Genji awoke sore from the battle the precious day. He washed his face and made himself some breakfast. He had come to like the large variety of fruits the land of fire, most of all the apples. The land of wind was dry and covered mostly by dessert so it was hard for most plants to grow. But it was home and he missed it. As he finished eating breakfast he moved to the door grabbing the scroll that held his puppets and walked out. He made his way down the street to the hokage's mansion where he told his team to meet for they had a new mission. It had been too long since their last one. Good morning everyone Genji said to his team.
Good morning they all replayed. Genji noted eagerness in their voices; he could tell they were just as ready as him to get back out in the field. Well we are all here let go get our new mission, Genji said. Right the team replayed. They enters the mansion and assented the long set of stares that led to the second floor where lady Tsunada would be waiting for them. They knocked on the door and a voice from inside said "enter". Lady Tsunada was sitting at the same table with what looked like even more notes and scrolls than usual. Oh good your here she said to team 8. What are our orders lady hokage? Genji said. You are all being reassigned she said. Team 8 looked at the hokage with a puzzled look and she could see it in their faces. I have a letter here come the kazekage requesting we send a squad to assist in some matters back home and naturally I thought of the sand ninjas here in the village. So Genji you and your team will be heading to the village hidden in the sand to help the kazakage. Yes ma'am the team said as they turned to leave Genji just smiled. Genji turned to his team as they existed the hokage's mansion. Have any of you ever been to the land of wind before? The three leaf ninja shock their heads no. Well ok then, Genji said when you pack you will need a few things. Genji detailed a list of items that they should pack before leaving. We leave tomorrow morning so make sure you have everything you might need also try not to take anything you don't need it is a three day hike. The team shook their head signifying the understood and left to prepare for the long trip. Genji looked up to the sky and saw a hawk circling overhead he could not help but be reminded of the sand village the though made him smile even more.
It was mid- afternoon by the time Kiba started to pack for the mission. Ok what do I need again? Kiba said consulting the list Genji had given him. He started to check off things on the list like shirts pants and other thing. Some of the other items he did not have. Guess we have to go out and get those right Akamaru. Akamaru barked agreeing. They set off from their house on the east side of the village to get what they needed. Ok let's see I need a bandana, goggles... What are you doing Kiba a voice asked. Kiba looked up to see Naruto Uzumaki standing I front of him. Hey Naruto I am just getting some things for my mission the team and I a heading to the land of wind to help out the village hidden in the sand. Sounds like fun Naruto said placing his hand on the back of his head smiling broadly.
What are going to be doing over there? Naruto asked. Well I am not sure Kiba said, scratching his neck. I guess will find out when we get there. Ok Kiba I will see you around. Bye Naruto, Kiba said back. Now what did we need again. The next morning the team met at the Main gate. I see some of you got the items I told you to pick up. Good because you will need them the winds in the desert have been blowing hard the last few days. Well if you are all set we can depart. The three leaf ninja smiled and they all set off. Team 8 set off at an easy pace for the first two days till they reached the border of the land of the wind. We will rest here for a few hours the. We will make our way to the tree line. Shino asked, tree line? Genji turned to look at him. Yes, the tree line is the last bit of forest before we enter the desert then it is just sand for miles till we get to the village. But that is still at least five hours till we get there. Genji knelt and pulled an apple from his bag and started to eat. He then pulled a kunai from his back pocket and stuck it in the ground angling southwest then drew the sand village symbol next to it. Genji then sat back against on to the trees to rest. In a quiet voice Hinata spoke. Um sensei what is that for? With one eye open Genji looked to see her pointing at what he had just done. He smiled, can't you tell? We are surrounded. After saying this Kiba sniffed and drew a kunai out of his back pocket Shino did the same and Akamaru began to growl. Relax Genji said they will not hurt us it is just the sand's anbu force, and by doing that it tells them that we are friends and we are heading to the village. So you can put the weapons down they will not hurt us. Kiba and Shino lowered their weapons they sat back down still edgy out being watched. Team 8 rested for a few more minutes after that they collected their things and continued on their way. The sun began to set by the time they reached what Genji called the tree and he was right the trees ended abruptly. As they stepped out of the forest the grass turned to sand. It went on for miles, and endless ocean of sand and nothingness. You live in There, Kiba pointing astonished. Yes Genji said smiling walking back into the tree but we will rest here for the night. They created a small fire, taking turns keeping watch. The night passed Uneventful. They packed their things while eating a small breakfast. As they finished Genji started to speak, ok form this point it is imports t that you listen to me and you don't wander off. The sands are dangerous for those not use to it. So you will need those bandanas I told you to get if the wind starts to pick up cover your mouth and nose also you will want to use the goggles as well it will keep the sand from getting in your eyes. Most importantly be spearing with your water drink only enough to keep you going don't overdo it or you will be out of water fast and in a place like this well I don't think I would have to tell you what could happen. The three leaf ninja looked at each other trying to hide their uneasiness. Don't worry I have grown up roaming the desert all my life will be fine. Now come on it is best we get moving while the sun is low. They finished packing up and set off across the sands. It was rough going to start. The sand shifted under their feet making it feel like they were taking two steps for everyone. Kiba was the first to say something. This is hard how do you all get around like this. Simple Genji said try walking in my foot prints it should take some of the strain off your knees and back. Am I the only one to be doing this Shino added? Hinata looked over to him asking, what do you mean? Using chakra to stabilize our footing the same way as if we were walking on water that is very observant Shino, said Genji looking back, and you are right that makes it a lot easier but you can expend a lot of chakra that way making it more difficult to fight should you be attacked. I see that makes sense, Shino released the flow of chakra to his feet. Come on let's keep moving. From then on it was a little easier now that the three leaf ninja spent some time walking on sand but the sun was high in the sky which meant that it was only going to get hotter. So hot Kiba moaned with his tong hanging out of his mouth what I would not give to be by the river back by the village. That sounds good right about now Shino chimed in. Just being able to dive right in and relax in that clear cool WATER! Kiba shouted. He ran across the sand seeing the pool of sparkling blue water. Wait Kiba! Genji shouted after him but it was no use. As he reached the water he dove in head first. Kiba bobbed up and down in the water swimming back and forth across the pond. As the rest for the group reached him the stood at the edge staring. Come on in guys it is great as Kiba swam around. Um Kiba Hinata said in her quiet voice. There is no water. As Kiba looked around the water vanished and he was sitting in sand. What happened where is the water? It was a mirage. You mean it was not real. That is what he said. Oh no, blah I have sand in my mouth Kiba said spitting. Everyone laughed come on everyone let's keep moving. As Genji turned back he could see sand moving in large dust devils. Genji's face hardened we need to move.
The going was a little easier for the three leaf ninja after a while. But the sand was talking its toll on their bodies. Hot and exhausted team 8 continued on. The wind started to blow harder causing the sand to shift under their feet it also made some of the light grains of sand blow across their feet stinging as they did. The sun was high in the sky when Kiba began to talk how much farther do we have to go. It is only a little while longer Genji said. This sand is getting everywhere Kiba said spitting. Genji turned I think it is best if you all put on your bandannas and goggles the wind is getting stronger. As he finished talking the three young ninja took out their bandanas and goggles Shino pulled out a violet bandanna after wrapping around his mouth he zipped up his jacket all the way so only his a sunglasses were showing. Kiba had a black bandanna with white dog bones on it he also had what looked like swimming goggles which he placed over his eyes. Hinata put on the goggles they were white with black lenses. She then pulled out a white bandana she tried to tie it but was too exhausted for the heat. Here let me help you Genji took the bandanna from her and tied it around her head after he finished securing his own. Genji was wearing a large white scarf that wrapped all the way around his head so his whole head was covered and he was wearing welding goggles. Are you alright? Genji asked. I'm fine Hinata said. No your not look at me. Hinata lifted her face to look at Genji's. She was sun burnt that was obvious but, Hinata when did you last drink some water? Um It was a while ago she said. You need to keep hydrated or you are going to faint. Let me have your canteen, Genji said. As Hinata handed her canteen to Genji she dropped it. She stumbled backwards falling to the ground. Careful their As Genji helped Hinata to her feet he picked up the canteen. It was empty; Hinata how long has this been empty? A little wile she said dizzily. Here Genji said handing his canteen to her drink mine. She took the canteen and drank. It was obvious that she was dehydrated for soon as she as she if finished she seemed to come around. Is anyone else running low on water Genji asked to the others? I am close Shino said. I have a little left Kiba replied. Genji sighed then continued you guys need to tell me these things. If you don't you could whined up collapsing then not only would we have to carry you but you would be putting us at risk as well. The three ninja looked at their feet. It's ok Genji said here let's refill our canteens. How Shino asked. I am a water type user after all Genji said with a smile which was hidden by his face mask. Here help me dig a hole, I can fill it with water that way we can fill our canteens and drink from it as well. That's handy Shino said amused. It is but I can only do it for a little wile if I hold it to long I can wear myself out and we would not be able to continue on. As Genji began to dig a hole Kiba began to look around. Does anyone else hear that Kiba said. Hear what Shino asked. It sounds like a stampede but it sounds muffled somehow. Genji looked up terrified. He looked around then he saw it sheer terror gripping him. RUN! He yelled to the others springing to his feet. He began to run in the direction they were traveling. The three leaf ninja turned to see what had caused Genji to run then they saw it to. A two hundred foot wall of blowing sand raged toward them. The three ninjas ran at full speed away from the storm. Hurry Genji cried this way! The other three followed. Where is it Genji thought to himself, where is it. He looked left then right sweeping the landscape till. There Genji yelled. On the edge of his field of vision he saw it. The remains of an old trading post used by traders but now abandoned. The desperate shinobi ran for the ruins as the sandstorm closed In fast behind then. Just as the storm was about to hit they burst into an old house with its door falling off. They ran inside just as they did the sky went dark. The storm raged about then sand coming in from the cracks in the walls and ceiling. Genji probed the door shut with a fallen beam from the ceiling and grabbed an old linen that covered one of the doors that went to another room. He threw it over the three leaf ninja covering their heads. The storm was howling outside. Sounding like screaming spirits. After forty minutes the storm passed and the sun returned. Genji uncovered the three lead ninja scattering sand as he did. Everyone dusted themselves off. What was that Kiba said. Sandstorm Genji replayed. Everyone what here. Genji walked to the door and removed the log he used to prop the door shut. When the door opened sand poured in covering Genji's feet. Great he said placing his hand on his hips. Genji started to climb in the little hill of sand that built up in front of the house. After five minutes Genji called back into the house it's all clear you can come out now. The other three ninja climbed the little hill of sand to discover that the whole town was now covers with sand. The desert had moved into the town covering the streets with sand they were now standing two feet above the street on sand. The outer most building of the city, where the storms came from, had mountains of sand laid next to them creating a ramp that they could climb to reach the roof. Genji sighed well we are going to have to wait here for a few hours till we can figure out which direction is which. What do you mean Kiba asked puzzled. Well that storm has covered everything preventing us from using any landmarks you could have used to tell us what way we came in. Well then how are we going to find the village? Genji raised one had and pointed up at the sun. The sun Kiba asked confused. Yes Shino chimed in the sun follows a set path through the sky so we can use it to tell us what direction are we. How Kiba asked. With this, genji pulled out three small sticks and inserted one end in to the other till all three sticks made one large one. Genji stuck the stick in the ground. I still don't see how that is too g to help us Kiba kept saying. Shino would you like to go for the bonus point. Shino continued The sun moves on a path form rising in the east to setting in the west. So if the sun is ricing and is still low in the sky it will cause the stick to have a shadow that points west. Also if the sun is setting the sun will point the shadow east. But the sun is at its highest point now meaning that there is no shadow. Oh I get it now we use the shadow to tell us what direction we need to go to get to the village. That is right so right now we are you g to have to wait a few hours till the Sunnis low enough to help use determine out direction so let's use this time to rest and fill our water supply. Genji dug a hole and made a few quick hand signs and filled the hole with water. They filled their canteens and drank enough t rehydrate themselves so we have a little while feel free to look around but don't go too far. Genji Hinata and Shino stayed in the house out of the sun to rest wile Kiba looked around. He did not see much even when entering the houses. The place was deserted not a soul insight. From what Kiba could tell it was trading town or what use to be. It had several large building used for shop and lodging but very few homes. He counted four well that we're dry from the sound they made form throwing rocks into them and Bering them it hard ground. After three hours the sun set low enough in the sky to give them a direction. Ok so the village is south west of us Genji remarked. The storm pushed us northeast of our original path but if we leave now and keep a good pace we should be it the village just before sun set. The other three ninja turned to each other and nodded in agreement. Aright then if that is settled lets be off. They grabbed their things setting off in the direction of the village.