This chapter may seem a little random and out of place, but it is very important none the less.

Enjoy.


12. In Another Part Of The World

Haruko took a deep breath as she entered Suna, releasing it slowly as she began to walk through the village. It was going to be hard, starting life all over again, but the determined look in the girl's eyes made it obvious she was ready for it.

Haruko was a young woman, in her early twenties, with short black hair and matching Onyx eyes. She wore a dark blue kimono with white trimming. Overall, she was a pretty girl, but rather plain and unnoticeable.

The village was quiet this early in the morning, and Haruko was glad for that; it would give her a chance to look around and get familiar with her surroundings before somebody stopped her to ask questions.

Speaking of which, for now, what the girl needed more than anything was to find a place to stay. She had brought money with her, but from her experience traveling, she knew that she wouldn't last long. She'd also need a job, quickly, if she planned to stick around this village.

Haruko spent another hour walking through the streets before she finally found a cheap hotel. The place was deep within Suna, in a questionable part of the village. Haruko was accosted by a couple local hoodlums who were hanging around the building, but she just ignored them and continued on her way.

After she was settled in, Haruko collapsed on the bed from heat and exhaustion, where she remained until night had firmly settled over the desert.

"I need a stiff drink." She mused to herself. Her voice was dry, and slightly raspy, but also small and meek.

Haruko ran her fingers through her hair before shuffling out of the small room and back out onto the streets. After a few minutes of searching, she entered the first bar she could find.

"Welcome." The man behind the bar called out. "What can I get for you?" He was a huge, muscular man, completely bald except for a short blonde goatee. He had small blue eyes and a big toothy grin that didn't seem to fit his build.

Haruko brushed this off and went to sit at a stool. "I need something strong."

"I have just the thing." The man disappeared for a moment, and when he came back, he had a tall glass filled with green liquid. He set the glass in front of the girl. "Rough day?"

"More like rough life." She answered as she began to down the drink. It was salty with a slightly tangy aftertaste. Haruko couldn't taste the alcohol, but it hit her instantly. "I lost my daughter and husband, so I decided to run away from home. You'd think I'd be too old for that by now."

"I know what you mean." The man got chatty. "My wife kicked me out and took our kid to stay with my parents, so I had to get out of there. I just got into town a few days ago and started this place up, and let me tell you, I'm way too old to be running away."

Haruko laughed, and the man quickly got her another drink. "Other than how dead this place is, I'd never have known."

"I just haven't figured a way to pull customers in yet." He pouted. "I bet if I had a cute little waitress, it'd help. Want a job?"

Haruko paused, wondering if the liquor was making her hear things. "Like, here?"

The man gave a hearty laugh. "No, on the moon. Of course here."

"Deffinately." She jumped on the offer. Today could not have been a more perfect day; she already had a place to stay and a way to make money. "I'm Haruto Haruko, by the way."

"The name's Hikaru." He smiled again, pointing at himself with his thumb. "Welcome aboard."


Next chapter: A team is formed to find Naruto and everyone is given a codename... Guess who is Cockscomb.

Naru-chan: *still mad about not being in the story anymore*

Aiko: Are you sure about that?

Naru-chan: Wait... what?

Tell me what you think is going on, and what you think SHOULD go on.