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What is thicker?
Friendship or marriage?
A collab done by Sketching and Gerontis.
Summary :
Having managed to secure their goal Koike Hon, Shizu Sarutobi and Katsu Uchiha attempt to disable the hostile contacts that are near the residence of Eiji Emiya. While a bitter fight breaks out between the 'stranger' and the nin they manage to drive it away. At a terrible price, it seems.
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The stranger came to a slow halt, observing the ambush for a moment. As another step was taken and it was clear that the stranger was about to pick up his pace to join the violence something would stop the stranger in his tracks. Moving out of the shadows in a dash Koike's sword was drawn and swung in an attempt to sever the hamstrings of the stranger. As the sharp edge moved through the air it wasn't able to hit the target as the stranger moved aside to dodge the blow. Noticing that the stranger raised his right hand with the club Koike narrowed his eyes.
Katsu came out of the shadows on the wall and landed on the front of the club, kicking off to stop the attack. As he moved back through the air, he threw forward two paper shuriken. As they neared the man, they both ignited and blew up. The push from the explosion threw Katsu back into the wall, where he disappeared once again.
As he hadn't secured a good footing, Koike felt how his body was slammed backwards. No attempts were made to make himself to a halt as he neared the nearby wall with his back. Instead of a violent smack against the stone wall, he would slide at a rapid speed into the shadows. The thrown up dust and debris by the small explosives would reveal the stranger unharmed - save it for the decimated wooden club on the ground - standing on the same position. The stranger threw a look at the other site where the direwolves and the Sarutobi Shizu were finishing off the last thugs.
The stranger turned, but out of the shadows a kunai was thrown with wire attached to the loophole at the hilt of the weapon. Throwing a look over his shoulder the stranger didn't move as the weapon would wrap the wire around his right wrist. Instead the stranger would grab the wire and pull hard, causing Koike to fall out of the shadow on his stomach.
The younger nin emerged from the ground in front of Koike with one of his swords drawn, cutting the wire and throwing two knives at the stranger. The wire cut made the stranger turn towards the two persistent attackers. The thrown knives didn't seem to do any damage as they bounced off the surface from their marks. Clearly done with the two the stranger ran towards the two, his right hand clenched into a fist as an intense cold start to spread into the streets.
Getting up Koike would pull out a kunai as he tried to catch his breath. His heart started to skip beats, but the determination to win this time against that
thing together with the frustration and anger of before pushed him to hold his ground.
"Let's throw him off," Katsu said, the color of his eyes turning into a dark red. Reversing his grip on his sword, the young nin rushed forward towards the stranger, jumping in for an attack.To which their foe would ready himself to take the attack. Bracing for the impact the stranger would already ready his left hand, clearly in wait to grab hold of the tenacious Uchiha nin. Just outside of arm's reach in mid air, a strong, concentrated gust of wind escaped from under the sole of Katsu's foot, pushing him back from up high. The foe clearly was surprised as his gaze followed the Uchiha. Before he could lower his eyes and see where the Hon was a loud thud rang through the air.
The point of the kunai shot a heavy vibration down Koike's arm as he would then attempt to grab the opponent with his free hand while pulling the kunai back to defend himself against any counter. There had been a faint hope that he would be perhaps able to lay some damage on their opponent with a heavy strike, but it was clear that wasn't going to work at all. Before Koike could grab the opponent his left wrist was grabbed instead as an intense cold started to crawl under his skin. Gritting his teeth, Koike would attempt to get a grip back on his opponent.
As Katsu's feet touched the wall, he looked over at the two. He pushed off again with the help of a gust of wind, lunging at the figure with incredible speed until he came to an abrupt, painful halt. The other hand of the stranger had caught Katsu by his shoulder, holding the younger nin up. Looking over his shoulder a soft grumble escaped the stranger. Turning around, the strength and speed of the stranger were once more shown as both Koike and Katsu would be thrown towards the window of Eiji's neighbour house.
The large window shattered as the two fell through, the shattered glasses hitting the wall violently with a strong gust of wind. Katsu hit his back on the wall, falling on his knees, rubbing his neck, coughing. While Koike would be slammed against the couch. A loud groan followed as the young man felt pain rushing through his body. An attempt was made to scramble up, but it wouldn't succeed. Just as Koike wanted to glance how his friend was doing he heard something. Glass cracking as the stranger hopped inside the house. Flexing his right hand the stranger would walk towards Katsu.
Katsu quickly pushed himself to his feet, grumbling.
"You big... stupid..." He pressed one leg against the wall and unsheathed a sword. He pushed off the wall with a wind boost and disappeared into the shadow across the narrow corridor, to appear behind the figure, out of the same wall, swinging the sword towards the head. A loud thud rang through the air as the sword slammed against the head. It only caused the head to lean a bit away before the stranger would reach out and grab Katsu. Before it could attempt to throw the Uchiha once more away Koike attempted to attack it from the side, coming in with a kunai. Hitting the figure in the back, a heavy vibration moved down Koike's arm. Giving just a moment for Katsu to do something as the stranger threw a glance at the Hon.
As he got grabbed, Katsu's legs went up and wrapped around the figure's arm, trying to give it pressure to bend as he stabbed down at the inside of the elbow of the figure, leaving his weight back, causing the stranger to softly grumble as he almost lost his stability for a second. Raising up his free arm the stranger attempt to grab the tenacious Uchiha, only to feel another weight preventing that. Holding the stranger firmly by the wrist Koike would attempt a kick to the stranger's side as a sensation moved from his left hand. Causing the stranger to resist heavier than before.
"Gotcha. Katsu, try to hold him." Koike grumbled, avoiding being kicked as the stranger also attempt to swing his restricted arm to shake the Uchiha off. As the arm shook more, Katsu let go of the sword and instead used his hands to help with what his legs were doing, leaning further out back to pull the figure down.
"Trying!"
A loud hiss was being produced by the stranger. Tightening his grip on the wrist of their opponent Koike kept leeching chakra and judging on how it was reacting, it was working. Only just a moment later after that thought a deafening screech would be produced, which caused Koike to take a few steps back with attempting to cover his ears. The stranger would attempt to grab Katsu as an intense cold would start to spread from the boy's legs.
Katsu flinched as he heard the noise, and he hit the ground as he felt his will to fight sapped. After a moment, he forced his arm out to reach for the sword he'd dropped, grabbing it as tightly as he could. He swung it at the figure frustratedly.
The figure didn't seem to be fazed by the armed chuunin, approaching it one more time. This time the stranger was breathing more heavily as the chakra aura was showing some cracks. Before it could attempt to attack Katsu a few projectiles of crystal hit the back of the stranger. Moving into the home, Shizu already had a few other crystal shuriken in her hands. Throwing the weapons at the inside of the knee and neck the thrown objects would just shatter as the stranger didn't seem to mind the nuisance much.
As the figure turned his attention away, Katsu jumped up to his feet.
"Get out of the way!" He threw two paper shuriken at the walls next to the figure and brought his hands together with a jump back. The shuriken ignited as the small gust of wind reached it. The walls broke down with a large sound, bringing part of the ceiling right on top of where the stranger was standing.
Both Shizu as Koike moved back as quick as they could as the ceiling dropped on the stranger. A hiss was being overwhelmed by the sound of debris and dust falling down. Looking at the pile of rubble Koike let out a soft sigh.
"Good work." He said, throwing a look in Katsu's direction. The painful aftermath of the screech still hadn't vanished but he was glad that the stranger was at least buried now.
"Okay, seems we're done here." Koike grumbled as the pile of rubble didn't seem to move after a few moments. Katsu stood outside of the dust, panting and coughing. He reached his chakra out, trying to sense what was left of the creature.
"Koike, he's doing something!"
Twisting his head to look at the rubble something shot out of it. A tendril that seemed to be made of obisdian crawled out of it and managed to reach to Shizu, who had thrown a look to see if there was something going on outside. The soft sound of crystal being broken was mixed with a gasp from Shizu as the tendril shot into her back, spreading the familiar cold in the room. Reaching out for his blade Koike used his free hand to point at the rubble.
"Keep an eye on that thing!" The order was quickly followed up by Koike attempting to slash the tendril.
His hand shakily grasping his sword, Katsu stared at the tendril, confused. His eyes moved quickly back to the rubble. He took a deep breath, and tightened his grasp, staring at the pile of concrete and stone.
Letting the blade mow down towards the tendril Koike frowned. The steel managed to cut clean through it, but the following effect wasn't what he expected. Glancing at Shizu he noticed how the remaining dark material seemed to twist and move into the young woman. The other side slithered back as a soft whispering would resonate through Katsu and Koike's mind.
Katsu took a few steps closer, reaching out to feel the stranger's chakra again, only to sense nothing. He turned over to the other two, and just as he was about to say something, he noticed a vague change around Shizu.
Utterly confused by what was going on Koike straightend his back and threw a look at Katsu, wanting to speak up. Oblivious to the attack that was about to hit him from the back. Just as Shizu was near landing the attack, Katsu's foot connected with her face, sending her off with wind strengthening the push. The young woman would be sent backwards by the kick, the crystal knife falling out of her hand. Surprised Koike frowned as he tried to process what just had happened. Not wanting to turn his back to the pile of rubble he spoke up.
"Not sure what you two are up to, but what the devil are you guys doing?" He said, trying to divide his attention between his assigned team and the rubble.
"She was gonna stab you," Katsu snapped back, drawing his sword.
"There's something wrong with her chakra system. And--" A few crystal shuriken would be formed and almost thrown instantly by the young woman at the two. Forced to evade the objects Koike quickly stepped backwards.
"Great. Did the other leave or die?" Koike asked, still not trusting the pile of rubble as Shizu quickly moved up after her attack. Katsu moved out of the way as well, skidding across the ground.
"I think he left. He's not there anymore," the boy said, turning towards the young woman.
The young woman rolled her shoulders as she eyed the two other quickly.
"Well, that is one problem somewhat dealt with. Now, what about her?" Koike asked, readying his blade for the next possible attack. Considering the fact that Shizu was a crystal release user didn't really comfort Koike much. Perhaps it was just a temporary state in which the woman was in?
"Okay, let's try to get her into a genjutsu." Just as he finished those words the young woman would start to weave some handsignals.
"Got it." Katsu rushed forward, closing in, staring up at her face to lock eyes as he switched his grip on his sword. Crouching after weaving three handsignals Shizu placed her left hand on the ground. Crystal shot out of the ground, sharp thorns starting to grow at a rapid speed towards Katsu and Koike. Moving out of the way, by a quick roll to the left, Koike would attempt to throw a knife - aimed at the left knee of the young woman. Katsu leapt up high, tossing three knives with his free hand as he moved through the air.
The knives would hit their mark, but seemed to do little to make the young woman stop. The crystal thorns would be redirected as both hands of Shizu would be placed on the ground. Noticing the rapid growing thorns heading his way, Koike attempted to move backwards while holding his blade in the way. Another path of thorns wouldn't go forward, but shot up in attempt to harm Katsu.
Just as the thorns emerged, Katsu pushed his feet forward, expelling a burst of air as he had to jump earlier, slowing him just enough to land on the side of the thorns instead of the edges. He quickly made his way around the thorns and leapt at Shizu. The woman seemed to have some trouble as if she was trying to resist her own movements. Pouring more chakra in the thorn technique, chakra from the thorn which Katsu had pushed himself forwards started to rapidly grown a thorn to attempt to stab Katsu in the back. However, before it could form a threat a small arc of chakra flashed by. Slicing through the crystal the chakr arc would move on as the source, Koike, would quickly move aside to avoid being skewered by a thorn that shot forwards in his direction.
Just as Katsu landed in front of Shizu, she swung her large umbrella, but the boy was able to parry under it. Right as the umbrella passed, Katsu looked up, gazing into her eyes for a brief moment before jumping up to attempt to kick the side of her head. While the young woman attempted to move to not get kicked, something seemed off. Her eyes widened just before the kick of Katsu landed, making her land hard on her back.
"Nicely done." Koike said, glad that Shizu was on her back. The crystal thorns stopped growing but he didn't yet store away his sword.
"Can you attempt to restrict her?" He asked his friend, making his way towards the other two.
The young nin sheathed his sword and nodded.
"Got it!" He brought his hands to each of the other's wrists and pulled them apart. As the young woman tried to get up, whirring sounds came from all around her before a sharp, tight sensation would squeeze her limbs to her body.
"I think we're done!"
Nodding as he would sheath away his sword a sigh escaped Koike. He briefly took a look at the damage. It was clear that this was going to cost, but as long as nobody could blame them then he wouldn't worry too much about it.
"Let's get going back. Preferably without a lot of people seeing us before we are needed to cover the damage." He said, raising his right thumb to point at the still present crystal.
"Not to mention that I wonder what the hell is wrong..." He frowned, throwing a look at Shizu. Unable to see how the young woman clenched her right fist tighter while shifting the weight on her right leg. From behind Koike the crystal started to morph, without much of a warning a thorn would move in a quick speed towards the back of the young man. Just as Katsu was about to say something, he found himself next to Koike with his sword drawn, his recollection of the previous moment completely gone. The crystal had stopped growing an inch away from Koike's spine. The boy stood there, unmoving for several seconds before looking around him. The blade fell out of his shaking hands, as he felt the weight of his fatigue drag him down on his back.
Koike's eyes widened as he couldn't understand what just happened. His gaze traveled to look sideways as he saw how the steel moved through the air, guided by Katsu's hand. Ending with slicing the throat of the woman in front of him. Frozen he wasn't sure what to do as it all unfold right in front of him. The first thought that finally moved through his mind as the blade fell out of Katsu's hand was that it had to be a genjutsu. As he turned half to take away from his friend, unsure what just had transpired his eyes caught the grown thorn. Throwing a look back at Shizu Koike's expression steeled. Swallowing he would throw one more look at his friend before kneeling next to Shizu. Slowly moving his right hand to check for a pulse as blood stopped flowing out of the wound he could confirm that she was dead. Moving his gloved hand a bit above Koike shut her eyes as he sighed out loud. Pulling his hand back he wasn't sure for a moment what to do. He checked the wound one more time, but it was clear that the cut had gone deep if it had ended her life this soon. Being aware of what this could mean Koike threw a look over his shoulder to his exhausted friend. Rising up the young man would bring his hands together. A shadow clone would poof right next to Koike.
Turning around, he would kneel next to Katsu.
"Time to get going." He said, his voice sounding cold and stern. After sheathing the sword for his friend Koike would pick the chuunin up. Throwing a look as his shadow clone would pick up Shizu he would go the other direction.
He would report later to Aiko, once being sure that he could do so in peace.
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