Watch the Fangs Mr. Misaki [Mission,Bankai]

Spoiler:

There the six foot figure stood on the outskirts of the village. Today he would be accompanying a rather interesting Lieutenant he had met prior on a little bit of field work. It was nothing too big, nor dangerous, but it would be pretty fun, at least Kotaro assumed it would be. He always had fun on missions and when in the company of others why should things be any different? Idle and stationary as if his veins had frozen over, he was like a scarecrow how he stood motionless akin sentry waiting to be activated. His heavy all black cloak that covered up to the bridge of his nose wavered in the light breeze, but the body in it stood stalwart and unfazed. His back to the village and his eyes staring ahead into the forest it was as if he had astral projected and left his body. He was in a place not to far from the village, a place they needed to be monitoring the mark that was the leader of a few rabid felines. Snapping out of his day dream with a weak sneeze, he rubbed his nose and sniffed up the moisture inside it. "Damn cherry blossoms."

As if appearing from an illusion, a dream of dreams that you wish could be real. He came out of the torrent of cherry blossoms as a bridegroom would out of the house of marriage. The scene was beautiful and the air was cool, perfect surroundings, for Bankai that is. He was accustomed to such things and it made him feel truly at home and at peace. As if he were a pillar, a silent guardian, stood the Captain every intimidating as ever to any enemy he may face. Not to Bankai though because he knew there was no fear in his heart for his comrades.

A real pillar indeed

He walked at a steady pace until he was at the Captain's side and his gazed was fixed on the outwards of the village no doubt thinking about plans of the unknown as he was.

"Taichou...it is best we head out." said Bankai calmly as he looked at him.

In his trance he hadn't sensed Mr. Misaki's presence as he entered the area, so he was slightly caught off guard upon hearing his voice. "Hmmm, ahhh yes, that's a grand idea Mr. Misaki let us go." Kotaro gave a toothy smile as he began trudging onwards towards and eventually into the wilderness of Hana no Kuni. He could feel with each step his sinuses burning sooth and clear, it was refreshing. "Ahhh finally away from those cherry blossoms, I can breeeeeathe again." He looked over to his companion and eyed him up and down examining his field gear. "I assume you know the details of our task Mr. Misaki?" His eyes went forward again scanning he wilderness of the land.

"Yes I do." replied Bankai as he continued on his way along with the Captain. "The briefing was clear; slay the filthy beasts that dare threaten our lands."

Bankai knew that the mission was indeed a serious one and would view it just as it was. He knew that either of them would make quick work of these pests easily. He had already made up his mind to show no mercy to them. They were rabid and their bites were poisonous. He thought about what he went through when they pumped chemicals of unknown origin in his body while the ones who abducted him laced into his blood stream and he hated the monsters even more. His face was as if like porcelain; nearly impossible to decipher as all thesse thoughts danced around in his mind like a twisted play.

"Tell me, why do such a delicate thing as cherry blossoms bother you so?" asked Bankai as they went on. His intention of course was just to maybe take the Captain's mind off of the burden of the mission with some informal talk. They had some ways to go and there was no harm in doing so. He did not do these missions for the money, he did them because he knew if he did that his family and ultimately the citizenry will be safe.

As they walked Kotaro's mind paced as his feet did thinking of the things he once saw when he was an adventurer rather than a soldier for Hanagakure no Sato. He heard Bankai speak, but he let the words sit in the atmosphere and stir a silent air before he spoke. With the wind stopping even the tree's stopped whispering as they were hushed to hear Kotaro's reasoning for disliking Cherry Blossoms. "Allergies . . ." That was all, quite unfortunate he lived in such a place named after the dastardly things, he thought they were quite beautiful, but their beauty didn't make up for the flaming sinus pain and hatred he felt when around them. "That's about it, kinda funny that a man with Cherry Blossom allergies is a Captain here though huh?" He chuckled lightly as the forestry around them gradually grew denser and denser. Soon enough the sounds of wildlife weren't such a rare occurrence and birds of many colors flew over head in herds, some stopped to examine the men, while others fled in fear of them.

Bankai simply nodded in acknowledgment at the Captain's words. And it was while he was yet speaking was when he realized what could be happening. He too heard the sounds of the animals around them but their behavior were somewhat peculiar. They were restless. The ones that would normally stop and stare at them did so for a fraction of the normal time. The deer especially, quick footed and cautious were not running in a pattern on a normal journey, they were running frantically, as if some great predator was in the area and this heightened Bankai's alertness. His eyes squinted, trying to discern what was the cause of all this. It was unmistakenable with his experience in the woods as a child.

"These animals...something is wrong." he said as he continued walking cautiously.

He could not help the feeling as if they were being watched, stalked as something beyond the thick underbrush of the forest was just there, looking at them. And as with all predators, they were looking for a weakness of some kind.

Kotaro nodded in agreement to Mr. Misaki's observation. "If feral creatures were going around biting chunks out my ass and turning my friends crazy I'd be a little shook too Mr. Misaki." Kotaro chuckled softly with closed eyes and covered his mouth as he did so. Picking up his walking pace he wanted to see if this feeling of being stalked would persist or be lost. This alone could determine if these were the predators the two were looking for or not. Stoping for a moment to unfasten his ebony cloak and carelessly tossed it aside, Kotaro rolled his shoulders a bit loosening them up. From walking pace to a high speed dash through the forest, Kotaro would call out to his Lieutenant playfully. "Lets pick up the pace a little yah Mr. Misaki?" A little was an understatement as they were moving at least five times their previous speed. Jumping from branch to branch, off tree trunk to swinging on a tree branch Kotaro seemed to be in his natural element with his cloak off in the jungle. His senses sharp and in tune with his surroundings, he extended his senses to behind him and his partner in crime to see if their company was still on the prowl. "I think our mark did well to find us before we found them Lieutenant." Kotaro gave a sigh and stopped his journey waiting to see if their stalkers would show themselves.

Bankai without delay followed the Captain's lead. He was unsure if he sensed it but it was clear to Bankai from the feeling he was getting on his skin yet again that even at their current pace through the woods. These creatures were fast, at least when they are in pursuit.

"Here they come!" exclaimed Bankai as one of them lunged at him from the tree tops and the claws of one of them slashed him on his shoulder armor and with quick reflexes he slayed the creature as he cleaved it in two with his massive sword. "Taichou, behind you!" and Bankai could not have intervened as they were crawling up the trees at incredible speeds and attacking them ferociously.

Leaping tree branch from tree branch circling the two Hanagakure soldiers, the feral felines sure did look a bit . . . off? The first to attack directed itself at Bankai who was quick to riposte and cleave the beast in to two. Kotaro thought it was quite the spectacle how he wielded such a large weapon with ease, but he had not the time to wonder such things as he was in the heat of combat. Unarmed and up against creatures that had not only a slightly extended range -claws and fangs- but these fangs were also quite the messy extensions to get assaulted with. Kotaro had no plans of visiting the Medical District of Hanagakure today, he wasn't sure how Mr. Misaki felt, but that much didn't matter.

Being attacked from the back wasn't much of an issue for Kotaro, swiftly whipping around on a heel with a pivot, he reeled back a single hand -his right-. Opened similar to the poise of the lunging felines gaping maw, Kotaro's hand was thrusted forward with expert timing. Mid thrust his hand would darken to a sinister black as it clutched around the target's mouth, over the top of the jaw and below the bottom with the thumb. Clamping the beast's mouth closed with this hand with increased durability, Kotaro then directed the beast's head into the ground with a satisfying slam and upheaval of debris. A whimper alway accompanied these aesthetics, but it wasn't given much attention for Kotaro knew his maneuver was enough to put the rabid fiend out the fight. Another approaching from his side was caught in his peripheral vision, this same arm was brought up, but this time in defense. The hand was already clad in this Doton Chakra enhancement, but now it occupied more flesh and blessed up to his elbow with it's armor properties. Held horizontally with a clasped fist in front of his body as defense, the beast's fangs met this black arm and found it's fangs bearing into a rock like substance. With its jaw the feline's grip tightened on Kotaro's arm harmlessly in Kotaro's case. For the cat it meant shattered fangs from the diamond like defense's impenetrable properties. A grin of satisfaction slithered onto the Captain's face as his other hand was coated in the seemingly fail proof jutsu's ebon color. The left now an undeniable weapon had its fingers pressed against each other similar to the shape someone would make to slap someone. However, slapping wasn't on the Captain's mind. This offense was much fouler and needed a much more sinister punishment far from a slap. Jutting the hand forward, it was plunged into the feline's torso causing its clench on his arm to become nonexistent.

Two of the rabid animals downed at Kotaro's hands, he eyed the rest of the pack and picked out the one that was marked as the leader. A noticeable wound on the left hind leg like reported, Kotaro spoke to his subordinate. "Mr. Misaki, that one there is the one we want." Kotaro pointed out to the larger more vicious seeming feline as his features reverted to normal.

Jutsu Used:

Bankai removed his blade from the body of the last one that attacked him as the Captain spoke. He could not help think of the ferocity of the Captain who to him was just as feral as these beasts in power. His face did not show his thoughts though as he shook the blood from his blade and let the beast's body fall limp at his feet. It was true what the Captain said, it really was the one they were looking for; the leader. The distinguishing marks were unmistakable.

Then suddenly the beast stood up on its two feet and was now seven feet tall, taller than the two soldiers. Bankai's eyes squinted as the beast walked slowly towards them out of his shady spot out into the sunlight that was partially obscured by the high canopy of leaves of the tree tops. Bankai could not believe what he was seeing. The creature walked like a man would with its arms at its side and glaring at them. He was heavy too as Bankai could feel the ground move slightly with each step. He looked at the Captain then returned his gaze to their target as his digits wrapped themselves around the handle of his weapon.

"You fools.." bellowed the beast as he stopped about twenty feet from them knowing fully well he can reach up on them in an instant with his impressive speed. "You men of Hanagakure no sato will pay for killing my children!" and with that it let out an ear splitting roar.

Kotaro watched the beast and the spectacle it performed by standing on its two legs. In that moment he gave a sweet smile lathered in poison for he knew what would come soon after. For now however, he'd let the beast give it's last words no matter how strange it was to see the beast speak. It wasn't too out of worldy however, for beast such as summons or Ninja's Companions often possessed the ability to use human tongue, so Kotaro just shrugged off the occurrence and awaited to end of the dialogue paying no heed to Mr. Misaki's glance. "Even with the ability to talk, you're a dumbass." Kotaro retorted without even reminiscing on the lives of the fallen felines the beast spoke of. Already forgotten, in the mind of the Captain, but that was nothing new for his memory wasn't the sharpest when it came to things he deemed as irrelevant. Reaching to the back of his hip, his hands cautiously dug in his tool pouch. He wasn't that weary of the beast's speed or ability to lunge at them from twenty feet away. Though its brethren were quick given its wound on its back leg, being one of the limbs begin stood on, Kotaro assumed the beast would first have to lower itself back down or risk injuring itself further.

Nonetheless, the Captain withdrew six Senbon needles in one hand while the other rested idly empty. "Ready Lieutenant?" Given his subordinate was prepared, Kotaro would then toss the needles straight at the beast and quickly follow a short distance behind them in pursuit waiting for a reaction.

"How dare you speak to me in that way! I am going to kill you!" screamed the beast as he pointed at the Captain. "And then I am going to kill you!" it continued as it pointed at Bankai and he squinted his eyes as he knew this thing was really pissing him off.

Bankai knew he would simply back up the Captain's movements and move accordingly. He saw the senbon needles in the Captain's hand. With his style of fighting, he prefered to overwhelm the opponent with heavy hitting and senbon needles might not be a good choice if the Captain was on his own. But in this situation, maybe the Captain considered Bankai's ability in close range otherwise he may have used another weapon.

Bankai gave a nod in acknowledgement as the Captain launched the needles but the beast reacted in a way he did not expect. It dropped into a high speed roll and spun in a defensive roll towards them both. Its tough hide easily deflected the sendbon needles as Bankai raised his sword and used the broadside of the sword to defend the both of them. Sparks were flying and metal was scraping as the beast pushed him back with the toes of his boot dug deep in an effort to stop himself. He hoped the Captain would do something to this beast before he crashes Bankai's body into the nearby trees.

Kotaro for the first time in a long while had been taken off guard. The beast's style of defensive offense was unordinary, but blood heating at the same time. Just knowing this wasn't going to be an easy kill or mark to fell, Kotaro's body began to feel like electricity as it was overwhelmed with excitement. Stopping in his tracks, then hopping back a small distance as the beast approached in its roll, Kotaro was glad to see Bankai take the front in defense. His broad cleaver held up showing its side to the feral feline, Kotaro would back pace as Bankai pressed against the monster's weight and speed. "Good save Mr. Misaki." Forming the Boar hand seal, Kotaro grabbed tight hold of Mr. Misaki then pressed himself to the ground causing him to sink underneath the surface in a flash. With his Lieutenant in his grip, he too would be brought underneath the jungle floor to avoid crashing into any forestry with the overgrown cat. Continuing to dig a few meters ahead, Kotaro would surface with his ally 10m away from where they started their subterranean voyage. "That was an interesting turn of events huh Mr. Misaki?" Kotaro sounded somewhat amused, but also relief peppered his voice for they were surely in between a tight space and a rock -err tree in this case-, but they made it out in one piece.

Jutsu:

Gratefully, Bankai was saved by the Captain and pulled underground. Even while they travelled, Bankai was thinking about what he should do when they resurfaced. As Bankai was able to breath fresh air again there were splinters scattered everywhere from where the monster smashed itself into the tree, the same tree where had it not been for the Captain, then Bankai would also be either crushed and mangled or also in pieces.

"Thank you Taichou. You saved my life. Maybe someday I will be able to return the favor." said Bankai as the creature was shaking off the splinters and shredded bark from off its coat. "The most I could do sir is distract it and give it a blow here and there when there is chance but the main offense must rest on you sir." he continued as his blue glowing eyes kept its gaze on the monster who was now snarling at them and snapping its fangs in anger.

"So little one you escaped my Crush Roll. I am impressed...for two pieces of shit!" it snarled.

Kotaro listened to his Lieutenant, but wasn't really moved. When it came to completing task he usually acted as if all the work would be on his shoulder's, no offense to his company, but it just made him always prepared. Nodding nonetheless, Kotaro already knew the approach he'd have to take to defeating the beast. It was a rather tricky maneuver, but it was still possible. "Alright, I hear you Mr. Misaki." One hand seal and four clones of Kotaro were spawned into existence. These clones were one both sides of Kotaro and Bankai, no real attempt to hide the real Kotaro made. "Now now, I'm sure if you turn over a new leaf and drop profanity now, you'll still have a chance of not roasting for an eternity in hell." One of the cones jested rather arrogantly and a ring of laughter was birthed. "I think he may have a point there . . . but anyways, any last words?" This begin another clone, as they continued to make bitter remarks to the beast Kotaro spoke rather informatively to Bankai,his tone rather quick and to the point lacking it's usual rift of amusement. "The plan is simple. Play with the bastard long enough for me to find an opening. These clones will make it so all the heat's not on you. I'll take em out in one strike once the opening shows itself alright." Kotaro gave no time for an approval or anything similar, immediately after done speaking, the clones went into action and dashed straight in towards the beast from all angles. A hail of senbon and shuriken being tossed at the target it was forced to hop to the forestry leaping off the branches to avoid the assault. Kotaro himself had found himself perched in the canopy like a watchful hawk, patiently waiting for his opening. The Horse seal being formed, the branch he was squatted on was no longer bent down under his weight and was positioned as if Kotaro was but a ghost on it's limb.

Jutsu Used:

The beast was prepared as well as it saw the clones being created and it knew what it must do as it parried the flurry of senbon by dropping into a roll and letting the projectiles bounce off its tough hide with ease. Noticing the beast cannot hold that form for long and had to come out of his defensive curl, Bankai's hand gripped the long handle of his blade and also took off thunderously as he too dashed towards the beast. As it saw them approaching it pivoted on one foot and started to slash and claw at them wildly. It more looked like a dance than an attack. Bankai knew the clones would do their thing but knew even in his limited state he had to really had to pull through. With that, he actually started to get angry as his mouth curled downwards slightly and there was a frown seen slightly on his brow. Everything that happened next was in a flash. Bankai waited for a position when the creature raised its arms to block the oncoming onslaught of the clones and dropped low and swung his massive blade at the creatures arms and Bankai felt little resistance from its arms as it cleaved the arms clean off right below the shoulders. Simultaneously the creature's legs came up gave a round house kick to a clone and Bankai. Bankai was sure, with the arms missing, the Captain would be able to finish him off.

Ever alert the eye of the Captain beamed downwards waiting ever so patiently for his opening, but lurking beneath he surface elf patience was eagerness. His feet were already arched ready to take off, his weight was already leaned forward ready to propel himself at the beast, the only thing actually keeping him on the branch at this point was the chakra under the soles of his feet. His clones were hopping around the beast, striking on the occasion and keeping the foe occupied and active with various projectiles. Bankai soon enough made a notable contribution to the effort as well and at that moment whether the Lieutenant had moved or not Kotaro knew this was his chance. The feline's field of vision covers by its own arms, Kotaro had took off just by the time the monster launched its round kick at Bankai. His clone having hopped back to avoid the strike, the area was cleared by the force of the armless beast and Kotaro's body again again turn a deep shade of black like pure carbon. His Weight altering jutsu cancelled giving his attack only increased speed of impact with a diamond hard exterior, he extended his arm outwards like the wing of a bird. Slamming straight into the torso of the beast, the Captain messily beheaded the target at the chest watering the forestry with ruby iron scented liquid.

"That's that." Kotaro plainly said and his clones gave lazy un-militant salutes before pooling off into smoke on their own time schedule. The Captain's body reverting to its natural color, Kotaro turned to Bankai seeing if he had anything else he needed to do, not that there should be. "Ready to return to the village Mr. Misaki."

Jutsu:

It was surprising that the Captain did what he did. He knew the Captain did it off of true anger for the beast. A finisher like that would only be done when a person is truly fed up and angry with their opponent or to show their brute force. Bankai did the same because he simply hated anyone who would dare threaten Hana as the monster did. Bankai knew it and so did the Captain no doubt, they hated that monster for that reason. For trying to belittle them both. He could have seen the flare in the Captain's eyes as his arm crashed into the monster's body and decapitated it with pure force alone. He could see the satisfaction in his eyes as he saw the monster's blood gush like a fountain from this new opening and the satisfying crunch of the bones under the pressure of the hit. He too felt a sense of accomplishment when his weapon cut through the arms of the beast and so could relate.

Bankai straightened himself, he was splattered with blood,  the blood of the beast that is. He exhaled finally as he replaced his weapon on the brackets on his back and nodded at what the Captain said. It really was time to go home. No one he was sure knew that such a creature lived out here and forever he will remember this mission. With that thought he started to walk on his way home. He then stopped and turned to the Captain...

"Time to return home indeed." he  said as he continued walking.

1,863 words


ooc: End of thread