Disclaimer: I do not Own Naruto. I only Own My OCs.

College graduating semester sucks.

You know when everything seems to go great right before it goes through the gutter. That's how I felt the second my mother informed me a man was visiting us.

"Why?" I asked in an innocent tone as I dropped my string to give her my full attention, but my heart started beating faster instinctually. New people never came over, meeting someone outside occasionally for a minute or two yes but never in the apartment. Plus, the looks men sent us in the street were not usually what one would call friendly or innocent.

She simply pulled me onto her lap, picked up the abandoned string on the ground and started weaving her fingers through it expertly.

"What do you think about ninja?" I contemplated for a second for a response that didn't lean towards 'death sucks'.

"Well, Kiku-Oba is one. Her sneak step is terrifying," my mother hummed, encouraging me to continue, "But she always keeps me safe, and knows alot about everything." Kaa-san completed the first pattern and I pinched the appropriate strings, moving my hands around hers to make the next one.

"Would you like to become one?" She took her hands out, mine slid in, filling the empty space. I had been waiting for a conversation like this, but I didn't expect it so soon. Yet again, things always spring up when you least expect it. I looked up at my mother,

"Would you let me?" her face was grim, she made the next move with caution.

"We'll see how things go tonight." She did the next pattern, removing the string from my hands. Not an answer, but it wasn't a lie either. I didn't press, continuing to play the game with her in silence.

But sure as day, a few hours after nightfall (and my bedtime) Kiku came back and soon after there was a soft knock at the door. I barely heard anything before Kiku let the stranger in, revealing that it was in fact a male.

Unsocialized me immediately hid behind my mother's skirt

'Thereisaguyinherethereisaguyinhere' my brain raced as I hid behind my mother, clinging to her kimono as I peeked at the new and somewhat unwelcome guest. Mom seemed fine with him in here… but considering that I have never seen anyone else come through that door, I'm still concerned. Along with the fact Kiku-oba was scowling only made me more disinclined to like him. I also don't like the fact that I feel as if I've seen him before.

It's not that I don't trust my mother's judgement. I'm uncomfortable with not knowing exactly what is going on especially when it applies to becoming a ninja. Can you blame me, this is Kiri for crying out loud. Every breath feels like it has a lingering hint of death.

"What's the verdict?" Kaa-san asked, standing tall, keeping level eye contact with the man.

"The elder wants her to be tested, if she passes he will accept her. If not, she stays." He replied, sparing a glance at Kiku-oba. I'm guessing he picked up on her negative vibes towards him and- what is this thing about an elder and a test?

"If she fails, how accurate is it that she won't develop… it." Kiku asked defensively, arms crossed and her expressive eyes narrowed in suspicion. The man took the judgment with grace, continuing to answer the question accordingly.

"Very unlikely. The kekkei genkai has to be practiced in order to ensure its development." My mind skid to a halt. 'Did he just say kekkei genkai?' that would imply… oooohhhhh shoot.

I am so cursed.

It took a lot of self-control to not start banging my head against my mother's leg or the nearest solid object. What kind of karma spirit did I anger in my last life to receive this kind of cruel fate?

My chakra must have gone haywire for a hot second because I realized the man and Kiku were looking at me with concern. Heh… Oops, I huddled behind my mother more.

I felt Kaa-san's hand rest on my head.

"Jun-san, this is Yukiko-chan." I think I might have seen Jun's right eye twitch for a split second, rude, "Yukiko-chan, this is Jun-san" I stared at him for a couple seconds, taking note of his appearance.

Despite having a slightly broader frame, a standard shinobi uniform, and his hair in a small ponytail, he was undeniably pretty. With extreme emphasis on pretty. High cheekbones, a slim and fairly defined jawline, dark eyes stuck in serious mode; just give this man pointy ears and a bow and he'd be an elf.

"I don't like him." Kaa-san pinched my shoulder in disapproval, Kiku smirked in what seemed like triumph at my words, until Jun turned around and then it was back to 'I will decapitate you'. He was about to make a comment before Kaa-san gained everyone's attention once more.

"What does this 'test' consist of?" Kaa-san continued, staying professional despite my childish outburst. Jun snapped back to attention.

"All that is needed is a small bowl filled with water." Kiku complied, eyes still filled with distrust as she moved to the kitchen. The tension mounted as she did so, not helping my peace of mind.

Clans in Kiri, Clans in Kiri… If I remember correctly from the tales Kiku-oba had begrudgingly told me. Hogoshi, Yuki, Kaguya, and Hozuki I believe. There's probably a few more, but back to the subject. Hogoshi and Kaguya are out of the question due to physical traits, Yuki and Hozuki on the other hand are possibilities due to needing water. However, from what I know the Hozuki generally have white hair and this man and I have black… Yuki it is, I guess?

Wait, is that why Jun twitched at the sound of my name? Holy shiz Mom, the heck! How did you get away with that? Shouldn't Kiku-Oba be stopping you from recklessness? Naming the Yuki child Yukiko, I'm surprised the clan didn't assassinate us for insulting their clan honor or something.

The short shriek of the faucet being turned off brought me back to the present. Kiku walked over to the prospective Yuki with the filled bowl, offering it to him at an arm's length. With a slight bow of the head he accepted it, then crouched to the ground and placed it a foot or two in front of himself before adjusting himself into a cross legged position.

"The test is quite simple. She simply has to be able to move the water with her chakra," He explained, raising a hand over the bowl. Within a millisecond the water was rising up in a perfect sphere, then morphed into multiple spinning rings on an axis. To say the least, it was impressive. He then flicked his wrist and the water splashed back in the bowl. If it weren't for the fact that being able to do that might get me killed, I'd be stoked.

"That's it?" Kiku said apprehensively, Jun sighed, looking awkwardly towards my aunt.

"Ice construction is more… unpredictable, especially when untrained. This is both the simplest and safest way to test for it." Then reality decided to kick it's way back to the forefront, mental breakdown commence!

Crap, shit- no- shoot, curse the mental barrier preventing me from consciously swearing with ease! Yuki, confirmed, death take me, wait no, don't want to make things easier for him-it. Gah! He looked at me and then up to Kaa-san. I followed suit, swallowing nervously as I did so. With a sigh she knelt down to my level, effectively removing my security cover.

"Go on dear, try it." I looked at the water then back at her, my brain feels like it's melting, hah, melting, ice, am I shaking? "I promise it will be alright." I swallowed again, (yep, slight shaking confirmed) leaving my mother's side and walking cautiously towards the man who might very well hold my fate in his hands. When I was close enough, I peeked into the bowl… just water. Then I hesitantly sat down in the same manner as he did.

"Do you know what chakra is, Yukiko-chan?" he asked, not in a demanding manner but more as in 'I am just wondering'. As the isolated 4 year old child I was, I slowly shook my head no. "To put it simply, chakra is energy stored in your body. The easiest way to feel it is through meditation, do you know what that is?" I nodded this time, (I had had Kiku-oba teach me after all) placing my hands on my knees, closing my eyes, and started to take deep, controlled breaths

"… you got that down. Now focus on your core… well, tummy. " I already had a solid grasp on that, thanks. Not that he knew that, or anyone else. I focused like I had a multitude of times before, feeling my chakra pathways and tracing them to where my chakra pooled up. Could they tell? I guess if they can feel my chakra go haywire they would also be able to tell when I poke around at whichever gate this is.

As if on cue, the second I really focused he noticed.

"Good, now, draw towards your hands." hands, plural, shoot. Until now I had only been focusing on only one hand, not both. Was that important? Carefully I brought the chakra through the correct channels, for the most part. There are so many channels in the body. I don't know how everyone else in this universe could practically do this automatically and have little trouble, but for me to pull at this semi-foreign energy and guide it through these channels took concentration.

I could feel the chakra in my hands, my eyes closed partially to mentally maintain holding it in two places at once. This new exercise was putting a slight strain on my reserves, not much but some.

"Just a little longer," I heard the wooden bowl being pushed in front of me before my hands were gently guided to what I assumed was the bowl, the palms of my hands facing downward as though I was warming them by a fire. I jerked slightly when my skin came into contact with it, I've felt water everyday of my life but this… was an awakening.

I could feel as the water molecules fluidly moved from one bond to another, how it bonded with my chakra that (from what I could feel) was emanating just above my skin.

Feeling the drain on my chakra I was hesitant, "What now?"

"Pull it up, the water is called to chakras like ours, it will heed your command." his tone was completely serious…. If it weren't for the fact I knew this was an anime I would have thought I was a new player in AFK Arena. It was from a tutorial, alright!

Not knowing exactly what to do I softly clucked as I lifted my hands. Once an equestrian, always an equestrian I guess. I cracked open an eye, still feeling somewhat of a connection to my hands. Low and behold, water was floating between my hands in a shaky sphere.

Officially Screwed Award Achieved

My chakra spiked from my sudden uptick in dread, the water splattered everywhere but mainly on me and my internally dead self. Silence ensued, I dropped my head as I clutched at my worn kimono

"I'm sorry, Kaa-san," I mumbled, it felt as though my heart had become a black hole, too big fitting somewhere too small, threatening to swallow me whole. Soft footsteps came up behind me and I was wrapped in a hug, effectively cracking the self control keeping the waterworks at bay.

I was in shock, maybe, probably. I wasn't, couldn't fly into hysterics. Child I may still be in everyone else's eyes, but I refused to tantrum here. Even as I felt the bursting, pounding urge to scream out my agony. I couldn't stop the tears though. Both she and I knew that this wasn't a happy time.

"It'll be okay, dear," her hand smoothed down my hair a few times before picking me up and bringing me into the bedroom. I could hear as Kiku-oba and Jun-san began to whisper as she shut the door. She began rocking me as she sat down, the tears flowed faster. "You remember the question I asked you earlier about being a ninja?"

I nodded, aggressively wiping the tears from my eyes, still burying my head in her chest. I could hear the hitch in her breath, the sound of both our hearts breaking, "Well, that was your test and you passed." a forced cheerful tone, voice cracking with the last word. The statement was a dagger to the heart, both ways.

I clung harder, knowing the answer, "A-am I going away?" Kaa-san clutched me slightly harder.

"Yes." voice now conveying a note of sadness, running her hand over my head rhythmically once more. "But Jun-san will protect you," the action calmed me down enough to swallow the mucus that had developed in my throat

"Why?"

"That's what Tou-sans do, protect their children." The breath in my chest temporarily refused to move.

That guy was my biological father. Him, the apparent pretty boy from hell. A small flame of resentment sprung up. Screw him, testing and taking me overnight. Does he realize how traumatic it is for a child to go through losing everything they've ever known within 15 minutes! Not even an acclimation process, just diagnose and go.

I know its because of the freakin' way Kiri is built but I can't-won't process this, not now.

"Will I get to see you again?" she froze. I squeezed my eyes shut despite the tears and hugged her even harder, it felt like forever before I spoke again, "I'll never forget you or Kiku-Oba, I promise." It was a small comfort, but it was the best I could give. She hugged back harder, both of us hiccuping quietly as we stayed there for what seemed like eternity.

Only if it could be.

Coming back out the floor was completely dry (one guess who cleaned that up) and the bowl nowhere in sight.

Kiku-Oba knelt down to my level, placing a hand on my shoulder and brushing my hair away from my eyes. Eyes met, hazel to black. Her expression was composed, but we both knew she didn't want this outcome any more than Kaa-san did.

She tapped a finger to my forehead and tried for a smile, only to look heartbroken, "Don't ever dull that brilliant little brain of yours, got it?"

"Yes, Kiku-Oba-san." I nodded, then rushed her with a hug. This is possibly… no, this is the last time I'll ever see them, touch them, smell them ever again. Even if I did see Kiku-oba, she wouldn't be my aunt. Not anymore.

Kiku-Oba tensed up for a split second but hugged back tighter than her glomping attacks. I welcomed it for the last time, my heart having jumped into my throat.

The quiet stretched once more until sir pretty boy broke the silence.

"I need to move her as soon as possible to ensure the child's anonymity upon appearing as a member…" Anyone could see that he was out of his element, standing awkwardly a distance from us looking uncomfortable. Kiku-Oba sent him a look of disgust but let go with a huff. I was too busy keeping my sanity together to express my anger with him.

With that she lifted me off the ground and Jun-san turned around revealing a backpack I swear wasn't there before. This just made the entire situation so much more sketchy.

After Dark, Check. Man I don't trust, Check. Transportation in an inconspicuous bag, Check. Product of transportation is a small child, Check. I wonder how much self control it took Kiku-Oba not to stab him in the back.

I half wished Kiku-Oba would stab him in the back right there.

Kiku-Oba lowered me into the bag, upon reaching the bottom she let me go and I made myself comfortable, settling into the fetal position leaning against his back. It felt as if there was a thin layer of padding on the back section designed for this type of situation. Comforting. I looked towards the opening.

"Stay quiet and don't move, got it?" Kiku said, I nodded, resuming my position. The bag was fastened shut, cutting off the only light source and my old life. Jun did a slight bow before starting to move, I heard the door softly shut but he didn't even hesitate. In fact he kept on walking like nothing happened.

I could tell when he got outside when I started bumping softly against his back from what I guess was gliding from roof to roof.

Bump, gliiiiide, bump, gliiiiiiide, … sleepy… zzzzz

I thought I could hear singing…

~on my own~

I turned around, much faster than I usually did. Looking at my hands I recognized them as… my own, from before.

A dream?

More singing came from the void, I scanned my surroundings once more. Light! I ran towards it, getting closer and closer with each step until I could see a figure at the center and I could distinguish the words.

~made of silver~

'Hey!' I shouted, my voice sounding like a long lost echo to my ears, still running towards the silhouette. It wasn't far off but now my progress towards it was slowing.

No!

~the streets are filled with strangers~

The singing stopped and the figure turned towards me, long, curly brown hair framing even darker brown eyes and thick lashes. Pale face tilted in confusion, a feminine figure cloaked, wearing familiar skirts that jangled with each motion .

That's- Who was- Reaching towards her with one last leap I felt a ping on the back of my neck that swiftly pulled me away as if I entered hyperspace.

I woke, shaken up with a half forgotten song echoing in my ears. This further turned into disorientation due to the unfamiliar environment. Not to mention the complete stranger in the room who was staring at me for lord knows how long.

"Pervert." I mumbled, looking him dead in the eye. The new man just deadpanned, unimpressed with the statement. Who the heck is.. Wait, right I'm a Yuki. Shoot, I probably insulted a superior. He certainly looked like a Yuki… I think. Gulp.

"That's rude." he stated in a teacher 'matter of fact' manner, making no move towards me in any way. He looked nearly identical to sir pretty boy besides having a long braid and slightly larger build. I guess I know the clan profile now.

"So is staring at unsuspecting, defenseless children," groggy or not, I couldn't back down now. I crossed my arms while already sitting cross legged on the mat. Still no reaction and now we seemed to be at a stalemate in a staring contest.

'Go ahead, make my day.'

A head tilt, a quirk of the lips, seems like this one's got a sense of humor. "Fine, I might've deserved that one." he quickly killed the smile and went serious, "But you can't talk like that around here."

"Why not?" I asked, not really thinking about it. The new guy sent me a stern look.

"Because your elders will be displeased." Oh, right. Not an American brat anymore, just some kid stuck at the bottom of this new food chain called a clan. I had… forgotten. My stomach swooped in fear.

"Do I get to know why I'm here now?" The man lifted a single eyebrow at the question, like I was joking, somehow making the action seem noble. "I realize that I am part of a clan now, but how come I wasn't moved here when I was born or something like that?" There he nodded in understanding.

"Apparently your father decided not to file for guardianship when you were born. The elders didn't even know of your existence until two days ago." … What?

"But why now?"

The new guy simply continued, "I guess they didn't tell you about the enlistment program."

My heart sank as I weakly echoed him, "Enlist-ment?" I swear I sounded like a mouse about to be swallowed whole by a predator, or crushed, or ripped apart, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

"It means that at a certain age children are put into the shinobi program to be conditioned before going to the academy. If you do not meet the requirements, then you are given back to your guardians or let out on the streets if you are homeless." I blinked, they seriously kidnapped children off the streets for their army? That makes this place so much more messed up… but sadly unsurprising. This was a dictatorship after all.

"What's the enlistment age?" I get the feeling I'm not gonna like the answer.

"Four and a half." Woah, Kaa-san had been cutting it close. I was wondering why it felt so early for me to start training to be a ninja.

"Why was it implemented?"

"Lower attendance of children in the school and the bloody exams. Not many genin are produced from there anymore." I pondered that for a second.

Makes sense, If you have 20-40 students in a class and only 5-10 survive per exam…. That's a frankly terrible survival rate. It would cut down the amount of reserves available considerably over time. If I remember correctly, Konoha and some Rock village managed to stay on top of the other villages militarily because of the sheer amount of shinobi they popped out of their programs. They may not have always been as skilled or as vicious as Kumo or Kiri nin but the more people each shinobi had to cut down tired them out faster.

Granted Kirigakure is across the freakin ocean and are water specialists on top of that, so we aren't targeted as much, probably why the rest of the villages stepped back when the nation went dark.

"That last part went over my head, but I got the jist of it."

He stared at me with a rather odd look on his face, "You know what the bloody exams are?"

"It's in the name and I did ask about that at some point in time, can't tell you when." He gave me a skeptical look but decided not to press on the issue.

"Anyway, you need to have… a makeover of sorts." I tilted my head, "In order to protect the identity of your mother, you need to give you a different name and alter your appearance."

I'm kinda surprised that they would go so far, however since I showed up in good health, very little socialization, and other appealing factors I guess they want to protect a possible contributor of the clan? I'm not sure.

"So a whole new identity." The man nodded… I guess I should find out what his name is shouldn't I? "What's your name?"

"Takuma, but you'll be calling me Takuma-sensei. I will be in charge of your training from now along with the rest of the clan children." Oh, joy. Hazing here I come.

I groaned with every ounce of dramaticism in my teeny body, "Let me guess, they're all going to hate me."

He smirked, jerk, "Probably." Down to earth, honest, sense of humor, this is going to be interesting. I could do worse for a first sensei.

"Thank you for your honesty. Let the makeover begin."

Turns out, Takuma-sensei is really good at trimming hair with a kunai. I was given a set of what I am guessing is standard clan attire, both formal and a training clothes (about 3 sets for the later). Then, after he left the room to allow me to change into the formal kimono, he basically gave me a short mannerisms course for what to do in the presence of elders and the appropriate responses.

There were a lot.

The first thing he covered was proper respects. Which was basically a fancy way to say manners, bowing, honorifics, that sort of thing. I had to bow to each and most every member of the family as they passed, the only ones I didn't would be kids of similar rank. All bows had to be at a 45, if not 90 degree angle, depending on the individual in question. If seated in the presence of an elder, legs needed to be folded under my body and gaze averted downwards or closed. Direct eye contact is apparently rude, and is considered a challenge.

Greeting an elder was always a must and a formal goodbye as well.

Formal clothes are to be worn at all times outside of training and the academy.

"You will be seeing the elder today to receive your new name." I flinched at that, he noticed.

"I'm sorry, it's still a lot to take in…" I ran my fingers through my shorter hair, this feels weird, "First the.. my father from last night, the test, the farewell, waking up here…" the newly dubbed Takuma-sensei nodded.

I picked at the edges of my new kimono, looked nice but was the scratchiest thing I had ever worn. "I won't be able to talk to them ever again will I?" Takuma shook his head. I wilted at that, those emotions from the previous night bubbling up again.

I've been stripped from the only haven I have known in this world, then essentially thrust unprepared into a wilderness that might be out to kill me. Again. I guess this is better than the possible alternative of being killed.

That didn't stop the traitorous tears from welling up, or the empty hollowness from yawning in my stomach. Takuma, in a moment of kindness or coldness, didn't mention it. (I didn't want to be alone again.) I rubbed my eyes, shook my head, took a deep breath and regained my composure. I wasn't about to completely lose control in front of this stranger.

"When will that take place," my hands were now neatly folded on my lap as I sat on my legs, head tilted downward, complying with the demands of my reality.

"At noon, after that you will have your first training session with the other clan children. Right now you get a tour of the house." And I did, and it was definitely bigger than the apartment. It actually has its own living room, not one that was mixed with the dining area, the bathroom had a functional shower, and I had my own room that I was in before.

"I feel like I'm in a castle." I stated as I was looking into the living space from the kitchen. Takuma was taking something out of the fridge.

"I guess this is bigger than what you are used to."

"True, but this place is in pristine condition and doesn't have the faint odor of the docks." I turned my attention to the table "Plus, there aren't any unexplained diamond shaped indents in the table." Seriously, there were some sketchy scratches on that table other than the kunai and shuriken marks. He paused for a moment, holding a takeout container… wait, those actually exist here? Wouldn't they get moldy with the humid environment?

"Another rule, weapons are either holstered or in your weapons closet," he closed the fridge, set the container on the counter, and started rummaging through the cabinets. Aaaaand another feature I had not anticipated but at this point I really shouldn't be surprised, yet here I am.

"How much longer until the meeting?" I mumbled, letting my head drop onto the table as my brain scrambled to keep itself together. I'm having an information overload here.

"Half hour, but right now you need to eat." One cue my stomach grumbled and the takeout was set right in front of my head.

"Well, here we go." I muttered as I picked up the container and proceeded to eat. It wasn't bad, better than I expected, but it didn't beat Kaa-san's cooking. I don't think anything ever will.

My mind began to wander to my most recent visit to dreamland as I ate. The woman's face was right at the edges of my memories from before and the song was familiar. It was infuriating that I couldn't piece together who she was even though I knew her personally. Was she a friend, foe, sibling, parent,... Spiritual guide?

Okay, that last one is most likely a reach but I'm not taking it off since this life just blows my mind and shouldn't be possible in any way shape or form scientifically even though it abides by certain principles of … life. I don't even know the right word to describe it!

But it terrified me, even as I wanted to return to the dream. I had put aside all 'non essential' information that I assumed wouldn't assist in my survival early on. Sure some references came up every once in a while but now those are starting to fade as well. For good reason too.

After eating the questionable takeout, Takuma left me to my own devices to start doing maintenance on his kunai in the living room. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I decided to try organizing my jumbled thoughts upon the futon I'd awakened on. Using meditation. Meditation was a state that came as easy as breathing. But for what I needed to do, I would have to sink down deeper.

To understand, I need you to realize one thing. Reincarnation was torture, scratch that, it was actual hell.

Being ripped away from everyone I ever loved? It had felt like my insides were made of jagged glass, tearing and grinding into what was left of my heart each day. My mother had told me that I squalled and screamed with tears as a baby. She didn't realize half of it. I had been drowning in grief when I decided to try and forget it all.

Call me weak, I don't care. I know I loved my family and life from before. It broke me to lose it all. To be shoved with this new person, a new life, I had lost everything, everyone. Maybe it wouldn't apply to others (if there are others) but I did what I needed to stay sane.

It was probably my first use of chakra, more specifically, yin chakra.

I don't remember much. I had retreated into my head. Willing to do anything to get rid of the hurt, to be able to go a day without shattering.

(Kiku-oba said I had scared them. I didn't eat, cry, they had to force my semi-conscious infant body to stay alive. I had been like that for months.)

I had tucked away every fond memory, every unwanted association. Built up my mind to house it all. The result?

I made a mindscape, with my mental energy woven into every grain and fiber. It was a lone island, probably based off of some game I played. But it wasn't normal. Each golden grain of sand was etched with a memory, a billion tiny moments that I clung to of the here and now. Once tiny, the island grew with each day I lived. Plants flourishing with every new experience.

But this wasn't some picturesque vacation destination. For the ocean surrounding my island held its own purpose. Imagine dumping a galaxy into a container, shake rapidly then add fog. That is what the ocean looked like. The waters thick and clouded, they were made of tears and heartbreak so strong that a mere touch would leave my soul crying out in agony. It was a failsafe to restrict access to a specific location. From anyone.

For somewhere out under the briney waves, there's a sunken ship in the depths. In which there lies a chest that I swore never to open again, containing everything from my previous… my personal life.

And that was why I was standing here.

I wanted to know exactly who that entity was, but once I opened that chest there was no way of turning back. I didn't design it to filter the information back to me in small, manageable bursts, that would have made opening it up more tempting. Not something I had wanted at the time. With the chest everything had to be expelled at once, basically making it a memory dump bomb.

I would likely be in a coma for weeks, if not months, trying to piece my brain back together. Not to mention when I woke up I probably would have to have crash courses in everything to basically rewire my brain. I wouldn't be safe for the amount of time needed to complete the process. Nor would I be able to defend myself.

With a sigh of resignation, I collapsed into a cross legged position on the beach, grabbing a handful of memory sand with my dominant hand.

I brought it up to my forehead, "Save memory." Summoning chakra, I began squeezing until I felt the sand smooth itself out. Bringing my hand down, my fist opened to reveal a glassy orb about the size of a strawberry. With a final push of focus, glowing wisps of light started rotating around it and the memory started to play.

On my own~ ~made of silver~

Staring down at the newly recorded dream, I resisted the urge to crush it back into sand. It had some connection to those memories. I could feel it. But those were locked up tight. As sucky as recent events had been, they would not have even come close to making cracks in my defenses.

With another sigh I flopped down on the beach, looking up at the sunset sky. "Dear whatever supernatural force controlling the universe, please refrain from destroying my mental state further. There is only so much an unhealthy mind can take." A breeze floated by, complete silence continued. Fudging deities.

"No? Cool, I'll just continue with what has apparently already been planned for me by pureblood perverts. What else could possibly go wrong with that?"

With a shove, I reluctantly began getting up. I still had to check in on the rest of this world of mine. Moving from the sandy beach side unto the thriving plant life with dragging feet.

My destination? The piecé de resistance and spiritual center of the island. The cornerstone of my mental manifestation. Right in the middle of all this was a full grown sakaki tree surrounded by a meadow of white chrysanthemums. The first was representative of my mother, the later of Kiku-Oba.

As I stared out at my inner world, I could see the changes that have been wrought in the last 24 hours. Overnight the Sakaki tree and the chrysanthemums had started to petrify. On top of that an ice dome had started to form around the glade, starting right around the edges and creeping upwards at an alarming rate.

I wanted to break the abomination down the second I saw it, but that is now a necessary evil that I have to live with. With the status being enforced on me now, I had to protect my center, even if it's with the ice my parental donor had given me. I despise him with a passion, but there isn't anything I can do about it. Not now, probably not ever.

I trailed my chubby child fingers against the shell whilst plotting my next move. Spotting one of the many whale-sized rocks jutting out from the shore, an idea popped into my head. Leaving the dome behind me I made my way over, placing my hand on the underside and focused.

Now, manipulating things here took both a mental toll and a chunk out of my reserves. So I had to be careful. I couldn't go too crazy right now, but I needed to store the new memory marble.

The rock shuttered, the ground shook, I mentally situated the new layout for the best structural soundness for the island since some parts of this space did abide by the laws of physics. Underneath my fingers the rock warped to form a small doorway. The stone adjacent began to crack and jut out on either side, hiding the entrance from plain view.

I stepped over the threshold, the trip down twisting and turning until the path finally evened out. Reaching the end, the hall yawned into an underground cave roughly the size of my old room, if not bigger.

The slowly petrifying roots of the Sakaki tree reached down from the ceiling, spreading out to the edges of the room before snaking down. A shallow (non-emotion provoking) pool of water took up about half of the chamber floor. And in the center of the grotto there lay a circular stone platform lined with an ascending order of obelisks on the far end forming a perfect semi-circle. Each obelisk had a series of perfectly square holes running down the sides, one on top of the other from top to bottom.

It was essentially a very fancy cubby system for a vertically impared child like me. I'll change this later when my motor skills improved, but for now it did its job. As a sort of organization to help store any memories for future reference.

The kiddie pool came up to my knees as I waded across. Clambering up the steps onto the platform to the center obelisk, I placed the memory near the obelisk's top at eye level.

"See you later, hopefully." With that I took one last deep breath, released, and I was back in my room on the futon.

Now I get to be thrown to the wolves, fantastic.

To clarify, Yukiko remembers she had a family composed of parents and siblings but she doesn't know them. They are essentially a bunch of stick figures without faces. Some hold certain information such as stories and the anime knowledge mentioned in the past chapter, but there is nothing about the personality/individuality of the person themselves. All of that information has been essentially sealed away.

With this being said she does miss them, just with that information gone she doesn't need to mourn them.