The Day of Thunder

[Shiba Kumori]

She nodded as a response.

[Shiba Kumori]

''I know, I know'' he smirked back at the librarian ''I am romantically involved with the headwoman. Still, in the matter of dreams and will objectivity becomes a harder concept to pin.''

He bowed to the princess

''I am working in that direction and will continue to do so.''

After a moment of contemplative silence Kumori spoke...

"Wu-san... You need to know something about Chouri-san."

She started.

[Wu Zhe]

Hearing those words, something tightened around the dragon's cloak.

''Yes, princess?''

[Jiyo Sora]

Sora cocked his head.

[Shiba Kumori]

“Chouri-san has been a… servant of the Harbinger since she was a young girl.” She started.

“That is not a moral judgement on her… The conditions she had in her early life made her particularly susceptible to the… temptations of the Harbinger.”

She let out a long breath.

“My cousin and I were able to help her remove herself from the control of the Harbinger… at least temporarily. The rituals that we have been taking place in originally were intended by the Harbinger to kill all of the people who are here now. Chouri has elected to save her fellow villagers and fight against the Harbinger… But undoubtedly the influence of Jigoku will have left considerable scars on her…”

She finished, “She has promised to help us use the rituals instead to defeat our enemy… And I believe that she is honest in this intent… But we must watch over her closely… To protect her from herself if need be.”

[Wu Zhe]

The sometimes bushi, sometimes diplomat, took time to register what was just said and his face was struggling to remain neutral.

''I see.'' he began ''Thank you. For telling me this but above all thank you for saving her.''

He bowed as low has he could

[Jiyo Sora]

"Can you do what needs to be done, Wu-san? It's not quite the task for a liaison. But for someone who loves her, well..."

[Wu Zhe]

''If Jigoku was unsettled by the kick in the nuts you gave it when you helped rescue Hisomu-no-Kami then it will beg heavens for mercy should they try to touch but one hair on her head''

Replied the dragon, with knuckles white and a stare that could burn a hole in the walls

[Jiyo Sora]

Sora sighed, suddenly looking every single one of his years.

"Not what I meant, Wu-san. I know you can be trusted to protect her from external harm."

[Wu Zhe]

He lowered his head

''Can't I have some righteous anger, Jiyo-sama?''

He raised his head once more

''I will do all that I can to protect her and allow her to heal. That should never have been in doubt.''

[Jiyo Sora]

"I am asking if you could end her life if that were what was best."

He paused.

"It would mean more, I think, coming from you than from any other."

[Wu Zhe]

Zhe was stunned into silence, mouth hanging open

''I...what?''

[Jiyo Sora]

"I know it's a hard ask, Zhe-san."

Sora shook his head.

"And I truly hope it doesn't come to that. This is not about punishment for mistakes made by a terrified child. This is about potentially saving her soul if the Harbinger takes hold again."

[Wu Zhe]

Jaws clenched, indignant.

''I understand'' he began, controlling himself ''But it will not come to that''

[Shiba Kumori]

Kumori gives Sora a look as if to prevent him from pressing further.

[Jiyo Sora]

And with or without the look, he let the matter rest.

He did, after all, believe in hope.

[Shiba Kumori]

“I trust you will do your best.” Kumori said to Zhe with a nod of confidence.

“If you need your time to think, please do not feel obligated to stay.”

[Wu Zhe]

''It is indeed my time to leave'' he rose at that and move to get his coat and hat ''I thank you again for saving Chouri.''

He bowed once more

''Good night to both of you''

/exit, likely

[Jiyo Sora]

Sora watched the Dragon go and sighed.

"Poor damned kid."

[Shiba Kumori]

“Yeah…” She replied.

“We’ll need a backup plan for that… but at least we can know that if violence can be avoided… he’s devoted to making that happen.”