The blizzard howled as we tread through the snow. Sharp pieces of a mixture of ice and snow collided with my face and I was forced to lower my head as I walk. My feet were in much worse condition. My boots were wet and the feeling of the snow and ice in them stabbed like a thousand sharp needles. Despite this, I was able to ignore it and I continued on. I held my rifle close to my chest, in a vain attempt to try to keep myself warm. No matter what you try, you will never be warm in -10 degree weather. Even with the comfort of a heater, you still know it's cold. You will still occasionally shiver, not because your body is cold but because you know that it's cold away from it. Perhaps if you had someone to share warmth with, then it would be alright. You'd shiver together, hold onto each other, whisper sweet nothings to each other, and so much more. They say that love makes you feel forever warm.

That's a load of bullshit if you ask me.

Stating that you loved someone and confessing to them, asking them out on a date and then having them say no only makes that "warmth" you felt vanish. She'll just say she wants to remain friends or decides to mock you and laugh you, and thus you become a laughing stock. I know this because I went through it and it's why I prefer the cold. Though, it does remind me of a certain ice queen that said she had feelings for me. Did I feel something for her? To be honest, I was never really sure so I rejected her. In fact, I rejected 2 other girls that confessed to me. It became too much for me to deal with, I didn't want to embrace one while hurting the other 2. So I did what I had to. I hurt all 3 of them and probably hurt more than just them with what was my last social suicide. Straight after high school, despite my dream of becoming a full time house husband, I joined the military.

When I announced it, on the day of our graduation, I know I shattered their hearts. The amount of worry that was over their faces was almost unbearable, but what was most unbearable was the look that Ice Queen gave me. I remember staring into her eyes, I remember her tears, I remember her pleading me not to, I remember it all. But do I feel any regret for what I did? Not really. Well, that's not entirely true. During my first year of deployment I did feel intense regret, but luckily training destroyed those feelings. In fact, I couldn't say I have felt any emotion since being formally enlisted in the military.

Even though Japan was not at war with any nation, it was at war with another group. A group that didn't follow international law or had any regard for human rights. That enemy was pirates. Just as I got out of High School, the amount of pirates in the sea and even on the land had swelled to a great number and international trading has become much less safe. The international community blames private military companies for this rise. I blame human nature, when humans want something and are desperate enough, they will take it. In the end, despite what our idealism says, humans will do anything to keep themselves happy and alive. In the words of John Green, "Between civilization and warm genitals, humans pick warm genitals." They do not care whose life they ruin, they do not care if how much they take leaves a father out of work; As long as they get what they want, they're happy. This was the fact of life. I had come to know it in schooling in regards to social cliques, but in the military I got to witness it in human nature.

Japan wasn't the only nation that was effected by the rise of piracy. America and Russia were even affected by it, and both took strong action against it. That is part of the reasons why I am here, on the border between Russia and China. Russian and Japanese relations had gotten much better after the problem of pirates came to the international community. We even ended the Second World War officially [1]. Now an alliance between Japan and Russia became so great that it was to the point where joint military groups between Japan and Russia were created for taking out these threats.

I laid down in the snow and covered myself, despite my body's obvious protest against this. We had been trained to deal with the cold, but I suppose I am stronger against the cold than most of my squad members. This was probably due to the Ice Queen. I would go to thank her, but I will never see her again. Or at least I hope not, I hope she doesn't come and track me down. Wait a minute, worrying about her tracking me down is pointless, they've probably already forgotten about me by now. Yukinoshita is probably abroad somewhere studying. Why am I even thinking about this?

I pulled out my rifle and looked through the score, giving me insight to this local group of pirates' "secret" compound. But it could hardly be called a "secret" or a "compound". Recon was able to find it within a single day, despite their often times poor performance and the place was quite poorly and hastily constructed. From the looks of it, there were around 17 of them. Normally I would let the lower branches take care of pirates this few in number, but I volunteered my squad much to their disappointment. Nonetheless, the Lieutenant and I had an agreement where he allowed me to take any operation I wanted, but I had to lead it and execute it. What we both disliked leading, so this was a mutual agreement between us. If I was the old me, then I would have never volunteered for a job I didn't have to do. But sadly, these types of cases were different. They had a personal significance to me.

These pirates were human traffickers.

I jumped as soon as I heard it, especially at the mention of possible Japanese victims, when they were listing objectives that the company needed done. I didn't think when I did, not that I needed to though. You can steal resources, you can steal products, but trading people was just crossing the line. Ew, that sounds like I have a strong care for people. But oddly enough, I have my reason for doing these kind of operations.

I pictured my dear Komachi in these types of situations and I suppose my Oni-Chan instincts still remain strong even if I haven't seen her in 4 years. I bet that earned me a ton of points! After removing those thoughts from my head, I motioned for my squad to spread out and prepare to raid their compound. I had a knack for shooting from the sidelines, out of sight and out of mind. I guess once a loner, always a loner.

I positioned the barrel of my rifle at the head of the nearest guard. He was likely of European origin and he smoked a cigarette with a bored expression. From the scope, I could see he was extremely overweight and his teeth were yellow. It was disgusting, and I had to resist my urge to fire until the men got into position. After receiving signals from them, I prepared to take the shot. I was always the first shot, the men learned very quickly that I would not tolerate anyone shooting before me. I still don't understand why I was made a Corporal.

I breathed and I held the rifle steady.

Time seemed to stop for a moment.

BANG

The bullet collided with his head, killing him instantly. The other guards that were near him began to panic and fired in my general direction. Too bad for them, I wasn't done. Two more shots and they both went down, one bullet to the chest and one bullet to the head again. The other soldiers began their assault, firing a spray of automatic fire into a group of 5 of them. Looking from my scope, it was like red confetti had flown through the air around them. The squad didn't hesitate though, they began to look for the others and I took it as my que to do the same. I normally don't like to work as a group, but with this squad I have to keep them covered. Luckily I don't have to talk too much.

It took about 15 minutes to secure the compound. Of the 17 pirates, only 3 of them decided to surrender. The others were killed. Hopefully the survivors have information on where this shipment of theirs was going, but I have a good idea. Human trafficking became more popular, especially with the Arabs. It has become a lucrative business in the Middle East and the international community has tried to get the governments there to enact efforts in cracking down on it. Sadly though, they have done very little.

I arise from my spot and move down to meet the men, they give me salutes but I put them at ease. I don't like being saluted, it doesn't feel right. I'm not even in first command, why do they do that?! A leader isn't someone you should have to give a meaningless honor to, you should appreciate him and honor him in your own way. Maybe that's what's going through their minds, but I doubt it. They hardly have a liking towards me.

"Find anything?" I ask somewhat loudly, due to the howling of the wind. Have to keep it short due to the cold, which benefits me quite a deal. Why can't it be this temperature all the time? I wouldn't have to go to damn briefings and speak. Though, the temperature would suck and I'd be shivering my ass off all day. I'd probably get a cold too. On second thought, I hope I can get out of this weather soon.

Upon my asking, they quickly move towards the three cargo boxes in the center of the compound. I may not be liked, but my rank carries some authority. I follow them and I stand in front of the first one, one of the soldiers moves to open it but I stop him much to his confusion.

"I'll go first."

It's best I do because I won't be missed. These men have wives and family at home to come home too. Wouldn't want someone to be without their loved one. I draw my pistol and open the door slowly open the door. The metal door screeches loudly and shine my flashlight into the darkness. Inside lies a great deal of food supplies and even some ammunition. That's a weird combination to put in a cargo box. Idiots. Though no one was hiding in the box.

I move onto the second box and it was a similar result to the first. No one was inside, but instead of food and ammunition, various technology littered the box. It varied from TVs, Computers, an Oven, a Refrigerator, Microwaves, etc. By the looks of it, we have a few tens of thousands of dollars' worth in here, command will be happy with it. Something good to report to the news. Upon exiting the second cargo box, a loud thud is heard from the third. The soldiers in response raise their weapons, training on the cargo box. Quickly we move towards the box, with two of them on both of my sides. Here goes nothing.

The door creeks open and I hear a loud warrior like scream erupt from inside and I am suddenly forced to the ground. The man is wielding a knife and he stabs wildly towards me, my men scream at him stop while pointing their weapons toward them. Sadly though, I know they won't fire with me down. I dodge his movements without much effort and after snapping out of my thoughts, I grab the knife from him and throw him off. I move quickly to restrain him by putting my pistol to his head. He grunts and tries to kick me off, but I have a firm enough hold on him to where that is not a problem. I'm able to handcuff him and he's held to the ground by the actual leader of the squad, Lieutenant Izami. He's reliable, quick, and doesn't talk much. In exchange for having the shots on what some operations we have, I have to lead. It's fair though and that's why he's my favorite out of all them.

"I'm going in." I say standing up, drawing my pistol and flashlight again

The door wasn't all the way open, so I grabbed it and deciding to be cautious, moved it slowly. The sound of the metal moving was loud despite the howling of the blizzard. When my flashlight came through, a sight that made my blood boil. Easily 50 women were packed tightly together in that box, some in better conditions than others. Some had their clothes ripped apart, some were bleeding, and some looked fine but obviously tormented trying to help the others. Before anyone could do anything however, I ran out of that box and kicked the bastard's head as hard as I could, knocking him out. My squad members gave me a few curious and stunned looks, but I paid it no mind.

"We are here to help. You are safe now." I say in English, it became elementary to being in the military and I could speak it almost fluently. Plus most people can understand English, so I'm sure I got the message across.

3 women jumped at me suddenly, grabbing onto me tightly and yelling what I presume to be thank you's in various different languages. The other women quickly followed suite out of that wretched box. I led them out, but I felt a tug from behind me. I turned around and I stared wide eyed into a pair of deep blue eyes. Her clothes remained, but her face was injured with a few cuts and her face looked swollen.

"Hikigaya-kun…?"

"Yukinoshita…"

Her arms wrapped around me tighter than the grip of a bear trap, not letting me go. She cried heavily into my chest and I was left stunned, I couldn't move. The Ice Queen managed to freeze my movements. Nonetheless, despite the cold, my face flushed red at the contact. Many things were running through my head, confusion, anger, embarrassment, and other things. I'm sure this was and is going to be national news. If only I had paid attention to the news, I would have known. Instead, I bid my time by exercising. Though I have heard cases that some powerful families have had kidnappings. Another reason for governments to get involved. What's despicable about it is that the powerful and most rich people are the top priority on rescue, rather than the common citizens. I will probably get a pay raise for doing something like this, so thanks Yukinoshita.

But this is bigger than my salary, it deals with people that I deeply care about. I picture the blow that this has done to this must have done to everyone and what the blow meant for Chiba and Yukinoshita's family. In an effort to calm her down, I wiped my hand of the snow and patted her head. This only caused her to hold me tighter, which I didn't think was possible. Looking back to the other men, I can see they are quite interested in what's going on. But the Lieutenant looks extremely relieved and even excited.

"Corporal, is that?" I know what he's going to say, it's probably him confirming if he just got a pretty pay raise.

"Yukinoshita Yukino, yes Lieutenant."

In order to keep everyone from getting frost bite, we put them back into the boxes. We discovered that they had heating, which would seem quite surprising that human traffickers would put these things in but it hardly was. You don't want your product to freeze to death. It's sick, it's cruel, it's inhumane, but it's logical. The whole situation is logical. These fools simply wanted a piece of the money and they were about to get it. It took around an hour, but evacuation teams were soon at the site of the compound. Bodies were taken away and most of the women were sent in UN Peace Keeping trucks probably back to the base. Command, as soon as hearing that Yukinoshita was one of them, sent special escorts to retrieve her. They were heavily armed, much more than we were. It makes sense though, she pretty much has the same worth as a government official.

"Yukinoshita-sama, the escort is ready for you." Said one of the guards. His words caused Yukinoshita to jump and move behind me. I know what this means from past rescue operations. The first face they see, depending on what they went through, is normally the only one that they will trust. This has led very embarrassing situations such as families offering me payment for saving their family member. Every time though, I have rejected. It wouldn't be right to accept any kind of additional payment for doing my job.

"Yukinoshita, I'm not going to leave so let's get to the escort."

She nods silently and we move towards the truck. I see Yukinoshita glancing at the blood stains that litter the snow and she shivers violently more than likely due to the weather. I take off my jacket and put it around her, to which she nods a simple thank you while smiling at me. I'm glad you can still smile after this Yukinoshita, but don't make me misunderstand things. The entire squad ended up filing into the escort as well. We packed somewhat tightly together due to the gear, so Yukinoshita's body was pressed close against me and we were both blushing from the contact. This was much to the delight of the squad, who were snickering at us. I swear to god if you don't wipe those looks off your face, I'll get the Lieutenant to give you extra laps. Sadly though, the Lieutenant was joined with them in the snickering. Why have you abandoned me?! I sigh heavily and let me body relax.

These types of missions always make me tense, because I never know what to expect. I'm glad that none of the hostages were killed in the mission. That has to be my biggest concern in these types of things, because I would never be able to forgive myself if any hostage died. Yukinoshita had fallen asleep after around a half hour, but all I could do was stare at her. I wanted this to be a nightmare, but in the back of my mind I knew it wasn't. My deployment was going to be ending in a few weeks and I would be returning to Japan. I had mixed feelings about my return, but now they have turned to dread. This is a problem that I will have to face when I return, but for now I'm glad she is safe.

Author's Note: Hello everyone, this was just a random idea I had while being bored in my room. I've reached a kind of writer's block and maybe this will help me clear things up. I may continue, depending on reviews. Yukinoshita won't be a weak damsel in distress in this if I do decide to continue it. I'd like to make it into a story where Hikigaya has to rebuild his relationships with everyone and discovering his self-worth. This may be slightly OOC because Hikigaya went through the military and I'm still trying to improve my writing on Hikigaya's personality. But I'll try my best.