Curiouser and curiouser (D7 LA)

[Togashi Saruko]

Saruko chuckled. "That is true, but when things get dire... I can hold my own somewhat in a fight, but nothing compared to most of you."

[Jiyo Sora]

"Just stand behind Koyama if it gets bad. I think that man could survive the sun falling on him."

[Togashi Saruko]

"Him or Yamadono, I suppose," she snickered briefly. "They're both like... mountains of men. You know, first time I saw Yamadono, I thought he was one of the Kami because he was so tall."

[Jiyo Sora]

Sora chuckled.

"I honestly never really interacted with him. Even when Reiko came calling, he kept to himself."

A frown.

"Think I saw his daughter in a vision, though. It was... well. Better for her than it was for me."

[Togashi Saruko]

"A vision?" her eyes widened with curiosity. "Care to share it, or is this a secret...?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Oh, that stone everyone in camp was soon keen on? I went and had a look after Jin suggested my eye might... turn something up."

He shivered.

"Safe to say, it did, but it wasn't pleasant. I saw myself, consumed by Jigoku, slaughtering everyone I came across, a puppet to the Realm of Evil. And then... Matsu, her name's Matsu, right? Anyway. She struck me down. Kindest thing to be done, really."

[Togashi Saruko]

"Hmm..."

Rather than being shocked or horrified, Saruko seemed very thoughtful.

"Strange. I wonder why it gave you such a vision. When I found it, I thought, maybe it was a marker for a path to another realm, but... when I tried to get a feel for it, it felt distinctively like this world. Like, you know fire is hot when you sit near it, right? Then you realise how hot it really is when you hold your hand right over the flame. That's kind of how strong it felt - no connection to any other realm that I could sense."

[Jiyo Sora]

"It was warning me. Whatever we do here, on this mission, a war is coming. It has happened before, and if we win, it will happen again. The Ogres and the Five Ancient Races fought- and won- the last time. Now it's our turn. Well."

He grinned.

"Hopefully us, and the Kami, and the Nezumi."

[Togashi Saruko]

"This is a bit beyond my knowledge, and meager expertise." She laughed, almost like a scoff, though it seemed more directed at herself.

"What do you know of this war? Of what they fought? I've heard stories of the ancient Five Races of the land, but nothing about a war..."

[Jiyo Sora]

"Jigoku's forces. It wasn't much more specific than that."

[Togashi Saruko]

"... So it has happened before that someone had to fight Jigoku." But how did one fight an entire realm of power?

[Jiyo Sora]

"I think it was a case of armies... but the ogres somehow... stopped it."

[Togashi Saruko]

"Hmmm... if you learn more, I'd like to hear it. This could be important to us, and... well, I'm starting to see a bigger picture. I think."

She looked off in the distance for a moment. "Maybe... Maybe I should try to reach my husband."

[Jiyo Sora]

"Be careful. That swamp found us well north of here, no telling what other traps might be in place."

[Togashi Saruko]

"I'm wary of traps too, but I promise you I won't do anything that dangerous without thinking it through."

She sighed. "I guess I just really miss his calmness and insight these days as things look more uncertain for us on this mission."

[Jiyo Sora]

"I know what you mean. I miss the kids."

He chuckled.

"They're so sure I'm unstoppable, and that I always know what to do that it helps me believe it."

[Togashi Saruko]

She wasn't sure if Sora quite understood how much she missed her husband. For the past five years, he had been such a constant presence in her life, it was like suddenly not having her shadow anymore. Or having lost a sense.

"And here I thought you were unstoppable, Sora. I've never known anything to stop you before," she teased with a laugh. "Not even good-natured rumors or pranks."

[Jiyo Sora]

"Most adversity just goads me on. The way it was in the mountains. But this business we're engaged in now, this mission... is beyond me in most ways, and if I let myself think about that too hard..."

[Togashi Saruko]

"Perhaps, but you've been an asset so far on this mission. At least, in my opinion. We all need an angry badger to rage at us from time to time and tell us when we're being dumb."

[Jiyo Sora]

"And here I thought I'd mellowed in my old age."