Author's Notes: It's me again, with yet another Get Backers story. I'm obsessed, I admit it. Beware of Muses in dreams, because they will take you over and not let you write ANYTHING ELSE! It's a crossover,(runs from purists) and it contains an OC (dodges missiles thrown by MS haters). I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself! I created this character years ago for a magazine challenge and a few nights ago she showed up in my dreams back to back with Akabane saying "Let's dance" and well, it just spiraled from there. I showed it to a friend of mine and he laughed and said "How interesting.", which, to me, was a green light to go ahead and keep going. So now I inflict it in you, the FF community. Feel free to tell me if it's interesting, amusing or simply sucks. Flames will be used to clean out my fireplace. Oh yes, and now the incorrect spelling is fixed!
Disclaimer: Get Backers belongs to Aoki, Ayamine and Team Get Backers. X-Men and canon characters belong to Marvel and the Great Stan Lee. Felis is mine. Don't bother suing. I'm really not worth it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------The woman walking into the Honky-Tonk caught Paul and Natsumi's attention immediately. Not surprising, it had been very quiet once the Get Backers left to canvass the streets, trying to scrounge up work. Natsumi scampered over, eager for something to do. Paul, meanwhile, watched behind his ever-present newspaper. Something about the way the woman carried herself reminded him of a certain retriever and a certain transporter, all mixed up and poured into a feminine form. That alone was enough to make him light up. He did not need more problems with shady, over-powered characters trying to eke out a living in Japan's underworld.
"Good morning!" Natsumi chirped, bowing to their customer. The woman smiled and bowed back at the precise angle one used for waitresses and other service staff.
"Good morning. I would like a cup of green tea, please. Also, I am expecting someone in the next hour or so. When they come in, please show them where I'm sitting and that they have whatever they wish from your menu. I will cover the expense."
"Of course, ma'am! Feel free to sit anywhere!" Natsumi said brightly, spinning to complete the order. The woman glanced at Paul, still peeking through his newspaper. He blinked when she met his gaze evenly. Or did she? She was wearing a pair of fully reflective sunglasses that perched on her nose. No earpieces. Paul ignored her and went back to his paper. After all, the Honky Tonk was a meeting place for more then just the Get Backers. Those slackers were simply the ones that had the biggest tab.
Natsumi watched the woman for her own reasons while she prepared a fresh cup of tea. The young waitress was intrigued with this foreigner. She had to be gaijin, for while her Japanese was near perfect, there was a slight accent. Her outfit was tailored, a simple tan suit with trousers instead of a skirt and what looked like a furry belt. Natsumi compared her to Hevn and Himiko and decided this new person ranked somewhere in between. Hevn's sense of style and Himiko's tough attitude. She put the teacup down in front of the customer, noting she had chosen the Get Backer's preferred client booth. Maybe she was there for them? Natusmi hoped so. The retrievers hadn't had much luck in jobs lately and she knew they were getting hungry again.
"Will there be anything else, ma'am?"
"No, thank you, Kitten." The woman smiled at Natsumi, revealing a pair of very sharp canines. Natsumi could see her startled reflection in the foreigner's sunglasses.
"All right. Let me know if you change your mind." The waitress scurried away, suddenly unnerved. Why had she called her 'Kitten'?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Just over an hour and two cups of tea later, the bells rang again. Natsumi ran to her usual post.
"Good morning, Akabane-sama!" She said, a little less chirp in her voice. The tall, black suited man tugged the brim of his hat at the young woman, his ever-present smirk firmly in place.
"Good morning, Natsumi-san. I am meeting a client here today. Do you know if they have arrived?"
"A woman client?" Natsumi asked, keeping her smile firmly in place too. She had learned the best way to handle Dr. Jackal was to show no fear. Why Ginji-san hadn't learned that yet was beyond her. He had worked with the doctor before!
"Yes. A foreigner." Akabane scanned the nearly empty café and saw the woman sitting across the room, sipping her tea.
"Oh. So you're the one." Natsumi said, disappointed. "She's right over there. Would you like something to drink, Akabane-sama?"
"Coffee. Black, please. Thank you, Natsumi-san. You are very kind." Akabane turned one purple eye on her that crinkled in a sort-of smile before gliding over to meet his client.
"Felis-sama, I presume?" He asked. Felis looked up and bowed her head.
"Correct, Doctor. Please forgive my not standing, but I have traveled far today and my feet are rather sore. I am honored you have accepted my invitation."
"Of course." Akabane slid into his seat. Natsumi appeared right on time with the coffee.
"Will you need anything else, Akabane-sama? Ma'am?" The waitress asked, chirp back in her voice.
"Not right now, Kitten. You're very efficient. I hope your supervisor pays you well." Felis said, glancing again at Paul.
"Oh, Master pays me very well! Enjoy your drinks!" Natsumi scurried off again, clutching her tray. Felis smirked at the retreating teenager, then turned to Akabane.
"A charming child," Felis said.
"I suppose, if one likes children." Akabane shrugged slightly and sipped his coffee. "She does make an excellent cup of coffee. I look forward to seeing her grow up."
"Oh?"
"Just because one is not particular to cherry blossoms does not mean one does not enjoy watching them bloom."
"I see. As poetic as you are deadly. How refreshing." Akabane reached up and twisted his hat so he could pin Felis through the rip in the brim. His own reflection glared back at him.
"You seem to know about me."
"Of course, Akabane-sama." His eyes widened a little at the polite honorific. "I was quite thorough when I looked for a transporter. I require the best and everyone I spoke to assured me you are just that." Felis smiled, showing a hint of her sharp teeth. Akabane's interest perked.
"For example, I know you will only take my offer if it provides suitable entertainment. I am not sure if this particular mission will, so I arranged this meeting. Naturally, if it does not meet your requirements, I will pay you something for your trouble and seek out someone else."
"You know my reputation, yet you insist on meeting me face to face. You are even willing to compensate for lost time if I do not agree." Akabane chuckled quietly.
"How unusual for a gaijin to be so courteous. Well, Felis-sama. You have my attention. What is the cargo?"
"Myself."
Now, if it had been the Get Backers who heard this while drinking, or most of their fellow retrievers, transporters and informers, there would have been a spectacular spit-take right then. However, it was Akabane, so the only reaction was a twitch of hidden eyebrows and a slight pause before swallowing his coffee.
"And where would I be transporting you?"
"To meet someone, once I have determined his location. I have a proposal to pass on. If this person agrees to come with me, you would transport us both back to my hotel, and then to the airport. If they do not agree, then you would transport me back to my hotel and the job is done. Whatever vehicle you choose is fine with me. It would be a night mission."
"I see. So you do not know where this person is."
"Not anything solid. All I have are rumors and some of them I suspect are rather old."
"Hmm. I do know someone who might be able to help you with that. He's an informer, someone who knows everything about everyone."
"That is very kind of you, but I already have people working on that."
"Very well." Akabane nodded and took another sip. "Will there be opposition?"
"I'm not sure, but I expect there to be. Very stiff opposition, people I have fought before, but not alone. Hence the need for a transporter. I could take one, but if they send more…" Felis shrugged eloquently.
"Anyone I know?" Akabane asked, curious. Felis shrugged again.
"I don't know. Have you ever heard of the Brotherhood of Mutants?"
"No."
"Then no. They are a group of homo superiors, men and women born with supernatural abilities of various kinds and strengths. They are genetically more advanced then normal people. So, you see, I need someone of equal skill to combat them."
"Mutants. Fascinating. Well, Felis-sama, you have piqued my curiosity. I have a feeling this mission would be anything but boring. Who are you looking for?" Felis leaned forward, folding her arms on the table. Akabane obligingly copied her stance.
"Raitei," She whispered. Akabane's eyes flashed with anticipation and he sat back, a full smile on his face. Felis also sat back, keeping her arms on the table.
"The Lightening Emperor. You're looking for the God of the Limitless Fortress," Akabane said just loud enough for Paul and Natsumi to hear. Natsumi dropped the cup she was drying and it shattered on the floor. Felis' hair moved in a twitching manner, catching Akabane's eye. Well, well, what was this?
"You know him."
"Oh yes. I have fought him before. A most powerful opponent, but even I haven't seen him at full strength. Why do you want to meet him, Felis-sama? Raitei is cold, cruel, merciless."
"Because of the Brotherhood. They are seeking mutants and Raitei's abilities suggest genetic mutation. They are not known for kindness either and would take him by force. I am here to warn him of this threat and offer a place with my organization. If he does not want to go, I will simply leave him contact information so he may reach us if he wishes. My organization is voluntary. The Brotherhood is not."
"They might find it very hard to take Raitei without his consent," Akabane drawled, hiding his excitement. She wanted Raitei! That alone was enough to guarantee his pleasure. He knew for a fact Ginji-kun would never agree to leave Ban-kun. But to see Raitei again and draw him into a fight, that was worth anything.
"I certainly hope so." The bell chimed again. Akabane glanced out from under his hat brim and smiled, showing his own sharp teeth. How pathetically easy. Oh well. He would still enjoy this.
"I'm afraid this will be a short assignment," He said regretfully. Felis cocked her head, much like a stray cat.
"How so, Akabane-sama?"
"You see the blond man sitting there at the counter?" She turned her head. The Get Backers were sitting on bar stools, trying to cajole Paul into another free meal.
"Yes."
"He is Amano Ginji, formerly known as Raitei."
"Formerly?" Felis turned her attention back to Akabane.
"Yes. Ginji-kun suffers from a form of split personality. Raitei is his cruel side, a powerful being with no conscience, no compulsions. When Ginji-kun left the Limitless Fortress, he suppressed that part of himself, turning his focus on being cheerful and helpful. It is quite amusing to watch."
"You must know him very well, to call him Ginji-kun," Felis observed. Akabane tipped his hat brim at her astuteness.
"Very observant, Felis-sama. Yes, I have worked very closely with Ginji-kun in the past. I know much about him."
"So Raitei no longer exists, in a certain sense."
"Correct. Amano Ginji must become very, very upset before he unleashes Raitei. He's afraid of himself, you see."
"I understand that feeling. It took me several years to come to terms with my own darkness." Felis grinned. "I have a feeling it didn't take you nearly as long."
"You are very astute, Felis-sama."
"And you are very, very good at your job. I am sorry there wasn't more excitement." Felis reached into her suit jacket and withdrew a full envelope. She slid it across the table to him.
"I know this won't replace your pleasure, but please take it. My card is inside. Perhaps, while I'm still here, we could go hunting sometime. Good day, Akabane-sama." Felis stood, hands at her waist. The fur belt she was wearing dropped and hung directly behind her. Akabane blinked in surprise, ignoring the envelope.
"Hunting?" He asked. Felis turned to face him fully and took off the sunglasses. Deep purple eyes met his startled amethyst ones. She had vertical pupils, just like a cat's. A twitch around her mouth and flesh-colored whiskers sprang out, brushing lightly against her cheeks.
"Yes. It has been a while since I've been able to join a fellow predator on a proper hunt. My organization frowns on random killing." With a wink, the glasses went back on and the whiskers disappeared. Akabane stared at Felis as she sauntered over to the Get Backers, tail twitching in anticipation. Now that it was unhooked from around her waist, he could clearly see what it was. Akabane allowed himself another smile and sat back, sipping his cool coffee. Now THIS was going to prove very entertaining.