Nori turned her head and looked over at Sigmund, seeing the look of annoyance on his face. Why had that look been given to her? She looked down at her hand on his shoulder and than back up at him. All she had tried doing was to keep things calm between them him and Nanami. Nothing more. She didn't want there to be tension between them, but realized there was still going to be no matter what she did. She just hated seeing them this way. She slowly let her hand slide from his shoulder and looked back to Nanami. Soon the Genjutsu was cast by her friend and they were out of sight, blending in with the snow so no one could see them. She was hoping that this would be working to their advantage. Upon hearing Sigmund give his orders to surround their enemies and to eliminate them, she turned her head and looked back to him. At this point in time, she didn't know if she would be able to kill anyone. She felt that after the most recent revelation that maybe it just wasn't the right time to do it, but at the same time, she didn't want to feel like she was an obligation because of that very reason. She would have to decide what to do when that time came. Especially now that Nanami was talking about perhaps just taking them all out in shot. It would prove to be effective instead of taking them out one by one. It would probably take them longer if they decided to do that. "Taking them out in one shot would probably be the most effective method. It would save us all a lot of time," she said and looked back to Sigmund. "Nanami and Shiroma could probably take them out easily."

Moving the scene along as it is pointless to engage in a tiny battle and characters literally prolonged it with useless posts:

The group followed their captain's orders: they surrounded the chakra signatures Nanami had pointed out, surrounding it as suggested. Shiroma fired a barrage of arrows as Nanami fired her own barrage of arrows. Firing from to two directions, the chakra signatures they picked up couldn't escape even if they wanted to. Sigmund moved in once it died down only to see nothing there at all as puffs of smoke seemed to cloud around him. It was seem they had been deceived by shadow clones, which had chakra from their host evenly, throwing them off that there really was a group here. After the disception, it was evident that the captain was not happy as he ordered them to quickly head for the ports, leaving them in the dust. Their location had been compromised so by running as fast as they could in the cloaked genjutsu, the captain had hoped they could recover from this.

Their captain had been the first to arrive followed by the girls one by one. They stood in a line as they looked over the port; several towers with several shinobi on each. Several squads could be seen working the docks as they seemed to be unloading one of the ships; from Nanami's Sharingan, she was able to see that the crates had been equipment and food. It was the only ship and it was rather larger than they had hoped. They were going to need someone to man the ship and set sail for them.

The group now stood and contemplated their next moves.

   The girls had followed his orders, surrounding the chakra presence Nanami had pointed out nearby. He ordered them to use their arrows, sending two barrages in the chakra direction and Sigmund ran into the area only to find snow shinobi turning into puffs of smoke. For the fact Nanami picked up chakra presence, meaning they had been shadow clones which potentially could give away their position. As they all simotaniously "poofed" away, he ordered them all to run towards the port cliff as fast as they could and they all ran together with feet apart from them. He don't want an ambush to happen on their part.

   They eventually reached the cliff that looked over the port however the blizzard impaired everyone's vision except Nanami. Using her Sharingan, she scanned the area describing the towers, the squads, and how many ships which to their knowledge had only been one that had been unloading its cargo and would likely take off again afterwards. The ship had been larger than expected meaning they needed a ship captain to sail the ship for them to their destination. Sigmund had held Nori's hand as Nanami finished before turning to them.

   "This is going to be tricky. We need to ensure we can capture the ship captain without alarming him. If he gets alarmed, he'll likely refuse to cooperate. We need a way to disarm him silently and perhaps knock him out," he suggest as he looked at Shiroma. "Is there any information that you can provide about this port or the ships? Or did you never get assigned this far out on the land?" he asked. If she had knowledge on the ships and even the captain itself, they could have the advantage but if not, it was up to the group to figure out their next move in a timely manner.

Nanami looked over the port. It was a bit bigger than she thought. But no sign of the one chakra signature she always looked for on the first scans. Her gaze looked upon many squads and a large ship. Her head tilts from one side to the other as she thought. She knew how if the captain became hostile, she could force him to cooperate. Though she didn't want to use the Sharingan for that unless it was absolutely necessary. Nanami thought for several moments "If they don't have a sensory ninja on site, this will be easy, not knowing if they do can complicate things. Sensory ninja are pretty rare." She wasn't sure which path so she decided to speak her mind and toss out a few idea's "An assault is kind of out of the question. The moment the attack would start. The captain would set sail. So stealth is our best option. The nice things about us sensory ninja types, is we have to be actively focusing on searching, it's not something you can passively do. For those using a jutsu it is taxing. Someone with a Kekkai or Dojutsu can do it with little chakra drain."

Looking down along what little she could see of the walls "No defensive wall or stronghold is impervious, history has taught us that. There are a few long ways around, can also risk using the Genjutsu and sneaking in. Also using the Genjutsu and water walking skills, we can approach from the sea, which they would be less likely to be using a Sensory type to watch over the area." Her eyes glanced at Shiroma "Any secret or hidden ways in or around the structures that you know of?" She looked at Sigmund "There aren't many viable options, and we need to move swiftly."

Once they were at a safe enough distance, Nanami and Shiroma had fired their barrage of arrows to take out the chakra infused signature that Nanami had pointed out from a distance. Nori kept a hand at her side, ready to attack once her and Sigmund could move in. However, it was just as they did so that the shinobi that had once been there puffed up into smoke. Damn. Shadow clones? That wasn't good news. Upon hearing Sigmund order them to run to the port cliff, she merely nodded and began to run in the direction they were told after Sigmund. She looked over her shoulder, seeing the last of the shadow clone shinobi disappearing before they were all gone. It was strange. Why would they have a group of shadow clones out here? It was a good diversion nonetheless as none of them had been expecting it, but she could see why Sigmund would have wanted them to run in case more were around. If that was the case, they would have been surrounded. She turned her head and looked forward, following after his lead as they made their way to the cliff port.

They soon arrived at the cliff port and came to stop. The blizzard breeze blew through their clothes and carried Nori's hair off to the side as Nanami used her Sharingan to see through the wall of snow that clouded their visions. She began to describe what she saw. Towers, squads, and just how many ships there were, which had only been one and it seemed that it was getting unloaded. It was bound to take off, but when? Nori held onto Sigmund's hand and stood close to his side before she turned her head and looked over towards Nanami. "Well, if our objective is to take out the captain without him noticing us, I think Nanami would be the best fit for that," she said as she turned her head and looked over at Sigmund. "Not to bring up old wounds, but she was able to take you out when you were distracted. She would just have to be able to get close enough to get behind him. If anything, she would at least be able to paralyze him so he wouldn't be able to move."

Shiroma had done her part with a good barrage of arrows from two sides she and Nanami had decimated the other side, only to find out they weren't real shinobi in the first place.  She did her best to commit the appearance of the shadow clones to memory as whoever had sent them out here would now at least know that the clones had been attacked.  She came with the others down to the village stopping with the group watching the hustle and bustle of unloading the ship and frowned.

She shook her head in response to Sigmund's question. "I was never assigned here after I was put under that Genjutsu, however I can tell you some things.  That is a Frost ship, not a Snow ship.  The shape of its prow tells me that it lets it cut through the ice much easier.  I don't know if the same crew is onboard or not, but I can tell you that many of the non-shinobi of the land of Frost, work for the Snow only because if they don't they or their family will die.  So we might be in luck if that has the same captain and crew as it did before the invasion." 

Listening to the plans that Nanami suggested she blushed and realized she would have to mention it now as there was little other choice. "It does sound like its a good idea Nanami, only one problem..."  She blushed deeper red and sighed, "...I can't walk on water. And I don't know of any way in this wasn't where I was assigned and I grew up basically on the other side of the land."

   Sigmund remained quiet as he heard all the girls' suggestions and plans. The logical one seemed to be sending Nanami in, genjutsu cloaked and make her way there without drawing any attention at all. It was a stealth approach and could be easily executed as the others awaited for some sort of signal or communication from their walkies that Shiroma had passed out the other day. He squeezed Nori's hand as she had suggested her input, not bothered that it brought up an old incident that took place recently this week.

   "Nanami was only able to do that for the sake that my regenerative abilities could repair itself, my kekkei included. If she were to do that to someone like you or any of you for that matter, she cannot fix it. Medical ninjutsu only goes so far and paralysis, unfortunately isn't something she could fix. They are  made to heal and perform surgeries, not fix the impossible. She could however sedate the captain, but it'll be awhile before he wakes up. This could alarm their shipping schedule," he explained. The idea was spot on, however without abilities like his own, the same knocking out method would only do bad rather than good for their part.

   Shiroma could provide much when it came to the sea port, however she made an important observation that the ship didn't belong to the land of snow, but rather the land of frost itself. This complicated things now as she went on to explain that if that was the case, half of these shinobi down there were innocent civilians and not just villains. "This is going to change everything. We cannot kill the innocent of this land," he blurted out, obviously bothered that an ambush would not work. "What do the land of frost headbands look like? And if they are in fact working under the snow for those reasons, did they force any of you to bare your land headband or theirs?" he questioned Shiroma, in hopes that perhaps they would be able to easily distinguish the headbands and the people of this land accordingly.

Shiroma thought about the question for a moment and then reached into the pack that rested on her right hip before pulling out her old headband.  She wasn't even sure how she still had it at the moment. She didn't remember taking it off or keeping it afterward but here it was, she blinked at it for a moment before holding it out for them all to see.  The four cardinal points marked out by small circles around a much larger circle in the middle.  "That is the symbol of the Frost.  If you see that they might be under a genjutsu or they might just be scared for their lives.  I can't say and not sure we can take teh chance. However the captain of the ship and his crew shouldn't be shinobi they are just civilians unless they were conscripted but frost fell so fast there was hardly time for the shinobi to respond let alone conscript anyone."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:04, Sun 29 Oct 2017.

Nanami listened to all three of her teammates. She walked over to Shiroma "Hmm, all red cause you can't water walk?" She gives Shiroma a pat on the cheek "Until I met those two I didn't know either. So you have nothing to be embarrassed over." Nanami smiled remembering that day of training it warmed her in a way she hadn't felt in a while. Hearing them agree she was best suited for infiltration. They were right. Though what she had done to Sigmund was something that she had devised specifically due to Sigmunds increased regenerative abilities. She had other things in place incase Sigmund had raged. Still smiling at Shiroma "Sigmund you should know what I did to you was not spur of the moment. It took a lot of thought, it's never something to do on a whim. Everything I did, was done and prepared for. The time and place are the only factors I could not account for." Her head turns to look at the port. The ship they saw was impressive. She looked back to Sigmund "I have contingencies incase the Genjutsu isn't enough. I have a wide array of anesthetics prepared. If need be I can convert them to dart form, and use them as knockout darts."

She had quickly started to work on them with a very focused look on her face. She was able to swiftly make fifteen darts "I'll have other contingencies ready as well. The Sharingan will be the biggest. If noticed I can use the Genjutsu eye to make them forget they saw me. With the initial scan, our nemesis is not here, thankfully. Also since I doubt Kotatsu would trouble himself by using the Sharingan on them. If it is a normal Genjutsu the Kai Release should be sufficient. If not I'll just override the Genjutsu affecting them." Something which she was concerned about was Kotatsu being here. Things may swing their way for once. Nanami looked at Sigmund "So which approach should I take. The ice or veiled through one of the weak points?"
This message was last edited by a game editor at 07:03, Fri 27 Oct 2017.

Upon hearing Sigmund explain that Nanami was able to perform that paralysis procedure on him because his regenerative abilities, it did make sense to her when she thought back to just how fast he was able to recover thanks to her. However, he was right. Performing that type of thing on him probably would work in their favor when it came to taking out the captain. They had to think of something that could sedate or make the captain immobile while keeping the casualties to a minimum. The last thing they needed was for them to bring attention to themselves as she was sure that people would notice if their captain was gone. While Nanami thought of a few good ideas to remain stealth without getting caught, Shiroma mentioned there was a flaw merely for the fact that she couldn't walk on water. It wasn't an easy task as it did take time to master, so being able to do that within the next few minutes would prove to be impossible. Looks like that wasn't an option. The only viable option that was left was the Genjutsu.

Nori turned her head and looked over to Shiroma, hearing her explain that the ship that Nanami had seen was belonged to the Land of Frost with the crew being those of the same land. Those poor people. Being used merely for labor and if they disobeyed, they or their families would die by those of the Land of Snow. If they were still the same crew and captain, then they might have a better chance of this working out. However, she knew that if the Land of Snow caught wind of them than they risk a higher percentage of innocent casualties amongst those that were merely following orders. If that was the case, then they would have to take extra precautions. She saw Shiroma pull out a hand band, making not of the symbol that was engraved upon the middle. She wondered if they would even be wearing these head bands or if they were forced to wear the hand band that symbolized the Land of Snow. She pressed her lips together and looked off to the side. "I don't understand why they feel the need to use innocent people to do their dirty work and then have the nerve to threaten them and their families if they didn't go through with it," she said with a hurt expression.

They had to do what they could to not only do what they needed to do, but to help save those that were dragged into something that wasn't their doing. Nori turned her head and looked over at Nanami. She knew that her friend had regretted her actions for what she did to Sigmund, but she also knew that she didn't regret it because she saved his life. If this all worked out and Nanami could merely use the anesthetic darts to take them all out, then maybe she would be able to help these people if they were under some kind of Genjutsu. They would have to be very cautious about how they approach this. "We have to save those people, Sigmund," she said as she looked up at the male beside her. "Let's take the option with the most minimal amount of casualties."

   Sigmund brought his other hand to the bridge of his nose and pinched it as he closed his eyes, sighing to himself as he contemplated their options. With the fate of the innocent in his hands, he had to think over every possible way they could execute their plans to Siege the port. Shiroma's intel helped push him to a less aggressive approach and with Nori's encouragement and silent plea to avoid as much bloodshed, it only left him with very few options. He placed his hand to his side and reopened his eyes. Clearing his throat, he looked at the women before him. "Due to the strict laws placed on Nanami's title of shinobi, Shiroma will accompany Nanami in this task. You two are to sneak into the port, avoiding detection as much as possible and make your way to the ship. Shiroma will have to take lead and ensure the pathway is clear before silently signaling Nanami forward as she cannot be the first to engage confrontation," he began as he stared into the port before them through what sight he could see.

   He stepped a little forward, scanning the area of what he could make out. "Nori and I will stay here. This is the best solution as it avoids a confrontation entirely until you complete your task. You are to disarm the captain and its crew, radioing us when the objective is complete. Afterwards, Nori and myself will move in; the blizzard gives us enough camouflage. We will disarm the others as we make our way towards you. Nanami, you are to sedate or use tranquilizer darts as you progress, hiding the bodies accordingly out of sight to avoid alarming nearby patrols or others," he began to explain as he turned around and looked at them. "This approach avoids bloodshed entirely, knocks out and disarms literally the entire port, gets the captain and his crew to cooperate, and we can set sail to the land of demons before they all wake back up," he finished as he pulled Nori a bit closer for conform.

   "If you feel this is not the best approach and I may either left anything out or have anything else to add, please do speak up now so we can revise the plan if need be," he added. He wanted to fulfill everyone's demands. Ha approach would've been to slaughter and wing it as they went, however will innocent natives to the land at risk, the squad couldn't afford a reputation of brutal tactics just yet. He understood it was a war zone and these types of scenarios occasionally appear, however they didn't always need to be brutal with their tactics. To be a good captain, he had to look at all options, think outside the box. From what shiroma shared, the land of frost was a peaceful land that was dragged into the war, being forced to ally themselves with the land of snow whether they were shinobi or not. It didn't settle well with him as he thought over how other lands or nations were forced to do the same. The war had changed everything and it came down to politics. He didn't know what the small land f snow had planned, but whatever it was, they managed to capture the five great kages and Siege lands to willingly join them or forced whatever land they encountered. He gritted his teeth together as he wawaoted his comrades' responses, obviously lost in thought in that moment as the blizzard continued to brew on.

With Sigmund being the leader of their group, Nori knew that he had the final say in what their decisions as a team would be and she understood that sometimes he would have to make certain decisions that had to be made even if they were difficult. Like right now. Innocent lives were being thrown into this war and while they should be at home with their families, they were here helping a land who enslaved them to do their bidding. It wasn't fair and Nori hated the way that they were being used like this. It got under her skin. She knew Sigmund had to make a decision on what to do and she trusted him enough to make the right one that wouldn't take away any lives. She heard him begin to speak of their plan involving Nanami and Shiroma sneaking onto the ship undetected and disarming the captain and crew while she and Sigmund disarmed the others. Then Nanami would use her tranquilizer darts or sedation before hiding the bodies appropriately as to not draw attention or alarm anyone. A small sigh escaped her lips and she couldn't help but lean her head on his shoulder as he pulled her close to him. She was thankful that he choice the option that would avoid bloodshed, get the captain and crew to work with them, and for them to take the ship to their next destination. "I stand by Sigmund's decision," she said as she pulled her head away from his shoulder and looked into the eyes of Nanami and Shiroma. "As easy as it would be for any of us to fight against them and take them out, I think this is the best option for us to avoid unnecessary conflict and secure transportation to our next destination. At the end of the day, this is about us getting to where we need to be to stop all of this. To stop innocent people from being killed. These Land of Snow bastards aren't going to stop their reign of violence over these lands unless we put a stop to it. We can't waste anymore time."

Nanami had some internal frustrations growing. While she trained to become a medical ninja to keep them alive. It was also adding to her subterfuge abilities. though know she was hindered by her becoming a medical shinobi and it caused her a lot of frustrations. She had grown into a superior support ninja. Though it felt like others used her medical training as a way to hinder her. She knew that this was a topic for a time when they could talk freely and not under pressure. The ship maybe? Her mind then drifted back to the task at hand. Nanami gauged the chances of them being spotted as a pair and going in solo. Either way had risks, and had shiroma trained in this style as well. To many questions and factors. So she stopped thinking so far ahead "I understand the goal, and even with a sensory ninja they most likely won't be able to penetrate my Genjutsu, as long as we keep moving." She had a growing concern that this was a trap. The clones from before still concerned her. It seemed pointless to place clones there.. So why do so? None of these questions could be answered as there were so many variables she couldn't take into account.

Nanami's mind kept drifting back to the clones "The only thing that doesn't make sense were those shadow clones. Why place them there? Had it been a trap, they would have converged on us before we ran. So even if things look normal. It is likely that they aren't. You'll see a fire arrow as a signal if things go bad. How should we signal you two if everything goes to plan?" She at this point made sure her chakra and healing pill were in an accessible place. Then she paused "Oh.. Yeah since we have two comms. Sigmund should take one, and I should take one? It's easier this way to signal one another, instead of a flame or signal arrow." She takes stock of the arrows she has, making sure she was prepared for that eventuality. Nanami looks at Nori "The anesthetics will keep them unconscious for several hours. Even if someone has something like Sigmunds regenerative capabilities it would last about fifteen to twenty minutes."

The teen looks at Shiroma and smiles "I'll use the windwalking jutsu on both of us. Will allow us to move and jump much faster and higher, as well as allow me to not have to trudge through the snow or leave tracks." That brought her mind back to Sakuya. Nanami hoped she was ok "So I am all set.." She hands half the darts to Shiroma "Whenever you are Ready Shiroma-chan." She tilts her head and gives Shiroma a cute smile. Nanami was trying to remain as positive as she could.

   Sigmund narrowed his eyes; it didn't take a genius to read the way Nanami's body language seemed forced when she looked over at a Shiroma. Sigmund had also noticed that he did in fact mention the radios and it seemed to have slipped Nanami's mind when she mentioned a fire arrow instead and then suddenly remembered. Sigmund released his hand from Nori and stepped a little forward. Sigmund had noticed a lot of strange behavior from Nanami lately ever since the cave and he burst out at all of them. Granite he felt bad later for it, however he was curious as to why Nanami kept tip toeing around him especially with those "captain" references earlier. His gut told him a sense of mistrust while his heart and mind pointed him towards betrayal again. He decided to follow through with his gut, hoping another act of betrayal wasn't the case.

   "Nanami, you aren't very convinced it seems. Do you wish to tell the rest of the class what exactly seems to have you on edge? You almost seemed frustrated and that forced smile is fake as hell," he started to questioned kindly. He wasn't going to let it go at this point. Nanami wasn't one to never not express her opinions but after everything that went down, he was sure she may resist his questioning. If that was the case, he'd revise the plan if he had to. He wasn't going to have anymore issues; he had been tired of drama and Shiroma had constantly broke their tensions by reminding everybody to stop with secrecy and he had been grateful for that because they covered some ground every time she brought it up. Perhaps he may have been paranoid too. His trust with Nanami was at an all time low and maybe this was hit gut actually feeling the same way as his heart and mind. Nanami had been someone he could trust with his life but now the only reason his life was in her hands was because of her title, not because he actually trusted her anymore. He continued to narrow his eyes at her, obviously pushing for answers at this and he swore he wasn't going to let it go. However he had a feeling Nori would step in.

Nanami looked at Sigmund "It is only slightly forced. I have been annoyed and frustrated for a while now. Especially on this mission. You really want to have it out here. Personally I was going to wait until we were safely on the ship to have this discussion." Her fists tighten "The lack of trust we share for one another is astoundingly low." Her tone was like normal and how Sigmund would be used to hearing her "You have to understand my intense frustration. Everytime I try to tell you why I did what I did. You brush it off like the cause is solely my fault, like I don't care. I risked my life everytime, I risked our friendship, I destroyed our trust so I could protect you!" She kept her voice down as to not draw attention, but it was clear in her voice that she had this pent up for a while "You keep telling me to stay out of your business. Let you deal with Kotatsu in your own way." She was trying hard to keep her composure "The building for example. It was a trap to set you up to rage, and kill Nori. So he can collect your eyes. While it created a dangerous situation, it saved both of you." She looked Sigmund in the eyes "Why do you think he keeps coming back? His goal is to gain the eternal Sharingan. It's the only path for what Kotatsu is doing that makes sense."

Nanami turns and faces away from Sigmund "Do you even know how much it hurts for me to do all these things. Losing your trust, hurting my best friend. None of it's for myself, and you keep saying it's all my fault, and that I am selfish." She sighs lightly "If I was selfish I would let you lead yourself to your own ends, but I love both of you. Losing any of you is not an option." She takes a deep breath looking at Shiroma as she said that "I feel better just letting that out." she looks back at Sigmund. "You don't have to respond to it. It just needed to be said." Her body language shifts to normal. She walks over and leans against Shiroma. Nanami seemed to just need a shoulder to lean on.

Nanami realized becoming a medical ninja changed how she would be in combat. Venting her frustration made her calm down and that bit of frustration seemed to lessen.

She takes another deep breath focusing herself "With this type of infiltration, having a partner is actually safer. Gives each of us a safety net of sorts. It makes it so we have help if needed. My Genjutsu like I said before is not likely to be detected except by someone who can pierce Genjutsu. We'll leave on your order Sigmund-kun"

   All Sigmund could really do was stare at her, not phased at her venomous words that she threw at him. Her words, her frustration, and tense atmosphere was to no surprise to him and it was things he had already been told before. To Sigmund, it was her addressing the issue again. She had been right in her own way, but he made it clear their trust was torn and he had no plans on fixing it anytime soon. He stepped forward when the issue of Kotatsu was brought up again. He felt his own fists begin to tighten ever so slightly.

   Once she finished, she seemed to calm down fairly quickly and practically retreated to their new teammate, Shiroma, who was suppose to what, protect her? Her comment about him not having to respond was probably not in the best interest to add towards the end. "If it's an apology you're looking for, you already had it when we talked about this yesterday. You already justified your actions and I have already thanked you for saving me. But I will not change my decision about you staying away from me. Trust is not something that can be fixed in a mere minutes. You want me to trust you on your terms which is right now. However, I have my own terms and my feelings say I cannot trust you right now and I would prefer that you never touch me again. I have made that clear to you already," he fired back calmly.

   The group knew however that he was far from done with this issue. "I do want you out of my business. I want you to stay away from my mother, my parents in Konoha, my sibling; I want you out of my head, out of memories from the past, out of my history. My destiny is for me to decide; you're being selfish by interfering with my own choices. None of you will ever touch Kotatsu for that fact that he is my brother. It is my problem," he added. Kotatsu was his brother and it surely was repeating history when Sasuke had to defeat his own flesh and blood, although illness seemed to have taken Itachi instead. "Who's to say I do want that to happen? Did it ever occur to you that I actually want to have the sharingan and have the opportunity to steal his eyes instead? Not all of us are as lucky as you, Nanami, to be given one of the three great dojutsu," he uttered as he released his fists to his sides.

   "Truthfully, you need to own up to your mistakes and not take it out on everyone around you. You believe you're this highly intellectual super human ever since you discovered you had the eyes of an Uchiha. To me, you're on this superficial power trip and when your captain literally doesn't agree with you, you believe I do everything out of spite," he retorted further. At this point, it was clear Sigmund's darkness was awakening inside as he was starting to feel himself grow a bit annoyed and angry. "You have my thanks. For stopping Kotatsu's feeble attempts at what you believe is his entire plan. However when it comes to Kotatsu, believe me, I'll ensure I'll face him alone and away from all of you because that is MY choice; nobody in this group can decide my destiny for me. You can believe you're doing it for my sake, however stopping me or interfering with me, is really the selfish act on its own. I'd die for any one of you if it meant giving my life over or whatever it is they wish to do with me. That is what a true friend does. I also support all and any decisions either of you do because that is your life, not my own. But when it comes to this mission, if I have not directly ordered you to do it, then clearly you're defying me. At this point in time, I don't even care," he finished.

   "You all chose to stay, did you not? If these issues keep getting brought up, I will abandon this mission and we can return home empty handed. I have already offered to step down as captain and appoint a new one; I have already offered to leave so the three of you could continue on without me; I even offered you all the choice to stay or go home. I even apologized and thanked you, Nanami already. What more do you want from me?" he questioned. It was clear to him that nothing pleased her at all. He did in fact apologize and he did in fact thank her; was this really all about because she lost his trust? Unfortunately, he couldn't do that right now; probably not ever the more she kept pushing him. "It is clear this team is never going to recover what we have lost this week. I will ensure this team never goes out on a mission again together; you have my word on that, Nanami. It is clear we cannot ever work together again. We have already addressed this and there is nothing more I can do to satisfy you, however in my life, I don't have to please anybody but myself," he said coldly as he walked away. "You three decide what you wish to do. I am over this matter. Figure it out yourself," he shouted over his shoulder as he disappeared into the blizzard. It was clear he wanted no one to follow him, not even Nori.

Before Sigmund could leave she steps up to him "Thats not my intention. I think I can't let it go because I don't understand why my actions lost your trust. I can understand some of it. I get your destiny is your own, and I will stay clear of it as you wished. Breaking up the team is not something I want. I am fifteen I don't know anything about some of the stuff. I don't understand. Your right on my many counts. I don't expect you to trust me. But it's hard for me to grasp the reason." She looks at him "I am sorry for being such an aweful person." She turned away from him and let him leave. Not expecting a response..

Nanami sighed "None of this was my intent.." She looked at Nori with pained eyes.

It had seemed like everything had been coming in to place as they all talked about how they were going to approach the situation and she felt something in the air after Nanami had spoken. It was tension. A tension that she was all too familiar with. She had looked from her friend and back to Sigmund when he let go of her hand. She noticed the way his eyes narrowed at her and she had that gut feeling that something was about to happen. Words were about to be said and it caused her to take a step forward. "Sigmund, please. Let's not-" she began to say but was left unsaid when she heard him ask if she had anything to say because she seemed frustrated, she stopped in place and looked over at Nanami. This was just great. She thought that they were through with this. That they were moving forward. She didn't understand. This was a critical point in their mission and yet here they were at at the beginning where all of this started. "You guys. This isn't the time for this. We have to get out of here or else we'll-" But again, her words seemed to be proven worthless as Nanami began to speak. She knew Nanami had the best of intentions when it came to wanting to help Sigmund and to protect him, but when she really thought about it, maybe her and Nanami had been holding him back. Not intentionally, of cour-...well, maybe intentionally, too. They both had wanted to protect him yet in his own way, he always made it clear that he didn't need them to protect him. They had pushed themselves on him even when they didn't know it and for her...she had been doing it since she was a kid. Sigmund had always been strong on his own. He didn't need protection, but she felt that overwhelming sense to do it because she wanted to be strong for him. Not just physically, but emotionally, too. Nori knew sometimes it was hard for him to take all the bullying back when they were kids and sometimes, it made him so frustrated so she tried to be there for him by sharing a lunch with him that she helped her mom make or if she dragged him along to go help her and her parents at their street market. Anything to get his mind off of things. All she had ever wanted to do was see him smile, but now...

...now she looked at Sigmund and things weren't like they used to be. They were grown up now. They weren't children. He was a human being with feelings and there were times when he did keep things to himself, but there were other times when he felt the need to say what was on his mind because if he didn't, he would explode. Now seemed to be one of those times and it couldn't have come at a worse time. However, sometimes...when Nanami felt justified in her actions, she did things that weren't always the best for everyone. To make hasty decisions even when she had the best of intentions. Her heart was in the right place, but did she ever foresee the consequences of what those actions may cause her in the future? Nori folded her arms loosely across her stomach and looked off to the side as she heard Sigmund start to vent his frustrations on Nanami. So many of those old issues were brought up again. Issues that she had thought they had all come to an understanding about. Sigmund wasn't completely unjustified. He had a right to be angry. Nanami did have the tendency to take it upon herself to try and take care of other people even when it's not needed or wanted. Especially when it came to Sigmund. The deal she made with his mother. The states that he got into whenever Kotatsu had come around and she tried to fix to help him. It wasn't just her that had held him back. Nori knew she did, too. They had each made certain choices, but not once had she ever wanted to control his life. To control his destiny or hold him back from doing what he had to do. She knew he would do it anyway regardless, but that was his right. This was his life. Not theirs. Unconsciously, whether she knew it or not, Nanami had stripped him of certain choices and rights that he should have been given but weren't.

After Sigmund got out what he needed to say and walked away, Nori lightly sighed and closed her eyes briefly. "I know, Nanami. I know none of this was your intent," she said before she turned her head and opened her eyes to look at her friend. "But he's not wrong, either. You have to understand where he is coming from, too. He's angry with you because you have made choices for him. Rights that should have been his and you took those things away from him." She turned herself towards her friend. "I know you want what's best for him, but it's not your place or mine to decide that. He needs to do that on his own. This is his life. Not ours. We have to respect that and we have to respect what he wants because we are his friends. I'm sure it angers him that all of these things that he wishes to bury and move on from are brought up again and again and he's just tired of it. Do you understand? All of this has to be let go." Nori lowered her eyes softly at her friend. "At this point, he's not going to trust you because of those choices you took upon yourself to make for him. You knew of that woman being his mother and you kept that from him when it was his right to know. You hold him back sometimes even when you aren't aware of it and it needs to stop, okay? Or else that friendship you two have is going to be gone forever. It's never too late to forgive and forget things. Trust me. Since the beginning he has been in a team with a person that killed his brother who wasn't even aware of it. Yet he chose to forgive me over time even though it was hard on him. He is...he is a lot stronger than you and I put together physically, emotionally, and mentally," she added before she walked over to Nanami and stopped in front of her, bringing a hand up and placing it on her shoulder. "He needs time, Nanami, and you need to give that to him or else you're risking something precious that I know you hold close to you. You are a good person and he knows that. I see how you two bonded. You bonded with him in a way that I haven't in a very long time and I know he cherishes that. But he needs you to give him space. Let's finish this mission and get home. Talk it out with him then, okay? It's not too late."

After giving Nanami one last smile, she let her hand fall away from her shoulder and turned around to walk away in the direction that she saw him leave in. Once she found him through the harshness of the blizzard, Nori crept up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist in an affectionate manner. "I know you are angry right now and you have every right to be," she began to say near his ear. "You both said what you needed to say and it's over with, Sigmund. You weren't wrong and I think she understands that. This is your life. You are in control. But...she does care for you and she wanted to help you, but in doing so, she did take away your rights to make decisions for yourself. I know it's going to take time for you to forgive her, but please...I'm asking you to not walk away from this friendship you have with her. I know she means something to you or else you wouldn't feel the way you are feeling right now." Nori let her chin drop to rest on top of Sigmund's shoulder. "I know it is in you to forgive her just like you have forgiven me. It doesn't have to be today. It doesn't have to be tomorrow, but don't give up on her. Don't let her mistakes ruin what you two have together."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Sun 29 Oct 2017.

   Sigmund had walked off as the last words of Nanami began to fade with the sounds of the blizzard. He didn't want to be followed and he prayed Nori would be smart to stay away and stay with them but he would be kidding himself. He had walked quite a ways before he came to a stop and huffed out a breath of frustration. Before he could even collect himself, he felt familiar arms around his waist and Nori's words in his ear. She eventually rested her head on his shoulder. He made no gesture to speak or take action with her arms around him. Once she was finished, he removed her arms and turned around. "Go back, Nori. I need to be alone right now," he told her sternly. He didn't want her getting hurt and wanted to avoid snapping at her. "Go finish off the port. If I go now, I'll just want to kill. Go," he added as he stared down at her.

Nori didn’t know if going after Sigmund had been the right choice to make and part of her told her to leave him alone, but she went after him. She should’ve known better at this point . He wanted to be alone and she needed to respect that. She let her arms be taken from around his waist and she lifted her chin from his shoulder before she pulled back to look at him in the eyes. “Okay. I understand,” she said without argument. “Be careful out here.” She reached out and lightly caressed his cheek for a moment as she stared into his eyes briefly before turning on her heel and walking away from him.

Nanami looked at Nori, watching Nori chase after Sigmund. Then when Nori came back moments later "Y-yes we should continue on with the mission. There will be time to talk later I suppose. With only three of us. I am not sure it is wise for you to stay here alone, Nori." Nanami watched Sigmund fade into the blizzard "I can actually understand his need to want to deal with his brother on his own, I have an older brother.. But one folly in that destiny." She looks at Nori "It involves your life. I refuse to let his destiny take your life."

After this was said she brought her hands up and makes a few handsigns. All of them gained her windwalking jutsu "This will help us move." She then covers them in her Genjutsu, she applied her double false surroundings to add an additional Genjutsu to it. So they had two layers of defense "All jutsu are up and running."

Nanami eyes glanced to Nori, and then to Shiroma. She smiled and turned towards the dock "With the windwalking jutsu, we can run along the ice without risk of breaking it. The Genjutsu will keep our tracks hidden. Our approach will be easy. Once inside we should slow down and move carefully. Ready?"

Shiroma was half lost in her own mind for  a few moments as she was trying her best to think over something that she knew something from her time under the Genjutsu but it wasn't coming it felt like it applied to this situation they were going into right now but she couldn't put her finger on the memory.  The raised voices brought her out of the path of her memory and she sighed deeply hearing the same hurts coming up again.  This was the wrong time they were too fresh still and it would only cause... yep there went Sigmund but she had to admit at least he was  smart enough and self aware enough to know when his anger was about to get the best of him.  As Nanami rested on her and then Nori came back she sighed and stroke the darker hair of the girl on her shoulder.  "Well...that could have been better, next time might I suggest just saying 'I was going to wait till the boat...nows not the best time it won't interfere with my duty.' But what's done is done."

She stood up and then looked at Nori chuckling.  "I don't think Nori has anything to worry about, it might be good for Sigmund if someone did attack her, he could use the emotional release of protecting you."  She smirked and then handed Nori the radio before making sure Nanami still had her own. "We will call you when we are in position." She nodded to Nanami and was off toward the part  staying with the Medical-nin just a few steps ahead of her.

Nori walked through the ankle deep sheet of snow as she made her way back in the direction of Nanami and Shiroma. Their orders were to go to the port and that was what they were going to do. Sigmund needed some space to himself for now, but she was sure that they would be able to handle it. Once she saw the two girls come into view, she stopped a few feet away from them just in time to hear Nanami speak to her. "I'll be alright on my own. You don't need to worry. I'm sure you two will be able to do this quickly and efficiently so I won't be here for long," she said with a small smirk. "As for Sigmund, he just needs time and space to figure out what he wants to do. It's not our place to interfere. We have to respect his boundaries. For me, Sigmund is my most important person so I will support him and be on his side no matter what. Even when he makes the wrong choices. First and foremost, I am his friend before anything else, so that is what I need to be for him right now." She brought up a hand and took the radio from Shiroma before slipped it onto her belt on her hip. With the wind jutsu at her aid, she was sure that she would get to the port quickly and without being detected thanks to Nanami's genjutsu. "You two be careful out there, okay?" she said with a solemn expression.

Nanami nodded "Radio us immediately if a patrol shows up from the direction of those shadow clones. That whole event still concerns me. Take care of yourself, and Sigmund is Sigmund." With that she looks at Shiroma "Let's go, the easiest way in is through the dockside. So let's use that entry point. It should be out of view of several of the towers. Couple that with the speed will be moving and the cover of the Genjutsu, we should make it inside the docks in under a minute.." She turns and faces the docks "See you soon, Nori-chan." Nanami's eyes fall upon Shiroma "Let's go my friend." She smiles at Shiroma. It is probably the first genuine smile she has shown in a few days. It was soft and confident. Her foot pivots and she kicks off. The speed she starts moving is quite impressive.

[Private to GM: If you want to alter the next part feel free to do so. Since I don't know if you wanted to write the approach or not.]

She makes sure Shiroma is able to keep up with her. She manages to avoid anything that could trip here up. Nanami looks like she is having fun finally. Maybe she is turning a corner of sorts. Her emotions are so scattered being able to focus on something actually made her happy.  She hoped things would get better. She feared the side of her that nobody in the leaf had seen yet would manifest is she kept going down the road of destruction. Nanami eyes were wide with joy, as she acrobatically dodged every rock and pieces of ice that try to hinder her. She remembers dancing with her wind and fire jutsu they first day they met. Then the memory shifted to her singing when she rejoined her team after the year. Even though it was a sad memory, it was also a very happy memory. Her mind had been lost in darkness for a long while. For some reason the darkness began to clear. They approached the entry point, which she made sure to scan for guards or patrols before entering.

Watching from the shadows even since they encountered the shadow clones, it was evident he would have to interfere once and for all. Kotatsu's feeable attempts were disappointing but it was finally time to end this group. As Nanami and Shiroma progressed, they would start to notice that the squads they could clearly see start to disappear and the blizzard coming to a complete halt. Not only that, it began to storm instead, heaving rain and hail with harsh winds. The remaining shinobi they saw all turned their attention to the girls and stares at them "We know you're here. You're not sneaky," they all said in unison. It was clear their cover was blown.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:08, Tue 31 Oct 2017.