~Gang Wars in West Rukongai.~

Shiro just stares and blushes, "er.... er..." (in thought) 'so... so... c-c-cute...' Shiro is still staring.

Seeing both Shiro and Loki staring she checks to see if there's anything wrong with her clothes.'What's with them?I hate being stared at..sheesh..and why's Shiro blushing?' Finding nothing wrong she looks up,turning slightly pink."Ok,is there something wrong with my clothes or something?"

Shiro blinks and then frantically shakes his head and is spluttering out his words,"n-n-n-n-n-n-n-no! y-y-you l-l-look fine! really!" (in thought) 'Ahh! I can't help it! she... just looks... ' his thoughts trail off as he hears Fenikkusu's cooing laughter is his head. 'oh no... even Feniku.' He blushes and seems real embarrassed.

Loki smiles and voices his current thoughts."There's nothing wrong.I was just thinking how this brings back memories.How many years has it been since you've worn that,wasn't it to that festival we sneaked off to?And you still look really cute in it."

Altria blushes light pink at the compliment."T-thank you,Loki-kun." She smiles at him warmly,"Five years,it's been five years.We got in a lot of trouble for it too but the experience and memories were certainly worth it." Glancing at the clock she sighs,"We better get going." From the mission papers she un-clips a permission slip that will allow them to return back to Seireitei,without it that would be difficult in such guise. Tucking it safely into an inner hidden pocket she heads for the door."Alright, let's head for the West gate.We'll get into West Rukongai District #1.From there it'll take some time to reach District #69,we can ask around in districts close to it on the way."

Shiro nods and then looks around for something, "oh... one sec, I forgot something." he heads back to his room and grabs a bag that looks like a plain sash. "Ok... i'm ready let's go."

"One last thing,once in Rukongai,don't use flash step.Moving quickly is fine but the technique itself will raise suspicion."Setting out towards the West gate they arrive there quickly.She takes last glance at the Seireitei before going through the gates,they fall shut will a loud boom that sounds ominous to her ears.'To never return again..ah,I'm being silly.'Turning left,in the direction of the district they need she starts walking at a quick pace."Anyone been here often?"

Loki follows,remembering the old days.Her question brings him out of the daydream,he notices with some surprise they are already in Rukongai."Grew up here,district number 70.But you know that."

Shiro looks around since he's never actually been to rukongai before.

She nods,"Yeah..I don't remember which district was mine but I spent two years in north #79 before meeting niisan.." The memories of those two years rise up before her eyes as ghosts and she continues on in silence with a grim expression.

~
The further you go into the districts the poorer and desolate they become,with raggedly dressed people looking your group over warily,suspicion evident in their eyes.Upon reaching District #67 there's sounds of a commotion.In an alley a group of seven thugs are harassing a young woman.She would be pretty,with deep blue eyes and long blond hair but a layer of grime covers her and her ones blue yukata is now decorated with dirty splotches and torn in many places.Barefoot she backs away into a corner,her wide blue eyes darting around looking for escape.One of the man grabs her by a slender arm and pulls forward,she stumbles on a rock cutting her foot.

"You wench!Think you can escape that easily?" He nearly spits the words out,full of contempt.

Shaking,she vainly tries to pull away."Please,you're hurting me..please let go.."

Her pleading words are only met with laughter. The man holding her arm curls his lip in disgust,there's a slap and she sprawls on the ground.

"Hey boss,we outta punish her for trying to pull that stunt." One of the group addresses the now identified leader.The "boss" sneers and unsheathes his sword,advancing on the girl.
~
The gang doesn't seem to notice your group.You can quietly keep going without stirring up trouble and acquiring their unwanted attention or attempt a valiant albeit foolish rescue that could blow your cover.

Noticing the scene, Shiro taps Altria to go on ahead of him, "I'll catch up," he walks over stealthily and is silent as a cat. He taps the 'leader' of the group since he slipped past the others unnoticed. "Hey.... it's not very nice to pick on a girl like that you know." He smiles and masks his reiatsu.

Whirling around,the leader of the group growls angrily at Shiro."Where'd you come from,you runt?You should keep your nose out of it,if you know what's good for ya." Surprised initially,the gang members snigger and forgetting the girl for the moment form a circle around Shiro.There's a loud sound of many swords being unsheathed.

Shiro doesn't even flinch, "Hey hey,is it really necessary to do that? We wouldn't want anyone to get hurt." He has a calm smile on his face.

"The only one getting hurt here will be you,punk!" Roaring those words the leader swings one massive fist at Shiro to the cheering of the rest of the gang.

She frowns,noticing the scene as well."I don't think so." As Shiro sneaks up behind the leader she silently stays unnoticed behind the group.When they surround him in a circle she subtly moves closer.As the leader attacks Shiro she brings her fist down on the neck of two nearest guys,knocking them out immediately.

Shiro side steps to one side and then ducks down and backflips kicking the guy in the chin causing his teeth to slam together. Shiro makes a perfect landing a few feet back. his expression remains calm and makes a stance, he waves his hand making a 'come on' taunt.

~
As he's kicked in the chin,his teeth slam together with a loud click.Taking a step back more out of surprise then anything else the man rubs his jaw."You bastard.." At Shiro's taunting the man grins nastily,cracking his knuckles loudly."Do you know who you're messing with here,runt?" Shoving aside the fabric of his sleeveless tunic he proudly points to the revealed flying black bird tattooed on his chest."We're of The Crows gang.I'm gonna make you eat dirt and beg forgiveness for your insolence before sending you to the netherworld.Who knows,if you beg good enough I just might do it quickly." At his boasting there's general sneering and jiggering addressed in Shiro's direction."Yeah Otto,ya show him who's boss around these parts."
Coming out of her initial surprise the girl scrambles to her feet in a haste and ducks behind Shiro,leaving a bloodied footprint from the cut on her foot.There's a dark bruise beginning to form on her cheek. Coming up to Shiro's shoulders in height she peeks over them at the gang like a frightened rabbit.Afraid Otto's speech will scare him off just like the previous would be rescuer she whispers in a pleading,shaking voice filled with fear,"Please..help me..I'll..I-I'll do anything to repay.."
Meanwhile,the two men knocked out by Altria land on the ground with a soft thump. Engaged in the spectacle in front of them none of the gang members take notice except one.Turning around her looks surprised,glancing from the Altria to the men on the ground a few times,trying to comprehend what happened. At last he steps forward,raising his sword."Where's the soon to be dead man that did this?" He motions to the unconscious men. "Hurry up and answer girl before my patience runs out!"
~
Note about positioning:The alley ends in a dead end.After the backflip Shiro is now standing about one arm stretch from the wall with the girl right behind him.Otto is in front of him with two man slightly behind at each side,one of whom has now retreated closer to the entrance of the alley and is confronting Altria. The alley is wide enough for three people of medium built to walk through side by side with a little room left.

She smirks at the man,"You're looking at her." Without wasting time she judges the distance between them with a quick,calculated glance.Tilting her head forward she turns left leg to the side,bending it at the knee a little while swinging her right leg up.Her left arm raises slightly while right arm pulls back, shoulder rising.Bringing her leg down swiftly she twists it to the side,delivering a blow to the mans neck and shoulder with the tip of her foot.There's a crack and he crumples to the ground.

shin sighs as he watches them.

(in thought)
"Maan.., we can't keep these things any longer..or we'll be discovered."

noticing some random people showing up trying to see the commotion, shin approaches and talks them in trying to prevent the crowd to see them.

"Hey guys, nothing to see here...just some misunderstanding that led to something. It's nothing normal, you should all head to your homes."

Getting a handle on the situation quickly Loki figures Shiro and Altria can handle the goons, despite burning for some action himself.Maan,not fair.I wanted to bust some heads too.Raijin snaps at him.Stop whining!In the current situation it's best,you would have gone overboard as always. He scowls. Oh yeah? Obviously you don't remember how she gets in rukongai. There's silence,he can practically hear Rai trying to recollect,then an answer.That was some time ago. Obviously you don't remember how you get in such situations either.Go do something constructive instead,like helping Shin with the forming crowd. Loki sighs defeated.Fine,I'll go scare some peasants.Maybe it'll be entertaining. Adopting a friendly yet subtly threatening expression he nears Shin and the milling residents."Ok folks, just some gang business.Nothing new for you to see. Better run along home,things could get..interesting here.So go home.Lock the doors too.Don't forget to shut the windows either.Oh,and if someone knocks..don't answer!" All of this said with the same,vaguely threatening smile.He also makes sure to pronounce "interesting" in the most foreboding and sinister manner possible. The kind that ,upon hearing it,makes you want to run away screaming and hide somewhere,maybe Hawaii,laying low for the next century or two.

shin smiles while he scratches his head.

"Eh? That would do it..I guess.."

~in the middle of the fray~

Shiro gives the girl a sideways glance and winks and her and whispers, 'don't worry about it. just seeing you safe is payment enough for me.' he smiles happily then turns to the guy the gang called Otto. "mm.... I've already been to hell and back, sorry but, you're not scarin' no one." He smiles slyly.

~
Otto growls in anger at Shiro's reply."Then I'll just send you back to hell again, permanently!" Suddenly Otto's looming over Shiro.Clasping his fists over the head he swings them down on Shiro in a knuckle hammer strike.
The two gang members on the left hear a crack and turn around,surprised to see their buddies knocked out and a girl.Drawing swords as a precaution they advance to investigate.
The crowd that was forming scatters,scared off by Shin and Loki.
~

Pleased that his crowd scaring strategy worked Loki notices Altria's situation, suddenly recalling that her hand-to-hand skills were pretty basic.Hastening over he stops at her side."Need a little back up." Stating the words as a fact and not a question her smirks at the goons."Two of you brutes against one fragile girl.That's a new low."