[Bar] Sykoi's Pub

[Sykoi]

Setting: A run down pub
Atmosphere: Peaceful

Anyone caught off-topic will have their post removed

[Kuraku Hideaki]

Event: Kurakushin walks in thruogh door

Action: Kurakushin, cold and tiresome, bursts through the doors of the bar. Staggering to the nearest stool, he sits down. Hurrily scowring in his pocket, he finds 4, cold, hard, coins. "Barkeep" He says, "One Saki, Please".

[ToshiMaru]

As Kurakushin sits on the counter bar, a shadowy hooded character from the darkend corner of the room speaks out

Tomitsuro:
Eh pal, what happend to you?
Didnt your mother told you never to go out in the rain? :cool:

[Kuraku Hideaki]

Kurakushin ignores the hooded character and turns away. "Barkeep, Another saki, please!"

[Tekashi]

Takashi walks in followed by 2 thugs. He sits listens cheerfully to the person playing the flute. Grabs the waiters attention orders a Saki starts a coversation with Tomi.

"Hello, Im new to these parts can you please tell me were the Hospital is?"

[ToshiMaru]

Tomitsuro looks oddly at the strangers, and said:

You guys must obvioiusly not be from here, There isnt a hospital or shelter for another 30 miles from here, so i suggest you ask for a room.

[Tekashi]

Sighs, motions to the men and then look at Karaku and glares at him. Takashi walks out into the wide open but throws a pebble at tomi with a scroll tied to it.

[Kuraku Hideaki]

Kurakushin stands up. He pays the waiter and turns around slowly. "Thanks" he replies to the waiter. He starts to walk out the door, and stops at the ledge. "Its bad to throw things from a wide open space. You could've hit someone, so then i would of had to kill you". Kurakushin then turns and dissapears in to the blackness of the night.

[Tekashi]

outside he tells the 2 men to run back to the base. He pulls out his slayer and grips it with 2 hands. Karakushin is mine he exclaims as he charges twards the shadow figure.

[Kuraku Hideaki]

How does he know my name anyway?

He pulls out his ebo. "Please, i do not want to hurt you. This is a peacefull place."

[Tekashi]

Puts his sword back on his back. Hehehe "nice to see you again"

[Kuraku Hideaki]

Hides the ebo, yes, old friend, nice to see you!

[Tekashi]

walks up to karakushin and shakes his hand then asks. "would you like to go back inside and throw a party saki on me!"

[Kuraku Hideaki]

"Yeah, why not? But i have to get home soon to my fellow members of the Kuraku family"

[Tekashi]

"heh" *slips some herbs into his tea. "how do you feel?"

[Kuraku Hideaki]

*Gets drwosy* Good, hey look, a zebra!?!? *Sways harshly*

[Tekashi]

*hums* walks to the other side of the bar then watches karaku and laughs.

[Kuraku Hideaki]

LOL >.<... wait, your teasing me! o_0

*Stumbles to feet then collapses*

mabe someone should take him home...

[ToshiMaru]

As Takashi, and his men pick up Kurakushin, and help him out the door. They disappear into the night. A few moments later, Tomitsuro gets up from his seat, and as he walks past the barkeeper, he tosses a few coins at him. Then, Tomitsuro leaves the bar.

Outside, he stands and stares into the dark paths ahead of him, and he sees a few shadows carrying another shadow, then, Tomitsuro slowly walks and follows them. Stalking from the shadows.

[Redb@ck]

Redb@ck san enters the pub, carefully surveying the scene, before strolling over to the barkeep, he asks, "Have you recently seen Kurakushin, the leader of the Karaku family?" The barkeep replies, "Oh yes Redb@ck san, Kurakushin san left only a few minutes ago drunk". With that Redb@ck turns, sprints out, hot in pursuit.

[Kuraku Hideaki]

After waking up from a blackout, Kurakushin realises he is being carried off to somewhere he has never seen before. Too weak to struggle, he falls back to sleep.

I think we should continue this roleplay on another post, i dont want to go off topic

(please continue here unless entering and continuing on with ub roleplay
http://www.eoeforums.com/showthread.php?p=758#post758)

[Sanctus]

A hooded man, in a dark robe then walks through the pub doors, motions for a Saki, and sits while slowly sipping his Saki, wondering where evryone is at.

[ShininShado]

A stout, clean-shaven man with short hair opens the doors and walks inside with a slow stride. After surveying the room, approaches Sanctus. "Where can I get some herbal remedies?"

[Sanctus]

After 3 Sakis, The hooded man barely notices him, but shrugs. "I am new to the area, like you, I am unaware."

[ToshiMaru]

suddently, a group of men runs past the pub, shouting and screaming. As if chasing someone.

[Sanctus]

"Now what the hell was that?" Thinking to himself, then motions for one more Saki, and starts walking towards the exit.

[ShininShado]

Somewhat intrigued, dismisses the commotion for the time being as rif raf and a gambling disagreement. Taking a seat to the back of the pub, ordering a tea. Removing a small book from his green robe, starts reading. Sipping on the tea, reading, he takes in the sights and sounds of the pub - half expecting more commotion from outside.

[ToshiMaru]

THEN!! the people that ran past the pub, ran back again towards where they came from. All yelling "HELP!!!! RUN!!!! HES COMING!!!!"

[ShininShado]

His reading interupted mid-sentence!!! Putting his book up and sitting down his tea, he slowly walks to the door. The barkeep shakes his head as he makes his way. Stepping outside, the stout man peers around to see the dust settling from the recent passer-byers. Looking to the right he makes out three men running full sprint, the slower of the three looks back with fear in his eyes.

The stout man sees two shopkeepers close up shop as a rooster with ruffled feathers sqauks from across the muddy street.

[Kuraku Hideaki]

Just then, Kuraku enters the pub. Panting, he runs to the further most seat and sits at it, trying to hide his face from the others.

[Sanctus]

Stops, Takes a quick glance at Kuraku while he is trying to hide, and quickly walks out the door.

[ToshiMaru]

As the people started running past Shinin, Shinin grabs hold of a peasant. "Whats going on? Why is everyone running?"

"Run damn you, they are coming! men from the Ikogo Gang are coming! Run if you dont want to die!"

Then the man shakes off Shinin's hold, and runs off desperately trying to escape the streets.

Suddently, a man's voice shouts at ShininShado, " Hey you!! Im talking to you!" As ShininShado turns around, he notices three men in shadow from the other side of the street. :hitwithro

[ShininShado]

As ShininShado turns abruptly, he makes out three forms from across the street. "I am ShininShado, of the Yamato Family! Say your piece!!!" Gambling they are mere street thugs, he figures to take two at least if things got bad. While sizing up the men in black, he is hit in the back by Sanctus opening the door... at the same time, while stumbling forward he makes out four city guards in his peripheral come from an alley to the left.
Pointing at the three men, one guard shouts: "That's them!!" Thinking this could get ugly, ShininShado shuffles past Sanctus, on his way out, and goes inside the pub. ShininShado approaches Kurakashin and asks: "Those thugs outside, do you know of them??" - Keeping one eye on the door.

[Kuraku Hideaki]

Kuraku glances at Shinin, then says "They are but gambling fools", "Why do you think i would know them?"

Just then an arrow is launched and lands in the wall just above Kuraku's head. "What the!?" he exclaims, then stands up. "Assasin, show yourself!" he screams as he pulls out his daisho.

In the background, screams are heard and people are running. Seven men in red hoods enter the pub. "What is it you want with this place?" shouts Kuraku. I know you are from Black Dragon clan. NOW TELL ME WHAT IS YOUR BUISNESS HERE!"

One of the men stepped forward and pulls back his katana. "I merely want to negotiate with one of the leaders from them Yamamoto Family"

"Fine!" says Kuraku. "We shall speak"

The men boh sit down at a table, and start to mumur. The only words anyone else can hear are 'War', 'Treaty' and 'Alliance'.

[ShininShado]

ShininShado, thinking the action is over, goes back to reading, and orders another tea. After two cups of tea, the gentlemen are still talking. ShininShado pays his debt to the barkeep, and makes his way to the door, it is now later afternoon, and he makes his way back home for some rest. His thoughts on his son and the warmth of his wife.

[ShininShado]

Several days have passed since he left the pub. Being in the midst of growing season, ShininShado had been busy with tending to the crops, diverting water from the upland hills, and repairing his small cottage. ShininShado makes his way to town. Looking for some supplies for his farm, he passes Sykoi's Pub, and thinks he can use some relax time.

Entering the pub, it is empty, outside of the barkeep. "I'll take an herbal tea, if you please sir." Sykoi takes a kettle from behind the counter and pours a cup of tea. The cup is pottery with blue and white designs of a fish on it. ShininShado drops two koku and thanks the barkeep. He walks to the corner of the pub and draws a tattered book out from his hakama and begins reading, meanwhile sipping his tea. Ahhh, finally a chance to relax.

[ShininShado]

Shinin drinks more of his tea and reads from a tattered book of Buddhist text.

[Kuraku Hideaki]

It has been many days since Kuraku had last entered the pub. He went and sat down on a cold, hard chair, made from the finest bamboo, of course. "Barkeep, a sake for my undying thirst, as you would" he said, and turned around and looked at the almost empty bar. "I see an absence of customers, why is this? Do you know?".

[ShininShado]

Shinin looks up from his book, stands and bows to Kuraku. Shinin replies; "I've no clue, it might have something to do with the Black Dragon Clan, not totally sure. It's also been raining a good bit, and the harvest is due soon. Also, Master Sykoi had fallen ill a bit ago, that maybe have hindered business somewhat, now that the pub is open again, I've seen a few folk in and out of here." Shinin takes sip of tea and half reads his book and half waits for a response from Kuraku.

[Gryph]

A young man in dusty and travel-stained cloths, but with the long and short swords at his side, enters the pub and takes off his sandals. As he removes his hat, which is dripping wet from the rain, it becomes apparant that his hair is in the topknot of a samurai. He bows to the men at the bar and orders.

"Barkeep, a sake".

He notices the Shado's expectant expression and misinterprets it.

"I am Miyoshi Okimoto," the young man introduces himself.

Okimoto notices Shado's budhist text. "You are a monk?" he asks.

[ShininShado]

"Kon nichi wa Okimito-sama", Shinin stands and bows to Okimito. "Hmmmm, a monk no, but I study the way of the Buddha." Shinin looks down at the sanskrit text, and tells Okimito; "Anyone could reach enlightenment in the safety of a monastery, but the wise man can find it during the middle of combat, or working in the field, or reading in a pub. By nature, the way of the monk is one of safety, why not just stay in your mother's womb???!" Shinin takes a sip of tea, and eleborates; "The realization of truth comes from a well trained mind, not from belonging to a temple... enough of the Dharma, I have not seen you here before, what is your business?"

[Gryph]

Okimoto smiles wryly, slightly surprised by the use of the honorific "sama", as he returns the bow.

"My business... yes. I am traveling. I seek to find a daimyo allied to my old lord who might have use of my sword. This town is the first that fits that criterion."

Okimoto's sake arrives and he pays for it with two somewhat tarnished coins, then takes a sip.

"Your philosophy is an interesting one. Perhaps you will allow me to buy you another tea and we can speak more?"

[ShininShado]

Shinin nods and says "Surely, I have no business today to speak of, and I could use another tea. Not to mention I do not wish to travel out in the rain if I can help it."

The barkeep comes and collects the empty tea cup, and comes back from behind the bar with a full kettle. The steam rises from the kettle's spout as the rain falls outside the door and upon the roof of the pub. Shinin explains; "Okimoto-sama, there is no need to pay for the tea, I have koku and good conversation is payment enough." Shinin pays Sykoi the barkeep three koku from his coinpurse, and leans back in the chair he is in. He pours himself a cup of tea from the kettle and puts his attention back to Okimoto.

"Okimoto, I see you are a man of the blade. <Shinin also surmised that Okimoto was a samurai, hence the sama introduction, this was arrived at from the two swords carried by Okimoto.> Though I hardly ever fight anymore, in my younger days I used the White Tiger style. Back then, I'd cut my foes down, now I cut delusion, in the hopes of arriving at the truths of the dharma. Although, I must admit it is easier at times to grasp a blade, than to grasp the truth. But talking of truths and not realizing them, is like shooting a bow and arrow at clouds passing overhead."

The stout Shinin pulls on his small beard and asks Okimoto; "What province do you hail from, and what lord do you serve? I could speak of the dharma all day, but I realize little from speaking of what I already know." The rain continues to fall upon the roof, and wisps of steam come from the spout of the kettle.

[Gryph]

((Note: This is subject to change. I find myself a victim of my lack of knowledge about Feudal Japan here, and have tried to come up with a reasonable response based on it. ))
((I assumed you would realise I was a samurai from the two swords and the topknot, but was expecting -san, not -sama))

Okimoto nods thoughtfully as Shado speaks, then answers his question.

"I come from the Owari province. My lord is Oda Noyokazu. ((is this child name appropriate for a lord who is still a child and not yet in control of his late father's lands?)) "If you please, you can give me your name and province of origin, and we can exchange stories, and learn the truths each of us has grasped in our lives?"

[ShininShado]

Well, first off ShininShado is more or less a conundrum of Zen philosphy, a shadow that shines. I may or may not use this name in game, but probably will, or a variation of it. How can Gryph!!! the man who started th culture and history thread be lacking in the arena of Feudal Japanese knowledge!! Tee hehe, just giving you a hard time.

The stout Shinin chuckles at Okimoto's statements grabbing his oversized belly. "You are from the Owari province?? You are a bit far from home are you not sir?" Are you from the township of Nogoya?? Owari is a strong province for sure sir!" Shinin puts his book away, in a pocket of his hakama.

"Where do I hail from you ask? Well, my first home was in the village of Yokisho in the province of Shinano. I served in Takeda Nobutora's leagues, until my regiment was decimated in an ambush. After which time, I found the warrior's life no longer the one for me. There are several stories of those of the samurai caste opting out of it for the life of a monk instead in Feudal Japan. After leaving my martial past, I found a wife, and we settled down not far from here, on the outskirts of town. I grow cabbage, read Sanskrit texts, and sell other vegetables I've grown in town. My wife sews, takes care of our son and cooks mostly. I serve Lord Hojo as a farmer and part-time warrior, but truly despise fighting now, and avoid violence if at all possible. I've found that the truths I've found in having a stable home life far outweight whatever dreams I might have chased as a warrior." Shinin looks past Okimoto and says "I'm happier now than when I was a warrior. Does this answer your questions then sir?" Shinin goes back to sipping his tea watching Sykoi do some menial tasks behind the bar.

[Gryph]

Well, first off ShininShado is more or less a conundrum of Zen philosphy, a shadow that shines. I may or may not use this name in game, but probably will, or a variation of it. How can Gryph!!! the man who started th culture and history thread be lacking in the arena of Feudal Japanese knowledge!! Tee hehe, just giving you a hard time.
[Heh. OOC tags, mm? I will be sure to use these in the future. I know some, but as I stated in the opening adress to the FJFtT thread, my knowledge is limited and so I wished to combine it with that of others for a more complete understanding. I guess names, geniologies, and political geography hasn't come up yet in From the Top...]
The stout Shinin chuckles at Okimoto's statements grabbing his oversized belly. "You are from the Owari province?? You are a bit far from home are you not sir?" Are you from the township of Nogoya?? Owari is a strong province for sure sir!" Shinin puts his book away, in a pocket of his hakama.
[Just where are we, anyway?]
"Where do I hail from you ask? Well, my first home was in the village of Yokisho in the province of Shinano. I served in Takeda Nobutora's leagues, until my regiment was decimated in an ambush. After which time, I found the warrior's life no longer the one for me. There are several stories of those of the samurai caste opting out of it for the life of a monk instead in Feudal Japan. After leaving my martial past, I found a wife, and we settled down not far from here, on the outskirts of town. I grow cabbage, read Sanskrit texts, and sell other vegetables I've grown in town. My wife sews, takes care of our son and cooks mostly. I serve Lord Hojo as a farmer and part-time warrior, but truly despise fighting now, and avoid violence if at all possible. I've found that the truths I've found in having a stable home life far outweight whatever dreams I might have chased as a warrior." Shinin looks past Okimoto and says "I'm happier now than when I was a warrior. Does this answer your questions then sir?" Shinin goes back to sipping his tea watching Sykoi do some menial tasks behind the bar.
my ooc replies in brackets in the quote. I'm going to assume that you told me your name, even though you didn't, because not knowing it is getting annoying.

Okimoto smiles wistfully at Shado, remembering his own past and thinking of how different it might have been if he had chosen the path Shado has taken. But no, he thinks, it is best this way, at least for me. I would not change my choices if I had a second chance.

"'Having been born into the house of a warrior, my ambitions must be these: to grasp the long and the short swords, to serve my lord, and to die with honor,'" Okimoto paraphrases. "But your path is also a good one, and is for you the best path to enlightenment, I think."

Okimoto's expression tightens a little as he hears of why Shado left his martial life. His eyes gaze through Shado and look like he is remembering a distant pain. After taking a sip of sake, he speaks:

"Mm... my life, too, was changed by an ambush. You and I have more in common than I first imagined, Shado-san. It is that ambush that led to me being here today, searching for a new daimyo who might have use of my services in the wars. If you wish, I will tell you the story. Perhaps you and I can find truth and meaning from it, as you have found with your cabages and books and your lain-aside sword."

[ShininShado]

You are right, I should have mentioned Shado's name in the last post, but it was an oversight. You roleplayed it right with the assumption that I had mentioned it somewhere. As to the location we are, you can make one up as good as I can, hahaha.

"I'd be more than interested in hearing your story Okimoto, and I'd enjoy hearing the story of this ambush as well. Take your time, as I have all day, and my wife is busy with chores."

Shinin relaxes and listens intently as Okimoto starts his story...

[Gryph]

Okimoto begins his story:

"It was about a year and a half ago, in the fall, three years after my coming of age. It was hot, but cool enough that the cicadas were still singing. I was leading a small squad in the rearguard of my daimyo's column while we were moving to meet a neighboring province's lord to discuss a possible alliance.

We were attacked. I still don't know who was behind it; they looked like ronin brigands, but they did not loot, and the attack was very well orchestrated. I suspect they were enemies of the daimyo we were visiting and wanted to keep an alliance from occuring, but am not sure. They first acted by separating the rearguard from the column, drawing my unit away. Like a fool, I ordered my men to engage what I thought were bandits after we came under fire from arrows from beside the road.

It was a hard fight, and I eventually lost three men and one horse, counting those killed in the fighting and one that died afterwards from wounds. But we defeated all six attackers.

One attacker was still alive at the end of the fighting, though I had hurt him badly with my sword. As I prepared to finish him off, he laughed and said it was "too late." When I heard the sounds of fighting from down the road, I understood what he meant. I brought my unit to the main column as fast as I could, but it was too late.

A force had attacked the daimyo and his escorts while I was busy fighting a few inconsequential brigands, probably surprising them from the rear judgeing from how things looked. All were dead or dying. I didn't notice many details because of my shock but don't remember seeing any enemy dead. They must have retreaved their fallen when departing. I went to my lord, who was injured beyond saving.

He told me to live and serve his son--who is now my lord at six years old--when he came of age. Then I helped him commit seppuku to hasten his death."

As he says the final words, Okimoto's voice becomes tight with anger and sadness, and he pauses for a moment, allowing ShininShado a chance to speak before he continues his story.

[ShininShado]

Shinin can see the anguish in young Okimoto's face. He also sees a great deal of fire and the ultimate wish for revenge. Shinin watches Okimoto drink another cup of sake, dusts off his garb, and says; "By all means, continue sir."

[Gryph]

This is subject to be developed more or changed later, since I have not developed my story much yet in my head beyond the basic outline.

Okimoto nods, bringing his emotions back under control.

"My men and I brought my lord back to his estate, where he was cremated in a beautiful ceremony. The Daimyo of Nogoya--the most powerful around, and allied to my now-dead lord--was allowed to take temporary control of the provence, taking a percent of the yearly koku in exchange for maintaining order and keeping it defended with his armies.

Most of the landed samurai chose to stay as retainers of Nogoya and keep their yearly koku. But since I had little rank and only a small yearly stipend for my service in the military I decided, after a few seasons, to take my savings and go see if I could become a samurai of another lord allied to my own."

Okimoto's voice darkens.

"And maybe find out who it was that murdered my lord that day.

"So far I have had little luck in either task. I served in one campaign for an ally, but he was interested in permanent retainers, not samurai who would return to another lord after a few years' service. Everywhere I go, I seek information about which people might have killed my lord.

"It is my hope that maybe one day I can return to Owari, having promoted its interests by serving its allies, and tell Daimyo Oda what clan or city-state murdered his father, and be a member of the army that goes to get justice. Then I will have repayed my debt to the lord I failed to protect.

"But mostly, I just want to find a place as the samurai of one of my lord's allies, and do my duty as well as I can until my lord comes of age or until I find out who caused the ambush that day."

Okimoto takes a sip of his sake and relaxes, signifying that the story is done, at least for now. But his face retains its quiet fire.

[ShininShado]

Shado sips on a pottery cup of blue with two white fish, and reads his book of Sanskrit...

[Gryph]

*desperately tries to re-start the serious roleplay...*

As the curtains close in the nearbye (very loud) kabuke theater...

Okimoto turns to Shado, his face now calm.

"Perhaps you have a story of your past? Or some wise council about mine?"

[ShininShado]

Hahaha, that is what I was trying to do, hehe.

"Hmmm, a story of my past?" Shado scratches his head and thinks for a few moments... "I have several stories, though I am not sure they could lend more council to your station than you currently have, to be honest."

"I will tell you the story of cabbage, I suppose." Shado's main crop on his humble farm is cabbage, along with some other smaller crops to subsidize his income. "Cabbage is a gift of the Gods. One head of cabbage can sustain me and my family for three solid days."

"The more you look at a head of cabbage, however the more it can reflect what life holds for most people and their walks of life. The head of cabbage is comprised of several leaves which surround a heart, which is usually not regarded as the best part. Such is life, the leaves represent our delusions about life, what we think of it. Taking away those, and the preconcieved notions we have about life, we get down to the core. Without the leaves of the cabbage, our false notions, we are left with the heart... which is what is truly there. There are very few in this world that want to accept what is truly there, but the wise man accepts it whether good or bad. Knowing that, they can change what they do or don't like instead of being ignorant to it."

"Hahah that is the story of cabbage, a silly one if I do say so, haha. I'd offer more wisdom, but for you to ask for it is a sign that you are not lacking thereof." Shinin pours more tea, and drinks some. Shado looks to the bar, and asks "Okimoto, up for some Goh?"

[Gryph]

Hehe... The cynical scientist in me screams "false analogy"; the semantician who I keep locked up in the back of my mind wants to extrapolate on the analogy and play word games; let's see what Okimoto will do...
---
Do you mean go--as in the surround-to-capture game that is for some reason named after the number 5? Checking the dictionary for goh yields a medical term that I needed an english dictionary to look up...which yielded a definition with a term that I needed to look up (again in the english dictionary) before I understood it...

Okimoto smiles at Shado's 'story of cabbage', raising his eyebrows slightly. It is indeed a funny consept that the nature of the universe and of mens souls could be mirrored by the nature of a cabbage. But he does not laugh; he sees in the story a truth that is not at all deminished by the jovial presenation, and in his mind he links it to a long-established bit of myth and culture that he has long held to be true.

"Heh heh... and so the most profound of truths can be explained in terms of a garden vegitable."

"They say that some warriors can find the path to enlightenment by gazing into the depths of their sword," Okimoto says, gesturing to the weapon by his side. "I think that maybe it is much the same."

Am I correct in assuming that the farmer is considdered very high on the rank of social strata--just under the nobility--and that a former-samurai, turned farmer would be higher still? Or am I mis-remembering a fairey tale?

assuming the above is the proper definition for the activity you proposed, the following is my response. If not, it does not exist, and these are not the droids you are looking for.

Okimoto shows his assent with a slight nod.

"I would be happy to join you in a game of go. I trust you have the pieces, Shado-san?"

[ShininShado]

Hahaha, first off goh=go the game, same thing. Second off, I made that up on the fly so excuse its roughness.

"Very much so sir, I'm glad you found the story entertaining. It was meant more for the entertainment than for the education. The wise man can discern the true manner of themselves and the universe by looking at an uncarved piece of wood or something mundane, as it can only truly come from within; the fool could be told exactly what it is, be drawn a picture, and still lack the knowledge. Now... about that go."

Shado walks to the bar and picks up the go board from the edge of it, with the black and white pieces in a leather pouch.

"What do you say to - loser pays for next round of drinks?" Shado puts the go board in the middle of the table they sit at and starts to open the pouch. Shado looks down at his sandals, brushes off his garb and sits back in his chair.

I've played go before, but it was called usually called something else, it's pretty simple game and a lot of fun and challenging, good logic game. The game I played was called Pente, with colored pieces you capture your opponent's pieces, really fun actually. Here's good website for primer on it if anyone is wondering (http://playgo.to/interactive/).

[Redb@ck]

Shimodo, who has been out of town for the last few weeks on vacation walks casually into the pub and orders a saki.

[ShininShado]

Shin enters the pub after negotiations with Kiri Shini and orders a green tea. He takes a seat and starts reading from the tattered book of Sanskrit.

[Hige Katsumori]

He walked in slowly, His black tattered cloak and hood pulled tightly about him. His nodachi noticibly protruded out of the back of his cloak and made a resounding 'click' noise against the doorway as he made his way in. All of his features, besides the fact that he seemed to be about five foot ten in height, were completely hidden. He made his way towards a corner and simply observed the happenings of the bar, waiting for something to arise.

(( Just so you know, my style is, actions in red, talking in dark red. ))


Edited by Sykoi: Please do not use bright colors such as red in this forum; if you want to show actions: Use bold text

(( Gotcha. ))

[ShininShado]

Shinin takes in the sights of the pub, and thinks of what the mercenaries might be up to. He drinks some more tea, and goes to reading his book. The stout man gets lost in the book as the rain falls down on the roof of the pub, just then door opens and someone enters the pub.

[Raku]

Not knowing of any of the surrounding events, Kuraku walks into the pub, looking for the famous Sykoi, and orders a legendary Saki. As Kuraku receives his drink, he slowly takes in the sweet, luxurious aroma that steams off the top. Carefully taking a sip, he savours the moment, and tips the barkeep for this wonderfull beverage.

[Kiros]

Kiros wakes with a start, he passed out in the cornor of the pub... god not again. i guess no one notcied me.. Slowly Kiros reajusts himself in his seat, as if nothing had happened. Looking around the pub, yawning wearily, he finds nothing of interest to himself. Searching his pockets he notices his funds are a little low, and desides to sit, watch, and listen for any work he might be able to partake in. damn looks like im gonna really need some work..

[ODA-NOBUNAGA]

Dressed as a simple peasant, Nobunaga surpresses his disgust and enters the pub. The air is thick with the smell of stale saki and smoke. Work weary villagers drink away the days pains and the barkeep dots too and fro in a bid to keep the steady supply of liquer flowing.

Knowing time is short Nobunaga forces his way through the local drunks, gamblers and other assorted degenerates. Barely a foot from the bar and then it hits him.. THUD ..Nobunaga feels the searing pain course through his back soon followed by the warm flow of his blood.

Clearly time was in shorter supply than he had feared, now his actions must be swift and decisive. Escape is no longer an option, his cover is blown.
The pain spreads quickly through his shoulders..."was the blade poisoned?" it doesnt matter, there are sure to be more blades if he does not act now. He grasps the handle of his sword from within his peasant garb and falls backwards, then at that crucial moment he pivots on his foot,twisting he throws the full weight of his hefty frame into the lunge.

The assassin reels in agony as Nobunaga's sword plunges deep into his stomach. In this one moment Nobunaga feels the tearing of muscles, puncturing of the stomach and life spill from his enemy. A grim smile is all that procedes the final stroke to the spine.

Regaining his composure Nobunaga is met with hysteria. Locals run and fight, falling over one another to escape......

[Raku]

Kuraku takes suddenly to what has just happened. Angered, that somethign like this would happen, he pulled out his blades.

For every villager that fought, three more ran, and so it was up to Kuraku and a small amount of local samurai and ronin to fend off... nothing? Kuraku coughed softly as the room filled with smoke, making everything seem a clean white. For minutes there was a silence, each person with their hand clutched to their weapon(s), waiting for someone, or something, to strike.

As the smoke cleared the room all stared into the center, where there seemed to be a small, black, empty sack. Kuraku withdrew his blades and stepped forward, cautiosly kneeling over to aquire this object.

As he picked the sack up, he peeked into it, through what seemed to be a ripped hole. "Ninjitsu Assasin..." he exclaimed as he clenched the empty sack in his cold, hard fists. "Who was it he was after?" asked one of the men. There was an uneasy murmer of breaths, shaken, scared... A hand went up, and a man pointed. "It was him!" - one of the ronin faced his hand towards a man on the floor. "He was stabbed in the back, he needs help!".

Kuraku nodded, and so did a few of the other men. "I do not know this area very well..." stated Kuraku, "Someone please alert the nearest healer that his presence is needed here". local samurai acknowledged, and ran off out of the pub.

"We should wait here with the man, to make sure the Assasin does not return" shouted Kuraku. "It is within our best interest".

The men agreed, and stationed themselves at each of the entrances and windows, and some with the man on the floor.

...Just who is this man, and why was he attacked?

[ShininShado]

Shin continues to read his book of archaic text, then suddlenly, Sykoi exclaims "Out with ya rif raf!" Sykoi then throws the miscreants out to the street. Shin chuckles, and wonders how the bounty mission is going along.

[Akuma]

A tall, spindly frame of a man made his way to the pub. He looked up from under his midnight-black conical sun hat as his eye scrutinized the chaos erupting from the building. He lowered his head and his face was shrouded in shadow once more. Onlookers who had caught a glance at him would have noticed a somewhat pale complexion to his face. His features were small and delicate - yet this would be ignored due to the most distinct aspect of his face. That would be the black eyepatch worn over his right. Sinuous black hair flowed down to the middle of his back. His clothing was traditional - a short kimono worn with a black hakama skirt with a pair of black sandals. However, the hue of his short kimono was a unique, mystifying shade of red. Gazing into it created the illusion of sinking into a blood sea of unfathomable depth. It was devoid of any markings or patterns.

The last item was the crowning piece in any warrior's ensemble - the sword. His blade was a full length katana sheathed at his side. The saya was no work of art - it was simple, black and served it's purpose. Nothing more.

His lips curled into a smirk as he walked toward the door of the pub. He walked with a confident pace to the door, seemingly unaware of the frenzied storm fleeing from this place. He had, of course, taken notice of the men guarding the entrance but was going to pay them no mind unless they made the first move.

Hello everyone! I'm new to these forums...finally settled on a character idea. This is my first RP post - hope you enjoy. Also - as for his hat...I wasn't sure what the correct name for it was - but I'm referring to one of those asian straw hats often worn by farmers to keep the sun from their eyes. Round, cone-like ones.

[Redb@ck]

"Karaku!, my friend, long time no see, what a surprise to see you here, how have you been lately?" exclaimed Shimodo, as he entered the pub. However, looking around Shimodo notices the stone cold glare on Karaku face. Realising something is amiss; Shimodo places his hand on his blade, before sliding the door to the pub shut. “What has happened here?” questions Shimodo as he approached Karaku and notices the body on the floor lying in a pool of congealing blood.

[Raku]

Shocked at the sight of his old friend, Kuraku, gladly withdraws his weapon. "Sorry, but i cannot speak right now. I must rest, for i am tired. Too tired to speak." Kuraku falls to the floor, his head connecting with the floor so hard the sound made was one so uncomfortable to hear, almost like a body dropping to the floor from 100's of feet above. "It- Its good to see you... M- my frien..."

[Redb@ck]

Shimodo watched as Karaku’s body fell in a graceful decent towards the floor, in a cry of surprise, Shimodo sprinted towards the body as it fell, however he was too late, the sound scrapped though his mind like a rusty knife. Upon reaching the body, Shimodo cradled Kakaru’s head in his hands, inspecting the injuries. However these injuries were of a serious nature and needed quick medical treatment. "Quick" screamed Shimodo, "someone fetch a healer!" One of the nearby men approached Shimodo and advised him that the healer had been fetch and would be arriving shortly. All that one could do was sit and wait. Shimodo swung round and observed the cloud of death which hung throughout the room, before turning back and staring at the two bodies lying on the floor.

Healer, anyone?

[Simplexus]

A nearby person, saw these series of event and rushed towards the scene. Little did Shimodo know that this will be the last of his days. The mysterious man held a dagger within his hands, poisoned at the very tip. Without Shimodo's notice, he crept behind Shimodo, as he was mourning the deep injuries of his friend. The mysterious man was known as Tokoyami, he was hired by an enemy of Shimodo, seeking to see the lost of Shimodo's life. The dagger was lifted above Shimodo's back, little did Shimodo know that he was going to die. The dagger came down......

[ComicP]

...but was stopped by a another person who ran in at the last moment. "stop, he's the one we're looking for." Said the second man. "wha- me?" Shimodo asked. The first man asked the same thing. "yes, Shimodo. We need you for our next war." said the second man.

[Katsuro]

seems a little.. inactive here? :p

[Xinra]

Then Xinra walked into the bar and sat at the far end table. He was looking at a man that he wanted to get revenge on. He said to my self, "Just wait for the right moment then make your move." When Xinra was about to stand up, a waitress bunt into him and spill beer on his cloak. He look at her and with a shocking look he left the bar.

Outside of the bar he glance through the window and saw the waitress that spill beer on me. Suddenly a wierd and painful flash back pops into his head. Xinra grunt with pain and ran to the alley were he fainted.

[zeena]

When spilling the beer on a mysterious person Zeena wounder to myself, " That person look familiar, where did I see him berfore?" After cleaning up the mess she went to back to get another beer. When Zeena handed the beer to this guy, she look at his face and realize he is the person she been searching all along. She say to my self, "It's him, I'm sure of it!"

[Ronin]

watch your grammar ^_^

Jin walks out of the bar, following a waitress, and was about to talk to her, when he heard her speak. Thinking quickly he tried to stay absolutely silent, hoping she didn't notice him coming up from behind, a tactic that can only be pulled off with an amazing amount of dumb luck. meanwhile he followed a trail of drips leading into an alleyway with his eyes she is following someone... interesting... I wonder how this will turn out

[Xinra]

Xinra open his eye and saw a blur figure of a person standing infont of me. As he was about to speak the figure turn around and run back into the bar. As he slowly make his way back up on his feet, in the coner of his eye Xinra saw a shadow figure in the coner; Xinra uses a disapearing jutsu and fled the alley bar.

[zeena]

As Zeena ran off after the mysterious person was about to speak she went back into the bar. She has a feeling that someone was following her in the alley. Back inside the bar she continue to work. Then she said, "That person in the alley look like someone I know." And suddenly it hit her, he is her brother that ran away to train but never return. Her parents sold her to the owner of this bar and been working her since 15. Zeena ran back to the alley but the her brother was gone. She cry for awhile and then try to cheer herslef up and went back to work saying to herself, "I'll find you again."

[Xinra]

sorry for killing the story here but wow...this role playing with Zeena is cool...this I like... :D

Read the rules!!

[Kasumi]

A light wind blew into the bar as the door slowly opened. A weary figure entered and went straight to the bar, taking a seat. I shall rest here for now. She thought as she gently closed her eyes and sighed.

[HeniuriSaito]

A strange man, with shadowy eyes enter and take a sit somewhere empy and dark... With two katanas in his belt, on totally black... he sits and examine the place eating some noodles...

[Tenshin]

eh, what the hell?
At a table in the corner, an obviously underaged young servant dressed in brown with a chonmage (topknot) and his master, dressed in black hakama and a brown Haori with a beard and messily tied back hair loudly and obviously share some laughs over a bottle of Sake.

[Xinra]

A strange man, with shadowy eyes enter and take a sit somewhere empy and dark... With two katanas in his belt, on totally black... he sits and examine the place eating some noodles...

Zabuza walks towards the man and look at him fiercly and said,"That looks good. What is it call? I would like to order it too." Then gave a big smile :D

[water737]

Shinka walks into the pub, his ragged black kimono slightly ripped at the seems his hair loose ina short ponytail he makes his way to a bar dusting off his clothes and the wave crests on his robes, he orders a warm saki and some rice cakes.

shinka removes his sword as he sits at a corner of the pub and watched the people and listens to what is being said around.

[Vahn]

Vahn enters, dripping slightly from the brief shower of rain that stopped only moments before. Without pausing for so much as a shake to release some of the wetness from his pitch black hair and unshaven face, he steps up to the bar and takes an empty seat. His dark blue hakama is almost black from the moisture and as it raises slightly with his sitting; his sandal-less feet become visible.

A slow, watered down trickle of blood runs down his ankle, and drips softly to the floor below. Without so much as a nod of acknowledgment the barkeep sets sake and rice before him and walks away, never acknowledging the man in return.

Slowly but deliberately, seemingly unaware of the conversation around him he begins to eat.

[water737]

"oi, your bleedy" shinka said softly as he saw the man enter, he sips his sake and and looks the mans way "theres a healer at the end of town, go"

[Vahn]

Vahn turns to this young pup who speaks of healers. Straight faced with an eyebrow raised he looks him up and down, appraising. With naught but a smirk he turns back to his meal.

*short pause for a few bites*

Without glancing back, "Your healers know nothing"

Curiosity seeps into him, but still he does not face this conversationalist. "Who are you."
He states this, not as a question.

[Letum]

"WHooAaaH!" comes a shout outside of the pub, a young man seemingly a farmer, yet still quite tall and skinny for one and completely drenched from the rain.
As he enters the pub he seems to talk to himself, yet so loud that others would hear too "Oh my! If the rain isnt gonna stop soon the sky is comin with it!" quickly eyeing on the people around him ... he comes to a result that he must have entered one of those infamous Yakuza den's, all these shady characters with even shadier weaponry.
Noticing one man bleeding ... he is now completely sure that coming in was a horrible mistake.
Quickly, even faster than before he thinks of all the scenarios he has heard about Yakuza and its cruelty, now he understands what he must do..... he turns around and walks with small fast steps towards door, having final glance at the warmth of the den, he gathers breath and says "Its already much clearer than before!" but the sky is even darker, wind blows harder and the sky might really come down this time. He jumps out of the door and it seems like as he was taken by the wind. Literally.
We pray for his safe landing.

[Vahn]

Vahn finishes his meager bowl of rice and takes the final swig of sake before standing up.

"Hold your answer pup, I'll return for it shortly"

With that he bolts out the door quicker than a bleeding man should. Within moments he returns, dragging the young farmer by the collar who had left so quickly moments before. He tosses him to an empty chair.

"Stay. Drink."

As Vahn returns to his seat, the barkeep replaces his order of sake - again with no acknowledgement or sound.

"I'll have that answer now, pup. Who are you."

[Xinra]

Turning around trying to see whats all this comotion about. Seeing a young farmer lad sitting all scared and all suddenly a smile :cool:comes across Zabuza's face. Zabuza walks toward the young man "Ey how about a drink with me? Double shot of saki plz bartender!" choking the young man in a choke hold with his left arm. "Drink up boy, the best time when saki taste good the most is on a dark windy rainy day. It's on me." ;)winks at the young man and walks back to his table and finish up his bowl of ramen like there was no tomorow.

[water737]

"pup" shinka thinks to himself.. he looks at the man... "im one who is not bleeding old man.... why have you come here" shinka looks back at his sake and sips it... *stares at the ceiling in contemplation*

[Vahn]

Vahn gives a calculated but bored glance in Zabuza's direction and notices the exchange between him and the farmer - the first thing to catch his attention beyond the immediate vicinity of his food. Returning to his empty bowl:

"Bleeding lets you know you're still alive"

The bartender brings a bowl of ramen and sets it in front of Vahn. A few coins flip, changing owners. Seconds later, a new bowl of ramen is brought out, and the barkeep sets it on the table in front of the young farmer along with the double sake Zabuza had ordered for him, confused but not questioning of why this farmer is getting such attention.

"As to why I came here, where are your manners boy? I asked you a question. It is not common to answer with another question"

[Letum]

understanding his situation, kidnapped by Yakuza, surrounded by many of them, "hmm.. best choice is to cooperate with them, its better than certain death" young man thinks to himself.

At this point of story it would be good to introduce our young man.
His name is Koroshiya, 17 year old inventor/designer/multi-talent with few .. twitches.
As he has lived most of his life abroad, alone, he has developed some quite unique "survival" features, such as paranoia which evolved to schizophrenia during the great witch hunt in Europe, at this time he also invented rudimentary water thermometer with Galileo Galilei and few years later he invented refracting telescope which he sold to Hans Lippershey for pig and bread but enough of history for now..

He thanks for the drink and food, smells it .. thinks a little, notices smell of poison "hmmmmm.. they must know who i am, hmph.. even i know who i am.. what should i do..." he drinks it! ohh this is bad, but it is better than being tortured to death by Yakuza or shogun
Hah! seems like our young man didnt accept his fate of being poisoned to death, he fixes an anditote in his pocket, turns his head and from the movement his sun bleached brown hairs cover his face, makes swift arm movement and swallows his salvation.
"did someone notice me do it?" he skips with his eyes from character to another "one is reaching for his blade...that grandpa is staring me aswell.."
all he has left now is to wait for his doom.

[Vahn]

The curiousness of this young man catches Vahn's attention. As the pup next to him seems at a loss of words, he focuses on Koroshiya drinking.

'How curious', Vahn thinks to himself, 'did he think nobody saw him drink that concoction from his pocket? It seems that this man thinks his drink is poisoned. Well, perhaps it is. Best we find out, lest an assassin catches anyone else unawares.'

Vahn walks over to Koroshiya's table, and pours himself a sake from the same jar. Tilting his head and staring Koroshiya straight in the eye, he swallows the shot. Smiling, he pats the young man on the head and returns to his seat, unharmed by the drink.

'Hrmph, I'm still here - still breathing...still bleeding', Vahn thinks as he takes his seat and returns to his ramen. 'Seems the drink wasn't poisoned after all, provided I'm still here - breathing and bleeding, a few minutes from now. A good thing, I should think; I enjoy living.' A quick glance to his feet shows the blood slowing and beginning to dry.

[HeniuriSaito]

Oh crap How I DO HATE my internet server....
I'm sorry being late, lads! - Screams Saito runing with a bunch of strippers inside the pub.

Not so peaceful anymore :( :D

[Letum]

Young man starts to laugh, now laughing while standing and suddenly stops "u amuse me, grandpa", he pulls out a weird looking knife, most likely made by savages.
With slow steps he starts to walk towards the oldman, makes almost animal like moves and is suddenly behind the man "Hahahahaaa! how stupid can one old man be!" he holds his knife on the mans throat "i'll gladly finish what the other man started", even slightest movement and grandpa would have new mouth.
Sheathing his knife quickly and kneels down to beg for forgiveness "Please forgive me! I am very sorry for my stupidity, the medicine i took seemed to have side effect like this, i hope such arrogance as mine can be forgiven!", but in truth this was one of his conditions.

Split personality, this other side, called Yayo, was born during Koroshiya's conviction as a witch, he was prisoned for 6 months with nothing else to eat and drink but other so-called witches.

thanks to his friend, Yayo, he was able to keep his mind fairly clear for new inventions and ideas.. never even having a bad dream about those things he had to do.

Koroshiya is now very troubled, all this running and hiding for nothing? trying to think of a way out of this situation, he pulls out an invention of his and hands it to grandpa "please, take it. It's something i recently made, looks like a normal ball, but when this button here is pushed.." he pushes the button and quickly puts on table and the ball starts to grow, from mere size of a nail it grows to a size of a head and it lights up, lighting up the whole den. Quickly pushing the button again, it becomes a small, normal, everyday item "it should help u in ur travels and once again, i beg for ur forgiveness."

[Vahn]

Vahn stares down at Koroshiya, and wipes away the blood gathering on his neck where the young mans blade came a little too close. 'Hrmph, still bleeding I see' he thinks to himself.

Vahn picks up the odd orb this stranger had set before him. Tossing it a few times in his hands, he glances over to Zabuza.

"Ey, drink buyer" - Vahn tosses the orb to Zabuza.

"You are a strange one, little two-face. Entertaining, to say the least" he says to Koroshiya. "Name's Vahn. This hear is Pup, and that there is Sir Hands Out Drinks. Not their real names, but seeing as they haven't introduced themselves it will do. What brings you and you to this Pub?"

[water737]

"name is shinka" the 'pup' says sternly then shoots a glance around the room, he calls for another sake seeing as everyones minding their own business, he sips his sake and smiles to himself

[Xinra]

Catching the orb in his right hand thinking is this a trick. Turning to Vahn .

"Ey. Whats the catch?" putting the orb on the table where he sits and stands up from his chair.

Grab the orb and started walking toward the young man grasping his katana in the other hand.

"you boy, you drink I have have enough for tonite." turning back to Vahn and laugh out loud and then went straight to the guys restroom taking care of some business.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

a girl enter and appears to be wearing a dark cape with a dark crimson red scarf as water runs down her face to her body. As she enters she walks straight to the counter and sat down.

"hey bartendar, get me a round of sake" she said. the bartendar walks and pours some sake onto a cup and hands it to her.

"thanks" and so the bartendar walks away to some other people...

[Xinra]

Coming back from the restroom and while going back to his seat he spotted a

lady at thet bar. Zabuza try to approach this lady in cloak but then trips over a empty bottle of sake. "Wow that was emberassing" saying to himself. He then turns quickly away and sat back down.

"Ey! one round of warm sake plz." waving his hand in the air to call the bartender. As the bartender set the warm sake on the table Zabuza whisper to his ear.

"Ey another round of warm sake on me to that lady in cloak at the bar." Folding his arms Zabuza sat back and glance toward the bar.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

she turns and sees that someone was whispering about her and so she minds her business while drinking her sake slowly thinking of what her next move is....

[Xinra]

As Zabuza finishes his last cup of warm sake he walks up and passes by the mysterious lady he whisper.

"The hunt is on. Meet me in the harbor on the third moon at midnight." Zabuza walks out of the bar in a casual way.

when reaching outside he then takes out a small box and open it up..taking out a spearow from the box and attach a letter/message on the spearow's left leg and let it lose. Hoping the message reaches that person; he then rushes towards down the road.

"Hope I'll make it on time." And then fades away as he went farther into the distant shadows of the night.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

"hmm..." she stands up and pays the bartender and walks towards the door then she smirks.

"well i guess i'm off, heheheh, the hunt is on tonight like i expected," she walks out then dash towards where the guy had run off to then disappears in thin air.

[water737]

shinka sits and watches these strange events in the small town bar "freaky ****" he thinks... he decides thats enough sake for tonite "tea please" he shouts to the bartender and smiles to himself again. he pulls the small knife from his wakizashi and begins to fiddle with it.

[Letum]

"Here" he puts some leafs with medicine on to table for Vahn to take "put these on ur wounds, it will purify the wound from bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, prions, and viroids, this will eliminate the chance of infection."
young man makes some more medicines and puts them on table too "it's lots of stuff to take and keep on but these things make ur stay here, life, more pleasant."
packing slowly, but surely "ohh right! Pardon my manners." he suddenly remembers that Vahn asked him a question "My name is Koroshiya, half japanese and half greek and i am here to seek ones called shino.." takes a paper from his pocket and reads it and says "Shinobi. On my travels i ran into book called, the Art of War, at the same time i heard that Japanese merchants have applied these teachings on demons and beasts, i personally highly doubt the "ooh demons" part, i have seen a demon from real close" points himself with both hands and trys to make serious face "usually people just say demon, beast, witch for something they cant understand or for skills beyond their reach, so this means these shinobis must be something worth to look into."
Young man starts to think and stays silent for several minutes "also i have heard that there r some great philosophers in japan. My father comes from a long line of philosophers so its kind of a passion of mine."
"So what has brought u here, to Yakuza and bleeding?"

[Vahn]

"I don't need your barbaric medicine. I bleed for a reason." Vahn says as he takes in all that is happening around him.

"As for your shinobi, you may have better luck with that cloaked woman who just left, than in this pub." Vahn glances to Shinka's knife. "By the way, Koroshiya: Why are you so convinced that this pub is filled with Yakuza?"

"You're bound to hurt yourself if you keep playing with sharp knives, boy" Vahn says to Shinka.

"As for what brought me in here" he says, turning back to Koroshiya, "why nothing but the world class cuisine and exquisite comfort of this here establishment." The barkeep, who had yet to acknowledge Vahn, grunts in amusement and rolls his eyes while he serves another patron.

[water737]

shinka snorts and glances at vahn while playing with the knife "bleed more geezer and you can tell the lords of the underworld why your bleeing" shinka calls the bartender for more tea and some grilled fish.

[Letum]

"A place filled with swordsmen, one grimmer than another.. i havent heard of any wars around here recently either. It can be coincidental, but.." Koroshiya packs the medicines on the table to a small box, puts it on to his lap, takes out brush and ink and starts to draw.

[Vahn]

Vahn turns back to his seat, but this time faces away from the bar, eyes sweeping the room.

[water737]

shinka notices the drawing and asks "artist? or conman trying to make money of cheap wares.."

[Letum]

Koroshiya seems to be in his own world, this dimension cannot reach him.
He continues drawing..

i gotta be away for few days ^^'

[unknown_lady_aerith]

as she runs after him she notices that the trees on the branch were getting thicker and thicker. when she finally reach him she stop a few distance short right before midnight

[Xinra]

Standing in the middle of an opening in the middle of the woods taking out one of his wakazashi pointing towards the lady that was following him,

"So do you want to be the hunter or the hunted? Either way you will end up dead. I heard about you and the bounty on your head. It's pretty large just for a woman."

Slightly turning his head towards her and with a grin on his face Zabuza takes out his second wakazashi. "Now what are you going to do missy?"

[Vahn]

Vahn turns to Shinka

"So what is a boy like you doing in a pub? Shouldn't you be out playing with your wooden swords or spying on girls?"

Chuckling, he pours himself another drink, his attention remaining on Shinka.

[water737]

shinka grunts in laughter for a moment

"i seek a lord worthy of my talents so it appears i will be ronin for a long time, im no boy either, my frame appears frail... dont confuse it"

shinka sips his tea still playing with his knife seeming bored

[unknown_lady_aerith]

she stops and glares at him after what he had told her then she starts to laugh "heheh, all of that for nothing....just following a stranger who might be the next in line to be dead by my hands...."

[Xinra]

"So you're confident that you are the victor eh? Don't misunderstand me missy; I'll make it fast and simple...隠された二重サーベルの牙の技術 (Hidden Double Saber Fang Technique)" As Zabuza was about to strike something caught his eye. It was the silver feather spearow that he sent for information.

Stopping his attack thinking to himself,"Hmmm that was fast." Looking back at her,"Consider this your lucky day. It's time for me to finish what I've started years ago. The last person I have to execute to put my family name back into the rightful place of the Otunagi empire.

Putting his two wakazshi away looking back towards the lady,"Don't worry I'll see you again and this time be prepare and get stronger...or you'll regret meeting me again."

Zabuza ran off through the woods and disapear with the shadows of the night leaving behind a red cloth as a sign for a rematch.

[Ronin]

Baka stared drunkenly at the many strange and extraordinary events and people, a jug of sake halfway to his lips for another gulp.

What the... whats going on here? Overconfident bleeding swordsmen, strange farmers, a wierd looking man with a magic ball, extravagent sake drinkers, and a women who must have be a witch.... there must be something bad in the sake

"This is without doubt the strangest pub in all of Japan.... I might as well add my flare to it" Baka, after finishing his jug of sake took out three torches, lit them, and started to juggle them, while at the same time starting to sing in a terrible voice "Crazy people in a pub hitting people with their clubs why cna't we all just be buds? WE should all be HAppY" and so on and so forth entirely making up the lines as he went along.

[water737]

shinka laughs at the mans song "old man ill buy you a drink" he throws the money on the floor hoping to trip the strange man over, shinka laughs to himself

[Vahn]

*Vahn walks over to the money, bends down, and picks it up*

"Look at that. Money on the floor. Huh. Such carelessness."

*Smiling to himself, he returns to his seat*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

"heh just as i thought, the one he's after must be near, and yet a rematch indeed in the near future" she looks at him disappear and so she walks back to where she just came from and sat down at the counter drinking her sake

[Ronin]

Baka throws down his cup and keeps singing, pausing only to say "Give me money for my services!" before continueing in his drunken voice

[unknown_lady_aerith]

while sitting down she looks at her sake and ask for another...."hm this sake's pretty good, i'll think i'll let this one set aside before heading out..."

[Xinra]

Comming back form his hunt knowing that the man he was searching for was no more. While walking towards the bar Zabuza saw the same lady who he was fighting earlier. Not wanting to start any comotion in the bar he then pulls out a big cloak like robe and wear it over his white kimono

hiding his face. When entering the bar he notice that the lady didnt notice him walking in he quickly sat down way in the corner and quietly signaling the bartender to come over.

After ordering just a cup of warm milk Zabuza sigh with relief that the hunt is over even though he didn't get to kill that person himself. but somewhat in the back of his mind, Zabuza has a feeling that he is still out there somewhere. Then quickly jug down the warm milk.

Pulling the cape down a little more and then fell into a nap *just a nap so i can still hear whats going on but just can't see it.*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

She turns around and scans the area, then she got up and walks over to the door still holding her sake thinking of where her victim might be.

"i wonder where did that person gone off to?" as she said that to herself, then she notice someone taking a short nap on a table nearby the ccounter.

"hm...who is that?" she said to herself.

Then she walks over to the counter once more starring at the hidden person who was taking a nap.

[Staje]

Toroi walks through the pub doors, taking his boots off before stepping on to the hard wood floor.

He shakes his head trying to get the water out of his ears from the storm out side.

He walks to the bar tender and ask for hot sake and sits down.

The bar tender hands him his drink.

Slowly he feels all the eyes in the room staring at the dragon burned into his fore arm.

Toroi quickly covers it putting his arm back in his robe sleeve, to avoid further confrontation.

[masonicgamer]

The quiet, robed man sitting in the far corner has watched the activities of this place for quite some time now. Usually nothing of great interest piques his curiousity, but on this day, this day he is stirred. Gracefully, the man walks up to the bar and sits down next to the man with the dragon tattoo. He folds his hands upright and bows to the stranger; he then leans into the man and whispers in his ear: "Confucius says that a dragon on a man's arm means he has a great fire in his heart and that a man who covers up a dragon on his arm has a great secret in his mind, so I ask you stranger, do you have a story to tell me?" The man smiled and put his hand behind his back awaiting a reply.

[Staje]

Toroi smirks as he says "Secrets of the mind can be unlocked with time. My good sir, let me buy you a drink." He notions the bar tender for another glass. Toroi turns to the man as he begins speaking again in a low tone motioning for him to listen closely as he whispers '' It's the mark of mortality....Lets just say certain individuals use this special ink as a slow poison. Though it does grant you great strength in reflex. Having it in plain sight...Causes me many troubles near the mountains. Though if i don't keep calm I could die if my heart beat becomes to quick." His tone gradually gets louder as he says "Though they seared it in to keep it from spreading to quickly" He pauses and thinks about if he should say the next part of the story. " Toroi looks at the robed man and feels he poses no threat so he continues in a whisper "It was a tribal ritual of my clan. I had to kill my brother in combat to complete my training, of course being young and stupid i did it with out question. Thats how i earned this. He turns down t o look at his drink as he circles the cup stirring the sake. Troubled by the actions, he says " Better to die than spend the rest of your days feeling its creep." He downs the rest of the sake. Looking for omens in the empty glass. Waiting for a reply

[masonicgamer]

The robed man nodded in understanding and replied without prejudice or judgement in his voice, "We all have obstacles and difficulties that face us in our lives. Confucius says that the man without obstacles in his path is a man unable to gain wisdom, unable to gain understanding and unable to understand living. No one is perfect nor is any one's life not filled with some kind of challenge. It is up to the individual to acknowledge that challenge and face it with an open heart and an open mind." The man smiled again and continued, "My name is Nobunaga, Saito Nobunaga. It is a pleasure to meet you...

[Staje]

kyoukan Toroi is my name. Pleasure to meet you, Saito Nobunaga-san. *The bar tender sets the drinks on the table as Toroi hands Saito his drink* An open mind is no excuse for killing you own blood. *Toroi stirs his drink and turns to saito and says* Though enough about that. What brings you to this part of the world?

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Still sitting and thinking, the typical girl who sat and waited at the counter thought and had listened to others that were near her thought of a way to come up and talk to them. Kaito herself is not the usual girl who does not talk but is very quiet.

As she waited for another cup of sake she over heard someone nearby talking to a person, and so she uses her instinct to listen to their conversations.

[Pysgod]

*The man walks in and looks around**Rainwater is dripping of his mino and straw jingasa**He quietly walks over to a table and sits**Takes off his mino and sets it by his side and motions for the serving girl to come over so he can order a sake and dumplings*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito turns and looks at the door and saw a man who had just walked in from the rain. As she saw him, she notices something different about the guy who had just walked in from the door who had just sat on an empty chair. As Kaito waited for an eventful thing to happen she heard the serving girl walking towards the guy.

[Pysgod]

*he takes off his straw jingasa and sets it down**his face is weather beaten but not ugly**his hair is fairly wild and is in a pony tail*

[Ryu]

as if on some unspoken word, the doors to the entrance open once more to reveal a new figure, Ryu. he is clad (aside from his sword and wakizashi) simply in a white kimono and a wide straw hat, and after a brief but seemingly meaningless glance around the bar, takes a keen interest in the man before him and the serving girl... to whom he smiles knowingly. unnoticably, a silent hand drifts past his cloak to wait by his side...

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito waited and heard another entrance from the door and turns to look at it the door once more. As she turns back she sees that the guy from before had put his hat on the table and heard the waitress asking him what he wanted.

Two minutes laters, Kaito desides to go up to the guy that had settled down with his straw hat and sat in front of him.

"so, how's the weather out there for you?"

[Ryu]

Ryu watched the transaction of words intensely, when he saw what he had been waiting for. there was a blur that shot across the bar with invisible speed, whirling like a deadly silver feather from the waitresses outstretched fingers.
it came suddenly but not unexpectedly, and in a single, unbelieving moment, Ryu snatched the kunai out of the air an instant before it could have sunken deep into Kaito's chest. it was an assassin from the Kokage clan, reknowned for their brilliant desquises and lethal skill!
tables overturned as the "citizens" in the bar rose sharply and drew swords and daggers from the recesses of their robes. we were surrounded.

[Pysgod]

Hmmmmm.......*stands up and draws both swords*This looks like it'll be fun........*glances around quickly but thoroughly to see who he should kill first*

[Staje]

Toroi Smirks at the man with swords drawn. Then his whole personality changes as he looks directly into the mans soul. Toroi glancing side ways pointing at his own neck saying. "Every one in here already has poison Senbon sticking in there neck. Now every ones drink, has been laced with the antidote. Unfortunately 'you', being reckless and standing up so quickly looking to kill any thing that moves - are already dead."

[Pysgod]

Hehe......I don't think so.*continues to look around*

[Ryu]

For an instant, nothing moved but the darting glances from Pysgod and Ryu. There was the rustle of robes, and Ryu spun himself into an airborn roll, hurling the intercepted kunai at one of the assassins... but it was dodged by an expertly performed dodge and sank into the wood of the wall nearby. Ryu rallied in surprise and landed in a desperate crouch while drawing his sword in one, quick movement, back to back against Psygod.

The two smiled knowingly, and leapt into action as the circle of assassins closed in on them! A slash from Ryu caught one of them in a swift cut across the stomach, but he barely managed a parry to the man on his right...

[Pysgod]

*keeps on grinning with his back to Ryu and slashes his Kodachi through the parried assassins side**blocks a blow from his right and brings his Kodachi around to slash the other assassin across his belly*

[Staje]

"You all have about 3 minutes to calm your selves before the poison takes full effect." He finishes his 3rd sake and darts at Ryu, as he Makes a strike at Toroi.
Smoke rises from powdered bombs. Though all Ryu hits is the smoky air. As it clears the assassins lay dead at ryu's and Psygod's feet. Toroi is no where to be seen.

[Pysgod]

He ran!!! *looks around for more assassins* They all left too....*flicks the blood from his Kodachi and puts his swords away*

[Hellburger]

Seito idly strolls into the building, seeming to have wandered in by accident. Without really noticing he walks past the carnage and, after slightly adjusting the nodachi slung loosely across his back, sit's down at the bar.

"I'll have a whole bottle of saki."

He takes a long swig off the bottle before noticing the assortment of bodies and the other heavily armed patrons. He briefly questions his choice to drink in this particular establishment, but takes another swig of the saki anyway.

"Gah, you'd think you could find a nice quiet place to drink around here, but no. If only I was that lucky."

[Pysgod]

Heh....*sits back down and puts his chin in his hand**looks at the sake he never got to drink**dumps it on the floor*

[Staje]

Psygod looks to the left only to see Toroi quietly drinking sake. Puzzled as to the fact of when he came back in he blankly stares at Toroi. Toroi just turns and smirks maniacally.

[Pysgod]

*grins back at Toroi* So are you with these guys we just killed? *gets up and draws his Chisakatana**slashes the head off of the assassin's body that was to his front**picks up the head and plops it in front of Toroi* Here's a little present for you...

[Hajime]

Walking past the bar overhearing all the comotion wondering to himself, Hajime walk in wearing his white silk kimono carrying two wakazashi behind his waist and a unique one of a kind katana which he has never drawn in battle on the left side of his waist and saw of a mess that happened before he was there. Curious of what happen, he walk to the bar and sat next to the lady who was being nosie. " Hi, Hajime is the name what's yours?" :D

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito stares as both the mens moves. She stares for a moment then got the excitement of wanting to fight in the next round of battle.

[Pysgod]

*flicks the blood from his Chisakatana and puts it away**looks at the new patron and sits back down at his table*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito sat back down and enjoys the scenery of blood gushing all over the place

[Pysgod]

*looks at the fascinated woman**thinks whats wrong with her**shrugs and and crosses his arms on the table and rests his chin on them**flicks his eyes around watching everything*

[Hellburger]

Seito decides that this isn't his sort of hang out and takes one last swig off his bottle of sake. He stands up, slightly adjusts the nodachi, and walks out the door, swaying a little.

[Pysgod]

*watches as the guy with the Nodachi walks out the door*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito stood up and decided to follow the guy. Within a minute she disappears and hides in the dark as she follows the guy.

[Pysgod]

Hmmmmm..........*watches the lady leave suddenly*

[Kurisu]

Unfortunately, Kaito didn't see the slippy underground and fell, causing a very loud noise.
Seito notices her and she just found out the dark corner she stepped in had no other exit.

[Hellburger]

Seito pauses momentarily, looking toward the dark corner, then scoffs and continues on his way.

"Silly ninja."

[Pysgod]

*throws on his mino and jingasa and walks out the door into the rain*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito gets out of the hole and dust herself. "What's up with him? gosh, i was just trying to see what he was up to?" she thought. Kaito decided to track him down while using her senses.

[Ronin]

Baka notices the clumsy ninja following the strange nodachi carrying man and decided that they must have money for more sake. Sneakily, he continued to toss his torches and sing drunkenly as he followed the ninja, only stopping his song every once in a while to mumble loudly. "I hope nobody throws money at me, that would make me sing even better! I can't afford to let people hear me sing any better!"

He would then continue his escapade in the rain following the two, tossing his torches around faster and faster as the tune in his song sped up.

"Octopus Stew! Octopus Stew! Is there anything I won't do for you? I love you because you are always new! Oh, Octopus Stew!" And so on and so forth

[Pysgod]

*hears the strange song and wonders what it's all about**goes to find who is doing the singing and see whats going on*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito stops and sense that she was being followed and so she hid on top of a tree waiting for it to get near her, but if she do that then, she will lose the guy. Kaito decided that either way it will still work so she decides to let them follow her while she followed the other guy that was ahead of her.

[Staje]

"You should probably try hiding better if you fear being followed. Even still people don't look up in a normal pattern. Though a person like me, Would be standing right in front of you with out your awareness of it." Toroi sighs with a kind of smirk on his face. Then continues on to say. "People are just to comfortable with there surroundings" Toroi turns to the woman standing next to him in the tree. Cracks an evil grin then whispers "Fear not my lady I will not let them harm you." Toroi then hops away, dispersing into thin air.

[Pysgod]

*continues walking in the rain looking for the singing man**looks around trying to see who is watching him*mutters.....Definitely feels like I'm being watched.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito stops and looks at Toroi and knew that he might of been right about the situation. As she continues on following the man, she stops and heard the man muttering to himself.

[Pysgod]

*continues to walk in the rain and starts to move silently as possible**having the feeling of being watched he draws his blades **he starts into a sprint down the road**jumps up into a low branch and looks around carefully*

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito senses that the man was really smart of detecting her, and so she decided to do the same thing. As she walked down the path of where the guy had stop before jumping into the trees, she looks up. "found you" she whispered and jumps after the man.

[Pysgod]

*looks around a bit more then leaps down and sprints down the road again*

[Staje]

Toroi stops suddenly Sticking his nose in the air and closing his eyes With his hand on his blade. Sniffing around smelling human sweat on the air and hears rustling in the road ahead. The pitter patter of foot steps as the run along the street. Sensing that the woman still follows him. He grins as he mutters the words kaito.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito stops and hears her name being called as a breeze went past her. "huh?" she thought and looks around some more. she thought for a split second thinking who would know her name...

[Staje]

Toroi leaps to one side as daggers fly from the tree's. Drawing his sword with his left hand he takes his right arm out of his GI sleeve. He spins dragging his sword across the ground creating a cloud of dust around him self. " Eye's can be deceiving." He says calmly with a warm smile. Then with a warm voice he says, "attack me again and i shall cut out your eyes." Then the cloud of dirt and dust clears and nothing is left but a circle.

[Ronin]

Baka stops his song as he sees the confrontation. He blinks twice and then laughs.

"Silly people! You don't cut our the eyes! you stab them!" after that he looked at the circle of dust closely "Hey strange ninja lady, he couldn't be far away, just follow the direction of his escape! Its easy to find from a low trick like that. Look at the circle, then see where you couldn't see when he put up the dust! Thassa where he go!" Baka grins friendlily "Although he sounds a bit full of himself, better not insult him" Baka says as he shakes his head "He would probably come at you with that beeg sword of his... but thats when you hit him with the booms! Ha!" Baka pulls various explosives from his clothes, starting to light them off his torches and throwing them around him. They explode and a huge dust cloud rises up. when it clears Baka steps out from behind a tree "See? easy to find him! He ran off thataway" Baka points in the direction of the fleeing nodachi guy. "But what do I know, I'm just a beautiful singing man!" and with that it was back to his happy songs and torch tossing.

[Staje]

Toroi smirks from the hill top covered by fog as he says to him self " This guy is quick of thought even in his drunken state. I better keep a close eye on him he could be a fair ally." Toroi then leaps to the tree tops bursting from branch to branch.

[Ryu]

there is almost no notice of his presence, there, sitting idly at a table. ryu didn't think he would be returning to sykoi's pub after the accident, but despite a new scar, he was almost undetected towards the center of a bar.

a hand rests quietly on the hilt of his blade, wakizashi nudged aside under his belt. a suspicious gaze bores into Kuraku. tension thickens.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito stares then smirk with a nod, "thank you...you're very kind indeed helping me track down this fellow. I am honor by your help, maybe next time I too will help you." As Kaito finish her last sentence she stood straight up and inhale some air before taking a sprint. "see ya..." that was the last word she said to the strange man and ran after the mysterious guy.

[Staje]

"This girl doesn't quit." Toroi says with a twisted smile. He Then smells her scent on the air as he runs. "Better quicken my pace if she is to survive this night, Once they find out the assassins where after me there will be more on my tale for the bounty. Ha!" He says under his voice. Toroi then approaches the edge of a very steep cliff dropping off into the ocean. He stops and turns to Kaito and says to her swiftly "You best stop following me if you want to live. I said i would keep you from harm not to have you follow me by any means." Toroi then turns to the cliff and says "This my lady is where I leave you" He then dives off the edge spatting "Fare well" He then grabs the grappling hook out of his GI and throws it to a rock standing on the cliff as it catches he swings to the small beach below running off into the night covered in fog

[Ronin]

Baka comes huffing up, just in time to see Toroi jump off the cliff, but not noticing the grappling hook. "Gah! He killed himself!" He walked up all teary eyed to the cliff "I'm sure he was a honorable man, with many loved ones.... hey wait a second..." He slowly watches as Toroi runs down the beach "Hey, dead people don't run!" Baka then looked to Kaito again "Hello again, lady! I help you out again!" he points to the cliff "Dead guy isn't going to be coming up this again, not without great difficulty, is all craggly and crumbly" he kicks at a rock and it crumbled "If you want to tag along with him, I'd suggest this!" He starts running along the side of the cliff, singing and juggling, pausing only for enough breath to shout out "He can only come up in so many areas, and if he does he'll either leave a trail or we should catch him covering his tracks! Then we can tag him so he will be it!" Baka then continued his songs "OOOOH The ancient octopus under the deep! I called to it, Hello! and it called me a creep! So i took its eight tentacles all in my hand, and I threw that poor fool right into a stand! Yes, for I am the man who made the Octopus Sashiiiiiimi!" and on and on as he followed Toroi into the mist, with a darting eye and a fast step.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

"Wait up for me I don't care if I get kill as long as I know why they are after you," she yells to Toroi. "Darn it, he took off again every time I want to help him he always run away my god..." she thought to herself. She turns and heard Baka coming again and looks at him weird. "What are you doing here I thought you left already? Here to help me again or what Baka?" she stares at him. "Huh? Wait so you are here to help me. Thanks again I owe you one." Kaito bows her head down and follows after Baka into the mist.

[Staje]

Toroi continues down the beach until he crosses paths with a man pushing a cart down the road. Sensing that his life is in danger he tackles the man throwing him off of the road. A explosion soon follows blasting Toroi and the man toward a tree. Toroi turned the man toward the tree to absorb the impact.
After Toroi hit the ground he quickly rolled to dodge the arrows coming at him from the roads like a swarm of locust. He quickly reaches for smoke bombs out of his satchel resting on his belt, as one of the arrows catches him in the hand. Toroi grabs his hand quickly running behind a tree as it is pummeled with arrows. Toroi then says to him self " I wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for that silly girl and that drunk guy leaving a path right to my location." Toroi then breaks the arrow stem off so that the blade remains in his hand. He then draws his sword and steps out into the fire. "It's show time...." Toroi says in vigor. He then runs toward the roads where the fire is being flown. Dodging and cutting the arrows as he speeds across the tree line. He then jumps into the air with his sword above his head and a crazed look in his eyes. Another arrow is fired toward him slicing through his shoulder. Falling quickly he slices the assassin from the mountains. As he hits the ground behind the first victim the head of the assassin falls. He then turns again with a maniacal malice of rage. He pierces fear into the remaining brigade of rogues. Toroi then begins charging with sword at point ready to lunge. Smoke bombs drop as He vanishes and then appears behind another soon to be dead assassin. Cutting off his arms then stabbing him in the gut as he no further than a inch, looks him in the eye. The assassin gasps and coughs blood. Toroi pulls back his sword and he falls.
The last of the assassins are so frightened they can't even move. Paralyzed with fear they shiver not noticing the senbon in there necks. Toroi laughs in an evil tone as they turn and begin to run. Toroi then leaps in front of them. " you guys look a little pale, maybe you should lye down for a while" Toroi says in a mocking tone. The assassins begin clinching there hearts as they foam at the mouth. There eyes roll into the back of there head. and they fall.
"Heh don't say i didn't warn yeah.." Toroi then flicks the blood from his blade and returns it to his sheath. Toroi then begins to stumble down the road.
He places his hand on his forehead and comes to realize he is running a fever. As Toroi looks around he becomes dizzy. Toroi then pulls the arrow out of his shoulder and examines its blade. He then smells the blade. "Poison" he says in a fierce tone. As he falls to his knees and blacks out for the passing. The sun rises

[Ronin]

Baka, catching this spectacle from far away, comments "That ninja boy is lucky that those guys couldn't shoot worth anything. They are worse than rabble! Anyone can hit someone like that with volley fire... except these people apparently..."

He then watches the ensuing melee and laughs "And they are even worse at melee! Some assassins they are, can't shoot or hit and run at the slightest threat! This is just like a travelling circus of clowns! And the fainting? Thats laughable!"And so he did indeed laugh again.

His laughter turns to guffaws as he sees Toroi fall down "HA! They managed to stick the bastard after all! Boy was lucky they weren't trained at all or he'd have had some real trouble. Wonder what he did to attract peasants, eh?" he says to Aerith before continuing, stopping his juggling to drink more "Hee hee...." he draws his sword and starts stabbing the corpses "They are doing better now than when they were alive! HA!" and he continues to laugh and laugh, rolling on the ground while sipping at his drink randomly. He looks down at all the arrows that lay strewn about randomly far from their target "Look at all this! its hysterical!" and he keeps laughing and laughing.

[Hige Katsumori]

" What the hell are you doing? "

A stern sounding voice would call out from only about 10 feet behind the man. Should the fool stabbing corpses turn to look, he would see a man with a very long pony-tail wearing a large straw hat, red kimono, and matching hakamas. His left hand was crossed over his torso with his hand resting the the hilt of his katana at the right of his waist. He just stood, staring at the man through the slits in the straw hat, waiting for an answer.

[Ronin]

Looking up, Baka laughs at the man "Hahahaha! Its good fun! stabbing this worthless rabble here, couldn't even shoot a arrow straight!"

Seeing this new person's hand on his sword, Baka laughed even harder "Hahahahaahaha!!! Hey, man in the red kimono, that is a big no-no!" He drunkenly swaggered about waving his sword in the air dramatically "I am a big fire demon! i shoot smoke from my skin and can breath fire!" Lolling his tongue out, he adds a very sophisticated sounding "Braagh"

[Staje]

As the light grew dark in Toroi's fainting, he slipped into a comma and a frightful dream. His ears deafen from the world to even the sound of his heart beat as it slowed. To almost a complete stop. Lights in tunnels grow and fade.
Until his heart finally goes silent and he hears some one say.... "The balance has been broken" Toroi's life begins to flash before his eyes. The voices continue to say " How could you do it Toroi san? You killed your own brother!"
The sound fades from the non congruent picture and every thing goes quiet.
To the sound of blades clashing, the words "You have made a mistake to cross me my brother" "Toroi, I will kill you, to receive the Dokuyaku Dragon seal from the masters of our temple.." "Hiai, you are lost! Don't make me kill you, you're my brother" Toroi curses and draws his blade to a high block then a parry. Hiai counters the parry then continues to elbow Toroi in the stomach. Toroi dodges and jumps into the night fog dropping smoke bombs to cover his escape. Hiai Leaps in front of him "You where never very good at covering your escape little brother." "Hiai, you leave me no choice..." Toroi then jumps back again. Hiai disperses in the cloud of smog. Toroi then begins tossing throwing knives into the smog. Hiai blocks the knives and slowly walks out of the smog. "Toroi, Toroi, Toroi, you will never learn" Toroi then becomes angry and charges at Hiai. Hiai laughs and continues to say "bad move" he swings at Toroi but Toroi dispersed into thin air. Hiai becomes frightened and peers around paranoid that Toroi may win the fight. Toroi then Stabbed him in the heart from behind. "you want to be a low life Hiai, I shall kill you like i would a low life, my brother." Toroi then twist the knife from his boot so that his wound could not be healed. Toroi then pulls the knife and falls into the river to wash him from his shame... The light grows dark again and Toroi hears voices and laughter. Though he is unable to move he tried to open his eyes. All though he is so weak it renders him unconscious again.

[Hige Katsumori]

The man in the red kimono simply sighs and shakes his head slightly, his right hand dropping to the hilt of his wakizashi and his right hand raising to coil about his katana.

" Prepare yourself. I will do this town good, and be rid of you... "

His right leg slides back, and his hands tighten around his weapons.

[unknown_lady_aerith]

Kaito stares at the man who appears before them. "I have no time for this event, Baka why don't you fight him I'm going to go check up on Toroi since he is a strange ninja after all." Kaito smiled and walks towards Toroi. "Oh, one more thing Baka, please stop jabbing the dead assassins, and no more drinking for you."

Kaito jumps over a few of the dead bodies and came upon Toroi. She examines his body and looks at the blade. "He is poison?" She said to herself. "Luckily I brought some antidote." She puts the antidote on him and waits for him to wake up. She turns and looks at Baka and the strange man as they were about to fight.

[Ronin]

Baka looks unhappily at the man in the red kimono's wish to fight, and in response he does not go for his weapon, and instead takes out a medium sized ceramic sphere, lighting one of his matches and putting it to a fuse sticking out of the sphere as his sake jug falls to the ground"Watch out! this one is rather fun! A personal invention for annoying people." he says as he throws it towards his would be foe and closes his eyes as he reaches for something in his belt pouch. The sphere travels quickly to his nearby foe, and upon coming within a few feet it starts its process. The first layer of black powder destroys the very thin layers of ceramic material around it, and then ignites the majority of the bomb. Flash powder. A loud bang goes off and enough light shoots out to temporarily blind a man (think a flash-bang), directly in front of the aggressive, and from Baka's perspective, completely out of line swordsman. Soon after the flash many smaller spheres shoot out form Baka's location, and their tiny fuses seem to be about to finish, covering a good area, leaving his opponent about a second or t