Sand and Snow

Chapter 19 - Behind the Mask

Chapter 19

Behind the Mask

A dreary shadow cast over the desert village while the sun slowly rose that early morning.

Assembled before the main gates, the team of Konoha-nin prepared themselves for their imminent mission. Tightening their packs and briefly going over their plans, Kakashi and his two pupils were ready for their true assignment – to rescue the Kazekage. Sakura slept soundly after her long hours of healing and concocting a poison antidote in the greenhouse, while Naruto was hardly able to catch a moment's rest. His restlessness got the better of him, causing Kakashi to hold some concern. There's no telling how Naruto will react on this mission, he thought, The nine-tails' seal weakens when his blood runs high, and the Akatsuki could be the last straw. "Naruto, Sakura," Their sensei spoke, drawing their attention. Seeing their glances meet his, Kakashi nodded. "It's time."

Sakura nodded. "Right."

Naruto's expression firmed with determination, but a hint of exhaustion marked his blue eyes in the dim sunlight. "Lead the way, Kakashi-sensei! We have no time to waste!"

"Wait for us!" A voice shouted. "We'll be your backup!"

Catching them by surprise, the Konoha-nin turned to see Temari running towards them with a team of assembled Suna-nin. Three Suna-nin clad in their village garbs and armour accompanied her, and one noticeably wielded a great scroll at their back. When Naruto saw them, he was reminded of that girl he saw in the hospital wing – but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Temari!" Sakura called. "You will?"

After coming to a pause and catching their breath from their sprint, the Suna-nin all stood prepared to embark on their quest. Temari's eyes held strong conviction, firm in her decision to fulfill her promise in haste. "We'll go." She nodded. "Gaara is my brother, so I must be the one to lead the recovery mission – and you need someone from Sunagakure to guide you across the desert. I wasn't aware you were leaving so soon, so I assembled a team to accompany you as soon as I was able. Kankurō is still too weak to travel, but we have no time to lose!"

"Temari-senpai,"

The soft-natured voice surprised them, interrupting their conversation.

Turning towards the vacant village road behind them, Nomasaki stood against a still breeze that fluttered the edges of her blue sleeves. Her light purple eyes were painted with guilt, and shame lay silent on her pale face. Early that morning before she could even don her Suna shinobi garbs, she was summoned to the Kazekage estate by a council messenger and Baki. Already under the noses of the councillors, Kenzō had begun to mobilize in Gaara's absence – and he was aware of Temari's plans. Baki would arrive soon, but Nomasaki decided she should give Temari the warning first. They were friends, after all. Even as she stood with them in view, her senses were focused on what lay beyond. Before long, the tracker-nin would begin to crawl out from the shadows on their master's call – and they had eyes everywhere.

When Temari saw her, she felt something in her gut that made her eyes narrow in slight suspicion. Something's not right.

"It's you," Naruto spoke, remembering their encounter.

Sakura turned. "Who...?"

"It's Gaara's assistant!" Naruto smiled. "Me and Kakashi-sensei met her while you were healing Kankurō." Looking back to the violet-eyed kunoichi, Naruto averted his glance out of awkwardness. "What was your name again? ...Misaki?"

"Nomasaki."

"Ah." Naruto breathed "Sorry about that! It's such a weird name, ya know?"

Sakura tsked, gripping the strap of her backpack. "Naruto, don't be rude!" Pleasantly, she gave the strange-eyed girl a smile and nodded her pink head. "Sorry about Naruto. I'm Haruno Sakura. I'm a medical-nin."