Sunlight filtered through the ancient trees of the Moon Clan forest, painting dappled shadows on the mossy ground. Somewhere between the hush of drifting petals and the quiet songs of hidden birds, Kaoru sat on a fallen log — still rubbing the back of his neck where Hana's blade had nearly sliced him moments ago.
He looked every bit the young Frost warrior now — sturdy boots caked with snow, his father's sword resting against the log beside him. Yet the mark on his collarbone, glowing faintly beneath his tunic, hinted at something far older than any steel he carried.
Across from him, Hana stood with arms folded — a warrior's stance softened just a little by the flicker of guilt in her sharp eyes. Her long purple hair shifted with the breeze, catching stray beams of light that slipped through the forest canopy.
"So…" Kaoru broke the silence first, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "Do you always greet lost travelers by nearly chopping their heads off?"
Hana's eyes narrowed — but not with anger. "You stepped into restricted ground. I did what any guardian would do. Besides…" She looked away briefly, her voice trailing softer. "I held back."
Kaoru let out a dry laugh, fingers brushing the faint cut on his neck. "Yeah, I can tell. My neck appreciates your mercy."
A quiet settled over them — not awkward exactly, but strange. As if the forest itself paused to listen.
Finally, Hana sat down across from him, careful to rest her blade by her side but still within reach. Her eyes flicked to his chest where the frost mark pulsed faintly each time he shifted.
"So… who are you really?" she asked. "You're not Sun Clan. You don't carry their scent."
Kaoru shrugged, brushing snow from his sleeve. "Kaoru Mikage. Frost Clan — sort of. Just left home to join the Ice Clan for real this time."
Hana's expression changed at the name — curiosity now mixing with a spark of recognition. "Mikage… They say your line carries the Frostbite Dragon's blood."
Kaoru half-smiled, eyes flicking away as if the trees might answer for him. "Maybe. I'm just a hunter who tries not to freeze to death. That's all."
Hana's eyes narrowed more — she leaned forward slightly, her gaze catching the dragon sigil under his collar. "That mark. Is it real?"
Kaoru's hand drifted to the frost sigil — he covered it instinctively, his voice lower now. "Yeah. Frostbite Dragon. Sealed it when I was eighteen."
Hana let out a breath — part surprise, part quiet respect. "Most men chase that trial their entire lives. You did it before twenty?"
He only shrugged again, eyes somewhere beyond the canopy. "Didn't feel like I had a choice. Some things you don't run from."
Hana's mouth twitched — the faintest ghost of a smile breaking her stoic mask. "You're strange," she said finally. "You don't act like the other warrior types."
Kaoru arched an eyebrow, grin returning. "Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?"
She smirked back, folding her arms tighter. "Whichever keeps your neck safe next time you get lost."
Kaoru laughed, just once — warm and genuine. The sound seemed to blend with the forest's hush. He tilted his head, studying her more openly now. "So… who are you exactly? Some Moon Clan hunter?"
"Hana," she replied simply. "Guardian of this forest — and of our clan's inner shrine. I make sure intruders don't go where they shouldn't."
"Nice to meet you, Hana," Kaoru said, bowing his head slightly in mock respect. "Properly this time — without a blade at my throat."
A soft laugh escaped her before she could stop it. She looked away, hiding her face behind a fall of purple hair. "Just try not to wander into restricted land again, Frost boy."
"No promises," Kaoru teased, slinging his sword across his shoulder as he stood. "I'm terrible with directions."
Hana rolled her eyes, rising to her feet. "Where were you even headed?"
"Ice Clan gates," he said, gesturing vaguely through the trees. "Looks like your forest wanted me to take a detour."
She shook her head — a small sigh escaping her lips. "Stay close, then. I'll guide you out. The Moon Clan doesn't like strays — next time, someone won't hold back."
Kaoru snapped a mock salute, grin wide now. "Yes, ma'am."
And so, with dappled moonlight falling between ancient trees, a Frost Clan wanderer and a Moon Clan guardian walked deeper into the forest — side by side, yet somehow already less alone.