travel-and-tourism-submissions (April-2024)

Hot Springs The Sun shines directly overhead. A light breeze wafts through the valley, scattering up the cherry blossom buds. This is the one time of the year we aren't positioned somewhere along the mountain range, waiting to be attacked. Sword training can be fun, but even I need a break once in a while. "Stop narrating to yourself!" Kuyo calls to me. "I-I wasn't narrating!" "Oh yes you were! You do this every year. We get this one break when the cherry blossoms bloom and you always waste it narrating instead of having fun!" "Hmph." "Can't even deny it anymore. Good. Serves you right." "And what's that supposed to mean?" He throws a wall of water my way. "It means have some fun!" "Oh it's on." I throw water right back at him. "I won't lose this battle."