A Rose Will Wilt

Hanareru

Chapter 9

    Noroi had gotten up earlier than usual. She was curious about this little boy that was supposed to be her brother. She was going to go into the woods to find him, but she wasn't going to talk to him. Once she saw him her plan was to run the other way. Even if Kami got mad at her, Noroi still wanted to see him.

Noroi got up from her bed and walked out of her bedroom that she shared careful not to wake Rosey. Before she left, she made sure to grab her backpack. Noroi's backpack was now worn from use day after day. She didn't have much money to buy a new one but she wanted to go into town before heading into the woods to see if there was a cheap one. She only had about 20 Rubies.

    Rubies were the currency of the town. Noroi had to learn the conversion from DKK (Danish Krone) to the Rubies. Its not hard, one Ruby was equivalent to .60 of a Krone. 

   Noroi grabbed the money she hidden under her pillow and headed for the front door. As she was about to head out the door she felt a hand on her shoulder. Noroi jumped at the sight of Rosey standing behind her.

"You scared the crap out of me!" yelped Noroi.

"I sensed you getting up. Where are you going?" He asked.

"To town to get a new backpack." Noroi flashed a convincing smile.

"Can I come with you?"

"Uhh, well...I guess but i'm going for a walk in the woods later..."

"Why?"

"You ask so many questions..." Noroi said taking Kami's line.

"I'm curious. I don't want you to be doing stupid stuff."

"I'll be fine, come on. Let's get there early!" Noroi pulled him out the door.

   They both ran passed the houses that looked as old as dirt. They were covered in a mud like material. But not all houses are made of it. Noroi's house was made of wood and mortar. Some looked even more advanced with concrete walls. All of them had the same colors and themes, even though most were different layouts and floor plans.

 Soon they turned left and found themselves on Main Street with all the shops and food vendors. As they did, they both stopped and admired the colorful shops and smells. They walked over to a shop that specializes in handbags. They moved in the house that was also a store and was overwhelmed by the smell of leather. Noroi broke off from Rosey to look around. Noroi saw that most of the bags were expensive and made of leather. But there was a purple bag that looked like it had been forgotten on the ground. She picked it up and looked inside. The inside was a light blue and quite small but could fit was Noroi needed it for. The price tag on the side said 14 Rubies. Rosey walked up to Noroi and eyed the bag.

"You like that?" He said.

"Yes, I love purple."

"But it's covered in dust."

"So."

   Noroi walked up to the front counter and placed the bag on in. The only thing on the counter other than the bag was a bell. Noroi rang the bell and a short, stocky women came around the corner. She was wearing a loose pale purple dress that had lace on bust.

"Is that it?" Her voice was kind, but raspy.

"Ya," She turned to Rosey, "You want anything?"

"No i'm good." He was quiet and shy.

"14 Rubies please."

   Noroi placed the tiny blue and red rocks on the counter. The lady grabbed the and placed them under the cabinet out of sight.