I went to take a step forward towards my mother but Hikaru grabbed my shoulder stopping me. "Don't go near her Ko, she can steal your life force remember?" Hikaru warned but I shrugged off his hand taking another step.
"I don't think she's being controlled." I said not looking away from her.
"What makes you say that?" Kitty questioned.
"Kabuto promised me he would bring her back and she wouldn't be manipulated." My reasoning made Kitty scoff.
"Why would he do that?" He didn't believe me which I don't blame him for; Kabuto is the enemy.
"Because he actually likes me and we have history." I turned my head to see him roll his eyes at me. I only gave him a smirk in return. Kabuto may be a scumbag but he's never given me a reason not to trust him despite experimenting on Father.
She opened her eyes looking at her surroundings until her blood red eyes landed on us, mostly Hikaru. She looked different from the picture I saw of her but it looked like I was looking in a mirror. We had the same face, body structure, and hairstyle...well everyone has spiked hair in the clan. Her eyes widened when she saw Hikaru and stepped out of her coffin.
"Hikaru?" Her voice was low and hoarse but sounded like mine, maybe an octave higher. "Is that really you? You're so grown up!" She exclaimed with a smile. Her eyes then went to me and froze. "Is...Is that Ko?"
I started to walk closer to her feeling extremely nervous. She put her hands over her mouth looking as if she were going to cry. Suddenly, she ran towards me making me get into a defensive stance but I saw she was only going to give me a hug which I greatly accepted. She held me tightly as if I were going to disappear.
"You've grown into such a beautiful woman! Even more than I imagined." She pulled away but kept her hands on my shoulders. "Look at your hair!" She said running her right hand through my bangs. "Such beautiful eyes oh and look at that face!" Her face then did a three sixty turning sour. I felt her finger trace the scar that ran down my cheek making me flinch at the touch. I think she noticed my uneasiness and took a few steps back. "I'm sorry, I just never thought this moment would come. You must be extremely strong too! I haven't seen you since you were four. Now look at you...my baby girl is all grown up." She said sadly. "My name is Kyoko by the way haha that would help." She said rubbing the back of her head.
"That's impossible, I would've remembered. My earliest memory was when I was four training with Father." I stated unsure if she was actually telling the truth...I was almost five at the time so maybe she was.
"He could've tampered with your memory. You just turned four when I died." She concluded with a saddened expression dropping her ands .
"Why would he make me forget you?" I felt a bit of anger towards Father for making me forget her. I had someone from my clan to look after me and teach me about the clan. I had someone who loved me despite who my father was.
"You were very attached to me Ko, you've been in my arms since you were born."
"C-can you tell me what happened that night?"
She took a deep breath and exhaled then was silent collecting her thoughts. I turned towards the boys remembering that they were there.
"Kitty, Hikaru, go get healed and rest. I'll be okay." I said waving them off.
Both boys looked at each other before looking back at me.
"We're fine right here." Kitty protested crossing his arms.
"I want to hear this too." Hikaru stated coping Kitty childishly.
"If you say so," I rolled my eyes at them before turning back towards Mother.
"Hm well I guess I'll start from the massacre. I had just gone to bed and only half asleep when I felt something bite me. I thought it was my imagination until I saw a snake come out from my covers and slither out the window." She shivered at the memory. "Snakes aren't my thing. Anyway, when I got out of bed, I felt dizzy and weak. By the time I got out of my room, my brother Sora was already out of the house."
"Wait, Sora?" I interrupted. "You mean clan leader Sora?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Um we just fought him and the rest of the clan before you were summoned." I told her honestly surprised that she didn't notice the battlefield.
"How? Oh, how am I even alive?" We all dead panned at her making a blush dust her cheeks and nervously chuckle. "I was too excited to really question it."
"Long story short, we're at war with a crazy man and he brought back the dead to fight against all Shinobi." Hikaru informed her.
"Hm, glad I wasn't part of that. So you met Sora? How was he?"
"Pretty mean, he was saying I'm a half breed and don't belong to the clan."
I could see a vein forming on her forehead and her hands clenched into fists. "How dare he say that about my daughter!" She exclaimed in anger activating her Subete Miru. "Just wait until I see him in the afterlife, he's going to wish he could die again."
Her aura was intense making me take a step back; it's as if someone else had taken over. Hikaru leaned over to me. "Told you she could be scary, imagine dealing with that almost every day."
She started to calm down and laugh nervously. "Sorry about that, Sora and I don't get along to begin with and hearing how he treated his own niece made my blood boil. Any way back to the story."
(Kyoko's POV)
I crawled out of bed seeing Sora had already left leaving the door wide open. I crawled closer to it seeing a mist covering the compound. All I could see were shadows of my clansmen staggering outside hearing the various screams and fighting. I could see Sora's mass figure fighting a slender outline but he was moving so sluggish.
"Impossible, Sora is the fastest in the clan." I thought as I attempted to crawl outside but started to feel extremely fatigued.
I looked up once more hearing Sora scream followed by more. I watched helplessly as the slender figure sliced through my family heading towards me. My eyesight was starting to fail me as the darkness started to cone inwards. I heard sadistic chuckling coming from above me but I didn't have the strength to look up, everything was heavy. I tried opening my eyes only to realize that they were still open; my vision was gone and my consciousness along with it.
I awoke on a table in a dark room only to be lit by strange large tubes containing water. I tried to move but my limbs were strapped to each corner. After struggling for what seemed like hours, the door opened revealing a pale faced man with long black hair and snake like eyes staring at me as if I were prey. As he walked closer, I realized that this man had the same figure as the enemy; this was him.
"Why did you kill my clan?" I questioned trying to be brave but on the inside, I was terrified. His snake like eyes still looked at me like I was his prey which sent shivers down my spine.
"They would get in the way of my plans," he answered nonchalantly as if killing innocents meant nothing.
"Why let me survive?" I growled.
"Because I need you," he said as he turned towards a drawer pulling out chakra shackles.
He strapped them to my limbs before untying me. He helped me off the table letting me sit up before standing. I knew it was useless to fight him. "He killed the whole clan...they're dead...everyone." I could feel my throat tighten and eyes water but I held it back; I wasn't going to show this guy my tears. I followed him down the hall to a door. He reached out to my holding a cup.
"Urinate in this; take your time to clean up." He ordered before shoving me into the bathroom closing the door.
I was still shackled but they were long enough to move without constriction. The bathroom was decent sized and made my way to the toilet. After successfully peeing mostly on my hand instead of the cup, I took a well-deserved shower. I noticed fresh clothes on the shelf by the door putting them on. They were plain purple but pretty baggy on my frame. The man waiting for me when I emerged and grabbed the cup from my hand leading me to another room down the hall. The room was spacious with a huge bed and tons of storage.
"I will send someone to escort you for dinner. The door only opens from the outside so don't get any ideas." He warned before closing the door behind him.
During my time alone, I mourned for my fallen kin and also contemplated why I was chosen to live and what he wanted with me. A knock at the door startled me but I sat up walking towards it. There was a different man on the other side opening it enough for me to slip through and led me towards a dining room with food already on the table. I took my seat on one end while my captor sat at the other.
"You probably have questions so get them out now." He sighed indicating he wanted to skip this part.
"What is your name?" I questioned right away getting to the point.
"Orochimaru," he said with a smug smile leaning back into his chair.
"Why did you choose me?"
"Because you're part of the main family."
"Why my clan?"
"I want the power of your clan."
"How would you even get my power?" I scoffed, I'd rather die than work for him.
He only laughed in response making me fear the worst. "I had you urinate in a cup for a reason. Congratulations, you're pregnant."
"Preg...wha? I'm what? How?" I questioned unable to process this. "He wanted to get me pregnant?" I felt disgusted at the thought. I didn't want to be pregnant. I never wanted to bring a child into this cursed clan. If I were to be pregnant, I'd take her away from that toxic family. I love them, but the fighting is too much sometimes.
"Self insemination my dear. I'm curious to see how our child will turn out." I was at a loss of words...this was not happening. "Throughout your pregnancy, you will remain here. I have other matters to attend to so one of my followers will cater to you." He got up reached into his pocket pulling out a necklace with a leather band holding a green gem. "So you're not shackled, you'll have this necklace to store your chakra." He walked behind me putting it over my neck and clipped it. It was a bit tight but comfortable. He then took off the shackles then wove signs and touched it. I could feel my chakra draining and started to feel dizzy. "Now eat," he demanded so I complied.
The baby was due any day now. Over the months, I haven't seen Orochimaru much, only once since he brought me here. His followers would guard me allowing me roam the hideout. It was filled with mazes for intruders, also having a prison wing but my favorite place was the hall with a giant bay window looking over the water. It was my only connection to the outside world; oh how I missed it. I looked down at my protruding stomach with a smile.
"Can't wait to meet you baby, I bet you'll be beautiful." I caressed my hand over my stomach soon feeling worried. "What will happen to you when your born dear? I don't know what Orochimaru will do to you or me when you get here." I was trying to stay positive throughout this pregnancy. I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me hurting this child in return.
A few days later I was in labor for ten hours, but it was worth it to see my baby girl. When she was handed to me, I instantly fell in love. I wasn't thrilled about her black hair but her scarlet eyes were breathtaking. She looked up at me crying her heart out but I didn't mind, she was finally with me. I held her close to my chest never wanting to let go.
"Hm, what to call you baby...Tenshi? Mikyuki? Anju?" I was overcome with sadness remembering my family. "Anju, my sister...Ainu...I miss them so much." I cried. "You'll never get to meet them...well maybe it's best if you didn't. They weren't very friendly."
After an hour, Orochimaru arrived as Ko was sleeping. I started to panic when I saw him and looked towards my daughter wanting to protect her but my body was still recovering. He strolled over to my baby gently picking her up not wanting to disturb her nap.
"A daughter," he said with disappointment in his tone, "but she will do, I already can see myself in her." He chuckled slightly then looked over at me. "Kyoko, it seems you're worried about me being close to the child. She's of no use to me right now; she's all yours until she is old enough to train." Relief washed over me after hearing his words. "What is her name?"
"I haven't decided," I answered as I watched her sleep in his arms. I honestly was upset that she was sleeping so soundly, so far whenever his followers went near her, she'd scream her heart out. She must know he's her father, it's the only explanation on why a child wouldn't cry in that snake's presence.
He looked down at her and was silent for a moment. "Ko," he said making me ponder the name.
"Hm, daughterly devotion? It's a beautiful name." I said with a slight smile. For a moment, it felt like our situation was normal.
"Ko Himura," he stated, making me look at him with a shocked expression.
"Himura?"
"For what I have planned, she doesn't need the world to know her relation to me." He put Ko down in her bed before turning to me. "I won't be here for a few years so you are responsible for Ko in my absence. You can walk anywhere in the hideout but if you escape, you will be terminated." With those words, he was gone leaving me and his daughter behind.
Three years have passed since Ko was born and I must say, she was an easy child to raise. She was a quiet girl and understood many things a child shouldn't at her age. I would read to her before bed but now she will read to herself. Honestly, I was scared of why she was advancing so quickly even if they were just children's books. It made me think Orochimaru did something to her but he hasn't been around since she was born.
Maybe it had to do with his DNA. Maybe he was just as advanced, I've heard the stories about him being a prodigy and being a Sannin. It made me wonder why he had a hideout in the first place. So far, the followers she's interacted with were not Leaf shinobi, none wore headbands which I assume means they're rouges. Does Konoha know about this betrayal? Last I heard, he was still affiliated with them, but it has been a few years. Maybe that's where he's been going to keep up appearances.
"Is he still living in the Leaf?" I thought out loud.
"Who Mommy?" Ko questioned looking up from her doll to me.
"Um, your Father sweetie." I answered unsure how she'll react. I never spoke about her biological Father.
"Daddy? Where?" Her eyes lit up as she looked around the room. I had never told her about him even when she asked. I would usually distract her with something else.
"Um well, he's on a mission baby. I don't know when he'll be back but he's out there somewhere."
"Is he really strong Mommy?"
"The strongest baby," I said with a sad smile as I looked down at her cute face. She wouldn't understand our predicament. I needed her to be happy and innocent for as long as I can.
As I watched her play, tears formed in my eyes as I thought about what her life will be like. I wanted to grab her and run as far away from here as I could, but it was impossible. His followers were watching my every move itching to kill me. I just hope she won't have a difficult life.
Storms plagued the area hours later which meant I had a very scared toddler to protect. Every time it thundered, she would scream at the top of her lungs and try to hide under the covers. I managed to get her out of the room and into the main corridor with my favorite bay window. I held her tightly in my arms as we watched the waves crash against the rocky shore as lightning illuminated the sky. She shrieked when the thunder rumbled burrying her face into my chest trying to hide.
"Don't be afraid baby, this happens when it's warm out honey. It's just nature. How about I sing you a song?"
"Yes please!" She shouted making me cringe since she yelled it in my ear.
As I sang, she was more entranced with the song and ignored the thunder outside. Her scared expression turned into a smile humming along pretty badly actually. Finally, she went asleep as the storm still brewed outside but thankfully, I know how to calm her down now.
Ko was now four already eager to become a ninja like her Father who she hasn't met yet. She was going to learn it anyway, so I taught her basic taijutsu to keep her busy. I heard someone approaching so I turned to my left seeing Anomie coming towards us. She was Orochimaru's follower for two years now sent to check up on us and report back to him. It didn't take a genius to see she didn't like me, but she loved Ko.
"Lord Orochimaru will be arriving within a few days." She said looking at Ko and then smiled at me. I raised a brow confused on why she hasn't glared at me yet; something was off. She gave Ko a big smile as she played shogi with her barely paying attention to the game itself.
"Ko, let's pick out some clothes for you to wear when he sees you." I suggested knowing how much she loved playing dress up.
"Daddy's coming home?!" She shouted with glee and I nodded as a response.
I led her to our room picking out a nice blue dress for her. Many of the clothes were given to us from Orochimaru's followers, mostly the woman and they had good taste. I had just started to do her hair putting it in a ponytail until I felt a sharp pain in my back. My eyes widened as I coughed up blood which landed on Ko's pale cheek.
"Mommy?" Ko questioned with fear in her voice.
I only gave her a small smile before turning around to see Anomie throwing more shuriken so I pulled the kunai from my back deflecting them. This was bad, I'm out of practice and have no chakra. "Why are you attacking me?" I questioned fully facing her getting into a defensive stance.
"You don't deserve Lord Orochimaru. I love him and I should be raising his child!" She responded while creating clones.
"Why on Earth would she love that monster?" I wondered as I readied myself for her attack. "Poor girl, so brainwashed she thinks killing me will win his heart."
Thankfully, it was too small of a space to perform ninjutsu so taijutsu will have to do. I was out of practice, but I managed to keep up with her attacks. I sliced through her clones making them disappear. She hesitated for a moment before lunging towards me. I caught her fist, but she kneed me in the gut kicking me across the room.
"Mommy!" Ko shouted which distracted me causing me to get hit again.
When I looked up, I saw Anomie throwing shuriken towards Ko who looked petrified. My body instinctively moved at the speed of light shielding Ko from the weapons. Right as they hit, I knew I wasn't going to make it. The shuriken were strategically thrown for me hitting all my vitals; she knew I'd protect Ko. I fell to the ground started to lose my vision.
"Ko, my daughter...I'm sorry," I managed to whisper before everything went black.
(Ko's POV)
Her story was shocking, Father put her threw so much and I was the only thing keeping her sane. She died protecting me, she loved me so much that she'd rather die than have me harmed. My head started to hurt as memories flashed through my mind.
Kyoko fell to the ground face down making the shuriken dig even deeper into her skin killing her instantly. I could see my younger self reach for a kunai that fell behind her gripping it tightly. She yelled for her mother turning her over but screamed at the sight.
"Mommy! Wake up! Wake up Mommy!" She pleaded as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Father had just arrived seeing Mother laying in a pool of blood in between younger Ko and Anomie.
"Don't cry Ko, I'll be your new mommy." Anomie cooed kneeling to her level ignoring the corpse two feet from her face. Young Ko looked up at her at first with a smile but when Anomie closed her eyes to returned one, she took the kunai slicing Anomie's neck making her attempt to scream.
She looked at the door seeing Father standing in the doorway. She reached out to him gasping for air but he ignored her and looked at Ko who was stained with blood. She looked up at him with a killing intent making him smirk.
"Yes, you are my child," he chortled menacingly with a matching smile.
Mom lost everything but accepted it, moving on just to care for me. I can't image what she's been through and how difficult it was to stay just for me. I walked towards her embracing her tighter than she had done to me earlier.
"I'm so sorry," I cried.
"It's not your fault dear. I didn't really mind being there, I was treated well and spent every second taking care of my baby. I want to know about you, I've always wondered how you'd grow up. Be cynical like Orochimaru or turn out like me."
"Bit of both," Hikaru interjected only to receive a glare from Mom.
"Link our minds like you did before, show her my memories." I said turning slightly towards him.
"Don't take too long, I don't have a lot of chakra left." He sighed obviously not wanting to do it.
"I won't," I replied as he placed his hand on both Mom and I's heads.
When we reached my subconscious, I started to show her my time at my first home which she wasn't happy about since Father left me alone for weeks. I showed her my time in the Leaf and she scolded me for almost sacrificing myself for Sasuke but was glad I wanted to help a friend. I didn't have the heart to tell her my real intentions for it.
She was disappointed with me during the Chuunin exams when I helped with the invasion and when I left the village but understood that I had no choice. Before Father's death, she was upset with my actions but was glad Hikaru had found me and helped me find my way.
"Wait, you didn't show me how you got that scar," she said just before we were about to leave.
"You don't need to see that Mom, I can barely relive it."
"What happened?"
"Um I uh was assaulted and tortured." I looked away from her uncomfortable talking about it.
"Oh honey, I'm so glad you're okay," She said giving me a hug.
We left my subconscious going back to reality.
"Ko," she started, "honestly, your life turned out better than I thought. I was afraid you'd end up like Orochimaru but I'm glad you found your own path. I'm so proud of you." She said with a smile then embraced me.
Her words echoed through my mind. "I'm proud of you." Hearing that made my heart flutter and brought tears to my eyes. Suddenly, she started to glow making her step back.
"Looks like my time is up." She looked down at her glowing hands then back up at me. "It was so nice to meet you Ko, I hope I won't have to see you again for many years."
"No, you-you can't leave yet." I pleaded but knew it was useless. Somehow someone stopped Kabuto and released the reanimation jutsu.
"Don't worry baby, I'll be with you." She said flashing me a smile then she looked at Hikaru.
"Take care of her," then shifted her gaze to Kitty, "you too." The tone in her voice was stern when talking to Kitty meaning she definitely knew there was something between us.
She gave me one last smile before her soul was released making me feel a bit empty. I've lost her again. She would still be alive if it wasn't for me, everyone would still be alive.