Starring:
Michiko (emitter), Asato, Hisomu, Naruko, Yori, Rise
Date: June 14, 2015
Summary:
Michiko finds herself knocked out and unconscious. Kumo-shinobi are immediately alerted and sent to track down and take out the kidnappers, though things may just take a turn for the worst…
Poster's note: foul language filtered in obvious places.
"Kumo’s Kidnappers - First Victim: Michiko"
Land of Lightning
Since her loss at the Steel Soul Tourney, Michiko has taken an hour out of her day to go out and train with her summon, Kimura. She and the fox have been working non-stop to build both their bond, and improve on their latest teamwork-oriented skill. However, new abilities don't come without a price. It's the end of the day, and Michiko is wrapping up a training session. Her guard is down, the girl actually a bit lost in thought as she wonders how to fix what was recently torn up, and Kimura is off to the side in a patch of shade to relax. Without much more warning than the faintest of tremors, mysterious folks smack Michiko on the back of the head and knock her out, kidnapping the Kumo kunoichi.
Kimura, who had sensed something wrong and woke up just as Michiko was being dragged away, disappeared with a burst of wind, the fox knowing she couldn't do anything in her current state. The kidnappers didn't look like much, at least, so it was a team was sent to the Iwata's rescue. Asato, Naruko, Yori, and Hisomu, lead by Kimura, rushed to the fields that Michiko was training to start looking for her. And so the mission begins…
"I'm not sure where they took her… But we need to find her fast. They totally took her by srprise, so there wasn't much of a fight. I dunno what kind of fighters these guys are, so keep your guard up," the black fox tells the team, sniffing around the area and coming up with… Well, not much.
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a PERCEPTION…26
When Asato heard of Michiko's capture, he was quick to volunteer for the search and rescue team. She was invaluable to Kumogakure, and he knew it. Her information-gathering skills were vital to both the village, and himself. He would have taken the job alone, had the Raikage not specifically ordered a team. And Naruko was part of it. He contained his groan of disapproval, as well as the fact that there were two Genin with them. He hoped that they wouldn't slow them down.
Following the black fox, Asato looked back to the group. He had the most experience, and so he was taking charge. "Spread out and look for clues. If any one of you finds a heading, report it immediately. When the time comes… You Genin, stay out of the fight. Work from the sidelines. Use ranged attacks /only/, and be discreet. I don't want a kid getting killed on my watch… It'd make me look bad." Taking point, Asato began searching, checking the ground for noticeable drag marks, or any sign of a struggle. If the attackers were skilled, they wouldn't have left much behind… They had to keep a shrp eye out.
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a PERCEPTION-II…37
Looking at Asato as he speaks, Hisomu shows something unlikely. There's a hint of emotion, a flare of anger as she hears him before she takes a breath and steps toward him, "I am capable of fighting, thank you." She states and nods her head and then looks forward, "I will follow orders as necessary but I will not allow anything to happen to Michiko-San." She nods her head, "I am more than capable of handling myself as is Naruko-San." She nods her head again before moving along, "Do not act as if simply because you are older or of higher rank that you are aware of my capabilities." She then looks forward, "I will not allow harm to come to Michiko-San." She nods her head again, as if she were using this as a period at the end of sentences.
COMBAT: Naruko focuses 3808 stamina to turn it into 6000 usable chakra!
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a CAT-SENSE…39
Michiko? Captured? It was impossible to think of such a thing ever happening. Nothing of the sort made sense but nevertheless this was it… This was a personal matter… and there was a lot of stake. The entire time Naruko was locked jawed following closely behind the black fox, which happened to be near and near to Asato as well… Normally she would fill in the gaps of silence with small talk, something cheery, something to make the time passa bit…But she was worried, irritable, and very very angry. "The genin will be fine… I will keep an eye on Hisomu-chan specifically. If you want to keep an eye on Yori-kun… Asato-san…" Naruko suggested, that way both of their attention wouldn't be split on two people. "Hisomu-chan. Asato is right in this… We need to be very careful going forward. If this person was able to take Michiko… just keep your eyes open for anything that might come to your attention. We need to find her… Everything counts here!" The chuunin was rather frantic, though she would use this time to force some chakra throughout her body and begin the search… any clues…
COMBAT: Yori focuses 2290 stamina to turn it into 2500 usable chakra!
RPCOMBAT: Yori defends against with a PERCEPTION…35
Yori had heard the news and had immediately volunteered to go with the group. Part of the benefit of being amongst the administrative staff during the day was that he was very much kept updated on what was going on. This, now, well Michiko was his team leader and one of the very few people who actually seemed to think he wasn't worthless. Even more so than he himself. He wasn't going to let someone take her, not if he could help it. The young boy only boys deeply to the others but says nothing about the upcoming search and possible battle. He had no ranged type of attacks, so again he'd be useless. The best he could hope for would be to try and find something to say not only where Michiko went, but also who took her. Maybe he can gather information on them to share…without any kind of close combat that would be the only thing he would possibly be able to do to help.
Kimura growls faintly, also a bit upset at the moment. This is her partner, after all! The two went through some great torture to get to where they're at, and they still haven't been able to do much of anything in terms of battle. "They can help how they can, Asato. Yori isn't good at ranged combat, even." The fox glances to the Saito. "When we get to the hideout, try to gather as much information as possible. And if we find Michiko, I'll give you backup while you free her. Got it?" Conflicting orders, but at least he has someone protecting him and he's not doing nothing for the mission. Asato could either accept or argue, but no one Shinobi had true authority in this case…
Hisomu would be able to see a few dusty tracks that lead off to the side, but they disappeared shortly after it became pure stone. Asato would find that there was no sign of any blood, but a lot of intense burn marks on some of the rocks; evidence of the pair's training. Naruko, with her sense of smell better than a human's, is able to detect the trail because it really isn't that old. And Yori, interestingly enough, is able to discern a few marks on the ground that implies one of them was carrying a very very large sword.
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a PERCEPTION…20
Asato's brow twitches, but he does not argue with the fox. He would just have to make sure the kid stayed out of too much trouble. Continuing his search, he noticed where the stones were scorched, and studied them carefully. They didn't seem to be from the attackers - in fact, they were reminiscent of Michiko's own fire jutsu. She had probably been out here training. He glanced to the others to see if they looked like they had found anything, before continuing his own scouring of the area. They had to have left some sort of trail…
COMBAT: Hisomu focuses 3370 stamina to turn it into 4950 usable chakra!
Still not happy about this, Hisomu backs down when Naruko speaks up and Kimura, too. SHe goes back to her usual way of thinking when they arrive and then she walks over to the side as Asato looks around. She walks right up to the side and then points, "Here." She states simply enough and there is a trail leading away from this spot that seems to fade into the stone but she nods, "This is the way they went." She nods again before looking back at Asato and then at the others and then looks onward to the direction that was left in, "I doubt it is a wise idea for us to wait around."
"The trail is fresh… We still have a chance to catch up…We just need to hurry but becareful…" Naruko states as she continues to move forward with her nose in the air. She was going by scent alone… Everyone else could handle any of the other particular senses. For now Naruko remains wordless, nodding off to Hisomu as she seemed to have found the path. Naruko could confirm it with her nose..
Yori doesn't say anything in his own defense because, well, that's not his way. When Kimura starts speaking for him though the boy chews on his cheek before nodding a bit, "Hai, I'll stay alert. I will be okay, please don't worry about me. Getting Michiko-san back is more important." If it came down to it there's no doubt that Yori would sacrifice himself to ensure Michiko's safety. "I will do my very best." With that he turns to start examining the location where she went missing, crouching to check a few things as he passes them by. Finally he's seen all that he really can and makes his report aloud. "Over here there are markings looking like something was dragged. Something with an edge but heavy. Based on the drag pattern and width I'd say it is an extremely large sword. A very heavy one as well." Although a very large sword would obviously be very heavy, but hey. "We will need to be very cautious." Despite his youthful age the boy speaks like an intelligent adult, definitely much more refined and much smarter than anyone else his age. As the path is pointed out Yori prepares to follow after the rest, subconsciously reaching under his oversized sleeves to check is vambraces.
"Excellent," the fox says, nodding. "When we find them, they're going to wish they had never done this." Kimura bares her teeth a bit, then looks to Naruko and Asato. "Lead the way, you two. We should figure out what we'll do when we actually catch up to these goons." Her ears flick with annoyance, as she's angry that she wasn't even able to stop this. She had been /napping/ of all things… So irritating to know that you could have, but you didn't.
Naruko and the others would be able to follow the trail through scent and the occasional mark on the ground that Yori's shrp eyes would be able to spot. Then they get to some sparse woods where it seems that some folk made a fire… Hmm… It's obvious that they went camping for a bit. The ashes are somewhat recent, too, considering they weren't goopy mush from recent rain. Either the prpetrators had stopped, or that was from before the kidnapping. Whatever the case, some idiot had stepped in the ashes, and a single footprint created a new trail to follow, though it faded with each step.
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a PERCEPTION…30
Following Naruko's shrp nose and Yori's srprisingly shrp eyes, the team was able to make it to a small campsite hidden in the woods. Asato slowed his steps, walking carefully around the area, and noticing the fresh footprint. But it was fading… 'What sort of fool would step into their own ashes?' Asato thought, and his /somewhat/ paranoid mind stepped into action. What if they had left this trail prposefully, to set them up for an ambush, knowing that they would be followed! 'When the bait is obvious, don't take it,' he reminded himself, something that he had burned into his mind from his Genin years. If they had been able to steal Michiko, they wouldn't have been so clumsy as to step in their own ashes and leave a trail. "Be on guard," he alerted the group, tensing slightly. "Yori.. Your eyes are valuable. I want you to go with Kimura and scout ahead, see what you can make of that trail. Naruko.. Your nose is powerful.. See if you can catch any human scent that isn't ours… The trail could be obvious bait… I don't want us being caught off guard." Glancing to Hisomu, he nods a bit. ".. Stay with us.. And keep a shrp eye out.. If we are ambushed, we have to be prepared to fight. Don't go ahead until we're certain it's safe to do so." Yes, he was being overly cautious. But he knew how sneaky shinobi could be, and he wouldn't risk anyone's lives by being careless.
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a PERCEPTION-II…36
Moving along with the group, Hisomu continues ot keep a shrp eye out. She is somewhat squinting at Asato. What is probably just an imagined slight, in her heightened state of mind is becoming a real slight. Pushing around under the surface something paces behind her eyes. She twitches as she rushes along, moving her eyes this way and that even as she runs. Something starts to taunt the back of her mind, <Oh, little miss cool and calm is starting to show just a hint of emotions, it seems.> A chuckle can be heard in Hisomu's mind, her teeth grinding as she feels herself somewhat losing a battle she's always prided herself on winning. As she rushes along though, she doesn't let it show even as something scratches at the surface of her very soul, <Knock knock, who's there? Hisomu's. Hisomu's who? Hisomu's other half.> The chuckle is almost sadistic coming from a usually good humored thing that has been srpressed for quite a while.
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a CAT-SENSE…26
Naruko's nose wasn't getting any better, however there was a nice obvious lead they could very well follow if they wanted… Still it was rather clumsy, especially for someone who could easily capture Michiko. " We need more cover… " Naruko grunts with a sigh, trying to find out any other leads other than the more obvious ones. FOr now though she was certain she would need to relent to what the others could find. "I'm not smelling anything else… At least not yet… Give me a little bit more time," Naruko speaks up, briefly turning back to look at Yori and Hisomu… Just some caution to make sure they were not to be harmed.
"Hai," Yori replied immediately to Asato's orders. Normally the boy would question the words about his eyes being useful as he tended to think of them as not. Really thinking of his whole self as not useful. But this wasn't the time to bring it up or question Asato about the decision, not with Michiko in constant danger. Instead he goes with Kimura and does what he can, keeping a close watch on their surroundings. Not only the ground ahead, behind, and to either side, but any trees or rocks that might not only have taken some damage from the passing, but also could be hiding dangers from people to traps. Even the sky is checked every now and then although not as often as everything else. While he does his searching he remains tense and ready to move should danger present itself. Or even better, an oppurtunity to help Michiko. Silence is, once again, all that comes from him for now however.
RPCOMBAT: Yori defends against with a PERCEPTION…34
The group would find … Well, nothing that seemed like an ambush, really. Either their senses were terrible or there really was nothing there. Fortunately, Yori and Kiimura would find more tracks that would eventually lead them a fair distance away from the camp. It was a long enough trail to be a valid one, unless the group split up, but that was sort of unlikely, considering they probably wouldn't want to leave Michiko alone with only a few of them… Even if they drugged her and knocked her out!
"Looks like there's some tracks… I can smell them. They obviously haven't shoewred in weeks," the fox says, wrinkling her nose a bit. She looks to Yori to double check that he can confirm the tracks, since to eyes are better than one, then she would get him to dash back to give his report while she waited where the tracks continued.
At no sign of waiting attackers, Asato eases slightly and nods. It seemed Yori and Kimura had been able to find a solid trail. "Right," he says, rounding up Hisomu and Naruko with a nod. "Let's continue." Walking back with Yori to where the fox waits, he studies the path himself. "Lead on," he says, anxious to reach the end of the path and get to the action. They knew where they were headed, now was the time to hasten their efforts. "Yori and Kimura, continue to take point. We'll flank behind you. The rest of you, don't lower your guard. If any of you sense something amiss, give a signal." It looked like they would need all hands on deck, for this one.
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a PERCEPTION…16
Grumbling a little as she notes they aren't making any headway, Hisomu takes in a shrp breath and grinds her teeth a little, "We need to find her." Hisomu nods her head and then starts to look a little nervous even as she shifts her eyes to the side, "She can't be far." Hisomu nods and hten starts moving along with the group while looking around a little more desperately. <Found your sweet spot, did we? You're going to lose another one, Hisomu. Another friend. It's not your fault, you know. You're just too weak because you don't open yourself up.> The snickering creature begins to almost be gleeful as it speaks, <It doesn't have to be this way you know. I'm the nice one. The funny one…and you, well, you're just a boring girl who is about to have one less friend. I won't leave you though…>
Naruko was honestly a little… distracted. She could feel a few mental pulses. Sort of like a link that only occured when there was someone like herself around <The Seven tails… is a little restless, Naruko-chan. Keep an eye on her> A voice speaks to Naruko, deep within the crevice of her mind. "Not a good time at all…" Naruko could be heard speaking out loud though she does quiet herself while moving along with the group. "Good job there, Yori-kun. It won't be long until we find where we are looking for. Hisomu-chan… You look like you could use a bit of water, you aren't getting tired from this walk are you?" Naruko asks, though there was definitely a subtle hidden meaning behind all that. She was checking up on her.
Yori found the trail continued with Kimura and returned to give the report before leading them back to the fox. Once they returned to the location Yori would take point with Kimura, continuing his lookout for not only clues of a trail but also of any danger that might lie in wait for them. Whatever is going on behind him with the others he, for now, ignores as his main focus is in finding Michiko and using all of his ability to do so. He can help check on the others later if it's necessary, but not now. As much as he wants to hurry, he doesn't entirely feel comfortable rushing into the unknown, and so he doesn't unless the orders change. Instead he moves at a decent clip but slow enough to remain very watchful of their surroundings.
RPCOMBAT: Yori defends against with a PERCEPTION…26
With it getting dark, it's a bit hard for people to use their eyes to see the trail. Fortunately, it also means that the people who took Michiko will have to stop or light lanterns. Especially if they're not familiar with the local territory. The group would all move forward, traveling along until small specks of light appear in the distance long after the sun has set. They were still a bit far, but there was time to plan. And the lights were stationary, implying that they had set up a fire rather than light lamps to continue on their way.
With the sun setting, Asato was growing even more anxious to find a sign that would bring them closer to their target. They moved along as steadily as they could, relying on Kimura and Naruko's sense of smell to guide them once it became too dark for even Yori's shrp eyes. And then he saw it - a flickering light in the distance, that could be made out as a campfire and a couple of torches. "Stop," he said quickly, keeping his voice low. "Look there…" Pointing ahead, he indicated the lights, bringing it to the attention of any who might not have noticed it. "Looks like we found them…" Motioning the group closer, he kneels and considers the situation.
"They haven't spotted us yet - that gives us the advantage. We can use the darkness as cover, but only as long as they can't hear us. Being so close to the fire-light themselves, their ability to see in the dark will be heavily impaired. I suggest we surround them, keeping to the shadows - it will be best if we can take them all out simultaneously, without being noticed. Now, does anyone here have any Genjutsu that would work on a group…"
That was his first thought, anyway. If that failed, he had a few ranged attacks as back-up, but he would have to be stealthy and precise.
A look to Naruko and Hisomu with squint and frown, "I'm fine." She states in a slightly edgier version of her usual tone. She then looks forward and starts along with the group as she pulls out a little water to drink. She's frankly not paying much attention except for forward now. She's trying to focus real hard on the task at hand. Everything needs to be focused on this. <OH yes. Focus really hard on this. You'll do well when you find her body, Hisomu. Another friend gone.> Hisomu frowns deeper and then tries not to show it anymore even as she has to stop herself from rushing off toward the lights as Asato starts questioning strategy.
There was an urge to simply bolt forward also, but Naruko had became a bit more restraind after her training. She listedn to.. <Don't do what I think you want to do… Listen to the Hatake.> "Right…quiet and strategy. We can surround them easily and then converge on them all at the same time… It will be our best best…" Naruko's eyes had turned into mere slits at this point, not because of her control or her mood, merely because she could see a bit easier in the dark compared to those without those traits. " Let's get a move on… I can't wait much longer. We need to move quickly but remain out of sight. Just verify Michiko is there…We can't lose our lead now,"
It had become more and more difficult to see as time passed and the sun set, yet Yori didn't give up his own part until there was zero chance of him seeing anything worth while. From then on it was up to Kimura and Naruko and he was srprisingly okay with that. At least Kimura. And despite his own fear of Naruko he knew that she would one of the most useful people in finding Michiko. And the others seemed to be okay with her. So he had to put his own fears aside for now and just trust in the rest of the group. Once the lights appear and a stop is called the boy does as told and turns to listen to the plan. "Hai." It's his only response. He'll do as told, and do it to the best of his ability. A glance over at Naruko when she speaks and he sees her eyes reflecting in the dim light, making him even more unsettled. Especially as he remembers that one incident…but don't think about that now. Focus on the task at hand.
The darkness has fallen completely by the time Rise is able to catch up to the group. She would have heard many a rumor about Michiko getting kidnapped, especially if she was near the gates when Kimura entered in a panic or when the team was actually sent out. Regardless of the when, she would likely be able to track the Kumo-nin that were sent out. There were many signs that lead to their trail, and it was generally straightforward.
The fire about a hundred or so meters away belongs to the men who somehow managed to kidnap Michiko. From the distance, only a select few could truly hear what was being spoken. That likely being Naruko, Kimura, and those who have extensively trained their ears. Even then, the voices are hard to hear. "So… easy… Not even… Be pleased…" Hmm… Interesting. What exactly were they talking about?! Kimura wants to take a closer look, but… No, she had to stick with the plan. Giving up the advantage is a bad idea.
Not hearing anyone speak of any Genjutsu they could use, Asato looks a little more grim. It was up to a stealthy ranged attack, then. Looking the group over, he nods once. "Alright, listen up. I'm going to take the west side. Kimura, you circle around to the north. Naruko, you take the south, and Hisomu, the East. We make a 4-point enclosure of no less than 10 meters radius. Yori.. Stick with me. When I give the signal, we attack as one with whatever ranged jutsu you have. Swiftness is the key to our success. The faster we attack as many as possible, the less time they will have to raise their guard and defend themselves." With a nod, Asato looks around the group once more. "I will use a native bird call to signal the attack. You should all recognize it. Now… To your positions." Asato would move stealthily with Yori at his flank to his western position, watching carefully for the others to take their marks.
COMBAT: Asato focuses 2561 stamina to turn it into 3000 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 1 with STEALTH with a roll of: 23
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 18. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 23. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 26. - Rolled by: Michiko
Looking at the situation with the others, Hisomu swallows softly as she stares at the situation. She can kinda hear something of what is being said and only nods at Asato. She slides her tongue over her lips to wet them as she begins to move and only pauses a moment suck in a sharp breath thanks to a rogue 'thought'.
COMBAT: Hisomu focuses 3420 stamina to turn it into 4950 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with STEALTH with a roll of: 21
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Hisomu from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 26. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Hisomu from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 34. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Hisomu from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 33. - Rolled by: Michiko
Naruko understood exactly what to do and used this for her own advantage. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" Naruko hisses quietly under her breath, poofing up another clone to help maintain a stealth awareness. They crept up carefully as they should, staying out of sight, with the clone Naruko giving fair warning in case anything else was to come up… It was odd being away from Hisomu, but Naruko also knew she was able to take care of herself…how long though…?
COMBAT: Naruko focuses 3818 stamina to turn it into 6000 usable chakra!
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 1 with SHADOW-CLONE-STEALTH with a roll of: 52
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Naruko from 35 to 60 and get(s) a 38. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Naruko from 35 to 60 and get(s) a 45. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Naruko from 35 to 60 and get(s) a 52. - Rolled by: Michiko
Yori can only nod his agreement to the plan since he's not involved in it's planning at all. He feels a little strange being the only one not going solo but them it's maybee for the best considering how useless he generally tends to be. Once everyone starts to move the boy crouches down and follows after Asato, eyes watching in the direction of the fire to try and figure out whether or not anyone gets spotted.
COMBAT: Yori attacks target 1 with STEALTH with a roll of: 25
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Yori from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 19. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Yori from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 28. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Yori from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 24. - Rolled by: Michiko
Word did not reach her by chance, but because of the intentions of "the dandy man of Kumogakure", Ren no Tsuki. She understood that he spoke out of desperation. What father wouldn't go to any lengths to see his daughter spirit return after a great ordeal? But if his wish had been to see her recover some day, Rise trampled on it by leaving the hospital with a body powered by will and will alone.
Neither sneaking out of the village, picking up the trail, or even fighting against limbs that threatened to turn against at her at every second had been the hardest part about the trip. The hardest part… was patience. The patience to not push her body too fast, or too rush blindly after the enemy. Aside from picking up familiar scents, the girl had no real clue about another team having been already dispatched, nor cared for that matter. Anything and everything on the trail was an enemy or an obstacle as far as the girl was concerned. She could see things as no less simple than that…
As things stood at present, it might be some time yet before she actually caught up with the others.
Word did not reach her by chance, but because of the intentions of "the dandy man of Kumogakure", Ren no Tsuki. She understood that he spoke out of desperation. What father wouldn't go to any lengths to see his daughter spirit return after a great ordeal? But if his wish had been to see her recover some day, Rise trampled on it by leaving the hospital with a body powered by will and will alone.
Neither sneaking out of the village, picking up the trail, or even fighting against limbs that threatened to turn against at her at every second had been the hardest part about the trip. The hardest part… was patience. The patience to not push her body too fast, or too rush blindly after the enemy. Aside from picking up familiar scents, the girl had no real clue about another team having been already dispatched, nor cared for that matter. Anything and everything on the trail was an enemy or an obstacle as far as the girl was concerned. She could see things as no less simple than that.
To that end, Rise did not announce her presence to the others, nor lingered to hear any plans. Granted, the berserker did not get all that close before trying to circumvent the team and sneak closer to her real enemy.
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 1 with STEALTH-II with a roll of: 33
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Rise from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 34. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Rise from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 28. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Perception vs Rise from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 22. - Rolled by: Michiko
The team… Couldn't get into position stealthily enough. From all sides but one are they spotted, and the cry of alarm rings through the camp. All men are at arms, some wielding spears, some using swords, and others using nothing at all. There was a pretty good mix of people there, by the looks of it. No sensors, though, or they likely would have detected the usage of chakra on Naruko's part. Immediately, they spring to action, and a smokebomb is thrown down, obscuring the area. It wouldn't help them escape, but it would buy them time. That being said, attacks flying willy nilly could very well work.
Kimura blinks, the fox's eyes narrowing as she hears the alarm ring out. Chakra lightning flashes up on her fur, providing an eerie blue light to surround her. Then she attacks, not caring that the men were hidden in the smoke. Most would miss, but maybe she could actually spark a few.
[NPC System]: Kimura roll(s) Static Storm from 27 to 50 and get(s) a 35. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kimura roll(s) Static Storm from 27 to 50 and get(s) a 44. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kimura roll(s) Static Storm from 27 to 50 and get(s) a 33. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kimura roll(s) Static Storm from 27 to 50 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kimura roll(s) Static Storm from 27 to 50 and get(s) a 29. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kimura roll(s) Static Storm from 27 to 50 and get(s) a 44. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs. Kimura from 25 to 50 and get(s) a 37. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs. Kimura from 25 to 50 and get(s) a 43. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs. Kimura from 25 to 50 and get(s) a 27. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs. Kimura from 25 to 50 and get(s) a 35. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs. Kimura from 25 to 50 and get(s) a 32. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs. Kimura from 25 to 50 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato defends against STEALTH-II(39) attack from Rise with a PERCEPTION…24
Asato curses as the alarm sounds, and he quickly grabs Yori and shoves him down behind a nearby rock, hissing at him, "Stay put. Defend yourself as necessary." Realizing this was just a kid who probably wanted to feel important, Asato pinches his nose quickly and sighs a bit. "Wait for the stragglers. The ones who get separated from the herd, so to speak. Go for them. But for heaven's sake, do NOT take on multiple attackers.." With that, he leaves Yori hidden, setting up in front of the boulder and pulling a scroll swiftly out of a pocket in his vest, unfurling it towards the thick cloud of smoke and using his chakra to unleash the pressurized senbon onto the group of men, scattering enough of them to surely be able to hit a few. He hoped that at least /someone/ was still able to remain unnoticed, and could attack from theri blind spot.
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 1 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 23
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 28. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 2 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 29
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 29. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 3 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 22
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 30. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 4 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 25
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 23. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 5 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 22
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 25. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 6 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 22
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 35. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 7 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 19
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 21. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 8 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 29
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 21. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 9 with SENBON-SCROLL with a roll of: 21
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) (Defense) Smokey Dodge vs Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 40. - Rolled by: Michiko
As the trap is sprung nearly in reverse, Hisomu growls a little as she didn't see Michiko right away. Even as she stands up she begins to make handseals, <Make them pay, Hisomu! They don't deserve mercy!> The bug calls from within her, trying to goad the girl on and on. It isn't normally so mean but it has been denied for a while. The girl still creates hand signs and directs the earth. The earth careens upward and attempts to sandwich many of them between various columns crushing them, crumbling only after the job is complete.
COMBAT: Hisomu defends against STEALTH-II(33) attack from Rise with a PERCEPTION-II…28
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 25
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 2 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 26
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 3 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 28
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 4 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 24
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 5 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 18
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 6 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 22
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 7 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 31
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 8 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 23
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 9 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 28
RP: Michiko rolled a 9 with 1d9 die.
COMBAT: Naruko defends against STEALTH-II(40) attack from Rise with a CAT-SENSE…43
Attacks were flying and despite the fact that Naruko could hit from a distance.. .She needed to find Michiko. She needed to get close enough and not cause too much damage before she unleashed hell of her own. Naruko was surpisingly tame. focusing chakra throughout her body in order to increase her reflexs and through her self into the fry. "Where is Michiko-chan?!" Naruko exclaims as she forms a few hand seals and thursts her hands forward, suddenly whipping winds now only attacked at her enemies but also as a way to quickly clear up the smoke that attempted to hide their presence. She would use her senses to try and catch Michiko's sent, while beating up on one of the lone enemies in hand to hand combat, a few swift strikes aimed at the mid section… So much for attacking from afar.
RP: Naruko transforms into RAPID-MOVEMENT-MODE.
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 1 with BLADED-GALE with a roll of: 49
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 1 with BLADED-GALE with a roll of: 47
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 1 with SWIFT-STRIKE with a roll of: 29
RP: Michiko rolled a 2 with 1d3 die.
Yori mentally berates himself even if it wasn't him specifically that had been seen. That wasn't good, and now any chance of surprise was gone. The boy starts to stand when Asato orders him to stay back. It's rare that Yori doesn't immediately follow an order but that causes him to hesitate. Michiko is in there somewhere and he's expected to just stay back here? He gives a tight lipped nod before settling back down, letting his eyes scan the camp though with the smoke it's hard to see through. As soon as it clears enough he'll continue to scan the place for any sign of where Michiko might be.
COMBAT: Yori defends against STEALTH-II(41) attack from Rise with a PERCEPTION…35
The moment the alarm goes up, Rise did not hesitate to make a break for it. An impulsive and foolish decision, sure, but with any luck, she hoped to be fast enough to hit them while they were still getting prepared. There isn't one part of her that isn't crying over the stress; baring the mind. Blind to pain, and numb to fear is the berserker that openly rushed forward. To any onlookers, her movements are stiff — mechanical. Sharper eyes and ears might discern the wires, braces, and similiar items strapped to her form, impairing normally graceful movements. They are the only thing besides her will and the enhancements done by Shuuren keeping her moving.
Blades of wind, shafts of metal, and clouds of lightning reach the meat of her prey well before she reached them. But most was blind fire. Without a thought or hesitance, the moment she sensed at least three nearby foes after passing into the smoke cloud, Rise leaped forward. A single, powerful swing of her leg would not only send the three before her flying or pushed, but whip up a whirlwind powerful enough to hopefully dispel the cloud, assuming the others haven't already beat her too it.
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 1 with LEAF-STRONG-WHIRLWIND with a roll of: 54
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 2 with LEAF-STRONG-WHIRLWIND with a roll of: 58
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 3 with LEAF-STRONG-WHIRLWIND with a roll of: 61
The lightning Kimura sent out really only affects a few of the targets, men unlucky enough to be in the way. The same happens with the senbon, again only piercing a few of the men and not even causing that much damage. There's some shouts of pain, but otherwise, there's a lot of scrambling to get to where they need to go and the like. The smoke has started to clear, the fire becoming more and more visible as the second tick by, and Yori might actually be able to see Michiko, who was tied up. Her hands were bound in small bags, which were bound behind her back, and her legs were tied together. A blindfold and a gag covered her eyes and mouth to prevent her from getting the help she might need. She was also still unconscious, the group of kidnappers careful to keep her knocked out for the duration of their trip.
Suddenly, the earth shifts under their feet, and 9 columns of earth shoot up to knock several men in the stomach. That didn't take care of them, though, really only making them angry. The same could be said for Naruko's strike to the enemies, though her wind combined with Rise's Leaf Gale blew away the smokey cover and revealed in full the scene before the Kumo-nin. Fifteen men armed to the teeth if they didn't use jutsu, and all of them rather vicious looking. Perhaps their skills didn't match with their looks? Three of them were actually reeling thanks to Rise, and some had multiple lacerations on their person. The biggest one was touting Michiko around like some rag doll. She's not going to be happy when she wakes up.
Once the smoke is blown away, there's a barrage of attacks aimed at all the shinobi. Yori is able to avoid most of it thanks to his cover behind whatever rock or bush he's hiding behind while those who charged in get the brunt of the forces. Fire, Lightning, Water, Earth, and Wind came from some of the ninjutsuists while a flurry of punches, kicks, and sharp edges were aimed at Naruko and Rise specifically.
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 16. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…34
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 23. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…29
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 25. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…40
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Lightning! vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 34. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…25
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Lightning! vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 34. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…35
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Lightning! vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 15. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…25
The smoke was clear now, and Asato saw the scene for all the chaos it was - ninjutsu users of all types, all casting their jutsu at the same time, plus a handful of Taijutsuists to give Naruko and Rise a hard time. 'Great,' he thought, quickly summoning his chakra to be able to activate his lightning dodge defense, rapidly skating around the fire and lightning headed his way on a surface of pure white, blinding electricity. He had to think of his next move - where was their weak spot? As the thought crossed his mind, he spotted one thug heading off with Michiko up ahead, and he clenched his jaw. /There/ was his next target.
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Earth! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 34. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…37
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Earth! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 38. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…43
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Earth! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 33. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…36
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Water! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 33. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…40
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Water! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 39. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…43
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Water! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 20. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTHFLOW…27
Spotting Michiko, Hisomu growled even as attacks came her way. She immediately made a hand seal and a dome of pure Earth slammed up around her. All the attacks slammed into it only for the last to crash through the dome as Hisomu was flowing out of it toward a group. As she burst of the dome, a feint chakra cloak was flowing around her form as her skin had darkened and hardened. Her eyes had changed as well, pupils going red as she rushed toward a smaller group that had attacked her. Columns of Earth raced up toward three of them as she skid and then unleashed a deluge of greenish poisonous spit at two others, "Give me Michiko!" She screeched out even as a voice laughed in the back of her mind.
RP: Hisomu transforms into TWIN-WINGED-SHICHIBI-CLOAK.
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 29
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 2 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 28
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 3 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 29
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with POISONOUS-SPIT with a roll of: 26
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with POISONOUS-SPIT with a roll of: 32
RP: Michiko rolled a 2 with 1d6 die.
RP: Naruko transforms into NIBI-ONE-TAIL-FORM.
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Wind! vs Naruko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 45. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a BIJUU-TAIL-BLOCK…60
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Wind! vs Naruko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a BIJUU-TAIL-BLOCK…63
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Wind! vs Naruko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 53. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a BIJUU-TAIL-BLOCK…51
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Punch! vs Naruko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a BIJUU-TAIL-BLOCK…62
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Punch! vs Naruko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 44. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a BIJUU-TAIL-BLOCK…58
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Punch! vs Naruko from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Naruko defends against with a BIJUU-TAIL-BLOCK…61
It took a little while but finally she could set her sights upon Michiko, the gusting of Rise and Her own 'winds' thrusted the smoke out from their vision. The wind which attempted to flush out out only barely nicked her flesh until suddenly she sprouts a single tail, long, flaming in azure blue and black, it was a partial transformation. No one had to worry about Naruko losing control… Hisomu on the other hand… She could feel it. " You are going to pay for this.! We're not going to let you get away!" Naruko exclaims as her tail whacks at the wind and easily deflects the punches aimed at her. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" Naruko once again shouts…this time her shadow clones multiplied and multiplied, from their creation they instantly leap out at her targets attempting to restrain and capture as many as they could in this situation. She was going to round up around 5… and give them something big to worry about… " Glad you can make it…Rise-kun…" Naruko relates as she herself jumps into the fray of her attacks as well. After this she knew she had to keep a special eye on Hisomu… She hadn't ever seen anyone else take such a transformation. At least other than herself… though different. "Asato-kun! I should have some of them captured!" Naruko shouts out, hopefully to get his attention as well. Cooperation would be best.
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 1 with SHADOW-CLONE-DOGPILE with a roll of: 74
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 2 with SHADOW-CLONE-DOGPILE with a roll of: 76
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 3 with SHADOW-CLONE-DOGPILE with a roll of: 76
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 4 with SHADOW-CLONE-DOGPILE with a roll of: 64
COMBAT: Naruko attacks target 5 with SHADOW-CLONE-DOGPILE with a roll of: 56
RP: Michiko rolled a 4 with 1d5 die.
Yori is doing his best to stay hidden though it's very difficult to see others fighting while he has to remain behind. While he may not be as skilled, he's not comfortable with letting others be hurt while he sits there. Still, it was an order, even if-…Yori sees Michiko and frowns at her condition. Screw the orders. The young Saito stands and takes a deep breath, then flashes across the path to place himself in front of the man holding his team leader. "Put Michiko-chan down now or you will regret it." His voice is surprisingly dark for the boy, something that he's never shown before. He never gets angry, so maybe that's why.
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sharp Edges! vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 51. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…54
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sharp Edges! vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 43. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise counters with DYNAMIC-ACTION…65
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sharp Edges! vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 45. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…45
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sharp Edges! vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 44. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…61
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sharp Edges! vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 40. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…49
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sharp Edges! vs Rise from 30 to 60 and get(s) a 57. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a MOONSAULT…56
There were a number of questions that should've been circulating through the Shirokiri's mind after seeing so many men, and yet her mind remained a void. Her eyes fell away from the immediate enemy before her. A costly mistake to some, but even while knocking on death's door the petite young woman managed to avoid the first blade meant for her neck.
Rise offered Naruko no response, or seemed even aware of the Jinchuuriki's presence for that matter. Michiko remained her sole concern. The Iwata, and the next few fools to continue attacking her. The first to get withing striking range soon finds himself on the recieving end of an all but never ending chain of kicks and punches. Muscles strain and tear in places, but neither they or the blades that sought to take advantage of her single minded focus on the one could stop her. A jump kick, a low sweep, a low punch — such and more she delivered, timing her attacks to avoid the blades.Only one man managed to catch her just as she spring board from her original target's face.
The 'knick' across the leg doesn't stop her from letting it rain kunai and shuriken well before her feet touch the ground again.
"Michi… ko… WHere.." She murmurs afterwards, again searching for the girl.
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 1 with SHARP-III with a roll of: 44
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 2 with SHARP-III with a roll of: 53
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 3 with SHARP-III with a roll of: 46
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 4 with SHARP-III with a roll of: 51
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 5 with SHARP-III with a roll of: 52
RP: Michiko rolled a 4 with 1d6 die.
It looks like Asato's next target is planning his escape, though not everyone would see that. He looked a bit shifty, though, letting others attack and take hits for him. One rising column strikes the buddy next to him in the stomach while some of Hisomu's poisonous spit gets on the skin of another, resulting in the (poor) guy running and screaming a bit from the pain. By the time he recovers from the acidity of the spit, he's far from the Hebisuuhai.
Naruko's shift into her Bijuu form, even if only partial, is hard to be ignorant of. Those that failed in their attacks back up a bit, and only one is truly able to escape from the shadow clones that she had summoned to her (and her team's) aid. The men struggle, but there are just too many Narukos to deal with! Oh no! Curse these Jinchuuriki. Speaking of such, Hisomu's transformation also sends ripples of fear through the men that Kumo is currently facing. Red eyes? Bug-like skin? Yeah, they want a one-way ticket right out of this place! A few start to scramble away, running in the direction they were heading.
Of those that choose to face Rise, many of them end up stabbing or cutting their own companion before Rise launches herself away, only to land in the thick of them, hitting many of them out of the way with her attacks. Thankfully(?), these guys are pretty tough and determined, and a lot of them get right back up to try and take down the group of Kumo-nin that are so bent on getting Michiko back. A few of them even (unwisely) mock the shinobi. "You're not getting her back until our boss gets to her," one says to Rise as he attempts to strike the pint-sized 'terror'. She wasn't all that vicious, noooo! Especially with those robotic movements!
Hisomu faces a barrage of fire, next, while Asato gets the brunt of many water-based attacks and sword strikes. Such is life! The man who has been holding Michiko starts on his escape with all the chaos around him, the large figure heading right in Yori's direction! Of course, Yori had essentially moved in front of the dude, which means the two almost collide with each other. The only reason they don't is because the man is just barely able to avoid such a thing from happening. Should he stop and … brag..? "Fat chance, kid…" he growls, stepping away from Yori. No need to mess with the punk.
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Water Bullet vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 31. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…27
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Water Bullet vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 18. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…42
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Water Bullet vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 35. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…27
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sword Slashy vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 23. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…44
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sword Slashy vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 27. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…36
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Sword Slashy vs Asato from 15 to 35 and get(s) a 27. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Asato defends against with a LIGHTNING-DODGE…28
Asato swiftly dodge through the incoming attacks, his sights set on the goon holding Michiko captive… And now there was a /new/ situation. Yori had up and run out in front of him! "Casualty idiot kid!" Asato snarls as he skates around the swordsmen and ducks and dodges water bullets, not caring for the wounds he sustains from the attacks he just fails to avoid. He had a mission to complete. But martyr it, the clones Naruko used to round up the goons were under attack! They wouldn't be held for much longer… He had to make an executive decision.
Naruko could handle herself. He knew that. I mean, look at her tail! This was a surprising revelation to him - he had never actually known that she was a Jinchuuriki, and it made her about 100 times more interesting. Hisomu, too… Shaking that off for later, he decides his efforts are most productively placed in aiding that idiot of a Genin, who rushed off on his own - and rescuing Michiko. The new person that had arrived out of nowhere, she was just.. A little bit frightening, to be honest. He didn't know what she was made out of, but her movements reminded him of a badly constructed puppet. What the hell /was/ she? Regardless, they all seemed capable of handling themselves.
All of these thoughts raced through his head in a matter of seconds, and before he knew it he was on top of the ugly goon holding Michiko, and Yori in his path. Zooming up to the attacker on his lightning skates, he summons his chakra into several swift souls strikes, aiming right for all of the man's vital points - heart, liver, kidneys. Hopefully he would do enough damage to make him release Michiko. "Yori!" he shouts as soon as he strikes. "Take Michiko to safety!"
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 1 with LESSER-LIGHTNING-SOULSTRIKE with a roll of: 25
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Dodge vs. Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 32. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 1 with LESSER-LIGHTNING-SOULSTRIKE with a roll of: 30
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Dodge vs. Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 30. - Rolled by: Michiko
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 1 with LESSER-LIGHTNING-SOULSTRIKE with a roll of: 26
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Dodge vs. Asato from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 40. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 27. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTHFLOW…32
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 35. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…40
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 24. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTHFLOW…43
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 35. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…42
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 34. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…49
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Fire! vs Hisomu from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 38. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu defends against with a EARTH-DOME…34
Getting through the mess of attacks causes Hisomu to zip back and forth along the ground while bringing up veritbable walls of earth. She slams one dome shut as more fire rolls in and the fire rains down on it, burning her briefly as she comes out of it and screeches. She watches as the man begins to leaave with Michiko and she turns her eyes angrily to the side even as she glares at the men that seem to think they can flee. With two quick sets of hand seals she slams earth up toward the men that appear to be trying to escape.
Only moments later she is watching as the man attempts to flee with Michiko and she lets out a howling screech that could wake the dead, "MIIICCCHIIKOOO!" Still in the back of her mind the eager bijuu pushes and eggs the girl on as she begins to move along the Earth after Asato.
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 18
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 2 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 26
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 3 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 32
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 35
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 2 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 21
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 3 with RISING-STONE-COLUMNS with a roll of: 33
RP: Michiko rolled a 4 with 1d6 die.
Yori doesn't seem phazed in the slightest by the man who has Michiko. There's a bit of a fire in his eyes that hasn't likely been seen before. "I gave you warning," he replies simply to the man, eyes not even shifting when Asato arrives and attacks. Yori moves at the same time, sleeve pulling back to reveal his vambrace flickering with lightning as he drives the thing towards the man, trying to help stun him and then catch Michiko if he can.
RP: Yori transforms into BATTLE-MIND.
COMBAT: Yori attacks target 1 with LIGHTNING-VAMBRACE-STRIKE with a roll of: 32
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Dodge vs Yori from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 28. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Zappy! vs Naruko from 40 to 70 and get(s) a 63. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Zappy! vs Naruko from 40 to 70 and get(s) a 56. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Zappy! vs Naruko from 40 to 70 and get(s) a 41. - Rolled by: Michiko
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Zappy! vs Naruko from 40 to 70 and get(s) a 67. - Rolled by: Michiko
"…."
Rise turns away, balantly ignoring the braggarts for the sake of her search. They were not obstacles now; only minor distractions. Perhaps if one of them had the courage to attack her, then… maybe. But, things do not come to that, as it turns out. Not yet, in any case. Rise finds herself freezing up for a moment from Hisomu's screeching howl. Pain jars her from the shock. Before Rise can be overwhelmed by it, the woman cuts to the Jinchuuriki just in time to watch columns of earth churn before it on a destructive path towards — Rise is running again, leaping over bodies along the way. Only the one still standing gives her pause for a second.
Then, following a powerful leap forward, the head of said obstacle would be removed by a vicious spinning kick, one way or another.
If that isn't enough to put the fear of the marionette in them, then those few remaining were more than welcome to try and get in her way.
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 1 with POWER-PHYSICAL-III with a roll of: 45
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) Ru- nevermind… vs. Rise from 20 to 40 and get(s) a 33. - Rolled by: Michiko
Asato comes in, guns blazing by the looks of it! Yet instinct takes over his target, and he avoids (narrowly) all but a single strike that pushes him forward right into Yori's Lightning-imbued vambrace. OOF, right in the stomach! That hurt him enough that he drops like a fly, clutching his stomach and hoping that no more was coming at him. Michiko also drops, in a sense, her unconscious body falling to the ground unless someone catches her.
Hisomu manages to knock around a few of the goons, earthen columns hitting many of them and knocking them away as she charges right at the main kidnapper dude. Naruko is also deadly, the shadow clones keeping the men she captured nice and still. She can knock them out or something! Whatever she wants to do with them, it's likely successful. Yay, teamwork! Technical teamwork.
Rise also gets to work through her share of kidnappers, most of them easily passed by until FOOOOOORRE! A guy's head is knocked off his body… ew… That thing goes flying like a homerun, though more people seek to try and take Rise down before she gets to the leader. All 9 of them, in fact! They don't want to try and go near Naruko or Hisomu because they were SCARY!
Asato and Yori seemed to manage some nice teamwork as they took the man to his knees, Michiko falling right into the Hatake's arms. Nodding to Yori, he hands her off to him carefully. "I'm trusting you to take care of her. Let /me/ take care of /this/ guy," he says with a cold glare at the (for now) incapacitated kidnapper. Looking up, he noticed the remainder of the assailants all heading after the strange puppet girl.. But judging by the head he saw flying just moments ago, he was sure she would only create more carnage. The only thing was… Yori. He had no business seeing any of this.. Not as his age. The thought of staining his innocence with the sight of so much death… Asato couldn't bear it. "Yori," he adds quietly, his eyes dark and visibly haunted. "… Take her behind the boulder… Stay there… And do not look back."
This was the only order he could give and pray that it was obeyed as he turned back to face the kidnapper with cold murder in his eyes. Drawing forth a sharp tanto blade from a sheath at his lower back, he grips it tightly. And with a single, swift motion, aims to drive it straight through the man's ugly heart.
COMBAT: Asato attacks target 1 with SHARP with a roll of: 25
RP: Hisomu transforms into FOUR-WINGS-CLOAK.
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with INTERRUPT with a roll of: 32
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu counters with CHAKRA-SHARP…22
RPCOMBAT: Hisomu took 500 damage.
As Michiko is all but thrown to the side, the girl's eyes watch the unconcsious girl fly up into the air and her eyes go a shade darker. THe ragdoll movements were all that was needed as the Hatake catches her and begins to move her aside to be taken by Yori. Hisomu all but vanishes though, <She's dead…ya know. Gone…and that man there is the reason she's gone. GIve in to me. Give me the power and I'll make him PAY!> And then the screech that follows is like that of the girl screaming mixed with the screeching howl of some otherwordly monster; the glass shattering, the nails raking on the chalkboard, and the whisper of the bug wings. The earth slides between the man and Asato. A hand covered in chakra, clawed by the same chakra, catches the blade right through the center of it as a beastly cloak screeches right into Asato's face, blood mixing into the cloak and darkening it further.
A moment later the creature dislodges its hand from his blade without missing a beat and the four wings across its back flare outward before the beast turns toward the man who may already be trying to back up from what he is seeing. Half squatting, the legs of the creature that might have been Hisomu turns to look toward the one who hurt Michiko. Moments later as the man might even be in the process of getting up to try to run the thing known as Hisomu leaps atop him with those hands wrapped in chakra claws begin to tear and claw at virtually anything they can rake across.
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with CHAKRA-SHARP with a roll of: 22
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with CHAKRA-SHARP with a roll of: 28
COMBAT: Hisomu attacks target 1 with CHAKRA-SHARP with a roll of: 21
Yori isn't exactly strong but it's enough for him to carry Michiko as she's handed over. The boy stares at Asato hesitantly but in the end he nods. He's seen his share of death, and even caused it at a young age to save his sister. Still, he understands what the Chuunin means and pushes away from the crowd, jumping off with Michiko in hand until he reaches a boulder a little ways away. Here he deposits the girl and quickly slices through her bonds and removes whatever else is covering her, then checks for a pulse before shaking her gently to try and wake her. "Michiko-san…Michiko-san wake up…"
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 73. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a THE-PINNACLE…56
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 51. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…65
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 64. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a STRIKE-CANCELLING…58
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 54. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…65
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 62. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…64
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 77. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a THE-PINNACLE…61
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 48. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a SUBTLE-DODGE…67
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 67. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise defends against with a STRIKE-CANCELLING…66
[NPC System]: Kidnappers roll(s) RAWR! ATTACKS! vs. Rise from 40 to 80 and get(s) a 56. - Rolled by: Michiko
RPCOMBAT: Rise counters with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD…55
Rise did not quake in fear, or widen her eyes in surprise from the number of bandits banding against her. Her eyes registered the obstacle, and against her desires, she slows to better remove it. Whenever more than the bare minimal of effort was placed into warding off a blow or evading a slash from one of their weapons, flesh and cloth are either stripped or muscles and bones cried out from the connections. No amount of willpower could keep her from ultimately ignoring structural limitations.
One particular vicious blow — the consequences of a desperate attempt at a counter attack — sends her flying back, spewing blood and spittle. Rise rag dolls for roughly a meter upon hitting the ground, and stayed down…. for all of a few heart beats. Her legs trembled as she rose again, but they do not fail her. Not now. Cold, empty eyes meet those belonging to the last bandit that struck her once she fully stood up. It is a warning, though not one that could be heeded in time before with a single kick, a tornado whips up, sweeping in and tearing apart those closest to her. Those fortunate to escape the awakening of the leaf dragon god soon find themselves either forced to run or devoured by the beast.
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 1 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 97
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 2 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 84
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 3 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 94
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 4 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 75
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 5 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 61
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 6 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 74
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 7 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 95
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 8 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 81
COMBAT: Rise attacks target 9 with LEAF-DRAGON-GOD with a roll of: 84
Asato would find himself getting mauled by Hisomu… Or was it really Hisomu? Well, it seems the girl has lost control. That's… not good. Prey. And she gets to tear the man who was carrying around Michiko to bits. That must feel really good! So gruesome, but it must be satisfying to destroy the person who took someone you care about! Speaking of that sort of someone…
Michiko isn't as knocked out anymore now that those stupid kidnappers aren't hitting her head every twenty minutes. She has a killer headache. And her limbs hurt. So does her mouth, thanks to the gag, and she work her jaw for a few seconds before she can actually speak. When she does, she sounds (can one even sound?) dizzy. Well, disoriented, to say the least. And the first thing out of her mouth: "My head…." Groan…. That was the most painful thing right now. Then she hears Hisomu's scream, and she winces. That didn't help her headache at all. Finally a bit of recognition, though. Mark… "Yori-san, stop her…" she says, perhaps a bit weakly. Where did Kimura go? Well, admittedly, she took a number of attacks and was forced to poof out because things were going badly.
Rise, perhaps with ease, is able to send all nine of her attackers flying in an amazing tornado that rips apart their limbs. Evil Pint-sized Oni is ev- errr, bad a$$. Well, they ain't gonna be talking anytime soon… Fortunately, Naruko managed to tie up her four prisoners, so at least the Kumo-nin have someone to question! All that's left to deal with is the raging Jinchuuriki over there tearing up some guy chunk by chunk. Ew, so gross…
Asato was just about to sink his blade into teh man's chest when he was suddenly interrupted by a … for lack of a better word, /terrifying/ monster. 'Is that.. Really Hisomu?' he thought as the beast easily punted him aside and wreacked havoc on the goon. The chuunin swallowed dryly. This was.. Unexpected. Simultaneously, the mysterious puppet woman had managed to completely destroy the remaining attackers with what looked like /extremely/ powerful Taijutsu.. Who /were/ these people? Taking a quick look around to assess the situation, Asato noticed that all the offending men had either been killed or captured… So all that was left, was… 'The Jinchuuriki'.
The Hatake's eyes darkened as he watched the raging beast. She was out of control. If they didn't stop her… They would all likely be annihilated in the aftermath. This wasn't good. Glancing to Naruko, he had the feeling that she was the only one who could stop her. He just hoped they wouldn't have to kill her. "Naruko!" he barked, jabbing a thumb in Hisomu's direction, his eyes asking the question. Could she do it?
All that is left of that man are chunks. Even as Hisomu moves off of him slowly, her body haunched over with her legs spread. She glares down at the chunks of flesh still clinging to her as the wounds on her body burn shut. The damage done almost completely moreved as she slowly turns those near glowing eyes with red rimmed pupiles toward Asato. She chitters quietly a little as she looks at him, the flesh under the cloak knitting as she takes a step in his direction. <Yes, he tried to steal your vengeance. He tried to steal your pain. Kill him! Kill them all!> The voice inside of Hisomu cackles out loud, screeching in laughter as the body itself tilts its head back and lets out another screech.
Yori looks over his shoulder at the noises that come from Hisomu and his eyes widen. He'd never seen her like this before. That's a bad sign. "Don't worry Michiko-san, you just relax here…" He says before standing and, in another flash, he's standing between Asato and Hisomu with his hands out to either side widely. "Hisomu-san it's over. Michiko-san is safe and the people that did it are subdued. It's time to return to your normal self now." He stares at the girl creature, body tense and ready to move if need be. Brave? Yes. Stupid? Very.
RPCOMBAT: Yori defends against with a BREVITY…61
Before body parts and blood could rain down atop her head, Rise turned away, forcing her legs to move again in determined strides. Hisomu is an obvious threat, but… not to her or Michiko. Yet. As soon as her eyes register the girl's form, the Shirokiri makes no more than another two steps before falling face forward, passing out…
The Narukos were just finishing up on what they needed to do. Tieing up snug 4 of the prisoners before her. "You guys are lucky the others didn't get to you… or else you would be dead right now."Naruko states, rubbing the bridge of her nose suddenly a voice jolts her in the brain. <Naruko-hime! Focus! Hisomu-chan has lost it!> Matatabi spoke to her mentally after Naruko had finished up flicking one of the criminals across the nose. Naruko then shifts her gaze to Hisomu at the corner of her eye… This was the oh so familar dangerous situation. Something Naruko had surcumbed to many times. This time though she had to do something. Michiko wasn't well enough to have the earth swallow her whole. Luckily Naruko had a few aces up her sleeve just in case. Quickly she makes her way over, waving rather dismissively. "You got this Hisomu-chan. Everyone is all ready take cared off. You just need to resist thos urges now… /you/ do hear me don't you?" Naruko asks while narrowing her eyes down a little more seriously, "And /you/ if you don't give it up we will come in there personally and give you a piece of our mind…"
Poor Asato. He probably just met everyone when it turns out one of his teammates is crazy, one of them is falling apart, one of them is disobedient (at least in this instant), and two of them are Jinchuuriki. Michiko, despite her headache, quickly heals herself with what chakra she has left in her body, some of it restored while she was knocked out. The rest, she is forced to focus from what little energy she currently has. And that isn't saying much… Better than a Genin, far less than what she was used to. Knowing that she's worn down doesn't help, but she preps herself regardless, hoping to rely less on though and more on relying on instinct for whatever is coming.
Then Michiko sees Rise struggling to get to her, and she blinks. A hallucination? The Shirokiri shouldn't be leaving the /hospital/, let alone be on a mission! Yet here she was. And… Unconscious. It doesn't take much chakra to soften the ground she would fall upon, but it feels more draining to the Iwata, almost making her vision go from pure exhaustion. "Not… Good…" she gasps out, almost passing out. She doesn't, thankfully. That would have been even more embarrassing that getting kidnapped. At least she had an excuse…
Looking at Naruko first, the beast let's out and angry chatter. What follows can be called something of a whine. The creature glares at Naruko and then begins to back away. She screeches at Naruko and turns back on the corpse to give it one more slash before backing away again but not yet dropping the cloak..
Yori stays between Hisomu and the others, his normal protective instinct and training keeping him in place. He's prepared to defend himself and whoever else from the crazed bijuu, or die trying. It would probably be the latter but that doesn't mean he wouldn't give it his all anyways.
Naruko grins lightly though her serious expression remains. Hisomu was….angry but calm…She just needed things to calm down a little bit more. "Good…good…" Naruko huffs quietly… "Was I really this difficult…?" Naruko asks herself quietly before gesturing for Hisomu to come closer. "Come on Hisomu-chan. We need to get Rise and Michiko-chan home… Home…where all of us belong."
Michiko manages to get ahold of herself again, sending a bit of chakra through the ground. Huh… the kidnappers were all taken care of. A few of the tied up ones were wiggling, but they weren't going anywhere. And it seemed that Hisomu was starting to calm down. Phew, thank the gods there. Michiko decided that it'd be a good idea to rest a bit. Yeah, some rest… She closes her eyes and ends up falling asleep, which is probably a good thing. And definitely better than being conscious, what with the blazing headache.
Staring at Yori a moment the creature glances over to see Michiko moving before the cloak falls off of her. The girl looks relieved and then promptly… passes out. Well, she is no help.
When Hisomu returns to normal and then collapses Yori finally relaxes before looking over to Naruko. He's relieved that it's all over what with the men all subdued and everything and even he feels a bit tired, though not as much as some of the others…apparently. Everyone pretty much conked out except for him and…Naruko. Great. He eyes the Jinchuu warily, still not having had any meaningful contact with her since she'd thrown him off a mountain. Fear is there, but he's trying to push it back for now to take care of other stuff. "I'll…take Michiko-san back to Kumo." Anything so that he doesn't have to be around Naruko alone.
The beast was subdued, and the girl unconscious. Michiko was alive. The kidnappers had all been killed or captured. All in all, this had been a very successful mission. All of them had banded together, and as Asato looked around to all of them, he couldn't help but feel a sudden ache in his chest. He had to say something. "Well done, all of you," he began, hesitating as he was almost at a loss for words. ".. I underestimated you… All of you… You have all shown me today that you are true and capable shinobi, worthy of more respect than I have given you credit for…" He looks to Naruko, then to Yori, the only two who were still conscious. And the two that he had perhaps underestimated the most of all. "Both of you… Forgive me for not thinking much of you… You have proved me wrong. Both of you are incredibly valuable members of Kumogakure… And I will not underestimate you again." Yes, he was even speaking to Yori. Even though he defied orders… The boy had spirit. 'Those who defy orders are scum… But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum'… The words echoed true in his head. Words that he would not soon forget.
Naruko was happy to see Hisomu collapse…still this was worrisome. Naruko remembered the time where she let Matatabi out for the first time…thankfully Matatabi was the more respectable one of the Bijuu. This was going to be the first event of a Hisomu out burst. With many more to come. She could note Yori's expression as he looked between herself and Hisomu. It was a look Naruko hated, deep down inside. It was something she wanted to personally protect Hisomu from. "Yori-kun…" Naruko speaks softly bowing her head respectfully. " I'm sorry… I promise I will never hurt you again. You don't have to be afraid of me. And you don't have to be afraid of Hisomu-chan either. Asato-kun is right, you did amazing today. We all did." She grins back at Asato, simply offering him a thumbs up. " I don't think this is because of us being Kumogakure shinobi. This is the bond of friendship… family… and I just remembered a few things about you. This is your family tooo.." Naruko then gestures to everyone in the area. Got it?" Naruko states smiling. "I'll use my shadow clones and pick up the criminals and Hisomu-chan… Can someone get Rise?"
Yori stops moving when Asato starts to speak and the boy half turns to face him, listening to what the man has to say before bowing his head. "I'm not as good as you give me credit for, Asato-san," the boy says. "I'm just glad we were able to help Michiko-san." Then Naruko speaks to him, causing him to turn back to her and actually face her. He meets her eyes with a hint of concern, chewing the inside of his cheek nervously as he listens before he finally nods a little to her. "Hai…" he says, though he doesn't sound entirely sure about it.
Asato finds himself frowning slightly in thought at what Naruko jusat said to him. All of them… Family? He had a hard time grasping that concept. His peers have never considered him as family before, and vice versa. They only worked together to get the job done.. So why would Naruko say something like that now? He tries to disregard the comment, but despite his placid expression, it continues to gnaw at is insides. She had gotten under his skin. Turning his head to the fallen Puppet-lady who must be Rise, Asato simply nods and walks over to heft her onto his shoulder. She was a bit heavier than she may have been normally, for all the contraptions she had attached to her. Walking back towards Yori, Asato lays a heavy hand on his head that ruffles his hair just a bit before starting the long walk back. He didn't look at him, but this token of affection meant something, coming from him. His cold exterior had been worn down a bit, in the last few hours, whether he wanted it to or not. The group in tow and Michiko safely accounted for, the group makes their way back to Kumo… Who knew what the future would have in store.
