A/N: Thank you for all the reviews and I am sorry for such a long time before I updated! My computer broke and I couldn't have it fixed for months so I wasn't able to write my stories! Also my schedule was really busy for the second semester of college so ahhhh I do hope you enjoy the read though!

Thank you so much for the reviews, and I hope you enjoy the read!

Hanako Fujioka was mentioned in the story, and she belongs to ice-cold-sea !

A silence was surrounded by the two leaders, eye contact still remaining. She waited for his answer, hoping that he actually had one. She trusted him for once, allowing herself to actually hear his answer. She only could wish he would take it seriously.

He closed his eyes, breathing in the cold air before sighing. Heat was quickly produced to make his surroundings warmer.

"Next week, if that time pleases you." Isshiki gave an innocent looking smile, and she only observed him. She wanted to see if there was any kind of suspicious vibe but she couldn't find a reason to not believe him.

"I see no problem with it. I will inform you if anything occurs." She snapped her fingers, and the atmosphere only grew colder. Of course she did, with the heat he produced, she could only want to show her dominance through her power. They were in her territory after all. A sudden laugh came from him.

"No matter what, you really do love proving you're above others."

"Did I ask for your opinion?" Her eyes narrowed instantly after hearing his comment and he chuckled lightly before raising his arms in defense.

"It's not an insult, Ice Queen."

Before their conversation could go any further, a figure suddenly opened the door. "Apologies, Miss Kinokuni… But I have news."

In an instant, a spark was seen in the eyes of Nene, but Isshiki couldn't take note of what she felt… or what she was thinking of. It was unreadable- as if he was trying to read a blank book.

"What is it? Is there any damage?" Her voice remained calm and stoic, but it felt deep down, she was only hiding her worries. "Did anyone else come in without any permission?" Her voice caused chills down the woman's spine.

"No, no… Or well… Yes… But whoever they are, they didn't do any evil! It's quite the opposite… It's positive news." The woman gestured to her own chest. "Miss Kaburagi… We don't know how it happened, but she was healed. Her injuries were gone… No one in the Ice Kingdom specializes in healing."

Nene soon eyed Isshiki who only shook his head, he had no plan whatsoever about this. He was never told Rindou could heal anyone… She was the only person who went with him, right?

"I… I see." Nene fixed her glasses before standing up. "Look for the intruder, whatever their deed is, they have to learn that the rules are absolute. You are not allowed to come over unless you've scheduled beforehand."

"Yes ma'am!"

With no other word, she left the room, leaving no trace behind.

"I'm sorry, I have to check on Shouko." Nene began walking to the door. "Our meeting is over. You may contact me by letters if you want to meet me after today."

He wanted to say something- maybe ask her to stay longer, or even possibly…

Nevermind, that wouldn't happen. That couldn't happen. It's not like the past. She wouldn't simply stay to have a conversation with him. They were not the kids they were before, nor would they have an attachment so easily.

But sometimes he wished it was possible. Who knows if that single wish would be granted?

He watched her leave the room, and the ice doors remained open. Feels like the whole world was telling him to leave the place. He may not have a heart-to-heart conversation with her, but at least he got some answers.

A sudden glimpse of blonde hair and orange eyes, he could tell that it was one of the people under him. "Hans?" He called out his name and he had someone behind him.

"Hmph! He came in and our guards let him in!" Alice puffed her cheeks before placing her hands on her hips. "He's obedient, so I didn't need to freeze him!"

The male who just arrived smiled nervously before he bowed his head. "Isshiki, I… pleasure to see you here." He only fixed his robes which were covered with snowflakes and shaved ice. "I didn't tell you I was coming and I have to say sorry for that."

"It's okay, no need to say sorry!" Isshiki smiled brightly before looking at him straight in the eye. "But I have to ask, by any chance, were you the intruder who went into the room of Kaburagi?"

"Shouko Kaburagi?" His eyes widened for a second before he shook his head in denial. "No, but why the sudden question?"

He was lying.

"Hm… No reason! I heard someone healed her injuries, I might have thought it was you." He decided to laugh it off, but the person under him should know- that he is no fool. "I never heard that the fire element could heal someone, if they could, they would have told me. They could have saved people from that… Incident."

"Of course, I would have told you. But I have no specialty whatsoever. I wish I had that talent." Hans placed his hand on his chest. "I also have no reason to heal Shouko, at most I only came here to see if you're doing well."

Why was he playing dumb? What was he hiding?

"I see… Thank you, but everything is going well! We have decided on a meeting day." Maybe it wasn't time to question him yet, his main focus should be on the Ice Kingdom and nothing suspicious happened while he was talking to Nene. He did not want to go back to square one.

"That's great." Hans clasped his hands. "Kaoru actually asked me if you were planning to elope with-"

"Hush! That's not going to happen! Nene deserves better!" Alice suddenly slapped the back of Hans, who ended up giving a yelp of pain.

"We're in an alliance! You didn't need to add ice shards to that slap!"

"You melted it away anyway! Hmph! It's your fault for talking about such things with my leader!"

"I was asking for a friend…"

"Still-!"

"Now, now, let's calm down!" Isshiki went closer to them before any chaos could commence inside the room of Nene. "Please go back to our place, and maybe bring Rindou with you… She might not be able to handle the cold."

"And why are you staying?" Alice asked out of curiosity and he only turned his head to look at her. "I thought the meeting was over! She literally left you to go to Shouko!" She brought one finger up. "Unless you really want to el-"

"I am not planning to." Isshiki quickly retorted and began walking away. "Unlike Kaoru, I wouldn't think of such. I am not sure if he plans on doing anything with Miss Fujioka, but that's his choice. However, we have different mindsets." Despite fading away from vision, his voice was still heard clearly. "If something, I have to make sure that the damages I have done aren't too severe."

"Being a responsible leader." Hans could only say to himself. "Did Nene say something for him to transform like that? I doubt he would apologize but… hm…" He ran his fingers through his hair as he only watched him fade away. "Did Miss Kinokuni… show a softer side to him for him to change? To make him know that she was hurt by his actions?"

"You know a lot, Hansy-mansy, but you better leave soon or we're keeping you in the cells!"

"Are you doing better now, Shouko?" Nene asked as she went closer to her, she took note of how her injuries were fully healed. Who would possibly do this to her? "I was recently informed that someone healed you…"

Shouko closed her eyes and nodded her head. "I remember it vaguely. All I remember is a dark cloak swaying as they left the room. But you don't need to worry about me." She finally looked up at Nene. "There isn't any negative side effect, in fact, I feel… energized? It's quite surprising that I feel this way after a beating from that leader." She scoffed, thinking about what happened a while ago. "I'm quite irritated that I couldn't do much. I'm sorry for not being strong enough, not even for you, my leader."

"You don't need to apologize for a single thing, I'm a leader who chose not to do anything beforehand, and I allowed you to be injured. If I have a say in this, I would say I do not deserve my position."

"No! Never say that!" Shouko held the hands of Nene, denying all the words she just said. "No one would do the job better, my leader. Whatever the others say, you're always going to be the best choice. Their thoughts are just clouded."

"... Thank you." The voice of Nene was more quiet than usual, but Shouko was able to hear her voice. "Besides my point, I want to say that we should focus on you."

"You're always so selfless, but you mask it with your icy personality." She teased her a bit, punching her side very lightly. "As I said, I'm fine. You have nothing to worry about. That guy wearing a cloak lessened your worries for you."

Nene agreed with her statement, but she sighed out of relief. Nothing bad happened to her… That was something she hoped for, and it happened. "If you need anything, please tell me. It's my role as a leader to help you in any way I can."

"Of course, my leader."

A knock was heard inside the room, and the two women only stared at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Isshiki Satoshi."

The room was silent for a moment and a twitch came from the person who was recently healed. "You really do have the guts to approach me after what you did. You fire people really have no shame." Her tone had a shift, it was the complete opposite of how she talked to Nene. "But whatever, come in. I don't think you can do anything horrible when Miss Kinokuni Nene is here."

The door opened and it revealed the leader of the Fire Element. Unlike before, there was no fierce look. He was not in a fight, afterall. He had what he wanted to say in his head, but now he was faced with a glaring woman, it seemed like it won't be as easy as he thought.

"Kaburagi, I want to tell you something."

"Make it quick, I'm only tolerating you right now."

"I know how much Nene values her people. She has shown me that side of hers recently." Isshiki began to talk while he eyed Nene for a bit. For a split second, there was embarrassment in her face. She hated being vulnerable, especially around him. However, he reminded her about the scene that happened with Hang Le minutes ago.

"I know that already. And so what? Why are you here?" Shouko threw questions at him, still a bit bitter about what he did and he only stood at the same place. "Why are you not answering anymore?"

"I'm trying to form my words properly." He finally replied. Hopefully, the words he'll say would turn out right. "I wanted to apologize for what I did. You were only doing your job. What I did may have gone beyond what I planned. Nene really cares about you, she has several concerns and I chose to be ignorant."

"When did you care about Nene so much?"

"I always have cared about her, but I believe I showed it in the worst way. I admit my mistakes. You don't need to accept my apology, but you need to be informed that I know I was at wrong."

Nene could only stare blankly at him, absorbing the words he just said.

"Isshiki, please leave."