Chapter 1

There is a place where everyone longs to be. The place where they belong. The one place they feel most attached and call home. For those few who don't find their place is the life of the wandering soul.

"Traveling is not so depressing," Nami closed the book, stuffed it in her rucksack, and pulled out a folded map. "next destination: Mineral Town"

"Dammit, I'm late!" Gray rushed down the stairs of the inn struggling to put on his jacket and hat, "The old geezer will have my head…"

Ann, the innkeeper's daughter, handed Gray a small loaf of raisin bread, "So, did you and Kai have fun last night?," Gray's face turned beet red. Ann loved to tease him ever since she found out about their relationship.

"Ann cut it out, he's already half an hour late as it is," said Doug from behind the cash register. Gray thanked Ann for the bread and flung open the inn door--

CRASH

Nami sat up, not quite sure what had knocked her to the ground. She rubbed her forehead and looked around to find some guy standing in the doorway with a startled look on his face.

"I'm really sorry! Are you alright?" he reached down a hand to help her up. Once on her feet again Gray apologized a second time and then took off running down the street. Now at the door stood a man with orange hair and a mustache.

"Hi, I'm Doug and this is my inn. Sorry about earlier. Gray was in a bit of a hurry. Saibara is strict on responsibility, being on time, and such. All that aside, I suppose you are looking for a place to stay?"

"That would be why I'm here."

Doug nodded curtly and motioned a hand toward the girl standing next to him, "This is my daughter Ann. Just ask her if you need anything. Ann, why don't you go find our guest a empty room. If you need me I'll be in the back." that said, Doug left through the door behind the counter.

Ann smiled and extended a hand toward Nami, "Hello, my name's Ann"

"Nami," said the redhead and shook hands with the innkeeper's daughter.

"Nami, nice to meet you," Ann directed Nami to the stairs at the back of the main floor, "The inn is always packed at this time of year, but I think we have an extra room you can stay in. How long are you staying in Mineral Town?" Ann paused and waited for an answer.

"Hopefully not long," Nami mumbled

"Hmm? Sorry, I missed that. What'd you say?"

"I'll probably be leaving tomorrow," Nami said slightly louder. She was not a conversational person and Ann's outgoing enthusiasm was trying her nerves.

"Aw that's too bad," there was a touch of disappointment that was gone in an instant as she proceeded to point out who's rooms they passed and gave Nami a short biography of each person.

"This one on the right is Cliff's room. He came to Mineral Town a short while ago. He's a little shy and spends most of his time in the church, other than that he's a bit of a mystery and over there is Kai's room. He runs a small restaurant on the beach during the summer. He likes to travel around so we don't see much of him. Down the way on your left is Gray's room. He's the one that knocked you out on your way in," the thought made Nami rub the bump on her head, "He's apprenticed to his grandfather Saibara. He's the best blacksmith around and when he's gone Gray will take over the trade," Nami could feel a slight twitch in her left eye. She didn't know anyone could talk so much. She pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath, "this here is your room," Ann opened the door to a small neat room. It had a single bed with an end table, a lamp, and a bible. Ann crossed the room to draw the curtains and let some light in, "there you go. The room next door is empty. Van keeps it reserved for when he visits. Would you like anything to eat? There's still breakfast in the kitchen; I could heat something up." Nami shook her head.

"No, thank you, but I'm not hungry."

"Well, if you need anything, just ask. I'll be downstairs."

The door closed and finally there was quiet. It wasn't that she disliked people; she was just accustom to being alone. She laid her rucksack down and slumped into the bed.

A soft bed sure beats sleeping on the ground

By noon the hot summer sun kept people indoors. Many headed over to the inn where they could cool off in the air-conditioned building. Jack would have liked to be one of these people, but he had farm work left to do. There hadn't been much rain and the crops were beginning to dry out. On top of that he'd promised Barley that he would help out. The old man was having a hard time in the summer heat. Jack wiped the sweat from his brow and headed for Yodel Ranch.

Passing by Saibara's shop, Jack could hear an abundance of insults spouting from Gray and his grandfather. Those two were always at it, Gray believed he deserved more credit than was given and Saibara would sooner find something to criticize before admit that Gray was skilled. Jack smiled to himself. Ever since he came to Mineral Town and restored the farm he had felt he belonged there. There was just something about Mineral Town that made him feel at home. Sure he thought about the city life he had once led and all the modern conveniences he left behind, but it could never matched up to the life he now had.

Jack turned into Yodel Ranch and was relieved to see the cows and sheep were grazing outside.

Great! This wont take long after all. Just have to check up on them and off to the inn like everyone else

Just as Jack was walking up to one of the sheep there was a commotion from inside Barley's house and a moment later Barley slammed open the front door shouting "Joanna is coming home!"

Nami squinted her eyes open. The light coming through the window was dimmer than when she had arrived.

How long was I asleep?

She sat on the edge of the bed and reached down for her rucksack. She retrieved a silver pocket watch. It was near 5 o'clock. She stretched and rubbed sleep from her eyes. Her stomach grumbled and reminded her that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. Leaving the room she was able to hear that there were a lot a people downstairs, perhaps having dinner. She wasn't fond of crowds but figured it was endurable for a meal. once downstairs she saw what she was sure must be the whole town laughing and carrying on. Nami scanned the room for an open table.

It figures. The place is packed full.

That was when Ann came scurrying over to her from one of the tables.

"Nami, you're finally awake. You must have been really tired. Here you can come sit with Mary, Popuri, and I." Ann led Nami over to a table where to other girls sat talking and giggling, "I'll go get you a plate, Nami. Is stir-fry alright with you?" Nami nodded as she sat down.

"You must be Nami, the traveler Ann was talking about, right?" the pink haired girl directed the conversation to include Nami. "If you get the chance you should stop by the Poultry Farm. That's where I live. Do you like chickens? I think they're so cute!," realizing that Popuri could go on for hours talking about chickens, Mary changed the subject.

"So, Nami, where did you come from?" She asked politely.

"I don't really come from anywhere. I just sort of come and go. I never stay in one place very long."

"Really? That sounds exciting. I've never actually traveled much, but I've read many books with grand adventures."

"You read a lot?"

"Oh yes! I work at the town library. I'm in the process of writing a novel of my own

"You're writing a book? That's impressive. What's it going to be about?"

Popuri quickly tired of the conversation. She wasn't a big reader and if it didn't have anything to do with Kai or chickens then she just wasn't interested. When she saw Ann heading for the table with a tray of stir-fry for Nami she waved enthusiastically, hoping that Ann's arrival would spark a change in the dull discussion of books.

Jack sat at a table with Barley eating his stew while listening to the old man talk about Joanna, his daughter. Jack had never actually met Joanna; she had left town before he arrived at the farm. He had heard enough about her though to know that she was May's mother and that she had left May in the care of Barley and then disappeared to fulfill her dreams. Apparently Barley had been trying to convince Joanna to come home for years, but to no avail. Then suddenly out of the blue she calls him and says she's coming back to Mineral Town. Barley had been going on telling Jack everything about Joanna for hours and Jack now only half listened to his tales of her as a child and nodding politely all the while. Then the subject suddenly changed as Barley pointed out a redhead girl that had just come down the stairs.

"Haven't seen her around before, must have arrived in town recently," then he looked at Jack and added, "Pretty too." Jack nodded agreement, "why don't you go talk to her, see if she has a boyfriend already--"

"What?! I cant just…--"

"Oops, too late, Ann beat you to it," Barley laughed and then started on about Joanna again.

After gulping down her meal, Nami excused herself from the table and left the inn to take a walk. It was dark even with the street lamps on. She could hear the ruckus of the inn, but aside from that everything was quiet and serene. There was a wind blowing in cool air from the north. It was a definite change to the scorching weather earlier in the day. Nami stuffed her hands in she pockets. And leaned against a lamppost. The sky was clear and she looked out at the many stars that dotted the night sky. Looking up at the stars always helped to clear her thoughts. She lowered her gaze and it landed on a building and to the left was a small graveyard.

Oh, this must be the church that Ann mentioned before.

She walked over for a closer look.

You know… there's just something creepy about graveyards at night.

She laughed quietly when remembering when she was little and all the kids would get together to dare one another to go out in the graveyard and touch a headstone. She looked then at the church and noticed the door had designs carved into it.

It must have been hand carved.

She ran her fingers over the wood as she admired the work. It was then that the door suddenly flung open and once again Nami found herself knocked to the ground by a door.

"You okay? That must have hurt," Nami quickly got to her feet.

"It's okay. I'm getting used to it," she said, brushing the dust off her pants. "My name's Nami and you are…?"

"Oh, sorry, I'm Cliff," he held out his hand and Nami shook it."

What's with these people and handshakes anyway?

She looked up at the person she just met and her heart stopped. He had the most beautiful violet eyes.

"Are you staying at the inn, Nami?" she nodded without tearing her gaze from his. "Great, I'm heading back. Would you like to walk with me?" she nodded again because her tongue refused to form words. They walked to the inn in silence and when they got there many people had left and others were starting to drift out. Ann was busy cleaning up and just cast a smile of greeting towards the two as they walked in the door. They said goodnight and entered their rooms. Nami couldn't sleep, partly because of the nap she had earlier and partly because she couldn't get those wonderful violet eyes off her mind.

Why do those eyes seem so familiar?

Well that would be the end of the first chapter. i await your reviews : )