When Primates Flee [Solo, Mission]

Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:59 pm

Mission Attempted:

What does it mean to be a human? It is flesh, shape, size? Our DNA structure? Is it that we think? Or something deeper? It is something intangible, a quality that cannot be named? What does it mean to be alive as opposed to existing? What causes the self to scream ‘I am’ into the universe, and be recognized as an individual? Status? Wealth? Birthright? How is it that some humans come to the belief that certain beings among themselves are greater than others? Are they correct? Are they wrong? Do you even believe that you are a human? Do you wish to continue being a human?

To play with the lives of others means to play at becoming a God. Holding life within ones palm. Shaping it, destroying it, recreating it. In many ways, it can be the greatest gift of all- but it can quickly be turned into a callous tool of experimentation when placed in the hands of the far too willing. Science plumbed the depths of the world’s secrets at a breakneck pace, and what they would find at the end of the tunnel nobody knew. Would it be salvation, or destruction? Would the one who finds it still be a ‘human’?

It left an uneasy feeling in Kikuko’s stomach, not unlike eating bad food and then having it sit in the pit of one’s self. Experience was different from experimentation in so many ways, ways that she couldn’t even begin to articulate even within her head. Her own body had always been fascinating to her, as were the bodies of those around her, but a manmade existence- one that lived among them- was a foreign idea. And yet, despite that, here she was. Standing outside of the research and development department of Kirigakure, a scroll in her hand and a task to fulfill. She was a ninja, a shinobi, and today this would be her assignment. So long as she held that title, she had no right to complain or refuse. It was a burden that she had willingly took upon herself- and yet still she struggled against its yoke every so often. Would today be one of those days?

It was supposed to be an investigation, nothing more. No combat was required, and she didn’t even have to engage her subjects if that was her choice. Still, what was it that filled her with uncertainty? Was it due to its rank? Who was it that prized these monkeys so much as to place them under the rank of C for a mission? What would happen with the information she brought back to the facilities? Doubt, confusion, uncertainty. They are the mind killer, dulling the senses and drowning the soul in a darkness deeper than the ocean itself. She would need to acknowledge her feelings. Yes. But even if those feelings were real, that didn’t mean she would let them stop her. She would continue onwards, harboring those niggling doubts, but without letting them rule her. That was who she was, and who she would continue to be.

Now, to find those monkeys. First, to the harbor.

======

The salty smell of the ocean. The crunch of sand and gravel underfoot. The plaintive cries of the seagulls, already tussling with each other over the latest scraps to be devoured. This was a piece of the harbor. A piece of her home. While only a brief window into the ‘daily world’, it was always a strange sort of relief to her. The idea that no matter how many times she visits this place, it will not change. Even if she changes, the world itself will remain as it was in the past. And, even then, it will still welcome her. Will she recognize herself, a year from now? Five? Ten? Would she even be the same person? How would this road of the shinobi change her, down to her very soul?

The monkeys supposedly had managed to transport themselves to one of the outlying islands within the storm barrier- a surprising feat, given that monkeys weren’t exactly know for being proficient at the use of boatcraft. Granted, they had been experimented upon by the research and development department, but even a dreamer like Kikuko had her doubts to the efficacy of their fine motor skills while having been outside of a lab environment for only a short amount of time. That meant that they were receiving help from somebody. Or perhaps something? The appropriate thing to do in these situations, as always, would be to check the weather. Sunny skies until the barrier. Calm seas. It would be safe for her to venture beyond where she was currently. Good. Now to find somebody who could point her to any potential rumors. Thankfully, she knew a person- well, she knew several, to be frank. But there would always be one who she would gravitate towards before all else.

“Papa!” She found him about where she expected, loading up in his boat with the other fisherman for the day. Trawling the depths of the waters of Island Country required specialized equipment, to be checked daily for wear and tear- otherwise their precious cargo ran the risk of running free before being brought safely back to shore. Despite the sun, he wore a long rain jacket- perhaps due to the daily passing of the barrier, or to avoid becoming too wet from the cresting waves. A healthy sweat, worked up through the effort of moving equipment. Turning to her, a busy yet kind expression upon his face.

“Hmm? Ah, Kikuko!” Turning to face her, he handed off a small crate to one of the junior fisherman- who gave him a somewhat dirty glance as he passed. “I’m surprised you’re here again. And so soon! Did your mother send me with my lunch? I may have forgotten it…”

Despite herself, she couldn’t help but crack a smile. While he was fastidious when it come to his work, her father was a bit of a scatterbrain- which meant that he would often forget household objects such as in this case. “Papa, I think you’ll be going hungry today. I actually came to ask you about a few questions. I know it might sound crazy, but have you seen any monkeys hanging around the harbor lately? Maybe on a boat, somehow?”

That got the attention of several fishermen- some snickering, while others looking her with a decidedly sharper look than would normally be aimed towards a simple Genin. As for her father, the assenting nod was all she required. “Ah, I figured it was ninja business. Tiny, rascally, have the Kirigakure painted on their backs? Have a penchant for fresh fruit?”

While she didn’t know about that last part, it certainly sounded like that she was tasked with tracking. “Yes, actually. The research and development department wants to know their whereabouts, and why they keep vanishing all the time. They think they’re camping out on one of the outlying islands, but I don’t know which.”

“Ah, the Monkey Island! Of course.” One of the older gentleman interrupt the conversation, rod secured over his shoulder. “The critters have been jumping overboard as we pass, and just swim to shore from there. For such small bodies, they sure swim well. Makes me wish I’d been born a monkey, at that rate.”

Monkeys swimming from the boats to an island? But then how were they getting back? Maybe they swam out to the fishermen as they returned from their daily catch? It made no sense, but she’d have to trust in it. After all, who was to say what did and didn’t make sense in this world? Especially where chakra was involved, impossibility was never a definite. What wonders would she encounter in this strange adventure of hers?

“Do you think you can take me nearby that island? Please? I can walk across even if you can’t get too close- it’s very important that I get there.”

The men cackled, and her father turned around- a sign for her to follow. “For any other Genin, you’d owe us a favor. For you, we’ll beach this old girl ourselves. Come on, boys! It’s time for fishing!”

The boat set sail, and her heart soared.

======

Out here, it was far calmer than the tempestuous nature of the shoreline. Less energy than the bustle of the harbor, and yet a worn determination hung about the boat. The daily grind had begun for them, and they prepared to truly work themselves to the bone. For Kikuko, however, her day had only half begun. There was her target destination- a small little islet on the way out of the storm barrier, too small for anything worthwhile to be built upon it by the village. Just plants, scrub, and trees- perfect for an animal’s hideout place.

“Papa! I’ll be leaving!” Turning to wave at the fishermen, she affixed them with a radiant smile. “Stay safe while you’re out there! There might be sharks!”

“Hah! If there’s sharks, you’ll have soup later!”

And with that, she tipped over the edge- somersaulting before landing on her feet, a paper-thin layer of chakra protecting her from falling into unforgiving ocean below. From here she would make her way to the island- assuming she didn’t get mistaken for a seal. Seeing that she wasn’t on a surfboard, that should not be an issue for her.

Walking across the water was never quite like walking on solid ground- even with the chakra beneath her feet, it had a certain give that felt a bit like stepping on a rubber band. She didn’t run so much as she bounced, pushing off the water from step to step. The water didn’t surge, but she could feel it- the potential of the crests and falls that would eventually give rise to waves at the shore. She stepped, stepped, and stepped- and sand was below her feet instead of the ocean. She had arrived.

At first glance, it was a bust. If the monkey had left any footprints upon arriving to the island, they had been swept away by the rise and the fall of the tides as they passed. She wasn’t a sensory ninja, and even if she was she wasn’t sure if she would be able to identify the chakra network of an inhuman creature. What was the difference? It interested her, but simultaneously was beyond her- a frustrating setback. But hope wasn’t lost. She knew they were here. She trusted the information of her father. All she had to do was use her sentences. One foot in front of the other. Be careful to minimize the sounds you make. Now, onwards through the jungle. What curious things would she discover here?

...Droppings, inevitably. Some fresh, others dried- perhaps she had found their proverbial dirt pile. She had heard of things like these in lectures, but hadn’t found one out in the wild until now. While it was curious in its own way, she could make an investigation of a literal pile of steaming excrement at a later date. Now, follow the noises. Chittering throats, a call that echoed upon the trees. Rustling noises. Shadows through the undergrowth. Creeping low, she crawled upon her hands and knees…

...A coalition of monkeys, in their own little paradise. A roughshod hut made from driftwood, made without any knowledge of carpentry or homemaking. Still, it was enough for some of the monkeys- sleeping or panting away from the hot sun. Notably, however, it was the ones beneath the structure that weren’t moving- the others a flurry of activity. Socializing, fighting, bringing back food and berries for the rest of the troop. But why? The ones beneath the shade...they were sick, she realized. Or perhaps overworked. She didn’t know her animals too well, but the telltale symptoms of exhaustion were universal. Labored breathes, dull eyes, soul nearly extinguished. Whatever these monkeys had been doing, whatever they had fled from, was slowly draining the very life from them. It made her sick to her stomach, and yet...this was where her mission ended. The primates had fled from the department to this island, seeking sanctuary from somebody or something that was reducing them to this state. In some ways, she felt like a great detective- yet something instinctive also told her that whatever the end of this story was, it wasn’t here by a long shot. Maybe it would be her who ends it, or maybe it would be somebody else. Nevertheless, it was time to head home.

Only some of the W’s answered. The curtain closes on one chapter. Soon, perhaps, it will rise once again.

=====

(exit)

2114 words

Claiming:

21 Stats, to be distributed as such:

+10 Vigor
+11 Speed
+20AP

+4100 ryo [4000+ 1*100 (Genin pay)]

Jutsu/Skills:

Ninshu [2000/2000]

Remaining words go to Seal of Redirection [366/2750]

Sun Jun 13, 2021 7:32 pm

When Primates Flee [Solo, Mission]

When Primates Flee [Solo, Mission]

Re: When Primates Flee [Solo, Mission]