Before Alpha Dag has the chance to command his pack to run, Umeko dunks under the water as soon as she hears Sanemaru's code word.
Allowing the stream to carry her along before the velocity of wind suddenly changes to accelerate her downstream, she misses all that happens next.
Stuck in a battle with roaring currents that pull her down then push her upward, she's now faced with the fight of her life.
Clawing to the surface for a gasp of air, Umeko attempts to tread water before the swift turn of a downward bend sends her backward down a previously unseen drop.
Chilled water crashes down on top of her when she sinks into the river's deepest cradle at the bottom of a short hill, clutching to ensure she doesn't lose her satchel or its contents; swept along by surging waves, concentrating on finding Sanemaru's meeting point at the downstream fork without drowning, she's as hopeful as a flower surviving its first water ride into unknown territory.
Rapidly accelerated downstream from the blast of Sanemaru's attack, every muscle in her lean frame goes into overdrive as she's plagued with panic.
Meanwhile. . .
Storming around the steed like a twister contained into a sphere, blistering hot flames grow large enough to encompass him with a sizable barrier. Dirt flies up, blinding some of the wolves before Sanemaru's bright heatwave has the chance to.
Encompassed by a swirling inferno as a few of the wolves face the wind with ready claws on their menacing approach to launch an attack, a vacuum of air sucks them towards Sanemaru's sphere.
Narrowing like a tornado, daring the wolves to come closer as they dig into the earth to keep from being pulled in, the fiery steed rises from the center.
Riding the top of the cyclone as it towers high above his friends turned foe, the closest ones in proximity get drawn into his hellfire storm then dusts away with screaming howls.
Nearby trees, hundreds of years old, are ripped from the earth and incinerated before impacting the horse-ridden twister. Some of the humanoid wolves' clothes are snatched from their bodies, warning them it's only a matter of time before they, too, meet their end.
Digging their claws or weapons into the ground as anchors, the piercing sound of a thunderous hurricane resounds on Sanemaru's neighing war-cry; echoing throughout the land like a stampeding rampage of wild horses, the murderous intent emanating from his aura makes the lower level yokai cower in place. Those frozen with fear are unable to move until the wind sweeps them up with the debris.
As lightning streaks the symmetrical spin of chaos destroying the surrounding area and driving everything on the outskirts of a four hundred and forty yard (one quarter mile) radius away, those within eye shot of his attack have already fallen victim.
A sonic boom cracks through the skies for quadruple the distance of his storm; the one-man natural disaster, having illuminated into a bright white at the top of the cyclone's epicenter, explodes outward like a blazingly pure light that shatters the earth with the highest seismic wave possible as he plummets to the ground straight down the middle.
The stream closest to him dries up, propelling water back upstream and reversing its flow temporarily while water downstream splashes hard enough to throw Umeko onto land.
Disoriented, shaking her head and blinking until her vision stabilizes long enough for her to recognize she's on solid ground, relief strikes in the moment before coughs overtake her chest.
Glad to see she's only a short distance ahead of the river's fork, the girl braces herself on goose bumped forearms. Coughing up water, burping, then gasping, she gets her bodily function back under control.
Looking at the spherically contained devastation left behind from Sanemaru's single attack upriver, her mind glitches to process the unbelievable difference from when she first got into the water.
For kilometers, scorched earth and trees that burn to leafless branches or cindering pillars surround a massive crater. Gasping in disbelief at a dried up river filled with rocks, mud, and flopping fish, more coughs escape.
Expelling the final bits of water from her lungs as she stumbles to stand up straight, she finally inhales her first, deep and steady breath. Greeted by the scent of burnt hair, smoke, and roasted meat, she shivers; scanning the new terrain that looks like it was hit by a falling sky stone, Umeko wonders if there will be anything left at the center of the calamity.
Who could do such a thing?!
Shaking her head, squinting to see her play brother surrounded by four wolves, her fear vanishes as quickly as it was born; watching the burnt figures of Dag and the rest of his pack cinder away on the breeze after collapsing, Umeko stares in shock.
Facing Sanemaru's back as he stares up at the sky, tears fill her eyes, I've never been so happy to see him! I can't believe he's alive!
Hurrying her steps to close the distance, a couple of joy-filled tears run down her cheeks, How the hell did he survive? He's the only one standing. That means—?
Stopping only a few steps away as he remains like a statue in his half-man, half-horse form, Umeko dries her cheeks and sucks up snot, . . .if this was all Sane. . .is it wrong that. . .I'm so relieved. . .that someone as dangerous as him. . .is still alive and protecting me?
Sanemaru returns to his fully humanoid form, completely unharmed. Whispering in disbelief to herself as she remains heavily soaked in cool mud, "How's it possible that. . .Lord Tsukiyomi had a chance to kill him. . .only to let him live?"
And. . .Sanemaru is this powerful. . .yet terrified of Ryu's power. . .?
"Humans are fucked. . ."
Feeling her knees buckle with hopelessness, she collapses back down into the sloppy mud; pleasantly surprised to feel warm earth as it mixes with the frigid wetness of her clothes, Umeko sits up on her calves.
Watching him flash a cheeky grin at her from over his shoulder, Sanemaru's usual happy-go-lucky energy returns as he spins to approach her. Shivering the longer the breeze cools her water-logged clothes, a goosebump covered Umeko stands up to meet Sanemaru as he stops in front of her.
Eyeing the singed rags of his wrap-tie shirt, she pokes the smoking fabric above pristine pants and shoes. Recoiling from the touch of residual heat in disbelief, "Mizuki said our clothes are fireproof," she blows on her fingertips.
Chuckling in his deep baritone, Sanemaru peels the burnt pieces of fabric from his upper body before throwing them to the ground in a smoking heap. With only orange pants remaining, "It depends on what the spider's web can withstand. Remember the rat demon Tsukiyomi-sama melted with Ryu's lava?"
Umeko nods disturbed, cupping her cheeks with wide eyes. Breathing deep, shaking his head at remembering every display of his master's awesome power, "They were the only ones to ever withstand my strongest attack at full power. Ryu's scales just can't be beat."
Chuckling heartily, "I never tried such a toned down blast before, either. It kind of hurt making it so weak." Patting the top back of his head and looking off into the distance, "But you were right there and the water wasn't moving fast enough to get you a safe distance away."
That was your WEAKEST attack power?!
Placing his large hand on the top of her head, "I'm pretty sure I'd actually be kind of upset if you died."
Meanie! I can't say anything, though. Did he really just kill his friends over me?
Sighing, I know one thing's for sure. . .
Hugging herself as his hand falls to his side, "I don't ever want to be that close to death again," she reflects calmly.
"Death's coming for us all, sooner or later," patting her back a little too hard unintentionally, "At least theirs was a painless, orgasming dream."
Realizing everything he's saying, he looks at Umeko to discover her judgmental discomfort before waving his hands defensively, "Which is all anyone could ask for."
Placing her hand on his shoulder, she looks into crisp gray eyes, "Are you okay?"
Watching the smoke and dust settle where the wolves once stood, "I can't believe you chose me over your best friends."
Tilting his head, "Meh," he shrugs.
"After hearing a few fuck-buddies and mischief-maniacs say they're hear to fuck then kill you," sending her a cheeky grin that grants her the presence of one, stubbled dimple, "It'd be pretty stupid to choose them over you."
Proudly taking a firm step forward as Umeko finds it hard not to smile, their momentary peace is scrambled when his step turns into a stumble.
Grabbing a hold of him before he faceplants the ground, she carries him in her arms as his weight sends her down in slow motion as she braces them into mud. Mumbling in a daze, thinking they're still standing up, "I meant it when I said I'd protect you, sis."
Struggling to support his upper body in her lap so he doesn't get mud into his hair, she shakes his arms. Praying he snaps out of whatever is keeping him half on top of her as warm earth settles into her wet pants, "What's wrong with you?!"
Groaning uncomfortably as the squishiness of dirt under them molds into her bottom the harder she shakes him, the girl plants her feet into the soil with bent knees as he winds up sitting between her legs with his large body laid back into her.
Uttering, "Foooood," half open lids sparkle with crackling bolts of red throughout rapidly dulling, gray eyes.
Recalling his story of dream-jumping into an unknowingly possessed Tsukiyomi for the first time, she rattles him until his eyes re-open, "Didn't Ryu's power give you a boost last night since it was—?"
Pausing with a cringe as her mind flashes with the images of Sanemaru, Mizuki, and a Ryu possessed Tsukiyomi intertwined, naked, Umeko bites her tongue when she feels her flesh heat up. Pushing away the fantasy of her joining the lusty, sexy threesome, she gulps, "In the flesh?"
Innocently raising his eyebrows with a boyish charm, "I used up half as much of his energy's power just to deliver the performance of a lifetime."
Sighing dreamily, looking off into the distance, "And I'll never be that way with anyone else again."
Shaking her head, contemplating shoving him off of her, "Seriously?"
Sanemaru raises a determined fist close to his face as he sits up on his own, "I did what any loyal servant would do while granted the intimate attention of their best friend and emperor."
Umeko pushes him off of her before standing up, making him use his abs to keep from falling back into charred grass, ashen mud, and a close-call puddle left as a remnant from the exploded stream.
Crossing her arms, "I can't believe feeding off me at a time like this," turning her back to him, "Is the only way you'll be able to get us away from here."
Upon hearing a quiet giggle to himself slowly grow into tongue blowing, spit flying laughter, he slaps his knees before crossing his legs and shaking his head, "That puny little body of yours can't even wet my palate."
Glaring at him, Fuck you too, then. I was trying to be helpful!
Massaging her temples with a deep breath to keep from staying offended by the only person on her side right now, Umeko chooses not to focus on Sanemaru as he pulls himself together into a slumped stand.
Wiping his hands clean on orange brocade trousers, "I need an entire, filthily and shamefully deprived," his eyebrows jump naughtily, "Village."
Shaking the mud free of his hand before looking around and frowning at the disrupted, trickling stream, "Or an EXTREMELY lonely, Biiiiig Biyuu with nothing left to lose who doesn't want to die a virgin."
Tilting her head, "Seriously?"
Turning around to scan their surroundings, "I didn't see anything like that near here before you landed. And I don't know about you but," Umeko places her hand on his shoulder.
Solemnly, earnestly, from the bottom of her heart, "I sure as shit can't beat any yokai for us."
Feeling the weight of the world return to her frail, slumped shoulders, Umeko buries her face in her hands.
Sucking in long, controlled breaths to keep from crying out her overwhelmed state, Umeko clutches onto every spiraling emotion threatening to tear her apart at the seams. The disadvantaged duo is abruptly jarred from their dismal circumstance by a soft, feminine voice just beyond their sight.
"Is anyone there?"
A worrisome tone breaks the silence from the other side of a dried up stream.
The ill-begotten pair follow the sound to lay eyes upon a middle-aged woman in simple, red robes carrying a woven basket of peaches. Stepping out from behind a thicket of brush, she reveals nurturing curves, snowy skin and flowing, sable hair.
Sanemaru's interest is immediately piqued through investigative eyes as Umeko reflects on all that has happened since they entered the clearing.
Is she really a blessing, Lord Izanagi? She has perfect timing. . .but dare I ask if. . .it's toooo perfect?
Smiling kindly at them from across the way, "I live nearby," the woman waves then points behind her, "I was picking peaches before that scary light and earthquake. I thought something fell from the sky."
Shaking her head, starting to back into the brush as Umeko's distrust fills her face and Sanemaru's mind is clearly focused on one thing, "And I–I know it sounds silly but. . ."
Hanging her head with a reflective giggle, locking eyes with Sanemaru, "I couldn't walk away without checking if everyone was alright," the delicate woman steps into the sunlight.
Sanemaru waves with a cheeky grin, "The good guys survived!"
Umeko slaps his hand down from the air, whisper-shouting, "Shut up!"
Sanemaru eyes the woman up and down then captures Umeko's disgruntled gaze, "She wants to give us help, so let's take it."
Running his tongue between his lips to moisten every crevice with the tip, "I Need to take everything she has," he closes his eyes to nod solemnly.
Ewwwwww. I don't like hearing him talk about fucking someone in front of me.
Peeking through one at the sound of Umeko's worry, "What if Ryu sent her?"
Holding her hips to glare suspiciously at Sanemaru, "What kind of woman runs to the rescue by herself without any weapons?"
Grabbing his hand and squeezing his fingers tight to pull him closer to her, Umeko whispers, "I think she's up to something."
Snatching his hand back, "Of course she is," he gently pounds the side of his fist into his palm.
"That beautiful vision of a maturely ripe woman is hiding a sneaky, wrinkly, raggedy ol' Yama Uba (mountain hag/witch)."
Covering his mouth with his hand to hide his lips from the woman's view, "She's probably hungry and thinks we're easy pickings since I'm empty and you're. . ."
Rolling his eyes off to the side, "Well," he looks back deep into Umeko's eyes, "You."
Pursing his lips to the side at the sight of the girl's irritated glower, Sanemaru waves with an apologetic smile, "You know what I mean."
Narrowing his eyes at her with a smirk, he pokes her sternum between words, "Squishy, gushy, tasty human."
Whacking his hand away, Umeko glances from the woman to Sanemaru, "We've gotta decide something now otherwise we're a couple of buttholes for making her wait this long to answer."
"You're taking too long to answer, you little 'Vulgar Vida'," he taps her nose, "I already told you she's got my vote."
Umeko frowns ugly hard until Sanemaru shakes her gently by the shoulders, "She doesn't know I can feed off her and you won't get hurt as long as we don't get separated."
Sanemaru looks beyond Umeko to wave and smile at the woman before spryly jumping to his feet.
Looking up at him like a filthy faker for having so much enthusiastic energy out of nowhere, she grumbles while he lifts her up. The steed's ears and tail twitch before he crosses an arm over his stomach.
Bowing to the woman across the way, "Forgive our caution, fair and beautiful savior!"
Praising her, "After facing the many dangers of a harsh world, one can never be too careful of a stranger's kindness. May I say," he places a hand on his chest and points from her to reach for the sky, "Our souls are refreshed to be greeted by a face that even Amaterasu-ōmikami rises each day to lay her eyes upon."
Are you fucking kidding me? He's never said anything THAT nice to me. . .
Stepping closer to the remains of a river dribbling to restore its previous flow, Umeko shakes her head in embarrassment, completely blown away by the way he's shamelessly flirting with the witch.
"We thank you for accepting the risk of being taken advantage of, just to come to our aid!"
Nearly groveling into a bow at the distant stranger with hope-filled eyes as he enters the dead-fish filled waterbed, the fire-haired steed doubles over in a questionably authentic pain.
Rolling her eyes, suspecting he's dramatizing his injuries as well, Umeko hurries to his side to guide his arm around the back of her shoulders for support.
…Why do I get such a bad feeling about this?