DISCLAIMER: "Dear Snow" is property of Arashi/Johnny's Entertainment/Johnny Kitagawa the tyrannical executive producer. If I owned Arashi everything would go to hell. Also, many thanks to yarukizero from livejournal for letting me use her translation. ;3;

"Your lovely face was dyed in brilliant colors.

I came to know my weak side because I met you by chance."

He remembered that night in Flanoir almost a year ago. That night that seemed forever ago, when he debated with himself over which side to choose. Cruxis or Lloyd and the others? Cruxis was stronger and was most likely to win, and they did promise him that they would release him of his fate as Chosen. It seemed to be the obvious choice.

Yet...

He glanced at the raven-haired ninja standing next to him, the street lights of Flanoir casting a warm glow on her face. If he abandoned Lloyd for Cruxis, then he'd never be able to be near her ever again. At the very least, she would never want to see him again. If she lived.

"If I'm crushed by the pain that is too much to carry,

the feelings that couldn't reach you will only get stronger."

And she still didn't know. She didn't know how he really felt about her. He never told her why he kept his distance from her, why he wouldn't let his real emotions show. It was all because of the church and his stupid title. But she would be in danger if he told.

Not like that would've mattered if he picked Cruxis.

"The snow is simply quiet. Similar to you,

it fluttered onto my shoulder, and I smile gently.

Because if I were to touch it with my hand, it would surely disappear.

I'll leave it where it is and alone, close my eyes to feel you."

Zelos snapped back into reality as white flakes of snow started falling from the sky. "Damn it. I was going to leave for Altamira tomorrow so I could avoid the snow," he grumbled. He flinched as a snowflake landed on his shoulder, shocking him with how cold it was. He sighed, and turned to go back inside. How lonely his house was when he was the only person in it; he had given Sebastian a vacation so he could spend time with his family.

He flopped down on his bed. "Maybe I should just go to sleep," he mumbled to himself. Not like it would matter if he fell asleep. His thoughts would continue to bother him in his dreams anyway. Why did I do that anyway?

"I tenderly kissed your sleeping face.

I couldn't say it honestly, hiding my shaking heart."

He hadn't said anything that night in Flanoir. All he did was stare at her face as she marveled at the flakes falling from the sky. He desperately wanted to say something, but he just couldn't bring himself to. Why did being honest have to be so hard?

Later on that night, he sneaked into her room. He had convinced himself that he was just checking to see if she was asleep so she wouldn't catch him talking to Kratos, but deep down he knew this wasn't the case.

"Who would've thought that she'd be so cute when she's asleep?" he asked himself, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.

"You're going to hate me for a while tomorrow, but I promise that I'll come back and explain everything to you," he whispered. What a coward, he thought to himself. Confessing to a girl that's sleeping...

He even surprised himself with what he did next. "Sweet dreams, my princess." He leaned down to kiss her softly on the forehead. And now I'm gonna leave before I decide to do any more stupid things, and she wakes up and kills me.

Zelos opened his eyes, the luggage that he had packed for his trip to Altamira catching his eyes. "I must be crazy."

He jumped out of bed, slipping on a coat and tying a scarf around his neck. A smile lit his face as he was reminded of that Christmas night when Shihna had nervously thrust a package into his arms, scolding him for thinking that the present inside was for Lloyd.

He ignored the more logical side of himself who was trying to convince him that it was an absolutely moronic idea to leave at this hour, especially with the snow outside. Shut up, he told it. It'll be fine. He locked the door behind him, and proceeded to walk down the streets of Meltokio, which were almost completely covered in white.

"If I just believe that smile and hold you,

the sky will echo with the sound of a miracle."

She had been so angry with him after he had "betrayed" them. Of course she was. That was the natural reaction to have. Even after he had explained everything, she still held a grudge for days. Days of silence, in which she didn't respond to anything he said. It hurt more than when she slapped him for his inappropriate comments. He would've rather had her release the wrath of a summon spirit on him, rather than be oppressed by her silence.

Sure, he had been working for Cruxis the entire time...but in the end he chose them. That had to count for something right?

But eventually she forgave him. After countless hours of trying to regain her trust, she was finally smiling at him again. He had been so happy about it that he had impulsively given her a hug. She hit him for that of course.

But it was worth it...

"My burning white passion went astray on the wind and soared higher.

I wonder if it will follow you to the distance place where you are."

He remembered the gentleness of her smile, as he directed his rheaird towards, not Altamira, but the village of Mizuho. "I hope she doesn't mind that I'm visiting."

He didn't really have any explanation for it. He just wanted to see her.

"If you wish it, I'll offer you myself.

Entrust me with all the sadness that befalls you."

He just wanted her to be happy, even if it meant that he had to sacrifice himself for it. Even though he was reluctant to admit that...

Why was he even here anyway knocking on her door late at night, without even giving her notice about coming over? He must've had a death wish.

The door slid open.

Shihna stood in the doorway, confusion etched all over her features. "Zelos? What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Altamira tomorrow."

"Well, yeah...but I kinda had a change of plans. Can I come in?"

Shihna stepped aside to let him through, the confused expression still on her face. "Well, now that you're inside, do you want to explain why you're he-"

He interrupted her sentence, impulsively throwing his arms around her in a hug. "Sorry," he mumbled. "Can I just...talk for a bit?"

Shihna nodded into his shoulder, awkwardly hugging him back. She shivered slightly as his cold cheek touched hers.

"So that we can welcome the spring, we hold each other close.

If we melt away, we won't need anything."

"I know this is kind of sudden, but it's been bothering me. I've been wanting to say this for such a long time, but never got the chance to." He let out a nervous sigh. "The reason why I broke up with you a few years ago wasn't because I didn't love you any more. The church wanted to get rid of you, and they told me if I didn't push you away then they would kill you. I couldn't let that happen so I started flirting with other girls to pretend that I didn't care about you any more. I just...wanted you to be safe even if it meant that you would hate me. I just...you did hate me, didn't you? When I did that?"

"Believe me, I tried," Shihna mumbled. "But I couldn't bring myself to. I think I cared about you too much to actually hate you no matter what stupid, cruel-hearted things you did."

"...Am I forgiven then?"

"I suppose so," she answered.

"Can I ask you one more thing?"

"Sure."

"Is it okay if I stay here for my winter vacation instead?"

"In case you haven't noticed, it snows here as well. It wouldn't be much different than staying in Meltokio."

"Well...I was hoping that I could get over my little issue with snow if I could spend the winter with you," he answered. "If that's alright with you."

"Well, I guess it's okay. I'm all alone here anyway."

"We can't wish for eternity."

"...Can I say just one morething?"

"Yes, Zelos," Shihna grumbled impatiently. "I'm already regretting that I'm letting you stay here for a few monthes. I'd forgotten how much you talk."

He chuckled softly. "I'll be quick, I promise."

"Yeah?..."

"But even so..."

He pulled away far enough to plant a kiss on her forehead. "You are the person dearest to me."

SakuMeiMei Says: Wow. It's been, what? Over a year? It's amazing how fast time passed by while I wasn't writing for this thing.

Well, the reason why I haven't written anything in such a long time is...I've had way too many things going on with my life and couldn't find the time or the inspiration to write.

The entire time that I wasn't writing I was too depressed to write anything decent even though I tried several times. For some reason, I felt that somehow Zelos and Shihna had become something that reminded me of all the things I didn't want to think about. So I stopped writing.

But I think that feeling has lifted a little bit, so maybe now I'll be able to start writing again. Honestly, I haven't been this happy in a long time. They've filled a bit of that empty space inside of me that I had when I was avoiding them.

SO I SHALL WRITE MORE. I PROMISE.