[Cold Country] It's Raining Cats and Dogs

[Texas]

It took months to establish bases throughout cold country. Akihiko, his military outfit, and the engineering corps have forged circular structures based around silos throughout the land. These bases themselves are powered by the natural steam that rise from the ground and utilize that as a form of energy. The steam provides the bases with natural heat and with a custom steam mill, the facilities have naturally powered structures. On top of this, Aki has even worked with the engineering corps to take specially grown roots grown from the ground that actually melt the snow around it. These structures are built with high tech materials, but have roots grown on the outside of the structure and throughout the area around it, giving it a natural lush land feel. Due to the silo's being near each other, the bases have borderline turned into a military like village within the country labeled as Could Country. Outposts were placed within the mountains to help with lookouts and eyeing if intruders were coming.

There are mountain ranges throughout the radius of these silos and on the other side of the northern part of the mountains is a large snowy jungle. On the right and left of the forest are snowy dead lands filled with ice and well... snow.

In the main Silo located in the middle of all of the other Silo's is what was determined to be the "Capital" of the outfit. Aki used that silo for military meetings, progress reports, and mission assignments. With the establishment of Cold Country, Aki wanted to take some lower level shinobi and take them to the frozen wilderness. It was rumored that odd sized and acting animals were roaming through the forests. These animals needed to be identified and logged, especially if they are animals they have never seen before.

Aki stood in the meeting room which was simple room with a large board at the head of the rectangular room and chairs with desks throughout it facing the head of the room. Thanks to another Kumo shinobi, Aki and the rest of Kumogakure no Sato had a friendly relationship with the natives of Cold Country. So Aki had hired one of them to be their guide. Their guide stood next to him, she was sitting down in the main seat while Aki sat back against the wall with his arms folded. They both waited for Aki's fellow shinobi to enter the room.

[Bexhex]

Amaki walked through the silo, the sounds of the large industrial like complex filled her ears. To think she was going to meet one of the shinobi who was responsible for creating this large base. It left Amaki in awe as she walked through the heavy metallic fortress her footsteps echoing as she approached. It was different than what she was used to since coming to cold country, the warm air that flowed throughout the complex left her feeling like she was nestled between her covers back home. It allowed her to dress as she normally would her tattered family jacket, and her typical black tight fitting top, although this time she wore and under shirt with long sleeves and instead of her skirt, she wore long trousers prepared for the could in the event she needed to leave in a pinch. She adjusted her eyepatch to before looking out a window, the melted snow and lush root system that sprawled the landscape gave a more vibrant feel that she hadn't felt since boarding her ship to come to the harsh land.

As she walked the halls she was surprised to see how busy it was, the place was treated like a military fortress and it left her feeling a bit overwhelmed as she approached the small wing of meeting rooms. All in all the technology that went into something like this place left her feeling like she was a cavewoman lost in a future time. She read the hall numbers again only to realize she was in the wrong wing again before setting off into another direction. This was already her third mistake she felt she would have to write a map to figure out where to go when she finally saw a small room, with its door sitting wide open and two individuals sitting inside it. The first was a young shinobi, who stood at the forefront of the little meeting room, his hair was a beautiful pink reminiscent of the sakura trees that Amaki loved to see. But what stood out to her most where the scars that ran down the right side of his face, she noticed as his head turned to face the other individual in the room, who she assumed was her guide. The boy must have been Ishiguro Akihiko the shinobi over her mission.

She stepped into the room, her confusion as she looked around, seeing she was one of the first ones there, "Sigh, I still made it in time, I thought for sure I would be late," she said wiping her anxious sweat from her forehead. She plopped down in one of the chairs, exhausted after the moments of her sudden relaxation. Before she suddenly darted up "U-Uhm Uh, A-AMAKI, err uhm Senkuma Amaki, Genin, reporting for duty sir," She made the typical lightning country salute, before unstrapping her kanabo resting it against the table. "Sorry for my impoliteness," she said her face flush again, first impressions where not her strong suit.

[Texas]

Aki watched as this black short haired girl walked up to him and apologized. He would fold his arms and giggle as he looked at her. "Hahaha, well don't let it happen again or else you will miss the mission completely!" In truth, Aki really didn't care, but he had to look a little responsible with the native near him. "Now then" he announced as he put his left hand on the shoulder of the native next to him. "Amaki, meet Tonoharu, he is a native here to this country. He has given us a lot of information regarding the animals that reside in this country. Our mission together is to try to find as many as possible in order to confirm the reports. We will be going to the Frozen Forest." Aki made up that term on the spot, but wasn't convinced that it was the best name.

The young man let go of the native's shoulder. He would nod his head and slightly bow towards her. Although he didn't say anything, his physical introduction radiated a lot of respect towards the young lady. When the native lifted his head and Amaki introduced herself to him, Aki would point towards the exit. "Now then, lets head out! Follow Tonoharu!"

Tonoharu would nod with understanding, turn towards the exit, and begin to run. Aki would do the same giggling as Amaki would follow. The trio would run closer to Amaki's speed and eventually they would get to a large forest like area. The forest was made up of living dead trees that held snow on their branches like leaves. This left a raised blanketed area that caused complete darkness throughout the forest.

They would stop before going in, of which Aki would turn to Amaki. "You ready to roll?" He would ask before leading her into the forest with Tonoharu.

[Bexhex]

Amaki was put off guard by her seemingly easy going senior. It was a breath of fresh air as he pushed aside her casual demeanor and followed up with a small joke and giggle of his own. A lighthearted smile came across Amaki's face as she began to loosen up. She looked over at the native and gave a small bow, "It's nice to meet you Tonoharu, I look forward to working alongside you," she said before looking over again and then letting out an awkward laugh, "You as well, sir" she said again with a small bow as she lifted up and grinned.

Amaki listened to the quick rundown of their mission, It was simple, confirm the reports of the different animals that wandered the nearby forest. Amaki was already imagining chasing cute little white rabbits in the snow before it finally hit her. Their destination where they would search for them was the Frozen Forest, her body practically shivered in response to Aki's voice as he said the words. It was so cold that an entire forest had frozen? The nervous feeling was quickly quelled by her brimming curiosity, she was going to get a chance to see something spectacular and she couldn't wait. She had already begun zipping up her winter coat, and adjusting her kanabo back onto her shoulder. She didn't ask many questions before she began to follow in behind Tonoharu and Aki, she was sure there was plenty of time to ask questions as they marched to their destination. "Lead the way," she said as she filed in.

As they made their way Amaki did her best to maintain speed with them, as hard as it was in the winter clothes she didn't feel she was pushed or rushed as she dashed alongside Tonoharu. As time passed they approached the entrance into the forest. Peering into the mass of dark seemingly deadened trees, the dark shadows beyond seemed to stare back at her. Beyond the boundary that was before them it was like looking into an everlasting cold night, Amaki felt something inside her stir almost paralyzing her in fear, before she heard Aki's voice. She suddenly snapped back to reality shaking her head and rubbed her eyes. "Uhm yes, Yes I'm ready," she said with a sudden look of determination. "Hey, heheh, I didn't ask before, but Tonoharu, Aki... Was their anything to watch out for?" Amaki tried not to let her earlier fears show. She doubted there was any real threat deep in those woods but it didn't hurt to ask to be prepared in advance.

[Texas]

With her question followed a face of annoying from Tonoharu. Not towards Amaki, but towards Aki. Tonoharu was getting a crash course of how Aki opperates and he could tell already that this was going to be an annoying leader to deal with. Aki looked at Tonoharu and saw a face he has recieved more than anything else. This caused the jounin to giggle a bit as he awkwardly looked at Amaki. "Oh right, I completely forgot to tell you. This is going to be quite a dangerous mission, don't go petting the animals or getting too close. Because of their harsh environment and lack of natural predators and prey, every animal you will see has turned into a predator. So we will stick as a group and I will protect us from serious danger. But, since you are a rising star of a shinobi, I figured you could handle yourself if the time comes to it!" Aki finished the sentence with a warm and kind smile, although his words could be rather troublesome to the youth. Upon finishing his sentence, the pink haired brat flexed his back and what looks like an armor formed on the outside of Aki facing his back. It detached and Aki flexed his finger to control this puppet. The puppet would follow close to them.

"Well, on we go!" A slightly annoyed Tonoharu rolled his eyes as he began to lead them. He would go a little slower than normal in order to mask the sound of his footsteps. Aki would follow, but made sure to have his puppet be behind Amaki to cover just in case. The group would go deep in the dark forest until they came upon a little river. There they could see sever deer drinking from it. Tonoharu stopped them and motioned for them to get behind a big tree. Aki would follow as Tonoharu explained. Deer are the second most dangerous animals here, their body's have adjusted to the freezing cold weather and their insides are capable of holding and digesting the water. If you were to place your finger in that water you would get frostbite instantly." The native would point to an area to the far right of the river, closer to the side they were on. Both Aki and Amaki could see that some of the snow has melted. "When you see snow melting like that, that usually means there are native dogs in the area. Their body has adjusted to the point where their body gives off enough heat to actually melt the snow they walk on. What follows the dogs are white rabbits. You can't miss them because of their fiery red eyes. Let me know when you see them, unfortunetly they follow in packs."

Aki would turn to Amaki and put both of his hands together. "Amaki, why don't you climb up this tree and tell us if you see anything in the greater distance! Also you can ask us any questions after you do your scouting." If Amaki followed suit, he would wait for her to put her foot on his hands and Aki would swing his arms up, launching her up into the tree. The rest was up to her.