Memoirs of a Kunoichi • Sasuke Uchiha [ON HOLD]

Scroll Two • The Awakening

Chapter Two

Eight years ago;

I was only six years old when my father had summoned my brothers and I for an important meeting with the Akiyama clan elders. I was still much too young to understand what clan business was occurring, but my eldest brother, Jiro, told me that our purpose in this world would finally be explained—our destinies would finally be revealed. A part of me feared the unexpected as I twiddled my thumbs, following in my brothers’ shadows, trying to hide my small form. I was the youngest and also the only daughter of Estou and Akina Akiyama; my father was named clan leader after the end of the Third Great Shinobi War—which ended a few years before my birth—and there was a lot of competition among my brothers and I. It always seemed that I was compared to them and it didn’t matter that I was still a mere child. My brothers were very young when the war ended, and they would tell me stories about the Akiyama warriors who fought alongside the shinobi from various nations. Their stories always fascinated me and would fill me with a sense of pride for my clan; to know that nations relied on my clan had to mean something.

My brothers stopped walking abruptly and I unintentionally walked into Kado’s back; I immediately lost my balance and was about to hit the floor beneath me. Kado was too quick for my eyes as he caught the back of my collar and lifted me back onto my two own feet, the wide smile on his face playfully warning me to be careful next time. My cheeks were flushed with embarrassment as I avoided his gaze; I lifted my gaze to meet the look of disappointment across Jiro’s face. He would become the next clan leader after my father’s death, and even though he was only fourteen years old, he took life too seriously; he was forced to grow up so quickly. My gaze fell to the ground as the five of us lined up before our father and the clan elders; I didn’t have to lift my gaze to know that my father was studying me from afar, wondering what progress I had made with my training. My mother stood off to the side, a worried look dominating her features as she refused to stop fussing with her hands.  My mother’s worriment only caused me to fear this meeting; I wanted to run away, to hide in my room and never see the light of day.

“Jiro, Kado, Sen, Shiro, and Reniko, we’ve called you before us because it is time that you five understand your purpose in this life. Twelve years ago, the Akiyama clan aided the shinobi world was bringing an end to the Third Great Shinobi War, and we were paid back by the destruction of our lands and the extermination of our people. We’ve been forced to hide underground to keep our survival a secret from those who wish us dead. Your father was given the responsibility to raise warriors that would avenge the Akiyama name by destroying the five great hidden shinobi villages from within. And thus each of you was brought into this world for that very purpose.” My gaze remained on the ground as Tako Akiyama—the eldest member of our clan—revealed the true reason as to why I trained day in and day out. The only one who did not seem fazed by the news was Jiro, but I could no longer hide the shock that ran through my body as I lifted my gaze to stare into the menacing look that my father was giving me. “It is still too early in our plan to attack the hidden villages; Sen, Shiro, and Reniko still need to improve their ninjutsu before we send each of you to a different village. We plan on sending you all out at the same time because…”

“Jiro, I want you to spar with Reniko right now. I want to see her improvement. I want to make sure that we are not wasting our time by training her for this mission.” Estou Akiyama interrupted Tako, his narrowed eyes focusing on the frightened expression that lingered over my features. Everyone in the chamber seemed taken aback by my father’s outburst, his remark seeming a bit ludicrous. Jiro’s skills as a shinobi were far greater than mine and the outcome of a spar was easily predictable, but my father seemed determined to see his oldest and his youngest fight. Jiro stepped forward, bowing his respects to my father and the elders before turning to face me. Tears stung my eyes as I watched Jiro through pleading eyes; I didn’t want to fight him because I knew I would lose. Jiro immediately took a fighting stance as I took a step away from him, my fearful eye scanning the room, waiting for someone to say something against my father. Everyone knew that this was wrong, but no one said a single thing because they were too afraid of my father’s wrath. “Ren, fight Jiro now or you will be punished for your insolence!”