Chapter One: Dancing in the Snow

She stuck her head from between the tent flaps. Seeing no one, her head disappeared back into the tent. A little while later, the ten flaps slowly parted, and a slender figure slipped out and into the cold winter air.

~

Tomo yawned and stretched lazily. His tent flaps were parted slightly, opposite of Soi's and the two twins' tents, and he watched drowsily as tiny petals of white drifted in the wind. So when he saw someone slinking away from Soi's tent, he immediately perked up. Things were terribly boring with the first few days of winter putting a halt on any fun things to do, and he was itching for something to happen. Grinning to himself, he slipped a thick coat around his slender shoulders and trailed at a discreet distance behind the shadowy figure.

~

Soi threw back the head of her cloak as soon as she thought it was far, and hidden, enough from the camp. Her long reddish hair fell past her shoulders, unbound, and her eyes, a usually cool and hard icy blue, now shone brightly with merriment. She cupped her hands together and raised them up in the air, face tilted towards the sky, and catching the snow in her hands. Cheeks now a shade pinker from the cold, she brought her hands back down close to her face, inhaling the crisp cool air. She gazed at the delicate filigree of white, the gentle veins that laced the snow flakes and without warning, she suddenly let out a peal of laughter, tossing her head, she flung her hands heavenward, releasing the flakes back out to join their own.

With childlike giggles and an equally unadulterated delight, she skipped in the snow, kicking up waterfalls of pure white. Without thinking, she brought her hands up around her, and began to dance. Danced among the gentle flow of the wind that caught and tugged at her hair playfully, easing the cloak away from her and letting it drift to the ground where it lay forgotten. Her nimble feet carried her in slow circles, and she closed her eyes, losing herself in the momentum that now carried her, like the breeze carried the flakes around her, some clinging to the simple white gown she wore, blending her in amongst the brilliant banks of snow.

She forgot time, she forgot duties and she forgot everything that had ever happened to her, living in only the present, this one moment where she felt free. She didn't notice, didn't even care really, that her movements had increased in tempo, becoming faster and wilder as though the wind carried her, as if her feet were as light as feathers and she seemed to glide with an unearthly grace and elegance. She didn't even notice when the hidden figure in the snow ceased being hidden and whose eyes that had once held curiosity now alight with awe.

Slowly, oh so very slowly, the world came back to her, and her feet slowed, until she was absolutely still. Her breaths were slow and methodical, the light puffs of white faint, almost invisible to the naked eyes. She lifted her head to the sky once more, her eyes
opened to watch the snow fall all around her, embracing her in a world of contentment.

~

Tomo had followed the cloaked figure for what seemed like an eternity. His feet were already going numb, and he was sure his smooth, perfectly unblemished cheeks were now nearly half-frozen. So when he found himself stopping and ducking into the snow to remain hidden, he was extremely relieved that he didn't have to walk any further lest his legs would fall right off. A brow arched delicately when a slim, pale hand reached from under the cloak to push back the hood. Her hair was unbound, falling freely past her shoulders, shining slightly with the flakes that had entangled themselves into the strands.

He couldn't see her face, but watched as she brought her hands upwards, bringing them together as if cupping them. She stayed in the position for a few seconds, then suddenly laughter rang through the frosty air, tinkling like bells and so unlike the mocking, or cold laugh he was accustomed to hearing her use. And then she was skipping about like a little girl, kicking up her heels and
letting curtains of snow fly as her cloak wafted away from her shoulders. He watched, enthralled as she brought her hands up about her once more. Then she began to move, languidly, gracefully and as light as a feather being carried in the wind.

Tomo watched in awe as he witnessed this moment, a moment where his mortal enemy seemed so unlike the cool, sniping young woman who would sneer at him. Here she was, dancing and playing about without seeming to care for a thing in the world. She seemed so carefree.

The dance went on for what may have been hours, minutes, or seconds. Time passed but he didn't notice, didn't care. He was entranced with this different side of Soi, the way her willowy form would bend, arch, and twist lithely in perfect harmony, and for some strange reason, he was oddly reminded of the way the sakura blossoms would fall in spring, their beautiful colors blending and twisting in the wind in their own little dance. And as Soi danced with the snowflakes accompanied her, she was like those blossoms, dancing to a beat that was uplifted by the wind.

With gentle and lissome ease, her feet carried her slower and slower until finally she stopped completely, the wind still tugging at her hair and at the layers of her white gossamer gown. He admired her, was in awe of the dance she had just did, completely oblivious to his presence and so wild and uncaring about the world around her. No... he shook his head vehemently. He couldn't admire his own enemy.

But you do, came the soft whisper in the back of his mind, and he struggled within himself, but not succeeding. He did admire her. He did. Tomo didn't know what made him do what he did next, but he did it anyway. And despite the rough past they shared with one another, despite the other voice that pouted and argued with the whispering one that she was his enemy, he did it anyway.

~

Soi had been calmly breathing in the deep crisp air. Winter days had always been her favorite time of the year, next to when the sakura blossoms bloomed in spring of course. And this was a time when she didn't spend looking at the snowflakes fall, instead, she spent it absolutely carefree and indulging in the delights kept at bay among her duties as a seishi.

Winter was like a break for her. A break from the world and all of the worries, away from her thoughts of Nakago, away from the envy she felt at the two young twins for their close bond, the way they both had one another to turn to in a time of need. She? She had no one to turn to. Sometimes she even felt herself enjoying the cruel quips exchanged between herself and Tomo; they at least kept her occupied and away from the thoughts of how lonely she felt.

A clear cutting noise jarred her from her thoughts, snapping her out of the slowly depressing mood she was sinking into, and when she turned to face where the noise had come from, her depression melted thoroughly into shock and surprise. Not to mention a bit of embarrassment.

"Tomo?!? What are you...how long have you been here?" she demanded. Of all the people she would think to have followed her, Tomo wasn't one of them. And yet, here he was, clad only in a cloak and whatever under that which she guessed wasn't much thicker than her own clothing. And he was...clapping?

Tomo gave her a smile, perfect lips stretching to take away the cool, set features of his beautiful face. A face that Soi had found herself comparing to in envy at times because Tomo would most definitely be a worthy adversary to even the most beautiful woman on earth. And in his own way, he was as beautiful, and perhaps even more so in some points, than the emperor of Konan himself, who, by no exaggeration, was always mistaken as a woman.

"Why, to see what you were up to of course. Here I thought you were to meet some new love affair, and to my surprise, I find you frolicking about in the snow, dancing with a surprisingly beautiful ability."

Soi watched as something flickered in the steely blue eyes, but it was gone to fast for her to pinpoint it as to what. Ignoring the flush that tainted her cheeks -- From the dance and the cold only; nothing more nothing less -- she retorted the only was she knew how when Tomo was involved. "I'll take that as a compliment," she said, sneering slightly. Tomo gazed at her with an uncharacteristic seriousness in his eyes, and when he spoke, his words rang softly but clearly. "It is."

Soi said nothing, having gone from the defense right into total shock. Had she...did she...did Tomo just compliment her?!? The silence grew between them, and closing her eyes, she grit her teeth, shoved the shock aside and tried to ignore the flutters of apprehension and disbelief at herself at what she was about to do. For today, she would forget everything. Turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the memories of the sharp bouts between them and start over. Just for today. Are you sure just for today? a voice whispered in the farthest corners of her mind.

Yes, she replied vehemently. Just for today... Why did she sound so regretful though? She pushed the thoughts back and tried to focus. With a firm resolve, she opened her eyes and brought her gaze up so that she was staring at him directly in the eyes. Holding out a hand towards him, slowly until it was stretched out to him in front of her, she didn't blink, didn't move; didn't do anything except wait.

Wait for the next move, and decision, which was his.

~~~

Chapter Two: When the Snowflakes Fall

Tomo stood motionless and stared at her hand. He heard the unspoken words that hung in the silent air between them. And for some inexplicable reason, he took it, knowing that his decision would most likely change their relationship forever.

~

Soi was astounded to say the least, but the strongest and most empowering emotion she felt was relief. He hadn't turned away and scorned her, hadn't shunned or smirked at her and for that much she was grateful. Their intertwined fingers were a sight neither
would have ever been able to imagine before, but now, it just seemed natural. As if they had been friends for years instead of enemies.

She laced them tightly together, his fingers long and slender, a shade paler than her own with their feminine features, but they belied the strength that she knew was in them. Her own fingers were long and slender, albeit a bit tanner and shorter than his, and also that she was more used to physical labor. She tugged on his arm, pulling him slightly into the clearing. Today would be a day without duties, expectations, rules, boundaries and everything that caused them both to pull over their masks. Today they would shed everything and they would have fun.

~

Tomo allowed himself to be pulled out into the small clearing she had made in the snow with her snowy rendezvous. She shot him a wide grin and released his hand, bending down to scoop up as much snow she could gather with her hand she straightened and gave him another mischievous smile.

He opened his mouth to ask what she was doing, and at that exact moment she had deemed it the right time to let her attack loose and he found himself with a mouthful of cold icy snow. He spat it out. Glowering at her, he suddenly gave his own impish grin. Soi was busy trying to control her giggling, and unsuccessfully thus far he might add, and it was the perfect moment to get her back.
So scooping up as much snow her could with his arms and dumped it all over her without warning.

~

Soi gasped at the sudden attack. The icy snow covered her from head to foot entirely, and it didn't help either to know that somehow a bit of the snow had managed to make its way past the protection of her gown and inside the front of it, leaving trails of melted ice and sapping the warmth from her skin and turning her blood cold.

Retaliation was in order and Soi gave him a vengeful grin. Snowball fights broke out, laughter and giggles ensued, and yelps at the icy impacts could be heard in the clearing as the two ran to and fro, avenging themselves by hitting the other with the snow, only leading to their downfall when they would collapse in a fit of mirth and the other would be able to come over the initial shock of the cold and pounce upon the laughing figure with amiable revenge.

They laughed and played around like children, things that they had never been actually able to do when they had been children.

~

Soi collapsed next to Tomo. The packs of snow firm beneath her but the fresher layers of snow softened her land. She huffed and watched the puff of white roll from between her lips and drifted almost lazily upwards, growing fainter and fainter until it vanished completely. She repeated the action a few more times, her heart rate subsiding and the adrenalin melting into a satisfying and content feeling.

Beside her, Tomo seemed as relaxed as she, so she let the not uncomfortable silence continue between them.

Without warning, Tomo raised his upper body, turned his face towards her so that his puffs of breaths would brush her face softly, and leaned on his elbow. He fixed her with a look not unlike the one that he had given in the beginning of their new companionship and so she gave him her full attention.

"Soi...I've been thinking...I never knew how truly relaxed and happy I could feel, could ever be, and to think it was my mortal enemy whom I have let my guards down with." He shook his head, long strands of silvery blue hair whispering. "And I wanted to know...wanted to know if this new friendship we have made with one another shall just be for this day, or is it...is it really a friendship?"

Soi blinked slightly. She had been wondering that herself, and now that Tomo had voiced her thoughts into words, she began to wonder if they could have a true and actual friendship.

It couldn't be instant, they had both said horrible things to one another, and when she reflected upon them, they still stung. And yet...it could be possible if they were both willing to give it a try. If they could learn to think clearly before saying things, then they might actually...become friends.

Soi looked up at him with a gentle smile. She nearly chortled at the irony of it. She was never one to be labeled as 'gentle' and yet she had never thought of being capable of ever liking Tomo, even a bit. Brushing out a stubborn strand of hair that clung to his red cheek, she marveled that she could be so...intimate with someone other than Nakago.

"It'll take time to establish an actual friendship. We need to give one another the time needed to be able to look back on the things we've said to each other without feeling hurt or angry..." she trailed off, shrugging slightly and knowing that she needn't continue because Tomo would understand what she was trying to say.

Tomo gazed at her. Staring into each other's eyes, flickers of hope grew within him, slowly burned like warm embers in a growing fire, and he smiled at her.

~

Later when the moon had risen into its seat in the heavens, stars glittering about like a crown around it, Soi turned to Tomo and smiled at him. "Have I ever told you that winter is my favorite time of the year?"

Tomo shook his head and Soi just grinned merrily up at him, eyes shining brightly.

"I love winter because it not only signifies the end of a passing time, but it also signifies the beginning of a new one." She laced her fingers with his and held it up to the light and as they walked back to their tents separately, each held the memory of when winter had come again with new dreams and realities.

~~~

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