Shinobu's Journey on the Polar Express
Ch. 2

AN: Time for this to continue, I hope you enjoy this chapter and the next.

Shinobu makes her way into the car. As she did she kept her arms to her chest and looked around shaking. Su on the other hand looked around with a gaping smile on her face. All around them were other children, all in their pajamas and nightgowns. Some were in their seats, others were moving about. Some were silent, some were talking and a few were singing.

She shyly moved by and went to a seat. She sat down and kinda looked down and away to keep herself from being seen. Su however just started being herself and started bounding on seat after seat like they were monkey bars.

Seeing there wasn't anything she had to do, she just stared out the window, watching as the train sped by buildings, houses and villages. 'Probably asleep, not even knowing about us', said Shinobu to herself.

Su meanwhile nearby was perched on a seat looking at the kids at one seat, who were looking at her in a bit of fear and astonishment. She simply smiled and asked, "Hey do you have any food on you?" The answer being obvious they quickly shook their heads.

Shinobu all the same was busy looking out the window in a daze. Just then he heard the voice of the Conductor. "Tickets please. . .tickets." He then tapped on Shinobu's shoulder, she looked to see the Conducter near her seat holding a ticket puncher. "Excuse me, ticket please."

Shinobu gasped, she knew for a fact that neither she nor Su had tickets for this train. Her mind was all a buzz, a then she started tearing up then frantically waving her arms about she said, "Awooo, I am sorry! I didn't know where to get tickets for this train, so I don't know . .I mean, please don't toss me out. I, I, I, I, I,. ."

The Conducter patted her head. "Calm down, calm down. I am sure you have your ticket. Try your pocket."

Confused and bewildered Shinobu reached into her pocket and, to her surprise found something. She pulled out a gold ticket on it was written "Polar Express Round Trip." She was greatly astonished and relieved. She handed the ticket to the conductor. "Thank you", he said as he frantically began punching it. He started with one hole but then he started punching more holes, once he was done he handed it back to Shinobu. "Thank you." He then noticed Su hanging from the ceiling and going crazy on the seats. "Ah ah ah, young lady this is not a jungle gym!"

As he ran of to deal with Su, Shinobu looked at the ticket, the holes the Conductor had punched formed words. On them were the words of a incomplete word. They were H and O. 'What does this mean', asked Shinobu to herself.

Suddenly Su got on top of the seat in front of Su. "Hey Shinobu, look what I found in my pocket. I don't know why but it was there and looked what he punched on my ticket." On it were the letters C and T. "C. . .T what does that mean?" asked Su. "Some kind of food?"

Shinobu kinda knew that question was coming, since food was always on Su's mind. "No I don't think so", said Shinobu. "Okay", said Su who then continued her crazy trech.

Nearby a kid noticed Shinobu looking down. "Hey you, are you okay?"

Shinobu said, "Me. . um yeah I am okay." She then shyly scooted more towards the window.

The kid then looked at Shinobu's face, "You look a bit sad. What is wrong?"

Shinobu said, "Um" then looked away adding, "I rather not talk about it."

"Well cheer up", said the child, "After all it is Christmas, and I know Christmas always brings a lot of good with it."

"Really", asked Shinobu, "How do you know?"

"I just know", said the child who then went back to his seat. Shinbu turned back to the window to ponder on the childs words.

"Can Christmas really make everything better this year", asked Shinobu, "Even without my parents?"

To Be Continued. . .

AN: FINALLY I finished it, I meant to had this up by Christmas, this and another chapter but better late than never. It will be up after the 1st of the new year. A late Happy Holidays and a Happy 2009!