The Grind [M]

[♠Solo♠]

The loud noise coming from the immense explosion from the set up trap would scare away all of the life that was within the forest. Animals all ran from the trees and the bushes that they hid in, leaving in a swift fashion to get away from whatever construction disturbed their natural peace. The smoke from the explosion would rise high, clouding the area that had recently been set off into a loud blaze. The grass covered ten meters in diameter would be burnt to nothingness but dark dirt. The smoke continued to rise and rise.

Meanwhile, feint ears caught wind to the loud, booming noise. It was his contraption, his doing. Moving from his comfortable position he had nussled himself into on the ground, he would rise, taking hold of a kunai from his person, and exiting the cavern to examine the view. Sticking his head out he would look to see smoke clearing into the sky. As he moved closer to the area, the sunlight would reveal his light purple clothing. A full body suit it appeared to be, with a white cloth wrapped around the waist.

No body was left from the trap it seemed. He raised an eyebrow, looking around as he wondered. The young boy was under the impression that a small animal set off his trap. Clenching his opened fist, he growled as he started walking closer to the scene he had created. His silent advance would be halted by the sound of a loud voice screaming down at him, like an invisible god, calling out to his specimen.

"So, you must be Yokkutto." the voice spoke out. The man jerked as the sounds entered his ears. His heart began beating faster and faster. Someone spotted him. Someone knew.

"Who are you? Who's there?" he responded to the voice in the sky, not receiving a response back. He appeared mad, chatting tot he forest, inquiring if it had spoken to him. However he knew better. "Who ever you are, you'd better show yourself." He waited as he looked around. Nothing but silence still.

[♠Solo♠]

The boy began to panic slightly more. His eyes rushed from tree top to tree top, searching to find the origin of the voice that called out to him. His mind began to race he wondered whom had found him. His hand began to shake. The sound of shivering metal sang along with the falling waters of the earth. He took a slight step back before turning his head in a 180 degree turn, maneuvering his body to make the action possible. Rustling leaves was heard in the tree directly south of him. A sneak attack, he thought.

"There!" He shouted, throwing his kunai directly at where he pin pointed the noise. The blade flew through the air, slicing the wind, whistling, as it passed. It would eventually pierce the green shade, disappearing into it. At first there was silence, if but for a split second. Finally life other than the young shinobi emerged. The pursuer would fall from the large branches above, landing on the ground. However, surprising the the confused Yokkutto, more than just one fell.

Six copies of the same man would have fallen from the tree, all coming to a stand, and preparing to rush at the boy. Yokkutto grabbed another kunai from his pouch to prepare to defend himself, but as soon as he reached to grab his weapon, the hoard of clones rushed at him, preparing to strike him with their long staffs. He watched their movements as he prepared to defend himself. They neared. It was time.

He swung to strike at all the figures. If they were nothing more than clones then all they would need is one small strike, in which, he would deliver a blow to each of them, slicing them, and forcing them to disperse into smoke. He cut each one. He made sure of it. Six dropped, and his blade met with each of them. However none of them were the real one. His eyes looked around the forest, scanning sporadically to cover all 360 degrees around him. That, however, would not be where his surprise was.

As he looked down he noticed a kunai and a paper tag stuck to it just below him. His eyes shot open, as the tag would have set off before he could even react. A explosion sounded of the silence of the forest, successfully emptying the spot of the body that stood there. The real Kei came down, and placed his staff on his shoulder, looking at the smoke. The body still remained, though it was burned severely. Kei would approach him to check his pulse. Nothing. Seemed the shock killed him.

The Iwa Genin would sigh as he came to a full stand, and began leaving the area.

"Another mission accomplished."

[tigaevo]

+60

[♠Solo♠]

Mongol [1]
Rank: C
Ninja needed: 1-3
Mission info: A nasty troll living inside one of the many caverns of the village of iwa has been said to have been taking certain items from people such as pocketbooks, shoes, paintings, etc. Go a little further into the unknown caverns in hopes to finding out more of this ‘mongol.’
Special Info: May be completed indefinitely.

The business with Yokkutto would take but an hour or so from his day. It was finding the little shinobi that proved the most time consuming. He certainly picked a good spot to hide. Way off to the side of the lands, away from the village and within a forest that no one would think to even check had they come across it. Kei sighed and patted his left thigh, as some of his cloths were scorched there, down to the skin. A shade of pink was on him that matched very little with the rest of his skin tone. Avoiding that trap took some major speed on his part.

He began his swift trek back to his homeland, where yet another mission was waiting for him. He knew his limits, and these C rank missions weren't really pushing or testing him. A test of endurance it was, as he was doing several missions, on his own. Never really having a permanent team to travel and complete these missions with, it was nothing new. He wanted the money and the experience, in which case, he would be rewarded with, solely. He never minded his tasks, despite how difficult they were. He dreamed of becoming a Chuunin, or even a Jounin, so he could take new missions, higher ranked missions.

The idea of being an important figure in his village was nice. However he would never get recognized doing this measly C and D rank missions, that academy students could probably perform in their sleep. Kei sure could handle any situation they dealt him for being a Genin. He shrugged off the negative energy flowing about him. It seemed to have taken over him a lot lately. His usual cocky attitude toward the world grew small. Being around actual amazing shinobi was something entirely different than just reading stories.

He continued to search his thoughts, all the way until he made it back to where he needed to be.

[♠Solo♠]

He would find himself in a familiar stance, staff bouncing on his shoulder as he looked forward. He eyed the enormous gates of the village. They were open, allowing people in and out. Another job to do, he thought to himself. He started forward, passing through the gates to enter the village once more. There was something about the place that just gave him a strange and weird feeling. Kei was never one to fall victim to such circumstances as home sickness, or anything of the like. He could never explain his feeling when entering the village. It was not a bad feeling, but it wasn't quite good.

He walked for a few minutes within the village, eyeing the every day citizens of Iwa, whom were working, or shopping, or simply standing around chattering, doing what they did best. Reaching into his pouch, he would pull out the scroll with his missions detailed on them. The next line up was a supposed troll that was stealing things. He raised an eyebrow, wondering if it was true that the thief was an actual troll. Not many encountered trolls and lived to tell about it. What a tale it would be if Kei could have actually defeated the monster that was causing issues in the village.

Regardless this wasn't his job. He found himself feeling down once more, as he was required only to investigate the situation. Had he encountered the actual creature it would be his duty to turn away and flee, bringing back the information the village needs so that a higher ranking shinobi could take care of the situation.

"Tch." The sound casually came out of his mouth, as he took his scroll and placed it back within the confines of his pouch. He could handle the beast. He knew he could. He wanted to. He would struggle with the thought for short. Where did he need to go next?

[♠Solo♠]

He decided to head to the housing district of the village. The information inquired that genuine items had been stolen from all around, but those in the housing district had it worse. The details of the mission inquired that the supposed troll was stealing silly things like pocketbooks and paintings. Kei began traveling a little more swiftly, moving from a gradual walk to a full blown sprint. He remembered the mission he had dealt with before. Paintings were apparently important to people, though Kei would never understand why.

He bursted through the village like a typhoon, zipping past people as he went along, being sure not to knock any of them over, like he was prone to do. The old him would have without even thinking. He really was growing up, despite the fact that he didn't even realize it himself. Taking to roof tops, and even jumping through people's open windows, to get from one side of a building to another, he moved until he reached his destination.

The housing district was a small spot on the village that was cluttered with equally small looking homes. They were nothing like the mansion that the kage lived in. It would be a spit in the fact of the mighty Tsuchikage to live in a home similar to that of his own citizens. A disgrace even. No, the regular, average, every day human specimen lived here. They would also be the target of the troll. His steps advanced into the district, as his eyes looked around. He wanted to see something, anything, unusual. His hawk like eyes gazed upon the area, like a bird looking for it's prey. Unfortunately nothing unusual could be seen. At least directly out in the open.

Kei scratched his head, as he looked north, south, east, and west. No clue that a troll had even rampaged through the area. That was, until he traveled a little further to the northeast of the district. It was tragic.

[♠Solo♠]

Kei's young eyes gazed upon a home that looked completely and totally ran through. As soon as he spotted the unusual house he instantly ran to it. An old man was sitting outside of the doorway of the house. His old face looked even more down than he would, had the only thing affecting his visual mood was his age. He clutched onto his walking staff tightly, as he sat along the ground. Kei rushed to him, stopping his swift movement.

"What happened!?" He shouted, facing the old man. The man didn't say anything. He simply remained silent. He almost looked as though he was sleeping. His eyebrows were incredibly bushy, and they hid his small, bead like eyes. "Hey, old man!" the Iwa Genin shouted once more, before his eyes perked up. His peripherals were in excellent training. This line of sight was key for a shinobi, as attacks could come from any and all sides. What he saw was a replica of the first home.

House after house was run through. Broken windows, and doors laid scattered about their respective homes. People congregated among themselves. It seemed they all suffered the same fate as the old man. Kei grit his teeth, as he left the first old man to head over and speak to the other people. A older woman was crying. She was of a heavier set. Looked as though she had children, though they were missing.

"Hey, hey! What happened?" Kei inquired as he moved close enough to talk to the woman. She looked down at the young boy, not noticing he was just inches from her. It was a perk of being a shinobi to have a natural silent walking. After so many years of doing it so much the task of actually making noise with one's footing would be a difficult one.

"Oh," she replied, taking her eyes off of him as soon as she set them. "It happened again. That...thing." Kei raised an eyebrow to the woman.

"Thing?" He inquired, attempting to step back into the woman's field of vision.

"Yes. Whatever it is it happened again. It stole through our belongings, taking whatever it wanted. It always happens at night, or at least, that how it seems. We leave our homes, come back, and this happens." She pointed to her home. Kei took another look. It was a truly sad sight. He truly hoped he could help.

[♠Solo♠]

Turmoil and terror reigned over the small division of the living districts in Iwa. How and why was all everyone could say and think. Kei decided to take his detective work to the people, questioning everyone whom had a home that had been ran through. Person after person repeated the same two things. They had no idea whom was doing it, nor did they have any information as to why. Kei questioned the identity of the thief. The things stolen were all worthless, aside from some sentimental value to the original owner.

The shinobi would continue to investigate the homes, looking at the destruction the force caused when it stole what it wanted. The entrances were usually through the weak windows. Broken glass was splashed all along the ground on the inside of the house, insinuating that the robbery started from the outside. A shinobi definitely couldn't have done this, as the break ins were all messy, sloppy jobs. As he picked up from the people it would happen when they were away. The criminal in question was at least intelligent enough to know to steal when no one was looking.

Placing himself back outside, he viewed the area a bit more. He examined the actual break ins, hoping some sort of clue was left behind...and it was. A large foot print could be seen outside of a window.

"Yes." Kei would blurt out, as he was now hot on a trail. A very odd trail. He followed the direction of the large foot print to another, then another. No human's foot was this large. It was, at least, half the size of Kei himself, and just as wide, if not, wider than his frame. Even more weird than the size was the spotted areas of the foot print. Some were along the walls. Kei followed the trail even to the roof tops. A crazy creature was comiting crimes in Iwa. It was going to stop.

The foot steps eventually went from their dirt path to a grassy one. It liked to live in cooler, more natural areas, granted Iwa is full of stone. Here's to hope.

[♠Solo♠]

The path was far off to the northeast of the village, in a little hidden crutch in the village. Instantly he knew he was in the right spot. He halted his advanced looking down at a painting that was ripped on the upper right corner, making the painting virtually useless, in terms of money and sentimental value. He picked it up, looking at it. It was the picture of an older man, painted with dark colors and shading. Kei never understood art. Nor did he truly care for it.

Dropping the painting back onto the ground he lifted his head and continued his hunt. The painting was not the mission here. He wasn't required to return the paintings, or any of the stolen items. Just to investigate the cave in which the creature kept it's secrets. As Kei continued his travels he would find that the entire hidden away area was it's cavern for it's valuables, as stolen items were simply everywhere.

Shoes, old jewelry, some half eaten food items, even large bits of furniture. It was a greedy little creature for getting away with all the things it did. A small home was made out of all the stolen items in question. As he ventured further he would notice piles and piles of items. All that left was the culprit in question. The shinobi wondered where he would be. Perhaps out omitting more crimes. No point in sticking around, he figured. His mission was, technically, done. Granted he wasn't allowed to do anything about the situation, but to report it.

Kei sighed as he crawled his way back out of the little cove, and headed back to his village. Another job done, another to do. He scratched his hair, flinging dust each and every way. He never knew how it got into his hair. Another mystery to resolve. Maybe he was a great detective and didn't know it.

[tigaevo]

+60 zieg

[♠Solo♠]

Tedd Jones
Rank: C
Ninja needed: 1-3
Mission info: An infamous thug leader who keeps his true name a secret. Within the streets of Bakudon gai (Blast city) he is known for pillaging whatever he can. Known to cause destruction in his path and nicknamed the wild goose for the countless amount of times he’s been chased away from authority. Find Tedd Jones and bring him in.
Special Info: May be completed indefinitely.

Kei's feet sort of shuffled through the dirt path ways of Iwa. His eyes simply starring off into nowhere as he now separated himself from everyone else. He took in a deep breath. His nostrils absorbing all of the wind, all of the energy they could, before being forced to let it all out. He reached into his pouch for his mission details. Just one more and he could wrap this day up. He was really enjoying the time he was making. The several tasks all done before the day was quite over. He could treat himself to an excellent meal tonight.

The last mission was dripped on the scroll in black ink. A more serious case. Kei began wondering, simply by reading the little bit that he did, if this mission was meant to be made C ranked. It seemed much for someone fresh out of the academy. Perhaps it was his opportunity. The one he had hoped for. A chance to prove what he had. The culprit was Tedd Jones. An odd name for their area. It would be the first he ever heard of it. Just speaking it forced submission upon his face. A dumbfounded sort of bliss.

Grinning slightly he would take he scroll and place it back into his pouch.

I'm coming for you, Tedd Jones.

[♠Solo♠]

Kei's feet picked up swiftly, carrying him, once again, outside of the gates of Iwagakure. He began to question if he should have simply listed his missions in an order where he wouldn't waste so much energy. Then again, he always enjoying running. Wether it be from a mission, or simply to get something to eat (or cause trouble) Kei enjoyed the small moments in between sprints. This time he'd be traveling for a while, to a city he had gone to several times before on past missions.

He traced his tracks, motionlessly. Not even giving sign to what or who he was looking for, he followed the path he once tred himself. To Bukongai City. His arrival would be swift, and even unnoticed.

The city was always bustling with people, for many reasons. Some not always legal. It was perfect for Kei to simply slide in with the rest of the crowd. Even with his clothing foreign to the city, and the weapon he carried proudly on his person, he would blend with the people, as they moved like frames. It was easy to get lost. He began sniffing around. Near the marketing district they said he often would go. A place called The Kind Lady. It was a bar, for old, perverted men to drink and stalk whatever women came by.

To the bar.

[♠Solo♠]

The Kind Lady was just as one would expect. It was located in a less populated area of Bukongai. Just passing through Kei's ears would pick up some news of the place, the typical bar for finding trouble. It was the bar every place had. The one place that was avoided by the normal, common citizen. Disreputable as the place may have seemed it wouldn't stop the young Genin from finishing his mission. He actually approached swiftly, moving through the rough crowd. He was looking for a fight.

The bar was big, with large, pink flashing lights that said, "The Lucky Lady". It certainly caught the eye. He wondered if local authorities ever made a stop here, but it was irrelevant news. Soon Kei would answer his own question with an action. Preparing to stir up hell, he walked in through the door. Everything grew silent.

OOC: Losing muse. =p

[♠Solo♠]

Themusic stopped and the banter and chatter of the folk inside the bar all came to a shocking halt, as the young child confidently walked into the bar, letting the two wooden swing doors fly back and forth as he entered. The eyes followed his movement. They all examined him for what he was. He didn't hide it, nor did he need to. His Iwagakure headband was wrapped tightly around his forehead. His staff in hand, ready for battle. He grinned slightly, as all eyes were now on him. A small, sinister chuckle emerged from his mouth as he stopped in the middle of the bar. Seemed like a nice spot to, since he had everyone's attention.

"Hey!" He yelled out, making sure everyone heard him. "I'm lookin for Tedd Jones! Which one is it?" The name came from his mouth, and like a switch, it instantly turned on everyone's chatter box. People began speaking among themselves. Almost everyone in the room was left in awe. Kei would be able to pick up some sentences in the voices that now scattered about the room wildly.

"Tedd Jones? Did he just call out Tedd Jones?" "Why would this kid want Tedd Jones?" All the voices and questions merged together. Kei took another step forward and slammed his staff into the ground. It would break through the wooden floor, and plant itself into the dirt, firmly.

"I won't ask again. Where is Tedd Jones?" More talk went on. Some of the men laughed and snickered to one another, pointing and grinning as they looked at Kei. He was beginning to grow impatient.

[♠Solo♠]

"Looking for me, punk?" A voice called out from the crowd. Kei's ears picked up the sound he wanted. Seems he found his man. He turned his head west, to where he heard the voice. A table, housing several men came into plain sight. Everyone's attention now on the group of men, slowly rising from their seats. "Cause you found me." The voice came from the largest man of the group.

A dark skinned man, sporting a tank top and some pants began approaching Kei. He was riddled from head to toe in pure muscle. He had various tattoos, all done in dark ink, around his arms and body. It didn't take much to see that the parts of his body that was covered in clothing would be easy to see that he had tattoos there as well. His followers, all smaller in form, and less muscled out, swarmed around Kei, making a circle around him, with the man called Tedd Jones standing at his front.

"What do you want with me, little punk?" He would call out. The rest of his men chirped up, also asking the same question, but in different sentence form. Kei eyed all of them. Seven people total, with Tedd Jones being the supposed leader. Would be easier to make an example out of him.

"Heard you been causing trouble, Ted." Kei would speak up, walking slowly towards him, leaving his staff into the group. "I was told to come here and take you out. And that's what I'm about to do." They all laughed hysterically this time. The small Kei talked the talked. No one believed he had what it took to defeat THE Tedd Jones, that was terrorizing Bukongai.

"Tell ya what," Tedd said, lifting a finger and aiming it to his chin. "I'll give you a freebie. Right here. Go on. Take me out." He taunted Kei, as the rest of his croons all laughed. Kei clenched both his fist.