Chapter One: Swirling Sand, Dancing Leaves

The sun soared high into the sky; it was almost midday, and Team 12 was given direct orders to meet with Lady Tsunade in her office.  The three chunin stood gazing at the top of the tower; sweat had begun dripping down their faces, they had just finished their six-hour training session.  It had only been two days since they returned from the Land of Waves from their latest mission; it was their mission to see that the people have been able to prosper since the defeat of Gato.  The mission was a success, with the sincerest of gratitude of the Tazuna, and his family for their help.

“Could it get any hotter, I’m about to go au natural in a second,” Toshio whined, his back was covered in sweat and his clothes were badly sticking to his body.

“Do us all a favor keep your clothes on,” Atara said.

“You know you want to see all this ninja goodness, yeah.” Toshio flexed his biceps, posing in various ways trying to further reflect his ninja goodness

“Dude seriously, I’m about to vomit in my mouth alright, can you please just for five minutes act like you have a small amount of maturity in your body so we can do this.” Satoshi said, he was always the serious one out of the three.

“I really hope we don’t have to go on another mission, the last one wasn’t that bad but I’m still exhausted from the three before that,” it wasn’t like Atara to whine, but with the recent events in Konoha and the jonin being spread thin; their team has been on five missions within the past month.  

They made their way up toward Lady Tsunade’s office only to hear the frantic yelling of a certain ninja they all knew and loved. “Look grandma if you don’t let me go after him I swear I’ll,”

“You’ll what?” Lady Tsunade bellowed.  “Now you’re not going on this mission, end of story and if that means that I have to tag along with you wherever you go just to make sure you follow orders then so be it, you got that!”

“Looks like Lady Tsunade is in a good mood,” Toshio chuckled as he opened the door. “Naruto, you’ve got to give it up kid no matter what you’re always going to have to listen to her, she’s the freaking Hokage!” he raised his arms to emphasize Lady Tsunade’s power.

“Good you three have arrived, take a seat this may take a while, and you leave now, if I catch you anywhere near this room. I swear, that I’ll make you Ton Ton’s slave, and if you think I’m joking then just try me!” Lady Tsunade’s brow furrowed and her voice raspy was filled with rage.

“I understand, guess I’ll go look for the pervy sage,” Naruto grumbled he turned looking at Team 12. “Oh hey Atara, how are you I haven’t seen you at Ichiraku’s lately,” the young genin blushed.

“I’ve been really busy lately with missions, but tell you what next time we’ll have a contest whoever can eat the most ramen in an hour wins two tickets to the new Princess Fuun movie. And the loser has to buy me, the winner ramen for a week, and take me to the see new Princess Fuun movie.” Atara smiled.

“You got it!” Naruto rushed out the door a large grin smeared over his face like cream cheese on a bagel.

“I don’t know why you’re toying with his emotions you know that kid has a fat crush on you,” Toshio laid across the floor his legs and arms spread apart.

“I like him, he’s like the little brother I never had and besides he’s the only guy I know that will go with me to the Princess Fuun movies, ahem, you two won’t even be seen buying the tickets.” Atara said before turning her attention to the Hokage.  “Lady Tsunade you called us here, for a reason I assume?”

Lady Tsunade had been in deep thought as she looked out the window over the city of Konoha.  “Yes, I’ve got a missi—” before Lady Tsunade finished her sentence the loud sound of mumbles and groaning echoed into her ears; she turned to them with a fierce expression plastered on her face.  “Well I’m sorry if you’re all too busy to help the village.”

“No it’s nothing like that Lady Tsunade, it’s just this will be the sixth mission within the month, and my teammates and I are exhausted, between missions and training we’ve had little time to recuperate.” Satoshi spoke up.

“Well tough, you know the state this village is in, and you three are my best chunin next to a few choice others.  Each of you is well on their way to making Jonin before you turn seventeen.” Lady Tsunade explained; the Hokage with a calmer demeanor sat her chair; rummaging through a pile of papers, the woman’s face lit up with joy upon finding the desired sheet.  “I know lately your missions have been B-rank, but this will be your first A-rank mission and I’m counting on all of you.”

Lady Tsunade caught their attention, an A-rank mission, for a team of chunin. It was almost unheard of; this mission had to be big if even Naruto wanted in on it. Slowly each of them took a seat, and with great intent, they watched for their leader to make a notion that she was joking, but she didn’t, Lady Tsunade only continued with her instructions.

“There has been trouble rising in the Land of Rain whispers of people disappearing,” Lady Tsunade said.

“People go missing all the time from this village, their called missions, you don’t see us freaking out,” Toshio interrupted, disrespectfully rolling his eyes.

“You know Naruto could always use some help being Ton Ton’s slave should I choose to act on that threat, maybe you could work on feces duty” Lady Tsunade said, clearing her throat she turned to giggling Atara and an annoyed Satoshi.  “As I was saying, people have been disappearing; it has been said they’ve been kidnapped.  It’s not just one or two people in a few months, dozens of people at a time will go missing within a matter of minutes, and there is no explanation as to where or why they left.”

“So basically you want us to go on a wild chase all over the Land of Rain to find some people that might be in danger,” Toshio mouthed off again, it was what he was good at and it normally got him in trouble.  Lady Tsunade turned to Atara and with a smile motioned toward Toshio.

“Understood my lady,” Atara smiled, her chakra began to build up in her fist. “Toshio come here, there’s something on your face.”  Toshio leaned in, “no come closer I can’t reach you” he inched closer and closer until, bam the hot sting of Atara’s hand meant the delicate flesh of his face.

“Thank you Atara, now if I may continue with no further interruptions, you three are to journey to the Land of Rain into the Village Hidden in the Rain undercover, you’re to figure out who or what is kidnapping these people and why. You also will have no need for those headbands,” Lady Tsunade held out her hand as each of them gave over their ninja headbands.  “These are yours,” she issued each one of them a headband from the Village Hidden in the Rain; “you’ll need these for when you leave, which is tomorrow before dawn. Oh yes, I almost forgot, you won’t be going alone, come on in” Lady Tsunade yelled.

All four of them had their eyes fixated on the door as it slowly opened and a three-man group walked in, or to be more specific a two guys and one girl group entered.  The first guy had hair the color of sunshine, he styled his hair to resemble long spears, he wore his usual earth colored shirt and ebony pants.  The girl was beautiful, chocolate colored hair pulled away from her face, and eyes the color of ocean blue sapphires, her attire consisted of violet vest and shirt, it appeared that if she were to be in a battle her clothing would not constrain her body.  The last member of their team had long bronze hair and cerulean eyes were the first thing that the leaf chunin noticed on this ally of theirs.  

“Satoshi, Atara, Toshio, I would like you to meet your newest teammates from the Village Hidden in the Sand.” Lady Tsunade said formally introducing the chunin to each other.  “And Tausha, Makoto, Ken I would like you three to meet your new teammates.”

None of them moved, one would assume it was the shock that they were to be working with an old enemy, and as of late newest ally; Atara smiled at Makoto and was the first to approach their team.  “It’s very nice to meet you,” Atara leaned in and kissed his cheek, Makoto’s face quickly became a palette of crimson flesh.

“It’s uh, nice to meet you too,” Makoto replied still stunned by Atara’s greeting.

“Dude, I think this leaf girl is putting the moves on you, me next, me next!” Ken said excitedly.

“It’s called honi, Ken, it’s a greeting that usually people from the small islands give when they meet new people, idiot” Tausha said rolling her eyes at him; she smiled at Atara as the two greeted each other in the same manner. “It’s nice to finally meet you Atara; Lady Tsunade has said many wonderful things about you.”

“Yeah, whatever nice things, now move over so I can get my kiss,” Ken roughly pushed Tausha away, and with a large almost creepy grin awaited his kiss. Atara glanced toward Satoshi her expression clearly a plea for help.

“Alright, that’s enough, it’s very nice to meet you all,” Satoshi became a wall between Atara and Ken.  “My name is Satoshi Tottori, as you all know this is Atara Suzai, and this barefoot sweaty guy is Toshio Higia.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you all, I assure you we will do all in our power to help you,” Makoto said retaining his serious attitude; Toshio leaped out of his chair and headed straight for Tausha.

“You’re pretty,” Toshio leaned in close examining the gentle curves of her face. “Tausha right? Toshio,” he asked flirtatiously as he kissed her hand. “So how’s about I show you the town tonight, maybe take you out to dinner, I know this quiet little spot where we coul—”

“Down, boy,” Atara pulled her teammate back from Tausha. “Sorry he’s a little overwhelming, but he generally tends to calm down once you get to know him.  Where are you all staying?”

“We still have not found a place to reside until morning,” Makoto spoke.

“Well then I guess you’ll be staying with me for the night, we’ve got plenty of room for all of you, and I know my mom would enjoy meeting some chunin from the Sand Village.  Of course if that’s alright with Lady Tsunade,” Atara looked at her leader for the approval.

“Of course it’s alright, it’ll be good for all of you to better acquaint yourselves before this mission begins, but remember you are to leave the village before dawn so go on get some rest.” Lady Tsunade said, “Here Makoto, Tausha, Ken these belong to you three and I’ll take those” the Hokage motioned toward their headbands.  “I also am appointing Satoshi and Makoto as team leaders, you six from this point on until the mission is over will refer to yourselves as Team Rein. Now remember this is an A-rank mission I expect above all else for you all to be careful and watch each other’s backs understood.”

“Lady Tsunade, if I remember correctly, the leader of the Land of Rain Hanzou was killed correct?” Tausha asked.

“You are correct, he was murder, the current leader is still unknown to me, which is why you all must be extremely careful. The Land of Rain is in a chronic state of war, this will not be an easy mission. And unfortunately since you are all going under false identities calling for back-up will be out of the question understood?” it pained Lady Tsunade to tell six of the best chunin from across the countries, that though they are bound by honor and duty to complete this mission; they would receive no help from their home villages.

“Yes Lady Tsunade,” the six said in unison, before respectfully bowing and leaving her office.


A knock came from Lady Tsunade’s office, she turned and saw an old friend— Jiraya stood at her window a toothy grin on his face.  Rolling her eyes Lady Tsunade open the window, “what do you want?”

“I came with news from the Land of Rain, apparently five more shinobi have gone missing, and it’s the same story one moment their with their comrades and the next they vanish without so much as a sound.” Jiraya said.  “I hope you know what you’re doing, sending those chunin is almost a death sentence you know that right?”

“Three of those chunin belong to our own village, and were the top three at the academy. From my research, Atara graduated at just the age of 8, that’s when most start at the academy and has trained not only here but in the Land of Water mastering their own style of jutsu as well as our own Leaf Village’s style.  Satoshi has trained with the head Hyuuga Clan since he was only four, and has mastered the gentle fist style without the Hyuuga Clan’s kekkei genkai. Toshio’s family came from the mountains of Konoha, and is known for their incredible earth jutsu’s.  I’ve also read that their jutsu’s are so scarred, that only members of his family know their secrets.  I am more than positive that they are able to handle themselves.”

“That doesn’t matter, in the heat of battle a shinobi’s mind can become the battle field, the intensity of seeing their comrades injured or possibly killed is stronger than their ability to form a hand sign.” Jiraya scolded.  “You should have thought this out more carefully Tsunade.”

“I am the Hokage, and my decision is final, you would do well Jiraya to remember your place when speaking to me.” Lady Tsunade slammed the window, furiously flipping through the papers sent to her from the Village Hidden in the Sand.  Each read the stats of the three chunin sent to their village, each of them had their own special techniques, and were highly revered, by not only their leader, the Kazekage, but also their fellow shinobi. “They can do this…they have too”

• • •

Their minds whirling with thoughts of their latest mission, each member of Team Rein decided it was best to retire for the day, Satoshi and Toshio walked their comrades to Atara’s home.  The escort was completely unnecessary, but Satoshi insisted that he would be looked upon as inhospitable should he abandoned his new comrades on the day of their first arrival.  Toshio however couldn’t help but chime in, and mention that Satoshi doesn’t trust any new guy around Atara.  They walked home sluggishly as each of them had been exhausted from their previous travels; Atara gave quite the tour of her village that she found much pride in, being sure to give the full history of the past Hokage’s, and why their faces were carved into the mountain.  

“You see it is our way of honoring and remembering the many great things they did for our village,” Atara said teary eyed.

“Please forgive our village, for the loss of your third Hokage,” Tausha said with a respectful bow.  “Had it not been for,”

“Had it not been for Orochimaru, none of this would have happened, you and your comrades have nothing to be sorry for, we’re all friends now.” Satoshi said gently raising Tausha up.  “Come you three must be exhausted from your journey, and Atara’s home is just over this hill.”

Makoto, Tausha, and Ken had never seen such beautiful forestry in all their lives, being from the sand village most of the terrain consist of dry desert, not lush greenery.  Ken chuckled to himself as he leaped high into a tree; he gathered a cluster of branches, his hands forming different signs, and finally poof! A large bouquet of scarlet cala lilies, hearing the calls of his comrades Ken jumped down from the tree; the bouquet hidden behind his back.

“You know better than to go wandering off,” Makoto scolded.

“Calm down I was busy,” Ken said a devilish grin on his face.  “Atara I thought you might like these,” he pressed the bouquet of cala lilies into Atara’s face.

“Are these?” Atara held a fearful expression and her face began to scrunch together like an accordion.

“You idiot she’s allergic to those,” Satoshi smacked the bouquet to the ground.

Atara began sneezing frantically and her eyes began to swell within a matter of seconds, and her breathing slowly started to come to a halt.   “Satoshi I can’t feel my chest,” Atara barely managed to say as she gasped for air, her body had begun to go into a state of shock.

“I didn’t know I’m sorry,” Ken said.  “What do we do,”

“We don’t do anything!” Satoshi yelled. “Toshio run to the hospital, tell them Suzai Atara has gone into anaphylactic shock go now!” Toshio was gone the minute he heard anaphylactic; Atara’s entire body turned pale, and her lips turned a dull shade of blue.  “Atara, Atara look at me, okay breathe with me slow, in and out, in and out,” Satoshi said trying to calm her down, but it was no use with ever passing second Atara seemed more unresponsive.  

“Satoshi lay her down,” Tausha said, the sand shinobi had already begun building up her chakra within her hands.  “Alright now Atara this may hurt,” Tausha with long chakra needles coming off her fingers hit all the major pressure points on Atara’s hands, thighs and feet.  “Satoshi continue coaching her breathing,” Tausha instructed while she gently placed her hands over Atara’s chest; Tausha’s chakra began to flow into Atara’s body.  “The pollen in those flowers has attached itself to her bronchial tubes, I’m going to try and break them down with my chakra.”

Atara’s breathing slowly started to return to a steady pace as Tausha used her medical ninjutsu to help ease the pain, and remove the pollen from Atara’s lungs.  It had only taken Toshio five minutes to retrieve a medical nurse to help Atara, however it was too late, Tausha had already restored Atara’s lungs back to normal.  The Leaf Village’s nurse was in awe of Tausha’s skill and praised her for the fine work she did healing Atara.  The nurse left but not before injecting Atara with antibody to help with any pollen that was left in her system.  During Tausha’s medical ninjutsu, Atara passed out; her body was trying to help her fight the allergic reaction.  Satoshi and Toshio repeatedly thanked Tausha for her help, insisting that Atara would’ve died had she not been there.

“Really no need to thank me, I know she would’ve done the same for me.” Tausha smiled.  “And you, I think you have some apologizing to do,” her paternal voice scolded Ken.

“How was I supposed to know she was allergic to cala lilies, I was just trying to be nice,” Ken said defensively.

“Look,” Satoshi grabbed Ken by the scruff of his neck, “I don’t know who you think you are, but she almost died because of your ridiculous flirting.  The next time you get some bright idea to hit on her, don’t” he roughly pushed Ken out of the way and turned back to Makoto. “You keep your friend away from Atara and we’ll have no problems.”

“Ken meant no harm, and I know he is very sorry, but this mission requires all of us to interact together whether you like it or not.” Makoto was right, Satoshi couldn’t keep Ken away from Atara, or her away from him for that matter.

“Alright let’s get her home to get some more rest,” Tausha said; Satoshi gently picked Atara up and rushed back to her house; it had only been an hour since they had all met and already things were off to a bad start.

• • •

Nightfall danced over Konoha, the entire city lit up with lights and lanterns of various sorts, it truly was a beautiful place; the hustle and bustle of people socializing and enjoying the town’s nightlife was a sight.  

Laying in bed Atara’s eyes began to twitch open, she awoke to see a familiar setting—her room.  The lamp on her nightstand was on but only a dim light came from it, slowly she sat up and saw that Satoshi was sitting on her window seal; he turned to her with a relieved expression.

“Good you’re awake, I was wondering when you’d come to,” he sat on the edge of her bed.

“My head feels like I’ve been beaten with a metal hammer,” Atara brightened her light, and took a sip from the glass of water sitting on nightstand.

“That idiot Ken gave you cala lilies, your body went into anaphylactic shock, and if it hadn’t been for Tausha you might be in the hospital or worse. I should’ve been paying better attention.” Satoshi was still furious with Ken’s actions, but more obviously, he was angry with himself.

“It was an accident Satoshi, Ken didn’t mean any harm and you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.” Atara said with an innocent look; a knock came at the door.  “Come in,” they turned and saw Toshio, Tausha, and a distant, but still visible Ken.  

“You’re looking much better, how do you feel?” Tausha smiled sitting on Atara’s bed.

“My head is killing me, but other than that I’ll be alright,” Atara replied with an awkward smile as she tweaked her neck muscles.

“That’s my Atara, a real champ!” Toshio said jumping onto her bed, comfortably sitting cross-legged between Satoshi and Tausha; Ken slowly creped in.

“Out!” Satoshi yelled.  “You’ve done enough damage for one night.” He said with rage-filled eyes.

“Okay, that’s enough, Satoshi calm down look why don’t you go home and get some sleep, and Toshio get off my bed with your dirty feet.” Atara pushed both guys off her bed and out of her room; both protested, but were quickly removed once Jani, Atara’s mother, took over the situation. “Tausha you have my sincerest thank you, I’m so glad that another medical ninja was there, thank you so much.” She tightly embraced the sand kunoichi.  “I was wondering could you give me a minute with Ken, alone.”

“Sure, I really should get to bed anyways,” Tausha quickly left, but not before she made sure that Ken was going to be on his best behavior.  

Ken stood in Atara’s room in a gawky manner, his eyes glancing from left to right, up and down until she finally spoke.  “You can sit down,” it wasn’t so much of an invitation as it was a command.   

“Look, I’m really sorry for what happened early it was an accident honest.  I didn’t even know you were allergic to cala lilies and I feel really bad, but if you just give me a chance you’ll see that I’m a really great guy. And Satoshi totally has it out for me and now and—” Ken rambled on helplessly.

Atara gently placed her finger over his lips to stop him, “just do me a favor if you ever plan on giving me a gift cala lilies, daisies, and roses are a no go,” she giggled. “As for Satoshi don’t pay any attention to him, he’s extremely over protective of me, especially after…” she stopped and sighed.

“So…friends?” Ken asked sheepishly.

“Yeah, and just so you know I like orchids,” Atara said slinking back into bed.

Ken smiled, “dually noted Atara,” his body language showed that he finally had relaxed.

Ken’s eyes once again began to roam her room with wild curiosity. He noticed various posters of Princess Fuun Movies, along with a few overseas rock bands, and pictures of her family, along with Satoshi and Toshio.  The sweet scent of her room intoxicated his senses. If he had to describe it, it was a mixture of cherry blossoms, peaches, and white jasmine.  Atara watched Ken study her room, as if any question he had about her life would be answered in a photo from last summer, or the masses of clothing she had piled on her vanity chair.  Even the bundles of notes pinned to her corkboard could have told him many things about her life. It was clear she had a love for the arts, various sketches of people scattered across her desk, and concert ticket stubs plastered all over her corkboard.

“So Satoshi, he likes you,” Ken commented staring at a photo of Team 12 taken right after they had all become genin.  

“I’d hope so we’re on the same team, it’d be a little awkward, not to mention difficult if he didn’t.” Atara said, but she knew all to well what Ken was getting at.  

“I suppose it would,” he put down the photo only to pick up another, Atara was with an older person, the resemblance in their eyes was the first thing he noticed; he was dressed in the usual jonin attire for the Leaf Village.  A tattoo of three aligned waves started from the left backside of his neck and stopped beneath his jaw line.

“That was taken the day I graduated the academy,” Atara said with a saddened voice.
“You look so young, couldn’t be more than 10 years old,” Ken said surprised.

Atara could feel the tears welling into her eyes, “I was eight; Mom took the picture of us.”

“This guy with you, who is he, he looks really young, for a jonin that is,” he commented.

Unable to hold back Atara began to cry, like a broken dam releases water her tears seemed to have no end, Ken turned to see her tear stained face “Jun’Ichi was 12 in that picture. Did you know that he was the youngest member of my family to make jonin and ANBU?” No matter how much she tried to stop crying it was no use, its only been a year since his death.

Ken gently sat on the ground next to her bed, staring into her amber eyes, he sympathized with Atara, the loss of a sibling is a terrible pain.  Turning her face, Atara was embarrassed, she was never one to openly show her emotions to someone she had just met.  It took a lot for her to tell anyone about her families past, about the things that she hid with empty smiles, and hollow laughter, but there Ken was and for some reason Atara couldn’t help but pour out her heart. Perhaps it was the fact that it had been so long since she spoke of Jun’Ichi to anyone, or maybe deep down inside her soul felt a certain connection to Ken. Anyway she saw it, there she was pouring her heart out to a complete stranger.

“I’m sorry, this is completely inappropriate please forgive me,” Atara lifted her arm attempting to roughly wipe her face, Ken stopped her and with a sincere stare he pulled her into his embrace.  She melted into his body and let his warm touch give her peace.

“I don’t know what to tell you, and that makes me angry because its so easy to see that you’re still in so much pain, but I can listen,” his voice was sympathetic, Atara rested her head against his chest listening to his steady heart beat, she could feel their breathing becoming totally in sync.

“Thank you…” she whispered, and slowly gave into fatigue.

• • •



Darkness inhabited the Leaf Village, it was silent, and like a black void, it had become a place that no sound could escape. Ken had been awake for some time; his mind was wandering all through the night, he still held Atara gently in his arms. Studying the curves of her face, the arcs of her lips, and every beauty mark placed perfectly across her face. On this morning they would leave for the Land of Rain, journey deep into unimaginable danger, of course this would not be the first time, but still each of them would be taking even greater risks on this mission.  To entrust their lives into the hands of strangers, it seemed rather ignorant, but they had no choice: in order to be successful there would have to be no doubt from anyone.

The moonlight poured through the window into Atara’s room, she stirred in her sleep her face looked troubled and she began to mumble incoherently.  Ken looked down gently nudging her awake, until finally her eyes slowly opened.

“Good morning, did you sleep well?” he asked smiling.

Atara gazed at him with a doe eyed expression, “oh, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to, please forgive me,” she sprung forward like a catapult and bowed her head in shame.

“For what?” Ken cupped her chin lifting her head so that her gaze would meet his own.

“I fell asleep on you, and your probably didn’t get much sleep, so you must be exhausted and we have to be leaving soon.” she said frantically.

Ken smiled, “not at all, I could’ve moved I just didn’t want to disturb you, you looked very serene and I slept fine. I woke up a little while ago, but not because of you, my mind has been in a state of constant wandering ever since we arrived here.”

“It’s because of the mission right?” Atara asked.

“Well yes,” he said it with an almost exhausted tone.

“You’re worried about all of us trusting each other, aren’t you,” but she never let him answer, because she knew exactly what he was going to say. “to entrust your life into the hands of a stranger, it means that you’re taking a great risk, but we don’t have time to think about that. We’re on this mission together and right now there can be no doubt amongst any of us.”

Ken looked at this girl, a shinobi of a village that was once his own village’s enemy and as the words flowed from her mouth he realized they weren’t so unlike after all.  

He quietly tip toed out of her room, so that they would be able to get ready, Atara explained that since they were to leave before dawn Satoshi no doubt would be at the main gates of the village by 4am and it was already 3:30am. Ken proceeded into the room that he and Makoto were suppose to share, but was surprised when the light flickered on and there he was, Makoto, it was as if he was waiting for the exact moment when Ken would arrive.

“You slept in her room, are you insane?” Makoto asked angrily, but felt no need for an answer. “We’re on a mission; this is no time for you to be trying to hook up with that girl.”

“Calm down, nothing happened, we talked, you know had a conversation I do have those. And by the way, she has a name, Atara” Ken said defensively.

“Just make sure we don’t have a repeat of yesterday’s events alright, we’re trying to show these people that we’re no longer their enemies.” Makoto replied, “And I meant no offense by that comment, I’m merely trying to remind you that they’re entrusting their lives to us.”

“You’ve got to chill out dude, I know that, and in return we’re entrusting our lives to them and they’re well aware of that; I’m going to get my stuff.” Ken closed the bathroom door and proceeded to prepare his belongings.

• • •

Satoshi stood at the main gate of his village, his home; it wasn’t that long ago that he was there staring into the city making a mental memory of every nook and cranny of every building that was in sight.  The love he holds for his village is unconditional, and loosing his life for all the people in it, is nothing but an after thought, but to have to leave again after only a short amount of time is like death.  Konoha is his life, and it seemed that as of late his stays there were becoming shorter with each passing day. He wondered how long it would be until he saw the main gates, and how long it would take for his next mission to be assigned once they returned.

Satoshi reminded himself that this was the life he chose, a life of servitude to his village, that he would go wherever the Hokage commanded without so much as a complaint. Of course, that did not always happen, but in the end, he did what was asked. His family, the Tottori Clan is a well-respected clan amongst the Leaf Village, and the pressure to uphold the clan reputation has as of late begun to weigh heavily on his soul.  This was no ordinary mission, it was an A-rank, his first, he could not afford to fail his teammates, and to him this was a test. A test of mental and physical strength, and with the help of his co-commander Makoto, he knew that everything would be fine, he believed it: he had to.

The five shinobi once again could be seen sluggishly walking toward the main gate of the village; Tausha glanced around one last time at her allies’ village. It was simply lovely, the way the moonlight gave a luminescent glow, and it would be a long time before any of them would see the village again.  

Toshio lazily slumped against the doors of the main gate, morning dew had already danced its way across the village’s terrain, and the air was alive with the aroma of rainwater. “I still don’t see why we have to leave this early, its ridiculous Lady Tsunade is probably tucked in her huge bed creating a river of drool as we speak.”

Without warning an ominous presence hovered over Toshio’s body, “you were saying?” they all turned and saw Lady Tsunade sitting atop of a tree branch.  “Atara, Tausha, I almost forgot to give you both something.”  She threw them each vials the length of a kunai, “it’s just a little something I’ve been working on, use sparingly you won’t need much of it.”

“Lady Tsunade is there any advice you have for us?” Makoto asked, the old woman chuckled and shook her head.

“Don’t do anything stupid, you move as a team, now go on,” she said her arm pointing in the direction of the Land of Rain.

They all turned, taking one last deep breathe before that plunge, with one more step they would be on their way and on their own.  It really bothered each of them that they so greatly feared the unknown; people mysteriously vanishing, whispers of new devilry lingered in their minds.