CHAPTER ONE: DIFFERENTIAE

"Bani'mhungryi'mhungryi'mhungryi'msohungrybanwaaaahhhhh!"

"Shut up you freaking goose ball! It's not that I DON'T know it you damn brute! Now- get- off- me-!"

"ButBanI'm--"

"For the gods of Babylon City please SHUT UP! When did YOUR hunger ever became MY fault, you leech!"

"ButI'm--"

"SSSSHHHHHUUUUUTTTT UUUUPPPPPP!"

"--hungry…"

Such is the wonderful exchange of words at the Honky Tonk. So wonderful, that the people passing by would regard the place a haunted, abnormal, dilapidated piece of structure- which serves coffee and sandwiches.

But then again, there really aren't that many people who pass by Honky Tonk.

And there isn't any day when not-so-normal things don't happen there, either.

But this day is different. They can sense it in the air around them. For one (besides the seemingly obvious caterwaul of the two stubborn oversized brats), Natsumi's face bore a rather worried expression. Paul, though still in his dark glasses and daily paper, gave an expectant "pose".

For the first time, neither of the two gave any care – nor any hint of acknowledgment- to the two shrieking professionals. Their mind is completely occupied with something else, though they don't know exactly why.

Something is different. And it's coming real soon. They can't put a finger on it, but they both know, something- or someone- has gone wrong.

The tinkling of the bells (A/N: or chimes perhaps?) signaling a newcomer says it all, and a slightly shocked expression- considering, of course, if this someone do possess such facial expressions- crossed the person's features. It really was a humiliating sight, the two self-acclaimed-100 percent-success-rate get backers, fighting like irrational goats.

"My, my, my! You really have me fooled here, my dear retrievers! It never crossed my mind that you are capable of giving this place such display of…entertainment."

And everyone froze at the sound of the menacing voice.

"Oh, good morning, sir, what can we do for you?" asked Natsumi, rather disappointed at the one she saw. It was nonchalantly clear that she was expecting somebody other than the newcomer who always wore a business suit, a stupidly worn hat, a deceptively polite-but deeply dangerous-smile...

And a body with imbedded scalpels, to be further exact.

"What are you doing here, Dr. Jackal!" hissed Ban, gritting his teeth to the monster. A chibied Ginji, on the other hand, tightened his grip on Ban's arm as he hid unsuccessfully from view, his eyes instantly welling with obviously what.

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You really must calm down, Midou Ban."

Smile. Slight tilt of the head.

"Uh, hello there, Ginji-kun."

Smile. Wider. Show of some teeth.

Loud gulp. "Uh…h…hi th…th…there…D…D…doctor-" louder gulp "-J…J…Ja...Jac..kal… Howdoyoutoday?"

Tremor on voice. Gulp.

"How nice of you to ask, Ginji-kun. I'm perfectly well, yet very bored. I've been expecting to see you more often…where have you been?"

Gulp. Shiver. Gulp. "We're quite well, too, Doctor." Before you appeared, anyway. "We've been quite…"

He couldn't find the right words to say, which put Ban to the rescue.

"There's no place for someone like you here, beast!" spat Ban, his voice suddenly dropping a dangerous octave.

Smile. "But I do believe this is a public place, right, Midou Ban? Oh, and I need a cup of coffee, Miss. No sugar. Please", he added softly, answering Natsumi's question a while ago.

"Don't make me repeat my words, dear doctor. I suggest you move out. Now."

"Now, I do believe that's useless, Ban. Especially when we're only here to grab some coffee- peacefully. It's not that we're fighting against each other for a precious mural or a priceless artifact", a feminine voice butt in, cutting off any unsatisfactory remarks. And the slender figure of the female came into view, her face oddly illuminated by the light entering the opened door. But no one could escape the sarcastic smirk she gave.

Lady Poison.

"Oh, Himiko! It's nice to see you again!"

"It's nice to see you, too, Ginji. I'd also like a cup of coffee, please." She then turned her attention to the three men. It's quite clear in her eyes and smile that she didn't miss the commotion brought by the pair a while ago.

"Now, I suggest we all sit down, shall we? After all, the chairs are available." (A/N: I know the remark sounds stupid, but that's exactly my point.)

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The moment she got closer to the place, the faster did her doubts turn to certainty.

My God, have I overdone it again? Why do I feel that they somehow knew?

She wished badly that she's wrong. After all, the consequences would be very grave, if this one spills out. Though she knew that if ever it happens, there's no one to blame but herself alone.

After all, she's the one on hiding, right?

You can never escape me, my precious angel…

She squeezed her eyes shut, more painfully this time. Damn. She is more than scared. She tried so hard to keep all of it in wraps so no one would ever be hurt, but it keeps coming back.

He is coming back. And he's going to get her this time. She can feel it in her bones.

And she's afraid.

Trying harder to be composed before meeting the retrievers, she quickly erased everything from her mind and thought about nothing but on how to become bitchy and flirtatious.

Oh how she hated her job sometimes.

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"She's coming", whispered Natsumi.

Paul, though sensing what she means, gave no comment, as he looked up to her and looked down again for his paper. But halfway through, though, he gave a quick glance to the four who didn't seem to notice the girl's comment. The retrievers were given sandwiches and coffee- for free- just to save their egos for now. He really didn't know why, but he was glad that they didn't catch Natsumi's comment. Now he's back to his paper, half concentrating and half hoping that she will come soon.

And after a few more moments, Hevn did arrive, wearing a very promising and seductive smile. Her body is covered from neck to lower knee. Her legs are wrapped with gray-colored stockings.

"Ginji? Ban? I have a new job for you."