Chapter 2: Closing for the Night

Kenji turned to face the amused customers, ignoring the broken ceiling. Everyone sipped their tea and munched on their dango or mochi waiting for the verdict. He walked back to the front counter before leaning down toward the shelving.

*Fwip* *Scribble* *Scribble*

He pulled a piece of paper and charcoal out, marking down his judgement. After finishing up, he walked to the entrance of the tea house where a bulletin board was mounted on the adjacent wall. Pinning up the paper, he made his way back to the counter. Customers began to bunch up around the bulletin board, whispering quietly. A few chuckles broke out as they read the notice.

[All members of District 60's Sun Monkey Gang are hereby suspended from entering and enjoying Tengoku's services.]

[Kumichou / Gang Leader: Pikapika Shining Smooth Brain is permanently banned.]

[All other gang members are to repair the property as a requirement for re-entry and compensation]

[Suspension Time for gang members: 1 year]

A small group of men stood up from their seats in dejection. Their fierce tattoos contrasted their solemn looks as they left to prepare for their duty. With a pitiful gaze, the seated customers gave a prayer for their own continued patronage. Being able to come to Kenji's Tengoku became a symbol of status in the Northern outer districts. Very few people were willing to risk upsetting the implicit ruler of Akachou.

The Tengoku teahouse served as a neutral zone on the bloody streets, to be banned by Kenji for life was a death sentence among all North Rukongai citizens. No one would accept those banned back into the fold, lest the 'Red Revenant' became upset and raised an eyebrow in silence. Not to mention, those banned were typically troublemakers not knowing their limits.

Business returned to usual as customers turned back to converse with their fellows. New rumors spread throughout the tea house. Kenji nodded his head in satisfaction as he adjusted his white hachimaki. He headed past the green curtain toward the back hallway before soon returning with an abnormal-looking sword. Sitting on the stool at the front counter, he closed his eyes in meditation. His sword lightly vibrated in his lap.

*shk*

Customers who finished enjoying their treats quietly approached the serene, silent man at the front counter, depositing their meager pay, and left. Kenji opened his eyes and got up to clean the newly vacant tables, setting aside his sword. More guests arrived and ordered their own specially brewed tea and fresh sweets. Taking their seats on the lavish cushions at the fine tables, they breathed in relaxation and gradually lost the tension found outside of Tengoku.

For Kenji, his work was rewarding. He worked with a friendly smile, making small conversations with all his returning customers. The afterlife was a tender subject for every single patron, the least he could do was make them feel alive once more. Tengoku thrived with a radiant aura, something the citizens of Akachou needed desperately.

Kenji continued to attend to his customer's needs for the rest of the day, much like every day.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Outside of Tengoku, the sun began to set past the horizon. The last guests paid up and gave their thanks to Kenji before departing for the night. Looking up to make sure the tea house was empty, Kenji got to work cleaning the tables and floors. After thirty minutes of hard work, the hardwood floor sparkled as if touched by fairies. The tables gave off a shimmering sheen, and the polished surfaces gleamed under the flickering candlelight.

Kenji gave a satisfied sigh and smiled. Mounting his hands on his hips he scanned the interior for anything out of place. After confirming everything was perfect, he tossed his towel on his shoulder as he moved to the entrance to lock up. However, his lips curled up as he felt a defiant presence standing outside the entrance of the tea house on the street.

*slide* *step* *step* *slide*

He humored the challenge, stepping out of the teahouse, and sliding the door behind him. Kenji turned around to face the street. A young woman of 158 cm cast a long shadow on the street. A breeze picked up the dust and dirt, causing her long dark pink pigtailed hair to sway. Her wavy bangs settled as the wind calmed. Kenji studied her face noticing her blind left eye was closed, owing to a slight diagonal scar running down from her eyebrow to her high cheekbone. Her arms were crossed in front of her as she observed Kenji with her piercing violet right eye.

Kenji focused on the young woman who was wearing an extravagant black kimono with camellia decorations. Mimicking her movements, he crossed his arms. He raised an eyebrow in silence, waiting for her to speak up.

The young woman's right eye twitched at the lack of a warm reception. She opened her arms wide in an inviting gesture. Her thin lips opened into a disdainful smirk, sending her challenge.

"Kenji of Tengoku! Red Revenant! Whatever you're called! I challenge you to a duel!"

"…"

"…"

*whiiish*

*caw* *caw*

The breeze carried the young woman's dignity down the street. Crows berated the special woman. Onlookers could only shake their heads at the young woman's antics. Kenji scratched the back of his head in thought before asking a question.

His silky voice flowed down the street.

"Err~, Young Miss, I haven't even heard your name yet…"

The young woman became flustered. A deep scowl formed on her face; however, a light blush was visible under the peaking moonlight. She adjusted her black kimono, pulling a wakizashi from her sleeve. Slowly unsheathing the weapon, she pointed the blade toward the red-haired man.

Her voice shook for a mere moment. "Sai- AHEM! Saitou Furoufushi!" She gave a curt bow to Kenji, her hip-length pigtails bounced. She looked back up to see a teasing smirk don on his face, while his dull black eyes narrowed in amusement. Veins bulged on her forehead in irritation. Before she could follow up with a snide remark, Kenji threw his hand up in pause.

His visage was serious as he posed another question. "I see, Fu-chan. Is this duel to the death? Is it strictly technique or all aspects of combat?"

Furoufushi was taken aback, she realized that she never really planned out her encounters that well in the past. Kenji caught her blank face and facepalmed, causing loose strands of his slicked-red hair to fall over his headband. She saw his action and stomped her feet in frustration.

*stomp*

"To the death! And all, umm~ everything! Give me your best shot you little shit!" She gritted her teeth in embarrassment, shaking her head, trying to ward off her flushing cheeks. Her provocation was weak, making Kenji question her combat experience. Pushing his loose strands of hair back, he dusted off his happi.

She waited for his signal. Under the glowing silver moonlight, Furoufushi's muscles tensed within her camellia-embroidered black kimono. The dirt road outside of Tengoku had a sparse number of spectators, their silence shrouded the littered street.

Furoufushi smiled in joy. This was exactly where she needed to be. The thrill of combat gave her life fulfillment. Dousing herself in blood, taking control of the insurmountable tragedies and heartbreaks of the slums, Furoufushi would bet on her life in martial honor.

The grip on her wakizashi tightened. Her hands strained as she studied Kenji's nonchalant behavior. Furoufushi's forehead creased in uncertainty. During her limited career in combat, she was always able to gauge the strength of her opponent. However, that was not the case here. Her eyes narrowed, staring at the 'simple' teahouse owner in front of her.

She felt nothing. In fact, if she were to describe the feeling, it was like only the teahouse was present in front of her. Kenji was simply nonexistent. Furoufushi felt the need to understand her opponent better. She flared her 'existence' into a physical form or Reiatsu [Spiritual Pressure]. She hadn't attended the Shinigami Academy, so she wasn't knowledgeable about Reiatsu. All she knew was that she had more of it than most people in the slums.

Kenji didn't react to her Reiatsu. Instead, he just raised his hand towards her, fingers curling, and gestured for her to attack him. Her teeth clenched in rage at Kenji's casual behavior. Provoking her whilst unarmed, he was without a doubt, a very infuriating man.

Wakizashi at the ready, she screamed out, dashing toward him. "You asked for it!"

*Whoosh*