Winter came too soon for the Kamui household. The home their deceased parents left for them was a modest abode, situated just outside of the bustling Shibuya prefecture. Snow enveloped the surrounding neighborhood and continued to pile around the houses. It was such a lonely time of year.

Gumi sat in front of a small television with her feet propped up on the opposite end of the sofa. The remote dangled precariously from her hand as she heaved another sigh and flipped through the channels. Her short, green hair stuck out at every which angle because of the static electricity her blanket gave off. A lazy expression glazed over her face as she yawned and dropped the remote onto the coffee table; she'd have to settle for the Shopping Network. As she tried to immerse herself into the program, her eyes dimmed and fluttered. Sleep was weighing heavily upon her now, like an unyielding bulldozer.

"It's too early to go to bed." She muttered, loosely flopping around on the couch to keep herself active for a moment. Groaning, she tilted her head backwards and stared at the front door. The longer she looked, the angrier she became.

Her older brother, Gakupo, had promised to come straight home after the office tonight. Gumi went to the trouble of preparing his favorite meal despite the obvious lack of funds. Unfortunately, Gakupo never showed and her dinner went to waste. What was worse, their furnace had broken down again.

It wasn't the spoiled food or biting chill that bothered her. It was the fact that her brother hand't called or bothered to contact her. He usually told her if he was going to be late so she wouldn't stay up into the wee hours of the morning worrying about him. He was such a flighty ding bat sometimes.

Gumi was actually adopted into the Kamui family. Her parents died when she was but an infant. She couldn't recall their voices, faces, or any other memories. The only image she carried of them was from a photo Gakupo had given her as a child. He was always careful with her feelings. He was the one she could go to when everything else turned onto its head.

Screeching tires alerted the sleepy girl almost immediately. She jumped off of the couch and straightened the wrinkles out of her school uniform. It was the first day of winter break, and she couldn't wait to spend it with her beloved brother.

The door jarred open, blasting frigid gusts of air through the entire house. Gumi retreated to her blanket and watched the entryway intently. Gakupo stepped through the threshold with an uncharacteristic grin etched across his thin lips.

Gumi knew something was awry.

Just as Gakupo moved aside, a tall woman followed him into the house. More arctic than the raging blizzard that threatened their neighborhood, she gave Gumi the creeps. Her icy eyes scanned the living room. It wasn't until she saw Gumi that her nonchalant attitude melted into silent loathing.

"You're still awake, Gumi?" The older sibling piped up suddenly, trying to hide his embarassment.

"I've been worried sick about you!" His little sister retorted, a red glow flaring out from her cheeks. Her lips tightened as she refered to the woman beside him, "Who's that?"

Gakupo's displeased expression told her enough. He silently scolded her for being so ill-mannered and brought the woman closer to his side so as to properly introduce her. "This is Luka. She's my -"

"You have a girlfriend?" Gumi choked.

Her brother happily nodded. Just as he was about to reply, Luka interjected, "What a charming home you have, Gakkun."

Narrowing her eyes and groaning, Gumi gagged. The woman had about as much sweetness as a flank of rotting tuna. She was also playing her older brother for a fool. He had terrible luck with women, so the first broad to bat eyelashes at him was undoubtedly the one. It was up to Gumi to rid her family of this parasite, and the quicker the better.

Luka wasn't stupid, though.

"This is my sister Gumi." Gakupo elbowed the irate teenager and cleared his throat, urging her to make a proper introduction.

"Hi." Gumi scoffed, throwing a backward glance at Luka, who was already glaring her down like a vicious animal of prey. It almost scared the girl sitting on the couch. She shifted around uncomfortably and tugged on her brother's sleeve. "She's not staying, is she?"

"Of course she is! Didn't hear about the blizzard warning?" Gakupo whispered hoarsely.

Niether of the Kamui siblings expected the horror that would unfold that dark, stormy weekend. Loyalties would be tested, spirits would be broken, and blood would be spilled. The question was: Who was going to come out alive and well?