Chapter 31: Working It
I got the job, however I had to start as a server. That was fine with me as I needed to study how the dancers did routines. It seemed that for now, that's all Shoichi wanted. He ran this place in his father's stead during the weekdays and was looking for someone like me to fill in for a dancer they 'lost', apparently.
As I served for the next two months I picked up tips from the dancers here and there, most of them were actually really nice. When I came home late at night, I would practice on a pole that I built in the middle of the living room. It was the only thing there, now that I had thrown away all the old furniture. In fact the only furniture I had was a brand new bed and a dresser in the bedroom. My weapons and armor were locked away in the closet which had new steel doors and a padlock.
After practicing and showering, I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow I will have my first shot at dancing. I closed my eyes and envisioned my routine before falling asleep.
The next evening, I arrived to work early as I always do and went to the changing rooms. Shoichi picked out an outfit and bought it specifically for me to use. It was violet lingerie with diamonds lining the waistband. My butt cheeks were far more exposed than to my liking and I felt like I had a wedgie the whole time. The bra had diamonds in between the breast cups and all the way around the band. It would have been very pretty in private but I would be wearing in on the floor. Shoichi even went the extra mile to buy an individual jeweled waist band that ties everything together. I took the silk white robe and hung it over my shoulders to cover myself up before putting on the dazzling white leather high heels, littered with diamonds as well and that were similar to my own, that tied all the way up to my thighs. I checked my image and put my hair up, placing a certain snowflake pin neatly in my hair.
Time to shine.
Tonight, Shoichi would be introducing me to the patrons of this establishment like an announcer. I had to admit that I was nervous but I truly believe that it was just the string riding further up my ass. My intro came on and I heard Shoichi speaking loud and proud...as usual...
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you our newest dancer; give it up for ANGEL!"
That was my que. I walked powerfully onto my personal stage as a super model would, confidently removing my robe and striking a sexy pose with my pole and twirling around with a 'I'm a hotty' type of expression to see my audience. Literally, everyone was watching. Shoichi must have asked the rest of the dancers to take a break because I was the only one out and he had a stupid smirk on his handsome idiotic face. Even the bartender was watching, that damn slacker. My music was starting to build up and it was time to show these people what I've worked tirelessly for in the last couple of months.
When my routine ended I was twirling around slowly upside down, my legs holding me against the pole and my arms intertwined it under my head. I looked like a falling angel. I carefully twisted and stepped off gracefully and gave an elegant bow.
There was a very sudden eruption of cheers, whistling and money flying all around me. I looked up a little startled...and that's when I caught a familiar sight of black coats with red clouds. These guys were different though but I could hardly make out any important features, as they were sitting in a booth far away in a dark corner. I shook it off and smiled to my supporters, giving an elegant waive, earning more cheers. As I walked away, I grabbed my robe, slinging it over my shoulder and exited the stage to go back and change.
I put on the same dress I had when I first came to this disgusting place and left the dressing room, getting startled by all the fans I earned. Even the other dancers appeared to congratulate me on the successful performance. For the first time in a very long time I blushed in embarrassment.
Shoichi came to my rescue and I was actually grateful to him as he shooed people away. "There's my Angel!" He put an arm around me and guided me towards the back and sat me at a booth with his bodyguard and two other people.
Your angel, my ass.
One looked like an older version of Shoichi, only instead of the pompous asshole vibe I got from him, this man just seemed well versed and dangerous. His companion must be his own body guard that had murderous tension written all over him.
"Father, this here is Angel." Shoichi introduced me.
His father took my hand and gave it a charming kiss before peering into my eyes. "It's a pleasure, Angel. My name is Shuji."
The name of my target.
"The pleasure is mine." I gave him a beautiful smile and he guided me to sit beside him.
"Shoichi, you've finally picked a girl that could make the establishment rise further than before. She will have many fans, her beauty is unmatched by any of the other girls..."
Shoichi sat beside me putting an arm around my shoulders and I did my very best not to glare at him. "What can I say, father, I have a good eye." He winked at me and I forced a smile in turn.
"She will bring the crowds in." Shuji chuckled before calling over a waitress and ordering a round of drinks.
I couldn't help as they spoke, laughed and joked all around me to discretely glance over at the corner table that the red clouds were sitting at. I could see a man that looked awfully like a shark and the other I could only see the back of his head, though there was something oddly familiar about the back of his head... I decided to let it go, considering that they were completely different from the creeps I've seen before and reemerged my attention to the conversation at hand.
"Angel, where did you come from anyways?" Shuji asked in his manly dangerous tone. It was oddly alluring.
"I came from a small village that no longer stands, sir, north from here."
"Ah, yes...I've heard of such a village. It fell four years ago, yes?" He was eying me in a way that was uncomfortable.
"Yes, Shuji sir."
"Hmmm, we are happy to have you... now, let's drink!"
I sat with them for some time before politely asking to be excused. Shuji kissed my hand again and Shoichi let me out of the booth.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Angel." Shoichi said.
I faked another smile. "Yes, Goodnight." And I turned on my heel and quickly made my escape before more fans could swarm me.
When I got outside I took in the fresh air before hurriedly heading towards my apartment building. I felt like I was being followed and ducked into an alleyway and reached into my bag for a kunai knife. I spun around to face my follower but was only met with surprise as they somehow made their appearance behind me.
"Shikara...Yukina..."
My eyes widened at the sound of the familiar voice. It was more mature now but definitely the same one. I slowly turned and was met by red eyes.
"I...tachi...sama..." I could only manage to breathe his name. For the first time in a very long time...I felt fear.
He stared at me with cold eyes as they changed to his normal color. I was a little less frightened, however my heart still raced. "What...are you doing here?" His voice was thick with malice. He stepped over and had me move my back against the wall with him inches before me.
There was no trace of my sweet guardian in those eyes, just the killer he became. I swallowed my nerves and managed to keep a flat expression. I won't let him know that I'm scared. My eyes narrowed at him and I built the courage to speak with calm confidence.
"I'm working, of course." I explained with a very sexy tone and a smile. I must have forgotten to come out of character from the bar and...I guess that wasn't the answer he wanted to hear because his palm firmly planted on the wall next to my head and he leaned closer, causing me to press harder against the wall. "You've broken your promise to me." He whispered into my ear and when he moved back to look into my eyes again, the rage I saw caused my heart to skip a few beats. His words also caused a reaction that I couldn't explain. I hadn't cried in years. My heart had turned cold and unforgiving but now for whatever reason, a tear slipped from my eye and I started to tremble.
Then, the sound of voices began to rise and they were making their way around the corner. I blinked and when my eyes reopened, Itachi was gone. I slid down the wall and sat there, shocked.
