Missing Linx

[zuka]

Name: Missing Linx
Rank: D
IC Length: However long it takes
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: A nobleman is having trouble finding his pet Linx-cat. He is a moderately tame little critter but doesn't ike strangers...at all... The cat had gone missing on his mansion grounds which has a small forest included in the fenced perimeter. Your job is to fetch the Linx and bring him back to his master. He can be pinpointed easily- he has a golden earring in one ear and a silk tied-on ribbon collar. His name is Oshii and he has a great fancy for fish and raw meat.
Objective: Find and return Oshii to his owner, Lady Mitsuki
Reward: 1,000

Mission: Aburame, Iizuka

[zuka]

The bright morning sun began to peek over the horizon as Iizuka arrived at the Lady Mitsuki's mansion. The estate, was in one word, massive. Surrounded by a large, stone wall, inside there lay a garden in front of the mansion. But, other than that, the only thing Iizuka could see in just about any direction was trees, plants, and small woodland animals that happened to be moving around. His mission would certainly not be an easy one. Walking up to the door, he saw that, taped to it, was a picture of the Linx that he was to find.

The picture was that of a large feline, being about half the size of Iizuka. Adorned upon one ear was a golden earring, and his collar is one of silk ribbons. The coat of the Linx was rather dark, making it easy for it to be able to blend into the shadows of the forests that surrounded the estate. Beneath the picture was a small description. It stated that the cats name was Oshii. It also gave information on what it enjoyed eating, and its attitude towards others. Sighing, Iizuka walked back down to the garden, and then made a turn for the forest. He might as well get a good start while it was still early.

As he wondered through the forest, constant motions caused by animals moving kept him on guard at all times. While most were either the wind or just a squirrel or bird, it still could have been the Linx, and so Iizuka was constantly looking around himself for any sign of the cat. Not only that, but he moved at a painfully slow pace. He needed to take in just about every detail that this forest had to offer, for the cat could be blending in anywhere. In fact, to increase the speed at which he worked, he had Kikaichu come forth and make a sort of headband of sight, as they kept watch on all sides for their master.

Meanwhile...

The cat that Iizuka now hunted was actually quite close to where Iizuka now walked. However, to reach the Linx, he would have to follow the many tracks it had left. And in pursuit of prey, it had made many confusing marks around the area. He would be lead in circles at least five times before he realized the feline was already far ahead of the ninja. It's feline instincts made it sly, cunning, and a worthwhile opponent. Perhaps this simple cat could outsmart the Aburame strategist?

Back to Iizuka...

Standing now next to a tree, Iizuka spied a mark within it. The bark was clawed away slightly, as if something had tried to climb. Next to that tree was another that contained the same markings. However, these ones were as if it were trying to sharpen its claws. That was exactly what Iizuka needed now; a cat with sharpened weapons. Sitting upon the ground now, still alert of his surroundings, he would have to formulate a plan to capture the feline menace.

[zuka]

In the dirt, a map of the estate was drawn. A square with the bottom quarter clear of any forests, instead replaced with a garden. This was depicted by a crudely drawn flower that took up the lower quarter. Then, in the center, taking up some space, was the mansion. This was represented by a smaller box within the larger one, which represented the wall. Then, surrounding the house on just about every side was many drawings of small trees. Thinking of where he had been, Iizuka began to wipe away the drawing, leaving what he had not yet traveled upon. To further aid himself, he drew "X's" where he had seen marks left by the Linx. They all seemed to move in random circles, bringing Iizuka to where he was now.

Standing up, he would look down to where the paw-marks in the dirt had brought him. They ended at the tree, leaving Iizuka to believe that it had climbed up the tree and ran away in the direction of the fallen leaves and branches that littered a specific part of the forested trails. However, there were no marks on the tree that would imply that it had indeed put its claws into the tree to climb up it. Was it possible that this feline, which was no bigger than he, could leap about fifteen feet into a tree? Perhaps the power of the cat had been underestimated, and so Iizuka continued along the path that was covered in broken branches and fallen leaves. It was not much of a lead, but he really had nothing else to do.

While Iizuka walked towards the Linx, it too, was on the move. However, it moved away from Iizuka, only prolonging his attempts to capture it and return it to the owner. Occasionally, the cat would move into the sun and its earring would shine brightly, but the shinobi on the search for Oshii was much too far away to see it. The cat began to sprint as it heard the gennin approaching, using its animal senses to hear the noises made by him. He wasn't exactly being inconspicuous, after all. This would be the boys biggest mistake as the cat would sprint forward, hiding in a large patch of thick, tall grass. Time for a little hide-and-seek.

The trail was indeed confusing, for every turn would lead Iizuka to a tight cluster of trees, all with marks upon them. They led every which way, twisting and turning and confusing the Waterfall nin. Eventually becoming fed up with the cat's game, he extended an arm. What came forth was a small swarm of Kikaichu, about the size of Iizuka's own head. Then, he would merely point in the direction to where the trail would lead had it not turned, and they bugs went off. Should they find anything, they would alert Iizuka via telepathy.

Hopping into a tree, Iizuka decided to take the mission into his own hands. It would be no more of the cat's game, as his arm was extended once more. Several swarms came forth, all smaller than the first. Directing them, Iizuka sent them all over the estate in search of the cat. It wouldn't be able to hide for long, and it would soon be within Iizuka's grasp. As the bugs became hidden from Iizuka's sight, he would begin to move through the canopies, tree to tree. An aerial view would give him a much better advantage, and he intended to finish this mission soon.

[zuka]

As the sun traveled further along the sky, Iizuka knew it would be nearing noon. His bugs had found nothing as of yet, and he himself was still searching. The feline still lay within the grass, awaiting the hunter so it could quickly make him the hunted. Keeping a constant eye on his surroundings, he jumped down from the trees, coincidentally near the patch of grass. However, the shadows cast upon it by the trees caused the cat to remain camouflaged, and so Oshii was not seen by Iizuka.

Turning around to examine the area, he saw several marks. Paw prints and slashing marks were everywhere in the trees, and, lying upon the ground near one of the trees was a dead animal. The animal was unrecognizable due to the Linx. However, he believed it to be some kind of squirrel or other woodland critter. Reaching down, he would touch the carcass, then wipe the blood on the grass next to him. The body was warm, meaning the cat had just recently been there. Standing up with his back against the tree, he observed the surroundings. Was Oshii in the trees? Perhaps behind a rock, or under the grass. Maybe he wasn't even there at all. But still. he kept up his guard.

Standing there, in the silence of the forest, he waited. The cat slowly moved through the grass, ready to punce towards Iizuka at any second. Just when Iizuka expected the cat was not there, he would leap through the air with amazing speed. However, since Iizuka had been so alert, he saw the attack and dodged swiftly. But because the feline had strength like that of a ninja, it had moved with incredible speed. This would prove to be quite an opponent for Iizuka, especially it was now within close range.

Quickly sending a jab to the Linx, it would jump from the tree and head back into the shadows. Its method was surprise, and it wasn't about to change that now. Sprinting at full speed through the forest, it escaped, only to hide once more to catch Iizuka off guard. Sighing as the cat bounded away, he would begin to follow the cat, running in its trail. However, the Linx began to pick up speed, and then confused Iizuka by the patterns it ran in. It had eluded him once more.

Recalling his bugs to him, he would again send them out. However, this time they would be sent so that they cornered the feline, wherever it hid. The bugs now circled around the area in which the Linx had run, slowl closing in, keeping a constant lookout for any suspicious movements. Iizuka himself now ran towards where he believed the Linx had gone, but it was already far ahead of him. Time for another game of hide-and seek.

[zuka]

Beneath a small pile of rocks lay the Linx, waiting for its next strike against the ninja that hunted for it. It's slim body allowed it to fit into such a space with ease, and it sat there, just waiting. Really, it was taking a nap as Iizuka would never see it beneath the rock. Or, perhaps, was he able to spot it? It would be revealed in time, as he now came swiftly through the forest. He had stopped looking for signs as they had become more obvious, almost as if the cat was trying to be found.

Bugs flew around the area as they relayed information back to their master. Taking a final leap to a tree, about five meters from the Linx, he sat upon the branch, eyeing the area. It was a small clearing, and imprints of Oshii's paws covered the ground. It was completely impossible to tell the final destination of the feline as there were so many, and Iizuka sighed, rubbing his temples. This was a mission that was really making him work for it. Seeing several places in which the cat could be hiding, his eyes completely missed the rock, merely passing over them.

Jumping from the tree and landing without a sound, he would put his back against the tree. The last thing he needed was another ambush from behind. In his hand, three senbon needles made of Kikaichi began to form as he prepared his defense. He would try to disable the feline, so even if it escaped, it would not be able to get too far ahead. Readying the needles, he would fall into the Senbon Taitoku stance, moving forward at a painfully slow rate.

Oshii lay there, waiting for him to come closer. Taking a stance, the cat would begin to move backwards through another exit. Slowly, he came through, unbeknownst to Iizuka, and prepared to pounce. Moving through the clearing, Iizuka saw the slight change in movement, and then the shadowy outline of the Linx. It was almost unrecognizable, as it was below the rock. He had once chance to get it now, and the odds were against him, seeing as most of its body was behind the rock.

"Steady... Steady... Now!"

The needles were launched as Oshii's eyes glowed yellow. One needle struck the cat in its front right leg, but the other two missed. It let out a roar of pain as Iizuka jumped up to capture the feline, who had turned to run. Painfully, it ran through the forest on three legs, leaving a trail of leaking blood behind it. Iizuka stopped upon the rock, waiting for the cat to lose energy. Its wound would not allow it to get too far, and it was only a matter of time before it was captured.

[zuka]

Licking the blood from the wound, the cat turned back. No more of its trickery and deceit. It would take down this ninja that hunted it and enjoy it. One final trick would be made as it jumped to the best of its ability into a tree, struggling to climb its branches. Waiting there, it would continue to clean its wound, trying to pull the senbon out with its teeth. Meanwhile, Iizuka came through the forest, following the blood trail. It seemed to be becoming smaller and smaller as it went on, indicating that the blood was somehow stopping.

Darting through the forest, he would suddenly stop to see that the trail ended in the middle of a small clearing. Yet another place for him to be attacked, and such was the case as the Linx leaped from its post towards Iizuka. Bugs would flow over his body as the cat landed upon him, trying to grip him with his teeth. However, the bugs were protected by a thin layer of chakra, as the bug armor in turn would shield Iizuka from the feline's attacks. Turning onto his back, the cat would continue to slash at his armor, attempting to tear it from his body.

Iizuka wasn't about to let that happen. He suddenly let forth a jab to the cats jaw, knocking it to the side. It quickly regained its posture, seemingly ignoring its bleeding wound. Leaping once more, Iizuka would dodge before throwing another punch. As the cat jumped up, it fell again upon Iizuka, biting his armor-covered neck. Extending his arm towards the cat, a projection of bugs would erupt forth, pushing the cat into the air.

The bugs would then break apart from the arm-extension, swarming over the cat. In an enraged frenzy, it would begin to thrash about wildly, shaking the bugs from its coat. As they returned to Iizuka, Oshii ran forward to attack the armor once more. This time, a few bugs fell off, leaving an opening for the shinobi to be struck. The cat went head-on into the unrpotected area as Iizuka swung his arm down, striking the cat once more. As it fell, it would swipe its claw at Iizuka, cutting his stomach.

Blood would now be seeping through his clothing as the cat leaped into an area of tall grass. It would wait there, eyeing the genin who would hopefully follow it dimwittedly. But for now, the armor repaired itself as Iizuka winced at the pain. Blood continued to come forth from his body as Kikaichu within him tried to cover the wound. As the blood flow ceased slightly, he would back up from the grassy area, preparing his next tactic.

[zuka]

"Here, kitty, kitty..."

Battle tactics rushed through Iizuka's head as he considered the threat that the Linx posed. It was quite strong, and having feline grace and strength, it was definitely equal in level to a mere genin such as himself. Standing beneath the tree, he would create three more senbon made of Kikaichu as he let forth a steady stream of bugs from his legs. These extra Destruction Bugs would surround the area, setting the trap.

Nearly all the bugs would have exited Iizuka's body now, making a thick circle that was only surrounding perhaps fifteen meters. Hwever, inside the circle lay the Linx, and Iizuka had trapped it. Throwing the senbon, it would leap into the air, dodging them. At the same time, the Kikaichu would rush forward where it tried to escape, preventing its movements. Seeing no escape, it turned to Iizuka. It would rush forward as bugs from the surrounding circle came forth in defense.

The clawing feline would run straight into the wall as it formed right before it. The Kikai would then fall onto the feline, sapping its energy. Everything had a form of chakra, even if it could not mold or use it. So now with the cat covered in the parasites, it would struggle as it still moved towards Iizuka. Smirking, the remaining bugs from the trap would come forth, entering its body from the ears. mouth, and nose. However, only a handful would enter the body, the rest returned to their master. Once inside the cat's body, they moved around, sapping chakra from the chakra gates in its body.

The now restrained cat lay upon the ground, slowly losing energy. The bugs inside its body flowed back to Iizuka as most of those on top of it also went inside their master. Staring down at the unmoving Linx, he would look at its wound. Taking a handful of grass, he would wipe the blood from its fur as best as possible. There, the feline tried to snap at Iizuka, but found it had little strength. For now, it would seem to have given up... Until it regained some energy.

Attempting to lift the cat, he thought it would be a bad idea. Returning to the patches of grass, he would cut almost all of it down, laying it upon the ground in such a pattern that it could be used as a sort of bed. Laying the Linx upon the make-shift bed, he would drag the cat through the forest. After a few minutes of this, he stopped, stood up, and looked around. Which way was out?

[zuka]

A flurry of bugs would come forth from his extended arm. The Kikai would rise into the air, high above the canopies of the forest. The telepathic link between their master and them would be constantly sending messages, directing him exactly where to go. Dragging the feline behind him, he thought this mission was basically done. But, unbeknownst to the shinobi, the Linx lay there upon the grass, slowly regaining energy.

Then, suddenly, the grass would become much lighter as the feline jumped from the bed, launching itself at Iizuka. As soon as the bed had shifted weight in Iizuka's arms, he would turn around rapidly, sending a projection of Kikai at the cat. It would smack into the Linx, knocking it back once more. Trying to stumble away, another swarm of bugs would erupt from Iizuka, covering the target in bugs as the chakra from it was drained once again.

Again putting the cat onto the bed, the kikai that surrounded its body would enter it, moving to all its joints. Filling the spaces around the actual joint, the movements of the cat would be completely restricted, forcing the cat to remain still. Moving it back onto the grass bed, Iizuka would drag it through the remainder of the forest, finally emerging from its vast expanse. Entering the garden in front of the house, he would walk up to the door, entering the estate.

Placing the grass bed in the middle of the lobby, he would look nervously at Lady Mitsuki, who stood before him. "I apologize for Oshii's shoulder. It was necessary in retrieving him. The wound is not too serious, and should heal up soon." She would merely nod in response, and then extend her hand in a sign of thanks. Shaking it, and bowing, Iizuka would turn, heading out the door. The bugs would come forth from the Linx as they returned to Iizuka, and he ran back to the Mission Department. Another mission completed.

[ Exit ]