The Grind [M]

[♠Solo♠]

Teacher’s Pet [1]
Rank: D
Ninja needed: 1-3
Mission info: Ichimo Baku is a teacher at the iwa academy and has offered a job to any wishing to be his assistant. Passing out paperwork; lining the academy students up for lunch; taking them out for bathroom breaks, that sort of stuff.
Special Info: Can be repeated indefinitely.

His exit from the tower would call for an extensive yawn, and stretching. It was going to be a long day. The sun was just rising, starting the day for most. Kei's job was to help the Iwa Academy instructor with the young academy students. He would not be doing anything to straining or exhausting. It would be a good start to get him in the mood for the rest of his job, which would be much more harsh than just assisting some academy students.

His red locks flowed in the wind behind him as best they could, as he rushed toward the academy. He followed the path to the west of the Tsuchikage tower. The academy was a hop away from the tower. At least for the swift moving Kei. His shinobi training allowed him to zoom through the streets to get to the academy in almost an instant. He landed from a large hop onto the ground at the door of the academy. It looked like the other academies, maybe. A large structure, not quite the size of the Tsuchikage Manor, but almost equal in size.

He stepped inside. It was a a good few moons ago last Kei was within these walls, a troubled teen, improving his skills and officially becoming a shinobi. He walked to where the mission instructed him to go. A classroom full of new students, learning to be shinobi. These would all be first year students, so they would know little. He entered into the room, sliding the door open to allow himself in. All eyes were aimed at the energetic shinobi. Kei grinned as he walked in.

"Your help has arrived."

[♠Solo♠]

The children in the classroom all looked to Kei. Some chuckled, while others remained silent. Needless to say, the young Genin looked far from the help the students had anticipated. They assumed some Jounin, or even Chuunin would be coming to assist them with their daily routine and assignments. The absence of a Chuunin vest, normally worn by those of higher ranking, was missing from Kei's person. He was a Genin and the students were able to point this out instantly.

"Ahhh. You've arrived," a voice spoke out, away from the group of students. Standing at the front of class would be the Academy Teacher. He looked relatively young. Nothing like a teacher at all. A clean shaven face. Short, brown hair, and the standard Chuunin uniform on. He carried no weapons, outside of the kunai and shurikens he held on his person, which wasn't visible. "This will be my assistant for the day, class." The teacher spoke out to Kei, making it apparent whom he was referring to. He could see the unsure eyes and faces of his students.

"Kyousei, Kei is the name," the Genin assistant chirped up, placing his staff along the wall at the front of the class before moving forward and looking at the students, standing next to the teacher now. "Maybe someday you'll all be as great as me." He pointed to his chest with his thumb as he spoke. Some of the children chuckled a bit, trying to be silent. Others rolled their eyes. It was obvious this young Genin was not to be taken seriously.

[♠Solo♠]

The academy teacher cleared his throat. A tone the class knew too well. They all silenced themselves and gave their full attention to the two shinobi standing in front of them. "Kei," he would chirp up and look to him. "We just finished a lesson on projectile trajectory. Would you mind passing out these papers?" As he was speaking he would approach his desk, grabbing a stack of papers and handing them to Kei. The Genin grabbed them into his hands, examining them himself. He remembered the days when he had to fill out this pointless paperwork. He almost chirped up to say something, but kept himself silent.

"Aye aye, captain." Kei said, as he slowly walked towards the row of stone desks that the students sat at. He would pass the papers out, but they wouldn't be passed out in just any old manner and fashion. Instead, suddenly, from out of nowhere, Kei would take to the sky above the students, jumping into the air. High into the air. The students all looked at him as he started to come down. He was approaching one desk in particular. A young student whom had snickered at Kei's appearance. His eyes bulged as he though the Genin would land right on him.

Instead, Kei would have landed onto his desk, but not conventionally. He landed on one of his hands. Performing a handstand he left one of the sheets of paper on the desk, before using his arm he stood on to launch himself to the desk next to him. In the same manner he left an assignment on the student's desk before swiftly hopping on. Each and every person would receive their papers in the same manner. Kei flipped and performed every and all manner of acrobatics he could think of, in a attempt to maybe impress the children.

"And lastly, you." Kei said, as he flipped off of a desk, and landed next to a young girl in the corner of the class. She looked shy and not very outspoken. She refused to even make eye contact with Kei, as he approached and left the paper on her desk as a normal teacher would, as opposed to his usual wild way he passed them out. The teacher placed a hand on his chin and nodded his head.

"Ahhhh," he exclaimed as Kei began back towards the front of the class. "You'll be helpful perhaps. Stick around. More work for you to do."

[~Kohana <3]

27 EXP~

[♠Solo♠]

Teachers Pet [2]
Rank: C
Ninja needed: 1-3
Mission info: Ichimo Baku has become pleased with your work and now wishes you to try assisting him with teaching the class of academy students. You may be asked to portray some sets of skills of yours in order to demonstrate in front of the class during time of instruction.
Special Info: Must have completed Teachers Pet [1]. May be repeated up to five times.

Kei sat by the teacher and waited for more orders he would be given. Being a teacher was something that the boy never took into consideration, as far as his shinobi career went. After all, he was still but a boy himself, inexperienced in the true way of the shinobi. He wanted to be strong and powerful. Respected on all levels and known by every ear he could spread his tales to. That was his dream, like most young men whom decided to be a shinobi. He was still learning, as they were. However he had some things to offer.

He would sit in silence with the classroom. He watched the students do their assignments. He noticed one child in particular. The kid was struggling it looked like. A stumped face stayed on his face for the entire time. He constantly jotted things down, then scribbled them out furiously. It was a familiar scene. He was once there himself. The paperwork was always an issue for him. He was the type to take to action, rather than words. Though his information gathering was far from bad, he just preferred fists over talking.

"Alright, class," the teacher picked up loud enough for the room to hear. Even his voice insinuated that he was quite young. It was light, yet demanding. "Wrap up the assignments. Kei would be swinging by to grab up the papers. Kei," he looked over, meeting eyes with the young Genin. "If you wouldn't mind?" Kei nodded to the teacher, and swiftly collected the papers, one by one. He strolled over the papers with his eyes as he grabbed them up. It was a simple assignment it looked like, for the practice of kunai and shuriken throwing. He remembered those days too well. The memories kept washing over him.

He brought the papers to the teacher, whom would clap them against his desk to keep them in order and straighten them out, before putting them down. "Alright, class, line up and prepare to head outside. We're going to be doing our training exercises. Today will be special, as we have out friend here assisting us." He pointed to Kei in a polite manner.

[♠Solo♠]

The class all looked to each other with varied expression upon their faces. Some had performed a confused look on their face. Others managed an extravagant expression. What kind of special surprise did their teacher have for them, they all wondered. With the assistant there, anything could happen. The teacher grinned and looked to his young assistant. His job today was going to be infinitely easier today with some hired help. He was glad someone took up the mission.

"Young boy," the man would say. It was almost laughable to Kei, as he appeared to only be, perhaps, ten years in age over Kei. Already he was a teacher. He had to, at least, have been of Chuunin ranking to get such a job, as he had some experience under his belt. Kei had hoped to make Chuunin himself here soon. It was the goal of Genin everywhere, to become a Chuunin, and be noticed by their kages. "I never even asked your name."

"Kyousei, Kei, the Great!" The loud Genin would exclaim in a booming manner. He pointed to his chest as he gave his information.

"Kyousei, Kei, the Great? Alright, Mr. Kei. How about you round up the students and lead them outside for me? They know what they are to do. Just keep them in line and watch them." Some of the children chuckled when they hear Kei tell the teacher whom he was.

"Settle down. Settle down." The teacher preached, waving his hands to silence the kids. "Outside, now." Kei rounded up the children. They stood in two single file lines at the door. Kei led the charge as they began traveling outside.

[♠Solo♠]

Kei and the students traveled through the halls. The teacher stayed behind and prompted that he would catch up with them shortly. Kei's eyes continued to scan behind him every so often, to make sure everything was in order and in line. The stone like wooden floors clamped and raged as dozens and dozens of feet slammed into them, carrying the body weight of several small children.

Other eyes would look to the leading Kei in confusion. His height allowed him to almost be mistaken for one of the students, which he traveled with in a manner that would make the assumption easy to find. His hands were behind his head as he walked, with his staff placed between both of his arms, being balanced and held up. Of course students werem't allowed to have weapons outside of the basic ones they were given for assignments and practice. A staff was a rarity for the eyes within the building.

A few corners turned, the group found themselves in front of a large door that would open to the backside of the Academy, where the training field was. It was a huge as he had remembered. A training field made for spacious sparring and other various forms of practice settled along a grassy field, with patches missing from it. Hard stone could be seen in the patches of missing grass. Furthermore, training dummies could be seen set planted into the ground and placed in various section to the east of the group. Some kunai and shuriken were still planted into them.

"Alright, students. Let's get ready for our lesson." The sound came from almost nowhere. Everyone looked around for a source of the familiar voice ringing in their ears.

[♠Solo♠]

Their teacher appeared, as though he materialized, right within the still air in front of everyone. A common technique known among the higher ranked shinobi. He walked over, holding a clip board in his hand, reading it, systematically, with his eyes. They scanned over the pages, over, and over, and over, till finally he sighed, closing his eyes. It was as though a large cloud had flown above his head. His index finger created a tap, tap, tap sound against the wooden clip board.

"You're Kyousei, Kei. I've read your file. You're a taijutsu specialist, no?" The teacher would look over to Kei. The young Iwa Genin only smiled back like a wild animal.

"Only the best." Kei would respond, with confidence filling the air around him. Had the children any ability to tap into their sixth sense then they would feel the energy radiating off of him, just for saying his own name. He thought highly of himself.

"Great. Alright, students," he turned his entire body to face the line of children he had Kei bring out. "Spread out. Today we're going to go over some of the basics of taijutsu. Then I will demonstrate with our friend here." The teacher reached his hand out to Kei to emphasis his point. "You all need to remember, that training the body is just as important as training the mind. There will be times when you are unable to perform jutsu, and you will need to learn to maneuver in a battle without it. First lesson."

The teacher would go on. Kei would tune his ears out. He didn't need a lesson in taijutsu. He was already plenty talented. He was confident that it would be the same boring taijutsu basics speech he has heard from his old teacher.

[♠Solo♠]

The excitement surged through Kei's body. He wondered what he would be used for, as far as teaching the students go. It seemed the teacher had a plan in mind for teaching them some basics. Perhaps a spar or even some demonstrations could happen. Whatever it was, he was ready. He felt ready. in his mind and in his body. He would drift off into his own world as the instructor gave his verbal lesson. Clenched fists tightened themselves.

His reminiscent thoughts of the academy surged through him once more, as he went back. He remembered when he was young just like the small ones before him. He dreamed of being great. He smelled it in the air, every morning, as he ran to school as fast as he could, attempting to best himself. He made it a habit to challenge himself every morning, in which, would be to see how fast he could get to school. He timed himself everyday, from when he left the door to when he arrived at the front of his class.

His thoughts would be broken by the sound the instructor gave. A loud pitched whistle that would shatter the inner thoughts inside of Kei's head. He shook himself to life, as he looked at the source of the noise, digging his pinky in his ear. "Was that necessary?" Kei would inquire, flicking his hand back and forth to dispose of whatever he had found.

"My apologies. You looked like a statue there. Anyway, I explained some basics. Would you like to step that way, Kei?" The instructor pointed to where he wanted him. He moved to the desired position, making the two stand three meters apart from one another. "You're gonna try and land a strike on me, ok? No ninjutsu or genjutsu. Just taijutsu. Also," he raised his finger, exposing a half white, half black finger, the black half covered in a glove cut off at the fingers. "We always introduce ourselves to our sparring partners, as a show of respect." The teacher would turn back to Kei and bow.

"Ichimo Baku is my name. I know yours. How about we get to it."

[♠Solo♠]

The two bowed to each other before beginning. It was always a treat for the young students to see their instructor showcase some of his skills, even if it isn't his full strength he displays, the kids always see something cool or interesting. "Ready?" Baku asked. Kei nodded and they began. The birds chirped and rustled about, eventually flying away, as the sound of Kei's yelling voice would initiate the first thrown blow.

Closing the distance by running in close as swiftly as he could. As he neared striking distance he would lock eyes with Baku, moving his body like the trained machine it was. A fist came flying for Baku's face, but a simple and single step backwards, following by bringing up his own hands, would case the blow to be parried to the side. Kei reacted by spinning on his left leg, moving his body to spin and bring a roundhouse to Baku's face. The foot would be caught however, but it was expected, as Kei now brought his left foot off of the ground, leaving him now airbourn, and sent it toward Baku's face.

A simple ducking maneuver would ensure the instructor's safety. Kei's body twisted mid air, eventually falling. He landed upon his feet and hands, bringing himself to a full stance once more, and rushing Baku. Attack after attack was sent to the academy teacher, but Kei never managed to get a clean blow. His attacks would be dodged or parried. The pattern would continue on for another minute or so, before Baku called time, raising his hands.

"Great job, Kei. You really showed the students how to give it full force. But as you can see, children," the instructor halted his movements, and stood in front of the students straight out of the spar. "You need to read your opponent. Watch their movements. Study them. Then you can avoid taking a fatal blow if ever you find yourself in frontal combat." The students clapped. Some of them. Others were not impressed with Kei's performance. "Thanks again, Kei. Come back and help us out again sometime." Kei would take a large breath, before bowing, and exiting the school grounds. Taking up his staff he left near the door he would exit. On to the next mission.

[vegapunk]

57 EXP @ Zeig!

[♠Solo♠]

Yokkuto
Rank: C
Ninja needed: 1-3
Mission info: A rogue genin who left the village in broad daylight. He was seen by the guards at the gate but they were unable to successfully capture him. Yokkkuto has now become a missing ninja and may be brought in dead or alive.
Special Info: May be repeated up to five times.

Kei's assistance at the academy was short in sweet. The nostalgia that spread over him was wild, and warm. A sharp, twisting feeling overcame him as he was exiting. His eyes scanned to his east, just meters away from leaving, he gazed into a classroom, or rather, through a classroom. A child was outside of the window, and visible for people to gaze upon. No teachers, nor a class could be seen inside. It was as ghostly as it sounded empty. It reminded him of when he would run off.

He sighed, and shook his head to the left and right. He wasn't like that anymore. Not even in the slightest. No. He was stronger, and smarter than he was before. His vow to never again be the annoying, no named brat to the Iwagakure people would cease, or he would sacrifice his life, if need be, to prove to the people that he was there for them. He clenched his fist as he left the building. The shining beams of the sun touched his skin as he exited. Was going to be another long and hot day.

He rushed towards the front of the village, heading straight south from the academy's direction, he would rushed through the roads to make it to the front gates of the village. His next mission would take him from his home, to search the vast lands that was Earth Country. Yokkuto was the name of a young Genin, whom recently decided to leave the life he once new behind, and become a rouge. At least this is how it appeared in the open.

He landed in front of the gate, gazing outside of it. A straight path to leave could be seen, but Kei traveled this road many times before. He would find himself wondering where to start for his search for this young Genin. He was looking to test himself, and stretch the limits of his ability. A part of him hoped this Missing Ninja would give him trouble. He knew, however, he needed to get the mission done. He had not planned on asking any questions. Only to search and destroy.

[♠Solo♠]

Kei placed one of his hands on his waist, as he stood at a lean. He bounced his staff repeatedly off of his shoulder, as he scanned the area. He began to wonder what a Hunter Nin, or the ANBU would do. He often time dreamed of being an ANBU Captain, or even a bounty hunter for rouge ninjas. They were important people. Thought they were nameless, they served a strong roll in the village. Being nameless was something he had no interest in. He wanted everyone to know his name. Everyone to know of the great Kyousei, Kei.

That time would be far off from the young warrior, as he was only still a mere Genin. His eyes began looking to the dirt path where people entered and exited the building. Surely the boy did not simply walk out of the village, just passing through the gates, and tending to his own business, without question. It was time to investigate. Strolling over to the east of the gate, he would turn to a shinobi whom was on guard duty. A truly boring, and uninteresting job. Kei spoke up once he was within distance close enough to speak.

"Hey. Have you seen anything weird happening here lately?" Kei spoke up, loudly, and swiftly. His tone was demanding. The person he questioned wore a Chuunin vest, so he had to have been of higher rank. The man eyes Kei, cocking his head to the side.

"Another mission, Kei?" He would respond. The two weren't friends, nor even associates. The best would be to inquire they knew each under being under the same line of work. However few shinobi in the village knew of trouble making Kei. His reputation through out the village spread, slowly, but surely. They also knew the child to be a hard worker, sometimes, busy with missions.

"Yeah. Looking for someone. What do you know?" Kei responded.

"Nothing unusual happened. Just the usual shinobi, in and out." The Chuunin would respond, short in tone.

"How about this guy?" Kei reached into his pack, and pulled out the portrait of the missing shinobi, Yokutto. The Chuunin took the photo and analyzed it as best he could, turning the picture to the side and such.

"Oh yeah," he chirped up. "Seen him. Went on a few missions with him. What's wrong? Did something happen?" He asked in a confused tone, hoping to find an answer for the reason Kei of all people was looking for him.

"Yeah," Kei responded, snatching the photo swiftly from the shinobi's hand, and placing it back where he found it. "He went missing a little while ago. Know anything about it?" The Chuunin closed his eyes and placed a hand on his chin.

"I don't know anything about him missing. I didn't even have an idea. I do know, however, Yokkutto said something about staying in his favorite place forever, last mission I went on with him. Might want to check the western caverns close to hear. I think he mentioned it."

"Thanks." He was off with his clue.

[♠Solo♠]

Kei began running outside of the village, heading west. The dirt path that he originally would have been on would have lead him to different key points in Earth Country. Blast City, and other important landmarks were all just a few hours travel on foot. It would have been easy places to get to and to check, but he decided to cut off of the path, into the large woods that extended west from the village gates.

It was like a never ending wonderland. Trees among trees stretched out as far and as wide as his eyes could see. The scenery almost all looked the same. Some puddles here and there indicated that he wasn't just walking pointlessly into circles. He had hoped with his travels he would eventually spot what he was looking for. His hair blew back and the wind sliced between his teeth, as he sped past forest creatures and wild animals alike.

His travels would continue on for several minutes. One after another, foot after foot, he carried himself until he spotted what he needed to. Just a few dozen meters ahead the sound of a waterfall could be heard. It was something. He decided to head toward the sound, swiftly closing the large gap. The rushing water got louder and louder, till eventually he came out to an opening. A waterfall was falling from the earth it sat on, pouting slightly to the right of a large hole in the structure. Looked like a cave entrance. This had to be the place, he thought.

[♠Solo♠]

Kei examined the waterfall caverns that he viewed. The water was bright and blue. Fish fell from the waterfall and splashed about in the bank that stretched 15 meters in diameter. Any and all silence was broken by the sound of nature, simply existing as it did. The grass was green and lush. A perk from growing so close to such a powerful water source, and the natural beams of sunlight that pressed through the wild trees to hit the ground and shine.

Kei began stepping forward, deciding to get closer and examine the cavern. The place looked natural enough. No signs of human life there, nor any signs that human life had been there. If Yokkutto was there then he had to be inside of the cavern. He slowly started his trek towards the cavern. It was only about ten meters away. Nothing could go wrong. At least, he had hoped nothing would go wrong.

His right foot extended forward, just enough, to trigger a trap that had been set prior to his arrival. The nerves shot through him like a bolt of lightning as he felt the ninja wire touched his toes. His eyes scanned the area. Kunai began launching themselves from the trees, all aiming to skewer and eliminate whatever threat had set them off. Kei swiftly brought his staff up to, one after another, deflect the kunai, one by one, sending them to the ground.

They all were stopped. The sound of iron and metal clashing ceased, only after having had risen for just a few seconds. He almost calmed himself. He even felt his body reactively take in a deep breath after his actions. However his eyes would only bring him shock and fear, as he noticed the kunai on the ground had tags on them. They all were lit, and set to explode. Gritting his teeth he would appear to have been engulfed in a monstrous explosion, wide enough to take out the entire front line of an army, and injure more. It was loud and massive.