Sooo...how long has it been since I've updated...too long hm?

Oh well, here's the 3rd chapter...don't hate me too much, the action is coming soon.

Psssh, my title makes me think of Frosted Flakes OTL

Ch. 3: Crystalline Flakes

"Akane-chan...psst, Akane, wake up."

"Nnngh..." I groaned, feeling something sharp and annoying poking my back. Snarling, I brushed the offending object (which I'd classified as a finger) away from my body. I sat up, yawning, and shot the culprit a glare through my sleep-clouded eyes. "Chizuru...why did you wake me up so early?" Running my hand through my knotted hair, I attempted another glare in her direction.

She just laughed.

"Akane-chan, you look just like Hijikata-kun when he wakes up...only, much more feminine, and with longer hair..." Her voice drifted off as she noticed my confused, disgruntled, and most likely, angry face.

Who?

As I began shifting in attempt to get up, she decided to speak again. "Ah, Akane-chan I need your help with breakfast this morning. The men are going to wake up soon, and it'll much quicker to serve them with two people working, rather than one." She turned and placed a bucket of water, along with a rag (both of which, I had not seen her with) next to my side.

"Umm...Chizu-"

"So, there you go! Wash up, and head on down to the kitchen when you're done! We don't want the men to get hungry~" And with a solid thwack, the door slid back into place...and I was left alone. Sighing, I grabbed the the coarse fabric and dipped it into the lukewarm water, before splashing it onto my face. Fully awake now, I stood up and stretched, grimacing as joints popped back into place. A small object fell from my chest, causing me to flinch and look down. Uttering a small sigh, I took up the small bell and tied it, securely, around my waist.

Afterwards, I straightened my yukata, and ran a lazy hand through my waist-length black hair, hissing upon discovering a hidden snarl there. Upon further inspection, I discovered my katana was missing. I smirked knowingly, fingering the empty spot on my waist. "Me...dangerous?" I laughed quietly, thinking about how right these people were.

I walked towards the door, my bare feet barely making a sound upon the cold wooden floor. "Let's see...she told me to meet her at the kitchen, right?" I slid the ragged Shoji doors open, and looked both ways, meeting an empty hallway on both sides...neither hinting at the way towards the kitchen. I sighed, "Jeez, Chizuru, you could've at least told me where the kitchen was."

Deciding to take a chance, I started to the left, walking alongside a banister that separated the building from the outside world. The snow was still falling quite steadily, as the crystalline flakes had covered everything in sight. The winter sun's rays casting sparkles upon the snow covered field. It was, in one word, beautiful. Looking behind me, I placed one bare foot onto the soft white blanket, my left following soon after. I stood there for a while, just admiring the scene.

"What are you doing out here?"

The voice was deep, and definitely unrecognizable. I turned anyway, and met a rather tall man with rich brown hair and blue* eyes to match. I guessed that he also lived here, and bowed quickly. "I was admiring the view...is it a problem?" I hadn't intended for my reply to sound so blunt, but according to the blinding smile the man sent me, it hadn't affected him much.

"No, it's fine. So, you must be the newest addition to our little group, huh? Little Chizuru wasn't kidding...you do look like Hijikata-san, in a much prettier way of course." He winked and grinned, to which I glared. "Anyway, I'm Shinpachi Nagakura, and you are?"

"Kitabatake Akane." I shifted uncomfortably, stretching my toes a bit.

"Nice name, very suitable for you...well now, aren't you cold? Come to the kitchen and warm up a bit."

"Oh right, kitchen! I need to help Chizuru!" I trudged back up to the small landing, kicking snow off my feet as I went. As I reached Shinpachi, his eyes were wide for some unknown reason. "Anything wrong?" I asked.

"You're...not wearing any shoes?"

Oh. "Ahh...well, the snow doesn't bother me much, and I always walk around like this." I smirked as he shook his head in disbelief and began leading the way to the kitchen.

Upon reaching our destination, I could see Chizuru hard at work preparing multiple trays. I stepped inside the warm room and took two from her hands. "Sorry I came so late Chizuru-chan. I can still help carry these for you." I gave her one of my (rare) warm smiles, of which she returned.

"Arigatou, Akane-chan...the room is straight through the doors to your left. Shinpachi-san, don't eat the food yet!" Following her directions, I arrived in a small room, similar to the room I slept in. Instead of staring at the room this time, I sat the trays down in front of the awaiting cushions. It wasn't long before Chizuru and Shinpachi filed in, placing the remaining trays on the floor as well.

Stretching, Shinpachi stood up and waved at us, "Well, I go find the guys...be right back, Chizuru. See ya, pretty lady." He grinned ear-to-ear and disappeared around the corner. I swear my eye twitched.

I heard a giggle, and turned to Chizuru, who was hiding her smile behind her hand. "It seems as though Shinpachi-san likes you, very much so too."

"...Hmph." I turned and sat in front of my appointed tray. Poking around at the rice, I wondered what Chikage was doing right now, and sighed at the thought. The door slid back open a moment later to reveal three men walking through it. Shinpachi, a red-headed man, and Saitou. I admit, I was genuinely curious about that man, he always seemed so reserved and quiet, not to mention I'd like to see how good he was with a sword.

"Good morning, Harada-san, Saitou-san." Chizuru greeted them warmly, as Shinpachi went ahead and began eating. The red-headed one smiled in response and sat next to Shinpachi. Saitou bowed slightly and took his seat, which happened to be across from me.

Great.

A whispered 'Itadakimasu', and we all begin eating (well except for Shinpachi, who already started). I can barely focus on eating, thanks to those deep blue eyes that keep boring into my head. He wasn't watching...no, it was more like analyzing, like I was some sort of predator (weellllll...does oni count?).

The repetitive sound of chewing and crunching filled the room, only broken by competitive banter between Shinpachi and the Harada guy. Finally, looking up from her food, Chizuru broke the awkward tension between Saitou and me.

"Saitou-san, where's Hijikata?"

"Hm?...Oh, he's still asleep."

….

I still don't know who this Hijikata guy is.

She blocked and parried, deflecting his advances with her katana, she was nearly invisible. Easily keeping up with her movements, he continued to strike, red eyes narrowing in attempt to find a weakness. Smirking, she dissipated as his sword ran through her form, quickly coalescing behind him to land a blow to the waist. He fell, and rolled over to look up into her smiling face.

"Kazama-san, you've improved...you're still healing, but you have come a long way." She helped him stand up, and brushed dried grass from his back. Rolling his ruby eyes, he bent and picked the woman up, bridal style, and began carrying her back to the small house they shared. "Shiki, if I can pick you up like this, I'll be perfectly fine to live on my own, you know." He bent and kissed her neck, teasing her.

She smiled and shook her head, "No, you're staying right here until you are 100% better."

"Tch, fine...but I want my 10 kids."

Annnnd CUT 8U I had to add that last sentence in, just for my buddy XD

Well, not much, but I tried to include more of the lesser extent characters...plus Kazama is alive! *u*