After Lord Conqueror had decreed that Wind and Charity were to be married and Frost had congratulated Wind, Frost hurried to his chambers, no one but the ever observant Jester wise to the misery his young master Frost could hide so well behind a mask of calm indifference.

Jester had been ordered to followed a bashful Charity inside and look after her, but he knew that it was Frost who needed looking after. He had seen the slightly hunched shoulders and unusually burdened posture from the weight of grief.

Jester sighed, Frost's reaction to Lord Conqueror's decision confirming what he had observed for many years now. And he knew that Frost would be unable to share his suffering with anyone, because aside from Jester, no one in Conqueror's Clan could possibly understand.

Finding his chambers through the tears blurring his vision, Frost entered hurriedly. He slammed the heavy door behind himself, locked it and leaned back against it. The cold metal penetrated his heavy robes ineffectually - the cold inside him was far more persistent.

The knock on the door behind him masqueraded as his rapid, distraught heartbeat to begin with, but when it neither stopped nor slowed, Frost was forced to acknowledge it for what it was.

"Master Frost! It's me, Jester."

Frost sighed. "Please go away," he said, feeling instantly guilty for his unusual rudeness.

"I cannot do that, Master," came the ever cheerful voice from outside. "Please?"

Frost turned slowly. He couldn't keep his old childhood confidante out like this. Reluctantly, he opened the heavy lock.

"Master Frost!" Jester exclaimed, hurrying into the room with his fan flapping like a trapped bird.

Frost forced a smile at his old friend's eagerness. "Why are you here, Jester?"

Jester lowered his eyes, suddenly reluctant to breach the subject. He quickly closed the door behind himself and walked further into the room.

"Jester?" Frost asked again, frowning. He didn't know how much longer he would be able to keep from crying and he wanted to be alone when he lost control. He did not want to have to explain his tears.

Jester suddenly ceased smiling and lowered the fan in his hand. He watched Frost's expression closely, wanting to be sure - quite sure - before speaking out on such a delicate subject.

Frost grew uncomfortable under the close scrutiny, turning his head this way and that, until Jester reached out and held it still, cool fingers lightly resting under Frost's chin.

"Jester, please..." Frost said, wanting to turn away but finding himself held in place by the kind, concerned eyes of his friend.

"It's alright to cry, Master Frost."

"Cry?" Frost said hesitantly, neither denying nor confirming anything.

Jester nodded. "I know of your grief."

Frost drew his eyebrows together, attempting to assess whether Jester knew what he was saying. He trusted his old friend - Jester had been looking after him, Wind, Cloud and Charity since they had been children. But he still felt reluctant to open his heart to him. It simply wasn't something he had ever learned to do. One was easily hurt that way.

Jester knew he would have to speak first if he was to help Frost. "You're not happy about Lord Conqueror's decision."

Frost's eyes widened. When his eyes met Jester's, he found he couldn't lie to him, no matter how much his sense of self-preservation demanded it of him. "It's not up to me to question Sifu's decisions."

Jester nodded. "You respect his wishes."

"Of course." Frost turned his back to Jester.

"You think that he knows what is best for the Clan and you will not stand in his way." Jester moved closer to Frost.

Frost nodded again, harder this time to convince himself.

"You trust that your teacher knows what is best for you, for Mistress Charity and for Master Wind." This time, Jester didn't wait for the nod. "You assume that he merely wants to ensure the happiness of his daughter and his favorite protégés and you are willing to bow to whatever he demands."

Frost nodded, more hesitantly now. He wished Jester would stop this.

"You're willing to spend the rest of your life in unhappiness if it pleases your teacher?"

Frost spun around. "Why are you asking me all this, Jester?" His slender hands balled into fists. "If Sifu heard you talk this way, he would have me kill you!"

Jester nodded, his habitual smile still not returning - he looked almost like a different person without it. "I know that, Master Frost." When he got no response aside from a flash of exasperation, his lips did quirk up a little. "I've watched you grow up - all of you. And while I'm in no mind to anger Lord Conqueror, I cannot stand by and watch you despair like this."

Frost stared at him. "Sifu has made his decision. I have no right to interfere. Nor do you."

Jester laughed, but not with his usual humor. "I don't wish to incite you to interfere, Master Frost. And while I am a fool, I'm not enough of a fool to think I could affect your teacher's rulings."

"What then?" Frost asked. "Nothing can be done."

Jester began to pace. "If Lord Conqueror's main concern is his daughter's happiness, then he should know if there is reason to believe that she and Master Wind will not be happy together. On the other hand..." He considered Conqueror's reaction to such news and shook his head sadly.

"Why would they not be? Wind is the kindest, most gentle person I know - he will be an excellent husband to Charity."

Jester did not miss the way Frost's voice softened on Wind's description. He smiled. "Of course he will. Like you, he will obey Lord Conqueror's order and he will do what he can to make Charity happy. But I believe that much like you, he himself will not be happy in the process."

Frost's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What are you talking about?"

Jester took a step back, displeased at how hard it was to help these stubborn young fools. "Master Wind would bow to any order and do the best he can to obey. And like you, he would put his own wishes aside to please Lord Conqueror." Jester sighed dramatically. "Yet I doubt that he would want his own as well as *your* unhappiness on his conscience. Would it not be fair to let him know everything there is to know before he makes his decision?"

Now Frost was speechless. But he gathered his wits about him quickly enough, avoiding meeting Jester's eyes. "There's nothing else to know."

"Not even..."

"Jester!" Frost had raised his shoulders defensively, even while his eyes glared with barely controlled anger. When had he been so careless? When had his longing eyes given him away? "Do not dare speak of this to anyone, Jester. Ever!"

Jester shook his head. "I won't, Master Frost. But you should."

And with those words, Jester gathered up his robes and made a quick exit from Frost's chambers through the garden door, leaving his dumbfounded young master behind. He needed to think - something had to be done. Perhaps the fragrant lotus blossoms in the pond just outside would help clear his mind.

The moment he closed the portal to the garden behind himself, Jester heard a knock on Frost's bedroom door. He turned, hesitated a moment, and then pressed his forehead against the shuttered door, peering through a cracks in the heavy cedarwood. He watched Frost casting back a cautious glance in his direction, but on seeing that Jester had indeed left the room, Frost went to the door, believing himself unobserved.

Jester let out a little gasp when he saw who had come to visit Master Frost.

"Wind?" Frost stepped back, feeling his heart sink. Where it had been difficult to hold back the tears with Jester, Wind might make it impossible.

"Are you alright, Frost?" Wind asked with concern. He noticed that Frost kept looking back into the room, but when he glanced over his friend's shoulder, he saw no one. "May I come in?"

Frost straightened up. "Of course." He smiled and stepped back, allowing Wind to move past him while his eyes followed him across the room. Frost suppressed a sigh. Things had been so easy when they had been children. They had all played together, practiced their martial arts together, and often, they'd slept in the same room together - Charity's or his own usually, as they were the biggest and nicest ones. They had talked and laughed until late into the night. Then, they'd all fallen asleep together.

Frost could still remember that one morning when he'd woken to find Wind's head laying on his shoulder, the always restless eyes closed in sleep and slow breaths coming steadily as Wind lay so trustingly in his friend's arms. Perhaps it had all begun that morning?

"Frost?" Wind frowned when he realized his friend hadn't followed him across the room. In fact, Frost was still holding on to the heavy doorknob with an iron grip. He'd freeze it anytime if he didn't let go. Smiling, Wind took a few steps towards him, reaching to pry his friend's hand from the door-handle. "Frost!"

Frost jolted when he felt the touch of Wind's hand. "Sorry," he said weakly, smiling. He realized only then that Wind had come to talk to him about something. "Wind, is everything alright?"

Wind nodded. But then he turned away, apparently gathering his thoughts. "I think so," he said.

Frost frowned. He walked closer to Wind and placed a careful hand on his shoulder. "Sit down," he said softly, determinedly pushing his own woes aside to concentrate on his friend's.

Wind didn't sit on the closest chair, but went to perch on the edge of Frost's bed instead, not noticing that Frost's eyes widened for an instant before he joined him there.

Wind had always come to Frost for advice; this was where he felt safe. He himself looked after Charity, but Frost looked after both of them. Cloud had never needed looking after.

Touching the fine sheets on the bed lightly with the palm of his right hand, Wind could still remember waking up in this bed, finding Frost's arm protectively around his shoulder, back when he was still a child. He smiled, lost in thought.

Frost watched Wind's lips curve into a soft smile and was surprised. He'd been certain Wind had come for advice. Well, perhaps Wind was thinking of Charity and their upcoming wedding. What else could put such a peaceful smile on his face? Unwilling to disturb, Frost merely sat still, his hands folded in his lap as he lowered his head.

Soon, Wind's hand moved to Frost's forearm, touching it gently. "I still cannot believe Sifu has decided on this marriage," Wind said unexpectedly.

Before he could stop himself, Frost asked eagerly, "Are you not happy about it?"

Wind looked at him. "I think I am. But... Charity. I just went to see her, and while she has agreed to marry me, I cannot help but feel that it's not what she really wants. That... *I'm* not who she really wants."

Frost sighed softly. "I'm sure she's simply overwhelmed, Wind. Give her time."

"What if I should make her unhappy? I wish to obey Sifu's orders, and Charity has always been dear to me, but I couldn't bear to see her sad."

Playing absently with the edge of his sleeve, Frost said, "Lord Conqueror is wise, but perhaps, when it comes to his daughter's happiness, he..." Stopping abruptly, Frost realized that he was beginning to talk like Jester.

Jester, who was still standing outside, straining to hear the conversation within, giggled softly when he heard Frost's last words. And he watched Wind's expression change to one of even greater confusion and wondered if these two would perhaps, finally, allow their hearts to speak.

Wind's hold of Frost's arm tightened. "So you too believe that Charity does not love me?"

Frost bit his lip. "I did not mean that, Wind."

"But it's true," Wind decided. "It would certainly explain why she reacted so oddly when I went to see her and discuss it with her."

"Oddly?" Frost asked, fighting to keep hope from entering into his voice.

"She seemed... distracted. Almost as if she was thinking of someone else." Wind wondered how to best explain it. Charity was hard to read at the best of times. And to explain her odd moods was even more challenging.

Fighting down what he really wanted to say, Frost said, "I'm sure Charity does love you." And more softly, he added, "How could she not?" Wind looked at him, and Frost hoped that the hooded, sultry eyes would not see too much in his own gaze.

"I know that she loves me as if I were her brother - the way we all love each other. I've always felt that way about her, and about Cloud and about you, of course."

Frost's heart beat a little faster. "But you love Charity in a different way..." He had to hear Wind respond to that, had to hear it from his friend's own lips so that, perhaps, he could finally bury that last trace of his false hopes.

But something unexpected happened. And Frost was not to gain peace after all.

"I can't be certain either."

Frost's eyes widened, holding onto Wind's. "But I thought..."

"So did I." Wind sighed, looking at him pleadingly. "Now that I'm talking to you about it, I'm no longer sure. I've always felt protective of Charity, and close to her. She's so fragile and delicate, and so full of life. It's so much fun to spend time with her. But is that love?"

Frost knew the answer. But how could he presume to tell Wind what he thought when he was so inexperienced. After all, Frost was no expert on love, was he? He'd only ever loved one person in his life.

"I need you, Frost," Wind implored him.

Frost's heart began to pound hard against his ribs, but Wind was already continuing, "I need your advice. What am I to do? I don't want to defy Sifu, but I don't want to make Charity unhappy."

Or yourself... that was what Jester would say, wasn't it? Frost looked towards the garden portal, almost wishing Jester would come back and give advice to Wind, instead of him. He felt most unqualified, not to mention biased. For a moment, he was actually considering speaking out, using Wind's confusion to bring up his carefully concealed secret.

"Frost?" Wind pleaded.

Frost looked at him, forcing a smile. "Listen to your heart."

"My heart?" Wind seemed almost shocked by this. "But my heart is even more confused than my head, Frost. It's telling me that..."

Abruptly, Wind stopped talking, his hand jolting away from Frost's arm. "I should go. Perhaps I should leave Conqueror's Clan."

Panic got a tight grip on Frost immediately. No. Oh no, not that! "Don't even consider it, Wind," he said, his voice low and warning. "You know that Sifu would never let you go."

Wind nodded in resignation. "I know."

They sat in silence for a short time - it had always been nice to just be silent together like that, they had never needed words.

But Frost knew that perhaps now was a time where words were necessary. "I would help you," he heard himself say, confusing both of them.

"Help me?"

"If you want to leave and... not come back, I would... help you." The moment he had spoken the words, Frost wished he could take them back. What if Wind would accept his offer and leave? Or worse still, what if his help would not be enough and Conqueror would find Wind after all? Conqueror was wise, but he was not kind.

"You would do that for me." Wind didn't ask, he stated this fact.

Frost nodded reluctantly.

"No," Wind said unexpectedly. "No, I will not run away. I don't wish to leave the Clan, or run away from Charity, or from... you."

Frost had been clenching his fists hard enough for it to hurt, and when Wind spoke those words, his nails slipped and he winced as they cut into his skin.

"Frost?" Wind asked nervously. "Are you alright?" He instinctively reached for Frost's hand and drew it to his own lap. Aware that the hand was shaking badly - which was very unusual, for Frost was one of the calmest people he knew - he pried the tense fingers away from the palm and discovered the deep marks Frost had caused himself.

Frost shivered. He wished - no, he did not wish, he needed - for Wind to let go of his hand. He tried to tug it back, but found it held only tighter.

"Frost, why are you hurting yourself?" Wind asked sadly. He looked at his childhood friend, hoping to see in his familiar eyes what was wrong.

"A mistake. It just... happened."

Wind shook his head, not believing a word. "You never just hurt yourself - you are too careful, Frost." He narrowed his eyes, noticing now that Frost's skin looked almost transparent and that his eyes had red rims. His lips were trembling, too. "You are crying!" he exclaimed in horror.

"No!" Frost denied, too vehemently. "No, I'm not. I'm... tired from our journey."

Wind did not believe him, but he wanted to test him. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, Frost. I will leave you, if you wish."

Frost shook his head, then looked at Wind. If only there was a way they could be as close again as they had been when they were children. If only... Perhaps then, he would be able to tell Wind. Tell him that he...

Wind was deeply worried. He had gone to Frost with his own troubles and fears so often, and he must have looked much the way Frost did now. But he had *never* seen Frost this way - sad and fearful.

Frost knew he should send Wind away if he wanted to be certain that he would not break down while he was there. But he could not. This might be the last time they would be alone together like this before Wind's and Charity's... He swallowed back the tears again, straining from holding them back for so long.

"Please, let me stay," Wind pleaded. "You have been there for me so many times, Frost. I think... that I should be here for you now."

When Frost turned his face away, Wind sighed, desperate to help. "Tell me what's wrong. My own problem can wait, Frost."

Frost made a little coughing sound, almost too late to hold back his tears this time. "What if they are the same..." he whispered, too sad to consider that Wind might hear him.

"The same? Frost..." Wind was still holding his friend's hand, noticing it had not stopped trembling - it may have even become worse. "Please tell me."

When Frost looked at him as if his world was ending, Wind understood. Or at least he thought he did. "You love Charity," he said. "Frost, why didn't you say anything?"

Frost nearly laughed, but it would only have opened the floodgates for his tears. "No, Wind. I... I don't."

Now Wind was more confused than ever. He had begun to stroke his fingers over the inside of Frost's palm, soothing the deep marks of anguish without even noticing it.

But for Frost, the unthinking caress brought back memories which he couldn't afford to hold onto, especially not if Wind would marry Charity. But he knew he couldn't do without those memories either - they were so happy... had been so happy as children. Frost and Wind - friends, brothers... but no more.

"Oh, Frost. I don't understand anything. I don't understand Charity. I don't understand me. But I thought I've always understood you!" Wind said sadly. "If we could only go back to being children. Everything was so much easier."

Yes, Frost thought, easier... when he could hold Wind in his arms and kiss his forehead as an older brother might do. Back when no one would have questioned it. "Yes, I wish we could too," he admitted.

"You do?" Wind asked, a little sparkle returning to his clouded eyes. "Why don't we?"

Frost frowned, unsure what Wind was suggesting.

Wind pushed him back gently, ignoring how his friend tensed momentarily, at least until he was laying back on the bed.

Breathing heavily and trying not to, Frost looked up at his friend almost fearfully.

A moment later, Wind laid down beside him, resting his head on his shoulder as he had done so many years ago and sighing softly as he had done then, too.

Frost held his breath for as long as he could, but when Wind tentatively placed one hand on his chest, he sighed, allowing himself to cover it with his own.

"I've missed this," Wind said wistfully. "We never had problems then. We were so innocent."

Frost bit his lip. He didn't feel innocent now, especially not with Wind's feather-light hair resting against his cheek and Wind's hand beneath his own. He felt...

Wind sighed. "Imagine us back there, Frost. Imagine us being children again. And then, tell me what makes you so sad." It seemed impossible, but Frost still smelled like he had done as a child... like sweet vanilla tea and snow. Wind smiled.

Frost closed his eyes, swallowed deeply. "I... don't want you to leave... me."

Wind watched their hands atop each other. "I know, Frost. And I won't leave you. I won't leave the Clan."

No. Oh no, that was not what he had meant. No wonder Wind had misunderstood. "I didn't mean that," Frost admitted.

Wind snuggled closer. "Then what, Frost? Remember, we're children again. You can tell me everything."

Frost gathered up all his courage, knowing that if he didn't speak up, he would lose Wind. What had Jester said? He needed to tell him everything so Wind could truly make up his mind. Well, he would. His heart would probably break either way.

"I... don't want you to marry Charity, Wind." He felt Wind's slender form shiver slightly, afraid he'd said too much, but he had to go on. "I'm not in love with her. But I am in love. I have been... for as long as I remember."

Wind closed his eyes, rubbed his cheek against Frost's shoulder. His heart was beating rapidly, but before he dared to ask, he wanted to enjoy this closeness for a moment more, in case he had misunderstood.

Frost grew worried, but he was reassured that Wind had snuggled closer rather than moved away. Wind could not have guessed the meaning of his words yet.

Wind wanted to do one more thing before he would ask the question that might perhaps break his heart. He had to do this, and he knew Frost had never minded it when they'd been children.

Leaning on one elbow, Wind looked down at his friend for a moment before pressing a tender kiss to his cheek.

At that moment, Frost instinctively turned his face, and Wind's lips were on his mouth - sweet, intoxicating, so longed for. He thought about drawing away, attempting to laugh at the 'accident', but he couldn't move.

And Wind didn't move either. He stayed like that, and then, they kissed. No longer children, but grown men, full of longing, full of realization, suddenly knowing where they belonged - into their childlike world full of adult emotions.

Frost finally managed to relax a little, his limbs growing weak when Wind's hair brushed over his cheek, tickled his ear, stroked his neck.

And still they were kissing, both of them quite inexperienced but so full of need that they wound up doing what they had always done - teaching each other.

Frost let his tongue nudge carefully at the line of Wind's closed mouth, and Wind gave in, parting his lips slightly. From there on, they were cast loose, entirely on their own in a sea of passion, but swimming together bravely.

Frost finally murmured, "I can't lose you, Wind."

Wind touched Frost's sleek hair, then ran his hand into its lush mass. "You were right. I must... listen to my heart."

Frost drew Wind into his arms, held him so tight. He allowed him to rest his cheek against his chest and stroked over his hair, learning its texture all over again. It had been so long since they'd been lying like this...

Outside, Jester's nose was pressed hard against the door as he peered in, and he sighed happily, blinking away those annoying tears. He'd known all along, of course.

Oh, but what of Lord Conqueror! He would be furious... and worse.

"What are we to do?" Wind asked inside, holding onto Frost's hand tightly. "We have to both run away, Frost."

Frost swallowed. "He will find us. He always finds those he wants dead." He clutched Wind to himself more tightly as if that could somehow protect them both.

"But if we stay..." Wind looked up, the thought trailing off. "I can't marry Charity. It would not be fair to deceive her, but how else can we stay together, Frost?"

Frost thought hard about this. "You say you don't think that she loves you?"

Wind shook his head. "No, I think she loves someone else."

They both looked at each other at the same moment, having the very same thought.

"It would be so wicked," Wind said, but he smiled nonetheless.

Frost nodded. "We would have to talk to her. See how she feels about this. It would mean none of us would be married to the one we love, but..."

A sudden knock on the door made them both jolt upright on the bed, straightening their rumpled gowns and looking as innocent as they could. Then, Frost realized the knock was on the door to the garden.

"*Jester!*" he growled.

Wind raised an eyebrow. "Why would Jester come here through the garden, Frost?"

Frost smiled. "He was here earlier and left that way. Wait..." He walked to the door and opened it, finding a shame-faced Jester standing outside. "I don't believe this - you stayed!"

Jester nodded and giggled. "Let me in, Master Frost, quickly."

Frost barely stood aside fast enough for the smiling whirlwind in white to pass by him and rush to the bed where he sat beside Wind.

"Oh, Master Wind, I'm so happy. So happy!" Jester sniffed and dabbed a tiny white handkerchief at his eyes.

Wind smiled, squeezing Jester's shoulder.

"What will you do now?" Jester asked, looking quite worried. "Lord Conqueror will be furious!"

"We can't tell him," Frost said with determination. "You *must* be quiet about this, Jester!"

"Of course!" Jester nodded eagerly. He had no intention of breathing a word about his young masters. "But... what of Charity?"

Frost and Wind exchanged a look.

"Ah! I know," Jester immediately continued. "Master Wind, you must marry her anyway. Then Lord Conqueror will never suspect. But you must tell her and Master Cloud."

Frost sat down beside Jester and Wind. "Cloud??" When Jester returned his gaze, he gasped. "Oh! But... how did you know, Jester?"

Jester smiled mysteriously. "How did I know about you and Master Wind?"

Frost blushed, and Wind laughed. "Jester sees everything, Frost," he said, and to their old friend. "We were just talking about what to do, Jester."

Jester nodded and sighed dramatically. "It is very difficult. Very difficult indeed. Lord Conqueror would not understand, and he wants Mistress Charity married. To you, Master Wind."

All three of them sat sadly for a moment.

Wind shook his head. "I could not marry her, Jester. Never. It would be wrong and I would always be longing for..." His eyes met Frost's and they both lowered their gazes quickly.

Jester giggled. "Oh, so shy. So shy. Don't worry about Mistress Charity. Lord Conqueror would never allow her to marry Master Cloud, but this way, they too can be together." His eyes darkened a little. "But you must all be very, very careful."

Wind sighed, and Frost scooted closer, placing an arm around his shoulder. "What do you think, Frost?" Wind asked, looking up at him. He was willing to do whatever it would take to be near Frost.

"I think Jester is right, Wind. We must tell Charity and... Cloud, of course." This worried him. "He's so stubborn and possessive, I'm not sure he will agree to this."

Jester offered, "I will tell him."

Wind and Frost stared at him. "Are you sure?"

Jester nodded. He wasn't at all sure, but if this meant that all of Conqueror's protégés would be happy, it was worth risking Master Cloud's wrath.

"Then I shall tell Charity," Wind said.

Wind found his task to be an easy one indeed. Charity agreed immediately, confirming what he had already known. She found the idea wonderful - she would be able to be with Cloud while Frost and Wind... she giggled a little at that, but not maliciously.

"I think I've always known that you were Frost's favorite, Wind. You too could have seen it in his eyes," she said, poking him in the chest playfully.

Wind turned away shyly. "I didn't know or dare to look for it."

Charity hugged him from behind. "Ah, but now you do. Oh, Wind - we will all be so happy!"

Wind nodded, smiling wistfully. He could not help the trace of worry in his heart.

Charity withdrew. "I will tell Cloud." Laughing, she said, "He would only give Jester an evil stare and frighten him."

Wind turned and smiled at her. "Thank you, Charity, my little sister." And he hugged her, kissed her forehead and left.

The day of the wedding approached, and despite their plans, Wind and Frost felt quite sad. How difficult would they find it in future to be alone together? And - unlikely as it was - what if Lord Conqueror decided that Wind and Charity were to live in a palace of their own? The Clan's empire reached far and wide.

So it was that the night before the wedding, Wind sat in the garden outside Frost's chambers, staring at himself in the clear pond, his own reflection right beside that of the moon. He dipped a finger into the water and drew circles dreamily, lost in thought.

Only one more night now and he would be married to Charity. Only one more night before he would be expected to spend more time with her than with Frost. More would be expected of him as well, but at least he knew that Charity would not ask that of him.

But it was what he dreamed of with Frost - had dreamed of since that kiss, perhaps even before then. He stopped drawing his finger through the water and lifted it to his lips, tasting the sweet lotus-scented moisture which clung to it. He closed his eyes, remembered Frost's lips on his, the sweet shyness of their kiss... Oh, how he longed for him!

He was so lost in thought, he never heard the soft sound of the cedarwood door behind him opening. His finger still lay against his lower lip while his eyes were closed blissfully when Frost stepped next to him and smiled.

Wind felt the soft brush of silk against his cheek and quickly opened his eyes, looking up. "Frost!" he exclaimed. "I... shouldn't be here. I'm sorry."

Frost sat down beside him, crossing his legs. "I'm glad you're here. I could not sleep for thinking of you."

Wind smiled. "Neither could I." He looked at Frost and saw the sadness they both shared reflected in his eyes. Without thinking, he reached out to him, his fingers tangling in the deep blue silk of Frost's gown, touching it as if he was caressing skin.

Frost looked around a little fearfully, but it was silly. The garden was closed of from the rest of the palace - it was his own, private garden. No one would dare enter it, especially not in the middle of the night.

Covering Wind's fingers with his hand, Frost stilled the movement, and his eyes softened when Wind returned his longing gaze. He reached out to him with his free hand and cupped Wind's cheek, a warm feeling spreading through him when Wind leaned into the caress and sighed.

The snowy white of Wind's voile gown glowed silver in the moonlight, rustling softly with every breeze and caressing the flesh Frost longed to touch.

"Jester would be so upset with us. He would send me back to my room right away," Wind said a little breathlessly.

"Yes, he would," Frost agreed. "It will be your wedding tomorrow."

Wind nodded. "But in my thoughts..." He swallowed convulsively. "In my thoughts, I will be making my vows to you."

Frost looked down, stilling his heart with a few deep breaths. When he looked at Wind again, he smiled. "I will close my eyes so I can only hear your voice, Wind, and I will imagine myself standing next to you."

Wind felt a lump in his throat but forced himself to say lightly, "But if you should respond as well, Jester will be hysterical."

Frost moved his palm from Wind's cheek into his hair, stroking back the long, black mane. "I will respond only in my mind."

"It is not fair, Frost," Wind said sadly. "We will be wed, in our hearts, but then we will have to part. We are to remain innocent until my wedding but will still not lose our innocence after it. It is not fair."

Frost held his breath for a moment. "Unless..."

Wind looked up into his friend's eyes, finding the same familiarity and gentleness he'd always seen there, but something more wild. "Frost..." he whispered, hearing all his longing in his own voice.

And so did Frost. He cupped Wind's nape with his palm and drew him forward until their lips were almost touching. "Do you want this to be our wedding night, Wind?"

Wind closed his eyes and in response, he tilted his head until their foreheads touched. Then, he pushed his chin forward until his lips met Frost's, for a kiss that was nothing like the chaste touch of lips they had shared days earlier.

Frost's fingers were buried in Wind's hair as he kissed him. His other hand moved around to his shoulder blades and he drew him against himself.

Wind clutched at him, his fingers sliding over Frost's smooth gown as he was pulled on top of Frost who barely managed to stretch out and part his legs before Wind was on him, his weight pushing them both to the ground.

Panting, Frost lay flat like that, holding Wind close, both arms now wrapped around him as he kissed him with all his passion and all his love. He rolled them both sideways so that he was leaning on one elbow, looking down at Wind's face. He touched it tenderly, tracing the line of his lips, his cheeks, his nose... then he trailed a finger down Wind's chin and his neck, which arched towards his touch like a beautiful, tame crane.

"I love you," Frost said softly.

"With all your heart?" Wind whispered.

Frost nodded. "And with my soul. And my body."

Wind reached up, his hand moving from Frost's shoulder to his neck and around to the back of it. He pulled him down, parting his lips temptingly. But just before Frost kissed him, he stopped his movement. "I love you too, Frost. Please... make me yours."

Frost's heart was pounding. His eyes moved over Wind as he lay there before him... like a pure, white angel on the lush green grass, the moonlight reflecting in the pond making his lustrous hair sparkle as though it bore silver threads.

"You've always been mine, Wind," he said softly. "And I yours." His hand hovered above Wind for a moment, before his fingers began to draw the white garment aside, revealing a pale expanse of the smoothest skin. He touched it, carefully, as though afraid that he might bruise it. Then, deciding that lips were more tender than fingers, he kissed it as it was revealed to him, first the plane in the center of Wind's chest, then - as he tugged the fabric further aside - one tiny, rosy nub.

Wind moaned softly, his eyes closed. But he opened them again quickly, wanting to see the love in Frost's eyes, the tiny frown which spoke of his nervousness. He reached for Frost's hand and pressed the palm to his mouth, kissing it and entwining his fingers with Frost's as he held it, his tongue snaking out and tracing the fine lines which spoke of their love and their destiny.

"Are you afraid?" Frost asked quietly.

Wind shook his head, still holding onto Frost's hand. "Not with you. I'm not afraid of anything with you, Frost." He placed the moistened palm on his heart and sighed.

Frost leaned down and kissed him again. This time he parted the soft lips and slid his tongue through them, and he felt Wind give in, heard the tiny sigh of acquiescence and felt both of Wind's arms around his waist, holding him close enough to feel his excitement. And to allow Wind to feel his own.

Frost moved his thigh tentatively, pushing upwards between Wind's legs until the soft mass of fabric bunched between them caused almost too much of the wonderful friction.

Wind gasped, arching upwards and against Frost along the entire length of his body.

Shuddering, Frost gathered Wind into his arms the moment his back was off the ground and lowered him again with his own forearms supporting him. He bent to kiss Wind's stomach, licking at the white skin barely showing in the gap where his gown fell open.

Being held up like that, a little suspended in the air, Wind almost felt as though he was floating in the air. His head fell back, exposing the long line of his neck to Frost's kisses.

When he was placed on the grass again carefully, he felt warm all over, as if hours had passed in Frost's embrace. He watched the slow smile on Frost's face as Frost reached out to the side, dipping one hand into the pond.

Moments later, the warm water trickling down the front of Wind's neck had Wind first gasping and then shivering with pleasure. Frost bent and followed the rivulets with his tongue, tracing them until they drizzled down Wind's sides and were lost to him.

Wind reached for Frost, his long fingers clenching at the collar of Frost's silk gown, trying desperately to tug it open. "Please..." he begged.

Frost crouched over him, allowing Wind to open the robe and slide his hands inside where they gripped his shoulders and eventually moved down over his chest and around his waist, carelessly sliding the sheer fabric out of the way.

Bared to the waist, Frost shrugged out of the wide sleeves, lowering himself on top of Wind.

When their skin touched, Wind whimpered a little, hugging Frost close to himself and moving against him. He felt the sensations this caused ever more intensely, as if something inside him was growing and preparing to blossom.

Frost tried to stay in control, but he too could not stop moving against his lover, his thigh pressing up against the hardness he could feel even through layer upon layer of cloth, sliding his own against it until it nearly drove him out of his mind.

Wind suddenly stilled both their frantic movements, holding Frost tight and burying his face in his neck. "Wait... I..."

"It's alright, Wind," Frost reassured him tenderly. "We have all night. Don't hold back."

Those words were like a warm trickle through Wind's body, and he bucked against Frost harder, his fingers digging into the smooth skin of Frost's back, stroking firmly along the curve of his spine.

Frost slipped his hands underneath Wind's hips and lifted them up a little, his palms moving to Wind's buttocks and kneading them, moving faster and faster against him, kissing him, using his tongue to coax the soft, gasping lips open, and licking up the side of his neck until he finally bit down on Wind's earlobe, very softly... tenderly.

Wind moaned when he felt the sudden shudder passing through Frost's body. The moment he felt warm moisture seeping through their garments, Frost raised his face, his lips parted and his gaze wide and tempestuous. He was so beautiful - those sensitive eyes, the full mouth, his thick hair waving slightly in the night breeze. And the total rapture on his face...

Wind clutched him harder, painfully hard he feared. And then, he too found release, forgetting to breathe for a moment until Frost kissed him, giving him his own breath.

Frost shifted slightly so they were more comfortable and lay down with his head on Wind's shoulder. He smiled contentedly - it had always been the other way around. But now that they were grown up, they both supported each other.

Wind had never felt so safe and so loved, except for that day, long ago, when he had woken up in Frost's arms. But now that they were adults, he knew that he had discovered what love really was.

He stroked over Frost's hair, cradling his head in the crook of his neck.

Frost sighed, a smile on his face. "You're mine now, Wind," he teased.

"I always have been." Wind mirrored Frost's own words from earlier on, adding more solemnly, "And always will be."

Frost looked up, meeting Wind's eyes. "I wish *I* could marry you. I wish I could be the one standing next to you tomorrow, holding your hand and declaring my love for you in front of the whole Clan."

"And in front of Lord Conqueror?" Wind said sadly.

Frost smiled, tenderly running his hand over Wind's cheek. "What counts is that you and I know."

"Yes," Wind agreed. "We should not be sad on our wedding night." He fought to make his smile less melancholy. "I want to be so very happy tonight - happy enough so that we may both be able to face tomorrow."

Frost nodded. Then he moved up and kissed Wind - a soft, light kiss, his tongue parting Wind's yielding lips until it could play with his tongue.

When Frost felt the slight shudder passing through Wind's slender form, he kissed him more deeply, seeking to touch every part of Wind's mouth, to drink from it.

Wind clutched at him, returning the kiss passionately, desperately almost. His hands began to pull at their clothing, trying to free them of the mass of warm and dampened silk and chiffon bunched between them. "Let me touch you, Frost."

Frost tried to help, but in his haste, he was clumsy and the fabric mercilessly separating them forced him to crouch over Wind so he could move at all. He began to tug Wind's robes apart all the way, smiling when he finally made progress. When he revealed the wet front of Wind's trousers, he licked his lips, causing a little moan from Wind.

"Please, Frost." Wind reached up, impatiently tearing at the blue silk around Frost's narrow hips until it ripped loudly. "Oh!" he exclaimed.

Frost laughed softly. "I don't care, Wind." In fact, this was helpful, he thought, taking the shred of clean and dry fabric from Wind's fingers and dipping it into the pond.

Frost began to clean his lover, forcing himself to ignore Wind's soft moans and the way his body writhed when Frost caressed his still too tender skin with the scrap of silk. And it was equally hard to ignore Wind's hungry eyes when Frost cleaned himself, but he did it.

Finally, Wind reached forward and held Frost's wrist still, using his other hand to take the silk from his fingers. Then, his slender fingers closed around Frost's hardness, trapping him in the tender touch as gently as if he was holding a bird.

Frost shuddered as though he was in the throes of a fever, biting his lip until he nearly drew blood. "Wind..." he gasped, pushing forward slightly, begging for more.

And Wind gave it, his touch growing firmer and more sure until he suddenly stopped.

Frost's eyes fluttered as he tried to comprehend the loss. But when he saw the flushed, desperate look in Wind's eyes, he understood. "Let's go inside, Wind," he said softly, barely master over his own voice.

Wind nodded eagerly, drawing his hand back reluctantly.

They managed to scramble to their feet, not caring that their disheveled clothes barely covered them.

Wind reached out and took Frost's hand, leading him to the door at the end of the garden and inside, into Frost's bed chamber.

As soon as they had shut the door behind them and were enclosed in the half-dark room, the pale blue drapes and sheets shimmering in the moonlight and the scent of lotus drifting in through the vast windows, they were in each others' arms again.

Frost managed to separate himself from Wind long enough to smile at him and stretch out a hand, leading him to the wide canopied bed. There, he stopped and slowly began to undress Wind completely, removing the hastily gathered up long garments from his damp skin. "You're shivering," he said with tender concern.

Wind smiled reassuringly. "Yes, I'm..." He seemed a little flustered. "I don't want to wait any longer, Frost. I need you." And he wrapped his arms around Frost's neck and kissed him, pressing against him full-length.

"My clothes... help me, Wind," Frost murmured weakly, and between them, they managed to remove them quickly and efficiently before sinking down into a soft cloud of blue silk, feeding on each others' breath, their limbs entangled and their long, flowing hair mingling on the cushions.

Wind woke to a feeling of bittersweet melancholy, at once realizing that the great love he had found was soon to be paid for with betrayal. He sighed, raising one hand to rub at his moist eyes when his fingers touched a soft, delicate flower, threaded into his hair. He smiled, stilling his hand in midair.

Frost was already awake, peering at Wind from the corner of his eye. He reached to stop Wind's wrist in midair. "Not yet. You look so beautiful." He sat up, his eyes moving over Wind's flushed face... the black hair fanned out over the pillow and enriched with a single lotus blossom of the most delicate scent and nearly transparent whiteness.

"Like a bride?" Wind laughed softly, his heart instantly lighter at the sight of Frost's familiar, tender gaze. With the hand he had raised to remove the flower, he instead drew Frost closer for a long, deep kiss.

Parting from Wind, Frost stayed close, his lips hovering above Wind's and his hand in his lover's hair, careful not to brush over the blossom. "You must prepare soon," he said, sweetening the inevitability of his words with a tender touch of his lips. "Jester will come looking for you otherwise." He kissed the tip of Wind's nose, then his mouth again.

"Yes," Wind sighed, as much in despondent agreement as in encouragement for Frost to continue his tender ministrations.

They both knew they would have to part very soon, not knowing when they could next be together like this.

Jester fluttered through the throne hall like a dove. "Master Frost! Master Frost!" he chattered, laughing and doing his very best to keep his dear young master's spirits up. "Here, try it on!" He didn't wait for permission before throwing the groom's attire - a long, red shoulder sash - over Frost's head playfully.

Frost grew flustered. "Jester, what are you doing?" He looked around, worried that one of the guests might somehow divine his true wishes regarding the wedding from this gesture.

"The groom will have to tie this on. Do me a favor. See how it looks." When Frost seemed more nervous still, Jester said knowingly, "You look pale and sick."

"Not as pale as you!" Frost snapped back at the as always heavily powdered Jester, realizing that his old friend was only trying to distract him and help keep up appearances. Some of the wedding guests had noted Frost's pallor earlier, so it was only cautious.

"Charity is getting married." Jester supplied the next cue. "Are you depressed?"

A few trusted members of the Clan standing close to Frost squeezed his arm consolingly, drawing the right and yet entirely wrong conclusion.

"When you love someone, you want them to be happy," Frost said wistfully. "Wind is a kind man. It is good that Charity is marrying him."

'Not to mention inevitable for everyone's happiness,' he added mentally.

Jester looked at him with that unusual seriousness again, sympathy softening his fine features nearly to the point of making him cry.

More guests arrived, one of them mistaking Frost for the groom as he was still wearing the sash.

Jester giggled, catching the ritual garment when Frost tore it off himself and flung it at him as though it was on fire.

When Wind finally stepped from the room behind the throne, led out by Lord Conqueror himself, Frost forgot about the hustle and bustle of the large assembly - including some unwelcome guests - and regarded his lover silently, the slight trembling of his lips almost imperceptible.

Jester, who stood nearby, watched Frost sympathetically.

Wind's eyes met Frost's, the red wedding attire Jester had pinned to Frost earlier now on him. The moment Frost noted it, Jester approached him, giggling softly. "Two grooms... the wedding can begin," he whispered.

Frost gently prodded him in the side. "Shh..." he hissed.

The ceremony was about to begin. On Conqueror's instruction, Wind joined Charity in front of the throne, with Jester rushing to his side, babbling cheerfully and tugging at a strand of Wind's lustrous hair, offering him his support also in his own playful way.

Frost stood a little behind Wind. His chest felt as if it contained shards of glass instead of a heart.

Suddenly, the portals to the hall flew open and Cloud burst in on the ceremony like an avenging angel, strutting through the assembled crowd.

Frost sensed disaster and stepped in his way, but he was pushed aside forcefully, Cloud's eyes glaring at him in anger.

Wind and Charity had turned and Wind made to step up to Cloud, but he too was carelessly pushed aside and Cloud grasped Charity's hand.

Frost and Wind exchanged a worried look - had Charity not made everything clear to Cloud?

Cloud ignored Lord Conqueror's furious exclamations as well as the rest of the wedding guests, pulling Charity along with him towards the doors. She followed willingly but her pretty face showed concern.

Lord Conqueror's guards tried to stop Cloud, but he used the Cloud Palms to keep his and Charity's path free to the portals, not caring that he injured some of the guards and killed others. Finally, when Wind caught up and made one more attempt to stop him, Cloud fought him off and rose off the ground, flying through the tall gates with Charity.

Wind and Frost rushed after them, together with Lord Conqueror who followed them hurriedly.

Outside, Charity tried to reason with Cloud, reminding him that her marriage did not mean they could no longer be together. But Cloud was stubborn, unable to understand how she could go ahead and marry Wind under this pretense.

Wind, Frost and Lord Conqueror soon caught up with them.

"Charity! Come back!" Conqueror commanded, but Cloud did not let go of her hand. Instead, he told Conqueror with dangerous calm, "I have obeyed you for 10 years. I'm leaving Conqueror's Clan and taking Charity."

Conqueror hissed at Wind, "If you're a man, come and fight for your wife. Don't let the rest of the world laugh at you. Fight for your reputation."

Wind's hesitation lasted remarkably long. He had no desire to hurt Cloud, and for what he knew to be such a futile cause no less. There was nothing to fight over, but he dared not think what might happen if he disobeyed Conqueror. At least he himself would take care not to inflict too much injury on his friend.

Wind looked helpless, and Frost knew as well as he did that Charity was exactly where she belonged. But Lord Conqueror had given an order and they all knew the punishment for disobedience, and so Wind fought Cloud for Charity.

Frost tried to reason with Conqueror, but he was merely told to shut up. And yet, when the battle was clearly going to leave one of them dead, Frost decided to interfere regardless of the consequences.

Right then, Frost spotted his teacher preparing to hurl one of his deadly orbs at the two friends struggling atop the ornament in the center of the palace square.

Charity must have noticed at the same time, for she yelled, "Father!" And then, to the struggling friends, "Be careful!" and rose off the ground, shielding both of them with her own delicate form, taking the full force of the assault and falling towards the ground like a dead leaf.

Cloud called out her name and managed to catch her in midair, cradling her fall in his arms.

Wind was instantly at their side and Frost stood nearby, his heart still pounding from fear for Wind and now, from grief over Charity. Her pallor and the thin trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth made him fear the worst.

Lord Conqueror remained in the background in shock while Cloud clutched the dying Charity close. Wind stood helplessly in front of them, his eyes filling with tears.

"She has been my woman." Cloud said. "Go away."

Wind only looked at him, then at Charity and back at Cloud again, his eyes pleading for understanding that the deception had been necessary and that Charity had been willing. But deep down, he began to shoulder the blame entirely.

Frost's stomach clenched. They should have known, all of them, that Cloud's nature would never allow him to stand by and watch this wedding. Even knowing the reasons and surely seeing the sense in it, Cloud would never stand for it. But none of them had anticipated his interference. And certainly not this tragedy.

Wind, even in his grief, attempted to keep up the deception, not showing any signs that Charity's belonging to Cloud failed to surprise him.

Cloud, almost as if he was entirely oblivious, told Charity, "It is alright if you don't love me. You don't have to explain your love."

Wind wanted to scream out that she did, *of course* she did! Why did Cloud not understand?

And Charity could no longer make him understand. Indicating that she loved both of them, she died before she could explain how her love for them differed.

Cloud held her close. "Charity, I love you. I will always be with you."

Frost and Wind were grief-stricken, and Frost rushed to Conqueror's side, steadying him when his master nearly fell.

Conqueror held up the hand which had killed his beloved daughter and stared at it in hatred and disbelief.

Cloud finally rose of the ground with Charity in his arms and left wordlessly, carrying her to a place where he would finally be able to remain by her side.

Frost was close to despair. No matter what he said or did, Wind seemed inconsolable, claiming over and over that Charity's death was his fault.

"Wind, it was Sifu who killed her." They lay on Frost's bedcovers and Frost held Wind close, trying to calm him. "You couldn't have known. No one could have."

Several weeks had passed since Cloud had taken Charity away and no one had heard from him. He was hiding her somewhere, apparently unwilling to give her up ever again. Neither Frost nor Wind could know that he sat vigil at her coffin in the Royal Mausoleum, preserving her beauty with the Ice Vigor he had taken by force from its rightful owners.

"We should have been honest, Frost. We never should have involved her. I never should have agreed to marry her. Never!" Wind sobbed and Frost held him, helpless and unable to turn back time. They had both lost their sweet little sister, Cloud had lost his love and nothing could be done. Nothing at all.

Even Frost - who was such a gentle soul - found it hard not to despise Lord Conqueror, even though it had been an accident. But if Charity had not died, Cloud or Wind might have... At the realization of his near loss, Frost held Wind even tighter.

Wind spent much time in solitude, not wanting Frost to see him sad constantly. He visited Sword Grave as he had done with Charity, sitting on the raised platform in the center, reminiscing.

Lord Conqueror too was more withdrawn, although he appeared to be waiting for something. And one day, he disappeared, only to return a few days later with Charity's body, retrieved from Cloud. But he refused to speak of Cloud, and Frost and Wind felt certain that their friend must be dead. And so, yet more grief came from their deception.

Frost began to sense that Lord Conqueror was developing a hatred for them all, almost as if he would not allow anyone to grieve for his daughter, let alone for Cloud who he felt had betrayed him.

One day, Frost stood watching Wind with concern from the palace portal while Wind sat on the steps, drunk. He often was these days, and Frost could only sometimes persuade him to allow *his* comfort instead of that of the spirits. It hurt so much to simply stand by and watch Wind tear himself apart.

Conqueror's voice suddenly boomed and Frost turned fearfully, his eyes meeting those of Jester who stood by Conqueror's side. Sifu demanded of Wind that he pull himself together. He gave him a mission, and Jester knew that there was danger in that mission - he had heard of those who had tried to retrieve Blood Bodhi fruit from the Cirrus Cave before. None of them had ever returned alive. Why was Lord Conqueror sending Wind there?

Frost wanted to go with Wind, remembering how Wind had told him about the rumors also, but Lord Conqueror refused the request. This only further worried Jester, so he decided to find Mud Buddha who had disappeared mysteriously not long ago. If anyone would be able to help, he would.

Wind, accompanied by Bat and Hawk, soon left to visit the Cirrus Cave where his own father had met his end.

Jester was still spending every free moment searching the Palace and the entire area, even the caves below the ground...

While Wind was entering the Cirrus Cave with his treacherous companions, Jester finally found Mud Buddha - imprisoned in a rank dungeon and left to die from the uncontrolled pain inflicted by his spreading boils. And while Bat and Hawk were administering deadly poison to Wind - on Conqueror's orders - Mud Buddha told Jester everything about the prophecy and about how Wind's father had truly met his death in the Cirrus Cave - at the hand of Lord Conqueror himself.

Jester was in despair, fearing terrible disaster for his beloved masters. Surely, even Frost was no longer safe. And if Lord Conqueror heard that he had found Mud Buddha, he himself would be in great danger, too.

Jester finally learned every detail of the prophecy, of how Wind and Cloud were to unite to a storm which would defeat Lord Conqueror. Now it was clear why they both had to die. Oh the injustice! The terrible grief...

Much at the same time, Wind lay on the cave floor, poisoned and moments away from death when the notorious fire beast appeared and dispensed with his murderers.

Wind crawled to the nearest cave wall when he saw it studded with the bright red Blood Bodhi fruits which were said to cure every disease and multiply one's strength if one took even a single one. Wind reached up, plucking one of the fruits and eating it moments before he would have breathed his last breath, his thoughts with Frost and how there was nothing more important than to get back to him, avenge Charity and Cloud and kill Lord Conqueror.

Wind's trials were not over yet, for the mythical fire beast next turned on him. It was a tremendous fight from which Wind emerged the victor, his body once more strong and healthy.

He had to get back to the palace, back to Frost... Taking only a moment to gather up some of the Blood Bodhi fruits, he quickly made his way back.

Jester wanted to find out how Lord Conqueror's plans were succeeding, what had happened to Cloud and Wind and what his own and Frost's standing in the palace were.

But he made a grave error. In an unguarded moment, he slipped, his insincere compliments about Lord Conqueror's skills making it clear that he knew of the prophecy.

Jester's fate was sealed. Conqueror now surely knew that Jester had talked to Mud Buddha, thus he knew that Jester was not on his side. And it was not long before Jester found he was right.

Frost had been called to Lord Conqueror to be told that he was soon to lead the Clan, for Conqueror himself was concerned with nothing but his upcoming fight with Sword Saint - a fight for which he had been waiting many years.

Despite the unbearable news that no one had heard from Wind or Cloud, Frost refused to give in to despair just yet. His heart would tell him if he had lost Wind - and he did not feel that pain yet. There was hope.

Conqueror told him there was a disloyal member of the Clan who needed to be eliminated and Frost grew uneasy - killing was not something he enjoyed. When he was told who was to be killed, his heart nearly broke.

Frost could of course not follow this order. When he found Jester about to escape in wise premonition, dressed in guard's clothes, he was told of Mud Buddha, and Frost too went to see him and learned of his teacher's vile secret, his betrayal of them all. And he found a safe place for Jester to hide while he planned what to do.

While Lord Conqueror's long-awaited fight with Sword Saint took place, Wind returned.

Frost was sitting in his quarters, pondering what to do and hoping that in the fight, Sword Saint would be the victor. Or else how could *he* possibly hope to defeat Lord Conqueror by himself? He had no chance of doing so and feared that his only option would be to leave the Clan, taking Jester with him. Then how would Wind ever find him?

The soft knock on the portal to the garden finally caught his attention and he quickly moved to open it, hoping that Jester hadn't been foolish enough to leave his hiding place in the mountains.

When he opened the doors, it was as if the brightest beam of sunlight entered - the one person who was still able to put a smile on his face despite his despair. "Wind!" he exclaimed, embracing his lover fiercely.

Wind clutched at him with a sob, his face against Frost's neck as he whispered, "I'm so sorry I was away for so long!"

Frost simply held him tight, finally allowing his thus far suppressed fears for Wind's safety to come to the fore. "I was certain you were still alive. I felt it, Wind."

Wind kissed him voraciously, his hands on Frost's cheeks while he pressed against him full-length. "I was so afraid for you, Frost," he finally managed after a deep breath. "Do you know what happened?"

Frost nodded solemnly. "I know much of Sifu now that I never would have thought possible. He must surely have killed Cloud, and you..."

Wind nodded. "Bat and Hawk poisoned me on teacher's orders."

Frost gasped, rushing forward to hug Wind tight.

"I ate Blood Bodhi fruit - it saved me," Wind reassured, allowing the crushing embrace only too gladly.

"Oh, Wind! I could not bear the thought of never holding you again." Frost swallowed down his tears, drawing back reluctantly. "Let me take you to Mud Buddha - he told Jester and me everything and he has much to tell you as well."

"Jester!" Wind exclaimed fearfully, knowing that their friend must surely be in great danger.

"He's safe." Frost smiled. Then his face darkened for an instant. "Sifu asked me to kill him. That was when Jester took me to Mud Buddha."

Wind nodded. "He's wise. I hope he'll know what to do."

Mud Buddha told them the full details of the prophecy, making it clear to Wind that he and Cloud had to defeat Lord Conqueror together.

When Wind was about to interject, Mud Buddha told him, "The prophecy is not yet fulfilled - Cloud is still alive. He will come."

Wind looked to Frost.

"What are we to do in the meantime?" Frost asked.

"Stay out of Conqueror's way and bide your time. Cloud is very near, of that I am certain."

They promised Mud Buddha to free him as soon as Conqueror was defeated - if they did so too early, he would know of their betrayal.

Frost loathed the thought of them having to kill their teacher. He was by nature peaceful and deep down, he hoped to be able to reason with him.

So it was that he went into the great palace hall where Conqueror rested on his throne. He came straight to the point. "You killed the parents of Wind and Cloud. You ordered Hawk and Bat to kill Wind, right?"

Conqueror looked at him smugly and without surprise. "You didn't kill Jester."

Frost didn't respond.

"Of the three, you are most naive," Conqueror said cruelly.

With each passing moment, Frost's hatred for his teacher grew and he felt nothing but disgust for him - there was no reasoning with him. He had been a fool to even think of trying. "I'll never be your heir. You're using me!" Frost stated.

When he turned and walked away, Conqueror rose with a booming request as to where Frost was going.

"I'm leaving Conqueror's Clan."

Conqueror laughed. "You think you can come and go as you please?"

Outside the palace portal, Wind stood, about to enter when he saw Cloud bounding up the stairs, taking several steps at a time.

Cloud tried to avoid even looking at him, but Wind did not let him pass without telling him of the prophecy and handing him one of the Blood Bodhi fruits he had taken from the Cirrus Cave, assuring him that it would increase his strength greatly for their fight.

In silent agreement, they entered to let destiny play itself out.

Conqueror and Frost had regarded each other hatefully for an instant, a fight to the death inevitable. Even before it began, Frost knew he could not possibly win, but he wanted to at least inflict as much injury as he could before he himself would be defeated.

The Frost Fists were of course no match for Conqueror's violently powerful orb and when it spun towards Frost, entering him squarely in the chest, he felt his own heart stop and his blood freeze. He realized that this was how poor Charity had died. But his last thought was of Wind and how much he loved him.

The instant Frost fell, Wind was behind him, having burst in together with Cloud just in time to catch his lover.

Conqueror was momentarily distracted by the sheer surprise of seeing both his feared diciphles unexpectedly alive and well. His gaze met Cloud's, whose large eyes gave him an almost hypnotic angry stare.

Wind held Frost in his arms, sinking to his knees and watching the life drain from his body much the way Cloud had been forced to watch Charity expire in his embrace. He had not a moment to lose! Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew the last Blood Bodhi fruit he had on him and slipped it into Frost's mouth, following it up with a tender kiss and a whispered, "Don't leave me..."

Frost inhaled sharply which caused him to swallow the fruit whole. A moment later, he convulsed violently, but Wind held him tight, steadying him through the effects he knew only too well.

A shadow fell over Wind's face when he realized that Jester had sneaked into the palace and stood close-by, looking down at them with his delicate face dampened with tears.

"Master Frost!" Jester exclaimed, rushing to their side.

"He's alive. Please, Jester!" Wind urged, "Take care of him."

Jester nodded and knelt on the ground, allowing Wind to lower Frost into his own arms. He hugged him fiercely, stilling his frantic trembling.

Wind rose and faced Conqueror together with Cloud. And destiny ran its course.

Conqueror was defeated - not dead, but reduced to a crazed, prattling fool plagued by visions no one but he could see. He was left to his own devices and eventually, he killed himself in his beloved Sword Grave.

And Wind and Cloud - no longer a storm - were finally united in peace, like brothers. With the defeat of their common enemy, they had finally grown closer.

Cloud no longer carried his envy and jealousy - all that preyed on him from then on was his grief over Charity which never quite left him. He remained at the palace but did not wish to rule, only to study the martial arts with renewed vigor and enthusiasm so that he would never have to watch harm done to anyone he cared for again. He eventually became the Clan's undisputed master.

Jester remained... Jester. It was all he had ever wanted to be. Only now, he was treated like the very good friend that he was to everyone at the palace.

Mud Buddha recovered somewhat with the help of Fire Monkey and was able to live out the rest of his days peacefully.

Frost recovered completely and, with Wind's loving care, quickly. Together, they ruled the Clan wisely and gently, forming a peaceful union with Ming of the Unchallenged City to everyone's advantage. No one ever dared to try and separate them again.