>Akisame walked along the road, not too fast, not too slow, but with patients.
>It's black surface soaked up every ounce of the sun, causing it to become
>horrifically hot.  Not being to fond of shoes he pressed on bearing the fire
>beneath his feet, feeling the sun beat down on him, it's very being almost
>tiring him out.  Lugging around the large duffel bag he had with him was
>feeling heavier by the second, he was almost inclined to stop.
>
>[[Hey, perhaps you should stop for a bit.  The heat is putting stress on your
>body, that's why you feel so tired.  I'm sure if you just find some shade,
>you'll be ready to go back out in no time.  I've calculated the current
>temperature at 82.3 degrees, and the humidity isn't helping.]]
>
>He shook a few beaded braids out of his eyes and wiped a droplet of sweat off
>of his eyebrow.  His eyes looked back upward from their current gaze at the
>ash fault, making him squint at the raging sun.
>
>"Gah...isn't there a dimmer switch on these BLADES?" he said, taking a deep
>breath and popping a Tylenol into his mouth.
>
>[[Oh yeah, it came free with the six year warranty.  There is a light
>reduction system installed, but even then it uses energy, and you can't
>afford to have your body temperature getting any higher.]]
>
>Continuing his stride he began to reach around inside of his bag, "technology
>years beyond it's time, and I still have to resort to this.  Where are
>the...oh here we go..."  he said, removing a pair of sunglasses and slipping
>them on.
>
>"Man...I must almost be there now...Nac what time is it?"
>
>[[I haven't a clue.]]
>
>Hearing this made Akisame raise an eyebrow, "what do you mean you haven't a
>clue?"
>
>[[I haven't a clue.  I cannot tell you the time for I do not know it.]]
>
>Akisame boggled, "you can tell me temperature, baromic pressure, wind
>velocity...but you can't tell me the blasted time?!"
>
>[[Well it wouldn't exactly hurt you to buy a watch now would it.]]
>
>Akisame began to growl, a deep guttural growl, erupting through his throat.
>
>[[Look, if it makes you feel any better I'm sorry.  You can't afford to get
>mad now, your body temperature just keeps rising.  Now, are you going to
>continue being Mr. tough, or are you going to go inside somewhere for a bit?]]
>
>With a deep sigh he nodded, "I guess you're right.  There's some kinda diner
>up ahead, I'll stop there."
>
>Finally he reached his goal, as he pushed the door open he felt the cool air
>inside hit his body, "Ahh...now that's better..."
>
>What he saw before him was indeed a typical diner.  There were several
>patrons eating and talking, several foods were showcased in front and the
>scent of freshly cooked food diffused throughout the air.  Seeing an open
>booth his threw his duffel bag onto one side and flopped down on the other.
>Taking a deep breath, leaning back, and getting comfortable he soon watched
>as the waitress approached him.
>
>"May I get you anything to drink?" she asked sweetly.
>
>"Yeah...anything cold.  Water, soda, anything is fine by me." he responded,
>his eyes covered by his sun glasses.
>
>Just as Akisame began drifting off to sleep she returned with a tall glass of
>ice water, "Anything else sir?"
>
>He shook himself awake, "Ahh...yeah.  Do you know where I can find a place to
>stay around here?  I've got plenty of money..."
>
>*********************************************************************
>
>"I hope your enjoying your lunch Nabiki"
>
>"Ah yes Daishi, I can't thank you enough for treating me..." suddenly, a
>voice in the background caught her attention, "...Do you know where I can
>find a place to stay around here?  I've got plenty of money...".  The last
>word almost seemed to ring out loud.  Instantly she saw opportunity.
>*Perfect* she thought, *Now I just have to get away from this guy*.  Then she
>heard them talking again, this time it was the waitresses voice.
>
>"Well...there is an inn about half a..."
>
>*Gotta act quickly* "Daishi, I really appreciate lunch, but I just saw an old
>friend I haven't seen in years, would you mind if I said hi to him?  I want
>to catch him before he leaves"  her voice seemed very sincere.
>
>Daishi smiled, "sure...I'll be right here..."
>
>"Thanks!" she said, quickly standing and began to make her way over to where
>Akisame was seated.
>
>*********************************************************************
>
>"...mile from here...I'm sure they have a few rooms left"
>
>Out of the corner of his eye, Akisame saw a young short brown haired girl
>making her way over to his table.  He was a bit intrigued to see if she was
>actually coming to see him, or if she would just turn once she got to him and
>walk to her real destination.  Instead she continued on her current path
>until she got to his table.
>
>"Excuse me"  she smiled at him,  seeing him for the first time.  She noted
>the outfit he had on, and his unique hair style.  However with the people who
>visited and lived in Nerima she didn't think much of it, "may I sit down?"
>
>Akisame twisted his brow a bit, thanked the waitress and addressed the
>newcomer, "sure...take a seat.  What can I do for you?"
>
>"Ahha"  she grinned at him, "it's not what you can do for me, but what I can
>do for you.  I overheard you saying that you needed a place to stay, and I
>can offer you much better lodgings then one of those old inns ever could.
>Those places are so inhospitable anyway, I'm sure you'd much rather prefer a
>more...domestic living space, yes?"
>
>[[She sounds like a used car salesmen...]]
>
>Akisame looked her over through shaded eyes *heh...cute* he thought,
>"Mm-hmm...I see.  And what would be my...rent?"
>
>"Oh let's see...how about...." she made it seem like she was coming up with
>any old number off the top of her head, "50,000 yen a month...I think that's
>very reasonable, and remember this does include meals.  Also I will need to
>see the first months payment up front."
>
>Akisame thought for a moment, then began reaching into his bag, "Here's month
>one"  he said, tossing her a wad of cash, "Oh...and I have just one request"
>
>[[Sucker.]]
>
>She stared wide eyed at the money, "anything..." *This is almost too good to
>be true* she thought.
>
>"You're buying me lunch...."