Let's take a walk

[The Dude]

FOLLOW THE YELLOW DIRT ROAD!
RANK: C
NINJA NEEDED: 1-3
MISSION INFO: MR. HAN, A TRAVELING MERCHANT, IS WARY OF THE YELLOW ROAD TO THE EAST - IT IS SAID THAT A DEMON HAUNTS IT AT NIGHT. IN TRUTH, IT IS SIMPLY A BAND OF VAGABONDS WHO DRESS AS AKUMA AND ROB AND KILL TRAVELERS. LURE OUT THE THUGS AND DEAL WITH THEM, PERMANENTLY.

"Mr. Han I presume?"

The short man nearly leaped out of his skin as the disembodied voice called to him. He looked about confused and worried for the source of the voice when Takumi dropped down from the roof above him landing quietly beside him again causing him to jump in shock. The Aburame was holding up his mission scroll comparing the picture of his charge in the scroll to the face of the man before him. Brown hair tied back in a tight pony tail? Check. The thickest bottle cap glasses Takumi had ever seen? Check. Outlandishly stylish suit composed of multiple contradicting colors? Double check. Every detail in the hand draw picture on the scroll matched the man perfectly down to the gap in the man's front teeth complete with small piece of cabbage. Damn the artists in the office were good. He rolled up the scroll and tucked it into his vest where it would be safe until the end of the mission.

"Mr. Han, my name is Aburame Takumi. The village has assigned me to protect you on your travels. If this is acceptable to you we should begin our journey now, sir, while we still have the light of day to travel by. I'd prefer to avoid a scuffle with this 'demon' and I'm sure you would as well."

The man scratched the back of his own head somewhat abashed at how easily the ninja had shocked him while studying the young Aburame carefully. Oh sure, he was silent and skilled at sneaking up on someone alright, and he certainly looked like he could and would kill someone without a second thought from under the mask. Even his voice was hollow and emotionless showing that the ninja took his work seriously and professionally. But, would he be able to do battle with a demon?! Either way, at the price Mr. Han had offered as a reward this ninja would have to suffice.

"Very well Takumi, let's get a start on it so we can make good time. I'm sure we'll do just fine with you here to protect me."

The pair made theie way to the village gates where Takumi gave the guards a somber nod signaling them to open the massive gates so that they could leave. Once outside the walls to struck out along the yellow road that stretched eastward to the distant horizon with no end in site. It was going to be a long walk but hopefully an uneventful one if they made good time, after all the scroll said the 'demon' or vagabonds only struck when the sunset. So, as long as there were no complications that delayed them they should be able to make it to their destination before they were in any real danger.

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[The Dude]

The two had been walking for what seemed like an eternity in endless awkward silence towards the horizon and yet it still looked like they had covered no real distance at all. In reality they had been travelling for a few hours and if they looked back they had gone so far they wouldn't have been able to see the village anymore... of course then again they shouldn't be able to considering it was a hidden village after all.

Mr. Han felt the silence was becoming unbearable and was bent on breaking it. He turned and began to open his mouth but before he could utter a syllable a man dressed in ninja clothes dropped silently from the tree above landing on the merchant and grabbing his pack before leaping off into the brush in the side of the road. He had been quick but even as he disappeared from sight three senbons whistled through the air as Takumi swiftly retaliated.

The needles slipped through the brush causing a rustle of the foliage, two thuds and an outcry of pain that let Takumi know he had hit his target. Even before the outcry a small swarm of Takumi's kikaichuu flooded out of his sleeve traversing the air into the brush to pursue their prey.

Takumi lifted Mr. Han to his feet gingerly before stepping off the road and stepping through the brush. Just on the other side of the brush he found the thief pinned by by needles, one through his forearm and another through his hand. On his forehead was a kiri headband, but it was faded and worn. A missing kiri shinobi.

The Aburame bent over him picking up his pack as his kikaichuu crawled all over on the man's body rapidly draining the chakra from him weakening more and more. He stared down the missing ninja with a dangerously straight and serious face for a while until the chakra was mostly gone. At that point he yanked his senbon away from the the man's limbs turned around and left him there on the ground as his kikaichuu returned back to his clothes crawling back in.

The two continued their walk down the road, but now Mr. Han had the ice breaker he was looking for. He scratched the back of his head again trying to muster the courage to start up a conversation with his material. Reorganizing his speech again and again in his head. While he was preparing to break the ice his thoughts were interrupted by Takumi's even voice.

"Have something on your mind, sir?"

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[The Dude]

"Oh uhhhh, no not really. Well yes, I wanted to thank you for what you did back there. That was really something, but I'm a little confused. I thought for sure you'd have killed that man, why did we just leave him where he was?"

"He was a missing ninja from Kirigakure no Sato. Basically a ninja who once served my village until he up and quit, abandoning his duties and fleeing into the country side. Judging by his actions, his fortunes haven't improved much at all."

Mr. Han smiled broadly at Takumi as they walked. He had heard that all Kirigakure shinobi were demons and monsters that cut down anyone in their path. What were the odds he'd get one that showed mercy to his victims in victory. Perhaps his guard wasn't just bark, but while his bite was fierce the dog was compassionate on some small level. How else could he diverge so much from the norm of all the people who lived around him that he grew up with.

"So you spared him because you felt pity for him. I understand."

Takumi looked back at Mr. Han with cold eyes betraying no anger or joy but cocking a quizzical eyebrow in confusion. Was this man was clearly confused as to Takumi's true nature if that was the conclusion he came to from his observations. As he looked at the man with confusion he flicked his three senbon callously splattering the blood that coated them onto the ground effectively cleaning the weapons before slipping them back into his pouch.

"No, I spared him because he's not part of our mission. One of the village's hunter ninja will have been assigned a mission to track that one down and either bring him back alive against his will or simply bring him back dead. If I kill him now I'm doing another ninja's job and I wouldn't even get paid for it anyway so let the bastard run free for now, it's not my problem."

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[The Dude]

Mr. Han was taken back at Takumi's correction of his incorrect assumption. Drastically, as his leaned away from Takumi and pivoted his path to get a bit more distance between them as he continued walking. He had judged the ninja to be compassionate but Takumi denied it blatantly. The ninja had not only spared the thief though, he had efficiently immobilized him with deadly precise needles pinning him and retrieving Mr. Han's pack without hurting the man any more than he had too. Surely the ninja had some sense of compassion within his antisocial shell, perhaps he just needed a little coaxing to come out.

"Well even if that is the case it was still very kind and compassionate of you. I've had the service of several Kiri shinobi before but I've never had was as nice and mild mannered as you have been so I should thank you for escorting me. Your parents raised you to be a hard working young boy alright, give them my regards when you get home would you?"

"I'll tell my father but I don't think he'll really care what a merchant thinks of me, no offense sir. My father has... high standards. No matter what I do it doesn't seem to be enough for the man and this was far from the most impressive thing I've been capable of."

Mr. Han groaned miserably, this was harder than he had thought it would be but he understood. His father had always been disapproving of his own lifestyle. No matter how hard he worked and how successful he had become as a travelling merchant his father thought him to be a foolish man with his head in the clouds. Always wearing ridiculous clothes and running all over the world misrepresenting the image his father had worked so hard to attain for the family name.

"I know all too well what that's like my friend. Well at least tell your mother then..."

Mr. Han's voice trailed off as he considered what he was saying. The ninja had only mentioned his father and gone out of the way to avoid mentioning his mother. She was most likely no longer with them on this plane of existence. Stupid stupid stupid man, why couldn't he pick one thing to talk about without it becoming unbearably awkward.

"I'm sorry, your mother's dead isn't she? That's a terrible thing for me to bring up, I didn't mean to stir up a bad subject like that please forgive me. But I'm sure she loved unconditionally even to the very end."

Great, a perfect ending and comforting to the ninja without anything stupid said that could cause an awkward silence. He may have stumbled into the dead mother subject but he had managed to salvage the situation with his rapier wit and slick charisma. There was no way he could have offended the ninja but reminding him of his mother's love for him, but as he looked over at his guard two tears were running down his face and his jaw was clenched. FUCK!!! What had he done this time? Or was this just the most sensitive ninja in the world! His inner monologue ramblings were cut short as the ninja reached up to wipe the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand as he muttered darkly.

"...I killed her."

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[The Dude]

Their journey became even more silent and awkward after that. Even Takumi's Kikaichuu were quiet within him not daring to make a sound for fear of setting him off as they had seen happen time and time again on this subject. Even though the ninja was back on his medication the subject was one of the few still sensitive enough to penetrate the facade the drugs warranted him. Even now after having stopped his tears he struggled to keep from crying and his lower lip from quivering.

They continued there journey but their progress was either slower than intended, or their destination was much further than predicted. Darkness descended on the road cutting down considerably on Takumi's line of sight making it much harder to keep on guard for attackers. Even though his sight was shrouded though, Takumi could soon hear the sounds of rustling grass and leaves in the darkness that surrounded them.

As they continued to walk Kikaichuu crawled out from the leggings of his pants creeping out to create a scouting radius for the ninja. They silently stalked the hidden assailants keeping tabs on them at all times to watch out for Takumi and the Mr. Han. Takumi didn't tell Mr. Han of the assailants yet though, telling him would only provoke the assailants into an attack and provoke Mr. Han himself into a panic. If either of those occurred Takumi would lose his cool edge and control over the situation. They needed to continue along as though they were oblivious to the coming danger, then when the assailants thought they had caught Takumi by surprise he would retaliate swift and brutal catching them off guard instead.

After a few moments the Takumi became alerted that the assailants were mobilizing to strike by the sound of oddly loud buzzing from his Kikaichuu. Four men dressed in masks and robes leaped out on the road with various exotic weapons charging the pair of travelers and screaming in a high pitched tone very unusual for a human. Among the screams Takumi could clearly make out Mr. Hans own panicked scream. Antics and charades though, Takumi had read the report on them as merely vagabonds preying upon travelers. This would come to and end now.

Just as the four men approached to strike, kikiachuu swarmed out from all of Takumi's clothes amassing around him and Mr. Han in a giant swirling sphere. Turning rapidly the Kikaichuu successfully blocked the undisciplined attacks of the vagabonds who backed away a meter or two from the sphere in confusion and terror. The shield buzzed angrily and loudly, but Takumi's voice rose higher above the swarm as he called out mockingly to his would be assailants.

"What's this? Demons afraid of bugs?! Ridiculous... but then again if I were you I'd be running right now."

A pulse rippled through the shield as Takumi fed chakra to the swarm triggering their potential for evolution. Though in the darkness it would be nearly undetectable the swarm was rapidly arming themselves as their stingers pincers and wings all grew razor edged. It would take a matter of seconds for the evolution to complete but the assailants were too close now to escape anyway.

SPOILER: Click to show

Mushi Kabe no Jutsu (Insect Wall Technique)
Rank: D, C, B, A [325]
Type: Supplementary / Ninjutsu / Secret Technique
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Handseals: No.
Chakra: See special!
Special: Stops attacks one rank lower than the highest rank known. Consumption is equal to the technique being detained. Size of wall depends on the user's range of 'Kikaichuu', halved.
Description: Mushi Kabe is a secret ninjutsu technique utilized by the Aburame when defense is needed. After expelling the destruction bugs living in their body, they will surround the member and fly at a high rate of speed, forming a protective wall-like vortex. The vortex itself is strong enough to destroy incoming attacks, but the vortex can be disrupted and the clan members inside rendered vulnerable if sufficient explosive force is expended outside the protective shell.
Domain: Aburame. Kikaichuu no Jutsu.

Kikaichuu Metamorphosis
Rank: D, C, B [150]
Type: Supplementary
Range: Self
Handseals: No.
Chakra: ----
Special: Speed in which Kikaichuu transforms depends on the highest rank known. Kikaichuu lose their initial properties to leech upon opponents. Kikaichuu still retains the ability to leech from their host to sustain complete function. The user gains the ability to differentiate between which effects they would like to use as they upgrade their ranks.
D Rank: 2 Turns / Sharpened Edges (Cutting/Flaying)
C Rank: 1 Turn / Piercing Feelers (Drilling/Penetrative)
B Rank: 3/4 Turn / Explosive Body (1 Exploding Tag)
A Rank: 1/2 Turn / Explosive Body (3 Exploding Tags)
S Rank: Near - Instant / (Diamphotoxin/Haemolytic Effect)

Description: The Kikaichuu no Jutsu is without a doubt the central means of attack for the Aburame. However, like bugs, they can evolve so to speak, going through a rapid process of metamorphosis. This metamorphosis removes the Kikaichuu's absorptive properties in exchange to take on other properties, namely those geared more towards physical destruction such as sharpened edges, explosive properties, and much more. When Metamorphosis is active insects lose the ability to leech chakra and in turn learn to deal physical damage.
Domain: Aburame; One Aburame mastery.

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[The Dude]

The vagabonds abandoned their hopes at an ambush and fled as fast as they could, it was a pity though that Takumi had orders to completely remove them from the country. He clapped his hands together loudly, more for show than actual use since the Kikaichuu didn't need signals to understand their his will. In response to the clap the shield diverged into four clouds of equal size that with an angry buzz propelled after each of the vagabonds. Quickly overtaking them the swarm shredded them, cutting into their skin and flesh anywhere they made contact circling and stinging and cutting small cuts and wounds everywhere.

The vagabonds collapsed to the ground one by one covering their heads and screaming in a much more human voice now... perhaps it was the emotion of fear and terror that made them seem more human. Their screams faded after a few moments though as their blood pooled around their bodies from the ridiculous amount of lacerations that Kikiachuu had incurred upon them frail bodies. In the end they were just as the report had said, the mist village intelligence was perfectly accurate as usual.

Takumi turned to look at Mr. Han behind him who was breathing heavily from the rush and fear that had come over him first from being attacked, second from the brutal way in which the vagabonds had been put down. Takumi pulled the lower portion of his mask down giving the merchant a reassuring friendly smile. After all it was his job to protect the man, not to scare him so much he never came back to the village with business.

"Sorry about the close call there. Shall we continue to our destination?"

Mr. Han looked at Takumi as confused and frightened, to which Takumi simply turned and continued on his way. He didn't have time to waste and he wanted this mission over with as soon as possible. He had once again become a monster in another man's eyes and he hated the judgement he felt when that happened. He would escort the man to the next village and then leave immediately to return to Kirigakure no Sato. This mission was as good as done.

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[Apple]