Snowflakes

Time moved on, and before long, it was winter of Konoha Year 59.

As the New Year approached, snowflakes drifted down outside, blanketing all of Konoha in a thick layer of white.

The air was filled with festive cheer, but not every family got to share in that warmth and merriment.

The Hyuga Clan residence

Hyuga Yuki lay on her futon, covered by a thick blanket, yet she still could barely feel any warmth.

She gazed blankly at the snow falling outside. Lying there, she couldn't help remembering the day Ning Xue was born. It had been just like today, with snow blanketing the earth.

Every year, when the snow fell, the family would stay together in one room and celebrate Ning Xue's birthday.

Whenever she saw Ning Xue pretending to be mature, all bashful and awkward, she wished she could take a picture to remember it.

But it seemed that ever since his father died, the boy had never celebrated his birthday again.

"Mother, it's time to eat."

A voice broke through Yuki's memories.

Ning Xue set the meal on the small table beside his mother, his voice as calm as ever.

But his eyes kept drifting toward her. Her body was even weaker than it had been a year ago, and both her face and her eyes were marked by illness. Seeing her like that filled him with pain.

His mother spent most of her time asleep. Even when she woke, she would only sit there in silence.

How could Ning Xue not be upset by the sight?

Hyuga Yuki had once tried to drag her sick body outside to find work, but no one wanted to hire someone in her condition.

Yuki also knew that her child was working to support their household and take care of her.

At times, she felt deeply guilty. As his mother, she should have been the one looking after her child, yet instead he was caring for her, and she had even become a burden.

The compensation Konoha had given them was nowhere near enough. It couldn't cover even a few years of expenses.

They could only scrape by on Ning Xue's wages, and he couldn't even afford to fall seriously ill.

Ning Xue quietly helped his mother sit up, carefully propped a cushion behind her, then fed her warm porridge one spoonful at a time. The whole process was silent and heavy, broken only by the faint clink of spoon against bowl.

After his mother finished eating, he gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen to wash. Not a word was spoken.

The Uchiha Clan's destruction had shown him just how heartless Konoha High Command could be, and made him yearn for strength even more. He needed power to protect his mother. He needed power for revenge.

But right now, reality came first. He had to keep working to get by before he could even think about revenge.

His wages were only enough to cover their living expenses, and he still had to attend school, work, and train.

Only after he became a ninja would he be able to take on missions, earn more money, and have more time to train.

With that thought, he dried his hands.

He would skip training for today. With the New Year so close, business at Ichiraku Ramen would surely be booming. If he got there early, Uncle Teuchi might pay him a little extra.

When Ning Xue reached Ichiraku Ramen, just as he'd expected, business was even better than usual.

With that in mind, he went inside.

As soon as Uncle Teuchi saw Ning Xue, he hurried to call out to him.

"Ning Xue, perfect timing! Quick, help restock the bowls and chopsticks over there!" The moment Uncle Teuchi spotted him, relief spread across his face. His voice was hurried, but still warm.

After working here for over a year, Ning Xue had clearly become much more efficient. The customers had also grown used to the young server, and most of them thought well of him.

"Mm." Ning Xue murmured in reply, said nothing more, and quickly tied on an Ichiraku apron before throwing himself into the work.

He moved swiftly and silently, vanishing into the bustle as he cleared the cluttered tables.

He carried piles of dishes into the kitchen and scrubbed them again and again beneath the cold running water.

His movements were nimble, as if he were a tireless machine.

He was used to this kind of life now. He was used to the noise.

"Hey! One more serving of chashu over here!"

"Excuse me, could you wipe this table down?"

"Ning Xue! The miso ramen for table three is ready. Take it out!"

Because of a suggestion Ning Xue had made, the restaurant was a little bigger than in the original story, and some tables had been set up outside. When it rained or snowed, they were covered with a tent.

Orders kept coming. Ning Xue darted between the narrow aisles and crowded tables, moving deftly and never speaking.

The regular customers who often ate here saw the boy still working with the New Year so close and couldn't help looking at him with sympathy.

"Ning Xue! Over here!" Uzumaki Naruto's unmistakably loud voice rang out. He was squeezed around a table with a few friends, several empty bowls in front of them, clearly showing they'd been at it for a while. When he spotted Ning Xue, he waved enthusiastically. "It's really busy today too! Keep it up!"

Ning Xue didn't break stride. Carrying a fresh set of bowls and chopsticks toward another empty table, he gave Naruto's way the faintest nod in acknowledgment.

Naruto didn't mind. He carried on excitedly arguing with Shikamaru and Choji.

The restaurant closed much later than usual.

When the last drunken customer finally staggered out, arms slung over his companions' shoulders, the ramen shop at last fell quiet. Only the soup pot on the stove still sent up faint wisps of steam.

Ning Xue silently finished the cleanup, putting the tables and chairs back in place and mopping the floor. Uncle Teuchi carefully counted the day's earnings, then took out a small money pouch that was noticeably plumper than usual. He also wrapped up several portions of leftover chashu and a large piece of carefully simmered pork.

"Here, Ning Xue. Thanks for all your hard work today." Teuchi handed him the money pouch and food, smiling warmly. "The New Year's almost here. Take these and have a good meal with your mother. I've added a little extra to your wages too. Think of it as a year-end bonus."

Ning Xue paused before reaching for the payment and food, which were clearly more than they'd agreed on. He looked up at Uncle Teuchi's kind eyes. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, all that came out was a quiet, "...Thank you, Uncle Teuchi."

He didn't refuse. He truly needed it. This kindness was like a faint breeze of warmth in winter. It couldn't dispel the cold in his heart, but in the midst of a harsh reality, it brought him a little comfort all the same.

"Be careful on your way home. The roads are slippery in the snow," Uncle Teuchi said kindly.

Ning Xue nodded, tucked the money pouch carefully into his shirt, picked up the heavy bundle of food, pushed aside the noren, and stepped back out into the snow and wind.