"Sumi.... hey Sumiiiii..." the softly spoken words met the ears of the slumbering dragon's subconscious, bringing a rolling grumble from his lips. "Are you awake?" A miniature hand pawed at his cheek before he felt the nudging nuzzle of the girl trying to rouse him from his sleep.

"I am now.." he murmured, a rumble like distant thunder rolled through his chest as he turned his head from side to side. The sudden weight of the two-and-a-half foot tall fox-like creature crawled onto his chest. Azure blues fluttered open to the sight of teary malachite orbs. He blinked a few times to push away the thralls of sleep that kept calling his name. "Kameio?" he rasped, reaching up to rub the pads of his fingers against his eyes, further rubbing sleep from them. "What's wrong?"

The little fae creature, a girl of slight frame standing no more than two-and-a-half feet high. Hair the color of cream that matched the soft fennec fox ears that protruded from the side of her head. Wide doe-eyes that were currently glistening with emotion, the color of malachite, pale and green. Hands that were smaller in total length than the palm of his own hand, curled into balls beneath a delicately narrow chin. Legs folded beneath her as her pawed feet stood on his chest, balanced evenly and effortlessly. Her "Ryuga" kimono pulled over her bent knees, the same color as her hair with added sheen from the silk it was made from. The puff of cream-colored tail curled defensively around her propped feet.

One balled fist pulled away from beneath her chin, plucking at the silky fur of her tail as her eyes fell. "I dreamt about him again..." she spoke softly, hardly louder than a whisper. The admission brought a soft sigh from the dragon's nose, causing him to rise up to prop himself on elbows against the floor mat where he slept. "Kameio.." he started, his tone swept free of the rasp of sleep, leaving behind a warm softness for the little creature.

"I know he's gone, I know how long it's been, Sumi..." she sniffled, the nose naturally tinged a darker color than the rest of her milky flesh turned a shade pinker. She swiped at that button nose with her other balled fist, malachite orbs averting away from his peering azure blues. There was a wavering in her voice, a slight quiver to her bottom lip as she spoke. "Why must my dreams taunt me so?.." Balled fists came up, pressing the heels of those miniature hands to the sockets of her eyes, nearly forcing her body into an upright fetal position as she seemed to cave in on herself.

"Shh, shh, shh." He cooed to her, the rumble rolling through his chest as he slowly eased himself into a sitting position, arms folding around the tiny creature to catch her so she didn't fall from his upright torso. A soft squeak left her as she fell into his readied arms, flailing limbs ensued until she found herself in a comfortable position in the arms of the ancient dragon. Gentle whimpers and sniffles came from the ball of fae as her tuft of tail coiled around her itty bitty frame. "It is nearing the end of a season, reminding you of more time passed. Of course you miss him... we all do." Long legs pulled in to sit himself into a perfect lotus position, lowering the arms cradling the melancholy fae into the nest of warm limbs he created.

"Do... do you think he's still alive?" One of those malachite hues peeked up at him, shining with tears and sadness. A soft glimmer of hope flickered through that one peering orb, bringing a gentle and crinkled smile from the Old Sage. "You know he is, Kammy. Nothing... nothing can bring him down. I'm sure of it." A single nod issued from the dragon to the little fae, bringing a half-hearted smile from her as she burrowed into the coil of limbs. That peeping eye closed, a soft purr erupting from the ball in his arms as she let the soothing energy entwine around her that he offered.

Azure blues lifted away from the girl toward the crack in the sliding door, offering a small sliver of dawn light across the cherry wood floor. His chest rose and fell with the escape of air through his nostrils.

Kenji, old friend.. where are you?

It was in the midst of packing bags and planning ahead for the journey that he felt the familiar cool breeze of a certain alchemy-created air sylph. Rin's biggest accomplishment, an air sylph with a soul. Who wouldn't be proud of the beauty? A gentle smile crinkled his mouth even before he felt the familiar soft hands of Kazeko before his vision went dark due to his eyes being covered. "Good afternoon, Kay."

The airy, whimsical giggle from the bubbly bright sylph spun around him like fine silk before her hands dropped from his eyes, replaced instead with a hovering chin being placed on his shoulder. "Hi hi, Sumi!" A dramatic smile, eyes squinting shut before she abruptly turned her head to plant a kiss on the Old Sage's cheek. "I heard you're taking a trip! Where are you going?" Iredescent white eyes that held the same shimmering illusion as her wisping hip-length pig tails peered at him with bright curiosity as she reached for a pair of his underwear, holding them up and was just about to put them on her head when he plucked them from her grasp with two fingers pinching the waist band. "Somewhere I'm going to need my undergarments, Kay." His rumbling chortle sounded through his chest like a game of ping pong, moving up and up and up until it breached his lips.

"You could always..." Her teeth clamped down on the tip of a single pointer digit as she seemed in deep thought for a moment. "What's Norra call it... commander?" She blinked, shaking her head as pale white brows knitted together as she was trying oh-so-hard to think of the proper words. "Commando?..." He stopped folding his clothing, peering over his shoulder at her with a questionable look. She blinked once, eyes popping wide open as she bounced up and down a bit. Her finger pulled free from the pearly teeth and shook at him. "Yes! That's it! Commando!" She was beaming at that point, a smile wide enough he was surprised it didn't crack open her face. He tilted his chin downward, giving her that look that said it all. "I am most definitely not going to do that."

Gleeful giggles bubbled out from the created sylph, hands coming up to lace fingers together and she pulled her arms to her chest, promptly resting her chin upon those fingers. Her body turned from side to side, the sylph that never seemed to run out of energy. "You didn't answer my question on where you were going." She spoke it matter-of-factly, her accusatory tone brushed over him as clear as a cool breeze on a hot summer day. "No, I didn't." He spoke just as matter-of-factly as she had, continuing on with his folding and packing.

Her bottom lip poked out just ever so slightly in a pout, her turning from to side grinding to a halt before fingers unlaced in order to place them on sassy hips. "Why not?" She huffed, unable to bring herself to glare at the Old Sage, but she did scrunch her face at him. She blinked then, a sudden shift in the air and her mannerism as she clasped her hands in front of her, shoulders rising as she got the biggest, mischevious smile on her face. "Is it a seeeecret?" That grin spoke a novel, but the wise dragon didn't fall for it. "Yes it is," he said plainly, thwarting her curiosity and bombardment of questions. "Which is why I can't tell you." When he did look at her, his brows rose, giving her a stubborn look that stated he wasn't going to give in to her.

Finally, she sighed and dropped the act, plopping down on the corner of his dresser. The almost albino-white and adorable sylph stood at a whopping 6'1", only a mere 4 inches shorter than the dragon. Her lanky arms crossed loosely over her abdomen as she watched him pack in silence. "You'll be back right?..." Her lyrical tune was muttered no higher than whisper, washing over him with worry and a tinge of fear. Hopeful, round eyes gazed directly at him, staring intently as she waited on an answer.

That question pulled him to a dead stop of his current task, slowly lowering a shirt he had been folding to the top of the dresser. Azure blues met the pearlescent whites of hers, watching her for a moment with a slight look of confusion. His head tilted to the side, "You know I'll be back." He let go of the fabric between his fingers, closing the slight distance between himself and the creation which was only a mere couple feet. Gentle, soft hands cupped the full cheeks of the paler-than-the-moon elemental and he gave her a sweet, honest smile. "No matter where I go, or how long, I'll always be back. This is home, Kay. You all are my family." A soothing kiss was brought to her forehead, making her break out into a fit of giggles. "Feel better?" He inquired, releasing her face from his hands as he moved back to the open suitcase to resume his folding of clothes.

"Much." She admitted, full of smiles and bubbly pep all over again. A couple bounding steps toward him as she nearly flung herself around his back, nuzzling her face between his muscular shoulder blades as she gave a light squeeze. "Can we do some meditation and Tai Chi before you go?" Letting go, she started bouncing toward the sliding door, peering back at him with hopeful eyes. He gave her a wide, wrinkled smile over his shoulder. "You bet." An excited clap of hands, and an overly dramatic smile before she skipped out of the room, politely closing the door behind her for him.

A slow smile drifted across his mouth, crinkling the corners of his eyes. Kazeko's giddy nature was nearly impossible to not fall into, though he wasn't the cheerleader type to start bounding off the walls. Thank Heavens.. I would tear them all down.

In full lotus position, the dragon sat. Hands curled lazily over his knees as his posture remained still and steady, those azure orbs remaining closed. The best of the Old Sage expanded and deflated in calm, slow breathing techniques as he let the stillness of mind take over. It was in his training studio that he meditated for the moment, taking advantage of the quiet of after-meal laziness that gave the grounds a couple hours of quiet.

Through this state of meditation, he foresaw the approaching steps of a certain woman with chocolate colored hair, matching dark eyes and looking prim in her Ryuga Clan kimono. Her soft steps came to the paper door, sliding it open with a prompt greeting from Sumi. "Good evening, Tsukiko." He greeted, using a name only few know about, and even less call her instead of her common name of Saeki.

"Evening, Sumi." She returned the greeting, balancing a sterling silver tray with a palm of a delicate hand. The tray held a porcelain tea kettle, as well as two ceramic yunomi cups, elegantly etched with traditional designs. "I've brought your tea, but you already know that." A fox-like smile spread across her face as she slid the paper door closed and shifted her hands to cradle the silver tray. Dainty feet crossed the floorboards to where he sat, kneeling first to rest the tray on the floor before settling into her own position of sitting with her legs beneath her rear.

"My appreciation, Kiko." He mused, those blue gems in his eye sockets fluttering open as he felt her presence beside him. A knowing smile of his own came to rest on his features as he watched her pour the tea into the yunomi, "of course I knew you were coming. Has nothing to do with seeing it first." He sighed softly out of his nostrils, eyes blinked to a close as he turned his head from side to side to stretch the muscles of his neck. "I knew it would only be a matter of time before you came to address me about the upcoming trip I'm taking."

A gentle curve of a smile appeared as she held out one of the cups to him, steam coiling up into the air from the heated liquid. "Of course you did." After he took the cup from her hands, cradling the hot cup between his hands and gave a couple cooling blows to the tea before a sip was taken from the yunomi. "...You're going to look for him, aren't you?" She wasn't looking at him as that question fell from her tongue, quiet as a mouse's footsteps the words were spoken. A steady stream of air was pushed between her lips to the tea cup in her hands, pushing away the steam before her chocolate orbs ticked ahead of them while she sipped from the cup.

It took him a moment to respond, as Saeki was someone he didn't want to know the reasons behind the trip. After all, talking about the disappearance of her husband was still a touchy subject, even after all those years. Finally, a slow and single nod of his head was given, avoiding her gaze as much as she was avoiding his. "Aye..." He whispered, unable to bring himself to lie to her, not only out of respect for the woman but because it would be a pointless venture.

She was quiet for what felt like ages, her gaze staring into the remains of her empty yunomi. As she contemplated what to say next, she went ahead and refilled both of their cups of the steaming liquid, setting the heated kettle aside on the tray before resuming her previous avoiding of his eyes. Her shoulders moved only slightly as she sighed, "do you think he could be there?" Her inquiring toned wavered as she spoke, turning her head away from him completely in the opposite direction of where he was seated.

A long stream of air escaped his nose until his lungs were empty, blue hues drifting down to the steam rising from his cup. "Honestly, I have no idea if I'll find anything. I remain hopeful, but... I don't want you to be disappointed should I come back empty handed." He repeated Raiden's previous words, a pad of his finger tracing the rim of his cup as he gave a testing glance over to his old friend's wife, the woman who had become their leader. The land belonged to him through the ceremony he'd made with Sakura, but the Clan itself belonged to the other half of who created the Clan in the first place.

Her gaze finally came to settle on his, a tenseness in her jaw from her holding back emotions about the topic, and the faint narrow of her eyes that weren't particularly meant for him but the situation in general. "I've learned over the years not to keep my expectations any less than pessimistic, Sumi. It's far less risk to feel the crushing disappointment. If you find anything.. wonderful. But if you don't.. Well, I didn't expect you to in the first place." She didn't doubt for a second his ability to seek out the knowledge or information on her missing husband, but everywhere else they'd sought out information or him, they'd come back dry with no leads. She couldn't handle more heartbreak when it came to the search. She couldn't bring herself to take another husband again, but she had taken comfort in a great deal of things in the meantime. Memories never forgotten of her husband, but her hopes of making more with him had faltered and halted to a stop.

His jaw set, the optimistic dragon still held slivers of doubt that his old friend was deceased, and looked forward to a day that they all would be reunited with their original leader. "Tsukiko... Remaining hopeful.." He started, but was cut off by the stern tone of the woman beside him.

"Is nothing but heartbreak and misery... and being reminded when it fall through of memories past that will never be returned." Flashes of anger spread through her gaze before she averted her gaze from the ground's Sage. Her tone significantly softened as she reached out to set her yunomi on the tray. "My apologies, Sumi.. I didn't mean to bring that to you." She seemed ashamed to have lost control of her anger for that split second, her arms coming up to wrap around herself.

His empty cup was set next to hers on the tray, the hand coming then to settle on the delicately toned shoulder. "Don't ever apologize to me for that. He was my friend, but he was your husband. I understand your choice of saving yourself from further heartbreak." His tone was soft as he gave a comforting squeeze to her shoulder. "Whether I come back with anything or not, I won't give up my search. There's still plenty of places I haven't looked. I won't give up until all resources have been spent." He confided in her, his gaze fierce on the side of her face as she was still averting her gaze.

A slow nod came from her, a pat to the hand on her shoulder before she cleared her throat. "Thank you, Sumi.." It wasn't more than whisper, riddled with various emotions that she was trying to swallow. "Your optimism would make Tsukuyomi make a face at you." She laughed softly, half-hearted at that.

"Absolutely." He grinned, the Ryuga Clan had the power of Tsukuyomi, but he was not a god Sumi followed. He was there by association and it was his land shared. Other than that, he didn't associate with their gods. A calming hand came up to stroke the back of her hair, giving her a soft smile. "Thank you for the tea, Kiko."

"You're always welcome, Sumi. Keep me informed of your travel." She took the opportunity to break away from the conversation, the opening she was greatful for. She was on the brim of controlling her emotions, and she wanted some time alone now. The Old Sage's intuition was something she never took for granted, as he always seemed to know how to handle things. She wondered why it was her that lead the Clan, when he would do a better job. She'd offered it to him, but he'd declined.

"Of course," a simple nod given to her as he watched her collect the tray and rise to her feet, his hand sliding away from her shoulder in the meantime. Without another word, her soft footsteps carried her out of the room and through the paper door. He watched her in silence until the door closed behind her, a soft sigh escaping him. In that moment, he hoped for everything it was worth that he would find something in RhyDin.