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"I wouldn't say I can calm her, but I can keep her from exploding. I've often sensed extreme chakra around her when she's angry."
Saluk patted Genma's back.
"I like to stick it to the nurses too. They have no idea how shinobi like you and me and heal quickly, and go to 100% on the road. If you're feeling up to it, we can both go down to Otogakure and find her. If she's looking for someone who got YOU in the hospital, she'll defenetly need us."
Saluk pulled out some soilder pills.
"You might want to take one of these. You know, to help you heal while walking."

Genma nodded, taking the soldier pills from Saluk's hand and swallowing them quickly. A light shock went through his body as the substance healed most of his minor wounds with ease, also giving him more energy.

"I may regret this later, but let's go." he said, dropping his crutch as the sound of approaching medical personell was distinctly louder, "We need to get this over with."

--

"By the way that soldier treated you when he saw you," Aki started, cracking her neck and knuckles, "There's no reason you would be ambushed in this town. Drop the act, and now."

A series of kunai and shuriken hit the wall next to the kunoichi's head, though none of them made her flinch or move. She followed their tragectory, spying a form on the roof clad in a ragged cloak.

"It's been a long time... Aki-chan."

Genma paused a few feet behind Saluk, sensing the chakra from the shinobi on the roof. His auburn eyes looked at the form for a moment, before grasping Saluk's shoulder gently.

"Don't move." he muttered, senbon bouncing against his lip, "While it may appear to be only a kunoichi standing there... both the missing nin and the shinobi that was kidnapped are from the same clan- they're shapeshifters."

Aki snarled a few choice profanities at the cloaked figure. "You son of a b***h..." she muttered, eyes not even bothering to look, "And this whole time I thought you had honestly been taken against your will..."

(I could always use Kychiose No Jutsu to summon you to battle, LotdDarcia rofl )

"A shapeshifter?" Saluk was shocked. He never encountered a shapeshifter in his life. "Well, there's a first for everything. If Aki's in battle, I have to be there by her side, as she would be by mine." Saluk eyes burned with passion. "Genma...I know this is Aki's fight. But there's no way she'll win it alone...what should we do?"

Saluk glared at Aki.
"She's got the fighting spirit of the Mist army...but if this was her teacher..." Saluk looked back at Genma, who just nodded in agreement.
"Be careful Aki..." Saluk whispered, and watched Aki leap into battle.

Genma gripped Saluk's shoulder. "We watch. If she's in trouble, one of us can cut in and help." He watched for a moment more, before adding; "Besides, he left our squad before the chuunin exams were to start. He doesn't know any of her abilities or techniques that she's developed over the years."

Sagara whisked off his cloak, just as the last of his skin melted away, chin-legnth crimson hair framing his face. He was tall, just under seven feet, and had an average build.

"Aki-chan, it's been so long since we've been in contact." he mused aloud, "I've heard only rumors of what you can do."

Beside Aki, Nobilis disappeared in a billowing cloud of smoke, reappearing at a towering height of twellve feet. Embers were falling from the ends of his feathers, neck arched with a dangerous grace.

"Then this will be interesting." Aki snapped, forming a few quick handseals. Chakra formed at her fingertips, seemingly falling like fog in long tendrils. She focused it to her left hand, flicking her wrist gently.

"Pheonix Palm!" she roared, darting forward. She thrust her palm at Sagara, who had barely enough time to move. The chakra grazed his chest as he leapt to the side, a grunt escaping his throat as he bounded backwards a few steps.

--

Genma paused, watching the kunoichi's technique. "However..." he muttered, turning to glance behind them, "If Sagara-sensei is there, then the other isn't far off.... Eos is here as well."

"Silva, I don't want to do this." Ryu raised the kunai.

"I'm sorry Ryu, but it has to be done." He pulled on the dog tags, and they formed into a large spear.

"I see." He stood in a defensive position.