It was a Saturday. The snow that had fallen earlier in the week lay like a thick blanket over the countryside, cold, crisp and inviting, as if just waiting for someone to walk across it. The open countryside was pure white as far as the eye could see, the snow covering every field and hill for miles. And this day, walking together in one of these fields were a man and a woman. The winter afternoon was sunny and bright, not a cloud in the blue sky - the perfect day for a walk...with someone special. As they strolled, the woman gazed up at her blonde companion, a small smile curving her lips. His eyes perfectly reflected the colour of the sky, and the sunlight sparkled from the ruffled curly hair poking out from under his hat. Glancing away, she focused on the snow, knowing how red her cheeks must be.

Why...does he make me feel this way? I've known him for such a short time...but it feels like forever...

That morning, Mwu had shown up at her door, handsome face lit into a brilliant smile, asking her if she wanted to go for a walk. And of course, she had blushed. After all, he'd just turned up unannounced, and besides..the two of them had made plans to go out for dinner in a few days. A date...our first date... But his smile had been so sunny and hopeful, she hadn't been able to refuse him. How could she ever?

She'd been washing dishes in the kitchen when he'd arrived at her house. For a moment, he had watched her through the window, a smile coming unbidden to his lips. It had all been so simple and homely, from the way her hair was tied back into a ponytail, to the soft melody she had been humming...it had made his heart twist. I...never really had anything like that before, did I? Ever since I was a kid..it's just been me...She looked so different to how she'd appeared when he'd first seen her on the train. Back then she had seemed so poised and elegant, he'd been nervous about talking to her. But he had come to realise...that she really wasn't like that at all. Murrue was gentle and sweet, and very shy, and...he wasn't able to help the way he felt about her. She's...perfect...

The two of them had known each other for only two-and-a-half weeks, but already they were very good friends. Their personalities seemed to match, her shyness and gentleness balancing his brash overconfidence. And somehow, over the course of the short time they had spent together, their relationship had gradually changed, blurring the line between friends...and 'more than friends'. Even if they were too shy to mention it, the two of them cared for each other a great deal. Taking a deep breath, Mwu reached out and took Murrue's hand, squeezing it gently as they walked together. She blushed a little, but smiled at him, moving a little closer.

"So...where are we headed?" Her soft voice broke the silence, but neither of them minded. Pulling her a little closer, he pointed out a house in the near distance, surrounded by weeping willow trees. "We're going there," he replied. "That's...my house.."

The house was large, much bigger than Murrue's own tiny cottage, packed with furniture and artwork. The young woman hung back a little at the doorway, slightly overawed by the grandeur. "Wow..." Mwu sighed, shaking his head. "It's nothing to be impressed about. Your house is much nicer than this.."

"How can it be?" she asked, confused. "This place is beautiful.." "But empty." he finished. "My parents died when I was younger, and left me this place. But it's not really home.." He gestured around himself at the stark-white painted room, at the perfectly arranged furniture. "It's cold, like living in a museum. Your house, on the other hand...that's beautiful. Comfortable, warm, like a house should be..." The two of them walked into the airy kitchen, where he set the kettle on to boil for coffee, and dug around in a cupboard for a pan. Sitting at the scrubbed wooden table, Murrue regarded him with curiosity, a faint smile on her lips. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Making lunch," he replied cheerfully. "It is almost 1PM, after all. Aren't you hungry?" Rooting in the fridge, he beamed as he dug out a container, tipping the contents into the pan and stirring. "Vegetable soup. My mom's recipe." He pointed to the worktop, to where a wooden box stood. "There's bread in there, if you want it.." The young woman suppressed a giggle at how casual he was. When Mwu was in my house, I was so nervous, I could barely speak. But he...even though I'm here, he's not nervous at all...

A little while later, the two of them sat opposite each other at the table, quietly eating the soup. It was delicious, the vegetables chunky and cooked perfectly. Murrue glanced up at him across the table. "You said that...this was your mother's recipe. Did...you make this?"

Mwu smiled, looking a little embarrassed. "Mom taught me when I was a kid. She always said that being able to cook well was one of the most important things a person could learn..." He reached for a piece of bread, absently dipping it into the soup. "Guess she was right.."

"You miss her?" she asked softly, noticing how his expression had become saddened. He nodded, gaze fixed on the table. "I was just a kid when she died, and Dad never gave much of an impression that he cared. One day, when I was about fifteen, I woke up..and he was just gone. I guess...he thought I was old enough to take care of myself.." He looked up, surprised, when he felt a warm hand in his. Murrue was smiling, her expression kind and gentle. "It's okay," she said, squeezing his hand. "I'm sure your mother would be proud of you.." Mwu returned her smile, hoping she was right.

On the way back to her house, Murrue stopped in one of the fields, and turned to him, hands clasped behind her back. "When you were little...did you ever build a snowman?" She was smiling again, this time rather mischievously, though her cheeks were still tinged a soft rose. Mwu blinked, surprised by the sudden question. "Uh...yeah, but that was a long time ago..." Why is she asking me something like this?

In answer, she knelt down in the snow, sweeping some together to form a cylindrical form. Understanding, he smiled as he watched her. Those amber eyes of hers were shining with an almost childish enthusiasm, and her lips were pursed in concentration.

Suddenly, all he wanted to do...was kiss her.

I...Before he could process the thought, Murrue looked up at him, beautiful face wearing a delighted smile. "Look, here.." she said happily, showing him the completed snowman. Forcing the thoughts from his mind, Mwu knelt down beside her, and reached into his coat pocket to pull out his reading glasses, adding them to the snowman's face. "There, now he's me," he said. The woman beside him giggled at that, and moved to build another, smaller snowman beside her first. "Me," Mwu chuckled, removing his glasses from the snow, and holding out his hand to Murrue. "Shall we go?" She nodded, taking his hand and getting to her feet. The two of them walked through the fields, neither saying much, simply happy in each other's company.

As they travelled, Murrue glanced up at her companion. Today...had been so nice. They hadn't done anything special, or gone anywhere important...just walked, talked, and ate soup. Like good friends...or a couple that had been together forever.

Huh? That...She flushed crimson at the double meaning of her own thoughts. N-no...it's not that! He and I...we're just...She stopped. What were they, exactly? She knew that...she cared for the blonde man a great deal. He wasn't just a friend - there was something more there...there had been ever since the day they met.

As if...it was meant to happen, somehow...

As they reached her garden gate, she turned to him, knowing how red she must be. "W-well, thank you for today. It's been...very nice.." She gazed down at her hand, still clasped tightly in his, and felt warmth flood through her. I don't want...to let go... Mwu nodded, opening the gate and walking her to the door. "So..when do you want to meet for our date?"

Surprised, she glanced up at him. "You mean..this wasn't our date?" He blinked at that, blue eyes confused. "I thought that..." Then he smiled, nodding. "I see. Okay, this was our date. You'd prefer it that way?"

Murrue blushed again. "I j-just thought that i-it might be nicer if it was just...the two of us, r-rather than b-being out in a crowd..." Oh great...now he must think I'm such an idiot. Why did I say that? I just passed up the chance of a real date with him...

"I thought so too.." She looked back up at him at those words. "Huh?"

Mwu was smiling, the expression lighting up his tanned face. "Today was much nicer than going out somewhere fancy. I was happy...to spend it with you. And I hope we can do it again.." She nodded, happy he understood. "I'd..like that very much.." She turned to unlock her door, then peeked back. "W-would you like to come in for a little while?" But, much to her disappointment, he shook his head.

"Thanks, but I have to get home. I have a lot of stuff to get finished for work. But thank you." Bending down, he brushed a lock of dark hair from her face. "I'll...see you tomorrow."

Murrue nodded breathlessly, wondering why it was that her heart was pounding. "Y-yes..." Is he...is he going to...please... Mwu smiled, and, ever so gently, brushed his lips against hers. Her eyes widened for a split second, then fluttered closed of their own accord. Her hands moved to rest on his broad shoulders, and she sighed happily. The kiss only lasted a minute or so, but it felt like an eternity. When they broke, the two of them gazed at each other for a few moments, she reaching up to brush aside a golden curl from his eyes. "I..." she murmured, and he rubbed his nose to hers gently. "I've wanted to do that for a long time," he admitted, and Murrue was so breathless, all she could do was nod. Breaking free of his hold, however reluctantly, she unlocked her door. "T-thank you.." she whispered. It felt like...I was flying...

The next evening, she was walking through the city, treading carefully with court shoes on ice-covered streets. The station was just ahead, and idly, she wondered if he was there waiting for her. The memory of their first kiss was still fresh in her mind, and without thinking, she pressed her fingers to her lips with a smile. I wasn't expecting it..not so soon, but it's the same with how I feel around him. Like...it was meant to happen...now I just wonder...what will happen next.. The thought made her feel slightly giddy with happiness, and she sighed. I'm like a schoolgirl with a crush...but I can't help it. I...

Moving quickly past a jewellery store near the station, Murrue suddenly saw something that made her stop short. A flash of familiar blonde hair. Stopping, she moved to gaze through the window into the well-lit shop. It was Mwu. But..what was he doing?

A woman, a very beautiful woman, in a blouse and skirt was standing beside him, holding a small velvet box. As Murrue watched, the woman's face lit up in a smile, and she nodded. Mwu beamed in delight...and hugged her tightly.

And outside, another young woman watched - and felt her heart snap in two. One hand pressed to the glass, the other to her chest, she watched until her vision became blurred, the tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mwu.." she whispered, voice choked. I'm such an idiot. How long have I known him? Three weeks? I should have known..that it was too good to be true. That there was no way someone so handsome and kind wouldn't be already spoken for. I should have prepared myself. But I didn't expect it...to hurt so much! Scrubbing at her face, she turned and ran, not caring where she was going, only knowing that she had to get away.

What was I to him? Was I just...a casual flirtation while he was preparing to...to...The tears fell harder, the pain in her chest so agonising she could hardly breathe.

Why did I let myself fall in love with him?

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( Duhduhduhhhhhhhh...cliffhanger! Lolololololololololololol. Now ye see..just how mean I can be, Sky XD

Please read and review, and merry Christmas! )