ahealingheart:

^{Gaara had to wonder what was being done, when he was the one being sent on missions to help stabilize the rocky alliances with other villages. He was well aware that whenever he left the village there was a high chance a division of ANBU Operatives were following after him to ensure that he did not go rogue, which he could understand, but it made the whole idea of this seem mute. The basis of the mission was a simple enough one, and could be completed fairly quickly so long as no hiccups were given, but with the whispered request of the Elders, it was not going to go the way that he hoped for.}

^{The Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning had never been on good terms, so the trial of an alliance was a miracle in itself, and who better to possibly ruin that chance than the one already marked for death? To come on this mission with Temari and Kankuro would have put him at ease, but he had long since joined the regular shinobi and the missions such an act entailed seemed to keep him from his siblings more and more. Their objections did not fall on deaf ears, but Gaara had little time to worry about that. His mission statement was hidden within his gourd, and he was easily weaving through toward the appointed rendezvous area. Retrieve a stolen scroll with the help of a shinobi from Kumogakure. An easy seeming job indeed.}

^{Getting to the appointed location was not a feat whatsoever, and he had thus far seen little to be worried over. Tracking was not so much a forte for the other, but sneakiness and diligence was the key to many missions. Not to mention Gaara could assassinate someone with a small ball of sand. Not that he thought it would have to be handled in such a way, but options had to be left open. No decision was final until he was able to meet with his teammate. He knew little about her beyond the physical description he had been given, and he would just have to hope his reputation did not precede him. Eyes scanned the area as he reached a small clearing around the Land of Earth’s edge. He could feel several chakra signatures nearby, but there was no one in sight as of yet. His gourd was adjusted upon his back as he leaned against a near tree; he did not think he would be waiting long.}

Once again a tremendous burden was placed upon the kunoichi’s shoulders, this mission was of utmost importance. Normally she’d assume nearly every task given to her was of that affect but the stress the Raikage placed on this caused the scarlet haired female to worry just a tad. The details she was spared in the way of knowledge of her duties painted the image of a simple retrieval yet before she could so much take a step outside of the office his booming voice called out to her. Yelling rather adamantly that her job was on the line. Fear tinged her frame, working its way down her spine as an unwanted shutter as she affirmed her understanding with a careful nod.

                                                           Make sure you grab the scroll first, Karui!

The statement reverberated within her subconscious as she traveled along. Digits brushed through her hair several times over. Thoughts mulling over the details of her task as she tried to figure out why the Raikage felt so strongly over this particular mission. More importantly why hadn’t he taken it himself if it was of such a high priority. While didn’t make it a habit to question her leaders abilities this time was far different. Her job, her very livelihood and quite possibly the only reason she even woke up in the morning was in danger over this. Golden hues fled forward as her pace kicked up the moment she passed the village gates. Finishing this mission successfully meant saving her life’s blood as well as her own hide. She just prayed that her partner wasn’t some incompetent fool seeing as the Raikage never made empty threats. In fact his threats were very much promises hellbent on ruining any life you may have had or just begun.

Knowing the landscape of her next designation was what allowed her to navigate the forested area with ease. Her mind refused to focus however, body putting itself up to the duty of guiding through feeling alone. How many times had she traveled this way with Omoi and Samui? Perhaps too much but in this situation it was just right. Feet came to a halt a few metre’s from her partners position cranium tilted to out of curiosity as she tried recalling if this was the male she was meant to meet. Even if he was in the spot designed as a mutual point she could never be too sure. What was his name again? Digits fled to her scalp, ruffling her hair in a thoughtful manner.

                                                         "Oi, are you Gaara?“