She closed her eyes in the intense sunlight, still seeing red through her thin eyelids. Having lived in Konoha, the land of the green, until recently, the coarse grains of sand in her sandals and the searing heat of the red sun contrasted the cool leaves and shade of her past. Miho opened her eyes slowly.
"You've been walking more and more slowly. Is the desert tiring you?"
Miho turned her gaze to her masked companion. "I apologize, Kakashi-san. I was just trying to see Konoha. It appears we've left her far behind."
Kakashi looked back as well, and then turned slowly.
"It appears that we have. Farther from Konoha, closer to Suna."
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The chunin and the jounin tilted their heads back as they paused at the gates. Made from baked clay, the massive, brown walls appeared to spring from the barren sand. The shinobi posted at the wall handed back Kakashi's and Miho's paperwork.
"Jounin Kakashi Hatake-san, you are expected at the Kazekage tower. Chunin Yoshida Miho-san, you are expected at the Transfers and Removals sector, also at the tower. The two of you, please follow me."
Kakashi, having seen Suna prior, followed the Suna shinobi, eyes trained forward, but occaisionally glancing back at Miho.
She was following at an unhurried pace, her eyes roving the streets, taking in the details of the sturdy houses, the browned and strong citizens, the clear blue sky, the old, rusty swing in the children's playground.
Turning her head to see all around her, she met Kakashi's eyes. Bowing her head slightly, she briskly walked after him, quickly clearing the distance that had formed between them as she delayed.