Starring:
Date: March 28, 2012
Summary:
After meeting Daisuke's intended summoning animal, Daisuke and Hashi are unexpectantly called into action and set out from the Ancient Forest towards Mt. Daikuma, arriving to help
"Warriors of Balance - Arrival"
Land of Fire - Ancient Forest, Mt. Daikuma
In this forest, it could sometimes grow difficult determining the time, still they know they've only been here a short while, but any longer and there's no telling how much time will have passed. Hashi was already growing tired of being here. She didn't exactly like being in this forest, though it was necessary for this contract to be pushed through. Hopefully, they'll be getting to the home of the Pandas soon, otherwise, she just might have to ditch… Eh, not really, but she could at least think about it. There's no way she'd leave Daisuke here by himself.
All the trees looked the same, all the bushes, the ground, grass. Staying in here was enough to drive someone crazy, but they knew better. It didn't cancel out the fact that the environment was still unnerving. A glance goes to Xun, but nothing is said at the moment. Instead, she dwells in her thoughts and thinks…why is she still here? That's a question that's run around in her head a number of times. She absolutely hated being in this forest. The impatience caused her to stir a bit as her fingers rapped at her sides while they walked.
At least Xun seemed to have a better sense of where he was going and what was happening around them…which was nothing. The forest is the same as it's always been aside from a few large animals that pass by every so often.
It had been decided during their camp and lunch that the two Senju would help Xun and his people with the attack on their monastery. Without a second thought Daisuke had immediately volunteered, that hero complex of his kicking in. It took some more information from Xun to figure out what exactly the situation was and where they were heading. The Panda had been hesitant at first, but began to open up as it became more apparent that the two of them were strong enough to help his people. It had been his mission to come to the forest to find sympathetic animals to aid their cause, as they had generally stayed away from humans for whatever reason. Coming back with two humans would be unorthodox but Xun didn't exactly have a stellar reputation for doing things the old fashioned way. During the camp out it became evident that Xun and Daisuke were much alike, from their boastful attitudes to their kind nature, and they clashed a few times in minor arguments over ridiculously unimportant things. Throughout that night, the two of them had become a little closer to understanding one another, whether they knew it or not.
When all three of them were rested and eaten, Xun had started to lead the way back through the forest to the southern area of the Land of Fire, a fairly sparse area near the ocean. Throughout most of the trip the trio stayed within the Ancient Forest, but finally, after a few hours on the move and only a few spottings of giant beasts, those giant trees and shrubs began to shrink once again into the regular size of the forests of the Land of Fire. They had reached the southern edge of the forest and were making good time.
"So how far is this mountain, anyway?" Daisuke asks as they soar through trees, hands behind their back in the ninja fashion to run faster.
"Not far. We loop around the coast and there lies the only entrance for humans." Xun says as he bounces through the trees ahead of the two ninja, still leading the way.
"/Finally,/" Hashi muttered to herself. That forest irked her to no end. She looked back at it and then ahead, uncrossing her arms and relaxing now that they were in familiar territory. She could think more clearly now about the situation and thinks that this might be a prospective contract. Going back on the various times they rested, she saw that Xun and Daisuke were very much alike which was…almost frightening. The two of them? Together? What would the world come to…what would Konoha come to for that matter? She can only imagine the kinds of things that could happen. She's leaning mostly to good, but there's always room for bad. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong right?
She followed behind the two of them, watching them hold a conversation. They were even in synch with their timing and jumps. Well, one thing is made clear. She'd be more than happy to finally arrive at this monastery, but she can't be calm yet. She knows the weight of the situation plaguing the Pandas and she can only hope that she and Daisuke would be of some service to them in some way. "What do you think we can come to expect when we arrive there? Is the fighting ongoing or has it dulled down to some degree?" Xun replied, "You should expect to run into jutsu of various kinds, most notably ninjutsu since it is able to travel the furthest. Close quarter combat may be a common sight by this time. There shouldn't be too much trouble entering the monastery. Curiously, the human entrance is not one that has been subject to attack. Perhaps because we've spent so long away from humans that it wasn't thought that they may appear at some point," he explained. Hashi nodded and then looked to Daisuke.
"/Finally,/" Hashi muttered to herself. That forest irked her to no end. She looked back at it and then ahead, uncrossing her arms and relaxing now that they were in familiar territory. She could think more clearly now about the situation and thinks that this might be a prospective contract. Going back on the various times they rested, she saw that Xun and Daisuke were very much alike which was…almost frightening. The two of them? Together? What would the world come to…what would Konoha come to for that matter? She can only imagine the kinds of things that could happen. She's leaning mostly to good, but there's always room for bad. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong right?
She followed behind the two of them, watching them hold a conversation. They were even in synch with their timing and jumps. Well, one thing is made clear. She'd be more than happy to finally arrive at this monastery, but she can't be calm yet. She knows the weight of the situation plaguing the Pandas and she can only hope that she and Daisuke would be of some service to them in some way. "What do you think we can come to expect when we arrive there? Is the fighting ongoing or has it dulled down to some degree?" Xun replied, "You should expect to run into jutsu of various kinds, most notably ninjutsu since it is able to travel the furthest. Close quarter combat may be a common sight by this time. There shouldn't be too much trouble entering the monastery. Curiously, the human entrance was only lightly guarded and it was used to infiltrate our monastery. Perhaps because we've spent so long away from humans that it wasn't thought that they may appear at some point," he explained. Hashi nodded and then looked to Daisuke.
Daisuke has a light frown on his face as Xun describes the situation to them, hopping silently through the trees. Secretly he hoped that the humans who were so selfishly attacking these bears would all be out fighting in one spot so he could bring down the wrath of judgment upon them all at once in a fell strike, thus impressing the pandas into a contract, but despite his wish, he knew it wasn't going to be so easy. He remained silent, for the most part, for the rest of the trip, thinking up potential strategies and tactics to arrive and save the day.
After another hour the trio reached the Southern shore of the Land of Fire, the ocean stretching out far towards the horizon wherever they looked as no noticeable islands littered this side of the ocean. Daisuke stops briefly to admire the sheer vastness of the ocean before them as the trio decide to rest briefly to come up with some kind of plan.
"As I mentioned, the human entrance will be the best bet to enter from." Xun says, sighing at what he was about to say before saying it, "The fighting should've pushed into the monastery now, through the walls. I just hope everyone is ok." The giant bear tips his strawhat down over his eyes momentarily in a silent prayer for his people. Daisuke walks over to the bear, giving him a firm smack on the back to ruin the sad moment, hating them more than anything. "It will be fine, you came across the best help you could ever find." he says with a wide smile.
Despite the efforts of the Pandas, the humans were drawing closer to the monastery. Much of the fighting was taking place just outside and it was clear from the way chakra flared and jutsus fired that things were growing intense. There's no telling why these humans are doing this, but soon enough that all will change. Hashi prepares herself by focusing the needed amount of chakra to dedicate to this task. "We will handle this, Xun. Worry not. These humans will be cleared out and will bother your people no more. Of course, we can't do this alone, but we can ease the load," she explains to him. "Guess it's time to be heroes. Let's do this," she smirked.
The fighting was pushing forward, the Pandas were holding off as best as they could, but the humans were beginning to overwhelm them. Fighting for days could do things like this, but they have to wonder where they get this energy from. It seems endless, but they know that they don't have an infinite reserve. There were just enough of them to follow up behind those that were at the front lines and keep the attacks going. It was effective, but ultimately draining on the Pandas.
The monastery was well guarded and one of the harder parts to get into. Even if the progress of the humans was fairly quick, it would take some time for them to enter the monastery. It was well built and ready for just such occassions. Besides this, there were more than enough places to escape to and the battle was focused on the surface only. Well prepared, there were traps that were situated within the place as well. Should it come down to it, the monastery may go down, but the threat would be vanquished along with it. It would be a great loss, but one that could be rebuilt.
"Mmn." Daisuke says, punching a clenched fist into his other palm with a look of determination on his face. He looks over to Xun who nods his head, leading them to the 'human' entrance to the mountain. Daisuke looks up, way up, at the sheer size of Mt. Daikuma and whistles. "This might take a few minutes." he jests to Xun and Hashi before he and the rest set out on the trail. The mountain path winded its way along the mountain, the 'human' path meaning that where beasts may tread, humans needed roads and walkways to scale such heights. Luckily for ninja, the winding paths provided landing areas and areas to push off, enabling them to jump their way up to each path and scale the mountain by each path.
The air was cold and noticeably thinner the higher they went, as they passed a few low hanging clouds. The trio was able to get to the summit gates a lot faster this way, and when they arrived they would be greeted by a wonderful ornamental gate, carefully sculpture in an oriental style and similar to the large gate found at the Fire Temple. The gate had a large hole in the middle and one of the doors was ajar, suggesting that this was the entry point. Surrounding the large door was a large wall all the way along the mountain, so this could very well be the only way in.
Within the gate small fires were burning on the ground and the area looked like a disaster had come through and tossed everything upside down. Carts and stalls were trashed and tipped on their sides, contents spilled all over the ground. Some homes were burning while others had large cracks or holes in them. Daisuke's fists seem to clench harder as he surveyed the damage and so did Xun's. The panda points down the long road through the village towards another set of gates, pointing out the monastery, where smoke plumes rose slowly into the air.
Suddenly from some of the destroyed houses multiple scrubby looking humans came out, chortling to themselves at finding some new prey. Xun retrieved his dual swords from his back and took a ready stance, challenging the humans to come forward.
"What is this? Surely these scrubs didn't take down the village? I guess the real fight is in the monastery, these guys are nothing." Daisuke says in a dismissive manner, meaning to throw the bandits off. It works, and with gritted teeth, all 15 of them charge forward towards the group.
This place was much larger than it appeared to be from afar. When they finally arrived at the gate, they were greeted with a long expanse of shops and homes, each designed in a style that wouldn't be found back in Konoha. It would be something to admire as beautiful if it wasn't for the bandits that were charging at them. Hashi may practice peace, but she's no pushover and if it comes down to a fight, she's more than willing to let loose. If these bandits want some, they can come get some. "You guys are crazy, but…I like it. Let's just handle these guys and push ahead. We'll be able to clear this place in no time flat. That's if they stay this way. I hope they do. It'd be much easier…" She wanted to attack, but she thinks this might be best left up to these two. She can wait to pull out the big guns. They might have fun knocking these peeps around.
The bandits charge forward, weapons bared against the trio with the intent to kill, though their intent didn't seem to be as strong as the three they were facing. Hashi was capable of killing, but she wasn't going to strike anyone down in death. Instead, she was going to attack to disable. "Okay, so…how long do you think it'll take to get through here? I say…ten minutes tops. Anyone have any other bets to offer?" She joked.
"Ten seconds!" Daisuke says as he raises his arms in the air and lets out a loud roar, this one coming from deep within. "Yeah rig-" Xun says, but is cut off by the roar and an unpleasant feeling washing over him. Son Goku's chakra begins to leak through his body and covers Daisuke in that red cloak with four tails, a complete and controlled full cloak release. Both Daisuke and Son were fired up over this ordeal, and their pride was on the line in order to stop these intruders and save the pandas. The cloak around Daisuke bubbles and erupts as multiple hand-like appendages stretch outwards towards the bandits, wrapping up some, knocking out some, and tripping and tying up others. The bandits are in a state of confusion as the appendages continue to attack from all angles. As the smoke clears on the battle, Daisuke stands tall with his arms in the air in victory, standing atop a pile of 15 bandits whom are all unconscious or disabled enough that they won't be causing any trouble any time soon. "What's next?"
Xun stands there with his mouth open, wondering if all humans had such strange techniques. He looks over to Hashiramako silently, as if appraising her for a second time, before turning back to Daisuke. "We need to secure the town and flush out the remaining bandits before we make our way to the monastery. Without support the humans will have a disadvantageous stand off with my people and we can treat any wounded before moving on." he says firmly, running off in search of other bandits.
10 seconds… Hashi knew what that meant.
In that moment, she didn't even bother to try to fight against the bandits, although that was her intention, there were some parts of her that couldn't quite resist joining in on the fun. Guess she can hold back now that he's went cloak and started taking out the bandits in…she couldn't even describe it as a breeze, more like a game. It was kinda sad, actually. "7 seconds," she counted the timing of the battle. "We've still got a ways to go. Look at how long this path is," she pointed ahead. She didn't even think about how Xun was taking this until she caught his expression. "Oh, yes, Daisuke harbors a tailed beast. So…yeah," she remarked. "Don't worry, though. They've come to know one another well and compliment each other's abilities. It's nothing that would be turned against you or your people. He's a good kid," she smiled and noted Daisuke with a nod. "So now we should get going. We've got to get up to the monastery. If these bandits keep coming out, I think we might be pressed for time," she finished and dashed off ahead, jumping atop a building as she seemingly flashed off into the distance.
Within 30 minutes the trio had cleared out and rounded up all the bandits outside of the monastery gates, throwing them all in the center square and tying them all up tight. The wounded and scared were all brought out of hiding and the pandas began to treat their own. Daisuke watched as a few pandas performed what looked like medical ninjutsu on the more seriously hurt, amazed to see such techniques in such a remote area and not being performed by humans. One of the pandas began to take charge of the wounded situation, a panda by the name of Tabib who seemed to be one of the head bears in charge of medical situations. Daisuke met up with Hashi and Xun and began to plan their next step, leaving the medical treatment and recovery to the others.
