Zoro woke up with a jolt due to a sudden burst of lightning in the sky. It was the day after Zoro helped move files to the construction site and the sky was just starting to clear up after that last bolt of lightning. "GOD DAMN MOTHER NATURE!!
Zoro thought to himself. Despite being woken up so abrubtly, a messenger ran by and gave Zoro a message from the Kage, and it read: Zoro, thankyou for moving those files for us, now its time to reward you with a C ranked mission. I want you to escort a band of metal merchants from the border with the Grass country to the main gates, where they will be handed off to their in-village escort team. Of course you will need to make your way to the border first, but i should also warn you of a guy named Tanama Housuki, his appearance does not exactly keep him safe from enemy ninja, but he will tend talk your ear off, so try not to hurt him. From, Your Kage.

"huh, atleast its a better mission, though im pretty sure that after this is over ill end up doing atleast 3 more d rank missions for easy money... Anyways, i better get going for i have atleast a half a day trip to the borders by myself, and the quicker i get this over, the quicker i get paid. Zoro thought to himself.

Before leaving, Zoro went and got a fresh new pair of cloths, and got some food. He then walked through the town and to the main gates and headed out. Since the danger risk was not too high, Zoro decided to travel by tree. He jumped up onto a lower branch and started sprinting through the forest.
"Hmph, i wonder what high ranked mission Keiji is on right now, oh well. I will prove to him that im not just some worthless gennin, but i also got to be smart about it and not get myself killed." Zoro though.
Since their was nothing else to do while running among the trees, Zoro started to pay attention of how beautiful and green the forest is. He also took note of the sun, and how the day finally cleared up. Since Zoro was only a gennin, his speed was not as fast as a sannins was, but since he was fond of tai jutsu, his speed was a bit faster then that of a normal gennin.
"Finally the forest ends." Zoro thought, though he knew that he was only half way through his journy, so he would have to finish it on foot, though he did make really good timing.
Zoro then started to sprint, as if he was training his speed and endurance. When Zoro reached the 3/4 of the way milestone, he began to walk, and reached into his pocket and took out a cigar and lit it. He then held it up to his mouth and took a few puffs.
"I mine as well enjoy it while i can since ill be accompanying this group on the way home." Zoro thought.
Shortly after finishing his cigar, Zoro reach the border of the grass.

"That must be tanama. Hey, Tanama, i will be the ninja escorting you guys." Zoro said.

"A single ninja they sent us, ahh well, lets go, i want food! said tanama in a very annoying voice.
And with that, Just after Zoro arrived, he leaves for the village as an escort.


[word count: 587/1000]

The begining of the journy was very annoying for Zoro for Tanama would not shut up. But like the Kage said, he learned how to block him off. Instead of listining to the annoying man, Zoro began strategizing the best route to take once they approached the forest, for if anyone would attack, that would be the place of attack. He decided that they would go through the forest on foot, but Zoro would travel in the brush so that he could suprise the enemy in case of an attack.
"Zoro, WHY THE HELL ARNT YOU LISTINING TO ME!!" Screamed Tanam.

"Because, you are annoying the hell out of me, and i still have to deal with you for another day and a half, so save us both by shutting the hell up." Replied Zoro very annoyed. After that, Tanama really did not say much more, and that made Zoro happy. The journey thankfully was not a hot one, and Zoro atleast had his Cigars to keep him occupied.

When the sun went down after day 1, Zoro let the group set up camp, but decided he would keep watch instead of sleeping, besides, he did sleep for a bit on his way to the border anyways. The night was silent for the most part, except for a wolf that came dangerously close to the camp, and so stealthly Zoro sneaked up behind it and snapped its neck with a very quick and swift movement. At sunrise, Zoro woke everyone up and had them walking again withing minutes, for naturally Zoro was ready to get home and eat.

When they reached the beginning of the forest, Zoro knew they were almost at the gates, but this was the tricky part.
" You guys continue on the path, I will be very close, so dont worry about anything" Zoro said.
About 15 minutes into the forest, 2 bandits jumped out of a bush and blocked the path of of tanama and his group.

" Give us your money and cloths" The bandits said.

Little did they know, Zoro was already behind them, and so he tapped both of their solders so that they would turn around to face them. And as soon as they did, Zoro knocked them both out with 2 punches to their faces.
"Ok, Keep on walking, we are almost there." Zoro said.

Of course, Tanama was talking his ass of the whole time, but Zoro did not hear a word he said.
Finally they reached the gates and Zoro left Tanama to their elite escorts and headed directly to the ramin shop. After eating, and a very long day, Zoro headed to his tree and went to sleep knowing that he had successfully completed his first semi dangerous mission by himself.


[end] [Final word count: 1049/1000]