C-Rank Basic Herb Gathering:

Ashi felt it was a great idea for them to do a mission together, but she made the mistake of not knowing how much Jamie would enjoy spending time with his brother Shippo and Tsume. Before she could even react he was running through the house with the C-rank mission scroll for herb gathering, it was a C-rank mission as her heart began to race. She had to tell him it was dangerous as a mother, but she had to respect his decision as he was a proud member of her family. His pride was not really there, but if she broke him now there would be no hope for him as she coughed a bit.

"This mission is more dangerous, you should be careful since it is a C-rank mission you may encounter violent wild animals and beasts in the shape of men" as he looked at her with his head tilted. "I already did one before though.." as that hit her she finally realized she never bothered to check his track record as she asked him a bit nervously.

"Can i see your card dear" as he did not hesitate searching his pockets for a bit before handing it over to his mom Ashi. He had completed around eight D-rank missions and a single C-rank mission, he was not exceptional though she began to wonder if she was too soft on Shippo as this day she decided to double the number of chores Shippo would have, not that Shippo would know that this was the reason for it.

She decided to let it go and went to go wake up Shippo, "Shippo!"

(279)

Tsume yawned as he and Tsume were slumbering and resting up from their missions, and training. They had been struggling to keep their training workout the same and without any delay despite the injuries that he suffered as a result of his boar hunt. Of course, there was little he could do about that as he had to take time off to heal up, but soon enough he would be able to go outside and be good as new. He was hoping to get out again and being able to head off on a better mission. Tsume lifted his head and the pair of them were ready when their mother came into their room.

Ashi looked at Shippo with her hands going to her hips “You should be up. You have to be training more, and besides. I have a mission for you and Jamie to take together. It is similar to the last mission you and he took together. Now, I want you to get downstairs and get on this mission. I am not going to allow you to fall behind the rest of your class. Get going!”

Shippo jumped out of the bed wincing slightly, but finally on the proper mend and nodded his head “Yes Mother. I need just a minute!” He quickly dressed and got the things that he thought that he would need for this mission. He was dressed and ready to get going in less than three minutes running downstairs with Tsume at his heels. He looked at Jamie with a smile “Well, let’s get going! Please.” He said glancing into the hallway where their mother was coming back into the room.

WC: 279

Jamie waited patiently as Shippo came running down the stairs as he looked up as Tsume followed after he wished he also had a dog too, as a partner as he had learned to see animals more as companions then pets. That smile was met with Jamie blushing slightly and looking down with a slight nod before making his way out he grabbed one more slice of bread and was eating it as he went on towards the forest with the scroll as he checked the list of ingredients he was a bit confused and then looked back to see what Shippo was doing as he was glad to have a brother and a friend.

The wind blew through his hair as they got closer to the forest sounds could be heard, more animals were rampant in this part of the forest and they would need to be more careful as there were trees all over the place. Some plain and others with scratch marks from training as well as some rabbits hear and there running around chased by foxes. Jamie wondered if he was the rabbit or the fox as he stopped when he noticed the one tree was a bit lighter green.

"Shi, we got to look here" as he looked back again not knowing they were being followed as he was more focused on the mission and his family. Ashi was worried, but she knew she had to trust her children to be okay in this tough world. She could not baby them forever, they had to grow and learn on their own at times.

(268)
[547]

Shippo was very quick to keep up with Jamie and he was also not wanting to be stopped by their mother again for her to find something else wrong with him or something he was doing. As they made their way to the forest both he and Tsume started to get much more tense hearing the various sounds and noises of the forest creatures. They had to be ready for anything to attack as they had been attacked by giant forest creatures before. A bear, a herd of giant boar, and some other creatures. They did not like being attacked, but they did love the forest as it was so much fun moving through the forest as fast as they could and in the manner, they wanted to.

When Shippo heard Jamie say they had to look around this location he nodded his head “Alright, well that works for me. What are we here to find?” he asked having not seen the list, nor having much idea about what they were actually here to find. He knew that they were likely hunting Herbs again, but beyond that he didn’t have much of a clue about the specifics and despite how good his nose was, and how good his partner’s nose was there was a huge chance that they wouldn’t be enough to find the herbs without knowing which ones they needed.

Now that the threat of his mother wasn’t around, however, he didn’t know what the mission was or what herbs they would need if in fact, they were hunting after herbs.

WC:267/546

Jamie looked back and realized that Shippo seemed a bit faster then usual. "Shi, you been training again?" as he gave a slight pout as he was sure he was a lot faster then Shi before, but now it seemed like he could keep up even though they were both rather similar in their pace. He walked up to Shippo and passed him half of the list which had an assortment of sharp grassed and some really strong smelling herbs as well as he felt that those would be better left to Tsume and Shippo as he was not really sure which of them had a better nose.

The mission was a C-rank mission and was in an area which had poachers which meant it would be dangerous if they got careless. Luckily they had not ran into any on their way, or at least that is what they thought as the poachers waited for the two to collect the herbs before leaving their stealthy positions. Jamie felt like something was wrong, but he brushed it off since he was with Shippo he felt nothing could go wrong as he moved over to pet Tsume like usual before saying. "I will look over this side okay" as he moved off to the one side and began searching for some Gold Moss.

(222)
[769]

Shippo smiled and nodded his head showing a bit of pride that his younger brother would know him well enough to notice all the training that he had been doing was paying off. He nodded his head quickly “Yep. I have to be training harder more than normal. After all, I plan to enter the chuunin exams. Hopefully I will be able to compete and become a Chuunin. Then I can make mama proud of me, and hopefully be someone that you can look up to.” He said without really thinking about it. Realizing what he said he suddenly blushed brightly clearing his throat and nodding his head “Ahem. Well, now you know.”

He took his half of the list and looked it over. He could see that some of these herbs had stronger scents, and there were more blade grasses that he would have to get as well. He moved through the forest scenting for herbs and plants that he and Tsume could find. Tsume however sniffed something that was not normal. Moving back towards his partner he started to bark and growl softly conveying in the way that he could. Shippo noticed and he nodded his head slowly speaking softly “We will be ready to attack them soon. For now, let’s fool them.” The little hound nodded his head and the pair moved off at a slow pace seeking and looking for the spot where the poachers were hiding, but they made it appear as if they were only moving to try and track down some of the herbs on their list.

WC: 265/811

Jamie heard how Shippo had chosen to enter into the chuunin exams which made him feel a bit worried. He was already proud of his brother and he was sure their mom was also the same even though she did not always show it. However he did not like being over taken when he had thought he was at least fast, the one thing he had over Shippo, though he had other talents that differed so much from his brother as his world began to change with each passing moment of each passing day. As he watched Shippo reach out and take his portion of the list he whispered some soft words as he looked back only for a moment to see Tsume and Shippo again as he said. "Be careful"

Jamie began searching carefully for some of the herbs as he noticed a few white lilies that had the small petals that were important for something or other as he just picked them carefully. As he looked around he finally found some golden moss as he had an even worse feeling as he felt as if someone was there as he looked around and saw nothing but grass. He shrugged it off and got the golden moss off the tree carefully with his short tanto blade. He kept hearing rustling every time he looked away as it seemed something was getting closer as he spoke softly. "Tsume is that you?"

It was then that a poacher jumped out of the bush as others began to make their move elsewhere as the barrage of kunai flew towards him he jumped out of the way placing the herbs on a nearby branch as he got ready to fight as he sat against the side of the tree using his super natural walking practice. The man jumped at him with a long katana blade as he drew his sword to block only to be knocked against the tree hard as he fell, he used his practice to grip the side of the tree and started running down as the poacher clicked his teeth. He was after the herbs and the items the boy had on him as Jamie would disappear into the long grasses as the guy would stop grinning. "Try and hide, my friends will be joining us shortly"

Chakra = 150-5 = 145

(388)
[1157]

Shippo smiled and nodded his head as he continued to look for the herbs and things on his own portion of the list. He and Tsume were able to find some of the items on his list, but the ones they wanted to find so that Jamie didn’t have to deal with was the few species of blade grass that was on the list. He and Tsume were able to find them, or rather he was. Tsume was busy watching over Jamie as both he and Shippo were supposed to do. As he kept his eyes on their little brother Shippo carefully used his kunai to extract the blade grass and wrapped it up carefully tucking it away in the pouch he left empty for this mission.

Tsume gave a soft snarl as he watched Jamie and he could scent the poachers in the air. They were in the wrong place to be hunting like this, and there was no reason for them to be here unless they were planning to hurt one of them. With a soft snarl, Tsume’s ridge began to spike up and he was ready to attack. Shippo smiled licking his lips as he readied himself “Shhh, Tsume, do not give yourself away. We will get them, when they come out into the open we will get them. Bark once, when you see them.” Tsume slowly relaxed readying himself to spring into action.

The barrage of Kunai flew and Tsume gave a bark of alarm. This caused Shippo to whip around in surprise and he saw as Jamie was chased into the long grasses. Reaching behind his back Shippo withdrew his giant Shuriken which he had started to carry around with him. Rushing towards the man who was stupid enough to have his back to him Shippo readied himself and threw the giant shuriken straight towards his target. The moment that the shuriken was out of his hand he dropped to all fours in the typical Inuzuka fashion snarling in his anger. Closing in on the man who was only just now turning around. The Shuriken stabbed into his chest and Shippo closed in on him as well using his sharp claws to deliver stabbing finger strikes to the man’s stomach, and one to his throat snarling viciously as he followed the body down slashing through him several more times with his scratching claws.

When he and the body dropped down he snarled over the now lifeless corpse shaking his head “You messed up when you came at my little brother. I will kill all of you who are that stupid.” Tsume gave a few barks of alarm and that’s when Shippo looked up and around them to see that they were surrounded by four more poachers. One had a katana, one had a bow, and the others had various knives and weapons that were ready to attack. Shippo and Tsume snarled low in their throats as they got ready to move, the tall grass was nearby so they could duck inside of it if they needed, but Shippo was not about to let them have free reign to attack Jamie again.

WC: 530 / 1,341
Chakra: 150 – 15 = 135
Down on all fours technique

Jamie felt relieved when Shippo helped him, he was glad but at the same time worried that Shippo would get hurt by the large numbers, while the forest provided him with a lot of cover as he watched from the long grasses, he also could not use most of his techniques out of fear of a forest fire. The archer took aim at Shippo while the other two kept on guard to prevent another surprise attack as they threw multiple knives in an area fanning out to prevent a frontal assault as the one with the katana kept on guard watching as if waiting to counter any form of attack, however Jamie had a bit of preparation time now as he began his technique.

He faced the palm of his hand towards the archer as a large wind would blow in the direction of the enemy as it would seem like a freakish gale force from out of nowhere. The poachers were a bit confused as the one knife guy re-positioned himself as the archer noticed he was not falling over, but he felt like shooting his arrow in a wind like this would be dangerous. It was then that Jamie through his glaive at an angle and several other weapons into the wind as the archer would have normally reacted in time, but the speed was far above normal as he just felt the blade of a glaive hit into the side of his neck as three shuriken hit him on his arm. The archer lost balance falling from the trees and eventually breaking his neck on the way down as the others got distracted looking to the side forgetting about Shippo and Tsume in that moment.

This was the first time Jamie used this technique in actual combat as his heart began racing again, he was planning to save it for the exams but he figured he did not need to hide anything from Shippo.

(328)
[1485]

Chakra = 145 - 15 = 130
Galeforce technique C-rank
Supernatural Walking practice still maintained...

Jutsu Used:

Shippo faced down the poachers and was ready to fight. Yet, Tsume was also ready to fight. Neither of them were really sure how they were going to get out of this mess, but Shippo’s eyes became over exaggerated with their animalistic fury. His whole body tensed as he readied himself to die, but then the gust of wind came, and created the opening he needed. The archer and the rest were knocked around by a gust of wind that came from nowhere. Shippo didn’t allow the opportunity to pass he lunged at the first man who was off balance.

His attack was not a random one, but instead it was the Taijutsu that Shippo knew. With a sweeping low kick, he launched the man with a katana into a spin. Shippo followed this up with a horizonal left kick, then right kick, a high horizontal left kick. The strikes delivered so fast they left the target hanging for a moment like a flat board in the air. Yet, Shippo wasn’t done yet, with one mighty heel drop to the man’s chest he slammed the man into the ground and around him the ground split and cracked in several places. Shippo followed him down with a kunai in hand and stabbed it into the man’s neck. There wasn’t much more he could do with the man’s gear especially not his weapons. For now, however, he was ready to attack a new target and he moved to the first one with the knives.

Tsume lunged forward at the man sinking his teeth into the man’s arm snarling as he ripped the flesh that was hidden under the man’s clothes. He swung his arm as best he could to try and get away from the little dog that was so painfully biting into him, but he was unable to actually do so. Instead, he only succeeded in pissing off the little pup. His flailing and his distraction was the perfect opportunity that Shippo was ready to take advantage of. Pulling his giant shuriken out of the dead man’s corpse he lunged forward slashing through the man’s leg, before he brought the sharp star up to sink it into the back of the man’s neck sweeping his legs out from under him at the same time. This dropped the man to his knees, and let his blood keep spilling.

Shippo started to look around nervously for Jamie, but he was distracted by the need to defend against the man with knives coming at him. Shippo brought the Giant shuriken up to defend himself against the attack the steel singing as it collided.

WC: 451 /1,792
Chakra: 135- 20= 115

Chakra:

Battle Theme

Jamie was keeping an eye from his hidden location, but instead of seeing a wolf and shinobi combination he witnessed a great feat of strength, skill and speed. The archer was eliminated as he noticed how swift Shippo was it seemed as if he was on a whole other level now as his speed was way different from earlier and his stance was strange.

Running like a wild animal on all fours as Jamie had his eyes wide open in surprise at this unique technique that he was using. His eyes could barely keep up as he saw one, or two, perhaps three or four as he lost count of the kicks as Tsume went and dealt with the other guy. Before Jamie could think of anything else as he tried to keep his focus he watched as Shippo came to assist Tsume at that same high speed as his heart was racing from the intensity that his brother Shippo gave off at that moment, like a wild beast unleashed upon the unsuspecting victim as Shippo and Tsume were like a pack working together perfectly.

The giant shuriken seemed to be getting a lot of use even though Jamie was the one who specialized in weapons as he felt a bit annoyed that he was this far behind his brother. That sweeping style of technique and the follow up attack with the weapon while also avoiding Tsume was too good, he could not believe the control he had even while going this wild. It was then after this brilliant combination that Shippo let down his guard in search of something as he noticed it he panicked a bit as the man with knives nearly got Shippo as he felt even more hot and bothered by all this as he focused and decided to stop observing as he prepared his technique.

He focused his aim since the man with knives was focusing on Shippo as he took his deep breathe as a burning sound could be heard as several small fireballs all came around as Jamie was watching from the side having positioned himself carefully earlier as the knife man got hit on the shoulder making him stumble slightly only to be hit by two, three and then a forth followed by a fifth one that sunk in deeper as he hid his kunai inside it as it pierced the flesh and burnt his arm followed by the last five as the man did not have time to respond as the other five all hit him on his body in various areas as some knives fell from his pockets as the man slipped and fell.

"Go get him Tsume!" as the man was wounded it was clear they had to let Tsume get the finishing blow to be fair right. The man smelling of burnt flesh had let his guard down when going for Shippo, completely forgetting about Jamie who was a small threat on his own as well.

(498)
[1983]

Chakra = 130 - 15 = 115
Phoenix Flower Jutsu

Jutsu Used:

Shippo watched that there was indeed a hesitation in the man he was engaged with. Presently, he heard the sound of the burning flames and jumped away from the man without another thought in his head. He didn’t bother wasting time to see the flames that were coming at him, and the man, but instead he was only moving away with the rapid pace that was his new norm. Tsume and Shippo watched as the fireballs of the Phoenix flower jutsu set the man ablaze. It was a very interesting thing to see, and Shippo was both amused, and yet ashamed to see that his little brother had a much greater command of Ninjutsu than he did.

Even so, the attack created an opening for him and for Tsume. Before Jamie could utter the cry Tsume had leaped into action his fangs latching onto the man’s throat-ripping through it as he brought the man down. As the man was brought down by the great combination of Fire-style jutsu, and Tsume’s sharp teeth he was no threat to anyone any longer. Slowly Shippo checked each of the poachers his face one of a very serious gaze. As he made sure that each and every one of them was dead and no longer breathing he nodded his head slowly “That’s good. Never let an enemy that has no problem killing you live. There is nothing more reckless than letting an enemy trouble you or the village again when you have the chance to put a permanent end to the threat.” This seemed to be a motto of some kind that Shippo spoke so simply, and with such an ease of it that it seemed to be said fairly often.

Shippo gathered up the weapons of the men frowning slightly at the quality of the weapons, but only sighed shaking his head “Steel, is steel, and father will not want for it with all these weapons.” He put them away in the various pockets and sheaths that all shinobi carried. When he was done he moved towards the grasses and looked out for Jamie. His nose and the little burning of the grass in places were enough to give him the general location of his younger brother. He smiled at the spot nodding his head “You are a very talented little brother. I dare say that I could never have made a jutsu like that. Thank you for your help.” He said before looking down at the four corpses “We shall leave them here. They will feed the animals, and the plants in their turn. For now, let us keep gathering the plants on our lists. Hopefully, we can be quick about it without any great delay made in the village.”

The change still seemed to be on Shippo as if the attack was not over. Shippo’s demeanor changed from one of amicability to one of seriousness, and the need for action was greater in Shippo’s mind and heart. Tsume looked up at his partner with a soft whimper to show that he was concerned about this kind of behavior from Shippo and slightly powerless to do anything about it at this point.

WC: 538 / 2,330

After Shippo checked on their vital signs he said it was good as Jamie simply looked down. He was caught up in the moment as he began to regret and accept his actions at the same time. He knew that you could never let an enemy go if they were going to kill you, it was kill or be killed. The Inazuka clan understood very well the laws of the wild, survival of the fittest was a law that would normally see an end to shinobi like Jamie. Deep down inside Jamie always hoped there was another way, a better way as he simply nodded to Shippo's words as he felt a bit of coldness in his heart.

Shippo would gather the weapons as Jamie went about collecting the last few herbs, he then returned to his bag and placed them inside and finally the golden moss he had been after seemed so easy to find. Had he been more careful with his mission he may have avoided the blood shed, if he was stronger maybe he could have captured them. Did these bad men have friends and family as well, all these thoughts clouded Jamie's mind as he seemed a bit lifeless after the battle as compared to earlier.

Jamie did not want to say how he felt as Shippo complimented his talent and how good a little brother he was, it made him feel good inside as he sighed a bit. In the end as Jamie finally got the last of the herbs on his list he moved towards Tsume ruffling the hair on his head as he hugged him then looking at Shippo as he spoke up. "I am going to hand in first Shi" as he got ready to go he looked to Tsume as well. "Bye Tsume" as he went ahead of them to go hand in the herbs at the hospital as he wanted to cry deep down inside as Tsume may have been the only one who knew that Jamie was not yet ready for this blood shed which was why he hardly did any missions of this rank. Jamie got his reward as he left before Shippo and went straight home as he ran passed Ashi straight to his room and shut the door as things were no longer the same for him anymore as he cried himself to sleep.

Ashi, Tobourne and Tsume all knew something was wrong, but Shippo had actually gotten lost in his training having forgotten at times that one had to know how to read the mood. Especially on the day of Jamie's first kill.

(441)
[2424]

Exit Thread

MISSION COMPLETE!!

1500 (Mission)
+900 (Extra Pay 25[9] = 225 ryo)
2400 Words

Shippo went about continuing to gather up all of the herbs that were on his list. He didn’t really understand that it was Jamie’s first kill, nor would he have any way of knowing that. He had been raised to view the world in the dog eat dog way that most Inuzuka understood. Hunting and killing were things that he did naturally it seemed being that he was a hunter and predator like his ninken. As he collected his herbs he slowly began to relax more and more back into the person he had been. The battle fever was passing slowly, but it was passing.

When Jamie came up to Tsume and hugged him the little pup licked at the smaller boy’s face whining and whimpering to try and convey that he was proud of Jamie, and that the boy had nothing to be sorry for. He was conveying how he was worried about the little boy when the boy ruffled his hair. Shippo came around his eyes seeming to be more like his own when he looked to Jamie nodding his head “Alright. I’ve nearly finished as well. I’ll be right behind you little bro. Be careful going home.” He said turning to carefully pull up another of the herbs on the list. Tsume whimpered and gave a few barks of farewell watching Jamie go.

When he was gone Shippo finished up his half of the list and turned to see Tsume giving him what would amount to a glare. Shippo tilting his head in confusion looked down at Tsume “What is it?” Tsume huffed and moved over to nip at Shippo’s legs scolding him as he growled and barked nodding his head in the direction that Jamie had left in. Shippo seemed to get it and sigh heavily shaking his head slowly “Damnit, I really screwed that up didn’t I?” he asked Tsume who nodded his head in agreement. Cursing himself Shippo raced to hand in his mission and get his reward. Once he had done so he headed straight home.

Upon entering the house his mother threw a frying pan at him which he only just managed to catch blinking. She glared at him “To your room, no supper. Get.” Shippo did not need to be told again and he rushed to his room with Tsume right at his heels. With her oldest dealt with she moved to Jamie’s room silently slipping in and moving to his sleeping form. Careful not to wake him she sat on the edge of his bed and stroked his hair while he slept smiling “I am so sorry you had to experience that at this age. It should’ve been done long ago. Still, you are coming into your own, and you would make any mother proud. Let it never be said you lack the guts to be an Inuzuka my son.” She bent down kissing his head before leaving the room. Shippo and Jamie had a lot of growing up to do, and she sighed her head smiling “Well, I did want more children and all the chaos that means. Still, these two will give me grey hair, and long teeth before I am much older.”

WC: 544/2874

Exit Thread
Mission Complete
1500 Mission
+1300 (Extra Pay 25x13 = 325 Ryo. Or 25x12 = 300 Ryo)
2800 (Or 2700 words whichever is correct.