Book One- The Enemy

Chapter 13

Dark widened eyes stared into the heat surging over the sand dunes ahead, hot wind blowing the light chocolate bangs from Matsuri's forehead, her brows set in concern. The sun had risen, and upon her and Yukata's orders, from Temari, they were to wait at the end of camp for their Lady's return come morning. Excited for the secret mission placed on them the morning noise starting to become noticeable in the waking camp, making the two uneasy.

"Isn't she supposed to be here by now?" Yukata whispered looking back to check if anyone had noticed them ducked behind the last tent in the grounds.

"Yeah, but Lady Temari told us to wait until sunrise and make sure no one notices us until she gets back from the Land of Rain" Matsuri remained attentive to the horizon ahead of her.

"What if she was hurt?" Yukata's voice rising in a sudden worry "Or they captured her?" Matsuri's hand quickly clamped over her friend's mouth putting a finger to her lips to shush her.

"No way that could happened Lady Temari would never allow that, she's like Lord Gaara, always perfect" Her voice set in determination, if not a little dreamy too at the thought of the Kazekage, hiding her worry well behind it. Yukata pouted under her friend's hand and pulled Matsuri's arm down to give a small smile as if that could help soothe her own rising concern. Their eyes fell to the darkening image blurring the hot lines of the mirage and both gasped when the glint of a metal fan shined at them. "See I told you Yukata" she whispered quickly looking around before stepping towards Temari as she passed the dune.

"My lady you're safe" Yukata gasped covering her mouth as to not scream and rushed to her companion's side staring up into the narrowed teal eyes, although uneasy each held the stare down towards them, awed at their commander. Temari had stopped before them and pulled her, now dry, scarf from her face and gave her students a grin, gentle.

"Your mission was a success, ladies" They beamed up at her and followed her focus as she turned to the camp, still barren of activity "Anyone notice?" Matsuri shook her head quickly.

"No, my lady we made sure no one disturbed your tent during the night" Temari nodded once and stepped forward prompting them to follow at her side. Making a path around the camp avoiding any unwanted attention, having gotten quite good at sneaking around recently, she slipped into her tent with the two following. She hadn't wanted anyone to know about her journey to the Land of Rain as it could have led to a whole unit being pushed to follow her. It was a mission she needed to do on her own, as she needed the information on the Rain to remain with only herself, not even her brother knew about last night's endeavor.

Yet she found a small sense of comfort in knowing Matsuri and Yukata had been there to help her, they would have sent word to the commanders if she hadn't returned on time, always having a backup plan. Once inside she let out a tired sigh and removed her questionable blood spotted scarf and turn to her students, knowing what was to come from her disheveled appearance.

"Remember this stays between us" The two nodded in unison, taking every word to heart, although she could feel the long silence as they waited for her to speak further. Amused she grinned defeated by the awaiting stares "The Land of Rain is very muddy"

"Did it rain a lot?" Yukata interjected eyes wide awaiting a story.

"Did you battle Rain Shinobi?" Matsuri gapped and both stilled standing straight when Temari raised her hand to stop them.

"Yes and no. I found one of their outpost camps located near the Rain's village and a few reports of interest" She made sure to keep who was with her to herself "the specifics don't concern you two, understood?" They nodded looking disappointed at the lack of detail, but nonetheless recovered quickly following her order. Temari set her fan to the side speaking as she pulled her muddied braces off "I'll need you two to keep busy today, so don't slack on your training and don't bother any of the captains as we prepare for tomorrow" She paused and tugged on her damp hair untying the tuff and letting the sandy hair fall "and get a bath ready please" She muttered glaring at the dried mud on her hands. The girls nodded at their orders and turned to leave