The Day of Thunder

“It’s just as foreign to Yume-do as us… The realm of dreams has always invited humans into it… I doubt that when push comes to shove it’ll support Jigoku’s invasion.” She replied.

“We have lots going for us.”

“I intend to be so.” She said with a warm smile.

“And a loving one.”

“The Rat deities said you would need to… ‘beat up the body’… but that it would take more than sharp sticks to do so because the Dream World and this World would overlap…” She replied as she continued to hold on to his hand.

“You are well on your way Otomo-san.” She said with a smile.

“And when you return home… I will make sure that people know of your efforts.”

Chu starts from her sleep in Sora's arms to look at Kumori through half-lidded eyes. "Name... changed..." She yawns. "S'si'chu-per...i...per...i..." And her head starts to droop forward. "Thich." It's hard keeping her eyes open, but she's trying, for the favored pup of the chief-of-chiefs. It's imp...

“There’ll still be time for adventure… Just hopefully less violent and dreary ones.”

She smiled, “Even with kids… Someone has to take them out to see the world eventually.”

Her fingers entwined themselves between his… her own warmth amplified by the warmth of Lady Sun’s light still lingering on her.

She held his hand tightly, “You do whatever needs to be done… but once its done… if you’re still able to move… Just keep moving. Remember I’ll be waiting.”

She nodded her head.

“She is… I’m glad they are on our side for this… I know it cost a lot of people… a good amount of heartache… But to have the Nezumi as our friends instead of our enemies here… I think it may make a lot of difference.”

“You’ll have plenty of chances to embarrass yourself after…” She said with a smile.

She took the hat off since she was indoors and put it on the table near her.

“I’ll keep it with me until the elements rip it off my scalp.” She said with a smile.

“Must’ve been a pretty sizable hail stone to have troubled you.”

"Criming for good. Like always." She replied with a smile.

She smiled warmly as he offered up the wide-brimmed hat. “Oh really? That’s so kind of you Otomo-san.” She picked up the hat and examined it. “So nicely woven… You did this yourself?” She then put the hat on her head and turned her face to model it. “How does it look?” https://i.pinimg.com/564x/8e/3...

“Uncle Bayushi has a way of knowing things… He’s real good at contingencies.” She replied with a nod. “I… honestly am not.” She said with a chuckle. “I came here thinking I’d be the Thunder… I’d do whatever it takes to be the one who saves the world. I even thought to ask you to marry me so I could ...

“It’s my pleasure Otomo-san.” She said with a smile. “I wanted to thank you for attending me yesterday when we accompanied Chuchu into Yume-do… It made me confident to have someone there with me.” She smiled, “Have a seat.” She directed him towards the small table in the humble home and disappeared ...

“Just a slow learner…” She said with a soft smile.

“I’m still the same cousin who loves you.”

After cleaning herself up in the baths, Kumori had sent a boy from the village to contact Otomo Akuto and invite him over for breakfast at Yoshie’s house.

Kumori finished the preparations and placed the food on trays… ready for her guest when he would arrive.

The nezumi begins to glow. Her little body becomes untethered from the grasp of reality, rising into the air as pieces of her Name break apart into little golden stars that float across the gathered to find each respective Thunder. Each is limned in the flickery light of pure Dreaming as they becom...

She nodded, “I remember once as a kid when Shinsei came to speak to the court… He said, ‘You cannot live while hiding from life.’”

She let out a breath through her nose, “Notwithstanding his current condition… I think the sentiment is right.”

She returned the hug firmly… the warmth of Lady Amaterasu’s blessing and Kumori’s own love for Sora seeping out from her and into him.

She looked around the village, panning back and forth slowly.

“There are worse nights…” She began.

“No noise… No storm… No Thunder until you walked up.” She said with a soft smile out of the corner of her mouth.