Kiyoko was born in Kumogakure to two ninja, an ANBU member and a Chūnin kunoichi. She hadn't grown up in the stereotypical happy home like the kids she saw around her. The strain of money had begun to affect her parents emotionally and psychologically. In school, she had only showed skill in Medical Ninjutsu, a field which was not in high demand at the time. This disheartened her parents even more, realizing that being a Medic would mean low pay. Following her promotion to Chūnin, Kiyoko began to work hard in her field of expertise despite the low wages. Her father was nearly always on a mission, hardly ever having time to spend with his wife and daughter. This had begun to affect her mother as well, as she had fallen mentally ill and began to think that it was Kiyoko's own fault that they