Naruto Shingetsu: Clash of a Conflicting Obligation; Katai vs Toushi

The Ame-no-Mihashira Inn. A beautiful building built within a mountain towering the outskirts of Kumogakure, Although the various facilities and rooms were located throughout the entire structure, statues of octopi, swords and kabuki samurai decorated the exterior. And despite the rather tough looking exterior, the Inn possessed a delicate and soft interior design - one which he attributes to a woman's touch. Shinobi, mercenary and citizens mingled among one another. While nowhere near as busy as international meetings, business carried on quite diligently.

"Look at this new piece I found!" Katai exclaimed. He held up a woodblock portrait of a rather troublesome situation. A scantly cladded model surrounded by several Oni of different colors, each clothed in lion clothes while wielding massive clubs. He held the masterpiece high above his head, grinning from ear to ear as he searched for the perfect place to hold it. "Like really though, it is an expensive piece of an overall series painted by Shouichirou Takeshi himself!" Katai looked at the dumbfounded child. "What?! Never heard of him?! He's new! Don't look at me like this. All the greatest artist started somewhere! And now their pieces are worth more than the entire city of gold!" He pulled the white cloak which covered his body tighter, almost insulted at the child's ignorance.

"Idiot!" She roared. Her voice shook the room, somehow overpowering the laughter of children, ANBU and other guest of different positions. But they appeared to ignore her. Those who knew her father understood where the source of her verbal power. Bi tapped the back of Katai's head, sending him soaring into the bar of expensive sake and other drinks. "In what world does it make sense showing this to a child?! And god help you if you spent more money on this useless crap. I told Lord Raikage to send you on a mission far away, what the hell you're doing here?!"

"I told you I'm not leaving yet." Katai stood up dazed. He looked upon his attacker, the beautiful host for a beast who somehow she managed to dwarf in random rampages. Even Bi's brown eyes, chocolate in texture, brought fear to the Kumogakure shinobi. "They're still figuring out if the lead is worth following. Why waste unnecessary manpower dealing with those things."

"Afraid of a few demons?" Bi teased. "Please, be afraid of that child's mother after he tells her what you showed him." She grabbed a nearby tray and started to place a random assortment of battles on it. "Here darling." A nearby waitress took the tray and headed off. "Honey, if you can refrain from getting us in trouble. I have enough headaches to deal with. Make yourself useful and clean up the bar. You made a mess."

"I made a me-" Bi glared deeply into Katai's soul. He felt the fiery anger boiling within her stomach behind her calm eyes. A silent hurricane slowly approaching the coast. "Fine!" He accepted defeat and gathered his composure. "Really? Not like anyone else here understands the beauty of the female body." He mumbled.

"What was that?!"

"Nothing." Katai started by readjusting the shelves and restocking the supply. His eyes scanned the dining area in between task, looking for potential business or friends who dropped by often. International business slowed to a crawl over the decade. Demons grew brave, more organized, almost as if gathering into a single coalition. Whereas peace meant a booming economy and imminent technological advancement, the sudden explosion of chaos halted the evolution of village relationships. Of course excluding the natural distrust humans held for one another. Regardless, the income hadn't suffered too much. She was happy and safe...which is what mattered most.

"Escort a caravan to the Land of Lightning's outskirts." Katai sighed. "Better than being a barmaid..."