Beyond Our League | Mission

[Takahashi]

Admin/Councilor Approval[/url]"]Mission Name: Beyond Our League
Mission Type: Self-Modded Team Mission
Mission Rank: D-Rank
Participants: Makeinu (Team Leader For this mission), Kuromairu Riyota
Objective: Return to Soon's Haven in order to gather further information on Soragakure, and how to infiltrate/find it. To that end, they will need to go through the least savory of characters in their hunt. While Shinobi aren't expected, it's no secret that Soon's Haven houses thugs and the odd capable warrior or two in the employ of businessmen. Not to mention more strange dangers lurking in the shadows.

Preceding Mission(s): The Forerunner

Word Count Requirement: 1,500 - Team Self-Modded missions must also reach at minimum a full page on the forum (15 posts).

Successful Mission Rewards: 4,500 Yen (Mission leader gets +1,000)

Notes: This is not a mission officially being commissioned by the government of Sunagakure. This is a private set of choices made by Makeinu after learning that Shouki is related to one of the Daimyos. This is a continuation of an already approved mission, forming a small series.

Continued from Young Steppers.

The wall's of Soon's Haven were a blessing, the long trip having remained quiet for the most part. He couldn't ever remember having much to say to anyone, or at least, he couldn't remember having much to say and actually saying it. The closest to that would be when he'd met with that red-haired girl back in the Undersea portion of the Toraono facility. There would be no sense of magnetism between Makeinu and Riyota, at least not one that Makeinu was aware of. It was clear that neither boy trusted the other entirely, and still that on-edge mentality made them both ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. Whether those actions would be taken in defense of or against one another would be entirely up to the two boys themselves.

The sun was climbing to its noon heights as the young men stepped into the bustling streets. It was just morning and already the streets seemed to be overflowing with life and business. The density of the population would decreased their overall travel speed, and reduce their movement to the steady saunter of any other patron. He never liked talking about himself, and the fact that he'd already spilled some of his guts by telling both Riyota and Karasuba about his kidnapped mother. All the while, he knew nothing more than the fact that Riyota was a fellow student who just seemed like the right guy to go to. The elders were always caught up in their more intricate and dynamic affairs, and most of the senior pupils of the Toraono hadn't the time to listen to the reasoning and propositions of children. However; among their own ilk, children became more or less full-fledged people for a time. It allowed their personalities to shine, for better or worse.

Coming to a slow stop, and pulling his hood up a little, Makeinu would stand unmoving among the crowd and peer towards a very particular direction. Now, although they were in a quite populated arena, he would speak casually. "There's a lot 'round here. I doubt we're gunna' get any sorta chance to talk to the merchant lords themselves." Looking over his shoulder, the darkened eye now locking on Riyota. "I've brought a little money though, which should let us patronize a shop or two and get some directions to Soragakure." Letting his shoulders fall, he'd step aside quickly as a large woman and her child strolled passed. "There's a weapons shop, place for silk clothes, fishery, jewelry, and more. Where to start?" He genuinely wanted to hear what Riyota's take on the new environment would be, since leading wasn't a trait he'd picked up anywhere. In truth, he'd rather have an already set but functional path laid out before him. That wasn't the case, and so there he was in the most unlikely of places with someone that was a near complete stranger...Surrounded by complete strangers. Boy, was he out of his league...

WC: 495

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota slowly trudged after Makeinu, never having taken his eyes off the other boy for a second. The whiteness of his hood was now stained with the browns and yellows of the grains of sand. As his clothes flapped about in the wind, he took his time to admire the sights, particularly the large walls that now lay in front of him. He re-adjusted his axe, ready to either leap to the other boys defense, or prepare his own should worse come to the worst. He saw the other boy slow down, either out of practicality or necessity.

Makeinu eventually broke the silence, locking his darker eye on Riyota. Yeah, I brought a bit of money too, so we should be pretty ok in that area... Riyota knew it wasn't the most well constructed sentence, but he felt that he had to say something. There was still a very obvious air of awkwardness about the two boys, and while neither of them would say it outright Riyota knew it was there and he assumed Makeinu did too. It was after this that Riyota was surprised at Makeinu's question and his seemingly genuine interest in the response. Riyota wasn't quite sure where he wanted to go, up until now he'd just been following Makeinu everywhere and they had barely spoken a word to each other.

Riyota didn't want to seem like the type who could never come to a decision, so he decided to employ a tactic his Father had used to when he was very little...It was really less of a tactic and more of blind selection but perhaps it would make Riyota look like he had some semblance of knowing what he was doing. So he knelt down and took a few grains of sand between his fingers and lay them on the palm of his hand, letting them settle there, after a few moments the wind picked them up and blew the grains in the direction of the Silk clothes shop Riyota affirmed to the other boy, we'll ask around their first. Riyota knew fully well the situation they were about to get into, so he knew this was not the time for playing around, however he just had two things he wanted to say.

While we're out here, is there anything you particularly want to discuss? This was a simple question, and Riyota didn't mind too much if the other boy responded with the negative, but there was a question he was quite curious about, and he knew some people could be sensitive about it, and it could end the mission here if that was the case.

But Riyota remembered Makeinu making mention of something back at the bunker.

Makeinu...Who is your Mother?​

[WC 456]

 

[Takahashi]

The amount of irony that existed between the two of them put together was insidious. Contrasting colors and mannerisms aside, there the two of them stood out of place in the middle of a place they didn't belong with a mountain of secrets between them. Whether Riyota had known it or not, the mysterious woman he'd met some time ago that blessed him with a cursed ability was the very woman he had just inquired about. It was as if fate itself had decided to urge Makeinu to seek out a child who's very future could almost be said to be shaped entirely by the fateful encounter with Takahashi Shiori. Much like himself. To the enigmatic woman with scarlet hair, Riyota had been simply a means to an end that was disposable and happened to endure. It was as if karma saw fit to bestow similar markings upon the child she had taken for herself before her disappearance.

However; before all of that would be addressed Riyota made it clear he had some funds as well and then proceeded with some ritual of sorts in response to Makeinu's earlier inquiry. The albino remained silent, merely watching as the alabaster-cloaked companion he traveled with knelt down and collected the sands before letting them drift in the wind. The silk shop was identified as a suitable place of investigation, and after some mild calculations it made sense that nobility and affluent members of society would order their silken garments from place like Soon's Haven. "Genius." Whether he was aware just how full of it Riyota was or not, the idea was enough for him to give the minor praise before turning and taking a step towards the shop. He was halted by the curiosity of his companion though, asking if there was anything to discuss. Looking back over his shoulder he merely raised a brow. "No?" Shortly, then began to turn away again but was stopped dead in his tracks by the following question.

This time he didn't bother turning around, and his shoulders visibly dropped an inch or so as he hung his head and shook it slightly. Taking a step forward and then spinning on his heel he'd face the other boy. It was a question he himself wasn't a hundred percent on. He knew she wasn't his real mother, and he knew that he knew very little about who she was in the first place. All he knew was that she had cared about him enough to take him out of the hospital and show him kindness for a day. It didn't matter to him whether or not she really cared, or just used him as proxy for her lost children of the past. She meant something to him. On one hand, she'd told him she was a teacher at the academy. On another he heard some minor things about her medical abilities, but those were faded whispers as she seemed to fade from mainstream knowledge over the years before Makeinu even arrived. He knew that she ate souls to survive, those of bad men but souls nonetheless and that would be hard to explain since he didn't understand it himself.

Giving a slight shrug he'd offer his best summary. "She's a red-haired lady." Like every other female in Sunagakure? "Most people wouldn't know her." Which was the truth, seeing as how prominence had begun to fade so long ago as she became more reclusive after events neither child knew about. "She was helpin' the Steward n' some others fi-" Suddenly he was bumped from behind, causing him to stumble forward a few paces before turning around to face his aggressor. For a fraction of a second his eyes widened as he tried to see clearly what he was looking at, staring down the barrel of a pistol of some sort, guns were something he encountered little since his awakening. The brandished firearm was gripped in the hand of a man wearing a bandana over his head and a shirt covering his mouth like a bandit of some kind. Still modern in his attire, he wore a t-shirt, jeans, belt pouches, dark work boots, and a glistening bracelet on the wrist close to his pistol. "You think you wouldn't be remembered if you came back here, after asking all that shit last time?" There was a sarcastic and careless tone about the guy's voice as he turned the pistol sideways and stepped closer to Makeinu who backed away instinctively.

"Limitless"
Volumes​

"I don-" Makeinu started, but "Shut the fuck up, kid."<i></i> Interrupted the thug, people were already starting to scatter and maybe even seek to call some form of authority. The man waved his gun passed Makeinu, pointing it at Riyota and extending his arm more. Stepping quickly to the side without thinking too much about why, a loud bang echoed through the markets and there was a hot sensation building quickly in his shoulder. Looking from his now bleeding shoulder back to the approaching gunman, he'd jump forward and roll. Another shot was fired, but hit the ground between Makeinu and Riyota as the former rolled into the gunman's leg's and tossed a single turquoise marble up at the gun. The micro-chakra bomb would separate the fingers from the gun's handles in response to pain, but that was it. The would-be assassin only moved back a few steps, after all he was facing a kid. Reaching behind himself with both hands he pulls out two daggers and began swinging them wildly just as Makeinu rolled away and scrambled to his feet. Holding his shoulder, the thick looking blood oozed over his fingers and dripped onto the floor. His blood wasn't like this before Kuro's ceremony. What was going on? No time. The man was rushing towards him again with the daggers, but all he could do at this point was evade. His reach wasn't enough to counter any of the strikes.

WC: 991

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota smirked, he couldn't quite tell whether Makeinu was being sarcastic with the genius remark of if he had genuinely fallen for Riyota's ritual, It seemed he would never find out. However it was fortunate that the particles of sand had floated toward a place that made logical sense to scope out and Riyota chuckled with slight satisfaction at this fact. As he stood and began to wander onward a unfamiliar voice rang out behind him and he whipped around to see a weirdly dressed man threatening his companion. He may not yet consider Makeinu a friend, but he knew he needed him and that was good enough.

The man promptly told Makeinu to be quiet and Riyota looked around to see all of the nearby civilians scatter. When Riyota turned back the gun was trained on him, This is not good. was the only thought that managed to make it through his head. Riyota closed his eyes for a second and heard the gunshot ring out but when there was no impact he opened his eyes again to see Makeinu stagger back slightly, it didn't tale Riyota long to put two and two together and he knew he had to return the favour. He saw Makeinu roll and lodge a weird marble between the Gunmans fingers which then exploded and forced him to drop the gun. After this, the man switched to two daggers, Riyota didn't know what Makeinu had done to piss off this particular individual, but he knew he had to do something to help. So as Makeinu began evading Riyota readied himself and shot forward, grabbing a handful of sand as he sprinted forward. As the man lunged at Makeinu again, Riyota summoned all the strength he had into his left arm, throwing his axe with enough might to stick it into the floor and stop the Man in his tracks. After the man was still distracted with the move, Riyota leapt forward and scattered the sand into the mans eyes, temporarily blinding him. After which Riyota quickly followed up by kicking the Man full force in the stomach, this gave the boys a few moments to ready themselves, he quickly reclaimed his axe from the floor and stood in front of Makeinu. "Did you get hit anywhere fatal?" He inquired.

However, quite a distance away from the battle, a stranger smirked in the shadows. "Well now...it seems things are getting...interesting." The stranger laughed as she documented her latest report after following the boys from the village.

[WC 421]

 

[Takahashi]

Riyota went unnoticed as he sprung into action, grabbing a fistful of dirt and dashing recklessly forward. The large axe that went spinning through the air had enough momentum behind it that when it hit the ground between Makeinu and his assailant, the weapon lodged itself in the earth firmly. The sand that was tossed his way was swatted away like the annoyance it was, barely affecting him as wrapped up as his head was. The kick to the stomach did nothing, instead pushing Riyota back and closer to his ally. As Riyota retrieved his axe, Makeinu stumbled over himself a little getting to his own feet.

By the time Riyota stood in front of him asking about his safety, Makeinu's narrowed glare grew hardened with thoughts of vengeance. The thug had remained still for a moment, watching the two youths as Makeinu stepped forward and would lazily bump Riyota out of the way if the other boy wouldn't move on his own. "Get outta' my way." Was all that he mumbled before dashing forward with hands hidden in his shroud and likely pockets. His left hand whipped out and across, tossing another Micro Chakra Bomb, this one exploding larger as bells began to ring in alert to the dangerous situation.

Instead of backing away he sped of, jumping through the smokey vapor and begun to bring out his right arm just as he was struck in the side of the head with a hard fist. Just before the impact sent him flying, the boy slipped the Ninja Wire he'd been reaching for around the thug's wrist. Sent a few feet away and hitting the ground, he'd cause the end of the wire he was holding to pull his opponent, drawing them both closer but throwing the thug off balance. With dirt on the side of his face Makeinu struggled to sit up, wrapping he wire around his little fist. He was already seeking where else too attach the durable thread.

It was at that moment the sound of the bells going by themselves in the temporary silence that caused all present to look about. Then without warning, Makeinu jumped back and began sprinting towards an alley, letting the wire loosen itself more and more as he jumped atop a dumpster. He wasn't going to give this man another opportunity to reach his gun, it had done too much damage already, but that wasn't all he had. The assassin would run along the walls nimbly instead of being pulled across the floor like some defeated pawn. He stabbed one dagger into a nearby wall, tugging on the wire with his other arm as it dug into his skin and pulled the child backwards. Quickly he rolled away and unwound the wire as fast as he could, and when he was done he flung a small Stun Grenade. Riyota had the other side to attempt a few things, with no one behind him if he had kept up. Except perhaps that strange girl.

WC: 502

 

[Miroku Riyota]

As Makeinu shoved past him Riyota shook his head He may be an asshole but we've got bigger things to worry about. He rushed forward, slamming his axe into the ground and using the handle as a method of running up and leaping onto a nearby roof, he took a few moments to watch as Makeinu basically dragged their attacker around with ninja wire and he admired the nimbleness of his ally. However he wouldn't allow the entire situation to be left up to Makeinu. He didn't have his axe at the moment, so that was out of the question, and Riyota could already see the assailant begin to recover from the Ninja wire trip.

Riyota was running out of time, Makeinu may not have enough time to move if the Thug proves to be a competent force and Riyota was just a bit too far to make it in time. Until his eye got a glimpse of something that had been neglected for a good while in this fight. "The Gun..." He whispered to himself, He saw the thug begin to rise and new he only had a few seconds left. He sprang from the rooftop towards the floor and scrambled for the discarded weapon. Eventually he felt the metal of the firearm in his hand and he prayed it still had a shot left in it. The man was angrily making his way towards Makeinu now. Riyota knew he had one shot at this.

If he were to miss, things would end here and now.​

WC: 257

 

[Takahashi]

In one quick reflexive motion, the masked thug not only blocked the Stun Grenade, but knocked it back. The small round projectile slammed into his gut before detonating and sending a debilitating feeling through his body. Disoriented and barely holding a guard up, he felt woozy as the thug charged at him. Everything wobbled and shook.

There was a loud bang, just like before when his shoulder had been shot. No new pain entered his body, and as his eyes quickly cleared up he saw his assailant had been shot in the leg. "You fucking brat!" The man screamed looking at the bullet wound that went through his thigh. "I'll murder you!" Was the battle cry before his next move.

The enemy turned to face Riyota, swiftly throwing one of the daggers at the grounded boy's face with deadly accuracy. Before the result of that action could even be acknowledged, a brutal knee from Makeinu came crashing at high speed into the man's skull. The force was enough to knock the wounded warrior off balance, and if not for his own sheer strength the man would have fallen then. Instead, Makeinu landed while the man wobbled and then proceeded to send a flurry of spinning kicks at the man's legs and torso. The first two were dodged easily, but the third connected with a rib. The response to that was an elbow to the child's face to send him reeling. The sound of many footsteps approaching grew louder as surely guards or something were closing in. It was time for them to change their plan.

WC: 265

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota exhaled in relief as he saw his hot hit it's mark. He heard the footsteps of guards or whatever they were coming, and he signaled to Makeinu that they should split up. He relaxed a bit before he saw the thug whip around and throw something. Riyota didn't have any time to react before the impact of metal pierced the fragile membrane of his eyeball and stopped just short of his skull.

He stumbled backwards, face contorted in agony, knowing that Makeinu wouldn't have seen this, the other boy was probably long gone, Riyota assumed. He didn't have time to focus on the knife. He just held it in place and sprinted for his life, crashing into random bits and pieces in the alleyway as he stumbled along at high speeds, he was in too much shock to even scream. He made it a few metres away from the scene before leaning back and ripping the knife out from his eye, unfortunately, his eye came with it, the connection severed. Riyota didn't have time to get sentimental. He discarded the knife and held his hand on the wound. Shouting in agony as he continued running. Blood oozing rapidly from the gap he used to use to see the world.

Riyota was in trouble of bleeding out if he didn't find something to remedy it, This mission had had a bad start no doubt, and he had no idea where Makeinu was now, he just knew that they would have to meet up if there was to be any hope of salvaging this, eventually.

WC: 264

 

[Takahashi]

In spite of all the damage caused by this masked assassin they were dealing with, Makeinu's cursed energies remained completely dormant. There was absolutely no spiritual energy being expended on his opponent's behalf, much like he himself had yet to tap into the natural inner forces. The blunt elbow collided with the child's temple rather hard, throwing him a few feet until the opposite side of his head met with an old wooden stall. The bullet wound was slowing the guy down, but he limped carefully towards Makeinu regardless. The sound of crates and boxes being knocked over by a fleeing Riyota as the last fading sounds of his ally. Cornered and in a daze, he'd miss the signal for them to split up but great mind thought alike.

The trail of blood left behind by Riyota as his ruptured eye socket leaked profusely would lead the guards to him. They had finally arrived, but remained unseen as only their footsteps quickly approaching would be heard. By the time he finally removed the blade and let out an agonized shout, Makeinu could barely hear it but knew his ally was on the move. Nearby Riyota would find various crates stacked and other neat ways of escaping, but he had to make his choice fast. Makeinu himself was still struggling to get up as he felt a boot sinking into his stomach and make him wretch as his spine slammed into the wall again. The second attempted kick would end with the boy grabbing the wounded leg instead and rolling them both forward, making the two of them tumble for a bit.

When the rolling motion allowed for himself to be on top for about the second time the young boy would drop an elbow and scramble off. The bony little elbow had landed directly into the man's nose bridge and more or less divided it. The crunching sound was sickening and not too loud, but the adult's scream was deafening. It was a scream filled with rage and frustration more than agony or pain. To be given so much trouble, even if not beaten by two little brats was humiliating even if he was of no renowned stock. By the time the former gunman rose to his feet, all he would see is the tattered edges of the albino's shroud slipping over a brick wall. Grumbling and hobbling forward quickly, he jumped into the air and after the boy only to see the cloak vanish around another building's edge and into darkened pathways. This game would go on for some time, until the man eventually found himself on an open rooftop with nobody to follow and no trail to tail. Banging the hilt of his own dagger against his forehead in anger he cursed and stamped regardless of the blood gushing from his wounded leg. "I'll fucking kill you! You hear me kid!?! I'll kill ya! That's a god damned promise!!!" The angry voice echoed into the afternoon sky, blotted out by so many buildings casting a gloomy shadowy.

He might have kept his life, but he failed in his personal mission. He lost Riyota, after bringing him into it. They were in way over their heads, and Karasuba had known it. Makeinu himself didn't care though, it just meant a change in plans. It was time to take another step back, and put together all the pieces. See all that he had at his advantage, and the best way to make his plays. Before all of that though, he had to stop bleeding from his shoulder and then find out where Riyota went...It was pointless to take a bullet for someone if that person ended up dying the same day anyhow.

WC: 622

[Topic Left | Mission Failed | WC Requirement: Shattered by us both. | 15 Post Requirement: Unfulfilled.] - (You still want to post your own escape, and we'll tie this into the other thread like we discussed via Skype.)

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota could here the thud of footsteps behind him. Crap! He thought to himself, knowing this must be the Guards coming after him. Can't pass out now. He gritted his teeth, blood soaking his hand and dripping to the floor. He needed to get patched up, or this was going to be one quick trip to Jail.

Gathering every last bit of energy he could muster, he willed speed into his legs and took off at a faster rate, but by the loss of his eye, his depth perception was on the fritz. He crashed into the boxes that he had previously assumed were further away. This is bad, this is bad, this is really bad! He thought to himself through the pain. He attempted to springboard himself off the wall to try and gain some height, but the pain was too much for him to focus enough. Looks like it was going to be a more traditional escape.

He darted around the corner just as he heard the footsteps much closer, he couldn't hide. He could only run. The guards were beginning to shout at him to stop but he willed himself forward, he would need use of both hands soon. So whilst still running he tore off a large piece of his white robe and stopped round a corner for a few seconds, tying it around his eye as quickly as he could. It was a rough job, but it would do. He could here the footsteps again now, so he quickly jumped through the window of a nearby house (Much to the inhabitants surprise.) The edge of his vision was getting blurry now.

He didn't have long left before he passed out.

But then he heard Water?​

[MFT 290]
[Topic Left]