The vixen in trouble
Prompt: "You should see the other guy."
Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin
Setting: Modern AU, HITMAN verse 5 (continues "Promising Lead")
Characters: Kaoru Kamiya, Sanosuke Sagara, Megumi Takani, Kenshin Himura + surprise
Word count: 999
"Awwh, don't look at me like that, Kamiya. I've got a good feeling about this lead!" Sano grinned confidently over his shoulder.
Well, if nothing else his bravado served to hide his obvious embarrassment of his last so-called good leads, and Kaoru simply scoffed and followed him into what could be nothing else than a sleazy yakuza owned gambling den. The rating "sleazy" had nothing to do with the garish decoration, or pungent scent of smoke lingering in the air. No, it was because of the serving girls and what they wore, and more importantly, how they wore it.
While Sano's eyes roved appreciatively on the voluptuous curves, arches of bared skin and the inviting smiles, Kaoru grimaced in distaste. The slimy underside of law was the same anywhere and for those with money, everything was for sale; flesh, drugs, guns… and information.
"This Takani Megumi of yours, what makes you think she knows anything useful about the spider's web?" She asked quietly, as they reached the third floor hallway leading to the private rooms.
"Honestly? Of all the leads Missus has been able to dig up from her old contacts – this is the strangest, and I like that. Apparently this Takani gal showed up yesterday out of nowhere and blackmailed herself protection and nice digs on the promise that the highest bidder would know everything about her creation."
Seeing her eyes widen, Sano grinned and spat out the fish-bone he had been chewing, "that's right. This bitch claims she created the damn tattoo thingie herself. Now, I don't know why some ink on skin would be important, but she has my attention – ah, here it is, room 302 of the Red Sparrow."
Pausing briefly to feel the comfortable weight of her gun strapped under her jacket, Kaoru steeled her nerves and stepped inside the room first.
However, it was obvious that they had been expected.
The tall and staggeringly beautiful woman was lounging on cushions, the long pipe in her hands already lit and the elegant dress she wore wouldn't have been out of a place on a expensive courtesan or some rich man's trophy. The lack of surprise on her painted face sealed Kaoru's disappointment. No, this woman could be cunning and clever, a true vixen… but truthful she wasn't.
So instead of the negotiate pitch, Kaoru nodded curtly and without bothering to sit down, cut straight to business, "Takani-san, you had something to tell about the spider web tattoo?"
Takani raised her finely shaped eyebrow, and glanced at Sano hulking two steps behind her. "I know things, yes. However, that information is only for someone worthwhile, girl."
Maybe it was the dry tone, or the casual dismissal, but something in the woman grated on Kaoru's nerves like nothing else. Her words laced with steel, she remarked, "a woman on the run, trying to find someone strong enough to protect her? If your information is valid, my organization won't have any difficulties either vanishing you… Or your enemies."
All the traces of Takani's lazy, playful smile vanished and her eyes narrowed. For a moment, Kaoru wasn't sure what she would do, but then the vixen scoffed loudly and laughed. "A tattoo? You think Spider's Web is a tattoo and you claim you could protect me? No, girl – leave now, and take your naive fantasies to those who have time for them!"
"Hey bitch, me and Kamiya –"
Battling down her sparking temper, Kaoru swallowed and held her hand to stop Sano from doing something stupid. However, before she could answer in suitably biting words, the door clicked open and Takani blanched white as a sheet.
"Miss Megumi, it's time for you to return." A soft voice murmured, the very same that Kaoru would have recognized in her sleep. Instantly she grasped for her gun, but Sano was already on the move.
"Kenshin, you bastard! The wrestler screamed in rage and socked the hitman straight on the jaw.
It had to be because of his surprise that the fastest devil she had ever fought with didn't dodge, and Sano didn't give him any chance to regain his bearings, either. No, the wrestler grabbed him by his suit, and his spit flying, he shouted, "You fucking bastard! Ten years! Ten fucking years we have mourned for you, and all this time you have been alive!"
Those words hit him hard and the hitman's cold detachment cracked, a terrible grief flashing in his violet eyes. And though Sano heaved like he had just run a mile, he saw it too. "Shit, Kenshin.. What hell have you thrust yourself into this time?"
The redhead shook his head and glanced aside, swallowing dryly.
"Fucking bastard, you know me and Missus would have followed you anywhere! Why did you leave us behind!" Sano shook the shorter man frantically, trying to meet his gaze again.
"No, stop it – you don't understand!" Takani screamed of sudden, springing to her feet. "Don't force him, not eighty nine! Even a hint of disloyalty and the Spider's Web will –"
"The spider's web will do what?" Kaoru cut in sharply, her gun pointed straight between the horrified eyes of Megumi Takani.
And this time the vixen didn't dismiss her, but nodded shakily to the hitman in Sano's hold, "he doesn't have any choice. I don't know who this Kenshin was, but the name is the first thing they take away from them. The spider's web doesn't allow for – "
"Hoo… what a scene. I wondered why they would assign me to follow you, eighty nine… But it seems you are getting past your selling date, old man." A yet an other voice remarked from the door, and instantly Kaoru pointed her gun to the white haired man who had spoken. However, given how his cold blue eyes were fixed on her, the black threads of spider's web glinting on his neck and the silencer attached on his gun held utterly steady… She was utterly fucked.
AN: And the mess gets even messier. I blame my plotbunnies.
