Luckily we ate outside, so there wasn't much to clean up. As long as I put the lid on my large pot outside nothing was going to harm the soup. On the occasion, some traveling ninja would stop for a late night snack, but then again no one really knew she lived out in the middle of the forest. I grabbed the lid to the cauldron like pot from inside by the hearth, grabbed some water to throw on the low burning embers, and a wash rag to wipe off the picnic table.
Naruto was a sloppy eater, where Choji ate all the soup and didn't leave a drop behind. I splashed out the remaining embers and I left the fire pit to smolder. I decided against taking a bath, instead just crawling into bed, and with the remaining daylight I decided to finish the book on my nightstand.
Three weeks passed without much of a bother. I went out to tend my fields and I went to bed before the moon rose. I haven't seen nary a hair nor hide of the ninja that joined me for super. Not that I was getting lonely or anything.
Today's an exciting day though. The radishes, okra, and zucchini are ready to harvest! I could feel myself bubbling over with excitement. I don't typically use any of these vegetables, I'll keep a dozen or so, but I'll take the stuff I don't sell for a profit. The lettuce and the spinach need another few weeks to mature. My favorite time is harvesting time, even though it takes me a few days to harvest everything that is ready. That's where my clone justu comes in handy.
At six-thirty I slithered out of bed a little easier this morning knowing I could start harvesting some of my plants. I threw on a light grey t-shirt and a pair of jean overalls. I grabbed my little hand shovel and stuck it into my pocket. I grabbed a large wicker basket from the shed went out to the okra section of my plantation. I summoned a clone and we got to work.
When lunch time came around, I could really feel the harsh sun on my back and the energy draining from my body, especially since I'm using a clone. I got all of the radishes harvested and I got to about half of the okra before I stopped for lunch around noon. I could feel the cold water in the house calling my name. I released the clone jutsu and grabbed the very large and very full basket of radishes and carried it up to the house. I set the basket inside on the table to take care of later. I just couldn't turn the water on fast enough.
After chugging almost a gallon of water and getting an apple in my tummy, I could feel some of my energy coming back, although I could feel the temptation in just staying inside rise as well.
All of the okra isn't ready for harvest yet, so it's a bit of a pain to have to look at all of the plants before actually harvesting, whereas the radishes were all ready to harvest. The zucchini should be ready to harvest also, I would just rather do it all together and dedicate a few days to harvesting. I have four more weeks until most of the actual harvest is ready. However this will bring in a little extra profit.
While I was inside I decided on what I could have for dinner or if I would just rather go into the village to eat and not bother myself with having to cook for myself. The latter option seemed way more appealing at this direct moment though. I couldn't think of anything I wanted more than barbeque, and I don't have any fresh meat here. So I decided I was going to the village for dinner. With that motivation, I got my butt in gear, went back outside, summoned a clone, and got back to sorting through the okra that was ready and what was not.
My energy felt like it had been zapped. I felt totally drained. The thought of going out for dinner didn't seem to appeal to me at the moment. But the thought of the sweet taste of barbeque sauce is what kept me going all day, so gosh darn it I'm going to find the energy to go get some pork and beef barbeque in my stomach!
I unhooked my overalls and changed my t-shirt so I wasn't completely sweaty and gross. I rehooked my overalls, grabbed my wallet from my bed side table, grabbed my key set, and locked my house and fences and I was on my way.
The trees rustled in the wind and the tall grass danced with the breeze. The white clouds making shapes and figures in the sky. The blinding sun slid behind a cloud, offering slight shade for a few minutes, but peeking out again, gracing the world with its blinding light. The walk takes on average about forty-five minutes to get to the village from my little cottage. I felt my speed slightly slow due to the sun and heat.
Eventually I reached the village gates. And my pace gradually sped up just thinking I was that much closer to barbeque! I could feel my mouth start watering.
"Hey! Is that Sayuri?!" I heard from behind me. I turned around to see Choji, waving like a fool, walking with Ino and Shikamaru. My heart sped up just seeing his face. I sighed to myself, trying to get my heart under control, along with my drool.
"Hey there, Sayuri" Ino greeted.
"Hello again, everyone!" I responded with a smile on my face, although I am slightly upset about putting my barbeque craving on hold for the time being.
"What're you doing in the village, today?"
"I was on my way to the barbeque place for dinner."
"Well, would you like some company? We were on our way there too."
"Sure!" And we continued towards the barbeque place.
The team commenced in small talk, probably about their mission. Although it was unplanned, I am slightly relieved I ran into the three of them, because I don't quite remember where the actual place is. So I followed behind an anxious Choji and Ino and next to a very bored looking Shikamaru.
"Uh- Nice day, huh?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah."
"The clouds are nice a fluffy today."
"Yeah, the wind is pushing them along too."
My small talk sucks, but that's because I don't really know anything about any of them. All I know about Ino is that she works at a flower shop, that's about it.
"So where were you guys coming from?"
"We had a small delivery mission in the Hidden Sand Village."
"Oh." I said. "I've never been to the Hidden Sand. Is it warm?"
"Well it is a desert." He snarked
"Duh." I said, slightly embarrassed that the question even came out of my mouth, my cheeks filling up with heat.
Now that I felt like a complete moron, we arrived at the barbeque place. I was super excited for dinner before I walked into the village. But once I made myself look stupid, I was almost ready to go back home.
"How many will there be?" the host asked.
"Four, please" Ino responded with a smile.
"Right this way." The host said grabbing their tiny menus.
We were sat in a booth almost in a corner, which definitely pleased me. Staring out the window and watching the world go by is my specialty. And I did just that while we waited for the beef and pork to come out. The three teammates were talking about their mission to the Sand Village and something about Lord Gaara, the Kazekage. I didn't care to listen much about their mission.
"So what've you been up to, Sayuri?"
"Oh, uh.. I've been harvesting radishes, okra, and zucchini today." I said sheepishly.
"How exciting!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, the some of the okra isn't ready to harvest, so I'll have to wait another week or two, but the zucchini and the radishes are all picked and ready to be washed to be canned or sold."
"So what's next to harvest?"
"The spinach and lettuce are next on my harvesting timeline. They'll be ready in about two or three weeks. Then after that, at week eight, almost everything will be ready to harvest." I felt slightly uncomfortable so I started rattling off the veggies that would be ready to harvest. "Peppers, beans, carrots, onions, tomatoes. Then there's the fruit I have planted in the back.. The pears, peaches, and persimmons." Every other fruit is a spring harvester…" I was rambling, but I couldn't stop my mouth from moving.
"Sounds like you're very passionate about farming." Ino said resting her head in her hands, taking in all of my rambling.
"Well, it's all I have. I live off the profits of my plants. If there's no income, I have food, but I can't afford to keep up my home with repairs."
"Is your cottage falling apart?"
"Not anymore, at the beginning of the spring it was. The roof still needs to be redone, however I'm hoping with the profits of the harvest this year, I can get the roof fixed before the winter comes." I explained.
"Here's your meat, enjoy!" The waitress came and dropped off the meat and lit the barbeque grates in front of us.
"Oh boy, I can't wait!" Choji exclaimed.