The snow crunched under their boots as the trio from Sunagakure made their way through the frigid gates of Kōrigakure. The wind here bit like a blade—thin and cutting, slicing through layers of clothing no matter how well-wrapped they were. It was a far cry from the warm dunes and dry winds of home, and all three of them looked exactly as miserable as they felt.

Gaara’s expression was unreadable, as always, but the way his cloak fluttered harshly against him and the occasional puff of breath from his lips gave away how cold it truly was. Even his gourd, frosted over in places, looked out of place in this frozen world.

Temari let out a sharp sigh as she pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, her breath forming a fog in the air. “Tch. How can anyone live in this place?” she muttered under her breath, arms crossed and shoulders hunched slightly.

Kankurō was the least subtle about his discomfort. “This is stupidly cold,” he groaned. “What kind of psycho chooses to live on top of a damn glacier?” His face paint, typically sharp and clean, had started to smudge faintly from the wind and moisture, and his hands were stuffed deep in his sleeves. “I swear, if this meeting doesn’t involve a hot drink and a fire, I’m walking out.”

They trudged forward, past tall ice-covered structures and silent guards who barely acknowledged them, their breath fogging in the cold. The buildings were carved into towering frost-covered cliffs, their crystalline surfaces glimmering in the weak sunlight. It was beautiful—but also merciless.

Gaara didn’t respond to their complaints. He only pressed on ahead, gaze steady, focused on the large building at the center of the village—no doubt the administrative office, and where the Kōrigakure Kage was waiting.

As they reached the main steps, snow still clinging to the hems of their cloaks, Kankurō muttered behind them, “Remind me never to agree to this kind of diplomatic nonsense in winter again.”

Temari grunted in agreement.

Gaara paused just before the doors, glancing at the guards who moved to open them.

“Let’s get this over with.”