TheDarkestShinobi: Argh, I hate writing a non-kick ass Kasumi, but that's what happens when you poison her
He had walked the entire day without seeing anyone. He munched on the food his mother had given him as he continued to walk. He heard an engine in the distance and picked up the pace, there would be someone there who could help him. Around the bend he spotted the truck and sprinted down to meet it. The truck had stopped, its driver in front of it stretching. Elliot walked up to him watching as the man eyes him, warily; perhaps worried he wanted to steal something from him.
"Excuse me; I was wondering if you could help me find something."
"What would that be?" The man's voice was harsh and raspy, as if he'd smoked, his hair was unkempt and his beard was a few days from being full. He shifted as Elliot took a step closer.
"Goji berries." The man raised an eyebrow, confusion etched onto his face. He was a master at his trade, what was this berry that he had never heard of it.
"I have no clue." He replied honestly, turning away to walk back to the truck.
"It's…" Elliot started losing hope as he trailed off; the farmer's head looked back at him over his shoulders.
"hmm?"
"It's red, and it taste horrible, it stimulates the mind I think." The farmer brought his hand to his chin stroking it as he turned to the other. He thought of his days at the market, the days screaming in the town to be noticed. He remembered a basket of berries, red, and one that tasted horrible. A super fruit it was called.
"It's Chinese?" Elliot nodded, figuring the name and Kasumi's access to it before had to place it in the area.
"Why do you need a Chinese super fruit?"
"She's in danger," Elliot said as he looked down. "My…" he paused, sister? Friend?
"Ah, love, it is strong. The berry is called a wolfberry here." He lifted his arm and pointed in a direction that seemed odd to Elliot.
"There is a town there, skip the main city, just head this way for a day on foot. There is a man, terrible fat man, Chinese; he has the berries you seek."
"Thank you!" Elliot exclaimed, in surprise and thanks, he didn't think this person would be able to do anything other than point him in the general direction of the main city.
He thanked him again and set off in the direction the farmer pointed. He could only hope that the farmer was right.
.
The town was busy; it was next to the ocean and received traders from many different places. He bustled through the crowd making sure no pickpockets made their way into his backpack. He scanned the area disheartened until he turned to the sound of a boisterous laugh. He found the man the farmer spoke of, he was large and Chinese, and held the grace of someone who would get under people's skin. The man turned towards him abruptly. He looked the boy up and down and Elliot bowed. The man snorted and crossed his arms.
"What do you want?"
"I was told you might have something I need, a wolfberry, a goji berry." The man nodded in thought.
"They are expensive, and I only have a few."
"How expensive?" Elliot asked and after hearing the price his face fell. The Chinese man laughed at his face and told him to get lost. Elliot glanced at the crates around him, none of them held the berry he spoke of.
"He's watching you."
"I know." The man responded back in Chinese. He crossed his arms as he watched the boy look at him. He turned back to his associate. "He doesn't have the money."
"But he has the drive; there is something about him I cannot place."
"What are you saying friend?"
"Maybe you have a use for him; the berries aren't really that rare-"
"They are here!" He exclaimed with a laugh. "It is why we travel so far with them."
"What is your use for the Goji Berry?"
The boy looked up at him.
"My friend, my sister, she is ill, I know this can help her."
"This improves sight."
"And the brain." Elliot muttered "It helps the brain right?"
The man nodded and reached into a pouch, he pulled them out of his pocket; they were air sealed to survive the long voyage. Elliot's eyes widened.
"Tomorrow my crew and I leave, these are the last berries and we will throw them out anyway. I will not just give them to you." He paused. "You will lug every crate back onto the ship, so I will not have to hire a team. That money should be enough for a few of these. Then you will watch and protect the ship all night. If it passes my inspection the berries are yours."
"Thank you!"
"What else do you need?"
Elliot couldn't remember, and when he pulled out the list it was snatched from him.
"Guarana? Sage oil?" His eyes narrowed at Elliot.
"She's very sick, isn't she?" He nodded, his eyes feeling hot.
"These three are potent, it would be bad if she wasn't." He handed the list back to him. "The Guarana is here, somewhere, I know there is someone for it. I got it once myself. It makes an excellent tea. You may find the oil in the city. I wish I could help you further."
"You've done more than enough," Elliot said and looked to the side, "I will be back tonight for our deal."
"Before the sun meets the sea."
.
Kasumi turned in bed, opening her eyes instinctively as she woke. There was only blackness. She felt for the edge of the bed and sat up, she waited but nothing came to her. No soft blanket or frigid air. She sat like that for a while before she heard footfalls.
"Kasumi? You're awake."
"Hai," she responded. He waited a moment, she didn't say anything else.
"He's coming back, he'll help you." Gen Fu finally said. She turned her head to his voice.
"Who?"
"Elliot." She shifted her head so that she was looking in front of her.
"Elliot…" She saw a flash, a weak boy. He didn't respect her. "Can he?"
"For once Kasumi, I think it is you who is underestimating him." She shrugged and he left the room shaking his head.
I hope he's okay. She thought, I hope he comes back to me.
She narrowed her eyes, that boy was weak right? He had no respect for her, he… he…
He was going to help her.
She touched her hand to her chest, it felt odd, it reminded her of a time when she was in a cave, hurt and hoping for someone else to come back with something for her.
Elliot… could it be that you are special to me?