Haikyo smiled lightly as he carried the goods, wrapped up in what little had remained of his upper robes. The black circle was clear on his back for anyone who knew who the Orasakai were...that could be a problem to some sort of degree. Haikyo didn't even know what the hell the circle meant, but most people wouldn't believe a god damn word of that. But, either way, as they walked down the road...everything felt quite...nice, really. The breeze as they walked cooled his body, and the sun was not beating at its fullest anymore, so at least it wasn't scorching. He was looking around the scenery when his eyes caught the smallest fragment of movement. He did not tear his eyes away from where he was looking. Instead, he let his eyes stay on the scenery he was looking at before--he had noticed the man out of the corner of his eyes after all, he did not want him to know he had noticed him.
When Sai asked his next question, however, he was a little stuck for answers. Motivation...it was hard. What was it that drove him to do what he did? He took a deep breath as he pondered the response before shrugging his shoulders. "It's kind of hard to pin down, really. My clan was disgraced by one of our own...and this disgrace has left the clan in such shambles that I must hide my own pride in my people, or it could cost mine, or another's life. I wish to bring pride back to the Yomi name. I wish to see my parents look at me as an equal...not something...else. I guess, at the end of the day it boils down to something more simple. I want to build somewhere I belong. I grew up feeling like I never did...so I guess I wanted to learn enough about myself to conquer my faults that kept me isolated by my family." He stated, thinking about all the negative memories that surrounded his childhood. The weeks and weeks on end that he would spend inside their family home. He had little in the way of friends. He had been sheltered for so long that being out and about in the world like this...it was something else. It was incredible.
'Someone is behind us. Doesn't seem to be preparing for any sort of attack...but regardless, I don't like it. Not after just getting out of that battle...' Haikyo whispered, keeping his tone hushed so that their pursuer could not hear. "Aside from that, though...I want to be the greatest martial artist in the world. If there is one thing I have not been held back from, it is my taijutsu...and I want to create a style--fusing the styles of the lives before me into an unbeatable martial art. I mean...one day, you know." He said, rubbing the back of his head nervously, with a chuckle, feeling almost too much like a kid.
[ooc: ]
Awareness Check: 180 vs 180 = 50% Chance
Travel Count: 2067 Words Pre-Battle Count: 5264 Words Battle Count: 11,776 Words Post-Battle Count: 1563 Words New Travel Count: 1134
ssAntonio
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:28 pm
Slowly and surely Kaito would trail behind the pair weaving in and out of trees and sliding behind bushes trying to keep his presence unknown. A feeling of nervousness began to overcome his body now, kind of like that sick feeling you get in your stomach when you knew you were about to get in trouble for something as a kid. Realistically it wasn't even the consequences of getting caught that was freaking himself out, just the idea of getting caught was what was getting him. Kaito only hoped that Sai would leave him with some information that'd be enough to finish his mission soon. Part of the reason being, sneaking wasn't his strong point, it never has been it never probably would be. Surely if this went on much longer he'd get caught out. This was sketchy work that he really wasn't used to, everything he'd done to this point was him basically hiding in plain sight. The best disguise was the one that stood right infront of your face.
Unfortunately for the time being the two talked of nothing that had any real importance to him. All just jibber jabber about the stranger whom walked alongside Sai's life. "I wish this guy would shut up and let Sai start talking, sheesh." Kaito proceeded moving forward, keeping his eyes locked on Sai.
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Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 10:54 pm
Quote:
Deliver Morello's Lexicon
...Rank: D Description: Morello, a book seller in Tanzaku City Market has requested for a shinobi to deliver an important volume in order for it to be sold safely to a prospective buyer.
Juugou left the main village gates with a parcel bag slung across his shoulders. In the bag were his ninja tools as well as thick book wrapped in multiple layers of protective cloth. He hadn't seen what the book looked like, but the lady at the mission office had told him it was really important for it to get to its destination in pristine condition. The young Aburame frowned as he trudged along the forested path. He had never intended to leave the village on a mission like this, but all the other qualified genin were either too inexperienced, away on other missions, or resting. Juugou unrolled the map he had received and studied the route once more. Tanzaku City was quite a ways from the hidden village, so in order for him to get there by the designated time he would have to get on a cart. The market was located in a district thirty minutes away from Tanzaku city proper.
Juugou rolled up the map and put it back in the bag, noting how long the trip would take. This part of the road was foreign to him. Usually he would veer off and head down through the forest to a river that flowed nearby to catch fish for his medical training. After about a half mile on the road, Juugou came to a crossroads with several signs pointing in different directions. Tanzaku was near the bottom of the list. As he was about to start walking in that direction he heard the clop of hooves on the road. The young Aburame turned to see a cart drawn by two mules approach from behind a bend in the road coming from Otafuku City. The mules were are brownish gray color and the cart was laden with sacks. The driver was a middle-aged woman wearing a bonnet and marigold yellow dress.
"Hello there, young man. What are you doing out here all alone?" she asked as she stopped the mules so she and the young Aburame were side by side. Juugou looked her in the eyes from behind his shades. "I am on my way to Tanzaku City to deliver a parcel." he replied. The old woman looked him over and appeared to notice his forehead protector for the first time. "I see! You're a shinobi from the hidden leaf! I remember an event a few years ago that took place near my home in Otafuku. Several shinobi came in a hurry to put out fires and help rebuild an estate that had exploded. My store was saved because of the efforts of those individuals, but was never able to express my gratitude." The coach driver had a nostalgic look on her face for a brief moment before she shook her head and focused on the young man before her. "Would you like a lift?" "Are you sure, ma'am? I don't want to be a bother." Juugou said, his bashful nature kicking in. The woman scooted over to the left and patted the space next to her with her hand. "We are both going the same way so i don't see how it'll be a problem. Come on up!" Juugou climbed up into the seat next to the coach driver and the mules started to move without being told. "You have very smart mules." Commented the genin as they began picking up speed. The coach driver laughed. "Impatient, more like. Jill and Bernard here have made this trip many times over the past ten years, and they know that at the end they get a treat, so they're just rushing. You may want to hold on because it's about to get bumpy." As the words left her mouth Jill and Bernard broke out into a full gallop, catching the young Aburame by surprise.
Quote:
634 Words
Moving to Tanzaku City
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:39 pm
Raven62
Capt Kool-Aid
Sai raised an eyebrow in response to Haikyo's whispers, for the moment he would keep to himself that he knew the man following them. "Those are dangerous wishes." The man remarked. He didn't elaborate. Instead he continued his awkward shuffle, his eyes focused on the road before them.
For his experiences with the boy, Kaito was clumsy and a drunk. The boy had proven to be incapable of conducting himself or perform to even low expectations. In fact he had been more of a hindrance than anything... even now he revealed his inadequacy at even being an inconspicuous tail. Kaito had to understand this, understand his own limitations, unless he was more of a fool than he had expected. But if that was the case why was he tailing them at the moment.
The man gritted his teeth, a muscle bulging at his jaw from the tension. He liked puzzles but this was like piecing together an image that used pieces from several different ones. It was off, it was wrong, and it was frustrating. "Kaito Arata, a supposed team mate of mine..." Sai finally whispered back. He had lost too much blood and been forcefully healed too often for him to take any more chance, he would need to rely on Haikyo for the time being. "I don't know why he's following us and as far as I understand he's a simple minded drunk, his combat skill have been left wanting but... it does not make sense why he's here, stay on guard as always."
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:57 pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Sai stated that his wishes were dangerous, Haikyo merely smiled. He knew that they were. It meant that he would have to fight strong men and women...that he would need to prove himself to be the best, and that some people would want to kill him in order to prove him wrong. He had never put great thought into it, but he had known those things to be true. Now that he was slowly coming to realization of what it truly meant, he was glad to find himself not deterred. The combat he had experienced before...was invigorating. He merely needed to experience more of it...to hone himself. Combat where your life was on the line...it seemed to be the only way to do this. He would take dangerous missions...he had decided. He would put his life on the line often...but not because he wanted to die...but because he had to live. He had to survive, and to strengthen himself.
He listened to Sai speak of the man and he merely nodded to him as he told him that he should keep on guard about it. He made no obvious looks back toward the man, though he could feel his presence behind them. He had already identified the man's soul energies and was tracking their movements. He would not let him close the gap without knowing. For the time being, however, he merely continued to walk alongside Sai, making sure the man was not going to fall as they traveled. "When we get back to the village, and get ourselves mended up, I need to take some time. I was supposed to be training...to be meditating on my soul. I was going to that forest because I figured it would be secluded. I want to train...to begin developing that martial art. Regardless of how absurd the dream may be...I will make it a reality. Just you watch." He stated with a smirk as the continued to walk down the road. The journey was long, sure, but as they spoke and followed the winding path, they would find themselves getting rather close, within not too long.
[ooc: ]
Travel Count: 2067 Words Pre-Battle Count: 5264 Words Battle Count: 11,776 Words Post-Battle Count: 1563 Words New Travel Count: 2172
ssAntonio
Capt Kool-Aid
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:32 pm
Kaito proceeded following the two, still making sure to keep cautious and quiet. The nervous feeling with grew stronger and stronger each time he'd move a move to the next hiding spot, surely one wrong move would get him caught. Although things seemed to feel off a little bit at least. Kaito knew his skills in sneaking around weren't exactly his strong point, yet neither of the men he trailed even turned back to scan their surroundings. Although maybe beaten up surely their senses weren't off by that much, surely they had to know, right?
This left him with few options; he'd either continue to pursue them and possibly catch a beat down, or he'd fall back now and well... probably catch the beat down later still. He honestly knew little of Sai, but if the things he heard were true things wouldn't go his way. Obviously this left him with one choice, Kaito wasn't going to stay in this village any longer. Maybe if anything seeing the pinked haired man in real battle would reveal something that would prove the suspicions.
After taking some deep breaths and building up some courage, Kaito would stand up and reveal himself to the duo. "Hey yooooo..." His voice was awkward and cringy at best. "Man, why did I have to sound like such a b***h when I said that..." The drunk was probably a little flustered to say the least. "Yeah yeah, so I know you guys know I was following you. Why not say anything sooner?" Kaito grumbled, taking a few steps from the bushes he hid behind and made his way to the walking path. "So uhhh... you guys get in a fight or something?" His questioning of the fight was just to hear Sai's response, obviously he knew the answer to his own question. He only wondered if that question was going too far on his part, you know, seeing how he'd just found two people murdered a few miles behind.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 7:33 am
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Turning to the approach of Kaito, Sai tilted his head to the side. "I... honestly didn't even notice you." Sai remarked. The man was frowning as he looked upon Kaito before simply shrugging, "I mean, be honest with yourself, how many people pay attention to every insect that crawls after them? Sometimes you just can't be bothered with it. You just hope they leave before they become annoying enough that you need to..." The man mimicked a crushing sound with his mouth.
Chuckling, he gestured to Haikyo to keep walking with a nod of his head. Giving his back to Kaito, he continued his elderly walk. "Fight? Nah, my friend here bet me I couldn't catch a rabbit with my bare hands... the rabbit hand friends. It didn't turn out so well for us, we're honestly lucky we made it out alive." Sai called from over his shoulder, "Just a warning, don't ******** with the Fluffy Tail Gang, those little guys are packing some serious heat."
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:24 am
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haikyo continued to walk alongside Sai, but before Sai responded to anything he had said, the man who had been tailing them approached them directly. Haikyo could feel his presence grow stronger as he approached, and his fists clamped tightly. He was about to turn and attack when the man spoke up. Haikyo was under a lot of stress after the ambush that had happened in the forest. The fight had shown him just how weak he was...he needed to train. He had to get stronger. He would create a version of himself that would have laughed in the face of the bastards they just fought. As Kaito spoke up, though, Haikyo quirked a brow, looking behind him to the man. Sai spoke up first, stating that he had no idea that they were being followed, and Haikyo refused to allow his face to give away his own confusion. Sai was lying, sure, but that didn't mean that Haikyo had to let he man know.
"Honestly, I am not sure if he just naturally hates everyone he meets, or if this a part of his charm. Though, I am sure by the look of us, you can tell we weren't exactly having a picnic. No idea who they were. Fluffy Tail Gang is just as likely as anything else we could tell you." He stated, not sure what exactly the man wanted. "Though...it would be quite beneficial to understand why it is that you're following us. Trailing us from the Forest of Death meant you're clearly looking for us. And, if you knew we went there, you've been tracking with effort. not exactly inconspicuous." Haikyo stated. His voice was level, without anger, but there was a certain coolness to it. He did not like this man...his sneaking was unsettling at the very least. But he was trying his best not to show much of his mistrust.
[ooc: ]
Travel Count: 2067 Words Pre-Battle Count: 5264 Words Battle Count: 11,776 Words Post-Battle Count: 1563 Words New Travel Count: 2985 Words
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:36 pm
Kaito scratched his head as Sai spoke as if he hadn't even the slightest idea he was there. Surely he did, and more than likely was just being typical Sai, whom had an annoying way of bullshitting his way through the a conversation. Nothing that came from this mans mouth was ever worth even listening to, it was unfortunate that he even had to spend the time he had with the guy. The other fellow soon turned around as well, whom already in just his first few words already sounded like a more normal person. "No no, he just hates everyone I think. First day I met the guy, he wanted to poke my eye out with a chopstick. Real swell guy ya know?" Kaito let out a faint chuckle as he shook his head side to side before the stranger began to speak once again asking why he'd trailed them for so long. This was an obvious question that he knew was coming, he really didn't have any good way to answer it. "Well, as you may or may not know Sai over there is my teammate. He likes to disappear from time to time and myself and our other teammate were starting to get a little curious of his whereabouts. Obviously now I have a few ideas what happens in his free time..."This conversation wasn't getting anywhere fast, thus Kaito decided he'd maybe give it a little push to see what answers he'd get. "So I found the fluffy tail gang err, pretty dead back there.I'm sure you guys know nooothing about that, eh?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 1:11 pm
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Sai had continued to walk on by himself until he heard the drunk's reason for tailing him. "You're curious about what I do in my spare time? Too damn bad." He growled as he turned around to face the drunk again. Eyes locked on the boy's own, he continued. "I'm not your responsibility and as of this morning we are no longer on the same squad. You got a problem with me? Take it up with your superior because I certainly have no more time to waste on you." Spitting at the ground before Kaito, he turned his back to him again and proceeded to walk away.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:42 pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haikyo could not help but smirk at the comment that the man made about stabbing him in the eye with a chopstick. It sounded very...Sai Orasakai. Then, when the man began to speak about how they were on the same team, Haikyo nodded, slowly, considering this fact. He had definitely not seen any sort of warmth between the two...not that Sai was technically 'warm' per se with Haikyo. But it was very clearly different. Sai didn't show Haikyo very clear disdain the way that he was showing this man. He then went on about how he and the other team member were interested in the man's whereabouts, as they hadn't seen him for a bit of time. Haikyo merely nodded, slowly, along with the man, contemplating what it was he was getting at. Where was this other team member if they, together, were so concerned? Following other leads? It was fishy at best.
When Haikyo heard Sai respond, however, that was when he knew it was time to move this along. There was not going to be any happy ending here. Sai was obviously pissed off...the man was being nosy, and Sai clearly wanted none of it. Which, Haikyo couldn't really blame him for...he did tend to attract unwanted attention. Haikyo scratched his chin as he looked at Sai, who stated that they had been taken off of the same team as of that morning, and he wondered if that was what had pushed Sai to take his little trip to the Forest of Death. As Sai spat on the ground and walked away Haikyo made a face like 'oh s**t, sorry about that' toward Kaito, as Sai was walking away and he shrugged as he looked toward the boy. "I am not sure who you saw. The Fluffy Tail Gang we're talking about were very much alive when we had left the scene. We had to run...they outmatched us. I have no combat experience, and as you can see...we were both roughed up rather thoroughly before we made that escape. So, either you found a couple of people who unfortunately ran into the same thugs, or you found the thugs who had unfortunately run into more capable enemies." Haikyo stated with a shrug of his shoulders. "Anything else, though, I would suggest taking up with, as he said, a superior, or something. However that works." He stated with another simple shrug before he too turned from the man and began to walk after Sai.
When he had caught up with Sai, he looked the man over with a quirked brow. "A little testy?" He asked with a slight chuckle, finding it entertaining how easily that man had gotten under his skin. "Though, I will say...the guy's story seems odd...at best." Though Haikyo would not say anything else on the matter. He made sure his whisper was quiet, and it would only reach their ears as they walked away from the man.
[ooc: ]
Travel Count: 2067 Words Pre-Battle Count: 5264 Words Battle Count: 11,776 Words Post-Battle Count: 1563 Words New Travel Count: 3850 Words
ssAntonio
Capt Kool-Aid
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:51 pm
A smirk would appear upon Kaito's face as he watched Sai turn from calm to angry in a blink of an eye. His plan was slowly starting to pay off, the man was on the edge and surely if Kaito kept up with the questions he'd jump right off it. "The other guy seems much more calm, they make quite a weird duo... Wonder how they're acquainted?" These thoughts were running through his head, but were irrelevant at the same time. Outside of a little curiosity Kaito had no real interest in the man. "Sai Orasakai, how many people have you murdered now?" The boy hadn't moved even another step closer, so at this point he was basically yelling as the duo proceeded to continue down the path. Poking the bear definitely couldn't have been his best plan of action but that's exactly what he was going to keep doing. "Tell me Sai, are you the REAL Sai Orasakai?" This would, if anything else have to strike some interest in the man he'd imagined.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:39 pm
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Sai's only response to Kaito was to raise his middle finger in regards to the boy, he didn't bother to grace him with any other reaction as he continued to walk away. "Hm? Nah. I just wish he would go bother someone else, I think he just really wants my attention and I don't feel like babysitting him." He said with a shrug, he didn't bother to whisper back at this point. They had walked far enough from the boy. "I don't think he thinks his actions through, he just does. It's the other member of that squad that just strikes a nerve with me. That boy's story was half way true, I was thinking of stabbing the monk..." Sighing, he shook his head and gestured back at Kaito with a thumb, "But yeah, his story doesn't make sense, I don't know what to make of it but I think it's not worth the energy to figure it out."
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 5:32 pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haikyo heard the man begin to speak after they had continued walking away. Hell, he was shouting, actually, to close the gap between them. Though, it was really exhausting to just listen to it go on. Sure, Haikyo might have already come to terms with the truth. He had not believed Sai for a second when he had first told him, but he eventually, through really spending that time with Sai...and seeing him in his prime--in the truly vicious moments. Not the combat moments...no...he had merely been playing with his food from what Haikyo could tell. It was the moment that Sai had looked him in the eye, when he had first seen that dagger. That was the moment he began to believe. However, this person seemed to blindly believe it already, and that was without any solid proof or evidence. Who in their right mind would believe that a man as weak as Sai Orasakai could be the real Sai Orasakai. Hell...it was the perfect goddamn disguise.
Haikyo looked back to the person behind them and shook his head with a sigh as Sai kept walking forward with his middle finger eloquently flipped. Haikyo knew that Sai was done with the other shinobi--that he had no interest or patience for the kid. Haikyo, on the other hand, couldn't quite leave it be. When he looked at Kaito his face was confused--bewildered even. "I thought you were just interested in a team member's whereabouts. But...trying to point out a genin ninja as the legend, Sai Orasakai...you're on a fools errand. Nobody in a million years would believe this punk could be that man." Haikyo said with a chuckle before he waved at the man, placing the hand to his forehead and throwing a smart salute as he turned around and started off toward Sai once again. "Honestly, though. You could sleep in the man's chambers and watch him s**t--you wouldn't be satisfied with the results. Unfortunately, this tale doesn't end in grandeur like you thought. He's just...one of us. Same name or not--I've seen him get his a** whooped. He can't be the REAL Sai." Haikyo said with a shrug of his shoulders, as he walked away, catching up to Sai and taking a deep breath from the short little jogged steppes he had taken to get there.
"So, now that that's over with...let's get home. I'd imagine we can both use a little rest." He said with a sigh. The person who had been following them really was a handful. Why would someone so fervently want to unmask Sai, unless there was some sort of negative association at some point down the line...and why would he think that Sai would identify himself like that...how many enemies did Kaito think Sai had? How many would hunt Sai down if they found out he was a weakened genin, and that he was, indeed, back. Fire Village would probably burn with the number of people after his head, for the glory of it alone. Some people...just didn't understand when to leave enough alone.
[ooc: ]
Travel Count: 2067 Words Pre-Battle Count: 5264 Words Battle Count: 11,776 Words Post-Battle Count: 1563 Words New Travel Count: 4749 Words
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 11:07 am
"Hmph..." The boy shrugged as the duo began to walk away again. As hard as he was trying, he wasn't really much of a trash talker or really even as spy for that matter. His mission wasn't even to confront him like this, more just to see what he could get out of him from speaking, which honestly wasn't much since he rarely was ever around. At this point in the game his last ditch effort was to say something big and extreme to set him over the edge, but honestly it was hard telling what would make him do so. His other possible option was to well, continue trailing them down this path. As much as he really didn't want to and as awkward as it'd feel he couldn't abort his mission yet. "I don't even know why I got stuck doing this, I'm so shitty at being a spy..." Not to mention a ninja in general, Kaito was certainly a slow bloomer in that category of life. His only positive note was his control over ninjutsu, which he was severely dwarfed by several other ninja across the world. As much as he wanted to turn around and walk away, he couldn't give up that easily. For once, he wanted to actually be successful.
The other man that accompanied Sai had mentioned a few things before they decided to sneak off, talking about how Sai wasn't the real deal, just another average joe off the streets like himself. Kaito may have believed that, if this 'genin' hadn't murderous tendencies and a matching demeanor at that. Sighing once more, he continue to trail them down the path. "Okay okay... Just gotta stay focused. Can't be caught this time or I'll probably get ******** up." The boy mumbled these words quietly, giving himself a little pep talk of sorts. This time he'd try something a little different, maybe a little more interesting at that. Kaito began to weave a few quick handseals and would disappear into a quick puff of smoke.
Making use of the transformation jutsu, Kaito would transform himself into a cute small fuzzy squirrel. "Okay, there is NO WAY they're going to find me this time!" With no time to waste, Kaito would scurry down the trail with his tiny squirrel legs attempting to catch up. This wasn't one of his more proud moments but as shinobi had to do what a shinobi had to do. At least he was being persistent, right? Slowly but surely he'd catch up with Sai and Haikyo, although he was huffing and puffing. "Running with small legs... ******** me..." The squirrel ninja proceeded with caution from here, surely they wouldn't ever expect a squirrel right?!
