forgotten records [p]

[Rin]

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a new figure entering the battleground. My scowl deepened as I mentally attempted to decide on a plan of action. Though I was confident I could take any of these goons on alone, or even a few at once, I wasn't so naive to think I could actually win against all eight or nine of these enemies alone. It was then that I noticed, contrary to my assumptions, the new figure wasn't an enemy; it was Kaeor.

"That dumbass . . ." I mumbled to myself. What was he doing here? There was no reason for him to save me, he was only putting himself in danger. Watching his movements, I noticed something begin to form, and eventually a sort of darkness reached out from him to overtake the shinobi. The beating of wings told me what was happening. Crows? I thought for a moment, before realizing that this was my chance. With an intense speed I burst forth onto the Chuunin before me, just as three of the Genin-level ninja fell to the ground. With the crows beating at their faces and disrupting their vision, their forms were simple targets for me. My knee thrust upwards powerfully into his stomach before a strong fist found it's place where my knee had been, sending him hurdling some meters backwards.

"Why'd you come? I could have handled this on my own," I said, refusing to admit that Kaeor's help had quite possibly saved my life. A simple kick to the throat had another genin down. Bringing myself to support my body on my hands, I spun and took two more genin out, swiping their heads powerfully with my legs, whirling about.

A flip later and I was skidding across the ground, a small distance between myself and the remaining shinobi, the final Chuunin. He'd already formed seals and breathed in, releasing a torrent of flame and scattering the crows that plagued him. Still, despite his recovery, suddenly I had the advantage in the situation. The rest of his team lay pathetically on the ground, taken out by a couple of genin who had only just met.

"Hn." A hand on my hip and a scowl signified my disappointment in the situation. First, I'd fallen into a trap and gotten myself surrounded. Then, Kaeor decided he wanted to help me, and now these guys weren't even putting up a fight. "This really couldn't get much worse," I said before quickly closing the distance. This time, water condensed around him and rushed at me in the form of a dragon. With a simple leap I landed atop the liquid creation, my feet coated in chakra, and I raced along its back toward my target. Probably, he was scared stiff of his own death at the hands of both of us, but I wouldn't kill him. My heel fell down hard upon his skull, sending him crashing into the ground unconscious.

I stood there for a moment, gazing at my surroundings. Eight unconscious, bleeding shinobi, and none of them were ready to put up a fight anymore. Unsatisfied, I turned toward Kaeor and began to walk away from the scene, passing him with a "Hmph."

[Kaeor]

In moments her doom had been eradicated and the mission to retrieve her had been a success. The crows would simply poof with their job completed and my well placed sigh would be all that was needed to signify my happiness or positive displacement towards how the situation was handled. I had effectively handled the situation and prevented her from becoming dead meat. It wasn't something I did for strangers, but for some reason I managed to arouse the will to help her. Despite that the closest I got to any sort of gratitude was clearly far and farther beyond. But I shrugged off the steamy hmph that disregarded my help.

"How vain." Those would be the only words I would utter as I trailed behind her. Yet I wouldn't get far. It seemed our combat had attracted villagers as they all appeared behind us. The clouds on their headband were more than a sign that they were from Kumogakure. Each and every shinobi held their weapon and was ready to take us out. But I found myself without my headband and past memories fresh upon my skin. I guessed when I had thrown myself off the tree to help her my Sunagakure headband had also been lost. I didn't need psychic abilities to understand what he was going to ask me.

"Fear not, I am also from Kumogakure." I shrilly spoke, my voice sharp and seething in a cunning manner. My dialect was quickly transitioning but the power in it still held. The finger of the shinobi pointed to that of the female wandering away. The archers beside them poised their bows and arrows. "Stop!" My voice increased in tone as the shinobi transferred their attention to me. "She's coming to Kumogakure with me. That woman there is Rin, my prisoner of war. I refuse to go back without her." After the way she just acted, she truly deserved to get shot. Why did I save her hide? I didn't have the slightest clue. Hopefully her pride wouldn't interrupt the clever puppeteering I had set up. I looked at the twelve shinobi and then at Rin. If she fucked shit up here, then I definitely didn't have enough crows to pull out my ass for these numbers.

[Rin]

I heard the footsteps fall behind me, though I hadn't turned before Kaeor began speaking. With how he was talking, I chose to remain facing away, keeping my ears open and ready to react to any sudden movements. However, what he said was not what I expected--I nearly turned on him in that moment, if I didn't know, deep down, that this was likely the best course of action. Still, my scowl was a deep one, and he'd pay when we got out of this. How the hell would this end up alright if I was assumed to be a prisoner of war?

No, this wasn't to save both of us. This was for him. Was that why he'd saved me? Shit, that bastard, I thought, still scowling, but choosing to play along. If I chose to run or fight, I knew I'd be done for, judging by the amount of shinobi I had heard land against the earth. So I chose to stand still, only containing my anger by clenching my fist so tight the whites of my knuckles shone. Had this been the plan all along, or was this spontaneous? Either way, I decided I'd find a way to make him pay for making me a sacrifice.

Still, I thought, turning around and attempting to look defeated, though utterly failing and instead just looking utterly furious. What's the purpose in forcing them to take me alive? There has to be something. Most likely I was just being hopeful, and either way I was angry, so I decided to just let the fury consume me rather than think about it. I'd figure out how to get out of it later.

[ e x i t ]

[DAVID BOWE]

+72 Kae
+80 Rin