Author's Note (2021/11/08): This was another chapter I wrote forever ago but never posted - so here it is!

This is the LAST update to this fic! The only edits I for-see in the future for this story are fixing grammatical errors, so rest assured all major edits/adding chapters are officially DONE. I'm busy with school, work, and writing other fanfictions so I am finally moving away from editing Sand and Snow. That being said, I hope you all enjoy this newly added chapter as I feel it gives more depth to the Kazekage Rescue Arc from my OC's perspective.

This chapter takes place during manga chapters 254 and 266.

Chapter 18
Behind the Mask

A dreary shadow cast over the desert village while the sun slowly rose that early morning.

Assembled before the main gates, the team of Konoha-nin prepared themselves for their imminent mission. Tightening their packs and briefly going over their plans, Kakashi and his two pupils were ready for their true assignment – to rescue the Kazekage. Sakura slept soundly after her long hours of healing and concocting a poison antidote in the greenhouse, while Naruto was hardly able to catch a moment's rest. His restlessness got the better of him, causing Kakashi to hold some concern. There's no telling how Naruto will react on this mission, he thought, The nine-tails' seal weakens when his blood runs high, and the Akatsuki could be the last straw. "Naruto, Sakura," Their sensei spoke, drawing their attention. Seeing their glances meet his, Kakashi nodded. "It's time."

Sakura nodded. "Right."

Naruto's expression firmed with determination, but a hint of exhaustion marked his blue eyes in the dim sunlight. "Lead the way, Kakashi-sensei! We have no time to waste!"

"Wait for us!" A voice shouted. "We'll be your backup!"

Catching them by surprise, the Konoha-nin turned to see Temari running towards them with a team of assembled Suna-nin. Three Suna-nin clad in their village garbs and armour accompanied her, and one noticeably wielded a great scroll at their back. When Naruto saw them, he was reminded of that girl he saw in the hospital wing – but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Temari!" Sakura called. "You will?"

After coming to a pause and catching their breath from their sprint, the Suna-nin all stood prepared to embark on their quest. Temari's eyes held strong conviction, firm in her decision to fulfill her promise in haste. "We'll go." She nodded. "Gaara is my brother, so I must be the one to lead the recovery mission – and you need someone from Sunagakure to guide you across the desert. I wasn't aware you were leaving so soon, so I assembled a team to accompany you as soon as I was able. Kankurō is still too weak to travel, but we have no time to lose!"

"Temari-senpai,"

The soft-natured voice surprised them, interrupting their conversation.

Turning towards the vacant village road behind them, Nomasaki stood against a still breeze that fluttered the edges of her blue sleeves. Her light purple eyes were painted with guilt, and shame lay silent on her pale face. Early that morning before she could even don her Suna shinobi garbs, she was summoned to the Kazekage estate by a council messenger and Baki. Already under the noses of the councillors, Kenzō had begun to mobilize in Gaara's absence – and he was aware of Temari's plans. Baki would arrive soon, but Nomasaki decided she should give Temari the warning first. They were friends, after all. Even as she stood with them in view, her senses were focused on what lay beyond. Before long, the tracker-nin would begin to crawl out from the shadows on their master's call – and they had eyes everywhere.

When Temari saw her, she felt something in her gut that made her eyes narrow in slight suspicion. Something's not right.

"It's you," Naruto spoke, remembering their encounter.

Sakura turned. "Who…?"

"It's Gaara's assistant!" Naruto smiled. "Me and Kakashi-sensei met her while you were healing Kankurō." Looking back to the violet-eyed kunoichi, Naruto averted his glance out of awkwardness. "What was your name again? …Misaki?"

"Nomasaki."

"Ah." Naruto breathed "Sorry about that! It's such a weird name, ya know?"

Sakura tsked, gripping the strap of her backpack. "Naruto, don't be rude!" Pleasantly, she gave the strange-eyed girl a smile and nodded her pink head. "Sorry about Naruto. I'm Haruno Sakura. I'm a medical-nin."

This must be the one who healed Kankurō, Nomasaki realized in her silence.

"You're staying behind, Nomasaki?" Temari spoke, her voice crisp.

"…duty. Sorry." Nomasaki answered, flatly. Guilt creeping into her mind, she averted her glance to the sand at her feet. "Actually, I came to tell you that -,"

"Temari-sama,"

Before Nomasaki had the chance to get the words out of her mouth, Baki's arrival had come sooner than she expected. His turban covered hear half of his face, yet the regret and frustration was visibly clear on his stern expression. Nomasaki wondered if he knew of Kenzō's true intentions – or anyone else for that matter.

Temari turned, curiously. "Baki-sensei?"

"I'm afraid I can't allow you to leave the village."

"What?!" Temari gasped, taken aback. "Why not? Gaara is missing!"

Gritting his teeth in held anger, Baki swallowed his pride. "…orders from the council. I can't go against their word. I'm sorry." Sensing the discontent, he cleansed his face of rage and put on a mask of iron. "You and your assembled guard are to guard the northern border until further orders are given."

Temari clenched her fists at her sides. "That's absurd -!"

"Those are your orders." Baki said. "It'd be best you'd follow them."

"But Baki-sensei -!"

"Temari, you stay put!" A voice shouted from above. "I'll represent Sunagakure myself!"

Sensing the aged chakra, Nomasaki looked towards the clay building that cast a shadow over where they stood. Upon its rooftop, the short elderly woman stood against the winds with a pack slung over her shoulder and her dark and sunken eyes brimming with eagerness. She remembered the old woman almost immediately – the revered puppet-master and healer, the one her friend Meiyumi pursued as her master. When the others saw her, they stood agape and bewildered.

Temari watched with astonished caution. "Elder Chiyo -!?"

"Chiyo-sama," Baki started, choosing his words carefully. "Given your age, it seems inappropriate for an elderly woman such as yourself to… -,"

Chiyo let out a shrill laugh, plunging down from the rooftop. "Don't treat me like a fossil!"

"Wah! She jumped -!?"

When she landed, Sakura and Naruto flinched while Kakashi looked on in calm curiosity. Only yesterday, she lunged towards the white-haired sensei in retaliation for her son's death only to realize Kakashi was not the White Fang – and today she stood before them an ally.

"Besides," Chiyo gave an elderly smile laced with intent. "I'm looking forward to seeing my adorable little grandson… It's due time I paid him a visit."

Sasori of the Red Sands, Nomasaki was reminded of Kankurō's words. As Temari and her assembled team started for their assigned guard, Nomasaki approached with her attention directed towards the silent road in her sights. She could sense a chakra approaching from afar, so she chose her actions carefully. "Temari-senpai," She leaned in ear. "…when you return, find me. I'll stay here and continue my duties until you're relieved of your assignment."

Temari narrowed her eyes. "You're still in?"

Nomasaki nodded. "Yes."

"Tell Kankurō any intel you come across, and meet us at the rendezvous point tomorrow at the break of dawn." Temari walked on. "This is a slight change of plan, but we have to be prompt if we even have a chance at saving Gaara."

And I have to be careful, Nomasaki reminded herself.

As Temari and her team departed, Naruto spoke. "Any news? On… Gaara?"

His question struck her.

Calming herself, she turned back to the Konoha-nin and shook her head, averting her eyes as she did. "…Nothing. Sorry." Raising her glace to them, her calm expression firmed. "But I just wanted to wish you all safe travels. The Akatsuki are unlike any chakra I sensed before… they are very formidable and are near monstrous in strength. If you face them, be careful. They're not like the other missing-nin we've encountered."

Naruto chuckled. "We'll be fine! Besides, they can act monstrous, but I got the real deal sealed inside of me!"

Before he could say any more, Sakura bumped him with her elbow. "Naruto…!" She glanced to him sharply. "Don't say too much…!"

Even as a whisper, Nomasaki could hear what the medic said clearly. I know that, she thought, Your chakra speaks for itself. Just like Gaara's… - she pushed the oncoming thoughts away. "I see." She said, her face remaining calm. Guilt overcoming her heart, she gave a pleading glance. "If you reach Gaara-sama before we can… tell him we're waiting for him. Suna needs his leadership… all of us."

Seeing the strange-eyed kunoichi's expression made Naruto understand. Her eyes of dimmed violet spoke volumes. It near provoked a sadness in him as well. Her eyes, he thought, She really cares about him. Shaking off the emerging sorrow for his friend, he feigned a smile. "For sure!" He nodded. "You can count on us!"

"Naruto," Kakashi reminded. "We should get going before Pakkun loses the scent."

The jinchuriki flinched, then turned back to his sensei. "Right!" Before starting off into the desert beyond the gates, Naruto gave a wave. "See you later!"

Soon enough, the backs of the Konoha-nin and Elder Chiyo faded into the rising sunlight as it struck the dunes. The wind bit at Nomasaki's cheeks as she watched with a heavy heart, aching to go with them. But she knew she had to be cautious – at least for now. Striking her, a chakra suddenly entered her senses. Behind her, a masked tracker-nin appeared and stood in silence. Refusing to meet their gaze, Nomasaki kept her gaze onwards to the desert.

And then they spoke.

"You're treading on very dangerous ground."

"I was only saying goodbye." She spat. "That was all."

They stepped closer, pausing as they were at her side. From the corner of her eye, she let herself breath easy. Fortunately, it was not Tojiru. It was the owl-masked one, a comrade of his – and Kenzō's loyal messenger. They spoke again. "I understand your friendship with the sister, from your jonin-training," He said. "But Kenzō-sama forbids you from pursuing the jinchuriki."

They talk of him as if he's not even human, she thought bitterly. "I'm not pursuing -,"

"You serve Kenzō-sama." He reminded her, his calm tone turning sharp as a blade. "If you disobey his commands, your punishment will be worse than death." His voice softened, as did his chakra. "Trust me… I learned from experience."

Turning to meet his carved mask, Nomasaki felt an emptiness in her chest. Fear. "What did… he do?"

"He silenced me… and there's eight lashes on my back that remind me of my fate." He revealed, seeing the shock in her expression. "I know comrades who were tortured. Teeth pulled, fingers flayed, eyes blinded… some even died from their injuries. Kenzō-sama is… a bit of a masochist. You don't cross him. Not even a wolf can touch him."

Nomasaki gulped. Wolves don't fear, she reminded herself, Wolves devour fear.

But she had to admit – she was afraid of Kenzō.

"I don't want to see another comrade suffer by his hand, but that's naïve of me." Owl-face spoke, his voice low. As she looked at his mask, Nomasaki swore she saw a pair of light green eyes glancing back at her. Human. "Just be cautious, outsider."

Heeding his words, she nodded. Looking back to the desert, she felt the winds rise and swim through her gold hair. "What does he want with me? Am I being summoned?"

"It's an emergency council meeting." He said. "Kenzō-sama asked me to retrieve you."

Taking a deep breath, she breathed out her held fear and put on a brave face.

Following her masked guide to the estate.

Under the shadows of the past Kazekage, Nomasaki stood by Gaara's empty seat in the council chamber while shouts of anger were exchanged back and forth. Many times, Baki had to intervene but in cases where it was futile, even the senior advisor Zarō had to add his booming voice to settle the squabbling. Even under the shouts, Nomasaki could make out the mutters of the councillors who chose to stay quiet. Her Kekkei Genkai had its advantages – widespread chakra detection, inhuman strength and stamina, and a keener sense of smell – but her sense of hearing was heightened than that of the average human, even as a half-blood herself. Many of the 'silent' councillors were voicing their anger at the Kazekage's absence privately to another, calling Gaara a 'weak jinchuriki'. She decided she would inform Gaara when he returned – so they may be penalized for their disloyalty.

Coming as a surprise, Kankurō felt well enough to make his way through the council chamber doors unassisted. Slowly and with a shudder of pain, he took his seat at the right-hand of Gaara's vacant chair and listened to the infighting in frustrated silence. At the opposite side of the table, Kenzō sat with his hands folded over his mouth while a glare marked itself on his expression. The man was watching and listening to everything, and every so often Nomasaki felt his eyes trail to where she stood. Acting as if she did not notice, she made she to stand calm and with eyes locked towards the ongoing discussions.

In twenty-four hours, I'll be gone from here, she reminded herself, I'll be in the Land of Rivers looking for Gaara. I'll be away from him.

"When will Gaara-sama return?!" A councillor slammed the open scroll onto the table. "The Kazekage, a leader of the Five Great Nations… kidnapped by mere bandits?! Outlaws! A scandal like this could undermine our very authority over neighbouring lands!"

Calm and calculating, Kenzō inserted himself into conversation. "Just look at what happened when Yamagakure turned a blind eye… Ishigakure struck and devastated the village so much that it still remains ash to this day." His calm voice spoke, drawing the anger to a still. Nomasaki reluctantly turned towards him, her purple eyes glaring his way – and he felt it. A sneer formed on his lips. "To make matters worse, their chieftain was murdered in the massacre… and now nearly four years later their daimyo is scrambling to hold off invaders that want the country's iron and gold mines. Ishi spurred interest in missing-nin and mercenaries to pillage those lands… and Yama is no more."

"Such a thing will never happen to Suna!" A councillor shouted.

"I'm not so sure." Another entered. "I understand that Sasori of the Red Sand was involved in the incident. A disgrace of this magnitude must not get out. If the other nations were to learn… -,"

Baki nodded. "That much is true. Once the neighboring lands learn that our Kazekage is missing, who knows when or how they'll start posturing."

"I propose we elect a new Kazekage immediately." Kenzō entered, his crisp voice silencing the others. "Stabilizing Sunagakure must be our top priority… whether Gaara-sama returns or not."

"Kenzō-sama -?" Zarō countered, eyeing the advisor with a narrowed glance. "Do you really feel such a motion is necessary? Gaara-sama may be alive and well, there might be no need for such effort to elect a new Kazekage."

"Zarō-sama is right!" A councillor agreed. "Gaara may still return! We don't know that he's gone forever. It's only been three days since the attack."

Irked by the discourse, Kenzō calmed his expression and leaned in to meet his lips to his folded hands. "Well, the fact is… it would be better for the village were he to never return." He spoke, darkly. "Sunagakure is in an opportune position."

Zarō glared, reading into his expression. "What do you mean by that?"

Kenzō sighed. "You of all people should know, Zarō-sama… being you are more senior than even I. Then again, you did seem to grow favourable of the jinchuriki so you are somewhat biased."

The comment drew Zarō's anger. Knowing full well what was to come, Kankurō glared towards Kenzō with daggers drawn into his brown eyes, his fingers tightening his grip upon his sleeve. Nomasaki could sense the tension in the room, making her clutch her clipboard a little tighter.

"With the one-tailed beast Shukaku sealed inside him, Gaara-sama is merely an unstable monster." Kenzō began, while the others listened quietly. "We thought if he were Kazekage, he would be easier to control. But who knows when Gaara-sama would snap again? He's simply a burden to this village, there's no denying it." His dark eyes narrowed further. "Gaara-sama may have learned to control Shukaku, but he is far from perfect. He's an unstable weapon! A failed test subject that even his own father – Rasa, the late Fourth Kazekage, ordered destroyed! Multiple times, in fact… but to no avail. I know this much because I served under him."

Catching her attention, Nomasaki sensed Kankurō rise from his seat and start towards Kenzō in haste. Already her heart began racing in her chest. Don't do anything stupid, she thought as she forced herself to stay calm, Remember what owl-face said.

Kenzō let out a sigh and closed his eyes. "Not knowing what Gaara-sama is made of… some of our young shinobi hold him on a pedestal. But to us elders, he is merely a threat… even as Kazekage. And we can expect no great things from him. That's a fact -,"

A strong grip near pulled Kenzō straight from his seat.

Anger seething, Kankurō pulled up the advisor by the collar of his garbs. His arms were shaking in pure rage, while a glare stared down the unmoved councillor. "You'd better fix that leaky sewer pipe of a mouth!" Kankurō spat. "Elder or not, I'm not going to sit by and listen to your bullshit!"

"Go ahead." Kenzō remarked, glaring back. "Make an example of yourself, you young fool. I'll give you this chance."

Kankurō cocked his fist, ready to strike. "You bastard!"

"Kankurō, stop at once! Release Kenzō-sama!" Baki shouted, rising from his seat. "Do you not see the statues?! We all sit in the shadows of the Kazekage! This is a sacred place!"

Reluctantly, Zarō agreed. "Kankurō-sama, I understand that you are Gaara-sama's older brother, but Kenzō-sama has a point. The issue isn't just whether we can trust Gaara-sama or not, but comes down to what's best for the village."

Gnashing his teeth in anger, Kankurō released Kenzō and turned on his heel. "Damn it…!" He growled. "All you old geezers… don't you understand?!"

I understand, Nomasaki thought, her grip on the clipboard easing, Trust me, I do.

Zarō looked down to the table's surface, guilt entering his softening glance. "We have faced a similar situation before, when the Third Kazekage was kidnapped during the time preceding the Third Shinobi War." He revealed, as other councillors who remembered irked in their seats. "At the time, there was much speculation regarding his whereabouts. The instability led to war, and our lands were devastated. Mercenaries and missing-nin raided the village first, followed by the advent of full-out war amongst the other shinobi villages. Thousands of lives were lost…" Rising his glance back to Kankurō, his expression once more sterned. "If we had focused on stability at home rather than searching for him, we would have not come to such disaster. In the end, our efforts were for nought."

"So why didn't you?" Kankurō questioned. "What stopped you from finding him?"

Zarō hesitated. "The Third Kazekage was an exceptionally strong shinobi, stronger than even that of Reto-sama – our village's founder. And yet… we could not find his body."

Kankurō froze.

Even from where she stood, Nomasaki felt the shock surround her. She heard scarce tales of the past Kazekage – mostly from Gaara himself. Rasa was his father and the Fourth, the man who sealed Shukaku into his own son. Reto was the First Kazekage, the village founder and expelled those with Kekkei Genkai from the desert lands. A man named Shamon was the Second who was assassinated ten years into his reign. And the Third Kazekage was an absolute mystery. Regarded as the strongest of the village, scarcely anything was known of the man other than he used the Iron Sand and possessed Magnet Release. The fact that he was kidnapped and murdered so easily chilled her. And then there was Gaara, the jinchuriki who was stolen by the Akatsuki.

The Kazekage curse, she remembered the elders saying, Even from the shadows of the statues… it's marked everywhere. And now it claims Gaara.

Zarō sighed, looking up to the Third Kazekage's statue. "He was so extraordinary… That such a shinobi could be killed so easily, no one believed it were possible. In any case, our priority must be the village." He turned back to Kankurō. "And as Kenzō-sama mentioned earlier, we would have succumbed to a fate such as Yamagakure in recent memory. The line of Kazekage was always said to have been cursed… but it appears other villages aren't immune to their own curses." The councillor glanced towards Nomasaki, a hint of a glare evident in his gaze. "Am I correct, outsider?"

It felt as if a knife twisted in her chest.

Averting her pained and sorrowful eyes, Nomasaki nodded. "…Yes, sir."

From across the room, Kankurō's glance drifted towards his brother's assistant. A quiet girl, but much of her remained a mystery to him. Gaara only told him what was required – that she came from a destroyed village, that she was a tracker-nin, and that she was a close comrade. And she was from an extinct clan of wolf-people. As he watched her in that room, he sensed a dormant anger within her hurt expression.

"In any case, we should consider all our options before jumping into selecting a Kazekage." Zarō reminded. "Kenzō-sama, as advisor, what say you on this matter?"

A slight smirk curved on Kenzō's lips as he once more hid his true expression behind his folded hands. "The line of succession ends with Gaara-sama, so it would only make sense to pass the title down to his closest living relative – Kankurō-sama." He began, the council falling silent as he spoke. "But given his condition and his actions today in our sacred chambers, I would like to propose that I assume the role as interim Kazekage until we can convene a decision that would be best for the village."

Shock swam into Nomasaki's chest. The operation… it's begun.

Hesitantly, Zarō began the motion. "…all in favour?"

A stiff silence echoed.

"'Aye."

Reluctantly, councillors rose their palms to pledge their stances. Nearly all agreed, save for Baki who declined to vote. Terror entered Nomasaki's heart, and then hopelessness. And then the fear she swallowed returned and clouded her mind. I can't be afraid. Temari-senpai is depending on me… and so is Gaara. A bitter taste of iron was on her tongue, and soon she realized she was biting her lip.

Once the council chambers emptied, Kankurō pushed himself to stand. Frustration clouded his thoughts, and anger soon followed. Gaara's only been gone for a few days and the entire village turned against him, he thought, Hang in there, little brother. Suna depends on it. As he walked past the stone statues, he realized that Gaara's assistant was still in the chambers. Curiosity got the better of him. Pushing aside his anger, he watched her write on her clipboard with a narrowed glance.

"Nomasaki,"

His voice made her flinch slightly. Looking up, she met his glance through the cascade of gold that she pushed from her eyes. "Yes?"

At first he hesitated, thinking over his words. "What happened to your village before you came here? Gaara never mentioned it." Kankurō began. Seeing her eyes grow wide, he calmed his expression. "That advisor spoke of Yama, so what was it that happened?"

"…a massacre." Nomasaki answered, her voice low and her glance to her feet. "Our chieftain was an elder, nearing his thirtieth year as leader. Our village was neutral, too… so when Ishigakure attacked that night, no one came to help." Feigning a light smile, she nodded. "Yamagakure doesn't exist anymore, but… I'm sure you already know about that."

"What about the treaty between Yama and Suna?" He pressed. "Didn't Suna guard the border against Iwagakure during the last war?"

His words struck her.

Anger fueled her heart, triggering memories of pain and anguish. Hanone told her on the rooftop, she remembered – and since then her motive of revenge had taken root. And her prospect of it was dangled like a bone to a dog by Kenzō and his goons. Her blood boiled beneath her skin, her fingers clutching the clipboard tighter. Swallowing her anger, she closed her eyes and walked past him.

"…Suna only came to count the bodies."

Confused, he watched her leave. "But Suna brought you here!" He called after. "Gaara did! This village saved your life!"

She paused.

In the doorway, she reflected. He was right, she thought. The blood of the sand claimed half of her blood, and the Yamamori clan the other. But it was Gaara that brought her to safety. If not for him, she would have been swallowed by the sands as another fool lost to the desert forever. And that was why she felt she had to save him – to return the favour. Feeling Kankurō's eyes watching her back, she stayed with her glance locked on the corridor that lingered outside.

"You're right. He did."

And she took her leave.

It was not long until the day came and went.

Laying on her bed that evening, Nomasaki contemplated what she was to do. Gaara was gone, the Konoha-nin were searching for him, and Temari was serving border patrol for an invasion that may never come to begin with – and Kenzō had his eyes watching her from beyond the shadows. For all intents and purposes, she was trapped. If what Temari said was right, they had a shot in the morning – and Nomasaki was willing to risk everything if it meant she could help Gaara.

"If you disobey his commands, your punishment will be worse than death."

The words from owl-face repeated in her thoughts.

Kenzō can go to hell. This is something I must do.

As she closed her tired eyes, she forgot how much she missed her own bed. From sleeping scattered hours in chairs within the hospital and the estate, being back in her bedroom was a welcome feeling.

It was not long until she drifted into sleep.

One year ago, Nomasaki stood across from Gaara in the ancient Sand Pits.

Gaara's first month as Kazekage came and went – and so did Nomasaki's tenure as his assistant. Although he knew of his assistant's position as a rookie tracker-nin under the wing of Commander Moro, the Kazekage was unaware of her ties to the councillor Kenzō. That morning, Gaara requested they meet in the pits dressed in their shinobi attire and equipped for battle. Nervous of his request at first, she decided to see it through – for she could not refuse the Kazekage, as she was his assistant. Thousands of years marked the Sand Pits, named for their depths beneath the estate grounds. Fallen pillars of golds, reds, and greens dotted the arena, while cracks within the sandstone told stories of battles past. Clothed in her Suna shinobi flak jacket and black clothes, her mask stood out the most. Carved into the shape of a snarling wolf, its white porcelain canvas and red markings disguised the kunoichi from even those who knew her most. Standing directly across from her beyond the arena's centre, Gaara stood dressed in his burgundy coat and purple flak jacket with his heavy gourd of sand strapped to his back. He eyed her curiously, as if to read through her shroud.

"Temari told me you have quite the talent for taijutsu and wind-release. Your Kekkei Genkai is also a valuable asset." Gaara began. "Let me test you. Shinobi learn from their opponents… it's the only language we know. I'll do my best to make sure my sand doesn't lose control, but for your own safety, tread lightly."

Nomasaki nodded. "Understood, Kazekage-sama."

And with that, they sprang into action.

Nomasaki entered with a strong kick. Seeing her movements and the red of her mask, Gaara blocked and countered with a left hook. She evaded his strike by a hair, moving between the space effortlessly as if feather-like. Taijutsu was not her strongest skill, but she took pride in her speed. As for Gaara, taijutsu was one of his weakest. Not only was he preferred for long-range combat, but more often than not his sand unfortunately got in the way – even during training. As she saw an opening, she threw her fist towards his chest.

Moments before impact, sand swam rapidly over him in a cocoon and pushed her away.

Losing her footing, Nomasaki leapt backwards and skid backwards against the sandstone. Coming to a stop, she stood calmly as she saw Gaara wait for her. Oddly enough, it reminded her of the time she saw Shukaku emerge in the forest. Only this time Shukaku was dormant – and it was a friendly spar, nothing more. Across the arena, Nomasaki could see Gaara's face through the open hole of the sands.

"Forgive me. My sand acts on its own." He said. "My Ultimate Defense is automatic."

She nodded. "Yes, Kazekage-sama."

Sprinting forward in agile speed, Nomasaki leapt in the air and came down with a downward heel. Her foot struck the sand, hardened by the Ultimate Defense as it swam up to meet her. Flipping backward, she came forward with more taijutsu – throwing punches and kicks at the sand that formed to protect Gaara as he stood behind with his arms crossed against his chest.

While they fought, Gaara noticed her fighting style was unlike others he saw – she was somewhat crouched, as if wolfish in nature. Behind her mask, he saw the vibrance of her violet eyes in the scarce sunlight that entered, reminding him he was not simply sparring against a nameless tracker-nin.

In that moment, her blood boiled.

A wave of white fur sprawled over her arm, and her fingers became sharp and clawed as if a beast itself. With one strike, she shattered a sand wall he hardened with his minerals – bursting it into hundreds of tiny golden pieces. Gaara stood surprised, unaware of her beastly strength.

"You're stronger than you look." He admitted.

"Looks can be deceiving," Nomasaki replied. "My Kekkei Genkai gives me strength greater than the average human. Nature-energy flows in my veins, and so does the blood of a beast!"

She struck again, but was thrown back by a stream of sand.

Regaining her footing, she saw a tidal wave of sand rumble on its path towards her. As the sands tumbled and swam to grab hold of her, she evaded as quickly as she could. And now she was on the defensive. While the wave chased her, she burst through sand with her transformed arm and used the environment of fallen pillars to her advantage. Ducking behind one, she retreated as the sands closed in.

Gaara appeared within a burst of sands and wind – and Nomasaki saw her opening.

Before the sand shield could materialize from the fallen wave, her beastly claws struck. Sand fell, and before she knew it she was flung backwards by the grains. Crouching down, she managed to slow herself until she was able to stand. Fighting against the Kazekage was something she never imagined – and even with a simple spar, him going easy on her was challenging enough. If she slipped up, the fight was over.

Gaara touched his cheek in astonishment, realizing that there was a gaping hole where the sand should be. "You cracked my Sand Armour,"

Nomasaki stood straight, nodding once. "Forgive me."

"I'm your opponent." Gaara stated. "You don't have to forgive me." Watching her stand across from him, he felt an odd sense of admiration. For someone not meant to be a shinobi, her abilities are incredible, he thought, Even I have to be careful. His lips curved slightly, near forming a smile. She was an excellent pick for my assistant.

Rapidly, a stream of sand rushed towards her. Seeing it approach, she felt her blood boil and she shook off her human skin and became a beast – transforming into a white wolf with piercing violet eyes. With jaws fanged and snarling, she lunged at the sands that approached. Out of the grains, a Sand Clone appeared and made its way toward the beast. Sensing it, she dashed forward and ravaged it – causing it to burst into a cloud of sand and grains.

Silence fell.

A ring of steel sounded.

From the cloud, Nomasaki appeared with her katana in hand. Swiftly, she swung the blade. In a burst of winds and sand, Gaara blocked with a makeshift blade of golden grains, the sound splintering throughout the Sand Pits.

And the two were at a draw.

Meeting her eyes through her wolfish mask, Gaara nodded and the two lowered their weapons. While the sands returned to the gourd on his back, Nomasaki put her katana back into its scabbard upon her back, clicking it into place.

"That's enough for today." Gaara spoke. "Good work."

Lightly, Nomasaki bowed her head. "I hope my abilities were acceptable, Kazekage-sama."

As he stood before her, he examined the curves of her mask carefully. The mask was snarling before him, but what lay behind it stirred his curiosity. "Remove your mask." He said. "I want to see what's behind it."

His request caught her off guard.

Complying, she reached for the red straps that held it securely to her face. Once they were undone, she slowly pulled the mask off to reveal herself. As her shroud retreated, her gold hair fell to her shoulders – and she was no longer just a tracker-nin. Gaara stayed silent. For an instant, she saw him peer into her eyes with his gaze, reading her. Upon seeing his ringed-eyes looking back at her, she grew nervous.

Nomasaki felt her heart jump in her chest.

"What is it?" She brought herself to ask.

"Your eyes are still the same."

She nodded, smiling lightly. "They always were."

And for a moment, she thought she saw him smiling back.

She drifted further into sleep…

When she opened her eyes in her mind, all she saw was darkness.

The world was devoid of light, the realm swallowed in pitch black. A faint presence soon entered her senses, drawing her vision towards it. Faintly, she could make out the shape of a person far ahead. Looking further, her eyes suddenly widened.

It was Gaara.

The red of his hair was the only thing she could see against a world of darkness. But soon, he disappeared from view. Startling her, she felt the chakra of Shukaku all around her – but it had a strangely ominous feeling to it. Every passing moment, it felt as if it were growing weaker.

The chakra was fading.

Gasping, she sat up suddenly.

Catching her breath, Nomasaki felt her heart race inside her chest. Placing a palm between her breasts, she breathed in slowly to calm herself from the shock. Turning towards the open window, she realized she fell asleep. The moon was full and high in the desert skies, with the darkness of night embracing it.

"…It was only a dream," She told herself. "Only a dream…"

But dreams could later turn to nightmares.