the blame game [p]

[Deleted]

"God damn hair, and the god damn dye."

Mere complaining to himself in a bathhouse's sink. He needed a good massage, some steam, and a new outfit before this thing wen't underway. The white would slowly drip from his head, emanating from the roots. As he concluded, scrubbing the hair, he would hop into a shower dumping shampoo into his hand and lathering his head into a white bubble. From there, the original black hair would emerge. Stepping from the shower, Ikiri would apply the usual blowdry & combing of his hair until it was to his liking.

Creeping through the locker room, looking for an outfit. Then the one he wanted, the one he needed was there for his taking. Putting the suit on, each piece of it fitting almost perfect, he would check himself in the mirror. Good looking guy, actually. Each and every weapon of his, excluding his Tanto Knife, 6 senbon, and one spiked pouch, would be put into a dufflebag and placed into locker 227. From there he would leave the house and sit himself a ways from the place he was to go to. Opening the envolope, he'd read his mission, as night approached.

"Interesting shit."

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: In the club
Rank: B
IIC Length: 2 days
Difficulty: Hard, DE
Description: Suspicious activities have been reported in a bar/club in Mashimizu named the Velvet Den. Sandaime and a Genin once kidnapped a gigolo from the club in order to gain information on the club’s inner workings and ties, but no information could be gained. On the outside appearance, the club seems to be a high end “Gentlemen’s club”. However, there have been whispers of drug and gang ties. Since he can’t investigate himself, the mission has been handed over to an anbu as a lone job. The objective is to gain information on the club, its activities, and find out who owns the club. Your identity as a kiri shinobi has to remain secret, and the entire mission is classified. While no real details can be given about the nature of this mission, caution is advised. If a situation is encountered, use your best judgment to remedy the situation and return.
Objective: Gain information on the club, its activities, and its owner, and return to mist without blowing your cover
Reward: 5000

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

The location was Mashimizu, the largest city in Mizu no kuni, thus the capital. In the light of open day, it was a vast network of businesses and manual labor. Of course, it had its slums, its neighborhoods where violence always rested at, but what place didn’t? But it was night now. The city changed without a doubt, as if a switch had been flicked. The slums grew quiet while the business districts continued to work and toil. But it was between these businesses and various other nooks and crannies where shady activity conducted its business.


In downtown Mashimizu, that was the case. Months ago, a club had been ransacked to two unknown figures. The back wall had collapsed, a few support beams were knocked loose, and the club handler was kidnapped. For a simple gentlemen’s club, the repairs were finished the next week and it was as if nothing had happened. Afterwards, a few rumors came to surface that this club had gang ties, along with rumors of some pretty shady business as well. Where are those that started the rumors? They disappeared… as if spirited away.




Assuming the undercover anbu followed the directions properly, he would eventually reach the down town location that had been specified. He’d find himself across the street from a very large and wide building. In large bold letters the words “THE VELVET DEN” lit up the top front side of the building. On the outside of the building, a line was formed leading up to the door. Two big bouncers closely guarded the doors leading inside, where loud booming music could be heard from the cracks in the door. Both had on black suits with shades on, even though it was the dead of night.

It appeared that they were turning away a lot of people who’s names weren’t on “the list”. In fact, only two people had gotten in over the course of a few minutes. One such person looked very important, in which the bouncers quickly stepped out the way. The other parted way a lump sum of cash and apparently paid his way in at the door. How would Ikiri get in though? Through the front door? Or perhaps there was another side entrance or something. Either way, it looked like he wouldn’t just waltz in… or could he?

[Deleted]

and the time was upon him.

Ikiri had himself in the line for the club, standing by himself. There were a plethora of people in this line, waiting for entrance into this club; was it really worth it? To get turned down at the door to some club? Sheesh. The two people that had gotten in were of importance & wealth. There would be a price for this damn place. Not exactly worth it, but for the mission. Tapping the person in front of him as he neared the steps of the door in the line, Ikiri would tap on the person in front of him and begin talking.

"You been here before?"

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

The person in the line in front of Ikiri was a man in his late 20’s tall, with tanned skin and sandy brown hair. The tanned skin in this kind of weather implied that the man had a lot of time on his hands. The casual black suit he had however, made him seem like bit of a business man. As he turned to face Ikiri, he eyed him up and down with a keen but quick analysis. “Mmm, guess you could say that. I can tell a new guy when I see em though. Just stick wit me. Security won’t just let ya in, dig?” The man seemed friendly enough, but there was a shark-like demeanor.

Assuming Ikiri listened to the man, It’d be about another minute before they would find themselves at the door. The man had a bit of a conversation which both occurred too quickly, and at too low of a tone to be heard and comprehended. Apparently though, it appeared the person he spoke to by chance had some strings to pull. A head pointing motion indicated that they were fine to enter. If Ikiri chose to enter at this point, he’d find that the security at the door didn’t as much as give him a second glance.


“So, what brings you to the Velvet Den?” By this time, the interior of the building became apparent. It was pretty high end establishment in terms of up keeping. There was a large bar station at far right with lots of space for serving customers. There, a man stood behind the counter mixing numerous drinks together and serving them to men, some of whom appeared to already had too many. Scattered all about the immediate area were large numbers of seats, tables, and booths, complete with coed groupings of clients and workers, the dancers that is.



Many of the people appeared to come from different backgrounds. There were people about that looked like business men, some that looked like regular wage earners, and even thugs and others with shady background. But why was Ikiri brought in? The look on the man that brought him in became apparent as the look of someone who greedy for money. Perhaps he thought Ikiri was a promising customer. That was of course, up to Ikiri.

[Deleted]

"Word? I appreciate that."

Of course, he was cautious. This man had to be one high fucking roller to just stroll through the doors, without having to flash cash or even speak to the damn bouncers for more that a minute. That mean't he was most likely, one of the people he was to be investigating or he worked there. Either way, he'd probably end up entertaining this dude all night. Or most of it at least. As they entered; his eyes falling upon the furniture and other scenery, Ikiri would hear the man's inquiry.

"Buddy'of'mines told me about it. Just told me to check it out. My friends are a bit vague at times." Ikiri would pause, turning to his ticket in, "I'm sorry, I ramble at times. Shinji Kubo."

Cover I.D.'s, the whole shindig. Maybe he'd get some information on this character, and his part in this whole little operation.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

"A friend eh? Not surprised, we advertised this place pretty damn much everywhere. Good to see work pay off." Just from that little bit of conversation, one could surmise that he worked here, though what position was uncertain. At the introduction and name, the man grinned wily. "The names Hajime. Go on, enjoy yourself. The clubs a fine entertainment center. Pick any girl you like and enjoy the show. If anyone gives you problems, just ask for Hajime. If that's not your thing, the bars over that way. The liquors top brand vintage and the music ain't bad."

There were various shrugging motions, and pointing to various locations around the club. However, there was no last name given, or any further info given about himself. He turned away from 'Shinji', stretching a bit. "Well, I've got some work to do." He'd begin walking away as if to leave Shinji to his own devices. "Oh, and one more thing. You can get anything you if you pay enough for it." He let out a short chuckle before going about his own business, dissappearing behind doorway with more security infront of it marked as "Club Staff"


That made it pretty official. He thought of Shinji as a customer and was a part of the clubs staff. So as it stood, Ikiri knew the man known as Shinji who worked hair, but nothing else. So where would he go in his investigation from here? The bar or the performance stage for the female entertainers? The music from when Ikiri had first entered the club had ended, and in response, new song had started. It was another generic club track with a moderate pace behind it.

[Deleted]

"Alright man, I'll see you when I see you... mua'fucka.

This man was one of the employees he was to be investigating; he'd watch him leave and go through the Staff Only labeled door. Some way some how, he'd have to get back there. And guards standing strong infront of it wasn't going to make it any easier. So for now, he would put on the facade of any other patron of this club, scooting off to the bar for something to drink.

Sitting at the bar, he would flag down the 'tender, who asked the typical, "What can I get'cha?" from which he would respond with a Vodka with ice. Much ice. He couldn't be getting drunk on a mission. As for the bar, hopefully it wasn't full of people with no information on the place...

&the beat would trudge on in the background.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

The young patron’s stop at the bar would bequeath him exactly what he asked for. The drink in which he’d receive would have so much ice in it, he’d be hard pressed to get a buzz with the same about tenfold. But it was what he asked for. No skin off the tender’s bones by far. There was a great advantage to the Shinji’s positioning at the bar of course. About 4-6 seats down either side of him, one could see two different arrangements of people. Those to his right seemed to be a single bachelor with two scantily clad females. They seemed to be pouring him more alcohol from a bottle they had purchased. No doubt, this man would have very loose lips soon enough, if not now.


The other side, however, had a man whom seemed to be seated alone, except for the bar tender, who would occasionally come by with bits of loose conversation between serving other patrons. He had a single glass in his hand, occasionally sipping off of it as it he couldn’t really drink right now. His position was as if he were waiting on someone or something to happen. The attire was a loosely fitting black businessman’s suit, nothing special. It seemed as though if Ikiri would sit here for a bit, his only means of gathering information would be the threesome to the right, the man at the left, or the bar tender, if he could snag his attention and strike up a conversation. Of course, there was always simply watching, as there were other tables and booths, removed from the bar.


Choice 1-Threesome on the right

Choice 2- man on the left

Choice 3- Bartender

Choice 4- sit and watch.

OOC:Sorry man, seems like your week days are pretty full, and my weekends are packed. I'll try and speed it along though

[Deleted]

Raising his eye brow as the drink came, he would raise the glass to his lips and tip back the alcohol into his gullet. Peering to the right of him would be the gullible guy, ready to get his wallet picked by the stripper bitches. While on his left, his target would just seem to glow. Too bad this was only his first drink. His mind immediately went to the thought of the "The Mark" scam. Playing the person, who is to be getting played. He would have to Drunk target this time. Which means he was going to have to get sloppy.

Topping the vodka back, he'd place the glass on the bar. The bartenders cue to come back and refill once more. Wasting no time, Shinji would tip the next one back, ready for a third. He'd old his head laying it and his arm on the bar, to the right. Hopefully the 'tend would go back and spark another conversation with the man. He needed to see what was up with this guy. If he was a shark, criminal, or any of the above.

the plan was, to drink until the pain's over. but what's worse, the pain or the hangover?

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

The bar tender came back dutifully, refilling the ice laden glass numerous times as was his job. For a few minutes though, it appeared he wouldn’t or rather couldn’t get the cance to talk with the man Shinji had depicted as his target. Rather, there were too many customers requesting mixtures and such. However, with a bit of patience, Shinji would find that drinkers were satisfied for a bit, leading to a conversation between the maybe business man and the bartender.


“Well, do you know what it’s about this time?” The first voice belonged to the bartender, gruff and scratchy.

“Nah, not at all. That bimbo keeps me too busy these days. It’s just getting hard to take care of business and keep a front these days.” The target’s voice was a bit smoother, almost like a practiced speaker

“I see. She always was the nosy type. Told you so when I introduced you two”

“Yeah, yeah, but she puts out regularly and she ain’t too bright.”


The two part ways again as the bartender moves to refill another customer. Nothing useful was gained, but the two seemed familiar enough with eachother. When he returned again, a new conversation began.


“So tell me, where’s Henry at? I don’t see him come around anymore. I thought you two were close. You had a falling out or something”

“Tobias, Henry is dead. Been dead for some months now. They found him in an alley, throat slit, stone cold.”

“Sorry man… I didn’t know. That’s a surprise though. Henry was tough man. Built like a great oak.”

“Yeah, but he never thought, about anything. Kept telling him to keep his business more discreet. Somebody probably got a little ballsy on him. Bastard…”


The conversation continues on, but nothing of any interest seems to happen. However, the target drained his whole drink in just a few seconds, asking for a second as he finished. Apparently, something about the conversation ticked him, or plucked a an chord somewhere. He drains his glass again, clinking it down on the counter as if to say he’d had enough. Tobias, the bartender, seems leave off to more customers and the music is suddenly so blaring you can’t really hear anything more than a few feet off.

However, the man that was Ikiri’s target turns in his seat. After a few seconds, he looks around and moves from his seat, heading in the direction of a large booth like seating area. In his left hand, is a briefcase that managed to go unnoticed seconds ago. What it holds inside is a mystery, but one thing is for sure. From the bar seats, it’s nearly impossible to see him. The only possible thing to do is lose him and pick a new target, or find a location nearby and continue to snoop.

[Deleted]

The snippets of conversation were picked up by Ikiri, as he still rested his head on the bar as patrons came and went. The details of this man Henry's death were too familiar. Some mission he had done with Yo resulted in these events. Oh man. This was the main fuse. As the man walked away, he would note the appearance of a new character. The briefcase. That was what he needed to get in.

Getting up soon after him, Ikiri would follow, giving off the act of slightly intoxicated; the slight sway in his walk. Slowly approaching the booth area, he would find the first empty booth he could find, hopefully close to where ever the man sat down at, and continue sipping his vodka, waiting for more audio information for his consumption.

"Shit, man. I mean, damn. This is crazy.

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/center]

[Runeska]

With the large number of people, Shinji’s presence barely goes noticed, except for bartender, who noticed that Ikiri’s last few drinks had gone unpaid for. Before he could grab Shinjii’s attention though, he got called by another customer, losing the chance. But surely, the tender would flag him down one time or another. As for Shinji, he’d find a number of booths nearby. However, they seemed to expose him to the person he was observing too much. The only booth that didn’t seemed to be three booths down, facing the opposite direction. Shinji would be able to hear fine enough, as long as the music didn’t pick up too much louder. However, there’d be no visual access to what was going.

After waiting for a few minutes, Ikiri would hear nothing. But then, a figure walked by him, passing the direction of his target’s booth. The man was very tall, jet black hair, appearing in his mid twenties. There were three very distinguishing traits about this man. The first was his face, very smooth and handsome for a man. The second was his hair, as it was in a single long braid going at least halfway down his back. The last however was his clothing and demeanor. They were very casual, as if one were at a party versus a club. His demeanor however, was very serious, with a dangerous smirk. When he passed, he took a seat, presumably with Shinji’s target. A conversation very soon began.

“Boss. Evening. I’m glad you could make it,” spoke Shinji’s target.

“Yeah, yeah. Get on with it. I could be doing other things.”

“Sure thing boss. It’s all right here. That bitch finally gave the payment.”

“Finally. What took old granny so long? The hit is supposed to happen soon, right?”

“Yeah boss. Everything’s all squared away now. We just got to wait till it’s the right day. Then all we have to do is bump him off, and make sure our guy gets the lead.”

“Hachi, do I look stupid?’

“Un… n, n, no boss, of course not.”

“Then don’t repeat things I already know. What… do… . .. . …. And tell…. .. … . .. . Daimyo’s guard….”

They were still talking, but go figure, the music suddenly picked up and began booming much louder. What would Shinji do now? Nothing else could be picked up by his ears, due to the music. However, the talking had stopped. Some seconds later, the man that had simply been called boss would move on from the table. He’d pass by Ikiri a second time not looking, though the briefcase was in hand. A payment though? Likely, it was cash. As for the rest of the conversation, Ikiri would have to decide, along with his own course of actions.


He could leave to follow the leader, try stalking his original target some more, or return back to Kirigakure with these pieces of information. However, he’d not found out who the club owner was, along with background information on him. The option of actually talking hadn’t yet occurred either. Perhaps some more tidbits of useful information could be gained. Then, there was still the door in the back marked as “Staff”. Decisions, decisions…

[Deleted]

Now they were getting somewhere.

This was the boss. Meaning everyone around him in the current moment was being watched for sudden movements. So Ikiri would have to force himself to wait until he was gone to carry out his plan. Sipping the drink some more, he would get up once the boss was out of the picture, and move back to the bar.

Putting the glass down, he would slam down the money he owed, times two. Surely that money would get him some information. He would sit himself on a bar stool, popping a peanut into his mouth, leaning into the bartender, once he took the money.

"So who exactly owns this place, 'tend?"

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

"The owner, huh?" The bartender leaned in closely as he picked up the tab, and the extra cash. The extra load felt real good in his hands. Folding it away into his pocket, he said, "No one knows who the club owner is. He never comes out and visits this place. He's a very busy old man." That was the only thing the bar tender would say. Was he serious? All that extra cash as a talking fee, and nothing could be said?


Actually, it looked like he had something else more to say. However he had to deal with another customer. A moment latter, he would ruturn leaning in a little closer. "So yeah, like I was saying, no one knows who the club's owner is aside the club's founder. Rumor is, the owner paid for the place as the proprietor while the founder was down on his luck. If so, I imagine the founder has a lot of debt to pay." Was that all though? The bartender stood there, no longer leaned in, as if waiting for a response, or perhaps another incentive to talk more. So who was the founder? It might be someone the Shinji knew, or had recently met.

[Deleted]

Neglecting his drink once more, he would take in the thoughts, still listening to the bartender. Eying people who passed, he would dart back around when he was finished with his piece. He still needed information on, names, gangs, and other things. But he couldn't ask too many questions in one place.

"And what does the name, Hajime mean to you? I think he works here? He let me in and I just want to know how the hell he got us in so easy."

Once he would obtain his answer, he would leave with his information. That was enough for the moment to take it to the Kage. He had the power to uncover financial records of people. And from there, he could make moves.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

The bartender cocked his head to the side suddenly, as if he was a little more than surprised, likely shocked. Just who was the name he brought up? "Hajime? As in Hajime Fukamen? He let you in? The founder let you in?" Well, the cat was out of the bag. But then, the bartender's face became a little bit more than disturbed, concerned... no, scared.

"Eh mack, I didn't know you was with the founder. You shoulda said something. Here, on the house." The bartender would slide back a freshly filled glass of vodka. Beneath the glass, all the money he had paid for drinks were returned. It was as if something about this Hajime, the founder, scared him bad enough to give away free drinks like this.

SPOILER: Click to show

All cash returned

[Deleted]

"No... no no, keep that. Tell me more about Hajime, you got a bit startled when I mentioned he let me in. I mean, as long as you won't get in trouble..."

He was starting to sound more and more like an investigator of course, but this was something he would have to give up. This dude was entrance into the club's information. He seemed old enough to have some type of seniority in the place, so he probably know enough that he could piece that information to the illegal activity going down.

From the glass, Ikiri would raise it to his lips and take a slight sip of the poison. After this, he would leave. This mission was infiltration, and he would have to make it back to Mist without a tail. Oh man.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

"Well, Mr. Fukamen gets really pissed when you try to charge his buddies for stuff. I remember he came in here once with a couple of shady guys. One of them got drunk and the other bartender started over charging them on drinks. Later that night, Hajime and those guys took him out back, beat some sense into him, then 'fired' him. Haven't seen him since."


He'd been leaned in again while speaking, but he began to pull away, saying, "All I can say is that they looked like mobsters or something. But I tend to mind my own business. I like staying on Hajime's good side, mack. You shouldn't ask too many questions though, words to the wise. No one here likes snoopers."

[Deleted]

"Real shit. Uh, thanks 'tend. Don't get hurt, hear?"

And with that, he would get up with his drink, walk away quickly enough to not bring drama into his life anymore than there was. Tapping into a female as he left, he would put a kiss onto her cheek and the drink into her hand as he moved to pass though the door and leave. Right before, however, he'd glare back to the door with the label staff only, and lay out a type of plan of the ground of the club in his head. Where shit was, and stuff. Good shit, now he could get himself back to Kiri, after he switched outfits. Again.

S'all good.

[exit?]

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Runeska]

Shinji's escape went by quite smoothly. No one appeared to stop him as he attempted to leave through the door. But was everything really as right and proper as it appeared? Just as he turned his back to effectively exit, Mr. Hajime Fukamen appeared from out of the staff only door. He'd been watching Shinji, with interest peaking when shinji stopped to talk.


"So then, been talking again, huh bartender?" Making a signal to the door, he'd say, "Trail him." Three men would rise and leave out the door, moving at a non too stealthy pace. They'd be far enough behind Shinji to remain out of sight, but was obvious he was being followed. The sound of thier footprints could be heard far off in the night, as the only set of foot prints behind him. But how would he respond? Would he go about his business, try to shake them, or turn to fight?