[Mission] Like Quicksand

[yaksha]

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The recent reports in Sunagakure mention large holes in the ground forming, and anything from travelers to caravans falling inside. This sort of thing was concerning, and a potential threat. The guards at the entranceway watched Nagai heading for the exit, and managed a hasty salute at him. "Best of luck to you, sir. We hope you can find the people who have gone missing, too. Even if it's been several days since they vanished...we can at least hope for some closure." They appeared somber, almost afraid. One of them handed him a piece of paper, and then turned away.

"Those are the areas each sinkhole was reported. If you look at them, we might be able to figure out what's doing this...and the next place they'll appear."

[Thatdirtyhobo]

Kotouru strolled down the great Suna enteranceway. The causeway that connected the great burning sea outside to the great way-too-hot city inside. His hair was pulled back in its signature high ponytail, his black kimono was wrapped loosely around him, allowing some breathing between his skin and cloth. His arms were folded underneath his robes, his sleeves hanging loosely at his sides. He itched once at his tattoo, the place where his Nodachi were safely sealed away. He glanced over at the guardsman as he approached, raising a hand in a cheery hello.

"Lo there!" He chirped. He pointed out to the causeway. "Heading out, got some holes to fill." He said frankly.

"Best of luck to you, sir. We hope you can find the people who have gone missing too... Even if it's been several days since they vanished...we can at least hope for some closure." Kotouru's expression didn't change in the least, he patted the guy on the shoulder and took the paper, staring at it. Nodding as they spoke.

"How about we get some drinks when I get back gents? He guffawed, "My treat, hold me to it! He laughed and stepped out into the path, an instant later he had dashed off. His expression grim for just a moment. "I'll find them, don't you guys worry...

The sand blurring beneath him he made his way to his first location. Along a major caravan trail out of the sand.

[yaksha]

When Kotouru arrived at the first scene, there didn't seem to be much evidence at all; there was a large hole in the ground; the sand there looked almost as if it had all been lifted out in some neat, perfect circle. All the sand around it was beginning to slide into it, creating a precarious position over the hole; at the edges, there appeared to be several small splinters of wood, most likely left behind by the destroyed caravan. One of them even appeared to be moving a bit, if he'd cared to glance closely enough...

[Thatdirtyhobo]

Kotouru moved in slowly, maintaining his footing away from the edges of the hole. His sharp eyes carefully sweeping across the destruction searching for any sort of clue. A small splinter moved slightly out of the corner of his eye. He turned toward it, taking a few steps to it, kneeling down and examining it from a distance. He perked up his ears, listening carefully to his surroundings trying to feel out the air around him. In a Jounins line of work, anything could be a trap, he had to be cautious. His hands still in his sleeves his fingers calmly rested atop the tattoo that sheathed his Nodachi.

[yaksha]

As soon as the sliver of wood shifted aside, Kotouru could easily see what was beneath; a small, pale white thing seemed to be burrowing into the soft sand. He could tell it was segmented, with each separate part writhing on its own. He couldn't tell just how long it was, but he could tell about half a foot was poking out from the sand, and that at least part of it was underground. The sound of sand shifting on a small, almost microscopic level, was overpowered by a small, slightly wet noise. It appeared to be some strange sort of grub...

[yaksha]

Sorry, buddy. Gotta keep things moving.