Hatake Kakashi (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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sunshineverse2015-05-10 09:19 pm
scarecrowboy) wrote in sunshineverse2015-05-10 09:19 pm
Entry tags:
[CLOSED] I wanna get in trouble...
Who: Kakashi & Houou.
When: May 11.
Where: Near the outskirts of Fire, close to the border to Rivers.
What: Kakashi is intercepted on his way to a mission in Wind by an unknown opponent with a lethal intent.
This thread was originally intended to be a test for the NPC rolling system, and the original thread, along with the rolling system table, can be found here.
==>papamaniwa starts the log.
[He's been loitering along this particular route recently, watching the comings and goings as the distant border point becomes harder to pass for civilians and shinobi alike. It's inspired frustration in many and a deviation in habit from others and it's that last one that's gaining ground towards him.
Houou is concealed in the trees, cradled in the branches of a particularly sturdy specimen and it's a calculated judgement to let the blade fly across the silver haired mans path; aiming to hurt as well as hinder, but counting on neither as he gathers himself for the impending clash.
Kakashi Hatake would make a fine spark to the first powder keg, though any other prolific ninja would have done; it really is just a case of 'wrong place, wrong time' but Houou isn't about to waste the opportunity.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 2.
[ Kakashi is on high alert due to the unease he feels passing from border to border and across foreign land, and notices the flash of the blade sailing toward him just in time to form a hand seal. The kunai lands a successful hit, but it's in the wood of the log left behind by his replacement jutsu.
He lunges backward, the momentum of his running pace making the stall an easy one, and once he lands he looks around for the source of the attack, his own kunai brandished. ]
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[A replacement? How marvelous..]
I'm afraid I can't let you pass, you're far to valuable a target you see..
[His voice is disembodied, from no discernible direction other than directly behind Kakashi; the bird he has control of, projecting his voice exactly. Houou's not dallying with pleasantries, not today and the words are followed by a full volley of kunai, directly at his target and he uses the cover to slip silently from his perch to firmer ground.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 4.
[ He spins to face the voice that seems to be coming from over his shoulder and unfortunately angles himself perfectly for the impending shower of kunai that fly toward him as he turns. They hit him straight to the chest and, though his flak jacket and armour soaks up most of the impact, the tips still nick and jab at his flesh. With a wince he shakes the knives away and casts his eyes forward. He heard footsteps in front of him, his enemy is approaching. ]
Show yourself!
[ He tugs a kunai free of the flesh on his arm and throws it quickly forwards at his assailant, more as an experiment rather than an actual attack. ]
==>papamaniwa rolls a 3.
[There's a whine of steel from the shadows as the kunai is deflected away; thudding harmelssly into the bark of a nearby tree as Houou steps from the foliage and greets the Jounin with a jaunty salute.]
A pleasure to make you acquaintance Hatake-dono, though it will likely be the first and last time that I am allowed to say as much..
[His target is on the defensive and Houou has never much enjoyed the cat and mouse tactics employed by the younger generation, no he plans to make this quick; they can't have others stumbling over them after all.
The shadows gather under his feet, thicken behind Kakashi and he's there and then gone, reappearing at the Jounin's back and thrusting the flat of his hand forward in a move built to assassinate.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 1.
[ When Houou's voice sounds over his shoulder once more, Kakashi almost takes past inference in mind and avoids dodging-- but his enemies scent carries across the breeze, and he knows that such close conditions can only lead to one form of intent..... killing.
He dodges at the last moment; his incredibly quick speed lending to his escape in the form of a well timed body flicker. The smoke masks their surroundings in thick plumes of billowing white, but Kakashi's revealed sharingan can combat that, and with a scream of sound and a flash of light he propels himself forward toward the stranger. One technique for another, he feels. ]
==>papamaniwa rolls a 5.
[The sudden movement, the smoke, it has him off balanced but not entirely surprised. Kakashi's reputation precedes him and this was indisputable proof that not a word of it was a lie.
Houou reacts accordingly, strafing to the side as sound and light flares brightly against his senses but it's a close thing, too close in fact and he feels the fabric of his robe give way to the strike; the sickly smell of burnt skin and silk enveloping them both in the aftermath.
The pain is summarily ignored. He's in the throws of combat, his entire attention on the Jounin and his rebuttal is immediate. The momentum of his dodge brings him up behind the other, freeing him for another flurry of kunai aimed at Kakashi's back and one spare grasped in a clawed hand as he dives back to follow them with a vicious slash.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 1.
[ The smell blossoms instantaneously; charred fabric and burning skin hitting the air in an explosion of scent, and Kakashi inhales sharply as Houou dodges to the side to catch the smell in his senses.
Houou is moving and with his movement Kakashi follows in the opposite direction, summersaulting forwards just in time to miss the assault of kunai. He turns to meet the hand-to-hand attack head on with a parry of the steel at the back of his glove, and with his other hand he readies his blade poised near Houou's throat. ]
Who are you? [ His voice is level; it's unclear whether it's laced with nonchalance or something deeper, something darker. ]
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[His grin is wide and edged with sharp teeth, apparently not phased by the touch of steel to his throat.]
I have been called many things, Hatake-dono, but to you I am a trouble maker, a fire starter and beyond that you need not know more.
[The kunai engaged with Kakashi's glove screeches across the metal to meet the knife at his throat; deflecting to allow Houou a half step back and the room to draw another blade in his off hand.]
I do hope there are no hard feelings..
[He's still hoping for a quick conflict, but it's looking less likely with each passing volley and the aura he can feel of that Sharingan is going to pose an interesting obstacle to navigate, still, he has options. For the moment, it's a flurry of slashes and blows; testing reactions and the limits he'll have to push to come out on top.]
==>scarecrowboy doesn't roll.
There won't be. You won't have enough opportunity to cause me upset.
[ He doesn't need to ask why he's a target. Nor does he need to wonder what kind of man his attacker is. That speed and dexterity, the talent with weapons and the apparent fearlessness in the face of blades told Kakashi that this man was a shinobi; that much was clear even with the lack of any visible hitei-ate.
The jutsu he had used earlier is what interests Kakashi the most and, along with the obvious overall goal of survival, Kakashi thinks he might as well find out a little more about it in order to better prepare his village when he returns home. It had appeared to thrive in the shadows cast by the large overhanging trees surrounding them... So in a decision that seems to settle in a matter of seconds, Kakashi leaves the routine of parries and strikes and starts to run.
He knows this area well, and knows that there is a large open field a little down the road he'd been following that is free of the crowding bracket of trees, and is therefore also free of shadows. If the strangers jutsu is anything like the Nara jutsu of his home village, he'll soon find out. ]
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[No more words are needed and when the jounin flees, Houou pursues, hot on the others heels as they break the tree cover into the field. Their battleground makes little difference to him and if anything, the openness of the area is an advantage; assuring they won't be disturbed and allowing for movement the road restricted.
In fact, this lull is exactly where he can create an edge.
The jutsu is simple enough and the creatures are immediate in their response to his call. The beat of wings, the angry cawing; some twenty and then some crows, converge on Kakashi's still moving figure.
They claw, bight and buffet in a whirlwind of enraged feathers and Houou halts in his chase to summon his next jutsu..
..The ground rumbles ominously.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 1.
[ Kakashi sprints into the open area, and just as he breaks into the shadowless brightness of the field, he turns to face his opponent just in time to see the last few seals of his jutsu.
The swarm is on him in moments. The sharingan focuses and draws attention to every flash of claws, every flicker of beady eyes and every glint of sharp beaks. Kakashi can't do anything to stop their attack, and for a moment he is overwhelmed by their number as they tug and tear at his clothes, his hair, his flesh. One bird even manages to hook it's mouth in the fabric of his mask and tears it slightly just to the side of his cheek. Then, in what seems to be no time at all, light erupts from the centre of the swarming black cloud as crackling blue chakra shatters through the din and raikiri lays waste to a good portion of the birds. ]
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[The remaining crows disperse to circle overhead, squawking and wheeling in menacing arches but their job, for now, is done. It's not the entire jutsu, Kakashi was too swift in his fending off of the birds but it's enough to keep distance between them while Houou channels more chakra.
The rumbling get's louder and the source is quickly made apparent. Dark chains burst from the ground around the Jounin; whipping and flashing forward to bludgeon and ensnare their target, seemingly with a will of their own.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 4.
[ Kakashi watches as the chains erupt from the ground with a kind of helpless awe. It certainly isn't something he had been expecting, to put it mildly. His opponent had been pulling motifs of birds and secrecy, so the appearance of the metal links catches Kakashi completely off guard.
Luckily, even when he's surprised his quick mind is still able to act in seconds. He's caught by the chains relatively fast, but not before he manages to perform a hasty round of hand seals in order to summon two shadow clones; a dangerous move given his quickly depleting chakra, but a necessary one as the two copies of himself circle round to advance on Houou from either side.
He has to find his weakness. ]
==>papamaniwa rolls a 2.
[The clones divert his concentration, but he dodges and side steps around until one finally lands a blow; it's kunai slicing across his back and retreating in a red tinged arch. Houou drops his control of the chains then to deal with the threat - they still hold Kakashi fast mind you, but they are no longer animate in their blows against his prone body - slashing viciously at his attacker with suddenly elongated claws.
The second clone makes to add to his injuries but it's blade only encounters feathers; a swirling plume of them filling the void Houou was previously occupying and it falls to the rake of talons across it's back.
He's using skills he hasn't had to in generations and it's as thrilling as it exhausting and he follows the roll of fatalities with a gathering of shadows; appearing at Kakashi's back once again with blood drenched claws bared.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 3.
[ When the chains go slack Kakashi tugs with all his might till the links pry open and his wrists are free again, but the majority of his concentration is pinned on the bright flash of red and orange that is his opponent. He has to watch carefully, he can't miss a moment of this fight. As soon as he finds Houou's weakness, he'll use it to his advantage and be on his way home to warn those travelling of this hidden shinobi's power.
And then he's surprised again. Out here in the bright sun he was sure Houou's shadow technique would have been rendered useless, but he watches as Houou's form skips out from between his shadow clones and once again moves behind him... only this time, Kakashi's sharingan is fixed on him, and watches him go. Before Houou's bloody claws can delve into Kakashi's back, he spins to meet them with a swipe of a suddenly drawn blade; the flash of a short tanto cutting across the space between them ready to meet with the sweep of Houou's arm..... ]
==>papamaniwa rolls a 6.
[There's the sensation of cold air hitting his bare arm and then the limb is thudding to the ground, cut clean off from the bicep down. The claws twitch uselessly up at him and Houou cocks his head in curiosity, aware now of the power of the Sharingan and the limitation of his own jutsu. Losing the limb doesn't seem to worry or affect him in the slightest and the expected gout of blood never comes; instead he's focusing chakra again and hopping away from a second blow.
The chains hiss to life at his behest, diving into the ground and launching from the soft soil with renewed speed to thrash and tangle at Kakashi once again.
Houou needs only a moment to gather himself, but he needs the Jounin under wraps and until then the chains will be his defense.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 6.
[ Confusion and the steady bubbling of fear starts to swim in Kakashi's chest, a sudden drop of worry hitting him like a bullet. He'd aimed for the joint between his opponents torso and limb for a reason; hoping for an impressive bleed and a sufficient weakening of power... but Houou seems positively unphased. That can't be good.
Kakashi isn't letting the chains catch him a second time, so when they snake closer to him he spins to retaliate, kicking the nearest away with a well timed and powerful roundhouse kick. That doesn't, however, combat the second chain which snakes to meet Kakashi's wrists, wrapping around them both and hauling upwards till his toes almost leave the ground. His father's tanto falls from his grip, and with a hasty puff of air he tries his best to reach it-- but the chains only tighten around his wrists, as if scolding him for the attempt.
He hears bones crunch. ]
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[By the time the chains finally hoist Kakashi up, he's panting with effort and from the steady throb of pain that's working it's way up his shoulder. There's an incredible amount of concentration that goes behind controlling moving targets and simultaneously keeping his wound from bleeding out and he's quickly reaching his limit, but the strain lessens as he halts the chains and steps ponderously forward.
He stoops to collect the wayward limb and were his eyes open, he would be meeting Kakashi's gaze, but he's entirely certain that his wide grin is more unsettling than any steely glare ever could be.
Houou takes a steadying breath before rising to his full height and offers the limb up to the clean cut of his bicep. There's a moment of gathered energy; the markings across his eyes, glowing brightly for the duration and then he's flexing both hands as if the damage hadn't happened at all.]
I've heard tales you know, of your prowess and I'm happy to see that you live up to each and every one.. [Houou rolls his shoulders, settling his clothes around various wounds and easing away the ache of the separation and sudden healing before continuing.] But then you do have somewhat of an advantage, don't you?
[He doesn't need to elaborate further and closes the distance between them in a flash of movement; claws extended to the left side of Kakashi's skull and the ruby pinwheel housed within.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 3.
[ The grin is terrifying; so much so that even a weathered shinobi like Hatake Kakashi still feels a cold drop of fear trickle down his spine at the view. He had apparently been right to worry about Houou's casual reaction to having his limb hacked off, and watches with widened eyes as the unaffiliated-nin seamlessly melds his once severed arm back onto the stump of his shoulder. It's sickening to watch, and Kakashi can't ignore the way his blood-soaked talons seem to gleam with a new thirst for blood as payment of revenge.
There is a hot pain spreading from his wrist and down his arm, and Kakashi knows that he can't break free of the binding chains this time..
When Houou comes close, Kakashi's resolve steels. He's never been held hostage before, never been weak or defenceless, and he isn't about to start now. With a sharp rush of movement Kakashi angles his leg upwards, pulling painfully on the chains till his foot makes contact with the underside of Houou's chin-- the force sending him sailing back in an arch, and leaving the chains to crumble uselessly at his feet.
He picks up his fathers tanto, sweat and blood pouring down his face. Houou's claws missed his eye by a fraction, colliding instead with the side of his cheek, further tearing his mask and his skin in the effort.
And now he knows what his opponent is after. ]
Yes. [ He almost spits his words, sword brandished and crackling with a white energy. ] I do.
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[It's the first time he's tasted blood in some time and it floods his mouth, sharp teeth slicing his tongue and cheeks from the force of Kakashi's strike.
The crows caw above and Houou staggers to his feet, shaking off of the vertigo induced by being so suddenly floored and assumes a defensive posture. He's not exactly scraping the barrel for techniques but his regenerative abilities take their toll and they've been kicked into overdrive.
He still has an ace up his sleeve though and stage one of it is spiraling down with alarming speed and accuracy to dive bomb Kakashi directly.
Most importantly it's on fire.
The crows turned fire birds morph and grow, talons charring, lengthening and doubling in size before they sweep in burning plumes and the remaining five have intent to kill.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 5.
[ Kakashi knows by this point that taking his eyes off of his opponent is probably a bad idea, but he also knows that there's very little he can do about it as the rushing sound of wings against wind and the loud crackle of unnatural flames sounds above his head.
In a situation like this the obvious mode of operation would be to meet the chakra nature head on with it's weakness, but water has always been one of his weaker masteries, and producing any kind of fountain right now would mean taking his eyes off of Houou.
What's more, aerial attacks are awful, and Kakashi can only think of one way to combat this. He isn't fast enough to avoid the initial attack from the birds, but the jutsu he performs helps him to avoid any prolonged contact with it as he quickly disappears into the earthy ground after a small disruption of it's surface. Underground Kakashi can utilise the use of his sharingan to target Houou himself, and within moments has sprung up behind the man in a shower of dirt flecks and electric charges with his chidori bared. ]
==>papamaniwa rolls a 1.
[The birds screech, denied their prey and full rage and Houou is inclined to agree with them. He's alert to everything, waiting for the Jounin's emergence and directs the fire birds to circle low and close, ready to swarm at a moments notice.
That eye must allow the tracking of his movements and Houou remains stationary, not wishing to waste the energy on movement when he doesn't have to and instead extends his senses outwards; a centuries worth of sensory movement homing in on the barely there flicker of Kakashi's chakra.
There. He has the others location and at the first rumble of earth, reacts accordingly. Houou spins on his heel, cloak flaring wide and shaking loose a volley of senbon - deadly sharp and poison tipped - all aimed at his opponent as he dives from the path of the attack.
The poison is paralytic; a recipe passed down the generations of Maniwa and devastatingly efficient. It will only take one to set off the chain reaction and as many more as he can manage will only hasten the effect.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 6.
[ He's overwhelmed as soon as he leaves the ground, and it's with that movement that he suddenly realises he's made a mistake. He should have ran at the first strike, at the first sign of aggressive warfare. It would have been safer than retaliating... He's on a level playing field with this opponent, and all his efforts in attempting to find a weakness in him have been in vain.
He hears the swooping of birds wings descending on him and is overwhelmed by flames and the scratching of sharp talons before he can even attempt to track Houou's movements. His chidori is spent on putting an end to the birds, but his flak is charred and singed, and still alight in places; at this point it's more of a hindrance than a help, so he shrugs it off while looking around for his opponent again.
There is only one option left to him now -- to wear his attacker down till neither of them can fight anymore, and to make a quick escape.
And that's when he feels the sharp pain at his throat, and lifts a hand to press against the site of impact... only to feel the cold stretch of a large senbon sticking out from his throat. He tugs it away instantly, and where the tip is stained an angry puce colour, he knows it's a poison without immediately feeling any effects.
So now time is against him.
He crouches, performs a few seals and presses his hand to the ground; moments later a group of dogs appear from a cloud of smoke, bearing their teeth at Houou for a second before the largest charges toward him. ]
==>papamaniwa rolls a 5.
[He dodges the largest of the hounds, too quick for it's bulk to respond promptly enough, but one of the smaller spry ones leaps and catches his arm. Houou feels teeth, feels bones grind and give under the iron grip of it's jaw and snarls as he shakes it off; batting the smaller body to the ground with a vicious slash of the claws on his free hand.
The others keep him occupied, but his attention doesn't leave Kakashi and he works in ever increasing circles to find an opening, spraying poison senbon at the dogs and their keeper alike.
His body has gone into overdrive in it's efforts to heal the damage he's sustained and the process is a steady drain on the resources he has left. It's not a position Houou wants to stay in for any length of time and so he channels what he has left as safely as he can. The technique isn't one he likes; it's primitive and primal, drawing on ancient agreements and even older power and his markings glow ominously as everything about him sharpens.
Claws, limbs, teeth, every characteristic that marks him as less than human, elongates and he's darting around the dogs, ignoring his injuries and baring down on Kakashi, senbon and claws dripping red and toxins.]
==>scarecrowboy rolls a 5.
[ Urushi falls to the ground with a large slash at his side and is immediately dragged away by the smallest of the group while the others continue to growl at Houou with a new kind of ferocity. They manage to dodge all the senbon thrown their way but still fail to get any closer and, as Houou's form starts to shift and morph into something more animalistic, Kakashi whistles a signal to the smallest dog who peels off to his side.
Pakkun greets him with a quiet grunt of his name, Kakashi replies with hasty instructions, and the small pug is gone again in moments, racing off the way Kakashi had originally been heading with surprising speed for one with such little legs. Soon he's a tiny speck, and then nothing; untraceable.
And then Houou is in front of Kakashi. In a flurry of claws and metal Kakashi is forced to parry each attack, his blade unsheathed again to deflect the needles and to keep Houou's claws at bay. It's a losing battle, though, as Houou is much too fast for Kakashi's fatigued body; his use of chakra and extended use of his sharingan is finally taking a toll on his stamina, and without his flak jacket to shield himself, he knows he's weak. Two senbon hit his chest one after the other as he dodges a third, but he has no time to pull them out as he imbues his blade with vicious white chakra once more and swings it down at his foe. ]
==>papamaniwa rolls a 5.
[He meets the strike head on, swiping up in an arching blur as Danzaien warps the space around his injured hand with deadly energy. The blade shatters clean at the hilt, cutting the lightning off from it's source but with nowhere else to go, it grounds through Houou; surging down his arm and blowing him back with the force.
He skids through the dirt, hopping to avoid the still advancing dogs and his arm falls limply at his side, numb from the shock and threaded with scarred blood vessels down it's length. The throbbing ache from what he suspects is at least a fracture on top of the extra damage, is intense and he pants through the pain, snatching a senbon from the folds of his cloak and settling low into his stance. It's a waiting game now; there's enough poison in Kakashi's system to drop a civilian twice over and though the Jounin's endurance is uncanny, there's only so long he can last now.. Houou just needs to last longer.]
==>scarecrowboy doesn't roll.
[ Kakashi can feel his system slowing much faster than usual; his limbs are sluggish, his head heavy; and with a icy drop of worry he realises that his time has run out. The poison is taking a path around his system in advanced speeds thanks to the tripled dosage. He knows that soon he's going to die.
His vision starts to swim, the shape of Houou's form blurs at the edges, but he doesn't relent. He tosses the useless hilt of his fathers tanto aside and instead bears his kunai for one last push against his opponent. If he can get close enough he could end Houou's life before the poison takes his own. With one arm out of use Houou has a distinct weakness...
The last thing Kakashi wants is to pass out from exhaustion or succumb to the poison... primarily because that would mean his sharingan would be in danger. Houou's intention was clear from the attempt he'd made earlier, and Kakashi didn't need to be a genius to figure out that Houou had much the same idea as he did in terms of wearing his opponent down to weakness.
If he could just hang on till his reinforcements arrived, he could survive this. He has enough chakra left for maybe one more burst of his chidori... ]
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[He falls back into a pattern of infuriating dodges, dashes and strikes, finding a place between the pain and the fatigue and drawing on sheer bloody mindedness from here out.
Every nick and cut he lands is more poison in Kakashi's system and he's waiting for a slip up; a give in the others defence that he can use to floor him and claim his bargaining chip at last.
They clash so equally that it almost feels choreographed, his movements predicted by that blasted eye and the moment he needs is a long time coming but finally, there; his opponent buckles as their weapons lock, dropping his guard for the barest of seconds and Houou makes his move.
He reels to head butt over their weapons and a long leg sweeps out to catch Kakashi's faltered steps; one way or another, someone's falling today. ]
==>scarecrowboy doesn't roll.
[ Though his training assists him in dodging the head-butt, his wavering consciousness does nothing to help him avoid the trip, and his already wobbling form falls backward with a heavy thud. His brain rattles against the cage of his skull and he squints against the pain that seems to shoot like lightning down his nerves and along his limbs, tingling in his fingers and toes.
He knows the feeling well; impending paralysis.
His senses are on fire, pain flickering from every wound and point of contact, and he grits his teeth. Defeat is sour, but he won't let Houou win. Even if he dies here as piteous as he is in a pool of his own blood, he won't let Houou have what he's after. His next move occurs before he's really had time to think about it.
Instinct and desperation drives him as he grips the handle of his kunai tighter in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force he's applying, and then drives the tip toward his scarlet eye. ]
==>papamaniwa doesn't roll.
[Relief at the manoeuvres success is quickly soured by Kakashi's next action and quietly, his respect for the Jounin takes a permanent leap; destruction of an asset over capture is a trait that Houou finds truly admirable and he thinks for a moment that this is one he would proudly call kith to his clan, had fate dealt them that hand. But it's not to be.
In a flash he's in Kakashi's personal space, markings glowing painfully brighter for a moment as he captures the mans wavering attention with the golden slits of his gaze and the intent of his actions with a firm hand.]
Sleep with your success, Hatake-dono..
[It's the smallest nudge of suggestion, a power he's kept closely guarded, and the agony of his own claws claiming the Sharigan completes the illusion in place of the blade. Kakashi will believe that he acted first; both actions melding seamlessly in his mind as paralysis and shock force him into unconsciousness.
As the Jounin's body slumps heavily into the grass, Houou pockets his prize and rounds on the remaining dogs, aware of their fury like burning coals at his back.]
Here. I bare no further ill will to either you or your master. [A flick of his uninjured wrist and a vial lands between the paws of the hound wearing glasses.] Should he survive and I very much suspect he will, that will counteract the poison.
[He has only a very tired looking grin left to offer and with a bow, he's gone, flickering to the shadow of trees downwind and distancing himself as hastily as possible.]
When: May 11.
Where: Near the outskirts of Fire, close to the border to Rivers.
What: Kakashi is intercepted on his way to a mission in Wind by an unknown opponent with a lethal intent.
==>
papamaniwa starts the log.[He's been loitering along this particular route recently, watching the comings and goings as the distant border point becomes harder to pass for civilians and shinobi alike. It's inspired frustration in many and a deviation in habit from others and it's that last one that's gaining ground towards him.
Houou is concealed in the trees, cradled in the branches of a particularly sturdy specimen and it's a calculated judgement to let the blade fly across the silver haired mans path; aiming to hurt as well as hinder, but counting on neither as he gathers himself for the impending clash.
Kakashi Hatake would make a fine spark to the first powder keg, though any other prolific ninja would have done; it really is just a case of 'wrong place, wrong time' but Houou isn't about to waste the opportunity.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 2.[ Kakashi is on high alert due to the unease he feels passing from border to border and across foreign land, and notices the flash of the blade sailing toward him just in time to form a hand seal. The kunai lands a successful hit, but it's in the wood of the log left behind by his replacement jutsu.
He lunges backward, the momentum of his running pace making the stall an easy one, and once he lands he looks around for the source of the attack, his own kunai brandished. ]
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[A replacement? How marvelous..]
I'm afraid I can't let you pass, you're far to valuable a target you see..
[His voice is disembodied, from no discernible direction other than directly behind Kakashi; the bird he has control of, projecting his voice exactly. Houou's not dallying with pleasantries, not today and the words are followed by a full volley of kunai, directly at his target and he uses the cover to slip silently from his perch to firmer ground.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 4.[ He spins to face the voice that seems to be coming from over his shoulder and unfortunately angles himself perfectly for the impending shower of kunai that fly toward him as he turns. They hit him straight to the chest and, though his flak jacket and armour soaks up most of the impact, the tips still nick and jab at his flesh. With a wince he shakes the knives away and casts his eyes forward. He heard footsteps in front of him, his enemy is approaching. ]
Show yourself!
[ He tugs a kunai free of the flesh on his arm and throws it quickly forwards at his assailant, more as an experiment rather than an actual attack. ]
==>
papamaniwa rolls a 3.[There's a whine of steel from the shadows as the kunai is deflected away; thudding harmelssly into the bark of a nearby tree as Houou steps from the foliage and greets the Jounin with a jaunty salute.]
A pleasure to make you acquaintance Hatake-dono, though it will likely be the first and last time that I am allowed to say as much..
[His target is on the defensive and Houou has never much enjoyed the cat and mouse tactics employed by the younger generation, no he plans to make this quick; they can't have others stumbling over them after all.
The shadows gather under his feet, thicken behind Kakashi and he's there and then gone, reappearing at the Jounin's back and thrusting the flat of his hand forward in a move built to assassinate.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 1.[ When Houou's voice sounds over his shoulder once more, Kakashi almost takes past inference in mind and avoids dodging-- but his enemies scent carries across the breeze, and he knows that such close conditions can only lead to one form of intent..... killing.
He dodges at the last moment; his incredibly quick speed lending to his escape in the form of a well timed body flicker. The smoke masks their surroundings in thick plumes of billowing white, but Kakashi's revealed sharingan can combat that, and with a scream of sound and a flash of light he propels himself forward toward the stranger. One technique for another, he feels. ]
==>
papamaniwa rolls a 5.[The sudden movement, the smoke, it has him off balanced but not entirely surprised. Kakashi's reputation precedes him and this was indisputable proof that not a word of it was a lie.
Houou reacts accordingly, strafing to the side as sound and light flares brightly against his senses but it's a close thing, too close in fact and he feels the fabric of his robe give way to the strike; the sickly smell of burnt skin and silk enveloping them both in the aftermath.
The pain is summarily ignored. He's in the throws of combat, his entire attention on the Jounin and his rebuttal is immediate. The momentum of his dodge brings him up behind the other, freeing him for another flurry of kunai aimed at Kakashi's back and one spare grasped in a clawed hand as he dives back to follow them with a vicious slash.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 1.[ The smell blossoms instantaneously; charred fabric and burning skin hitting the air in an explosion of scent, and Kakashi inhales sharply as Houou dodges to the side to catch the smell in his senses.
Houou is moving and with his movement Kakashi follows in the opposite direction, summersaulting forwards just in time to miss the assault of kunai. He turns to meet the hand-to-hand attack head on with a parry of the steel at the back of his glove, and with his other hand he readies his blade poised near Houou's throat. ]
Who are you? [ His voice is level; it's unclear whether it's laced with nonchalance or something deeper, something darker. ]
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[His grin is wide and edged with sharp teeth, apparently not phased by the touch of steel to his throat.]
I have been called many things, Hatake-dono, but to you I am a trouble maker, a fire starter and beyond that you need not know more.
[The kunai engaged with Kakashi's glove screeches across the metal to meet the knife at his throat; deflecting to allow Houou a half step back and the room to draw another blade in his off hand.]
I do hope there are no hard feelings..
[He's still hoping for a quick conflict, but it's looking less likely with each passing volley and the aura he can feel of that Sharingan is going to pose an interesting obstacle to navigate, still, he has options. For the moment, it's a flurry of slashes and blows; testing reactions and the limits he'll have to push to come out on top.]
==>
scarecrowboy doesn't roll.There won't be. You won't have enough opportunity to cause me upset.
[ He doesn't need to ask why he's a target. Nor does he need to wonder what kind of man his attacker is. That speed and dexterity, the talent with weapons and the apparent fearlessness in the face of blades told Kakashi that this man was a shinobi; that much was clear even with the lack of any visible hitei-ate.
The jutsu he had used earlier is what interests Kakashi the most and, along with the obvious overall goal of survival, Kakashi thinks he might as well find out a little more about it in order to better prepare his village when he returns home. It had appeared to thrive in the shadows cast by the large overhanging trees surrounding them... So in a decision that seems to settle in a matter of seconds, Kakashi leaves the routine of parries and strikes and starts to run.
He knows this area well, and knows that there is a large open field a little down the road he'd been following that is free of the crowding bracket of trees, and is therefore also free of shadows. If the strangers jutsu is anything like the Nara jutsu of his home village, he'll soon find out. ]
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[No more words are needed and when the jounin flees, Houou pursues, hot on the others heels as they break the tree cover into the field. Their battleground makes little difference to him and if anything, the openness of the area is an advantage; assuring they won't be disturbed and allowing for movement the road restricted.
In fact, this lull is exactly where he can create an edge.
The jutsu is simple enough and the creatures are immediate in their response to his call. The beat of wings, the angry cawing; some twenty and then some crows, converge on Kakashi's still moving figure.
They claw, bight and buffet in a whirlwind of enraged feathers and Houou halts in his chase to summon his next jutsu..
..The ground rumbles ominously.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 1.[ Kakashi sprints into the open area, and just as he breaks into the shadowless brightness of the field, he turns to face his opponent just in time to see the last few seals of his jutsu.
The swarm is on him in moments. The sharingan focuses and draws attention to every flash of claws, every flicker of beady eyes and every glint of sharp beaks. Kakashi can't do anything to stop their attack, and for a moment he is overwhelmed by their number as they tug and tear at his clothes, his hair, his flesh. One bird even manages to hook it's mouth in the fabric of his mask and tears it slightly just to the side of his cheek. Then, in what seems to be no time at all, light erupts from the centre of the swarming black cloud as crackling blue chakra shatters through the din and raikiri lays waste to a good portion of the birds. ]
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[The remaining crows disperse to circle overhead, squawking and wheeling in menacing arches but their job, for now, is done. It's not the entire jutsu, Kakashi was too swift in his fending off of the birds but it's enough to keep distance between them while Houou channels more chakra.
The rumbling get's louder and the source is quickly made apparent. Dark chains burst from the ground around the Jounin; whipping and flashing forward to bludgeon and ensnare their target, seemingly with a will of their own.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 4.[ Kakashi watches as the chains erupt from the ground with a kind of helpless awe. It certainly isn't something he had been expecting, to put it mildly. His opponent had been pulling motifs of birds and secrecy, so the appearance of the metal links catches Kakashi completely off guard.
Luckily, even when he's surprised his quick mind is still able to act in seconds. He's caught by the chains relatively fast, but not before he manages to perform a hasty round of hand seals in order to summon two shadow clones; a dangerous move given his quickly depleting chakra, but a necessary one as the two copies of himself circle round to advance on Houou from either side.
He has to find his weakness. ]
==>
papamaniwa rolls a 2.[The clones divert his concentration, but he dodges and side steps around until one finally lands a blow; it's kunai slicing across his back and retreating in a red tinged arch. Houou drops his control of the chains then to deal with the threat - they still hold Kakashi fast mind you, but they are no longer animate in their blows against his prone body - slashing viciously at his attacker with suddenly elongated claws.
The second clone makes to add to his injuries but it's blade only encounters feathers; a swirling plume of them filling the void Houou was previously occupying and it falls to the rake of talons across it's back.
He's using skills he hasn't had to in generations and it's as thrilling as it exhausting and he follows the roll of fatalities with a gathering of shadows; appearing at Kakashi's back once again with blood drenched claws bared.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 3.[ When the chains go slack Kakashi tugs with all his might till the links pry open and his wrists are free again, but the majority of his concentration is pinned on the bright flash of red and orange that is his opponent. He has to watch carefully, he can't miss a moment of this fight. As soon as he finds Houou's weakness, he'll use it to his advantage and be on his way home to warn those travelling of this hidden shinobi's power.
And then he's surprised again. Out here in the bright sun he was sure Houou's shadow technique would have been rendered useless, but he watches as Houou's form skips out from between his shadow clones and once again moves behind him... only this time, Kakashi's sharingan is fixed on him, and watches him go. Before Houou's bloody claws can delve into Kakashi's back, he spins to meet them with a swipe of a suddenly drawn blade; the flash of a short tanto cutting across the space between them ready to meet with the sweep of Houou's arm..... ]
==>
papamaniwa rolls a 6.[There's the sensation of cold air hitting his bare arm and then the limb is thudding to the ground, cut clean off from the bicep down. The claws twitch uselessly up at him and Houou cocks his head in curiosity, aware now of the power of the Sharingan and the limitation of his own jutsu. Losing the limb doesn't seem to worry or affect him in the slightest and the expected gout of blood never comes; instead he's focusing chakra again and hopping away from a second blow.
The chains hiss to life at his behest, diving into the ground and launching from the soft soil with renewed speed to thrash and tangle at Kakashi once again.
Houou needs only a moment to gather himself, but he needs the Jounin under wraps and until then the chains will be his defense.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 6.[ Confusion and the steady bubbling of fear starts to swim in Kakashi's chest, a sudden drop of worry hitting him like a bullet. He'd aimed for the joint between his opponents torso and limb for a reason; hoping for an impressive bleed and a sufficient weakening of power... but Houou seems positively unphased. That can't be good.
Kakashi isn't letting the chains catch him a second time, so when they snake closer to him he spins to retaliate, kicking the nearest away with a well timed and powerful roundhouse kick. That doesn't, however, combat the second chain which snakes to meet Kakashi's wrists, wrapping around them both and hauling upwards till his toes almost leave the ground. His father's tanto falls from his grip, and with a hasty puff of air he tries his best to reach it-- but the chains only tighten around his wrists, as if scolding him for the attempt.
He hears bones crunch. ]
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[By the time the chains finally hoist Kakashi up, he's panting with effort and from the steady throb of pain that's working it's way up his shoulder. There's an incredible amount of concentration that goes behind controlling moving targets and simultaneously keeping his wound from bleeding out and he's quickly reaching his limit, but the strain lessens as he halts the chains and steps ponderously forward.
He stoops to collect the wayward limb and were his eyes open, he would be meeting Kakashi's gaze, but he's entirely certain that his wide grin is more unsettling than any steely glare ever could be.
Houou takes a steadying breath before rising to his full height and offers the limb up to the clean cut of his bicep. There's a moment of gathered energy; the markings across his eyes, glowing brightly for the duration and then he's flexing both hands as if the damage hadn't happened at all.]
I've heard tales you know, of your prowess and I'm happy to see that you live up to each and every one.. [Houou rolls his shoulders, settling his clothes around various wounds and easing away the ache of the separation and sudden healing before continuing.] But then you do have somewhat of an advantage, don't you?
[He doesn't need to elaborate further and closes the distance between them in a flash of movement; claws extended to the left side of Kakashi's skull and the ruby pinwheel housed within.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 3.[ The grin is terrifying; so much so that even a weathered shinobi like Hatake Kakashi still feels a cold drop of fear trickle down his spine at the view. He had apparently been right to worry about Houou's casual reaction to having his limb hacked off, and watches with widened eyes as the unaffiliated-nin seamlessly melds his once severed arm back onto the stump of his shoulder. It's sickening to watch, and Kakashi can't ignore the way his blood-soaked talons seem to gleam with a new thirst for blood as payment of revenge.
There is a hot pain spreading from his wrist and down his arm, and Kakashi knows that he can't break free of the binding chains this time..
When Houou comes close, Kakashi's resolve steels. He's never been held hostage before, never been weak or defenceless, and he isn't about to start now. With a sharp rush of movement Kakashi angles his leg upwards, pulling painfully on the chains till his foot makes contact with the underside of Houou's chin-- the force sending him sailing back in an arch, and leaving the chains to crumble uselessly at his feet.
He picks up his fathers tanto, sweat and blood pouring down his face. Houou's claws missed his eye by a fraction, colliding instead with the side of his cheek, further tearing his mask and his skin in the effort.
And now he knows what his opponent is after. ]
Yes. [ He almost spits his words, sword brandished and crackling with a white energy. ] I do.
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[It's the first time he's tasted blood in some time and it floods his mouth, sharp teeth slicing his tongue and cheeks from the force of Kakashi's strike.
The crows caw above and Houou staggers to his feet, shaking off of the vertigo induced by being so suddenly floored and assumes a defensive posture. He's not exactly scraping the barrel for techniques but his regenerative abilities take their toll and they've been kicked into overdrive.
He still has an ace up his sleeve though and stage one of it is spiraling down with alarming speed and accuracy to dive bomb Kakashi directly.
Most importantly it's on fire.
The crows turned fire birds morph and grow, talons charring, lengthening and doubling in size before they sweep in burning plumes and the remaining five have intent to kill.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 5.[ Kakashi knows by this point that taking his eyes off of his opponent is probably a bad idea, but he also knows that there's very little he can do about it as the rushing sound of wings against wind and the loud crackle of unnatural flames sounds above his head.
In a situation like this the obvious mode of operation would be to meet the chakra nature head on with it's weakness, but water has always been one of his weaker masteries, and producing any kind of fountain right now would mean taking his eyes off of Houou.
What's more, aerial attacks are awful, and Kakashi can only think of one way to combat this. He isn't fast enough to avoid the initial attack from the birds, but the jutsu he performs helps him to avoid any prolonged contact with it as he quickly disappears into the earthy ground after a small disruption of it's surface. Underground Kakashi can utilise the use of his sharingan to target Houou himself, and within moments has sprung up behind the man in a shower of dirt flecks and electric charges with his chidori bared. ]
==>
papamaniwa rolls a 1.[The birds screech, denied their prey and full rage and Houou is inclined to agree with them. He's alert to everything, waiting for the Jounin's emergence and directs the fire birds to circle low and close, ready to swarm at a moments notice.
That eye must allow the tracking of his movements and Houou remains stationary, not wishing to waste the energy on movement when he doesn't have to and instead extends his senses outwards; a centuries worth of sensory movement homing in on the barely there flicker of Kakashi's chakra.
There. He has the others location and at the first rumble of earth, reacts accordingly. Houou spins on his heel, cloak flaring wide and shaking loose a volley of senbon - deadly sharp and poison tipped - all aimed at his opponent as he dives from the path of the attack.
The poison is paralytic; a recipe passed down the generations of Maniwa and devastatingly efficient. It will only take one to set off the chain reaction and as many more as he can manage will only hasten the effect.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 6.[ He's overwhelmed as soon as he leaves the ground, and it's with that movement that he suddenly realises he's made a mistake. He should have ran at the first strike, at the first sign of aggressive warfare. It would have been safer than retaliating... He's on a level playing field with this opponent, and all his efforts in attempting to find a weakness in him have been in vain.
He hears the swooping of birds wings descending on him and is overwhelmed by flames and the scratching of sharp talons before he can even attempt to track Houou's movements. His chidori is spent on putting an end to the birds, but his flak is charred and singed, and still alight in places; at this point it's more of a hindrance than a help, so he shrugs it off while looking around for his opponent again.
There is only one option left to him now -- to wear his attacker down till neither of them can fight anymore, and to make a quick escape.
And that's when he feels the sharp pain at his throat, and lifts a hand to press against the site of impact... only to feel the cold stretch of a large senbon sticking out from his throat. He tugs it away instantly, and where the tip is stained an angry puce colour, he knows it's a poison without immediately feeling any effects.
So now time is against him.
He crouches, performs a few seals and presses his hand to the ground; moments later a group of dogs appear from a cloud of smoke, bearing their teeth at Houou for a second before the largest charges toward him. ]
==>
papamaniwa rolls a 5.[He dodges the largest of the hounds, too quick for it's bulk to respond promptly enough, but one of the smaller spry ones leaps and catches his arm. Houou feels teeth, feels bones grind and give under the iron grip of it's jaw and snarls as he shakes it off; batting the smaller body to the ground with a vicious slash of the claws on his free hand.
The others keep him occupied, but his attention doesn't leave Kakashi and he works in ever increasing circles to find an opening, spraying poison senbon at the dogs and their keeper alike.
His body has gone into overdrive in it's efforts to heal the damage he's sustained and the process is a steady drain on the resources he has left. It's not a position Houou wants to stay in for any length of time and so he channels what he has left as safely as he can. The technique isn't one he likes; it's primitive and primal, drawing on ancient agreements and even older power and his markings glow ominously as everything about him sharpens.
Claws, limbs, teeth, every characteristic that marks him as less than human, elongates and he's darting around the dogs, ignoring his injuries and baring down on Kakashi, senbon and claws dripping red and toxins.]
==>
scarecrowboy rolls a 5.[ Urushi falls to the ground with a large slash at his side and is immediately dragged away by the smallest of the group while the others continue to growl at Houou with a new kind of ferocity. They manage to dodge all the senbon thrown their way but still fail to get any closer and, as Houou's form starts to shift and morph into something more animalistic, Kakashi whistles a signal to the smallest dog who peels off to his side.
Pakkun greets him with a quiet grunt of his name, Kakashi replies with hasty instructions, and the small pug is gone again in moments, racing off the way Kakashi had originally been heading with surprising speed for one with such little legs. Soon he's a tiny speck, and then nothing; untraceable.
And then Houou is in front of Kakashi. In a flurry of claws and metal Kakashi is forced to parry each attack, his blade unsheathed again to deflect the needles and to keep Houou's claws at bay. It's a losing battle, though, as Houou is much too fast for Kakashi's fatigued body; his use of chakra and extended use of his sharingan is finally taking a toll on his stamina, and without his flak jacket to shield himself, he knows he's weak. Two senbon hit his chest one after the other as he dodges a third, but he has no time to pull them out as he imbues his blade with vicious white chakra once more and swings it down at his foe. ]
==>
papamaniwa rolls a 5.[He meets the strike head on, swiping up in an arching blur as Danzaien warps the space around his injured hand with deadly energy. The blade shatters clean at the hilt, cutting the lightning off from it's source but with nowhere else to go, it grounds through Houou; surging down his arm and blowing him back with the force.
He skids through the dirt, hopping to avoid the still advancing dogs and his arm falls limply at his side, numb from the shock and threaded with scarred blood vessels down it's length. The throbbing ache from what he suspects is at least a fracture on top of the extra damage, is intense and he pants through the pain, snatching a senbon from the folds of his cloak and settling low into his stance. It's a waiting game now; there's enough poison in Kakashi's system to drop a civilian twice over and though the Jounin's endurance is uncanny, there's only so long he can last now.. Houou just needs to last longer.]
==>
scarecrowboy doesn't roll.[ Kakashi can feel his system slowing much faster than usual; his limbs are sluggish, his head heavy; and with a icy drop of worry he realises that his time has run out. The poison is taking a path around his system in advanced speeds thanks to the tripled dosage. He knows that soon he's going to die.
His vision starts to swim, the shape of Houou's form blurs at the edges, but he doesn't relent. He tosses the useless hilt of his fathers tanto aside and instead bears his kunai for one last push against his opponent. If he can get close enough he could end Houou's life before the poison takes his own. With one arm out of use Houou has a distinct weakness...
The last thing Kakashi wants is to pass out from exhaustion or succumb to the poison... primarily because that would mean his sharingan would be in danger. Houou's intention was clear from the attempt he'd made earlier, and Kakashi didn't need to be a genius to figure out that Houou had much the same idea as he did in terms of wearing his opponent down to weakness.
If he could just hang on till his reinforcements arrived, he could survive this. He has enough chakra left for maybe one more burst of his chidori... ]
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[He falls back into a pattern of infuriating dodges, dashes and strikes, finding a place between the pain and the fatigue and drawing on sheer bloody mindedness from here out.
Every nick and cut he lands is more poison in Kakashi's system and he's waiting for a slip up; a give in the others defence that he can use to floor him and claim his bargaining chip at last.
They clash so equally that it almost feels choreographed, his movements predicted by that blasted eye and the moment he needs is a long time coming but finally, there; his opponent buckles as their weapons lock, dropping his guard for the barest of seconds and Houou makes his move.
He reels to head butt over their weapons and a long leg sweeps out to catch Kakashi's faltered steps; one way or another, someone's falling today. ]
==>
scarecrowboy doesn't roll.[ Though his training assists him in dodging the head-butt, his wavering consciousness does nothing to help him avoid the trip, and his already wobbling form falls backward with a heavy thud. His brain rattles against the cage of his skull and he squints against the pain that seems to shoot like lightning down his nerves and along his limbs, tingling in his fingers and toes.
He knows the feeling well; impending paralysis.
His senses are on fire, pain flickering from every wound and point of contact, and he grits his teeth. Defeat is sour, but he won't let Houou win. Even if he dies here as piteous as he is in a pool of his own blood, he won't let Houou have what he's after. His next move occurs before he's really had time to think about it.
Instinct and desperation drives him as he grips the handle of his kunai tighter in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force he's applying, and then drives the tip toward his scarlet eye. ]
==>
papamaniwa doesn't roll.[Relief at the manoeuvres success is quickly soured by Kakashi's next action and quietly, his respect for the Jounin takes a permanent leap; destruction of an asset over capture is a trait that Houou finds truly admirable and he thinks for a moment that this is one he would proudly call kith to his clan, had fate dealt them that hand. But it's not to be.
In a flash he's in Kakashi's personal space, markings glowing painfully brighter for a moment as he captures the mans wavering attention with the golden slits of his gaze and the intent of his actions with a firm hand.]
Sleep with your success, Hatake-dono..
[It's the smallest nudge of suggestion, a power he's kept closely guarded, and the agony of his own claws claiming the Sharigan completes the illusion in place of the blade. Kakashi will believe that he acted first; both actions melding seamlessly in his mind as paralysis and shock force him into unconsciousness.
As the Jounin's body slumps heavily into the grass, Houou pockets his prize and rounds on the remaining dogs, aware of their fury like burning coals at his back.]
Here. I bare no further ill will to either you or your master. [A flick of his uninjured wrist and a vial lands between the paws of the hound wearing glasses.] Should he survive and I very much suspect he will, that will counteract the poison.
[He has only a very tired looking grin left to offer and with a bow, he's gone, flickering to the shadow of trees downwind and distancing himself as hastily as possible.]