broken home [p]

[Yoichi]

Follow Me to World's End

---

'Where is he..?'

The shinobi had made his way through familiar lands with great haste, his facade shrouded in a dark veil and porcelain mask. He soon found himself in a particular meadow, hills surrounding these country side outskirts of Kaminari no Kuni. A light fog had crept in from the shore, glazing the land in a dull gray. Sitting placidly atop a large rock, his figure took the form of comfort. Arms resting on his knees, a cigarette between his lips. From each breath he exhaled, a myriad of curls branched out into the cold air.

His digits slid around the reefer, pulling it down from his face and allowing him to once more taste the rejuvenation of air. A grin fell upon him, followed shortly by a chuckle as he thought of the irony of where he was. A nuke nin rarely returned to his country, especially so soon. But Genma felt no stress, not worried that he might be noticed. It was unlikely, for he didn't stand out in the village, keen on laying low he managed to escape acknowledgement. He even managed to keep his skill level unnoticed, passing as an average shinobi in the eyes of his peers.

Regardless of what had all happened in the past, here he was now. Sitting and waiting, the arrival of his kin was imminent and Genma had described the setting to him well. There was a unique distinction of the area, stones stacked high from those who participated in meditation and felt one with nature. At a point in his life, he had been taken here by his father and taught the ways of Buddhism. He quickly found, that while useful, it was not for him. Disowned, it was difficult to feel nostalgic of such a place. Here lay his worst memories, which was exactly why he chose it.

[marvolous.]

This place was beautiful, to say the least. It wasn't just because it was a new location, it had to do with the atmosphere. Lightning was just as common as sunlight here, occupying the sky with great beauty - much like it did right now. Even though it was relatively early in the day, the clouds hung together in thick bunches, obscuring most light on the land and replacing it was an eerie sense of darkness. Having hailed from a place where sunlight and humidity was all that ever took place, such a thing was down-right beautiful. Beautiful and peaceful.

"You seem to be enjoying this place more than I am, Genma." I'd speak, appearing from behind the rock he was laying upon. My back was to it and my arms were crossed across my chest - truthfully, it was almost like I had been there the entire time. He had described this place to a complete 'T', it would have been hard not to correctly find this place with ease. "Do you have another one of those? I haven't indulged my habit since I left Suna." Leaving my home meant leaving everything about me behind, smoking was just one of those things.

Even if he would oblige to my request or not, I would continued speaking; we were here for pure business relations, if we were to complete this and get paid we would have all the time in the world to bask in the beauty of this country. "You seemed quite willing with the last mission, so what do you think about making one last killing? I still wasn't facing him, instead my eyes watched as the thunder clouds connected and plunged us into further darkness.

"What do ya' say?"

[Yoichi]

Follow Me to World's End

---

atlas.. your origins

He had never considered it til now, the past of his comrade, and how similar it could have been to his own. Up until this point, he had known nothing about him, other than him being a soldier;working for hire, not for moral reasons. Sunagakure, he had to have been a shinobi at one point in his life to harness such prowess. Though what was it that made him stray... "Suna ey? What made you leave..." he remarked, delving deeper into the matter of personal life. As the words fell from his lips, he gestured towards Sora, handing him a smoke from beneath his cloak.

"Is it wrong to seek forgiveness..." he mused, an incomplete thought, but he couldn't help but dwell on his father. This was where he resided, through life and in the end, death. At this point, his face lay vulnerable to eyesight, but there was something he had to do. Rising from the rock, he made his way through knee high grass, a certain sadness to his demeanor. Eventually he stopped, gaze falling as he crouched down to the level of a stone plaque. 'Here lies Nomazaki, Tenzo... a respected leader, and feared warrior'. Digits fell over his face, the young shinobi taking a long drag before exhaling a rising swirl of smoke.

"My father..." he cooed softly, head nodding towards the grave. Before leaving, he put his smoke out on the engraved stone, signifying his peace with his father and letting go of the resentment. Standing tall, he turned towards his kin, eyes narrowing upon him. "I will follow you for now, my friend. It seems as though fate has brought us together, though where it will take us, I cannot say," Genma continued, slipping his white mask over his face. Once more, the fire of passion returned to his facade, ready to face a new challenge.

[marvolous.]

There was a reason I was so discrete about my past. You never know who was around the corner listening on to a conversation, nor could you tell if the person you were talking to cared more about money than he did about you. It was little things like that, coupled with the fact that ANBU were most likely on high priority to find me - ego aside -, that made me so reserved, even to my family members. I wasn't used to opening up to anyone, the fact that I have even mentioned Suna had been a slip - nothing more than that.

"No reason in particular. I guess you can say I just didn't fit in?" I laughed, the irony of my words profound and mostly likely meaning nothing to Genma. Nevertheless, I took his offered cigarette with a curt nod, looking upon his curiously as my digits toyed with the small piece of paper. I hadn't thought passed the idea that this was far more than a random rendezvous point; Genma had obviously chosen this place for a reason, his solemness spoke volumes. "Forgiveness is the only way to move on, Genma." I spoke, my cigarette becoming lit seemingly out of nowhere - it fell to my mouth at that, and I took a long and exceedingly relieving inhale. It was refreshing, to say the least.

The realm of pure reverie that it plunged me into did not last long, for with Genma's movement towards the most prominent of tombstones I'd follow his path. With his words everything was clear, and though I held no sentimental values towards my own dead parents - for reasons I wouldn't even be able to tell you - I knew Genma must have down something to bring such regret to his countenance. I didn't question him though, instead I allowed my hand to find the apex of his shoulder. "When this is all over, we will talk."

Much like him, I'd force my own porcelain mask upon my face. The locks creaked as they were set in place, the nature of it having not been used in awhile evident. However, unlike Genma's mine clearly displayed my former ANBU past. It was but another small piece to my history.

"Let us go".

[Yoichi]

Follow Me to World's End

---

"Let us go."

So reserved, it was apparent that he hadn't intended for the information to be let out, because his response was rather vague. Changing topics easily, as Genma headed for his fathers gravestone. He now held high belief that he had been forgiven, anyone in his situation would have done what he was forced to do. In his eyes, it was the only reasonable way. He felt sorrow intermixed with anger, but more than anything....he felt relief.

Seeing the ivory mask fall over his kin, he found just another small piece to the puzzle. An anbu of sunagakure, no wonder he didn't fit in much—being forced into a life of secrecy it'd be hard to avoid solitude. Such isolation only brought out the spur to seek out others, and escape whatever bounded you. He could only what rank he held, significant likely. With a well versed knowledge of the terrain, Genma took lead ensuing through high planes of grass.

"If we're looking for a drug boss, theres only one place he would operate. Nearby, there's a large city, an easy place to get lost in the crowd." He chuckled, fading into a crowd was something he was all too familiar with. It was easier not to get noticed, passing day by day without the acknowledgement of others. A thicket of trees lay up ahead, little light shedding in through the canopy. A rather daunting sight, death seemed to linger, even through the beauty that surrounded it. "Stay on your toes."

Sticking to the ground, he made good progress maneuvering through swamp like terrain. He knew better than anyone to avoid the trees, for the higher you were, the more danger awaited. In most scenarios, one would think the opposite, but not this one; it'd be foolish to assume that. When he reached a clearing, he stopped, rather abruptly. Head tilting, he glanced upon his comrade to check his progress then resumed his cautious pose. It was dead silent for all but a moment, but then came a snapping like the sound of tree branches breaking under boots.

[marvolous.]

"Take point, I'll follow behind you." I spoke, my words reaching Genma after he had already gone in front of me - so he was tactically knowledgeable too? Pondering the thought I followed after him, my eyes aware of all and everything around me even though we were in virtually waist high grass. Genma seemed to know this land well enough that he maneuvered through it with little difficulty and ease, and I followed, content that he was coming in handy far mar than I had originally imagined.

"By now the boss is probably aware of what happened at that village in the land of fire. It wouldn't be too far fetched to assume hes tripled his security and perhaps even hired shinobi of his own." I spoke before Genma stopped, my innate shinobi senses alerting me of another in our presence before my ears even heard the tree branches below them snap. They were close to us to already; had we already stumbled upon them? Much like the idea of the boss having tripled his security because of us, it was also extremely possible that he had departed his village and went into hiding.

Were we really that lucky? "The left-- watch your left, I have your right." Or was this a trap?

[Yoichi]

Follow Me to World's End

---

"The left-- watch your left, I have your right."

Shit. The situation, as he had foresaw, quickly became heated. Three figures emerged from the shadows, veiled in dark garments and harnessing a bloodthirsty aura. An intent gaze shifted to his kin, it was apparent what needed to be done; these men were obviously trained to have managed this distance without sooner notice. However, they had been careless enough to let the sound of snapping branches to reach our ears. It was possible that this was intentionally, though in all likelihood, there was an amateur among the group.

Eyes shifting between them, Genma found him. The weakest link stood to the left side; what gave him away was the fear in his posture. Unlike his comrades, who remained dark and stoic, he was rather reticent. "Him.." Words left his lips at a barely audible whisper, so only Sora could make out what he was saying. Briefly leaning forward, Genma was gone, and it was over. At least for the least experienced of the fighters.

Now behind his assailant, his right hand shot forth, delivering a fatal blow to the spinal chord. His opponent would be paralyzed indefinitely, and soon would bleed out. But in this time, the other two had acted. One began to string together hand seals, his comrade surging forth with great intensity. The shinobi could only hope his kin had gotten the right idea and made his own advance.

[marvolous.]

Intentionally or not, they would still die.

Genma had the right idea, for as soon as the person responsible for the sound was identified he shot off after him. It was with great accuracy and agility that the man was slayed, his body slumping down to the ground before Genma as his brethren reacted to the sudden appearance of an enemy. One found it necessary to manifest hand seals whilst the other charged forward blindly - how foolish. Tch. Only three grunts? They were underestimating us.

With a simple command to my feet I would take off towards Genma, my body being vaulted forward in a shunshin in an attempt to reach my opponent before he reached my kin. I did so, too; however, instead of attacking him my hand simply pushed off of him as I exited my shunshin. The force of the push was enough to knock him off balance for a moment, and utilizing that split second I charged after the immobile grunt - a simple kunai being brandished and jabbed directly into his throat. He let out a shriek of pain before falling to the ground, and having noticed his ally fall the last remaining grunt continued his descent towards Genma.

It was through some sort of adrenaline that the man's speed increased exponentially, causing him to vanish almost due to sheer agility. By the time he reappeared before Genma he had his weapon raised in the air, his intent to kill having increased tenfold since he watched his friends die. Before his weapon would be able to make contact with Genma, I'd appear to the side of the man - my arm pulling back towards me as my kunai cut straight through the man's throat completely. As he fell my hand would once again push against his body, my digits retrieving some sort of ink from it before it disappeared into thin air.

"I didn't want to have to use that."

[Yoichi]

Follow Me to World's End

---

"I didn't want to have to use that."

What the hell was that? With all men slain on the ground, a plethora of items seemingly vanished at the hands of my kin. Question was, where did they go? Leaving it be for now, Genma pushed on through the thickets, throwing his assailants dark garbs over himself as he moved. Even if he couldn't fool many, it'd be enough to get him where he needed to be. Sauntering forth calmly, he headed towards the direction from which the three emerged.

No sooner than he had ducked through low brush, he would emerge into a large opening—a lodge sat on the earth where the altitude rose. It was partially merged with the mountain side, almost blending in with the natural resources it was made of. A snicker left the males lip, though no one would besides his comrade would have heard him. He proceeded up a long dirt road, two men standing at the end. Emotionless demeanor upheld their guise, and they stepped out in front of Genma, and Sora if he followed.

"What happened? Wheres the third?" One grunted, a stocky fellow short in stature. "They came, and we suffered some losses. I wish to report to the boss of his safety, and be released from my duties... Muffled by the sound of cloth, his voice was indistinguishable. The guards glanced at one another, then stepped aside, allowing Genma and his kin passage to the large cabin. Based on its sturdy facade, it was likely filled core with guards and surveillance.

As they arrived at the door, a slit slid open and behind the steel frame shot forth two suspicious eyes. It shut once more, and clanking could be heard from behind the door. With a heavy grunt, the man pushed over the door—and judging by how hard he struggled to pry it open, it was likely reinforced steel. Eyes shifted around the room from beneath his dark veils, men sat around as though it were some sort of reunion. "Boss is upstairs, go on," a man spoke, stepping out from Genma's blind spot.

Genma, took note of the large blade at his hip, taking it into consideration as he followed them up the stairs. A hand pressed on the door in front of him, and as he pushed it open, it finally was the moment he had been waiting for. Pivoting as hands dove beneath his garments, a blade would slide out in one hand, slashing the throat of his follower. His other hand followed in suit, unleashing a blade upon the leader and piercing his chest. With a hard yank of the thin cable, the blade would return to him and the slain leader would fall over his desk. Without the slightest hesitation, he headed for the window, using it as an escape—Sora would be close behind him

[marvolous.]

Everything was going according to plan.

I followed Genma as he proceeded through the small entrance the three grunts had just used, the sudden change of scenery bringing us to another trio of men. Unlike the last ones, they weren't foolish enough to openly attack us; instead, with no remorse at all, they directed us to where their boss remained. I did not see a point in putting them out of their misery so I let them go as we continued on, my eyes remaining on our setting despite the threat of fighting having diminished.

Even as we crashed their little establishment no one did anything, so we continued onward without much interference. It was only upon Genma acting upon his own accord that I felt the need to have to regain control over this situation. The boss and our enemy was now dead as a result of our aggression, so as far as our mission went we were done - however, that alone wasn't enough to stop the boss' former henchmen from gaining the sudden boldness to attack us. With Genma heading to the window I found myself activating my prized Uchiha heritage, the Sharingan - that fabled powerful doujutsu - plunging me into a pool of red vision.

"Sorry, friend." I'd speak, assuming Genma would turn in reponse to my words. Praying on his human instincts to be curious of my words, my eyes would take hold off his entire body and grasp him into a tight veil of paralysis and then eventually unconsciousness should he have turned. With such done, and with his body now plummeting down towards the earth and unsafe speed, I would leap after him. With the subtlest of touches my fingers would grab the cloth of his attire, pulling him closer to me before allowing my ability to warp myself across dimensions to take control of my actions.

And just like that we were gone--.

exit.

[KID GAMBINO.]

Post the mission next time, or at least a link. >:[

SPOILER: Click to show

Mission Name: Under Cover
Mission Rank: C
Payment: 50 EXP and 1,000 Ryo
Mission Subject: As information revealed, the small village of criminals recently destroyed in Hi no Kuni was just a small portion of a large scale drug trafficking underworld. Shinobi were called in, by a private organization (one seeking to eliminate competitors), to infiltrate the headquarters of operation an assassinate the leader of the movement, to bring chaos to the organized crime. Whether the assassins conduct themselves with stealth or blunt force is up to their discretion, though it could be dangerous with more force. The target is said to have been last seen deep within Kaminari no Kuni.
Objective: Assassinate the leader of a drug trafficking syndicate.

x | 46 + 50 = 96 EXP ; 1000 Ryo
naga | 46 + 50 = 96 EXP ; 1000 Ryo