* In my story, the boys are 17 and in grade 11…*

The sun rises with grace, its slow ascend towards the sky, covering the moons delicate glow. A crisp wind blows across the meadow, the fresh breeze travelling through the small plains towards a town. This town is isolated from any other city, making it a tranquil place to live. Stoney Creek, a place where dreams come true or at least that's what one little girl thought.

'I'm gonna get out of this place, one day'

The little girl was a passionate baseball player; her dream is to play in the majors one day. Due to her gender, many of the boys made fun of her, and never allowed her to play with them.

As the little girl grew up, so did her passion for baseball, becoming a skilled player.

'I'm gonna win, I'm gonna show those boys … those meat heads!'

A few years have passed since that day. The girl now plays for a junior national team, and one of the best. She has been playing with the 'Bucks' for three years, and is their current pitcher. She will be attending high school next year at a local school, Nishiura.

'Ok, last game of the season… come on, focus!' she mutters to herself

'Final runner, let's see' she thinks to herself, observing the advancing player.

'Alright, number five, Jonathon Fisher,' sheglances at the broad male across from her.

'Jonathon' taps his shoes lightly, knocking any excess dirt from his spikes, his bat wailing lightly. Then he swings, 1, 2, 3… and gets into position.

While the batter goes through his religious good luck routine, the pitcher observes him carefully, her eyes running over every muscle, every movement locked in memory.

'Hm, I never pegged him for a routine, but I guess you can't judge a book by its cover, now can you?' she chuckles inwardly

'He's got a good arm, ok speed and… what was it; Jake said something about—o yeah! He likes high pitches, high left corner,' she continuously fumbles with the ball, squeezing it every few minutes, easing the tension from her body.

'Breath in, and out, don't get tense, just be loose and calm. Remember Stoney Creek, the meadow, the fresh dew, the birds chirping… that did the trick' she opens her eyes, her emerald gaze focusing on the catcher.

The catcher's fingers dance in between his thighs, a signal being formed from the motions. The pitcher nods, getting ready for her wind up. She launches the ball forward, the small leather sphere landing in the glove, a loud thwack echoing through the air. The batter glances down at the glove, then back at the female.

"Strike One!" The Ump hollers apishly, his hands swinging in the air.

'What just happened? Did I miss the ball?' Jonathon stutters in shock, his eyes moving between the two.

'No, that can't be it, she must of thrown harder… that's it, it has to be it!' he concludes silently.

She smirks, amusement building inside of her.

'The look on his face is priceless. You don't even know what hit you, Johnny boy.' She snickers mentally, triumph overflowing her senses.

The catcher forms another signal, this one more demanding than the other.

'What, a fork ball? Jake, what are you doing?' she hesitates momentarily, beads of sweat trickling down her forehead.

'We only use that if— Jake, you can't, you really think…?' she continues to panic, her eyes growing large with anxiety.

She glances up at her catcher, then down to her cleats. Her hand squishes the ball between her index finger and middle finger, her thumb gripping the balls side harshly.

'I don't know if I can throw the ball? Last time I threw a fork ball, I hurt someone really bad… I told you I never wanted to use that throw again, and here you are asking for it! What are you, a moron?' she bites her bottom lip angrily, screwing her eyelids tight.

'Why, why do you do this to me? You know I don't feel comfortable with my fork ball, and you want me to throw one anyways, and in a national game! I can't, but if I shake his sign, he's gonna be pissed. Awe, why do I care, that asshole is being greedy, and only wants a strike out! Well, he's not getting a fork ball, that jack ass; he can kiss my ass for all I care!' She snaps bitterly, her eyes returning to batter, determined to win.

She winds up once more, throwing the ball into the mitt. Jonathon misses the throw again, his bottom hitting the moist earth harshly.

"Strike two!" The ump yells loudly.

'Thank god, I thought he was gonna nail that one' she sighs lightly.

The ball flies towards her mitt, ending in a heavy swat sound. She knows the reason for that, and she didn't care.

'He can cry all he wants, but I'm not going to apologize. It's my throw, and my decision; Too bad, so sad!' She smiles lightly, her body shivers in victory.

The catcher threw another sign, this time it was a sinker.

'Whatever, last throw, he can have the throw.' She mentally hisses, her arms tensing up.

She threw the ball, and just like the other two, the ball went into the glove, undisturbed. A moment of silence dampens the field then, "Strike Three" as the words dance along the diamond, ending the game, and the tournament, finally. Both teams took their position in the line up, parallel from the adjacent team.

"Good Game!" both teams cheer, smiles on everyone's faces as they chant.

'Time to go home, have a shower, and then fly fifteen hours to Japan… Yippee fucking doo!' She sighs heavily, her joy quickly fading from her body.

"Akeno!" A masculine voice hollers.

The said girl looks back, only to see the catcher; Jake running after her.

"What do you want Jake?" Akeno asks stupidly. She already knew the answer, and was by no means going to grovel at his feet and beg for forgiveness. "Why the hell did you shake my sign?" Jake barks manly, his hands curled beside his hips. "You know why." She states plainly, her eyes lock with Jakes. "That isn't an answer!" Jake snarls angrily, his face coming closer to Akeno's.

"Seriously, do you have to yell?" Akeno plugs her ears, her eyebrows lowering in displeasure. "Why you little whore! When I tell you to throw a ball, you throw the ball, got that!" Jake shouts at Akeno, his chest heaving slightly.

'This guy is stupider than he looks. He has a death wish, and his day is coming soon, real soon.' Akeno mentally stabs Jake, her imaginary dagger slicing his throat.

"That isn't the best way to get a girl's attention, especially calling them a 'whore'. Seriously Jake, you wonder why no girl comes near, other than the ones forced by obligation of the team." Akeno rebuttals rudely, her eyes gleam with sarcasm. "You need to learn your place, bitch!" Jake stomps ferociously, his right arm rising slowly. "And what—are you the one to do that? It can't be that hard, huh? You do it for a living, right?" Akeno stares at him humorously, her hands grasping her hips.

"Beating up girls is your specialty, right Jake? Or are you to modest to admit it?" She pokes further, a grin chipping itself on her pale features. "I'm going to crush you!" The boy roars beastly, his arm flying down rapidly.

CRUNCH

A bone crunching sound flies through the air.

Everyone stops and turns to the noise, only to see Jake on the ground. "Wh-what happened?" A girl asks shyly, her hands covering her mouth in shock. "Jake was being a douche, and he needed a little reprimanding by yours truly!" Akeno smiles, her thumb jabbing her chest a few times. "Wow, I never expected this… I mean for a girl to beat him", the girl gasps "and break his wrist. Don't you think you went a little over board?" She gazes down at the broken catcher, his body shaking from the pain inflicted upon his appendage.

"You aren't going to get away with this, Akeno!" Jake sits up, his face covered in dirt. "You don't think so? Well I sure think so!" Akeno mocks the teenager comically, her smile widens.

Suddenly, Jake lurches himself forward, his left hand fisted and crashes against Akeno's petite abdomen. Akeno fell backwards, the wind knocked clean out of her.

'Holy shit that mother fucker can throw a punch!' Akeno groans painfully, her hands wrapping around her body securely.

'That's it, that douche bag is gonna get it!'

Akeno slowly rises to her feet, her left arm still fastened around her sore frame.

"Well, who knew your punches were so hard. I now know how ex-girlfriends feel, man what' a whooper!" Akeno chuckles, her muscles aching from the painful contractions. "You still haven't had enough?" Jake wonders in amusement. "Nope, I'm just a glutton for punishment, can't you tell?" Akeno smiles jokingly. "You stupid bitch, you should know when to give up!" Jake advances towards her, his let fist swinging by his side.

"Sorry, I don't know that term, 'give up'" She smiles, acting innocent towards his harsh tone. Jake's arm rises once again, and flies down towards Akeno's stomach. Akeno steps sideways, dodging the bulky mass. Jake lands on the dirt with a thump. "Ha, well I gotta go, it's been real!" Akeno pivots on her left leg, "O and Jake, make sure to wipe your face off. We wouldn't want the girls to see you like that!" Akeno chuckles as she leaves the diamond, beaten and sore.

'Man what a day! We win the game, then I get punched, but I guess I deserved that one. But I highly doubt nimrod will ever forget this, but he also got what was coming to him!' Akeno smiles, her thoughts amusing her to no end.

Akeno arrives at her small apartment, the building chapped and worn down from old age. "Hello there old friend" Akeno rubs her hand across the uneven surface of the structure's wall. She walks through the glass door and up the several flights of stairs to her room.

'I wonder how momoe is doing. Maybe I'll surprise her… now that would be fun!' Akeno's lips curve upwards in a small grin.

Akeno finishes with all her packing, and makes the long journey downstairs, with luggage in tow. As planned, a taxi is parked outside the apartment's glass doors, waiting for her. Akeno struggles with her various bags, trying to push the door open. The taxi driver sees her pursuit and opens the door for her.

"Thanks" Akeno blushes darkly, her eyes travelling down to her shoes. "No problem, you have a lot of things. Are you headed somewhere, if I might ask?" The kind taxi driver asks politely, his hand securing the door open. "Um, actually yeah I am. I'm going to Japan to visit my aunt." Akeno smiles brightly as she advances towards the bright vehicle. "My, what a trip!" The taxi man gasps in shock, following Akeno to the trunk.

He 'pops' the trunk door open, and starts assembling the bags in the small space. "I'm looking forward to seeing her, it's been ages since I last saw her" Akeno answers politely, a genuine smile traces her lips. "I'm glad, you're a good niece." The taxi driver grins down at her, his hand pushing the metal sheet down, a small click heard from the rear of the car. "Well, let's get you to the airport, we wouldn't want you to be late for a very special person." The man answers happily, his rosy cheeks widening with another smile. "Right" Akeno nods her head in response.

The car drives out of the parking lot, and rolls down the street. The car ride was a quiet one, Akeno fell a sleep half way through the ride. Her dreams are filled with memories of her best friends, her parents, and momoe. She felt truly at peace, for once in her life.

"Miss, excuse me, we're here." A hand shakes her shoulder softly, a voice ringing in her head. "Huh" Akeno mumbles quietly, rubbing her eyes with the backs of her hands. "We're here" The man repeats once more, as he gets out of the car, and heads to its rear. Akeno follows his example and walks to the trunk. She starts to fasten several straps around her shoulder and arm.