Chapter 13: Tension In The Club

Okay, time for another fun round of facts! Although I'm not going to be talking about oranges this time around, I WILL be talking about a different citrus fruit. That's right, lemons! More specifically, how lemons relate to fan fiction. Now, we all know what the lingo stands for, but do you know how it got it's name? Fun Fact: It comes from the hentai called Cream Lemon. See, you can learn a lot from reading my stuff! Sure, it isn't useful in society, but you're still better off knowing it. Anyway, let's top of our education with a fun story!

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Yang swerved the Bumblebee into the parking lot of Junior's club. Now, she knew the place was always full of assholes, so really anything went around there. Still, that didn't mean that she didn't get annoyed when shit happened to her.

As she sped towards the front parking spaces, she and Sun were nearly hit by a town car peeling out of it's parking space. As it sped off, Yang flipped off the car. "Learn to drive, fuckstick!" she shouted after the car. It showed no signs of slowing down, and just left the parking lot.

"Can nobody drive around here?" Sun dry commented.

"Nope…" Yang grumbled as she pulled into a close motorcycle space. She bet the guy in that town car was a real fucking prick, too. What an asshole.

Sun got off the bike first, shaking his leg and tugging at his shorts. He needed to get Little Sun down a peg. He wouldn't be able to live it down if Yang saw his freshly pitched pants tent with a party inside.

Of course, his luck turned against him as Yang said, "Is that your gunchucks, or are you just glad to see me?" Sun blushed as Yang started to laugh and got off her bike.

"Maybe both?" Sun weakly offered.

"Sure, cowboy. Sure," Yang chuckled. She slapped Sun on the back for good measure.

Sun scraped together his dignity as he followed Yang through the doors of what he guessed was a club. The velvet ropes and red carpeting out in front kind of gave away what type of building this was. Still, this was where she was going to get information from?

As Sun pondered this, the blonde-haired pair strode through the automatic doors that separated the waiting area from the club proper. With the brazen confidence only an extremely attractive boxer or a fucking sloshed drunk could have, Yang shouted out, "Hey, boys! Remember me?"

Everyone in the club immediately paused in place as they took in who just walked in the door. Oh no, not again. Hopefully, they could put up a better fight this time. Quicker than Sun could tell, he and Yang were surrounded by several dozen goons all pointing guns at their faces. Wait, did that janitor have a fucking flamethrower attached to that death machine? And who the fuck were those two chicks with knives strapped to their limbs? All Sun could think about was how Yang sure took him to a weird place.

"Whoa, whoa, is that any way to greet a paying customer?" Yang said with a smirk. She knew these mooks couldn't touch her. She had beat their asses the last time she was here, and she knew she could do it again. Heck, she could stand to vent a little frustration on these guys.

As the crowd mobbed around Sun and Yang, Junior stepped back out onto the club floor. He was certainly feeling a bit better. He'd just gotten a fat stack of lien for cheap bomb parts from that Roman guy. Not only did he move his long-unsold inventory, but he got more money than what it was worth. So, he felt nothing could go wrong… until he noticed the mob gathered at the front entrance.

"Great…" he mumbled to himself. Striding up to the crowd, he barked, "Hey, what's the big idea here? I don't pay you to—". He cut himself off as he saw in between the cracks of his men who exactly had shown up.

Glaring, he said, "You gotta lot of nerve showing up here again, blondie,". At the sound of his voice, Junior's henchmen (and ladies) lowered their weapons to hear him talk.

"Hey, a girl's got needs, right? And I need something from you," Yang wryly said.

"A bullet to the head?" Junior threatened.

"Information," said Yang.

The crowd blinked at Yang's reply. Okay, so she WASN'T here to maim/beat the shit out of them. It was much easier to stomach the fact that she was a customer this time around, instead of destroying everything in her path. Much, much easier.

Junior tapped his foot briefly in thought. He couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of trap. But, he was feeling in a generous/greedy mood today. The stack of lien in his pocket could stand to use a few more friends. "Fine," he grunted, "Come to the bar, and we'll talk."

Smiling, Yang elbowed a tense Sun. "See, that's how it's done."

Yang strutted towards the bar where Junior waited for her. Sun followed after her, but he couldn't help but stare at the red and white dressed twins covered in knives. Noticing his staring, the pair fake-out lunged at him. Sun couldn't help but flinch, but he kept on walking to preserve his dignity.

Sliding next to the already seated Yang, Sun sat on a stool and leaned on the bar counter. "Can I get a drink?" he asked.

Junior looked at him over the rim of his red glasses. "I'd have to card you, boy," he said.

"I'll take that as a no…" Sun sighed.

Turning to Yang, Junior then asked, "Look, are you gonna buy info, or not? I've got a busy day, and I don't need some…" Junior made sure to look over Yang, "…Underage cocktease messing up my day."

Yang made a point to show her reaching into her pocket and pull out some lien. "Bombs. The White Fang's lookin' to make a big boom. I need the name of a guy lookin' to buy a bomb," she ordered, sliding the lien across to Junior. Reaching over, Junior took the lien.

"Well, I can't exactly say WHO bought some bombs… around here. But, I CAN say that this certain person bought enough parts to make five," Junior told the pair.

"And, uh, how much would it cost to get this name?" pushed Yang.

"Sorry, sugar. Can't say," Junior flatly stated.

Suddenly, Sun slammed his fist on the counter. "Don't fuckin' lie to me!" he shouted. "I know ya got a name, so spill it!"

Unintimidated, Junior looked at Yang. "Friend of yours?"

"Yeah," Yang flippantly replied. "So, about that name…"

Junior stood his ground. "Look, if I were to say, I'd lose any business cred I have. So, no. I won't give you a name."

"Fine, fine…" Yang said, raising her hands in defeat. Well, her part was done.

But, when Yang started to stand up, Sun suddenly said, "Hey, Junior, was it? How 'bout a bet?"

"Huh?" went both Yang and Junior at the same time.

"A bet. You know, wagering? Gambling? That sort of thing? You're a betting man, I can tell," Sun said with a cocky grin.

That sure got Junior's attention. Anybody involved in Vale City's underground worth their salt knew that Junior was one of the city's top bookies, in addition to his… less than legal enterprises. So, it was a safe thing to say that Junior liked to gamble from time to time.

"…I'm listening," Junior cautiously stated.

"Great… Mind getting a drink and one glass?" requested Sun.

Interested in where this guy was going with this, Junior went to grab some booze and a clean glass. While Junior had his back to them, Yang sat back down and whispered to Sun, "What're you doing?"

"Please, I got this," Sun breezily said, taking a straw from a nearby box and taking off the wrapper. Folding up the wrapper, he placed it on the bar counter. It wouldn't be the first time he had pulled the trick he was about to perform on someone. Leaning over to the side, he then called out to Junior, "Mind if I get a cold one?"

Soon enough, Junior came back with a bottle of hooch and a clean whiskey glass. Without hesitation, Sun grabbed the bottle. Yep, it was chilled. Perfect. He made sure to position the glass so that one part of the rim was sitting on the folded wrapper. As he began to pour the cool liquor into the glass, Sun began to explain.

"Water density… it's fuckin' high school science, right? But, I'm no fuckin' nerd. Who needs that shit when you can bet on shit? So, here's the game: I'll pour until the booze hits the rim. Then, you'll need to grab some coins from that register over there." Sun motioned with his head to the register. "We'll drop same-sized coins into here 'till the booze spills over. Deal?"

"Quite the game you got there…" Junior grunted. "Okay, what do I get if I win?"

"I'm a hunter. I can give you ALL the inside info on Beacon. That's worth somthin' to someone, right?" Sun calmly offered.

"What?!" Yang cried. However, she was shushed by Sun's raised hand.

"…And if you win?" questioned Junior.

"The name. You know it, and I want it," challenged Sun.

Junior pressed his lips together. On the one hand, it wasn't good business practice to offer info on your clientele up for a bet. On the other hand… this was an interesting sounding game. Heck, Junior had to steal the idea away for later. "…I'm in," he decided.

"Cool, cool. Mind getting those coins?" Sun politely asked. Nodding, Junior walked over to the register to grab some even-sized coins.

While Junior was distracted, Yang furiously whispered, "Okay, what the fuck, Sun?!"

"Look, I got this shit. Don't sweat it," Sun replied, cool as a cucumber.

Before Yang could pretest more, Junior returned with the coins. "Will these do?" he asked, showing Sun the coins.

"Perfect," Sun smiled, taking a few coins from Junior's hand. "You can put in as many as ya want at a time. I'll go first."

Sun took three coins from the pile he'd grabbed. He cautiously studied the glass, from the almost unnoticeable wrapper, to the condensation dripping down the sides. With one smooth move, Sun dipped and dropped the three coins into the glass. Yang and Junior were on edge as they watched the liquid. It briefly shook, but the tension didn't break. Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

"I get it…" Junior mumbled as he took two coins and hovered them over the glass. After a brief moment of hesitation, Junior dunked the coins in the glass. Once again, the drink wavered, but it didn't spill over.

"Hmmm…" Sun hummed. He shook the coins in his hand. Looking at the glass, he could tell that the condensation was starting to dampen the wrapper. Good. Any minute now, he'd win. He just needed to bide his time with the least amount of coins.

Taking one coin, Sun breathed. Carefully, he dropped the coin in. The three gathered around the bar paused to stare at the glass. Yang in particular was nearly shaking. Damn, she was nervous. What the fuck was Sun thinking, offering info on Beacon to an asshole gangster like Junior? If Sun lost, both he and she were fucked beyond belief. Luckily, the tension on the glass didn't break. Yang let out a breath of relief. That was too close for her.

Now it was Junior's turn. Feeling confident, he took four coins into his fingers and held them over the glass. But then, he reconsidered. Maybe four was a little too much. So, he withdrew his hand and only took up another two coins this time. With a bated breath, Junior dropped his coins in the glass. By now, the tension was close to breaking. Everyone could tell. Still, it was amazing that it didn't break on his turn.

"You know, I think you like this game, Junior," Sun snorted, watching Junior.

Junior grunted. "Humph. Just go, monkey boy."

Sun's smirk grew larger. "You got it, sir."

Picking one coin out of his coin pile, Sun fiddled with it in his fingers. From the looks of it, the condensation had pretty much soaked the wrapper. Just what he wanted. Once Sun went, that was it. The glass would fully rest on the bar, instead of partially on the folder wrapper. Then, the glass would only shift a millimeter, and the tension would break. All he needed was for Junior's coins to tip the scales. With his confidence full, Sun dropped the coin in the glass. The booze in the cup made only a small splash as the coin sank to the bottom. Grinning, Sun looked up at Junior. "Your turn."

Junior could feel the sweat on the back of his neck as he prepared his one coin. This was easily the closest and tensest game he'd played ever since he'd heel those underground poker tournaments in the VIP section of the club. Now he knew he'd definitely steal this game for himself. Dropping in the coin, he, Yang, and Sun watched the results.

The booze ran over the rim, and spilled onto the counter.

"Yes!" Sun cheered, pumping his fists up and down.

"Fuck!" Junior cried, having lost.

"Oh my fucking god!" breathed Yang, furiously fanning her face. Man, that was so tense, it made her sweat.

Reveling in his victory, Sun told Junior, "Give me the name, buddy boy!"

Angrily slamming down his fist, Junior growled. How was he had by this random hunter? He just couldn't believe it! And, as much as it hurt to say, he'd got beaten pretty well. It was a nice game of chance this guy brought in.

"The name… the name…" Junior mumbled lowly. "It's… Roman Torchwick. He bought a bunch of bomb parts."

That revelation took Sun and Yang aback a little. Roman Torchwick? The thief that's been on the news more times than they could count? How deep did this bomb plot go?

"So, he's in on it too?" Sun asked himself. This case just kept on getting deeper and deeper!

"We should tell the others," Yang whispered to Sun. Nodding, Sun stood up from the bar and grabbed the glass. Chugging down the drink, Sun ingested the fire water. That was a nice burn going down. Then, he spat the coins back into the cup and handed it back to Junior.

"Keep the change," Sun quipped. Stunned, Junior grabbed the glass and stared at Sun.

Tugging at Yang's arm, Sun said, "C'mon, let's go."

"Right," Yang complied.

Standing up, Yang walked after Sun, exiting the club quickly. Now that they got the info they needed, they needed to get it to the others ASAP.

Out in the parking lot, the pair sat on the Bumblebee. Turing on the engine, Yang couldn't hold her curiosity any longer. "How'd you know you'd win?" she asked.

Sun gave a cheeky grin. "Easy. I fuckin' cheated."

Now that reply made Yang smile too. "I knew I like ya for a reason," she purred.

Revving up her bike, Sun and yang sped off down the street. Once they got a good distance away from the club, they were free to call their friends. After all, Yang figured that Junior wasn't all that glad that he lost. He might send his goons after them. Not that she couldn't fight them off, but time was a bit of the essence now.

As the blonde pair raced off, Team Hunters chalked up a point towards their investigation.

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Man, I love that game. If you've ever read the Stardust Crusaders arc of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, you'll know exactly what part this chapter was inspired by. That D'Arby fight was sick as hell. Heck, now I'm in the mood to read that part over again. But, before I go, I gotta ask you to leave me a kind word in the reviews section, It's the legacy of your blood!

This has been The Draigg, and I'm heating up like a bloody stone!