YUKIKO NAKAMURA - reference sheet : Childhood (2024)
「 NARUTO | YUKIKO NAKAMURA 」
Yukiko grew up in the countryside of the Land of Iron, away from the Nakamura clan. She was cared for by her wet nurse Luludja, who had a son: Tiago. The two kids were raised as twins even if they weren’t related. Yukiko’s mother Saina had no part in her education, consumed by depression following the death of Yukiko’s father, her exile, and her inability to love her daughter, who felt like a stranger to her. Luludja had the burden to take care of these three, and to protect Yukiko from knowing what kind of sickness her mother was suffering from. For little Yukiko, if her mother was always staying apart in her room it was because she was tired (partly true). The little girl would make presents for Luludja to pass on to her mom. The nurse made sure to limit contact between Yukiko and her mother, so she would not feel Saina’s lack of love and recognition. The nurse kept the children busy working in the house and stables. The two had a complicated relationship. Tiago was the leader of the two, loud and stubborn. And Yukiko was following, always trying to please her « brother ». Tiago often feared Yukiko was stealing his mother and felt the need to compete with her constantly. Knowing she was from noble blood, he felt diminished, even if Luludja tried to raise them equally.
Yukiko had a vague idea that one day when she’ll be « grown-up », the Nakamura Lord would come and pick her up to become his Lady because she had « responsibilities toward her clan ». She didn’t know what it implied nor when that day would come. It was a distressing thing to think about so she avoided it. But she had no other choice than to accept it. The adults told her it was so. In her little head questions were rushing: Why was her mother so silent, did she not love her? Who was this « lord » she had to marry? What are « responsibilities », and what should she care about a clan? Who are they, the Nakamura clan? Why did Tiago say she was one of them? Was she going to lose her family when that day came when they came to claim her?
