Author's Note: hi my readers!!!!!! I can't believe that I'm already on my 20th chapter!!! So since I've made it pretty far, and I've devoted my time to this story just so you all can enjoy it, I would really like some R&Rs!!!!!!

Chapter 20: Degarashi Port

I finished my lunch and thanked Yoshi for this delectable meal and he just responded by patting my head like I was some little kid, well come to think of it, I am a little kid.

Mother gave me my swimsuit to wear and all of us headed out to the beach.

It was so nice just opening the door and finding a beach right in front of you!

The weather was just so perfect, it was really hot and humid making it the perfect time to take a dip in the tropical waters.

Mom set up our large beach chairs in a shaded area, put sunscreen on both me and Shin, and then we both ran into the water. Of course my brother didn't hesitate to see if the water was cold or not, he just jumped right in!

"Come on Sakura! The water is great" he informed me.

I took a couple baby steps until my toes touched the water, it was a bit cold for my taste. I decided to be brave and walk in.

"Sakura, get in the water!" Ordered Shin.

my eyebrows furrowed at his comment, couldn't he just leave me alone? We're on vacation after all.

"Shin, I am in the water".

he crossed his arms, "No you're not, you are standing up. Just get in!"

I sighed, closed my eyes, and quickly put my body in the water. It gave such a cold sensation and sent chills down my body, I wrapped my arms around me and stayed like this for about 5 minutes. Soon I got used to it and splashed around with my brother and relax.

Father brought his camera and took lots of pictures including his own family and the spectacular view of the ocean.

We stayed in the water for a couple of hours and then my parents decided for us to do some sightseeing.

"Sightseeing!? I wanted to stay longer in the water!!!" complained Shin.

mom sighed and put her hand on his shoulder, "Sweetheart we have plenty of time left for the beach. Your father and I decided to look at some of the famous landmarks, I'm sure you will like the stuff that have there! So I want you to get ready and change so we can go. Plus, the tea country has some delicious restaurants in the area, be excited for me?"

Shin looked up at my mom who seemed to be giving him a cute puppy-dog like pout. How could you resist that?

"Alright, I'll go....."

mom gave my brother a wide toothy grin, "That's my boy!"

We all went back to our villa, took showers, and changed.

Of course it was warm so I wore a sleeveless green top with a butterfly on the top left, white capris, and some matching sandals to go with it. Mother just tied my hair up into a pony-tail and was basically gushing over my appearance.

Shin and dad were matching with their white aqua-themed T shirts, jean shorts, and casual non matching sandals.

Mom always has to look nice every time she goes out. She wore some nice white slacks, white sandals, and a flower-printed top with a very chic shawl wrapped around. She put her hair up into a bun, giving her a stylish appearance. Sometimes I wish I could be like her. She's so confident when she's out in public. Always willing to make new friends and carries herself very well.

We bid farewell to Yoshi and went on our way, "So......where too Takashi?" inquired mom.

Dad looked at the map, "Well it's been about 2 months since I've been here. Why not go to the Degarashi Port? It's actually a city located on the southeast of the tea country".

"Sure why not? I heard they have a lot of nice shops with beautiful jewelry you can't even find in Konoha".

There she goes again with the jewelry......but she's right anyway. Why spend our time looking for souvenir's?

We walked all the way from our side of the beach to the dock. There, father asked one of the men to jet ski us to Degarashi Port.

In the front of the boat was obviously the driver, in the middle were my parents. Basically my mom was having a conversation with the driver and talking about the exciting places to see while dad would contribute somewhat to the conversation. In the very back were me and Shin, we didn't talk but I was mentally occupied by how fast we were going and listening to the conversation between my parents and the driver.

After about 30 minutes, we arrived to the port, "Well nice meeting you both Takashi and Rina! I hope you all have a nice time at Degarashi Port".

"We sure will! assured my mother.

We left the dock and walked into the small city. There were people bustling about and friendly shop owners with big colorful signs trying to attract costumers.

My mom was distracted by the large jewelry shop a couple blocks down. This place reminded me of a bazaar almost, there were so many stands put up and street performers everywhere trying to win the crowd over with their unique and outrageous tricks.

I started to notice that most of the stores had the names either Waragashi or Wasabi.

"Hmmm......whoever these Waragashi and Wasabi people are, they must be rich from selling their products from these shops".

My family walked in and it was nicely done with beautiful gems of all sorts sealed into these glass cases. A woman was standing right behind the assortments of jewels and greeted us with a friendly smile, "Welcome to Wasabi Jewelers! How may I help you today?"

She seemed to snap mother out of her reverie as it took her 5 minutes to snap her out of entrancement from one of the precious items, "Oh! I'm sorry! Well......I was really interested in this particular piece".

I couldn't really tell until the woman pulled it out and my mother does have really good taste! It was a silver bracelet which covered about half the wrist. The ends of the bracelet had what looked like small emerald-green orbs at both ends, and of course she wanted to try it on.

"It looks gorgeous on you!" complemented the shop-keeper.

Mom looked up from the bracelet, "Thank you! How much?"

The woman looked at the tag carefully and read, "Well since this isn't real, this piece it about..........25 yen".

Mom's mouth dropped, "ONLY 25 yen!? I'll take it!"

"Rina, why would you bother buying this piece if it's not real? Not that I want to spend more money on a bracelet".

"Takashi, you wouldn't know because you're not a woman. I'll tell you anyway, it's because it definitely looks like a Wasabi piece! Of course I wouldn't even bother telling anyone that It's not real, just let them think it is!"

I have to agree with dad on this one, why must there be so much competition with jewelery and clothes!? Like him, I also will never understand women even though I am going to be one someday.....

While mother bought the bracelet she turned to the shop-keeper and asked, "Do you also have an matching earrings to go with this?"

The woman nodded, "No I'm sorry, we don't. Have you looked at any of the other shops?"

"Well the only other shop is Wagarashi Jewelers and I don't like anything they have there! Everything looks so......gaudy. Definitely not my type".

The Jeweler thought about it for a minute, "Hmmm....if you are really interested in getting something matching pieces you can talk to the head of the Wasabi clan yourself. He manages practically all of his businesses, I'm sure he can help you out. Here is his card which has his address, his name is Jirocho Wasabi".

Mom took the card and put it in her purse, "Thank you so much for all your help! I'll most likely come back before we leave!"

The woman smiled, "It was nice having you here".

We headed out of the shop and mother took out the card, "Hmmm....maybe I should visit this Jirocho today".

Dad sighed, "Oh no you don't Rina. Let's relax today, we can see Jirocho tomorrow. How about eating some dinner?"

"Oh alright".

We walked around town and came across a small ramen noodle shop, "Sakura, Shin, do you guys want to eat ramen?"

"Sure" I calmly said.

"YES!" screamed Shin.

We entered the shop, and it gave us that warm comforting atmosphere with the delicious aromas of broth and noodles coming from the kitchen.

"Welcome! how many tonight?"

"Four" stated dad.

"Alrighty then, please follow me".

The host led us to a four seated table next to the window, we all took our seats, and looked our menus.

"Mmmmm....All of this looks delicious! Have you guys decided yet?" asked mom.

"Mom I think I want the beef ramen!"

She nodded, "Ok.....how about you Sakura?"

I continued to skim through the menu. The description beef ramen looked pretty good:

A hot and steamy mix of herbs and tender, well-cooked beef all mixed together in a freshly-made broth.

"I think I'll take the beef ramen too".

"How about you Takashi?"

"Beef is good".

She closed her menu, "I guess beef is good for me then too!"

The water arrived, poured glasses of water for each of us and took our 4 orders of beef ramen.

As usual mom tried starting a conversation, "Having fun kids?"

I smiled, "Yup…….."

Suddenly the signs outside the window caught my eye,"Mom, dad".

They both looked at me curiously, sensing something serious.

Father was the first one to speak up, "Yes Sakura?"

"I was kind of curious……..why is it that the Wasabi and Waragashi clans are the ones who own everything?"

Dad was easily able to answer the question, "Well, they are the wealthiest of the Tea Country".

"Oh……." I said.

The waiter came and set down our dinner, "Alright everyone please enjoy your beef ramen! It is the best seller here".

He left and we began eating our supper.

"MMMMM!!! It's delicious!!!" Shin exclaimed as he took his first bite.

After his reaction, I was all the more curious to give it a try. The taste just lingered in my mouth after taking the first bite. Just like atmosphere of the restaurant, the ramen also gave me a feeling of warmth and comfort. The beef was so juicy and tender, while the herbs in the broth helped to bring out the beef's natural flavors.

Even my own mother didn't even talk for the longest time.

"I guess everyone is enjoying their ramen".

After about half an hour we finished our meal, paid, and went outside.

"Oh Takashi, there is supposed to be a parade later on tonight!"

"Parade?" questioned dad.

"Yes, it is a celebration for the race coming up in a couple days!"

"Alright, so let's stay here longer for the celebration then".

Mom gave dad a big bear hug like she was a child, "I am so excited! Also, every single shop in this city will be having a sale!!!"

After that sentence she dragged us for some more shopping.

It took about 2 hours and my legs were killing me! Mom had so many bags full of junk! What's so great about getting a handbag anyway? Why does it have to be so stylish?

Shin and I stood outside the shop waiting for mom and dad, my thoughts stopped as soon as I saw a 4 year old boy pointing at something.

"What's he pointing at?"

My question was answered as soon as I saw a colorful display of fireworks in the black sky.

There were a variety of different colors. From bright greens to blues to yellows to oranges and pinks! Lot's of pastels.

Then I noticed from the front of the port, colorful lanterns were seen. Then as the lights came closer, I noticed that there were dancers holding them and loud music began to play. After the dancers were men and women clad in green kimonos serving tea to everyone.

"What's going on out here?" asked mom.

"The festival!" answered Shin.

An older man came up to my parents and served them, from what smelled like, Jasmine tea.

"Please enjoy our country's finest!"

"Oh my god! It is their country's finest! Takashi we need to get some more before we leave".

I'm sure dad inwardly agreed; he was too busy sipping his tea.

Then, next in line were a bunch of performing acrobatics. I was stunned and amazed by their talents, earning cheers and claps from the audience. Their clothing matched the fire works, which was what made them appealing to the eye.

After the ribbon dance twirling act, a man wearing a tea cup costume appeared. I think he was just there for laughs, and I was one of the many who joined in.

The festival lasted for about an hour or so until the daimyo appeared in the middle of the city square.

"Hello citizens and tourists of the Tea Country! I hope you enjoyed this festival and hope to come out and watch the race between the Wagarashi and Wasabi clans. For those of you who don't know, this race has been held here in the tea country for thousands of years and will forever remain a tradition of our land. Now the race is just about less then a couple days away and the representative runners will start at the gates of the Degarashi Port, so this is where all of the spectators will meet. Thank you all for your attention, have a nice night, and I will see you all in a couple days!"

After the daimyo's speech, everyone clapped and the shops were starting to close up.

"Alright kids, let's head back! We have a long day tomorrow with this Jirocho Wasabi….."

I sighed, "Great more jewelry……"

My excitement returned as I started to think about the race in a couple days.

Author's Note: So this was chapter 20, I hope you all liked it! Please R&R and chapter 21 will be up soon.

Thanks,

Sweetness.