NC-17 [M / Circa]

[Lang]

SPOILER: Click to show

Love Circle
Rank: B
Minimum Participants: 1
Details: "Everyone needs some lovin’, everyone needs some TLC." Truer words have never been spoken and it looks like people are willing to pay anything to get it. As you well know, prostitution is a crime in Kirigakure and will be prosecuted as such. Turns out a group has been passing themselves off as 'escorts' and racking in the dough. I need you to track these girls down, catch them in the act, defeat their pimp guardian and bring them all in to answer for their crimes.
Rewards: 300 EXP & 5,000 ryō

Rael blinked once, then twice, heedless of the parchment dropping from slack fingers and floating down to settle upon the ground. Standing alone in front of the main entrance, excluding the two sentries posted outside next to the doors, he barely heard the muffled snickers behind him, emitting whenever some poor sod got a lousy job lined up ahead. It was just after seven in the evening, and even though the alluring smell of dinner being cooked throughout the village wafted over to the compound, he could barely bring himself to summon an appetite. He felt physically ill, and wondered if someone wasn't perhaps playing a sick joke on him. If there was a nearby garbage tin, he would have gladly spent the next five minutes dry heaving into it, if it would make him feel better.

He was not blissfully naive. Rael knew and understood the carnal desires of men and women; he'd witnessed it firsthand, not so long ago that couldn't remember. It was several years too early for him to experience primal urges himself, but he knew such indulgences could be exploited; the culprits apparently did as well, and knew how to profit off peoples' sexual appetite. There were no profiles for the individuals suspected of prostitution, and while he was dimly aware of methods that could be used to initiate contact, they were all rather clumsy and unappealing, in his humble opinion. No, better to ask someone who likely had some background in handling this sort of mission.

Fortunately, Rael would not be handling this unsavory task alone. His recent partner in quite a number of missions, Fūma Yokumaru would be leading the duo on this unscrupulous venture. Their previous missions together involved little more than teaching kids how to tie their shoelaces and how not to trip over their own two feet; he never imagined subsequent to those easygoing sessions they would be designated such a sordid duty. Vaguely, he wondered if the Jounin would feel the same, upon receiving the courier nin dispatched to locate him, passing along an exact copy of the mission directive in Rael's possession and telling him to rendezvous with the Genin outside the mission compound.

Sighing, he stooped to retrieve the nearly-discarded scroll, rolling it back up before starting a slow pace back and forth outside.

[KEITH]

Today, I would be accompanying Rael on a mission, and today would mark the day that we became an official team in the eyes of Kirigakure. It had been a big thing that Kirigakure would have another shinobi team under its belt, but to us, it wasn't really anything new. We had already accompanied each other on several missions, but the one today wouldn't be like any of the other missions we would have completed so far. Teaching the students of Kirigakure's Academy was fun, and an important thing, but it would be better to do missions that actually had us up and about.

I wondered how Rael would feel about this type of task today, a kid his age, despite the knowledge and probable wisdom he had, it wasn't anything he should be able to take easy. As a shinobi, he would have to push his emotions to the side, like I, and handle the task at hand, like anyone else would have to handle their mission. I had made my way through the village, heading toward the red-light district where Rael would be waiting for me, if I wouldn't get there soon, they would probably question why such a young and small kid was in this type of area. He wouldn't be alone long; I had seen him as I covered a few more rooftops, using my impressive speed to get to him quicker.

I would leap off of the edge of a building, to dive down into the streets of the district, though, as soon as I would have done it, in a burst of speed, my body would have flickered away, and I would appear beside Rael, out of thin air.

"Ossu, Rael-san. I know you wanted to just be called "Rael," but I can't force myself to not be respectful of a fellow Kiri-nin. So, are you ready for this mission?" I had said to him as I would turn to face him, crossing my arms over my chest. Today, I would wear a new attire that was different than the other two days, this one was more shinobi-like than the others, which were much more casual.

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[Lang]

Steadily pacing back and forth in front of the mission compound, Rael's feet eventually grew tired of this repeating path, and against his better judgement, carried him to the notorious red-light district of Kirigakure. Just after nine; for the village wretches, the evening was still ripe for entertainment. A couple passed by him, though from gauging the woman's scandalous attire and the drunken, lust-induced mess her 'consort' was in as he practically pawed at her clothes in public, it was unlikely the two shared an ethical relationship. The latter's inebriated expression nearly turned hostile for a second upon seeing the young child, before he sobered just enough to catch a metallic gleam from Kiri's motif on his clothes, and a frosty glare that dared him to try anything. Mumbling broken phrases the Genin would rather not know, they dragged themselves off to indulge in their own wants elsewhere, and the boy rolled his eyes.

Establishments outright declaring their illicit purposes might be legally prohibited, but that did nothing to stop the myriad of strip clubs and even brothels from settling in, often paying hush money to keep their businesses going. Whether or not the Mizukage knew it, such places were a necessary evil, especially to the women they housed. Although these women usually known as, at best, the sisters or the nee-chan were often considered scum, worth little more than dirt by the 'upstanding' citizens from anywhere in the world, they still played a part, and a vital one, in the Elemental Nations. Without them, there would be far fewer places for shinobi, samurai and powerful men to relieve the stresses of their tenuous, life-or-death positions. At least among those previously mentioned, some possessed skills that set them apart from common whores, ranging from dancing, an affinity to musical instruments, tea ceremonies, and so on.

He couldn't imagine the scantily-clad women in clubs doing anything more than catering to the perversions of men.

Just then, the familiar sight of his partner blinked into view at his side, and Rael wondered if he should get used to his partner appearing out of thin air. "Konbanwa, Yokumaru-senpai," he greeted in return, managing a small nod to the query. His first B-rank mission, spent in a Kiri flop house; what was there to say. He tilted his head towards further down the street, where the latest addition to Kiri's repertoire of strip clubs was located. Even from where they stood over a hundred yards away, the stream of men trickling in was impossible to miss. Every now and then, one of two figures dressed in dark clothes and securing the entrance would turn someone away, the latter's irate shouts floating down to where the two shinobi were. Rael pointedly ignored them for the time being.

"Suspects are reportedly inside the establishment, but it's still unconfirmed how they conduct their...business," he said with mild disdain. It was not as though they could storm the club and forcibly demand those selling their bodies to stand out where they could see them. Whether to stay outside and somehow lure them out, or enter the establishment and search for clues there, he would leave that up to Yokumaru.

[KEITH]

My arms were still folded across my chest as I had looked onward toward Rael, and he would greet me with as much respect as I had treated him. It nice to see that his student had done such a thing, he had others before who were quite rude to him. The two had stood alongside one of the many strip joints of Kirigakure, and truth be told, I haven't been to any of them before nor have I seen this part of Kirigakure. It was all new to me, I didn't know what to expect while we were in this area, but I did know that it ought to be best if we always kept our guards up for anything.

From the distance, we would be able to hear the voices of club bouncers denying some men access to the club, but neither me nor Rael payed it much attention. Rael would then give me a bit of information that he had about the establishment, it presented us with a bit of a problematic position, seeing as how we were the ones who had to bring an end to this after all. Playing ninja is the only thing we had left to do, we would have to spy upon them, and catch them red-handed. Unless we were to just break in and force them to put an end to what they had going on there.

Though, that probably wouldn't work, due to them saying we lack the evidence for such a thing, so we would have no other choice than to get it.

"Well, Rael-san, I think the best method to handle this mission is to catch them red-handed. So, we are going to need to play it smart. I will take on a disguise and physically enter the establishment, and I want you to handle the evidence gathering." As usual, I had spoken in a calm tone, and from within my clothing, I would retrieve a camera, handing it over to Rael. He should have known what his job would be consisting of once he had gotten the camera. I began thinking about how I would go about getting in, and how I should disguise myself. Other than that, I thought it would be quite exciting to see what it was like on the inside of these kind of places, when they were working properly.

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[Lang]

Rael nodded; infiltration it was. Granted, nothing nearly as difficult as sneaking behind enemy lines, but for his first one, it would do. He eyed the camera for a brief moment, slightly apprehensive of his designated role, before inclining his head and taking the proffered equipment. He agreed with Yokumaru's decision to modify his appearance, in the off-chance someone recognized the Head Ninja, but the Jounin's words implied he would be entering alone; that part was out of the question. Pocketing the camera, Rael silently motioned for the older male to stay put, as he casually walked in the opposite direction of the club and his partner, looking for the nearest alleyway and slipping in when he was sure no one was watching. Hidden from view for the moment, his fingers molded into the proper seals for dog, boar, and ram before he whispered into the abandoned passage.

"Henge."

Luckily, none of the usual smoke accompanying the technique wafted out onto the street; otherwise there might have been a chance of one of the bouncers seeing it and alerting them. Footsteps much more pronounced than those heading in exited the alley, and a different figure approached Yokumaru with a steady gait and uncharacteristic smirk. In his mid-twenties, "Shimura Haruki" did not carry the rigid countenance of nobility, nor look anywhere wealthy enough to pull it off. Similarly, while his build was slim, and lacking the definite musculature of a shinobi, there was something off with regards to his posture, as though he seemed ready to spring into action at any time. Dark-colored clothing melded perfectly into the nighttime as he stopped in front of the Jounin, giving him a cursory once-over.

"Hardly the sort of clothes for an evening of...R&R, wouldn't you say, senpai?" He surreptitiously glanced towards the club entrance once more, aware of the thinning numbers of those trying to get in. Thankfully, the hired muscle was not paying them the slightest bit of attention, taking no interest the pair just yet. From what he knew of their types, someone could be urinating out in the open street nearby, and they wouldn't even bat an eyelash, so long it wasn't on their 'turf'. For once, he was thankful of the fact certain people could care less about what happened around them; they weren't paid to care about nobodies like Yokumaru and himself.

From the confines of his long overcoat, the newly disguised Rael pulled out a carton of well-known brand cigarettes, eyeing the slim box almost mournfully. There was no way he would be allowed onto the club premise while smoking one of these before even making it past the front door, but perhaps it might help his image when blending in later. He held out the package of cancerous little sticks to his senpai, shaking it slightly in offering. With no response from the Jounin however, he sighed and quickly slipped it back into his pocket, patting it once before leaving the carton alone. The only problem was he'd forgotten to bring a lighter for this disguise; maybe he could bum one off someone else once they were inside.

Smoking must be great for Katon users; never in need of a light.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Henge no Jutsu [Transformation Technique]
Rank: E¹²
Type: Supplementary / Ninjutsu
Range: 0 - 5 meters
Handseals: 1
Chakra: Low
Special: Allows the user to transform into any person, object or animal of normal/small/miniature size. Transformation can be held for one turn, plus one more each time retrained.
Description: Henge no Jutsu is a very basic ninjutsu technique which every ninja learns at their respective village's Shinobi Academy. Henge allows the user to transform themselves into any person or object. This allows the ninja to move with stealth or to trick their opponents.
Domain: Academy Ninjutsu

Henge Appugurēdo [Transformation Upgrade]
Rank: C
Type: Supplementary / Ninjutsu
Range: Self
Handseals: --
Chakra: Low
Special: Upgrades 'Henge no Jutsu' to be more resilient, no longer breaking when the user is struck or falls unconscious. The only way for the transformation to break is if the user runs out of turns,suffers chakra depletion, or dispels it themselves.
Description: An upgrade to 'Henge no Jutsu', this technique causes all of the user's transformations to become pseudo-permanent. That is, while their turn limit from 'Henge no Jutsu' still applies, taking hits or even falling unconscious will not break the jutsu.
Domain: Universal Ninjutsu

[KEITH]

Before I would have known it, Rael had run off toward a nearby alley for some sort of reason, though I couldn't figure out why. But, I thought it was for some sort of useful reason, at least. I just stood there, thinking of what I should do for my disguise, thinking that I shouldn't rely upon Ninjutsu, not being as good as it as those who had specialized within it. So, for me, the option of using Henge no Jutsu was out of the option, but it was nice to dream.

While I would contemplate upon my disguise, a figure cladded in dark clothing had stepped before me, immediately raising my action to them, but I didn't feel any hostility coming from them, so I didn't act in a hostile way in return. I would feel a presence of someone familiar from him, but before I could say anything, he had spoken. It was no other than Rael, who would apparently had used the Henge no Jutsu technique to hide himself. I didn't plan on bringing Rael into the club with me, despite his disguise, he was still young and his youthful eyes shouldn't have set upon the disgusting things he would probably see within the club.

Or the establishment, rather. "Rael-san, I wasn't planning on having you come in with me, it's unethical. Your young eyes would be set upon unsightly things within the inside of that establishment. Those clothes are find, though." I had said to him, worrying about him being shocked or dramatized by what was in there. I guessed that being a shinobi had made him a man in some light, but still just a child at heart, and there was something that children wasn't ready for, despite their titles.

Despite this thinking, we didn't have much time to discuss the problem at hand, we had to hop to this mission, and get it done. "Well, never-mind it for now, I want to get to the mission at hand, so you will be accompanying me. But, don't come crying to me when you find out the sweaty, dirty truth of humans inner most desired desires. Be right back, I also need to change into my disguise." I would say to Rael, within his new body, as I had saw a guy within a kimono, a few meters away from us, walking by toward a dark street.

I would flicker away from before Rael's very eyes, and before he had known it, he would hear a dull thud, the sound of a body hitting the ground, but it didn't draw too much attention to the area. In a matter of seconds, back before his eyes, I would appear in front of Rael again. Now, I had a new appearance as well, fanning myself with my newly acquired fan, ruffling my new black hair wig. "C'mon Rael-san, let's get going." I would say as I headed toward the establishment.

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[Lang]

Naturally, Yokumaru would have some reservations about bringing him into the strip club; not exactly the ideal hangout for an impressionable young boy still in single digits. However, the mission came before his own feelings, and he literally couldn't afford to get cold feet; he needed this money. Therefore, Rael merely rolled one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug as his partner summarized what he already knew to expect, discretely eyeing the lone man in embroidered kimono walking some ways away. Before he was even able to offer a suggestion, there was a brief flicker next to him, and both Yokumaru and the anonymous male vanished from view, the latter reappearing seconds later and brandishing an ornate fan. Rael stared at him as he strolled by, nearly missing the short phrase before following in tow.

...Is that blood on his scalp...?

He was tempted to ask what became of the poor random civilian he'd assaulted, but dropped the subject as they neared the club entrance. As they came within distance of the glaring lights coming from inside, the taller of the two bouncers stepped forward, raising a palm and telling them to stop. Behind the shades he wore, seriously, it's nighttime; can he even see, the brawny doorman carefully assessed them, contemplating their attire and overall appearance. The formally-dressed man in kimono, aside from his slightly rumpled looking hair, seemed acceptable. However, his partner with the tired eyes drew the bouncer's attention. His clothing was neat, albeit not nearly as extravagant as the first individual. Without asking for a by your leave, he gave the second man an abrupt shove with one palm, checking to see if his suspicions were correct. However, 'Haruki' didn't so much as budge, glancing down with thinly veiled amusement at the palm still firmly pressed against his chest.

"Sorry, but I don't swing that way. Otherwise I'd be getting my jollies elsewhere, you know?" he quipped, a cajoling lilt to his voice.

Bouncer #1 scowled heavily at the shorter man, and Haruki beamed at him in return. Smiling always seemed to annoy people more than actually insulting them. That, or maybe he just had an annoying smile in this form. Realizing this 'adult' man wasn't going to disappear in a puff of smoke, the doorman reluctantly withdrew his hand. He'd seen it before, underage brats barely off their mothers' tits trying to worm their way in after learning some stupid 'jitsu' in school. Those punks always got found out after being hit once though. He could've swore he'd gotten the same vibe from this sleepy-looking guy; maybe it was once of those days.

"Get in then," he muttered gruffly, not at all pleased with the two, but more so the second one, "and keep your hands to yourselves. If I see any touching, I'll be touching your head to a brick wall, got it?"

"Hai, hai. We'll be good." The bouncer that remained quiet all this time silently swung the door open for them, and Haruki pulled his primly-dressed companion through the entryway. Before the door shut behind him, the black-haired man gave them a cheery wave, and was lost to view. After the two were long gone, Bouncer #1 turned to look at the other guard, a skeptical look on his face.

"You think those two are gay?"

His friend grunted.

[KEITH]

With the duo making their advancements toward the entrance of the club, their movements would be halted by two club bouncers, though; really one of them did anything. One of the two bouncers would proceed to extend his arm quickly out toward Rael to shove him back, though with my own quick reflexes, I could have easily intercepted it, removing the arm and dirty hand of the bouncer that was about to lay upon my apprentice. I had known the strength behind the man's push wouldn't have been able to harm Rael, so I wouldn't give it a second thought, watching him not move an inch. It was nice to see how strong his student was, in my head, it was enough to make me go, that's my student!

But, I didn't want to ruin our disguise or embarrass Rael in anyway. It would seem as if the bouncer who had stopped my student would have to swallow his pride and let us inside, though I would stand there and hold eye contact with him and boy was it intense. Luckily for the bouncer, Rael would have pulled me into the club with him, and from there on, our infiltration into the strip club had been successful. My eyes had wandered from left to right, scoping out the entire place, seeing women all over, being surrounded by guys from all sides.

Also, they were on the multiple poles that I could see, dancing upon them, swinging their bodies around for the enjoyment of the men.

I could only watch for now, it had been my first time ever seeing a place like this in my life, and I too as an adult male, was tempted by the bodies of the women. But, unlike the men here, I would be able to keep myself under control, and not let such a feeling take over me. I had a duty to fulfill, and I was a shinobi, nothing like this could stand in my way. "I suppose we could just keep an eye out for things now, but other than that, let's try to act normal, so we can fit in with the crowd."

I would say to my accomplice, as I would make my way over to the bar section, hopefully Rael was tagging along right behind me on the way there. Once I would arrive, the bartender, who had been a woman with an enormous rack, would speak to me. "Hey there, cutie. You looking for something cold to drink?"

I looked at her with a gentle gaze, and a soft grin, before my reply. "Oh, you know it, missy~" I said to her in a flirting tone.

I had known that I shouldn't spend too much time with things like this, but maybe I could get some information up out of it if I played along long enough. Hopefully that was the case for us, maybe this woman had known something. She smiled at me, though she would have to attend to the drinks of others before mine, so she would wink at me, and gesture "just one minute" at me.

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[Lang]

It was loud inside the club, boisterously so. It took several seconds for Rael's ears to adjust to the sudden jump in volume, though he would have much preferred everything muted while taking in the sights. Half of the men present, 'patrons' as they were, were seated in front of a large stage in the middle, velvet curtains still drawn up as its hidden performers prepared for the upcoming show. The rest others milled back and forth between the nearby bar, private backroom lounges, and of course, the much-frequented restrooms. As for the women...they were in various states of dress, or rather, undress. Rael certainly saw more skin than he had in a long time, and while it made him somewhat uncomfortable, he hid it with a carefree grin, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

Despite in agreement with his mentor's advice, acting normal was going to be hard given his circumstances. Unlike Yokumaru, who made it to the bar without a hitch, Rael was nearly blindsided once by a woman practically colliding into him, the disguised Genin awkwardly helping the obviously drunk female up and managing a quick apology before hightailing it out of there, ignoring the slurred exclamation behind him. He made his way over to the bar, where the incognito Jounin was already exchanging pleasantries with someone behind the counter; it was hard to tell if she was the bartender, wearing just as little as the other women around them. Slipping into a vacant stool, two seats away from his partner, he gave the bartender a two-fingered salute when she greeted him, making a gesture for her to deal with the other customers before taking his order.

Aside from the fact they were among the handful of sober individuals in this establishment, and Yokumaru-senpai was dressed like he was attending a performance by professional geisha instead of strippers, the two more or less blended into the rough-looking crowd. He casually looked over a shoulder to survey the club's interior, searching the rugged faces for anyone who they might question further. Unfortunately, it appeared that any one of the men crowded into the building could be a wanted criminal for one reason or another, much less their anonymous pimp. The best bet for now would likely be waiting to see how the patrons interacted with the girls.

"Sorry about the wait, love." It was the bartender lady, and he spun back around with a flourish. "What can I get for you?" He thought it over carefully, and for good reason. Getting something non-alcoholic might raise suspicions from anyone in near vicinity who was listening in, despite the low chances of that happening. However, he needed to have full control over his mental faculties this evening, and getting potentially smashed from his first drink wasn't an option.

"That drink...the one with rum and various spices." Despite his rather obscure description, since he actually had no idea what it was called, just that he occasionally saw his neighbor with a glass of the stuff, the bartender nodded pleasantly and went about getting his drink ready. Cheek in palm, which looked rather odd on a man his age, Rael's eyes slid closed, trading away one sense and letting his ears do the work.

[KEITH]

As I would have continued to watch the bartender work her way around the bar, servicing others, I would see Rael come into view from the corner of my eye. My eyes had adverted to him a bit, though they would then look around the room, making it seem as if I wasn't just looking at Rael. Then, my eyes would set back upon the bartender after the Genin would have spoken to her, coming back to me to take my order. "So, what will you be having today, babe?" She had said to me in a polite tone, and I would give her cheerful smile in return, looking softly into her eyes with a gentle gaze.

We would both smile to each other, before I would have made my order for my beverage, then I placed a finger upon my bottom lip, and began to think about what kind of drink that I wanted. Truthfully, I had never even had alcohol before, I couldn't help but wonder how it would be if I had any of it, I heard of its effects upon people, but I didn't know of its effects upon me. Maybe it wouldn't have any; I was a well-disciplined shinobi, after all. "I'll take shots of whiskey, if that isn't a problem, love." I talked in my usual calm, yet cheerful tone.

I had guessed that my appearance was that of someone who would seem to be a cheerful person, wearing this type of clothing, he must have been a fan of traditionalism, and a real party goer to be in this type of area. That was just my personal opinion on him; it could differ from person to person, though. The bartender would place the whiskey shot in a crystal clear glass before me, and I would hold it up to her and smile as she went off to serve someone else before Rael. Down the hatch it would go, I drank the whiskey, it would had rush along my tongue, getting a taste of the strong drink before the liquid hit the back of my throat, then go down it, as if it was flushed like a toilet.

As I would take in the liquor, it had just hit me that Rael was about to drink alcohol, I didn't know if he already had before or not. But, he obviously was too young to have any now, but I couldn't bother to break our cover and stop him from drinking it, it made me feel like a bad teacher, but the mission was important and we needed to fulfill it. Before I had known it, I had drunken four shots of whiskey, and it was delicious, but it made me feel a tad bit weird. Just what was this feeling that was over coming me?

It was like, the world around me was slowly become fuzzy and slowed down, though mentally, I had known that this was not the case, the alcohol was having an effect on me. A hiccup emerged from within me, and my body had begun to get really got.

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[Lang]

Before long, the woman with giant mammary glands returned holding his drink, a dark amber liquor poured into the small glass that he took with a benign smile. Slapping down a fistful of ryō, which Rael assumed was more than adequate, including tip, by the way her eyes widened, he dismissed the bartender with a friendly shooing motion. As she busied herself with the rest of the patrons, he took a cautious whiff of the concoction, hiding a grimace before opting to balance the glass in his hand. Did people honestly find this sort of thing appealing? He could literally smell the mind-inducing effects it would have on anyone that drank it; no wonder people became such twits, or at least more so, after imbibing in the evil drink.

I wonder how Yokumaru-senpai is holding up. Despite sitting less than three meters away from his commanding officer, Rael could not afford to look over at the Jounin just yet; they only sat down just minutes ago, and could still have unfriendly eyes on them. Fortunately, opportunity decided to strike at that instant, paving the way for rest of that evening's events.

The lights suddenly dimmed throughout the entire club, and for one second, the bar they were sitting at became the sole beacon of light. Rael's immediate worries were dashed when loud music abruptly tore through the air behind him, and he spun around in his seat to see literal fireworks going off on stage. From somewhere in the back of the clubroom, a pair of bright lights flicked on, centering on the stage and directing everyone's focus towards it. It seemed tonight's main attraction was about to begin.

The velvet curtains slow drew apart, and a bare leg slid into view, eliciting howls and catcalls from the male audience below. The rest of the body soon followed, revealing itself as a scantily-clad woman that shimmied over to the pole in the middle of the platform, sultry eyes hidden beneath the biker cap plunked on top of her head. She was definitely attractive for a member of the female species, and as he watched closely, the woman appeared to be scanning through the men seated around the stage, a picture of seduction for all to see. She twirled a set of handcuffs expertly while facing the audience, sliding effortlessly into a front split, baring her midriff and the jutting of her breasts beneath thin fabric to the crowd.

With nearly everyone's attention directed towards the source of their sexual desire, Rael flagged down the bartender once more, who seemed a bit mystified how his drink seemed untouched. "That woman on stage, I don't recall seeing her last time I dropped in," he casually mentioned, trying to appear less interested than he really was. "A real shame; I would've come by more often if she'd been around." At his confession, the bartender lady appeared not at all surprised, though she sighed and shook her head; another lout fallen to that woman's sex appeal.

"She's a newcomer, goes by her stage name's 'Yuri'. As you can probably already tell, " she made a sweeping gesture towards the stage, expression caught between jealousy and admiration, "she's quite popular with the crowd. Very good at getting peoples' 'affection', if you catch my drift."

"Heh, I see what you mean," he chuckled humorlessly, putting on a front of amusement while using the same action to finally glance at his commanding officer out the corner his eyes, making sure he was listening in as well. His smile froze, catching the telltale signs of a decent buzz on his senpai's features. That damn... Pushing off from his stool, Rael meandered over to where Yokumaru was sitting, having not moved an inch from his seat since the 'show' began.

"Come on, senpai!" he said loudly, coaxing the older male to get up and steering him towards the rest of the audience enraptured with the woman performing on stage. "The night's still young! Can't have you spending it all at the bar and not enjoying the main dish!"

[KEITH]

Before I would have known it, the lights of the club would have dimmed, though I would have continued to drink my whiskey shots’, not paying much attention to what was going on. I was feeling good, and my cheeks would have begun to turn a light shade of red, and I slowly drifted into the world of intoxication. Eyeing the bartender as Rael would have talked to her, I would do something I would have never dreamed of doing, or thought of, being the upstanding shinobi that I was. My eyes would avert to her rather large bosom, it had an effect upon me that the alcohol had intensified.

Before I had known it, I heard the voice of Rael's exploding in my ear, it was the first time I ever felt like he was an annoyance, maybe this was an after effect of the alcohol, but it made me feel good, and his voice didn't. He peeled me up off of my feet, and dragged me over to the crowd of people without giving him my consent to do so. "R-R-Rael-kun~ why are you d-dragging me over here~? I-I just want to drink and enjoy myself~" I would speak with a drunken slur in my voice, but I was in a weakened position, and didn't bother to fight back against my students actions.

My eyes now set upon the main stage, and the performer; my eyes had slowly widened, and I got the same feeling as when I looked at the bartender. "Whooaaa~ So beautifuuuullllll~" My slur continued to haunt my words.

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[Lang]

I swear to Kami, if he doesn't regain some capability for higher-level mental processes in the next ten minutes, come morning I'm going to spread the fact he's a closet pervert throughout the entire village.

While entertaining that thought, Rael guided an inebriated Yokumaru to the front row seats with no little difficulty, half-dragging the older man that was acting more like some petulant child than a grown man. More than a handful of people verbally protested when the pair shoved their way through, though to be fair, the disguised Genin was doing all the work. Honing in on the single empty spot left next to the stage, vacant after its original owner ran off to answer the call of nature, Rael practically hoisted his living baggage on over, plunking Yokumaru down and earning them curious looks, including that from of a certain performer onstage. The Jounin's drunken compliment apparently did not go unnoticed over the loud din, for the woman named Yuri bequeathed her newest 'fan' some eye-candy as she squatted low, thighs spreading wider apart while flashing him a coy smile.

"Good on you, senpai!" he whistled and cheered enthusiastically, despite wanting to retch on an empty stomach. Glancing back to where his drink was, still untouched on the bar's countertop, he clamped one hand on the buzzed male's shoulder and drew in close, slightly lowering his voice. "Enjoy yourself! Miss, be sure to show him a good time would ya!" To his own surprise in hindsight later, Rael drew several thousand ryō worth of notes from his long coat and, without the slightest hint of shame, slipped them in-between the bottom of her jeans and skin. Taking care as to not make direct physical contact via his own appendage, he stared into those similar green eyes for a second longer, then looked down to appear as though embarrassed. In reality, he was paying close attention to certain aspects of her body, when Rael suddenly drew back to face Yokumaru again with a wide grin.

"My treat, senpai, so have fun!" Pay attention to what she does, "Whether you manage to snag her number later," if you find any leads, "or get your ass dumped later" or risk being exposed, "come find me out here, and we'll get smashed 'til the sun comes up! I will be monitoring nearby; I've got your back.

There was always the chance Yokumaru completely missed the entendre hidden in his words, but that was beyond his control now. Shoving his way back out, much like the way he broke through the crowd earlier, he calmly made his way back to his previous stool. Spotting a half-bemused expression on the bartender lady's face as he reclaimed his seat, he shot the woman a cocky smirk, then raised his spiced rum in a mild salute. Taking a small sip as she chuckled and returned to her other patrons, backside facing him, Rael practically spat out the amber liquid back into its glass before quickly glancing around to make sure nobody saw him.

Dear Kami, how in hell can anyone drink this!

[KEITH]

We continued to make our way into the noisy crowd, Rael still dragging me on, and all the men that we passed through, shouting and yelling, it would have all hurt my ears and give me a headache. I had half a mine to draw a kunai and slit some of their throats, but I still had some mental awareness, and I remembered what we were here for, despite me wanting to have a good time. We would make our way toward an empty seat in the distance, though my eyes would return to the lady upon the main stage, she was surely something.

I couldn't stop looking at her, my eyes exploring her body, and doing other things that I dare not mention was I would watch her. Before I had known it, though, Rael would have tossed me upon the empty seat we had made our way to, how rude of my student! I will deal with him. . . . When I am feeling better, better like, able to stand properly and deliver a good punch. I watched as the lady before my eyes had squatted before me, spreading her legs to reveal the goods to me, my eyes had penetrated her clothing, and wanted to do the same to her, but I had to control myself in front of all these men.

Rael's words wouldn't reach me; I was memorized by the woman before me. Rael would give her a few thousand ryō, and I would think to myself; “Because of me, that child will grow up to be a sleaze bag.” My eyes would avert to him as he made his way back toward me, trying to give me a secret message with his words, though it was hard to hear, over all of the loud men that cheered for the probable whore on stage. He departed with me, and I would go back to my eye-candy, smiling at her, with a big, intoxicated grin.

She would make her way from the stage to me, proceeding to give me a lap dance, with my smile only becoming bigger as she would sit upon my lap, and grind upon me. Slowly and sensually, like she wanted to give me something to feel, that I could really get into. All the other men, jealous, yelling, trying to get her attention away from me, but I was her only focus. It was like I was the star of the show.

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[Lang]

"I have to say, that was very...considerate of you." Still clutching the glass, half-full with his only slightly regurgitated liquor, Rael lifted his eyes from the drink, teal meeting hazel as the bartender leaned over towards him and rested her arms on the countertop, affording him a generous view down the front of her dress. Instead of taking in the scenery, so to speak, he kept his gaze leveled with hers, silently wondering why she was even speaking to him. Through his peripheral vision, he noticed the distinct lack of other patrons wanting their booze; he must have been drifting off in thought a bit longer than anticipated. Perhaps a lack of customers also meant boredom on her part, and she simply wanted to break the monotony idleness. However, he was a bit dubious about the expression she wore; it reminded him too much of a cat playing with the mouse before eating it.

"I'm afraid I don't follow,' he answered easily enough, hoping she would get the hint and leave him alone. Unlike his rather bright and cheery persona earlier, the transformed Genin's current atmosphere suggested he would rather keep his own company. Unfortunately for him, the bartender lady apparently missed a few pages when learning 'Conversation 101'.

"Yuri, she was obviously interested in both of you," the woman said with a smirk, obviously hoping to catch some sort of reaction from him; Rael didn't oblige. "You could've hung around with your friend, especially after that little tip he gave her. I'm sure she would have...rewarded you, somehow." Rael scoffed, but eased a bit more back into his earlier nonchalant and cordial demeanor. He failed to see why his brief interaction with the stripper even concerned her. Curiosity should only extend so far, and she was pushing into matters outside her realm.

"My senpai needed it more; things haven't been great for him lately, so he needed a pick-me-up," he explained carefully, keeping his tone neutral. It is also a decade too early for me to think of such things. "Plus, I know the rules. A new friend of mine told me outside that he'd 'touch my head to a brick wall' if I got out of line, and I'd like to avoid that if at all possible." Though it disgusted him like few things ever did before, he took a second sip from the rum glass, swallowing it before he could taste the vile substance. Ignoring the heat that lingered in his throat and was slowly building, he gave his temporary companion a rueful smile. "I'd be lying out my ass if I said it wouldn't be worth it though."

The bartender should he ask for her name gave a throaty chuckle, then drew back and openly laughed. The sudden volume of her voice startled many of those not even loitering around the bar, Rael returning their glares with his own sheepish smile while quietly urging the woman to quiet down. At last she seemed to calm herself, brushing a fake tear from her eyes before leaning in once more. This time, however, there was no mistaking the mischievous glint in her expression. They were unreadable, and for a shinobi like him, that did not bode well. The disguised Genin resisted the urge to flinch when she lazily drew a finger over the back of his palm, breaching his personal bubble as her mouth drew close to his ear.

"And what if you had permission?"