Another night came and went.

The sun had risen,the birds were twittering,and the warmth from the sun had melted a bit of the snow. Yes,this was a great day---or it would have been had it not been for the fact that Kiya was away. Without her,the servant boys,especially poor little Kaz,had to face the wrath of Minka if they didn't do as they were told.

Amari and Kaz were with a group of boys who had been assigned by Minka to wash the marble podiums in front of the shrine. They had been working all morning and their hands were starting to hurt. Sadly,they had to stay out there until Minka or Kiya came back and told them to come back in.

Amari looked over his shoulder. Kaz wasn't there washing the podium like he was eariler. Strange,Amari thought. He said nothing,however,and kept on working. He'll show up,he thought.

Sometime near sunset,Kiya returned and sent everyone back in. When Amari entered the house,he looked around for Kaz,but he wasn't there. He looked out the window. Snow was starting to fall again. He went outside over to where the podiums were.

''Amari!'' Someone called out. Amari turned around in surprise. ''Is that you,Amari?''

Amari looked and saw Kaz lying in the snow. His glasses had fallen off and were lying there next to him.

''What happened to you?'' Amari asked,worried.

''I fell down in the snow and they all just left me here.'' Kaz said,somewhat sadly.

''You've laid there long enough,'' Amari said,''now get up and come with me!''

''I can't.'' Kaz said. ''I tried to,but I'm too weak.''

''Get up!'' Amari shouted.

''Amari!'' Someone shouted. It was Minka. ''What are you doing outside? Get back here.''

Amari turned to his brother. ''I'm sorry,Kaz,'' He said, ''I'll come back and help you. I promise.'' And with that he left. Kaz watched him go,disappointed.

Not long afterwards,Kaz heard footsteps in the snow. Thinking it was Amari,he lifted his head up in anticipation.

But it wasn't Amari---it was Kiya. Kaz was a little upset,but he was glad to know he wasn't out there all alone.

''There you are,'' Kiya said,''your brother told me you were out here.'' She picked up Kaz in her arms,as if he were an infant. Then she carried him back into the house.

Kiya sat Kaz down by the fireplace,wrapped a blanket around him,and gave him his teddy bear. She left him there for a moment,then she came back with hot cocoa. Kaz was glad to drink something warm after being outside in the cold for so long.

After a little while,he stretched out in front of the fireplace with his blanket and teddy bear,then he fell asleep. Smiling,Kiya pulled Kaz close to her,cuddling him somewhat. He snuggled up against her,like he had done with his mother back when he was still home.

From that day on Kiya and Kaz were inseperable.


A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've got another Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi fic as well as a Samurai Champloo fic series taking up a lot of my writing time.

Now please review and do make haste,flame me and my wrath you shall taste! (evil laugh)