soul_logs | in the end the final decision we all must take; (CLOSED)

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in the end the final decision we all must take; (CLOSED)

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Akiha Tohno
Location: Argentina
Rating: PG-13 at the most
Time: April 28th
Description: Mission 161d: There have been reports of the Madness Wavelength increasing in Argentina. Sources indicate that the citizens throughout the country have begun turning on each other, and a few have even started turning into Kishin Eggs. Shibusen has been requested to enter the country and help put a stop to the Kishin Egg threat.

[ What beauty Sakura initially found in the country was quickly expired as the sense of danger heightened. While she's never been afraid, she has always kept herself wary when it came to the Madness Wavelength and any other associated things. Investigating this up close was a fool's idea, but Sakura took after her teacher's drive for gambling. While she didn't take unnecessary risks, she did place her own life and mind in danger by coming here directly. None of that matters to her thought for if there's one thing she's confident in, it's her iron will. Impenetrable, she can only hope the same can be said for Akiha.

The vibrant colors in the area made it easier to locate civilians who were arguing and the combined power of Akiha and Sakura were enough to snap most people from it. For those who showed a reluctance in being swayed, well, that's what their fists were for. Honestly, the two seem to work really well together and the mission itself was tailored to fit their chemistry. ]

Two of them so far. [ Sakura eagerly says despite her slight exhaustion as she walks beside her, having been in Weapon form long enough that she was starting to form a headache. ] Let's see if there's anymore we can help out before calling a quits, okay?

[ It wasn't nowhere near the end of the day and so long as they both were in good health, physically and mentally, she saw no reason to continue. Hopefully her partner shared in that very same enthuisasm. ]

Hey, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about while we're away from Death City. You up for it or should we wait until we're back somewhere safe?

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[Having spent basically every moment of her life fighting against her heritage and the thing it would one day turn her into, Akiha had a will more than strong enough to deal with the more common madness wavelength. The incident with the black clown weighed on her mind some. That had been a concentrated attack of madness, yes, but it had scared her. Still, this mission didn't have those so she was fine. Sakura may have noticed that odd quality of Akiha's wavelength being a bit more easily felt, but that was the only indication of any potential affect from the madness wavelength. And it was minor.]

We still have to check that other area of there before I'm willing to call it clear.

[She drew in a few deep breaths and stretched her arms up, wincing just a bit at the sound of her back realigning. It felt good, though, so there was nothing to worry about there.]

This mission's been fairly easy and it's been helping keep my mind off of... certain things. Sure, what did you want to talk about?

[ With a nod, Sakura agrees. Leaving any part untouched from their surveillance didn't settle well with her, so she shares in Akiha's consideration in checking out everything. There's a bit of guilt weighing her down and the only way to relieve herself of it was to speak about it.

Even if it seems that may be the thing she wants to keep her mind free of. ]

Sion. [ So she'll just say the name as a reply to test the waters. ]

[Hearing her partner's name pulls an irritated sigh from Akiha. No, she wasn't irritated with Sakura, but with Sion.]

I should tell you what she made me promise before accepting that I was going on this mission with you. It's absolutely absurd.

...though considering what you have apparently said to her, I can see where she's coming from. That and my partner has the emotional maturity of a grapefruit.

Ha, I probably shouldn't egg her on when she starts going on about stupid things. [ Rubbing the back of her neck nervously. ] I suppose the two of us won't see eye-to-eye for a while.

[ She's going to play it safe and not comment on Sion's maturity. ] Well, what is it?

It'd be best to not consider them stupid things, Haruno. Sion is a genius. She just... doesn't know people very well and is easy to anger.

[Akiha has insulted Sion's maturity enough for them both, so Sakura was smart in keeping silent on that. As for the question... Akiha scowls.]

And she had me promise not to... not too fall to... this is absurd. [Akiha stopped walking and crossed her arms, glaring.] Not to fall to your wiles. [She decided to leave the 'ratly' out that Sion had added in.] She seems to think you're going to make an attempt to court me or something as equally ridiculous.

[ Even though Sakura wants to argue over Sion's brains, instead she's taken by surprise with Akiha's words. ]

My wiles?

[ It doesn't even click right away. All she can think about is what she's done to give that sort of impression. That she might hurt someone or take them away from--! ]

Oh!

[ Stopping is easy when your companion does it, so Sakura naturally follows her lead to pause in her steps. Her arms don't fold even though her frustration begins to show in her face. ]

Court you... no, I'm afraid I can't do that. I've gone on a date here with Lee--[ Go ahead and judge her. ]--but I think love is something not for me.

[ She's completely in denial and that shows. If there's one thing she's not good at hiding, it's how she feels about a certain boy with dark hair. ]

...I'm not even going to ask why you went out with that boy. [Yes. Judging going on here.]

And I know you won't make any attempts like that. The thought never even crossed my mind. You're a... friend, yes, but I'm not remotely interested in you. Besides, I can tell you have a flame for someone.

Someone not me. Which is why Sion was being ridiculous with that promise of hers. As if I would fall for you.

He's liked me for a long time.

[ Although, she's starting to think he's moved on. ] It was just at the carnival so I thought it would cheer the both of us up. A lot of people returned home and it was nice. Just not something I'd repeat.

With anyone. [ She reiterates. ] Not even you. Here I thought she was just really worried about you getting hurt and instead it turns out she was jealous. Jeez, this feels so childish.

Well, at least you have a promise to follow through on. [ Promises make her bitter. ] If there's something I can do other than get a boyfriend, I'll give it a try.

She's worried about that too, but it is mostly jealousy. She's... well, it's not as if her and I are used to...

[Akiha starts walking again, tucking her hair behind her ear.]

Don't make a big deal about it, but if you were wondering if she and I are... we are. But it's not even been two weeks yet, so she's a little, um, high-strung about it.

I told her she doesn't have to like my friends, but I would like her to try to get along with them. Just the same, I don't expect you to like Sion, but as a friend, I'd like you to attempt to get along with her. Apologizing for baiting her would be a good start.

Should I hold back on the congratulations then?

[ It's a joke, but at least they're at the level where they can. Sakura finds it amazing really. People from different worlds being able to fall in love here and move on with their lives. It's remarkable and something she'll find herself envious of much later on. ]

I'll think on it, but don't hold your breath. [ She's nice, but every time she has a conversation with Sion, it tends to not end well. ] Good enough for you?

[The joke just gets a snort from Akiha. She, herself, finds it extraordinary, but more because of who she is and who Sion is; neither of them are easy to get along with and Akiha still and will always love Shiki.]

I've told Sion she needs to try, too. So maybe if you both do, it'll go--

[Akiha cut herself off at the sound of someone screaming up ahead. She couldn't see the person, but she had an idea where it was coming from. She broke into a run, and held her hand back for Sakura as she went.]

Damnit.

[ The smile drains at the sign of someone in misery and Sakura's without laughter, only determination. Once Akiha broke out into a run, the kunoichi was quick to follow after her with leaps and longer strides in an attempt to keep up. Reaching out for her hand, she touches Akiha's palm with her fingers stacked up a bit just to fit in nicely.

Soon enough she was no longer running and instead took the form she's grown accustomed to over these missions. ]

Be careful. [ It's like her to say these things despite knowing that caution is hardly ever an option. ] I don't like the idea of us running boldly into an unknown situation.

[Gripping the hammer tightly up high, Akiha ran with the weapon and chose not to respond to Sakura's comment. Of course, she would be careful and running into unknown situations happened on missions. She was somewhat used to the ninja's overt concern.

She turned the corner about a building just as the screaming stopped to find a body on the ground at the far end of the alley and a man standing over it. Blood drenched the ground and the man's muscles bulged unnaturally, driven by the madness. This was something they'd seen before, but the amount of blood makes something in Akiha's wavelength shift briefly. She was hungry. The madness always made her hungry. All they needed to do was force the man away from the body before it--]

Is that a soul?

[Akiha asked that as something blue was pulled from the body that reminded her of the kishin egg souls they collected, just a different color. She knew humans became kishin eggs through consuming human souls, but she'd never actually -seen- a human soul before. Regardless, she acted to keep the man away from the soul, shifting her stance as she came close.

Using the hammer's special properties and their basic resonance, Akiha struck the ground with it and the shockwave forced the man to jump back away from the soul. Slathering, the man laughed madly and dove back for the soul. Akiha swung the hammer to hit him away mid-air, but he was a bit faster than her as she was still slightly recovering from the ground-breaking strike. She caught him in the shoulder, knocking him into the wall, but he managed to grab the soul in the process.

...and then he shoved it in his mouth as he lay there.]

[ Ignoring it is always difficult when you're up close and personal, so when they approach the area, even Sakura's will finds itself wavering in the vicinity of the madness. Steeling herself to answer her partner, Sakura takes in the scene fully.

Blue. What a peaceful color.

No, they can't think about that right now and it seems Akiha thought the same thing. Their goal now was to return that soul to the body before something terrible can happen. The fate of this being now resides in the capable hands of Akiha Tohno and Sakura's confident in her ability. Focused on amplifying the strike, she was relieved they were able to knock him away just in time.

Except their timing was off. ]

Smash his throat!

[ It's the best she can think of. Kill one, save one. That's the best case scenario. Before it can turn red. Please. She might not realize she's pleading where Akiha can be aware of it, but she is. ]

[The pleading was irritating, but Akiha understood. She was TRYING, after all. And the pleading was the only reason the meister was willing to accept that a warhammer could smash anything with the level of precision needed to target the throat. She was liable to take the man's head off with the strike, but she tried.]

Hey!

[That would be Akiha's exclamation when the strike was stopped by the man's hand. He caught the head of the hammer and shoved it back at Akiha. Her foot slipped on the blood on the ground and she had to drop to one knee.

...and then the human changed, limbs twisting and elongating. All with that mad laugh. Akiha was frozen as she watched the spectacle.]

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in the end the final decision we all must take; (CLOSED)

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