[closed] halfway house

[thinhammer]

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?

Comments

[assent]

[ Really, when she'd told Naruto that trying to find someone to be his assistant to have a magic show this isn't what she'd had in mind. She'd agreed to meet him just to get out and clear her head a bit, if only because there's been too much going on there and space will probably help with that.

Fresh air, however, is not found in the sewers.

She has a scarf wrapped around the lower part of her face, and even if she's trying to still be polite about this it is very hard to when it truly is disgusting down here. ]

It is alright... you were worried, were you not? I know I am as well, the sooner we can find this cat then the better it will be. [ And at least now he knows what she looks like, though she's probably smothered herself in make-up to hide how tired she is. ]

I just hope we can make it in time.

[ Then there's... that yowl that definitely sounds like a cat and Sonia is instantly on guard. She pulls out a syringe from inside her bag, pulling off the plastic top to ready herself. ]

I am able to knock the catnapper unconscious, if you can prepare to catch the cat. Is that alright...?

[thinhammer]

[ Naruto doesn't see the bag at first, so for a long handful of confused seconds he wonders where the hell did she get that syringe from, his expression all raised eyebrows and a slightly open mouth- and then he shuts it promptly because ew, breathing in and tasting sewer fumes isn't pleasant, and because he's appropriately distracted with a task he's entirely too familiar with. ]

Heh, you betcha. I used to catch cats all the time back home, I've got really good at it. [ It's not the time for story time now though. He falls silent as he and his clone both tighten the bandannas covering their headbands in sync - which is only slightly creepy - then slows his pace to a careful walk. Once they reach the upcoming left turn, he peers tentatively around the corner.

There the catnapper is, holding the cat in an uncomfortable position, with two grimy hands balled in her fur and a hauntingly hungry look in his eyes. Naruto presses himself against the wall and nods at his two companions. ]

I'll run in and make sure he's focusin' on me, so you can stab him with that, and then other me will get the cat. [ He whispers, giving her maybe a moment or two before he does exactly that and runs at the guy with a noisy shout. ]

[assent]

[ It is only a small shoulder bag, which probably helps to disguise it! For once she's in fairly military-eqsue clothes so she's prepared to fight. Normally she'd stick to skirts etc but being in the sewer didn't seem like the best idea for that. ]

Then I shall be counting on you.

[ She gives him a wide smile at that, trying to ignore how tired she is, she keeps on pushing on anyway. Saving the cat is more important. ]

If you are certain, then I will prepare myself. On a count of three, then?

[ Only... there is no count and he's running in with a noisy shout without warning. Thankfully she'd already prepared the syringe because she has to rush around him while she can, ducking out of sight. Before he'll know what is happening, the hungry catnapper will feel a sharp stab into the back of his leg, Sonia digging in the needle as far as it will go, before she squeezes in the liquid.

Naruto will find the catnapper's hold on Eloise weaken after only 5 seconds, their eyes starting to shut as sleepiness takes over their body. ]

[thinhammer]

[ Naruto is more than a little buzzed by being told that someone is counting on him, so maybe that's why his clone takes the initiative to springboard of Naruto Alpha's shoulders in an unnecessary kind of leap frog, and as he sails past he whips the cat out of the guy's loosening grip, leaving him free and cat-less for the original Naruto to catch before he hits the ground.

It's over in a strangely quick handful of moments, and Naruto hefts the guy onto his shoulders with a breathless but impressed whistle. ]

Hey, that worked out better than I thought, y'know! It's a good thing you had that needle. [ Yeah, he probably should have considered making a plan with her before they came down here, because if she didn't have said syringe they'd be some kind of royally screwed but.. details. It worked out in the end and everything is fine. Or at least it is for a few moments.

Eloise doesn't seem to appreciate her rescuer a) whisking her kind of briskly and landing with her very close to the murky water, or b) being the host to a huge aura of negative energy. Animals are sensitive like that, which is something Naruto probably should have remembered while recalling how learned he is at cat catching; the only reason he's so 'good' at it is because he had to do it over and over, and over again. ]

Oh.

[ He says dumbly while Eloise tries to tear a chunk out of his clones face. ]

[assent]

[ Carefully, Sonia pulls the needle back and moves to fasten the cap back on the metal part with practiced ease. She slips it back into her bag after, not wanting to dump something that is toxic waste with the virus on it. She shifts back up from the floor, checking the capnapper's pulse to ensure she hasn't killed him in the process. It seems fine. ]

This should keep him out cold for a few hours. Though we will need to get him to the surface.

[ She gives the clone a glance, looking towards where it is holding the cat. Then, leans in towards Naruto to whisper excitedly: ] Did you do that?

[ The cloning!!! She has never seen anything like this before, it's impressive!!! ]

[thinhammer]

Wha-? [ Naruto answers, looking at her dumbfounded, then back at his clone. He hadn't really thought about showing off until now, despite all the flashy moves earlier. They were a product of his excitement to be useful rather than any kind of actual boasting, but now... A grin spreads across his face and he nods: ] Yeah! I can make loads of 'em, and they're real useful when I need an extra pair of hands!

[ Said handy clone yelps as the cat hisses at him and takes another vicious swipe at his face. ]

But uh, they kinda disappear if they get hurt, so I should probably... [ He leans Mister Catnapper against the wall of the passageway, effortlessly forming another two Narutos to take care of that matter while he switches places with the first clone. He takes the cat, who is apparently doubly unhappy now she's next to the undiluted source of the bad juju, and sets a game face. ] Doesn't matter if I get scratched up, though. I ain't gonna disappear.

[ The game face breaks as he beams at Sonia. ]

And these guys can help carry him back up the ladder! Easy! [ Almost.. too easy.. but Naruto doesn't consider that. He just assumes it's because-- ] We're a real good team, y'know!

[assent]

[ He might not have thought of it as showing off, and really she hadn't in this case either, but it still is something impressive. ] They do seem to be incredibly useful!

[ She reaches out once the cat is settled in the real slim shady Naruto's arms, giving it a gentle pet that seems to at least calm it a tiny bit... enough that it isn't hissing quite as much. ]

Would it be easier if I held it? It... does not seem to like you.

[ Putting it out there, Naruto, but that is one angry cat. ]

Though I suppose I could not climb up with only one arm... Hmm. We did work very well together, that is true!

[thinhammer]

[ Naruto blinks. ]

Oh yeah. Probably. [ There's already a scratch on his cheek and a tear in his shirt, though he doesn't seem to notice or mind. ] Aaah, animals don't really like me y'know. Cats especially. Every time I got told to catch the one that always escaped in the village, I ended up havin' to do it over and over again 'cos it'd get spooked and run away from me. Sakura-chan always had to be the one to pick it up, so maybe it's better if you look after it.

[ He holds Eloise out to her, and immediately the cat kind of scrabbles her legs like she's trying desperately to swim through the air toward Sonia. ]

Maybe ya could put her in that little bag? She's fluffy but she ain't that big. She might fit.

[assent]

[ Sonia holds out her arms instantly, pulling the cat to her chest to cradle it there. There's a beat, then she's nuzzling the animal that was literally trying to claw off his face moments before, soothing it with whispers as well.

There's something behind this, but maybe now isn't the time to bring up that one of her best friends at home was the ultimate animal breeder and tamer... ]

I have got her for now, when we reach the ladder I can put her in there. She seems to be happier now.

[ In fact, there may be a purring noise filling up the noise of the tunnels... Sonia is Gifted. ]

[thinhammer]

[ Naruto's eyebrows raise with a look of childish wonder as she soothes the cat. Not even Sakura could work that kind of magic, and he almost wants to lean up close to get a better view, but.. he doesn't really want to spoil the moment the girls are having together, so instead he turns and helps his clones lift the catnapper off the floor, and starts dragging him back the way they'd come. ]

So, I wonder why this guy took the cat, huh? If I was hungry, I don't think I'd go to all the trouble, y'know... I've seen stray cats around, if I really wanted cat I'd just take one of those.

[ He realises this is.. probably not a great line of conversation to be headed down, so he back pedals. ]

Do ya think he knew what he was doin'? Like he was doin' it on purpose to piss off the Mayor? Before he got all mad and gross, I mean.

[assent]

[ Disney Princess magic-- if only. She does start to walk though, at least when Naruto starts dragging the kidnapper. ]

Well, we know there was a ransom for it. However, I cannot say why. The mayor is aware we are here though.

[ As in ALASTAIR is here. Somehow. It's very questionable. ]

Those that are infected keep their sanity until around 4 to 5 weeks later, so it was quite likely. [ A beat, then: ] Either way, they cannot help it.

[thinhammer]

Maah, a cat's a bit weird though. I've heard of kidnappin' daughters or princesses [ Somehow this particular needle-wielding princess doesn't seem like the type to get captured though, so he doesn't stumble over mentioning it. ] but never cats.. He must really like her.

[ He's tempted to give the little furball a no idea why kind of frown, but he resists. The cut on his cheek doesn't hurt that badly. In fact it's already starting to heal. Thanks, Kyuubi. ]

But yeah, I know. That's why I didn't wanna hurt him, y'know. I guess it woulda sucked if he had eaten her, but it's not like he's totally here right now. He needs help, not someone to come and put him down for stealin' a cat.

[ What a dumb way to go, Naruto thinks.

Naruto might be relatively dense as far as common sense goes, but he's still a shinobi and his sense of direction is excellent, so soon - much quicker than it had taken them to find the catnapper since now they can travel straight to the exit instead of weaving around exploring - they find the ladder leading out of the sewers, up to the manhole covering it and the faint slit of light shining into the murky underground. ]

Alright, do ya uh... Hm. [ He was going to ask if she wanted any help, that much was clear, but he's pretty certain that she's got it. So he shrugs. ] Heh, I guess you're fine, huh. She likes you a lot.. do you have a cat back where you're from or somethin'? [ He cranes his head up toward the crack of light, then. ] I'll go first an' open the top so it's easier for you to get out with her.

[ He promptly hops up, climbs the short rungs to the surface, and pushes the cover away from the grate. They'd chosen an entrance a little ways from the main road as to stay out of sight, and a cursory glance around once he's able to see the street surrounding them tells him the coast is still thankfully clear. He clambers out, then turns to reach a hand down to her. ] It's all good up here!

[perma_banned]

[Having overheard the request to find the adorable lost cat, Ban weighed his options upon finding out another pair had decided to take up the mantle of saviors. The cash prize, too good to let go, sang treacherous songs in his head and had him following the two through the sewers. Sonia and Naruto, chatting pleasantly, likely wouldn't have sensed him as he used his magic to entirely erase his presence from both natural and supernatural senses if only to time his theft perfectly. The cat, scrambling in Naruto's grip, didn't seem terribly pleased by its newfound safety and seemed like a fairly easy target to snag at just the right moment. Then, the cat traded hands to Sonia and the opening seemed a bit more difficult. He wouldn't be able to just duck and run if Naruto summoned more of those clones he used earlier--Ban would have to wait until they were inconvenienced. The departure from the sewer would be the best time to try.

He exited a sewer grate further down the street from the two, silently lowering the lid with one finger before padding invisibly in Naruto's direction--waiting for the young man's own exit to present itself. He stood roughly twenty meters away, waiting in silence for Sonia to come into sight with the cat. With the Cheshire cat's grin in tow, Ban maintained an enviable air of patience.

Closer and closer. She just had to get in sight.]

[assent]

[ She pauses at the bottom at that, not sure whether now is the time to bring it up (probably not) but outside of her username being "Princess", she never actually mentioned she was one. He probably doesn't realise the weight that carries. The two times when she had been kidnapped and the weight on her shoulders as she'd had to keep composure, staring straight ahead and having to believe someone would save her. There had been too much at stake, especially being held hostage by insurgents.

It doesn't seem fair to bring it up when they're only just getting to know each other, so except for a slight hesitant pause, she carries on as normal. ]

It would depend on how important to him this cat is, I suppose. He will be alright, anyway. We can take him into the hospital and keep him sedated if necessary.

[ Until they can get a cure sorted and find out what he was doing, anyway. ]

I have two hamsters here with me, but not a cat, no. I am very fond of animals, however. [ And in some ways, perhaps more than she is with people. Animals are a lot purer. Their intentions and their loyalty are honest. ]

Alright, in that case I am coming up.

[ She gently tucks the cat into her bag, giving it a few gently strokes as it meows in response, then starts to climb up the ladder. Once at the top, she's pulling the cat out to ensure it feels safe again. ]

There. You are safe now, you see?

[ She says it to the cat, ofc... giving it pets in the meantime. Someone stop her or she'll be at this all day. ]

[thinhammer]

So, what're your hamsters called? [ He asks, conversation kind of easily spilling out of him because he's genuinely interested but also because he doesn't actually know how or when to shut up. As far as he's concerned the mission is over, so there's plenty of time for yammering on their way back to deposit the cat safely in her home. ] I never had a pet. I've always lived alone, so I kinda wanted one back before animals hated me, but I thought.. it wouldn't be fair to leave it alone all the time.

[ Ninja are busy people, and Naruto knows a thing or two about being alone. He couldn't do that to a creature that couldn't go out and distract themselves like he could.

He looks around again, idly picking the direction he wants to go in and seeing nothing out of the ordinary while he waits for her to reach the top. He smiles easily at her interaction with the cat - it's kind of nice to watch, almost as soothing to experience as it seems to be for Eloise - before he peers back down into the sewer and calls to his clones-- ]

C'mon guys, put your back into it!!

[ Three clones are trying to co-ordinate lifting a grown man up a very narrow ladder without killing themselves and shout something back at Naruto that's probably 80% curse word. ]

[perma_banned]

[Naruto's distraction gave Ban the best discount when it came to time and Sonia's efforts to keep the cat calm seemed to add further layers to his patient planning. It was an excellent time to act. Ban breathed in and readied himself to break his first spell.

The moment the cat was out of the bag, Ban popped back into existence. It may have seemed irregular that he hadn't been standing out in the street before but there he was, pointing one hand in Sonia's direction with the beginnings of his spell woven between his fingers. Ban's magic wasn't particularly flashy unless he used it in conjunction with a weapon, so there wasn't any pink flash or sound effect to it other than a low hum--similar to something one would hear from a bass amplifier.

He interrupted the cat's relaxing petting session with a little 'pop' as his magic engulfed it and dragged it painlessly through the air in an instant towards his hands. The spell itself was exceptionally quick even from afar but it wouldn't cause any alarming whiplash. The only effect one would feel was the alarming sensation of losing a cat and simultaneously a cat realizing it was being held by someone else.

Despite the stakes, he was still determined to have fun in the process, so Ban took his first few moments to adjust his grip on the startled feline and scratch it behind the ears to soothe it.]

Thanks for the hard work, brats~. I think I'll take that reward off your haaaands ♫!

[assent]

San-D and Cham-P are their names... though they are not originally mine. They are... a friend's from home. I was looking after them before I arrived here.

[ She's content to step aside and rest for a moment while Naruto's clones work on getting the catnapper back, just because there isn't really much help she can offer there. The curse word is fine though, she's probably said worse. ]

I admit this mission has been more difficult when it comes to looking after them. They have stayed in my bedroom most of the time.

[ Of course, that is when everything goes wrong. Ban's appearance is startling only because it's like he pops out of no where. As soon as the cat is missing, though, she's already trying to think of a way to get the cat out of harms way so she can actually go all out. ]

We need to seperate them first.

[ Thankfully this street leads to an alley, so no one can see too much of this but it's going to be tough. ]

[thinhammer]

[ Naruto doesn't notice the intruder until it's much too late. He's in the process of reaching down to help one of his clones up, but when he hears an unfamiliar voice he turns-- and promptly lets go of his clones hand, sending them all thumping back into the passageway beneath them. His eyes flick from the cat, to the face of the second catnapper, and back again while a deep scowl forms on his face. ]

Oi, give her back! She doesn't belong to you, y'know!

[ He's talking directly to Ban, and almost misses what Sonia says for a second-- but he gratefully lets the direction sink in because.. honestly he was just about to strike without a second thought. It's a good thing she's here. ]

Do ya got a plan, Sonia-chan? [ He rolls up his sleeves. ] If he runs, I can chase him.

[perma_banned]

[The smart move would have been to run. If he made it a block or so without interference then he could probably make it into the crowd and force them to follow on foot rather than have any chance to use any abilities. While Ban didn't know much about Sonia, he knew Naruto had a few tricks and that would probably be enough to make things interesting at the start.

With that thought in mind, he didn't run right away. Though the cat in his arms startled initially, it seemed to go somewhat still once Ban focused on stroking its head and ears.

Ban, holding his ground for the moment, lapsed in his grin and seemed to take a moment to look the two over with more focus. They were obviously with ALASTAIR. Outside groups didn't save cats--they caused the chaos leading to cats needing to be saved among other things.]

That's a serious look you brats got on~. Do you feel like playin' with me for a bit?

[assent]

[ When you face the unknown, it is usually better to run. Sonia doesn't have her gun with her (for good reason, it sticks out like a sore thumb) but she does have other things at her disposal. ]

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.

[thinhammer]

Gotcha.

[ 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.

[perma_banned]

Ahnnn~? [It really got interesting the moment that Naruto and Sonia fell right into sync. Limbering up, Ban reached up with one hand and wove a spell around the cat. It turned a bit of warped energy into a papoose fashioned from a comfortable looking silk shirt--binding the feline against Ban's stomach, where he could move flexibly and not risk bouncing the poor thing around. There wouldn't be a reward for a dead or incredibly injured cat, after all. Ban, with both hands suddenly freed, threw a few practice jabs in the air and then took a few sidelong glances to watch Naruto's clones surround him.]

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.]

[assent]

[ Sonia's hand reaches back into her bag to pull out another syringe, pushing off the plastic cap to reveal the metal underneath. She doesn't know what kind of magic this is (gravity, of some kind, perhaps?) but it's annoying. ]

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.

[thinhammer]

[ Naruto can't help but watch on, entranced as the cat is surrounded in soft silks and supported like a baby. It's... sweet, almost kind, which is entirely surprising as Naruto kind of equates catnapping to bad guys and evil deeds interchangeably, and the problem makes his scowl go a little softer, more confused than enraged for a brief moment. ]

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. ]

[perma_banned]

Hmmm~. Women like you are trouble.

[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!