Chapter 14
Flash Tag
Eight years had passed.
Naruto sat forward on his chair, his hands clasped across his table as he looked at the young teenager standing before him. She was dressed in the white and crimson Hakama of a student of the Shinigami academy, and was even now excitedly doing a twirl to show him.
"Hey, hey" Sakura chastised softly, leaning back from her kneeling position next to the girl, a couple of pins keeping her hair up "Stop twirling, I need to finish pining up this skirt!"
The girl stopped and looked down apologetically, managing a slightly embarrassed laugh "Gomei, Sakura Onee-chan, I'm just so excited!" she then looked to Naruto and leaned forward, clasping her hands behind her back "What do you think, Onii-chan?"
Naruto leaned back in his chair, a mischievous smile spread across his face. In the decade since he had saved her from the streets of the Howling Dog district Rangiku Matsumoto had grown from a pint sized child into a beautiful and charismatic young woman. She had allowed her strawberry blonde hair to grow to shoulder length, with a pink bow tied around her slender neck. He remembered a time when she was as thin as a stick, now her form had matured to the point where most girls, including Sakura, would be envious. Her cleavage seemed to explode by the time she had turned fifteen, and through training sessions with himself and Yoruichi-sensei she was beyond physically fit.
"You look beautiful, Rangiku-chan" he said with a smile, and noticed her cheeks turn a little red at the compliment.
His smile froze when he saw Sakura look at him with a raised brow, cautiously he raised his hands in surrender "What?"
"Don't get any pervy ideas"
"I have no idea what you're talking about" both girls looked at each other, like they were sharing in a private joke at his expense, he smiled as he rose and walked around the table, eyeing his little sister "Amazing, I remember you when you were a pint sized little brat, now look at you, damn have you grown up"
Rangiku pouted at him "What do you mean brat?"
"And just what do you mean by grown up" Sakura chastised, pointing at him with a pin she had just taken from her hair.
Naruto looked at her for a moment "Well she's gotten taller by about three or four feet, let her hair grow, about to start the Shinigami academy" he smiled evilly "What did you think I was saying Sakura-chan?"
Both girls shared a look, luckily any further interaction which would have probably seen him sent through a wall was cut short by a rapping on his door, more visitors. Like a typhoon the door swung open and through it stepped Temari, carrying a small basket full of clothing and cosmetics "Sorry I'm late, had to pick up a few things" she saw Rangiku and smirked "Well look at you, in you're academy Hakama already?"
"Hai" the teenager replied before striking a pose "What do you think? Does it look good on me?"
Temari leaned back slightly, hand placed on her chin in a thoughtful pose, starring at the large cleavage which seemed to threaten to pop out of the top, with a closer look she wondered with envy how a fifteen year old girl could get so well endowed "I would kill for knockers like those"
"Huh"
"Nothing, nothing" the former Sand nin waved off as she set the basket on the desk "So lets see about what you want to take to the academy, you can't live on your academy uniform all day"
"Hai"
"I don't believe this" Naruto muttered, falling into his chair "You're turning my office into a dressing room?"
The girls curtly ignored him and began chatting about what they should pack. Several dresses were laid out on every surface, as well as a mass of makeup and cosmetics, Naruto starred at this rising mountain in disbelief, wondering why they needed the stuff. Within minutes his office looked less like a place of business and more like a clothes shop.
He heard a giggle of delight and gulped, his first train of thought going along the lines of please no and not her. He looked through his hands to see Yoruichi perched on his windowsill, looking at the spread out clothes with a twinkle in her golden eyes. Doesn't she ever use the door?
"Yoruichi-taicho" Sakura and Temari said in surprise, before bowing hastily.
"Yoruichi Onee-chan" Rangiku spoke up, holding a crimson dress in front of her "What do you think of this?"
Hopefully she will rap this up and get these girls out of here, which was what Naruto hoped so he could get some work done. His hopes were dashed when his Captain gasped and rushed over to Matsumoto's side, eyeing the dress "Is that the new party dress of the winter catalogue?"
"Hai"
"Oh I love this" she cried, feeling the fabric with careful hands "And its pure silk too. You definitely need to take this. Wear it at the mid-semester ball, the boys will be following you like a bunch of lost puppies!"
Thwack!
All four girls looked around to see Naruto, his head slammed against his desk. Even Yoruichi-sensei had been caught up by this madness. For Kami's sake she wasn't starting for a whole week. All four looked at him disapprovingly, and to his growing horror it was his sensei who spoke "If you're not going to be helpful then leave"
Thwack!
------
"Dragged you along too huh?"
Shikamaru looked up from his lying position on the roof, a cigarette clamped between his teeth "Yeah, Temari dragged me all the way here with enough luggage for every member of the 10th Division…ah man this is such a pain"
"I hear you" Naruto replied as he lay down next to his friend, looking up at the sky and the masses of clouds lazily following their air currents. He had come to enjoy these little clouds watching sessions, although he didn't understand them at first.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?"
"I was" Naruto replied, closing his eyes and enjoying the sudden cool breeze "But I got kicked out of my office, the girls have commandeered it for their little packing session"
"How troublesome"
"Yeah" he agreed "I've got three piles of paperwork that need to be finished and ready to go by tomorrow"
"That's what you get for becoming the Vice-Captain" Shikamaru replied with a shrug, taking a drag of his cigarette and blowing out a small blast of smoke "I can't believe you took the job, all that paperwork and responsibility, it would be just too troublesome"
"Yeah" the blonde replied wistfully, looking down at the badge worn on his left upper arm "But I wouldn't have traded the feeling for the world"
The ceremony of becoming a Vice-Captain wasn't as grand as people would have thought it to be. For one it was mostly confined to the Division, with only a few special invitations sent out for anyone whom the honouree wished to invite. He remembered a podium, the entire 2nd Divison and Omnitsukido branches standing to attention in the courtyard. On the podium was Yoruichi with a small glass case, the armband and seal of a Vice-Captain held within.
He remembered walking up onto the stage, feeling the eyes of the entire Division upon him as he came within arms reach of his captain and good friend. She smiled widely at him, and handed him the glass box before speaking in a booming voice which gained the attention of all in attendance.
"The position of Vice-Captain of the Goteijusantai is not one given lightly. Only those who have excelled in their duties and shown great strength and valour in combat can be considered for the position, and even then only a select few of that number will ever make it to that placement" she looked to Naruto, recognition and pride in her eyes "Naruto Uzumaki took the Patrol Corps, an already professional force, and raised it to the status of elite. He has shown great humility, valour and determination in his duties. He has shown to carry a great responsibility for those under him, and through his commitment has earned the respect of not just the Patrol Corps, but the entirety of the 2nd Imperial Court Guard Division. So, it is with pride that I bestow upon him the position of Fukutaicho of the 2nd Imperial Court Guard Division"
"Thank you, Yoruichi-taicho" he said, bowing deeply before standing upright again, he waited as his captain removed the armband from the case, and proceeded to fit it on his arm. It was tradition that the captain fitted the armband to her second in command, a sign that they would be working side by side for the good of the Soul Society and the living world.
She set it on snugly, and took a step back "I hereby proclaim you as Fukutaicho of the 2nd Imperial Court Guard Division" at that she drew her sword, and held it in front of her in salute. As one the men and women in the courtyard drew their blades and mirrored their mistresses movement, a silent gesture of respect, and one which meant more to Naruto than he could have imagined.
He looked to his captain, and saw her wink cheerily in his direction, he smiled, drew his own sword and mirrored the salute "I, Uzumaki Naruto, do hereby accept the position as Fukutaicho of the 2nd Imperial Court Guard Division. May I be of service to my division, my captain and the Goteijusantai"
They remained that way for a handful of heartbeats, and then smoothly Yoruichi sheathed her blade, followed by himself and every Shinigami in attendance "Finally" she said, turning to the crowd and raising her hand "Get me a beer, let the celebration begin!"
The cheers were nearly deafening.
"It was one hell of a party" he said with a smile, more out of remembrance for the monumental headache he had the next day.
"Yeah" Nara replied "That wasn't a drag"
The two friends stayed in that friendly silence for nearly half an hour, then Naruto rose to his feet "Wanna go and see if Urahara is up for a game of Shogi"
Shikamaru seemed to think about this for a few moments "Sure, why not"
"What about the girls?"
He waved a bemused Naruto off "By the time they realise we're gone we'll be safe in the 12th Division barracks"
"Yeah, ask Urahara-sensei for amnesty"
"Hey, what happened to your forehead?"
------
The silence of the forest was disrupted as two silhouettes flashed across the landscape, dashing through the space between tall, thick tree trunks. They moved gracefully and precisely through the thick foliage, there one second and gone the next, finally they came to a clearing, or to be more specific one of them came to a clearing.
Naruto stopped and looked around, his eyes calmly scanning the tree line for his partner. There was a low level swish and he brought up his unsheathed Zanpakuto to block Soifons blade. Taking a step back he allowed her feet to hit the ground and went on the offensive with a flurry of punches, finished with a spinning heel kick aimed for the side of her head. Blocking all of his punches deftly she brought up her left arm, supporting it with her right hand in time to block his kick. She grabbed his ankle and threw him over her shoulder.
Using the momentum to spin and landing in a crouch the tutor looked to the apprentice with an appraising eye "Yoruichi-sensei has been teaching you a thing or two. Shunpo and hand to hand has drastically improved"
Her chest heaving slightly Soifon still managed to put a triumphant smile on her face, before falling into a fighting style. Both Yoruichi and Naruto had taught her several styles, usually ones that utilise her speed because of her slender and petite stature. This one was the Gentle Fist, and while it couldn't be used perfectly without the Byakugan it could still be effective against singular opponents. Over the last few years she had been experimenting with the styles she had learned, melding them into her own unique set of techniques.
In response Naruto fell into his own style, while he no longer had the ability to activate his Toad Sage Mode his overwhelming spiritual pressure allowed him to fully utilise the Frog Kata, in his days in the Soul Society he had melded the fighting style with the Strong Fist, as well as several others he had learned over the years.
In a blur Soifon moved, deciding to come straight in and hit him head on, as she came within range she ducked another spin kick from Naruto and tried to take his legs out from under him with a sweep. Her instructor jumped over and aimed the heel of his foot down to her outstretched leg, only to see her jump back a few feet as his foot landed on the ground. She skidded a few inches then jumped, spinning her body expertly around him, aiming quick punches and swinging kicks his way. His body spun with hers, blocking them all.
She hit the ground, pivoted herself and jumped again, seemingly imitating her last manoeuvre. He knew she was better than that, which only meant one thing, a ruse. He caught her lashed kick with his right arm, noticed the ruse and pivoted his arm to block her other leg as it came down. She used the momentum, performing a half backward somersault and landing on her feet.
In a flash she drew her Zanpakuto, and was met by his, the two blades sparked as they struck each other and locked, Soifon putting all her weight into her attack. They separated and their blades became blurs of motion, only the clanks and sparks of them colliding gave them any solidity, but only for a moment as they disconnected and became blurs again.
Then Naruto vanished from her sight, she blinked and leaned back, her sword en guard. One moment he was there, the next he was gone.
"Hado Yunjuu: Gyoushitahon (Way of Destruction 40: Fire Burst)!"
He took a deep breath and let it out. Only instead of air he released a condensed stream of pure fire towards her. Acting on instinct she jumped away and performed a Shunpo, landing on a tree branch at the edge of the clearing to see the fire slam into the earth, burning away the grass and leaving a charred scar on the ground. A few small flames still dotted the impact site.
Looking up she saw him above her, his sword drawn and active. Jumping to the side she watched as the blade cut through the tree branch like a knife through warm butter, and jumped away as the severed limb fell to the ground, her teacher in hot pursuit. She looked at her own sword for a moment, now was as good a time as any.
Taking a deep breath she stopped and whispered her blades release command "Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi (Hornet)!"
Naruto watched as the blade glowed white, then shrunk into a black gauntlet with gold trim covering almost all of her right forearm, a golden chain attached the gauntlet to a long stinger weapon fitted snugly to her middle finger. It was a beautiful looking weapon, but it was definitely designed for close range combat, so as long as he stayed back he had the advantage.
Then like a ghost she vanished, reappearing right above him and stabbed out with the small stinger blade, Naruto pivoted his body but she still got him on the right forearm, tearing the sleeve of his Shihakusho. The Lieutenant jumped back, landing on a tree and examining his recent training injury. Soifon hadn't aimed for anything vital. He watched as a black butterfly marking appeared on his skin, with the stab wound acting as its centre.
"Your Shunpo is way better than I thought" Naruto said, not taking his eyes of the marking on his skin, he waved the forearm around "And what is this?"
"Suzumebachi's special ability" his student explained "The marking is called Homonka (Hornets Crest); it acts as a target for all my secondary attacks. When I master it I can kill a person if I hit them twice in the same place"
"A terrifying technique" Naruto observed "How many times do you need to hit someone to get a kill shot now?"
"About three or four, and the marking disappears on its own when the wound heals" she replied, and at his look she pouted "I'm working on it"
His immune system kicked in with its usual speed, and by the time she finished her presentation the wound had completely healed, without the injury the black butterfly faded from his skin.
"Damn you and that immune system of yours" she growled, albeit half-heartedly. In the years they had trained together she had lost her irritation in his presence. Actually she respected him now for his fighting ability and ethics. Out of everyone in her life there were only two people she held in high regard; those people were Yoruichi Shihoin and Naruto Uzumaki.
He stood, patting himself off and smiled "Ready to go again?"
"Whenever you're ready"
They both jumped in midair, both smiling sincerely as they restarted their training session.
-------
He really needed that.
Usually when he needed to let off some steam, or something to do to pass the time Soifon always seemed ready to joust. Although technically they were still student and teacher they acted more like sparring partners. There was very little for him to teach her now, so instead they would fight for as long as they were able. Looking back he remembered that brash little girl from seven years ago and smiled. How much she had grown up since then. She was definitely going to be a fine Shinigami, could get his position if he slacked off.
Walking down the main path towards his barracks, ready to take a nice long shower, he stopped when he felt two spiritual pressures coming his way. One was undoubtedly Yoruichi-sensei's, and it seemed that she was having fun, which usually meant trouble. The other was a younger pressure, unmistakably powerful and really irritated. That could only mean one thing.
"Naruto-chan" Yoruichi cried in mock fright as she appeared before him and hid behind him like a scarred child, even though he could imagine the face splitting grin "Save me"
In another blur a young man with long black hair appeared in front of him, looking a hairsbreadth away from committing some kind of capital crime, he took a step, got his breathing under control and pointed at them "Hey Were-cat, I want my ribbon back"
He knew it
Cranking his neck to her he frowned "What have you done now?"
"What do you mean" she asked with an innocent pout, innocent my ass.
"You" he turned to the annoyed tone, the boy was pointing at him now "You're her Vice-Captain aren't you? Talk some sense into that woman!!!"
Sighing Naruto closed his eyes and turned, scratching the back of his head "Alright Yoruichi-sensei, you've had your fun, now-" he opened his eyes to find an empty space. She was several meters away, laughing like a kid hyped up on sugar.
"If you're not with me Naruto" she said. Raising her right hand and opening it slightly, a necklace fell into view, stopping in midair as the strap looped around her finger stretched out. It looked an awful lot like that necklace Grandma Tsunade gave him. He looked down, expecting to see the first Hokage's necklace still hanging around his neck, it wasn't there anymore.
Yoruichi's joy seemed to be without end, childishly, and somewhat sexily she stuck out her tongue at both him and Byakuya Kuchiki "Come get me boys" she chided sensually and vanished in a Shunpo, laughing.
For his part the Kuchiki clan heir was fuming, his hand balled up into a fist so tightly that the skin was turning white "Damn you, you damned demon cat, I want my ribbon back" he then spun to Naruto "Hey what the hell are you-" he stopped and looked in disbelief, the blonde Shinigami was smiling an evil smile.
"Oh it's on now!" he said calmly and vanished in a Shunpo, wordlessly Kuchiki followed.
Blurring across the rooftops, appearing as only a haze of black and white before vanishing again, her Shunpo was second to none. It was why she had never lost in a game of tag. She felt his spiritual pressure. He was right behind her, barely a Flash Step behind her. With a simple motion she changed her direction, and felt that he had copied her perfectly. Naruto was keeping up with her, albeit just, he may not be as proficient at flash steps as his sensei but he was still good enough to be considered one of the best in the Soul Society.
"Damn it Yoruichi-sensei" Naruto called out "Stop this foolishness"
She appeared in front of him, sticking out her tongue and, to his surprise, slapped her backside with her free hand a few times. Besides himself he blushed slightly. Her actions only seemed to incense Byakuya further, for he increased the speed of his Shunpo. He needed to end this, and he needed to end this now.
She stopped a few feet above a side alley, and fell to the street below, landing in a crouch and about to disappear in another Shunpo. He couldn't let her out of that alley. It would probably be another half an hour before he got this chance again. He Flash Stepped to the alleys exit, blocking her path, arms folded like an unmovable barrier. She stopped, smirked and turned to the other exit only to see Kuchiki Shunpo there, mirroring Naruto's unmovable object pose.
"It's over Yoruichi-sensei" Naruto said firmly.
"Surrender" Byakuya growled.
She smiled cheekily and Naruto knew she was going to have to be restrained, it was the only way for him to get his necklace back, concentrating his spiritual pressure he said out loud the incantation "Bakudo Kyuu; Horin (Way of Binding 9; Disintegrating Circle)!!!"
A chain of yellow rietsu appeared in his hands and with a throw he sent it towards his captain. It coiled around her, encircling her form and tightened. If it were a normal Shinigami then this little episode would have been over. Sadly his Captain was anything but ordinary. She stuck out her tongue at him again and vanished in a Shunpo before the chains could restrain her.
"Ah crap" Naruto muttered as he released the Kido.
"Damn you, you were-cat" Kuchiki growled before taking off after her "If you think someone like you can escape me then you are deeply mistaken!"
Of course Naruto knew what his Captains reaction would be, and sure enough he heard a bark of playful laughter. With a sigh the Lieutenant vanished in a Shunpo. This was going to be a very long game of tag.
------
The Kuchiki residence was the perfect place to sit back and unwind. Sure the residence of the barracks was more than adequate. But for a man of his advanced years just taking the time to sit back and watch the day pass brought a calm bliss to his soul.
The cup of western tea didn't hurt much either.
Silently Kuchiki Genrei took a sip of the steaming hot liquid and looked up at the cloudless blue sky, and the position of the sun. It had been fifteen minutes since that fiery young head of the Shihoin clan had stolen his grandson's hair ribbon and coerced him in a game of Flash tag to get it back. The old man couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. While the young head was eccentric she also possessed a keen wit and intellect. His grandson probably didn't know it, but those games she forced him to play were training, since she had started his Shunpo had improved drastically. He doubted Byakuya would ever thank her for it though.
There was a flash in the garden, and with his wizened old eyes he saw Yoruichi Shihoin appear for just a split second before vanishing again in a blur. He saw that she still had his grandson's black ribbon, but he also noticed a small piece of jewellery, an expensive looking necklace by the look of it. That definitely didn't look like something his grandson wore.
A second went by, then he saw a young blonde man blur in and out of the garden. Dressed in the robes of a Shinigami with a lieutenant's band on his arm, his face was pulled back in a grin, the whisker like markings on his cheeks standing out profoundly. So that was Uzumaki Naruto, he had heard some interesting things about him.
Then a moment later his grandson blurred in and out of the garden, all measure of calm and serenity gone from his face, replaced by a highly irritated scowl. The Kuchiki head sighed. He was going to have to teach his grandson the advantages of patience.
Perhaps after another cup of tea
------
Yoruichi performed another half dozen quick Shunpo, landing gracefully on the roof of one of many residences within the Seireitei. Turning around, a huge grin plastered on her face she surveyed the way she had come. A few moments passed before her two pursuers flashed into existence on a roof a block away.
Naruto studied her position. She had the high ground and the advantage, from that position she could Shunpo anywhere she wanted, and he was tiring. He needed to catch her. Sure he had played this Flash Tag with her a few times, it was good training to nurture ones ability to flash step, and it was good fun. But in the hundred and nineteen times he had played with her over the years he had managed to catch her only five times, and each time it had taken a complex strategy to pull off. He had never beaten her on pure speed.
Which was why he had come up with a strategy, turning the Byakuya he waved him close, the boy looked at him in irritation but begrudgingly complied "I need you to help me on this" he explained, his voice barely audible to his partner "Work with me, we need to shepherd her to the third courtyard of the 10th Division barracks, got that"
"If it gets my belongings back"
"Your ribbon" he asked "Forget your ribbon, I want my necklace back"
"Why is that little trinket so important to you?"
"It belonged to the first leader of my village, who passed it on to my predecessor, who passed it on to me. To me that necklace is a national treasure" Kuchiki did not look impressed "In the world of the living it would be worth three mountains and the gold mines under them"
The boy raised an eyebrow "That valuable huh?"
"You're damn right"
"Very well" he said "What is your plan"
"Listen very carefully"
------
She watched the two of them converse, and frowned in annoyance that they were just out of her hearing range.
------
"Are you sure he would have it set up?"
"If I know Shikamaru he would have ten of them set up. I once came to him and complained about my captains little games, he muttered that it was troublesome but he would help"
The clan heir nodded, and waited as the Fukutaicho counted down from three with his fingertips. Then they were off, by the time they made it to Yoruichi's rooftop she had already gone. It had taken them a half hour of continuous pursuit to get her to go in the direction they wanted her to go. In that time they had crossed the length and breadth of the Seireitei almost nine times in pursuit of the Mistress of the Flash. But finally, finally she came to the 10th Division barracks. Acting in unison both Naruto and Kuchiki split up, using them selves to block off every avenue she tried to use to escape. Finally the training ground was within sight, and she was heading right for it.
He hoped that Shikamaru had lived up to his word. The man was a lazy bum but when he was forced into something he always showed that genius part of himself. The Shihoin leader touched down in the centre of the courtyard with a soft tap, followed by a subtle snap. The trap was still in place.
Yoruichi noticed the snap too, and jumped into the air, a disk of black appeared where her feet once were and tendrils of shadow spewed forth like the tentacles of some ancient and benevolent beast. They curled and writhed, following her every move with eerie precision.
They were never going to catch her of course. She was far too fast for that. But the distraction was enough. With a quick Shunpo both Naruto and Byakuya blurred around her and with a quick swipe took back their possessions. Then in a blur all three jumped away as the shadows seemed to heave and then vanish into thin air.
------
Shikamaru looked up, feeling the sudden spike of spiritual pressure from the training field. A small smile came to his face as he turned back to his Shogi board. The Shinigami at the other end was oblivious to the quick crack in his otherwise stoic and calm mask.
He didn't know the name of his Zanpakuto yet, although he was beginning to hear the spirit when it called out to him, he had even meditated and entered its world on a few occasions to find that it was as lazy and uncaring of the everyday occurrences of the world as he was. Because of this his progression would have been painfully slow for anyone else but him.
He had learned a few things about his Zanpakuto though. It was a shadow type, able to manipulate and caste shadows like he was able to when he was alive and a ninja. He also saw that like him it had a keen tactical mind, able to set traps that could last for weeks and not activate until a certain spiritual pressure landed on it.
So Naruto finally sprung the trap huh, another day or two and it would have been gone. He waited until his opponent made the move, right into his trap and picking up his crook eliminated his enemies centre piece,
"Checkmate"
------
"Our one hundred and twentieth game goes to me Yoruichi-sensei" Naruto said with a smile as he appeared on the edge of the Shihoin residence, placing his treasured necklace back around his neck.
His captain turned at him and huffed a little theatrically "You are such a cheater. If you hadn't have used that trap then we would still be out there playing tag"
"Oh, what a shame" her Vice-Captain replied sarcastically.
She frowned at him, then her mouth twitched and she burst out laughing. Naruto held onto his stern mask for a few more moments until finally he couldn't take it anymore. He let out a bark of laughter. He had no idea tormenting the proud clan heir could be so much fun.
His Captain laughed so hard she would have fallen off the roof if he wasn't there to steady her, after a few moments the heaving giggles subsided and she made a very common gesture "Sake?"
"I'm buying this time"
She stuck out her tongue playfully "Not likely"
"Rock, paper, scissors" he asked "Winner gets to pay for the loser"
"I have a better idea" she replied playfully "First one there pays" with that she vanished in a Shunpo.
"No fair" he called, taking off after her "You got a head start!"
------
The man fell to his knees, heaving violently, his eyes bulging and his mouth open as if trying to scream. Yet no noise escaped, only a gurgle which sounded more like he was drowning. A white liquid exploded from his mouth and eyes, curled around and splattered on his face. He let out one last strangled cry before his entire body exploded in a mass of white liquid.
All around him nine others met a similar end, leaving nothing more than smears of hardening white liquid on the forest floor. Within a few minutes that would vanish too, leaving no evidence of what had occurred here.
"It seems this was a failure too" an accented voice muttered.
"Yes" another replied, his voice a low level hiss.
"Perhaps we should end it"
"No, lets continue for a little while longer"