A couple days ago...
Temari watched the horizon as she stood at the sand city's entrance. The sun was just starting to peak over the earth, sending rays of color across the desert sky.
Ugh…it's going to get hot in a few hours and we have to travel the majority of the day to make good time. Where are those two idiots?
Temari decided to at least enjoy the time of solitude. She watched the colors change in the sky until the pinks and oranges were gone. Then she ended up mesmerized by the wind's effect on the sand, watching the snakelike entities glide across the rippled floor.
After about 20 minutes, two figures emerged from between the great walls.
The first was short and rather petite. She was a frail and sickly looking creature, not like the shinobi she was supposed to represent.
Temari knew her name was Yuka from the briefing.
Gentle flower, huh?
"You're late!" she scolded.
"My apologies, Temari-sama-"
"Enough! We don't need to waste more time listening to your babbling."
She reminded Temari a little of Matsuri back when she was in the academy. But, Matsuri had grown a lot since then. She was someone to be feared now.
Why on earth did Gaara assign her on this mission?
Come to think of it, how did she even graduate from the academy?
The instructors must be slacking off again. I guess I'm going to have to remedy that when we get back.
Her attention was drawn to the second figure now. He was the complete opposite of Yuka.
He towered over both girls and his shoulders were wider than the other two combined.
His uniform seemed to visually enhance every bulging muscle on his body.
His spiky brown hair reminded her of Kankuro but the strong features of his face set him apart from every other man in Suna, at least in her opinion.
Temari knew him well.
Oi, if I could just look at him the entire way, this mission would be easy!
The man stood about a foot in front of her now, smiling down in an adoring manner.
"The morning is almost as beautiful as you are, my Sand Princess!"
His voice was like velvet to her ears as he traced the back of his index finger down her cheek.
BAM!
Temari sent him flying several yards away from her with an uppercut!
"This will be a long trip if I have to keep reminding you not to touch me, Akira!"
The man's legs twitched before he could right himself and brush the sand from his uniform.
Yuka just watched from the sidelines, keeping her eyes to the ground. There was no way she was going to interfere, even with a glance.
Might as well get this over with.
"Let's go."
"As you wish, darling," the man said while keeping at least an arm's length away but still with a grin on his face.
Ugh, how lame. This is going to be a long trip.
The three shinobi set out across the desert just as the sun released its hold on the horizon.
Morning turned into early afternoon in silence, except for a few occasional "complimentary" outbursts from Akira.
Ah, a village, finally. I can't wait to get some Suna Dango here. That's the best thing about this village.
They stopped just inside the city.
"We'll eat lunch here. Meet at the northern gate in half an hour."
"Yes, Temari-sama."
"Ah, Desert Blossom, why don't you and I…"
Akira didn't attempt to complete his query as the object of his affection was no longer in sight.
Temari walked into a small restaurant on the far side of town. When the waiter brought her tea, she placed an order of soup and dango then sat in silence.
There were only a handful of other people there, none of which even seemed to notice her. She smirked because of it and took a sip of tea.
The desert sure dehydrates you.
Temari ate her small meal in silence…alone. But that didn't bother her.
Everyone in Suna knew who she was. She couldn't set foot on any street without being glanced at, and greeted more often than not.
Most of the time she just ignored them. The lucky ones got a slight nod. This didn't make her the most loved kunoichi in the village but if she afforded any more, she wouldn't have enough time to finish her tasks, yet alone sleep.
She took solace in her missions, in the chance to be unrecognized.
A chance to just blend in with the crowd.
Guess that's all for today.
Temari took one last drink of tea and paid her bill.
After a few short minutes of walking, she had arrived at the northern gate only a few steps ahead of her teammates.
Without a word, they departed from the small town.
I don't understand why Gaara felt it was necessary to give me a squad this time.
I've made this trip numerous times alone in the last 7 years.
It's not like I'm weaker than last month or forgot the way.
I was always allowed to travel to Konoha alone and I knew less about it then than I know about Iwagakure now!
Konoha.
I can't believe it's been 7 years since I've been there. I almost miss the place.
Its' simplicity and serenity make it unique among the hidden villages. It was always so calming. Even the people carried it with them.
Her thoughts drifted to the times she had traveled to the leaf village.
She may not have ever called the shinobi friends but when she was forced to interact as liaison for the chunin exams, a few bonds started to form.
With the exception of her brothers, she spent more time with the fighters in Konoha than any shinobi in Suna.
Of course, she wasn't expected to be civil to everyone in Suna, like she was in Konoha.
She'd never admit to missing them.
Maybe she just missed having interaction with people outside of work.
She looked back at the man behind her.
He may be nice to look at but with his reputation, I can't even stand to have him touch me.
I have a feeling that if I ever agreed to meet him to eat I'd be mauled before I got into the restaurant.
I've seen him with other girls on my way home at night. He appears to be a gentleman but he only has one thing on his mind!
Pervert!
Noticing Temari's glance, Akira speeds up to travel next to her.
"Hello my sweet!"
"…"
She didn't even bother to look his direction.
"You're eyes look so amazing against the lowering sun!"
Damn it! How did I not realize it was getting so late?
She turned her head to eye the girl behind her.
Yuka has slowed down.
I wanted to get farther tonight.
We better stop soon or she'll be worthless tomorrow.
She looked over her shoulder at the trailing shinobi.
"Hey. We're going to get rooms at the next inn."
"Yes, Temari-sama."
Akira leaned toward her and whispered as seductively as possible while still maintaining speed.
"I can only hope that you intend to share my bed. It's always open to you."
Men!
Hatake Kakashi was sitting at his desk and, for once, not with an open orange covered book in front of him.
He was staring at the papers in front of him when a masked man appeared in front of the door.
"Yo. I didn't expect you to take so long, I sent for you 10 minutes ago," he said with a slight smirk under his mask.
"Eh. What can I do for you Hokage-sama?" he said from behind his mask while raising an arm to briefly scratch the back of his neck before placing both hands in his pockets.
The man didn't need to make excuses; he knew the newly appointed Hokage was not concerned with such matters. It was more important to get to the matter at hand.
"I'm assigning a new ANBU mission of top priority. We've received information that there's a group of rogue nin, hired by an anonymous bidder to prevent the Land of Earth and Land of Wind from signing a new peace treaty."
"That doesn't sound like it's a very pressing matter. New treaties can take years to be agreed upon."
"Suna's ambassador to Iwagakure left this morning to finalize the conditions. They've already been working on the treaty for years. Seven to be exact."
A sigh escaped from the masked man.
This was Kakashi's cue to continue. Kakashi knew he had the man's full attention.
"The Kazekage is to travel to Iwagakure next week. They're having a week-long festival in his honor with the signing of the treaty as the finale."
Kakashi stopped. He could have stated his deductions but it wasn't necessary. The two men thought too much alike.
"So, the best way for the nin to prevent the signing is to get rid of the ambassador. That buys them at least two weeks to make other plans and prevents them from dealing with the Kazekage directly…at least at first."
"Those were my thoughts."
"Have you notified the Kazekage?"
"I sent a messenger when I summoned you."
"Did you inform them of your plans?"
"Yes. I'll contact you with any information I receive. I doubt the Kazekage will be upset with my actions."
"Anything else I need to know?"
"…"
Kakashi knew it was going to come out sooner or later. Better go ahead and tell him now.
"Well, since I know how much you like working with women, you'll be pleased to know that the ambassador is a kunoichi!"
The man's shoulders dropped.
He couldn't keep the grin from his face. It was a good thing the lower part of his face was covered! Looking at his subordinate, Kakashi could tell that he was not pleased with this revelation.
"Ah…"
"Well, you better make your arrangements. You have full command of anyone you deem necessary. You've always been the strategist so I don't think I need to tell you to play it smart."
"Kakashi-sama."
The man gave a curt bow and disappeared.
I probably should have told him that Temari is the ambassador.
It won't change the strategy, just his stress.
This way will be easier for everyone involved.
The inn appeared in the distance.
Temari had stayed there before.
It was cheap and comfortable enough to get a good night's rest.
They walked in and Temari leads them to an older woman in the corner.
"Do you happen to have two rooms available, Matsuyo-sama?"
"Temari-san! How good to see you again! You know, I have two rooms free this evening."
The older woman wrapped her arm around Temari's arm and led her upstairs, her teammates following behind.
"It's been too long since you've been to see me, Temari-san."
"Yes, it has. I'm afraid there won't be many more visits to come either. This will be one of my last trips north."
"Oh, what a shame! Well, once you've settled down with a nice man you be sure to bring him up this way."
Temari rolled her eyes as her cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink.
Don't give this idiot any ideas!
Akira's eyes glistened at the conversation and ever so subtly forced himself close to Temari as the woman opened the first door.
Akira's hand slid around Temari's waist and he tried to pull her into the room, wishing the hostess goodnight.
Unfortunately for him, Temari's reflexes were as good as his were.
Her hand was up to his chest and pushing him through the door before he felt his legs give way.
She shut the door behind him before he crashed onto the floor.
Temari simply grinned calmly at the old woman while holding in a chuckle.
"The usual breakfast for you, Temari?"
"Yes, Matsuyo-sama."
"Very well, I'll see you in the morning. Rest well."
Temari and Yuka were shown to their room and within 10 minutes were asleep.
Three small ANBU teams left Konoha that afternoon.
One team headed to gather information on the mysterious man behind the money.
Another team to track the rogue nin that were said to be hired.
The last team headed out to track Suna's ambassador.