Ginko paused at the top of the ridge. In the small dell, there lay a low, hunching house. It looked vaguely familiar, but somewhat different than he remembered. He assumed this was because he remembered it being covered in snow. "Ah. It's already been two years. At least it's not winter." Ginko threw a glance at the blossoming trees and flowers, as if to reassure himself. He sat on the top of the ridge to smoke, enjoying the gentle spring day with a view of Suzu's house. The trees around him that he'd remembered as crooked and barren were blossoming with life. Mushi weaved among the branches, enjoying the warm air as much as Ginko was. "Hmm..." Ginko exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke through his nose as he pondered. "Miharu should be around here somewhere..." He scanned the dell, seeing nothing more than a cow shuffling around a small pasture. "Ginko!" Ginko glanced over the shoulder, hearing someone call his name. Miharu was making his way through the grass, from the direction of the mountains. He got to his feet as the boy drew nearer. Miharu was had what appeared to be three small snakes clenched in his fist. "You've grown," Remarked Ginko with a small grin, placing his hand on Miharu's head. Miharu looked up at him with unrestrained youth and excitement as his head bobbed around Ginko's chest. "Suzu'll be glad you're back!" He babbled, turning in the direction of the house, holding the writhing snakes out in front of him like a staff. "Hold on." Ginko held his cigarette between his lips and grabbed one of the snakes behind its head. "This one's venomous." He padded through the grass and released the snake into a cracked tree trunk. When he turned back, Miharu was mostly down the hill, his hands free of snakes, and yelling for Suzu. Ginko partially slid down the steep ridge, sprinting clumsily at the bottom and coming to an unsteady halt near the house. Miharu came out, impatiently dragging Suzu by the hand, exclaiming, "See! I told you he'd be back!" Ginko gave a small smile at her surprised expression. "Ginko! Gin!" Suzu flew towards him, but stopped messily just before she reached him, brushing her hair out of her face and smiling widely. "I-We were expecting you last spring." "Yeah. I got caught up in some stuff." "Oh-Nothing dangerous?" "No. What about you? How have you been?" "We've both been good," Suzu said, wrapping her arm around Miharu's shoulder and pressing him fondly to her side as he approached her. "Has Miharu been staying out of trouble?" Partially." Suzu grinned. "He didn't disappear in the mountains the winter you left, but last winter he did." "We needed the food!" Miharu broke in, insulted. "I hardly ate any of it, with all the worry you two gave me!" Retorted Suzu, with a playful knock on Miharu's head. Ginko smirked at their light conversation and put his cigarette to his lips, drawing in a final breath before putting it out. "So," He sighed, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "You were worried about me?" "Eh?" Suzu glanced up at him, her attention drawn away from Miharu. "Oh...A little. Mostly Miharu, though." She smiled and rustled Miharu's hair. "Why don't you come in for some tea? I was just about to make some." Ginko and Suzu sat in silence, the only thing between them a thin trail of smoke from the fireplace, which mingled with Ginko's cigarette smoke. Miharu had already run off to the mountains again, leaving the two alone. "Ginko..." "Hm?" "How long will you be staying?" Ginko paused, glancing away from Suzu's almost solemn face. He'd had the intention to only pass through, but something held him back. After a long moment, he settled with "I don't know." Suzu's expression became unreadable for a moment before brightening. "As long as the land lets you, right?" "Something like that."