Chapter 3: Bribes

Hiei continued to stare at the man, who had begun walking towards her, his sword raised and prepared to strike. She attempted to back up, but was stopped by the massive pile of wood behind her. More sweat formed on her forehead as her hand went to her katana.

Jin advanced, prepared to fight if necessary. His mind was spinning with thoughts of a good meal, 'Thief, money, food, happy Jin. Thief, money, food, happy Jin.' He continued to repeat in his head. He got into a fighting stance when he saw her hand go to the hilt of katana, and was positioning himself to launch forward at her and strike.

'Well, now is as good a time as any for some bribery' Hiei thought with a small smirk. "Oy, samurai! The store manager sent you, correct? And I suppose he's paying you? Well I have money too if that's what you want! And plenty of it!" She called to him, watching him stop his advance as she smiled inwardly at herself.

He thought about it for a moment, considering her offer. She did have money, and money brought food. He didn't necessarily have to turn her in yet, who cared where the money came from as long as he got what he wanted? "I am willing to let you treat me to some food." His stomach spoke for him as he sheathed his katana and stood up straight. The only thing on his mind was his stomach, though he obviously did not show it. "We can talk after we get something to eat." He started to pat his stomach a little for making the words come out of his mouth like that. He then stared her in the eye with a raised eyebrow. "So?" He inquired, awaiting her answer.

Hiei inwardly sighed out of relief. "Of course." She said with a small smile as she began walking towards him to leave the alley. 'Wow, that was close. I do so hate fighting on an empty stomach...' She thought, relieved. Bribery works so many wonders.

In Jin's heart, he wanted to smile and jump around like a little puppy dog, but he thought it would be better for his image if he didn't. "Thanks..." He said in reply, trying to act as composed as possible. He followed her out of the alley, and was prepared for anything. He was prepared to chase, to fight, and to eat. Mostly, he would be ready to chase her if she ran, then fight her until she bought him something to eat. Food, food, and more food was all that was on Jin's mind.

Hiei looked around and spotted a restaurant right there. Apparently their little chase brought them to the other side of town, where the restaurants seemed to be. She walked to it, Jin close behind her, pushed aside the curtain at the door, stepped inside, and kneeled at a table. She took out her large pouch of coins and set it on the table, then looked back at Jin as she watched him sit at the table. "Order whatever you want." She said, faking a smile.

He nodded to her, admiring how much money she had, and waved over the waitress, "I am ready. I will have 5 fried squid, 2 large bowls of miso soup, 6 fried dumpling, a large bowl of rice, some shrimp udon, and a glass of water." He looked at Hiei. "So what is it that you will have?" He sat quietly while waiting for his orders and eyeing her.

Hiei's eyebrow twitched and she nearly fell over. "Eheh, quite the appetite..." She mumbled to herself, then looked up at the waitress, "A bowl of ramen and a cup of tea, please." Was all she asked for, and all she could afford after his order. She then sat quietly and awaited their order...orders, while staring out of the window.

Jin waited patiently as the waitress brought on dish after dish. He ate slowly regardless of his huge appetite, still managing to hold onto his etiquette, despite how much as he wanted to plunge face first into his meal. He smiled after every bite. In the blink of an eye, 2 bowls were already cleaned out. After a while he finished all of the food. He sat happily satisfied with his full to bursting stomach as the waitress brought him a complimentary cup of tea. "I am grateful for the meal." He gave a little bow of his head.

Hiei watched in awe as the meal for three was consumed by one in mere minutes. She sipped lightly at her tea and slowly ate her ramen. "Quite the appetite you have there." She said, staring at the mass of empty bowls. "And you are quite welcome." She responded, trying to be as polite as possible.

"I suppose that the days of starvation took its toll." He gave a little cough of embarrassment as he stared at all the dishes in front of him. "I do not believe I have asked your name, I am Jin." He gave a slight nod to her, quickly changing the subject.

"Silly me, I am Hiei." She said, returning the bow. She then went back to her ramen, finishing it off. 'Excellent, it seems he has forgotten about the bounty he could receive by turning me in.' She thought, relieved.

"Hiei... what a pleasant name." He took another sip of his drink as he watched her eat. He sat there like that for about three minutes until he finally said something. "Hiei, what were you trying to do at that store?" He had his eyes closed the whole time as if he was keeping calm for the whole period. He didn't want to get excited about everything like his fellow...traveler... Fuu. 'I wonder where Fuu is right now...' He thought to himself. But kept his mind on Hiei.

Hiei choked a little on her tea, then regained herself. "Isn't it obvious? I stole a sash." She immediately mentally kicked herself for pointing that out, then continued, "Well, we all need money to support ourselves don't we!" She replied, putting up yet another fake smile, hoping she could discourage him from turning her in.

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand your motives..." Jin thought for a while. He sat quietly and still. The room was so quiet you could hear the slight movement of the tiniest pebble, as if the whole restaurant was waiting on his response "I wonder what I am going to have to do with you Miss Hiei. I certainly do not want to kill someone so kind." His mind wasn't on food anymore. But now he started to see a little more clearly. "I think I need to get you out of here..." His eyes finally opened up.

"Kill me?" She raised an eyebrow at him, somewhat doubtful that he would do such a thing, then responded to his last statement, "Why is that? That manager is in no condition to come after me, he most likely forgot all about it. There is no reason to leave just yet." She said, sipping at the second cup of tea the waitress just gave her. While the waitress was there, she paid her for the meal and put the near empty pouch of coins back in her pocket with a sigh.

"If that is what you wish." He stood up and moved to the entrance of the restaurant. "But it appears that we might not be alone." He could see five, very large dark skinned men looking from behind corners at the two. Seeing that they were on the other side of the room, and in a shadowy corner, he did not get a good view at their faces, but could still tell that he and Hiei were the center of their attention. "Not at all..." He said, adding to his earlier statement. They were planning something. Jin wasn't entirely sure of what they were going to do, but they had swords, large ones...

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A/N: Cliffy, Gomen. Longer chapter, thank goodness, more SC goodness to come soon! Please Review!

Ja!