To Arms! [T] [Snow IM]

[zuka]

I stood at the edge of a lake where three waterfalls cascaded down the mountainside and crashed into the blue waters below. The only sound that could be heard besides the flowing water was the rustling of leaves in the wind, and I soaked in the beauty that was nature. Although one could say I was experienced in my trade, I never once had set foot outside of the country's border. But now here I was, waiting on the team that I would lead into foreign lands to complete a mission. I peered deeply into the water, watching my own reflection while I waited for the others.

[The Roar of the Falls]

[enter]

There! Finally after looking for a moment she spotted the man, their leader on this expedition into land foreign to her. These hostiles were likely the overly bold type, prone to getting greedy once they conquered a land and would soon spread to others. Isabella would rather die first, and with that notion in mind, she stepped up.

"I am ready to leave when you are."

[Kei]

[enter]

The team wasn't meeting up far from the gates that protected the village. Slowing his speed down to a light jog, Kei took in the sights of the forest that surrounded him, and found peace in the distant sounds of waterfalls. As excited as the boy was to get started on this mission, he wished he could just spend a little more time out here. "Duty calls." The boy remained himself with a grin.

Not too far ahead of him Kei spotted an opening, and already two of the team members from the Tower. Before making his entrance he stopped by a giant oak tree to take final inventory. 4 stun grenades, check. 4 smoke grenades, check. 4 incendiary grenades, check. Last but not least his Katana passed down from his uncle. Finally he tied on his orange bandana around face only exposing his nose and eyes, and then he made his entrance. "Hi guys, what are you looking?" He said causal questioning what their captain was staring at in the lake.

[Thunder Over the Falls]

[Enter]

Hiroki approached those gathered from the village slowly, he was definitely trying not to be late. From the looks of it, he had gotten here before the other two members of his own team which made him slightly nervous. Regardless of personal feeling he put on a big smile and approached the one who was leading them on this mission. Hiro remembered the ANBU told them that the man's name was Gekitsuu.

"Gekitsuu-san, I didn't get a chance to introduce myself back at the tower. Hiroki Ryuusei, weapon specialist, archer, and trained in raiton."

[Lava Beneath the Falls]

{Enter}

Phy wasn't too much in a rush to get to the gates, she sort of just got their at a brisk walking pace. She didn't seem to have much of a care in the world, as she was already set to go and take care of the mission at hand. Everything else was just boring talk of details. All Phy needed was who to go and battle, details would make her think whether it was a good decision or not was unneeded.

Phy caught sight of Hiroki and for once she would give a smirk in his direction and a slight wave of her hand down by her left hip. Other than that Phy held her head down low, wishing to be up in one of the nearby trees. She felt safer up high, despite her slight disadvantage she had doing that.

Phy carried with her a pair of sais, a butt bag that contained five kunai, thirty shiriken, six smoke grenades, one-hundred and sixty fake exploding tags, and medical notes for basic healing of using bandages and no chakra. In their also seemed to have been her camera of which she nearly never takes out of the bag.

[Image In the Falls]

Shigure walked slowly through the forested area within Taki no Kuni's boarders, almost as though he hadn't a care in the world. Upon reaching the designated area they were suppose to meet, he'd move slower. The problem wasn't that Shigure didn't care about the mission, no, instead, it was that of nerves.

Prone to over thinking at situation, the young genin finally reached the rest of the team, he didn't even notice he was the last person to arrive. "Sorry... I'm here now." He'd state, with a weaker tone of voice than usual. Filing in behind the rest of the makeshift team, as well as his own, he'd await new orders, if any were given.

[zuka]

OOC: This week I had midterms so I didn't have time to post. We should be good from here on out.

IC:

My gaze held constant as the other members of the team arrived. An emotionless face stared back at me, surrounded by nothing but blue. One by one, however, other small reflections began to appear, some speaking and some not. I listened intently, of course, but I offered no real response to any of them. I wasn't one for human interactions for they seemed petty and ridiculous to me. One could spend a lifetime with a friend only to be stabbed in the back in the end, and what kind of ending is that to any story?

After a brief pause I finally looked up from the flowing waters and turned my gaze to the team that had assembled before me. Once more I sized them up, taking into account now the skills they had told me about previously. Fortunately for us they all had skills that could be put into use for our advantage on this mission, it was only a matter of when such techniques would be used. I turned around, and before taking off I'd say, "Let's go."

We would have to travel by foot, and quickly. I expected them to follow me and for them to remain close, if not they would be left behind. I assumed a relatively swift pace, dashing through the fields of Takigakure with what I could only assume to be pleasure. A rather good feeling came over me as I took in the beauty of the surrounding nature. Waterfalls adorned the countryside and could be seen from anywhere, meanwhile the water from the falls also allowed for beautiful plant-life to blossom. Although I wasn't one for human interaction, I had an affinity for the natural.

As we ran towards our destination, there would surely be some silences that were less than ideal. Even I understood the context of the "awkward silence," and so to avoid discouraging the team I would have to finally establish some connection. "Does anyone have any questions?" It was all I could muster for now, but surely they had a plethora of demands that had to be met. We had just taken off, after all, for a mission with a leader that is completely unknown to them. To not have questions would be simply mad.

The conversation would lead to kill time however, as soon enough the trees that were once few would appear to increase in number, size, and proximity. Eventually we would be engulfed into the forests of Hi no Kuni, though the transition might not be noticeable as we moved on.

[The Roar of the Falls]

With a simple command the leader took off across the field and Isabella's small figure had to work twice as hard to keep up with all the taller members of their little troupe. Several minutes passed by as they ran silently towards the border of Hi no Kuni and Taki no Kuni, Isabella taking the lead in front of the other followers and listened hard with her ears. All the noises that reached them could immediately identified without issue, her natural affinity for sound jutsu aiding her in preventing pre-emtive enemy strikes.

When he asked if they had question she spoke up immediately. "Do we take prisoners at all, or are we here to strictly eliminate? I have no problem with either."

[Thunder Over the Falls]

At the words let's go Hiroki moved soon after Gekitsuu and Isabella. He followed close, listening to all of the conversation going on. Isabella's question was a good one, and one that Hiro then wouldn't have to ask. Killing weighed heavy on him, however in this case it was for the village and he would be prepared.

The boy barely noticed the shift in environment from waterfalls to trees as they passed into Hi no Kuni. Hiroki made it a point to stay near his team, for both companionship and a feeling of safety.

[Lava Beneath the Falls]

Phy started to move forward once the leader said to go. She did her best to keep up trying to move actually next to Hiroki, as the wind blew past her red hair that was pulled back into a pony-tail. Sadly for Phyre she didn't exactly think as to where their destination was, she wore her usual outfit with no outer wear to add to it. If it was cold and most likely it would be, she would have a lot to overcome on that account. The question came up if they had any questions about the mission.

Phy was one to never ask questions, maybe if she got into torturing someone for answers, but she just hold back on it for now. The one named Isabella pretty much had a question that Phy may have asked if she felt like it. Phy was going to follow one of her rules though, if someone attacked her, she wouldn't hesitate to fight back. Phy would only glance back once at Shigure to see if he was back there and if he had any questions himself.

[Image In the Falls]

Without hesitation, Shigure followed the group, taking his place behind Hiroki and Phyre as they moved with the others in unison. Though they were moving quickly, Shigure couldn't help but notice some squirrels playing with each other in one of the upcoming trees. The Squirrels continued their escapades by jumping from a high limb to another tree's adjacent limb. It was nice to have some time for leisure and play.

As soon as the squirrels made it to the base of the limb, however, another squirrel joined the two, but playing became a fray. The new squirrel went for blood, knocking down one, and fighting the other. This came as a surprise to the young Genin, Shigure's eyes widening at the scene. By seeing this, only one question come to mind, one he gave Genkitsuu.

"We are moving through another foreign land, therefor... What if the Shinobi from said country attempt to attack us? Hypothetical of course."

Now only two things were on the boys mind, a new liking of Squirrels, and the fact that they were about to cross into his Native Country, one that he never wanted to see again...

[N A T S U M I]

Moving.

[zuka]

As we passed easily into the Fire Country, I noticed that only two of the team members had chosen to speak up. This of course was no problem, but given the limited information I had assumed there would be more questions. A never-ending forest passed by as I thought about the questions briefly, deciding on what should be done should such situations arrive. I would address Isabella first, seeing as she asked the first question. "A good question. Prioritize immobilizing the enemy, but make sure that they will not pose a threat after their defeat. If rendering them incapable of fighting is not an option, kill without hesitation." A minimal of casualties would be optimal, but the given situation did not necessarily leave room for that.

Next I turned my attention to Shigure, who stayed behind two of the other shinobi in the group. Whether this was due to timidness or just his choice, I could not know, but for the sake of the mission I could only hope it was the latter. "If foreign shinobi attempt to attack us, take defensive measures but do not retaliate. If they cannot be talked out of it, then they are also to be killed." It may seem a harsh option, but it would be better that they die and we do not. Takigakure is already lacking enough in ninja as is.

The journey ahead of us would be long, but the most I would be able to do for the team was to slow the pace at which we traveled. There would be little time for rest as we continued through Hi no Kuni. If any of the team members had questions, then they simply had to put them forward. If not, then the journey would continue in silence. Hours would pass by as day turned to night, and our seemingly endless travel would eventually land us at a port village on the coast of the Fire Country. It was here that a boat would be waiting for us, and here that the team could finally take some rest as we boarded the ship. Within minutes of us climbing on, the ship would sail off into the night, landing ashore on the frozen lands of Snow by the time we awoke.



OOC: Snow is just kind of an island so I wasn't really sure how we went about traveling there... Hope this works. If not we'll just have to change where exactly we traveled to.

[Kei]

The journey started off in a hurry. The surroundings rapidly changed from beautiful and warm, to surrounded by sea and a bitter chill hung in the air. This type of environment was new to Kei. Goosebumps decorated his arm, and he immediately regretted not owning anything warmer. In silence the young genin peered over the side of the boat. He watched the land fade away and felt smaller then before. No matter what direction he looked all he saw was endless miles of water. The feeling was odd. A looming thought lingered in his mind and repeated itself constantly. Never before had Kei taken another life, not even an animal. The thought clearly made him uncomfortable, but he didn't speak about it to anyone else on the team. He would just continue to peer over the edge of the boat until they reached their detestation.

[Thunder Over the Falls]

Hiro had gone along with little other question. Those that the other people had asked were enough for his own curiosity to be sated. In fact he was oddly silent, especially since he was usually so outspoken and social. He was thinking about the life he had taken from the bandit on that mission, and also all the animals he had hunted before.

The thought through his head now was if he would be able to take the life of another person.

[Lava Beneath the Falls]

Phyre continued to follow the group and started wondering why Hiroki was quiet. She had a hunch as to why that was but before she could think to smack him in the head to get him into the game the group came up to that of a boat. She tried to remain calm, as she looked around, trying to think there was no way that was their next step in their journey. Phy who never told of her past to anyone in the Waterfall Village, had a paranoia of boats. She didn't think through upon accepting the mission, that to get to Snow one must travel by the unruly seas.

Phy's heart rate was on the rise, as much as she tried to keep calm and not alert anyone around her just how much she was freaking out on the inside. 'Why..now...why must it be a boat...?' [/i]she thought, looking back at Shigure and Hiroki. If either one had enough intuition by looking into someone's eyes, they might just catch that glimmer of fear. The young red head had no idea what she was going to do, she knew she couldn't turn back it would raise questions as to why.

Trying to take a deep breath she would go forth towards the boat. Her plan was to stay in the center of the boat on the deck, trying to keep her mind off that she's on a boat. She would be in some sort of trance, but her eyes won't be close as that would bring forth the memories worse than keeping her eyes open. Either way she sort of secretly hopes maybe she get knocked out at the end of the mission and won't have to remember the trip back.

[The Roar of the Falls]

After the answer Isabella was completely silent, simply following their leader and watching out for potential danger. Their traveling would lead to end of one land mass and begins at edge of a body of water stretched off into the distance." "Ugh...boats." She sighed deeply and walked forward and waited for everyone to collect there before looking around for any possible objections and choosing to board last.

[Image In the Falls]

Once his question was answered, Shigure quietly moved through the terrain of Hi no Kuni without a moment of hesitation. Only for the sake of curiosity would he look at random movement within the wooded area. The sheer fact that this was his homeland was comforting, but the thought of meeting a mercenary along the way would shatter his humble state at the moment. His family once hailed as some of the greatest shinobi in Konohagakure, now relaxed in their wealth and prosperity within the boarders of this nation. He and only he was a rouge within their family tree, attempting to redeem his families former glory as Shinobi, and not live a life of ease.

This being said, Shigure was ecstatic that they had reached the coastline, and were now attempting to board a ship. Much to anyone's curiosity, the boy now beamed with content, moving up to stand beside the makeshift team, rather than behind them. A look towards Hiroki and Phyre gave way to suspicion, for their faces were that of fear and that of deep within thought, it was quite odd, but he wouldn't mention it for now. He had made it through Hi no Kuni, and he didn't care to look back.

[N A T S U M I]

Moved to Snow

[Cedany]

[enter]

When the foreigners arrived at the port, they would already have a little welcome party waiting there for them, just a lone female on the dock. Cedany had received a document telling her which port they would arrive at and the estimated time as well, and she was sitting on a bench near the docks on the stated morning. She had arrived a few minutes early of course, just in case. The young lady was dressed in a thick white winter coat and white thick pants and boots as well, not wanting to make it obvious that there was something strange about her. That being that she would be fine in this weather with just a T-shirt and shorts on for the most part, her bloodline having adapted very well for cold conditions.

Cedany didn’t hide that she was from Yukigakure though, since she was in her home country and it would it easier for her colleagues to identify her. In her hair was a yellow headband, which held a metal plate with the dots that signified her village. Her equipment wasn’t hidden either, for the most part. A broad sword was sheathed and hanging from her right hip, fifteen meters of wire coiled up and hanging from her left. In her pocket was a couple of soldier pills, being the most discrete thing. Hanging over her pants was a tan butt bag type one, partially filled with six kunai, twenty-eight exploding tags, four smoke grenades, twenty sebon, two wireless radios, a compass baseplate, and a pair of sniper goggles with five times zooming and underwater vision and night vision and antiflash lenses.