The Shinobi Demigod

Ch 24: Investigating a Mystery

It's been about a week since the mission. During this time, I would train and go on missions with Hiroka's team. My genjutsu has been slowly improving over this time and I am able to cast better genjutsus. I worked on my sensory skills as well. I still wouldn't call myself proficient at it though. I'm currently heading toward Isui's office. I knock on the door and walk in, "Hey Isui, what's up?"

Himari is there as well, "Hello Tamotsu, a couple of days ago I sent some shinobi to a cave when we heard of a disturbance there. We haven't heard from them since then. I need the two of you to investigate, but be careful. "

He hands Himari a map, "Here's where the cave is. Head there, find out what happened, and come right back."

I nod, "Will do, Isui, we'll leave right away."

We walk out of the office, walking towards the exit of the palace, "Hey."

Himari responds, "Hey yourself. How's your day been?"

"Eh, could be better. Spent some time training, went to Ahma's afterwards. Nothing much."

She laughs and says teasingly, "You seem to go there a lot."

I shrug, "It's one of the only places that'll let me in."

She cringes, "Sorry about that."

I say calmly, "Hey, no need to be sorry. You can only control your actions, not anyone else's."

She smiles sadly, "Thanks."

I say nonchalantly with a small smile, "No biggie."

We continue walking through the village. Since joining the team, the animosity between us is mostly gone. We're loosely friends. We leave the village and swiftly make our way to the cave. It took us a couple of hours of travel to get to the cave. The trip was quiet, both of us enjoying being in the snow-covered tundra. As we walked into the cave, I said to Himari, "I have a bad feeling about this."

She shivers, "I'm glad I'm not the only one."

As we walked further into the cave. I expelled fire chakra from my hand, creating a flame. The flame only lit up a small part of the cave. There was still a vast void of darkness throughout the cave. I extended my senses, trying to see what could be out there. A cold breeze blew out of the cave as if the cave was breathing. Himari and I stood closer to each other after that. We walked further into the cave and saw two bodies lying on the floor. We slowly approached them, "Shit, this isn't good."

"You don't say."

We look over the bodies and they were mauled, by what, we have no clue. There were claw and bite marks all along their bodies. Himari asks me, "Did you bring any stasis seals?"

I take them out of my pouch, "Yeah, I brought them just in case."

I unroll them and Hirmari helps me lay the bodies on top. I quickly seal the bodies inside. I start walking further inside but Himari grabs my arm, "What are you doing? We're supposed to go back after we found out what happened."

"Yeah, but we also don't know what killed them. Whatever it may be, it could be dangerous. I'd rather go back with some information on what's been causing so much trouble."

She sighs, "You're too curious for your own good."

I smirk, "Eh, what can I say, it's who I am."

We made our way further into the cave. The farther we went in, the colder it got. The dampness of the cave and the water dripping from the roof made me very uneasy. There was a trail of blood and we glanced at each other before moving forward. We slowly followed the trail to see a dead creature on the floor. Its main body was about as big as my torso and had wings. We walked up to it and kneeled next to it, nudging the creature. I mutter under my breath, "Looks like a gargoyle."