Light's Thunder
Ch2: Becoming Stronger

"Where are you going?" Hiten asked me one evening, which was two weeks after I decided to let him court me.

"I'm just going out to get herbs and roots for my moisturizing oil, Hiten. I won't be long." I looked at the eldest Thunder Brother as I put my pouch in my fighting kimono.

"Fine, just stay close to the castle. I don't want you ending up getting lost." Hiten crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

"I won't." I couldn't help but grin a little at his "concern" for me. I placed my twin blades on my back that were giving back to me after Hiten and Manten released me. I took one more look at Hiten and walked out into the cool crisp night.

"Hiten, are you sure it was a wise decision to let her go off on her own?"

"Hmm?" Hiten looked at his brother.

"Well, what if she tries to make a run for it?"

"She won't. Hikari knows she can't get away from me. But…," Hiten stood up and grabbed his Thunder Pike, "It might be a good idea to go watch over her, since Mother and Father will be coming soon." [1]

"Right."

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I sat down by the little stream that had wild lavender growing by its grass covered bank. I had collected nuts, wild mint cloves, wild lavender, flower roots, Sakura tree roots, and honey in my small flask. I was relaxed by being back in my natural environment. I sighed with content as the stream whispered past me as it reflected the gorgeous full moon.

I relaxed even more and I started to sing,

"Look at the sky tell me what do you see
Just close your eyes and describe it to me
The heavens are sparkling with starlight tonight
That's what I see through your eyes

I see the heavens each time that you smile
I hear your heartbeat just go on for miles
And suddenly I know why life is worthwhile
That's what I see through your eyes

That's what I see through your eyes

Here in the night, I see the sun
Here in the dark, our two hearts are one
Its out of our hands, we can't stop what we have begun
And love just took me by surprise, looking through your eyes

I see a night I wish could last forever
I see a world we're meant to see together
And it is so much more than I remember
More than I remember
More than I have known

Here in the night, I see the sun
Here in the dark, our two hearts are one
Its out of our hands, we can't stop what we have begun
And love just took me by surprise, looking through your eyes
Looking through your eyes…" My song ended softly. My mother always said that I could song almost as if I was a siren, I never really believed her.

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An hour had past since I left the castle. "I should head back now I guess. Or else I'll never here the end of it from Hetin." I said looking in the direction of the castle.

Then something ran past me. I looked to see a hideous lowly Youkai race into the wood. I saw the gleam of three Sacred Jewel Shards embedded in its back. I looked back towards the castle then at the demon. I chased after it.

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Hiten and Manten landed by a stream where Hikari's scent led them. "What? She should be here; this is where he scent has led us." Manten looked around for the vixen.

"Not exactly brother," Hiten looked towards the forest; he pointed his Thunder Pike towards the forest that eventually turned into a barren mountain range. "Here scent continues on that way."

"Yes, I see."

"What is she thinking? I told her not to stray too far. Could Manten be right, is she really trying to make a run for it?" Heiten thought inwardly then he spoke aloud, "Let's go retrieve her Manten."

"I'm right behind you Hiten." Manten said as he and his brother flew into the forest.

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I was now running through less tree covered part of the forest. I was closing in on my prey. I jumped into the air, drew my swords, came down towards the demon and slashed his back, therefore carving out the Shards. I caught them as I landed and the demon fell to the ground. I cleaned the shards with a cloth and placed them into my forehead. The shards accepted me and increased my power.

I looked around as I was surrounded by twenty demons of the same species of the demon I just slew.

"Lil Kitsune!" I heard Hiten call me by the little pet name he gave me. Hiten and Manten landed behind me.

"Stop yelling I can hear you." I didn't look at him. I wanted the Shards I had to be a surprise. "…Hey Manten."

"Y-Yes?" Manten sounded surprised that I was talking to him in when Hiten was getting ready to yell at me.

"Hold on to these for me, will you?" I tossed my moisturizing oil ingredients to Manten before he could respond. "You two might want to get back." I said.

Manten and Hiten looked at each other confused then they decided to do what I said, they flew up into the sky. The demons surrounding me got closer, "Back off…FOX FIRE!" I unleashed a devastating sea of aquamarine blue colored flames, which in gulfed the forest for miles, the demons all burned to a crisp.

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"Unbelievable…" Hiten gaped at what Hikari just did.

"But how…?" Manten floated on his cloud next to his brother. They landed behind Hikari like they did before.

"Vixen, how did you do that?" Hiten grabbed her shoulder and turned her around to face him. Hiten inhaled sharply when he saw the shards on her forehead. "You have three Jewel Shards?"

"Yeah. I found them. I tracked them. I retrieved them. I call debs." Hikari pointed to herself.

"I thought you said you were only getting things for that oil of yours." Hiten said glaring a little.

"I was until I noticed the Jewel Shards and I decided to go after them."

"Yeah when I told you not to wander off."

"I'm okay, aren't I?"

"Yes."

"Then what's the…?" Hikari stopped midsentence and swayed a little before falling forward into Hiten's strong arms. Hiten caught her and left her into his arms bridal style.

"It seems as though she still needs time for her body to adjust to the Shards." Manten stated.

Hiten held Hikari closer, "Yes, let's get out of here."

To Be Continued…

[1] As I recall they never exactly mention if the Thunder Brother's parents are deceased.