Sand and Snow

Chapter 43 - The Return (Blank Period)

~ Blank Period ~

Chapter 43

The Return

Two years later...

The wind was crisp and cold as it touched her warm cheeks.

Snow surrounded her in the heavenly realm of white. Icicles clung to the sprawling mountain cliffsides, and frost painted the pines in a glossy haze of silver. Sitting before the ancient wolf statue that was cracked with age and by the cold, Nomasaki sat in silent prayer and breathed in the life around her. She wore a thick cloak of black fur on her shoulders, shrouding her kimono from the bitter cold that ate at her half-blood body. The winds were calm but their sting was harsh. They swam through each strand of her golden hair, rippling the smooth silk that glimmered in the mountain sun. She was truly a woman grown and nearing age twenty, and to her surprise the thick gold hair she knew most of her life had finally turned straight and flowing. Perhaps the mountain air was kinder than the dry bite of the desert's heat. And for once, her previous burdens as a shinobi of Suna had finally left her – all thanks to the mountain's saving grace.

But it was mornings like these where she felt truly at peace.

The Yamamori Forest was a secret realm only her clansmen knew well enough to tread, for those lacking the blood of the wolf would sooner get lost or risk freezing from the harsh conditions. At the meadow by its foot, it was where she made her daily visits. Using the scrolls Maki gave her before she left Suna, Nomasaki practiced her fūinjutsu with kunai and snow lilies. She could perform the basics, but the focus from her chakra was something difficult for her to overcome. Even with fūinjutsu, her chakra proved wild at times. When not practicing her techniques or readings, she would spend hours in silent prayer. She prayed every morning from dawn until noon, using her clan-given gift to sense all the life that called the mountain their home. She could sense the villagers and her clan, the rabbits and cave bears that roamed the wilderness, and the snow lilies that grew along the mountain slopes. The more she focused, the more she could sense the essence of life. Even every rock and babbling brook seemed alive. She was near convinced that the ancient statue contained life within it as well – through a faint pulse of nature energy. But in the snows it stayed still and silent.

And then the silence was broken.

"My lady!"

The Yama-nin's footsteps crunched to a halt as they caught their breath. Upon his forehead, his gleaming shinobi headband signalled his allegiance – three snow-crested peaks etched amongst one another, appearing as if the very mountains where they stood. Pretending as if she never heard them, Nomasaki remained calm in focus. She was not yet used to being referred to as a 'lady' despite her two years of residence in the mountains. The title did not fit her in her eyes – but it was because of her father. For his leadership, dedication, and willingness to bring the estranged Yamamori clan and villagers together, Kyō was unanimously elected as the chieftain of Yamagakure. His reign was two years long and the title of 'lady' followed her wherever she went.

At least it's not 'traitor' or 'outsider', she thought.

"Sorry to interrupt, my lady," The man huffed. "But a hawk from Sunagakure arrived this morning."

Breaking her from careful meditation, she turned to him with eyes wide. "From Sunagakure?" She repeated. "Who is it? Is it from the Kazekage?"

The Yama-nin shook his head. "No, my lady. It's the Suna Council."