[ notes/ the inazuma eleven orion no koukin ending 2 is based on a russian folk tale, given the Russia setting the characters are currently in for the FFI. with this as inspiration, i've decided to write a small piece of possibly 3-4 chapters. please enjoy <3 ]

It's near the ending of December, as you stood out in the cold of morning, feeding the lovely animals. With a small smile on your face, you slowly knelt down, opening your palm full of acorns and seed. To your absolute delight, the birds and squirrels had approached you with great caution.

You didn't budge an inch, and they happily took their share of food from your hand.

You lived in a rather small, but cozy cabin more so out into the woods than in the town. The winter left a thick blanket of snow on the ground, roofs and trees. The crunch of the snow under your boot was such a satisfying feeling. . .

You had been taken in by a woman and her only daughter who was about two years older than yourself. Unknown to yourself for a very long time, your parents were killed in the war.

"There, there." You chimed.

"[Y/n]! Where are you!?" A voice boomed from inside the cabin. You winced at the volume of your step mother. The little critters by your hand immediately took off, terrified.

"I'm here, mother." You brushed off your skirt and stood up. Both your step mother and step sister had left the cabin in search of you.

"She's feeding those stupid animals again." You step sister scoffed, reaching down to gather some snow in her mittens. She rounded the snow into a ball before throwing it at the birds. A small gasp slipped past your lips, but you didn't dare tell her to stop.

"[Y/n], we're going off shopping, we need you to collect firewood for tonight. Take the sled and get as much as you can, don't be late!" The older woman berated you, wrapping her scarf around her neck.

". . . Yes mother." You nodded, watching her rush off alongside her daughter to town. You heaved a small sigh before heading to the back of the cabin for the sled.

This happened almost every day. Without any complaints, you always did as you were told and never put up a fight.

With a gloved hand, you pulled the rope of the sled through the thick heaps of snow into the forest. After doing this task so often, you knew exactly where to go in order to get the best firewood. So, you went there and started to collect.

Picking up three pieces of wood, you placed them carefully on the sled and started to gather more. . . Then, there was a noise. Immediately you lifted your hear, looking around the area.

A man had brushed past some pine leaves, after getting a closer look, he wasn't just an ordinary man, he was a solider. You stood up straight once he caught sight of you.

"You. . . What are you doing here?" He asked. He had a rather low but soft voice, ash-blonde hair with a stray piece falling over the side of his face. His eyes were narrow and of a strange grey colour, and he was much taller than you were. Hesitantly, the male stepped over to you.

"I'm here to collect firewood, sir." You responded politely.

"In this weather. . . ?" He frowned, furrowing his brows. "You should be home, who sent you out?"

"My step mother did." You said.

"And your parents?"

"I am an orphan, sir." You breathed out, getting back to the task at hand. He quickly leaned closer, lifting the wood in his own strong arms instead.

"Here. . ." He lifted his head and gave you a very short glance, before setting the wood down on your sled.

"O-oh, thank you so much. . ." You quickly bowed, a small blush staining your cheeks. He was rather close just then. . . Who was this young man?

"I'll help you." He gave you no time to protest, and started to work at a much faster pace than you were.

"Are you here to gather wood as well?" You asked softly, picking up the smaller, easier pieces.

"No, I'm here for another reason. The King sent me out to find a pine tree for the holidays." The solider responded, with the slightest bit of distaste in his voice.

"His highness? You're a soldier of the King himself?" Your eyes slightly widened. The young man gave you a small smile and nod. "Oh wow! What is he like? Do you get to see him often?"

"What is he like. . . ?" The soldier chuckled to himself, looking away for a moment. "He is your age, with no parents either, but he is nothing like you."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"The King has never experienced a day of work in his life."

You slowly tilted your head. It would be expected the King works more than anyone in the world. . .

"Here, this should be enough for you, young miss." He straightened up, brushing off his hands. If anything, he had collected much more than you needed. It would last three days at best.

"Thank you so much, mister." A bright smile marred your face. This way you'd get back home in time and avoid any chastising.

"Please, the pleasure is all mine." He bowed, a hand placed against his heart. "I am Nishikage Seiya, and you are?" Nishikage's eyes locked in contact with yours. He was a very polite young man, you were honored to meet him.

"My name is [L/n] [Y/n]." You linked your hands in front of your skirt. "Nishikage, I know the perfect tree for our King." Beaming, you reached a hand out and grabbed onto his, happily leading him through the woods. Nishikage made no attempt to stop you or slow down, in fact, you felt his fingers wrap tightly around yours. A soft simper evident on his features.

You escorted him to the tallest tree in the woods in a small clearing. It seemed that not very many little critters lived in this one, or else you would not have allowed Nishikage to cut it down.

Nishikage asked you to take a small step back as he chopped down the tree - King's orders, after all. He strapped it down to his own sled, you were surprised at how strong he was. . .

"Thank you, I'm sure the King will love it." Nishikage approached you, as you both watched the motionless pine tree.

"Oh, you're very welcome, Nishikage! Please take care, I will be heading home now." You lifted a hand to wave him off.

Nishikage had quickly taken hold of it, reluctantly lowering his head. He placed a soft kiss against your knuckled before bidding you a final farewell.

At that, you both went your separate ways.