Author's Note: It's late but I didn't see this until yesterday, so. . .

Pairings: Young Ienri friendship.

Rating: K

Words: 977

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, I'm just a fan writing fanfiction.

For PhoenixDowner's CountdownToKH3Challenge.

Day 1- Christmas

Snow...the soft, cold glitter drifted down, and to some, that snow was magical. The bright eyes of a child, the joy of that wide eyed smile on Christmas Day. The footsteps as if it were a stampede of children running down the stairs, rather than just one little girl.

The spirited redhead flew down the stairs, throwing on her knitted scarf on the way (see? she was a good girl, whoever said she misbehaved?) They hadn't had a snowy Christmas in Radiant Garden for years, Kairi herself had never experienced it. Snow? On Christmas? Double the magic! Kairi beamed as she rushed past the window, watching the snow fall like tiny, wintry stars.

"Grandma! Grandma! It's snowing!"

"So it is, dear," Kairi's Grandma smiled as she sat in her rocking chair.

Excitement and energy jumped throughout the girl as she stared at the door, "Can I go out and play? Can I? Pleaseeeee?"

Kairi's eyes widened with the plea to go out in the snow, her heart gleamed with hope.

Kairi's Grandma thought it over for awhile, "Well, seeing as you've already gotten yourself ready, I suppose you may."

Kairi jumped for joy, "Yes! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"

Kairi's Grandma was never really going to say 'no' of course, but Kairi ran up and hugged her anyway. Kairi's Grandma brought out a small tin.

"Don't forget to bring these Christmas cookies, and don't go too far. Stay where I can see you."

"Okay, Grandma!"

The girl took the box of cookies and ran out the door, a rush of happiness, a rush of magic, flooded through her as she found herself in a winter wonderland. Everything once so familiar was now soft and white and shiny and new, and Kairi loved it. Snowflakes softly danced around her, her blue eyes alit with wonder.

She dashed on, leaving footprints in the snow. She smiled all the way.

Not too far from there, a young boy stared in amazement at the snowy world around him.

It was one of those days where he needed to escape the castle. It was Christmas, and Christmas was supposed to be fun, right? Fun. As if Ienzo had the time to know what that meant.

It wasn't that Ienzo didn't enjoy research; it was the opposite in fact, he loved it. Books and puzzles and mysteries to be solved: it was all quite fascinating. But even Ienzo needed a break sometimes. Thus he planned another escape from the castle, but what the young boy didn't expect as he plotted his escape was snow. A lot of snow, blanketing the town of Radiant Garden, turning it almost more beautiful than it's usual state, if such a thing were possible.

The boy did wish he had planned this better, he knew it would be cold, but he hadn't expected this much snow. He tugged the sleeves of his coat, and tried to draw the collar closer to his face.

Walking through the snow, taking in the sights, subconsiciously growing more and more enthuasiastic with each step, it wasn't long until he found himself skipping. He didn't have much of a plan for the day, he just needed a break from evey other day, just needed some time by himself.

That's when he ran into Kairi.

Now, it wasn't the first time he had met the little redhead, and he was almost certain it wouldn't be the last. It was almost weird that they even kind of got along, seeing as Ienzo preferred to keep himself quiet, while Kairi would endlessly blabber on, but she insisted that they were friends, so I suppose they were.

She was playing by herself in the snow, trying to build a snowman. It was a small, pathetic little snowman, but she loved it nonetheless. She stepped back to admire her handiwork; Ienzo thought for a moment he may be able to leave, but as soon as Kairi took notice of him, she beamed.

"Ienzo! Ienzo!" she waved rapidly, "I builded this snowman! Come say hi!"

Ienzo didn't know which bothered him more: the fact that she had said 'builded' or the thought of saying 'hi' to a snowman. Sighing, he waved at the snowman.

"Hi Snowman," he brought himself to say.

This pleased Kairi, she grinned at him. Ienzo hesitantly smiled back.

"Now, his name can't be just 'Snowman!" Kairi exclaimed, "Quick! Ienzo! Name him!"

Ienzo felt his heart beat faster at this sudden preasure, "...What?!"

"What?! What's not a name!" Kairi huffed.

"It could be the Snowman's name," Ienzo offered.

Kairi wrinkled her nose and then smiled, "Yeah! Snowmans always have funny names!"

Ienzo breathed a sigh of relief. Kairi stood silent (shockingly) for awhile.

"You look cold, your face is red," Kairi observed.

Ienzo blinked, "I didn't anticipate this much snow, that's all."

Suddenly Kairi threw her scarf around him, causing Ienzo to stand in a weird shocked/horrified/surprised/grateful mix, and making his face blush redder.

"There! Much better!" Kairi stood back, smiling.

"Th-thank you," Ienzo managed to say.

Kairi smiled again, "Isn't the snow great?"

Ienzo grinned a little, "Yeah."

And so the kids watched the snow side by side, sharing freshly baked gingerbread from a cookie tin, and then playing in the snow some more. Some time later, it was time for them both to go home.

For the first time in a while, Ienzo found himself able to truly smile. And Kairi found herself yet another new friend, an odd one, but a good friend nonetheless.

"Merry Christmas!" she shouted after him as he headed for the castle.

Ienzo looked back and smiled, "Merry Christmas!"

Snow. It really was a magical thing.