[Exousia]

To say things were going poorly for Suzaku would have been an understatement. Stranded in the middle of the wilds with a broken arm and leg, surrounded by hungry wolves and lying next to the corpse of a father he had just slain, the Kyuumu boy was in a rather tight place- but he was not without his options. Ja, ever smarmy, was solemnly silent as he took the unspoken order to heart and flapped off towards Kumogakure, flying as quickly as his wings would allow. Dō, in turn, remained on the young Genin’s shoulder while he searched through his bag awkwardly, the sound of the wolves echoing around him as he, at last, found what he was looking for.

Kunai now in beak, Dō took off, flying slower thanks to the added weight and need to take care, but not slow enough to somehow miss the pack of wolves running through the trees. There were six of them, led by a wolf at least the size of the man Suzaku had just killed… and they were stalking through undergrowth toward the young Kumo-nin with deadly intent. Hearing the mental command from his master, Dō dropped the kunai, spinning away in a flutter of wing beats as the scrap of metal and paper fell, bonking one of the wolves in the back on its tail. The beast paused, and with it the whole pack, the noise drawing their attention as they turned to look at what had disturbed them-

shwoooo-BOOM!

And were engulfed in an explosion of fire and force that spattered most of them into a bloody pulp, burning fur and flesh alike. The lead wolf was the only one to survive the explosion, its body tumbling through the undergrowth before it slammed against a nearby tree, visible now at last to Suzak. But despite the burns across its face and flank, despite the fire that tugged at its coat, despite the pieces of metal and wood sticking out of its side, the beast was not dead. Not in fighting shape, certainly, but alive all the same. And so, as the boy’s birds swarmed around its ravaged frame, it let loose a long, low whine swatting at them feebly, panting as it tried to stand… and failed, collapsing in a heap, its whines pitiful and pained as the crows and ravens tore at its exposed, burnt flesh.

Kyuumu Suzaku

[Kyuumu Suzaku]

Help was on the way. At least he could take comfort in that. And that was just about the only comfort he'd gotten from this entire mission. It'd been one disaster after another, and even with help on the way didn't stop the next disaster from occurring. The fact that he wasn't alone in the forest, that there were others. Things with ill intentions for the weak and injured, predators. Howls filling the air, causing him to rush as he searched his bag, the panic starting to build up again so soon after fighting through it. Fear was a good motivator, but the idea of being eaten alive was taking its toll, he felt like he was going to start hyperventilating. But he let out a fresh breath of air when he pulled out a kunai with a pre-prepared tag. Now he could fight back against the night.

He didn't really know how close they were, the only hints he got were the howls filling the sky, seeming closer each time. Maws filled with fangs easing towards him step by step, it was perhaps for the best they were hidden in all this growth. It made it calmer, easier to follow the plan. The yell to activate the seal, which is where he learned just how close the wolves had been. The explosion light up the forest, echoed through the trees. If any wolf had cried out in pain, it was drowned in the force of it all. And it's been far closer than the teen had been expecting, or hoping. That he'd been so close to them. It wasn't a comforting thought. And when a wolf actually charged out, huge and foreboding, blood on its jaws and menace in its eyes, he let out a scream of fear this time. He had prepared, made a flock, but could they save him in time? He closed his eyes, flinching hoping it wouldn't pounce. And it didn't.

Instead screams of birds flooded the area, the boy opening his eyes to see the wold lying against a tree as it was mobbed. He couldn't really understand what the birds were all screaming, there were too many to pick out separate words, but he could get a general sense of it all, of the anger. The killing intent as the wolf that'd scared him so much, couldn't even swat away one bird, couldn't stand. He could just make out it's cry from the screams of the boys flock, could just make out it's extensive injuries. And for a moment, he just watched. Watched as it was attacked, before his eyes caught the corpse by the fire. Remembered that forever moment as the man died. And he let out a call, a simple order. "Stop." And there he'd see the big bad wolf. No blood on its jaws except it's own, no killing intent in its eyes, all a figment in his imagination. Instead he was looking at a creature just as broken as he was His birds no longer picking at its flesh, no other wolves coming from the burning undergrowth. It was over, all of it. And without thinking, with the last of his adrenaline before the pain set back in, he took out the candy in his front pocket, the Dragons beard candy, and ripped it into two pieces. The large piece went to his flock for a job well done,  dropping his Hiding in Crows jutsus once more. Share it. You'd think he wouldn't have to clarify, but he knew better with corvids.

And the other, smaller piece went to the wolf, the boy tossing it as close as he could get it. Then he let out a sigh as he looked at the campfire. He was so tired.

SPOILER: Click to show

-At least one thing went right as help is on the way
-I can't believe that worked. Suzaku is rattled at how close they'd been without him realizing it though.
-Suzaku nearly pisses himself when the wolf bursts from underbrush
-Sees the big bad wolf from his fears, and let's the birbs attack until he realizes it can't fight back
-Calls them off, and sees a broken doggo
-Stops maintaining hiding in crows (again), and shares his candy with his flock and tries throwing a piece to the big bad wolf
-I'm so tired boss

---

Familiars:
Ja and Dō

[Exousia]

As the echoes of Suzaku’s explosive tag died down, the boy’s flock dissipated, his chakra network pulling all available energy into itself to maintain his consciousness. His attempts, however feeble, to reach out to the injured wolf were met only with the animals labored breathing. Each inhale it took came a little weaker, and each exhale was accompanied by a steadily worsening rasp that gurgled in the back of the beast’s throat. The explosion, or perhaps its impact against the tree, had shattered at least one side of its ribcage, puncturing one (or perhaps both) of its lungs, and blood foamed from its maw, reddening the once mighty animal’s gray fur.

Time wore on for the boy, the sun setting beneath the horizon as he shivered on the ground; but eventually, his familiar returned, bringing with him a trio of Shinobi, one of whom was his sensei, while the others were medics. The wolf had long since gone silent, its breathing falling into non-existence, and if Suzaku asked, the one of the medics would check, pronouncing it dead. After a quick assessment, the main medic proclaimed the boy would need treatment in a proper hospital, but would pull through just fine, his broken bones set easily enough, though the young Kyuumu would find he would need someone to carry him…

fin

Kyuumu Suzaku Eitama Sora

[Eitama Sora]

SORA

❴ down came the rain ❵

A day away from his genin was not an off day but a day to get other items checked off the man's to-do list. His team had been sent on a mission to round up an escaped prisoner not terribly far from the village and while they were still young with three of them it shouldn't have been too much of a problem for them. That was, if that had actually been the case. A knock on his door, a missive from higher ups requesting support for Suzaku... but only Suzaku. Had something happened to the other two?

Meeting up with two medics at the gates they explained to the Mayonaka that their intel only showed the lone Kyuumu as a participant for this mission. Why had the boy lied to him? Well, probably because he knew that Sora would have never let him take a mission like this alone especially after his disastrous experience in the previous chunin exams. A grit of teeth, six arms tensing at what would happen once they saw each other again, assuming he made it in time.

By the time the trio had reached Suzaku's location the sun had fallen behind the horizon giving way to only moonlight to illuminate the area and while it was a bit tough to see there were plenty signs of battle with both man and beast. The medics called out to Sora as they located the genin, he was still alive but badly injured and needed to be taken to a proper hospital to have his more severe wounds tended to.

"We'll be back in the village soon Suzaku, just rest for now." Sora would speak to the young Kyuumu as he hoisted him up with his central pair of arms. They would definitely have a lengthy conversation once they returned to Kumo about his actions today, but for the time being the man was just pleased that he hadn't lost one of his genin.

❴ Notes go here! ❵
❴ Kyuumu Suzaku❵

❤

[Kyuumu Suzaku]

The scraggly haired teen was barely able to stay conscious now, let alone actively aware of all of his surroundings. He knew the wolf hadn't been in good shape, that things were bad for both of them honestly, but how bad he couldn't tell. Not anymore. The only breathing he could stay focused on was his own, tired and labored. At least the pain was dulled, not from adrenaline but from exhaustion. His flock was gone, the wild ones anyways, having devoured their treasure hoard and flown off for brighter skies. All that remained was Dō, perched in a tree, watching. Not that the broken boy could tell that either.

No, all pushed on his mind were how heavy his eyes were now. So ready to pass out, not able to fight it off much longer. But before he did so, he'd hear loud caws, and people talking. Blurry silhouettes would appear, but he couldn't really make out who they were even with his ability to see in the dark. But that wouldn't be the case for much longer, as one of the silhouettes would be unmistakable. As instead of the normal two, there'd be six arms at his side. Sora-Sensei. Not that the teen could call out in his condition. Instead he was reminded to a similar situation, crying in Tsuchi no Kuni, blind in a city of lights. And that same silhouette approaching. And when he felt the familiar arms wrap around him, the boy finally lost consciousness. Safe. [Exit]