Frostblood: The last dragon Hunter

Fresh snow fell softly over the hidden Ice Clan village, blanketing rooftops and pathways in a hush of white. Men chopped firewood under drifting flakes, guardians patrolled the narrow paths, and women carried baskets of herbs through the cold morning light.

Kaoru stepped out from the Great Hall, pulling in a breath that misted the frozen air. He glanced around — the same villagers who had stared at him with wary eyes now lowered their heads, busy with their morning chores. For once, the burden of his name seemed to fade into the snow.

A sudden burst of laughter broke the calm. Two small children, bundled in thick fur coats, ran up to him — tiny boots crunching fresh snow as they circled him in playful loops.

"Who's he? Who's he?" the first child squeaked, voice muffled behind a scarf.

"He's big! He has a sword! Is he a hero?" the second giggled, wide-eyed.

Kaoru watched them with a quiet smile. The frost in his breath couldn't reach the faint warmth flickering in his eyes. "…Hey now, easy there," he murmured softly, crouching down to tap one of them gently on the head. The children squealed, spinning faster around him.

A woman hurried over, their mother, half-laughing but clearly embarrassed. "I'm so sorry — they're so mischievous. They never stand still when they see someone new."

Kaoru shook his head with a small grin. "No need to apologize. When I was their age… I ran like that too. Drove my mother mad every day."

His words trailed off — for a moment, Ayame's gentle voice seemed to echo through the drifting snow.

The woman caught the softness in his eyes and her own voice lowered kindly. "You look new here. Visiting family?"

Kaoru glanced at the village rooftops, then back at her. "No… I'm only here for a few days. No real place to stay yet."

She studied him — and in that single heartbeat, saw the hint of quiet loneliness that Kaoru himself rarely showed. Her tone warmed like a hearth fire. "Then come stay with us tonight. It's too cold to wander when there's warm soup and a spare blanket waiting."

Kaoru hesitated — but behind her gentle offer, he saw a flicker of Ayame's smile in his mind. Slowly, he nodded. "…Thank you. I'd be honored."

The children cheered, grabbing at his sleeve with tiny hands. One tugged him forward, giggling as if he'd always belonged in their little world.

Kaoru let himself be pulled along — footprints deep in fresh snow, a frost warrior walking in a village of strangers — but for this fleeting moment, he looked at peace.