Hi Everyone! I've come out of my procrastination mode (for a brief moment) and present you with a new chapter. I hope you like it. The more I type this story about a Japanese Wild West the more I find it laughable but since there is so much cosplaying in Skip Beat I guess it's forgivable and kind of works.
Old West Challenge Chapter 3
Ren and Yashiro pulled up in front of Lone Butte's livery stable just as the sun was setting, it was a short walk down the street from the new Rising Sun Hotel. They arranged a billet for the horses and wagon and then walked to the hotel to reserve rooms for the night. They could hear the lively noises of honky-tonk piano music, talking and boisterous laughter increasing in volume as they approached. Suddenly a heavily inebriated man flew out from the saloon's swinging doors, ejected by a burly fellow who bellowed with laughter as he watched the dizzy patron stagger and stumble into the trough by the hitching post. Two horses standing by waiting for their owners to return curiously snuffled at the sputtering figure that was reclining in their drinking water in stunned surprise.
Yashiro stifled his amusement as they sidled past the comical scene, but he also worried about the establishment's atmosphere. If the saloon was this rowdy its connecting hotel rooms wouldn't likely be very restful. And he was a little worried that his good friend's normally reticent mood might be tested.
On the side of the hotel entrance Yashiro's attention was drawn to two posters tacked to the whitewashed clapboard siding. It was difficult to see them in the diminishing light, with just a cursory glance, so he stopped for a closer look. The first had pulled free from a couple of its tacks and it was rustling in the gusts of wind. Yashiro adjusted his spectacles and pressed it to the wall to hold it still for reading. Although it was tattered he could still make out the words below the faded sepia picture of a wanted man:
Reward $1000 for the capture of Reino wanted for the murder of Rick Morgan shot in cold blood. Reino is part of the Vie Ghoul Gang known for horse and cattle rustling, bank robbery and general disturbing of the peace. He is considered dangerous.
The other poster was fresh, vibrant and colorful and much larger than the first:
Coming soon to Lone Butte! Lory Takarada's World Famous Live Montana Entertainment's Wild West Show! August 21 to 23! See an amazing reenactment of the famous battle of Grassy Plains and Kanae Kotome the female sharp shooter and trick horse rider and roper! There was a larger than life picture of a man astride a horse wearing a large brimmed Stetson hat and holding a long rifle. He had shoulder length hair and a moustache with a Rembrandt style goatee.
Yashiro looked up to call Ren's attention but he had already crossed the hotel's threshold and paid no mind to the bulletins. He was a person more likely to mind his own business. He had enough of his own to deal with.
*****************************************************.
Feeling thoroughly rejuvenated after scrubbing off all the road dirt, Kyoko regarded the silk taffeta dress she had laid out on the bed. All the petticoats and underthings were black, a dramatic contrast to the peridot green of the dress, and although they were somewhat garish she was very grateful for clean clothes. It was time to try it on.
She struggled with the corset, tying the laces was frustrating and she wondered if she could fill the bodice of the dress as it was, and then noticed the gussets on the corset were designed to push up a ladies bosom. Since her waist was several inches smaller, the dress would need to be taken in. Kyoko looked around the room and peeking in a few drawers she was relieved to find a small sewing kit. Handy with a needle and thread, she removed the dress and with a few tucks and semi-permanent basting, the dress seemed to fit passably well. Her damp hair needed some managing and there was nothing to do but to wait a little for the air to dry it.
Now wearing the altered garment, she looked in the mirror and critiqued her handy work. She looked down at her bosom and sighed in resignation. There wasn't much there without the gussets pushing them up, compared to the original owner of the dress; even so she felt very exposed as the bodice didn't leave much to the imagination. She was not used to showing even the little cleavage she had and pulled up at the décolletage to try and show a little less. She exhaled a breath in impatience and gave up.
Well the least she could do right now was to pay a visit to the girl who loaned her the garments and thank her for her generosity. Stepping out of the room she turned around and suddenly collided with a firm masculine chest. Pushing herself away she looked up and saw a strikingly handsome face. His shoulder length hair was the whitest she had ever seen on anyone other than an elderly person but this man was young, maybe a just few years older than her. In contrast to his hair, his shirt and trousers were entirely black but were of the finest quality material and design. He wore black snakeskin boots with grey trim and sterling silver spurs. Kyoko's eyes locked on the bolo tie he sported; its sterling silver slide formed into a coiled rattlesnake with striking fangs and jeweled amethyst eyes (that were the same color of the owner's) that bore into hers in frozen malevolence. She was mesmerized.
The man nodded, touched the rim of his hat and gave her what she could only describe as a leer.
"Well, well! What have we here? Has Fuwa got himself a pretty new girl for our entertainment?"
"I beg your pardon sir!"
Kyoko's face flamed, embarrassed at being caught staring at him and also for the look he was giving her.
He reached out and flipped her loose damp hair. "Aren't you a cute little filly? And fresh out of a bath if I'm not mistaken."
Kyoko shivered and not from the damp hair that chilled her. She recoiled from his touch. Something didn't feel right about him.
"What's wrong honey?" The timbre of his voice was low when he chuckled. He stepped in close to her ear and whispered. "Have you been waiting long for me?"
His breath tickled and she shivered again. He smelled nice but the aura about him didn't match the scent. Goosebumps ran down her spine in an unpleasant thrill. "I always like Fuwa's new girls!" He was suave. Too suave!
"How could I have been waiting for you if I don't even know you?"
Kyoko's voice was tinged with annoyance, but she was unable to disguise the accompanying wariness and confusion; she wasn't used to such familiar behavior from a stranger, or even from someone she knew well, and the sharp tone of her retort came out in defense.
"Well we could fix that problem right now if you like. The name's Reino. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss...?" He smirked and slipped his arm around Kyoko's waist. She instinctively twisted out of his embrace before he could pull her to him and gave him a smart slap to the cheek. It left a bright red imprint.
Reino winced and held his hand to his face and snickered.
"Ouch! You aren't a filly; you are one spitting kitty aren't you?! That's ok - I like that!" He gave a guttural cat snarl. "Raaaawwrrr! We'll have you purring in no time honey. Let's just get the rest of the formalities done with shall we?" Bowing with a hint of impertinence, he removed his dark hat and pressed it to his chest with mocking smile. "What's a feisty little kitten like you doing in a place like this, and who do I have the honour of addressing?" He delivered a predatory look.
Just then Sho came up the stairs, interrupting the exchange.
"That is for me to know and you won't be finding out any time soon! Get the hell away from her, Reino! Better yet, get your sorry ass out of here - the girl is mine. You and your gang bring nothing but trouble!"
Reino backed up, raised his hands and gave an innocent half smile designed to provoke. "Easy, easy now! No offence meant. I thought she was free for the taking. You ought to keep better care of your possessions, Fuwa - if you don't want to lose them". He drawled out the remark as he once more tipped his hat to Kyoko with a smirk and then sauntered deliberately down the stairs to the Saloon without a second glance.
"Miss Mogami, what the hell were you thinki...ng?" Sho Fuwa's reprimand trailed off as he got a full view of Kyoko in Mimori's dress. His eyes enlarged as he scanned her form. The green dress complimented her chestnut hair and her nipped in waist and ...well her breasts weren't anything resembling what he remembered (or didn't to be exact), they had a creamy curve to them, even if they weren't as full as he normally liked. He then looked at her face and saw that those amber eyes of hers were big and round and angry.
Kyoko stood with her arms rigidly at her sides and her fists clenched. Her anger and outrage gave her some bravado.
"Mr. Fuwa, exactly who is that man who just spoke to me? And whatever gave you the right to say that I was yours after the way you treated me when I arrived this afternoon?"
Sho had the decency to be embarassed. But it only annoyed him more. "That was before. How was I to know you'd clean up like this?"
Kyoko was livid and opened her mouth to deliver a sharp set down just as Mimori's door opened and the girl stepped into the hallway to see what the commotion was all about. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Kyoko wearing what she had thought was the least attractive dress in her closet. She had no idea that Kyoko had any potential until this moment. She gritted her teeth and forced a smile and arched her brows.
"Oh did I interrupt a conversation?" Her tone was sticky with artificial sweetness. "Why, Miss Mogami! I would never have thought that old dress of mine would look so good on you!" She couldn't resist delivering the backhanded compliment, which flew over Kyoko's head.
"Miss Nanokura, I want to thank you again for lending it to me! You have no idea how indebted I am to you!"
"Oh don't you?" Mimori murmured, Sotto voce, already making a mental list of chores she could get her to do.
Mimori looked at Sho, grabbed on to his arm and leaned her breasts into it while clinging tightly. "Sho, darling you were going to take me downstairs for a drink!" As she dragged Sho down the stairs to the saloon, she flung a look filled with daggers at Kyoko over her shoulder.
**well I hate to leave you all hanging here. I'm just trying to set up what we're all waiting for and man there is a lot of stuff I want to fit in to do it, I hope to gratify us all soon with another chapter. I really don't think I'm going at a slower pace than Sensei lol! Sorry about the other stories I've been neglecting – I'm easily distracted**
