Because I Met You

Chapter 59: Betrayal

I can't seem to get Gaara out of my head. He was sent with his siblings on a very important mission to assist Konohagakure, but I don't know much about the details. At the same time, they send me, Mari and Hana to escort some rich merchants to Ceramic village and back. Needless to say I was not especially thrilled to be going with these two... I know for sure they're going to gang up on me somehow. Who's brilliant idea was it to send the three of us together anyway? Are they actually hoping for this mission to fail?

We all meet up at the gate, along with the four merchants we need to escort.

"Can't believe we have to deal with her."

Hana said in a not so subtle whisper to Mari. Surprisingly, Mari didn't add anything to that.

"Hey, brats, you three better behave and protect us properly. I paid a good penny to have a competent group escort us. Can't believe they assigned a bunch of preteen girls to this mission... I knew we should've turned to Konohagakure for this, even though their prices are a bit steep."

I felt my eyebrow twitch in annoyance. Before I could say anything, Mari retorted.

"Listen here, you're lucky that they assigned us to you. There's only a handful of shinobi more powerful than Kiu in our village, even though I hate to admit it..."

Hana and I look at her in surprise. Even if she put in some snide comment about me, she still did compliment my strength in her own way. Did something happen? The merchant in charge of the payment scoffs and we begin our little journey.

I go most of it without talking to anyone. The merchants chat amongst themselves and Hana talks with Mari. Hopefully this mission will go on without too much of a hitch. Mari and Hana are leading at the front and I am guarding the back of the group. Considering our different abilities, we deduced that this would be the best formation for now. Considering my many abilities, I can cover more ground and sense things further, therefore I get the most difficult position. Mari is a range attacker so she's at the front to catch any incoming enemies with her poisoned needles and Hana is right behind her with her sword fighting dealing with enemies who come too close.

Just as I was getting used to the stillness and peacefulness of the desert, I notice that we have started not leaving footsteps behind. Moreover, it feels like we've just been through this part of the desert. No one else seems to notice. To be fair this has just started happening now.

"Mari, Hana."

I decide to call out to them to let them know, since we are supposed to be a team. They stop in their tracks, probably sensing the seriousness of my tone. Subsequently, the merchants stop their carriages as well. I do the hand signs to release Genjutsu. and I touch Hana and Mari with it.

"Release."

Not much changes except that our footprints are now back. Now to find who perpetrated this Genjutsu.

"Wait, we were under Genjutsu?"

Hana asks, looking confused. I nod while still looking around.

"Let's keep going, I'm sure they'll show up soon, whoever they are."

Mari suggests and we decide to keep going. What is this uneasy feeling I'm having though... I look at the carriages. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. I look at the merchants. They look... unbothered? Wait, why don't they seem worried? Maybe I should keep an eye on them, just in case.

Night soon falls and we are getting pretty close to Ceramic village. We should reach it in the morning if we leave at dawn. We set up camp and decide on taking turns keeping watch. I'm up first, then Mari, then finally Hana. Honestly, I think I might end up keeping watch all night, since I feel so restless. I look at the carriages where the merchants decided to sleep.