The Day of Thunder

[Canary]

It wasn’t the first time it had happened. One of the villagers, a farmer from one of the villages scattered around Ki-Rin lands had suddenly just dropped their tools one day and started walking. It wasn’t done with any fanfare – not sudden burst of violence and madness. They had just up and left. Often they left families behind; there were a couple of incidents where the only remaining parent had abandoned their children to do this. Shinjo had declared that their children were to be adopted into samurai families.

Now Shinjo Osamu followed behind one of those who had done so. He’d been commanded by his lady to monitor them, find out where they were all going. Following someone on foot had made for a very long and boring trip across the plains, but it had at least turned up a few interesting things.

First, she had been muttering to herself the entire time. He hadn’t gotten close enough to hear what she was saying, but it was a worrying sign.

Second, she had been at least cognizant to pack, enough for a trip of several weeks. It reminded Osamu a little of the people who’d taken a pilgrimage to Seppun Hill to visit the shrine near there and the place the Kami had fallen. He had made note in his things wondering if this wasn’t a pilgrimage like that. The direction was off to be specifically that.

First, this woman – Akiha, the reports had said – ducked into the tall grass and stayed perfectly still every time she thought their even might be horsemen from the Clan coming by. So she was still aware enough to be avoiding them.

He even thought she’d seen him a couple of times, but she’d continued looking around before continuing on, rather than trying to get away.

And so it went for a while.

They were close to the Unicorn border with the Lion when she suddenly called out, “Don’t you think it’s rude to follow someone for so long without introducing yourself?”

The jig was up.

He left his position and approached the camp. “We just happened to be going the same direction,” he replied as he arrived. “I hope it didn’t trouble you. I am Shinjo Osamu.”

“Oh, is that all?” The woman asked. Her voice told him all he needed to know about how much she believed him. “Where is your horse, Shinjo-sama? The samurai usually ride long distances, don’t they?”

“Ah… Well… I suppose you caught me,” he admitted. There wasn’t much point when it was this obvious. “What brings you so far out, Akiha-san?”

She looked away, into the distance. “My presence was… requested. I have something I need to help with.”

“Oh?” He prompted her to continue. The fact that she hadn’t said anything to her lord and just up and left could be addressed in a few moments. For now, he needed more information to bring back along with her.

“Yes,” she simply replied, not continuing.

Osamu let out a frustrated sigh. “You need to return to your village. Your children are there, and you need to speak with your lord.”

She smiled a little. “I’m caring for my childrens’ future by doing this, Shinjo-sama. And I’m afraid it must be a secret journey.”

Osamu raised an eyebrow. “I know about it.”

“Do you want to come with me?” She asked, looking back toward him.

He was shocked to find that he did. Something was calling him to the northeast. He couldn’t put his feeling on what, but it called him like fate. Yet…

He had obligations. To his lord. To his family. To the great Shinjo Family. No, his honor wouldn’t let him say yes. He shook his head, and the feeling of pull went away.

“I need to take you to my lord, Akiha-san.” He stood. “Please come willingly.”

She rose and sighed, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Shinjo-sama…”

“I don’t want to have to bring you back by force…” He threatened, but she was already muttering something, her head down. Finally, he was able to hear it.

“The will shapes the dream.
The dream shapes the form.
The form shapes the world…”

Over and over, it gave him a headache listening to. He snapped his sword out of his sheath, swinging out at her, only for it to pass through nothing. No, not nothing… Before him stood a pillar of flame, 7 feet high, punctuated with two coal-dark eyes where Akiha’s had been.

“What in the Kami’s name…?!” He recoiled, only for an arm to separate partly from the main mass and reach out to him. The last thing he heard was a whisper that sounded like the burn and crackle of flame.

“I’m sorry, Shinjo-sama…”

Then his screams tore across the plains, with flame following quickly at its heels...

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Welcome to OOC Chat 3!

[Yuzuru Hoto-Hori]

Thank Cat, no more gremlins.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Only foxes?

[Yuzuru Hoto-Hori]

I see nothing wrong with this plan.

[Jiyo Sora]

Thank Cat, no more gremlins.

Dangerous challenge to issue, Yuzuru-kun.

[Nanzi Ai]

I like where the Jigoku is going this time around.

Sign me up.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Sign me up.

Sign you up to destroy Jigoku, right?

[Nanzi Ai]

Sign me up.

Sign you up to destroy Jigoku, right?

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[Makime]

I am just happy we have all this weirdness past us.

[Nanzi Ai]

I am just happy we have all this weirdness past us.

You look Purr-fect.

[Doji Hikaru]

Sign me up.

Sign you up to destroy Jigoku, right?

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[Jiyo Sora]

[Kai]

You got to be kitten me!

[Ryoshun Nao]

Stay out of the tall grass!

[Togashi Satsuki]

What about the medium grass?

[Makime]

All grass is tall. Depending on your size.

[Makime Omoi]

Medium grass is currently at threat level Yellow so travel at your own risk.

[Togashi Satsuki]

All grass is tall. Depending on your size.

Ah

Uh...

Lady Makime... your head...

*mimics ears with own hands*

[Jiyo Sora]

Best she's ever looked, being honest.

[The Dream of Jigoku]

I like where the Jigoku is going this time around.

Sign me up.

We'd be happy to have you.