Wow that took a while. Explanation: My computer broke down, so now I'm typing this at the library. Excuses… excuses…
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Matsuri peered at the advancing Shinobi. She had purposely stayed behind because she wanted to be close to Gaara, yet somehow at appeared that he could do well without her company. Matsuri slumped her shoulders and stared towards the ground; it kept the cold she felt on the outside away, but not on the inside.
Sakura noticed her teammate's dismay. "Are you ok?" She questioned. Matsuri nodded her head, "it's cold." Sakura slowed her pace to allow her to come closer, "Don't worry. We'll be on the other side of the lake soon." Matsuri nodded again, this time without a word. Sakura somehow knew this was more than just below freezing temperatures. "Is something else bothering you?" Matsuri said nothing. "Please tell me." Sakura had never been friends with this sand konoichi before, yet given the circumstances, past relationships seemed insignificant.
Matsuri began to sob. "What is it?" Now Sakura was sure there was something. "I-I, Gaara," Matsuri choked. Just as Sakura was about to speak again, a defining sound overshadowed the traveling group. It was the sound that nobody wanted to hear; the sound that caused everybody to stop. A low moan came from below the ice, then cracking. It pierced ears and suddenly a feeling of agony spread.
The ice was breaking.