Escort~ [M]

[くすり]

The mission had begone.

Wild locks, taken a sweep by a most ambient breeze danced madly. Loosely curls twisted furled at her back. A lithe body flickered across the barren, cracked, dream-scape; her figure was nothing more than a speck of obscured amber. Step after forward step pushed the shinobi-Taiga further and further out into the Earth Country.

Her goal was simple-meet the samurai from Konoha and protect them on their way back to the village. The Tuschikage-Hana's friend and leader had asked her to complete this task herself and it was so why Hana would not refuse. This was a chance to forge an alliance and Hana would not fail.

Each gentle step she took carried her closer and closer. It would only be one of her so hopefully this wasn't some trap by Konoha, but Hana trusted Aihime and would not falter. The passing landscape was dull, bleak and terribly isolated from the world.

It was a desolate place, but Iwagakure was where she was birthed so she loved her village, her home even with the conditions she endured. Another step assisted with a body flicker brought Hana's heels to the earthen floor, a cave sat before her and on the other side was where the meetup point was designated.

SPOILER: Click to show

---- Escort!

Client's Name: Shodaime Tsuchikage Aihime Tenken
Client's Occupation: Shinobi
Mission Rank: B
Payment for completion: 6,000 Ryo + 150 EXP
Mission Subject: Several Samurai have been sent by Konoha to Iwa to request a meeting and/or an alliance. Although I am not entirely sure is I wish us to be allies, I still wish to meet with them and hear their terms. This mission is vital to the Village, you must not let these two samurai be harmed, otherwise it will damage our village's moral standing. Good luck!
Special Requests: I wish for this mission to be done in teams of at least two or three, as I do not wish my shinobi to go out there alone when we are dealing with people I cannot trust, nor be completely sure of their intentions. Tread carefully.
Notes: If any harm or death comes to one of the samurai, the mission will be considered a failure. This mission may be done by Genin.

[くすり]

Standing at the caverns entrance, Hana's hands clasped together as she began to form hand seals.

"Mokuton; Moku Bunshin no Jutsu !"

As she chanted the technique beams of wood emerged from her body, pooling forth into a singular shape. The action happened fast and with a snap of the initial beam, the wood converged and transformed into a perfect replica of Hana. The true one was going to stay behind and first test the intention of their guests.

One who lived without caution were the ones to first die. Taking a sitting position at the entrance Hana decided to rest while the other did all the work. Pushing out an metal shove the false Hana nodded and began to trod into the dark, expansive black of the cave. Hana used the caverns walls as guidances as well as the faint light from the exit, but it was still much too dark to see any more than a few feet in front before you.

The trip into darkness was just as quiet as the trip to the spot, maybe she should have waited for others to take this mission, but time wasn't something they had. A few minutes rolled by, erased from the counting counter of time as Hana emerged into the dim light of the world outside. Seemed she'd arrived so the doppelganger relayed mental message to the true Hana an than in turn took a leaning position against the caves wall-her arms casually folded.

And so the wait began.

SPOILER: Click to show

Moku Bunshin no Jutsu (Wood Clone Technique)
Rank: C, C
Type: Supplementary / Ninjutsu / Kekkei Touta
Range: See special!
Special: Clone speed matches that of the user. Up to one clone can be made at a time, plus one more each time retrained. Clone may only perform Mokuton based jutsu, and may absorb one blow equal to their highest 'Wood Dominion' rank before their wood hide shatters; retraining this jutsu grants them one extra hit of defense.
Description: After a few handseals, the user will cause beams of wood to emerge from their body, slowing taking shape into someone. Withing moment, this wood will morph and form a into a carbon copy of the user, capable of utilizing all the same Mokuton techniques as the original. This clone is created by altering the user's own cells with chakra, granting it more endurance than the normal Shadow Clones to the point it simply doesn't disappear when hit by the enemies' attacks. Moreover, since it has the ability to merge with plants and trees, it is also great for reconnaissance missions. They have the ability to travel far distances from the user and are able to communicate with the original mentally at any time.
Domain: Mokuton. Must know Wood Dominion 'C'.

[Tyro]

If Akio was skeptic about his exact whereabouts, he would have now been able to accurately call his position Earth Country. The land that was previously made of a short cut grass gave way to a more barren landscape that the Country was known for. It was a hard packed dirt with pebbles littering the ground at random intervals. The sun was still out, illuminating the area but not making him uncomfortably hot. Or maybe that was due to the rice hat 'pon his head that shielded most of his face in shadow. Either way, Akio's walk was a slow comfortable one, which belied his sense of urgency to meet with the Iwagakure ninja. On several occasions he looked behind himself, or to his flanks to be sure that the non-existent cover would not give was to an ambush.

Ah, but he was getting close, a cave, or perhaps a tunnel, broke into the landscape before his eyes. His Tracker on his right eye assured him of its distance long before he was near it. And what was this? A presence was already at his designated meeting spot. He couldn't be late could he? He hoped not, punctuality was something he prided himself on. He increased his walking speed, to make shorter work of the distance between him and the cave.

He could see the other presence clear enough to describe her once within 30 meters. She was female, obviously, and dressed somewhat preppy in Akio's opinion, not like a ninja, but more of a school girl. His keen battle senses, honed from years within the Samurai also trained him to notice that the girl in front of the cave was quite...lackadaisical. He expected the ninja to perhaps be on at least a slight edge, being in open territory after all, but she just stood

Within fifteen meters, Akio began to shout, better to be somewhat assured of the ninja than not assured at all.

"You there! Do you hail for Iwakagure?"

His katana was always at the ready, he was trained to unleash it at a moments notice. As were his secondary items, and his chakra. If it was a fight awaiting him, he was amply prepared.

[くすり]

The wait wasn't exactly what one would call exciting to say the least. It was boring, and with the harsh wind whipping at her face she was becoming annoyed by the seconds that so casually ticked away. Her eyes were shut, and her mind delving deeper into her mind. The faint sound of footsteps upon the cracked, torn earth prickled her skin as her lids slowly revealed images to her.

The silhouette of the figure was slender with the amber sun at his back. Hana waited a moment but before she could purse her lips to speak he jumped the gun. In a light, yet loud enough tone for him to hear she spoke.

"Yes!"

Hana said whilst nodding, a quick pause an her voice once more cut through the air. It seemed he was the Samurai she was waiting for.

"I am Hana-a genin form Iwagakure. Are you the samurai Iv'e been waiting to escort?"

Meanwhile as she spoke, Hana picked herself up from her sloppy position and stretched her small limbs before turning her gaze to the man. He was rather plain looking. He had fair skin, black hair, and a lithe form. Cracking her knuckles a yawn passed her lips followed by words.

"I'f you are than we'll be making haste for its not wise to linger in these parts."

If he was the person she was waiting for she'd press forward into the dark once more, waving her hand behind her, which implied for him to simply follow her lead.

[Tyro]

"Yes!"

Her response was excited, Akio did not predict that, but at least he knew that this was much more likely his escort for the mission considering her tone did not seem hostile in the slightest. She seemed anxious even. Akio closed the gap between he and the girl quickly, keeping only about a meter between the two as she made her next statement.


"I am Akio Akira, Samurai of the Land of Iron, and performing this mission on behalf of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Pleasure to meet you."

He said this to respond to her question, and as the same time keep within the pleasantries. He almost had to urge to follow by shaking her hand, but instead decided that he didn't know of her well enough to progress to that. He was polite, but cautious. This was still a mission, and as much as it wasn't for his own people, important. Akio did hope she didn't notice the twitch within his right hand as she cracked her knuckles and yawned, he was ready to grab his katana in the signs of a fight.

"Agreed"

And then, with nary a pause, she turned about and began to walk, giving Akio the signal to follow. He walked directly next to her, if space permitted, and if not, behind her.

[Sayomi]

Trekking through shadow casted cave Hana couldn't her but allow her gaze to glance back every now and than. She was curious. Hana had never before seen a samurai, and morose had never ventured outside of the Earth country. It was hard to even make out his figure in the thick of the pervasive black.

"So whats the weather like where you come from?"

It was a lazy attempt at small talk, but anything would prove better than the silence that had so hastily engulfed them. Breaking into the light the real Hana sat upright and dismissed he clone as rejoined with her body.

"Sorry about that, but can't be to safe no can you?"

[Tyro]

The low-light of the tunnel was quite troublesome for Akio. The girl's silhouette was the only thing guiding him, the form slinking around catching scant light to allow him to know where to go. Akio realized, possibly too late, that this tunnel was a bad place for an ambush. He had allowed enough room to swing his sword of course, and walking room was permitted for almost ten meters, but the ceiling was quite low, and he was feeling stifled. The girl though offered no signs of hostility. It was until she asked a question that Akio decided to respond.

"Cold. Unfortunately, that is all I am at liberty to say. Anything else may compromise my homelands whereabouts."

It was odd when he sensed another presence. He denied himself to draw his sword, even to protect himself, else the mission would be compromised. Things were made more confusing as he saw the other person...the same girl. Akio stopped walking, stopping just in case he was required to fight now. He tensed up as Hana canceled her jutsu.

"No...I suppose not....How far are we from Iwa?"

He was in no true hurry so long as they would reach the village. But he was nonetheless annoyed that a Ninjutsu was used without his being aware.

[くすり]

"Not too far..."

Hana spoke as her legs began to move giving birth to mobility. Trvaersing the terrain of the Earth country was a gift all Iwagakure shinobi developed over time. Just a sungakure shinobi endured teh hrash winds, and dry heat, and leaf navigated their vast foresst's.

Hana had noticed teh samurai's wary face at her trickery and deciet, but she had in no way meant to offend him or even starle in the slightest. She simply took counter measeures to protect herself from a world that was aestically 'not kind' to the overly trusting. The moments and minutes soon began to tick by as the wind challenged her progression.

Hana always made sure to keep her eyes upon him, via glances back ever so often so as to affirm he was still following an had not strayed from her guidance. The trip wasn't what one would call a journey, but it was still long nontheless.

They'd arrive soon at the pace theyw ere moving, still obstacles always presented themselves, however it was always when they would that worried Hana, but hopefully all would be smooth an they'd be walking into the village by the next twenty minutes.

[Tyro]

Her response came stiffly. Akio didn't sense any kindness in it. No hostility, but no kindness. He wasn't offended, he expected little courtesy, but it was duly noted. His travel through their tunneled area continued unabated thus far, he and the Iwa ninja traveling at their pace. His boots crumbled some stones softly, grinding them to dust, though he took notice of the noise not their destruction. His sword too he noted, wiggling right and left and his hips pivoted naturally as he walked.

The girl looked back at him several times as they progressed. Though Akio was sure it was only to be sure he was in pursuit, he did wonder if that was because she was in fear of his assault. Nevertheless, he had no intention. Quickly though Akio was finding their walk to become monotonous. He couldn't even ask of how close they were (politely anyway) for he had already done so once. He endured the walk, though legs not tired, his mind was in strain under the boredom.

Of course, his defenses, his mental walls were still up. He took careful note of any noise around them, behind for an ambush, encroaching attack, or forward to see if the ninja shifted her advance. His right hand twitched every so often, restless to get to his blade.

[くすり]

Continuing onward they charged further and further, while he may have been unaware of their position Hana was quite at ease. See for she knew these lands; perhaps better than most Iwagakure shinobi. Their goal would come to fruition soon enough as they'd arrive within the village, knocking upon its wall.

Digging her heels into the earth she came to an abrupt halt, her large brown eyes gazing upon the enormously tall gate. "Were here now!"

[exit.]

[Tyro]

Here they were! Akio would almost sense the warmth of the light at the end of the tunnel. He truly felt the breeze that involuntarily entered the tunnel they were in, natural funneling. It felt good to finally get out, he admitted. The air was less stifling, and easily breathable. Again, as he saw another Hidden Village's gate, he was impressed sure, but not intimidated. He wasn't planning to lay siege, least not now. Irrelevant though, the girl knocked, and they came to the gates.

[exit]

[Kii!]

Taiga: +38

Tyro: +29