Chapter 21

The outskirts of Tokyo were very quiet, the last time he saw someone was a few blocks away outside their house tending to their garden.

Douma had summoned a forcefield to keep Shinobu warm during the storm so she didn't need to bundle herself in extra layers for the trip. In her hands were two onigiri he gave her too since she was hungry and hadn't eaten since morning. 

The winter storm was ravaging every part of Japan at this rate. This climatic chaos was spreading across like wildfire. Thankfully, Douma finally decided what to do, as much as he didn't want to because of the next outcome, this was the only solution.

"Hey Douma why are we taking the long route?" Shinobu asked.

"There's something else I have to settle we can't move on if the storm continues." The blonde answered leaving Shinobu a little curious about what her friend was about to do.

Beside them was a mount that the purple-haired girl had taken notice of, it seems Douma was heading that way to get closer to the dark sky. Shinobu watched, concern for Douma's safety from the looks of it this was a rather dangerous thing to be doing.

Douma went up the hill, no matter how aggressive the storm was there was no stopping him. 

"We're fighting fire with fire right now. It's too bad humanity doesn't have anything to combat this storm. Not like it's the first time they've encountered this." Douma looked up at the sky thinking about the effects of his next move.

"These humans leave me no other choice." 

Standing confidently, Douma took a deep breath and focused on the sky. His rainbow orbs started glowing with static forming between them in various colors.

As the energy emitted spiraled in all directions within the static, a ray of iridescent light was unleashed, travelling at high speed towards the sky, clearing everything in its path. Douma focused as the ray landed a direct a hit on the atmosphere within the formation causing the storm to disperse.

"Finally Earth is saved," Douma chimed. "See that wasn't so difficult you guys just have to be patient!"

The atmosphere shook from the impact with some rumbles in the sky before the thick masses slowly faded away revealing the bright blue sky once again. 

Douma smiled and proceeded down the hill, after this everyone will finally be able to leave their homes again without bundling up in numerous clothes. It was odd seeing people wearing five layers of clothing when it wasn't even Winter yet. Lucky for Douma he had a tolerance to the sheer cold, so his kimono was enough. 

Just when Douma set foot on the ground, another loud rumble was heard. The ground beneath him started shaking violently for a while before it came to a stop. 

"W-what's going on?!" Shinobu cried trying to maintain her balance she was further away from the mount which was her only form of support from the sudden quivers of the ground.

"Oh I knew that was going to happen," Douma continued walking towards Shinobu who had a bewildered expression on her face. "No more powers for today." The aftermath of using his powers was surfacing it's no surprise if another disaster struck. Even with good intentions came a huge price to pay. 

The sun was rising in the horizon Douma was glad to see its beauty again. Hopefully humanity will still be able to see and appreciate nature for a longtime.

"Shouldn't we be worried about the Earthquake?" 

Douma looked at Shinobu and smiled like nothing serious happened a few seconds ago. As always regardless of the situation the shrine leader will put up a smiling facade but Shinobu knew under that expression was guilt and remorse for what he has done.

"We'll be fine! Earth is just recovering that's all." Douma continued on, Shinobu narrowed her eyes at him unconvinced. How is one so calm after a potential disaster? Why did I even agree to this?

Skipping over a few rocks on the ground, Shinobu caught up with the blonde and realized something very important.

"Don't you think your outfit stands out too much?"

"What do you mean?"

"Anyone can easily recognize you as Paradise Shrine's leader, have you ever thought of blending in to avoid any sort of interrogation for example?"

Douma looked up at the sky thinking about what Shinobu had just said. It made sense but whenever he stops by the city he never changes his outfit nobody seems to notice except for a few glances here and there. 

"I suppose your right I am a myth after all but I rarely change my outfit during my trips." The blonde's gaze met Shinobu's with reassurance. "However since the current events are just so unpredictable right now I might as well I do have one outfit in particular."

Shinobu widened her eyes as Douma snapped his fingers and the dust surrounding him wore off like magic.

"Ta-da!" Douma was now wearing a coat and regular long pants while his white shoes remained, he'd definitely blend in well this time. The only aspect of him that would raise suspicion are his multicolored orbs.

"That's amazing Douma I wish I could do that instead of having to search my entire closet."

"Maybe you should clean it up or something that might help."

"Grrrrr." 

"Time to look for the source again." Douma sprinted across the clearing skidding to a halt when he noticed a few buildings in view.

"Seems like we've reached our destination." Based on their surroundings, they were at a park if both of them continued walking they'd reach Tokyo. Everything was going smoothly so far. The source of the sound could be anywhere now, Douma just had to find it.

And he was going to start by inspecting the area he was in, sometimes things are the least expected.

Blinking Shinobu didn't expect them to make it this far in just five hours. Now she really needed a break if only Douma would let her have one.

"I should start with this little cavern right here!" Douma walked closer towards the dark opening the cavern raised some questions it stuck out to him the most because everything else around him seemed normal but this. Not that caverns were strange it just seemed odd to have one at such a location of all places.

Oh great what is he up to now? Shinobu furrowed her brow watching her friend closely.

Putting a rock aside, Douma crouched and placed both hands on the stone sledge, inching closer towards the abyss. 

There was some movement in the den which raised alarm, Douma watched carefully as the creature got closer to the entrance eyeing the blonde who was waiting for it to show itself. 

To his surprise, a small dragon emerged from the cavern and hissed at him before running off into the bushes. He was not expecting that.

"That's not possible dragons don't make those kind of sounds." Douma got up and walked over to a patch of grass covered with dead leaves and twigs.

Hidden by a few shrubs was a big grumpy-looking squirrel staring at Douma angrily while holding a peach from one of the trees.

"Oh hello there! You don't happen to-

The squirrel threw its peach at Douma and crawled back in its tunnel burying it with more soil.

"That squirrel sure is mean." Douma rubbed his forehead and brushed off the grass strands and dirt from his coat. Finding the source of the sound was going to be tough nobody was willing to cooperate with him.

Sitting on a bench, Shinobu sighed and continued watching the chaotic scene unfolding. 

A rustling sound from one of the corners caught his attention. Immediately, Douma rushed over there to take a look maybe the culprit was hiding from him the whole time.

"I got you now!"

Douma peeked over the boulder quietly to avoid scaring off whoever was on the other side.

"SQUACK!"

A large bird screeched at him loudly as Douma fell back and watched as it flew away disappearing further into the trees.

Douma got up and looked at the path leading to the city it was time to get going there was clearly nothing here.

"Geez, Earth is full of strange creatures." Moving off the blonde thought about what he was going to do once he finds the source of the sound. It couldn't be that serious right? If something big were to happen Douma was prepared but he had to be careful, the planet just recovered from a major storm, it couldn't afford to have another climatic catastrophe.

But first, Douma wanted to grab a bite somewhere he needed a break from this investigation. Grabbing a surprised Shinobu, the blonde hurried down keeping an eye out for any restaurants that appeared in his view, the images of food flashed in his mind, he couldn't wait to sit down and eat peacefully.