Upon hearing Sigmund explain to them exactly what their roles were going to be and lay out what sounded like ground rules, Nori knew that things from now on weren't going to be easy. Then again, when were things ever so? She was certain would be quick to assert his authority over her and Nanami simply because he had rankage over them. It wasn't necessarily that that she had a concern about. She knew that he had earned it, but she only hoped it wouldn't get to his head. He tended to like giving orders and being the best. However, things weren't the same like they were back then. All of them were different. More mature. More experienced. She knew they were all going to butt heads eventually one way or the other. Well, probably more with Sigmund than anyone else, but she didn't want to think that she would. They were past all those childish antics and ways of thinking. They had to focus on what they needed to accomplish as a team and protect each other. There was no room for unnecessary fighting. She wouldn't do that unless she felt the need to defend herself. She wasn't going to apologize for herself anymore or let anyone talk down to her. Including him. He may have been the leader, but he wasn't going to be a good one if he continued to act like the same person he was a year ago. Leaders are supposed to be a role model to their squad and a motivator to work hard. She admired Sigmund for a lot of different reasons and respected him like no other. She always had. She just...she wasn't going to let her personal feelings get involved in this. She couldn't do that.

Once they were dismissed, Nori went back into town and went to gather up the supplies they would need for their traveling. While Nanami had medical supplies taken care of, she began to pack everyone their own individual bags of food, water, shurikans and kunai's for back up just in case, rope, scrolls, one tent for them to share that was good in size, a few flashlights, and other small items that needed to be secured. Once she was done, she wiped her brow with the back of her hand before she picked them up and carried them outside. Her parents wished her well with this new mission and for her to stay safe. Nori promised she would be back. Although she was told that she wouldn't be facing Kotatsu, there was no doubt in her mind that this wasn't going to be an easy mission to accomplish. A lot depended on it if it was coming from Sasuke Uchiha himself.

When she was finished packing their belongings, Nori made his way back to the designed meet spot and when she did, she found that she wasn't alone. She could see Nanami and Sigmund talking. Despite the time that had passed, the two of them seemed to have gotten along fairly well. But when her name came up, Nanami seemed to want Sigmund to talk to her and admit his feelings, but what feelings did he even have for? He had a lot of feelings towards her, but she was sure that none of them were good. Her not being there for Sigmund throughout his healing process had seemed to bother him and hurt him in a way that she didn't think would be possible. Nori knew he had needed them to be there for him, but he had to have known they left with good reason. Why else would they willingly abandon his side when he needed? She wanted to protect him, but would he see that? Or would he just see the people that abandoned him in his time of need? She certainly didn't want to have to feel like she had to justify her reasons. She was her own person and she did she thought was the best even if he didn't like it. It was her decision and she would stay by it.

Although her and Sigmund did indeed share a history together, Nori knew that that didn't matter at this point. It almost felt like it didn't exist. They were the best of friends growing up. She could even remember the first day that they met. And over time, her feelings for him did start to develop. She knew they would never get anyway. It was completely one sided. But over the course of the year she was gone, she had come to terms with it. It was clear that he would never accept what she felt for him. But still...she didn't like the fact that he seemed to not trust her abilities and think that she was the same girl she was when she left. He wanted proof of that apparently or else he wasn't going to think any less of her than he felt before. Nori would do this mission and do it will well. She didn't need some time of babysitter to watch over her. She wasn't a child that needed to be look after for her to keep her feelings in check. Nori let that roll off her shoulders and walked over to them, placing their bags behind each of them. "All ready  to go," she said with a smile.

   Before Sigmund could get anymore words in or get Nanami's input on strategy, Nori had showed up behind them on the old, dropping the numerous bags of their traveling gear. In the time that had passed, still no word from their Jonin. Sigmund was rather disappointed that their assigned leader really wasn't coming. It was a bad impression on their part and even more so a bad influence. However at the same time, he thought over if something had happened to them along the way, but he doubted it. Shaking the thought from his head, he merely got up on his feet and grabbed one of the bags Nori presented them. He didn't really make eye contact with her and not so much as a thank you either. He never understood how she could be so cheerful, always smiling at them. It made her look like a real dork to him.

   He swing the bag over his shoulder as if it weighed nothing. The possibility of this bag slowing him down was little to none. They had a long trip ahead of them just traveling before they even could arrive to the mission destination. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a map he had grabbed when he fetched the documents they needed. The map showcased all the lands; in what it looked like red pen markings, Sigmund had already created a route they would be traveling on. A couple of places had been circled for potential safe zones for resting and a couple of small villages along the way to gather additional supplies of needed. "It'll be a couple days before we reach the border from Fire to Fang. They are expecting our arrival and will be giving us more supplies if needed. If we encounter any rouge ninja or Snow shinobi, we ask for a surrender first before escalating to termination," the serious Sigmund leader had taken over again, any friendly attitude he had earlier had merely vanished as if it never surfaced. "Once in the Land of Fang, we'll be heading straight north to the shore. They'll be a boat awaiting our arrival. It'll be another couple of days for that trip as well. Supplies will be waiting for us due to weather conditions that we may experience during our boat travel and our time in the Land of Frost. Our primary destination is Shimogakure, the source of the strange beams, well at least one of them," he explained as he shoved the map back into his pocket. "Are we clear? Was there anything else before we go because I'd like to make our deadlines," he questioned. There was no time to waste in times like these. Every minute and second wasted, was opportunities for more snow shinobi to reign terror over other places. He had no idea how harsh or what distasters lay before them in Shimogakure. He could only hope they weren't too late to save the village.

Nanami listened and smiled a bit. The rough a gruff side of Sigmund is preferred to the one she got to see at the chunin exams. Thhough as he talked about deadlines. The fact they were without a jonin worried her. She hoped that they weren't being drawn into a trap. Nanami looked at Sigmund "Well I have no questions and am ready to go." She slings her pack over her shoulder and waits for Sigmund to start moving. The beams of light worried her a bit. A few things went through her mind. That it was most likely still there. Just under the effects of a barrier jutsu, or possibly but less likely a space-time jutsu. Either way it would require a massive amount of...

Nanami blnked a few times. They could be using the Hokage as conduits for chakra, or like batteries. Powering part of a barrier. This kept her mind off of what would most likely be an unpleasant mission. Nanami extended her fist. She looked at Sigmund and Nori. Nanami was hoping the would place their fists next to hers. A good sign that they were all on the same page.

Nori watched as Sigmund got up from the floor, noting the way that he avoided making eye contact with her. Was he really this upset with her? Then again, he always tended to want to stay away and keep her at a distance. He said little to nothing to her unless he was either scolding her or giving her one of his famous lectures about how she would never be able to beat him. Nori was tired of hearing things like that and in all honesty, not having to hear it from him for this past year was a bit of a relief. She was past all that attitude and conceited behavior. She was just going to let it brush over her shoulders and handle it in the most mature way as possible. All these years, all she wanted to do was be a friend to Sigmund. There was a time when they were young and inseparable that no one could rip them apart. They had a bond, but that bond had faded over the course of their lives and she wasn't sure why, but she wasn't going to dwell what was in the past. They were older now and they had to move on. Part of her, yes, did feel something for Sigmund but it would never come to rise. She just...had this feeling that they were always going to be at distance from each other. But after this year, she wasn't going to let her emotions control her nor her past. Nori was going to do what she had to do in that moment. That was all.

She listened to go a little bit more into details about their route and what they would be doing as far as resting, gathering supplies, and traveling transportation. They were going to have a bit of a ways to go before they reached the border of the Fire of Fang, but she knew they would have more than sufficient enough of supplies to get them there. Until then, they would have to conserve and use what they felt was necessary. They didn't have anything to waste, including time. "I'm ready to go when you two are," she said as she gripped onto the straps of the bag on her shoulder.

   He looked at Nanami's extended fist for a moment as she announced she was ready to go. He knew what this was. It was some kind of formality to acknowledge they were on the same side with good intentions. He knew Nanami meant well though. When Nori chimed in and stated she was ready as well, he noticed she didn't put her fist in at all. With that, Sigmund felt he didn't need to however gave Nanami a nod before walking ahead of them to lead the way out of town.

   He had left the academy grounds without a trace. He truly meant no time to waste as he had quickly reappeared at the village gates, checking in with the few shinobi and informing them their whereabouts, their route, and who they were on who's orders. After briefly discussing with his fellow comrades at the gates, he waited for the girls to join him. Whether they took their time or rushed, wasn't going to really bother him as he had his fellow Chunin to talk to in the meantime.

Nanami seemed a little disappointed that they hadn't met her fist. Though the nod from Sigmund was enough for the time being. Sigmund vanished just like he had arrived. Nanami wasn't in a big hurry and she didn't want to waste chakra by using body flicker to get there faster. She didn't know what to expect once they left the Land of Fire. So it took her a minute or two to reach the main gate. She didn't interrupt Sigmund as he talked with other chunin. So she decided to sit on one of the pillars above thhe main gate waiting for him to be done.

Nanami figured Sigmund knew she was there. So she waited until Nori arrived, or Sigmund gave an order. Either way she was ready when they were.

   Sigmund had finished his conversation quickly as he noticed Nanami made her appearance. Wasn't surprised that Nori would be the last of them to make her arrival. He shook his fellow comrades' hands before he body flickered to the pillar next to Nanami, standing on it with his feet together and hands in his pockets. "Let's keep the showing off and out of the ordinary presence to a minimum. Let's try to act normal. We can't draw attention to ourselves once we leave these gates," he told her, more like an order, but he gave her smirk, showing the jokingly nature of his comment but he did mean the comment. It was only noon so they were doing good on time. This mission meant everything to him, but not just him, to them as well. He had hoped their rivalry wouldn't get in the way; he had hoped their need to show off their skills wouldn't get in the way; he had hoped they matured enough to just listen and take precautions.

Nori had managed to rejoin the group shortly after; Sigmund lead the team of three on the route he had mapped out for them. He took the lead as they walked, the girls following behind talking amongst themselves. Sigmund stayed out of the conversations they girls exchanged, trying to stay alert and focused as they walked. The Land of fire was know to be one of the biggest countries, however as much as the size came, it was full of lushes trees and endless forests. Many roads passed through the country, mostly through the forests and that's exactly what it had come to: traveling through the forest. In times of war, it was uncertain would laid in the depths of an endless forest. The group had passed a couple of travelers heading back to Konoha. Sigmund merely gave them a nod in passing while the girls would give a slight wave and smile.

It wasn't long before sunset had came; the sky was blanketed with the vast amount of orange and pink color, stretching over the forest area they had managed to make. The group traveled halfway to their destination within the seven to eight hours of travel. It wasn't long before Sigmund ordered a rest for the evening. Before the group could settle in and start a make-shift camp, they heard a cry for help deep within the forest and from the looks of it, it was a woman's voice from afar.

Nanami head snapped around. Though she suddenly stopped her bodies movement and planted a foot  in the ground. Her instinct was to rush, though being the medical ninja she waited for orders to move. Though a cry for help this deep in the forest.. It could be a trick or a trap of some kind. Nanami sighed wishing she had learned the shadow clone technique just for this moment. Her eyes glanced at Sigmund "Orders?"

Nanami's Sharingan was already glowing brightly in the falling dusk. Her eyes glanced back towards the forest. She still wasn't sure if they should go, but without Sigmunds go ahead she wasn't going to move an inch. Every part of her felt and cried trap. This felt way to convenient to her. Again though they were on mission and until orders are given or opinions are asked, would she voice herself and concerns.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 21:01, Sat 12 Aug 2017.

   Sigmund narrows his eyes as the cry for help echoed throughout the forest. The woman wasn't screaming or panicking. It was more a desperate "hey is anyone there?" Type of help. Sigmund's last instinct was to lung at the opportunity to help someone. In a time of war, this could mean a trap. He knew how desperate Nanami had to have been feeling as she appeared anxious and awaited to be told what to do. Nori remained silent and aware, more concerned and was probably more convinced everything was fine.

   "Keep your eyes peeled with your Sharingan. You'll see the movement before any of us," he told her. It wasn't long before he made his bones start to crackle from both of his shoulders. He dropped his bag onto the ground as two long bones began to peek on each of his shoulders. Using both of his hands, he crossed his arms up and grabbed each make-shift bone hilt and pulled them right out of his body. Normally, he would wield this technique with one hand, but he learned to be ambidextrous over the year, being able to do double the damage with a faster pace. "Both of you, take to the trees. Watch from above. I'll go in from the ground. Watch the area around us and keep your eyes on me in case something happens," he ordered. Having them above the ground gave them the advantage for a surprise attack or an ambush from above as their enemies focused on him. He was more like bait in this case even though he more likely could handle himself. "Only confront if necessary. Nanami, you'll be the last if you see any struggles," he reminded as he began to walk forward, heading in the direction of where they heard the cry for help. He kept his pace slow and steady, his bone swords in each of his hands as he tightly gripped the bolts with narrowed eyes. He constantly scanned every tree, bush, and tried to use his hearing as best as possible for any other weird sounds and noises.

Meditation was often a favorite pass time of Jin's when not training or on missions, he never felt at peace unless he was sitting in a secluded glade or atop a craggy mountain losing himself in the nothingness and oneness of the void. Unfortunately for Jin, emptying ones mind also tended to make one forget about earthly matters such as meeting his new squad and leading them on their first mission since the tragedy of the last chunin exams. It was an event that Jin tried hard to remember, each detail etched into his mind and relived a dozen times a day so that he could prepare himself for the eventual battle that would likely unfold.

He opened his eyes slowly as he realized he had broken his trance and slowly unfolded his legs and stretched them back into mobility. A quick glance at the sun showed him that he was late by at least 2 hours and he scratched the stubble at his chin in thought before sighing and dissapearing from atop a large boulder in a soft swirl of dust caught in the breeze. He shortly arrived at the meeting point to find it empty save for the smallest tells of the squads earlier presence. At the gates he questioned the guards on the direction they took and set of in pursuit.

Jin had placed a brown cloth over over his takuhatsugasa to hide his forehead protector and with a set of long dusty brown robes covering his chain vest and keikogi, he looked like any other travelling priest. He wandered down the road with a quick but steady pace occasionally stopping to greet and talk with travelers on the road. from the few people he spoke to he learned that he was indeed following the correct trail and soon picked up his pace when the roads were empty, using his lightened boulder jutsu sparingly to increase his speed.

After roughly three hours he spotted the group in the distance and slowed his pace until they moved just out of sight. He decided to leave the road and instead followed through the branches silently. Eventually the group stopped to make camp. Jin was about to greet them when the shout resounded through the forest and he listened with interest as the chunin made their plans and silently shadowed Sigmund, stepping into his footsteps and matching each step and breath to Sigmund's own. He placed his arms inside his sleeves as he followed the young chunin and eagerly awaited watching his new squad in action. On the final day of the chunin exams he had watched two of them fight and they both gave impressive displays but he was sure that the past year would have made them even stronger physically if not mentally or spiritually.

   After ordering his team to steer ahead to zone in on the location of the mysterious woman, he quietly stalked further before coming to a complete stop. He had learned a lot in his training with Sasuke Uchiha himself and one of the things he learned the most was always be prepared, even with a clone. Always send a clone in as a decoy and stalk behind it. That's exactly what Sigmund had done and applied here. Jin had been stalking them for sometime now and the clone had fulfilled its purpose as the real Sigmund had followed quietly behind. Sigmund had appeared behind the mysterious robed ninja, double bone blades in hand as the Sigmund illusion had merely disappeared from ahead. "Explain yourself," he demanded. Without any visual appearance of being from any village, to Sigmund and his team, this man was a rogue shinobi and he would do all means necessary to dispose.

When Jin spoke his voice came from above in the trees as the form Sigmund addressed dissapeared in a small puff of smoke leaving only a robe that dropped to the ground as the smoke dissipated. Jin had his arms crossed as he sat on the branch with his legs dangling downwards, swinging gently. His face was shadowed by the takuhatsugasa he wore but the forehead protector woven into it was in clear sight.

"My name is Rikumaru Jin, but you may call me what you like, and i am the Jounin assigned to your squad. Unfortunately I was late to the meeting and so tracked you down. Since you seemed to be doing fine without me i thought i might tag along and watch. Nice use of the clone by the way." He gestured lazily towards two other points in the surrounding trees with a wave of his hand. "Your plan is simple yet effective and you squad mates seem willing to accept your commands, please continue you operation. I promise not to intervene unless absolutely necessary. You are not genin to be coddled so i will not treat you as such."

Jin slid off the branch yet seemed to descend much slower than should have been possible and he landed silently before pushing up the rim of his headgear revealing a cheerful grin and bright peaceful green eyes. Also apparent were the two large scars on his right cheek that marred an otherwise fairly youthful face. his posture was relaxed and he didn't so much as glance at the bone swords in Sigmund's hands. "I believe you are in command of this investigation Sigmund. You may continue." Somehow the tone of his voice made the final statement sound like a command yet contained no sharpness and as he  retrieved the robe and dressed himself before leaning against the tree crossing his arms once more. He bowed his head slightly so that only his grin was visible.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Sun 13 Aug 2017.

Nanami was standing on a tree-branch. She watched Sigmund, and took note of the mysterious man. She knew that Sigmund would spot him before the robed figure got to close. She watched and prepared. Five of her three arrows hovered above her head. If the man was an enemy she would wait until Sigmund engaged the person. She was more then ready to strike. Her Sharingan followed both of the robed figure, and Sigmund. Nanami watched as Sigmund deftly got behind the person. She stopped just inside her maximum arow distance. As she was told to stay out of combat unless she was nable to. Nanami would however be prepared to support Sigmund.

Once the question by Sigmund was asked. Nanami waited patiently for the person to answer.

Then it became revealed that he was the jonin that was suppose to lead us. Nanami hops to a branch just above them. She looked down examining the man intently with her Sharingan. She waited silently for Sigmund to reply. As she didn't want to give her position away to any other possible onlookers.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 01:17, Sun 13 Aug 2017.

   He figured as much that someone more skilled would play the same card as him and it didn't bother him in the slightest. He didn't even flinch when he heard their supposed Jonin leader explain himself and introduced himself. He listened respectfully and was rather pleased the Jonin had no plans on interfering. Good. One less person to worry about. he thought to himself as he faced the direction of the constant cries for help. He couldn't help but notice the multiple grins from this guy. Sigmund merely rolled his eyes. Great. Another cheery annoyance. he mused over. He was rather disappointed that they had been assigned a Jonin that looked no older than him. There was no way this guy was old, which explained his lame grinning demeanor.

   Jin apparently had approved of his operation, telling him to continue as if it was some command. Unfortunately Sigmund had issues with taking orders from others, especially from a Jonin that he wasn't impressed with and made a terrible impression on them already. He brushed this new comrade's presence and the encounter entirely as he walked ahead, following the sounds of help, the voice getting loud and louder as he drew closer. The bone swords still in hand as a defense.

Nanami sighed, she was hoping that their new Sensei would be similiar to their previous Jonin. Though not knowing Sigmund well enough seemed to leave a bad impression on him, and her. Even though she knew Sigmund had authority issues. Not putting his foot down and taking charge meant that it would take more then him being their Jonin to earn their respect. After she watched Sigmund brush the encounter with Jin to the side. Nanami waited a few seconds before continuing to follow Sigmund.

She hopped from branch to branch without making any noise. Her Sharingan glowing softly. Nanami scanned the area for signs or an enemy. She still didn't trust this call for help. It felt to well timed for them to here it. Even though they were still in the Land of Fire. Would someone really be that bold to start something in their land? Her arrows hovered near her, she was watching and waiting for something to strike.

Nanami kept her eyes scanning the every inch of the terrain in front of her.

As the group approached closer and closer to the voice, a woman could be seen. She was hanging upside down from her feet, various supplies had been scattered on the ground below her. Kunai knives, food supplies, Yen scattered everywhere. The poor woman had been caught up in a trap and had no means of getting down or cutting herself free. It was obvious she was there for awhile now as her face was moderately pink from hanging upside down for a good while. She finally spotted Sigmund from afar and she looked relieved. "Hey! You! Please don't leave. I need help! Can you help get me down? Please! I've been here for awhile now!" she hollered at him, in desperation. It was also obvious she was exhausted from failed attempts. It was clear to the entire group that the woman wasn't a shinobi because a simple shinobi would've gotten out of this the moment it happened.

The order she was given stands. Nanami circles around the area where the woman is. She also looks for any active Genjutsu, as well as inspecting the womans chakra network, as a ninja's and normal persons networks were vastly different. She would move around clockwise checking for other ninja, traps or the like. Her eyes scanned the areas from her treetop position. She would let Sigmund initiate contact. Knowing that if it was a trap. Being hidden from it would give them the advantage. Her look also followed Nori, keeping track of her.

Nanami feet were silent as she padded them with air chakra. The technique she learned from Sakuya was infinitely useful. It also made jumping from tree to tree easy. The branches never creaked as she knew where to land. Eventually she finds an old oak tree that stood above all the others. She used this to keep watch until things were decided.

   He looked over the woman with caution. The entire situation was weird. He walked forward, still being cautious. The woman was relieved as Sigmund kept coming near; she kept repeating thank you to him as he finally reached to her. She didn't seem bothered by his bone swords as he used one of them to cut her down, dropping the swords immediately and catching her to ensure she didn't fall. He gently placed her down and she had hugged him and thanked him.

"Thank you so much young man! I've been stuck up there for awhile now, before the sun even started to set," she said as she dusted herself off and began picking up her things. "I came out and set this trap for an animal. I'm a hunter for a local village nearby and sell the meat for money to support my children. I chased a boar but I got caught in my own trap before he could " she started to explain as she finished gathering her yen all over the ground.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Tue 15 Aug 2017.

Nanami watched the exchange. Being such an odd situation caused her to be hyper-tensive. She watched the woman hands making sure nothing was injected or placed on Sigmund. Fuinjutsu users can be a pain. She kept herself composed as she remained vigilant in her search for anything out of thhe ordinary. She also looked at the woamn scanning her for any signs of injury. Unless told to, Nanami would remain at her perch and wait for Sigmund to head back or wave for her to come down.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 07:31, Tue 15 Aug 2017.

   He allowed the woman to rant on about thanking him and she even went as far as explaining her presence here put in the outskirts of the major hidden village. He just shrugged. "No, it was nothing," he replied. Nanami's presence seemingly began to get annoying as she kept her presence hidden but he felt the unnecessary hovering. When the woman wasn't looking, he waved his hand, an indication it was okay for now. Sigmund believed she was harmless. He didn't see any headband she branded that she was a shinobi. He kept his distance still, however there was four against one of a confrontation broke out. "Do you need any other assistance?" he asked her.

The woman perked back up, placing everything she had in her satchel as Sigmund asked if she needed anything else. "Oh you don't have to, but if it isn't too much to asked..." she trailed off as she knelt down, pulling up her maroon colored kimono at her ankles, showing the raw flesh and redness at her ankles. "I wouldn't mind some medical attention if possible. My constant struggles seem to have caused some sort of terrible wound," she explained as she touched it, wincing from the stinging and small drops of blood trailing down her leg, staining her white socks. She leaned back up and grabbed something out of her bag, pulling out 100 yen and held it out. "Also for all the trouble, I would like to give you this as a thank you and token of gradtitude," she added, the yen bill in hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Tue 15 Aug 2017.

Still not fully trusting the situation she would hop down near Sigmund. She looked at the woman intently. Hearing the woman ask for medical treatment. She would walk over "I'll take care of that real quick." Nanami stood over the woman, a single arrow hovered at one shoulder. Nanami's Sharingan was still active just in case. She looks at Sigmund before she kneels down [Private to Akitoki Sigmund: (Unless Sigmund tells her not to)], and began to use chakra to heal the minor wounds. It would take about thirty seconds or less with these minor wounds. Unless something prevents her, once done she walks back behind Sigmund.
This message was last edited by a game editor at 17:24, Wed 16 Aug 2017.

Jin watched form the trees and covered the forehead protector before making a lot of noise as he brushed leaves and branches aside, nearly tripping over a tree root as he stumbled forward into the area just before she offered the money to the group. He was panting lightly as he spoke and placed both hand together in prayer. "We thank you for your generous offer Miss but we could not possibly accept, helping those in need is our duty and privilege. Would you like an escort back to your home? I hear the forest can be dangerous at night." His grin remained but it was much softer and his voice had a musical quality that was oddly calming.