First Storm

Yes I should be working on my Hiei/Botan story, but I've also got two and half reports Ishould also be working on so I guess it all works out.

The hot, dry air grew heavy and moist, carrying the sweet fresh tang of clear spring water.

It happened quite suddenly, actually, without the slightest warning. One moment the world had been alive with the incessant hum of busy insects and background chirps of song birds despite the hot, dead air, then…silence. The insects were abruptly replaced with the quiet flutelike melody of the slightest breeze, and distant chirping gave way to the soft crack of approaching thunder.

As the now silent garden grew dim despite the afternoon sun, Yukina found herself searching the horizon, absolutely transfixed, watching the misty blue hills turn blue-black before her ruby eyes.

She only distantly noticed her mint green locks dance behind her even as she felt the pleasant breeze grow suddenly cooler, picking up into storm wind and blowing the early fallen yellow and orange leaves in circles. From somewhere in the sky, the steady drum of thunder boomed closer.

The garden grew dark, everything a hazy blue as the storm clouds quickly settled overhead. And then, far into the distance, a quick flash of light cut through the thick, bruised sky, so long she was certain it had touched the ground. A heartbeat later, thunder crashed almost violently just above her head; she could feel its drum beat through her body as the heavy note played, then died several heartbeats later.

The sound reached her first. A drop, soft and subtle, almost silent. A minute passed before she heard another. Then another. Then a drop landed on her hand, glistening like a diamond on her pale skin.

Soon an unfamiliar but pleasant pitter patter unevenly filled the world around her. Occasionally a few drops soaked her hair and coated her skin, wet and cool but not cold like the snow from her homeland. She had never seen rain before, the constant snow and frozen temperatures never leaving room for a shower.

She never wanted to leave.

The thunder became more prominent and demanding, the beats louder and sharper with every crash. The calm uneven rain came down in torrents, quick and constant, matting her hair to her back and soaking her clothes to her body. But she was too absorbed in the quick steady pitter patter accompanied by the ear shattering BOOM of the natural drums surrounding her to notice.

Then, just as before and without warning, she felt a wonderful warmth enveloping her from head to toe and the soothing woodsy scent of pine settled in her nose. Surprised, she peaked out from under the familiar collar of a well-worn, dull blue jacket to rest on loving eyes so brown they could have been black.

"You're gonna get sick," his rough voice stated softly. But he pulled her into his warm arms instead of making her go inside.