The Lost Shipment (A-Rank Mission)

Kuniko was sad but not surprised when Takeshi took off towards the bandit camp. He should of suspected something when the other genin said he would take up the rear with such a solemn look on his face. However, such a move could have been anticipated from him. Before Kuniko had any time to come to a decision, Tsubaki told him to wait there and took off after Takeshi. 

Near his side, the young Kiryu asked him if they should chase after the two ninjas. Kuniko looked over at his companion. While observing the young shinobi he began brushing his long straight hair; one of his nervous ticks. Asides from that, he was the epitome of calmness. His old instructor was butchered, his first genin team was dead. Friends gone all around. Kuniko didn’t want to lose another team mate but at this point it was almost feeling like it was inevitable. But he still had this young genin to look after. Perhaps he should humor him?

Kuniko spoke as calmly as ever to Kiryu, “very well, we will follow after them. But only at a mile distance. I will be keeping an eye on the situation in case… hm, just follow close behind me and don’t run off.” After giving his instruction, Kuniko activated his Byakugan and focused in on Tsubaki and Takeshi as they were heading towards the bandit camp. Kuniko would begin to follow them but only at a mile’s distance and only so long as Kiryu was right next to him. 

Eventually, Kuniko was able to notice the two of them stopping for a minute, before Takeshi began heading towards a group of other chakra signatures that could only be the bandits they were hunting. Kuniko caught himself whispering “don’t do it,” but of course he was a mile away. To Kiryu he would whisper “they’ve found the bandit camp. It looks like Takeshi is… I think he’s trying to do it alone. He shouldn’t be doing this. We we were supposed to return to the village.” It didn’t take long before Takeshi was spotted and began his final battle. It would have been a valiant effort from a lesser ninja, but Kuniko expected so much more from him after their mission against the sand wielding jewel thief they had fought. He managed to kill several bandits before their leaders pierced his heart with a blade. It was a precise strike. Commendable almost in how quickly it brought down Takeshi. 

Kuniko could see Takeshi’s lips moving. The tall shinobi has some final words that Kuniko could not make out, though it looked as though they caused him pain. A pain that Kuniko felt in his heart. Another one gone. More behind than ahead. Fearlessness gets you killed. Master Ayato had said one of those things. Kuniko turned his gaze to Tsubaki to watch what she would do. 

Kuniko and Kiryu continues to stand in the forest. It was a quiet night. From where they were, none of the commotion from the fight at the camp could reach them. “What a cruel sight,” was all that Kuniko could think to say. 

WC: 525
TWC: 2108

"Night has fallen, I am going to sneak into their camp and take the two crates off of that wagon, one by one with a clone. Then when I get them away from their campsite. I will bring back the crates to Hoshi with either one of my birds. Or with the help of a couple of my clones. That is my plan." Tsubaki listened to his plan, allowing him to finish. She thought it was something he could do, but he couldn't do it alone. However, before Tsu could finish her thought, Takeshi started creeping towards the hostile figures. 

Tsubaki witnessed as the Hyuuga took on many opponents at once, taking them out with a fury of many attacks. It was inspiring; so inspiring that Tsubaki was almost willing to join the young genin. But just as she was about to enter, Takeshi was taken out with two hitmen with precise slashes. The Senju sighed with sadness and disappointment. The tree sapling had fallen, chopped down before it could even produce fruit. She knew that they wouldn't stick around much longer, they knew that they were there. 

Taking all their glory, the group left the site; They had taken all their equipment and their loot and left Takeshi's body. Tsubaki would swiftly reach the Hyuuga's corpse. His glazed eyes were still opened; The moment of the impact was sketched across his cold face. The Senju would peer into the pale eyes, the Byuakugan, of the shinobi.  That's when she realized that this was her chance to take the eyes for her own. She could hone the power of the Hyuuga and the Senju. The thought of the idea gave her chills. She couldn't just take them in front of her student and another random shinobi. She would shut the eyes of the boy before picking him up and putting him over her shoulder. Again, she swiftly over to the two onlookers. "I'm so sorry," She would say to Kuniko, then looking at Kiryu. "We are going to head back to the village. I'll take him to the morgue to get an analysis." She would lead the group to the village gates. 

As they entered the village, Tsubaki turned to Kuniko. "Did he have any family? Any loved ones?" 

WC: 379
TWC: 1406

Kuniko watched as his mentor approached him and Kiryu while carrying the body of his closest friend. "I'm so sorry," Tsubaki said to him. Her words rang clearly in the young man's ears. This was nothing like the first time his squad was killed. They were ripped apart, but Takeshi was still in one piece at least. Kuniko wasn't shaking or screaming like he was then. His eyes were wide and his face had gone pale, but his posture was still calm. Nothing more could be done to save his friend. All that was left to do was take his body back home. Looking up to Tsubaki he said, "I'll take up the rear this time." As he walked behind Tsubaki he kept his Byakugan active to make sure no one sneaked up on them. 

When they reached the village safely Tsubaki asked Kuniko if Takeshi had any family. Kuniko could only look down as he answered, "No. He often told me that Sakuragi and I were his only family. He lived on his own." As the mission was drawing to a end Kuniko could feel a wetness gathering around his eyes. To make a quick exit, he untied his ponytail and let his long hair partially cover his face. He said to Kiryu, "this was a disastrous first mission, but you did well to survive it. I'm proud of you." Turning towards his mentor he said, "I'm sorry for disappointing you on this mission. I will escort you to the morgue. I'd like to see Takeshi's body taken to its final resting place." Kuniko would follow Tsubaki to the morgue after that to learn more about medicine. It was time he learned more about anatomy, as much as it pained him to do so. 

WC:292
TWC: 2400
[EXIT]

Claims:
6 Stat Points
Takeshi's body and possessions (flak jacket and ninja starter bundle)
[1000/676/1000] Chakra Absorption
[1500/1500] body part replication jutsu
[250/250] Mark Seal

As they entered the village, eyes feel upon the group. There were faces of disappointment, sadness and anger. It must have been from the fact that he was just a kid. Tsubaki remained on course, not stopping to watch the faces pass by. There shouldn't have been any bloodshed, Tsu knew this, especially for a Hyuuga so young. Kuniko explained that the boy didn't have any family; He and Kiryu were his only family. No one else in the village would know who this boy was. 

The Senju was no stranger to the death of others; Tsu was a strong believer in the natural order. However, seeing the sapling of a young shinobi die before it could grow into a strong, nutritious tree that could root themselves. The death of Takeshi would be a sad one. On the other side of the coin, however, she knew that there was growth through this death. As a sapling dies, it becomes the new ground that another tree can use to rise. Takeshi's life wouldn't be taken in vain. Tsu had some plans to use his body for her improvement by taking the eyes of Hyuuga. Not only that, but it would be a learning point for her apprentice. He had to learn the hard way. 

Kuniko, acting as a leader, told Kiryu that he was proud of him. He then turned towards Tsu.  "I'm sorry for disappointing you on this mission. I will escort you to the morgue. I'd like to see Takeshi's body taken to its final resting place." The Senju nods and heads over to the morgue where she will perform an autopsy. "I'm not disappointed. You made some hard choices. You made the right calls that saved you and Kiryu. You'll grow."  


WC: 294
TWC: 1700
EXIT: 
Claiming:
Takeshi's body
435 WC towards Rain Tiger at Will (2500/2500)
1265 WC toward Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees (S rank 1265/2500)

Kiryu stared off blankly into the distance as his mind processed what Kuniko had said. Takeshi… dead? He had just met the older shinobi, yet he had already come to think of him as a mentor and a friend. Was this the fate of those who stood as shinobi? He couldn’t believe it. Tsubaki approached the two of them once the group of rogue ninja had left. He could only nod in acceptance of her apology. Even though it felt like it was aimed toward Kuniko, he felt an obligation to acknowledge it as well. There wasn’t really much that she could have done or she would have done it, right?

As they made their way back to the village, Kiryu walked in silence. He was too shocked to even pray for Takeshi’s soul yet, but he knew that he would spend a lot of time in the future doing so. ”I…” he began in response to Kuniko saying that he was proud of him for his performance on the mission. He swallowed hard and nodded. ”Thank you, Kuniko. I think… I think I’m going to head home for now. I’ll be seeing you around, though.” Without waiting for any sort of response or looking back to see where the other two were going, he ran off in the direction of his home. Tears formed in his eyes as he ran, the thought of Takeshi dead was too much for him to bear. Once he made it into his room, he collapsed on his bed and began to sob. The tears stung in his eyes and he shut them tight. He never noticed that the stinging sensation wasn’t from the tears. His now crimson eyes were hidden even from himself. By the time he had calmed down enough to open them again, they had returned to normal. Nothing would ever be quite the same.

[exit]

WC: 314
TWC: 2,222

-Claiming:
5 stats (+3 Stamina, +2 Chakra)
One Tomoe Sharingan: 2,000/2,000 
222 words towards Quiet Footsteps: 222/250

Approved @ Kiryu