A New Life
Chapter 1
Finally, I get to get out of this house. I get to move far away and start again. The real estate agent managed to get me the apartment, it may be small but it'll do. Tomorrow I'm getting on a plane and when I get off I will be in Konoha. I'm so excited I can't get to sleep. At least I can get plenty of sleep on the plane. I spent all of this week packing my stuff, day and night. So some sleep would be really good about now.
I managed to get to sleep at about 3am that morning and I was up again at 6.30am. 3½ hour will be enough to get me to the airport. And of course their were a few tears. I don't know why it's not like I'm never gonna call or never come back to visit. I had to wait for 4 hours after I got though security. Their weren't many people for this plane, in fact the only people on this plane had probably came here for holiday, because they had barely any luggage. I had loads of suitcases, a backpack and a shoulder bag. The plane was small as well and only half the people I saw got on the plane. We flew over loads of small islands and we made a few stops on the way. Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep, because we kept stopping at different airports. I was the only passenger left on the plane when we landed in Konoha. So I decided to thank the pilot in person. He was as tired as me and I couldn't blame him. The air hostess took me to what I presumed was an airport. It was quiet small, but very cosy. They obviously had very few people coming here or even leaving, but nothing would ruin this for me. The air hostess pointed me to a counter and left for the plane about leave. The sound of the plane leaving had woken up one of the ladies behind the counter. She gave a strange look, a cross between surprised and anger from waking her up.
"Your bags will be here shortly, we just have to check them for contraband," stated the lady.
"That's ok," I replied smiling "it will be good to relax for a while." She turned her back to me; I was too tired to care.
About 20 minutes later a young man brought out my bags and gave me an all clear. I walked over to her.
"There's a taxi waiting for you outside," she pulled out a small travel map and pointed to a building on it "the taxi will take you to the immigration centre, to get you signed in. And I'm guessing you already have somewhere to live so I would advise you go to their next," she winked at me "you wouldn't want to carry those bags around all day, would you."
"Thank you for the help," I walked out the door to the taxi. The driver got out of his car to help me with my bags. I put a backpack on the back seat and I kept my shoulder bag on my lap in the front seat. The driver shut the boot and got in. He started the car and I saw an id badge on the dash board. It read 'S. Allock, taxi driver for Konoha Taxis'.
"Don't get many people coming here nowadays," said the driver as we pulled out of airport "you staying for while I see."
"Yeah. I'm surprised that their wasn't anyone else coming here, it's so beautiful," he looked at me as I said it.
"I may be beautiful here, kid. But that doesn't mean it's completely safe. That's why we have the academy over their. So the students can help protect this old place," he pointed to a huge building as we came over the hill. "You have to be able to look after yourself here or you'll find yourself in trouble. You understand, kid," he turned to me with a serious look on his face.
"I understand, but I'm ready for anything this place throw at me," I stared forward and smiled at world just beyond the glass. He probably thought I was mad but I didn't care.
It was only a short ride to the immigration centre. It was in the heart of the town. Right on the corner of 2 roads, both roads were lined with shops of all sorts. The driver took my bags into the building.
"Thank you," I smiled at him, he winked back at me.
"Good luck kid," he replied. I pushed on the glass door and a burst of conditioned air swept past my feet. It wasn't that hot outside, but it felt like a freezer inside. The reception had turned up the air conditioning all the way and had an extra fan on her desk. She was wearing at least 3 layers; I was wearing what I always wear for summer. Denim shorts, trainers and a singlet. Sometimes I would wear a dress, if it was really hot. She looked at me and forced out a smile.
"Hello, you must be the girl from Australia," she tilted her head to the side, like if she was examining me. It sent shivers down my spine. She turned off the fan on her desk.
"Yes. The lady at the airport sent me here," I drop my backpack on the ground by my feet.
"Do you have your visa?" asked the receptionist. I reached into my shoulder bag and pulled out the visa. She took it out of my hands. "Thank you. I'll load it into the computer and you'll be good to go," she started typing. I knew it wouldn't take long so I stood by the counter and waited silently. After a few minutes she was done.
"All done. Have you got somewhere to stay?" she stared at me as I picked up my backpack off the floor.
"Yes, I brought an apartment about 10 minutes away,"
"Well that's good. Here's your visa back," she handed my visa back. I slipped it into my shoulder bag.
"Thank you. Good bye," I waved as I walked out the door.
"Good luck," she waved back "your gonna need it." She sat back down.
I walked down the road, past the shops and down an ally to a large apartment building. I was meeting the real estate agent outside the apartment in 5 minutes. I walked inside the building to the lobby.
"They told me that someone was moving in, but I still don't believe it," I turned around a man was sitting behind a large desk. He was in his early 50's and about 6'1. "You want me to take your bags; you'll never get them up those stairs,"
"Yes please, but how are you gonna get them up their," I thought the stairs were the only way up. I walked up to the counter and he pointed to a door in the corner of the room. "Is that a lift?" I asked. He nodded.
"But we don't let people use it, manly cuz it's old and a bit dodgy," replied the man " oh and by the way, the names max." he put out his hand to shake mine. So I dropped the bag I was holding and did the same. He grabbed my bags by the door and I helped him put them all behind the counter.
"Well you better get going, don't wanna keep that guy waiting," he winked at me. The real estate agent, I almost forgot. I ran up the stairs and luckily he was still their.
"Ah. Miss Read, I'm glad your here," the real estate agent unlocked the door.
"I'm sorry I'm late, but I had to go to the immigration centre and I lost track of time," I heard a max coming up the stairs. He waved at me. "I see you've met the lobby keeper," he waved at max too. I nodded and he walked into the apartment. I followed him in.
It was perfect. Well perfect for me anyway. There were 2 toilet, 1 in the bathroom and 1 outside the bathroom. There was a living/dining in centre, right next to the kitchen. The bedroom was in the living area, but raised up slightly. The whole living area was open, apart from the toilet, bathroom and a small room in the corner.
"It's not that big, but it'll do for 1 or 2 people," the real estate agent put his hand in his pocket.
"It's perfect, just what I need. Thank you," I replied. I dropped my shoulder bag on the kitchen counter.
"Well once we get your bags in, I'll leave you to make yourself at home," he walked out the door and helped max bring in some bags. I followed him and in a couple of minutes the bags were in. The real estate agent waved goodbye and went downstairs. I heard his car pull away.
"You want me to give the grand tour of this place," max had just dropped the bag in his hand. I attached the door key to my key ring and put it in my bag. I nodded my head and followed him out the door. I locked the door and made my way down the stairs.
Max showed me around the apartment block and introduced me to the neighbours. It only took about 10 minutes, it wasn't that big.
"Oh. And if you ever need me I'll be down here. And don't hesitate on using the lift for your shopping," said max as he sat behind his desk.
"Thank you very much max. And if it's not too much hassle, could you tell me if my cargo crate arrives," I readjusted my shoulder bag.
"No problem," he replied "well I better let you get settled in then." I waved goodbye and walked up the 4 flights of stairs in between me and my new home. I felt like time had stopped while I was climbing the stairs, it gave me time to think about today. To think about how many people I had met and how many times I had said thank you.
I walked in the front door and I decided to take a nap on the couch. I woke up a little late, well about 6.30pm, but it felt a lot later to me. I hadn't eaten anything since the flight this morning (I had forgotten to eat lunch, because of everything going on). I remembered passing a small takeaway restaurant on the way here. Hopefully it wasn't to busy and I could get something to eat.
It was a short walk, only a minute or 2. I was starving, I should have had lunch. Luckily there weren't many people in the restaurant. There was a couple but they were just about to leave. I sat on 1 of the bar stoles as the couple left.
"Welcome. What can I get you tonight?" asked the clerk behind the bar. I stared at the board over her head. It read 'chef's special' in large letters.
"I'll have the chef's special today please," I wasn't sure what it was but I was too hungry to care. She disappeared behind the bar into the kitchen. I sat and read though a few different leaflets. One was about a tour that took you right around the village and to places it said 'are barely known about, a real mystery'. Well this whole place is just one mystery for me so this tour might be a good idea. I heard the bell above the door ring. I looked over my shoulder, their was a man with a black blow cut and wearing a green spandex jumpsuit. He sat down and a kid that looked just like the man sat next to him. They could have been twin if it weren't for the obvious age difference, maybe they were father and son. A girl walked in, she looked embarrassed by the two guys.
The man stood up "Youthful student. As a reward for your hard work, I'll treat you all to dinner tonight. Which reminds me, where's Neji?" The bell rang again.
"I'm here," replied Neji. The man tried to pat him on the back, but Neji sat down too quickly for that. He sat in the last seat left, which happened to be the 1 next to me. The clerk appeared from behind the bar with notepad in hand.
"Well what do we have here then, I haven't seen you all in a week," the clerk acted as if she knew them.
"We've been out of town recently, and are here to celebrate a successful mission," the man then winked at the clerk and I swear I was almost sick. Neji saw my reaction and smiled a little. He obviously felt the same way.
"So what does everyone want then," the clerk seemed to be a little embarrassed at the man's reaction.
They all gave the same response "the usual." She disappeared again, but only for a minute. She came out with a bowl of noodles and placed it by my hand. She smiled at me and I said "thank you" placing the money on the counter. A 10 ryo for a the noodles, it cost 5.45 ryo. Simple maths so I did it in my head.
"4.55 ryo change," I managed to get in just before her.
"Well aren't you a smart one," the clerk handed me the change, which I put in my wallet.
The 2 guys in spandex were talking quiet loudly about youth and training and other boring, useless information. It was enough to make anyone fall asleep. I had a mouthful of noodles and reached for my ipod. I must have been singing out loud again, because I keep getting looks from the girl sitting next to Neji. Neji was looking at the table most of the time and I was tempted to talk to him, but something inside stopped me. He was cute, well I thought so. I tried to think of something to say.
"You come hear often," I only managed to get the words out. I hoped he knew I was talking to him. He turned toward me and looked at my ipod.
"Yeah, sometimes. It's a good place for a quick meal," I suddenly felt calmer when he answered "what are you listening to?" He was looking at the headphone daggling by my side. I grabbed it and handed it to him.
"Damaged by plummet. Do you wanna listen?" he looked at the headphone before nodding "tell me if it's too loud." He put it in his ear and I started the song again. I sang the words quietly as I drew in my notebook. Neji watched me draw random pictures. I looked at him and started drawing a picture of him. Sketching out his face and his eyes, taking great care not to mess it up. I signed the bottom of the page and gave him the picture. The clerk brought out his food. I had almost forgotten about the bowl of food by my arm. I ate half of it quickly then started drawing again. I didn't feel that hungry anymore. I looked at Neji; he was eating as slow as me.
"Come on Neji you don't usually eat this slowly. Even lee has beaten you," she gave Neji a pat on the back "we might have to leave without you soon."
"You can go then. I don't mind," he took another mouthful of noodles. The 2 guys wearing spandex got up and so did the girl.
"Well then my youthful student, we'll leave you to your meal," they all left. I continued singing quietly to Elevator by The Pussycat Dolls.
We both finished eating at the same time. He put the headphone on the table.
"Thank you," he bowed slightly and headed for the door.
"No problem," I looked at my feet and saw his bag. I grabbed it and ran out the door. "Excuse me, you left your bag," Neji looked over his shoulder at me holding his bag. "you wouldn't wanna lose something in there, you'll never see it again." I handed him the bag and bowed (I thought it was some sort of custom). He did the same and walked down the street. I didn't like the idea of staying out alone tonight, especially with a new moon in the sky. So I jogged back to my apartment, holding onto my shoulder bag tight. I got home just before 7.30. It was pitch black outside and I was knackered. I jumped into bed and fell asleep before my head hit the pillow. That night I dreamt about the day that had just passed, getting off the plane, riding in the taxi, seeing my apartment for the first times and meeting that boy in the restaurant.
It was a beautiful dream.
