The Prince and the Serpent

The Smuggler's Den

Boruto was growing less sure by the second. The closer they got to the decrepit hut, the less it looked like anyone had set foot on the makeshift island in years, let alone lived there. His fears were not lessened as they pulled alongside. The wood was black and rotten and many planks were missing. The dock looked like it would collapse the second he set foot on it. Miraculously, it held when Inojin hopped onto it to tie up the boat. However, the man was so lithe that Boruto wondered if he was simply too light and airy to deliver the final blow.

Boruto, Mitsuki, and Sarada all watched as Inojin finished tying off the boat and motioned for them to follow. Mitsuki climbed out first. Once he was certain that the dilapidated dock would hold, he helped Boruto and Sarada off the boat. Inojin then led them around the corner of the shack to a door Boruto hadn't noticed before. It was heavy, ancient-looking, hung crookedly on its hinges and most of the paint had peeled away. What little that did remain suggested that it had once been blue.

Inojin knocked a distinct pattern firmly, then opened the door which protested with a deep groan. Together, they stepped into a room that was warmly lit with soft lamplight. It was a little crowded with boxes and random objects stacked on the rough wood floor but it was orderly and clean. There were what looked like two doorways on the other side of the room. One lead to what appeared to be a storeroom while the other looked like a hallway.

"Inojin? Is that you?" A man's voice called from the storeroom.

"Yes, father. It's me." Inojin answered. There was some rustling then a man stepped out of the room holding an oil lamp. He was of average height and his skin was paper white, like his son's but it looked ghostly against the dark clothes he wore. The inky black of his outfit was rivaled by his deep onyx eyes and hair. They were so dark, they made Sarada's look brown. His face was emotionless at first but took on a plastic smile exactly like Inojin's as he stepped forward.

"I was not expecting you so soon. How is your mother?" He asked his son. Inojin's eyes fell to study his feet.

"I was not able to meet her." Inojin answered. His father's brow furrowed as his smile fell. "And, I lost half the shipment." He added after some hesitation. His father was not frowning but he still looked troubled by the news. He took a moment to consider Inojin's words, his dark eyes never moving from his son's face.

"That is a problem." He said slowly. "The merchandise was very expensive and hard to procure and your mother is meeting with the buyers today. This could place us in a very dangerous situation." Inojin kept his gaze fixed firmly on his boots as his father spoke. There was a tense moment where no one spoke.

"I apologize, father." Inojin said at last, "I was half-finished unloading at the dock when I ran into Prince Boruto. The guards were about to recognize him so I felt that quick action was necessary and I was forced to leave behind what I had already unloaded." His father continued to stare at him after he had finished his explanation. The tension in the air was thick. Boruto could see clearly that his being recognized was causing dangerous problems for Inojin's family. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he was more trouble than we was worth to them.

"I can compensate you for your loss." Boruto interjected. Every eye in the room turned towards him as one. Boruto's cheeks pinked but he pressed on, "It's my fault you lost your goods. I can reimburse you for your trouble, with interest!" Inojin's father stared at him and he was feeling smaller by the second.

"I appreciate your offer, your Highness, but we still have the issue of an incomplete shipment." Boruto wilted and the man turned back to his son. "You will go back to Dorchas. Choose a different dock and bring your mother what we have left. We will tell the buyers that the rest of the shipment was delayed. Make sure you meet the buyers with her in case there's trouble. You will have to leave now if you are to make it."