Author's Notes: Gyah, here I go again with ANOTHER freakin series. Actually I think this is my first non-AM only fic. ::gasp::
This was inspired a bit by a story a classmate of mine did for Advanced Fiction Workshop, mainly the idea of a bar setting. Being an avid barfly in training and lush in training, I was all..hell yeah!
Also, I wanted to try writing in my usual quirky, humorous way in a more Tarantino-esque style, though it might just end up something akin to the movie 'Human Traffic', which is EXCELLENT! It's made by the folks that made Trainspotting.
Two characters high as hell having a deep philosophical conversation about Star Wars. How could I not love this.
"You know Han Solo and all those smuggling compartments in the Millennium Falcon was carrying drugs."
One of my more fave quotes, b ut I prolly didn't get it EXACTLY right.
So anywhooooooooooooooooo..
Yeah, you all gotta figure who is what.
You got a cop, a bartender, a writer, a stripper, a swords dealer, a homemaker, a bouncer, and a med student.
Actually some might be blatantly easy to guess.
TO PEOPLE WHO REVIEW! Please please please read this author's notes! I get reviews sometimes of people tend to complain or something about things I deal with IN THE Author's Notes. It's not that I wanna get all bitchy but I EXPLAIN things in my notes so just read em!
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
'Six bottle went down the drain..one hour's a waste of time..I ask if you feel the same still pushing the chance to try...' -Violence, Blink-182
Chapter 1: Tokyo Shuffle
"You know Tokio, if you keep giving me this special favoring your other regulars may get a tad upset."
The tall, black haired officer seated at a large bar with sharp, gold eyes smirked as the female bartender placed a bowl of steaming hot soba in front of him.
Tokio snorted and rolled her eyes.
"What I can Chief, I have a soft spot for nicotine-addicted wolves. Besides, it takes all of two minutes to make that stuff."
"Touche."
Slurping his soba with pleasure, Saitoh Hajime watched as the Tokio tended to other customers, moving with the ease and grace of someone who had tended bars for years. Anyone who looked at them initially would think they were a stark contrast to each other.
Whereas Saitoh almost always showed up in his blue police uniform and hair gelled back, Tokio looked very much like a Euro punk.
She was tall, about 5'10" with long waist length hair that was naturally black, but Tokio currently had it dyed a dark burgundy with some chunky streaks of the black and red-gold in it which complimented her amber eyes. She wore charcoal grey cargo pants and black leather boots with a black leather studded belt and a chain which her wallet was attached to as well as a black muscle tee that showed off her abs. Across the tee-shirt was a red outline of a pagoda with the 'Tokyo' written across it in white. On her wrists were black leather cuffs and she was wearing a black leather choker with a small padlock on it. Her hair was up in a messy ponytail.
Saitoh had often thought that whereas most people tried to dress as such and looked completely ridiculous, Tokio looked natural like that. Definitely fitted her bartending lifestyle.
Sanctuary, situated in the heart of Tokyo, was without a doubt the best bar in the area. Two floors with pool tables, a stage, darts, and a lovely if not sarcastic bartender...
"So Chief, getting boozed up with the soba or are on duty?" she asked, leaning her hip against the bar as she gazed at Saitoh.
"I'm always on duty and how many times do I say alcohol makes me want to kill someone."
Tokio chuckled.
"Chief, everything makes you wanna kill something."
Saitoh merely smirked and went back to his soba as the slightly loud commotion of someone taking the stool next to him caught his attention. Slamming her small black purse on the bar counter, a petite girl with pale skin, large ocean blue eyes, and black hair in a braid sat in the stool with a grim expression on her face.
"Ah, Misao-chan, what can I get ya?" Tokio asked.
"Butter Shots and keep them coming." Misao groaned, slumping her head on the bar and making low, groaning noises.
Tokio and Saitoh looked at each other with arched eyebrows.
"What's wrong Weasel? Shrink an inch?" Saitoh asked.
"Shut up."
"Oh but..."
"Shut up."
"Someone's touchy." he smirked and ignored her.
Tokio set a shot glass in front of Misao and a bottle of Butter Shots Schnaaps.
"You wanna talk about it?" Tokio asked softly.
For three years Misao had been a regular at Sanctuary and a Friday night without her there made everything seem off in a way. It was the same for other regulars. Misao was normally an energetic woman who came more to hang out than drink and occasionally play pool with her tall friend Sagara Sanosuke, another regular.
"No..I really don't. But thanks anyway." Misao murmured and slammed a shot, making an 'ah' face.
"Pace yourself, Makimachi. I don't wanna have to kick you out." Tokio warned and then returned to converse more with Saitoh.
Out of everyone, Saitoh had been coming to Sanctuary the longest since Tokio had opened it ten years ago. Their relationship was the usual bartender/customer bantering, but those who knew them closely often wondered why the two, who obviously had so much chemistry, just didn't get a clue and hook up.
"Tokio, got a light?"
With a smirk she fished out her gold-plated Zippo and held out a light for Saitoh who leaned over and lit up his cigarette. Tokio smelled a faint, sweet aroma.
"Cloves? Have you gone soft?" she mused.
He merely arched a brow and blew a smoke ring at her as he pushed the square plastic ash-tray towards him.
Misao slammed back her second shot and made a loud exhaling.
"Damn stripping..damn Fox....damn random bishie." she muttered to herself.
"What's that?" Tokio asked.
Misao merely sighed and took a third shot as Sanosuke walked in, white jacket slung over his shoulder, dressed in a tight black tee-shirt and jeans as he patted Misao on the head.
"Aww, having a hard day buddy?" he smirked.
"You don't even know the half of it." she muttered.
Sanosuke leaned his back against the bar and crossed his arms.
"What's wrong?"
Misao just glared at him.
"Ask your fucking fiancee."
"Megitsune? What did fox lady do?"
"She had a bachelorette party." Misao grumbled.
Sanosuke's furrowed his eyebrows.
"I'll just ask her when she gets here." he mused.
"Getting anything Sagara?" Tokio asked.
"Beer, please."
"You going to pay?"
"Ummm...maybe."
"No cash no beer. You know the rules Sagara."
"Ah but Tokio-samaaaaaaaaaaaaa.."
Saitoh whacked Sano on the back of the head.
"Stop free-loading you bum."
"This from a guy smoking cloves."
Saitoh grumbled and put the cigarette out. Better to not smoke than have a train of ridicule. Maybe.
As Misao poured her fourth shot she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up which meant one thing..
"Oh, Misao-san, HOW are you?"
The white haired waiter reached out to put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me, Yukishirou."
"Oh but.."
"I'm telling you bleach-boy, you fucking touch me, you bleed."
"Oh come on now..."
The minute his hand touched her she grabbed it and began squeezing..hard.
"Ah! My hand!!"
Tokio glared and threw a coaster at his head.
"Baka! How many fucking times do I have to tell you not to harass customers!"
"Ah! Gomen Tokio-san." Enishi muttered and retreated.
"Someone should give that kid a swift kick in the ass." Saitoh muttered.
Tokio shrugged and eyed Misao carefully. She really didn't want a drunken Misao to contend with. She still remembered the time Sanosuke got drunk and decided to use a pool table as a bed. Vomit was so difficult to get out of felt.
" I confiscated some Luna Sea tickets off of a scalper last night. Interested?" Saitoh asked to Tokio.
"Maybe."
"Come on, you...me...leather and smoke and maybe some soba."
Tokio wiggled her eyebrows.
"Oh Chief, I love it when you talk dirty to me." she mocked.
"Pick you up at six?"
"Sure." she said with a smile.
Luna Sea and Saitoh, two of her favorite things.
Although many did not understand why she liked the surly police officer.
It was like coconut covered marshmallows, you had to get past the crummy surface to get to the good stuff.
Or just burn em until they're nice and gooey.
Misao pushed the bottle away from her.
"Tokio, just get this shit away from me." she moaned as she rested her head against the bar surface.
"You know maybe you should go home and take a bath or something...relax...watch a movie...something." Tokio suggested as she took the bottle of Butter Shots and placed it back in its spot.
"Aahh...maybeeee.." Misao groaned as she stood up on wobbly legs and then blinked as she noticed a tall man walking towards her.
"Ah fucking hell.." she murmured.
Sanosuke blinked over at Misao and then up at the tall man who stood before her.
"Can we talk?" the man asked Misao.
"There's nothing to talk about so just go away." she muttered and stepped past him and walked away with him followed.
"Misao, wait!"
"Look pal, it's a new day, my clothes are on, there's nothing to talk about!!!" she yelled in frustration as she walked more quickly to the door with the tall man in her wake as they blew past Kenshin, Kaoru, and Megumi.
"Oro? Misao-dono?" Kenshin murmured as he and the other two walked to the bar.
"What's with Misao-chan?" Megumi asked, sliding into Sanosuke's lap.
"Apparently something you did." Sano replied.
"Me? What did I do?"
"I dunno, but I think that tall dude had something to do with it." he said.
"Hey Megumi, didn't that guy trailing Misao look kind of familiar?" Kaoru asked.
"Hmm..now that you mention it a little. Nice butt on him too."
"Hmm.." Kaoru agreed, then both blinked as realization dawned on them.
"Oh my God!!!" both cried out in unison.
"Oro?" Kenshin asked.
As Megumi chuckled, Kaoru shook her head and sighed.
"That guy's name is Aoshi and erm...well he and Misao met last night."
"Oh yeah, quite a meeting too!" Megumi said, laughing harder, as Kaoru fought to hold back her laughter.
"What's so funny?" Sano asked.
"Oh nothing, but Misao-chan's going to definitely be getting the Fox Inquisition soon." Megumi said, waving her hand.
"Hmmm....so that's why she didn't make it home last night." Kaoru murmured.
Megumi snickered.
"Tokio-san, can I get a glass of sherry?" she asked.
"Coming right up, Fox Lady."
Saitoh stood up, his now empty soba bowl full of chopsticks and his napkin.
"Well, I must get back to duty. I will see you tomorrow, Tokio."
"Aa, six. And you BETTER not be in that uniform."
Saitoh smirked and left.
"Che, Tokio what do you see in that asshole?"
Tokio narrowed her eyes and smacked Sano upside the head.
"Show some respect for your elders Rooster Boy. And if anything I still don't understand what Megumi-san sees in you."
"Feh, me neither." Megumi added.
Sanosuke made a mocked expression of hurt and pinched her softly on the behind.
"Oi Himuras, what do you want to drink?"
"Small dish of sake, please Tokio-dono."
"A Purple Rain please." Kaoru ordered.
Tokio nodded and went to make their drinks.
"Hey Kaoru, we should definitely give Misao-chan a wake up call tomorrow."
"Oh yes, indeed!"
Both giggled with mirth as Sano and Kenshin just rolled their eyes, though wondering what it was they were missing out on.
Tokio tapped a finger against her chin, as she too was trying to wonder why Aoshi was familiar. He had been in there before, to Sanctuary. He wasn't a talker but she remembered asking him his profession.
Her eyes widened slightly as a smile formed on her face. If what happened was what she was thinking...
"Oh, go Misao-chan." Tokio mumbled to herself.
What happened with Misao and Aoshi?!
What are Megumi and Kaoru talking about
What will happen at the Luna Sea Concert?
Will Sano ever get a beer?
You'll just have to keep reading to find out! Muahahahha.
This was inspired a bit by a story a classmate of mine did for Advanced Fiction Workshop, mainly the idea of a bar setting. Being an avid barfly in training and lush in training, I was all..hell yeah!
Also, I wanted to try writing in my usual quirky, humorous way in a more Tarantino-esque style, though it might just end up something akin to the movie 'Human Traffic', which is EXCELLENT! It's made by the folks that made Trainspotting.
Two characters high as hell having a deep philosophical conversation about Star Wars. How could I not love this.
"You know Han Solo and all those smuggling compartments in the Millennium Falcon was carrying drugs."
One of my more fave quotes, b ut I prolly didn't get it EXACTLY right.
So anywhooooooooooooooooo..
Yeah, you all gotta figure who is what.
You got a cop, a bartender, a writer, a stripper, a swords dealer, a homemaker, a bouncer, and a med student.
Actually some might be blatantly easy to guess.
TO PEOPLE WHO REVIEW! Please please please read this author's notes! I get reviews sometimes of people tend to complain or something about things I deal with IN THE Author's Notes. It's not that I wanna get all bitchy but I EXPLAIN things in my notes so just read em!
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
'Six bottle went down the drain..one hour's a waste of time..I ask if you feel the same still pushing the chance to try...' -Violence, Blink-182
Chapter 1: Tokyo Shuffle
"You know Tokio, if you keep giving me this special favoring your other regulars may get a tad upset."
The tall, black haired officer seated at a large bar with sharp, gold eyes smirked as the female bartender placed a bowl of steaming hot soba in front of him.
Tokio snorted and rolled her eyes.
"What I can Chief, I have a soft spot for nicotine-addicted wolves. Besides, it takes all of two minutes to make that stuff."
"Touche."
Slurping his soba with pleasure, Saitoh Hajime watched as the Tokio tended to other customers, moving with the ease and grace of someone who had tended bars for years. Anyone who looked at them initially would think they were a stark contrast to each other.
Whereas Saitoh almost always showed up in his blue police uniform and hair gelled back, Tokio looked very much like a Euro punk.
She was tall, about 5'10" with long waist length hair that was naturally black, but Tokio currently had it dyed a dark burgundy with some chunky streaks of the black and red-gold in it which complimented her amber eyes. She wore charcoal grey cargo pants and black leather boots with a black leather studded belt and a chain which her wallet was attached to as well as a black muscle tee that showed off her abs. Across the tee-shirt was a red outline of a pagoda with the 'Tokyo' written across it in white. On her wrists were black leather cuffs and she was wearing a black leather choker with a small padlock on it. Her hair was up in a messy ponytail.
Saitoh had often thought that whereas most people tried to dress as such and looked completely ridiculous, Tokio looked natural like that. Definitely fitted her bartending lifestyle.
Sanctuary, situated in the heart of Tokyo, was without a doubt the best bar in the area. Two floors with pool tables, a stage, darts, and a lovely if not sarcastic bartender...
"So Chief, getting boozed up with the soba or are on duty?" she asked, leaning her hip against the bar as she gazed at Saitoh.
"I'm always on duty and how many times do I say alcohol makes me want to kill someone."
Tokio chuckled.
"Chief, everything makes you wanna kill something."
Saitoh merely smirked and went back to his soba as the slightly loud commotion of someone taking the stool next to him caught his attention. Slamming her small black purse on the bar counter, a petite girl with pale skin, large ocean blue eyes, and black hair in a braid sat in the stool with a grim expression on her face.
"Ah, Misao-chan, what can I get ya?" Tokio asked.
"Butter Shots and keep them coming." Misao groaned, slumping her head on the bar and making low, groaning noises.
Tokio and Saitoh looked at each other with arched eyebrows.
"What's wrong Weasel? Shrink an inch?" Saitoh asked.
"Shut up."
"Oh but..."
"Shut up."
"Someone's touchy." he smirked and ignored her.
Tokio set a shot glass in front of Misao and a bottle of Butter Shots Schnaaps.
"You wanna talk about it?" Tokio asked softly.
For three years Misao had been a regular at Sanctuary and a Friday night without her there made everything seem off in a way. It was the same for other regulars. Misao was normally an energetic woman who came more to hang out than drink and occasionally play pool with her tall friend Sagara Sanosuke, another regular.
"No..I really don't. But thanks anyway." Misao murmured and slammed a shot, making an 'ah' face.
"Pace yourself, Makimachi. I don't wanna have to kick you out." Tokio warned and then returned to converse more with Saitoh.
Out of everyone, Saitoh had been coming to Sanctuary the longest since Tokio had opened it ten years ago. Their relationship was the usual bartender/customer bantering, but those who knew them closely often wondered why the two, who obviously had so much chemistry, just didn't get a clue and hook up.
"Tokio, got a light?"
With a smirk she fished out her gold-plated Zippo and held out a light for Saitoh who leaned over and lit up his cigarette. Tokio smelled a faint, sweet aroma.
"Cloves? Have you gone soft?" she mused.
He merely arched a brow and blew a smoke ring at her as he pushed the square plastic ash-tray towards him.
Misao slammed back her second shot and made a loud exhaling.
"Damn stripping..damn Fox....damn random bishie." she muttered to herself.
"What's that?" Tokio asked.
Misao merely sighed and took a third shot as Sanosuke walked in, white jacket slung over his shoulder, dressed in a tight black tee-shirt and jeans as he patted Misao on the head.
"Aww, having a hard day buddy?" he smirked.
"You don't even know the half of it." she muttered.
Sanosuke leaned his back against the bar and crossed his arms.
"What's wrong?"
Misao just glared at him.
"Ask your fucking fiancee."
"Megitsune? What did fox lady do?"
"She had a bachelorette party." Misao grumbled.
Sanosuke's furrowed his eyebrows.
"I'll just ask her when she gets here." he mused.
"Getting anything Sagara?" Tokio asked.
"Beer, please."
"You going to pay?"
"Ummm...maybe."
"No cash no beer. You know the rules Sagara."
"Ah but Tokio-samaaaaaaaaaaaaa.."
Saitoh whacked Sano on the back of the head.
"Stop free-loading you bum."
"This from a guy smoking cloves."
Saitoh grumbled and put the cigarette out. Better to not smoke than have a train of ridicule. Maybe.
As Misao poured her fourth shot she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up which meant one thing..
"Oh, Misao-san, HOW are you?"
The white haired waiter reached out to put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me, Yukishirou."
"Oh but.."
"I'm telling you bleach-boy, you fucking touch me, you bleed."
"Oh come on now..."
The minute his hand touched her she grabbed it and began squeezing..hard.
"Ah! My hand!!"
Tokio glared and threw a coaster at his head.
"Baka! How many fucking times do I have to tell you not to harass customers!"
"Ah! Gomen Tokio-san." Enishi muttered and retreated.
"Someone should give that kid a swift kick in the ass." Saitoh muttered.
Tokio shrugged and eyed Misao carefully. She really didn't want a drunken Misao to contend with. She still remembered the time Sanosuke got drunk and decided to use a pool table as a bed. Vomit was so difficult to get out of felt.
" I confiscated some Luna Sea tickets off of a scalper last night. Interested?" Saitoh asked to Tokio.
"Maybe."
"Come on, you...me...leather and smoke and maybe some soba."
Tokio wiggled her eyebrows.
"Oh Chief, I love it when you talk dirty to me." she mocked.
"Pick you up at six?"
"Sure." she said with a smile.
Luna Sea and Saitoh, two of her favorite things.
Although many did not understand why she liked the surly police officer.
It was like coconut covered marshmallows, you had to get past the crummy surface to get to the good stuff.
Or just burn em until they're nice and gooey.
Misao pushed the bottle away from her.
"Tokio, just get this shit away from me." she moaned as she rested her head against the bar surface.
"You know maybe you should go home and take a bath or something...relax...watch a movie...something." Tokio suggested as she took the bottle of Butter Shots and placed it back in its spot.
"Aahh...maybeeee.." Misao groaned as she stood up on wobbly legs and then blinked as she noticed a tall man walking towards her.
"Ah fucking hell.." she murmured.
Sanosuke blinked over at Misao and then up at the tall man who stood before her.
"Can we talk?" the man asked Misao.
"There's nothing to talk about so just go away." she muttered and stepped past him and walked away with him followed.
"Misao, wait!"
"Look pal, it's a new day, my clothes are on, there's nothing to talk about!!!" she yelled in frustration as she walked more quickly to the door with the tall man in her wake as they blew past Kenshin, Kaoru, and Megumi.
"Oro? Misao-dono?" Kenshin murmured as he and the other two walked to the bar.
"What's with Misao-chan?" Megumi asked, sliding into Sanosuke's lap.
"Apparently something you did." Sano replied.
"Me? What did I do?"
"I dunno, but I think that tall dude had something to do with it." he said.
"Hey Megumi, didn't that guy trailing Misao look kind of familiar?" Kaoru asked.
"Hmm..now that you mention it a little. Nice butt on him too."
"Hmm.." Kaoru agreed, then both blinked as realization dawned on them.
"Oh my God!!!" both cried out in unison.
"Oro?" Kenshin asked.
As Megumi chuckled, Kaoru shook her head and sighed.
"That guy's name is Aoshi and erm...well he and Misao met last night."
"Oh yeah, quite a meeting too!" Megumi said, laughing harder, as Kaoru fought to hold back her laughter.
"What's so funny?" Sano asked.
"Oh nothing, but Misao-chan's going to definitely be getting the Fox Inquisition soon." Megumi said, waving her hand.
"Hmmm....so that's why she didn't make it home last night." Kaoru murmured.
Megumi snickered.
"Tokio-san, can I get a glass of sherry?" she asked.
"Coming right up, Fox Lady."
Saitoh stood up, his now empty soba bowl full of chopsticks and his napkin.
"Well, I must get back to duty. I will see you tomorrow, Tokio."
"Aa, six. And you BETTER not be in that uniform."
Saitoh smirked and left.
"Che, Tokio what do you see in that asshole?"
Tokio narrowed her eyes and smacked Sano upside the head.
"Show some respect for your elders Rooster Boy. And if anything I still don't understand what Megumi-san sees in you."
"Feh, me neither." Megumi added.
Sanosuke made a mocked expression of hurt and pinched her softly on the behind.
"Oi Himuras, what do you want to drink?"
"Small dish of sake, please Tokio-dono."
"A Purple Rain please." Kaoru ordered.
Tokio nodded and went to make their drinks.
"Hey Kaoru, we should definitely give Misao-chan a wake up call tomorrow."
"Oh yes, indeed!"
Both giggled with mirth as Sano and Kenshin just rolled their eyes, though wondering what it was they were missing out on.
Tokio tapped a finger against her chin, as she too was trying to wonder why Aoshi was familiar. He had been in there before, to Sanctuary. He wasn't a talker but she remembered asking him his profession.
Her eyes widened slightly as a smile formed on her face. If what happened was what she was thinking...
"Oh, go Misao-chan." Tokio mumbled to herself.
What happened with Misao and Aoshi?!
What are Megumi and Kaoru talking about
What will happen at the Luna Sea Concert?
Will Sano ever get a beer?
You'll just have to keep reading to find out! Muahahahha.