The burning red eyes stab through me, and I can't breathe. Then I wake up, and see my tent around me. I'm on my way to the daimyo's palace... I rub the sleep out of my eyes, and sit up. I remember saying goodbye to my baby sister Hanabi, I remember her asking me if I wanted to say anything to Ibiki or Aoba as she tried to conceal a smile. I did tell her to let Aoba know I was leaving the village on a long-term mission, and even though I don't feel anything romantic for him, it made me nervous. Would he tell her about what I asked him? I hope not. And as for Ibiki, well, I'm not sure I have to tell him anything. He already knows, I'd bet.
Today is overcast and very humid, my sweat clinging to my skin like a blanket. Dry heat, I can deal with, and I suppose I don't mind it being humid either, just as long as I'm not out running like I am today. The countryside is sparse and green, the summer heat not yet scorching the grass to a withered brown.
As noon and afternoon come, I begin to think of just who Ruza will be. It's a common joke amongst our kunoichi to take the name and identity of a young Konoha seamstress, Amane Tatsuyama, as their own if none is specified by Lady Tsunade on an infiltration mission. I smile as I think of Miss Tatsuyama being a secret rebel against the daimyo, tutoring his daughter in the ways of anarchists and treason. It might perhaps be true that Miss Tatsuyama knows many things of ninja, given that she sews a great deal of our uniforms, but I think Ruza needs more than parlor talk- a relative who is a ninja, or a friend who is one, someone who would tell her of the many trials and successes of the life of a ninja, someone who would inspire her to research them on her own. Yes, a relative- a younger sibling, a sister, an over-achiever who wants to earn her family name. That won't be so hard to make up, I think.