Yay! Chapter two is out! Not finished yet but yeah. Now you can learn a little more of Akira :3
Chapter 2
All of the villagers, both rich and poor, were none the less pleasantly surprised when a bright smiling face wandered about the local market, captivating those around her with those pretty eyes and dark hair that reflected the sun like a mirror. Basket at hand, sun shining upon her as it would a angel, this was the little girl the villagers had always remembered. Even as a child, the villagers had found her delightful and well mannered, and that she still was even in her adolescent years. The villagers had pitied the girl when her father and brother had died. It had been known as some freak accident, and they had found her in a puddle of her father's blood, clutching at her head with wide dumb founded eyes. From thence on, the villagers had given her undying pity, treating her as though she were royalty.
Many men had been tangled in her fine woven web, captured by that charming smile and sweet eyes. Especially those of 15 or 16 years of age. All of whom would ask her to go out with them in the most unique ways. To which she would reply a polite 'No.'
Presently, as she walked through the market a smile plastered on her face, every villager called out a jaunty 'Hello' and would be awarded by a soft spoken greeting back. But today was a different day. All the villagers noticed that the smile on her face was fake and rather dreary, but it could have fooled many. Her eyes were subdued and dull, as if every second was a pain, though there was an attempted spark to them. Even her hair, which was usually tied up with a silk red ribbon was now tied up with a faded clumsy red ribbon. The villagers didn't understand why she would replace her pretty ribbon with such a stiff dried up ribbon. The villagers then concluded that she lost her silk ribbon and was in hurry so just threw on a random ribbon. The villagers were then satisfied, thinking they knew her well. Of course they were wrong.
This girl that everyone loved and cared for was known as the 'Angel of the Sand.' As she was truly very much like an angel. Or she was also known as Akira Sahori.
The florist was surprised and delighted as a familiar face made it's way over to the tiny shop she kept with the floral wreaths entwined with the door way. That delight soon passed at the look on Akira's face. It was a sullen, hopeless look. Her outfit was the same though; a purple long sleeved kimono style blouse with a paler trim, dark leggings with bandages bounding her thighs. The florist was suddenly terrified. That look on her face was the same as the look she had when her father had died...Akira's expression meant something bad had happened. The florist greeted Akira in, "Hello, my dear. My have you grown! Is everything alright?"
"...I would like some flowers." The florist's face fell yet brightened up in a moment, "Well. Tell me what you want, my dear." And she bustled away.
"Wheres that Raiden? He always seems to be at your heels." The florist blabbered on and on as the sound of the clipping of flower stems enveloped the room. She paid no heed to what she was saying, she just wanted Akira to look happy again. But the florist was a fool; at the mention of his name, Akira's face had turned dark, blank. The florist deposited the flowers into the clear bag and continued on, "Did he get himself killed? I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Such a risky child! Always creating trouble. Hmph. If he died, I would think that the village would be at p-" She was cut off by the feeling of cold metal pushed against her throat, she swallowed dryly and gazed at the person who carried the kunai. Akira's eyes were dark, and angry as they flicked up to glare at the florist, "Never. Say that of him. Ever. If you do...I'll kill you." Venom pulsed through her words, though they were merely spoken in the simplest ways. In a single movement, the kunai was gone replaced by coins. Akira placed the coins on the counter and walked off, the flowers pressed to her chest as if they were her own heart. The florist was left, thankful for that kunai not making it's way through her throat. The florist also wondered who the Angel of the Sand really was.
Akira sat on her bed, head resting on her hands. Her eyes were closed as she listened to the chirping of a bird just outside of her window. It soothed her, relaxed her. Suddenly, her hand flew out with a kunai flashing in her hand. Sparks flew as her kunai collided with a straight edged ninjaken, "Reflexes need a touch up. You should have noticed me the moment I landed on this window." A deep voice sounded from the dark cloaked figure crouched at Akira's window sill. Akira glanced up at the cloaked masked figure sitting at her windowsill to which she replied, "I knew you were there. I found no need to react." She said blandly, her onyx eyes dark. The masked figure shifted backwards, the ninjaken disappearing into his cloak, "Hm. Well the Commander wishes to see you in three sunrises, when the sun is high in the sky." With that, he was gone. Akira felt her lips curling the slightest at the taut corners. It was always the Commander. Even when she had set out far from Sunagakure, his voice had always been at the back of her mind; constantly nagging, snapping. You name it. Your footsteps are too loud. Watch everywhere. Keep yourself concealed! Annoying. A wince flashed across Akira's strained demeanor. Annoying. Another non-professional word. She wasn't really the most desirable ANBU at the moment. Uncontrollable temper-Guilt tainted the edges of her mind at the thought of the frightened florist. A sigh escaped her lips; an inaudible, contained one. Death was life to her. That was what she had excepted when she became a shinobi. Death was life. Slowly, a hand rose to undo the crimson dyed ribbon.
The sun cast a fiery glow across the baked sandy land of the Wind Country as it sunk low below the horizon. The sky itself appeared to be on fire; bright and warm. A breeze accompanied the beautiful scene, tickling the cheeks of one that stood before a lump of dirt on a rocky overhang that looked over the land. Her hair floated along, taken by the breeze. A solemn figure she was as she gazed down at the little lump that hid the bloodstained ribbon...The ribbon stained with the life's blood of her team-the price for finding that S-rank criminal. At her sides, her hands clenched into fists as she remembered that day she carried the burden on her shoulders...The way they dismissed the sacrifice..But this was Sunagakure. This was what it was meant to be. The lone figure crouched before the grave, a hand extending to settle a bunch of creamy white flowers with large embracing petals down before the mound of dirt. A satin red ribbon bound all the flowers together, giving the makeshift grave a endearing look. In the middle of the bunch, a milky white bud remained. She had chosen that specifically for Raiden. It was a Moon lace. Called so for its habit of blooming only when the moon was in the sky. Akira rocked back on her heels, a satisfied look on her face at the sight of the grave. It wasn't the best grave ever. But it had to do. She had to do it for her team. Slowly, Akira pulled her knees to her chest, chin resting atop of the gathered knees. She was content to stay here and just watch. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. The grave didn't seem...Whole...A frown twisted her features which soon disappeared as she sensed something...There was something behind her...A slender hand gave a twitch and a kunai slid down the arm to rest in her palm. In a cool, casual motion, the kunai had flown over to the target behind her. In those few seconds, Akira had gathered her legs beneath her and had leaped up, another kunai in hand. Then she froze. A metallic clang echoed across the sandy desert as a kunai fell to the ground.