A Run-in with Pirates [Solo]

Security guard. That’s what he was now. A security guard. He couldn’t help but feel looked down upon. But a job was a job, money was money. Being told to watch over a bar at night, that was what it was. Boring. Seiichi leaned against the doorway of the building, he could hear the rabble inside yelling on about something, someone was playing the flute, and the bartender was calling for a drink order, maybe the thousandth one, Seiichi thought.

Leaning his head against the wall, he could hear the world closing in on him, his eyes were getting heavy, then fear gripped his heart. He jerked awake. If he fell asleep on the job no one would ever hire him again. Not only that, but school trains you that falling asleep on the job means pain, not only for you but also for the people your potentially watching over. Even if they were drunks.

He took a quick glance around the building before going back inside. The rain was coming down pretty heavy now. It beat atop the awning of the building he was standing under, sending the ripples of water against steel into the surrounding night. Glancing around the right corner of the building he didn’t see anything of importance, then moving to the other he could see two figure standing there, talking, at least they looked like they were. Both wearing black and standing in the rain, huddled over, they could be doing almost anything.

Now, who stands in the rain, at night, whispering? He thought.

He began to walk over to the gentlemen, they were both just large shapes, boxy shoulders, the rest were covered with big coats. He couldn’t notice any distinguishing marks from the distance he was at, but as he closed in-

“What do you want?!” One of the men shouted, it was a hard accent, Seiichi couldn’t place it.

The other man ran off, disappearing into the darkness. Seiichi didn’t try and chase him, let the night watch do that, his interest was more focused on the guy who stayed next to the bar. It was his appointed station after all. Seeing as the other person ran, they couldn’t be up to any good.

“Just check in, wanting to make sure everything was alright over here. Never sure what’s going on in the dark.” Seiichi said.
“Yeah, well it isn’t any of your business.” The man said then headed back into the bar.

Seiichi examined the situation: The other guy ran off. Whatever was going on stopped as soon as he entered. This guy, though being forceful, wasn’t any of his business, he couldn’t see anything bad going on. No one was being hurt. There didn’t seem to be drugs involved. Seiichi nodded his head. He was starting to drip, rain has been pouring on him ever since he stepped off the porch. Then he followed the man inside the bar.

Stepping up to the bar itself Seiichi asked the guy, “Can I get a towel?”

He took it and whipped himself off.  Seiichi looked around at the crowed inside. Nothing really changed. There had been about 20 people percent, and there was that amount still. They guy that had walked in joined two other men that sat at table in the corner, off the far end of the bar. Seiichi walked over calmly to the end of the bar and took a seat, his back to the small group. It didn’t seem like the group had noticed him, they were all caught up in a very energetic conversation.


“-that’s what I told em, ‘met me at the dock at 7 tomorrow.’” The man from outside said to the guy next to him, his back was to Seiichi.
“No you fool!” Another guy said. “Boss said 8 tomorrow night, not 7.” He realized he was yelling and calmed his voice.
“No-not a problem. Who cares if he is a little early?” The man from outside said, defending himself.
“Just shut up. Go fix this.” The other said, Seiichi could almost feel it, whoever this guy was, he was in charge here.
“Can I get shot of wine.” Seiichi asked the bartender.

The plump man nodded and moved to grab the sake off the shelf behind him. In the same instance the man in the large black coat vanished through the doorway of the bar. Seiichi never did get a great look at his face.

Tomorrow night huh? Seiichi thought. He slowly sipped his shot of sake for the rest of the night, and was able to get a good look at the men behind him. They looked like average sailors. Though, one carried a large machete on his right side, hinting to Seiichi that the man was left-handed. Not to mention he had a rather ugly scar that cut through his hair line, and jetted back to the base of his skull.

After closing time, around 2 am, Seiichi went home. Noting to be at the docks tomorrow night 7 sharp.

[wc 839]

It was getting closer and closer to the time. 645 rolled around, and the docks were still busy with people. But 8 they all worked from street lights and handhelds. Not really being able to see if they didnt. Tonight was a dark winter evening, clouds obscured the moon and stars. Seiichi was relying on then heavily himself, being about 50 meters above where the meeting was going to take place and across the up on the cross nest of a ship. He had permission from the captain. Being a Genin gave you some leeway with the people, just telling them he was on official Tanbogakure business and they didnt want to hear any more. 

The people arrived. One man in a dark coat. The other was also in a dark coat, but he could tell by the way the man walked, he was the one from the bar. The one they needed to meet, he still couldnt make out a face. Seiichi climbed down from the nest and snuck closer to the two. He was careful to be quiet, watching his step, being sure to shush the people around him as they saw him. Staying as incognito as he could. 

"... the cove?" The man Seiichi didnt recognize said.
"Yeah, I need the shipment there. You know the one?" 
"No. Do you know how many covers there are out there?" 
The man raised his voice. 

The man Seiichi recognized looked around. Making sure no one could overhear. 
"Here. This is a map." He handed him a small peice of paper. Seiichi could tell if it was really that small, or if it was folded. Whatever it was, Seiichi needed to get his hands on it. 

[Wc 285]

He was part of the night. Moving from one shadow to the other. Jumping from one roof top to the next, never losing his balance, never taking the wrong step. He was one with the shadow. The noise of the dark was his only competition, he couldnt copy or mimic it, but he moved only when he thought the wind or trees would muffle is landings. 

He came upon the man's hiding place quick and in a hurry. They were located only on the other side of the bay. He watched the man from a distance, shadowing him from the roofs of buildings or from the high nests if the ship. He lead him to a small merchant vessel, inscribed on the side was the name, Kage. Fitting name. Seiichi jumped down and crept in closer. Hiding behind a stack of crates just off the gangway. The watch didnt see him, at least no alarm was sounded. 

Seiichi took the long way aboard the ship. Backtracking his steps, he climbed down onto the ocean where he didnt have to worry about the eyes of the watch. Walking the water silently, he got close enough to the ship and climbed aboard, pushing chakra into his hands and feet, it was easy enough. The hard wood reminded him of home, the vessel he grew up on. The smell of pitch and oils. The memories flooded in. 

He moved slowly to the door he saw the man walk through, putting his ear to it, he didnt hear a peep. 

[Wc 256]

Turning the handle slowly, being careful to watch for people around him. Listening to everything he could. It felt like his sense were on overdrive, his heart was pumping so fast, he could feel it rattling around in his ribcage. A bead of sweat tracked it's way down his forehead. The door was open now, in front of him was stairs that went upward, into the ship's main cabin, the path was lit by multiple hanging lanterns that cast shifting light as the boat rocked from one side to the other. As he made it to the landing he could hear people behind the doorway. 

"-That's what the man said. We need to take everything to the cove, then we will get paid." The voice was familiar to Seiichi. "Ah. They are always jerking us around... Fine, go tell the deck master we will be off at his nearest convenience." Said in a tone that said, "right now". "Aye sir." 

Foot steps quickly pounded there way towards the door. The door Seiichi was hiding behind. He looked right and left, up and down, but there was nowhere to go but backwards. He started to move but it was too late. The door was opening. Seiichi pulled his blade. 

"What do we have here, a thief?" The man said, looking into Seiichi's eyes.

His muscles froze. Seiichi couldn't muster an action. He simply couldn't move. He had never been in combat before. He wasn't expecting to get caught. What was this? What was going to happen to him? This wasn't some kid playing at pirate, this was a real life situation. Seiichi fell backwards, practically rolling down the steps. As he came tumbling out the door he entered through, he must have drawn some attention, there was already three people staring down at him. 

"That's not a thief. It's a ninja. Quick, grab him!" All of the men jumped in at once, rope coming from somewhere in the back. Seiichi tried to struggle, tried to escape, but the people were too strong. Too burly. He couldn't muster enough to get away. "Who knows what he's heard. We'll bring him with up to the cove. And let King deal with him." 

"You can't-" Seiichi managed to get out of his mouth before someone came up from behind and smacked him over the head. He wasn't sure what with, but the loud CLACK sound was still ringing in his ears as his world went dark.  

[WC 412]

[EXIT]

TWC 1792 / +17 to vigor / Storage Displacement 500/500 Body Flicker 500/500 Basic Sealing Technique 500/500 (1500 words total. not using the remaining 200+)

Approved