched me."
"So are you gonna hit everyone that touches you? I can tell ya that's a one-way trip to being kicked out of school. Do that when you're grown up and you can end up in real trouble. Is that what you want?"
"No..."
"You can't do it like this, princess. Being different doesn't mean you get to throw a temper tantrum over something tiny. You need to be better than that. That starts with coming out of your room."
"It's not my room."
"Well who's room is it?"
"Big sis. I just got it." Shizuka pointed at a sketch on the wall of a beetle's anatomy. "That's hers." She pointed at a sketch of a mantis. "That's hers." She pointed to a scale figure of a giant hornet on her desk. "That's hers."
"Does all her stuff being here make you uncomfortable?"
Shizuka nodded.
"How come you don't put it all away?"
"Mama Rin'll be sad."
Kat patted Shizuka. "Does it make you uncomfortable that she talks about your big sis so much?"
Shizuka didn't respond.
"It's okay. It's just me and you. You don't have to lie to me."
Reluctantly, Shizuka nodded.
"What does she do that makes you feel this way?"
Shizuka sniveled. "I'm in her room. With her stuff. Mama Rin talks about her all the time. She's why she's a teacher. She wears her glasses. If I wasn't her little sis, they probably wouldn't have kept me."
"Do you really think that? Do you think your mom doesn't really love you?"
"Only cuz of big sis."
"Honey, that's just not true. Prof is absolutely crazy about you. She's bent over backwards to make you happy. She misses her friend a lot. She's not wrong to miss her friend. But if it's making you uncomfortable, then you need to tell her."
"Then she'll be really sad. She might not want me anymore."
"Nothing is ever gonna make her want to let you go. She, at all of 24 years of age, with a stressful and super involved career, made the choice to become your mom within a day of you coming into her life. Did she know who you were when she first saw you?"
"No...she brought me in and gave me food. Then she found out."
"That's the kind of person Prof is. She loves with every fiber of her being. I guarantee that even if you weren't related to her friend, she would've taken you in. She's told me that the moment she saw you, something clicked. It was love at first sight. She'll never give you away because that's not who she is. All the love and generosity that she has for everyone in her life--her friends, her family, even Doc--and there's one person at the center of her heart. You. So if you tell her that you're uncomfortable, she'll listen. It'll be hard for her, but she'll do it. Because she wants more than anything for you to be happy. She loves you, princess. Nothing could be more real."
Shizuka's eyes were letting loose a stream of tears.
"Do you love your mom, Shizuka?"
The girl nodded.
"Do you wanna tell her you're sorry? And that you want to be honest about how you feel?" 
She nodded again.
"C'mere, honey." Kat hugged the tearful Shizuka. "You're a good girl. It'll be alright. Here's what I want you to do for me, okay? The neighbors are out in the living room with your grandma and uncle and everyone else. I want you to tell them you're sorry for hitting their little girl. Then I want you to say sorry to Doc Rose. You with me so far?"
"Uh-huh..."
"Then we're gonna go find Prof and we'll talk it over. I'm not going back to Britain until I know you're one big happy family again. Gucci?"
"Goocheese."
"Close enough."
In the living room, the adults were still seated, though their attention was now on Tabby, who was on her knees, petting Momo. "Ohhh, your fur is so exquisite! I've never seen a shade like this before! You've got the same regal air as my Khukki! Don't tell her I said that."
"Have you ever seen Momo being reciprocative to anyone but Rin?" Hana asked Rose.
"Never once." Rose replied.
"Guess that's what I'd expect from a gal named 'Tabby'." Jugo said.
Kat walked into the room. "Your miracle worker has--Tabs, what are you doing?"
"Oh, um...hehe." Tabby stood up, blushing. Momo looked at her, as if to ask why she'd stopped petting her.
"Anywho. I think someone's finally ready to talk. Princess, you wanna come out?"
Shizuka slowly appeared from behind Kat, hesitant to step out completely. 
"It's alright. I'm 99.5% sure they don't bite."
"Who's the 0.5%?" Jugo questioned.
Shizuka walked out from Kat's shadow, and approached Jin and Tenko. "Sorry, Aunt Tenko and Uncle Jin. Sorry for hitting Rina. I promise I won't do it again."
"Apology accepted, little bug. She's doing alright now. Long as it doesn't happen again." Tenko hugged her.
"That's all I wanted to hear." Jin patted her on the head.
She turned her attention to Rose. "Mama..."
"Come here, my dear girl..." Rose wrapped her in an embrace.
"I'm sorry, Mama..."
"I'm sorry, too, Shizuka. Neither of us set out to make you feel uncomfortable. Never believe that Rin and I don't genuinely love you." Rose put a hand to the girl's cheek. "You're our blessed gift. All you have to do is tell us that you're unhappy. We're trying our best. I'm sorry if you believed otherwise."
"Unbelievable. Girl's shut in for half a week and you get her out in just a few minutes." Tan said.
"I've got the magic in me, what can I say?" Kat replied.
"Where's Mama Rin?" Shizuka questioned.
Everyone in the room was quiet.
"We don't know, dearie." Hiyoko replied.
"She was supposed to be here hours ago. She must have gone somewhere private to think." Hana assumed.
"There's one place I can think of where she'd go to get away. The lake on the mountain." Kat stated.
"Is this the same lake on the mountain where you and Carrie--" Tabby began, before Kat covered her mouth.
"Not what we're here to talk about." Kat looked away. "But yeah. It is."
"I didn't see any sign of her when I was coming down from there." Hana said.
"Wouldn't hurt to go look. Can't think of anywhere else she'd be for some alone time." Shūjo said.
"I've got one." Jugo replied. "The park in Karakura. If her heart's at where I'm thinkin', that's where she'd go to get it fixed."
"We'll have to split up and look around both. The two of us can go around the lake. And I'm gonna run and get us some backup." Kat said.
"Then we'll go and have a look around the park. Ms. Hana, would you mind looking after Shizuka?" Rose asked.
"Of course not. But please let me know as soon as you find anything. I don't have good memories about her disappearing." Hana replied.
"Neither do I, Ma. Let's get a move on. Sooner the better." Tan added.
"We'll be back soon, Shizuka. Everything will be fine. I promise." Rose assured.
"Okay, Mama." the girl replied.
The adults all departed in separate vehicles and headed for Karakura Town. Kat and Tabby walked over to the porch of the Hinotama residence. "Try not to be intimidated. She's a handful." Kat advised.
"Is this the 'firey queen' you mentioned before?" Tabby asked.
"You remember every little detail about what I've said, don't you?"
The door opened. "Hellooooo oh holy crap, Kitty Kat!" Ibuki hugged Kat.
"Heya, Bookie--ooh, yep, there's that muscle..." Kat uttered.
"What an awesome surprise! Hey, who's your friend there?"
"Hello! I'm Tabby! I'm Kitty Kat's part--" Tabby exclaimed before she had her mouth covered again.
"She's a friend, and she's got a Persona, it's a long story, has your sister killed Sparky?" Kat said in quick succession.
"Got it, holy crap, gotcha, and no." Ibuki answered.
"Unless I'm a ghost, in which case you'll have to call the Ghost Adventures boys." Max appeared.
"There's my dude. How you doing, Sparky?" Kat gave him a hug.
"Happier than I've been in years, I can tell you that for a fact. How's the other side of the pond treating you?"
"Been a bit of an adjustment, but with good first mates, you can survive anything. Speaking of which...this is our newest Krew member, Tabby."
"Howdy. Welcome to the asylum."
"Kitty Kat, is this the ex?" Tabby asked.
"That'd be him, yeah." Kat confirmed.
Tabby turned and kicked Max in the shin. "Ow!" Max grabbed it.
"Tabby! What was that for?"
"Striking a blow for tortured ex-girlfriends everywhere!" Tabby took a dramatic pose.
"No no no, it's cool, we're cool. He was good to me when we were together."
"I mean there was that one time we tried to kill each other, but it was a mutual thing, and we'd already broken up, and I was kinda being used by a primordial AI who was also our therapist's dad, and owowowowow..." Max rubbed his shin.
"What, do you have lead in those shoes?" Ibuki asked.
"Alright, time out on the silliness. I'm actually here for something important. Prof needs a pick-me-up and I'm here to, well, pick her up." Kat said.
"Oh, I heard about her argument with the little one. Hasn't been taking it too well, has she?"
"I wouldn't have flown halfway across the world if she was. Major problem is, we can't find her. She hasn't come home and won't answer any calls or texts. She's strong enough to keep out of any trouble, so we figure she's off somewhere clearing her head. We're headed for the lake. Mind giving us a ride?"
"Say less, catnip. Don't need an excuse to lend the apple blossom a hand. Right, Maxie?"
"Absolutely. Whatever we can do to help." Max affirmed.
"Didn't even need to ask. Grab your keys, we're headed there pronto." Kat urged.
The four rushed out of the house and got into the Hinotamas' red station wagon, with Ibuki driving. "Damn, Bookie. New set of wheels? I dig it." Kat said.
"I loved the old clunker, but it ran its course. Now we've got this sexy beast to ride around in." Ibuki replied.
"Matches the driver." Max stated.
Ibuki swiped his shoulder, then started driving. "So, Tabby, was it?"
"Mmhmm." Tabby uttered.
"I take it from that brief kung-fu display that you've had some nasty experiences with old boyfriends. That sound right?"
"You would be correct on that. My ex-boyfriend is currently sitting behind cast-iron bars at a detention center in Fulham."
"Yikes. Must've done something gnarly."
"Well a few weeks ago, he drove three hours from home, broke into my apartment, stabbed me, kidnapped me, stuffed me in the trunk of his car and drove it into the Thames in hopes that I would either drown or suffocate. Does that qualify as being gnarly?"
"Oh...shit. I'd say that would qualify, yeah."
"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that the troublemaker sitting next to you got you out of it." Max surmised. "And I'm gonna take another guess and say that she personally hunted the bastard down and handed him his ass."
"You know me so well, Sparky." Kat replied.
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her and the others. They've helped me get the strength to stand on my own. So I'm going to help her with whatever she needs." Tabby said.
"That's our Kitty Kat. Absolutely no BS, just action and a big heart. She's gotten all of us out of a jam at least once." Ibuki replied.
"Y'all are exaggerating. It's not a big deal. Just being a good pal." Kat denied.
"I would've ruined the entire planet if you didn't kick my tail in and snap me out of it. I don't even want to think about what would've happened if you hadn't." Max replied.
"Just one more thing on that first subject, Tabby. I've had my share of assholes, too. Most saw me as property to play around with. Got stabbed myself one time. The worst of 'em all was a vampire." Ibuki said.
"Yeah, I'd call Calvin a bloodsucker, too." Tabby replied.
"No I mean he was a literal, back-from-the-dead kind of vampire. Course I didn't know it at the time, but it explained a lot."
"A...a real vampire?! You're telling me that vampires are real, too?!"
"Just the one. And he's dead for real now." Kat stated.
"How can you be so calm about that?!"
"Guess she hasn't told you the real juicy bits about the last three-plus years." Max replied.
Tabby slumped in her seat. "What have I really gotten myself into?"
A short while later, the four arrived at the base of the Shirayuki hiking trail. They made their way up, with Kat and Tabby headed towards the lake while Max and Ibuki went to the commercial area.
Arriving at the lake, Tabby looked on in awe. "Oh...my goodness...it's positively stunning..."
"It looks amazing during the day, too, but nighttime is when the place really takes on a life of its own." Kat said.
"It's obvious why this is seen as a place where love blooms! Maybe if I wait here long enough, the dashing man of my dreams will come to wisk me away to a far-off paradise!"
"Unless Tuxedo Mask is gonna hop out of the trees, I'd bet against that. Now pay attention. That cabin over yonder is where Prof's mom lives. One of those trees over there is where Prof was actually born. And this lake is where her parents first fell in love. Not to mention it's also where her and Doc got married."
"It sounds like this place is a truly personal one for your Professor Kubo."
"That's putting it lightly. See, this spot is where her pal Miko introduced herself to her and her pals. It's also...where she died."
"Oh...this Miko girl is her daughter's older sister, correct?"
"Right. Prof's dedicated so much of her life to her memory. That's why Shizuka's discomfort with it is hurting so badly."
"It's understandable. I mean...she's being forced to pick between her lost friend and her daughter."
Kat's phone rang. "Yello. See anything over that way?"
"Nope. No sign of her around the springs or the shops. Guessing she's not over by the lake, either." Max replied.
"Not a single sign. Her car wasn't at the base, either. Thinking this might be a dead end. I'm gonna call up Doc. Hopefully they're having better luck."
Kat hung up and called Rose. "Hey, Doc. Any sign of her?"
"Not at all. We've scoured the park twice over now. Nothing near the memorial for Miko, either. Is she not by the lake, then?" Rose replied.
"No. And now's when I'm starting to get worried. Where else would she even go to?"
"Could you put it on speaker? I may have a suggestion." Tabby requested.
"Sure. Go for it." Kat did so.
"Hello, Dr. Wolfe. Do you know of anywhere else that has significance for Professor Kubo in relation to her friend? If not where she passed, or where she's memorialized...what about where they first met?"
"Hmmm...ah! Could it be...*that* place?" Rose thought on it. "Ms. Kit?"
"Yeah?" Kat piped up.
"Gather your group together and start for the road. I think I know where Rin is."
---
Aokigahara National Forest was located about an hour and a half from Tokyo, at the base of Mt. Fuji. It was a secluded reserve whose floor was covered with hardened volcanic rock that absorbed sound, giving the forest an eerie aura.
The forest itself possessed a far darker reputation across the world as a center for suicides. Many a desperate soul walked through the dense forest in search of the end. This reputation was so widespread that entrances to the trails possessed signage urging those with suicidal intentions to turn around and seek aid.
A single, green car was parked at the entrance to one of these trails. Nearby, Rin sat against a tree. Nearly thirteen years ago, in the dregs of despair, she herself nearly ended her life in this forest. The scarring on her arms were a permanent reminder of the attempt. A year after that, she returned to this area, and came across a girl close to her in age who was also attempting to commit the ultimate act.
Rin saved her life that day. The girl's name was Sumiko Sakaki. They remained friends for four years after that, until disease prematurely ended Miko's life. The scars from then were also permanently embedded into Rin's soul.
She wanted to hear from Miko. Could she ever move on from something that was so present in her life? Would honoring her lost friend put her bond with her daughter at risk?
The questions were too difficult. And so, she sat in the silence of the trees. Waiting for any kind of response.
.....
"*Why is this so hard for you, Rinnie?*"
Rin opened her eyes enough to see the ephemeral figure standing before her. That same explorer's garb that she remembers so vividly. She looked up. The frizzy brown hair and red glasses--the same ones she herself was wearing--told her there was no mistake. As well as the hornet perched on the girl's shoulder.
"Miko...?"
"*Why is it so hard? You know what's making Shizuka all upset!*"
"I know...but..."
"*But what?*"
"I don't want to forget you..."
"*No one's telling you to! She doesn't want to be a stand-in for me! She thinks I'm the only reason you even have her around! Just tell her the truth! Move heaven and Earth to make her happy! That's what a mom is supposed to do!*"
"Miko...so much of what I do is in your memory...if I let that go, what's that going to make me?"
"*My hero. That's who you are, Rinnie. Being a great teacher and an awesome mom is in your nature. You don't need any extra motivation. Nobody is telling you to forget about me. But please, PLEASE. Don't pick me over her. You have to make sacrifices for your kids, and sometimes those sacrifices are really, REALLY hard. I'm always gonna be with you, Rinnie. But I don't wanna hold you back.*"
"....."
A car's headlights shone in the distance. "*It's time to make the hard choice, Rinnie. Me and Suzi miss you a metric ton. Take care and keep on living. I'll always be part of your swarm. But you've got an entire nest to look after. Don't forget that...*"
Miko disappeared. "No, please...please come back...don't leave me again..." Rin curled up.
She could hear a car stopping, and a door opening. "Prof?"
Rin looked up to see Kat standing before her. "Kat...?! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on another continent..."
"I heard there was trouble in paradise, so I came running. Well, flying. Why are you in the middle of the woods by yourself? *These* woods, specifically?"
"....."
"It's a rhetorical question. I know why you're here. I already talked to Shizuka. You know why she's been so upset lately?"
"....."
"Say it, Prof. You know."
"...she doesn't want to be Miko. And on some level, I've been trying to push her in that direction. Her room, her possessions, how much I talk about Miko around her. She thinks it's the only reason I love her and want to keep her."
"Is she wrong?"
"....."
"Don't clam up on me now, Prof...no. Rin. Tell me what's torturing you."
"....." Rin was on the verge of breaking.
Kat sat down next to her. She took her glasses off and looked Rin straight in the eye. "I love you, you know that, don't you? I did what you said and I waited to open that letter you gave me. It melted my heart reading it. And it cemented something in my brain that I've felt for the longest. You're the best teacher I've ever had, and will *ever* have. I was so scared about starting school so far from home and the life I'd set up here. Your letter made all those nervous feelings disappear. I wore that sakura flower proudly the next day." 
Kat took something out of her jacket pocket: the flower, in a small plastic bag. "Still do. So when I heard that you were in trouble--that you were doubting yourself as a teacher and as a mom--I knew I had to come back. Because if I'm lucky enough to get to be both, I know who I'm taking cues from. You took on a huge responsibility on top of every *other* huge responsibility you have, and you're absolutely *stunning* at every one. But there's a little girl back at your house that wants to say some things to you about how you can make her happier."
Kat poked Rin in the chest. "I'm here for you. I'm not leaving and going home until I make sure that things between you and Shizuka are okay again. You need to be honest. To me, to her, and most of all, to yourself. Tell me."
Rin couldn't hold it in any longer, and began to crumble into tears. She took off her glasses and began to release her pain. "I've spent the last seven years trying to make sense of it all, and I can't! I saw so much of myself in Miko, I thought we'd be able to overcome our problems together. And then she's just *gone*? I couldn't move past it. I kept her room the same way it was when she left it. I wore her glasses because I wanted to see the world the way she did. As this beautiful place to be admired. I saw this wonderful uniqueness in her that I wanted to draw out of others. That's the whole reason I became a teacher. I wanted to teach others to love and use the gifts that they have."
"You did, Rin. You have. I'm Exhibit A of that. There is nothing wrong with doing something to honor someone you loved."
"No, the wrong thing has been trying to push all of it onto Shizuka. I want people to embrace their uniqueness, while at the same time trying to make her into a miniature Miko. I couldn't even see how uncomfortable that was making her. I've been stifling her the same way Miko was being stifled. I'm just as horrible as that witch of a woman!"
"Bull. BULL. You're an amazing mom, nothing like Queen B. You miss your friend, and it colors a lot of what you do. But it does make Shizuka uncomfortable, and that's something you need to talk about."
Rin's head dropped. "She hates me now. I've completely blown it. My heart can't take any more of this. When I saw her in front of the store that day, so hungry and dirty, I wanted to keep her safe. I knew when I looked at her that I never wanted to let her go. That was before I ever knew who her sister was. I love her so, so much. I never meant to hurt her. I just want to go home, hug her and never let her go. But she'll never forgive me for this."
"She already has."
"Huh...?"
"She's not mad anymore. She just wants you to come home and talk it over. There's things she wants you to change around the house, but she doesn't want to say it because she knows you'll be sad. She loves having you as her mom. She's terrified that you'll give her up if she says she wants to change things. I can mediate as much as I possibly can, but you and her need to talk. She doesn't hate you. Please believe that much."
Rin's outpouring of grief continued. "I've thought about Miko every single day for seven years. I can still hear her voice in my head. She said I was her hero. Even when she was dying...when she was out of strength...she told me that she loved being my friend. That no matter how much pain she was in then, she was happy that I saved her life. I can't move past her. It has to mean something. It has to...it has to...it has to..."
Rin's weeping intensified, as she cried into Kat's chest. Her former student consoled her. "We're here now because of you. We found the strength to be ourselves because of that message. So long as we're helping people, it won't be for nothing. All of us, and every student you ever teach, and everyone we'll ever help will carry a piece of her. There's a girl in that wagon I helped to embrace her real self. She won't be the last. All because you taught us to be ourselves. Miko taught you a lesson that'll end up saving a lot of people. Her death will never be meaningless."
By this time, the rest of Rin's family and friends had arrived in their vehicles. They, and everyone inside the station wagon, looked on.
"Look at me, Rin." Kat directed.
Rin picked herself up.
"Let's head on home. Let's get out of this miserable place and go be with the ones you love. I think you've had enough lonely despair for one day."
"...okay. I want to go home now. Whatever's going to make Shizuka happy is what I'm going to do. Thank you, Kat. Can I give you my non-professional opinion?"
"Go for it."
"You're going to be a better teacher than I'll ever be."
"I'm not gonna go that far. I'll be happy to be half. Now get your tush off the dirt and let's go see your baby."
Kat helped Rin off the ground, and walked her to where the cars were parked. Everybody was staring. "Um...hey, everyone. Sorry to make you come all this way." Rin apologized.
"We know how you operate, Boss. Long as you're right in the noggin." Jugo replied.
Rose extended her arms out and embraced Rin. "I'm sorry for ghosting you like that..." 
"You're alright. That's all that matters to me." Rose replied.
"It's just an endless cycle of driving each other bonkers, isn't it?" Tan hugged his sister.
"That's what little sisters are for. And I don't know if you hiding a son from me should be limited to 'bonkers'." Rin replied.
"Oh bestie of mine, what am I gonna do with you?" Tenko tightly embraced her afterwards.
"Crush me, from the feel of it..."
Kat went back over to her ride. "How do you do it?" Tabby questioned.
"I talk. Nothing more complicated than that." Kat replied.
"She knows the right buttons to push. Everyone knows it." Max said.
"Hey teacher lady, you good now?" Ibuki asked Rin.
"As close to it as I can be. Let's get out of this dreadful place. I want to see my baby." Rin replied.
"I'll drive her back. I'm not letting her out of my sight." Rose said.
Everyone got back into their respective vehicles and began driving off.
Nearby, a hornet flew onto a tree, before vanishing.
---
Back at the Kubo household, Shizuka was asleep on the couch, as Hana sat beside her, watching television. The voices coming from the TV were speaking Hindi.
"*Najib, is that you? Have you returned from the market?*"
"*I am not Najib! I am an emissary of the planet Jupiter, sent to confiscate all the Earth's plantain chips!*"
Dramatic reaction music sounded.
"What kind of cable package does Rose have?" Hana questioned.
The front door opened. "Crisis averted. We've got the apple." Kat declared.
Shizuka woke up. "Mama...?"
Rin walked through the door. "Hi, lovebug. Would you give us a minute, Mom?"
"Absolutely. Glad to see you home safe, blossom." Hana got up. 
Rin sat down next to Shizuka and embraced her. "I'm sorry, lovebug...I never wanted to make you uncomfortable..."
"I'm sorry too, Mama...I don't wanna make you sad..." Shizuka uttered.
"It's okay. You're the most important thing in the whole world to me. Your sister was very important to me, too. I need to remember that you two are different. I can't believe I forgot that. If I need to make some changes, then I'll do what I need to. I love you, Shizuka. So very much. And I'm sorry if I made you feel awful."
"I love you too, Mama..."
"Ms. Kit, a word if you would?" Rose took Kat aside.
"Wassup?" 
"I can't thank you enough for doing this on such short notice. Everything was falling to pieces and you came in and fixed it in just a few hours. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"Don't need any payment." Kat took out the flower. "It's what family does."
Kat bid the reunited clan good night, and left the house. Tabby, along with Max and Ibuki, were waiting on the porch. "All's well in the end?" Ibuki asked.
"They're probably gonna be crying all night, but they're gonna be good tears. They needed today." Kat replied.
"So what's your plan for the rest of the week?" Max asked.
"Well, I was gonna swing around some old haunts. Tabs really wants to see the sights. After that, when she calms down I was gonna ask Prof about me playing assistant after all. Gotta make it a productive vacation."
"Oh, I want to do that, too! I want to see for myself where you got it from!" Tabby exclaimed.
"If you don't mind, there's actually something we could use your help with." Max spoke up.
"Name the game." Kat replied.
"We need some backup for a job. Y'know. *Our* kind of job. It's a big one. And we'd feel ten times better if you had our backs." Ibuki explained.
"How big we talking?"
"Huge. Major city player-level of big." Max replied.
"Now *that* sounds spicy. Well, Tabs? Wanna see what kinda work we deal in?"
"Count me in! I knew coming along was a good idea!" Tabby answered.
"Damn straight. Give us the deets, Sparky. I'd like to know what we're up against."
"Okay. So...where do I start?" Max began.