~Gang Wars in West Rukongai.~

Shiro didn't sleep much at all, he wakes with a start when altria comes in and starts shaking people. ".... you don't have to shake me.... I was already awake." he sounds groggy and very tired.

Notoriously hard sleeper Loki's only reaction is to fall from his sitting position to the floor.Undaunted,he rolls over to face the wall and continues sleeping with his back to the room.

hearing other people's voices, shin wakes up.

"(Yawn) Morning!!"

Altria rolls her eyes,"And good morning to you too,Shiro.You look like you didn't sleep at all." Coming up to Loki she tries to get him awake,looking up for a moment when Shin wakes."Morning Shin." Redoubling her efforts to wake up Loki she finally grows frustrated at his lack of reaction,whacking him lightly. "Kami,wake up already!" When that also gets no response she leans close and whispers in his ear,"Oh lookie...birds,lots and lots of birds.A whole flock..coming riiight here,"she makes a bird like noise,"chirp.."

~NPC~
The door opens and Mai enters,carrying a large brown paper bag.Seeing everyone,well almost everyone,awake she smiles."Good morning.I hope you all slept well and are rested?I went for some food,let's have breakfast." Bustling about busily she prepares tea and a big plate of onigiri,pulled out from the bag. "I'm sorry it's not much.."
~

"Aiee!!" At mention of birds and the sound Loki bolts awake so fast he smacks his head on the wall."Kuso.." Rubbing the sore spot he looks around for attacking birds.Seeing none,only Altria near and everyone else waking up. Putting the picture together he gives Altria an accusing look."That was uncalled for."

"Morning Altria.."

shin stretches then fixes the futon.

"Achoo!! Geez..morning allergies.."

wiping his nose. he sees mai comes in..

"Oh cool...I could use some tea..achoo!! Sorry"

Shiro stares at Loki and Altria then falls back to sleep. "zzzzz....zzzzz..."

She smiles at him innocently,"Whatever do you mean?I had to get you up somehow,you sleep like a log." Standing up she nods to Mai."Thank you for the food.I was a little worried where you disappeared too." Walking up to Shiro she shakes his shoulder."Hey,wake up! We should eat and get a move on.We are on a mission,not a vacation!"

Loki scowls at her innocent smile."There are better ways to do it then bringing up my phobia each time.That's just plain mean,you meanie." Making way for the food he takes a cup of tea and one of the onigiri."Thanks Mai-san.But how did you know?People here don't have to eat,usually." Taking a bite he makes a happy noise,hurriedly adding."I'm not complaining or anything."

After shaking Shiro awake again she takes one of the tea cups and occupies one of the sitting cushions on the floor.Taking a long drink she picks an onigiri and takes a tentative bite,looking surprised at the flavor."Oh..those are delicious.." As sleeping outside always made her rather hungry in the morning she quickly demolishes the first one,getting started on another and speaking between bites,"We should hurry and get the thing done.They like to drink at lunch and we need those gangsters clear headed.They'd be trouble drunk.So let's eat quickly and get going."

~
"Here you are." Mai hands Shin a cup of steaming tea,a pleasant aroma rising up from it.Placing the rest of the cups near the tray with food she takes a seat,sipping her own drink.At Loki's question she lowers her eyes and seems to be struggling with a decision before at last answering without looking up,"I'm sorry but I couldn't help hearing your talk..you are all shinigami?So I thought you'd be hungry in the morning..I'm sorry,it seemed like something I'm not supposed to know.."
~

"Thanks Mai-san"

finally getting rid off his allergies, he get up and stretches trying to remember the plan that became somehow blurry in his memory after the long night sleep.

"Ah guys..what's the plan again?"

Shiro didn't notice altria's shaking and is soundly asleep.

Taking a drink of the tea to wash down the food she reconstructs the plan from the previous night in her head,probing it for weak spots, before speaking."Ok,so the plan was..Mai will take us to where they spend their time.Shiro and I will go in and try to get captured.Word of yesterdays little fun should have spread by now,plus I'll add in some of the old reputation,they should still have a bone to pick with me.And we can even pretend to be looking to move in on their turf or something.All together that should warrant a one way ticket to see the big monkey boss unless we have bad luck of running into complete newbies who don't know anything.Then we'll have to fall back on plan b) making a commotion and attracting someone more experienced and knowledgeable.Let's hope lucks on our side." She takes another drink and continues,"Shin and Loki,you two will follow us staying hidden.When they take us into their base try to get in as well,undetected.It would actually be best if you stayed hidden as long as possible.There shouldn't be anyone with good spirit energy sensing capabilities in their gang so I'd suggest using bakudo to become hidden. Depending on how the talk with the big bad boss monkey goes,I'd stake it turning violent quickly,you two might have to bail us out.Four of us should be able to taken them on and if need be use kido and our zanpakuto.Though I'd try to avoid revealing us being shinigami if at all possible.But,the priority is to get information from the boss though.We need a clear idea of what's going on and what the gangs are planning.Maybe he'll even have info on this "Bosu-dono" character and where the alliances base is."

Shiro blinks awake and grumbles, "oi..... so, when are we planning on moving out?..... I'd like to go before I fall asleep again."

Loki finishes the last piece,getting up."Let's get started now.But you two are supposed to leave your zanpakutou here,in case they search ya." Scratching his head he looks at where Altria's zanpakutou is hidden on her person."Shiro said he can call his if he needs it.But what are you going to do if you need yours?"

"Thank you for being concerned but I'll be fine.Zanpakuto are not the only weapon one has.Besides,if need be he'll help.Distance is nothing as you well know." Putting her cup down she stands up."I'm ready to go as well. I already hid Tsukiyomi,with Kyokko and a barrier for protection he'll be quite safe.If everyone's ready,let's head out."

Loki jumps to his feet."If you say so.Let's go get those goons so hard they won't know what hit them." Running over his words again he adds a correction. "I mean after we get in and all that."

shin finishes his tea and prepares

"Alright then. I'm set to go."

Shiro gets up and stretches, and yawns. " err.... ok... i'm ready..." he looks over to Mai and smiles, "thank you for your hospitality. it was most appreciated." he turns to Altria and gives a nod, "ready when you are."

~
"As everyone is ready,please allow me to lead you to the destination.It's a small 'tea house' many Crows like to spend time at." Mai looks a little embarrassed,standing up in a hurry and heading out the door.Closing her house down as secure as it's possible she leads them down the winding back streets until a two level building with red columns at the front comes into view.There's a milling group at the front that seems to be the Crows.One of the man should be quite familiar.Towering over others with impressive height and muscle,his bare torso crisscrossed with scars,he makes an imposing figure.It's the same man that lead the gang ambush during their investigation of the lab in the rukongai mountain area.Mai stops at the corner a little ways from them."Here we are..and I do belief those are all Crows..what will you do now?"

Shiro smiles in a carefree way, "well, let's start by saying 'hi'." He smiles and winks at Altria. "ready to start?"

Altria cracks her knuckles and smirks,hefting the wooden sword onto her shoulder,"Oh yess,let us.And look,isn't that our old friend from before?" Stepping out she moves towards the milling group,putting on a scary smile.Deciding to get right down to business she grabs the closest of the group by the front of his vest and sends him into the thick of them with a well placed kick.Elbowing another in the gut she whacks his neck when he doubles over,effectively knocking him out. Having gathered their attention that way her smirk widens,putting one foot on the fallen guy she leans forward slightly,"Hello there,boys.Remember me?"

Loki coughs,hiding his discomfort when Mai describes where they are heading.When they reach the location he hides back and out of sight."Good luck guys.We will follows right behind you. Be careful,ok.And Shiro." Loki turns serious."Make sure nothing happens." Omitting 'to her' Loki backs away from them,melting into the shadows of the alley.Thinking of the best way of following them he turns to Shin."Shin-san,could you cast Kyokko over us and maintain it?That would make this a lot easier but mine would probably fizzle out at inopportune moment."