Business as Usual

[Das Kirb]

"Why yes, the supplies did make its marry little way here didn't it? Not sure where it came from but glad to have been of service." Inoriki stood in a garden owned by a rather wealthy man. Withdrawing a cigar from his coat and offering another to him, he smiled and lit his own. "I trust you're satisfied with the quality as well?" A self assured grin played at the corner of his lips and his eyes fixated on a passing cloud. A sharp nod answered. "Good to hear it. And will you be delivering back to the land of river's and streams within the fortnight?" Another sharp nod was accompanied by the exhalation of smoke from both men. His company finally spoke in a pleasing and smooth voice. "Indeed. My men just need safe passage." With a reassuring hand on the wealthy man's shoulder Inoriki locked eyes with him. "My friend, the beast upholds her word. Just ask for the Titan when you get there and you'll be escorted safely back as well." After a quarter hour of amiable conversation a tall woman in full leathers approached the merchant Inoriki. As she and he locked eyes Ino stood and shook his partner's hand. "Until we meet again my most polite and agreeable friend." "Likewise you shrewd bastard." Inoriki departed with the newcomer woman.

The rolling clouds told of rain to come in the next few hours. While no threat, the wet and complete lack of wind breakers on the road would make for unpleasant travel. "Well my dear, shall we find bed and meal for the evening? I can pay my bill to you in a pleasant night's retreat." A sharp glance told of infinite punishment should that idea be pressed further. It was answered with a mischievous grin. "Then perhaps just a good meal. Come, I've been here a few times. Just up the road there is a shop that serves great chicken. The pair walked up the road at a lazy pace, Inoriki occasionally taking a puff from his rather large cigar and reveling in the post deal glow.

[Ace Trainer]

Kozaki laid directly in the middle of the road, his arms splayed out to the sides, his legs shoulder width apart. The large cermanic gauges in his ears laid against the side of his face, his shaggy hair brushed away so that he could stare at the grey clouds that came with dusk. The waning light making it hard to identify the black markings that patterned across his body, and even harder to notice that headband sewn into his sleeve. The boy yawned, his large yellow eyes staring upwards into the sky with apparently no concern for the world around it.

"Smoking it bad for your lungs yanno.", he called out to the pair approaching. He'd immediately notice the stench of tobacco and tar, it was common in Kiri, especially the further you got from the center of the village. In Kozaki's younger years, his master smoked as well, so he associated the scent to...well, nothing fun. It also made him a bit more wary of it.

"You should quit.", the boy offered. He didn't sit up from his laying position, or even bother to look to acknowledge them. Iwamaru was handling....something for Iwagakure, who knew was, so Kozaki had been left to his own devices. He'd wandered a bit, got tired, and laid down here. That was a few hours ago, and he'd yet to gain any desire to stand, so, here he was. Laying still. A few people had wandered by, and none had said anything about the boy. Perhaps people laying in the streets was normal in these parts.

[Das Kirb]

Paying no mind to the goings on around them Inoriki and company would have just walked on by this strange individual. When errant words caught the ear they stopped and looked down inquisitively. "Well my my my, worried about my health now are you, friend? Not often a stranger concerns themselves with the well being of another stranger." He turned to smile at the boy, taking in his features. "I could say something about your situation myself. Laying in the middle of the road is a good way to catch a foot meant to carry someone on their marry way." He leaned looked to his partner and withdrew a satchel, passing it off. "Why don't you find yourself a good meal and room for the night. I think I found my company for the evening." A couple steps were taken towards the boy, though Inoriki made it a point to keep his hands in pockets, the cigar firmly clasped in his teeth. "Tell you what, my new friend. You explain to me why it is you're laying in the dirt like a man too tired to breath and I think about finishing my celebratory cigar. We can decide where this conversation goes from there."

[Ace Trainer]

Kozaki smirked at the response ”Consider it my kind act for the day. There are demons abound who feed on negativity.”, he cautioned. He’d whispered something under his breath, a short ritualistic verse to follow the mention of demons. Not even bothering to stand, his bright yellow eyes would roll upwards to fixate on Inoriki as he dismissed his companion.



Very odd looking guy, like he was hiding something in his pockets. That’s the immediate vibe Kozaki got. Whatever that meant. It certainly wasn’t a good thing. Kozaki knew plenty of people who gave off that vibe, like they were just waiting to pull out something they shouldn’t have, or were trying really hard to not be seen with something they shouldn’t have. He’d become accustomed to recognizing the trope. Regardless, Inoriki asked why Kozaki was laying on the ground, and he let out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes.



”It often does feel like I’m too tired to breath.”, he mused. Anyone who was a sensor would immediately notice the large bubble of chakra extending for Kozaki. Constantly maintaining a link to another realm was exhausting work. And many time Kozaki couldn’t help but just pass out where he stood. He lived life constantly tired, laying on the road wasn’t unusual for him. ”What are you celebrating?”, he inquired. Not opening his eyes back up at this point.

[Das Kirb]

A soft smile crossed the man's lips. "A job well done and a tidy bit of profit earned." He looked more closely at Kozaki. The intricate tattoos that patterned his entire body were definitely remarkable. Each line appeared to have a meaning to it, though he couldn't determine exactly what that may be. The yellow eyes were also a curious feature. Though he dared not take his hands from his pockets for now, preferring to appear cool and relaxed, he mused on what he could see by taking a look in this kid's head. After a rather long drag of his cigar to mask the inspection he spoke while allowing the smoke to flow out with each word. "We could take this here conversation to a meal. I know a place nearby that makes some excellent chicken. I can divulge my business and brag about my earnings. You can enlighten me to your curious tattoos. I can see no better way to scare any demons away than to share good times with new friends."

[Ace Trainer]

Kozaki smirked, rolling off of his back, and quickly jumping to his feet, ”A bit of profit? Huh? So you got deep pockets then?”, he grinned wide, ”A meal sounds like a delight rich man. Lead the way.”, he gestured for the man to start walking, apt to follow. Few things motivated Kozaki beyond money and food, so the sound of both was certainly enticing. He looked Inoriki up twice again, still getting vibes as man who was hiding something in his pockets, but maybe what he was hiding was coin.



Completely ignoring anything Inoriki said about his tattoos, Kozaki shook his head, ”Good or bad, demons lie in wait.” he said. It seemed more like a warning than anything, ”So what do ya do?”, he asked curiously, ”Sell watches? Bake bread? Run an organized crime ring? Farm? You don’t strike me as a farmer.”, he gave a sly smile. If he was talking to a mafia don, he’d want to know.



”I’m Kozaki by the way.”, he said quickly. Realizing he’d yet to introduce himself.

[Das Kirb]

With a slight chuckle Inoriki began leading the way, once more at a lazy pace. "My friends and colleges call me Ghost. A bit pretensions I know but you'll understand the humor in it. I facilitate the movement of various goods from one point to the next. I also offer services ranging from collections, security, and research down to simple and humble waste disposal. Seems whatever I touch makes money so I try to touch many industries." Fully aware that he'd basically given the fundamentals away he continued non-nonchalantly. "That bit of business that warrants this here cigar was procurement of supplies for my current contractors out in another country. They're tryin to build something of some size it seems. Also found a curious little bug here and thought to send it back as a gift. Big miss likes things on the creepy side so figured it'd make her smile."

[Ace Trainer]

”Ghost?”, he said his tone indicating how silly such a name was, ”Sure, sure, you can call me Experiment 81 then, instead.”, sarcasm dripping off his words. There was some sincerity to it though, that had been his official designation pending his selection by the master. As Inoriki, or Ghost, explained what he did it became very clear that the man was a black market dealer, or something to that effect.



”The way you describe it makes it sound like its all a-okay, big man.”, he mused, ”but I’m getting the feeling that’s just not the case. No worries though, plenty of folks like that where I’m from.” Kozaki was a Shiimu after all, they dealt in the slave trade -- he was confident that’s where he came from himself – so underworld dealings and movement of “stock” was not a new concept to him in any capacity.



”Oh you gotta boss? What they like? Big man like you not in charge hmm?”, Kozaki said seeming to poke fun at Ghost.

[Das Kirb]

The jabs made the Yamanaka grin. A man for cutting words always got him in good moods. Usually for reasons of verbal sparring matches where he'd win by getting in their heads. However, in this case it was simply for the amusement of the contest. "Why no in fact. Big man like me merely runs the services. I may have my own little operations all around but in this case it's another all together pulling the strings. Not but a moon back I was in a bit of trouble, caught with my pants down as it were and someone came to my rescue. In return I offered my service in life's debt." The derisive tone towards the end would betray just how much bullshit he was spewing, even if it was laced with truth. "No, the one in charge is a lady that makes my tongue as sharp as a butter knife in comparison. Though her little girl" He had to stop a chuckle at that one. "That daughter of hers looks to move the heavens with sheer spite alone."

Looking to push the subject back towards his new friend he once again approached the subject of the tattoos. "Though I feel you and she might have something in common. Most appear to have a few skeletons in the closet. . . Experiment 81 is an interesting skeleton indeed. Either you were born in a tube or that bit of business with the name has something to do with those pretty tattoos you got. Gonna guess the eyes are also a part of that."

[Ace Trainer]

Listening to Ghost speak Kozaki couldn’t help but grin widely at the theatrics. This man was certainly good at what he did. Kozaki was sure the fancy words and his manner of speech did a good job of capturing the minds of most. But Kirigakure was a swindlers land, especially the lower rings, and Kozaki had grown accustom to people of similar nature. He found it interesting none-the-less, few had the stature that Ghost appeared to have, and while Kozaki had a feeling he wasn’t being given the truth, there might have been some sincereity to it. Something he was having a hard time properly interpreting.

”This the spot?”, he asked as they approached a shop. He was hungry, he was always hungry

Ghost’s next line of inquiry caue a quick laugh out of Kozaki, skeletons? No no, Kozaki was quite honest about his business. There were no skeletons, not his at least. Perhaps he was someone’s skeleton to a degree. ”Unfortunately, you’re wrong on both counts Mr. Man. Close but no cigar. You sure like these tattoos huh ? They’re ward, my friend. Keep demons away from me. They’re all around us.”, Kozaki didn’t expect Inoriki to know what he was referencing. Buramagura, the umbrella term for the religious philosophy the Shiimu followed, was more common in the south than elsewhere, and not many who didn’t come from practicing regions knew about it. ”But no test tubes for me. I’m a normal kid that just got a lot of needles put into him I guess.” that was the truth….to a degree.

[Das Kirb]

The Yamanaka had gotten so involved in his conversation and observation he failed to observe his surroundings. The pair had ended up in front of a rather shabby store front that looked little more than some cloth draped over a opening in the wall. The inside was simply a counter with bar stools and a small but functional kitchen. Signs promised golden chicken with beer to drink. "Why yes it is. Ol' boy in here knows how to fry, grill, or char a bird better than a Dimyo knows how to collect his taxes." Inoriki drew and held the curtain aside for his newest acquaintance. Once inside he'd join, shooting the owner a wide grin.

"why hello here my good man. I seem to be in need of two orders of your world famous poultry smothered in that good sauce. Provide a couple of your imports and I'll tip handsomely as always." The balding man said nothing but a simple grunt in acknowledgement. A pair of bottles were produced from beneath the counter with name written in an odd symbol. The liquid inside was nearly black, and when poured created a thick white foam at the top. Once the drinks were served the owner turned to his cooking, allowing Inoriki to continue the pair's conversation. "Now. . ." he said with a slow drawl. "This is the second time you've mentioned demons my friend. Got me down right worried you do that I might need a fancy set of marks myself. Would these devilish beasties bother one not of the faith such as little ol' me?" Inoriki drank slowly, enjoying the thick and smooth drink as if they had all the time in the world.

[Ace Trainer]

Kozaki followed as Inoriki guided them into the establishment. Apparently at home, he spoke rather casually, and a new breath of energy seemed to come to him as he interacted with the proprietor. Kozaki had no doubt that this Ghost was the type that flourished under the spot light. These type of people were rare, many people like to shy away, but what could be said. When the orders were placed, Kozaki brow furrowed at the strange words that Inoriki was choosing to use. It all sounded like nonsense to him. And it got clarified as nonsense when the...strange drink was placed before him.

Kozaki looked at it for a moment before pushing it away. Not interested, it looked, and smelled, quite gross.

He looked at the Ghost before him as he asked about the demons and he made an incredulous face, "I'm sure they've got a grasp on you already.", he said with a huff. It seemed Kozaki was quite unimpressed with a man who spent his time on dastardly deeds, at least from a religious standpoint, "For most, its just life. You collect demons as you go. They're always preying on your energy. Taking away from you to feed themselves. Bad things come to those.", he shrugged casually.

"My people don't like that though, too risky. Demons get selfish. Lots of stuff. They take what they want and all that. Anyways.", he wasn't expanding much on the tattoos. It was clearly something more personal to him, or at least something he had no interest in sharing with Inoriki. "How do you drink that?", he said with disgust.

[Das Kirb]

Inoriki drew another cigar from a pocket hidden in his jacket, not bothering to offer one to company. With a practiced flick a match was struck and a long draw taken. It was a little bit before he spoke, allowing the words to play through his thoughts. Recent events had made him a little leery of such a description. "A creature that feeds on yer energy to keep themselves goin. . . Now that I have seen. . . His gaze was distant, in memory and thought for a moment before snapping back to reality. "I suppose much the same goes for many things on this wild ride called life. Suppose you mean my many vices. Nothing quite so literal as a beasty that sucks men dry then moves on with a bloody grin cross their merry face." He took another drag before waving his hand as if to dismiss the thought.

Deciding that topic wouldn't gather him much more information without first earning a bit more trust he turned to small talk. "Anyway, its a bit of an. . . acquired taste ye see? I've been from sea to shimmerin sea and tasted many a great thing. There's a family in fire that makes some fine ramen that'd make any spirit or kami proud. But this is something unique to a land far away. They say the people drink this like water and never so much at get a tiny bit sick. Supposedly the lot o em have red hair and freckles too." He took another slow drink, allowing the thick smooth drink to gently roll down his tongue and into his gullet. "I admit it aint quiet for everyone though. Iffen your not particular to it I'll drink yours and you can order anything you like, my treat."

[Ace Trainer]

Kozaki looked at Inoriki weirdly as he spoke, his nose scrunched up together. Something made Kozaki think Inoriki didn’t quite understand the demons and their lore to his people, but not many did so what difference did it make. Honestly, talking about demons made them aware of you. They can feel the disturbances in your energy and it makes it harder to ward them off. So he wasn’t too interested in spending too much time explaining it to this strange fellow.



Then he started on about this nasty broth in front of them, a foul smelling drink he seemed so fond of. Inoriki – Ghost – seemed to like to reminisce, a trait that Kozaki had found common in older people. Maybe it was like a test for their memories, the more they reminisced the easier it was to hold onto fleeting memories as their brains started to lose function. Kozaki couldn’t really tell how old Inoriki was, 30? 50? He wasn’t great at those kind of guesses, but it didn’t matter much. He shook his head at the offer of more drink, he was alright, pushing the mug towards Ghost.



Finally the food arrived, and Kozaki ripped voraciously into the cooked bird in front of him, tearing the meat off the bone and chewing obnoxiously. It was as if he hadn’t eaten in days, though that was certainly untrue. Just that being who he was required a lot of energy and that wore him down a bit.



”You know you’re a strange one.”, he said with a mouth full of food, ”You get that a lot?”, he pointed a bone at Inoriki, waving it up and down for a moment, ”You talk funny. Like you’re always telling a story, anyone ever tell you that? I bet not, probably no one wanting to say it. But, that’s just the truth.”, taking another bite out of the bird. He shrugged, Ghost reminded him of his master to a degree. Constantly smoking, meandering about nonsense, and this air of suspicion about them. How interesting.

[Das Kirb]

Smoke was pushed through an amused and surprised grin. This kid's appetite was quite the voracious one. One could potentially judge by this and scrawny frame he was a starved homeless kid. However, that couldn't be the case. Contrary to his company's lack of sophistication the Yamanaka simply pulled small strips of the bird away. As the juice dripped from the meat he ate slow and allowed the flavor to mull around. With an appreciative sigh, he let the meal take dominion for a moment and left the questions hanging but not forgotten.

Not but a couple minutes later, after more scrumptious bites and long drags from his cigar did he bother to answer the boy. "I've been called a strange one many times in my life my friend. And what's wrong with telling a tale to be told thrice fold?" He let the amusing turn of phrase hang for a moment while he took another delicious bite. "In my line of I've seen many a story make the difference between a good meal and going broke. Learn about your friends and make them your allies. Learn about your enemies and turn their eye away."

[Ace Trainer]

Kozaki continued to eat away at the bird, not taking any time to worry about manners or appearances. However, when Ghost resopnded, his eyes thinned. That was a suspicious answer as well. Maybe Kozaki was just untrusting. The mischievious boy had learned quite young that placing your trust in others was a surefire way to be let down, and it appeared like Inoriki was someone with quite a lot of ways to make promises, thus, quite a lot of ways to disappoint. "Your line.", he said with air quotes. The large yellow orbs that were his eyes would roll dramatically to the top of his head and back down. "I'm sure you've seen all sorts of chaos, mister.", the implication being that the chaos was self made, or at least self serving.

"You got a lot of enemies? I'm not gonna have a bounty on my head for eating with you, huh?", Kozaki paused, "Matter of fact, I didn't even ask. Where are you from?", Kozaki hadn't mentioned where he was from either, not that he had any obligation to do so. But, it had occurred to him that this mysterious man could be anyone and perhaps he was going to get himself in trouble associating with this....rabble, or whatever you would call Inoriki. After all, despite the important purpose Kozaki served as a testament of Kirigakure's ability, he didn't exactly have diplomatic immunity while he was on this mission for Iwagakure. If things went wrong...well...he'd be in just as much trouble as anyone else, if not more.

[Das Kirb]

Another bite, another drink, another long drag followed by blowing some smoke rings just to see if he could, a marginal and debatable success. "Those two questions would need payment my good friend. I'll throw one in for free and consider my pay your peace of mind. You've no need to worry about those chasing after my perfectly shaped behind as they tend to forget why they're chasing soon enough." He finished his drink and looked to Kozaki, attempting to catch those yellow orbs with his own icy blue. "As for the second, I'll answer your with full sincerity but you're gonna need to provide the same for me. It's no secret I've got my hands dirty and I take pride in that. But the only way to stay alive is to know the value of information."

[Ace Trainer]

Kozaki began to watch suspiciously, slowing down his eating until it came to a halt to listen closely to what Inoriki had to say. Payment? That wasn't happening. Kozaki didn't keep a lot of money around with him anyways, it always seemed like his master was telling him he'd take care of his finances, but it just left Kozaki short changed most of the time. He'd been annoyed about it quite a bit in the past, but it was increasingly frustrating when people asked for money. Though, even if he had it, it was unlikely he was going to pay this man to answer questions. If he didn't want to talk Kozaki would go, he'd already gotten to eat after-all.

"Eh? Forget? What, you some sort of hypnotist or something?", he said with a scrunched nose, "You stay out of my brain man, I got enough freaky stuff in there." he said, half joking. "I'm not your boss, y'know. IF you don't wanna tell me where you're from thats alright. I don't need none of your secrets or nothing.", his aprehension about the strange turn this conversation seemed to be taking melted away as Kozaki reached above his head, stretching his back and shoulders out, "I'm real sleepy. This was nice, but it interrupted my nap, y'know. I gotta sleep a lot, I'm carrying a lot on me.", something of an inside joke.

[Das Kirb]

Seems the kid has sussed out the basics from the conversation, though leaving it an uncertain was definitely to the better judgement. Granted, the Yamanaka hadn't been too subtle, practically saying it all in plain language so it'd be remarkable if the kid didn't catch on. Since he did it was a proof of his intelligence and something Inoriki definitely wanted to keep tabs on in the future. Sad he didn't have a means of tracking him easily like some of his more specialized kin from back on the farm. However, seeking out a guy with yellow orbs for eyes shouldn't prove so difficult if he deemed fit at a later date. However, since they appeared to be wishing to part ways he made no effort to respond to other commends. Instead tearing another strip of chicken from his meal and enjoying it rolling around his tongue. "Heh, it has been nice now hasn't it? Pay no mind to the bill, I'll wrap up here. You just go find yourself another place to get your nap in completion. Do try to find somewhere safer and more comfortable than the road though. Be a shame see one as interesting as you become roadkill."