It wasn't a very busy day in the teahouse, but still the two waitresses felt frazzled. One was a young girl, with light brown hair, and wide-open brown eyes. Her kimono was soft pink and matched her usually 'bright' disposition. However, she was having a difficult time not snapping at the rude customers who were giving the humble teahouse their patronage.
The other waitress was an inch taller than her. She had some interesting features. Her eyes were mismatched. The left eye was a very light brown while the other was almost black. Her hair also varied in color. It appeared that every shade of brown was found somewhere on her head. Her kimono was a light blue. Small white cranes flew across her shoulders and down her sleeves. Like Fuu, the complaining customers were beginning to irk her, not as much though. She noticed Fuu's agitated looks and quickly sent her to the kitchen.
"Fuu, get me ten dumplings. I'll handle the other customers. Relax. Don't yell at the blonde! He's the governor's son…I think," She whispered.
"But Aki they're so rude!" Fuu replied glaring angrily at the men lazing about. Aki sighed and pushed her fellow worker toward the small kitchen.
"Get going."
"Where are my dumplings?!" One man yelled. Aki let her kimono slip a bit from her shoulders and sidled over to the man. She smirked at him flirtatiously.
"Oh, they'll be coming soon. I'm so sorry for inconvenience," she told him. Much to her annoyance her sexual approach seemed to do nothing for the man's temper.
"You better be sorry! I've been waiting all day!" He complained. Aki tried not to scoff at the man's wild exaggeration.
"All day my ass. You just got here five minutes ago," she thought as Fuu arrived with his dumplings.
"Here you go sir! Sorry for the wait!" She gushed. She and Aki both turned their heads when they heard footsteps.
Fuu gestured to Aki that she'd handle the new customer. Aki turned to go into the kitchen when a hand grabbed her robe. She glanced down at a greasy haired man.
"Can I help you?" She asked. She tugged on her robed in an attempt to release it.
"Why don't you join us?" The man drawled.
"Why don't I get a strong man like you something to eat?" She suggested. He grinned drunkenly and slipped his hand underneath the fabric and caressed her calf. Aki scowled in exasperation. She tried to walk away, but his hand tightened on her ankle and she fell to the ground. Amid boisterous laughter Aki grimaced. Her cheeks began to get hot with embarrassment and annoyance.
"Let go," she ordered. She scowled even more as she was pulled along the dirt floor.
"Aw come on. Have some fun!" A hand suddenly grabbed Aki's shoulder and a face lowered itself to hers. The face belonged to a man. He had a mop of black hair, a scarred eyebrow, and an earring. And an expression that Aki thought was dangerous and blood thirsty.
"Hey. I like this girl. Think I'll keep her," he announced, planting a kiss on Aki's cheek. He stood and pulled her up. His eyes then caught sight of the dumplings sitting on the table. With amazing speed he popped them into his mouth.
"Hey!" The man roared. He and six others jumped up, swords raised. Aki felt the man's hand let go of her shoulder. At the sight of his own strangely made sword she quickly backed away towards Fuu, who stood by the entrance.
"Who is he?" Aki hissed. Fuu shook her head.
"He said he'd take care of the customers for 50 dumplings. Once the guy started pawing you, he kept jacking up the price. We owe him 100 dumplings now," she stated. She watched in wonder as the lean man jeered at those surrounding him. Aki gaped at the smaller girl.
"What is wrong with you?! I could have handled that! You didn't need to get Mr. Dumpling-Crazy into this!" She hissed once again. At the sound of a scream, her head spun around. She gasped at the sight of a hand on the floor. Blood stained the dirt and a man was rolling on the ground in pain. Mr. Dumpling-Crazy taunted the rest of the men and they all attacked. Aki watched the man in fascination, not noticing Fuu pulling on her arm. He leapt, jumped, and swung away, smiling like a demon the entire time.
"Aki! Aki!" Fuu exclaimed, snapping her friend from her reverie. Both girls ran to the kitchen to join the teahouses owners.
"What's going on?!" The elderly couple exclaimed. All four of them huddled by the doorframe. Suddenly there was silence. Aki and Fuu peeked out to see Mr. Dumpling-Crazy talking to the blonde.
"Gimme your hand," Mr. Dumpling-Crazy ordered. The blonde slowly raised his hand and gave it to him. The blonde's eyes widened in fear as he learned what his fingers were going to be used for.
"One," Mr. Dumpling-Crazy said. CRACK! The sickening noise was following by a howl of pain. Aki shuddered for the man, as another finger was broken. Three more of the governor's son's fingers were broken.
Just then a samurai walked through the door. Mr. Dumpling-Crazy took an interest in him and began to fight.
"Who is that?" Aki whispered to Fuu. The girl shrugged in reply.
"I have no clue!"
"I can't believe you Fuu…you got help from him…that man is insane! Look at him!" Aki told her. Fuu glared at her.
"Well I only wanted him to help you out! Sorry for caring!" She snapped. Aki groaned in frustration. Fuu then shrieked as the two men dashed into the kitchen.
"Aah!" Before she knew what was going on Aki pulled her close and ran for the door.
"Fuu! Look out! There's a fire!" She yelled. She had just caught a glimpse off the arsonist. She remembered he was missing a hand. The two stood outside of the flaming teahouse, watching bits and pieces of it fly through the air.
"There goes food…"
"Yep," Aki agreed. Her face softened as she looked at her friend. "Hey Fuu."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for wanting to help, but I can take care of myself." Fuu raised her eyebrow in disbelief and folded her arms.
"Why didn't you do anything about it then?" Unable to come up with a retort, Aki let out a 'humph', and threw her arm around Fuu's shoulder.
"Brat," she said.
"Loser," Fuu replied with a grin.