kumogakure noire.

[Estilo]

Old World Stranger [8]

---

Xlala, clearly in confused shock, only stared at me for the moment. Then, the radio that had slipped out of the unconscious man's pocket sparked to life. Both of our collective attention was turned to the sound, and with good reason. A voice seemed to filter through the speaker of the device. An old man. "Tenzo. Tenzo, you idiot! Respond! I heard something. Did you call in? Do you have the girl?" Call in? The button must had been pressed when the man had fallen to the floor, briefly contacting his superior.

I tentatively approached the walkie-talkie radio, picking it up, and glancing into Xlala's still panicked eyes for a moment. Then, without another hesitation, I neared the speaker of the walkie-talkie to my mouth, pressing down on the side-button. "Who is this?" I inquired first, my eyes shifting towards the open window beside me. The scenery outside was calm. "What do you want?" I waited for an answer, the tension building.

The walkie-talkie, abruptly, crackled back to life. "They call me the 'Collector'... and I suppose I would be safe in assuming my mercenary has been defeated... no?" The 'Collector'... something about that title rung a bell. An old file I had at the ANBU headquarters... a billionaire in Kumogakure no Sato, blamed for a plethora of crimes. Who was he?

"Your mercenary... is out for the count, yes." I answered, narrowing my eyes. "And whatever you want with the girl, I recommend that you forget what you had planned. This will not end well for you. And will ensure your capture, should you continue with your efforts... understand?" My voice had been stern, and unforgiving, and I hoped he understood. This was my first and only warning. For Xlala, I'd-

Then, sharply, he'd reply: "No."

G A M E O V E R

[Estilo]

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Old World Collector

Name: Old World Collector
Rank: B
Description: So you defeated the mercenary, and your subject's integration into our world seems to be going along quite well. But, as we understand it, the old man who presented himself to you after the conflict is the infamous "collector". After sending his mercenary for an attempted kidnapping, we have no doubt that he will try and try again to obtain the subject you have been protecting. We need you to defend him/her against any other attempts, while searching for the "collector" in the meantime. Don't underestimate his man power, however. He is quite wealthy.
Reward: 300 experience, 5,000 ryo
Minimum Shinobi: 1
Mission Status: Interminable
Requirements: 'Old World Stranger'. Must have roleplayed encountering the "collector" at the end of the aforementioned mission.

The rain fell heavily outside. The street at the forefront of my apartment complex void of human life, small rivers on the bank of each side gushing with rain water. My emerald green eyes shifted to the apartment complex across the street which, for all intents and purposes, was an exact copy of the one I lived in. Unlike me, the patrons across the street had their lights turned on. One of them would peek outside his window, staring in my direction with narrowed eyes. Sitting beside my own window, I observed.

"Atty," The girl suddenly said, standing a few meters away from me. Her hands grasped each other behind her back, her eyes held a sense of worry, and her tone was a bit... timid. But she continued on, eyes brightening a bit when I turned to look at her. "Want to play a game of shogo to pass the time?" I... smiled. I was more concerned with keeping my eye on the scumbags across the street, but I did not want to worry her with my paranoid tendencies either. With me, I would make certain she was safe.

"Sure." I answered, semi-brightly. "I'll brew us some coffee while you set up the game pieces." So I stood up, headed over to the kitchen while Xlala set it up for us. It had only been days since the 'Collector's' attempt, and I could tell that the both of us were still on edge. But since then, my apartment had been entrusted to a covert squad of ANBU agents. Two, to be exact. I wasn't exactly convinced with those odds, however.

I didn't make a habit of underestimating my opponents. And where the 'Collector' was concerned, I was beginning to expect the unexpected. After reading through his ANBU file, I knew he was a wealthy man. He had a malevolent influence over a lot of Kumogakure no Sato, and I did not doubt the fact that he was relentless and stubborn. He would do anything to get his hands on Xlala. And that being said, I couldn't find myself trusting the ANBU outside. If anyone was responsible for Xlala, it was me.

[Estilo]

Old World Collector [2]

---

"See, Atty? I'm perfectly fine!" Xlala smiled, skipping a few steps ahead of me as she spun around joyfully. The hoodie draped over her head flapped with the air current, her boots occasionally making a splash, landing in one of the many puddles that the sidewalk was riddled with. She was, of course, teasing me about my previous explanations- as to why she could not go outside and see the world sooner than she wanted to. I smiled at her.

"Okay, okay-- you were right. Happy?" I countered, my ears graced with her laughter. My eyes, however, shifted to and fro. Ever-vigilant, and ready to detect any sign of my opponent's thugs. "Tch... just stay close to me, yeah? The 'Collector' is still looking for you. And his mercs can be anywhere." We had successfully snuck out of my apartment, away from the thugs across the street and the ANBU, but I was still on high-alert.

Stopping momentarily, Xlala would approach me swiftly and grab me by both of my hands. Her gloved fingers entwined with my own as she continued, the jovial countenance shadowed underneath the hood staring straight into my eyes as she spoke. "Heyhey, remember our deal?" She smiled mischievously. "Youuuu said you'd promise to take me everywhere, red-mane!" She continued, pulling me along as we walked.

I laughed. "Did I? I don't recall ever saying anything about a promise." I teased, an eyebrow arching in mild surprise when she positioned herself behind me and grabbed me by a single arm as we walked. "But-" I continued, before she protested. "A deal is a deal. And as soon as we take down the 'Collector' and his thugs, I'll make sure you see the world."

[Estilo]

Old World Collector [3]

---

There was a small plaza at the center of the apartment complex, a square littered with lawn chairs and round tables. It was empty, the furniture that resided within it dripping with water. I advanced, cautiously, keeping my eyes on the windows up above, that covered each side of the wall. It was too dark to see anything inside, and a lot of them were covered with drapes. But I had the strangest feeling someone was watching from up there.

Xlala stayed closely behind me. By now, I had spawned some doubts within my mind. Whether bringing her along was the best idea. Whether she was truly safe with me, and me alone. But, when I had insisted that she stay with a close friend of mine across town, she had stubbornly refused. She wanted to be by my side at all times and... I guess that hit me. I wasn't just a hired caretaker for her anymore. I was something more. And it made me happy.

When I had received word from a clandestine source in the mission compound that the infamous 'Collector' might be holed up in this area, I could not resist investigating the matter. But I had gone in blindly, and I was completely unaware of the number of thugs I would have to face before reaching the criminal. Based on Xlala's previous display of self-defense, against the mercenary that had entered my home, I was somewhat reassured.

I had told her- before entering this territory- that if anything happened to me, I wanted her to run. No exceptions. No struggle. And if she needed to bust a few heads before managing that, her uncanny ability to knock out a person would surely come in handy. There was something more to Xlala than met the eye. I had just known it. And deep down in her mind, everything she used to be was locked away. Then again, however, did I really want to know? The Xlala of the here and now... she was perfect, in my eyes.

[Estilo]

Old World Collector [4]

---

When we reached the center of the small square, I stopped us both in our tracks. I had known it. They had been watching us. And we had fallen into their trap. Or... had they fallen into mine? With the amount of mercs that surrounded us at all sides- coming out of hallways, and apartments, and doors that led to maintenance shafts- I was almost certain that the 'Collector' was somewhere nearby. All I needed to do was take these assholes out.

"Well, well-- what have we got here?" The old man's voice echoed, a snide tone in his vile voice. "Sleeping Beauty and the Red Knight?" The mercenaries uttered a chuckle simultaneously, glaring at me, and watching every single move I made. "Sleeping Beauty I'll sell. Maybe just her brain, though. I'll keep the body." My eyes narrowed, and I felt Xlala's hand grip my own as she stayed behind me. "As for the Red Knight," The 'Collector' continued from his clandestine location. "Tear him to pieces."

They all brandished their blades and blunt objects then, advancing slowly from every side, prepared to do just as they were told. I gripped Xlala's hand tight, just before whispering to her: "Xlala, sit down. I'll handle it from here... okay? Trust me on this." And after a moment, I felt like she was never going to let go of my hand. But she did, and she took her seat on the lawn chair behind her. I was not going to let her down. Not today.

So, after I started to issue hand seals, they came. One of them held a scabbard, and tried to strike me down with it. I, however, managed to paralyze them in their tracks with an ANBU technique- following up with a quick kick to the jaw. As more of the mercs advanced, I would follow up with a series of martial art techniques that would leave them stunned, or unconscious. Heads were slammed against tables, faces broken.

[Estilo]

Old World Collector [5]

---

The ruckus was substantial, and the chaos of it all was not too far from the chaos I had experienced in the throes of war. But I would not let any of these scumbags within a single meter of Xlala, making sure that they kept their distance- or were pummeled into unconsciousness before they even tried. They were running out of manpower, and I was running out of patience. While we damaged each other here, the 'Collector' idly watched.

I grabbed at chairs, smashed them against the backs of my opponents. I punched them in the gut, violently threw them on the ground, and smashed their faces against the asphalt with powerful stomps. I reverse-countered a man who had attempted to slice me apart with his katana blade, taking the blade out of his hands, spinning it once with my own, then slicing off an arm. He screamed as blood jettisoned out of his injury without pause.

With this katana in hand, I would be capable of blocking, countering, parrying, and attacking these armed thugs far easier. And they knew it. A look of surprise, and fear, sunk into their rat-like eyes. They were dealing with a whole different class of enemy now, and they were forced into fighting on the same level. Even then, however, they continued with the assault. Their fear for the 'Collector's' punishment was far stronger.

My gaze shifted over to Xlala's form for a moment, just to make sure she was still there, and followed her stunned gaze towards the man who's arm I had cut off. She was in shock, that much was clear. And I needed to get this over with as soon as I could. Shock wasn't good, not in her condition. So, when the thugs attacked once more, I rushed into a counter. The clashing of blades was rampant, sparks flew. And they would know terror.

[Estilo]

Old World Collector [6]

---

The thugs had all been defeated. Severed limbs scattered upon the now blood-laden asphalt of the square, bodies squirming in pain, as those that remained conscious groaned and cried and wept. I did not want to go this far. Not in front of Xlala. But I had no choice. The 'Collector' was here. I would find him before he- speak of the devil. Holding my katana blade with one hand, my eyes quickly shifted upwards, towards a silhouette against a third-story window. The sharp gleam of glasses had given him away.

I saw that figure disappear into the darkness behind it just as fast as I had spotted it, and it was then that I knew that the 'Collector' was making a run for it. But I would not let him escape so easily. Grabbing Xlala's hand, I chose to ignore her shock for the time being, in order to hunt down the bastard that was trying to have her kidnapped, maimed, and sold.

"Lala, please! Snap out of it! I'm ending this now!" She nodded rapidly, both nervous and semi-aware of what was going on, and followed me as fast as she could. I could have left her here, in front of all these dead bodies, but I didn't. Had I not traumatized her enough already? And what if a thug still remained, somewhere? I could not live with myself if she was taken.

And I wasn't sure what I would do.

No matter what way he saw it, I hoped the 'Collector' knew that he had the most to lose in his endeavor. If he laid a single finger on Xlala, I... I felt like I would kill him. And the moment I had the chance to glare into his eyes, I would let him know that. This was not a game he would win. And, as I ran up the stairs towards the third floor- pulling Xlala behind me- I pondered what kind of reward compelled him to play it. Either way, it'd end here.

[Estilo]

Old World Collector [7]

---

My head turned to and fro, my eyes evaluating everything with minute detail, and experienced past in investigation proving to be quite handy in my endeavor. When I saw the slightly ajar door down the hallway, I ran towards it, and quickly figured that he was not in there. No, I heard footsteps, further down the hallway. He was obviously trying to run.

So I continued past the door, putting myself into the mindset of a dirty, heartless, rat-like creature of a man, afraid of being put behind bars for the rest of his life. Before long, I'd follow the hallway to a balcony on the side of the building- more apartment doors on one side, and a great view of Kumogakure no Sato on the other. There, trying to smash the glass to a fire extinguisher, was the 'Collector'. Like the rat he was, he'd hit a dead-end.

I let go of Xlala's hand, motioning her to stay behind me, as I slowly approached the super-criminal. 'This is the end of the line, Collector." I started, eyes glaring into his own beady black orbs. He stopped trying to bash his weak elbow through the glass, stopped trying to gain access to the fire extinguisher within. It seemed like he was coming to terms with it.

He was a rather short man, just below five feet tall. He had sharp gray hair, smoothed back with gleaming gel, that ended in spikes at the back of his neck. His glasses were horn-rimmed, and looked expensive. His attire was that of a business man- composed of a black suit, white shit, black bow tie, neatly pressed pants, and shiny black shoes. His mouth was a snarl.

[Estilo]

Old World Collector [8]

---

The shinobi of Kumogakure no Sato, who had arrived on the scene shortly after I had radioed for them to come, hauled the 'Collector' away in hand cuffs. He was no longer going to enjoy the freedom of a criminal mastermind living in luxury at the heart of Kumogakure no Sato. And I would ensure that the system didn't find a way to exempt him of his crimes this time. He wasn't the only one with sway in the government, after all.

I glared at him from the balcony up above, on the third story of the large apartment complex. I could hear the sound of conversation down the hallway, the agents that had arrived helping the injured criminals into ambulances, that would later have them all end up in prison. And, when I least expected it, I felt Xlala's hand gently entwine with my own.

I glanced at her from out of the corner of my eye, scared of what she thought of me now, of what she had perceived- after seeing me with that bloodied katana blade in hand. I was a monster. In battle, I was a monster. And a majority of people always had trouble swallowing that fact down, and coming to terms with it. But, against the odds, I hope she was different.

"Lala, I-" I was embraced, tightly wrapped arms hugging my waist, as she dug her nose into the folds of my long coat. Effectively stunned, I could not find the words to respond. So, in what could be construed as the simplest of gestures, I raised a single hand and laid it across her back as she hugged me. I wasn't just a murderer to her. I was something more. Something better.

G A M E O V E R

[Estilo]

Chapter Thirty

Old World Runaway

Name: Old World Runaway
Rank: B
Description: Thanks to you, we managed to put the "collector" behind bars for his thievery and crimes. But being behind bars will only delay his operations for a short while. In order to truly protect the subject we found in that bunker, we're going to need to send them away- out of Kumogakure no Sato and into a new life somewhere else. We'd like you to arrange the specifics of this transition- changing his/her appearance, setting up a new identity, ensuring everything is untraceable, and finding a suitable civilian village. If any hired hands are trailing you, quickly rid yourself of them.
Reward: 300 experience, 5,000 ryo
Minimum Shinobi: 1
Mission Status: Interminable
Requirements: 'Old World Collector'. Must have roleplayed the capture of the "collector" at the end of the aforementioned mission.

It had been days since the 'Collector' had been captured. Days filled with a peace and happiness that I had always longed for. Since... well, since I woke up from Armageddon. With the super-criminal who had been trying to capture her behind bars, Xlala was as exuberant and carefree as ever. And it made me overjoyed to see her this way. No longer troubled by the seclusion, no longer worried about the prospect of being abducted-- at least for now.

As morning rays of sunlight filtered through the blinds covering my bedroom window, I slowly came to wakefulness once more, yawning with a silent lion's roar. Underneath the velvety sheets, Xlala's dainty fingers ran distractedly across the width of my chest, whilst her other hand remained buried beneath the cool side of her pillow. My eyes shifted towards her own. A sleepy smile played across her lips when she noticed me eyeing her.

We didn't say a word. And we didn't need to. Where we were at, what we were doing, who we had become-- it felt so damn right. And, had I not been scheduled into a meeting with the Jounin-Commander, I would have been perfectly content with spending the entirety of the day in the house with her. Funny. How we were suddenly given a chance at exploring the world outside, then decide to 'enjoy' each other's company indoors instead.

My hand ran gently through her currently unkempt dark hair, as I stared into those beautiful hues of dark blue she called her eyes. It was like staring into the heart of the ocean itself. A color so hypnotizing and deep that I felt humbled in its presence. Hoisting myself up on one elbow, I leaned towards her, and my lips met her own. "I'm goin' to get ready for my meeting." I whispered, pausing from our lover's embrace. "Wait for me here?"

[Estilo]

Old World Runaway [2]

---

With the both of us seated, there was a large obsidian desk between us, nothing but a few papers and pens scattered about. The office was quite spacious, but held little furniture. Save for the chairs and desk, there was nothing more than a cabinet stocked with books, a large safe, and a tropical plant in the corner. The opened window behind the Jounin-Commander lit up the room with natural sunlight. A rare gift, in Kumogakure no Sato.

"Save me the time, and tell me exactly what I'm here for." I started, rather abruptly. My gaze was stern, my seated stance on the chair calm and articulate. When it concerned Xlala, I was not the one for games of whatever caliber. And I could tell that the news comin' wasn't going to be good. So I braced myself for it, observing the Jounin-Commander's gestures.

The man would sigh, leaning back on his leather chair. "It's about subject delta-- Xlala, as you call her." He'd pause there for a moment, his dark eyes shifting to the papers scattered about in neat piles on his desk. "She's not safe here. We know that the 'Collector' is operating out of his prison now. So we're going to need to relocate her elsewhere--"

I nodded, finishing his sentence for him "Indefinitely. I know." I'd dealt with these sort of situations before. With foreign shinobi who sought to remain off their former village's radar, from government officials who needed to hide from their assassins, from witnesses to crimes who needed to be protected. But with Xlala... this entire operation had hit me hard.

[Estilo]

Old World Runaway [3]

---

"What do you mean?" She asked, growing frantic by the second, eyes widened. "We... we captured him. He's gone! He can't come after me anymore!" I'd told her what had occurred, and what we were expected to do, and I did not expect her to take the topic lightly. And she wasn't. She kept her arms crossed as she stared into my eyes, as if she were trying to decipher a solution within them, or a hint of a poorly thought of ruse.

But, as I tried to let her know by gripping her hand firmly, I was not kidding at all. This was real. And the threat was real. "I'm sorry, Xlala. You're just... you're just not safe here... understand? And if something happened to you, if they took you, just because I wanted you to stay... I wouldn't be able to live with myself. So, please... try to understand?"

Her eyes quivered, the resolute look on her face slowly dimming down. It seemed that she was beginning to understand... to come to terms with it. Although, I was certain that it was just as hard for her, as it had been for me. Before I could console her, she darted forward and embraced me, arms wrapped around my back. "I still want to see the world... with you."

I didn't hear her cry. But I could feel her-- shivering in my embrace, rubbing her face into the folds on my coat. I had promised her I would show her the world. And I still would, if I could help it. But her safety... that was all that mattered now. I backed away from her, just enough to cup her chin lightly between my thumb and index. Our eyes met. "I won't give up on you so easily, La'. And one day, maybe soon, we will see the world together."

[Estilo]

Old World Runaway [4]

---

Successfully relocating a person took many steps. Having worked in the trade for so long, however, I knew exactly what I was going for-- and, at most times, where I would find it. The most paramount factor of this entire ordeal, at least for me, was keeping it all as clandestine as I possibly could. The Collector, operating out of his cramped little hub in the prison, would surely send spies to follow me around. And I needed to lose them.

So, finding that simply evading them would not be enough to ensure that they would not find me again, I decided I'd lead them into a trap. Walking into an alleyway in the southern district of Kumogakure no Sato, then taking a sharp turn into a dead end. By the time they reached said dead end, I would be nowhere in immediate sight. By the time they investigated, I'd swoop down and knock them both unconscious within a few seconds.

With the duo that had been following me officially down for the count, I was free to continue hastily with my chores. Xlala was in safe hands-- or so the Jounin-Commander promised me. And by now, she was most likely receiving her 'make-over'. My job was to find her a new identity, and a new village to call home. Although Kumogakure no Sato had access to this sort of thing, I preferred to take the task into my own hands. Just to be sure.

As far as I knew, Kumogakure no Sato and its officials were compromised. Call it intuition, but I had the strangest feeling that the Collector had agents working under his discretion in the inner-workings of the Raikage tower. I needed to be extra cautious, then. And hurry today's task, in order to return to Xlala as soon as I could. Operating beside people I trusted, and taking her out of here myself, would be the best way of ensuring she was safe.

[Estilo]

Old World Runaway [5]

---

In the shadier parts of downtown Kumogakure no Sato, amongst the thriving marketplaces and shopping districts, resided a clandestine little plaza that just so happened to be nestled between two elongated cemeteries. And in this clandestine plaza, there was an old man by the name of Hogusho-- or Hogo, for short. I'd known the man since my early days in Kumogakure no Sato, with nothing to my name but a weathered sword and a clock-watch.

If there was anyone I could trust with forging nearly perfect examples of passports and papers, in this case pertaining to Xlala's new identity, this was the man I was going to put my trust in. There was a strict no questions asked, no answers spilled policy at his booth, and I respected him for it. Kami only knew how much time it had saved, and how many nasty encounters it had avoided, back when I had been training as a shinobi.

I told him the specifics of the change-- what I wanted it to say, how I wanted it to look, and a plethora of other little details that only made it look more and more authentic. But, when asked what name I wished to see imprinted, I paused. Xlala. That was the only name I knew her by, and probably the only name I'd ever know her by. But, despite that, I managed to come up with an alternative. "Hana." Simple, but suitable for the task.

In the end, her new identity would be that of Hana Hattori. She was a florist from Kuma no Kuni, the Land of Bears. Incidentally, the same country from which I had hailed. She was married, once, then promptly divorced. Her ex-husband was a construction worker, who was later killed during a skirmish in Tsuchi no Kuni. That skirmish being the Second Great War. The pieces to this puzzle were all coming together now. Soon, we'd be ready to leave.

[Estilo]

Old World Runaway [6]

---

In search of a new village for this "Hana Hattori", I would have to make my way out of Kumogakure no Sato first. But, even before that, I needed to ensure that any spies ready to follow me out of the gates needed to be disposed of. So I exited the gates casually, knowing that some of the Collector's spies would be located at this checkpoint. And prepared to combat their advances. I followed a highway out, into the wilderness.

Before they even realized I was leading them into a trap, I issued a swift array of hand seals. Sharply taking a turn, a duo of lightning-composed tigers would roar into existence at each side of me, their glowing blue eyes directed at the figures that tried to hide in the shadows of the pine trees. They seemed to be starting to issue hand seals, too, but the tiger's were rushing towards them then. Their eyes would widen at the sight.

One of the tigers would managed to take down one of the spies before he managed to finish his seals. The other, however, would reach the last spy only a few seconds late. He'd inhale, and exhale sharply, as a gust of strong winds was blown from his mouth with such force that it buffeted my lightning tiger. As his comrade screamed in agony, he managed to defeat my second tiger. By the time he turned his gaze to me, I was ready.

I ran towards him, and leaped with chakra-propelled feet when he tried to tear me to pieces with his blown wind, coming down from the sky with a chidori in hand. Before he could look up, and provide a counter-attack, I came down with such force that my chidori tore off his arm. Blood sprayed into the sky, he started screaming in high-pitched tones. To put him out of his misery, I quickly retrieved a kunai and threw it at his head.