Ryuga leaned back as everyone else entered the building. He honestly didn’t expect Haruka to join up with him on the watch. ”Why didn’t you go with the others? There’s nothing really glorious about taking out foes who are running and I’m pretty sure Nagatoki is trying to take your rank. Plus I’m certain that you would be more than happy to give these guys a taste of your blade. The former sellsword asked, as he had a feeling that it was personal to Haruka. Sensing grudges was a skill that he had to build up in his past, as that where the paycheck or a new enemy was, maybe it was constantly seeing the same story, but he couldn’t really understand why she would hold back to hang out with him.

@Raging Fenrir

@vancexentan

Yuya was disheartened by Fujimaru's comment,"I apologies, Perhaps we should wait or one of us listen into their conversation to see if they are the ones we are looking for?" He spoke to his commander in a hushed tone of voice. If they were not sure if these were the men they were suppose to fight. Yuya suggested perhaps he could easedrop on them by himself as not to put anyone in danger. However he asked the others if they had any other ideas for this situation.

Haruka's eyes narrowed slightly when Ryuga spoke to her, but otherwise her expression remained stoic. "I would, indeed, enjoy spilling the blood of a few Western Dogs, and perhaps if any slip past Fujimaru we'll be able to indulge. However..." She took a breath and her expression softened. "Emotions must be tempered by judgement. Ensuring that none of the dogs escape is an important job. You may not find it glorious, but glory is irrelevant. We are Shinsengumi, and we will stop the Imperials at every turn. To further that end, I will lend my talents to this task with you." She stood by her reasoning that experienced eyes would be useful on the outside as well. She knew there would be more chances to directly fight the imperials. For now, she was content to do her job. And if Nagatoki is deemed better suited to this position, then so be it. I did not join the Shinsengumi for lofty titles.

@Shiyonichi

Toki listened silently for the exchange of words. He waited for a moment before speaking in a calm, low voice as his eyes scanned around the area. "Now, I may not be much of a diplomat, but I know a thing or two about talkin' to people of all classes. If we ain't lookin' to outright start the fight... Gimme... five minutes." He motioned to his four compatriots and they exchanged a whispered plan. Without any further warning he and his crew were moving. They made their way to the room with the armed men.

"Goood evenin' to ya gents!" Toki pointed around the room, swaying like a drunkard as two of his friends made a show of keeping him upright. "Mind if us fellas join ya?" He slurred his words a bit and made a point of widening his eyes when he 'spotted' the men being armed. He straightened up a bit and very slowly - as to show he wasn't trying anything funny - moved his hand to one of his pockets, pulling out a hip flask. "Don't worry about the liquor, we got our own."

The four men flanking Toki did their best to seem as unamused as possible of their friend's antics. One of them coughed and smiled apologetically. "You gotta forgive our friend here, he's been drinking some of that ...what did the foreigners call it...? Brandy? Just look at the fellow... He's bad enough with just sake..."

"Who the fuck let the kansai slob in-ooooohhh....oh shit. Sorry lord Shinsengumi! We didn't mean anything about what we said! Sorry!" one of the men blubbered as the Toki entered the room they bowed their heads to him, and all of them insisted whatever they heard him say was just a joke, or that they didn't mean it. The same moment that Toki turned his back did one of the men from upstairs quickly appear behind him his sword drawn and about to slash when Fujimaru came in, and slashed him from behind. "Yuya! Cover me now!" Fujimaru shouted as he blocked the sword of another immediate threat, and another samurai came at him from his side. Fujimaru trusted his soldiers to block that for him as he pressed forward. The men in the room backed up against the wall. "BOSS SHINSENGUMI ARE HERE! GET OUF WHILE YOU CAN!" the man shouted upstairs. @Marcus XVI@Eviledd1984

@vancexentan

Yuya quickly sprung into action, Wanting to impress his superiors as well as his comrades. Drawing his own sword and attacking one of the men that was about to attack Fujimaru's side, Stepping on the tip of his toes making sure his boss was not killed before the fight ever really begin. Aiming to cut that man's arms off and if he had failed then he would have to contend with fighting that man off Fujimaru. But his other concern was for the other's, His hope was that their was a small amount of these men so they could be dealt with quickly. His other concern was the boss of these men escaping which he didn't want as he wanted their boss alive.

Toki gave a quick thank you nod to Fujimaru before he and his crew sprung to action. The men drew their weapons and opened fire. 9 shots rang in quick succession. In such tight quarters the coach guns would make up for their lack of accuracy with the brutal hail of lead. Toki's shot had rang true, mutilating the legs of one of the men attacking Fujimaru. The rest of his crew had aimed for the men at the back of the room, wounding 2 and killing one.The men holstered their coach guns and drew their revolvers. Now that they had thinned the enemy ranks they were just looking for opportunities to get a shot in.

"Captain, with your permission we will pursue the enemy leader." Toki stated nearly excitedly as he took few steps back to not be in immediate danger. "The question is do we want him alive?"

@Raging Fenrir@Shiyonichi

As the noise inside the building started a large crowd of rowdy samurai approached the inn however as they immediately saw the two shinsengumi standing outside the building they drew their swords without hesitation. "So you've finally found us Shinsengumi! Dogs of the Shogun will die we will usher in a new age for Japan!" the head of the group said as the lot of them charged the two Shinsengumi all at once. However a knife was thrown from the other side of the building snapping into the side of one of the soldiers. And out came a police officer hand ready on the hilt of his blade. "I am with you! get ready!"

===

"Sir they have foreign fire arms must've been those french bastards who support the shogun! Hold the upstairs!" one of the survivors said as he had been hiding behind one of the pillars at the end of the hallway that supported the building. There was a scrambling from upstairs, and the sound of furniture being moved around to serve as a barrier most likely. Fujimaru slashed the throat of one of the survivors. "Advance take the survivors, and prepare to march upstairs." Fujimaru said as he sheathed one of his blade, and assumed a very familiar stance. His hand down the length of his one remaining blade, and in a flash of surprising speed he cut down two men piercing their throat. The remaining men held themselves back in cover in rooms, and or at the end of the hallway to prevent more fire from cutting down the survivors from Toki's attack. "Yuya you take the lead be careful."

Ryuga sighed looks like his plans of not fighting was compromised. “Glad to have your help in cleaning up street trash.” The former mercenary said to the police officer before stating to the Samurai in a nearly apathetic voice. “Looks like it’s your funerals.” The former mercenary drew his sword, unlike his usual posture, he actually looked like a warrior with years of experience rather than a random bum playing law enforcer.

Ryuga charged the nearest Samurai with a right sided slash to which the samurai brought up his blade to guard such an obvious attack, but Ryuhad expected that. He used his opponent’s blade as a pivot point to take a step in and hook punch the opponent to disorient them as the enemy was disoriented he stepped around the samurai and pivoting his blade around the opponent’s, he slash downward drawing blood across the enemy’s spine. Another Samurai would charge at him, but Ryuga used his Iron plated Genta to block and catch his sword before kicking it to the side. He used the kicking leg to take a step in and drew a knife from his sleeve and stabbed it into the right side of the samurai’s throat with a reverse grip. Ryuga let go of the knife, letting the man fall, before drawing a handful of knives hidden up his sleeve and tossed them into the enemy group, not caring whether or not that they were causing injuries, as they were meant as a distraction for his allies to exploit.

@vancexentan @Raging Fenrir

@vancexentan

Yuya by this point was trying to not be killed, Luckily for him he was quick on his feet. The young man was advance little by little, Helping a few of the freighted people out of the room and to safety. His attention then turning towards the stairs giving Fujimaru a smile and a nod.

Slowly moving up the stairs stopping for a moment to hear if their was anyone above him. If so then he would make sure no one was watching him move up the stairs, Their he lay small bear traps around the outside of the room. Then he would make footsteps and or enough noise one of them will come out where Yuya would scoop him up and deal with them slowly.

Haruka's hand reflexively went to the hilt of her blade when she heard the commotion. This rowdy group of samurai did nothing to keep their allegiance secret. That was their first mistake. Their second was drawing their blades against Haruka. "Well, it looks like we'll get to spill some Imperial blood after all," she said as she drew her blade in a smooth, practiced motion. The scrape of metal against the sheath was barely audible. "You call us dogs, yet you're the ones yapping." She didn't seem concerned that she was outnumbered. She had one ally with her, so if he could hold his own, she was certain they could take out a few reckless swordsman.

However, when the officer offered his assistance, her eyes darted towards him and she frowned nervously. He was a completely unknown entity. She didn't doubt his loyalty, but she had no idea how he would act, and was not bound to her chain of command as was Ryuga. On the other hand, he was a brave fighter risking his life for their cause. It would be disgraceful for both of them if she denied his help. So, she gave him a small nod. "Prioritize civilians," she said. "If any get too close, order them inside. The enemy may use them against us." If nothing else, it would be good to have a set of eyes protecting the innocents. But now, she needed to focus on her enemy.

Her eyes scanned her opponents. One stepped forward first to attack. She saw how he gripped the blade, the angle of his wrists, the twitching of his shoulders. It was such a predictable attack, and she stepped out of the way of the blade before it even began to fall. Her response was swift and lethal. A diagonal slash down from his neck to his abdomen. The blade slashed a notch through his collar bone and left a deep crimson gash. There was no flourish, no exotic techniques. But the man fell back and died soon after.

One of the nearby samurai attempted to grab at Ryuga after he first took out his first samurai however a brutal kick from the police officer sent him back which was followed up by a rather well executed dodge and a punch to the man's face. "The shogunate will reward us handsomely for taking out these rabble. Who knows I may even be promoted at last." the polceman said with a joking undertone. However he pulled back as Haruka said taking his place at the door with his hand on his still yet to be unsheathed weapon. "I will do my duty do not worry Shinsengumi." commented the police officer as he let the two shinsengumi do their jobs.

However as the group of knives were thrown as a distraction one of the less experienced of the rabble ended up running right into them by mistake seeing this one of the bigger ones shoved him forwards towards Ryuga remorselessly before trying to run both of them through with his Nodachi.

One of the cruder samurai approached Haruka with a set of Sais ready as he licked his lips, "A woman 'eh oh the things we're going to do to you wretch." the man shouted menacingly at her lunging forward with the sais as one of his fellows used a katana to flank her to the side the policeman did not help he stayed at his designated post for the fight.

====

One of the men upstairs tried to shoot an arrow at Yuya however it was misplaced but luckily for him he was hidden behind the barricade of furniture such as shelves, and some chairs. Not enough to form an effective barricade for long but it made direct attack unlikely. Taking the time that he could Fujimaru grabbed a sword from one of the bleeding out attackers and threw it upstairs sending it right through the man's right shoulder. It was a lucky shot but Fujimaru had made it. "The Mad Dog can wait until we see him but if you can take him alive. Now Toki cover Yuya while he gets rid of the barricade I'll guard your back." Fujimaru said careful of the possible enemies approaching him from behind hearing a struggle from outside he was hoping his assigned samurai could handle it.

@Marcus XVI

@vancexentan

Yuya was surprised by the arrow that was fired towards him, Luckily it missed and did not hit any of his vital organs and limbs. Listening to what Fujimaru said nodding his head knowing what to do to help the group. Gripping the handle of his sword thinking one way to ride of the furniture blockade was to cut it down, Or moving it quick enough for the others to move though. Moving forward towards the blockade trying to avoid the incoming arrows, Using his sword to cut up the furniture and the men that were attacking him.

Haruka furrowed her brow at the disgusting samurai's suggestive comment. It was something she had to deal with a lot as a female swordsman so it didn't get under her skin, but she pitied the women who didn't have the skill to chop a man like him to bits. However, she noticed a second man coming at her from the side and braced herself for defense. She took a deep breath and focused. Even for her, being outnumbered was nothing to take lightly. She grabbed her scabbard with her left hand and used it to block the sai thrust, then brought her blade up to block the second man's attack. She grit her teeth, the force of the blows making her arms shutter. She wouldn't be able to hold them both off for long.

She stepped in towards the swordsman, hooked her leg around his, and pushed with everything she had. She tripped him and caused him to fall backwards, which would give her enough time to deal with the sigh wielder. A slash would be a mistake; sais were made specifically to parry such attacks. So, she responded to he lunge with a thrust of her own, aimed directly at his chest. Even if he moved to parry, her blade would still slip through the prongs of the sai, dealing at least a glancing blow. She would then take a step back to reassess the situation.

The blade pierced through the man in front of Ryuga, but it did not pierce the former mercenary, rather Ryuga jumped above, flipping over impaled samurai. As he came down, Ryuga slashed down with his sword. “You know, you should never use a Nodachi outside the battlefield.” He advised. Nodachis were clumsy weapons and trying to take out such a long blade from a body they stabbed through quickly was nearly impossible, which was the reason Ryuga could bisect the large man’s head. It doesn’t matter how strong you are, if you can’t bring your weapon up to guard, you’re dead.

Seeing a large man get killed in one move was going to cause all but the most seasoned warriors to flinch. Giving enough time for the former mercenary to do a low dash around the large man’s body throwing a knife to the face of another samurai to bring their guard upward before slashing open their guts by taking advantage of the opening. Ryuga inspired by the earlier man’s actions then push kicked the body of the samurai toward the rest of the group.

@Raging Fenrir@Shiyonichi

Ryuga's quick pounce on the samurai after he tried to take down the larger man was a mistake his blade hadn't managed to reach high enough and cut the man's back but not his neck after the man tried to clumsily dodge the maneuver. Obviously enraged the man smashed him into the ground with the full force of a sumo and kicked him. Luckily for him his thrown dagger had managed to give him some breathing room but not for long as some of the few remaining samurai rushed over and started hacking at the ground in an attempt to kill him with their own blades.

The man who had the unfortunate nature of fighting Haruka had indeed been forced to the ground but he quickly followed up, and rolled out of the way but her blade had cut his side, and he was now bleeding rather badly. The man backed off, and held up his hand to the few men still remaining, "I can still fight this dumb bitch don't worry. Just make sure Okumura that cop doesn't try anything funny." the man said but as he raised his right hand to position for another stab he grabbed a small knife from his belt and threw it underhanded at Haruka attempting to get in a cheap shot before lunging forward attempting to stab her neck.

====

Toki had failed to move fast enough, and in a blink of an eye Fujimaru took his place bringing his second blade out he charged upstairs past Yuya who had managed to clear the stuff out successfully quickly slashing in a circle he took out two of the five samurai, and blocked the blow of another. Pushing him back and pressing the enemy in front of him Fujimaru allowed Toki, and Yuya to handle the other remaining two out of three left as he handled the one in front of him who desperately blocked with a small katana he had in his hands. A rather shabbily made weapon. The man Yuya attacked had a naginata and attempted to swing the large blade in very quick sweeping motions at Yuya before he had managed to come up the steps.

@vancexentan

Yuya was luckily quick on his feet. However he already had some damages from this battle. Some parts of his clothes were cut and visible wounds were shown on his body. The young man was also luckily quick on his feet jumping above the swinging large blade. Trying to counter by slashing at the man's neck or at the very least try to behead him. However he was careful not for the slashing motion of his blade not to hit any of the other members of his group. The young man was also making sure that the other's were safe. And he would make sure to block or help his teammates in any way he could.

Toki and his compatriots followed after Fujimaru. In the chaos the bastard of Yamato nearly lost his head - had it not been for the needlessly selfless act of one of his friends. Everything went silent - or at least so it seemed, as Toki watched one of his crew fall to the floor, motionless, dead. His every movement felt like time had slowed down to a crawl. He didn't even notice picking up the revolver from the floor. Four shots rang in a quick succession and one of the two remaining assailants fell to the floor. His hands moved again, pointing the two revolvers at the man with the naginata. He pulled the triggers, neither shot was a direct hit, but one did scrape the enemy's shoulder, hopefully distracting the fellow enough for Yuya to finish the job.