I stringed my bow, set an arrow to it, and started the hunt.

With all the snow, one would expect the traces of prey to be much easier to find. However, I couldn't find anything for quite some time… It was only when I went a little higher upon the mountain side that I did. Fresh tracks from the look of it. A rabbit, a hare probably. I was traveling upwind, and so had no trouble in being discovered by sent. Hearing would probably be another matter though. I walked on for a few minutes, until I finally found the little creature. It nibbled innocently a resisting tuft of grass (surprisingly enough). I positioned myself to shoot, muscles tensed, breathing slow and controlled, ready.

My fingers twitched, ready to let go of the string. I was so focused on my little rabbit, I didn't quite understand why a puff of snow jumped at me. The exceedingly loud roar though, caught me up on the situation fast. The teeth didn't land too far from my head either. The hare bolted. I had luck enough that the monster was….playful and chased after it. I hurried to cover myself behind the very few trees present. The beast was otherworldly, uglier than sin and probably far worst that those that would have committed them. It had nothing but tough leathery skin, a few hairs here and there, but massive claws and teeth the likes of which would cut through us like a knife through unrefrigerated butter. After a quite speedy reflection, I thought it wouldn't be too wise to let such a monster live. I sprang my bow again, and went after it.

As I walked along its trail, a voice came to tickle my ears. I looked a little downhill, and Nep was waving her hands at me vigorously. I sighed. "What?" I call down to her. She speaks incomprehensible words. Well that's helpful… I repeat myself again, only this time, someone else decided to join in. The mountain side rumbled, and creaks seemed to spread across the upper snows. I paled. Oh shi… I spun to my friend "AVALANCHE!". But of course that only helped it move faster… We had barely done a few steps, the powerful rumble was upon us! The only thing I was aware of was the continuous spinning and churning amidst the moving mass. Snow clutched at my clothes and seemed determined to drag me to the depths. The continuous spin would've had me sick rapidly had it not been for the snow and ice to keep me in my right mind.

I felt my speed slow down somewhat and hopefully thought our turmoil would be over. "Swimming" through snow waves is a mighty task I would not recommend anyone in their right minds… But so, I managed to spare a glance at our heading. A little cliff was there to welcome us out, and into the air! Human snowball, LAUNCH! Our trajectory was a rather good ellipse (with good hang time to boot), until I saw an unexpected and unavoidable obstacle on my path. (After "snow swimming", try "air swimming"! Even less possible!)

My surprised, shocked, adrenalined-hypened eyes stared into smoldering ember ones, behind an ivory mask.

.....!

I air tackled him off Despair and into the powdery snow behind. My world went blank. I mean literally. All I could see was snow and….oh wait… That's his…chest…! I landed flush against him. My heart picked up and my body increased of a few degrees. He wasn't moving, and I didn't dare to. He was…warm…for someone who spent his time shirtless. It felt like some time went by, and still no reaction. Very slowly, I tried getting up and looking to him. He stared down at me with an unwavering, piercing gaze. I blushed subconsciously, though still aware of the dangerous situation I was in. He studied my face, then spoke "Who are you? You've been following us for quite a while now." I blushed more if that was at all possible. I was so nervous, I had no idea what to do. My body moved before I could even think. I plunged to the right (from sitting astride him). He caught my wrist in a flash and pulled me back to him. Once again, I was pressed flushed against him. Only this time, he held my head up so that I had nowhere else to look. "Answer the question" he ordered dryly. I gulped and my brain short-circuited on the options available to me. As I was about to blabber some nonsense, the snow covering us was being brushed away. A tall man, covered in a red hood with two white bangs coming down the sides looked down at us with his ice-blue eyes.

Death let go of my face and held my wrist instead. He stood up and dragged me along. "There's another one, brother" said War. Death looked slightly to the side and saw Nepakang standing there next to Ruin.

"We apologize for the trouble. We didn't mean to cause such a raucous. A monster attacked us as we were hunting. Then the avalanche came down…and us along with it" Nep explained tactfully. "Yet you've been following us for some time now" Death repeated to her. Nep glanced at me, then kept on going. "Well…you ARE the horsemen of the Apocalypse. You can't expect to walk around unnoticed here."

"Humans…?" muttered Strife to his sister. She gave him a stiff but uncertain nod in response. "And where are you headed for?" demanded Death ignoring her fan declaration.

"Well…with you guys! If that's okay… We don't really have anywhere else to go…" (which was true) She gave a little of her puppy-eye action. War and Death looked at each other. -hooded-frown didn't seem against it (if anything, he seemed to want to take Nep along). Death gave a "I-couldn't-care-less" expression through his mask.

Nepakang beamed a triumphant smile at me, then blushed and shied when War turned to look at her. He mounted Ruin and extended a hand in her direction. She looked really surprised and took it. He swung her up in the saddle in front of him.

Death let me go and mounted Despair. But he turned around and started walking away. The others seemed as confused as I was. Strife was about to offer me a ride when he interjected. "She can walk. They've shown enough capacity in that aspect." None of them dared to go against their oldest sibling. I stood, mouth agape. "Excuse me?" I exclaimed. "Your brother is courteous enough to offer a ride to my friend, but I get to walk? So much for the legendary riders!". He raised an eyebrow at me "so you do have a tongue". I glared at him "I didn't feel inclined to use it before" I retorted holding my head proudly. He gave a short chuckle, and led Despair away. The others followed, including Ruin with my friend, and her idol behind her. I mentally fumed, and started to walk behind the horses. I loathed them a little for their arrogance and superior attitude, but I couldn't show it. I remained as expressionless as the snow around me.

As time went by though, I thanked the fact that I walked. I imagined myself trapped on one of those saddles with one of the legendary horsemen (Death was out of the picture). Down on the ground, I had my freedom.

I managed to keep up surprisingly easily with them. Which also seemed to surprise them, for they looked back at me from time to time. All except Death of course (the one person I would've liked to have some info about).

We walked well throughout the day, and Nep and I had to eat along the way (though she was sitting, and I walking). As the sun started to set on the western mountains, casting us in shadows, the gang started to search for a nice place to rest for the night. Luck was with us, and a smallish cave offered itself.

We all managed to fit inside. Nepakang leaned against War for warmth and comfort in the night. I however, waited for Death to fall asleep (or pretend to) so I could go and search for Despair's hospitable heat. He seemed overly glad to see me and welcomed me happily. I pat him gently and talked to him a little, before I snuggled in the crook of his neck and between his fore hoofs. I sighed happily and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Little did I know then, I fell asleep under the burning, watchful gaze of the oldest rider, assessing and pondering on my case.

A/U: Hello dear friends! I'm sorry for my overly long delay... I hope everyone has been doing well and had nice restoring vacations. Here's the new chapter as you can see (duh! facepalms). I hope you'll enjoy it! Please don't hesitate to leave comments, it's always encouraging to know ones work is appreciated (even if just a little). See you all around!