Walkabout [Mission]

[Katsumaru]

[/spoiler]

The moon stood bitterly in the deep of the night, bringing a speck of light to the sinister dark, it’s beams subdued by heavy clouds. When the sun began its rest, the wildest of beasts, men and animal alike, begin to make their moves through the canopies, the hunt initiated, be it a growing hunger or the lust for blood. The world had been torn by war, and the safety of each village was at stake, hence shinobi were sent out to be vigilant, watchful, and wary for any signs of danger, for they were fragile, weakened, and torn. Touketsu was one of these men today, ordered to set out and scout the lands for the threats skulking towards Konohagakure. In the Hokage tower, a man had asked to accompany him, but the Airontoku gave no signs of verification, he simply set off, nonchalant about the matter of additional support – useful it will be nonetheless. He hoped that man understood where to meet.

Standing before the gates with folded arms he awaited, donning blue and black trousers and tunic respectively, the texture dyed leather. The beloved, ebony-hilted blade remained tightly strapped to the belt, hanging from the left hip along with the pouch containing a variety of tools. The mission asked to retreat should a threat be encountered, but preparations were necessary nonetheless for often escape is not an option. A direct opposition to orders, in Touketsu’s mind, would be foolish, pride mustn’t overtake him, nor his own desire for a thrill in a life that had grown weary. Unmoving he remained before the gates, the melody of his breaths cowed by the winds.

Little movement was perceptible in the forest from where the man stood; mayhap the vilest of men hid in the shadows eager to strike at the weak, or nothing but predators on the hunt awaited, he knew not, and this ambiguity imbued this night with a certain thrill, an excitement dripping with a hint of anxiety. What would this day bring? Ah, so many possibilities. Shall it seal their fate or be moments of simply wandering? Touketsu, occasionally, found himself trapped in rather melodramatic thought, perhaps It was simply out of a desire to narrate his very own life, give purpose to a monotonous existence. Quietly, he chuckled under his breath before returning his gaze to the gates.

He knew little of this partner who would soon arrive, truly unaware of his abilities, whether that man held a strength far above his or simply accompanied from a lack of confidence. The chuckle came to a halt, quickly replaced with a sigh at a flicker of memories, his younger days, when he feared to hold a blade, feared to set out alone. Such a wretched time that was, the lack of certainty, of hope, of will. No more shall it be so.
[/ul]

[kasutoro]

It was as if the whole world had fallen silent as Kasutoro set about in the night. It was almost impossible to see, and would have been if there wasn't that one street lamp further down the street working. And of course the moon that shined just a bit of light. Enough so you can walk, but not enough to explore further into the darkness. He walked in a quick but steady pace, not making to much noise. He knew most were asleep by now, but he couldn't waste time for this was his first mission.

As he walked he came under the light of the street lamp, and he could be seen clearly. His basic ninja attire, all black except for his dark green flank jacket which held some of his ninja tools. On his back was his Ninjato, and his wrist blade on his right arm hidden under his clothing. He didn't bring his Kunai spring because he felt he didn't need it. He looked off into the distance to see the gate, and a man standing near it. It was most likely his partner he thought as he reached into his butt bag pulling a Mouth Ember out, and putting it in his mouth for later.

He had begun to walk out of the light and to the gate to greet his team mate. From the looks of things he was probably waiting there for a while, and might be the impatient type. Or so he thought as he would never know until they were properly introduced. When they got the mission it was a perfect time for that, but he had just walked away without saying yes or no. He wasn't sure if he was suppose to come but from the looks of things, the man was expecting him.

He finally reached him, and wondered how he should introduce himself. Finally he just did it reaching out his hand. "I'm Kasutoro. I specialize in medical ninjustu, and Raiton. I also have a sensory justu" he said giving basic information on what his strength was. "I'm weak with genjustu, and at mid point with taijustu" he added on so his partner would know what and what not to expect.

[Katsumaru]

[/i][/color] he growled, the voice rather deep and sharp, yet no hostility could be heard in the tone; rather, it was his manner of speaking at the current time, a mood cursed by the wretched weather. ”We will set out immediately. The rain will cover all noise. Prepare yourself for the worst, we do not know what we shall encounter on a night like this. The orders were to retreat should we encounter those who do not belong here, but that is not always a possibility.”

With a sigh he turned on his heal, raising the chin to glance at the darkened skies. The clouds have moved, shifted with the winds to cover the moon, the shadows deepening. The Airontoku began to walk, motioning for Kasaturo to follow. ”You are young. We go out into danger, possibly death. Why did you chose to become a shinobi? It is not a fitting profession for a child.”[/i] he bellowed, voice mighty so that it can be heard through the rain. Kasaturo’s motivations interested him, for he scarcely understood why another would take such risks.
[/ul]

[kasutoro]

The rain which had started to fall brought about a pleasant feeling upon his face. At first anyway, as it got heavier it actually started to feel more like tiny slaps instead of the cool feeling of before. And even more he could tell from the way his partner leaned in and only nodded that it made hearing hard. After he was done talking about himself the man had given a name. Something that should have been done from the gate, but better late than never. He found it amusing that he was now having the same problem as Touketsu now as he leaned in trying to hear his orders.

He only heard set out immediately, and orders to retreat. He had read the paper, and assumed he meant the orders to retreat if we spot anything. He simply nodded, and followed Touketsu out the village. Something then occurred to Kasutoro as they walked. If they both had trouble hearing each other at such a close range, then that means the noise of others are obviously masked.

But yet again, that ment they weren't the only ones at a disadvantage fore others would be hard at hearing. Not only that the rain washed away all scent so they couldn't be tracked, but what if they were to go missing. Ninja from their village would have a hard time finding them unless they were to find their foot prints in the mud, and dirt. Their lives were really in the hands of a god or whatever you believed in. It all depended on who seen who first. Even though it was also hard to see with the rain getting in your eyes. He couldn't see than fifteen yards ahead. This was in fact a dangerous situation.

He had heard his partner ask why he had wanted to become a shinobi. He thought on this as he always thought of shinobi as strong, and cool but also there was another reason. A reason most likely the cause for most shinobi becoming what they are. "I think maybe the same reason from most shinobi. To become strong, make a living, protect the people I hold close to me. Haha, hey! Maybe even make it to jonin, possibly Hokage or Sanin. You never know" he said and looked over at Touketsu. "So, how about you? I told you what I can do, and why I am doing what I'm doing now it's your turn. You gave me a name, but It's only fair. If you want information you have to give information" a slight grin formed on his face. He didn't look down on this man, he seemed very experienced and possibly could make Kasutoro loose his nerve in a fight. From the scars on his face he probably seen many battles. This was a first, someone he actually was fond of without actually knowing them. This should be interesting.

[Katsumaru]

[/color][/i] he interrupted his own sentence with yet another growl as Touketsu rubbed the eyes, wet the rainfall. ”I live to serve, no, I have been created to serve. Truly, I have little to protect. Simply, I am bound by law and authority.”[/i]

Touketsu pointed into several directions during the walk, wordlessly targeting points of interest; groves, thick trees, lowered grounds, the locations fitting for an ambush or hiding. Yet, he spoke no words, almost arrogantly so, expecting Kasaturo to understand the meaning of Touketsu’s seemingly spontaneous hand motions. Suddenly, he came to a halt as something in the shrubbery to the left flickered in-between the cries of thunder , the leaves of the bush waving wildly, signs of movement difficult to miss.
[/ul]

[kasutoro]

As if the weather wasn't bad already. Yes the lightning helped to see in this dark world, but the thunder wasn't helping with their hearing. He was sure that the plants were drowning, or was almost sure that they were from much water. He was starting to think that this weather might actually be a hurricane. But as he didn't see a flying tree yet, he didn't think so. Or maybe there had been some just not in his field of vision. Either way if they did run into someone escape would be extremely hard. Yet again so would capture. By now all of the little critters, and predators were tucked away, except for those who really had the power to make it through the storm while hunting. In which case it would be hard to fight in these conditions.

Kasutoro looked to his partner to find him looking closely at everything. It was as if he was afraid, which in this situation it would be your friend keeping you on your toes. Or maybe he had walked into dangerous territory asking this. But seeing as he was still unharmed he knew they were even holding back, or he didn't walk into it. Kasutoro had gotten his reply soon after he had asked for it. He knew it, this man was a loner who only fought to be a shinobi. However he didn't seem really at ease with telling his ability. That was cool, he didn't need to know if anything didn't happen.

Kasutoro was on point though, keeping conversation as to make it seem like they weren't paying attention while he was really looking at the bush's. Everytime Touketsu pointed something out Kasutoro would actually do the opposite of what others would do and pretend to not see it. However he was now looking even closer. If there was an enemy he didn't want to let them know that they were spotted.

When Touketsu spotted a flick in the bush's Kasutoro was way ahead of him thinking. 'It could be a person, or just an animal, we have to verify' he thought to himself. "I'm sorry but I really have to use the bathroom do you mind if I take a leak?" he said, but didn't wait for an answer, and walked behind a tree. But he wasn't really doing this to relieve himself, but to see what was up. Performing the correct hand-seals, he created a clone which walked past the tree to a bush where it would relieve itself. The sound of the clone being made was drowned out by thunder and rain, as the real Kasutoro stayed out of sight watching to see what would happen to his clone.

[Katsumaru]

[/color][/i] Touketsu asked the question fully aware of his own futility at attempting to find something of substance, something of meaning to give him the might of passion when he arises in the morning, yet, the ideals of others were of strange interest to him, a curiosity, for it truly revealed the diversity of the human spirit. The man spoke rather lightly, not glancing backwards to see whether his companion had followed.

Their fortune, the safety, was quickly coming to an end, it would seem, for in the distance, figures lurked, not so mockingly harmless as the raccoon which had caused the shock not long before. Difficult to see in the harsh whether three men stood, figures bulky, faces ragged and worn. The men were no simply travelers, but bandits that had chosen to make their way through the lands for reasons unknown. Touketsu’s gaze had not yet been focused on them, for they stood to the right and he glared riectly ahead. Mayhap this day will quickly take a sinister turn.
[/ul]

[kasutoro]

Kasutoro let out a sigh of relief. His heart rate slowly went down to normal as he seen that it was just a furry creature. He nodded to his clone who looked back and nodded in reply. He was thinking of dispersing the clone, but now that he thought about it having an extra pair of eyes watching them would be good. So instead the clone stayed sticking to the tree's and bush's in case of an ambush.

He turned and looked at his partner who simply shrugged and continued to walk. Kasutoro was careful to make it seem as if the clone was leaving by having it walk to the tree he was at but not past it. Then the original Kasutoro walked out towards his partner to continue this mission. The clone stayed back about twenty meters before following from the tree line. This mission was starting to prove tiresome. He had expected the night to be more clear, yet it added a bit of excitement for his very first mission.

Then a question from his partner surprised him a bit. What was he intending to do inside of the village? He had never thought of this and always seen himself fighting for the village. Though it would prove troublesome if he was injured to the point he couldn't fight anymore. Kasutoro decided to answer finally. "I don't know, never thought about that. Maybe teach at the academy?" he said with a faint smile.

That smile soon faded when he seen them. Three figures standing in the distance. He barely caught a glance of them, and wasn't sure but wasn't taking the chance. He wasn't sure where his clone was in this weather and didn't look back in case they were the enemy and him looking back may alert them. Kasutoro smiled again this time it was a big smile, a fake one. He placed his hand on Touketsu's shoulder tapping his middle finger. "So how often do you do this?" he asked opening his eyes. His eyes were serious as he glanced to the tree line sure that whoever or whatever they were they wouldn't be able to see his glare.

[Katsumaru]

[/color][/i] he muttered, following Kasutoro’s gaze. He had a manner of inconspicuously bringing things to the forefront. Touketsu released a heavy sigh, coming to a quick halt, right hand slipping down to grab the hilt of the blade. Danger was approaching, their fate determined on this day. The Airontoku was not particularly worried, for bandits cause only little threat; of his companions safety he was not so sure.

Noticing the gleam of the partially unsheathed blade, the three men began to rush towards the two, their figures heavily worn by the weather and rough life of the wild. They spared not even the slightest word, but retorted with violence. A frown spread across the Airontoku’s features; the rain had been unpleasant, and the bloodshed will merely worsen that bitter mood that had come to grow. Turning his body entirely, Touketsu turned towards the approaching thugs, not yet making a futher move. Thirty meters away the three men were, armed with only fists.[/ul]

[Katsumaru]

[/spoiler]

[Exit]
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[¤ Tenkai ¤]

plus 57 exp ;; Katsumaru
plus 27 exp ;; Katsutoro