Lust of Land (open)

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui moved silently through the streets of Jian An, his nose picking up the scents in the air as he moved past market stalls were food was being cooked and strange items were being sold. Rui had been growing... impatient. He wanted some action in his life which was the cause for his lust of stirring up trouble in new pieces of land.

Jian An was next to the already claimed area Hui Ji but now it seemed that the Pirate King wanted this area next. Rui had been able to run Hui Ji in a smooth manner and the people were happy and healthy which made him want to take the new big step and take more land, though he was to make some careful planning first.

He needed to make friends with the people first and learn the ins and outs of the city before attempting any sort of bold move against the leader of the city. He knew it would probably put him in further into the bad books with the Han empire but he couldn't really care anymore. He still fought for the Han but it seemed the Han still shunned him despite his desperate attempts to join it.

Rui looked to Kenshi as they started to draw close to the palace. "One day I hope to move into that place. I want to be a good ruler, even if it means giving up my life as a pirate." Rui spoke making Kenshi stare in shock. Kenshi was more worried about the idea of Rui becoming power hungry and he also feared the idea of Lord Sun Jian becoming threatened by the pirates any further. The war would do no good, not when Dong Zhou's tyranny was growing in the North.

"If you ever stop being a pirate then I will no longer be your brother." Kenshi threatened, he didn't want Rui to forget his dream of being the best. Land was just land, but the seas were host to wonders and freedom.

[Asa Khan]

Shadowing people was a skill Asa Khan had put to great use in the previous years of his life, and he was make full use of the skill at the moment. His forces had seen very little action as of late, so he decided to give them a temporary leave, allowing him to do whatever he wanted. Unfortunately, things were slow and dull, so Asa had chosen to follow his employer to wherever he might be heading, without their knowledge of course.

An extra layer of clothing, covering most of his skin, had helped conceal his identity for the few times where he had been seen, and he had sustained himself through 'found' goods. Being a pirate, he had no qualms whatsoever over taking some minor items in order to survive, occasionally more. Overhearing Rui's words, he thought to himself, seeking the best options for quickly and reliably taking the city. It was time to surprise Rui.

He had been keeping as much of a distance between himself and his employer as he could, so was forced to take up a faster pace in order to close the gap between them. As he strode he flung the excess robes he was wearing into a nearby alleyway for the poor to scavenge; he had no need of them. With steps eerily silent, he stalked them, moving closer and closer until, in one firm action, he placed a leather-clad hand on the should of Rui and Kenshi.

"Stir up the people. Use yourself as a figurehead. Convince them that the current rulers are trying to screw them over," he said, a sly grin forcing its way onto his face.

His face remained as it was, looking at Rui, before moving closer and whispering in his ear, "Miss me?"

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui and Kenshi both froze in position as a hand was placed upon their shoulders. They listened to the man speak which made Rui relax once he realised it was an old friend and someone who was part of his crew. "Well that's the problem, we need to know who the leader is first and whether the people are actually unhappy before making the first move."

Rui could feel the breathing next to his ear as Asa Khan spoke into it. A sly grin filled Rui's face and he rapidly spun round and tried to hug Asa Khan just like when they first met. "Of course I missed you, why didn't you send a letter old friend?" Rui spoke in a teasing voice whilst Kenshi watched the show.

[Asa Khan]

It was clear to Asa how the plan needed to proceed; he had watched uprisings before.

He said to Rui, "Whoever the leader is... that's irrelevant as long as the people believe the person is not on their side. Simply calling them, 'the leader' will be sufficient."

He allowed Rui to hug him, placing his arms around him in response. Responding to the suggestion of sending a letter, Asa scoffed, "Letters are unreliable. They're expensive, and often late. I'd much rather ensure that it arrives myself."

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

"Well it's been ages since we last met. Besides I needed to find you anyway. We have a new member to our crew, her name is Kaihime. She's really nice so don't hurt her or bully her otherwise I'll make sure you pay!" Rui spoke ending in a dark and rather defensive tone but a soft smile finally reappeared across his lips.

"Plus we'll be heading to Hu Lao to fight in the up-coming battle. Are you joining us in this fight?" Rui spoke diverting from the situation involving Jian An, this city could wait until after the major battle was over. So much was coming up and he could tell the pirates were going to be busy.

[Asa Khan]

Asa was displeased by Rui's treatment of his followers. He was not one to spare punishment from those who deserved, regardless of whether or not they were on his side. He was determined to make this clear.

"I assure you, no punishment will be given unless they do something to deserve it. If they do, however, they can expect no mercy," he said with a soft smile, inappropriate for his statement.

"A true warrior never forgoes a battle for anything. I will be there in force," he said excitedly before a brief pause and look of realisation.

"Who are we fighting?"

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui burst out into laughter as Asa Khan commented upon the punishment but soon enough Rui settled down. Then again he was joking with the other man, but Rui had a crush upon Kaihime which was making him defensive of the lady but he was the type who would try to hide his love for another except around men. When it came to females he was timid and quiet about his feelings.

Rui sighed and turned to a more serious expression. "We'll be fighting against Dong Zhou and Lu Bu. I hope... I hope Kouji is okay..." Rui spoke before feeling the pain swell in his heart. Kouji had traded himself to protect Rui and the other pirates from Lu Bu's wrath. Rui bit his lower lip and turned away from Asa Khan and Kenshi to hide his pained expression.

[Asa Khan]

Seeing Rui's reaction to speaking of Kouji, Asa decided to respond with what could be called 'tough love'; love so tough that a diamond drill would be needed to even chip the surface. He slapped the back of Rui's head harshly.

"If you regret your actions, you should not have gone through with them in the first place. There's no point in worrying about it now, especially when battle looms over us," he said in a gruff voice, reluctant to show any sympathy. "You must deal with your actions at the time rather than later. The life you lost is no longer your responsibility as you gave it up."

He turned to Kenshi, lifting the grim look from his face. He extended an arm and placed his hand on Kenshi's shoulder, keeping a firm grip.

"Please assist me in this matter. I would not have the force leader act like this during battle, and you are the only tool I have to help. He may mourn after serious matters have been cleared."

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui gritted his teeth and refused to look at either Kenshi or Asa Khan. The rage boiled within his blood, how could he not think about Kouji at such a time? Where was Asa Khan when the attack happened? Rui refused to heed the words that the man spoke, Kouji was his friend and had been stolen from him.

Kenshi sighed. "I'm afraid, Asa Khan, that Kouji... may be at the battle of Hu Lao. He'll be on the side with Lu Bu, I'm sorry but it isn't easy to face down a friend. Kouji is just a kid, he'll be slaughtered out there if we don't get to him first. Rui fears what has happened to kid and what could happen." Kenshi explained, he would have to show sympathy this time and side with his brother.

[Asa Khan]

Asa listened intently to Kenshi's explanation of the situation, but could not see from their perspective. He had been in too many battles in far more savage conditions than either of the two had fought, and this had affected his perception of things. Friend and foe had been slain alike in a pool of gore and rage, for betrayal was a sin he could not bear.

"The role of friend is not suited to one who has betrayed a cause, don't you think?" Asa asked, turning back to Rui. "I have slain many of my former friends for siding with an enemy, and while I am sorry that I could not have been with you to prevent this from happening, the situation must be fixed."

"The situation is as it is. Nothing can change that. The boy made his choice, and it was made against us. That makes him an enemy. Unless you can give me a reason not to, if I meet him on the battlefield I will cut him down like any other warrior I see."

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Rui was pushed to edge, he knew Kouji never wanted to turn against his fellow pirates since he was a prisoner who was just trying to protect his master. Rui swung round and launched a punch at Asa Khan's face. "Don't you dare call Kouji our enemy! I'll have you hung if you even dare!!" Rui snarled showing extreme rage, he wanted to rip into the man and smear his blood across the ground but Rui was torn away from the fight by Kenshi.

Kenshi lifted Rui up and held the man tightly in his arms, he struggled against the captain as he thrashed about and yelled out vulgar language. Rui's steam soon died down and he panted heavily as Kenshi continued to hold onto him.

[Asa Khan]

Asa had seen this a thousand times before, so knew what to do. Expectantly, a fist flew towards him, and as he had done so many times before, obviously receiving his fair share of injuries in doing so, stood quickly to the side, allowing it to glide past him. He had gotten what he wanted.

"Good to see you've finally reacted," he said with a smirk. "Were I not your ally you would find a blade in your gut."

He turned disappointedly from the restrained man. "You are obviously a passionate man, but you must calm down and face the situation rationally. If you cannot... well... I'll have to teach you a lesson."

He pulled out his long, curved blade, readying it for a defensive strike should the attack be continued.

"Do not throw your life away carelessly. Kenshi, let's see if your brother deserves his position as our leader. Let him go."

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Kenshi sighed and released Rui from the tight embrace. Rui immediately turned his attention towards Asa Khan and glowered at him with extreme rage. Rui bared his teeth at the man and it seemed as if Rui was going to attack him. Rui ran towards Asa Khan but instead of striking the man he just ran past him and kept on going down the street.

Kenshi blinked in confusion upon where Rui was actually heading or what motive Rui had in not attacking and just running. "He's a weird one..." Kenshi whispered to himself sighing heavily.

[Asa Khan]

With Rui fleeing down the street there was nothing Asa could do to help. He yelled at the top of his voice, echoing through the alleyways which branched out from the main path.

"Run! If it's all you can do, then keep going and never stop."

He turned back to Kenshi and said, "That's not entirely what I was expecting. Still, the sooner he accepts that he made a mistake, the sooner he can fix it. If Kouji is indeed fighting for our enemies, then it stands to reason that he did it of his own free will. If he wanted to remain with us, he would just have fled as soon as Lu Bu's back was turned. He will suffer for his betrayal. Whether it is by my blade, or by Rui's hand, I cannot say, but he will suffer."

[Tsuki (Ancient One)]

Kenshi narrowed his eyes at Asa Khan, why they had such an uncaring man in their forces was a mystery to him. Kenshi listened to him speak lowly of his brother which now set off Kenshi's anger. "You better watch your mouth otherwise you'll end up dying in a ditch." Kenshi hissed as he walked past Asa Khan but not without trying a swipe with the large wooden oar to the man's face whilst trying to knee him in the gut. Kenshi was a large, heavily muscled man who was a far greater opponent than what Rui could ever be.