Chapter Text
As the clan head, Uzumaki Ashina had wanted at least one son to take his place in old age. But as luck had it, he quickly came to realize that would not be happening when his second daughter was born.
He was hoping for a son, one he would pass on his teachings to. A son who would be the next clan head.
But the moment the tiny hands held on to his finger, he was willing to give them everything he had. He would teach his daughters all he knew, they wouldn't be looked down on for being a female. He would make sure of that.
The day his second daughter was born was the day he made a silent promise to himself― To never let the smiles on their faces be gone.
The day Uzumaki Kimiko was born, the whole clan was greatly anticipating the newest addition and whom they thought would be the heir. When news of a healthy pregnancy broke out, the whole village celebrated her birth.
Uzumaki Mito ran inside her parent's room wanting to see her brother but was surprised when her father informed her it was a 'she.'
That barely did anything to ruin her energy though, being the the only kid was not that fun for her. Some of her friends had siblings and they would proudly show them off. If she was lucky, she would even get to hold the babies.
But now, she had her own sister to love and take care of.
When she was first told her sister's name would be 'Uzumaki Kimiko', she had excitedly shortened her name to 'Miko'. And ever since, Uzumaki Kimiko had never been called her full name.
The pregnancy had been hard for her mother, Uzumaki Minori. She was warned that this would be the last birth she could healthily give. And Uzumaki Ashina became increasingly worried, seeing how hard the birth of Miko had been for her.
To Uzumaki Minori, Miko was the light her family needed these past few days. With the war going on and how tired and distressed her husband looked, the rare smile on his face at the sight of their baby brought her immense joy and comfort.
From the moment Uzumaki Kimiko could make sense of the world around her, it was red. She recognized three faces as soon as she was born; her mother, her sister and her father.
The first time she had said the word, "Nee-Chan" out loud, the time in the household seemed to have stopped before her elder sister picked her up and spun her around as she hugged her close.
Growing up in a loving family was what everyone dreamt of. And she was grateful for it.. she truly was fortunate.
But that was what made it worse.
If only she didn't have such good memories of her sister, maybe it would hurt less when she ignored her when they met.
Maybe if she wasn't brought up as the daughter of the clan head and hadn't been as social, she wouldn't feel as bad when she had to pretend that it didn't hurt her when she couldn't help them out.
Maybe if she had been given the choice, this would not have happened.
So, whose fault was it anyway?