The Distant Days of Uranus

Part 9: Mountains

The following day…

It had been a surprise when the women had arrived at the Shinjuku Station; the car left them with little ceremony. Sky was in jeans; solid hiking boots and a thick navy blue sweater. She carried a large backpack and had her hair braided. She looked like a tourist; not a powerful businesswoman or future dean at a university. Haruka herself was in similar clothing; her sweater was dark gold. She too carried a backpack. They blended into the crowd, no one even blinked at the pair of them. Haruka had come to expect first-class at all times with Sky. But the train station was for everyone; as if they were everyday travelers. They neared the station and Sky stopped to buy their tickets. There was the option of a luxury train; it would take them only ninety-minutes to reach Hakone National Park; but instead Sky purchased the regular train. The agent at the booth printed off their tickets and called for the next customer.

Sky run up the steps; backpack across her shoulders; a gleeful grin on her face. Haruka kept up with her as they raced up the stairs. The train platform was crowded with people going to various places.

Their train arrived; they were asked to board. Haruka stayed close to Sky as they shoved their way on and sat down. Not in the first class area but in the normal, open area. The car was divided like an airplane. Near the windows there were sing rows of two seats; facing each other. A narrow aisle with just enough room to walk in; with a row of four seats stacked side-by-side; beside that was a second aisle and two more seats facing each other.

Sky settled in an empty seat; Haruka, being the tallest, handled the bags. Their backpacks sat above them on the shelf; with netting across the front kept the luggage from falling.

Haruka sat next to her; Sky casually took the blonde's hand in her left one and let out a deep, contented sigh.

Endless people flowed into the train; finding seats, muttering and moving about. Some were backpackers; like Sky and Haruka. Others were dressed in suits and carried briefcases and a small overnight bag. Families and young groups all seemed to filter and find places to sit.

A young Western couple sat across from Haruka and Sky.

"Paul take the bags!" The girl was too short to reach the shelf.

Haruka stood up, "Can I help?" The brunette girl smiled at them; her companion sat down, opened his travel guide and said nothing.

"Do you guys speak English?"

Sky blinked and turned her head to focus on the brunette, "Yes."

"Oh good." The woman smiled brightly. Haruka took their backpacks and settled them on the shelf.

The brunette sat down. "We just arrived a couple of days ago; it's so hard to get around."

"It can be challenging." Sky admitted.

Haruka sat down retaking Sky's hand.

"I am Jenny." The brunette said lightly, "We're from Vancouver. Where are you from?"

Sky held out her right hand, "Sky and this is Haruka." She waved to the blonde beside. "We both live in Tokyo."

The train gradually picked up speed and they were underway.

Jenny looked out the window for a while. "So have you to been together long?" Sky smiled, glancing at Haruka. The blonde shook her head.

"You might say that; we were friends first."

"Oh, that's the best." Jenny glanced at her boyfriend, her eyes narrowing. "Normally." Sky shifted in her seat. "Are you two going for the hiking?"

"Hiking?" Jenny shook her head, "No way! I am looking forward to the hot springs." Jenny frowned and shook her head, "Problem is, I couldn't understand our hotel person this morning. I don't know what station to get off at."

Sky answered, "So you're going to Hakone-Yumoto station."

"Thanks," Jenny elbowed her boyfriend, "Paul, write that down."

He grumbled something.

"So you guys live and work together in Tokyo?"

Sky nodded, "Yes."

"Are you English teachers or something?" Jenny asked.

"No." Sky glanced at Haruka again, "I am a professor."

Jenny looked at the blonde racecar driver. "And you?"

Haruka sighed gently, "I test drive cars for a racing team."

Paul glanced up at that, "Really?"

"Yes."

"Which team?"

Haruka frowned a little, she wasn't too keen on talking, "Road King Racing."

The man's eyes widened. "They're a top team."

Sky hid her smile by looking out the window. "Great views, huh?"

Jenny looked out the window; Paul went back to his book. Haruka relaxed against Sky.

Eventually the train population thinned out. Sky had chatted with Jenny about the weather, the view, and everything except cars or racing. Haruka found herself laughing as she enjoyed the company. Haruka took pleasure in watching Sky as she sat in her seat; staring out the window and watching the city give way to mountains, trees, and nature.

Two hours later they arrived at Hakone-Yumoto Station. The open air station allowed the country side to surround them. It was like they had been transported to a mystical land; full of greenery, and mountains. The platform leading to the main area was narrow and marked with two yellow strips. Sky and Haruka stepped off the train; Haruka carried their bags. Once on the platform, Sky shrugged her pack across her shoulders. Jenny and Paul stumbled off the train and looked around, bewildered.

"Do you guys know where you're staying?" Sky asked.

Jenny took the travel book from Paul and studied. "We have reservations here, I think?" Sky stepped over and read the book. Haruka lingered back from the trio; watching the steady flow of people. There was an announcement and the train slowly pulled out of the station.

"You'll need to take a bus to get there." Sky informed the couple. She looked over their clothes. "Do either of you have hiking boots?"

"Yeah, why?" Paul looked down at his sandals.

"This is mountain country; open-toed shoes aren't the greatest to walk in."

Jenny looked at Paul, "I told you so!"

Haruka had had enough of the couple; the two of them set her on edge.

"You also will want to put on pants and have a sweater or something. At this elevation it's colder then the mainland."

Sky glanced over at Haruka; as if sensing her discontent. Haruka's face must have shown it. Sky gave a nod, Haruka turned and walked out of the station. She knew Sky would find her. Once away from the couple, out in the air with the cool mount breeze in her hair; the sky senshi felt better.

Several minutes later, Sky came out of the station. The couple had changed to more sensible attire. She pointed in the direction of their bus. Saying goodbye, Sky crossed to Haruka. They headed off toward their bus. The further they got from the station; the more noticeable the change in Sky. Haruka had never seen her so animated, so happy or carefree. Sky's hair flashed white in the warm sunshine. She held onto her backpack with her hand resting on the straps; walking with a spring in her step as they headed toward the bus station.

Another hour passed before they arrived at their destination. Haruka and Sky stepped off the bus; heading up the sloping road to their destination. They walked for a long time; the road dipped and sloped; making it a great work-out. The summer mountain air enveloped them in a refreshing sense of tranquility.

Sky chatted brightly and enthusiastically; as they followed the road. She talked about her childhood and her first trip to the area.

"It was a school trip, actually." Sky mused, "The five of us had won the essay contest, and the prize was a day trip to Hakone National Park. It took most of the day to get here; but I think that was point. As a child I didn't really get it; it seemed like a waste to me. But once we arrived and we could hear the sounds of nature; it seemed better. Suddenly I didn't care that had spent the day on a train."

They came to the base of a steep hill and stared up.

"I've never been here before." Haruka muttered, "Michiru and I always went to the beach resorts. She liked the ocean; more then mountains."

Sky cast a glance at her companion before shaking her head. "The ocean? I prefer mountains. The height lets me feel like I can reach the clouds."

Haruka followed Sky as they turned around a corner and continued up another steep hill."So tell me something."

Sky looked at her, "What's that?"

"Why are backpacking through the countryside?"

"Aren't you enjoying it?"

She was delighted to be here. The exercise up the hills; the cool breeze; it was all perfect. Still she was curious why Sky had chosen to do this. Haruka nodded. "Yes, I am. But it's just you always drive and you're constantly going. I never thought of you as a hiking and nature-lover type."

Sky laughed as they continued up. "I love a lot of things other than cars. They are my passion; and what I am best at. But there's no point in only being good at one thing. Mountains and hiking challenge me to try harder. This isn't just some easy thing I can do like breathing. I have to work hard to climb and handle what nature throws at me. That's part of the fun. You never know when it might rain or what view you'll find."

"I don't want to sound snobbish, but, you do realize there isn't many western accommodations this far inland?"

"Yes. There are also no traffic lights." Sky pointed out, "Here I have to go only at the speed of my body. No fast cars; no race tracks, no meetings. Here it's just me with my own self. It's strange you know, when you are accustomed to moving at the speed of the wind; you forget how it feels like slow motion when you are forced to walk."

Haruka glanced at Sky; the woman didn't notice; she was too busy enjoying the scenery. She wondered if Sky had any idea who eerily accurate her words truly were. Haruka was the wind; she had been running and going so incredibly fast for so very long that she felt awkward at this slow pace. She was reminded once again of realizing how the others must feel. They had to keep up with her; not the other way around. It had always been Michiru who raced to stay with Haruka. That could explain why the artist was finally tired. One could only chase the wind for so long before finally stopping to rest.

The steep hill abruptly gave way to a flat surface and they continued the walk. Haurka's legs were getting tired and she had to admit; it felt good.

"We're here." Sky said briskly and Haruka looked around.

They were closing in on a low sitting building. The traditional Japanese style inn wasn't what Haruka had been expecting. Sky marched up to the inn entrance. The door slid apart; the inn keeper sat on her knees and welcomed hem.

Haruka was amazed at the ease and comfort with which Sky settled into the room. It was completely traditional Japanese. The sparse sprinkling of furniture was low to the ground; the futon beds were rolled up with their covers and pillows folded neatly to one side. Paper walls could be moved back and forth along a wood track; to open or close off areas. There were no windows; and only enough walls to keep the structure standing.

Sky was in her sock feet; backpack leaning against one wall. She sat on her knees; pulling aside one of the paper walls. The view was breathtaking and so completely simple, it was almost enough to make one cry.

There was no sign of the city here. It was mountains; trees, old homes. There was the occasional glimpse of a bus as it puttered by; but they were few and far between. In the distance one could see the outline of the base of Mount Fuji; there was a glint of water off Lake Ashinoko.

Haruka settled beside Sky. Somewhere a bird cried out; the wind gusted; leaves rustled. It was nature at her best.

"Let's go into the bath, that's why we're here."

There were a few things about hot spring bathes that were unique to Japan. One, no swim suits were allowed. Two, there were mixed baths and both men and women used them. The younger women would avoid these and use only the female baths.

Second, one had rinse using the provided area before entering. The water was hot; so it was best to enter carefully and gently.

Haruka followed Sky out to the main mixed bath. "Are you okay with the mixed bath?" Sky asked as they walked across the flag stone path.

"Yes, I don't care if men around me, I just don't want to sleep with them."

Sky chuckled, "Good enough."

There was a marked area where they could leave their shoes and towels. Sky and Haruka deposited their belongings and rinsed off. The hot spring area was not as busy as one might expect. Still, there were a few people there. Everyone was comfortable and relaxed.

The hot spring had been encased in stone and cedar. There were a series of steps leading up to the spring's edge. Sky walked up the steps, her pale naked body seemed to glow against the dark of the stones around her. She sank into the water and moved to the side. Haruka joined her. They sat with their backs against the warm stones. The only sounds were the wind in the trees and the quiet, reserved chatter of a few people.

Haruka frowned as the wind whispered to her again. She turned her head and sighed. "Look."

Sky followed her and smiled gently, "What are they doing here?"

Paul and Jenny walked down the path; staring with wide eyes.

Sky waved them over, "You guys, you can't were anything. It's meant to be a health experience for the skin. You're going to have to be naked."

The Western couple exchanged a look; Paul shrugged. "Come on, Jen. We are in Japan; why not experience to the fullest?"

"I am not getting naked in front of these people."

Sky stifled the urge to laugh, "Jenny, no one's going to care. That's not what this is about."

It took several minutes for Paul to convince Jenny to give it a try. Sky sat closer to Haruka as the couple joined them.

"So we just sit here?" Paul asked.

"Yes and try not to talk too much. It's supposed to be a peaceful experience." Sky told him flatly.

After awhile Haruka excused herself and stepped out. She heard Jenny gasp softly and ignored it. Rinsing off; she gathered her things and headed back to the room.

Jenny turned to Sky, "I thought she was a man."

Sky smiled, "It happens to everyone."

"Oh, so you're a…" Jenny let it trail off.

"This is an awesome place." Paul said quickly. No one spoke again.

Sky eventually returned to their room; Haruka was sitting on the floor in a gold and blue kimono; watching the sky darken and the stars come out. She turned her head and watched as Sky slid the door closed. Sky wore a blue and gray kimono.

"Tell me we aren't having dinner with those two." Haruka stated.

"No, they were here only for a little bit. They've left now. I doubt we'll see them again." Sky sat beside Haruka; they watched night descend around them.

They only moved when their dinner was brought it. It was done in a traditional manner. The amount of care and time that had gone into it was obvious. It was more like artwork then food.

After dinner; with the darkness of the night around them, Haruka lay back against her futon and watched the stars shine. It was truly a different world out here. Haruka looked over as Sky rolled out her mat and began to set up her bed.

"Why are you doing over there?" Haruka asked lightly.

Sky looked up as she shook out her blanket. "What?"

"Come over here," Haruka patted the mat beside her. "I don't think they spy on their guests."

Sky smiled gently, "It's not that. I just didn't want to crowd you. You seemed on edge."

"It was just that couple we met on the train." Haruka tucked an arm under head. "I am okay now. You don't bother me."

Sky's laughter made Haruka smile. "Okay." Sky stood up and carried her mat over. She set it up and stretched out beside Haruka. They had to shift around a bit; Haruka ended up with Sky's head on her chest; one arm across the woman's shoulders; the other Haruka tucked under her head.

"What are we doing tomorrow?"

"I have no idea." Sky's voice was gentle.

Haruka glanced over and realized Sky was drifting off to sleep. The blonde leaned down and kissed Sky's hair. "See you in the morning."

There was a mumbled response and sleep washed over Sky. Haruka settled her head more firmly against the sport of her arm; turning to stare at the outline of distant trees and mountains. Far away the moon spilled pale silver light across the mountain range and the stars winked at her.