The Day of Thunder

[Bayushi Norikage]

He smiled. "Kumori-hime, are you saying you care about me?"

The smug was strong enough to take on Jigoku.

[Shiba Kumori]

“I’m trying to speak the caring into existence… with great difficulty.” She replied with a smile.

[Bayushi Norikage]

"Well don't stop now, you're doing great." he leaned his head toward her a little, not the same offensive closeness he used to practice. This was one bit at a time.

[Shiba Kumori]

She looked back at him with a smirk.

“Why should I?”

She watched him with the same smirk. Not flinching or drawing back.

[Bayushi Norikage]

"Because...", he said, resting a hand in front of himself to bridge the gap the rest of the way. He held the girl's gaze for several heartbeats, an hour, a few days, years, it didn't matter. Long enough, even for his tired body to boil from the tension. "You know, something might happen. And regrets are horrible."

And despite that warning, whoever he was really giving it to, he shifted forward just that little bit more to kiss her square on the lips.

[Shiba Kumori]

Kumori did not turn from his approach… internally or externally. She closed her eyes and met his lips with her own… holding them together for a long, sweet moment.

Beyond the partition in the neighboring space Daisuke’s snoring paused as a fit of coughing overtook the man’s sleep.

Kumori turned her face down and to the side… cheeks flushed slightly with a soft smile on her lips.

She didn’t say anything… just temporarily living in the moment that had passed.

[Bayushi Norikage]

Norikage's head sagged when the coughing snore came and Kumori turned away. "And there you have the real reason I can't sleep."

He fell down on his side, lounging, head propped up by his arm.

I'll kill him.

[Shiba Kumori]

She eventually looked up and saw him as he relaxed on his side.

Not really sure what to say… she shifted onto her side as well…

“You should probably try and sleep early… You must be exhausted.”

[Bayushi Norikage]

He managed another smile. "You're suggesting sleep? I thought you just admitted you like me." He got up to get changed, walking over her bumping her rear end with the heel of his foot.

[Shiba Kumori]

“For now.” She said with a smile.

“But if tiredness brings out your less charming side…”

She sat up and watched him, “That would be a shame.”