Sister?

The statement hung on the air, smothering it with a silence that left no room for arguing.

"M-my sister? That can't be," Yuki whispered, her eyes squinting with suspicion.

"Do I seem the person to joke around?"

Yuki searched the jade green eyes for some sign of uncertainty. Instead she was rewarded with a pair of eyes which shifted to her left. Yuki's training in interrogation had drilled into her a strong ability to read lies and she now called upon those skills to seek the conviction which was in her eyes. Yuki stared into two eyes which stared back with such faith, that Yuki felt almost convinced.

I want to believe she is telling the truth…But how much of it is fact?

"I don't want to….I can't-"

The woman simply nodded, acknowledging her fears.

"I see. I can understand why you might not remember…you were only two years old, when I was sent away. Yuki. I know how this might seem, but please give me a chance to explain. I was born six years before you on August 29th. Mother's full name was Nagisa Hazukashii and our father was Yasuo Ita.

I lived a very sheltered life, due to our parents who did the best to keep the truth of the war away from me. I was young, and they knew that I shouldn't have to learn about it. Father was strict, and trained me non stop to become stronger. His beatings were harsh, but he taught me to seek power, at the cost of who I was."

Like…me…

"Mother was quite the opposite. She tried to remind me that my emotions and compassion were what made me stronger. That even our Father, who was cold hearted, was human. He loved us very much, and did everything he could to protect us. Then came the day when I found out mother was having another child. Father broke the news with a wicked smile. I've only seen that look in his eyes only three times that I remember. Fast forward to your birth…I was six years old, and Mom's screams from the other room frightened me. The pitch of her screams lowered as her strength faded as she pushed you out. That night, Father came to me, and kissed my forehead. I never saw him express emotion as much as he did in the single moment that he explained to me, that our Mother had passed away. She had died giving birth to you, and had named you with the final breath in her body. It changed how I looked at things, for I could see that the world was unfair. Soon afterwards, he couldn't hide the atrocities of war from me. I watched them first hand, as he strived to raise me, and you protecting us. Once I reached eight, he hid me in our hidden temple, commanding me to stay. His final words to me: 'Survive, trusting no one. No one! Kill your emotions, and remember that I love you are old enough, find and protect Yuki. Promise me this!' I did, and he hugged me once more before fading into the shadows. I lasted six years alone, before a string of deaths in Kirigakure led the Fourth Mizukage to me. I immediately, sensing the danger, attempted to defend myself. I fought and attempted to kill this invader not realizing that this was not some simple shinobi. She was much stronger than I which eventually brought me to my knees. I was no match for her. My use of the clan's technique revealed my identity to this stranger, whose eyes turned cold. The Anbu who surrounded me, stated that I should be executed as the rest had. Young, but not naïve to the circumstances, I begged her to spare my life. That I would do anything. A single water blade pressed against the soft flesh on my neck, and I feared for the worst. Instead…"

Yuki watched her pull the neck of her dress away, revealing an intricate marking which tattooed the flesh from her neck to her shoulder.

"She sealed my Kekki Genkai. I became one of her two pupils. She trained me in Water Release Techniques and became a secret confidant. Even though she helpd me, I kept Father's two commands to me. I hid all emotion and attempted to find you. Survival was never an issue for me…even Dad knew that. As I was grew up, I learned of the fate of father. Our father became involved in Orochimaru's dark experiments, in an attempt to protect you. Orochimaru was curious about our kekki genkai, and knew that you would make an excellent test subject. Like the man himself, our father was privy to information concerning many things. Our father fought, losing the battle. In a final attempt to change his mind, he pleaded with the Sannin to spare your life, and take his. The man was more than glad to oblige, which is helped lead me to finding you. Since that day, I have kept a very close watch on you. Every night, I would sit down and listen to my friends reports on you."

Yuki exhaled, and placed her head in her hands. It was so much to take in. She had never expected that the truth would squeeze the life out of her. It was too much to just accept without question.

"You think that I can just take your word for this? That I can listen to this story, and just take it for face value? Where's the proof?" Yuki demanded, glaring at the woman.

"There is only one way to accredit what I've said."

Yuki watched as the woman slowly slid a sleeve of her shirt up, and bit deeply into her left thumb, drawing blood out from the wound.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu!)" she shouted, placing her thumb against her hand. In a dramatic sweep, she slammed the hand onto the ground between her feet. A cloud of smoke filled the air, and Yuki waited for the mask to fade away completely. As the creature was revealed, Yuki's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.

"I'm sorry, my friend. It's been great, but now I'm finally home! How have you been Kay-sama?"

The casual speaking of the creature only caused Yuki's confusion to peak.

"N-nao?"

The cat/fox stared at her, and she felt so many questions surge up in a rush, but she withheld the less pertinent ones for the more obvious ones.

"Why, Nao? You could have told me I was not the last of my clan! You could have helped me cope with the situation I was thrust into! WHY?"

"I was entrusted with a single mission. Protect not reveal my true intentions. Keep an eye on you, and save you should things become too desperate in combat. During the Tobi battle, I wanted to step in. Yet I feared more for your life than anything, so I concentrated more on keeping your soul from leaving your body then actually fighting in the battle with you. I know that this is not the most effective way of telling the truth, but Kay limited my speech. Told me that there would come a time when I would confess who and why I am. I have not changed from the demon you know today. All that changes is the dynamics of our relationship. I reported to Kay-sama. She is my true summoner and owner. That is all…I'm sorry."

Yuki's hands clenched the sheets in frustration. It all made sense though. There were times where he would disappear, and she would wonder where he had gone. She often dismissed it as heat, and so had never truly questioned him. So it had all been a ruse to keep eyes on her.

"I wanted to keep my promise to Dad. That is why I did what I must. If you can't forgive me I understand, but what I speak is the utter truth. Nothing more or less."

Yuki gritted her teeth, further, and shook her head, feeling her body tremble as the harsh coldness of reality turned her world upside down.

"I-I see," she managed to say.

I have a sister. One who loves me. I don't know what to do…I've always wanted a family member. And now that I do, I don't know where to go. How am I supposed to feel?

"Well-I guess we are sisters," Yuki stated, relaxing her tensed muscles. Being angry with the woman would not help them grow closer. She'd have to forgive the slight, in order to make progress.

Nao vanished, as Kazuyo released the jutsu, and stood up, walking towards her bedside. As soon as she was right beside her, Yuki stared up into a face that was staring down in confusion.

"What's w-wrong?"

"This is much harder than I thought it would ever be. I told myself it would be a simple task, just like a mission. But I've come to realize that you are related to me, and I find myself longing to tell you all the things I've kept bottled up in me. I am growing more attached to you with each passing moment. Nobody ever trained me in what to say. Damnit all. I-."

Yuki waited patiently, putting a hand on the older womans gently.

"It's okay," she said smiling up. '

"One step at a time. For now, just sit next to me. I want to learn more about you. Is that okay with you?"

The woman nodded, and Yuki sighed heavily. She had come to Kirigakure for some answers, but instead had been given another puzzle to figure out.

THERE YOU HAVE IT! PLEASE REVIEW! I am curious to know how I am doing! I can't wait to start adding the rest of my story.

Sincerely

Yudashi