People of the Land

Chapter 10 - To Anusuli

Two weeks after Hinata Hyuuga joined the Yaunkur tribe

Allisan, the bustling main port city of the Land of Fire, laid on the southern shore of the country, close to the Land of Tea and the Land of Water. Because of its close proximity and easy access, it was the perfect place for trade to thrive.

The port was also a place of great diversity. People from all over the continent traveled to the city, even from nations that were not on the best of terms with the Land of Fire. The nights were filled with dancing and festivities, and the days with hard bargaining in the bazaars where traders sold their wares. If one were to simply walk down one of the busy streets, it was likely that within the first ten minutes they would hear at least five different languages besides the common tongue, Nem.

There was one language, however, that could only be heard in Allisan once every two or three years. This was Kaeyugen (simply known by most as Kae), the ancient language spoken by the Yaunkur tribe. It was around this time in their travels that they passed through the port city of Allisan to board a ship to wherever it was they went to when not exploring the continents. Which brings us to the small band of Yaunkur children advertising their tribe's products in city square's marketplace.

"Yaunkur Wool! Yaunkur woven-cloth, charms, and talismans! Last day to buy some!"

They skipped and paraded about the market, displaying the colorful bundles of finely woven cloth carried in their arms. In some hands were carved charms hanging from leather cords, and in others were strings of beads made from all manners of things; from bones to clay, clay to wood. A few were even made of gold or silver.

The children called to the people wandering the market, beckoning them to take a look at the wares they had for sale. Many times they pointed their curious customers to the stand in the market courtyard where several older Yaunkur tribe members managed a much larger arrangement of Yaunkur products.

"A-ano, excuse m-me, si-sir!" Hinata squeaked out. "Would y-you like to bu-buy a tal-talisman?"

The man continued on, showing nothing to say he heard the girl.

She tried again, turning to a rather large, chatty woman. "Ma-Madam-"

The girl was interrupted as a heavy force slammed into her, throwing Hinata to the ground. The wares she had been carrying were scattered across the cobblestone street. Immediately, she began picking them back up, attempting to brush the dirt off of them, saying, "I-I'm s-s-sorry!", repeatedly to no one in particular.

"Weirdo! Freak!"

Hinata paused to glance up at the speaker, only to see a girl a few years older than her accompanied by two other children.

"What are you doing with those worthless Yaunkur? You don't belong with them! You're a freak-wannabe, which makes you just as bad as those primitive scavengers!"

Hinata bowed her head again feeling tears touch her eyes, and a strange fury well up in her chest. The Yaunkur were her new family, and it made her furious to hear them insulted. She wanted to throw the harmful words back at the other girl, but the dreaded and awfully familiar timidity swamped up the rage, slowing it. And she knew, hurting the girl in return wouldn't do anything to help. It would only make her feel even worse afterwards, no matter how much she thought the girl deserved it.

A tear of frustration slid down her cheek, and Hinata's fear grew.

"Aw, did I make the little baby sad?"

It was at times like these that Hinata hated herself and the way she was. She had been taught the fighting techniques of the clan she was born into, but had not the courage and strength to act on what she learned. It made Hinata so frustrated.