Yukito Kikuchi

Yukito was born to Akihiro and Tomiko Kikuchi in Iwagakure. His parents were high profile ninja, often aiding the Tsuchikage or handling bigger tasks around the village. They weren’t necessarily absent from Yukito’s life, but they were consistently busy with their duties. They also weren’t necessarily the nicest people; unfortunately, that is typical of Iwagakure citizens. From a young age, Yukito was expected to do great things; so, he set his sights on becoming a medical-nin and started training for it when he was four years old. He kept to himself while attending the academy and wasn’t too sociable, even as he was placed on a genin team with the Tsuchikage’s granddaughter, Kurotsuchi, and the firecracker of the class, Deidara. More often than not, he would have to patch up his teammates after the smallest of missions due to their…outlandish natures. The two were able to get him out of his shell after some time and would even rope him into their shenanigans, although Yukito was hardly blamed for them since him being directly involved “didn’t seem likely.”

At some point or another, Yukito and Deidara began to butt heads almost every time they met or were sent on a mission, ultimately throwing off the dynamic of their three man squad from time to time. Unfortunately, at least on Yukito’s side, this “butting heads” attitude quickly developed into somewhat of a crush…and he knew he was screwed. He found himself avoiding his teammates outside of missions due to this; however, he eventually started finding little clay creatures on his windowsill in the mornings or when he got home from missions…and he knew he was even further screwed. It seemed like they danced around their feelings for what felt like forever, but they both knew how and what they felt.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last. Not long after the team became Chunin, Deidara defected from Iwagakure. Yukito knows little of the details, but he knows there was some sort of growing conflict between the teen and the Tsuchikage. The defection left him heartbroken and, ultimately, betrayed. He outright refused to go on missions for a while afterwards, deciding to busy himself around the village in an attempt to ignore and forget what happened. He wasn’t successful. The feelings continued to linger no matter how many dogs he walked or how much garbage he took out for elderly civilians; he was bitter, but he was hurting. His parents weren’t content with him stopping his studies and missions in favor of “moping around the village doing nothing.” They would argue nearly every evening if Yukito wasn’t able to get to his room fast enough.
Yukito demanded to have his training focus switched in order to hone his own explosion release rather than continue to be a healer. His demands were met (not before argument after argument with his parents) and he was quickly integrated into the Explosion Corps. for training. He continued to train with Kurotsuchi outside of his own personal training and the two quickly became close. As a result, Yukito found himself being sent on missions with Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi more often than he had been.

Yukito, alongside Kurotsuchi, reached Jonin in no time. The two of them celebrated despite the struggles they shared along the way, and were sent off on more official business. Unfortunately, again, his accomplishments were short lived as the Akatsuki made their moves and began targeting each village’s jinchuriki. It was through these attacks that Yukito learned where Deidara had run off to, and his bitterness and rage was reignited. At the same time, it felt as though an old wound had been reopened, and his bitterness was only to mask his heartache. He didn’t grieve the way he thought he would upon hearing about his death, feeling as if he had grieved enough already. Before he could process it, Yukito was thrust into the war and placed in a small battalion, led by Sunagakure’s Kankuro. It was in this group that he came face to face with Deidara for the first time since they were children; he was just as insufferable as he remembered him to be. The two talked while Deidara was…incapacitated, although it was more debate than casual conversation. Regardless, something in Yukito..healed, almost. Seeing his old friend’s spirit leave seemed to cause an internal shift, and he felt a sense of closure, to a degree. Unfortunately, Yukito didn’t come out of the war unscathed, as much as he’d boast that he did. He returned home with Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi, only having been slightly calmed by the war (/j).
In the era of peace, Yukito remains in the Explosion Corps. but now holds the captain position. He’s also one of Kurotsuchi’s closest advisors and often accompanies her on travels to other villages, discussions, or just random visits to places for fun. Due to the nature of Iwagakure ninja, he's not entirely fond of the idea of peace but doesn't feel causing problems is necessary since...well...it's peaceful.