A New Route

A Trains Distance Away

That same distant feeling came back to me from this morning. Like a part of me was missing, something that can't be replaced. I place my hand on my chest and I feel my beating heart. My band shines in my eyes from the reflection of the sun. The clear reflection makes a very faded, but noticeable rainbow. I couldn't help but smile.
"Hey sis! C'mon! The train is here!" I hear Winter call out.
I wave goodbye to Estelle and my other friends before our departure. We run along the platform and search for our cart number.
"There! No.4! Let's get on!" I yell.
We open the cart door and enter. We look around and see barely anyone is inside. The ceiling lights are dimly lit but the outside sunshine brightens up. We search for a more secluded spot were we can be alone. We put our bags in the bag holder above the seats and sit down. Winter takes out his phone and started watching some movie I wasn't really interested in. I make a small smile towards him and I take out my laptop. I open Skype and call our mother and father to let them know we got to and boarded the train safely. We spent about ten minutes chatting and we said our goodbyes to them before hanging up. After we hung up, my mother sends me a message.
"Honey, did you read the back of the letter? It's a surprise!"
Winter and I look at each other in confusion. I take out the letter out of my bag and look at the back of the paper. I look at the bag and I see a small message.
"Hey Shiriyuki! Man, it's been so long since I've said that. By now, your probably on the way to Kyushu! The others and I can't wait to see you! It's been too long!"
The hand writing was rather messy yet legible. I tried to recognize it, but nothing came to mind. Winter takes a look at the penmanship and even he can't recognize it. I noticed his fur standing up and I can't help but laugh at him.
"Heh, what's wrong? Too cold or something?"
"Just a bit. I didn't expect it to be so cold here, especially during the summer."
"Well, hopefully when we get to Kyushu, it'll be warm."
The train's horn started to bellow loudly, signaling the departure. The engine starts to rev up and it begins to move. We both look out the window and see all the faces fly by as we leave the station.
"Passengers, please remain seated while the train is in motion. We thank you for your corporation."
We both lay our heads against the each other.
"Well, looks like we have a two hour ride ahead of us, sis." Winter speaks up.
I look at my laptop and see the time. "5:52pm". We should be there by 7:30 at the latest, I hope. The vibrations and constant motion of the train makes me feel like a baby in a rocking bed. I slowly begin to get drowsy, but I have to stay awake to keep Winter company.
"Hey Les, you didn't forget your ds, right?"
I quickly rummage through my bag and I find the small rectangular gaming system. We play the whole ride there, Smash, Fire Emblem and other gaming titles. During the middle of a match, Winter asks me a rather personal question.
"Hey sis, sorry, but I over heard your conversation with Estelle over the phone."
"Before you say anything more. No, I'm not looking for a boyfriend. Now hold still so I can combo you!"
We both laugh and luckily, I dodge the question. Well, I didn't really dodge it, I answered, but managed to change the subject. I look at time.
"7:24pm huh? We should be there in a few minutes." I say.
We put away our games and wait patiently for the train to stop at the station.
"Now stopping at Kyushu Train Station!"
Well, there's out cue. We grab our luggage off the bag holders and make our way out of the cart. The moment the doors open, a gust of warm, yet fresh air fill our nostrils.
"Haaah, it's good to be back."
We walk off the train, get our tickets checked, and leave the station. The summer sun seems to have just started setting. Winter's ears twitch and he immediately jumps in front of me.
"Who's there?"
"Winter! What's up?"
"I heard rustling in the bushes. And a odd scent."
I sniff the air, thanks to my Dad's genes, my senses are slightly better then that of normal humans.
"Smells like... sushi?"
What is that smell? It seems so familiar.
"Sis! Watch out!"
Winter's sudden yell surprised me and I was tackled by a large being that pounced from the bushes and I collapse on the grass on the side of the road. My glasses fell off, so my vision was blurry.
"G-get off me!" I yell in a literal blind panic.
"Well! That's how you greet a childhood friend?! Geez, the city life really changed you hasn't it, Leslie?" The strange voice says.
I search and find my glasses. Once I put them on, all becomes clear to me. What I see almost brings tears to my eyes. Those eyes. Those same blue eyes that cried when I left Kyushu when I was a little girl.
"T-Tora...hiko? Torahiko!! I can't believe it's you!" I don't think I've ever sound so relived in my life.
The large tiger makes a great, big smile on his face and picks me up with ease. While airborne, I noticed his physique is vastly different then last time I saw him. Before he was rather skinny, kind of like my body type, but now, now his body is very well built. I can't help but blush slightly at the sight of him.
"It's been five years since we last saw each other! I can't believe you actually here!" The tiger was jumping with joy.
"And Winter!? You came to!"
The grey wolf scratches the back of his head.
"Well, our parents bought us two tickets. So why not?"
Torahiko finally let go of me and set me down. My balance was off due to all the sudden affection and surprise Torahiko gave me.
"So where you two staying to night?!" Yelled the tiger.
Winter and I looked at each other in confusion. That's the one thing we didn't look into, a place to stay. Our grandparents won't be back home until Friday, and it's Tuesday. Torahiko picked up on our problem fairly quickly and suggested we stay at his family inn. We both happily agreed with him and went on our way to the Ooshima Inn. While making our trip there, something catches my eye. An old tea and cake shop in the corner of the road. I get completely distracted and ignore the other two traveling with me.
"Leslie? Where are you going? The inns this way."
I didn't even acknowledge Torahiko. I just kept walking to the old shop. The sign was dirty, dusty and rotten. I swipe my hand over the board and read the sign. "The Jasmine Dragon". My grandmother's old little shop. Memories came flowing into my mind, like a rushing river. I tried to open the door, but it was locked, and the rotting frame wasn't helping either. I don't remember where she put the key, so I just stand there, looking down at my feet. I imagine myself five years ago, in my head, I see those little pink shoes I would wear when I played with the others. A single tear streams down the side of my cheek and I find my self shivering slightly.
"W-Waterfront... I'm home. I'm finally home."
I feel a firm grasp on my shoulder and I turn to see the large tiger smiling at me.
"Heheh, let's get going. We can fix this up once you get settled in." His smile grows.
I nod in agreement and we leave the old shop. Winter was standing on the road, grinning at us.
"Your right sis. We are home." He holds my hand and makes a gentle smile.
I grab my bags and continue our way to the inn. We pass the market, the fields, and finally get to our destination. Torahiko turns and smiles wildly.
"Well! Welcome to the Ooshima Inn!"
It's much larger then I expected. Winter eyes widen and he dashes inside the building. Torahiko and I simply laugh. When I opened the door, I'm stopped by him.
"Hey Leslie, I think your dropped this earlier."
He hands me a small see through bracelet. It's the one I was wearing earlier, it must've slipped off when we were at the shop!
"Whew, thanks Tora! I can't believe I didn't notice it fell off." I grab it from his palm and I put it back on.
We both look at each other, and walk into the inn. The moment I walk in, Winter is swinging the room key in my face. I grab it from him and look at the room number. "Room No. 10"
"Oh! You two must be Shiriyuki's kids! It's a pleasure to see you two again!" We look at the older looking female tiger smiling at us.
"Ms. Ooshima! It's been so long!"
"Ah! Look at you two. You both look so much like your mother and father. If you need anything, please, don't hesitate to ask."
I nod and wave goodbye to her. Torahiko shows us to our room.
"Well, here you are. Make yourselves at home!"
"Thanks Ooshima!"
Torahiko closes the door and Winter and I set down our bags. I open the window to let in some fresh air.
"What?! Oh come on!!"
Winter's sudden outburst freaks me out and I turn immediately.
"Winter! What!?"
He points to his phone and whimpers.
"There's... no.... signal.."
"Dude, we're in the countryside of Japan. Of course there won't be signal."
He flops down on his bed and sighs. I calmly sit next to him and pet his head. His tail starts wagging joyfully.
"Heh, your doing it again."
His ears perk up and and he puts his hands over his tail.
"Shut up sis!"
I laugh at him and jump off the bed, grabbing a fresh set of clothes.
"Well, while you panic and have a mini stroke, I'm going to take a shower. I won't be too long!"
I grab a plain white tank top and some light blue sleeping shorts, my underwear and a towel I brought along with me. By the time I turn around, I see Winter already playing on his DS. Well, didn't take him too long to entertain himself. I sigh and smile a little. I waste no time in opening the door and make my way to the showers, but when I set foot outside the room, a thought occurred to me.
"Uh... Where are the showers here?"
Thankfully, I see another guest staying here. It was an older looking female lioness and she points me to the showering room. When I approach the room, I notice it has a sliding door. It's odd to see these since they don't really have these in the city. The sense of nostalgia from my time here as a child. I slide the door open and my glasses almost immediately fog up. I walk around looking for an empty shower and I find one vacant. I close the curtains and look around to make sure no one was looking before I undress. First my sandals, then shirt, then shorts, and finally my underwear. I find myself completely naked and I turn on the water. The warm impact of the water colliding with my body gave me such a relieving feeling throughout my being.
"Ahhh... this feels nice..." I say to myself.
The sound of the running water is so calming, I don't even notice the curtains making a shuffling sound behind be. I catch myself humming my favorite song, and when I get to a quiet part of the song, I acknowledge the shuffling sound. My senses hype up and I feel like someone was watching me. To my back, that's where peeping is. I'm certain someone was trying to sneak a peak at me like this, exposed. What do I do!? Do I confront this person, or act confused and try to get them to leave? I used my arms to cover my chest, and I'm still worried. My angel was telling me to question who was there, pick the humble option. While my devil was telling me to make the creeper pay for trying to peek at me. Against my better judgement, I turn and confront the peeping tom, but when I turn I see a tail under the curtain. It was long and thin, it was mainly yellow with some brown stripes and a... brown.. tip!
"Torahiko Ooshima! If you move, I will hurt you so help me!" I screech out.
The figure panics, tries to run away but trips upon his escape. I quickly put a towel around me, and run out the shower. My suspensions were correct when I see the large tiger on the floor. My anger and embarrassment only grows even more.
"Dude! Really?!" My voice grows louder.
"What?! I haven't seen you in forever!" He tries his little charming smile to distract me, but his attempts fail.
"So you think seeing me naked is okay?!
"Ahahaha... I'm guessing it's not one of my better ideas." He nervously scratches the back of his head. "And from what I saw you certainly grew up a lot!"
My face blushes and I place my hands on my hips.
"Excuse me?! If your saying what I think your saying!" Completely enraged I didn't even notice my towel fell off my body. I notice him staring.
"Ooshima! Maybe you should buy me a drink first before you stare at a girl's chest!" I quickly grab my towel and wrap it around me once again.
"Get out!" I scream. And he dashes out the showers as I through the soap and shampoo at him. But as I calm down a thought come to me.
'Ugh, he's gay, so why should I care?' I get flustered and shake my head.
"Haah, fine! I'll let him off the hook this time!"
I angrily dry myself off and get changed. When I open the room to our room, I see Winter talking with Torahiko. Upon realization, the sound of the door being slammed could be heard. Winter looks at me, about to burst with laughter.
"He actually saw her naked!?" He starts laughing loudly, just annoying me even more.
I quickly gaze at the giggling tiger next to the smaller wolf boy. I try to keep my anger and annoyance at a minimum.
"Torahiko? Since you haven't seen me in five years. I'll let this... slide. But next time you try to catch a peek at me naked I won't be afraid to cut it off!"
"Cut what off?!"
I point at his crotch and he swiftly covers it with his paws.
"We are so clear!" He smiles nervously.
I roll my eyes and let him off the hook. He's my best friend, even if we haven't seen each other in a few years, I can't be mad at the guy forever.