Onwards to Ashigaru Keep

Posts : 730

Saya had put in her request for leave a week ago, and finally it had all been approved. Papers had been signed, and leave had been given. Her performance at the quarry had given excuse for time off, and the spending money needed to just perfectly justify a quick visit to the homeland. No finer wares could be purchased in all the lands, and being kin she saw a fine discount. Her trip had been planned for about two weeks, though she figured she could get home in ten days.

Leaving Kiri was no simple matter, even if it was under an apparent banner of peace. Outside of Kiri’s walls the environment itself was dangerous. The dense forests were filled with all manner of predatory, venomous, and to often both, beast. The mist shrouded thickets saw the as much blood as the dense and dark swamps that blanketed the landscape. Dreadful tidings beset all who traveled from kiri to the coast, and even merchants rarely went anywhere without an escourt.

Because of the imminent danger of being beyond the gates, and because a well prepared warriors is well prepared, Saya brought with her each and every one of her beloved weapons. As always she is draped like the racks of some weapons store, holding tools for every possible situation. Few were exposed beneath the armor covering of her cloak, but the center of it was folded open. The largest of her weapons, her seven foot long yari, towered over her as she leaned against it. Her mask was the one piece of armor she’d neglected to wear, but even it is draped over the handle of her sword, just beneath her cloak.

She waits patiently for her partner, her second pair of eyes while they traveled the countryside. One could never be to careful, and journeying out alone is just unheard of. She was just outside the gates, and the sun was high in the sky. The mid day crowd at the gates was mostly peasants and merchants, random people toiling about their daily existence, but seemingly disturbed by one strange feature. Saya herself was a common sight in town, so they did not gawk at her display of weapons and armor. Instead it was the beast just behind her.

Kusamaru, Saya’s trusty sidekick, and favored mode of transportation, shifts back and forth on it’s impressive feet. Both Saya and the dinosaur stood relatively motionless, simply waiting patiently for her partner to arrive. The large lizard was honestly quite terrifying, it’s predatory mouth seeming to always have a smile. Large serrated teeth poked out from it’s mouth, and its head was completely covered in scales. His hands and feet came naturally with large killing claws and power behind them. The feathered plumage gave it the look like a bird from hell, but the bird itself seemed lazy. The simple act of just standing here for ten minutes was getting rather boring.

Saya hadn’t made it a habit of summoning Kusamaru in town. The crowd at the gates that afternoon just kept a wide berth. Those who had at first worked up the courage to approach, had been met with snapping jaws and threatening snarls, ensuring to the crowd that the dinosaur did not want to play. Once proper respect had been given, the crowd just kept their distance. Saya didn’t mind the threatening display. She knew Kusamaru wouldn’t kill any of the people. Not in Kiri, at least.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

The air grew a frosty cool as Kuro walked onto the scene. His appearance wouldn't hinder his ally, and he only wished to keep her alive. After all, a tough women is almost a rarity, but Kuro was beaming with respect for her, as he loomed closer to the gates, and nothing but nervous shy came across his mind. He chilled his own air around him, a partial cause to an icy personality based on his shy attitude. But he didn't care as a few people were stunned, and Kuro soon discovered why it was so. Standing before him, was a large dinosaur, and his ally.

So, she uses not only weapons, but dinosaurs aswell, he thought as he approached her. He waved as he got closer, and then smiled at a halt. He first, didn't say anything, but worried that he didn't have the mutual bond of trust. Or maybe it was his shy personality preventing him. Either way, he stood silently, before opening his mouth to speak. "Are you ready, milady?", he asked, sliently moving is hand into his pocket.

The backdrop the village held was a lttle tense, but mostly due to the fact that she had the dinosaur. He was worried that it might eat him, but he ignored that idea, brushing it off as "unwanted", and not such a brillant idea. Kuro had also recently had a change of heart, feeling that by pushing himself into medical Ninjutsu, he could be a larger asset.

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The dinosaur's head snaps to attention as Kuro approaches, it's beady red eyes both focusing down it's long snout. It's snaps it's jaws once, and tips it's head to the side. Saya looks over towards Kuro as he approachs, and her spirits brighten. At last her wait is over. "Hello." she says, quite plainly. She doesn't exactly smile, though she seems not quite the most personable person. In her armor, Saya wore a different personality then inside of it. Typical her mask hides her face, though the ever present smirk is plainly visible without it. She doesn't exactly smile with happiness so much as she seems to think she is simply better. This personality defect is not something that is true to her mind. Saya has respect for all Kiri shinobi. She knows all have their skills, she just knows her own much better. Confidence is surely in her smile, but perhaps a little too much.

"Don't worry yourself over Kusamaru. He won't bite. He's going to be transporting us to the coast to catch a ferry. From there we will be bound for the Land of Fire, to the eternal Stronghold of my people." Saya nods after she is speaking, emphisizing the last part as though it were particularly important. If there was anything Saya was proud of, it was her heritage. Her family had made her what she was, and she was deadly. "It should be an enjoyable trip, with wonderful scenery. I know the path very well. This is not the first time I've made this voyage."

She turns and motions towards Kusamaru once more, the dinosaur actualy bowing slightly to present itself. Terrifying. "You're fine, kid. Jussst don't pull on my featherss." he says, giving Kuro the evil eye once again. Most ninja didn't outright fear the dinosaur, so he didn't mind getting a few threats in. Saya just pats him on the side. "You're going to have to ride in front of me." says Saya. "And you'll really need to hand on.."

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Kuro simply nodded in agreement, his eyes too focused on the beady eyes looking upon him. The idea of riding such a creature, escaped his very mind and he wondered why, no how she tamed such a large creature. "The land of Fire? I've never been there before?", he mumbled ever slow slightly before he noted he had to ride the dinosaur. So, how would I ride this big fellow..., he thought as his eyes gazed for even the slightest hint. "So, how would I ride on your rather large friend Kusamaru?", he asked.

Kuro looked around the village one last time, before sighing. He had not a clue if they had safe passage into the Land of Fire, and worried himself over her and his own safety. "So, do we even have safe passage into the Fire Country?", he asked her. He didn't mean to be a hinderance, but he just wanted to know. He still smiled,trying to lighten the mood.

Posts : 730

Saya snickers softly after listening to the other genin, finding his questions simply hilarious. Safe passage? Who needed safe passage? A journey fraught with danger and adventure would suit her just fine. Inwardly she began to grow worried her partner had no experience. Hopefully the same couldn't be said for Lark. That flying guy from the temple..

"We're shinobi, we provide our own safe passage. I don't think anyone will be attacking us where we're going. My family's keep is only fifty miles from the coast line, and it's all open grasslands around there. Anyone trying to sneak up on us, Kusamaru will sniff them out right away. Anyone foolish enough to attack three kiri ninja, and a dinosaur, would have to be crazy." She says, hoping to aleviate his worries. "And if anyone does attack us, they will have to get through me."

She nods once, emphisizing the truth of her words. She meant business.. Saya would kill if she got the chance. She motions to Kusamaru again and steps closer to the beast, ruffling under his feathers and pulling on a strap to the leather harness that was fitted to the dinosaur. It gave a total of two places to grip Kusamaru's back, and didn't make for easy riding on it's own.

"It's not easy, I can warn you of that. But if you can walk on water, you can ride a dinosaur.." she says, giving the sturdy leather a tug. "Just hold on with your hands and legs, and let Kusamaru do all the running. Stay low, and keep your head down. With me behind you, I'll be able to keep you in place. I hope you don't mind sitting a little close.."

Age : 31 Posts : 107

Waking up in the morining and knowing what he was going to do today made lark annoyed, He had a 10 day trip that he was to make with 2 other genin who he had Met once before. When lark woke up he started to make himself breakfast and eat it while he got his clothing ready for his Long trip. Once he was finished his breakfast he started to put his clothing on his black shirt and black jeans and the his shoes and then he tied on his Weapons and added kunai's and shuriken and explosive tags to his body and then put his trench coat on and put any other added items into the trench coat pockets. With lark fully dressed he went over to some scrolls and opened them up while walking back to the table, when he got to the table he put them on the table and started to write a sealing jutsu on them so he could seal food into the scrolls as well as water so he would have food to eat and water to drink.

Once he had finished sealing the items into the 2 scrolls he started to walk off towords the window and open it up and before he left he set all the defence systems in his apartment from the front door to all the windows he pulled down all the blinds so it was a closed area then he put his window down after he walked into the tree that was outside his apartment. With the apartment fully closed and booby traped he was set to go, he jumped from the tree and started to walk off towords the Gates of the mist village. With lark on his way to the Gates he thought of what he might encounter on the trip to the land of fire. Seeing as he was going there he had his head band like always underneath his trench coat. Once he got to the Gates he saw a dinosaur and two genin that were getting ontop of the dinosaur to ride on it, lark said to himself "hm that must be them" once he said that he was in the crowd and walking up towords the Dinosaur and the two genin, "Lets go" he said as he walked past the two genins and out the gates on his way outside the Village Hidden in the Mist.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Kuro listened closely to the words of Saya, completely trusting her and whatever she might do when they reach the Land of Fire. But Kuro, was somewhat worried about a trip, with an uneasy feeling drifting through his mindset. Well, I guess I should get on and stop worrying, he thought ever so quickly, hoppong onto Kusamaru and getting comfortable, before it occured to him they'd be moving really fast. He quickly tied his long hair, into a much neater and smaller pony tail. This would keep it from going wild at high speeds, although Kuro disliked having it like this.

He felt somewhat worried, that if they are attacked, his powers will be somewhat a burden on himself and others without water nearby. It was casting a worry of doubt, and he didn't like it. Which was another reason he wanted to devote himself towards medical ninjutsu, to save alot more lives that hurt. He trusted Kusamaru, as much as he trusted saya, but hoped the icy disposer of air around him wouldn't bug anyone.

He heard the other boy utter, "Let's go", and he looked down at Saya. "Well, let's go, the faster we take off, the quicker we get there.", he said as he yawned, readying himself for whatever Kusamaru was capable of.

Posts : 730

Saya's eyes flick over towards Lark, his wings making him easy enough to pick out in a crowd. She waves a hello as he walks past, then looks over towards Kuro with a grin. "Very well, lets get on the road, then. I hope mister wings can fly fast." She says softly as she steps up closer to Kusamaru. The massive beasts crouches down slightly, making it only a little easier t climb up on his back. Saya motions to the harness. "Just hold on here. Focus your chakra into your legs and hold on tight. It's easy once you get the hand of it."

Saya hops up on to the dinosaurs back, not bothering with the strap of the harness herself. She'd need it once they got moving, but she'd done this before. Sitting on his back, she even managed to make it look easy. She keeps her spear off to the side and lets her cloak hang down past her feet and drape down Kusamaru's thighs. The two of them together were gonna be pretty close to Kusamaru's maximum traveling weight, but the dino wouldn't complain.

The girl waits for Kuro to get up and sit down, then scoots herself very close up behind him. She presses the front of her body against his back, and pushes him to lean down towards the dinosaurs feathered back. She reaches around from behind and gets a tight grip on the harness, her cloak half covering him as she gets closer. Saya had an impressive body, and she was not only a little taller than the younger boy, but also stronger. Parts of her body were wonderfully soft, but most was muscled and toned, tense and powerful. Sitting close didn't seem to bother her in the least, and she holds Kuro securely when Kusamaru finally takes off.

The dinosaur takes a few slow steps though not towards the gate. They'd already been close, so it took a couple steps back to make it's next move easier. With more room the work, the dinosaur lifts skywards, propelling itself up some 40 feet into the air, to land a top Kiri's gatehouse. Saya says nothing and just gives Kuro a squeeze. From there the exitment would start. In a second single leap Kusamaru soars into the sky, propelling itself towards the nearest tree and landing in the upper branches.

Kusamaru leaps forward from there, moving from one tree to the next, and completely ignoring the ground. The massive trees around offered resistance to some, but well trained ninja knew this traveling style well. The mist of the forest of fog would be well beneath them, down near the ground where all the dangerous predators and hunters would be found. Even if they should stumble across the odd predator so high in the tree canopy, there'd be little hope of them keeping up. Kusamaru was made for traveling, and trees didn't seem to slow him down at all. After the first few jumps the two atop Kusamaru find them well above the canopy of trees, with a better view of the sky than they ground. They make astonishing time as the beast sprints through the tree tops towards the coast line. Even Lark might be pressed to fly his fastest.. though wings offer other advantages. From his height advantage, he could also just relax, and watch where they where headed.

Age : 31 Posts : 107

Having walked out the gates and the gates closing behind him lark was ready to start flying away while he waited for the other two and the dinosaur to start running on the tree tops lark fixed his trench coat so that his wings were all ready for a long flight. Lark took acouple of quick practice jumps and flaped his wings while he was waiting, Then out of no where the Dinosaur jumped onto the Guardhouse and then took off in one giant leap and landed onto of the Tall tree's. Lark said to himself "god damn i better hurry" after he had said that he was jumping from tree branch to tree branch trying to get to the top of the Tree's so he could fly high in the sky. With lark ontop of the tree's as well he then took off at great speed and flew up to ten thousand feet and flew from there so he could see everything incase he was needed if they were attacked by Ninja. Having being so high lark could do what he liked he even pulled out a map that he put his chakra into and followed his location so he knew where he was going and where he was on the map and in what area. From years of flying his eye sight was great so he could pick up little objects and know if there Human of animal or not there.

On the ground there looked like there was a camp from bandits and other criminals that take shelter in the mist of The Hidden Mist Village. With Bandits and criminals and animals everywhere it was only a matter of time before the other Ninja would see who was riding a Dinosaur and come looking while all he was to the eye of anyone was a Small dot that could be a bird due to the wings.

Age : 29 Posts : 766

He felt Saya push against him, he got very nervous and shy. He had never been this close to a girl before, well, never in this kind of situation. He got a bit comfortable with her clinging to him, but once Kusamaru took off, Kuro felt a bit uneasy. He'd rather walk than ride a dinosaur, but he didn't allow himself to do a thing to damage her trip, and had no doubt something bad was just waiting to happen. But Kuro shoved the feeling aside, shyness and nervous shattling him around in his mind. He thought about anything possible could happen to himself, or everyone else.

Kuro seen many bears and snakes along the way, and hoped traveling across sea would be better than this. "Hey, how long until we reach our destiny?", Kuro asked quietly, the wind hitting his face so hard he didn't notice it at first. He could feel it now, his pony tail waving wildly around, and Kuro left it alone. He didn't want Saya to cut it off, but he didn't want it in the way either.

Posts : 730

In no time the group arrives at the ports of Kiri, the bustling docks where commerce comes too and fro for the many citizens of the land of Water. The ferry was already loading people on board, but they wouldn't be leaving for another hour. There would be just enough time to get comfortable on the boat before it took off.

Luckily for the group, Saya was known for fulfilling every inch of bureaucratic red tape. She had visas and tickets, with the propper fees paid, for her and her two traveling partners. When they arrived any baggage they had could be ported, though it was rare any shinobi had brought a bag. On the return trip, perhaps, they may have more luggage.

After arriving at the ticketing station, and causing much of a commotion at the ticketing booth, Saya finally dismisses Kusamaru, with promises of meat in the future. The two wait for Lark, then all three enter the ports en masse to seek out their ride to the mainlands.

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