Frozen River: Lost Treasure

[Viseres]

Mission: Frozen River Lost Treasure
Rank: C
Partricipants: 2 minimum, X max
Description: At a hot resort locations within the Bird country a dead shinobi was found at the hot spring river. Since that day the hot spring no longer is hot as it has an eerie chill to it with an unknown creature now resting in it. The local lord has requested the aid of any and all shinobi willing to help out with this. Due to his constant loss in funds, the reward is pending on how quickly the job gets done.


OoC: If you wish to participate please show up and start posting in the thread. This will be at the point where everyone is meeting up at a central location to begin their journey. You have until monday, whenever I post to show up.

[Josephus]

*A shadowy figure appeared at the top of the central meeting place. Crimson eyes flashed in the darkness taking in the surroundings. *

Etchel: It’s been a while since I’ve seen any action

*And indeed it had. Etchel had been kidnapped in The Tournament of the Sun, by Sansato and Karasu Kyuoukou. He had been a promising shinobi of the sand village, and the prodigy of the Karasu clan, now however he is a shadow of his former self. Soon after being kidnapped Sansato and Kyuoukou had disappeared leaving Etchel behind. He didn’t dare do anything for a long time, fear that his villages ANBU would kill him for going rouge had kept him from doing anything besides stealing the sword Einherjar from his former home. The stress and fear had done a lot to age Etchel, and while he was only 17 his eyes held the look of a much older man.*

Etchel: And now it’s off to see what I can do.

*Etchel drops down from the rooftop and walks into the door of the central meeting place.*

[oipotty]

OOC: Etchel is already at the resort? I guess I’ll be at the resort as well.



With a group of birds swamping Takahashi in the middle of the night, the boy had received a mission letter. Apparently, he had been chosen to join a mixed team from different villages to figure out what's wrong at a certain resort... the Bird Country. Anything to get out of his little Ketsueki Mission he was having. Miroku would have to wait, this was a priority. He and maybe a few others would be representing Sunagakure, so he would have to be present. Besides, this was a high-paying C-Ranked mission unlike the mission he was on.



Takahashi sped off through the dark woods, trying to find his way back to Sunagakure. There, he would have to begin traveling off to the Bird Country and maybe along the way, he’ll find the central location. Dark leaves brushed past his cloak and animals scurried away as the genin charged through the serene woods. The boy arrived at Sunagakure before long and realized Miroku’s house wasn’t too far away from Suna. He was supposed to be missing, so he didn’t want anyone inside the village to see him.



He traveled towards the Bird Country and spent hours seeing the same scenery… desert. The vast desert seemed endless, but finally, a change in terrain could be seen. A rain-forest was springing up into view… suddenly, a caravan appeared behind him and scooped him up. The man driving the caravan smiled.



Man: I'm taking you to the central meeting place. You're not supposed to go into the bird country yet. I spotted you coming here so I decided to make the detour.



They drove back and he was dumped off at a "central meeting spot. He thanked the caravan man who had spotted him. Then, the boy walked up to another genin who was resting casually.



Takahashi: Sup… My name is Takahashi. Are you here for the mission?

[Kumo]

OOC: Check Vis's post. This is just before we leave to go to the river, at the central meeting place.

A slight breeze seemed to ruffle Arata's hair as he walked towards the rendevous. He knew full well where he was going. A hot springs resort in bird country.

A bandage wound its way up his right arm. Fortuneatly Daikage has enough medical experience to heal the wound itself, even if he thought the kidney and the pancreas were the same thing...

Well, at least that was all over. He hadn't done anything really interesting in a while, and he was hoping the C on the scroll was well deserved. He already had one theory one why the hot springs were cold, but if he were right they probably would've checked that before hiring shinobi. They didn't come cheap, after all.

He looked down at the scroll again.

A caravan will be leaving from each village and arrive at a meeting point after 1 day of leaving. Then 2 more days will be taken to reach the river. During that time the guide will answer any and all questions related to the mission with truth.

Arata nodded. "Ok. Already did the village part... let's see..."

He looked around for anyone else already here.

OOC: when you said "No PVP" does that include NPCs?

[oipotty]

OOC: Oh, my bad... I changed.

[Viseres]

All of this is OoC (me talking):

Das: You arent at the resort yet. You have time to talk with felow shinobi as you probally won't recognize many of them

Kumo and Oip: I'm skipping the day to travel to central location part due to trying and speed this up. Feel free to mingle with Das and ecah other if no one has meet each other before.

As for pvp, there will be no player vs player interaction or you will be kicked out of the mission

[the lost shinobi]

OoC: Hay guys I'm taking Vis up on his offer concerning the academy. first time in a mission so bear with me lol.

*Haiiro looked around the at the scenery around him. Haiiro had never been anywhere outside his house or outside the village. His uncle had forbade that long ago for fear that Haiiro's past and true identity may somehow catch up to him and Haiiro would be harmed by mercenary shinobi.(OoC: I fyou wanna know about my past read my characters post here (http://forum.narutochaos.com/showthread.php?p=512702#post512702). I'll answer any questions you may have about it too during the mission.). Haiiro had never seen a forest before. He'd seen trees but never in such a density as he was seeing them now. The view blew Haairo's mind for quite a long while before Haiiro began to wonder how he got to where he was.

The last thing Haiiro remembered was training with Azure in the academy, when another shinobi had come in and whispered into Azure's ear. *

Azure: "Hey kid you wanna go on a mission? Don't take this too lightly though, your still an unexperienced genin and this is a C rank mission. Think it through and don't be hasty. If you do fine on the mission consider yourself a shinobi, if you don't be sure to get your ass back here for more academy training."

Haiiro: (Wow a real ninja mission... It'll let me pass my academy training if I do good. Then its decided) "Azure sensei I agree to this mission! What am I supposed to do?"

*Azure was suddenly in front of Haiiro. Azure's speed was frightening, it was as if he had always been in front of Haiiro the whole time. Haiiro was pushed backwards in surprise at Azure insane speed*

Azure: "Sorry kid, can't tell you that. Classified until later. Oh and I'm also sorry for this."

*The last thing Haiiro remembered was Azures fist hitting him on his temple and then blackness all around. The academy gave way to the purest dark Haiiro had ever experienced. And then Haiiro woke up in a sparsely furnished horse-drawn carriage.

Haiiro was still a bit groggy from his long "nap". He looked down at his feet and found a bland scroll, bound by simple twine. Haiiro unraveled the scroll and looked at its contents and began to read with nervous darting eyes.*

At a hot resort locations within the Bird country a dead shinobi was found at the hot spring river. Since that day the hot spring no longer is hot as it has an eerie chill to it with an unknown creature now resting in it. The local lord has requested the aid of any and all shinobi willing to help out with this. Due to his constant loss in funds, the reward is pending on how quickly the job gets done.

A caravan will be leaving from each village and arrive at a meeting point after 1 day of leaving. Then 2 more days will be taken to reach the river. During that time the guide will answer any and all questions related to the mission with truth.

Haiiro: Hmmph.. so much for caravan I'm the only one here.

*Haiiro looked at his driver. He was a formidable looking man. Tall with a broad chin and a face that hadn't been shaved in days. He wasn't overly muscular but he was well built and looked like a man who had been working his whole life. The mystery man turned and met Haairo's eyes with a straight mouth, unsmiling and uncaring. Certainly not a man Haiiro wanted to question*

Haiiro: "Ummm.. hello how long till we reach our destination?"

Driver: "..... soon."

Haiiro: "Yeah... thanks."

*The man grunted his response at Haiiro. Haiiro looked down at his feet once more and saw his Tekubi Yaiba (OoC: Again its in my stat page in the link above). He gently picked them up and put them on. The metallic guard that protected his arms cool against his skin. Haiiro had never used the Yaiba against someone else before, and he secretly hoped he wouldn't have to in this mission.

The carriage stopped. Haiiro turned around at the door and saw it slowly being opened. The driver had opened it for Haiiro.*

Driver: "We're here"

Haiiro: (Jeez this guy is pretty annoying.) Yeah... thanks again.

*Haiiro got off the caravan with the scroll in his left hand and his Yaiba both on his arms. He looked around and saw three other ninja already there and chatting. They all had an air of experience around them. Haiiro had never felt so weak before. He began to rethink his decision of coming on the mission. He could have been back home instead training or fighting with Azure, but now he was here on a real mission.

Haiiro gulped and took a deep breath getting himself ready to go and approach the other ninja.*

Driver: The hell you waitin' for. You are a ninja aren't you?

*Haiiro turned around angrily at the man ready to insult him his hand up at his forehead, pointing at the proof he was a shinobi, but nothing was there; just bare skin.*

Haiiro: "Umm yeah of course I am."

Driver: "Where's your protector then kid?

*Those words punched through Haiiro. He felt even weaker, he wasn't a real ninja after all. He hadn't even passed the academy. Haiiro slowly turned his back on the man and trudged towards the other ninja, head bowed down deep in thought.*

Haiiro: (I may not have a protector yet... but damn it I'm a ninja! And I'll use this mission to prove that!

OoC: sorry for the long post. I'll leave describing the meeting place to someone else... hope I'm in time

[Zagnaphein]

ooc: Lets go i hope i catch up with the mission!


While saying bye bye at his sensei Yashito heard about a C-Rank mission and thought.

<<My chance to prove myself worthy to sensei!>>

He run to catch up the caravan and meet his fellow travellers..

Yashito: Hello everyone mind if i ask who is the person in charge here?

[Kumo]

The meeting place wasn't all that much to look at, which was of course why it was chosen. It was a small clearing in an unimportant looking forest. The trees came so close together that the light and glow in the clearing looked almost unatural and unsetteling. A slight breeze seemed to ruffle the air as birds tweeted in the sky, adding to the half peaceful ambience. Leaves fell to the ground as the wind picked up slightly.

Guess there's nothin' to do now but wait... Arata sighed as he thought this.

"Hello everyone mind if i ask who is the person in charge here?"

"Hm... good question..."

[Viseres]

Yashito: Hello everyone mind if i ask who is the person in charge here?

--As the yound kid asks the question one of the drivers looks down at the group.--

???: He's coming on the last caravan from Konoha. He should be here later in the day.

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro looked up and found himself already among the other ninja. He looked up and stared at them in the eye, too a deep breath and said*

Haairo: Hello, my name is Haiiro Asad. Care to introduce yourselves as well?

*Haiiro nervously awaited the other's responses. He wanted to get to know his teammates better and what their abilities were. He just wanted to do everything right and not be the culprit of any trouble that may arise.*

[Zagnaphein]

Yashito: Greetings... *he frowned his eyes* i am Yashito Hishira From the Hishira clan.. I Guess we will work together on this mission..

*Gives his hand on Haairo*

Yashito:Seems we will be leaving soon wont we?

[Youko_Soto]

OoC:Please let me still take this mission I know I'm late. ViseresI sent a pm regarding this.

Youko:"Hello.I'm Youko Soto.I dont really like talking about myself so...I'm done."Says coldly,closing her eyes.

[Kumo]

"I am Arata." Arata said simply.

OOC: Wow... shortest in char post i've ever made.

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Everybody's speaking at once... shut up. I'm in charge!!!


Looking around, the genin bashfully stopped talking and admitted the truth...



Takahashi: Alright, I'm not in charge. When are we going? I can't wait to kick some butt! Especially, some monstah butt!


Then, toning it down a little, the boy plopped himself on a log, organizing some of the tools and equipment he had in his pouch. Arata, Youko, Yashito, and Haairo. Most looked like shinobi fresh outa the academy... but who was this shinobi coming from Konoha, the real leader? He better not be too cocky.


Takahashi: I'm Takahashi, by the way to all of you who just arrived. I'm from Sunagakure, the best village out there, by far.

[Viseres]

OOC Again

So far we got

Oip
LS (academy situation)
Kumo
Zag (academy)
Youko (academy)
Das
Myself (will be the last one to arrive later)

Anyone who hasnt posted yet has a few hours before I post the last caravan showing up.

[Kumo]

Takahashi: Everybody's speaking at once... shut up. I'm in charge!!!


Looking around, the genin bashfully stopped talking and admitted the truth...



Takahashi: Alright, I'm not in charge. When are we going? I can't wait to kick some butt! Especially, some monstah butt!


Then, toning it down a little, the boy plopped himself on a log, organizing some of the tools and equipment he had in his pouch. Arata, Youko, Yashito, and Haairo. Most looked like shinobi fresh outa the academy... but who was this shinobi coming from Konoha, the real leader? He better not be too cocky.


Takahashi: I'm Takahashi, by the way to all of you who just arrived. I'm from Sunagakure, the best village out there, by far.Arata's eye twitched. "Arrogant a** wipe." he muttered, just loud enough for everyone in the clearing to hear.

[oipotty]

OOC: Kumo you bas*ard... I'm twitching to pvp... :D



Takahashi swirled around, red eyes glinting. This kid better not get in his way or else things might get messy.


Takahashi: Arata, is it? I'd watch myself if I were you.

[Kumo]

Arata cocked his eyebrow. 'I've fought guys who could make you scared as a frightened armadillo, a**wipe.

was what he thought, but what he said was...

"I don't wanna fight, i'd just prefer to keep stupid boasting to a minimum, if you don't mind. Arrogance is nothing but a cloud to the mind, stifling intelligence as mist obscures sight and- HEY A HUMMINGBIRD!!"

Arata seemed to completely forget anyone else was in the clearing as he leaped up the tree, chasing after the hummingbird, a stupid, happy grin on his face.

Then the branch under him broke and he fell to the forest floor.

Arata's eye twitched again. "Maybe Okasan was right about that biploar slash ADD thing..."

[Viseres]

--The sun had begun to set as the bickering of the shinobi could be heard on the road. As the creaking of the tires roared through the air, the last part of the caravan arrived. Creaking to a stop the caravan joined the others as two people jumped down. One a well dressed man who appeared to be in his 40s greeted everyone with a smile as the second a small statured shinobi wielding the headband signaling his status and his hometown of Konoha.--

Old man: Welcome welcome all. Thank you for helping me out. My name is Yuri and I'm the owner of the resort we are going to. I promise a nice reward to whomever finishes this mission first so let's get started.

Young boy: You forgot to tell them didn't you....

Yuri: Oh right, we will be walking due to the situations, so please let's all begin.

Young boy: Hello everyone, I will say this now. I'm not 100% sure why I'm here as it's not for the prize money. My name is Yuki Taihe, Genin from Konoha. I know most of us are from differant villages so let's try not to argue too much as that is not the point of this mission.

--Clasping the sword in which he held in his left hand, Taihen fastened the sword to his belt as the hilt of his other sword appeared over his back, and begun to follow Yuri who already left down the path.--

Yuri: Oh I forgot, there will be food and feel free to ask any questions you have.

Serrated Katana
Urumi
Ice Sword
Dragon Roasted Pendant
5 Kunai


OoC: Please include your inventory in next post

[Kumo]

1 Katana

1 Tanto

9 ft of Bandage Wrapping

2 Bottles of Water

28 Kunai

1 Backpack

2 Kunai Holsters

2 Emergency Kunai Holders

1 Tinderbox

1 Soldier Pill

Arata followed after them. "Personally i only have two questions. What was the river heated by before it went cold and how was the shinobi killed?"

[Josephus]

*Etchel cringed; he had been in silence for so long for hiding from hunter nins, he ears were unaccustomed to noise, especially loud children screaming there head off. He slowly raised his hands to massage his temples.*

Etchel:…

*The young Karasu opened his mouth as if to speak, but shut it quickly. He wasn’t sure he remembered how to speak. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, his red eyes scanning the gennin in front of him. They were young, and full of a pure rash youthful innocence. He would have been surprised if any of them had taken another humans life yet.*

*Etchel sat up and began following the young gennin who had taken the lead. A crow from a near by tree soared and flew over to him as he moved, landing on his shoulder as he walked in silence.*


40 Shuriken
1 Einherjar (Family sword, check a character pic to see it's awesomeness.)

[Viseres]

--As the young genin asked the question Yuri smirked.--

Yuri: It appears young boy you do not know the reason for hot springs. Basicly the world's heat is normally blocked by the crust. But in certain locations the crust is cracked and thus the magma heats the water allowing for it to be warm. Our spring is slightly differant as it is a spring. It flows down the path but we have it divided into differant sections for familys, and genders.

--Yuri paused as he thought about the dead shinobi.--

Yuri: As for the shinobi, we do not know much about it. Merely that his throat was slit and he was found with his right arm in the water upon death at the edge of the deepest part of the spring.

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Arata, sometimes ya gotta lighten up. I was joking around. Everybody seems so tense. Whatever, let's just finish this. Shinobi like you don't know how to just chill.


Takahashi looked through his pouch.


10 Shuriken
10 Kunai
1 Blood Pill
1 Soldiers Pill
10 Ft. Metal Wire


Of course, he had his katana with him.

[the lost shinobi]

one pair of Tekubi Yaiba see my stat page to know what they are

*Haiiro was amazed. For experienced shinobi, these guy sure did enjoy bickering like toddlers. But then the old man and the Konoha genin Yuri came by and restored order.*

Kumo: "Personally i only have two questions. What was the river heated by before it went cold and how was the shinobi killed?"

Haiiro: (Damn it. I was gonna ask that. Guess I'll just wait for a response from Yuri. He seems to know what's going on.)

Yuri: As for the shinobi, we do not know much about it. Merely that his throat was slit and he was found with his right arm in the water upon death at the edge of the deepest part of the spring.

*Haiiro felt himself cringe. He had never heard of such brutality. He wondered whether or not he should even be on such a mission if other shinobi had been killed. Haiiro resigned himself to his fate at the moment and began to walk down the path after Yuri, and the other ninja

[Kumo]

--As the young genin asked the question Yuri smirked.--

Yuri: It appears young boy you do not know the reason for hot springs. Basicly the world's heat is normally blocked by the crust. But in certain locations the crust is cracked and thus the magma heats the water allowing for it to be warm. Our spring is slightly differant as it is a spring. It flows down the path but we have it divided into differant sections for familys, and genders.

--Yuri paused as he thought about the dead shinobi.--

Yuri: As for the shinobi, we do not know much about it. Merely that his throat was slit and he was found with his right arm in the water upon death at the edge of the deepest part of the spring.Arata wasn't surprised at the method of killing. It made perfect sense, in his mind. Slit the throat, and the lung's precious supply of air is halved. The blood spilling out of the throat's wound flows into the cut, rendering the victim both incapable of screaming and drowning in it's own blood.

Of course, he didn't invision himself in that situation. That would simply subject him to uneeded fear. There more than enough shinobi on this mission to handle just about anything. Arata got the feeling Taihen and Takashi were, unlike himself, ready for a fight to the death.

Then a thought came to him.

"Ok, so did anyone consider this rift in the crust may have shifted or cooled over?" Arata pointed out. "Magma cools to rock very easily, if a sudden deluge of water, not from the springs, but another source, were to leak into the crack in the crust it would harden the magma over the crack and the heat would no longer flow."

Then he added, "And i meant by volcano or just at random in the crust."

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro heard this Arata kids suggestions and for the first time felt he could speak up.*

Arata: "Ok, so did anyone consider this rift in the crust may have shifted or cooled over?" Arata pointed out. "Magma cools to rock very easily, if a sudden deluge of water, not from the springs, but another source, were to leak into the crack in the crust it would harden the magma over the crack and the heat would no longer flow."

Haiiro: Nice try but those two suggestions are pretty far off. Magma may seem to cool rapidly but thats only the outer shell that you see. Underneath the magma is still hot. For magma to suddenly cool the way you mentioned, it would have to come in contact with a lot of water and seeing as how there isn't any other source of water nearby, that would be unlikely. Unless we're dealing with a shinobi with exceptional water based ninjutsu that is. But again without a decent water supply nearby, no way that magma could cool that quickly exposed only to air.

Your theory is further flawed because normally magma doesn't leak out onto the crust near a hotspring it simply heats the water above it which is in a chamber and then the water boils and rises. Here I'll draw a diagram in the ground.


http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/slidefile/graphics/diagrams/Images/09625.jpg
Also the rift in the crust could take thousands of years to move and the hot spring would have gradually lost its heat and water output. But in our case we have a sudden disappearance not a gradual one.

*After his lengthy explanation Haiiro just got up and continued walking head bowed. He hoped he hadn't sounded to arrogant or bossy*

[oipotty]

Takahashi didn't like all of the technicalities. He would let the others handle it.



Takahashi: Tell us about the other stuff. Like the monster and the man who died.

[Viseres]

*Haiiro heard this Arata kids suggestions and for the first time felt he could speak up.*

Arata: "Ok, so did anyone consider this rift in the crust may have shifted or cooled over?" Arata pointed out. "Magma cools to rock very easily, if a sudden deluge of water, not from the springs, but another source, were to leak into the crack in the crust it would harden the magma over the crack and the heat would no longer flow."

Haiiro: Nice try but those two suggestions are pretty far off. Magma may seem to cool rapidly but thats only the outer shell that you see. Underneath the magma is still hot. For magma to suddenly cool the way you mentioned, it would have to come in contact with a lot of water and seeing as how there isn't any other source of water nearby, that would be unlikely. Unless we're dealing with a shinobi with exceptional water based ninjutsu that is. But again without a decent water supply nearby, no way that magma could cool that quickly exposed only to air.

Your theory is further flawed because normally magma doesn't leak out onto the crust near a hotspring it simply heats the water above it which is in a chamber and then the water boils and rises. Here I'll draw a diagram in the ground.


http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/slidefile/graphics/diagrams/Images/09625.jpg
Also the rift in the crust could take thousands of years to move and the hot spring would have gradually lost its heat and water output. But in our case we have a sudden disappearance not a gradual one.

*After his lengthy explanation Haiiro just got up and continued walking head bowed. He hoped he hadn't sounded to arrogant or bossy*

Yuri: You my boy are correct. As for the monster. We have no idea. All we see when we looked into the water is this dark shadow. We have yet to figure out what it is. As for the man. Well not much was known about him. He was a hired hand that we hired to deal with some people who wouldn't leave the spring when their payment was up. After it was finished the man decided to stay here for a bit and one day we just found him dead. As for his orgin, he was a merc for hire.

[Kumo]

Arata was about to point out that the river is one hell of a water source, until he pointed out the other flaws.

"Good point." Then Yuri mentioned the men who hadn't paid up, and were the reason the merc was hired.

"Who were those men?"

Arata was vaugely aware that he'd only meant to ask two questions back at the clearing, but he figured it wasn't all that important.

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro felt it was time to bring up something that had been nagging him for quite a while now.*

Haiiro: I think the question is how are we gonna fight that monster? It lives in the water. It can attack us but we can't attack it. It has us trapped before we even get to the mission site. I don't believe any of you can hold your breath under water longer than 5 min much less maneuver under there during a battle. So how are we supposed to fight a foe we can't see?

[Viseres]

Yuri: The mean were just annoying scum. But atlas I'm just a weak man so I had to get outside help. As for the monster, you all are shinobi you can think of something

[Kumo]

"I think the question is how are we gonna fight that monster? It lives in the water. It can attack us but we can't attack it. It has us trapped before we even get to the mission site. I don't believe any of you can hold your breath under water longer than 5 min much less maneuver under there during a battle. So how are we supposed to fight a foe we can't see?" Haairo asked.

"If a snake hides in your clothing at one end of the room, you force it out with a shovel." Arata pointed out. "All we have to do is force this whatever it is out of it's own enviorment."

[the lost shinobi]

Arata: "If a snake hides in your clothing at one end of the room, you force it out with a shovel.All we have to do is force this whatever it is out of it's own enviorment."

*Haiiro couldn't agree more with this point. He knew that Arata was right, if this monster or whatever it was stayed in the water, most likely he and everybody else here wouldn't be able to do a thing. But on land it would be a totally different story. They outnumbered the monster and there were also more than a couple experienced shinobi around.

Haiiro heard a bird chirping in to his right. He perked his head up and looked around him. Suddenly a multitude of noise washed over his eardrums. He heard birds, insects, the wind; in shirt everything in a forest. Haiiro then decided to take it all in. He had never been in a forest and never knew when he might come back. So with the enthusiasm of curious toddler, Haiiro managed a smile and began to take in all his surrounding in all its green and noisy glory.*

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Maybe the men who wouldn't leave the spring sent the monster on the hired mercenary. In order to defeat this monster we need to stir up some trouble and force him to come to the surface.

[Kumo]

"Maybe the men who wouldn't leave the spring sent the monster on the hired mercenary."

Arata sighed, but did not argue. He'd guessed at that, which was why he'd asked about the men earlier.

"In order to defeat this monster we need to stir up some trouble and force him to come to the surface."

Arata was about to open his mouth and point out that that was what he had just said, but thought better of it. He was already on Takahashi's bad side, there was no need to aggravate him further.

"Ok, so how would we do that?" Arata asked, not the guide this time, but the rest of the squad. "Anyone bring an explosive note or two?"

[oipotty]

Takahashi: So, which one of us thinks he could make some disruption? I don't think I can..

[Viseres]

--Taihen turned around and looked at the other genin following him in whom have been bickering yet again.--

Taihen: Am I the only one who knows trying to set up a complete plan at this moment is useless. We know neither the surroundings or the situation in exact form. So let's just move on from the subject and get to know each other. Figure if we will have to work together we might as well know a little bit about each other.

[Kumo]

--Taihen turned around and looked at the other genin following him in whom have been bickering yet again.--

Taihen: Am I the only one who knows trying to set up a complete plan at this moment is useless. We know neither the surroundings or the situation in exact form. So let's just move on from the subject and get to know each other. Figure if we will have to work together we might as well know a little bit about each other.Arata sighed. "I was asking about inventory, not strategy... And as far as i know, causing an explosion would rouse anyone, especially something in the water."

"Anyway..." Arata continued "I'm Arata."

[Viseres]

Arata sighed. "I was asking about inventory, not strategy... And as far as i know, causing an explosion would rouse anyone, especially something in the water."

"Anyway..." Arata continued "I'm Arata."

Taihen: You already seem to be narrowminded. Your assuming it will even leave the water. The best bet is to wait until we get to see everything and remember that regular tags wouldn't go off under water as I highly doubt any of us are skilled in that area.

[Kumo]

Taihen: You already seem to be narrowminded. Your assuming it will even leave the water. The best bet is to wait until we get to see everything and remember that regular tags wouldn't go off under water as I highly doubt any of us are skilled in that area."i'm assuming it can leave the water." Arata shot back. "If the man was killed in the water i doubt he would've been moved by the creature, and even if it was the creature would've been forced to have at least part of it's body leave the water. Yuri tells us that his arm was at the edge of the river, partially submerged. If he had lived long enough to try to crawl out, he would've most likely died while dragging himself across the ground, leaving his feet towards the river. I assume the monster can let at least part of it's body leave the water. If it knows we won't go in, and we harrass it enough, eventually it will decide to try and come out." Then he sighed nice and long. "You're right about the tags, though."

[Viseres]

"i'm assuming it can leave the water." Arata shot back. "If the man was killed in the water i doubt he would've been moved by the creature, and even if it was the creature would've been forced to have at least part of it's body leave the water. Yuri tells us that his arm was at the edge of the river, partially submerged. If he had lived long enough to try to crawl out, he would've most likely died while dragging himself across the ground, leaving his feet towards the river. I assume the monster can let at least part of it's body leave the water. If it knows we won't go in, and we harrass it enough, eventually it will decide to try and come out." Then he sighed nice and long. "You're right about the tags, though."

Taihen: Wow you do not think. Only one arm was in the water meaning he was heading TOWARDS the water. And if the monster is in the water how would the man die of a slit of the neck. Quite meaning the monster most likely is not the suspect in this matter and instead an outside force acted upon the death of the shinobi while the monster is just a bystander.

[the lost shinobi]

Taihen: "Quite meaning the monster most likely is not the suspect in this matter and instead an outside force acted upon the death of the shinobi while the monster is just a bystander."

Haiiro: (Hmmm, that does make sense the man did die of a slit neck. Why didn't I make that connection before? Monsters don't slit necks, they slash, bite create large damage not a precise cut.)

*Haiiro had kept to himself for Arata's and Taihen's discussion. But now he felt he should interject before Arata and Taihen got at each other's necks. The last thing the group needed was to lose two of the more experienced shinobi members. He decided he'd introduce himself before Arata mounted a response*

Haiiro: "My name is Haiiro Asad, I'm an academy student on this mission to attempt to pass my academy training. You may have noticed this by my non-existent forehead protector. I may not be full fledged ninja but know that I'll do whatever is necessary for this mission to succeed and to protect you all to the best of my abilities. If you want to know anything about history or my weapon just ask me"

OoC: where the hell be the other two kids?

[Josephus]

Etchel: You are all going to be the death of me.

*It was the first thing the Karasu had said, and it wasn’t a compliment. The ceaseless arguing the gennin was pointless and unnecessary. He whispered something to the crow on his shoulder, and it flew away squawking out to the other birds in the forest. Etchel turned around and stopped ahead of the rest of the travelers.*

Etchel: If you all don’t learn how to get along with one another, you will all end up dead. That is not a threat, it’s a fact. I won’t be there to protect you either.

*And with that statement the Karasu turned back around and continued walking towards the resort. A crowd of crows in a flying V above him.*

[Kumo]

Taihen: Wow you do not think. Only one arm was in the water meaning he was heading TOWARDS the water. And if the monster is in the water how would the man die of a slit of the neck. Quite meaning the monster most likely is not the suspect in this matter and instead an outside force acted upon the death of the shinobi while the monster is just a bystander."...That's what i JUST F****** SAID!! He was heading towards the water when his throat was slit. You speak of this beast as if it is simply a huge glob of flesh with a talent for scaring the s*** out of people. If this thing is amphibious, it ain't hard to get out and slit someone's throat. Apparently either i worded it badly or you didn't listen to my arguements, cuz i was trying to say 'the thing might have come out when the man was close, slit his throat, and come back in, causing the man to fall and land with one arm in the water, and this is why he can't have been in the water first.' And could you stop insulting me with the first breath out of your mouth?!"

Arata cocked an eyebrow. "One more thing... why the h*** are we talking about this monster if it's an outside force who did it? If somebody got close enough to see the slit in his throat, either he was lying face up or the body was recovered."

OOC: i went back and looked at my post, I did word it badly... sorry... i was trying to point out that the only way he could've died the way he did was if a force acted on him BEFORE he got into the spring.

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro began to get worried. The one named Etchel had already gotten angry and walked away ahead of everyone. Haiiro's interjection to Arata's and Taihen's argument had gone unnoticed. He could see the ragtag team begin to drift apart and it was not a pretty sight.*

Haiiro: Guys, guys. Let's all calm down and forget about the monster. Lets get to know each other like Taihen said beforehand. Bickering won't get us closer to completing the mission. Also does anyone know how long it will be before we reach the site of the murder?"

[Josephus]

*Etchel turned around once again and drew out Einherjar. The crows flying overhead dived down to shoulder height and began to encircle him. His red eyes stared right at Arata. The sun was setting overhead, which only made Etchel’s red eyes all the more intimidating.*

Etchel: Kid, I don’t know your name, and I don’t care what it is. You will stop shouting.

*The crows encircling Etchel began to pick up pace, creating a black blur making it almost impossible to tell there were ten of them. With a single word from Etchel they could speed right for Arata, moving faster than any shuriken would and twice as deadly.*

Etchel: Even if you don't realise it, we are most likely being followed, and spied upon. If your shouting about our plans is going to get us killed I will silence you.

[Viseres]

--Taihen looked back at Arata as he could feel his blood begin to boil.--

Taihen: I'm not sure what experience you have in anything but going in pissing off all of your possible comrads will only make yourself dead.

--Looking up in the sky Yuri had far become tiring of the bickering. The night had begun to set and it was another day's walk to the resort.--

Yuri: We're staying here for the night. We'll arrive at our destination on the morrow. And yes we are being followed, but not by spies. It is merely the second part of the caravan.

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro watched as the rush of activity ran its course. Etchel didn't seem like on to cross. Even though his anger wasn't directed at him, Haiiro felt the deep red eyes burning into his skull.

Taihen's voice was cold as ice as he spoke. And if it were possible Haiiro was even more intimidated by Taihen's voice than he was with Etchel's eyes and crows.*

Haiiro: So Taihen, are we gonna have guard and sentry duties for the night? We could do it in pairs so that we get more comfortable with each other.

[Kumo]

Arata did what he was told and kept his mouth shut for once, not because Etchel had a blade and crows that clearly wanted to rip his skull open, but because what Taihen had said had struck home. Allienating your allies before you even got to the battlefield was extremly stupid and would get you killed.

Etchel's burning red eyes drilled into his cold teal ones. Arata simply stared back, no emotion showing on his features.

Arata broke eye contact and walked over to the nearest tree. He climbed up, vanishing into the leafy canopy. He walked out to the middle of one of the thicker branches, and simply surveyed the area.

For some reason unknown to him, Arata always preferred to sleep at high elevation. He wasn't sure why, although it probably had something to do with Daikage's constant attempts to set mines all over the Ikusa land.

This sleeping habit, however, had a second function: it kept him up above with a bird's eye view of the surroundings, especially when the trees were this high up. The leaves were a slight impediment, but it was better than having no idea what was around you.

[Viseres]

*Haiiro watched as the rush of activity ran its course. Etchel didn't seem like on to cross. Even though his anger wasn't directed at him, Haiiro felt the deep red eyes burning into his skull.

Taihen's voice was cold as ice as he spoke. And if it were possible Haiiro was even more intimidated by Taihen's voice than he was with Etchel's eyes and crows.*

Haiiro: So Taihen, are we gonna have guard and sentry duties for the night? We could do it in pairs so that we get more comfortable with each other.

--Silence had filled the air after the question was asked. Taihen didn't really care about who did what at night as he could conceal and protect himself.--

Yuri: Split up the group and two take gaurd at night. Until the second group arrives (mumbling) if they havn't got lost, damn that Tempoi (/mumbling).

--Looking over at Haiiro and Taihen, Yuri pointed out the two boys and quickly put up his tent and fell asleep.--

Taihen: Great....what now.

--Taihen walks over to a tree, unstaps his sword from his back and begins to half rest while the others got to sleep.--

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro found himself doing the first shift of sentry duty with Taihen. Taihen had already walked over to a nearby oak tree and leaned back, relaxing yet still at alert. Haiiro went over to where Taihen was seated and held out his hand. It was shaking a bit and Haiiro's voice had a slight tremble to it. He didn't want to show it, but Taihen's voice had had an impact on him*

Haiiro: Hi, maybe we can properly introduce ourselves now that that ugly business is over with. I'm Haiiro Asad. That's a nice sword there.

*Haiiro didn't know what much else to say to Taihen. He didn't really know the guy at all.*

Haiiro: So how do you plan on guarding the area with only the two of us here?

[Viseres]

Haiiro: Hi, maybe we can properly introduce ourselves now that that ugly business is over with. I'm Haiiro Asad. That's a nice sword there.

Haiiro: So how do you plan on guarding the area with only the two of us here?

Taihen (still half asleep): Pleasure to meet you. I'm Yuki Taihen. As for the sword it's one of four that I own. It's history I'd rather keep private. And you will probally need to keep those things on your arms sharp.

Taihen: As for gaurding this place, its simple. We don't. We're only sentries and seeing as how two of our party wondered off already all we have to do is watch Yuri and make sure he doesn't get attacked.

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro's gray eyes lit up with excitement, he was gonna perform his first ninja duty ever.*

Haiiro: Well I'll be on the other side directly opposite this tree watching out from the other side of the camp.

*Haiiro turned away and walked over to the other side of camp and climbed up the tallest tree he could find. His gray hair clashed horribly with the green of the tree, but it was soon lost in the dense foliage.*

------------------------5 hours later---------------

*Haiiro was falling asleep. Ninja duties weren't all they were cracked up to be. He'd just been sitting there for five hours doing nothing watching around. It had gotten dark. There was a full moon up ahead and it provided some light in the dark forest.

As Haiiro looked down, his eyes caught a shadow moving through the bushes. It had to be a person, Haiiro hadn't spied any larger animals in the vicinity while they were walking and while he was watching. Whatever it was it was only about two minutes away from the camp. He decided he should tell Taihen what he saw right away and then they'd decide on what to do.

Haiiro clambered off the tree as quickly as he could, his gray hair bobbing up and down in the excitement. He ran to where he saw Taihen last, speaking lower than he normally would.

Haiiro: Oi! Taihen, where are you, somethings coming our way what do you want to do? It could be from the caravan or it could be an enemy.

[oipotty]

Through all of this, Takahashi had been resting. He didn't go into his tent, he had no need for one. He just laid on the ground chewing on a piece of grass. Haairo, the rookie, had spotted something. The genin didn't move... it was pitch dark. Takahashi hoped Haairo wouldn't do something rash... hopefully, Taihen would take charge of the situation responsibly. Even though he was sitting quite laxly, his ears were pricked up and excited was brimming in his blood. He was ready to go.

[Viseres]

OoC: Why are you trying ot make something non-interesting interesting? And tomorrow morning we will arrive at the spring (10am est)

--Taihen heard the genin walking towards him as his eyes opened a sliver to look at his oncomer.--

Haiiro: Oi! Taihen, where are you, somethings coming our way what do you want to do? It could be from the caravan or it could be an enemy.

--Taihen had a headache already from the previous day's arguing.--

Taihen: Just sit down, its only Yuri taking a piss. I watched him get up and walk over yonder just out of eye sight but close enough to be heard.

[Viseres]

--The party had been walking since sunrise. Not much was said as it seemed most were still dead tired. The su rose heavily int he sky as it was high noon when Yuri made his comment.--

Yuri: We're here.

--Before the group a beuitiful scenery awaited them. Lush flowers and waterfalls. Anyone could see how this was a treasured resort. Yet no one was there, so as they followed Yuri to the outskirts of the resort, they came to a large spring. Quite easily one hundred meters wide in any direction.--

Yuri: Here you are. This is where everything happened. Feel free to venture around the resort and if any questions I'll be in my house (Yuri pointed to the large mansion near the middle of the resort). Now I'll take my leave.

--Yuri walked off from sight as the group stood there. Taihen walked over to the water and put his hand slightly into the water. The water sent a chill through his body as he turned to the group.--

Taihen: ....The weather is about 27 degrees (celcius), and yet the water is below freezing.... This really isn't natural.

OoC: And so it begins

[oipotty]

Takahashi grunted and looked into the depths of the water. He couldn't see anything very distinctly, but he could make out some dark shapes. The genin sat, resting, waiting for Taihen to give further instructions. Even with the beautiful surroundings, the area looked cold... like ice, piercing into everyone's blood... making them wary.



Takahashi: It feels really strange here. Do you guys think we can lure the monster up here with bait... Maybe the scent of blood... cause if that's the case, I can provide it.

[Youko_Soto]

OoC:Sorry I have'nt been on,school stuff first then play.

Youko:"I have no problem being the bait...Its just alittle blood."says as if her heart were made of ice,taking out her sickle.

[Kumo]

OOC: i should probably be studying my spanish... >.>

"How much do you need?" Arata asked, his tanto pressing against his wrist. "For all we know it's got the senses of a shark, or just about ours. Could need a drop, or a deluge."

Arata was vaugely aware of the wind's shifting around him, but most of him didn't really care. This whatever-it-was might or might not be attracted by blood. He figured Takahashi's idea was worth a shot.

[Viseres]

--Taihen pondered the idea in his head of trying to lure out the monster but couldnt figure out the truth. It was not the monster that concerned him but the water itself.--

Taihen: Do as you wish, I'll be thinking

--Walking a few steps away Taihen clutched his necklace and begun to think of a possible plan.--

OoC: Remember I'm not the leader, we are all on equal grounds

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Haha... don't get emo on me, guys... I think I have some right here. I am from the Ketsueki, I always have blood with me.


Pulling out a bottle from his pouch, he poured it quietly onto the surface of the water. The red liquid diffused throughout the cool water and tainted it with a smudge of red... making green. Hopefully it would work. Takahashi braced himself for what he hoped to be the monster.

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro was very confused. The water was cold yet it rested upon magma that was supposed to be heating it. Then Haiiro came up with an idea.*

Haiiro: Does anyone have a cup or a pot. We can take out a potful of water from that spring water and keep it outside next to us separated from the spring. If the water remains cold then it must have chakra infused into it which is making it cold. If it heats up outside of the spring then the water must have to be in contact with whatever is underneath to remain cold.

*Haiiro looked around at his nakama to see their reactions. He thought it was worth a try, at the very least it would give them some intel as to what is happening down there.*

[Kumo]

Arata reached into his pack and pulled out one of his water bottles. "Its close enough, i guess."

He walked to the edge of the water and poured the contents of the water bottle on the ground to the side. Once it was empty, he lowered the bottle to the water below and took a bottleful from it.

He twisted the bottlecap back on, and looked at his teammates. "It will suffice, i guess."

[Youko_Soto]

Youko:Damn...Wish I learned chakra control before cming here.*sigh*Oh well.So~ glad the cold does'nt bother me much.
Wades into the frigid wate,only going in at about mid-thigh in depth.

[Viseres]

OoC: I'm not going to ask where you got a bottle from kumo but oh well.

--As Arata pulled the bottle from the water, an eerie chill came from the bottle onto Arata's hands. Slowly over the matter of seconds which seemed to be an eternity, the chill begun to fade. As teh lip of the bottle in which Arata held begun to become warm as if the water was from a hot spring.--

--As all the ordeal from the bottle was going on, Youko wadded into the water where his legs started to become numb as a crunching sound was heard beneath his feet.--

Taihen: So is the water still cold or what?

[the lost shinobi]

*The water had gotten warmer once it was in the bottle, proving Haiiro's point*

Haiiro: So whatever is at the bottom of that spring is what's making the water cold. And the water needs to be in contact with it to remain cold. Hey guys we haven't had a renegade Hyoton user soon hav-

*Suddenly a crunching sound came from the spring where Youko had foolishly waded into the spring*

Haiiro: "You idiot, What the hell are you doing!? Who the hell goes into a spring where there's supposed to be an unknown monster?!"

*Haiiro ran to the edge of the spring but Youko was in too deep. He didn't want to go in and risk something happening to him.*

Haiiro: (Stupid idiot, now what are you going to do?.)

[Viseres]

*The water had gotten warmer once it was in the bottle, proving Haiiro's point*

Haiiro: So whatever is at the bottom of that spring is what's making the water cold. And the water needs to be in contact with it to remain cold. Hey guys we haven't had a renegade Hyoton user soon hav-

*Suddenly a crunching sound came from the spring where Youko had foolishly waded into the spring*

Haiiro: "You idiot, What the hell are you doing!? Who the hell goes into a spring where there's supposed to be an unknown monster?!"

*Haiiro ran to the edge of the spring but Youko was in too deep. He didn't want to go in and risk something happening to him.*

Haiiro: (Stupid idiot, now what are you going to do?.)

Taihen: We havn't had a renegade since Vis if that's what you were going to say. Not much was ever known about him other then he's rumored to of mastered the forbidden Hyoton move. But only news we have now is that he controls the black market which usually do not deal with this sort of stuff. So we either assume the monster has something to do with it, I mean anything releases chakra or something inside the water is causing it at this point. There really is only one way to find out which is to go down and find out for ourselves.....

--Taihen paused after his last statement.--

Taihen: Who's willing to be the test subject? I'm not a big fan of coldness to say the least so unless someone here is used to it (looks over at Arata)....Arata you are from Kumo correct?

[Kumo]

Arata winced at the renegade Hyouton part of Haairo's statements, but kept silent. He knew of at least two Hyouton besides this "Vis" who remained unaccounted for: Himself and whoever his father had been.

"Arata," Taihen inquired, breaking in on his thoughts, "You are from Kumo, correct?"

Arata turned to him. Technically he was from Kusa, but he'd lived in Kumo a while indeed. Long enough to be ready for what was being asked.

"Yup." He turned the headband wrapped around his wrist slightly towards him, allowing the three cloud symbol on it to shine a little. "Haiiro's made a good point, going down against an unknown enemy alone is both foolhardy and liable to get you killed."

Arata then promptly threw off his belongings except for his tanto (it would be easier to use underwater than his katana) turned to the water, ignored his own implied advice, and dived in. Before he hit the water, he shouted back, "Which makes it all the more fun!"

Cold water seemed to swirl around him before he'd even had time to register the fact. The cold seemed to pierce the very fiber of his being, slowing his thoughts, and even his actions, to a standstill.

He quickly suppressed his emotions as he'd always done, turning him into a being as cold and calculating as the water around him. The light filtering from above seemed so far away, like heaven to earth.

The foam cleared away and revealed what was around him.

Arata's eyes, while 20x14 above water, were horribly impaired down here, both by the water itself and the sheer temperature drop.

'Hmmm... come to think of it...' Arata thought, realizing something in his fevered mind, 'What did he mean by 'test'? I guess i'll head towards this... whatever it is, and see how the temperature changes.'

With this thought locked firm in his mind, he turned himself downwards, kicked, and began to descend. The cold seemed to pierce even deeper, growing more intense the closer he get.

Although the cold did not bother him, he could feel his body trembling. If he didn't leave the water soon he would either run out of air or freeze to death. Neither thought was very comforting.

He turned around towards the light, kicked and ascended.

He felt his head break the surface, and sucked in a deep lungful of air. In that same moment, he could feel his emotions come rushing back, and it compelled him to laugh uproariously.

"MAN! That was even more satisfying than i thought!" He laughed. "Haiiro's right, that thing down there IS the source of the cold. Either that or he's sitting right on-"

Then he realized something.

He wasn't anywhere near the shore.

"Oh s***."

[Viseres]

--A large white blur filled itself in the water beneath Arata. Ice peircing chills shot through him as the blur came closer and closer to Arata. A slight sparkling could be seen from the shore directly beneath Arata at a depth unknown.--

--Taihen knew this wasn't going to end well. If the thing was really ice he was probally the only one to fight with the tempature change. Quickly unsheathing his sword from his back, Taiehn ran and dove head first into the water as the object broke the surface behind Arata.--

--A large head of a dragon broke the surface behind Arata screaming up in the air turning only to aim for Arata's head. The delay in the air gave Taihen plenty of time to reach out to Arata where a quick clash of metal on metal engulfed the sword in a blood red fire while it was held above the water.--

Taihen: Dive below!

OoC: Basicly the dragon is white itself and as cold as ice. Time to see what everyone else does.

[Kumo]

Arata took a deep breath, and dove. He knew Taihen could handle himself out here, but as long as Arata stayed above the surface he was a sitting duck.

The cold enveloped him once again, and he swam on a steady course towards where he might actually be able to do something. He was pretty sure the dragon's head couldn't seperate from the rest of him, so he looked back towards where he'd seen the dragon pop out.

In the back of his mind, however, he heard a satisfied smirk. 'I knew it could leave the water.'

Arata couldn't believe his own mind still gave a flying f*** about that.

Anyway... He saw the rest of the dragon's monstrous, white body fill his vision.

'D***... that thing's HUGE!!' he thought.

He immediatly pushed himself down towards the underside of the dragon. Normally he'd go for the eyes or throat, both places that can't be fortified by muscle or flesh, but that was out of the question at the moment.

Arata pulled the tanto out of its sheath and swam towards it's white form. Hopefully it wouldn't move too quickly too soon.

'With my luck it'll probably start flying any second now...' he though grimly.

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro's grey eyes gazed up the bright white dragon that had just come up. It huge body glistened in the sunlight. Haiiro didn't know what he could do against something so big. The turn of events was amazing Haiiro was paralyzed for a couple of seconds. The Haiiro noticed Taihen, he hadn't surfaced in a while*

Haiiro: (Shit! I have to go in there and get him out and help out Arata! Have to distract that damn dragon though.)

*Haiiro formed the seals as quickly as he could*

Haiiro: BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!

*Four Haiiro look a likes began to run around distracting the dragon, but Haiiro knew that would only work for so long.

He ran to the water and dove in. The water was cold and it froze Haiiro's brain for a second as the cold registered in his nervous system. The water was frothing and churning underneath the surface from the dragons movements. Then he spotted Taihen swimming around trying to get back to the top. He also saw Arata swimming towards the dragons underbelly. Haiiro swam as fast as he could to Taihen, but the churning water didn't make it easy for him. He finally made it to Taihen and grabbed him by the torso. He dragged Taihen and swam to the surface.*

Haiiro: You ok Taihen?

*Haiiro looked around. Only one of his bunshins remained. It was a good ploy but now he had to think of something else*

[Viseres]

OoC: I never said it was a complete dragon. I only metioned dragon head for a specific reason

--As Arata ducked under the water the dragon's head slammed into the flaming steel of Taihen's blade. The blow sent both user and blade backwards. Taihen's katana sent blood from the user's chest pouring into the water as it sliced into it.. Half unconcious Taihen looiked up to see Haiiro next to him as he floated on the water with is katana still gripped in his right hand but it was on fire no more.--

Taihen: It's not real get both of us out and quickly.

--Taihen started to kick his way towards the shore in hope to get out alive. All the while Arata swam under the water towards to him what appeared to be the dragon's body while it was mearly the path in which it took, appearing to be that of a large serpent instead of a dragon. As Arata looked down the body, the dragon's head path all came from the point of the shining object deep in the body of water.--

OoC: Ok so i'm back swimming to shore, Arata is going to stab what he can't stab and Haiiro just got told that the dragon isn't real. Let's see the next moves

[Kumo]

Arata reached the dragon's body. He had swum under it, and could now see the white underbelly.

'A beast armored at the top,' he thought, as he stabbed with his tanto, feeling his breath begin to drain away 'is probably unarmed at the-'

The tanto passed right through the white blurry "underbelly"

'...bottom? Oh s***...' Arata's eyes widened. He flipped his body 180 degrees so that his back was facing where his front used to be, and swam away.

'If this thing's fake...' he thought, putting two and two to make four. Then... it'll come soon. That's what distractions are for, after all...'

Arata broke the surface, about twenty feet from the shore, breathing in only water at first, then coughing it back out and breathing in deep lungfuls of precious air.

He wasn't too far from shore now. He'd make it... hopefully.

OOC: I'm stopping here in case u want something to happen here Vis.

[the lost shinobi]

*Taihen's word rang in Haiiro's ears*

Haiiro: (Not real? well either it moves so quickly that it leaves a burning after image or it has an effect similar to my bunshins. Whatever I have to get Arata out of there.)

*He took a deep breath and submerged himself in the water again. Haiiro looked around him his eyes stinging in the cold water. He saw Arata about to swimming around and immediately began to kick towards him. He had to get Arata out of the water. Haiiro closed his eyes to protect them from the cold water and swam in the general direction of Arata , only opening his eyes in intervals to make sure he was swimming in the right direction.

Finally he made it to Arata. who was stabbing pointlessly at the path of the dragon. Arata then swam up to the surface which made Haiiro's life easier. He swam towards Arata and broke the surface and immediately yelled out*

Haiiro: The body its not real! We have to get out of the water now!!

*At that moment the ice dragon head was coming down at Arata and Hairo. It flew down straight at their heads moving so quickly it was like a white blur.*

Haiiro: Get the hell down Arata!!

*Haiiro shoved his companion back into the water and looked up at the head. He straightened himself and flew chakra into his Tekubi Yaiba, releasing the blades from their chambers. He then dove back into the spring just at the moment the head crashed into the water.

As Haiiro went into the water his blades caught into the dragons head, they wee stuck. The dragon began to drag Haiiro down into the water along with it. Haiiro struggled to break free but he couldn't with dragon moving so quickly underwater, where Haiiro's movements were ungodly slow. Deeper and deeper and colder Haiiro was being dragged down. Then the dragons head began to rise back up and buck around trying to get Haiiro off, it began to rise back to the surface.*

OoC: If you want to godmod me a little I wont mind just dont give me too serious an injury lol

[Viseres]

--The dragon thrashed its way to the top of the water with Haiiro still clinging on for dear life. As the head broke the surface of the water, something strange happend; the dragon's head vanished. The momentum caused Haairo to fly a few fight in the air only to land roughly on the shore. The calm finally allowed both Taihen and Arata enough time to get to shore themselves . What they hoped was that the dragon was still gone but the eerie chill still remained.--

--Removing his arm from the gash, Taihen revealed the gash upon his chest. With the histeria still upon the group, he quickly clutched his left hand close to the wound. Little by little the glove he wore widdled down from the forearm as a metal stitch appeared on the wound. Still in pain, Taihen struggled to get up and walked over to a dry location.--

Taihen: What the hell was that? It was no real dragon but it hit just as hard...

[Kumo]

Arata coughed, the water from when Haiiro shoved him still giving him a bit of trouble. He had nothing to complain about however, he was almost entirely unharmed. He pulled his hand away, and decided to shoot off an idea. "Someone's ninjutsu, maybe? Genjutsu doesn't leave wounds once it's dispelled."

[Viseres]

Taihen (still in pain): It's defently not a genjutsu. Ninjutsu possible but that would still not fully explain why the water is constantly cold as well. I mean one can only hold his breath so long under water and to have the chakra amount to continously chill the water to this tempature? I've never heard of such a pereson

[Kumo]

Arata sighed. "True, but then again, they can't check the temperature constantly either. There's such things as scuba tanks and techniques to convert the oxygen in the water into a breathable substance, right? If you think about it, we only saw that dragon for a few minutes. And" Arata's eyes flahed, "There isn't neccesarily just one person behind this. More than one person makes it easier to do a great deal of things."

[the lost shinobi]

*Haiiro's eyes fluttered open, he'd been knocked out cold. a gash on his head from his fall stained his gray hair red*

Haiiro: (Shit, that was stupid... I should have known better, I'm not that good yet.)

*The kid looked around and saw Taihen and Arata talking in the distance. Haiiro slowly and shakily got up and walked over to the twoand collapsed back onto his knees.*

Haiiro: You ok Arata? I hope you got away in time.

*Haiiro had heard what they were arguing about and decided to input his two cents.*

Haiiro: "Hey you think maybe it's a guy off in the distance controlling that dragon. He leaves whatever is down there as a medium and uses his ninjutsu to attack from a distance where we can't see him. Would also explain the slit throat on the merc ninja found here. only a person would slit a throat, a monster would just chomp and destroy."

[Kumo]

*Haiiro's eyes fluttered open, he'd been knocked out cold. a gash on his head from his fall stained his gray hair red*

Haiiro: (Shit, that was stupid... I should have known better, I'm not that good yet.)

*The kid looked around and saw Taihen and Arata talking in the distance. Haiiro slowly and shakily got up and walked over to the twoand collapsed back onto his knees.*

Haiiro: You ok Arata? I hope you got away in time.

*Haiiro had heard what they were arguing about and decided to input his two cents.*

Haiiro: "Hey you think maybe it's a guy off in the distance controlling that dragon. He leaves whatever is down there as a medium and uses his ninjutsu to attack from a distance where we can't see him. Would also explain the slit throat on the merc ninja found here. only a person would slit a throat, a monster would just chomp and destroy."
Arata looked over at him "I'm fine. Completely unharmed, actually, aside from some water in my lungs."

He sighed at Haiiro's explanation. "It's logical, but what kind of medium would that be?"

[Viseres]

Taihen: We'll I can't do much at the moment. Not until this wound is healed but there was something flashing in the bottom of the spring. If it is a medium of some sort then controlling the medium would negate the ability....now how to actually get down there is the question

[Josephus]

Etchel: We don’t have to.

*He had been watching the fight between the three ninja and the dragon, ready to step in but only incase he needed to. It would have been a good thing to teach Arata a lesson, though sadly it probably didn’t work.*

*Etchel pushed off to tree he was leaning on and massaged his throat and let out a shrill squawk which would be heard for miles around. It was a strange inhuman sound and brought chills to spines.*

Etchel: The birds of the forest can find out if there is a ninja from afar around here. Meanwhile because that is highly unlikely we should check the lake, its much more likely there is a cave down there where one or more shinobi may be.

*Etchel turned around and his red eyes fell upon Taihen.*

Etchel: Are you alright? The gash probably still hurts but…

*Etchel’s gaze fell on the metal stich covering his wound.*

Etchel: It looks like you have it covered but still, if you need anything we can probably get it quickly from the resort. It’s important that we keep each other safe and healthy.

*Etchel sat down and waited for a sign from one of the crows in the forest. It wouldn’t be long but it still gave time for people to toss more ideas around.*

OOC: NC has been fucking me over lately, and keeps crashing whenever I come here. Sorry for the delay.

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Well, if it is a guy who is controlling that water dragon from a long distance, that means that this guy has to be powerful, considering we can't see him. I do have a jutsu that might be able to tell us when there is big movement in the water or around us. This way, I can shout out a warning just incase the guy uses the jutsu again. Should I use it?

[Kumo]

Arata shook his head. "That dragon had us before it disappeared. The enemy probably ran out the chakra needed to maintain it, so it is unlikely that they will try again any time soon." Arata then voiced something that had been bugging him for a while now. "Perhaps there is more than one enemy here? It would explain the apparent vast chakra needed to both cool this river down whenever someone is around, and form that dragon to keep us from whatever it is down there."

[Viseres]

Taihen: I'm fine or will be atleast. Do as you all wish for the moment. I'll just be sitting here

--The pain upon Taihen's chest still stung from the salts and minerals in the water that were upon his wound. Yet he knew he could really do nothing for the time being but sit and watch.--

[the lost shinobi]

Haiiro: "Another enemy near by? We'd be in deep trouble if that were to become true. Right now with Taihen injured and all of us out of breath and tired, not to mention the gash on my head, we'd be easy prey. Besides if there is another person don't you think he would have taken us out by now in our current condition?"

*Haiiro wondered if Etchel's crows had finished their sweep of the area yet. If they found out where the enemy was hiding.*

Haiiro: I have an idea on how to take out that dragon. Look.

*He outstretched his arms for everyone to see, where upon his Yaiba ice was slowly melting in the sun. Small chunks of the ice still retained their crystalline nature and reflected the sunlight like small panned diamonds.*

Haiiro: That dragon may be strong and hard but it's not invincible. That head can be destroyed, and we can use our explosive notes to do so. The catch is we have to destroy that dragon at its source, at that chunk of whatever it is at the bottom of the spring.

I'm pretty sure you guys noticed that it was extending from that "thing". If we stick the dragon head with notes and wait till it recedes back and detonate the notes then maybe we'll destroy that thing at the bottom as well. At the very least we'll destroy the dragon head."

*Haiiro leaned back down and was panting. He was tired, and his cut wasn't making things easy. He looked over at Taihen*

Haiiro: Yo Taihen, can you cover some notes in ice to protect them from washing away in the water? then we can embed those in the dragon and detonate them.

*Haiiro then looked over at Etchel*

Haiiro: "And Etchel you think you can use your crows to embed the notes in that things head?" We'd also need someone to be a lookout in the water. to tell us when to detonate. Arata that would be you seeing as your our best swimmer or even you Takahashi, if Arata is not up to it. All you'd have to do is wait and then signal to us when to detonate the tags. I don't think me or Taihen can do much more."

[Kumo]

Arata looked over at him. "There's one flaw there: the dragon's head didn't recede, it just vanished into thin air. The tag wouldn't follow it back down, assuming it goes back down to begin with."

[oipotty]

Takahashi: I think it's just scary. One jutsu wouldn't be able to both chill the water and create a dragon. There has to be more than one jutsu... maybe a chilling jutsu and dragon jutsu. Now, it is a jutsu, sticking it with explosive tags wouldn't do much. Maybe it'll kill the dragon, but who knows... they might just conjure up another one!


Suddenly, an idea popped into Takahashi's head.


Takahashi: What if that dragon head was a summon? That would explain why this dragon can stay in the water for so long. Also, we can't just stay here and wait. If we are just waiting for another dragon head to appear, then basically we're waiting for trouble. Right now, the enemy has the advantage. They are hiding and attacking us. I'm sure they'll try again. We have to attack the source of all of these attacks. When the crows come back, we locate and destroy the enemy.

[Viseres]

Taihen: Ice?.....ummm who do you think I am?

OoC: Crows find nothing

[oipotty]

Takahashi sighed. Might as well take a shot in the dark.


Takahashi: In order to perform a ninjutsu from a long distance, they not only need enough chakra, which they have, but they also need eye contact. They can't make a dragon in water they can't even see. Therefore, what if we can break their eye contact... somehow. Then they'll have to come to us.

[the lost shinobi]

Haiiro: The crows found no one Takahashi, meaning that thing at the bottom is the source of all the problems. Which in turn means that we have to find a way to destroy it. When Arata went down he said it got colder and colder the deeper he went. Is it possible that feeling is a genjutsu to prevent people from going too deep?

[oipotty]

Takahashi was thinking that the crows may have failed and there still was someone, but the crows just didn't find them.


Takahashi: Alright, Haairo. Firstly, no human can survive for this long under water. Can monsters really perform jutsu? Maybe it is a human under there who is performing a jutsu that allows him to breath underneath the water. This guy must have enormous chakra to sustain that jutsu and a genjutsu. What if the shadow that we see is a genjutsu? Should I dive down again. With one of my techniques, I can swim quicker than most humans and therefore it'll be the safest if I go.

[the lost shinobi]

Haiiro: Well then go ahead and dive, but if you feel anything come straight back up. You won't be having backup right now. May I be so bold as to ask what this jutsu is?

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Alright, but be prepared, something big might happen.


Without warning, the genin took a sip of some red liquid that he produced out of his pouch and suddenly, his thighs and legs bulged with muscled. In a powerful leap, the boy dived into the murky water, the freezing cold piercing his body. Closing his eyes and using his legs to propel him at incredible speed downwards, the boy swam swiftly towards the shadowy figure.


Takahashi: (S***, what am I doing?)


He imagined himself with multiple wounds and in a hospital bed. Taka shook his head and took readied his katana.

[Viseres]

--The genin dove in without much hesitation as he dove the pearly white figure appeared and looked poise to strike. As the genin dove down the dragon begun his ascent upwards aimed directly at the oncoming genin.--

Taihen: what the hell is that boy thinking?

[Kumo]

--The genin dove in without much hesitation as he dove the pearly white figure appeared and looked poise to strike. As the genin dove down the dragon begun his ascent upwards aimed directly at the oncoming genin.--

Taihen: what the hell is that boy thinking?Arata sighed. "...Probably thought they couldn't do that dragon again so soon... just like i did..." He laughed. "Too bad we were both wrong."

Arata jumped into the water and grabbed Takahashi. He kept pointing at the surface (since talking underwater sounds like blublugblobblulublleblob)

[oipotty]

As soon as Takahashi saw the dragon form, he propelled himself up at incredible speed. He was ready, just in case something like this would happen. The jutsu would allow him to propel upwards much faster than a dragon head. Arata already jumped into the water. The dragon was ascending, but Takahashi shot up. With the massive muscles in his leg, he was propelled out of the water quite quickly with Arata right behind him.


Takahashi: Guys, we gotta attack this thing.


Quickly, the boy landed on the surface of the water and readied a kunai with an explosive tag. He looked at the water where the dragon would come back up.

[Viseres]

As soon as Takahashi saw the dragon form, he propelled himself up at incredible speed. He was ready, just in case something like this would happen. The jutsu would allow him to propel upwards much faster than a dragon head. Arata already jumped into the water. The dragon was ascending, but Takahashi shot up. With the massive muscles in his leg, he was propelled out of the water quite quickly with Arata right behind him.


Takahashi: Guys, we gotta attack this thing.


Quickly, the boy landed on the surface of the water and readied a kunai with an explosive tag. He looked at the water where the dragon would come back up.


Taihen: You are quite the moron. It's all apparent it is a jutsu. And how do you block a jutsu? With another jutsu. I don't think any of us have enough power to go head on at it. Anyways the sun is about to set so I wouldnt want to go swimming in the dark if that is able to see

[Kumo]

Arata frowned, and thought back. "Hey, i have an idea..." He grinned. "'If at first you don't suceed, either you suck or you need to improvise.' I heard somewhere that if you push too much chakra into the object you're standing on, the surface explodes and repels you away. What if we got the dragon to go right under us... and then BOOM!"

Arata was fully aware this plan was both dangerous and stupid. But like Taihen had said, it was unlikely anyone had a jutsu capable of hitting that thing head on, and they needed to find out what was down there.

"I'd do it myself," he continued, "but i don't know how to water walk."

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Interesting... but I'm not quite sure what you're trying to do. Do you want to add too much chakra to the surface of the water or just stand on an item in the middle of the water? Anyway, I can do it... I know how to water walk... But, how are we going to get the dragon come up. I've done it once... we just need someone who is a proficient swimmer.

[Kumo]

Arata stared at him for a moment, a incredulous look on his face, and then raised his hand. He figured it was all the explanation he needed to give out, since standing on an object would do nothing but deaden the impact and impeded their vision.

[oipotty]

Takahashi sighed.


Takahashi: Just clarifying your most brilliant plan. Sorry if my question was too stupid for you. I can get the monster to come back up, who wants to do Arata's explosion technique?

[Youko_Soto]

OoC:Sorry guys...Was grounded for a little while.If its no prob I'm gonna skip to where everyone else is.

Youko:I say we should just lure out the dragon and attack all together with our most powerful techniques.*think and says quietly to herself*
Even if the technique makes you lose control.

[oipotty]

Takahashi: Taihen already pointed out that our abilities wouldn't be enough, especially for those fresh out of the academy... bluntly I might add. Right now, I think we're going to try Arata's idea.

[the lost shinobi]

OoC:I'll be posting something tonight. just have some hw to finish up. sorry guys ive been away for a while. life has been hectic. ill delete this post later.

[Kumo]

OOC: i'm gonna be leaving on thursday or friday for about a week... i'm not sure if i'll have access to internet... sorry :(

[oipotty]

OoC: WTF? This mission is going nowhere. Vis, where are you?

[Viseres]

OoC: I'm here. Just nothing going on for me to really intervene. My char is basicaly out of the mission physically until something happens

[oipotty]

OoC: Ugh... alright. No body is posting, Kumo is leaving, and Lost is busy.


*Takahashi dove down into the water after drinking the rabbit blood and quickly swam back up after catching the monster's attention. Then, he swam back up with the dragon-head jutsu following him. Takahashi landed on top of the water. The dragon head came out of the water and something freezing touched Takahashi's skin. Planting an kunai with an explosive tag attached on the monster, Takahashi flipped aside. He hoped for results. Then, after the explosion filled the lake with smoke, he threw a smoke bomb as well*


Takahashi: If the opponent is somewhere nearby, he has to maintain eye-contact. By filling this place with smoke, we can block off eye contact.

[Viseres]

Taihen (yelling): You Dumbass

--Quickly getting up and running to the edge of the water the wound on his chest opended up once again as the dragon plunged back towards Takahashi.--

--Drawing his blade has he jumped in the air, the blade engulged itself in fires only to meet the dragon whom showed new incredible speed making it near impossible for Takahashi to dodge.--

--The dragon head met the blade with a shattering result. Taihen was sent flying backwards as blood came from his mouth and chest as he slammed into the ground on the bank causing himself to pass out in pain.--

OoC: You are going to have to think of something differant to get past this mission

[Kumo]

Arata groaned as he heard Takahashi's proclomation.

"IF HE NEEDED TO MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT," he shouted, running towards the water, "THEN HE'D BE UNDERWATER, OR THE CROWS WOULD'VE FOUND HIM! IF HE WAS UNDERWATER, THE LINE OF SIGHT WOULD BREAK EVERY TIME IT BROKE THE SURFACE!!!!"

Arata dived in. He had another plan, and honestly he thought it might work better than his first.

If mail has no target, that generally means 'return to sender'.

If the person wasn't nearby, then either he had an eye that could see through all that water along with something to keep him alive, or this dragon thing was automatic.

If it was automatic, then there'd only be three way for it to track it's prey. The Eyes, ears, and nose. The beast had shown clearly it could track them underwater. Noise and smell were both deadened underwater, so that just left sight. It was possible to detect sights even if water was around you.

Arata dove into the water (This is getting so repetitive... he groaned in his mind.) and swam out. The dragon had, once again, dove down into the water after it had pummeled Taihen. Arata grinned. It would make things all the easier.

He could feel the hand around his tanto beginning to go numb. Was the cold this intense last time he dove down?

He involuntarily shivered, gritted his teeth, and swam towards the dragon.

It turned its head towards him. Arata saw its blood-red eyes focus on him, and it raced towards him.

Arata played an old favorite of his: injuring yourself to achieve a final goal. He remembered, just in time, to kill his emotions and slacken his jaw. If the beast crashed into him directly at that speed instead of to the side, his teeth would probably be annihilated.

And then he couldn't eat steak anymore!

The dragon opened it's gigantic maw, temporarily cutting off the beast's vision. Arata used that moment to swim just a bit to the side, reached out, and grabbed onto one of the dragon's head spikes. The dragon noticed him, and maybe it was the cold, but Arata would've bet his blade the dragon's eye widened in panic.

The beast drove itself up towards the surface again, but Arata had already put his tanto in his mouth and ran his hand down on one the side spikes. Fortuneatly he didn't care and it was mostly numb. Arata pulled himself forward again, and made it to the eyes just as the beast broke the surface.

"Hope i'm right!" He shouted as he grabbed his tanto with his right hand and held onto the spike with his left.

He gazed into the dragon's right eye. Time seemed to slow for Arata as he brought the blade back...

...and stabbed down.

(OOC: Vis told me via pm that the dragon had eyes and that they were red, like blood.)

[oipotty]

He was aiming for the eyes! Takahashi braced himself for whatever was to come and shouted continuously and incoherently. The noise of rushing water filled his ears. He would dive in if Arata needed help...

OoC: Just posting so you can finish it. Horrible post, I know. IDK if Vis will ever come back to this thread so I mean, if you want, you can finish things up. I'll start really rping tomorrow.

[Viseres]

OoC: I'm probally going to be leaving the rp due to reasons which only a few know so Im ending the mission here with a partial failure.

The trick with the dragon is it's actually a jutsu not caused by a person but an item. The sparkling item in the bottom of the lake is a sword that is peirced through a person's body. All you had to do was get to the sword and pull it loose and the mission would of ended. I'll distribute the XP once I get to re-read everything but due to only 2 people being left, you really need more to get this to work

[Viseres]

Hmm time for me to judge and post this. Basicly no one finished the mission meaning the resort is still in trouble. Another resort mission will open soon and no prizes this time (the same prizes will transfer over).

Only 3 people are reciving XP: Kumo, Oip and myself.

I'm going to keep the scoring system secret until a mission finishes

Vis: 4/10 - 6xp
Kumo: 5/10 - 7xp
Oip: 5/10 - 7xp