Shinobu's Polar Express Journey
(Time Traveler approaches curtain)
TTT: little something I thought up ever since I got the Polar Express movie one to two years ago. This takes place in the manga verse, sometime after the divorce but BEFORE Keitaro came to the Hinata-sou so, you won't be seeing him in it. Oh yeah a few characters (both Amerika-jin and Nihon-jin) will be making brief cameos but they won't dominate the story or anything. Well enjoy!
(Yells): Okay Majorica pull it!
Majorica:YOU PULL IT YOU DUMB AUTHOR!
(Time Traveler growls and goes off stage. Curtain lifts)
Chapter 1 : ALL ABOARD!!
It was Christmas time all around the Hinata Village. Snow was falling, every area was decorated. Especially one particular former hotel, now turned All-girls dorm.
Inside all the resedents were full of holiday spirit. Naru Narusegewa was busy with finishing up the decorations and was busy humming away the tune of 'Deck the Halls.'
Motoko, she did her best to help out as well, though she kept a firm face the whole time.
Su, well, she was pretty hyper at this, and it was hard to keep her from the Christmas goodies.
Granny Hina, and Haruka were also doing their best to assist in finishing the decorating.
Mitsune 'Kitsune' Konno, well, uh, well she was passed out on the sofa for drinking too much sake, in holiday spirit.
However one of them was in not too much spirit, it was one little girl. Their most recent addition to Hinata-sou, Shinobu Maehara. She looked pretty sad just sitting down nearby on the stairwell. She sighed as she looked on to the Christmas cheer going on and she wasn't helping out.
Granny Hina took notice of this and came near her. "What's the matter dear? You should be happy it's almost Christmas."
Shinobu sniffed a bit, "I know, it's just that. . . I have never spent Christmas without my parents before. Every year we always had a great time, I never once thought we would be torn apart. But now we are and (sniff) I don't know what to do."
Granny Hina stroked her head. "It's not to be surprised. But I doubt your parents would want you to be sad around this time of year. In fact when you think about it, it's probably tough on them too. Besides you are not completely alone. You have me and you have all the tenants here." She emphasized this by gesturing to the whole area around them.
"I know", said Shinobu, "But it's still hard."
"It will pass in time. Who knows, the holiday spirit will help you overcome this. Tommorow morning I bet you will be your happy self again", said Granny Hina.
"Thank you Granny Hina", said Shinobu who sniffed and smiled.
Just then Su jumped on Shinobu's back, "Cheer up! Cheer up! Christmas is tomorrow!"
Shinobu groaned a bit then fell over.
That night.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Hinata-sou not a character was stirring. . . AW you know the routine.
However Shinobu was tossing and turning in her sleep suddenly her eyes popped open when she heard a sound. It sounded like steam and squeeking metal. Curious she got up and went out of her room.
She wasn't the only one. Su woke up from her room, "Huh, morning already?" She heard the sound of a huge train whistle blowing. "WAAAAAH", shouted Su. She ran out of her room and then saw Shinobu running out.
"Where is Shinobu going", she asked herself. Being curious she follows her.
Shinobu goes on outside then notice a glow coming from below at the bottom of the steps. She went down the long stair well; as she did she saw the glow of what looked like windows and a light, all lined up as on one big snake. When she got near it she gasped at what it was. It was an old fashioned express train, complete with a steam locomotive. It was on a pair of rails that have never been there before.
"What the?" she said. She examined it. On the side of the train were the words "Polar Express." As she looked around she saw a conductor come out of one of the cars with an old lantern. "ALL ABOARD!" he shouted.
Shinobu was a bit shocked, but came near. The conducter awaited her. "Well, are you coming?", He asked. "Where", asked Shinobu. "Why to the North Pole of course", was his answer, "This is The Polar Express!"
Shinobu just stood there confused. The conductor saw her confusion and handed her the lantern. "Please hold this." "H-hai", said Shinobu as she took it. The conductor took out a clipboard and then said, "Maehara Shinobu." He showed the clipboard to Shinobu, "This is you right?" Shinobu looked it over and nodded.
The conducter looked it over. "Oh dear. . . oh my this is bad. First Christmas without parents. You really showed some doubts of the spirit of the season this year. If I were you, I would consider climbing aboard."
Shinobu was open mouthed, "I. . . I?" Then Su jumped on her back. "SHINOBU! You want to get on board strange train, am I right?"
The conductor looked at the clipboard. "Oh, Kaolla Su. You are on my list too. Your welcome to come aboard as well." Su stared blankly.
"Well come on", said the conducter as he put away the clipboard and took back the lantern, then pulled out a pocket watch, "I got a schedule. ." He glanced at the watch. "oof!" The put it back. Shinobu and Su slowly backed up.
"Suit yourselves", said the Conductor. He got on the car and waved the lantern to signal the engine to get going. The locomotive let out a huge blast from his whistle and began to steam off.
As it slowly starts to move away Shinobu was beginning to wonder. 'Should I go? Would it make any difference if I don't?'. As these thoughts entered her head, Su jumped onto an entryway on one of the cars. "Come on Shinobu", she said, "It should be fun!"
Shinobu gasped a bit then decided, she ran for the car but couldn't quite catch up. "Give me your hand", said Su. Shinobu ran and outstretched her fingers. . . and caught Su's. Su managed to pull her on board.
"Made it", said Su. They looked out and saw the Hinata-sou get further away and them beginning to leave the Hinata village.
"Well looks like we are going to wherever the train is going", said Shinobu, "If we leave now, we will just get lost."
"YEAH", said Su, "An adventure! An adventure!"
"Ahem", came a voice behind them. There stood the conductor who slid open a nearby door and gestured them to enter.
To be continued. . . .
AN: I haven't abandoned any of my other fanfics, I just wanted to get this one uploaded today. I hope you like it. Happy Holidays everone her on and on my home away from DeviantArt.
Syanora for now!