Chapter 1: A Safe Haven
To anyone who passed by, they would only see a rather cute young man riding a large white horse across the Wild West. Only Kyoko Mogami knew her true identity. Since becoming a wanted outlaw she had cut and dyed her long black hair to a short boyish light brown haircut. She had left behind her pretty feminine clothing and instead now wore the traditional brown trousers and plaid button up shirt that most young men wore.
She stopped her horse's gallop at the top of a small hill, "Woah, Pegasus. Do you see that town just up ahead? Maybe we'll get lucky there." She patted her horse's mane before pulling the reigns to start towards the sunrise. This time on a journey into the town below.
By the time she entered the town, it was bustling with people going about their daily errands. Most people only gave her a glance or two but no one said anything. Kyoko rode around for several minutes looking for any wanted posters with her face on them. When she saw that there were none, she dismounted her horse.
"Now, let's find you something to drink." Kyoko said to her horse as she led him through the streets looking for a public watering trough.
"Good morning!"
Kyoko was startled by the sudden appearance of a man in glasses in front of her. "G-good morning," she replied, hoping her voice wouldn't betray her gender.
The man before her held out his hand. "Welcome to Haven. I'm Yukihito, the Sheriff's deputy." He explained.
In Kyoko's opinion, he seemed far to trusting to be an effective deputy but that worked in her favor. She smiled back and shook his hand. "Thank you. Is there a place around here where a fella can water his horse?"
Yukihito took in the sight of the beautiful white horse standing just behind the visitor. "Of course! Actually, there's a trough just behind the sheriff's station. Let's head over there."
Kyoko followed the deputy's lead until they stood just outside the small stone building. Sheriff's stations made her nervous and she had to physically force herself forward. She tied Pegasus to a post next to the trough and pet him as he began to drink.
"Now that you've got your horse a drink, perhaps you'd like one as well? We have a great saloon and restaurant in town."
Kyoko nodded. "That sounds perfect."
The pair began walking back into town. Yukihito looked at her. "By the way, what's your name?"
Kyoko was startled. She had forgotten to introduce herself. "Oh, I- I'm Kyok- Kyo. Just Kyo." She had goofed up and almost said her real name. She mentally kicked herself for this mistake.
Yukihito only nodded as he led her inside of the large restaurant. They sat down at the bar which was tended by a beautiful woman with long dark hair that was tied in a braid. Her beauty was only somewhat tainted by what seemed to be a permanent scowl on her face.
"Miss Kanae, what's wrong today?" Yukihito asked as the bartender stepped in front of him.
Kanae rolled her eyes at him. "I've told you before, I don't have time for small talk. What do you want today?"
Yukihito seemed unfazed by Kanae's tone. He continued to smile as he spoke. "Actually, I just brought our new visitor here, Mr. Kyo, to get something to drink."
Kyoko jumped, startled at being suddenly under the scrutinizing gaze of Kanae. She bowed her head in respect. "Nice to meet ya miss." She said. "Could I have a cup of tea?"
Yukihito looked surprised at her drink choice but Kanae only nodded and served a cup of warm tea. "We don't have the luxury of ice this time of year so it'll be warm."
Kyoko smiled politely. "Thank you, Miss Kanae. I appreciate it."
The deputy placed some money on the bar and ordered a beer before Kanae stepped away to tend other customers.
"I have to say, I don't meet many men who prefer tea to a beer or whiskey." Yukihito commented, taking a swig of his own drink.
I was hoping he wouldn't say anything. Kyoko struggled to think of an excuse. "Actually, I don't drink alcohol." She explained.
The man beside her raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really?"
She nodded. "I- uh, I'm religious." She stuttered out the excuse, then regretted it when he still looked unconvinced.
"So are most men in this town but I still see them in here every day after work."
"Very religious." Kyoko emphasized. At least it was an excuse that would get her out of drinking alcohol. If there was anything she couldn't stomach, it was the taste of alcohol.
As she finished her cup of tea, Kanae returned to their part of the counter. "So, Kyo, how long are you in town for?" she asked.
Kyoko bit her lip in uncertainty. "I'm not really sure. Hopefully, I'll be here a while."
Kanae nodded. "Then you'll be needing to stay here I'd figure. Seeing as this is the only hotel in town."
"I don't really have any money-"
The bartender held up a hand. "Don't worry about the money. As long as you help out around here I'll let that be payment for your room and food."
Kyoko beamed at her new friend's generosity. She stood and shook Kanae's hand enthusiastically. "Thank you so much, Miss Kanae!"
Kanae pulled her hand away. "It's no problem. I could use some help around this place. Come by later and I'll show you your room."
Kyoko nodded and watched as Kanae stepped away. Yukihito rose from his seat. "Well, now that that's settled, how would you like me to show you around town?"
"Thanks. I'd appreciate it." She replied. She followed him out of the saloon and he led her down the dirt road.
After walking through the entire town, Kyoko now knew the locations of things such as the general store, the schoolhouse which doubled as a church, mayor's office, stable, and the doctor's office. Finally, Yukihito led them back to the Sheriff's station.
"And now we are back where we started." He announced happily. Just then the door to the building opened and a tall man with dark brown hair and extremely good looks stepped out of the door.
"Yukihito! Where have you been?" the tall man asked, his voice sounded strained, as if he was frustrated but trying to hide it.
"Sorry, Sheriff. I was showing around a new visitor." He explained gesturing towards Kyoko.
She felt her hair stand on end. She hadn't anticipated meeting the Sheriff so soon. In all honesty, she had planned to try to avoid him completely. She prepared herself for his questions, but his next words were not to her.
"Well, we are needed out at Mrs. Shino's home. Some coyotes got into her chickens and she needs help safeguarding the coop for tonight." The Sheriff told his deputy. "It's already getting late so we need to hurry and take care of it while we still have sunlight."
Yukihito said a quick good bye to Kyoko before following after the quickly retreating Sheriff. Once they were out of sight, she allowed herself to breathe again. That was a close one. She told herself as she walked to Pegasus and began to pet him. At least this means he didn't recognize me. Maybe I really will be able to stay here a while.
She untied her horse and led him back through town. "I guess my first stop should be the stables to find you a place to stay." She said to him in a sweet voice. Pegasus hadn't always been hers. He had actually belonged to the lovely couple she had stayed with before coming to Haven. They had helped her tremendously by providing her a place to hide, and helping her change her appearance to that of a boy when she needed to flee.
I hope they're okay. I wouldn't have wanted them to get in any trouble because of me. She thought as she followed the path back to the stables/blacksmith.
"Why hello there, young man."
Kyoko looked up at the sound of a deep voice. In front of her stood a strangely dressed man with dark hair and a long mustache.
"Um, hello, sir." She greeted with a bow of her head.
"You new to our town? I don't think I've ever seen you around before." He asked peering closer at Kyoko's face.
She took a nervous step back. "Yes, I'm new. Just arrived in town today."
The man stared at her seriously for a moment before his face broke out in a grin. He patted her back hard. "Well, welcome! I hope you'll stay a while and enjoy yourself. We have a dance coming up in a few weeks. It'll be mighty fine."
She nodded, "of course." She watched as he continued walking past her. "What a strange man." She muttered staring after him.
Kyoko shook her head to clear her thoughts and headed into the stables. Inside only a few of the stalls were occupied but she didn't see any humans.
"Hello?" she called out. "anybody here?"
"Woah!" she heard a cry and a splash from a nearby stall and hurried forward. There on the floor of the stall lay a young man only a few years older than herself. He had dark hair and currently had a bucket stuck on his foot.
"Are you okay?" Kyoko asked, helping him to his feet.
He kicked the bucket off of his foot. "Yeah, I'm fine. You just startled me." He picked up his hat off the ground and returned it to his head. "Who are you?"
Kyoko blushed lightly. "Oh, sorry. I'm Kyo. I just came into town and I was looking for a place to stable my horse." She gestured back to Pegasus.
The man nodded, "Good to meet you. I'm Shinichi. I run the stable. Let me find you a stall for your horse."
"Thank you." She replied with a pleasant smile.
Once she had stabled her horse, Kyoko headed across the street to the general store. It was larger than she had expected for a small town but everything was kept tidy and organized. She stepped up to the counter. A young man with brown hair sat behind the counter reading a newspaper.
"Um, excuse me?" she said softly, not wanting to startle him as she had done with the stable owner.
He looked up and stared at her for several moments, a light blush tinged his cheeks and he cleared his throat and stood. "Oh, I'm sorry. How can I help you?"
Kyoko smiled, "Thank you, I just was wondering where you kept the belts." She gestured towards her own worn piece of rope that she had fashioned as an impromptu belt.
The shopkeeper did a double take when he saw what she was wearing. At first glance, he had assumed Kyoko to be a woman, but the clothes she wore quickly proved him wrong. He blushed again as he realized he had thought she was pretty.
"Right over there by the hats. We don't carry very many but hopefully you can find something you like." He explained quickly. "I'm Hikaru, if you need anything else."
"I'm Kyo. Thank you." She replied sweetly. She turned and cursed herself inwardly for speaking like a girl, before stepping away to look at the belts.
She quickly picked out a brown belt and a bar of soap, before heading back to the counter.
As Hikaru added up her total he talked to her. "So what brings you to Haven?"
"I'm just looking for somewhere to stay a while. Maybe find a place to live for good." She answered, trying to sound calm. She had to remember that in a small town everyone would ask her things like that.
Hikaru's eyes lit up at the mention of her staying. "Well, let me know if you need anything."
She nodded, smiling at the kindness in her newfound friend's words. "I appreciate it."
Kyoko left the general store with the items she had bought as well as her small satchel of personal items. She entered the restaurant and approached the busy bar. She figured by the setting sun, it must be around dinner time. She found Kanae serving some food to a table and waited patiently until she was finished.
The older girl turned and nearly ran into her. "Oh! Hell, don't go scaring me like that." Kanae cried out.
"Sorry, Miss Kanae. I just didn't want to interrupt you." She apologized.
Kanae shook her head, "Are you ready for a room?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you."
Kyoko followed Kanae up two flights of stairs and down a hallway lined with rooms. She stopped in front of one of the doors and pulled out a key. She unlocked the door and led Kyoko inside.
"Here's your room. There's a tub through there and a chamber pot and water basin. This is your key." She held out the brass key to Kyoko. "Don't lose it and make sure you lock your door at night."
Kyoko nodded earnestly. "Yes, ma'am."
Kanae stared at Kyoko intently. "Now, I just have one more question."
"What is it?"
"Why are you pretending to be a man?"
A/N: Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of my first fully AU pic! I hope you enjoyed it. I will try to update every week. Let me know if anything was unclear or confusing. :) thanks again!