Yuki and Haku grew up as fine children, not knowing the bitter past of the war. For when they were born, peace soon fell upon the land and they grew up in harmony. The civil war that had raged on for decades was finally over and they could now live in peace…

…or so they thought.

The hatred remained, and all that had the kekkei genkai blood in their veins were hunted and sought out, sometimes even by their own family. The village people thought that they were free from any kekkei genkai users and had killed them all… but they were wrong.

One survivor remained, living a normal human life and passing off as a mother with two. Determined to live a peaceful life and to grant happiness to her two children, she concealed her ability as a kekkei genkai user; a bloodline so strong and dangerous which was what made them become the hunted in the first place.

Her ability was to be able to yield kekkei genkai: Ice release, an advanced nature kekkei genkai of the Yuki clan, the clan that she was born in. Due to this ability, she hardly knew any peace throughout her whole life.

This was why she married a young farmer and subjected herself to poverty. With her looks and beauty, she could have easily done otherwise.

That same blood was now pulsing through the veins of her children; or more specifically…her child. For only one of them had inherited this deadly trait while the other was spared of it.

The hatred of the villages towards any member who possessed the kekkei genkai ability was still strong, the scars of war etched deep into their memories, making it hard to forget. They called the kekkei genkai the cursed clan and thought that it was their duty to eliminate them due to peace.

The same hatred coursed through the veins of the young farmer that she had married, so she concealed her unnatural ability to control ice and water. It was through this secret that the young farmer would soon feel betrayed and bring harm to his very own wife.

Haku and Yuki were closer to each other than any sibling should ever be. They were intoxicated with the love for each other, an innocent love that would soon conquer all. They weren't filled with lust… just the need to be close to each other constantly.

When they were little, if one twin was separated from the other, both would cry uncontrollably until they were put back side by side. Perhaps, even then, they could already sense the terrible future that was to befall them, although how anyone could predict that misfortune, it was almost impossible to understand.

Yuki-chan! Matte yo! You'll fall down if you run so fast!

Haku panted as he ran after his little sister. The young boy was not as fit as his little sister who seemed to always be full of energy and mischief.

Aww, man… Onii-chan you're always so slow…

The little girl ran ahead laughing, her hands outstretched wide. Her little feet planted tiny footprints as they sloughed through the snow. They were soon covered up by the heavy snowfall. It was mid-winter and the snow was at its heaviest. Nevertheless, Yuki insisted on playing in the snow with her brother desperately trying to keep up to her.

Oofff~~

A soft thud and then a loud cry could be heard.

Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh~~~

Yuki had fallen down on her face and picked herself up, crying.

Are you okay? Where does it hurt?

Haku knelt down next to his sister, stroking her back gently. He was dressed in a white-colored scarf, the color of snow. Little Haku was the apple of everyone's eye and the attention of many. No one could deny that he looked irresistibly cute. His hazelnut brown eyes were the envy of many. Many little girls had already fallen for him but he only had eyes for his sister. Thus, unlike him, his sister was the scorn of many and many had already pointed fingers at their relationship.

They insisted that their closeness was a grave sin, something more commonly known as incest, meaning intimate love towards one's brother or sister, intimate love meaning the type of love between lovers. But to describe their relationship as such was only a scratch to the surface of what lay deep. Haku could not live without Yuki and neither could she. The feeling was mutual, and the intensity of it was probably stronger than love itself.

The two spent most of their time together and there was never even a second that you would find them separated, just like when they were babies. Even in the neighborhood kindergarten, the two of them constantly held hands tightly, as if they were afraid that one of them might disappear at any moment.

It was probably understandable, given that they were born during a time of war, but many still saw it as an inappropriate act. They complained to their mother who took it lightly and just shrugged it off. Their parents refused to acknowledge such a thing and always protected the two from any accusations which they faced. Their parents love towards them was undivided. Due to that, they managed to live a somewhat peaceful and contented life.

Don't cry…

He nuzzled his face with her cheek, trying to cheer her up. At her brother's touch, the girl quieted down. She buried her face, now red from the cold in her brother's chest. Dressed in a pink and white coat that was too fluffy for words, she looked so adorable, like a baby kitten.

You're always so careless…c'mon.

He held her hand in his and gently lifted her up so that she was standing.

Let's go home, ne?

He smiled his sweet smile at her, a smile that knew no sorrow.

And she smiled back.

When they arrived back home, their mother rushed out to greet them, a worried look on their face.

Anata wa daijoubu desuka? Nani ga anata ni okorimashita ka? (Are you okay? What happened to you?)

She scooped them up in her arms, one in each arm and gave them a tight hug. A tear trickled down her face.

I told you not to run off just like that. It's snowing and you might catch a cold.

Then her eyes caught sight of the slightly bruised spot on Yuki's arm.

Did you fall? Oh dear. You had better come in fast.

She ushered them into the small space in the cottage which served as a living room, dining room and bedroom. A small fire was burning in the fireplace which brought little warmth to the icy-cold room.

But something felt different in the tiny house. No matter how much wind or draft crept though that place, the hearts of the residents inside it remained warm.

Their mother rummaged through the shelf to find her first-aid kit, a small and tattered box which looked that it might be centuries old. One might even doubt if the medicines inside it were still usable or if it had rotted with age.

She pulled out a bottle of antiseptic and a cotton swab and dabbed the wound gently.

Yuki cringed as the alcohol seeped into her wound but her brother grasped her hand tightly, making her braver.

That's a brave girl.

Their mother smiled at her and bandaged up the wound. Yuki smiled a sweet smile in return, her ears bright red from the cold.

Later at night, as the twins snuggled close to each other for warmth in the futon, the traditional Japanese bedding, Yuki whispered into Haku's ear…

I'm scared onii-san… I feel that something bad might happen soon.

Her little body was trembling with fear, as if something had come over her and as Haku glanced into her black eyes, as dark as the abysm, he found that her face was as pale as snow, the blood drained from it.

And that was when he truly became worried… …

Yuki had a special instinct, the gift of premonition, also known as sixth sense. She could foretell the future and would often have nightmares because of it. Sometimes they were wrong, but most of the time they were correct. She might have gone insane had Haku not be there to help her. She trusted her life in him and he was the closest thing that she ever had. Even her own parents did not know about those premonitions.

Haku tried to convince her to sleep, and after much coaxing, the two of them finally closed their eyes as dawn rose.

If only they knew the sorrow and danger that was yet to follow… …