Fandom Naruto: Last of the Fallen Blossoms

[InsaneAsylum]

Izanami Kutsuki
Izanami looked on, in sheer awestruck, jaw dropping surprise at the chunk of flesh Enkai’s jutsu took out of the man’s torso. Before that moment, Izanami hadn’t though much of his odd abilities. But the sheer raw power behind that technique was undeniable.

However, the ninja was still alive, albeit keeled over on his knees. A wave of blood surged out of his mouth before he was reduced to labored raspy breaths.

Izanami approached carefully, her blade, Sesshu-ki still in hand. Her eyes were fixed on his form, and it was far more pathetic than the villainous image of ninja she held in her mind. Despite him killing her people, she could see some of the humanity within him through his pain. She felt her hatred for him begin to melt away, but then the memories of the fallen samurai reverberated in her mind, reminding her of what they’d done.

The hatred returned. But even still, a samurai had no need to prolong their enemies suffering. It was her duty to finish things.

She pointed the tip of her blade at the man’s face, holding it only inches away.

“Accept your death with honor, ninja. It’s over.”

She withdrew her blade from his face, and stepped beside him, raising Sesshu-ki vertically and to the right of her chest. Taking a deep breath, she then lifted her blade into the air. The weight of the odachi strained against her already fatigued arms.

A gentle breeze blew through, and a crow cawed loudly in the near-distance.

Then, with a single swing and well-practiced flick of the wrist, She swung down at his neck with a powerful stroke of the blade.

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Squad Nadeshiko
The bandit leader charging Shaoko was too overcomitted to react properly, but he was vaguely able to follow Shaoko's general direction and intent as the boy had been in plain sight ahead of him. Reacting on crude instinct the man twisted desperate to swat over his head, trying to ward away the boy even as his spear plunged downwards inexorably towards his flesh.

The results were mixed, the man's desperate twisting ensured that the spear plunged into his meaty shoulder instead of somewhere more lethal. At the same time the broad, fluctuating surface area of the club allowed the bandit to clip shako with a glancing blow. The unstable technique burst like a popped balloon and that along with the weight of the club knocked the boy off his precise course over to the left to land among the fallen bandits. As for the bandit, his evasive manoeuvre left him woefully unbalanced so the spear blow drove him to the ground, where he landed heavily on his side, roaring like a wounded bear.

"GAAAAHHH! HE GET ME WITH SOME DAMN DIRTY TRICK! AVENGE ME LADS! AVENGE YOUR BELOVED LEADER!" Yelled the man, rallying his troops.

The results were, again, mixed. Some bandits near where Shaoko was projected to land sprung to their feet and coverged on him with chipped daggers and hand axes. Many of the more inured bandits or those simply near enough the periphery of the battle to judge their chances of escape to be favourable, simply scattered like fleeing rats, aiming broadly for the tree line they had first emerged from most commonly.

Ganryu Orikanyo Spoiled Bread

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Koyome Omozukai
she really went ahead and finished him off hmm? Koyome thought, watching Izumi's back with a guarded expression and a begrudging hint of admiration. The adrenaline that had been pumping through her veins fled, leaving Koyome feeling like wrung out like a used rag drenched in sweat and tossed away. She wanted desperately to crawl out of her contraption, to feel the cool forest air on her skin but it was too early for that. For now they were still in the field with at least one hostile shinobi potentially still active, as far as Koyome was concerned the mission was over when she was back in her workshop improving her puppets for next time. Chunori had performed adequately in its live combat debut but there were many parameters that could be improved and having to rely on spamming so many explosive tags like that was an inelegant and shoddy solution. Perhaps she could....

Inside her puppet body Koyome shook her head, she was getting distracted again! The first order of business was wrapping things up here!

"Without a casualty to evacuate it's probably best to turn back and report to Yukari Sensei," Koyome said, her tone betraying weariness even if her puppet's artificial posture did not. "If she was being pressed I think she would have dismissed Hikari here to conserve her chakra. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if she arrived shortly,"

As if a Hyuuga jonin would lose so easily Koyome added to herself with a mental sniff. Speaking of Hikari however..

"Should that be dressed or something?" Koyome asked the tigress offhandedly, glancing at the nasty kunai wound in her back. "I don't know how it works with contracted summons exactly," an embarrassing admission, but Koyome was too tired to care right now.

Phayne InsaneAsylum KageYuuki

 

[Ganryu]

Akari Tone - Squad Nadeshiko

Akari watched the duel as she mindlessly whittled the wood, only getting in a few strokes as Shaoko quickly gained the upper hand. It sparked some imaginations of stories of samurai of old. Then Akari blinked.

Wait... is that the point? Is he showing off, or does he fight like this? It's beautiful to watch though...

Granted, the threats to call Ms. Nadeshiko did make Akari gulp. There was something... wrong about her. Her father told her above all else, above reason, and above logic, trust your gut. If something didn't seem right, it probably wasn't. Ms. Nadeshiko seemed so nice though, but her gut jumped in loops.

Akari also noticed both Hibari and Koga were suddenly gone. Wait, was it a good thing they were good at stealth? Or a bad thing that she hadn't noticed it...? Pity... Akari had just met them, and she already loved their conversations. They were so far her favorite teammates.

The duel progressed with mutual blows, Shaoko sent flying, but the bandit leader clearly having lost, howling as he held his shoulder. Akari shuddered, grabbing her shoulder in sympathy. The blow had been diverted from anywhere lethal to the inner pectoralis major, that would not heal easily. The impact probably bruised surrounding muscle groups, possibly breaking collar bone, and would make the action of breathing painful. And with the man's lack of hygeine it was an infection waiting to happen.

Then he bellowed for help, and Akari stumbled getting up, passing the wood half finished statue from her hands to Mr. Kannabi, drawing her bow again.

W-was she going to hesitate again? I-it was just like shooting game. This people were no better than animals... but they were still people. Akari flinched, before another thought came to her mind. A wicked though. Akari, if she had no reason to hesitate would not miss. She could thread shots impossibly small, hit a bull's eye, or an apple off of a fake gel head (Both her and her brother had chickened out at using him as a live target.). She would not miss if she meant to hit something. Or... nearly hit.

As the closest bandit approached Shaoko, Akari pulled back her bow, her eyes narrowing in, focusing at her target. Not... a target she liked, but, well, some things were hard to feel sympathy if you didn't know what it felt like.

-TWANG-

Her bow fired like a clap of thunder, echoing across the river as the arrow fired like lightning, threading between the man's trousers as he ran, the arrow passing straight through to the other side, smashing into what was left of the other side of the bridge with a -BANG-, the remenants of a pillar split in half.

A bit of blood dribbled down the arrow, and a cut run down his pants. Thankfully, it was only a small gash on his thigh, but high enough up it that Akari's message was clear. She loaded another arrow to emphasize and stared down the bandits thinking of helping.

If she fired again. She. Would. Not. Miss.

 

[Orikanyo]

Shaoko hojo
team Nadeshiro



"Hah! I'm a young master- AH!"

Boom.

And so he flew through the air and co0llided with a bunch of ne'erdowells and vagabonds. with a spear and a toppling young man who was very, very much still in controll of this toppling aerial flight he landed upon the dirt with a flop like a fish and with roughly about the same satisfying slap sound, if said fish was covered in metal armor. But, due to the fact he was, in essence a damn samurai he managed to flop his way back to his feet, much akin to the said fish... if it had legs...

Okay the narrator is unsure what that all means and is, lightly, drunk, so, either way Shaoko stood the hell back up and utilized the very same technique he started with to try and fend off the foes incoming.

Heaven's Lance: To reap as the sickle
D grade
-The User utilizes the slicing side of the lance's head to cut into a foe or foes to the side of the thrusting head. Good for catching those who try shifting to dodge a thrust.

 

[godjacob]

So much happened in a short window it was hard for Tokita to keep track of it.

First and foremost her branch with what seemed to be assist from that ice ninja Izumi, crashed into the zombie that had perused her and granted the samurai some space as she quickly hoped back and kept her blade extended ahead of her. More and more zombies advanced, but it seemed a swarm of additional calvery came and helped to cleave up the numbers. Tokita seemed to use her sword to slash at ice projectiles as one zombie exploded though it had cut into her shoulder as she just tried to mask through the pain.

One of them, who seemed to use electricity in Yusuke, insisted he could spare them if they get distance and while Tokita had not known these people well she knew they needed to get back and get out of here so she nodded along. "Whatever plans you have is fine just we need to keep the explosions from the refugees!" She called out, Tokita had no idea if that train had left or not but her duty to them had remained strong even as her body shook from the fear of this chaotic situation.

Next thing she knew, the tree line seemed to be just wiped out! The aforementioned reinforcements seemed to decimate it, much to the shock of the young samurai as some of the abilities of these older ninja had been monstrous! Eventually the leader of the initial group who came to aid her had called out that they were leaving and without much protest Tokita's legs seemed move on their own as the zombies were boxed in and whittled down and without the benefits of the body flicker she merely ran back fast as her legs carried her along.

Eventually she sort of stumbled by the distant tree line, one that had not been ripped to nothing before her eyes, as a pair of older men seemed to chat while she worked to catch her breath. The whole experience was quite draining, not only a consequence of the more physical labor of things, but the stress of fighting for one's life stacked on top of the run ins and....it was just a lot.

She had been on her own for a while now, her tattered clothing and bandages over certain wounds, including a fresh one on her shoulder today, all seemed to reflect that. She tore a bit of her sleeve to wrap around it to cover it up now that the immediate danger seemed to pass, but as as she had she saw that Roku guy talking all casual and he seemed to jet a thumb in her direction. Tokita raised an eyebrow before he seemed to praise her part in this manic battle and even tried to pawn her off to be taught by the head of the backup group which caused her eyes to widen.

"T-taking me in?" Tokita asked rather stunned that a wandering Samurai such as her would even be considered for a ninja squad, but as Roku made his case to Aoba and before she had a further chance to chime in he seemed to focus back on his team and began to depart which had left her in an awkward spot.

She glanced over to this Aoba, curious of her fate.


Ganryu IG42 KageYuuki Haze- ZackStop

 

[KageYuuki]

Izumi Takahashi

Squad Roku​

Izumi watched as Itto gave chase to her first arrow, blades of wind whistling through the air after his weapon. She watched his dance through the snow, weaving arrows between the pauses in his movements to slow his targets down further. Weighing down the dropped tree branch had proved a good first move as it crushed one of the zombies, the resulting explosion taking out two more with it. Had it not been for the arcing gusts of wind, the shrapnel of her own creation likely would've torn into her. Even then the pieces that did fly by, did so far too close for comfort.

But she couldn't let herself stop. She kept firing, even as her reserves burned and her hands began to sting and burn. Itto's wind was beginning to die out in the same way, she had to cover him, she had to protect him.

So focused was Izumi on that single task, that she failed to notice the puppet that had closed the gap until it was far too close for her to get a proper shot off. The air left her lungs in a shocked wheeze, eyes widening. She clutched her next arrow like a dagger, ready to stab at the hand nearing her face. But then what? It wasn't going to stop an unfeeling puppet. Another bolt of icy panic lit up her nerves. She started to shift back, her stab weak and clumsy.

It took her a moment to even process the towering wall of coral that had sprung up around the three of them. And even longer for her to realize it wasn't a new attacker. If it had been, he would've followed up with another attack. Or allowed Hogai through to finish them off. She could hear Itto voicing similar surprise and confusion at this newcomer to appear.

“Yo, Izumi. Y’know these things, don’tcha? Who’s that even s’posed ta’ be?”

She narrowed her eyes up at the man. From his elegant garb alone, he seemed the sort to be memorable. "He's . . . never been to Wolf's Refuge." Izumi looked back at the coral, her adrenaline fueled thoughts slowing enough to let her process and remember. "This is the same stuff that giant house in Hanamachi's made out of though. That one that sticks out like a sore thumb? Don't know his name, but . . . I think he answered Sensei's flare."

Though she couldn't see him past the walls of coral, Izumi could hear Hogai's shouting. Dangerous as he was, the shinobi was very easily riled up by the simplest insults. Had her heart not still been hammering away in her ears and her muscles coiled as tight as her bowstring, she might've laughed at the ridiculousness in the shift. Instead she could only let out another raspy breath as Hogai sounded the retreat and fled with another blast.

"We . . . we did it." She gasped, feeling her bow crumble away into snow. Izumi's knees buckled, bringing her crashing to the snow. She felt shaky and sick as adrenaline began ebbing from her system. Wide, dark eyes looked up at Itto, then over to Yusuke, and finally Tokita. They were none the worse for wear, an utter miracle now that she thought about it.

There was no way around it, they should've all been dead. Had their foe actually been taking things seriously, they should've all been dead. The thought twisted her stomach. She screwed her eyes shut for a moment, focusing on just keeping herself together.

The snap of a branch sent a new wave of adrenaline crashing through her body. Her shaking hand clutched at her dagger, unsure if she could even muster up enough chakra to reform her bow let alone forge another arrow. A shaky breath left her as Roku's battered form stumbled out of the trees and into sight. His own battle had been far rougher than theirs it seemed. He took a moment to talk to the newcomer - Aoba apparently - before turning to the three of them.

"Yeah, I say this with all the professional courtesy I can muster, fuck scouting rest of the route, I'm going to the hotsprings, bar, and docs. In that order."

Izumi was surprised at the snort that escaped her at their sensei's wording. She had to agree with him though, to hell with the rest of the scouting route. Chances were none of them even had the energy to manage it anyway. At least she and Itto likely didn't. Yusuke didn't seem to burn through his reserves in quite the same way they had. "Sensei, if you try to get in the springs at Wolf's Refuge all bloody like that, mom's likely to throw you out in the snow."

"Izumi, uh.... 'ice job', there? Pretty well placed shots. That said, you need to work on not bein' so scared, take a page out of Itto's book."

She hesitated, tightening her fists around her dagger and the snow. Work on not being so scared? Their first mission as a team, as full fledged samurai even had them facing off against a madman far stronger than any of them. How could she not be afraid? She wanted to snarl and snap at the man, but sheer exhaustion drained the fight from her very bones. The quiet murmur of "Yes, sensei," was all she could muster in the moment. Getting a good look at her burning hands, she could see the source of her pain. Bright red marks blossomed across both of her hands. Small angry spots that threatened to worsen into open wounds if she'd forced much more chakra through her hands. They mirrored the scars on her mother's hands, wounds that had robbed her use of her own jutsu. Izumi recalled the masked kunoichi that frequented the hot springs, how she had taken a look. Ruptured tenketsu, she'd said. Points that could no longer handle chakra. She couldn't have come that close to the same fate, could she?

Watching Roku stagger away towards Hanamachi, she wanted to follow him. But something made Izumi hesitate, kept her rooted in the snow. She looked around the battlefield, the ruined bodies that had been turned into puppets. Forced to become weapons instead of being allowed rest. She was silent for a long moment, just taking it all in as the shaking in her hands slowly subsided and her heartbeat slowed. "...There's hardly anything even left to bury." Her voice was barely a whisper. "Still . . ." Still though, she couldn't just leave them like that, could she? They deserved something, anything.

Sheathing her dagger, Izumi forced herself to unsteady feet. "You guys can go on ahead if you want." Her voice was strained and tired, but it was more audible. "I'm going to . . . I don't even know what I can do." She forced her exhausted body to move, shuffling through the snow towards the carnage of the battle. "Maybe . . . stack stones?" Anything would be better than this.

IG42 godjacob Haze- ZackStop Ganryu

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Hibari Yozora / Squad Nadeshiko
Location: Yasaji Bridge

Hibari hugged her knees and folded her own body to become as small as possible. With the white cloak covering her presence like this, she somehow feels weirdly secure here, like a kid hiding in a fort made of pillow. Or maybe she's just a cat in her previous life, who knows. Even when being covered by the sheet, she could easily hear Shaoko and the bandit leader yelling at each other, and then the bandits shouted to rally his allies and decided to gang on Shaoko.

Yup, as she expected. The bandits didn't really want to duel him. She regretted not telling shaoko that.

...

A curious noise drew her attention and she peeked out of the sheet to see some of the bandits distancing themself from the battle. They're trying to run away!

These bandits... were the lowest kind of criminals she ever met. Hibari hates people who takes other people's possession, but these people didn't even have the courage to finish what they've started and would rather ditch their allies to save themself.

The lowest scums.

They deserve what's coming next. Hibari gritted her teeth while unsheathing her sword.

As if knowing what Hibari would do next, a loud caw could be heard from the sky. Koga was flying above the fleeing bandits, circling them like a vulture. The bandits paid him no mind as he's justa single crow but Hibari knew what he's trying to say. I'm ready anytime.

Hibari smiled at the sight of her loyal partner. She put both of her hands together and quickly performed a jutsu that she had been training for a while. Beast clone jutsu: Koga's transformation!

A puff of smoke suddenly appears around the crow, and a brief moment later, a Hibari fell from the sky and landed right on one of the bandit's face, sending him tumbling into the snowy ground. The figure that just fell from the sky dusted their jacket before looking around at the bandits with a disgusted expression.

"Resign yourself and accept your fate, O you pathetic ones." Depsite the figure looking exactly like a twelve years old girl Hibari, the voice that came out from them was deep and raspy, much more similar to that of a man's. He stomped the fallen bandit's head before yelling out loud. "DROP YOUR WEAPONS OR FACE MY MASTER'S WRATH!"

Having no time to play along with the strange kid, the injured bandits mustered their remaining strength and charged towards Koga. Meanwhile the beast clone's eyes darted left and right as he frantically looking for Hibari, so far he had been doing fine by just talking nonsense and displaying confidence, like usual, but now he needs Hibari to decide what she would do. He got his answer when he saw a black sword rising among the snow in the distance, the blade gleaming green with wind chakra on it. Koga actually wasn't too good with the sword on his own, but he could mimic Hibari just fine. Taking a stance with his sword extended forward, Koga performed a wide vertical swing that send a wave of sharp wind at the bandits' direction.

Wind Kata: Wind Slash!

The bandits raised their weapon to guard against the attack, but then they got hit by another wave of wind that hit them from the exact opposite direction. Behind them, stand a similar figure to the one in front of them. Realizing they had been flanked from two sides, some of them decided to simply just surrender. Some of them did managed to get away though, there's simply too many of them to be taken care of.

AtlannianSpy Ganryu Orikanyo

 

[KageYuuki]

Squad Yukari
Already beaten and battered, Fumio really didn't have a chance to try and recover from Chuunori gouging out his eye. A pained hiss through clenched teeth as he kept a hand pressed against the wound, though the pressure did little to slow the bleeding. This meant the shinobi was ill prepared for Enkai's own attack, even as delayed as it was. A short, choked scream tore from Fumio's throat as he collapsed to his knees. A thick, wet cough splattered the snow in dark crimson. Weak, ragged breaths filled the clearing.

He looked at the blade that suddenly appeared before his eyes, following its length until he met Izanami's own gaze. He made no effort to stand, no movement to prepare an attack or defend. "Maybe . . . you three will be alright out there." With a single swing of the sword, it was over. A perhaps unceremonious end to their first battle. Silence settled back into the forest like a blanket. Though whether it was comforting or smothering was another thing entirely.

A low hum rumbled in Hikari's chest as she watched the Mokunoha, her tail swishing thoughtfully. The seed of something dangerous had seemingly taken root. Seems she may need to keep a watchful eye on that one. At Koyome's question, the tigress turned towards her. "That would be most helpful, yes. Some summons are capable of healing themselves, but that isn't within my purview. Perhaps if I were able to use senjutsu like Kyubei."

"Seems I missed a lot," Yukari said as she stepped down from the branch she was perched on. One of her sleeves was burnt away, leaving a few patches of angry red skin in its wake but she seemed none the worse for wear otherwise. The masked Haganenoha seemed to take in the scene for a long moment, looking between the two bodies in the snow before her gaze turned back to the trio. "I suppose that explains why his friend was in such a hurry to draw me away." She sighed, "I'm sorry this happened, you three. I'd hoped to delay this . . . introduction to the reality of things until you were more used to working with each other. But you kept each other alive, that's what matters in the end." Yukari nodded to the tigress, "Go get some rest, Hikari, you've more than earned it."

The summon vanished in a cloud of smoke.

She took another look around the clearing, struggling to figure out the right thing to say. "Let's . . . head back, you three. I'll see if I can get some tetsunoha back out here to bring these four home." Yukari started back towards Hanamachi, though her pace was more measured than the rapid pace they had taken on the way there. She cleared her throat after a moment. "I'd planned on taking you three for yakiniku after we'd finished for the day, the invitation still stands if you'd like."


Phayne InsaneAsylum AtlannianSpy

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Squad Nadeshiko
"One! Two! Three! All Eyes on me!" Called a familiar voice from off to the side of the melee. Nadeshiko's tone was firm but not harsh, as if she was addressing a classroom of rowdy children instead of a crowd of hardened criminals and three young samurai. Despite this, everyone in the area froze and all eyes did inexorably find their way towards Nadeshiko Sensei, it might have been the touch killing intent that infused her otherwise mild words, it might also have been the the severed head she held primly in front of her with both hands.

"Now you all recognize this fellow yes? You're leader or some such. Good, I am just about out of patience with you lot for today so I will ask you all once. Once. To lie face down on ground and cross your wrists behind your backs, am I clear? Excellent, my students will be around shortly to bind you"

There was no hint of rebellion among the bandits, many were to injured to continue fighting and there were only a handful who had not already been cowed by Akari and Hibari's intimidation tactics. Some of the few who managed to slip past Hibari tried to slink off into the trees but only got a few more steps away before they felt Nadeshiko's icy smile boring into their backs and lost their nerve. Within moments only the three Mokunoha and two adults were left standing, clearing the way for Nadeshiko to place the head on the grass like a soccerball and then walk over to her students with a warmer expression.

"Is everyone all right? Mr Kannabi, you are unharmed? Good, good well done everyone. This was all a bit unexpected but you've performed marvellously. Would you please go around and secure the wrists of these ruffians? If you don't have wire or rope or need more I have spare in my apron. In the meantime Mr. Kannabi, you'll be able to perform your jutsu, I don't expect any more trouble but I'll be right here in any case,"

Looking a bit perturbed, the heavily bearded man merely grunted in affirmative and moved to sit down crosslegged on the banks of the river then began flicking through an elaborate series of handseals. Shortly thereafter, a rumbling in the ground signalled the activation of the jutsu.

Earth Release: Canyon spanning Earth Serpent Technique

Just as Kannabi had promised, his technique was somewhat more elaborate than a typical earth release. Several animated serpents of earth burst up from the ground and crossed over the span of the river, their earthen skin glimmering with fragments of hardening minerals. Intertwining and weaving among themselves the serpents formed arches and triangles that altogether would result in a lighter and stronger structure than a simple length of rock.

"Nicely done," Said Nadeshiko, with a satisfied nod before turning back to her students. "How are you all feeling? I packed lunches if you are hungry? Or we could head straight back to the capital, it has been a busy day after all,"

Orikanyo Spoiled Bread Ganryu

 

[KageYuuki]

Akari Tone
Izumi Takahashi

Archer Showdown​

Izumi bit back a yawn as she marched through the snow, listening to the sharp crunch underfoot. She hadn’t slept all that well the night before, between a noisy guest and lingering stress over her first mission. But this wasn’t the time to be tired. She had a mission! And thanks to a little detour, she knew exactly where her target was. She stretched her arms over her head, enjoying the small pockets of warm sunlight that filtered in between the trees as she walked. The thought that she could fail had briefly crossed her mind a few times, either her challenge could be outright refused or she could lose altogether. But that didn’t matter. She had a score to settle. Besides, since when did Akari ever refuse one of her challenges?

Stepping into the clearing that served as her rival’s current training ground, Izumi spotted her mark already hard at work. “Oiii! Akariii!” Her voice echoed in the quiet late morning air. Maybe Itto was right about her being too loud.

Slow, ragged breaths drew out breath vapor in front of a wrapped scarf, fingers turning slightly red from cold and the draw of a bow string. And a dozen arrows sticking out of the weirdest points on training dummies, drawn from above. Akari had been there since early in the morning, taking out frustrations on the dolls, bothered by her father going out drinking. It always made more chores to clean up after, and always upset Akari, who, in turn, always took it out in the training field.

Akari’s legs tensed as she readied to jump once more, only for an ‘OI!’ to catch her right as she jumped, Akari flailing with a small ”Eep!”, before she reflexively tried to form a platform under her with double jump only to fail, and faceplant straight into a snow bank.

Akari didn’t even bother to get up as her legs dangled out of it, knowing that voice. Some challenge. Akari could use a challenge right about now. Secretly she smirked, but didn’t bother responding otherwise.

Izumi could approach her, after all.

The green haired samurai winced at Akari’s less than graceful dive, rubbing the back of her neck. ”heh… whoops.” That now made two different people she’d startled into falling this week. Granted Roku wasn’t likely to wake up on his own without one of them doing something, and Akari tended to get so into her training she wouldn’t notice you right away. Izumi still felt a little bad about the face plant.

Shaking her head, Izumi strode forward. “So your old man was over last night, drinking and playing games with Pops. Sure you already know.” It was a common enough occurrence, the two retired samurai getting together and talking late into the night. “It wasn’t long before they started debating which one of us was the better archer. For an hour straight! Until mom came in and changed the topic.” Stopping, Izumi crouched beside the snowbank and smirked. “Since they couldn’t settle it, why don’t we? See who’s currently the better archer. Loser has to buy lunch.”

Akari wiggled out with a ‘pop’, snow still stuck in her hat as she shook her head like a dog, listening to the tale. She was glad her father had friends he could rely on, just… not the overly drunk part. The argument sounded stupid, with Akari slowing head shake to a simple ‘no’ speed instead of ‘removing all snow’ speed.

“Stupid… there isn’t a debate.” She looked at Izumi, and smirked, her voice almost growing audible as a vein slightly bulged. “Well, where’s your bow then? After all, a real archer uses arrows, not popsicles! … besides, I’m the only one who knows how to cook anyways…”

Izumi scowled, leaning closer. “At least I don’t have to worry about ever running out of arrows. Or are those spears you’re firing?”

Before Akari could take it further, suddenly both Akari and Izumi could feel the cold hands of a Yukionna wrap around their shoulders out of nowhere in the snowy forest. No sound made as the apparent ghost pulled against each other in a friendly hug, as Mrs. Tomo Tone, Akari’s mother, seemed to apparate out of nowhere.

“My, my, what’s this, girls? A little healthy competition? What do you say to a little balloon popping as your contest then? I’ll keep count, I really don’t want to listen to the same argument again, after all.”

Just as suddenly, balloons with cartoonish yokai faces began to inflate. Almost as if a certain someone had been expecting the very argument since last night.



Izumi nearly jumped like Akari had earlier at the sudden hand tugging on her shoulder. Her hand dropped to the dagger on her belt. Even without chakra running through it, it felt like grabbing ice. She let out a shaky breath, swallowing back her heart hammering in her throat as she recognized the voice. Izumi hadn’t even heard, let alone seen Mrs. Tone approaching them. Had she been following her since she stopped by the house to ask where Akari was?

“Balloon popping? Sounds good to me.” Already, cartoony targets were inflating and rising from the snow. Did she know I was coming? Shaking away the thought, Izumi pushed herself to her feet and brushed away the snow. She brought her hands together for a short set of handsigns before drawing her tanto. Ice began to form and spread out from the weapon, forming into a bow.

Yuki Onna’s Forge

Akari merely nodded, grabbing a few extra packs of quivers, and beginning to immediately run up a nearby tree.

Tree Climbing Jutsu

She shook a bit in the cold, still poofs of breath vapor rising, excited and worried rolled in one. She’d talked big, but Izumi always kept up in the academy. It was infuriating. And as she eyed the ice forming into a bow, she snarled. Was ninjutsu just better? She scanned around for the balloons, looking for where to start.

Below, Ms. Tone hummed to herself as she set up an hourglass, and fiddled with it, before picking up what looked like a fireworks canister, and holding it straight up as a flare.

Seconds ticked by.

“On your marks.”

Akari gulped.

Izumi drew a slow breath, an ice arrow forming between her fingers. Her nerves buzzed in excitement.

“Get ready.”

Akari’s fingers fumbled for her arrows.

“GO!” She fired the flare upwards in a burst, before Akari began to unload, her large spear sized arrows popping 4 of them in rapid succession.

While Akari launched herself skyward, Izumi remained rooted. She pulled the bowstring back to her cheek and fired in practiced motions. The lower draw weight on her bow gave her an advantage in terms of speed, sending shimmering arrows soaring towards the balloons. She popped 9 in the time it took Akari to take out 4. See if you make fun of my arrows again. Maybe I’ll turn you into a popsicle!

Akari turned, snarling at the success of her rival. Confidence, it comes from confidence. For a moment, she stopped firing, standing up straight, chakra gathering in her feet.

A moment later, she body flickered past a balloon, aiming past it, before firing in a straight line, grazing 3 in a row, but enough to pop each and every one in that line. A quick footstool and double jump and she found herself upside down, but not at all dizzy as she calmly fired, again, and again. Seven more, total of eleven. J-just calm down, Akari, you are the daughter of the Flying General, trust his style. I have one more tool….

Rivalry and constant sniping aside, part of Izumi had to admit her opponent’s style was impressive to watch. It was flashy, being able to dance through the air like that. Even if she wouldn’t necessarily be admitting it out loud any time soon. Focus! Izumi drew another arrow. This wasn’t the time to be watching acrobatics. But she’d lost time, only managing to pop 3 in quick, successive shots. Twelve . . . just gotta stay ahead.

“Ooooh, score is 11-12, Izumi winning.” Mrs Tone declared with a smile, and eyes hidden in such a smile, almost a wonder she could see any of them. “I wonder what both of you will do?”

Don’t stop! Don’t stop! Akari’s eyes went wild around looking for more balloons, the easy ones were getting harder to find! She needed more! More! She couldn’t just end like this! She spied a couple of shadows behind trees. Of course her mother would! Akari drew back her bow, and eyes began to narrow in focus. She took a deep breath as she landed, racing towards them, focusing more and more, her arm trembling from strain on the massive war bow. And then Akari began to slowly relax it. She’d never GET there in time before Izumi’s smaller bow weeded through the branches. She needed something. She needed to do something.

Akari’s brain rushed and rushed, and she almost acted on instinct. Her hand ran down the shaft of her arrow, chakra gathering against one side, tracing a platform, just like her double jump, against the entire arrow.

She didn’t WANT to lose!!!

Akari drew back the arrow, and fired completely to the left of it.

The arrow fired at high speeds, before completely changing direction. It missed the balloon completely. But Akari nodded, figuring out the speed. She knew exactly how to curve her arrows.

Hunter’s Technique: Dragonfly Arrow

She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She drew another arrow, and fired. -pop-
She went to draw another… and found her quiver empty.

Izumi sucked a cold breath over her teeth, watching the way Akari landed and sprinted off. I can’t lose now. So close! Don’t let her pull ahead now! She wasn’t about to lie down and let Akari steal the win just yet. Not without a fight. Picking off the last easily visible balloon, Izumi rapidly scanned the training field for another target. Had her opponent not fired off into the trees, she would have missed the hidden balloons entirely.

Her smaller arrows indeed had an easier time slipping past the branches compared to Akari’s. But Akari had a headstart. The rapid pops behind her signaled she already figured out a workaround to her own drawback. Come on, think![/color] Izumi nocked an arrow, drawing and firing in a smooth motion as she scrambled for something to regain her edge. The muscles in her arm strained, yelling their displeasure as firing so many shots in rapid succession so soon after her first mission. If I could just divide and conquer . . .

An idea snapped into place. Why couldn’t she? The arrow Izumi was holding fell away into diamond dust as she moved to a new set of handsigns. The new arrow that formed in her hand had a forked arrowhead instead of a more standard point. If Akari’s going to be bouncing all around with trick shots, why can’t I break out something flashy?

Izumi loosed the new arrow, watching it soar through the air before dividing in half, popping one balloon and barely missing the second. Izumi grinned. It was a start. Several more arrows followed as she steadily dialed in aiming both shots. Unlike Akari, Izumi didn’t have the drawback of an empty quiver.

Just an empty hourglass.

“Time!” Called out below as Mrs Tone turned the hourglass back over with the same placid smile just as Akari reached for her final knife.

“Final score: 20 - 19. Winner: Izumi! You go girl, I’m sure your pa would be proud. I’ll be sure to tell him. Pretty close one though. ”

In the distance, Akari sulked for a moment, collecting her arrows from various trees, not saying a word. She crouched, and pulled at one embedded in wood, before it snapped, and Akari sighed. She turned to Izumi, and gave a simple nod, before taking the few arrows she had recovered, and heading in deeper in the woods.

Mrs. Tone merely shrugged. “You know how she is, I’d probably expect some bear meat in the next few days. Good job, Izumi. If I’m not wrong… that last technique of yours looked new, does it have a name?”

Izumi blinked at Mrs. Tone as she flexed her aching fingers. It took a moment to process what she had said. “I didn’t think I’d actually win this one.” Izumi beamed at the praise and spun on her heel towards where Akari had landed. “Hey, where do you wanna go get--” The expression that met hers was the same one she usually wore when Izumi managed to win one of their matches, solemn and bitter. At least, that’s how it always seemed to Izumi.

She turned back toward Mrs. Tone with a halfhearted shrug of her own. “I was kinda hoping maybe this time she’d actually agree to lunch or something after.” Izumi sighed, letting her bow fall away before returning her dagger to its sheath. Sure, the two of them had always had a bit of a heated rivalry over the years. But that didn’t mean it always had to be nothing but bitter venom, did it? “Maybe the next time.”

At the question, Izumi formed another arrow. “Oh, uh . . . yeah, first time I’ve really gotten to use it on more than a normal target. I’ve just been calling it a split shot arrow, nothing fancy. I’m not great with naming things…”

Mrs Tone laughed. “If you want her to go TO lunch, ask her. Akari’s a bit… simple. You said loser buys lunch, so, she’s ‘buying lunch’ the way she normally does. I know she’s a bit cold, but thank you for the challenge, it was good for her. Good for both of you I think.

As for the name, name’s always are tricky.

You know, on an unrelated note, I hear your style is called “Tsurara Onna's Dance”? I’ve heard of Tsurara-onna a few different times, I do love stories. I heard of one version where the man remarried, and when the icicle yokai came back next winter to find this, she was in such a rage, she stabbed the man for his infidelity. Multiple arrows, multiple wives, either way, just as deadly. But names are tricky, aren’t they? I think split shot is a fine name by itself. Feel welcome to come inside for tea, or come again, you’re welcome here any time.”

Mrs Tone smiled as she flipped the hourglass up and down, before one label could be read on it. ‘30 min’. The entire match had only lasted 10 or so… Mrs. Tone whistled innocently as she started back towards the house, not a footstep heard as she seemed to glide through the snow.

 

[ZackStop]

Yanma Doromizu​

Yanma really didn't have a chance to do much in the snow fields where the skirmish began, he infact accomplished nothing which was in accordance with his mentality that of an underachiever. As soon as he landed with the adult, thankfully not being carried underarm like last time, the boy quickly took position behind a tree to safely scope out the scene., and it looked to be above his skill level. The thought alone made him tired. Had he gotten his mandatory 10 hours of sleep he may have been more alert and willing, but instead he got dragged through a window before the sun even came up.

"If I was getting payed for this, it would still be above my pay grade..." He said with a sigh, before watching as his "sensei" moved in with a powerful stride and used a high level ninjutsu. It was no surprise to him that the man was strong, but it made Yanma question what he was doing here with someone that has such power. He pulled his scarf over his mouth and scanned over all the others fighting, all appearing more impressive than anything he could muster up even if he had the desire to. They each incorporated their abilities unique to them to defeat the undead as he too wondered how such things came to be.

It soon appeared as though they had it all covered, not like he would have had much to offer regardless of his involvement. Yanma realizing this, put his back to the tree trunk and folded his arms, relaxing the best he could until it was over. It wouldn't be much longer before the land of Iron prevailed in fending off the attack anyway.

He eventually made his way back out into the open after a quick relaxation session. The battle had ceased and it was safe to come out as he approached Aoba, almost as soon as the other did, the hick talking Roku, who ruffled his hair as he spoke. "Thanks..." The boy said with a low energy tone, nearly deadpan. Not because of his praises towards, it was more of a sarcastic response to his hair getting messed up, but either way Roku took it was fine with Yanma, but his attention was soon drawn to a girl that the man pointed out to Aoba. A girl Roku was trying to subtly sell, in the sense that he was trying to persuade Aoba sensei into taking her under his wing, which would make her Yanma's squad mate. She was pretty, sure, and was a skilled fighter according to what Roku was saying, but as Yanma thought, the feeling of uncertainty about this whole thing crept up on him.

As of no more than an hour ago he was dragged around and thrown into this without giving proper notice. He supposed that was just the hand life dealt for him, but he had no idea what to expect from here being as unorthodox as it was. He really just wished he could be on a normal team, properly formed, rather than quickly thrown together. Even if they were to whisk Tokita along, they would still be missing a third and final member. Yanma just places his palm on his forehead. He just wanted to go back to bed and deal with all this later. Around 5pm would be nice.

Ganryu IG42 godjacob

 

[Phayne]

KageYuuki

~Shopping at the Azure Dragon Wares~
​

Izumi adjusted her empty pack as she walked down the snowy road. The streets of Hanamachi had only grown busier in the last few years as shinobi and civilians alike sought refuge in their walls. The swelling population meant the local carpenter’s guild never wanted for work. From sunrise to sunset the sound of their labour filled the city as they worked to build enough apartments to meet the new and ever growing need. Come evening many of the carpenters would make their way down to Wolf’s Refuge to rest and use the hot springs. The business was good, but the worry of what her parents would do while she’s away on missions now crept into the young Mokunoha’s mind.


Another mission. The thought made her slow slightly. What if her next mission meant facing another monster like Hogai? Izumi shook the thought away. That was a problem for later. Right now, she had an errand to run. Azure Dragon Wares was a frequent stop of hers. Oh yeah, didn’t Enkai have his first mission too? Wonder how it went. It couldn’t have been worse than hers, could it? She pulled the door open.

Body splayed out across the entirety of his futon, the thick duvet had long ago been kicked aside in preference of the crisp coldness. Like the serene embrace of a snow angel, the gentle touch of cold that radiated from outdoors tickled his exposed skin, covering him almost entirely save for the pitched tent that covered his most valued possessions. His right forearm pressed against his forehead, Enkai had attempted to fight off the unwanted invader of first dawn; the faint glow of the sun peeking in at him through the smallest of gaps in his curtains; the invading light assaulting him at just the right spot as it hovered right above his eye. A worthy adversary that was gradually winning the fight amidst the appearance of its allies.

The first. The sound of an over enthusiastic cockerel crowing in the early morning had negated the need for any alarm. It was a case of nature outwitting modernization, this douche of a rooster taking it upon himself to always get the first word in the morning. Had Enkai been the violent type he'd have shown that cock who was the bigger man, the allure of a warm early morning chicken broth followed by steamed chicken with rice for later in the day was quite the appealing thought. Alas, Enkai wasn't the type and he had simply learned to deal with the noise in other ways, the still half asleep boy rolling over to the far side of his bed, back turned to the window as he pulled a second pillow over to cover his exposed ear.

The Second. A more recent adversary in the battle of morning slumber was the sound of crows, the devilish birds apparently deciding to make a nest nearby, their cawing a retaliation to the cockerel's own crowing. Like the wars of old, It was a battle of the avian beasties, Crow vs Chicken to see who could be the more annoying of the two in the early light. Both were worthy of the title in Enkai's opinion as they continued to bicker back and forth with one another; Enkai's eyes opening slightly as he struggled in vain to remain coddled in sleep's embrace.

An hour or so would pass as the trio partook in their daily bout of early morning psychological warfare; the inevitable loser being the blue haired youth that now found himself bumbling down the stairs. Eyes half open, hair untied and strewn in a dishevelled mess and his free hand scratching away at his chest as he yawned the final remnants of early morning defiance away.

The store had been open for a few hours at this point; his parents in silent agreement that they would allow their son to sleep in more now that he was partaking in missions. That being said, it didn't mean they would let him laze about the place and do nothing at all. His mother would be the first to detect his presence; the former kunoichi steadfast in her old shinobi habits. "Enkai, go help your father in the storefront" commanded his mother from one of the other rooms. "But what about bre...." he replied, reaching the base of the stairs, not even stopping to question how she knew he was awake. An audible sigh could be heard from some other room. "There are some dumplings on the counter... have a couple... but make sure to leave room for lunch" she added, before tossing a freshly washed shirt towards the corridor. "... and put some clothes on... I can't have you on the shop floor half dressed" she added, the half dressed Mokunoha catching the freshly steamed shirt with his face as he begun to make his way to the storefront.

"Oi, Old man, what d'ya need me to do?" shouted Enkai as he entered the store area of the building, his eyes latching onto the sight of the steamed bun; right hand already reaching for it. "Oh Enkai!... perfect timing. Watch the counter for me will ya?... Old Man Tatsuo's cart's broken down again... I'm gonna head out and see if I can give him a hand.... maybe get an I.O.U the next time he returns from one of his trading ventures" winked his father, as he placed the broomstick he held against the wall. "Oh and If it ain't busy... give the place a good sweep... your mom's been nagging me about all the dust lately..." he continued, dusting himself off before making his way towards the front entrance. The door however would find itself opening before he had the chance to do it himself, "Ah... Izumi-chan... how are ya today?" questioned his father, as he stepped aside to allow the young budding mokunoha to enter his store.

'Izumi..' thought Enkai, hand clasped around the steamed bun that now had a large chunk bitten out of it. He had heard from the others that she had had her first mission recently as well; though the details were far and few between. Was she here to re-stock on her supplies? It would be a good time to get the details about her first mission… surely it couldn’t have been any worse than that rescue mission his team had undergone.

“Hello Mr. Kaji,” Izumi smiled as she stepped inside, making sure to tap the snow from her boots first. “I’m doing alright, plenty busy as usual.” She spotted the man’s coat and gloves and rubbed the back of her neck. “I, uh, didn’t come at a bad time did I?“

“That's good to hear. Your parents doing alright?” he inquired, “I’ve been meaning to stop by the Wolf’s Refuge for a soak in the hot springs.. but I just haven’t found the time myself” he paused, glancing around the empty shop, eyes darting from shelf to shelf and corner to corner as he looked for anything he may have forgotten.

“They’re fine,” a tired edge crept into her smile. “You know how they are, just can’t sit still and rest even when they really should.” Her parents often seemed to pay little heed to the advice they often gave patrons on the importance of rest. “It sounds like you’re past due for a few hours of rest in the springs.”

“Haha… I sure am” he replied, laughing heartily. “Perhaps I can convince your father to join me in a game of Shogi, the next time I come over… give the old man a rest from work… and your mother a rest from your father” he laughed at his own joke. “I haven’t forgotten that we ended the last game on a draw due to a technicality. ” he added, now checking the pocket within his haori to ensure he had everything he needed.

“I’m sure Pops would be more than happy for a rematch.” Izumi remembered the game, hearing the two of them bicker for ages over who won and who lost. It had been her mother who finally stepped in and put an end to it and the match.

“Anyways Izumi-chan, you haven’t come at a bad time” he continued, now glancing towards his son who was still standing at the counter. “I was just bout to head out and help Old man Tatsuo, I heard his cart’s broken down again. 3rd time this month” he paused, laughing slightly. “I’d tell him to buy a completely new cart, but if I did, then I wouldn’t have anyone to keep selling replacement parts to” he continued; winking whilst also, drawing a subtle facepalm from his son. “Anyways… if you’re here for the usual… I’m sure my no good son can help ya out.. Ain’t that right Enkai?” he questioned, laughing once more.

“Yeah Yeah…” mumbled Enkai, taking another bite from his steamed bun. “Your no good son can run the store for ya while you go curry good favor from Mr. Tatsuo…” he mumbled once again, finishing off the steamed bun with another bite. With that said, Enkai’s father would step past Izumi, making his way through the opened door, before stopping once again. “Enkai… make sure ya give her a discount… gotta keep our regulars happy!” he chuckled, now winking towards Izumi, before stepping out of the front door.

Using a cloth to wipe his face, Enkai would step past the counter and towards the discarded broomstick presently leaning against the wall. “So… “ he began, walking towards the cleaning tool. “What do ya need today?” he asked using both hands to reach for his hair; clasping it tightly as he began to tie it up into his usual ponytail, “You heard my old man… you get the friends and family discount today… so might as well make good use of it…” he paused, fidgeting with his hair. “Pops is normally a stingy old fart..so I guess he must like you if he is happy to give ya a discount” he mused. “Also... I’m pretty sure my mum’s restocked most of our shelves today… but if there’s anything missing I can go check the back” he offered, finishing off with his hair and proceeded to reach for the broom.

Though, whether it be the instinctual need to procrastinate on his chores, he would find himself leaning the broom back against the wall, turning to face Izumi. “By.. by the way..” he began, slightly unsure if it was proper etiquette among Samurai to ask about their missions. “.. I heard you went on a mission with your squad… how.. How was it?” he asked, curiosity x procrastination getting the better of him.

Izumi shuffled out of Mr. Kaji’s way, letting him continue on outside and down the road. She turned back to Enkai when he spoke up and shrugged, finally walking into the shop proper to look at the various wares filling the shelves. “Maybe it’s because I’m always here picking up stuff for Wolf’s Refuge?” She offered. Truth was, she really wasn’t sure why he’d suddenly deigned to offer a discount. As far as she could recall it was the first time he’d made such an offer. “I’m here for most of the usual stuff for the onsen, soap and shampoo and all that. Guess now’s a good time to really stock up.” Even if she dreaded the walk back with the extra weight. “Oh, did you guys ever manage to get fire flakes in?” She’d overheard Mr. Tatsuo talking about the strange spice and had been dying to try it ever since. But bringing some into the Land of Iron proved to be more difficult than the mokunoha initially thought. Another thing to look forward to in her eventual travels.

She paused as Enkai voiced his next question, setting down the new tool pouch she’d been looking at. “My mission? It was . . .” She could still hear the explosions, smell the charred flesh. “We survived,” she murmured, shaking herself out of the memory. “It was just supposed to be a boring scouting mission. We ended up protecting surviving refugees from Mist jounin. It was . . . a lot.”

“Or maybe he is trying to get himself a discount the next time he visits the onsen” interjected Enkai, knowing all too well how his father was like. The cheapskate. It was rare for the old geezer to offer anything to anyone without some form of ulterior motive influencing his decision and given the prospect of a ‘cheaper’ visit to the hot spring; it was highly likely that that prospect had played some form of role in his sudden charitable proposition.

“You’re probably right… might actually work too.”

“Anyways, if you are looking for daily needs like soap and shampoo… then maybe you might be interested in this other product we received…” mumbled Enkai, stepping away and towards a set of boxes that had been stacked towards the back of the shop floor. “Mmm… which one is it..” he pondered out loud as he looked over the stack of boxes, “I’m not sure what the big fuss is about… but I did overhear my mother mentioning a new product that had arrived… and honestly.. She couldn’t keep quiet about it” offered Enkai, the inner salesman coming to the fore as he lifted one box off of another and placed it on the floor. “Ah… this is the one…” he stated matter of factly, reaching into the partially opened box where it was already evident that one or two of the products had already gone missing. “My mum stated that it's some sort of new skin cream” he continued to speak, grabbing one of the cylindrical containers. “Apparently some merchant from the Land of Medicines has developed this new skin cream and has sold us a box at a discounted price. My dad wasn’t too keen… but mum on the other hand… she thinks it's a game changer and will attract more women to come shop here. She also managed to convince the trader to give us exclusive rights to sell the product.” he turned towards Izumi and threw the cylindrical vial towards her. “If sales go well.. It might become a staple product for the store…” he finished, returning to look at the other boxes. “...as for the fire flakes… I do remember my dad mentioning that he ordered a batch, but it looks like it hasn’t arrived yet… wait a minute…” he again turned to face Izumi. “... Mr Tatsuo was meant to stop by today with some delivery… perhaps he managed to get some and its on his cart?” suggested Enkai, though he would soon take note of the change in Izumi’s demeanor, watching her place the tool pouch back down. Her tone was somber and it was evident that their mission had been quite taxing as well… if not traumatic.

The boy would remain silent for a few moments, unsure as to how to reply in the situation. It wasn’t as if he could make a joke and they both laugh it off… nor did it seem appropriate to offer comfort by stating that his mission wasn’t exactly a frolic in a field of flowers either. Rather… there wasn’t really anything he could say in reply that would make the situation any lighter.

"Uh... I..." fumbled Enkai, "... uh.. give me a second..." he blurted, as the atmosphere turned gloomy

Words of comfort evading him, Enkai would momentarily step off of the shop floor, entering a backroom where he would take the family tea set; filling the teapot with water before returning to the shop floor where he would soon reach for a brand new package of Chamomile Tea; again courtesy of merchants from the Land of Medicine. Pouring the contents into the pot of cold water, Enkai’s palms would begin to generate heat which would in turn warm up the teapot; its fragrance soon filling the room.

“Sounds like we’ve both had it rough…” he stated matter of factly, pouring and offering a cup of warm tea towards Izumi. “Our’s was meant to be a rescue mission… turns out it was a trap set by the hidden cloud…” he stated, pouring himself a cup. “I guess… I never really thought about what it would really be like… once we became Mokunoha…” he stated once more, taking a sip from his cup “... I’m just grateful my teammates had my back… and that we managed to come out of it alive..” he continued, though he paused as he noticed the depressing mood beginning to creep in. “Hell of a first mission… eh..?” he blurted out… a poor attempt to lighten the mood.

“Oh?” Izumi followed as close as she could, standing on her toes in an effort to see into the box Enkai was currently digging through. She caught the container, turning it over in her hands. “Turn back time . . . For soft and smooth skin.” Izumi supposed she could see the appeal. Though it didn’t seem like she was exactly the target audience for something like this. She hummed, “wonder if mom would be interested at all.” If anything, maybe it would do some good for her own hands. Embroidery and archery weren’t too kind to them. At the mention of the fire flakes, she sighed and chuckled. “Would be my luck they’d be stranded on his cart. Hope they’re worth all the trouble. If they’re as spicy as I’ve heard, I bet Mr. Okamoto will wanna buy some for his curry shop too.”

Izumi reached out and accepted the offered tea cup with a quiet thanks. Enkai would be able to see the small, circular bruises that dotted her perpetually cold hands. “I guess we have,” she murmured, taking a sip. It was different from the green tea and matcha she was used to at home, but still pleasant and warm. A comfort to focus on instead of the mission gone awry. Izumi ran her thumb along the side of the smooth porcelain as Enkai recounted his own mission. They’d both found themselves tossed into life or death battles from the very start.

“If it hadn’t been for mine, I’m not sure how things would’ve turned out.” Itto’s confidence had helped to snap her out of the grip her fear had on her, to push her to act and defend her team. “I guess . . . a part of me always knew it was going to be dangerous. Mom and Pops have no shortage of stories or scars. And Akihito…” Dark eyes briefly misted over with the memory of the rampaging fox and her brother running off to help fight. How he never came home. She shook away the thought, taking another drink of tea instead. “I don’t know, maybe I thought I could handle it. Maybe I didn’t really know what I was getting into. Thought we would’ve taken it slow to start or . . . something.” She shook her head again, “sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it” replied Enkai, eyes momentarily focused upon the circular bruises upon her hands; a hard to miss detail yet one that only scratched at the surface of what Izumi must have gone through. “I guess that’s just the consequence of war… we don’t have the luxury of taking things slow…” he paused, momentarily gathering his thoughts. “... we’d have been thrust into the reality sooner or later… at least now… in hindsight… we managed to survive… even if it was by sheer dumb luck” Taking a sip of his tea once again, he’d place the half empty cup upon the counter; thoughts ruffling through potential ways to lighten the mood given the sudden somber tone it had quite quickly taken.

An abrupt interruption from the backroom would cause the mood to shift ever so slightly, the blonde haired woman bursting through the doorway; her hands holding a large nabe pot; an alluring fragrance teasing its way into the room as she held the pot in hand.

“Oh look at the two of you…” she spoke, her tone soft yet still maintaining an underlying sense of authority. “... your future missions won’t get any easier. The path you two have chosen will be filled with a myriad of trials and obstacles… ups and…” she sighed “...downs. This is the era we live in… war is at our doorstep whether we like it or not” She stopped, glancing at her son then shifting her gaze towards Izumi. “There won’t be that many moments in your life more important than right now. Now that your eyes have seen the truth… the reality of what war is… are you still able to take that step forward? To protect the village. To protect our home?” she pounded the pair with these questions, not really expecting either of them to answer her; rather she was more hopeful that they would heavily consider her words carefully. To think about the gravitas of what it really meant to protect the village… to take the life of someone else in order to guarantee your own survival.

If she had her way, she’d have not allowed any children to partake in the brutality of warfare… yet that was what survival demanded in this era. Sacrifice. The least she could do was to ensure that her son, as well as Izumi and the other young Mokunoha were resolved and committed and not entering this war half-assed. If they could still be confident in their abilities after what they had undergone during their first mission… then maybe they stood a fighting chance.

Seeing as how she had only served to dampen the already gloomy mood, Enkai’s mother would attempt to rectify this by bringing the nabe pot she carried onto the kitchen counter; the aroma growing ever more stronger. “Th.. that's enough doom and gloom talk for today” she offered a forced smile. “Izumi… why don’t you stay for lunch, we are having hot pot. Mrs Takabayashi dropped some fresh vegetables this morning… I thought I might put them to some good use” she added, laughing a bit sheepishly.

“I guess . . . you’re right, it would’ve happened eventually.” A quiet, bitter chuckle escaped Izumi, “Guess it’s better we got it over with early on. Rip the bandage off, so to speak?” She drained the rest of her tea, the sound of the cup being set on the counter sounded loud in the silence that settled between them. But he was right, they had managed to survive somehow.

It was just a matter of doing it again.

Izumi jumped when Enkai’s mother suddenly appeared in the doorway. She hadn’t even heard the woman’s footsteps through the house. It was hardly the first time she’d managed to sneak up on Izumi while visiting the shop, but she always managed to make her jump. It was clear Mrs. Kaji had been listening in on their conversation as she added her own thoughts on the matter. More heavy words for them to consider.

How prepared was she, really? Dark eyes moved back down to her bruised hands. Sacrifice. The word wasn’t unfamiliar to her. After all, her parents served as samurai until they physically couldn’t do so any longer. Her brother tried to defend Hanamachi from the tailed beast’s rampage and fell.

But was she really ready to do the same thing? She hadn’t wasted any time or thought jumping to her teammate’s defense when facing Hogai, even at her own risk.

Enkai’s mother spoke again, snapping Izumi out of her thoughts for the time being. She offered a tired, if not strained smile. “Sure, lunch sounds nice.” The rest of her shopping could wait another hour.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

The ChallengeAkari Tone
Izanami Kutsuki​

Akari sat in the bamboo grove, several shoots dipping forward with snow as wind whipped through the plants, a few hanging chimes rattling from the effort. She was bowed, her knees folded under her, and bow to the side, though at this point, she wondered if they were frozen to the ground. But it was the traditional stance for a challenger, and Akari was all about samurai tradition.

“... I miss Spring.” She actually commented, the sound of her own voice startling her. It wasn’t one she heard often!

Earlier, Izanami would receive a write of challenge hung to her front door. Though, short worded as Akari was, the whole challenge was not explained very well. Simply a duel started in the Grove of the Nameless Samurai, unarmed, 9:30 on Saturday.

Akari worried for a moment if she should have put am or pm on that note…

The rhythmic crunch of snow announced Izanami’s arrival. She arrived in a heavy fur-lined coat, obscuring her face from a distance. As she got closer her hands rose to her face and pulled back her hood. Short snow-white hair fluttered in the wind-blown snow, while two brown-yellow orbs tilted down towards the bowing girl.

“So is it you?”

Akari simply stood up, shaking snow off of her knees, and nodded, assuming a simple fighting stance with one fist forward, the other trailing it, both knees bent forward. In class, Izanami was always the best in hand to hand, Akari fully expected this to be a painful lesson, but one she would learn from!

In one motion Izanami pulled off her coat, tossing it behind her before adopting her own stance, one similar to Akari’s if not for her hands being held lower. However, she slowly brought one hand forward, stopping it between the two. She held it there waiting for Akari to meet it with her own.

The urge to just start swinging almost overwhelmed Izanami as she observed her opponent. However, she recognized her as one of her peers from not long ago when they were both still in training. If she had the guts and respect to ask for a duel, she had no choice but to show her the same respect.

Slowly Akari began to circle Izanami, her eyes watching carefully, any second expecting a punch to the face. Akari didn’t like being punched in the face… But she held her ground, even as hot puffs of air raggedly rose from her scarf. Each step crunched snow, sounding like a gong, Akari’s heart beating faster and faster. Attack? No? Defend? Was she too close? Too far? What was she doing on the ground!? Akari was an arial opponent with a bow!

But her mission had shown her that she really only had her bow, and didn’t have the guts to fire it. She needed to build up guts, and facing Izanami was like facing the goddess she was named after sometimes! And that was before she picked up a blade and went spinning like a top.

The crunching stopped. Wind rustled the chimes again. And Akari went, a full charge into a haymaker, straight at the middle of Izanami’s guard, trying to crash into it like a truck!

Izanami’s eyes bolted wide open as she quickly crossed her arms in front of her. The strength of Akari’s strike sent her guard crashing into her chest as she slid backwards in the snow.

“You’re definitely stronger than you look..” Izanami said with a slight wince. Her arms hurt a lot from that single blow. No doubt they’d be bruised tomorrow. Once again, Izanami took up her fighting stance, and began to approach Akari. However, she began to rhythmically spin as she did so, resembling a dancer spinning on a single foot. As soon as she got close, Izanami’s spinning would be accompanied by a swift punch at the side of Akari’s head.

At first, Akari flinched at impact, waving her fist after impact and stretching it before putting it back into position. The compliment made her smile. “Thanks… It’s good to fight someone who believes in the old ways.” Akari had worked hard for her strength. It had taken her two months to even fire the massive bow of hers. Situps, pushups, and plenty of juice.

Still, she was glowing a bit too much from the compliment, Izanami’s dance causing her to disappear, Akari’s eyes wildly trying to follow her. The next motion a ‘thonk’ echoing as a hit decked her in the side of the head.

It took several moments for her to realize she was on the ground, blinking, sprawled out. Several more for the world to stop spinning. This… this had been why she’d asked Izanami for a duel.

“One more time.” She said with conviction, letting the world settle back in.

Akari took a defensive stance, hands strong as she tried to watch Izanami carefully this time, determined to not let her disappear.

Mere moments after Akari took up her fighting stance, Izanami would slam into her foe’s guard with a quick spinning kick. While Akari was peeling herself off the floor Izanami continued her pirouettes.

The kicks would continue at a rapid pace for several seconds, with each strike crashing down at nearly the exact same angle.

The thought of being on the defensive again in this fight had been lurking in the back of Izzy’s mind ever since Akari’s first strike. Letting a punch like that land cleanly would definitely hurt, and well… Izanami really didn’t want to wake up covered in bruises tomorrow. That hit would have to be Akari’s last!

Akari held up one arm, bracing with the other, against the incoming kick. Despite the fierceness, Izanami was half as strong as Akari. Then the second hit made Akari wince. The third one made her cry out, and the fourth broke through.

She’s hitting the same spot over and over again! Akari realized with a bit of fear. If she kept this up, the arm would be broken! The precision was almost terrifying. As the fifth came, a burst of chakra blasted out of Akari’s feet in the world’s crudest body flicker, legit fear. In slow motion almost, she saw Izanami’s shoe flying over her face, grazing just the tip of Akari’s nose as she flickered away.

Landing, Akari fell to one knee, heaving. Her seals across her body hurt from the strain of a sudden acceleration like that, making her wonder how on earth her father managed them midair like he did. Then again, it wasn’t her father who’d applied the seals, it’d been a guess from a half drunk Roku.

She flicked her wrist, making sure her arm wasn’t broken from those precise kicks, then braced her legs in a whole new position, this one looking like a sprint’s crouch. Blue lines traced the ground under her foot. “One more time…”

A proper body flicker sent Akari rocketing in the air, straight into a bamboo shoot, sending it curving back. Bouncing off of it, Akari charged at Izanami, flying over her, before her feet replicated the ground from before, a double jump sending her over Izanami with a ‘boing’ as Akari raised one foot, then plummeted down with an ax kick at Izanami’s shoulder from above, hoping the confusing movements of bouncing from everywhere would make her unpredictable.

Falling Crescent Moon

The arc of the kick left a trail of blue chakra behind looking very much like a crescent moon.

Izanami spun to the side, only to find that Akari’s attack wasn’t a straight on charge, but some sort of maneuver. The powerful arcing kick came down upon Izanami, who looked up just in time to see the blue arc of chakra form behind Akari. She tried to spin out of the way, but she was a little too late. The kick glanced off the back of her shoulder eliciting a brief yap of pain from the spinning samurai. Still spinning, she tumbled into the nearby bamboo, falling between the stalks.

Slowly, she rose up to her feet again, leaning on the bamboo for support. “I didn’t expect this from an archer. Jeez…”

The impact sent Akari’s foot deep in the ground, eliciting a similar yelp, though the dust cloud that rose up showed it hadn’t just been for naught. She slowly got up, stretching her knee out to make sure it wasn’t hyper extended, and began to wrap bandages around it with some healing ointment. She then grabbed both and tossed them to Izanami.

“Thanks… I work out.” She unhelpfully added. A few moments later, Akari began to stretch once more, to get into position. “I wanted to learn from someone stronger. Someone who also used the old ways. Sorry for talking so much, I just get excited about being an actual samurai. Not a ninja.”

Memories flashed of her brother Rei, commenting what he’d learned from the ninja, one day, then the other, right in front of their father, and Akari gritted her teeth, and clenched her fists… only to feel something wet down her palm, and realized her fingers were digging into the knife wound from last mission, and making it bleed.

“Many samurai lived and died by the ideals our land appears to be leaving behind. It’s good to meet someone else who isn’t so keen on abandoning our past,” Izanami said as she spread the healing ointment onto her shoulder.

She strode towards Akari once again, slowly rising to her tiptoes before beginning to spin clockwise. It was similar to how she had approached Akari before. This time however, the spinning continued to accelerate.

Beigoma

The friction beneath her feet disappeared which each rotation Izanami spun faster and faster. Then from the human whirlwind came a left hook flying in at high speeds. Like before, the hooks would be aiming for the same spot each time. However unlike last time the strikes would have a much shorter window between them.

Akari didn’t quite understand many battlenuts. Her father had described berserkers absolutely grinning as they entered the field of battle, who the more hurt they got, the more happy they seemed to be. Fighting was a means to an end, a challenge a way to measure yourself.

… so why did she challenge Izanami who she KNEW was better than her… why was Akari smiling, even in front of overwhelming force?

Akari blocked the first blow with her undamaged hand, trying to bat it away, only to find it flowing into another spin. She tried to block on a different area of her wrist, only for it to find the same spot. Again, and again. Akari was stronger. Akari was faster, but she just couldn’t fight against Izanami’s sheer accurracy!

Akari stepped back, wincing a bit as she gave ground. Each impact between the two causing the snow to shake, a heavy ‘thud’ echoing. Akari needed to disengage! But the time between blows kept getting shorter! Each one sending her stepping back, not letting Akari trace chakra for her doublejump, or build it up for a body flicker.

She’s picking up speed!? How? I should be naturally faster!

Akari’s eyes wandered down to Izanami’s feet, watching them glide over the snow, almost undisturbed. She was using chakra to reduce friction, to speed up. A lightbulb seemed to go off for Akari as she found her back against a bamboo shoot.

This is the exact opposite way I use my technique…

And then Izanami’s fist slammed through Akari’s defenses, breaking through against her gut. Akari’s eyes rolled as she slumped over, Izanami the winner.

It came just in time too. Slowly, Izanami spun to halt, stumbling back and forth. The world around her spun. Moments later she fell to the ground onto her knees. “Jeez, feels like my brain is still spinning,” Izzy said before letting out a sigh of relief. She won. It was a great feeling, having her training and time spent validated. Suddenly, Izzy's arm began to throb, the one she had used in her final assault. Apparently beigoma was still a bit much for her to handle too. Rising back up to her feet, Izzy took a long deep breath, letting the frigid air wash over her. "The family is gonna love hearing about this!"

She looked down at Akari’s unconscious form before her. Her eyebrow raised at some of the seals she could see drawn where her skin was exposed. “Wonder what those do”, she mumbled under her breath as she lifted Akari up out of the snow. Her legs buckled for a brief moment, surprised at how dense Akari was once again. “Let’s get you back. I can't fight you again if you freeze to death out here.”

Ganryu

 

[godjacob]

Tokita of course glanced over as she was sort of put on the spot, really she had not intended for a lot of today's events to unfold. In truth she had been seeking a master since she left her home, but the last place she expected to find one had been a ninja! To make things worse, a young man who she presumed was among the Aoba Squad seemed to glance upon the girl as there seemed to be this unspoken apprehension about this. Course whether she projected or this had been accurate was another matter, but even if he had felt that way she honestly could not blame him. This guy and his sensei just got dumped a random girl on the word of another that she could be of use to them and as the other team began to disperse this had left her in an awkward situation.

Tokita considered just turning down the offer made in her name as the last thing she needed was to be a problem for anyone, and really she had been walking the path of the blade; how much could she learn from a ninja? However as quickly as that thought entered her mind it faded as it was not exactly like she had been in an ideal spot. Her clothing showed signs of slight wear and tear on her journey, that bandaged shoulder of hers had some stains of red as it settled to patch the wound from before as she realized this might be the best path for her at the moment.

So, unsure of what else to do, she turned to Aoba and had moved to her knees as she seemed to formerly bow his way before she glanced up to the man who possibly was her new sensei...should he accept that role of course.

"I cannot decide what you do with me, if you do not wish to take me into your group, I shall go without a moment's hesitation. But if you do choose to accept me I will promise to do my best to contribute and not be a bother to the dynamic. To learn and grow under your watch however long it lasts." Tokita explained, as she seemed to express the desire to learn under him but had left the decision in his hands.



IG42 ZackStop

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Ringo Nakano
Location: Path to Hanamichi

Their journey on the wagon had been a really peaceful experience, the snowy white landscape seemed to be dampen all noises and Ringo found herself drifting between being asleep and awake despite the occasional jerk of the wagon.

Nah, that's not what happened.

For the entire journey her hearing had been assaulted by this insufferable wailing of a small shitbag in front of her. His mother had been trying every single things she could think of but the baby never stopped crying for more than 5 minutes. At first Ringo tries to be an understanding good people like usual and bear with it but after days of it she felts like dropping the devil spawn off a cliff. Sometimes she could feel the baby looking at her while crying, whenever that happen she would stick her tongue out at the baby or make some scary face just to get back to him for all the annoyance he caused her, somehow this make him stopped crying, temporarily, he would resume his crying soon after. Damn shitbag.

Sitting next to her was a tall man in his late twenties, he has a seemingly permanent smile on his face. This man was Sebas, her butler, but now he's using Fujimoto Nakano as his name and acts as her uncle. He's usually a cheerful person who likes to talk and entertain others, but within the past few hours he had been quiet and unusually tense. After traveling with him for months Ringo knew he only does that when he felts like they're being followed. Though when the girl tries to spot anything weird in their surrounding she didn't find any.

Fortunately they're just a few minutes away from their destination so Ringo dismissed whatever was worrying her butler and tries to relax. She looked up towards the sky and let a few snowflakes entered her mouth. The tingling cold sensation it gave on her tongue was vaguely similar to the sensation of drinking droplets directly from Amegakure's rain, unless it was one of the busy production day, then the rain would turn acidic for several hours from all those industrial wastes and the water would taste like trash.

"Young miss, get down!" She heard Fujimoto suddenly panicking. She was too relaxed to react properly though and wasn't prepared when a loud boom occurred, Ringo felts the worls spinning and lost consciousness for a few minutes. When she opened her eyes everything was in chaos. She heard screaming from fleeing refugees and maniacal laughter from the assaulting ninjas, around her was a completely destroyed wagon with charred body part spreads around. There's also other destroyed wagons nearby but it seemed hers was the one that received the direct impact of the explosion. Ringo inspected her own body and was surprised that she was relatively unscatched. The same couldn't be said to her butler though. The man was lying next to her with his bare back exposed and charred. She quickly knew that he took the explosion for her and cursed herself for not noticing the attack earlier, he's still alive albeit unconscious. The girl quickly leapt back up and cracked her knuckles. She was ready to start beating whoever caused all of this until a familiar noise entered her ears.

"You survived, huh. Shitbag?" Ringo looked down at the baby half-buried in the snow, his desperate crying was muddled by the sound of clashing steels and explosions nearby. He was embraced tightly by the corpse of a woman with half of her body shred to pieces. Guess the explosion was real deadly to regular people, and the mother decided to sacrifice herself for the baby, just like what Sebas did to her.

Ringo looked around and looked at the supposed culprits of this attack. There's a pale man who keep excessively cracking his bones to jerk around his body. A man in a ghillie suit and the yoyo guy. The usage of explosion almost made her think that they were sent by her family but no, they didn't seems to look for her in particular. It didn't take long before a bunch of samurais showed up, the bunch didn't look like a formal reinforcement though but more like a passing teacher and their students, probably? She did hear that the land of iron adopted the ninja's education system in their attempt to learn jutsus so seeing this was interesting for her.

Letting out a long sigh, Ringo pinched her own cheeks to regain her calm. There's no need for her to join the battle right now, she needs to bring the man and the baby to safety. Still, she took notes of the attackers. Next time she meet them, she would make sure to shove a bomb down their throat for what happened today. Ringo picked up the baby and tied him to her back, then she performed a series of hand seals before stomping the ground beneath her. A rectangle-shaped plate made of rock jumped out of the snow, this will be her ride out of this battlefield.

"Come on, stop screaming on my ears." She said to the baby on her back. The next part was quite hard, Fujimoto was a tall man. She shouldn't have any problem with his weight since she was already used to train herself with something heavier, but carrying him would still be challenging. In the end she decided to just princess carry her unconscious butler and then use the stone platform to slide away until she reached the safety of the city.

 

[KageYuuki]

Izumi Takahashi

The Frozen Flame​

Bitter cold winds cut through the side of the mountain, sharper than even the cliffs rising on both sides. White painted the side of the mountain so fiercely it allowed for no other color, threatening to snuff it if it should even think of appearing, colors such as Izumi’s skin, which would quickly fill with snow. A slight flicker could be seen overlooking Hanamachi in the distance, but as a muted orange speck.

Higher up the mountain, finally a second color became visible, another muted orange, leading to a small igloo on the side of the mountain, a fire within giving its color. Sure, picking an obscure location to train was ‘fashionable’, but Roku saw no reason to wait around in the cold.

Inside the igloo, the awful sound of a Koto playing rung through the air, almost thankfully mostly drowned out by the wind… and the smell of alcohol drifted from inside.

Even for Izumi and her icy blood, Shishiro mountain was painfully cold. She clutched at her hood in vain, trying to keep it from blowing off for the hundredth time. She couldn’t figure out why Roku picked here of all places, barely anyone willingly set foot on this mountain. Seeing the igloo sent a spark of relief through her, even if it added to her confusion. This is the right time . . . isn’t it? Was he really waiting that long? The unending snow made it impossible to see the sun, checking a watch was a lost cause.

Approaching the igloo, the smell of alcohol assaulted her nose. Ugh, I don’t know which is worse, that or the koto… The mokunoha eased her way inside and out of the howling winds.

Upon entering, Izumi would find Roku around his normal bonfire sword, a few cups of sake next to him, a koto to the side, and leaning against the wall, a large bowgun, next to fairly large bolts, and next to that, a single bow, and a single arrow. Roku seemed to cheer up the moment Izumi walked in, apparently alone with his thoughts beforehand.

“Hey, it’s Izumi! Glad you found this place a’ight. Sometimes, ya just, gotta, -hiccup- get away, y’know? From city and all that. Here, have a drink. This one’s tea, a’in’t gunna give booze to a minor. That’s, the adult stuff. Part of the training or whatever…”

He poured a small little cup for Izumi, handing it over.

Roku held a handsign, sighing as he did. It looked like he was sobering up, but then his face drooped forward. A flicker of fire snapped around him, and the igloo’s temperature dropped a few degrees. “So, my little Mokunoha, wanted to have a nice fireside chat. Wasn’t exactly, the, uh, best starter mission, now was it? So, wanted to talk. Wanted to see what your motivation was. Why is it ya wanna be a samurai in the first place?”

Izumi raised an eyebrow at him as she settled into the snow beside the flaming sword. Asleep on the gate the first morning, drunk now, her sensei had certainly made . . . an impression so far. But, he was still a Haganenoha. He’d proved as much fighting the other two Mist nin during their first mission and had taught them a few things besides. And if she was being honest, this was far more preferable to some uptight traditionalist.

“Well you’re definitely far from the city way up here. But it is pretty noisy there anymore.” She accepted the cup, giving its contents a curious glance. Far darker than any tea she’d ever had before, the way the dull black liquid seemed to cling to the sides of the cup was worrying. But it was warm… She took a drink.

It was thick and extremely bitter, coating the inside of her mouth and throat. “Eugh!” Izumi coughed, the mokunoha’s face scrunched up as the aftertaste somehow grew even more bitter. It made the medicinal tea she’d been forced to drink while sick taste good. “Are you sure this is tea?” She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but she did feel a little warmer.

Talk of the mission provided some distraction from the horrible taste assaulting her senses. She hesitated, watching the chakra fueled flames flicker around Roku’s sword. Not the best starter mission was certainly putting it mildly. It still felt like a sheer trick of fate that they’d all managed to survive and keep anymore refugees from dying. “My . . . motivation?” A sardonic chuckle bubbles out of her throat. “I . . . wanted to see the world. Go to all the places that Mom and Pops and other people have told me about.” It felt almost embarrassing to say it outloud now. Like a childish misconception.

“And do you still wanna be a samurai?” Roku asked with raised eyebrow.

That was the question, wasn’t it? The same thing had been gnawing away at her ever since she’d gotten back home from her mission and collapsed into bed. There were probably plenty of other mokunoha that had bowed out after similar experiences over the years. But something about the thought of giving up made her sick.

Izumi remembered the questions Enkai’s mother had posed to the two of them. “Now that your eyes have seen the truth… the reality of what war is… are you still able to take that step forward? To protect the village. To protect our home?”

“I . . .” She tightened her grip on the small cup, working to force the words out. “Everyone in my family were samurai . . . They all sacrificed so much to protect our home.” Staying meant facing people stronger and far more terrifying than Hogai had been. It meant likely dying. Could she really do that? She took a steadying breath and looked up at Roku. “Our village has become a home for so many people looking to get away from the war. I want to protect that too.”

Roku nodded, listening to each word. “Yeah, about what I hear. But protecting people means getting a helluva more scared than dealing with Hogai, the famous Simp of the Mist. Or The Festive Necromancer, but he’s, uh, known for one more than the other. But he was screwing around. Imagine someone who, every single step they made was to kill you. Are you really prepared to deal with that?

Now, I ain’t saying be fearless, hell, I ‘bout near shit my pants every time I hafta draw my sword. But you gotta be ready to deal with that. If you are, Imma show you how to use that fear. The good, and the bad. But ya gunna have to trust me. Next steps yours. Will ya walk through hell, missy?”

She looked up at him, studying his face. The thought of him being scared every time he was in a battle felt hard to believe. A way to use that fear? “I . . . I trust you.” Another steadying breath, “I can’t have my teammates’ back if I’m too scared to do anything.”

Roku nodded. “Welp, ya know… the sword wasn’t my initial weapon. Used to use this ol’ gal way back, it used to be my main, before I was forced to ‘git gud’.

You have two tests. First. Make it to the west base of the mountain, away from Hanamachi, to a little outpost with the lights on. But, I’m going to be hunting you. The entire time.

In addition, I’ve booby trapped the path down. They’ll fire bolts. If at any point, you manage to figure out which one is me, and which one is the bolts, you win. Automatically.

But. You only get one shot. That bow there, is all you’re going to be able to use. That. That is the first test.

The second test. Figure out when I left.”

With that Roku made a single handsign, his body flickering away to sparks and embers, taking with it the only warmth and light inside the igloo, leaving behind his sake and the tea, his Koto, one bow, and one arrow and a whole lot of darkness.

“Eh?” Izumi blinked in the sudden darkness. “Sensei?” The only thing that answered her was the howl of the wind outside. She felt her way over to where the bow and single arrow sat. She recalled seeing another set of lights during the climb up, was that where he wanted her to go? But being hunted the entire time? Or is that just a threat to keep me on edge? Finally grasping the weathered bow, she turned towards the entrance of the igloo and hesitated. Her chakra felt sluggish and muted, like something was smothering it. “What?” Was there some kind of jutsu that could smother another person’s chakra?

The bow caught on the teapot and knocked it over, the brew’s bitter smell flooded the small space. She was the only one to drink it out of the two of them.

”Here, have a drink. This one’s tea, a’in’t gunna give booze to a minor. That’s, the adult stuff. Part of the training or whatever… That bow there, is all you’re going to be able to use.”

“He wouldn’t actually poison the tea . . . would he?” Her chakra’s refusal to flow answered that question. “Making sure I don’t cheat or something?” It was probably a good thing Roku hadn’t set a time limit on their little exercise. Not that she wanted to be out here all day. “Is anyone else’s sensei like this?” Izumi muttered as she finally emerged into biting winds.

Cold wind continued to whip around as Izumi climbed out, blasts of white slapping against the trees, the rocks, and the igloo. Before she could even stand, a whistle flew through the air, fighting the wind for attention as a small blur of silver appeared in the corner of eye. The whistle sounded hollow and at high speeds.

A sudden impact sounded, the squelch of blood flying as one moment it was in the distance, the next moment, crashing like an avalanch sounded behind Izumi as the igloo collapse and several trees began to topple, the color red flying everywhere, almost frozen before it hit the snow, the force of the shot sending her backwards into the remains of the collapsed shelter.

However, a moment later, the blood seemed to be gone, or at least reduced, much, much less than what’d she imagine, almost as if the hit had been imaginary. The destroyed igloo, however, was not, and as the cold winter wind crept against her neck, and her scarf came just a bit damp, she’d find a shallow nick against it and nothing more.

Killing Intent

Izumi gasped, dropping to her knees in the snow. For a split second, she’d felt it. The spray of blood, the feeling of choking on frothing crimson; dying. As instantly as it had hit, it was over, leaving only a graze in its wake. She shuddered, feeling sick as she pressed a hand to the wound. The hell was that? An illusion? Izumi squinted in the distance, unable to make out anything in the whirling wall of white.

Move! Run! Her body screamed at her. She was exposed out in the open like this. Just asking for another shot. Forcing herself to her feet, Izumi started in the direction of the outpost. She strained to anything in the snow as she headed for the nearby trees for some kind of cover, praying she could spot some kind of rope or wire in the storm.

-Thwump-thwump-thwump-

Silver blurs were the only indication Izumi got of the incoming shots, before their payload crashed around her, less like arrows of an archer, and more like a titan throwing a mountain with each one, a boulder split to one of them, the tip embedding through on the other side, one crash between her feet. As she hid behind a tree, a third slammed into it, a crack going down the center, before it split in two, falling down before the snow began to rumble. The ledge started to collapse, but quick movement, and rule number one of being a samurai, cardio, came into play, and she managed to make it to the otherside as the entire path she had chosen had crumpled down the steep mountain side, the tumbling rocks echoing several minutes after she’d cleared the area.

Izumi gasped and panted, struggling to keep her feet under her as she ran. She didn’t dare slow down until the sounds of crashing rocks and sliding snow faded away. Her heart still thundered in her chest, fingers trembling as she clutched the bow she’d been given. The destruction the shots carried had been terrifying, but they didn’t carry the all encompassing fear the first blow had.

It seemed safe for several minutes more, tension only building as Izumi continued to run. Then the hair on the back of her neck began to tingle, standing on end. From above. Another ‘thwump’ echoed, followed by the trailing whistle. Behind her, the trail started to tumble down, and she could feel it brush against her skull, a freezing sensation and wonders of mortality traveling with it, before her ponytail came undone, the hair tie falling gently to the snow as her hair flopped down her face.

Izumi staggered, fingers digging into the nearby cliff face for support. The wind whipped her hair in her face as she struggled to draw a breath. Another brief flash of death. Bringing with it terror that squeezed at her heart and lungs. Too close. Too close! Like before, the sound had been her only brief warning, barely audible against the howling wind. But they all sounded the same, nothing standing out to the unpracticed mokunoha. How was she supposed to pick out Roku from the traps he’d supposedly set up? Or were these all just the traps of his? Or were they all him even? It was a struggle to keep moving towards the outpost.

As Izumi rounded the corner, she’d be met face to face with one of the turrets if she wished to inspect it, the bowgun looked identical to the one Roku had used, same model, same bolts, and was on a swivel pointing it. The only problem was it being pointed at her. And it firing. And the bolt slamming inches away from her face into the cliff face, the entire cliff face rumbling from the impact, pieces of it starting to crumple, this time with Izumi right at the epicenter.

As it began to crumble away, another awful feeling of dread filled Izumi, before a ‘thwump’ was quickly followed by a whistling sound, right when Izumi did not need it. The crunch against stone a promise, the incoming blow promising to pin Izumi against the wall like a bug on a wall, felt before it could be seen, and even before she could hear it.

“Uwah!” She flailed back, feeling the bolt as it flew inches from her face. Just a split second difference and that would’ve been a fatal strike. She didn’t have long to consider the close call as the cliff threatened to collapse around her. “Crap! Crap!” Izumi barely managed to take a few steps when it hit again. The flash of a bolt piercing her stomach and pinning her to the mountain, leave her to the mercy of the collapsing stones. Again she froze, only to find the side of her jacket pinned instead. A shuddering breath as she scrabbled for the bolt and pull herself free before the mountain threatened to sweep her away.

Finally stumbling to solid ground, she collapsed to her knees, lungs filling with icy air. There had to be something she was missing here, but what?

“Now, I ain’t saying be fearless, hell, I ‘bout near shit my pants every time I hafta draw my sword. But you gotta be ready to deal with that. If you are, Imma show you how to use that fear. The good, and the bad.”

He wants me to use my fear? By making me think I’m going to die over and over? Izumi frowned. She’d been shot at so many times already, but only a few of those had her death play out before her very eyes. Only a few left her too afraid to so much as breathe. Izumi nocked her lone arrow with another shuddering breath. “Only one chance at this . . . either I’m right, or I’ve got a lotta running left.”

She aimed in the direction the last bolt had come from and fired.

The arrow trailed off in the cold wind, sheets of white hiding any effect it, flying seeming endlessly, before a small “D’oh” echoed.

A moment later, a bundled up pile of robes fell next to her, adorned with a hat with an arrow through the side of it, which suddenly propped up to the form of a smiling Roku. “My, my, missy. Looks like you done killed my hat. Good job.”

Roku lifted up his bowgun, and pointed it in the distance, several ‘Thwumps’ echoing after each shot. “I, uh, definitely can’t remember how to turn those dangnabbit things off, but, uh, universal off button. *Sigh* How many years been now since used this here ol’ gal? Not since Ryujin sensei’s injuries with- …” The Bijuu attack, it hardly needed to be said.

“Anyways, doubt you’ll have more than just a feel for it, but that right there? That’s killing intent. When someone is serious about ending your life, you will feel it. To what degree? ‘Pends on the person. I ain’t near as scary as Nadeshiko, she’s proficient enough to use it in an actual fight against people scary as she is and make them lose their nerve. Not… that there are many people like that. Think maybe Lord Taisho, though ‘spose he’s more like a rabbit off the field of battle.

Anyways, got off topic. I got really good at sensing that killing intent, cause I’m such a coward. Remember the other guys with Hogai? Yoyo’s and ghillie suit? Ghillie suit guy kept turning invisible, but could feel where he was cause he really wanted to kill me. Imagine if I wasn’t scared of that, if I didn’t trust my gut and shake in my boots?

‘Sides, you got the important thing. You move when you’re scared. That’s not just okay, that’s great. Better to be wrong than ever stop. Now, come on, we got a bit of a walk left, you figured it out so quick. Said I’d show you the good and the bad. Any questions?”

For a long moment, nothing happened. Guess I was wrong. Or even if she was right, chances were the wind carried her blind shot way off mark. Too far for Roku to notice. A frustrated sigh nearly left her lips when a faint voice carried on the wind. It was too far away to know for sure, but it almost sounded like Roku’s voice. “Did I actually…?” Her sensei appeared soon after, an arrow jutting through his hat. Izumi blinked at the sight. Not only was she right, she’d actually managed to hit him somehow.

As his voice trailed off, she could only give a small, knowing nod. There wasn’t a single person she knew that didn’t lose someone or something to the beast’s rampage through their city. A dull ache that never really left. The icy wind howled between them. She looked back at Roku when he spoke back up. Killing intent . . . A way she could anticipate even hidden foes. Turn her fear into something that would keep her alive out there.

She followed Roku as he started back down the path towards the outpost. “Being able to sense it doesn’t do me much good if I just lock up though . . .” Izumi sighed, “Is it just experience then? How do I even get to the point I can feel it like you? Or . . . use it even. You’d said Nadeshiko could use it.” She’d never met the woman, but Roku’s mention alone made her sound terrifying. Someone as scary as the Taisho? Or maybe even scarier? What kind of samurai was she?

“Yup, experience. It’ll take a lot of these little training missions to get used to it. And I’ll probably ask ol’ Nadeshiko for pointers, ain’t much of a killing intent user myself. But the trick is to just react. To be honest, never taught another person this here technique, so, as suppose is as much trial as error. People say you’re either born a hero or coward. I say you can learn either. Now, that’s the worst of being a samurai. Now… now I wanna show you the best. Why we do it.”

The flickering light of the outpost drew nearer and near in the snow, the winds dying down towards it, and a warm lantern lit the front door. Roku kicked some of the snow away from the door with his foot, before rolling his eyes and drawing his blade, the heat of it evaporating the snow and slightly searing the door before he knocked.

Inside, the sound of children could be heard playing, before footsteps echoed, the door swinging open. On the other side was a man in his thirties, covered in scars and wearing an eyepatch. As he saw Roku, his face lit up. “Roku! My man! Good to see you!!! ” And he more or less tackled Roku into a full hug. As his arms embraced Roku, one stub could be seen, Lichtenberg scars running up the stub of his forearm up to his shoulder. “That one there one of yours? Come in, come in.” Said the man disembracing.

Roku chuckled. “Just how old do you reckon I am, Mamushi? This right here is one of my students, Izumi. We were just doing some training right here in the mountains. Then I remembered why I hate training in the mountains: it’s cold. Figured we’d see a friendly face; hear some good ol’ war time stories.”

Roku then turned to Izumi. “This here’s Mamushi. He’s the one who brewed the tea from earlier. Had the honor of working with him a few years ago, he’s an expert poisoner, but decided to live a more peaceful life, and just handles scouting out here with his family. Better man I don’t know. Need any poisons or any brews for training, this here’s your man.”

“Easier way to say you saved my a-...” He looked at the children behind him, “rear end from the Seven Swordsmen. Roku here took on all seven like a madman. Don’t let his ‘Oh, I’m so weak’ fool you. Welcome, welcome, Izumi. Hope you don’t mind kids. Why, could spin a yarn for you, but don’t know why Roku wants to hear’em again. Must be his ears itching again, the ol’ dog.” The friendly man grabbed Izumi by the shoulder, more or less tugging her inside before closing the door as light and warmth spilled out from the house in contrast to the cold and bitter mountain around them. Inside young laughter could be heard, and the smell of a freshly cooked stew floated from the kitchen.

Part of Izumi dreaded the idea of repeating their little exercise over and over until her senses improved. But training with Roku was still safer than trying to hone it in the field of battle. Somewhat, the Mokunoha mentally added as she recalled the sheer destruction those traps had caused. “The best part, huh?”

She snickered, hiding her face behind her scarf when Roku was nearly knocked over with a hug. And again when the man thought she was the Haganenoha’s kid instead of his student. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Mamushi.” As Roku continued his introduction, she twisted to look at him. “So it was poisoned!” Sure, her being able to use chakra would’ve defeated the point of their little training exercise. But that didn’t stop her indignation at the thought of it.

“Roku Sensei took on the Seven Swordsmen?” Izumi knew he had to be strong to earn the title of Haganenoha, but the Seven Swordsmen were legendary. Holding off one was impressive. But holding off all seven? She smiled at Mamushi, stepping inside from the cold. “I’d love to hear any stories you’ve got.”

 

[IG42]

Aoba Urashima
Rolling his eyes at Hogai's ranting Aoba kept his wall up for a couple of minutes in case the enemy was waiting for him to drop his guard then crumbled away the coral returning him to ground level. "You're most welcome Roku-senpai." He replied with a respectful nod despite the more experienced haganenoha looking like he'd tumbled through an even thicker hedge than usual. "The Taisho very unexpectedly came by earlier and assigned a team to me." He cast a glance at his solitary student. "Or rather he assigned one student to me and asked that I assemble the rest of the team myself."

Waving Yanma over now that the area was safe Aoba approached the girl Roku had pointed out, she looked about as raggedy as Roku usually did but for her it appeared to be due to an extended period of hard living rather than apathy towards appearances. "Hi there, the name's Aoba, Aoba Urashima and this is my (only) student Yanma." When she unexpectedly got down on her knees Aoba crouched and waved his hands. "Woah woah, there's no need for any of that." He gently urged her back to her feet. "I should warn that the 'dynamic' is what you see here but if you're alright with that I'd be glad to accept you as my student. But before that let's get you checked out and those wounds properly dressed."

Ganryu godjacob ZackStop

 

[KageYuuki]

Search for the Four Tails' Fangs
Golden Phoenix Curry was a shop located in the bustling center of Hanamachi. Even from outside, the smell of spices wafted out into the air. The spiced air only grew stronger as they crossed the threshold inside, warm and inviting though something stronger would faintly burn the noses of any not accustomed to spicy meals. Not yet open, the mokunoha would find the inside of the restaurant devoid of any people. Though the clatter of a metal spoon against a pot could be heard from further in the kitchen. A frustrated sigh and the kitchen door swung open, "we ain't open yet!" The burly man that emerged looked to be middle aged, splatters of bright yellow and orange sauces stained his apron. Getting a look at the trio that had made their way inside, he blinked. "Wait, you three are from the mission office, ain't ya?" He shook his head, "You'd be surprised how many people think the door being unlocked means I'm open early. Read the damned sign!"

The man cleared his throat, "Anyroad, name's Hideo Okamoto, I'm the one that hired you lot." He disappeared in the back again for a moment before returning with a couple of folded papers. "Like I mentioned in the mission posting, a new cave system was opened up by all the fighting that's been going on around the mountain." He unfolded the first piece of paper, revealing it to be a map of the Land of Iron as he spread it out on an empty table. "One of the guys that was there for that battle happens to be a regular of mine. Said it was somewhere around here," Hideo pointed to a circled area. "He poked around a little inside, crazy bastard's the one that tried the peppers they found in there even." He unfolded the other piece of paper, revealing a sketch of a white and orange pepper, shaped like a curved fang. "Look something like this."

Hideo crossed his arms in front of his chest, "Now, he's got a pretty good tolerance for spicy stuff, nothing like that crazy pair, but good enough. If his description's to be believed, then these might be my key to finally making a curry too spicy for that Yuki Onna and her brat. I'll need at least a few dozen, but would appreciate it if you brought any more." He hesitated, as if remembering something, "Oh yeah, he mentioned hearing something running around in there but never saw anything, so be careful y'hear?"

AtlannianSpy InsaneAsylum godjacob

 

[Ganryu]

Chaos && Control
Haze- InsaneAsylum Phayne
----------------

A heavy oppressive air hung in the slums of the Eastern district of Hanamachi, Wakahirume. Many of the refugee ninja had found themselves in the district, as well as some of the more distained clans of Hanamachi.

Banners hung abandoned between the rickity houses, and a communal cooking cauldron hung in the middle of neighborhood, the perpetual stew for the first time ever growing rancid inside. Several houses had half collapsed, leaning against eachother, and then repaired around eachother, giving a friendly vibe to the alley with the pot.

Houses marked with scratched out symbols of Mist, Stone, Leaf, Sand, Cloud, and original clan symbols hung quietly as eyes watched from broken doors.

The only sound were the militaristic footsteps as several officiers wearing the Chūseigumi emblem on it, in the middle a mustached man twirling it as he walked, the clear leader of the excusion, using a Jutte as a walking stick as several of his ribs were still bruised.

A jr. Officer behind him walked up. "Captain, weren't we told by the Taisho himself to stay out of Wakahirume?"

A squeak echoed as they passed a door with a hole in it. The captain laughed. "Why Jomei, naturally we comply with the Taisho's wishes. But, in the course of our patrol route, didn't you see the rat run into the district? It would be negligence just to follow him due to the Taisho's request. Lord Kaizo is strong, no doubt, but a bit young and inexperienced. Why, I'm sure we'll be forgiven for the matter."

Jomei, gulped. "B-but that's it! I didn't see anyone run down this way, Captain Yugoro!"

The captain chuckled before lifting his Jutte, and slamming it on the ground, symbols spreading out of it and over the ground, before suddenly Jomei collapsed to his knees grunting. Pebbles in the road began to dig into the dirt, and a disturbing hum filled the area. "Are you talking back to a superior, Jomei? That's treason, you know. Besides, Eki, you saw the man run here, right?"

A mischievious grin filled the other officer, who nodded. "Sure did." He lied as easily as he breathed.

The seals on the ground let up, and Yugoro continued walking. "And, while we're searching for... let's say that pickpocket, we might as well interrogate if anyone saw that BASTARD ISHII! I mean, sorry for raising my voice. We'll polite ask. Afterall, embarrassing an entire force without even drawing his sword for just 'bumping into him', why, how can anyone respect the law if we're seen as that weak."

Suddenly the captain paused as he saw movement, and began to body flicker across the street, slamming down his Jutte once more as a sudden thud could be heard, and an old woman collapsed to the ground groaning. "You, venerated in your old age. Have you seen this man?" He crouched, holding forward a picture of Ishii, before his hand began to sag downward, and he pulled it away from the seals.

"M-my hip..." She whimpered... "N-no, not since last week! He was looking for a 'challenge' among the refugees, and got bored. Then as soon as he's done terrorizing him, you idiots pick up his work! Haven't we gone through enough!" Suddenly she squealed again, before her eyes rolled.

Yugoro shook his head. "Well, then, thank you for your time. Do watch your step."

================


Sitting in the a dark room with a single light on, the young officer had his hands folded together as he addressed Ringo, Enkai, and Itto. "- And that's why I need you to stop my captain. Teach him a lesson. Any way you can. I'll cover for any questions people ask about it. Afterall, I'm sure we'll be forgiven for the matter. Wakahirume used to be fun, and people will riot over Granny Sachi once word spreads, hoping she pulls through. Thankfully Wakahirume is the only place in Hanamachi filled with former medic nin. We need to take care of Captain Yugoro NOW before this gets worse."

 

[godjacob]

Tokia was properly introduced to her newfound sensei Aoba and his apparent lone pupil Yanma as the latter seemed to dissuade her formal approach as the young samurai moved back to her feet as he seemed wiling to accept her as his own and even advised she get tended to given her clothing seemed to have some tatters and she carried some bandaged wounds as her ventures had taken a toll on her. She had been fine, or least that had been the line she repeated to herself on the matter on her struggles of this lone-wolf defender role she had taken on.

None the less, when offered to get checked out Tokita merely nodded along in understanding. "I understand Mis...I mean, Urashima Sensei." Tokia replied a bit as she prepared to set out with her new mentor as her life had taken quite the curious turn, but at this point she just prepared herself for whatever lied ahead and vowed to answer with the resolve she had always hung closes to her core.


IG42

~~Search for the Four Tails' Fang~~​

Some time had passed since Tokita had been added to Aoba's ranks, and not only had she managed to get her wounds properly treated but her clothing seemed to be clean and freshened for the first time in what had felt like ages. That was well and good, though it took some adjustments to learn under a ninja as she was the path of the blade, but it seemed to go well enough as she always gave her top effort no matter what was asked of her. Her natural discipline and willingness to listen also made her easy enough as a pupil least that is how Tokita had seen it. Whether Aoba or her newfound teammates agreed was another matter.

Slash! ​

The morning prior to what would be Tokita's first job had her doing what she typically did, which was a bit of practice in isolation. They had been by a lake in route to where they were to collect information on the coming job, and Tokita seemed to be in deep focus as a surge of chakra shimmered off her katana and she delivered a clean slash to the water as the force of the chakra caused the water to part; but only about a few feet out and the water itself rose not much higher before it fell as Tokita had a slight pant as she seemed to have been at this for a while here. One day, she'd be able to part the sea itself with one slash, much like the legends of the ones who founded the Land of Iron had told but that day was a ways away as she placed her sword back into its sheath as she was called over and soon enough the hour of her first assignment had come.

With that, it was time to set out for the Golden Phoenix Curry establishment.

~~~~~
Tokita arrived inside as the...let's just say colorful owner of the establishment who introduced himself as Hideo Okamoto, and despite his lack of tact which seemed to show his more casual attitude Tokita none the less gave a respectful bow to the man as she figured she should introduce herself in kind.

"A pleasure Mr. Okamoto. My name is Tokito Hagami." Tokita said as she then listened to Hideo who explained the mission, the location of where these valuable peppers could be found as well as his source though that comment seemed to cause an eyebrow to be raised. While she was not the type to usually poke at one's sources, this kind of job off word of mouth alone seemed to cause her to speak up a bit if nothing else to sense a level of assurance from this owner.

"And this source, this guy you claimed saw it, is his word credible enough that you feel confident that this location is indeed where we can find it?" Tokita asked Hideo as she tried to get a measure of his response. Regardless though if that cave is where they were to go she'd been prepared to carry her weight as she made a mental note of his requests in full as this had been a big moment for her.

Her first official mission, and the only thing she had on her mind was she refused to leave it a failure.


KageYuuki AtlannianSpy InsaneAsylum

 

[Spoiled Bread]

WHISPERING PUPPETS
Location : mansion's corridor
Time : 18.00

The mansion loomed in front of the three mokunohas. A two-stories wooden structure sitting alone on top of a hill, isolating anyone who lives inside from the rest of the city. The people who live in the nearby areas had a lot of rumours going around about the place, they call it the creepy mansion and some people even believe that the owner of the mansion had been killing people to grant life to his creations.

That was mere rumour though. Probably. Hopefully.

The front door creaked open and a figure came out to greet the samurais. She's a rather tall young woman with slightly tanned skin and short bright green hair. She wore a plain black kimono with a plain white apron over it.

"Come in, Master Ouzen is waiting inside." The woman nodded towards the samurais and urged them to follow her.

The front door leads to a long corridor with dozens of puppets displayed on pedestals on both sides, and those puppets weren't even the same type. Some were made with cheap clothes and looks like sock puppets made by kids, some were flat shapes made by leather with caricature of a character drawn on it, some were wooden humanoid figure with movable joints like the ones used by ninjas and some were just straight up stone statues with great details on it. Seemed like the client's definition of 'puppet' were quite loose.

"Just to make sure... I hope none of you are afraid of ghost?" The woman looked back at the mokunohas and asked a questions as they walk through the corridor.

Ganryu AtlannianSpy Phayne​

 

[Ganryu]

Akari Tone - Whispering Puppets
Akari stood outside of the mansion, being awfully twitching for the 'quiet hunter'. Her head snapped at every sound, and she paced back and forth. Pausing, she reached into her bag, pulling out an honest to goodness fidget spinner as she twirled it between her fingers, trying to calm down.

Her two teammates had recently withdrawn, not uncommon for Mokunoha, but Akari couldn't help but wonder if it was something she said. It left her alone with Nadeshiko, and the women was kind, but made her nervous, she couldn't put her finger on why. But she could put her finger on the spinner, and did so, repeatedly...

Then there was meeting new people. Akari was already terrible at it! Just as she'd gotten comfortable at it! Growing up in the remote woods with her families hunting ground good social graces did not grant.

Then there was the mission details. Something about ghosts?! Akari often was in the woods in the middle of the night. But that was different. It was predictable. Animals, occasional hunters. Occasional giant animal that graced this world. A fountain full of statues when she was really lost once. But predictable! The unexpected? THAT unnerved her! And what if she had to TALK to the client? The horror. Oh yeah, and ghosts...

And temporary teammates for the mission. Akari hadn't said anything to them? Would they think she was weird? Sure, she knew OF Koyome and Enkai, but, she rarely said more than hi! She knew Enkai liked to cook, it was something she felt oddly competitive about, but how to bring that up when they were supposed to investigate something weird? "Hi, there's some creepy things in the mansion. Want to make Soba noodles?" Didn't exactly start a good conversation. And Koyome was a former ninja. Akari didn't have Izanami levels of hatred towards ninja, but she did always want to prove herself against them. Somehow "Hi. I hate your lifestyle" didn't roll off the tongue either...

The door finally opened, and Akari jumped literally twelve feet in the air with a surprisingly audible (For Akari) "EEEK!" At the maid, before falling over in the grass. Her fidget spinner smashed into the ground like a little meteor...

Welp... there went good first good impression...

Akari didn't bother answering the question... there was no recovering from that... Was Seppeku too extreme a reaction? Should... she just walk off? Or would that be more awkward?

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Koyome Omozukai: Search for the Four Tails' Fangs
Although it was often uncomfortable or inconvenient to be cooped inside a hollow, wooden puppet it did occasionally present some unique advantages. For starters it made for a killer poker face: it was much easier to avoid excessive emoting when actually making any sort expression at all required deftly manipulating a number of complex mechanisms. The whole facial structure of Koyome's puppet body was actually a point of considerable pride for her, early models had fallen deep into the uncanny valley to the point that even Koyome herself had found them a bit offputting and she had grown up around her clanmates who were all a bit blank faced and stoic to begin with.

This was all to say that when Koyome entered the... quaint little establishment that had hired them she managed not to visible wrinkle her nose with distaste.

geh! What is this chemical warfare!? Koyome complained internally, stifling a cough while her outward expression was one of serene indifference. ...Actually that might be worth experimenting with, I should try and secure some of these noxious plants for my self while we're at it Koyome thought, leaning forwards to insert herself into the conversation for the first time.

"If this fellow was at the battle then he must be a samurai no? Surely his much vaunted honour and expertise is enough to rely on," Koyome said, a bit drily, because this girl seemed to yet another painfully earnest and serious type. Are they really all like this? Surely it gets boring after a while? At the very least the other painfully earnest and and serious samurai Koyome was going to have to deal with on this mission was something of a known quantity to her. Izanami had already proven to have a little bit of steel underneath her shiny exterior after that debacle of a first mission. Time would tell if the other one would make the cut as well, Koyome supposed.

KageYuuki InsaneAsylum godjacob

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Koyome Omozukai: Whispering Puppet
For once, Koyome was in a good mood. The weather was pleasantly cool (her puppet could get a little stuffy on hot days) and the prospect of studying the work of another puppeteer was genuinely exciting.

*spin~

Admittedly this man appeared to be a civilian so his puppets probably weren't designed for combat but there might still be insights to be gleaned from studying them. Koyome had done that before actually, although she first been exposed to the shinobi puppets of Sunagakure after that first encounter she had very limited reference material: much of her early study of the art of puppetry had involved taking apart and fixing that cast off toys of the younger clan children. Supposedly this was how shinobi puppets had first evolved in the first place as well.

*spin~

Then there was the mission itself. The obvious and most likely answer to what was happening was that that old man who posted the mission was, despite his protestations, losing his marbles. Too bad, so sad and one day so will we all go. But! On the off chance something else really was going on here and a puppet was moving about and redecorating on its own that was very interesting! Imagine a puppet that could go forth and kill without Koyome even having to lift a finger! She would be a fool to-

*spin~

Koyome's eye twitched. Then she made her puppet's eye twitch for dramatic effect. Alright. Let's nip this in the bud shall we? Koyome decided, turning towards Akari and hte accursed little widget in her hand with a not very nice smile.

"EEEK!"

Before Koyome could finish her polite and not all subtly threatening request the door to the mansion opened and her teammate rocketed into the air in shock, landing rather badly. Koyome could only watch the whole spectacle unfold with something like awe, her mouth slightly open as one single, overwhelming though resounded in her mind like a revelation from some deity.

I must bully this creature Koyome vowed silently.

Something Koyome had mostly come to terms with these days was that she had developed something of a sadistic streak. It was a product, Koyome supposed, of her disability and the general apathy she had been receiving from her clan. She'd been miserable and angry for so long that it became deeply satisfying to see the people who looked down on her suffer. Over time that had evolved into a generalised... appreciation for schadenfreude, it was just fun to see someone waltzing around like everything was rainbows and kittens eat shit and be reminded how crappy the world could be. Mostly Koyome channeled this desire towards constructive targets like enemy combatants rather than going around kicking puppies or something, but some people were just so... bullyable that she couldn't help herself. This Akari girl was off the charts bully-able, really it was her fault going around like that, it was just asking to be bullied at that point.

"Oh dear, let me give you a hand," Koyome said sweetly, appearing at Akari's side and grabbing an arm to pull the other girl up to her feet with. "Don't worry Akari chan, I'm sure ghosts aren't real. But just in case I have a powerful sensory jutsu I can use to keep an eye out for anything trying to sneak up on us," With her thumb and forefinger Koyome reached over and tugged gently on Akari's sleeve. "If I see any ghosts I'll tug on your sleeve like this and you'll know they're coming so you won't have to be scared~"

Spoiled Bread
Ganryu
Phayne