Off Again! New Mission! 2 (Ari Only)

AJ Gray · Off Again! New Mission! 2 (Ari Only)

Moriko sighed as the had just finished crossing out of Kusa no Kuni. It had been a full day and all she heard was giggles and laughter. She had heard the same song nearly 400 times and she was on the verge of cracking a skull or two to calm down. However, she remained calm for the sake of the child. Otherwise, she would have cut his head off a long time ago with her swords, something she wanted to do desperately. She walked at least 20 paces ahead of Tatsumi and the boy to make sure she didn't hear them much and to keep an eye out on the road ahead without being distracted.

Ari Phoenix

Tatsumi slowly quieted down as she walked, keeping close to Moriko, but at a pace that kept her from being right next to her, She held the kid up on her shoulders and continued to do little things like rhymes and riddles, small songs and little games ove I spy.
She noticed they were no longer in the country that Iwagakure belonged to.
"Seems we are getting closer to our destination, you will be back with your panrents by dinner" She stated niavely as well as optmistically. She was happy for the child, while hopeful that Moriko would cheer up a little as well.

AJ Gray

"We are still a half day away from Konoha and the sun is setting. We shall rest here for the time being and we will not wait for you to awaken again. So wake promptly. Let's set up camp..." Moriko looked around a bit in the now darkening sky being casted over the forest. Her eyes caught a small clearing that would be hard for anyone to find in the dark. She was certain this spot would be good for them and she nodded. "... over there in that clearing. It's a good spot for now and we can alternate guard duties so we each get some rest while protecting the kid. You can guard first as I'm tired and need the rest." Moriko said as she walked over to the clearing and began setting up camp and lighting a fire.

Ari Phoenix

Tatsumi nodded, as she prepared to take the first watch. She started stretching, hoping to get faster from this mission. She started doing leg exersizes, trying to loosen her legs up so that they could move faster. She kept quiet as she did this, trying to work on one of her weaknesses, she was tough, but she needed to move quicker. She looked at the sky as she also limbered up her arms as well. She then started working on moving, while listening to the child sleep, and moriko, wether she was resting or not, she could only hope.

AJ Gray

Hours passed as the night became less darker with the coming of the sun a few hours off. Moriko had slowly come to life to relieve her partner from he guard duty. She got out of her from her sleeping bag and walked over to Tatsumi and placed her hand on her shoulder. "You can rest now so that we may continue on tomorrow. Do not be late with the waking up because I will not wait for you again. Understood, Tatsumi?" Moriko said as she took her spot and sat down. She looked at her Wakizashis and began to sharpen them again.

Ari Phoenix

Tatsumi slowly nodded, as she laid down on the ground near the child, and looked back at Moriko. "I hope you rested well." She whispered, as she allowed her eyes to shut. Her mind was focused on taking care of resting, for if she didn't, she would stay up. Her last thought was of home, before she was asleep.

As the sun was starting to rise, she awoke, and yawned, stretching, looking at the child and Moriko, She quickly got up, remembering the last mission, and prepared for traveling.

AJ Gray

Moriko sighed a moment and looked at her partner. The sun had been up and any longer and her partner would have been left behind a long time ago. "We've been up 20 minutes." She said as she and the boy looked at Tatsumi. "Konoha's gates are not that far away from here. It's a few hours walk. We'll eat when we get there." Moriko said as she and the boy walked forward. Moriko held one Wakizashi in her hand and kept it held tight as if to attack at any moment. she kept her eyes forward to insinuate she didn't care about anything but completing the mission.

Ari Phoenix

Tatsumi nodded, and walked with the other two. She didn't know what she would do, if they met Konoha ninja on this mission, being she had been told that they were babaric, evil ninja, who only cared about themselves and killing. She didn't know if that was true or not, but the fact was, the last time Iwagakure had connection with this village, was a kage, and before that, a war.

"Um, Moriko-san," She asked, being formal "Are the rumors about Konoha true?" She whispered, trying to be certain wether she was being silly or not. She didn't want to be worried, unless there was a reason to, just like she didn't like to be mean, unless it is needed.

AJ Gray

Moriko looked at Tatsumi and thought a moment as she tried to answer the question. She wanted to lie and say yes to make her afraid, but from what she had heard, Tamotsu had brought Kaeor to Iwagakure and deposed the former Tsuchikage who was destroying Iwagakure. She took a deep breath and spoke from her basic knowledge. "It may or not be true. In the past I would have been more likely to believe that but not so much now since the war. They seemed to be at peace and their kage has changed 3 times in a short amount of time." Moriko said as she could see the massive red wall of Konoha.

Ari Phoenix

Tatsumi nodded, listening, trying to figure out what she would be able to beleive.
"Lets try our best to be peaceful" she suggested, as they were getting closer, still ready to defend the child. She looked at Moriko and the child. This mission wasn't hard, but it was showing that they were being quite good at this type.
'This mission is my second mission since attaining chuunin rank, and my second with Moriko, I have to see it through with her.' she thought, her movements matching the pace of the other kunoichi.

AJ Gray

The three traveled in the dense forests of Konoha as they continued to get within range of the gate to where the young boy would be dropped off. Moriko kept silent as Tatsumi spoke of peace with the ninjas of Konoha. In her mind, she was at peace with them with the exception of one who she would desperately want to show pain. However, in her current state, she was useless and most likely to be killed if she fought the Hokage himself. She had never heard of his fighting style except that the Stone Villagers called him the Spiraling Genius.

After hours of walking, they arrived at the gate and Moriko sighed as she gave the boy his scroll of transport into Konoha.

"Be safe." Moriko said softly.

Ari Phoenix

"Have fun" Tatsumi added, looking at the boy. She smiled softly then looked at Moriko "We should head back, unless you want to see Konoha" she stated, though inside, she wanted to see another village, and see things that she hadn't before. She seemed calm, though inside, she was really excited to be close to a major village, especially one with soo many people.
She remembered though, this was a mission, and as such, a part of it might be returning to Iwa, and kept quiet.

AJ Gray

Moriko looked at Tatsumi with an odd look as if her excitement were unexpected. But she had remembered that Tatsumi was only 15 years old and that it should have been considered. She then put her hands on her hip and thought about the question once more. She handed Tatsumi some Ryo and then nodded. "Go nuts. I have things to do back at home. See you later, Tatsumi." Moriko said as she ran off with a good amount of speed. She had come this close to her goal of killing Tamotsu but couldn't be cause her powers wouldn't allow her. But the next time she returned, the favor and destiny she owed him would be carried out.

(Left)

Ari Phoenix

Tatsumi looked at her partner and ally as she left, and thought for a second, before bowing to the gaurds at the gate, and entering. She went to the shopping district, and looked all over, grabbing a small bite to eat, and then thinking, she picked up a cloth for Moriko as a gift, before walking back out of the village. She smiled as she made her way home.

"Konoha isn't as bad as the rumors said." She stated to herself, as she took the long journey home.

(Left thread)