A.N.- This is a long chapter. Hopefully makes up somewhat for the long wait. I will start on the new chapter today. I swear I will do everything in my power to get the next chapter up this month! Wrote this chapter while listening to Adrian Von Ziegler, an awesome composer found on youtube.

Last time: Kurogane and Fai are two best friends living in a small, isolated village. Fai realises he is in love with Kurogane.

One day Fai suddenly goes missing. Kurogane is determined to find his friend. He leaves his village and meets the Mage Watanuki, who temporarily decieves him. Kurogane discovers that the Mage's best friend Doumeki also vanished. He then comes across the Lady of Shallott, a young girl named Rika who was made a child bride and then left alone in an enchanted tower under a curse. When Kurogane leaves, despite assurances he would return, she decides to kill herself.

Kurogane finds out that Fai was stolen by a mysterious figure called 'The Snow Queen.'

Kurogane left the land of marshy hills, and all the misery of the poor abused girl Rika, 'The Lady of Shallot,' and made his way towards the golden trees he could see yonder.

The forest was vast and bright. As he entered it he could see an array of creatures had made their home there. Birds flit from tree to tree, crying out their songs. He saw a red-dog-fox scurrying through the undergrowth; the cunning creature giving him on quick look before proceeding into some hole hidden by leaves of auburn and gold.

Leaves fell constantly, yet the trees were all still in full Autumn bloom. The air was dryer now than it had been in Shallot, but colder and crisper. It reminded Kurogane of home a little.

He sighed softly. He just wanted to get Fai and go home, he felt like he had aged so much during this journey.

There was magic in this forest, he could tell. But it wasn't as concentrated as the magic from Watanuki's garden or Rika's tower, here it seemed as light and free and untamed as the very wind.

"I wonder if this makes it more or less dangerous?" he pondered, allowing the tiredness to wash over him once before straightening back up and continuing his journey. As always he had no idea if he was going in the correct direction, the forest was too large for that, but he had long ago decided that he would walk forever if he had to.

Kurogane would never stop searching for Fai.

"Fai would have liked it here," he thought to himself, "he always loved nature and life. He would have been sad at the lack of flowers," (indeed the ground was mostly dry soil, leaves, and a few clumps of hardy, pale grass,) "but he would have appreciated the atmosphere. Wherever you are now Fai, I hope you are not hurt. I hope there is a measure of happiness for you. And if anyone has made you feel pain, I came coming for you and I shall make them suffer tenfold."

Kurogane's bandaged and bloodied hands shook from pain, and his chest ached terribly, but he kept going. The land was mostly flat, so this was the easiest walk he had had in some time.

The bright pale yellow sun was now high in the sapphire sky when he began to hear the beating of drums.

"Alyyy-oooo!" a voice cried out in the distance.

Kurogane could hear the barking of dogs.

"Alllyyy-ooooo! There goes the beast!"

Suddenly a red streak that Kurogane later reasoned was a fox, flew past Kurogane at lightning speed. He stopped walking he was so taken by surprise. In the next moment five or more black dogs with red, salivating tongues leapt over a fallen log, intent on catching the fox.

A couple stopped and looked at him. One let out a howl to its masters while the others barked at him.

Kurogane peered at the dogs. There fur was short and their teeth white and sharp. Their paws were large and their legs long. There were hunting dogs.

"Your masters are rich men," he said observing their collars were gold and encrusted with emerald jewels.

"And what have we here then?"

Kurogane turned to see a grand-looking woman sitting on a large chestnut coloured steed. The horse snorted white mist and pawed at the ground. The dogs went to their Mistress, tails wagging.

The woman wore a long, black riding dress and a tall top-hat. She looked down at Kurogane who suddenly felt quite grubby and dirty.

"I am looking for my friend," he said, his voice not betraying any anxiety he felt, "I have heard that he was taken by someone called the Snow Queen, and that she has taken him to the White Wastelands."

"Land of the Polar Bears," nodded the woman, "your friend is lost to you and you shall not get him back."

He frowned, "I will get him back! But it is no business of yours anyway! Tell me instead, am I going in the correct direction."

"For a beggar boy you certainly do demand an awful lot," she said unfeelingly while the rest of her party, equally glamorous men and women, joined her side. "Return with us to the House of Redleaf," she continued, "and I shall aide you with your journey to the Wastelands."

"I don't have time for that!" cried Kurogane, not wishing to be way-laid again.

"Yes you do," she said, "first of all, time is nothing in these forests. It is always Autumn. It never changes. So your time here will count as naught. Also, if you go about your journey dressed in rags and injured, you shall never make it to the Wastelands. Even if, by power of your determination alone, you did make it, the Snow Queen would annihilate you as soon as she glanced your way. Come with us. Climb upon my steed."

Kurogane grit his teeth. On the one hand, e wanted to get going. Fai was ever becoming a ghost in his mind, a boy he knew long ago rather than a friend he lost but recently.

But, he also knew that his body was failing him. He would need information about this Snow Queen if he was to defeat her.

"Fine," he hissed, feeling angry at himself, before climbing on to the woman's horse and feeling them ride away.

"What is your name?" he asked her as she and her companions rode in relative silence.

"The Lady Tomoyo." She answered, "and what is yours, brave stranger?"

"Kurogane."

A clearing opened up and Kurogane saw a large country estate facing them. The walls were a deep vermillion and blended in seamlessly with their surroundings. Tall trees grew up behind the house making it appear as though the House and the Forest were in unity.

In front of the house was a large, placid lake complete with a red bridge in the middle of it. The horses clattered over the bridge nobly, whilst the dogs gadded about at a slow, unguarded pace.

"This is a very beautiful home you have here," said Kurogane genuinely.

"Yes, my wife and I are very happy here," she answered.

"Wife? Are you not a woman?"

"Yes I am, and so is my wife."

Kurogane said no more but looked forward. He hadn't known women could marry other women. He had only known men to marry women. The idea was strange and new to him, but not repulsive. As they came to the end of the bridge and walked towards the stables he began to quite like the idea; it made sense that anyone could marry anyone regardless of gender. After all, marriage was a unity of love, a promise of fidelity and loyalty. Why would that be reserved to one type of coupling?

"Are there any men here who have married other men?" he asked, climbing down from the horse and wincing a little from the aches around his chest and hands.

"Yes," she smiled, "all very happy too."

Kurogane suddenly thought of Fai, and he suddenly felt a little strange. He shook it off however. If he didn't understand a feeling then there was no point wallowing in it.

With the rest of the Party, Kurogane and Lady Tomoyo went to the front of the house. There, by an open front door stood a vry attractive couple.

One was a girl with emerald green eyes and light brown, almost red, hair.

She embraced Tomoyo and kissed her.

"My love," sighed Tomoyo.

Kurogane found himself looking away. He missed Fai.

He glanced over to the other pretty individual and was surprised to see a look of deep sadness on the boy's face.

He was a young man, with brown hair and deep brown eyes. He glanced over at Kurogane and smiled lightly.

Kurogane had never seen such a sad smile in all his life.

"Kurogane," called the Lady Tomoyo, "this is my wife the Lady Sakura." He turned and nodded slightly at the pretty girl. She smiled softly. "And this young gentleman is the Poet Syaroan," continued Lady Tomoyo now gesturing to the sad boy.

"Let us go inside," said Lady Sakura, her voice as soft as Spring rain, "you are my Lord Kurogane. We will have you washed and dressed before putting a hearty meal inside you."

Kurogane was put into a pearl white bath. His muscles began to relax and he felt more at peace than he had in a long time, even before his enchantment at the Mage Watanuki's cottage. But he could not allow himself to rest, so he washed quickly and sensibly. There was a lot of bruising on his upper body and legs.

Servants fluttered around him like butterflies in a field, paying no attention to his nakedness but instead clucking like mother hens over his injuries and fixing him up. The ointments they placed on his wounds soothed their angry burning, and made the swelling go down. He realised now that he had probably been developing some kind of infection. He was lucky that Tomoyo had found him and insisted on his going with her; he really would have dropped down and likely died before getting to the White Wastelands.

Still he felt guilty about the comforts he was receiving. "Right now, Fai may be cold and frightened, and I'm here getting treated like a Prince!"

"There's no point punishing yourself," said a youthful voice, making Kurogane turn to see young Poet Syaoran standing in the doorway.

"Your friend will not be found faster by your suffering," the boy continued as if he had heard Kurogane's thoughts.

He walked over to the taller boy and began to button up the thick red shirt the servants had put on him. One by one the servants filed out of the room, allowing Syaoran and Kurogane some privacy.

As he dressed Kurogane asked, "how do you know of my friend? Did the Lady Tomoyo tell you?"

"Yes, she says she found you looking lost and bewildered in the woods, talking to out dogs."

"She makes it sound like I'm a mad tramp."

Syaoran smiled a little at that, "well you are, in a way."

Kurogane shrugged in response.

"The servants say your chest is in bad shape. You will get ill as soon as you enter the Wastelands." He glanced up at Kurogane, "are you still determined to go?"

"Are your servants all doctors as well?" bit out Kurogane angrily, "I don't care what they say! I'm going!"

Syaoran smiled more widely, "you love this person, don't you?"

"He's my best friend."

"Come downstairs, we have food for you. You need to eat before you continue on your travels. We are even having a bag set up for you, full of food and other things you'll need."

Syaoran led him down a broad set of grand stairs before showing him into a large dining room. The natural light of the sun shone through the giant bay windows, highlighting the beauty of Tomoyo and Sakura.

Kurogane heard an intake of breath, and saw that Syaoran was staring longingly at Sakura. She blinked and looked at Syaoran. She smiled at him, before looking away. Her eyes were reserved for the beautiful Tomoyo.

Kurogane understood.

He sat down at the table, Syaoran next to him.

"Thank you for everything," he said, looking at Tomoyo but meaning it for everyone. "You have been kind to me. This journey has…" he paused, his mind flashing back to the fear in the mountains, the horror of the snow, the loneliness of Watanuki the Mage and the devastation of Shallot and it's Lady Rika. "This journey has been difficult," he continued at last, "I never knew the world was full of such suffering, My village was always so happy. But I am glad I have met you. You have all helped me see that good does exist. That happiness can happen, for some of us."

In the corner of his eye, he saw Syaoran bow his head slightly, and he felt awful.

"I am not good with words," he said, shrugging, before looking at his food. It was a few sweet meats and lots of autumn fruits and berries.

He began to eat with increasing gusto, not realising how hungry he had been until then.

The Lady Tomoyo glanced at her lover with worried eyes. No one wanted Kurogane to leave, he was clearly unwell, but they knew they would never convince him to stay.

"Everything is this forest is good to eat," said Tomoyo at last, "the mushrooms, the berries, all of it. So you will never go hungry in your time here."

"I do not plan to be here for long," he said, food in his mouth. He knew it was bad manners but he was too hungry.

Tomoyo leaned forward on the table and folded her hands beneath her chin. "Know that the Snow Queen is a dangerous woman. None of us particularly like her."

"Us?"

"The Masters of the Seasons," answered Syaoran as if that explained everything.

"Who are the Masters of the Seasons?"

"Myself and Lady Sakura," answered Tomoyo, "the Lady of Shallott and the Mage."

"They never told me so!"

"The Mage is secretive by nature, so that makes sense. The Lady of Shallott never knew."

Kurogane put down his fork, losing his appetite a little now. The whole thing with Rika made him angry and sad.

"Mourn her," said Sakura suddenly, holding out her hand and taken Kurogane's into her own, "but never pity her. She is better off in death now than she was in life. His magic cannot get her there."

"His magic? You mean the one who bound her in that place and made her his child bride?"

Sakura nodded, "magic loses its hold on us in death."

"I see. Do you know why the Snow Queen stole my friend?"

"Because she wanted to and because she could," answered Tomoyo, distaste in her voice, "only she calls herself 'Queen.' The rest go by Lady or Mage. Her arrogance knows no bounds. She would have the whole world in her icy grip for eternity. I don't know how she will use your friend, but I feel that she will. He will not be hurt by her, not physically, but there is mischief afoot."

Kurogane had heard enough, he leapt to his feet. "Thank you for your generosity, I shall make my way now."

"Hold!" barked Tomoyo, "take one of my steeds with you. Syaoran, show him the one I mean."

The poet nodded and together the men left.

Alone in the room, the Mistresses of Autumn looked at one another.

"Is it wise, sending Kurogane to his fate?" asked Sakura softly.

"Kurogane is the kind of man who decides his own path, and I would say his mind is very set," replied her dark-haired lover, "plus, I have a feeling that by having some faith in him and our dear friends, everything will turn out right in the end."

Sakura smiled, "I'm supposed to be the magical one, but sometimes I believe that there is something of a seer in you my darling."

The women smiled lovingly at one another before finishing their meals.

Outside in the stables Syaoran showed Kurogane the horse Lady Tomoyo had meant. It was very large, large enough to carry a heavy man like Kurogane, and it very beautiful. It's fur was thicker than an ordinary horse's. It was bright white and had a shaggy mane and shaggy hoofs, almost like those of Shetland ponies. It eyes were dark black and intelligent. Kurogane swore there was even a little humour in there, but how could that be?

"This is Mokona," said Syaoran, "the Lady Sakura loves this horse. Mokona is the best steed to ride in the Wastelands, it's where she was born."

Kurogane stroked the Steed's mane. Syaoran shifted a little in the background before blurting out, "may I come with you?"

"Why?" asked Kurogane, caught off guard.

"Because I sympathise with your situation," he said, "and there is nothing left for me here."

Kurogane tightened his lips before saying seriously, "I understand that you have a hopeless love here, but is that worth risking your life? At least your love is happy and contended, and here you are looked after. What can a poet do against a Queen?"

Syaoran frowned, "do not patronise me. I am just a poet and just a boy, but you are only a boy also. I can see your face is young and you're as naïve as me. My love is safe and well, and I thank the Forest Spirits everyday for that, but I live a half life here. Your friend may love you as you love him, and so if I cannot be loved, if I am doomed to a life of loneliness then the least I can do is live voraciously through the love of another. Better yet a love I helped reconcile."

"He is my friend, not my lover," said Kurogane, blushing a little. "But you are correct. Excuse my earlier belligerence, I am a blunt man. Do you know then the way to the Wastelands?"

"I do, but Mokona knows better, so let her walk us there. But one thing that troubles me is that the Snow Queen may be too powerful for us and we do not know why she had your friend. We should get some information first."

"Can not the Ladies of this House tell us?"

"They know no more than what they told you in there."

Kurogane wasn't so sure about that, believing the Masters of the Seasons to being a secretive lot, but said nothing. He did not want to insult a new ally and friend.

"There is a Witch," continued the Poet, getting out his own horse, a smaller black creature with a placid nature, "and she lives on the outskirts of the Golden Forest. It's on the way so we should go to her first."

Kurogane nodded, "very well. We need to get on. Will you bid goodbye to the Ladies?"

"No."

"Are you sure? I left my family without saying goodbye and I regret it."

"No, they will already have known that I wanted to leave with you. Come Kurogane," he mounted his horse, "adventure awaits."

The Ladies Sakura and Tomoyo watched from their bay window as Kurogane and Syaoran rode away in to the depths of the forest.