Without A Friend, Without A Ship (Open)

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning wandered the banks of the river. He was wearing tattered rags and had only his bells and his sword on him. He had no money. He had no friends. He had no luck.

"Ah... It seems like this is the end of the line for Gan Ning, the Menace of the Sea. Maybe I should just settle down as a fishermen..." He shook his head and laughed, "Hahahaha who am I kidding. I am Gan Ning, the Menace of the Sea! I just need to find a boat. And a crew. And some money... And... some food... Oh man I'm so hungry." His stomach growled loudly.

As he walked along the banks he found a crab scurring acrossing them and smiled, "Oh yes. Lady Luck has just smiled upon me." He pulled out his sword and ran towards the crab slicing it in half. He then grabbed the crab and pulled out the meat eating it raw, "Oh yes. This is what I need."

While eating it he looked out on the river and his heart sunk. He used to have a ship. And a crew. But they overthrew him. It was mutiny. He shook his head. How he missed the river and the sea. The waves. The smell. The taste of the salt in water. He missed it. But he is without a ship. He leaned against a small boulder and closed his eyes letting the sun beat down upon his tan face.

[Zhang Liao]

Well Well Well, isn't it the Menace of the Sea, how low you have gotten, Zhang Liao said as he walks up to Gan Ning from behind with his horse, What has happened to the feared pirate feeding off of crabs by a bank of a river, he ties his horses leash to a tree trunk, If I were you I wouldn't be eating of crabs, i would try to get back at the people who have wronged you, I said as i walked up to him

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

A ship silently moved through the waters in the Lu Jiang area as if it were on patrol. The Red Siren was on a mission to deliver food from Hui Ji to Lu Jiang and was nearing the city. The waters were calm and the breeze was little so the travel was slow yet steady but the crew were becoming restless so Rui made the decision to let the men out on the smaller boats to get to shore to stretch their legs a little before continuing along their route.

The heavy anchor dove into the water and brought the mighty ship to a halt and soon the gentle splashing of the small boats falling into the water could be heard. Rui along with his brother Kenshi got into one of the boats and started rowing to the shore.

Rui inhaled the fresh air and started to stroll along the edge of the river with the protection of Kenshi close by. Rui noticed two figures up ahead and could hear the mumbling of voices so being curious he decided to make his way towards the strangers. "Greetings!" Rui spoke as he approached with little fear.

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning stood up in anger, "Shut up stranger. I don't care who you are but I do not need lip from you." His hand strayed to his sword and his anger flared, but he knew the man was right. However he wouldn't take such disrespect from this man.

"You think your all big and bad because your have all that armor, tell me, without that armor (Gan Ning rarely wears any) how tough are you? You wanna see if your blood is the color of mine?" Gan Ning snarled at Zhang Liao.

As another person came behind him Gan Ning pulled out his sword and sliced behind him, not wanting to get attacked from behind. He had already been back stabbed to much as it is, "Alright everyone stay back. I don't wanna have to kill you."

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui jumped back as the stranger took a slice at him. "Calm down! I only wanted a friendly chat!" Rui whined as he backed off towards Kenshi who was swiftly coming to assist his older brother. The two pirates had little idea upon what was happening or why the two men were fighting.

"My name is Rui of the Takiri pirates and this is my brother Kenshi. Why are you two fighting anyway?" Rui asked as he kept a safe distance from both men. Tsu, Rui's pet monkey, sat upon its master's shoulder and stared at Gan Ning and Zhang Liao.

[Kang Ren]

Gan Ning looked over at Rui and asked, "You're a pirate? I am too. Maybe you have heard of me. Maybe you haven't. Anyway, stay out of this, I got to settle things with this fool."

Gan Ning's eyes shifted from Rui to Zhang Liao and he said, "He disrespected me. I am Gan Ning, Menace of the Seas. I will not take such disrespect from any man." Gan Ning's eyes narrowed at Zhang Liao, "You looking for a fight? Because I will oblige you if you want." He pulls out his scimitar and ready's it, full aware that this man could in fact kill him. He was ready. His pride wasn't going to let this slide unless he apologized.

[Zhang Liao]

I chuckle, No Gan Ning I do not want to fight you but to help, if you had listen to me earlier you would of heard me say "If I were you I would get back at the people who did this to you", which from were I come from means to lend you a hand.

He turns and looks at the Rui,Rui and Kenshin of the Takiri , I have heard of you two, you are the probably the best pirates out there

[Kang Ren]

"Help? Why would I need your help? I am nicknamed the Menace of the Sea!" Gan Ning said proudly. But he knew he did need help. It was stupid really. He just let his pride get in the way of everything.

However he turned when he heard of the name Takiri and turned to Rui, "The Rui Takiri?" Takiri. The pirate that helped Hui Ji? If he was he was standing before a legend. However, he looked at man and wondered if he really was him.

[Zhang Liao]

I am not trying to start a fight but the Menace of the Sea has been docked, he turned to look at Rui, Rui didn't you help out at Hui Ji?

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui scratched the back of his head and chuckled. "So you've heard of me then. Yeah, I'm that pirate who took Hui Ji and now I own it. I'm Rui, captain of the Red Siren." Rui chuckled and was surprised people had heard of him but then he remembered how some members of the Han were out to get him because of Hui Ji. "Are you with Lu Bu, Zhang Liao?" Rui questioned and it was clear he was suddenly on edge.

Kenshi moved forward and stood a little in front of his brother as if he were protecting him. Kenshi was a large man and wielded a large wooden oar as a weapon. "Gan Ning... I think I've heard your name once before at the docks but I don't know much about you." Kenshi honestly replied, but he had heard of Gan Ning so he wasn't at a loss.

[Zhang Liao]

hearing the question shocked Zhang liao, serve Lu Bu never in his days, Actually Rui I am planning to serve Wu which is why I am down here, he said as he noticed Kenshin's large oar, as soon as he said that it was his goal not to get them mad at him

[Kang Ren]

As soon as Gan Ning heard that Kenshin had heard of him, his spirits had raised. He smiled and said, "You may have heard of me, but I am no longer with a crew and a ship, as you can see." He really didn't expect Kenshin to have ever heard of him. He wasn't famous. He was notorious in his region, but nothing too big. However, if anything he heard about the Takiri's their pirates for the people, whatever that means.

Gan Ning shook his head, "Come on man, I wanted a fight. I've been itching for one. Whatever then..." Gan Ning shook his head. He had to get his frustration out somehow. How though he didn't know. He kicked a rock and sighed, he really was pathetic now. If you take away a pirates boat and crew... You have pretty much taken away his existence.

[Zhang Liao]

I had an Idea that would help both Rui and Gan Ning, Rui I have heard that you are having troubles with Lu Bu, is that true, if so I have an idea that will make everyone happey, He turned to Gan Ning, So youy are itching for a fight why not go with them and fight Lu Bu with them it'll help both of you, he then faces Rui, Am I right Rui?

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui's gaze shifted through phases of emotions. He was glad that Zhang Liao was not serving Lu Bu but the idea of getting Gan Ning dragged into the fight as well did not rest well with the pirate captain. "As much as I would love to have some help with Lu Bu I just cannot risk you getting hurt...." Rui fell silent as he remembered his friend Kouji who had shown up on one dark night completely broken in mind and spirit. It sent a shiver down the man's spine as he thought about everything that had happened to Kouji.

"I will not stop you entering the fight though, I just have my worries about it. My crew is expanding and is becoming stronger and I know Lu Bu will not be the only man with his eye on the prize." Rui sighed leaving the choice open to Gan Ning since Rui wasn't the type to deny people from joining.

[Zhang Liao]

Zhang Liao was curious how Rui fight with Lu Bu began, If you don't mind me asking Rui but how did you start this fight with Lu Bu, I mean you really must of done something wrong for him to attack Hui Ji at random right?