death is like a one way ticket to a distant star

Kuroki knew what death smelled like, coppery and bitter at the back of his nose as he struggled through the white of the storm. When he'd started trailing his Father earlier that day he had no idea the Shogun had intended to venture out this far, he was a bit of a pest for sure but if he'd known better he would have turned back long ago. But a deep and resounding feeling in the pit of his bones made him feel as though it was too late for that, he'd lost sight of his Father long ago and now everything was all wrong. Not shining and bright, the adventure he'd put together in his mind. It was all awful and Kuroki now knew he had really really really messed up.

He froze on the spot, toes curling as he sucked in a breath so cold it made his lungs ache.

Through the white haze he barely made out the strangers figure, stained red and pink, with a scent so horrid he almost lost his breakfast. Again the little Prince was no stranger to death, he'd toyed with dead squirrels and pulled them apart in morbid curiosity but the scene that laid out before him was far beyond what a young boy was capable of dealing with. Raw and violent, suffering at its bases nature. This was horror, blurred around the edges as though not real...when every single of his senses were screaming at him that it was. That it was time to see and know and....do. Whatever. Something anything. Please.

He rushed to the strangers side, panic slurred words spilling from his lips as though they would do any good.

"It's okay! I can help- I-I." He fumbled, almost tripping over his own paws, much like his own sister.

Blind with optimism he wasn't sure what could be done. Things died when blood came out so he ought to...try and keep it in, right? But again it was everywhere, spilling, already making Kuroki's dappled coat slick and red as he pressed himself up against the line of the mans sides. The fading warmth of his...squishes keeping him warm despite the cold of it all.