A-Rank A Dangerous Escort (Cole, Hikari)

Cole was able to turn in time to see Hikari land the final blow from her attack. He didn't know if she had killed they assassin or not but it was very impressive. Cole would look at the assassin and then back at Hikari. Seeing they assassins body laying on the ground he would walk over to Hikari, as Sal walked past them to look at the women. “you have gotten a hole lot stronger then when we last spared” cole would say with a bit of a smile. “thanks for saving me by the way” he would add as he turned his attention back to Sal who was picking the women up by her throat. He would look at her and then put her back on the ground leaving her he would look ahead down the road with the hidden cloud village in site he told cole to pick up the man and carry him.

Cole did what Sal said and picked the guy up and started to walk behind sal leaving the women laying on the ground.

(WC-179 TWC- 4216)

Hikari watched as the woman fell, taking all sixty four chakra hits. She landed with a loud thud and her eye lids drooped closed, she had fallen unconscious, her body unable to handle the strain the Eight Trigrams dealt to her inner chakra network. That was a close call, I'm lucky I was able to pull that off somehow. Maybe it was luck that I slipped up a bit and made an opening for her, because that ultimately made an even more grand opening for me. She whispered parting words to the woman, one's she was afraid to waste time saying during their fight, "I am beautiful, you are too, but you have fallen and lost your way. I hope if we ever meet again that you will realize there is much more to life than mercilessly killing. Until then, miss assassin." She didn't know it yet, but that name would become the woman's new nickname for future encounters.

As Hikari finished her parking with the woman, Salzem,in a fit of rage, grabbed ahold of the unconscious woman's throat, a killing intent glazing his eyes. However, just as quickly the look crossed his face it disappeared and he dropped the woman, her body yet again hitting the ground, most likely bruising her. Salzem then took control again, ordering Cole to pick up their escort and thanking Hikari, even giving her a small smile which surprised her, before moving out to Kumo, the village just up ahead. She thought it was ironic how they almost failed their mission so close to their destination.

Then Cole spoke up with a smile, saying how strong she had gotten and thanking her for saving him as well. "Haha you don't need to thank me, I'll always be there to save you guys if you need it because that's what friends are for!" She would enthusiastically say, with a smile across her lips of course, as she followed Salzem and Cole to Kumo. As they walked, Hikari, who kept her Byakugan activated in case they got attacked again although she was doubtful of that happening, would finally reply to what Cole had said earlier. "Ah yes, I learned that technique while I spared against Salzem. It caught him off guard as well I think haha. But hey, you guys have gotten stronger as well! We make the perfect team!" With those words she took a final glance at the woman, wondering if she would get attacked while she lay unconscious in the middle of the road. She'll probably be okay, I hope. I wonder what made her the way she is...not fully evil yet not fully kind. She could have tortured Salzem and Cole, but she didn't. She would have killed us easily I think. Why didn't she?

It did not take them long, maybe ten or so minutes, to get to the dark wooden village gates of Kumo and the guards that stood protective over their home. By then, the old man was starting to come to, wondering what in the world happened, why he was being carried, and if he could get something for his throbbing head, though she guessed he would rather have alcohol than any medicine. Hikari was still semi in shock that she was able to defeat an enemy all on her own, especially one that was strong enough to catch Salzem and Cole in a Genjutsu. She personally still thought she had a lot to learn before she was considered 'strong', despite multiple people telling her she was strong.

[WC: 6,821] [-1 Ap]

After getting to the gates of Kumogakure, Salzem would explain to the guards at the gate who they were and what they were doing here. After a good five minutes of relying their story twice and convincing them that this drunken old man was the friend of the Daimyo, they finally conceded and opened the gates. He rolled his eyes as one of the guards pointed at the old man and mouthed the words "This guy?"

"I know, I can't believe it either." Salzem would whisper back to him. The old man wouldn't hear these words, as he was already being escorted inside by the other gate guard. Having effectively completed their mission, Salzem would motion for he and his group to make the return trip back home. Strangely, the walk home was longer than the way there, most likely due to Zeefalvora's "insightful" commentary on the fight. She often liked to bring up the part where he was frozen in place and was saved by the weakest of the group. However, he words did not bother him. Hikari had preformed masterfully and was an inspiration to all Genin. Figuring a reward was in order for a job well done, Salzem would look back at his group and make an offer.

"Seeing as this mission nearly went off without a hitch, and as a little side-reward for your part in it, I was thinking I would take you both out for some food. You pick the place." If they all agreed to the reward and on a location AND after getting them back to Konoha safe, he would treat them to their food. Shortly after, he would head back to the hokage's office for his reward for his mission. He wouldn't have done it without his friends and he was happy for them being there.

EXIT (finally Xb)

WC: 4231

Claiming 5000 ryo reward, 1000 additional ryo as my stats are capped and 10 stats for Zeefalvora

Cole walked behind Sal and in front of Hikari as they came up to the gates of kumo. He would listen as Sal explained what was going on with this guy. They almost didn't believe us that this guy was important. Cole wouldn't say nothing and just watched as the guy that had been such a pain in the ass. Walked through the village gates. Cole was relieved that it was done he would look as Sal made the call for them to return back to the leaf. He would offer to take them out to dinner for a job well done. Cole would accept Sals offer and tell them that Ichirakus ramen shop is awesome if they wanted to go their when they get back.

exit
(WC-126 TWC-4342
claiming blade of wind 4,000 ryo, 10 stats, 7 AP)

After what seemed like forever, which was actually only about five minutes or so, the guards finally believed them that the drunkard was expected in the village by the Daimyo. You would think the Daimyo would have warned his guards that a friend was visiting with shining from the Hidden Leaf village, might make etchings easier next time haha. Thankfully it seemed they would be heading home soon, as the gates to Kumogakuere closed meaning an end to their escort mission. She sighed quietly to herself, glad their stressful mission was finally over and they could go back home, she wanted to train more jutsu but could not while they were away. Her goal as to become stronger so that the next mission she par takes on she won't barely defeat the enemy.

Salzem signaled them to head out, back to their village to report that the mission had been a success. A little while after they started walking, Salzem offered to take them out for some well deserved dinner, their choice. Cole piped up with Ichiraku's Ramen shop, and Hikari had no objectives to it, she wasn't picky when it came to food. She would eat about almost anything. "Sure, sounds good to me! Thank you Salzem!"

They had walked in silence the rest of the way back to Konoha, probably thinking about what they would do once they got back. Hikari herself planned to go eat with Salzem and Cole before retiring to her room, planning to rest before the next day of training and studying jutsu.

(Exit)
[TW: 7,080] [Claiming level 1 & 2 Basic Medical Ninjutsu, 4,000 ryo, 7 ap, & 10 stats! ^^]