The crossed paths

At Fubuki's base [Part 1]

-Here we are- spoke Fubuki.

Julia and him stopped at the top of a hill, appreciating the landscape. For Fubuki, he felt as if he was back home, a pleasing nostalgia invading his thoughts. Julia, on the other hand, was marveled at the sight: the base was a big camp with various snow preventing systems, and it was nicely camouflaged with its white and light blue walls. The only way to see it clearly was to focus on the two little lights that could be seen in certain windows, probably because the rooms inside were being occupied.

Around them, a slight blizzard was starting to take form, small snowflakes falling on the pair. All the way to the base Julia had felt the characteristic cold breeze of the artic enviroments, but now it was getting even worse. They had to be far in the North to have a weather like this.

-Looks like it's a permanent winter...

-Yeah, you're right about that. Are you cold?

-A little, yeah. It's getting worse with each step we take.

Shirou suddenly wrapped some of his clothes around Julia, shielding her from the blizzard. It was warm, and as Fubuki didn't seem to mind the cold, the girl decided to accept his help.

-Thank you, teacher.

-Fubuki-senpai!

When the pair approached the entrance of the base, a shout welcomed the Ice captain. There was a boy with wild blue hair and intense blue eyes waving at him, though his movements turned a little tense when he saw who was with his Senpai.

-Yukimura, I'm back!- answered Fubuki, his kind smile widening.

-You're... Yukimura! But how? Fubuki is... he's not...!

-What's wrong, Julia? He's my student.- Shirou's puzzled expression tensed Julia even more.

Meanwhile, Yukimura Hyuga, Fubuki's apprentice, grunted a little at seeing them interact so freely.

-But he's the same age as you! I thought you- he- you two met when you were an adult... or... when you become an adult...? Ah, how does time even work here?!

-Oh, an adult, now? I'm just a kid, Julia.- althought Fubuki seemed to be honest when he said this, a few days of traveling with him had taught Julia a thing: never trust his innocent face.

-Ha, ha, you know you're so funny sometimes, teacher. So funny I could die. Oh, no, look- Julia made an exaggerated fall on the snow, a poker face plastered on her all the while.-, I'm dead because of your joke. Death by fun. Great way to die. Thumbs up.

Fubuki laughed openly at this, and as he cleaned a small tear from the corner of his eye, he helped Julia stand back up again. She giggled when she was standing again, mocking Fubuki for his sense of humor.

Yukimura wasn't all that pleased with this, though.

-Senpai- he cut in -who's her?

-Oh! I didn't tell you, sorry. She's Julia, my new student.

The blue haired boy frowned slightly before putting up a friendly grin, walking closer to Julia and offering a hug.

-Nice to meet you, Julia-chan. I hope we'll become good friends!

Julia accepted the hug, happy to see that she was welcomed, but as they stood together, Yukimura got as close as he could to her ear and whispered venom to them.

-Fubuki-senpai is my master, not yours. Get lost.

-I don't want to fight you- she replied, saddened by his attitude. They finally let go, Yukimura's threatening frown never leaving. He wasn't even trying to hide it from her; he didn't like Julia.