-Halfway to Sunagakure-
Temari and Sakura only traveled at night due to the extreme heat in certain areas of the Suna desert.
The first night had been the hardest traveling because they had to move through old Akatsuki territory. The memory of the last battle with the Akatsuki members still burned in Sakura's head and her heart and throbbed for Naruto. They had traveled well into the next day only coming to rest after greatly distancing themselves from the old enemy territory as they arrived at a mid point between Konoha and Suna.
They had settled into camp right as the sun had peaked between the rocky scenery. They had chosen a small overhang rock to hide away from the blazing sun that inevitably would rise and bring the temperature with it. Sakura had volunteered for first watch and before Temari's head hit her mat she was already deep in sleep.
Sakura couldn't blame her. They had very small polite side conversations as they traveled, nothing too in-depth. Mostly about the development in their villages and what assistance was needed in Suna.
Temari was very guarded during the first stretch. Maybe it was because of her comment she made at the beginning of the journey, Sakura shrugged at the thought. Wasn't her fault that Temari was in a foul mood when they had met, you would think getting boned would help with that.
Sakura knew Temari was quick to examine situations because of their initial meeting at the Chunin exams. Watching her destroy Ten Ten in a matter of minutes and fighting the genius Shikamaru with such strategy. Sakura blushed slightly at the incident she had whitenesses popping into her head.
Shaking her head to get the images out, she was exhausted. The ache in her body went all the way to her toes.
Her eyes glided to the sleeping kunoichi who was slightly snoring at this point. Her sandy blond hair fell perfectly over her face to frame it and her chest fell and rose with steady breaths. Temari's has matured into a beautiful jonin woman. Deadly and beautiful. We're all of the sand villagers this attractive? Sakura sighed at the thought.
She was glad Temari was getting rest they would need her skills tomorrow for the next stretch of the journey. Now that they would be out of the dangers of being spotted in the old Akatsuki territory they could take an easier way of traveling on Temari's fan, now that they were in her territory. Even with the Akatsuki's being eliminated in the war they wanted to take no chances with affiliated groups. Sakura leaned back against the overhang wall and closed her eyes.
Stretching out her chakra she could feel everything. Including the sand rippling in the distance, the lizard scattering against the rocks, and something tingling at the edge of her chakra. Her eyes snapped open as this spiked her awareness. She could feel whatever it was reaching back. Something trapped. A small chakra latched on to her.
The pink haired woman was taken aback. She lifted herself onto her aching feet to find the cause of the chakra.
It wasn't far away so she wasn't worried about waking Temari as she weaved through the rocks to follow the chakra. Stopping at a small pile of rocks the chakra pulsed from this spot. Reaching out with her chakra she felt another plea for help.
Sakura started removing the rocks from the spot as she prepared herself for anything. This continues for some time, the hot Suna sun beating on her from above. The pulsing chakra became stronger each rock she lifted. Six feet under a final rock stood in her way.
This is a boulder...not a rock...Sakura could feel a life energy beneath it. Whatever it was, was put here on purpose. Sakura paused at this thought. She couldn't feel anything menacing about the presence below. Neither could she as a medical ninja leave something to be buried alive.
Sakura took in a deep breath and concentrated her energy into her fists she pounded the large boulder. Her monstrous strength shattered the boulder and sent pieces flying everywhere. In an effort to shield herself. Sakura jumped from inside the hole to the edge.
After the debris cleared. Sakura witness what she had been digging for. An owl with shocking huge green eyes and light gray to dark brown feathery ear tufts almost in the shape of horns.
"Human. I am hurt."
In disbelief Sakura leaned forward losing her balance she slipped down into the whole and landed on her tailbone. "Shit!"
The owls beck did not move but Sakura heard the words clear in her head, "Now that is no way to greet a Great Beast."
