**Pechan is just wondering what would happen if she did claim she owned
Rurouni Kenshin? Would people pelt rocks at her?
~ Briefing and Diamonds~
Tokio didn't wake up when someone knocked on her door. She didn't wake up when someone pounded on her door. She did wake up, however, when Goro Fujita nudged her cheek with his shoe.
She growled, eyes still closed, "Ya know, I'd have bitten off your toe if you had your shoes off. By the way, you're supposed to take your shoes off at the door."
"And you're supposed to be up already. It's a good twenty minutes before the train leaves."
She jumped up, stumbling, "What?!! WHY DIDN'T YOU COME SOONER!??"
He shrugged, "Didn't want to disturb your beauty sleep. Most women don't like that."
Tokio groaned, walking over to her closet, "This woman doesn't like you PERIOD."
"Yare yare, so grouchy in the morning."
Tokio laughed, pulling out a yellow kimono, "You'll be seeing me grouchy if you don't get out while I change."
Goro bowed, "Just hurry, Miss Tokio. I especially would hate running after a train."
Tokio nodded, and closed the door behind him.
Outside, Goro leaned against the door, and lit a cigarette. He knew he would need it when she started yelling.
"HEY!!!"
Tokio flung open the door. She was glaring at him, and her bun was only half made, so a black curtain covered half her face. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was wearing a white yukata. Over it, she hadn't tied on her yellow kimono.
Goro smiled, "Is there a problem, Miss Tokio?"
"YOU BET YOUR @$$!!" she yelled, pulling out a pocket watch, "IT'S ONLY EIGHT FRIGGIN' THIRTY!!"
Goro shrugged, "I like to be early. Doesn't everybody?"
She widened her eyes in anger, and then slammed the door. "Fricken fracken cop, comin' to my house, wakin' me up from such a nice dream about that hot guy that works in the ramen bar, damn....." he heard her curse, as she shuffled around her house.
He smoked for a good ten minutes before she slammed open her door. She was dressed in honey yellow, spattered with dainty orange blossoms at the hems and bottoms. Her obi around her waist that held the whole thing together was a rich, blood red with gold lines swirled into circles. Her lips were pouting again, into a red circle, and she glared at him, "I hope the next time you plan to do this, it'll be sometime in the afternoon."
He crushed his cigarette, "You look very lovely today, Miss Tokio."
She blushed, "Well, uhh, thanks, I just- hey, that cheap flirting isn't going to make me any happier!!"
"It just did. Now then, we should get going."
Tokio picked up her bag, "What's the rush? We're only like, oh, an hour early."
"I need to brief you before the trip."
"Brief?"
"Ah, here, I'll get that for you," he said, stooping down, and taking her bag.
She blushed. That kind gesture made her feel so good.............
**HE KILLED YOUR PARENTS!!**
She shook her head, and groaned. She crossed her arms, "So you really ARE going to kill me."
He smiled, "Miss Tokio, please just listen. For two minutes, it's all I ask."
She pulled out a pocket watch, "Fine, but two minutes only. Starting in five...... four...... three...... two...."
"The hotel we're staying at, Hanabi, isn't exactly an ideal vacationing spot. I'm going to Hakode because I was stationed there. The hotel we're staying at if run by Jin Takishi. He used to fight in the Revolution, and he somehow survived. During his survival into the Meiji Era, he has attracted ten people to assist him in his dreams of bringing down the current government. All of them are men, and they all act like workers at the hotel. Three of them are cooks, four of them do room service, and three act as bouncers for the place. During the day they run a respectable business. But at night, they go venting their anger on civilians passing by, stealing their money, or just kill the people staying for the hell of it. They blackmail the locals from reporting them to the police, and the only reason we obtained this information was because a body they dumped into the river wasn't really dead, and told us this before it died. Which explains a lot of missing people from two years ago. Each one of the hotel workers is a skilled assassin, but are idiots none the less. They can't refuse sake, money, or women. Just like any other man. Other than that, it's a very nice hotel with cheap low rates and a male and female hot spring-"
"Hookay!! Two minutes are up!!" she announced, putting away her watch. She fixed her hair, and looked at him, "And....... you're bringing me to a hotel full of ruthless killers whhhhyyyyyyyy.......?"
He smirked, "As I said, they could never resist a woman. And they just happen to be opening a job for a meshimori-onna." (a serving wench, who was expected to do sexual favors on the side)
Tokio laughed, not believing this, "Okay. Say I believe you, and that I do want to go with you. And I do go with you. And through some miraculous divination, I get the job. What the heck's gonna happen to me when the lights go out? I mean, you just said-"
"Calm yourself. I'll be there."
She scoffed, "That's supposed to be comforting?"
"I can protect you fairly well, Miss Tokio."
She stopped. "Fairly well. Don't you mean perfectly well?"
"If you noticed, I said they only take in assassins. You have shown me enough body language and movement that you are pretty good with your hands and feet. I'm partially relying on your combat skills for you to survive."
She sweated, "Gee, thanks for your faith in me."
"You'll do fine. Just tell them you used to kill people, show a little leg, and you're hired."
Tokio shook her head, "And what makes you think I'll say 'yes'? They could kill me!!"
"They could. But as I said, I'll be there."
Twice he said that. And twice Tokio's heart skittered with gleeful warmth. She was going to punch herself if it didn't quit it soon.
She sighed, and crossed her arms again, "Listen Fujita, I'm...... I'm not doubting y-your skills or anything, but I'm no good at being um...... man- handled."
He smirked, "They won't man-handle you, Miss Tokio."
"This coming from the man who kissed me-"
"Every time you say that, I regret it."
"Liar liar lliiiiiiiiaaarr......" she sang, giggling.
They approached the train station (boy, they got there quick!!) Tokio looked at him, "Where's your bag?"
"I already had it loaded."
"You have a lot of stuff?"
"Perhaps," he said, handing the ticket agent his tickets. Tokio glanced at them, before they went in the man's pocket.
The ticketer pointed, "Ah, you're train is currently being cleaned. Please feel free to wait here until then. Would you like me to take your bag and load it in the mean time?"
Goro bowed, "Ah, please. Thank you."
As a few men took Tokio's bag, and loaded it with a few others, she turned to Goro, "Where those first class tickets?"
Goro stuck his hands in his pockets, "Walk with me."
She shrugged, matching his pace.
"Would you like to hear more?" he inquired ever so politely. In his Fujita way.
"Sure. I'd like to know how I'll die."
"You won't die," he replied sternly. She looked up at him. He continued, "I just need you to distract them at least, three at a time. I'll go apprehend the others in the meant time."
"Can't take them on all at once?"
"I was given orders not to cause a big disturbance. This has to be done rather secretively."
"Are other officers going to be there?"
"Yes, they are awaiting my arrival."
She frowned, "You said 'apprehend'. You're going to kill them, aren't you?"
"If they don't submit and attack, I may have no choice."
"Are you..... going to be all by yourself?"
"I'll have an attack team of three behind me. If they submit, they arrest them."
"If not?"
"Well, I'll just have to keep them from attacking the other police officers."
She frowned, looking away, "You're........... you're just itching to kill them, huh?"
"Tokio, think about it. For the past two years these men have slaughtered men women and children for money or for pure bloodlust. Would it upset you so much that I killed one of them?"
She sighed, not knowing what to say.
"When you think about it that way, I promise you, it doesn't bother as much."
"Is that what you do? Pretend they deserve it?"
He stopped, and looked at her. She slowly said, "Does it make your blade sink in them any easier?"
He stared at her, while the rest of the people around them kept waking. They seemed like two rocks jutting out of a river. He sighed, and gingerly patted her shoulder, "Come, let's forget about this."
She sighed, "Yeah, okay........" she looked up," OH!!"
Goro looked up to where she was looking, and saw that candy store she loved. She cursed, "Damn!! I left my wallet in my bag!! Oh oh, Goro!!" she grabbed his sleeve, "Can I borrow some money?"
"Yare yare..... again with candy."
"Can't help it, I got a sweet tooth," she pouted, "Come onnn..... you owe me! You could be sending me to my death later! Pay me back with chokorato."
He sighed, smiling slightly, "You're easy to use."
She took his wallet, sticking her tongue out at him. Then she turned, and walked into the store. She came out later, holding a paper bag. She snapped at him, "It's for the trip, alright?" before he could remark how that could feed an entire family somewhere in Japan.
They walked on, around all the various foreign shops. As Tokio sucked on a peppaminto stick, she asked, "Say, how old are you?"
{{( Forgive me, I'm not good at math, so if this adds up wrong, please punch me in the stomach, not the face~~ Pechan )}}
"I'm twenty seven."
She nodded, popping the stick in her mouth.
"I'd say your around nineteen, or eighteen."
"Close," she shrugged, "I turn nineteen in two months."
After more idle chat and such, Goro turned back to the train station. "Well, we should be boarding now."
Tokio nodded, and followed him, when she stopped. He stopped too, and looked back at her.
She had stopped at the jewelry window again. She had one hand pressed at the glass, and she gazed longingly at the diamond ring.
He noticed she clutched her brown paper bag tighter, and her lips parted slightly. It seemed she really wanted something..........
"Tokio, we're going to be late if you keep staring at it."
She sighed, and turned away, hand still on the glass, "It's the same ring. It's still there."
"It could just be some other-"
"Nuh uh. No diamonds are alike. They all cut differently. And that one's never leaving it's place."
He smiled slowly, "You know about the diamond business? Where did that come from, I wonder?"
She sighed, smiling, and walking to him, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Besides, you have any idea what a ring means?"
"In Europe it means the wearer is married. Or vain."
"Hey, a married girl could be vain if she wants!' she pouted.
A train whistled sounded, and Goro walked with a little more wider pace. "If that means the train is leaving, you owe me two first class tickets."
She laughed, "Ah HA!! They WERE first class!! Where do you get the money for those things, anyways?"
He didn't slow down, and Tokio shouted, "Hey, no fair!! You got longer legs than me!! How can I keep up?"
He stopped and grabbed her arm. "Hey, whoa!!" she exclaimed.
She was pulled into his pace, and he dragged her through the crowd, darting in an out between people. She dangled behind him, until they got to the train. The steam was going, and they were the last to board. As they were stepping in, she said, "Uhhh, not complaining or anything, but we're here. You can let go now."
Goro hadn't noticed.
"Oh," he simply said, and dropped her arm. He turned and walked into the train.
Tokio nearly fell over, "Geez, he practically holds my hand all the way here and all I get is an 'Oh'? What a jip."
She shook her head, and stepped into the train, as it whistled, and took off.
~ Briefing and Diamonds~
Tokio didn't wake up when someone knocked on her door. She didn't wake up when someone pounded on her door. She did wake up, however, when Goro Fujita nudged her cheek with his shoe.
She growled, eyes still closed, "Ya know, I'd have bitten off your toe if you had your shoes off. By the way, you're supposed to take your shoes off at the door."
"And you're supposed to be up already. It's a good twenty minutes before the train leaves."
She jumped up, stumbling, "What?!! WHY DIDN'T YOU COME SOONER!??"
He shrugged, "Didn't want to disturb your beauty sleep. Most women don't like that."
Tokio groaned, walking over to her closet, "This woman doesn't like you PERIOD."
"Yare yare, so grouchy in the morning."
Tokio laughed, pulling out a yellow kimono, "You'll be seeing me grouchy if you don't get out while I change."
Goro bowed, "Just hurry, Miss Tokio. I especially would hate running after a train."
Tokio nodded, and closed the door behind him.
Outside, Goro leaned against the door, and lit a cigarette. He knew he would need it when she started yelling.
"HEY!!!"
Tokio flung open the door. She was glaring at him, and her bun was only half made, so a black curtain covered half her face. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was wearing a white yukata. Over it, she hadn't tied on her yellow kimono.
Goro smiled, "Is there a problem, Miss Tokio?"
"YOU BET YOUR @$$!!" she yelled, pulling out a pocket watch, "IT'S ONLY EIGHT FRIGGIN' THIRTY!!"
Goro shrugged, "I like to be early. Doesn't everybody?"
She widened her eyes in anger, and then slammed the door. "Fricken fracken cop, comin' to my house, wakin' me up from such a nice dream about that hot guy that works in the ramen bar, damn....." he heard her curse, as she shuffled around her house.
He smoked for a good ten minutes before she slammed open her door. She was dressed in honey yellow, spattered with dainty orange blossoms at the hems and bottoms. Her obi around her waist that held the whole thing together was a rich, blood red with gold lines swirled into circles. Her lips were pouting again, into a red circle, and she glared at him, "I hope the next time you plan to do this, it'll be sometime in the afternoon."
He crushed his cigarette, "You look very lovely today, Miss Tokio."
She blushed, "Well, uhh, thanks, I just- hey, that cheap flirting isn't going to make me any happier!!"
"It just did. Now then, we should get going."
Tokio picked up her bag, "What's the rush? We're only like, oh, an hour early."
"I need to brief you before the trip."
"Brief?"
"Ah, here, I'll get that for you," he said, stooping down, and taking her bag.
She blushed. That kind gesture made her feel so good.............
**HE KILLED YOUR PARENTS!!**
She shook her head, and groaned. She crossed her arms, "So you really ARE going to kill me."
He smiled, "Miss Tokio, please just listen. For two minutes, it's all I ask."
She pulled out a pocket watch, "Fine, but two minutes only. Starting in five...... four...... three...... two...."
"The hotel we're staying at, Hanabi, isn't exactly an ideal vacationing spot. I'm going to Hakode because I was stationed there. The hotel we're staying at if run by Jin Takishi. He used to fight in the Revolution, and he somehow survived. During his survival into the Meiji Era, he has attracted ten people to assist him in his dreams of bringing down the current government. All of them are men, and they all act like workers at the hotel. Three of them are cooks, four of them do room service, and three act as bouncers for the place. During the day they run a respectable business. But at night, they go venting their anger on civilians passing by, stealing their money, or just kill the people staying for the hell of it. They blackmail the locals from reporting them to the police, and the only reason we obtained this information was because a body they dumped into the river wasn't really dead, and told us this before it died. Which explains a lot of missing people from two years ago. Each one of the hotel workers is a skilled assassin, but are idiots none the less. They can't refuse sake, money, or women. Just like any other man. Other than that, it's a very nice hotel with cheap low rates and a male and female hot spring-"
"Hookay!! Two minutes are up!!" she announced, putting away her watch. She fixed her hair, and looked at him, "And....... you're bringing me to a hotel full of ruthless killers whhhhyyyyyyyy.......?"
He smirked, "As I said, they could never resist a woman. And they just happen to be opening a job for a meshimori-onna." (a serving wench, who was expected to do sexual favors on the side)
Tokio laughed, not believing this, "Okay. Say I believe you, and that I do want to go with you. And I do go with you. And through some miraculous divination, I get the job. What the heck's gonna happen to me when the lights go out? I mean, you just said-"
"Calm yourself. I'll be there."
She scoffed, "That's supposed to be comforting?"
"I can protect you fairly well, Miss Tokio."
She stopped. "Fairly well. Don't you mean perfectly well?"
"If you noticed, I said they only take in assassins. You have shown me enough body language and movement that you are pretty good with your hands and feet. I'm partially relying on your combat skills for you to survive."
She sweated, "Gee, thanks for your faith in me."
"You'll do fine. Just tell them you used to kill people, show a little leg, and you're hired."
Tokio shook her head, "And what makes you think I'll say 'yes'? They could kill me!!"
"They could. But as I said, I'll be there."
Twice he said that. And twice Tokio's heart skittered with gleeful warmth. She was going to punch herself if it didn't quit it soon.
She sighed, and crossed her arms again, "Listen Fujita, I'm...... I'm not doubting y-your skills or anything, but I'm no good at being um...... man- handled."
He smirked, "They won't man-handle you, Miss Tokio."
"This coming from the man who kissed me-"
"Every time you say that, I regret it."
"Liar liar lliiiiiiiiaaarr......" she sang, giggling.
They approached the train station (boy, they got there quick!!) Tokio looked at him, "Where's your bag?"
"I already had it loaded."
"You have a lot of stuff?"
"Perhaps," he said, handing the ticket agent his tickets. Tokio glanced at them, before they went in the man's pocket.
The ticketer pointed, "Ah, you're train is currently being cleaned. Please feel free to wait here until then. Would you like me to take your bag and load it in the mean time?"
Goro bowed, "Ah, please. Thank you."
As a few men took Tokio's bag, and loaded it with a few others, she turned to Goro, "Where those first class tickets?"
Goro stuck his hands in his pockets, "Walk with me."
She shrugged, matching his pace.
"Would you like to hear more?" he inquired ever so politely. In his Fujita way.
"Sure. I'd like to know how I'll die."
"You won't die," he replied sternly. She looked up at him. He continued, "I just need you to distract them at least, three at a time. I'll go apprehend the others in the meant time."
"Can't take them on all at once?"
"I was given orders not to cause a big disturbance. This has to be done rather secretively."
"Are other officers going to be there?"
"Yes, they are awaiting my arrival."
She frowned, "You said 'apprehend'. You're going to kill them, aren't you?"
"If they don't submit and attack, I may have no choice."
"Are you..... going to be all by yourself?"
"I'll have an attack team of three behind me. If they submit, they arrest them."
"If not?"
"Well, I'll just have to keep them from attacking the other police officers."
She frowned, looking away, "You're........... you're just itching to kill them, huh?"
"Tokio, think about it. For the past two years these men have slaughtered men women and children for money or for pure bloodlust. Would it upset you so much that I killed one of them?"
She sighed, not knowing what to say.
"When you think about it that way, I promise you, it doesn't bother as much."
"Is that what you do? Pretend they deserve it?"
He stopped, and looked at her. She slowly said, "Does it make your blade sink in them any easier?"
He stared at her, while the rest of the people around them kept waking. They seemed like two rocks jutting out of a river. He sighed, and gingerly patted her shoulder, "Come, let's forget about this."
She sighed, "Yeah, okay........" she looked up," OH!!"
Goro looked up to where she was looking, and saw that candy store she loved. She cursed, "Damn!! I left my wallet in my bag!! Oh oh, Goro!!" she grabbed his sleeve, "Can I borrow some money?"
"Yare yare..... again with candy."
"Can't help it, I got a sweet tooth," she pouted, "Come onnn..... you owe me! You could be sending me to my death later! Pay me back with chokorato."
He sighed, smiling slightly, "You're easy to use."
She took his wallet, sticking her tongue out at him. Then she turned, and walked into the store. She came out later, holding a paper bag. She snapped at him, "It's for the trip, alright?" before he could remark how that could feed an entire family somewhere in Japan.
They walked on, around all the various foreign shops. As Tokio sucked on a peppaminto stick, she asked, "Say, how old are you?"
{{( Forgive me, I'm not good at math, so if this adds up wrong, please punch me in the stomach, not the face~~ Pechan )}}
"I'm twenty seven."
She nodded, popping the stick in her mouth.
"I'd say your around nineteen, or eighteen."
"Close," she shrugged, "I turn nineteen in two months."
After more idle chat and such, Goro turned back to the train station. "Well, we should be boarding now."
Tokio nodded, and followed him, when she stopped. He stopped too, and looked back at her.
She had stopped at the jewelry window again. She had one hand pressed at the glass, and she gazed longingly at the diamond ring.
He noticed she clutched her brown paper bag tighter, and her lips parted slightly. It seemed she really wanted something..........
"Tokio, we're going to be late if you keep staring at it."
She sighed, and turned away, hand still on the glass, "It's the same ring. It's still there."
"It could just be some other-"
"Nuh uh. No diamonds are alike. They all cut differently. And that one's never leaving it's place."
He smiled slowly, "You know about the diamond business? Where did that come from, I wonder?"
She sighed, smiling, and walking to him, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Besides, you have any idea what a ring means?"
"In Europe it means the wearer is married. Or vain."
"Hey, a married girl could be vain if she wants!' she pouted.
A train whistled sounded, and Goro walked with a little more wider pace. "If that means the train is leaving, you owe me two first class tickets."
She laughed, "Ah HA!! They WERE first class!! Where do you get the money for those things, anyways?"
He didn't slow down, and Tokio shouted, "Hey, no fair!! You got longer legs than me!! How can I keep up?"
He stopped and grabbed her arm. "Hey, whoa!!" she exclaimed.
She was pulled into his pace, and he dragged her through the crowd, darting in an out between people. She dangled behind him, until they got to the train. The steam was going, and they were the last to board. As they were stepping in, she said, "Uhhh, not complaining or anything, but we're here. You can let go now."
Goro hadn't noticed.
"Oh," he simply said, and dropped her arm. He turned and walked into the train.
Tokio nearly fell over, "Geez, he practically holds my hand all the way here and all I get is an 'Oh'? What a jip."
She shook her head, and stepped into the train, as it whistled, and took off.
