Akashi rode on his horse, away from the castle. A tear slipped from his eyes when the image of his mother flashed in his mind. But he immediately wiped it away. It was almost sunrise when he finally reached the woods. He was at Rakuzan's border.

It was winter and the forest was enveloped by snow. The branches of trees were bowing due to the heavy load of ice they carried. Icy air whistled around his ears, causing his skin to tingle and sting.

He  got off his horse and wandered around aimlessly.

All of a sudden, he heard a rustling sound. Akashi quickly turned around and drew his sword out, hoping to find a bear. He took a few steps back, and every step he took left a fresh, crisp footprint on the snow.

He took another step backwards, but this time his back hit against something.

He immediately turned around and swung his sword, but it happened to clash against another blade, creating a sound clear and loud enough that it echoed for a few seconds.

Akashi quickly realized that he didn't bump into something. He bumped into someone.

There stood a black haired girl who looked at him with her golden colored eyes.

Akashi stepped back and uttered "Who are you?"

She narrowed her eyes,  "No. Who are you?" asked she.

Akashi sighed, he sheathed his sword and so did she. He turned around to walk away.

But she caught up. She ran upto him, and walked with him.

" Are you lost? " she asked. But as expected, she got no response. She grabbed his cloak and yanked him towards her. She turned him around to face her, and uttered " Answer me. " she ordered.

Akashi's heterochromatic eyes bore into her gold ones. She immediately took her hands off and looked down.

" Gomen.

I live here. Deep within the woods. Nobody visits this place. I craved for company. Since you were the only human who showed up after months, I... I didn't want to let you go.  Gomene. I guess I'll leave. " pain evident in her voice. She turns around to leave.

"  Wait " said the Prince.

She stopped on her tracks, and looked at him over her shoulder.

" What's your name? " he asked.

She turned around completely to face him. She clapped her hands together, 

" Finally. My name is Akira, and you are..? "

" I'm Seijuro. "

She offered him her arm, expecting him to kiss the back of her hand. But Akashi looked at her for a few seconds with an emotionless face . She pulled her hand away, embarrassed.

" Anyway, why don't you spend the day at my place? " she smileed at him kindly.

" No, thank you. " said Akashi.

" You will freeze to death. Just come with me. " she said, as she tugged at his cloak.

Akira 's POV :

I tugged at his cloth and asked him to come with  me. I really wanted someone to be there. It's been months since I've seen another human.

Besides, he had a sword, which means he could fight. Wouldn't it be amazing to have someone to fight with everyday?  I don't want to let the opportunity slip away.

He sighed, before giving in. He walked with me, and his horse followed us.

" So, were you lost? " I asked.

" No"

" umm... Are you a stalker? "

" Tch. No"

" Are you a soldier? "

" No "

" Why are you carrying a sword around then? Oh my god, are you here to kill me? "

" Will you shut up? I'm going back. "  he turned the other direction and pulled his horse with him.

"  No.. No.. No.. No.. Don't go. Gomenasai Seijuro-kun. I was just too excited to meet someone after a very long time. Gomene. " I said.

I really didn't want him to go.

He didn't respond, but walked with me again. This time, I didn't speak a single word. I waited for him to say something, but he seemed to be enjoying the awkward silence.

After walking for a while, we reached my  home and I fastened my pace, so that I could reach the gates first. I opened the old, brown crackly gates, as it creaked like a door without oil.

Seijuro let his horse free.

" You live here? Alone? "

"  Yes. " I grinned as walked towards the door, and I took my own time to open it up. I always made sure that they were shut, locked and double bolted. I finally swung it open, and motioned for Seijuro to enter. He gave me a nod before stepping in.

He scrutinized the small house with an expressionless face.

I could already feel the warmth of having someone else around. It feels great! I shut the door close, and smiled to myself.