Fighting Destiny (Accepting 1x1)

[Falconblade7591]

~Katsu Mitsurugi~


Katsu figured that was enough reason to rest for her, he nodded and began walking with her to the Tavern. Katsu paused for a second and looked as she moved ahead...

"...Being around here?..."

He simply figured she slipped up and meant something else, they both walked inside.

The entire place was alive and about, music played loudly as some were singing along, others were drinking amongst eachother, a few looked over in Katsu and Akira's direction.

"...Hey boss...you recognize them?"
"....I have not seen them areound here before...but that man looks pretty suspicious..."
"Alright...keep an eye on them"

Katsu sat at the bar and pulled out a chair for Akira, he got the bartenders attention and looked at him with a cold face,"...I am looking for something important...perhaps you know of any merchants of rare relics or authentic jewelry here...that dates back quite some time".

The Bartender looked at them and pointed at Akira,"....She is not allowed in here..." he said plainly.

Katsu glared at the bartender,"...She is not going anywhere...this is my daughter...." he said in a blatant lie.

The bartender scoffed at him,"...What irresponsible parent brings their child to a place like this.?"

Katsu was unaware of what a Tavern really was however he stood his ground,"...A traveling one...now Give me the information..."

"Alright now! Thats enough!...Get the child something to eat and some juice!"

A burly Merchant came and sat down next to them,"...The owner probably would not like the trouble you are stirring...." he warned the bartender.

The Bartender looked at all of them and began doing as he was told.

The Merchant looked towards Katsu and Akira,"...Now...you two are new here....watch your step...but as for you question...I may know something...there have only been rumors...but im sure it would be more than useful for you journey...but there is a catch...." he said with a small grin.

Katsu looked at him calmly,"...Catch?' he asked with a suspicious look.

The Merchant looked at him,"...We are going to test you mettle!...the child will be fine...What do you say?...Do you accept my challenge?"

Katsu was silent for a moment, and looked towards Akira, seeing if she had any input.  

[Falconblade7591]

~Katsu Mitsurugi~
/n135/SenorChicken/lamento-2.jpg[/imgleft]

At this point the whole bar had become silent, people were peeking over their decks of cards, and even the most obnixious of drunkards were quiet to hear Katsu's response, who at the moment was completely lost. Katsu sighed at Akira's repsonse, she was in the same boat. Katsu looked back towards the Merchant with a serious look,"...I accept..." he said calmly. The whole Tavern broke out in a thunderous uproar of cheering and excitement. Katsu looked around quickly, unaware of what he had just gotten himself into.

The Merchant had a wide grin, "....Thats the spirit!...The child will stay here...but you sit over here..." The merchant led him to a round table where the most rugged of sailors and Merchants were at. The merchant smiled at him,"...The challenge is simple..." he snapped his fingers and two bartenders walked up and placed several platters with mugs full of alcohol, "....Last one standing is the victor!" He cheered. Creating another uproar of cheering.

Katsu, behind his mask of indifference couldn't help but feel surprise, at least no combat was involved, however he had some upper hand, though he did not drink, influences of poison and in this case...alcohol were slowed down in his system, he could still be affected, but not as quickly onset. Katsu, had to think for a second though, "...I have t stay perfectly still so he could keep the influence at bay. Katsu took his seat, and looked around the table.

The Merchant took a seat as well,"...I must give ya a fair warning...nobody has yet to beat me!...one could say I have...a knack for this kind of thing....Ready?...." he said calmly, as the crowd grew silent once again.  

[Falconblade7591]

~Katsu Mitsurugi~


Katsu looked around him as the Tavern waited anxiously.

The merchant grinned,"...GO!" e cheered! The crowd once again erupted into a tempest of excitement.

Katsu and the rest of the group raised their Mugs and brought it to their lips, drinking the amber brew, Katsu grimaced, he hated the taste, this was the challenge?...perhaps a duel would not have been this bad.

Soon the finished the first round, slamming the mugs onto the table, soon the next round was picked up and then the real challenge began, Katsu remained calm as the rounds came and went, his mind was still focused. And the Mysterious merchant was not showing any affect either.

Soon one more sailor fell back and onto the deck, another face slammed into the table, the only two left were Katsu and the Merchant, Katsu had a bright tint along his face,"....I...I have....to stay focued..." he thought as his vision blurred in and out. The Merchant said nothing, however he seemed to be reaching his limit, one more round was set down, it seemed like this would decide it, the both lifted their mugs and began to drink, there was a split second and then they both hit the table, and Katsu's mug was empty, while the other still had half left, The Merchant grinned,"...I concede defeat!...you...you win..." he said with an exhausted grin.

Katsu nodded and looked at him expecting his prize. After the cheering subsided the Tavern seemed to go back to normal. The Merchant began speaking to Katsu calmly,"...Alright...well..." he gave a hearty hiccup, "...The owner of this place...daughter to the founder of this Tavern...and half this Port...seems to have control of a small collection of ancient treasures...and apparently she has gotten a hold of something interesting lately....a relic of sorts....as well as a few gems from ancient history....she personally runs this shop...but be prepared to pay an arm and a leg...these relics are the genuine article...." he explained.

Katsu nodded,"...So I have to find her...what Is her name?"

The Merchant nodded,"...Her name is-"

He was cut off by the tavern doors bursting open, Three thugs stood at the ready with on leading them, and two with some sort of Musket or rifle,"...Hmph!...What a bunch of scum!...I'll show you what happens when you kick me out of a good drink!"

Katsu rushed to his feet, only to stumble, his vision was blurred, it seemed everything was finally catching up to him at the worst time. Katsu gripped a chair and flung it, taking out one of the henchmen, it seemed a brawl had broken out, causing confusion, "...Akira!....g-get out...of..." Katsu could not stand much more. He could only throw them or hit them ith something heavy, precise attacks were out of the question, he lunged at the other henchmen, only to miss, the henchmen stuck Katsu across the face with a swift swing of the musket.

Katsu stumbled and grabbed the man by the collar, he spun him in a circle and slammed him into the leader. Throwing them both into a table.

As all this was going on a young lady with a closed parasol in her hand gently grabbed Akira's hand,"...You should not be in here!...come on!" she urged as she pulled at her hand gently, trying to get her out of the Tavern.  

[Falconblade7591]

~Katsu Mitsurugi~


The lady looked at Akira and ran her hand on her cheek, suddenly the carrige slowed down, a voice spoke to them, it was the driver, "...Milady!...seems the chaos is still out of control...perhaps we should try to end the problem..." he explained, The lady nodded and the carriage began to turn around. Finnaly, coming to the Tavern, the lady looked at Akira,"...please stay here...try to go to sleep..." she said gently as she stepped out.
Katsu groaned as his vision faded and he could not think straight, he grabbed the leader as he lunged forward, he could not take much more, however in one last movement, Katsu reared back and unleashed a devastating headbutt. Knocking him out and allowing the Tavern to finally fall silent, others were simply trying to recover, as everything seemed to calm down, Katsu looked around for Akira,"...Hmmm....sh-she must have escaped..." he mumbled there were footsteps behind him,"...You caused this?...YOU IDIOT!". He turned around and next thing he knew a bright purple flash was the last thing he saw, before he felt a load of pressure on his face, he stumbled and went down like a rock, unconscious.  

[Falconblade7591]

~Katsu Mitsurugi~


Now back at a strange building The woman carried Akira to a small guest room and set her on the bed, covering her with sheets and placing Demo next to her, she sat on the foot of the bed and looked at her,"...Who could have left you all alone?...Dont worry....you are safe now..." she brushed her cheek and then stepped out of her room.

Katsu was bound up in rope, he opened his eyes slowly, he seemed to be in a basement,"...Where...where am I?" he said with a low groan. A figure began to appear, it was female, Kojiro shook his head,"...Who are-" he was silenced by a swift slap,"...No questions..." he growled, Kojiro looked up at her with a sharp glare, however she paid no mind,"...Do you have any Idea how much in damages you owe me?..." Kojiro suddenly had an idea,"...You...you are Yakumo's daughter?..." she sighed and crossed her arms,"...Are you even paying attention?...I checked your person...and what little gold you have is not enough to even fix the sign that was thrown over the dock in two pieces!" Katsu shook his head,"...You don't seem to understand...I was no-" he was slapped again,"...Dont even think about trying to explain yourself!...there was a child in my establishment that was in danger because of you!" Katsu looked up at her,"...Child? Akira?!...Is she alright?" the woman looked at him in disbelief,"...Sh-she is fine...she is sleeping right now...Is that child with you? How irresponsible are you?"

Katsu sighed,"...I was trying to find you...and somehow we wound up in this mess trying to find you...I did not mean to drag her into this...you or one of your family members have something that belongs to me..."

The woman chuckled,"...And what makes you think I would simply han-"

Not another second was wasted, Katsu broke out of the ropes and grabbed her hand, The woman had fear written all over her face,"...Y-you could have broken out at any time....who...W-what are you?"

Katsu looked at her with a serious stare,"...That child is important to me...let me explain myself...this child, what Im looking for....and your Tavern....perhaps then we can reach an agreement...Miss Yakumo?" He stumbled lightly as the light in his eyes faded slightly, she looked at him as he loosened his grip, she let out a small sigh,"...You are still drunk...however you barely seem physically impaired...and your mind still seems sharp...in any case...I will get some tea....you need to recover first....then we will talk..." She nodded as they both agreed to settle things in a civil manner.