Chapter 12
Chapter 10: Class Rep Trip Part 3
Used to waking up early, Morgan slipped out of the guest quarters before dawn. Book in hand, she ventured onto the rooftop, inhaling the crisp, cool air before settling down to read. The sky was still dark, stars scattered across its vastness as she opened her book on Milchidan languages and dialects. I’m so close to figuring this out—just need to push a little further. Lately, she’d been in a bit of a slump, unable to make headway with her sealing technique, hitting wall after wall. ´´I’m hoping to find my breakthrough in these runes.´´
Among Fuinjutsu practitioners like herself, there were three ranks: Level 3, beginner; Level 2, intermediate; and Level 1, the elite, known as Master Sealers. Just days ago, she had officially reached Level 1, a considerable achievement. Yet, somehow, that feeling of satisfaction remained elusive. ´´Compared to the Namikaze, I’m still… behind. ´´That gnawing thought returned as she scanned the intricate characters in her book. As a Master, she was expected to develop her own sealing language—one unique to her, a coded language that only she could teach or decipher. She’d been experimenting with runes, trying to design her own style, but had run into endless challenges.
Her gaze drifted from the page to the open sky, its early light illuminating faint shapes of the pyramids and catacombs dotting the desert in the distance. They stood tall and mysterious, like markers from an ancient time. ´´It’s so idyllic and serene here,´´ she thought, ´´You would never think this is a shinobie village...´´ a small smile touching her lips. The Suna landscape felt timeless, carrying whispers of lost knowledge. She let her mind wander to Ellen, her best friend and considered what kind of souvenir Ellen might like.
Morgan pulled out her intelligent device, a small marble-like orb with a faint glow, and skimmed through messages. The screen, visible only to her, displayed a mix of new and old notifications. She kept the device hidden, careful not to draw attention—especially after nearly revealing it to Cat-senpai yesterday. No one’s supposed to know about it yet. She was the only one aware of the existence of “alien” life, the one who’d secretly connected with Ellen and her world. Just as she was about to put the device away, a new notification appeared, lighting up her screen.
From: Ellen Aurora
Sent via: Star Gazer Device
Subject: Have Fun
Hey,
I heard you’re on a fun trip! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
See ya in a few weeks; can’t wait to pick you up!
Love, Ellen
P.S. Any chance I could get a souvenir? (˃̩̩⌂˂̩̩)/
Morgan couldn’t help but smile slightly. Alright, I’ll definitely find something good for you. She tucked the device back into her bag and returned to her book, fully immersed as dawn’s colors began to brighten the sky. Her hair caught the gentle breeze, swaying as the desert’s sandy, dry taste mingled with the scent of old paper and the scratchy rustle sound of sand reached her. She suppressed her strong sensory skills before focusing back on her book.´´ It’s beautiful here. I could get used to these quiet mornings, she considered in her mind, savoring the solitude.´´
Suddenly, she sensed someone nearby. The chakra was strong, steady but calm, approaching with an almost practiced silence.
“You like reading, huh?” a soft, deep voice vocalized.
Morgan looked up to find Gaara standing beside her, his curious eyes scanning the book in her hands. With scruffy red hair and the kanji for “love” tattooed on his forehead, Gaara looked intense, but his demeanor was almost… gentle. He took a seat beside her on the flat rooftop, casting his gaze over the rooftops and beyond, where the desert stretched into the horizon. “I like to watch the sunrise and sunset. It’s calming, after… you know, shinobi training and stuff.” His eyes wandered thoughtfully over the village’s buildings. Most of the houses were built from clay and lime, each uniquely crafted but blending seamlessly into the desert landscape. Atop a nearby sandhill stood the Kazekage mansion, a solitary yet striking structure.
Morgan followed his gaze, nodding. “ Nature has this calming effect. It’s mesmerizing. I wish more people could appreciate it.”, recalling her home in Konoha's abandoned district, where she often watched the stray animals play and thrive, or her livestock—the cute cows and mischievous goats. She glanced around the desert scenery, catching sight of a desert owl swooping down to feed its young. In the distance, a gust of wind picked up the sand, sending it swirling like a mini-tornado across the arid plains.
Gaara’s voice softened. “The desert must be boring for you,” he murmured, almost as if apologizing.
Morgan shook her head, closing her book. “Not at all. I find Sunagakure fascinating. I’m curious about your culture and the way you live here.” Her thoughts drifted to Yunoo, her friend from the distant desert world of Milchidan. He’d probably find Suna exciting too. Yunoo’s clan, the Scrya, were desert nomads and scholars from Milchidan—a massive planet filled with diverse regions: icy tundras, sprawling industrial cities, boundless oceans, and the unforgiving Milcha Desert, where the Scrya roamed. Morgan remembered Yunoo describing how his clan traveled the desert in caravans, often carrying on their studies of ancient texts and relics. He once told her how, in his clan, it was tradition to participate in archaeological expeditions before becoming a teacher. She could almost hear his voice as he excitedly shared stories of ancient ruins and mystical oases.
“Iwa?” Gaara guessed, his brows furrowing as he tilted his head thoughtfully. “I thought Konoha and Iwa were… enemies?”
“Oh, no, not at all!” Morgan replied, raising her hands in a flustered wave. “My friend’s not from Iwa. He’s from somewhere much farther away.” She quickly pocketed her book, hoping Gaara wouldn’t press further. Since Iwa had its desert regions, Gaara’s assumption made sense. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued but respectful. “Must be quite far then, huh?”
“Very far,” she affirmed her thoughts wandering back to Yunoo’s vivid descriptions of his homeland. ´´One day, maybe I can visit Milcha´´
A few minutes later, the pair descended to join the others for breakfast. The dining area was alive with distinct aromas—different from anything Morgan had ever smelled in Konoha. Gaara led her to a buffet where he recommended a dish of fried cactus cooked with eggs, a local Suna specialty.
Sitting down next to TenTen, Morgan took her first bite of fried cactus, savoring its crispy texture and tangy flavor. She listened to TenTen and Menma, who were chatting animatedly about the sights they hoped to see.
“I can’t wait to visit the art museum,” TenTen said with a dreamy look.
Menma wrinkled his nose. “I’d rather check out that thing they call the Running Sand.” Morgan groaned in frustration. ´´They might be older than me, but sometimes they act like kids in a candy shop.´´
“Don’t worry, we’ll be here for two whole weeks,” she reminded the two, then turned to Gaara with a grin. “Would you be willing to show us around?”
A small, shy smile appeared on Gaara’s face. “Of course. I’d be happy to.”
Menma groaned, half-jokingly. “Two whole weeks? That’s forever!” He glanced at Morgan. “By the way, how are you feeling after yesterday’s spar?”
Morgan stoically answered: “I’m fine, Namikaze-sama.” Then she turned to TenTen with a beam: “Oh, I put the sword back on your nightstand. Thanks for lending it to me, TenTen-senpai!”
Menma slumped a bit, muttering under his breath, “I just wish she’d call me Menma, like everyone else.”
Gaara leaned over, whispering with a slight smirk, “Maybe she doesn’t like you that much.”
After breakfast, Gaara led the group on a tour around the village. His sister Temari was showing Suna to the Kirigakure team. After a while, even Minato joined them, quietly observing as they all became lost in thought. Morgan caught glimpses of him staring at her, a mix of pride and contemplation in his eyes. Their first stop was a unique cactus forest south of Sunagakure, filled with strange varieties of cacti, each bearing fruits of vivid colors.
Morgan’s eyes widened as she took in the view. “So this is how you get fruit here? I didn’t know desert plants could be so… colorful. Or do that.”
Gaara nodded. “People don’t realize it, but desert sand can hold a surprising amount of moisture.” He crouched down, lifted a handful of sand, and squeezed it, showing a few droplets of water. “The heat draws in moisture from the air, allowing us to grow all sorts of cacti. We have over 2,000 species here. Most are edible; only a few are poisonous. Some even flower, and we use the spices in our cooking.”
Morgan marveled at the cactus varieties, mentally taking note of details to share with Yunoo later.´´ I wonder if I could bring back a sample for my garden´´
They continued to a natural landmark known as the Running Sandfall—a surreal sight where sand, instead of water, cascaded in graceful flows. One section resembled a waterfall, with sand streaming in gentle, undulating waves.
“So cool!” Menma shouted, mesmerized.
Gaara gave a small smile. “If you’d like, I can take us on a ride across the sand.” Forming a platform with hardened sand, he allowed them to glide effortlessly over the flowing dunes.
“This sand’s amazing,” TenTen said, her voice tinged with excitement. “I heard it has unique properties.”
Gaara nodded. “We use it to craft our fans, and it’s even used in medicine.” Morgan watched as sandworms—strange creatures that seemed to “swim” through the sand—popped up occasionally, lending a sense of mystery to the desert. On their safe platform, she crouched down and touched the strange sand it was liquid but still sandy. Beside her, Minato looked at her with a raised eyebrow as if he were trying to crack a puzzle
Their tour concluded at the Suna Museum, much to TenTen’s delight. As they entered, Morgan made a mental note to cherish every moment of this trip.