Kiran sat there, arms crossed, in silence. Gaara and Kankuro also sat in silence. The mission was a vital one, but it seemed so pointless given recent events. The attack by Deidara, the abduction of the Kazekage, and, last but not least, the death of Chiyo. The Sand Village was on high alert, still reeling from the recent assault. 'And now,' thought Kiran, 'now I am assigned this.'
"This is because I was gone for so long, isn't it?" said Kiran, smirking.
"I assure you that that is not the case," Gaara replied. "With war on the horizon, we need someone to help keep the peace. You are one of the few we could spare for this task."
Kiran sighed heavily. He knew he would do it. Gaara knew that too. However, Kiran had a reputation to uphold. "Well, Kazekage-sama, since I cannot worm my way out of this one, when will I receive the personnel files?"
Kankuro stood and held them out grudgingly. Kiran, still smirking, took them. It was well known that Kiran did not get along with the Kazekage's brother. Kiran had too much of a layed back attitude for Kankuro, which in turn caused Kiran to over exaggerate it just to annoy him. Kankuro grunted and sat back down.
"So, then, I meet them tomorrow?" Kiran said, standing.
"Yes. At the Academy, first thing in the morning," answered Kankuro tersely. He leaned a forward a bit and added gravely, "Don't be late."
"You can count on me," Kiran said, bowing to both of them and leaving.
Kankuro looked over to Gaara. "Are you sure about this?"
" I know how you feel about him, but the fact is that we cannot spare anyone else. He is just as strong as any jounin, but he is not of the rank. Being a chunin, he really is the best candidate," Gaara replied. Kankuro could hear that his brother was trying to convince himself as well. Kankuro shrugged, hoping that Kiran would finally step up and shine.
Kiran left the Kazekage's office, smirk still on his face. 'Peacekeeping,' he thought to himself. 'Going into hostile terrain, fighting missing-nin, far from base, with only three untested genin to back me up.' His smirk grew wider. 'No wonder they called me in.' He continued to walk down the windy street. He opened the first file. A young man smiled back at him. His name was Goro, an orphan found in the Wind Country. He possessed a strange combination of genjutsu and ninjutsu that allowed him to control gravity. He was found as an extremely young child, wandering the wilderness. His powers granted him a one-way ticket to the ninja academy. He graduated with high marks. Not the highest, but up there.
Kiran opened the next file. A young woman glared out from her picture. It took just one look to know that she was trouble. She was called Midori Isigi. Her juvenile record told of many infractions, including punching out a lords son. She was a graduate, but scored low amongst them. Her sensei's notes, however, noted superior combat ability, especially with weapon taijutsu. 'She will be a handful' Kiran thought, opening the last file.
The last one, at least, was a familiar face. Kiran had seen her around the village. She was the Lightning Queen of the academy, Tsumani Mune. She went to the chunin exams once, but her team was incapacitated in the second round. As her nickname suggests, she is an expert on lightning techniques. 'At least she has had some experience,' Kiran thought.
At this time, Kiran successfully made it to the other side of the village to his apartment complex. He climbed the stairs to his room on the third floor. He opened the door and flopped down on his bed. His room was spartan, but he preferred to be out and about rather then stay indoors. He threw the files down on the bedside table, along with his two fans. He closed his eyes and sighed. 'Big day tomorrow.'