Docked Encounter

[Willoria]

Every day was a long day for Karugata Asami, but today she was hoping for a little reprieve. Kazuki Ryu's grandmother had patched her up well, going so far as to rebreak badly healed breaks and heal them properly, forcing the girl to stay with them for a few days. She had to admit, the Kazuki household was a nice change of pace from her home in the slums. It simply furthered her thought that she wanted to save as much as she could to get a better place. But today her endeavor wasn't to get extra money for herself, rather it was to get a different kind of pay to help out Ryu. The kid had really left an impression on her, and for the first time in her life, Asami felt the need to watch out for someone else.

She made her way down to the docks, remembering an old family friend that might be able to help her out. When she got close she waved, seeing his ship was docked and unloading, with Daisuke standing at the end of the ramp. "Business is good then." She remarked as she got close.

Daisuke looked up, blonde hair in his eyes as he looked over at her and a grin crossed his face. "Well the girl hasn't gotten herself killed yet. Good. Maybe instead of buttering me up, ask what you need."

Asami rolled her eyes. The man wasn't wrong, she wasn't a social type and this wasn't a social visit. "Looking for some extra work. Instead of money though I have something particular in mind for pay, thought you could help me out, you usually get the best meat trade after all."

Daisuke gave her a strange look. "Are you really saying you want to be paid in meat?"

Asami shrugged. "Raw, red, as fresh as you can get. Need the help or not, shithead?"

Daisuke laughed outright. "Always do, but that's the weirdest thing I've heard all day..."

[Flankingfox]

Quietly scuttling across the deck of the large freighter, Shiv scoured the sector once more. This would hopefully be the last time for today that he had to remain vigilant against any approaching threats. Here fastened firmly against the docks of Kirigakure no Sato, there were few that would dare an assault of any kind, especially against a Karagata family vessel. Everybody knew what it meant to cross that particular family and those that didn't were usually expunged anyway. That was the reality of these times. Shiv instinctively pushed his right index and thumb against his eyes in a frivolous attempt to stay roused from this dreary assignment. Having been on a trivial escort mission for the family for a couple of weeks now, the champion was almost at his wits' end from possessing nothing noteworthy to do aside from occasionally scanning the horizon. This task was in itself a horrendous yet obligatory waste of time, however it wasn't unreasonable to attach somebody of Shiv's caliber when dealing with a huge fortune worth of 'illicit' and or exotic goods. There were those in the family that still had influence enough to jail a Bannin into doing such a measly task. Struggling to walk in a relatively straight line, Shiv leaned over the wire railing for support while peering down at all those of the merchant caste unloading without even a second thought to exactly what they were unloading. Not surprising really as yet again, people knew better to cross the Karagata.

From this vantage point, Shiv spotted a young woman mosey on over toward the ship stopping once she reached, what was his name again? Sasuke, Saisaki, Daisuke, Sakisuke maybe? One of those was correct, for what it was worth the man was one of the people in charge of coordinating this whole shebang. With nothing else interesting happening anytime soon, Shiv focused his attention toward this small blip of chitchat while he forcefully waited for all these workers to finish unloading. From this distance it wasn't difficult to read their lips. Finally something with some substance to brighten the day. Genuinely that was a decently amusing 'joke', even if it wasn't meant to be. Interestingly, she wanted to work here of all places and not even for a coin. Surely there was an easier way to get this done with the use of ninjutsu, but then again, one didn't use a sword for shoveling up horse shit. Military caste was exclusively used for tasks associated with such. So why then was this young woman who clearly carried martial weaponry at her side being put to work?! From that build one could obviously assume she was above any conventional hired muscle, meaning she must be of a higher caste. Would the idiot of a champion butt in with his own two cents or could he possibly maintain his composure and make something not about himself for once? Evidently the latter was much too hard to manage as the man vanished from his position toward where the girl was being sent to work.

Dressed rather casually in a grey yukata with a simple shemagh covering the bottom portion of his face, Shiv waited for a moment to see if this woman was actually going to degrade herself through the act of unloading. What kind of weapon lowered itself to being used as a common tool? Without even a second having passed flashed the crystal clear image of the faithful ninja 'kunai'. This weapon was a staple for ninja as they were indoctrinated into the standard forces of the village, but with a humble origin being simply a gardening tool. Was he so arrogant to scrutinize this weapon for attempting to exist amongst a sea of daggers? From that perspective, this wasn't exactly a degrading chore, but something that brought about a sort of understanding from the champion who had already been on a path of scolding just a few moments before. For the slightest of moments, this act in upon itself reminded him of Ren, Masami who had curiously crawled her way out of slavery becoming a weapon of exponential worth before succumbing to the lifestyle. Without much thought he had decided to converse with her anyway to simply pass the time while everything unfolded around them. In that frigidly cold tone he was known for he asked, "I know you are working, but can I bother you for a moment of your time?"

[Willoria]

"Well? What have you got for me?" Asami was asking the man, hardly aware of another who watched her from a distance.

Daisuke shook his head. "Not today, we're tasked up today, but check with me tomorrow morning, I may have something." he replied, waving a hand almost dismissively at her, and visibly freezing up as a man seemed to materialize beside the two. "Excuse me." he said almost politely, giving a bow to dismiss himself from the situation before leaving.

The moment left Asami very confused. "What the fuck was that about? Why did you fucking-? Oh." The girl interrupted herself as she looked up at the man beside her. She was well known for stirring up trouble with main family members, but some reputations even she couldn't bring herself to try and poke at. Shinjiro had been a fluke if anything, her accusations coming from the shock of feeling as if she were being attacked. But now she found herself looking up into the face of Karagata Shiv himself. Even with half of his face covered, his visage was easily recognizable and the girl found herself in a strange predicament she had never been in before... she was struck near speechless.

"Uh.. hi." she finally managed, swallowing hard. "What the fuck do you want?" she asked, not actually intending to be rude in this case. Fact was, Asami didn't know how to curb her words and be polite. Her words had always been filled with expletives and crass remarks. 'This has to be chance...' she found herself thinking. 'If Shinjiro wanted me dead he'd come himself, not send Shiv himself.... right?' she found herself wondering, and second guessing herself. One hand shifting to touch her collarbone where under the cloth she hid her 'gift' from Shinjiro, parallel scars caused by his claws that ran from her left clavicle to the right side of her ribcage. 'In his ranting... didn't he mention his relation to Shiv? I think, I don't remember though...'

"So the family still makes Bannin do meaningless bullshit, that's good to know."

The words may've come from her lips, but she mentally cursed herself for smarting off. It was like the girl quite literally couldn't help herself. Or stop herself apparently.

[Flankingfox]

The young woman was suddenly very confused when Daisuke retreated away from the instance that had arisen rather informally. Here on the docks aside the mass of working flesh stood only two people that actually mattered in the grand scheme of things. Everyone else here was essentially a tool going about their function while dialogue was about to be spewed forth like that of a novel, but from the language it wasn't exactly suitable for children. From the look on her face, the young woman hadn't expected the rather infamous Karagata, Shiv to be situated in front of her. Without spouting too many nonsensical ramblings of his feats or the like, people knew him and or of him from an overly wide variety of ways. One could surely walk through the market and see his face plastered in an advertisement or two. So unsurprisingly, Shiv hadn't been phased by her speechless look. What was though was the vulgarity that had instantly spat forth like a fiery barrage from her mouth. Quite the peculiar way of dealing with a situation like this. Then again, people dealt with things in their own way as with weaponry each had its own strength and weakness, apparently, tact wasn't a defined strength for the fiery youth before him. The question seemed to perplex the champion for a brief moment as he lifted his right hand to his head and itched unwittingly.

At this closer perspective, Shiv wasn't entirely sure now if she was a weapon or a tool like the rest scattered around. Her build was undeniably fashioned, but it was also extremely lacking in comparison to most around that age which might have revealed the reasoning as to why somebody of her caliber was amidst the merchant caste willingly. There was always a reason for things, a few potential answers floated around his mind briefly before he realized she had finished speaking once more. These were more personalized to his position and relation to the Karagata family, hinting that she was also part of the family. Unfortunately, with the family being so large it was hard to actually know everyone without having spent days researching. Obviously, that wasn't the sort of work a champion was going to do without a greater purpose in mind. Thus, Shiv wasn't entirely sure whose kid this was nor if she actually bled for the family as there were no clear indications of such connection. One thing remained truer than true and that was the fact that she wasn't off-put by somebody of his caliber which was entirely foolish. Who could really blame the young woman? Most of the fabrications were second-hand stories, a rarity indeed for somebody to witness the sheer power of a 'Bannin'. Chopping that seemingly insulting declaration off as a combination of ignorance and naivety was the best course of action.

Those around that had been working moved away from where Shiv had relocated, blatantly looking away or down so as to not garner the attention of the man. Many had seen first hand the debauchery of the creature while onboard the vessel into the wee hours of the night only to reveal a husk of a person the next day. What the young woman saw before her right now was somebody lost in their own mental fortress. A couple of sweat beads were scattered upon his forehead as he looked to his side hastily for something to lean on. Exactly what he was looking for, a couple of barrels had been left right here in the open when everyone aimlessly went different ways. Making the motion, Shiv embraced that restful position and casually leaned on the barrels while gazing down at the young woman.

"Oh, nothing really. I actually hadn't thought that far ahead yet as to 'what the fuck I want'. For a start, maybe, salvation from the insanity that has taken hold? A slight conversation with a fellow family member might quell my ailment... You certainly know who I am and of the 'bullshit' I am shackled too, so humor me by introducing yourself. For I'm not exactly a man with a plan per se and remembering names, relations, and the like isn't my sort of deal." Shiv said almost sharply as if slowly stitching back pieces of flesh that would have probably cut a lesser man bringing him to anger or worse. The vulgarity was unattractive, yes, but he was experienced enough to know that some people just weren't comfortable with mincing words together in a particular way. The variance of people, in general, is what had initially piqued his curiosity today. A faint smell of sake could be easily traced back to the man as he finished speaking, even through his shemagh. Perhaps, boredom wasn't the only ailment the champion was dealing with? Could his mind be blunted from a splitting headache caused by blatant abuse of beverage the night before coming ashore?! Yeah that might actually be the case. From reputation, Shiv wasn't exactly an understanding individual nor was he known to 'ask' things from people. Was the young woman even aware of how lucky she was right now to have this monster standing here almost completely sedated without conveying any sort of ill intent?

[Willoria]

Asami swallowed hard as Shiv quoted her words back to her, awkwardly reaching up a hand to run her fingers through her hair as she mentally tried to ease herself. Nothing he said honestly calmed her at all. For a Bannin a few words could be a veiled threat easily made good on, especially seeing as she was only a Chunin. Even as he asked her to introduce herself, it clearly wasn't a question. It was clearly more of a command. Before her was a legend of the family, and the head of the Head Hunter's Division. Those two facts alone were enough to terrify even Asami. She was visibly wincing as she introduced herself. "Karugata Asami." Especially over that infernal vowel she winced. That alone was enough to be an offense worthy of attack or death to some. Her parents had just been lowly dock workers, and so many were quick to remind her of this, and of the fact that she should have been no different.

She hadn't missed the faint smell of sake, and silently found herself hoping this man had some kind of hangover or a headache. Perhaps these would be enough to keep her safe, though she wasn't entirely sure. "I doubt I'm the kind of conversation you'd prefer, Shiv-Sama." she remarked, the honorific tasting like bile on her tongue. It took everything she had not to show it. She despised members of the main family and the man before her was no exception, but he also wasn't the type she should be trying to pick a fight with. If anything, she knew she needed to try and keep from angering him if she could help it.

[Flankingfox]

Regrettably, the young woman had already noticed who stood before her seemingly without having to blink. That fiery attitude that had been kindled a moment ago had promptly become snuffed out leaving somebody that wasn't exactly expected. When her family name came spewing forward, Shiv knew now why she was shrinking from her previous demeanor. For those that weren't aware, the Karugata were people that had been contracted to the family with the lowest of standings. Commonly due to them being forced, obligated, or having no other options. Those that were given the name of Karugata were seen as just another tier of a slave, yet the champion hadn't exactly internalized this way of thinking. Actually, rather recently, within the last few years, he had known a fellow hunter that actually worked her way out of slavery and into the Head Hunter Division. Coming from the lowest of the low wasn't what defined a person, what defined a person in the champion's eyes was their inherent worth as either a weapon or tool. Glancing over the young woman again, his eyes looked almost glazed over as he evidently struggled to gather his thoughts.

"Well, what a surprise. It doesn't matter anyway. You can never truly tell who is who these days.", Shiv replied almost caustically as his gaze moved down toward his machete that was lazily tied to his side before darting back toward Asami's blades. One could usually gather a bit about another by their weaponry. This Karugata was carrying blades, meaning she wasn't exactly your average run of the mill dock worker. However, that alone didn't mean much. From their general appearance, they weren't anything special; not too clean and not overly aged. Yet another pair of mass-produced swords for either the regular forces of Kirigakure or the wealthy merchant caste. What was peculiar, was that she had them properly positioned for an encounter. Many so-called yojimbo weren't necessarily keen on having their weaponry properly placed. The annoying example of his machete sloppily tacked onto his attire seemed to be all too apparent now. In any case, this potentially meant she was trained? Which would be quite the accomplishment indeed if she got through the academy unscathed. Maybe there was more here than what had initially met his eye.

Again, words spewed forth from her tongue sounding utterly forced from her initial tone. Shiv remembered now that she had been looking for work. That perplexed him slightly as the income of a ninja wasn't exactly meager. One could usually survive on that wage alone if needed unless she wasn't being assigned missions of value due to that family name? A possibility, but one couldn't just assume these things. The hussle of the village was just that, an ever grinding machine that provided for those living here. When something was needed, one worked for it or inevitably became part of the pavement. Wasn't anything wrong with working, rather, honest work for honest pay is what made the Karagata family the juggernaut it is today. Pushing up from the barrel he had been resting on, Shiv asked, "So, Asami, right? You were looking for work? Can you use those blades hanging at your side?"

[Willoria]

Shiv's words surprised the young woman. At first he had seemed on the verge of being upset with her, throwing her words back at her and demanding her name, and now it was as if her name was the most unimportant thing to him. She noticed the glaze to his eyes and silently wondered if the Bannin was really 'all there'. Perhaps it was due to drink, or perhaps due to some other ailment, but already the man had struck her as unpredictable. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing yet though. 'I guess his reputation involves some unpredictability though.' she admitted to herself silently. 'So is he really so uncaring? Or is this something to get me to drop my guard? ...Not that he needs me to, given the amount of power he has beyond my own.' Her mind was running a hundred miles a minute and a hundred different directions.

It was almost a comfort when he indicated her swords and asked about them. She couldn't help the slightly insulted "Tch." that came from her lips when he asked. "What kind of idiot would I be if I carried them and couldn't?" she asked, almost snorting in a laugh of indignation. "Of course I can use them. Toryu mostly at this point, but learning more every day." she added, crossing her arms as she looked at the man before her. 'Why is he asking?' she asked herself, curiosity peeking it's head over the edge of her thoughts once more.

'...shit I hope he isn't about to attack me or something.'

[Flankingfox]

Asami was quite curious indeed, few people had the gall to show such a display in front of a Bannin. This wasn't something you saw every day, nor was it something that was tolerated especially by any of the champions of the village. Glaring disrespect was usually instantly rectified by some sort of punishment because if nothing came from insolence then what was the point of their society based solely on power? Most everyone had come to know the dos and don'ts of speaking with the upper echelons of the village by now, but there were still people like the girl before Shiv that hadn't been beaten or forcefully put in line. It wasn't exactly their fault, as this village really didn't go out of the way to teach the lesser castes the importance as it was expected to happen organically. Shiv wasn't exactly one to be too stern when dealing with people outside his command. So instead of wasting the necessary time to 'educate' he would simply allow the next person she meets to go about with the teaching.

"Well I wouldn't exactly use the word, 'idiot', as carrying weapons is usually enough to dissuade the would-be opportunist... a more fitting word would probably be 'blunt'. Like, 'how blunt of a weapon do you think I am?' Anyway, you get the gist of what I'm saying so again I'll ask, now fully aware that you have some skill backing the blatant display of weaponry. Are you looking for work... with payment of course... all you gotta do is take my hand with further instruction being given afterward." Right after the words had left the champion's lips did his hand come forth, openly inviting her to take it. What could somebody like Shiv need assistance with? Was this some sort of ruse?! Surely these questions would be on the mind of young Asami as she was forced now to make the choice of 'working' for the champion or declining the offer.

[Willoria]

Asami knew she shouldn't disagree with a man known to be a legendary Bannin, but she couldn't help a raised eyebrow as he spoke as if her swords would dissuade anyone from attacking her. "I'm a Karugata." she said, clearly a bit dumbfounded. "My name attracts opportunists, and even with what I know I spend more time in the hospital than at home." she added, snorting a bit and shaking her head. Of course this also came with her mentally chiding herself. 'Do I really have no control?'

She wanted to be relieved as the conversation moved forward to him seeming to offer her a job. But honestly it made her think he was setting her up somehow. 'But is he? I mean he wouldn't need to set me up... he could kill me right here for no reason other than I was present and there would be no penalty... so why would he go to so much trouble to set me up?' Chewing on the side of her tongue in thought a moment, she looked at his hand and nodded. "I'm definitely looking for work." she replied, reaching out a hand to take his that he offered.

She hoped she wouldn't regret it.

[Flankingfox]

The kid had a point, that name was a bit of a blight once known. However, she wasn't exactly known per se, meaning that the majority of people that came across her wouldn't immediately know of her affiliation. Rightfully so, her words had merit and begged for an opportunist to take advantage of her relative standing in the village. This was the problem with people in the village in general. Everyone was caught up with names, titles, standing, reputation, and the like that they sometimes completely ignored actual power in terms of 'sharpness'. Even without any fancy words associated to name an individual could be a weapon of worth in their own right. This young woman would eventually learn this lesson, but that was out of his control for self-reliance was a key part of becoming 'sharper'. As Asami's words left her mouth, Shiv replied curtly, "I'm thrilled you've decided to take the offer..."

Within the instant, Asami's hand touched Shiv's did they vanish from where they had been standing. The speed at which the duo moved was far greater than the young woman would be able to fathom becoming simply a blur of color as the world seemed to be nothing more than a blotchy palette. With how fast they had been moving it didn't take long for them to reach their intended destination. Snapping back into 'reality', Asami would now find herself on the upper deck of the freighter. Two workers suddenly jumped to attention from their seats, half terrified, from having Shiv appear from out of seemingly nowhere. They had been leisurely sitting on a couple of barrels as the ship was being unloaded. Shiv let go of the girl's hand now and allowed her a moment to regain her grasp. Oddly enough, moving that fast usually didn't have as striking of an effect if she had closed her eyes. Shiv took a few steps forward and looked at a shipping container that wasn't with any of the others. This particular container was secluded and the doors were locked tight with heavy chains that would be impossible to break out of by anyone of ordinary strength. In his usual frigid tone, Shiv commanded, "Open the container..."

The younger of the two workers rushed to the container, fumbling the key to the ground before looking apologetically at the champion of the village. Quickly he picked it up and unlocked it before swinging the door open with some effort. From inside the container rushed a rotten almost deathly smell as the light from outside revealed four figures. Each of these figures looked to be resting against the inner walls but they were all clearly detained on closer inspection. Large chains like that of the one used to secure the opening were firmly attached to each individual. All of them had their heads covered with a sack, but their clothing was much their own looking pretty much like the two who had been watching over the container. Surely these people were some sort of criminals. What crimes if any that they had committed was unclear as there was no indication inside of the container revealing such. Asking Asami now, Shiv said, "We still agreeable to the offered work, yes..."

[Willoria]

Asami had not been anticipating the sudden movement. With a muttered curse, she wobbled on her feet briefly when the pair came to a stop. She leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees as she fought the urge to throw up. After all, she hadn't closed her eyes. But after a moment she composed herself and straightened, looking at the men who seemed afraid of their sudden appearance as she waited for more information from Shiv. She could have asked what was in the container, demanded to know what was going on, but in spite of her habit of running at the mouth the one thing she was pretty good at was waiting for orders.

She walked up beside Shiv as he demanded the container be opened, watching as a worker fumbled with the key to it and simply raised an eyebrow as she watched him frantically try to get it done. As the container swung open, Asami couldn't help wrinkling up her nose and making a face at the sudden stink. The prisoners surprised her, she had honestly expected cargo, but the surprsie didn't last long. After all, prisoners were not an unusual sight in Kiri. She tilted her head and observed every detail of them she could notice, taking a moment to glance at the two watching the container as well before looking at Shiv. "What's the work?" she finally asked. "So long as I'm not wiping their asses I shouldn't have an issue with it." she added, smirking a bit.