(Continued from Where the Litterbugs Lie.)

Fields of fire raged on behind the shimmering pools of orange and red, an unwavering, steadfast gaze leveled on the anxious visage of the man subjected to Chiaki's line of questioning. He hadn't meant his countenance to be as intimidating as it was, but intimidating it was regardless.

"Thank you, Miss." Kusinada bowed his head to Chiaki's declaration of generosity. Takao's expression remained unchanged.

"I don't know exactly where the shipments come from-- I buy large quantities in bulk from a vendor in Kasai, and he buys from somebody else... I think they're based out of Teichaku." The details were largely irrelevant, or Takao had thought so. The mystery did not seem institutionalized, but rather opportunistic to him, but this was not his crime to solve, he was merely a net of safety.

"The shipments come by boat, though. They're dropped off at the Miyasato Warehouse. They've sent a few letters explaining the thefts and how they're trying to solve it-- I can get them for you, if you'd like to see them." Kusinada's tone had eased speaking with Chiaki, though he spared a sparse look to the blazing gaze that stared him down like a predator eying its prey.

When Kusinada finished and a bout of silence had overtaken the trio, Takao's eyes closed again and he exhaled, releasing the chakra and strained his onyx pools. They changed back to their natural hues by the time they reopened. Takao no longer saw the need to stare him down with his Eyes of Cinder, he was sure that there would be no lies told. Out of all the victims of the petty crimes, it seemed as though he suffered the most.

"That's the main docks on the Tobirama River. It isn't very far from here." Takao chimed in, adding a nugget of information to make sure that they remained headed in the right direction.

"That's the one! I'm afraid you might not learn much from my supplier, though... I don't think this goes beyond the village-- maybe not even out of this very district." With his doubts voiced that the supplier was of any use to be questioned, much less as easily found as he was, he fell silent, awaiting any further inquiries that she might have had with bated breath. He still felt nervous although the anxiety had faded from his expression, replaced with an expectant visage instead.

Takao fell into a similar silence, his attention shifted to Chiaki, awaiting her next move.