At Liumu's faintly reproachful words, a sudden shimmer of tears welled up in Han's eyes.
Her nose twitched, and her heart ached.
With a whoosh, she flung herself in front of Liumu and pulled him tightly into her arms.
Having lived alone since childhood, when had Han ever enjoyed this kind of familial warmth? Though the two had once been strangers and opponents, now, beneath the same roof, they were like a real family, wholeheartedly looking out for each other without asking anything in return.
"Ow, loosen up, loosen up! They're too big! You're smothering me-I can't breathe!"
"Pfft!"
Only when she heard Liumu's cries did Han release her arms. Seeing him gulping down air in front of her, she burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at, you little brat? Are you trying to murder your emperor?"
Liumu shot Han an exasperated look before asking, "Why did you come here instead of getting some rest?"
Han replied, "I just saw lightning outside. It might rain tonight."
Rain?
Liumu recalled that back in Konoha Forest Guard Village, after trapping Danzo and the other two in a genjutsu, he had set it to automatically wear off after three days. Besides, as ninja, spending a night in the rain probably wouldn't hurt them.
"I mean, the clothes I washed today are still outside. I haven't brought them in."
Liumu: ...
"Then just say that! You had me guessing all sorts of things!"
With that, Liumu hastily wiped his hands a couple of times on a rag and walked straight outside.
By now, dark clouds filled the sky, with thunder rumbling and lightning flashing.
Though the rain had yet to fall, the air was already thick with moisture.
With a deafening crack, lightning like a giant dragon pierced the sky, twisting its enormous