The Day of Thunder

He followed in on the laughter has he tried to dry himself

''Okay, okay you I get it. You rascal.''

He sighed, returning back to Chouri

''Have you made the paper cranes yet?''

"Not yet... it's... been a day," she said, letting out a long breath that ends in coughing.

He smiled, exhausted in body but spirit still alight

''I have some paper here, is it happens...'' he paused on the way to his next sentence ''Before we do...I have...'' he took a breath

''The Lion daimyo will learn of what happened and will likely froth at the mouth at the prospect of whatever justice she desires. Before that happens I want to open a door to you and your village. I would like to offer you the protection of the Wu family.''

"The protection? As in... the village formally become part of Dragon territory?" She asks, looking at him to clarify.

''The people, at least'' he replied ''I do not know what I can do besides this to offer a modicum of help to the people here. I know how others would deal with the the presence of Yume-Jigoku...I may not be able to protect the village itself but I can guarantee that the villagers can find a new life with the Wu."

She nodded a little. "Would you be willing to defend them, even if it might cause political trouble?"

He smirked at that

''I know it will cause political trouble.''

His features grew hard, resolute

''We of the Wu have given a helping hand to thousands of those who have been forced out of their ancestral land or ostracized for their belief in the old ways. We believe in humanity, in second chances.''

She nods quietly. "And if some people wish to go elsewhere?"

''We will give them what they need to make the journey''

Chouri let out a long breath and smiled. "I agree, then."

Zhe nodded, solemn for a moment, before releasing his tension and his gaze became tinged with sadness.

His jaws clenched

''I made a rather bold claim earlier, you know''

She tilted her head, looking at him curiously. "Oh?"

''Yes'' he began to blush ''When I was told about what happened and that the Harbinger would try to take you back I might have said something like: If Jigoku was unsettled by the kick in the nuts it received when Hisomu-no-Kami got rescued then it will beg heavens for mercy should they try to touch but one hair on her head''

"W-Wu-sama..." She said, eyes wide and a little red, like she was ready to cry again.

''Please...call me Zhe'' he replied sheepishly

"Zhe," she echoed, and then leaned forward, kissing him softly. She leaned back and smiled. "Whatever happens... Whether I get to live one more day or sixty more years... I'm going to be happy, because I met you."

Zhe held her tight, uncertain

''And I you. Until this is over I will stay by you side, always.''

She smiled. "Thank you... Are you all right?" She brushed her fingers over his cheek, concerned.

Zhe smiled lightly

''I am afraid'' he admitted ''Now it is my turn to be afraid of death, though not my own''

Chouri smiled sympathetically, and a little sadly. "I'm sorry... I should have told you that my time was limited early on..."