As we looked out over the village, I had a strong sense of finality. As if reading my thoughts, the man beside me spoke. "We can never come back here. You're an orphan and I haven't belonged for quite some time." his words were flat and he spoke without emotion.

The wind was blowing strongly and there was a chill in the air. It would be snowing soon..then again it was always snowing here. My nose quickly picked up the smell of things burning. The village was celebrating the coming of winter. With a small twinge of pain I thought to myself There's not even anyone to notice I won't be there. No one to notice I'm gone. I quickly shook it off. That was the very reason I was leaving with this man that was little more than a stranger.

I subtly glanced at the man next to me. He was tall with sharp features. The majority of his face was covered with some sort of wrap and I found myself wondering what was underneath. He was hardly dressed to fend of the cold in pants and sleeves that only covered his forearms. If he felt the it, he showed no signs of minding. I could feel his eyes on me and my first instinct was to look away. Instead I met his gaze with my own glare. I heard a dry laugh escape his lips. "Didn't anyone teach you not to stare? Oh, that's right. Your parents abandoned you long ago."

I turned my gaze back to the village and tried to hide the pain in my eyes. "Don't worry, kid. I'll teach you. Your life in that village is going to seem like a dream once our training begins. But I'll teach you to be strong and not to complain. And you do will whatever I command no matter the context. You understand that, Asura?"

Keeping my eyes forward, I matched his emotionless tone from earlier, "Yes...Zabuza."

Zabuza's P.O.V

The village was alive with celebration. I never understood why it was something to be celebrated. This village hardly had a repreive from the cold and snow. I could smell the moisture in the air and knew that soon enough the snow would be falling again.

I could feel her eyes analyzing me and decided not to speak up right away. After a few moments I looked at her and was surprised when she glared instead of turning away. "Didn't anyone teach you not to stare? Oh, that's right. Your parents abandoned you long ago." I knew it was harsh but she would have to toughen up if she expected to make it through the training.

She looked away from me and I could sense her pain. She was undeniably beautiful. Her skin was fair and her black hair reached the middle of her back. Her eyes were an unnatural shade of violet and though she was small I could sense a deep power within her. I had never asked an age and she never offered one. I knew only that her father walked out at a young age and her mother followed soon after. It was impressive that she had survived the cold on her own for so long. The jacket and pants she wore were ill fitting and it was obvious they were a few years old. She's still growing, she can't be much older than 17 at the oldest.

Our first encounter was a chance one. She ran into me as she darted around a corner. It didn't take long to understand she was being chased after having stolen whatever was clutched in her hands. She quickly popped it in her mouth and began chewing as the shop keep skidded to a halt in front of us. I sidestepped out of the way and was thanked with a glare from the girl. She smirked at the shopkeep "If you really want it back, you'll have to fish for it." With that she opened her mouth wide. I laughed quietly She has a fiery spirit.

The shopkeep pointed at her and shouted before walking away "It's no wonder your parents left you all those years ago. No one wants a brat like you." I looked at the girl and her face was void of emotion but her eyes showed deep pain. I decided to be charitable and take her on as a student. From then on she's been quietly by my side.

"Don't worry kid. I'll teach you. Your life in that village is going to seem like a dream one our training begins. I'll teach you to be strong and not to complain. And you will do whatever I command no matter the context. You understand that, Asura?"

I saw her shoulder stiffen with resolve. "Yes...Zabuza." I smirked at her answer.