Title: Unknown Session # 1: Identity Crisis

Chapter: 1

Author: The Infamous Kid Pixie

Disclaimer: Look here, you lot, there are a lot of things I do own, like t-shirts and sneakers, but Cowboy Bebop isn't one of those things. I don't own any of its rights, and even if you tried to sue me, it wouldn't do you any good. I'd have to pay you in socks and bubble gum, because I have no money!

Author's Note: Howdy Ya'll (forgive the accent, I borrowed it form my friend the Dixie Artist)! I've actually been on the Fanfiction.net server for quite some time, but I decided not to post anything until I was happy with my writing ability. I'm happy with it now, but I would still love it if you all would criticize my writing style or even my story. You aren't going to hurt my feelings, I would actually be really grateful. Just don't flame me unless you are prepared to give a reason. Thanks!

Unknown Session #1: Identity Crisis

Chapter 1

Jupiter was quiet that night.

            It was unusual for Jupiter to be so still. Typically, it was a bustling, teeming melting pot of sexually frustrated men and street merchants selling their wares for criminally high prices. However, that night, the alleys and avenues were strangely devoid of life, save the haggard man on the corner playing the blues on his harmonica.

            Then again, there was Spike. He wandered around, seemingly without purpose, casually taking a drag from his cigarette every few minutes and glancing around as if he were bored. To the casual eye, he was nothing more than a freeloader, a drifter that traveled from planet to planet and had no proper home. Yet the cautious eyes of bounty heads knew better; this was Spike Spiegel, bounty hunter extraordinaire.

            It just so happened that there was a bounty head on Jupiter that night. Spike knew about it, of course, that was why he was on Jupiter in the first place. The failing light illuminated the dreary buildings of the ghostly silent city, lending it a soft quality that did little to beautify the drab surroundings. A ray of scarlet fell across a plywood sign that simply proclaimed 'bar.' Spike grinned at the old man on the corner, tossed him a coin, and headed into the dingy looking joint.

            As soon as the door opened, the activity in the bar screeched to a dead halt. Half of the customers in the place had bounties on their heads, and they were extremely suspicious of unfamiliar people. Spike scanned the room carelessly, flashing cocky smiles at the most nervous men in the room. They had bounties on them, sure, but they were chump change compared to the one he was after tonight. The crowd at the tables relaxed, taking a liking to the fuzzy haired man who smiled too much. Gradually the buzz of conversation resumed, and Spike could move to the bar without notice. There was an inconspicuous corner seat that he staked out instantly. He ordered a Bacardi and Coke, made himself a prairie oyster, and prepared to unwind until the bounty head showed up.

            He didn't have to wait long. Close to half an hour later, a tall, dark haired man entered the bar. The bar's occupants responded to him much in the same way they did Spike, but they calmed only because he had a guitar hanging at his side. Disguised as a musician. Spike thought. Very clever, but not quite clever enough. Glancing upward over the rim of his glass, Spike smirked at the man in the doorway. The tall man wasn't short of nerve, because he smiled right back, a cold smile that failed to reach his eyes.

            Brazenly, the man strode, or more correctly, swaggered, to a raised platform in front of the disarray of men. Slowly, ever so deliberately, he tuned his guitar, taking far too long and annoying his audience to no end. When he finally began to play, the crowd was so relieved that they cheered. The musician smiled the cold smile again, played one agonizingly slow chord, then drew a pistol and fired at Spike.

            But Spike wasn't there. A shot rang from behind the man, and he winced as a bullet sank into his shoulder. He turned in his carefully measured manner to see Spike grinning his trademark careless smirk, holding a gun leveled at the man's back. The bar's occupants bailed their seats and crowded behind the bar or out the door. Spike waited while they filed out, then calmly stated, "Next bullet goes through your head. Willing to take that chance?"

            Suddenly, the man threw back his head and laughed, a genuine smile plastered on his face. "Why don't we take this outside?" he asked, still smiling like a drunken duck. Spike shrugged, then made an 'after you' gesture toward the door. Chuckling, the man ambled out, stopping in the middle of the street and turning to face the green haired bounty hunter.

            "Did you want a traditional ten-step draw or a plain old shoot-out?" he asked, his smile returning to its former cold state.

            "Are you always this crazy?" Spike asked, scratching his head carelessly.

            "At least I'm giving you a choice on how to die," the man arrogantly replied.

            Spike grinned. The man was cocky, possibly too cocky for his own good. The bounty hunter glanced up, mockingly pretending to ponder the strange man's question. He tapped a finger to his chin and brightened as if he had experienced an epiphany. However, when he looked back to the man he was no longer there.

            "Dammit!" he hissed, "Lost the bounty again, Spike. Ever gonna get it right?" He bolted down a nearby alley, silently chastising his carelessness as he went. Glancing around the narrow path, it was apparent that the man was not there. The only being present was a homeless person hunkered under a brown jacket. A jacket that looked oddly familiar…

            Spike yanked the coat from the figure in the alley and exposed a girl that looked about sixteen. She glared at him coldly and reached for the jacket. He held it out of her reach tauntingly. Growling angrily, she started to her feet, but fell flat on her face almost instantaneously. The jeans and t-shirt she wore were nearly six sizes too big; she had tripped on the hem of her pants. Spike glanced at the cursing girl, wondering why on earth she was wearing his bounty head's clothing.

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A.N.: So, what'd you all think? Kind of a cliffhanger, unless ya'll are good at second guessing authors. For those of you who like it, I should have the next chapter up within three days, homework and siblings permit (I really need to get my own computer). Please review for me, OK? Thanks for reading!

Ja Ne!

~The Infamous Kid Pixie