Disclaimer: Same old, same old.
Ryu stomped down the stairs on the verge of throwing something. He was not at all prepared when Brad came down the stairs and said it was time to open the bar to the public. He growled. He was really not in the mood to put up with people whining about their relationships or lack thereof. He walked over to the door and flipped the closed sign over, telling the people outside that the bar was finally open. He walked back behind the counter where Brad was cleaning shot glasses with a washrag. "Something bothering you Ryu?" "You should know, you talked to him." "I just told him that your a very loyal and dedicated friend and he should be special you already trust him." Ryu blushed at the praise. "Get ready to fill orders for food and glasses...and don't forget your the entertainment tonight." Brad laughed when Ryu groaned. "Again? Why can't the people just see it once, go wow, and then just leave instead of begging for more?" Ryu whined. In a way, Brad pitied him. "Because the people think that it's exceptional that you can call fire and other elements to you." Ryu sighed. Brad laughed again when he heard his co-worker grumbling: "Stupid people, stupid elemental powers, stupid, stupid, stupid..." Ryu trailed off when the heavy bar door opened, revealing their regular patrons.
"Hey Brad! Hey Ryu!" "Hey Shin." Both greeted. "What'll it be?" "A Budweiser and then shots of vodka afterwards." "That we can do." Brad grabbed the glass beer bottle and then placed it on the tabletop. "Anything else?" "No, not right now." Several hours later, the bar was packed with people. Ryu glanced around to get a glimpse of Hayate and see if he was down here, but couldn't see him. Ryu began to worry. What if he disregarded Ryu's warning and left anyway? Was he okay? Was he even alive? Ryu shook his head to get rid of his thoughts. Hayate was fine. He told himself. He's fine and he's upstairs. Ryu nearly started when Brad announced that Ryu was going to do his thing tonight. Ryu shot him a withering glare and started the song The Fuel, by Sneaker Pimps.
He got up on the stage and called forth a ball of fire. Everyone gasped as a large ball of fire erupted from his palm, just sitting there, as if waiting for orders. He brought up his right arm, and faced his palm downward. He placed his left palm several inches from the one above. He then slinked the fire back and forth, making it look like a wave of fire.
It truly was a sight to behold. He then threw the ball of flame in the air. People screamed and backed away, but Ryu didn't notice, so caught up in the majestic magic. Surprisingly to everyone there, the flame stopped in midair and formed word in the sky. They read : The Seven Sorrows, and Ryu Hayabusa.
The act continued on, until Ryu got tired of doing it and stopped. After the performance, the whole place clapped. They were marveled by what the young man could do. Nobody noticed the door open and Bass and Tina Armstrong come strolling in as if they owned the place. Bass shoved people aside, ignoring the shouts of the people he had knocked over.
By now, Ryu was back behind the counter. He glanced at Brad, and saw him gesturing toward his right hip. Ryu lifted his brown t-shirt upwards slightly, revealing the hilt of a dagger. Brad nodded. If Ryu had to use it then so be it. But not to kill. Only to get things under control if need be.
Bass stopped in front of Ryu. "Hey, toothpick. Give me a Bud." the big man demanded. Ryu raised an eyebrow at the name. He looked down at himself. He most certainly wasn't a toothpick. "Sorry sir. But we're out of that. Would you like something else?" The big, burly man looked outraged. "No more Budweiser! What is this place, some kind of trash heap?" Ryu narrowed his emerald eyes into small slits. When he spoke his voice sent shivers down everyone's spines. "Is there something else you want? If not, get out." Tina looked at the long-haired bartender. She tugged on her father's arm. "Let's go Dad."
Bass wrenched his arm free, and glared at the "midget" in front of him. Before he could grab the collar of Ryu's shirt, Ryu whipped out his dagger and held it right on the pro wrestlers jugular. Bass's hand was still outstretched. Everybody gasped. No one had seen him move! "I'm only going to say this once. Take your daughter and get out. I never want to see your face in here again." "Because if I do, then I'll make sure you see a hospital bed." Ryu said in his coldest and harshest voice possible.
Ryu took the blade away and flipped it back into it's holster. Regaining his composure, Bass yelled in anger: "Do you know who I am?" Ryu shrugged. "No, and I don't really care. Now get out of this bar, before I make you." "And what are you going to do?" People looked at Bass like he was stupid.
Before Ryu could answer, a voice rang out from the top of the stairs. "I think he told you to leave." "Heed the warning and get the hell out." Ryu looked up and saw Hayate coming down the stairs. "And who the hell are you supposed to be?" Bass asked. "I'm the bouncer of the place. Now get out." Finally managing to get her dad's attention, Tina apologized for her father's behavior "I am so sorry about this...I don't know what's wrong with him." Ryu nodded his thanks and watched as Tina dragged her father out the door.
Hayate came down and walked back behind the counter. "Thanks Hayate." "No problem." "Since you designated yourself as our bouncer, would you mind sending all of these people out of here? I wanna go to bed." Brad said. Ryu nodded in agreement.
Hayate did as he was asked. "Hey, do you guys mind if I watch tv?" Ryu shook his head. "Your welcome to do whatever you want." "Night." Ryu said and headed upstairs.
Brad stayed behind. "Turn off the lights please." he said and went to bed.
Ryu flopped down on his bed, clad only in a pair of silky black boxers. Hayate, to him, was an enigma. There was just something about him that had drawn Ryu to him. He sighed and rolled over. His back to the window. He never saw the two shadows cast onto the wall, because his eyes were closed...