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Post by Gaizer on Jun 10, 2011 14:29:12 GMT -5
"yes, sir. and i have decided." here Mau sits up and looks into his Uncle's eye, determined fire burning in his own, "decided that i must become stronger! strong enough to defend my friends!...and crush my enemies if i must. I know the risks but that changes nothing. My decision is the same: I want to...no, MUST learn ninjutsu"
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 13, 2011 11:51:23 GMT -5
"It is as I expected" he says reaching into his robes. From within their dusty brown folds he pulls a folded piece of paper sealed at the front with an old style wax seal that bears the image of a rising phoenix.
"Here" he says handing it to Mau. "I want you to deliver this letter to the owner of the pet shop three blocks from here BUT DO NOT OPEN IT. You will follow his instructions from there. Only once you are done with this will I tend to the issue of your ninjutsu training "he explains.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 13, 2011 12:00:10 GMT -5
"understood. I am glad you trust me to this degree." Mau takes the note and begins to head to the door, then turns, saying, "although i suspect this may be a trap i will heed your intsructions." then heads for the pet shop.
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 13, 2011 12:07:54 GMT -5
"You will discover that such a fear is only a fraction of what comes with the weight of darkness" are your grandfathers final words before you depart.
Outside it is a pleasant afternoon with the sun half obscured by clouds and the street a flow of activity. Hired men packing or unpacking supplies for local grocery stores, college students riding their bikes to or from school, teenagers perched on steps and hanging out inside cafes. Waltzing through all this with little difficulty Mau reaches a two story store with a green and white canvas awning and a sign on top that reads Souske's Pet Shop.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 13, 2011 13:51:50 GMT -5
Mau enters with great caution, and prcoeeds to attempt to find and present the scroll to the owner.
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 15, 2011 12:26:01 GMT -5
After a little bit of looking around one of the pet shop employees approaches Mau. A young guy (older than him by about three years) in a red and blue apron with short black hair, bit of a squint and a name tag that reads "Hatake" approaches him.
"Hey, can I help you?" he asks.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 15, 2011 13:28:00 GMT -5
"yes, i would appreciate it if you would direct me to the store-owner; i have a delivery." says Mau holding up the scroll. "I of course have to deliver it to him personally"
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 16, 2011 13:22:32 GMT -5
"Hmm. I think I heard something about that" the guy says while motioning for Mau to follow him.
"He should be out around back, I'll take you to him" he explains while walking through the moderately crowded pet store.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 16, 2011 13:26:40 GMT -5
"thanks," Mau relaxes slightly but keeps his guard up. "sooo is there anything i should know before i meet hi-ooh a parrot!"
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 16, 2011 14:05:12 GMT -5
"What?..yeah. We just recently got him in. He's supposed to be one of those kinds of parrots who can learn phrases. Show 'im" Hatake explains while snapping his fingers as a signal.
"Caw! caw! you'll be the end of me caw!" the parrot screeches.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 16, 2011 14:13:10 GMT -5
"heh. im sure i will. well have a good day Paro-san," Mau bows somewhat mockingly and continues on, following hatake. "so, how's the job?"
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 16, 2011 14:36:16 GMT -5
"Not bad" Hatake responds "it's steady pay and I like animals so it fits pretty well". Before long the two of you are out behind the pet shop. A few wooden crates are stacked next to a cat climb tower still in its plastic. Aside from this it is no different from the other back-sections of the other buildings easily visible down either end of the alley.
"You seem like a nice kid" Hatake says closing and locking the shop door behind him. "So I'll ask first, had that letter over to me".
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 16, 2011 14:48:47 GMT -5
"i can't do that. i was instructed to deliver it to your boss. Oji-shiso said nothing about you," Mau pauses, then says "although the way things are with him chances are you are a test to make sure i obey and/or are strong enough to learn, so i assume you'll be fighting me?" Mau takes a stance preparing for the invevitable onslaught and continues speaking "you seem like a nice kid so ill ask you first: take me to the owner."
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 17, 2011 12:12:25 GMT -5
"What? test? I think you're taking this too lightly" Hakate says slipping a switchblade out of his pocket. "Alright, I gave you your first and last warning".
No sooner has Mau taken up stance does Hatake make a lunge at him. His chest being the target.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 17, 2011 13:00:17 GMT -5
"and here i thought you had some honor...oh well" mau attempts to dodge using "Behind you" and plans to if successful go into "quickfoot stance"
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 19, 2011 12:47:20 GMT -5
Mau evades the attack with excellent grace. However he finds himself slipping and skidding across the cement! Unnoticed until now Mau is suddenly made intimately aware of a fine layer of moisture on the surrounding area. His enemy turns around to face Mau with a smirk on his face.
"Being a pet store we get all kinds of messy cargo delivered back here so we have to hose it off often. Might want to watch your step".
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 19, 2011 13:52:34 GMT -5
"heh." Mau, at first worried by the slickness of the ground, quickly realizes that it can enhance his "regal whirlwind" technique by increasing his spin speed! Mau, beginning to launch "Regal Whirlwind," calls out, "I'd really rather not fight you, but if i have to I'll end it quickly!" (Is my stance active?)
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 20, 2011 22:07:22 GMT -5
(Yeah, it is)
Mau rotates rapidly and launches his whirling regal whirlwind! Hatake takes a quick step back in an effort to evade the kick, though his efforts don't quite work out. As he drifts by Mau the attack drags across his chest making a certain amount of impact.
"Go figure, I thought that was my line" Hatake comments while making a jab at Mau while he is still recovering from the last attack.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 21, 2011 12:09:44 GMT -5
Mau attempts too dodge by flipping backwards with "Kick the Moon" while simultaneously striking Hatake across the chin and saying "you HAVE to fight me? I don't think so, you attacked me, with no provocation other than me refusing to comply without explanation. i am merely defending myself."
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 22, 2011 11:43:50 GMT -5
In response to Mau's impressive maneuver Hatake thrusts his lead foot out and angles his body sideways. Using the wet ground to his advantage he goes sliding past the outside of Mau's attack avoiding the hits altogether.
As Mau lands from his attack he finds his feet slipping from said moisture beneath him as well. Not nearly as well suited to the environment he is only barely able to keep himself from falling. However no sooner after regaining his balance he must deal with Hatake attacking from behind with an overhand stab!
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 22, 2011 12:11:34 GMT -5
Mau taking a page from hatake's book tries to slide away. "you see! you attack with a weapon. I don't want to hurt you but you want to hurt me."
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 23, 2011 12:58:48 GMT -5
Though not as natural of a movement as Hatake accomplished Mau still manages to use the terrain to HIS advantage sliding away from the attack. Not quite having expected this Hatake is momentarily put off balance from the momentum of his own attack.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 23, 2011 15:05:29 GMT -5
(are you remembering sense of timing?) Mau, instead of counterattacking takes this time to put his shoe studs in on the bottom to counteract the slippery ground, then uses "falling star." "I'm wasting my breath talking aren't I...?"
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 27, 2011 11:10:17 GMT -5
(He's actually distancing himself enough so that he's out of range half the time).
Mau quickly slips on the attachments to his shoes and executes one of his signature attacks : Falling Star!. Hatake slides on his feet to get in and preemptively shut down Mau's movement only to find that the attack is executed in a much more concise manner. The extra balance making all the difference.
The attack hits dead on bringing Hatake down to one knee! With a deep sigh he puts away his switchblade while clutching his face with his other hand. His posture implying that the fight is over and he isn't going to attack anymore as he gets back up.
"Next time you will be, but it helps that I know you're not just stupid. Or a psychopath" he remarks. "Can't just let anyone through to the old man you know?"
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 27, 2011 12:04:04 GMT -5
"Yes, I told you I knew it was a test. So exactly how easy did you go on me?" says Mau as he follows Hatake. ~Not a psychopath? hmmm...~
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 28, 2011 11:40:26 GMT -5
"Easy enough" Hatake remarks while taking Mau back through the door and towards the back of the store. Before long he is standing in front of a squat old man with silver hair on either side of his head, the top smooth and hairless. He raises his head from the paperwork he is currently looking over to acknowledge the arrival of two of you.
"Yes? What is it Hatake?" he asks with a voice like wind blowing through gravel.
"This guy here is delivering a message" Hatake replies offhandedly while nudging you forward.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 28, 2011 12:11:18 GMT -5
Mau presents the scroll saying, "Sir, my Uncle instucted me to bring you this, he told me not to open it, and to be honest i'm REALLY curious about it..." Mau then bows and stands back waiting for the old man's response.
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 29, 2011 13:37:59 GMT -5
The old man takes the scroll and breaks the seal. Opening it slowly he reads its contents with a solemn steadiness. After a few moments he nods and places the scroll inside a drawer in his desk.
"It's about a delivery that needs to be made today, and you will be helping me make it. Hatake fetch the bird, young man would you tell me your name?" the old man both says and asks.
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Post by Gaizer on Jun 29, 2011 14:39:27 GMT -5
"Yes sir, My name is Mau Tsukichi." says Mau with no other response but to wait.
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Post by blacktothefuture on Jun 30, 2011 18:47:03 GMT -5
"Hmm..I see" the old man says simply.
Hatake comes back in after a few moments with the parrot from earlier. The bird is in a steel cage with a handle at the top and a white cloth covering the curved top and surrounding walls of the cage.
"You, Tsukichi, will be making a delivery to Hachigen of the Deli down the way. Three blocks down and two blocks the the left to be exact. You must protect the parrot at all costs and see it safely to the Deli owner without fail is this clear?" he asks.
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