Night-time Errands (Kenkuroi)

[Sakura D'aron]

First Cycle of Cryxatum, Summer. Late Darkening.

Sakura sighed looking at Ken as they left the Tattered Sails. He was too talkative for his own good. Did he have no sense of danger? Or was he simply daft? She did not think that he was an experft with a blade, in fact, she wouldn't be surprised if he turned out not knowing how to even hold one. But for his sake, she hoped he could at least defend himself. Because she wouldn't be that much helf if they were attacked.

"You need to keep quiet." She mumbled quietly as she drew the hood of her cloak over her head. "Wouldn't want attracting attention to yourself now of all times." She said softly as she started leading them away from the relative safety of her tavern, which ironically was reputed as the most dangerous tavern in town.

She had left the tavern against Victor's wishes, he'd wanted to come with them, to assure their safety of course. But she wasn't fond of leaving the tavern unatended, and so Victor had remaind in her place. Worse yet, she'd left without even a word to Alex, who had a nagging habit of going paranoid with worry every time she happen to leave the tavern at night. Jack of course, her pet monkey, had come with her, he hardly ever left her side. But alas, Jack was no comfort at all when it came to safety.

"Keep up will you. You need to stay by my side. Do you know how to defend yourself if need be?" She asked suddenly as she kept a quick pace. She turned to look at him wondering if he was even armed.

[Kenkuroi Mithania]

While Sakura seemed urgent, cautious and wary, Kenkuroi appeared calm and relaxed with a curious, questioning look on his face as he raised an eyebrow at the Esh'lahier female who was suppose to be his guide to the Midnight Tavern, supposedly also the Esh'lahier's establishment alongside the very tavern he just set foot outside. He raised an even higher eyebrow at the sight of Jack, whom he did not noticed earlier. Well, the monkey was definitely drawing attention, if not from whomever or whatever Sakura meant, then from Kenkuroi himself.

He didn't understand what was such the big fuss about simply walking from one tavern to another through the streets of Imperia. So what if it was a little darker than expected? It was not like the whole city was engulfed in darkness, surely the city authorities had taken measures to provide some means of lighting for their citizens after dark, be it candles, torches or by means of arcana.

"Alright, whatever," he answered, shrugging a shoulder as he lighted a fresh cigarette. "I've got a dagger with me if that helps..... and uh, defend myself?" he queried as he patted a small sheathed dagger, latched to his belt and hidden under his untucked shirt. It was so small, it was hardly noticeable, also most probably less damaging too. Along with his dagger, cigarettes, tinderbox, and a pendant and smoking pipe hanging from his neck, partially visible through his half unbuttoned shirt, and the clothes on his back, the half elf didn't appear to have anything else. Quite ill prepared for travelling one could say.....

Funnily enough the idea of defending himself just never came to mind. All this while, since the day he was born, the lucky half elf bastard had never come across the prospect of danger. There were this few scraps and encounters he had with muggers and the sort, and the closest possible dangerous scenario was one that did not involved him but his mother (which he never got around to fully witness). All this was thanks to mom, a petite woman with the strength of an orc and near unrivaled skill in wielding dual katanas..... is unrivaled, for he had never seen her lost a battle, ever, the moment she unsheathed her katanas. With such a mother it was no wonder, he found no need to defend himself.... so far.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura blinked looking at Ken then at his dagger. She swore mentally. Even her throwing knives were bigger than his god forsaken dagger! She continued walking before she spoke again.

"And you say you came to Imperia with some one?" She asked evenly. She honestly hoped that his companion was better prepared than he was. "Aren't you supposed to report to your companion? Wouldn't he or she be worried about you?" She asked frowning.

It was then that she remembered that Ken was in fact a new to Imperia. He had no way of knowing that the Dock's area happened to be the most unguarded place in town. That should he run into trouble he would have to fend for himself, not many in this town made it a habit to aid those in need of help. They'd rather save their own silly lives than risk it for a stranger. And bloody daft one at that!

Sakura turned to look at Ken as they walked. "Your beloved Silrosia has given you an unhealthy sense of security I see." She said with a cold smile. She couldn't help it, she would always remember Silrosia's hostility towards her. Silly Light Elves... She thought to herself. "Perhaps you are better off staying there." She said kindly.

"Ken, Imperia is no place for a boy like you." She said softly. She only hoped the boy would make it back home in one piece. Jack, who was comfortably sitting on her shoulder pulled her ear making her wince. "Stop that you little fur-ball!" She hissed quietly then went back to paying attention to where she was going. Jack had an odd way of telling her what to do.

"Just a bit more." She said more to herself than to Ken. They were almost out of the Docks section, and unlike her naive companion, she was quite eager to get out of the street and into the relative safety of her tavern. She wasn't usually this weary of Imperia's streets... when she was alone that is. But when she was responsible for a boy's well-being... she just wasn't comfortable with that responsability.

[Kenkuroi Mithania]

"Yes! I came to Imperia with someone," Kenkuroi replied, bellowing smoke. The strong smell of tobacco wafting all around them but couldn't linger long as it was washed away by the breeze of the sea, a good indication as to which part of this forsaken city they were now at.

When they had barely walked a few paces away from the tavern where the youth was last seen extinguishing his finished cigarette, already he had started a fresh one and was again smoking as he trailed behind the woman and her pet monkey.

His next sentence though was laced with annoyance and anger, "Don't know, don't care, don't bother! He's probably screwing around with some cheap elf look alike thing. I will be surprised if he is worried about me after cursing me to die earlier fething elf! Son of the Lord they call me.... how embarrassing! The Lord doesn't even care his son is in Imperia bah!"

It didn't end there as Kenkuroi continued with his grumbling, mentioning things about elves, whores, Mithania, male to male intimacy and a whole lot of other things related to his family that Sakura probably did not want to know though the more they walked on, the more murmured his words were that there were barely understandable. That is until she mentioned about Silrosia and their healthy security.

"Hah! Hahahahaha!" Kenkuroi laughed loudy in obvious sarcasm.

"In case you didn't know, your dark born, dark elf, shadow elf, black elf whatever your kind is called, brethren attacked Silrosia just a few eras back. They were not successful but they killed alot of noble Syl'rosian blood as if that was any importance. I was told my grandfather and a few other relatives were among the casualties. Doesn't sound so secure to me that flimsy city. To make it sound even better, we're waiting anytime now to be dragged by our very own security and thrown into prison and executed or something. I guess it does make sense though if your idea of security means keeping you in heh heh...." he giggled at his own joke before responding to Sakura.

"Just a bit what?" Ken answered, thinking he heard Sakura mentioned something along those lines, too into his tale he was he didn't even notice whatever Sakura was aware off.

[Sakura D'aron]

At first, Sak tried ignoring him, but as soon as he started talking about whore and male to male intimacy she simply stared at him open-mouth for a moment then continued walking while the silly excuse of a whelp continued ranting.

Unfortunately, he got louder and louder before he reduced himself to grumbling. And then, curse him, he burst out laughing loud enough to wake the dead! And before she could stop him he was ranting on about an attack which only made her progressively angry to the point that it took every bit of willpower she had to keep from beating him to death! Esh'lahier weren't naturally bad people, unlike the Vissys, and that's what got her angry. Because the idiot was probably confusing Esh'lahier with Vissy and that she couldn't stand for.

So upset she was that when Ken was finally done she whirled around and stopped right in front of him ready to strike him. But alas, she was interrupted.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't little Miss D'aron. Taking a stroll out without one of her precious babysitters." Said a rather ugly looking man in a rather nasty sneering voice. "Tsk, tsk. I'm surprised ya managed to sneak out of the tavern without one of your men. Especially that big lout that follows you around day and night, scaring away any that so much as look at you the wrong way, Alexander is his name right?" He said with a grin then turned to look at Ken and laughed.

"Oh my mistake. You've got children protecting you now!" He said laughing evilly. Sakura frowned irritated and glared at Ken fully blaming him for this sour turn of events! Blast him to hell and back, why couldn't he had just have kept his big loud mouth shut?! With a final sigh she straightened up and made sure her face was expressionless then slowly turned around to look at the ugly men. He gave the appearance of being alone, but Sak knew he more likely than not had four or five other men around him hid in shadows, she couldn't see them but she could hear their breathing and their sneering.

"Hello Tony, hope you're having a grand 'ol time. I however, must be on my way if you don't mind." She said blankly but didn't move an inch. Tony simply smiled broader as he looked at Ken and Sak. "Where are y'all headed this time of the night hmm?" He said studying Ken carefully then seeing that he wasn't wearing any weapons of particular interest he dismissed him and turned to look back at Sakura, who in turned wished very much that she had stayed in the tavern after all.

[Kenkuroi Mithania]

Well the Esh'lahier woman did not answer him but she did stopped abruptly and turned to face him with the sort of body language signaling violence.

"What wha- ?!" the half elf continued, his bored expression now looking both shocked and confused. And then the interruption from a third party just coming into the scene...

Ken peered at the newcomer over his shorter companion's head and studied the man up from top to bottom. The newcomer was a male obviously, a human most probably judging from the sound of his voice as well as features. And by Phedos was he ugly.... yup human..... for no elf could possibly looked like that and neither did the male seemed to be an orc though he did almost looked like one.

The male's voice had an unpleasant tone to it, especially when he laughed but despite the ugliness in both voice and looks, the man seemed .....friendly.... or at least did not meant any harm, so far, as the naive and young boy interpret it. Civil perhaps was the better description, civil but sarcastic and judging from the verbal exchange between the man and Sakura, the two had known each other, even addressed each other's name.

The female Esh'lahier on the other hand, seemed extremely unhappy with the newcomer's presence, at the point of attempting to bore holes into the young half elf's body with her eyes. He could feel Sakura's glare, and he fidget a bit, shifting uncomfortably where he stood as he tried to figure out what was going on. The newcomer identified as Tony was alone, and in Kenkuroi's eyes, he stayed that way. Was Tony a menace? Well, Ken who spent the entire last era among beautiful elves found the man repulsingl ugly so in a way, he was a bit of a menace....

"Where are y'all headed this time of the night hmm?" 'Mr. Tony' had asked, and when he did, he stared at the youth as if directing that question to the half elf who felt obliged to answer.

"Another tavern, with rooms. The Midnight... sun.. day..star.. something..." Kenkuroi mumbled, not remembering the exact name of the tavern Sakura mentioned earlier and taking out the cigarette in his mouth so it didn't interfere with his speech.

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura nearly groweled in anger as she heard Ken answering. She really wanted to hit him now, but she managed to ignore the urge to growl and to hit him remaining instead calmly expressionless.

Tony laughed at the youth's answer. "My, my Sak! I did not know your tastes in men extended to..." he said looking Ken up and down smiling then back at Sak. "BOYS." He said smirking. "Can't be too proud of that if you're taking him to your other tavern instead of your own rooms at the Tattered Sails. Or did you want to make sure that some other man didn't find out? Who is it? Victor? Or your walking shadow Alexander?" He said with a laugh causing the rest of his hidden companions to laugh as well then step out of the shadows and surround them.

Sakura, while getting angrier by the second managed to keep her temper in check and said nothing for the time being. Which Tony took full adventage of to continue bating her. "Or have you decided to hire a male dancer for your topless tavern?" He said merrily but then glared at her as she remained silent. "What's ta matter with ya? Cat got your tongue?" he said taking a step closer to her.

"Not at all Tony. Thing is, it's really none of your bloody business what I do or don't do. NOw if you'd kindly ask your servants to step aside so that we my continue on our way?" She said with a small smile that did not look friendly in the least.

"Ah well, you see Sak, you're one of the few people 'round here I haven't had the pleasure of ... 'runing into'. What with you always being stuck in your tavern and the few times you're out your well protected and what not." He said darkly. "I can't very well miss this rare opportunity you see?" He said taking yet another step closer to her.

Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed irritated. "I've no time for your games Tony. Tell me what the hell you want already." She said looking at him with a frown.

"Well, for starters I want your coin pouch and that of your young companion." He said with an evil smile.

Sakura laughed shaking her head. "You don't really think me stupid enough to walk around these streets with any significant ammount of coin with me do you?" She said reaching for her coin pouch and tossing it to him.

Tony caught it and frowned feeling how light it was, after a quick inspection he saw there were only two Crowns and nothing more. "Ah well, I can hope can't I? But it's really quite unfortunate for you that you don't have enough to keep me happy. Now I must find some other way to have my fun from you." He said looking at her then at the youth.

Sakura slowly took a step backwards so that Ken was close behind her though not out of view for she was shorter than he was. If only the insolent kid was armed with something better than a damn meat knife! And damnit all to hell she was wearing a damn dress and could not possibly be fast enough now! "Tony, there isn't much else you can gain from me or the boy, like you said... he's a kid, you can't expect him to carry much with him can you?" She said looking around at the five men that prevented her escape then back at Tony.

"Ah well, I wouldn't be so sure there isn't anything else to be gained from you... or that whelp hiding behind your skirt. We'll have to see about that." He said taking another step toward her so that he was right infront of her and far too close for her peace of mind... and her poor nose for his smell was far from pleasant.

"Get out of my way Tony." She said sternly but instead of doing as he was told he quickly grabbed a chunk of her hair and pulled her head up to look at him. "Don't try and be smart with me Sak, I've no patience for mind games. I told you, I'll have my fun and only then will you be free to go." He said slowly then smiled.

Sakura glared up at him. "Let go of me now you dirty bastard." She said angrily as she attempted to push him away from her. Tony in turn let go of her only to slap her right across the face causing her to take a step backward and nearly bumping into Ken though she manage to balance herself. Unfortunately, her anger at a peak and without thinking she turned to face him and just as quickly as he slapped her she punched him on the nose forcing him backwards if only a little.

Cursing rather loudly he grabbed her arm and pushed her to him. "Idiotic wench! You'll pay for that!" He bellowed angrily as he signaled two of his men to close in on Ken. "It occurs to me, that you've no concern for your own personal safety, but what of that of your young companion?" He said with a cold smile as he whirled her around and grabbed a chunck of hair again to force her to look at the youth and the two man advancing on him.

"Will you be as unconcern for his well-being? Now you must stand here and watch him recieve punishment for your insolence you stupid girl and then I'll deal with you myself." He said laughing.

Sakura said nothing for a moment as she tried to ignore her painful jaw then looked at Ken with horror. She couldn't help him at the moment... would he be able to even help himself? Even if it was to run away. "Let him go." She said at last.

[Kenkuroi Mithania]

Tony laughed.

Sakura seemed expressionless though Kenkuroi sensed that she was really on the edge of agitation, whether because of that Tony guy or him, he can't quite tell.

Jack was... well Jack was a monkey...

As for the half elf, a deep frown etched on his youthful features as the conversation got weirder and weirder. Was Tony hinting that he and Sak were an item? And did he mention about rooms back at The Tattered Sails?

"I thought you said there were no rooms back at ..." Ken turned to Sakura but never got to finish his sentence as his attention shifted towards the presence of the other five men he never noticed, finally revealing themselves while the ugly man continued his rather interesting taunts.

"Male dancer? Topless?" the half elf queried, eyebrows raised, looking slightly amused before things got uglier. It was only until the men started circling them and Tony mentioning about the money pouch that the youth realized the situation there were in.... that they were about to get mugged....

Kenkuroi could feel the color drain from his face as he took a step away from the nasty man, his hand unconsiously reaching for his pockets. Having simple tastes or more like being just a slacker, he had not bothered with coin pouches, money bag, purses or any special containers of the like. All his money was stuffed down his pockets and since they don't jingle much, it meant either he was broke or he was loaded with paper money, which meant big sums..... well a considerable sum.

"Feth you! I'm not giving you money! I gotta smoke!" the hot tempered youth yelled in anger, one hand in his pocket clutching the crown notes tightly, the other still holding the cigarette.

"Sakura! Do something!" Kenkuroi yelled at his female companion, expecting her to do the same feat as his mother could do but instead Sak was getting her hair grabbed, slapped to the point of nearly bumping into him..... well, she had the guts to punch the man back but it was becoming apparent.... she was not Shouten Hanakimi and Kenkuroi was beginning to learn; not all women were like his mom.

The half elf was torn.

Part of him was afraid, part of him wanted to run away as fast as possible, far away from these thieves, but part of him was also angry, angry at these men, angry at Sakura for being helpless, angry at himself for being afraid, while part of him was still in disbelief, that this had to happened, that Sakura seemed to be overpowered..... and this time, there was no mommy to get his ass out of trouble.

Wrestling with his emotions and not knowing what to do, Ken appeared to have freeze in shock, not moving, not listening and not responding until just when the two brutes were within his reach, he shouted, "You want money? HERE!"

With that phrase, he pulled out the handful of crown notes he was clutching, three or four 50 crown notes plus a few gold crowns and threw it at Tony. But the reckless, temperamental half elf refused to just end it there. In quick succession, not caring if he had those greedy pigs distracted by flying money, he followed the move with an attempted punch towards Tony's nose....

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura forgot all about the current danger she was in and the hand holding her temporarily prisoner as she stared at Ken in horrified shock. What the hell was he doing? First off, as usual, he couldn't keep his big half elven mouth shut, then as if that wasn't bad enough, he actually demanded that Sakura save him! Which was of course, her responsibility since she was the one escorting him not the other way around. Did he not see that she was out-numbered six to one? 'Cause she did not count on him to do much. Just who the heck did he think she was? An Immortal being who could take on six men bigger and stronger than her... though not smarter than her, but that didn't exactly count right at the moment.

Then as she watched him her already pale complexion became paler. She realized he was scared half out of his mind and that he probably held HER responsible for the contradiction they were in. The insolent little bug! She thought furiously. He's the one that attracted this attention to begin with, what with his big loud mouth! She said to herself mentally, though she could not shake the sense of guilt that was creeping up on her.

And then, to her complete surprise, he actually gave up what money he was carrying. She only prayed that it wasn't too much, and promised that if they survived this ordeal she would replace what he lost, if only to make up for not protecting him better.

The men surrounding them found the youth rather hilarious as they laughed themselves almost to tears. Though they quickly stopped laughing as they went for Tony.

"No!" Sakura said trying to stop Ken but it was too late. It all happened so quick that for a second or two, Sakura was frozen with confusion. Tony let go of her throwing her towards Ken as if to use her as an obstacle to stop Ken from getting to him and took a step back. At the same time the two men that had been gaining on Ken reached for him, though one missed him the other one was in time to grab the half elf by the arm.

Sakura growled angrily. She could've kicked Ken if only they weren't in such a dangerous situation right then. Damn fool that he was. But alas, there was no time for that right now. Turning around she quickly drew both her throwing knives that were hidden within her sleeves and managed to cut Tony on his arm though it was not deep. But it had been enough to have him retrieve his own dagger. And dammit to hell and back, his dagger was clearly bigger than her throwing knives. But she could not reach for her elven knives right at the moment as that would involve her bending down to get them from her boots where they were hidden.

"Insolent little whelp your companion. I'm afraid now you'll both have to pay in kind for your... rudeness." Tony said angrily as he lunged forward with his dagger, Sakura reacted quickly by stepping to the side, but not quickly enough as Tony's dagger managed to cut her left arm. Sakura quickly unfastened her cloak and threw it aside, it was only getting in her way... and so was the skirt of her dress.

"Let the boy go Tony, he gave you what you wanted he's done no harm to you." Sakura said as they circled each other cautiously. But Tony only laughed evilly along with his companions.

"Very well. Release him, let's see if he can work his way out of here." Tony said quickly then lunged himself forward again aiming for Sakura's chest but this time she was quick enough with her dodge, if only barely missing him and tripping him instead. But that only gave her enough time to reach for her boots and retrieve her elven daggers. Both 17" knives had been securely fastened to the side of her boots, and since she was wearing a dress they were concealed.

At the same time the man that had taken hold of the youth let him go on Tony's command and then he and the other man drew out their daggers and laughed. "Well boy, let's see what you're made of eh?" He said taunting him.

And Jack well, Jack was indeed a monkey and he was not a fan of fighting. He was quite cowardly that way. The only thing he'd ever fight for, was food. And since no one was stealing his food, he didn't see the need to fight. So, he did what he did best. RUN! Since no one had taken much notice of him he left his mistress' side and ran like there was no tomorrow back to the Tavern, where he fully intended to get someone's attention. Be it Victor, Toby or even Alex if he didn't kill him first.

"You know that's not what I meat you evil bastard. The boy's not even properly armed, that's not fair and you know it." Sakura said to Tony irritated though still keeping a safe distance from him and his dagger.

Tony laughed mirthlessly. "Ah well, Sak, when have you ever known me to be fair? Can't make no living that way ya know? Not in my line of work anyhow." He said with a smug smile.

[Alexander]

Alexander's stomach was growling. Thinking back on it, he hadn't eaten in many long hours. He had spent most of the day in his room, lying on his bed, trying to sleep the day away. While Sakura was working for most of the day, Alexander would usually troll the city streets, looking for some sort of activity to keep his mind busy. Today, however, he didn't feel much like doing anything. Really, he wondered where Sakura was at this time of the night. Usually, the two met for dinner, but she was late. Now, after having been downstairs to ask of her whereabout, Alexander was becoming anxious.

According to Victor, she had left for her other tavern a few minutes earlier with Jack and some strange half-elf. Alex didn't like the sound of that. He trusted Sakura, but he couldn't force himself to not worry about her. She didn't like to venture into the streets after dark. Why would she do it with a stranger that no one seemed to know? Alexander had half a mind to go after her. Then again, what if it was business she was dealing with? Alex had virtually no idea the people she kept in contact with, outside of her crew and tavern staff, of course.

Alexander was sitting on his bed, his fingers and toes twitching nervously, when there was a terrible screeching at his window. Slightly startled, Alex whipped his head around to the window where Sakura's pet monkey Jack seemed to be having some sort of...epileptic siezure. Rushing over to the window, Alex pulled it open and let the monkey inside. He barely had a moment to wonder what the small simian was up to before it attacked him.

Leaping upon his shoulders and clawing at his hair and nose, Jack screeched wildly. Shouting in shock and pain, Alexander seized the monkey and threw it onto his bed.
"WHAT is WRONG with you!?" he shouted at it. Jack, however, resorted to jumping up and down, screeching and yelping, his little eyes bulging. It wsa only now that Alex realized that the monkey was in a total panic. He had never seen it like this.

Something was wrong.

Victor told it that Jack had been with Sak. In a flash, Alex's sword belt was fastened around his waist and his warhammer was in his hand. He wasn't wearing his armor, but he would have to cope without it. There wasn't time to fuss with it. Sakura could already be...

NO! Alexander shook his head to rid his mind of the thought as he bounded down the stairs and through the main bar room. He was out the door and into the streets in a flash, the cool night air rushing over his bare flesh. He knew the way to Sakura's other tavern. He had been there once before...without Sak's knowledge, of course. He was, after all, only human. He had been....curious.

As he ran down the city streets, warhammer in hand, he heard raised voices up ahead. He slowed down and stopped behind the corner of a building, pausing to poke his head around to see what was happening.

He saw Sakura. She was alive. But she was bleeding from a cut on her left arm. The alley was practically full of people. Sakura was squared off against one man, but there were five others that had surrounded a young adolescent. Alexander then realized that this must have been the half-elf that Victor had mentioned. He looked so young, but was likely older than Alex. He and Sakura looked to be outnumbered 6 to 2. Form the looks of it, they had been ambushed by the group of men.

The six disheveled men were all brandishing daggers, something that Alex was slightly relieved about. He would use his warhammer, which...if nothing else...was quite intimidating. Being nothing more than a metal block with a large spike jutting from one side of it, it was as forboding a weapon as one could hope for. He would step out and make his presence known. Then, while the attackers focused on him, perhaps Sakura and the half-elf could take advantage of the moment, even if it was to run away. Alex had decided long ago that, if it came to it, he would die for her... but it was not going to be tonight.

The time had come. Alexander could feel his adrenaline pumping into his bloodstream. He was beginning to feel it, the thirst for action. It was this that was going to keep him alive tonight. Exhaling sharply, Alexander stepped out from behind the building, warhammer resting calmly in his hands.

"Sakura," he said loudly. "You never said anything about fighting a gang of thieves tonight. How could you not invite me? You know I love destroying worthless pieces of human garbage." Alex was practically smiling as he spoke. Oh, there would be a battle, all right.


It was about damn time...

[Kenkuroi Mithania]

Well, Kenkuroi had tried to capitalize on the greed of those money mugging scum with his money throwing act, hoping it would have served as a good distraction to throw them of their feet for just a few seconds, enough to buy him time to land all his juvenile frustration at the man who was the cause of this..... this mess that will cost him his crowns and ultimately, his tobacco supply. Yup, and a good way to prevent his loaded pockets from being emptied by those goons was to throw the crowns at them, smart smart....

It was evident from the lad’s desperate fighting act and even in the way he moved, the flow of the punch he was about to execute on Tony, that the half elf was an untrained fighter though he had the initiative to still attack even when he was clearly outnumbered, ‘out-equipped’ and ‘out-skilled’ so to speak. Honorably brave or just recklessly foolish? Whatever it was, despite his useless appearance and attitude, he sure had one hell of a fighting spirit and tons of it too. Perhaps that explained what drove his instincts to do whatever he just did, which might just be a good thing..... maybe.

He might have failed to land a hit at Tony but at least he had been successful with his other intention; forcing Tony to release Sakura.

The man, also seemingly displaying desperate defensive measures had fling Sakura free onto him hoping to prevent the punch from ever landing. Ken stumbled as his momentum collide against Sakura’s and he tried to catch her, to hold both him and her steady, something he failed to do as he was rudely jerked back by someone grabbing his other arm, the one that held the still burning cigarette.

Whatever happened next, happened so fast, Kenkuroi was unable to make out the events until the point where Sakura and Tony could be seen circling each other, weapons drawn, both injured on the arm. Something Tony, who was the obvious ringleader, had said made the man who held his arm let go of his grasp though not without a price as both men then proceed to draw out their daggers and spit out their taunts, their intention very clear and not pretty at all. Yanking his arm away from the vile touch of the stinking mugger, Ken tried his best to not show any fear or insecurity as he casually returned the cigarette back to his mouth and drew out his own dagger. The taste of tobacco was soothing but the weapon in his hand felt foreign.

Truth be told, Kenkuroi wasn’t exactly a stranger to combat thanks to his hot temper often landing him into trouble as well as indirect encouragement from his warrior-like mother, but most of his fights were brawls with other children his age, and playful (but still painful) fist fights with his own mom who was often the instigator whenever they argued, which was quite often. But despite having a katana master for a mom, he had never touched a katana, was never given any proper, official training in any combat skills. The dagger was given to him only when he was about to depart to his father’s home, "to cut your father’s balls off if he tries to molest you", she had said in jest, and all he had done with the weapon was create pockmarks on wooden surfaces. Wielding it now in a combat situation, Ken had absolutely no idea what to do with it despite having seen how his mom wielded the katana and had observed her during practice. Wielding a 20ish inch blade was very, very different indeed compared to some small 5 inch thing.

However, before Ken decided to do anything stupid, a male voice shouting out the name "Sakura," seemingly pierced through the chaos. Instinctively turning towards the source, he saw another man holding a war hammer joining the scene, one that he hadn’t notice before or could he be a newcomer? And from the looks of it or more like the sound of it, this man was on their side..... hopefully....

[Sakura D'aron]

Sakura had been too intent on keeping Tony in sight and thus she had not been able to keep track of Ken, she only hoped that he would shut the hell up and not get himself killed. She couldn’t deal with the death of one so young, especially if his death was the result of her inability to protect him properly.

Tony and Sak were about to go at each other again when everyone heard Alexander, especially Sakura. Amazingly, everyone was obviously caught off guard by this new arrival, even Sakura. So everyone seemed to have frozen on their tracks... Sakura included.

Alexander had spend enough time at Sakura's tavern, so he wasn't a new sight. And he was particularly well know to this particular gang, well, was well known as a person you've never spoken with but seen on a daily basis can be. Tony and his companions knew for a fact that Alex was whom Tony had called 'Sakura's shadow' for Alex was often seen with her, they knew he lived with her, and they knew that he could scare most just with a simple but rather determined glare if anyone so much a looked at Sakura the wrong way.

It took a minute or two for Sakura to even move, she was that much in shock to hear Alex's voice. She was relieved on one hand, because she knew he would protect her, scared on the other hand because she didn't want him to get hurt on her account, and at the same time she was worried about his reaction to her venturing out at night alone. She knew Alexander's temper well enough and she knew he could take it the wrong way that she had not told him where she was off to and asked him to come along. At the moment she was more terrified of having Alex feel insulted by her actions than at the prospect of being killed by Tony and his servants. She knew how important trust was to Alex, and bless his heart he may take this as a lack of trust on her part when that wasn't it at all. She just... hadn't thought of it really. And she hadn’t wanted to bother him... was that bad?

Momentarily forgetting about Tony she slowly turned around to face Alex. "Alex..." She whispered as if to verify if he was really there. "I umm.... I'm sorry?" She said blankly. Seeing him there smiling was as usual confusing to her in a very distracted sort of way. "Thing is, I wasn't expecting to run into anyone tonight." She said suddenly glaring at Ken. If only he'd kept his voice down, they might've never run into these idiots! She was still glad that the kid was unharmed though.

And just like that, everyone seemed to have gotten over their initial shock at Alex's unexpected appearance. "Shoulda figured you'd show up sooner or later. Not like you ta let little Miss Sak here wander the streets alone at this particular time eh?" Tony said suddenly. And it was then that Sakura remembered the situation they were in, but before she could even turn to face Tony again he'd walked up behind her wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed his dagger to her throat with his free hand. "Well then, what will it be?" He said evilly as he signaled his men to close in on Alex. Three of them did so and the other two stayed at Ken's side to ensure he wouldn't run off.

The three men going after Alex didn't seem too reassuring, what with Alex handling a war hammer and them only daggers. But they knew better than to contradict Tony.

Sakura angry at being trapped again stomped on Tony's foot, but he did not release her. "Do that again wench and I'll slit your throat without a thought." Tony said angrily as he pressed the dagger harder against her throat. All Sak could do was watch in horror at Alex and Ken, for now she would just have to bide her time.

[Alexander]

Ah, there it was. The momentary pause while everyone came to grips with what was happening. Alexander grinned widely at the frozen scene in front on him. His flamboyant entrance had had exactly the effect that he had hoped for. Alex wasn't sure what had been about to happen, but he had the feeling that he had appeared at the last possible moment before something terrible could occur.

Unfortunately, things did not seem to get any better. He had hoped that Sakura would sieze the distraction's opportunity and, at the very least, disarm the man she was facing off against. Alas, things did not play out in such a way.

Sakura spoke, replying to his statement, which Alexander found slightly comical. "Ah, don't fret," he said, taking a step forward. "It'll be fine, now"

Then, for the first time, the man...whom Alexander had pegged as the ringleader...spoke, addressing Alex in a sneering, hostile tone. "Well, you know me.....apparently. Now, how's about you let my friends go before you go and get yourself hurt?"

As he spoke, Alexander began rolling his shoulders and neck, tensing his muscles, warming up his body for the fight that was about to begin. He had no idea how things were going to go down, but he had arrived with intentions of helping Sakura. As long as he could do that...well, a few cuts and bruises were trivial. He knew that Sakura was more than capable with a blade, he only hoped that the young half-elf knew how to wield the knife he was brandishing.

In response to Alexander's comment, Sakura's opponent stepped behind her, grabbing her about the waist and putting his dagger to her throat. At the sudden turn of events, Alexander's grin vanished instantly. It was a small action, but his expression turned to stone in a split second. Sakura was in real danger now, and Alex was in a difficult position. Simply charging towards the men was a sure way to get her killed. But something had to be done. Luckily, the dilemma was about to be solved for him.

As the man cowered behind his elf hostage, he ordered his men to advance on Alex. "...What will it be?" he asked sinisterly.

At the command, three of the slovenly bandits began approaching Alex, who slid into the ready stance that he recalled from his weapons training. His eyes darted between the three attackers, wondering what he should do. As he attempted to formulate a plan in his head, his thoughts drew his gaze back to Sakura, who was still trapped in her predicament. For a moment, his eyes locked onto hers. His gaze was stern, but suggestive, as if to say: Be ready.

Alexander knew that sitting idle was not the best idea. He had to go on the offensive to catch his assailants off guard. He poised himself, his muscles tensed to explode. With one final sigh, Alexander opened his mouth again.

"What will it be?" he repeated thoughtfully. He waited until the three henchmen were only a few feet away before answering the question.

"Improvise."

As soon as the word left his mouth, he lunged forward, screaming loudly in hopes of startling his opponents. Within a split second, he had raised his right boot and was shoving it square into the chest of the middle man. Without wasting an instant, Alex lifted his warhammer, holding it like a spear, and thrusted the head of it toward the left man's face.

Was the attack effective? Alex didn't even know. Again, as quickly as he could, he spun on the spot. He used the momentum of his spin to whip his warhammer around like a lumberjack would with an axe. The violent hammer swing was aimed for the gut of the third man.

After the attack combination, Alexander would retreat a few steps and see who was
still standing...


OOC: You make a great mod, Sak

[Kenkuroi Mithania]

Kenkuroi had more of his questions answered, though it did nothing to get them out of their current predicament.

Firstly, judging from everyone's reaction towards the entry of the man with the war hammer, he was not expected even by the mugging goons despite the ringleader's wry comment, making the man a newcomer indeed.

Second, the man was indeed on their side, a great relief to the young half elf who had earlier doubts over the man's