By the Grace of a Miracle

As Izu listened to Jay saying he would prefer to be alone instead of with a team, Izu shrugged and sighed softly, shaking her head in disaproval. To her mindset, teams and camaraderie was important, and a staple of being a ninja in the hidden mist. Softly brushing off her own toughts, she concentrated back onto the task and mission description. 

''So, basically we need to track down the runner, kill his aid bandits (we will probably get ambushed) and then retrieve the stolen scrolls.''  said Izu while looking confidant. ''lets get to it.'' 

---

As the group went deep into the woods tracking the maniac who stole these scrolls, killed some kiri genin and created abominable experiments, they sprinted and jumped in succession in the trees, from branch to branch, while beeing on the lookout for an ambush and also for the criminal they were after. Izu was really excited, her mood calm and cold, but her heart racing, and blood pumping from the thrill of the hunt. A small faint smile could be seen on her face, as she was happy to go on her first mission with her team and to finaly have a chance to prove her worth. As he past was difficult, and her life harsh, she wanted to prove that not only ninja born with special families of ninja, or people with enough wealth to do anything and open all the doors of life could succeed in being a legendary ninja, and that she too could accomplish it by sheer will and determination. As she jumped into the forest, she was feeling like an instopable force, a person of focus, and absolute commitment to herself and the missions.

A few moments later, after having traveled a bit, Izu and shiro noticed something with their Byakugan. ''Sensei, there! looks like a pack of dogs or something.''  said Izu while nodding in the direction of the seen pack. Their tenketsu points could be seen from afar, and it was a giant pack. Numerous horendous creatures that were dog-like could be seen, and they seemed to have noticed the traveling shinobis.

The fight was horrendous. The beasts were unpredictables, hard to fight and to comprehend their way of combat and acting, as they were twisted beyond recognition in the experiments the criminal had put them trough. As the fight went on, the group got separated and after retreating to regroup mor far down the woods to skip the pack and continue to track the fleeing criminals, the team and particularly Izu noticed that Kaimera was missing from the group. As the time advanced, they got back to their tracks, and Izu could only hope that Kaimera was safe and good and that they would find him soon and unharmed. As a safeguard, Izu would keep her Byakugan activated to notice chakra presence and to see all around, in a way to both spot would be ambushes and the criminal they were tracking, as well as to look out for Kaimera out there in the deep woods. ''Kai.. I hope you're okay, please survive this, i believe in you.''  tought to herself Izu, worried about her teammate who got lost.

A few moments later, the two Byakugan users would see 6 figures and chakra presence up in the trees, waiting in a circle to ambush the group. As they got closer, Izu spoke to Jay and Shiro to form up a strategy.

''Yo team, there is an ambush up ahead! lets take them by suprise from higher up in the trees and ambush their ambush. No mercy for those monsters.''  said Izu in a cold and serious tone. 

As they arrived each from a different angle towards the group highly pearched in the trees, they got themselves ready to attack the bandits, at a minute notice. Izu was only waiting for the 'go' of her sensei shiro. 

HP 100/100

Byakugan use: -5 AP

total AP: 395/400

The thick forests of Koajiro-No-Mori. Shiro grumbled audibly with the rest of his Genin when they had approached the thick, almost jungle-like forest near the stepstones. The lush forest would only make it harder for them to get through. The man who Kaimera had once seen had picked an excellent location to hide away in. The massive twisted forest created a labyrinth for them to try and explore. Shiro turned his attention towards his Genin. Making sure that both he and Izu were near each other. He understood that having both of them be lookout’s was essential for their survival. Yet he also knew that somehow splitting up would be the worst case scenario. He didn’t know how strong the bandits were inside of the area, nor could he see much creatures inside of the forest. His focus was primarily on keeping all of them together throughout the immense crisis.

Yet this was meant to be a test, something that they were supposed to do later down the line as Shinobi. Shiro knew fully well that they each had what it took to take out a few measly bandits. It was pride that allowed him to survive, yet now he had pride in his team, in the people who were hear with him. He understood that they all had conflicting wants and desires. However perhaps them all working as a Unity would be for the best. However Shiro drew his sword immediately upon seeing that there were… piles of muscular flesh rushing towards them from 100 meters away. Izu would have also seen the beasts emerging inside of her vision if her Byakugan was active. With Izu pointing it out first when they had delved deeper and deeper into the forest. Shiro’s blade was immediately drawn, the sword was held with care, Shiro’s approach was to use it with one hand for right now. Believing that these beasts were not worth using both of his hands on to strike at them. Yet seeing their almost erratic movement, the way their muscles stretched and pushed against each other with each raged filled movement only made the Hyuga cautious. His stance only shifted slightly… Before he saw that there were almost 20 of them coming towards them from different directions. His other hand immediately latched onto his blade.

“There’s 25 of them in total! Keep your eyes on them Izu-San! Jay! Kai! Use whatever you have to kill these beasts.”

The fighting that had ensued had Shiro constantly weaving through the malformed wreckage of what was once two different beings entirely. Animals that were twisted and deformed into looking more and more human. Shiro’s eyes trying to keep track of everyone at once. Yet Kaimera’s defenses had almost been broken through, making the Genin make a mad dash deeper into the forest. The grip on his Katana had tightened further, further then he had ever felt before on that day. He could not allow these beasts to be the end of them. A surge of energy seemingly erupted from Shiro’s body, the presence of overwhelming power feeling suddenly apparent. An almost nurturing force enveloped the Hyuga’s arms. The speed of his swings was fast, faster than anything that the other two would have been able to see before. His slashes rushed through the enemy’s own bodies. Completely shredding through the rest of the wolves… His body launched forwards, mainly towards the direction of where Kaimera was. The intense power flowing through the previous Mizukage’s body was unreal. Shiro felt like he was back on his high again. Not even caring about the six individuals who seemingly were close by and rearing a trap. His eyes focused on Kaimera, who had ran so far, Shiro finally catching a glimpse of the Manor that the boy had found himself in. The wolves retreated back from there without so much as a stain of the boy's blood. His chakra signature was faint… Yet he could feel it… Enough to where he felt as though he wouldn’t have to worry about the Genin for now.

Izu wouldn’t even need a signal, Shiro’s entire mandate was to fight, to attack. A sudden swing from his sword emitting a reddish arcing slash that cleaved through the wood underneath those that were about to launch a counter attack. The six bandits seemingly knew how to use chakra… Yet he was hoping his fellow Genin would get in on the fun. Allow themselves to gain something from this experience as he allowed the bandits to fall flat on the ground. His own Enhancer still cloaking his arms as he stood there with a small smirk plastered on his face.

“Now Izu!”

WC:781
TWC:2424

In the first hall he took and the few initial alcoves he silently breezes through, there are hardly any assets to be seen. No furniture, other than perhaps a table or two. Not a single accoutrement in sight giving any indication of human habitation. And he doubts the lack of such things is due to plunderers. Rarely do their likes leave a place so pristine in their wake.

He notes now the eccentricity of this space. It isn't that it simply feels otherworldly, but it looks just as unfamiliar. In ways that stepping through the world of one's dreams might feel. Or as one's mind envisions the fantasies projected through the words of any storybook or spoken tale. The devil lurking in the details. But there is nothing as fantastical as such here. Nothing so wondrous in its enchantment.

Kaimera feels the tightening grip of the manor’s aura amidst the cavernous emptiness. The sheer absence of light and life. And the presentiment these walls exude from him only continue to hollow him out the deeper he treads. The tall, rounded beams of this main hall reach so high above as his eyes follow them upward toward the ceiling. It is too dim to discern, but he glimpses the geometric silhouette of some decorative latticing carved into the woodwork overhead. He traces their crisscrosses in his sights as he paces along, forward and back down the walls to then scan the perimeter. Observing more, he drifts instead across the stone-tiled steps the opposite way, proceeding on through the corridor at the hall's end.

Only as his footsteps faintly echo down this walkway does he note that the masonry beneath them seems to expand throughout these grounds. There is no wood flooring, no tatami panels. He rounds the corner at its end to a wider hall lined with smaller rooms. Pushing aside the apartment doors in his cursory inspection, he finds even this deep within the interior, there are only some sparsely laid carpets over more stone flooring. It isn't any wonder why this place is as strange as it is, he reasons. But he isn't sure if these are signs of just how antiquated his surroundings are, or if they are the out-of-place elements of odd, perhaps even foreign touches.

The stillness beckons his eyes beyond just what lies ahead, inviting them to move around and above as well. There is a worn grandeur to these halls. Though empty of furnishings, he sees traces of painted moldings along the decorated wooden framework all around. The doors, too, are rather strange. They are narrow and mostly wooden, folded on hinges along their tracks rather than full sliding panels. The rows of doors and wall paneling to his left all bear intricate motifs of tessellated knotted medallions that continue, repeated along the lintel beams overhead, and mirrored again in the frames of the window screens that line the corridor to her right.

Kaimera walks this route until it reaches its end. There are two exterior doorways that appear to lead out of the wing at this corner. It's difficult to see through the translucent window panels, but those along the shorter wall in front of him are darkened by the cover of tall, enshrouding shadows—likely those cast by the obstructing walls of this complex. The windows to his right that border the length of the corridor are all evenly lit by the dimming light of andons and he surmises there is an open court on the other side. As he reached the door, it could be noted that it isn’t wooden, but rather made of stone. Thick at that.

But that door is locked!

If it were wooden, it could most likely be broken down. But with thick stone like this, it would need tremendous force. Kaimera’s eyes wandered down the knob that was on the door, instead of the typical keylock, it was in a weird shape. However, the insignia on the door made him insinuate that it needed a key with an armored helmet on it. For now, the outside courtyard is off limits. Time to turn back.

Taking retreat, he would wander back through the corridor that he was in. Taking notes of anything that could be of use. Perhaps keys, items, etc. As he rounded the corner, a noise came to his aid. It was like daggers being scraped on the stone workings that laid below his footings. It would stop for a moment, and then start again. What was it? As he continued forward, the sound only got louder. Until it was clear as day. One of the rooms that he passed before, indicated that noise coming from it. Should he check it out, or steer clear of it? Maybe it was someone from his squad that was also sent to investigate the area. It didn’t really matter any way as the door was ripped off its hinges and there stood a creature.

Standing about 6’0 tall, it was massive compared to Kaimera. Green-like scales covered the body and had a set of reptilian eyes. ‘Shit,’ was all Kaimera could think as the creature roared and took a swipe at him with its long claw-like fingers. Instincts flooded his veins as he quickly jumped to the side as the creature took a step forward out into the corridor. While the corridor was rather large, it still was too small for close-quarter combat, therefore, Kaimera had to lead it back to the main hall that he entered the building from. Taking flight, he pushed with all his might towards that room, even with this creature hot on his trails. Taking a glance back, it ran like a rabid dog, like the ones from the forest. He could feel sweet beads form upon his brow as the creature neared him. He was almost at the door before he felt the air from the creature striking at his back, a close miss, he was still alive. Even though he was close, the strike made the creature slow down enough for him to escape into the massive main room. 

Combat was on.

The thing wasted no time as it lunged at Kaimera, who effortlessly dodged it once again. Kaimera studied the creatures' movements but it had no steady tactics, or forms that it was following. Just quick and chaotic maneuvers. Something Kaimera could work with. As the creature attacked once again, the Yakedo dodged, but this time, took a few hand signs and unleashed Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire. A blood- curdling scream echoed off the main hall, which sent slight pains into Kaimera’s sensitive ears, making him stall. The creature took advantage of the situation and went for another attack.  Kaimera dodged once again, only this time, coming close to the porcelain statue that was located near the staircase. Taking a quick glance, he noticed a sword that wasn’t like the same material as the rest of the statue.

It was real!

Taking the sword from its place holder, he squared up again to the reptilian creature, who was quickly attacking him again. Kaimera didn’t have time to dodge again, he managed to swing the blade in an angle to sever both arms of his assaulter. Kaimera was no swordsman like his sensei but watching him helped him in this situation a bit. However, that didn’t stop the creature as it lunged at Kaimera, who could only bring his blade, which pierced through the scales upon the creature's chest, but inevitably knocked Kaimera and the creature to the floor.

Kaimera’s back was laid on the floor with his arms outreached with the sword in his palms that had been driven through the reptilian demon’s chest, but who was also slowly sliding down the sword, inch-by-inch. Biting at Kaimera, he could feel the saliva drop from the creature's mouth as he drew closer to him. He was trapped under ruthlessness, unless someone could aid him in his time of trouble. But unbeknownst to him, a thick, dark shroud covered the outside and inside the walls, blocking the range and chakra vision of those who use dojutsu.

TWC: 4,654

As Shiro gave the signal to izu, she made sure to go all in and massacre the bandits in the camp by taking them by suprise. As Jay already jumped in there without much group coordination and the orders of their sensi, Izu felt frustrated and had to resort to less dangerous techniques, mainly to techniques that wouldnt harm her yuki team mate. As such, as she ran across the tree tops branch to branch circling the bandits in their camp as Jay fought them, Izu immediately performed the handseals Ram, Dog, Tiger, Boar , immediately entering Jay's mind to convey a message to him. But as Izu knew Jay was probably not gonna listen to her as she wasn't his sensei, and that he would in fact listen mostly to Shiro, she chose this message in Jay's head to be told in Shiro's voice, as if the sensei performed this jutsu and not Izu herself.

''Jay, beware! Izu is gonna use a technique to destabilize them and then she is gonna make a rain of needles upon them from all directions comming from the top of the trees circling the bandits! take care to dodge them all be prepared for the simultaneous attack! lets go team!''  said the voice of Shiro inside of Jay's head. 

Immediately after that, as Izu continued to circle around the bandits from the treetops and with higher ground and a good angle on all of them, she breathed slowly, to concentrate, and briefly close her eyes, while doing at an incredible speed some more handsigns: Boar, Rat. Almost instantly, all of the bandits gasped, and their stances changed, as if they suddently were very affraid. To the other team mates, nothing had changed. But Izu smiled a bit when she saw the marauders react with such contempt and suprise, knowing what they were experiencing. In the vision and mind of the bandits, they were getting ambushed back, as they saw 10 identical copies of Izu appear around them, senbons in hands and walking towards them. Each time they tried and kill or attack one, it would vanish in a puff of mist, or become water immediately dropping to the ground and absorbed by it, only to have another copy of Izu appearing and attacking them, relentlessly and without mercy. Panic ensued in their ranks, as Jay continued to slam and break them, taking advantage of the panic happening, as he was now informed on the move. While this panic happened, Izu continued circling them from above, being out of range, and creating with her illusions a big masterpiece of trickery. Indeed, as the fake 10 Izu's seemed to attack the bandits, she made her illusions all seem to throw senbons at the same time, mimicking to do handsigns and to make a litteral rain of needles comming from all around the bandits camp lodging inside their flesh. In reality, it was only Izu herself who did handisgns Tiger, rat, boar, summoning from thin air a pletora of senbons made from water drawn from the pond in the middle of the camp, and making it rain unto their heads. 

''Keep going Jay, those fuckers need to DIIIEEEEE!''  tought to herself Izu as she casted the rain of water senbon.

The carnage was absolute. As bandits screamed of terror from being attacked by all sides, Jay was jumping and slashing, kicking and throwing, reveling in the bloodshed, and Izu made a rain of water needles, making a terrifying noise of whistling akin to rain, but acompanied with hurtfull screams, moaning of pain, gargling of blood and cries from people begging for mercy as they crawled in a puddle of their own blood,  killing all except her team, and even continuing to make needles rain as the body stoped screaming for a few seconds, making sure that eveyone was beyond recovery. As the needles thudded across the camps while raining and impaling into the flesh of the already dead bandits, all that could be heard was the gushing noise of the blade into the bodies, now man no more, but mere meat, spoiled by supidity for trying to harm and hurt Izu and her friends. As Izu noticed amidst her bloodlust that no man screamed and made a sound anymore, she made the rain of needle stop, and got down from the tree to check up on Jay. As she dropped onto the floor from the forest top, the needles lodged inside the multipes cadavers of her enemies making them look like porcupines slowly turned back to water, mixing with the blood and oozing down the camp, making it be one giant puddle of red liquid, a horrifying sight for anyone who wasnt a cold blooded killer verging on psychosis, one that could make any untrained or sensitive person sick to their stomach. Izu inspected the cadavers to loot them, seeing if they had any Ryo, or weapons she could get. Amidst the dead bandits laying around, the man they were after was laying, face first into the mud now turned red. Izu identified him, as in his back pouch he was carying the stolen forbidden scrolls they were originaly sent after. This meant that the only part left of the mission was saving Kaimera and getting back alive with the scrolls to the hidden mist village. As Jay got close to talk to Izu about the great teamwork they just demonstrated, both him with his heat sensory and Shiro superior hearing heard something comming from up north in the wood. 

Izu looked in that direction and noticed something that escaped her sight before. In the distance, their was an old mansion, abandonned and decrepit, but still standing. The sound came from there, and it was, if her mind didnt trick her, Kaimera screaming. If Jay and Shiro didnt noticed, Izu would have never focus on it and would have figured it out too late. Taken by a sudden sense of urgency, she said ''Thats Kaimera! fast we must help him!'' with a worried voice. Kaimera was getting dear to her heart, after many interaction, and her confessing to her attraction towards him, he was very important to her. She could never forgive herself if she didnt risk her life to save him, should he need it. She immediately rushed in the direction of the abandonned manor, geting to the source of Kaimera as fast as she could, worried for her crush to die and for her to fail to protect him.

genjutsu messenger -2 AP, mist servant technique - 25 AP, Mizu senbon cast 2 times -40 AP, byakugan continual activation -5AP

new total AP = 323/400

His Genin were shaping up to be a proficient fighting force. The thuds of the water needles puncturing into the group of bandits only made the kirigakure shinobi smirk. His students were doing very well on their own. Jay’s style of taijutsu was certainly interesting. However, not using any form of nin tai jutsu was a bit strange. Usually if someone was from the Yuki clan they’d want to cast some form of ninjutsu over their own taijutsu or weaponry techniques or strikes. However his Genin was simply fighting all on his own without the use of Ice Release or even the two elements of the Yuki Clan. Shiro had deactivated his own enhancer for the moment, wanting to conserve his own energy. The bandits were being mowed like grass on a field. The Watery Senbon stabbing right through their skin and clothing. The ground being painted with the blood of the enemy before them. His Genin should have been able to take care of the rest of them. Shiro’s eyes darted around the area in search of where he had seen that mansion. His vision caught a bandit suddenly approaching him from behind. His limbs were like long straws. The loud cracks of bone snapping and twisting off and together filled the Hyuga’s ears. The lanky man’s hands were bone-like,  with sharpened fingers that were like daggers. Shiro’s arm rose up with his sword. Clashing evenly with the lanky man's hand… The screeching of metal against metal crying out throughout the field of red. The creatures other hand flew upwards in a rising slash, catching the Hyuga slightly off guard-

Shiro felt his cheek light up in pain, as in one swift motion, the eye that wasn’t his own suddenly was blinded by the lengthy monster he was fighting. He felt the blood rushing down his cheek. This must have been the scientists creation… judging by the malformed look, the beings skin looking like decayed, grey flesh wrapped around a boney frame. It’s arm would attempt to slam downwards on the Hyuga. Yet the white haired swordsman was able to narrowly avoid another attack. His blood had spilled today, the creature's movements were erratic. Hands cracking and screeching out with every movement of its hands and arms. It was strong no doubt, perhaps stronger then the genin nearby. He couldn’t risk either of them to face this creature. Not withy it’s erratic movements allowing for hits against each other to also happen. His hands tensed against the handle of his blade. His voice roared out in the red grass field towards his students.

“Jay! Izu! Find Kaimera! I’ll rendezvous with you three back at the front of the forest!” The beast began to dart towards Shiro in a zigzag like formation. Its arms trailing after its unnatural movements. Its feet leave almost hooves like imprints on the ground below it. Shiro’s sword would meet with the beast's claws, his Byakugan now having to do all of the work with his other eye having been clawed out by the best before him. His sword slamming against the grayish skin of the monster before him. The beats movements were too erratic. Enough to where it almost became unpredictable. He couldn’t continue fighting like this, it was a bad example in front of his students to have him take a hit on a mission like this… Yet he had grown accustomed to the weak enemies before him. A challenge like this, it was only natural for him to start actually taking the beasts seriously after all. His sword continues to match blow for blow with the lanky creatures swinging arms. The claws barely missed his face and body whenever he side stepped or bent backwards. The beast was just as fast as him, making it difficult to find a clear opening within its erratic shifting maneuvers. While clashing with the beast, he started to realize that it would take a few moments to settle down before going berserk once more. Shiro had been trying to lure the creature away from his students. Constantly dragging the beast in almost a circle like pattern of it constantly attacking him before going on a slight cooldown. He’d have to make this next attack count if there would be any hope of him surviving.

“Hopefully you’re watching… I’ll show you my upper limits… Just this once…” He wondered if his Genin had gone on to go help Kaimera while he dealt with the physical threat before him. Unless they decided to stay here and fight… Which he honestly hoped they would not try. His sword continued to clash with the beast. Waiting for the perfect moment, the time in which his blade would end up being allowed to slow down. The beast’s movements began to slow, before completely stopping before him. Now was his just, immediately after the beast had gone on it’s supposed cooldown. Shiro’s tenketsu points began to work into overdrive. His blade slowly becomes infused with the power of his current strongest Gentle Blade technique. His sword slowly became infused with Tenketsu chakra. The blade begins to become enveloped in the bluish hue of his fiery chakra. The chakra blade even extending the length and width of the blade exponentially. The blade’s extended range was now 2 meters. Shiro’s hands coming together, as the beast would attempt to rush forwards once again… yet this time… The Hyuga was ready, as in a single strike of his blade. His sword began to cleave through the head of the Lanky beast, its blood was pure red, falling to the ground beside him as the body of the creature would come flying forwards. Yet the Hyuga merely continued to swing, completely dicing up the lanky beast's body. His sword’s bluish hue completely shielded him from any and all semblance of an attack at the moment. As the Hyuga turned around, his Byakugan would try and see what was inside of the beast all along.. It’s entire exoskeleton was shaped differently than normal, with extra implants and even metallic add ons to the fingers to make them more like claws.

Whatever this was… It had something to do with the scrolls that they were able to recover, however there’s no way the person that was dead was the scientist. As the man would be way too smart just to die out here on the battlefield. Shiro placed a hand on his slashed out eye. Chuckling as it was at least not the side with his Byakugan. He had hoped that his Genin would be able to help with Kaimera… As he’d slowly make his way towards their location at the mansion.

WC:1114
TWC:3538

"Fuck!" Kaimera felt the creature's bite nearing his face. It was clear that the creature felt no pain, and a wound to the heart could not kill it. Giving a quick shove, Kaimera removed the sword from its chest and then immediately plunged its blade into the temple of the assailant. A mild groan, the creature's body went limp and fell to the floor. What was this thing? A crackle and a blitz light came to Kaimera in the form of electricity. This place had working lights besides the burning andons this entire time and he didn't notice? What was this place that had hidden creatures in rooms? What is really going on? Questions began to form into his mind, not knowing the nightmare he had walked himself into.

'Perhaps, though, this served to be an omen from the gods themselves. Fool. Tread no further. Turn back, child. This place is not meant for mortals like you.' Kaimera thought. They had only cast their creatures down on him once he'd set foot upon these grounds. But as ever, even a warning from the gods proves difficult to interpret. To turn back would mean almost certain death against the tides of the ravenous beast at his heels. What he needs now is shelter from it. His comrades, as well, perhaps. If he can even manage any means of finding them in this residence that contains evil.

Taking to the left door, he made his way down the corridor. The pervading, consecrated symmetry embodied in this place is only further echoed within this hall, where two paths lie before him yet again. He thinks, then, to do as he had before and begin left. More rooms line this corridor, and they appear more substantial than the humble apartments of the surrounding complex. He paces toward the nearest set of doors and pushes them open. What discovery revealed behind them only renders him in near disbelief as he lingers just beyond the threshold. A mere entryway of timber, more than a century old, entirely unobstructed, separates him and the rows of books and texts lining the walls and free-standing shelves within this chamber.

This—this is what he has been in search of.  Here lie the artifacts of the scrolls that went missing, the truth of the man's existence, and why those people have been murdered. If there are any traces of them left on this earth, they would be found here. He has resolved to uncover anything in reach, anything in sight, if it would bring him even a footfall closer to finding out the truth. Standing at the center of this room, he peers all around to see that there is hardly any trace of light trickling through. Seems not electricity has made its way into this room.

Fire crackled and hissed, breathing to life, as Kaimera set the fireplace in the room alight before walking f to light the first of many with the sconce held in his hand. Warm light feathered into the room, blooming against the bookcases and shelves carved into the wall. This is what he had hoped to find - a library, and, hopeful, and archive. 

Many of the texts had been stripped. The fireplace, lined with more dust than ash, was smothered in black. Books stacked beside it indicated to Kaimera that they had been burned - not out of malice but to instead keep warm - to stay alive. This had not spared the corpses calcified beside it. They’d likely starved. He eyed the door behind him once more before proceeding. He came to a small stack lined against the brick mantle. Plucking the first from the stack, he began reading. They were children’s stories, scrolls. Crude maps, manuscripts detailing nature from decades ago. He tossed them to the side, looking up at the second level. It, still shrouded in shadow, was cluttered with tossed books and dust. Corpses lined the walls, buried beneath books - impaled. As if they were trying to hide something.

Kaimera stood silent for a moment, detailing their deaths. When his eyes finally adjusted, they fell upon an open text laid out onto a table. Beside it, a quill and an overturned bottle of ink dried upon its pages. It was written in haste. Kaimera ducked beneath the capsized shelves, stepping over the mounds of books as he came to his. He rose the torch over the page, tracing the words with his finger until he began to read. It was more than a manuscript - it was a diary. A record of someone’s last days.

Nov. 24th

Eleven days have passed since arriving on this estate. How did I end up like this? A guy in a lab coat came with a plate of skimpy meal and said to me, "Sorry to put you through this, but it's for security reasons." That's when it hit me. It all makes sense now. There are only two people that know the secret of this mansion, Sir Yuno and myself. If they kill me, Sir Yuno will be the only person that knows the secret. But for what purpose? It doesn't matter now. It's too dangerous here. My family... I hope they are all right. I've decided to escape... Noelle, Lilly, I pray you are safe.

Nov. 26th

How could I be so careless? I lost my favorite lighter–the one Noelle gave me for my birthday. Now it's going to be that much harder to get out of this dark place. November 13th, the date when my fate was sealed. My aunt was hospitalized just three days ago. Noelle and Lilly said that they were going to visit her. I wish I could be there with them. But wait, even as I'm writing my memory is coming back to me more vividly. Just before I passed out, I remember the men in the lab coats said something like, "Most likely your family is already..." I pray for their safety.

Nov. 27th,

Somehow, I managed to get out of that room. But getting out of this mansion won't be as easy. I have to get past all the booby–traps. Tiger Eyes, Gold Emblem... I have to try and remember for my own sake.

Nov. 29th,

I can't get out. I have tried every possible way to escape but only to be faced with the reality that I'm trapped. I've been everywhere. The laboratory with the large glass tubes filled with formaldehyde and those dark, wet and eerie caves... What can I do? At first, I didn't want to believe my eyes. But that familiar high—heeled shoe in the corridor... It was like a reflex. One name came to my mind, Noelle! I don't want to believe they share the same fate as me. No! I can't give up hope. I have to hope they're alive.

Nov. 30th,

I haven't had anything to eat or drink for the past few days. I feel like I'm going crazy. Why is this happening to me? Why do I have to die like this? I was too obsessed with designing this ghastly mansion. I should have known better.

Nov. 31st, 

It was a dark and damp underground tunnel. And another dead end. But even in the darkness something caught my eye. Carefully, I lit the last match, I had to see what it was. A grave! But deeply engraved into the stone was my name!

"Asta Staria"
At that instant, it all became clear to me. Those bastards knew from the beginning that I'd die here, and I fell right into their trap. But it's too late now. I'm losing it. Everything is becoming so far away. Noelle... Lilly... Forgive me. Because of my ego, I got both of you involved in this whole damn conspiracy. Forgive me. May gods justify my death in exchange for your safety.

 - Asta Staria

The ink spilled over the rest of the page. Kaimera stood, flipping through the last of the book. There was nothing left. Slowly, he closed it, placing his hand on the cover. They were abandoned, bled dry and cast aside. It sickened Kaimera, left him with a cold hate that burned in his chest and toiled in his muscles. He’d found his answer. It appears that this scientist that has been doing all this work, goes by the name of Yuno. Perhaps, Shiro-sensei will know more about him. Kaimera could only hope to find him. Taking a look to the stack of papers next to the books that looks like an observation note, Kaimera begins to read.

The "Parasite" which we had delivered from a laboratory in Moon Island was administered to the sample specimen. The sample specimen took in the parasite without showing any signs of adverse reaction. The lack of any reaction was an unsolved mystery. But now everything is clear to me now. The "Parasite" was incubating in the sample specimen's body for 21 years. Then from that incubating state the prototype suddenly mutated. This observation gave me more insight in my research. Through further modification and testing, I was able to derive a method to create the "Y" that surpasses the performance of the "Z". This was the breakthrough that would change the future viral weaponry. I can't wait to see the look on Yuno's annoying face when I finally announce my research. But unfortunately, I'll have to wait a few more years to completely verify my findings.

 - Julius Novachrono


So fixated on his findings, the delicate padding of faintly approaching steps fails to register with his senses until the very last of its footfalls. His breath halts once he detects its wafting presence in the air. A noise obliterated the silence, the sudden voice jolted his body. He whips himself around with such violence, his vision nearly spins as he reels backward into the stone walls behind him.

“Who’s there?” Kaimera said nervously.

TWC: 6,300

As Izu was running towards the mention, she could see in her white beaded byakugan that jay was closely following, with also 5 other bandits who survived the massacre. She could also see a now distancing Shiro fighting with an enormous beast of mutation, almost unrecognizable in the way it was no more human and more hunk of flesh. As she jumped from tree to tree, she noticed Jay turning his head often, looking back towards the enemy group, who were following them. She knew they could be a problem, as if they caught up with them, they would surely trap them into the manor and make them their next prisoners to experiment on. As she was about to say something, Jay said to Izu that he would handle them and buy her time to go and save Kai. As Izu looked at him, the blonde tall ninja shook his head in approval, both of them without a word agreeing on the plan and respecting each other. Before she could see him stop and catch up to them, he took Izu by suprise and by holding her by the arms, threw her farther in the manor direction to boost her jumping. Gawking from this gesture, she felt Jay was trully ready to sacrifice himself should need be for the team and the village, honoring the mission to the very end. Izu always knew he had what it takes, his competence and true honor hidden behind his nonchalent attitude. Jay was truly a good friend and ninja, and he just proved it by risking his life to save both Izu and Kai. She always had a respect for the Yuki clan, her own ancestors being a part of it from distant cousins. As she advanced towards the door of the manor, she saw behind her Jay fighting all teeths and nails for the group survival, and pressed into the manor, knowing everyone life was at risk and on the line, should she not be able to do her part in the mission.

As she entered, a dark and dank corridor spanned before her, walls covered in dark stone, light abscent. The smell was awfull, a mix of humidity and mold, as well as rotting flesh, and an iron scent of blood, filled the halls of this place. Keeping her byakugan active to see any presence of living creatures and their energy, as well as having darkvision, Izu wandered slowly and on her guard the manor halls and corridors, senbon in her hands ready to clash in melee but also to be thrown. As she came into a long corridor spaning all the lenght of the establishment, she could hear a grunt, or a pain moan, come from behind one of the door. With her byakugan, she saw a creature so strange, and distorted, that she felt the need to put it down. She could see trough the door that the creature was perturbed, slaming its hands against the walls and shaking its head, as if a glimpse of personality, humanity, and conscience was still left in its malformed head. Izu quickly slamed open the door with her foot, throwing all of her senbons into the creature face and eyes, to kill it. As the needle lunged themselves, the creature exuded a screech of terror, similar to a horse dying, and fell to the ground in a splash of blood. Dead, tought Izu. The room was a dormitory, completely abandonned and wrecked by the mentaly ill creature traped in the room. As Izu continued her way trough the long corridor, she heard a noise comming from her back... a familiar noise. As she saw behind her, the creature she tought died was back alive, surviving its injuries and crying of pain, the twisted sound of howling and screeming echoing in the manor, creeping and loud as if glasses nails were tearing apart on a chalk board. Izu ran as fast as she could, but the creature was too fast, too strong. It caught up with her, tackling her toward the rotten wooden floor, wich they both passed trough, exploding the planks with Izu's back being pinned down by the monstrosity. Swiftly casting hand seals Tiger -> Rat -> Boar while dodging the yapping creature savage biting, Izu summoned from the water leaking from the roof about 30 senbons made of water, and all of them lodged themselves in the back of the monster, killing it in their descent. as Izu came crashing to the floor, they both got again, trough it, the planks rotten again and breaking under the weight. After falling for 2 stories trought the floor, Izu body slammed against the brick floor of the basement, the creature dead body weighing down on her, crushing her leg with its enormous weight, maiming her in the process. Izu screamed, hurt by the crushing and the slam against the stone floor, blood coming out of her mouth almost instantly. She was having trouble getting out of under there, but concentrated herself and used her chakra scalpel to cut in half the creature trapping her crushed leg under it, as a way to free herself. As she looked to her legs, she could see a lot of blood, clearly injured by the fall and crush of the creature. This mission was getting really dangerous, and the young blonde shinobi was getting exhausted. But, none of it mattered, as Kaimera was still in here, somewhere, in danger, and Izu came to help him out of this accursed place, and once and for all burn it to the ground. As she navigated the basement while stumbling on her injured leg, her senbons back into her hands, bloody from their retrieval from the monster skull, she saw a flight of stairs comming to a corner, with a faint light comming out of the corner. Seeing it as hope, she climbed, or should we say crawled, up the stone stairs, to what seemed to be ground level, and another corridor. In this one, there was again multiples doors, but one of them stood out; there was light comming out of it, a yellow light, indicating a fire of some sort. As the hyuga approached, limping her way there, she got herself on the corner of the door, in cover, to peer without making her presence known with her byakugan. She almost immediately heard the voice of Kaimera asking who was there out of reflex, Izu having steped on an old plank of the floor crackle under her light weight. Relieved, Izu immediately made her presence known, hand up in the air to be sure that kaimera didnt attack her by being jumpy from the situation and stress of it. Limping toward him, the girl usual black pants were leaking blood from a leg, completely drenching them in warm red ooze. She was roughed up, her face scratched from her fall and tumble with the monster, bleeding from everywhere, clothes riped at places with blood specks on others. ''Hey kai! thank the Mist you are alive! *cough cough* I've been looking for you, we killed a group of bandits and creature outside after we got separated, and the scientist who stole the scroll and was behind all of this was one of them. I made sure personally he wouldnt get up and would make it. You'll be able to kick that bastard body when we get outta here, dont worry ahaha- *cough blood and spit it* DAMN... they got me pretty good! Common, lets leave this place and burn it to the ground. Who knows what others creature and horrors might still be left here... Best thing is to reduce it all to cinder, and be done with it! Fast, Shiro is still fighting outside, and Jay too. We dont have much time...'' said Izu, stumbling about while hanging at kaimera shirt for stability. She was badly injured, coughing blood and wheezing as she breathes, indicating a more serious injury as she got crushed and fell two stories trought the floor.


-5 AP byakugan, -20 AP mizu senbon, -40 AP for chakra scalpel, -75 HP for falling and crushing injury.
new total AP = 258/400
new total HP = 125/200

The cold winds against his skin when he continued to run towards the manor in hot pursuit. Cursing himself that he had not noticed that some of the rogues had survived their initial attack. His eye that was once there was definitely gone, he’d have to get another one as a replacement when they returned back from the village. The monster had taken too much of his time. Enough for him to start rushing over towards the house. His body surges with chakra with the sudden use of his enhancer. His eyes turned a faint blue. Suddenly, with speed like lightning. He moved forwards in a desperate attempt to make it towards the Manor. His ears picking up the sounds of someone crashing through the floor. His byakugan not being able to pick up just what was happening pissed him off. He was able to see Jay lying right near where a tree was, Immediately trying to keep calm as he saw Jay was on the floor, the place where he was slashed was where he’d immediately focus on. Rushing towards him and placing his palm gently on the slash, using the Byakugan's own use of see through vision and chakra vision. He could pinpoint where the poison inside of the body was. His chakra mixing with Jays for a moment, right before he eradicated the poison within his body… and in doing so would have healed the wound where it was. His chakra wascalming, gentle to the Yuki clan member. He would have healed any and all other major injuries from the Yuki clan member. Shiro’s breathing was calm as well, trying his best to hold it together before he would search for any other injuries that were major. Shiro could not believe the scene that he saw when he looked around. Jay had taken care of the bandits by himself, a truly impressive feat for someone who was just a genin. It only made his movements faster when he charged into the manor. Now his Byakugan is able to slightly pick up the manors laid out… Along with his team. He would not have a repeat of what had happened on the day of Akabayashi’s invasion. He moved in a flash towards where he saw Izu and Kaimera. Seeing her condition with his Byakugan. Before moving directly towards his own sister. His breathing was slightly unsteady as he saw her condition, she was bleeding from the mouth, an internal injury… Something far more uncommon and difficult in the world of medical ninja…

“Kai, hold her steady… Fuck…” He grimaced, his eyes picking up that one of her ribs had fractured… While another one had pierced through her lung… A difficult procedure to be sure… Luckily for him, he had some amount of help. He’d get in close, his hand being placed on her stomach to use Chakra anesthesia to mitigate the pain that she’d feel during the botched surgery. He’d pull a fresh Kunai out, along with something to clean the Kunai to be used as a Scalpel. He needed her to relax for a moment, pulling up her shirt near to where her ribcage was. His focus entirely on his sister at this moment. He would not have another family member die right before him. It was here, where Shiro would make the incision, cutting a clean slash right into Izu’s chest that was deep enough to allow him to try and repair the broken ribs. The first being was the one that had pierced her lung. Slowly, Shiro’s hand would enter into the incision, the Anesthesia making the fellow Hyuga not experience much pain, but only slight discomfort as he grabbed onto the broken rib, immediately pulling out the rib before immediately healing the hole that was once there with him using Mystical palm to heal the lung injury. The Blood inside of the lung is burned away as a result of this. Reattaching the rib, and fixing the other rib as well in the same motion. His hand slowly began to pull out of where he had made the incision. Cauterizing the incision with his finger as he checked that his Sisters vitals were fine for the most part besides that and a few cuts here and there. Breathing a heavy sigh of relief while turning his attention to Kaimera, placing a hand on his shoulder when he saw that he had seemingly found some important documents that were hopefully vital to the mission.

“You did good… Very good Kaimera.”

The exhaustion was quickly beginning to bite at his heels. All three of his students were safe and sound for the most part… Which meant that the missions were mostly complete. A job well done for all of them today.

WC:795
TWC:4333