Disclaimer: I don't own Iria (though I wouldn't mind it….) and I'm not making any money off this. (If I was, do you think you'd see this disclaimer?) The only thing I own here is this story, Shiv, and Akira. They're mine, do you hear me? Mine! *laughs nervously* Okay…on with the show…..
Rating: PG-13 - language, violence
Ghosts of the Past
Part 10: Sweet Little Lies
It was very dark still; some hours before dawn. Shiv was several days gone, and something had woken up Iria out of a sound sleep. She could hear someone talking in hushed tones. Her first guess was that Akira was on the phone again. Due to the time difference between Myce and the planet Shiv had gone to, he could only get calls in at what would be the early hours of the morning, Myce time. Shiv's mission was taking a little longer than expected, so she remained offworld. However, she didn't mind much, because her contractors had offered to pay her extra compensation for every day she stayed over the original contract time. By the time she returned, the lady hunter would be filthy rich.
But…that voice…it was too deep to be Akira…Must be Fujikuro, but…why would he be on the phone this late at night? Iria swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching a little. Quietly, she padded out into the hall and shuffled sleepily to the computer terminal. She smothered a yawn, noticing Fujikuro was still engrossed in his conversation with whoever it was. She stepped a little closer, blinking to make her eyes focus faster. Whoever he was talking to had dark-brownish hair and gray-green eyes. At first, Iria thought the hair was cut short, then noticed it was just pulled back. It was a young woman, not much older than Iria herself. Her features were familiar, and Iria felt she should know her from somewhere…
"I haven't seen you in forever," the girl on the comm pleaded. "When are we going to get together? I miss ya, Fuj."
Fujikuro chuckled. "I've been busy, Kiku-chan. I'll see you soon, I promise."
"You'd better," she threatened playfully. "And you know…presents always get you out of the doghouse…" She trailed off, rolling her eyes skyward.
"What do you want now?" Fujikuro asked, sighing dramatically.
Kiku put a finger to her lips. "Let me see…A dress would be nice…"
"Hey, Ki-chan, I help you with the bills, not keep you in the lap of luxury. There's a difference. Surely you've got enough customers…"
Kiku sighed. "Yeah, I do…but they don't exactly cover the rent by themselves like you do…" She batted her eyelashes. "Come on, Fuj. I can't be expected to drag in new business wearing the same dress every day…"
Fujikuro's shoulders sagged. "Just tell me your size…"
The young woman on the line held up a hand. "Nope, don't go there, Fujikuro. You never ask a woman her dress size. It's impolite. I'll pick something out and just bill it to your account, kay?"
Fujikuro shook his head. "You've got me wrapped around your finger…It's fine by me, Ki-chan. Just don't leave me bankrupt."
Kiku nodded. "Whatever you say, Fuj-sama."
"Okay, I'll see you…Thursday for lunch? Usual place?"
"Fine by me. Ja ne, Fuj! By the way…who's your friend?" Kiku hung up and Fujikuro whipped around. His face flushed crimson and he mumbled incoherently for several minutes.
"Hey, Iria…Why are you up so late?"
She folded her arms across her chest. "Something woke me up."
He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt which was already loose enough. "Um…wouldn't happen to be a phone call, would it?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Mhm."
He sighed. "Listen, Iria-chan, I can explain…"
"You'd better!" she snapped. "It's not every girl that walks in at three AM to catch her fiancee on the phone with a hooker."
Fujikuro scowled. "Kiku's no hooker, Iria! She's - "
"An escort? A dancer? A close, personal female friend?!" Iria's voice was getting louder by the minute.
"Dammit, Iria, if you'd let me explain - "
"I'd get the same bullshit lie I already know you're going to tell me. What in hell did you think you were doing!"
"I'll tell you if you give me a chance!"
"You know something, I don't want to give you a chance!" Iria screamed. "I trusted you and you go off with some little whore you've obviously known for ages. If this is before the wedding, I'm glad I found out now! I'd hate to not have known about your personal call girl until we were married!"
"She's not my personal call girl, dammit!"
"You mean you share her with someone?" Iria countered. "You won't share counter space in the bathroom, but you'll share - "
"That's it!" Fujikuro roared. "I've had it! I don't have to take this!"
"You're damn right, you don't!" Iria shouted back. "But remember, this is my house! If anybody's storming out of here tonight, it's you!"
"Let me get my stuff," Fujikuro growled, storming from the room. Iria heard his bedroom door slam open and assorted colorful curses while he pulled on his clothes in the dark. Akira, whose room was just down the hall, heard the noise and stuck his head out the door.
"Fujikuro?" he yawned. "What'cha doing?"
"None of your business!" came the growled reply. "If you really want to know, go ask the self-centered bitch in the living room!!"
Akira ran a hand through his already tousled hair. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Fuck off," Fujikuro snapped.
Akira jerked back in surprise. "Jeez, man. You don't have to get all pissed off about it. I was just wondering why the hell you're traipsing around your room in the dark. Excu-use me!"
Fujikuro ignored him and stormed out of his room, a hastily packed bag in hand. "You put your pants on inside out," Akira muttered under his breath, following the steaming hunter to the living room.
Fujikuro brushed past Iria without a word and left, slamming the door behind him. Akira raised an eyebrow. "What the hell's up with him?" he wondered out loud.
"If you really wanna know, go ask the lousy bastard yourself!" Iria shouted, storming off to her room. Akira winced as he heard the door slam.
"This," he murmured, "is the last time I ask anybody what's going on. I'd rather be in the dark than in the dark six feet under."
Akira woke up the next morning to find Iria gone. He stumbled into the kitchen, made himself a quick breakfast, and curled up on the couch. "Hey, Bob," he called through a mouthful of cereal, "what was up with Iria and Fujikuro last night?"
"They had a fight," the computer entity replied.
Akira sighed dramatically. "I know that, but what about?"
"Fujikuro was on the phone very late last night talking to a young woman. Iria walked in, dubbed the conversation suspicious and she and Fujikuro had a very loud shouting match."
"Iria think the chick was a hooker or something?" Akira asked, twirling his spoon in the milk.
"Exactly."
Akira cringed. "That explains it. You know where she went?"
Bob's icon shook left and right. "I haven't a clue."
Akira sighed again and leaned his head back onto the couch. "This is gonna be painful…Damn, I wish Shiv was here…She'd know what to do…She knows everything…"
Bob snickered. "That enamored with her, are you?"
Akira sat up and smiled. "Yes, sir. You know what, call her up for me, would ya?"
"Whatever you want," Bob said. "But…"
"Yeah?"
"You do realize that it's four in the morning on the world where she is, right?"
"Yeah."
"It's your funeral, buddy," Bob cautioned as he dialed.
When Shiv picked up the phone, there was more than a little swearing and the sound of someone tripping and hitting the floor. "Hello?" she mumbled, tongue thick in her mouth.
"Moshi-moshi, Shiv-chan!" Akira grinned, waving.
"What the hell did you have for breakfast?" she growled. "Don't you know its four in the fucking morning?"
"I know," he replied. "Listen, it seems there's problems with Iria and Fujikuro. Iria stumbled onto Fujikuro talking with some girl late last night and…she got a little more than the wrong idea. She thought the girl was a hooker and blew up at Fujikuro. He blew up back and it ended with him storming out. When I woke up this morning, she was gone and I had to get the details from Bob. Any suggestions?"
Shiv had woken up a little more by this point and was frowning. "Okay…Fujikuro's most likely at the Red Dragon. If you don't see him in the main bar, ask the guy behind the bar where Sakaba is. She'll take you to him. Iria…hm…give me time to think about her. Just go get Fujikuro."
"What do you mean go get him?" Akira demanded.
"Sakaba will tell you what to do. She's been through it all before." Shiv sighed. "And God knows I have…Look, you go get him taken care of. Then call me back. Maybe by then I'll be able to tell you where I think Iria is."
Akira sighed. "Fine, Shiv. Anything for you, babes."
Shiv smiled. "That's my boy, 'Kira. You go find Sakaba, then call me. And everything will be fine."
"Everything will be fine, she says," Akira growled as he side-stepped a man puking in the gutter. "Why did I listen to her? Why?"
He slipped in quietly, muttering to himself. A few quick glances told him that Fujikuro wasn't seated anywhere, so he slipped up to the bartender. "Hey, buddy," he called. The man looked up. "I'm looking for Sakaba. You seen her?" The man pointed to a blond woman headed towards them, carrying a tray laden with empty glasses and mugs.
"Sakaba!" the bartender called over the din. "This guy here is asking for you!"
The woman raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?" she demanded. "First off, I won't fuck you and yes, oral counts. Second, lap dances are equally out of the question."
Akira burst out laughing. "No, God, no! I'm not here for anything like that! Shiv sent me!"
It was Sakaba's turn to laugh. "Well, that makes me happy on two counts! Follow me." She left the tray on the bar and headed for a back room. They passed through a curtain of beads, then came to a second doorway. This one was in sharp contrast to the first, as it was fortified steel and required a pass code. Sakaba typed the numbers with a well-manicured nail and led Akira on through. She smiled over her shoulder. "He's right through here. Shiv always has me keep him when he does something stupid like this."
Akira rolled his eyes. "Should have known she'd have a plan."
Sakaba laughed. "Please, kiddo, Shiv has a plan for everything. Now, just a little further."
She led him on through a final doorway, where the identifiable form of Fujikuro was sprawled on a couch. Akira poked him hesitantly, to which he moaned, rolled over, and fell of the couch. He still didn't move much. Akira sighed and managed to hoist him back onto the couch. He looked pleadingly at Sakaba. "Can you keep him here, please? At least until he sobers up a little? I'll come back and get him as soon as I can, I swear."
Sakaba shrugged. "Doesn't bother me any. I'll give you a call when he wakes up…Wait a sec, give me your number." Akira wrote it down on a scrap piece of paper and handed it to her. She pocketed it, smiling. "I'll keep an eye on the lug until he comes to. You'll be the first to know."
Akira thanked her again and left, glad to be out of the bar. One problem solved. Now, back home. Shiv would be waiting for his call.
"Okay, you've got Fujikuro taken care of?"
Akira nodded. "Great," Shiv said. "Now, as for Iria…I've got an idea, but I'd rather hold off. I want to talk to Fujikuro first."
Suddenly, Akira noticed a flashing light on the panel. "Hang on, babes, I've got another call."
He switched over. "Hello?"
"Hey, Akira?" It was Sakaba. "Look, Fujikuro's not awake yet, but he said something mid-hangover so I thought I'd call."
"What did he say?" Akira asked.
"Sounded like a name," Sakaba replied. "Something like 'Kiku.' Mean anything to you?"
Akira shook his head. "Not yet, but thanks anyway." He switched back over to Shiv. "Shiv, that was Sakaba. She called to tell me Fujikuro said something in his…um…hung-over state. Sounds like 'Kiku' or something…?"
Shiv's eyes went wide, then she burst out laughing. "Oh my God! That explains it!" She wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "Akira, I know Kiku."
"You do?!" he cried. "You know who Kiku is?"
"Of course!" Shiv said, still smothering giggles. "Akira, Kiku is - "
The screen was engulfed in static and the words "Signal Lost" flashed across the gray backdrop.
********
Cliffhanger again, but not really, cuz chapter 11's up. Therefore, semi-cliffhanger.
So much for pre-marital bliss. You knew I couldn't have it just be all hearts and flowers now, didn't ya? Don't panic children, just let it run its course.
Ja ne.
~Kat~
Rating: PG-13 - language, violence
Ghosts of the Past
Part 10: Sweet Little Lies
It was very dark still; some hours before dawn. Shiv was several days gone, and something had woken up Iria out of a sound sleep. She could hear someone talking in hushed tones. Her first guess was that Akira was on the phone again. Due to the time difference between Myce and the planet Shiv had gone to, he could only get calls in at what would be the early hours of the morning, Myce time. Shiv's mission was taking a little longer than expected, so she remained offworld. However, she didn't mind much, because her contractors had offered to pay her extra compensation for every day she stayed over the original contract time. By the time she returned, the lady hunter would be filthy rich.
But…that voice…it was too deep to be Akira…Must be Fujikuro, but…why would he be on the phone this late at night? Iria swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching a little. Quietly, she padded out into the hall and shuffled sleepily to the computer terminal. She smothered a yawn, noticing Fujikuro was still engrossed in his conversation with whoever it was. She stepped a little closer, blinking to make her eyes focus faster. Whoever he was talking to had dark-brownish hair and gray-green eyes. At first, Iria thought the hair was cut short, then noticed it was just pulled back. It was a young woman, not much older than Iria herself. Her features were familiar, and Iria felt she should know her from somewhere…
"I haven't seen you in forever," the girl on the comm pleaded. "When are we going to get together? I miss ya, Fuj."
Fujikuro chuckled. "I've been busy, Kiku-chan. I'll see you soon, I promise."
"You'd better," she threatened playfully. "And you know…presents always get you out of the doghouse…" She trailed off, rolling her eyes skyward.
"What do you want now?" Fujikuro asked, sighing dramatically.
Kiku put a finger to her lips. "Let me see…A dress would be nice…"
"Hey, Ki-chan, I help you with the bills, not keep you in the lap of luxury. There's a difference. Surely you've got enough customers…"
Kiku sighed. "Yeah, I do…but they don't exactly cover the rent by themselves like you do…" She batted her eyelashes. "Come on, Fuj. I can't be expected to drag in new business wearing the same dress every day…"
Fujikuro's shoulders sagged. "Just tell me your size…"
The young woman on the line held up a hand. "Nope, don't go there, Fujikuro. You never ask a woman her dress size. It's impolite. I'll pick something out and just bill it to your account, kay?"
Fujikuro shook his head. "You've got me wrapped around your finger…It's fine by me, Ki-chan. Just don't leave me bankrupt."
Kiku nodded. "Whatever you say, Fuj-sama."
"Okay, I'll see you…Thursday for lunch? Usual place?"
"Fine by me. Ja ne, Fuj! By the way…who's your friend?" Kiku hung up and Fujikuro whipped around. His face flushed crimson and he mumbled incoherently for several minutes.
"Hey, Iria…Why are you up so late?"
She folded her arms across her chest. "Something woke me up."
He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt which was already loose enough. "Um…wouldn't happen to be a phone call, would it?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Mhm."
He sighed. "Listen, Iria-chan, I can explain…"
"You'd better!" she snapped. "It's not every girl that walks in at three AM to catch her fiancee on the phone with a hooker."
Fujikuro scowled. "Kiku's no hooker, Iria! She's - "
"An escort? A dancer? A close, personal female friend?!" Iria's voice was getting louder by the minute.
"Dammit, Iria, if you'd let me explain - "
"I'd get the same bullshit lie I already know you're going to tell me. What in hell did you think you were doing!"
"I'll tell you if you give me a chance!"
"You know something, I don't want to give you a chance!" Iria screamed. "I trusted you and you go off with some little whore you've obviously known for ages. If this is before the wedding, I'm glad I found out now! I'd hate to not have known about your personal call girl until we were married!"
"She's not my personal call girl, dammit!"
"You mean you share her with someone?" Iria countered. "You won't share counter space in the bathroom, but you'll share - "
"That's it!" Fujikuro roared. "I've had it! I don't have to take this!"
"You're damn right, you don't!" Iria shouted back. "But remember, this is my house! If anybody's storming out of here tonight, it's you!"
"Let me get my stuff," Fujikuro growled, storming from the room. Iria heard his bedroom door slam open and assorted colorful curses while he pulled on his clothes in the dark. Akira, whose room was just down the hall, heard the noise and stuck his head out the door.
"Fujikuro?" he yawned. "What'cha doing?"
"None of your business!" came the growled reply. "If you really want to know, go ask the self-centered bitch in the living room!!"
Akira ran a hand through his already tousled hair. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Fuck off," Fujikuro snapped.
Akira jerked back in surprise. "Jeez, man. You don't have to get all pissed off about it. I was just wondering why the hell you're traipsing around your room in the dark. Excu-use me!"
Fujikuro ignored him and stormed out of his room, a hastily packed bag in hand. "You put your pants on inside out," Akira muttered under his breath, following the steaming hunter to the living room.
Fujikuro brushed past Iria without a word and left, slamming the door behind him. Akira raised an eyebrow. "What the hell's up with him?" he wondered out loud.
"If you really wanna know, go ask the lousy bastard yourself!" Iria shouted, storming off to her room. Akira winced as he heard the door slam.
"This," he murmured, "is the last time I ask anybody what's going on. I'd rather be in the dark than in the dark six feet under."
Akira woke up the next morning to find Iria gone. He stumbled into the kitchen, made himself a quick breakfast, and curled up on the couch. "Hey, Bob," he called through a mouthful of cereal, "what was up with Iria and Fujikuro last night?"
"They had a fight," the computer entity replied.
Akira sighed dramatically. "I know that, but what about?"
"Fujikuro was on the phone very late last night talking to a young woman. Iria walked in, dubbed the conversation suspicious and she and Fujikuro had a very loud shouting match."
"Iria think the chick was a hooker or something?" Akira asked, twirling his spoon in the milk.
"Exactly."
Akira cringed. "That explains it. You know where she went?"
Bob's icon shook left and right. "I haven't a clue."
Akira sighed again and leaned his head back onto the couch. "This is gonna be painful…Damn, I wish Shiv was here…She'd know what to do…She knows everything…"
Bob snickered. "That enamored with her, are you?"
Akira sat up and smiled. "Yes, sir. You know what, call her up for me, would ya?"
"Whatever you want," Bob said. "But…"
"Yeah?"
"You do realize that it's four in the morning on the world where she is, right?"
"Yeah."
"It's your funeral, buddy," Bob cautioned as he dialed.
When Shiv picked up the phone, there was more than a little swearing and the sound of someone tripping and hitting the floor. "Hello?" she mumbled, tongue thick in her mouth.
"Moshi-moshi, Shiv-chan!" Akira grinned, waving.
"What the hell did you have for breakfast?" she growled. "Don't you know its four in the fucking morning?"
"I know," he replied. "Listen, it seems there's problems with Iria and Fujikuro. Iria stumbled onto Fujikuro talking with some girl late last night and…she got a little more than the wrong idea. She thought the girl was a hooker and blew up at Fujikuro. He blew up back and it ended with him storming out. When I woke up this morning, she was gone and I had to get the details from Bob. Any suggestions?"
Shiv had woken up a little more by this point and was frowning. "Okay…Fujikuro's most likely at the Red Dragon. If you don't see him in the main bar, ask the guy behind the bar where Sakaba is. She'll take you to him. Iria…hm…give me time to think about her. Just go get Fujikuro."
"What do you mean go get him?" Akira demanded.
"Sakaba will tell you what to do. She's been through it all before." Shiv sighed. "And God knows I have…Look, you go get him taken care of. Then call me back. Maybe by then I'll be able to tell you where I think Iria is."
Akira sighed. "Fine, Shiv. Anything for you, babes."
Shiv smiled. "That's my boy, 'Kira. You go find Sakaba, then call me. And everything will be fine."
"Everything will be fine, she says," Akira growled as he side-stepped a man puking in the gutter. "Why did I listen to her? Why?"
He slipped in quietly, muttering to himself. A few quick glances told him that Fujikuro wasn't seated anywhere, so he slipped up to the bartender. "Hey, buddy," he called. The man looked up. "I'm looking for Sakaba. You seen her?" The man pointed to a blond woman headed towards them, carrying a tray laden with empty glasses and mugs.
"Sakaba!" the bartender called over the din. "This guy here is asking for you!"
The woman raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?" she demanded. "First off, I won't fuck you and yes, oral counts. Second, lap dances are equally out of the question."
Akira burst out laughing. "No, God, no! I'm not here for anything like that! Shiv sent me!"
It was Sakaba's turn to laugh. "Well, that makes me happy on two counts! Follow me." She left the tray on the bar and headed for a back room. They passed through a curtain of beads, then came to a second doorway. This one was in sharp contrast to the first, as it was fortified steel and required a pass code. Sakaba typed the numbers with a well-manicured nail and led Akira on through. She smiled over her shoulder. "He's right through here. Shiv always has me keep him when he does something stupid like this."
Akira rolled his eyes. "Should have known she'd have a plan."
Sakaba laughed. "Please, kiddo, Shiv has a plan for everything. Now, just a little further."
She led him on through a final doorway, where the identifiable form of Fujikuro was sprawled on a couch. Akira poked him hesitantly, to which he moaned, rolled over, and fell of the couch. He still didn't move much. Akira sighed and managed to hoist him back onto the couch. He looked pleadingly at Sakaba. "Can you keep him here, please? At least until he sobers up a little? I'll come back and get him as soon as I can, I swear."
Sakaba shrugged. "Doesn't bother me any. I'll give you a call when he wakes up…Wait a sec, give me your number." Akira wrote it down on a scrap piece of paper and handed it to her. She pocketed it, smiling. "I'll keep an eye on the lug until he comes to. You'll be the first to know."
Akira thanked her again and left, glad to be out of the bar. One problem solved. Now, back home. Shiv would be waiting for his call.
"Okay, you've got Fujikuro taken care of?"
Akira nodded. "Great," Shiv said. "Now, as for Iria…I've got an idea, but I'd rather hold off. I want to talk to Fujikuro first."
Suddenly, Akira noticed a flashing light on the panel. "Hang on, babes, I've got another call."
He switched over. "Hello?"
"Hey, Akira?" It was Sakaba. "Look, Fujikuro's not awake yet, but he said something mid-hangover so I thought I'd call."
"What did he say?" Akira asked.
"Sounded like a name," Sakaba replied. "Something like 'Kiku.' Mean anything to you?"
Akira shook his head. "Not yet, but thanks anyway." He switched back over to Shiv. "Shiv, that was Sakaba. She called to tell me Fujikuro said something in his…um…hung-over state. Sounds like 'Kiku' or something…?"
Shiv's eyes went wide, then she burst out laughing. "Oh my God! That explains it!" She wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "Akira, I know Kiku."
"You do?!" he cried. "You know who Kiku is?"
"Of course!" Shiv said, still smothering giggles. "Akira, Kiku is - "
The screen was engulfed in static and the words "Signal Lost" flashed across the gray backdrop.
********
Cliffhanger again, but not really, cuz chapter 11's up. Therefore, semi-cliffhanger.
So much for pre-marital bliss. You knew I couldn't have it just be all hearts and flowers now, didn't ya? Don't panic children, just let it run its course.
Ja ne.
~Kat~