Reim was a capital of riches and trade, a flourishing nation that attracted tourists with its vast entertainment and hosting. At least that's what Sakura was told when she asked about the country. It had also been at war with Parthevia, Sinbad's home country. The fact didn't deter his determination to enter the market.
Preparations for such a journey were tedious, from Imuchakk to Reim would be a voyage of several months at sea. Sinbad wanted to leave as quickly as possible, so they only had the morning to prepare for setting out. It meant rushing along the docks to unload the cargo for trade and the supplies for their journey.
"I think you should've at least given them a day, would it be so bad to set sail the next morning?" Sakura grumbled, moving along the massive pots boiling under the fire.
"No, but I want to set sail as soon as possible. Are you already packed?"
"I don't have anything to pack."
"So what are you doing?" Sinbad peered over her shoulder to see the pot stewing with steam. "Milk?"
"I'm making powdered milk." When Sakura realized that they were going to be on the sea for months, she went to work on preserving certain supplies so they would last that long. The technology in her world was more advance than this one, but she was familiar with traveling by ship and the preparations that needed to be made.
"Powdered milk?" Sakura got a small bag of finished powdered milk and showed it to Sinbad.
"It will last longer like this, and you just have to put it in water."
"Wow!" Sinbad's eyes sparkled looking at the powder. "I think a few of the villagers wanted to give some gifts, do you wanna come with when you're finished?"
"Sure."
Sakura made sure Sinbad didn't drag his feet in the snow, because he had to help with the loading, and their so-called villagers, were mostly women who wanted to bid him farewell personally. It was just squeals, tearful cries, and not so discrete fondling on Sinbad's end. Until Sakura finally decided to drag him, literally by the back of his collar to the ship.
"Next time, I'll just sit back.'
The crew was limited to, Sakura, Sinbad, Ja'far, Mahad, Vittel, Hinahoho, and his new bride Rurumu. It was hard for Sakura to contain her shock at Hinahoho's spouse. He boasted that she was the most beautiful and talented woman in Imuchakk, and her perceptions had warped her imagination of a dainty woman, with a soft-spoken voice and head-turning beauty because Hinahoho fought beyond his limits to gain her approval as her husband.
Rurumu in the flesh was about a head taller than Hinahoho, her body was feminine but with a strong build and muscles, her hair looked like soft waves of the sea, her eyes a deep gold. Sakura was quick to realize why Hinahoho was entranced by this woman. Her presence was strong, but she was also quite kind and the impression Sakura had on their first meeting was this was someone she would admire as well.
The seas were unpredictable, working with the skies, the winds, and the clouds to determine its disposition. It was like a pleasant friend when the sun would beat down on them and was washed away with the ocean breeze and spray of the waves. Other times the sea was like an unpleasant neighbor beating on your door when the clouds were gray, and the winds were strong.
While she had been on missions that took her to sail, Sakura hadn't been to sea as long as her current journey entailed. There was a lot of adjusting to make to adapt comfortably and not just with the rocking waves but her crewmates as well.
A cool breeze brushed over her skin as Sakura stared out to the blue skies and seas, her body felt lax under the environment. Unfortunately, fate wouldn't allow such pleasures to be prolonged.
"Pleasure to meet you, I'm a trader Ja'far. I'd be glad if you put our goods into your shop-WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?"
Ja'far slammed his hands on the makeshift desk he sat at, crossed leg between Sinbad and Sakura. Scrolls on the side, with their notes and lessons for Rurumu to teach.
"Like hell, I can continue this you old hag!" Ja'far protested and Sakura winced prematurely as he was slammed in the head with a side chop from Rurumu's large hand as a form of punishment for breaking etiquette and insulting a lady.
"Ja'far how many times do I have to tell you? When addressing a lady, either use 'Ms' or 'Madam'. We are traders officially recognized by Imuchakk and led by Sinbad. Our every action affects our master."
"I don't remember agreeing on you being my master," Sakura muttered softly under her breath, addressing Sinbad.
Sinbad whispered back with a coy smile, "I thought you didn't care about semantics?"
"If you didn't have that smug look on your face, I wouldn't."
"Sakura. Sinbad."
The two straightened their backs automatically and held their faces stiff to look at Rurumu. Preparing for a scolding, but what they received was considered worse. Their next lesson.
"It's time to review etiquette."
Ja'far groaned, "I say we just jump off and swim the rest of the way to Reim."
It was a comment that earned another swift smack.
The first day they set out to sea, Rurumu wasted no time in questioning the youngsters about their understanding of business and was appalled to find that they couldn't even read the basic text which she immediately prepared to correct. As a business owner and as members of his company, they would have to be able to read contracts and policies. Sakura had agreed, although reluctant to join in these sessions, she didn't have many places to escape and she was interested in learning this lettering system. Giving something to occupy her days at sea. According to Rurumu their illiteracy was not the only issue, and they would have to take full classes on other subjects such as maths, civics, geography and any other topic she believed was essential and they were lacking.
Sakura took this as her best opportunity to learn more about this world, shinobi were taught that information was crucial in survival and she was in dire need of it. So she was never late to her lessons, she never fell behind on her assignments and she was the one to retain everything quickest. Although, Sakura was more familiar with this kind of atmosphere as she's been to the academy, the same couldn't be said for Sinbad and Ja'far as education was something typically limited to the higher classes.
Only when it was time for Rurumu to prepare lunch were Sinbad and Ja'far able to catch a breath for the day. Sakura on the other hand was given extended classes that included different lessons from the boys. Rurumu did not receive her reputation as the most talented woman in Imuchakk simply for her appearance, she was well adept in many subjects and skills that Sakura felt outclassed when she had listed them to her.
The reason for the listing was so that she could scratch off what Sakura would have to learn to become a proper lady.
"You're excellent as a warrior, but there is more to learn as a lady." Sometimes she forgot that Rurumu's status was that of royalty and in turn, she would have high standards. This matter wouldn't have even come up if Rurumu didn't catch sight of Sakura's cabin, with scrolls and books laying everywhere, her shoes in two different corners of the room, her cot unkept with sheets sprawled like a birds nest. For someone who didn't have much in her cabin, it was easy to see that she was a slob.
Rurumu didn't allow her to get breakfast until she had neatened her cabin, dusting her floors and wiping her windows clear. It was worse than when her mother inspected her room and nagged her about it.
Sakura preferred to throw her shoes off when she entered her home, leave her clothes on the floor than in the laundry basket, and forget to brush her hair after a long day. She didn't care for folding her laundry neatly when they would just become wrinkled while she was out on missions, not to mention the ware they received from being worn for days at a time. Cooking wasn't a skill she practiced when she could just eat food pills or buy at the local food stands. And while she could sew, Rurumu was appalled by her lack of skill and inability to embroid and knit.
"How are you going to be a proper wife, if you cannot even prepare a decent meal for your husband and children?"
"I don't think it matters that much, plenty of men can do household chores for themselves."
"It has nothing to do with being a man or a woman, it's about capability and standards set for yourself. You cannot hope to have the best if you do not work to be the best."
Okay so she had little to no cooking skills, she wasn't very good at laundry, she didn't care about being neat or tidy and the only thing she was good at stitching up was...people with life-threatening flesh wounds.
As a kunoichi polishing your skills with a cooking knife wasn't considered as important as polishing your skills with shuriken; it was more crucial to be able to throw needles at vital points in your enemies' body than to use them for stitching up a man's torn robes. Having started her career as a ninja as the weakest member of her team, her time and energy had been devoted to nothing but improving her fighting ability and medical skills. That combination took more time than anyone outside of the field would realize. There were reasons that medical ninja was scarce, because of the time and resources it would take to train.
"Clean the chicken Sakura; don't butcher it!" Rurumu instructed, watching Sakura cut through the meat and bone when she was supposed to be cleaning it. "You haven't even removed the insides yet. And don't let the broth cook much longer or it's going to become too soft."
"Sorry, sorry!" Sakura spluttered running around like she was the chicken without a head. "I'm not much good in the kitchen, I feel like I keep delaying meals."
Rurumu was calmly strolling around the pantry, which was too small to properly host her, yet she moved much gracefully than the kunoichi. Cutting the meat for one of the finished dishes with tender precision and quick motions.
"Sakura, out of the three you are the best student when it comes to academic subjects. You're well versed in herbs and medicine, but you neglected certain basics."
Sakura huffed a little, even Sinbad knew how to sew better than her and cook. When he was living in his village, his mother was ill, so he had to take care of household chores and go out to earn. Even Ja'far admitted to learning how to prepare odd dishes.
"I wasn't exactly taught to live a normal life." As a kunoichi, she was probably expected to have a brief existence. It was a warning that their teachers gave every year before they entered the classroom, but only after graduation and a mission that made you face the dangers of the world, did you understand what you had signed up for.
"Nor was I," Rurumu was well versed in academics, household management, and battle skills. "I didn't enjoy my lessons, but it was necessary for survival. And by setting my standards high, I was able to end up where I am. And was finally able to marry the man I wanted to be with."
When it came to marriage, only Imcuhakk recognized as warriors would be able to propose with pride. And Rurumu was the most sought after, she was given the reputation as the best and most beautiful. But she longed for Hinahoho and was waiting for him to receive his adult name.
"Would you have married Hinahoho, if he didn't manage to pass that trial?" Sakura asked and she was amazed at how quickly Rurumu responded.
"I would not."
"Why?" Sakura asked just as quickly. "Didn't you love him?"
"Of course, but that didn't have anything to do with it. It wasn't the tradition, but what it stood for. Hinahoho had to be admitted as an adult before all of Imuchakk before he could propose because I refused to compromise this standard. I didn't earn my reputation without reason, and I suffered for most of my life to maintain it, there were times when I would rather have been doing nothing. Where I didn't want to go to training and lessons, but I never missed a day because I wanted to be a worthy wife. In turn, I would receive nothing less than a worthy husband. I will not have my efforts overlooked in such a manner. I made that clear to Hinahoho and I was willing to wait.
If he truly wanted me, then he was going to have to earn me. Just because you love someone doesn't mean you have to compromise and sacrifice unevenly. Otherwise, you're compromising your own worth."
When it came to these matters, Sakura wasn't even a chapter, just some short two-sentence notes in the book of relationships. Even after all these years and after everything that's happened between them, she could still proclaim to be in love with Sasuke Uchiha. She admired him, even though their relationship was less than what he had with Naruto who was his best friend, and Kakashi who was his teacher. It was only circumstance that they were in the same vicinity, and it took him leaving for Sakura to realize what they were to one another.
Even then she still felt deeply for him. The more time she spent with Sasuke, watching him, seeing his faces and emotions when she realized that there was more to him. It made her want to hold out her hand. And also made her wish that he would grab hold of it.
'If I can't get back though…' She glanced at the mirror frame resting on her chest.
"Do you have someone you love Sakura?" Rurumu noted her distant expression but that question brought her back.
"Yes." Sakura didn't hesitate.
Sakura had made several attempts to use the looking glass throughout the voyage. Trying to remember the chant, but it drifted away like the memory of a dream that would eventually fade to nothing. Her hammock swayed with the waves, moonlight illuminating the small cabin, it gave just enough space to walk six steps, but Sakura didn't mind. That space gave her privacy.
Most of the time, the guys preferred to sleep right on deck under the stars and fill the night with their snores. At times she would join them, at a respectable distance but those were not one of those nights.
The mirror frame swung back and forth with the chain, hovering over Sakura's eyes. It wouldn't reflect any more truth about this world, yet she kept holding it above her head with the smallest hope. She would have stayed like that until morning if Ja'far didn't enter her cabin, creeping the door ever so slightly to check if she was still awake at this hour.
"Ja'far."
The former assassin held his hands up, curled like a child wanting a hug. His eyes were glossy from tears he rubbed away, making the skin around them red.
"Another nightmare?"
Ja'far may have been an assassin with a body of resilience but his mind had been shattered after facing his past. That vulnerability was still washing over him. One night Sakura heard him whimpering and fussing in his sleep, so she decided to move him away from the others to avoid disturbing. When she woke him, he couldn't breathe, so she soothed him quickly and after rocking his body and reminding him how to breathe they settled together.
He was ashamed, so she didn't bring this to anyone else but Ja'far would sometimes come to her if he was shaken and Sakura would allow him to curl up by her. Sometimes she would give him medicine to help sleep, but the nightmares couldn't be controlled. It was just easier not to wake up alone in these cases.
"I understand that this must be a difficult transition for you having been born in a clan of assassins and having to do those things just to survive."
The boy continued to look out at the vast sea "It's just that...all I've ever known is killing to survive but now that I don't have that anymore, I'm starting to think back to all those times I-when-I-
Ja'far's voice sounded so broken to her, Sakura reached for him and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.
"You've been putting on a brave face for far too long Ja'far." Sakura murmured sweetly "But you're not alone anymore, I told you before didn't I? Just because all of those things happened in the past doesn't mean you won't be happy ever again. If you can't let it go it's not worth holding onto. I'm not saying that you should forget your parents but you shouldn't punish yourself for what you have done for the rest of your life either. I'm sure they wouldn't want that for you."
Tears started streaming down his face "I-I still keep having those dreams about them. About that night and what I did to them."
"I've seen it," Sakura told him "It must've been so hard for you to endure, but now you're finally able to start differently because there are people who are willing to put the past behind them and move forward with you, don't forget that."
Ja'far wiped his tears and looked over at Sakura "What about you?"
"Huh?" now the pink-haired ninja was confused
"Are you going to move forward with us too?" Ja'far asked, "Stay with us?"
Sakura gave a sad smile "We'll see what the future holds."
Of course, Sakura wouldn't be able to stay. She wanted to return home, to her family and her friends, to Naruto. She could allow herself these moments with everyone here in this world, but she couldn't surrender her goal to return. There was unfinished business.
"Let's get some sleep," Sakura shifted in her hammock so Ja'far could climb in, he rested in her arms and for some reason, she never complained about the weight he put on her. And he couldn't help holding onto her, as he replayed her words to him and that calmed him into a slumber.
The voyage was mostly followed with a strict schedule, but it was her longest so when Sinbad announced that they arrived at Reim's port Sakura almost jumped off the boat and ran across the ocean to reach the harbor in the distance.
The Reim Empire had the largest territory in the world, the city Narpolia was the largest financial center of the empire and the second most important city next to Remano. The city was a complete change to what Sakura was used to seeing in this world. The roads were paved with flagstones and hard-packed rocks and pebbles like burned sand. Dams and reservoirs ran along the city and aqueducts to prove water.
Homes and apartments were distinct, with small simplistic designs but sturdy material and structure that presented the prosperity of the country. Larger buildings held dome roofs and sturdy pillars and walls with doors that would need more than one person to open. Bathhouses, casinos, and other luxury dwellings that Sakura thought didn't exist in this world. It was a city that would exceed Konoha's structure of wood and brick.
Sinbad did not hold back on his excitement, standing on the topgallant sail when they entered the harbor and keeping his grin until they set up their stall. Sakura was more appreciative for being on land once again and her gawking made her look like an obvious tourist.
"Alright, time to open for business!"
Imuchakk had kept themselves isolated from the rest of the world not just geographically, but politically and economically as well. Refusing to trade their unique stock of crafts and items with even the major countries. So advertising goods and attracting the masses was as easy as saying the words 'From Imuchakk'. There was a variety of goods all ranging from material to jewelry; trinkets; fruit; plants and more.
From their thorough lessons with Rurumu, Ja'far and Sakura were quick to catch the attention of potential customers, but Sinbad was especially charismatic in his work.
"Come now! Buy from us! Freshly arrived from Imuchakk!"
"It's your only time to buy it!" Ja'far called. He was quick to handle any skepticism by presenting their certificate of proof that the products were truly from the ice land. Sinbad was working for a crowd, specifically the women, giving his charming smiles and tenderly stroking their hands, leading them to buy more than what they probably needed.
Sakura sighed as she watched him "Figures, is there any girl he won't seduce to get what he wants?"
Rurumu gave a small laugh "Oh my, I thought you'd be a little more jealous than that."
Now it was Sakura's turn to laugh "Please don't joke about that."
She and Sinbad had become closer with the voyage. Sometimes on their breaks, they would get together to discuss their metal vessels and attempt to train and it had paid off for Sakura who was still learning how to use the basics of Beleth's power and she was grateful for Sinbad's guidance. But Sakura's impression of him had twisted into a clear image of a womanizer that wasn't afraid to use his charms to get his way. And she had a disdain for that sort of thing. Which was why she wouldn't consider him her type.
"You there! Who permitted you to do business here?"
Unfortunately, their baiting had worked a little too well, because along with customers came some unsavory visitors. Two men dressed in plated armor made of light gold made a path through the crowd of potential customers and put a halt to business.
Sinbad quickly responded "Ah, sorry. I didn't know a permit was needed for selling in a street stall. I will go through the necessary procedures immediately. Just where should I go to for that?"
One of the men raised an eyebrow at Sinbad "God is it your first time trading in Reim?"
"Yes, it is," Sakura answered politely.
"In Reim, commercial transactions are all under the administration and regulation of Reim merchant guild. Only the commercial firms approved by the guild can do business."
"If you understand then leave immediately!"
All of their customers were also told to leave at once and this quickly made everyone's mood sour.
"Well, this is a shame, after we came all this way too," Sakura said, even feeling the hit.
Rurumu nodded "Yes, it'll be quite the loss."
"Maybe it's because we learned from old documents..." muttered Ja'far
Then another voice cut into the mix. A figure with tall stature and a pleasantly gruff voice greeted. "Excuse me, who owns the store?"
Sinbad walked over to him "That would be me. What is it?"
The mysterious figure gestured to the store "How about selling me everything here?"
"But the officials said it's illegal."
"Certainly, dealing when you're not a member of the association is restricted here. However, it'll be alright for me to buy your goods as I am affiliated with the association."
"I see..."
"You didn't come all the way to Reim just to suffer a loss right? It'd be bad if you went back without selling anything."
Sakura didn't know much about business and trading but she felt that there was something off about this very generous offer-not to mention she had seen an odd flutter coming from this mysterious trader but she didn't argue when Sinbad agreed, it was his business and his decision. More than that because they weren't allowed to trade without permission, they would suffer a loss and this wasn't an opportunity they had time to think heavily on.
Sinbad was given a contract and not soon after all the goods from the stall were collected and a heavy bag of silver coins was deposited to them. It was well within the profit margin at least
"This much?" asked Ja'far.
"Let's have a good dealing in the future."
Sakura couldn't stop herself from frowning as she watched the man leave with all of the products; she was still trying to convince herself that she was being paranoid about this.
Sakura walked up to Sinbad and put her hand on his shoulder "You look spaced."
He shook his head "It's nothing, at least I hope so."
"We've been cheated!" exclaimed Hinahoho
In the evening while on their way back to the harbor, the group heard some whispers about Imuchakk's goods being sold at a local shop in town. They followed the directions and came across a display of everything that Sinbad had sold to that mysterious merchant. Except the goods were now double the price.
"He must be a trader who was making his money re-selling at a higher rate," Sinbad said
"That's smarts." Sakura said "You were easy prey for someone like him; unable to do business legally. So did you already suspect something?"
"Kind of."
"How mortifying," Rurumu said
"Sakura did you notice?" asked Ja'far
She shrugged "I thought it was suspicious that someone would want to buy all of the goods, I didn't think it was going to be for their use but I didn't think he'd resell them either."
"Why didn't you say anything?" asked Ja'far
"But it's not like you would've had much choice." Sakura added "Even if you noticed it sooner, the least you could've done is refuse the offer but then you wouldn't have made anything. It's a lose-lose situation either way."
Sinbad nodded "She's right; sadly we can't make a large profit here."
Everyone appeared to now have grim expressions on their faces; Sakura couldn't say she was surprised but Sinbad on the other hand had a huge smile on his face.
"What's with the long faces?" he asked them "Isn't it more interesting this way?"
Everyone looked at Sinbad like he had lost it; his eyes were gleaming in excitement as if he had made a great discovery.
Ja'far was quick to reprimand him "What are you talking about? We got tricked here!"
Sinbad continued to grin placing his hands on his hips "Ja'far you don't get it, do you? It's because we've been tricked."
Sakura's sweat dropped "You're a couple of sandwiches shy of a picnic Sinbad."
"What are you talking about Sakura? Don't you think traders are amazing? Don't you think they are the most determined people in the world? The world moves because of money and money is moved by merchants. They always stand at the forefront of the world, ascertain the movement of the world and cunningly calculate it. It won't be an exaggeration to say that these traders move the world. We're competing against powerful opponents like this! There's no way it's not interesting."
"How optimistic of you..." Sakura trailed through a smile plastered on her face; everyone's spirits seemed to rise as well.
"I don't get your way of thinking," Hinahoho said
"With a master like you..." Ja'far said smiling "We have no choice but to follow."
With this revelation, plans had to change. The group decided to divide and conquer. Everyone aside from Sinbad and Sake would return to Imuchakk to restock the merchandise while they found a way to get permission to trade in Reim from the guild. The harbor was cold and empty when they prepared to depart.
Hinahoho looked down at the two with a worried expression. "Are you sure about this Sinbad?"
"Yes," Sinbad replied "You guys go back to Imuchakk to stock new merchandise. I will see to the matter of association and firm until then."
"Okay then; we'll leave it to you."
Sakura and Sinbad watched as the ship left the dock, their comrades sailing away leaving the two to fend for themselves.
"I have much to learn..." Sinbad suddenly said "About this world, this country and the people living in it. Also about commerce and trade,"
Sakura stared at him with a nearly blank face "You've got some time, be sure not to waste it."
He nodded "I won't; I can't be stopped here because I will become king!"
It was almost a moment between the two, with Sakura watching Sinbad's determined face almost too intently, but a low rumbling from his stomach broke through and gave way to a new topic of conversation.
"But first dinner."