Anti-Hero

Da Missions:

The light outside the window flashed only to be followed five seconds later by the slow-rolling rumble of thunder. The perfect lullaby to remain asleep with the slow-rolling rumble starting, steadily growing louder then drowning out to nothing. There was nothing more soothing to the young Shokku.  It was a day that normally most people would remain inside for and negate training for the day. 

Slowly, her eyes opened, and she looked through the glass of the window to see the dark sky that made it as if it was still partially night. She didn’t want to move from the bed. Her head was still heavy with sleep while his eyelids slowly moved down over his mint-like hues as if trying to brush away the remainder of sleep dust. On the floor beside her bed would be a book that he had found while going through her mother's old stuff. A book that should have been kept much safer than it had been considering it held much medical ninjutsu. It was rather interesting to imagine what she was able to do once she learned many medical-type abilities. 

Harune had started to read it then thought better about it and went to bed. Well, she didn’t have much of a choice about it now. The morning had come and there was no real reason for her to go outside for the moment. Slowly, she turned over in her bed and held the book in her hand, her fingers moving over the rough pages. If she was going to study, she was going to study on her terms. Her hair was ruffled up against the pillow and a dried place of spit that was on her opposite cheek as her eyes moved over the pages. She pulled the blanket up under her nose while he continued to read over the jutsus.

"Harune, it's time to get ready," she heard her father say from the other side of the door. Worrisome filled her chest as today was the day he fought against her father to see if he is ready, or even worthy to learn the clan's secret techniques. Although her father has been training her for a while, she knows he won't go easy on her and the Shokku don't really dwell in medical ninjutsu which she specializes in. 

Harune was filled with anxiety while she walked down to the compound’s training grounds. Her arms wrapped around his middle while she thought about the words of her father. “You are a Genin now. It is time for your assessment.” Her breathing was shallow, wearing her typical sleeveless, blue v-neck shirt with mesh armor underneath, blue shorts, and sandals. Nervously, she had begun biting her thumbnail while her eyes looked about. She hoped that she wouldn’t see his father just yet. Not as she was. She walked to the bench on the side of the arena and waited in silence with her arms around her still. How on earth was she going to fight against her father?

Even though the Shokku curse doesn’t flow in her veins, the Shokku Clan still seemed to follow the ancient rules when it came to Shokku's. Today was the day that she was going to be tested by her father to see if she was a true Shokku and will be able to not be banished from the clan. "Come,” her father's stern voice came out of nowhere and he walked past her, heading towards the grassy area of the training field.

The yellow-eyed girl sat up and looked to her father as he came into the training ground. Her heart jumped up into her throat hearing the syllabled word and made her feel even worse already. However, like a dog, she stood and followed after him. Only this was not what she had hoped for. Did she wish to spend time with him, doing their normal training? Yes, but now she was going to be put to the test. What if the rest of her family doesn't believe she is worthy. What if her father doesn't think she is worthy? Would she be seen as weak by not only her father but also the whole clan? Her mind was stuck in its inner turmoil. Yuuma nodded to Harune. That was her cue as they stood five meters apart, facing each other.

"Now daughter, don't be nervous, you have what it takes. But now you have to show me and the rest of your family that you do." Yuuma said to her, his smile fading as he activated his Muragaijan. Harune took her typical fighting stance and then activated her Tengan, the area on her eyes tightened and the vessels expanded causing him to see the infrared channels of chakra that moved through his body. It was perhaps the easiest way for her to battle her father. Harune took a deep breath and kicked off the ground with her left leg, heading straight at her father. As she neared him, her father was already ready to defend against any strike that Harune was going to throw at him.

As Harune was heading towards him, she saw the kunai that was pulled from Yumma’s pouch and where he had placed it. Harune immediately thought that she was battling someone else for she thought her father would fight her using the Arashi no Sentoki, a look of determination crossed Harune's face while she focused on building chakra into her hands. Still, she sped forward towards him, and just before she would be within his arm’s reach, Harune jumped up and forced herself into an aerial front flip with only one rotation, then to land on the balls of her feet behind him in a slightly crouched position. As he spun, she aimed a chakra-filled fist into the center of his back while using her enhanced strength. 

However, her father was ready for her as she immediately turned around by falling on his right knee, quickly spinning his left leg out in an attempt to swing at her calves. However, even that close to her, there was no way that Harune was able to move from the leg sweep that had forced her back onto the grass below. Harune landed with a hard thud but even while she still landed on the ground, she still held the concentration of the chakra within her hands. Harune had to immediately hold in the gasp as her father stabbed her with the kunai, that was now infused with purple lightning, into her shoulder. Crying out, she channeled the chakra to her feet and kicked him off of her.

Leaving nothing to chance she quickly acted, she regained her stance, as her father was already on her as he was a meter or so away.  Yuuma responded by drawing his actual katana and bounding toward her. Harune rushed to meet him, pulling out a kunai that would be raised in opposition. What ensued was a clash of steel and flurry of taijutsu. Harune nimbly dodged the swings of Yuuma’s sword or blocked them with her albeit small weapon backed by her monster strength. Similarly, Yuuma fended off Harune’s vicious assault of kicks and punches even as he tried to get in on his own. Each took turns ceding ground and gaining it, leaping backwards away from and then plunging back into the other’s strike zone.

Their fight took them out to the bridge, where Harune took a large bound and flipped back to land on the other side. They both paused to glare and catch their breath. She leapt back toward Yuuma’s side of the bridge, fist raised. Yuuma tensed to dodge but hesitated. The trajectory of her jump wasn’t going to put her anywhere near him. Where was she going? Was she about to just…miss?

Harune’s feet touched the lip of the bridge, then she punched straight downwards. “Haaaa!” Her fist connected with concrete. For a split second, nothing happened. Then, fractures loudly cracked open all around them. The north half of the bridge crumbled apart, hurtling massive pieces of rock and steel downwards, along with both ninjas.

Both Harune and Yuuma were able to leap among and strike off the falling debris, ultimately staying on their feet even until they touched down on the river’s surface. The now mostly destroyed bridge formed a partial dam which began to pool and slow the water’s flow, making the surface more stable for the ninjas to walk upon. Once descended, Harune did not let up her attack. Making use of her surroundings, she signed for fire release jutsu and started projecting balls of fire upon Yuuma. He blew each one off with a purple lighting attack as he ran towards her full tilt. His expression and movement had completely changed. He was deadly serious now. He sprinted at lightning speed and Harune just barely kept out of reach, pinging about the rising waters, all the while buffering with wave attacks behind. She had an idea, but she needed to slow him down first.

She began by getting distance between them. Harune retreated as fast as she could upriver, still attacking as cover, not that Yuuma had much trouble countering. When it felt just far enough, she turned back around and put a hand up. Signing, she sent up a wide dragon of fire up between her and Yuuma: a bigger, grander fire technique that almost reached both shores. It was thin though so she knew he would probably go through it instead of over it. As it flew up, she rushed forward, following its wake. 

As suspected, Yuuma blasted across the attack, but Harune was waiting below and positioned so that she was already throwing her punch which caught him this time square in the gut. Yuuma was thrown, tumbling, backwards several hundred yards as a result of taking the direct hit. He recovered himself soon enough though, finding his feet like a cat. Still, it was all the opening she needed. As he came to a halt on the now-pseudo-lake, this was Harune's chance, as she began making the hand signs Rat, Dog, Tiger, Dog, Ox, Rat, activating her blast spheres. Harune launched the two orbs at Yuuma, who she gave no warning as she made a seal of confrontation and detonated the two orbs into mini suns. 

Watching intensely, her father was caught inside the two bombs. As soon as the light faded, out stumbled her father. “You did good, you’re a lot stronger than I thought. I'm very proud of you son, you've learned what I've taught you so far, well." Her father said to her as Harune walked up to him and performed the healing hand jutsu on him. "With that, we now know you are worthy to the Shokku, daughter," Harune couldn't help but smile. She didn't think that she would have it in her, but she did. 

"So, when will I start my training with you?" Harune asked, as her father chuckled.

"All in due time, now go get some rest and I will notify the rest of the clan on how you did," her father said as he walked away leaving his daughter in the river below. Harune couldn't help but smile widely as she made her way back to her home. It was time for rest as the young Shokku, stripped out of her training clothes and into pajamas since she was too tired to shower, immediately got into her bed.


"Getting ready to head out?" A question appeared before her from a familiar voice.

"Yes, it about time to go to the meeting spot." Harune turned around to meet Yuuma's eyes with a soft smile.

"Well, I better get going! Don't want to keep your mother waiting forever." Yuuma said as he grabbed a bottle of water and headed towards the door.

"Good luck," Harune said in a soft tone.

"Yeah, I'll see you later tonight." With that, Yuuma was out the door.

Harune took another sip of the warm liquid and felt it light up her abdomen. Turning her gaze towards the clock on the wall, it was time to head out. Quickly finishing her drink, she rinsed out the cup and placed it upside down in the strainer before heading out the door.

It is a sunny day in Otogakure, the clouds are laid out perfectly in the sky and the slight gust of wind that would come through every once in a while, felt great from within the walkway at the Shokku compound. Harune was somewhat thrilled about the day. She took a common path towards the meeting spot. She first passed the training grounds as the radiant sky formed overhead, with the sounds of clashing steel and fists in the background, as the training grounds were especially lively on that particular day for reasons Harune was unaware of. It was a small piece of nature that people in the Sound Village had grown accustomed to. Hardly could one walk a step in the village without seeing some lush, green plant growth as spring came to fruition. Whether they be trees, flowers, grass, or that strange fungus on someone's grandpa's foot, the Sound Village certainly had no shortage of flora. Especially, when spring brings everything to life and summer prolongs it.

The female Shokku was given a string of assignments to do with two other individuals. This would be the first time for her to work with anyone on a mission; so, this was a new-found territory for the sun-release user. The recurring gentle breeze kissed her face, which was usual for any space in the Land of Sky. As she entered the business district, the breeze was carried with the scent of cooked food, smells of different types of dishes as the day had begun for most restaurants. The streets started to fill as people started proceeding about their days. She approached the meeting stop. The trio that she was supposed to meet was a boy named Mubu Otsunatō, and her brother Raikur Shokku. Taking a seat at the bench, she waited for her new team members as they were heading to the town next to the village to help investigate a poison outbreak and a murder.

TWC: 2378

Marabelle had been wandering Otogakure for a while now getting a lay of the landscape and the understanding of the village. She had been granted permission to explore and aid within the village as a medic though her capabilities were still green and relatively not formally taught. A lot of her knowledge came from small bits of understanding and explorative problem-solving on the road. As a Vagabond over a village shinobi, she had to get her information where she could and it led to some different understandings of medical practices. That did not deter her from helping where she could though. As she explored and wandered about the village, she found herself a tad lost when it boiled down to it but she kept a smile on her face. There were sounds and music that filled the streets as she found herself exploring. Eventually, she wound up backtracking a few times noticing a girl left sitting alone. Her complexation and radiance made her believe that she was younger than her even though she appeared to be a few inches taller.

Deciding to see if everything was alright, Marabelle would wave and get her attention as she approached. "Hello there. I've been walking around the village and noticed you sitting by yourself for a while. If you need some company or assistance I'm more than willing to help or stand here with you while you wait. My name is Marabelle Blossom, I recently stumbled my way into Otogakure and I'm resting here for a bit before taking a trip back in a similar direction from where I came from." The Everbloom introduced herself rather openly and warmly to Harune. It might have been jarring in some facets but Marabelle would be non-the-wiser on if that was true or not. As someone still new to most settings inside villages, she tended to air cautiously about most scenarios that she encountered but considering she had met with Sebastian, a Master of Otogakure, and Lord Otokage himself, she seemed more than comfortable to plainly and forwardly introduce herself to people here. She had gotten some weird looks and cordial rejections to help already but that did not stop her from offering her help if it could be of use.

Marabelle's outfit had been fixed at the seams with new stitching and her hair was clear of debris from traveling and sleeping in the woods. To Harune it probably would look as if she had just stepped out of the shower with how clean and proper she appeared to be. For herself, however, Marabelle's happiness came from the fact she could have a proper bath, something she had not had the time nor resources to get on her second leg of the journey she had. Having a caravan to ride with was safer from the bandits she had encountered though her foot travel between Otogakure and Sakuragakure was still quite a hefty one. Fairly little was she aware of the dangers that lurked within the village, and perhaps the positive vibes that she exuded would be offsetting the concept and idea of stolen goods and poisoned villagers. Given the opportunity and knowledge, Marabelle would gladly agree to aid in those endeavors.

WC: 536, TWC: 536

The calming weather and muting colors brought tranquility to the female Shokku as she soaked in the atmosphere. A serenity of calmness is something she quite enjoyed. From what she knew, the world could be a dangerous and hostile place; therefore, times like these are always meant to be appreciated. Well, that is what she believed. Sitting perched on the bench, she could feel her chest slowly heave in and out as she relaxed. The bustling of formed leaves that came along with the cool, gentle breeze.

Staring off into the distance, Harune felt her mind wander to the memories of her fight yesterday with her brother. She gave a subtle eye roll at the thought of how annoying he can be. Always complaining about something but never doing anything to fix the problem, as if it's always someone else’s responsibility. This must be how father felt. No. She would never get annoyed with him, always tending to his every need, but now that Raikur has left the compound, that responsibility of watching over him lies with her. Maybe she should be more gracious when dealing with him. He is still very young, but Harune feels like sometimes his antics are just to test her.

A faint sound came over that noise. It was that of shuffling footsteps on the concrete. As the steps got closer, a cheerful voice obliterated any silence that was left. Harune turned her gaze towards the source of these greetings and was met with a smaller girl. She could tell this individual hasn't been an adult for long considering their youthful appearance that was exerted. A genuine smile formed over the lips of the taller female, "Hello," came off in a stern, yet kind tone. Standing up, she gave a small bow in the presence of a relative. "My name is Harune...Harune Shokku."

“You’re right, I have been here for a while. I was waiting on a few others before we got started with a job, but they either: forgot, slept in, or the leadership forgot to assign them as well even though in the initial report it was stated I was pairing up with them,” she said giving a soft before continuing, “how troublesome.”

Rubbing her forehead, she looked upon the girl once more. “I could probably use the help because I have to go to the nearby town and investigate a few occurrences, but I’m not for sure the leadership would allow outside help in delving with internal affairs,” Harune said as she rests her curved-index finger on her chin, “perhaps if you get the okay from the higher-ups you can help me. I’m sure you already know where they reside, just meet me here once you get the okay,” Harune said with a smile pointing in the direction of the Kage’s Office before sitting down and waiting for Marabelle’s return.

TWC: 2,857

Marabelle pondered the young girls' response, "Not showing up won't do. Let me help you then officially." She stated as she pulled out a document with the Otokage's seal stamped onto it. "I'm sure for the expediency of getting help we can do the paperwork post its completion with you being an official shinobi." Marabelle would present the paper to Harune to inspect. "Lord Kaito-sama was kind enough to allow me to partake in missions within Otogakure during my stay here." From there Marabelle would extend her senses a bit to get a better gauge on Harune's physical health. Using her Chakra Insight skill, Marabelle would give a small assessment to the kunoichi in front of her in her head before if there was anything off asking or pressing to seek medical help since it appeared to her that Harune was a little out of sorts and rather in a droning manner.

With Harune having the document from Kaito to allow her to undertake missions, Marabelle sorted the rest of her documents she received and reorganized them in front of her. In the small stack included a temporary housing situation form as well that Marabelle did not take pains to hide either. "I can understand the hesitation, I believe Sebastian-san, a Master here within the village, tested me before helping me into the village though I was not aware the village existed. I hope I can make a difference here while I get a bit more established and learn what I can here." Marabelle expanded on her situation to Harune in hopes to ease any potential tension or concerns she may have. Aware of the awkwardness that might be from this the Everbloom changed her thought process a bit before giving a nod and another smile, "It's very nice to meet you Harune. I'm excited to see what I can do to help you with these issues. I'm sure we can take care of them adequately and quickly." She then included in her approach.

Assuming Harune would stand up and begin discussing details of the missions that she was assigned, Marabelle would take mental notes about every bit of information she could gather and understand. Otogakure as a shinobi village was unique to Marabelle as she grew up in a far land from any of the major villages and from most of the major conflicts over the last decade. There definitely was that almost childlike innocence and naivety in the air about her as the way she held herself and spoke. Her attentiveness and mannerisms however gave that she was older than what her appearance would indicate. Once all the documents where sorted out to her liking she would stash them back into her satchel and proceed to follow Harune towards their first task. Whichever of the two Harune would lead Marabelle too, she would help with what she could, be it stolen goods and poisoned villagers.

WC: 490, TWC: 1,026 | Mission WC: Harune's Portion 2,857 + 1,026 Marabelle's = 3,883 / 5,000

As Harune received the papers from the girl, she would speak, “hm? Sebastian, you say? Never heard of him.” Harune said as she began to shuffle through her thoughts about the person she just named. Never has she met or heard such a strange name since her time being in the Sound Village. So, while the documents could not be completely false, there was still the unknown factor that lurked in the back of her mind.

After a moment, she would be taking quick glances back and forth between the papers that served as the pinkett’s visa. “Well, I suppose all is in order then, shall we begin?” Harune said as she rose from her sitting position to be at moderate height with Marabelle before waving her hand in front of her abdomen, signaling them to start their journey towards the village gates.

“I suppose you haven’t been debriefed about the contents of the mission? I’ll fill you in as we walk.” She said as she started walking. “It appears that in a nearby town, the residents have been ‘poisoned’ and have been granted unusual abilities that don’t certainly pertain to them. We have to figure out what the poison is and what it is made of. Hopefully, develop a remedy to it. Track down the individuals. If that can’t happen, at least try to bring order to the chaos that festers in the town. But that might prove difficult as someone has been found murdered, while a few residents have since disappeared. Could be a coincidence, but I believe those occurrences all have that same person or persons behind it.” Harune said, filling the elder girl on what the mission is about.

Given her rank as genin, she figured it would be a senior officer considering the intel behind these missions. While deciphering poisons was not foreign to her, this would be the first time she would set outside the village after moving here. With her medical ninjutsu, she figured she would be the supporting person for this mission. However, she and her new partner will have to equally pull their wait as they become detectives/forensic scientists. 

Finding themselves at the entry to the village, she showed the guards her mission stamps to allow her to depart the village. The sunlight radiated off her bright-blonde hair as the light kissed off her and her porcelain skin as she and her partner began their descent. Before that, Harune would take a momentary glance as Marabelle Blossom. Blossom. It reminded Harune of her sister.

One summer day, days in the past, Harune puts together a bouquet. In the gentle rustling of the trees, she can almost feel her sister by her side. Only the most beautiful and the deadliest of flowers will suffice, Harune thinks resolutely.

In truth, she would have gone overboard had she not remembered Ariya’s lessons. 

“Flower arrangement is an art”, Ariya had once said. It is a living canvas on which we can paint, and in doing so, meditate on life, and express ourselves.



“Ariya! Why waste time teaching her such frivolous things?” Raikur had once groused a little way away while he sharpened his blade. Ariya had simply smiled, “if we were to believe in what we are doing now as Shokku, then we need to also prepare her for a world that doesn’t believe in the sword.”

Raikur had rolled his eyes then but had sheathed his blade all the same. “You’ll make her soft,” Raikur had once complained as she handed Harune the stalk of a Hydrangea flower. “You’ll make us all soft.”

“Is that so bad?” Ariya’s carefree laughter had a way of teasing a smile from the both of them, no matter the occasion. 

The memory is a bright spot in Harune’s life. It is one of many. They shimmer in her mind, like sun rays breaking through the thick canopy of a forest. Harune regards her canvas and thinks now, not of war, but of balance. Of heaven and hell, and the earth: a bridge between the two realms. She ponders herself, Ariya, and Raikur, wondering which of them are which. With precision and grace, Harune slips into the trees that would lead both her and Marabelle to this small, secluded town.

As they walk, Harune hears a sound then, thin in the distance, but growing ever louder. It is bright and tinkling as a wind chime. It is the sound of the homes that occupy the town. It is almost as if Ariya is calling out her name. Harune smiles. Ariya lives on in Harune’s memories, in every lesson she has ever imparted, in the smile that she wears every day. If Harune closes her eyes she can imagine her walking, tall and regal beside them. “We’re almost there,” Harune spoke as she opened her eyes back up.

Harune gasped quietly as the once prosperous small town was bathed in reflections of bright fire. She couldn't help but imagine if that was what the city must have looked like as it died, glistening like a burning jewel against the day. She could clearly detect a foul odor in the wind. That had been some explosion just now, and it was close. A little surprised that she'd not been able to sense the approach of a battle sooner, Harune pushed wearily to her feet.

The first few steps brought her closer to the town and allowed her ears to catch on to the clanging resonation of steel—blades meeting. Scowling slightly, she quickened her pace toward the origin of the explosion. Not only that but screams could be heard. As she ran, it seemed like eternity to get there. Seconds seemed like hours. They were close. She could see people fighting, houses burning, kids trying to flee. Who could do such a monstrous thing?

WC: 978
TWC: 3,835

As Harune commented on never hearing of Sebastion, her thoughts wandered to the eccentric individual she had encountered in the woods. It would be odd to consider his presence to be limited within the village should his primary task be dealing with the woods. Paying little mind to that, surely she would encounter the man who claimed family upon meeting once more before she departed the village of Otogakure in the near future and repay him for the kindness he had shown her. Likely he was a man who stuck to the shadows as his position as one of Kaito's advisors was likely due to experiences they have shared together over any innate specific task required to be performed needing his skillset. With Harune's appraisal of the documents and her story, it was time to make it to the smaller village for the first mission.

Being debriefed, Marabelle took note of key parts of what Harune spoke about the situation that this smaller village was handling and dealing with nearby. With the understanding of the woes of the world, there was nothing more than nods in agreement, no further questions asked by the medical vagabond. In her own head, there was much to think about, 'Considering my understanding of chakra and bodily functions. My ability to detect toxins will prove most useful in this situation.' Giving a firm nod to herself, Marabelle relayed the information that she could be of aid by helping identify any who were not visibly present but were affected by this poison. As the two medical shinobi pressed forward, it appeared to Marabelle that Harune was once more lost in thought but this time through the lights radiance upon Harune's beauty, seemed to be of a happier memory.

With that settled and sorted out, Marabelle kept her focus around her through her more actively using her chakra sensory abilities. Awareness of a potential problem would be key in tracking down and sorting through the mess that was likely awaiting the duo upon arrival. With Harune snapping back without Marabelle noticing, the words that the two were almost at their destination, made Marabelle aware of grabbing a small, what looked like ribbon, and pinning it to her kimono's sleeve as a big red plus sign against a yellow background, making her position as a medic very visible for any onlookers they may have to talk to or aid. Once the pin was in place, Harune's gasp brought Marabelle back to the reality at hand, danger.

"Medical Shinobi Present!" She shouted out as both women sprung to action to the horrific scene that began to display in front of them. "I'll handle the children and runners, see what you can do about the dangers in front of us!" She shouted towards Harune as she leaped backwards to try to wrangle and get more information out of the children at hand. Quick to act and take vocal charge, many heard the gentle voice raise to a loud proclamation as a few handseals would cause a sphere of sensory shinobi chakra to encase a location for Marabelle to make assessments of individuals who walked through it. With time of the essence, the Everbloom formed lines to get people physically fit to run toward Otogakure while healing and assessing those who could not before getting them moving as well. With only a handful alerting Marabelle through her Chakra Insight, Marabelle would pull them aside to specifically take care of them later and hopefully get more information.

With Harune's actions helping ease that part of the issue at large, Marabelle would reconvene once that issue was resolved to give her findings to the Otogakuren Shinobi. "I've been able to detect and identify a few individuals who are likely under the effects of whatever is happening. I think it would be best that a shinobi from Otogakure administer and aid in their proper assessment. As an outsider, I know my help is appreciated but not necessarily welcomed." She vocalized tapping the blank protector that was on her head and then pointing at the symbol of Otogakure on Harune's. "I'll wrap up and assess the individuals you helped take care of and we can reconvene to report on what happened here before making our way back. I think someone was murmuring about stolen goods, which might be related to the individual who might be taking items that may help prevent these poisonings or the toxin from working. I'll leave your assessment to help make the full determination at this time." A look of hard determination and hope filled the Everbloom's irises as she moved to the individuals that Harune had taken care of.

With most of her tricks unable to be used at this point, good old-fashioned sensory would need to be used for these individuals. Asking for more cooperative and helpful villagers still standing to help move people around, Marabelle was able to determine a handful more people there in the skirmish were under the effects of the poisoned substance. Once they were identified and moved to be closer to where Harune was taking care of the group Marabelle helped with initially, Marabelle added 5 more people to the mix of whom Harune was already helping with, alive or not depending on how Harune handled the situation. "This is who I could determine that have been poisoned with my sensory abilities. If there is anything else in particular you could need from me at this juncture please let me know Harune-san." She said with a firm smile as she in the interim helped assess damages and other minor injuries and helped people get to a position to rejoin family members who had run towards Otogakure.

WC: 952, TWC: 1,978 | Mission WC: Harune's Portion 3,835 + 1,978 Marabelle's = 5,813 / 5,000

Once entering the town, everything was in disarray. Civilians with newfound abilities without the aptitude to use them are inherently unleashing them on each other. A woman, who was set aflame, ran in front of her only to slowly fall down and succumb to the flames. A man, who seemed inflicted by an intense genjutsu, pulled out a knife from his back pocket and plunged it into his skull, permanently ending his own life. A woman could be seen across the street, jumping off the second balcony for only a portal open and close with half her body going into the portal, subsequently cutting her in half with only her stomach, intestines and legs falling to the ground as the town was painted red with blood. So much for trying to track down the murderer when this town is filled with so much chaos and death.

Following the sights before them, Marabelle announced their presence and immediately went to work on trying to help the injured while asking Harune to handle the scene in front of them. While Harune is somewhat knowledgeable in the art of medical ninjutsu, she wasn’t as adept as Marabelle was; therefore, she had other methods to help the situation at hand.

“Right.” Harune spoke as she leaped into action.

Running around, she could feel the chakra start to fluctuate in her body, enhancing her strength beyond that of her normal capabilities. Meeting her first victim…well, patient…sort of. She immediately punched him in the dome, knocking him out cold as his body went limp to the ground. From there on, she did the same to the next and the next and the next person until they were all out cold. They should be out long enough for the concoction to circulate and subside throughout their systems.

Walking up to Marabelle, she would say, “alright, everyone should be out for a while. Whatever that has been giving them these unnatural abilities will hopefully subside.” She said turning her vision around to look at the town that has suffered heavy damage. Her eyes cascaded around and saw an individual that was staring at them before leaping off the building towards the back.

“You’re an adept medic ninja, perhaps you can make a remedy by examining the contents of their blood? I might have found our culprit, I’ll be back,” Harune said as she took off running in the direction of the figure that jumped off the building.

She was running along the repeating trail, houses surrounding her by both sides, enclosed in an almost sacred space where not a single human being, other than her, had breathed out. It almost seemed like it was frozen in time, only thawing when someone dared to step into its cold, unwelcoming abode. She kept running, trying to instill fake confidence in herself, it helped her from deflating with guilt and disappointment for not arriving any sooner, no matter if it would make a difference or not.

The path was a small one, so it didn't take long before she arrived at the end of its trail, all houses ceasing to exist for the expansive world stretching out with a singular dirt trail leading to other settlements, but it was blocked by a tall imposing man. He was threatening despite the ever-present smile on his face, his hands holding his folded-up fans and his red eyes glancing at the Shokku’s form eagerly, without a single ounce of shame.

His mouth was streaked with blood, he was standing beside a pile of corpses, all seeming to consist of men with their eyes blown out wide, their hands covering their throats before they died. She could see the bandit that she followed amongst the victims. He didn't eat them, they looked untouched. Before Harune could try to glance for a single survivor, the man waved his right-handed fan, and all of the men froze up with ice encasing their dead bodies. Harune seemingly froze up too, before she could comprehend the drastic actions taken by the man, the frozen prisons simply shattered into tiny little pieces, all shattering into nothingness, not a single ounce of their body mass left over for a funeral.

"Ah! A beautiful woman, how wonderful! I'm truly lucky to encounter a lady such as yourself!" He eagerly exclaimed while clapping his hands, he froze up mid-clap and put a finger on his bottom lip, thinking of something with exaggerated sounds of decision-making uttering out of his mouth, before saying, "Ah, forgive my rude manners! I'm Zakari and it's an honor to meet someone as lovely as you."

Harune breathed out, trying to pinpoint his unseen freezing mist which would incapacitate her lungs, destroying them. She recognized the changed air and breathed accordingly to avoid his dangerous attack. "The name is Harune, and I'm sorry Zakari, but unfortunately I have my teammate to go back to." She said with a smile on her face. The red eyes widened slightly before the effect was instantaneous, his cheerful smile fell immediately, his eyes gleamed with an unsaid warning. 'Don't say anything else' it would relay quietly, the space between them thick with tension that someone could cut it with a knife. They glared at each other, participating in their battle of wills, quietly judging the other to gain some form of advantage to win in this fight. Zakari was confident that this woman would never be able to beat him. He did want her to stay fresh while he absorbed her, so his one-shot attacks would be useless. All the while, Harune remembered her tactics, the way her fighting style worked, and which attack was better for defensive maneuvers. She was smart enough to acknowledge his strength and only hoped that she could compete with this ice demon.

His mouth widened into a mocking grin slowly, the effect causing shivers up on Harune’s spine, "Well, Harune. I'm waiting, this is going to be extremely exciting!" He laughed out loud while throwing his head back and snapped his head back to face Harune while tilting his head sideways, giving her a lopsided grin, which could only belong to a rabid animal. It almost seemed like he didn't have an ounce of humanity left, despite being human-looking.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the man disappeared, leaving a cold mist behind in his place. The woman closed her eyes and readied her attack. She twisted her body to avoid the attack and punched him in the stomach when he appeared behind her and was about to break her spine. She was pushed backwards from the force and grit her teeth, using her legs to stop skidding and stop a few feet away from him. She didn't leave his form one bit when he would glance at his closing wound without any real worry. He grinned,

"Oh, your form is just as beautiful as you, Harune." He flipped his hands open and manifested four icicles by flapping his fans just once. She narrowed her eyes, they were thin, but their piercing power seemed to be extremely high, based on the sharpened tips. He directed a fan towards her, letting the deathly floating icicles pierce her, and she used another of her defensive maneuvers right before they hit her, 'Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire' The icicles all melted into tiny water droplets by the many fireballs, while Zakari just smiled and snapped his fingers. Harune immediately jumped out of the vicinity of the falling ice pieces when she heard the ominous click of his fingers, when they blew up in a cold mist.

The fight was just starting, and he was already playing dirty, luckily Harune had tons of aces up her sleeves, her intelligence almost unmatched. Zakari laughed out loud, leaving himself completely vulnerable, it was a trick. Harune knew so she obviously didn't fall for it and only narrowed her eyes. Immediately he jumped when he saw she wouldn't take the bait and was landing towards her form, intending on tackling her when she used her attack, 'Sun Shard Shuriken Technique.' A plethora of sun-like shuriken flew upward, incapacitating his body by letting his feet chopped off, along with his hands which were holding his fans. It slowed his momentum, so he had landed just a few inches away from her on the stubs of his feet.

Harune used her opportunity and tried to uppercut the helpless demon's head with a powerful, 'Cherry Blossom Impact.' intending on ending the battle right there and then by a single powerful blow. Right when the graceful uppercut was about to decapitate Kyuketsuki-Yuki mixture, Harune sensed that it was all just, “too easy." Her instincts were screaming at her, and she obeyed its command and jumped far away from the body. Turns out it was the right call when the 'fake body' froze into an ice shell and protruded spikes all over its body, which would instantly pierce her straight through her heart.

She grits her teeth; this man was smart. She tensed when she heard the sound of slow clapping and turned towards its source and saw the man sitting on the rooftop while also applauding her efforts, an impressed look on his face. "My, my. Aren't you a sharp one." He mockingly said while Harune refused to answer his goading actions. He narrowed his eyes, the grin dropping, "It's rude to not answer your friends, Harune. Ne, Ne, why don't we end this, and you give up?" His smile reappeared. "It would save a ton of pain and suffering from both of our parts y'know?" He pouted when she only scoffed, "Well, if you say so Harune-chan. I'm going to enjoy devouring you when we're done with this pointless fight." His serious demeanor showed itself for a split second before he smiled sickeningly, "Cuz that's what I do for all of my female friends y'know?"


TWC: 5,484

She took care of the rest of the individuals bumbling about at this point after she developed an antidote with the regional flora that was available to her. It was interesting to Marabelle's thought process of looking over the landscape once they were taking care of individuals. All the directional path of destruction came from one localized direction and that was when she realized it had been some time since she saw Harune. Returning to their makeshift medic camp, the Everbloom went over what they had taken note of alongside the individuals who were present for what items they were missing. It appeared to her that the items were actually not likely modes of infection or deterrents for whatever toxin or poison was being used to help cause the people to go berserk but she noted that only individuals who had something happen missing tied to the random occurrence of powers and abilities formulating for them.

With the realization that the two were connected, Marabelle remembered what Harune said before leaving to find the culprit. Looking in the direction she went, it became obvious that she needed to act quickly to help support her new team member for this sudden mission she found herself on. Forming a few handseals she activated her camouflage technique to as she approached the lair of what was likely the encounter of the day. Before she got close she could see a massive onslaught of techniques coming from Harune presumably as Marabelle heard the laughter and mania that the man vocalized. With being distant from this whole affair, it was like an equal playing field that would require someone to tip the affair.

Waiting and lying in the shadows, Marabelle knew she had to be stealthy to approach in such a clamor still without knowing if the man was capable of detecting her or not. Keeping far enough to be considered safe, her eyes and senses were being used to the best of her ability as she approached the man. Once within a distance where she could properly detect his chakra, her medical chakra awareness pinged off. It looked like the toxin that was being used on others was coursing through himself, yet he was in control. The realization dawned on Marabelle that the people of this settlement were simply test subjects to help formulate a stronger, likely more controlled, substance for himself to use. Harune's thought on producing an antidote was on the nose for a solution, now it was a matter of how to administer it to help the duo overcome this situation. Thankfully Marabelle had just the technique for that, it was just a matter of administration.

Seeing him position himself now on top of a roof, Marabelle positioned herself as stealthy as she could be. Once within a reasonable range, roughly 16 meters from the man, and behind him, as he began to speak to Harune once more, "Well, if you say so Harune-chan. I'm going to enjoy devouring you when we're done with this pointless fight." his body language from Marabelle's angle indicating something more sinister, "Cuz that's what I do for all of my female friends y'know?" While the last sentence was being given, handseals and the antidote or in this case, anti-poison, being intermixed with the chakra that began to form around her hands as she unleashed a volley of Chakra Scalpel Senbons laced with the mixture towards the man. As quiet as she was he turned and watched as the senbons began to fly towards him. "Harune now!" She shouted as she herself could not see her teammate from where she had positioned herself but the man himself was now backpedaling and jumping off the roof, a few senbons connected as he shrilled towards her.

"Your friend is not so nice!" He hissed as the senbons worked to administer the antidote that Marabelle had made, her invisibility still being maintained at this time keeping her presence hidden by even Harune unless she could see past it somehow, which she would not be aware of. Repositioning now towards regrouping with Harune it was just a matter of exposure and time for the antidote to work. Calling out once more, "He's taken the toxin himself in a stronger dosage! The antidote I made on your recommendation should take effect shortly but we have to hold out and keep him here!" She called out to Harune as the man realized this, howling in rage and fury towards the two, though Marabelle was still being unseen by him. "You would dare! To intrude and to interrupt me and Harune-chan's cohabitation agreement!~" He voiced cruelly and frustrated.

With all her efforts, the next step was to get into a position to use her Mystical Palm technique to stun him for the two of them to wrangle him in and avoid hopefully more casualties. With Zakari being the man behind both missions today, effectively bringing him into the village of Otogakure for questioning would prove important for the duo to be able to complete the task. With consideration that these two issues ended up becoming combined it likely was a more dangerous mission than first anticipated. Once an opening would arise where Marabelle could act, she would move into position while invisible and aim her technique towards his head, once connected it would subdue through paralysis of the man for enough time to render him unable to proceed in combat through the chakra scalpel technique. As much as she felt it was excessive to have to work that way, she knew it was likely the route to allow the duo the highest likelihood of success and survival on taking this man in.

WC: 1.024, TWC: 3,002 | TMWC: 5,813 + 1,649 + 1,024 = 8,486/5,000

The reason for the disappearance of the population in this area had become clear to her, her guilt intensifying since she had the naive belief that they had escaped before they had been killed by him. "How did this section stay quiet for so long? All of this doesn't make any sense!" She said with frustration, trying to make sense of the situation, not realizing that she had said it out loud for Zakari to hear.

"Oh! They were just my loyal servants! But, I got bored with them, so I ate the females and was in process of disposing of the males when you arrived." He explained it as a fact! Not anything serious, just something to be mentioned in passing from his perspective. It boiled her blood, but she kept her composure and didn't recklessly drive in to kill him. No matter how tempting it was.

He jumped towards her when he saw that she was making no moves in trying to go towards him. She used her cherry blossom impact again when he was close enough to be incapacitated, his chest was punched almost all the way through while Harune simply kept her distance, intending on keeping away from him. 'This girl knows her stuff', He acknowledged her tactics, close range would never work on her, she was too prepared. He also didn't want to use any long-range attacks, since most of them would freeze her body and ruin the taste. 

‘Harune NOW!’

A voice rang out in the distance, and she immediately recognized that distinction. Marabelle has arrived to help her. A spew of chakra-like needles ascended upon the monster, directly hitting their target. Taking several steps back, the man hissed in agony on where these chakra senbon came from; but ultimately, he was ruminating on his plan of action when Harune noticed his momentarily distracted face and used her next attack.

'Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire.' She executed a consecutive of nine powerful attacks all together, so his form would weaken, and she would take the chance and use the form to attack his real body. She changed her tactics when she realized that it was almost going to be impossible to evade him until help arrived in the form of Marabelle. Even with the assistance from Marabelle, tt was already an hour past, and he was ruthless, her attacks were barely able to block him, and her life was in constant danger, since she knew he was holding back. Those nine powerful blasts had caught him off guard, his focus broken in surprise since he thought she would be keeping her distance from him. His appendages were severely burned, as well as his torso, back, and his jaw. They all spewed blood while his limp body flopped forwards onto the ground, the regeneration taking some time.

Harune used the ‘Fire Dragon Bullet’ in order to end this battle for real before she started panting with exhaustion and making mistakes. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side when she saw two ice sculptures, made suspiciously to look like women, were clutching her legs in an almost painful grip, threatening to break them. She used her 'Cherry Blossom Impact one more time' and obliterated the statues into tiny pinpricks of ice crystals. She had to jump backwards, Zakari's regeneration complete, so she could avoid his underhanded attacks in order to kill her.

He slowly stood up, his eyes blown out wide with interest studying her, he was extremely fascinated by her survival instincts. 'Hmmm, Maybe I should turn her into a vampire.' He contemplated while weighing the pros and cons but eventually dismissed the notion by a single want, 'Nevermind, how else am I supposed to taste her? I need her blood.' He licked his lips in anticipation of her soft flesh, slowly being molded into his body, the feeling would be indescribable for him! He would get amazingly stronger than before; it was definitely worth it.

‘He's taken the toxin himself in a stronger dosage! The antidote I made on your recommendation should take effect shortly, but we have to hold out and keep him here!’

Harune didn’t even have to fully grasp Marabelle’s words as he continued with his barrage of unexpected attacks while Harune barely dodged their effects all the way till other help arrived. Harune didn't get injured once; she knew if she did then her chances of survival would drop to exponentially low levels. She couldn't afford it, so she never instigated the offensive attacks and kept using the defensive maneuvers instead. Meanwhile, Zakari was slowly getting frustrated by her avoidance, his anger showing itself by his scowl, a hard feat to accomplish. It wasn't a true emotion since he couldn't feel anything, but it was more like not wanting change to happen. He killed and ate every single female he laid his eyes on; he didn't want to abolish the precedent. But Harune was nothing if not exceptional. He wanted her strong body; it was necessary for him! His attacks slowly grew deadlier, the use of brute force receding and the use of his kekkei genkai increasing the longer they fought.

Harune never kept her guard down, no matter how exhausted she slowly became to be, her evasive maneuvers were too notch. She wanted to escape, but she knew if she tried to, then he would take the opportunity to kill her once she was distracted for a split second, and also, she didn't want to escape at the same time since she wanted to avenge the countless people this demon had killed. The Sun Sphere was extremely enticing whenever she would see an opening that could only be taken advantage of by the dangerous method, but the man was unpredictable and there was no guarantee that her plan would work out. Also, if she lost the function of her eyes, she would undoubtedly die. They fought, and the ten minutes before help should come to be extremely important to Harune. She was panting, sweat covering every single inch of her body, her muscles protesting at a single small motion of her hand or legs.

They stood a few feet away from each other with Zakari glancing at her with a smug smile, she was going to start making mistakes and he would undoubtedly take advantage of that. "See Harune-chan? This is why the Kyuketsuki are always going to be stronger than humans. It's just the way of life. If you were a vampire, we could fight for eternity y'know?" He rambled without a hint of stopping which was exactly what Harune wanted. So, she tried to keep him talking by yelling; perhaps, Marabelle had some sort of maneuver that she was planning.

"You're wrong!’ She said, “we’ll stop all the evilness you all have brought and live in harmony.”

Zakari laughed, and readied his stance in order to launch his final attack, "I'm sorry Harune-chan. But that's impossible!" He was tired of this endless back and forth, he just wanted to eat her and get back to his followers! He didn't want to talk all night with her, and this was, also, proving to become quite the battle. The two sworn enemies stood a few meters apart, both covered in blood, ready to fight to the death.

"Well, Zakari," Harune said in a weak voice, "one of us goes, one of us stays. If I die in battle, I'm dragging you to hell with me." The Anbura spit out some blood, then smiled at her opponent, absolute hatred apparent in the fire in her eyes.

"You're right about that one," replied Zakari, as he threw his fan at her as if it were a spear, striking her in the side, lodging in  her flesh with a sickening noise. Harune yelped in pain and began to stumble backwards. Zakari caught her roughly by the arm and she made one final attempt at taking him out. She ripped out the fan from her side, blood splattering against the ground, and swung it at him. Zakari grabbed the bladed fan and threw it, lodging it into the ground, blood seeping down his arm. Zakari let out a scream and threw Harune to the ground.

She tried with every little ounce of anything she had to get back up and fight. She was exhausted and wounded, but she managed to stand once again. "You have a lot of fight in you, I like that. Fitting for a company like me. Don't you think so? Hehe. I've decided that I'm not going to kill you but take you with me to live for eternity. You'll thank me later," with one quick motion, both of his arms snatched Harune's wrists and positioned her, hanging helplessly in the air.

In this world, where the weak grappled at the straws to survive, Harune had been among the many who wished desperately to be one of the strong. But reality proved a cruel mistress, and aside from embracing death, she was left with no other choice. She had to accept the truth. Looking down at the leaking wound, she realized this was it. While the wound was insignificant, it was that her body was unable to move. From one injury was all it took.

This was the extent of her body's potential, and Genin was the highest rank she would attain in this lifetime. She would not advance.  Strangely, she made peace with her circumstance as she laid upon the ground. Harune’s memories flashed before her eyes as she realized after becoming a genin, she had become paradoxically stronger and more confident than she'd ever been. This surety of her limits has allowed her to survive skirmishes where shinobi of the same rank would have been felled by. Harune’s skill to judge whether a battle should be pursued to the bitter end or abandoned has handily saved her life more than a few times. However, this time was different.

But still, she has no reason to be ashamed.

Harune's chest swells with emotion. The missions she toiled over, her suffering at the hands of sadistic missing-nin, lonely nights spent reading by the firelight. Soothing words from those who she has cared about instantly uplifts her. It is strange how easily simple, sweet memories make the blood and sweat she has spilled feel wholly worth it. A smile cracked through her lips. All she knew was that she tried.

As her gaze shifted towards the treetops, she saw the world in slow motion. Better yet, she saw a flicker against the air. Almost as the fabric of space rippled. She didn’t know what it was until Zakari grunted and dropped Harune to her feet while he crippled to the ground. Once again, Marabelle came through. If it wasn’t for her, Harune would have perished in this fight long again. Harune owes the pinkette her life and gratitude for decades to come, a gesture she will definitely repay for when the need arises; but for right now, this creature needs to be dealt with.

Grimace and anger once again consumed her face as she watched the man lie before her. Her eyes were alight thanks to the Tengan. She took a few steps ahead and stood directly over the top of the man with both legs on either side of him.

“Fuck you, cu-,” the man couldn’t even finish his sentence when a fist came barreling down with the effects of the cherry blossom impact. The fist immediately caved in his face as an explosion of blood, cartilage, teeth, and bone came rocketing out of his head. His death was quick and fierce but that didn’t stop Harune from continuing her assault.

A punch followed by another…and another…and another. His body was convulsing from the impact. The ground beneath was obliterating to the excessive force. Blood and brain matter begin to paint both Harune and the ground as she smashed his head to pieces. She didn’t stop until nothing was left, and she was hitting the bare ground.

Rising up, she wiped her nose only to smear the scarlet liquid across her face. Her body was trembling with rage and adrenaline as she stared at Marabelle with a look of dead anger. “This is what should happen to every…Kyuketsuki. They are ravenous beasts that should be extinct.” Harune said, sounding the complete opposite of when she first met Marabelle, as if she was a different person entirely.

Picking up the headless body and throwing it over her shoulder, she spoke to Marabelle again, “let’s turn in this body…or what’s left of it and get back home.” She said as she walked back to the town to turn the body into authorities. Once she got there, the residence stared at her in horror and fright as blood covered her entire being. Approaching the station, she threw the body to the ground and announced to the ‘detectives’, “case closed boys, here’s your suspect.” With that said, she left with Marabelle to go back home and report the missions back.

EXIT
TWC: 7,660

Harune's Claims & Rewards:
+10,000 Ryo
+50 AP
4410+90 From Here to equal 4500/4500 to Tengan: Stage 3 (25% Off due to Max Stat)
250/250 to Hand Seal's Mastery Genjutsu Release (No Hand Seals)
1500/1500 to One-Handed Seals (25% Off due to Max Stat)
1500/1500 to Dual Implement Casting (25% Off due to Max Stat)(Will Replace One-Handed Seals)

No Words Left

Approved