Fandom Naruto: Chunin's Path

[The Regal Rper]

• Paths
• Akuma Woods

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  The Walls
  

  

  
  Two groups, two separate ranks, ordered by their summoning letter to remain silent till they approached their destination or face expulsion. The order had not been a joke, for those that did talk they were quite literally taken back to the Village as the Genin and Chunin marched through the long pathway of the Training Ground Territories in the direction of a distant wall. The sun beat down on them during a somewhat cloudy and warm day but that was probably a boon given they were headed in one direction. A stone wall, one that stretched almost infinitely to the sky came more into view as the two groups neared. Dwarfing them in size and height, as well as the guards that stood there in front of it.
  
  "Welcome, youth." Said the owner to that soft voice. He moved a foot ahead of his troops and his troops spread out behind him. In doing so, he revealed to be quite young looking. And slightly on the short side. "I am your Adviser. You may call me Hachi," the man stated in his soft and calm voice. When his black eyes turned to the assembly he said,"Genin, behind this wall is your second trial. All of you," Hachi added as his black eyes, those eyes that seemed like one giant orb locked on to the Chunin, "yes" he repeated with a nod. "That includes the Chunin, will be participating in this trial. Chunin you are here for one reason, as the letter You recieved should have made You aware already. You will act against the genin in this mission- aiming to complete the same task I will assign them. Think of it as a competition. A competition among individuals. Push them to show us they are worth the rank they want, and show the eyes that will be watching this trial that you have not wasted your time and ours since achieving your rank. Most importantly, you will also receive rewards, Chunin. should you succeed. The genin have their own rewards waiting for them if they complete the remaining trials. Whether it is a sponsorship from the major clans like the Uzumaki, Ametsuchi, Hyuga or more famous minor clans like the Inuzuka, or better missions in the future for better pay, or otherwise. Whatever your reasons for joining are- show me you Chunin haven't been slacking off since you reached a rank so many struggle to achieve in these times."
  
  And then Hachi smiled, voice just as kind, yet somehow stern, cold: "or we will have a problem."
  
  Then with a sigh, the calm demeanor returned. "On to the goal... Your goal is to retrieve one of these." He moved his arm from his back, opened his hand, and in it was a round object with dotted colors, about the size of a tennis ball. Smiling at it, then at them he continued,these items are odd. They can take a blow but they aren't indestructible. For example," he threw it into the air and then one jonin officer behind him leaped, backflipped and kicked it back down with an audible pow, the dotted ball went flying towards another jonin behind Hachi who caught it in a twirl and then launched it back towards Hachi, who turned and with a hand, stopped the dotted item; "well, you get the point. They can take a beating, but aren't indestructible. If they break- you fail. Because not only will you have to fight your peers to get one, you will also need to fight off the creatures inside that will attack you once they see or sense your presence with one of these. A little note though, the dots change color when the strength of this item weakens, see?" And it was true. Yellow dots were now blue. "There are only a select few of them and there is only one location you can find them in. Behind these walls. I'll show you specifically where you must go. Oh, and warning?" He advised as he handed the item over gently to his allies behind him, "This will get bumpy.
  
  Hachi weaved four signs and then slammed his hands into the earth. The entire group of genin and chunin were carried up in rising pillars of earth above the massive walls, hundreds of feet in the air. Hachi waited for them all to settle, then he pointed ahead on his own pillar of dirt. Straight into the massive forest, where odd lights bloomed barely out from a glimpse within thanks to passing wind shifting branches. In the distance of the forest, at the center perhaps, a silhouette of projected pillars poked slightly out of the forest woods.
  
  "Go in there, retrieve one of those items, and return here within the next 24 hours. We will send you in there through other means, as no one is allowed to climb or enter these walls. Once inside, look for markers. We have markers, maps, and signs put up to help guide you in the direction You all should be going into. These markers are everywhere, color coded. Blue means You are going the wrong way. Red means You are on the right path. These are the only two color marks that really matter. The rest," he stated this part rather bluntly: "Figure it out on your own. You are allowed to work in teams for however long you want, but keep in mind" Hachi warned as he glanced back at them all over his shoulder, a small friendly smile yet equally insidious smirk catching his features, "those balls are not many. You can't share them, and if any of the Observers see you try to attempt to pull any tricks to help your friends, you will be removed. You get your item and return with new instructions to where you should go once you have retrieved the item. There's roughly 16 of you or more here- I'm guessing- and the creatures that harvest those items, they have 8 or more but not enough for everyone. My warning to you all is to be wary when you enter the Akuma Woods. There is a reason you only have a day to complete your tasks. The woods are dangerous, as I'm sure the liability forms you each received before coming to this place might have clued you in. The village will not be responsible for the deaths of the foolhardy. This is your one and only chance to turn back now and choose a different path in your lives", Hachi stated with a query in his voice, earnest in his words, silent for mostly a minute as he watched both Chunin and Genin in this group. Eyeing, waiting to see those that dropped out and those that wouldn't.
  
  "...well then," he nodded, smiling brightly, "try not to die. It's always sad to see potential die early. I wish you all the best of luck, you will need it.
  
  

  
  
  
  
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  Spoiler: Markers

  Red Markers: Tell you your character is going in the right direction towards the Goal.
  Blue Markers: Tell you your character is going away from the Goal.

  
  

  
  

  
  All it took was Hachi giving each player in this trial a kunai with writing on its handle, and then in the blink of an eye, they were gone- inside the forest after one hand sign. Inertia or dizziness should have set in for a few seconds but it should have faded quickly. All of them arranged in a circle, back-to-back-to-back. The first thing the cast noticed, was the woods.
  
  Light did not come down from above despite it still being early afternoon day. The sky was nonexistent, where there were gaps in the overhead branches that should have allowed light, there was instead dark blotches that simply didn't allow anything to be seen. The forest ignored natural laws of common sense. It had been sunny outside, but in these woods it was almost pitch black dark. Darker than night, the only saving grace were the illuminating mushrooms, floating furry flakes that acted like glowing candles in the air, and the random glowing fruit or cones or whatever those diamond shaped hanging things that were attached to the branches of various trees were.
  
  They stood in a massive clearing, about the size of a soccer field; bathed in colors of different kinds from luminance of the surrounding plant life. The human eye could see quite a distance with varying clarity, but in this darkness and strange light, they saw very little ahead past the first rows of trees and the general clearing they stood in.
  
  Although the same could not be said for everyone as some might have had different luck if they were from a clan that focused on honing certain senses, others might have had assistance through their KG or summons of their own which were their eyes in this dark, whatever the case was...the woods were silent. Dim and silent, but they did not leave you blind and inept.
  
  Up ahead, in four directions: North, east, south, west- there was light. Red light. A sign, directions. Hachi had teleported everyone square into the center of their destination. This light stood out sharply in contrast to the dimness that shadows casted and the colors the forest provided for its own illumination. The group were in a circle formation, so it was simply a matter of picking where each wanted to go. Four different directions, four different options.
  
  The orb of red light in the distance clung to the first trunk of a row of pencil thin trees ahead just beyond the clearing. It illuminated the grassy pathway, the ground somewhat bumpy and clearly uneven in footing those first few steps- waiting for the first few to start the journey.
  
  Perhaps it was not noticeable at first, but eyes popped into existence. All of them high up in the trees. Yellow eyes just appeared from nowhere, and then they blinked. First it was one pair, then two, then three, then twelve, then twenty. They surrounded the group, were illuminated by the light of the hanging diamonds briefly as small, monkey like creatures, perhaps. The creatures stayed in the trees however. Watching. Circling. Eyeing. None moved. None made a single sound. Nothing did.
  
  Till someone did.
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  

 

[The Regal Rper]

Hiroji | Akuma Woods | East Road​

Throughout the meeting with Hachi, Hiroji had remained silent. Stone faced, serious. He was in the zone now, and he made very few facial cues to show signs of breaking out of it.

Upon the teleportation however, that image- broke, his expression lost its severity in gravity, and as he stumbled and fell to his hands and knees thanks to inertia, he took a moment to blink.

"Whoa," the first words he had said at all. Squinting and blinking hawkishly. Save for the greeting nod or greeting bow to others when he had met them upon the trip to the walls, 'whoa', was a start to the process of opening conversation.

Shaking his head, Hiroji rose and then took the moment to scan their surroundings. He did a glance over the others in a sweep as he turned around, and upon seeing that they too were rising he turned his attention to the task at hand.

Details.

Darkness and all these lights but nothing from outside. So this forest has some kind of Genjutsu or something being cast on it then? His eyes scanned the ceiling of leaves and dark spots. Taking in their surroundings as Hiroji noted how all these colors could also be used to to lure them into traps. If this forest had light of its own then it couldn't be a stretch assume that such light could be used to lure or trick them away from the task. Something to keep in mind. Alright, if our job is to obstruct the genin, that means working with the genin at this early point in the stage is ideal- but, he glanced at the others. Chunin had been separated from genin, making up one half of the circle while the genin made up the other.

Hiroji considered it. Working with any of the genin in this group, even ones he knew on some level set him up with a greater chance at sabotaging them but the same could be said in vice versa. The easiest solution was to just take off on his own, but he knew nothing of the creatures here or the forest itself. That was suicide. There was an obvious reason why Hachi had encouraged the idea of teamwork yet forbidden the idea of pushing that aside from individual gain. It was nothing personal, he knew that- but if this was a competition and they were to be fighting each other for a limited resource- then he had to think about what he knew the others could do and what his own peers could do in exchange.

How well did he match up against them? He thought about this all as he observed the surroundings, the res lit paths, and then came to a decision

"I advise you!" Hiroji suddenly proclaimed in a loud voice, loud enough for the whole group to hear, it echoed once and then the echo silenced. "This trial gives us paths, we go in pairs or trios or however way you want to do it. Pick a road and head in that direction. You heard what Hachi said- Genin vs Chunin in a trial for survival. We can form truces just like we can form teams, I intend on taking advantage of that now. We go our ways and if we cross we fight then. Us Chunin are required to be against you, but that doesn't mean it has to be right now." The implication clear. "But--" his eyes went up.

Expression changing, Hiroji's calm demeanor sharpened. "We should all get moving. Now." He turned, began walking- breaking the circle further. "Aria, and to anyone else who thinks they want to join me- I'm going. Don't be sheep, split up, take different paths." as he said this Hiroji's hand gripped the scabbard to his blade behind him, eyes watching the creatures the creatures on the branches above. "Try not to die! was his shout as he moved towards the eastern road. Switching from a walk to a run.

And in that instant the creatures took action. They divided into groups or units and leaped off branches towards the humans below. Any attacks thrown at them--

--went right through them.

Literally. Kunai and Shuriken went right through their dark bodies, rippling from the entrance it came in, then flying through as if nothing where even there. There was no shift even when these attacks hit, like their bodies simply ignored the attacks as they landed and then simply charged. The pitch black, yellowed eyed monkey like creatures launched themselves at the party. Attacking them in a manner that pushed the group further from each other.

Hiroji who was already on his way to the East Road, dodged the sweeping claws that came from the hands of the first dark night primeape that attacked him.

He withdrew a kunai and then droppped it into the ground behind him- the monkeys stopped upon seeing it- and when they did, as he grew further away- he detonated it with a hand sign.

The boom threw up a cloud of smoke and dirt, and a second after, the creatures continued their charge after him, no sign of injury or harm available. The longer they stayed in this open glade, the easier to attack everyone was. Hiroji vanished down the East Road. Gone.

The only sign he was nearby, was when three explosives went off at a safe distance away from the others, creating an explosion that threw up smoke and dirt, giving almost everyone the cover and chance they needed to wrestle themselves out of their situation and make a hasty rush towards a road to get away from their intangible attackers.

Mentions: n/a

Effected: @BriiAngelic Taigakitt Mook-LandStrider @Beski @Beann specters @Japanime @Elenion Aura @Bluesten @Phayne @Xcelgamer thorspuddingcup @Salvagers Salvation

 

[Taigakitt]

Reika Tsukiyama
CS​

…

Being vocally silent, while possible for the redheaded Chunin, wasn’t something she necessarily enjoyed. Nonetheless, she obeyed. She watched as others hadn’t and were taken away. At least they were serious in their threat.

Hachi spoke about rewards for Chunin. Reika was curious about those rewards, but she was also interested in fulfilling her duty, to help the cute Genin rise the ranks. Not without trouble caused by her, of course.

As Hachi continued his speech, Reika folded her hands behind her back, which had a rather large fan attached. She wasn’t one to sit still as she silently swayed and listened to the Advisor, a happy grin plastered to her face. The outfit she wore was designed to show off as much skin as she possible could. Crop top, short shorts. Honestly, not very protective versus sharp objects, but necessary for her.

As hand signs flew, she readied herself, unlatching her hands. Though, she had stumbled as the earth rose underneath them. Her hands went to the ground, splayed out. To not appear ungraceful, she turned it into a stretch, similar to the downward dog as her back arched inwards into the stretch.

Once the pillar stopped its ascent, she slowly rolled her body up and stretched her arms up above her head. A person should stretch before strenuous exercise, after all! Knowing that this would be a competition, there would be some pretty strenuous exercise.

Then, they were no longer on the pillar, but seemingly within the rather large forested area of Akuma Woods. Since she had been stretching with her arms tilted back slightly, she had almost fallen backwards. She righted herself quickly, her dark eyes scanning their new surroundings. Pitch black where the glowing foliage and lights didn’t touch. It made for an eerie forest. It didn’t take long for her to realize the yellow paired orbs were not from flora, but from fauna.

To Reika, Chunin versus Genin meant to not help the Genin. They’d have to solve this on their own. Though she’d love to play with them later. Now wouldn’t be the time.

The serious boy she had eyed up earlier, she recognized him in passing, and she has seen him in action from the prior year when they were shooting to become Chunin. She recalled him mostly using a staff of some sort. Ikemoto was the family name, a name she was very familiar with. She hadn’t really seen him since they passed. Her fan was her new addition since then.

Removing said large fan from her back, she quickly followed after him, just as the ape creatures attacked. She noted how it seemed physical items passed right through their bodies. Shadow Clones? No. They would have just poofed away.

No time to think about that.

Not ready to test if her abilities would have an affect on them, she danced away from one that lunged at her. She jumped a distance away, backwards, using her momentum to throw a gust of wind in the direction of the one that tried to scratch or bite at her, empowered by a touch of her chakra interacting with her fan, though she didn’t start with her Kekkai Genkai.

Mentions: The Regal Rper ​

Landing carefully, she turned tail, keeping speed with Hiroji just as an explosion came from behind them. She used the explosion as a chance to let him know she was nearby, “Hello again~” She wouldn’t make another peep until it would be safer to do so, considering the situation.

 

[The Regal Rper]

Hiroji & Reika
Collab by Regal & Taiga
East Road of Akuma Woods​

As a chance to let him know she was nearby, “Hello again~​

In an urgent yet calm voice he replied: "On your right, above you."

Reika swung around, using her fan once more after the notification from Hiroji-- a ink black creature painted a blood red by the orb of of light swung its arm down, and in the same instant the wind projected by the fan sent the burning yellow eyed imp flying backwards without even a cry. “Thanks!”

"Don't thank me. Those things are fast, and it looks like we're in their home base."

Yellow eyes and dark bodies illuminated by the orange flakes that permeated the forest and strange diamond cones that hung off branches, swung from tree to tree. Branches creaked and like stars chasing after them from above as they ran the ink black primeape creatures chased after them from the massive branches above.

A groan from wood signalled a branch taking on heavy weight and not more than a second after, three of the dark monkey entities launched towards their targets. Two came at opposite sides of Reika, closing the distance by only a few feet then bringing their arm back and whipping the hand out as claws sprang out and the arm extended, coming down like whips.

The third grew in size, puffing up like a bodybuilder in body as it came directly from above where Hiroji would be as the latter turned to give Reika his attention.

"Claws! 3 and 9 o'clock, either side of you!"

Dark eyes quickly took in the positions of the creatures flanking on either side of her. Reika had no choice but to attempt using her body now. She slunk down low to the ground as she reattached the now-closed fan to her back and backed up towards 3 o’clock, wrapping her hands around it’s arm, seeping pheromones across her skin; this chemical was particularly for a desire to sleep, aiming to also use it’s weight against it and throw it over her body.

Launched over her shoulder the creature coming at Reika's 9, directly in front of her as she turned, slammed into its ally that Reika had grabbed and thrown.

In that same instant, the creature above Hiroji brought it's car sized body down on top of him. There was a heaving and echoing thud, the ground vibrating and shaking with the force of the dark imp's landing.

The sound of the thud that hadn’t come from her 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock creatures caught her attention and she shouted out in surprise. Not wanting to leave him alone, Reika ran over and jumped on the creature's back, wrapping her arms around its neck the best she could, once again seeping the chemicals across her skin. “Get off of him!”

The head twisted bonelessly to look at her, the neck extended, bulged, gaining mass, breaking her lock, and then an arm came up, two fingers pinching her crop top at the back and yanking her off, flinging her towards the ground. The beast stomped on where Hiroji was last seen to have been, jumping in glee, it's massive hops causing vibrations to the ground. Yellow eyes watched over his shoulder above in the branches, silhouettes moving and watching. A total of 8 other creatures, all enjoying the show. The two Reika had slung into each other recovering, though one did so with more sluggishness that the other had to drag up. As it did, it's narrowed eyes which glared at her direction, shifted into wide yellow orbs when both ears pricked up.

Perhaps Reika was distracted by the twenty foot tall primeape that was stomping around like a excited fat child on idiotic glee, but three sets of yellow eyes looked around as if hearing something. While Reika pushed herself back to standing, she was also doing her best to avoid any stray footfalls. She couldn’t see any mushed up Hiroji under the beast, which made her wonder where he could have gone. It almost seemed like the chemicals didn’t have much effect on the large being, which would make sense. She didn’t have much contact after all. She equipped her fan once more, flaring it open and poured chakra into it.

Reika swung her fan, though this time it wasn’t just a gust that came from the weapon, but also a red mist, aimed in the direction of the large monster. The red mist streamed forward, and in that same instant, a silhouette appeared.

Hiroji leaped upwards along the creature's side, scaling the leg, leaping off the thigh and launching off the forearm to the chin, hard stone coated his entire arm, growing by the second as if he were becoming statue- and then he struck, open palmed. A tap across the chin that made a slapping crack as the beast noticed him a second too late, it's head jerked and his attack only worsened that. Balance was lost- the red mist washed over them like a wave. Reika didn’t see him in time, so her shout of “Hold your breath!” was about useless.

Hiroji's eyes narrowed as he inhaled- nostrils flaring, he threw a hand up to his mouth- both the creature and he falling backwards, the beast losing size as it did, the first sound it ever made: a guttural sound that came from its throat.

As the beast lost mass and became the size of a squirrel monkey, Hiroji flipped himself in the air so he landed on his feet, jumped backwards, and skid to a halt a couple feet behind Reika, off to the side.

He coughed, grimacing as he rubbed his throat, squinted seeing red specs on his clothes and hands- then looked at her with a scowl. Already dizziness and a sense of exhaustion were filling his muscles and as he tried to stand, he stumbled. "Heh" the scowl becoming a sneer, "jokes on you, if you think this means-" he winced, tripped, falling backwards- "you've...won...then..."

Silence.

Hiroji fell to his knees, collapsed, then shifted once, an attempt to get up while the dark imps stared at their fallen comrade, distracted; Hiroji sneered when he flopped weakly back to the ground: "...damn…" was his only swear as he struggled futile to get back up. Struggling to keep his eyes open he felt sluggish, drowsy, but his senses were still acute if dimmed. He could still detect the things within his radar. Reika, the imps, and--

Followed me after all huh? Well...stay out of…trouble. Should...have been...more...careful....

"Heh", a final bitter sound.

And then he was still.

Mention: Mook-LandStrider

Collab: Taigakitt

 

[thorspuddingcup]

Nanako listened to the instructor's directions carefully, worry beginning to bubble up in her stomach. The surrounding Shinobi were talented, and this was no easy task that was being given to them. Especially with the Chunin being used to test the Genin's abilities. Closing her eyes, Nanako took a deep breath and steadied herself. She could do this. She would do this!

As she opened her eyes, Nanako found herself and her peers rising up on earthen platforms. She thrust her arms out at her sides to maintain her balance. The sensation of rising far above the surface of the earth was thrilling, and Nanako found herself wishing she was experiencing it under circumstances that did not involve a test of her abilities. All too soon the ride ended and Nanako found herself deposited in the dark undergrowth of the Akuma Woods.

Nanako slowly turned around, taking in both her surroundings and her fellow Genin. The others were in various states of righting themselves as well as sizing up the competition. Off in the distance the dark was punctuated by softly glowing lights. It was dreamlike. Too bad whatever gave off the light would probably try and kill her. Nanako's thoughts were cut off by the outburst from one of the male Genin. He made is point clear, if they were to meet up later on in the trial it would end in a fight. Nanako did not want to fight him. Last year in the exams Chunin hadn't been pitted against the Genin like this. She wanted to fight others on her level of skill, not above them. But, Nanako didn't want to follow the guy either. She would probably end up looking like some lost puppy. No, she would take another path and hope she never crossed his.

Nanako stepped forwards, about to make her way towards the northern path. Once out of sight of the others, she would scramble up into the tree's for cover and watch her competion. Hopefully she would learn some more about them and their fighting style, and thus have a better chance of beating them if a fight were to occur. The instructor had also mentioned color coded signs to guide them towards their goal. Hopefully she could follow those from above the surface of the ground.

Before Nanako could go any further, the group was attacked. What looked like monkeys made of shadows launched themselves at the Shinobi. Quickly, Nanako unsheathed her kunai and placed them between her fingers in a defensive stance. The one who had spoken moments ago flung a weapon at one, and Nanako watched as it flew through the monkey as if the monkey wasn't there at all.

"These aren't normal monkey's..." Nanako thought to herself. Genjutsu perhaps? Putting the kunai away, Nanako quickly placed her hands in the correct position and focused her chakra. "Release!"
But nothing happened. The animals kept coming.

"Damn!" If they weren't a genjutsu, then just were these things?! Weapons obviously had no effect on them, it seemed as if her only option was to run and hope for the best. Having been too busy focusing on trying to release the nonexistant genjutsu, Nanako hadn't noticed bomb left by the boy. Her world shook, and her vision was obstructed by dirt and smoke flowing through the air. Perhaps it would be enough to escape by. Coughing, Nanako ran from her position, not realizing she was now on the south road instead of the northern road she had planned on taking. Things were not off to a good start...

Where: South Path
Interactions: None

 

[specters]

操り人形師

ichima tamaki

location

Akuma Woods | North Road

tags

n/a

Ichima was silent while the advisor welcomed them and then continued on with their explanation. His goal was to take in as much information as possible and put it to memory, as he knew there would be no second explanation. It was a once-over, and every shinobi here knew it. "This will get bumpy" As soon as those words reached his ears, the boy braced himself, though a little too late as he was still jolted by the sudden rise of the pillars.

He regained himself quickly and listened to the rest of what the advisor had to say before being handed a kunai and suddenly being jolted into the dark forest. This time he doubled over and fell to his knees thanks to the sudden impact of movement. Bright teal eyes took a look around before he brought himself back up to his feet, though he wasn't able to glean much information from his surroundings. It was dark, there seemed to be no sky, and the only thing that stood out to him was the red light and the faces of his fellow shinobi. It wasn't long before somebody spoke up, it was a Chunin that Ichima didn't recognize, though the same could be said for most of the Chunin present. He only knew the Genin around him because of proximity, though he couldn't boast a relationship with any of them either. This would be tough for him. He'd have to adapt to teaming up with what were basically complete strangers, at least for the beginning of this trial.

He listened carefully to what the Chunin said, "Try not to die!" The same words spoken by Hachi, they rang in his ears. It was a daunting phrase. In light conversation it might have been a joke, but here he knew it carried weight, because there was every chance that he could die. The Chunin took off, though not before being set upon by shadowy creatures. Not even a second afterwards, Ichima was set upon by the same creatures. He brandished his tanto blade and made a quick swipe towards one of them but was astonished to find his blade went right through its body. These were no ordinary creatures. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek as he attempted to jump away from them, but was tackled by a group of them. An explosion went off, sending dust and debris everywhere, he wasn't sure where it came from but it seemed to have distracted the creatures long enough for him to wriggle free and take off running towards the North road.

He was quick to sheathe his blade and climb high into the trees, a hand instinctively going towards his bag to feel for the two scrolls he'd placed there. They were still there. Good. He would need them if he was going to survive this ordeal. He didn't have much time to ponder on strategy or what he was going to do as the creatures were quick to regain themselves and chase after, he couldn't even tell if anybody else had followed towards the North road, so for now he'd take off further down the road. It was his only move, to run away, at least until he had help or more information.

code by @Nano

 

[Taigakitt]

Reika Tsukiyama​

Panic shot through the redhead’s body. While she felt like she would be capable on her own and get through this, she would much rather have a helping hand in the beginning. Recognizing Hiroji, he was one that she wanted to get to know more. She recalled that he never interacted much with her at the Academy.

With the behemoth of a monkey having shrunk in size, she put her fan back onto her back. Swiftly, she turned around. Shit. He’s gonna think I aimed at him!

Scrubbing a hand down her face, muttering a “fuck,” she scooped him up into her arms and took off running. She didn’t want to get stuck amongst a herd of these things and would find her way to a safer location, keeping an ear out for any enemies. If there was still that one person following them, she could handle them, but they had yet to make themselves known.

Once in a safer location, Reika plopped to the ground on her knees, panting. What’s one of the best ways to show she meant no harm?

A lightbulb went off in her head as she then adjusted Hiroji to where his head sat on her lap. She also took the opportunity to run her fingers through his hair carefully. While her kekkei genkai is what made him pass out, she couldn’t necessarily reverse it. It would have to fade on its own. It didn’t help he had a huge cloud of it go up his nose.

Mentions: The Regal Rper ​

 

[The Regal Rper]

• South & North Road

• 
  
  
  
  Chittering. Or maybe they were giggling. Taking to threes was a mistake, as Nanako followed the path of red lights in South while Ichima went North, running amongst the tree tops each were quickly surrounded by 5 starry eyed creatures. The glowing yellow eyed, and the 'chit-hah-hah-ah' sound they made with their mouths absurdly loud, almost ominous in the way they kept their distance. Making that weird sound, as if they were laughing or talking to each other in excitement as they bounced effortless from branch to branch, chasing after her.
  
  An interesting thing to note was that they didn't immediately attack, they merely made that strange sound and did so repeatedly.
  
  Whatever attack Ichima might have made to dissuade them failed and no matter where Nanako went while she was up in the trees was futile because they were quickly on her back.
  
  Without even realizing it, Red lights traded for blue. Blue lights signalled the wrong path and if either tried to circle back, they were attacked. Although being attacked was inevitable.
  
  One charged Nanako and made the attempt to slash her with its dark claws, if she countered or attacked or dodged, another, this one large, grabbed her from the back and Chittering loudly flung her in a random direction where she went upside down in loops, doing rolls in the air unless she gathered her bearings. The second she was on her feet again the chase was on.
  
  And she had no clue she was now heading towards an intersection that all the roads tied into.
  
  Ichima found no luck either. The dark creatures threw their claws at him and his only option was to dodge or parry. The two foot little starry eyed imps slashed like a coordinated quintet and lashed out in a series of strikes that kept Ichima on his toes, guarding and dodging or even having to attack and fend himself. At some point, red became blue and in the process, he had also ended up being pushed towards the same intersection that Nanako was being hunted down towards.
  
  To them strange bioluminescent lights blurred together into a curtain of moving colors as they focused on simply living and surviving. Before they knew it, the road had opened up, where the path had vanished a new one opened- orange lights- ignum beetles moved on trunks, their cataracts flowing as they arranged themselves into a simple word.
  
  CHECKPOINT
  
  Yet up ahead, was what should have caught both their attention. A gust of wind that was accompanied with cries and howling as she landed, the redhead gently brought the body she was carrying down and rested his body against the stem under the cover of a large mushroom.
  
  Eyes searching and scanning, the redhead relaxed her stance, and reattaching her fan she moved to the unconscious body, and then brought him closer before resting he vanished from view as she took her spot somewhere beside him.
  
  In that moment as the two ran, they should have recognised her as Reika Tsukiyama.
  
  The redhead had been with the same Chunin that had shouted and wished all the others. Luck, and while the primates did not slow in their chase, it was one simple action that changed everything in the next few seconds.
  
  Ambushed, Nanako was grabbed, a large hand expanding and snatching her up, it slingshot backwards and then threw her straight towards Reika's massive mushroom. Like a pitch, and she was the ball. If she didn't time it properly, she'd be paste. Ichima would have seen her go flying by, and while she did, Nanako should have seen the incoming target of one starry eyed creature, heading in her path of incoming contact. Aiming for Reika and the unconscious Chunin from above, right where she'd be landing.
  
  Time was of the essence. And Reika had no clue, it seemed, of what was about to happen.
  
  
  

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