200 km/h in the wrong lane [search]

[daisy]

dissolve me ♥

It had been a long journey. I would be ever grateful for Matsumoto's company, especially through the arid desert of the land of wind, in which his guidance was immensely helpful. However, upon our trek through the land of fire, we were equally uninformed. Though I had performed a few missions there, none had given me many clues as to its geography, but fortunately our destination was straight forward - simply to pass directly across the country. My world recorder had proven invaluable there, and we had covered the distance in less than a week. Obtaining passage to the land of water was rather more difficult, given the tensions between the two lands, but passing ourselves off as a mother and daughter in need, alongside my trademark charms, had achieved our goal.

I laughed lightly, remembering the conversation. All negotiations fell to me, of course, given Matsumoto's rather lacking manners and charm, but his delicate, feminine appearance seemed to garner us slightly more sympathy. And finally, we were in the land of water, ready to begin our search. I wasn't quite sure where to begin, and asking around would have to be done with caution. Though I was a sensor type shinobi - my arsenal well equipped to deal with tracking and observing - finding a hidden village was a rather different matter than locating an enemy shinobi on the battlefield. 

"My, such grunt work! If only our task wasn't one of such secrecy, the Kazekage could've sent out a scouting force ahead of us," It had been difficult to conceal my true identity and motives from my companion as we traveled, but I couldn't quite make up my mind about telling him. On one hand, he was simply a Genin, and therefore not likely to be privy to any classified information, but on the other, he had proven himself useful, and I truly appreciated his help.

As far as Matsumoto knew, his task was simply to escort me to the land of water.
"I do hope you don't mind aiding me in my search? I'm quite sure the Kazekage can spare you for a day or two more," Of course, I knew nothing of the sort, but Aka Mu-n didn't strike me as the pedantic type.
"I apologise for the secrecy, but my mission is one of great diplomatic importance, direct orders from the Kazekage and all that. I'm sure you understand," All this lying, poor thing. But it was simply too dangerous to confess who I truly was, and what I hoped to achieve here...

[matsumoto-kun]

The shade which passed over the pale visage of the genin would cast it into temporary darkness. Adding an unneeded hint of mystery to the boy's already allusive emotion, his eyes would peek through the shadow as his eyes would meet with his current commander. His eyes were dull, and hazel, and perhaps it was an odd feeling to be under such constant shade, but they appeared to narrow as they locked with her own. He was significantly shorter than her, but from what his look would emit from him- he clearly felt as though he was seven feet tall.

"I've been ordered to escort you for as long as need me, Akira-chan. There's no use wasting your breath on apologies and assurances- an order is an order, and I'm pleased to follow through. Although, I must admit that I did not approach this mission strictly professionally..." While Matsumoto was never one to smile, he offered her a curt nod to which would hint to her a semblance of respect before turning back towards the road in which they traveled. He didn't appear to offer much follow up to the open ended sentence he had left her with, perhaps the shyness associated with men his age with women her age.

The scenery had changed only slightly from their passage from Hi no Kuni beyond the borders of Mizu no Kuni. The trees were plentiful, and had a great number of leaves, insects, and other soft wildlife. It was something that he had still not gotten used to. The occasional jump or rustling of the foliage sending his hand directly to the hilt of his tanto. It was odd how simple the desert worked. If something was moving towards you, then it was likely coming to kill you. Here, in the forest, things seemed to simply 'live.' There was peace for the first time in his entire life, outside of Kaze no Kuni. What an odd experience for someone his age to experience for the first time. 

The countryside road seemed to be quite barren at this time of the day. It was considerably early, with the sun having only recently peaked over the mountaintops to their backs. To the front of them, they would be approaching the city where they were told would be the best in order to have access to a boat that they might be able to commission to begin their journey towards Kirigakure no Sato. This would be where Matsumoto would allow his commander to go about her mission solo, but there was something biting at the back of his brain, and it was becoming more evident as their journey continued.

Raising his head to look at her once more, he would begin to mouth something before quickly shifting his head forward and shaking himself out of it. Running a little ahead of the woman, he would turn back quickly with a serious expression.

"We're coming up on the town, sensei."

[daisy]

everybody knows this is nowhere ♥

I raised an arched eyebrow at his words, a hint of a smile playing about my mouth. Perhaps my observations were incorrect, but he seemed slightly different here, as opposed to the mission in which we had been made acquainted. Though of course the situations were rather different, and his words betrayed no change in his attitude, I still sensed something. I was very intuitive, after all! I left his words hanging in the air, content to enjoy the scenery as we walked. I had not known exactly what to expect of the land of water, though Kirigakure had always sounded dreary and damp.

Such pleasant surroundings were not what I had anticipated, however, and it was most welcome. Still, it would not do to get complacent. Our walk may have been enjoyable, but this country was at war. Well, more prudent to say its shinobi village was at war, but such did not occur without the conflict spilling over. Matsumoto caught my attention then, appearing as if to speak, before apparently reconsidering.
"Indeed. If we can but uncover the general direction of Kirigakure, we can proceed with the search... But, is there a problem, Matsumoto dear? We have quite the ways to go together, you're free to speak openly in my company,"

I supposed we were still strangers, of course, but it could become important that we worked well together, here in foreign lands. I didn't anticipate combat, not strongly, but being caught in some form of crossfire between Kiri and Konoha remained possible. I feared not for myself, but I was responsible for the boy, and I couldn't bear him hurt in my care. Still, as long as I remained vigilant, such a situation could ideally be avoided.

I caught up to Matsumoto, and saw the town ahead of us. Once within, we could begin gathering information, but where to start? Simply asking the locals aimlessly would achieve nothing, but nor could we approach Kirigakure shinobi. Capturing one and forcing the information from them was an option, but I would not resort to such brutality. Manipulation and charm were more my speed, but if need be I carried enough Ryo with me to fall back on bribery.

We had to get that location, after all.

[matsumoto-kun]

The horizon would reveal the location in which they would soon dedicate a significant amount of time to. While he was unfamiliar with Akira's experience, the introduction of lay before them would quickly cast his mind into an odd abyss of possibility. At the bottom of the hill in which they stood would appear a decently sized township, curling around the water on a tiered city structure which would place homes higher the further they were from the water. However, it wasn't the city that really made him so curious- it was the image of the endless amounts of water which laid so casually across the curtain of the sky. A small gust of wind would push against his back, his cape fluttering along with various strands of his hair as he would be so aimlessly lost in the view. The smell of the ocean filled his nostrils, and while they were a considerable distance from the shore, he could still understand what he had always heard about when it came to the ocean. 

Turning back to Akira, he would listen to her words with eyes perusing the ground at her feet. He wasn't sure how to ask her what he wanted to ask. The fact was simple, however. As she approached him, he might be able to muster up the courage. Despite not seeing anywhere near the extent of her abilities, or vice versa, Ushinawa could tell that his companion held incredible strength. To garnish the respect of the Kazekage, it was all the more evident. Mu-n was an incredibly powerful man, and despite being his instructor, was quite strict in his methods. Having been a part of many battles, the boy had seen a fair amount of techniques, all used in various methods to kill and incapacitate one's enemy. The more that he could learn, the more efficient he would be on the battlefield, and perhaps the more he could prove to his kage, that he was worthy of more missions of this nature.

Perhaps this wasn't the right time, however.

"I've never seen the ocean before," He would convey as a temporary deterrent to the topic he really wanted to cover. Lifting his hat from his belt, he would place it over his head, lowering the brim to cover the top portion of his face. "How should we approach the situation?"

.  

[daisy]

the littlest birds ♥

If he did not feel comfortable speaking on a topic, I would not press it. Though he was technically my subordinate on this mission, he was still a person, and I would treat him with such respect. I couldn't help smiling at his comment, however. It must be quite striking, seeing it for the first time, though he would've gotten a better view on the boat that carried us here. As I led the way down into the town proper, I considered his question.

"With tact, naturally. We shouldn't arouse too much suspicion simply asking about its general direction, as we will have to search manually regardless. I do, however, have a rather more preferable plan, but it has its drawbacks..." I wouldn't elaborate, as I was undecided myself. I would simply have to attempt it when we were close enough. As we narrowed the distance, reaching the bottom of the hill, the town gates drew up before us - though it was more an unassuming archway, plain and rather empty, as only a few people came and went at a time.

For that matter, did it make sense for towns to become busier or more quiet with a war raging nearby? Naturally people fled danger, but those seeking business or opportunity tended to gravitate towards areas of conflict. As we passed beneath the arch and into the town itself, I closed my eyes and held a single handseal beneath my long, concealing sleeves.
"Don't let me bump into anything, darling," I teased, more than comfortable relying on my other senses. There was no need for sight when one could see the very energy of the world around them.

I hoped Matsumoto wouldn't question me, though I wasn't sure whether he had seen me use the jutsu during the mission? I couldn't recall. Regardless, I was searching for something quite vague, but it was the only starting point I had thought of. The best course of action was probably to simply tail a Kirigakure shinobi, but there was no guarantee we would spot one, and it was possible they would not display their headbands while here on business. My method involved searching for a chakra signature that was on the same level as a shinobi's, as well as the water release.

"Two o'clock, sweetie. Can you see a headband?"

SPOILER: Click to show

{jutsu}Kagura Shingan (Kagura Mind’s Eye) [150]
Rank: A
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m), Mid (5m ~ 10), Far (10m+)
Type: Supplementary
Handseals: 1
Chakra Consumption: Low per 15 meters: Miniscule sustain (1x Low)
Kagura Shingan is an advanced Sensory Ninjutsu technique used by all sensors, and serves as the root to the entire sensory tree. After performing the necessary handseal, the sensor closes their eyes and uses their innate ability to detect Chakra in order to determine the location of their opponent by the faintest of Chakra trails, as well as discerning the size of an approaching unseen force, and even their Chakra capacity.

This sensory technique can also discern whether or not a person is under the effects of a Genjutsu; which elements they have at their command (even advanced releases), and likewise mask their own Chakra signature (user’s) from other sensory ninja. The focus required to do the latter (masking their signature) prohibits their other sensing abilities, however.

Note: It should be noted that no other jutsu can be used while this technique is active. This jutsu requires Admin Approval. Restricted to Ninjutsu/Genjutsu Masters and Jack-of-all-trades. Consumes one release slot from Ninjutsu/Genjutsu Masters and either a release or fighting style slot from Jack-of-all-trades.

[matsumoto-kun]

Passing through the threshold at her side, Ushinawa would attempt to consider what this woman might have had up her sleeve. The introduction to the hustle and bustle of city was lackluster at best. With a menial number of souls seen traversing the streets, perhaps it was a bit anticlimactic for their arrival. After all, this was the first town that they had come across in a considerable amount of their journey. Scanning the area quickly, as most in the profession of battle often do, he would gather a quick understanding of how the town worked. 

'Drawbacks...?'

Quaint and without much activity, the drab nature of the town seemed to be due to its lack of any real attention aside from the number of docks which lined the town. Mostly on stilts, the homes were made of light materials that would no doubt be capable of withstanding the wind, at the cost of dreadfully sweltering temperatures if there was much opportunity for sun at all. However, as Ushinawa looked towards the dull sky, a myriad of cerulean and pewter, it would be difficult to imagine this place covered in anywhere near the amount of sun that a township in Kaze no Kuni would face. There wasn't much beyond that, really. The paint on most of the buildings had begun to chip and show their age, while the remainder of them appeared almost too shabby to pay much mind to. The smell of fish filled the air, along with the sounds of bells something Ushinawa would learn to quickly associate with boats.

Walking along the boardwalk, Akira would begin to perform a jutsu that would require her eyes to slide to a close. While he could tell she would instruct him to watch over her in jest, he couldn't help but draw his body closer to hers in the off chance that she tripped over a poorly placed plank, or a strong gust of would were to impede her somehow. Her command came quickly. Peering to his right, he could make out the back of a figure. Seated over a small bench looking out into the ocean, it would appear to be someone of a moderate build, consumed within a sharp black trench coat- sitting near motionlessly as they took their time with the day. Their features remained a mystery due to their position. 

Under his breath, he would relay his visual. "I can't see from this position... I'll engage."

There was a notable amount of space on the streets of this town. Given his position, it would be nigh impossible to get a look at the persons face without blatantly approaching them from the front. It was likely at this point that Ushinawa's looks might come into play...  

[daisy]

chasing pavements ♥

With my jutsu active, I could see Matsumoto's chakra get even brighter as he drew closer, presumably in response to my teasing request. I was growing fond of the strange, beautiful child. I took a moment to read him, while still keeping my attention mainly on our target. His chakra levels were rather smaller than mine, which was little surprise given his young age and rank, and it appeared his preferred element was fire. Useful to know, but quite the aggressive style for his collected demeanour.

I had rather neglected any training in the elemental releases, choosing to dedicate myself more to mastery of my bloodline and genjutsu. I was passably proficient in earth jutsu, which I felt was expected of me, to an extent, as the Tsuchikage. Still, such musings had no place here, and I nodded at Matsumoto's words. I trusted the boy enough to know 'engage' did not mean he would confront the suspect, but I could not say what methods he would employ. Releasing the handseal, I opened my eyes to watch.

Though I had taken the lead - as was appropriate - throughout our journey, it would be useful to learn more of his methods, both in and out of combat. All I knew of his fighting capabilities was what I had seen on our brief mission, where he had followed commands and adapted to the situation very well. It would be simple to make the man look up, and reveal whether he bore a headband, but whether it was done with subtlety was another matter.

If we could ascertain whether he was a Kirigakure shinobi, we could simply shadow him to the village. Though of course, perhaps he was on a mission, and would be heading elsewhere. Perhaps he simply wouldn't return for a long time. It was all rather difficult, and we would simply have to play it by hear, while keeping our identities and objectives concealed.

Oh, the life of a shinobi!

[matsumoto-kun]

As Ushinawa approached the man on the bench, his already incredibly light steps would continue to grow softer and softer upon his approach. His gait grew smaller, and his hips began to sway slightly more as he would lift the hat from his head, and let it flutter slightly behind him as the wind would pick up its massive brim. Tucking it to his side, his hair would soon follow. Tilting his head slightly, his long dark hair would fall to his side before he would flip it over to the opposite side, giving him a more 'rustled' look. His hips began to sway in a more feminine fashion, and his shoulders, usually rigid and raised, lowered. His neck, unusually long to begin with, would appear that much more, while the collar of his cape would continue to maintain the secrecy of the scar decorating his throat. Of course, this would all be upon his approach to the seated person, the spread of his legs, and the size of his shoulders hinting that the identity was that of a man.

Having abandoned all signs of his allegiance to Sunagakure, there would be only a slight risk of being discovered to be something other than what he was perceiving himself to be. A persona that he had picked up from his short time traveling with Akira, he was not incapable of imitating that which he was so easily mistaken for to begin with.

"Excuse me, sir?" His voice, a number of octaves higher, would relay a few feet behind the man who had appeared to be genuinely lost within his thought. A rustling of the contents which had accumulated on his lap would reveal a young man, early twenties, who had been in the middle of eating his breakfast. Crumbs littering the sides of his mouth, he would continue to chew as he turned. The papers covering the dumpling which he had been eating, no doubt part of a typical Water Country breakfast, would ruffle as he gripped it harder, assuring it wouldn't fall as he pulled his elbow over the back of the bench. Once ensuring that they had made eye contact, Ushinawa would continue to speak in a voice that made him seem both girly, and somewhat interested. "I can't seem to find my pet rabbit. Have you happened to see her around here?"

Taking a step closer, Ushinawa's eyes would scan the man's exposed features. As he finished his bite in a hurry, he would sloppily wipe away the excess of crumbs which had accumulated around his mouth. Shaking his head before he could swallow, he would eventually be able to answer. By then, of course, a number of details had already been assessed. Appearing as though he was 'checking him out' any sign of a headband was his true goal. The head, no. The arms, no. The waist, no. Of course, continuing his step forward, his delicate fingers would eventually find themselves at the back of the wooden bench in which the man stood. Crossing his legs and beginning to sway his body slightly back and forth, Ushinawa smiled down at the man as he expected his answer, with his back turned to Akira, however, it would be a secret remaining between himself and the target.

"I can't say that I have, little girl. What's his name? Maybe I can give you a call if he shows up." He said with a cheesy green. His eyes were innocent, and while he didn't show any sign of hostility, it was evident that he had seen at least a few battles. The details of his hands, and the mesh top exposed beneath his trench coat- he was no rookie.

"Her name, is Yuki, because she's as white as snow," Ushinawa added with a deep giggle, raising a closed hand to his mouth. He had hoped to entice a bit of laughter from the man. "So, yes, please give me a call if you see anything. Do you have anything to write with?" He added, backing away from the bench with a slow retreat- his eyes maintaining their focus on the man's body.

"Oh- I- I believe I do!" He exclaimed, jumping to his feet as he began to pat his body down in an attempt to find something hidden within the contents of his coat. Turning towards Ushinawa, and perhaps Akira in the background, it wouldn't take long for the final part of his body to come into view. Wrapped around his right thigh, a metal band would come into view. Four wavering lines would signify his status as a ninja of Kirigakure no Sato.

Mission accomplished.  

[daisy]

carmen, carmen ♥

Whatever I had expected, it had not been this. The way he changed his movements, his demeanour, it was captivating! I had naturally thought along the lines of his androgynous appearance being an asset in matters of espionage or disguise, but Matsumoto had given no hint that he was aware of it himself. Indeed, he had seemed, to me, if not oblivious then entirely indifferent to how feminine he looked. As I eavesdropped on their conversation, my smile widened. Truly, I was so proud! Kunoichi were often at an inherent disadvantage to male shinobi, at least in terms of raw strength, and I had always believed in using every weapon at our disposal - charm and appearance chief among them.

But perhaps I ought to play a minor part in this deception too, so I stood with my arms crossed, looking impatient, as I listened. Poor man, though. Kirigakure shinobi or not, he was clearly interested in my companion. Though, given the ages... perhaps I shouldn't feel too sorry for him. It was rather inappropriate. Although, that was an interesting thought... Was Matsumoto interested in men? I hoped he wasn't particularly interested in anybody, given his young age, but children grew up so fast these days!

Ah, but there it was. Wonderfully done, Matsumoto!
"Come along dear, stop bothering the nice man. Father's waiting, I'm sure we'll find your little rabbit soon," I called, marching over to my companion and putting an arm around his slender shoulders. I hoped I looked more like his elder sister than his mother - I was still young! I smiled at the man apologetically, before ushering Matsumoto away. When we were far enough away, I laughed softly.
"My, my, my, you're full of surprises aren't you?"

I led the way around a corner and down a small side street, even emptier than the rather sparse main thoroughfare.
"Consider me most impressed, I could scarcely have done it better!" It was perhaps not true, as men were simple creatures and I had rather more obvious assets with which to manipulate them, but still, it did not detract from the boy's victory.
"The problem now is - will he return to Kirigakure? And should he do so, it may not be for some time yet. I suppose we shall simply have to keep him in our sights for now," I peered around the corner as I said that, noting that he sat there still, having returned to his meal.

[matsumoto-kun]

Before the man could find the tools necessary to jot down Ushinawa's 'number,' there would be a quick, and rather well timed, interruption. The weight of Akira's arm around his shoulder would instinctually cause him to look up at her. Of course, without breaking character, his hand would raise to touch her own, as any little sister would do under the embrace of their older sibling. As she turned the two of them around to begin their retreat, Ushinawa's head would turn back, catching the man's eye as the two of them strutted away.

"See ya~" He said with an abashed grin.

Once they would make their way around the corner, and out of sight of the man who had last been seen with a face filled with a  bewildering disappointment, the character would drop nearly immediately. As she began to compliment him on his performance, he would move away from her grip, shaking his shoulders and hair in a way to resume his previous veneer of masculinity. It was clear that the act made him uncomfortable, but only after there was no more sign of it. Turning back to her, he would tilt his head once more to his left side before gathering the excess into a punch at his side. His eyes had grown from sensuous to sharp. His air of elusiveness had become an air of evasiveness. He was back to himself, which might have been to his partners chagrin.

"It was simple," He said with a hefty sigh, looking to the facade of the building to his right as he would continue to comb through his hair to make it appear a bit more tamed. "That sounds like a good idea. I noticed, despite being a lecher, he did not looked as though he was at least a Chuunin. We shouldn't take him lightly." He conveyed with a hushed voice, taking a few steps closer to Akira as the words spilled from his mouth.

Looking towards the rooftops of the quiet town, hey would attempt to further his understanding of the town's layout. Few things stood over twenty feet in height, and despite being a town where the streets and sidewalks consisted of purely wooded boardwalk, the town had more of a western feel. Layered tile lined the rooftops, and classic windowpanes with various nautical themes were indicative of the fact that it was no doubt a port town.

"What's my position?" He asked, finally finishing with his hair- straightening his posture. 

[daisy]

to weave the web ♥

As Matsumoto returned to normal, and I secretly mourned the loss of the charming girl I had seen only briefly, I considered our plan of attack. Naturally, as shinobi, even a Genin, we should have no trouble in simply observing the man while remaining unseen - unless we had rather underestimated him. But having read his chakra signature, it being slightly below even Matsumoto's, I was not overly concerned. He was proficient in water ninjutsu, but nothing else stood out about our target. Still, it wouldn't do to get complacent.

"Henge will have to do here. Cover the entrance we used, I'll take the road ahead. Make sure to keep him within your sights. Do you have a radio?" It would certainly be the easiest way to communicate while we were separated. Still, while I waited for him to respond, I performed quick handseals, and was replaced by a short, stout woman, appearing to be in her forties. Given the lack of foot traffic, especially in our alleyway, we were at no risk of being seen transforming.

"If not, we shall simply have to play it by ear. As long as we can both see him, simply follow at a distance whichever direction he moves in. Should be sufficient, non?" It was not the most elegant plan, but the most basic were often the most effective. Our objective was simply surveillance until our target moved, and from then, we would simply have to hope he was heading for Kirigakure. I would depend on my co-operation with Matsumoto, and his astuteness, rather than a set in stone plan.

I winked at him, looking rather bizarre coming from such a dumpy woman, before I waddled out into the street, mingling with the sparse crowd to the north of our target, who had still not moved. I paused, looking over the wares in a stall, keeping the man in view out of the corner of my eye.

And now we waited.

SPOILER: Click to show

{jutsu}Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) [0]
Rank: E
Range: Close (0m ~ 5m)
Type: Supplementary
Handseals: 3
Chakra: Miniscule: Miniscule sustain per 2 turns
Henge no Jutsu is an Academy Ninjutsu technique. After performing a set of handseals, the user takes on the form of another object, whether it be an animal, plant, or inanimate object. This transformation is exactly like the genuine article, so it is impossible to tell the two apart without special methods.

Note: The user can transform themselves into an object of average, small, or miniature size. This means that one cannot Henge into a Bijuu, summon, or other gigantic object.

[matsumoto-kun]

"I'm afraid I don't- but you're right, we can stick to non verbal communication."

Nodding to the command, Ushinawa's hands quickly fell into place to form a small number of seals in order to prepare his chakra for the feat at hand. Within a 'poof' he would be immersed in a small cloud of smoke that, once faded, would reveal a man a few inches taller than Ushinawa. Short blonde brown hair would be tussled into dismay as he pulled at the straps of his overalls covering a long waffle knit sweater. Giving him the appearance of an average carpenter, he would respond to Akira's wink with a curt nod before moving launching himself into the air with a subtle step. Landing atop one of the buildings, he would begin to walk around the top as though he were sent to inspect the roof tiling in case someone called him out. Of course, without making it obvious, he would be eyeing the activity of the man they had marked as their target.

Meanwhile, the Kiri-nin would finish his breakfast. Jumbling the paper into a ball, he would toss it casually into a trash bin a few feet away. Nothing but net. Stretching his feet out, he would snap open the top of a small bottle of orange juice before taking a sip. Reaching into his pocket, he would remove a small pocket watch which would reveal the time to him, and of course anyone close enough to see the face. It was slightly reflective, so even without much sun, would send a light flash to those in the right position.

8:06.

"He's late..." The man would mutter under his breath, looking out at the ocean as he took another sip of his juice.

"Oi! Oshitaka!" A voice would project from a few meters down the street from the sitting man. Genuinely surprised, the Kiri-nin's neck would jerk to his right to lay eyes on the person that had called his name. "You got a lot of nerve showing your face in this town..."

He was a man of considerable stature. His hair was of an unnatural blonde coloration, and was slicked back to the point where it was hard to tell it was really hair. A loose kimono would cover the majority of the man's body, save the portions of his chest which would be littered with various tattoos of knives, skeletons, mermaids and the like. His legs were bare except for the bicycle shorts which would occasionally reveal themselves with his considerably long stride. The men behind him would appear to be trouble as well. Leather jackets, odd hair styles, and various other flamboyant dress would reveal their gang affiliation. As Oshitaka slowly rose to his feet, he would smile nervously- his hands instantly retreating to his chest as he revealed his palms to the men- his juice falling to the ground within an instant.

"Oh- Oh hey Kinomura... I, uh, didn't expect you to be up this early." He said with a chuckle, taking a step back for every step the men towards him.

"We still haven't been paid for the work you had us do last time you were here. Ashikata has a kid to feed. Domu's mother has been in the hospital these passed few weeks- that cash you promised us would really come in hand," It was difficult to tell if the blonde man was being serious as he pointed to various members of his crew upon his approach towards Oshitaka. "We think it's about time you paid up. Wouldn't you?" 

[daisy]

drudgery ♥

Hmm, was he waiting for somebody? If this were simply a social outing, we could be waiting rather a long time. I didn't exactly fancy surveillance while he were taking his sweetheart out on a date. Though perhaps it would be good for Matsumoto to observe courtship, I didn't want him to turn out like most men when he grew up. It was strange, I was growing rather fond of the boy. He wasn't the typical shinobi youth, all fire and recklessness. He seemed rather more... thoughtful? It was hard to tell, he wasn't particularly forthcoming. Still, he certainly seemed to have a great deal of potential. If only I had the chance to spend such time with the Genin of my own village...

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of some fashionably scruffy men, their garb seemingly denoting their association with one another. My, could this be trouble? Perhaps our target was in with some bad sorts? I did hope we would not be dragged on some cat and mouse chase, following him to entirely unhelpful locations...

"Well, see, I was lookin' for you the other day, but you weren't around. I had the money then, too, all ready," The Kirigakure shinobi, Oshitaka as we had now learned, said. He looked rather stressed, clearly he had not been expecting such visitors. Poor man, resorting to hiring such thugs? How embarrassing for a shinobi!
"Ah, that's just too bad. Well, as long as you have it, let's just go get it, shall we?" Could this be to our benefit? If he had money stashed away anywhere, it would be at his home, no? And his home would be...

"I mean, sure, no problem, ahaa! It's pretty far though, you know? Hidden village, and all that..." Naturally they knew he was a shinobi, and as such, would know where he lived. Oshitaka seemed understandably reluctant, but his questioner seemed not to care.
"Better get going then, huh?" Ooh, you wonderful man Kinomura! If only you knew how much you were helping us! Two of Kinomura's 'friends' strutted over to Oshitaka, taking up position on either side of him, looking ominously friendly.

"Y-yeah, sure..."

[matsumoto-kun]

"We have 'The Scaring Whisper' docked at #12." Kinomura would begin to say as he and his men would escort the ninja towards the docks. Shuffling his arms into a crossing motion at his stomach, his kimono would be pushed to the side as a testament to his muscle. It should have been more obvious the moment he had entered the fray. The tattoos; the demeanor; the crew- they were clearly men of the sea. 

Tilting his cap a little further, Matsumoto would begin to approach the opposite side of the roof as the group of four would begin to make their way down the street, towards the portion of the town where he knew the docks would be located. A fleet of ships could be seen from this distance, none of them standing out very much. It could have been any number of ships in which the lot had decided to escort the ninja- which left he and Akira in a position in which they had only two options: to wait, or to find the ship before they arrived. 

With two of them keeping surveillance, it might have been better for one of them to keep his vantage point for as long as he possibly could. Given the fact that the men clearly knew each other quite well, impersonating them might not have been the best idea either. This was an unplanned operation- so any type of preemptive information that might have made it easier would have been out of their reach. Pretending to pencil down from information as he followed the pack, a quick glance around would ensure that he would be safe to create his second disguise. Rushing to another building, and yet another, he would make a quick approach towards the docks. While his targets might miss him, it would be his sudden landing at the portion of the boardwalk which lead to the docks that would signify his transformation. 

An older man, sporting olive green overalls and a driving cap would lurch over as he mulled about looking for a place to cast a line. Of course, with each glance around the area, he would ensure the location of the men he had been looking at all along. WIth Akira's disguise she might not have been able to keep up appearances by following them- he could only hope that his location might make it a little more manageable to keep constant visuals on them. In the distance, the approaching group of four would approach the boats shifting above the ocean to Matsumoto's right. Not having much time, he would make his way towards the docks, his head snapping around as he would attempt to read the names of each ship to himself. His target: The Scaring Whisper.

[daisy]

sailing, sailing free ♥

The Scaring Whisper, hmm? I wondered what exactly was so scary about it. Regardless, I slipped a few ryo into the vendor's hand, picking up a wicker basket and dropping a few vegetables into it. I looked like a woman buying groceries, so stopping by the docks to purchase fish would not be anything out of the ordinary. I followed Oshitaka and the group of men at a leisurely pace, looking for Matsumoto. I saw him leave his rooftop spot, presumably following the men as I was, but lost sight of him. It would be easy for me to find him again by his chakra signature, so I was not concerned. It would be prudent for me to maintain this guise, however, as it would be more difficult for him to identify me.

I waddled down the side street and onto the docks proper, rather surprised by how many ships were currently moored there. This was a port town, naturally, but given the lack of people and bustle, it seemed strange. As I kept the men within my sights, stopping at a few stalls to keep up appearances, I planned our stowing away. I could, of course, rely on my camouflage jutsu, but it would be tiring to sustain for an entire journey, and it was not foolproof, especially while the sun shone high in the sky. I could attach us to the side of the ship, but that could prove problematic should the weather worsen, and we could always be spotted.

No, the best approach would be to infiltrate the ship and hide away in some cabin, like traditional stowaways. I kept my distance as the men continued walking, now down a boardwalk leading towards a ship. That must be our target, then. Now how to get aboard? A different transformation? Camouflage? I knew not where Matsumoto was, but did not doubt that he had reached the same conclusion as I. Still, I had to act! I bustled after the men, looking indignant.

"You louts! My Minoru better not be hanging around with you! Out of my way, out of my way!" I barged past the men and onto the ship, hurrying across the deck and down the stairs. I heard them shout after me, and performed rapid handseals, producing a clone bearing my original features, which quickly performed the same henge as I. Two identical dumpy, middle aged women looked at one another, before the clone hurried back up the stairs.
"Get out of here, old bag! We don't know your son!" Came a voice from above deck, to which I heard my clone respond;
"Don't you shout at me, young man! I'm leaving, but I better not catch you around my son!"

I dropped the henge, slipping into a mercifully empty cabin. When my clone had travelled sufficiently far, I would cancel the jutsu, replenishing the used chakra. Still, it had worked. One woman had entered, and she had left again, leaving them none the wiser, and me safely aboard. Now to hope Matsumoto could make it on board...