Chapter Text
Amidst the pure, delicate spots that twirled in the winter skies before landing on the ground blanketed in flakes of white, the dawning sun cast a shine over the mountains, leaving behind a soft shade of yellow that served as an illumination of warmth in the cold, icy forest.
And beneath all that, there stood a young lady clad in black, her gaze tinted by the falling snow. Loose strands of gray tied back into a ponytail graced her dark, ash-colored curls, whilst taking slow, yet wide steps through the path stained with snow. Her magnificent gaze pierced through the air, searching for something she could see among the bitter cold of the woods. A prey, possibly. A desperately lonely prey, perhaps. But as he stared across the horizon with those viridescent eyes, nothing was caught by her very vision.
Only the trees, the snow, and the path covered in its substance.
"Ah," she murmured. "Seems like there's no one in sight."
Sighing, Shiho couldn't help but keep walking until her legs wear out, eventually collapsing onto the ground. All alone, in the middle of this familiar forest that stood before her own figure, surrounding her in its everlasting snowfall.
Good thing she has already set foot in this place yesterday. And the day before yesterday. And the day before that, too. Maybe even earlier. Perhaps from her own childhood did she spend enough time in this region, making her way through the woods despite the neverending snowflakes that continued to fall in the winter, the comfortable warmth of spring, the burning heat of the summer, and the scarlet leaves of autumn. Frequent enough for her to memorize every nook and cranny along the way, no?
Of course. She even recalled each and every spot as if he'd stayed there for ages. And yet, she can't help but to grow exhausted of her seemingly fruitless walk. The girl's frame grew cold, her legs began to lose its strength, and her sense of sight began to falter as she nearly fell to the ground.
Maybe it's time for her to do something different today. A different method of hunting, perhaps?
Instead of walking around and searching for whatever animal could be seen from her eyes, she'll just have to put a trap somewhere in the middle of this... path? Field? Forest? Wilderness? Whatever's the place that might have the slightest hint of prey within it.
Shiho really wanted to rest, after all.
So as she set up a piece of wood, wrapping a small rope around it and tying a noose, she then ran away from the spot, hiding behind a large pine tree. Adjusting the straw hat that clouded her vision since the minute she left the house, the young lady sat down on the white-stained land. Now, her trousers no longer look so clean, for the twinkling flakes of snow has settled onto them in a subtle fashion.
Seemingly waiting for prey to fall into her trap, she remained still, crouching beneath the tree's shadow. Maybe she just needs to wait for... well, a few minutes. Perhaps if she could be patient and wait for God knows how long... perhaps there'll be something that will land on her plate tonight. If only that—
Snap!
"Who's there?"
That trap of hers must've done something to a passing animal. And it didn't even take a moment right after that noise echoed in the air before Shiho sensed a cold breeze blowing from behind her, along with the presence of a faint flapping noise. Before she could even react, however, the sound grew louder, followed by a screech of what sounded like a wounded bird.
The loud, constant flapping noise didn't cease to stop. It continued its assault to Shiho's senses, rattling through the still quietness of the forest. Pointing a rifle to the source of the sound was she, approaching the winged bird to check on its condition with her eyes squinted.
And much to her hopes of not seeing any injuries on the bird's form, she soon discovered that the creature was fine, maybe even drowsy from shock. Opening her eyes, Shiho observed it, noticing that it was but a crane with feathers as clean and as pure as those of the white snowfall outside. A crane as beautiful as a painting, one that truly reflected the surrounding beauty. Even now, the bird, soaking in the surroundings with its glass-like eyes, wouldn't even move an inch. A rope was wrapped around its ankle, confining it from escaping.
The woman felt nothing but pity for this creature. And a fleeting, yet deep regret for the crane's fate.
And so, she set her rifle aside, hand reaching for the noose tied around the winged bird's ankle while the other took hold of the crane's leg. But of course, good intentions wouldn't always be returned with a nice act. Proven by how the crane flinched and flapped its wings in Shiho's direction, spraying her features with the twinkling flakes of white, she could only chuckle so softly, whispering to the crane itself.
"Hush, now," she spoke, her calming gaze also illuminating with a touch of warmth as her hand came to pat its head. "I'm not going to hurt you."
Hearing such words, the crane somehow remained silent, keeping still, letting the hunter untie the noose wrapped around its leg. Undoing the rope was she, smiling beneath the winter's hold. Tearing it from the bird's leg, the wind began to blow it away, the snow falling atop the rope once more as the crane flew away from her grasp, never to be seen again. Not giving her a second look, it continued to soar in the skies tinted in the dawning light, wings spread out as it vanished from her gaze, flying so far away until she could only see a small dot in the white sky.
A hand above her greenish eyes, she stared into the clouds, seeing the crane disappear into the vast clouds above. And of course, it only took less than a few seconds for it to completely fade from sight.
Now, there she was, resting in her home, her humble abode, softly laughing at that old memory of hers. That time where she came upon a crane last winter, who had probably strayed from its flock and got captured by her trap. That day where she felt pity for it, yet shared a moment of warmth with it, too. That day that she would never forget, where the crane flew away from her grasp right after she freed it, soaring endlessly into the sky with the pinkish hue of the morning scenery.
"Ah, that day was long ago," Shiho uttered her words for herself, sliding into a comfortable position in a cushion nearby the sunken hearth. "Wasn't it, dear me?"
The warmth of the flames that enveloped that small, living space warmed Shiho's cold body and welcomed her to sleep. The huntress's voice faded with the flame as she was lost to it, slipping into unconsciousness as the scent of her tea placed beside her did absolutely nothing to help keeping her awake.
"This is nice," she thought, wrapping herself in a shawl of gray woolen fabric. "This is cozy."
Yeah, that really does seem nice and cozy. Way better than how her sister would cling to her every time, and how their parents never really gave her what she truly wanted.
Now, however, she gets to live however she desires. She was 'given' the freedom to do as she wished in this world, and so, she decided that she'd use that freedom to live how she wanted. Living a life of hunting, enjoying solitude, being a freed bird, where she could roam far and wide as she pleased, without having to worry about anyone deciding to bring her back. She could do whatever she truly desired.
A life of freedom, she thought.
Maybe one day, she could get married and live a happy life with her lover here. Perhaps even make a smile bloom on the other's face so to make Shiho happy for herself. A carefree, married life of her and whoever she'll marry, all the while enjoying the warmth of their love and life.
It would feel so nice, so warm. It seems like a dream, but here and now, that might even come true. It doesn't sound impossible, after all. Someday, she—
Knock, knock.
The huntress's eyes flickered open, turning around to face the door. A series of knocks rang through her ears, as if making her forcibly move closer to it. That noise, which had alerted her from her blissful trance, has finally stopped. For she has opened the door, sliding it to the side so to find whoever knocked on it.
Before her was a beautiful girl dressed in the same shade of blonde as the pure light that shined over the drops of snow, a piece of cloth held over her loose silken strands of pinkish-yellow. Rosy eyes gleaming so softly beneath the moon's light, reflecting it just the way a gem would. Long, slightly curled hair curved and flowed around the girl's shoulders, as if hugging her tremble form under the chilly wind of the night.
"Oh, sorry for bothering you, but... may I stay here... for the night?"
Even her voice sounded so kind, so soft, so delicate. Her pale face radiated with a faint smile, flushed from the bitter cold of the night's air. The entire atmosphere around her was one of serenity and peacefulness. Shiho could only return a small smile, her heart captured by the other's gentle, innocent face.
As if she had fallen in love with the being before her eyes.
"Of course," she somehow managed to answer, a visible tint of light pink dusting her own cheeks. "Come in, then. I'll go serve you some tea."
Seeing such a kind act, the lady in white murmured a small "thank you" before following Shiho into that living room of hers. Warmth was the first word that crossed her mind as she set foot into the house, brushing off the powders of snow from her clothes. That was, before the gray-haired woman wrapped a blanket around her, drowning the guest in its coziness and warmth.
Such a simple doing. As if she only wanted to offer some warmth to the other. A gesture that was very much appreciated by her.
Watching the hunter brew her a cup of tea, the girl whose name she did not know snuggled close into her own arms, eyes never straying away from the gray-haired lady. Even though she tried her best to look at the tea kettle, Shiho's own gaze kept her locked on those eyes. Such a beautiful shade of green, she thought. A shade that matches her features, she corrected herself.
"So, what are you doing up so late?" Shiho questioned, her voice wavering with serenity. "I wasn't expecting someone to be awake at this hour. What brings you here, anyway?"
"Ah, about that... I was wondering if I could find somewhere to stay for the night, and this was the nearest place I came across."
A small nod from Shiho before handing out the cup of tea to that dear guest of hers.
"I see," she cooed, chin resting on her palm, letting it lightly brush against her very features. "Now, why don't you tell me your name?"
"... Saki. Tenma Saki."
Cold, freezing hands reached for the heated cup, accompanied with a light bow as the owner of those frail fingers drank a few sips of the scalding liquid. Face brightening after releasing the aroma of the tea, Saki's voice rang out cheerfully as a soft sigh escaped her lips, a sign that she was, indeed, relieved after having a cup of tea to soothe her shivering body.
"Pleased to meet you, Tenma-san. I'm Hinomori Shiho, and I hope you enjoy your stay."
"So, you're saying that..."
"Yes, you can stay here as long as you wish."
The gray-haired hunter smiled, taking a seat beside Saki's cushion. A gentle laugh made its way through the younger's throat, her contented expression not fading away from her face whatsoever. Perhaps the mere presence of another person in the room had made her feel quite happy, grateful that she has someone to talk to for the rest of the night. Who wouldn't feel good if they have a friend to stay with them, even for the briefest moment?
Saki drank another sip from her cup, satisfied by the taste of the hot tea. It made her feel... a little drowsy? Sleepy? Whether it was from the beverage itself or the warmth of the girl beside her, she felt comfortable with whatever feeling whelmed her heart at that time. As if she could fall asleep right on Shiho's shoulder before any of them could do anything about it.
"Thank... you..."
Voice drifting into the night, head tilting to her right, the sheer comfort that Shiho's presence harbored was enough to make her cuddle herself closer, almost toppling over to rest against her form, buried in the soft blanket that covered her body.
"I'm glad you en– Hm? Tenma-san?"
"Ah!"
The girl in white flinched so slightly from the other's voice, albeit feeling soothed by it as well. "Sorry, I... was spacing out."
"You seem very sleepy," she chortled as she held her dear guest by her chin, tilting it upwards with the tips of her fingers. Those shades of viridescent green gazed so intently into the eyes of the young lady, filled with nothing but affection and care. A faint, yet noticeable blush touched her cheeks at the sight of the delicate expression on Saki's face, a smile finding its way on the her lips as she continued to stare into the older's features. "I suppose I could let you have a full night's rest."
"R-really?"
"Why, of course. I'm more than delighted to have you here, after all."
Sighing in relief, she smiled back, turning to face the sunken hearth once again. Chuckling, the girl shifted to her side, giving her a kind look, as if thanking Shiho for her actions. She wanted to feel the touch of the other's hand once more, a silent cry of her heart for yearning a bond as close as the one that the two had just developed.
Maybe even something more, but...
Perhaps such a thought will suffice for now.
"Thank you for the tea, Shiho-san. And... thanks for letting me stay here."
Now, Saki's cheeks were dyed with a brighter tint of rose, the words dancing across her lips with a pleasant giggle. And while the huntress stood up from his cushion, she looked down so to throw a glance at the blonde girl, tenderly looking into that brilliant color of light pink in her eyes.
"You're welcome," Shiho laughed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go set up a place for you to sleep."
Taking her leave to get an extra futon and a few pillows for the lady, she walked out the door and left Saki alone in the room. Meanwhile, as she heard the rustling noises of the huntress's movements in the storage room, she sighed softly, gazing out the window at the landscape that fell before her eyes.
Soft spots of white flying around in the night sky, brimming with the moonlight that emitted a warm, yellow glow. A pleasant sight for her, as if bringing back fond memories of the winter's presence days past.
Rather, memories she harbored in the light of a different time. Maybe even the moment she first crossed paths with... Shiho? Perhaps in the early morning of a winter day? No wonder that face of hers didn't feel so unfamiliar to her the moment she saw him today. The same warm gaze, as warm as the flames of the sunken hearth before her.
Has she fallen for Shiho, then?
Maybe so.
"Tenma-san!" she suddenly called out, a hand on the girl's back. "I've set up the futon for you. Please, make yourself comfortable."
Once again, a blush appeared on Saki's features, dusting her cheeks with a shade of light red. And from that moment on, the two continued to smile at one another, chattering until the moon rises atop the land blanketed in the snow's dye of white. Occasionally laughing and quietly chuckling in the night, simply enjoying the simple pleasure from the other's presence.
Until several hours pass, their eyes meet for a brief moment and for a fleeting second, visible heaviness in their gaze, struggling to stay awake to accompany each other for the night.
"You know," Shiho suddenly spoke up. "I can see your eyes seem tired and... drowsy, I'm afraid."
Unsure of what to respond in such a hazed state, she could only nod, her sense of hearing faltering by each passing second. Sighing, Shiho thought, "Perhaps it'd be fine if I call her by her name for now? She wouldn't be able to hear it clearly anyway, so..."
"... Go to sleep, Saki. I'll stay here, by your side."
Hearing those soft, gentle words spill so freely out of the huntress's mouth, she smiled, her frail body landing on the futon the second she heard Shiho's sayings.
"Hm... Good night, Shiho-san."
Chuckling was the younger one in the still night, patting Saki's head as he held another hand over her own smiling lips. And for a while, they remained that way, before she eventually grew sleepy as well, realizing that it has been past midnight as she went back to her room.
"Sweet dreams, Saki," she cooed, a genuine tone filled with content ringing in her voice.
"May you have a good rest."