In the Streets of the Market Place

[Ryo Yamagata]

Ryo had taken a vacation away from Getsugakure in order to take care of something that had been annoying him for years now. His father had refused to deal with the problem because even though his father was a cold, distant man.. he still had a heart for few things. This was something Ryo didn't have a problem with, Ryo took pride in his heart of ice.

As it was now, he was in Amegakure following Tsuki Kyoushu and her current partner Deego Horutan. It hadn't taken him long to track Tsuki down after she had left Getsugakure. He also wasn't surprised by the fact that she had taken on the life of a bounty hunter. Atleast she was putting her skills as an assassin to good use, unlike his pitiful excuse of a sister Akemi.

He pushed the thoughts and rage that came with them out of his mind as he continued to focus on the task at hand. He was surprised that Tsuki and Deego hadn't shown signs that they knew he was tailing them. He was sure that atleast Tsuki knew he was there. Apparently she had learned some sense of self control since the last time they met.

He waited until after they collected the money from their bounty and started travelling down the street before he made himself completely visible, appearing in front of them. He eyed Deego wearily, then focused his attention on Tsuki.

"Hello Tsuki, long time no see." He stated, "last time I saw you was the night before our wedding."

[Deego Horutan]

Deego had been running his hand through one of the clips of money from the case. He didn't look up when the man appeared before them. He simply stood there, never focusing on anything other than the money in his hand, but what the man had just said, startled Deego greatly. Enough to look up. "Wedding? Tsuki, you never said you got hitched." Deego never let go of the humorous tone, but something rang in the pit of his gut. He turned to the new man standing before them. "Say, who are you anyway, buddy?"

[Tsuki Kyoushu]

Tsuki crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Ryo. She was wondering when he was going to show himself instead of hiding in the shadows.

"He said 'Night before the wedding', meaning that the wedding didn't happen." Tsuki answered Deego, without taking her eyes away from Ryo.

[Ryo Yamagata]

"Ryo from the Yamagata Clan of Getsugakure. Heir to the Lead of the Clan. Tsuki and I were to be married as a way to unite our two clans, but she felt the need to leave the night before." Ryo answered, his tone seeming nice and light, though there was nothing nice or light about him.

"What do you want Ryo?" Tsuki asked, her voice cool and annoyed.

Ah so she hasnt changed that much. Ryo thought to himself, a smile forming slightly on his lips.

"If I understand correctly, the two of you are for hire?" He asked.. leading up to the reason for his searching for them.

[Deego Horutan]

"Depends." Deego stepped forward. "What do you pay?" All Deego needed to hear was "for hire". As his partner may have already known his reaction at the words. "And what have you heard?"

[Ryo Yamagata]

"I've only heard that the two of you get the job done. You like your money, and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty. Clearly you're good or Tsuki wouldn't be working with you. She doesn't tolerate useless people." Ryo answered the last question first.

He then focused his attention back on Tsuki. He attempted to make himself seem more relaxed than he was feeling, "I'll pay very well for this job if you accept it. I want you to take out Akemi. I would do it, but Father has forbad any of us to act against her, so my hands are tied." He informed. He said the last part while pushing his hair back over his shoulder, as if the minor detail didn't bother him in the slightest, when in reality, it was probably what angered him the most.

Even after her betrayal of the clan, Akemi still had their father's favor, no matter whether it was secret or not.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego crossed his arms and placed one hand on his chin. "Akemi... Akemi... Ake... I think i know who you mean, but just how much exactly are you paying?" Deego was playing with this new man. He was being as light as possible, making sure to get the price. Every head has a price. That was Deego's nindo: his ninja way.

[Tsuki Kyoushu]

Tsuki raised her eyebrows in slight surprise at Ryo. "You're taking out a bounty on your own sister? Family honor means nothing to you does it?" She asked.

True, there was no love lost between her and Akemi. They were complete opposites and had been rivals ever since they had met, but having Ryo put a price on his sisters head was somewhat of a surprise. Then again, it was Ryo..

"Deego has a point, how much are we talking?" Tsuki asked, "and make it a good price because I don't know where to look for her."

[Ryo Yamagata]

"This is about family honor. Akemi is a stain on the Yamagata name. A weak spot that should not be permitted to stand." Ryo began, his voice starting to shake with the rage that was leaking out. Realizing that he was letting loose a little too much, he forced himself to calm down, closing his eyes a moment to collect himself.

"Akemi is now a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. Very fitting since that village is full of idealistic weaklings. How does.... 20,000,000 sound?" He asked.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego leaned back and let out a single laugh. "Heh. I've killed genin for more money. Look, if she is as good as I hear, and yes, I've heard of her, then we're talking at least a good 40,000,000. But then again, you hate her to the core don't you? Wouldn't you give a little above and beyond to see such a pest dead? And then your own sister? I don't know if there's a price under 55,000,000 that could motivate me, ya know what i mean? And a young girl at that?..." Deego was ranting and raving, trying to get as high as possible. The tactic he was using was ingenious. Ryo seemed like the man who gets annoyed by endless babble, so that's what Deego did. He was hoping he would agree just to get him to shut up.

[Ryo Yamagata]

Ryo snarled his nose at Deego. He found the rambling rather annoying.. and was finding it hard to control his temper that he barely had a leash on at the moment.

His hand rested on the hilt of his katana without him really realizing that he was going for it. He stretched his hand then pulled it away, not wanting to endanger the best chance that he had at getting Akemi.

"Whatever you've heard of her, I'm sure its all built up stories. Akemi did show great promise, but she's weak. Why should I pay you more than 45,000,000 to deal with her?" He growled.

Tsuki snarled her nose now, "You heard my partner, 55,000,000 and not a cent less. You sought us out Ryo, not the other way around." She said through clenched teeth. Her own hand was now resting on her katana, preparing incase he lost his own inner battle.

Ryo let out a chuckle fitting a mad man, "Relax Tsuki, I want to do business with the two of you, not draw your blood. Fine. 55,000,000 it is. So we have a deal?" He asked.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego gave his signature smug grin. The widest smile, revealing only his top set of teeth with his eyes half closed. He raised his head so Ryo could see the buisiness in is eyes, under the hair that covered them. He held out his hand. When Ryo reached out to shake it, Deego withdrew his hand and lowered his head again, not losing his smile. "That's not how I seal a deal. I'm gonna need ten percent of the pay now, to know i can trust you." Deego held his hand out again, waiting for the 5,500,000 and a response.

[Ryo Yamagata]

Ryo muttered a curse and pulled back his hand. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the alotted amount of money and handed it to the money hungry brat.

"Here. Count it, you'll see that its all there." Ryo growled. He put his attention back onto Tsuki.

"What do you see in this brat, Tsuki? How can you stand putting up with him? I just met him and its taking all of my control to not kill him now." He said.

[Tsuki Kyoushu]

Tsuki crossed her arms in a bored fashion once more, her eye lids lowering as if she was losing interest in the conversation, she shrugged her shoulder slightly.

"He's useful, and has a mind for business. We... compliment each other. Also, I don't think you'd find him as easy of a kill as you think you would." She answered.

She looked up at the sky as rain began falling once more. "I'm tired of getting rained on, so if we're done. I'm ready to go. I'm sure we'll see each other again."

[Deego Horutan]

Deego hungrily snatched the money away, not widening his eyes, but at this point, you could swear the corners of his mouth were curling from content. "A pleasure, Mister... err... hmmm...What did you say your name was?" Deego ran the money through his fingers and patted his palm with it as the last bill flipped: his approval that every cent was there. He looked at his partner and signaled that they may leave now. Deego tucked the fold inside his jacket. Tsuki always wondered how he could fit so much and not bulk himself down, but she hardly cared enough to notice more than few times. Deego zipped his jacket up and began walking. On the duo's way off the scene, Deego turned to Tsuki with a familiar smile. "What possessed you to stand up for me back there, hmm?"