The Queen of Masks [Sakura Haruno Story]

66 (The Queen's Backstory!)

"Hello and welcome to the Cloud Side Inn. How may I help you?" Kisaki's father, Kazuto, smiled his well practised smile at the old man standing on the other side of the counter. White hairs were starting to make an appearance her father's blue hair but he still looked every bit as handsome as he did in his wedding pictures.

Kisaki watched the exchange through unusually intelligent eyes before going back to reading about the history of ninja.

It had been years since Kisaki's mother died, and she was no longer a two year old and now ten. Aiko, already looking like a splitting image of their father, was eight, with a bright smile, blue eyes, and curly blue hair that piled up messily atop his head.

The twins, Evelyn and Evret were now fifteen and also looked like father, with bright smiles, black holes for dimples, blue eyes, and curly hair.

"Evret! Help this man with his bags, will you? Room 31." Kisaki watched as her older brother scurried in, brushing his light blue hair out of his eyes and picking up the bags before leading their customer up the stairs and to his room.

Kisaki was the only one who looked like their mother, and startlingly so. She still had blue hair, but a darker shade of it than the rest of her family, a little bit on the grey side too, and instead of it falling down her shoulders in pretty curls like it did for her sister, Kisaki's hair fell limply, as straight as hair could possibly be. And while her family's eyes were all a florescent blue, something they were famous for, Kisaki's eyes were more of a stormy grey than they were blue.

Nobody wanted to admit it, not even the maids, but with the sad smiles that followed her down the halls and the clouded look in her father's eyes whenever he looked at her told Kisaki that these similarities were more than just noticeable. And they were becoming more apparent with each passing day.

The difference from her siblings and father didn't end there. While her family enjoyed spending time with each other, Kisaki mainly kept to herself. Her family was loud, Kisaki was more soft spoken.

Her family was like a loyal pack, and Kisaki was the lone wolf.

A sudden gust of wind blew into the inn, blowing the pages of Kisaki's book and making her lose her spot.

A woman with a green and purple mask glided into the inn with more grace than anyone should have been allowed to posses, her light green hair cut shortly, only falling to just past her ears. A chorus of gasps resounded among the guests and customers in the lobby.

Her father's smile suddenly fell from his face and he paled considerably. He whispered something under his breath. "The Mask of the Forest."

The woman, The Mask of the Forest, stepped up to the counter. Nobody moved, as if they were frozen in place. And by the looks on their faces, Kisaki guessed that they were frozen in fear.

"C-can I help you?" The father visibly gulped. The woman didn't answer, simply eyeing Kisaki's father.

Having enough, Kisaki snapped her book shut, loudly enough to catch the attention of everyone in the room. She didn't know why everyone was so scared, but she sure wasn't.

She padded up the the strange woman, her footsteps the only sound that could be heard. Kisaki's face was devoid of any emotion as she stared up at the woman with blank eyes. The woman stared back with startling purple eyes that clashed with her mint green hair. She could feel her father's frightened gaze on her back.

"Welcome to the Cloud Side Inn. I ask you to reframe from scaring the other guests in such a manner." Kisaki tilted her head to the side slightly, holding the woman's ferocious gaze without trouble.

As if it was never been there in the first place, the fire behind the woman's eyes disappeared and they softened. In one swift motion, the woman closed the distance and crouched down, her eyes level with Kisaki's. "You..." Her voice was as soft as silk. "What is your name, child?"

Kisaki answered without hesitation, her voice strong and unwavering. "Kisaki Chmury."

"Kisaki Chmury." The woman repeated slowly. She stood up and walked a full circle around Kisaki, before coming back to her original position and crouching before Kisaki. "Give me your hands, child."

Kisaki lifted her chin and placed her hands in the woman's waiting palms. Slender fingers wrapped around Kisaki's hands. The woman's fingers were cold, but it was a strangely nice feeling.

"Yes. You are the one. Great potential." The woman mumbled mostly to herself, but fell silent once again, fingers tightening around Kisaki's hands in a firm but gentle way.

"Get away from Kisaki!" Evret roared, Evelyn peaking at them from behind his shoulder. Kisaki hadn't even noticed her two older siblings in the doorway.

"I will be back, my student." The woman whispered to Kisaki before disappearing in a gust of wind.