The White Angel of Death

Chapter 12 : The Tragedy of a God

As autumn headed to its inevitable end, the first fall of snow showered across the northern lands. The wind, however, was as silent as a lamb; one could only hear countless ice crystals scatter onto the cold grass and gloomy trees.

Toshiro and Yuki trailed through the trees. Their shoes made a crunchy, hollow resonance, as though stepping on brittle leaves. The snow on their clothes kept following off, while their bodies moved constantly.

"Good thing we headed out today, Toshiro." Stated the young woman delighted. "With winter upon us, the last living flowers won't last long in this weather."
The white-haired adolescent man looked up at the cloudy sky and watched the snow fall.
"I guess so. However, finding them now - with all this snow lying around - is like looking for a needle in a haystack." Pointed out Toshiro a little concerned.
"It's fine. I know at least, where they are supposed to be." Replied Yuki in a hopeful tone.

The two continued treading through the thick layer of snow.
It did not take them long, until they finally reached the area, she was looking for. They then crouched down and began gently shoving the snow away from the ground, looking for a specific flower which bloomed in the late fall that could be used as an ingredient for medicine.

As they kept on looking, Yuki suddenly came across something different. As she moved away the snow, her hands touched warm fur. She immediately jerked back in shock. However, her curiosity outweighed her fear and Yuki removed more of the white powder to see what it was.

Moments later, the animal revealed itself to be no other than Charly. The cat with his white long fur was curled up next to a tree, sleeping peacefully, while having snow on top of him.

"Toshiro!" Yelled the young woman. "I found a cat."
"What?" Screamed the young man back from a distance, as he was not quite sure he understood her correctly.
Yuki gently placed her hands around the cat's body and picked it up.
Charly, of course, awoke from this and hissed at the lady. Yuki reactively dropped the cat onto the ground.
"What on earth are you up to, woman." Hissed Charly at her upsettingly.
"I ... just ... wanted to make sure you were okay, sir cat." Stuttered Yuki nervously. "I thought, you might be hurt." Added she in an innocent voice.
Charly took a deep breath and calmed himself. He lifted himself up and sat down on his two back paws.
"I was just taking a nap. The flowers next to me had a sleepy, intoxicating smell." Explained Charly in a more former and proper voice.
"The flowers!" Repeated Yuki, as she dived down to the ground. She immediately began examining them and then picked them one by one.

Toshiro was hurrying towards them, when he saw his furry friend being the "cat", Yuki spoke of.
"Charly. I didn't know you would be here." Said the young man, while taking small, quick breathes.
"I was just taking a break, until your friend corrupted my sleep." Answered the cat, while glancing at the young woman, who was excitingly collecting flowers and now completely ignored the two.
"Yeah, she does that a lot." Added Toshiro humorously.
"I guess, I may have overreacted a bit. She seems to have the soul of a gentle being. I ..."
Charly's words were interrupted, when suddenly Yuki put her hand onto the cat's back and started stroking it.
"I didn't say, you could ... I mean ..." The cat's words went under from all the purring.
The soft and gently movement of her hand was quite comforting. Especially when Yuki petted his chin.
Toshiro felt widely uncomfortable watching the two.
"I think that's enough." Stated the young man strictly.
Yuki stopped, however picked him up and placed Charly onto her lap. She then continued just stroking his fur gently.
"You see, mister cat? I am not as awful as you thought." Said Yuki rather cheeky.
"Oh okay, I get it. But don't you underestimate me." Commented Charly playfully. "And you can call me Charly. I am no mister."
Yuki laughed and nodded with her head in agreement.

Toshiro still stood next to them, looking at them irritated. His face gave off this uncertain, weird expression, unable to quite process this interaction.
"Now with the flowers in our possession, our mission is finished?" Asked Toshiro annoyed.
"Can't we take Charly with us? Imagine how the others will react, when I bring a talking cat with me!" Pleaded the woman.
"I don't think Charly is the type of animal you can keep as a pet." Refuted the pale looking grown-up boy.
Charly just gently nodded his small head with his eyes closed.
"Very well." Said Yuki, as she placed the cat who was unhappy to no longer being petted onto the ground next to her. Yuki then grabbed the small bag filled with the flowers she had collected and stood up.
"Maybe come by to visit, Charly?" Asked Yuki with a cute face.
The cat chuckled, as he got up on all fours.
"No worries, I will make sure to come by." His blues eyes then switched to Toshiro, who was standing next to his female companion. "This surprise encounter might entail more than a few words, Toshiro. There is something I would like to ask you."
The young man's eyes widened in curiosity.
"Do tell." Answered he in little time.
"I am on a mission on my own. I think you could be of help. There is a library - south of the river, east of the capital. Inside lies something of mine I need back. However my little body is incapable of taking it away, you on the other hand could."
Toshiro was definitely intrigued by this offer. It would be the first time he entered unknown, enemy territory.