Disclaimer: As usual.

A/N: I know nothing of Russia; except that the people who live there are called Russians, so don't sue.

Howling to the Moon.
Part Ten: Moon cakes and Meetings.

Cats hate cold. Cats also hate water and due to an unfortunate event that he had no control over, Rei found himself in just such predicament; cold and wet.

How a trip back down to the restaurant had ended up as a field trip over to the supermarket, he didn't know. Max said something about restocking in case of a snow-in, but Rei wasn't paying much attention to him. Just the prospect of venturing into the cold, cold, wet world was enough to make him shudder.

He didn't really want to go, but just imagining the outcome of letting Max go into the supermarket by himself overpowered the feeling. All that candy. All that sugar. He still remembered what happened the last time and vowed that he'd never let it happen again. At least at that time, they had Kai.

"Isn't this fun?" Max squealed in delight, kicking over a small snow hill.

Rei chose to pay no attention the comment. He knew that if he did, he was going to say something that goes completely against his belief of tolerance, kindness and to treat others like you would like them to treat you.

"Do you think that if we jumped in the lake, naked, that we'd be turned into ice-cubes like in the cartoons?"

Ah, to hell with belief.

"It's cold and I want to go home!" Rei whined, catching the shocked attention of Max and Kyoujo. He didn't care if he sounded pathetic or childish, he was cold, and Max's comment didn't help any.

"But, Rei," Max pouted, "what if a unexpected storm blew over Moscow. There won't be enough food to feed everyone in the hotel and we'd be forced to eat each other. If that ever happens, Rei," he bowed his head solemnly, "I give you permission to eat me or to use my body to keep yourself warm. You too, Kyoujo."

The said two could only look oddly at their blonde haired teammate and answer with a befuddled, "Aa … "

Watching the immediate brightening of Max's face, Rei couldn't help but sweat-drop. He seemed to recall a certain someone who ordered him to go to his room and to bed just minutes ago, and yet ... this someone before him seemed like a completely different person. It was like he had completely forgotten his earlier words. Rei decided that he'd need to look up split personality on the Internet sometime.

"Hey, look!"

Rei turned his attention to the squealing voice of Max's. He'd need to find a better hiding place for that sugar!

"There's someone standing out on that pier! It looks like he's going to jump!" Max pointed towards a shadowy figure standing on a wooden pier over looking the wide frozen lake.

Rei's eyes widened, and before his mind could even register the fact that the lake was frozen, he found himself rushing forward; his leg carrying him as fast as they could. He could feel the blood pumping in his veins and the cold wind on his face that felt almost painful. His hair whipped madly behind him as he made a mad dash towards the direction of the lake.

"Looks like something out of Baywatch, doesn't it?" Max blurted out to Kyoujo when Rei was long out of hearing range. The short boy couldn't hold back a snort.

This can't be happening, today of all the days! Rei almost cried, but still pushed himself further. In his deep concentration to get to the person, his mind still did not register that the lake was frozen and no one could drown there even if they tried.

Coming within seconds reach of the person, Rei shot out his arms and shouted, "No! Don't jump!" before he lunged. The figure turned around just in time to see the rabid looking Neko-jin flying towards him. His lilac-eyes widened slightly when their two bodies made contact, throwing both of them backwards, off the pier and onto the wet, hard, ice-lake.

- - - - -

While Rei was out there, rescuing those in need of rescue, Takao still found himself in Kai's room, peeping in the (adorable, though he'd never admit it aloud) scene with Kai and Yuriy. He was actually very hungry, yet, did not dare attempt to venture out in the fear of having to live out the rest of his days eating his food through a straw. He'd have to suck it up and hope that his stomach would not decide to rat him out the two. He imagined Kai to be very scary when he's mad, and with Yuriy there, Takao was sure that it'd awaken some motherly instinct in the slate haired teen.

Whatever the reason was, he didn't care to find out.

After the very touching scene a few moments ago, neither Kai not Yuriy had moved from their current position. Kai still had his arm up protectively around the redhead who lay curled against his chest.

Takao had the sudden image of a mother wolf and her cubs in their warm den. The thought of wolves immediately reminded him of meat, which in turn made him think of a well-done sirloin covered in black-pepper sauce with a side of gravy and mashed potatoes.

Oh, who was he kidding? Starvation was getting to him and if he didn't have anything to stuff in his mouth soon, he'd keel over and die. Takao subconsciously began chewing on his hat.

A sudden movement and voices from the direction of the bed caught his attention and he let the hat drop to the ground. Leaning closer towards the opening of the door, he let his eyes roam about, taking in the position of Kai ... who was not on the bed anymore, instead, he was walking directly towards the cupboard!

Oh, shit! Takao panicked and began to look for a place to hide in the barren space. His heart was practically in his throat by then when he heard Kai saying something to Yuriy, but it was in Russian so he didn't understand. Had Kai already discovered his location? It's true! Kai does have x-ray eyes! Takao sulked and covered his eyes with both his hands. He didn't even want to see the look on his captain's face when he discovered that he'd been eavesdropping in all this time.

A minute passed, but the door wasn't flung open. In fact, Kai's voice seemed to be moving further from where he was. He didn't dare open his eyes yet, just in case Kai came back. But when the sound of running water reached his ears, he dared a peep from through his fingers and couldn't help the unconscious sigh that escaped his lips. He wasn't discovered.

Daring himself even more, he sneaked a peek into the room again and discovered that Kai was no longer in sight, which meant the one in the shower is him. Yuriy still lay on the bed; his back turned away from the door. This was his chance for freedom. But would he take it? The risk was already weighing down a lot on his mind. He probably wouldn't even get another chance like this. He'd just have to take the risk.

Takao took a deep breath of oxygen, placed his hat, which was a bit damp on the back, on his head and stood up. He brushed the creases out of his clothes and moved closer to the door. With one last look, he pushed it open, hoping to dear lord that it would not make a sound.

It didn't.

Taking one-step at a time, as quietly as he possibly could, he tiptoed to the front door. Ten steps. Nine ... eight ... seven steps left to freedom. Takao couldn't help a grin from surfacing. He was almost home free, but then, a small cough sounded from behind him and he could feel his heart skip a beat. He was halted in his tracks. His body didn't seem to be responding to his brains commands. Slowly and painfully, he turned his head around to look at the source of the cough and came face to face with icy-blue orbs.

"Takao…" Yuriy whispered weakly as he looked at the rapidly paling boy before him.

Takao could only raise a trembling hand in return; he had suddenly lost the ability to speak.

End Part Ten.

Double cliffy, nyaa. Love me!

By the way, I had never intended for this story to go on for too long. It might have another 5 chapters to go, but being me, it'll probably go longer. But I don't intend to have more than 20 over all ... probably.

Don't forget to criticize constructively.