50 Shades of Sand

Chapter 15 - A Plan Gone Wrong

                  We were walking along the north edge of the village as Zuko suggested earlier. The east and west sides were much larger in comparison so the other teams would be there for a while. After walking the border of the north side we stopped and sighed.

"This is going to be hopeless." Zenma whined and I glared at him. I then turned my attention to the sky as I saw a bird perch itself on the edge of a cliff.

"Zuko?" I questioned and he looked at me with a 'hn'. "If you were hoping for someone to find you in a cave, would you choose an underground cave or one higher?"

"I guess underground. They would look there first." He answered.

"Exactly, and that's what we did. But if they're hoping for Gaara of the Desert to find them why would they choose underground? That gives him an advantage. He can just bury them. They would want to be higher up so burial wouldn't be so easy. I think we just need to look higher up this rock wall." I suggested and Zuko nodded in agreement.

"Sounds nice, but how are we going to know for sure? We can't see that high up for cracks in the wall or anything." Zenma retorted and I smiled at him.

"I have an idea, just do me a favor?" I smirked at him and Zenma nodded/

"Watch my body." I winked and he blushed. I looked at the perched bird and made my hand signs. Then I slipped out of my body.

"Did it work?" I could hear Zenma question faintly. I flew down to him and landed on the floor in front of them.

"Ino?" Zenma asked looking confused out of his mind. I nodded and flew off.

I flew along the wall looking for any signs of openings to a cave. I found very small cracks but nothing occupied them. Some caves seemed probable as I flew in and it grew darker, acknowledging the fact that it went on further. Until I came across once cave as I flew in, instead of growing dark to the point of no visibility, I was able to still see forward. This had to be it. I flew out and made my way back towards then returned to my body.

"I think I found it! We can enter it, if we climb on the side here and walk to the west. Unlike most of the caves this one didn't grow darker as you entered it further. Which could show a sign of someone staying in there." I spoke enthusiastically and looked from Zuko to Zenma. They smiled and we made our way up.

"Damn, you can defy the Kazekage, take over a bird's mind and turn interrogation into the sexiest thing ever. I think I'm in love!" Zenma shouted while placing an arm over my shoulder and I rolled my eyes.

"You're going to be the next one to die if you try something like that in front of the Kazekage." Zuko threatened while shaking his head. Zenma scurried closer to my side but remained straight.

"Wow to think I was intimidated by you two." I mumbled.

"You still should be." Zenma acknowledge. "You haven't seen what we are capable of!"

"Shush. We're here." I commanded as we stood by the entrance.

"Does anyone have a plan?" Zenma asked while staring into the entrance.

"Zenma. Make yourself to appear like Gaara." Zuko demanded. Zenma and I looked at him.

"Why?" We questioned in unison.