Sylvanas was preparing for her prison infiltration mission this morning, the sun was high in the sky and the clouds beneath showed a relaxing atmosphere swooning the village under its spell. The mist coating the canopy of the surrounding forests glistened like beautiful shards of diamond scattered throughout the country. It was a breathtaking rarity to see such an elegant egotist so deep in Hyougagakure. She took her scroll out, and read through it carefully, making a plan to raid and rescue the target from this prison, piecing together information about the foundation of the building as well as going over schematics she acquired from a tradesman who was associated with the prisons reconstruction after the Prison Wars. She went over the floor plans, and noted that the outside of the building walls were made of splintered earth, and contained an assortment of outlying bricks along its side, spanning to the fiftieth and final floor, where an overwatch keep was placed so prison scouts could alert the entire prison staff of any pending danger. From the keep, there is a path that leads directly to the Death Row corridor, a lowly and grungy place fit for any rotten bilge rat, and there would likely be guards along the way.

She wrote down these infiltration plans and coordinates for effectively raiding the overwatch and taking it without causing a stir. It was important for her to consider all cautions and responsibilities before proceeding, for today, she was to be accompanied by a growing shinobi, and a promising Nintaijutsu specialist at that. His name, Hosi Senpu; and his Rank, Genin. According to the profile she obtained from the Academy Instructors, he was a Wind and Fire jutsu user, and showed decent grades while attending. She hoped he was as skilled as they made him seem, because this mission was going to be extremely difficult, and they will have to be unseen completely. It is part of Sylvanas` moniker to never be seen in combat, and she is going to keep it that way. She made her way to the expeditionary point, just due north of the Hyougagakure village gates in a small gazebo, decorated in such a way to represent an ancient temple, worn and tattered banners stream from what remaining columns stand. Once arriving, she waited, the moist, but tolerable cold sweeping across her mask, only portions of it escaping through her mask; allowing for a refreshing breath of air. Her clothing, was her standard Hyougagakure Hunter-Nin uniform, adorned in its organizations colour.

Hosi took in a deep breath, his entire body shaking. He was given a mission today; a mission that required much preparation and skill in order to carry out properly, a mission that pit life and death in his unsteady palms, and a mission that, shall he fail, could end his life within a second. It was a dangerous one, that no wimp, crybaby, or shy boy could carry out on their own. Today he was to be a ninja, a silent and deadly ninja of Hyougagakure.

A shaking body, and sweaty palms was one thing a ninja did not have; so, he took another breath, then shoved a Kunai into his right palm. When he did such, his fears, his unstable exterior, and his shy boy interior seemed to drip away with his blood.

Next to him was a bowl of water, along with another bowl of sake. The alcohol was to prevent the wound from infecting, the water was to wash away the scent. Where he was going, there could be dogs or jutsu specialists who could smell his scent. A thorough scrubbing was needed, and so he gave it. When he was finished, he wrapped his right palm in a cloth made to place pressure on the wound, and also to prevent the blood from dripping everywhere.

His mother knocked on his door, and he quickly answered. "What is it mother?" Said he. She did not answer him quickly, but instead held out a mask. Only after he took the mask from her did she speak.

"This is your father's Anbu mask. He use to use it when ever he went on missions. He had plans on giving it to you when you were ready for one."

Hosi stared at it for a while, memorized its strange pattern, its insignia near the left eye, and its shape of a fearsome wolf. He liked the way it looked, terrifying yet powerful, a mask fit for a deadly warrior. Hosi looked towards his mother and gave her a large smile. "Thanks mom, but I am not ready to wear it, not yet."

Hosi handed the mask back to her then covered his mouth with his black scarf. "Be sure to make a big dinner for me when I get back, alright?" After his words were said, he jumped from his window of his 2nd store apartment, and landed on the wall of the neighboring building. On all fours, he climbed to the top of the building he was on, then stood on the roof for a second to understand where he was going.

His meeting point was near the Hyougagakure gates, he would need to get there by gazebo or waste his time scaling the wall. Time was one thing he preferred not to waste, so he moved hastily to the gazebo to await the person he was to meet on this mission.

The gazebo ride was long, but he had gotten an early start, so no penalty would befall him. When he finally made it, he ran to greet the only ninja that was near north of Hyouga's opening. It was an anbu ninja, one with a mask he had seen before. He wasted no time with introductions, kneeling before her and telling her his name and rank. "Hosi, Genin of Hyougagakure. Is it possible that I will accompany you on a mission?" As she spoke, he would pay attention to her clothes, which were different from the wear she had the last time they met. This was no regular Kunoichi Kimono, but a professional ninja uniform, made specifically to stay light on ones feet. It looked somewhat similar to Hosi's getup, regular dark colored ninja wear, also made so that taijutsu users could perform with no worries of chaffing or tripping. He wondered if this getup was okay.

If he did not say so already, Hosi would interject his words to ask her a question. "Excuse me, Sylvanas-sensei. What will we be doing today? The kage gave me little to go by, saying it was 'to avoid being traced."

Word Count: 678

Sylvanas would greet Hosi, and showed appreciation for his timely arrival. He proceeded to ask her questions, after Sylvanas had given him a one-tap salute on her right shoulder. Naturally, as Hyougagakure maritime traditions would suggest, a one-tap salute represents the loyalty one shinobi has for another. A two-tap salute represents the acknowledgement of honor one shinobi has for another. A three-tap salute represents the acknowledgement of dedication and sensibility one shinobi has for another. Of course, throughout an individuals lifetime, these are common goals any right minded shinobi would want to achieve, assuming that is what they want in life; and their lives are not consumed by madness and disaster.

She would respond after he had mentioned that the Kage had only really told him that they must avoid being seen at all costs. And this was true. "Hosi Senpu, yes, it is true that we have been hand selected for a mission, though I will not judge you if you wish not to participate once I explain exactly what it is that we will be carrying out. Come, let us talk while we run. We have no time to waste." With that, Sylvanas would pivot causing her left foot to spin-on-angle, and with a mighty thrust she was off in a particular stride, one that was fairly quick for traveling purposes, but slow enough for the pair to talk while they journeyed. "We have been tasked with the mission of extracting a target from the Hyougagakure prison, in its Death Row sector. It involves intense stealth, and you must maintain all cautions upon our approach of this institution. We must first infiltration the prison, and only kill when needed to avoid detection. A mission like this requires utmost discipline, and I am unlike any Special Jounin you have seen or heard about. Whether with, or against me, failure is not an option. Do you understand?" Her voice was raspy, and snappy, but kind and curious. It was almost like she had a veil over her emotions, but not one so willfully held.

At this point in time, they'd have made about half of their journey complete, and we just about ten miles shy of their destination. It was at this moment Sylvanas would look at Hosi while they sprinted, almost as if she was reading him. She began to question his purpose. "Hosi, not that I am doubting your skills, nor would I wish to demean or disrespect you in any way; but if the off-chance exists where we are caught, I am telling you to run. There would be much too many skilled shinobi coming at us for even me to handle, but I can hold them off. If you were to be seen or caught, you would be recognized as a wanted individual in all parts of the world, which would only serve to beckon the call of my Hunter-Nin; and at that point I would not be able to hold them back either. They would come relentlessly, until you are either dead or end up like our target this evening. I will not have your life shackled by turmoil or your reputation sullied on behalf of me or my failure as a leader.." She would continue running, but hoped Hosi had understood the message she was trying to send him.

Sylvanas responded. She explained that they were on a mission that could possibly lead to dangers, but refused to tell more until they were on the road. Hosi agreed with her on dashing and talking; if there were those listening, what better way would there be to discover them than when they are moving and listening as well.

Sylvanas turned and prepared to lung towards the road. When she did so, Hosi prepared himself as well, so they would leave together. When the time came, both would thrust themselves towards the pathway that would lead to their destination.

Hosi’s speed was not equal to Sylvanas, nothing about him was equal to her. She was far superior in strength, speed and skill. So when he tried to run along with her, he would naturally find himself struggling a little to keep up. His running capability was certainly not the best, and needed a little working on, but this did not deter him from trying to keep up with her. He did not want to come off as a hindrance, so he moved as fast as he could to match her pace.

Sylvanas spoke to him about their mission, each word as stern as the next. As he listened, already was he concocting ideas, plans for how he could operate with the least risk. He had ideas of using the transformation jutsu, substitution jutsu, or using his smoke jutsu to escape dangerous situations. He thought about the best way to move around the area with stealth, knees bent and body low to where he barely made a sound. One thing he was grateful for was not wearing sandals. Regular ninja wear involved types of shoes that were nearly similar to that of socks, soft and perfect for stealth. What better clothing for this mission than that.

Disrupting his train of thought, Sylvanas spoke to Hosi; her tone as serious as before. Instead of giving him a long speech, she gave him an order. Her order brought him to total silence, and made him detach himself from her presence for a while; although, he did not do such because of her, nor did he believe her rude or condescending. This order was just a giant surprise to him, and became the main conflict of his character. How could he leave anyone behind for the dogs to rip them apart, especially one trying to save his life. It was against Hosi’s nature, it was against Hosi. If the time did come, could he seriously run from danger in the hopes of living a better life, while the person whose tender heart that led him to said fulfilled life, is ripped from their bosom and discarded inside a grinder of misery and ratchet death? Would he be able to be a soldier; follow the orders of a general whose looking for only his survival and not the general’s as well? Would that be the only wisest move to make?

Hosi wanted to drill Sylvanas with questions, ask her why? When? How?! But he kept his lips sealed, and his mind as tranquil as it could be. Worrying about something like this before a deadly mission could lead to his early death, so he made his thoughts clear. When the time came, he would know what to do. For now, just so that Sylvanas would not waste her time worrying over him, Hosi answered, “Yes Sensei.”

As time would go by, Hosi would begin to hear the rush of waves, and the squeak of birds and penguins. He was surprised to note the soothing noise of water, something he could only hear when he was close to the Hyouga port. His eyes seemed to widened when he came across the sight of a body of ocean, just to the right of his parties position. His automatic reaction was to watch the shore, checking for any signs of footprints or beings near. To the left of him was a small forest, but as they continued to travel the forest got thicker. He could hear waves coming from the left as well, maybe suggesting that the prison was surrounded by water. It was good strategy for discouraging the prisoners from escaping. They would need to swim away, battling both dangerous comber's and sea animals just to live. The prison would be a Babe to break out of, but maybe less of a Babe to break in.

Hosi looked at his sensei, then at the watch he carried with him to keep with the time. 11:10pm was what it said. The sun had already gone down and the moon had already rise. The night time would play to their benefit, but it would also make the prison guards more aware at what was happening. Thinking of strategies was frustrating, even more than what he had thought of before. He looked at his sensei once again, preparing to ask her a question. "Sensei, do you have a plan? Do not tell me now, but answer and allow me to follow your lead"

Word Count: 830

Sylvanas did indeed have a plan, and about twenty kilometers away from the southern bridge, she stopped, holding her hand out to signal for Hosi to stop as well. "Alright. This is a different type of stealth than you have been taught in the Academy. We will be using sabotage and espionage as our cover. Put this on, and come here.." She would walk to him, handing him tattered pants and a worn old white shirt, ripped at the seam in certain areas. In addition to that, she also painted his face to make him look like a beaten and old man, with many stress marks and bruising, likely from long-termed imprisonment. She placed an old ratty, but clean of disease and insects, wig on him, white in color, hair flowing long toward the mid-back. "You will be a prisoner I am escorting to the Death Row Corridor. I am a Hunter-Nin with clearances that will allow us to infiltrate this with ease, as long as you play your part." She'd remove her mask, her face baring an elongated scar that was aforementioned in another topic, stretching from the corner of her mouth to her jawline. A teardrop-shape is tattooed next to her eye, symbolizing a black tear. "We will be fine, Hosi." She would smile, reaching into a small bag and pulling from it an ANBU Commander mask, as well as an aliased identification badge baring the emblem of Hyougagakure, the name Sylvia Magnus posted under it.

Putting the mask on, she also shackled the hands of Hosi, and led a chain from which he would follow a few feet back. Proceeding down the bridge walkway, the cold ocean winds swept over the path with a magnificent brush of wind, bitter cold would be felt by anyone not well clothed, which was a fitting setting for the prisoners of this facility. The sun had set, and darkness consumed the better part of the sky, clouds of grey sparsely present throughout the peripherals of an onlooker. Sylvanas held her hand before her, just as they began to walk, activating a trademark technique that Sylvanas was actually quite famous for, as well as her ability to perform techniques with one hand. A heavy mist began to fill the air, Sylvanas drawing the mass of water from the rather large ocean passage surrounding the prison. This made for absolute sure that their faces would not be seen in any case should suspicion be aroused. Hopefully as Sylvanas had anticipated, there would not be a problem during the course of the escort.

Sylvanas suddenly made a stop as they came closer to their destination. Her fist were held up to signal Hosi to stop, and he did, but it would be after taking two steps in front of her. Quickly did he back step to be by her side, while she instructed him. Sabotage and Espionage were the words she mentioned to Hosi as she told him their plan. Hosi would have gone with a plan similar to knocking out a guard and taking their clothing, but Sylvanas had a much better idea.

Hosi was to be a prisoner, Sylvanas his transporter. His sensei handed him baggy pants and a worn out white shirt. Her orders were to put them on, which he followed to the letter. He stepped back, into the shadows of the trees and closed forest, taking only a minute to switch clothing, trading one refined ninja wear for two baggy clothing. His shoes and socks came off as well, along with his watch. He was completely weaponless, a defenseless prisoner ready to be imprisoned. Sylvanas painted over his face when he finished dressing, then placed on Hosi’s head a dirty looking wig. He knew not of his appearance, but he guessed that he looked completely different from what he normally appeared.

Hosi handed Sylvanas his pouch full of weapons, telling her that within it where 13 Kunais and one shuriken; just incase she wanted to use what was inside. He also gave her his watch so that time would be present to her as she moved about the prison. Before being shackled, he folded his clothing, then buried it beneath the icy soil, remembering the geographical disposition of its location. Whe chains finally connected to his wrists, the operation began.

Hosi was guided to the front of the prison that he could barely see due to the heavy fog covered the area. He deduced that this mist was caused by his leader, for her fingers constitution gave him a giant hint. Hosi calmed himself when Sylvanas gave him encouraging words, and he slowly found himself changing his personality. His heart turned evil, and his eyes seemed to hate everything in sight. His body tensed, and he became the figure of absolute anger and intimidation.

This character change was better for him in his opinion, for if he appeared the same mildmannered Hosi, his life would end instantly within that prison. “So sensei,” he whispered coldly to her, trying to remain in his character. “What will I do while you acquire the targets location?”

Word Count: 420

OOC: Are you still willing to continue this Sylvanas?