[action] Invasion Phase II: Creative Differences

[ninjasecrets]

Who: Akira and Iruka, to be joined by Deidara
Where/When: Konohagakura; August 5th, evening (after Deidara's battle with Anko)
Status: Closed, complete
Style: Action
Warnings: SERIOUS ART CONVERSATION. Oh, and people getting blown up. Gore and trauma.

[ At least Akira's getting better at it. The rope traps, pit traps, explosive traps and other

Comments

[smiling_umino]

[When Iruka moves, he is quick, catching up to Akira and instead, he waits for him to break the illusion himself. But it has been a while now and while he admires his student for getting through all of the other traps, a part of him - one that isn't irritated, annoyed and nervous given their current situation and the war being fought on the surface - notes, if they survive this, if they live through this, he swears on his life he is going to make sure Akira gets more Genjutsu training

[ninjasecrets]

[ Akira looks a little bit like a kid caught misbehaving - well, because that's what he is. He's embarrassed, too, that he flaked out on disabling the genjutsu. He knows better, but once his thoughts strayed to Takumi, he felt as if he were falling into an endless void. He wonders if he would have come back, if Iruka didn't snap him out of it right then. ]

I...

I'm sorry.

I can't stay here.

[ He hates it. Akira would never admit to a phobia, but he hates cramped spaces. Hates the idea of doing nothing even more. ]

[smiling_umino]

[He is still looking down at the boy because as much as he knows it's his duty to make sure everyone - well, back in the real Konoha at least - stays safe, he wouldn't deny that he too had the desire to fight. To do something.

The thought set aside, Iruka focused on Akira.]

You aren't even Genin yet, Akira. Akatsuki is no joke, they're S-ranked individuals with abilities that it's practically suicide to walk out there. You're safe here.

[Are they? Only a matter of time before the enemy finds their stronghold and take what they want; conquering and all that jazz.]

[ninjasecrets]

I know!

[ Akira all but interrupts him, his voice zinging off the heavy walls of the enclosed space. His voice goes more quiet and serious, then. ]

But things aren't looking good for us.

And if they're as good as you say, they'll find us down here sooner or later. I'd rather face them than sit on a bunch of relics and wait. Anyway, while bottlenecking them at doors would work to our advantage for awhile, being outnumbered in a small space means getting cornered. I'm not ready to go down like that.

You say we're safe here, but we're only safe for the time being. Since the barrier's down, safety's a relative term.

You can guard the scrolls if you want, sensei, but I'm going out there. I pledged my loyalty to this village for a reason. I don't mind dying for it.

[smiling_umino]

[iruka believes him, and he wants nothing more but to nod and agree because they were sitting dead ducks in their stronghold either way. He didn't know what else to do except ...

... maybe.

It's a gamble but he found very little honor in dying in a cramped place than in open air, where he could see his enemy, in the light, under the sun ...

I can keep him safe. I can. He has to - it is best if he knows - practicality never -]

Fine.

[He says, cutting off his stream of thought.] Let me reinforce the Genjutsu and we'll go. But you're staying by my side. We're going to work as a team, okay? And if - if things go bad, and I say run, you goddamn run for it, understood?

[Because he will never forgive himself if something harms the boy to the point of death. Never. As much as he can, Iruka would fight tooth and nail to prevent that.]