Sudden Cruelty:

A groan proceeded the male waking up. He didn't want to, the sky wasn't even light yet, and he had found a rather warm spot in the bed that he had become quite fond of. All in all he was loathe to wake up. He had been having a rather nice dream that he wanted to get back to. However, the alarm clock that began to go off right next to his head had other plans for him. He wouldn't be able to get any more sleep now; as it was time to wake up. He had set the blasted thing before going to bed because he knew he was going to have to be up early to get everything done today that he wanted - this, of course, included a trip to find if this place had any decent cup cake parlors around, or cup cake shops of any kind - he wasn't that picky after all. He found himself, almost since the point of having left Konoha, wishing that he had stocked up on some of the delicious treats; but in the rush to get going it had all but been forgotten. He was sure there were places around that sold them, it would be almost a sin for Iwa not to have such delicious treats. If he got desperate enough he'd ask one of the lovely ladies he was traveling with if they could make some; though that Demi was an odd one, and he could see her making something well... different. Not that he was worried that the female would poison him, but the idea of what she could come up with, or some of the combinations that she might end up making; well it made him a bit iffy about the whole idea. Ah well, he would have to wait and see until later. For now.. he needed to focus on getting his lazy ass out of bed.

The alarm was still going off, having been drowned out for the moment by his overwhelming abundance of thoughts. It was funny how side tracked he could become over such things. He finally reached over, long pale fingers searching for the button on top of the alarm clock; the one that would silence the thing again. He searched for another moment until he found it and gave it a press. Blissful silence filled the small hotel room and he sighed in contentment. 'That is so much better.', he thought to himself now that he felt he could actually hear himself think. He rolled back over so that he would be laying on his back and stared up at the ceiling for a moment thinking over his plans for the day. Climbing out of bed sooner rather than later was definitely one of them, he needed to get up and go train a new jutsu he had been thinking about for a while.

That's when his stomach decided to rear its ugly head; growling to life like some sort of monster or something. It was almost funny, honestly. The room was as silent as could be, since he had been in the in between between taking a breath and exhaling, and out of nowhere came this ungodly roar like some sort of ravenous monster or something. It would have been enough to send any small child cowering in fear under their bed with some pee in their pants of course; though to him it only caused him to chuckle briefly as he amused himself with his own thoughts.

'Right... Well, you are just going to have to wait your turn. First thing I need to do is get a shower and finish waking up.', he thought to himself as he sat up, rubbing at his eyes for a moment. With another groan he swung his legs sideways, bare feet touching the cold wooden floor. A sort of inner battle started for a moment; an argument between getting up and going to get his shower, or climbing back into bed until the floor decided to quit being a dick and warm up. Seeing that that was not going to happen for several more months he resisted the urge and stood up. He glared at the bed for a moment as if it were its own fault that he had to get out of it before walking the few feet to the dresser. Not that he had bothered putting his things away; that just happened to be exactly where he had left his pack the night before.

He began the hassle of digging through it, removing random objects such as books and the like, so that he could get deeper down in. He pulled out a fresh set of clothing consisting of a shirt, pants, and so on and then yawned softly. He raised his hand up to cover his mouth, a force of habit from being taught manners; even though he was alone in his room. Not that the females were far away, being just on the other side of the wall by the head board of his bed. Close enough to where he could hear any sort of ruckus that might start up, or any problems that might occur.

With his clothing in hand he went into the bathroom, feeling along the wall before finding the light switch. He flicked it on and went over to the shower, starting up the hot water so that he had a chance to reach its full temperature before he got in; he was not in any rush to become colder than he already was by walking along this cold wooden floor. He took the time that he was waiting to undress, and once finished adding the slightest bit of cold to the water so that he did not end up coming out looking like some sort of lobster that had been cooked far too long. He washed himself with unscented soaps, having been glad he had brought his own. The hotels always provided soaps with far too girly fragrances; ones he sometimes believed even most women would not be caught dead smelling like. Some of them were so overly powerful they came across as gross, because they were just too much.

Once he was finished with the whole washing routine; which was rather quickly seeing as the water had almost instantly begun to get cold, he dried himself off and got dressed. He glanced over at the fogged up mirror, and took the sleeve of his shirt to wipe it off so that he could see himself. He ran a brush through his hair as soon as he was actually able to see his reflection. Nothing special, just enough to get the knots out of it. Once he was completely finished he returned his items back to his pack on the dresser and than closed the thing up again.

He went over to the bed and folded the sheets and blankets back up. He had canceled the maid service for while he was here; since he rather enjoyed his privacy, so if he wanted to sleep in a clean room than he was going to have to clean it himself. Not that it was a big deal, even if the maid service was still coming he would have made the bed and cleaned up after himself. It was only right. Once he had finished with his straightening up routine his stomach gave another terrifying roar. He thought over his options; he could eat another apple or whatever fruit that the front desk might have available which would involve having to eat something that who knew how many hands had handled before it got to his mouth, or he could go out and explore a bit and possibly find some good warm food to enjoy. The latter won out, hands down.

He looked to his favorite sword, figuring he might as well bring it with him. It would at least save him from having to return when he was finished eating. Save time, too. He didn't want to waste any more time than he already had; and a good look at the bed side alarm clock said quite clearly that a good hour and a half had already passed. That was an hour and a half that he could never get back, if he was to honestly look at it. So, the cloth wrapped sword was easy to place on his back via the Invisible Sheath Jutsu; it was such a wonderfully helpful jutsu. When he was comfortable with his weapon, and sure that he had more than enough Ryo in his pocket, as he had actually grabbed all of it - less temptation for anyone else if the maid did happen to wander on it, he moved to the door after snagging the key off of the dresser.

He left his room quietly, shutting the door gently and then locking it up behind him. He glanced up the hall, to the door next to his. It was still rather early, so he figured he wouldn't bother with knocking to let the girls know where he was. He was sure Demi could find him easily enough if she honestly wanted to; especially if some sort of an emergency happened. So, with that in mind, he turned to the left and took off down the hallway, down a single flights of steps, and out of the front doors of the hotel. He blinked for a moment at the sudden invasion of the bright sunlight. Once his eyes had adjusted he glanced to his left and then to his right again; mentally playing a little game to choose which way he was going to head.

It went to the right, wandering down the street. He wasn't surprised to see how busy it was, given it was the middle of the week. Which also meant it was going to be rather easy for him to find a good hot meal at such an early hour. However, a sly glance behind him revealed that he was being followed. He had noticed the man well before he had left the hotel, but had been hoping it was some sort of coincidence... but now, now he was rather sure it was on purpose. 'I'll have to make sure.', he thought to himself. He saw an alley way coming up and once he reached it he turned into it. It was about a normal block long, but with no windows looking into the alley way, and it was also a dead end. So, no point of random foot traffic either. It would work, as there should be no reason for him to be followed down here. So, he'd simple wait for the man to pass.

He walked a good distance down the alley way and then turned back around, his red gaze staring at the alley way opening. While he waited he went over his newest jutsu in his mind for no particular reason other than to attempt to occupy his waiting time. It was the process of a simple severing of tendons and ligaments to stop the opponent from being able to move. Very useful, very useful indeed.

A sigh escaped his lips as he saw the very man he was waiting to pass by the alley actually turn and walk down it towards him. 'Lovely...', he thought to himself. Out loud he simply said, "Is there any particular reason why you're following me, sir?"

The man laughed, waving around what would look to be some sort of half broken bat. "Well, I think I'mma rob ya! Yeah, rob ya and then go back and find those two little girls your traveling with and rob 'em too! Or maybe.. maybe I'll just beat ya all bloody first!", he cackled, taking several steps forward, now only about ten feet or so from Luca.

"Or, sir. You can forget you ever saw me or them, turn around, and leave unharmed.", it was a fair enough warning, and a good suggestion.

The man laughed and shook his head, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. "Your funny, you know that! Now, gimmie your ryo before I take this here bat and bloody you up with it!" The man held his hand out, while still swinging the bat around in what he felt was a threatening manner.

"No. Turn around, and go home.", Luca responded, frowning lightly.

"Fine. If you don't want to play nice then I'll go find those little girls, and go beat them senseless for you being an idiot!", the man responded before sending the bat downwards, smashing it against a metal trash can and denting it. He then began to turn, obviously intent on what he was about to do. "Then I'll come back and whoop your ass next!"

Luca sighed. He had been enjoying his morning so far, but it seemed as if his hand was going to be forced. While he didn't doubt Demi's ability to defend herself; he figured both of those females had been asleep still, and might still be. So the idea of letting that man go and find them.. that wouldn't do. And apparently he wasn't about to be able to change the male's mind from his current task. No matter... it would seem he'd be trying his new jutsu out on a live target this time. "You've forced my hand..." With that said his form all but disappeared as he rushed towards the man, sword already unsheathed and the cloth having shrunk off of the blade. He dashed past the target, swinging his sword and striking a good ten times. Each cut was sent towards ligaments, tendons, and the like, utterly disabling the target and rendering him unable to move; all before the man was even able to comprehend or see what was happening.

Luca skidded to a stop, the sword already back in its place on his back, the cloth already wrapped around the blade. He glanced back at the man and shook his head. "Now, perhaps you'll learn your lesson, yes?", with that said he turned, walking down the alley and back onto the street, going to find himself some warm breakfast, if they were still serving it anywhere...

Word Count: 2,385 / 2,000