Assignments

Gaara sighed as he waited for Kiba Inuzuka to show up. It had been five years since the three-way bridge had been finished in its two year building, and it was high time to renew the agreement with the Moon Country. Tsunade had already given her agreement and since the beginning there was one assistant for the one asking for agreements.

The only one available was Kiba, both fortunately and unfortunately. Kiba and Akamaru were fast and reliable, loyal, all that so that was the plus…Oh, there he was already coming along the dock.

The down-side to Gaara was…he thought of easily as Akamaru came charging for a tackling-hug. Kiba was rather c*cky and got a bit too rowdy…and his dog…

Gaara grunted as he made his sand back off and allowed Akamaru to plow into him. He nearly fell, but managed. Yes…yes, Kiba's dog was huge. The playfulness of such an enormous animal who seemed to always want to give bear-hugs? It did not appeal to him.

Kiba laughed as he tapped Akamaru on the side to calm down. "Hey Gaara! Sorry we're late, Akamaru had to be walked along the way." Akamaru barked, wagging his tail excitedly. "Any way, ready to go?"

"I've been ready," Gaara said simply as he started to walk, "You got the scroll the Kage needs to sign?" he asked. He smiled in spite of himself and petted Akamaru.

Kiba smirked as he pulled the said object, "Right here!" He quickened his pace to catch up with the sand master. "You seem to be in a bit of a hurry."

Gaara shrugged, "It takes little more than half a day to get there. I'd like to arrive before Sundown, so we can find temporary housing. Besides, there's going to be a gentle rain down that way."

Kiba blinked and looked up at the sky. It look perfectly clear to him, not even the scent of rain on the air. "How can you tell?"

Gaara smiled at Kiba, "Do not always rely on your nose, Kiba. Look down, at the water. See how it ripples," he waved his hand to the rail and stopped to allow Kiba to look. The sea water swirled and made small waves, the ripples occasionally hitting the support poles down below, "For a thunderstorm they tend to do more swirling that rippling. When the storms few and far between travel this way they're more violent. The ripples will be stronger as we get closer to the other side."

Kiba stared at the water a moment before following after Gaara. "Where did you learn that?"

Gaara chuckled, "I had nothing better to do when I was younger, so I often sat on the pier and watched the water," he answered softly, a tone of sadness in his voice.

Kiba fell silent at the answer, unsure what to say. "...Sorry, guess I asked a dumb question. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

Gaara only shrugged and kept walking, images of Wolf Cub popping in his mind. He was still allowed to hope, wasn't he? He sighed and they were silent the rest of the way. Evening drifted upon them as did the gentle rain Gaara gad talked about, and at around four they arrived in Anei. They found the Kage's dwelling and went inside.

After a long talk it was already 5, and the Kage gave them tickets to show to the owners of the residents they would be staying at. Gaara glanced at his and his chest tightened, and his kanji symbol burned. Sarrina…Sarrina Mayoke. He smirked and turned to Kiba who was blinking at his, "You must have the other Jinchuuriki, Kerica Mikadzuki, correct?" he asked.

"Y-yeah, weird, it's like...I dunno it's a...nice name?" Kiba struggled to say. For some reason, seeing the name made him feel weird inside. It was as if a hundred butterflies flew around in his stomach.

Gaara chuckled, "I'm not sure what she looks like, but I hear she likes dancing in the rain. If you walk around the market she'll no doubt be there getting dinner. I know exactly who I'm looking for, so I'll part with you here. Be careful," he advised before waving a hand and used his sand to protect himself from the rain as he walked. He should've led Kiba to the market since no doubt Little Cub was there, but he wanted to make the dog-boy fend for himself on this one, see how well he faired.