Training Grounds

(Hey! If you're new, please read the Foreword first, it is very important, otherwise, you won't understand anything at all. If you've read it already, then enjoy on your journey~)

~*~*~

I rushed to the training grounds, even with my night gown on, but I started to regret it.

Our village is kind of twisted. We have all types of land and water. Yes, all. 

We have sand, mud, snow and the ordinary, but the weather goes all throughout the village. In summer, the snow would melt a bit, the mud will turn into a grass-less land, and the plants on the ordinary will die. But when rain comes, everything will be back to normal.

As for the water bodies, we have a huge pond, a river, and a gulf that leads to the sea then onto the ocean, and springs.

Another weird factor of the town is the reverse winds. It's very cold in the morning, then it heats up as night falls. 

And now I'm shivering because of the bone-chilling wind.

I carefully surveyed the surroundings. It still looks the same as I left it yesterday. Twenty thick wooden poles randomly stood in the clearing, and beyond those were the target boards placed on different places. Each one is full of holes, but the most noticeable ones are those on the bulls eye circle. The hole is probably 2-3 inches wide.

The grass danced as a breeze passed by, and my arms automatically hugged my body to keep myself warm. I observed everything from afar, I don't want to die because of the cold.

The good news: I'm finished on investigating the area.
The bad news: I can't find my bow.
The baddy-bad news: Kristina screamed.

Her voice came from...

- The tool shed

Kitchen

(Hey! If you're new, please read the Foreword first, it is very important, otherwise, you won't understand anything at all. If you've read it already, then enjoy on your journey~)

~*~*~

"What is the matter, Lady Mayumi?" Nana, the head chef, asked with a bewildered expression. My hair probably looks like a jungle weed or something right now, and I rarely walk out of my room with my night gown on.

"Nana, did you see my bow?" I asked. Worry filled her eyes as she took in my panicked expression, and I can sense that she's trying her best to reassure me. "No, dear. Why not check the training grounds? You worked hard yesterday. Maybe, just maybe, you forgot to bring it back because of exhaustion." Unfortunately, she failed to do so.

I'd never be so careless with my things, especially my most precious treasure, my bow. I'll never leave it behind. If I have to hug it while sleeping so it'll be safe, then I'll do so without second thoughts.

I felt the waterworks form on my tear ducts, but I prevented them from falling. I won't be as weak as people think I am. I have to be strong. As the heiress; as the last remaining Tsukino.

"Thank you, Nana." I dashed out of the kitchen doors.

- I need to go to the bathroom.
- I must check the training grounds, as Nana suggested.

Bathroom

(Hey! If you're new, please read the Foreword first, it is very important, otherwise, you won't understand anything at all. If you've read it already, then enjoy on your journey~)

~*~*~

I dashed out of my door and went into my luxurious bathroom. I quickly opened the faucet, cupped a handful of water and splashed it to my face. "This could not be happening..." I mumbled. 

Panic started to tamper with my heartstrings, my knees quivering. Fortunately, I was able to force myself to calm down. Huu... Haa... Inhale... Exhale...

I slowly regained my composure, and tried to analyze everything.

I'm not that careless to put my precious bow somewhere inside the mansion. Someone must've took it. Yeah, that's the only explanation. But how? The guards on duty are top ninjas. How come they didn't notice a trespasser? Unless... one of them is a thief.

- I should hold a meeting in the dining hall and talk to the guards.
- I think I'll stay in the bathroom a little bit longer.

The Tsukino Clan Heiress: Mayumi Tsukino

(Hey! If you're new, please read the Foreword first, it is very important, otherwise, you won't understand anything at all. If you've read it already, then enjoy on your journey~)


**~*~*~**
I immediately woke up because of the sudden glare of sunlight passing through my room’s windows. I never liked the light. Ever.

“My lady, lunch is served.” Kristina announced, tying up the lush golden curtains with a purple velvet ribbon. She’s my most loyal maid, and will do everything I order her to do. The color of her hair is an interesting mix of honey and hazel, which compliments her dark-green eyes. One of her most charming features is her heart-shaped face. Her name is a bit of a turn-off, though. I had a hard time pronouncing it at first.

She wore the traditional Tsukino Maid dress with her family's symbol on the frilly crest above her head. The hue of the coat of arms design matched with the black and green color of the maid uniform. The top of the dress fits perfectly and emphasizes her... ahem, average physique. The skirt is below knee-length and flows freely for comfort. On top is a paper-white apron with small frills on the edges, with a small green lace fixed into a thin bow between the collars.

“Kristina, fix my hair.” I slowly sat on the side of my bed and stretched. Small creases appeared as I did. Would it be too weird if I say I enjoyed hearing my bones ‘pop’? It’s ungraceful for a heiress, I know, but I can’t help but like it.

Kristina leaned down and gave me my slippers. My late mother gave it to me as a present when I was eight. It’s furry, soft and has the face of an usagi as its main design.

I stood and walked to my cypress cabinet with a mirror on a wooden frame above, listening to Kristina’s footsteps behind me. As I sat down, I stared at the girl in front of me as she stared back. “Why is she so beautiful?” I quietly asked. Her lips twitched slightly, as if preventing herself from smiling, “Because the girl you see before you is yourself, my lady.”

“Exactly.” I yawned and watched her do her magic on my hair. Trust me, Kristina is probably the best hairdresser in the whole wide world. With only a few turns and twists, she can transform your hair into something that only princesses have. And that’s why I have her as my servant. I deserve only the best.

I surveyed my room through the mirror as Kristina brushes my hair lightly. Everything is exactly where they should be. No, wait. There’s something missing…

After a few more seconds of investigating, I finally realized. I gasped and quickly stood, causing Kristina to drop the brush. It hit the wooden floor with a loud thud. I asked her with a panicked voice, which I really don’t care if she can sense it or not, “Where is my bow...?”

Her eyes widened when she turned her gaze to the empty bow holder near the door. “I do not know, my lady. I did not even realize that it is not there the moment I entered your room.”

Without a moment of hesitation, I went to the...
-Bathroom
-Kitchen
-Training Grounds

Foreword

Life in the Akatsuki: An Interactive Fan fiction

In an interactive fan fiction, the reader, after reading a part of the story, gets to choose which path he/she wants to take. Each option leads to different routes, and the character's destiny is within the reader's hands.

Please be aware that this is a [Rated 13+] story. We have Hidan here, people. He cusses like there's no tomorrow. Gore may take a peek now and then. Sexual jokes may be present, too (but they're mild!). So if you won't be able to take it, or if you're 12 and below (unless your maturity exceeds the expected level of your age), then please, do not continue on reading this anymore. You have been warned.

Also, I would like to hear it from you guys, so if you have suggestions, criticisms, questions, suggestions; then please don't hesitate to tell me! If you have violent reactions towards me, hate mails and all those stuff, feel free to click the "X" button on the upper-right portion of your screen.

Beta's and collaborations are welcome.

Before we start the story, let's first determine your gender. This is necessary, because we don't want a guy to read in a girl's point of view, and vice versa, ne? (you have the freedom to choose what point of view you'd like to read, though.) Choose your character's gender here.

Good luck, and enjoy!


Note: As I said in this blog's description, I got the idea from dulcee-san and lullabye-san's SHINee fan fiction. If they wish to take this down, then I will do so without hesitation.