The snow had started falling that morning.
At first, there were only a few scattered flakes, landing on rooftops, treetops, and passersby's shoulders, melting on contact.
Then it grew heavier, falling in feathery flakes and wrapping all of Konoha in a vast, white stillness.
A thick layer of snow covered the faces on Hokage Rock. From a distance, they looked like four white-haired old men chatting.
Fresh snow quickly filled the footprints in the streets, while children built snowmen and had snowball fights in the alleys.
Under the veranda of the Hyuga Residence, Hanabi had already clung to the doorframe and peered outside for the eighth time.
"Big sis, when's the snow going to stop?"
She pressed her face against the paper door, her warm breath fogging a small patch of the paper.
Hinata sat inside folding clothes without looking up.
"It should stop this afternoon."
"Will Brother-in-law have time this afternoon, then?"
"Maybe..."
Hanabi turned around, trotted over to Hinata, and tugged at her sleeve.
"Big sis, you always say that! Yesterday you said he was busy, and the day before, and the day before that too! When is Brother-in-law not busy?"
Hinata's hands paused. When wasn't he busy? She couldn't answer that question either.
Chinatsu, Akari, Ino's flower shop, Nami's Konoha Military Police Force, Teacher Kurenai's sake... Genya really was busy.
"Hanabi,"
Hinata sighed softly.
"Brother-in-law has a lot of things to do..."
"But I miss him!"
Hanabi pouted, blinking her bright eyes.
"Don't you miss him too, big sis?"
Hinata blushed and lowered her head, continuing to fold the clothes.
"I do..."
Hanabi's sharp ears caught it at once, and she immediately jumped up.
"Then let's go find him at the Uchiha Clan Compound! Right now!"
She grabbed Hinata's sleeve and started dragging her outside.
Hinata stumbled