Yabelizy had told her that she'd have to carry Itchi for awhile. Possibly
until she got back to Konoha, and Yami couldn't have that. Yami knew what had happened last night was only a small taste of things to come, and Itchi was as much a part of her jutsu as Kankaro's puppets were a part of his.

Finally, lunch was over, and the three groups of ninjas started to move again. Kankaro had sent Tenten ahead with Shikamaru, despite his protests, to keep him safe as he traveled through enemy territory. Yami was in the back, so she took the opportunity to talk to Hinata without Neji seeing.

For some reason, Gaara had placed Hinata in the front, taking the rear himself. "Yes, Yami, I can read that. You're right, it is a little bouncy, but I can make it out." Hinata was saying as Sakura caught up to her. Sakura just gave Hinata a look that she knew meant 'go ahead, but ask about my patients too' and Hinata let Sakura take the lead alongside her. Following Sakura, Hinata could focus more on what Yami was saying, "GHaNS is us? Oh, good! How are you guys doing? Not straining yourselves are you?" Hinata continued as they went. "What? Shikamaru has headed back to his own group?!" Hinata suddenly exploded, "Did he make sure to do the full head rotation?" Hinata's voice calmed almost immediately, "He did? Didn't feel any pain? You don't know. But Kankaro sent Tenten with him?" Hinata kept on firing questions at Yami until Sakura stopped her with a look. "Sorry, how are you and Itchi doing?" Hinata asked in a concerned voice, "You are okay, but Itchi's going to need more medical attention? Sorry to hear that. Why don't you rest a bit? Just listen to your surroundings, don't talk to us again until the evening report. Good luck!" Hinata made it clear that the conversation was over, and
Sakura gave her an approving look.

Tenten returned, a little battered, just as Kankaro's group got to the edge of the allied territories and started to set up camp for the night. "You alright Tenten?" Ino called out in concern. Looking up, Tenten nodded. "Run into some trouble on your way to Shikamaru's group?" Ino wanted to know. When Tenten shook her head, Ino asked, "On your way back to us?"

"Just a little. Nothing I couldn't handle." Tenten said defensively. "We won't have any problems crossing this next country's territory as long as that's all we do: cross it. Some villagers gave me their version of a friendly greeting." Tenten grinned, pointing to the handprint-bruises she had on her arms. Yami was horrified. "Don't worry Yami," Tenten had seen the shocked expression on her face, "The villagers let me go when they learned I had companions waiting for me. All ninjas. But, Kankaro," Tenten quickly turned to her leader, "The villagers knew who attacked us last night!" This news was greeted by everybody stopping what they were doing and three pairs of eyes focusing on Tenten, awaiting the next piece of news with baited breath. After seeing Kankaro nod at her to go on, Tenten said, "They
wouldn't say the name, said it was taboo, but they told me they were ninja that had left their villages in order to form this group. These 'unmentionables', as the villagers called them, have been terrorizing this poor village for months - when they are attacking traveling ninjas is the only time this poor village gets a break." Yami had been absorbing every small detail Tenten had said, and reviewed it carefully so she could let Hinata and Shikamaru know in the evening report.

By the time she was ready for the report, she could hear Neji and Hinata getting nervous. "I'm ready now," she told Kankaro, "Should I tell them what Tenten said?" Kankaro agreed, and Yami explained that Tenten had arraived safely, but a little bruised. Yami went on to explain why Tenten had been bruised and what she had learned. Listening, Yami gave the report that Shikamaru had returned to his group safely, but was just now experiencing some neck pain. She listened as Choji teased him about being a pain in the neck, but didn't include it in the report. Hinata let Yami, who then included it in her report, that their group had reached the spot where her group had camped last night, but weren't worried about being attacked by the 'unmentionables' after what had happened last night. After Yami had answered all of the questions, the ninjas finished their meal and headed to bed. Gaara, Kankaro, and Temari took the first watch.