Another A/N- Well, I can't figure out a way to fix the last chapter, but I will continue on the story in order. Hope you enjoy!

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  Sturdy, corpulent trees looked over the crystal white cotton-like snow that covered the setting currently. After being in a damp (and dusty?) cave home, you're now greeted to the sharp cold an icy flurry that nearly engulfed the trees above, their broad structure fading to a white sky. You still carried your shawl, wrapped around you tightly as if any attempt for warmth. It was, in your opinion, worse than the damp, flowery entrance beforehand.

  You walked, struggling, across the white ashes that crunched loudly beneath your now shoed feet, thanks to Misako. Looking down at the gray shoes, you notice them also engulfed with the white death that surrounded everything. Everything was so cold, and white, and unwelcoming almost.

  Finally sickened by the cold, you run hard, the snow battering you face and forcing you to shut your eyes as you did so, hearing twigs break underneath you. The crunching was louder now. But, it was strangely louder in front of you, as well...

  The blistering snow stopped, shushing the air as it nearly sucked back between the gaps of the humongous trees, making you open your eyes to see a figure in a navy blue hoodie, his hand in one pocket, and one reaching out to greet you. Whether that be pleasant or not, you might have to gamble for.

  "Hey, kid." A not-so-low-as-you-thought voice nearly mumbled into the cold air. "Why don't you shake my hand?"

You stumbled up to your feet, now exhausted from the short blizzard, and grasped the hand for support. You quickly let go as it shocked you, and you didn't even see a buzzer. The figure chuckled, letting his hoodie fall down to reveal his face.

  "Hi! I'm Jay! Jay the...r-retired? Yeah. Retired ninja! I uh, guard the post with my buddy, Kai." He shook off his head and you of snow off your shawl. "Damn. I still don't get tin-can could've gotten this place instead,"

  He looked at you closer to see how young you were, covering his mouth in instant regret. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to uhh..." He pulled on his collar as if he was sweating. "Cuss..."

  You only smiled at him, shaking it off as if to reassure it was fine of him. He smiled back before continuing on with his greeting.

  "Well, you see, my buddy Kai has been looking for a captive, and, he's a FANATIC over the stuff. I've never really been into capturing people much. Especially if they are just, ya know, comin' through." He glanced into the further canal of trees, his expression of relaxation changing quickly as he seemed to see something or someone. "Quick! I think that's him over there! Get behind that conveniently shaped lamp over there." He pointed to an oddly shaped lamp, just the size as you would be. You nearly laughed in a baffled sense, but, knowing someone was coming, you quickly hid behind the oddly shaped lamp.

  Swiftly, another body appeared out of the dark entrance on the right of you. It was a taller person, who wore a red, thick jacket and ran over to Jay.  He looked angry at him as if he had done something wrong. Oh, and he must have because the way (What you supposed would be Kai,) he slammed his foot down in the powdered snow made you flinch frighteningly.

   "JAY!" He howled, his choleric voice rang through the snowy forest. Birds flew away from his voice, cawing in warning. "You are NOT at your station!" He pointed to a small, sturdy tent-like structure you hadn't noticed before, with papers and ketchup laid out on the top of the wooden counter. "We need to keep watch for intruders!"

  Jay shrugged, both of his hands in his pockets now, looking at him comically. (Badum-Tss) "Eh, I'm just bored, Kai. Nothing's fun around here. Just snow, and...more snow." He pointed toward Kai's head, who dusted it off quickly. He smiled, then turning back to his previously enraged state.

  "This isn't about fun, Jay. It's about me getting into the Royal Gaurd!" He laughed loudly, putting his gloved hands on his hips. "I will surely be the greatest!" 

  Jay almost laughed out loud, smiling wider at his friend. "Good luck with that, bro."

  Kai huffed and grounded his rain boots into the now flattened snow. His red jacket matching his boots and his hair, glistening in the lightly fallen snow above them. Jay was dull, his dark musty hair ruffled against the back of his blue hoodie, which below he wore a pair of thick jeans and tennis shoes.

  "Besides, wouldn't this lamp help you out?" He motioned toward yourself, hiding behind the lamp he mentioned. You heart sunk in worry when Kai glanced over to it. He looked back, glaring back at Jay. He only continued to smile at the annoyed ninja.

  "Well! I will continue to work at my own station. It's quite shocking you are deciding not to work!" Kai chuckled at his own comedic joke, then returning to his much more angry state, charging off. Jay only sighed, shuffling his pockets as he walked over to you at the lamp.

  "You can come out now. And, I wouldn't worry too much about my friend. He's not dangerous. Even if he tries to be." Jay said, pushing the lamp aside into the snow with his foot.  "Youll see him later on here."

  Getting up from the cold, melted wetness of previous snow around your thighs, you began to continue to walk to the next area. Breaking in a cold sweat, you look behind you to see Jay looking slightly worried over your new well-being. You looked at him, confused.

  "Well, Kai has been feelin' kinda down lately, and I was wondering if you could cheer him up? He really wants to capture somebody, and I thought you might want to uh, test his puzzles I guess." The ninja questioned, turning towards you for an answer.

  In agreement you do, nodding and waving goodbye to continue to walk along the brittle snow below you.  Honestly, you could feel the need for something much warmer on you than a thin, green shawl.

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A/N- Well if you were expecting Zane to be in this one I am sorry. Hes worth the wait, trust me.