Kumo to Oto

Youmu left the train and looked around. They were near the border of Lightning Country, station here was the last and soon the train would make a round and go back. There was much more nature than in Kumogakure, much more than she was used to... it all felt quite unclean and unsafe, but beautiful at the same time. An idea of getting used to it all crossed her mind and she smiled, she liked it.

""Take the early train that will be going south, I have reserved a place for 4 people, leave that train at the fourth stop, then get into another which would depart 10 minutes after you come there, it will be going west, to the border of Lightning Country. Leave that train on the last station and head south-west by foot. If your companion isn't good at traveling, ask for directions local people, if there won't be any, then contact me..." That's what he said..." Youmu sighed after he recalled her Uncle's words. South-west it is then...

She checked her equipment, then went outside of the station. There was a light rain, but sky was promising some sun soon. She decided to wait till it stops raining and then continue. Youmu got back into the station and waited for Tsume till the train departed.

Tsume was sleeping when the train finally stopped. Slowly opening his eyes he glanced over entire compartment. Youmu was missing, it seemed that she had already left. All the boy did was yawning and scratching his forehead. Slowly and lazily he picked up his backpack and left through open compartment door. He looked to the left and to the right making himself sure that all the people have already left the train. As he slowly begun pacing towards door he remembered an old melody he once heard and begun humming.

At first only boys head appeared from open train door. Somehow it was a funny sight as the face seemed to do some strange and funny faces. Then, suddenly a backpack flew through the door and dropped on the ground with a loud sound. And following the backpack finally boy himself jumped out, still humming that strange melody of his.

Boy's head turn to the left and to the right, just as it did in train. It stopped suddenly and a smile appeared on Tsume's face. It seemed that he found what he was looking for. He muttered "Rero" and begun moving towards Youmu in a strange dance like step. As he approached Youmu he didn't stopped and passed right through her. Ten or more steps later he just suddenly turned at her and with a bright smile in his face yelled out. "So.... Which way?"

As usual, waiting for no answer he just ran outside and spotting first 'proper' spot fell down on the grass. It was wet of course but Tsume didn't care as he rolled around, finally stopping and looking up...

Youmu watched the boy, who acted quite strange, as he left the train. Tsume seamed very happy, most likely because of all this nature around him, that he even forgot his backpack and while doing something like dancing he passed Youmu. "So.... Which way?" "That wa-..." She didn't finish because Tsume didn't listen anyway, he was already rolling on the wet grass. "You're weird, you know..." She looked at the direction where they will be heading and noted that rain already stopped, so staying here would be a waste of time.

"Don't forget your backpack, we're heading South-West from here, by foot..." She said and started walking in that direction. "There should be a small village nearby the border, Yousei said that we can get supplies for our journey there. Then we'll cross the border and go through the forests to avoid some obstacles..." She repeated their course in her mind, then stopped and waited for Tsume to catch up. When he did, she put on her pace and walked South-West while watching the sky, it was very clear, Kumogakure rarely had such a bright and clear day. This brightness filled her soul and Youmu could forget, even for a moment, that fear of danger ahead.