The snowflakes fell heavily as Kazuma stood outside of the Kage's building. He took his first step off of the steps and into the deep snow. He started down the road and made his way into the center of the village, hoping to find something of interest. His blue eyes scanned the streets and for a long moment he thought about how fragile life was. Only twenty years ago he'd ran away from this place, where no one saw him fit to be a ninja and here he was today. Kazuma almost laughed aloud. People could be so foolish at times. He ran a hand through his hair and looked up at the sun that mostly covered by clouds. So fragile, yet so strong.

Xantrex trudged through the snowfallen ground, a grey cloak wrapped about him with the hood pulled up. His blond hair was still very much visible, but it wouldn't be readily apparent who was hidden within the fabric of the cloak. He had boots on, though he rarely dressed for the weather. It would tell a bystander that he had clearly meant to walk through snow today, and possibly a lot of it. The truth was, since he hadn't had much time to speak with Kazuma at the festival before it was ruined, he'd planned to make a trip here on his own time. He knew it was risky, what with Kazuma being the Kage now and all. He didn't want to jeopardize the kid's future. Kazuma had been the closest thing that Xantrex had ever had to a friend. He didn't usually take care for what happened in other people's lives. It wasn't his business. But he was curious, and as was usual for the blond haired scientist, his curiosity had the tendency to get the better of him. He was curious as to if Kazuma had come further in his studies. And if so, how much further. Obviously the boy wouldn't have done any work on the super soldier project, the one thing they'd spent the most time together working on, but he was sure the boy had other ambitions besides that. Some other reasons, some other curiosities that would have led him to choose a life as a student under someone with the reputation for being a 'mad scientist'.

Still, Xantrex didn't want to just mosey on up to the Kage's tower. He was an ex-Akatsuki, after all...

Kazuma looked around, spotting a man with a hood with blond hair. It was a long shot, but he had a feeling he knew the man, so he walked over with a blank expression, nodding to a few villagers as he went. It was his policy to show that he cared, while keeping a distance from them. He stopped a few footsteps away. "Can I help you sir, you look almost lost." His tone was casual, but it held familiarity. He was sure this was Xantrex without a doubt. As if he would recognize his old teacher. That would be of the greatest disrespect.

Xantrex kept an eye out for anyone who might recognize him, turning his head away if they looked in his direction. Though he wasn't too conspicuous about it. More like, he just avoided looking in their general direction, rather than looking away when they looked at him. He didn't want people knowing he was here. He didn't want to create a disturbance. Once he heard a familiar voice speak to him, Xantrex grinned lightly and raised his head to look at Kazuma, since he'd been looking down and off to the side just moments  before. "In fact I am," he said lightly. "I was looking for a place to have a cup of hot tea. I'm not quite used to this weather," he said with a small chuckle. "Know of any good places for something like that?" He couldn't act as if he knew Kazuma personally. At least, not in public. For if someone recognized him, and found the two chatting cordially, they would suspect something foul of their dear Kage. He wondered quietly just how much said Kage had changed over the years, personality-wise.

Kazuma held back a grin. "Sure, let me show you a nice quiet place," he said as he waved his former mentor towards the edge of town. "So, where exactly are you coming from? Not many visit the Snow in the winter time, surely you must have some purpose for being here." Oh Kazuma had missed the Snow village when he'd left. The endless snow and the chilly air was like a heaven he couldn't escape. He'd only left because of his idiot family. They had underestimated him and he had shown them his power without completely revealing himself. He had killed his sisters and while their deaths no longer hunted him, he did not find it necessary to take pride in their downfall.

Xantrex nodded with a small grin as Kazuma played along. Smart boy. He followed the blue haired man, not bothering to glance around anymore, since he'd found his purpose for being here. Besides, the more he looked around, the more likely it was that someone would recognize him. "Here and there," Xantrex said with a small shrug, when asked where he was coming from. "I actually came here looking for someone. An old student of mine. Bright kid. A little bit clueless sometimes, but bright nonetheless." Xantrex chuckled lightly. "He ran off sometime after the war, not sure why," he said, casting a steely eyed glance to the Kage. It was undoubtedly true that, out of all Xantrex's features, aside from his hair, his eyes stuck out the most, being a golden color that one would usually only associate with hybrids, or wolves. Even though Xantrex was neither, he didn't mind the color of his eyes. Aside from staying fit enough to fight, Xantrex never really paid his health or physical features much attention. The only reason he kept himself young was to avoid growing too old to defend himself. As it was, his true age was near fifty years old, despite his appearance of twenty-seven.