Like A Dragon; Rising

Chapter 8: Like A Teenager

Tatsu awoke in a familiar little apartment in the Bar Distict. His back stung almost as much as his shoulder. Finding himself face flat to the floor, Tatsu tried to turn but was pushed down by his tattoo artist.

Rei: Stay still, I'm still coloring...

Tatsu: What... Happened...?

Rei: Ask them if you don't know...

Turning his head, Tatsu found Jin, Hana and Akira standing with their own bandaged and bruised bodies from their fights with him.

Jin; Well, I happened to see a body flow down the river, so I fished it out and found you.

Hana: When I came across the scene I thought you were dead...

Akira: You definitely smelled like it... But as soon as I came this lady forced us to drag you here.

Akira: We rinsed you off and she treated your bullet wound.

Jin: Then began coloring that tattoo.

Rei: You were here, so might as well...

Tatsu: Takahara Oda....

Everyone:?

Tatsu: He's the one responsible and the one I have to kill...!

Rei:...(Sigh)... Done.

At that, Tatsu forced himself back to his feet, rage still fresh from the events 12 hours ago.

Tatsu: Raah!

Rei: You need to rest.

Tatsu: Not until he's dead!

Grabbing his shirt, Tatsu attempts to leave, but with his hunched over wabbling stance, not a single person here believed he could continue.

Jin: You can't do this... You've gotta rest, Dumbass!

Hana: At this rate you'll die...

Tatsu: Shudup! I won't fail her... Not after she finally put her belief in me!

Akira:...

He opens the door for Tatsu.

Tatsu:?

Akira: Only your actions will decide whether or not that belief was missed placed.

Walking out of the apartment, Tatsu began wandering around the Bar Distict like drunk as he tried to walk off his injuries.

Hana: What now..?

Jin: He's a son of a bitch... But I can't let him go dying on my watch. I'd never live it down.

Akira: Takahara Oda. That's a name which might have something to do with the mess around Yokohama.

Akira: That magnet for trouble is bound to lead us to something more.

Hana:...

Hana: Let's follow him then...

The three, holding their distance, followed Tatsu. Rei staying silent, lit up her pipe and began smoking.

Rei:(blows smoke)...

Rei: Maybe you weren't ready for that tattoo... And at this rate, you'll never grow into it...

Rei: Be careful kid.

[Survive Bar]

With not much to do at this time of day, Saeko was hanging out at the Survive bar, drinking juice and waiting for her husband and friends to come from work.