Whispering Bells

The Gates of Amegakure

"This is not what I expected" Temari stated as they approached a group of people standing in the pouring rain. She shifted her hood in attempt to cover her already wet head and hair as best she could. Her whole body was starting to feel chilled from the damp clothes clinging to her body.

A large group of people were gathering around what appeared to be the first checkpoint at the gates to Amegakure. There were three lines where they were being first physically checked for weapons. The second smallish hut was where they were conducting interviews. Three large men that looked like they could rip people from limb to limb stood at the entrance of the hut.

"Not exactly a warm welcome is it? Listen, it's imperative that we stick together. We might have to change our story on the fly, so the other needs to go along with it as best we can." Shikamaru looked at the crowd of people. "You know this is a good opportunity to people watch. You never know who might be useful when we're gathering intel on the inside." Shikamaru started watching a group to the right of them.

"You're right" Temari agreed. She scanned the crowd. There were a group of travelers to the left of them that caught her eye. The woman was fidgeting heavily and looked nervous. The two men with her were talking were whispering to each other as they looked at the guards doing the checks. The first man very discreetly reached into his coat and slipped something to the woman. She quickly took the object and pinned it into her hair. It was something long and sharp looking. Maybe a needle? She reached for Shikamaru's hand to tell him.

"Next! You" A large guard with a bushy brown beard pointed at Shikamaru. "Put your bag on the table, and lean over the and spread your legs apart." A bored young woman with red hair stood next to the guard with her arms crossed.

Shikamaru assumed the position. The woman rifled through his bag, to find nothing of interest beside his kunai which he had carefully placed on top. The guard grabbed Shikamaru's wrist roughly and squeeze up his right arm all the way to his shoulder. Temari could see Shikamaru tense up significantly when the guard moved onto his left arm. He squeezed up his left arm. He closed his eyes when the guard reached his bicep and roughly squeezed it sending a wave of searing pain. The contact had reopened his wound. He bit his tongue trying to quell the pain and redirect it to somewhere else.

Temari subconsciously put her hand on her tessen. She was this close to ripping this man apart for hurting him. Shikamaru caught her eye and gave her an imploring look. The look said everything. Stay the course. Don't deviate from the game plan. The guard continued his check, patting down his torso, and then giving his legs the same treatment.

"You're good. Go stand over there" he ordered. "You little lady. It's your turn now. Put your bag on the table and get into position."

The red headed woman walked up to Temari, but the man held out his arm to stop her. "What do you think you're doing? Go check her bag."

"But I'm supposed to check the women-"

"You'll do as I say. You're just a medical-nin, you know nothing about security checks. Whose bright idea was it to let you out here today?"

"I was told to by Eko himself." She frowned. "You know why"

"Masumi, just go back to the table and do your job. I'll do mine" he grunted. Masumi sighed and walked back to the table and opened Temari's bag. Temari walked over to the table and leaned over with her legs apart. This time the guard stood much closer behind her than he had with Shikamaru. He leaned right up against her back so his body was against hers. He then grabbed both her wrists and started squeezing up both arms towards her shoulders. Temari shuddered. She was overcome with panic. This felt just like the man who had attacked her in Konoha, except this time she could not defend herself. It would give them away. She started to shake as the man grabbed her hips and started to slowly pat up her torso.