Love like Winter

Part 1: "Not Alone"

The pure snow floated silently from the gloomy sky above. As it landed upon the young boy's cheek, it felt like cotton though instantly melted into a bitter raindrop. He lay still, nearly lifeless. Brushing his small, pale hands against the snow, a cold flat surface could now be seen. Struggling to a stand, he brushed the snow away a bit more to reveal a section of a narrow path. Curiously, he peered a head and could see that the path continued a few feet from himself. In wonder if he would find a place to keep warm, he took his chances and traveled slowly down the narrow path.

Despite the sinking gloominess jolting his heart, young Haku gazed around in an attempt to enjoy his surroundings; the snow coated trees glistened brilliantly, almost whispering to him that there was a sort of hope... Small glimmers of it that came and went. Continuing on for several minutes and into the outskirts of the forest, he stopped to observe the peaceful shack that lay in front of him. It was difficult to say whether anyone lived in the home—it was so untroubled. Cautiously, he approached it tardily and headed around to the backyard. A fence lay between the home and the yard, and the closer he approached, the more apparent a reoccurring tapping noise was present. Peering through the cracks in the fence, he observed.

Seven foot tall poles towered throughout the backyard. There were possibly ten or more of them plunged into the ground. Upon them stood a girl just around his age. He could only see the back of her shoulder-length brunette, choppy hair as it floated gently against the breeze. She was seemingly training as she hopped from pole to pole. Haku watched carefully as her knees slowly bent, an indication she was ready to flip. Instinctively, Haku flinched as she twirled through the air, landing carefully on another pole. Being to astonished by the move, Haku hadn't realized that the girl had paused suddenly and was staring straight in his direction. His feet shifted as he tried to run, although the fence flew open and he now stared back into two piercingly pale-hazel eyes glowing over him. A twinge of fright overwhelmed him as he urged his body to run. The smirk on the girl's face is what held him in his place. His lips slowly parted as he hesitated, but soon he returned a smile to her. Something about the girl seemed oddly familiar to himself, something of the look in her eyes... He could not quite put his finger on it. She studied him, as if she weren't sure what to make of him. "Who are you?" Her voice was oddly mature for her age. His eyes struggling to meet hers, her expression lay concerned. The boy's eyes were so cold and lifeless. She wondered what had happened to him.

"My name," he started with a soft voice, "is Haku." A short silence fell between them just then. Eventually though, the girl was leading him further into the backyard and toward a dainty shed. Haku felt slow waves of awe, considering the stranger didn't shun him as most kids did. He was sure that she felt as alone as he did. "My name's Ren," she stated as she opened the door to the shed. The inside was a vague room with a single window plastered up high, making the place seem solitary. There was wood throughout the whole of it, along the floors, walls and ceiling alike. A small bed loomed to their left along with a nightstand and dated lamp and a couple of short dressers. Haku settled onto the surprisingly soft bed beside the girl now known as Ren.

"This is your room?" The question seemed rather obvious to Haku, but it slipped out in his timid attempt to make a conversation. Before Ren could snicker at his question, he stumbled for a more logical question. "Where are your parents?" Ren glanced at his pale, dirty hands a moment.

"They're inside the house." Her gaze rose to his face, tilting her head the slightest bit and coming to actually find 'his' gender a bit misleading. His long lashes and hair could easily make 'him' a female. Although, Ren did decide not to question it. It wasn't until then that Ren realized their eyes were locked onto one another. Haku's eyelids fluttered in an attempt to blink. He turned his head away shyly.

"Are you lonely?" His voice was in a near whisper.

"All the time," Ren replied without hesitation. She watched as Haku shifted uneasily, as if preparing to tell her something painful.

"They didn't want me," Haku continued abruptly, his soft eyes locked on the bare floor, almost maddened. "They thought their own son was a monster." Ren's brow furrowed in concern. This... boy... he was such a great loss, much more than Ren's situation. It seemed he didn't even have a place to stay. Haku's gaze snapped over to Ren, who's hand was suddenly placed on his own. In that exact moment, the two jumped at the sound of Ren's father clamoring in.

"Who's this?" the man questioned grimly. Immediately Haku popped up from his seat, ready to run past the man if necessary.

"Father, please—"

"Go on," the man ordered. "Get out!" His temper was already teetering, even though Haku was sure he did nothing wrong. Haku sprinted past the man like a frightened rabbit. As he ran, he didn't have a clue where he was going. Perhaps under a bridge or someplace hidden. Once he got there, he fell to his knees, gasping for air. His lungs felt as though they were bursting, and the cold air filling them was no help. Whimpering, he fell to the ground slowly, realizing then that Ren was being locked away for some reason. Is she a monster, too...?

"Father, can't you see?" Ren pleaded. "He has no one, no where to stay—"

"Don't you know that you should be training?" Her father clenched his fists, trying to contain his rage. It seemed to creep right into her now more than ever.

"Why? Do I not train enough? Why is it I can't have friends like a normal girl?" Ren's voice rose gradually. Her father glared hardly as tears welled into her eyes, and then the door was shut slowly behind him as he lumbered out. Growling in frustration, Ren threw herself onto her bed, angry tears jumping uncontrollably from her eyes. I just don't understand, she thought through her sobs. All I can ever do is train and be locked away like some animal.

The crying lasted until the sun was sliding into the horizon. Her headed pounded and her eyes were swollen nearly shut. Even if she'd known Haku only for a few minutes, it was the only friendship she'd ever had. Those were the only moments she knew she cherished, and now it was gone.

Throughout some of the night, she had decided to train, just to release all of the anger she'd clasped onto. Every now and then, her eyes flicked to the fence. Running away would be so easy— Her thoughts were interrupted by her mother calling her in for food. Instead of staying inside to eat at the table with them, Ren started to the clear sliding doors that led to the backyard.

"Where are you headed?" he seemed to be trying to sound amused, but as usual, there was an edge to her father's voice. As if he were threatening her. Stopping a brief moment, Ren almost turned around. But, without even bothering to look back, she headed outside to her cold, dark little shed to eat alone.

"Hisui," Ren's father called to her mother, who looked to be ashamed for the first time in a while. He examined her gaze. "Don't tell me you're feeling bad. She's completely going against her will. Sneaking some kid into the shed," he shook his head. Hisui sighed in defeat, jabbing at the steak on her plate.

"I suppose you're right."