Takigakure's Border

[Nori Niigata]

"I'll be fine." Nori said, her voice not giving away her slight annoyance. The fact that he had to tell her to be careful made her feel like she was inadequate. Yes okay, there were things that she was afraid of, and yes, the idea of going to Oto at the end of the mission was frightening, but it was something she was willing to face. She was no longer the frightened child that cried herself to sleep each night in the dark room. She was a shinobi of the Leaf Village.

Reminding herself of this, she stood straighter and hardened her light hazel eyes. She put her black hair up in a ponytail to prepare herself for whatever they were going to face.

"I'm ready whenever you are." She said finally.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya's eyes widened slightly at Nori's sudden confident posture. "Good. Then we head out now. Yamagata, you and Sachi take the front on your way to Oto. Nicholas, you and Kurakuren will cover the rear. I and Nori will go and recruit the rest of the Sasaki. You should have the village's surrounding guard down near the end of the month. That will give you enough of a chance to head to Kumo and back with us. The Sasaki will be rallied and we can begin to infiltrate the village by the start of next month. Now, let's move out." Kekeya had been inspired by Nori's sudden confidence. He was feeling better himself. "Where to first, Nori? Kiri, Suna, Ame, or Iwa?"

[Nori Niigata]

Nori looked up at the clouds. It was easier to gather her thoughts when she was looking up at the clouds, they always reminded her of home. She tried to think of it all from a strategic point of view. Geographically, which would make sense?

"I think that it would make more sense for Iwa to be our next move." She said, putting her hazel eyes back on Kekeya, "It would make more sense to work our way back toward Konoha, then cross it to get to Kiri."

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya sharply nodded. "Very well. Let's go." The three teams set out to their destinations. Kekeya and Nori were headed North. "Iwa. I wonder how she's doing? She probably won't be too thrilled to see me."

[Kiyoshi Sasaki]

Kiyo grabbed Kekeya's shoulder. "You didn't mention me because you thought I knew you wanted me to come with you. Am I right?" Kekeya looked at him and a small smile showed. "As always, idiot." Kiyoshi backhanded Kekeya's arm and chuckled. He turned to Nori and spoke. "So, you're name's Nori? It's nice to meet you."

[Nori Niigata]

Nori smiled at Kiyoshi and grinned. "Nice to meet you too." She replied. She picked up her pack and slipped it over her shoulders.

"So who are we going to go meet in Iwa?" She asked.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya looked over to Kiyo. They said in unison. "A big bitch." Kekeya looked down to Nori, his face back to it's emotionless state. "Mokoto Sasaki. Someone you probably won't get along with. She definitely doesn't want to get along with you."

[Nori Niigata]

Nori tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes for a moment. "Hm, well this should be fun. Sachi would look forward to the challenge." She openned her eyes and let out a slight sigh, "I guess for this one time, it wouldn't be bad to think like Sachi." She said and grinned slightly at Kekeya.