After finishing his tea Masaaki laid out his tools. [i]Four kunai. Check. [/i] he thought checking to make sure each was sharp before putting them in their slots on his belt. [i]ten arrows [/i] he checked each one to make sure they were sharp and balanced before sliding them into his quiver. [i] wakasashi. [/i] he ran it over his wet stone a few times before running his finger along the length of the blade. Seeming satisfied he slid it into its sheath at his side. Seeing everything was in order he strung his shortbow and crept back towards the cliff. 

His heart skipped a beat as he saw the cart approaching, and he quickly ducked behind a bush. Damn he wasn't expecting someone quite so soon. He notched an arrow in his bow and watched. The ninja escort had spotted the traps, and put herself between him and the merchant. She was looking around warily trying to spot him. [i] Just one? [/i] he thought. He had traps in the surrounding woods just in case another ninja was thinking of ambushing him here, but it still made him nervous. If he missed with this first shot he could reveal his position. If it was just this one ninja he could just ambush her when she came after him, but if there was another that could be a problem. He reached out with his chakra feeling the nearby vibrations in the air. Nothing. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, it was by no means a fool proof method of detection but it did put his mind at ease a bit. Feeling his confidence return he took s deep breath and slowly pulled back his bow, aiming for the other ninjas chest. He almost felt bad for her for a moment but quickly pushed those thoughts away. He let the arrow fly.