Chapter Two

Akemi Yutori

The plane ride was far too long for Akemi's tastes. The airline food was inedible, there were noisy children surrounding her, and the in-flight movie was something with Sylvester Stallone. She decided to decline the earphones to watch it.

Her father, Toshi Yutori was a well respected detective for the Seattle Police Department and as such had gained more than a few grudges against him in his years in the force. He worked almost constantly, the only time the two would be found together was when Toshi would train his daughter in the weight room between his shifts. You can never be too prepared, was what he would always tell her when Akemi would whine that she would prefer to do something other than fight him all the time.

Although she would have never admitted it to her father, Akemi secretly looked forward to their daily workouts. She missed her father while he was on cases and when they had their training sessions, Akemi could at least be sure she would see her father once a day.

She had always been good at fighting too. "It's the one thing I inherited from my father." She would joke to the other officers when they commented on her fighting skills. And as the years flew by, that statement seemed more true, until soon it had become a daily ritual for the officers off-duty to arrive at the weight room when Akemi got there and wait for their chance to teach her what they knew.

Since she could remember, Akemi had always been at that precinct in her spare time, and the other officers had grown so fond of her that she became the unofficial daughter of the department. And although she loved all the people there, it only served as a reminder to her how little of her father she actually got to see.

"Attention Passengers," Akemi looked up as the captain's voice came on over the loudspeaker. "Please fasten your seatbelts, we will be arriving at Henada in about five minutes. Thank you for flying Japan Air, and have a safe, and wonderful journey."

Akemi fastened her seatbelt, feeling nothing of the excitement her father had promised her. Arriving at a foreign country where the first family didn't want her and the second was stuck with her because they had to be? She couldn't find much excitement about that.

At least I'll get off this damned plane soon. Akemi thought as she attempted to console herself. That's something to look forward to I guess.

Akemi watched the other passengers watch the planes arrival from their windows. Her window remained shut. I don't care about any of this, Akemi thought apathetically. He should never have made me leave him, I just don't belong anywhere I guess.

Akemi felt her stomach lurch slightly as the airplane descended from the sky and landed safely in its air strip. While the other passengers in the plane got up from their seats hurriedly, Akemi sat and watched them pass. She didn't wish to have to struggle to get to a place she didn't even want to be.

When the last person walked past her, Akemi rose slowly from her seat and retrieved her bags from the overhead compartment, removing a smaller bag from her backpack and slipping it down her pants. Just in case customs doesn't like the look of me. She smirked to herself as she made her way to the front of the plane. Just like dad says "You can never be too careful."

The airport seemed as crowded as the airplane. A sea of faces assaulted Akemi as she walked into her terminal.

"Thank you for flying with us." The stewardess chirped as Akemi walked past. Akemi only nodded in the stewardesses direction.

To any other American, this scene may have seemed intimidating, but Japanese was as natural to Akemi as English and she felt more fascination than fear at the fact that she would be speaking it almost exclusively during her stay.

She only had to wait a moment for her luggage to appear on the turn belt, and upon retrieving it, Akemi began to look for her escort. She knew of her "Uncle Soto" from pictures and phone calls, but she had never actually met the man.

But dad trusts him, and that's more than enough proof for me. Akemi strained her neck to see over the faces, trying to spot Soto from there. She had almost given up when she spotted a hand above the crowd holding a sign that said Akemi Yutori.

Almost faint with relief, Akemi pushed her way through the throng with a trail of baggage behind her that was tied together by one of her shoelaces.

"Uncle Soto?" She asked the man with the sign. He looked familiar, but she couldn't be sure if it was him or not.

"Akemi! You have grown so much since your last picture." Soto wrapped his arms around the girl his friend called daughter. "How is your father doing? I was only able to speak with him briefly yesterday."

Akemi looked away. "So was I. I think he's fine though." She answered as cheerfully as she could, though her feelings could not match her tone.

Soto cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I see, well, you're going to have a wonderful time here Akemi. Japan is the most beautiful place in the world." He beamed as he talked, remembering something pleasant.

"Who am I staying with?" Akemi asked after they had gotten into Soto's car. She didn't even feel like knowing really, but she could think of nothing else to talk about.

"Oh, the Hiragashi's; a wonderful family. The daughter, Kagome, has always been a dedicated student." Soto felt a slight pang at the word dedicated. Perhaps that wasn't the most appropriate word...

"Is she my age?" Akemi asked as an afterthought.

"Yes, and I believe she has a younger brother." Soto went on to explain. "It should be quite an interesting place for you to stay, the Hiragashi's are a shrine family and have a rich and full history..."

Akemi's mind drifted back to Seattle and the final meeting she had with her father.

"I know you don't want to leave Akemi but I think this is the best thing right no. Because of the people who are after me, I can't be sure you'll be safe." Her father's voice resonated in her ears.

"Look, I know you're worried about me because of everything that's happened this year. But I'm really better, I swear. Just let me stay, I want to stay with you Papa! What if you get hurt while I'm gone?" Her own voice sounded small and shaky compared to her fathers, she had always hated feeling weak next to him. Akemi absently fingered the cloth stockings on her arm, lost in thought.

"I know you're better Little One, but I still think this will help your perspective. And you shouldn't worry about me, I'll be just fine." Her father had smiled then, one of his rare, secret smiles that were reserved only for her. "I will miss you though Akemi. Don't forget about your Papa when you're all the way across the world."

She had said nothing after that, just I love you and goodbye. How could she still tell him no? Akemi would have done anything if her Papa had asked. But she couldn't help but feel a sting of bitterness as she boarded her plane alone, he had been unable to see her off.

"We're here Akemi." Soto's voice brought Akemi out of her reverie as she looked out the window and saw the long steps up to her new home.

Haven't these people heard of and escalator? Akemi thought to herself as she grabbed her shoelace and fastened her luggage together once again to make the assent.

Once they had reached the top Akemi turned to see that Soto was slightly out of breath from the excursion. He must not be an overly religious man. Akemi smirked at the thought and followed him down the path towards the Hiragashi's residence.

Mrs. Hiragashi was at the doorway waiting for them. She immediately struck Akemi as a kind person. Slender and demure, Mrs. Hiragashi gave Akemi a sense of ease that she sorely needed. Mrs. Hiragashi's eyes widened slightly with surprise when she first saw Akemi, but if that surprise had remained, she gave no sign of it.

"Hello Akemi, I'm Mrs. Hiragashi. We are so pleased to have you stay with us." She spoke sincerely, though Akemi was still aware of the reasons she had ended up with them.

"Thank you Mrs. Hiragashi, I am honored by your hospitality." Akemi replied respectfully.

Soto seemed almost relieved. "Yes, I must thank you again for all of your efforts." He beamed as she clasped Mrs. Hiragashi's hand in gratitude. "I am truly sorry I cannot stay longer, but I have some pressing work ahead of me tonight and I must get started on it." He bowed respectfully to Mrs. Hiragashi and then turned to Akemi.

"I shall see you at the school tomorrow Akemi. I hope you have a nice time with the Hiragashi's." Soto spoke as he put his hand on Akemi's shoulder.

"I'm sure I will." Akemi replied with forced politeness. I can see why he and my father get along so well. Both have time for nothing but their work. She thought to herself as she watched him walk away.

"Akemi-chan, Kagome is in her room preparing things for you. Would you like to go up and put your things away? After you're done lunch should be ready." Mrs. Hiragashi smiled as she motioned up the stairs.

"Yes, thank you." Akemi replied, suddenly feeling very drained. I wonder what Kagome's like. Akemi found herself thinking while she pulled her suitcases up the stairs.

For the first time since she was very small, Akemi found herself completely alone. The thought terrified her, and she loathed that feeling. You've spent your whole life making sure you can take care of yourself and you're scared of a small family? Disgusted with her own weakness, Akemi pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind.

Let's see, a bathroom...a boys room...ah, this must be Kagome's room. Akemi stopped at the last door in the hallway. It took her a moment to quell her hearts pounding enough to make herself quietly knock on the door.