Chapter 19
Of the Sand

Midnight approached as daunting as it was dire.

Holding in pride of her decision, Nomasaki walked through the empty weaving streets with her eyes on the prize. In only a few mere hours, she would accompany Temari to rescue Gaara. Finally, she was able to do something of worth - to prove herself as a shinobi of the sand and a friend to her missing comrade. Just as he rescued her two short two years ago, she held onto hope that she could return the favour and break free of her debts that Kenzō said she owed. And she could tell Gaara of the burden Kenzō placed upon her - that is, once she was given her end of the bargain from her espionage. As soon as she fulfilled her task and received a lead to find her father, she would break ranks with Kenzō and tell Gaara everything. That was what she decided. She would be free soon enough.

Free, she thought, This nightmare will soon be over and I can be free from it all.

The morning could not have come soon enough.

Her heart sank as she sensed two chakras draw near. Pausing in her path home, she turned and saw a masked tracker-nin standing behind her. Their mask was carved to resemble the face of an owl, its large boring eyes gazing directly into hers. Unlike Tojiru, she felt no ill-intent from this one - but his presence still unnerved her all the same. "Stop where you are." They said. "Kenzō-sama requests your presence."

"I just saw Kenzō-sama and was dismissed." She answered, her words firm. I have to lie - and lie good. "He ordered me to remain in Suna for the time being, and that is what I intend to do. What does he want with me at this hour?"

Owl-face stood as still as a statue. "I cannot answer that. You must follow me, at once. His orders."

Could I have been found out already? Her heart jumped in her chest, but she braved her expression. "...Very well."

Following the tracker-nin, she entered the chambers where Kenzō claimed his silent refuge. No guards or shinobi were spotted or sensed on the way, leaving her to realize that if she needed help she would not receive it. She was walking in blind and may not return with her life. Exile, imprisonment, or death awaited her within those chamber doors, and she entered them with her fists clenched tight within her sleeves. She must not fear death - for if she did, Kenzō would sense it and give her the worst death she could imagine. She would not give him the satisfaction, she promised herself.

Standing before the seated councillor in the room's centre after her tracker-nin guide retreated for the shadows, she stood her ground and eyed the elder with a firm and unmoving glance. "You've summoned me?"

Kenzō noticed her presence, looking up from his pondering gaze. "Yes, it appears there is something I have forgotten to bestow upon you... given your position." He watched her closely, his lips curling into a dignified sneer. "You have been serving under me for near a year, and now our Kazekage has gone missing... just before you can ever hope to fulfill your purpose. In case those squabbling elders summon you first, I need you to allow me to perform... this." Glancing to the two tracker-nin that stood on either side of him, he gestured towards her. "Restrain her!"

Before she could react, the two masked shinobi grabbed her by the arms and forced her to her knees. Kenzō arose from his seat and approached slowly, her panicked eyes locked onto his path. "What are you doing?! Let me go!" She barked. "I've committed no treason!"

"Struggling only makes it worse." Kenzō spoke, his voice cold. "Now hold still... this won't hurt... much."

Forming a series of hand-signs, the tips of his fingers glowed an eerie dark purple. Chakra. One of the tracker-nin restraining her forced open her mouth, while the other tightened their grip on her shoulders. Her fanged teeth grew and her blood boiled, begging her body to have the strength to fend them off. She wanted to bite them, to yell at them, to curse them - but she was being bent to their will and unable to fight back. Her eyes saw the glow of the chakra surrounding his fingertips as they drew closer in the dark and she felt her heart seize in panic.

"Curse Sealing! Eradication!"

A burn swam down her throat as the chakra struck her tongue.

The pain ran down into the pit of her stomach, her entire neck tensing as a constricting sensation spread down her throat. Once the jutsu was cast, a black hexagram appeared on her tongue. It was a curse seal, and a forbidden one. A rush of air struck her as the tracker-nin released her, her hands clutching at her gasping throat and heaving on the floor from the sudden agony. She coughed small droplets of blood, sprinkling the clay floor in tiny dots of fresh crimson. The jutsu inflicted upon her was a strange one - she could sense it from the feel of its binding.

She felt as if the very wind was taken from her.

Bringing herself to look Kenzō in the eyes, she did not know if what he did was an act of mercy or an act of punishment. "What did you... do to me?"

"If any of those councillors ask you questions, you'll fail to utter a single word." He spoke, his glare unmoving. "This sealing jutsu prevents you from ever mentioning my name or the details of your assignment. Should the Kazekage return alive, you'll never be able to tell him or the council how I've been using you as my tool." His glare stiffened, watching her helpless state. "If you do try, however... you'll curl up in pain. You'll be rendered helpless to the contained power of this seal. You might even lose your memory, or become paralyzed... or even die. No matter, your task ends with your life. You are to serve me until death." He turned his back to her after seeing the fear swell up into her teary eyes. "You'll continue to be monitored while this situation unfolds. It would be wise to not disappoint me..."

Silently, his footsteps sounds behind him as he left the darkened chamber with his escort of faithful tracker-nin. The large doors closed with a rumbling thunder, leaving Nomasaki alone in the darkness with her fate. Her muffled sobs echoed onto the floor, reminding her that there was no escape. Only death could free her from her burdens, and the seal upon her throat affirmed her inflicted destiny.

And she was caged.

At the crack of dawn, she pushed herself to leave her bed and dress herself.

Sleep had hardly graced her, her mind racing with panic and dread of what now lay ahead of her. Her violet eyes were drained and empty, and her tongue was painted with a seal that could never be broken. No matter how many times she checked in her bathroom mirror, it was still there to be seen. She deeply wished it was only a nightmare - but she was sorrily mistaken. After dressing in her jonin attire, she fastened her flak jacket and tied her headband across her forehead. It felt hollow to her. Temari would be waiting for her shortly, but Nomasaki decided she had to speak with someone first. Upon the rooftop of her apartment building, she met eyes with the large wolf who rested upon the water tank. The wind swayed his fur slightly, and his yellow eyes studied her careful as he listened to her request.

"I refuse to help you find that sand-bastard..." Hanone grunted. "It's a good thing he's gone. His chakra was a threat to all..."

"Hanone," She pressed. "Please help me. I have to find him -!"

"And risk dying over someone I care nothing about? Not a chance." The wolf glared. "You, on the other hand, I am sworn to protect. Your mother made that very clear before she died of her illness."

Saddening, she averted her glance. "I know, but..." Her lips hesitated, thinking her words over carefully. "I can't help but feel responsible..."

Hanone scoffed. "Humans... such troublesome creatures. You're more than a human, pup... but you should remember that following that grunt's orders is the only way you'll ever find your wretched father so I suggest you stick to the plan." A growl passed through his lips. "Stay in this accursed place... or die elsewhere without meeting your goal."

Pushig away her fear, she plead further. "But... I have to do this. Hanone, you must understand!"

"I understand completely... you wish to throw your life away for that jinchuriki you've been ordered to spy on for that foul one named Kenzō..." He answered, coldly. "You'll never find your father and seek vengeance if you defy him, you know that."

Her heart froze.

Averting her sorrowful eyes for a moment, she looked back to the wolf with a cautious fragment of hope. But it was fragile. "...I will find him another way. Once all of this is over, I will seek him out on my own. Please, Hanone - come with me."

"Again, I refuse." Hanone snarled. "Your ancestors will curse you for all you intend to do. For all we know, you're the last of your kind. If you die, the Yamamori line dies with you. May your mother feel shame for you in the next world...!"

Within a cloud of smoke, the wolf disappeared from the rooftop. Standing beside herself, Nomasaki stood in the faint winds with eyes full of hurt, sorrow, and dread. Without Hanone, it would be up to her to assure she bring no ill-will to the mission at hand. If Temari or the others were harmed because of her, she would not know what to make of herself. A traitor, that was for certain.

Swallowing her fears, she departed for the gates and left her life behind.

That morning could not have come soon enough.

At the break of dawn, Nomasaki ran alongside Temari as they raced towards the outskirts of the Kazekage's mansion with their assembled team of abled-bodied shinobi. It had been days since Gaara's capture by the Akatsuki, and time was running out. Pausing before the steps towards the clay pathway, the squad panted in the dry desert heat that rose that morning. Sitting before them with his mummified puppet strapped to his back, Kankuro gave a smug smirk towards them. For the first time since his encounter with Sasori of the Red Sands, he was in good health.

"You're late!" He chided. "I was waiting for you for nearly an hour!"

"It might not seem like it, but I came back as fast as I could." Temari panted. "Anyways, you were late sending over a replacement for border patrol! We almost got moved to that responsibility! It's you that screwed up the preparations!"

"Hey, I've only just recovered, and already I'm listening to your crap," He scoffed to himself. "Come on, now." Examining the shinobi that surrounded his sister, the sight of the purple-eyed assistant caught his attention. "Hm? Nomasaki, you're here?"

"She's our sensory-guide." Temari spoke for her, as Nomasaki gave a brief nod towards him. "She's going to help us find and rescue Gaara."

His glance becoming serious, he met her timid eyes. "Can you be trusted?"

She felt a chill pass through her from his question.

Did he know? Of course not, she thought, How could he?

Although she was Gaara's assistant, the fact that she ultimately answered to the council was public knowledge. But to what extent was unknown. The thought dancing in her mind, she wondered if his question in loyalty had to do with her birth circumstance - that she was of the snow, not of the sand. Unlike Temari, who she had previously worked alongside, Kankuro was a different story. They interacted very scarcely, but still got along – however, she could always sense his guarded caution whenever he would enter a room.

Biting her lip to quell her rising nervousness, she gave a subtle nod towards him. "Y-Yes –," She began to explain, her voice trailing as she seen Temari step forward.

"Kankuro, she's Gaara's assistant! If he trusts her, then we can trust her."

"Even if we know she also works for the council?" He questioned. "Nomasaki, nothing against you… but the council hasn't exactly been running properly since Gaara's gone missing. You know what I'm talking about, right? We're not exactly leaving with permission, is what I mean to say – we don't want to get found out."

Her eyes turning stern, she gave him a nod – acknowledging the words that were left unsaid. "Yes, I understand. They also don't know I'm embarking with you. Please… don't say anything. I'd highly appreciate you keeping my accompanying you a secret."

Standing up on his feet, Kankuro stretched himself as he prepared to join them. Looking towards the horizon in the distance, he gave a smirk from his painted face. "Alright… let's be off, then."

With a nod, Temari led the way – leading the group of shinobi towards the outskirts of the village in the sands…

As the sun rose at high noon, the Sunagakure shinobi made it across the vast barren desert of the Land of Wind.

Their footsteps bounded across the endless sand with ease as they could see the silhouette of the encroaching forest in the far distance from their view. Alongside the group was Nomasaki, fully enveloped in her wolf form as her paws struck the hot sands while she dashed across the desert landscape. Although not accustomed to the heat of the desert, she was able to adapt as best as she could. Panting through her fanged jaws helped combat the warmth from her thick coat of white.

Wolves were not of the desert, that was for certain.

Unlike the cold air of the snowy mountains, the scorching warmth of the Land of Wind was an obstacle she had to surpass – it propelled her towards the forest in her horizon, along with the task of finding the Kazekage. Reaching the grassy start of the forest, she reverted to her human form as they entered the beginnings of the vast woodland before them. Pausing to catch their breath, she was astounded that a land such as that with a desert could have such a lush forest at its eastern edge. She was only in the Land of Rivers once before, and that was when she near met her end with the group of ninja from Ishigakure – the barbarians.

Then she remembered – she was still in the Land of Wind.

Sensing an approaching presence close by, Nomasaki whipped her head towards its direction.

"Stand back!"

"What is it?" Temari stepped forward.

Suddenly, in the far distance, a faint howl was heard amongst the winds. Carried from the breeze that danced from the nearby hilltop. Wolves, and they were close. Startled, the other Suna shinobi flinched from the noise.

"W-Wolves?" The Suna ninja – Miroku, stammered. "In our lands?"

"This is a forested region," Another shinobi added. "The forest that stretches between the eastern Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers shares a wolf pack. I've heard stories of travelers falling victim to the beasts… such monsters."

"Hold your tongue," Nomasaki barked, turning towards them. "Wolves are not monsters!"

"How would you know?"

"I am one!"

"E-Eh –?!"

Ripping through the air, another wolf beckoned in the distance, howling as if to signify its closeness. It was very close, and much louder than the last. Noticing the other shinobi grow nervous and withdraw their kunai from their packs, Temari shot Nomasaki a stern glance from her emerald eyes while she reached for her fan on her back. "Nomasaki," She started, calmly. "Can you handle this? Can you calm them?"

Stepping forward towards the approaching feral presence, Nomasaki nodded as she came to a pause – her lilac eyes locked upon the darkened thicket. "I think so," She said. "Everyone, stand back!"

While she took a deep breath from her calming exterior, she closed her eyes, sensing the animals approach closer to where they stood in the forest. One by one, the shadowy figures of the wolves appeared from the darkened thicket of the warm woodlands. Their coats varied between greys, blacks, auburns, and whites – each of them unique in their own way. Lucky for them, these wolves were just the common species. Legends in the Land of Frost spoke of direwolves, wolves that near reached the heights of horses with jaws that could rip an arm straight from the socket with a single bite. Such legends had seldom proof, but still persisted in the feared hearts of the travelers who trekked to the lands of the far northeast. In the Land of Winds, wolves had long been extinct – until today.

Just as the Suna shinobi thought, the pack of ten wolves who stood growling before them hailed from the forest that was shared between their barren land and the lush Land of Rivers. Opening her violet eyes, Nomasaki's expression near turned feral as she met the eyes of the alpha, their animalistic eyes of yellow peering straight into hers. Stepping forward, her muzzle snarled silently as her soft features soon disappeared from her face. As she continued to snarl, her muscle tinged and her blood boiled – the change coming over her. With a wince, she shook off her human skin and became enveloped into her familiar coat of white, her clawed paws trotting against the forest floor slowly as she paused before the brown-furred alpha.

A wolf.

Still a good distance apart, the wolves exchanged growls with their ears flat against their heads. Surprising to the Suna shinobi, Nomasaki was slightly larger – dominant. Acknowledging the white wolf's strength, the alpha turned their back towards her, signalling to the others to return to the forest shadows. Her muzzle relaxing, she reverted to her human state as she watched the wolves peacefully depart back towards their home in the woodlands. Turning back to her comrades, she met the stunned and bewildered glances of the Suna shinobi – including Temari and Kankuro.

"That was… something." Kankuro spoke. "How did... you know to do that?"

Shrugging, she gave a light smile. "I never tried that before. I wanted to see if it would work." She answered. "Luckily, it did in our favor."

"Never mind that – how much farther, Nomasaki?" Temari asked, focused on the task at hand. "Can you sense them?"

"We're getting close," Nomasaki said, turning towards her. "It can't be long now."

"Gaara! His chakra!" Kankuro stammered, jolting his memory. "Can you detect it? Any at all?"

Closing her eyes, Nomasaki formed a single hand-sign, entering her wide sensory focus. Trying her best, she pushed herself to search for the faintest remnant of his presence that still lingered. Surprising her, she discovered something. Far off in the distant river-lands a day's journey away, she could sense the faint pulse of his strength hanging on. "Scarcely,"

Suddenly, she sensed a much larger and more threatening presence close to the Kazekage, nearly overlapping with his. Jolting her, the presence felt as if it were Shukaku itself. At the same time, Gaara's chakra felt as if it were becoming weaker and weaker with each passing moment.

Noticing her distress, Temari shot her a concerned glance. "What is it?"

"It's… strange," Nomasaki spoke, her eyes still shut. "It's fading, almost as if…! No… it can't be…!"

Shocking her, the enormous presence felt as if it was becoming Shukaku – absorbing its strength into its being. Her worst suspicion was confirmed – and his waning strength proved it. She felt as if the air left her body as she took in the mere grasp of its horrid power.

The chakra was fading.

Fading.

"What? What's happening?"

Opening her eyes, Nomasaki turned to her, her expression stern. "Extraction." She answered. "He's in grave danger! The Shukaku is… –!?"

Suddenly, her senses screamed through her mind from the feel of the sinister chakra. Growing larger and more threatening than the leeching essence of the one-tail was another, its chakra burgeoning and becoming stronger each passing moment. It felt as if it had the strength of nearly three Shukaku-like beasts. Chilling her, she shivered in her stance with her eyes widened towards its direction, unknowing of its true nature. What the hell… is that thing…?! She thought to herself, shaken. It feels… alive…!

"Damn it!" Kankuro spat through his grit teeth, taking the lead. "Everyone – move, now! We have to hurry!"

"Nomasaki, are you alright?"

Alerted by the calm voice of her friend, Nomasaki snapped out of her shivering daze. Releasing her palms from the hand-sign, she turned towards her, giving a subtle nod as her lilac eyes were still wide with shock. "Y-Yes," She stammered. "I'm fine. Let's go."

As she departed with her comrades further into the Land of Rivers' forest that afternoon, she was proved to be distracted as an unsuspecting presence lurked beneath her senses. From the shadowed boundaries of the trees, a masked tracked-nin watched her bound through the treetops with the others – the slanted eyes of their vulpine-like mask locked onto her head of gold as she disappeared into the shadows. Before dawn approached, Kenzō approached with a top-secret assignment for only him to complete.

"I want you to tail the outsider, make sure you're not seen... and kill her. She will betray us, as beasts do. You will become my right-hand and my chosen successor if you complete this task... I'm counting on you."

Tojiru had a score to settle - one way or another.

Approaching a clearing while the evening skies soon made their presence known above, the Suna shinobi came to a stop upon reaching the sight of a tree with a white tag placed upon its trunk – the character 'illusion' written upon it. Examining the tag, Kankuro narrowed his eyes at it, trying to decipher what mode of trap it was.

"Temari?"

Pausing behind him, Temari looked up at the inscription that lay upon the tag as well, glaring at it in suspicion. "There's a tag of some sort on that tree," She replied. "A genjutsu trap, as I suspected." Turning back towards the others, she gave a commanding expression. "There should be two more! It appears to be a Three-Sealed Illusion!"

"The Akatsuki is toying with us…" Kankuro scoffed. "Wasting our time like this with beginner jutsu."

Curiously, Nomasaki stepped forward. "What if it's not the Akatsuki? What if… it's someone else?"

"Hm?" Kankuro asked, turning. "What do you mean?"

"It could be placed by someone who wants Gaara-sama gone," Nomasaki added, glancing up at the tag while troubling thoughts entered her mind. Kenzō and his cronies, the resistance she was sworn to abide. The harsh reminder of her sealed tongue rang through her memories, forcing her to remember the pain and consequences it contained. She swallowed her own thoughts, her eyes firm on the sealing tag. Her words hesitated as she chose them carefully. "...Dissidents, maybe."

"There shouldn't be any dissidents within Sunagakure," Miroku spat. "Not since Gaara-sama's appointment as the Fifth Kazekage! The council was screened numerous times! How dare you suggest such a thing!"

"Calm yourself, Miroku! This is not the time for quarreling." Temari shouted, turning back to him. Upon seeing him bite his tongue in frustration, she returned her attention towards the tag that sat perched upon the trunk. "Regardless of who set the trap, we have to approach carefully… even if it's just a nuisance."

"If it's a Three-Sealed Illusion," Kankuro added, calmly. "We would have to remove the tags at the same time for it to be dispelled."

"That's right," Temari agreed. Turning towards her younger brother and sensory guide, she gave a stern glance. "Kankuro, you take the west. Nomasaki, the one ahead. I'll take the east."

Nodding in agreement, the three Suna shinobi took position while the others waited idly by. Beside their respective tags, Nomasaki and Kankuro readied their tags to be removed as they waited for the signal. Standing before her tag, Temari looked back towards them in the distance. "On the count of three!" She shouted, grasping her tag tightly. "One… two… three!"

Swiftly, each of the three tags were ripped off. However, tearing Nomasaki's tag proved to be a struggle. Part of the tag was still attached to the trunk of her tree after she followed the countdown – startling her. Quickly, she ripped off the remainder, hopping off the tree and landing her feet to the ground below.

Looking around herself, Temari and Kankuro were absent – as were everyone else.

In her mind, she could not sense anyone.

This was quite peculiar.

Wandering through the expanse of the forest, not a single chakra could be detected. "Where did… they go?" She asked herself, looking around. "I can't… sense anyone."

"You killed me…"

Shocking her, the eerily familiar voice made her freeze in her steps. Slowly, she brought herself to turn towards the direction of the words, swallowing her fear that was rising up into her chest as she did so. Upon seeing the sight, her eyes widened as she could feel the urge to scream creep into her lungs. Upon the cold cave floor in a pool of blood, Gaara lay on his back alone and soaked in crimson. His chest was oozing blood by each breath that passed his lips, a faint line of red leaking from his mouth as he breathed in the frigid air.

Death was all around them.

"Gaara-sama!"

Running towards him, she sat at his side. Desperately, she tried to decode exactly what was happening. While her trembling fingers grazed the bloodstained fabric of his purple flak jacket, she knew she could do nothing to save him. She did not know medical-ninjutsu, she was not a healer, she was not a doctor. All she knew was first-aid, and this was beyond her expertise.

"You left me to die…" He breathed, weakly, his tone dark. "I thought… I could trust you…"

"What are you talking about? I'm right here!" She stammered, frantically. Looking down at his near-death state, she felt her panicked eyes fill with tears. "G-Gaara-sama, you're bleeding!"

Slowly, he glanced towards her, meeting her widened and frightened eyes. Gaara did not look the way she remembered him. He appeared cold, a shell, a husk of his former self. The kind leader she knew was absent, only the stoned-faced jinchuriki the village feared.

"I trusted you, Nomasaki… I should've known better than to trust a wolf… a beast…" His tone turning deep, his glance soon became a glare. "An outsider…"

"Gaara, I… –," Her voice quivered, overwhelmed with emotion. "I'm of the Sand! I'm –!"

As if possessed, his arm trembled as it rose towards her face, his fingers reaching for her. Glaring into her, his chakra suddenly became detectable, filling her senses with fear of the chakra she knew all too well. Shukaku. Out of nowhere, the beast's chakra erupted from his body in the dark.

"You killed me… I'll let Shukaku kill you…!"

Suddenly, all around her turned into sand. Before her in the darkness, the sands wrapped around her body while the tailed-beasts eerie glowing eyes gleamed with death before her. Gaara was in

control, and he was merciless. Within an instant, the sand surrounding her flew towards her, her vision going dark as the screech of the beast filled the air.

"Gaara! Please, stop!"

"Nomasaki!"

Gasping for breath, Nomasaki jolted violently upon the moss-covered forest floor, her eyes rapidly opening as her body tremored. Regaining her breath, she looked around herself and her fuzzy vision. Before her, she could see the concerned faces of Temari and Kankuro, their details hazy in her newly awakened state.

How long was she out?

"Te… Temari-senpai?"

"You passed out suddenly," Temari spoke, relieved. "Are you alright?"

Slowly, she rose from her back, scanning the area around them with frantic and bewildered eyes – hoping the nightmare was over. "Where's the… blood?"

"Blood? What are you talking about?"

"That genjutsu must've knocked you out cold," Kankuro jumped in, a light smile appearing on his face. "I thought you were experienced with some illusions?"

"Nomasaki has zero ability with genjutsu," Temari replied, turning to her brother with a smug smirk. "During our jonin training, I had to be her backup in case she became trapped… just like this."

"Sorry," Nomasaki spoke quietly, averting her glance. "I should've seen right through it…"

Reaching in his pack at his side, Kankuro pulled out a water bottle. Slightly surprising her, she watched him hand it towards her. She was indeed thirsty. The genjutsu severely worn her down, judging by her profuse sweating and disoriented awakening. "Here, drink this." He said. "We can't have our sensory-guide be dehydrated."

Taking the water bottle in her hands, she gave him a brief nod. Smiling lightly, she opened its cap – ready to take a drink. "Thanks…"

Never before had water tasted so good to her.

Relieved that the genjutsu was just that – a genjutsu, she contemplated what awaited for them on their journey to rescue the Kazekage. Were they running out of time? While she sat in the shade while her comrades planned their next move, she narrowed her eyes at the possibility. Something did not feel right, but she failed to figure out what it was. No matter, she decided to hide it from her comrades.

She was the target, after all.