"Haru…Haruu…Haaruu where are you?" Cattleya sniffled as she wandered the house in the early moments of morning. She wore a light yellow night robe and slightly pink nose, an obvious cold befallen her. She peered into her brothers room, but neither Haru or Elie were there. She frowned and crept to see if Griff or Plue were around, but saw no sign of either. However, she stepped into the living room and saw Musica sprawled on the couch, snoring, while Shuda silently slept on the floor on his side. His back faced her. She dared not bother them or inquire where her brother and his girlfriend had went off to, nor ask about Plue and Griff. She'd find out about that when the eventually woke up.

"Good morning Shuddy, how was the floor?" Musica taunted, a wide grin on his face as he stared down at the semi-conscious ex-demon card general. "…Flat. How was drooling over the Glory's couch?" Shuda shot back, sitting up and glaring at the silver claimer. Musica scowled. "I don't drool," he lied, slowly scooting off the sofa.

"—Musica," a soft voice called from the room's entrance. Cattleya had a worried look on her face. She still wore the night robe, but her hair was now pulled back into a messy bun. Shuda's open eye never left her. He didn't seem to notice she hadn't bothered to say his name. "Where is Haru and Elie and Plue and Griff? Where did they go?" she asked desperately, her eyes widened with fears. She was worried. A terrible snow storm had begun brewing outside just as predicted, and if Haru and the others were out there, they were in grave danger. "Oh.. I heard a doorshut earlier, Cattleya. Real early though. I think they were trying to tell me they were going out for excess blankets and foods because some sort of blizzard is supposed to hit." Cattleya seemed only further upset when Musica spoke. "So they're out th--!" The shrill ring of the telephone cut it. Shuda was up and nearly had his hand on it when Musica slid over quickly and snatched it away, the same moronic grin on his face. "Yeah?" he asked the caller impolitely. It was Griff. "Griff! Where are you?" Cattleya seemed hopeful. "You're.. woah.. …. Okay, stay safe, make sure Plue, Haru and Elie stay that way too," Musica finished, hanging up the phone which Shuda eyed disdainfully as if it were poison. "So?" Cattleya asked in haste. "Your brother and everyone are safe-" Cattleya gave a sigh of relief. "But they won't be home for a while. They're stuck at a grocery store… It had already began to snow there and they're snowed in. But atleast they have stuff to eat."

Cattleya sat down on a chair. "Well… atleast they aren't out in the storm… But… if they won't be back for a while, what will we eat? All we have is eggnog, only have full now complimentery of Haru."

"I'll get the food!"

"No, Musica, its too dangerous."

"…Honestly Cattleya, I can handle it."

"Musica—" she paused and sneezed. She rubbed her forehead, her nose bright shiny red. She had a terrible cold, Shuda noticed.

"You're sick, you need medicine, that's what. I –"

"I'll be back with medicine and supplies. Stay warm."

Musica and Cattleya looked up to see Shuda at the front door, the door opened with snow pouring inside rapidly. He stepped out into the white world, and closed the door. He was gone.

Cattleya was silent for a moment, rubbing the side of her eye then being thrown into a coughing spasm. Musica frowned, concerned. He walked over to her chair and rubbed her back gently. "Don't worry…. Shuddy will be back soon…"

"Musica… please…don't…." Cattleya flinched at his touch. She couldn't bare it. She knew Musica was interested in her, and wanted to start a relationship, but a terribly feeling in her stomach kept her from allowing him to persue that…

She remembered that one night, so long ago. Shuda was such a softie inside. She had felt it in his caress. He was so warm, and that warmth, she knew was going to stay with her throughout the night. But when morning came it was gone. She was left cold.

Musica stepped back. "You don't honestly… You aren't… …Don't tell me you've still got it in for Shuda, Cat." Cattleya narrowed her eyes as Musica spoke her nickname. "I don't," she said. "But then why does it appear you do?" "I don't!" Cattleya cried, clenching her fists and glaring back at Musica. Musica merely took a step back, slightly apprehensive of the angered woman. "Then why don't you and I…" "Because I can't…. I just…. No, you won't understand if I try to explain…. You're not the person to talk to." She sniffed and stood up. Musica watched bitterly. "Try me," he spat. Cattleya avoided his piercing gaze. "…Shuda and I… we slept together once…" she said, her voice quivering due to her sickness. Musica seemed disgusted. "I had never felt feelings I knew I had until I met him. He's really such a sweetheart under that—" "Scarred face and metal arm?" Musica snorted. "…Shut up Musica!" Cattleya hissed, growing exasperated. "Shuda wasn't there the next morning. He just left, and I was alone. Not even a goodbye note. After that when he came back… Well, he just seems so distant." Musica stood. Cattleya glared quizzically at him, his body moving towards her. Before a fifteen passed seconds he was nearly up againt her, pushing her shoulders againt the wall. She despised how close his face was. "Cattleya… forget that night… forget that grudge you hold… Forget him completely… You have me now," Musica whispered, a small smirk flowing onto his face. Cattleya's eyes shivered, her back pressed as far back as possible into the wall. As Musica leaned in for a lip lock Cattleya brought up one of her clenched fists, and pounded it straight into his nose. "Aiiyeeh!" Musica cried and backed up, holding his bleeding nose. "Jerk!" Cattleya shouted. "I'm leaving. You may as well stay here and get drunk! Alone!" she snarled as she whirled around, storming to the door. Musica watched painfully as she went outside, the door slamming behind her.

Musica held up a towel under his nose, the bleeding beginning to stop after a good fifteen minutes. When it ceased he threw the crimson paper away and ripped open the fridge, his eyes scanning for food. However all there was was eggnog. He growled a fierce curse and took it out, swallowing down the carton.

Shuda began wading out through the six inch high snow without much thought of it, a warm jacket slung over his shoulders. His blazing red hair ruffled wildly in the intense gusts, a frown frozen on his face. His footprints disappeared behind him almost as nearly as the foot left the indent in the ground; the snow was coming down very hard. He could see a few twisted trees infront of him, a background of a forest. He couldn't hear the distant crashes of the waves, though. His mind was focused entirely on getting the pharmacy or store in time to get medicine for Cattleya, as well as food for her, himself, and of course, Musica.

The snow only frenzied on heavier, inches accumulating highr around his legs every second of every minute. His legss were raw under either pant leg, not to mention soaken wet from the snow. He felt a shiver rush up his spine, but did nothing of it.

The forest grew nearer, the utterly dead trees inching closer at every step Shuda took. Before long the trees were behind him, and the dense forest laid perfectly ahead. He'd have to get past here before reaching the pharmacy. It seemed easy from where he stood now, but a terrible misfortune would later occur that he would not be able to prevent.

Cattleya bounded through the snow, breathing heavily, her eyes gleaming with negative auras. Musica would stay back at home and get drunk, she knew that, and he would be fine. She needed not to worry about her sleezey friend. Her mind was set on Shuda now, the tall, secretive man that she had nearly fallen in … No, she hadn't even been close. For a moment she forgot why she was even running towards him and away from her home, perhaps it was a bad feeling in her stomach. Perhaps she was anticipating a bad ordeal, just waiting to befall him. Perrhaps she was simply running from Musica. She didn't know. But she was sure of – and kept telling herself, she was not running for Shuda. He had left that one night, she had felt empty. He made her feel that way. He had nearly killed her brother long ago. It was the past, but it was a staining past. She would never forgive him. She would keep her hidden hate for him, in a grudge, forever.

"For Cattleya," Shuda told himself, the snow a few inches above his ankles now. He pushed himself to keep going, to not submit to fatigue, to not fall asleep and freeze to death. Cattleya was sick and was only getting to grow more ill. If she wasn't helped with medicine, she could be in major danger. He had to help her. It was his job.

Feeling drowsy, he rested his eyes for a moment, but kept walking. He was a few miles from the heart of the forest now, and in about an hour or so, he would reach the opposite outskirts of the massive woods. ..Just a few more steps.. Just a few more steps. Just a bit closer each one. Getting closer, closer, you can do this, don't fall asleep. Don't fall. Don't die. Cattleya needs your help.. His good eye opened slowly. Everything was growing so distorted…

"Shuuuda!" Cattleya screamed, her hands cupped to her mouth. "Shuudaa! Shudaa where are you?" There was no reply. Shuda wasn't a man who yelled, anyway. But her own silence bothered her. It wasn't very appealing. Cattleya's arms hugged her front tightly, trying to produce some worth in her ill body. She sniffed, stopped walking and coughed, her head forced down. She coughed again, and again. Her head ached. Her throat burned. Her limbs were sore. Her eyes itched. Her nose was stuffy. She sneezed and narrowed her irritated eyes. Red rose up in a patch below either eye. Her forehead tinted scarlet. Her robe suddenly felt heated and sticky against her rubbery skin. Her heart pounded furiously. She knew what was wrong. She had a fever. A very serious, high fever. Shaking her head, she continued walking. "He can't be far," she told herself, though reassurance didn't mean anything now.

Shuda kept his mechanic arm crooked so it shielded his face from the snow, the icy atmosphere sending burns slicing through the scars on his face. His skin was paled dramatically, and his movements continued to descend in speed. The snow was already up to his knees. For a moment he stopped completely, arms lolling to his sides. He then wrapped them around his middle, forcing his head down and sighing. His breath puffed out into smoke cloud, but was quickly disposed of by a freezing gust. He didn't know how far he had gotten, or how far the store or pharmacy still was. All he knew was that he was in the middle of no where, no lights, nothing. Darkness, whiteness, coldness, pain. He hardly noticed crumbling to his knees he was so numb. ….He just wanted to help Cattleya, and he couldn't even do that. Maybe Musica would have been a better guardian for her. He must be sick too, thinking this.

For a moment he thought he heard her voice. It was distant, though. Very distant. Miles, maybe. Or possibly the wind. Yes, that was it. It was the wind, scraping against the trees. It was telling him to get up now, to keep moving. Shes very sick, it reminded him. You're wasting time.