Title: Bad For You
Author: Keito-chan
Rating: R {Yes, yes, I know, it went up. But let us remember this is a gang fic!}
Summary: Kidnappers! Aoshi and Kenshin! Too bad their captives aren't very willing! Oh well, Misao and Kaoru won't want to do what they are "asked" But that 'isn't entirely up to them' (Thank you Aoshi.) rr!
[ 3: Kidnappers! ]
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Now I wouldn't ask how… or why, but it happened and fast, and the end result - Kaoru and Misao in the back of a black Jetta with two lunatics (at least to them) up front driving them away from home, and any sense of security.
Towards downtown Kyoto.
And anyone who new anything about downtown Kyoto would know that it wasn't a very nice place to live. Misao knew this as did Kaoru, unfortunately.
Misao sneaked a peek in the rearview mirror to look at Aoshi's face. Calm, deadly cold - what did she expect? She didn't see a single trace of warmth. But then again you never really do on a gang member's face. Especially his.
Misao shivered and not just from the cold. She was frightened. Any sane girl would be (Yumi not included) if abducted by notorious gang members and being driven to downtown Kyoto, even if you knew nothing at all about downtown Kyoto, you knew that it was definitely a place you would never want to be… or end up. It was known as the 'red light district'. Prostitutes, gangs, murders, drug dealers, the list goes on.
Misao shivered again and decided to focus her attention somewhere else and looked out of the water speckled window. Gray, gloomy townhouses and flats flew by covered in grime and sagging with age and ill treatment. The people weren't much better and wore scowls on their faces almost daring anyone to come up and mess with them. Misao sighed and turned away, looking out the window was definitely not helping things. Her fate only seemed to become more real.
Misao turned to look at Kaoru who was sitting straight looking out of her window shivering and playing nervously with her hair with shaking fingers. A sure sign that she was nervous and just as frightened as Misao - although not doing as well a job hiding it.
Misao, even if it did sound uncaring and selfish, was glad that Kaoru was with her in all this. Misao knew she would never have been able to handle this all on her own. She would have probably been in hysterics and crying if she was alone.
Crying… Misao quickly pushed the thought away.
Makimachis' don't cry.
They move on… they take it.
If there was one she would always remember about her father, it would be him saying that…
.-.-.-.
"Misao?"
Misao pulled herself into a tighter ball in the corner of her room. She wanted to shrink away and disappear.
"Misao." Her father said more firmly taking a step closer and crouching before her.
Misao tried desperately to stop the tears but they fell and fell.
She heard her father sigh, "Come here." Before she could protest he gathered her in his arms and sat there on the floor with her tears staining his shirt, but he didn't seem to mind.
"I hate Yumi and the rest of them! I hate them!!"
He chuckled and gave her a quick squeeze, "They make us stronger…even if it isn't fun in the process."
Misao frowned not fully understanding his words at the tender age of six, but just happy to be safe and warm in her father's arms and too comfortable to question what he meant.
Yumi had stolen Misao's favorite cookies at lunch and then had thrown sand at her with a bunch of other girls laughing and jeering, and screaming 'Weasel! Weasel!'
She was smaller, mousier, and definitely not into the whole dolly and make-up thing the other girls seemed to be. She preferred her kenpo and playing tag and fighting, arm wrestling…this combined made her an outcast among many of Yumi's group. And a prime object of torment… Not that she didn't do some tormenting of her own.
She had punched Yumi then. When she mentioned her mother and said how she was sick because of her, because her own daughter wasn't a girl but a boy.
'No wonder she's dieing! You roll in mud, and you're so small and ugly you make her sick! I would want to die if I had a daughter like you!!'
Misao snuggled deeper into her father's chest and let more tears fall. Warm hands cupped her face and wiped away her tears and turned her face up to his. Her father smiled and said, "Misao…life isn't fair, but if we let it get to us… we would never live on. We'd become grumpy and rotten like old Mrs. Gurcuhi." Misao made a face at the mention of the old lady who had chased her away from her tulips with a broom. Misao giggled as her father made a similar face.
"Now listen, my Misao." Her father smiled at her and continued, "Makimachis' weren't made to cry. We were made to laugh and to smile, to tell jokes and to tell tales, never to cry. Makimachi's never cry."
Her father kissed her forehead, "You weren't made too…"
.-.-.-.
Misao shook her head as the car stopped outside a dingy looking café called Akabeko. Misao leaned closer to get a better look right when the door opened and she almost tumbled out onto the dirty rain-washed street.
"Out."
Agitated, Misao looked up glaring to meet icy blue eyes. "Well, sorry! I almost fell out and you're bossing me around! Let's remember here that you want something from me that I don't have to agree to!"
Aoshi had turned before then, completely ignoring her. Misao huffed while struggling with her seatbelt and then stepped out of the car in her school uniform, looking out of place in such a neighborhood standing next to such a tall, dangerous looking man with a leather jacket. She could only imagine what people were thinking! And none of it was appealing.
Misao tugged on her sleeves nervously as she followed Aoshi and Kenhsin into the dimly lit café with Kaoru closely by her side. As they walked in they were met with such a drastic change of atmosphere. There was music and laughter and talking - and enjoyment. Those elements seemed to be forgotten, but now Misao remembered them and it was the sweetest thing she ever heard.
Misao soaked up all her surroundings and took in the nicely furnished café, albeit a little old, but still in pretty good condition while they waited to be seated.
"Hello there, I'm Tae and I will be your waitress today…" Tae stopped suddenly and smiled widely and then continued, "Oh! Aoshi! We were all wondering when you'd finally realize the opposite sex!" Tae chuckled and Misao blushed and refused the urge to set the woman straight…with more than just words. Aoshi's jaw clenched. "The table, Tae?"
Tae's smile faded to a pleasant expression as she nodded, "Oh - yes of course, smoking or non-smoking?" Tae asked, returning to a business like tone. Misao replied automatically, "Non-smoking, please."
Tae smiled, "What ever the lady wants, isn't that right Aoshi?" Tae smiled girlishly again and Misao just had to interfere, "Actually this is just a business thing. Aoshi and I are most definitely not romantically involved." Misao said with a firmness that would have made any other boy, romantically interested or not, shudder and run away. But then again Aoshi wasn't any other boy.
Tae lifted an eyebrow in question in Aoshi's direction, "Business? What type of business?" Kaoru looked about ready to answer when Kenshin's sinewy arm reached out and wrapped around her shoulders crushing her to him and shocking her to silence. Both Misao and Kaoru knew that it was a silent warning not to mention a word about 'business'.
Aoshi didn't attempt to do anything but lean forward slightly, his dark bangs shading his face dangerously, "We want a table. Now." Aoshi said firmly and pushed Misao forward and then added, "Just like the lady said." Misao definitely didn't like the way he said 'lady'.
Tae smiled nervously, "R-right, okay, well sorry to press Aoshi! But, geez lighten up. Alright, follow me." She grabbed a couple menus and headed towards the non-smoking section of the café. Misao saw Kenhsin scowl and thought to herself. Sorry buddy, but I definitely don't feel like hacking on your cancer sticks. His arm was still tightly wrapped around Kaoru's shoulders and her look of shock had long faded to hardly contained anger.
When they finally reached the table and Tae set the menus down and left Kaoru ripped Kenshin's arm from around her shoulders and hissed, "Get away from me you sicko!"
Kenshin tossed his bloodied hair from his eyes and pulled a cigarette from his jacket, "Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it." He smirked at the complete look of anger on Kaoru's delicate face as he took a seat next to the already seated Aoshi.
Misao and Kaoru followed cue and sat across from their kidnappers in an angry tension. Misao suddenly realized the romantically interested waitress, Tae, had placed them in the dark corner of the café…Misao inwardly groaned and only shuddered at what she assumed Tae took as 'business'.
When Tae came back Aoshi was quick to order for Misao and Kaoru (much to their displeasure).
Misao glared, "I hate coffee! Why couldn't I order!?"
Aoshi lifted an eyebrow and placed down the menu and looked at Misao's agitated face.
"Himura, do you like coffee?" Aoshi asked in a deadpan tone. Kenshin looked uninterested, studying his menu as he answered yes.
"Good, then you can have Misao's coffee." Aoshi returned to studying his menu as Misao's face turned as red as a tomato, correction, chili pepper, and probably just as hot.
"WHY YOU-!" Misao barely finished her sentence when Aoshi's hand was over her mouth, firm and cold and painful.
His face was so horribly expressionless and his eyes ice blue as his baritone floated to her ears, "Be quiet, if you talk yet again I will not be tolerant…you understand? Shut the fuck up."
Misao's eyes widened as he pressed his hand down and then took it away and with a slight smirk, "Better."
…Did he just say Fuck? Was the only thought that crossed her mind. But he said it so calmly and so carelessly it was almost like he had never said it at all. Kaoru grabbed Misao's hand and squeezed reassuringly as if saying 'don't worry I'm here…'
When Aoshi finally put down the menu he looked up to both Kaoru and Misao and folded his hands on the table.
"Well I think it's time to get to business." Kenshin folded his menu at this and pushed it away.
Misao crossed her arms angrily. "I already don't agree. There? We're finished here, let's go home."
Aoshi reached across the table and grabbed her wrist. "I have warned you Makimachi…" His fingers danced playfully up her arm while his other hand still held her wrist captive. "…You don't want me to do anything…drastic? Now would you?" His hand clamped tighter around her wrist and she hissed an intake of breath.
"Y-you're hurting me…" Misao whimpered. Aoshi smirked slightly and gently dropped her wrist.
"Now…business."
Misao nodded dazedly. Shock and fear numbed any other emotions trying to surface. She only wanted to leave this place with the least amount of bruises as possible.
"Here are some things you should look at before we get started." Kenshin reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope and slid it towards the two girls.
"Open it."
Misao picked up the envelope and brought it back for herself and Kaoru to examine.
Misao opened the envelope to reveal photos of a building. The building, she noticed, had the glowing neon lights and markings of a club. The neon lights said 'Bleu Ice'. Outside of the establishment were scantily clad women and men of the least honorable type.
Misao swallowed hard.
"Bleu Ice?"
Aoshi nodded his head. "The Shinsengumi's headquarters."
Misao's eyes widened. Did..did he just say the Shinsengumi??
"Shin-Shinsengumi?" Misao repeated shakily, hoping her ears deceived her.
Aoshi smirked.
"Yes. Finish looking at the pictures." Misao nodded and turned her attention to the unpleasant photos in her hand.
When they had finished looking at the remaining pictures of 'Bleu Ice' there were pictures of men. Sometimes sitting around a table, other times just standing. But always looking dangerous.
Misao frowned and laid the pictures of the men across the table. She studied each one again and noticed that even if the men changed, one was always there - the most dangerous looking one of all.
He reminded her of a wolf. Vicious if threatened, strong, cunning, and…dangerous. He was tall, his jet black hair slicked back with a few wisps framing his angular face. He had thin lips and yellow, glowing eyes. His body was lean and wiry, muscled.
"Hajime. Saitou Hajime." Aoshi said the name. It was his name, she knew it.
Kaoru gasped.
Misao looked up. "What does this have to do with anything?"
Kenshin leaned forward. "Everything. This has to do with everything."
Misao rolled her eyes, "I figured that much. What are the specifics? Why are we involved?"
Misao didn't want to ask that question. It seemed all too obvious that it was something that she didn't want to hear - or do for that matter. The men, that building - what role they would play.
"You will be our link to the inside activities of 'Bleu Ice' and Saitou Hajime." Aoshi took a sip from his coffee before continuing.
"You and Kamiya will be waitresses at 'Bleu Ice'. You'll observe and report anything odd or remotely close to the mentioning of the Juppon Gattana."
"Wait a minute!" Kaoru fumed indignantly, "Aren't the 'waitresses' there sluts? There is no way I'm degrading myself like that just for you. Especially not for you." Kaoru's last comment was shot in the direct of the red-haired male.
Kenshin smirked, "Define 'slut'."
Kaoru glowed red, "You know what I mean!"
"They don't have to be." Kenshin turned away from Kaoru and shrugged, "They have other 'employees' for that."
Misao looked at Aoshi, "What type of 'waitress' is this exactly?"
Aoshi leaned back in his seat, his blue eyes glistening with amusement, "What other type is there? You serve the men's needs. What ever that is asked of you, you will do."
Misao shifted uncomfortably. "…Basically you're saying…that our, our .. Safety isn't secure?"
"Safety is never secure. If it was do you think that there would be people in the world like us?"
Misao frowned, "I'm not going to jeopardize myself just to help you. I don't owe you anything - and I never will!"
Aoshi's amusement faded, "You were not asked to volunteer your opinion and you were not asked to choose. You will be starting your new job come Friday evening."
Misao slammed her fist on the table, "WHAT?!"
"Be ready at eight. We'll provide you with transportation." Aoshi said smoothly, "We'll be needing to get you…prepared for your new job."
Misao lifted an eyebrow, "Listen, pretty boy, I don't give a DAMN what you do I'm NOT agreeing to this - I'M NOT DOING THIS!!"
.-.-.-.
"It's almost time to go, Misao…" Kaoru sat nervously on the couch next to Misao.
Both of them were wearing tennis shoes, jeans and a T-shirt. There was no way they were going to get dressed up for anything this Friday night. This Friday night was different, they'd be starting their new 'job', but not before being 'prepared'. Whatever that meant..
So here they were…in a 'companionly' silence…waiting for them.
"Well…at least we've got each other…" Misao dared to break the silence.
"Y-yeah…" Kaoru forced a smile.
Silence.
.
..
…
"…At least we're getting money.."
"Y-yeah…that's good."
Misao sighed. Being optimistic wasn't getting them anywhere. Actually it was making things worse. She looked down at her hands. They were shaking.
Butterflies were in her stomach, her mouth was dry, she was afraid.
They were just a means to an end, so to speak, for these Juppon Gattana bastards, that was made completely clear. Their safety or comfort wasn't thought of, or cared about. As far as any of them were concerned they weren't even people.
Misao had asked why them out of everyone else, why not Yumi for this? Her answer was because Yumi is known to be Shishio's girl, besides, Aoshi had said, the only thing she was good at was a good…
Misao blushed.
Let's just say Yumi hadn't very many useful skills for this 'job'.
Misao was told that it was also because she was smart and 'unnoticeable'. That had hurt. Unnoticeable? Was she…ugly?
She snorted. The answer was obvious. She was small, thin, she had no 'womanly attributes' that men found attractive. Her breasts…nonexistent, her hips…laughable, her face…too small for her eyes.
Misao looked down again. Maybe she had nothing to worry about after all. What man would want to lay a finger on her? But that thought came out more sour and sarcastic than hopeful.
A car horn beeped.
Kaoru jumped, "Misao…?"
Misao looked up.
"I guess…I guess it's time…"
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AN: Okay, I finally have a chance to update so I did! Exams are over (THANK GOD!) and now summer has begun! And that means! drum roll MORE UPDATES MORE OFTEN! Yay!!
An questions or suggestions are welcomed, and I don't mind flames - burn me and I'll burn you
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Lots of luv,
Keito-chan