The next morning, the rain that had fallen all night finally stopped. For the Land of Rain, where it drizzled year-round, this was already rare good weather.
Inside the wooden cabin, the charcoal left behind by the burned-out campfire still retained a trace of warmth. Chojuro, freshly awakened from his dreams, dazedly opened his eyes.
"Ah! Lady Mizukage, what's wrong?"
As Mei Terumi's guard, Chojuro looked for her the moment he woke up. One look was all it took to give him a fright. Mei Terumi had two huge dark circles beneath her eyes, opening and closing them as though she wanted to sleep but did not dare to. Her once-delicate face was now full of exhaustion.
Seeing Mei Terumi like this, Chojuro was shocked and cried out.
"Keep it down! Don't shout so loudly!"
Chojuro's shout woke Mei Terumi up considerably. She quickly gestured for him to lower his voice, then cautiously looked toward Uzumaki Kuming, who was sleeping some distance away. Seeing that he did not seem to have awakened, she quietly let out a breath of relief.
"Lady Mizukage, this is..." Seeing Mei Terumi in that state, Chojuro understood.
Then Chojuro sank into deep self-reproach.
"That's right. How could anyone sleep peacefully beside someone with unknown intentions?"
"As Lady Mizukage's guard, I actually failed to realize that and just went to sleep on my own."
"I even made Lady Mizukage keep watch. As a guard, I really am..."
Chojuro clenched his fists, his face full of guilt. Just as he was about to apologize, he saw Mei Terumi suddenly rise tensely to her feet.
"Y-you're awake?" Mei Terumi stared in astonishment at Uzumaki Kuming, who had sat up, and asked uneasily.
"That kid shouted so loudly. Of course I'm awake."
"And you look like that... You didn't