"Anything yet?"
"Not a thing, football head."
Arnold gave a sigh, placing the book aside in frustration. They had spent a good portion of the afternoon at the library, searching through the books, and finding nothing about what they were looking for. Nothing. Helga even skimmed through alphabetical volumes of an Encyclopedia, but found nothing either. It was starting to become a wild goose chase for them now.
"Face it, we won't find it!" Helga groaned, slamming another book shut. "This stupid amulet probably doesn't exist in this world! But of course that doesn't make sense since it has to somehow in order for us to be HERE! Criminy!"
"We shouldn't give up yet, Helga." Arnold reasoned. "This is a small town, after all, so I guess they just don't have a lot of things. Maybe we'll find some things in the next village we come to when we get there tomorrow."
"Always looking at the bright side, Arnoldo." Helga said, rolling her eyes. "Fine. I'll bite." She looked at a clock mounted on the wall, and could see that the hour of twilight had descended outside. "Let's go back to the Inn, all this reading and researching is killing me."
"Sure, Helga. Let's put the books back and we'll get going."
Helga nodded and helped him gather the books they had taken to the table with them and went to return them to their designated places on the shelves. Once done, they exited the library, and went over to a food vendor, picking up some packaged meals, some hot and some cold, and took them back to their room at the Inn.
Inside the room, Arnold set up the food on the coffee table, turning on the TV so that they could eat and watch some television. Helga disappeared into the bathroom and washed her hands, and then undid her hair from their pigtails and looked at herself. She had taken a shower earlier that day after the fire, so her skin, hair and clothes were free of the soot and ashes.
Still, she sighed. She didn't look her best, and she sure didn't feel her best, either. Not with the entire situation raining down on her like it was.
Not even bothering to put her hair back in pigtails, Helga changed into her PJ's and exited the bathroom, joining Arnold on the couch. She noticed him staring at her with surprise, and she snapped her gaze at him.
"What?! What are you looking at, football head?!" Helga demanded.
"N-Nothing Helga, I'm sorry." Arnold quickly averted his gaze. "I-I just never saw you with your hair down before. You look nice. I-I mean, not that you don't already look nice! What I mean is that you do look pretty with your hair down, but it doesn't matter either way."
Well, that was partially true. He had never seen Helga with her hair down, since she constantly wore her hair in pigtails in his presence. The only time he did see her with her hair down was when she was impersonating Cecile, after she had thrown up and her hair had gotten limp. Despite the situation, she did like it better than the poodle haircut.
"...Well, thanks, I guess." Helga shrugged, taking a bowl of Soba noodles and went to eating it, turning her attention to the TV.
There was something so familiar about her now that she had her hair down. He had to admit, she really did look pretty with her hair down. Her pigtails were cute, and made her look very much like her age, but her hair down, it was as if she were different, and yet it was still Helga. If she wore her hair down, she would definitely be turning heads. Her big blue eyes contrasted so nicely with her blonde hair, and her light skin tone went along with the combo very well. Her round, slightly G-shaped nose was cute and small but evident, her lips were pouty, and her unibrow, though most found it unatractive, seemed to just add to her charm. It was unique, and did well in defining her expressions, which often combined with her mouth, eyes, and sometimes her hair.
Come to think of it, really looking at her then, as she was watching TV and eating the Soba noodles, she really was pretty. In her own way, but still pretty. Once more, Arnold blushed and looked away, unable to believe that he had thought of Helga as pretty, again. It was strange to say, but pretty hard to deny. She could be pretty when she wanted to be, and right now just about proved it. If her hair were more brushed, and she even applied some light but noticeable makeup, she would look beautiful, and REALLY turn heads.
Then again, it didn't matter either way. What mattered more, was that Helga never seemed to care about how she looked, or what other people thought about how she looked. She was so "real", for lack of a better word. It was obvious she liked wearing a pink bow on her head, something that most girls their age didn't do, but she did it anyway. Most girls wouldn't be caught dead with a unibrow, and yet she didn't say nor do anything of it, which meant she didn't care or even liked it. Everything about her, despite how she always put up hostility as a constant defense mechanism, Helga was all natural.
And he liked it. Unsure of why, he just did. It her more appealing, and attractive.
Arnold gave a sigh, trying to ward his mind off all of this as he reached down for a container of rice, turning his attention to the TV as well.
Right then, there was a knock on the door. Helga made a move to get up, but Arnold smiled and got up, indicating he would get it. At his back, she smiled too.
Arnold went to the door and opened it. "Yeah?"
"Hey, Arnold!" Hijiro greeted. "Sorry to bother y'all, but this letter came here addressed to you two." He held out an envelope to him, with his and Helga's names written across it in formal cursive.
"Really? Who from?" Arnold asked, taking the envelope.
"Not sure, kiddo. A raven flew in through the window and dropped it on my desk before flying off. I'm guessin' some messenger or something." Hijiro shrugged. "Well, I'll let you guys read it then. See you later!"
"Thanks, Hijiro." Arnold said as the Innkeeper left, and he shut the door. "I wonder who this is from..."
"Beats me. Bring it over here so we can read it already!"
"Okay, okay." Arnold went back over to the couch, opening the envelope and taking out the letter.
It was on Konoha stationary, also written in the fancy cursive that embedded their names on the envelope. He unfolded it and held it out for them both to see.
Dear Arnold and Helga,
Surprised, huh? Well, after Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji told me about where you guys were and what you were doing, where you were going, I was pretty surprised at that. Why didn't you tell us what was going on? I understand your situation may have been...well, embarrassing to say the least, but don't be afraid to tell this to others, sometimes it can help to even just talk about it.
But it's okay. I understand, and I wouldn't have tried to force it out of you either way.
I'm just glad you two are all right and well on your way. It's a very dangerous world out there, crawling with enemy ninjas and spies. Just be careful, okay? They will not exercise their strength just because you're kids. They will KILL you if given the chance. Don't give them that chance. Just keep each other safe and try to stay on the main roads. Be careful.
I also want to express my deepest condolences about what happened to your family. I'm so sorry to hear what happened, and trust me, I can relate. I won't bore you or go into details about it, but let's just say I know how it feels to be without parents.
Be careful, you two. And stay safe.
Enclosed is a couple of things that I hope will help you. Please accept it. I know it may seem like too much, given what you do have, but know that I really am glad to help you two.
Be good. :)
Sincerely,
Orivia Uchiha
P.S. Naruto wanted to write something to you guys too! What a nutball.
Heeeeeeyyyyyy guys! Glad to know you guys are okay! I was pretty worried when you guys left, and when Ino and Shikamaru and Chouji were telling us what you guys were doing. But hey, you're safe and that's great!
Good luck! And definitely come back to visit sometime, we'd love to see you again! I'll treat you to ramen again, too. ;)
See ya!
Naruto Uzumaki, Future Hokage of Konoha
"Those double crossers! I can't believe they told!" Helga exclaimed angrily. "Wonderful!"
"It's okay, Helga. We don't need to lie within a lie." Arnold coaxed. "I mean, it was the right thing to do, letting them know we're okay."
"Whatever. So what did actual-real-Princess include with the letter, anyway?"
"I don't know, let's have a look." Arnold placed the letter aside and looked into the envelope.
Inside were two slips of paper, containing their names and information, written in English and in the language here, which Helga attributed as Japanese, despite that she still couldn't read it. From what the little slips said, it was guaranteed permission entrance to Shinobi villages for non-ninja folk. A little note accompanied the slips with a short message.
These slips of paper are permission identification for entrance to the Shinobi Countries and villages. So if ever you need to go to a Shinobi village, be sure to present these so you will gain entrance and permission to enter. Just be sure to get photos of yourselves taken and added, which you can do just about any place that has a photography store. You need either a high political figure, a Kage or leader of the Shinobi villages to vouch for you, so don't worry, I signed the slips and let them know that you have permission to be within Ninja grounds.
Good luck.
O.U.
Also in the envelope was some extra money, about 600 extra to split.
"Well what do you know. We barely know these people and yet they go out of their way to help us." Helga said in amazement.
"That's so generous of her." Arnold murmured, and gave a smile. "We'll definitely have to pay her back somehow."
"Guess so. But really, what do you give to a Princess? A real one, on top of that. She must have a bagillion things!"
Arnold shrugged. "She's pretty humble and down to earth, I don't think she'll be hard to please. At least I don't think so."
"You and your romantic view of people." Helga said, shaking her head. "Fine, we'll think of something. And it had better be good!"
"We'll do that. We'll make it good. At least now we have access to the...other villages, maybe they'll have better information, and even a way to find out about the amulet."
"They better." Helga went back to eating some Soba noodles. "Meanwhile, we have the tube and some food, a roof over our heads, so just enjoy it."
"Whatever you say, Helga." Arnold said with a good-natured smile, taking some food and eating it while watching some TV. "Whatever you say."
"Darn right, whatever I say. And don't you forget it!"
Arnold just smiled, finding himself in one of those moments that he actually did really like her more feisty, fiery side. Now that he could see through her better, understand somewhat how she worked, he accepted it. More so than before.
Maybe this would go better than he thought.
=-=-=
That night, they had slept in the bed together again, with Helga doing everything she could so as NOT to end up in his embrace, despite how her heart was screaming against that. She had to, for the sake of her sanity. And so of course, not to scare Arnold, who would likely be very freaked out. No. She had to play it safe. At least, unless he suddenly came out and declared his undying love for her.
Sadly, that was just an impossible dream. And once reminded of that, she fell into a silent despair. Why, why, did she have to face unrequited love? It wasn't fair. Not in the least.
On the other hand, thinking on the "bright side" of the subject, he didn't exactly come out and say "I don't like you like you, I'm not interested" and go into a Mr. Nice Guy speech about how sorry he was for breaking her heart, said he'd help her find someone else, all that jazz. Yes, he was obviously in shock, and rightfully so, and very confused. Sure, she did take his opening for her to take it back as a sign, but it couldn't have been that simple. If he had really wanted to reject her, he would have been honest and said so in the first place. But he didn't. There was a shred of hope in there, maybe, just maybe, he would come to realize he felt the same way?
Helga lay there on the bed, with Arnold asleep on his side, staring up at the ceiling and wide awake. Once more, she was thinking of all this, and hoping with all her might that Arnold would one day love her back. It would take work on her part, she realized. He knew she loved him now, and he wasn't buying her bullying anymore, despite that he didn't exactly fight back against it in a matter of speaking. Things were normal, just as they always were before the FTi incident. Although, deep down, things were NOT the same. The cat was out of the bag, and now the ball was in his court. She wondered what he thought of all this, if he did at all. Could it be maybe he was trying to figure it out? Figure out how he felt? She couldn't tell. Not unless they discussed it.
But no! They couldn't do that! Not now, anyway. If not now, when? In her mind, probably never. But of course she knew better now, it would come out eventually. Just like her secret.
Still, it made her wonder. What next? Could she do anything to make him love her? Helga knew that Arnold did like her, when she was being "real" and not using her hostility to cover up her true emotions. Bur love? Was there any possibility that she could make him fall for her? If so, how? What could she do? Besides the obvious, of course.
Helga sighed, and turned her head to the side, looking over at Arnold. He was laying on his side, facing her way, asleep. She smiled, and reached out to gently caress his cheek. He stirred a little, but didn't wake up.
"I'll do what it takes to make you love me..." She sighed, and took a moment to admire how soft and angelic he looked when he was asleep. "Goodnight, and sweet dreams, my flaxen-haired angel..."
She kissed her palm, and then lay it back on his cheek, before rolling over and going to sleep herself.
==-=-==-
It happened again.
Only this time, Arnold was the one who woke up first.
Woke up only to discover that somehow, during the night, he and Helga ended up in each other's arms. She was curled up next to him, her head snuggled into the crook of his neck, her arms around his body. His arms were around her also, which he didn't know had happened in their sleep.
This was wrong. He had to get out of this before Helga woke up and slapped him silly, or worse. But she remained asleep, completely oblivious to the whole thing. Or if anything, she looked content.
Studying her a moment, Arnold tool in the sight of her asleep, with her hair down and framing her face. She was smiling in her sleep, looking very peaceful and at ease, like she was lost in a wonderful dream. He had to admit, she looked so sweet and almost angelic when she was sleeping. He'd seen her asleep once before, back when she had been beaned and had amnesia and she had fallen asleep on her bed. He smile a little at the memory, having tucked her in and even placed a doll in bed with her. Taking care of her back then, although a bit tricky since dealing with someone with amnesia was never an easy task, he had been glad to help her and ease her through it all. She was also very sweet, albeit confused, during her amnesiac state, and just plain adorable, such as when she had taken his hat and placed it on her nose, and looking around at things with wide, curious eyes and a big smile. It was one of those times he really enjoyed spending time with her. Even the walk home after she`d been recovered was pleasant in itself.
Yeah, there were times he really liked being around her. Right now, despite the entire situation at hand, he was glad to be with her. Maybe it was also a little chance for them to put their differences aside and work together, which always came through well when they did. Sure, this one was more intense than building a sandcastle or escaping a flooding greenhouse or saving the neighbourhood, but it still required teamwork none the less.
Teamwork was essential, and he knew they had to keep it afloat and stick together if they were ever going to get out of this. Or worse, have to live in this for the rest of their lives.
It'll be hard...but I know we can make it, whether we make it back home or not. I'll have to protect Helga with all I have. She can take care of herself, which is a good thing, but she should know I have her back regardless. Always. ...I never thought of this before, but she really does look pretty when she's asleep. I wonder what she's dreaming about?
His thoughts once more drifted back to how pretty and peaceful she looked while asleep, when suddenly, a new distraction came into play.
"Arnold...Arnold..." Helga murmured in her sleep, snuggling closer to him.
For a moment, he thought she had woken up, but it confirmed after a moment that she hadn't, much to his relief. He came to realize then that he was still holding her. Was he really that distracted? Why hadn't he let go of her by now?
"Arnold... Oh, Arnold... Kiss me..."
Kiss? Did he hear her right? Yes, she was talking in her sleep, but she still said it out loud, to which she was unaware. Did this happen a lot? Helga dreaming of him? Most especially in this kind of manner?
That brought him back to that morning they were in the middle of nowhere, and he had woken up to her kissing him. Why was this so surprising? She was in love with him, and quite obviously, wanted to express her affection with kissing, which something most kids their age wouldn't do. Not unless you knew the older kids did it and wanted to look more grown up, or in her case, when apparently holding hands, sitting together at lunch and maybe sometimes going out to places wasn't enough. Oh yes, she had proven that kissing was definitely in question to express her affection to him. Even though she was trying to keep it secret. But the cat was out of the bag, he knew all of that, even without words.
For a moment, he could feel a pang of guilt running through him. Here she was, so in love with him, and yet he had no idea how HE felt about her. He did like her, and he cared about her, but love? He just wasn't sure. That brought him back for a moment, when he'd talked to his grandfather about her.
"Whoa ho! Well short man, I told you she had it bad for you!"
"Yeah, you were right, Grandpa. She DOES like me. And now that I know that... She played Juliet in the school play so that she could kiss me. And then kissing me on the beach during the Babewatch thing, and now on the FTi building. It's kind of shocking, but I have to admit...she IS a good kisser..."
Phil smiled knowingly. "So short man, I take it you like it when she kisses you? Ha ha, I remember when your Grandma first kissed me, holy smokes I was blown away!"
Arnold gave a chuckle and the blushed a bit at the question. "Well...um...I'm not sure really, but I can't say that I don't like it. I don't have anyone to compare it to, but she does kiss pretty good. She...well...kisses with so much passion, like she really wants to."
It was true, he honestly didn't not like kissing her, and yet, it was a lot to take in, especially when he was unsure of how he felt about her. Now here she was, in her sleep, begging him to kiss her. She was dreaming, obviously, and he knew he could just ignore it and it wouldn't matter. Okay, time to let go, scoot over to his side of the bed and pretend he wasn't just-
A rush overtook him, and it took a moment to register that he had just now lowered his lips onto hers.
What am I DOING?! I can't do this! She's sleeping, and if she wakes up, I'm dead! Or she'll think I feel the same way...no, no, I can't do this to her! So what am I doing?! Why am I kissing her now? She's not awake, she wasn't asking me directly! Darn it Arnold, stop it!
But he didn't. He couldn't. Frankly, he had no idea what he was doing right now. All he could feel were her lips, which were soft and tasted like Soba noodles and onigri, and the strange sparks when their lips met.
Quickly he pulled away, and thankfully, she didn't wake up.
I am NOT doing that again!!! Arnold thought, letting go of her and scooting to his side of the bed. Okay, I need to calm down... I'll just feign innocence and pretend it never happened. If we ever talk about it like I told her....maybe I'll figure things out then. In the meantime, I better pretend like I'm asleep, or-
Helga was stirring, frowning a little at the loss of warmth, groping for him along the bed before she rolled onto her back, stretching out her body and then yawning loudly before she opened her eyes tiredly. She groaned groggily, and rolled over to look at the clock on her bedside table. It was 7:15 AM.
"Gah! Arnold, why didn't you wake me up?!" Helga shot up in bed as she realized what time it was. "Hurry up! We have less than an hour before the train comes! Come on, hurry! You go take a shower first, now! Now! Hurry! Let's move!"
"Okay, okay, calm down, Helga." Arnold coaxed, glad to have a distraction from the kiss he had planted on her, and that she had no idea he'd done it. "I'll be quick." He took his clothes from his bag, and went to the bathroom.
"You better be, you football-headed geek bait..." Helga yelled into the bathroom, and then slipped down onto the bed, taking out her locket. She nearly forgot she still had it. "Little ANGEL... Oh Arnold, why must I treat you cruelly? I really have to do something about it, but what? Ugh..." She looked at his picture and smiled, kissing the frame sweetly. It was nothing like kissing the real thing, but it would have to do for now. "Arnold my love, how it still warms my heart to know I don't have to face this funk alone! How your bright optimism and sense of adventure makes it all worthwhile! Now we just have to get ready, eat breakfast, and go get ourselves a train ticket!"
==-==-
They rushed through breakfast, which was cold leftovers from the night before, and were both all dried and cleaned up, they packed up their bags, gave the key back to Hijiro and bid him farewell before rushing out the door.
It was 7:43 by the time they came to the train station, where people were already waiting to depart or see off their friends or family members. 17 minutes before the train came along.
"Okay man, two one-way tickets to..." Helga paused, trying to remember the name of the village they would come to in the west.
"Shiranami?" Arnold offered.
"Right! Shiranami, and make it snappy!"
The man in the ticket booth printed out the tickets, staring at the two of them oddly. "Ain't you two a bit young to be traveling alone by train?"
With a glare, Helga reached throught the slot in the window, grabbed him by the collar and pulled him forward, mashing his cheek against the window.
"Now you listen, and you listen good, bucko. You are going to present us with the requested tickets, we will pay you the money, and we will be on our way. NO questions ASKED! Not unless you have some kind of a valid question that needs answering, but has nothing to do with WHY we were traveling! Is that in any way unclear?!"
The ticket man nodded meekly, sliding the tickets throught the slot. "S-Sorry Miss, I didn't mean to...h-have a safe trip..."
"Good." Helga gave an eerie smile and then let go, taking the tickets, placing some money through the slot and then handed Arnold one of the tickets. "And before you go into your saint-like do-gooder speeches, just shut your trap and forget about it, football head. What's done is done."
Arnold opened his mouth to argue, but decided against it and just shook his head. "Whatever you say, Helga."
With that, they waited patiently on the platform for the train to arrive.
Before long, the train finally rolled in at 8:00, right on schedule. Which, to their surprise, was electric and looked pretty much like a train from back home. It pulled up to the platform, coming to a stop. People disembarked from it, and the conductor came out as well, waiting by the entrance door so people could present their tickets.
"Well football head, we are on our way. Shame, I think I'll miss it here." Said Helga, and looked over at him as they headed over to the conductor.
"Yeah, this was a pretty neat town, it felt like we were in the Old West." Arnold smiled. "You know, this reminds me of the time you, me and Gerald were at the old train station back home, waiting to see if the legend of the haunted train was real."
"And it turned out to be a huge crock! I mean, we should've known better! It was just some employee train for the steel mill!"
"At least now we know better." Arnold handed his ticket to the conductor, and so did Helga.
"Have a good ride, you two." Said the conductor, giving a smile.
"Thanks, sir." Arnold said, and they boarded the train.
The interior of one of the cars was also pretty much like a regular train, with seats and trays by the windows and all.
"Well finally, let's go!" Helga plopped down on one of the seats.
Arnold sat next to her, feeling pretty giddy himself. Despite the uncertainty of getting home, he was pretty excited to be traveling to a new place. So they sat, waiting for the train to move.
Before long, the train pulled away from the station, and headed west.