When the World Turned to Stone

The early morning air was crisp as Hanako stirred from her sleep, waking before the others. A gentle breeze drifted through the gaps in the wooden treehouse, carrying with it the fresh scent of damp earth and morning dew. 

She stretched, flexing her foot gently, testing its strength. To her relief, the dull ache that had plagued her for the past three days had finally faded.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she shifted her weight onto her once-injured foot.

"I can finally walk now," she whispered to herself, a quiet sense of triumph swelling in her chest. After days of struggle, being unable to move freely, she was finally back on her feet.

The treehouse was still silent, save for the rhythmic sounds of Taiju's light snoring and the occasional rustle of movement from Tsukasa, who turned in his sleep. Even Senku, the one who usually woke early, hadn't stirred.

Slipping down the wooden ladder, Hanako let the cool morning breeze greet her as she reached the ground. The sky above was painted in a soft gradient of purples and golds, the first signs of the sun creeping over the horizon.

'I should go for a walk,' she thought. 

It would be good to move around, to stretch her legs and let her muscles warm up again.

Her steps were slow at first, cautious, but as she grew more confident, she walked with ease toward the stream. 

The path was quiet, untouched in the early morning, the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds filling the air. Dew clung to the grass, brushing against her ankles as she moved. When she finally reached the water's edge, she crouched down and cupped a handful of water, watching as it trickled through her fingers, catching the faint glow of the rising sun.

The gentle rush of the stream was soothing. She sat down on a smooth rock, lifting her foot and dipping it into the clear water, washing away the last remnants of the crushed herbs that had been applied the night before.

The water was cold but not unpleasant—refreshing, even.

"The arnica leaves really are effective for bruises," she mused, trailing her fingers along the water's surface.

Letting out a soft sigh, Hanako submerged both feet, enjoying the way the coolness spread over her skin. 

She leaned back on her palms, taking in the scenery. It was peaceful here, away from the camp, away from the teasing remarks of Taiju and the constant movement of survival.

On a whim, she decided to take a swim.

With a quick glance around, she stood and began removing her outer layers, folding them neatly onto a nearby rock. Left in only her undergarments, she stepped into the water slowly, feeling the cool embrace of the stream climb up her legs. A small shiver ran through her, but she pressed on, wading deeper.

Once the water reached her waist, she took a breath and let herself sink, fully submerging before surfacing again, brushing her damp hair back from her face. The water rippled around her as she moved, her body relaxing in the gentle currents.

She floated for a moment, gazing up at the sky. It felt nice.

Her mind wandered as she drifted, and she thought of cats. The way they stretched lazily in the sun, how they twitched their tails just before pouncing, their complete disregard for everything when they found the perfect spot to nap. She imagined a cat in the water, how it would flail and hiss, utterly betrayed by the concept of being wet. The thought made her smile, but that smile soon faded.