The Tower...? [Anarchy!]

[Enatsu]

[Eyes on Fire (Remix) - Click It!]​

Barely back from his journey a month ago and there's already chaos. It all started with Magnetica the destructive queen who ruled over the power of magnetism. It took the village's main shinobi force to deal with her even the Steward took heavy damage. Not even fresh from licking those wounds entirely there was already more chaos. From the average sized complex the Ikoji Clan watched in horror as the Kazekage's Tower was blown to bits. Jaws dropped as people in the streets panicked. However as soon as this happened many began to move making their positions on this situation known. Inside the Elder Council room Kenji and Saizan stood over a table with a map of the village open. Many warriors and medics swarmed outside as Koga pushed his way through to the front. All this commotion and no one had any answers.
-----------------------------

[Fifteen Minutes Earlier]

Spoiler

[Kenji]
[Koga]
[Saizan]

"Cousin Koga!? Where the hell have you been no one has seen you in nearly a month!". He was livid probably stressed by the horror of what they all just saw and trying to figure out his next course of action. Kenji was a good leader but he'd never faced War like this. Magnetica was just a battle one that he hadn't partook in not that the Ikoji expected their leader to do such for you never let your commanding leader face battle unless need be. Least this generation of the Ikoji didn't. Kenji wasn't as durable as his vangaurd when it came to taking damage so his front line soldiers would always consist of the Kaguyan warriors. Koga was now apart of that fold and one could call him a general in the grand scheme of things. Entering the room and staring Saizan in the face was the hardest part as his father was the reason he'd not been around. "Kenji don't waste your time with that. We will discuss that when the time comes for now we need to focus. The Kazekage tower was just destroyed blown to bits and some of our elders were there to speak on business. We had some guards there to help since the last attack and I have a feeling they perished in the blast. Not only is Suna in disarray with this tragedy we are directly affected also. You need to focus and figure out what your next course of business is. You need to wrangle a search team to go scour the debris. If you don't we may lose more people. Be a leader boy." Saizan the cool one even in the face of death and terror had a retort as usual. Koga simply kneeled knowing what was going to happen next. Kenji was probably stiff not sure how to proceed for he could potentially be sending his brethren into an unknown death. He remained silent staring out the windo looking at where the Tower used to be. "Kenji..."
-----------------------------

[Current Time]

Koga ran full speed forcing six other Ikoji kinsmen to keep up with him. They were a small group of seven that the shinobi was in charge of leading. Four warriors and Three medics would make up this brigade as they sought out anyone who was still alive. They wore white hooded robes moving quickly towards the destroyed area. This assault came from now where, radios did not work, and no one had heard from the gates for some time. Kenji had sent him here to check this tower out and search for survivors possibly getting a read on the enemy. He had sent three more to go investigate the gates feeling that it was time the Ikoji stepped up. Since communications were down they were tasked with scouting and reporting back to Kenji so he could deliver information to others of the village. For now those headed to the gates were on there own and Koga's squad was on their own. Completely in the dark with no way to know if anyone else had figured out anything namely the source of this attack.

In due time they made it to the tower but the sight left something more to be desired. Koga would raise his fist stopping his squad from moving any closer. In front of them bore boulders and broken pieces of the tower. Blood laced the ground like a river along with body parts and charred corpses. This explosion was unreal and it was clear many had died. Some of the warriors cried unable to bear the the thought of their family being stuck in this as well. Koga keeping his composure turned to the rest and spoke quietly. Save your tears for when we have to put them into the ground. This is war people we have to get used to it. This is but one of the many places that could be attacked at any moment. We don't know the enemy, our ears are blocked, and right now we're in the heart of chaos. Find any survivors, heal them, and get them to safety. If they are beyond your ability to heal them keep them stable in any way you can. I expect medics to be hitting the field soon we need to scout and do their task until they make it. Be careful and stay within proximity of one another. Remember we don't know the enemy yet and can't risk them knowing us." He would nod and wave his hand sending his kinsmen out to scour the destroyed field.

"Mother help us... What do we do?" Koga would form the seal of the rooster and charge chakra into his left eye. Even though Oto had healed his bone structure and "body" this eye still was not entirely real. It was like a bio-organic fake eye one that felt real in application but upon touch was harder than stone. His eye would begin to light up with his chakra as his pupil swirled into the shape of a serpent who was eating it's own tail. "The Eye of Ouroboros" was a tool he could use to reach out to the spirits of those around him. These people under the rubble if there were any survivors might show up. Maybe even the dying ones too since their spirits were leaving there body. The eye would change his field of vision but this was a sight he was unprepared for. All over the blazing field of destruction he saw spirits rising tormenting and dying. This was too cruel whoever did this was a true monster. Taking a deep breath of air Koga would run forward making agile steps to find anyone he could.

[The Field of Debris]​

Spoiler

[This is the symbol for the "Eye of Ouroboros"]​

Spoiler

 

[Hoshirei]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

Nari and Kimi were having coffee together when they heard the tower fall. Both of them were immediately to their feet and rather glad that it was just before their shifts. They both had all of their supplies instead of basics. When they exited the shop, they started running toward the tower. Nari knew some of what was going on with the whole Magnetica situation, but not much. She was usually down in the interrogation rooms or at home dealing with issues. Kimi had already healed some injuries caused by battles, but nothing terribly serious. She knew that this would be worse than what she had previously seen.

As they arrived, they noted the group of shinobi that were starting on helping others. It was times like these that Nari was happy to have learned the Mystical Hand technique. She followed Kimi's direction and worked with her to heal those she could, as well as stabilizing others, helping Kimi as best she could. Kora and Katsu, the white tiger twins, walked around, scratching X's in the ground next to anyone who had already passed. Nari helped them, using her sharingan to look for any signs of life. Once Kimi got in a rhythm, she sent Nari off to ask one of the others if they knew what was going on.

With a nod, Nari was off and she dashed off in Koga's direction, putting on her jounin jacket as she ran. "Hello there, any reports that you know of? I heard the radio chatter fall silent."

 

[Toraono Michino]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

Topic Entered with iNPC: Uzumoreru Toushin<i></i>​

It was of course the last thing anyone had expected to happen. So few of the population knew that the Kazekage was out on personal errands that the entire village just went about its normal trade and business. It was the previous mention that the hooded man was here for.
Living in the wilds with some of the lesser bandit tribes had kept him hidden from the linger madness that came from the destruction of his clan; no doubt the survivors would come to him for revenge if discovered. Unfortunately, as everything did on the run, things came at a certain price that he was now paying for by being in the village he swore to never return to. Too many bittersweet memories haunted him as he looked about the old buildings in the market district and his heart ached for the woman who got away. It was bad enough to look at his own son every day and see her likeness in him as well as know that his twin was alive somewhere in this very village. Nearly twice he had broken down into tears as the past came back to him in vivid flashbacks and quickly he resolved himself to get the supplies the bandits had asked for and high-tail it back into the desert.

Things obviously did not go as planned.

In the middle of the biggest haggle he had ever been part of the lights went out. Now normally this was a thing that the ex-assassin would be the most calm in, but this was a thing that was the imitation of the freaking sun; when that goes out panic comes to any man. His reflexive training took hold of his senses and forced him to back away from the merchant’s cart and into an alley. For a moment he wasn’t sure what to do and could only think of the panic that was about to start. Pushing his hands against the wall of the building next to him he decided to try and find a way up.
Despite the lack of light it wasn’t hard for the Uzumoreru to find his way to a roof-access ladder and climb his way silently up. He reached the top just in time to see the image of a man he did not recognize fill the sky and tell them all the dreadful news of what exactly was going on. Toushin couldn’t help the cold claws creeping into his stomach as the explosions rocked the village behind him and the image of the man disappeared. He didn’t bring a single one of his weapons along save for the techniques that he kept sealed away so that his chakra would stay on an insignificant level. Normally, in a situation such as this, the assassin wouldn’t worry but he had two counters against him. For one to retrieve weapons he would have to enter the melee that had become the streets below as the sudden riot of fear and panic rose to a fever pitch at the sounds of explosions. For another there was a seal on the back of his hand that could only be unlocked by the man who placed it there - Ryuu Tama. Finding that anti-social scientist in the middle of all this madness was something that was almost as discomforting as the idea that he was now stuck here until he did something about it. There were always tunnels he could go check. The terrorists couldn’t know all the tunnels right? Some of them you couldn’t know of unless you already knew about them. If could he find the right tunnel then perhaps he could also start leading certain civilians out of this crisis...the mother and, begrudgingly, the father of his son’s twin brother were on the top of this list so far.

Now that he thought about it...didn’t she live near the Kazekage Tower...?

His heart sent out a shock of pain based by fear. The assassin quickly gathered himself and started to move across the rooftop until he reached the edge and made a gentle push of chakra beneath his feet to propel him to the next roof. This was the only way he would be able to get to the light that seemed war further away than it probably really was. He could only hope no one noticed him trying to overpass the violence below because he was seriously limited on what he could do at the moment. For the first time since leaving the village did he honestly regret letting the blond scientist seal away well over half his power when he left. Of course he never thought he’d ever be coming back to ‘home’ either...

 

[Sagasu Yume]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

It had been difficult the last month to keep his feet up as he healed, but once being cleared to return to duty, Shinji was taking every opportunity to train with his new found jackal companion Ika. She had saved him from the flying swords that would have bifurcated him and licked his wounds clean, spending the days at his bedside while Yume was out at the hospital. He had recovered no worse for wear except for the new hooked scars that blazed red on both cheeks, a fortunate accident that made him look more like his kin than he ever thought he would. Last week, they made their debut doing patrols and generic shinobi tasks as they returned to work. Now they were on their way to an explosion that had wracked the village with no certainty that it wasn’t going to be a replay of the entrance Magnetica made. He had come to an understanding why Yume could be so strong when CuRua was backing her. No matter what, he felt like someone had his back when Ika was around. Trotting up to where Nari stood with another of the village force, he crossed his arms and listened to what was going on. No radio? The tower was destroyed?

NO!

A cry that he could recognize in a crowded room screamed across the cavern as rapid footfalls brought Yume charging towards them from the direction of the hospital. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she watched the collapse of the tower and instinctively ran forward, CuRua close on her heels. Reaching out, Shinji manages to grab her around the waist while she flailed, kicking and biting for him to let her go. She had to go to him. She had to find out if he was there.

He might… he could be there. It’s the Djinn all over again… it’s happening again. SHINJI LET ME GO! I HAVE TO FIND HIM!

I know, Lotus. Shhhhh. We’ll find him but there’s more going on here. It’s not a Djinn. Someone has come in to occupy the village. They made an announcement across the sky. I’m sure Sousuke will come to address the matter soon enough. He’s fine, you’ll see.<i></i>

His words did little to sooth the distraught mednin, her primal instincts kicking in and making her unreasonable; fight or flight. It took Ika jumping up and snapping inches from her face to shock her enough and bring her back to what little of her senses were left. Taking a few deep breaths, her brother releases his hold but stays with in arms reach incase she decided to try again. Her knees buckled and she fell to the dirt, a shattered form of who she usually was. With one finger, she starts to draw on the pavement, scratching repeatedly until the skin on her digit tears and drips blood onto the road and reveals the shapes she had scrawled; it was a rough image of the Steward’s visage but it was giving her something to focus on. Unaffected by the injury, she looks up with an unsettling calmness, fixing her eyes onto a man she’d seen only once when they fought Magnetica. Standing on shaking legs, she steps close to him and whispers to his as she keeps her emerald stare on his eye. She had seen that design before and knew what it could help with, but she had never seen it used in a method of sight. Her voice was low and urgent; the voice of a traumatized and desperate woman.

Where is he? What spirits have you seen? Is he one of them?

 

[Enatsu]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

So many souls wailing out in pain, it seemed as though any souls that did find solace in death were completely overshadowed being crushed under the pain of those who felt torment in their dying. It was a sad sight, but he had to keep his composure somehow. Tears of crimson began to trickle from his left eye as he observantly searched for anyone. His eyes became fixated on a few souls who were barely holding on as he tried to bridge a connection with them in hopes of finding them under all the rubble. Bones would begin to cover his hands as he would move closer to their position until he was stopped by a girl with a jounin vest on. She seemed calm even through all this good he would need people like her around. "No reports yet. I have a small squad searching the debris from the tower looking for any survivors. I've seen them catch a few. I think I may have found a group. (pause for a moment) We've been trying to get a read but it seems like radios are useless I don't know how well they'd do us seeing as the tower and the communications system were probably blown to bits together. Looks like we're alone out here now." He'd pull back his hood and give the girl full view of his face now.

"Ikoji Koga of the Ikoji Clan. Who are..." He remembered what he was doing and would immediately run towards the fallen pillars. Koga would begin punching them to remove the debris and dig his way through the rock. Eventually he came on a body of a mother she was gone but there were two small children under her. They seemed alright besides a few burns, the mother must have shielded them with her body. A deep sigh would escape his he would move her body. It was two boys one of them older holding the youngest. The eldest boy was awake but barely and the youngest was completely unconscious. Koga would bend down and begin to feed his canteen water into the eldest boy's mouth. "There, drink slowly and stay still. Help is on the way."</COLOR><i></i> He'd create a bone baton from the palm of his hand pushing through the bloodied skin. He'd wave the baton as a signal for anyone of his brethren. A female vanguard responded after a minute or so which he would leave the boys in her care. If the girl was still following Koga he'd try to finish his response.

<COLOR color="#008080">"Sorry I was in the middle of tracking down survivors I didn't want to lose them. Let's move and talk, what's your name?" Before he could make much movement Koga would be yet again stopped by another but this woman seemed distraught. Her voice was low like she couldn't muster the full strength of her voice. She began to say where is he, and if his spirit was among the ones he could see. Silently Koga would tilt his head slightly. He would attempt to place his hand on the shoulder of the woman who was now speaking to him. She was familiar in fact he knew her as she was the one who saved him from being struck by Magnetica with her water jutsu. She also gave the enemies a prayer showing that she was somewhat spiritual. He wasn't sure how she knew what his eye could do but he wouldn't worry about such things right now.

"Who is he exactly? There are a lot of victims here and I can't tell the souls apart. Other survivors are out there but I don't know who your talking about. Let's search together alright?" He spoke gently even though she was tougher than the situation made her appear. There was someone specific she was looking for and it was probably a lover or family. He wanted to help but there were so many fading and so many close to that. In death or on it's door the spirit was more visible than ever. Even more so his eye could not pick spirits apart it was the drawback of the blood magic. Even so they could at least get a read on the survivors.

 

[Hoshirei]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

Kimi saw Yume first, and ran toward her friend, only joining them once Koga had finished his statement. She had seen the drawing of the Steward. Maneuvering so she could look into Yume's green eyes, she spoke "Yume, I have not accounted him among those I have seen. We're not sure if he was here, but if he was we will find him. We will."

Meanwhile, Nari had followed Koga and helped him unbury the trio. Her strength was rather handy in this situation. "The comms might be down momentarily, but there are other ways to transmit data. I wonder where in the world my brother is. He and my mother could be helping with information transfer. Yamanaka are handy in that way. I'm Shiba Nari of the Uchiha clan. One second." She dashed off to where a piece of a structure was about to fall. Catching and lifting it to a new area put some strain on her muscles, but it was certainly not the heaviest thing she had ever lifted. She then dug down through some rubble that was trying to shift, revealing a gennin.

She checked the boy and he was okay, just a little roughed up. He accepted help out and went on his way to help others. She heard Yume's voice, and Shinji's over the din and made her way back over. Katsu had come over to make sure Yume was okay, she would even try to nuzzle up to the young woman, trying to comfort her. Nari gently touched Shinji's shoulder, giving him strength. She noted the jackal and scars with an internal smile. She knew how hard things could be when someone didn't fit into a certain model. With her sharingan active, she could certainly see the bloody painting of the Steward.

"Yume, we shall help you search. Fall into the medic mindset if you must. You are working, and have people to check on. Come, let us see to them."

 

[Sagasu Yume]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

Her breathing would slow as the women would comfort the distraught Inuzuka, collecting who she was into some semblance of sanity. She wiped her face clean with her palms, her body still trembling but managing to hold it together. Her voice, while no more than a mumble, was oddly stable in comparison to her quivering form.

Sousuke. I’m looking for Sousuke. I’m a medic though, first and foremost. I… I’ll take care of people.

Her movements were robotic, taking steps toward the small crowd of injured people that the ANBU and assorted shinobi had gathered, trying to bring some semblance of order to the situation. Shinji sighed and watched his sister leave; knowing that now was not the time to have a discussion about her feelings. Dropping his hand to Ika’s head, he ruffles her ears.

So girl? Let’s go find some bodies to keep her busy.

Patients… you are meaning patients right? She’s not doing well right now, is she?

No, she’s not. She’s usually more collected than this.

Coming up behind Nari, he helps her move a few pieces of debris, offering her a smile despite the gruesome scene around them. It wasn’t his normal charming smile that would set her aflutter, rather it was a reassurance that he was there if she needed a shoulder be it now or later. He and Ika then carried on with her sniffing the rubble, and he unearthing the wounded or deceased as the case may be.

 

[Toraono Michino]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

Sound was something he was still able to keep mostly muffled despite the seal that was holding back a lot of his strength. So far he had managed to move from rooftop to rooftop without the notice of a single soul that he could tell. Once his feet had carried him far enough the assassin moved to the edge of his last rooftop, turned and hopped off until his hands caught the edge before letting himself go to drop down to the closest window seal. His fingers curled and caught that to break his fall as well. He continued to do this silent exercise until he reached the cave floor in an alley.
The sounds of rioting and violence weren’t as noticeable among the terrible wreckage caused by the explosion. The heat of the remaining fires was still quite radiant even from where he was standing and replacing the sounds of fear and anger were terror and pain. His black heart lurched a little at the very thought of something having happened to Kitanai and her family despite how much he wanted to just forget her all together. Even normally he would have to question himself, “Why? Why am I putting myself into further danger for a woman who betrayed me?” He knew the answer to that question before it could even hit his brain though he may never admit to it; he was still in love.

He had met her husband once before in a bar, on accident, dual celebrating something they didn’t realize they both owned.. It was a weird part of his life that had ended up ruining everything he had spent his entire career building up to but it also resulted in the conception of his child. He didn’t want to be part of this in any way, shape, or form, yet here he was edging himself to the end of the alley to check to see if it was safe. Toushin would never bet sure what fueled the courage for him to leave the safety of the alley or what gave him enough emotional strength to start slowly digging through the ruble, but a part of him was grateful for it.
He moved from building to burning building slowly listening, digging, and praying. He was dressed in little more than a black tunic, leggings, and a large cloak but doubted he was an easy spot despite the silvery hair peppered with soot that now showed. Uzu’s hands and arms would be covered with the blackness of the wreckage around him and close to where he was sorting through a small pile of valuable memorabilia began to collect. The things he pulled from the destruction and placed on the pile were nothing that was really worth value; just a special piece of something from each body he found. Unlike the others who had the luck of running across someone to save all the assassin found was death and more death. Perhaps it was appropriate given his old profession but it did little to help raise his spirits.

After about ten minutes worth of digging through the debris Toushin fell back on his rear and sighed heavily. He looked over to the small pile of personal treasures and sorted through them haphazardly looking for any clue of Kitanai or her family. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for but knew that if he did find something it would spring back up from his memory. The assassin had taken a small catalog of the things that she kept and anything he might have given to her. Nothing in the pile told him of anyone he was searching for and the sound of voices caught his ear. Quick as a field mouse being chased by a hawk the silver-haired stranger darted into a smoldering building to keep his presence masked. Covering his mouth with the cloth of his cloak to keep ash from getting into his lungs he slowly walked over to a window that showed the area where the voices were coming from. He gently placed his back to the wall and edged up to peer from the windows’s edge to see the squad of similar dressed men and women with a white garbed man seeming to lead them. Toushin dropped back down for a second to keep anyone from accidentally catching the glint of his hair before moving his eyes back up to peer out and see the addition of a few others that did not quite fit with the rest. Gathering from the clothing and what they appeared to be doing told him that they weren’t enemies as far as the terrorists were concerned, but he still wasn’t sure how far he could trust the Suna ninja as well. His ironic search for the woman who ruined his life was going to have to be paused for a moment while he waited for the group to move on; he kept his ears ever open to listen for survivors.

 

[Enatsu]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

Nari as she called herself seemed to be capable enough to help him out. She was an Uchiha and everyone knew of the famed clans prowess with their doujutsu. It should only be a matter of time before the girl would activate her eyes and try to help out more people. Truth be told her Sharingan would prove far more useful than Koga's Ouroboros. She also mentioned that her relatives were skilled Yamanaka clansmen. Nari claimed that they could set up some kind of information network with their abilities the only thing Koga knew of them were that they were adept at mental infiltration. Perhaps they can infiltrate others minds and tell them things. It'd be more like setting up a bridge of communication I guess. I wonder what she meant by that comment now. First things first I have to get things under control. We need a plan...

Yume seemed to regain some of her resolve as she came to terms with what she needed and had to do. Her duty as a medical shinobi brought her back from whatever state of distraught she was in. Koga would yell out for his squadron."VANGUARD!!!!" In time they would respond bringing together the group once more however one person was missing. "Status report did we find the Elders or the Kazekage?" The clansmen retained their silence as Koga would reiterate his question. "Jo, did we find them or not? This isn't the time for feelings we have work to do." The one known as Jo would slowly step forward to Koga. "We've had no sight of the Kage among the dead... but we found the Elders. Nima is tending to their bodies, they didn't make it.." He'd turn around and take a deep breath to reflect on this moment. While he didn't know them too well the elders were some of the most caring people in this village. Even more than that they were Kenji's grandparents and if anyone would be distraught it would be the leader of the Ikoji Clan.

"I have a mission for you all. Ensure that their bodies reach Ikoji ground safely. Make sure you stay obscure hell use underground paths if you must just make sure you get there alive and you get their bodies there too... One more thing tell Kenji that I'm sorry. Let him know I'd love to be there but I'm off again playing hero." He'd walk towards Nari leaving his brethren to complete their next task. There was less to worry about, and with other Sunan Shinobi here there was time to formulate a more diverse plan of action. "Nari you mentioned earlier that your kin could help fix this communication problem right? Do you know where they are, because we need to start making headway and sifting through this rubble won't be enough." He'd make way towards Yume next. I've had my people scouring this site...I have good news. So far we haven't found Sousuke among this. So far I think it's safe to say he's fine and if it helps I'm sure if anyone could have survived that blast he would have been the one." Even though they didn't find him it wasn't entirely true that he couldn't be there. For all they knew he could be in pieces somewhere or charred to a crisp. They wouldn't have any sure fire at this moment but at the very least his status was still unknown which meant there was hope for Sousuke yet.

 

[Sand Council]

Re: The Tower...? [Open]

Amongst all the death, shouting of rescue teams, and the disturbing of the rubble was a soft, haunting aria traveling about. A figure clad in dark green robes could be seen skipping about the debris, jumping about it like a child at a playground. Deft balance was used as the woman hopped onto a shattered beam, walking across it foot over foot. Her song picked up in tempo and as she neared the main mass of ninja the words became clearer.

"People cry out and wish for something more~

Now we dance over their graves because their lives had been such a bore~!

They perish and their souls are used to feed the beasts~

Set out the forks, knives, and spoons for our feast~!"<i></i>

It would eventually just become a soft humming as the barefoot woman would gleefully stroll into the group, her smile showing sharpened fangs that would make any predator jealous. Her movements were languid, teasing, slow as she danced between them all, making eye-contact with each and every one. The air as she passed seemed difficult to breath it; sweet at first, but stinging a moment later as if it were poison. After she had made her rounds amongst those in the group, she moved up a pile of cracked stone, the remnants of a wall and dangled her legs from it, swinging them back and forth like a kid on a swing, "Then why hasn't he come rushing here like all the other good little shinobi? Surely he must care as much as you lot. Perhaps he's just under that rock there!"<i></i> She pointed playfully, giggling like a woman gone mad, "Who knows how thorough the explosion was!"<i></i> She did, "Could that be a piece to his armor over there, that glimmering thing? Or maybe that, over there!"<i></i> Her long, delicate fingers gestured in numerous directions, "Maybe he's just a little bit of everywhere!"<i></i>

She had a sweet voice, but every word seemed venomous.

More laughter.

While she didn't seem outwardly aggressive, there was an aura of danger to her and how casually she took the situation.

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi went off, following Yume, assisting her whenever she could, and helping with others that needed healed. Nari returned Shinji's reassuring smile with one of her own. If anything, she would help him take care of his sister until she was okay. They may not be absolutely friends yet, but she was still a bit attached to the young woman already. She really was glad that Shinji had seemed to find a companion. Perhaps it would show his clansmen that just because a person didn't show the "classic" signs, it didn't mean that they never would be a "full-fledged" clansman.

They worked together as Koga spoke to his clans men and then gave his report to the small group. Nari turned to him, running over schedules in her mind. "My brother will have just been coming off of his shift, though I am unsure where he was today. He and I work together, but today was supposed to be the start of his testing in the field. I may be able to find him, we made plans for if everything went to hell in a hand-basket. He would have headed back to the compound, or he may be headed here, I am unsure."

Kimi smelled the woman that approached, almost having to plug her nose because of the sickly sweet scent. Her kitty-senses were telling her to run. She looked at Katsu and Kora, growling at them to stay near Yume. The woman came closer and made a comment that was sure to set off a bit of hysteria in the young woman. Nari focused on the woman, trying to sense anything about her she could. The woman seemed to be delighted in all the chaos, and Nari wouldn't be surprised if she was part of the group that caused this whole mess. Nari could tell that if she tapped into her insanity, she could probably get along with this woman.

"While it may be true that he could certainly be in that state, it is still possible that he was nowhere near here." Nari said. She knew that this woman was dangerous, and hoped that no one in their group did anything stupid.

 

[Randamu Kyarakuta]

Everyone would remember where they were when the tower fell. He was at the academy just having fun with the students, when the rumble and dust cloud was made apparent in the sky. He had instructed them to get into the school and ran off this way, When he arrived it was just a mound of debris and dust. People where already frantically digging and using their unique skills to seek out survivors. He ripped the sleeve off his shirt and wrapped it around his mouth as a make-shift air sifter, in order to not breath in the dust that had been kicked up. It seemed however, that he wouldn't really be needed, but that was the way things generally went. Though he was never very assertive anyways.

So, he kicked a few pieces of rubble around and listened to others talk as they lifted and saved people and lives. Leaning against a half-wall, he would pull a small sake bottle from his kimono and bring it to his covered mouth, tipping it up and sipping. Yes, through the cloth, he was such a forward thinker! Though some did dribble down into the sand, he would just call it 'pouring some out for the fallen'. Then he heard a singing, which made his ears twitch considering the rest of the noise tones around him. She jumped up on the stone pile next to his half wall and dangled her legs over, his back would be facing hers. She taunted the lot of them, cackling and having a good ol' time.

"Heh, I like you."

He said looking forward, not turning to see what she looked like.

Taking another drink, some would once again fall to the sand and dirt, and down on his chest. He would make a humpf noise as he kicked off the wall to an upright standing position and turned around to look at her. He couldn't really smell her with the mask on covered in the stench of fine sake. So perhaps he had inadvertently protected himself?

"You must be pretty strong!" he threw his hands out as if to say 'this much!' and in a childish manor.

He wasn't ever really useful to sunagakure, never called on in a time of need, never really assertive and got out there. He was almost a jounin in strength and still a gennin. He probably wasn't even on the radar for suspicious or a threat. This made him the perfect person to throw under the bus, who knew it'd be him decided to leap?

"Can I meet the rest of you? Specially if there more cuties like you there!" he sounded like a huge dork, but that could easily be explained by the alcohol.

 

[Sagasu Yume]

The sight of such blatant glee in the face of others adversity touched a raw nerve in Yume and it was a struggle to keep her savagery in check. She had a job to do and it was that mantra being repeated that kept her from losing her mind right now. She had to believe that Nari was right. Hadn’t the Steward told her personally that he was busy today? She was kicking herself for not asking what he was busy with as now she hadn’t the faintest idea where she would find him. Bile rose in her throat as the wanton woman drove spikes into her emotions. As cold as the snow she produced, Yume turned on the gleeful stranger, her body still and mounting into a visible tremor as her rage increased.

You mock the pain of those around you, rather than keeping your vile mouth shut. I don’t know who you are, but I can say that you are a piteous being for treating others with such disregard.

She took hold of one glove and then the other, snapping them free of her hands and stowing them for later disposal, keeping her back to lofty woman in hopes of following the adage ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Her remarks about the Steward cut the Inuzuka to her soul and she stopped dead in her tracks, her expression void and terrified. She stood that way for a few seconds, still as a statue until her fury woke her up. Releasing one of her kunai, she snaps her arm up, spins around, and releases the projectile at the vagrant, missing her mark in her blind rage and hitting the beam instead. For a second she took a step to charge the woman and then thought better of it as her logical mind took control. Spinning on her heel, she retreats from the scene with a dismissive wave to one of the mednin that asked what they should do.

Heal the survivors and bury our dead, as we always have. You don’t need me to tell you that. Someone find Shuu. I’m going to find the Steward.

Wrapped tight about her shoulders, CuRua struggled to comfort his distraught friend.

Yume, you know that we should be attending to the wounded. It’s our place

There are others. Besides, He’s my... He’s our Steward. I already know that they won’t find him in the wreckage. Before that woman arrived and stunk up the place, I couldn’t smell him… not in the least. He hadn’t been here for at least a few days.<i></i>


[Topic Left]


((OOC: Yume has left, but Shinji will still be around. I will post with him if he doesn't anything notable, otherwise don't wait for me.))

 

[Kendori Shuu]

[Yume Stopped]

Shuu landed with a thud next to the debris, turning to gaze at all that had transpired, catching only the last bit of the exchanges going on around her. She had been away ensuring that the hospital was on complete lockdown, as they had encountered some of their own difficulties. All things considered, the hospital was probably one of the few safest locations in all of the village, currently both a safe haven and protection, while still healing the injured no matter who they were. It had taken her a few minutes to set that up, as well as start preparing to receive more wounded. She saw the younger medical officer's attempt to leave, and grabbed her shoulder as she passed by.

"You're not going anywhere," Shuu spoke to Yume, her voice stern. "I need you right now. These people need our help. I know you're hurting and you want to panic, but we have too much to do. You want to break down, you do it on your own time. I can't do this without you."

She wove a few quick seals and next to her a copy of her self appeared, a clone that could use medical techniques to help save lives. She pointed over to wear some injured had already been recovered and instructed her copy to begin healing immediately. Turning to the blue-haired medic, Shuu spoke again, gentler this time.

"I need you and your fox's nose to help find survivors lost in the debris. Do you think you can handle that? Shinji-kun, I need you to keep an eye on the workers, make sure they're safe and don't lose their footing." She looked square at him, then pointedly at Yume. It was clear: she wanted Dhinji's help keeping his little sister running. Meanwhile, she used her massive physical strength to help move large chunks of rock to expose bodies and survivors alike. As she did her gifted eyes looked not only for chakra signatures denoting survivors, but also specifically for signs of where the blast might have originated based on scorch and debris patterns, The way the building fell, and how badly corpses found in specific locations were burned as opposed to crushed.

To the cackling hen that currently thought herself quite important, the elder medic paid absolutely no heed. She wasn't fighting, she was just mocking other people's loss, and so there was a better use of the medic's time than to deal with someone that antagonistic.

When she had arrived, she had already seen them among the gathered dead. She could not afford to mourn the loss of the few Countrymen's lives she managed to save on the way here, too many people needed her. But that did not mean that she did not hurt. Aside from stragglers like Hoshikata and Isamu, this is what sunk it in. This was the final nail in the coffin of her home as far as her heart was concerned. In Suna's internal conflict, what little remained of Kiri was now dead. She shoved the thought out of her mind, taking her own advice. There would be time to mourn later. Right now she needed to help. To the gathered, she spoke her piece.

"Establishing communications is the most important thing at this point. Even if we could get the communications array up and working, there's no guarantee what kind of range we would get without having it placed on the tallest building underground here, and I've already tested shortwave radio. There is a jammer in place. Contact cannot wait for us to eliminate it. We need to set up a system of runners to bring reports back-and-forth to keep everyone updated as soon as possible. Right now all of my people are busy at the hospital, healing everybody that they can. There have been a lot of injuries and more coming in every minute. Do any of you have the resources or know someone who does, that could help us set this up? Maintaining order seems hopeless at this point, what we need right now is information.

"I know I am not one of you, but this place is my home too for right now. I have no wish to see it destroyed. Both the Steward and the Sennin are nowhere to be found right now. As such, until we hear from any of them and they are ready to take control, I am taking temporary command, and am setting up the hospital as a safe haven and command post. Spread the word. I need any and all capable shinobi to report to me there, so that at the very least we can organize and keep as many people safe as possible."

To the Tauntress she finally turned, gazing at her curiously, completely unfazed by the danger that she radiated.

"I fail to understand what you gain by all this death and destruction... Unless your group are one of those that simply enjoy watching the world burn. Regardless, will you please allow us to handle our dead and dying in peace?"<i></i>

 

[Enatsu]

Too much was going on and it would only add to the fury that was brewing within Koga. Little did these people realize that the more he was pushed the more likely he'd go berserk. The chiding of the wench sitting on rubble would not help. She did not have the air of a shinobi about her more like a resident of the Obsidian Palace. How much had Sunan lost? I then dawned on him that possibly the Prison was under siege at this very moment. Taking no chances he couldn't rush in without some type of reconnaissance. At this moment a Byakugan would bode well although there didn't seem to be many Hyuugan clansmen around at the moment Nari was as good as he was going to get. Silently he watched as Yume gathered a kunai out of her pouch and ferociously tossed it at the woman. It missed entirely but it was a bold attempt. She was far too unfocused for this job. Yume's state of mind only yearned to find Sousuke and no matter how good of a medic she was, there was no way she could perform at top level. The ramblings of the drunkard did not help either as he somewhat flirted with the woman? He wasn't sure of the guy's angle or what he was getting at but Koga would walk up to him and dump the rest of his water on his head (or at least try to). "Yo, drunkard in love. I'm gonna need you to get your head out your ass and move it to the front lines. We need transporters, and we need them now. There's no point in worrying about some crazed bitch. Focus on your job." He'd turn around to see Yume being stopped by some random woman. Ignoring her current movement he'd continue his conversation with Nari only to have the woman chime in.

Koga knew she meant well but her orders weren't initially welcome. "Temporary Order", clearly this outsider is getting to comfortable. We don't need this shift in order we don't need another false leader telling us what to do. I could just.... Calm Koga hear her out. Let her words be considered and offer your own suggestions. For a moment he would offer Shuu nothing but a blank stare before looking over at Yume who was most likely pissed at another attempt to stop her from going to her search. Koga would rub his neck and look at Shuu. "Thanks for the medical assistance but you need to let Yume go. Trust me having an unstable mind on the medical field won't help. She's too unfocused to use her full potential and rather take risks with that I'd much rather her go and conduct her search. Her focus is already out in the chaos of Sunagakure not on these people here." As cold as it sounded it was the truth. The medical shinobi's mind was not in this field of battle. He couldn't blame her as the Kazekage's search was an important task even if it was for different reasons. For all they knew whoever blew up the tower had Sousuke dead already. Still speaking to Shuu he'd begin to offer suggestions about the medical situation.

"Your idea for information is practical but too slow. I've already sent my unit back to report they'll spread word of our situation here. However Nari's come up with a quicker solution we just have to go and find some people who can enable it. Now on the topic of medical help, I can give you the support for that. I'd advise you to move your people out the hospital. Last time this village got attacked it was destroyed. If they're destroying the Kage tower it's only a matter of time before they go after the prison, the hospital, the academy... public landmarks are not safe. However we can use my clan's compound. We're an average size clan but our compound has plenty of space. We also have many capable healers you could work in conjunction with to heal. We also have warriors to protect the compound but we'll need more. I'd advise using the housing of every clan willing to help rather than large buildings that were probably laced with explosives. We'd be falling right into another trap."

Koga would turn to Nari and begin asking questions. "Let's start with your brother, where does he do shifts at and what general direction do you think he'd be coming from? If we can intercept him we can start trying to fix this problem. We're gonna need conduits as well something that can enhance chakra usage and amplify it's range." It was then he noticed that Shuu began to address the woman who was still gleefully sitting on the rubble and began to accuse her as one of the people who started this mess. Koga would turn his head to the side oddly as he observed the words that would be shared between them. How does she know that that woman is apart of this? If so should we strike? Damn another problem to pile on top of this. I need to keep my eye open on this matter. Koga would deactivate the Eye of Ouroboros and wipe the blood off of his cheek as best as he could.

[MFT]

 

[Sand Council]

There was a sickening pleasure that came from watching the Sunan shinobi scramble around the wreckage, searching for any survivors. None would truly survive the ordeal, as they would all never be the same people after this was all said and done. They would see their village, the shadows of the cave, and never feel safe again. These survivors were already dead and their souls ripe for the picking. A globule of drool formed and was quickly licked away, tongue running across the length of her razor-sharp teeth. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of it was that they clearly weren't united by any means. Many were vying for power, stuck in the vacuum created by the attack, but most importantly they all were hesitant.

While running about and digging through rubble, she could read their tiny brains repeating the question: What do I do? What do I do?

The feisty Inuzuka female, the Steward's plaything provided the most entertainment in her fury, unable to function with even the most base of intelligence. Plucking the projectile from the wall near her, she began cleaning her nails with it rather uncaring of the attack. She stormed off and the man reeking of sake made a pass, to which she could only grin devilishly to. Partake in the chaos and lose yourself; she so hoped one of the Sunan would. Leaning to one side, she peered down at the half-inebriated man, "More than enough to chew you up and spit you out."<i></i> The one clad in white seemed to give protest to the man's advances and doused the flirtatious fires that had been burning, dulling the mood once more. She continued to hum and pick at dirt beneath her nails with the sharpened weapon and watched as yet another mongrel came scurrying to the scene, like moths drawn to the flame.

This one attempted to take control of the scene, so the ones before her, and was met with similar results of uncertainty. It seemed they were doing a better job at alienating and causing disorder than the attack did.

The stern one in white and the pretty purple-haired woman had a brief exchange, one the snake woman giggled at the whole time, "He's right, messengers would be a terrible idea. Probably wouldn't make it more than a few blocks before being killed. Didn't you hear? Someone let out all of the prisoners."<i></i> Another overly sweet chortle left her lips. As they continued back and forth, her laughter only increased, hands going to her sides, "That's right, pack everyone into a few tight spaces. I'm sure they'll find solace in dying together."<i></i>

Naganisa remained quiet for a moment and just listened. For being shinobi and trained assassins, they were terrible aT keeping private information to themselves. Whistling innocently, she sat and took mental notes of everything being said. Then she was addressed once again, catching the second attempt at someone trying to admit to her official title, "Oh, you mean me?"<i></i> She asked, tilting her head to the side, "I'm just taking in the scenery, relaxing my sore feet."<i></i> She rubbed at the bare soles of her feet, frowning, "I have heard there are sales to die for in the Desert Crown. I have considered doing some shopping soon, get a nice pair of pumps."<i></i> Clearly she was enjoying her time spent hassling them, teasing in the most obnoxious of ways. Another long finger pointed to a pile of charred stones moving just in the distance, "I think you missed one! See? I'm helping!"<i></i>

[Details of Shuu's Scan sent to her via PM]

 

[Mikaboshi]

The large pile of rocks and rubble that the venomous woman had pointed to jostled and seemed to burn as the air around it popped and sizzled with growing heat. Indeed the stone from the Kazekage Tower was charred and melted but not from the explosions that had rocked the tower. After a moment, an inferno of brilliant azure flames roared forth and blasted the pile apart accompanied by a triumphant shout from someone underneath. Revealed finally from beneath the rocks, Katsuo was slumped over slightly with his arms at his sides and red tears streaking from his face. It was clear that he had been exerting himself greatly to prevent the rubble overhead from crushing him... but after a moment it also became obvious that his efforts had not simply been for him. At his feet lay a woman-- not a shinobi but one of the various clerks and paper pushers that had been staffed at the tower --with her hands over her head to protect herself from anything that Katsuo had not managed to catch with the barrier of flames that he'd cast. Never had he been particularly skilled with the powers of ninjutsu but in the school of his blood given ocular powers he had been master of them at the youngest recorded age for a Masashi in hundreds of years. It was said by many that the blood of the First Men ran hot in his veins, something that was true in ways that many of his teachers could not have known.

"Miss..." Katsuo said through ragged breath, recovering slowly from the strain of having to maintain such an exhausting technique for so long as he turned to look down at her with his brightly shining crystal blue eyes. "Hope you're not hurt too badly."

She nodded and Katsuo gave her the best re-assuring smile that he could as a million questions blitzed through his mind at once. What was going on? Clearly the tower had been destroyed in some kind of attack but nobody seemed to be actively attacking them right this second. Reaching down, Katsuo did his best to aid the black-haired woman to her feet but as he did they both quickly discovered that she could not stand on her left foot causing her to cry out and fall to the ground once more in pain. Wincing in sympathy, Katsuo crouched down and hefted her into his arms with ease. Built the way he was physically and with the young woman's relatively light size she was an easy load for him to carry and though it was unlikely to be comfortable for the young lady they both seemed to silently recognize it was just about the only way that she was going anywhere. Blowing a sigh as his breath finally returned mostly to normal, Katsuo let his eyes relax back to their unreleased state and began to take in his surroundings, quickly noticing the group of Sunan shinobi standing around in a circle and one face he definitely recognized; Kendori Shuu. What a lucky break, he thought as his body flickered with movement and the young woman in his arms let out a yelp of surprise at their speedy change in position. Appearing near where Shuu was standing with his white coat flying behind him with the speed of his movement, Katsuo knelt down and gently set the young woman down on the ground near her before looking up at Shuu, red streaks still adorning his face where the blood had trickled out of his eyes and began to dry on his cheeks.

"Hey." He said as he greeted Shuu. Katsuo never did have a particular way with words and that lack of eloquence made itself even more apparent as the only thing he could muster to say to her in the midst of all the thoughts that swirled around in his head and the disaster around them had been "hey". Quickly realizing that he was being dumb, he stumbled a bit over his word as he looked down to the girl he'd just set on the ground and gestured. "Found one survivor at least... I don't think she's hurt real bad but she can't stand and honestly I'm not a medic." Looking to the girl who seemed too shocked by the events to speak much-- if at all --Katsuo nodded and forced his smile to return to try and set her more at ease. "This is my friend Shuu. She's a medic."

She nodded weakly but still said nothing as she stared sort of blankly off to the side. She wasn't a shinobi and couldn't be expected to hold up to things like this. He felt bad for her but this wasn't a time for him to be babying any one person in particular. Who knew how many other people were suffering under the rubble of the tower? Standing up, Katsuo looked around the group. Several other shinobi that he didn't recognize and Shuu were all that were here which immediately brought up the question: where was Sousuke? Was he caught under the debris like Katsuo had been? Too many unanswered questions. Turning to the group, Katsuo looked first to Shuu being the other oldest person present and the only face he recognized.

"Do we have a plan?"

[For the sake of the scene I'll consider the secretary a free use NPC since I trust everyone here-- please just think before you use her.]

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi went off on her lonesome, uncovering more bodies and hurt people, healing those she could. Her tigers assisted whenever they can, even if that was delivering a swift end to someone who could not be saved.

Nari just could not believe the audacity of the medic before her, stopping a woman who was clearly not in her right mind? Not only that, but trying to force her to stay in a place where she did not want to be. She rolled her currently purple eyes and slowly moved away from the woman before she did something she may regret later. First thing you learn in the midst of chaos, you never try to force someone to do that which they do not wish to do.

Off to the side, she noted her younger brother slinking onto the scene and catching her eye. Like herself, he noted everything around him. He saw small pockets of tension and his sister's frustration starting to mount. The blonde haired, black eyed young man made his way over to her and whispered in her ear. They were close enough that Koga might be able to hear them.

"Sister, you are needed at the compound. Mother was injured and father is about to loose his mind."

Her only reaction was to look at her brother and nod. She then turned to Koga. "Unfortunately, I must leave. I will send some of my clansmen to aid in search and recovery, but I must see to my family. If it does not take long, I will be back. I am unsure how long this will take."
Out of various places, some Uchiha and Yamanaka walked forward. "They followed me over, I will see that we enact our course of action."
"Just don't get too cocky, little brother," she turned to address the rest of those present, "If these people already know so much about us, it would not be prudent to speak information in a candid manner."

[Nari - Topic Left; Kimi will be around, as will Nari's little brother Kotatsu, though mostly background]
[spoilername="What Kimi and Kotetsu look like"]

[/spoilername]

 

[Enatsu]

Another one came bringing forth more questions about this Shuu woman and her allies. However before he could get further into thought Nari's brother came from his shift bearing news. She was to return to their clan grounds at once. Marvelous she was to leave behind Koga with this mess and they hadn't even gotten a chance to discuss the specifics of the plan. No matter Koga had planned to take his leave anyways. Most of those who could be saved were getting some form of extraction and more villagers were coming to the scene. There was no further use for him here. He left the medical division behind to those more capable, he was treading the path of ANBU now. He would nod to Nari and bid her farewell. "When I get something more solid I'll contact you." He would let that linger in her mind giving her fair warning that her clan and their talents would be needed later.

Koga would speak to Shuu as Nari left the scene. However he would invade her personal space getting close to her ear so he could whisper. "She makes a good point. I've come to consider some things here, your hunch seems more solid after her rebuttal. I'm going to start gathering information and try to find our Sennin. Maybe I'll come into something to combat these fiends. Stay safe..." Koga would leave the medical work to the experts. His job here was done and now that Nari was on her way he might as well be going to. Shuu said she could be found at the hospital. When the time came for another meeting he'd get her involved. For now it was time he go check on his clan as well.

[Topic Left]

 

[Randamu Kyarakuta]

His flirting had landed, success!

"More than enough to chew you up and spit you out."

"Challenge accep..."

before he could say anymore he felt cold water drench him and he closed his eyes, as to not get any in them. He turned and shot a death glance at Koga as he was ordered to move the injured to the hospital. Like hell he would, being relegated to being a meat wagon. Nobody noticed him ever unless they wanted something done. Or at least, it's how he saw things here and would express as such in his mind, should the woman be able to read it. So instead of moving to help him, as he was pre-occupied with other things, he would lean back against the wall, drinking his sake and its dribbling now indistinguishable from the water he had been drowned in. Then someone erupted from the wreckage and took someone to safety, rather heroically he would notice. He took this time to whisper to the cabal member sitting comfortably.

"What do you say we get out of here? I got a vintage bottle of wine and an open evening with your name on it." he smiled under his makeshift rag mask. As the medics all rushed to do their jobs around the two. She was right, he felt at home in the chaos.