Chapter 12: Journey Into The Snow
It was 4:10PM and everyone was still at Hanaba's and Tobari's home. Maria hadn't woken up yet and things were pretty quiet. For the moment.
"Hey Yoite." Miharu greeted as Yoite walked into the sitting room. Rai-mei and Kouichi looked up from the books they were reading to say hello, Hanaba was in the middle of saying how she may be far sighted only to have Tobari make her blush by saying, 'I like the far sighted Hanaba,' or something like that.
"Good evening." He greeted then scanned, "Where's Maria?" Everyone stopped what they were doing instantly.
"Wasn't she up stairs?" Rai-mei asked trying not to over react.
"No, that's the reason I asked if she was down here." Yoite replied. Miharu let out a small sigh.
"Hold on guys." Miharu stated and walked over to the wall on the left where a huge cabinet was. He pointed to an air vent.
"So, it's a vent?" Tobari said confused. Miharu and Yoite sighed before Hanaba said,
"Oh, I remember now."
Suddenly the vent screen pops open and Maria's face comes through. "Even if it's a bit cramped it's still an awesome vent system. I could hear you all over."
"Isn't that eavesdropping…?" Rai-mei asked with an accusing tone.
"No, eavesdropping is.." Maria started but Miharu and Yoite cut her off.
"Such an ugly word, let's just say it was listening on purpose." Miharu and Yoite finished. Kouichi muffled a laugh as Tobari was still staring at Miharu's happy face. But then he turned his glance to Maria.
"How did you get in there?" Tobari asked. Maria was in the middle of explaining about the dust problem being taken care of and the route of the vents.
"Well that's easy, I floated up then picked off the screen. There's one part I can't get through though. The reason I dropped in a minute ago was to drop my shoes off for awhile." Maria stated like it was obvious and an everyday thing. She then dropped her shoes on top of the cabinet. "I'm going to go explore that part now, Bye."
"She picked it up from Alyan Academy." Yoite stated, answering most of the others questions. The group chit chatted for a little while.
In the Air Vent
Maria was at the front of the path she couldn't get to before hand. Now though she inched her way through to the other side. There in front were three paths that's depth were black abyss'. Maria headed to the farthest one on the right but eventually found a dead end, as was the one straight ahead. The one to the left lead to an end where a wooden plank lay over a hole. Maria went into the downward tunnel headfirst. She flew and tumbled at times down the vent only seeing darkness all around, then she rolled onto hard concrete.
It was pitch black, had leaky sounds like the tap dripping, and it smelled like something died. Taking another sniff she figured it was a sewer.
10:02 PM Tobari's house
"Maria has been gone a long time." Hanaba said glancing at the clock with a bit of worry.
"She'll come back," Miharu said, "She probably just found some tunnel that lead somewhere else. I'm tired, goodnight."
"I'll also be turning in, good might." Yoite stated and headed up after Miharu, who must have been speaking with Maria telepathically.
( Maria we're leaving.)
(Take off your shoes then.)
10:10 Pm Vents
Maria led the way through the vents pushing the boys' shoes along (she'd already gotten her shoes and put then at the wood plank.) as they inched forward on their hands and knees. Dust clung to their clothes and hair as they crawled around through the tiny vents. Maria took a left and came to a wooden plank, underneath was a hole.
"I knew it." Miharu mumbled to himself as Maria struggled to put on her shoes. She clung to the edge before saying, "Don't go head first, I know the vent is small but you'll have to turn around."
Then she slipped into the inky black hole. "Sometimes I wonder if these vents are a coincidences or something." Yoite said as he lowered himself into the hole, then disappeared. Miharu went right after him and soon he landed on hard concrete.
"Welcome to the sewers, you alright Miharu?" Maria asked waving a flashlight around. Miharu, and Yoite no doubt, noticed a few cuts and bruises on Maria's face. They wondered if they were the cause of her knowing about the passage leading to concrete. They didn't ask though. They put their shoes back on and Maria led since she knew the way. Sewer water ran down the middle to their right like a river that met with other paths. The smell was disgusting and rats passed around them.
"You were exploring a sewer the whole time." Yoite said giving a disgusted look at their surroundings. Maria shushed him and that about ended the conversation.
An hour later they stopped at an old dusty ladder. They climbed up and Maria took off the metal board and climbed up. Miharu and Yoite followed and saw the dark sky above them in between the stars. The moon was obscured by clouds now and then. Miharu looked and realized they were near the bay.
"Oda-san moved back to Mintoury and to get there we need to take the ferry to Morson's Bay then take a twenty five to forty minute train ride. I know because the sewer leads all around Banten, which also means the library where I looked her up and then called her old business."
"Alright then we should hurry up and go," Miharu said, "When does the next ferry leave?"
"In two minutes." Maria stated and the three ran down to the docks and bought tickets. The money had been in their pockets since they left the flowered house.
The ride was pretty descent with them lounging on the deck in chairs, taking naps on and off. They passed the time when they grew restless by pointing out constellations. After a serious talk they, Maria and Miharu, agreed that Rai-mei should be added along with Kouichi. On the way to the train station Miharu called Rai-mei, who told them about Tobari disappearing.
The train ride to Mintoury passed slowly but also began to get cold. The group was tiring so at Mintoury they checked into an inn for the rest of the night. The snow was high the next morning but internet still worked and the twins got Oda's address. Then they set out on a two hour long journey through the snow to this ladies house.
Arriving 10AM they knocked on the door until Oda-san opened the wood door and was some what surprised to see the three.
"Oda-san, we need your help." Miharu said, trying his best to sound serious though he was huffing and puffing from the cold. Oda let them in, couldn't deny children who would become popsicles if she said no.
If only they knew that Iga had sent ninja to spy on them after hearing of the red-eyed mind reader.
End Of Act 2
A/N: Well I see this chapter wasn't too exciting and I'm sorry I love the idea of air vent traveling. Anyway, please review. Act three begins next chapter…maybe I should explain.
Act one: Arrival of Maria and Miharu 'betraying' Banten. Along then I wanted a bond to start between the three.
Act two: Alyn Academy and arrival of two new characters. It showed Maria's shinrua power and reveals some truth behind things. Also the three relax around one another and include the others into the secret. This is ,although vaguely, when the plot begins to thicken more.
Act three: Like I'd tell you! :P
Anyway just thought i'd explain that. Also YAY two chapters in one night!
