Minago Monsters: Part 3 [Private]

[Flower]

Yuuka entered the desert once more. Twice now she had gone on trips in hopes of finding power, and twice now there had been nothing of interest. This time, however, maybe something would be different. On her feet were a pair of air trecks, which moved perfectly across the rough terrain of the desert. A skin-tight, semi-mechanical suit covered her body, as if she was from some sort of Sci-fi film. Other than that the only items she had with her was her pet lemur, an animal companion named Sir Cuddles.

The sun was as intense as always, but Yuuka had grown quite accustomed to it over the years. No longer was the sun much of a problem, even out her in the middle of the desert. There were all sorts of secrets that she'd learned, like how to suck the water out of a cactus, that could help her if she were close to dying of thirst.

Now she walked over one of the nearer sand dunes, stretched her body up to the top, and looked over the horizon. "Let's begin."

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Matsu]

She definitely didn't miss this - wading through the endless sea of sand dunes that was Kaze no Kuni. The last time she was here, Saeko ended up lost and trying to survive the desert wasteland. This time she was prepared, however, as she brought a compass with her and made sure to make note of how to return to the nearby city. With all of that out of the way she made her way out into the dunes in search of the oasis she visited with Kira. Although it wasn't going to help her put what she figured was to come behind her - she had to see it one last time before she was willing to let go if that's what it came to.

Sand, sand everywhere. Sand in her shoes, in her pants, even the wind seemed to blow sand into places she didn't even know she had. The desert was such a hot and terrible places - no wonder it made the perfect line of defense. Drifting into her thoughts to keep her company while she wandered, Saeko thought about those who would be soon returning from the Chuunin exams. Hopefully they would be returning anyhow - she could recall just how brutal those exams could be depending on where it was being done.

Without even paying much attention to her surroundings, Saeko managed to come up on a rather large dune that gave her a ton of sight. That was when she saw it - someone with the same idea as her. Off in the distance she could barely make it out as it was a bit far, some fourty meters awat but she could tell that it was a person at least. Now the problem was, was it a friend or a foe that she was exposing herself to? Draven warned her about something before she left, something that she was sure that she should heed if it came from someone as cautious as he was.

Still, she didn't seem to back down, letting herself be seen if the person only looked in her direction. What was life without a little adventure?

[Deleted]

[OOC: Greetings there ladies. I'll be GMing this thread for you! Flower chose "Survival Horror" as her theme, so with that in mind let us go forward ]

The Desert Can Hide Many Things...

The two women, traveling alone through the vast desert for their own reasons, would likely have never met each other at all. The high dunes and the endless light brown below blue of the landscape could make even the most observant of Shinobi mistake another being as a trick of their mind, an illusion spurred by a human's primal want for contact with another, and thus be dismissed out of hand. In all likelihood even if they had passed within fifty meters of each other they wouldn't realize they were so near to someone else, if not for the Thing that had managed to catch both of their attentions.

Yuuka, standing on the top of a small sand dune, gazed out over the horizon. Sand and sand and more sand greeted her eyes, the bright reflection of the sun above wavered visibly in the heat, making everything seem so ephemeral. To the North a darkness loomed, a great cloud traversing the landscape with impunity. The wind was already picking up, beginning to cause sand to glide across the ground Southward. A sandstorm, this one of huge proportions, covering the entire Northern Horizon, was gathering speed and power as it rushed towards her position. She would be able to tell that she had perhaps twenty minutes to find shelter before the storm reached her, her life as a denizen of the Sand providing her with the experience needed to know that. To her East however was some Thing, sitting high upon the biggest dune in the area for miles...

Saeko stood on a much higher sand dune, far South from Yuuka, and yet her view of the land would be much of the same. Sand everywhere, the sun beating down on the sands and her with fiery hatred, and only the smell of glass accompanied her as she made her way through the landscape. Yet, as she would stare Northward she would spy the Thing she had thought was a person, a humanoid-shaped silhouette on top of the biggest dune, the shape strangely moving somewhat, shifting and almost undulating. It looked kind of sickening.

Of course, this Thing that Yuuka and Saeko had both spotted were of course the same Thing, and if they were to travel towards it for whatever reasons they would notice some certain facts as they approached it. Firstly, high above them, directly over the Thing, flew vultures in that tight circle they were known for. Secondly, as they reached the bottom of that dune, a smell would waft down it's side. A horrific smell somehow worse than rotting flesh, tainting the air with it's thick taint, and as the women would reach the top of the dune they would be set upon a gruesome sight.

Giant vultures tore and ripped at a humanoid corpse that gave off a visible miasma of toxins, their frenzied feasting more vicious and brutal than even the big carrion eaters were known for, taking chunks out of the corpse and swallowing them whole as if their lives depended on it. The humanoid itself was barely recognizable as a human anymore, propped up like a scarecrow there was a metal shaft piercing its back and arms, forcing it to remain in position. The whole front of the person was completely ripped away, internal organs missing completely. In addition the being had been skinned, completely removing any chance of telling if it was a male or female. The only article of clothing visible was a Shinobi headband lying at the feet of the person, the symbol for Sunagakure on its metal plate. Frighteningly, the blood that had pooled at the person's feet was still red and wet, staining the ground and the beaks of the vultures as they continued their sickening feast.

Whoever had managed to do this to a Suna Shinobi had done it recently, and had made sure to leave the headband for some reason...

[Flower]

[OOC: You definitely do not disappoint Kats.]

Behind Yuuka was a woman, but our shinobi had no idea of this. Sir Cuddles, however, was constantly scanning he place as always. The lemur was suppose to be looking for anything dangerous, but normally he just looked for interesting bugs or plants. Before he could take notice of the woman behind them, Sir Cuddles saw something else on the horizon. He had no idea what it was, but he immediately started to smell the air for any evil lurking around the area. Yuuka meanwhile was looking at the large, dark cloud ahead.

Breaking her attention from the weather, Sir Cuddles made some chatter about whatever was on the dune. Something over there, huh? Yuuka thought to herself. She immediately began to walk in that direction, even though it might be dangerous. Yuuka had come out into the desert, as previous mentioned, for power. Now something was finally here...and maybe it meant something.

As she made her way in that direction, Yuuka would immediately begin working on a clone inside of her mouth. Once she finally got to the dead body, held up by a rod, Yuuka would spit it out immediately. This wasn't the first time she'd seen a corpse, but definitely the first time she'd seen one so disgusting. Not one to behave with weakness, Yuuka almost couldn't hold down the bile in her throat. The clone was exactly like herself, except made from a very sturdy material. As the clone turned around it to watch guard, it would most likely see Saeko, if she were still in the line of sight. In this case it would say, "Halt! Stay in your position! Did you kill this person?"

Yuuka would immediately turn around then if this was the case, Sir Cuddles watching the corpse for now.

Sir Cuddle's Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

Detect Evil
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A technique where an animal companion is able to sense if there is evil in a person by using their animal instincts.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: An animal has a keen sense that no other person has. With this type of keen sense it can read one's body type, feel the intentions emitting from the body, as well as get an understanding of everything. It doesn't matter what a person does, the way they stand, how calm they are, how much they move, how they walk, or even the heartbeat of the person, an animal is able to sense the type of person they are. With this technique the animal is capable of figuring out of the person is perhaps an Evil intentioned character. This will help the animal feel threatened or feel more at eased, or to perhaps not even care or feel if one is perhaps suspicious in some way.
Limit: Must have an Animal Companion.

Yuuka's Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

Kurogane Bunshin no Jutsu
Rank: C Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: Creates a clone of the user.
Special: ---
Drawback: Takes 1 post to form in mouth.
Description: After having chewn the Spider Sticky for long enough, the user can spit it out and create a clone looking exactly like the user. This is no ordinary clone though, as as soon as the Spider Sticky comes in contact with oxygen the clone will automatically become harder than steel and virtually unbreakable. The clone cannot perform Nin or Gen -Jutsu.
Limit: Must know Kumo Nenkin. Must be of the Kumomusha Clan.

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[Matsu]

The desert heat played cruel tricks on the mind, especially when you weren't used to such an enviroment. While the land of earth wasn't exactly inviting either, the temperatures never reached the same levels as the hungry desert. Raising her arms to shield herself from the bright sun, Saeko pushed onward towards what she originally thought was a person in the distance. Each step seemed like it took an eternity to accomplish out here in the heat, the sand hot against the skin it made contact with.

As she made it to the dune it seemed that the winds were picking up a bit - something didn't feel right at all. Yet she was determined to see who was at the top of this dune because whatever it was it was releasing a very rancid aroma. Focusing her chakra into her feet, Saeko did her best to climb the shifting dune, finding it easier than the last time she was here. It only took moments to reach the top where she discovered the source of the smell that was almost unbareable.

Death.

Laying before her was a corpse that was being picked apart, a Suna headband laying next to it. The pool of blood nearby indicated that it was only recent, something she could easily tell from her medical training. Yet she didn't have as much time as she would have initially liked to give this a look over as another person was present - questioning her as if it were her fault. Blinking her eyes, Saeko raised her hands slowly, waving them in protest. "I don't even have the means to kill someone like this nor the stomach for it." she replied, though she knew that wasn't going to be enough to satisfy their questions.

Also on the defensive, Saeko started to channel her chakra so that it was ready at a moments notice, concentrating it all into one point. "Friend of yours?" she asked, glancing at the head band once more. She had no real reason to believe the woman was a shinobi, but it was a convienient way of guaging this new stranger.

[Deleted]

[OOC: After a bit of discussion, Flower and I agreed on a lengthy IIC time. Four Days should be more than enough, considering how fast you all post. Also, really short post here is just to prepare your alliance~]

One of the key tenets of being Shinobi was to always be on your guard, to be ready for anything that might happen. If the two females were following this tenet then they would notice a rather important change in their situation. The vultures, the three flying in a tight circle high above, were no longer doing that but dive-bombing the human duo! A quick inspection as they fell would reveal that they were -a lot- bigger than they first appeared to be, each twice the size of a human and all three with razor sharp beaks that looked like they could pierce iron.

Perhaps they had mistaken the women for wounded or dead creatures, or were driven to feed by the same insatiable hunger that had affected the single bird still devouring the rancid corpse. Well, if said bird had been still devouring. It was instead looking at the duo much in the same way the flying vultures were, with hunger and hatred. It's eyes were bloodshot, blood leaking from the edges, and as it turned to face the women properly several feathers fell out of its wings as it flapped them vigorously. Whatever poison the corpse contained had infected the bird as well, and would surely infect anyone bitten by that creature.

Four different birds, all advancing on the two women with obvious hostile intent, more than enough to warrant their destruction. Four birds, two humans. Whether or not either of them had killed the Sand Shinobi, it would probably be in their best interests to put that aside for a moment and work together unless they wanted to end up just like them...

[Flower]

The woman had responded to Yuuka, and it seemed that she was not the one to do this. She asked a question of our sand shinobi, but the answer would have to be delayed because at the present time there were more pressing matters. The three birds in the sky were starting to swarm down upon them, and Sir Cuddles immediately noticed and made a loud squealing noise. Yuuka reacted immediately.

Yuuka was 10 meters away from the dead body, also the same distance away from the vulture on the earth (which just happened to also be attacking them). Meanwhile, the vultures in the air were still 20 meters above them. Without thinking, Yuuka immediately flung her left hand toward the vulture on the ground, shooting from her fingertips a barrage of bones. Five bullet-like projectiles would soar toward one of the birds, and if they hit then no doubt they would do some serious damage.

Meanwhile, right after shooting off her Finger Bullets, Yuuka would look to the sky. She would immediately move into a flip, spinning her body in the air, and as she did a Pile Tornado would be released from the Air Trecks on her feet. The tornado would move in a horizontal line, probably being able to hit several of the birds if necessary. The wind from the attack would most certainly rip through their bodies, leaving them with various cuts and tears. After her flip, Yuuka would stand back and look at the situation and what remained. Sir Cuddles would do the same.

Meanwhile, her clone would stand beside her, ready to help if any of the birds got through both Yuuka and the newcomer's attacks. Immediately, if any of them got through, it would jump in front of the enemy and take the attack for Yuuka.

Yuuka's Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

Hessendan (Finger Bullets)
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A technique that enables the user the capability of contracting the muscles and nerves within their body to where it begins to build pressure within shooting them off with such speed to pierce the human body and some minor defenses.
Special: ---
Drawback: Whenever used the user undergoes the capability of disease under effect increasing the calcium within their body which makes them closer to dieing unless gaining medical treatment.
Description: A technique that launches finger bones in a projectile like form. The Muscles and the nerves contract against one another greatly to where they somewhat spiral in within the body. When the user constricts their fingers in such a way, they begin to push the bullet outwards as the bullet begins to gain pressure from the way it is constricted until the bone is projected out of the human body spiraling at high speeds being sent off towards its target.
Limit: Kaguya Bloodlimit. This is the basic of basics and must be known in order to use other Jutsus of the Bloodlimit. Must know Bone Pulling

Pile Tornado
Rank: "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The rider gathers power within the wheels of their Air Trecks as the wheels continue spin violently before kicking the air with their Air Trecks, sending a powerful, horizontal tornado.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: The rider revs their Air Trecks to high speed or they skate at high speed as the wind power is gathered from within the Air Trecks. When the rider is ready they quickly launch a powerful side kick which releases the power from within the Air Trecks launching a powerful horizontal tornado forward. This tornado acts like a drill of force as it rips and pushes through into the opponent. Depending on the rider's class depends on the strength of the force that is exerted in the attack as well as the distance the force tornado travels.
"D" Class - 15 meters straight line.
"C" Class - 20 meters straight line.
"B" Class - 35 meters straight line.
"A" Class - 50 meters straight line.
"S" Class - 80 meters straight line.

Limit: Must learn within the Air Treck Arts, Must know Air Treck Control

Kurogane Bunshin no Jutsu
Rank: C Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: Creates a clone of the user.
Special: ---
Drawback: Takes 1 post to form in mouth.
Description: After having chewn the Spider Sticky for long enough, the user can spit it out and create a clone looking exactly like the user. This is no ordinary clone though, as as soon as the Spider Sticky comes in contact with oxygen the clone will automatically become harder than steel and virtually unbreakable. The clone cannot perform Nin or Gen -Jutsu.
Limit: Must know Kumo Nenkin. Must be of the Kumomusha Clan.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Matsu]

It seemed there was no time to really talk this out - things escalated way too quickly. Taking in her surroundings quickly, Saeko was able to put together that she was at least thirteen (13) meters away from the bird on the ground herself. This gave her a bit of breathing room as a grounded bird wasn't that much of a threat - the threat was the vultures who were circling above them preparing to dive bomb them to death. Whatever happened here she had to assume that whatever was causing the vultures to act like this had to have something to do with the corpse - vultures were scavengers and rarely this aggressive.

Watching the three birds dive downward towards them, Saeko prepared her attack - though found no reason to use it just yet. Right as she prepared to release the chakra she had gathered to her hands it seemed that this other woman decided to take matters into her own hands. Her technique was impressive - she was clearly built for this sort of thing. It would come in handy for this encounter to have a true long range fighter as it seemed that Saeko had forgotten a few things.

"If it's all the same to you I am going to hang back and support." she shouted to the other woman - assuming she could assume what sort of fighter Saeko was from that. Her abilities were mostly supplemental in nature - she was there to assist in healing wounds rather than creating them even though she had sufficient enough power to do so. "Don't let them inflict any slashing wounds - they are overly aggressive for scavengers which leads me to believe there is more to this." she said, frowning.

The question was what? There was so many different possibilities for their actions - but there was no time to stop and play detective. Using all she could in the way of avoidance - like she was trained - Saeko ducked and weaved out of the dive bombs should they have gotten through. She couldn't imagine they would get too close against someone who could attack with wind from their skates or even use them out here for that matter.

[Deleted]

.

Rock hard pullets of bone and razor-edged winds pierced and cut through the three flying vultures with surprising ease, their hollow bones and feathers no match for the brutal firepower Yuuka had at her disposal. Three partially shredded vulture carcasses began to fall to the ground, drops of crimson being flung into the air for a moment before they stained the parched sand. In fact it seemed as if Yuuka had made short work of the problem with her brutal techniques.

Unfortunately it was not quite as it seemed. The diseased creature on the ground, having been pelted by five of Yuuka's finger bones, was thrown back and slammed up against the feet of the corpse, but seemed otherwise unaffected by the attack. Five little holes with the bone digits lodged in the bird's flesh were visible, but the bird seemed naught to care it jumped forward again, launching itself at... Yuuka's clone. It was very clear, the bird did not jump at Yuuka and the clone interposed itself as she had planned, but it had thrown itself directly at the clone. The reason why soon became clear.

The diseased creature latched itself onto the clone and began to rip and tear at it with it's beak. What's more, it was actually effective! Despite the fact that the clone was as hard as steel the bird's beak tore through the shell of the clone and began ripping pieces off, devouring the material much like it had the corpse. Luckily for the clone, it didn't have any anatomy that let it feel true pain. So as it was horrifically devoured by the bird, it would be spared the pain that would accompany its owner's own death if she were to be bitten by that creature.

Strangely enough, if left alone to devour the clone, once it was done feeding on the steel like material it would resume it's devouring of the Suna Shinobi corpse, ripping off a foot at the ankle and swallowing the foot whole before tearing at the next part of the corpse it could reach.

Of course one must not forget the impending Sandstorm. The wind was already beginning to pick up, sand being whipped across the ground. Between reaching the top of the dune, their little bit of talking, and then the birds, they had maybe three minutes before the wall of Sand hit them. They would have to find some kind of shelter soon...

[Flower]

Yuuka demolished the little fledglings as soon as they'd come, Sir Cuddles cheering her on from the sidelines. She was pleased to find that this newcomer did not take the opportunity to attack her, and instead was sitting back for support. "No problem," Yuuka said, "I like it much better this way. I rampage, you assist." Then, suddenly, to Yuuka's surprise, the first vulture she'd killed (or so she thought) got up and began to attack her clone. Yuuka would not simply stand there, however, and she spent 1.2 seconds on handsigns. Suddenly she'd spit out a raging dragon of fire at the vulture, attempting to burn it to ash before it could attack any more of the clone.

If it worked, then the clone should have been okay (although, it's body would be steaming) except for some minor chunks taken out of it's shoulders and chest, and possibly a dead bird?

After this, however, the wind would begin to pick up suddenly. The air was becoming ripe with a storm, which Yuuka could pick up on from her many years spent in the Land of Wind. Looking to the newcomer, Yuuka said, "Come with me if you want to live." Like that Yuuka would begin to leave the corpse at the top of the dune. Getting caught in a sandstorm was never a good thing, and Yuuka knew that she had to rely on her knowledge of the landscape to find a place to stay safe.

Yuuka's Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

Katon - Ryuuka no Jutsu (Dragon Fire Technique)
Rank: "C" "B" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user quickly performs a large creation of blinding fire into the form of a large Dragon form. The Dragon must be used in the same concept as the Goukakyuu no Jutsu in which must be thrown by placing a hand in a circle form over the mouth of the user.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: This type of technique is better used if the opponent is bonded down and unable to be moved.
Description: A Large creation is created as the user performs the necessary handseals for the technique. As the user does so they raise their hand up over their mouth. By taking in a deep, breathe the user fills their lungs with chakra to in, which ignites the moment they blow out air. As the user blows out the creation of fire is made taking the form of a giant dragon like creature. The Dragon is quickly hurled towards the opponent as the dragon swivels and swerves moving like that of a Chinese Dragon. When first learned the Dragon does not explode forth but the very flames oozes out spreading out in all directions that would wrap around the opponent in a blaze of glory. When the user learns the "B" Rank version the user is capable of pushing so much power into the technique to where when it touches the target it is needed it is ignited in a mass blaze of glory, creating a grand explosion.
Limit: Must have the Fire Release

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Matsu]

It was hard not to be amused by this new stranger - she seemed very eager to slaughter the enemies that stood before them. While that was not something she normally approved of, it was at least refreshing for once that it was a shinobi who was not killing another for once. This was survival, the need to walk away from this unscathed at all costs or else they would end up like that corpse or even worse. Letting her charge fade, Saeko decided that based on the situation things seemed contained, there was nothing for her to do here.

Even when the vulture started eating the clone there wasn't much she could do, most of her abilities were far to destructive to be used so casually. So once more she left it to Yuuka who did not disappoint it seemed, she was on top of the situation which was refreshing to see someone actually take charge of something. When it was over, Saeko chuckled to herself, it seemed that the vultures lost all fight as they returned to the corpse. Still it made her wonder just what had gotten into them, they seemed very determined to have more of that rotting corpse, as if something was compelling them to eat it.

Saeko would have loved to collect it for examination but something else seemed to go wrong at the same time. The wind picked up, signalling that a storm was coming and the two of them were sitting ducks out here. Saeko had a decent working knowledge of this landscape as well, given that she was lost out here for quite some time, but she would let the native lead as she offered her assistance in getting them out of the storm. With a nod, Saeko followed along here, though with a watchful eye as she suspected that the window of opportunity for them to get into it had not passed entirely.

"Wherever we are going we should hurry. I almost got caught in one of these before - worst experiance of my life." she said. In fact, it was only because of the storm the last time that she managed to even find water or a viable form of shelter when she was lost out here in the desert. "Do you have anything in mind or we going to be winging it as we go along? I'd rather not die out here.. no offence."

[Deleted]

[OOC: I feel bad handing all the stuff for Yuuka to do, but Saeko is all Tai and Medical! :/ Ah well, I promise you'll have stuff to do later Saeko <3 ]

The cursed bird blazed bright as it was engulfed in flame, fire spewing from its mouth as it burned. Incredibly the creature continued its assault on Yuuka's tough clone, at least for a few more moments than it should have! Eventually the flames overcame it, and it was soon ash on the ground, but Yuuka's clone had fared little better. Chunks of its chest, stomach, and left shoulder were ripped away, showing a hollow inside. Worse yet, the clone seemed to be having trouble moving, its steaming body moving in small jerks.

A moment as Yuuka's clone tried to return to her side, and then suddenly it collapsed, the golden sticky that made up its form crumbling to the ground as it literally fell apart. It joined the pile of vulture ash on the ground. Yuuka, being the creator of the clone, would have been able to sense the reason for its demise. Lack of chakra. The dead vulture had somehow managed to eat not only the tough webbing of the creature, but also suck out its chakra. Good thing it really was dead this time.

A diseased corpse. A vulture that didn't want to die and could eat chakra. And don't forget the brutal method of slaying for the poor Suna Shinobi, complete skinning. A lot of people would be genuinely glad for this to not be happening to them!

Sandstorm. Yuuka and Saeko made their way back down the dune, the Suna corpse and headband left behind. Perhaps just as well, if the corpse was so diseased then the headband probably was as well. Either way it wouldn't take long for Yuuka and Saeko to realize just how bad of a position they were in. Sand was everywhere, but there was nothing but sand. No rocks, stones, trees, water, or anything else to give them any kind of sign of shelter. Exposed on the open desert the women were about to be.. no wait! To Yuuka's mind came a memory of a place she had passed on her way here, a low rock face, with a cleft big enough to fit inside. It wouldn't be much protection on its own but if they were to crystallize some sand into a wall with fire or simply create a wall with Golden Sticky..?

Either way, it'd take them a few minutes to reach that place, and probably a few more to create a decent barrier against the storm, but it was their best shot to survive it. After that then they could continue on with what they had been doing.

[Flower]

Interesting... Yuuka thought to herself. Her clone had been destroyed, despite the fact that it only had some tears across it's body. Clearly there was more to this, and Yuuka was almost positive she knew what it was. The clone's chakra had been sapped away by the bird, but how? These were not normal animals.

Yuuka debated, internally, whether not to let her companion know of the bird's ability. In the end she decided not to. She still didn't know much about this women, it was best to keep her on the outside.

The two made their way through the desert, and as they did Yuuka would say, in the midst of a coming sandstorm, "By the way, I didn't catch your name. You can call me Yuuka, the White Lightning of Sand." This was less of a formal introduction, and more of a, "Well, if we are working together then you better call me something." Just then Yuuka would remember a place they could go. Quickly she'd begin to run, saying to the woman, "Come with me, I know a place."

After a few moments they would reach the rock face, and using her ability to walk up walls (even in her air trecks), Yuuka began to make her way toward a tiny opening. Here the two of them could remain hidden. If the woman would enter with Yuuka, then she would begin forming handsigns. It would only take 1.8 seconds to create the handsigns necessary to form a dragon, out of wood, which would rise out of the rock face below them. Suddenly it would twist and turn, moving right in front of the entrance to protect them.

Time was running out...This would have to do...

SPOILER: Click to show

らせん木竜 (Spiraling Tree Dragon Technique)
Rank: B rank
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates a dragon formed out of a tree.
Special: "Dragon, Boar, Snake, Dragon"
Drawback: ---
Description: Upon performing the snake handsign the trunk of a tree is summoned forth from the ground/earth and begins to spiral into the air. As the tree continues to grow thick branches begin to twist and contract forming the shape of a large dragon like creature. Once formed the dragon will shoot forth attempting to crash into the opponent. If the dragon does not make contact and crashes into the ground an explosion wooden debris is shot into the air capable of distracting the opponent.
Limit: Must know wood release.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Matsu]

What a strange thing, watching the shinobi's clone fall apart into the element it was truly made out of. She couldn't really say that had ever seen a clone like this, not in all her years as a shinobi. Saeko made a note to find out more about this woman later, given the fact that she seemed to be quite the curiousity. It wasn't uncommon for shinobi to hold each other at arms length, letting someone on the inside usually meant your demise. There were no hard feelings about the fact that this woman seemed to treat her as yet another adversary she had to eventually overcome.

"Saeko." she replied casually, looking at the dead bird. There was more to this story than met the eye, it's endurance could only truly be explained by some sort of virus or chakra technique. Was this bird an experiment of someones? Did this occur naturally? There was no way for her to find out now that they were on their way away from the scene so that they weren't buried beneath the sand.

She followed quietly for a time, the sand shinobi seemed to know where she was going. It wasn't until she announced that fact that she knew for sure, however, Saeko was taking her at face value. She was trusting her because she had to, there was no alternative. Plus if trouble broke out she was a close range fighter, her raw power being rather vast. "Is it far from here? Any longer and we're going to be suffocated by the sand." she called out over the sound of the wind which was kicking up to a roar by now. Raising her hand to block her eyes, she did her best to keep Yuuka in her sights.

After a few moments they came to a cliff face where Yuuka started to climb. Straight up the rock face the two of them went, climbing until they reached an opening where they could take shelter. As she entered, Saeko watched as Yuuka started to form seals. At first her instinct was to go on the defensive, until she realized that they needed to seal the entrance. Blushing a bit out of embarassment, Saeko moved out of the way so the woman could seal the door. If she had to she could bring down some rocks from the ceiling to seal the place off, but only as a last resort. It would take a bit of effort for her to move them after.

"Well, now we're stuck here for a bit. Mind telling me what you were doing out there? Was that body a friend of yours?"

[Deleted]

Remarkably, Yuuka's hastily summoned Wood Dragon performed a more than adequate job serving as a barrier, roof, and door to the crevice that Yuuka and Saeko had taken refuge in. The sandstorm howled outside, and there was even some sand that would fly in from time to time, but the air remained mostly clear, and the duo could literally breathe easily. For a full hour the sands raged around them, Yuuka and Saeko had plenty of time in order to bond and sort out who and what they were going to be to each other. Of course it wouldn't last forever, and the sandstorm would soon not be a problem for the pair of women.

A sudden noise, rising above the howling of the winds, would grab the women's attention. It was a strange creaking noise, of metal groaning in pain as it was subjected to forces it could not handle. It was incredibly loud, the source of the noise apparently all around, and worse yet it was somehow approaching. A great snapping noise, metal separated from metal in a moment, and the sound of the sandstorm quickly vanished. The bit of light that had filtered around the sides of the Wooden Dragon suddenly vanished, blanketing the duo in pitch darkness...

= - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - =

The sand dunes were thrown about by the power of the Sandstorm; the landscape changed and altered so as to be unrecognizable in mere minutes. Still, the highest dune for miles weathered the weather, the macabre scarecrow upon its peak unmoved by the ferocity of the chaos around it. Yet not unmoving. As the sand-clogged air whipped past its flayed form the scarecrow twitched and jerked suddenly, a squelching noise as the metal rods affixing it to the sand dune suddenly withdrawing. The corpse collapsed in a moment, but the metal rods continued their shifting movements, beginning to bend and curve, becoming more and more flexible as the moments passed. The rods separated, splitting into metal wires by the thousands, more and more digging themselves free of the sand. A small bundle tore itself free, almost instantly covered over by the hundreds of feet of wire flailing wildly, and suddenly they coalesced around it, forming the upper half of a vaguely humanoid shape. Featureless except for a pair of eyes and a mouth, it looked towards the heavens with no emotion.

"Get your ass down here, fool!" the form screamed, yelling at the sandstorm itself.

Whether this person was insane or not for trying to talk to weather, it would become apparent soon enough that the Sandstorm had been listening. The winds changed, sands beginning to be flung together in great quantities, a small rock, easily lost in the blinding sands, slamming into the new sand mass, and immediately it formed itself into a humanoid form similar to that of the metal being below.

"You have need of me, Cthulhu?" the mouth grinned impossibly wide, its tone jeering.

"Silence, fool. We've two more women. Cease your pointless sculpting and keep an eye on them." The Metal replied, still no emotion or tone of voice apparent.

The Sandman clapped his hands together joyfully, his grin suddenly full of razor sharp teeth, "Two more? and Women! Oh this will be fun! Women make the most wonderful screams when you flay the skin from their bones~!"

= - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - =

A large cavern, the floor a few feet of sand, the walls some dark red rock, and the roof a great metal thing that continued to groan, the shifting sands above it testing its load-bearing limits. Oh, and darkness. A lot of darkness. Somehow Yuuka and Saeko, once they removed themselves from the crevice they had hid from the storm in, would find themselves in this world of darkness, the roof several hundred feet up. How they had been moved to this point was a mystery, but it was obvious that someone or something had done it, and if they remembered the flayed corpse on the dune... well, if that wasn't enough reason to want to leave, then the sense that the women were being watched even in this pitch blackness should have been ample enough reason...

[Flower]

For an hour everything was calm. Yuuka sat with this woman, Saeko, inside of a hole, waiting for the storm to pass. As they sat there, Yuuka's dragon would protect them from the outside world. Our friend, Yuuka, would look to Saeko and say, "I don't know how long this storm will last. We might be here for a while." The hour inside the hole would at the very least establish some sort of trust in Yuuka, although it was just a very small fragment, for Saeko. This would have been a good time to attack, and the fact that she wasn't going to gained her some assurance.

Suddenly, blackness fell over the area. Yuuka didn't know what had happened, but as soon as the world outside turned black she was cautious. Looking toward Saeko, Yuuka would say, "Hey, listen, this seems a little strange. I've lived here for several years and never seen anything like this. I'm going to try something...if something happens to me then make sure that you back me up."

Yuuka stood right behind her dragon and created a new clone. This time it was a bit different, capable of sticking to anything that hit it. After what happened with the birds, Yuuka knew that this time she needed to try something different. Sir Cuddles was now suddenly beginning to whine too. Luckily he could detect any evil in the air, and would tell Yuuka if there was any.

At that instant the dragon would move slightly out of the doorway, just by a slim fit, and allow the clone to pass through. In this way the clone would step out into the darkened area. Slowly it would begin to look around, trying to glean any information that might help the original.

Sir Cuddle's Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Detecting Evil.

Yuuka's Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

らせん木竜 (Spiraling Tree Dragon Technique)
Rank: B rank
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates a dragon formed out of a tree.
Special: "Dragon, Boar, Snake, Dragon"
Drawback: ---
Description: Upon performing the snake handsign the trunk of a tree is summoned forth from the ground/earth and begins to spiral into the air. As the tree continues to grow thick branches begin to twist and contract forming the shape of a large dragon like creature. Once formed the dragon will shoot forth attempting to crash into the opponent. If the dragon does not make contact and crashes into the ground an explosion wooden debris is shot into the air capable of distracting the opponent.
Limit: Must know wood release.

Nenkin Bunshin no Jutsu
Rank: C Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: Creates a clone of the user which can stick to objects.
Special: ---
Drawback: Takes 1 post to form in mouth.
Description: After having chewn the Spider Sticky for long enough, the user can spit it out and create a clone looking exactly like the user. This is no ordinary clone though, as as soon as it is endures enough strenght it loses it’s realistic color and sticks itself to whatever other surface the clone touches and any other object it is in contact with. The clone cannot perform Nin or Gen –Jutsu.
Limit: Must know Kumo Nenkin. Must be of the Kumomusha Clan.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Matsu]

Great.

Being stuck here with an unknown shinobi in the middle of the desert was a great omen. On top of that she would be M.I.A again when her kage arrived for the meeting. There was a short sigh that followed the comment, followed by one of her usual cheerful grins. "Well at the very least it won't be boring. Fifty questions, all of that nonsense." she said, waving her hand. She liked meeting new people, though perhaps not under the present circumstances mind you. Dusting the sand off of her gear, she looked about the cavern, it wasn't very impressive but then again it was a cave.

"This stuff gets everywhere. I can see why there is a ninja village here. Annoy your enemies to death with the sand between everything." she said, laughing. For a shinobi she was told that she was pretty strange, seeing as how she was always in a good mood for the most part. No matter what the situation was it seemed to be nearly impossible to kill her chipper attitude. It was then that she realized she needed to get a bit more serious. The world around them had become a very dark place and somehow they had been moved. That much was noticeable as Yuuka seemed to be on her guard.

"Right. That alone tells me that I should be on my guard. I am a medic, but please avoid unneccasary risks." she said, trying to be supportive of her plan. Watching her form a set of hand seals, Saeko moved closer to Yuuka as she tried to get a glimpse of what was outside as well, though from behind the wooden dragon since she was not brave or stupid enough to follow the clone. "What do you think is going on out there?" she asked, scratching her head.

[Deleted]

[OOC: Sorry it's so short, nothing to add really.]

Silence.

Darkness.

No sound or light could be felt by the clone as it exited the protective cleft that Saeko and Yuuka were taking refuge in. There was no sources of light in this deep place, and even Sir Cuddles, a beast capable of seeing in Low-Light conditions, wouldn't have been able to see anything at all. The groaning of the metal roof high above had completely stopped as well; the only sound that could be heard was the nervous breath of the trio and the blood rushing in their veins.

No danger for the moment however. Of course, the trio would need to leave their protective cocoon and explore their surroundings in order to evaluate any options they might have...

[Flower]

Yuuka stood where she was for a short time more, and then decided that nothing happening to her clone. The clone came back, motioned for the two of them to move, and Yuuka slowly began to slip past the wooden dragon. As she did, Yuuka made sure that her clone stood in front of them, and that Sir Cuddles paid constantly vigilant while on her shoulder. Looking out into the area, strangely enough, none of them would be able to see anything. Not even Sir Cuddles who was normally able to see in the dark.

"Something is very wrong here," Yuuka said to Saeko, "We might even be under a genjutsu." As soon as she said that, Yuuka would make a quick punch with her upper, left hand and send out a fireball from it. The fireball would soar through the air, making contact with whatever was in front of them (just inches out of the way of the clone). Attacking, however, was not Yuuka's objective. What Yuuka wanted was to see if the fireball would provide any light. If it did not, then clearly this was some very unnatural darkness. Meanwhile, the dragon would still stand about 10 meters behind them. Yuuka did not want to move any further than this.

After shooting the fireball, Yuuka would say to Saeko, "Do you have any knowledge of genjutsu? Possibly how to remove such an attack?" Our shinobi did not want to convey that she had little knowledge of genjutsu, but there seemed to be no other way of asking Saeko if she could get rid of this trap.

Yuuka's Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

Hinotama (Fireball)
Rank: "D", "C"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: User produces miniature fireballs and missiles of flame with simple punches.
Special: ---
Drawback: Depends on the user's knowledge within Hinotama (Fireball) depends on the strength of the technique.
Description: Jabs and punches produce miniature fireballs and missiles of flame. These can be charged up to create larger slower bursts, or swift repetitive strikes to keep opponents off balance. When the user first learns this technique, they quickly punch forward in a fist formation sending out a ball of flame, or a flame in shape of a missile towards the opponent. Each flame causes amounts of damage such as burning effects and is able to ignite any kind of flammable objects including clothing. When the user first learns this technique, the user is able to launch the ball off within the distance of ten meters making the ball of fire within the width of the user's hand. When the user learns the "C" rank of this technique the distance increases to simply twenty meters as the width of the fireball is increased double the user's hand size.
Limit: Must learn from a master of Enten Kobushi - 炎天 - Scorching Sun Fist.

Sir Cuddles Techs:

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Detecting Evil.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Matsu]

Following behind the two of them, Saeko was unsure what to make of any of this. If it was a genjutsu that meant that the caster had to be somewhere nearby, yet she couldn't recall seeing anyone come near them as they made their way to the caves. On top of that there was no one inside with them, that she knew of anyhow. How did any of this make sense? While pondering that she took one last glance around at the darkness, unsure what she should do in this situation. She was not equipped to deal with genjutsu either to be honest, perhaps she needed to change that some time.

"Unfortunately I am also bad with genjutsu. I was taught how to heal and how to avoid damage." she said, admitting that she was vulnerable as well. There wasn't much else they could do right now except for trust each other, the rest would fall in to place as they survived this strange hell. Still Saeko went through her list of abilities in her head trying to pick out something that might help them through all of this. It was only too bad that she couldn't just shock them out of this nightmare like a heart in arrest.

Squinting so that she might follow the fireball with her gaze, Saeko still made out nothing in this land of darkness. "We don't really have a choice but to move forward I guess." she said, looking at Yuuka one last time. She had to be thinking it as well, that if they stayed here then they would die. There was no food out here, no water, and who knew how long this strange dark storm was going to continue. Maybe it was just an odd natural event that neither of them seemed to be aware of - most likely not. Whatever it was they had to face it right now and they had to face it together.

Moving forward into the darkness which was either courageous or stupid - Saeko decided that they needed to return to the corpse. If at all possible to find their way back to it, it would hold some sort of answer she felt. Heading in the direction she remembered coming from, she motioned for Yuuka to follow her if she so chose.

"We need another look at that corpse I think."