Tugging at Strings

Prologue
Underneath the Hidden Sand, the, Reto, stopped before a small pool. The air is chilled, but it is still mid-day, indicating how far underground he really is. A thin mist covered the floor, spilling out of the much warmer pool of water at his feet. A pile of clothes is strewn about at the edge of the pool, indicating to Reto that the person he is looking for is indeed here.

"Yuri," he said.

"I presume you're not here on a social visit, Lord Kazekage," Yuri replied. Although distinctly feminine in tone, she did not appear surprised or concerned, to any degree, that a man is nearby as she bathed. However, Yuri is nowhere to be seen. "I'm guessing it's the ?"

"I'm assigning you to our Anbu forces because we are in need of people with your talents, Yuri. You will be going to the Hidden Leaf. I explained your situation to the and he has agreed to lease land for your needs," Reto said. "A logistics team has been sent ahead to make the basic preparations. The rest will be up to you when you arrive in the village. You are to leave the moment you are ready."

"You will also have a partner from now on. He will be waiting for you in Konohagakure," he added.

Silence reigned in the chamber as Reto's new Anbu pondered the situation.

"I'm guessing there's more to the mission than a tour of an allied village?" Yuri questioned. The water's surface churned as something submerged moved. Reto watched the ripples cascade to the pool's edge.

"The details will be sent by pigeon later," he replied.

"Very well," was all she said.

The Fool
It has been four days since Yuri left the Hidden Sand. She had long brown hair that curled at the ends and wore a pointed cap. Her short-sleeved shirt is covered by a traveling cloak held by a simple brooch. A Konoha ninja stopped her as she approached.

"I need to see your identification, miss," he said.

Yuri merely rolled her eyes, supplying the guard with the necessary documents before continuing into the village itself.

"Wait a moment, Miss..." the guard scanned her papers. "Yuri!"

"Something wrong with the papers? Take it up with the Hokage; I'm supposed to be here on his permission," Yuri crossed her arms in annoyance.

"It's not that. I was told that you should go to this address. Your friend should be waiting there," the guard passed her a note.

Yuri took the note and continued further into the village without even a thank you, despite the helpful bit of information. The address took her to the residential district, where she presumed her partner has been housed for the time being. She hoped that he wouldn't be a nuisance: it would take the rest of her time with this body to finish constructing the new Lazarus pool, which is a tedious process.