The Captain and Kai walked into the town of Antio to recruit some sailors for the journey east into the Jade Empire. As they walked Sky spoke first "Kai I was thinking we should split up to look, that way we'll get things done faster, what do you think?". Kai thought about it for a moment before agreeing, as they went their separate ways Sky suggested they meet up back aboard the ship at sundown. Kai walked down the quiet street, and soon spotted a tavern at the corner. The Weeping Woman, it looked like a good place to start. Upon entering the tavern she saw a fairly empty common room, she wondered why this was. Kai helped herself to table and decided to get something to eat. The innkeeper was a fat man with cheeks that looked to be permanently red, "Sorry miss we're a bit short handed right now, but my daughter will be helping you with what you need." he then ducked into the back room. A few moments later a young girl of about 14 came to her table, she was tiny compared to her father. "My name is Sara, can i get you anything?" Kai looked around and asked "where is everyone?" the girl looked down and starred at her shoes, "A scary lady chased everyone away now people are too scared to come back here. But don't tell daddy I told you, he will get mad at me." Kai put her hand on the girls head and reassured her, "don't worry i won't tell him, it will be Sara and Kai's secret, Kay?" The girl shook her head then remembering her duty she asked Kai what she wanted to eat. Kai stood and gave the girl a small coin and told her she had to leave. Kai left the tavern in search for another one.

Kai stopped at two other taverns, they all had their patrons scared away by this 'scary woman' the girl spoke of, the sun was setting and she hoped Sky had better luck then she did. Kai turned around heading back to the ship when she heard screaming coming from an ally a few blocks away. Kai got Twing Twang out and climbed a near by house to over look the seen. She spied a group of men cornering a lone woman, she had two knives in each hand. She had her face hooded with a long grey cloak, she seemed to be running out of options. The ally was wide enough for three men to pass with out trouble, Kai counted about 16 men all carring different weapons, the odds did not look good for her. The two men in front attacked her at once, she didn't even flinch as they yelled and ran at her. With a flick of her wrist she threw the dagger to man on the right barring it in the man's chest killing him as she slashed at the other on her left taking him out with ease. The others tried to scramble to get to her but the ally did not have much room to move witch was a draw back for them as well as the target. As they pushed forward to back her into the corner she struck out with another dagger she produced from her cloak killing another and another, but Kai knew she was running out of options. Kai decided to step in, she aimed for the backs of the men at the rear of the group thinning out their numbers till only two remained but the hooded woman took then out with much effort. Kai turned to get down from her perch so that she could search the bodies for valuables but when she got there the woman was nowhere to be seen.

Kai got away with a hand full of coins enough to buy a room and food for at least three days, she thanked the dead men and turned to leave the ally. It was already sundown and she needed to get back to the ship so she started down the street to the docks. As she was passing the fish markets she was pulled into a small ally and pushed face first into the wall, a voice cautioned her to be still. "Who are you? and what do you want?" the voice asked. "I am Kai, and i want to stay alive" and with that she pushed back with all her force and kicked the hooded woman's legs from under her. She landed on her back, as Kai turned around and took a few steps back, she pointed her crossbow at the woman. Her hood fell away to reveal a beautiful face with red copper hair and honey colored eyes that stared fiercely at Kai. "what do you want from me? I helped you remember?" The woman stood up she was about 5'8, she looked at Kai severely for a moment before speaking. "Where I come from what you did back there put me in your debt, I owe you my life. But I don't think you want that, It looks to me as if you just wanted their money." "whats your name?' Kai asked, "The names Raku". " Well Raku, i do what i have to so that i can't continue with my mission. If I hear you correctly you owe me, and I just so happen to need someone of your skill on my quest. Will you come with me?". Raku took out one of her knifes and cut the palm of her left hand then handed the knife to Kai for her to do the same, when she did she held out her hand to Kai. Kai took her hand in Raku's "This is my blood oath, I, Raku of the Suzume tribe, promise to follow and protect Kai till she releases me from my oath or until she dies" a quick flash a light emanated from their hands and a strange tingle ran up Kai's arm. Kai was surprised, no one did a blood oaths anymore because of how strong the bond was, Raku must have felt that Kai saved her from almost certain death. "I hate to rush this, but I have to get going now." Kai stepped passed Raku into the street and started running to the ship, Raku followed her close behind.