The harsh northern wind blew into her deep blue eyes as she ran across the snow. Her silver fur rustled as the snowflakes caught and froze to her body.

She knew they had passed through here.

She was going to find them.

She was going to find him.

Kiba layed down on the cold, smooth floor of the cave and watched the snowstorm raging outside. He sighed inwardly and looked behind his shoulder at the rest of the pack. Tsume was hunched over near the back of the cave with a look on his face that could've split solid rock ; he was in a pissed mood again. Hige was sprawled on his back snoring loudly, his sleep undisturbed by Toboe and Cheza's giggles as they played a little game together. Blue was curled up beside him, her breaths coming deep and slow as she, too, slept.

Kiba returned his gaze to the opening of the cave. All was well in the pack for the night.

His attention was suddenly caught by a faint sound coming from outside the cave.

"Footsteps?" he whispered. Cheza and Toboe looked up from their game when they heard Kiba's voice.

"Whatchya' say, Kiba?" Toboe asked.

"I'm going to go look at something," Kiba said as he stood to his feet. He pulled his leather jacket tighter around his shoulders. "I'll be back in a moment." He quickly jogged outside into the whirling snow, pursuing the noise he had heard.

The temperature dropped even lower as the evening continued to draw to a close. The wind began to drop and the snow fell in large flakes onto the silver wolf's fur. She sniffed the ground for a moment before continuing her pursuit. Their scent was stronger now ; she must be getting close.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw a silhouette against the snow-covered hill before her. It was approaching her cautiously. She could smell him now as a cold breeze drifted downwind of him. Her eyes widened as she reconized the scent he gave off. The scent of the Lunar Flower and his own scent were both familiar to her.

Kiba, the white wolf, stopped and looked at the female wolf standing boldly in front of him. His eyes were wide with reconition as well when he saw her.

"Mizuki?" he said incredulously.

"Hello, Kiba," the female grinned at the young man now standing before her.

Kiba stepped closer to the woman he now saw, a very beautiful girl with flowing silvery-blonde hair that reached her hips, pale skin, and who's clothing would've not looked out of place at a death-metal concert. She held out one of her hands to Kiba, and he couldn't help but notice the long, black nails and spiked bracelets. He took her hand in his and drew her closer.

"How?" he almost whispered. "How did you survive the fire? I thought ... I thought you had died with the rest of our pack."

"I thought I was going to," Mizuki shrugged. "I was somehow able to slip out of the fire, but I was seperated from my mother. When the fire faded I looked everywhere for survivors, but I couldn't find any." Mizuki's eyes became over-bright but did not spill. "I heard rumors about a white wolf and his pack of four males traveling with a flower maiden to Paradise. It sounded so much like you in our puppyhood that I didn't dare get my hopes up at first, but I had to know if it was really you." She suddenly hugged Kiba, her arms flung around his neck. "My only pack-mate left," she whispered. "My dearest, best friend."

Kiba's arms wrapped around Mizuki. They stood there for some time as the snow fell around them. Kiba finally pulled away and held her hands in his.

"Come with me," he said quietly. "Come with me and our pack. You won't be the only female, our fellow pack-mate Hige recruited his new mate Blue a few weeks ago."

"I don't know if I'll be welcome," Mizuki whispered as she looked at the ground. Kiba lifted her chin with his fingers and met her eyes with his.

"You will be, I promise you," he murmured gently.

"Hey, guys," Toboe said excitedly. "Kiba's coming back, and he's got a girl with him!"

"What?" Tsume spat as he joined the young one at the mouth of the cave. "You can't be serious," he muttered when he saw Toboe was right. Cheza walked over to them and held Toboe's hand.

"This one senses another wolf," she smiled. "Kiba has brought her to us."

Kiba entered the cave cautiously when he met Tsume's gaze. He growled deep in his throat at Tsume when he stepped forward threateningly.

"She's an old pack-mate of mine," Kiba said warningly. "I'm advising you to be polite to her."

Mizuki stepped shyly into the cave. Toboe hurried forward with Cheza's hand still in his to introduce himself to the pretty new girl.

"Hiya," he said with a big grin on his face. "My name's Toboe, and this is Cheza."

Mizuki felt Cheza's hand in hers. Cheza smiled warmly.

"This one is very pleased that you're here," Cheza said in her calming voice. "This one is happy that you have joined us." She gestured with her other hand to Tsume, who was sitting in his corner of the cave again. "That is Tsume," Cheza said. "And the other over there is Hige and his mate Blue. This one is sure that you will be good friends with them."

As the night went on and the five wolves ate rabbits for dinner with their new pack-mate, Mizuki's story was shared with them, and Kiba kept hold of her hand the whole time.

When they all finally settled to sleep for the night, Mizuki curled up close to Kiba. He did not react negatively to this, but instead moved closer to her, sharing their body heat. As she drifted off to sleep, she could barely hear Cheza whispering to Kiba.

"This one can sense that you care deeply for Mizuki."

"... Yeah. I do."

"Will you act on your feelings?"

"... I may."