Here's chapter two - I hope you enjoy.
Please be warned for two OC's. One female chunin and one male jonin. Pretty much all you need to know at this point.
Special thanks to YLCourt. Not only giving me the push to write this but also telling me that the chapter didn't update properly. Second time's a charm right?
Disclaimer: I still don't own Naruto. Shame.
A hash wind whipped long black hair across a pale, emotionless face. Sharp green eyes stared ahead, a calculating gleam shining in their depths. High cheekbones and small pale pink lips completed the hauntingly beautiful face. Drawing a sudden deep breath the effeminate young male paused and motioned for the attention of the other three ninja. They looked at him expectantly, knowing that they were close to their quarry. He waited a moment and then began to speak, his deep baritone voice a perfect contrast to his feminine appearance.
"We are still no closer to the site." His statement disrupted the thick blanket of silence that covered the area and two collective gasps followed, all three sand nins anticipating the unpleasant reaction of their leader.
"You said that twenty minutes ago." Temari all but growled into the waiting silence. The two other females on her team only shuddered lightly, having anticipated such a reaction. Temari took three slow, calming breaths before continuing.
"Can you tell me where we've been travelling for the last hour?" She demanded harshly, looking straight into Takumi's green eyes. A short pause let the words sink into the surrounding area while Matsuri and Haruko waited with baited breath, eager to not draw attention to themselves.
"From what I can tell… We haven't been moving at all." Takumi responded quietly, looking at the sand just behind her left shoulder, not quite able to meet the furious eyes of his superior. A deep sigh slipped from Temari's parted lips, surprising those around her. She then sat, gracefully landing on the hot sand as she tried to figure out their next move. She frowned lightly to herself, her blonde eyebrows furrowing and lips drawn into a tight line.
How is it possible to run straight for twenty minutes without moving? We haven't run into anyone or anything, suspicious or not. Takumi can pick up a chakra signature from about 2km away, he would have felt anything. What is going on?
"Lady Temari?" Matsuri asked softly, her eyes concerned, as she watched the elder jonin carefully. She seemed to be immersed deeply in thought, though that wasn't unusual for the Sand's tactical advisor; she normally had a better grasp of her surroundings. Her former sensei, Gaara, had personally requested Matsuri to keep a close eye on the elder girl and report anything to him. Having known the three siblings for so long it was painfully obvious that Temari wasn't herself, and hadn't been for quite some time.
There has to be some logical explanation. Something I'm missing. Something I just can't see. What is it?
Temari frowned further, recounting the journey in her mind. Nothing seemed amiss.
This should be easy. What is wrong with me? What am I missing? What am I missing?
Teal eyes opened slowly and survey the landscape around her. Her team was currently sitting atop one of the largest dunes in the area, giving a clear view of their surroundings. The wind blew across them inhospitably, throwing the almost unbearably hot sand against their bodies, where it was beginning to pile. The hot, dry air quickly chapped their lips and drew the water from their eyes. It was a clear, abandoned wasteland, without the presence of flora or fauna.
Matsuri and Haruko sat to her right, one watching her intently and the other surveying the land, watching for surprise attacks. Takumi was off to her left, about 200 metres along the top of the enormous sand dune they were currently residing on. She could tell from his expression that he was sweeping the area for unfamiliar chakra presences.
I wonder if he can sense genjutsus? Surly the foreign chakra entering the body would be felt… and it has to come from somewhere.
Temari rubbed a hand down her face, trying to settle the growing unease that was forming in the pit of her stomach.
Takumi looked up and started running over the loose sand, trying not to let his feet sink into the uneven surface. By the time he returned to Temari both Matsuri and Haruko were standing beside her. Each of the three girls gave him their undivided attention.
"They're coming. Two, most likely jonin, with very strong chakra. Should be here in about a minute." The team shared a glance and Temari folded her arms across her chest.
"We form two teams. Each will be led by a jonin. Follow their orders without question. Matsuri you're with Takumi. Haruko, you and I will work together. Is that clear?" An agreeing murmur followed Temari's quick orders and the two teams branched off, standing about 50 metres apart.
Here we go.
Two large figures could now be seen approaching the group. They cast long shadows across the undulating surface of the golden sand, as they moved swiftly across the unforgiving terrain.
Temari reached her arm behind her, clasping the top of her tessen and pulling it up over her shoulder. She leaned against the giant metal weapon as it rested lightly in the sand. Her teal eyes roved over the area, taking in the level of the sun.
Sunset within a few hours. Maybe less. A perfect time for him to fight. Typical. Lazy ass.
With a sigh she glanced at Takumi, sending him a silent message. She smiled wryly, the look almost a grimace as it passed across her unhappy face.
Let's give these guys a taste of Gaara's jutsu since he can't be here himself.
Temari dug one of her feet into the sand, feeling the grains fill her shoes and rest atop her foot. Moving with a fluid grace that came from years of practise, she flicked her foot up and bought her fan around slashing the sand away with her wind chakra, pushing it over the area towards the approaching enemy. As the enemy dropped to their knees to avoid the worst of her childish attack they lost their balance on the precarious sand and promptly fell down the edge of the dune. Takumi looked over, a bemused expression briefly flickering across his face and raised a single eyebrow in question. Temari shrugged, you couldn't grow up with a sand manipulating psychopathic brother without figuring out how to employ his technique to work to your advantage.
The two, bulky males finished their climb and faced the four sand nins with unamused facial expressions. They looked at each of the four man squad briefly before each taking a team.
Takumi pulled out his scroll, bit his thumb and drew a line of blood across the ink. A huge, tank like structure appeared before him and he pulled a kunai out of his waist pouch. Spinning quickly he cut a small hole in the top of the object.
"Water style, raging torrents." Water burst forth from the large tank and smashed into the hulking giant. As he fell over the edge his hands moved in a flurry of signs. The sand moved, drawing together and forming a solid platform for him to land on.
Matsuri's wind won't be much use. It's taijutsu and combination attacks from now on.
Takumi glanced up at Matsuri and motioned her to come closer.
"A combination?" She asked quietly. Upon receiving a slight nod she drew four shurriken from her pocket.
I'll use the technique I learnt in the Leaf.
"Shadow shuriken." Throwing the shuriken Matsuri moved forward and watched as a large rock wall slid up from the ground to protect their enemy.
"Now Takumi"
"Water style, water dragon"
A huge clear dragon moved between the two and smashed into the wall, disintegrating it between its giant jaws and viciously tearing it apart with its claws. Without missing a beat Matsuri and Takumi both jumped forward, kunai in hand and the sounds of clashing metal began to fill the air.
Temari looked towards Haruko briefly and gave a miniscule, unnoticeable nod. Message received, she moved forward and began a physical assault on their opponent. Using a variety of taijutsu techniques unique to her clan she quickly began pushing the enemy back towards the edge of the dune. Once he was in position Haruko teleported back to Temari's side.
"Wind style, slicing winds" Temari bought her huge fan down blowing their opponent off the edge of the dune and into the one behind it. A multitude of cuts from the slicing winds appeared over his face and exposed arms. Temari smiled with grim satisfaction at his dishevelled appearance.
"Fire style, phoenix flower." Rapidly firing balls of fire from his mouth their opponent got to his feet and jumped across the gap between dunes.
Well, that makes this harder. We'll have to distract him until Takumi can join us.
"Haruko, make sure he can't use his hands." Without giving a response Haruko moved forward cutting off the nest attack with a clear kick to the jaw. He stumbled slightly, rubbing a hand across his jaw as he watched the teen with something akin to amusement and disbelief in his eyes. Suddenly he lurched forwards and threw a punch toward her solar plexus. A quick grin crossed Haruko's face, causing slight confusion, as she twirled and began her family's taijutsu technique.
"I've never used the Hachisu Dance on someone before, but for you I'll make an exception… since you like flowers and all." The grin stretched into a feral, predatorial smile before she began to move fast enough to cause her form to blur. A cascade of perfectly executed punches and kicks began to assault his body. Temari watched in mild sadistic satisfaction as a cacophony of grunts, gasps and eventually whimpers of pain reached her ears. A small smile crossed her face as she began to hear a multitude of sharp snaps and a deep, pain filled scream.
I need to recommend her to Gaara. She needs a promotion.
"You need any help?" Takumi asked with a smirk, effectively breaking Temari out of her reverie. She looked up at the taller jonin and raised a single blonde brow. Together they turned toward Haruko; her movements had already begun to slow making her form visible to her audience. Looking up she noticed Takumi and with a final kick to the groin she jumped away from her victim.
Note to self: never get on her bad side if I want to keep the ability to walk…or produce children.
Takumi looked towards the once clear sky. Dark, ominous clouds were rolling in, a storm soon to begin.
"Water style, raging torrents." The bloodied man before them looked up and smiled causing Matsuri to grimace at the sight of his missing teeth.
"You really are too cruel sometimes." She muttered under her breath, turning slightly to look at her teammate. The man before them raised his arms just before the water hit him. It effectively pushed him back, cleaning the matted blood out of his hair and off his skin. He turned back towards the four sand ninjas and something stirred in his dark eyes. As the storm finally hit and the sky opened, releasing its fury, he raised his arms.
"Lightning style, thundering phoenix!"
Word spread through the village faster than the plague. Everywhere, whispers moved like shadows with a life of their own. Temari and her team had been taken, just as the five other squads had been.
Gaara was furious and the village feared his wrath. Doors closed, people emptied the streets. The whole village was on a self-enforced lockdown. In the Kazekage's tower not even a breath of wind moved. Despite having shown to be a fair and conscientious leader, always working in the interest of the sand, the people still feared him. It was not so easy to forget that he held a demon inside him. The Shukaku's bloodlust was insatiable. If Gaara lost control… the village would be utterly destroyed.
In a secret cave, to the north of the village, six shadows danced across the walls.
"We cannot allow this to continue. The demon is clearly unfit for the role of Kazekage." At the old man's statement a soft murmur of agreement rose from the other five figures.
"The whole village is abandoned. The people know he is not stable. It's only a matter of time before Shukaku is released. We cannot leave the village in jeopardy." More agreement followed the elder's words. It was clear that they had come to an agreement.
"Wait. Wait and let him prove himself. Gaara is not Shukaku. He has changed."
Launching into the sky above the air of unsettled commotion, Takamaru manoeuvred deftly, heading towards the Land of Fire.