It was with a sort of slow grace that Kohaku stepped onto the streets of Edo, one hand balanced lightly on the katana at his hip, the other hanging loosely at his side. His eyes were calm, observant. He had never seen Edo before, born and raised in the house of his late Lord. Such a great city was a mystery to him, as he would have been to his Kobayashi-dono, had she deigned to come with him.

You will to go Edo, Suzuki-san, she had commanded him, and you will find for me five ronin to aid me in my revenge.

Five ronin, she had said. And five ronin it would be, no matter how long and how hard Kohaku had to search for them. He had heard that ronin had grown more common in the past couple of years, though as none who had left his Lord had survived to speak of it, he was not sure how it had happened. He could not imagine any respectable samurai simply leaving their Lord. Such dishonor was inconceivable to him.
Such dishonor he would never permit. If his daughter had acted like these wild ronin he had been sent to find, he would have cut her throat himself.

Ankoku had only just arrived in Edo, his armor dirty, his left gauntlet still crusted with blood, holding the shaft of his naginata, Hateshi, and the back of the blade resting on his shoulder. In his other hand he held firm the leash of his Gray Wolf, Yajuu. Yajuu's shoulders reached up to Ankoku's belly button, and his build was very muscualr. He left his mask and helmet on, only his dark eyes visible from behind them. His first order of business would be to find some decent rice to eat, followed by the touch of a woman, and then maybe a brawl, later tonight. He strode down the street confidently, uninterested in the people looking at him, some in disgust, others in fear.

"Do you know my name?" He said to no-one in particular, looking up at a sign to an expensive looking restaurant.

The crowd of people near the door had already been gawking at him, but now a child strode forward, three paces from Ankoku. "Ankoku-san? You carry the naginata, and you walk with a wolf."

Ankoku held his naginata out, his hand in the middle of it's eight foot length, horizontal to the child that had spoken. "I am Ankoku-ronin. Spread word that that is my name." He said, a smirk on his face much like that on his mask. "Are you intrigued by naginatajutsu, boy?"

"Yes, Ankoku-san!" The boy exclaimed, a wide smile on his face. "I wish to one day-"

"I said, my name is Ankoku-ronin!" He shouted, anger stinging through his words.

"My apologies, but you would dishonor yourself so?" The boy bowed his head, scared by the sudden change in Ankoku's tone.

"I am not dishonored to be unbound from the chains of a cowardly master!" He took a single step towards the boy, drawing his Hateshi away from him, "Do not pursue, for the naginata is mine! Should you ever take hold of one, then I will remove it, with your hands." He started to push past the boy, Yajuu snarling at the confused youth, making his way inside to eat some rice. Or a lot. And Yajuu would need some meat. A lot.

Kohaku watched the interaction with light, disdainful eyes. He stepped towards the boy, setting a hand on his shoulder.
"Some of us do not understand the ways of honor, son." He murmured, squeezing the boy's shoulder gently, "Keep to it always, and men like Ankoku-ronin will not phase you."
The boy stared up at him in astonishment, and Kohaku felt his eyes on him as he strode away, heading for the restaurant into which Ankoku had disappeared. He disdained the man. Hated his honor-less ways.
But Kobayashi-dono had ordered strong men. And if Ankoku was anything at all, it was strong.
He bowed as he entered the rice shop, greeting the owner in a gentle voice, before glancing around. There were many other samurai here.
He wondered how many were ronin. And how many would be willing to join him.

Kou followed behind his newest employer quietly. The man was unimportant, some minor official who had a taste in young girls a rather disgusting trait even by Kou's standards, but he cared not, the man paid well. 10 Gold Ryos simply for ensuring the rice shop owner delivered on his daughter or some other nonsense truly he didnt care as long as the money was good. The pompous fat little man pushed open the curtains stepping boldly in to the rice shop no doubt cocksure knowing he was protected by his usual bodyguards and a Ronin.

Of course Kou was more of an unknown Ronin because he preferred it that way. He was a mercenary, if he let his fame get out of control than other samurai will try to fight him, and with no money in fighting them it was a waste of time. Kou let his eyes roam around the tavern taking in the occupants and looking for threats. There was an unusually high amount of samurai in the rice shop including one who had a bandaged hand, but it mattered little as it wasn't his job to stare at others. The fat man walked up to the counter and boldly spoke his four bodyguards behind him with their hands on their cheap blades.

"Well where is she? ehh?" the fat man said with a sadist gleam in his eyes. The rice shop owner, turned to the official putting his hands on the counter "Not here... leave us alone, please" the rice owner pleaded. The fat man snapped his fingers, which Kou knew well enough for experience meant that it was his time to step in. Moving up to the counter he drew his Wakizashi and stabbed the owners hand pinning it to the Counter. He screamed in pain as the blood flowed out and onto the counter. Many of the Samurai merely watched, but one stood up laying his hand on the hilt of his blade.

"Leave this place, you bring shame onto your families." The samurai said his voice gruff with experience and determination. Kou choose to ignore the samurai, instead moving the Wakizashi inside the wound of the mans hand causing more pain and screams. The fat little man however was a cocky little blob, so he turned to the samurai "Or what? just sit back down and mind your own business."

The Samurai drew his blade, and moved closer, the officials bodyguards drawing their own blades and in seconds one of the bodyguards rushed the samurai only to lose his hand and than his head. The other three stepped back unsure if they could handle the new opponent. The fat little man broke out into a cold sweat and turned to Kyo fumbling his words "Kyo take care of them!" The ronin looked up from the rice owners hand examing the situation.

"That wasn't a part of the deal... I will kill him but it will cost an extra 5 Ryos" Kyo said, and he meant it he would simply watch and if the samurai killed the fat little man than he would take from his corpse the original payment due. The official sputtered "How dare you charge me more! you work for me!" A falling sound turned both their attention back to the Samurai as he killed another bodyguard the last two looking as if they were about to flee. Finally the man shouted "3 Ryos! not a ounce more!"

Kou nodded happy with the price and turned pulling out his Wakizashi from the rice owners hand letting the man fall behind the counter and whimper. The Samurai happy to face a true opponent rushed Kou his katana above his head ready to cleave the Ronin down his chest, but Kou was ready for this kind of attacked and rushed back leaning down and pointing his Wakizashi at the mans stomach. The Samurai slashed down, but Kou shuffled out of the way and plunged the small blade deep within the samurais stomach. The old Samurai coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood before the life slowly left him and Kou pulled the blade letting the samurai fall lifeless to the ground.

He leaned down and started rummaging through the samurais body removing 3 silver Bu and pocketing the coins. A shriek filled the shop but it was a voice of a young girl, probably around the age of 12, and it seemed she was the one they needed. The remaining 2 bodyguards stepped forth and grabbed the girl by both arms pulling her out into the street. Kou slide the small blade back into its sheath, and held out his hand to the fat man who put a large bag into his hands, and Kou opened it counting out the 13 Ryos he was due, and nodded to the man letting him know he could leave.

"Until next time, but if its something like this again I will charge you more." The fat little man nodded before rushing out into the street to claim his prize leaving Kou alone as he bent back down and started rummaging through the bodies of the dead bodyguards oblivious to everyone around him preoccupied with the prospect of a few more coins hiding on those bloody bodies.

Kohaku watched in silence. He was no fool. He would not go up against a trained samurai, if there was a risk of not returning to his mistress.
He would, however, confront the man who had taken the girl.
He moved out onto the street, gazing from the man to the girl he had taken.
"Leave her be," He murmured, his voice unafraid, "She is only a girl, and owes you nothing."

((Feel free to take control of the man and his bodyguards they are just NPCs))

The Official turned and laughed "Yea or what? Kou!" The Ronin quietly moved out of the shop having looted the few coppers the bodyguards had on them. The official pointed at the bandaged samurai "Take care of the trash" Kou looked at the samurai in question, than thought it over... before finally stating a price "10 Gold Ryos" The officials eyes bugled "I dont have that much..."

Kou gave a soft shrug "Than may the gods favor you. Good luck, I do hope you survive as I can always use a return customer" The overweight little ball was sweating profusely "Guys get him!" he shouted too his two bodyguards as he grabbed the girl. Kou stood and watched fully intending to loot the bodies once the fight was over as it was a waste to let all those precious coins slip buy.

Defeating the men was a simple thing. They were brutes, uncultured, dishonest, without even the slightest resemblance of honor. Two cuts and they had fallen.
His pursuit of the man was just as swift, and just as simple. He flipped his katana around, so that the blade ran down his arm, and swung. The hilt hit the man hard in the back of the skull, and he collapsed, paralyzed. Kohaku did not care if the man survived.

He brought the girl back to the restaurant, sending her in to her father with nothing more than a slight nod.
And then he turned to the samurai. The one that the fat man had called... Kou...?
"Kou-san," Kohaku murmured, bowing deeply to the other samurai, "I take it that you are a man interested in money?"

Kou watched the fight with interest it was rare for him to be able to sit on the sidelines as it most cases he usually worked for one of the fighting sides, sometimes both but that was a story for another time. It was a shame he only knocked the man out instead of killing him, as now if Kou robbed him he might retaliate... but it could be worth it. He walked past the samurai and rummaged through the mans clothing pulling out 2 more Gold Ryos, and slipping them into a rather large coin purse, although in truth it was just one of the many he had around his body.

"Kou-san," Kohaku murmured, bowing deeply to the other samurai, "I take it that you are a man interested in money?" Kou looked up from the body he had just finished looting and nodded to the other samurai. "Yes, Is there something you needed?"

He stood now happy with the turn of events not only did he just pocket a rather large sum of money, he was now about to get another job although he hoped it was a quick one so that he could go and cleanse his soul at a nearby shrine, but money took precedence as always.

"I am Suzuki Kohaku," He told Kou calmly, "Retainer to Kobayashi Chinatsu-dono."
He glanced around.
"Perhaps... it is best that we not discuss this on the street, surrounded by the bodies of the slain. Have you eaten?"
He pulled out his own coin purse, an offer to pay for both their meals.
Normally, Kohaku would not have offered such a thing. He believed that a samurai should pay for his own meals.
But his mistress had ordered him to find these samurai, and it was best to speak, believed, over a warm meal and sake.

"I see." He looked down at the bodies truly not minding them to much, although standing next to an dead Official, even a minor official could be bad for his reputation seeing as to it was moments before his client. The Ronin turned and bowed his head "Very Well Kohaku-san was it? Lead they way, and I shall follow." He was aware of who Chinatsu-dono was and it was a shame about her family, perhaps if they had hired him it wouldnt have turned out that way.

Genkaro sat, drinking his tea. His armour dust stained as he shifted his seat slightly, not wanting to watch the commotion at the bar, it irked him very much, and he itched to stand up and deal with them. The one called Kou-san seemed good, but the others were pathetic excuses for bodyguards. He disdained Kou, the man was out only for money, and was willing to go to such depths to get it. His actions marked him as a Ronin, one of the basest too. Money over honour? It was that kind of thinking that was slowly deteriorating the Samurai, too many of them becoming Ronin as they forgot honour.

Genkaro grimaced, these thoughts only reminding himself that he also was Ronin, not by his choice so much. He dispelled such thoughts with a shake of his head, and watched grimly as Kou began to rummage the bodies, he was not here to die, and getting into a commotion would only tell his persuers exactly were he had been. That is not what he wanted, or what he would do, he was just another Ronin to everyone here.

He grimaced again, then decided to find somewhere else, away from the commotion and the taking of the innocent. He easily heard the cry of pain in the street, someone else had killed the surviving thugs, as much as he disliked unhonourable people like them, he had a bigger dislike of death. He didn't like killing. He stood up, making his way towards the entrance, walking softly as he contemplated where to go next.

"I am Suzuki Kohaku," He heard a voice speak, "Retainer to Kobayashi Chinatsu-dono. Perhaps. ... It is best that we not discuss this on the street, surrounded by the bodies of the slain. Have you eaten?" He paused listening, this Kohaku sounded and looked almost like an honourable one, but why would he be interested in a honourless Ronin then? He decided to ignore it, moving out onto the street, passing the two of them. He was about to head to somewhere else when it hit him who Chinatsu-dono was. That name was quite renowned, but he had thought her perished along with her husband and retainers in the cowardly raid. Should he help a cause that was for revenge against one who perverted honour? He was torn, but honour won in the end as he turned around once more.

(Sorry if I did something wrong, It's been a while since I had to play a samurai, and I'm not sure if I haven't missed something in their honour/politeness code here.....)

"Please, follow me," Kohaku invited, bowing again and heading for the restaurant once more. He was well aware of Genkaro's attentions, but he paid them no mind, out of respect. He would not draw the man into the situation if he did not want to enter it.
He ducked through the door, bowing once again to the shop-keeper and murmuring an apology for the commotion which; due to his status; had been quickly forgiven. Moving past the bowing; practically grovelling; shopkeeper, Kohaku moved over to claim a small section at the back. He stepped into the booth, kneeling on one of the cushions, and motioned for Kou to join him.

Kana sighed, “That was useless, I hope father is having better luck.” Kana stepped out of the tea shop, having been disappointed by the lack of skill the Ronin she had encountered showed. She had perhaps found one promising Samurai, but the minute he drew his katana and waved it around, she knew he was not one to bother hiring. Years of watching her father handle one had told her proper technique, and the man’s wrists looked too unsteady to hold his weapon properly. To trained eyes it was pathetic. And that was even besides the fact that a Samurai would not draw his sword so easily as for a demonstration, for truly skilled Samurai must draw blood if they wish to sheath their blade. And while on the subject of Ronin, those men must have been thrown out by their master! For no master would be satisfied with such fools.

Kana’s harsh thoughts were off set by her wide and innocent eyes as they turned from side to side, choosing where to look next. If she had found anyone promising, she would send them to an appointed restaurant by her honored father, he would be there regularly to see if any showed up. He trusted her to choose carefully, and she was very picky about who to send to her father’s eye and judgment, she would never want to show her ignorance by disappointing him.

She finally chose a place, a restaurant that she saw a few Samurai, confident looking, walk into. She fallowed close behind, a little boy came up to her. “Hey big sis? Why do you carry a Daitou? That’s a secondary weapon for Samurai, and a pretty girl like you doesn’t need to use a weapon do you?” He said boldly, she knew the boy and gave him a smile.

“Bunta-kun, you sure do know you’re weapons! Do you still plan to pursue the Naginata?” She asked politely, avoiding his question. This caused Bunta to scrunch his face and whisper “Yah, but don’t tell that guy over there.” He pointed to a man making himself quite at home, he had a wolf on a chain that sat next to him, the wolf looked tamer than the man. “He’s Ankoku-san, er-Ronin. He’s really really really really strong…” Bunta finished, looking at the Ronin with a bit of envy.

Kana pat his head, “Get stronger then, but don’t give up being sweet, it becomes you.” She winked and let his head go, slowly moving towards the two wolves. She was braver than most, but still barely of age to wander out on her own, She had little experience talking to strangers that carried a weapon. But as she approached, she was sure not to betray any sign of being unsure of her decision. She portrayed only the poised figure she strived to be.

“Ankoku-ronin, is it not? My name is Suzuki Kana.” She bowed politely, “I have report that you are strong. And the Kobayashi household, or what is left of it, is looking for strong Ronin….the pay of course, is generous.” She straightened, looking for a response.

Kou watched the man enter the shop, although most likely the dead bodies were still in there so was it still private? well, it didn't matter the man wished to hire him so as far as he was concerned the location did not matter as much as the price he could wring out of the Samurai who was following his lady's orders to the letter and since his lady is... or at least was wealthy; he could get a decent deal out of this whole affair.

Kou followed the samurai back into the store and glanced at the shop keeper who had badly bandaged his wounded hand. It seemed that a few workers had drug the bodies back into the street where eventually they would be picked up... after being picked clean by the beggers. The man was bowing to the samurai although he covered his injured hand on instinct at the sight of Kou. He tossed the man a silver Bu. "For your hand, get some medicine." Why? well because it made him look slightly better in the eyes of his soon to be employer and if they thought you had at least some good in you than you could wring them for an extra Ryo.

Kou moved to the table the new client, Kohaku-san, had chosen and knelled on the opposite side. He would not order or speak until he did in order to gauge how the conversation would go.

"Yajuuuuuu!" Ankoku exclaimed after the girl(Kana) came and spoke. His wolf looked up at him, almost questioningly, swallowing a chunk of meat, and then licking his chops before looking over at the young girl. Ankoku looked at her, his gaze scanning quickly up and down, it lingered on her Daitou, then he looked to Yajuu, who looked at him. They very clearly understood eachother, at least Ankoku thought so, but he might just be crazy. Yajuu huffed out his breath, then started walking toward the girl, Ankoku's hand dropping the end of the chain leash, allowing the huge wolf complete freedom.

Yajuu walked very slowly towards her, his eyes darting up and down her body, then he took a wiff of her, then another. He wagged his tail then trotted back to Ankoku's side, lowering himself to the meat on the ground, digging back in.

"He approves." Ankoku said with a smile. His gaze again scanned her, but this time it lingered on her eyes. He nodded, then muttered to himself, "Yes, yes, his judgement never fails." Then he snapped his attention back up to her, "Suzuki Kana.... from the Kobayashi household?" He finally acknowledged her words, then took another large bite of rice, finishing off the third bowl on his table. "Yes, you have my name correct, even the title! Yes I am Ronin, proud Ronin! Strong too." He said erratically. "But payment is never my motivation, simply the appetizer, hardly necessary if the main course is large enough. Come, sit, and tell me, of this beautiful girl before me armed with the daitou, and then of the house you serve."

She looks strong, her eyes tell me, but at the same time youthful, and innocent, and beautiful. I wonder of her technique. How many men have fallen before this beauty?

"Rice?" He offered.

A wolf approaching her, a normal girl would have been fearful, and perhaps backed away. Stories of wolves eating children and women were always something of lore that resonated at nighttime in the forests of Japan. But Kana stood very still, not tensing, something told her that it was not the wolf she needed to heed at all, and he proved to be quite harmless as he trotted away, tail wagging. At that she smiled ever so slightly, triumphant, for tail wagging could not be a bad sign. And besides, the wolf was actually, cute. As crazy as the thought would be, the wolf was an animal, a pet, and a furry one, therefore cute in Kana’s mind. Though her logic would be considered ludicrous by any of the women she talked to.

Kana watched the exchange made by the two wolves, as she had now considered to call the Ronin a wolf in her mind, and thought it curious. Even curious-er, was the look he was giving her. It was entirely new to her, this look. She was being scrutinized by the eyes of a man, and though it may have happened before, never had she recognized it or had it been done to her face. It made her very curious, but also another thing that she could not lay her finger on. In any case, she was glad that she had gotten him to recognize her conversation, and was pleased to hear that he would be interested in the battle, and not necessarily the money. That was a good sign, for while it did not suggest a gentle man, it did suggest a strong one, and that was exactly what she and her father were looking for. No weakling would be quick to battle, or smell of blood this much. For she had in fact noticed his scent, and it was similar to the scent she had smelled when the Kobayashi household was being murdered. How could anyone not recognize this scent once they had smelled it once already?

Kana kneeled, smoothing her kimono under her knees as was appropriate for a lady, her Daitou she moved a little to the side, so it would not be pushed up by her knees. He had asked of her, but that must have been a trick question, because women did not speak of themselves to strangers, however familiar this man was acting. Kana gave off a warm feeling of friendliness now, instead of cold, in order to better match his comfortable position, but she had no intention of giving away information about herself. She didn’t even do that for regular people she spoke with every day, she certainly wouldn’t for this man, whose compliment told her that should be cautious of any signal she gave.

“No thank you, it is good of you to offer, but I have had little appetite as of recent times…And many wonder of my choice of weapon, or that I am carrying one at all.” Her statement was just that, a statement. Her whimsical smile and tilt of the head said plainly, ‘And you will be one of many of whom will simply have to wonder, for now at least.’

“Not too long ago, the Kobayashi household, a noble family who my father serves, was massacred. With only the lady of the house,-“ Kana’s expression became rather serious, “-Lady Chinatsu-dono, to remember them. My father and I escaped with my Lady…..and now Chinatsu-dono demands revenge. My honored father, myself, and any strong enough Ronin we can find will bring her that vengeance.” A conviction entered her no longer sweet voice, a stern strength, indignant that such horrid events had dared to take place in the Kobayashi household. How dare they. How dare they.

"Suzuki Kana, it is curious how curious you leave me. Quite maddening, in fact." He was impressed by her devotion, though it could very well be blind servitude, he thought. And her father? Perhaps she was too influenced in trying to please him. Ankoku abruptly rose to his feet, disappearing for a moment inside the restaurant, and reappearing before even half a minute had passed with two more bowls of rice, one stacked on top of the other, his naginata, Hateshi, still in his left hand, always, unless it was replaced by his uchigatana, Raikou. He had left Yajuu there, who simply stared at Kana across from him. Ankoku dropped to the ground unceremoniously, the bowls of rice leaping in the air, but not one grain dropped to the ground. Ankoku, possibly rudely, he thought, began to dig in to the first bowl, and then for a moment seemed to forget that Kana was even there.

That is, until Yajuu whined, and Ankoku's head jerked upright, his eyes locked on Kana's. "You have left me craving more information. About you. Maddening." But that was as far as he would push it, at least for now. There were other methods of learning more about his interests. He looked over to Yajuu, who cocked his head at him, his ear flopping slightly. Ankoku mimicked the motion, and then set down his rice. "Vengeance is a pleasant ointment for old, festering wounds. But, Suzuki Kana, who killed all of those in the house you serve, save your Lady? And why were they so efficient?"

"Was your house weak? Did it deserve death? Or was it treachery that killed your Lady's family? Either way, she seemed quite unprepared. And I find that insane. And not something I am inclined to help survive. Something I am inclined to kill. My title proves that." He said quickly, not stopping for a breath, his eyes never leaving her's. He saw the passion in her eyes, knew that she was devoted to this house, even though she was not and never could be samurai. He liked that. "And before you answer, my flower who's house is it's sun, tell me, did you kill many as you fled with your Lady? Have you developed an appetite for what your Lady seeks? Only those who have tasted it, can ever resist the gag reflex as the entire thing is forced down your throat."

He went back to his rice, finishing the first bowl in two more gulps, and then ravenously starting on the next.

"Rice," Kohaku ordered in a quiet voice, "And miso." The server hurried away, bowing as he went, and Kohaku turned back to Kou.
"You know, I trust, what has happened to the Kobayashi family?" He murmured, "The news has spread, as far as I can tell, to both coasts." His eyes darkened at this, "Kobayashi-dono has asked that I come here to find strong ronin willing to work for us. She seeks revenge on the house of Takashi for the deaths of her lord and children. She is willing to pay a handsome sum for the heads of the Takashi family."
He looked at Kou, eyes silent. It would be up to Kou whether he chose even to find out how much this handsome sum was.

(Sorry for the short post... It's hard to make long ones in the middle of a conversation.)

Akiodai walked into the town, dust from the road layering over the stains that were already there. His previous employer had cut him loose after he had completed his work so he was once again a wanderer with no person to call his lord. Thinking of his situation, being ronin, brought a familiar scowl to his face and he decided that he should try to find some more work to push the dark thoughts away. As Akiodai thought this he came across several bodies in the street being picked over by beggars which caused him to shake his head slightly at their lack of honor. Ignoring the beggars to help preserve some shred of dignity they still had, Akiodai stepped into the restaurant the bodies were in front of and looked around for a table, spotting one that would place his back against a wall which he quickly walked over to and knelt in front of, loosening the ties on his sword belt and laying the blades down on his right side and then pulling out his bowl and setting it on the table in front of himself while he contemplated what he wanted to eat.
(sorry for the short post unsure how introductions are supposed to go.)

Kou didnt wish to eat it distracted one, and he needed his full concentration. He gently stroked his chin with his left hand, a common habit he always had. He didnt need to answer his first qustion because everyone knew what happen, a scandel of that magnitude would never go unnoticed.

He began slowly as if contemplating the words as he spoke "What is the price, and the Takashi Family? I do not believe I have heard of them before. Tell me more about the targets, will I ever meet my client?" They were basic questions. The length and difficultly of the job would say how expensive it would need to be.

(Its ok, I understand)

"Kobayashi-dono has promised to reveal herself once all the ronin have been collected." Kohaku answered calmly, "She will determine your salary according to the combined wishes of the five." He leaned back, examining Kou, "The Takashi family is a smaller noble family. They rule a domain just outside of my Lady's land. They have always been arrogant, and ambitious. They wished to expand. With the deaths of Kobayashi-dono's Lord and children, they have inherited the Kobayashi estate, and all its inhabitants." He sighed softly, "Takashi Haru-sama is their leader. He is clever, a skilled fighter with a spear. He is an opponent to be respected, if not feared."

Kou was quite thinking over before he motioned with his hand at nothing in particular "Aww you see you must be new to this. This is where you dazzle me with an estimated price and than we haggle down to a price we both can agree on, but your offer intrigues me, so for now I will accept your offer as long as the price she offers is... generous."

He paused thinking over what he had been told "How many Ronin do you already have?"

Kohaku raised his eyebrow.
"That depends on how many my daughter has collected." He murmured, raising his bandaged hand to push back a trailing strand of his long black hair, "So far as I know, we have one."

Of course, he certainly hoped they had more than that. This was going to be a very long job, if he could not find more ronin soon.
Ronin, of course, were fairly easy to find.
It was the ronin with the right qualities which were difficult.

"Daughter?" Kou felt his eyebrow raise in curiosity. They must be truly desperate to travel with children especially a female child. He could almost picture a small child that looked just like this samurai... bandaged hand and all an unattractive sight he had to admit.

He tapped his chin in thought and leaned forward "Well take advice from someone in the trade: never accept a man who doesn't want money and never trust a man who doesn't drink. The ones who fight simply to fight are the ones you must watch out for. They are like rabid dogs attacking anyone who they think looks adequate. It is much easier to sleep when you know the man behind you wants to keep you alive in order to get your money"

Genkaro decided to properly introduce himself into the conversation now, he had been somewhat rude shadowing them and listening in, but at least it was only rude, and not quite dishonourable. "Kohaku-san? I'm sorry for listening in without invitation. But I think perhaps I might be of service to you." He did not like the man that he had associated with, but he had also overheard the reason for it. There wasn't many honourable people you could find, so dishonourable was what one had to settle with when one looked for soldiers like this. At least he could offer Kohaku one man that wasn't a money grubber.

"I am Izunawa Genkaro, wandering Ronin." He actually pauses. As if considering something, eventually deciding against it. "never accept a man who doesn't want money, and never trust a man who doesn't drink." He has to raise an eyebrow as Kou says this, but he does not reply. Let the honourless one think what he may, but the true warriors need no coin.

(Lack of inspiration so quite a short post....)