The ink-black night sky enveloped Konoha, the last faint traces of twilight completely swallowed by the swirling snow.
What had started as sleet tapping against the window frames had, at some point, swelled into a heavy downfall of thick snowflakes, slanting down to pound the earth. The rustling sound of snow mingled with the moan of the night wind, blurring the outline of the Hokage Rock into a shapeless mass of white.
The halos of streetlights diffused into hazy circles within the snowy mist. Snowflakes, whipped up by the wind, struck the lanterns with a soft, pattering sound. The entire village seemed sealed inside a frozen glass vessel, the very air heavy and cold.
Inside the Hyuga Clan's Main Family's residence, a small lump was visible under the futon on the tatami, the corners still flecked with bits of stray fluff.
Hinata had curled herself into a tight ball, her round eyes wide open, like two glass marbles soaked in water.
Her fingertips clutched the edge of the quilt, the brocade fabric creased deeply. Today, the sounds of arguments from within the clan, the dull thuds of a cane striking the floor, and the hurried footsteps of clansmen running past had all wormed their way into her ears.
What frightened her most was the terrible state Great Grandfather had been in after his interrogation...
Her sharp mind had made the connection, she knew everything that happened today was tied to her experience last night.
At this thought, her small body curled even tighter. Her small hands clamped firmly over her mouth, terrified she might accidentally let slip a single word.
She was even more afraid that someone would come to interrogate her...
Watching the snow fall faster and faster outside, the night growing ever darker, and her father still not returning, her sense of security melted away like snow, trickling bit by bit through her fingers.
Suddenly, Hinata threw off the covers, revealing the thin black kimono underneath, so flimsy her slender arms and legs were visible.
Bare feet pattered on the icy floor as she scurried to the door, small hands gripping the frame as she peered out.
The usually peaceful clan's compound were in chaos today.
Feeling profoundly unsafe, she stood on tiptoe and slid the bolt open. A cold wind appeared, making her shiver.
She quickly buried her face in the collar of her kimono, only her damp eyes visible. Taking a small step, she slipped out of the Hyuga Clan's compound like a little field mouse making a run for it.
The snowflakes stung her face, but Hinata didn't dare stop.
She didn't know where to go, only feeling she had to get as far from the clan grounds as possible. Remembering the Great Elder's state, her greatest fear now was being caught and dragged back for questioning.
Her short legs moved swiftly through the snow, the hem of her black kimono sweeping through the accumulation, leaving a trail of crooked little footprints, like those of a gosling just learning to walk.
As the heavy snow continued to fall, these footprints soon vanished without a trace.
The white puffs of her breath vanished almost as soon as they left her mouth. Tears, however, fell freely, tracing paths down her chilled, reddened cheeks and into her collar, the cold making her shudder.
Running on, her foot suddenly caught on a rock hidden beneath the snow. With a soft 'thump', she fell solidly into the snowdrift.
A sharp pain flared in her knee. The little girl lay still in the snow for a moment, stunned. The snowflakes that had touched the tip of her small nose melted into water, the cold making her sniffle.
The next second, the sobs she had been holding back all evening burst forth… fine, soft whimpers, like a kitten caught in the rain.
She wiped her face with her small, reddened hands, smearing tears and snowmelt across her cheeks, her little brow furrowed into a knot.
Pushing herself up from the snow, the knees of her kimono were caked with snow. She patted them, sniffled again, and set off once more on her short legs.
This time, her steps carried a hint of a stumbling, wronged stagger.
Under the eaves of the Uchiha Clan's compound, the glow from the corridor lights cast warm yellow circles on the snow.
Makoto leaned against a pillar, the small white dog in his arms burying its head in the crook of his elbow, its tail curled into a furry ball, the tip twitching now and then.
Snowflakes landed on his hair, quickly melting into tiny droplets that slid down his black locks behind his ears, making his neck appear even paler.
He reached out and caught a falling snowflake. The warmth of his fingertip instantly melted it into water, which dripped through his fingers onto the bluestone below the walkway.
He mused inwardly, 'A snowy day seems quite fitting for a farewell.'
He had already packed his things. He just needed Konoha to descend into chaos, and then he could make his move.
Gurgle…
His stomach growled. Makoto put on a thick coat, the Uchiha Clan's fan emblem embroidered prominently on the collar, cuffs, and across the entire back.
He also picked up the scarf Mikoto had knitted for him and wrapped it around his neck. The tassels at the ends swayed gently with his movement. He planned to check out Yakiniku Q.
But thinking it might be a bit lonely to eat alone on a snowy night like this, he decided to invite Sasuke along.
Pushing open the door to Sasuke's small bedroom, he found the little guy hugging a pillow bigger than himself, his sleeping face flushed, a trail of drool running from the corner of his mouth onto the pillowcase, leaving a small damp patch.
Sasuke's brow was furrowed into a little knot, as if he was angry at someone in his dream, his small body occasionally kicking at the covers.
Seeing this, Makoto walked over quietly, pulling the kicked-off covers back over him. He decided not to wake Sasuke and headed out to eat alone.
On the streets of Konoha, the accumulated snow already reached past his ankles, crunching underfoot with each step.
Makoto walked with his hands in his pockets, the scarf covering half his face, revealing only a pair of smiling eyes.
If not for the Uchiha Clan's emblem embroidered on his clothes, no one would likely guess he was an Uchiha... because smiling Uchiha were exceedingly rare.
The snow-light stretched his shadow long upon the ground, swaying gently with his steps.
Suddenly, a patter of small, running footsteps mixed with faint, choked sobs drifted towards him on the wind.
Makoto raised an eyebrow and looked in the direction of the sound.
Under a streetlamp, a small black figure was stumbling along, the black kimono stark against the white snow, moving like a wobbly little squid.
Before he could get closer, he heard a soft 'thump' as the small figure fell solidly into the snow. Immediately, the muffled sobs became clearer.
Makoto quickened his pace, stopping not far from her. His voice, muffled slightly by the scarf, carried a warmth.
"Planning to sleep in the snow?"
The small figure in the snow stiffened abruptly, slowly lifting her head.
It was a small face, red from the cold. Snowflakes clung to her eyelashes, and teardrops fell like broken strings of pearls, creating small, dark spots on the snow.
It was Hyuga Hinata. She stared up at the source of the voice with wide, wet eyes, like a frightened young animal, afraid it might be someone coming to take her away for questioning.
Makoto slowly stepped out from the shadows untouched by the streetlight. The snow-light caught in his hair, and the corners of his mouth, hidden by the scarf, lifted slightly.
"Why are you out here alone?" Makoto asked, his gaze falling on her thin kimono and pure white pupils, his brow furrowing slightly. "Where are the others from your clan?"
'Logically, Hinata should be asleep at home at this hour. How did she end up out here alone?'
Seeing no other Hyuga around, a thought crossed Makoto's mind, 'Did Danzo actually wipe out the Hyuga Clan?'
Hinata opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but tears welled up first, blocking the words in her throat. All that came out were soft, whimpering nasal sounds, like a startled kitten.
"Don't just cry," Makoto said, walking closer to the small figure huddled in the snow, his tone softening further. "Shall I take you home?"
Hearing this, Hinata shook her head violently, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Teardrops flew from her face, landing in the snow.
Seeing her like this, Makoto reached up and unwound his own scarf.
It still held his body heat. He gently draped it around Hinata's neck, wrapping it twice until her small face was mostly buried in it, leaving only her round eyes visible.
"Not going home? Then come with me."
Makoto extended his hand, his palm warm.
Hinata stared blankly at that hand, which seemed especially gentle under the streetlamp's glow, and felt the warmth from the scarf around her neck. After a moment's hesitation, she placed her own small, chilled, red hand into his palm.
Makoto gave a gentle pull, lifting her from the snow. The little girl was unsteady, stumbling slightly as she leaned against him.
He led her by the hand towards Yakiniku Q. Hinata's hand was small and soft, fitting perfectly in his.
He glanced down at Hinata, now bundled in his scarf with only her eyes showing, and the smile on his lips deepened, 'Looks like I wouldn't be eating barbecue alone tonight after all.'
Hinata let herself be led, stepping carefully into the footprints he left. The scarf around her neck was warm, and the heat from his hand seeped from her fingertips through her entire body.
She stole a glance upwards. Makoto's profile, edged by the streetlight's glow, seemed gilded. His eyelashes were long, casting small shadows under his eyes when he looked down, so handsome it almost felt wrong to look directly at him.
Hinata's sobs had unknowingly stopped. Inhaling the faint scent from the scarf...
'This scent...'
It felt familiar... as if she had smelled it when she woke up this morning.
Snowflakes landed on their joined hands, melting softly against their palms, warmth slowly kindling between them.
Hinata suddenly felt that this snowy night wasn't so cold after all. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on Makoto's hand.
Makoto looked down at his hand, now held more firmly by Hinata. The pads of his fingers could feel the slight dampness of her palm, mingled with the chill of the snowmelt, spreading a subtle warmth in the quiet night.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Looking at the adorable Hinata before him, his mind drifted to how she appeared grown up in the Anime. For a moment, Makoto felt he could almost understand Otsutsuki Toneri.
And her affection was gentle like a spring rain, lingering and persistent, yet hiding a resilience as tough as reed grass. She seemed soft, but could envelop the fiercest fire.
It wasn't a love of grand, passionate vows, but a devotion hidden in the details, quietly striving to improve while following in the other's footsteps. Even if overlooked a thousand times, the light in her eyes never dimmed.
She was even willing, resolutely, to give up her own life for the one she loved. Such a pure and steadfast devotion... probably anyone who encountered it would find it hard not to cherish it, to hold it close to their heart.