Sayuri's Story

Sayuri took a deep breath, aiming her next kick to land at the top of the six foot tall post. She was at a disadvantage, being only 5'4, but she flipped into the attack effortlessly, using her hands for balance as she placed them firmly on the ground. Dismounting from the kick, Sayuri looked up at the six foot mark. She had finally managed to dislodge the kuni she'd placed there, sending it burrowing into the ground beside the pole. It had taken her a full week to efficiently remove her height disadvantage, but she'd done it. Dusting the dirt off her clothes, Sayuri started toward the Hokage's building. Hopefully she'd have a new mission to carry out, seeing as it had been a full two weeks since she'd been sent to do anything. Helping within the Satori complex and training didn't bother her, but she did want a little more excitement; and was looking forward to working with a new team.

"Well hell I'm stuck here until I get to jounin." Harukama stated his father's container of sand on his back he was waiting for his team to arrive. "I'll die from old age if I wait too long here." He started to sit pulling out carving tools he started making things he thought were interesting. "Where are they?" He was impatient and going his new team members would arrive soon but if they didn't he's see the hokage alone. "Wonder how that girl's doing probably fine guess she didn't notice me."

The Hokage's headquarters were as imposing as ever. Sayuri pushed open the doors to the tall building, enjoying the wafting smell of fresh ink and paper that wafted from the scrolls lining shelves along the walls. She had practically grown up inside this building, trailing after her father when he worked; always having it drilled into her that she was special. She was the daughter of the Hokage's top coordinating adviser, and the god-daughter of the Sand's ambassador to the Leaf. Shikamaru Nara was third in line for Hokage emergency succession, right behind Kekashi Hatake, and that made all of the Nara children important. Sayuri often thought the pressure of this was what corrupted her elder sisters in their strive for power. Ikera had even taken over the Satori clan in place of their late grandmother, though she had been raised outside the clan's complex. Hikari was Sakura Haruna's second in command in Leaf Village Hospital and had been trained under her for nearly half her life. Sayuri's only brother, Sessomaru, had been selected for Anbu service shortly after he was appointed Jounin. Even Yoshime, only three years older than Sayuri, was appointed as her father's assistant coordinator. She wasn't sure what Svaya and Tasumi did that was so important, but people always mentioned them when they talked about the Nara clan. As the youngest child of the Nara head family, Sayuri was only known for two precise things: Being the sister of her siblings and the advanced form of Lukero. Though her mother was a user of the Kekkei Genkai, Sayuri was the only one of her children to possess the Lukero. Because of the chakra reading eye, she was often used to tie the Nara clan to the Uchiha and Hyyuga clans.

Sayuri snapped herself out of her thoughts as she knocked on the door to Hokage Uzumaki's office. There was a short cough from inside before a familiar voice called out "enter". Sayuri pushed open the double doors to find her father and god-mother in a council session with a small group of ninja. Sayuri only recognized Kekashi Hatake from his silvery hair as they group turned to look at her.

"Sayuri Nara" Hokage grinned at her. "She's a bit more motivated than you, huh Shikamaru?"

"What a drag" Sayuri's father rolled his eyes at Naruto Uzumaki before turning to look at his youngest child, ignoring the look Yoshime was giving her younger sister from across the room. Ikera stood from a shrouded seat in the corner, looking over Sayuri with hard eyes. "What do you need, Sayuri?"

"I wanted to check to see if I had any missions" Sayuri said, ducking her head to hide the heat that had risen.

"Hmm...well Sakura? Did anyone specifically request someone from the Nara or Satori clan?" Naruto turned to look at his pink haired adviser.

"Let's see" Sakura sifted through a stack of folders and scrolls. "We've got Hikari filling this one, Tasumi is out on here, Sessomaru was specifically requested, Ikera was asked to take on this one, Svaya completed this...." Sakura looked up at Sayuri sadly. "Sorry, hun. We're all out of requests to send you on...maybe next time"

Sayuri sighed, hiding the look of disappointment on her face as she turned to leave.

"Wait, don't we need someone to fill in the joint team in the Sand Village since we sent Svaya out with Kiba's team?" Temari interrupted. "I think Sayuri would be able to fill in. It would be best if we didn't push that mission back."

"That's true...."Naruto mused to himself. "Gaara, you're in charge of that mission" Naruto motioned to Sakura, indicating that she pull Sayuri's file. The pink haired woman did so, handing the folder to Gaara. "Think Sayuri is efficient enough?"

Gaara scanned over the folder, glancing down at Sayuri's track record and efficiency tests. "This is impressive...why were we not informed about her earlier Naruto? I would have proposed a trade to bring her into the Sand Village"

"Shikamaru always did keep a close eye on his youngest" Temari teased, laughing at the look on Sayuri's father's face

"So you're taking her back with you, huh?" Naruto asked, crossing his arms on his desk.

"Yes" Gaara closed the folder, handing it to his own assistant. "Make a copy of that. And send word to the ninja we've issued the mission to, we need to make them aware that they are to wait until Sayuri arrives tomorrow."

Harukama went into the mansion and have a knock on the door. "Father please tell me you have something for me to do i'm eager to prove myself." He stated with the same emotionless tone Gaara had always had. A small amount of sand formed into a write on the Hokage's desk. "I'll help anybody who needs it but I have to do something before I go stir crazy." He sounded a bit less serious than Gaara his father normally did. He waited outside while they did whatever they were doing.

Sayuri turned with the others as the newcomer entered the room. He wasn't anything particularly special, a shorter boy with spiky blond hair and indifferent eyes. She'd never met him, but he wore the leaf village's head guard. Sayuri listened closely as he addressed the Kazekage as father. Sayuri's own father's face showed irritation, signaling to her that he was not yet someone that she should respect without reason.

"Yes, Harukama" Gaara responded quietly. "You will join Sayuri on her trip to the Sand village, then you will join the group sent to trace this old follower of Orochimaru." Gaara indicated Sayuri with a sharp nod. "And you will do this quickly."

"Yes father." I said with a slight smile before I gave a bow and left. I decided i'd wait outside I stood out of everyone's way to avoid any insults. I was really worried he'd have a horrible rep before he even did a mission.

Sayuri gave a short bow to the ninja in the room before turning and hurrying out. She found the ninja Kazekage had indicated near the doors, looking just as bored as he had walking in. It was an intimidating boredom, something that seemed to dare you to try and interact with him. "Erm...hi" Sayuri took a deep breath and approached him. "I'm Sayuri. From the Nara clan" She added for an effect. "I'm being assigned to an assistance mission within the Hidden Sand Village, replacing my sister there" Sayuri bit her tongue, it wasn't professional to say she was the second choice. He'd catch on soon enough if he glanced at the request file.

"Oh that's cool second choice sounds nice i'm only used when my three siblings are disposed." Harukama said frowning a little but he started hand seals. "Let's get a ride there." He placed both hands on the floor summoning a bird large enough to carry a train car. He then climbed on waving for her to follow. "Come I like to finish these things quickly." He stated sitting on the bird's neck.

"That hardly seems safe...." Sayuri frowned. "But what the hey, what's life without a risk" She easily climbed onto the bird, feeling the soft feathers between her fingers. "I don't think I caught your name" Sayuri said as she adjusted herself to sit comfortably. "I've introduced myself, it only seems right for you to do the same" She glanced down at the ground, suddenly feeling safer falling than sitting on the summoned creature. Her scalp tightened as she thought of being in the air. "You'll have to excuse me....I've never been fond of being high up. And flying seems like it's best left to the birds.

"You don't want to be associated with me so i'd say it's worth the risk." Harukama commented making the bird lift of gently before he put a mask on. "I'm Harukama Gaara's eldest child but i'm given a bad name since I have the same tailed demon as my father." I kept a eye on her to make sure she didn't fall.

"You don't want to be associated with me so i'd say it's worth the risk." Harukama commented making the bird lift of gently before he put a mask on. "I'm Harukama Gaara's eldest child but i'm given a bad name since I have the same tailed demon as my father." I kept a eye on her to make sure she didn't fall.

"I'm the youngest" Sayuri glanced down. "Five older sisters and an older brother." She sighed, pinching a feather between her thumb and fore finger. "I hate it though, no one looks to me because there are six others who have the same mix of Nara and Satori that I do. The only difference is in our versions of the Lukero." She shrugged. "I always though Ikera was lucky, being the oldest and all. She got to make a name for herself....and wasn't held in anyone's shadow"

"Not particularly" Sayuri shrugged. It's a whole lot of living in other people's shadows and having people associate you with things your siblings have done."

"Not particularly" Sayuri shrugged. It's a whole lot of living in other people's shadows and having people associate you with things your siblings have done."