Snippet #2578405

Aoki considered herself a fairly patient woman. She despised fighting of all sorts, but she knew how to protect herself. Arguing with customers though was stressful. As charming as she was, most of these people were hot, hungry and tired. It was frustrating to keep up with room assignments, pointing out directions to places, and trying to convince people to keep their children- and sake-filled business partners in some cases- out of trouble.

Kenji had managed to fend off the Yakuza for a very long time before having no choice but to give in when his son fell ill and needed medical help, costing him quite a bit of money... still, he retained most of his ownership and only owed them 'reasonable' fees. Still, Aoki hated them for making such a proud old man submit.

When the thugs- faces she knew too well around town, came in, the place got fairly quiet. She was already on the defensive though. They wouldn't leave without money or a fight.

"Hatsumura!!! You're late on your payment again! Come out old man!" One man- She thought his name was Ren, though she couldn't really recall. She never gave more than a moment's thought to any of them.

"Aoki, you still hanging with this old man? Don't you have a brothel to occupy?" Ren leered at her after one of his buddies pointed out that she was there. Her hand was already on her kodachi.

She despised fighting.

But she would fight.

Suddenly, without warning, there was a flash of red hair and before them stood a man- a ronin, from the looks of it. She couldn't figure out where he had come from. She hadn't seen him until just that moment.

she didn't hear his words, she simply found herself walking around the front counter, ready to launch her attack if need be... but instead she watched him throw Ren out with ease... whatever his words were, they clearly frightened the men because they ran shouting something about 'yokai-cursed' and 'Autoro'. The name rang a vague bell, though she knew not where from.

Kenji was suddenly standing in front of her, observing the man with a bit of curiosity on his face. "Thank you for your intervention, though as unneeded as it was," he gave an appreciative smile before realizing the room was still very quiet. "Please, everyone, if you'll line up appropriately we'll be able to sort you out much quicker. I'm sorry sir, but what did you say your name was? I am the owner of this establishment, Hatsumura Kenji, and this is my friend and current assistant Aoki-chan."