Chapter 57
Together they marched along the maintained pathway, stepping over the rise, the town coming into view. It seemed larger then Tomo's village, and from the hill they could see the sea acting as a border for one side of the town. The sea led inland, a large river running through part of the town. Several modern looking buildings surrounded the town, and out at sea they could see several boats.
Away from the river mouth Tomo spotted an odd looking wooden structure. She turned to the others, pointing at it. The town was surprisingly lively, from the higher position the group could see several people busy moving around, shopping, trading and just talking.
"What is that?" asked Tomo pointing to the structure that sat on the side of the river, a large wooden boat anchored and attached to the structure.
"I think that's probably part of the port" said Fuka.
"And that might be the boat" suggested Kaorin. "Perhaps we should hurry or it might leave."
"That could be the boat?" said Tomo. "That sounds a bit too easy."
"Maybe it's some luck for us?" suggested Fuka. "We might as well see."
"Let's hurry" said Sakaki. The others nodded in agreement as a small straggle of people started to board the boat. They began to sprint down towards the town, Tomo desperately hoping stuff wouldn't fall out of her bag.
Tomo marched back to the group. She had gone to ask about the boat, and it if was the right, one purchase tickets for the trip. As she slowly walked back to the group, her crestfallen look could be seen. Fuka found herself worrying- why did Tomo look like that? So far Tomo had always been boisterous, so why did she look almost sad now?
"What's wrong Tomo?" she asked.
"Yeah, what's going on? You look a bit upset" said Kaorin.
Tomo reached into her pocket and pulled out what looked like a piece of cloth. It took a moment for them to recognize it was the pouch used to hold the money the Hokage had given them. Tomo held it forwards and looked up with a trembling lip.
"The boat tickets cost almost all of the money" she said. "We don't have enough to buy treats on the boat now."
"There there I guess" said Fuka. "I'm sure we'll be able to get some things on the boat."
"Yeah it's not like we're gonna starve" said Kaorin. "I have a bit of money, so if it comes to it I could buy some food."
"I might hold you to that Kaorin" said Tomo. "But we better get moving."
"Why?" asked Fuka.
"The boat is leaving in about half an hour according to the guy I got these from" replied Tomo. Quickly the others stood up gripping their things. Tomo stood around waiting while the others hurried.
"Why the hurry?" asked Tomo. "I mean the boat will probably wait for us won't it? We're paying customers."
"No, it won't wait for us" said Kaorin. Tomo looked shocked as though being told a puppy had just been killed.
"Eeep. We better go now" said Tomo as she quickly grabbed her things. She followed Fuka out of the room hoping she had got everything. It wouldn't be any good to find she'd left something behind. That wouldn't be any fun at all. Sakaki and Kaorin followed after them.
The wood door creaked open and the group stepped out into the fresh sea air. Tomo enjoyed it even though she found herself in a hurry. She had never smelt or felt something like this before and she found she liked it. It was also pleasant to have a slight salt taste- her food was often given a little too much salt at home.
"Which way is it?" asked Fuka, their view obscured by all of the river side buildings.
"Through there Fuka" replied Tomo pointing towards a turn in the street leading off to the left. This time Fuka dropped back and allowed Tomo to lead the way. The girl paused for a moment to make sure she was going the right way. They continued along a narrow pathway, walking by high rise wooden buildings painted white.
Suddenly the pathway opened up and they were close to the river. Tomo peered out over the metal railings and looked down at slightly choppy water. It wasn't too bad, but it looked very deep. She couldn't guess how deep. It had a relaxing colour of a mix between blue and green. A few white birds sat floating in the river- Tomo had never seen them before.
But her attention was drawn away from that by the large ship that rested in the dock a short distance from them. It reached high up into the air, constructed from wood with a rich brown colour. A single black stripe had been painted along the length of the ship, and a name was written on it, but Tomo couldn't read it from the distance she was at.
Wooden steps led up to the deck, resting against the wood surface, allowing the travellers to enter the boat. A long line of different aged people were slowing making their way up onto the boat. Tomo was surprised. The boat was larger then she was expecting. She wondered to herself how big the river must be to allow the boat to keep travelling away from the sea.
"Would everyone please make sure to board the boat!" called out an overweight man in a uniform, seemingly in his fifties. "The boat will be departing shortly so please make sure you are onboard!"
"Better get going" said Fuka, the group walking by the uniformed man. None of them noticed the look of contempt he gave them as they passed him. A ramble of teenage or slightly older girls on the boat he worked on. But they seemed to have ninja bands.
Tomo walked up the wooden steps, hearing the wood creak beneath her feet. She looked over the side at the deep river wondering if any treasure was at the bottom of it. Behind her Sakaki also glanced over, hoping she wouldn't fall in.
"Tickets please" said a tall lean man greeting Tomo at the top of the steps.
She nodded and quickly fumbled around in her pockets, pulling out four slightly crumpled tickets. Kaorin and the others gathered around her as she held the tickets forwards. Tomo held up the tickets and pointed to the group around her.
"These are our tickets" she said.
"Do we have to carry one each?" asked Fuka.
"No Miss, there are four of you and four tickets. Welcome aboard, and I hope you enjoy your trip."
He stepped out of the way and the group stepped onto the boat. A small group of uniformed men began to detach the steps. Tomo's group had been the last people to get onboard. With a groan the steps were pulled away from the boat.
A small group of people milled around on the wooden deck, some carrying suitcases, others seemed to be waiting for something. Tomo glanced around looking for stairs. She thought there must be something below. They wouldn't have to stay on here for a few days would they? At night it would get cold and it might rain.
"What do we do?" asked Kaorin.
"Can I have a look at one of the tickets?" asked Fuka. Tomo nodded and handed her one. She held it, looking at the small piece of paper.
"It's still a ticket" said Tomo. "What are you looking for?"
"Look right here" said Fuka pointing to the ticket. "It has a room number on it. I guess that's where we stay."
"Room sixty three" said Tomo squinting at the piece of paper. "I wonder where that is." She pulled out the other tickets, Kaorin spying a look at the papers.
"Uh-oh, we might have a problem" she said pointed at the crumpled paper in Tomo's hand. Tomo glanced down.
"What? Do I have something on me?" she asked.
"No- but look at the tickets. Two have the same number on them!"
"Huh? What?" asked Tomo, Fuka handing the ticket back to Tomo. The girl held up all four tickets for the others to see.
"Hmmm" said Fuka studying them.
"Only two rooms?" asked Sakaki. Two tickets had the room number sixty three on them. On the other two tickets the same number was printed- sixty four.
"Did you get the right thing?" asked Kaorin.
"I asked for four tickets and got four tickets" said Tomo.
"Looks like we'll be sharing rooms then" mused Fuka. "So what now?" she asked.
"I guess we should decide who goes with who" said Tomo. "This bag is heavy and I'm tired and hungry. Did I mention I'm hungry?"
"So who goes with who?" asked Fuka.
As Tomo and the newcomer continued to speak, Kaorin found herself fidgeting. She wanted to say something, but she didn't know if she should. Or if she could. She knew what she really wanted but should she say it?
"How do you feel Sakaki?" asked Tomo.
"I don't mind who I share with."
Kaorin's heart rested. For a moment she thought Tomo had decided to share a room with Sakaki. She should say something but how would they respond? Would they notice? React? She knew how some viewed people such as her. But she felt her heart beating faster, her face blushing, feeling faint exhilaration. Finally she decided. Go for heart, not head.
"I'll share with Sakaki!" she called out loudly and unsubtly, before turning away, blushing violently. She stood still, frozen to the spot waiting for the reaction.
"Well I guess you're staying with me then newbie" said Tomo to Fuka.
Fuka nodded. "Shall we go and find these rooms?" she suggested. The others agreed to do so.
And so the group marched towards the step, marching past the passengers who stood waiting on the deck. As they disappeared downstairs the captain (hoping for some screen time) arrived to address the passengers.
"Wel-
The barman glanced back at the bottles. Plenty of booze in stock for such a short journey. He wondered what type of people would need that much- but more money for him. A hooded figure approached him.
"How can I help sir?" asked the barman.
"A shot of whisky please" replied the man. The barman nodded and poured out the drink. He put the small glass on the wood bar, and a scarred hand reached out to it. The man looked down at it- burns?
"Enjoy it sir. Were you in an accident?"
"You could say that" said the man lowering the fabric hood from around his head. The barman couldn't hide the expression of shock. The figure downed the shot.