Disclaimer: I do not own the series Naruto.

I do own whatever characters are added to this fanfiction.

Note to the reader: This character is just something I've been whipping up since a few years ago, I am not sure how long the story will go on or if it'll be finished. It's just something for me to do when bored, really. But nevertheless, hope you enjoy it. Please review and maybe I'll keep going with this.

Evanescent Reverie

Chapter One: Genin

Sitting in that small room with his hateful eyes staring me down, I wanted to just get up and leave. He was the clan leader for this sect of the family, but that didn't stop him from hating me or the whispers that carried through the wind from the rest of our kin.

"I see you have become a Genin," he spoke, I could hear the slight hiss behind his words.

I nodded, silent.

"Even with your handicap," he mused. "You have come far, have you not...Kasumi?" It was as if my name was the poison he tried to spit from his lips...or maybe he had tried to forget.

Keeping my eye on the ground, I used my hand to smooth down the hair over my right eye, to make sure it covered that side of my face.

The door behind me slide open, I could hear the lithe footsteps of the leader's son – Michio. His scent had filled my nostrils, it was tinged with perspiration.

"My son," the middle-aged man praised, getting up from his all high and mighty chair and embracing his boy.

Michio accepted and returned the gesture, I looked up to find the boy staring at me. His blue, messy hair was in his eyes -- his yellow eyes which glared at me silently, just like his father. Michio broke from his father's hold and walked over to me. Keeping my eyes down, I saw his bare feet in front of me...even the dark blue ends of his pants, stopping below his knees.

"Cousin," he said, as if the word was both a joke and a curse. I met his eyes then, not knowing after his next words I'd be praying to show him how far he had gone by having the pleasure of slamming his head on a solid object repeatedly. "How's your father? Has he turned up yet?"

He was trying to bait me, to get me angry for his own satisfaction. I looked up at the boy, his tan, high-collared shirt blocked the view of his mouth from this angle as he towered over me. No doubt he felt superior.

"You may go," Michio's father, Yukio, dismissed my presence.

Quietly getting up, I bowed in homage that I could never feel – a lying gesture.

Walking through the tiny community always helped sooth me, the scents of flowers and incense calming even the most angry of souls though I was far from angry. Wisps of mist covered the ground like soft clouds, helping set the tone of blue and lavender hues of the buildings.

Our community resides in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, a long time ago our clan had once been from the Land of Snow. Since then, sects have traveled to different villages – spreading out all over the place. No one visited this community here in this village, we were quite a strange bunch and kept to ourselves most of the time.

Here, unlike the rest of the village, we have an icy and mystical look to our homes. Pale colors seemed to exist here mostly, dark ones faded at the entrance due to the mist. Nothing could be disturbed here, it was peaceful – safe as a sweet dream. It's even more beautiful when a soft rain comes, my favorite kind of weather. The rain drops would fall from the tips of the leaves that hung from the high trees around us. Bamboo trees and such were around our houses, the roots buried deep in the ground. The mist that surround us made it seem like every tree, person, and house were floating. A family residing in the sky or a dream. Tiny orbs floated in the air, adding to the mystical atmosphere. The elders say they are the souls of our ancestors, following us wherever we go, tiny wisps of light. They reminded me of fireflies which also were common here at night, so little white and yellow specs were carried in the wind during the nighttime.

The walls of the homes are scrawled with names of those who have fallen before us in this village. Stones and graves of our ancestors lined the paths. Incense burned at the foot of some, flowers and petals resting for others.

I guess to outsiders it might be strange, we basically have a graveyard right outside of our homes, on our walls. Pillars were used for the names as well, fallen ninja and not alike. It is the way of our clan – a tradition.

Outsiders wondered why things were so different here in this community, the mist held in by the towering fence surrounding us. Stepping inside, it was a whole different place – an otherworld to them.

Something rubbed against my high-topped sandals, I looked down to see the beautiful bundle of pale blue-ish white and huge gold eyes staring up at me in recognition.

"Annika," I said lightly, reaching down and letting her jump onto my hand. "Ani, Ani," I cooed. "What shall I ever do with you?"

Annika was my companion, even her mother belonged to my family. She was my friend when no one else was there for me. Maybe rather, the one I allow close to me at all. I call her Ani for short.

Ani purred, rubbing her head against my chest when I cradled her, her head curving over my growing breasts. I blinked down at her and then smiled, her tail curled as she meowed up at me in satisfaction.

We have many cats and other animals here, the scent seemed to make bonds, overcoming instincts. Birds were relaxed, even as cats and dogs passed by. Dogs didn't bother the cats, unless someone tried to sneak a sniff at their food. Vice versa. It was peaceful and familiar...unlike the people outside of here.

"Kasumi," called an old voice. Quickly turning, I saw Old Lady Hisa sitting on a soft cushion, a place on her front steps. Her white kimono had a blue glow due to the surroundings, her white hair as well. Her skin was as fair and wrinkled as always. She was the the person who held the most years of this group. "What are you doing, child?"

"Returning from the main house," I answered politely, bowing to her.

She sighed. "Rotten Michio once again?"

"You really shouldn't say that, Lady Hisa," I warned.

"Yukio can do nothing to me, I do not consider him the leader of the sect. He is the wrong leader for us, blinded by his own benefit and the lust for your mother."

Not this again.

"My lady," I started, my voice tired. "I cannot challenge him or Michio for the position." Quite frankly, I did not want it. Yukio abused his power, but I could do nothing when I knew so very little.

Hisa smiled at me. "The spirits of our ancestors guide us, never forget that, Lady Kasumi."

Gasping inside myself, I asked, "'Lady'?"

"You are growing, young one. You are now a kunoichi, a ninja. You have earned the title." Hisa kept smiling, though a sly look sparkled in her eyes. "I have been here much longer than that of a regular mundane ninja, I know a lady when I see one. You have been wise since your childhood years, but remember, you are still but a child."

Of course, I knew she was not just a normal old woman.

When I got home, my mother was cooking dinner. The smell made my stomach rumble quietly.

"Mom," I called, staring at her back. Her long, pale blue hair always looked as if it glittered, loose against her back, smooth down to her waist.

She turned around, her blue dress matching her hair with a white apron. Her blue eyes were wide a little. "I'm sorry, dear! I can never hear you come in, you walk like a ghost." She paused. "The name Kasumi suits you." She giggled.

Smiling, I sat down at the table. Annika leaped up on the chair beside me. My mother smiled at her and I, setting a bowl of ramen in front of me and a plate of cat food for Ani. The cat waited while my mom grabbed a wet towel and cleaned her feet, the little puffball always enjoyed it, purring deeply in delight.

"There you go," my mom approved, and with that Annika leaped up onto the table and dug in.

My mom had a hot towel ready for me, she took my hands in hers and wrapped them. The heat was delicious on my chilled fingers.

"What's wrong, Mother?" I questioned, she only did things like this when she was...nervous or if something troubled her.

She sighed and then unwrapped my hands, turning and walking to the seat opposite me. I slightly missed the warmth of the towel.

Bracing her elbows on the table, her eyes closed as she thought about her next words. Ani noticed, of course, and quietly walked on the table to brush against my mom's arms. My mother scratched behind Annika's ear, but her eyes were glazed over when she opened them, as if she didn't even notice Ani's attempt to sooth her.

"Genin," my mom murmured in a soft voice. "You're growing up."

Looking down, I awaited what she had to say.

"You're a ninja now, Kasumi. Things are going to change for you, dear." She stood up, and Ani followed her with her eyes. Ani looked back at me, I paid her no mind.

My mother's steps reached behind me, next to the windows. I knew how she'd look standing there, she would look as if she glowed, the light from the houses reflecting on her fair skin.

"My daughter...a ninja." I heard the shift of her feet on the wood floors. "You are a wise girl, my daughter. Your statistics would show you have speed, stamina, and wisdom. And like everyone of our clan, you have inherited the upper hand in terms of the spirit and spell. I have taught you what I can of medical jutsu and things you can do to tend the wounds of yourself and your comrades." Her dress ruffled. "But I'm afraid."

I felt the need to study the black polish on my well-kept fingernails.

She continued. "Ever since the day of your birth, I have always been afraid. I cannot keep you from the world's cruelties, I know that. Sometimes I hope I have taught you what I can, but then like today, I fear I have not taught you enough, that there is always more I can teach. That I have failed." She paused, I could hear her racing heartbeat in the tiny room. She was trying to keep calm, but one can only do so much to keep their emotions in line.

She walked behind me and pulled my chair out, turning it to the side – I allowed it. Crouching down on her knees in front of me, her hands reached for my hands, holding them in hers on my lap. It always surprised me how warm her hands were compared to mine, she was full of life and warmth.

Her blue eyes looked up at me, glittering as if stars existed in those orbs. "There is so much I can still do for you, but I just want your happiness. When you were a baby, you barely cried. When you were a child, you barely asked for toys or friends to play with. I used to sneak into the trees and watch you during school, you always sat away from the others. And when this happened..." She reached up and brushed the long bangs that brushed my jaw near my chin, I knew what she would see there. "It became even worse. Your emotions shut off from everyone, even I. When we had to keep you the the same class as your former classmates graduated, you never complained as a normal child would. Even now when you have become a ninja, I do not see one shred of excitement in those eyes of yours. When you smile, it never seems to be enough to touch your eyes. It's as if you sleep while awake. But as your classmates feel excitement, I do not feel any of the sort from you. Why is that?"

"One cannot get excited when they are getting thrown onto a battlefield," I explained.

Mom smiled lightly at me. "Such a smart one. But why do you do it, if you know the truth?"

Using my free hand, I touched her cheek and smiled. "Because I want to protect you."