Frostblood: The last dragon Hunter

[FOREST — MOON CLAN BORDER — NIGHT]

Moonlight streamed softly through the ancient pines, turning the forest floor into a patchwork of silver and shadows. Hana moved along the narrow patrol path, each step careful, her fingers brushing the hilt of her sword now and then. Every distant rustle made her sharp eyes narrow — a guardian's senses could never rest, not under the Moon Clan's watch.

Somewhere behind the bushes lining the trail, a pair of eyes gleamed with mischief. Hidden half in shadow, Kaoru crouched low, chin resting on his hand as he peeked through the leaves.

"Oho…" he whispered to himself, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Whatever else she is… she sure looks pretty under the moonlight."

The whisper slipped through the quiet night like a drop in a still pond. Hana's head snapped up — her body turning in a single, fluid motion, sword half-drawn before the echo of his voice faded.

"Whoever you are," she said, her voice cold as the forest breeze, "come out. Now."

Kaoru pushed a branch aside and popped up with a sheepish smile, both hands raised as if he were a harmless intruder caught in a crime.

"Don't misunderstand!" he blurted. "It's me — Kaoru!"

Hana squinted at him, unimpressed. "Kaoru? What in the frozen stars are you doing here?"

Kaoru straightened up, brushing pine needles from his shoulder. "Well… I kinda… left my clan."

Hana lifted one elegant brow. The sword slipped back into its sheath with a soft click. "Why?"

Kaoru puffed out his chest dramatically. "Because I'm starting my own. Simple!"

She crossed her arms, tilting her head just slightly. "Oh really? And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

He grinned. "Easy. I'll just… ask people to join! One by one!"

Hana blinked, her expression caught somewhere between pity and exasperation. Then, without a word, she brushed past him, her cloak trailing like moonlight on snow.

"Hey — wait!" Kaoru trotted after her, boots crunching on dead leaves. "What? Was that not a good plan?"

Hana didn't break stride. "It's fine. I just don't see why you're telling me."

Kaoru nearly tripped on a root as he matched her pace. "Because you're gonna be the first member!"

She stopped. Just for a heartbeat. Turned — her dark eyes fixed on him, a dry disbelief painted across her face. "Wow. No."

Kaoru threw his hands up. "Hey — rude!"

Hana spun on her heel, muttering, "Try someone else."

But Kaoru wasn't so easily turned away. He quick-stepped beside her again, leaning in with a teasing grin. "C'mon, think about it—"

A sharp elbow smashed into his gut so fast he barely saw it coming. The forest floor greeted him with an icy thud. Kaoru wheezed, curled around his stomach, coughing out a laugh.

"I said no," Hana said, her voice a dagger wrapped in velvet. Then she vanished into the trees — nothing but the faint shimmer of her cloak in the moonlight.

Kaoru lay in the dirt for a second longer, catching his breath. Despite the bruise blooming under his ribs, a grin spread across his face.

"Okay… ow… ow… ow… Not easy…" He pushed himself up, brushing dirt from his sleeves. "But I'm not giving up yet."

---

[NEXT DAY — FOREST CLEARING — DAY]

The sun spilled through the branches, catching the sharp arcs of Hana's blade. She moved alone in a wide clearing — her feet steady in the snow, each swing graceful yet deadly. Shadows danced on the bark of the ancient trees around her.

Kaoru crouched behind a half-rotted trunk, peeking out with open awe. How can someone swing a sword and look that good doing it?

"Hana!" he called out, stepping from behind the tree, arms spread like he'd just arrived at a festival.

Hana paused mid-swing, sighed without turning around. "You again."

Kaoru picked up a sturdy stick from the ground, flipped it once clumsily. "Your form's amazing — teach me?"

Hana didn't bother to look. "Stop copying me."

Kaoru mimicked her stance, stick wobbling in his grip. "If you just joined me, I wouldn't have to!"

Hana finally turned, eyes half-lidded with disbelief. "I'm not joining. Ever."

---

[MONTAGE — DAYS PASSING]

He tried food.

"Look!" Kaoru beamed, holding out a bento box wrapped in cloth. "I brought you lunch!"

Hana flicked her eyes to the box — then back to her practice swings. "Stop bribing me with food."

Next day — he "accidentally" turned up lost.

"Totally lost. So weird, right?" Kaoru said, leaning dramatically against a tree.

Hana didn't even stop walking. "You're following me again."

And then came the monsters. One night, claws slashed through the underbrush — Kaoru's sword flashed as he cut down a creeping beast that had dared sneak behind Hana.

"Watch out — that one was aiming for you!" he called out, breathless but smug.

Hana didn't thank him. She just narrowed her eyes. "I didn't need help."

Kaoru only laughed, wiping monster blood from his blade. "Sure, but teamwork looks good on us, right?"

---

They stood in the forest, moonlight gleaming on steel and stubborn eyes meeting. Kaoru's grin refused to fade.

One day, he told himself, watching her fade into the trees again, she'll say yes. Just watch.

And with that, he rested his sword on his shoulder, stepping after her footsteps — relentless as ever.