The Lion's Fang

[Rikuto !]

--enter

As usual, the rather ancient but lively structure within the capital of the reputable Land of Water was prospering with people. The presence of village shinobi inside was unheard of as the ragtag bar catered to a blend of average joes and the more dangerous customer. The brew that the Fang regularly served was beyond stiff, but to many it represented the grimness and gloomy perspective of life. Conversation among others were constant and abundant, forcing those who did so to place all focus on whomever they were speaking too. Simultaneously it allowed the more private drinkers to speak without being hard. There had been a multitude of deals and gossip forged and sealed at this very building. As time itself altered the world, this single foundation remained unchangeable, always serving as a promising host to any newcomer.

But outside of it now stood a lengthy and rather audacious shinobi. The recognizable sign of him belonging to Kirigakure was tucked away safely within the depths of his attire. At the time he decided to do away with the usual ninja clothes and added weaponry, after all, his digits were the truest weapons that he could use. Clad in a orange shirt the young lad glanced at the haven before stepping inside. And just like that, he automatically blended in with the mingling crowd. The atmosphere was rather boisterous as he entered and attempted to sort the frantic sound waves.

The setting was the opposite of his usually serious and emotionless deposition. But quickly he came to find pleasure in the environment as he paid for one of the gruesome brews that were engulfed by the bar's population. He would find refuge in one of the vacant back rows as his raven black strands bounced with every footstep he took. Behind the vacant row was another semicircular row that gave two men homage. Each man lackadaisically inhaled that sweet stick of cancer before fumes would be expelled.

Though Adiemus had come here purely for his own interest he would soon find himself eavesdropping, a habit that he shunned in most cases when it was to his disadvantage. At first he found his manner aloof but soon this kid would be all ears for the private conversation behind him.

"So wait wait wait. Your telling me that this group has conquered the ports and commerce of the Land of the Waves?"the first questioned as if his hearing was fading.

"Mhm. These guys just came out of no where and pretty much began to dominate everything. They call themselves The Black Hand or some crap." he reconfirmed before taking another swig of his ale. "But I hear the group has just messed with one of the more important clients that does business near those parts. The man has set out a hit on the entire crew of savages. He wants the port from where they function from assaulted, the whole organization murdered, and his treasure seized." he finished with the perk of his eyebrow.

"Sounds like a death trap to me for anyone stupid enough to take the offer." the other quickly responded as each male agreed with a nod.

Yet as the gears in Adiemus' mind turned he found the task profitable and more entertaining than anything that had recently been offered. He was sure he wouldn't be the only person that would seek to make a healthy investment in their future with the profits. Yet the risk of death lingered and the margin of failure was uncomfortably high. Without another moment to spare the raven haired youth made up his mind as he took a final lasting swig before deciding to head back to the village he was oh so familiar with.

--exit

[/blockquote]

[haiku]

way to leech off your shit, eh?

---

[/i] or some crap.[/b]"
intrigued.
"...I hear the group has just messed with one of the more important clients that does business near those parts..."[/right]I of course continued to mumble these words to myself, my eyes focused fully upon the man in question. The prostitute was taken aback by my actions, and slowly scooted out of my booth with the slightest, yet obvious, bit of uncomfort as to what I was doing. No matter, as I said, I didn't need her to satisfy me when there were perfectly clean women in my village to begin with. I continued to mutter these words to myself. The conversation grew more interesting as I mimicked their conversation to myself a bit more.

"The man has set out a hit on the entire crew of savages. He wants the port from where they function from assaulted, the whole organization murdered, and his treasure seized."
now sold on the idea.

I blinked for a moment, my mind returning to myself once more. I took notice to the fact the woman was gone, and then shrugged it off. That familiar grin grew upon my face as I took in more sake into my guzzle. Would I attempt to take a stab at this merc mission? From what the men seemed to think, this were suicide. I wasn't so scared as to turn down such a grand offer that could be quite lucrative to my earnings. I sipped the last bit, leaving some coins on the table, and lifted myself up to walk out of the bar.

---

e x i t

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Cupid Mouth Jutsu
Rank: D, C
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: This jutsu makes the caster able to speak what the target is speaking. At C-Rank the user can make another person speak what the user is saying.
Special: Handseals, Triangle Hand seal
Drawback: The user must be able to at least see the target. If ever the target goes beyond the users visible site the jutsu cancels out. The user cannot move while the jutsu is in effect
Description: The jutsu causes a mental link to establish between the user and the target. The user may then speak the same words the target is speaking, so the user can know what conversation the target is having. If learned at C-Rank, the Yamanaka can force his or her target to speak the words the Yamanaka is speaking, to communicate messages or for other means.
Limit: Must be part of the Yamanaka clan

[/ul][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[haiku]

Black Waltz search continued from...
since theres a designated bar nowz D:

---

[/b]"
sitting upon a bar stool.[/right]I had forgotten to disperse my creatures, but let them sit upon my lap regardless as I waited for the barkeeper to get my drink ready. He knew what I ordered regularly, so I didn't need to tell him shiit about what I wanted. I then dropped my head upon the bar, my arms used as a means of cushion as I look into darkness; the sound of people chatting all around me. I wouldn't be surprised if they thought I was already drunk by the way I came into this bar, but its not like there was a law against walking around drunk.

I then rolled my chin, causing my cheek to rest against my right arm. With my left hand, I lifted up the book and placed it upon the bar before me. Where was I going wrong in my search? I couldn't tell, and as much as I read from this book, the more confused I became. It seemed it was near impossible to find this Black Waltz. Soon, the sound of a drink being slide my way would distract me from my reading. Tetsu never spoke, and the only reason I knew of his name was because I heard another person say it; and I'm sure, that person heard it from another person like me.

I nearly guzzled down the whole container of sake; yes, I drink out of a container, and not a glass. It was a straight rush to the head, the strong burn setting my throat on fire. I closed both eyes, my face contorting in a way that made it obvious I wasn't enjoying it. I never drank for the taste, but the after effect like most drinkers do. Attempting to pick the book up with my eyes half closed, I found myself knocking it down upon the ground. I realized my slip up, and lowered myself to reach for it at my feet. As I attempted to grab the book, another hand grabbed it first. Whose hand was this?

"Whats a scrawny kid like you, doing with a book like this?"
scruffy alcoholic voice.

"None of your business..."
reaching for the book.
"Give me the book bac—"

slapping my hand
"Hold up kid, I wanna see something..."

I was irritated now, tempted to kick this much older...taller...bigger...dude's ass. Why the hell was he messing with me right now? I felt like taking it back to the days of the caveman, and finding the nearest object to beat him with; like my sake container...actually, no. He mumbled to himself, reading my book[that I had yet to return after stealing]. The nerve of this guy, but I waited, almost as if I was second guessing my cocky thoughts only a second ago. He seemed enlighten at first, and then simply laughed at the things he read. Did he know something I didnt?

"Well, you'll never find Waltz here. Maybe his kids but..."

"What do you know about Waltz?"

"A few things, I guess. Why?"
brow raise
"You wouldn't be tryin' to find the son of a gun, eh?"

no response.

"Hmph, either balls, or no brains."

"Spit it out old man!"

"Ooo, feisty?"

the irony

It seemed that today, karma was biting me in the ass; and hard. The 'ooo feisty' comment was mine, and how dare some drunk son of a bitcch try and take it away from me. My patience was running thing, and I really didn't feel like putting my foot up this guys ass. I reached for the book again, and he gave it up willingly, that idiotic grin of his still upon his face; so smug. I put it back into my bag as my ink bird began to fly around the mans head, pecking at the man as a means of defending me. The man swatted at it a few times, but then ended it by grasping and squishing the bird.

"Tell ya what kid...you buy me some drinks—"

"Hell no, mooch!"

"Heh...fine. Guess you don't wanna know where to find him..."

"Wait...wait. You know where I can find him?"

The man said no more. He simply grinned, and leaned in closer to reach for the sake container at my side, then began to chug down the rest of it. With that, he placed the container back upon the bar, and knocked three times. Tetsu, quiet as ever, obviously caught the signal for another round. Tonight was gonna be a long night, but hopefully the son of a b***h would give me the answers I wanted. I was running out of coins for these drinks anyways. He better not ask for anymore shiit, I was tired as it was. I put my money on the table and sat back down on the stool.[/ul][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[haiku]

with permission from Jenzo [ie the c-box]

---

[/b]"
engrossed in discussion.[/right]"Kid, I know everyone, kay?"
drunk
"So I wouldn't lie to you."

He seemed honest, I could see it in his eyes that he was not lying. Besides, the alcohol helped in persuading him to tell me the truth, even if he at first wished to lie to me. I took a sip of my own sake, for our conversation was long and intense. The things I heard from this man in his description of Black Waltz intimidated me even more, and with this buzz I had, my emotions had some what gotten the better of me. So, was I really attempting to find and learn from this man, the same man everyone seemed to fear so much?

It seemed that I had turned away to drink for too long, though it were only a few seconds. Next thing you know, the man next to me is dozing off in his arms. I couldn't allow him to fall asleep on me, not just yet. Though we discussed Black Waltz for over an hour, he had yet to give me his location, or any possible hope of finding him; which was what we were suppose to discuss from the beginning. A tad bit drunk myself, I reached over and shook the man to try and wake him up. He snorted loudly and continued rambling on.

"So anyways kid...it suicide, but I'll tell you where...whe..."
dozing off

"Wake up!"
shaking him once more

"...to find him!"
waking up

He would then softly whisper to tell me the location, or at least, the last location he saw the man; the vicinity more so. To think, it would be in a location I wouldn't even think to look. I grew more serious, nodding my head to everything the drunk man was telling me. After the location was stated, the man simply saluted me in a effort of telling me 'good luck', before inevitably knocking out. He didn't just knock out, but literally hit his head against the bar, and fell to the floor asleep. I would get up from my seat and exit the bar.

"I'm coming to find you."
sternly

---

e x i t[/ul][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]