Starring:
Date: April 27, 2017
Summary:
An incursion into a small village within the land of water.
"The Gathering of Specimen"
A small village several miles from Kirigakure itself
Dawn would not begin for several more hours leaving only the slender moon and stars in the clear sky to illuminate the land. The ground was damp and soft, during the previous day it has rained but it did not over saturate the soil other than in small spots. Near midnight, six individuals would arrive outside the gates of the village before progressing into the mist-cloaked roads to the south without many, if any answers for the summoning. The largely hushed walk would end only after passing a crossroad that gave way to the docks, the glowing lake, the shinobi village and a cavern complex.
The gathering for the assignment was 'interesting' at the least. Two Jounin, four Genin and no additional support for an operation that was not bound by formal contract with a client. One of the two Jounin was the the Head Medical Officer and Kiba, Doihara Akane the other was a Medical Officer and Academy Instructor, Okumo Naoya. The Genin, on the other hand, were each masked, each with a nearly identical mouthless mask which was painted black and possessed only a slot for each eye and a raised and drilled section for the nose. Each Genin was permitted to add one trinket that could easily fit into their palm to the left or right side of the mask as long as it did not interfere with their sight or attention.
Stepping forward a few additional steps, Naoya turns to look towards Akane and nods lightly towards the woman, it was possible Naoya for the time being would be the only unmasked one present. "Death is inevitable, and at many times the goal of those we hunt.. but that is not our task this night. Tonight we are traveling to the restricted lands, each Genin here will be expected to carry back one chosen individual. A child or an infant are not valid subjects, they lack what the village desires." Lifting a finger, Naoya brings it up to his temple and holds it in place. "The mind, the village requires four subjects that possess the aptitude and knowledge of ninjutsu. Those suited are to be of the age and close to the fitness of a Genin or even to that of a decrepit elder. If there's a question, ask it now, when those are silenced we will proceed."
Kitaru gets summoned for a mission at night. Well, this wasn't anything really new, was it? Tests happen all the time and this would simply be another. Dressed quickly, a skill taught by Ishino, Kitaru was in that suit, with the mask, bracer on his right forearm and the backpack on his back. While others might have troubles with such a quick start, Kitaru was now at his deadliest and ready to go. He'd move silently with them, the mask making it obvious this was to be stealth.. of sorts. So he simply did so, listening silently as Naoya explains, then shakes his head at the question. Gather someone that knows Ninjutsu. They don't have to be strong. It seemed straight forward to him.
Akane watched the four Genin closely as they gathered. She showed no outward favoritism to Kitaru but she couldn't help but smirk behind her own mask at his ability to just arrive ready to kill. As they don't seem to have any questions, Akane stepped up.
Kiba wore a black uniform similar to one the ANBU might wear, though with less distinction. Her crimson hair was hidden well in her shinobi hood and the mask she wore today was nondescript. A random fox mask. Her swords were strapped to her back and she wore her bracers as well but there was little else familiar about her outfit tonight.
"We want the adults but if you cannot detain them, you may instead take their children for ransom. A prisoner exchange is not outside the parameters of this mission. We need to remain largely unidentified as Kirigakure and we need to keep it relatively quiet. If you take a child you will bring them to me and Naoya-san." She then looked to Naoya and tilted her head as if to ask if there was anything else and then flicked her wrist as if tossing command back to the junior Jounin.
Following Kitaru's example, the other Genin would remain silent, possible not wishing to expose a failure. Two of the Genin each wore a feather along where their mouths would be though on opposite sides. The third Genin chose not to use a trinket but traveled with a long half scabbard along their back, housing a blade nearly as long as they were tall. Each of the other Genin were dressed conservatively for a night operation but they also lacked any armor or markings of proven worth.
Nodding slowly, Naoya closes his eyes before his hair began to groom itself, binding into a singular low ponytail that slips into his uniform. "Now, how you capture them through trickery, false promises or direct kidnapping does not matter to me. only the results matter." Turning away and to the side, he continues to speak though as he does so spiders begin to rush across his face, laying down webbing. "Do not break the subjects, that will simply give us more time to cleaning wounds after the fact. Now, we move." With those spiders now gone, the webbing solidifies darkening to a featureless piece a bark brown material that is fused to the Okumo's hairline and curves under his chin, making the mask nearly fused to the skull.
It would be almost an hour before the team would make it to the outskirts of the forest that the foreign clan used for their current home. The village was relatively small, possibly made of seventy individuals throughout the clearing not counting the livestock. Even with he village being small, there were several sheltered torches dotting the village, illuminating the common trails for the two currently on night patrol.
Kitaru traveled with the others, watching the surroundings and marking resources as he went. He was fast and efficient in what he did. That he learned from both parents of course. Once they reached the edge of the village, Kitaru looks around, picking out those patrolling guards. That backpack is shuffled off his back, set to the side for a moment as he'd watch and wait. With the approach of one of those patrolling coming near where they paused, he'd act first, a displacement, the swapping of points between the backpack and the guard, had him suddenly next to Kitaru. Who would promptly plant a hand against his chest, tagging him with that moment where time itself seemed to still. Leaving plenty of time to tie him up and gag him before the genjutsu would wear off. In the meantime, the puppet would unfold, the suit wrapping about nothing, only to henge, looking like the guard just claimed and continue on that patrol. Kitaru's eyes narrowed as he'd focus, having to shift perception between there and the puppet so it'd not run into anything.
Akane slipped away from the group and around the borders of the village watching, waiting. Picking a target carefully. And then she reappeared.. clothed completely different. She now wore a black top with the Uchiha crest and her hair, in a ponytail, looked to be dark. She appeared to be beaten up and possibly injured. But then she 'accidently' bumped into one of the guards. Of course, Sharingan, even with one tomoe, was highly prized even in this village. Akane took flight and the guard followed. It was not very far until she had him isolated. There was a flash of light and then she was once more dressed as before, crouched over the unconscious man as she bound and gagged him….
One guard was subdued, largely from not anticipating being drawn deeply into a Genjutsu while on the patrol for thieves and troublemakers. Another guard was lead astray from greed and was deftly punished by it though it was done less than silently. The sounds of crackling in the distance weren't grounds to set off alarms on their own, but it would draw yet another guard's attention from within one of the homes. The guard's shift wasn't to begin for at least another hour but he left his abode mixed with curiosity but also caution, only a few knew how to harness lightning manipulation within the village and none were scheduled tonight.
Naoya doesn't enter the village, nor does he even stand on the fields around the village but he lingers within the treeline. Sat still, a bow almost half his height is held at rest with an arrow already notched, seemingly waiting for an issue to arise. The three remaining Genin part, a pair of them move towards one of the more center buildings before using one another to boost past the first floor and towards the roofing. From the roofing of the central house, the pair begins their advancements, slipping through an unlocked window, left open to vent the rising heat. The singled out Genin would take their time, beginning a patrol of the village, their blade still sheathed, seemingly poised to use it as a club rather than to draw it out and use it to butcher the first creature found.
Kitaru's 'guard' would pause at the thunder and look to the other guard that comes out as well. It'd fall in step with the curious one as Kitaru would once again focus himself. That trick is used fairly well once more, the genjutsu was but a touch of the puppet to the guard's shoulder, time itself coming to a stop as Kitaru tugs on the strings of that puppet, displacing them both this time to next to where he stands. Promptly the guard is once more tied up and gagged, pushed over to sit next to the first one and Kitaru takes a moment to make sure they're kept separate from each other. Just in case. "I don't know if either of you knows ninjutsu though.. Hmm."
Akane appeared next to Kitaru as he drug that second guard in. Dropping her catch she turned to face the three men. Hands on her hips she watched them and then when the two of Kitaru's were awake she spoke. "Alright now, we're going to play a game. We want to chat with a few of you. If you're the ones we want to chat with, we won't have to obliterate your village." She tapped her chin. "And clan. Trust me, I'm really good at killing clans. Especially my own." Her laugh was a touch on the unhinged side though with her mask on it was impossible to tell if she was just acting or not…. "SO! Let's talk elements. Who can do what, boys?"
The task Kitaru has set out on was progressing flawlessly, save for one fact.. the second guard objected. When prompted the first captured guard would begin to speak but only be muffled by the gag in his mouth. Twisting his bound hands, the second guard lids his eyes slightly while his hands work individually forming signs silently. Akane would notice an unseen blade of chakra wash through the middle most prisoner, severing his bindings along his legs and along his torso without much difficulty. "Flames!" is shouted as the man bring his left hand down to strike the palm of his right hand loudly.
The motion causes the scent of burnt air to waif through the air before a massive but short cylinder crashes down from above Akane more so than Kitaru. "Damn idiots, get up!" is shouted at the other two men without even checking on their captures, his tension was high and it was clear he only wanted to run at this point. Sadly for the guard, without being in the forest, the sound of crushing grass and first wouldn't be clearly noticed to the sleeping villagers.
A trick taught by his dad? Or maybe stolen? Either way, Kitaru would carefully check his lapels, dust something off one sleeve and casually walk back out of reach of that cylinder. The insane casualness a mask by that genjutsu warding Kitaru. He might not be able to help Akane with it.. but then again.. he knew his mom. She might hug it and adopt it. Either way, he'd reach out again, this time making sure that all three of the guards taken were locked down within that genjutsu and it'd be steel cuffs along with finger locks to stop such things. That'd be the joy of having a backpack puppet. Tools were always easily accessible.
Akane saw the slashing wave that freed the prisoners and side stepped it… But that cylinder. Fire. Her eyes spun behind her mask and she acted without thinking. Lifting her hand like a palm strike but above them, Akane seemed to slam her fist into the cylinder that threatened her son. HER. SON. The flame cylinder didn't break or shatter but rather seemed to blacken. How did fire blacken? Then it became plain to the fire user that it wasn't blackening, it was a shield of black flame that ate away at the cylinder's flames themselves…. She growled low in her throat….
Only one problem. There was a backlash like a backdraft that ripped apart Akane's right bracer and sleeve, searing the skin underneath. The 'impact' also seemed to drive her to one knee. Kitaru and Naoya alone would be able to note the bend of her back showing that she was not ready to continue fighting immediately. That defense. Something had gone wrong or she had been over taxed. But if the guards or villagers noted her weakness she would be an open target.
Black flames that consumed everything… "Tsk. Leaf." is spat out bitterly before he could feel even existence coming to a pause. The more talented guard wouldn't fall for the attack once again, though his less than alert companions would. Forming his fingers into a seal, Kitaru would watch as blood explodes from the man's arm he had changed the shape of the attack to a large needle to pierce through his own arm. Pain, the pain was his defense for his more vulnerable mind. There was a difference though, rather than fight the guard.. fled, or attempted to at the very least. Akane, while weakened by her own improper defense, would be spared as she would watch as two guards, stare out at her listlessly while Kitaru bound them in irons, securing two victims.
Kitaru frowns as the third guard and his flash of pain was enough to deny that stun. Shaking his head, he'd eye Akane for a moment and with the guards secured, directed the puppet again. It'd promptly bury itself into the ground, digging that tight hole that'd make it hard to even more in. From that point, the displacement is done again, once more swapping positions of puppet and the running guard to leave the guard buried in the hole instead. Kitaru is right there, of course, knowing what is coming and promptly tried to kick the guy in the head.
Akane lifted her head to watch as one of the guards decided it was the Leaf attacking and ran. She clenched her jaw but Kitaru was on it. Akane's left hand went to touch her right arm, though even she could not lay a full hand on that wound and so gripped higher. She tried to stand and failed, panting a few times.
Inside her mind, there was a growl and a taunt. ~That was pathetic. Get up or move aside!~ For a moment longer there was hesitation and then she stood as though there was no pain and no weakness. She loomed over the two men at her feet and when she spoke her voice was a purr of sadism. "Oooh… Now, THAT… was the wrong choice. This One is going to have so much fun with you… And maybe your kids…"
When snatched again, Kitaru would notice the man's wounded arm was rewounded as soon as the puppet began to switch places with him rather than defend himself properly. It wouldn't be until an additional kick to the head left his hearing ringing painfully did he realize Kitaru was physically there and not part of a larger illusion. '…Good for nothing Kirigakure, can't even keep foreigners away..' Stilling, the guard appeared to give up but if watched closely, his shoulders faintly continue to move, attempting to make some room to make additional seals.
The two victims who for just that moment feel time once again flowing, look up towards Akane very confused.. they were just bound, then free, then bound in a different way. '..I don't even have a wife, is she nuts?' couldn't help but question under his breath though it was likely too loud to keep hidden. In the distance, Kitaru might notice several beings were bound, whimpering and their joints twisted wrongly. The twins were active, they managed to bind three adults and two academy aged children but with the lack of upper body strength even when working together, they chose to toss them from the second-story window, causing massive bruising and more than one case of fractured bones from the uncushioned landing.
Kitaru glances at the one. "Yes. She is. Very crazy and you just woke up the wrong type of crazy." Shaking his head, Kitaru eyes One now, then shrugs and looks back to the guy he buried. Kneeling, he'd plant a finger against the guy's forehead. "Quit. Or you will make me cross." Standing up, he'd glance over at the twins and their captures, then with a moment's musing would draw Bracer off his arm, fit something to it and plant it on the ground next to the guy buried. As Kitaru puts a gag on him, the puppet digs another hole beside him, digging down to his fingers where it proceeds to wrench around with the fitted mesh Kitaru put in it to snap the fingers, breaking each one in turn.
Kyoujin snickered. "Maybe you'll HAVE kids before This One lets you go you little bastard. You see that kid? You don't even BREATHE at that kid. Now…Don't. Move. Or This One will just rip your leg off."
And with that she reached down, with both hands, burned and uninjured both. A touch was all it took to turn their muscles to gel. Then she turned toward Kitaru. "This One has to go stop the little ones now…"
She sighed and arrived at the twins' location with a rather aggressive affect to her walk. "You two. Stop this instant. Get down here." She went to the five on the ground with a sigh. Muttering something about being a good person she touched each with the same kind of muscle manipulation that she had used on the two before. This would stop their struggling and dull the pain for the moment. She peered at them all with that Sharingan behind the mask's lenses and shook her head. She indicated One adult and one of the academy children. "Kill those two." She had chosen the two adults with the greatest promise according to the chakra she could see and one student.
Her next action was to begin injecting them each with something that apparently was a sedative. Then she shook her head and picked up one adult in each hand, ordering the twins to bring the student between them. Now, where the hell was that blasted Naoya….
"Jan.. Ken.. Pon!" is said by the pair with mirrored masks. The loser snarled and moved behind the winner and appeared to disappear. Akane's eyes would see the truth, the pair shared the same body, it was one of the captured clans brought and raised under Kirigakure's watch. Hopping from the building, the Genin lands on the ground, using a bent leg and two hands for balance though two other legs stomped below them, crushing the skull and throat of the adult without much coaching. One arm raises as if to play the game again, the free hand throws a kunai into the child's throat, not killing the child outright, the tool missed it's mark but if left alone the child would drown in short order. As for the remaining child, the Genin easily picked the child up, carrying it behind the neck, similarly to the way one would carry an animal kill.
Kitaru would have a simpler time, the gag was accepted while the buried guard watched on carefully, becoming still to watch for an opening. When the puppet digs close to his hand, the man actually moves his hand out, trying to form a series of seals only to have his middle finger captured. "…hmm? Grr… Hmm, i'ill. GEHHH!" If the gag had not been in place the village likely would have been awakened or the man would have bitten off his tongue. Finger after finger compressed until it splinters without his skin breaking, the man was far from silent during this but his words were far too muffled to make out.
As for Naoya.. the seemingly lazy Jounin with unwavering patience was still in his tree, his bow still poised and relaxed, waiting for a victim.
Kitaru nods, satisfied once all the fingers are snapped. The Bracer shifts then, both of the man's wrist caught up and with a twist, the mesh is pulled taunt, lashing the arms together. That done, it'd unbury itself, letting Kitaru pick it up and replace it on his arm. Turning in turn, he'd eye the guards, then One as she'd go off to meddle with others. Ah well, it is what it is right? Either way, he'd watch himself, patient, and posed. That backpack would crawl over to him, letting him sling it up onto his back again with a small sigh. "Too distinguished. I need to work on more.." He frowns, glancing at the buried man. Complications. Always complications.
Kyoujin would help gather the prisoners and then inject them all with a sedative for transport. However, with her uninjured hand, she used Konoha style hand signs — something Akane had taught all her children — to communicate with Kitaru. ~Go get Naoya-san. The Medic is in need of him. Hurry.~
Kitaru nods lightly to One. The order was given and the child would immediately respond, vanishing from sight with that move to go up, then towards where he'd noted Naoya to be posted up at with the bow. Landing on a branch off to the side, he'd crouch, touching a hand to the wood. "Sensei. One stated Medic needs assistance immediately."
"Yes. Though 'she' should remember, I cannot treat well without the aid of my brood. She will bring that body to me." Leaning forward, Naoya falls forward off the branch but managed too right himself before crashing to the ground. Standing up, he nods lightly towards Kitaru before motioning back towards the outcropping of where the guards were held. "We only have need for four, so only four will be brought for this task." Speaking softly as he walked, Naoya lowers the bow to his side and presses the arrow to his hip, causing fibers to bind it in place.
It wouldn't take long before Naoya and Kitaru would make their way towards 'Kyoujin'. Looking away from the woman, he would see a child being carried animal style and the crushed skull of an adult beside the corpse of a child drowned on it's own blood. "Messy.. messy. Have they completed the task 'assassin'?" Turning his head to the side, Naoya looks towards Akane*, somewhat expectantly and if she studied his look it was easy to see that he did not see her as anything more than an equal though he often placed 'Akane' in higher respects.
Kyoujin nodded but did not look at Naoya. She did not seem to be looking at anything really. The neck of her clothes, though black, was soaked in blood and her right arm was in serious need of binding. She heard Naoya's order to only take the four but did not seem to respond at first. She tilted her head faintly as if listening for Naoya's footfalls beside her. "This One can make it back to the village at normal pace but then the Medic will have no use of her eyes for some time."
Kitaru would nod to Naoya. "Hai Sensei." As Naoya moved, so did Kitaru. He'd show up at about the same time, looking over those left. Only four. So the others would be simply throat slit, clean and precise. The 'mess' that the twins left would also be worked on, the suit puppet dragging them bodies off into the woods, out of line of sight. Although the trail of blood couldn't be helped, in the woods they'd get grabbed by the suit and buried with it, only the suit coming up after for each one. Just mounds of dirt left for marking the graves it seems and those hidden as Kitaru could behind trees and the like. Kitaru sighed quietly at One's admittance, shaking his head with a small frown. He wouldn't comment. It wasn't his place.
"Two adults.. one child.." Turning to glance towards Kitaru he corrects himself, "Three adults, one child." Taking a moment, he directs Kitaru to retrieve the man that was buried up to his chin. Motioning towards the fused Genin, Naoya motions for them to now not only carry the child but also one of the parents, certainly taxing but not overly so. The last adult was assigned to the Genin that had not achieved much beyond a walk. All the while, Naoya doesn't appear to listen to the dangers of Akane's body until the orders were made and were being enacted.
"Assassin.. you will stay by my side, we will protect the rear of the children as they move forward. Is this clear?" Turning to look towards Akane, he doesn't look at her eyes but looks over her figure, assessing it until.. he extends his hand. Normally the Okumo never asks permission for an examination but something uneased him faintly. "Take the hand and be still. once the children leave, so will we. Then while walking the treatment will begin. We will not pause."
Kyoujin nodded again to Naoya's words but before she would take the hand she reached over and touched Kitaru's shoulder. "She reacted because you were in danger." It was not said to make him feel bad, but rather to explain why she would react to something that could have been minor with overwhelming force. Just to be safe.
In any case, Kyoujin finally took Naoya's guidance, laying the badly burned hand on his. The eyes would take more than they had on this trip but he could work on the arm and guide her if she started losing the light on the way.
Kitaru frowns at Kyoujin, shaking his head. "Then it was a mistake and a waste. They never stood a chance and acting like that. Wasting that?" He'd bite off the rest of his rant, taking a small breath through that mask. Looking to Naoya, he'd nod. "Hai." The man would get unburied by that suit, much as how he had been put in there. The gag retighten to make sure it wasn't going anywhere, Kitaru has the suit flop the man over it's chest and would follow after Kitaru as he'd start on that path back. Annoyed? Highly. But Kitaru knew better than to say more. This wasn't the place nor time.
Closing his eyes, Naoya shakes his head gently as he feels the texture of the burned hand but worse the unseen damage deeper within. This time he did not release her hand but continues to hold it as they leave the village. Once to the treeline, webbing not from spiders but the Okumo's skin spins and twists, wrapping around the damaged arm while spiders begin to bridge the link to burrow with the fibers to access her skin. The spiders do not burrow into the burned skin but they so begin to remove sections of it while injecting others, spurring additional regeneration along with injecting numbing agents and stimulants to keep her alert.
The Genin would carry out their chores without too much complaint though the fused pairing continuously debated quietly who would have to carry what load for the next few kilometers of the journey. The team was fortunate, there wasn't a following team, nor was too much noise made, but the task was completed far from flawlessly, though it was acceptable for the time being.
Dawn would not begin for several more hours leaving only the slender moon and stars in the clear sky to illuminate the land. The ground was damp and soft, during the previous day it has rained but it did not over saturate the soil other than in small spots. Near midnight, six individuals would arrive outside the gates of the village before progressing into the mist-cloaked roads to the south without many, if any answers for the summoning. The largely hushed walk would end only after passing a crossroad that gave way to the docks, the glowing lake, the shinobi village and a cavern complex.
The gathering for the assignment was 'interesting' at the least. Two Jounin, four Genin and no additional support for an operation that was not bound by formal contract with a client. One of the two Jounin was the the Head Medical Officer and Kiba, Doihara Akane the other was a Medical Officer and Academy Instructor, Okumo Naoya. The Genin, on the other hand, were each masked, each with a nearly identical mouthless mask which was painted black and possessed only a slot for each eye and a raised and drilled section for the nose. Each Genin was permitted to add one trinket that could easily fit into their palm to the left or right side of the mask as long as it did not interfere with their sight or attention.
Stepping forward a few additional steps, Naoya turns to look towards Akane and nods lightly towards the woman, it was possible Naoya for the time being would be the only unmasked one present. "Death is inevitable, and at many times the goal of those we hunt.. but that is not our task this night. Tonight we are traveling to the restricted lands, each Genin here will be expected to carry back one chosen individual. A child or an infant are not valid subjects, they lack what the village desires." Lifting a finger, Naoya brings it up to his temple and holds it in place. "The mind, the village requires four subjects that possess the aptitude and knowledge of ninjutsu. Those suited are to be of the age and close to the fitness of a Genin or even to that of a decrepit elder. If there's a question, ask it now, when those are silenced we will proceed."
Kitaru gets summoned for a mission at night. Well, this wasn't anything really new, was it? Tests happen all the time and this would simply be another. Dressed quickly, a skill taught by Ishino, Kitaru was in that suit, with the mask, bracer on his right forearm and the backpack on his back. While others might have troubles with such a quick start, Kitaru was now at his deadliest and ready to go. He'd move silently with them, the mask making it obvious this was to be stealth.. of sorts. So he simply did so, listening silently as Naoya explains, then shakes his head at the question. Gather someone that knows Ninjutsu. They don't have to be strong. It seemed straight forward to him.
Akane watched the four Genin closely as they gathered. She showed no outward favoritism to Kitaru but she couldn't help but smirk behind her own mask at his ability to just arrive ready to kill. As they don't seem to have any questions, Akane stepped up.
Kiba wore a black uniform similar to one the ANBU might wear, though with less distinction. Her crimson hair was hidden well in her shinobi hood and the mask she wore today was nondescript. A random fox mask. Her swords were strapped to her back and she wore her bracers as well but there was little else familiar about her outfit tonight.
"We want the adults but if you cannot detain them, you may instead take their children for ransom. A prisoner exchange is not outside the parameters of this mission. We need to remain largely unidentified as Kirigakure and we need to keep it relatively quiet. If you take a child you will bring them to me and Naoya-san." She then looked to Naoya and tilted her head as if to ask if there was anything else and then flicked her wrist as if tossing command back to the junior Jounin.
Following Kitaru's example, the other Genin would remain silent, possible not wishing to expose a failure. Two of the Genin each wore a feather along where their mouths would be though on opposite sides. The third Genin chose not to use a trinket but traveled with a long half scabbard along their back, housing a blade nearly as long as they were tall. Each of the other Genin were dressed conservatively for a night operation but they also lacked any armor or markings of proven worth.
Nodding slowly, Naoya closes his eyes before his hair began to groom itself, binding into a singular low ponytail that slips into his uniform. "Now, how you capture them through trickery, false promises or direct kidnapping does not matter to me. only the results matter." Turning away and to the side, he continues to speak though as he does so spiders begin to rush across his face, laying down webbing. "Do not break the subjects, that will simply give us more time to cleaning wounds after the fact. Now, we move." With those spiders now gone, the webbing solidifies darkening to a featureless piece a bark brown material that is fused to the Okumo's hairline and curves under his chin, making the mask nearly fused to the skull.
It would be almost an hour before the team would make it to the outskirts of the forest that the foreign clan used for their current home. The village was relatively small, possibly made of seventy individuals throughout the clearing not counting the livestock. Even with he village being small, there were several sheltered torches dotting the village, illuminating the common trails for the two currently on night patrol.
Kitaru traveled with the others, watching the surroundings and marking resources as he went. He was fast and efficient in what he did. That he learned from both parents of course. Once they reached the edge of the village, Kitaru looks around, picking out those patrolling guards. That backpack is shuffled off his back, set to the side for a moment as he'd watch and wait. With the approach of one of those patrolling coming near where they paused, he'd act first, a displacement, the swapping of points between the backpack and the guard, had him suddenly next to Kitaru. Who would promptly plant a hand against his chest, tagging him with that moment where time itself seemed to still. Leaving plenty of time to tie him up and gag him before the genjutsu would wear off. In the meantime, the puppet would unfold, the suit wrapping about nothing, only to henge, looking like the guard just claimed and continue on that patrol. Kitaru's eyes narrowed as he'd focus, having to shift perception between there and the puppet so it'd not run into anything.
Akane slipped away from the group and around the borders of the village watching, waiting. Picking a target carefully. And then she reappeared.. clothed completely different. She now wore a black top with the Uchiha crest and her hair, in a ponytail, looked to be dark. She appeared to be beaten up and possibly injured. But then she 'accidently' bumped into one of the guards. Of course, Sharingan, even with one tomoe, was highly prized even in this village. Akane took flight and the guard followed. It was not very far until she had him isolated. There was a flash of light and then she was once more dressed as before, crouched over the unconscious man as she bound and gagged him….
One guard was subdued, largely from not anticipating being drawn deeply into a Genjutsu while on the patrol for thieves and troublemakers. Another guard was lead astray from greed and was deftly punished by it though it was done less than silently. The sounds of crackling in the distance weren't grounds to set off alarms on their own, but it would draw yet another guard's attention from within one of the homes. The guard's shift wasn't to begin for at least another hour but he left his abode mixed with curiosity but also caution, only a few knew how to harness lightning manipulation within the village and none were scheduled tonight.
Naoya doesn't enter the village, nor does he even stand on the fields around the village but he lingers within the treeline. Sat still, a bow almost half his height is held at rest with an arrow already notched, seemingly waiting for an issue to arise. The three remaining Genin part, a pair of them move towards one of the more center buildings before using one another to boost past the first floor and towards the roofing. From the roofing of the central house, the pair begins their advancements, slipping through an unlocked window, left open to vent the rising heat. The singled out Genin would take their time, beginning a patrol of the village, their blade still sheathed, seemingly poised to use it as a club rather than to draw it out and use it to butcher the first creature found.
Kitaru's 'guard' would pause at the thunder and look to the other guard that comes out as well. It'd fall in step with the curious one as Kitaru would once again focus himself. That trick is used fairly well once more, the genjutsu was but a touch of the puppet to the guard's shoulder, time itself coming to a stop as Kitaru tugs on the strings of that puppet, displacing them both this time to next to where he stands. Promptly the guard is once more tied up and gagged, pushed over to sit next to the first one and Kitaru takes a moment to make sure they're kept separate from each other. Just in case. "I don't know if either of you knows ninjutsu though.. Hmm."
Akane appeared next to Kitaru as he drug that second guard in. Dropping her catch she turned to face the three men. Hands on her hips she watched them and then when the two of Kitaru's were awake she spoke. "Alright now, we're going to play a game. We want to chat with a few of you. If you're the ones we want to chat with, we won't have to obliterate your village." She tapped her chin. "And clan. Trust me, I'm really good at killing clans. Especially my own." Her laugh was a touch on the unhinged side though with her mask on it was impossible to tell if she was just acting or not…. "SO! Let's talk elements. Who can do what, boys?"
The task Kitaru has set out on was progressing flawlessly, save for one fact.. the second guard objected. When prompted the first captured guard would begin to speak but only be muffled by the gag in his mouth. Twisting his bound hands, the second guard lids his eyes slightly while his hands work individually forming signs silently. Akane would notice an unseen blade of chakra wash through the middle most prisoner, severing his bindings along his legs and along his torso without much difficulty. "Flames!" is shouted as the man bring his left hand down to strike the palm of his right hand loudly.
The motion causes the scent of burnt air to waif through the air before a massive but short cylinder crashes down from above Akane more so than Kitaru. "**** idiots, get up!" is shouted at the other two men without even checking on their captures, his tension was high and it was clear he only wanted to run at this point. Sadly for the guard, without being in the forest, the sound of crushing grass and first wouldn't be clearly noticed to the sleeping villagers.
A trick taught by his dad? Or maybe stolen? Either way, Kitaru would carefully check his lapels, dust something off one sleeve and casually walk back out of reach of that cylinder. The insane casualness a mask by that genjutsu warding Kitaru. He might not be able to help Akane with it.. but then again.. he knew his mom. She might hug it and adopt it. Either way, he'd reach out again, this time making sure that all three of the guards taken were locked down within that genjutsu and it'd be steel cuffs along with finger locks to stop such things. That'd be the joy of having a backpack puppet. Tools were always easily accessible.
Akane saw the slashing wave that freed the prisoners and side stepped it… But that cylinder. Fire. Her eyes spun behind her mask and she acted without thinking. Lifting her hand like a palm strike but above them, Akane seemed to slam her fist into the cylinder that threatened her son. HER. SON. The flame cylinder didn't break or shatter but rather seemed to blacken. How did fire blacken? Then it became plain to the fire user that it wasn't blackening, it was a shield of black flame that ate away at the cylinder's flames themselves…. She growled low in her throat….
Only one problem. There was a backlash like a backdraft that ripped apart Akane's right bracer and sleeve, searing the skin underneath. The 'impact' also seemed to drive her to one knee. Kitaru and Naoya alone would be able to note the bend of her back showing that she was not ready to continue fighting immediately. That defense. Something had gone wrong or she had been over taxed. But if the guards or villagers noted her weakness she would be an open target.
Black flames that consumed everything… "Tsk. Leaf." is spat out bitterly before he could feel even existence coming to a pause. The more talented guard wouldn't fall for the attack once again, though his less than alert companions would. Forming his fingers into a seal, Kitaru would watch as blood explodes from the man's arm he had changed the shape of the attack to a large needle to pierce through his own arm. Pain, the pain was his defense for his more vulnerable mind. There was a difference though, rather than fight the guard.. fled, or attempted to at the very least. Akane, while weakened by her own improper defense, would be spared as she would watch as two guards, stare out at her listlessly while Kitaru bound them in irons, securing two victims.
Kitaru frowns as the third guard and his flash of pain was enough to deny that stun. Shaking his head, he'd eye Akane for a moment and with the guards secured, directed the puppet again. It'd promptly bury itself into the ground, digging that tight hole that'd make it hard to even more in. From that point, the displacement is done again, once more swapping positions of puppet and the running guard to leave the guard buried in the hole instead. Kitaru is right there, of course, knowing what is coming and promptly tried to kick the guy in the head.
Akane lifted her head to watch as one of the guards decided it was the Leaf attacking and ran. She clenched her jaw but Kitaru was on it. Akane's left hand went to touch her right arm, though even she could not lay a full hand on that wound and so gripped higher. She tried to stand and failed, panting a few times.
Inside her mind, there was a growl and a taunt. ~That was pathetic. Get up or move aside!~ For a moment longer there was hesitation and then she stood as though there was no pain and no weakness. She loomed over the two men at her feet and when she spoke her voice was a purr of sadism. "Oooh… Now, THAT… was the wrong choice. This One is going to have so much fun with you… And maybe your kids…"
When snatched again, Kitaru would notice the man's wounded arm was rewounded as soon as the puppet began to switch places with him rather than defend himself properly. It wouldn't be until an additional kick to the head left his hearing ringing painfully did he realize Kitaru was physically there and not part of a larger illusion. '…Good for nothing Kirigakure, can't even keep foreigners away..' Stilling, the guard appeared to give up but if watched closely, his shoulders faintly continue to move, attempting to make some room to make additional seals.
The two victims who for just that moment feel time once again flowing, look up towards Akane very confused.. they were just bound, then free, then bound in a different way. '..I don't even have a wife, is she nuts?' couldn't help but question under his breath though it was likely too loud to keep hidden. In the distance, Kitaru might notice several beings were bound, whimpering and their joints twisted wrongly. The twins were active, they managed to bind three adults and two academy aged children but with the lack of upper body strength even when working together, they chose to toss them from the second-story window, causing massive bruising and more than one case of fractured bones from the uncushioned landing.
Kitaru glances at the one. "Yes. She is. Very crazy and you just woke up the wrong type of crazy." Shaking his head, Kitaru eyes One now, then shrugs and looks back to the guy he buried. Kneeling, he'd plant a finger against the guy's forehead. "Quit. Or you will make me cross." Standing up, he'd glance over at the twins and their captures, then with a moment's musing would draw Bracer off his arm, fit something to it and plant it on the ground next to the guy buried. As Kitaru puts a gag on him, the puppet digs another hole beside him, digging down to his fingers where it proceeds to wrench around with the fitted mesh Kitaru put in it to snap the fingers, breaking each one in turn.
Kyoujin snickered. "Maybe you'll HAVE kids before This One lets you go you little ****. You see that kid? You don't even BREATHE at that kid. Now…Don't. Move. Or This One will just rip your leg off."
And with that she reached down, with both hands, burned and uninjured both. A touch was all it took to turn their muscles to gel. Then she turned toward Kitaru. "This One has to go stop the little ones now…"
She sighed and arrived at the twins' location with a rather aggressive affect to her walk. "You two. Stop this instant. Get down here." She went to the five on the ground with a sigh. Muttering something about being a good person she touched each with the same kind of muscle manipulation that she had used on the two before. This would stop their struggling and dull the pain for the moment. She peered at them all with that Sharingan behind the mask's lenses and shook her head. She indicated One adult and one of the academy children. "Kill those two." She had chosen the two adults with the greatest promise according to the chakra she could see and one student.
Her next action was to begin injecting them each with something that apparently was a sedative. Then she shook her head and picked up one adult in each hand, ordering the twins to bring the student between them. Now, where the **** was that blasted Naoya….
"Jan.. Ken.. Pon!" is said by the pair with mirrored masks. The loser snarled and moved behind the winner and appeared to disappear. Akane's eyes would see the truth, the pair shared the same body, it was one of the captured clans brought and raised under Kirigakure's watch. Hopping from the building, the Genin lands on the ground, using a bent leg and two hands for balance though two other legs stomped below them, crushing the skull and throat of the adult without much coaching. One arm raises as if to play the game again, the free hand throws a kunai into the child's throat, not killing the child outright, the tool missed it's mark but if left alone the child would drown in short order. As for the remaining child, the Genin easily picked the child up, carrying it behind the neck, similarly to the way one would carry an animal kill.
Kitaru would have a simpler time, the gag was accepted while the buried guard watched on carefully, becoming still to watch for an opening. When the puppet digs close to his hand, the man actually moves his hand out, trying to form a series of seals only to have his middle finger captured. "…hmm? Grr… Hmm, i'ill. GEHHH!" If the gag had not been in place the village likely would have been awakened or the man would have bitten off his tongue. Finger after finger compressed until it splinters without his skin breaking, the man was far from silent during this but his words were far too muffled to make out.
As for Naoya.. the seemingly lazy Jounin with unwavering patience was still in his tree, his bow still poised and relaxed, waiting for a victim.
Kitaru nods, satisfied once all the fingers are snapped. The Bracer shifts then, both of the man's wrist caught up and with a twist, the mesh is pulled taunt, lashing the arms together. That done, it'd unbury itself, letting Kitaru pick it up and replace it on his arm. Turning in turn, he'd eye the guards, then One as she'd go off to meddle with others. Ah well, it is what it is right? Either way, he'd watch himself, patient, and posed. That backpack would crawl over to him, letting him sling it up onto his back again with a small sigh. "Too distinguished. I need to work on more.." He frowns, glancing at the buried man. Complications. Always complications.
Kyoujin would help gather the prisoners and then inject them all with a sedative for transport. However, with her uninjured hand, she used Konoha style hand signs — something Akane had taught all her children — to communicate with Kitaru. ~Go get Naoya-san. The Medic is in need of him. Hurry.~
Kitaru nods lightly to One. The order was given and the child would immediately respond, vanishing from sight with that move to go up, then towards where he'd noted Naoya to be posted up at with the bow. Landing on a branch off to the side, he'd crouch, touching a hand to the wood. "Sensei. One stated Medic needs assistance immediately."
"Yes. Though 'she' should remember, I cannot treat well without the aid of my brood. She will bring that body to me." Leaning forward, Naoya falls forward off the branch but managed too right himself before crashing to the ground. Standing up, he nods lightly towards Kitaru before motioning back towards the outcropping of where the guards were held. "We only have need for four, so only four will be brought for this task." Speaking softly as he walked, Naoya lowers the bow to his side and presses the arrow to his hip, causing fibers to bind it in place.
It wouldn't take long before Naoya and Kitaru would make their way towards 'Kyoujin'. Looking away from the woman, he would see a child being carried animal style and the crushed skull of an adult beside the corpse of a child drowned on it's own blood. "Messy.. messy. Have they completed the task 'assassin'?" Turning his head to the side, Naoya looks towards Akane*, somewhat expectantly and if she studied his look it was easy to see that he did not see her as anything more than an equal though he often placed 'Akane' in higher respects.
Kyoujin nodded but did not look at Naoya. She did not seem to be looking at anything really. The neck of her clothes, though black, was soaked in blood and her right arm was in serious need of binding. She heard Naoya's order to only take the four but did not seem to respond at first. She tilted her head faintly as if listening for Naoya's footfalls beside her. "This One can make it back to the village at normal pace but then the Medic will have no use of her eyes for some time."
Kitaru would nod to Naoya. "Hai Sensei." As Naoya moved, so did Kitaru. He'd show up at about the same time, looking over those left. Only four. So the others would be simply throat slit, clean and precise. The 'mess' that the twins left would also be worked on, the suit puppet dragging them bodies off into the woods, out of line of sight. Although the trail of blood couldn't be helped, in the woods they'd get grabbed by the suit and buried with it, only the suit coming up after for each one. Just mounds of dirt left for marking the graves it seems and those hidden as Kitaru could behind trees and the like. Kitaru sighed quietly at One's admittance, shaking his head with a small frown. He wouldn't comment. It wasn't his place.
"Two adults.. one child.." Turning to glance towards Kitaru he corrects himself, "Three adults, one child." Taking a moment, he directs Kitaru to retrieve the man that was buried up to his chin. Motioning towards the fused Genin, Naoya motions for them to now not only carry the child but also one of the parents, certainly taxing but not overly so. The last adult was assigned to the Genin that had not achieved much beyond a walk. All the while, Naoya doesn't appear to listen to the dangers of Akane's body until the orders were made and were being enacted.
"Assassin.. you will stay by my side, we will protect the rear of the children as they move forward. Is this clear?" Turning to look towards Akane, he doesn't look at her eyes but looks over her figure, assessing it until.. he extends his hand. Normally the Okumo never asks permission for an examination but something uneased him faintly. "Take the hand and be still. once the children leave, so will we. Then while walking the treatment will begin. We will not pause."
Kyoujin nodded again to Naoya's words but before she would take the hand she reached over and touched Kitaru's shoulder. "She reacted because you were in danger." It was not said to make him feel bad, but rather to explain why she would react to something that could have been minor with overwhelming force. Just to be safe.
In any case, Kyoujin finally took Naoya's guidance, laying the badly burned hand on his. The eyes would take more than they had on this trip but he could work on the arm and guide her if she started losing the light on the way.
Kitaru frowns at Kyoujin, shaking his head. "Then it was a mistake and a waste. They never stood a chance and acting like that. Wasting that?" He'd bite off the rest of his rant, taking a small breath through that mask. Looking to Naoya, he'd nod. "Hai." The man would get unburied by that suit, much as how he had been put in there. The gag retighten to make sure it wasn't going anywhere, Kitaru has the suit flop the man over it's chest and would follow after Kitaru as he'd start on that path back. Annoyed? Highly. But Kitaru knew better than to say more. This wasn't the place nor time.
Closing his eyes, Naoya shakes his head gently as he feels the texture of the burned hand but worse the unseen damage deeper within. This time he did not release her hand but continues to hold it as they leave the village. Once to the treeline, webbing not from spiders but the Okumo's skin spins and twists, wrapping around the damaged arm while spiders begin to bridge the link to burrow with the fibers to access her skin. The spiders do not burrow into the burned skin but they so begin to remove sections of it while injecting others, spurring additional regeneration along with injecting numbing agents and stimulants to keep her alert.
The Genin would carry out their chores without too much complaint though the fused pairing continuously debated quietly who would have to carry what load for the next few kilometers of the journey. The team was fortunate, there wasn't a following team, nor was too much noise made, but the task was completed far from flawlessly, though it was acceptable for the time being.
