Beautiful

"Kaa-chan, what is snow?" Shinsei asks, looking down at the wooden toys he has before looking up at her. His mother looks down, her black hair falling to the side as she does. "Snow? Well, snow is a lovely batch of white little flakes that fall from the sky when it is especially cold, so they only show up during winter. But they cling to the trees and homes and they look so lovely, Shinsei-san. Why did you want to know, my dear?" Shinsei smiles up at her, his eyes full of wonder. "Well, I was talking with some of the children, Kaa-chan. They said their families were preparing for snow, and that was why I asked!" He giggles, his orange eyes bright.

Shinsei's mother smiles, before she picks him up and kisses his forehead. "Well, it is cold out, so maybe tonight you will get to see the snow. Now, excuse me while I return to cooking." She puts her child down, who bows a little and picks up his toys, before heading out the door and into the hallway. He pauses and looks down both ways, then towards the door to the outside. He heads towards his room, and puts the toys away, before grabbing some warmer clothes. He closes the door behind him, and pauses, noticing a slinking form heading towards the room at the end.

"Insei-nee! Insei-nee!" Shinsei yells, and runs down the hall towards his brother. His twin freezes, and he turns slowly, his dull orange eyes sending a twinge of worry and sadness through Shinsei. "Hello Insei-nee...how are you?" He asks slowly, and Shinsei frowns some more. "I am doing alright-Insei-nee, but I was wondering...do you wanna come see if it will snow with me?" He asks, and smiles brightly. his long-haired twin blinks, and frowns a little. "Snow?" 

"Yeah! It's these little white flakes that come down from the sky! They cover the trees and buildings and ground and they look beautiful, according to Kaa-chan!" Shinsei's eyes sparkle as he talks about it, the excitement apparent, but his face falls as Insei cringes at the mention of their mother. He frowns, and hugs his brother, before giving him a reassuring smile. "It'll be fun, I promise. So, please? Let's see if it will snow together." He looks at Insei, who's eyes are shadowed, and his frown growing, before he sighs. "Alright, I'll come. Just let me put on some warmer clothing." He mumbles, and returns to his room. Shinsei smiles, and moves down the hall, before sliding open the door to the outside, putting on his tabi and walking out. 

The wood under his feet creaks quietly, one of the only sounds besides a gentle breeze. The small town they live in has grown dark, small lights indicating fires to warm the homes or illuminate the guards watches. They had increased the number of guardsman lately, he wasn't sure why but it also meant his dad had to leave more often now, which made him a bit sad. However, his smile returned as he looked towards the sky, the moon giving some illumination to the area.

Shinsei sits on his knees patiently, his eyes looking to the sky for a few minutes. However, as time dwindles on, he begins to worry if Insei will show up at all. He turns, and glances at the door, just as Insei slides it open with some effort and closes it behind him, walking up and sitting next to Shinsei. The short-haired twin smiles and bows his head. "I'm glad you came out." He says, before turning back towards the sky, his eyes ever watchful. Insei nods, mumbling. 

The two sit in silence as they wait to see, but for some reason it isn't a bad silence, but one of peace and content instead. The bright-eyed boy enjoyed it when his brother was with him, he didn't like the frown he had all the time and wanted him to smile more, to be happy. And sometimes, when Kaa-chan and Tou-san weren't around, he actually got his brother to smile a little and laugh. And that's what made Shinsei so happy, it was to see his brother happy.

As the little one thinks on this, something cold hits his nose, and he looks up. Insei does too, and their eyes widen. Little white flakes begin to gently fall from the sky, almost lazily as they descend and touch the ground. Shinsei holds on hand out, and catches the flake, looking at it curiously as it melts into water. He grins, and takes Insei's hand, holding it out for him. "See? This is snow! It turns to water when we catch it though, see?" He says, excitement lighting up his features. Insei turns to him, and then back to the snow as it slowly hits his fingers, before turning to water. He looks back and smiles a little. "Yeah, it's beautiful." He says, and Shinsei nods. "I agree, it is beautiful." He murmurs, and then gives his brother a smile, before turning back to watch the snow in silence, his innocence carrying his mind to a place of wonder for the night.