The snow covered land only reminded her of the life she left behind. Her new name, Tasia Valenza. Her new life, living in the English countryside. She was content yet her old life had ways of sneaking up on her.

She hated snow now as it brought back the memories of her death. The image of his face before she closed her eyes, the revelation of her life, the death of her pack…she still had the nightmares…or better yet the memories.

Her time in Fox Hound surrounded by those she once thought as comrades was something she thought she would wish to never forget, yet in the end it was all just a scheme for a jealous brother wishing for the things he could never have.

The former member was currently in town shopping for some fine meat for her pups at home. She lived far into the country so she only came down when she needed to. Her blond hair blew around in the wind, as her tan skin felt the chill but did not react. Her blue eyes stared ahead focused.

She was expecting just a normal trip into town, not knowing that this trip would be far from ordinary.

She sighed deeply as she trudged through the deep powder. She looked at it with narrowed eyes. 'I have to forget...' She thought.

She focused her thoughts on her pups. They needed their meet...Focus on the meat...

She stepped forward with long, purposeful strides, wanting to get out of the snow and into the first store she saw so she could get the meat.

However, fate had other plans... As she walked, she ended up tripping over a small figure lying in the snow.

She stumbled slightly and landed in the snow face first having it go flying. She pushed herself off with a huff and glared over at what tripped her.

Only for her eyes to widen when she saw a small child lying in the snow. He was curled up in a small ball and some snow was covering him and he was shaking his skin a light blue.

Acting quickly the former sniper rushed to him taking off her jacket she wrapped it around him and ran off with him in her arms into a local coffee shop. She barged through the door causing everyone to look over at her with wide eyes.

"I need something warm! Now!" she barked, her voice harsh and sharp.

The man at the counter noticed the child and gasped. "Right away!" He exclaimed, rushing off to complete her request.

She sat down at an empty table and held the boy tightly against her bosom. "Hey..." She said softly, nudging him. "Hey kid..." He let out a soft whine and opened one eye just a crack.

"M'sleepy..." He said softly. The blonde frowned.

"Stay awake...You have to stay awake just a bit longer."

"Here!" the man shouted bringing a few blankets and warm water in a bowl.

Tasia nodded and noticed he was still shaking. She opened her jacket and finally noticed the large white shirt. She scowled "We need to get this off." She said as she reached for the shirt and started to lift it off him, but was stopped by the child griping her hand.

His hand was ice cold and week. "Please…don't…hate…" he mumbled.

Tasia narrowed her eyes "I need to get this off or you will freeze." She said to him.

The boy looked up at her his eyes slightly open to show dull green eyes. "Don't…hurt…please…"

Tasia blinked at the utterly defeated, pleading expression on his face. "What...Hurt you...? Why would I do that?"

"B-Because you have to...?"

"No...I don't have to do that at all. And I'm not going to do it either." She insisted, eyes narrowed. Harry flinched at her stern gaze.

"I'm sorry..." He whimpered. "Don't be mad at me..." Her expression softened.

"Who said I was mad?" She asked gently.

"Your eyes…same as uncle…before he hit me…"

The former sniper's eyes widened before they narrowed again her fist clenching. 'Child abuse. Of course.' She let out a sigh and gave him a sad look. She rubbed his hand with hers gently. "I won't hurt you okay." She said surprisingly softy.

He looked up at her his eyes slightly dilated. She was afraid he had gone into shock but she was relieved when he nodded.

She slowly gripped his shirt and gently lifted it over his head. She felt her fist clench again when she saw the many scars decorating his body. It brought back those memories and she had to close her eyes and look away.

The sound of soft sobs brought her back to him. "See…you…hate me…too." He whimpered.

That little voice in that hurt tone triggered something in the former sniper, something that she had thought died a long time ago. Her maternal side.

She didn't even know she had one to begin with, but here it was, compelling her to do something she thought she would NEVER do: gently and protectively embrace a child.

"It's okay." She whispered as she slowly wrapped her arms around his little body. "I would never hurt you. Not ever."

"But...Why not...?" He asked softly.

"Because no one should ever harm children like you." She explained.

"I...I..."

"Now, just relax."

Harry was confused but the tone of her voice compelled to trust her. He started to relax slightly giving the woman a chance to wrap him some warm towels. The child smiled slightly as his shivering started to lessen.

She gave him a slight smile, she did not care about the people watching all she cared at the moment was the small child in front of her. She heard someone cough and looked over to see the man who helped her.

"Do you wish us to call an ambulance ma'am?" he asked her.

The former sniper did not need to think twice. "That's alright. I can take it from here." She said lifting him up and holding him close. "Thank you." She said to him who gave her a nod.

She walked out of the little shop and started to head back home. It was a long hike and she let out a soft sigh. 'I knew I should have gotten a car.' She looked down at him and smiled softly at the little boy's content look.

She ruffled his hair and looked down the road to see the meet shop and thought to herself. 'I could ask for a ride from them.' She thought as she walked in.

She opened the door and smirked slightly at the older gentleman who was cleaning. He looked over at her and gave her a warm smile.

"Wolf! How've you been!" he said walking over and pausing when he saw the child in her arms. He raised a brow and looked up to her. "Was I not invited to the wedding?"

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Listen, I don't have time for this." She said, trying to maintain a polite demeanour. "I REALLY need to get this kid to a safe spot..."

"Oh? Anywhere in mind?"

"...My house."

"So he IS yours?"

"No, he's just...Ugh..."

"Ms…"

The small voice of the child caught their attention and they both looked down to see him looking up tiredly. "Can…I sleep now…" he mumbled.

The former sniper sighed and ran her hand through his hair. "Soon kid. Soon." She looked over at the old man and groaned when he gave her a sly smile.

"Look can you give us a ride back to my place?"

The man chuckled and raise his arms up defensively. "Of course I can, trucks in the back. I got your order also in the back as well. I'll give to you on the house this time." He said.

Her eyes widened. "You do-"

"I know. But I want to. Besides that, kids more important right now then a little bit of money."

"Thank you."

He shrugged his shoulders and walked in the back with her following him. She got into the side of his truck and held the child close to herself as he got in the driver's seat.

"Trucks all packed." He said. "Let's go." He turned on the key and started the drive back to her house.

The young woman stared out the window at the falling snow. This didn't feel real...She was holding a little child in her arms...

"M-Miss...?" She blinked and looked down.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Wh-When can I sleep...? I'm really sleepy...I didn't sleep for three nights, and I...I wanna sleep...It's really warm in here, and..." He yawned. "You're comfy..."

The woman blushed slightly and gave the chuckling man a glare before gazing back down at the child and running her hand through his hair causing him to coo. He sounded so tired, she felt his head and smiled when she felt he was warm.

She moved her hand to his cheek and rubbed it smiling softly as he leaned into her touch. "You can sleep now." She said softly.

The child smiled lightly up at her before finally entering the land of dreams.

The woman smiled down at him as his light breaths indicated he was asleep.

"Cute kid." The driver said making her look over at him with a raised eyebrow.

She looked back over at the sleeping child and smiled lightly. "I was thinking the same thing."