I don't own Naruto.
A loud thunder shook the house and awoke a young Matsuri from peaceful rest. Her eyelids still heavy as she struggled to make out the numbers on the clock.
"Five-Thirty." She mumbled.
Matsuri climbed out of bed and winced as her bare feet touched the freezing cement floor. It was during the nights when one could forget they're living in a desert. She crept down the hallway to a night table next to the couch.
"Happy Birthday Mom and Dad." She whispered hugging the small fame before placing it back on the table.
It had been three years since their deaths but it seemed like a decade, even through her herself was no more than a decade old. She sighed and crept into the kitchen, might as well eat before he get up.
Matsuri pulled out a jug of milk and grabbed a box of cereal and a bowl from the cabinets. This had been the fourth day in a row she had this but he doesn't keep much food in the house.
A few minutes passed and she suddenly found herself too sick to eat. Visions of the accident had once again crawled into her mind. Matsuri winced as her thoughts were derailed by visions of savage killings and weaponry. The familiar sight of the cereal bowl beneath her became a blur, it was replaced the sounds of her parents screams and blood. After awhile she found herself screaming, with her and her parents screams united it felt as if they were united again, though through terror.
The screams began to fade when she felt a pair of large firm hands on her shoulders.
"Matsuri..." he spoke.
She blinked and snapped to attention. His voice questioned her again but she had no intention of responding. For many years now her step father has proved to be utterly uncaring about her situation. Especially when it came to today, the anniversary of her parents death.
"I know how you get on this day." he continued.
"Oh really? So now you're Mr. Caring or something?" she exclaimed.
"I'm your caretaker."
Her teeth clenched, he always said that when it came time to associate him with the word 'Father'. Not like it mattered to him anyway. Why would it. After her parents death he involuntarily took her in since he was the only available foster parent in the village.
"Is that supposed to comfort me? Tell me I'm your daughter; give me a hug, something! Not remind me that you're forced to take care of me!"
"I'm sorry Matsuri." He said softly.
Her face grew hot as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her body twitched as it was engulfed in his warm embrace.
"I truly am sorry." He whispered.