Tears in the Snow Chapter 3-

Finding Warmth in Ice

By Misao's Angel

It was a cold winter night, freezing air blew upon the trees, as snow softly patted against the white ground. The night was silent, not a soul dared to linger in this extreme cold†except for a certain two.

As the sharp air blew against a small boy's delicate face, he almost swore he could feel the icicles forming. But he wouldn't grunt, or make any sound at all to prove of his existence. 'Tools aren't supposed to feel' He quickly reminded himself.

Now the other of the two was a large man, scowl ever present and a bony face, never willing to admit if a feeling had crept underneath his skin. He took long strides, placing heavy feet on the chilling, silent snow, and after a few hours of endless walking finally turned to his companion.

"Haku†you don't have to follow me."

The little boy stared unsurely at his frozen feet, then after what seemed like too long lifted his head to meet the other's gaze.

"Zabuza-san†I am your tool, remember? I am supposed to follow you†To keep you safe"

The man of only one emotion turned towards his small companion, and for the first time in the three years the two traveled together, managed a small smile.

"Heh. Your stubbornness is one thing I always liked about you" The man looked on ahead and regained his scowl. "Well then we have a long way to go. We have to reach the Sand country as soon as possible."

So the two began to walk again, each slightly shivering at the knife like effect of the cold wind, each failing to utter a sound. But as soundless as he walked, as soundless as he breathed and accepted the pain, he fell softly upon the freezing snow.

Zabuza turned quickly behind him, staring at the pale, slightly frost bitten face of the unconscious boy. As the wind would sweep a leaf of the ground, Zabuza lifted Haku into his stiff, muscular arms, and held the boy against his skin. The boy slowly ended his shivers, and barley muttered a almost unheard grunt. His frozen eyelids slowly lifted, revealing a small portion of his innocent, chocolate-brown eyes.

"Zabuza-san†I'm sorry"

The boy once again lost his consciousness, leaving a pained Zabuza alone in the snow. As the night began to end, and the cold began to lessen, with only the trees as a witness, deep in the forest lay a Large man and a young boy, keeping each other warm on this cold winter night.

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So how was that? You guys like? It was kinda supposed to be just kinda a short sweet story†buy I don't know. Please, PLEASE REVIEW!!! I don't mind constructive criticism!