For [A] Later Use [Anarchy!]

[Toraono Kuro]

He strummed the chords and tightened the strings again to the choice of song by the same band he had begun his tribute with with passion and deliberate movement. The tiger at the base of the stage would take a strange look as the man with cigars actually began changing his scent with great flourish. What exciting prey this one was the demonbeast thought to itself but he was giving himself away with his deliberate efforts. He began his second song by request in earnest as two long haired men seemed to levitate up from beneath the stage. One wore a sash over his eyes like the singer the other wore a ninja mask over his mouth and soon made his way to to the drum set while the second seemingly blind long haired muscle bound man found the guitar. It was then that the lights began to strobe just a bit as his performance began. He didn't use a microphone as his voice was heard clearly.
"This is another song by Gyousan Ichiren no Arissu ((Alice in Chains)) by request, again if you know the words feel free to sing along.<i></i>
"Your Decision"
Time to change has come and gone
Watched your fears become your god
It's your decision
It's your decision

Overwhelmed, you chose to run
Apathetic to the stunned
It's your decision
It's your decision

You feed the fire that burned us all
When you lie
To feel the pain that spurs you on
Black inside

No one plans to take the path that brings you lower
And here you stand before us all and say it's over
It's over

It might seem an afterthought
Yes, it hurts to you know you're bought
It's your decision
It's your decision

You feed the fire that burned us all
When you lie
To feel the pain that spurs you on
Black inside

It's your decision
It's your decision

No one plans to take the path that brings you lower
And here you stand before us all and say it's over
It's over

Plans overlapped plans as their intended prey proved craftier than surmised but that was okay. They all thought they had the upper hand but that was not necessarily the case, the beast was close to the surface and power was at hand to turn the tide once a central location was established.

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Tommy shook his head, "Ten you counted? Well, what can I say?" He would pause for a moment, "I'm more dependable. I'm more fashionable. I'm personable ... and last but not least better stocked. Ain't that right Tomoko?" Mako would nod his head half heartedly. She took in a wiff of the smoke from Kaito's cigar noting the smell being different. The veteran enjoyed her smoking, but was put off by a series of different scents. Each of them she knew, being that she had smoked them before. It seemed that Kaito was a man who didn't cling to one thing. He was a varied man. Mako's eyes would shift over to the bloodied bills that Kaito had thrown at her former comrade.

"Blood money. Certainly not youuuurs."<i></i> Mako would lean forward and sniff the blood. Had this man just come from a murdering spree just lately? Or did he merely travel with blood money? She listened to him go on about his love affair with the string instruments. Kaito was clearly a gentleman, of some sort. As Kaito declared the next round, the veteran found her brandy being topped up. The music continued on as now played by Kuro. Mako listened contently to the cover played by Kuro. Slowly she was nodding her head back and forth. "Have you eva hit rock bottom more than once?"<i></i> She would ask of the man. If he was indeed the veteran he so claimed to be, he could easily answer the question. She wondered though how he bounced back though. "How do you bounce back after falling so low? I've always wondered."<i></i> Mako had her own answer, but truthfully she wanted to know how he bounced back. It was not the end result but at times the journey that mattered. For Mako herself it was oftentimes pure hatred that caused her to bounce back. Hatred of mankind, demons, old feuds, family, politics. "Tell a girl another story? Pretty please?"<i></i>

 

[Sand Council]

Kaito​

Did the self-proclaimed "Demonbeast King" think he was being clever by coming into this particular bar with his entourage? Strangely sweet-smelling smoke billowing out from his nostrils following a particularly long drag on the tobacco stick that hung out of the side of his mouth, Kaito shook his head. Shinobi. They'd become so complacent in their ways thinking that they were the alpha predator in the Wind Country they hadn't been prepared for even the possibility that someone might attack them in their own city. And now they scrambled about, each on their own, pretending that they were still the ones in charge of the situation. Like they still had any power in Sunagakure. It would have been funny if it weren't just so damn sad.

"It certainly is mine now." Kaito responded following a coarse, throaty chuckle. Even the non-shinobi in Sunagakure had grown ignorant to the way the world worked under their care. Outside of Sunagakure having money didn't really give you power. It made you a target for those who wanted it. Sunagakure as a whole was being given a crash course in reality at the hands of the Cabal not unlike the way a bird would push their chick out of the nest to fly. They'd either get it or they wouldn't. Those that got it would live and those that didn't would die. Reality. As if to punctuate the thought that was going through Kaito's mind there was a crash outside and a yell which then ended suddenly. Yet another note in the cacophonous symphony that was Sunagakure's chaotic streets. "Rock bottom? I'll tell you about rock bottom."

"How many wars has Sunagakure seen? Not many recently, I wager. But those of us on the surface? Every day is war. You wake up in the morning and think to yourself 'how many lives am I going to take today so I can eat tonight?'." Kaito indicated to Tommy that the bartender should pour the drink that he'd just paid for with a rap on the bar with his index finger. "You like war stories because you live in a place like this. Underground and isolated from the rest of us. You want to know about rock bottom? Look out the window."

If Tommy had poured his drink by now, Kaito would raise his glass and let loose another cloud of smoke which this time was acrid and harsh.

"Welcome back to the rest of the world, Suna. We missed you."

 

[Takahashi Aki]

"I ... like war sturies because I like heroics, sometimes there's heroics in war, sometimes ... there's nuttin but cold brutality."<i></i> War was really anything but heroic, war was hell and Mako knew that well enough. Her eye. Her arm. Both gone in a war. She was given medals, but that certainly didn't back missing limb or eye. Her grandson had offered to make her an arm several times, but each and every time she declined. She didn't want to become dependent upon it. "Yur quite wright though, not many recent wars for Sunagakoore."<i></i> She watched as Tommy poured Kaito his next round of drink.

At the mention of returning to the world, the veteran would be reminded of the individual who hailed from mist. Oh yes. The foreigner and his crystal staff, and how great it would be that Suna attended some bloody conference in Moon country. Yes. Yes. Peace with other ninja villages. Wonderful idea that is. Would they come now? Probably not. Even if they did they would be doing these Cabal a favour who in turn would just drop the roof on the village. Funny thing that.

A false stumble, and Mako would get herself up. "I...zuu... gonna make my way home now Tommy. This new world is so tiring... I've had my fill of good drinks. Keep the placing running ya hear?"<i></i> She would instruct her comrade. Tommy was a gentleman. He'd be fine, and certainly she could count on him to not be dead in the morning. The broken chakra crystal and the boom box would need to stay here. She couldn't leave with either item unless she attracted quite a bit of attention to herself. Mako would reach forward and pat the man on the face.

With that Mako would stumble her way out of the place to the ending sounds of 'Your Decision'. She placed her hands in her pockets. Funny thing the transformation jutsu. Hollow limbs and all. Never did feel quite right to her, but that was the nature of the beast. This is far from over. This is only beginning. One step at a time. Fill our heads with knowledge first. Grip our weapons soundly... and fight. We just need to dig our heels in, for this will be a long campaign.<i></i>

(Mako has left the topic)

 

[Sand Council]

Kaito​

"Heh."

Kaito rumbled with the same gruff chuckle that had mocked Mako's statement about his money as she pulled away from the counter and "stumbled" outside. She'd stuck with it longer than her ally, that was for sure. But still, this old veteran was too experienced for such a cheap act to pull the wool over his eyes. His eye, he reminded himself as he looked into the bottom of his still empty glass and then looked up to Tommy with nonchalant violence in his expression.

"So Tommy. You want to explain to me why you've got a couple of Sand spooks hanging out at your bar?"

The question was plain and had no room for denial. It was clear in the way that he spoke that Kaito had not been fooled even a little bit by the act that he'd walked into and now that they'd decided to take their leave of the scenario following along with their pretend personas the Cabal leader had every intention of finding out why they were here. So far the Sand ninja had shown themselves to be nothing but incompetents but Kaito had not made it this far in his life by being careless. He hadn't brought low the city of Sunagakure which was legendary for once bringing the gods themselves to their knees by taking stupid risks. It was entirely possible that the famous military organization that was Sunagakure was only now beginning to get it's bearings and would start fighting back.

Kaito couldn't help but hope that was the case. They still had too much hope in their hearts that everything would turn out OK for them. He wasn't about to jeopardize the cause for the sake of a good fight like perhaps Saiga might do, he relished the idea that Sand would start to fight back soon. It would make their inevitable failure just that much more satisfying.

"I'd take it as a kindness if you didn't start things off between us with a lie. It would damage my trust for you in dangerous ways."

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Tommy would be attending his glasswear as the question came from Kaito. The barkeep couldn't pretend that he hadn't heard the question, and certainly not the follow up. It was a threat. "Spooks imply that they were ghosts." He'd answer plainly enough, "Yes, I do have a good few haunts from here and there. Some of em clients, some of em old friends."Tommy would raise an eyebrow as if some sort of realization had just struck him like a lightning bolt. "I suppose then ... I've been invaded by spooks. By luck that. I ought to do something about that. Maybe wear my lucky prayer beads."

The barkeep, and veteran himself liked his life quite a bit. He certainly didn't want to end up like those in the tower. Dead and forgotten they'd be. Dead and rotting in the ground. No proper burial. No nothing. "I certainly don't want any trouble... but that's the obvious thing when you're a business owner." Tommy would speak, he chewed his lip a bit and his eyes would shifter over to the broken chakra crystal that was left there. "Ah. You know. Anarchy in the street, something new to us, and certainly we're not used to it. I spose people need a safe house to gather themselves for a sec or two?" Tommy paused for a moment allowing the music to fill the silence. He did lean a bit forward. "Can't say I really appreciate being made a stock house for anything but booze. Stock house for music. I can take that. Music is what brings business... but a surprise performance is a surprise performance." He spoke referring to Kuro's show. Tommy hadn't broken a sweat, and he thought he was doing himself a good job by staying that way. Sure. Tommy believed that one could smell fear, but toss in sweat too? Not good for one's dignity. "Trust goes two places. It goes up, and then it goes down. Never quite levels out. Always heaven and hell it is, never stuck in limbo." A slight boss, "Can I get you anything else?" He'd inquire slightly after.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Chouryoku Kuro smiled as he listened to all the conversations and had finally acquired all that Kuro needed to identify this particular culprit. The performance now over he released his companions back into the ethereal realm and approached the customer whom had indeed peeked his interest. " No need to worry Tommy, I can answer his questions of your honor myself. No one in Sunagakure need lie to you or test your honor you have already made your points quite clear and I am quite angry about it. I am certain you know who I am but just so you know I am an aspect of Toraono Kuro. Now that I have identified myself, I find by gauging your actions and presence that you must be one of the leaders of the group known as 'The Cabal' as I have been informed. I have also come to understand, none of you like the way Sunagakure is run and some of you believe we purposely put refugees unto the streets with no food, water, or a chance at housing. Last but not least your group believes Sunagakure to be full of cowards and inadequate warriors. My analysis is this... you have come to us at a time of your choosing, sprung an elaborate trap and made it as if the leader's of Sunagakure don't care about the people that you now hold hostage. It is very unfortunate that you have forced a reaction that we reserve for real threats like Djinn, Sandwyrms, and Ancients of significant power. I myself would have rather we had a discussion and simply bartered for whatever you believe your people to have needed and come to a far more amicable decision but that is not an option on the table now. So let me explain to you what will happen from here on out. Your forces and those malcontents you have unleashed upon Sunagakure will be rounded up and punished accordingly. Your various leaders may or may not be killed and above all else I will do my best to ensure that for every soul lost to you and your group's actions that a special torment be devised for the surviving families so that they will know some form of justice has been served. Now before you get up and grandstand about how much control and power you have over us and how you will kill our innocents for the actions of myself or fellow Sunans resisting your acts know this... Everything you have done to Sunagakure and its people WILL BE AVENGED and if you think to challenge me TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT for there is nothing in hell or on this material plane that will stop me from having each of your souls in compensation for the suffering of our people."

The response was all but complete, much combat would have to take place but nonetheless Kuro now had access to enough chakra reserves to complete his personal response to the Cabal, now all he needed was to get their leadership to confront him directly. Kuro had laid down his challenge and staked his honor upon his words.

 

[Sand Council]

Kaito​

Before Kaito could respond to Tommy's dodging of his question with the violence that he'd threatened only moments previously, the aspect of Kuro that was present in the bar addressed him and began to monologue at the Cabal leader about justice and revenge. To this, Kaito offered only a throaty and decidedly derisive chuckle in response.

"You see, Tommy? This is exactly what I was talking about. Big bad Sand ninja still thinks he's in control here." Kaito sneered. He was a shrewd man and not about to be goaded into a fight over something as trivial as honor. "Yeah, I know who you are Lord Kuro" there was something mocking tone to the way he spat Kuro's name as if the very taste of the words had been foul.

Standing up, Kaito deftly hopped the bar putting himself beside Tommy in a single fluid motion that might not have been expected from a man with limited visual ability. Instead of attacking the barkeeper as he'd promised, instead Kaito went for the bottle of scotch that he'd been waiting for Tommy to pour for him. It wasn't that he didn't recognize he was potentially in danger with Kuro now in an aggressive mood, it was that he simply didn't think Kuro was stupid enough to make a move. Pouring himself enough of the alcohol that he wouldn't need to go and retrieve it again for a bit, Kaito snatched up his glass and took a satisfying sip from it.

"I hate to burst your bubble but you've got us all wrong." Kaito explained with a shrug as he leaned back against the counter behind the bar. "I know you care about your people. It's why you're in the bind you're in. Or did you forget your tower blowing to bits? We can do that to any place in your city. You lay a finger on me and your people will suffer for it."

The seriousness in Kaito's expression spoke volumes about his intent. There was no lie in the statement he'd just made. If Kuro decided to start a fight here then Sunagakure would pay the price for his violence.

"But let's talk hypothetically. Let's say that you take me out right here and now. You win, right? Nightmare averted." Kaito stopped only long enough to take another drink from the flawless glass he was drinking from. "But see, you haven't thought it through. Word gets out that I'm dead or I don't report back to my people at the right time in the right way? Your world will erupt in blood. We will rain hell down upon your city in ways that you cannot even begin to imagine. Every man, woman and child in Sunagakure will die screaming and it will be your fault. You'll have your vengeance but everyone you've ever known will be gone."

Setting down his empty glass on the bar, Kaito stepped on a step-stool behind the bar, then up to the bar itself and then climbed down with his eye on Kuro the entire time as he slowly moved towards the exit of the bar only to stop in front of the Sennin with his lone eye fixed on Kuro's face.

"Can you do that, big man? Step over the corpses of every person in Sunagakure to let out all that pent up anger towards me out?" Kaito wasn't afraid of Kuro. Certainly not alone. Even as he came within a few feet of Kuro, his body language and his expression betrayed no fear of death or harm. Only contempt. "If you can't then don't waste my time. It's embarrassing."

Taking what remained of his smoldering cigarette out of his mouth, Kaito flicked it at Kuro's feet in disrespect and turned to leave the bar for good.

[Leaving Topic]

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kaito is Stopped briefly

Chouryoku faded from the bar in the sonic movement only this body could accomplish to end up in front of Kaito. "Since we are speaking hypothetically please allow me to respond. I would prefer to come to a peaceful accords with the group and avoid unnecessary loss of life but if I were to beat you senseless and tie you up to leave you with the other criminals I have already captured what makes you truly believe that I cannot live with the repercussions of my actions. I am in all things a realist and just because I don't want people to die does not mean I can prevent it. Yet you all seem so certain that I WILL NOT raise a finger in fear for those lost that I can't do anything about it. There is a reason I am the Akuma Sennin and I believe it is near time that you all find out exactly what that means. Now hypothetically you have removed all normal communication methods, that is all well and good. You have sealed Sunagakure in a barrier that cannot be breached by normal means or means currently known to us. You have an explosives expert that can cause Sunagakure to collapse upon itself and kill everyone. I take it this means none of the Cabal care about their lives. Could you really survive my reactions? Do you truly believe there is no way to get passed your plans and designs? Before you leave, honestly take a good hard look at what you have done and what your goals truly are. I invite you to eat, drink, smoke and if need be take hold of one of our women that might find you attractive and think long and hard about what you really want out of this situation. Hell, if you actually have a goal why not tell me I may be able to help you achieve what you really want without all this bullsh*t. However, if all you wanted to do is come here and terrorize Suna then all you and your group will earn is a rather distinct demise if our citizens decide not to let you continue to existence. You asked me if I was willing to walk over their corpses to get to release my anger at you. It is not anger that I am fueled by, it is wrath and what you fail to understand is only a Sunan can kill another Sunan, oh we can all falter and fall in battle but true death can only be accomplished by true betrayal. Had you been born here or taken the time to truly get to know us you might understand that. Since it SEEMS all you want to do is to undermine authority and cause trouble like a spoiled teenager whom cannot get his way then please carry on and know that I will be there in the end to take away your suffering. Run from me now and perhaps you will live to see another day or converse with me and find a way out but I assure you, your plan will fail whether I beat you now or later." Chouryoku Kuro made sure Kaito could not only hear his every word but feel the vibration of his words so that they would resonant within his body and his mind. If Kaito truly wanted to leave Kuro would not stand in his way. If he decided to converse Kuro would oblige and if he decided to attack then Chouryoku Kuro would counter in so decisive a manner that Kaito's skeletal structure would never recover without surgical assistance.