PART IV

The Snowdrop

"Hama-chan."

Gohama had just finished feeding the dogs and was petting Haru's soft patch of dark fur between her ears, just as she liked it. She glanced towards Father over the line of happy, but tired huskies after a morning of hunting.

"Yes, Father?"

"Come here." Father asked as he sat down on the wooden sled after securing the white hares to it.

Gohama stroked the dogs' fur as she walked, her chakra-less feet scrunching down the snow with her heavy boots. She took her small bow from her torso and sat down next to Father. She studied his quiet expression. Father seemed tired, there had been an important clan meeting last evening in their home and a lot of muffled yelling, especially from Uncle Hideki, had reached her bed from the sitting room.

She had been surprised when Father had woken her up before dawn for hunting. From the dark bags under his eyes, Gohama suspected he hadn't slept at all. Her tired mind from a day of Osamu-hanshi's genjustu training had helped her fall asleep quickly despite the noise. She didn't know when the meeting had ended.

Gohama laid her carved bow on her bent legs and her little fingers smoothed the polished wood, as she waited for Father to talk. Father had a grave feel to his presence and she wondered about every little stupid thing she had done in her life and what would Father scold her about.

"Do you know the name of this flower?"

A wave of relief loosened her tense shoulders and started back her suspended heart. Father always started his scolding with "I heard you…". Unless when Father was teaching her how to hunt, he was never around when she did stupid things. Usually only Koroko-san, Mother and Enoki-sensei would catch her doing something naughty.

Father laid the white and frail flower gently on her hand. Of course, she knew the name, every Snow kid knew the name of that flower.

"Snowdrop."

"Yes. But do you know it represents for the Kyura?"

She knew it was something important. They used snowdrops in everything, from decorations, to presents, to religious ceremonies. It was a pretty flower, but Gohama didn't understand what made it such a big deal. It was everywhere in the last days of snow.

Not wanting to completely miss an attempt at answering in front of Father, Gohama shook her head.

"Well, it is a flower that blossoms in the cold snow. Although small, it is strong. You see how they break through the snow?" Father pointed towards a few flowers piercing through the snow, losing themselves in the white. "They are used to celebrate both births and deaths. Our clan is a shinobi one. We are meant to fight, protect and kill. But there is also a side to each one of us that must remain pure. One that although small can win over the cold snow. This side is the gentlest part of a Kyura, the most childish one. When I'm with you, my daughter, and mother, I let that precious side of me resurface. No matter how far I've lost myself in my warrior duty, the bonds with my family always bring the snowdrop out of me. A Kyura must balance both his weapon and his snowdrop. Do you understand me, Gohama?"

The girl stared at her father wide eyed, awed by the words she didn't understand. The solemnity in his voice and affection in his eyes made those words important to her. She held them in her heart, even if she couldn't save their meaning.

"Of course you don't." he chuckled softly "I let myself ramble. Once you're older and a great kunoichi you'll understand. Listen to me carefully, Hama-chan, okay?"

The girl nodded.

"How ever hard the path you must take, how ever upsetting the power inside of you is, promise me you'll never let go of your snowdrop. You can let go of your weapon, but never your snowdrop. Do you promise me, Hama-chan?"

"Yes, Father, I promise."

Father tenderly ruffled the hair on the crown of her head and smiled. He pulled her to him as he stood up and settled the girl on her rightful spot at the front of the sled.

"Let's go, now, Mother must be wondering where we are. And I'm so hungry I could eat a giant bear."

Gohama chuckled and with a wide gesture of her arms, said, "I could eat a huge whale."