Through Fire Justice Is Served
And sorry for not uploading faster, my computer died so I wasn't able to get this chapter until now.
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I woke up quickly the next morning, bolting upright and taking in my surroundings, calming my racing heart, I stood up slowly. Running my hands through my hair slowly, I walked towards the bag that held my belongings. I opened the bag slowly, taking the first set of clothing that I could grab. Changing quickly, I slipped my heavy cloak over my travelling clothes. I walked down the hallway towards the set of the stairs, wrapping the scarf around my neck tightly.
Jogging down the stairs, I heard the early morning patrons in the main part of the inn, I slowed down; letting it seem like I wasn't trying to escape. I watched the people at the table eye me curiously for a second before returning to their conversations and meals. Shovelling some food onto a plate, I sat down and tucked into the hot meal before me. It was only when I felt the warm food hit my stomach did I realize how cold I was even though I was partially bundled up. I realized that it was the open window that was causing me to feel cold. I ate quickly, trying to avoid the occasional gusts of wind that came out of the open window.
When I was done eating, I stood up quickly and left the inn after leaving the key on the desk of a very tired innkeeper. My body stiffened with I felt the cold wind hit my body hard, remembering the cold winters that I grew up with. I shifted the pack that was on my back, and started on my way. I bowed my head and adjusted my scarf as my boots made a crunching sound in the snow. Watching the people that went around on their buissiness I found the road that would take me out of the town I was in.
I watched a mother drag her children across the street towards the small clusters of shops across the street, it looked so ordinary, so typical; I felt something stir deep inside of me. Turning away from the group, I continued on my way, passing the other townsfolk that didn't seem to look at me twice, I couldn't blame them, it was too cold for curiousity and I was nothing special to look at either, bundled up like an eskimo.
I sighed deeply and shoved my gloved hands in the pocket of coat that was under my cloak. It was only when I came to the outskirts of the town did I hear a small voice behind me, and a gentle tug on my skirt. Turning around slowly, I saw a little girl looking up at me with hopeful eyes, her clothes were in tatters and faint scars decorated her exposed neck. She held out a small grubby hand as she smiled brightly.
I took off my glove slowly and knelt down in front of her to see at her level, watching her face, I held her small hand; checking for the existance of chakra or any other energy that signified a talent similar to mine. Watching her brow furror curiously, I found the strong chakra that ran deep in her in her veins. I took my hand away slowly and took off my other glove, holding out the pair to her, I asked, "What is your name young one?"
She looked scared for a moment, I saw her swallow hard before mumbling, "I'm Inoue." she took the gloves from my hands and put them on quickly as if I was going to take them back.
"Hello Inoue, I'm Haruno." I answered kindly, taking off my scarf and wrapping it around her neck
"Why are you being so nice?" she answered, with a frightened look in her eyes
"I don't want you to freeze." I replied, "It gets mighty cold in these parts at night."
"Oh." she said, looking worried for a second until she supressed it
"Are you an orphan? Please excuse me for intruding." I asked
"Yes." she replied quietly, looking at her feet
"I'm sorry. I lost my family a few years ago too." I answered sadly
"Uh huh."
"Have you heard of shinobi, dear?"
"Are those the people with those magic powers?" she guessed
"Definately, and I see the power in you. Inoue, you have potential, in what I don't know; but no one's going to forgive me if I leave you here." I said, "It seems I need a travelling companion, would you care to fill that position?" I asked, I knew I had only met her, but I couldn't stand to leave her outside. So much of her reminded me of my little sister, from the way a group of freckles decorated her cheeks and nose to the trusting eyes and excited smile. "What do you think" I asked, interuptting my own thoughts.
"You want me to travel with you?" she asked, suprised at the very idea
"Yes you," I answered
"Okay." she replied quickly
I slipped off my cloak and helped Inoue do the clasp at the neck, she fingered it curiously, looking at the symbol I took when I was given the choice to choose a way to be identified.
"It's pretty, what does it mean?" she asked tracing the cancer symbol lightly
"It's a repersentation of a constellation from my homeland."I answered, truth be told it was the only zodiace symbol I remembered at the time of sending my design to the artisan.
"Huh" she said
"May we go now?" I asked, standing up and holding out my hand
"Okay, your funny Haruno-san, always talking so proper." she said, taking my hand.
I chuckled softly, and started walking with Yuki in tow, she let go of my hand every so often to investigate something on the side of the road in the bushes or to watch the sky. She stayed quiet, humming softly to herself, her eyes looking off into the distance. I watched the sky and road, nodding in aknowledgement whenever someone passed us in a cart or wagon. Yuki kept to herself, only talking when I directly asked her a question. We spent most of a week on the road, only stopping a couple times to buy supplies or stay a night in a inn.
