Hi everyone, here's the next chapter! Let me know what you think. I've been getting some very interesting theories from you all (and some of them are right on the money!). Look forward to hearing from you all and feel free to ask any questions that pop up.
The next day the Hokage called the four guards into her office. The way that the door guard avoided their gaze let the men know it would not be a pleasant visit. Shizune let them in and picked Tonton up, preemptively comforting him in the face of the onslaught to come.
"You have all been doing a fine job filling out your paperwork," Tsunade slammed a fat pile of forms on her desk. "But that doesn't get us any closer to this homicidal maniac. I can't keep this quiet much longer. What are you four going to do about it?"
"We have some leads," Izumo offered. "It seems as though all the victims were hitmen. When the bodies were found, they all were carrying specialized assassination equipment. Garrotes, needles, etc."
"We've also eliminated mugging as a motive," Aoba offered. "They were all carrying large sums of money and none of their valuables had been removed."
Tsunade stared them all down as they spoke. She was poised with her hands on her desk, ready to rain down hell at the first provocation. "Go on," Her voice was dangerously low.
"Based on the methods used by the killer we suspect they're an outsider, and that they have come into the village recently," Kotetsu explained.
"What evidence do you have to that effect?" Tsunade asked. "I understand homicide is infrequent in this city so it is easy to pass the buck onto a non-resident. We have to remember that the largest scale murder rampage in the village's history was carried out by one of our best."
Kotetsu bowed respectfully to the irate kage. "The murders have been occurring once a week over the last three weeks. The methods used to commit the deed are not within the scope of a Konoha shinobi. For example, the third victim's lungs were frozen."
Tsunade sobered slightly. "There are no known Konoha shinobi with ice jutsu of that caliber." She heaved a sigh and leaned back in her chair, her anger abetting. "So, what time frame are you looking at?"
"The guards are going through the intake logs for the last two months," Genma said. "We should have some suspects in for questioning by the end of the day."
"Alright," Tsunade nodded. "Stay on top of this. The sooner we catch this person, the better. In times like these people become afraid and lash out. The last thing we need is someone killing their neighbor because they think they're the boogeyman the guards can't catch."
"Understood, Hokage-sama," The four bowed in unison.
"You're dismissed," Tsunade waved them away.
The men all held their breath until they were outside the door and down the stairs.
Tsunade buried her face in her hands. "Shizune, when is the junior ambassador from Getsugakure scheduled to arrive?"
Shizune stroked the shuddering pig in her arms. "Mr. Ishida should arrive in about a week's time, ma'am."
"Ugh," Tsunade slammed her fists on her desk. "He's going to chock this whole thing up to being this killer. He'll have plenty of probable cause that neither of the Tsukimori killed Seiichiro and pin it all on us for having piss poor security."
"That isn't the impression I got from him," Shizune explained. "He seemed very close with Seiichiro. I think he wants to get to the truth as much as we do."
"Let's just hope we aren't all dead before he gets here," Tsunade gave her a weary look.
…
"I get that this is serious but it's not like we're the ones going around offing these people," Genma grumbled. "It's not like she busted us playing poker on the job or something."
"She's nervous," Izumo defended the Hokage. "Everyone is. It's not like we deal with these kinds of problems on a regular basis. The occasional domestic incident or a drunken bar fight don't add up to multiple homicides out in the middle of the street."
"Based on their times of death, at least one of these was carried out in broad daylight," Aoba added, shrinking at the death glare Genma shot him.
"Whatever," Genma shook his head. "We should go down to the barracks and see who looks good for this."
The men walked down to the barracks without incident.
"This is it?" Izumo flipped through the four pages they had been presented with. There were three suspects per page with their names, addresses, place of origin, and occupation listed. "I imagined we had a lot more people coming through here in a two-month period."
"We took the liberty of eliminating the elderly, young children, and people we know have alibis for the dates where the murders occurred," The tired looking guard said with exasperation. "'Thank you' would have been nice."
"Thanks," Getsu snatched the pages. "Great," He sighed looking at the names. "Prepare to have your asses kicked by disgruntled retirees and newlyweds."
"Let's split it in half," Kotetsu offered. "Izumo and I will take the first six and you two take the other six."
"Fair enough," Aoba shrugged. Part of him wished that this all could be over with but at the same time he knew what that meant: interrogating innocent people, feeding the rumor mill, and worst of all coming face to face with the killer. Experience had taught Aoba that many times the most dangerous people were the ones that concealed their true intentions and abilities behind a mask of normalcy. On missions, he had witnessed this in the form of elite shinobi appearing before them not as grizzly hardened muscular beasts splattered in blood, but as a farmer trying to repair a cart on the side of the road, or what appeared to be a mother pushing a stroller full of concealed weapons. He subconsciously scanned the crowd on the street. Any one of these people could be the killer by that standard. If luck was on their side, however, it would turn out to be one of the people on their list. Confronted with their deeds, they would crumble. The case could be open and shut in a matter of hours. His intuition dismissed this idea as ludicrous, however. Deep down he knew this case was far from being solved.
…
"Are you going to arrest me?" The grizzled man with graying hair stared down Izumo and Kotetsu.
"No, sir, at this time all we're asking is where were you the night before last?" Kotetsu's tone was measured. "You can happily cooperate here on your doorstep or we can bring you down to the station."
"What's all this about, then?" The man watched them carefully for any unintentional giveaways, but the pair were too well practiced.
"There is a patient in critical condition in the hospital," Izumo explained. "He's unconscious, but we're trying to find out information on the assault. He should be waking up any day now, but we know it would give the poor sap some peace of mind if he woke up know his attacker was behind bars."
The man's expression relaxed slightly. "I was...I was out."
"Where were you at approximately 11 PM?" Kotetsu took out a notepad and watched the older man carefully. His hands may have been occupied with the pen and pad, but Kotetsu was ready to defend himself against a sudden attack. If it happened, it wouldn't be the first time or the last.
The older man sighed. "I was walking home. From an AA meeting,"
"How long have you been sober?" Izumo asked, trying to seem friendly.
"Almost two years I haven't touched a drop," The old man explained. "Where was the assault?"
"A few blocks south of here," Kotetsu gestured with his chin. "Is that the route you take home?"
The man nodded and scratched his chin. "I didn't see anything outside the ordinary. The usual night crowd was out. It's been so damned hot lately lots of people are walking around that time of night, enjoying the break in the heat. There were some kids horsing around, couples, and one really good looking woman. That's about it."
"Thank you for your time sir," Kotetsu bowed respectfully and Izumo followed suit. "We apologize for the inconvenience. If you can remember anything, please call the station." He handed the man a card with the station's number embossed on it.
A few blocks away Izumo elbowed Kotetsu. "I thought that guy was going to deck us."
"His rap sheet is a mile long," Kotetsu sighed. "Of course he would be suspicious of guards knocking on his door."
"Well, that's almost all of them," Izumo looked at the list. "I wonder if Genma and Aoba are having any more luck?"
…
"Oh no," Genma flinched when he saw the last name on their list. "I think I know who this is."
Aoba leaned over and looked at the paper. "Sato Sayuri? Do you know her?"
"She was in lock up last night for a drunk and disorderly," Genma sighed. "That woman was hell drunk. I can't even imagine what she'll be like sober."
They knocked on the door of her third-floor apartment. After a moment of shuffling within, Sayuri opened the door wide. It struck Aoba how trusting she seemed, opening the door all the way without asking who it was. The next thing that hit him was how gorgeous she was. Sayuri wasn't conventionally pretty in that there was something otherworldly in her beauty. It hung around her like a cloud as if light itself bent around the woman to always cast her in a perfectly soft glow.
"H-Hello," He managed at last and Genma shot him a dirty look.
"Ma'am, do you remember me from the guard station?" Genma asked gruffly.
"Why, yes, I do remember you," The slightest smirk pulled at her lips, giving her a playfully mischievous air. "What brings you here, officers?"
Genma didn't like the woman. As attractive as she was, there was something about her that put him off. Perhaps it was the nagging sense that there was a secret behind the unassuming facade. Aoba probably thought she said "officers" out of respect and that the hesitation in her voice was because she wasn't sure if it was the right title to give them. Genma suspected she knew damned well they were just guards and was mocking them.
"There was an assault in the area. We were wondering if we could ask you some questions?" Genma watched her carefully for any telltale signs of anxiousness. All Sayuri did was smile.
"Come on in, then," Sayuri waved them inside and Genma could practically hear Aoba being blinded by her radiance. "I've got a while before I have to head into work. I'm happy to help."
"So, who got knifed?" Sayuri asked casually as she walked into the kitchen.
"The victim is in critical condition," Genma looked around the apartment. It was sparse to say the least. The place almost felt sterile, as if no one actually lived in it. There wasn't a single photo on the wall. The furniture was cheap and functional, all corners and rough edges. With a body and a face like hers, Sayuri would probably make at least a few hundred dollars a night working the poorest club in the village. Genma knew that the apartment building wasn't an expensive one; he had looked at it himself when he had been apartment hunting a year before. The meager living arrangements when Sayuri made that kind of money was a red flag. If Genma were to guess, the usual reasons for such a discrepancy would be she owed someone a lot of money, she had a tendency of picking up and moving at the drop of a hat, or she was just incredibly cheap.
"For his privacy we can't go into details," Aoba filled the awkward silence Genma had left in the wake of his analysis. "We're just asking around the neighborhood if anyone has witnessed any suspicious activity in the area."
"Coffee?" Sayuri opened her fridge and Genma stole a peek. She pulled out the creamer and shut the door. All he saw was a water pitcher, eggs, and bread.
"Sure," Genma leaned against the wall. Sayuri clearly didn't have company often. There was only one armchair in the living area and no table to speak of.
Sayuri had an old-fashioned stove top coffee pot. She filled it with water, replaced the filter and grounds, and put it on top of the burner. As Genma surveyed the apartment more in depth, he noticed that there was a lack of modern conveniences. Other than the built-in appliances, everything she had was old fashioned. Her laundry was hanging up to dry in the kitchen, meaning she washed her clothes in the sink. The radio sitting on the counter was an older model as well, but it was in good condition. Other than the furniture, all her belongings seemed to be in excellent shape, as if they had been purchased recently. That implied that Sayuri bought the older pieces out of familiarity, not that they were possessions she had brought with her from somewhere else.
"My old man had that radio," Genma jerked his head in its direction. "I haven't seen one of those in years."
Sayuri shrugged. "More lights and buttons doesn't mean something works better. A person is more likely to find happiness with simple necessities than to constantly be chasing after new possessions."
"That's awfully philosophical for a stripper," Genma snapped, but Sayuri just smiled at him as she poured the cups of coffee.
"Tell me, officer," Sayuri handed Aoba his mug and held the other out to Genma. "Do you think people only end up being strippers? Isn't it possible I chose to be one?"
Genma sipped the coffee, never letting his eyes part from hers. There was a light that shined from within her that was wild and free in a primal and nearly inhuman fashion. If she wasn't so poised and eloquent, he would have almost called it madness. Then again, maybe his body was just setting him on high alert against her. The freedom that shimmer promised wasn't madness, it caused madness. He stole a glance at Aoba and his suspicions were confirmed. There was a gravity to her and it was sucking Aoba in. If he wasn't careful, Genma was sure she could find some way under his armor, too.
Sayuri backed away, putting herself equally between the two. "Okay, I'll bite," Genma said at last. "Why did you decide to be a stripper?"
Sayuri smiled. "Isn't it obvious? I'm damn good looking and I make in a month what you make in a year."
"I bet you meet all kinds of wonderful people," Genma offered sarcastically, taking another sip of the coffee. The beans were clearly expensive. That proved she was human: she indulged in something.
"Scumbags mostly," Sayuri cocked her head. "But they're the most fun to part with their money." She glanced back and forth between the two. "I apologize. It seems like our conversation got off track. You wanted to ask me about…?"
"You must come home late at night," Genma set the empty mug on the sad looking arm of the armchair. "Have you seen or heard anything strange the last few nights?"
Sayuri shook her head. "We live in a village where people can breathe fire, run on their hands, and can see through walls. You're going to have to be more specific."
"Stabbing. Violence, that sort of thing," Aoba had found his voice at last.
"Sadly, I can't help you," Sayuri sighed a little too convincingly. "It's been quiet and peaceful the last few days."
"Thank you for your time," Aoba set his mug down beside Genma's. "If you hear or see anything, feel free to contact us."
The pair headed for the door. Just as Genma's hand wrapped around the knob, Sayuri protested. "Wait,"
There was an anxious note in her voice. Genma had never heard her sound anything less than perfectly composed. She was either in distress or a fabulous actress.
"It hasn't been around here," Sayuri gestured towards the street. "I have noticed a…murdery looking man."
"Murdery?" Aoba asked. "What do you mean?"
Sayuri shrugged. "You just get that vibe off him. He hangs out around the club. I see him at market from time to time. The other girls think he's a creep, too."
Genma called it the doorknob problem. The second he put his hand on the doorknob to leave, people finally found the courage to talk.
"Has he done something? Or is it just your intuition?" Aoba asked.
Sayuri shook her head. "Nothing yet. You know what? Forget it. Probably just a dime a dozen kind of jerk. Thank you for your time."
Aoba and Genma walked out of her apartment into the late afternoon sun. No new knowledge had been acquired and nothing about the visit had been unexplainably out of the ordinary. Despite that, Genma felt like they had just reached a milestone point in the case, be it Sayuri or the mysterious "murdery" individual who darkened the doorway of the club.
"She's gorgeous," Aoba shook his head. "Have you ever seen a woman that beautiful in all your life? Like, holy crap! She should be glittering on some rich man's arm or starring in movies!"
"That tells you all you need to know, kid," Genma took a senbon out of his pouch and sucked on it pensively. "She's either crazy or broken. Or crazy and broken, which is the worst possible combination. Keep your head on the job."
"That reminds me, we've got to get on Asuma's bachelor party," Aoba shook his head. "All this, 'serial killer on the loose' stuff made it slip my mind."
"You're right," Genma sighed. "I wonder if the other guys have put any time into it."
…
The diner was unusual empty for dinnertime. The walk there had also proven suspiciously lonely. No matter how hard the Hokage tried to keep a damper on the situation, it seemed as if rumor was traveling fast. People knew there was a killer on the loose and no one wanted to get caught in an alley alone with them. Genma and Aoba took a seat at the counter next to Gai and Kakashi, whom had already placed their orders.
"Any luck?" Kakashi asked in a passive tone, as if inquiring about locating a lost coat and not a murderer.
"We dug up a couple of leads," Aoba sighed as he took a pack of chopsticks out of a cup on the counter. "We'll follow up on them soon."
"How about you two?" Genma took the senbon out of his mouth. "Is Asuma going to have a bachelor party or are we just going to get drunk at my place again?"
Gai gave him a thumb up and a charming smile. "Don't worry about it. Kakashi and I have done all the footwork on this one."
"Hopefully more Kakashi than Gai," Aoba chuckled. "Unless we all want to be taking shots between arm wrestling contests."
Gai's expression darkened, as though Aoba had hit the nail on the head. "That was only one of the options I had prepared…"
"You all have enough on your plates," Kakashi offered. "You'll just get to come along and enjoy yourselves."
"What do we owe you?" Aoba took out his wallet and Genma followed suit.
"Well, when we split it six ways, it comes out to-" Gai began, but Genma and Aoba both threw 5000 Ryo notes at him. "B-but this is too much!"
"Shut up and take it," Genma growled and Kakashi pocketed the notes.
"You know we'll end up drinking more than we paid for beforehand, Gai," Kakashi explained. "They're just trying to help cover the difference."
"That's a great idea!" Gai punched the air. "We're really planning on taking out all the stops, then!" He turned his intense gaze on Kakashi. "I challenge you to a drinking contest!"
"We aren't even there yet, Gai," Kakashi sighed. "Hold it till then."
"So, when are we all getting together?" Aoba asked. "The Hokage is going to want to make sure we've got enough coverage on the guard if we're all there."
"It's this Friday night at nine," Kakashi explained. "We already let Tsunade know. She's calling in some alternates for extra hours. They're glad for it."
"I'm glad we're doing this," Aoba sighed. "I could really use a distraction. I mean, I had one today, but I mean like, a real distraction."
"What are you talking about?" Gai asked.
"There's this woman-" Aoba started and Gai whooped.
"You're the next one we're going to have a bachelor party for, then?" Gai grinned.
"No, she's related to the case," Aoba flushed slightly and smiled back good naturedly. "But I tell you what, she's a looker. A real class act."
"He's being stupid," Genma spat. "She's bad news. They always are when they look like that. Not to mention she has the personality of a viper that's been stepped on."
"She wasn't that bad," Aoba shook his head. "You're always this way. Once you make up your mind about someone, that's that."
"So, present company would have to agree my intuition's pretty good then, huh?" Genma glowered.
"It's not that you have bad judgement, you're just kind of rigid." Aoba shrugged. "Her life probably made her that way, you know?"
"She was weird," Genma grumbled.
"How do you mean?" Kakashi's interest was piqued.
"I mean, it was kind of strange how she hardly had any furniture," Aoba explained. "There weren't any photos on the walls or anything. That could just be a lifestyle, though. She does have kind of a transient job."
"Transient how?" Gai asked. "A farmer, a construction worker, a priestess?"
"A stripper," Genma said.
"So, what's your read on her then?" Kakashi asked. "What's setting you off?"
Genma thought about it for a moment, replacing the senbon and sucking on it in concentration. "She seems too deliberate."
Aoba shook his head. "What does that even mean?"
"She seems too damned smart to be a stripper, for one," Genma explained. "Number two, what was with all that outdated crap? She went out and bought an old-fashioned radio, has all old-school pots and pans. It would be one thing if she was just poor and couldn't afford any better, but it was all in excellent condition. Who does that?"
"Someone who grew up with them, I would guess," Kakashi shrugged. "I shave with a straight razor because my father did. It's just what I know."
"See that's the thing," Genma rapped his knuckles on the counter. "If you take it all apart, you can explain it away one piece at a time. When it's all together, it stinks."
The waitress came around and interrupted their conversation. After she took their orders, conversation digressed back to the bachelor party. After they finished their meals, the men parted ways. The usually quiet town seemed almost foreboding in the sliver of moonlight, where they all knew somewhere within the walls, a killer crept. They moved like a shadow, stealing life from alleyways like a snake stealing eggs from a nest. As they walked, each of the men wondered if that night they would be the one the snake came for.
…
The men all met up at the club Friday night, which was in a less seedy portion of Konoha's red light district. The building had seen better days, but the forgiving glow of the neon lights helped soften its harsh appearance. After they stepped inside, they saw that the interior wasn't much better. The floor was gritty with glitter and spilled booze and the clientele looked like the bandits the shinobi were usually sent on missions to clear out of the woods.
"Don't get that look," Kakashi cautioned Asuma. "You should know this is the only one Gai and I went to that someone didn't try to stab us."
"I told Kakashi the other ones would be better," Gai grumbled. "We're men of action! Attempted stabbings keep you on your best game!"
"Thanks for that," Asuma said as he looked around. "I feel much better. At least it looks like they let us smoke in here."
They took their seats at a booth one of the scantily clad waitresses had just finished clearing off. "Kurenai is going to kill me if I come home covered in fairy dust," Asuma sighed, which elicited a few chuckles from his friends. "Have you ever been locked in a genjutsu by an angry woman? I didn't think so."
The waitress came over and took their drink orders. Asuma fished out his cigarettes and his lighter. He tapped one out of the pack and put it to his lips. After he flicked open the lighter, he tried to ignite it but the flame wouldn't catch. His brow furrowed as the lighter flicked hopelessly. "And none of you idiots smoke," he sighed.
"Need a light?" One of the girls had been walking by the side wall of the booth and heard his plight. He caught sight of her blue eyes and black hair over the top of the wall.
"Here, use mine," She walked around the side to give it to Asuma and Genma let out a groan.
"Of all the hellholes in all the world we end up here," Genma said under his breath and Kakashi looked at him curiously. "That's the broad from the lockup."
Sayuri tossed her lighter to Asuma and scanned the group with a smile. Her eyes locked on to Aoba and Genma and her grin took a wicked turn. "Well, officers. I didn't expect to see you here."
Aoba gestured towards Asuma. "He's getting married next weekend."
"Well congratulations," Sayuri flashed her dazzling eyes in his direction. "I'll let the girls know. We like giving the grooms to be a hard time for tying the knot and leaving the dating pool."
Asuma chuckled. "Try not to get me into too much trouble with the old lady." He flicked open Sayuri's lighter and lit the end of his cigarette. "Thanks for the light."
Sayuri waved dismissively. "Keep it. There are a dozen lighters left on the floor here every night. We've got more than we know what to do with."
"So, you're one of the dancers?" Aoba asked. "Are you on tonight?"
Sayuri cocked her head. "Will you be sad if I'm not?"
Aoba flushed and stammered for an answer.
"I'm just giving you a hard time babe. I'll be on in an hour." Sayuri's smile slipped a little as she scanned the room. "Keep an eye out for that shady bastard I told you about the other day."
"What's he look like again?" Aoba leaned forward in the booth to get a better look at the room.
Sayuri shook her head. "He's not here yet. You know him when you see him, though. The second he walks in the door it gets quiet in here. The first time he came here, one of the regulars tried to start a fight with him. We've got a no weapons rule in here, so the guy breaks a bottle over the regular's head and tries to shove the neck of it down his throat."
"Why didn't you guys 86 him then?" Genma asked and Sayuri's eyes flickered in his direction.
"The bouncers don't do anything unless someone gets handsy with us ladies. Of course, all the dancers were uncomfortable, but let's be honest. Look at me," Sayuri gestured to her hourglass figure. "How good I look determines how much I make. I'm not going to go ask a guy with a busted bottle to ease up."
"Fair enough," Genma folded his arms.
"I have to get changed. I'll see you guys when I'm on stage," Sayuri winked as she walked away.
"See what I mean?" Aoba elbowed Gai. "Isn't she good looking?"
Gai nodded. "She has a fierce spirit. The fiery passion of her youth is obvious just by looking at her eyes."
Aoba gave a frustrated sigh. "Of course you were looking at her eyes."
Asuma was quietly looking over the lighter. "Crazy to me someone would just leave this lying around. It's an expensive piece. I think it's silver."
Genma got a strange look on his face. "Let me see that a second." Asuma handed it over and Genma began to examine it. On the large face of the lighter an ornate snake curled menacingly. "Yeah. Almost suspicious, isn't it?"
"Let it go, Genma," Aoba sighed. "If you don't like someone, everything they do is suspicious."
The MC announced the next dancer, who went by the stage name of Sunny. She was slight of build and small in stature with an innocent looking face and flowing strawberry blonde hair. A few moments into her dance she caught sight of someone in the audience and her whole rhythm was thrown off. She slowed down to almost a standstill until she was booed by the men at the bar. Sunny caught herself and tried to get back into the groove of things but it was ruined. When the song ended, the girl hurried back off the stage and the lights came back up.
"That must be the guy Sayuri was talking about," Aoba stuck his nose over the back of their booth. "The stocky guy at the bar."
The rest of the group turned their attention to that side of the room. It was obvious who Aoba was referring to; a single man stood out from the surly crowd. Where they were ornery, he looked meaner. As wicked as they looked he was more sinister. The lighting was no good but the man appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties with salt and pepper hair and scars across his mouth that gave him a permanent scowl. He was staring off towards the stage entrance that Sunny had retreated to. The lusty look on his face wasn't one of desire but a thirst for blood.
"I have to admit he does look awful 'murdery'," Genma sighed. "Maybe the stripper isn't so off point."
"It'll be interesting to see if he looks at all the girls that way or if he just hates Sunny in particular." Aoba scratched his chin.
"What a shame," Gai sighed. "For these girls to be dancing with all the fire of their youth only to be scowled out. It's disheartening."
A collective groan filled the booth.
"Hey fellas, I thought we were here to not work?" Asuma took a drag on his cigarette. "You wanna pull out some reports to pick at while we wait for our drinks."
"Sorry Asuma," Aoba smiled apologetically. "Guess I need to shift gears-"
The MC's voice cut Aoba short. "And now, for our most popular dancer, the classic beauty with a bad attitude, Sayuri!"
A cheer went up in the room as the lights dimmed. A raucous song came on and the black-haired woman trotted out on the stage in a pair of break neck heels and an elaborate stage costume. The multilayered outfit was a ruse. Sayuri ripped it off in one felled swoop like a tracksuit and haphazardly threw it behind her. She danced the whole duration of the song as wild and free as if she were the only person in the room. The men seated right next to the stage were already drunk and one of them kept calling for her to come over to him. Sayuri ignored him and kept dancing. When she passed by that part of the stage, the man made a grab for Sayuri and she sidestepped it gracefully allowing him to faceplant behind her. Over the throb of the bass he yelled out, "Hey, Bitch!" and hawked a shot glass right at her face.
The stripper turned her head, avoiding the projectile, and caught it with her far hand. "Ooohs" went up from the crowd as she flashed the drunk a wicked smile and chucked the glass right back at his face. The man fell backwards out of his seat with what looked like a broken nose. His friends rose, half of them turning to aid their friend and the others turning their attention on Sayuri. Bouncers descended on the crowd and forcefully shuffled them outside. Sayuri blew a kiss after the men and sauntered back behind the curtains.
Once the lights came back on it was business as usual in the club. Girls milled around the room, flirting with clients and dancing to the loud music coming from the DJ booth. The men got Asuma good and drunk and made sure that when they staggered out the doors just before last call, he was absolutely coated in glitter. They stumbled out into the night laughing loudly while simultaneously shushing each other.
"Come on guys," Gai said a little too loudly. "We need to be setting a good example." He had gotten in a drinking contest with Kakashi and the two were barely able to stay on their feet. Aoba and Genma had a little less to drink, so they each supported one of their more inebriated friends. As they made their way home, Genma heard what sounded like crying and looked over his shoulder. He saw Sayuri and Sunny walking out of the club. Sunny was bawling into her hands and Sayuri was patting her back while speaking what looked like words of encouragement. Genma shook his head and turned his attention back to the walk home. He had enough to deal with tonight; his job could wait until morning.