"Isn't there something you wish you could forget? Anything that you wish you could clear from your mind once and for all?" An older man spoke from the shadows of a concealed room.
A younger girl around her late teens looked up in shock at the older man who appeared to be in his late 30's but was in face in his 50's. She bowed her head as the tears began to flow through her eyes. "My life has been one of misery… there are a lot of things I wish I could forget. No matter how hard I try those memories haunt every moment of my existence."
The man let out a sound showing his interest in the subject and he continued to watch her carefully. "Go on my dear, tell me… what would you like to forget?"
The young girl tried desperately to hold back her emotions as her mind began to wander through the events that had transpired throughout her life. She raised her hand and began to wipe away the tears and looked up at the man again, with a renewed composure. "When I was a young girl, my clan, the people I shared a bloodline with, they all turned their backs on me. They treated me as though I was the enemy and over the years things just got increasingly worse. I don't want to remember those times, not one minute of it."
A smile appeared on the man's face as he approached her from the shadows that had surrounded him. As he approached she was able to make out some of his features. The man had rather pale complexion and his eyes were golden, rather snake like. He projected an aura of wickedness but that didn't seem to have an effect on the girl. The smile on his face grew larger as he came into the light of the room. "I can make your desires a reality, my dear. You won't have to live with this pain any longer."
The girl was in a state of shock and tears of joy began to fall from her eyes. "You can really do that?"
"Of course I can, just trust me. Soon you will have no worries and you can get the peace you have desired all alone." He approached her slowly and reached out and placed his hand on her forehead. "Just relax; this will be over before you know it." The man used his powers to subdue the memories and at that moment the young girl passed out into his arms. He picked her up and brought her to a place where she could lay down and then he left her alone with a note before wishing her well.
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Suppressed and forgotten memories
When the young girl awoke from her experience her eyes gazed on the clouds above her. She seemed so interested in them and was astounded by their beauty. As she stood up the letter feel down to the ground. She peered over at it with confusion and saw it was addressed to her. The young girl reached down and picked it up. At first she was a bit hesitant to open the letter but she soon got the courage she needed to read it. The handwriting wasn't familiar to her but she began to read it anyway.
Kioko, you may not be aware of this but you were born in the land of fire, in the village hidden in the leaves. That is where your home is, go there and begin your new journey down the path you have desired. If you'd ever need to see me again you know where to find me. Take care now my dear.
-Oro
Kioko read the note over and over wondering what he was talking about. She shook her head and pocketed the letter. As the clouds started to move the sun snuck through and a strong bright light came into her eyes. She looked down at the bench which she had been sleeping on and noticed a headband with a strange symbol on it. When she picked it up she discovered it was the symbol for the village hidden in the leaves. She didn't think much of it and placed the headband on her forehead, picking up her stuff and headed toward the village the man known as Oro spoke of.
The young girl waked for hours until she had reached a gate that leaded toward the village. As she approached two centuries stood in her path. She walked toward them and took a bow as one would do when they respectfully meet someone. "Good Afternoon, I was wondering if you could help me. I'm looking for the village hidden in the leaves, would this place be it?'
The two guards looked at her with a confused look and then examined her. They both noticed that she was wearing the usual attire of those born into the Uchiha family and noticed she had the village headband on her forehead. This puzzled them wondering why someone from their own village would not know where they were. The two men turned to each other and spoke among themselves for a moment before turning their attention back to Kioko.
"You are correct, but miss, are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Kioko blinked as they asked her that. "Of course I'm alright. I just had a long night and I wasn't sure I was headed toward the right place. Thank you for your help." She bowed again as she walked past them and into the village. As she began walking through the village she became familiar with the area again. "It's good to be home again."
She continued to walk the streets not watching out where she was going. Sasuke was walking down the same path, holding a bag of supplies. Kioko then bumped into him, forcing him to drop his bag and fall to the ground. As he did so she heard the clanging from his Kunai that dropped from his pouch. She looked down at the young boy and quickly began gathering his things. "Oh I'm sorry…. I wasn't watching where I was going, you alright young man?"
Sasuke pulled himself up, stashing his Kunai back in his pouch and looked at the girl. "I'm just fine, it wasn't really a big deal, just watch where you're going next time." He took the bag from her and continued on his way. Kioko signed and looked in her hand and she noticed she was holding a piece of fruit. She then spun around and chased after Sasuke, "Hold on just a minute!"
Sasuke stopped and looked at her. She smiled as she handed him what belonged to him. "You forgot this." Sasuke looked at it and then back at her. He shook his head, "Don't worry about it, you can keep that."
Kioko nodded her head, "Thank you. Take care of yourself." She pocked the fruit and took off running and just then Sasuke made a strange discovery. On the back of her shirt he saw the symbol of his clan and just then surprise came over him. As he watched her leave he wondered who she was. 'Maybe will meet again.' He thought to himself as he walked home.
The teenage ninja continued to walk through the village and soon came upon the memorial stone and a silver haired ninja standing their in a daze. She approached him and took a place beside him looking at the names on the stone. Kakashi felt the presence of someone and looked over beside him seeing Kioko. "What a terrible shame, isn't it?"
Kakashi nodded his head slightly and turned his attention back to the stone. "Indeed it is, but in a life such as ours this is expected to happen. However, it's good to see an old face after so many years. How have you been Kioko? I've noticed you no longer have that saddened look on your face anymore."
Kioko looked over at Kakashi and wondered what he was talking about. "I have nothing to be sad about, in fact I feel better then I ever have before." She then looked down,
"How have you been fairing over these years?"
"I can't complain too much. Believe it or not I have my own squad now and they are a lot like my old one when I was younger. They remind me so much of the old days. I'm sure your younger brother Sasuke will be happy to see you."
Kioko looked up at Kakashi in confusion. "Uh? Little brother?"
"That's right, don't you remember him? The two of you were so close when you were growing up." Kakashi questioned, flabbergasted by her response.
"I guess I don't remember that much from those days. So much has been happening I guess I haven't thought about it in so long. Well I guess I shouldn't keep him waiting." Kioko smiled at Kakashi and began walking toward her house.
"Wait, Kioko…."
"Don't worry so much, I'm just fine. I'll catch up with you some other time." She waved goodbye and continued on her way. She approached her house, nothing had changed since when she was little. Kioko opened the front door, " I'm home." She called out. There was no response from inside the house. Kioko wondered what was going on but didn't think much of it thinking they were all out. She slipped off her shoes and began walking around in her bare feet.
Kioko walked around the house and went to her old room. As she opened it she saw it was a complete mess. No one had been in there for years and that didn't surprise her much. She opened the window to get some fresh air into the room again and then went downstairs to relax. She laid down on the couch and closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Sasuke returned home soon after and narrowed his eyes when he saw the extra pair of shoes at the front door. He grabbed a kunai and made his way into the house expecting someone to be waiting for him. As he entered the living room he spotted Kioko, sleeping on the couch. "It's you again… that girl from this morning."
Kioko stirred as she heard Sasuke's words and she looked up at him. Sasuke kept his guard up and looked at her carefully. " Who are you anyway?"
"Oh sorry, I guess I didn't introduce myself earlier." She stood up and took a bow, " My name is Kioko Uchiha, its nice to meet you."
Sasuke's eyes widened and in shock he ended up dropping his kunai, "Kioko….is that really you?"
"Why are you so surprised to see me?" Kioko asked in her usual confusion.
Sasuke began to look increasingly upset. "Sister!" He ran up to her and gave her a big kiss. "I've missed you so much. I'm so glad your back." The air between the two of them began to grow increasingly awkward.
"Um, do we know each other from somewhere?" Sasuke looked up at her, close to tears. " Don't you remember me!? It's me Sasuke, your younger brother."
Kioko placed a hand over her right side of her face, "What is going on around here…" She said as she remembered Kakashi's words from earlier. 'What is wrong with me?'
To be continued…