Hello! I wanted to say, that people who have read the KamuixEmi story, probably missed out on the AichixKourin one. I deleted the KamuixEmis story because it was just horribly written. So chapter 15 is now AichixKourin, not KamuixEmi.

Pairing: KaixAichi

Time: Between Link Joker and Legion Mate

Kai sat on his favourite bench in the park and looked up the sky to see little snowflakes falling down and melting instantly when they came in touch with Kai's warm cheeks. Kai likes winter, it resembled his personality very well. However, he wasn't always like that, before his parents passed away, he was more like summer, always bright and happy. He chuckled at that thought, that little naïve kid wasn't anymore.

"Kai? Why are you sitting out here in the cold?"

Kai looked up to see his little blue haired friend with a smile across his face. Aichi was a really special person to Kai, also due the fact that Aichi is like all seasons together. Kai was fascinated how Aichi's personality changed since the day he challenged him to a card fight for the first time. He could be calm like winter, but also harmonic like spring. He could be mysterious and unpredictable like fall, but also cheerful and happy like summer. This was one of the reasons, Kai was no match for Aichi anymore.

"Just thinking, I suppose."

"I see. Hey, don't you want to go to a warmer place?" asked Aichi. Kai didn't even bother to look up anymore. When did Aichi become so confident? He always stammered when he talked to Kai. What happened when Kai was training with his Link Joker powers? Did Aichi change so much without him noticing? Impossible.

"Fine."

"Okay, let's go, I know just the right place."

Kai slowly followed Aichi down the road, curious as to where he was leading him. He scanned the neighbourhood and noticed that everything was covered in white snow. He found it beautiful. Everything looked so pure that he could just stay there forever and watch the glistering snow on the ground and rooftops.

"We're here. I hope, you'll like it, Kai," exclaimed Aichi, poiting with his gloved hand at the huge sign, which said 'Yuki's'. It looked like a regular coffee shop, but Kai registered a little sparkle in Aichi's eyes, when he looked at it. Kai still didn't know why Aichi brought him all the way up here, he could easily ask Naoki or Misaki to acompany him. Aichi led him to a table nearby and they took their seats.

"May I take you order? Oh, Aichi, I see you have finally found a boyfriend?" said a waitress with long raven black hair and ocean blue eyes. She looked fairly interesting to Kai, because he hadn't really a chance to see somebody with such a complex eye colour. Or so he thought.

"N-No! It's now what you think, Akane! W-We're just friends!" stuttered Aichi. Kai had to smile at the fact, that something like this still made Aichi the nervous wreck he used to be. He found it amusing, how he would turn all red and then begin to talk like a waterfall so no one would understand a word he said.

"All right, calm down, geez. So are you guys ready to order then?"

Kai ordered black coffee as usual and Aichi went with a cup of hot chocolate. The Akane girl chatted with them a bit longer and Kai found out that she was Aichi's cousin, who moved back to fulfill her dream as a writer. So that's why he kept looking at her eyes, they were so similar to Aichi's.

"So Kai, why weren't you at Card Capital today?"

"I just needed a break that's all," replied Kai, feeling a bit guilty that he worried the little bluenette. But then he noticed something shocking, Aich wasn't really that small anymore. He had grown since he entered Miyaji High School. Another thing Kai failed to notice. Was Kai really so fixated on himself that he didn't catch on anything?

"That's great, I was concerned that something bothered you," said Aichi with relief. He really didn't try at all to hide his emotions. Kai and Aichi couldn't be any more different. Kai always kept his feelings inside, while Aichi was always easy to read. However, in a way Aichi was right. Since the Link Joker incident, Kai had a tough time coping with everything. His friends might have forgiven him for his sins, but he hasn't forgiven himself yet. He felt like there was needed some kind of punishment, but none came.

"Bye, Akane! I'll see you tomorrow and I'll bring Emi along with me!" yelled Aichi, before he left 'Yuki's' with Kai. The snow still hadn't stopped falling. Kai was wondering how much snow there will be the next day he would wake up.

"Well, it seems we have to part now," said Aichi, looking at Kai. Kai was so deep in thoughts he didn't even realized that he was just a block or two away from his warm apartment. But some deep dark part of him still wanted to stay with Aichi.

"I can walk you home, you know," he blurted out. Kai mentally slapped himself, to get this overwhelmed with his feelings. Aichi's cheeks flushed and Kai felt that feeling again. It was nice and comfortable that he could even get used to it.

"K-Kai, you don't have to."

But Kai didn't respond, he just shoved his hands in his pockets and started to walk in the direction of the Sendou home. Aichi needed a few seconds to take in the situation before he ran to Kai who was already 5 metres ahead. After a short while they arrived at Aichi's home. Even though they didn't talk, Kai was glad that his insticts told him to do this.

"Th-Thank you, Kai, for walking me home. I really appreciate it," said Aichi, now looking Kai straight in the eyes for the first time that day. He couldn't help, but let out a smile. Kai didn't know if Aichi felt the same way he did, but this friendship would be enough for him, for now. He ruffled through Aichi's hair and gave him an assuring look.

"I'll get even stronger and make you proud, Kai," said Aichi all of the sudden. Kai wasn't expecting this, so he was a bit surprised. But he was happy that his opinion mattered so much to Aichi.

"I'm already proud of you," thought Kai.

"You'll come to Card Capital tomorrow, right?"

"Maybe."

"I'll take that as a yes," said Aichi, smiling widely. Kai just shook his head and watched Aichi walking towards the house. But before that Aichi did something, which Kai would never thought would happen. He rushed over to Kai and gave him a warm hug. His arms surrounded him and he felt safe, like nothing could tear them apart right now.

"S-Sorry, I think I got carried away," said Aichi, totally embarrassed by his actions. Maybe Aichi was feeling like he all this time. Maybe it wasn't just his imagination. He would wait and see how their relationship would develop. There was no reason to rush this, they had all the time in world to figure this out.

"Good night, Aichi."

"G-Goodnight, K-Kai."

Kai waited Aichi to finally get into his home and then he made his way back to his own apartment. Aichi Sendou was really something special to Kai. Aichi was the warmth he needed in his life.

"You know, Aichi, maybe it's time for winter to retire and melt, to make place for spring instead."

REVIEW

A/N This is officially my favourite Kaichi story now! I just finished it (1 AM) and I'm very happy with the result. I even thought of making this an alone standing Oneshot! I hope you guys like it as much as I do. :)