The Last Winter (rewrite)

Memories

Two days had passed since Naomi was put into Sasuke's care and he began to enjoy her presence and noticed she had started warming up to him. But, they still didn't know each other very well, which he didn't like. She rarely spoke but she was more relaxed around him. Occasionally asking about when she would be getting her weapons back, to which he would respond with a shrug.

Today, he was going to do his best to figure out her past and why Tsunade didn't trust her, yet wanted to keep her around. Of course, this questioning would have to wait as Sasuke had to leave to go on his first mission outside of the village and transport a bridge maker to his home, which meant he'd be leaving Naomi alone. This made him wonder if it was smart to do so. Could she be trusted alone?

"Naomi, until Sasuke returns, you will be staying with the Haruno family while their daughter is on the mission. I expect you'll be good and respectful as if you were still at Sasuke's." Tsunade said as she handed her the address to Sakura's house. She nodded and bowed. "Yes ma'am.." She then turned and walked out, staring at the address. She didn't want to go there, plus she sucked at directions so the address alone wouldn't help. Shrugging, she just went to Sasuke's again and walked in, seeing as how Sasuke had actually trusted her with the key. Once inside, she slipped on her slippers and headed to the guest room where she was sleeping at. Naomi laid down on the soft cushiony bed and pulled the covers over herself, closing her eyes as she drifted off into sleep.

~flashback (also her dream, but it's a filler)~

"Hey mommy.. Why does daddy hate me?" Naomi looked to her feet. She was only 5 years old and already felt hatred in her family.
"Oh sweetie, he doesn't hate you, he's just busy with work, so he's stressed." Her mother responded gingerly. Naomi looked up at her mom.
"Really?"
Her mother nodded and smiled softly. "Why don't you go play with Kyo? He loves your company." She said and ushered the small child out of the kitchen.Wanting to get the birthday cake started for tomorrow. Her daughter was turning 6, so of course she needed a good cake made.

Naomi ran outside to the orphanage on the outskirts of town. Due to so many deaths of parents, an orphanage had to be established for the kids and that's where her red headed friend, Kyo, was. He wasn't full Winters like Naomi. He didn't know what he was really, but he just remembered being at the orphanage since he was little, now that he was nine, he didn't care enough to know where he came from. He saw Naomi as he sister almost, but deep inside he knew that one day, she would be more. He would make her his wife when she was old enough, something they talked of as little kids usually do. Playing house and such. For now though, he'd just make mud cakes with her.

"Hey Naomi, do you believe in love at first sight?" Kyo asked her, looking to her. She stayed silent for a moment before finally looking to him.
"To an extent." She looked to her mud cake, continuing to add more mud and worms. "When you are born and your mommy is there, I believe you fall in love at first sight and when your father puts his handout and you take it, you fall in love... but I don't think love is always returned." She looked at him again. For someone who was just turning 6, she was so intelligent and it scared a lot of the families around. How easily she knew and learned things. "But I don't believe in falling in love the moment you meet them, maybe their eyes, but..." She laughed. "That's just silly."
Kyo stared at her, feeling a bit down from her response. "Do you think you'll ever be in love?" He tilted his head. "I am in love. With you," his heart began speeding up as a smile was slowly creeping onto his face. "'Cause you're like my brother." She smiles once more.
"Brother... Yeah. You too, sis."He looked to their mud cake.

~end~

Slowly, her eyes opened as the sun peeked through the blinds and into her face. Rolling over, she looked around and sat up quickly. Realizing she was in Sasuke's room, not the guest room, she curryied out of there quickly and went to the living room. She then went to the kitchen and made herself some tea.

~~~~~~~~~~

Days passed and Sasuke had finally come back, a few cuts and bruises, but he was alive. "Naomi?" He looked around then became a bit panicked, not hearing a response. Did she leave? Did Tsunade do something to her while she was gone? He headed to the bedroom and found her snoring softly in the guest room, her mouth slowly opening and closing. Sighing in relief, he turned and the floor creaked making him freeze. Naomi sat up quickly, reaching for where her katana would have been, but stopped seeing it was just Sasuke, and she didn't have it.
"Oh.. It's you." She responded and relaxed a bit before standing up and walking to him, tilting her head a bit. "You're hurt."
"I'll be alright."
"Are you hurt anywhere else?"
"No." He wondered if she was really worried about him.
"Okay. Let's get you cleaned up then." She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the washroom.
"I don't need you to clean my wounds.." He tried to argue, but to no avail as she dragged him into the washroom and made him sit on the toilet. She then grabbed the first aid kit and opened it, taking out the tweezers, cotton balls and hydrogen peroxide. Dipping the cotton balls in the peroxide, she held it with the tweezers and began gently dabbing it onto his face. Placing her other hand on his chin gently.

"Naomi..?" he asked after a moment of silence, his eyes staring up at her.
"Yes?" She responded cooly.
"Why didn't you leave?"
"I knew your Hokage would track me down."
"You could've gotten away."
"Do you want me to leave?" She stopped for a second, looking into his eyes.
"..."
"..."
"No...t till I find out more about your past, for informational purposes." He saved it, forcing a small cough to clear his throat. Trying not to stare into her baby blue eyes anymore, but it was like they screamed for him. And he slowly got lost in her eyes, his eyelids drooped a bit as he looked a bit more relaxed.
"Then, I'll tell you some of my past."
"Like what?" He snapped out of it, mainly from the pain of the hydrogen peroxide on his cut lip.
"What do you want to know?"
"What made you want to kill?"
Hesitantly, she looked at him, staring into his eyes. She began talking about it, but as he listened, he found himself unable to look away from her eyes. Making memories in his mind.

-Flashback-

The snow fell slowly, the sound of laughter and the faint ringing of jingle bells filled the cool air. Christmas time was here and the children were having fun ice skating. All but one... The silverette ran down the snowy road, her small legs only being able to take her so far. Panting, her breath clouds floating till it disappeared. Those baby blue eyes sparkled as she got to the orphanage home and knocked. But, nobody answered. Pouting, the small girl went to the window, standing up on her tip toes. Peeking inside the fogged window, only seeing a faint hue of red from a warm flame. Disappointed, she turned and ran off the porch and back into the snow, not noticing the small boy who watched her from the attic window. A saddened look on his face.

"Mamma, mamma!" She ran through the door. "Is daddy coming home for Christmas this year?" she asked, her eyes filled with curiosity and hope. "I believe so, yes sweetie." Her mother smiled, hurt behind her eyes and fear at the mentioning of him. The small girl cheered and jumped up with glee. "Yay! Momma, come play outside with me!" She smiled as she pulled her mother hand, never noticing the look in her eyes. "Alright, let me get dressed for outside silly." her mothers sweet smile made Naomi smile back.

When her mother was dresses properly, they went outside and began making snow angels, and snow men. Before going on a small walk through their small village. It was small, and broken. But still good. It was the only home Naomi had known, and she loved it there. Though, there weren't many kids her age to play with, and the adults and teenagers were usually gone for several days, leaving the small kids and their mothers together. Even on Christmas. It was her first Christmas without her father, but she quickly understood he wouldn't be coming this year. Afterall, there were no presents marked with his name under the tree this morning.

That night, they ate a small feast, laughing with each other. Just her and her mother. Unaware of the dangers outside the house that was brewing, or the dangers within herself...

-end-

"It was typical for you to spend Christmas alone?"
"I wasn't alone?"She held a look of confusion, as if he never heard the words that left her lips.
"Well, I mean just you and your mother.." he spoke softly, noticing her change in facial expression. He went silent as she finished cleaning him up.
"I'm going to go back to bed... Goodnight, Sasuke." She said quietly and left the washroom. "eh... Idiot.." Sasuke muttered to himself, scratching his head. Perhaps resurfacing memories weren't wise, but he didn't find out why she started killing. Because her father wasn't there for Christmas? He realized she probably wasn't done with her story when he interrupted her, making himself feel more of a fool. Standing, he went to his own room and closed the door.