~Chapter Twenty-Seven~

Ja'far scratched the back of his head as he looked at the ground. "Now how did this happen?" Both Winter and Eien were passed out on the ground only a few feet away from one another. There was a blue journal in Winter's hand and Ja'far let out a breathy sigh. "I always end up doing the weirdest things for her..." Leaning down he unhooked the dark red strings around his arms and took off the blades attached at the ends. Then he used his chakra to wrap the strings around the two carefully. Turning in the direction of the village Ja'far starts to walk, nonchalantly dragging the two behind him.

Luckily the path was relatively smooth meaning Winter and Eien only hit like, ten rocks as he dragged them to the main building. A few more rocks, three dozen stairs and one sharp stick later Ja'far had managed to get the two into their respective rooms. Dusting his hands off and winding his string back around his arms he leaves, shutting the doors behind him.

***

"...WHAT?!" Somehow Emiko, Daiki and Ja'far managed to shout the word perfectly in sync, their voices blending together.

"So the nerdy boy... is your twin brother?" Daiki peers over at Eien who's sitting at next to Sairen, writing carefully on a piece of paper. "Are you sure? I mean you're super scary and he's... soft looking." Winter rubs her temples in annoyance.

"Yes he is my twin Daiki, and personalities have nothing to do with it." She flicks his ear sharply earning a yelp from the older man. "And don't you dare go around saying that, his name is Eien got it?" Grumbling he nods sullenly, leaning back into his chair. "Just so it's clear don't go around telling everyone that he's my twin, I don't really care if people figure it out on their own but I don't need an announcement. Secondly I need you three to look through the archives whenever you have time to see if there's anything about twins. It doesn't matter what, if it has the word twins in there I want to see it."

Nods follow her words and Winter stands up. "Ja'far see how well Sairen does training others today." With that she leaves the dining area, rubbing her left wrist. She walked deep into the forest and sits down lotus style, pressing her palms against her thighs gently.

"You might as well come sit by me, Eien." Soft footsteps sound out and her black haired counterpart walks out. He sits down a few feet away, gently pushing his glasses up his nose nervously. The two hadn't really talked since they both fainted the other day and he'd been hesitant to approach her. He slowly shifts into the half lotus pose and takes a few deep breaths. For a few moments it's silent as the two begin to meditate.

It was faint at first but then it grew more and more noticeable. Gasps were forced from the two as pure fire ran through their veins. Eyes flew open and Winter blinked, casting her gaze down at her hands... except they weren't her hands. They were Eien's...

Another wave of fire and her vision returned to her own body, her stomach churning from the out of body experience. In a likewise situation Eien was clutching his stomach, a soft groan emitting from his mouth. "That was trippy." He mutters and Winter nods her agreement. "Maybe we have a twin bond?" He asks timidly.

"Perhaps..."

***

Shivers racked the male's body as he wrapped his arms tightly around his body. The warm, thick cloak he'd donned earlier that day did little to block the cold winds coursing throughout the land. Snow lined the bare trees and frosted the ground, his breath rising in pillars of slightly translucent white. He felt an ever growing pressure appear on his back, near his shoulder blades to be more precise.

Sharp eyes scanned the desolate land, the sky overhead an abyss of darkness. Not a single star in sight, nor was there a hint of a moon. Shadows twisted along the pristine white snow, and as the man walked he left no footprints. He crossed a frozen stream and looked deeper into the always darkening forest, spying the single silhouette that managed to look darker than everything else. He took longer strides and reached up, drawing his hood down to reveal pitch black hair. "This is a dangerous place, Guardian Angel." The voice emitted from the silhouette was feminine but with a raw edge to it, slipping through out the air with ease and a hint of oil coating each word. A loud caw breaks through the air as a crow flys off a branch, dark feathers drifting down from the sky.

"I needed to talk to you." He walked closer and stopped a few feet away from the woman. Pale skin rippled with silvery blue designs and pale skin was easily seen in the darkness of this place. She turned to face him and grinned with wicked sharp fangs. He felt his non-beating heart stutter as he took in the demon before him.

She was tall and slender with dark blue hair spilling down her back. Her eyes were a fierce red with the usual white replaced by black. Two horns protruded from her forehead, blue cracks decorating them. A blue and black dress hugged her figure, a slit going up the right side. Bare feet rested lightly against the snow, long fingers home to sharpened nails. A sheath for a katana rested on her hip, thin lips curling upwards in amusement. Her fangs were even more prominent, a pure white with the tips as sharp as a new kunai. Coldness was wrapped around her like a thick blanket and she was nearly eye level with him.

"Let me guess... you want me to retract the contract I made with you sister?" He nods once, keeping a stoic look on his face. "Ah well no can do." She smirks as his face tightens with anger, "The deal has already been made and I don't like to back out on my deals."

"You..."

She tuts and shakes her head elegantly, "Don't forget you're far beyond your territory Guardian Angel. Besides your sister has resilience, I am very excited for what I have planned. It's been so long since I visited the human world. After all, Hell just isn't the same anymore. I mean I know I choose to live in this desolate wasteland, but no more souls are sent to me to be judged. They all fail at the first few stops." She grins wickedly at him. "But your sister... when she falls I do hope she's sent down here. She'd make such a wonderful companion."

A low growl escaped from his throat and the demon throws her head back, laughing. "So protective." She waves a hand dismissively. "Please feel free to go, your presence annoys me stormbringer."

Aiden Ookami snarled lowly and felt his wings pressing further against his shoulder blades, wishing to be released. "Mark my words, your highness, the day Winter falls is the day that Heaven opens its gates to welcome her. She'll never end up down here." The feathered appendages burst free and white feathers rain down as he rises in the air. "Don't forget, you're the one who approached Yuki, not the other way around."

And with those parting words, Aiden flew upwards leaving behind a brooding queen to mull over his words. 

Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

My drawing of Ja'far in the media (please ignore the fact that I can't shade for the life of me, which means his clothes look crappy)

QotC: Who would you want me to draw next?