It wasn't unusual to find Temari on the training grounds early in the morning. It was her preferred way to wake up, work out the kinks, and prepare for the coming day. It also proved to keep her alert and limber, her senses open to everything around her.

Ironically, today she was having something of a late start and it showed in her movements. Instead of the usual practiced flow they were jerky with her rising self-annoyance. There was no reason to be this behind this morning and she was pushing herself all the harder to make up for it. Her face a mask of disapproval as she worked herself through a punishing workout, the only thing that could make it better was if someone deigned to join her.