Ninja Business, But Now It's Personal. (NK, O)

As Takeshi listened to Kuniko respond to his plan, he noticed that he was speaking in a much harsher tone. Takeshi understood why he seemed to be so upset. But Takeshi had plenty of experience in the bad parts of town, and having a full Genin team walking through the neighborhoods would only arise suspicion. Takeshi shrugged his shoulders and told Kuniko that he would be there in a few minutes behind them. Takeshi watched both of his teammates leave through the front door, and heard their footsteps go up the wall to the rooftop. Takeshi continued to look around the building to see what areas got hit, he wanted to get an idea of what the people were looking for during the sweep.

Takeshi had done a lot of things when he was young when he was trying to get away from his mother, that included robbing houses and being a thief. He was never caught, but he did have a lot of houses robbed before he finally quit. Takeshi looked in all the areas that most people wouldn't have thought to look, but a criminal would. Takeshi went to the fireplace that he saw in the living room of the two story house. He looked at the brick and came to the conlcusion that the bricks that made up the main burning chamber, and noticed that they were far too cleean to have had any fires burning on top of them. He popped his head through the opening and he looked up the chimney pipe. The bricks seemed to be normal, except for one brick, that stuck out only a few centimeters, Takeshi reached up and grabbed the brick. The brick slid right out of the spot it was supposed to take up. When Takeshi felt the open space, he could feel what felt like an envelope. Takeshi grabbed the paper and he confirmed that it was an envelope. It had markings on it that Takeshi could not read, but he figured Kuniko would want to see it.

Just before Takeshi left, it was passed his five minutes, he decided to look in one more place. Takeshi walked over to the stair case that led up to the second floor of the house and he began to inspect each tread on the staircase. Takeshi felt the fourth step from the top when he realized something was different with this tread. As Takeshi stomped on the step, he could hear the area underneath the tread echo just a slight amount higher than the rest. Takeshi grabbed his tanto that he had attached to his hip, stuck it directly underneath the tread, and pried the tread directly up. The tread creaked as it came up, but underneath the tread, was what looked like a small jewelry box. Takeshi was interested in what might be inside. It didn't have a lock attached to it, but he felt that it would be better for Kuniko to open it. He was the merchant's friend after all. Takeshi grabbed the box and he put the envelop in one of the pockets in his Flak Jacket, he then stood up from the stairs and began to walk down them. 

Takeshi got to the ground floor of the house and did a once over to make sure that he didn't forget anything. Takeshi then walked out the front door and met his team at the place he was instructed to meet at. 
WC: 576
TWC: 1391

Kuniko was en-route to his destination when he noticed that Sakuragi had left him. The two of them were headed for the old building they had delivered organs to on another mission before something had separated them. The young genin was so focused on rescuing his old mentor Kaito that he hadn't even noticed that his companion was gone until he had almost reached the dusty old shop. 

Kuniko suddenly came to a stop in the dark and dreary street. He breathing quickly and needed to calm down. He slowed his breathing and activated his Byakugan before looking around. Sakurgai was no where to be seen within one hundred meters. "This is bad," Kuniko quietly whispered to himself. If he didn't have back up then he wouldn't be able to face anyone who might be waiting for him at the building he was going to investigate. 

His mentor was kidnapped, possibly by organ thieves, his friend and comrade was also missing. After assessing the situation Kuniko figured his only option was to return back to Takeshi and join up with him. Kuniko turned around and climbed up a building before racing back towards the Kaito's house. Once he returned to the sectioned off building, the Hyuuga spoke loudly and clearly out towards the abandoned estate, "Takeshi! Come quickly! Sakurgai is gone, I don't know if we can continue this mission!" The young man stood at the edge of the road by the front gate while shouting, and waited for his companion to appear. 


WC: 253
TWC: 1594

Takeshi was startled by Kuniko rushing toward the door of the merchant's home. Kuniko spoke of Sakuragi's disappearance and possibly giving up on the mission. Takeshi couldn't quite find the words to say in this situation. So he said the first thing that came to his mind. "Fuck that, we finish the mission. What did you find? We're going to that shop and we are going to find out what's going on!" Takeshi was dedicated to carrying out this mission, whether or not Kuniko would go with him. Takeshi would go straight for that shop and he was going to face whatever was inside. 

Takeshi began walking out the door, expecting Kuniko would follow him, but he didn't care either way.

WC:121

Kuniko watched as Takeshi stormed towards the door. He seemed dead set on doing this mission, even if it meant going on alone. Kuniko, who was still worked up, tried to calm himself for a moment after seeing his comrade flustered. After a few deep breaths the genin walked over to Takeshi as he hurried from the building. He spoke only loud enough for the other shinobi to hear him, and tried to speak as calmly as possible; “Sakuragi is missing and this mission might have gotten a much more dangerous. You expect to run in there and solve it all yourself? I’m the only one asides from Sakuragi who even knows where it is. Takeshi, please listen to me.”

Kuniko quickened his pace to catch up to Takeshi who had already reached the door. He interposed himself between Takeshi and the exit, just enough that Takeshi could not walk easily out without a collision. The short young man with gentle features had his long hair blowing from a cold breeze through the door. He looked up to his comrade, the two of them with their matching pale eyes. “If you go at this mission alone, the same thing that happened to Kaito will happen to you. I want to find him. More than you can imagine. But we have to think of what we are doing instead of blindly rushing into danger. I will show you the way to the building that Sakuragi and I found, but if it’s too dangerous to go in then we don’t, alright?” 

After saying his peace, the shorter shinobi moved aside to let Takeshi out, and then led the way back to den of the organ thieves. 

WC: 284
TWC: 1878

Takeshi had his hand on the door's handle. He was ready to burst through the door. He wanted to complete this mission, he wanted to prove that he was worth something. He had lost so much in his life already, he was tired of always being the one to lose. His teammate's words calmed Takeshi's mind and made him remember that he did need to calm down, there was no point in getting himself killed and gain nothing out of it.

Takeshi walked away from the door, and he followed Kuniko to wherever it was that he felt Takeshi needed to be led. They were going to see this mission out, no matter the consequences. His life was worth nothing, especially when it was weighed in against a mission the village needed completed. No matter the cost, he was going to do all he could to protect his team, and complete this mission. But for now, he needed to think with a collected mind, not with his mind boiling because it was running so hot.

WC: 175

Takeshi’s apparent rage had the affect of calming Kuniko. It was one thing if he acted reckless, but another’s recklessness snapped him back to reality. Sakuragi was missing and Takeshi looked like he was about to fly off into a frenzy which would only cause harm to both of them. After thinking about how to distract him, Kuniko said in a gentle tone, “Takeshi, tell me what weapons you have on you. I need to know what we can bring to the table. Make sure your gear is ready.”

The team leader of course only meant it as a distraction to Takeshi, but it could also prove useful if the genin had a secret weapon that Kuniko was unaware of. Regardless of whether Takeshi was checking his gear or not, Kuniko began leading his comrade outside and down the street. After going a few blocks the team would relocate to the rooftops to avoid detection. 

Kuniko led Takeshi across Hoshigakure towards the mysterious building that housed the organ thieves. While traveling, the young Hyuuga wondered if this was how his own instructor, Tsubaki felt at times. Or Master Ayato. Or even his old instructor, Kaito. Always worried, and forced to act like stone when they wished to act like water. 

Finally, the two Hyuuga boys arrived at a rooftop overlooking a run-down building at the end of an unlit street. “This is the place,” Kuniko whispered to Takeshi. At that moment the shinobi activated his Byakugan and began to scour the building with his enhanced sight. What he saw momentarily shocked him. 

Within the building’s basement were eight individuals crowded around tables covered in body parts. They didn’t appear to be Hoshi ninjas but one of them was dressed like a civilian. It didn’t take long to find what was left of the merchant Kaito, the man they had been sent to find; Kuniko’s old instructor. 

Kuniko’s shock did not last long. He had seen such grizzly sights before. And soon a morbid curiosity took over as he wondered what the men were planning to do with Kaito’s remains. Why did they need him in so many pieces? Was there some power he possessed? What power could one draw from dead flesh? His dive into medical ninjutsu spurred this terrible train of thought, but soon he remembered Takeshi and mission again. 

Turning towards his companion, Kuniko whispered in an even tone that surprised even him, “Takeshi, we’re too late. And there’s too many of them for us. We need to go and report this.”


WC: 426
TWC: 2304

Takeshi, frustrated at having a failed mission was enough to bring him to a point of utter rage internally. But externally he agreed with Kuniko. "We do. I'll follow your lead, Kuniko." Takeshi would follow Kuniko to report what they had found, he knew that this was a job for someone at a higher ranking than the two of them. When they had finished reporting the findings, they were dismissed. Takeshi went back to his empty home, waiting for another mission. Maybe this time, they'll succeed, at least this was his hope.

EXIT
TWC:1779
Claims: Doesn't really matter. Takeshi is dead in the next mission.

Kuniko led Takeshi away from the building and back to the mission boards were they would report their findings. Kuniko was feeling lot and confused with his old mentor's murder. Another mission would be given to enact revenge, one that Kuniko was not sure he was ready to join. It was a horrid night and Sakuragi was still missing. 

After their report, Kuniko said his farewell to Takeshi. His mind was elsewhere, his voice was distant as he spoke. "Thank you for coming on this mission with me. You're a true a friend as anyone could ask for... Please forgive me if I depend on you again in the future... Until we meet again... Takeshi." With that, the two parted and Kuniko walked into the night. 

WC: 126
TWC: 2430
[EXIT]

[1500/1500] Flesh Clone
[2346/2500/2500] Mind Reading
[676/1000] Chakra Absorption Technique

Forgot to get 6 more stat points.