Chapter. 4 Conflict
AN: I do not own "The Loud House" or "Kengan Ashura/Omeg". Each belong to their respective creators and studios.
This story is Rated M for death, violence, swearing, upsetting dark topics and possible suggestion of nudity/sexual content in future chapters.
XXX
The Inside, Japan: Shion (Lincoln) age 22, Kiryu Setsuna age 18…
"You are not what I was expecting, Piglet…" Shion stated, staring at the beast before him.
This was not what he had planned for tonight…
It was boar, but it was so large that Shion wonder if he was looking at creature straight out folklore. East or West, there been depiction of large beasts. Boars have been known in their stories to grow to monsters' sizes if given enough resources around them and their ability to survive. He just did not expect to see something so large before him.
"Weee!" A howling squeal was his response. This monster pig was brown fur that almost could be mistaken as red, but had green eyes. The tusks were large, about the size of large blunt knives, from it lower jaw.
How did he get into this confrontation?
This was not the animal he was planning to fight today?
Lincoln was tracking down a pack of wolves in the area to test out two years of independent training on a Martial Art that could help strengthen his Koei Style. Two years of extra Partial Training just so he could improve his fist, knuckles and focus on clenching his upper body muscles to deliver devastating blows on trees and boulder. Today was suppose to be testing this Martial Art on his pound of flesh. A pack of Wolves would not seem like too much, given he was used to fight large groups of people and it would bring a new excitement of witness tactics of wild animals compare to humans. He knew that his new Martial Art would make this drag out longer and an opponent such as this demanded a bit more respect. Respect that the Koei Style and his master would demand.
He had been tracking this pack of wolves for months, and now he ruined all that work for what?
Shaking in his Gi was an injured rabbit with blood on the side of its fur, from burrow that the Boar was digging through for food with his hooves, snout and tusks. Boars are omnivores, eating plant and animal matter. Their diet usually made-up roots, bulbs, seeds, nuts and green plants.
Perhaps the rabbit was apart some normal diet for this boar, because decides it ate eat more than normal and rabbit was on the menu.
Grunting, the boar was preparing a charge. All because he threw a fist size rock at its side and took the rabbit before the boar jaws could eat it.
Using Blink, Shion got close enough to see the dug-up warren to see roots, bulbs, seeds, and nuts. It just happen to be bad luck this rabbit was alone and gather a hoard of food that attracted the Boar- roots, bulbs, seeds, nuts...
The white rabbit might as well set up a full course meal for this Boar.
"You know…You look like something out Studio Ghibli. Yeah. Straight out of Princess Mononoke. I call you Nago." Shion said, never taking his eyes off the Boar. He place the rabbit on the ground with blood on its trembling form, but the rabbit did not run away from Lincoln. The rabbit just trembled and stayed in place…That was not good.
Why did he have soft spot for Rabbits?
"Weee!" A squealing howl came from the monster Boar and it charged. Lincoln answered with his own charge, as the bright full moon lit up night, then clouds moved in to block out the moon.
Darkness overtook fight between man and beast in the forest.
Crashing, thrashing and sounds went off into the new for few brief instances. The fight did not last for hours through the night…
Snap! Crack! It only lasted for minute with an ominous sound of what could been a large branch that broke off. Death filled the air and few minutes later, blood would fill the air. Something that would confusion and hunger for Shion would-be opponents!
XXX
In the dead of night and a full moon was out that night, a conflict was taking place!
The scent of blood was heavy in the air, as the predators emerge on their target.
This battleground was forest area, near a burrow hole. The ring of conflict was flat plain with dirt and grass…
An age-old conflict when Humans when they were Hunter/Gatherer tribes had struggled and conquer other animal species for thousands of years in groups hunting parties against one or more animals they preyed on. It is a social predator is a predatory animal which hunt its prey by working together with other members of its species. Normally animals hunting in this way are closely related, and with the exceptions of chimpanzees where only males normally hunt, all individuals in a family group contribute to hunting.
In this case, it was pack wolves vs one man.
These wolves were thought to be extinct within Japan, with few rare sightings often thought as miss-identification thought to be wild-dogs from the cities that escaped into Japanese wilderness. These wolves ranged from 56-58 cm (1'8- 1'9). These wolves were mature adults, seasoned hunters and very hungry. Hunger came to these wolves for not eating for several days and their numbers gave them confidence in defeating this white-hair bipedal creature that invaded their territory and interrupting their hunt…
On the Inside, wildlife ecosystem was still intact and had such rarity such as wolves have thrived. More specifically, a thought to be extinct sub-species of grey wolves. All were hungry and looking for a meal, which the Inside had provided. Humans fought to the death against each other for resources, while the wildlife flourished to keep it's the food chain intact. These animals have scavenged off human flesh, but have also hunted down humans that strayed from their dwellings or from the group. On the Inside, there have been few humans that could hunt and survive in nature, but too few and far in between. The people of the Inside understood the law of nature, where the strong survived. Humans survived better in groups, even if conflict erupts within their own. No government or no rule united The Inside, so people were in constant state of fighting and killing each other that they did not use the natural resources around them and relied heavily on criminal enterprise that came and left the Inside to bring in resources such as food, water and weapons.
Normally, one human vs several wolves would end in the human being prey for a wolf pack...
Normal would not describe this man the wolves sought to hunt for their meal.
The wolves' 'prey' was not easy animal to take down however…they have realized instinctual that this would be the fight for their lives!
This man was a height 183 cm (6'0 ft) and weigh 77 kg (170lbs). Slight above average height, muscles taught/cut into his body and corded to suggest this man was speed base body. This man wore a simple wore sleeveless orang robe dogi on his torso and brown pants with a dull yellow corded belt. No shoe's or sandal were worn on his feet. Over his arms and chest; showed signs of various small scars that have healed over time. His feet to his ankle showed heavy scaring that seemed fresh. The heaviest and freshest scars were around the man hands and feet; with scars over scars that they have swelled from muscle and calcification over time and training. Almost like strange farmer tan pigmentation. The skin around hands and feet appeared darker red in pigmentation, muscle, bone and veins. He had shaggy wild white hair that went to his shoulder and bangs that almost covered his face. His face stoic and strong, with his eyes filled with excitement for this fight. This man stance was in was tight, his fists in front of him balled up and guarded, while his feet shifted and jump light and steady in rhythm ready to spring into action or changing position.
The wolves circled their prey, seemingly in an independent movement, but actual trial and error practice that that took down several prey in the past.
Prey that was larger.
Prey that had objects in hand that made the prey dangerous.
Prey that seem clever…
Yet all have fallen to this pack of grey-wolves…
The grey-wolves were confused, given that this creature before them interrupted their hunting spot for a light-snack and blood was smelt heavily in the air…The grey-wolves powerful sense of smell smelt so much blood in the air. It was appealing and confusing. The bipedal creature before them was not that badly injured, but so much blood in the air had to come from some creature, but where? Still, they must focus on this bipedal creature before them.
However, the man challenging them in their territory was ready and had very eager!
This was practice on his new style of fighting to improve his Striking ability and power of his upper body.
For this man, Shion, has study and practice the Martial Art of...Boxing!
Reading and practicing independently from his master and fellow pupil, to dabble and see how far he could use Boxing to cooperate into his Fighting Style. It was different from the Koei Style, given it relied on using his knuckles of his fist instead of the powerful palm grip of his hands. Shion even went so far to use Partial Training to strike at Trees and Boulders to strengthen/harden his fists; similar to Rakshasa's Palm ritualistic training that Shion continued train to this very day. Never stopping or skipping a day in training the Koei Style, he put the same dedication in Boxing to strengthen his fists. Shion spent 2 years training his hands to fight in different way then what he was used and forgot how many times his body wanted to quit this extra training he was putting himself through. It was too much, but Shion forced his body to comply with desires and continued the training. Still, he preserved and developed powerful fists. Not near as powerful as Rakshasa's Palm technique, but born fruit of fist becoming more durable that no Professional Boxers could attain through traditional training methods. His fists had durability and strength would be more similar to a Karate Grand-Master training method, but Shion trial and error were trained in manner for a Boxing style.
Shion was using a basic Boxing Style stance, given his experience was self-train amateur and no professional trainer to encourage other unique stances of Professional Boxing that he read through instructional books.
Every Boxer starts with this stance. This is not a defensive stance, neither offensive one. It's something in the middle. It allows individual to attack and move back quickly without losing balance, which is really important, especially when for a beginner Boxer.
The main goal was for Shion to develop a powerful strike with Rakshasa's Palm, a technique he mastered and wanted to improve upon!
Fighting humans was difficult for most people, but fighting animals was different fight all together. It was the experience that Shion wanted to attain from this fight to take his Boxing to the next level.
There was long lull, a pause to wait to see who strike first.
Would it be Shion impatient nature, which could lead to him being swarmed by wolves to be ripped and torn open or would Shion set the pace of the fight?
Would it be the several hungry grey wolves that take down this white-hair bipedal creature to gain necessary nourishment for survival or would the pack grow smaller after this hunt?
Shion let out aura to start the fight and trigger these grey wolves instincts…The aura of a Killing Intent!
Survival instincts snapped within the grey wolves- Fight or Flee…
They choose to fight!
Instinct and experience immediately took over for the grey-wolves. The females of the pack would circle around the bipedal creature, making sure to confuse the prey following their movement and cutting off any escape. The males of the pack would search for opening to take down the bipedal creature, quick and aggressive. Vulnerable areas of the Neck, Legs, Arms or Belly were they're targeted strategy would help bringing down a prey physically. However, they're instincts screamed that this…creature defenses were not down.
No matter! They would make an opening to take down this creature.
The female wolves began to faint and nip at the creature, to startle the white-hair bipedal creature. The male wolves slowly creeping to the inside circle and one attempting to strike at the creature right side- Bam!- a fast left Jab knocked the wolf and redirected outside the other female-wolves. Another male wolf went to strike from behind, but the white-hair bipedal creature amazing intuition to meet with a Right Hook- Bash!- and the wolf knocked out the circle of wolves. Again, another male wolf sprinting with all it might and jump to take a bite out of the white-hair bipedal creature neck- Wham!- only to be meant with a Uppercut! Two of the male wolves attacked simultaneous, one targeting the creature right leg and the other a direct charge at the white-hair bipedal creature torso! They had visual and closed in on their target!
Blink!
The target was gone, but wolves' noses told them he was near! Bam! Bam!
The male wolf going for the right leg was hit with a low Hook punch, while the other male wolf aiming for the torso was hit with an Overhead punch.
A howl cut in through the attack and the wolves back-off to change their strategy.
Shion was lightly hopping on his feet, ready to move. He smiled at what is to come next. Even if he was practicing Boxing and trained his body to use Boxer punching techniques, the foundation of his fighting style was still the Koei Style. He had to fight off his instincts to use the two techniques, but Blink technique was ingrained into him. Fighting wild animals was different from fighting humans, which Shion appreciated the innocents and beauty of this fight. This was a fight for survival. A fight to obtain food, which did not insult Shion in the slightest. Everything in the wild was fair game-
The grey wolves began to creep in. None the female wolves were running circles around Shion and the male wolves were still creeping in to attack like the previous strategy.
So, that how it is? An all or nothing attack?
Shion lost the smile and had a stoic serious look. Thinking and feeling out the proper attack pattern of his opponents just got a bit harder. Wolves were faster than humans, even if humans trained themselves to a Super Human levels.
He was not going to come out this next exchanged unharmed and that was fine…Because he would live and complete his goal!
At that moment, all the wolves attacked at various areas and directions, while Shion pupils constricted to small dots of specks, as adrenaline fueled his body to higher levels!
Snap! A wolf jaw barely misses Shion left forearm.
Bam! Shion punched with a right Jab at wolfs snout.
Slash!A wolf claw makes shallow cut at Shion right cheek.
Wham! Shion unleashed a left Bolo Punch at a wolf torso mid-jump.
Snap! Rip! A wolf manages to bite Shion left fist with its teeth clinch. Shion did not register the pain, due to his fist being far stronger and tougher than normal Martial Arts fighters. Shion lifted the wolf on his left fist and smashed it into one of his packmates. Slam! Shion fist had small bite marks leaked blood, but the damage was not as bad as one would expect for human to have their fist bitten by a grey-wolves would.
Blink! Shion disappeared when three wolves tried to pounce on all at once.
Blink! Shion dodge another pair of wolves pouncing and biting at his body.
Slam! A wolf slammed into Shion, either by accident or on purpose in the chaos of the scrimmage.
Bam! Shion delivered a Rabbit Punch at the base of a wolf skull.
A dance of fur, claws, fist, fangs and dodging took several minutes of the fight. Both sides eventually tiring out and coming out injured, but one side faired better than the other. It was Shion who was still standing, sporting new cuts and bite marks on his body and cloths. Some grey-wolves fled into the foliage of the forest, while others were too tired and injured that were showing they're under bellies in submission.
Shion slowly let down his Boxing stance and slowly walked to burrow hole and picked up…an injured white rabbit! A single cut injured on the white rabbit left leg that the grey wolves pack tracked down, but got confused with the heavy sent of blood in the air. He placed the scarred injured white rabbit into his dogi and went to certain tree that had a rope tied to branch and untied the rope from the branch. The grey-wolves that were still near Shion was meant with a surprise, for something was suspend in the tree tops for ground level!
Slam!
...A large boar body landed on the ground near a base of tree. The body of the Boar must of weighed 447 kg(1,051 lbs) and measured 2.84 m (9'4 ft). It was truly a Monster of a boar and the size was startling for the Wolves because the boar was dead. None in their pack could take down such a monster, even if they worked together. Only injured or sick could this boar be taken down by their wolf pack. Yet, this white-haired bipedal creature must have killed it!
Shion went to a second rope of a tree to retrieve his reward for killing the boar, the back legs known as the Ham.
Himself, Sensei Genzan, and his kohai would eat good tonight for several days!
A cold chill wen down the remaining grey wolves' spines and their ears pulled back.
This white-haired bipedal creature was dangerous and playing some sort of game with them…they were at his complete mercy the entire time!
Parts of the Boar was messing, because the back legs of the boar were cut out and missing, but everything else was remained on the Monstrous Boar. The only thing more disturbing was the boar head and neck…twisted so hard to look at another direction in 180 degrees the wrong way!
What could cause such damage?
The smell of meat and blood hit the grey-wolves noses, which made them even more hungrier…
The grey wolves mouths water with droll and whimper, wanting a taste of delicious meal within their reach and yet too afraid to go near the white-hair bipedal creature. Shion proceed to leave with parts of the delicious boar carcass back legs and take the injured scared rabbit with him
The largest part of the monster boar meat was gone, but the rest would be the grey wolves pack meal!
A payment that Shion believe these grey-wolves had earn for remaining that fought hard for a small white rabbit and ended up with a much larger prize.
As soon as the white-haired bipedal creature left with their prey, the remaining grey wolves went to eat the remains of the plentiful board body. Soon the other pack mates came back and began to gorge themselves on boar meat. The fighting seemed pointless to the grey-wolves and the pack just enjoyed the meat they got to eat. They pack could have becoming weaker if the white-hair bipedal creature decided to eat them. Instead, they got larger prize than small rabbit that they were hunting. They're pack hunted down most the rabbits in the area, so it was great change to eat some larger and heftier than a rabbit.
Both parities were satisfied with their results…for now.
XXX
"Well, this is unexpected", Tokita Niko said to himself.
He just had a long day of training his pupil, Ohma in the Niko Style. There were some areas of the Four Katas that Ohma favored over others, which Niko could not blame given he has done the same. The Niko style did not strictly follow a particular set of rules or techniques that were predictable. True masters of the Niko Style have different ways to use the techniques they learned and methods to their madness. Tokita Niko own style of Niko was different from Ohma style, but he looked forward to his pupil own version of the Niko Style. It was just matter of time…
Anyway, as Ohma was off hunting for food and eating large amounts of it, Niko had a different hunger to fulfill.
The Inside, while never the best place to live and constantly pushing people in situation of constant survival, had some areas of civilization. Yakuza and certain groups of people in power had places they could get their creature-comforts that they could not find.
Onna-bugeisha Bar, was combination of both. It was hostess bar that was mainly controlled by women of the Inside. Supposedly, it been around since the Inside was first created and sort of historical area. Most ladies were willing to have male clients, but any Yakuza member or group that try to take over their business was meant with violence and bloodshed. The ladies of establishment lived up to their names by practicing Martial Arts and uses of Weapons or Assassination skills to kill their enemies. They had sniper rifles, guns and some bombs; which made them the most dangerous group to mess with in The Inside. It was not worth going to war with them and Onna-bugeisha provide good business and connections for the Inside to do business with local and foreign criminal elements.
Dangerous and independent Warrior Women run the Onna-bugeisha Bar and it would stay that way.
It was not a delipidated building like much in the area, but not as great of Hostess Bar in comparison to the rest of Japan. Still, to the Inside it might as well be a four business and wealthiest in the area…
Of course, it was hostess bar that pleased male clients and the Inside had no laws against prostitute, which was fine by Niko. He wanted to find beautiful women and enjoy the night!
What was he doing instead?
Niko was directed to the Bar area by hostess, but it was secluded. It did not feel like a trap and the hostess informed him that any nightly pleasures would be taken care by the white-haired gentlemen sitting at the bar in a dogi gi, provided that he answered some questions.
The white-haired man seems to be nursing a drink and strangely had a white rabbit eating at bar table, with the female bartender and some waitress looking at the rabbit with desires to pet and keep the bandage white rabbit for themselves. Hey, they may be dangerous women born in the Inside, but they have their soft spots for cute creatures. They were only human.
So, Niko just shrugged and set next to the white-haired man by the bar stool. He could smell blood, wilderness, sweat and alcohol on the man.
"So, your Tokito Niko?" the white-hair man began, his introduction sounding like a question. His Japanese was fluent, which surprised Niko. He got close look and could tell that this man was a fighter and foreigner at that. A foreigner with white-hair and spoke fluent Japanese, at the bar in the Inside. That was strange and the fact this man was in The Inside…
Niko was meeting a smaller local urban legend on the Inside, given he the only foreigner to survive this long and gain a fierce reputation in the Inside. A foreigner that grew up and became powerful Martial Artist in his own right, but nobody knew his name and had unique white-hair.
"And you're the foreigner trained by Genzan Taira, who is trying to revive some lost Martial Art." Niko stated, as the bartender gave him some Sake to start drinking. Niko went for his money, but the bartender made a gesture to keep. Oh! Right, Ganzan student offering to pay off the any expenses Niko had.
He was going to exploit that.
"Hmm...Well, I am not as famous as you, given I am only known as Genzan-Sensei student at the moment. He has another student in case something happens to me. All I want is to ask some questions, if you would be so kind. You will be compensated." The white-haired man spoke, as he took a drink of Sake and pet the white-rabbit that was eating some vegetables on a dish.
"Okay. What if I do not want to answer them?" Niko stated. He did not mind starting a fight here. Beautiful women or fighting, was fine with him.
"Any services you ask of the Bar and Hostess that is on and off the menu is paid for tonight by me. Just for tonight. All I just want is for you to answer some questions." The white-haired man did not even look at Niko as he spoke. Just at the bottles of alcohol and the bartender, while petting his rabbit.
That did not seem to bad, so Niko decide to humor Ganzan student and spoke, "Alright, that fair. I just hope you cover my expenses for tonight."
"Does Kiryu Setsuna mean anything to you?" the foreigner asked his first question.
"No." Short and blunt was Niko response. He just waited for the next question, but there was pause. Like Ganzan student was making judgement on Niko response.
A sigh escaped the white-haired man and his body relaxed slightly, but still on guard. One that was wary and confused at the same time. Kiryu Setsuna did not ring any bells to Niko as far as he was concern.
"Okay, then are you the ONLY Tokita Niko?" Ganzan student spoke up, which was Niko turn to pause as he drank some good Sake. After a sip, Niko decided to respond.
"What do you mean?"
"I am not calling you a liar or imposter…" Ganzan student spoke before he continued, "But the Inside has various different descriptions of Tokita Niko. You are a legendary person on The Inside, but something does not add up... Not many know or care, because surviving this little hell on Earth called the Inside, is the first priority. Those that thrive and survive, well, we tend to take notice of certain details and descriptions. Such as one the Tokita Niko descriptions is that he has short hair. Another mentions that he has a darker skin tone. Then we have one that make you taller or shorter. You gather up the various descriptions from all the regions of the Inside and then I notice something was off. This could be because of rumors spreading around, but hearing your name on the Inside everywhere I travel is too much of a coincidence…"
Huh? It looks like someone wanted to learn the truth of Tokita Niko's origins and get the facts about the living legend.
He wonder what Sensei-Goah would want Niko response to be? Given what has happen to the remaining Tokita Niko's, it was for the best. His fellow brothers were dead and he wanted them to have a bit individual respect for their deed in the Inside.
He also wanted his false-brother to pay for killing off his remaining brothers…That was bitter thought, but he focused his energy on Ohma to pass on the Niko Style. That was part of the mission Sensei-Goah trusted them with.
Might as well go with truth.
"I am not the only Tokita Niko." He responded and paused. This got Ganzan student to look at him and wanting to know more, but Niko could only shrug. He did not have to tell this guy everything. Ganzan student looks like he would be interesting person to fight, but he not acting like fighter right now. More like a detective.
The white-haired man shakes his head and shook his head.
"So that is how it going to be…Well, I guess I better tell you why I am asking these questions. By the way, my name is Shion." The newly introduce Shion and he downed some Sake cup, Shion continued on, "My kohai, Kiryu Setsuna has been…spying on you and your other student, whenever I find him. I think he has infatuation with your student, but seems that have a great hatred of you or Tokita Niko's in general. I just wanted to get information out you, because my kohai has not wanted to talk with me on the subject at all and I worry about him."
Niko almost spit out his Sake and that pissed off the Bartender who had to clean up the mess, while Shion finally manage to chuckle at Niko surprised face.
Ohma having a stalker, while said stalker hated him. How did Niko get in these situations?
"Well, I look forward to Ohma face when he meets his secret admirer, I have not done anything to this Kiryu or heard of anyone that is called Kiryu Setsuna." Niko spoke and set his Sake cup down.
"Yeah, you do not seem to be liar, but I worry that Kiryu not telling me everything and I think Kiryu feelings for this Ohma goes beyond normal." Shion replied.
"What is beyond normal?" Niko wonder why he asked.
"He just got himself a large pillow and made cartoonish image of Ohma face on it, then proceeds to hug and do…other activities I wish I did not know." Shion replied, drinking the bottle of Sake, as the Bartender drops her glass, which shatters and seems to be eyeing her new customers with interests. Perhaps the Bartender love saucy topics, such as Yaoi Mangaka or something. Shion just gesture to pet the white-rabbit and the bartender seem to be happy with petting the cute rabbit. Gossip and cute animal to pet. What more would lady of the night want?
"Geez…Are you trying to make me uncomfortable?" Niko could not help but ask. He does not care for people sexual preferences, but somehow Niko will be involved with Ohma meeting Kiryu somehow. He did not look forward to explain to Ohma why some Birds like other Birds and Bees like other Bees? That would take weeks and Niko was the only parental/mentor figure in Ohma life right now.
"Sorry. It just the Inside causes people minds to go to unhealthy places and the way Kiryu looks or speaks about your, Ohma? Yeah, he seems to look at Ohma beyond romance into...something beyond just physical attraction. Almost like a religious experience when Kiryu spies on you and Ohma training." Shion spoke and Niko did not like that thought.
He did not know much about religion, but…
Spying? Was this man, Shion, and this Kiryu spying on them.
"I have to admit, your Martial Art is fascinating and seems to mix-match different styles of fighting. Like a Mixed-Martial Art that I have not heard of or study before. It is definitely beyond Mixed-Martial Arts and instead of mixing several Martial Arts, it is like one true Martial Art. What is it name?"
"Niko style." Niko replied before asking, "So you been spying on us?"
"Not because I want to. I think it been about a year and I just decided to ask you directly. It creepy and weird observe someone for about a year and not communicate or fight them. I really just to track down Kiryu and that usually a hit and miss. Luckily I find him most the time watching you guys."
"Hmm." Niko replied as he tried to process the current information that he just learned.
"It Koei Style, by the way." Shion replied.
"What?" Niko question.
"Sensei-Ganzan style of Martial Art he trying to revive. It is called the Koei Style. Apparently, he is a descendant of branch of the family that practiced the Koei Style, before it died out 400 years ago. Comparing Niko Style with Koei Style, I can tell you style has many techniques, while ours only has few." Shion explained, setting the bottle of Sake down and looking red in the face. He probably should not drink too much too fast.
"Really? Care to explain?" Niko asked, given the subject of Martial Arts was a constant interest in his life.
"No. Not for now. Thanks for humoring me, Tokita Niko. Have fun for me, will you. Well, I better be going." Shion said as he put stack of money down and was about to pick up his rabbit before.
"W-Wait! You can stay longer. You paid enough for two people. Also some hostess wants to pet with your rabbit later. What its name?" the Bartender ask.
The rabbit nose just twitched with it ears and looked back and forth with Shion and the bartender.
"Bun-Bun. I don't know the gender, but it does not matter. Bun-Bun is good name for a boy or girl." Shion replied, with slight smile and petting the rabbit.
"That is a cute name and, well, would you like to talk with me for a while?" The bartender asked and Niko notice that women had some interest in Shion. Lucky bastard.
"Sure." Shion replied.
"My name Kikyo." The bartender introduce herself. She was lovely young women in her early 20's. Kikyo worn a bartender outfit with white shirt and black vest, along with long black pants. The only thing out of place was pistol holstered into right side of her vest and combat knife on her left hip. Most the ladies at the Onna-Bugeisha Hostess Bar had weapons on them that were either hidden or in plain sight. A message sent to their patrons that they were armed and dangerous. Kikyo dark brown hair and pale skin with her almond shape eyes with cold brown eyes that have hint of playfulness to them, which were focused on Shion in particular.
To Kikyo, Shion seem exotic. A foreigner who was strong, lasted longer than anyone ever expect to on the Inside and had a soft spot for cute white-rabbits. Strong and sensitive was rare combination in the Inside. Something that was very attractive…
"Shion is my name and your name is very lovely, Kikyo." Shion smiled to show his teeth and the bartender known as Kikyo flushed a little.
"Niko-san, your hostess is ready for you." A waitress called out and Niko began to head that way, but looked back at Shion chatting more with Kikyo the bartender.
Niko would meet Shion a couple odd nights at Onna-bugeisha Hostess Bar and be popular with the ladies. Well, Shion being more popular given he brought Bun-Bun around. They would talk more and get more friendly with each other, with Niko hearing Shion story on how he got on the Inside and Niko just telling Shion bits and pieces about his own origins without reveal too much about Mukaku Gaoh and legacy his old master left behind. With the creation of the Niko Style and legend that was Tokita Niko's that were rampant all over the Inside.
Unexpectedly, Shion and Niko would be drinking buddies for next several months at the Onna-bugeisha Hostess Bar, meeting whenever they come across each other. Niko enjoyed the drinks and ladies and in Shion case he enjoyed Kikyo for several days of the week; enjoying each other company and nights in Kikyo bed for mere moments of peace and feeling alive… Tokita Niko seem to not have particular about what lady he had for the night and had his fill of carnal desires, perhaps Niko taking Ohma here in the future?
Both Niko Tokita and Shion had lingering desire to fight each other...but it never came to that. What they had was rare friendship that gave themselves common ground to just...relax. They could fight each other any time, but when they mean at the Onna-bugeisha Hostess Bar...they had rare moment of peace and enjoyment. Hell! Shion or Niko help each other get escorted out when they got a little too drunk...
Little did they know, Shion and Niko would never get chance to test their Martial Arts against each other, even with that curious thought of who would win the fight echoed in the back of their minds…
…Sadly, this unexpected acquaintanceship would end with bitter taste for Shion and Ohma first official meeting, for tragedy and manipulation would take place to end Niko Tokita life!