One half is how winter became Ichi and Musaki's least favorite season and the other half is where Ichi defends Musaki from his bullies...sorta like the same way Musaki defended Ichi.

Chapter 15: Returning the Favor

It was winter time and that kind of season is me and Ichi's most least favorite season because as cold as it is, it also resembles how much sorrow we have because of some tragedies that we've faced and that we've always felt alone throughout our lives.

I looked up at the window as I see snow falling down on the ground and I just had this sad, yet bored expression on my face as I did every winter and each time, I think of my parents during that season and most times, it still kills me to know that seasons change so quickly that it's hard not to grieve.

I know I've gotten over my parents' death, but at times...it still hurts.

Ichi looked up at me and he asked, "You don't like winter, either?"

I shook my head slowly and Ichi suddenly replied, "Yeah, I know the feeling. Winter's not my favorite season either. It's the worst."

It surprised me to find out that Ichi and I don't like winter and I looked at him and asked, "What do you not like about it, despite the cold?"

"It's definitely the cold. But the feeling of being all alone in the winter...that's what I don't particularly like about it the most." Ichi replied.

"Same with me."

"You just feel...sorrow, like the world doesn't matter that much to you anymore."

I shuddered at that thought and said, "It's scary the way it becomes like that."

"You have no idea."

We both hated the bitter cold so much because of course, life is bitter...but for personal reasons. To have someone share that with me means a lot and I know it means a lot to Ichi too because at times, we both feel like we're outcasts and that it's the world against us and we both keep continuing sharing similar stories about ourselves more and it just made the connection more open and more stronger than anything and how to get through winter is a lot difficult, but you just deal with it anyway.

The months went by so quickly and sure enough, Ichi turned 14 and I turned 13 and we both grew older from there and I could sense that since Ichi is still worried that his powers will get more uncontrollable and I worry for him, whether he's gonna lose it one day or not. I'm not sure what that day will be, but I hope to prevent it before it begins.

One day, I was heading under the tree, just to gather my thoughts together and all of a sudden, Justin, Eli and Ian came up to me and I let out a huge groan, thinking my day is gonna be screwed up because of them and Eli grabbed ahold of me and threw me down to the ground and kicked me harder and harder and harder while the other two pointed and laughed at me.

"Where were ya, skinny panda? We missed ya." Eli said, in a spiteful tone.

"Yeah, we've heard you've been hanging with a freakish panda dog." Justin said, angrily.

I knew they were talking about Ichi, but I didn't know how they knew that much about him and I got up and said, "You know nothing."

"Then, why are you hanging with him; because he took pity on you?!" Eli said, before shoving me down again.

Ian went up to my face and said, "That freakin' poser's not worth anything...and neither are you! Besides, he's a murderer. He should've killed you in an instant."

I growled at Ian and I yelled, "Take it back!"

"Whatcha gonna do about it, punk?!"

I gasped in horror, shock and anger after he said the most horrible thing he has said and asked, "What did you call me?"

"A punk! That's all you are!" Ian yelled.

I covered my ears and tried to block out every single insult these three threw at me, but they just keep getting louder and louder and just as I wasn't about to take it anymore...

"Leave...my friend...alone!"

The three turned around and saw Ichi, looking furious that he witnessed me getting bullied by them and he walked over to my side, growling at them and Justin was the first one to take a shot at Ichi and said, "Where's your fat body weight, panda dog? That's as if you are a panda?"

Eli and Ian began laughing at Ichi and Justin looks at him and asked, "Just why would you waste being friends with that...that punk?"

Ichi grabbed ahold of Justin's neck and said, "He's not a punk! You are!"

Eli got into his face and he said, "Who you calling a punk?!"

"The same person that calls my friend the same thing. Beat it before I get really mad!" Ichi shouted.

"Make me."

I knew Ichi was gonna use his fire power, so when he ignites his hands into flames, that was pretty much enough for the three snow leopards to panic like little girls and run off and as soon as the flames were gone, Ichi turned to me and asked, "You okay?"

I looked at him and I couldn't help but feel so happy that he defended me and I replied, "Yeah...thanks."

Ichi lent out his paw to get me up and I very graciously took his paw as I got up and he said, "You defended me once and I'm just returning the favor for you."

"Appreciate it."

If some of you guys remember Justin, Eli and Ian, they were from 'A Bully's Return' that I had written back in 2010. For most of you that never read it before, please feel free to do so. Musaki defended Ichi...so Ichi did the same. is that friendship worthy or what? Got more coming up!