A World in Tears: Into the Rain

The air was muggy from the warm air mixing with the cold rain. The Rain Expeditionary Force, or REF, was making its way to the Land of Rain in force. War has been declared, and there is no turning back. Since it was Iwagakure that initiated war-time status upon Konoha, it was regarded as of utmost importance that defenses be prepared at the nearest border.

Amegakure has already fallen to Iwagakure, so a possible invasion point is at that border. The REF moved swiftly, with the commanding officer, Taiki Takahashi, at its lead. Not a sound other than the tapping of feet upon wood was heard as the team leaped from tree branch to tree branch, inching closer to their destination.

Shikaki Nara was alert as the team neared the border, his memory of the world map acting as a guide. The shinobi was a chuunin, thus a regular soldier, assigned to this battle group to help with the REF's mission. He and several others were just within view of the main group. But things were never so easy.

A kunai appeared what seemed to be out of nowhere, embedding its sharp point into the chest of one of the REF soldiers. The victim gave a cry of surprise, missing the next branch and falling into the shrubbery below. The air was quickly filled with more of similar projectiles, and REF shinobi quickly avoided most of them.

"Ambush!" one yelled, to attract the attention of the sentries. The REF exploded in a flurry of movement, as their men entered emergency evasive maneuvers to avoid getting themselves killed. Some took refuge behind the trunks of trees while others slipped into the leaves above or into the forestry below. Explosions could be heard seconds later.

"They're attaching explosives to their kunai! Fall back and regroup!" Taiki ordered from his position behind the trunk of an ancient tree.

His men did not need second reminders, slipping out of their cover and withdrawing from the area. Shikaki did likewise from his position beneath the trees, not taking second chances with the unseen foes. Ten minutes of fleeing past by, and the skirmish ceased. For the moment: who knows if the ambushers had pursuit teams on stand-by in case the REF managed to get away.

Casualties number twenty wounded, ten missing in action and two confirmed dead, out of a total of fifty men, leaving eighteen men in fighting shape. The attack was successful on the enemies' part. Taiki quickly gathered his remaining officers, to debate on further course of action while the men tended to their wounded.

Questions presented themselves as the clock ticked: who were the ambushers? Were they Rock ninja? A rebel faction from the Rain? Another village allied to the Rock? All had an indefinite conclusion, but Shikaki cared for none of that. The focus was preparing for the next encounter.