Akane simply nodded, and inhaled deeply while staring right back at the man, well it wasn't like she didn't try the peaceful option. 

[color=red][i]*CRACK*[/i][/color]

Now free from its place at her waist, a black scabbard smashed right into the side of the brute's head, frankly it was unclear if the ear shattering crack came from the contact itself, or if that was his skull caving in. Without so much as a groan the "leader" fell face first to the floor, perhaps he was still alive however the building pool of blood said otherwise. Not a single soul moved, no one but Akane who drew her blade, gripping the lethal instrument in her right hand then allowed the bloodied scabbard to fall to the floor. The silence within the tavern was almost deafening, and for all their bravado it seemed not even her opposition could force themselves to act. 
 
That is until one particular fool broke the calm as he came charging right at her with a hatchet in hand, yelling obscenities of all kinds. Wildly he swung with reckless abandon but found himself unable to connect with the ronin as she kept sidestepping out of harm's way. This struggle continued for another few seconds until Akane caught the berserker with a single slice to the abdomen, gutting the man with that one clean cut. 

Akane's minor victory was cut short as she came under assault from three more as they barreled towards her at once, wielding all sorts of improvised weaponry from crude clubs to makeshift shivs. The first was skewed through the chest where his own momentum did all the work, effortlessly Akane pulled her sword from the now lifeless corpse as it slumped onto the floor. The second, the one with the club, actually came close to landing a blow until the piece of wood was parried away by a proper weapon, taking advantage of the opportunity Akane grabbed the man's scraggly hair and threw him to the floor. The petty criminal lied on his back, groaning in pain but was abruptly silenced as Akane, in a streak of brutality, violently smashed his face in with her sandaled foot; a mixture of teeth, gums, and blood exploded on contact painting the wooden surface beneath and well... everywhere else. 

When Akane turned to handle her final opponent it became apparent that he, and his remaining comrades had lost their appetite for vengeance. Their faces pure white with terror, "Y-y-uuuo MONSTER!" Someone barely managed to shriek, "Go-goddamn this! RUN!" Panicked another. The group scrambled over each other, soundly routed from the tavern, it was also at this point Akane came to realize they were alone. She didn't notice while in the heat of the moment, but everyone else must've fled once the fighting actually began. All who remained was herself, the boy, and the owner. 

Akane pulled a small pouch from her kimono which now was stained with suspicious spots of crimson, and tossed it to the owner. [color=slateblue]"For the drinks... and the mess."[/color] She breathed heavily, her heart still pounding in her chest. After she recovered her scabbard, and returned the sword to its place she was about ready to leave, staying was anything but an option. Akane stopped to look over the servant, and sighed. [color=slateblue]"Sticking around is a bad idea, you better get out as well."[/color] 

[hr]

Welp forgot to mention you this time.