A Mile In Her Shoes - Inside the mind of Raiken Akemi

[Sakuran H]

Hidden away in a trunk full of random things, lies a simple black book. It's a simple book, with a red tie to keep it closed. Within the pages of this journal are the memories that have been drilled into young Akemi's mind. Some of them are pleasant, some of them are more then unpleasant. This young Raiken doesn't speak of her feelings to others, unless she has the utmost respect for them, so in order to keep her from going insane, she keeps this journal, spilling her deepest thoughts and feelings onto the clean pages. When she gets the time to herself, she will dig out this journal and start to write on either what is currently on her mind, the events of the day, or she will dig into her memory and pull out some of the more not so pleasant things from her past. When she doesn't have the time, she will scribble down her thoughts or feelings onto a scrap of paper and just stick it into this journal. It's the only place she feels that she can speak freely, and it will always remain a secret.

Journal of this Shinobi

Theme Song: So Cold by Breaking Benjamin

Table Of Contents
Leaving "Home"
People
Places
Entry 1: Spring 1, Year 105
Story Yet to be named
Entry 2: Spring 2, Year 105

 

[Sakuran H]

Leaving Home

Akemi had been in the house for only a few moments when she noticed how stiff the air was in the little home she shared with her two older Raiken guardians. The woman was busying herself in her housework, and her tall husband had been sitting in his chair when Akemi had walked in from one of her late night walks. One look at the man’s face told the young Raiken girl that something was up, and she really didn’t want to know, so she just kept walking towards her room, pretending not to notice either of them.

“Akemi…” the man grunted out, his hands folding as he rested his chin on them, he watched the girl as she came to a slow stop. “We need to talk…”

She cringed a little, the rough grunt of his voice only reassured her that something was up, something that she didn’t want to know about. She slowly stopped herself and turned to look at the man. “Hai…” was all she could say. She never addressed these two as anything, because she believed they were nothing, not to her at least… She had lived with them all these years, and they had provided her with everything that she had, but that still didn’t matter, not to her… And she knew something was coming… something she didn’t want…

“You have now turned an age… that we believe is an age where you are to start a new phase in your life” the man said with a straight face. No emotion behind it or anything, just a straight blank face. Akemi, turned to the man’s wife, but she kept her back to the both of them as she kept herself busy with her housework. “We have decided to send you away…” the man began to explain, but Akemi jumped in then.

“Send me away? What do you mean sending me away?” she shouted, her dark eyes smoldering, giving her a menacing look. Her eyes looked almost scary when set against the paleness of her skin and the blonde of her hair. Her look was one of hate, even if it was only just bubbling in her now.

The man started to stand up, trying to keep a calm look on his face. He was used to this girls outbursts, but that didn’t make them any easier to handle. “You need to start taking control of your own life Akemi. We are sending you to Shimagakure, a small island that a few members of our clan have been speaking highly of. There are a few members there that have become shinobi there and we believe that enrolling you in the accademy there you will…” but Akemi cut him off again, “That I will what?!?!” she screamed at him. He was starting to lose his temper with this girl again, so he was going to be brutly honest now. “We think that enrolling you in a place of stricked structure and one that deals honest punishment will diciplin you and give you the structure that you so desperatly need!!” he screamed back, his face turning red as his anger started to leak out

Akemi just stood there stunned. It wasn’t the first time that someone had said she needed disiplin, but she wasn't expecting to hear it out of her own gardian's mouth. He was the last person that she expected it from... She could feel the sting in her eyes that meant that tears where begging to start flowing, but she new better and just clenched her hands into tight fists. "You want me gone, then hell, tell me when I leave. This place isn't worth my time anyway!" she replied with a twisted grin on her face as she slowly turned away from the man, and giving a glare to his pushover of a wife.

* * * * *

Akemi spent a few hours in her mess of a room. Things where thrown everywhere, she was never a tidy person… but like it mattered anyway, she was being ‘sent off’ she thought quietly to herself as a knock sounded at her door. She didn’t say anything but the small woman walked in anyway, a sweet, yet timid smile on her face.

“Akemi… sweetheart… you know we mean well for you…” she whispered timidly.

“You mean well, and yet you’re throwing me away…” Akemi replied bitterly.

“Babygirl… you are going to start a new adventure! Be excited! You will be in a new world, with new adventures, new challenges!” the woman said, trying to list things that would appeal to Akemi’s sense of… would the word be adventure? “You know we are going to miss you… but you have the potential to be something great… and you are just wasting it away here….”

“Why can’t you just be honest like your husband! Tell me I’m nothing but trouble and a waste of time!” She said with her famous twisted grin. She knew what was the truth, it has been said so many times, by so many people. Sure she started a hell of a lot of trouble, but she really didn’t give a care about what they all thought. “There is no hope for me, is there? That’s why I need structure and punishment!” she said bitterly as she turned away from the woman, listening to her quiet footsteps as she left Akemi in her dark room, alone again, and in the dark, a single tear fell down her cheek, and landing silently on the floor.  

[Sakuran H]

People
On the following sheet of scrap paper, Akemi scribbles notes about the memorable people that she encounters on a day to day basis.

My List
You don't what to be on this list... Cause that means that Akemi has found a reason to dislike you.
Rolean
Tenmoki Yuki
Kolo
Tenmoki Akiko

Blacklist
If you are on this list, that mean Akemi hates you and therefore will do anything to really get on your nerves.

Watchlist
If you are on this list, that means Akemi has found a reason to take an interest in you. You should feel damn lucky...
Seiko
Hamma-Sensei

Spring 1, Year 105
Man on the shoreline - This man seemed like nothing more then a clown... The way he looked at me, it seemed like he was just treating me like a kid that knew nothing...

Tenmoki Yuki - The first time I saw her earlier in the day, she seemed to be a very... shall I say, kind woman, but she was very busy with those exam thingy's to much notice me. Though later in the day in the academy, she was rather rude. She kicked me out of class for very unjust reasons in my opinion, that boy was annoying me!! It seems that this woman has a liking for the annoying brats.... So I decided to try and get some dirt on the woman after she so rudely kicked me out of class, but unfortunately... this was all I could get....:

Young Woman: "Well... Most people have great respect for Tenmoki Yuki. She is a very busy woman and has a lot of responsibilities around the village."

Old Man: "Tenmoki Yuki is a busy woman. She is head of the Academy, principal as you would say. She takes her work with the students to heart and cares well for them... She also works hard in the clinic..." "She is an outstanding medical ninja. The best of this village. You best treat her with respect, or you'll end up in some serious trouble little miss!"

Young Man: "Tenmoki Yuki is a strong willed woman!" "She respects both young and old, as long as you show respect to others!"

Old Woman: "Well... Tenmoki Yuki is a very responsible woman. In charge of the academy as well as the Clinic." "She is also a mother. Young Tenmoki Aya is her eldest daughter. I believe she was in the group that were taken to the mainlands to be tested for chunin!" "Young Aya is a rather energetic girl..."

Hamma-Sensei - He was freaking huge man... But I liked his style of motivation when he was making us grab our lunches from him today. Scoundrels.... He wants a scoundrel, I can sure as hell give him a scoundrel.

Raiken Rolean - He's made it onto my list... This boy got on my nerves the moment I laid eyes on him. Then during our spar, he had the nerve to call me a joke because I take things to seriously?!?! He's the one that doesn't take anything to seriously at all!!! That boy better wise up and stop being such a goody goody... or else he'll lbe on my black list.... and that's not a place to be....

Jio Seiko - This boy cought my attention as soon as he said "you wouldn't understand" and then tried to blow me off... I know there is something that he's trying to hide from, or at least keep hidden from others. As soon as he told me about his parents... I could understand why he would think that I wouldn't understand... but he was wrong. He isn't the only one that has lived without his parents, and I think he understands now that I know what that feels like... I'm going to keep a close eye on Seiko... see what he's all about...

Nara Kolo - This one is another one that has made it onto my list... He's another goody goody runt... freaking teacher's pet... Tenmoki Yuki seems to have taken a major liking to this boy.... and he was the reason she kicked me out... Now this boy won't leave me alone! I have to play nice for right now... only because he needs to help me finish the training I missed once I was kicked out... but at the rate he's going... he's just getting on my nerves more and more.... and now that I know he's been flirting with me.... He may make it onto my blacklist even before Rolean does.... I'm not too sure yet though... this boy is werid.... and to top it all off, he has managed to get onto Seiko's bad side... even started a fight with the Jio! Pulled a weapon on him and everything.... stupid boy...


Spring 2, Year 105
Uchiha Sukotto - I know nothing about this guy... Just that he seems rather important... maybe another authority figure? I'll keep an ear and and eye out for him... see if I have to worry about this one at all

Nara Shin - Seems quiet, and eager to learn, but that's about all I was able to gather from this guy....

Raiken Serena - Seems to be highly regarded amonst our clan... I have no clue who she really is, but she seems to be one of the stronger, more appealing members of the clan... If I'm to follow through on what I came here to do... then I'll have to watch her carefully when I can, maybe even as for her help... She could be of some help to get me to where I want to be.... Didn't seem to know who I was... because she didn't even acknowledge me

Raiken Kiba - Another one that seems highly regarded in out clan... but not as much as the Serena girl. He was another one that doesn't seem to know who I even am, because I have come across him twice, and twice he hasn't acknowledged me very much...

Tenmoki Koyuki - Seems to be on Yuki's watch list... but that is fine with me... Keeps her off my back

Tenmoki Akiko - Seems to be another one of those goody goody's. Tenmoki Yuki seems to absolutly adore her.... I figured I shouldn't lash out at this one unless I absolutly have to... I don't want Yuki on my a** again just yet... But her happy go lucky additude is really annoying and I really don't care to be near her...

Rin’Egan Rokugi - This boy... I don't even know what to say about him. He seems rather the quiet type, so that could possibly go in either direction. Either way, he isn't of any interest in me as of now

Tenmoki Yuki - I just didn't mess with her today... didn't want to deal with her more annoying side, and besides she was in a rather nice mood today, so I would rather her help me today then b***h at me....

Hammah-Sensei - Hamma-Sensei still is rather interesting to me... The way he puts things actually makes sense and he isn't one that really plays favorites. He's also very blunt with his lessons and that is something I like. Quick and right to the point! If more teachers could be like that, then maybe I would give to cares about classes and actually learning.

Spring 3, Year 105
 

[Sakuran H]

Places
Written on the following scrap of paper, Akemi scribbles notes about the memorable places she visits. She writes what she likes or dislikes about each individual place.

Spring 1, Year 105
Fisherman's Boat - Was a long ride... that's all I can say. I didn't much pay any attention the anything, I just wanted off the boat.

Shoreline - First impressions can speak wonders. As of today, this is the only play I like on this island. Seeing the endless sea just reminds me that there is other places, and I won't have to be stuck here if I really don't want to be here... there is always a way out.

Village - Busy, and lots of people. There are a lot of shops and restaurants. If I want to mess around with random people, I know where to go for that.

Tenmoki Yuki's House - Too big for one lady... but didn't that old woman say she had a kid?? Still... to big and too fancy...

Shinobi Academy - It's a school... I don't like schools, simple as that...

Housing District (Kolo's apartment) - This was rather small... and rather well lived in. Didn't Kolo mention something about living with someone else? Or did I just imagine that.... I don't know. It was too cramped for my liking...

Raiken Mansion -

Spring 2, Year 105
Tenmoki Household
Lagoon and Waterfall
Graveyard  

[Sakuran H]

Spring 1, Year 105

Arriving at the island wasn’t all that interesting… I wasn’t looking forward to my arrival, because it meant that I had really been sent away. I wasn’t home where I belonged, where I knew everyone and everything. No, I was here at this new place, with these new customs and new everything. Hell… I didn’t even know where I would be staying, or even who for that matter. So the boat ride had been a long and quiet one. I never really spoke to the man in charge or the transportation, but that didn’t matter none to me. He was unimportant and unnecessary part of the unwanted journey. I will never miss home *cringes* because I don’t know where home is anymore. I was told this would be my new home, so I’ll guess I’ll have to wait and see….

My first steps on the shore of this island where not exactly sure ones. I tried to keep myself as composed as I could; first impressions are everything after all. I was glad that I had made the journey here alone, no one around to notice the small hints of how unsure I really was about starting a new life in this new place, cept for that creepy dude with the shack on the beach, but that didn’t matter too much. He was helpful, pointing me where I needed to go, and as the day wore on, I began to realize that these people on this island are eager to help each other out, well most of the time. For some reason, that eagerness was comforting in a way, but at the same time, it sort of made me sick… I don’t think I’ll ever understand why some people will bend over backwards to please each other… What is the point in that? Really?

I didn’t know I would be starting training on my first day on the island, but I did. Tenmoki Yuki, this big chested lady with these wicked emerald eyes had sent me there first thing. Hama-Sensei was my first instructor, he was rather interesting indeed. Suggesting that we needed to act like scoundrels was rather interesting, and personally gave the man a few extra points in my book. There in that first part of class, I met someone of the Raiken clan, Rolean. That boy… something about him got on my nerves the first moment I laid eyes on him. I hate to admit it, and I will never openly do so, but that first impression of him was pure jealousy… He had seemed to finish the first exercise with the small weapons with such ease! Of course, I didn’t know he was a Raiken at the time, but during our spar, I quickly found out he wasn’t as amazing as I had originally thought. More like luck then talent in my eyes. The way he talked about not taking things seriously put him on the top of my list, and that isn’t a place to be. And of course he had the nerve to call me childish for taking everything everyone says too seriously… He will be the joke, just wait and see. I won’t let him make a joke of the Raiken clan… at least not this generation of Raikens….

There was someone though… the boy with the sunset eyes… Jio Sekio. Something about him and the way he holds himself… so secretive and everything, like there is something troubling him. First impressions say something, and his nearly screamed at me…. “You wouldn’t understand” those words coming from the boys mouth stick out in my mind in a way nothing else has ever done. What wouldn’t I understand? I had to know, so I started to find ways to get it out of him. I felt like I was getting somewhere, demonds? Monsters? Murdered parents? He was right, I didn’t understand, but that was only because he was so vauge and was dodging my questions. One thing I could understand though, was helpless feeling of losing someone. I had never known my family. I had only known the story of what had happened to them, but that’s not of any importance… What is important, is the fact that I feel like Seiko wants to say something, to someone. I don’t believe that he really is this big bad boy, not if he was anything like me, like I expect he is…. If it’s an act, I want to see through it, but for now, things are what they are.

*sighs*

Another person I need to make note of, is that annoying little Nara… Kolo is nothing more then a teachers pet… that little runt got me thrown out of class by the big chested woman that seems to favor runts and teacher’s pets…. He is a smart boy, I must admit that much. He must have been impressive in class, because he did a decent job teaching me what I had missed in class. Did I mention we learned about Genjutsu?!?!? From what little that I know of this fancy stuff, genjutsu seems to be the most interesting. Playing games with someone’s mind, making them see what you want them to see… I think I’m going to do a bit more research on this topic… There’s a library around here, right? Back to Kolo… this boy wouldn’t leave me alone! I don’t understand what his big fascination is with me, but it’s getting annoying. And what was with him starting a fight with Seiko?!?! That was stupid on his part… I’m sure Seiko could have killed this kid easily, he seems to have the will to do it, but what do I know. What put Kolo on my list was pulling the kunai on Seiko… Seiko had done nothing wrong to the boy, nothing that I had notice, and out of no where Kolo is putting a weapon to Seiko’s throat! If he pulls that move again, I wouldn’t be surprise if Seiko really did kill the boy, and if he didn’t, I might try.

Notes to Self:
1. Figure out more about this genjutsu stuff
2. Avoid Kolo, he’s going to remember I promised him a date… eventually…
3. Keep an eye on Seiko, there is something there…


 

[Sakuran H]

Reserved for next random memory post

 

[Sakuran H]

Spring 2, Year 105

 

[Sakuran H]

Spring 3, Year 105

 

[Sakuran H]

Black Spring, Year 105