It was a pretty peaceful drive to Ivan's house. I figured winter was just ending, since there was still tons of snow on the fields around the road. Besides the occasional farm house, all I could see were fields and trees. It was really pretty in a frozen kind of way. I figured I dozed for a while because I jolted awake to a startled cry. I glanced to the back seat to see Russcat perched on Raivis's lap, who had fallen over in his seat. He was shaking all over as he watched the fluff-ball wearily. Russcat looked pleased with himself as he purred loudly, creeping forward closer. Katyusha also glanced back.

"Oh, Russcat! That's not nice!" I stifled a laughed and plucked Russcat off of Raivis before he pounced on his face. Russcat flicked his tail irritable before settling back down in my lap. Raivis nodded a quick thank you before trying to pick up and straighten the papers which had fallen all over the seat. Smiling, I looked out the window. We were now surrounded by buildings of a town. The buildings looked old, like they were made of stone and bricks. Yet they were decorated with bright paint colors. The way the patterns swirled around the buildings gracefully was breathtaking. The streets were lined with benches and people making their way around. Signs hung everywhere, half of them I couldn't even make out. With a peek at Katyusha's happy expression, I figured that I must be in the famous town Aelite. Though when we continued to drive past buildings that looked similar to each other (I figured they were the resident buildings), I started to get confused. As if reading my mind, Katyusha pointed out to the road ahead that snaked around the trees that replaced the dwindling buildings. "We live just a little ways from the town. It's a small place, but it's warm and homely." I turned back to the window, my heart started pounding again in excitement. The road turned upwards slightly as the trees became thicker, blocking the sun. It made shadows dance off of the trees, casting a gloomy atmosphere. I watched as they passed by the window, wondering if Ivan changed at all or if he was the same as ever. For a moment, it almost as if I could see him, smiling back at me. I froze. I could see something that looked similar to Ivan, walking between the trees. He was made up of shadows that shifted constantly as he held my glaze, before winking and evaporating into the shade. I jumped in my seat, frantically searching the trees. I turned to see that Raivis, for the first time was still, watching me with interest. He then went back to his normal shaky self as sunshine shot back into the car. I frowned and looked further up the road. The trees opened up to a bright clearing and surrounded it in an oval shape. In the middle of the clearing stood a massive house. It was about two stories tall and spread across the whole field. It was a light brown color with darker roofs that stood out nicely against the trees and snow. There were flowers in the window sills, some of them looking like sunflowers. I glanced over at Katyusha, hoping that this wasn't the place. She simple smiled clueless as she pulled the car in a cleared area next to three other cars. Russcat purred madly as he scratched at the door. Katyusha tsk-ed as he bolted out of her door and off to the trees. Raivis also slipped out of the car and ran off in the general direction of the house, dropping pieces of paper in his wake. I opened my own door slowly, just as Katyusha came around with my bags. She beamed happily as she shut the doors and locked them. "We are going to have so much fun! I believe Ivan is in the bedrooms, something about wanting to surprise you." She then turned and started skip-walking to the house. I glanced back at the trees uneasily before shaking my head and followed closely behind.

The inside of the house was just as amazing as the outside. As Katyusha opened the front door, my heart stopped. In front of me was a huge hall. It was brightly light with two chandeliers that hung just below the floor level of the second floor. As I glanced up, I could see elaborate designs on the ceiling. On either side of me were doorways leading into the eastern and western parts of the house. In front of me, near the back of the hall was a spiral staircase that led up to a small stripe of the second floor, which contained another doorway that lead deeper into the house. There were a few paintings scattered on the walls, along with small tables holding vases of flowers. Not sure what to do with my bags, I placed them down near the front door. Katyusha disappeared into the door on my right. I stood there quietly, debating on following her or stare at the ground. I settled for the ground. Even the tile pattern of a spiral was breath taking. It was starting to become over whelming. Trying to concentrate on something other than my surroundings, I noticed a cat staring at me from under a table. It had snowy white fur with blue tints. Its eyes were a dark icy blue that peered out creepily towards me, full of distrust and dislike. On its head was a pink bow. I crouched down to the ground and held out my hand, making a small clicking sound with my tongue. It blinked its eyes and crept forward, flicking its tail back and forth. It sniffed my hand delicately and sneezed. It studied my hand for a minute or so, and then glared at me. With a hiss, it scatted off. I stared at the spot it last was, confused. Then I remembered that I was petting Russcat a while back. It must not like the other cat… Getting up, I looked around. I sighed and started debating what to do again when I heard a familiar voice above me.

"You are here!" I looked up and smiled. Ivan was running down the stairs, his face lite up with a smile. When he reached the ground, he raced over to me, nearly tripping over himself. I laughed happily and met him half way, being swept up, embraced in a hug. It felt right to be in his arms again. I began to remember the smell and touch of his skin, the way his hair brushed against my face as he buried his own face against my neck. He gave me a tight squeeze before pulling his head back, still holding on to me. He looked annoyed as he looked me up and down. "I think you might have grown taller…" I giggled and tried to pull out of his grip.

"Anything wrong with that?" He smiled and pulled me closer, pressing his forehead against mine. I could feel his warm breath as he whispered quietly.

"I missed you." I blushed slightly as I stared up into his eyes. I had forgotten how deep of an amethyst color they were as they observed me. I felt myrself smile as I leaned upward and pressed my lips against his, pulling away quickly.

"I missed you too." He looked stunned as he blushed. Then, with a smile, he pulled me back and tenderly kissed me. I let out a muffled sighed as he hugged me against him, his hand twisting into my hair. My own arms wrapped around his neck. I felt his tongue slip between my lips, connecting with mine. We broke for a second to breath, before coming together again. I now knew for sure that Ivan missed me just as much as I had missed him, which secretly made me thrilled. I started losing myself in the moment, I almost didn't hear Katyusha.

"AWW! You two are so cute!" We both flinched and broke our lips apart. Ivan looked flustered as he stared at the ground. I glanced over at Katyusha, who was standing in the doorway beaming happily. "I'm so glad you are back to your old self, what with you mopping around the house and st-"

"S-sister…"

"You weren't even working on the café, making the Baltics do everythi-"

"Sister…"

"All you did was lounge around and stare at her pictu-"

"SIS!" Katyusha flinched and was suddenly on the verge of tears.

"Nooo, don't be mad at me brother!" Ivan looked even more flustered then before, which was really cute.

"Ah, no, it's just. You don't have to tell her that… I didn't." He looked at me for help. I laughed and placed a hand on his cheek. He relaxed slightly, though his face was still flushed. Katyusha was smiling again as she watched us. She then looked up towards the stairs.

"Oh look! There is Natalia! Natalia, come down here to meet our guest!" Ivan visibly froze. I frowned slightly and glanced up at the top of the stairs. Standing there was a girl who looked to be maybe the same age as me. She had long white-grey hair that reached down to her waist. She had piercing blue eyes that were very similar to the cat from earlier. In fact, she wore a white bow on top of her head that matched the blue/white dress she wore. She wore an apathetically glaze as she stared at me. Ivan moved behind me, placing myself between them as she walked down the stairs. When she reached us, she studied me carefully, looking slightly annoyed. Unfazed by this, I straightened up and took a step closer. Well, tried to anyway. Ivan was clinging onto me tightly. I smiled up at her.

"Hi! My name is [F/N]." She simply stared at me then looked over at Ivan.

"Big Brother, why do you hang out with girls like her when you could have me? What do you even see in her?" I glanced back at Ivan, puzzled. Ivan paled slightly.

"Natalia…I-"

"Big Brother! You should marry me! Marry me! Marry me! MARRY ME!" Ivan shrank back behind me.

"Nwiet! I don't want to marry you!" Natalia looked annoyed. I felt rather confused. She then sighed and held her hand out to me.

"I'm Natalia. Ivan's little sister." I took her hand gingerly and shook it. Katyusha giggled as she grabbed Ivan's hand and placed it onto of ours.

"Now we can all be the best of friends!" I smiled with her as Ivan looked away sheepishly. Natalia smiled a touch before letting go and walking out the front door. Katyusha pouted slightly. "Don't tell me you are going to town? Don't you want to help show our guest around?" She simply glanced back, glaring at me, before walking out. Ivan and Katyusha sighed sadly. Then Katyusha turned to me and smiled.

"Are you hungry?" I nodded, trying to remember when I last ate. She nodded back. "I'll whip up some dinner while Ivan shows you around. Have fun!" She then walked into the doorway to the left. Ivan watched her go before turning to me, smiling slightly.

"So what do you want to see first?"