The Day of Thunder

Zhe looked into her face and empathized.

''I thank you for sharing Lady Chouri, you need not say more, I understand your predicament.'' he gave a light squeeze of the fingers ''I am just glad that, whatever happens, I can stay or return here.''

She squeezed back and let out a relieved breath, smiling warmly. "Thank you for understanding, Wu-sama. If things go really well... if it turns out we can help more than just this place and our village with these practices... I may be able to go elsewhere myself."

He could not help but stare into her eyes for a moment

''There is a lot to see, a lot of people to meet but they say home is where your heart is''

She eyes met his in return and it seemed to hold her there, silent as she gazed into them, leaning forward unconsciously just a little. "Ah... Well... That doesn't mean that where your heart is... can't change..."

''It can change but somethings always remain the same'' he replied...though not entirely sure were he was going with this. ''We will see in time''

She smiled and nodded, then looked toward the inside of the house with a small chuckle. "It's getting late... We should really head off to bed."

He chuckled

''Yes, we should''

She rose to her feet and smiled. "Sleep well, Wu-sama. I'm looking forward to seeing you in the morning."

Zhe took longer to rise

"I wish a good night sleep to you as well, lady Chouri. Tomorrow's breakfast will be light so you can have all the time you want to prepare for the ritual"

"Thank you, Wu-sama," she said. she paused once he rose and them stepped forward, giving him a light kiss on the lips this time, instead of his cheek. "Good night."

With that, she hurries off to her own bed.

Zhe just stood there, grinning like and idiot.

Now he was almost sure she really liked him

And he went to bed

/scene?

/scene