Jin took her sweet time in the bath, scrubbing away and generally enjoying the time to herself. It was nice to have silence and just one’s own thoughts. Most of said thoughts were about the 5 days ahead of them, and plan after plan for what they needed to do. With the Gods’ blessing, it would be a short and uneventful journey for the three of them. Once she was done, she redressed in a clean robe and headed inside, humming softly to herself.

She noticed Ishawari asleep in the c hair and marveled at how he was staying upright. He could probably sleep standing up if the situation called for it. Jin was not the type of person who could sleep anywhere, unfortunately. It had led to a lot of exhausted nights on uncomfortable patrols. With a little smile, she found a blanket and draped it over him, then slipped into the room to sleep on the mat in the corner. Ishawari’s breathing and the Prince’s tiny snores lulled her off to sleep. 

-

“JIN!”

“HELP ME!”

Their house was a sea of flame. Jin could barely see her own face in the smoke and blistering heat. “Prince Hotaru, where are you?!”

She stepped in, the fire searing at her skin and robes. It hurt, but she had to get to the Prince no matter what. He called for her and called for her, but she couldn’t see him. She tried to run through the flames, but it was as if her feet were stuck in place. Why couldn’t she get closer? And where was Ishawari?!

Jin ran and ran, getting nowhere. Eventually she stumbled and fell. She thought it was a beam of wood, but when she turned it over, Ishawari’s lifeless gaze stared back at her. She sunk to her knees, clung to him as if she could bring him back to life with a touch. “No- this is all wrong – I was only gone for a few hours! No, no, no-” 

The house creaked around her, and then began to collapse.

“NO!”

-
Jin woke up screaming.