The meal had been pretty good, now all that was left to do was seduce Asha a bit more. It was probably some awful sin or something to put the works on an innocent temple girl like this, but Katsu really couldn't care less about that. He just needed a little insurance when around Siku, and what better way than to pull the wool over her friend's eyes? The only downside to this that he could imagine was if the girl really took to him, then she might turn up places and put him in really odd situations. Eh, he'd worry about that later though, one thing at a time. Questioning her innocently enough he gave a false smile as she spoke, wondering whether she actually even did anything out there or not; the response would have to wait, as it happened they had some visitors. 

Katsu had noticed it earlier as well, but he was more than used to being eyeballed by people by now. Cops, he assumed, probably looking for him over his theft not an hour ago. A bit odd they wouldn't be just coming for him here and now, though maybe they just didn't want to cause a scene. Heh, well that was fine then, if he just made a break for it then they'd have to chase, and he could easily escape as he always did. Curiously enough it looked like he wasn't the only one who caught wind of something amiss either, both Siku and Hiresh looked to be on alert. In no uncertain terms one of the men finally approached, and shockingly it wasn't him who reacted first, but the spoiled little Water tribe girl. Watching as she tossed the table then subsequently smacked the guy with water Katsu had to bite his tongue, trying not to burst out laughing at her reaction.

Though he had begun to snicker at the scene unfolding before him it hardly lasted. Upon hearing the men identify themselves Katsu's whole demeanor changed, the smile wiping clean from his face as he looked down at the floor in disbelief. The White Lotus, all the way here in Republic City? Well that wasn't too surprising, he knew they operated here, but how? He had been so careful, never leaving a trail or anything and yet somehow they'd cornered him. Damn it, they were insane if they thought he was going back, back to all that training and mundane ritual. He hadn't run all the way here just to return to that boring life, he'd sooner die than do such a thing.

Hearing Siku questioning him Katsu glanced up, eying her steadily as he remained silent. So she was going to help them now too, huh? Damn shame, he sort of liked her up until this point. He didn't want to hurt her or anyone here for that matter, but if push came to shove he'd do what he had to in order to escape. Smiling tightly as he shook his head he held up his hands innocently, letting out a faint chuckle.

"Siku... Listen..."

Before he got another word out Hiresh was making his move, attempting to pin him where he stood. Having none of it Katsu quickly pushed his chair back, knocking it and himself into one of the White Lotus members. Reaching back behind him he grabbed the man's shirt, flipping him over and onto his back before getting out of the chair, grabbing it and blocking a coil of wire with it. They had a metal bender with them, how annoying! Though maybe not... Fire melted metal. Smirking as he tugged on the chain he channeled a bit of energy to his palms, and with a sudden flash the chair lit up, the flames dancing down the length of the wire and forcing the man to sever it. Tossing the burning chair aside he grinned, darting back for the rear door through the kitchen. All around them people were becoming panicked, guests who were still there screaming and making a mad dash for the main exit. Tough luck everyone, come back some other time.

Pushing the swinging doors open Katsu quickly stopped, turning around and kicking one to smack one of the White Lotus in the face and knock him away. Then, grabbing one of the tables he pulled it over, placing it before the doors and pushing past the confused kitchen staff as he raced through the room. To his dismay a pair of men came in through the only exit there, neither looking willing to budge for him. Seeing no other option he gathered fire in his hands, punching at them and sending flames in their direction. One was an Earth bender, and readily raised a slab of the floor to block the attacks. No sooner had he lowered it though was Katsu on them, ready to fight his way through. One of the men was much older than he was, with white hair and a long beard that looked deliciously susceptible to catching alight, and the other was maybe a few years his senior. Experienced yet frail and strong yet undisciplined, he had this in the bag,

Ducking under one set of grabbing arms he pushed the younger man against the wall, leaning back to avoid a punch from the old man. Smirking smugly he grabbed his arm, pulling him forward and punching him hard in the gut. Katsu derived absolutely no pleasure from fighting, but between going back and doing this there was only one clear option. With the man winded just from one blow he swept his feet out from under him, quickly turning on the younger man and delivering a round house kick to his jaw, knocking him out. Hey, if you were going to sign up for this job you had better be ready for anything, including that. With his only opposition sprawled on the floor he jumped over them, pushing through the back door and into the rear alleyway.

Now then... Where did he go from here? There were a few options that he could think of; the fire escape could be taken to the roof, though he loathed to have to get into a spot up there where he might be stuck; the alleys should be fairly safe yet there was no guarantee they didn't have a perimeter, so what was left? Looking around he spotted a manhole cover, immediately racing over to it and grabbing hold of the edge, and with a grunt of effort he managed to lift it off and move it aside. A few more White Lotus men were coming out to the street, but by the time they had gotten there he was already going down the ladder, having slipped the cover back over the manhole. So long as no one saw him do that he ought to be in the clear.