Unwanted Pests III - Lagombi x2 [B-rank Solo]

Mission:

Indra stood on what was known as the cusp to the Oasis of Dreams area of the Land of Anguish. This was an extremely dangerous portion of the desert and he was surprised he had been allowed to venture out here on his own. However, as a Tokubetsu Jonin, this was simply another day at work. Genin would need an escort, Indra now was the escort. Reports had come in of a savage Lagombi terrorizing these parts, though who or what, Indra couldn't be sure. Not only were Lagombi usually non-hostile, they were quite playful creatures. Granted, that playfulness could sometimes turn deadly when a moderate sized beast wasn't aware of its own size, but it was hardly a dangerous predator. On top of that, very few people ventured out into the Oasis of Dreams, so who this creature could be bothering was beyond Indra's understanding. Traders and merchants had long abandoned any sort of route through this portion of the desert once the sixth or seventh had been lost and died of exposure. Regardless, it wasn't up to him and he had been the one to sign up for the mission. Asking questions wouldn't see it completed and evidently this creature's mere existence outside of the snowier part of the desert was a threat to the local flora and fauna, so it had to be put down.

Indra sighed as he stepped over the boundary of the Cactus Forest and into the area of the Oasis of Dreams. There was no literal line in the sand or even a real marker in this area. Things just became more apparent as the cacti began to thin and open up to what seemed to be an endless stretch of sand and dunes with little to no vegetation in sight. He strode to the top of the nearby dune and began to survey the area, keeping his back to the cactus forest and an eye on the sun's location and direction. That would be the key in getting out of this place once he ventured deep enough. The heat and light refraction on the sand is what killed people and he had no interest in being excavated by archaeologists in a few hundred years. Unfortunately though, as he surveyed the area he realized he had his work cut out for him. Indra was no tracker, in fact, he had very little to no real skill in detection, so finding a single creature, no matter its size, in a literal land ocean would be a challenge. On the plus side, the mission had stated that the creature had begun to venture into the outskirts of the Cactus Forest, so he at least wouldn't need to travel too deep into the Oasis of Dreams. Adjusting his hiking pack to a more comfortable position, he began to descend the dune in hopes that the next rise would offer a better vantage point and some luck.

It of course, did not. Even on the next rise, all around him was nothing more than sand, sand, and more sand. A rock or two jutted out from the swirling grains, but that was all. In fact, pivoting around made him dizzy as the world around him seemed to swirl and spin. He reached into his pack and retrieved the spy glass that the mission keeper had provided, alleging that it may help in detecting tracks of the creature. Extending it, Indra peered through and found that he could now see the sand more up close. This was effectively useless and only brought him a new wave of frustration. He dropped down to a seated position, and retrieved one of two canteens from his pack with a sigh. Already the high sun was beginning to cook him. Even growing up in Kohai hadn't prepared him for this level of exposure to the raw elements. He swiped sweat from his brow after a long sip and pondered a bit while the sun beat down on him.
Hmm if I can't find it, maybe I can get it to find me. Indra thought aloud, biting his thumb and wiping it along the summoning tattoo on his shoulder. In a puff of smoke, the new, larger Durga appeared beside him.
Hey boss, what are- Durga started speaking almost immediately, her excited tone already infectious but cut short, Bleggggh it's so hot. Why did you bring me here? This is the worst. I'm going back now.
Durga, no! Wait. Indra said, worried the salamander would actually follow through. She cocked her head to the side with a curious look, her tail flicking behind her as she waited patiently for instruction.
Okay, but make it quick, I can feel my scales burning.
Okay, sorry. So what we need to do is- Indra paused, processing what Durga had said, Wait, do salamanders even have scales? I thought it was more of a wet skin? He asked, now genuinely curious and distracted.
I dunno. We're reptiles, aren't we? Ergo, scales...probably. Focus, boss. What's the problem?
I actually don't think you are reptiles... Indra began to trail off, now confusing himself. He waved his hand in a dismissive tone and got back on topic.
Right, focus, sorry. Okay, we're hunting a Lagombi, big bunny thing and-
I LOVE BUNNIES! Durga exclaimed, her tail flicking rapidly with excitement.
We have to kill it. Indra said, taking the mission scroll from his pack to show Durga.
Oh. I don't love that.
Yeah well, is what it is. So it should be out here somewhere but I can't seem to find it. We need to- wait.
Waiting.
No, that's not what I- never mind. There's something wrong here. I signed up for a C-rank mission, why does have a B in the rank part? They must have written an error or something and- Indra's mouth dropped open a bit before he quickly licked his lips, the back of his neck suddenly going cold and his mouth even drier than it was before.

Oh no.
Yes?
No. I've made a mistake. I grabbed the wrong one. There are TWO OF THESE THINGS OUT HERE! Indra exclaimed just as the dune they were standing on began to shift and rumble. As if on cue, truly something out of a poorly written movie, you simply couldn't make this up, a large rabbit burrowed its way out of the dune and dove down its incline. The creature took off quickly, slipping and sliding through the sand at a speed that made Indra genuinely concerned for whether or not they'd ever catch it.
That bunny is FAST! Durga exclaimed as the two watched it.
No kidding, now let's go catch it. Indra said, retrieving his back and beginning the descent towards the speeding rabbit just as the sand behind him erupted. Caught off guard, Indra only had time to see the second Lagombi lunge towards him. A massive ball of sand coated fur, dazzling him in the noon sun and sailing through the air like a creature one tenth the thing's weight. The last thing Indra saw before the creature smashed into him and tossed him down the sand dune was Durga's excited smile at the sight of the flying rabbit. Indra was in a spin, head over heels backwards as sand threatened to fill every orifice of his body. He tried to suck in air, having his own knocked out of him by the force of the leaping Lagombi, but took in only sand with no hope of stopping his tumble.

Finally, after what seemed like genuine minutes, his roll slowed and then stopped, leaving him splayed out on the desert floor. He tried to stand, but toppled instantly, catching himself on his knees and fists while he tried to mentally right the world around him. He tried to call out to Durga, but could only wheeze and choke on the sand coating his throat. His pack had been lost somewhere along the journey down the dune and he genuinely had no idea where the Lagombi had went, never mind the first one they had seen. Finally, after some wheezes and coughs, he managed to expel enough sand to speak again.
Durga! Come on! He croaked up to the salamander but found her already halfway down the dune.
Coming, boss! Boy that was quite the tumble, if I wasn't worried about you I would've thought that was hilarious to watch. The salamander called back as she scrambled through the sand and Indra couldn't help but note the slight smile on her face. He was sure she had no problem finding the whole ordeal hilarious.
Hey, boss, he's coming back! Durga suddenly called and Indra turned to see one of the Lagombi's sliding towards him from the right, seemingly fixated on him. Apparently they weren't running.

Alright then, come on. Indra said, falling into his Suiko-Ryu sword stance as the creature cruised towards him. Taking a deep breath, Indra began to run towards the Lagombi as well, planning to meet it head on rather than simply wait for its approach. This didn't seem to deter the creature at all and as Indra prepared a Wakiten slash, the Lagombi sprung up and forward, sailing over Indra's attack and receiving only a glancing blow. Indra frowned as his eyes followed the creature just as the sand to his left erupted and the first Lagombi crashed into him with a brutal amount of strength. For the second time in half as many minutes, the boy was sent sprawling into the warm sand with a groan.
Blehhhh. A familiar sound came from his new left as Durga filled the area with a fine mist. Indra smiled, she was a handful but she was always useful in a pinch. His Raidengan immediately activated its Electrolocation abilities and the desert arena became mapped out in his mind instantly. The silhouettes of the Lagombis sniffed the air, clearly confused by their sudden loss in vision and trying to get a lock on Indra's location. Durga wasn't done though as she let out an all too familiar, Bllllaaaaargggggh! and gallons upon gallons of sticky liquid filled the small valley between sand dunes.

Prepared for this, Indra was already cycling chakra through his feet and thus, was able to move freely. The Lagombis however, had been less fortunate and he watched their highlighted silhouettes struggle in the ensnaring liquid. For a moment, he actually felt bad for them. Their small, feral minds probably had no idea why this was happening and they were most likely terrified. Unfortunately, this was simply the way of the natural world. Prey or predator. Eat or be eaten. It could have just as easily been Indra filled with fear as it was these two. Still, they deserved a quick death and end to their suffering. Stuck and blinded, two Iai Beheadings made short work of the Lagombis, leaving them with a clean and painless death that they hadn't even seen coming. As the mist cleared, Indra flicked the blood from his blade into the sand where it immediately began to dry. He and Durga watched over the corpses for a minute, scavengers already beginning to circle ahead.
Shame about the bunnies, I really like bunnies. Durga repeated with a sad note.
Me too, but this was our job and we had to see it through. Indra concluded, sheathing his blade and turning to hike back for his pack on the dune.
I suppose. Durga said with a cock of her head, regarding the dead Lagombi once more before turning to follow Indra.
I'll walk home with you, boss. It was probably a long, lonely walk out here in the first place.
Indra smiled while he strapped his pack back on, pulling out the canteen of water first.
Thanks Durga, I'd really appreciate that actually.
He drank deeply, letting the cool water refresh and invigorate him for the journey home. That had all been...rather unexpected to say the least. He needed to be more careful when taking these missions. This was no longer a simple task that would end in someone getting a bit banged up if he made a mistake. This was truly life or death now and each and every mission needed to be treated as such if he wanted to end up on the right side of things going forward. Taking one last look at the Lagombi behind him, he turned and began his walk back to the village, leaving the birds to their feast.

Words: 2053/2000

Approved