Oh gee. Two whole reviews. My life is complete. I've never actually seen Kenshin, but I'll check it out. On to the story!

Chapter 4: Some More Messing Around Town

The movie ended eventually. Inuyasha, Tobias, and Kagome walked out. Inuyasha was in a huff, Kagome was in a daze, and Tobias was in a state of bewilderment.

"Anyway." They both looked at Tobias. "Now that the movie's over, I know a great club we could go to. It's a party 24 hours a day! What do you say?"

Kagome leaned over to Inuyasha. "You can't sulk about this all day. Let's just go and enjoy ourselves," she whispered. She dropped her voice even lower. "You'll get another chance."

Inuyasha reeled. I totally did not expect that. I thought that the whole thing was over when Tobias interrupted us. This is good. This is very good. He forced himself to grin. "Okay, I guess you're right, Kagome," he said. "We'll have fun." He stressed the last word. Tobias, apparently, did not notice.

"Great! Let's go."

Much later, they were wandering fruitlessly around the city. Tobias was thoroughly lost, and Kagome didn't have a map.

"I know it's around here someplace..." Tobias muttered. "If I could just find it."

"Just ask someone already!" Kagome whined. Geez, what is it with men and asking for directions?

"It's not that easy, Kagome," he said, turning to her. "It's...well, it's an underground place. Keeps out the riffraff. Very few people know where it is."

"And you're not one of them," Inuyasha grumbled quietly. Kagome heard him and let out a burst of laughter. Tobias turned.

"What is it this time?" No response. "Fine. Be that way then. But I'll find this place eventually." He stalked out towards the shadows of the back streets. Kagome and Inuyasha followed him.

After more searching through the disheveled alleys, Tobias spotted a door.

"I do believe we're in luck. This is the place. Now let's just-" That thought was cut short by the click of a hammer being cocked. Tobias whirled to see a teenager standing about ten feet away, holding a .45 magnum.

"Careful, son, you could put an eye out with that." Tobias did not move, but his hand came to rest on the grip of his sword. "What's your beef?"

The kid spoke. "You're the famous Kyoten, right?" His voice was shaky. He couldn't have been more than seventeen or eighteen.

With a flourish, Tobias tore off his outer clothes to reveal the regal robes and obsidian armor. "Recognized me by the armor, huh?"

"No, actually, it was the sword." The boy was visibly shaking now, and he had to steady his grip on the gun. "I've been sent to take you out."

"Have you now." Tobias drew his sword. Inuyasha took Kagome by the hand and pulled her to a safer place, away from the two others. "That's terrifying. I've beaten fully trained squads of hitmen, and you think you can defeat me with a pistol?"

The boy did not respond, but raised his other hand and gripped his gun tightly. He fired a shot. Tobias, however, was long gone. He sailed over the kid's head and dashed into the shadows. The kid whipped around and fired several more shots into the alley that Tobias had ducked into.

Silence.

Then the boy felt cold metal against his throat. Tobias had sneaked up behind him and was now holding his sword against the boy's neck. He struggled for a second, then remained perfectly still.

"Drop it," commanded Tobias. He dropped the gun. "Now you'll see what happens when you try to take on people who are way out of your league." He pressed his sword tighter against the boy's throat.

"You're new at this...right?" Terrified, the boy nodded. "Thought so. If you had experience, you would have fired first and asked questions later. Try not to make that mistake in the future." A single drop of blood appeared on the boy's throat.

"Please don't kill me," he begged. "I don't wanna die."

"Then you shouldn't go into this line of work." Tobias considered him for a second, then withdrew the sword. Before the boy could bolt, he smacked him over the head with the flat of his blade. The boy dropped to the pavement.

"What...just...happened?" Kagome came out of the corner with some apprehension. "He's not dead, is he?"

"No, he'll live. Just some kid who thought he could make a few bucks by taking down the champ." Tobias looked with – was it pity? – down at the boy. "But if he ever pulls that stunt again, he's gonna be missing a few limbs. So." He sheathed his sword and gestured grandly towards the door. "Shall we?" Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other, shrugged, and went inside.

Inside, it really was a party. The center of the huge room was dominated by a dance floor, filled with people moving and shaking to the beat of a band that was set on a stage. The stage extended past the band, and a lone microphone stood on the pedestal. Currently, nobody was using it. People were laughing and talking and drinking. There were tables of food and punch along the walls, and couches and sofas littered the floor. There were televisions and pool tables and card tables and all sorts of entertainment. Kagome and Inuyasha took a few steps in, but were halted by a burly man in a jacket.

"You guys got passes to come in here?" A stub of cigar hung from his lips. "Or are you just wasting my time?" He chomped on his cigar and blew some smoke in Inuyasha's face. He blinked and growled.

"Kagome..." he muttered. "What's this guy doing?"

"I think he's a bouncer," Kagome whispered. "He only lets certain people in."

"Well?! Are ya gonna show me your passes, or will I have ta throw you out?!" Tobias walked up. "An' who's this guy in the Halloween costume? You got a pass, buddy?"

"Not as such...but I have something much better." The bouncer started to protest, but Tobias swiftly pulled out a wad of bills and stuffed it into the bouncer's jacket pocket. "That should do the trick."

The cigar fell from the bouncer's lips. His expression changed, from annoyed to amazed, then swiftly to cheerful. "Right this way...sir." He gestured for Tobias to come in, but quickly interposed himself between Tobias and Kagome. "You two ain't got passes. Get outta here."

"Oh, they're with me," Tobias called back. The bouncer stood, shocked, then stepped aside.

"I'm sorry; sir, madam, I did not know you were with this gentleman. Please, follow him." He bowed towards the room. Inuyasha looked at him, puzzled, then walked over to Tobias. Tobias laughed.

"You got to know how to work these people. Now, I'm in the mood for some dancing. You?" Kagome thought for a minute.

"Yeah...sure. Dancing will be fun."

Inuyasha looked up quickly. "Dancing? I don't know how to–ulp!" Kagome grabbed him and tugged him towards the stage with Tobias.

"Neither do I, but it'll be fun just the same. Just make something up," Kagome shouted over the noise.

Tobias wrinkled his nose. "That tune the band's playing is cramping my style. I got a request I'd like to make." They arrived on the stand. Tobias walked over to the band and had a brief discussion with the lead trumpet. The musician balked, but Tobias pulled out some more money and flung it to the band. They fell silent instantly. Tobias came back to Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Come on, guys. Have some fun for once. You didn't like the movie, try this instead." Tobias said cheerfully.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha, who shrugged his shoulders. "Okay..." she said. "I'll give it a try."

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