I FINALLY got an idea for this one. I dunno why it took me so long. It normally doesn't. Anyway, I'm gonna change the storyline a bit. I'll save the medical mechanica idea for some other time. Just enjoy this chapter.

-Randall Flagg2

(1)

"Define what you mean by your bounty hunters." Inuyasha said.

"Well," Spike replied, reclining in his chair, "a bounty hunter is a person who hunts down criminals for money. Naturally, it has to be a pretty decent amount to make us work. This is not a job you do out of the goodness of your heart."

Inuyasha nodded. "Sounds like a worthy cause. But wouldn't you run out of money when there aren't anymore bounties left?"

Spike shrugged. "That's never happened before. And if it did, it picked up again soon after. So there's no need to worry."

As if on cue, a happy squeal emanated from the living room. "Bounty, bounty, Ed found a bounty!" Everyone rushed to the living room to see what the hubbub was.

"Who is it this time Ed?"

Ed pointed at the screen to her computer. The screen displayed a man named Jonathan Fry. The reward for his capture? Ten million woolongs. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Haruko stood up. "So where is this Fry guy?"

Ed giggled. "He's at the circus which is coming to town today! He poses as an acrobat!"

Spike's trademark smile faded. "Count me out. I'm not going to the circus."

Jet smiled. "Why not Spike? Still shaking over mad pierrot?" he asked sarcastically.

"Shut the hell up!" Spike snarled. "I got over that awhile ago!"

"Who the heck is mad pierrot?" Serenity asked.

"Don't ask!" Spike said quickly. "For God's sake, don't ask!"

"Furthermore," said Inuyasha, "what is a circus?"

"We'll tell you on the way. In the mean time we should get our weapons and get going. Ten million woolongs has us written all over it." Faye remarked.

"Yeah I agree. I can't wait to go bounty hunting!" Serenity giggled.

Spike spun around to face her. "Woah, woah, woah, who said you were coming with us?!"

Serenity looked puzzled. "But I thought that we were going bounty hunting!"

Spike shook his head. "What we mean by 'we' is me, Jet, and Faye. You are not coming with us. This is not a job for young girls."

Serenity pouted. "I can fight too you know! I am a demon after all!"

Spike gave her a gentle push. "Whatever. I'm sure you'll have fun with your brother."

Serenity laughed bitterly. Have fun with Inuyasha?! That was a laugh. Inuyasha may have been her guardian, but he wasn't there for fun or entertainment. He was mainly just there to punish her when she did something bad.

Haruko strummed her guitar. "At the very least, can I come? I've been through some pretty hairy fights."

"No this is between me and-" Before Spike could finish, Haruko's guitar collided with his face. He went sprawling over the couch behind him. Haruko stood over smiling cutely.

"Come on! You know you wanna bring me! Just say yes!"

Spike rubbed his head. "I said no and I mean-"

Haruko chuckled and raised her guitar again. "Well then I guess you won't mind if I-"

Spike's eyes widened. "NO!!! We'll take you with us!" he said quickly.

Haruko chuckled again. "I knew you wanted to too."

Inuyasha glared at Serenity. "Great, I get stuck with you! Just how I wanted to spend the day!!"

"Shut up! It's not like I wanted that either!"

"Both of you shut up!" Faye interrupted. "Just don't burn down the house."

Ed took off her goggles and shut down her computer. "Ed can't wait to see the circus! Ed wants to see the clowns, and the acrobats, and eat cotton candy, and everything else!"

"Ed, we're not going to see the circus! We are going bounty hunting, so your not going either!"

Ed pouted, making her eyes shiny and watery. "Please Spike person? Ed just wants to have a little fun!"

Spike began to say "no way jose" but the way Ed looked just tore him up from within. She looked so pathetic, so sad, so close to tears. He didn't know how Ed did it, but she did it, and well at that. At last, he gave in.

"Fine. Which one of you is willing to take Ed to the circus?" Everyone looked at Faye.

"No way! I ain't her friggen mother!"

"Tell you what. If you baby sit Ed, we'll give you twice your share of the bounty. How's that?"

Faye lowered her head and muttered a tiny "yes". That promise was too tasty to resist.

Inuyasha adjusted his pants. "Alright then. Let's go to this thing."

Jet shook his head. "No, you're staying home with Serenity. The rest of us are going bounty hunting."

Inuyasha looked rather angry. "That's not fair! I need some excitement in my life too you know!"

Spike smirked again. "From what we've seen your sister do, I think she'll provide you with plenty of excitement."

"I resent that!" Inuyasha snarled.

"Whatever, let's just get ready." Faye said.

(2)

"Refresh my memory. We're going here for what again?" Haruko asked.

"To hunt for a bounty. Once we catch him and turn him in to the authorities, we can get a big wad of cash." Spike replied.

"Really? Good thing I brought my guitar then."

Spike gave her a distrustful glance. "Why do you keep hitting things with that anyway?"

Haruko smiled gleefully. "It's a good weapon, believe it or not, you primitive monkey!"

Spike's eyes widened. "What?!"

Haruko smiled even more. "Never mind!"

Up ahead of them, the circus loomed. Spike's mood grew foul. Why here of all places? This was most definitely not his idea of fun. Bounty hunting? He didn't mind that. But why did the bounty head have to be at the friggen circus for goodness sake? He hated clowns (still bearing the memories of mad pierrot), he hated acrobats, he hated magicians, heck he hated the whole gig all together! It was stupid. It was for kids.

They finally reached the entrance to the gigantic tent. Spike's mood was continuing to worsen. He could not believe it had to be here of all places. Their bounty head had better be ready for a pummeling, because Spike intended the vent his frustrations on the guy.

Spike noticed Jet was carrying a bag with him. "What's in the bag Jet?" Spike asked curiously.

"Gas masks. While you guys were preparing to get ready to leave, Ed showed me some of the guy's files. Turns out he kills people with nerve gas, so I figured we ought to be prepared."

"Ah."

Haruko strummed her guitar a few times. "If you guys need any help, just stand behind me. I'm with you all the way."

Spike rolled his eyes. "Like I'm gonna need you for protection. Me and Jet are capable of handling ourselves."

Haruko smiled yet again. "I'll take your word for it."

So the three of them stepped into the tent, prepared for anything.

To be continued…

That's part one! Next chapter is gonna be crazier. Keep an eye out for it! Bye for now! And again I'm sorry it took me so long to update.

-Randall Flagg2