Preparations Before Dawn

[N I R A S H I]

Eighteen years old. Nirashi was getting old to say the least, it was just like yesterday when he was the tender age of thirteen following his sensei, Shiro. Now, he is on his own and a journeyman of his village. Funny how time flies by so quickly, huh? The young shinobi had organized a meeting with his mission team, there was something coming up soon and it would be quite beneficial for the team to handle their business.

The shinobi was draped in dark clothing, despite living in the village of Sunagakure. He did not have his gourd with him currently, it was at his apartment seeing there was sand all around him. The young shinobi would reach the intended spot and looked around the abandoned area. Old homes laid destroyed and sand creeped over the entire place. He would enter a door and walked down the dark corridor, the light ahead revealing a square.

The earth here was rocky and the sun shined directly on the area. The location definitely put you in mind of a colosseum. Where you at? He thought as he stood awaiting.

[Kareza (Kai)]

Hot;;

He walked across the sands till he saw a village. He had forgot where Nirushi was earlier so he decided to keep on going to search for him. Just recently, an owl came and delivered the new mission that he was supposed to do. It would be fun. He'd finally be able to fight again and show the sand village his new heights. That long year that overshadowed him was finally gone and now it was time to get back into action. He had never fought much in his life. But he knew he would remember why he trained. The village got closer to him everyday.

Today, he needed to meet with Nirushi. The sand master. He remember the mission they did a long time ago and now they would be paired up once again. This time it was to fight to show everyone what this country was capable of. This country is called the Wind country for a reason. Nothing can surpass the power and grace of the winds. When he first got to this country...He thought that water was the ultimate source of life and destruction. But living here so long can make anyone change their minds.

He walked down a dark alley and came out into the light. There he was...Kisuke walked out and pushed up his glasses. "Hello there Nirushi-san" He said politely and cheerfully. He was the first one there.[/font]

[N I R A S H I]

Nirushi! Nirashi's blood began to boil and his eyes opened with the anger of a demon. Hearing his name pronounced incorrectly, immediately brought fire to his soul. The fellow would pay, he would pay with his life. Being a shinobi he was keen in deception, so as his teammate neared his expression was calm and receptive.

As he made an attempt to smile he would swiftly relocate himself behind Kisuke. Held tightly in his hand was a small, steel, bladed weapon known as a kunai. It was common amongst shinobi, hell ninety percent owned at least one. He would hold the kunai at Kisuke's neck hoping to get his point across. "My name is Nirashi Cora. It is not Nirushi. Now, call me out of my name again and I will kill you. Remember you have no alliance to sand, yet." He stated in a dark, demonic tone.

[Kareza (Kai)]

Liar;;

Kisuke was surprised once his old friend disappeared behind him and held a kunai to his throat. With a smile on his face he said "Okay, okay...Sorry Nirashi-san. Just wanted to see if you grew out of your childish state. I guess one year isn't enough for you...oh well." That was a habit of his, he loved getting other people pissed off. Maybe it would really kill him one day. With a flick of his finger he would attempt to hit the kunai away with just a pressurized stream of water quickly formed with the humidity of the air. "Anyway Nirashi, Wassup?"

[N I R A S H I]

He has gotten better with Suiton. Nirashi realized as his kunai was smacked away by some water vapor Kisuke summoned. The sand along the ground would form a hand and catch the kunai. The hand of sand would then rise and slip the kunai back into its rightful place in Nirashi's holster.

"Well, it seems the Kazekage has put together some teams to partake on this journey to Claw Country." Nirashi stated as he reached into his Chuunin Vest to remove a scroll. The scroll contained the mission details and would be essential in the counters he propose. The mission scroll also included various images of the Herons and their attacks.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Under Attack! A Disturbance in the Claw Country!
Rank: A
IIC Length: 2 Days
Difficulty: Hard
Description: The Claw Country Capital has sent a message to every ninja village on the continent, as well as spreading the news through normal villages as well. They have received an ominous letter from the supposedly extinct Heron Branch of the Tsubasa. The mail informs the Country that their capital will be laid to waste, along with the rest of their country, as revenge for the death of their parents. Claw Country spies and informants have also sent back images of the Herons in action, destroying entire buildings with their strength. Fearing for her citizens' lives, the daimyo pleads with all the ninja contacted to make their way to the Claw Country to aid them in fighting off the Herons.
Objective: Kill the Herons before they can lay waste to the Claw Country.
Reward: 20000 gold for each person that participates in the killings. Any equipment or spoils the herons are in possession of is fair game for anybody.

Nirashi would examine the pictures and would take notes of the listed strenghts. "Take a look at this fellow. He has some large wings and a Sound Wave Amplifier. He know the Oto Release; a very sneaky release to say the least." Nirashi said to Kisuke as he began the examination process. He knew for such a dangerous, high-ranking mission he and his teammates would need to fully evaluate and come up with some counters before hand. "We have to examine all of this information and come up with some great strategies before running in there."

[Kareza (Kai)]

Boring;;

Kisuke listened until there was a pause. "Eh...I don't get it...Why are we teammates again? Don't our strongest jutsu cancel each other out? I mean seriously...Do you know anything else? Sheesh...They made you chuunin cause you have different strengths right?" Kisuke didn't care too much for a plan. He knew that what ever plan they made beforehand would be broken. None of the ninja knew anything about who they were going against. Whatever plan they made would end up getting them killed. "How about this...You stay out of my way so I can get glory and become apart of the sand village and if I'm getting beat up then you can throw some of that nasty sand or whatever. Kisuke truly hated the sand. It was an undesirable waste of an element. He was happy that water would rule over it. Then it hit kisuke. "...Do you know any earth element techniques by the way? Cause I do..."
[/font]

[N I R A S H I]

Damn you Heero. You paired me with an ignorant child. He thought as his head lowered. Hearing Kisuke insult his sands once again made his blood boil, but he could not act rashly, not just yet. He had to at least try and cooperate with this fellow, hopefully all would come out well. Hopefully.

"I have minimum Doton knowledge. Saton is my primary skill followed by Fuuton." Nirashi said as he began to think and formulate some ideas. This mission has been sent to multiple countries and villages. That means we will have competition and/or help when we go to Claw Country. If things get dangerous an escape plan would be nice.

"If you ever become a shinobi you will understand the importance of rank. My rank as Chuunin exceeds you, period. Now, you can bitch and whine, but you cannot defeat me. We need to get a plan, but I can take ten minutes to show you why I am your superior and why you need to shut the hell up?"

[Kareza (Kai)]

Silence;;

"Yeah...Please don't challenge me to a duel." He said with such lie underneath his breath. "pfft...I don't feel like fighting right now...It'll make me look bad to the village to be fighting with a chuunin." "Fine have it your way...But If we get fucked then I'm dropping the plan and going all out. Can I at least get that?"[/font]

[N I R A S H I]

"No. Going all out could put you in danger and put the mission in jeopardy. That is the reason for trying to set up a plan. We are going to complete a job, not pick fights with everyone there. If you are incapable of higher thinking, you can quit this mission." Nirashi said as he continued to observe and mental notes from the pictures given. He knew the job would be subduing the Herons and perhaps killing them. His first target would be the fellow with the Sound Wave Amplifier.

"Wings and Sound Wave Amplifier. We destroy those then we can take out this Heron. I could indeed turn the country into a desert, but I will save that. Any ideas on how to take out this fellow's wings and amplifier?" He would ask Kisuke as he stood conjouring ideas to defeat the Heron.

[Kareza (Kai)]

Plan, plan, plan;;

Thinking wasn't one of Kisuke's virtues. But if the chuunin insisted then he had to think of some way to take out the flying loud ass bird. "Eh...I got him. Get a bird's wings wet and it can't fly as well. That should cut off most of his mobility. As for sound I have no way to fight against it. I've only heard of it in books but wow it can do some serious damage. Anyone else?" Kisuke asked as he started thinking a bit more.[/font]

[N I R A S H I]

Finally, the duo was getting somewhere. Getting the Heron's wings soaked would be a great idea to limit its mobility. Nirashi smiled becasue it seemed Kisuke had a brain somewhere in his skull. "To limit its sound I can destroy the amplifier with my sand. If I could get close enough I could kill it with Sand Coffin." Nirashi said as he continued to plot. "I got it. I will send you in all you have to do is get the wings wet. I will be your defense so you will have nothing to worry about. My sand and wind can effectively defend you from almost anything, so you will have no worries as long as you can get his wings wet."

[Kareza (Kai)]

Heh;;

As long as Nirashi thought he was dumb the better for him. Kisuke smiled and sat on the floor. "Is it only us two? Isn't there supposed to be more people?Cause Normally, its 3 or 4 to a team. And is there anyone else other than birdman we should worry about?" Kisuke was actually aroused by this mission. He never knew how protective sand was. Maybe it was worth an element after all.[/font]

[Kou]

[joining thanks to Nirashi : P]

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Kou had just arrived back in the Sand nation not to long ago, leaving the Kazekage and his team behind. His plans had been to travel back to the Suna and do a few low level missions, though his attention turned to two people who seemed to be having a conversation upon the ground. His ordered his ink bird to fly nearer to the ground in order for them to land atop a low building.

From its roof, he leaped off the ink creation and peeked over the edge to listen in on their conversation. Surely, the Li Clan master was merely a bit curious? As he gazed down upon the two, he began to chuckle. They were arguing amongst one another. Apparently, they were supposed to be going on some important mission to Claw, yet they were threatening each other.

Then again, Kou was one to talk.

Though soon, the conversation made a swift turn in direction. Preparations and battle plans were being made. One spoke of being a master of saton techniques, while the other of suiton. Not a very good combination. Rather sloppy, actually. The things they were saying actually sounded interesting. Being the naive person he is, the young sand ninja just had to get involved. Perhaps thins would make up for his absence of the A rank mission to Konoha. Though for now, the artist would continue to listen in. Besides, they were bound to notice eventually. He sat cross legged upon the roof of a low building that was out in the open.

No stealth there, right?

[N I R A S H I]

Indeed, Kou's presence was sensed. However, Nirashi would pay it no mind. He knew of Kou's affliation with the village of sand and knew he was partaking on the mission. Lucky for Nirashi his memory served him well, remembering Kou from the Festival.

Nirashi would hold up another picture which triggered some interest. It was one of a female Heron, who possessed a flute. The other picture showed a different male who was causing destruction with his bare hands; showing he was quite the Taijutsu user. However, this girl possessed a flute a mysterious tool that could trigger Genjutsu and Oto Jutsu.

"I wonder what this flute is capable of. I think it could be dangerous in her possession, so we definitely need to get ahold of this weapon. Ideas on how would should get this weapon? I am sure I can take her alone, but I want you to back me up too."

[Kou]

Hearing the older and bigger man's words, Kou would eagerly raise his hand to answer the question.

"Oh, I have Genjutsu capabilities, as well, though they are not associated with that of a flute. I would probably suggest letting me cast an illusion on her in order for you to have the opportunity to attack, or steal the item from her. Of course, that is assuming she is not adept the the art of the Phantasm perception, like I am. If that is the case, she will be rather dangerous, considering the fact that sound travels faster than any other release."

Though his statement had been a mere assumption, he had studied Genjutsu long enough in the past year to know of their effects. The painter merely remained seated upon the roof, as he waited for a reply. "Oh, and by the way, im Kou. Got any room for this assignment? It should be fun." He added with a wave and a smile.

[Kareza (Kai)]

Another Freak;;

While he talked to Nirashi, Another freak showed up. "Does this fool no nothing of the ninja arts?" "Eh...Anyways, Why do we have to fight a girl? I'm against that...She probably can bear a child." His mind slowly went down the gully. "Anyways...I can handle the tai user. Taijutsu techniques can't hurt me."

[N I R A S H I]

This guy is useless!! Nirashi was almost at his end with this guy. However, in brighter news it seemed the fellow from before decided to join him and his partner. "Nice to meet you Kou." Nirashi stated with a welcoming smile. The Chuunin listened to the words of the new arrival and he spoke well.

"You inducing her under a Genjutsu would be pretty efficient in allowing myself or Kisuke to retrieve that flute. Good idea. What is the strongest Genjutsu you possess?"

[Kou]

The big guy seemed interested enough in his comment, however, the other guy, who was introduced as Kisuke, didn't seem to care too much.

"Uh, in terms of illusions used to capture an opponent, i have 2 of high level, which are A rank. Hopefully, that is a high enough level to get the job done. The techniques are Impure 2D world and Impure World Drawing style. I'd prefer the latter, as it doesn't require me to enter close proximity to the victim. After all, close combat isn't my specialty. I'm more of supportive role, so if given enough time to cast the Genjustu, I'm pretty sure we could pull this off. Would that satisfy your needs?" He asked, looking at the one known as Nirashi.

Hopefully, his help would prove useful.

-------

Edo Byouho [Impure World Drawing Style]
Rank: "A" Rank
Skill: Genjutsu
Effect: Forces the opponent into a genjutsu where the user's artistic whims become the reality of the opponent.
Special: "Hand Seals", must continue to draw and paint.
Drawback: The opponent, since their sense of sight has been changed to purely black and white, generally knows that they are under the effects of a Genjutsu. However, it is much more difficult to understand that they are in a Genjutsu and then to break it. Unless used in conjunction with the Realism Perception, this ability cannot be used to kill someone.
Description: The user opens up a scroll. Using their excellent artistic nature, they will quickly draw their opponent into the scroll. Then, performing the required handseals, they target the opponent and link their mind to the user's canvas. The opponent looses all natural sense of vision, and the world around them is replaced with a whiteness that stretches as far as the opponent can see. The user, then, will continue to draw, creating whatever they wish upon the canvas. At that point, those images will appear within the opponent's mind, forcing the opponent to view them. Every change made upon the canvas will appear within the opponent's mind. This effect will continue for a total of five turns or until the user releases the opponent from the Genjutsu.
Limit: Li Clan Technique; Must know Gahou Tenrai. Must have the Phantasm Perception.

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Mesesshoku: Fuketsu futatsuyochi [impure 2-D world]
Rank: A
Skill: Genjutsu
Effect:user projects a 2-D Dimension onto his /hers opponent's mind.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: must be with in 5 feet of the person and kept them there. The opponent can escape the jutsu from even the slightest external stimulation (besides the users touch), because of this, the opponent must be thoroughly isolated.
Description: user gets with in five feet of the enemy and gets into eye contact to initiate the jutsu. The user then projects the 2-D (paper like) world inside the opponents mind. Once the person is there they become paper like and begin to start on fire. In the real world the person affected thinks their skin is burning and it can cause psychological damage. This jutsu lasts 1-2 turns if uninterrupted and there are two stages to learning the jutsu:
Stage 1
For the first stage of the training, the person must focus on building their chakra in there eyes and projecting it out of he/she is eyes. This helps the person become more precise in how they use their chakra in this jutsu. The person will have mastered this stage when they can project and concentrate their chakra out enough to wear through a piece of paper.
Stage 2
The user goes into his/her mind and creates the 2-D world that will be projected upon the opponent. This world is typically dark with a lone platform in the middle. This place exists only in the users mind so they are able to customize it. This world can also be used for meditation or going over moves in your mind
Limit: Must have Phantasm Perception

[N I R A S H I]

Nirashi nodded as he heard Kou's description of his capabilities. He was quite pleased that the boy possessed such a high rank jutsu, which would definitely help the mission to end with a success. "I believe you should go with the latter as stated." Nirashi said with a brief smile. He began to scratch his head as he once agan looked at the rest of the pictures. He hoped he himself was able enough to be of help during this important mission.

[Kou]

Kou nodded with a smile. This Nirashi person seemed content with his answer. As long as he could assist the rest of the group that he was going to be accompanying on this seemingly epic journey, the Li Clan master would remain content as well.

Though to tell the truth, this event....it seemed, challenging?

"Hey, can i see the scroll containing the details for this assignment?" the young sand ninja asked, holding his hand out to catch the scroll if the Saton master decided to throw it to him. He merely wanted to know the details, that way he could properly prepare. The artist wanted to be on the same page as everyone else.