Mission:

Verdandi got up early as usual. Did her yoga-like warm up. Sipped her hot chocolate. Admired the shiny crystals that dangled from her roof. Waited until the few sunlight rays that would bless Kiri only in certain moments of the day, push through the mist and do their magic on creating a beautiful light show of colours as they hit the crystals. The big sapphire at the centre was always Verdandi's favourite. It looked as cold as ice. Just like herself.

She stepped into the shower and hummed a little tune along way. Something she had heard at one of the many festivals that she went to in Yukigakure. Perks of being a princess and actually enjoying the traditional dance festivals. The text was in her mother tongue. Hyougaan. A language long lost to the times. Barely anyone remembers it. Even the people that life in the land of snow today speak the common tongue now. But her house was as ancient as the village of the snow. Verdandi didn't fully comprehend the language but she surely understood the text within the song.

Accordingly, she was in a fine mood when she got out. Found her well cleaned Kimono placed properly in her walk-in wardrobe, perfumed and with the usual flower on it as Verd's maid was a cutie that always went the extra mile to make the princess smile. Slipping into her garments she once more decided to leave her eye-patch at home. It had been weeks since she last had an outburst of chakra from her eye. Not sure what it was doing anyhow. Fixing her normal gear into her long sleeves and putting her Katana onto her belt. She slid into her most comfortable combat shoes and left her house to take the normal route to the mission office once again.

As common she'd not go through the lengths of climbing the nasty stairs but walk the way up the building alongside the outer wall to enter from the window. The caretaker shook his palm at her as he didn't approve of such lazy ways to enter an official building. The Jounin that'd introduce them to their mission seemed used to Verdandi's way of entrance and didn't give it much thought. While she waited for partner on this mission she'd calmly study the papers that'd show the basic profiles of missing-nin that were up.

At this point yet. Verdandi didn't know that Haka would be the one she'd meet. But given their latest history I'd seem that this wasn't just sheer chance. Someone certainly was creating moments between these two. As if an invisible hand had decided for them to interact more. But who would benefit from such a fabrication? That was yet to be even thought about.

As she was early, some other ninja would pass by and grab on their missions. The jounin would usually ask Verd to leave the room but her being able to snoop into things wasn't the case. She dozed off into a nap on her chair and the Jounin didn't seem to mind at all. Even chuckled to himself to watch the supposedly 'noble lady' snore away like a thunderstorm.



550

An official mission. One that didn't come from Sero, and didn't relate to the manor. Haka was unsure what to make of this, but seeing the stamp of Kirigakure's Administration Office, she was obliged, being an official shinobi of Kirigakure, to heed its call. Leaving the manor behind, leaving Spider Island behind, she made her way to one of the many buildings that formed a hub of human activity, walking through the unfamiliar streets of Kirigakure until she found the address she was supposed to reach - too late. Even if she was too late, she took her time to observe the massive building, watching how shinobi walked in and out, them watching her in turn as they passed by. Continuing her promenade, she stepped inside and made her way to the office, climbing the long stairs and eventually pushing open the door.

Amber eyes looked into the office with complete apathy, spotting the Jounin in the office and a snoring Verdandi. Though she wondered why the girl was sleeping in a chair rather than in a bed, as most humans generally did, she walked over to the Jounin and stretched out her hand, palm open as she expected to be given the scroll of the mission

"Mission for Haka."
"Ah, so you're Haka. Haka Osada, right?"

A brief nod.

"Your father is a well-known man among the shinobi forces here. I'll be expecting nothing but the best of you."

An apathetic gaze.

"I see... You're just like him, huh? Well, here you go. The scroll... You'll be performing this mission with the snoring princess there.", he informed as he pointed at Verdandi, before calling her to wake up so that he could continue his briefing with her wide awake.

Haka, in meantime, straightened out the black cloak with a purple coloured Unmei kamon on the back that covered most of her body. She wasn't really used to wear anything like that, but her calculations had come to the conclusion that having her body, and mainly her hands, concealed would allow her to execute her jutsu with a certain advantage over her opponents. The longer they remained clueless, the better the odds she'd have to win the fight. Then, as Verdandi would wake, she would greet the Yuki with a soft, "Hello."

---

391

Verdandi's eyes raised from the table. She had a beautiful imprint of her extremely flat makeshift pillow right on her cheek now. The Jounin couldn't help but laugh to himself. Making a less amused expression, Verd grabbed for a little mirror in her side pouch and started to fix the nasty look a little bit. Meanwhile she realized Haka was in the room and walking towards her. Greeting Verd in her natural weird and inhuman way. Dandi was wondering how to react. She decided to go for an experiment. Standing up onto her feet slowly moving forth as she extended her arms around Haka and placed a soft and gentle hug onto her. "Good to see you Haka".

Verd was no fool, she was pretty sure that physical interaction must be like the utter most unusual thing for a creature as Haka. But after all she was curious how the spider would react. What kind of turned her curious was.... Verdandi could swear to notice a certain smell in her nose. Was the spidergirl wearing the perfume she was gifted? That wouldn't be possible now would it?

Either way the Jounin would simply proceed with the instructions to the mission. He marked the position of the new fort on their maps and mad clear that the building was about to be finished. Many weeks of work if not months even had gone into the building. It seemed that they yet received concerns from the workers that dangerous looking people have been roaming the constructions site. The normal guard duty would be replaced with a shinobi guard until further notice. So, in this case, it was up to Haka and Verd to take on one of the first few shifts. If they would wait it out they could probably oversee the project to the point the fort finally finishes its construction.

The job didn't sound very exciting or very dangerous. Verd would have plenty of time to enjoy the company of her friend. Nodding in approval she sealed her notes into the mission scroll and took off through the window, counting on Haka to follow along. Making their way slowly over the village towards its borders. "What are you doing here Haka? I didn't expect to see you in a while! I'm glad you came by though.... this is going to be soooo much fun!" she expressed in a deeply enthusiastic way. Curious if, by any chance she could infect Haka with further wishes to study the human nature and behaviour.


425 / 975

Verdandi woke and proceeded to take out a mirror to straighten the imprint her face had earned by sleeping in a chair. While the Jounin seemed to find this amusing, Verdandi didn't look the sort to appreciate the way her face looked now. Haka understood none of it. Not the humour, nor the annoyance or even the need to check in the mirror. It wasn't like the face of humans had different shapes, meaning that the imprint would eventually disappear on its own anyway. Leaving human antics to humans, she waited for the mission instructions but was instead greeted by Verdandi who came closer with every passing second. Her eyes followed the human in her approach, until she decided to wrap her arms around Haka for a hug. Unfamiliar with such signs of physical affection, and feeling threatened by the embrace surrounding her from all sides, she quickly drew her kunai and was about to stab the girl in the flank when Verdandi suddenly let go of her and took a step back, still smiling.

Completely at a loss as to what just happened and why Verdandi seemed to express no ill intent despite the obvious 'attack', she barely heard the explanation given by the Jounin as her mind tried to figure out what sort of 'humane ritual' this was supposed to be even though she had taken notice of similar actions between humans before. Even then, she had not registered the empathy and sharing of affection as her mind merely saw the uselessness of such actions in life. Nothing helpful or efficient so far had come from this odd embrace. Verdandi would further indulge her joy as she asked Haka what she was doing here, seemingly overjoyed at her presence. Haka tilted her head, confused as to why this was the case when others mostly avoided her predatory aura.

"Haka takes a mission.", she replied, as devoid of emotions as she always was. She wasn't sure what to think of Verdandi just yet. She disregarded humans as an unevolved species, but Verdandi was probably the only one who acted like this around her. Sure, Nova liked spiders, but Nova didn't know about Haka being a spider. Fuyuko... accepted her, but neither did Fuyuko know she was a spider. Verdandi was quite different in her approach all together, but even then she remained a member of the human species. Which reminded her that Verdandi had not been sleeping in a bed as was usually the case.

"Why not sleep in a bed?"

Humans were so random... they simply didn't make sense. No matter, taking the mission scroll, she would read up on where she had to be before tucking it away. The new fort was a good walk away, its constructions about to finish. Much like her previous mission at the manor, she had to protect weak people against stronger hazards. It didn't make sense to her why the weak had to be protected when the stronger could rule instead, but such were the missions. At least the inner strife humans experienced was something the spider-nin could relate to.

---

526
Total: 917

Despite having the unusually deep powers of empathy. Verdandi could only follow the surface of emotions that went through Haka while Verd 'experimented' with her friend. The emotions were very basic, on instinct. Yet the fear she expressed during the hug would make it clear to Verdandi that her friend was not completely empty of the emotions that humans had to deal with. She yet didn't really feel any kind of affection, love or need for warmth in Haka. But to a certain degree Verd was interested if the creature she considered dear to her was really completely incapable of learning those emotions or not. She didn't seem to peruse it but Dandi had still experienced a certain level of curiosity coming from Haka. Maybe, just maybe this curiosity would eventually lead to the spidergirl, someday, raise a wish to learn those emotions for good. But Verd was sure she'd have to mask her attempts to raise Haka's curiosity about it by making it look like it'd be useful for her in some kind of battle-related way maybe?

Her mentioning that she was taking a mission was so typical of Haka. Leaving Verd to giggle a little. She didn't know why but she had grown some certain affections for this unusual creature. Knowing Sero he probably never intended for one of his creations to go as far as Verd was wishing for. But he planted the basic seed in Hakas mind that Verd might be able to make use of. He told Haka to learn about humans and after all. Learning about the things Dandi was curious about to awaken them in her friend.... they were things her Master told her to study, right?

She was amused by her motion of thoughts. But it was time to leave. As they were on their way Verd would reach out to wonder about the sleeping question. "Hmm I was just tired. I didn't mean to fall asleep. But it felt nice and comfortable to nap a bit!" she nodded. They would make their way through the various alleys and getting by on the village rooftops. Passing the gates of Kiri and getting into the misty woods. Verd would make sure to stay on track. She didn't want to lose the way and she also didn't feel like getting her shoes too dirty yet. But the fort was not so far off. A few hours and passing some traders on the way.

Once they reached the fort. The guards would greet them. Some shinobi would wink at them, lead them on into the fort and show them around. The armoury was small but finished. The big hall where the fort's soldiers would get to eat. A little, very little training dojo for practice and meditation and a larger wall complex where the housing sector was. It was probably built to carry for a staff of only 20-30 people that will be stationed there. Probably less seeing as they were in peaceful times. Some of the civilian guards were already stationed on the high walls. The kiri-nin yet didn't stay to chat. Haka and Verdandi came here to take over from them and as they seemed eager to get back into the city they left as soon as possible.

The headmaster of the fort would invite them into the dojo. As Verdandi moved into the pretty and obviously freshly built room, they were offered complementary tea. From inside they could see the workers, builders getting on with one of the last big watchtowers against the wall. They were carrying large wooden materials. Heavy tools and were sweating in the few rays of sunlight that could reach them through the mist. The headmaster would chat on for a while about how they built the place. Who the important workers were. How much pride and time they had invested into this place and that he, as a Master builder would move on to other projects as they would finish this one. He explained the normal guard schedule and it came clear that the casual military neither had any affinity for chakra use, nor did they have anyone considerably stronger to what Dandi could refer to as E-Rank.

As they would finish their tea, the headmaster would show them their room. Shared, close to the main office of the guards and the armoury. They would be on duty tonight as it seemed. The headmaster bowed and made his way back to his workers to shout at them and direct them on. Leaving Verdandi and Haka to withdraw into their apartment. Verdandi would sit down on the tatami matt and find herself a comfy pillow. Putting it in her lap as she glared over at Haka. "Considering we'll have to be up all night you should try to get a nap too." As she said so she wondered if the shapeshifter usually slept in human or spider form and was curious what Haka would do facing the prospect of sleeping before work. She certainly couldn't deny that it was the right course of action in this kind of situation... but again. Watching the spidergirls behaviour was entertaining and amusing Verdandi greatly.


880 / 1855

Throughout the entire time, quietude mostly settled in between the two without creating a discomforting feeling despite the monstrous aura breathing down the necks of the living like a hungry beast. They had a mission, the instructions were clear, all that remained was finding the place and thinking about an efficient strategy to deal with it. Haka's information on Verdandi's abilities was poor, knowing only that she wielded two weapons at once. She had no idea what jutsu, elements or approach the girl generally used, but concluded that the swords at least forced her to go in close combat. Good. That meant that Haka could stick to ranged combat, while sending out Ameya to jump in where needed. The spider-nin felt lacking though. For now, the dagger and chakra strings strategy she used worked fine, but it would soon grow old. And her Mizu Maho, though balanced in offense and defense, had one big flaw in addition to not being such a great addition towards team strategies. No, if she wanted to be a force to be reckoned with for the Spider clan, she would have to improve far more.

Reaching the fort, people greeted them, saluted them, some even winked mostly to Verdandi as the monstrous aura of the spider soon left them behind with an uncomfortable feeling. As it should be. Naturally, all these humane hints of affection were not registered by the spider. She could understand why they raised a hand or greeted them, being Kiri-nin and relating proudly to the nation like true patriots they were, but any other sort of affection or interest was as unfamiliar as the hug she had been given. Yet, the lingering warmth of the embrace had yet to be forgotten as it was quite difference with the cold aura the Yuki generally emitted. Warmth was certainly more preferred than cold by the spider, but that didn't mean she understood its gesture. Eventually, she felt the need to ask about it.

"Why do humans embrace others?", she asked as they moved through the finished construction. A construction that, admittedly, was rather impressive. It wasn't Sero-manor impressive, but it looked solid and efficiently build, provided with all it needed to keep troops in fighting condition and providing a clear sight on the surroundings, for as far as Kiri's natural mist would allow it to do so.

Invited into the dojo, the two of them were offered tea. Against all expectations, Haka accepted the cup of tea, sitting down in a proper fashion as she softly blew on the hot beverage to cool it down. Though she couldn't state she knew all about human drinks, she was experienced enough with them to know tea hardly slaked her hunger but it did help her to keep up the semblance of being a human for the most part. While outside the people walked on and off to continue the construction of the last parts of the fort, inside, the headmaster went to quite some lengths to explain the history of the building, his pride and the most important people. All the time, Haka remained quiet, nodding occasionally in properly mimicked empathy despite keeping a stoic face and apathetic gaze.

Finishing their tea and the story, the two were shown their room and left by themselves. Verdandi suggested taking a nap so they'd be refreshed by the time they had to take on their duties as guards, and Haka nodded in agreement, strangely surprised with the calculated efficiency the human had come up with. Granted, said surprise did come mostly from her own perceptions that humans were inferior, unevolved species lacking the power to rely on their own abilities, but still. Crawling on the bed that was provided, Haka sat down on the cushion, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her chin on her knees. As she allowed her body to rest, she slowed down her breathing and heartbeat to a rate often associated with meditations - a spider's sleep.

---

The night would gently seep in, its colours darkening the world around them by the time the headmaster gently knocked on the door. Haka, who had been 'sleeping', rose from her bed to open the door, upon which the headmaster told them it would soon be their turn to keep up watch. She nodded, closing the door without further expectations and watched Verdandi to see if she had woken up or not. If not, the spider-nin would walk over and prod the girl in her unprotected flank. If she was awake, she would repeat what the headman had said with barely a handful of words.

After Verdandi was done preparing, they'd follow the headmaster to their appointed post in the watchtower where he'd give the last couple of instructions mostly eyeing the less awkward Verdandi in the process before the man would salute them and walk away. Haka would stand on the battlement, the large black cloak covering her body, to allow her amber eyes to see the environment, the extend of her vision and to calculate how the two of them could effectively defend the place as efficient as possible. She quickly concluded that the height of the tower would not allow her to support Verdandi should she be fighting on the ground, forcing her to either jump off the tower and stand on the platform behind the walls, or come down entirely and be in close proximity. Not wishing to immediately draw conclusion in the limitations of strategies available, she turned to Verdandi.

"Verdandi has strategies?"

---

937
Total: 1854

Verdandi didn't mind the silence that so often lingered between them. She actually felt quite comfortable to not talk at all. But that was mainly cause of Verd's unique empathy allowed her to sense someone's feels without talking. She knew that Haka was comfortable like this. The human impulse to feel forced to communicate all 7 seconds is a psychological flaw. A sign of both, insecurity and feeling uncomfortable with your company. Many humans had this trait of continuously wondering what the other person would feel or think about them. Aside from Verdandi having an easy time determining this kind of feelings, Haka in particular emitted none of the usual social anxiety. Which was another reason why Verd felt very comfortable to be with her. While Haka was lost in thoughts Verd would make sure to take care of the small talk where possible. The way the civilians reacted to Haka's aura reminded Verd about how little they understood of the unique creatures that roamed these lands. Then again, she was reminded that, she too once mistook this aura as an offensive if not aggressive attitude towards herself.

Verd postponed to answer Haka but was still taken back by the sudden curiosity shown. She yet couldn't help but notice Haka's well practices tea time manners. Finding it unusual to see such well-crafted human behaviour within the patterns of her spider friend. They finished their introductions and, once they could rest in their apartment Verdandi would sit down. Trying to explain it in a way that would make sense for the spider girl. "Embracing someone has many meanings. Humans crave to be with each other. To feel each other’s warmth, trust and sometimes each other’s love as well. They feel scared and abandoned if they remain too long on their own and do not feel the security and warmth of someone they trust. So, they embrace each other. Showing that they are with someone they cherish and trust and it comforts them, puts them at ease... and makes them feel warm inside. It makes them happy." She wondered how deeply Haka would be able to connect with the explanations given. But studying her reactions she certainly remained curious about human behaviour after all. Which in return gave Dandi hope to someday bring a more humane personality into Haka's instinct based shell.

But the small talk had to wait to be continued. Sleep was required. Verdandi was naturally gifted when it came to sleeping, quick and deeply. Usually not a very positive attribute to a warrior. But if one would think of where Dandi comes from. Think about her royal past, her warm family life, her secure home, the many people that looked after her and kept her safe at all times. One wouldn't wonder why she had such a peaceful sleep. Maybe one day this would change. But until this day, she'd remain as innocent as she was. Verd dozed into sweet dreams. Once more she could see herself in battle armour riding the fierce and powerful wolf spider into battle. Laying waste to their enemies as they would web them down, freeze them and destroy any resistance given. She was a funny dreamer. But she liked her own fantasies. Keeping her motivated and entertained as well.

---

Waking up slowly from Haka's touch. Verd would yawn and stretch herself. She felt well rested. She had a good night’s sleep before the mission. Napped multiple times throughout the day and now had a good rest once more. Energy was flowing into her accordingly. The flowery fragrances sticking to her remained and she didn't feel the need to shower just yet. Slipping into her battle kimono and fixing her weapons. Quickly getting ready to leave their homestay. While they went on towards the wall section. Verd wondered if she had seen correctly. Haka slept in her human form. Despite crawling herself together like a cutie pie, this was an interesting aspect. Verd was wondering if Haka could stay indefinitely in her human form or would feel the need to return to her spider self soon.

Thinking about it, gave Verdandi an idea. that would eventually come handy later. But for now, everything seemed calm. Nothing unusual was going about. "Well I guess we can stick together for now. Seeing as all the walls have guards on their duty. I can see a total of 15 soldiers posted. Make sure you keep track of them. If any of them gives a sign of distress or disappears suddenly... well that'd be our cue to act now wouldn't it? Also refrain from transforming inside the fort. I'm not sure the soldiers would understand, or even mistake you as an enemy. If we end up attacked. We probably better do so outside the fort if possible." Verd nodded. Feeling free to do some more small talk as the time passed. Unaware of the yet oh so real threat that was drawing closer to them.


845 / 2700

Verdandi didn't have to mention the necessity to remain in human form. Haka knew this, even if she wouldn't have minded the chaos that would ensue if she took on the shape of a giant spider. The thing was, it would not be efficient to fight a whole garrison on top of any other potential threat. The last she, and Sero, would want was for the Unmei's identity and presence to be known so casually. They were a hidden weapon in the arsenal of the Spider Sage in need of perfection. Haka didn't reply to Verdandi's suggestion, however, merely watching left and right to spot the people in the nearby towers. With the mist clinging low to the ground, it would be hard to see incoming threats, making Haka wish for a technique that allowed her some form of sight or premeditated countermeasure - traps, or tiny spiders that could serve as distant eyes and ears. Perhaps she'd have to revisit the Spider Clan to find something of use once this was over.

Time gradually moved on as Haka had taken up her position and remained immobile all this time, merely turning her head a little to the left or right to see if the neighboring towers were doing fine. Things went well at first, until a shady figure started to climb up the walls without the slightest of sound. This man was trained, or at least somewhat experienced in this sort of infiltration, but didn't seem to grasp the idea that black and brown colours made a horrible camouflage in a world of grey stones and white mist. As Haka formed a small, orbiting blob of water out of the mist, she pointed at one of the climbers on the neighboring watchtower.

"Visitors."

Not soon after, the man hopped on the tower and started to punch, kick and swing his blade at the guards, his skill apparently quite superior to that of the stationed men. Expecting Verdandi to run in, the spider-nin marked her with one of her jutsu as soon as she came into sight, feeling that it would be strategically advantageous to prepare for a technique she would likely be needing based on the analysis of their close combat skills. She then proceeded to fire off an alarming flair to warn the garrison of an attack and, lastly, would produce a thin line of chakra which she attached to her own obsidian kunai before running after Verdandi to assist her in the fight. If they could swiftly take out the man in one tower, they could the run towards the next point in need of help. After all, was it not a common strategy in war to send a distraction on one side, only to send the bulk of the forces to another? If this man was the distraction, the question remained where the main force would strike.

If Verdandi would engage, Haka would time her own attack to slightly be before hers, forcing the man to deal with the thrown kunai and creating a diversion that would possibly allow Verdandi an early advantage. Hit or miss, the spider-nin would then control the kunai from a distance to continue providing on-the-fly distractions and strikes.

---

547
Total: 2401

135/150:

C rank - Obsidian Kunai:

Verdandi stared down her side of the wall the very moment Haka had spotted the first intruder. Figuring out that more were coming she used her shuriken to throw them straight at the two intruders on her wall side. Forcing them to back off a little, one even dropped away from the wall to avoid the attack. Delaying them seemed to be a primary objective for now. A total of 3 were coming up on the wall side Verd and Haka were standing. Dandi worried that more would be upon them elsewhere. The flare caused one of the guards next the garrison to react. He quickly grabbed on the rope to the alarm bell and started to tug on it. Rapidly the guards would storm from their respective rooms into the open central plane of the fort.

Verdandi motioned the headmaster to send his forced to occupy the west wall while Verd and Haka were at the east wall. But further she couldn't really plan as the first intruder already made its way onto the wall. Verdandi knew that they had to take him out at all costs. The situation was at its worst right now. For every man they could take down things would most likely become easier. Soldiers were already coming for Verdandi's position. About to help the shinobi with the intruder. With ease he had taken down the first guard that tried to intercept. Seeing his refined motions Verd was clear that he wasn't overly powerful but his skill with that blade would be one to reckon with.

Verdandi felt a little sting in her side, yet realizing it was some sort of charm from Haka, watching the spider girl form an interesting sort of water ball and go ahead with a very odd-looking kunai of sorts. But she didn't really have enough time to contemplate about Haka's funny looking moves. Already spinning in to use the moment of distraction given by Haka, Verd slid down in between the intruder’s legs. Slicing one ankle with her Katana and the other one with her kunai. Once more Haka would be shown the advantages of dual wielding. Being behind him forced the wounded intruder to turn as he'd try to slice at Verdandi. The force so powerful it threw her back against the corner of the walls but allowing her to throw her kunai at him just to keep him distracted enough for Haka's kunai to bury itself into his back. The soldiers would finish by rushing their spears straight into his torso the moment he got hit by Haka's weapon.

They would probably finish him off accordingly as Verd speeded forth to the other two she had seen around the corner. The guy she forced to jump back was still climbing. But the other guy would be jumping over the walls edge any second. Having both of them up here would prove to be very difficult. She decided to send the guy who was incoming on a new journey on his own. Bending down to her knees right below where he'd have to enter, Verd formed the hand seals for wind chakra. As the intruder jumped past the edge at last, she'd release her blow on him. Fūton: Nagare! A powerful gust of wind aimed at his stomach would make use of the saboteur’s vulnerable position. Being caught by the blow it would send him back down the whole way of the wall.

As he hit the ground Verd could hear some uncomfortable noises of bones breaking. She would have been satisfied with it. But one of the archers at the tower next to them had less mercy. His arrow would hit the poor man’s throat and probably force him to bleed out or suffocate within the coming minutes. Meanwhile three more had made their way past the wall slide on the other side of the fort. Verd could hear screams as they combined their forced to attack the guards in close combat. They had to hurry. The last one on their side would come at Verd with full force. His blade hitting Verdandi's katana so hard it almost split in two. Forcing the young princess once more to the ground. She needed help. She needed Haka.

Chakra 140/150:

725 / 3425

What had started off as a quiet introduction quickly rampaged into full chaos as the garrison was mobilized and the two kunoichi jumped into the action. The first one to make it over the walls would be the first one to taste the combined forces of a dual-wielding swordswoman, a calculated weaver of fate and the power of the armed masses. He stood no chance as he found spear and blade cutting off his advance - and life. The second one was practically dealt with as Verdandi simply blew him off the walls once more with a fuuton technique. The sickening crunch of broken bones as he failed to find his balance declared him lost to the troops of the invaders, upon which a swift arrow made sure the man would no longer suffer. Two down, more to go.

Though the first intruders were swiftly dealt with, the invaders held superior skill despite their small numbers and troops were already falling to their zealous blades almost as soon as the others were able to get within the reinforced building. It intrigued the spider-nin to some extend. Not only was seeing humans fight other humans somewhat of an amusing self-destructive game of the species, but the difference in skill made it all so much more interesting. It meant there were humans capable of more than just look weak. Humans that would make worthy prey in the eyes of the spider in disguise.

Unfortunately, now was not a time of quiet observation. One more intruder had been able to get into the outpost and seemed to have made Verdandi his target. His blade clashed with that of Verdandi, his force superior to such an extend she was thrown onto the ground. Leaving nothing to chance, Haka molded chakra in her mouth and spit it out a sticky web. At the distance she stood, it would take less than a second to see the man, about to strike a deadly blow, get hit by the webbing and be knocked over as the jutsu forced him to get stuck rather uncomfortably against the wall for quite a while. With the last one on their side disabled, Verdandi would be able to stand up and run to the other side as Haka coldly uttered a "Kill him" command to the nearby soldiers. The man would not live to last the full duration of the jutsu, nor would he escape to tell the tale.

As Verdandi would stand up to rejoin Haka and make her way to the other side, Haka observed the situation only to see how three more had so much as overthrown their end of the fight. As one of them stood upon the stairs to hold of the incoming droves of soldiers, the two others set fire to a flask of liquid and started to throw those around as they screamed, "Away with Kiri!". Under the crash of glass and the explosion of the triggered Molotov cocktails, the outlook was starting to burn away the hard work of the headmaster in various places.

Seeing a perfect victory slip through her hands, the spider-nin's aura grew colder as her killing intent grew stronger, her displeasure only sensible by those standing close enough. Making a couple of quick calculations, she determined that taking out the remaining troops and culling the source of the bombarding Molotov cocktails was a wiser choice than running around trying to douse several fire sources at once, but the bandits currently held the advantage when it came to melee combat as they held the higher ground. This wouldn't be easy.

Distracted as she tried to figure out a good strategy, Haka realised only too late that a seventh man had crawled over the wall. She saw his blade flicker in the corner of her eyes and reflexively tried to avoid his attack, but the blade sunk deep into her right shoulder. Gritting her teeth to bite back the pain, which affected her worse than most could anticipate considering she was, in fact, but a spider, she used the blade's momentum to tumble back and allow herself to fall off the palisade. As she fell, she used the spider's inherent ability to stick to surfaces by placing her hand against the passing wall so that she could redirect her body to end up on her feet. The man cared little to check his 'kill', having set his feverish eyes on a next target to slay. Haka, on the other hand, was now fully triggered. Killing intent flaring up and eyes set on murder, her monstrous chakra screeched soundlessly, clawing at passing auras even if it wouldn't have any effect in the slightest.

Pictures of Sero's war-themed fresco played before her eyes. Beheaded corpses, speared bodies displayed gruesomely, intestines dangling out of cut open stomachs... Every little detail of the fresco reminded her of her true nature, and worse. Using the colourless blood that was staining the right side her clothes, Haka summoned a familiar ally onto the battlefield, with a colder than usual voice, "Kuchiyose no jutsu". From the shadows, the summon heeded her call, a creature partially spider, partially woman, its long hair draped over her partially naked body like a cloak. As Ameya watched the chaos unfold before her, Haka chittered her orders in the native language of the Spider Clan, sending the summon away to perform its duties.

The summon, being tasked with brutal destruction of the last human, climbed up the walls to appear behind the ever advancing infiltrator. Upon her appearance, the troops that spotted her suddenly blanched, backing away from the zealot who turned his body to see the terror that approached it from behind. Quite surprised, it frantically swung its blade at the Black Widow, who invoked one of her own Spider clan techniques and allowed the blade to pass through her.  It cut clearly through her as if she was made of shadows. Feeling triumphant at first, great was his terror when he found her arms grasping his sword arm tightly with an eerie smile before she drove her two bladed legs into his chest. Spitting out blood, the Black Widow looked deeply into his eyes, making sure she'd be the last terror to remember before she finished him off.

In the meantime, while the summon took care of its own prey, Haka tried to find Verdandi within this whole mess, seeking to rejoin her after the unexpected fall. She had to know if the human had any techniques that could turn the tide of the battle in their favour.

---

1108
Total: 3509

OOC: tl;dr - 4 down, the clustered 3 to go.

Chakra 105/150, Summon 35/50:

Verdandi would have to thank Haka for her quick reaction on this one later on. Amused she watched how the enemy splat to the wall behind him in the nasty cage that the spiders web had caught on him. Haka's call to the troops to finish him off were, at the same time, Verdandi's cue to move her ass and get on. There were more enemies to come. Both Haka and Verdandi were approaching them as their palms spit fire in flasks onto the battlefield below. While Haka went the left way, Verdandi went right. Many of the guards had already been disabled by the three attackers. Verdandi knew she was closer and had to engage them. Close combat was a bad idea. She could see them slicing into the guards like it was their favourite hobby.

She was determined to act. Her lips formed and her left palm extended forth. Approaching the remaining three quickly. She slid in to kick the men’s legs as he defended her slicing sword with his own blade easily. But then water would gush from her lips towards him. Hitting the one in front of her, who was still holding his burning flask, splashing the water into his face to confuse him. As he dropped the flask in response, the guards quickly backed away and so did his friends. Verdandi rolled backwards too. Despite the water on his face, the alcohol used to mix the Molotov would cling to his body, all over. It would proceed to burn him, burn his flesh alive. Cruel screams echoed from him as his comrades had to watch him slowly burn to death right in front of them. Verdandi didn’t necessarily enjoy the view either. He was still shaking and screaming while Verdandi approached the others though. They realized that their comrades were dying left and right. Their attack had not done the damage expected. The few guards in the centre of the fort were already hoisting water buckets and slowly removing the fires that the few explosives had caused. They were scared, showing and expressing their terror over what was happening. Watching to the right they could see a huge monster spider murdering the last of their friends. They realized it was just the two of them left and odds were… they would fall to a cruel fate.

They wanted to retreat. Verdandi could feel it. But she could also see the corpses of the guards that had suffered an ill fate by the hands of those bastards. She wasn't the cruel type. But sometimes, punishments had to be served. Verdandi formed the hand signs she already expected to use earlier and, the few gushes of water on the ground would connect with the liquid blood of the dead guards. As those fluids were more than enough base to summon her ice from, the usage of blood instead of water gave Verdandi's technique a yet.... very unusual colour.

The spears of blood would rise from the pools of liquid. Frozen spears that would pierce into the legs of the saboteurs trying to flee. Multiple of them rising and impaling their targets from all sides. The attack wasn't strong enough to pierce through them completely or instant kill them. But they wouldn't be going anywhere. That being said….. Verdandi was exhausted. Making her way towards the enemies. Haka was joining her too and a very vile looking spider came along as well. The remaining guards left the last spot of conflict, left the impaled enemies to their fate and at the hands of the shinobi. Also, because they didn't really want to deal with that spider monster.... since it had killed one of the attackers they yet didn't see it an enemy. But certainly, remained cautious towards it. If not being utterly scared of it.

Verdandi signalled the headmaster that the troops should scan the walls to check for any further attack. The soldiers on the inside were almost done extinguishing their fires. Some damage had certainly been done.... a few of the guards had died. Most of them only wounded, even if severely so. Verdandi would remove her white fabric of a makeshift belt that lingered to her kimono. Moving over next to Haka to slide it around her wound, binding it tight enough above her wound to make sure it wouldn't keep bleeding. "Well, looks like it’s just a flesh wound, are you ok? And… what should we do with them?" she wondered. Turning around slowly. Watching how they basically had to stare at their friend's burned corpse while they would bleed onto the frost-blood spikes impaling into their skin. Crying and begging for mercy they would dangle and move. But the spikes had lifted them above ground by now. Even some of them digging into their back to freeze them further and further.

Chakra 115 / 150:

820 / 4245

Soldiers ran on and off to douse the flames, leaving the remaining soldiers to the shinobi, but by the time she had dealt with her own troubles and had found the human kunoichi, the strong stench of burned meat pervaded the area of the fort. Indeed, Verdandi did have techniques that could turn the tide. Somehow, she had managed to turn the firey weapon upon its user, who was now nothing more but a charred lump of dead meat and two others were impaled upon spears of blood red ice.

By the time Haka had reached Verdandi, an uneasy peace had returned in camp. Ameya quietly skittered behind the smaller spider-nin in human form, her monstrous aura still unsatisfied with the damage she had suffered. The fleshlings kept out of the way - as they should - terrified of the two creatures representing the Spider Clan, their reluctance to attack them enforced by the fact one of them was a Kiri-nin while the other had helped them out by butchering the last arriving pirate. The only human having the audacity to simply walk to Haka as if there was not the slightest thing to worry about was Verdandi, and as she approached to bandage Haka, the summon was about to swiftly deal with her in a similar fashion as it had dealt with her previous prey. Until the moment she saw the mark of the Spider. Confused as to why a human would be given this mark, she lowered her bladed legs and gave a brief glance at Haka who chittered a short answer to the unasked question. Brooding upon the thought as to why this human was to be preserved, Ameya gave Verdandi a dirty look before eyeing the two impaled species instead.

The strange sensation of having her wounds be tended to, pulled Haka briefly out of her murderous plans, pallid amber eyes looking at Verdandi who was binding her wound and stating it was just a flesh wound. Once more, this girl confused her to no end as she didn't understand why she was trying to take care of a wound that wasn't hers. The Spider Clan survived, or died. Such was their fate as hunters. Verdandi, being human, thought differently.

"Haka's okay.", she replied to her question, before fixating on the two spiked bandits again. Yes.. What would she do with them? She certainly wanted to make them suffer for wounding her, not to forget that attacking Kirigakure as they had done also meant attacking Sero or her sister, Miyu, as both of them seemed to consider everything within the Village as their own little webbing. As Haka pulled back her onyx kunai, she decided that cutting open the belly of one would be an amusing thing to do. She had seen it on Sero's fresco at the library and thus she considered Sero would approve of such a theatrical display of gore.

"Make them pay.", she thus replied to Verdandi. The second one would be less lucky as Ameya skittered forward to caress one of the men's cheek with a gleeful smile and a malevolent flicker in her eyes while the spider-nin's words were barely cold. Turning her head, she chittered her demands at Haka, who nodded in acceptance before she turned to Verdandi. "Ameya takes that one. Verdandi wants other man to play with?"

While the spider-nin would speak to Verdandi, Ameya grabbed tightly onto her chosen human and undid the Summoning by herself, returning to the Spider's Realm with the wounded human in her arms. Though many would only be able to guess as to what the black widow would do with him, Haka knew the man would not survive her little games.

---

629
Total: 4138

80/150:

Verdandi glanced over the battlefield. Most of what happened here went down in mere minutes. The guards, even though remaining careful, brought the corpses of their own soldiers along with the corpses of their enemies into the fort. They didn't screw around. Impaling the dead bodies of the attacker’s multiple times just to make sure they weren't just acting it or faking their death. They would be encased in specific corpse bags. Especially the burned one was something they wouldn't enjoy bagging up.

Ameya was a beautiful creature. Verd could feel that the monster disliked Verd for various reasons. But it was the same as dealing with an aggressive dog. Once they smell your weakness and fear they feel even moreso compelled to attack you... punish you for your weakness. Verdandi’s gaze upon Ameya as well as her expressed feeling towards the spider were clear. She did not fear her. Even as she wrapped up her prisoner in its spidery cob, packing him up like a gift, she'd remain her gaze on the creature. Making sure Ameya would remember her. Knowing that there was only one way to earn the respect of creatures like her. Relentless display of power.

But the blood spilled tonight made Verd feel tired. She didn't want to indulge more cruelty. So as Haka asked what they going to do to the last one, Verd could feel the emotions and thoughts of Haka turning dark and merciless. Verd didn't wish to enjoy it like this. A soft lift of her palm would eventually raise a spear from the blood beneath them and hit the man straight in his heart. No he wouldn't go free. He had killed too many today. Even auntie would have sentenced him to worse than this. But torture wasn't Verdandi's way. A quick death would suffice. Waving with her palm she'd make her way to their apartment. Verd was certain that their shift was over. She did however whistle for her crow to send a proper mission status report back to headquarters.

Verdandi would light the campfire in their apartment. The smoke would linger and escape to a small, smart built hole in the roof. Giving warmth. She found herself exhausted after this. Her clothes were dirty. Slowly wiping some of her enemy’s blood off her chin she'd gaze at the fluid in her palm. Slowly freezing it right there. Turning the liquid into a ruby-like gem in her hand. Not sure yet what to make of this.... newfound ability. She'd wait for Haka to come in. Having plenty of ointment and potions laying around she'd make sure to care for her friends wound. But she was exhausted. Very much so. She'd need more sleep again soon. Leaving the cleaning work to the guards outside.



480 / 4725

Verdandi wasn't about to indulge Haka's killing instinct, deciding that yes, she wanted her own game at the last man, but, no, she wouldn't perform the atrocities that Haka would have done. Mercifully, she put an end to the thug's life and suddenly looked exhausted. Not the choice the spider-nin would have made, but it was what it was. Her killing instinct diminishing as there was noting to kill anymore, Haka looked around one more to assure herself there were no more intruders and that all fires had been doused. There were a couple of dead among the soldiers but the peace had otherwise settled again. Brushing her white hair behind her ear vainly, Haka decided to follow Verdandi to their sleeping bunks as she could feel the exhaustion from her chakra use.

Once inside their room, Verdandi lit a cozy fire, seemingly lost in her own little world as she wiped the blood of herself and froze the collective of blood specks into a red crystal of ice as Haka dropped down to sit in front of the fire, arms wrapped around her legs, chin resting on her knees. The fire flickered in her amber eyes for a couple of minutes before Verdandi tended to her wound. Once again, the spider wondered why she did so when Haka knew her wound would heal over time. It was just a flesh wound, after all, yet the spider remained motionless and quiet.

Eventually, both would sleep the rest of the night away.

---

[EXIT]

256
Total: 4395
- 1500 mission
- 1200 double payment
Remaining: 1305 wc

Training:

Verdandi would wake Haka in the morning. The wound looked much better already, she still proceeded to make use of the band aids and ointments available to them at the fort to make sure it wouldn't get infected. As much as Haka was a though one, she seemed to lack a certain sense for caring and tending to little things. Infections weren't something to joke around with. But Verd guesses a spider would see this as part of natural selection.

Done with their job. Seeing the fort barely damaged, already being repaired as to what the fire had caused. The corpses all bagged up and the relief team arriving in time, Verd and Haka were free to go. Dandi would make sure to give the final report to the mission headquarters so they would receive their proper fees. Wondering where the story of this ruby crystal would take her to....

[EXIT]

150 / Total wc: 4875

Training / Mission: