AnimeCrasherz: Capitulo Cinco. Enjoy.

Chapter 5, Forest

Everybody was relieved to get off the ship. Some were almost ecstatic- the sea breeze, the beautiful forests lining the clean coastline- we were here!

As we got off, I quickly surveyed the crowds. My heart was heavy with a deep pain and longing, I hadn't seen Naruto, Sasuke, Kiba or Shikamaru since that last day I greeted them. Now, I wouldn't even have a chance to say goodbye. I knew in the back of my mind that I would never be able to see them again. They were gone, their lives swallowed up by their love of sailing... they were memories that I would always cherish. At least... at least Sasuke would be in America. Would I get to see him again?

I spotted Ino, Sakura and a few more of their friends wearing pretty, lacy dresses. Their clothes were completely wrinkled and smelled of mothballs -they didn't know Tente's mother Goodwife Brown's trick of putting herbs in between folded clothes. But nonetheless, they stood around giggling and looking pretty, wearing the most revealing clothes I had ever seen.

I noticed that we were the only ones just standing around idly, most everyone else either stood overwhelmed or crying, or hugging family already here in the New World, now reunited.

Where would we be staying now? What would we do? I looked up at my father and with frightened curiousity. He had a serious expression on his face... I guess I was safe then, at least he didn't look confused of hesitant. Maybe he knew already where we would be staying ? Father IS a smart man.

We stuck with Goody Brown's family (Goody Brown equals Mrs. Brown equals Tenten's Mommy. I learned that pilgrims called men's wives "Goody" and then their surname.) hugging our luggage close as if it was our only means of protection. The head preacher was reciting a prayer in thanks to God for our safe arrival, and I clutched my messenger bag as I listened absently, keeping my eyes on the shifting crowds.

I guess I must have zoned out, because I was surprised by the sudden shrill sound of Hanabi shouting my name. Father was a couple yards off, walking without saying a word to us, just expecting us to follow. He was walking with the crowd, they were headed all in the same direction.

So I followed Father, slightly reassured that at least HE knew what we were doing.

Much to my shock at how dumb I had been, everyone was headed in the same direction towards the same city. We would camp there for a night, in a shelter, then half of us would head into the forest to a city not-so-deep down the road. My family belonged to the half that would venture into the dark forest- Heaven Help us.

A/N: Soz... I don't feel like writing about the shelter. They ate, they slept, they bathed... yeah. Hinata was mostly too tired to think/do/say anything. Let's say her Father got drunk, and Hanabi did too, Sasuke was raped by a lonely old woman... yeah. See? Nothing happened.

What else can I say about the beautiful forest except, Holy Mother of God.

It was dark. I mean DARK. Like, punch-you-in-the-face-jack-you-up-with-my-toothpaste-bitch dark.

At first, the forest was beautiful and peaceful. The earthen colors and smells were calming accompanied by a slight breeze sighing throught the immensely tall greenery. Birds flitted about above us, almost following us in an array of vivid colors.

But, the deeper we walked on, the forest became denser. Sunlight was restricted to the little gaps of sky showing in between the thick canopy of leaves. The forest became almost like a prison, thick trunks densely surrouding us threatening with whatever lay behind them, and the roof of entangled branches above us. Without the sky showing, there was no sunlight, no warmth... nothing moved. There was no wind.

Had I been alone in that forest, I would have died, petrified from fright.

Children played along on the path, running and skipping all around us. It was very very cute how carefree they were, and their smiles brightened the mood up a bit. Everybody talked merrily, our voices echoing, then being swallowed up by the forest. Such a large, happy group.

I just followed, slightly smiling, content with watching everyone else enjoy themselves. We walked for hours and hours on end, until it became way too dark, and we set camp.

Our camping site was large and loud, our fires flickering and reflecting the tired, relieved faces of the pilgrims. The Indian Guides' fire glowed off a couple yards away from us, but due to the thick forest only a small, weak glowing red spot was visible.

I went to sleep early, tired as all of the others were. We would be in the forest for a long while.

AnimeCrasherz: I really didn't feel like writing this story for a while... and I put it off cuz if I wrote it without my heart being into it, then it would suck ass. But, I finally got the inspiration I needed!

I'm s'posed to use my ANGST to write, but I've been so depressed since school started and somehow it makes me NOT want to write. But... I bought this badminton game thing, and I played for hours and hours with my friends, and since I can't do anything else (playing badminton for hours makes you tired as hell, trust me) I am very happy and I felt like writing.

So I hoped you liked it, rushed and short as it may be, I just wanted to make sure you guys didn't lose faith in this story... -sniff-.

REVIEW! REVIEW OR I WILL CHASE YOU WITH MY OLD LADY WALKING CANE!