Sometime later, winter arrived to the Village, around the tents were decorated like the trees, snow had fallen to the ground covering everything, for Koda was strange to don´t hibernate, sometimes he fell asleep, waiting to wake up on nine months, just to find out that he had only slept a night, but he was getting used to it.
But another thing he didn´t like it too much was the fact he now had to wear a big coat, to start he didn't liked to wear animals skins, and the coat was also too big for him, but Koda knew that without his fur, he needed the coat to protect him from the cold, so he just got over it.
"Is isn´t that bad Koda" Kenai told him "Now you look like a real hairball"
He added with a malicious smile, the two of them they were outside they´re tent.
"It´s not funny Kenai!"
"For you maybe not, but for me is it" Kenai said laughing.
"Are you going to make fun of me during all winter?"
"It wouldn´t be a problem you know"
"For me is it Kenai! How you want that I don´t feel bad, it´s still too strange for me, I was use to sleep all winter and now I´ve to be awake all the time"
"Don´t worry Koda, it´s easy to get used to it, you see, we have a lot of fun"
"Really? Doing what?"
"Well, things like this"
Kenai made a snowball and then he throw it to Koda, the ball hit him on the face, Koda fall to the ground, then he started to make his own snowball.
"You want to play Kenai uh?"
Soon the two brothers were on a snowballs battle, and it just got better when Denahi show up.
"Hey, guys, I need you to…"
Before he could finish talking, he was hit by a ball, Kenai laughed and that only make Denahi to be angrier, he stand up quickly and made a snowball.
"Now you´ll see what´s funny little brothers"
Denahi joined the fight, but soon it wasn´t more a snowballs battle, Denahi jump over Kenai and soon the two of them started to wrestle on the ground, soon his clothes were white because of all the snow, Koda only laughed as he saw the two of them fight, until Kenai and Denahi were tired and the lay down on the ground.
"You, one day, are going to kill me!" Denahi said laughing.
Kenai only laugh in response.
"Hey guys, are we going to stay there all the day?"
In response, Denahi took some snow and throw it to Koda.
"Relax hairball" Denahi "We still have some time"
"Some time?" Koda.
"Yes, there´s a party tonight, music, food, oh and the magic three" Denahi.
"Magic three?" Koda.
"Yes, that´s how the kids called it, each year, one three is decorated and on night, at the beginning of the party, one kid has the honor to put a start at the top of the three" Kenai.
"Kenai had that honor when he was seven years old" Denahi.
"Really? Why you never told me Kenai?" Koda.
"You never ask" Kenai.
"That´s true" Denahi.
"Okay, but can you tell me how was it?" Koda.
"Of course, I remember that day too well"
…
All the kids were sitting around the magic tree, Denahi and Kenai were among the group, Sitka was no longer there because he didn´t considered a kid anymore, but his two younger brothers were really excited, it´s was a very popular tradition in the entire village.
Soon Tanana showed up with the start on his hands.
"Alright my kids, it´s time for someone of you to put the start on the tree, who will be the lucky one of this year?"
All the kids stand up.
"Please, keep the calm my dears, remember, we need order to proceed"
Everyone stay calm.
"Let´s see, who´s the chosen one this year" Tanana looked among all the children, then she finally decide for the village´s little trouble maker (and even do, everyone loved him) Kenai.
"Kenai! I choose you"
Kenai was for a moment still, he wasn´t expecting that.
"Go on Kenai" Denahi said as he punched his little brother in his arm "This is a chance that only comes a time in the life"
Kenai soon stand up and walked with Tanana.
"Kenai, this year you have the honor" Tanana said, and then she delivers the start to Kenai.
The seven year old kid then approached to the tree, only to be lifted from the ground by Sitka, so that way he could put the start on the top, he did it, and then Sitka put him back on the ground.
Everyone cheered with joy, and Amaguq, Chena and Denahi approached to Kenai and Sitka.
"Is beautiful, isn´t it?" said Chena.
"It is my dear, and I couldn´t be better" Amaguq said as he hugged with one arm his wife, and with his other arm he hugged his three sons.
"Yes, it couldn´t be better" Chena agreed as she also hugged his three kids.
…
"Wow, that must have been beautiful" Koda.
He and Denahi were sitting down on the snow; Kenai had leaved them because he had something to do.
"It was" Denahi "One of the best moments we ever had, with all the family"
"Are you sad Denahi?"
"No, why you ask?" Denahi.
"Well" Koda scraped his hair "I was asking, because, you know, now, you and… I mean"
"If I´m sad because my parent´s and one of my brothers are dead?" Denahi.
Koda with a sad look, nodded with the head.
"Well, at sometimes is sad Koda, but, I´m not that sad, and you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because I have both Kenai and you Koda and that´s perfect, Kenai thinks the same way Koda, I can assure that, we are really happy with you hairball"
Koda smiled and Denahi smiled back, the two of them hugged each other, soon Kenai show up and they break up the hug.
"Hi there" Kenai.
"Hi lovely-bear" Denahi.
"Yes, how was your walk bear-boy?" Koda.
"Pretty well, dog´s breathe, hairball"
And for the past half-hour they spend the time calling each other by nicknames.
"Okay, I don't have more" Denahi.
"Neither I" Kenai.
"Don´t look at me" Koda.
"Well, we have like three more hours until the party, there´s something you want to do?" Denahi.
"No, I don't know so much about snow activities, since all the years I´ve been asleep" Koda.
But luckily Kenai did know what to do.
"I´ve an idea" he goes into the woods, Koda and Denahi exchanged confuses looks between them and then Kenai get back with a big snowball, a giant one "So, everyone makes a snowman, but who makes a snow-bear?"
Denahi smiled at the idea but Koda did not seem to understand.
"What you mean by snow-bear?" Koda.
"Oh, you´ll see Koda" Kenai.
Soon the three brothers were making a snow-bear, Denahi and Koda made the second snowball of the body, they put them over the one who Kenai had brought before, and to end, the three of them made the head, Koda made the two ears, and Denahi look for two branches to the arms, he found a perfect pair, he stick them to the snow figure, and finally, the three of them added rocks to make the smile and nose, even Kenai found some blue berry's and with them we painted the rock which was the bear nose, it was strange to see a bear with a blue nose, but it was a nice detail, when they were done, they´re looked at their work, it wasn´t bad at all, as model they have used Kenai´s totem, and it seemed a quite lot like the totem.
"I love him!" Koda.
"Yes, it´s a masterpiece" Denahi.
"Yeah, we did good" said Kenai as he examined his totem, and then looked at the snow-bear.
"Koda" Denahi "You want to name him?"
"Can I?" Koda.
"Of course, go ahead" Kenai.
Koda looked at the snow-bear.
"You think big head is a good name? Oh no, in that case we better call him Kenai"
Denahi hold a laugh and Kenai got a mad look.
"Isn´t funny Koda" but then he also laughed "My head isn't that big"
"Okay, in that case" then Koda said, with a more serious tone "Sitka? After all, thanks to him I know both of you"
Denahi and Kenai were silent for a moment, but then, Denahi broke up the silent.
"I think that Sitka is a perfect name for him"
"I agree with Denahi, Sitka is perfect to him"
The three stood still looking at the snow bear, Denahi putted an arm around Kenai´s shoulder and then he placed his free hand on one of Koda´s shoulder.
The wind blow mild, one of the bears arm moved thanks to the wind and it was like if he was waving at them, the three of them smiled and stood still until Mia appeared.
"Hi guys, oh" Mia looked at the snow-bear "I can see you have fun"
"Yes, he had a snow-battle and then we call by names and finally we made Sitka"
Mia was surprised at hearing Sitka´s name.
"Oh, the bear´s name is Sitka" Koda.
"Oh" Mia "It´s a beautiful detail"
"It is" Denahi "And what´s the honor of your visit?"
"O true, guys, the hot-cocoa is ready, I come to ask you if you want some?"
"Yes, it will be nice for the cold" Kenai.
"Great, then follow me" Mia.
…
Soon the three brothers had hot cocoa on wood glasses, for Koda it was delicious, never before he had taste the cocoa before, and for him it was simple delicious, he loved it.
"Mmmm, this is delicious" Koda then he gave another drink.
"I know the feeling bro" Denahi "Kenai and I were acting as you when we first taste it, and even today I´m still loving it"
"Me too" Kenai "Let´s toast"
They toasted for their happiness of been together.
"Hi Koda" said one voice, it was Akycha, he approached to Koda "How you´re spending your winter-time?"
"Excellent, we have done a lot of things together, and you?"
"Well, my mom and dad had been with me all the day, that´s the cool thing about the winter, even do the cold"
"True"
"And when you were a bear, you had to sleep all the winter?"
"Yes"
"Wow, it wasn´t boring?"
"No, since I was sleep I didn´t even noticed it"
"Well, I don´t think I could do it, I don´t like so much sleep"
"Oh, but as a bear you don´t even notice it"
"Oh, I think it would be cool to be transforming into an animal I would like to be change into a tiger, with big claws and those two enormous teeth's.
"So you are a tiger?"
"Oh no, I don´t know what I am, I have to wait seven years more to know my totem, as well as you Koda"
"I think it will be a bear"
"Maybe, or maybe something else, Tanana´s says that everything is possible"
"Yes, I totally believe that"
"And would you like to be a bear again?"
"Actually I´m happy been a human, I have to admit, it´s fun to be awake during the winter and I have my brothers and friends, but I will love to be a bear again, go to the Salmon Run"
"I understand Koda, but, like you know, you are welcome in the village"
"Thanks Akycha, I really appreciate it" said Koda, and he was right, everyone on the village was happy with Koda, well, almost everybody…
…
Denahi, Kenai and Koda spend the rest of the day making snow-angels, they slide down on a canoe and to the end they made a fort, it was too big that the three of them fit in it.
"Why we do this again?" Denahi.
The three of them were now on the fort´s inside.
"Because we haven´t anything better to do" Kenai "I can´t believe how many thing we have done on the day"
"Neither I" Koda "And Kenai, can I ask what have you been doing all this past weeks, you´re always saying that you have something to do but we don´t know was is it"
"Actually, I know what it is" Denahi.
"You do?" Koda "Tell me what is it?"
"Sorry Koda, it´s a surprise" Denahi.
"Surprise?" Koda.
"Yes, it will be reveal to you this night" Kenai "After the party"
"But the party doesn´t start until three hours" Koda "I can´t wait that long"
"You will have to" Denahi.
"Oh you two are so bad with me!" said Koda as he crossed his arms.
"Come on Koda" Kenai "Don´t be mad"
But Koda didn´t response, he just looked away from his brothers with a mad look on his face.
"Oh no Koda is angry with us, maybe we need to do something special for him" Denahi, he approached to Koda and he stated to tickle his little brother "How about now Koda?"
"No, jajajaja, please Denahi stop it" said Koda laughing.
"Hey, let me help you bro" Kenai, soon he was also tickling Koda.
"Both of you stop please!" Koda, but neither Denahi nor Kenai stop it "Please! I´m no longer mad with you, please stop!"
"You think he had enough?" Denahi.
"Five more minutes" Kenai.
"No!" Koda "Please no more!"
"Okay, I think that´s it" Kenai.
"Okay then" Denahi.
They released Koda.
"Thanks" he said still laughing "Okay, I can wait a little more"
"Great" Denahi "And I think I have a good idea to spend the time"
"Which is?" Kenai.
"The water springs" said Denahi.
…
"Wow, are those hot?" asked Koda as he saw vapor emerging from the water.
"Yes they are" said Denahi "But they´re perfect for the cold, trust us"
"Yeah, we frequently come here" Kenai "I don´t know why we don´t brought you before"
"Well, now we are here" Denahi "So, why we don´t get in?"
"But it wouldn´t be bad for us?" Koda "I mean, the water is hot, but once we get out it will be cold, isn´t that bad for us?"
"It could be Koda" Denahi "That´s why we have to dry with our towels when we´re done, the fastest as we can, then we will put our clothes and then we go back to our tent to change into another clothes, that´s why we choose the closest water springs"
"Oh I see" Koda.
"Then what we´re waiting for?" Kenai "Let´s go"
They take off their clothes and quickly they introduce themselves into the water, for them it was a miracle, after facing the cold of the winter now they could enjoy the hot waters.
"Guys, you should brought me here before" Koda "It´s so relaxing"
"I know" Kenai "It´s feels so good"
"I know I feel how all the stress goes away" Denahi.
"And you guys aren´t going to tell me about this surprise you have for me"
"Leave it Koda" Denahi "You aren´t going to get any information"
"You´re too bad with me" Koda.
"Forget it hairball, enjoy the waters" Kenai.
"Okay, you have a point bear-boy" Koda.
The three brothers spend one hour on the water springs, Koda examined around him, all was covered in snow, white, he liked how everything looked, he liked the snow covering everything, so he was happy to be there, even if he felt a little uncomfortable because he was naked (for some reason he didn't like to show his human body, he even felt uncomfortable been shirtless) but now he was feeling good with his brothers.
"Everything's fine Koda?" asked Denahi.
"Yes, I´m really happy been here with you two guys" Koda.
"We are also happy with you Koda" said Kenai.
"Really happy" Denahi.
Koda smiled and the three brothers were on the water until their skins were wrinkled as a raisin.
"Time to go out" Denahi "And remember we need to do this as fast as we can"
"Got it" Kenai.
"Okay" Koda.
…
The night fall and the three brothers were changed into clean clothes and ready for the part, and Koda was excited about the surprise Kenai and Denahi had for him, he couldn´t stop thinking was it could be?
All around the village was decorated with all kind of ornaments that were mostly in the threes, and the Magic Tree was ready, and is the village kids were sitting around it.
"Go, will be watching you from here" said Denahi.
"Yes, Tanana will soon arrive" Kenai.
"Okay" said Koda, then he approached to the tree and sit down, beside him was Emily and to the other side Aga was.
"Hi Koda" Aga said.
"Hello Aga"
"How was your day?"
"Perfect, I´ve spend all the time with my brother and we have do a lot of stuff"
"That´s great Koda, I have fun also, that´s the good thing about winter"
"Yeah, you have right" Koda "And you Emily?"
"I just love how the snow covers everything; it goes with my skin color" and she was right, since Emily´s skin was as white as ice.
"Yes, she has always love winter" Aga "It´s her favorite time of the year"
"I can see why" Koda.
Soon Tanana appeared and all the children screamed in joy.
"As usual, it´s time to decide who´s the lucky one who will put the start in the tree´s top"
"You were very frightened that day little brother" said Denahi to Kenai with a malicious look.
"Get over it" Kenai response.
"I think this year will be easy to me decide who will have the honor" Tanana "As a gift of welcome, I choose Koda"
Koda couldn´t believe it, Tanana had selected him, him, he didn´t know what to do, he was frozen, until Kenai approached to him and whispered to his ear.
"Go Koda, I´ll help you when you have to put the start on the tree´s top"
Koda stand up and walked to Tanana, the shaman of the village delivered the now gold start to Koda.
"Here you have Koda, enjoy" Tanana.
Then Koda walked to the tree, and just like Sitka had done with Kenai some years ago, Kenai lifted his little brother from the ground, Koda, a little frightened and a little excited, putted the start on the correct position and everyone cheered of joy and Kenai putted Koda back to the ground.
"You are just like me Koda" Kenai.
"I hope I don´t, I don´t want to have a big head like you"
Kenai smiled at the joke.
"Come here"
Kenai hugged Koda, and soon Denahi come over.
"My little brothers, you and starts have something"
"We know we get into the party" Kenai.
"Yeah we should do that" Denahi.
…
The party was going great, everyone was having fun, and the three brothers have eated as much as they could.
"It´s makes me feel as I was still going to hibernate" Koda.
"Yeah, that was a feast" Kenai.
"Yes, I think I have enough for all the winter" Denahi.
They rest for some time until two of Denahi´s fan girls appeared, asking if Kenai and Denahi would like to dance, they refuse because they have to look after Koda, but Aga appeared and told that she could dance with Koda, so the three brother didn´t have choice, and they ended dancing with the girls, Koda was a little clumsy at the beginning, but soon he get over it.
But then, two more girls appeared asking to dance with Kenai and Denahi, and Akna also wanted to dance with Koda, so they brothers didn´t have a choice, and they continue dancing with their couples, then Mia danced with the three brothers.
"There goes my little sister" said Takashi laughing.
When the dance was over, Tanana makes another announce, that Emily will sing for the entire village.
"Oh yes, Emily´s voice is beautiful" Akna.
"Really?" Koda.
"Yes, haven´t you heard her sing?"
"No"
"Well, now you will Koda"
Silent was all around the crowds, and when Emily appeared wearing a blue dress with snowflakes on it, Emily looked beautiful.
"Emily will sing a song from the Mētzxīcco clan, Emily, please continues" Tanana.
"Thanks Tanana" Emily, then, se began singing.
Que bonitos ojos tienes
debajo de esas dos cejas,
debajo de esas dos cejas,
que bonitos ojos tienes!
Ellos me quieren mirar,
pero si tú no los dejas,
pero si tú no los dejas
ni siquiera parpadear.
Malagueña salerosa,
besar tus labios quisiera,
besar tus labios quisiera,
malagueña salerosa.
Y decirte niña hermosa
eres linda y hechicera,
eres linda y hechicera,
como el candor de una rosa.
Si por pobre me desprecias
yo te concedo razón,
yo te concedo razón,
si por pobre me desprecias.
Yo no te ofrezco riquezas
te ofrezco mi corazón,
te ofrezco mi corazón
a cambio de mi pobreza.
Malagueña salerosa,
besar tus labios quisiera,
besar tus labios quisiera,
malagueña salerosa.
Y decirte niña hermosa
eres linda y hechicera,
Eres linda y hechicera,
Como el candor de una rosa
Koda was amushed; Emily´s voice was in fact beautiful, even if he couldn´t understand the song because it was on another language, he ask himself why he never had asked his friend if she knew sing, he ask how will be On my way if Emily sing it, maybe they could do a duet.
Everyone applaud at Emily and she thanked everyone.
Then, other children began to sing more songs but Koda approached to Emily.
"Wow, your voice is beautiful"
"Thanks Koda, I´ve heard your voice isn´t bad either"
"I don´t like to brag, but I sing really good a song"
"Which is?"
"On my way, you want to hear it?"
"I don´t have anything better to do, go ahead"
Koda singed the On my Way song for Emily, they were site down the ground some meters away from the party, when Koda had over, Emily looked at him.
"It´s a good song, not so much of my style, but´s cool, do you mind if I tried it?"
"No, be my guest" Koda.
"Tell everybody I'm on my way, new friends and new places to see, with blue skies ahead yes I'm on my way And there's nowhere else that I'd rather be" Emily singed slowly, her voice was beautiful and mild, the snow began to fall from the sky.
"Tell everybody I'm on my way and I'm loving every step I take with the sun beating down yes I'm on my way and I can't keep this smile off my face" Koda also began to sing.
"Cause there's nothing like seeing each other again No matter what the distance between and the stories that we tell will make you smile Oh it really lifts my heart" Emily continue.
Then the two of them began to sing at the same time:
So tell 'em all I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
And to sleep under the stars
Who could ask for more
With the moon keeping watch over me
Not the snow, not the rain
Can change my mind
The sun will come out, wait and see
And the feeling of the wind in your face
Can lift your heart
Oh there's nowhere I would rather be
Cause I'm on my way now-
well and truly
I'm on my way now
Tell everybody I'm on my way
And I just can't wait to be there
With blue skies ahead yes
I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to share
So tell everybody I'm on my way
And I just can't wait to be home
With the sun beating down yes
I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to show
I'm on my way
Yes, I'm on my way
Koda and Emily stop singing at the same time.
"We didn´t sound too bad" Emily.
"Not at all" Koda. "Maybe we should do this more often"
"I don´t think so, I don´t sing so often"
"Why not? You are great"
"I don´t know, maybe I´m just too shy, Aga and Akna had to convince me to do it"
"Well, I´m happy they did, because your sing was excellent"
Emily smiled.
"Thanks Koda, it´s always a pleasure to talk with you"
"You're welcome Emily"
Then the two of them were quite, looking how the snow was falling to the ground
…
Kenai was watching at the tree´s start, it brought him good memories.
"Kenai" said Denahi, who approached to him. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing, it´s just that, I like how the starts shines tonight"
"Yeah, I like it too"
They were silent for a moment until Kenai broke up the silence.
"I miss mom and dad, and Sitka"
"I know, I miss them too"
"But I have you and Koda, and that´s make me happy"
"I'm also happy with Koda, and with you Kenai, when I thought you were death, my world fall into little pieces, my two brothers death, and, I was feeling really bad for what I´ve told you, what kind of brother does that? Blame his little brother for the death of his older brother? I was so stupid, you will never wished anything bad to Sitka, I was a fool for blaming you, so, I´m really happy you still alive Kenai, I don´t want to lose you again"
"Don´t worry Denahi, I´m not going to anywhere, without you, and without Koda, we are brothers forever, and nothing will change that"
"I know, I love you Kenai"
"I love you Denahi"
They hugged each other.
"I think it´s time for Koda to receive his surprise" Denahi, once they separated.
"Yeah, he has been waiting for it almost all the day" Kenai "You think we will like it?"
"We would love it" Denahi.
…
The three brothers have returned to their tent, Koda was sit down on his bed.
"Okay Koda, ready for your surprise?" Kenai.
"Yes, I´ve had been waiting for it all the day Kenai" Koda.
"Okay, it´s a gift that I make for you, so, close your eyes Koda, and count until ten"
Koda did what Kenai had told him to do, he counted until ten.
"Okay Kenai, now you can open them" Kenai.
Koda opened his eyes and saw that Kenai was holding a bracelet, which have attached three mini-figures of wood, a bear, a wolf and an eagle, it have a cool look.
"It took me two weeks for finishing it" Kenai "It wasn´t easy sculpt those figures but I think it was worth it, the eagle is Sitka, the reason why we meet each other, the wolf is Denahi, because his our brother and we love him, and the bear is me, this is for you to remember that no matter what happens, we are always with you Koda, every time you feel alone, look at it, and you will rembered us, your three brothers" Kenai deliver the bracelet to Koda, who took it with his hands.
"Kenai, I don´t know what to said, it´s beautiful, I love it, thank you" Koda hugged Kenai "I love you big brother"
"I love you too little brother" said Kenai.
"Hey, don´t leave me out" said Denahi and he joined the hug.
"Oh by the way, I made another bracelet for you Denahi" Kenai.
"You did?"
"Yes, only that in yours are two bears, one bear is me and the other one is Koda"
"Great"
Kenai put out from his pocket another bracelet, which was like the one who Koda have, only that in Denahi´s there was two bears (one bear bigger than the other one) and there was no wolf.
"Cool, thanks Kenai, it´s the best gift you have ever give me, way better than that death rat that you give me some years ago" Denahi.
"No problem Denahi, and get over it, there was only a joke" said Kenai with a smile.
"Anyway, I love it Kenai, I suppose you also make one for you right?"
"Yes, only that´s in mine the bear isn´t too big, since it´s represents Koda"
Kenai also put out another bracelet from his pocket.
"You have a great idea Kenai it´s awesome" Denahi.
"Thanks, as long as we use this, we´re rembered that we are always together" Kenai.
"Always" Denahi.
"Always" repeated Koda.
And finally the three brothers hugged each other one again, it was the best winter they ever had.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Okay, so this was my Christmas special, as you can see it´s longer than a regular chapter and I hope you all like, I don´t think they will be a new year´s special, so, happy Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!
And I´m glad to said that there will be a sequel to A New Life but that don´t mind this fic it´s over, there are plenty more chapters before the end and the sequel will be published on English, so, be prepare for more.
Stop talking I know.
Happy Holidays to everybody!