The task at hand:

Rippa was in a terrifying mood. For a short time he had been overjoyed at his promotion. But the world had been sicker then he had ever believed. He was now able to read some of the reports from the front lines in Kiri. The war effort leaving a boat load of bodies to be buried. The horrific experiments and the people taken down to hell in the blood spray emotionally. He could imagine what kind of effect that would have on future generations. But that was something on foreign grounds. It never seemed to hit home when it didn't directly effect you. What did make him so angry was the increased raids on the trade routes out of Konoha. Some of the supplies that had been intercepted could of meant the difference between life and death. Some one was hurting the war effort for their own profit. His teeth grit as the sun set over the horizon. His eyes usually a warm blue were now cold with murderous intent. He was going to make these bandits into bloody piles. His head hurt from all the bottled up emotions. And for once he was being assigned to a mission that would let him vent. He was being told to go and kill. And he had no issues with following orders.

He moved out of the house at a brisk pace as he grabbed his red coat. His black pants had a single scroll clipped to the leather belt. A medical symbol on it. His boots thudded along as his white hair swayed in his face. His black tank top seemed to be what was holding him back. His muscles aching. He looked down at his right shoulder as he slipped into his knee length coat. The Konoha headband stitched into the leather there seemed to say everything it needed for the night. As the light faded he would head for the front gate. He was determined to annihilate the threat. With Konoha's best otherwise preoccupied it fell to him as a responsibility. He refused to just sit back and let this continue. His fingers tightened making a grinding noise as his fingerless leather gloves bent in to his his fist. He was angry. Not entirely to this. But for the bottled up feelings of his fathers last days. He felt powerless. But tonight he could let go. Tonight he could trash somebody. And so he would. He would destroy the enemy with extreme prejudice.

however the village didn't like one of their ranked nin going out to deal with bandits alone. They were sending some support with him. Likely a heavy hitter of some sort. As Rippa approached the gate he would keep an eye out for the individual. The moon was rising. And it's glow was orange tonight. The harvest moon. How befitting that it should glow such a dark color when that very night blood would cover the land. When Rippa was going to unlesh on the poor souls. Still once he arrived at the gate he would wait patiently as ordered for his would be partner. His cold blue eyes looking off into the forest. Towards the murders they were about to commence.

WC 536

"Be prepared."

Wise words from an unlikely source. As an Iki, his natural role was to be a diplomat to the world. But as a shinobi, his role was to be a defender of his village. As a diplomat, he was required to be prepared for negotiations to go sour, for declarations of war, and for dealing with the egos of leaders. As a ninja, nothing was more important than being prepared; it was essential for survival. To be prepared was to live to see another day. And so, to see tommorow, the male would he prepared today.

The combat-cross was slung into a holster at his right side, Beauty and Beast were strapped across his chest. Twenty eight Rumbling Roses were scattered into four pockets; both pants, as well as the pockets of his coat. White hair was brushed back, spilling down in a cascade down his back, over his coat. Beneath the coat was the white vest complete with the harness that held the Iki's revolvers. A pair of plain black pants clothed his lower half, followed by a pair of black boots. He didnt carry kunai and shuriken like most ninja; but that was sometyhing he hoped to change after this day. He had a mission to complete. Something about patrolling the borders because of an increase in bandit raids. He was to have a partner help him with this, someone he'd never met before. While he had no problems with this, he was unsure -- not knowing this person would prove a challenge when it came to combat. Was he supposed to support this person? Or would they support him? Only time would tell....

As the male departeded his house, he closed his coat, zipping it up far enough to be able to at least grab Beauty if needed. The night was a bit cool to him -- something that he hoped wouldnt last long. The message had instructions to meet his partner at the gates of the village. It wouldnt take the male too long to reach the village gates -- even with a small detour to grab himself a cup of coffee to keep himself warm and awake. As the male walked, he took small sips of the liquid gold Up ahead, he could see someone at the gates, someone who appeared to be waiting...

WC = 388

Rippa stood there with his cold blue eyes looking out into the dark depths of the forest and what inevitably would lie beyond. Tonight was about combat. And about people who were willing to kill him. Still his tight lipped frown wasn't from fear. After all he knew the odds and while they were stacked he had plenty of cards left in his own deck. A cold wind blew across the gates and he lifted his eyes too look at the moon. It seemed to be a dark moon. As if no light would shine on his actions. He returned his gaze to the woods. The orange glow poking through the thin gaps. It was like it was an omen. And he was going to walk straight into it. Was he ready? It hardly mattered. This is what was being asked of him. And he was being provided with support. Likely they doubted he had to offensive output to be effective enough on his own. Which was fine in truth. He had some offensive output but he wasn't sure how much combat he would be seeing. If some one more violent then himself was coming along. He couldn't say he minded. Having some one else to draw away the attention would be nice. So long as he could handle it.

Foot steps echoed behind him. It wasn't too odd that some one would walk so casually this side of the gates just after sundown but still it drew hi gaze. His head turned as did his body ever slightly to look over his shoulder. His eyes falling on a rather tall individual. Long hair as light as his own. Rippa could see the steam rising off the cup of coffee. He wondered if this individual was a little to calm for this mission. Still something about the man did whisper of danger. The breeze passed between the two white haired men. The Orange moon hanging over them as the forest seemed to whisper with the wind passing through the leaves. Still when Rippa spoke his voice had a warm tint to it. Even if his words did not.

"This mission is seek and destroy. As soon as your finished we will head out. I would like you to take the lead in case I need to provide medical support. Our targets are to the South east. Some where 3 clicks down the path. They have been hitting the trade routes and are armed. Arrows have been recovered from some of the investigation so we shall try and approach quietly. Archers are priority."

He turned and walked to the gate itself and placed his arm on it to lean as he peered off into the darkness. The night would certainly help who ever wasn't seen first. But could they manage it? Still he looked over his shoulder again and spoke.

"Chi Rippa by the way. Medical and ninjutsu specialist."

WC 1024