Sand and Snow

Chapter 63 - Usurper

Chapter 63

Usurper

Silence.

Throughout the cervices and corridors of the armed desert castle, a shadowy figure concealed by darkness bounded down the halls, snuffing out the fires of the lit torches – one by one as they passed. Turning a blind eye to the disappearing lights, any unsuspecting guard ambitious to investigate was promptly killed, crimson spraying against the crumbling walls of the prison as they collapsed with a thud to the cracked floor. One after another in blood-spurting wails, the Suna ninja fell with throats slit to the bone, kunai to the heart, or their bodies falling against the worn cobble from beheading – each one murdered as their torches lost their flames. Standing before the cell while covered in the blood of their comrades, a lone guard glanced down at the prisoner before them, their eerie mask curved in an expression of pure slate. Turning, the man within the cell met their narrowed eyes through the slits of their bloodied porcelain shroud, his dark eyes evoking suspicion from the noises further down the corridor.

"Is it done, then?" Kenzō spat through his teeth, watching the guard sheath his blade. "Have you killed the rats?"

"Most of them," They answered. "Some are still clinging to life, but they should be snuffed out soon enough."

"Good," Kenzō nodded, his bearded face etched with menace. "I expect you have everything in put in place?"

"Yes, sir. Now is the time."

Within an instant, the paper bomb placed over the worn sealing tags ignited, erupting into a burst of debris and flames. Frailly, Kenzō stood upon his decrepit feet, dragging himself out from his imprisonment at long last. Making their way through the winding corridors of the castle, they passed by the numerous bodies of the slain ninja, blood pooling upon the floor where they walked. As they reached the outside of the prison, they paused once they reached the barrier of the shattered fencing. Kneeling into the sands, the disgraced council member slammed his palm onto the desert beneath him.

"Turn to ash!"

A blue flash was summoned – with a foul noise soon following.

Suddenly, the confines of the desert castle exploded into a burst of blue flame as the night cried out, swallowing everything in its path. Leaving the burning prison behind, the two traitors disappeared into the harsh winds of the desert lands. No trace of their presence was remaining, vanishing within the flames that coated the collapsing structure.

And the desert turned silent.

At dawn, he stood upon the rooftop of the Kazekage's mansion with a glance mired in insomnia.

Once again, he failed to become enveloped within a calming night's sleep. Although he has been fortunate to sleep some nights, since the advent of Tenbu it became a constant struggle. Not even his late-night visits to Nomasaki's home could grace him with sleep. Feeling her rest her head upon his chest as she slept soundly in her bed gave him some comfort, but it always ended in him finding ways to stay awake before he left with his sands through the morning winds. Insomnia was a difficult habit for him to break, his stress only proving it worse. Finding solace in the rising sun's rays, Gaara's narrowed glance from his tired eyes eased.

"Kazekage-sama!"

Glancing behind him, a Suna shinobi suddenly appeared with a scroll in hand, its worn and tattered binding visible in the quaint morning winds. Their expression was painted in urgency and confusion, raising his tired curiosity.

"This was delivered to the aviary last night, specifically addressed to you." The Suna ninja spoke. "However, we don't know where the scroll is from. There appears to be no name attached."