Ghost of Another Man

[TheLacarix]

It was a beautiful crisp late afternoon, the air smelt fresh the sun was low in the sky, which was a powder blue with slashes of crimson cutting through. The Gullean Market was filled to the brim, trading their wares. The smell of fried meats, the chatter of people would fill the senses. In the centre of all this, a figure, wearing a straw hat tipped over his brow, slowly but purposefully pushed through the crowd, a hand completely wrapped in bandage, placed on the back of anyone in his way moving them so he could pass. The touch was so gentle, people would barely even notice they were been moved, it was as though he wasn’t even there.

The man in the straw hat poured out of the crowd, as though water been squeezed from a bottle. There was far too many people in the market, but the beautiful weather called to them, inviting them out and they gladly accepted. Though now free, he carried on walking forward to an Inn called. Which apparently was known spot for bounty hunters or at least only those in the know. To everyone else, it was just a welcoming Inn in the market district. Hiding in plain sight.

The figure placed the bandaged hand onto the frame of the doorway, his fingers ran through curtain stepping in. The figure had business here, but for now he wanted a lay of the land, see who comes in and out. Stepping forward and in one fluid motion, Ryo were placed onto the bar. The bartender was an middle aged man, he had a kind face but behind the eyes was something dangerous, something not quite right. Perhaps like the inn, this man was hiding in plain sight. Not as though the figure would know.

The bar tenders eye caught that of the man in the straw hat who opened his mouth and muttered “Something to eat and drink, thank you." He nodded to a small table in the corner of the room, which had two stools, one either side. Without saying another word, the man in the straw hat moved elegantly and smoothly, his footsteps could barely even be heard. He sunk into the darkness, making himself as unnoticeable as possible.

[Varian]

Ichi had woken up as the sun rose, a beautiful orange burnt sky as if the heavens themselves were being consumed by flames. With slight groan the young wanderer pulled himself out of the fur blanket and mat he had slept in. Striding out of his tent in full glory the sunlight glistening off his well honed body Ichi began to stretch. The morning routine was simple enough, after stretching there would come breakfast and time to relieve his bladder. "What a beautiful fucking morning!" The Samurai exclaimed aloud as it was certainly a good morning for travel.

After finishing this ritual Ichi strode back to his tent throwing aside the flap that served as it's entrance. Lying across from where the naked Samurai had slept was a sorry looking man bound in rope and gagged. Wide eyed and wriggling in his bindings the man had a scruffy appearance about him. Sun Ichi squatted down to the same level as the man, there was only fear in the bound man's eyes. "Yo! Ready to travel again? It is a fine day out and you get to have me as company."

The pair were on the road once Ichi had packed everything up and gotten dressed. Ichi had opted for some plain travelling clothes so as not to stand out anymore than he already did. Riding atop a chestnut steed with a man tied and secured to the back tended to draw attention after all. Arriving late afternoon the wanderer rode through the market district towards his destination an inn at the far end of the district. While he certainly drew some looks from the locals nobody seemed to stop his approach.

Dismounting and tying his horse to a pitch outside of the inn, a trough of water waiting for the faithful companion who carried Ichi the past few days. Grabbing the tied man he burst into the inn carrying his captive over shoulder. Many people stopped what they were doing to see who had just barged in so boisterously. Swiping a flagon of ale off the table of a comatose drunk, downing it and casting it aside in mid stride. Reaching the bar the wanderer slammed his captive onto the bar shaking the contents of the bar slightly as he did. Reaching into his top he pulled out a scroll placing it down on the bar and unravelling it.

"Hideyoshi Daisuke, wanted for aggravated assault, robbery, damage of public property, defiling of livestock..." Ichi paused to glance at the bounty raising an eye brow, all he got was a half shrug in return. "...and tax evasion. I will take my reward in Ryo." There were a few who cringed a the complete lack of discretion on his part, Ichi paid them no mind. The innkeep maintained his kindly composure as he counted up the reward and passed it over.

"Another excellent transaction stranger, what is this the eighth one this month?" The bartender asked gesturing for one of his staff to take the bounty away into some back room, it was not Ichi's problem anymore so he paid it no mind.

"Ninth, it has been a month already huh?" The Samurai's concept of time had become somewhat skewed over the years. Taking a seat a little away from the bar after purchasing a drink he sat down to drink in the atmosphere, that and of course to actually drink.

[TheLacarix]

The Man in the Straw hat sunk back into the darkness, taking in the entirety of the inn or at least the patrons. It wasn’t too busy as the lunch rush was over and the market was the main interest of any visitors. A young waitress came scuttling out, carrying a tray of food and a cup of beer. It was placed in front of the figure.

“There you are sir.” His gaze moved from the patrons and down to the food as the smell of cooked meats flood his nostrils. A chicken cutlet, boiled rice and a variety of sauce. The waitress turned on her heels and started to leave, but before she could the figures hands gently wrapped around her wrist “Could I trouble you for some seaweed? To go with the rice.” She turned back and smiled at him, nodding softly “Sure thing.” Before she could move, a Samurai came bursting in with captive over his shoulder and swigging beer, slammed the captive on the bar.

A coy smile curled upon the figures face “Who’s that?” he asked the waitress “I don’t know his name, he comes here often.” That’s all the information she was willing to give, even though it was obvious that it was a bounty, perhaps she felt as though she’d put her foot in it if she were to ‘reveal’ the big secret. Though the cat was certainly out of the bag.

The figure, ‘eavesdropped’ into the samurais conversation, though he was practically shouting. It was apparent to the figure that this samurai was an abrasive loud man, but that wasn’t always a bad thing. “Before you go, can you bring my seaweed over to that table and another two beers?” he gestured towards the Samurai as he sat down, balancing his food in one arm and holding his beer with the other hand, he scurried over to the samurai “Daremo.” introducing himself with a fake name, his real name was Aizawa, Yoru. However he’d been MIA for quite some time and wanted to keep it that way, at least for now “May I join you?” The waitress appeared with two beers and the seaweed, placing them both on the table,as though perfectly timed, Yoru waited for a response.

[Varian]

The grass grew shades of purple and blue in the town of Lán sè, located in the southern most region of Dungeon country. A young boy ran through the streets clutching a loaf of bread tightly in his grasp. He rushed past various stalls selling colourful silks and fragrant spices. The boy paid them no heed his attention was only on escaping is pursuers. "Get back here ya damn brat!" A voice originating from a pair of middle aged men who were quickly running out of breath. The kid took a sharp turn into an alley. A cat hissed dashing out of the alley to avoid being stepped on.

The alley stopped abruptly at a dead end, the boy sighed at his rotten luck. "We finally got him cornered, ya are in for it now ya little street rat." There was clearly evil intent in the eyes of the gentleman approaching him, thieves were not looked upon kindly after all. The young lad knew that if he were to be caught now it would probably mean a beating and public humiliation. He still had some old bruises from his last beating.

---

The Samurai had gotten a bit too engrossed in the atmosphere of the inn and had began daydreaming, it was only the approach of a stranger who brought him out of it. Ichi eyed this newcomer who arrived at his table, any caution was melted pretty quick as drinks were set down. "Sure take a seat Daremo!" He laughed raising his newly delivered drink in a slight toast before downing it in one fluid motion.

"I will take another if you are in a charitable mood." Ichi didn't exactly need to drink nowadays but he did enjoy the taste, at least what his curse simulated for taste. It was a pleasant enough flavour and he did always enjoy the little things in life. "You travelled from far friend?" Ichi looked to catch the attention of one of the maids in case Daremo was not feeling so charitable.

[TheLacarix]

Yoru was taken slightly back by being called Daremo, it was strange to hear his fake name back. He quickly composed himself and smiled, he placed down his food and smiled “You certainly are friendly, though it’s often courteous to tell someone your name before asking for another beer.” He chuckled softly, and gestured for him to drink up.

He pushed his hands into his pocket, and then even deeper, they were quickly emptying of ryo. Yoru used to the lifestyle of a relatively well paid Bannin and his families farming estate was now quite low on cash “Two more beers once were done with these.” He had enough, for now. He’d been living off the land since leaving Konoha but now he was putting his plan together he’d need to start making connections and funding.

“Far? Yes, quite. Pebble country.” He picked up his set of chopsticks and tucked into his meal, the crispy chicken crackled in his mouth, he was shocked how good it tasted, a small inn like this havening such delicious food? Though it made sense, it had to compete with the food in the busy market. “I heard there is a lot of work going here, you seem a prime example of that.” He sighed softly “If you are in need of extra set of hands, I know I’m missing an eye and I don’t look like much but I can handle myself.” He allowed a squeak of a laugh to escape his lips.