Submission (#2088) Approved

Itsuki mumbled as he sat up in his bed, yawning before smacking his lips a little. He moved to gently tap his Pomu to wake him up, not feeling him move before he opened his eyes to look over, seeing some glowing crystals there instead. He stared for a moment before realizing what this meant, his eyes widening. Itsuki then immediately got up, going to the small work table he had in his home and looking over the lantern that he had been spending his last few days working on. He looked it over, making sure every corner was stitched up just right, observing it from top-to-bottom. Something eventually felt off as he stared at it for a moment before realizing what it was, his eyes lighting up. He ran over to the box where he kept his crafting materials in, looking through the array of colorful bows he had. All of the bows shined in the soft light coming from the fireplace, each one having its own unique charm. After pondering for a few moments, he eventually settled on a nice blue one with small gemstones on it. He ran back happily to his work table, setting the bow on different areas of the lantern before deciding where he wanted to put it. Standing up, he picked his sewing needles and thread up, focusing on the spot before beginning to sew it into the soft fabric on the lantern. It took a few moments, but he was eventually able to get it on tightly. He stood back, admiring it before going back to the bed to get his Pomu, grabbing him gently and bringing him over to the lantern.
“I hope you like it!” he said happily to Haru, talking to him despite knowing he couldn’t talk back.
He opened the top of the lantern, positioning it just right to let Haru slip right in, Itsuki smiling widely before shutting the top to keep Haru safe inside. Once he felt he was secure enough in the lanturn, Itsuki took a hold of the string to move back and tie the lanturn to his tail. He moved his tail around a little bit, making sure it was on nice and snug, making a soft chuckle once he realized they were now all good to go.

Itsuki ran up to the door of his small house, opening it up and shivering a little from the cold breeze that came in. He ran out excitedly, starting to roll around and play in the snow, looking back at Haru, hoping that he was having fun as well despite being in hibernation.
He then ran down the snowy cliff that resided by his house, looking around at the icicles coming down from the trees.
He lived near Iorumund, living up in a small house that watched over the city. The ground was covered with snow, Itsuki running through it as he then tumbled down the hill, chuckling a little to himself before continuing to run off to the city.
He saw the Eldertree off in the distance, taking a second to stop and admire it. He watched as some snow fell off of the large leaves on the tree, landing on the ground with a soft ‘thud!’
He then looked around, admiring the more smaller trees that were near the city, each one having its own pattern of snow and icicles. He then looked down at the snow beneath his feet, stomping in it a little to make larger prints into the snow, smiling to himself. After he felt a strong breeze, he decided to continue making his dissent down the hill, watching as the city came closer and closer.

Once he arrived, he said hello to the other Elnins and Kittoms who were out hustling and bustling in the streets. He continued to make his way down one of the main streets before arriving at him and his Pomu’s favorite cafe, stepping inside and shivering a little, shaking his coat off.
He smiled as the seat he and Haru would usually sit at was open, walking up to hop into it, waiting for a waiter or waitress to come and take his order. He moved his tail to the side of the seat, looking over at Haru and smiling from seeing the light glow he gave off. Once a waitress came up, he ordered what him and Haru would usually get, a nice cup of peppermint hot cocoa. He decided to order two, of course, one for him and one for Haru! Looking around the cafe, he admired the other Nins and their own Pomu lanterns, looking at how each one was different and more colorful than the last. He wondered how the relationships with their own Pomu’s must be like, liking to think about how every Nin must be different.
When their drinks arrived, Itsuki began to happily drink from his own cup, munching on the peppermint sticks between drinks. He enjoyed the drink for as long as he could, saving the last of the peppermint for the end. He then looked over at the second drink then to the lantern, making a small and sad huff. Bringing the drink over to him, he began to drink the second one as well, licking his lips happily, ignoring the small stomach ache he got.

After they were done at the cafe, Itsuki decided to bring Haru up to their usual sun-watching spot. He ran happily up the hill, watching as other Nins decided to join, running up with him. Once at the top, Itsuki found their usual log, jumping up and sitting down on it with a small huff, wrapping his tail around himself. He looked up at the white sun that overlooked all of Styrnhalde, smiling softly as he moved to lay down instead of sit. Closing his eyes, he felt the cold and soft breeze flow through his mane, breathing out, his breath turning into light white mist from winter air. Opening his eyes, he looked around to see the snowy tops of the mountains surrounding the city of Iorumund, wanting to know what it would be like to explore those mountains, looking around for caves and ice treasures. He stayed there for most of the day, occasionally talking to other Nins that came up, showing their lanterns off to each other, chuckling as he decided to play with some Kittoms after.
Further into the day, the sun started to set as snow started to fall down. Itsuki looked at the sunset happily.
“Isn’t it beautiful, Haru?” he asked, moving his tail over so the lantern would be facing the sun. He looked over at Haru’s light glow, chuckling before looking back at the sunset.
After a while, the snow got heavier, that being Itsuki’s sign to go back home.

Itsuki then left the top of the hill, following the small path down to begin running through the city. He looked around at the shops closing up, the buildings getting covered with snow now.
He smiled happily, making his descent back up the large hill where he lived at, climbing up with tight focus, making sure not to slip.
Once home, he opened the door and walked inside, the door shutting on its own from the wind after. He sighed, beginning to walk around the house a little, looking around before deciding it was close to bedtime.
He spent the next few minutes deciding where to put Haru, just deciding on tying him on the side of the bed frame. After spending a few seconds tying him up, he smiled, looking up at him, admiring the lantern he made once again.
He then got up to start the fireplace again for warmth, watching it begin to burn up, Itsuki getting a little closer to feel its warmth on his fur.
Once he grew tired, he decided to crawl up into bed, looking outside the window for a second before turning to look over at Haru.
“I hope you wake up soon.” he said softly, playing with his paws for a second.
“I hope you know how much I miss you...” he then admitted, scooting closer to the bedside, looking up into the light for a moment before closing his eyes.

Although the day was not an eventful one, he still felt rather tired, almost just wanting to sleep to get the season over quickly, wanting to have his best friend back as soon as possible.
He slept soundly, Haru letting off a little bit of a brighter shine, the light shining down on Itsuki’s face. Itsuki smiled in his sleep, dreaming of the nice times with him and Haru, and dreaming of all the new times they would have once he woke up.