Hey, guys. My third chapter is up. And its longer! Yay! Hopefully that will make you guys happy. So please read, enjoy, and comment!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this

Chapter 3

"Hey, Mika, back so soon?"

A twitch to my lips and I was smiling up, or rather down, at the very short, elderly woman. Her hair was pinned up in a stern bun and despite the plain clothes she wore she always somehow managed to give an impression of dignity. Her smile was friendly and she cocked an eyebrow as I laid my pack on one of the many chairs in her inn. I would've swung it up onto one of the pegs by the front door, but those were already occupied. New visitors?

"Geez, yeah, it's blazing out there." I shivered, glaring accusingly. "I thought you said it was nice during summer."

"It is," She insisted, "Nice for business that is."

"It's all about the business isn't?" I stared suspiciously at her. "I never took you for greedy, Imata."

"Well…" The smile began to turn and she started to laugh, "Oh, dear. Come on, Mika, let's get you some tea."

"That would be nice," I said, grabbing my bag and following her into the living room.

"Just a moment, I'll go grab it," She said, turning to go, "You'll be the first to try my tea. I just made some fresh this morning."

"My luck," I called after her, and sat down into a softly cushioned chair.

Imata really did have good taste. It was probably one the reasons she was so popular with travelers. That and her really good hospitality. She had decorated the inn herself. The chairs all looked so lush and comfortable. They made you want to melt right into them. The whole place was filled with a variety of plants and paintings. Every single painting held some warm, nature looking scene.

I had asked her once how she managed to run the inn all by herself. She told me that it hadn't started out that way. Her husband was the one who originally started the inn with her sixteen years ago. He died seven years ago. I wondered if it ever got really lonely for her. And how was she able to smile at her customers like that? It was easy, though, to figure out.

I just had to watch her.

The way she treated everyone who came to her inn said everything. When one of her loves had gone, she found a way to continue on with a new love. She was such a strong, determined woman.

"Ah, here you go."

Her voice jerked me from my thoughts and I reached out and took the cup from her hands. A vapor of steam rose up from the cup and I inhaled it into my nose. Wonderful.

"Wait till you taste it," She said, chuckling, taking the chair next to me.

I took a sip, sighing contentedly. "No matter what it is, you always make it taste fantastic."

She gave me a pleased smile. "Thank you."

It was really soothing to sit there and relax. I could just forget and be content in that moment. I took another drink from the teas. I felt like I could sit there and fall asleep.

"I got more customers today," Imata said, raising me from my almost slumber.

I blinked blearily at her. "Oh, that's right. I saw the other packs hanging by the door."

"Yes, three more people, all traveling together," She said, making little tinking sounds with her fingernails on her tea cup, "But, I'm not sure what they're here for. Sightseeing? Relaxation? They weren't a very talkative bunch."

I laughed a little. "Not everyone can match your speaking speed."

She joined in with me. "That is true. But this bunch was very secretive."

For one so mature, Imata was overly curious. I had built a good background before I met her though. It hadn't been a problem for me. However, sometimes it felt as if she was holding back questions for me. She must sense somehow not to ask them. I couldn't be more thankful.

It always hurt to lie to her.

"You should spy on them."

That had me snorting tea into my nose and spraying it across my chest. I chocked on it, trying to keep from breathing. "You're not serious, right?"

Her face tweaked into amusement and she stood up and left to the kitchen. I could tell she was holding back laughter, which really annoyed me because for one I couldn't breathe. Two my nose felt like it was burning off and tears started to leak from my eyes.

Imata came back into the room holding a rag and she began to help me clean the tea off of my shirt. It had soaked all the way through my clothes and I could feel it getting sticky as it dried on my skin. I'd have to change.

"This is all your fault you know," I said, teasingly.

She gasped indignantly. "You might as well go up and change into something fresh, Mika. And bring down the rest of your clothes as well. I'm going to start the wash soon."

"Oh, really? Do you need any help with it?"

"Nah, it should be fine. I'll get Ruro's daughter to help me."

Ruro lived two doors down in a house/bakery. I would occasionally sample his foods when he came over to help Imata with preparing her dinner for the guests. I got the impression that he had a crush on her. It was cute in a way to watch them together.

"Well, then I'll be down in a couple minutes. Do you want me to ask the others for their clothes?"

"Would you mind it at all?"

"I'd love to help." I stood up and made my way out of the living room and towards the stairway.

I heard the front door close behind me as I went up the stairs, holding on the railing. I should've offered to go get Ruro's daughter, Amela. Oh well, it was too late now. I reached the top of the stairs as one of the guest rooms burst open. There was a flurry of movement and someone flew out the doorway.

"Where is it? I thought you guys packed it! I can remember clearly giving it to you guys to pack."

It came from the man standing outside of the room. His voice sounded gruff with anger and I watched as he fisted a hand in his short, dark hair, looking as if he wanted to tear it all out. Then I saw his face.

I was flying down the stairs as his eyes finally registered me. He couldn't have seen my face. He couldn't have. I swung out the back door of the inn. There were no running steps after me, yet…

"No!" My fist struck out and hit the outside walls of the inn.

Why? I cradled my hand to my chest and sagged against the wall. He looked exactly the same as before. My bloodied knuckles rubbed against my cheek as I raised my hand up and traced the outside of my eye with my fingertips.

Did I look the same?