He wasn't going to make it.

The cruel wind clawed at his hair, his face. The snow was blinding him. The apparently harmless white powder wanted to chain his limbs to the frozen ground and keep him there. The problem, however, did not lie in the fact that he was probably going to be stranded out here, and most likely die in the process. That wasn't it at all. The real problem was that he had her with him, and that if he died, so did she.

This was the only reason why he was keeping up with this hopeless struggle with the elements; no matter how deluded or useless the action was. He couldn't fail. That was his sole reason for everything really, but this time, it meant so much more. If he did, it was over, and she would be gone; forever, and it would be his fault. The world deserved someone like her, and she deserved to live. He wouldn't be the reason for her loss.

Suddenly, he saw something, or rather, someone. Three hazy figures were silhouetted against the thick layer of fog that had descended on the mountain. They were his last hope. If he didn't attract their attention now, all would be lost.

At the time, it didn't even occur to him that it was a little strange for three people to be outside in a storm like this.

Because he didn't think about what he was doing. He never thought. That was what started everything. Reckless was his middle name.

'Help!' he cried desperately, 'please help us!'

The three shadows began to make their way slowly towards him, he didn't make any attempt to get closer to them himself; he was too busy trying to keep the wind off her frail body. He didn't even hear their approach. Suddenly, they were just there. He raised his head, shielding his eyes from the glare of the relentless snow.

He almost got up and ran for his life.

If is wasn't for the barely warm weight of her against his body, he would have leapt to his feet and bolted. Just like he always had. But this time...

Not them.

Not her.

Please, not her.

The smallest one, who, despite her size, was clearly the superior, looked down on him. Even through the blinding white, he could see the smirk on her face, the satisfied gleam in her cold, emerald eyes. She titled her head slightly and smiled.

'It's been such a long time. Finally, we are together again. Your little game is over now, Kage. We've had a plenty of fun, but now you finally see that you can't hide from me.'

That struck a nerve. He had no strength left, but he wasn't going to stand for that. So he bared his teeth and spat back at her.

'My name, Emma, is Paul.'