A Cesspool of Horrible People [KUMO]

It wasn’t even seven o’clock when the petite girl entered the establishment. He, who manned the bar, raised a brow. There was a certain unease sprouting from his belly. As small as the lass was, her entire presence was uncommonly confident in one so young. Kids, the normal ones, were almost always immature about entering an evening bar. He could hear and see them from outside the windows, whispering and giggling about how they could take a shot or two because their parents let them drink once.

He scoffed at the naivety of them. Drinks - liquor and wine and beer - was not solely for the pleasure of nor for the fun it could induce, but rather the buzz and numbness it could produce. Again, it brought him to question the girl, who had now taken a seat (with much difficulty as a toddler would climbing over something - the stools were quite tall) a few feet from where he stood. Now that he had a closer look on her, she couldn’t be more than thirteen or fourteen years old!

”I believe you shouldn’t be in such a place, little miss,” he told her, casually wiping the insides of a heavy glass. Idly, the bartender reminded himself that it would soon hit rush hour and he needed to chase off the girl before unsavory people would come knocking at her door. However, her reply was curious.

”Why not? I’m a paying customer,” she replied with as much cool as one of his regulars. ”Green tea, if you please.”

He stuttered. G-Green tea?! ”T-This is a bar! Do you not know that?” This little girl was either an airhead, plain stupid, had no common sense, or… His eyes narrowed. Ninja. While his bar was currently sparse of patrons, a few of his tables were occupied with a few drunkards and hooded men. There was no way a regular child would be amiss to the dark atmosphere. He stopped cleaning the glass in his hand and raised his head at her. ”We don’t sell green tea here. And especially not to your kind!”

”What do you mean ‘your kind’?” Her voice, innocent. ”And you do sell green tea. It’s right there, behind you.”

Surprise, surprise. He sputtered. What did he mean?! His lips pursed outside gritting teeth. Just as he was about to yell, he surveyed her again then looked over his shoulder. ‘Lo and behold was a tin of green tea leaves. He sighed. That was his personal inventory of tea and it was not for sale.

Perhaps he was overreacting. What with the news of an armada of foreign shinobi and a slew of their villagers entering the village. There was talk of war, a subtle attack under the guise of being allies. And the actions of the adolescent in front of him wasn’t helping at all despite he could only glean a small amount of chakra in her - the same amount of regular citizens. Maybe she was one of those odd kids, one that didn’t know how to function in society.

”Nevermind. Just… You’re underage and a bar isn’t a place for a child. Please, get out.”

”But what about the green tea?”

Senshi liked watching the baby, it gave him something to do in a village where he was land locked into nothingness. There was only so many times that he could spend talking to and going over everything with all the people they had brought. It seemed that the villagers that had come with them, had taken pity on the giant of the man and he found himself baby sitting the little girl who had been borne almost on the door steps of Hoshi. While that could theoretically make her a Hoshi Nin, Senshi was prepared to hold out and say she wasn't. She was Kumogakre to the core, as evidenced by how much she enjoyed playing with his chakra and even the flamingo summons he brought out to assist him.

For now though he was in search of one of his students. It had occurred to him when he had run into Sakana that he had failed to ensure all of his main shinobi had telepathy seals and mark seals so that he could keep track of them. So instead he was dealing with half baked and mainly sneering reports from people on where his little student had gone. He still didn't understand these people. Would Kumo react his badly to foreigners coming into their lands? Or would they maintain the utter polite professionalism that had been slaughtered into their brains? It was an interesting conundrum and one Senshi found himself constantly considering. Not that there was much else for him to do here.

He smiled down st the baby he held in the bright pink baby carrier adjusting his arm slightly so that she had better access to her bottle. He was dressed, casually. A dark red button that was only half buttoned showing the charcoal gray shirt he had underneath it. His button ups sleeves were rolled partially up exposing the sealing tattoo on one arm and the massive burn marks on the other. His half burned neck and face, only stuxknout more as the light charcoal gray shirt dipped lower across his shoulder and pectoral muscles showing that the left hand side of his chest clearly held the same burns as his neck. Dark coyote brown pants adorned his lower figured with a pair of comfortable
Looking red shoes that matched the shirt.

Hidden inside his pants waist bands were his two tantos but other than that he seemed rather weaponless. The bright red earring in his hair probably making him seem a little odd to the people around him. Or that's what Senshi thought as he released another pulse of chakra, it not even occurring to him that the baby or headband of Kumo tied sideways to his head would be the real reason for their odd or scornful stares. It was about this time thst Senshi finally picked up on his students chakra signature and with a sigh he adjusted his shoulders pulling the now the now empty bottle from the babies mouth.

Just as she was starting to get fussy he opened the doors to the dimly lit bar scowling as he did so. Why was Saya in a place like this anyways. He gently lifted  the baby girl from bright pink back pack carrier his other arm pulling out a being pink hand towel and tossing it over his shoulder. Brown-green eyes finally alighted on his student who was being led towards a seating area by and equally small women. His eyes narrowed, since he had no idea whom this woman was he didn't like the attention she was paying his underage student. He stepped forwards, blatantly ignoring the loud cry of annoyance from some man who had been talking to him about having the baby in here. He was a medic the baby would be fine.

It was a few short steps last before he was standing at the table looking over both females in his glorious six foot seven heigh and feeling the first vestibules of awkwardness. He hadn't one hand patting the babies back gently while the other held her still and against the left side of his chest. His bearded face looked first from the new comer then to Saya with only a slight eyebrow raise as he did so. When he finally spoke, he completely ignored the red head instead focusing on Saya, it would go completely over his head how much he appeared to be the father of Saya and the baby he was carrying. "Saya, I recall telling you all not to go anywhere alone?"

Amethyst orbs flickered with a mix of annoyance and confusion. The bartender was being quite difficult in his service to her, trying to kick her out because of her age and small stature. She was a paying patron! But he would simply bat away her request for green tea - ”It isn’t for sale, little miss. Now, get out of here before I get security on you!” Saya had stared at him for a brief moment, weighing her options of leaving and getting a drink elsewhere or staying to continue their argument.

Whether it was luck or not, came a pretty red-headed woman. Saya tilted her head to the side once the aforementioned woman started to talk on her behalf. The thing was the lady’s point of contention didn’t exactly apply to her. She was underage! Dark, beady eyes slid over to her, appraising her small form before snorting in derision.

”That might be true to you, Lassy! But I’m a hundred percent positive that this one’s not of age.” The older gentleman gave her another look of judgement as if to double check on his statement. He didn’t seem so confident, especially when it was mentioned that her being there would bring in more profit.

The petite girl kept quiet until she had been addressed, which came in the form of a delicate finger gesturing for her to approach. She blinked. This was a surprising turn of events. All the girl wanted was a cup of tea, but she supposed getting accosted by a female civilian was better than a shinobi of any kind. Without a word she hopped off her current chair and took the stool alongside the redhead.

”Saya,” was her immediate reply. The dark haired girl took a few seconds to readjust herself to the new seating; her legs and feet dangling like the child she was. Her entire attention was now focused on her, awaiting for the same courtesy she had shown in giving her name.

It was at this time that the genin felt a flare of chakra nearby. The feeling of it seemed familiar but Saya remained unsure. At least not until the doors to the establishment opened once more to reveal her sensei, Kobayashi Senshi, with a baby on his arm. She immediately straightened her posture, barely remembering the command that he had given to all Kumo ninjas.


”Y-Yes,” Saya stammered out. Inwardly, she cursed herself for doing so. She lowered her head and gaze, looking properly abashed for not having followed his orders. In all honesty, the girl had been quite good at sticking to it, but certain events happened with other Kumo ninjas and she had chosen to go off on her own. ”I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

”Y-You! GET OUT!” Suddenly came the booming voice of the bartender. ”Your kind are not allowed in here! Only normal people can be served!” Gone was the apathetic expression that the old man had, and in its place were teeth gnashing together and a red splotched all over his visage. His head immediately whipped to Saya, finger jabbing at her direction. ”And take your daughter with you!”

Senshi's eyes narrowed as he turned away from the two women and focused his full attention on the bartender. The feeling of pressure in the air increased momentarily before he heard the woman Saya was with speak. He turned back to the woman, as the baby in his arms giggled at the tense feeling in the air. He noted her outstretched hand and his mind flew as he wondered how best to address her. She was dressed nicely and from what he had seen the majority of women in this village were considered Lady's. Lady's of the high class variety, that meant he should treat them as such. Normally, being of a lower class than them the Ladies would not even offer their hands to him.

He was usually expected to simply bow and give the normal courteous platitudes that we're expected. That wasn't to say he didn't know how to respond though. Reaching out his muscled arm tended slightly at the act of willingly touching others who could possibly kill him. He pushed his natural suspicion down and bent forwards, lifting her hand slightly as he did so. He placed a light kiss on her hand,  near the knuckles, his beard brushing against the majority of her hand. The baby giggled in her carrier at the fact that he had to bow down so low to do so. She likely only came up to below his nipples so it had been interesting and his opposite hand had steadied the baby in her carrier as he did so. 

Straightening up he responded, "A pleasure my lady." His tone was respectful as the bar tender started spouting off again and the pressure in the room began to ratchet up again. No one spoke to his Genin like thst and got away with it. Before he could open his mouth and respond she had jumped up speaking to them and Senshi stood with a single eyebrow raised. He looked at Saya, his eyebrow still raised in confusion. "Kiddies?" His tone had a small lilt of amusement but mainly confusion as he repeated the word to her. Rather than continuing a conversation with Saya his attention was drawn back to the feisty red haired woman who was pretty much threatening the bar tender. Well, she wasn't one of his and as such he wasn't going to say anything about her treatment of the man.

Wasn't his concern. The deputy kage of Hoshi might have imparted his rules onto Senshi about threatening civilians but, since this woman wasn't a Kumo shinobi he didn't have to enforce them on her. This brought a light smirk to his face, and then he wiped it off as he recalled why he'd been searching for Saya anyways. "Oh Saya, I'm going to give you a telepathy and a mark seal so you can contact me or any of the others quickly in the event you need us. Also the Mark seal is so I can find you easier, as long as you're okay with receiving them?" He's wait for her to give her approval before forming the hand signs and placing s telepathy seal behind her left ear, the seal that would connect her to the rest of the group. His chakra spiked and then he performed the mark seal hand signs and tapped her on the back of the head making it look like he was ruffling her hair as he did so.

Senshi hadn't even registered that the bar tender had called Saya his daughter and thus he had never responded to it instead just letting it slide off him. He turned as the small red headed woman returned, watching impassively as she jumped into a bar stool. He wondered if he should collect Saya and go, but decided that this woman had stood up for his Genin and thus she deserved at least a small
Modicum of true respect from him. Taking a moment he gestured for Saya to take a seat, waiting until she did so before raising a hand to the bar tender indicating the sale Kira was drinking and then turned to Saya. "Order what you want Saya, so long as it isn't alcoholic. We can't have tor sense impaired while in a foreign country." He placed down some Ryo on the bar too making t clear he intended to pay for the round of drinks.

His attention moved towards Kira and he assessed her quietly for a moment, wondering why she had called him daddy. That was a little weird, but maybe it was a normal compliment in Kumo. Like how devils was an insult. Though after Kyosuke's explanation it hadn't seemed like thst Bad of an insult. Shrugging off his thoughts, he spoke, voice husky and low as it normally was. It didn't occur to him, that his normal tone of voice could be considered flirtatious. His eyes were a piercing green with brown streaks running through them and as he spoke he casually pulled a small knife out, Barely as large as his pointer finger. He twirled it in his hand in front of the baby,
Not able to resist the slight grin on his face as she reached out thing to grasp the knife giggling while she did so.

"Senshi Kobayashi, Jounin of Kumogakure. I appreciate you handling the civilian, we've been warned from threatening them by the Depty Kage, Kyosuke." He blinked turning his head slightly to look down at Saya as he recalled that she didn't have the telepathy seal and as such hadn't received the message. "Which reminds me." He gave a slight nod to Kira before continuing, "I appologize I have to brief her on something. Saya, The deputy kage requested we not utilize Chakra around their civilians and refrain from threatening them. Also the celebratory event will be held in one night, the memorial for our fallen the next morning and then we'll be headed back to Kumo." He turned his attention from a Saya back to Kira and spoke again. "I apologize for being rude, it was not my intent to ignore you. Are you from this village?" Small talk Senshi was awkward Senshi as evidenced by the way he fidgeted with the knife he was twirling for the baby girl strapped to his chest.

A name was given. Kira. It was simple yet it suited the woman. Saya could only nod back as the redhead casually tipped back a saucer filled with sake. While most people had become used to the smell of alcohol, the acrid scent of the fermented liquid prickled at her senses. However, all of that would be dwarfed by the entrance of her sensei, and the very interesting interactions between the two adults. She remained quiet, eyes flickering back and forth between the two. It was weird, to be quite honest.

Kira extended her hand for a kiss (and Saya knew because she’d seen and read all about it in those fairy tale books and shows), and Senshi, being the gentleman he was, acted accordingly. Of course, things never seemed to stay peaceful for long as the bartender blew his top. She really was starting to not like her time in Hoshigakure. What with all these lame citizens barking mad about their unnatural-ness and some such nonsense. Kira had to excuse herself to deal with the rude staff, and frankly Saya was glad that she didn’t have to handle it.

It was at this moment that the bearded man had asked to place the telepathy and mark seal on her. Saya didn’t mind it at all and thought it was a brilliant tactic to keep communications between everyone, though she wasn’t quite sure who else was connected. Mere seconds passed and the girl was equipped with the seals, and coincidentally Saya turned her head to see the spectacle of Kira completely owning the bartender. She raised a brow, admiring the woman for her persuasive personality. So, free drinks for everyone on the bar.

The corner of her lips quirked up as she moved over to the side of Senshi, who had allowed her to order but nothing alcoholic. ”Yes, Sir,” was her automatic reply. The words gave the old man behind the counter a shiver. Had he been wrong in assuming that they were father and daughter? Nevertheless, he had to shrug it off. Damn woman. Damn ninjas. ”I’d like that green tea now.” Saya saw the miniscule tightening of the bartender’s muscles and inwardly smirked.

Yes, she was aware that it was not on sale. Yes, she was aware that she should not be agitating a possible problem. But the thrill of getting something that wasn’t available was too sweet. The old man turned, glared at her, grumbled then made off to satisfy everyone’s orders. There was a lull in the drama-filled moment. Or was it at an end? She wasn’t quite sure and remained the wallflower that she was as her sensei introduced himself to the redhead, who had called him “daddy.”

Saya glanced at Senshi. That was a weird thing to call someone not your father. Or had any type of familial relations. While she, herself, was only his student, he could be considered a father figure-ish. What with him and baby Reiya always spending time together. The baby gurgled and Saya couldn’t help but smile. Her first delivery. Reiya was slowly becoming her pride and joy despite not babysitting her as much as her teacher. Her attention was quickly divided between the toddler and Senshi, who had informed her that they needed to keep their chakra on the down low and to refrain from doing anything stupid. She nodded at the debriefing. It was all fairly simple and she couldn’t wait to go back home.

Her fingers drummed across the counter rhythmically. Saya’s eyes glanced around the bar whilst keeping an ear on the conversation between her sensei and Kira. She too wanted to know if the lady was from this village. The way she acted certainly seemed like she owned the place and knew the bartender enough. A loud thunk made her jump slightly in her seat. ”Your tea,” came the growling voice of the old man. Oh, he must not really like her for using his tea.

Saya decided she was going to ignore his hostility and presented him with a small smile that seemed more haughty than appreciative. ”Thanks.” She recieved another growl in return, and perhaps it was because of her that he continued to bang the the bottom of the drinks against the counter for Senshi and Kira.

Senshi blinked his chakra flaring out as he lifted one of his hands up towards his ear, his head cocked slightly to the side as his display of power unconsciously activated bringing several people, including the bartender to their knees. His face turned to a mask of steel, death flaring in his eyes as he turned to Saya and handed her the baby. "Keep her safe, find another Kumo shinobi and don't go out alone again." Turning back towards Kira he offered a polite nod before speaking, "I appologize, I have some issues that need to be dealt with. It was a pleasure meeting you." He gave a sort of half bow as he turned his blue/gray chakra swirling around him forming a flamingo as to ratched up another notch.


---exit---

Sorry things to do and all

It was one thing after another as Saya almost choked on her own drink, surprised at Kira’s sudden liquid shower. What was going on? The girl got her bearings together and swallowed the heated tea, burning and scalding through her throat. Her own orbs immediately darted over to the redhead, brow raised in question as she tried to ignore the pain clawing at her neck and pooling in her belly. Saya remained quiet, wondering if she would be forthcoming with an explanation. And she was.

The words that came out of her lips had the genin blinking in astonishment. A foreigner too? Then Kira threw another curveball. Sunagakure. The village they had just taken over. Saya took the cup to her lips once more and tried to sip at her tea inconspicuously. This was awkward. They were having a drink with one of the citizens they just took over. Despite her mind telling her not to, her eyes kept flickering to the redhead, who then mentioned that she was working under Maku. Saya wasn’t exactly sure who that was, but it sounded familiar.

Almost as soon as Kira dropped the bomb on them the atmosphere changed. Her sensei’s chakra flared, almost overwhelming the little girl. It was heavy. Oppressive. Everyone that wasn’t a well-trained shinobi were on their knees or holding onto something to keep themselves upright. Saya felt her instincts kick in. Her posture straightened and kept her attention onto Senshi, awaiting orders that were immediately handed to her. Literally. Keep Reiya safe. Stay with Kumo. Don’t go out alone.

It went by a bit too fast for Saya to process as she numbly received the toddler and watched the tall and burly man speed out to whatever called for him. A second or two after he was long gone, Saya seemed to have regained her senses. ”W-Wait!” She stammered, shifting uneasily in her seat as she tried to calm the now crying baby. Saya bounced the baby girl up and down before it occured to her that she was still in the presence of Kira. ”I apologize for my teacher’s hasty leave.” Her tone was strong, almost as if it were trying to hide the nervousness in her.

Saya cleared her throat, ”So, a Sunagakure citizen? You’ll be attending the...” A small pause. Celebration? Party? Those words sounded so insensitive seeing as it was honoring and praising her country’s assimilation into Kumogakure. ”... The meeting later on.” She finished, but it was only accentuated by Reiya’s wailing. Sighing, she sent the red head an apologetic gaze. ”I’m sorry. I need to go and get Reiya back to her parents.”

Saya carefully hopped off of the stool and gave the lady a small bow. ”It was nice meeting you, Lady Kira. And thank you for standing up for me. I appreciate it.” With that parting statement the young girl exited the bar all the while shushing and cooing at the baby in her arms.


TOTAL WORD COUNT: 2307
CLAIMING: Kira Uzumaki and Senshi Kobayashi’s chakra signatures; Accepting the Telepathy and Mark Seal from Senshi