The Beginning

Jinchuuriki – meaning power of human sacrifice – were well known throughout Konoha and other villages and Nations. Naruto Uzumaki is a Jinchuuriki, and in several more years he would create history and concur his dream of becoming the Hokage.

While Jinchuuriki of the 5 Great Nations were well known, no one would expect Jinchuuriki of another sort to exist across the sea…2 of them, in fact, living in the Moon Nation as a part of the Village hidden in the Shadows, Anei.

This beginning short story follows a little human girl named Kerica Mikadzuki, as a part of the head family of the Anei Village.

"You will guard and keep Sui in this Shadow Crystal, do you understand me?" The Kage demanded. While others had Ho (Hokage) or Kaze (Kazekage) in front of Kage, the one here who controlled Anei was simply but powerfully the Kage, which meant Shadow.

"Yes…but for how long, Kage-sama?" Kerica's father asked.

"Until I tell you that you can get rid of her!" Kage hissed dangerously and Kerica, who was only 5 at the time, cowered behind her father's pant leg, "Why did you bring that brat in, anyway? Where's your eldest daughter, who is more like a son?"

"Nerieta decided to wait out in the carriage. She has been training hard, Kage-sama, so I let her rest," Kerica's father bowed low.

Kerica frowned. The Kage much reminded her of the snake woman embedded inside the Shadow Crystal.

When Kerica heard a rumble she turned around and brushed her long dark brown hair out of her ocean blue eyes. She gasped, seeing a black tiger with sapphire blue strips run around the corner. It looked around, sniffed, and then looked at her. Standing there, frozen, but not out of fear, Kerica watched the tiger intently and its ice blue eyes locked with hers.

"Keri!"

There was a snap from a whip and that's when the tiger roared and then charged right at her, their eyes never loosing contact up until there was a light which exploded from her body. Barely, Kerica heard "Seal it!" and "Yes, Kage-sama!" Then there was a sharp pain in her stomach which made her spit up blood and fall backwards into her father's arms.

'Be calm, child, you will be alright,' Spoke a gentle voice, 'I am sorry, but you were my only escape.'

'I…I understand. My name…Kerica Mikadzuki…' Keri gasped her whole body hurting.

'You will need to let your body get used to me, Kerica, dear. Rest your eyes…Safaia will care for you.'

Believing the tiger with everything she had, Kerica succumbed to the darkness that was constantly her world,

'Arigato…Safaia…'

Part 2

"Mommy! Lookie! Lookie! I found it! I found it!" six year old Sarrina Mayoke cheered reviling to her mother, whom had been cooking at the time, a small sphere of silver and black.

Rosemary, Sarrina's mother, tilted her head slightly and bent to her daughter's level, "What is this?"

"I don't know, I found it in the forest-"

"The forest? I thought I told you not to go in there. The last time you did, you twisted your ankle, and we had no clue where you were for most of the night!" Rosemary scolded causing the small white haired child to look guilty.

"Sorry, Mommy, I tried to listen, but a voice told me to follow it. It led me to the ball," Sarrina stated in a small voice, her shinning blue eyes brimming with tears, and pointing to the sphere.

"A voice? Sarrina…are you that lonely?" Rose asked sadly placing the sphere to the side and cupping her youngest daughter's face with her hands.

"What do you mean, Mommy?" Sarrina pouted, knowing what her mother was about to talk about.

"You know very well what I mean. Don't you have any friends to play with? Why don't you go out and make trouble like the other children? All you do while your siblings are at school is simply walk around the compound and stare outside. You worry me, my little white princess," Rose sighed, pulling her daughter close.

"I know, Mommy, but Kei and Kimi play with me all the time! So don't you worry!" Sarrina giggled and hugged back.

"Now, come on, Princess, your father should be home in a few minutes. He sent a messenger bird ahead of him. He'll be really happy to see your new dress," Rosemary laughed and stood, turning back to the stove.

"Mommy…did we get a dog?" Sarrina asked pointing to a large midnight black canine.

Rosemary turned to the dog and her eyes widened. 'That's no dog!' "Sarrina! Run!"

The order came too late because the wolf charged at the small girl. Sarrina yelled out as the wolf leap onto, no, into her. 'It hurts!' she whimpered in her mind.

'The pain will go away if you'd stop fighting me, brat…' a voice growled,'To think I waited those years sealed inside that sphere and kept by the Kage. It only took a child to steal me away, how pathetic.'

'The K-Kage…?'

'Yeah, now sleep, brat, I don't need you dying right away on me. I'll only be sealed away in that sphere again.'

'W-who-'

'Sleep! I, Sin, order you, child!'

'…m…my first…friend…'Sarrina thought and slipped into to the darkness.

'Friend, eh? Well whatever floats your boat, kid…'

Part 3

Kerica sighed as she walked through the halls of the Mikadzuki compound. It had been only a week, but already severe changes had occurred. First of all, her mother, who had brown hair and purple eyes, had committed suicide, leaving only her father with black hair and mis-matched eyes to care for her. Her sister hated her even more so now than ever, if that was even possible. Her father was also a lot sadder, but through it all she knew he loved her dearly.

To top ot off, her training had increased drastically. The Kage, who she always clashed with, seemed to be scared of her now, and was nicer to her. That frightened her more in spite of everything. The Kage was never nice to anybody, least of all her. The weakling, the child that could do nothing right in his eyes…

Then, what hurt the worst was all of a sudden she had no friends. All her usual playmates left her, their parents detesting her, and they all called her names. The only friends she had now were her father and Safaia.

Kerica heard shouting, and turned the corner and peeked into her father's room. 'Neri's arguing with Otou-san again…' she sighed, 'So what else is new…' She moved on, not caring to hear the same old story about how Nerieta was jealous. 'She's more deserving, she is stronger, she is older, she is this, she is that…' Kerica mocked and kicked a random pebble as she walked out of the compound. No one bothered her anymore, so she could roam around however she pleased.

Keri paused as she saw two people at the gate. Frowning, she walked up to them, and raised an eyebrow when they didn't run away, "Ooi…are you two the new helpers?" she asked gently and jumped, grabbing hold of the chain that opened the gate. She balanced on a bar and watched them curiously.

The boy who had a tough build grinned at her and nodded, "We sure are! Mind letting us in?" he asked, his onyx eyes glittering. His midnight black hair was wild and untamed, but he looked good that way.

Keri took out the key hanging around her neck and unlocked the chain. The girl pushed open the gate gently, and she jumped down, "My name's Kerica. You might want to wait until my sister, Nerieta, runs out the door in about five minutes, though. She and Otou-san are arguing, again," she sighed.

"My name's Kimi Uchiha," the girl smiled softly and bowed in respect, her raven black hair tumbling over her shoulder, "This hyper idiot next to me is my elder brother, Kei Uchiha," she nudged the boy playfully.

Keri was in awe. Even the smallest movements the young Uchiha girl made were flawless and magnificent. She grinned, immediately inspired.

"Ooi! I am not an idiot!" Kei growled and folded his arms.

"Sure you're not," Kimi giggled, "I love you, Kei," she purred innocently as she walked forward towards the porch.

"Suuuuure you do," Kei huffed and ruffled Kerica's hair before he joined Kimi.

Kerica watched, dumbfounded, as the two newcomers easily avoided a running Nerieta and walked through the door, still talking, and her eyes widened when Kei shot her a grin and a thumbs up before disappearing around the corner. Grinning now as well, she didn't even notice the rain start as she bounced around happily and through the gate, walking on air.

She had new friends!

Part 4

Yet another week passed and after confirmation by Mejiro, Kei and Kimi were able to come and go as they pleased, being paid well for each thing they accomplished. Mejiro had skillfully gotten Kei into fixing things around the compound, and at the moment Kei was laughing as he drove the nail deeper into the almost repaired kitchen table while listening to Kimi rant on about how he should have fixed the table hours ago.

"Hey, I wanted to check up on Sarrina. After all she hasn't had much time alone with us," Kei explained as he finished his work.

"…Okay, fine, but next time finish your work before you run off." Kimi sighed, feeling guilty for scolding her older brother on leaving without knowing why. "…Kei, I worry about her…I mean every time I look into her eyes, I can't help but to wish for her old blue eyes back. Those red ones don't belong on her. They make her look…scary."

"I know, but at least she has someone to keep her company while we're away." Kei shrugged as he stood.

"…I caught her talking to him, Kei. She was just outside telling him everything from falls to tears to laughs. Mom caught her, too. You should have seen it…she looked so helpless." Kimi shuddered at the memory.

"Do you think it's easy for dad? He's an ANBU caption and he no longer gets missions from the Kage because the Kage wants Sarrina 'happy'. He may never tell us, but we both know he loved being an ANBU. To take away something that someone loves…it's like ripping out someone's heart with a spoon." Kei sighed turning his onyx eyes to Kimi, but when he noticed a figure behind Kimi he put on a grin, "Hey squirt-chan!"

"Kei! Be nice! Don't worry, Kerica-chan, I'll get him for ya!" Kimi laughed and tackled her brother in one graceful jump, using her slim body to slide under his arms to pin them above his head, "Ha! I-ah!"

Kei rolled them over and sat proudly on Kimi's stomach. "Ha! I win!"

"H-hey! No fair!" Kimi accused as she tried to push Kei off with little success.

Kerica giggled as she watched the wrestling go on, "Kei, Kimi, you don't have to be happy all the time around me. You can be sad, too…I don't know who Sarrina is, but if she's the same as me…then I understand," she smiled gently, though it was sad as well.

Kei got off Kimi and went over to Kerica, wrapping her in a big hug, "It's alright, squirt-chan!" he grinned at her, "We'll be sad when we want to, but while we're with you, our job is to make you as happy as possible!" he cheered lifting her up into the air.

Kerica cried out and laughed, grinning back down at him, "Arigato, Kei-kun!" She hugged him, "I'll keep smiling, then, for you!"

"Ooi! Kei, Kimi!" Mejiro came in. He chuckled when he saw the three of them all smiling, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but you father got a new mission. It seems his team missed him so much, they got through the Kage. He's to be heading out to Suna to do some investigating on a Jinchuuriki there. He's taking Sarrina with him, hoping new sights will help her. You two are to head home to see them off, and Kei you will be staying with Rosemary to keep her company and protect her. Kimi, it is up to you if you wish to come back as normal work hours or stay with your mother. Either way, you'll both be paid the usual."

Kei and Kimi looked at another before nodding to Mejiro. Kimi bowed to the master of the household while Kei picked Kerica up, "Thank you so much, Mejiro-san. We will return to work as soon as possible," Kimi promised, straightening up from the bow.

"Yeah! I mean, I can't let Kimi corrupt little Squirt-chan!" Kei teased, spinning Kerica around.

"Kei! Put her down before you both get hurt! We need to go see Father and Sarrina off," Kimi stated, crossing her arms.

The Uchiha boy laughed and set Kerica down. "You know what, I'd bet you and Sarrina would get along really well Squirt-chan. She's a bit older, about a year, but I'm sure that wouldn't make a difference." he said, ruffling the small demon girl's hair, "Well, I guess we'll see you when we get back!"

With that Kei raced out of the kitchen followed by Kimi, whom yelled after him for leaving her behind. Once out of the household, the two Uchiha forced chakra into their feet to speed them up. Kei, of course, arrived first because he was older and also he had a head start. Kimi managed to enter the living room in time to see Sarrina tackle Kei to the ground.

"Kei-Ani (big brother Kei)! You're back! Otou-san (father) and I are going on a trip!" the white haired cheered, sitting upon her brother's stomach.

"I know! Mejiro-san told us! You lucky dog!" Kei said with a grin, flipping them over to where Sarrina was on the floor so that he could pick her up.

Kimi laughed at the site as she walked to her father, "Otou-san, when are you leaving?"

"Well, in a few minutes. We're supposed to meet the others at the docks soon," Haroki answered, going on one knee to be at eye level.

Kimi looked over her father with a smile. He had on the typical ANBU wear with black pants and black sleeveless shirt. On his arms were gloves that reached to his mid-bicep with wrappings around both tops, along with arm guards and plates on the tops of his hands. On his chest he wore gray armor that all ANBU wear. On his right thigh he had wrapped about two inches of wrapping. On his feet were black ninja sandals. His white hair had been pulled back into a low ponytail to avoid it in his face.

Kimi hugged her father tightly before being pulled away by Sarrina whom had wiggled out of Kei's grasp. Kimi laughed and hugged her as well.

Part 5

After about thirty minutes, Haroki and Sarrina left the house, and went to the docks. There they met up with about five men each wore the same clothes as Haroki; however, each had a different mask. The man on the far left had a fox mask, the man next to him a bird mask, and the man in the middle had a monkey mask. The two men next to him were apparently twins because both had cat mask. Haroki himself had a wolf mask.

Feeling out of place, Sarrina glanced down at her own clothes. She wore a plan tan dress that made her white hair and pale skin appear to have even less color to them. On her feet were ten dress shoe much unlike any normal shoe wear she usually had on.

Haroki smiled down at Sarrina before picking her up, "All right, my Moon-hime (Princess Moon), you ready to go?"

Sarrina grinned back at her father, wrapping her arms around her father's neck, "Hai!"

"Good, because I believe these men have a special gift just for you," the ANBU caption stated as he set his daughter in front of his squad.

The twin ANBU, whom had their hands behind their backs, came forward. Once they were directly in front of the little demon girl, they presented two furry bundles to her. One bundle had white fur a black spot on the back its head. The other had just the opposite with black fur and a white spot.

Sarrina gasped at the gifts and looked up at the twins with wide eyes, "Arigato gozaimasu (thank you)! What are they?"

The ANBU members chuckled making the girl blush. The Monkey-masked one answered, "They are wolf pups, Moon-hime. Hiroaki and Hiroshi found their litter a few days ago, but they were the only survivors so they took them in so that they could give the pups to you." Haroki explained as the twins handed the pups to the small child.

"I think I'll call the black one, Yang, and the white one Yin because they remind me of the Yin-Yang sign!" Sarrina announced, "I'm naming them after their spots, though, not their fur," she explained when the AMBU looked at each other with confusion in their eyes behind their masks.

Sarrina grinned up at the ANBU members as all of them, including her father, walked with her onto the boat that awaited them. The boat trip itself wasn't all that pleasant because the small demon girl became sea sick only a few hours into the trip. Sin had a blast at this fact, teasing her constantly about it. When they finally reached Suna's dock, Sarrina had all but ran off the ship. The ANBU squad laughed, but became serious because their mission officially started.

Haroki allowed Sarrina to wonder around Suna as long as she promised to be back at their hotel before dark.