The Inazuma Games

Chapter Four: The Training

Akane's P.O.V.

The elevator swishes up towards the twelfth floor: the penthouse. We're still in the same building as where we left our chariots behind.

''You two are so lucky to be from district twelve. Every district has an entire floor for themselves and since the twelfth floor is a penthouse, it's assigned to you two.''

Lucky to be from district twelve? She has easy talking, being born and raised in the rich capitol Tokyo, probably not ever have lacked anything in her life. The lift doors open and my eyes widen, for the umpteenth time since I've been away from district twelve. Shindou looks just as astonished. The penthouse was massive, with high ceilings and big windows, so we had a good view over the city.

''There's even a small roof up here, where you can see the entire city.'' Hoshino chimes on, while she walks excited around in her high heels.

''Kidou, you've been here before, right?'' I ask our coach.

''Yes. It sure brings back memories every time I visit this place.'' He replies.

I want to ask more about his own Hunger Games experiences, but then Hoshino announces it's almost dinner time and that me and Shindou should take off our costumes. Hoshino shows me my room, which is even bigger as my entire house back at district twelve. There is an enormous king-size bed in the room with fluffy pillows and white sheets. There is a closet and a private bathroom for me. Furthermore, there's a screen in my room where you can display nice backgrounds. I instantly scroll through the pictures and stop when a pretty-looking forest fills the screen. I immediately think of home, of our own forest. Of Ranmaru… I wonder if he's out hunting… I quickly turn the screen off, afraid that I get too depressed. I walk towards my private bathroom and wash all the make-up off my face. Then, I take off my costume and take a long, hot shower. I've never been under a shower before, so it takes some time for me to figure out how it works. After pressing some buttons, I finally get the water on the right temperature and get some lemon foam. After being all cleaned up. I wrap two soft white towels around me. One for my body and the other one for my hair. While I dry up, I pick out a pair of black trousers, a white T-shirt with a pink heart on it and white ballerina's. As soon as my hair is dry, I braid it into my usual two braids and pull on the selected clothes. Just in time, because I can hear Hoshino calling for me.

''I'm coming.'' I reply in my soft voice.

I make my way back towards the giant living room in the penthouse and take place at the dinner table. Shindou is already there, wearing a pair of jeans and a black, button-up shirt with white sneakers. He looks very casual, but still a bit rich because of the Tokyo-clothes. Back in district twelve, we all wore simple, basic clothes made of cheap fabric. These clothes feel so nice and expensive. Kidou joins us at the dinner table and Hoshino claps in her hands to make dinner arrive. Quickly, several people appear with plates in their hands and all kinds of delicious drinks. Once again, I stuff myself with all the amounts of food until I feel I can't even breathe anymore. After dinner, I go back to my room where a servant is collecting my black dress and transparent cloak.

''Oh, I'm sorry.'' I apologize. ''Can you bring them back to Takoma?''

She nods and leaves my room with my costume. I change into my pajamas and stare at the picture of the woods on the screen until I feel my eyes droop. I turn off the lights, crawl under my covers and fall in a deep sleep.

I wake up screaming after having a terrible nightmare. I pant heavily and try to calm down. I saw my mother and Miyuki in the woods of district twelve. Then , the peacemakers came and killed them in front of my own eyes. My heart is still pounding in my chest. Dawn is breaking through the windows. I climb out of my bed and walk towards the shower. I let the hot water clatter on my head, while my mind is blank. I stand there in silence, thinking about nothing for a good thirty minutes. By the time I leave the shower, my skin is red and wrinkled. I walk back towards the bedroom and open the closet, only to see one outfit hanging there. Tight black pants, a long-sleeved burgundy tunic and leather shoes. The number twelve is embroidered on the shoulders of my tunic. After putting everything on, I braid my hair in my usual two braids and leave my room. I enter the living room and see Kidou and Hoshino sitting at the table, chatting with each other. When I come in, they look at me and smile.

''Good morning, Akane.'' Kidou says to me.

''Good morning to you too.'' I reply.

Hoshino smiles at me.

''Slept well?''

I frown and think about the nightmare. But I decide to keep it for myself, so I nod instead.

''Yes, I slept fine.''

I receive a large plate with rice and a big bowl filled with miso-soup. I immediately start eating and enjoy the delightful taste. Soon after I took my first bite, Shindou enters the living room in exactly the same outfit as me.

''Good morning.'' I say with a smile to him.

''Good morning.'' He replies with a smile.

Shindou sits down and gets the same dish served as I got. I think of home, of my mom and Prim. They must be up too. I miss them so much. When Shindou and I finish eating, Kidou clears his throat and looks seriously to the two of us.

''Okay, time for business. We're going to discuss the strategies for the training.'' He starts.

Shindou and I nod.

''We've already talked about this for a while. Try to focus on the things you don't know yet. Keep your secret skills for the private sessions with the Gamemakers. Don't stand out too much in the training centre. Understood?'' Kidou tells us.

We both nod.

''One last thing. In public, I want you two by each other's side every minute.'' Kidou orders.

My eyes widen and Shindou wants to open his mouth, but Kidou interrupts us.

''No buts. This can't be discussed. Every minute, you two are together. No separations. Am I clear?'' Kidou sounds stern.

I nod slowly and Shindou mutters something.

''Now, head to the elevator with Hoshino. It's ten a.m. It's time for the training.'' Kidou orders.

Shindou and I make our way towards the elevator together with Hoshino.

''Come on, now! We don't want to be late.'' Hoshino says.

The three of us step into the elevator and we go all the way down, just one floor above the stables. The doors open and an enormous gymnasium filled with various weapons and obstacle courses comes into our view. We're one of the last tributes to arrive. When the last tributes also arrive, we gather in a tense circle. Everybody is wearing the same outfit as us, all their own district number on their shoulders. Soon, an athletic man in his mid-twenties steps in front of the group. He has a toned skin and short-cut, black hair. His grey eyes look intimidating. He has a very muscled body and looks athletic.

''Okay everyone, mine name is Haruo and I'm the head trainer. I will explain the training schedule. There are different stations with experts in a certain skill. You're free to travel from area to area. Some of the stations teach survival skills, while others teach fighting skills. You're not allowed to engage in any combative exercise with another tribute. If you want to practice with a partner, there are assistants. Is that clear?'' He instructs.

All the twenty-four tribute heads nod. When Haruo begins to read down the list of the skill stations, I let my eyes wander over the other tributes. It's the first time I see them from this close. I wonder if they're nervous too… Almost everyone is bigger than me, except for the twelve- and thirteen-year-old tributes, which are five people. My heart sinks. But still, I try to keep my head held high. But there are four tributes at the moment which I fear the most: The tributes from district one and two. They all look very healthy, fit, muscled and determined. The boy from district two is even grinning. I look to my left and see Shindou listening carefully at Haruo. How can it be that he isn't looking around? Isn't he scared at all? Once Haruo releases us, the four tributes of district one and two walk straight towards thee deadliest-looking weapons in the gym and handle them with ease.

''So, where do you want to start?'' Shindou's voice wakes me up from my thoughts.

I blink my eyes two times and turn towards him.

''Oh, um… something simple. How about learning to make traps?'' I suggest.

''But.. you already know that.'' Shindou replies.

''Those are traps for animals. Not humans…'' I say soft.

Shindou shrugs.

''Traps it is.''

We walk towards the empty station and train on difficult traps for an hour. I mastered a trap that will leave a human competitor dangling by a leg from a tree. After that hour, we walk on to camouflage, in which Shindou turns out to be a pro.

''Shindou… where did you learn that?'' I ask impressed.

''In the bakery, I always decorate the cakes.'' Shindou replies with a smile.

The expert at the station looks fascinated at Shindou's work. I try to camouflage my arm too, but I fail miserably while Shindou's arm goes up in the tree perfectly.

''That's amazing.'' I say impressed.

''Well, there are a lot of things where you stand out in.'' Shindou replies.

''Don't outnumber yourself. Accept the compliment.''

Shindou smiles.

''Let's move on.''

For the next three days, Shindou and I visit every station that the gymnasium has and learn all kinds of skills, like knife throwing, how to make a good shelter and how to start a fire. Like instructed, Shindou stays away from the weights in the room and I stay away from the climbing zone. Shindou and I try to pretend that we're best friends, but as soon as the trainings are over, we grow detached again. At the end of the third day, everybody start making preparations for the private session with the Gamemakers. Shindou will show them how much weight he can carry and I try to impress them with my climbing skills and my slingshot, which I'm pretty good at. First, the boy goes, then the girl. And it goes in order from district. So I'm the last one to show the Gamemakers what I can do. As time passes by, more and more tributes disappear out of the waiting room. When the girl from district eleven gets called, it's just me and Shindou.

''Are you nervous?'' I ask him.

He looks at me and shakes his head.

''No. I only need to lift some pounds and then I'm free to go again.''

''But aren't you scared that you won't impress them?''

Shindou sighs.

''I can't say beforehand. The only thing I can do is just giving it my all.''

I smile.

''I'm sure you'll be fine.''

Shindou smiles back.

''You too.''

Then, Shindou's name gets called and he stands up.

''Good luck.'' I say to him.

''Thanks. Do your best too.''

Then, he disappears through a door and I'm all alone. My thoughts wander off to district twelve. To my loved once. To Ranmaru, who's hunting in the woods, to Miyuki, who's probably worried about me, to my mother, who's trying to stay strong for Miyuki, while I know she's probably having a hard time. I sigh and desperately wish I could see them.

''Yamana Akane.'' A speaker suddenly says my name.

I raise from my seat and walk towards the big metal doors. There's a large corridor which I walk down. When I reach another door, I open it and step inside. It's a small gymnasium, filled with all kinds of weapons and ornaments. The Gamemakers are high on a stand, talking with each other. They don't even seem to notice that I've walked in. I don't dare to speak up, so instead, I stare at the ground. I know I have to do something.

''Y-Yamana Akane, district twelve.'' I speak as loud as I can.

It still sounds soft, but I finally get noticed.

''Ah, you may start.'' The Head Gamemaker says.

I nod and walk towards the weapons. I take a slingshot, three cobblestones and climb up the tree until I'm in the highest branch and the trees cover me. I aim at the target on the ground that's several feet away from me. I release the cobblestone and it misses the bulls eye with three inches.

''Must be the nerves.'' I mumble.

I hear some sighs and disapproval mumbles and I get more nervous. I take a deep breath and focus on the target again. I close my eye and breath slowly. Then, I release the cobblestone and it hits the bulls-eye perfectly. I smile and look at the Gamemaker. But they are talking with each other and there's no way that they've seen my shot. I puff up my cheeks and get irritated. Then, a trolley gets rolled into the room with glasses champagne. The Head Gamemaker hands everybody a glass and raises it in the air.

''On the Inazuma Games!'' He says.

All the other people repeat him and also raise their glasses in the air. Then, there's the sound of tinkling glass and everybody's eyes widen. The hands of the Game Maker are sticky with champagne and in his hand is a broken glass. He stares in shock at me. My eyes are widened too, because I did something I never expect to do. I broke the glass of the Head Gamemaker. Then, I climb down the tree, make a small bow and leave the room.

I walk onto my floor and walk straight past Shindou, Kidou and Hoshino. I enter my room and lock it behind me. Then, I let myself fall onto the bed and start crying. I've totally ruined it. There's no way I'm going to earn a high score now. I've insulted the Gamemakers! I shot a cobblestone at them! I'm probably going to get killed by them as soon as I get into the arena. Oh god, why did I act so impulsive? Are Miyuki and my mother going to pay for this action? And Ranmaru? I can't let that happen. Why was I so stupid?

''Stupid Akane!'' I scold myself smothered.

A knock on the door gets my attention.

''Akane?'' I hear Hoshino's voice.

''What happened?'' I also hear Kidou's voice.

''P-Please… leave me alone.'' I reply.

They keep asking for me, but I stop replying and eventually, they go away. I keep sobbing for like an hour. Then, there's another knock on my door.

''Akane, dinner.'' I hear Hoshino's voice, although it doesn't sound as bubbly as ever.

I stand up from my bed and slowly unlock the door, wiping the last tears of my face. I walk slowly towards the dining table and sit down. Even Takoma and Amina have come to watch the training results that will be announced after dinner. But I don't look at anybody and silently eat dinner. When I have the courage to look up at Shindou, he raises his eyebrows at me. I can almost read the question in his mind. What happened? I stare back down again.

''Okay, I want to hear the details. How did it go?'' Kidou asks, placing down his cutlery.

''Well, I just threw some heavy objects around until they told me I could go.'' Shindou simply shrugs.

''And?'' Kidou asks.

''Well, I don't know. I didn't had the idea they were paying very much attention to me. Being the second to last isn't very convenient.'' Shindou replies.

''What about you, Akane?'' Kidou asks.

I look up.

''I shot a cobblestone at the Gamemakers.'' I softly whisper.

Everybody at the table falls silent and Hoshino drops het cutlery.

''You WHAT?!'' She exclaims in horror.

''I-I didn't shot it directly. It's just that… that… they weren't paying attention to me at all. I wanted to be noticed. So they got served drinks and before I knew it, I broke the Head Gamemaker's glass with a cobblestone from my slingshot.'' I explain guilty.

''How did they react?'' Takoma asks me.

''I-I don't know. I left the place after I did that.'' I reply.

''Well, that's that.'' Kidou simply says.

''Will my family pay for the consequences?'' I ask scared.

Kidou shakes his head.

''No, I think they won't. What happens in the private sessions must stay a secret. Tokyo can't harm your family for no reason. Otherwise they have to reveal what happened and that isn't allowed.''

I smile.

''So… they're safe?'' I ask again.

Kidou nods again. I instantly feel better and can actually enjoy dinner a bit. After dinner, it's time to watch the training scores on television. I hope the Gamemakers won't punish me too bad. Otherwise, there's no chance of me surviving in the arena. I NEED sponsors! I sit down between Kidou and Takoma, while Hoshino turns on the television. Matano Shouri, the usual presentor, greets the people of Inazuma and starts announcing the scores of every tribute. The marks go from one to twelve. Only, nobody has ever received a twelve in the history of the Inazuma Games. As expected, the tributes from district one and two receive a score between eight and ten. Careers always score high. When Shindou's photo appears on the screen, he shifts nervously on the couch. Amina holds his hand.

''Shindou Takuto, district twelve. He has a score of… eight.''

Shindou sighs in relief and everybody looks happy.

''Good job, Shindou.'' I smile at him.

He smiles thankful back at me. Then, my photo appears on the screen. I hold my breath and grabs Takoma and Kidou's hand nervously.

''Yamana Akane, district twelve. She has a score of…''

I squeeze my eyes. Oh god… please don't let it be too bad.

''… eleven.''

~ End of Chapter Four ~

Author Note:

Hi everyone! This is chapter four! Sorry for the delay. A lot of stuff has happened these past few days, so I didn't have the time to upload the chapter, due to having no internet connection. But here it is! Yay! ~ For all of you silent readers out there, thank you so much for reading this story. And for all the reviewers, a big hug from me! ^_^ Next up: Chapter Five, the interviews. I'll see you all next chapter! Lots of love! Bye! ~ xoxo Mamera-chan