[Mission] Into the Night

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

(OOC: Considering I have not a clue as to how much text-based RPing you've done, here's a small tip. Whenever you want to discuss something in a thread out of context and you can't get a hold of me on the chatbox, do what I'm doing here. Type OOC:, and then proceed to pose your query.)

It was midday, the sun shining brightly amidst a partially cloudy sky. The gentle breeze blew across the landscape, rustling the miles of treetops with it's cool soft touch. Streams gurgled gently through the greenery, stretching for miles until they turned into rivers and waterfalls of crystal clear water. The occasional herd of deer would make its way across the beaten path in search for more suitable grazing areas.

It was on such a day that a large caravan made it's way to Konohagakure no Sato. In a wise course of action, the geisha had decided to forgo the customary travel arrangements of one of her echelon class and instead disguise herself as a traveler amongst the caravan. Over her sapphire blue kimono and jet black hair she wore a simple brown shawl with a hood that covered the majority of her figure. Beneath the hood, her fair smooth skin, dazzling emerald green eyes, and gentle smile struck a sense of awe into those that chanced a look.

This was the woman the young genin, Arashi Maigo, had been commisioned to protect. Though most people wouldn't think to look for a geisha in a traveling caravan, Arashi had been provided with a picture of the woman. He would be able to recognize her the instant he saw her. With the clacking of wood against stone, the caravan made its way into the village, the massive gates creaking open as the shinobi guards kept a close watch on the people entering.

The young woman, now unsure of where to go, began looking for her guardian around the gate. Where could he be?

[Tarnock]

Sighing, Arashi shifts his weight to the side. A few loose roofing plates crunch under his feet, but he doesn't notice. All his attention is on the gates across the way. Sitting on the roof of the building he decided to climb, he starts thinking about the mission. Who could be after this woman, and would they really be any kind of challenge? He hears idle talk from below and remembers that he needs to keep himself hidden. Looking forward, he once again keeps his eyes open for any sign of the caravan that this woman would be riding in on. As he watches, he toys with one of the crystals from his pouch, making it reflect the sunlight off onto various villagers' backs. Suddenly, one of the people he shines the light on seems familiar. Pulling the picture out of his pocket, he sees the unmistakable cloak of his client. "Well, time to get to work" he says as he jumps off the building. Walking casually, he slowly approaches his client from the side. After getting about two feet from her, he says in an even voice "Nice day to visit the village, isn't is Miss?" and quickly steps in front of her, holding the picture so only she can see it.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

For a moment, the young woman put her hand across her chest as if to defend herself, and her features reflected the surprise and worry she held in regards to his approach. Once she set eyes on the hitai-ate Arashi wore, however, she became distinctly calmer, the same kind smile returning to her face. "You startled me, shinobi-san," she admitted, sighing lightly in relief before introducing herself, bowing in respect to her protector. Her voice was soft, hitting Arashi's ears like a babbling brook. "My name is Katsumi. Might my guardian grace me with his name?"

Everything about her screamed poise and grace, from her manner of speech to the way she bowed, and even in the perfume she wore. The subtle scent of lavender tickled the genin's nose, a pleasant aroma to say the least. Such etiquitte became a necessity in her line of work.

[Tarnock]

Arashi rubs his nose irritably and grunts "Call me Ara. Names are pretty useless in this line of work if you ask me. Now then, where am I supposed to take you" Arashi takes a quick look at the surroundings, making sure nothing is out of place. As he does, he puts the picture back in his pouch to avoid suspicion. "And while you're at it, speak plainly please. I don't want people thinking you're anything more than a normal friend of mine."

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

Katsumi nodded. Pulling out a small scroll from her pack, she unraveled just a small portion of it, reading its contents. "Well, it says here that my client's waiting for me at Jiboku Manor. Would you happen to know where that is?" she asked, obviously unfamiliar with the village.

Arashi, however, would instantly recognize the name Jiboku: Jiboku Manor, home of Jiboky Ryuusai, one of the wealthiest businessmen in the village, and a man with some rather refined tastes to boot. Unlike some of the richer business class in the village, Ryuusai conducted his dealings legitimately, and he was respected even by some within the Hokage's office. There was just one problem, though...

His house was on the far side of the village, opposite of the gates. The fact that her destination was the large house meant it was going to be a long walk.

A very long walk.

[Tarnock]

Rubbing his forehead, Arashi sighs. "Yeah, I know where that is. Put that scroll away and follow me. Hope you wore some comfortable shoes. It's a long walk" Arashi starts planning the fastest course. Unfortunately, because this woman doesn't have the same training as he does, this means going around several large buildings and down some unhappy places rather than just jumping from building to building. Turning to look at the woman more carefully, Arashi wonders just how much trouble he would get in for simply picking up the woman and running to the house.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

She nodded, her smile growing just a little wider. "Thank you, Ara-kun," she told him. Still, despite her cheery demeanor, her voice carried an edge of guilt; she was well aware of his irritation, as it radiated off of him in massive waves of bad joojoo, and she knew she was the cause of it. The young woman could only hope she wouldn't further irritate the young man as they went on their journey.

The first few streets were normal, though crowded; many different vendors had set up shop in preparation for the caravan. Those in the caravan, some hungry and thirsty from their modest journey, sought refreshment, adding a new element of congestion to the roads. Still, they were going at a reasonable pace...

That is, until the road block.

A small geyser of water came into view as they hit another main intersection in the front quadrant of the village. Workers were bustling about, trying to fix a busted water main. Though the spill wasn't very big, the straightforward path towards the rear of the village had been effectively cut off. They'd have to circumnavigate the obstruction by heading northwest towards the western walls.

The western walls housed some of the village slums, the perfect place for thugs to hide...

[Tarnock]

Looking around, Arashi set his thumb on his dagger as if just idly toying with it. With his other hand, he motioned for the woman to keep quiet and follow him. Standing tall, he walked slowly down the pathway, careful to keep any sign of fear hidden, and only hoping the lady behind him was doing the same. He kept an eye on all the places any person could hide, and listened very carefully for any footsteps aside from his own or his client's.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

A concerned look on her face, Katsumi understood what the geyser meant: an unpleasant detour. Still, following Arashi's lead, she tailed right behind him. Noticing the surroundings getting bleaker and more worn, she became all the more worried. Still, she had her shinobi protector. He would do his utmost to ensure her safety.

An exceptionally gorgeous woman like Katsumi was a rare sight in these parts, many of the citizens with weathered appearances. Some of the men gave out whoops, whistles, and shouts of admiration. Katsumi's only reaction was to blush slightly; having such direct compliments were unusual to her, even for one of her own status.

Arashi could see the wave of trouble coming though. Just as they approached the road that led to the end of their detour, four rugged looking shadows seemed to fade into the light. This alone wouldn't be much of an issue... but then he saw the glint of steel in their hands. Weapons. By the way the people around them retreated into their hiding places, it was obvious that the people here feared this ragtag gang.

"Well, well... look what we got here boys!" the boy in front called. Though they all were lanky and crouched, this one had silver hair as opposed to brown or black locks, and his eyes glinted with a steely intent.

[Tarnock]

Arashi continues toying with his dagger, a small grin appearing on his face. "Well, this looks like fun. Can I help you gentlemen? Or shall me and my good friend here be going on our way. Judging from how you're standing, I'd say you have some business with me" Reaching his hand out, he leans on a nearby wall, blocking most of the woman's body with his own in case the men try something hasty. Slowly, he draws the dagger to it's full length, his smile growing larger.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

The sinister grin quickly faded from his face. "Don't mock me, shinobi garbage!" he growled, expertly twirling the rusted kunai he held in his hand. "You might be a ninja, but you're still human. And there's more of us than there are of you. Get 'im, boys!"

The four boys charged. With the speed they were going, however, there was quite a ways before they would reach either Arashi or Katsumi. What's more, they were slow.

Like, really slow.

Like, molasses slow.

Like... ah, you get the idea. Have fun, you crazy bastard.

[Tarnock]

Arashi stops smiling, becoming serious. Spinning the dagger in his hand so the point is facing down his arm, he jumps forward and springs off the walls, quickly gaining speed. Reaching the first of the boys in a matter of seconds, he leaps toward the man and slices towards the back of the attacker's thighs in a deep arc without stopping. Landing, he turns and jumps toward the second one. Quickly turning the blade around, he slices up from the man's hip to his shoulder, using the force and direction to swing down in a reverse slice on the third one, going from his shoulder across his back to the bottom of his ribs. Finally, he charges the fourth one, using pure speed to ram his fist into the boy's stomach, doing his best to not kill him.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

The poor saps weren't even halfway to the pair before Arashi struck them down. All four fell unconscious, taken out in a single swift movement.

The slum residents who had gone into hiding came back out, curious of what had happened. When they set sights on the utterly decimated group of thugs, they began to cheer, their oppression now over. Katsumi stood in awe, amazed by the genin's sheer speed and agility. "Ara-kun, I could barely see you!" she exclaimed as she approached him. "How did you move so fast?"

The only obstacle gone thus far, it was a straight shot back towards the unbarred portion of the main road.

[Tarnock]

Arashi chuckles and sheaths his dagger. "What, that? Child's play. They lost the moment they charged. Now then, as for us" he gestures down the path. "Shall we move along? Oh, but first, could you look away for a moment?" Arashi walks over to the boy with silver hair and picks him up by the collar, attempting to shake him awake.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

Katsumi didn't quite understand why he asked her to turn away, and when he started shaking the thug by the collar, her eyes widened in shock. "Ara-kun!" she gasped.

The thug himself wasn't feeling too good. He grunted as he felt himself being lifted up, and he twinged in pain as the shaking irritated the cut on his leg. "You... bastard," he groaned, breathing heavily.

(OOC: Sorry it's so short.)

[Tarnock]

Smiling, Arashi held the boy a little lower. "Good, you're awake. Tell me, who hired you. Or are you just so stupid that you decided to do this on your own? After all, those three with you were just pathetic." Arashi smiles even wider, having no sympathy for anyone who would attack him so openly.

((ooc: It's fine))

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

Being the kindhearted woman that she was, Katsumi pleaded with Arashi on the man's behalf. "Please, Ara-kun, he's beaten. Let's leave him be and go," she implored, none too happy to lay eyes on this scene for so long.

The silver haired thug grunted in rebellion. "Even... if I was... I wouldn't tell... some snot-nosed shinobi... shitface like you!" he growled, spitting in the young genin's face sheerly out of spite before chuckling. "Besides... anything you can do to me... is better than what he'd do to us. Do your worst."

Who woulda thunk it? The weakling was a diehard to the end. What would Arashi do now?

[Tarnock]

Arashi frowns, looking at the boy. "Very well then. Be happy the woman pleaded for your sake." Leaning in, he whispers "Show your face in front of me again, and I'll make sure you never move again. You wont die though." Throwing the boy to the ground, Arashi puts a hand on the small of Katsumi's back and pushes her along, leading her out of the area. As he does so, he wipes off his face, cursing the boy

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

With another pained grunt, the punk blacked out again. It would be unlikely that Arashi would hear from him again.

This section of the main road continued on a ways, actually taking the pair a good portion of the way towards their destination. Things seemed to be going smoothly.

*Kreeee...*

*Snip... snap... twang...*

*SMASH!*

Craptastic.

A large old store sign met its end. The rotted wood and rusty wires wouldn't hold the bulk of electrical components any longer; with a thunderous crash, it hit the ground. Luckily, no one was hurt, but Arashi was faced with a new dilemma: the main road was once again blocked off.

However, unlike before, Arashi now had a choice in which way he wanted to detour. Would he return towards the western walls, or would try venturing towards the eastern boundary of the village?

[Tarnock]

Looking around, Arashi takes in his options. Going back to the west was probably the safest, but it would be slower than going east. It was already known that the woman was a target, and he didn't want to put her in any more danger, so West it was. Turning around, he looked at Katsumi. "Well, looks like we're going back, unless you want to try risking the other direction."

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

Katsumi wasn't listening; her eyes had caught sight of something in the distance off to the east.

That "thing" just so happened to be a bridge that overlooked one of the main rivers in the village... and along with the bridge were sakura blossoms, the many light pink trees in full bloom. Such a sight of beauty caught the woman's eyes almost immediately. "Wow... those trees are beautiful," she exclaimed, breathtaken by the scene. Turning to Arashi, she began to beg him to go east. "Oh, Ara-kun, could we please go over that way? Please?" she pleaded, her emerald green eyes shining brightly in the sunlight.

[Tarnock]

Smiling, Arashi nods. "I suppose, but be careful. We don't know who's around" Walking forward, he motions for her to follow. He looks back for a moment, thinking, then says "Sorry about before. I just don't like it when people underestimate me."

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

The young woman giggled at his acceptance, and the genin's kindness was promptly rewarded with a hug. "Oh, thank you, Ara-kun! Thank you so much!" she told him before taking his hand and leading him part of the way. Needless to say, the girl was excited.

She paused for a moment, then hooked her arm under his, remembering their cover. "It's okay, Ara-kun," she reassured him. "I know that you were trying to do your job and protect me. It's just... even when they deserve it, watching people suffer makes me feel sad, you know?"

Finally, they were at the bridge. Just as they began to cross, a breeze blew through and the petals began to fall and dance in the air around them like snow. Katsumi was speechless; never before had she seen such a spectacle. Almost like frolicking children, the petals dipped down low to the ground near their feet only to suddenly rise up again, its tastes and wants ever fickle as the wind.

Their enjoyment was short-lived. Not ten feet from the bridge stood five ragged thugs, their stances and demeanors only slightly more appealing than the group before. "Heh. Looks like Guhazi was right," the blonde one said. He seemed to be the leader of the group.

As the petals died down, however, his face turned to that of concern. Unlike the silver haired thug from before, this guy seemed to have a better head on his shoulders. "Wait a sec... where's Saizo and his group? They were supposed to secure the other side of the bridge...."

[Tarnock]

Arashi unhooks his arm from Katsumi and takes a step away from her, putting enough room between them in case the new people attack. Calling out, he smiles as he says in a taunting voice "Saizo? You mean that silver haired slug? I took care of him a little while ago. Moved like an old lady though. What do want with us, anyways? We're just enjoying a nice stroll through the village." While talking, Arashi grabs the end of his dagger's hilt, but doesn't draw it.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

The blonde thug cursed. "Grrr... stupid Saizo. That moron never could stick to a plan."

The other men began to shift nervously. They had been expecting a nine versus one fight; the fact that nearly half their fighting force was now out of action bothered the thugs. One of them caught sight of his hitai-ate, giving the man a severe case of the shivers. "G-Guys... he's a shinobi!"

Apparently, Saizo and his group had forgotten to convey the fact that the body guard was, in fact, a ninja. This caused frightened whispers. The blonde haired thug gritted his teeth. "Enough! It's either this or we go hungry again!" he barked at his followers. Though begrudgingly, the men quieted down.

Katsumi gasped. "Go hungry?" she whispered, saddened they had to stoop so low solely to survive.

[Tarnock]

Arashi grimaces, then looks at Katsumi. "Don't let it bother you. Things like this...are normal in big villages like this." Then, speaking louder, he looks at the boys. "Leave now and I won't go after you. I'm sure you don't want to die, and I've got a mission to complete, so lets do this without any blood, shall we?" He crouches down, makes a few hand symbols, and draws his dagger, muttering "Wind Skate"

SpoilerShow

*Fuuton • Wind Suke-to [Wind Element • Wind Skating]
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
After performing the needed hand seals, the user is able to 'glide' on air as if they were skating on a rink of ice. This allows them to move faster (+1 speed) while traveling or fighting, but lowering their accuracy a great deal, effectively lowering their taijutsu by 1. This doesn't allow them to fly, but rather just travel over things with greater ease, such as water, land, and ice.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

The men readied themselves for a charge...

"Wait!" she called out. Caught totally off guard, the thugs halted. Reaching into the folds of her kimono, Katsumi pulled out a purse. Reaching into it, the geisha produced a rather sizeable amount of cash, far more than even Arashi had most likely seen in one sum. "Many times, the reason people turn to crime is because they have no other choice, Ara-kun," she said as she continued to walk forward. Pulling the money from her purse, she handed it to the flabbergasted blonde man."Here's your chance for a second start. Please, take it," she said to the ruffians.

The men stood there, stunned silent as she handed him the large stack of cash. Turning back, Katsumi hooked her arm with Arashi's. "Let's go, Ara-kun. I can't be late, remember?" she said sweetly, leading the shinobi along the path.

The men offered no resistance, still stunned by the fact that fate had smiled kindly upon them.

[Tarnock]

Arashi walks with Kastumi, in a daze, still holding his dagger. After a couple minutes, he regains his senses and sheaths it. Turning to face forward, he starts grumbling. "You should have just let me handle it. What if they had decided to take you away anyways? Your little stunt stunned me so much they could have gotten away." He continues on in the same manner, but cant hide the fact that he's happy to have not fought them, knowing what it was like to have no other choice.

[Yasashikaze Seiken]

The geisha giggled as they continued down the path. "With your speed, Ara-kun?" she responded playfully. "I doubt they would've gotten very far."

Finally, the gates of Jiboku Manor loomed into view. Before the gates stood a tall, slightly lithe but elegant man with tan skin, short brown hair brushed back, and a black tuxedo, a set of attire most foreign. Perhaps he was entertaining some foreign guests?

His features brightened as he saw the genin approach with the beautiful geisha. Walking forward, he bowed deeply in respect to her. "Katsumi-dono! What a honor it is to see you here. I pray that your shinobi escort took good care of you?" Ryuusai asked, looking down upon Arashi.

Katsumi turned to face the businessman, bowing in turn. "It is an honor to be here, Jiboku-sama. Thank you for your kindness," she replied. Removing the cloak, her deep blue kimono shined gently in the sunlight.

Moving towards Arashi, Ryuusai pulled out a money purse of his own. "I know that I already paid the Hokage's office for the fee... but please take this as a token of my gratitude." With that he handed Arashi a small lump of cash. Nothing too much, but certainly enough to buy a nice trinket or another weapon, perhaps.

Leaning forward, Katsumi placed her hands upon Arashi's cheeks and gently kissed the genin's forehead (Naruto/Tsunade allusion, anyone?). "It was wonderful to have met you, Ara-kun," she whispered to him, drawing the tips of her fingers along his jaw before finally turning to enter the manor.
Fin