Candle in the wind (Yakshi, Gai, Shinu, Murder)

[same7]

Yakshi Gredsich sat before the council of Assassins with a smug look on his face. They had all grown to fear him, despise him; he couldn't really count how many paper bombs lay snug under his pillow at night. The lead Assassin ran the council, his name was Jin and he was a hard to read man filled with tightened muscles in his face. Staring over at him now he could see the hardness in him, like he was about to say something he didn't want to. "Yakshi, since you first joined us you have shown exemplary performance in your missions. The council and I therefore have a mission for you."

Yakshi kept quiet and let his olive green eyes take in the council with unwavering steadiness. An assasin who did little but fidgeted was easily classified a coward and would screw up the mission. Yakshi had trained his body, rid it of pain, so he sat there now steady as a rock.

"There is a certain shinobi we wish for you to...kill," Marv the heavy set man noted with a stroke of his beard. "He is quite the strong one, skilled in only taijutsu-."

"That is absurd," Rajeal interrupted with a flare, "no ninja in this age can beat anyone with just taijutsu...it is-."

"Rajeal...look over at me," Jin wanted stone cold obediance, and well, Rajeal had interrupted the council one too many times. The shinobi turned to look at him and swallowed a dry lump of saliva.

"Y-Yes...Jin?" Suddenly he noticed Jin disappear and as he looked over to his right he noticed Jin. Jin sent his fist crashing into his skull and crushed his body up against the wall. Blood poured freely from him and his eyes seemed to bug out. Upon impact...he was dead as a nail.

"Maito Gai is an enemy of this land," Jin pulled his fist back and shook off the flesh that clung to him. "He has murdered one of the council, and therefore the punishment is death. As you no doubt noticed, I killed Rajeal with a simple move of Taijutsu. Nothing is impossible...given the right training regime. Now we come to you...Yakshi...step forward."

Yakshi bowed his head and stood up with careful ease. The council stared at him as he stood tall, his muscles clearly evident with the broadsword in his sheath.

"This mission does come with a price," Jin noted with a casual flicker of his fingers, "one that will cost you dearly. Should you fail...you shall be disbanded from here. Maito Gai is located in the village of waves, a poor country that is to be the future site of a prospering ninja threshold. Right now there aren't many there, but...we can never be sure. Take out Gai...that is all."

"What about the family?" Johue was the second council member in charge, his mustache was curled upwards like he had a bad taste in his mouth.

"Oh yes, of course," Jin placed his hands at the small of his back and went to look out the tent flap window. "The mother has a kekkai Genkai, a rather terrible power that could put you to waste. Should she get in your way...take out her eyes or dispose of her before taking on Gai. The child...bring her to us."

Yakshi bowed his head and fled from the tent. Fellow ninja bowed their head at the Jonin and he accomodated a smile. The road ahead would be dangerous, and there'd be anbu waiting for him. Still, what was life without a little blood?

Passing out of the villages gate he held the hilt of his sword with anxiousness. It had been a while since he had slain a shinobi, let alone cut into fresh flesh. The demonstration Jin did was outstanding, but, it also left an impression in his mind that this Gai might be a foe to keep his distance from.

Luckily he had the water styles of the hidden mist village to assist from a distance. Feeling the wind greet him he watched a few leaves float lazily on the wind current. Bringing his sword out in a swift uppercut he cut the leaves down before they could touch the ground. Sheathing his sword he continued on his way...as time was the essence here.

[Maito Gai]

Coming up the south road heading towards the Liberation Camp was none other than Maito Gai himself. Having completed his mission not long ago, he was due to return home tonight-- the day before his one and only's birthday. The timing couldn't have been more perfect even if it had been intended. And shortly before he had left the last town, he had bought a gift for his love, a glass orchid. It had been beautiful in the day light when he bought it and now that night had fallen it seemed even more enchanting. The moon light shown through it and made it sparkle and glisten as if it were something of divine creation rather than something molded with earthly hands. It was... Perfect. In every sense of the word. Just like his love, his wife, and one and only. Shinu Isagiyoku.

He thought back to the moments before he had left-- a warm scene. That of a kind and loving family despite how young they all were. Kuro, the child, running up to hug him and say goodbye before he left. Shibu, kissing him lovingly as she saw him off. That memory was enough motivation to finish his assignment and finish it quickly. So that he may return to that loving and youthful home yet again.

[Shinu Isagiyoku]

A young woman and her child, both bearing the same blood red hair and eyes, sat the small front room of their small house, waiting for the woman's love and child's father, Maito Gai, to return home. He was to come back that night, and the child would not sleep for the excitement kept her awake. And if the child did not sleep, than neither would the woman. For a number of reasons.

Shinu, as this was the woman's name, sat rocking the two year old child in her arms, a small contented smile upon both of their faces. "Kuro, guess what" She whispered in the child's ear, "Daddy will be home soon"

[Murder]

A small red headed child sat happily on her mother's lap. She knew not why her father was gone, but she knew that he was gone, and that he would be home tonight. The short four-day mission seemed much longer to the little girl, which was part of the reason she was so excited. The other part... Well, she just loved her parents. Being only two years old, Kuro had no means of grasping the concept of time and the ways of the Shinobi. But then again, no one really expects someone that young to under stand, do they now?

As she sat with her mother in the dimly lit room, a wide grin spread across her face as her mother whispered in her ear.

"Kuro, guess what? Daddy will be home soon"

The child giggled excitedly. "D-Daddy!"

[same7]

Yakshi traveled on the road with his hand on the hilt of his broadsword. So far he hadn't encountered any trouble, so that was good. Still, he wanted to use his blade, and, it had been sometime since he last used it. Speaking of, he thought, looks like I got company. The Anbu Black ops that patrolled the area had him in their bingo book, which meant he was a threat to all ninja.

"Halt...lay down your weapon and come with us!" The Anbu seemed poised around him, each holding onto the hilt of their swords ready to kill him.

"This weapon is too precious to lay down on the dirt...that is...until it has been fed!" Yakshi spun to his left as an Anbu lunged at him then he popped one Anbu in the chin with the hilt of his sword. Catching an approaching Anbu he sliced vertically and sent his blood flying. Another Anbu popped out of the ground and he leaped high in the air to avoid being brought down by such a meager jutsu.

Several Anbu broke through the tree canopy and met him head on. Yakshi parried each blow and chopped the for their limbs, sending them scattering into the wind. Sheathing his blade he watched them squirm and bleed freely over the field. Yakshi held no pity for them, and knew back up would arrive soon.

Racing along the field he saw the house not too far away. Approaching it he knocked on the door loudly and when no one answered he sent it crashing to the floor with a loud thud. Looming in the threshold he smiled a toothy grin. "Hello...time to die!"

[Shinu Isagiyoku]

At the knock on the door, Shinu's heart leapt with delight, believing Gai had returned home. "That must be him now." She whispered. She set the child down, began to walk towards the door-- only to have it flung open with so much force that the dim candle light blew out, leaving the room in total darkness. The feeling of doom filled her senses. Jumping backwards to act as protection for Kuro, she withdrew two kunai and dropped into a fighting stance. Damn it... I can't get to my blade and protect Kuro at the same time. And I can't use my genjutsu if I can't make direct eye contact... I'll just have to try and hold him off as I am. "Who the hell are you?" she questioned the intruder.

[same7]

Yakshi wore a smile as he watched the candle blow out. Just a measely candle in the wind, he thought, no one will miss the light. Walking more in he noticed the woman standing before her child. He must be hiding, he thought, other wise I would've felt his attacks by now. The woman barked a question at him and he shook his head in amusement. "Where is Maito Gai?" Hearing his heavy feet on the wooden floorboards he kept his eyes trained for any sneak attack. This was the right address...so why wasn't he here? Looking over at the little girl he realized his second objective was within sight. "Gai...come out you coward!" He yelled advancing still.

[Murder]

The noise caused by the door being flung open gave the child such a start that she began crying. Whoever this person was, it wasn't her father. And he was scary.

[same7]

Yakshi then noticed the girl crying and wore a smirk. "Your one of the ones I was sent her to get. Gai, your daughter is in danger, do something about it. As for you woman, I suggest you stay back, this does not concern you at all." Yakshi began advancing towards the young girl and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Crying was such a sign of weakness, and, he would not be bothered or show mercy to it. He had to get this taken care of fast, as he didn't know when or where that freak with the eyebrows would show up.

[Shinu Isagiyoku]

"He isn't here." Shinu stated through clenched teeth, "Doesn't concern me? If this concerns Gai and my daughter, then it concerns me as well. You will not bring harm to either of them." She glared at the intruder, then, in a moments notice, leapt forth with both kunai raised. She would not go down without a fight.