Uzumaki Naruto (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thinhammer) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
epidemiology2017-02-28 06:33 pm
thinhammer) wrote in epidemiology2017-02-28 06:33 pm
[closed] halfway house
CHARACTERS: naruto, sonia, and eventually.. ban.
DATE: mid-woodhurst, probably before the hospital
WARNINGS: violence, cats in trouble.
SUMMARY: naruto and sonia realise that rescuing a cat and delivering her back to her owner is not as black and white as it seems. it's a bit more red.
[ He isn't too bothered with the idea of trudging around in the sewer at first; sure, it smells bad, sure it's kind of dark and there's faint scratching and shuffling coming from apparently nowhere, but it's a means to an end. He only has issue with it when it's been a little too long for his excitement at the prospect of a objective to fulfil to last, and for the stench to really start getting to him. He looks across to his companion with the best apologetic expression he can muster given that one of his hands is firmly clamped over his nose. ]
I'm sorry for draggin' you down here. [ He had thought that the opportunity to rescue a cat and to maybe get to use some of the abilities he's sorely missed using - with the added bonus of getting to show off and have a budding friend alongside him - was a good one... but in hindsight he probably should have read the entire brief a little more carefully. Sewers, after all, should have been his first point of concern. ] I'll be real mad if we've come all this way-- [ Ew, what was that, was that a rat that just scurried past his foot...!! ] ---For, uh.. For nothin'. If he's eaten the cat or.. if we can't find him.
[ Just then there's the loud sound of a burbling yowl like an animal being stretched like an accordion, and Naruto slips so quickly into hero mode that he even drops his hand from his face. Instead, he raises both to form a trusted hand sign, and a second Naruto immediately appears in a puff of smoke behind them. ]
He's gotta be close by, ya think? [ He asks both Sonia and the other Naruto. ] What's the plan for gettin' the cat away from him?
DATE: mid-woodhurst, probably before the hospital
WARNINGS: violence, cats in trouble.
SUMMARY: naruto and sonia realise that rescuing a cat and delivering her back to her owner is not as black and white as it seems. it's a bit more red.
[ He isn't too bothered with the idea of trudging around in the sewer at first; sure, it smells bad, sure it's kind of dark and there's faint scratching and shuffling coming from apparently nowhere, but it's a means to an end. He only has issue with it when it's been a little too long for his excitement at the prospect of a objective to fulfil to last, and for the stench to really start getting to him. He looks across to his companion with the best apologetic expression he can muster given that one of his hands is firmly clamped over his nose. ]
I'm sorry for draggin' you down here. [ He had thought that the opportunity to rescue a cat and to maybe get to use some of the abilities he's sorely missed using - with the added bonus of getting to show off and have a budding friend alongside him - was a good one... but in hindsight he probably should have read the entire brief a little more carefully. Sewers, after all, should have been his first point of concern. ] I'll be real mad if we've come all this way-- [ Ew, what was that, was that a rat that just scurried past his foot...!! ] ---For, uh.. For nothin'. If he's eaten the cat or.. if we can't find him.
[ Just then there's the loud sound of a burbling yowl like an animal being stretched like an accordion, and Naruto slips so quickly into hero mode that he even drops his hand from his face. Instead, he raises both to form a trusted hand sign, and a second Naruto immediately appears in a puff of smoke behind them. ]
He's gotta be close by, ya think? [ He asks both Sonia and the other Naruto. ] What's the plan for gettin' the cat away from him?
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Drawing him into the alley would be a good start.
[ She says it quietly enough that only Naruto should hear (unless Ban has super good hearing, anyway) then she frowns at him. ]
Making a game out of a cat's safety is unacceptable.
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[ By now Naruto's clones have managed to somehow push themselves and the comatose body of the catnapper up the ladder and out of the manhole without too much hassle, but they are visibly fatigued by the effort. Naruto doesn't have to say a word to them; immediately they're rolling up their sleeves, glaring at Ban as they move to surround him, to hopefully block any exit he might think to take other than the mouth of the alleyway. ]
Yeah, pick on somethin' that can fight back, y'know! [ He almost growls, like the little furball hadn't tried to tear his face apart earlier. ] If ya wanna play, play with me instead.
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Here, I think he'd be safer with meee... buuut, I don't mind provin' it. [The catnapper turned and strode confidently towards one of Naruto's clones, sticking his hands in his pockets. Rather than making an escape, it seemed like he was eager to take advantage of their cover and mess around. Intentionally, Ban put Naruto and the other clones in his blindspot.]
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Do not fall for it.
[ Her eyes stay sharp on him as he doesn't seem to care about the clones at all, and even though her ears are only normal she's desperately trying to listen out for anything that might give them away here. Anyone that might stumble on this mess. ]
Either way, whatever you think may not be correct.
[ She says it with a smile, something that appears soft when the reality is that she's using this slight conversation to think. It might be a good idea to try and get him unconscious, then maybe that way the spell might break. It's worth a try.
Quieter, and to Naruto, she murmurs: ] We need to get him properly cornered.
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Let me think...
[ Having said catnapper striding towards you with such an easy look of confidence is as annoying as it is harrowing, even for a clone, so Naruto's copy steels himself as all four shinobi develop their silent plan. Keeping an eye on Ban's figure the clone darts forward to meet Ban's stride head on and lunges forwards at the last moment with a loud cry and arms outstretched toward the cat, while original Naruto attempts to sweep Ban's feet out from beneath him and the other two clones circle closer in case Ban makes a bid to escape. ]
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[Though Ban didn't put his eyes on Sonia--it was clear he was speaking about her. Regardless of what she could do, the fact that she was focusing more on watching their routes of escape and movement rather than actively participating made it clear she wasn't the sort of person that would let a mistake happen twice. She wouldn't be as eager as he was to have fun and play. Naruto's technique, while it would have surprised him otherwise, wasn't anything new to Ban at all. 'Lostvayne' gave Meliodas the ability to split himself into identical clones, so he knew plenty about how to deal with a technique like that.
He hopped. The goal was, without a doubt, to capture him or at least cut off his escape long enough to tire him out since they were options that ensured the safety of the cat. Ban jumped if only because he was waiting for another clone or two to get in his line of sight all at once when they lunged for him. A quick peek let him check to see if the others had moved. Only Naruto himself lunged to try and sweep Ban's feet but he came short as the goliath of a thief rose ten feet in the air.
Indifferent in appearance alone, Ban didn't move as quickly or heavily as he might have normally, throwing a flurry of blows with his right hand, alone, to keep himself from swinging the cat around on his stomach. He focused on trying to catch both Naruto and his clone in the line of fire.]
You on the other haaand! You're more my style!
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I would not be a very good princess otherwise.
[ Though while Naruto keeps himself occupied, Sonia is letting a tiny bit of the tranquiliser drip to get the flow going. They're still dancing around each other, which makes it easier for her to pinpoint a perfect moment. It's while his fist is forward, almost hitting Naruto in the face, that she ducks down to jam the needle into the back of his leg, pressing in the liquid faster than it should be injected.
She has no idea if it will work or be strong enough, but it will hopefully slow him down enough. ]
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That almost should have been a definitely, because when Ban's fist comes forward to strike him in the face Clone Naruto lets the punch land so that he can disappear in a burst of smoke and act as a distraction, allowing Original Flavor Naruto to weave in from the side along with one of the remaining clones and try once more to strike at Ban's legs to get him to fall backwards. If he's on his back, they consider, the cat won't be hurt and it'll be much easier to subdue him.
The last clone stays back to watch for Ban running, and when he sees Sonia quickly dart forwards to jab the assailant in the leg, he can't help but throw both arms up in the air and shout a victorious whoop of sound. ]
Good goin', Sonia-chan!
[ He's still Naruto, after all. ]
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So, he followed them with just the right choreography and played his part. Feigning shock when the smoke from Naruto's clone dissipated, Ban started with an exclamation.]
It disappeared-- [Then, the next clone and Naruto struck him at the same time. Ban's eyes drifted between them to Sonia, who was taking her chance to strike when he couldn't have sensibly reacted. So, he fell back, because the nature of Naruto's approach made it clear he didn't want the cat to be hurt. Attacking the backs of his legs and trying to force him backward was a sensible plan for someone looking to protect the target's stomach--where his quarry was. Even so, he caught a glimmer at that angle on Sonia's chest and thought up a way to keep his entertainment going. Hopefully, he wouldn't give himself away initially. With a sharp kick, Ban threw up his knee while Naruto, his clone, and Sonia were still close to him. With the intent to dissipate another one of the clones to obscure his hands with smoke, Ban made a tugging gesture with one finger to try and steal bracelets from Sonia's wrists and slip them into his bag of holding before the smoke vanished and sight would be restored to them both. Deception was something he was good at. Giving Sonia a chance to focus on her opening might have given Ban a good one to work with as well.
One foot found purchase, giving Sonia her chance to stab Ban in the leg with the concoction while he threw his knee into Naruto's clone. The needle went in and he felt the pressure of it entering his muscles in haste. Physical activity made those things work faster, so he timed it out. Ban, stumbling onto his backside, grimaced and looked at the syringe left in his calf. The needle had remained stuck with him, its contents fully emptied. The cat against his stomach, hardly jostled by the short exchange, let out a dangerous noise when the jolt of Ban hitting the pavement distracted it.]
What the hell did you inject me with?
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Ketamine. [ Whether that means something to him or not is up in the air, but it is a legal drug in veternary surgeries... just not legal for things like this. Her own moral compass is obviously very skewed, but sometimes you have to push the limits a little for the safety of others. ]
Though perhaps it was not strong enough?
[ He isn't passing out after all, which means that the magic from before probably isn't a coincidence.
It means that he has a good minute or so before she realises the weight on her arm doesn't add up, and she blinks down to find out her bracelet is gone. For most people this would be problematic, it impairs languages and discussion... but really given it's only her having to listen it will be fine.
It just makes her all the more angrier at this guy.
Naruto might be the most alarmed when her index finger and thumb tug a hidden knife out of her boot, holding it towards his neck. Really she has no will to kill someone here, but hopefully the threat can be convincing enough. ]
Where is it?
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Ban's knee had made contact with the second clone and forced it to pop out of existence in another puff of convenient smoke that both obscured the parties vision and gave enough time for Naruto to re-position his assets around the target - himself standing over Ban and his clone beside Sonia - and he was entirely under the impression that his clones' exit gimmick distracted Ban thoroughly enough and that the tranquilliser had been enough to give them the upper hand.... So when Sonia suddenly pulls out the knife and points it directly at the assailant they've already managed to subdue (or so he thinks) he's more than a little immediately alarmed. ]
Sonia-chan! [ The clone shouts. As a trained shinobi he knows that he should never get between a blade and its intended target but.. He puts his hand out, stepping between the form on the floor and the angry woman flashing a knife. ] What's goin' on? Ya don't need to threaten him, y'know, he's already down for the count.
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[Though Ban began to slump, he managed to undo the wrapping on the cat with one hand and the string on his bag of holding with another. A jingle followed as Sonia advanced, the knife fixed on his neck. He acted freely as if the knife weren't there. The thought of being cut or stabbed didn't register as an issue to him whatsoever.
With a 'snap', he clasped the cat's collar over the bracelets, adding a whole new layer to the mess he created. With a growing, childish grin, Ban swung out his heel to try and catch Naruto in the back of one knee before giving the cat the opening it needed to book it to the end of the alley.]
Though, I wanted to play a little long-- [He fell back, feigning weakness, as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Ban slumped at an uncomfortable angle on the ground.]
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[ The fact that she's responding as she is might show just how talented she is with languages though. She's also well aware of how a normal person would respond to the concoction she's made. For some it could even be lethal if their immune system was low enough. ]
Naruto, he took my magitek. Please, do not get in my way.
[ Though then the ... cat is being let loose with the bracelets???? She raises up before the cat can get too far, then concentrates on further up the alley. She blasts a tree there with dark magic, crystal shards forming in the air before stabbing into the base so the tree tips over to the ground. Eloise shouldn't be able to escape that route anymore.
Hopefully Naruto stops worrying about her temper and goes for the cat because she can't run fast enough. ]
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Wha- Your magi- [ And then he's smacked in the back of the knee. He wobbles and hits the ground with a thud, his arms flailing and thwapping the now 'comatose' Ban hard in the stomach as he goes down. He curses loudly but the tinkling of the collar and the groaning and eventual crash of the tree down the alleyway give him enough pause to turn his head to look on the scene, and enough time to quickly form a handsign and send a clone scurrying after the cat.
Sure that his real self is taking care of it, Naruto's clone makes sure Sonia doesn't get too close to Ban's throat with that knife again. ]
It's alright, we'll get 'em back. The cat and your magitek, so ya don't have to use that. He didn't hurt the cat or anythin' so I think he's just one of those assholes who likes to tease people, y'know. Don't let it get to you so much. [ He puts a hand on her shoulder and gives her a reassuring smile.
The quiet is soon permeated by Naruto's new clone giving a shout of frustration, a clear sign that he's managed to recapture the cat safely, and soon he appears beside them to hold it out for Sonia once more. It's claws are embedded in his jacket but other than that he's blissfully unscathed. ]
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The blast of magic really was the more interesting part of their encounter so far. It seemed as if the young lady lost her cool a bit when it came to Ban's penchant for stealing. The next problem would naturally be that the sound of air bursting and a tree collapsing might draw attention.
So, she's got a bit of a temper. Not bad--. Ban's thoughts came to a stop when Naruto pleaded with her, though. He was talking her down from venting her frustration on him. It seemed like Sonia and Naruto were quite a bit different than the first impression he got from them. They were definitely much more interesting brats than he first thought.]
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I was not really going to harm him, however, it had to be convincing. Still, my temper lately has been quite difficult to handle so I am sorry.
[ She reaches to take the cat, trying to soothe it again now. ]
It turns out that since I am infected, my mood is quick to anger.
[ Not the best time to bring it up, but... ]
Should we take both of them with us? You will not be able to use clones in the streets though...
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You are? Oh, shit, I'm sorry. That it's happenin' to you, y'know.. an' that I dragged you into this.. [ He's not going to tell her she should have been resting or whatever, even if she probably should have been, because he knows that if it was him he'd probably be doing the same as her. ] If ya ever need someone to hug and calm ya down, let me know. My clones can't get infected. [ It's a weak offer but he can't offer much more support than that. He's just one kid who can make a lot of clones - he can't help them find a cure or stop her being infected somehow, so instead he focuses on the task at hand.
The Original Naruto looks down at the passed out thief underneath him and nods. ]
Yeah, we've gotta take 'em both. If we leave him here, anythin' could happen to him. He just wanted the same as us, after all. Probably in it for the money, I guess.
[ Naruto disperses the identical clone that had it's hand on Sonia's shoulder, and then summons another in a different outfit to him, albeit with a puff of effort. He's been doing a lot of chakra moulding today, after all, and even his impressive stamnia doesn't last forever. He gets to his feet, lifting Ban's arms to start figuring out how to drag this literal giant of a man along. ]
There, we're brothers. He can get the first guy, I'll get this one.
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Ah, well, dunno if I should ask thaaat~. At least you killed my boredom for a little bit.
[Ban reached down to repair the tiny hole in his pants where the syringe passed through and went in his leg. A little spark of light closed to hole in the fabric and he was back to smiling at the two, seemingly oblivious to the inconvenience and harm he might have caused.]
So, how far do you think you'll get through town with a fully grown, tranquilized adult~? You'll need a stooooryyyy.
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The apology doesn't really go down too well though, though she mostly tries to brush it all off. ]
There is no need to mention it. I am getting by, and we are working on a solution.
[ She keeps hold of Eloise, at least, wanting to ensure she feels safe now. She's good enough with animals that it isn't much of a problem. Her jumping at the sound of Ban's voice probably doesn't help though, especially when she whips around in surprise right after, hand already moving as if to start the spell from before. ]
I did not check his pulse to ensure he was truly asleep...
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You kinda stink. [ He's painfully blunt with his honesty and this situation is no different. ] So if anyone asks, you an' the other guy are passed out drunk and we're carryin' ya home.
[ It seems to dawn on him then that a- he's talking rather civilly to a guy who just attempted to rob him, and b- his cover is now blown by the fact that the second catnapper is no longer comatose.
He frowns, frustrated. He glances at Sonia, then puts out a hand to signal her to hold off on reacting for just a moment. ]
I ain't doin' this for the money, though. I'm doin' it because it's the right thing to do, 'cos someone needed help. So if ya go back with us without any trouble, and keep your mitts off the cat, then I'll give ya half of my money, if that's what you're after.
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Usually, the cause for alarm was a lot more drastic but it seemed outlandish enough for someone to completely ignore a strong tranquilizer like that. He looked to Naruto, offering a sly response.]
Hey, don't look at me~. The both of you could use a bath after stalkin' around in the gutters, toooo. I already know the right way to get that smell out.
[For a moment, Ban listened to Naruto and refrained from teasing. Most times, when someone tried to convince him that their intentions were good--it was the complete opposite. Years spent reading expressions just so he could stay alive and avoid ambush had taught him when people were being honest. As plain as day, Ban saw the earnest look in Naruto's eyes and recognized it as harmless. What a good kid. He's telling the truth. Then, without hesitation, he set his eyes on Sonia. There was honesty in her eyes but she hadn't said a thing about her intentions at that point. He just knew that she wouldn't hesitate to blast him if need be and the thought only gave an edge to his cheshire cat's smile. If there was any danger to his rudeness, he didn't seem to care about it. Nabbing her bracelets seemed to draw more ire from her than one might have expected.]
I believe you, brat~... buuut it seems like your girlfriend's still got something to vent about. Am I right?
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We are not together, however... Could you please disattach my bracelets? It is quite disorientating trying to listen to multiple languages at once. I am able to... but this would be easier without that problem.
[ She is no where near as honest as Naruto though. She cares for the cat's safety first and foremost, sure, but she isn't willing to part with the money either. ]
You are aware that they only work as translators if you are wearing them, no? Besides, the other is a family hierloom.
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Being an actual child and a little mentally immature on top of that has Naruto spluttering in response to Ban's tease. ]
S-She's not my--!!
[ Sonia answers for him anyway so Naruto just kind of. Purses his lips. And then leaves to help his clone drag the heavy ass cat-napper over to their group. ]
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He hadn't expected the guy to lose his cool out of nowhere and arched one brow in response, confused. He could be as equally blind as Naruto at just the right moments. Ban hadn't stopped speaking his native language from the start, so he hardly noticed.]
Miss, that's exactly why I swiped them. I was hoping to keep the game afloat a little longer.
[Then, he went right back to smiling.]
Course, if you wanna try and throw another one of those blasts...
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Perhaps if it had been anyone else that plan would have worked, however, I am able to speak 30 languages. Even if yours is a little difficult, I can more or less understand.
[ This time she gives him a sickly sweet smile. ]
Did you want me to?
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