Akemi's Journal

[akemi5]

One week before Springtime
Outside on the rock, just outside the house
About an hour before Noon

Akio gave me this journal to record thoughts. He got it from a store today out of curiousity.
That's fine with me. I'm curious at some times too. Most people around my age are.

Now... thoughts. I've never really thought about it, considering I think that someone could possibly get a hold of this and spill all of my secrets onto the world. Most likely, the youngest of the family, Katsuo. He's the most troublemaking one in the household. I mean, once he got away with throwing eggs at Daiki. I got in trouble because I was there when he was hiding. I tried ratting him out, but Daiki Sensei likes to be stubborn at some times. He is nine... no wonder...

Then there's the second to youngest, Yori. He's pretty much trustworthy once you've got his. So he's only loyal when he wants to be... but can be just as troublesome as Katsuo. He is currently the age of ten.

And finally the second born, Jiro. He's more in the middle of trustworthy and untrustworthy, almost like Yori. But Jiro actually helps around the house (unlike two little devils who don't) and doesn't like to get in trouble. Once he knocked over a cup of water on accident and cried, because he thought he was going to get in trouble. Well, he was only eight back then. He is thirteen now.

Daiki; My Earthbending teacher. He can be strict... well... a lot. Even when he's not teaching me. He's Akio's grandfather, so he's pretty old. He knows a lot though.

And finally, Akio. We've known each other pretty much since we were both little. About seven years ago. I can't believe those boys were such bullies to me. They know not to even get near me now, considering they know I can defend myself. But they could still make verbal comments like, "Akio and Akemi sittin' in a tree! K-I-" ...Well... you get what I mean, correct? Those boys are so immature. I mean, they're about my age! They do it almost every day. I mean, Akio and I are just friends... right? Well, he's kind... funny...

Snap out of it, Akemi. You're getting delusional. Someone could---

AKMI HAS AN ABNURMALIY SMAUL NOS---^v~~^v^

ARRGH! Darn that little brother of mine! First he misspells my name, writes in big letters, then scribbles after the sentance! Grr!! Aye... note to self; never let Katsuo get hold of the journal. Lucky for me he can't read very well... nor can he spell. Hmm... I thought I was only boling water... and I smell... smoke!

I must be going! Something is on fire and I hope it isn't Firebenders!

Signed,
Akemi Kusuzuki

[akemi5]

Six Days before Springtime
My bedroom
Evening, about three hours after the sun setted

It turns out it was just Yori trying to help with lunch yesterday. I don't know how he did it, but a spark flew out of the fire and put a chair on fire. Well, it's turned to ashes now, but that's no big deal. I cleaned up the ashes and got rid of them... and gave a small lecture to Yori about not getting near any fire until he's older. Katsuo and Jiro had been out with friends that time, so they didn't see much but the ashes of the chair. Luckily Akio had that bucket of water I asked for and used it on the rising flame before it got any further.

About today; My mother's illness has been getting worse with each passing moment. The doctor of this small village says she will be at the point of dying! Because my brothers and I have been the ones near her, he is afraid that we will catch the disease soon. He did not want a plague to begin and spread throughout to the other villages as well.

So today at the visit, he talked with Daiki Sensei for a little while. I wish I could have eavesdropped, but I didn't considering I know I'll get caught. Then they had a talk with me, and Daiki said I had to find a cure from Bai Seng Sei in order to save my mother... and the whole village, according to the doctor's theory. Most likely the city will have the medicine... somewhere. But since they were afraid of me getting mugged by a group of bandits or something they decided for me to have a traveling companion; Akio, Considering Jiro must stay home and look after the boys and mother. Besides, he's thirteen! What could go wrong? (I hope that wasn't a jinx...) He's old enough to take care of himself, so why can't he take care of mother and the two?

The doctor and Daiki Sensei said that Akio and I will start on the journey by the time Spring comes. We will bring a bit of food, a map, and of course the money needed in case we had to buy it (most likely we will).

I must be off to bed!

Signed,
Akemi Kusuzuki

[akemi5]

Three days before Springtime
Outside on the rock, just outside the house
Three hours before noon

I favor sitting on this rock. And I like being outdoors when it's nice out. Well, three days before it's time to go. Akio is at the store, already getting some supplies on the way there; after all, we may be attacked, considering how many attacks have been reported of the Fire Nation. If I had come back to this village as ashes, I'll rip apart limb from limb every Fire Nation man I see!! Well, until I see that my family is at least alive. But if they weren't, I'd go out of my way for revenge on the one who killed them. I--

...Enough of the violence. I haven't even started the trip and I'm already making too soon of the village's outcome upon our return. That is, if we do return or not.
Considering I have heard of the many attacks, I keep my father's katana at my waste at all times. Well, except when I'm sleeping, then it's right there beside my bed. I will carry it with me to Bai Seng Sei, of course. Hopefully we will not bump into any Fire Nation along the way. It would be emotionally painful if I lost my family... or anybody else who is close to me. If I lost Akio, I--
----------------------

Journal Entry Continued the same day
In my room
Late evening

My little brothers, Katsuo and Yori, have gotten themselves into a fight. That is why I stopped writing when I heard the commotion...
Here is what had happened:
I was of course writing another journal entry on my usual meditating rock, when I heard yelling and screaming, and boys saying "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!" over and over again. I ran over by the streets, to see what was going on, and saw kids about two or more years younger than I was. Since I was a bit short for my age, I pushed and shoved my way from the crowd of people, until I came to the center, where the fight took place. Suprised, it was Katsuo and a boy who looked four years older than him... Yori ran behind Katsuo. I saw his mouth moving, but could not hear him over the crowd of people. Katsuo shoved him away, and put his fists up. The older boy threw a punch at him, but Yori ran in the way and took the blow.

"Yori!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. They did not hear me. But the boy threw another punch, throwing Katsuo off his feet. I ran in to the rescue, and elbowed the older boy away from them both. "BACK OFF!!!" I growled at the bully. He was taller than I was, about an inch or two.
"Ha! Look at the little brothers, getting defended by their sister! A girl!"

Katsuo stood up and wiped the blood from his lip. "Who said we were related?" ...I could not believe my ears. "I see a family resemblance," he paused, "And besides, I'm not allowed to hit young ladies..." he grinned. My eye twitched. How dare this boy... the nerve!! Beating up my brothers, then attempting to flirt with me?!
Another boy my age walked up behind the bully. "Hey, that's Akio's girl. I wouldn't be flirting or he'll come to the rescue like last time." The crowd giggled. I scowled, narrowing my eyes. But I was still ticked with Katsuo. "Katsuo, Sensei is going to throttle me if he finds out I wasn't looking after you carefully. We're going home. Now."

"I told you. I'm not related." He said, glaring. "Yori--" I said. He stood up behind Katsuo. "I'm not leaving without Katsuo." I scowled. The bully walked up to me. "Hey, wanna hang out after I pound the-- (well, let's say he said the cuss word starting with "sh")-- outta these two?"

I was furious. My fist flew into the air, and right into the bully's face. "Akemi!"
I turned around, seeing Akio with a bag in his hand. "What's going on?"
"Well well well, if it isn't pretty girl's boyfriend--"
"He's not my boyfriend!"
"I'm not her boyfriend!"
"Hehe, right..."

My blood began to boil madly. "You know what? I'm sick and tired of this. Akio, help me here." I walked over to Katsuo, and pinched his ear, dragging him home. Yori followed, so Akio had no trouble at all with helping me. The crowd backed off.
---
Well, that's pretty much what happened. That moron knows better than to flirt with me now.

It's very late. I must have my rest.

Signed,
Akemi Kusuzuki

[akemi5]

The First day of Spring
Under a tree beside the road
Noon

We have started our little trip to Bai Seng Sei. So far so good; No smoke... no fires... nothing. Well, yet to come. But I hope it will not happen. Sometimes I jinx myself whenever I think about or say things like that. It normally ends up the bad way considering I'm a bit... well, unlucky. Considering that one time that--
------------------------------------

Journal Entry Continued that very evening
Somewhere in the dark wilderness
I have absolutely no idea, but I know it is evening

I... I... AKIO IS GONE! ...Well, lost (I really do not wish to think of him being dead...). He has the map, he has most of the supplies, all I've got is the journal and something to write with. And of course my father's katana... but that is only for defence, and I think Akio needs it more than I do. I'm lost, I have no idea on what to do, and I can't seem to calm down anymore! The wind is barely helping me, Akio is in total danger, and my village could possibly be as well!

Calm down, Akemi... you're not even explaining what the heck is going on. Okay, first off, of course Akio and I were walking along doing absolutely nothing, until Akio hears a twig snap. I just thought it was a squirrel or something, but when fire crossed our path I knew it so. wasn't. a squirrel.

We were ambushed, by a group of firebenders. Luckily it was only just entering the springtime, so the fire didn't spread too much. Only, it got us separated from each other. I wanted to go back, and kill all of those fire nation men, one by one... painfully. Who knows what had happened to Akio?! The last thing I knew was somebody pushing me behind a bunch of shrubs when fire was flying everywhere, smoke covering the field. I hit my head against the rock, and so it was lights out for me. I didn't knoe my way back to the village, or the way to Bai Seng Sei. I just have to hope for the best of luck and start off again tomorrow. For now, I have to stay under a tree or something for the night.

Signed,
Akemi Kusuzuki