The Seedy Merchant’s Pier: Part Two

One Week Later

Seedy Merchant's Pier, Western Earth Kingdom

The gang arrived at the Seedy Merchant's Pier earlier than usual. Temujin had routed their journey on a map that took them directly to the port town. They had arrived there without any unexpected hassles or drawbacks. By their businesses, several merchants hollered deals on various goods to wandering folks. A small group of raggedy men gambled across the streets with dice rolls. Meanwhile, ships and small boats boarded the pier while sailors unloaded cargo crates onto the wooden bridges.

"Welcome to tha Seedy Merchant's Pier," Temujin spoke out. "The biggest black market in the land. Oh yeah, and pirates, too."

"Sounds like heaven on earth," Tenten said sarcastically.

Yulah stopped the caravan in front of an inn and hopped off of the caravan. She petted and cooed at her beloved Deer Mustang for its hard work. The hybrid animal nickered in response, rubbing its head gently to her soft touch. Naruto and the others got out of the caravan, gazing across the buildings and people around them. However, the local residents that passed by stared at Naruto as if he was some sort of weird and exotic animal.

"I have a good friend who owns this inn," Yulah said. "We can stay here for a few days for rest."

"Finally! I'm so tired of sleeping on the ground," Suki stretched her arms out. At this rate, she felt like she might develop back problems.

"I can't wait to lay down on a sweet, soft bed," Tenten's eyes fluttered as she imagined a fluffy king-sized bed. An image of Naruto suddenly appeared on the bed, and Tenten's face quickly flushed red. She immediately shook the perverted thoughts out of her head. However, she couldn't help but take a few glances at the whiskered boy just beside her.

"Honestly, the quicker we arrive at Ba Sing Se, the better," Azula said. She rather not waste any time staying at some random backwater port filled with sketchy people.

"Come on, Azula," Tenten groaned. "A little rest won't hurt."

"And wait for my father's minions to capture us?" Azula glanced at her.

"No need ta worry bout that, lass," Temujin chimed in. "Them pesky firecrackers rarely come ere."

"That's what a fool would think," Azula replied. The Fire Nation is on its way to conquer most of the Earth Kingdom. It was wishful thinking if the Fire Nation would pass up a strategic port for their ships.

"Man, I am starving," Naruto rubbed his stomach in hunger. "I wonder if they have any ramen here; I haven't had some in a while."

Azula's ears immediately perked up. Her imagination ran wild as she imagined a hot, tasty bowl of doughy deliciousness. Azula's mouth salivated, and she licked her lips.

"I suppose we can stay for a bit and find a ramen restaurant," Azula changed her mind.

"But, isn't that unhealthy for you?" Suki asked.

"Honestly, never had it before," Tenten shrugged her shoulders.

Azula shook her head while Naruto glared at them like they're heretics. To call food which was essentially made from the gods unhealthy was an absolute insult to them. The scrumptious taste of ramen outweighed the beneficial nutrition that it lacked.

"It seems I have to convert a few more sinners," Naruto said.

"While ya do that," Temujin unloaded the supplies off of the caravan. "Yulah and I are gonna get some rooms fer all of us and refill some supplies. So go out and soak up some fresh air, brats."

*****

Aside from Suki, the rest of the gang slurped on their ramen without a care in the world. Azula and Naruto let out satisfied moans as they finished down their second bowls. Just as they finished, another round of ramen came, and they chowed down on it like hungry lions. Unlike those two, Tenten took her time to actually enjoy the taste.

"Gosh, slow down guys," Suki chuckled at their puffy cheeks. "Your beloved ramen's not going anywhere." She stuffed her mouth with a fried dumpling that she bought from a nearby food stall. Suki couldn't resist the temptation of her favorite food that were waiting for her to be consumed.

Azula drank up the remaining soup, filling up her bloated belly, "Hmm, I wonder which person said ramen was unhealthy again? Oh, yeah. The one shoving fried dumplings in her mouth."

"H-hey!" Suki took offense. "They're way better than that slop you're eating."

"It's what!" Naruto cried out in shock. His sudden scream scared the daylights out of the chef, causing the woman to drop her vegetables. He quickly pointed fingers at Suki, "You take that back!"

The gall for Suki to say such blasphemy in front of Naruto's presence was just begging to receive divine punishment from him. Azula felt the same way, staring at Suki with disgust. She couldn't believe some wench would dare insult the holy food.

"Make me, blondie," Suki playfully stuck her tongue out.

"Oh, it's on, dattebayo!" Naruto pulled up his sleeve. Meanwhile, Suki cracked her knuckles, staring at him with a confident smile. Tension flared as both of them glared at each other with battle lust.

"Guys, are we seriously fighting over-" Tenten was interrupted abruptly.

"One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war!" Suki and Naruto clasped hands, twiddling their thumbs, trying to pin each other's thumbs to score victory. Tenten facepalmed herself as she stared at them like they were a pair of idiots. Ever since Naruto showed Suki that idiotic game of his, they had been going against each other throughout the journey.

"Looks like it's my win, blondie," Suki smirked, her thumb pinned down Naruto's in a tight squeeze.

"Bah, I gave you that win," Naruto gave an excuse. He crossed his arms and looked away in denial.

"How embarrassing, Foxy," Azula scoffed. "I would have beaten, no, crushed her in that silly game of yours."

Suki tapped her chin in thought. She glanced at Naruto before her eyes suddenly brightened with an idea.

"Hey, Naruto," Suki called out to him. "Since I won... I want you to take me around the pier as punishment. Just the two of us." Suki quickly threw a side glance at Azula.

Naruto's eyes widened with surprise. He never expected Suki to demand something like that out of the blue. The more he thought about her demand, the more his heart began to race.

"You...you mean like a date?" Naruto asked nervously.

Azula suddenly snapped her chopsticks in half with a tight squeeze. Her warning bells blared in her head, however she remained calm. Naruto would definitely say no to that damn wench. After all, he was hers to begin with.

Meanwhile, Tenten gaped her jaws; she couldn't believe her best friend actually asked that. However, Tenten felt inwardly jealous of her. Suki took the first initiative to ask Naruto out. Tenten cursed herself for not making the first move.

"I was thinking, well... maybe we can see the shops around here for interesting stuff," Suki's voice grew quieter the more she spoke, twiddling her fingers with anxiousness. "I guess you could call it that."

Her eyes glanced downward to avoid his. She hoped that Naruto would say yes. Suki wanted to hang out alone with him more often, but she never got the chance. Especially with Azula hanging around him all the time. This was the chance that Suki would have her time with Naruto.

"I mean... if it's just shoppin' around for stuff, I guess I could come along," Naruto scratched his head.

Suki grew a wide smile at his answer. She was inwardly cheering in her mind. However, Azula snapped, and she slammed her fists against the counter. The sudden bang frightened everyone, and the chef helplessly dropped her cooking utensils. The chef adjusted her crooked hat and glared at Azula with displeasure.

"How could you say yes to her, Naruto?"