smiles and sand

chapter 1

(2 years after prologue)
"Tatsu. The kazekage would like to speak with you at once." I heard as I was getting ready to head home with an Arm load of produce. I looked up to see kankuro staring at me with a look the, to anyone else would have made them shit themselves. I just rolled my eyes and turned to the lady at the stand. "May I leave these here and pick them up when I'm done? If the kazekages asking t see me, it must be important." I asked putting on a polite smile. "No no. My son saw you while you we're training. I don't want a monster in here any longer then necessary." the lady replied coldly. I sighes. "Alright, thanks anyway." I said trying to keep a polite tone a voice. To be honest it hurt. "Excuse me. But, is that anyway to treat a customer? I remember you. You used to swing a broom at gaara and lock the shop door if he came near the place. Course when he became kazekage, you really changed your tone real fast. So what do you say you just let the lady leave her groceries here and she can get them on here way back yeah?" kankuro gave her a glare as he spoke. "Kankuro, it fine, let's just go, I'll take the home really quick then fly over." I said as I started to walk away. With a huff, he stalked after me. "Here, It's really important. Give me your address and I'll drop them off at your place for you. Deal?" he asked. I just shrugged and gave him my address. Pulling a hawk feather out of my weapons pouch, and in two shakes of a tail feather-pun intended- I was flying over building. In about half the time it would have taken me to walk I was releasing the jutsu I stretched looked at gaara expectantly. "Kazekage." I bowed, before meeting his eyes. "I was told you needed to see me. Kankuro made it sound urgent." I stated. "Tatsu you have a mission. With your skills set you Will come in handy." I looked at him, silently hoping it wouldn't be something like " Use your hawk transportation and take this letter to so and so." I always seemed to get missions like that. "Your going to be on a security detail. Long term." he said In a near emotionless voice. I frowned. "Okay? Who will I be protecting. And who else is on my team?" I asked, dreading who my team mates would be. What if they hated me? What if they treated me horribly like most if the people in the village? "You're team mates will be kankuro and temarie. As for who you Will be protecting, I have chosen you to be my personal protection while on a diplomatic trip to kohona." he said, his sea foam eyes scanning one of the many documents that piled high on his desk. "Excuse me kazekage-sama. But are you sure you have chosen the right ninja for such a task? I am afraid I am not on the same level as my team mates." I say, my voice holding no emotion. It wasn't like I was talking my self down. It was simple truth. "Do you doubt my decision? I didn't not chose you because I thought that you were as strong as my siblings. I chose you because when I reviewed your file, I thought you to Be a strategist. That you could think your way out of a situation and your ability to keep a level head in times of danger and crisis." he stated, looking rather annoyed that I had questioned him. "Alright sir. When do we leave?" I asked, trying not to sound like a sulking child that had just been scolded. "Tomorrow at dawn. We will be meeting at the main gate. I have already informed your land lady and have set up to have your apartment locked down and rent paid till your return." he reached over to a small stack of papers and pulled out a small packet. "This is the information on were we will be staying. And the route we plan on taking." he said with a dismissive tone in his voice. I bowed again, before going back to the window. After once again removing the Hawk feather, I transformed, and flew off. On the upside while in kohona I could get some feather and pelts so I could fit better more easily if I need to change forms. After a quick run threw of the information I had been provided, I took a trip to the market and purchased a book about the wildlife around kohona. Then headed back to my apartment start packing up and getting it ready to sit for a while. After I put the drop clothes out on the furniture, packed and had taken a cool shower, I climbed into bed and fell asleep.