The Day of Thunder

The light of the sunrise dappled through trees to light up the shoji screens on the headwoman's house in Blue Lotus Village. But here, there wasn't much of a village left anymore. Most of the people were gone. Their homes, like the few people left, were preserved in the pristine stillness of memory. There was now likely another Blue Lotus Village in Yume-do as people dreamt of their time in the real world, but it was not this one anymore.

The weather here could be whatever they wanted it to be. Right now, a clear day that dawned cool enough to encourage sleeping it, but would eventually warm to the perfect temperature during the course of the day.

The paper diffused the light so that it wasn't too aggressive when it hit Zhe's eyes, a gentle wake up call. In his arms, breathing evenly, was Dai Lu. Not unlike the dream so long ago.

The farmer's eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light of the morning. It came earlier again: a sign of the advancing spring, soon to become summer. The field would need to be seeded this week.

Once his eyes and thoughts came to focus, he took this day's first minute to observe his wife. Carefully removed a stray lock of hair from her face, he decided he could spend a but more time here.

But he had to go milk the cows soon...before breakfast at least.

She sighed happily and snuggled closer against him. He'd become so familiar with her during the previous months that even her shape felt familiar. No, maybe a little different?

Yes, there was something different about her abdomen. It didn't feel like she had gained weight, exactly. It wouldn't have been an issue, but was a little too firm for that.

The snuggling flushed his cheeks and he could not help himself, letting out a giggle.

The champion's promise had been an illusion, empty and cruel but this...this seemed solid, real. He knew where he was, of course, but he still dared to hope.

''Good morning, dear.'' he whispered to her ''Should I prepare breakfast before the day's work?''

She slowly opened her eyes, smiling warmly at him. "Maybe... really tired this morning..."

He returned the smile in full

''Of course.'' It was with great reluctance that he removed himself from her embrace. Once up he looked at her stomach once more, wondering

''Should I prepare enough for three?'' he asked, having a clue of what may be.