Disclaimers! City Hunter belongs to Tsukasa Hojo, Jump Comics, ADVision, Raijin, and some others. ^_^;; No infringement was intended in the writing of this fic.

"Happy Birthday, Aniki! See, I didn't forget!" She set the flowers on the gravesite and sat down on the bench. "This is the first birthday since...since you..." She quickly wiped away a tear that had formed at the corner of her eye. She took a deep breath in order to calm herself, but it didn't work. More tears began to flow. "I'm sorry, Aniki," she sniffed, as she wiped away the tears that wouldn't stop. "I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but I can't help it. I miss you so much!" She cried for the next few moments.

Finally, she sniffed a few times and took a deep breath. Wiping the last of the tears away, she gave the gravestone a watery smile. "I have something for you!" She held up the yellowed card. "The birthday card I gave you for your birthday 10 years ago. I found it when I was going through your belongings. I'm surprised you still have it!"

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>*FLASHBACK*<

Kaori tried to tie the ribbon of her dress into a perfect bow. Her dress was pink with white trim. She also had a small, straw hat trimmed in pink and white. She wanted to look her best. It was her brother's birthday and he would be there any moment. Everything was perfect, except for that stupid ribbon on her dress that just wouldn't tie right! She heard the door open and heard the voice she knew by heart! She ran out of her room, her forgotten ribbon floating behind her. "ANIKI!"

He picked her up and twirled her around in the air once. They kissed each other on the cheek, before he set her back down. "Kaori!" Her father said, exaperated. "You could at least finish dressing before you came out!"

"But I couldn't get the bow to come out right," she said, giving her father a smile that always melted his heart. Both of the men doted on Kaori. They tended to spoil her, but she was never any trouble.

Her brother knelt down. "Turn around, Kaori." She did as he asked and he tied the ribbon into a bow. Kaori thanked him, by throwing her arms around him.

"Oh! I got you something, Aniki!" Kaori ran off to her room. A moment later, she came running back out. In her hands was a card. "I made it myself!" She handed him the card, which was written entirely in English. "Ottosan helped me with the words!"

"This is what 'Aniki' means to me.
A is for 'Always buying me things', which you do.
N is for 'Never leave me'.
I is for 'In my eyes, you're the best!'.
K is for 'Kid sister', who looks up to you.
I is for 'I love you'."
Inside the card were the words, "Happy Birthday, Aniki!"

"Do you like it, Aniki?"

He smile fondly down at his sister. Getting back down on his knees, he pulled her into a big hug. "Yes, I do. It's the best card I ever got!" Kaori beamed as she snuggled up against her older brother.

>*END FLASHBACK*<
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"I hope you don't mind if I keep it. Since it meant so much to you, it means a lot to me. I did make you another card. I hope you like it." She brought out another card and set it on the ground, propping it up against the gravestone. Her fingers lightly brushed the stone. "Happy Birthday, Aniki."

As she walked away, a form appeared by the grave. Makimura had been there listening to his sister, but didn't want to appear before her. For one thing he didn't want to frighten her. Plus, how could he face her when he felt guilty for leaving her. She was still young and needed someone to watch over her. He watched her retreating figure with a sense of sadness. He missed her, too.

He reached down and picked the card up. He remembered the old card that she had. A card that he knew by heart. He was happy to see that she was keeping it. He looked down at the card he now held. Grief, mixed with joy, came over him as he read the words, written in English.

"This is what 'Aniki' means to me.
A is for 'Always sacrificing for me', which you were.
N is for 'Never forgotten'.
I is for 'In my heart, you'll always be'.
K is for 'Kid sister', who misses you.
I is for 'I still love you'."
And inside it said, "Happy Birthday, Aniki."