Sorry about the incredibly long wait, internet problems, but thankfully I did get the next two chapters done so please enjoy!
By morning the cold had cleared and I was feeling much better. I got dressed quickly and skipped to the table where Hiraku was standing. "A little cheerful are we?" he questioned, but I just hugged him. "I'm feeling so much better!" I told him. It was amazing how fast the pills worked, but strangely, he laughed.
"you where asleep for two days! Of course you're better." My jaw dropped. Two days! Those were some strong pills. No matter. Just meant I was comfy. "Are you up for a little winter hiking?" he asked after breakfast was done. "sure." I reply sweeping the plates off the table.
The new coat Hiraku bought me was much better than the other one. I kept warm throughout the hike. It was so beautiful to walk with everything covered in snow. Hiraku pointed out some birds on a tree that looked cold, but after a while my feet started to feel numb and the wind was really freezing my face. Just for fun, I scooped a handful of snow and packed it into a tight ball. Took aim at Hiraku, who was about five steps in front of me, and threw it. The ball sailed in a straight line and hit Hiraku square on the head! He spun around in surprise and I burst out laughing. The snow was hanging from his black-grey hair and he was trying to pull the small chunks out. I was laughing so hard I didn't notice hiraku grab some snow of his own and throw it at my face! It hit me on the forehead and started to melt into my eyes. I blinked a few times and scooped up another handful of snow. This one Hiraku dodged and he hit me in the shoulder with another ball. The snow was flying back and forth until I got an idea. I got into my gentle fist stance and preformed the eight trigram palm rotation. A wave of snow flew at Hiraku and he got covered head to toe. The rotation had pushed the snow around it into a snow blower, like fashion. I stood there with a look of triumph, but Hiraku got into a gentle fist stance too! I saw him pull his hand back and focus for a second. I knew what he was doing! He got in front of a mound of snow and I started running, but before I could get three steps I heard what I feared, "eight trigrams air palm!" A giant ball of snow hit me in the back with such force I was knocked face first into the ground. Hiraku rushed beside me apologising but I laughed harder than I ever had before. "That was brilliant! I wish I could have done that!" I roll over in the snow and laugh harder. It was just so funny! Hiraku shakes me to finally get me to stop laughing.
"You're red from the cold lets go inside." I nod my head and follow him. Still laughing from time to time, but Hiraku was right. I was red from the cold. It felt wonderful to be inside the house. Hiraku made hot chocolate and we talked about things that happened in the past, but it came to a question I didn't know how to answer. "Was there ever a time you're father showed any positive emotion to you?" I thought back. I never remembered anything. He truly never loved me. "No, he was only interested about Hanabi. He never gave me a thought." I sigh and take a long sip of hot chocolate. It was very sweet unlike some I've had that were too watery. "The problem was that he didn't see you from the inside, on the outside. On the outside you look weak and shy." I roll my eyes, "Thanks a lot." He gives me a sympathetic look,
"But on the inside you are a confident warrior who can only get stronger." I smile at that. Hiraku was the exact opposite of my father and he was a better trainer too. All the things I've learnt have been because of him. Mira purred against my leg. I picked her up and hugged her. She had such soft fur. "Plus, you have become more confident on the outside too. I've witnessed it." That was true. I no longer quit if things got rough. I stuck with it until I mastered it. It was a change for the better. I glanced outside, fresh snow was falling and it was very comforting. Mira jumped up and rubbed against my leg. The Christmas tree was shining and I was really happy. Mira hopped on my legs and started to claw at them. I tried to urge her off but Hiraku said, "That's the way they let you know they feel safe." I sighed then laughed. I guess even with the claws Mira was a great cat.
The rest of the day passed by quickly with Hiraku and I cleaning up all the pine needles the tree dropped. It wasn't all just fun and beauty. When we finished I yawned and went off to bed. While I was under my covers I thought, "Tomorrow would be a good idea to shop in town." I didn't even have time to think of the fact I didn't have any money, I was already asleep.