Safe haeven from a new threat

The man stumbled from a sort of exhaustion. It was a long travel from the outskirts of Kumo to the one hidden village, but it was also a Blizzard. That was something that was just pissing him off. He hated them. He could barely see. He left his hand out behind him in case Kaelos couldn't see either, she would be able to tag along by touch instead.

The winds were harsh but they were close. It'd been almost a few days now, and it seemed they weren't getting anywhere. With snow everywhere it was sort of like, sort of like there was nothing but...well..snow. The passage of time did seem long for him, but that was because he lost his family, and was now returning to the place he burred them, and killed them.

The thoughts echoed through his mind as the snow pounded his face. But if Kae kept close to him, she wouldn't be pounded so hard due to his large over sized bag he was carrying on his back. This set the full force of the wind and snow on him, instead of her. Finally, they reached a small village that obviously looked run down and abandoned. There were still food supplies in case of disaster in each house that wouldn't go bad for another few years. He wandered in to the center of the town, his eyes setting to find his old house.

wandering a good ten minuets he finally found it. He stopped just before the door, staring at it. The snow causing his face to become red from wind burn and the shear cold. He finally pushed open the door. The blood still on the walls as well as a faded stench of death. It was a wreck but still a place of shelter just in case. It wasn't far from the Village of Yuki, but it was outside of it, enough where nothing that happened in Yuki would affect it, well as long as it wasn't a food shortage.

The blizzard was pounding the tin roof and causing massive problems with cold. Walking over to a small heater he turned it on, luckily it still had gas from that day, somewhat stale, but still usable. He sat down at the table, where a fresh meal was placed, well at the day it was fresh. He slid it aside so it would fall to the floor and he sat there, staring at the table. His thoughts raging and his feelings showing his true emotions. Though he rarely cried, his right eye formed a tear. it was from his loss.

The loss of family, friends, and even his own life. What he did wasn't excusable, and he wished he had one day, no, one measly minute to tell his parents he loved them one last time, just one time, before they died. He didn't say it them, and they died before he could even apologize. So he sat there, the events playing over and over, and his mind beginning to jumble of emotions. With out knowing it, he dropped the bag and it made a crashing on the floor, where he then slunk in his seat, the second blade he had forgotten about in a nice sheath, behind his belt.

“...” Kaelos has been silent the entire time they have left Kumo and went on their way to Yuki. Her eyes were completely downcast on the snowy ground as she trudged along the trail that Aku made for her to follow him. Her whole body shivered. It wasn’t just because of the cold either. She also shivered at the thought of her cousin now invested with the virus that caused the people of Konoha and now Kumo to become zombies. Her mind was in turmoil as she was forced to leave and abandon her cousin, just to protect herself. You really are a monster…leaving your only family member behind…allowing him to get infected…the people in Konoha had a legit reason to call you a monster… She thought to herself as she closed her eyes tightly. When she slipped, she quickly reached out with a hand as if to grab something. Luckily, she grabbed onto Aku’s hand, which helped her get back on her feet. She never let go of his hand, only tightens her grip on it as if it was her only life line now. I hate myself…I wish I allowed myself to be infected… She thought to herself as she silently sighs under her breath.

As they moved on the trail, she kept her body close to his since he was kind enough to take the full force of the wind as well as the snow. She knew that she owes him now, but how she would repay him back is still unknown. When they stopped in front of one of the houses that were buried in snow, she starts to open her eyes. What she saw made them narrow slightly as she sees blood on the walls and smelled as if death was still here. She didn’t say a word as she came in, who was she to judge him on where he took them or what he possibly did within his past. She stayed by the door, looking out a window blankly, though in the corner of her eye she watched her new friend move to a table to clear it off before it looked like he was about to cry. She frowned and silently moved over to him, laying her cheek on top of his head as her arms wrapped around him gently. She was giving him what they both needed, comforting. Her eyes closed fully before she buried her face into his hair, her body shook a bit as if she was silently crying. She didn’t want anyone to see how hurt she was, but she couldn’t keep her pain inside.

The male, his eyes now in an almost full down poor of tears, though silent as the girl. He felt her rest her cheek on his head, and oddly enough, through the wet snow, he could feel her tears. He gently let his hands rest on the her sides, attempting to pull her on to his lap if she allowed it. His hands would wrap around her body. His right hand would then rest on the back of her head.

I know how you feel Miss Hoshi. As you can see, my family was lost to me as well. I understand your pain, and it is alright to let it go. I have cried for almost nine years straight because of my past, it's not something you should hold in."

He whispered to her, his body just holding hers, If there was any sexual thoughts in either of their heads, it was bound to be long gone by now. All that was left, were the two nearly exactly the same people, and their losses.

As the male moved slightly only to pull her into his lap, at first she resisted but then allowed herself to be pulled on to his lap. Through all of this her eyes were closed, as if doing so would make her stop silently crying. At the words that he whispered to her, she shook her head some. “What’s the point of crying? It never does anything. It doesn’t change what has been done.” She said as she stayed sitting on his lap within his arms. “I left the only survivor of my clan behind. The only person that has cared for me since my parents were killed. And I allowed him to be infected with that damned virus. I abandoned the only person that I know of so far that won’t abandon me. The people of Konoha were right about me…I’m a monster.” She stated as she lowered her head, her nails were digging into her own skin since her hands were making fists. Kaelos was bottling up all her emotions, she didn’t see them useful in changing the circumstance that she is now in, or what was the point of crying? There’s none in her point of view.

"Oh but there is a point. You see, if you bottle it up and keep it inside, it'll destroy you. Tear you apart, and even...kill you. Physically AND mentally...It's a horrible thing and I wish no one to suffer such a fate as I've had. I constantly kill myself mentally and try to repay my debt to the world, and my family. Because every day I am closer and closer to wondering why I let myself live. The best thing I COULD do for them, was to die. But someone showed me that was not the case. The best way to put those lost to rest, is to cherish the memories you have of them, and in my case, an eternal debt of helping others to make up for my darkest secret..."

The male said as he held on to her slightly tighter now. He was sad, it was obvious. The more he talked about it the more he wondered what he's always wondered. Why was he still alive. But the more he spoke, the more he understood what he was doing was the right thing, to help others for eternity was the right decision for him. His eyes were still somewhat closed and his head resting on her body.

"You are not to blame. If anything I am to blame. I was the one who you stumbled in to. And if it not for me, you would have possibly been able to save him, but then again maybe not. It'd be hard to tell for one, and for two, just remember who he is, and he you are. And with those on your mind, you can live on, And not everyone will leave you. I don't have any intention....of leaving you behind..."

Kaelos didn’t say anything as she simply just listened to Aku. “Crying is showing weakness. I will not allow myself to show weakness. I can’t afford to. Besides it’s too late for it tearing me apart. It already has.” She simply stated as she sighed and closed her eyes, keeping her eyes averted from his own. In a way, she was hinting at her more dangerous persona that she calls Blood Solstice. She hated how he saw this side of her. She wanted to appear as someone who is strong and fearless, crying in her mind makes it seem as if she’s really a coward. Plus she hates looking weak and she won’t allow others to see her in that position. At Aku blaming himself for her cousin getting infected with the virus, she glared at Aku with a look that could kill. “You are not to blame. I am. I could have just walked away or perhaps not even go up to you but I chose to do so. It’s my fault I lost sight of him in the first place. Besides we fought those infected back at Konoha before we left. Perhaps I too am infected.” She said as she looked away and at the bloodied wall. “Sadly sooner or later you will…just like all the rest…” She said as she had a grim look on her features. “If it’s a virus…it’s possible to find a cure…right?” She asked him after she was deadly silent for almost ten minutes.

It was an odd time for Hiro to walk in, seeing two people in such a sad state. Sadness. Something Hiro didn't feel. Or at least she refused to feel. Even worse she had to break into someone's house to ruin this bonding moment. It was nothing personal, simply business. She had orders, she needed to follow. The curves and design of her face remained hidden beneath a mask, though it may have been fake, she would not reveal herself in a situation as this. After all she didn't want someone to send a hitman after her or something of that sorts. Her body crashed through the window, obviously with no regard to the person's home, falling into a roll and then she swayed to her feet. It had been one fluid motion taking only seconds.

The black of her hair fell to her shoulders, swaying from the movements, pulled back into a limp sort of ponytail. Her body held a pair of long pants reaching her ankles and a top that clung to her body not for looks, but for convenience. It may not have seemed quite the attire for the village she lived in, but the fact remained that she was used to this place, it was her home. She seemed unfazed as she browsed over the two individuals, seeing them despite the fact her mask held no actual eye holes, but nearly unseen slits. It didn't matter, she didn't use her eyes to see anyways. Instead she used her mind. And currently active was her one move in particular that allowed her to track nearly anyone. The colors swirled in her eyelids, as she closed them to un-confuse actual sight with the mind's eye.

Her body adjusted as her entrance would begin to settle into their minds. Her hand rose, pointing a kunai towards the woman with the red hair. "Miss, you have to come with me." Her voice was monotonous, almost like that of a robot; holding no care whatsoever about their may-be feelings. It was a mood-crusher for sure and yet her aura only held one thing; a total indifference. It was that of an anbu's and yet, she was no such thing yet. She wasn't that strong, though her tactical prowess had impressed the kage himself, if only once. This mission was one placed for all ninja. She held nothing against the girl personally, simply following orders.

The male listened to the woman. and sighed again. Finally a crash happened and a girl came through. Pointing a Kunai at Kae. Aku shifted just right so Kae would be placed in the chair and Akutabi would be standing between the two women. The girl stated that Kae had to come with her. The male spoke up to her as he evaluated the surroundings. Even with a blizzard there was enough light that cast a shadow around the girl and the male. It was all he needed.

"Miss, you may be here to take the girl, but I'm here to not let that happen..."

He stated as he simply stood there. Gently his hand reached to the blade behind him attached by a saya to his belt. Unsheathing it he just stated. With no sudden movement, his body suddenly was over taken by shadows, and he dissipated. With in seconds a silver flicker would appear next to the woman's throat from behind her.

"I think you should put your Kunai down..."

Kaelos looked to where she heard the crash, her eyes narrowing at the other female as she pulled out a kunai to possibly use on her. Kaelos would usually just laugh at whoever would do that, as if she didn’t see them as a threat. But this time…her mental mindset was slightly unstable from what has happened before so she was rearing for a fight. “I’m not going anywhere.” She stated as she stood up and faced the female, her hand moving to pull free the red-bladed katana she had on one of her hips. She slightly glared at Aku as he moved to stand in-between herself and this other female that dares to threaten her with a kunai. “I can take care of her myself.” She told him, but sighing as her eye twitched in annoyance as he went ahead to protect her. As she watched Aku use his jutsu on the woman, she merely crosses her arms over her chest as she eyes the other female. One of her eyebrows quirked upwards as she watched the female to see what she chooses to do.

Hiro seemed unfazed as she stood in her confident posture. To some it may have seemed snooty. Her expression hidden beneath her mask as she stepped forward towards the man who stood in the way. Yet shock stepped in as he appeared behind her, a cold steel on her throat. For once a look of shock would stay on Hiro. Her eyes wide in her head, but none could see it. It was a shadow user. She hadn't expected that. She was startled, off guard, but her composure returned as she let off a sigh. "Why must you fight? It is decreed all foreigners must go to the kage for questioning." Her voice was cold as her eyes curved to glare at the man behind her with a solemn glower. "And you.. are either a snow ninja who disobeys orders or a foreigner yourself." Her arm remained straight as she turned her eyes back to the girl. "It is nothing personal, simple questioning. There have been a lot of your kind here. Yuki has become alarmed. After all, this village should be secluded. No one should know of this place." She showed nothing hostile, a strictly business sort of aura. The girl was heartless, detached and her actions showed it well.

The male sighed a little. Letting his chakra take the blade and he walked around to stand between the two again. He didn't move at all after, just watch. He then spoke as if he was the same person as her.

"..."

He didn't say a word but simply looked at the woman. He then pulled out a small card he used it touch spots. It almost always worked. Showing it to the woman, it would hopefully make her lay down her arms and let her settle down. He simply stood there, waiting. The Kusanagi still being held by his chakra.

"Friends help Friends, that's just how it is Kae."

“I don’t answer to anyone. Not you. Not the Kage. No one.” Kaelos stated as her eyes narrowed more at the other female and darkened in color as her anger was rising. “If it’s just a simple questioning as you claim, then there is no reason to threaten someone with a kunai. And the people of Yuki would have done the same thing if a virus started within their village and took hold of it until it became the hive for those who are infected.” She stated as she didn’t move her body an inch. Her eyes only glanced away from the other female when Aku moved to stand between the two of them. She watched how he touched a card before showing it to the female. What is that card for…what did he do to it… She thought to herself as Aku spoke to her. “I am still getting used to having a friend other then…him…” She said as she closed her eyes at the thought of her cousin, but she reopened them before she could show any emotion of hurt or sadness as she was not going to show any weakness of her emotions to this other female.

Hiro felt sort of bad. It wasn't something she liked, so quickly she once again cut away her feelings. She closed her eyes, relaxing when the man moved away. Her arm lowered as she reached up and pushed the mask up and out of her face. Her ice eyes were soft, showing a sort of sympathy, though only hinting. She had no real feelings, did she? She couldn't tell. "It's not my choice. Most times I am assaulted within seconds, I had the kunai out not as a threat but as a precaution." Her bangs fell down over her forehead.

She dropped her arms and looked away. "What is an infection?" She asked. "I know nothing of what you speak of. I only know that there are refugees here and the Yukikage fears we are being spied on." She looked away, glaring at the wall. "I have no choice. I am given demands I must follow them. It is.. my duty." She expected the glares and hate. It was something she had come accustomed to.

The male stood there and watched. The female put her guard down. Because of this, Akutabi smiled a bit and put the card in his pocket again. Then, the blade flew back to his hand and he sheathed it. Looking at the girls he smiled gently.

"Perhaps we should talk here. If it's questioning, then we will just talk here."

The male, Akutabi, stood there and even offered a seat to both the women. He then stood about, waiting for anything to happen. It was now, that everything would happen. This is when relationships would make or break the people here.

Kaelos moved away from the female as well as Aku as she went to the broken window and just looked out of it. Her eyes watching the snow swirl in a rapid yet beautiful fashion before her as she was deciding whether to give out information or not. “The infection was started by a virus that first appeared in Konoha. I do not know how this virus came to be or how it can be passed from one to the other, but I do know that it controls it’s host. My cousin and I had to fight through some innocents who fell victim to it, granted I could care less about their lives since they have abused me…but I am human after all.” She started to say before she turned her head over her shoulder. “The people were like zombies and the virus has already spread into Kumo. My cousin fell to the virus after I lost sight of him when I was following him into Kumo. Yuki is not worth my time to spy. I am loyal to no village so therefore there is no need for me to spy.” She said as she turned to face the female as well as Aku. She was not looking for any sympathy, she was just telling her all the information she knows as of now. “If it’s like a virus then there should be a cure…at least I hope so. I want my cousin back…” She softly whispered as her hands turned into fists.

Hiroko nodded, listening intently. Her eyes watching each movement, her hands pulling to a hand seal. Her breath took inwards then left outwards. A sort of wave of chakra released then she stood back to an upright position. She had simply released a jutsu, allowing her chakra to calm and not be sucked out. The mind's eyes was a constant jutsu and it was taxing. In a time when she had no worries it was simply a waste of energy. After all she could sense without it, just not as well. Her body didn't move to sit, yet her eyes moved to the man, simply staring at him with an odd expression. It was like she was trying to figure something out. However after realizing she was staring, she stopped and looked to the girl. Her heart had been thudding. That man seemed vaguely familiar and her body's reaction made her feel annoyed.

"I see... If it is a virus, then there should be a cure somehow." She spoke in her monotonous tone, pushing back the strange fluttering thoughts in her mind. She hated when she had feelings. They were complicated; unneeded. Her mind focused on the woman, she didn't feel an unknown emotion around her, a sadness though took it's place. Hiro could relate to a feeling of misplacement, but she refused to show the sympathy, seeing as this woman's personality screamed 'Pity me and I will tear you apart.' "I apologize for destroying the evening I did not know the kage had sent out someone else already." She was now refusing to look at the man, as if angered by his presence.

The male nodded and looked back towards Kae. Out of view of the other girl he winked at her. He then turned back to the girl who barged in and studdied her. For a moment, he could have sworn he saw her before. It was just a hunch but, back then, he remembered one little girl. He smiled a bit and remembered fully now.

"Hiroko...Metsuru. Ah yes, that's who you are. How could I have forgotten such a woman who could call a Gamma a fool. Well, then again I did some stupid stuff back then."

He said as he smiled again. The male just stood there, smiling. Sine he trusted the girl behind him, he felt no need to stay alert. But he only sort of trusted Hiroko.

At the female’s response to having someone else being sent to question her, her eyes turned to Aku instantly. At the sight of him winking to her, she understood now what he did. But some inkling within her would still question Aku and whatever he says as well as does from this point on. Yes, she was slow to trust others. Wouldn’t you if you were in place? I thought so. At Aku smiling as he seemed to remember this girl, Kaelos only rolled her eyes, still annoyed about what happened earlier. “Aku, this is not really the best time for a reunion. Let me know when you’re done.” She stated before she moved away from the two to a corner, where she sat down with her back against the wall. Yes, she was jealous. She never had a friend to have such a reunion with, her cousin not counting of course. As she did, she took out her red-bladed katana and began to sharpen as well as clean it, her staying silent through the whole thing. Her eyes were completely focused on her blade while she was thinking to herself, yet she was also keeping a close eye on the two Yuki natives out of natural habit. “Hadora…now I’m going to have to beat you twice…grabbing my breasts and now allowing yourself to be infected...you damned dirty old man.” She said in a whisper to herself before an amused smirk appeared on her lips. She was starting to get over what happened earlier, gaining control over her mind and emotions once more.

Hiro felt sort of out of place based on the actions of the two. She felt her own tinge of something as the two seemed to share something secret. Something special. Friendship? Was that what it was? She couldn't be too sure. Hiroko didn't know what friendship was. Her reasons were slightly different though. As Kaelos was tormented by her clan mates, Hiroko was tortured by by her superiors. Her parents, long gone from her life and in a way, Hiroko was glad, after all her mother was a good-for-nothing drug addict and her father simply killed himself, leaving Hiroko in the grasp of the crazed woman. Her teacher, someone she trusted dearly, had manipulated her into feeling nothing at all with her emotions. Even her elders would frown at her in her given situation. Until now Hiro hadn't minded, after all, she had never had the time for friends in the least, but for some reason, today she felt a rage of emotions being around the two. She didn't like it, not one bit.

The man once again spoke, yet his words confused her. "How do you know my name...?" She started, her brow crinkling a bit, the scar over her left eye beginning to glare at the word, if only for a moment. The pieces were slow to fall together, after all, the girl's mind was tightly packed and memories of her childhood had been just short of erased. The man looked vaguely familiar, but the only thing that matched was the fuzzy memory of long ago in the snow. A small boy fighting bullies, fairly badly. Hiro's eyes showed a sort of light, an emotion that flickered and faded far too fast to catch as they slitted and moved to the man's position, her body otherwise remained still. "Oh... now I recall. You were that idiot boy.... It's been a while young Gamma." She addressed him as if he were younger, though he was in fact older. It wasn't to be mean par se, she just really wasn't good around people. This would be as close to 'socializing' she would get. Her eyes quickly darted away from the boy, her face feeling hot, she figured it was just the cold. With a swift movement she moved her mask, tilting it back down to mostly cover her face; she hated when people could read her.

Stepping back, she looked at the girl. Why was she jealous? What did she need to be jealous of? It made her feel anger and the thought of feeling emotion raged her more. Why was she having so many problems today? She never had so many problems, usually she could stand and feel nothing, she preferred it that way, but here she was in the midst of something else. "Don't worry, foreigner." Her words remained monotonous, not intending insult, as she only knew the girl by that name. "It's not much of a reunion." Which was true as far as Hiro could tell. "But nevertheless, I intruded where I was not supposed to, for that I apologize... I should leave. The kage may have something more interesting for me to do." She didn't really want to go which spurned more annoyance as she turned away from the two. She'd have to meditate, something was out of control and she had to re-tame it quickly to fight as she needed.

The male looked at both the females, oh he was lucky...LUCKY I TELL YOU. Two females, both of the easily jealous type. Oh how funny this was. He smiled and blushed slightly scratching the back of his head.

"Oh, you aren't intruding, however, we do need to figure out a plan. We may have to stay here until it's settled down. But we have to find something to do about this. Perhaps we should meet with the Kage, or even just go fight ourselves."

He said as he looked at both of them. He saw a hint of emotion from Hiroko and smiled a little more. He wondered if they could beat this thing, most likely not, but either way, he wanted to find a way to kill two birds with one stone.

“It’s a reunion all the same. Seems like you two were friends in the past, that’s something that should be cherished.” Kaelos stated as she didn’t look up while her hands were still busy sharpening and cleaning her blade. “The name is Kaelos, I assume that would be easier and faster to call me that then Foreigner.” She said before she shook her head. “In a way I am glad you intruded. I was showing weakness. I can’t afford to show any weakness, not even around a friend.” She said before she started to stand up, resheathing her katana. She glared over at Aku. “What’s so funny Aku?” She questioned him as she crossed her arms over her chest as she eyed him, as if she knew what he was thinking. “Stay here? We need to get more supplies. We need to speak to a medic or even the Kage about this virus. We don’t have time to waste just sitting around here. And fighting this ourselves will only give the virus more victims which would mean that it could help it spread to all of the villages.” She said as she started to pace back and forth within the small hut. Her movements were like that of a tiger trapped within a cage, growling in annoyance.

Hiro nodded to the girl as she spoke, but frowned beneath her mask. "Friend? Hardly.. no more than an acquaintance." Her words sounded as laughter at the word friend. Friends she could not afford, no matter how close she got to someone she would never admit to being their friend. After all, even friends at one point betray each other. It was simply heartache waiting to happen. The woman was cold and heartless, this intruder girl. Her black hair floating slightly on the wind. She was locked up emotionally and nothing short of anbu when it came to her emotional training. Her eyes watched through slits, giving an annoyed glance to the man as she pivoted herself back around. Her brows furrowed in curiosity as the lady pulled her blade up and stood, glaring at Akutabi.

"Well, it's a pleasure Kaelos." Hiro said as sincerely as Hiro could, which wasn't much. "You know my name, thanks to the dunce." She said softly, before looking at Kaelos. Again, she wouldn't admit that she had any sort of attachment to the man, especially not in front of another woman. The two were similar in that aspect; both trying to show no signs of weakness. "If it's the Kage you need to talk to, I know him fairly well." It was true, Hiro had gone on a couple of missions with the kage himself. He was an intimidating man, but he wanted to see any foreigners anyways. She was on fair terms with him, it was a mission. She shouldn't get in too much trouble. "As for supplies, I live nearby. It's a small house, but you two can stay there for the time being." Yes an act of kindness from the woman shone through.

The male didn't look at Kaelos but instead spoke to her, while not looking at her. Instead he was fully focussed on Hiroko, his attention not divided but instead shone to the woman with little emotion. It was hard, he knew, to not show emotion. He went down that path before. His body moved as he moved with out thinking. His arms wraped around the girl with no emotion.

"I know your pain and remembered your loss. Just don't forget what you gained Hiroko...don't forget, and it will all be worth it."

He whispered to her ear as he let her go. His body then moved with out thinking once more. He was almost as quick as a cat pouncing on it's prey with out warning. He held the woman known as Kaelos tight in his arms, and whispered to her as well, his voice soft and soothing.

"It is not what weaknesses may be shown, but it's what strengths that come of those shown weaknesses."

After he spoke he picked up the bag and headed out the door, stopping at the door he spoke aloud to the girls and motioned for them to follow, it was a long time ago but he still remembered where she lived.

"Well, we're not going to get anywhere with this storm, and besides, Her house isn't THAT far. Let's go, stay close to me so we don't get lost."

And like that he was off, and if Hiroko wanted to lead the way, she could, he kept a hand out for Kaelos, or even Hiroko, well, he actually kept a hand out for both of them...walking forward in the dead of the blizzard.

Kaelos stopped pacing the cabin as Hiroko spoke. A slight smirk on her lips at the fact that the other female called Aku a dunce. In her mind, that was proof enough that she is indeed attached to Aku in one way or another. Just friends or perhaps more? For Kaelos it was too early to speculate that plus she has never been in that kind of relationship so she was out of her league in that point. Either way, it did not matter to her but she still didn’t trust this other female. This Hiroko need to earn her trust the same way that Aku did back when she first met him in Kumo. “That is better then nothing I suppose.” She said before she blinked suddenly, her back to Hiroko so the other female wouldn’t see her look of shock at someone else was showing her a bit of kindness. Since her back was to Hiroko, she didn’t see the hug she got from Aku. He body went rigid though as soon as she felt Aku hug her tightly. As he whispered to her, she growled in annoyance before speaking up. “Aku…you will be losing a few body parts of those if you keep hugging me…” She growled out as she glared at him. Though her glare wasn’t ice cold and deadly as if she was really threatening him, in a way she was joking with him even though the sudden hug made her annoyed as she doesn’t like being touched.

She shook her head as she looked at him once he let go and moved to the door, motioning for her and Hiroko to follow him. “Better to keep moving anyways. This damn blizzard better let up soon. Unlike you two, the cold is not my forte.” She growled a bit as she grabbed his hand mainly so that she wouldn’t get lost out there.

Hiro watched the boy warily, then the girl. It wasn't exactly the thing she was most comfortable doing, but she knew that in this weather they would need food and warmth, even the ninjas of snow could freeze if they weren't careful. She went to step but arms had embraced her quickly. A warmth wrapped her up and she felt a rage of heat as he whispered in her ear. Something felt vaguely familiar, but she couldn't really tell. It was like a little slip of the hand in her mind, a small flash of memory she couldn't really place. Long ago, the picture fuzzy but the feeling still the same. Her body tensed and she felt a sudden rush of confusing emotions. It pissed her off, but she showed no signs. It took her a moment to realize she was even holding her breath as well.

Her eyes showed a sort of strange mixture as the red headed woman called Kaelos was hugged as well, before growling at him. So there was something more between them, as she assumed. Hiro felt a sort of stab, but within the blink of an eye, she pushed it away. "I'll lead, as I've spent my entire life in blizzards such as these." She said coldly, though unintentional. Her bossy moved and she brushed past the two with an aura much colder than the snow outside. She didn't like this at all, but she was prone to hurting herself emotionally and she knew that letting them simply die out in this cold was not an option. A bleeding heart of sorts.

Her body leaned forward and in a flash she was running through the blizzard, barely seen. She knew the man would have no problem finding his way, the girl had locked hands with him, if only to be guided, but Hiro simply assumed it was more. She wasn't going to let herself get hurt and in fact she kicked herself for even believing for a second that she was in a position where she could show emotion. This time only furthered it, like a sinking pain in her heart. It was a deep stinging feeling and she hated it. Her icy eyes allowed nothing past, a frostbitten glare at the horizon as she once again sealed up herself. She didn't care, she couldn't care, it would be her downfall. She stopped at her house, quickly opening the door and closing it, slipping inside and sneaking to her room. She'd pull out any personal items and hide them, before returning to the living room and waiting for them to reach the small abode.