The icy wind threw them into the gathering snow. It bit at their faces and its howls echoed in their ears. Their skin grew cold against the barrage of ice and snow. Kurogane threw his hands against the cold stone beneath him, his fingers digging painfully in the crevices he found there. He could hear his companions trying desperately to do the same.

"Syaoran! Syaoran! The feather is here!"

Dimly he could see the bun in the shadows of Syaoran's cloak, its eyes open wide. Damn. That spirit had it then.

Mystral was still standing, the blizzard swirling about her. Bright blue eyes alight with an unnatural power, and silver hair like spun threads of ice, the girl was the eye of the storm. Such power in the body of a child! It made sense then if the feather was in Mystral's possession. Yet, at this rate, they would all be buried alive under the snow.

Kurogane lifted his head again to peer forward. Slowly, he tried to inch his way forward. The wind whistled above his head.

"My sword, bun!" He shouted above the noise. Kurogane heard the bun respond and soon he heard the familiar whistle in the air. He quickly shot out a hand to catch the sword. At least now, with that comforting weight in his hand, he could protect them.

Kurogane looked forward again and his stomach dropped.

"Damn it, mage get down!"

"Fai!" Sakura screamed

The magician paid them no heed. He only stood, steps away from the spirit. Mystral stared enrapt at Fai, her pale hand still reaching out. Kurogane could see her lips move as though she was speaking. Fai took a hesitant step forward.

"MAGE!" Kurogane leapt up and charged. His arm swung and caught the mage around the waist, forcing them both to the ground. There was a snap in the air. Mystral screamed. Her figure warped and flickered. She flickered again and then disappeared. The wind cut off suddenly and the snow stopped.

Kurogane shook his head rapidly to dislodge the snow. Propping himself up, he looked down at Fai.

Fai's eyes were open, his blue irises were burning with an unnatural light. His skin had paled and a sweat had broken out on his forehead. The ninja swore and took Fai's shoulders in his hands, shaking him.

"Damn it, mage, snap out of it!" Kurogane growled. He could hear the others coming up behind them. He couldn't let the kids see anyone, let alone Fai, like this. Increasingly urgent, Kurogane tired to shake the mage out of whatever held him in its grasp.

Fai's head turned away from his, breaking eye contact. He pressed his cheek into the ground, eyes sliding closed.

"Kuro-puu?"

The ninja swallowed a heavy sigh of relief. Instead he narrowed his eyes. "That you, mage?"

Fai sighed heavily, and hummed his agreement. "Yep, I'm fine. I had Kuro-puu to protect me after all!" Then he smiled widely up at the ninja.

"Why you—!"

"Fai!"

Sakura ran up quickly followed by Syaoran, Abby and Mokona.

"Fai, are you alright?"

Fai sat up in the snow, still smiling. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan, Kuro-puu saved me. He was very good."

Sakura smiled in relief. "Are you sure?"

"Positive."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The fire crackled and popped. Orange light swept across the room, bathing it in warmth. Sunlight still spilled through the frosty windows, its pale light adding only a little warmth. Heavy clouds still blanketed the sky, but no snowflakes drifted from the heights. Aged wood creaked as someone shifted in their chair, and there was a clink as a cup was set down. The table set in the corner of the room, five filled chairs around it, had a simple food spread across its surface. However, the freshly baked bread's scent filled the room, as it was set down beside a roast chicken breast. The elderly woman whose hands were callused from long hours of work, smiled warmly bidding them a good evening, before leaving again for the comforts of the kitchen.

They ate in a pleasant silence. Here, in the comforts of Abigail's home, words seemed unnecessary, and danger felt distant. Slowly, they ate, savouring the tastes of chicken, bread and sweet carrots.

Once the last bone had been picked clean, the elderly woman from before came back, as though sensing her meal had been finally eaten. She smiled as they gave her compliments, saying it was not a big deal. After all she made this as often as she could for her daughter, Abigail. They insisted though that they helped with the cleaning much to her gratitude.

As they settled again around the table, the fire warming cold toes, they knew that they could no longer put off their discussion.

"So Mystral has—"

"What should we—"

Syaoran and Sakura looked at each other both falling silent. Sakura nodded at him, a silent permission to go first.

Syaoran nodded in turn, and began again. "So this Mystral has Sakura's feather, right Mokona?"

The bun nodded. "Yep, when she came, Mokona felt it."

"Then we'll need to find her." Kurogane stated. "Hey brat, do you have any idea about where she could be?"

"My name's Abby!" The girl retorted. "There are a few legends but none go into much detail." She looked flustered for a moment. "Though I think they all mention something about a tree. I think…"

"Great, you think. Didn't know you had it in you." Abigail scowled and stuck her tongue out at Kurogane.

"Anyway!" The girl continued. "I think the snow spirit lives in a tree. A great big tree, all by itself, in a—"

"In a field of snow."

Everyone stopped. Fai looked up a small smile turning his lips. The mage twisted his hands together, eyes bright with some unknown emotion.

"You know about it? Did the spirit tell you back then?" Abigail asked quietly.

"Hmm? Oh no I just guessed." He smiled. Kurogane frowned but said nothing.

Syaoran nodded earnestly. "Well, then we need to find the tree."

"I think the tree should be near town. There's a place not far from here, where the forest ends. I can take you there" Abigail said.

"No." Sakura stated, green eyes solemn. When Abigail looked like she was about to complain, the princess reached to the girl's hand. Cradling it in her hands, Sakura smiled.

"These are my memories, Abigail. I do not want you to get hurt because of this. You could have been seriously injured this last time, and I won't let something like that happen again."

Abigail's bottom lip trembled, and she ducked her head down. "But…"

"I know, Abby, but I don't want you to get hurt."

Syaoran nodded and reached over as well. "Don't worry, Abby."

The little girl nodded roughly and jerked her head up again. "Okay. I'll tell you where to go."

The remaining four smiled in relief. They were so close to getting Sakura's feather back. The ninja stood and stretched. Kurogane let the tension drain from his shoulders as the young girl described the path. Red eyes glanced over to the side and narrowed.

"Mage, can we talk?" Kurogane said lowly, his head indicating for the blond haired man to follow. Fai in turn, raised his eyebrows and smiled as he stood. The pair exited the room into an adjoining one, closing the door behind them. This one had a desk with a chair, its surface cluttered with papers and an assortment of quills. Small bookshelves lined the walls and the empty spaces were filled with oil paintings. Kurogane leaned back against the closed door, crossing his arms across his chest.

Fai walked further into the room, inspecting the far bookcase. "What'd you want to talk about, Kuro-pon~"

"You know Mystral." The ninja stated bluntly.

Fai fingered the edge of an old tome. "Not really, after all we just met this afternoon"

"Mage" Kurogane said warningly, taking the few steps to place him by the bookshelf.

"Well, it is true. It is strange though. Going straight for us even though she's never—"

Kurogane slammed a hand against the wall. "Answers, magician. You've seen the spirit before, this afternoon." His eyes narrowed. "Last night." His mind making the connection in the magician's behaviour.

Fai turned slowly to face the ninja, an irked smile plastered on his face. "I really don't know what you are talking about."

"You know sure as hell what I'm talking about!" Kurogane all but shouted. He lowered his voice in an unsuccessful attempt to reign in his growing anger.

"That spirit went straight for you. Not Sakura. She tried to cast some kind of spell on you, and she said something to you! And you heard her. And you recognised whatever it was she said to you because she's said it before. So don't tell me, you don't know anything, 'cause you do. So mage, just tell me what the hell's going on!"

Fai's lips twitched in barely concealed annoyance. "I really don't see how any of this is your concern, Kuro-wan."

Kurogane wrenched Fai forward by the front of his shirt. "Even if it isn't mine, you're still worrying them. The kids."

"You, you mean."

Blue clashed with red, in a silent standoff.

Kurogane released Fai, pushing him back slightly. Turning away he walked to the door. Without turning around, he spoke to Fai.

"Don't think you can just hide behind that smile from me, mage."

The door slammed shut.


A/N: Hello Everyone! Sorry for this late chapter… Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, I know I had fun writing it even if it took so long. I'll try to be better next time around, though.