Disclaimer: I do not own Tsubasa Chronicles

A/N: Just so you know, this story takes place long before the Tokyo arc. Enjoy!

The world they had arrived in this time around was colder than the rest. The trees were bare, and the air was cold. The village they had arrived outside of, reminded Kurogane of Jade Country. There were thatched roofs, cobblestone streets and brick chimneys with smoke steadily rising from their depths.

There was no snow thankfully, but their breath frosted in the air, much to Mokona's delight. As they trudged on the cobblestone streets of the small village, the white bun creature flew in circles about the four of them. It was taking all of Kurogane's strength of will not pluck the bun out of the air and stuffing it in a sack. However, Sakura's expression of wonder when Mokona began describing snow was enough to stay his hand. Wherever the princess and the brat had been before had obviously been hot, and from the looks of it, the princess had never encountered snow before.

Kurogane himself had seen snow before. In Nihon, the seasons changed dramatically so snow was a common sight in the winter. Of course, the snow was never deep enough to cause too much havoc.

Musing about his home world, Kurogane's crimson eyes glanced over at the mage.

Fai was nodding along with whatever the bun was prattling on about, occasionally adding in a comment in his ridiculous sing-song voice.

Well, Kurogane thought, the mage came from somewhere cold right? If the clothes the idiot was wearing when they had first met were anything to go by.

"Um, Kurogane-san?"

Pulled abruptly from his thoughts, Kurogane looked over at the princess. "Hm?"

Sakura smiled shyly, "Is there snow in your world?"

Kurogane nodded, "Yeah"

The princess turned to Fai, "What about you, Fai-san?"

The mage's eyes widened slightly and pointed exaggeratedly at himself, "Me? Yes, there was snow" He smiled. Then he laughed delightedly raising his hands above his head, "If we're lucky we might get to see snow here, Sakura-chan."

Syaoran nodded, "It's certainly getting cold enough for snow"

Mokona suddenly swept in front of Kurogane's face expression oddly serious. "Kuro-daddy needs to find us a place to stay before it does"

Kurogane snatched the bun out of the hair, ignoring its responding squeak.

Maybe it did need to go into a sack.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The small inn they had settled in was clean, with no rats too as Mokona was glad to report. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who was asked, they needed to share one room. It was big enough to fit everyone onto four small cots. Kurogane was glad they didn't need to share beds again after an incident in a previous world. The room had a single window on the far side of the room from a wooden door. Syaoran had noted earlier when they had found the inn, that it had similar architecture to Jade Country. The kid was nuts about that type of thing.

Syaoran and Kurogane, along with the bun, had gone briefly to scout for the feather. However, Mokona, despite feeling the presence of the feather nearby, had been unable to pinpoint its exact location. So, they had spent most of the afternoon wandering the town for more clues. Much to their dismay, they had found none.

Mokona and Sakura both had assured the group that they could search tomorrow. Yet, for some reason, Kurogane didn't feel at ease.

They were eating in the inn's common room, the roaring fire in the fireplace warming their cold toes. There weren't many others eating as most had already retired to their rooms. A quiet lull had settled over the inn. The kids soon excused themselves along with Mokona leaving the two adults nursing their warm drinks by the fire.

"You don't seem too happy, Kuro-tan~" Fai drawled

Kurogane grunted, "Don't call me that, mage"

"Ah, but Kuro-"

"No."

Fai pouted and took a sip of his drink. "You didn't answer my question though, Kuro-sama"

Kuro turned fully to the mage raising a hand as though to hit the offending mage, "Don't call me that either, idiot." He sighed dropping his hand, too tired to argue. "Whatever, you won't stop anyway"

"Nope!"

"Ugh"

There was a brief moment of silence.

"Kuro-sama~! Answer my question~!"

"Fine! Now shut up!" Kurogane glared at Fai who smiled widely. "There's something off about this world. It's too-"

"Quiet" Fai finished smiling broadly. Kurogane started and stared at the mage.

Fai smiled again but this time it wasn't as bright. He leaned forward, running a pale finger along the lip of his glass with eyes downcast.

"Yeah" Kurogane said slowly.

"You noticed too right? How the villagers didn't bat an eye at Mokona?"

"Yeah" Kurogane repeated. He shook his head, "Something's up. I know it is"

Fai grinned. "And your instincts aren't ever wrong are they, Kuro-sama?" The mage stood and stretched, yawning widely. "Well, I think I'm going to go to bed now. You coming, Kuro-sama?"

Kurogane stood ignoring Fai, much to other's chagrin and quick protest. As the two trailed off to the room, the ninja could not help but feel his sense of unease grow. It quieted, though, when they entered the room, locking the door behind them. The kids were fast asleep with Mokona snoring lightly in Sakura's arms.

Fai snuck over to his own bed, falling face down into the pillow and hiking up the blankets to cover his body. Kurogane snorted at the mage's antics as he settled down into his own bed.

Soft moonlight filtered in through the window. Quietly, Kurogane turned his head to stare at the night sky. Clouds littered the inky blackness and the moon was dimmed even though it shined fully. He watched as the clouds came together nearly blotting out the moon. Slowly, he saw a white flake plaster itself against the window. Then another. It was snowing. The snow danced on a wind, slowly coating the rooftops in a soft white blanket.

Kurogane watched as frost came up and slowly began to curl and freeze the glass of the window. It wove intricate frosty designs to a random primal beat that he couldn't hear. It was beautiful.

Yet, he still felt uneasy.

A/N: Reviews are always welcome.