Death By Twilight ANBU Mission {Mist}

[Itaru]

With the light given off by the torch, Ziro's eyes caught sight of a man lingering in the shadows. Not only that, but with the girl. This had to be her reason for giving off such a terrible scream earlier when Ziro remained on the previous floor of the inn. While Ziro would definitely have tried calming down the crazed man and negotiate with him, he wasn't sure what Toshi would do, and from this point, Ziro was follow his (Toshi's) lead. Was it this man who Ziro saw traveling up the stairs?

Ziro took his eyes from the man and looked to Toshi, who had just apologized for a reason that Ziro couldn't pin-point. Right when he was about to question Toshi about what he said, Ziro believed himself to have been stabbed in the back when the room became nothing but darkness. The ANBU dropped onto the floor in a kneel and his hands wandered along the flooring. What was happening to him.

He tried staying as gathered as possible and he realized that he was still capable of hearing. "Toshi?" Ziro said in a faint whisper after (or if) the struggle subsided. Ziro knew it was between Toshi and the man but he felt so helpless to assist. Looking back up, Ziro took the torch from the ground, as he was now able to see once again. He would ask questions about what occured later, but now that Toshi seemed to have it handled, Ziro slowly approached the young girl. "Are you alright?" he asked in a concerned tone, and his eyes wandered over her neck for any signs of blood.

He would open his palm before the girl, as though asking her to take his hand. If she did, he would take a few steps back with her while Toshi took the necessary actions with the man. Ziro made sure that the girl was positioned slightly behind Ziro's body as a way of guarding her. The Chuunin revealed a comforting smile to the girl, as if assuring her that everything would be taken care of. At least at this point.

[Kamiko "Tsukihime" Akumu]

Everything seemed to happen so fast, truly the work of ANBU! Rats had bitten his ankles and his hand, causing it to move away from the girl's throat. Then came the wave which knocked the pain out of him. He was confused and dazed to say the least. No sooner did he find himself pinned to the ground. His weapon hand was disabled and his throat grasped by this...fiend? He tried to speak, the bloodlust eyes fading entirely to the look of an innocent and docile man. "You don't understand, please WATCH OUT!"

At that moment, the girl whom was freed from the man's grip had now taken Ziro's hand. There was no expression on her face, her quick action sure to throw the ANBU off guard entirely. At the moment the Teddy Bear dropped and no sooner would Ziro feel a painful sensation within his shoulder. As if to add insult to injury, her leg would swiftly kick the young man in a place where the sun did not shine. If Ziro wasn't careful, this could be the end of him for sure.

Options:

1) Let the man escape and protect your partner (Toshi)
2) Fight against the girl, whom is supposedly your client

[Hana~Kyo]

Toshi dropped to his knees as the man's back slammed against the ground under his weight. The man had been taken down and he was now out of the way, he had a question for the man which is why he didn't kill him right off the bat. He turned to Ziro to check on the girl, and only then did he realize his mistake; When he first got here he was very suspicious of the girl, but with everything that happened he had dropped his guard to here and gaven her this chance. The way this town had treated them he didn't trust the man either, for all he knew they were both in this together and this was all a ruse to get them apart.

Ninpou: Sumi Hyoushi [Ink Binding]
Rank: "A" Ranks
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates a solid line of ink that is used to bind the opponent.
Special: "Hand Seals"
Drawback: With enough physical strength, the user is capable of breaking through the bindings.
Description: A powerful ability used by Li clan individuals to hold an opponent down, usually a captive. The user will perform the technique's handseals, gathering chakra. Then, targeting their ink, they will send it flying towards the opponent. The rank of the technique determines both the strength of the binding and the amount of body that the binding can cover.
"A" Rank- Sumi Hyoushi is capable of wrapping itself around the entirety of the opponent's body, like a cocoon. It, however, cannot be wrapped around the opponent's head, as this is simply a binding technique. The technique has a strength greater than silk rope, almost to that of metal chains.
Limit: Li Clan Jutsu

Toshi formed a few quick handseals and the rats around him turned into puddles of ink that moved in towards the man and wrapped around his entire body with the strength of metal binding him. He then turned and did a few more quick hand seals, he was not quick enough to stop the attack but the shadows created by the fire extended towards the girl. As it neared her it split, the one side went straight for her as it was a shadow imitiation technique meant to stop her from doing anything furth. The other shadow grew out into five tendrils and rose up from the ground.

Using two of the five tendrils he wrapped around Ziro and threw him aside so that he was not near the girl. The other three tendrils would point towards the girl who hopefully was now caught in the shadow imitation. How ever if the imitation failed, the tendrils would shoot out and bind her.

Kage Nui, 影縫い (Shadow Sewing)
Rank: "A" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: ----
Special: "Hanseals"
Drawback: Cannot move while using this technique, be be stationary, can only use the Kagemane while using this technique.
Description: Forming hand seals, The user of this jutsu can extend their shadow and create multiple tangible tendrils for various purposes. Such purposes can include using them as stabbing weapons, rope for binding an opponent. The user extends their shadow either up their own body with Kagemane, or up their opponents body once caught in Kagemane. Then, forming some handseals, 5 shadow like tendrils are formed that can be used to trie down appendages, stabbing weapons, and rope like wire. The tendrils are not very strong at all, in fact, they can barely rip through skin, but they can if concentrated hard enough on the technique. It must also be used simultaneously with Shadow Imitation Technique, so it is possible to split the shadow and use both jutsus at the same time. Each time learned, the user can create two more tendrils.
Limit: Nara Clan Technique, Must have knowledge of the Shadow Imitation Technique "B" Rank

Kagemane no Jutsu, ‰e^Ž—‚̏p (Shadow Imitation Technique)
Rank: "A" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The signature move of the Nara family, this jutsu allows the user to control their own shadow and merge it with their opponent's shadow, combining them. This links the movements of the user with the target; the target is subsequently forced to make any movement the user makes. It is an extremely versatile technique, as the user can contract and change the shape of their shadow, potentially grabbing multiple targets at once. The degree to which the user's shadow can be stretched is limited by its total surface area.
Special: "Hanseals"
Drawback: Must Be Learned Multiple times in order to truly achieve something grand. Must hold Rat hand seal until the technique connects with the targets shadow.
Description: Using the shadows of other objects, the user can extend their shadow beyond its normal range. The amount of time for which an opponent can be held is limited by the user's chakra, since the user must constantly maintain the jutsu. The jutsu is also more difficult to maintain at greater ranges or for multiple opponents, since the user's shadow must be stretched constantly. At closer ranges, it requires considerably less effort on the user's part. Additionally, the target can force their way free with enough effort, though the amount of effort required to do so is considerable. There are two tables or understandings for this technique that consists of the Difficulty class of the User as well as the Opponent, and as to how far the user is capable of using this technique. When first learned the user is only capable of using this technique at a distance of Ten meters. Each higher Rank archived, the user is capable of extending the shadow another five meters. The user must first however, learn each rank a certain amount of times before then next rank is obtainable. The C rank version must be learned five times total. At which point the ditance is upgraded to "B" Rank training and now extends ten meters each time trained. This version must be learned 3 times total. The "A" Rank version, extends the range to Seventy meters, and every additional "A" Rank training extends it another ten meters. This technique caps out at 100 meters. The user is capable of making their shadow split and by doing so takes up the distance of the total form of the original technique. This means that if a user has this technique to where they can use thirty meters and wishes to make this technique split to three shadows the maximum distance is ten meters per shadow.
Difficulty on Escaping: Escaping the Kagemane is a tricky art for some, easier for others. Depending on your Stamina and Difficulty class depends on how well the opponent can escape the Kagemane. The Kagemane is held for a Certain time frame depending on Rank of the technique learned. "C" Rank can be held for 18 seconds before it breaks no matter what. "B" Rank 36 seconds, "A" Rank 54 Seconds. For every difficulty class the user is above the opponent, add another five seconds. If the opponent for every difficulty class above th user, subtract five seconds. If the Opponent captured is a Taimaster, subtract 15 seconds additionally. If the opponent is a Tai specialist, subtract 5 additional seconds. If the opponent is a Taijutsu No specialist, leave it as is. After doing the math, the amount of turns held will be apparent.
Limit: Nara Clan Technique

[Itaru]

Right when a painful sensation drilled up his arm, Ziro instantly released the girl's hand and almost instictively shoved her away from him. However, he was interupted by a technique used by Toshi. Ziro's shoulder was sent crashing into a nearby support and he struggled to stay on his feet, but he succeeded. Ziro's head snapped towards the direction of the man who was seemed pretty secure. It seemed Toshi knew how to use his head even at last minute's notice.

Ziro massaged his shoulder where the pain was most concentrated, but since releasing the girl's hand the pain wasn't so intense. Ziro walked to Toshi and faced the man who had yet to move from the floor. All these effective techniques used by Toshi made Ziro hope that he wasn't exhausting himself of all his chakra. If he failed to take action, both him and Ziro could very well be dead. A specific technique to use flashed in his mind, but it would take up an excessive amount of chakra, and Ziro wasn't so stupid to not know that they couldn't afford that. Besides, it was unnecessary to use at that point in time. Ziro would now simply wait.

[Kamiko "Tsukihime" Akumu]

Things continued in motion as Toshi was alerted to action by the voice of the man he had pinned. Once Ziro was stabbed and the man had called out, the girl would shunshin ten meters away. Her form hidden within the shadows of that portion of the second floor. A window would be broken and no sooner would she prepare and escape, hand seals performed and all. Itaru would be knocked out of the by Toshi's move only to regroup later. The only clues that had remained for the ANBU was that of the bloodlusting man, whom turned docile in the blink of an eye. Of course, they had some options at the moment.

1) They could kill the man and go after the girl
2) They could interrogate the man and get some proper information about the Twilight Village
3) Leave the man where he was and go directly after the girl, gotta end the mission yes?

[Hana~Kyo]

Toshi watched as the girl quickly moved away and escaped out the window, it was settled that girl was no ordinary girl. They were left in the room with himself, Ziro, and the man. Toshi had a few question for thet man but they couldn't let the girl escape, it was then he devised a highly risky plan. He didn't have all that much chakra left but he had enough to do what he planned here, he turned to Ziro first, "You go out the window and chase after the girl, I will catch up to you shortly." As he said that he smashed a medium sized bottle of ink on the floor and performed a few hand seals. Normally this technique was done with dirt but due to a lack of such he would use his own ink for it.

The ink would coat the bottom of Ziro's feet so that where ever he went it would leave a trail for which Ziro could follow him by once the questions he wanted answered were answered. He then turned to the man who was bound neck to feet in a solid web of ink as strong as metal. "You..." he spoke with a tone he rarely used, he was dead serious about this mission by now and if he didn't get good answers... well then there wasn't to much one could do about this man's life. "I am going to ask a few questions, you will answer them and say nothing more than the answers to my questions. If you do not then you will become very uncomfortable." He continued talking as he walked around the man in circles, "First off... You are the true leader of this village, true or false? Second, Who exactly is that girl and where is she from? Third, Does this teddy bear have any signifigance to something that i should know about? Fourth, Why is there a picture of the M'lady Mizukage in this Inn? and finally, villagers are there any left and where are they?"

After finishing Toshi crouched down behind the man's head glaring down into his eyes making it quite apparent that Toshi wanted this man dead, and the only reason he still drew breath was to answer these questions. "Answer them and I will allow you to leave here unharmed."

Sumi Torakkingu [Ink Tracking]
Rank: "A" Rank
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates a puddle of ink at the bottom of the opponent's feet, causing them to leave a footprint behind as they step.
Special: "Hand Seals"
Drawback: The footprints are generally large, allowing the opponent to know that they are being tracked.
Description: Generally used as an opponent is attempting to flee a scene, the user will rapidly throw together the required handseals. As chakra moves underneath the ground, the targets feet will have a large amount of water and soil push itself onto the feet while not disturbing the opponent's run. As the opponent begins to run, they will leave ink footprints behind, allowing them to be tracked. This ability only remains active for ten turns, and then all the ink will have faded from the opponent's foot.
Limit: Must know Soil and Water Conversion, must have both Suiton and Doton.

[Itaru]

The exact moment Toshi completed the technique that was needed for the situation, Ziro would walk towards the window and lunge out, leaving Toshi and the man behind. Ziro used his natural agility to run after the girl, quickly finding small foot prints in the soil that gave him a lead. With his hand pressing against his left shoulder, Ziro wandered through the village without a clue as to what would occure. He didn't really wish to do this technique, but he knew he wouldn't find the girl very quickly if he ventured all around the village with just himself.

Ziro came to a skidding stoppage and quickly sealed various hand signs. His chakra surged into the final seal and Ziro exerted his energy. In this moment he would be engulfed by a smoke as well as five replicas of himself. Each of these clones would venture around the gernal location of where the girl headed. Ziro didn't wish to unleash Kage Bunshin, since that would merely drain him of too much of his chakra. He wanted to save as much energy he had right now.

Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu (Water Clone)
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect:
Special: Handseals
Drawback:
Description: Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu is a Ninjutsu technique that utilizes water to create a Bunshin clone. Unlike a normal Bunshin, the Mizu Bunshin has the ability to interact more with the environment due to it having physical substance. This allows the clone to carry out limited attacks on its target. The range of the clone is limited; however, it can not travel very far from the original body. If the Mizu Bunshin is injured, the clone will usually revert back into its natural water state. When first learned the user is capable of having or capable of creating up to Five Clones. Each time learned the user learns this technique the number of Clones is capable of increasing by one. The maximum amount of clones is Ten for the Difficulty Class of D Rank. For each Difficulty Rank Increase the number increases by five of maximum but learning is still one per learned.
Limit: Water Release

[Kamiko "Tsukihime" Akumu]

Toshi's view:

There was the man, trembling in fear...docile as could be. No way he'd attempt to attack anyone at this point, definitely not. He tried to nod to show Toshi that he understood the circumstances of the questioning and would answer just as he was told to do so.

"False. Girl is the murderer, ninja from Mizu no Kuni! Teddy Bear is village memento of our heroine. Lady Mizukage stayed in this inn, the teddy bear was hers, that's why it's important. She's our heroine... Villagers are left...t-they're underground." He'd say, his teeth were chattering and the anxiety was starting to get to him as he began to sweat profusely. If Toshi was not careful the man would feint from adrenaline rush. There was some last bit of info that he could reveal but Toshi would have to keep the man from passing out due to shock.

Review of facts:
1) Man is not the killer
2) Girl is a ninja, from Water Country no less
3) Teddy Bear is a village heirloom, congrats on recovering it!
4) Mizukage has history in the village, find out some more.
5) Villagers are underground, safe for now...less the hideout be found by the criminal

Ziro's view:

Outside the young ANBU would obviously recognize the eerie lights of the village. Shadows casted in odd directions didn't do much to aid the man in his tracking. Soft steps were indeed revealed which lead him to a cross roads of sorts. He utilized his Mizu Bunshins to spread out but how would he find her? Let's address his view from the four roads:

1) North, a trash can is knocked over revealing some stale food and bits of paper. There's something written on the paper. Path indicates no footprints but there's some puddles of water, hmm?

2) West, reveals nothing of importance other than a knife with blood (is this the one used to stab Ziro?)

3) East, it's such a dark passageway...nothing can be made out without a proper light source. What lurks here is unknown, very dangerous road.

4) South - Opposite direction of the Inn, torn cloth of a pink dress can be found dangling from the room. Concealed beneath it is something white, nothing legible for it's covered quite well, minus a small tip. Also a think black shadow is linned from it into an alleyway.

So, what would the ANBU do now?

1) Ziro can pursue the different paths to gather clues, if he goes too far he might be seperated from his partner. 10% chance of being attacked (Dice roll 1-100)

2) He can choose to fall back and help Toshi

For Toshi:

1) He can choose to interrogate further, at risk of the man passing out (30% chance, dice roll 1-100)

2) He can ease up on the man, taking a 38% chance of him spilling his guts. Attack possibility is 23%

[Hana~Kyo]

Toshi was left with a very difficult choice, this man was hiding something. Or rather he just hadn't said it yet, reaching down he placed hand over the vein in the i side of his neck and could feel his heart was racing at an amazingly fast pace; It was rather amazing he hadn't already lost conciousness already, although that might have had some thing to do with his fear for his life. The choices he had were to let the man go and move on chase after Ziro or try and pry the last bit of information. Neither option sounded particularly pleasing to Toshi at the moment, at this point he trusted nothing of this village not this man, not this inn, nothing.

He walked over the bear and picked up being sure to take it with him and return it to the Mizukage when he returned home later. After securing the bear he moved to the steps and looked back, chakra gathered up in his mouth and he gave a brief wave to the man before he spit a stream of black ink from his mouth that stuck to furniture, ceiling, and man alike. Just as the stream stopped there was a slight click as he rubbed his teeth together and the ink exploded into an array of black flame across the room. He then turned and moved down the stairs where he took the picture of the Mizukage off the wall and carried it out with him.

Katon: Sumiiro Nenshou (Ink-Black Combustion)
Rank: C-Rank
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: The user expels a stream of highly-flammable, sticky, black ink from their mouth that clings to the opponent and anything else it lands on. Resulting in an explosion.
Special: None
Drawback: Caution is needed when using this technique as the ink clings to everything, and distance between the user and opponent is vital as to not get caught in the resulting explosion.
Description: The user focuses chakra to their stomach and expels a long stream of flammable, sticky, black ink. The ink is so sticky that it will cling to anything like glue, and if the opponent steps into it, they will be stuck in place. Immediately after the ink is expelled the user clicks their teeth, resulting in the ink igniting and a small-localized explosion. Due to the color of the ink, the flames will be pitch black in color.
Limit: Must know Hadasumi Soushi, Sumi Secchakuzai, and Sumi Nenshou.

Toshi walked across the way to another house and placed the painting on the ground against the wall before dropping to one knee and lowering his head, "My Apologies Mizukage-Sama" He then stood and looked back at the inn which would soon be engulfed by black flame along with the man inside who was still bound and unable to move. With a long and drawn out sigh he looked around for the tracks left by Ziro and followed them.

[Itaru]

Ziro and his clones glanced around the different routes to take. Obviously he could use his clones to go down each route at the same time. He looked back towards the inn where Toshi was, but Ziro was told to pursue the girl, so he couldn't turn back now. The real Ziro as well as a water clone would go west and quickly examine the blade that was resting on the ground. His finger slid along the blade and he now collected a small portion of blood and examined it to be absolutely sure it was blood.

His index finger and thumb pinched together and he was convinced. He wouldn't say if it was his blood, but he would walk back towards the four-way street. Next, after collecting the knife since it captured his attention far more than any of the other directions, he looked down the eerie dark hallway. Using a hikari bomb,

Ziro would throw the flash grenade into the east direction. After being shown what the east route had to offer, Ziro's water clones disappeared into mere puddles of water. Ziro didn't wish to use more chakra, or else he would conjure up even more water clones. Instead, using the tip of the knife, Ziro made an arrow in the soil, since due to his water clones, there were far too many foot prints here and there for Toshi to know which way Ziro really went. Ziro would head south.

[Kamiko "Tsukihime" Akumu]

Toshi View:

The faith of the man had been decided, Toshi had decided to take the hidden third choice; kill the man. Picking up the bear, the village monument was certainly a good idea at least. However killing the man was definitely not a good idea. Screaming within the flames, the ANBU team just lost some important clues. The man was the key to finding the villagers, now he would rest, his soul dying in pure agony. This man was to be a hero for his village, risking his life nightly to try and kill the girl whom murdered his kinsmen. That was his only goal, he even made himself into a deranged man just to accomplish it. Should the villagers find out about the man dying, there'd be no way for the ANBU to get close to the villagers and solve the mystery.

Next up, the Inn which would serve as a means to effectively communicate with any villager who was a part of the resistance was burned down. The only good thing was the portrait of the Mizukage was saved, this might be a little grace for the ANBU team who otherwised burned down two crucial points for themselves. Now then, Toshi would prepare to meet up with his partner again. Fate had it, they'd be able to meet up fairly easily because...

Ziro view:

Ziro had made some good moves, he'd gotten the knife...a clue to the murder suspect; the little girl. Another good move on his part was sending the flash bomb to the east direction. This would reveal the hidden exploding tags that could have killed the man the minute he attempted to pursue such a dark course. If he was able to deactivate the tags carefully without blowing himself up, it'd serve as a way to further track the girl. Unfortunately, a bad move came when he decided to ultimately go south. Sure he'd be meeting with his partner but that alleyway was also rigged. Up above, the piece of cloth from a pink dress, disguised an exploding tag and hidden wire. This wire would trigger more explosives albeit at a slower pace. If the two ANBU were not careful, their reunion could also be their demise.

1) You both have 1 post to make it out of the south alleyway and away from that area. The burning inn plus the exploding tags could spell your death if you're not careful, best make your next posts brilliant.

2) You gained some new information, sacrificing some important ones. Your goal is to find the murderer but in order to do so, you must locate the targets, the villagers. How you do it and effectively take out the murderer is about to begin. Good luck.

[Hana~Kyo]

Toshi walked following the steps of ink his partner had left behind in his search when it hit him. He had been stupid not to check before, quickly he turned and sprinted at top speed back to the spot where he had left the painting. He quickly turned around and scanned over the back of painting for any further clues of importance before turning back around and running over to where he was before he had realized to go check the painting. After a few seconds he arrived back where he had been and continued down along the path of ink until he reached an intersection at which point he had four options of a way to go.

He could see from the tracks that his partner had moved to the south, but this dark path to the east he had not checked. There was only one way to check such a thing... fire! He made a few quick seals and raised his hand to his mouth while drawing in a deep breath. He followed up by exhaling a long breath of fire into the alley which he would use to get a better glimpse of whats inside.

Katon - Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Great Fireball Technique)
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: The user is capable of performing a few handseals in which gives them the capability of blowing a large body of fire in size of a large sphere that has great fire proportions and explosive capabilities.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: Depending on the Rank, is dependent on how strong or how much the user is capable of doing with the Goukakyuu no Jutsu.
Description: The user quickly performs a few handseals. The user then places the hand over their mouth creating a small like circle. This technique in turn is then to help the user control the great flame. The use then blows out and creates a large fireball that twice the size of a normal human body. When the "C" Rank version is first learned the user is only capable of blowing out the Great Fireball that is can not be moved or go anywhere else. This also means that the technique does not explode in a fieiry explosion, but burns greatly to anyone that is caught within the technique. When the user learns the "B" Rank version then the user is capable blowing the Great Fireball into the distance, sending it away from the use it to hurl towards the very opponent. This technique is only capable of going into a straight line and this is capable of having the size three times the size of a human body. This technique when launched at an opponent then becomes dangerous because at this point the technique can explode causing even more devastating damage.
Limit: Must have the Fire Release

[Itaru]

A gust of wind caused the pink dress to sway peacefully in the draft. A hand reached out to feel the fabric, but he stopped himself when the fire created by Toshi grew into a powerful blaze of flames, reaching high into the skies. Ziro looked back towards the inn, and he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. Did something terrible happen to Toshi? A quiver in the earth and the sound of a massive explosion made Ziro flinch and he turned his body away from the dress. Not even realizing the explosive tag, Ziro dashed away from the south route and headed back towards the inn.

Ziro gave a cough having inhaled a large quantity of smoke from the burning inn. Crusted blood clung to his left forearm, which he tried scratching away with his blunt finger nails. Even after this time, Ziro wasn't able to successfully locate the girl. After seeing the destruction at the inn, Ziro was set on finding Toshi even before that cursed little girl. He reappeared not far away from Toshi, and he relaxed his tensed muscles when he realized that Toshi wasn't dead. Ziro's gaze turned to the east, where he threw the hikari bomb.

Thankfully Toshi didn't wander into that direction blindly, but after seeing Toshi handle himself in the inn, Ziro was sure he didn't need to worry. Ziro ventured up to Toshi's side and he pulled the blood-stained knife from his pouch. "I believe this to be the knife of the girl." He spoke to Toshi in only a faint voice, "Found in that direction," Ziro turned and pointed towards the west. Since there were no foot-prints, Ziro had a reason to believe that the girl perhaps threw the blade in that direction to perhaps throw the two ANBU off.

Ziro's eyes moved north, and he reminded himself he had yet to explore that area. "I checked these areas, other than the north route." He informed Toshi and began to think to himself what would be the correct choice for them both. Ziro's eyes examined the ground carefully. He sought the foot prints belonging to the girl, but with his clones trampling most of this area ealier, he just couldn't distinquish the foot steps left by the girl. There was no sure way of knowing where she was at this point.

[Kamiko "Tsukihime" Akumu]

After surviving the trap that was south passage and investigating West, East now that it was clear and North were the only two passges remaining. There was a choice on the matter at hand.

1) Seperate and take each path respectively, allowing for quick pursuit of the girl

2) Take one path together and hope for the best

Either way, East and North were now safe to travel. What surprises were in store was up to the choices they made. On the East path, should they travel in this direction it would ultimately lead to what appeared to be a dead end. Well for a genin anyway, in truth the wall was an illusion and behind it would be quite the surprise.

The North path had puddles of water. It'd be feint at first but the more they walked, the more they would see. This would lead to a slain villager and an open door to a bar. Investigating the bar would obviously be the sound choice but not before possibly examining the contents of the dead villager. He seemed to be holding a small item, trapped within his balled fist. He would not let it go and defended it with his life, very brave.

[Hana~Kyo]

Finally Toshi and Ziro had once again met up only to be faced with yet another split path. If he was to assume correctly, the fact that Ziro returned from his path meant that wasn't the right one, that narrowed the option a slight bit. He looked at the knife his partner had shown him, "That's hers alright... north huh..." he glanced in that direction, the area was covered in foot prints but none seemed to lead that way. "The man from the inn told me she was a mist ninja.... so we have to assume she knows how to cover her tracks meaning north is not ruled out but let's head east for now."

Toshi walked forward into the alley he had just cleared of exploding tags, even still he proceeded cautiously as to be sure there were no other traps. He continued down the hall until he had reached a dead end, the walls were on all side except back the way they came. "Well this was a waste.." he said as he ran his hand along the wall to the left of him and then around on to the wall ahead of him. As soon as his fingers touched that wall he knew something was off, he too was backgrounded in genjutsu and he realized this for what it was. Was this the girls doing... or was there another ninja here.

Toshi put his hands together into a handseal. "Ki." A simple cancellation technique to remove the genjutsu from the area ahead of him and revealing what some one had gone through all the trouble of hiding.

[Itaru]

Ziro's finger lightly tapped his cheek bone, taking in what Toshi said about the girl. "A mist ninja?" He spoke out loud, but his question was more directed to himself than Toshi. Ziro tried thinking over the countless possibilities. He understood what made this mission for ANBU now that he realized the time they were taking to complete it. Ziro headed in the same direction of Toshi while his eyes darted all around their environment. He knew this village to be smothered in various traps, and Ziro couldn't afford to lose his life now.

"Well this was a waste..." Ziro noticed Toshi's voice becoming more distant and unsure towards the end of his sentance, and because of this Ziro gave Toshi his full attention. It seemed as though Toshi located something that was misplaced, but since Ziro had no knowledge at all of GenJutsu, he couldn't indicate this sensation himself. Ziro would soon later be revealed what it was that attempted to fool the eyes of these two ANBU.

[Kamiko "Tsukihime" Akumu]

The body of several villagers remained strewn along the grounds. Hidden behind that fake wall, this place was in fact the murderer's hideout. Yet a new wrench would be thorwn into their plans. True the bodies were there but there was no signs of the watery footprints found on the north path. The only thing left in this place other than some basic food and drink, was a scroll. It's contents revealing the memoirs of a killer. At this time, the memory of what was written at the back of the painting could spark into Toshi's mind.

"Seeking out the traitor amongst the twilight, the one that hide in black wool. Thank you Hinagiku-sama!"

What that quote meant was of course the ANBU's guess, however it was clear that an option presented itself. Surely the killer would return to this hide out. They could prepare for him to return tonight or continue searching for the girl. The choice was up to them.

[Hana~Kyo]

As the technique dispelled he set his gaze upon that which was on the other side of the wall, some thing he half wished he did not see. There were bodies every where, strewn out across the ground having been killed in all manner of ways. It was time to think of another plan, they could turn around and go back which would be the logical option or they could stick around; Toshi had a sick feeling that who ever did this would be back, they had went through the trouble of bringing the bodies here and on top of that covering it up with a genjutsu to hide it.

"Hey, Ziro we are going to wait here for a few if you dont mind to see if any one comes back. I am gunna' use a technique to make us and these bodies invisible while we wait." Not long after finishing his speech he performed a few handseals and used the same Area Invisibility technique he had used before, he was some what low on chakra by now but he was doing all he could to take care of things in case a battle erupted , that way his partner would be at one hundred percent should he need to fight. Despite being able to do the technique in a much larger radius he only made the imediate ten meters in visible. Toshi crouched down on the other side of the bodies that were still visible due to the fact that every one with in the technique could still see everything effected by it, and began to wait.

His plan was to blanket the area in an invisibility, the technique was not strong enough to make the walls of the alley vanish but that was not his intentions. He wanted himself and Ziro to be invisible as well as all of the bodies, so that if and when the suspect returns he will find not only his genjutsu dispelled but the bodies gone and the area cleaned. If it all worked out as planned, the surpirse would throw him off guard at which point him and Ziro could take him or her down.

Area Invisibility
Rank: "B" Rank
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The user is capable of making a mass area of those within to become invisible. This technique is used to turn a camp invisible for the night or even hide contents within a room.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: This only affects those within a certain amount of radius, and only capable of turning a small area to become invisible.
Description: A technique where the user performs a few handseals and pushes their chakra outwards within a certain radius. Depending on the user's class level depends on how far the distance those would be affected by. This technique only affects within a radius of thirty meters. A technique that is capable of making anything that the user wishes to be invisible from all pondering eyes. When the user is "D" Class the user is capable of performing this technique within a distance of ten meters. When the user is "C" Class the user is capable of performing this technique within a distance of twenty meters. When the user is "B" Class the user is capable of performing this technique within a distance of thirty meters. When the user is "A" Class the user is capable of performing this technique within forty meters. When the user is "S" Class they are capable of performing this technique within fifty meters. This technique lasts for an hour even if the user is not there.
Limit: Must know Glamor Perception of GenJutsus, Must know Invisibility

[Itaru]

The blue hues of Ziro expanded in a panicking state. Crimson blood tainted the ground and bodies covered the whole terrain. He asked himself, what could have done such a thing? Several Shinobi or just one? Was it just that girl alone who piled up this impressive amount of bodies? She appeared so young... Did Ziro underestimate her real abilities? Hearing that they would need to stay around for a while, Ziro's eye twitched. He really didn't want to hang out here, but Toshi probably had a good reason for it. So, Ziro looked around and quickly found yet another cricket.

He grunted to the disgusting scent of decay, and he stole a glance at Toshi. He fiddled with the critter with his sandal for a few moments before he found himself overwhelmed with his desire to snatch it up. Ziro gave a sad expression when he was convinced he was meant to stick to his duties and the mission. He turned his back to the insect and looked around the area again, searching for some clues perhaps.

"Toshi," Ziro's voice spoke up after he remained silent for quite some time. Was it his disagreement with silence that caused him to talk out, or something else? "There's a unique ability I have that will allow me to point-point the enemy within a 200 meter radius..." Ziro's suddenly grew unsure of himself when he spoke this out. Using Choas Unleashed a second time within two days was probably not his greatest idea. That and who was to say that Ziro's killing intentions wouldn't draw him to go after Toshi instead. He could never be sure with that specific Jutsu.

"Never mind," the Chuunin concluded and gave an expression as though he was greatly ashamed of something unknown.

[Kamiko "Tsukihime" Akumu]

They had made a good move, a very good move! Hiding out awaiting the killer, true ANBU style. They're plan would be rewarded soon, with some patience. Nightfall would approach and from the distance of the alleyway, two shadowed figures would begin to make their way to the hideout. One seemed shorter, possibly a child. The other looked to be an older male. Of particular notice was the following lines.

"I wish I didn't loose that teddy bear..." and

"Meh, it's better left to burn...the village is far too obsessed with such triffles."