Melted Snow (Discontinued)

Chapter Ten

        I stared as Sasuke and Naruto scarfed down their food, scrunching my nose up in disgust when they puked it on the floor. Gross. I stood, grabbing my crutch so I could leave the house and get some fresh air. Emphasis on fresh.

        "Yuki, where are you going?" Kakashi asked.

        I lifted my free hand, not bothering to turn around. "Out. I'll be back eventually."

        Without waiting for an answer, I closed the door. I walked in silence for  a while, enjoying the silence as I thought. It had been a while since I had a peaceful moment to myself, so this was the first time I was actually able to think without a distraction. I looked up, catching glimpses of the star covered sky through the thick foliage. I wondered if my parents were up there, and if I would get to see them when I died.

        Who on earth would have killed them? Why would they have killed them? The mission they were on when I was framed was a B-rank mission, but they had assured me it was something they could handle. I didn't ask what the mission was, they wouldn't have answered even if I had. I frowned, thinking back to before they left to see if they had given me any hints in their body language.

        I relaxed into a casual position when I saw my parents on the edge of the training grounds. I smiled, breathing heavily from my training. They started walking over, and smile faded when I noticed they were prepared to leave.

        "Another mission? This is the third one in the last month! You haven't even gotten a week of rest since the last one!" I complained, earning a heavy sigh from my father.

        "I know, honey, but we don't have much of a choice. It's the Hyokage's orders."

        I pouted, crossing my arms. "How long will you be gone?"

        "Two weeks," my mother said softly, sadness clear in her voice.

        "What?! That's so not fair! My birthday is barely three days away!"

        "We know sweetheart, and we wish we could be there for your twelfth birthday, but we can't."

        "But- but- but what about your promise? You both swore you'd help me figure out my element!"

        "Honey, you know we can't deny a mission from Lady Hyokage. Especially when it's her direct orders to carry it out."

        I balled my hands into fists, trying to keep control of my temper. "Fine," I snapped, and stalked home.

        A sudden thought came to the front of my mind, and I froze in my tracks. Lady Hyokage had demanded they go on that mission. They weren't given the choice to pick a different one, when that was most often the case with our tiny village. The memory of her cold voice trying to feign kindness when I last saw her came up. I sucked in a breath as realization struck me. The Hyokage had my parents killed, and framed me for the murder.

        My vision blurred as tears welled up, but I didn't bother trying to hold them back. They flowed freely down my cheeks as memory after sweet memory of my parents and me rolled through my mind. Us laughing together, training together, eating together, the pain of it all nearly crushed my heart to pieces. I collapsed to my knees, breaking down into sobs as the heartache I'd been trying to hold back for nearly half a year came rushing out.

        I screamed pointlessly, shoving out the overwhelming emotions in my heart. I felt anger at the Hyokage for killing my parents and ripping away everything I held dear, sadness that I wouldn't get to see my mother or father again, and regret for not trying harder to get them to stay. I felt so stupid for not seeing through the Hyokage's lies.

        I leaned forward, pressing my forehead into the grass while I wrapped my arms around myself, just crying. My sobs were loud, and there was no boubt in my mind that snot was running out of my nose, but I didn't care. This was the one time I didn't care how ugly of a crier I was. All I cared about was the emotional agony tearing through my chest right now. The image of my beautiful mother flashed through my mind, making me cry harder.

        I wished I could see her again, feel her long silky hair as I braided it while we chatted about my future. I wanted to see the adoring look in her bright blue eyes when she looked at me or my father. I wanted to hear her soft, angel like voice as she sung my favorite lullaby. I longed to feel her hugging me right now, rocking me back and forth and humming quietly like she always did when I was upset.

        Thinking of my mother brought forth my father, making me wish I could hear him call me his baby girl one more time. For so long, I had envied his strength and his skill in genjutsu. I begged him every morning to teach me some of his favorite jutsu's, but he had always refused. He told me I had to wait until I was older, stronger. Every time I had pouted, but now I wish he could've lived to the day when he would have said yes.

        I screamed in anguish, hearing rustling in the leaves that was more than likely a frightened animal. I pounded my fist into the ground, wanting the pain my heart to go away. I cried for what felt like hours, not caring about any noise that could've been an animal or an enemy. I felt too grief stricken to care if my sobbing got me killed. At least then I could be with my parents again.

        "Sweet heart."

        I whipped my head up at the sound of my mother's voice. "Mom?" I called, my voice heavy with tears.

        "Sweet heart, you need to get up. I know you're in pain, but you need to remember that there are still others who care about you. You need to continue on for us, sweet heart. Make friends, laugh, cry, scream and shout. You need to make new memories and gather more people close to your heart. You can't give up now."

        My lip quivered, not seeing my mom anywhere. "Mom, where are you?"

        "That's not important right now. What's important is that you listen to me, and go back to the house. Your father and I will always be with you, no matter what."

        I wiped at my eyes fruitlessly as tears continued to pour. "B-but-"

        "No buts. Go on sweetheart, and remember that I love you very much. Your father and I are proud of you."

        I sat up, clenching my fists when my mother didn't say anything more. I took in a deep, shaky breath to prepare myself, and stood. I turned back the direction I had come from, and started walking. As much as I hurt, I knew my mom was right. I had to stay strong. If not for her or my dad, then for my friends in Yukimura, and the friends I was making here. I held my head up high, tears still streaming down my face. I would make my parents proud of the life I live, and the accomplishments I'll make.

        I stopped walking when I saw movement in my peripheral vision, and looked to the right to see Kakashi leaning against a tree. I watched as he straightened from his position and walked over to me. We stared at eachother for a long moment, and I tensed when he wrapped me in a hug. He never said anything, never asked me why I was crying or if I wanted to talk about it. He just stood there and hugged me. I felt my mask of bravery crumble, and I began sobbing again.

        When my sobs quieted to whimpers, Kakashi stopped hugging me. He kept an arm around my shoulders, and lead me back to the now dark house. Everyone must have gone to bed by now. I looked at my feet, expecting him to say something now that we were in front of Tazuna's home. He didn't live to my expectations; however, he remained silent as we walked inside. He walked me to my room, standing there as I walked in. I turned to close the door, stopping for a moment.

        "Thank you, Kakashi," I whispered, then clicked the door shut.