guardian of the storm | ✓

Chapter Fifty-Eight ~ Breathe

~Chapter Fifty-Eight~

The sun rose, and with it came a new day. Winter quietly got dressed, slipping on a black kimono with red flowers on it that had been left out. She braided her hair back, a few strands coming loose and framing her face. She paused as she passed by a mirror, her fingers lightly tracing the scar that clipped the edge of her jaw and slides diagonally across her throat, her mind cluttered with memories and thoughts.

Her hand dropped and she walked out of the room, sorting through her messy mind and putting things in order. She was greeted by the melancholic smiles of her teammates, the twins dressed in finer clothes than normal.

"I never realized returning to the living would require such formal wear." Riku murmured, pulling at the collar of his own kimono.

"I'm surprised you're actually obeying the rules for once," Ryu stated, "I expected you to show up shirtless and ten minutes late."

"That was one time!"

Ryu raised an eyebrow, staring at his brother with disbelief.

"Okay, it was more than once, but still this is a special occasion."

"You showed up to a wedding like that, we seriously need to get you a dictionary."

Winter laughed, "I could care less how you guys dressed, as long as you're coming with me that's all that matters."

"We wouldn't miss this for the world." They spoke in unison, causing the smile to grow on Winter's face. Ah yes, she was going to miss them so much, but she was grateful she was able to spend a few more minutes with them.

"We're going to be late you hooligans." Inazuma snapped, her purple hair up in a bun and her kimono glistening in the light, a beautiful field of flowers all over the fabric.

"Don't get your granny panties in a twist, we're coming ya hag." Riku said, looping his arm through Winter's. Ryu, always the gentleman, offered Inazuma his own arm who was steaming at Riku's words. They made their way out of the woods, walking along the cobblestone paved streets.

The sky was overcast, still tinged hints of pink and orange, the air cool and pleasant. People were out and about, going on with their daily activities, at peace in the afterlife. Winter took it all in, knowing it would be a long time before she came back here.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Riku asked softly, glancing down at her.

"I'm a bit nervous," Winter admitted, "I was talking to Inazuma and there's a chance I may end up on some random island. I'd rather just be dumped into the Storm Village and get it all over with."

"Get what over with?"

"The whole coming back to life, the fact that the village has likely changed and the people I knew are going to be different, in both subtle and vibrant ways."

"Well, to be fair, you've changed as well."

She looked up at him, "How so?"

He paused, gathering his thoughts, "Well, when I first met you, you were this bundle of nerves that was slowly coming out of your shell. You were this growing mass of wind, and then we, ah, died and it was like you erupted in fury. You grew closed off and cold, a true testament to your name, and you became this thunderstorm of anger and distrust and threw lightning at anyone who dared to look at you wrong.

When you joined Team 7 that storm within you slowly became an... an anticyclone of sorts. Still brushing away those you just met but letting those who pushed through your coldness to rest in the calm of the storm, getting to know them better.