"Enter." Asumi heard his father say and she slid the door out of her way. She wasn't surprised to find her younger sister already there sitting on her knees exhausted with her left eye bleeding, her father was constantly training her to make her stronger and it seemed to be working but she couldn't be disciplined which angered him a lot.

Asumi took a seat next to her sister straightening her back after shooting a glance at her sister signaling her to keep her back from hunching. Yuki paid no attention to her sister as her eye was hurting a lot more than she expected it would but she looked at her father expectantly making her older sister do the same.

"Asumi, you were called here today because we have received a marriage proposal for your hand. As my first born daughter you are expected to carry our clan's name with honor and pride and to excel at your duties as a wife and a mother." He started and Asumi's stomach turned uncomfortably. She knew that this day would come sooner or later but it scared her anyhow. She wasn't trained to be a ninja as she couldn't use her eyes as well as her sister so her father decided to make her become the best... housewife. She added that last part to her inner monologue in sorrow.

Her sister wasn't like her at all and she didn't know when to keep quiet.
"Why would you make her marry someone she doesn't even know?" She exclaimed as she was about to stand up. Asumi was glad for her sister always sticking up for what she thought was right but she held her back this time grabbing her by her shirt.

Asumi knew that Yuki could have easily janked herself out of her gasp but she didn't do so per her request.

"Because the Kazekage himself choose her." Ichirou said in a tone as if it was the biggest honor. Yuki disagreed strongly as she imagined a man in his late fifties with six wives at least.

Asumi didn't know much about the Kazekaga either. They have grown up quite isolated in the Land of Rivers. They weren't allowed inside the office when their father was negotiating because they were just women, Yuki wasn't even allowed out of the house for other reasons.

Well, Yuki was used more like a weapon which her father used to intimidate his partners with. This was the reason why he had so many partners from smaller and bigger villages from the fire and the wind wanting them to import goods such as rice and meat. Their fortunate location also helped a lot as their clan developed onsens along the way from Konoha to Sunagakure for the travellers who had to stay at least one night in the Land of Rivers.

"When do I leave?" Asked the older girl with no emotion in her voice trying to stay strong as she imagined that she wouldn't see her home nor her family ever again.

"You are not leaving alone, we have to show them that we are even stronger than they've expected. Your sister will be your personal bodyguard along with Takeshi." Yuki gasped silently, she has never been let out of the village much less the Land of Rivers. The opportunity itself excited her but she didn't like the cost of it.

Her father has always kept her close to himself for her dōjutsu. She never got to know how he lost his eye technique or if he lost it at all and just refused to use it. Either way she couldn't care less about Ichirou, she was finally getting out of this place. Sadly her happiness couldn't be full as she knew that her sister didn't want that marriage to happen. Her sister was too fragile for that, she was pure innocence. Even her name means innocence, for Kami's shake! How could he do this to her? She cursed in her head.

Yuki shot up from her place yet again ready to charge her anger at her father but Asumi stood up with her grabbing her by the hand. Their father must have taken this as a sign of excitement as he continued.
"You are leaving tomorrow at noon, that gives you enough time to say your goodbyes. However, after reading the Kazekage's letter, he didn't seem 100% certain about his choice as he requested two months to get to know you before the marriage. I trust that you know, you cannot fail as the reputation of the whole clan weights on your shoulder." Way to make her feel like shit, old man. Thought Yuki lightly squeezing her older sisters hand to offer her support.

"Hai. I will show him that he cannot find anyone better than me and I will not stain the reputation of the Chinoike clan." Agreed Asumi almost breaking Yuki's hand in the process.

"As for you Yuki, you will limit your interactions only to your sister as you are incapable of controlling yourself." He only got a stiff nod from his younger daughter.

"You may leave now, and start preparing for your departure." He said making Asumi flinch while her sister just glared at their father.

The girls left his office in silence and headed towards their rooms. Yuki couldn't stand the silence which fell between them but she didn't know how to make her sister feel less miserable.

Suddenly the heard approaching steps and soon they saw their mother heading towards them. She looked excited as she brought Asumi in a warm embrace.
"I cannot believe that you were chosen to be the bride of the Kazekage! What an honour!" She exclaimed completely ignoring Yuki.

It wasn't a secret that their mother favoured her sister more and Yuki couldn't blame their mother. Asumi was everything she wasn't and lacked.

Her sister was simply beautiful, with her spotless perfect porcelain skin she overshined half of the female population and it was just her skin. Her heart shaped face was framed with straight blonde, almost white hair which fell down to the small of her back but she wore it in a complicated braid to enhance the shape of her face. Her high cheekbones and button nose only added to her beauty along with her full lips and big lavender eyes which almost never turned blood red unlike her younger sister's. She was also taller than Yuki and her posture shined with elegance and grace.

Yuki has been jealous of her sister, she knew that unlike to her older sister she was only alive because she was the only one in the family who could properly use their eye technique. Her older brother is to inherit the clan after their father passes away and he was the perfect diplomat running the family onsens in his own. She loved her brother dearly as he was the only one that cared about her from the very beginning. She has built a good relationship with her sister but Asumi used to hate how much time their father spent with her until she was old enough to understand it wasn't a piece of cake to train with him.

Asumi wasn't a good user of her Ketsuryūgan, in fact she was plain bad at it and her taijutsu was way too weak therefore her father thought it would be best to take advantage if her beauty.

Yuki was snapped out of her thoughts as her mother looked at her with a stern face.
"I expect you to be on your best behaviour and to help your sister with everything." She said letting Asumi go.
"Oto-san has already lectured me about it." Yuki said with a grin on her face, obviously content with herself as she saw her mother's vein popping on her forehead from her answer.

"Yuki, Asumi, long time no see!" Said a voice which strangely resembled their brothers who has been away from home for a week now.
"Masaru!" Screamed Yuki in joy throwing herself at her brother. He chuckled at her happiness embracing her in a hug.
"Seems like someone missed me while I was away." He said letting Yuki go and embracing Asumi as well.
"I was talking about behaviour like this. A proper lady like Asumi doesn't scream nor show her emotions like this." Yuki rolled her eyes at her mother. "Nor do they rool their eyes."
"Oka-san, please calm down, I'm not the one who has to marry that old man." Yuki said casually, making her mother frown in disapproval.

"I will make Asumi ready for your travel." She said leading her older daughter away.

"Come on I have pack my stuff too." Yuki grabbed her brother by his arm and led him towards her room.

"By the way why didn't you do anything to make Oto-san change his mind?" Asked Yuki while she filled her bag with clothes she would need.
"I tried but he was adamant about it. He said that.." Her brother started.
"This is the greatest honour." They finished together rolling their eyes at the same time.
"And I can't do anything about these stupid traditions until I become head of the Chinoike Clan." He finished hanging his head sadly.

"Who's accompanying her?" He asked, curiosity lacing his voice.
"Takeshi and I." He nodded his head not saying anything.
"Are you doubting me? I may be bad at keeping my mouth shut when I should but I can protect her better than anyone else and Takeshi is one of Oto-san's best guards. I have only met him once and he dissapeared so fast I couldn't even comprehend what was happening." Yuki said glaring at her brother.
"Not to mention he is about your age." He said wiggling his eyebrows wich earned him a pillow landing in his face full force.
"He's not my case." She said whither a blush on her face.
"Then who's your case little sister?"
"I don't know, haven't met him yet, I suppose I'll know after that."
"Who would have thought that you were the romantic type." Masaru was grinning at her sister but it was quickly rubbed of his face when Yuki's eyes turned into a terrifying shade of red.
"Anyway I'll go and tell Takeshi to pack his stuff." He said gathering himself not wanting to experience the power of her eyes.
"What a brave man you are." Said Yuki to herself rolling her now lavender eyes.

She woke up the next day around eleven o'clock. She didn't have many people to say goodbye to, only her brother and parents. She has never had friends like Asumi, most people her age were afraid of her abilities as she had a 'slight' problem controlling her bloodlust when she was learning to control her blood release jutsus and her eye techniques.

While Yuki got dressed her sister was ready for their one and a half day long travel. Her mother made her braids early in the morning but they were so tight she was sure they would stay in place for at least three days. She was wearing her travel clothes, she had to change into a formal attire when they were close enough to Sunagakure so that her future husband would find a liking to her immediately.

She left her room without a second glance and went to say goodbye to her parents and brother.

One hour later Takeshi , Yuki and Asumi were ready to go. Takeshi has taken hold of Asumi's bag as she said her goodbyes and he didn't seem like he wanted to give it back as he swinged the bag on his back.

"We will miss you Asumi." Said her mother with a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes Oka-san." Nodded Asumi feeling uncomfortable with how her parents ignored that their other daughter was to leave along with her.

"Asumi-sama, we should leave now, otherwise we won't make it to the last onsen at the border in time." Takeshi finally spoke up looking at her.
Asumi nodded giving one last hug to her mother and turned away from her family.

One hour into the walk Yuki couldn't stay silent anymore, it wasn't in her nature.
"So Takeshi, how old are you?" She asked casually.
"I'm twenty years old Yuki-sama." Answered Takeshi, Asumi knew that he didn't want to do so but as a guard, it was his duty to answer her sister's question.
"Asumi is the same age as you are." Said Yuki. "You two must have some stuff that you can talk about." She said grinning thinking that she could make some conversation happen between the three of them. "And if you call me sama once again I'll will hurt you, drop the honorifics they are just plain stupid, I'm not above you in any way."
"Hai." That was all Takeshi said.

Asumi was surprised how easy going her sister could be. Unlike to her she hasn't even gathered the courage to look man walking beside her in the eye.
Takeshi was indeed good looking with his spiky brown hair and strong jawline. He was towering over her but he didn't seem intimidating to her. Of course it would have been easier to look him into the eyes if she hadn't known him for her entire life.

By nightfall they reached their family onsen without any problems. The staff was more than enthusiastic about their presence welcoming them with a huge dinner. Per their father's wish Yuki had to check Asumi's food first to see if there was any poison. Eventhough Asumi was immune to all poisons just like her sister their father insisted on it as Yuki could identify the poison in a matter of seconds thanks to her training.

"Your food's all good." Yuki said giving her sister a dry smile. "Will I have to do this in Sunagakure too?"
"No there will be no need to do that as your sister will be the guest of none other than the Kazekage." Said Takeshi, Yuki nodded as she watched Asumi pick on her food.
"Nee-chan you should eat some more. Tomorrow will be tiring, you will need some power in the desert." Said Yuki.
"Arigato Yuki, but I'm not hungry at all." Liar. Yuki thought glancing discreetly at Takeshi's direction.

After dinner she waited for Takeshi to escort her sister into their room and she gathered a plate of food telling the staff that she was so famished she needs seconds.
"Here is your dinner. I'm not leaving until you are full. I don't care about what others would say we are all alone nobody's watching and if you don't eat it I'll make you. The fear of gaining weight isn't an acceptable excuse for starving yourself." Yuki said sternly placing the plate in front of Asumi.

Asumi toom her plate knowing Yuki was completely serious and she was grateful that she gave her food. She was afraid to eat much in front of Takeshi, not wanting to make a wrong impression nor she wanted to gain weight so she wouldn't please the Kazekage which would make her father furious.

"I'll take care of your plate tomorrow morning." Yuki said. " Are you going to need my help getting ready tomorrow?" She asked curiously.

She has never been dolled up like her sister, so she didn't know much about formal, informal or proper attire. She was dressed like a ninja and that was it.
"Yes I will." Asumi saw the panicked look on her sister's face so she quickly added. "I'll tell you what to do."