[center][img]http://i61.tinypic.com/vd1r2a.jpg[/img]

[h2][b][color=moccasin]Tsukiko Umene, Honeybadger[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

The situation was defused, barely. Yamato had broken free of his restraint and gave Tsukiko disrespect under his breath, something she heard easily, but he didn't continue. The others who had begun to attack had also been halted. The wild woman still kept her angered expression, pissed that she had to handle the kids like animals to keep them from killing themselves. As the Konoha crew winded down, Kusaru began to explain her purpose, albeit quite vaguely.

[i][color=moccasin]Most important class, huh,[/color][/i] Tsukiko reviewed in her head, her angry expression finally dimming down in light of Kusaru's words. The more Tsukiko thought about it, the more it made sense. In her experience as a shinobi she could remember many times where she was given disrespect. Nobody ever cared if she was busting her ass daily to save their lives, that she was the reason they could sleep safely at night. Rather she would get mean looks in the street and talked down upon. [i][color=moccasin]Ungrateful shits...[/color][/i] Tsukiko squinted her eyes at Kusaru and Gian as they left, giving them no acknowledgement of their words despite how much thought they stirred.

It was only after they left did Tsukiko finally let out a sigh. The whole encounter was a hassle, but she couldn't help but reflect on the woman's ideals. She couldn't say for sure what Kusaru was implying, but the end result sure sounded nice. Ayame was quick to suggest the entire operation be put on hold so they could rest, a sign to Tsukiko that the younger woman was rattled by the event. [b][color=moccasin]"Yeah yeah, whatever,"[/color][/b] she agreed, in her own unique way. [i][color=moccasin]I'll worry about that shit some other day. I guess I'll get a perimeter set up and... oh what now?[/color][/i]

Tsukiko could feel the rising emotions from two teenagers in particular, Daiki and Yamato. The Naito boy seemed to want to fight Yamato. She could just consider it two young men vying for top dog, but Tsukiko was in no mood to tolerate this behavior any further. Putting up with Yamato all day, dealing with Keihatsu just now, and then being forced to put the mission off even longer? Tsukiko finally let go of the wire she was holding, letting it fall to the ground as she walked over to Yamato and Daiki noiselessly. The older woman walked directly between them, despite the proximity. She was taller than them, adding to her looming appearance.

She faced Yamato first. Her face hiding no secrets about her anger, it appeared as if she was about to start bitching at him. But instead her right fist came across in a hook, aimed to the boy's jaw with the intention of putting him on the ground if not entirely knocking him out. Without a word, Tsukiko then faced Daiki. She eyed him down for a moment, staring intensely into his gaze, before suddenly giving him the same treatment: a powerful punch to the face. Only after both boys had been put in their place would Tsukiko speak up again. [b][color=moccasin]"Ayame says we rest, we rest,"[/color][/b] she spoke, her voice oozing with malicious intent. It appeared as if she wanted to keep beating them but was restraining herself. [b][color=moccasin]"I'm not tolerating you little fuckers getting into trouble."[/color][/b] Then her gaze went specifically to Yamato. [b][color=moccasin]"And don't ever touch me again."[/color][/b] An obvious reference from when Yamato had gently moved her aside earlier.

Her intervention likely left a bad taste in their mouths, but Tsukiko didn't care. Fujitora and Ayame may "strict yet lax" in how they handled subordinates, but Tsukiko was only strict. The wild woman brushed some of her hair out of her face as she walked away from the kids and towards the trees. [b][color=moccasin]"I'll set up a perimeter then. If any of the kids are out of line when I come back, I'm killing them,"[/color][/b] Tsukiko announced. Her last statement was said half-jokingly. Of course the Choko siblings wouldn't just let Tsukiko kill any of the chuunin, without a good reason. But they probably knew that if they weren't there the statement would've been completely serious. Tsukiko jumped into the trees, grumbling to herself unintelligibly as she disappeared.

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[center][img]http://i58.tinypic.com/inaedy.jpg[/img]

[h2][b][color=orange]Shin Maru, Topaz[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

Shin let out a sigh of relief when Gian relented himself from counter-attacking the chuunin. The efforts of several others had withheld the attacks, so there was no need for the Keihatsu duo to return fire. [i][color=orange]That was close,[/color][/i] Shin thought, sitting down in the road as the tension lifted slightly. [i][color=orange]If it became a fight, I'd be a goner for sure.[/color][/i] The lady went on to speak of shinobi being treated like a class and that they should be valued more in society. The boy only seemed confused by what she said, even more so at the mention of his own clan.

[i][color=orange]Shinobi don't need to revered or anything,[/color][/i] Shin thought to himself, not daring to say it aloud. [i][color=orange]It's our duty to protect. We do it in spite of backlash and hatred. We're above that sort of thing. Aren't we?[/color][/i] He didn't have long to think deeply on Kusaru's words before the mysterious duo disappeared without a trace. Shin continued staring at the space were they were for a moment before letting out a sigh. [i][color=orange]Whatever. We'll be just fine and that's what matters.[/color][/i]

Everyone had begun to settle down after this, with Ayame's suggestion to rest up instead of continuing with the mission. While Shin's macho side wanted to keep going, the teenage boy knew he was at his limit. He was barely living, and Jaakuna was in that same boat. A night's rest would be welcome, to say the least. [b][color=orange]"Well, good thing I came prepared for an overnight stay,"[/color][/b] Shin announced, standing back up so everyone could see him. [b][color=orange]"By bringing absolutely nothing..."[/color][/b]