The Day of Thunder

It's years from now. Somehow, Hikaru knows that. Maybe it's a few gray hairs he can see among the black. Maybe it's his freedom from the worries that had plagued him for years. But it was the future. He was sitting in the gardens of Kyuden Doji, a quiet moment amid the perfect beauty that only Doji...

Sleep had almost become something to be feared lately. However, this time, as Hikaru laid down to bed, his spirits were higher than usual. And so, when he laid down, he dared to hope that he might find a measure of peace in his sleep...

Hikaru, too, was all too happy to hold Satsuki's hands and gaze into her eyes. After all, in some ways, that was the pinnacle of courtly love, something that didn't embarrass him in the least. Besides, a marriage to his love as they worked together to save the world was very romantic. "Genji-sama, o...

"Ah... yes..." Hikaru agreed, flushing just a little, as a result of several of the things Anjing had said to him. But then he sighed, relaxing somewhat. "Yes. Of course. I don't doubt myself, or..." He frowned. "Not exactly. But I have said that I trust her. If she says that I am worthy, I cannot d...

Hikaru laughed, openly and honestly, as Satsuki bumped into him, playfully nudging back against her as she did so. "Well than, I shall continue to do so." He leaned a little closer. "Especially after the wedding." He'd said it to make her blush, but Hikaru found his own cheeks coloring at the sugges...

"You are especially lovely when you blush, Satsuki." Hikaru said softly, his smile gently but his pale eyes hot. "I find myself wanting to make you do it again, and again..." He breathed in and out slowly. "No doubt you would." Hikaru's expression turned serious; he shifted a little, sitting up. "I ...

Hikaru sat straight up. "Lady Anjing..." He said, frowning strangely. "That is not a thing to be considered. I am not Lord Nanzi." Wait, that was just as hard to explain as the other part. "That is not a thing to have in one's mind." He said. The comparison to Satsuki gave Hikaru pause. "I... hmmm."...

Hikaru smiled as Satsuki brushed back his lock of hair. Even as she tucked it back, it clung to her wrist a moment like a friendly vine. Hikaru followed suit, his hand coming up to catch hers, his lips tracing from her palm down her wrist before releasing her. A moment of consideration, and then Hik...

The corners of Hikaru's lips curled up. "I do not exactly confide in my mother, either." With both hands, Hikaru said accepted the cup. Bringing it closer to his face, he inhaled, taking in its scent. He nodded. "It smells good. Thank you," His lips pressed firmly together. While a guest, Crane opin...

"I do. I will." Hikaru assured Anjing, nodding. "Although I admit, she did not seem to be the sort to let something go to her head. Very, ah, earthy, in fact." Hikaru spread one hand apologetically. The pun was unintentional. He watched as she added more herbs, leaning forward to frown. "What sort o...

Hikaru took a deep breath. He nodded, his expression a little strange, softening as she went on. "Together." He said, squeezing both Satsuki's hand and knee in a sudden rush of feeling. "Yes." He said. His expression was thoughtful, but he flashed Satsuki a brief smile, just to let her know he was a...

Not quite asleep yet, but it's soon!

"Ah... no." Hikaru laughed at that; a little nervously, a little with the manic edge of the newly engaged, still unable to keep from touching his wife to be. "I would expect the number to be closer to..." he pursed his lips as he seriously considered the question, "-two." He did not answer her compl...

""Yes. Quite." Hikaru said, a smile just touching his lips. "And yet, I feel she speaks with wisdom on many subjects. Perhaps even the speed with which I seek courtship." The question made Hikaru purse his lips. "Not when I met her. I'd been in Dragon lands perhaps a year before, though. But no, thi...

Hikaru nodded. "I've fought before. Tainted things. Samurai who turned to corruption." He grimaced. "I found them more distasteful in their way than bandits or the like." He met her gaze. "But thank you. Such praise means a great deal from one of your prowess." He continued to work, carefully polish...

Oh, that's what she meant by children. Hikaru blinked, lips parting in surprise. "Oh, I, uh, well... ummm, as far as that, well, whatever you like." It was an instinctive response, the normally controlled Hikaru briefly thrown for a loop. The moment passed. "Ah..." Hikaru chuckled softly. "I'm sorry...

"She does mean well." Hikaru agreed, chuckling softly. "And she clearly cares for you very much. The bruises were worth it." He sat mirroring Satsuki, cross-legged, holding her hand, other hand on her knee... well, perhaps just an inch higher. Hikaru was a Crane. He had been raised in the court of L...

In fact, Hikaru grinned, delighted at making Satsuki blush, even as he blushed himself. Like her, feelings ran high. The thought of not touching her, not stealing a kiss from time to time, simply wasn't possible. They sat on the blanket, his knee resting against hers; again, the thought of not doing...

Hikaru did as directed, taking a cup and cloth. He too sat down, carefully cleaning his gear. He worked methodically, making sure each piece was clean before moving on to the next. He merely nodded acknowledgement at first, although the much better caused him to look up. "I do not think I could have...

Shang frowned before she gave a quick look around her surroundings, not that she could see the forest itself from where they were but they were naturally some ways away. "No...I would never use the forest around here, especially having been there. I would be concerned if I were to truly use that as...