Heavenfall

It had taken most of the day for Reiko to learn the way around the camp, but finally she started to move around. She had a destination in mind, and after asking a few people she was pointed in the direction of Shinjos tent.

Using her walking stick as a guide, she approached, drawing close before speaking.

"Honoured Swift Star-sama, are you in? It is Reiko."

Shinjo opened the tent and smiled, holding it open for Reiko to enter. "Reiko-san. Please, come in. Are you well this evening?"

Reiko took a moment to make sure she could see the opening correctly before bowing deeply then entering.

"This mist is hampering my vision even more than usual, but otherwise I am...well. I hope the same can be said for you? Please accept my apology if you were busy, I just wished to talk with you about some things."

"Not at all. I'm always happy to speak with you, Reiko-san," she replied, helping guide her to a comfortable and mostly dry spot. "What did you wish to discuss?"

Once she was guided, and had sat down, she spoke again.

"I came to discuss Fu Leng. I...visited him again last night."

Shinjo settled across from her frowning. "I see. Are you all right?"

"Yes and no. Yes, because I got to see him once again. No, because he is..." Reiko closed her eyes, taking a few breaths "promise me you will not reveal what I am about to say to anyone. Not even Hantei-sama."

Especially not Hantei.

Shinjo nodded seriously. "Of course. I will keep whatever you tell me in confidence."

Reiko took a calming moment before she spoke.

"His resolve...is starting to break. I worry that if we are much longer in rescuing him, he might...he..." she blinked a few times, trying to keep herself from crying "we can't wait any longer. We need to save him, and instead we're finding swamps that didn't exist before!"

"Reiko-san..." Shinjo's lips pressed together, and she gathered her thoughts to think of how to reply. "Have faith in him. I know him better than any one. He will make it." She smiled just a little, sadly. "He's stubborn, and he doesn't like anyone trying to exert authority over him. I think it was only Tengoku's nature that made him obedient to our parents sometimes."

"It's only ten more days. It will only be more dangerous for him and us if we rush."

She sighed. "It must be the hardest for you. You know how he suffers more than anyone, and put the most into getting this rescue off the ground. Please trust that we're committed, as well. We won't let Jigoku take him."

"I know...I know he will. I believe in him entirely. Completely. It was just a shock seeing him like that" Reiko took a few moments to calm herself again "My apology, I let my emotions overwhelm me. I just...I know how much you care. How important Fu Leng is to you. I know you care for him far more than Hantei does."

She shook her head.

"That is less important though. This swamp that has appeared, it is not normal is it? I know that Fu Leng was more of a spiritual expert, and he'd know instantly if it was a spiritual nonalignment, but do you think this place could be...touched by Jigoku?"