A New Story

Within the sand:

We made our way to the gates of the Sand, their walls were very distinctive. They seemed to be steps, almost 10 meters up each, forming the walls of the Sand into cliff faces and flat intervals where Shinobi could stand. I guessed at the reasons and concluded that for war purposes the steps prevented the enemy from using a single ladder to scale the wall, instead they would need to climb up and then lift the ladder to the next level over 3 times. I then realised that ladders would never work, because (despite other flaws with my plan) the end result would be that you have a ladder one third the size you needed to scale back down the wall on the other side. These walls must have been constructed over centuries ago, when ninja either didn't exist or hadn't invented the ability to walk on walls.

As we got closer four ninja jumped down from the first step of the wall, they recognised the leaf symbol Gaidra and I wore. "Ninja of the Leaf!" one of the men shouted, almost disapprovingly of Gaara. Gaara gave a short grunt, an unsettling threat of a sound, which parted the four from our path.

Inside the walls the Village was a surprise of bustling activity and a thriving economy, compared to the barren of the desert. I almost expected to see a small settlement of hut people hanging their cloths out in the dirt between the activity and roar of the busy settlement. I didn't see such a thing, no the sand village was a strong and powerful community. The settlement was constructed in a giant hovel between two cliff faces, meaning only two points of entry and only two fronts to attack. An attack from the air would be its only weakness but it was a known fact that Ninja do not fly. Apart from the ground were large bridge ways leading from many points in the city straight to the Kazekage's Office, making it the easiest point of attack but also the most defended(a point that can be seen and defended from anywhere in the village).

Walking ahead, Gaara guided us directly into the heart of the community, what would be the Hokage building if we were within the Leaf. Naoki remained silent, the stern character I first had known of him returned. Gaidra looked prepared, even under the prospect that we could be imprisoned or publicly executed along with Naoki. I looked inwardly at myself, what did I look like? I could see a child walking for a moment, but then I realised who I am and saw a proud ninja of the Leaf walking purposefully into enemy grounds unafraid, despite the cutting threats of the public. Finally we made it to the chamber of the elders of counsel, here we will be questioned.

The Sunagakure (Village Hidden by Sand) council was within the chamber that held the statues of all the previous Kazekage, Staring down intimidatingly on us and on the judgment of the elders of counsel. The air within the chamber hung with the familiar unyielding fragrance of pray incense. Gaara had no trouble gaining entry through the Kazekage office, we were only stopped once outside the Council room before two S ranked ninja. They inspected Gaara's ID card, flickers of jutsu told me that their inspection was more than just face value. They also asked for the meaning of our visit before Gaara departed, continuing on to other ninja business.

"What business do you have within the counsel?" The tone of his voice was directed at Gaidra. I guessed that even though she was Anbu and an enemy, she was still an authority higher than all of us.

Gaidra slipped the Scroll free from her side, making sure that the scroll was revealed not to be a weapon before it was pulled free. "A message from the Hokage" she presented the seal validation it to be a Hokage message; granting us temporary diplomatic immunity.

"The council is assembled" The other S rank announced, opening the door.

"Sigh" Brave steps Argies. I told myself as the door was opened. The council gathered and in an unusual manner of ceremony they were introduced before they were seated at a large table; their names were stated and then their purpose with in the council. I wondered if it was for our advantage or was this simply how things were done within the Sand.