[13th] Volume 102: Old Stomping Grounds

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Kehengto

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Chapter 1: (1,075 words)

Standing on dust swept street as the evening sun slowly sank pulling its vibrant gold and orange color explosion with it below the dark horizon, the shadow of the man with two swords stretched out towards his all too willing opponent. The scene seemed a befitting way to end a day such as this.

"Ya know today would have been just perfect had you not decided to wake up today."

The man with the purple-tinted hair stood looking at the doorway to an old familiar place he had visited numerous times before he joined the academy. Sighing at the site, he was grateful that some things never changed with time. Walking through the door, the man soon found an old face with teeth barred at him. Un-phased by the otherwise intimidating snarl of the collie pit-bull mutt, the man simply whistled three notes towards the four-legged bouncer. Immediately, the canine turned from aggressive junkyard dog to nothing more than an over grown pup. Wagging its tail, the mutt walked over to the old patron and started pressing its body against the man's leg begging to be petted.

"Crazy dog" The man muttered affectionately to the animal, as he obliged the beast's request, by rubbing it behind the ears.

"Where's Joe girl? Where is he?"

The dog hopped a bit then ran off as its nails clicked across the hardwood floor into the back room. Ryokou smiled as he heard a scruffy deep raspy voice hollering "Kinto, you crazy hound what the hell got into you? You have acted like this in years. Let go of me. Alright I'm coming, I'm coming. **** mutt." Coming out of the store room, being partially dragged by the hound, the old man looked at the man in the doorway.

"Sorry sir, but we won't be open fer another few hours."

"Not even for a 'lil rascal'?"

"No... can't be...there is no way you are..."

"An why can't it be?"

"Man, I can't believe you've grown so fast. How long has it been since you left?"

"Too long old friend, too long. How has it been here?"

"Grab a seat, we've got some catchin' up to do."

A carton of milk and two hours later, the two men are wiping the tears of laughter from their eyes. The older of the two sighs, "ahh...yeah things have defiantly gone south since you two left this district. Gangs have been taking over, and it hasn't been the same. You two were really the only ones who stood in their way. Man were I younger, I'd show them a thing or two."

"Sorry bout that..."

"Naw it's alright, you and Thar both did the right thing getting' outta here when ya did. Getting' yourselves some formal trainin' an' all. I guess it was only a matter a time. Though I'll be the first to warn ya, talk around these parts haven't been good. They say there be a new gang rising up an fast. This one ain't like the ones you use ta fight tho. Naw, these folks are better organized targettin' businesses an all. I'm just glad I got Kinto fully grown now. It's only her an I now."

"Really... what happened?"

"Eh...illness took her. Doc said he were surprised she lived as long as she did with it, but you know she were always a feisty lil thing."

"Yeah, she knocked me to the ground a few times."

"Every time you got smart with her, if I remember correctly."

"She always did command respect."

"Well, it's been great catchin' up an' all, but I gotta be gettin' ready ta open up soon."

Just as the bartender rose from his seat Kinto began to growl at the door as the ominous steps approached. The owner of those steps kicked open the door nearly knocking it off its hinges as he held a sword in hand. Ryokou acted quickly and grabbed the hound by its collar to keep her from getting killed. Passing the control of the dog to her owner, Ryokou stood up and placed his hand on his own sword.

"Good sir, this place does not open for another hour. If you would be kind enough to wait outside until then we won't have any problems."

"I ain't here for a drink stranger. I'm here to collect past dues owed."

"I told you punks once that I ain't gonna be pressured into fundin' you."

"Well then old man it is a shame you feel that way, cause now I gotta take some collateral."

By this time Ryokou was ready to fight, if the man even took one more step further into the building he would have no choice. "Sir, stand down and leave while you still can."

"An' just who do you think you are that you can order me to do things? I belong to the Red Dragons, you have to respect us."

"I do not have to respect anyone, especially anyone who belongs to a gang."

"You just signed your death warrant bub."

"Really?...interesting you would say that, cause as of right now you are the one who is outclassed in the art of swordplay. I grew up on these streets, and I sure as hell will not allow you to trounce wherever you feel."

"Those are proud words coming from filth such as yourself. I would kill you right here for your insolence had I more time, fortunately for you boss only wants me to collect today."

The man ran towards the register, but was quickly cut off as he found the edge of one Ryokou's blade at his throat with the other at the wrist of his sword hand.

"Now I will tell you this one last time, leave here while you still can."

The man was stunned by speed at which the man had moved across the tavern to cut him off, he stood there staring at the blade whose tip was just under his throat. Mustering up enough courage, and being cautious not to swallow hard the man spats back at Ryokou.

"You just made a big mistake bub."

"Tell me when I care."

Without another second, Ryokou jams his foot into the man's chest sending out the door and on to his backside in the street. Brushing himself off and wiping away the beads of sweat, the man walked away in shame of his defeat.

"They will be back, Ry."

"I'm counting on that."
 

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