Killers.

[☆ F ☆]

It was quiet. The sun had chosen to set slowly across the Hi no Kuni countryside, turning the bright orange land of fire slowly into a dark, quiet abyss. Plenty of destruction from the Great World War still remained, but for the most part, it seemed everyone was actually trying to move on. Or so it seemed, until man's greed once more drove him to take. To kill. A good example could be found coming this way, a group of five all together loosely trotting towards the small hill with the single tree.

"Am I early...?"

"...because they know not to be late...."

I muttered under my breath as the other four clones followed behind me, each of them carrying remains of the Sunagakure shinobi I had just recently slain. Though the meeting was unexpected, I nonetheless dealt with the problem effortlessly. However, it was worrisome to spot foreign ninja in the land of fire. Were they after goals similar to ours...? Or had the Leaf and the Sand paired up for a new level of alliance...? I knew not how to interpret all this information, but I was certain my troops would help confirm whatever was needed.

"..."

I remained ever so quiet. Despite the imminent nighttime, I was still foreign to these lands. Getting caught could not be afforded, for I was certain if I did I'd end up much like our dead friend behind me. Snickering, I let each copy adopt their own cardinal direction at the side of the mound while I approached the tree at the top. We were on a 100 meter undulation, the bottoms at all sides exposed and coming together to form one giant mound - us - at the center top. We had about 20 meters of somewhat flat walking space before the mount fell off at incomprehensible angles. I sighed before falling dead quiet.

Hopefully they'd be here soon...

[Yami]

Every soldier had his moment, a spotlight where they could shine. For some it was on the battlefield, for others it was their memorial, yet even those whom simply helped to see their comrade fight another day. Today wasn't my day in the sun, in fact the sun was quickly descending, thus I made my walk brisk. We were the backup after all, though with no communication to Namitsuki's radio, it seemed our assistance was...unecessary.

"Why am I not surprised, there's a reason he earned that Jounin rank during the war." I mused to myself, ever cautious that we were in foreign lands. Out of instinct, perhaps akin to animals whom were prey to predators, my tenketsu emitted a feint amount of chakra around my form. Perhaps it was in order to initiate a quick rotation, perhaps even to find the closest safe object to switch with, whatever the case, until my guard was eased...old habbits would die hard. Surprisingly, we at least had a meeting point, one not too far from their little training session I happened to 'stumble' upon. In the distance there was a tree, growing solely away from it's brethern, it stoo atop a mound.

I couldn't help but activate that cursed white eye. Even with it's presence masked, the surge of chakra was enough of a reminder. I took an immediate perimeter sweep. One really couldn't be careful in foreign lands. No doubt my paranoia was the result of the war, were we not child soldiers? Yes, yes we were...one of Kumo's greatest ones was perched atop that tree I spotted. Within the cardinals there seemed to be clones, well then, I'd approach carefully.

"Hope we're not too late." I'd utter softly to the clone watching the eastern flank. I dared not to wave up to the tree, it'd be a bad idea to give away someone's position like that.

[☆ F ☆]

Smart.

Upon my perch I smiled, having lazily at the edge as the last bits of the sun escaped these planes. The first of the two to arrive had interacted with one of my clones, triggering my shocking self to prompt the Hyuuga with a question - upon proving it was truly her, the clone would stand aside and let the girl near the tree on her own time. Simultaneous to this, Faust would drop, bringing himself to her side as she approached.

"As you can see, I met some friends..."

"...turns out Sand is visiting - did you guys see anything along the way...?"

I saw not Kami's bony visage amongst the shroud of darkness, but was sure he'd appear sooner or later - it was only a matter of time...

[Yami]

Interacting with one of the bunshin was the secret handshake in this situation, I was uncertain if this was simply just common-sense or if I knew my idol on a deeper level. For now, I would simply listen, keeping my eyes on the area around me. "Friends huh? Well, nothing to report at this time. I'm surprised we haven't encountered Konoha shinobi..." I honestly spat that last part. Konoha...Hi no Kuni, I hated them and this place. For what they did to my mother, no woman should ever have to chose such a fate. Lovers seperated by the banners of war, it was either are you with us or against us...yet what mother and wife would go against their baby's father? None.

Though I digress, Sand being here was certainly surprising, though my expression didn't let on to it right away. I at least raised my left eyebrow in surprise.

"Sand huh? Visiting...were they hostile? Er, rather...how suspicious did they seem..." his own words revealed some truth to the encounter, thus I needed to correct my phrasing.

[— Namitsuki]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #689ab4; border-bottom: 8px solid #689ab4; border-left: 2px solid #689ab4; border-right: 2px solid #689ab4; -moz-border-radius: 30px;][bg=494949][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i56.tinypic.com/23mtpnr.jpg] NOT GONNA GET US Starting from here, let's make a promise you and me, let's just be honest we're gonna run, nothing can stop us even the night that falls all around us words: 297- tagged: Kimidori, Faust- notes: Sorry EMERGING

[/color][/font] from the pits of the underground there I was standing amongst my comrades. It seemed the show had went live and with me on standby there was no worry of interruptions. I did what was asked of me by my comrade and with that said it was time for us to meet back at the rendezvous point. Feeling the vibrations of the very earth above me as I laid dormant with the very ground awaiting to erupt like a volcano after years of inactivity. It seemed that there was no need to remain hidden once more. The Uchiha was surely awaiting for me to report in with any details that I could come up with that had transpired during the time we had been slightly separated or what seemed to even resemble a false sense of separation. I notice that not only was there five different Fausts upon the horizon, but there was even Kimidori there as well. Instinctively, I would begin to make my way towards the fixed location before me.

“Man...and here I was thinking you were going to need back up. Needless to say...there wasn't anything I noticed unusual from my position. So I take it everything went....I guess it did.” My words would fade away into a acknowledgment of my senpai's success. With the fallen warrior amongst either him or the false replicas of himself it was quite apparent that the battle did get heated up. Noticing that even the Hyuuga had made it there before me, but alas her and that damn accursed eye was her little gem in finding things out. I'll nod at her, but alas that fiery rival that I held for her was burning brightly. Still it was time for them to begin their next move.


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[☆ F ☆]

Though the shades of the night intensified towards monochrome as daylight left us, I'd have to be a fool not to take note at the sudden attitude change my Hyuuga comrade underwent. Though she was never one to be overly happy, neither was she overly sad; rather, it was her stoic demeanor that had become commonplace, and now, as she delved within the realm of negativity, I began to take note of the change. Had it something to do with Sand...? No. I read her dossier, it mentioned nothing of Suna in her past. Then...?

Of course...you fool!

Though somewhat embarrassed a being of intellectual calibers such as myself did not arrive at this conclusion earlier, I managed to hide the shame well - it was not Suna that poisoned her memories, but Konoha. I did not turn red, nor did I turn away. I simply turned my head briefly towards the directions my clones mentioned, my head shaking, letting my chakra-enhanced vision wander off to where movement emerged. It was none other than Nami, arriving just in time to join the crucial meeting, as well as giving me the perfect distraction - I reveled in it, but only briefly. Before the Kaguya arrived, I'd let off a murmur.

"Fufufu, I like your spirit!"

"...though not so much where it came from. Do no worry - Konoha's time will eventually come."

I'd nod to the Kaguya as he arrived, and knowing no one else was missing, would proceed with the meeting. My hands revealed a few items that would be shown to the two, including the deceased Suna nin's identification, a World Map, and a single radio. The radio would go to the Kaguya's hands, while the map arrived at the Hyuuga's.

"Welcome Nami. As I briefed Kimi, it seems the Fire country is hosting more than just Leaf ninja..."

"At this point, Kumo's presence is meant to be ghostly. We are to move through unnoticed, with only one thing in mind - the location of the Leaf Village gates."

My speech took a brief break in order to let the information seek in.

[Yami]

Was that a hint of...shame? Embarassment, my lips curled up slightly into a smirk. "Well, it's not like I made my feelings public domain." still he did good at hiding it, but my Byakugan was just far too perceptive. An ironic twist, these white eyes...the blood flowing through my veins, it all originated here but it was the source of my shame, the source of my hatred. Then again, it's not like I was a full breed, no I was...a disgusting half-breed, that's what they'd say.

Thankfully the Uchiha acknowledged the source of my discomfort, with rather intriguing actions. His laugh, subtle...yet it comforted me none the less. Though I'd put it aside for Namitsuki had finally arrived. I tilted my head just a bit, my eyes shifting to his direction as I attempted to communicate my acknowledgement to him with my masked hues. Now then, it seemed there was official business to discuss. Faust wanted us to find the location of Konoha. No doubt they had relocated after the war, it really was a new beginning for the shinobi world.

"Is that what our honourable elders want or are you taking initiative?" I spoke softly, more so thinking aloud than responding to his order. I'd take the map graciously all the same, with eyes like mines, it was befitting that I see through their disguises and locate their location swiftly.

"Shall we report back home when we're finished?" the last part was more so foresight on my part, I sensed the Jounin had places to be...or rather, targets to kill. He was starting to remind me of a dark knight, Kumogakure's own Dark Knight, acting on his own according. What a frightening comrade I've come across.

[— Namitsuki]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #689ab4; border-bottom: 8px solid #689ab4; border-left: 2px solid #689ab4; border-right: 2px solid #689ab4; -moz-border-radius: 30px;][bg=494949][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i56.tinypic.com/23mtpnr.jpg] NOT GONNA GET US Starting from here, let's make a promise you and me, let's just be honest we're gonna run, nothing can stop us even the night that falls all around us words: 532- tagged: Kimidori, Faust- notes: Nami's Mission Face is On. WHEN

[/color][/font] my arrival would be confirmed it seemed that things were just about to begin. Regardless of my late entry or not...I was apart of this team and at this point there was no turning back. Kumogakure's respect was on the line and that was why when the Uchiha prepared for the briefing there was silence. Full attention from me as I would crack my neck right before he would start. Always had that strange habit and it always decided to do it at the most distressful places. Faust words caught our ears as he began to speak. The silence from me would show my respect in his authority and as a fellow Kumogakure Shinobi. I would listen closely as he would begin to assign us our key roles amongst this mission. There was a brief pause before he went on and still these words did find their way to my heart. This was for our beloved home and we were going to protect it together.

Then she would speak that one friend of mines that was more so a rivalry than anything else. Strange two clans of profound taijutsu would have some intervention within her speech. Merely just questioning the first order that was mentioned and such would surely require a swift lashing from Faust. Needless to say the order was given and with my dedication to my village and this mission we're on. I would understand as I would reach out grasping the radio placing it within one of my hoisters on my side. I'll then notice that Kimidori would be taking hold of the map preparing us for the truer phases of our mission. Although the woman's speech was questioning personal affairs with our work given to us by our very own village leaders.

My eyes fixed on the Uchiha who was here with me as the dead body was around our position. He even held the shinobi identification on the dead Suna Nin that had came to a untimely death. I was ready to finish this all, but then the last part was even worse than all. She would mention whether we should report home or to him...Of course it seemed that I was freaking out, but really it seemed pointless to question such things at least thats how I felt sometimes. Right now we're just going to do what we can for now. That was why my being intervene as I would step between the two in that most awkward moment and speak.

“So we find the gates and we radio in, right? Reporting this to you. My question is what are you going to do exactly while we take care of this reconnaissance work,” my words would leave my mouth from behind my porcelain mask. Nonetheless I would check out my equipment making sure I was in good shape. Just in case I had to improvise, I knew how things were getting lately, but as of this moment I want to make sure to be ready to quench this insatiable lust for a challenge. Altogether my body was itching to go and so it was shown on my visage. It was time to roll out....


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[☆ F ☆]

Their inquisitive natures forced an internal chuckle, though I supposed it was unavoidable - they were no fools, and I had no explicit mission papers as to what I was ordering them to do. In fact, we were not supposed to be in Hi no Kuni at all. However, unlike my other village comrades, I would not sit idly while a war broke our world and foreigners told us what to do. The Samurai were no one's boss. Kumo was alone and eternal. If our new Kage couldn't enforce that, then I will.

"Yes and no..."

"Kumo doesn't know about what I'm doing - yet..."

As the last words slithered out of my mouth, my hands danced once more. This time however, only a single seal was produced - the cross. And then in an instant he came, yet another copy of myself. But unlike the elemental clones around them, this one was different - the others took a step or two back as they recognized a superior. It was the fabled Kage Bunshin, the only true carbon copy of a shinobi. Though singular, his intentions were simple. He remained silent as I spoke, though made his way over to their side.

"This is for the good of our home. Besides, the reason why I stressed we can't be spotted is because of what you guys just mentioned..."

"Regardless. My shadow clone will accompany you. Should you need to contact me right away, give him the message and he'll take care of it - but only do so in desperation."

I was ready to move now. Though tired from the battle and the jutsu usage, I'd use the guards as sentries for rest. I too had a difficult task ahead of me, one that would require all my strength. As we moved out, the clones would continue to carry around the body, though by now, all important information such as ID had been assimilated. At this point, all that remained on the Sand shinobi was his underwear and the gashes left on his body from my claws. Fitting.

"As for me? I too will search, but elsewhere."

"Synchronize your radios. Mark your findings on a map, and we're you're done, return here..."

"...oh, and if you're somehow spotted and have to fight, do it right."

Before leaving the scenee, I'd point at the expired Suna nin. They knew what I meant, for we could not afford our preseence discovered. In my eyes, better dead than talking - thus was the Kumo way.

ϟ E X I T ϟ

[Yami]

I couldn't help but remain quiet for Faust's explanation. Wheels were turning like clockworks. I could only nod as Faust and his other clones left the scene. My gaze then focused on the clone he left with him. "So this is the fabled Kage Bunshin, seems like I was remiss in not learning it before I left for that mission, regardless..." my eyes became fixated on the dead suna ninja as he was taken away with Faust. There was a lot of information to process and I admit, I didn't quite register the suna shinobi's death until now. Such was the fate of being desensitized by war, but it wasn't remorse that dwelled within me. Rather it was paranoia, for if Leaf were to discover a sand ninja dead on their soil...

"From this day forward Namitsuki-san, we're the Silent Homicide...ghosts of kumogakure, everything we do must be secret. Currently we're still on the outskirts, it'll be best to press forward on the off-beaten roads." I mentioned before turning on my heel to the direction of the main traveling route in Hi no Kuni's. My hands would carefully unravel the world map, scanning over the country at large. I needed to map out a route for us to follow. There was no need to search blind, instead we needed to search smart and be as inconspicous as we could.

Earlier Namitsuki had checked to make sure he still had all his tools on him. I too would now do the same and ensure that my own identification was securely placed away. A small sigh of relief escaped my lips and thus my eyes were back on the map for a moment. "Where would Konoha relocate after the damages from the war. Is a location near the water front advantageous? Being along the north would mean being more accessible to our own village, so then, a southern placement to protect from attacks, whilst bordering a minor nation; tea I belive." I mused to myself but this was just a hypothesis.

"Alright, I've got a search route prepared. The closer we get the less I'll have to rely on my eyes, can I count on your strength sir?" at least her tone had lost the negativity from previously. Though there was much she wanted to discuss, albeit in whispers to her comrade. The council of elders had simply been taking the advice of the Samurai, thus no further actions were taken from any village. Pretty soon, the world of shinobi would stagnate entirely and if we weren't careful, Samurai could become the ruling force of this world. In this way, I shared my fellow Jounin's sentiment. In fact, the elders had ignored the Jounin council's words about all this and considering I'd been sent on a mission, I've got no idea what's happened since. Though I sensed Faust knew a little bit more about the state of our village than I did. Yet even with that being the case, I'd march on with our mission.

Exit.

[— Namitsuki]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #689ab4; border-bottom: 8px solid #689ab4; border-left: 2px solid #689ab4; border-right: 2px solid #689ab4; -moz-border-radius: 30px;][bg=494949][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i56.tinypic.com/23mtpnr.jpg] NOT GONNA GET US Starting from here, let's make a promise you and me, let's just be honest we're gonna run, nothing can stop us even the night that falls all around us words: 499- tagged: Kimidori- notes: baibai Faust THERE

[/color][/font] wasn't nothing else that would come from my bony visage as I would merely take in all that was being foretold. It did not matter if he was after personal matters or not for we were given the task of backing him up. So his story about his ulterior motives wouldn't be fully required, but it did peak interest. Still, my main focus was only on one thing and that was the success of this mission. Hopefully we can all do this right and make it back home as a unit. Of course with two beasts to let loose on those before them it should be no problem. What was this mention of possibly falling back behind the border towards Hi no Kuni? That would be completely different and thus would take us closer to our goals while they were here. What would be great was us stumbling upon the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

That was all that was asked from myself at least to myself. Alone it seemed that this would be a simple task, but amongst a group seemed to make this job a bit tedious. Although I had faith in my team mates I'm sure they would find a way around this decision. Clone was sent before us it was none other than Faust's very own replica. It was intirguing to say the least, but I wondered now truly where would he be going since he leaves a Shadow Clone in his place. Nonetheless I proceeded to make sure I secured the radio that was given to me. Adorning my Poncho once more I would proceed to move under guise as a merchant as I was before. Clasping my porcelain mask off once again which was a true rarity amongst comrades I would begin to move though I began to slow my pace which would lead me away from Kimidori who had formulate the question in my direction.

“To answer your question. Yes you can count on my strength. I'm sure you know already what I'm well capable of...hmmm?” I would muse back at her. She knew that my skills would not be useless, but in fact they proven to be enough to garner respect from the Uchiha. Thus, that should have told the excruciating tales of the improvement that came about from myself since the last time we both went on a mission together. These were the beginning steps and nothing would stop us from achieving absolute perfection while maintaining our identities from being discovered. Now with the body being carried amongst a clone's shoulder towards the opposite direction of our desired location. I figured Konoha had been up to no good, but with Faust explanation there seemed to be a lot more thats going on and with that I would nod once more. Brushing my hair back from my face as my brows would narrow and focus on the today and tomorrow. “I take it you're taking command leadership, hmm?” I would tease Kimidori before we contniued forth.

[ .Exit]

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[DAVID BOWE]

kimidori;; thirty three exp addition
fina;; thirty one exp addition
namitsuki;; twenty five exp addition