Don't worry Aki isn't an SI or a Sue. If you're seriously worried take a look at either my Trading Pain {Fruits Basket} or my A Rainbow of Many Colors {Gravitation}. They are both Original Character fanfictions and in both of them the OC's are well-rounded characters. Even if you only take a look at the reviews it should reassure you as to my capabilities towards creating my own characters.

Anyway with the reassurances out of the way here you go you can finally meet Aki. I hope you like her or rather should I say approve of her, since at first your not supposed to like her anyway! = )

Author's Note:

Aji: a condition that you'll see in a group of stones that allows potential for play.... Could be good, could be bad.

Chapter 3: Aji

Kurata-sensei didn't even notice how pale Akira went at his words, but Yashiro and Hikaru did. It was impossible not to notice. Both of his hands were clenched so tightly that his fingernails had bit deeply into his flesh and a few drops of blood could be seen falling on the carpet.

"No."

Akira's voice was quite but harsh. It had the same steel to it that it always did, but more than that it had a strong desperation in it as well. He met Kurata-sensei's eyes in a deadlock stare, before he coldly continued.

"I won't stay under the same roof as that monster!"

Monster?

Hikaru had gotten the impression that Akira knew this 'Aki' person, but hearing him call her a monster... left him wondering what kind of person she was... but Kurata had said she was a good person. So who was right?

"Monster huh? What a harsh word to use. Why don't you give it a rest, Akira? It's been ages. Last time we met you were what, 4 years old, and still hiding behind your daddy's hakama if I remember right. I hope you've improved at least a little at igo since then. " She mocked.

This was Aki? Hikaru wondered. He took a long look at the half Japanese, half American girl. Her hair was an auburn color, and her eyes were a light brown. She had a smattering of freckles across her nose, which gave her a rather down to earth, look. Of course, the blue jeans and white tank top didn't help to change that image at all!

"Well, you're staying at this monster's house during the tournament you better get used to the idea. It's not like I want to have a snot nosed brat like you running around my home but hey it's not like it's my choice either."

"Not your choice?"

All eyes went to Kurata-sensei who only proceeded to look embarrassed. "Well, I..."

"It doesn't matter." Aki piped in. "What's done is done. Anyway..." She walked over to Hikaru and Yashiro. "Hi, I'm Aki Pierce, but just call me Aki. The whole chan, san thing we pretty much don't even bother with those kinds of formalities over here. It's nice to meet you."

The two of them looked at her for a few moments. They were both dumbfounded by this enigma of a girl. They had never before scene anyone so upfront and blatantly honest. Yashiro found it more than a little intimidating. Hikaru though...

"Hi, This is Yashiro, and I'm Shindo Hikaru. " He gave Aki a big warm smile. "I hope we won't be imposing to much on you. Thank you by the way. It would be completely awful if we didn't have a place to stay for the night."

"No problem at all!" Aki smiled warmly. "The one thing mom and I definitely have is room. Though I think the place is more than a bit stuffy. Grandpa built our house like a traditional Japanese Home. You guys will probably be more comfortable there than I am!"

"Wait, were not..." Akira tried to assurt himself again, but no one was listening.

"Grandpa put in a traditional Japanese bath so you guys can relax when we get there. We better get your luggage first though."

"Akira, Yashiro, hurry up, and don't just stand there. We're going!" Kurata hollered back them

To say that he was depressed was putting it mildly. Akira knew that these next two weeks were going to be a living nightmare for him. He absolutely hated, loathed, and despised Aki.

He could still remember back when he was four, and his mother and father had invited one of their old friends from when back when they both were in school over for the summer. Just remembering that summer filled him with dread. It was the first time he had met Aki.

She was a year older than him, and a complete and total tomboy. She was the kind of girl that would look for a snake and put it in his bed as a prank. All you could really do was hope that it wasn't a poisonous one and either get help or get rid of it yourself. To make matters even worse she would easily tear him to pieces at go. Looking back she was a year older than him at the time, and her mother had been a skilled go player as well. Skilled enough that she would play against his father evenly with only a one stone handicap. Aki wasn't that good, but it stood to reason that she had also been learning the game from her mother. Her strength at go was almost to be expected. It didn't help much that she was the type of person who once hit would hit right back and give a little bit more punishment than was really deserved.

This trip was definetly going to be a disaster.
Chapter 4: