Border Patrol [Hana and Karyoku]

Takao had been set on a new mission, an official one this time. He was to gather information on the Sound in preparation for the retrieval or their wayward Uzumaki. Hana had been missing for some time, and some troubling letters had put the Leaf and ANBU in particular on high alert. They were to move across the border to begin searching for signs of the Sound Village proper. There was a vague idea, but obviously the Village itself had not been found just yet.

So, with his new role as a chuunin and the general trust he had achieved in his time as a genin, the Hyuuga boy found himself travelling across the Land of Fire to set out. This time he had opted to leave Hiroshi behind, his pride not recovered from his loss in the exams but he had found an adequate solution. Karyoku had turned out to be more than capable of filling the role. Someone who didn't hate his mere existance might actually make for a pleasant excursion.

"Well, I think we've checked about as far as the mission allowed..." Takao had taken charge of the outing, and they had been scouring the borderlands for a while now to find nothing. If they ventured much further they'd be going against the parameters set out by Sayuri, which was never a clever thing to do. "You haven't seen anything have you?" He deactivated his byakugan for a moment, conserving his chakra while he spoke to the fellow Leaf Shinobi.

Though the answer would be the same, there had been nothing to see so far. Which was disappointed, but not unexpected. Perhaps they would need to come back with a bigger force...

Karyoku had lowered a small pair of binoculars and shook his head. "Nothing. We're certain this is the right place?" He asked before looking through the binoculars again. Far be it for Karyoku to question why he was on a mission, he was concerned about his role in this mission, and mainly why ANBU would be interested in him. But, those questions for a much later time. Karyoku kept watch through the binoculars, still not discovering or seeing something else new about anything, which slowly began to bother him. "Still nothing. And I'll wager a guess that even you couldn't see anything??" He said, turning his head, binoculars still resting against his face, towards Takao. "I mean, if I had super eyes, I'd probably wanna double check... can you really see through walls?"
Karyoku asked innocently, trailing off mission slightly, before turning back to the village. "Do we know why Hana went rouge?" He asked, shifting uncomfortably as he asked. It was clear that the young genin wasn't at all certain about things. But whether or not he'd be able to get the job done was still up for debate.

It had been well over a year, since she had defected to the Sound. It was a mixture of intentional searching and unintentionally being trapped by her own greed for power. Was it the power she really wanted? Yes, but it was the power to protect that really drove her forward. It was the yearning for connection that she felt slipping from her grasp. Did anyone even notice she was gone? She spent most nights missing her family and friends. She struggled to care for herself, but in that time, she had found someone she could call a friend. He could have been considered family after everything they had been through, even in such a short amount of time. Still, she couldn’t be protected from everything.

She had been tricked, poked, prodded, and branded by many scientists. Her being had been enslaved to Seiryu, who harbored a newfound passion for experimentation upon having the younger version of his former student walk right through his doors. Things he had thought were out of reach could progress with the Uzumaki bloodline taking interest in him. However, this came with more cons than it did pros. Sure, she had gained power she could have never thought of on her own, but the cost was more than she could have imagined at such a young age. All she could do was obey and do everything that was asked of her. So, when she was told to go to the border and look for the rats scurrying around, she went without a second thought. She wasn’t ready to die just yet.

News had come in the form of an annoying crow that there were spies scouring the borders, growing closer to the village. Hana had been the closest at the time, as fresh bandages were wrapped around her forearms with the bloody scrap tossed to the floor. Her exhausted eyes hardly looked up when she was given her orders, but she would leave just as quickly as the passive aggressive threats were thrown her way. She wouldn’t fail. She knew what would happen if she failed. Her hair was much shorter now, but the brilliant red was just as notable. The portions of her that weren’t covered in bandages had multiple sizes and shapes of bite scars. There was always room for more.

The Uzumaki had made her way through the woods, having learned to use her byakugan more effectively. It wasn’t an easy thing to use, but she had practically learned how to use it on her own. If she couldn’t do that much, she could never live up to her older sister, at least that’s what she was told. If she ever got to go home, she was sure they would be upset. She was a freak now. Sayuri would surely be disappointed in her and give her that same look. It was a look that now haunted her nightmares alongside the recurring visions of the experiments. Her eyes were dull and she was certain she had lost weight. It didn’t matter to her what she looked like or how she did it. She wanted to go home.

However, the chakra signatures that had appeared would snap her out of that mindset and onto the mission at hand. These must have been the ones she was looking for. The distorted visions between chakra and reality would eventually fade into faces as she appeared above them as silently as possible. She couldn’t believe the sight before her. They were from home. They were leaf shinobi. Her whole being would freeze upon seeing the face of a familiar Hyuuga. No. No she couldn’t be seen by him. Literally anyone but him would have been fine. Why did they have to send Takao? How could she accomplish this mission? It was death for her or for someone she cared about. There was no winning here, but she was sure that for him, she would give up her life. She had taken longer than expected to decide. Such a friendly face after so long would have a stray tear running down her cheek, even if she didn’t notice it.

Takao really should have known already that he hadn’t missed anything, this mission was too important to him to have been so careless. But he wasn’t going to chance it, they needed to make sure there wasn’t a single clue to pass over. “Yeah, guess our informant wasn’t as trustworthy as we first thought.” The Hyuuga boy sighed, glancing to Karyoku’s binocular-centered hijinks. “You’re probably right, can’t hurt to check again.” He simply nodded to the question, activating the Byakugan to once again expand his field of view.

“There isn’t much the byakugan can’t see through… actually I don’t think I’ve found anything that can block it.” Beyond maybe purely chakra made barriers but those weren’t exactly all that common. The boy moved on.

“I don’t really know. We just know she has set out to find Seiryu Hyuuga. He is dangerous, and just as likely to kill her as he is to take her in.” This wasn’t exactly the truth, though he wasn’t so sure he should share any of those details just yet. “Just remember she isn’t an enemy; we’re trying to bring her back.” He then went to scanning the area, focusing his vision forward to scout ahead.

His eyes widened, physically looking up in disbelief, it had to have been a trick. He’d recognize that chakra signature anywhere. “We’ve got company… Keep on guard, wait for my signal.” The chuunin seemed to have his mood raise a little as he rapidly ascended to the figure in the branches.

“Found you! You know this is the longest time you've managed to hide from me.” Takao smiled as he landed suddenly from his position from the ground, fast as ever. He seemed to be initially happy with the situation, only noticing the Uzumaki girl’s state of health moments later, the concern clear on his features.

Karyoku nodded and held his tongue while he kept looking. There were still so many things he wanted to get answers too, but it clearly was neither the right time, nor place. If only he had paid just a little more attention back home. Maybe then his questions would already be answered.

As Takao responded in turn to Karyoku, he made note of several things. Mainly to never play hide and seek with a Hyuuga, among other things. But as Karyoku watched through his binoculars, he couldn't help but feel like somehow, they were being watched. He lowered his binoculars after a moment and went to ask another question for Takao, only for the chunin to quickly silence him and disappear into the trees, leaving Karyoku to wait for whatever signal he was supposed to receive.

With no real direction or guidance, Karyoku went back to trying to keep himself from being seen, while the growing curiosity of wanting to know what could be up above gnawed at the gennins head. It was damn near torturous, but Takao had asked for him to wait. What else could he do but wait? He glanced up through the branches while trying to keep himself hidden and maybe even get a glimpse of whatever had pulled Takao away.

He had an idea, of course. But even if Hana Uzumaki really did decide to appear, that couldn't be good news. Reluctantly, Karyoku pulled his eyes from the trees and kept watching the village, small binoculars in hand.

She had been watching the display below and she could hardly believe her eyes. Why would Takao be here? Why was he so close to enemy territory? None of this made sense, but there was also a thought that persistently poked the back of her mind. Was he looking for her? Was he looking for her as an enemy or the village or as a friend? Was he simply on a mission for sound reconnaissance? Who was that boy that was with him? She had seen him in the last exams, but she hadn’t spoken to him personally. What could those two have been doing together? She wanted to know everything about the last year and what had led them to this point, but she had no right.

Her eyes had been trained on Takao, but her attention had been elsewhere. Although, she would find herself quite confused when she was brought back to the sight of a singular boy. Where had Takao gone? Her eyes would scan the area only to hear a familiar voice drowned out by her own heartbeat. He had found her. She should have known better than to stick around so long. Why did she stay? Now, she would have to deal with the aftermath. Could she convince him to leave? Would he go if she asked? Her eyes would turn toward him slowly meeting his smiling features with such a grim expression. Her wide, surprised eyes accompanied by fear throughout every inch of her body. She would frantically begin straightening her bangs out over her forehead.

”Y-you need to leave,” she would say in a cold, stern tone, however the blush growing up her ears would prove otherwise. She wanted to go home more than anything. Seeing Takao now, she wanted to just hug him and never let go. She wanted to tell him everything, but she couldn’t. Hana would stand to her feet, ”You.. need to go quickly..” Her stern demeanor quickly turned to fear as she stepped back away from the Hyuuga boy. She couldn’t let him see her. She was ugly. Deformed. A monstrosity. What would he say about her eye? As she stepped back, the fluctuating chakra from her panic would cause her foot to slip. Over the edge of the branch she would go.

Takao looked confused to say the least, Hana’s reaction wasn’t what he had expected at all. Seeing the Uzumaki girl in this state was concerning enough, but the odd chakra signature had revealed itself too now he was closer. A bit of hair wasn’t going to hide something like that. “What are you talking about? We can go home…” More confusion, his concern growing by the second until Hana fell backwards from the branch.

As always, Takao was ready to follow behind and catch her by the ankle before she could fall away. Using his own chakra to cling to the underside of the branch with the soles of his feet. He laughed in surprise, looking down with a grin. “You gotta be more careful Han—”

He was cut off; he hadn’t caught the subtle glint of the incoming projectile. Fortunately, it missed, only to bring something far deadlier in its wake. There was a subtle shift of chakra as a stranger with bring orange hair appeared, catching the Hyuuga boy in a savage kick to the stomach that sent him hurtling back through the forest. He had the sense to let Hana free just in time, but it hardly helped him as he landed with a crash off of the distance, managing to recover after first impact to skid to a halt back near Karyoku.

Sakano landed to the forest floor gracefully, spinning his odd kunai on one finger. “What’s the deal? You were supposed to kill them. Seiryu won't be happy when he hears this” They were just out of range from the Leaf shinobi, for now. “Guess I’ll handle it…” His smile curled as he began pacing on down the path towards the two chuunin. Appearing over the crest of the hill, drawing a second kunai as he made his way forth.

Takao peered back to Karyoku once he had recovered somewhat, certain he had at least fractured something in that first hit. “Hana was up there, got someone with her… Dunno who.” He stood up straight, working through the aching pain to draw his blades, feeding chakra through the ignite the cutting edges with a subtle glow. “Not sure we’re gonna be able to outrun him. He can teleport, looks like it's the kunai. Do not lose track of them” Takao didn’t seem nearly as casual about the whole thing as he had only moments before. They might be in for quite a fight.

Karyoku had just about given up on watching the village when a noise came crashing through the trees. He turned, dropping his binoculars back into his pouch, and braced himself to try and catch Takao as he came hurling back towards him. Karyoku listened closely as Takao filled him in on the situation. "Then do we proceed as both are enemies, or try to get the girl out of here?" Karyoku asked, standing up as he readied himself for a long fight, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Karyoku smiled when Takao mentioned teleporting. That should be quite fun, in theory. "Ready for your lead, Takao." He said, staring back at the area his buddy came flying through, in an attempt to see where both Hana and this newcomer were.

”I-I can’t. I’ll die,” she had time to whisper just before she dropped off the edge of the branch. The rapid beating of her heart would have her looking to the ground for a plan before the boy would have her hanging by her ankle. A flashback to the last time they had been able to speak on friendly terms would have her eyes widening as she looked up at the boy. Her third eye now visible with the hair falling from her face and a look of desperation spread across her features. She would elect to mouth two words as she looked up at him with terrified eyes, ”Help me.” These were the last moments he would see her before disaster struck.

Sakano had been sent to watch her, had he? Hana had warned him. She warned Takao to leave, but he didn’t. Now, there was nothing she could do. She could only hope that he could survive and run away. As he dropped her before impact, Hana would find a way to throw her body weight into a flip and land on the ground on her feet. From there, she would collapse to her knees hearing Sakano berate her for her performance. ”I-I’m sorry. I’ll take whatever punishment Seiryu gives me. Th-thank you for your help. I’ll be going then,” Hana would say keeping her head turned toward the Sound shinobi’s feet. She didn’t dare look him in the eye. If she had learned anything, he looked kind, but he was anything but that. If she had to guess, Shiyuri wasn’t too far behind, lurking in the shadows as she always did. Hana had to go. She had to get back. Maybe, she could find 621 before Sakano got back. No, she couldn’t do that to him. This was her failure.

Hana would stand to her feet the moment Sakano set his sights on his prey. She couldn’t stay. She couldn’t watch. Maybe, if she got to Seiryu first to tell him of her failures, he would take the punishment easier. There was a bit of doubt in her mind on this subject, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t watch her friends be beaten. She had failed him again. She had hurt her one true friend. If she didn’t exist, everything would be so much better.

[Hana exit]

Takao barely had time to register Hana’s responses, how she would die if she left. More importantly she needed help. It had echoed in his mind even as he was catapulted through the forest. It helped to right his mind, get him in the headspace needed to survive the encounter ahead. The menacing young man approaching at a leisurely pace over the hill. The Hyuuga boy focused upon him, pushing the limits of his byakugan to get as large an area as possible. It was the only way to work against an opponent like this.

“Hana can’t leave yet; she isn’t an enemy though. They’re keeping her there somehow. Focus on him.” He nodded as he steadied into his modified jyuuken stance, blades held to allow for easy rotation if he needed it.

Sakano practically ignored Hana once he had moved down the path, pondering how he might make this a little bit of fun. These two barely looked like a challenge from where he was standing. “You idiots don’t think you’re going to live through this do you?” He chided, sneering as he broke into a sprint toward them to signal the start of the battle.

Takao braced himself, watching every move until the orange haired boy launched the first kunai. The Hyuuga leapt forward to intercept, batting aside the projectile with ease only for Sakano to use it to instantly close the distance, retrieving the blade midair when he popped into existence once more.

Now he was closer, the pair of Leaf shinobi would be able to clearly see a chakra construction of some kind binding the weapons to his arms allowing him to swing the blade in a rapid circle with startling speed. He caught Takao across the face, sending the boy reeling from the fresh wound. The follow through was aimed at about neck height for Karyoku. Wasting no time in his attempts to dispatch the pair.

It was clear enough that he was stronger, by quite a margin in fact. This wasn’t a fight to be messing around.