Just a seedy little bar with plenty of sake behind the counter, wooden tables/chairs strewn about the room, and the various seedy characters and average joes who just need a drink... or a bar-fight.

*From the back room yelling can be heard from the 3 behind the door. Eventually a struggle can be heard along with a couple of thud sounds comming from the walls. After about 2 minutes Drei is flung into the back door and the door falls over with her crumpled figure on top of it, now starting to bleed at the forehead*

~I shouldn't have said anything. She probably hates me... again.~
*Sigh*
*Aki went to go sit back down at the table when he heard the noises from the back room. He stared at the door to the back room, then watched as it fell down with a bleeding person on it. Aki then took a swig of sake.*

*Kokyou walks out the back room and around Drei as she tries to push herself up*

*walking over to behind the bar* "Oh hello there, Aki-chan! Its been a while, hasn't it?"

*Drei's arms wobble as she coughs some blood up*

*Kokyou turns to Drei* "Try not to get any on the floor if you don't mind"

What did I tell you about calling me Aki-chan?! *Eyebrow twitch*

*He then looked down at Drei, then back to Kokyou, then to Drei again.* What's going on this time? *It certainly wasn't uncommon to see bleeding people on the Sake Shoppe floor. Though Aki had started to get along with Drei, so it was at least worth asking.*

*Kokyou raises his eyebrow*

"Hm? Oh her? Mio and I ran into her on our way back here and were promptly attacked. I dealt with her and dragged her in here. She woke up and tried picking up where she left off."

*Kokyou grabs a bottle from behind the bar and starts to drink some*

"How about you? What have you been up to recently?"

Oh... not much, really. Sitting here drinking, mostly. Though I have been running into some people I haven't seen in some time...

*Aki took another swig of the sake he'd yet to pay for and looked down at Drei again.*

Are you just going to leave her there?

*He raises his eyebrow again*
"You have been paying for those drinks haven't you?"

*Looks over to Drei in response to Aki's question*

"I'd help her if she'd let me. She's still hellbent on trying to kill me. I doubt she'll ever change her mind." *As he says this Drei has managed to get one foot on the ground but is still bent over looking fatigued*

"She'll be fine."

Of course. *Like he'd be dumb enough to tell Kokyou that he hadn't been paying for the drinks.*

*Aki looked back over to Drei. Well, she was standing, so she wasn't in too bad of shape yet. Though he didn't want her to get beaten up that badly.*

~Might have to stop her if she goes after Kokyou again~
*Sigh*

*Drei finally managed to stand upright and was deathglaring Kokyou*

K: "See, told ya." *takes another swig*

*Drei spits some blood on the floor in Kokyou's direction*

D: "You and your floor can both go to hell for all I care." *Her right hand reaches back for a knife that isn't there*

K: "Ya know, I'd go back, but they kicked me out. Why not sent Aki-chan instead?" *takes another swig* "That knife's in the back room still, by the way." *turns over to Aki* "Hey, Aki-chan. Don't you think its been a little quiet around the fortress recently?"

You know, I'm going to help her kill you if you call me Aki-chan again. *Deathglaring Kokyou.*

*Aki stood up and went over to Drei.*
Yeah, it has been quiet. I'm not sure what's going on, though I suppose I should find out one of these days.

*He then whispered to Drei.* You might just want to sit this one out and have some sake.

*Kokyou couldn't help but chuckle to himself*

K: "Its always funny getting a reaction about that."

*Drei on the other hand wasn't ready to give up*
*whispers to Aki* "He's not dead yet is he?" *after which she tries to push him out of the way as she takes a step forward*

K: "Don't you 2 think if you're going to conspire against me, shouldn't it be somewhere other than in front of me?"

We're not conspiring! *Aki sighs and grabs Drei by the arm.*

*Whispering again.* Yeah, he's still alive, but you're in no shape to kill him now and if you try, you're just going to get hurt more and it's going to take you even longer to kill him next time.

*Drei stood there for a second looking at Kokyou who seemed to be more interested in the Sake than her. It only seemed to make her more upset. She tried to tug her arm away, but it only seemed to wear her out more. Her arms and legs were wobbling a lot, and she stopped only to sway for a second nearly falling over.*

K: "Hey, Aki, take care of my sister for a minute. I've got some stuff to take care of. I'll make it worth your while."

*Aki caught Drei before she fell to the ground.* Uh... okay. *He dragged Drei over to the table and sat her down in a chair. Why did he have to get left with taking care of her. It wasn't his fault she was hurt and too stubborn to stop hurting herself even more.*

*Kokyou pulled out a fresh bottle out and set it on the table as he walked past it on his way out. Before he walked out the door he stopped and turned back.*

"Make sure you share that. Thats the good stuff. (yelling back) Mio, lets go!" *the sound of the back door being closed quickly can be heard at the same time Kokyou turned out the front door*

*Drei sat there ready to fall over and didn't seem to be there at all*

*The bottle's label did show that it was some of the better stuff available...under the '+1' painted on it*

*Aki sighed once more and opened the bottle of good stuff. It was very good.*
Drei? If you're awake enough you should try this, it's good. I'll drink it all if you don't try some now.

"You drink all of that and I'll take back what I said about not killing you."

*She reached over and grabbed the bottle and took a large swig before putting it back on the table and falling asleep/collapsing face first on the table*

*Aki took the bottle back from her and drank the rest. She would be fine here, as long as she didn't try to kill Kokyou for a bit. Though he wouldn't put it past her. He decided to at least put her in the back room on some soft blankets before he left to go find a bed of his own to sleep in. He was getting sore from falling asleep on the floor and/or tables of the sake shop.*

Umasaru rarely had to actually confront people in order to gain information, people jibber jabber about things all the time. But none the less, you get better results by controlling the situation to it's desired effect, another thing Uma is good at. He sets another few coins down on the table, and another round of Saki shows up, much to his partner's attention.

The person by now was only rambling on about things not important, having already divulged anything interesting. The last round was just to make sure he wouldn't remember saying anything, for security reasons. Uma drifts out of the shop, not bothering to conceal himself from the drunken attendance. But a rumour about someone from a certain town in Umasaru's past bothered him. Hopfully it would be nothing, but nothing ever turns out that way.

Hours after Uma leaves, some regular-looking merchant - or slave of one, anyway - slumps in. At first he simply leans on the partially opened door, his face pallid, his eyes lifeless. Looking up at the doorframe above him. Then, by some unseen answer, his head falls down towards the bar. The man takes a deep breath, sighs, and comes in.

By all means, Yokozuki looked like a merchant who lost a very important roll of dice. His clothing represented one, even with Merchant written on the back of it in japanese. But it looked like Kozuki hasn't eaten nor slept in ages. He was long, thin, gangly. Cheekbones inverted, eyesockets easily outlined. Hair was messed up like a slave on a good day. If there were such a thing as the living dead, this would definately describe him.

The merchant trudged on legs that looked like they'd break over to the bar. Collapsing in a barstool quietly. Whichever npcs in the bar would take a moment to look at him, shrug, and go back to what they were doing.

Quietly, Yo spoke. His voice almost trembling, "Please give me some water." His pupils darting here and there.

*It had been a while since Drei had her senses clobbered by Kokyou and she made her way back to the table to recover. She wasn't moving much and didn't seem to be in any better shape.*

*Until about now. Right about the time Yokozuki sat down at the stool, a carriage pulls up to the Sake Shop doors. 7 female ninjas and a middle aged man with a scythe on his back get out of the carriage and walk into the bar finding Drei slumped over the table and a rather thin looking merchant at the bar with the bar-wench tending to him behind the bar.*

*Zhen walks over to Drei after a signal and pulls Drei's head up and begins patting her in the face, to no avail.*

*The man speaks up with a deep voice* "I'm looking for the owner of this place..."

"Faster. I need water Faster. Now! Give it. Right here. Hurry up" The merchant seemed so obsessed with the npc behind the bar getting his water that he had a hard time noticing the Pimp bargaide barging in. He was nearly hyperventilating by the time he gets the water "NOW, NOW!" At the same time his voice is almost whispered, like he's dehydrating to death during every second the wench takes her time. The glass wasn't even placed on the bar when he grabs it (nearly taking off the npc's hand with him) to splash it in his face. Well, it was an attempt to drink the water, but a good 50% of it misses.

When the glass is empty he's staring up at it. Shaking it a few times. Before putting it back onto the counter and demanding more.

Completely oblivious, at least for the moment, of the fact that Zhen was harassing Drei. But give or take a post and that'll be settled.

*Drei starts mumbling something but isn't completely there yet. Zhen keeps trying...*

*The man keeps on watching the bar-wench frantically try and keep up with the merchant. His patience starts running thin as he is ignored. He leans over to one of his women and whispers something to her, and they wait for a couple more seconds while the girls whisper amongst themselves*

By about the fourth glass of misplaced water, Yokozuki finally declaired he was finished. Although that was quietly and to himself in a random malicious rable of words. His hair drenched, face wet, and the front of his clothing was soaked. The clothing hung miserably against his skin to reveil small rib indentations (ie, he really is thin).

His head lolled back for a moment, laughing to himself, before looking around at the sakeshoppe. Most of the people that were there previously had left. A few chairs were overturned. Those who stayed were watching a scythe-weidling pimp and his whores abuse a drunk girl.

"Huh..." the world does revolve around without him involved. Quickly, too.

*Zhen continues to try and wake Drei up*

*The man on the other hand waves back to the girls to hold off.*

"I said I was looking for the owner of this place. He's about this tall, has spikey hair, and is being accompanied by a lady friend. His name is Kokyou Toeiama..."

*At the mention of his name, Drei springs up out of her seat exclaiming "Damnit!" before loosing her footing and ends up getting caught by Zhen*

*The man grins noticing Drei's newfound vitality before resuming his sentence.*
"Does anyone know where I might find him?"

Yo seems at first to not at all understand Zhen. Like the guy isn't speaking japanese. Or he's from another planet. The merchants head sags to his left shoulder for a second. A light then somewhat comes into his eyes as if realizing something. His head slowly went upright again. He started to look from the door to Zhen, hyperventilating a bit.

At the same time his rather large hand slinks under his robe, but falls short and hits the bar counter instead.

And from the abyss of his throat, Yo stutters out something, "Wh.. Why do you want to speak to the owner of this bar? Are.. are you going to kill him?" He trembled, either from fear or hysteria. "Why? Why kill him? Why hurt her?" Presumable he's talking about Drei. "Why anything".

It was almost as if he was ready to break down in tears of frustration and guilt. But it was Clear by his actions that he had no clue who they were talking about or even Zhen's purpose there.

*the man chuckles to himself*

"I'm not going to kill him. I'm merely looking for the 'weapon' that got away." *points to Drei and Zhen* "She's his sister, and is looking for revenge. By the looks of things, she's not having much luck. Zhen, take Drei back to my carriage."

*Zhen smiles and replies with, "Hai, Scythe Master." as she begins to help Drei out the front door as the other girls move for them*

*Scythe turns back to the merchant after watching Zhen carry her 'partner' out the front door.*

"So what do you know? hmm?

They were going to take her? Why couldn't they just leave the girl in the bar. But no, then other people would fondle her in her sleep. So what would be fair? Fair? Nothing was ever fair! Yoko couldn't do anything, he was too weak. To frail. Too paranoid and scared for his own brain to function in the area of 'save the damsel in distress' mode.

He was about ready to wet his pants in fear of Scythe and his posse. Unable to even put a hand into his robe and finger the weapon strapped to his waist. His hands trembling, one clentching the bar counter.

"No, Nothing! I don't know anything. Nothing at all" He trembled carelessly. Everything he said sounded to him like he knew something. But it was once again obvious to everyone outside of Yokozuki's mentality that he knew nothing.

*Scythe looks disappointed*
"That's a disappointment. Here I was hoping for a happy reunion. Well then how about this. Where can I find the one known as Moritsune?"

*At that question the bar-wench looks over to Scythe with a look of scartled horror, not sure what to think*

"Please.. Just leave... Leave me alone. I want to be left alone. Don't do this to me again. Not again" Yoko whimpered out as he began to cry like the miserable sod he is. Almost curling up into his chair.

After a point he just completely broke down. Like a soldier traumatized in war after loosing everything. But far more shitless. "I don't know anything. Nothing."

"Tch."

*Scythe didn't know his story, nor did he care. The poor excuse for a man didn't have any use to him other than to waste his time. It didn't matter. 'Zwei' won't be leaving Edokyo anytime soon. Not with Ein by his side at least. He would just have to look elsewhere.*

"Wench! Pour that man a decent drink..." *He said as he turned to leave with the girls still facing the interior. While he didn't care for the excuse for a man, the man was a little on the loony side. He at least won some points back for that*

"But sir..." *was as far as she got before Scythe snapped his fingers and 6 kunai fly through the air creating an outline of the bar-wench on the wall she was standing next to. The girls were dead on with their accuracy. Something was definately suspicious about Scythe's group.*

*The posie dissappears to the Streets and begins to climb into the crowded carriage*

*The bar-wench meanwhile slides down the wall frozen in horror and doesn't move for a while*

*walking in off the dusty streets she scans the shop quietly and makes her way to a table in the corner. Heaving the bag onto the floor it lands with a loud thump, calling the attention of the lonely inhabitors. Reaching out an arm she grabs a bottle from a passing waitress and uncorks it with her teeth despite the loud protests of the girl and the man who the sake was intended for. Growling at them both she took a long swig and ran her tongue across the remaining drops of delicious rice wine that lingered on her lips*

ahh a long day ended well yet again...

*Koji smacks down the sake cup and moved his hair away from his face. He was on the otherside of the room in the corner.*

Koji: Oi, it seems like fate doesn't like us separated *smirks and then takes his knife off of the table and places it back into the holster*

*head laying on the table her eyes darted open as all hope of having a good anything crumbled away with the sound of an annoying voice returning to echo in her midst. Praying it was only the sake kicking in she moved the bottle to the side and rolled her eyes in the direction of the noise*

Spare me the charm bullshit youre getting nowhere with it except for suceeding to piss me off.

*she grumbled and snatched the bottle off the table to take another swig. Leaning back in her chair she smirked as the liquid ran down her throat, quickening her veins to function again*

'Sides Fate is just a man made idea, it doesnt exist just like the idea that talking to me can get you something in return, both fate and me are against you it seems.. so if youre smart youll stop playing with both before you get hurt.

*Koji looked at her with a look like she was made of nothing. He then open a flask of a drink called whiskey and poured abit in the shot glass and took the hit of whiskey down with one glump.*
Koji: Please women, don't flatter yourself you'd only embrasses yourself and insult me with your lack of sex appeal, pfft.
*he lites his cigarrite and takes a hit of it and sighs and lays his head back and relaxes as the smoke exhale out of his mouth*
Koji: Probably can't satisfy yourself let alone a man hmpf *takes another hit then sips his flask*

*slamming her fist down on the table she gripped her side tightly with her free arm and fell to pieces with laughter. Heads turning in the shop and eyebrows raised in question she threw the bottle over her shoulder. As it crashed onto the floor she stood up and grabbed a full one from the table beside her*

and I thought you were going to ruin my happy ending...
*wiping a tear from her eye she sighed and grinned*
you only made it better..

*shoving the waitress aside with a growl she paused in thought . Picking up her bag she uncorked the bottle with her teeth. Spitting the cork towards Koji she took a swig finally and shook her head again *

And how I hate them..*laughing she returned to the streets,bag in tow, with her precious sake*

*He watches her begin to leave and then takes another hit of the cig. and follows her out. Then looks at her*
Koji: Ya know, if your interested I can cut a deal with ya. No bullshit, and no joke. My boss would be interested in speaking with you Obsidian *smirks*

Kokyou walks in with Mio leading Muse inside.

"This is it. Not much to it, but it brings in the money."

*pointing to the main bartable along the backwall* "That's the bar. Don't really have a bartender, so you'll need to keep an eye on that. Although nobody's ordered anything special in months."

*pointing to the closed door to the left of the bar* "That's Mio's and my room. Please keep everyone out of there. Matches should be behind the counter, by the way."

Muse grinned and headed straight for the bar- heaving herself up and over the counter, she spun on her heel and picked up a bottle of sake. "Alright then.. dont mind if I help myself..." She said through a grin- then set the bottle on the counter. "I'll be a bit of buisness... how 'bout that??" After fishing some yen out of her gi- she swung herself back over the bar counter, taking a seat at one of the many barstools that sat on the other side.
Raising her brow, Muse gave the owner a grin then poured herself some sake.