AN: I know I have been following Haruka a lot, so just a warning… I am going to start following the other characters here and there as well. I love writing with Haruka as the main, but I want to move some of the others more visibly too. Also I am using the American name of one character just so you know it isn't an error. I wanted that person placed in the military and I thought it weird if all the characters Haruka interacts with on post have Japanese names. You'll see who I mean with in the chapter.
Chapter 8: Dance Floor Spot Light
Depending on how you looked at it being a Disk Jockey was either one of the best jobs in the world, or one of the worst. You got to decide what music played, at the desecration of the club owner of course, and when. You got to use probably the most expensive equipment in the club as you saw fit. You were even encouraged to spend your free time CD shopping or watching MTV and music videos, to keep up with "pop culture" so to speak. In most cases, a DJ also could take home any number of women in a club on a given night.
On the other hand, if you were a female DJ who liked to put on a baseball cap and lowers the lights of the booth so no one would really catch sight of you there wasn't as much to do. The one major positive, beside getting to chose the music and working for someone willing to sponsor her schooling, was having a bird's eye view of the dance floor. The past months working as a DJ Rei Hino had taken an interest in observing how people reacted to the different music, to the increase or decrease of the beat and the way the speakers thumped in time with certain songs. She pushed her blue baseball cap up a bit; making sure the hood of her large sweater still covered her long black hair as her dark eyes scanned the club's floor again.
Her eyes narrowed however as she noticed a large area of the floor where the crowd had receded to ring around a few figures. She paid careful attention and noticed soon how two figures charged toward one near the center. It wasn't hard to tell a fight was going on. She flipped a few switches and raced out of the booth and into a hidden hallway of the second floor. This was the clubs version of backstage, no one but workers and very select guests even saw the staircase which led to the second floor. Rei made a quick right at the end of the hall and all but barreled through the door of her employer's office causing two older women to jump from their seats.
Meiou-sama, there's a fight on the floor of the main room! Rei said as she stopped and bowed quickly. Meiou Setsuna picked up a black phone and hit a button, speaking quickly before hanging up and turning back to Rei.
Hino-san, go see if you can focus one of the spot lights on the area so the bouncers can locate it easily. Rei nodded and jogged back down the hall as Setsuna walked over to the door, followed by her guest.
Is it always so eventful, Setsuna-san? Asked the twenty year old who followed a few paces behind.
No, but there are bound to be problems now and then Michiru-san. Setsuna paused and turned to her friend. I'm going down to make sure things are settled, are you sure you want to follow?
It shouldn't be that dangerous with your bouncers there, should it?
I'd hope not.
On the floor Haruka chose to focus on the man before her, hoping the guy behind her could wait for a moment. She managed to land a round house kick to the man's head, silently thanking the crowd for having backed away now. As she turned toward the next man, wondering why he hadn't already attacked she found him on the ground and Makoto standing above him glaring. Green eyes met teal and Haruka nodded her thanks to the younger woman. The man with Minako in hand wrapped an arm tightly around the young blonde's throat and began to slowly back toward the crowd.
And just where do you think you're going? Asked a rather loud voice behind him. This time the man jumped, just keeping his hold on the Minako as he spun around to face Usagi behind him. He sneered and almost laughed when he saw the girl blocking him.
Run along and play kitten. The man said, starting toward her again just as a spot light focused on the group. He paused, and then cursed as he saw a group of bouncers headed their way. With out a second thought he let go of Minako and darted into the crowd hoping to escape before the cops were called.
Break it up! Yelled a bouncer as he grabbed Haruka by the collar, taking in a bit of blood now leaking from a wound on her right temple and glaring at the man holding a bottle and being pinned by two bouncers. Several of them continued to struggle, though Haruka wasn't one of them since she was actually glad the bouncers had finally arrived. He raised his voice and shouted at the group again. I said break it up! Now! Haul them out of here!
Wait. Setsuna stepped from the ring of the crowd and looked at the gathered men, bouncers, Minako who looked no worse for wear, Haruka who was bleeding, Makoto and Usagi. She eyed everyone before asking the one question she cared about. Who started this?
It was the blonde guy! Yelled one of Minako's would be kidnappers and Haruka rolled her eyes. Setsuna looked at her and a weird smile lit her face.
Did you start the fight? Setsuna asked.
Only if preventing them from dragging my friend outside counts. Haruka replied a bit bitterly and Setsuna shook her head.
"It was him!" Minako yelled and pointed as Mamoru drug a kicking and screaming man back toward them. It took him and another bar tender to control the man and force him over to where their boss stood. Minako realized where saw was and turned to Setsuna again but the older woman waved off what she was about to say.
"Don't worry, I speak English." Setsuna smiled at the relief that shone from Minako's eyes even as the man continued to shout that he hadn't done anything. She shook her head and pointed to him and his four friends'. Take them to one of the store rooms; they can wait there until the police arrive. Bring the calm ones to my office please.
Setsuna turned and walked back toward a well hidden doorway in the back of the room. Haruka, Minako, Usagi, and Makoto followed. Near the door waited another woman dressed more appropriately for a visit to a museum. Haruka looked up and spotted deep blue eyes and aqua looks as the woman eyed her, before a bouncer cuffed the blonde in the head and told her to keep moving. They proceeded up a staircase and down a hallway into an office that wasn't large, but was about the size of the average living room. Setsuna took a seat at her desk, the mysterious woman opting to stand behind her and seeming to be examining a painting on the wall. Minako and Usagi took the two seats before the desk and Makoto and Haruka stood behind them.
Wait outside. Setsuna said to the bouncers that had followed. Reluctantly the men exited and shut the door behind them. Setsuna stippled her fingers and regarded them. Usagi-chan, Makoto-chan. I am very surprised to find you two were involved, I've never had a problem with either of you.
We're sorry, Meiou-san. Makoto began but Usagi cut her off and seemed to be ready to pled for their lives, causing the brunette to sigh again.
It was just that Ten'ou-san saw that guy trying to drag off his friend, and he stood to go help, and we couldn't just let them take her. Usagi stood from her chair and waved a hand toward Minako who's eyes were wide as she had no clue what the other blonde was saying at such high speed. I mean, who knows what they would have done to her. She might have been raped or killed or beaten or…
Please breathe Usagi-chan. Setsuna waved the blonde back to her seat and shook her head. I merely meant that I would have thought you'd have called the bouncers, rather than charge to the rescue yourselves. Now, may I ask Ten'ou-san some questions?
Sure. Haruka responded as she had just finished whispering a quick summary of what Usagi said to Minako. The tall blonde stood up to attention, then realized what she was doing stuffed her hands in her pockets. The entire action earned her another odd look from the woman behind the desk.
Why were you involved?
Aino-san, my roommate, had gone off to the dance floor. I was talking to Kino-san and Tuskino-san when I noticed one of the men down stairs arguing with her. Haruka reported with a detached look in her eye, trying not to sound too angry. By the time I'd made my way across the floor he was trying to drag her away.
Very heroic of you. Said the aqua haired woman, speaking for the first time and causing everyone to look at her. She turned to face them and looked directly into Haruka's teal eyes. Do you save every young woman in trouble?
This is the first time I've had to, and I was looking out for my friend. Haruka answered, not sure wither or not to take the question as a form of criticism. The aqua haired woman merely nodded and turned back to inspect another painting.
And Makoto-chan, you decided to follow to help Ten'ou-san. Do I have that correct? Setsuna asked and received a nod from the young woman in question. She turned her eyes toward the second young blonde woman sitting before her desk. "Aino-san I presume. May I hear your side of things?"
"Yes ma'am." Minako smiled weakly as she took her turn. "I left Ten'ou-san at the bar and decided to go look for someone to dance with. Just as one song was starting I met the man on the dance floor. We danced once and I tried to step away but he grabbed my arm. I tried asking him to let go in both Japanese and English but he didn't. I thought he didn't understand so I tried to pull away but he held on. I repeated for him to let me go but he only smiled and began to pull me along. I slapped at him a few times and stepped on his foot but he still didn't let go. That's when Ten'ou-san found us and stood in the way."
"Thank you." Setsuna looked at the group at large until her door swung open and a concerned looking Mamoru came in. She silenced him with a hand held up and a shake of her head. Don't worry; Usagi-chan and Makoto-chan aren't in any trouble I just wanted to hear what they had to say. I will ask that they wait up here until the police have come and spoken with whoever they like though. The same goes for Ten'ou-san and Aino-san.
"What did she just say?" Minako asked Haruka, her concentration failing under the current predicament.
"She wants us to wait until the police finish their own questions." Haruka supplied.
"We aren't banned are we?" Minako asked and even Haruka would call the look she was giving the club owner puppy eyes.
"No Aino-san, none of you is banned." Setsuna smiled as the blonde relaxed. A man stuck his head in the door and informed her police had arrived and she excused herself.
Eventful night for a visit, isn't it? Asked the aqua haired woman as Mamoru allowed himself a relived sigh, his girlfriend hugging him tightly and causing him to turn a bit red.
Yes, Kaioh-sama. He shook his head and smiled as Usagi finally released her strangle hold and contented herself to hugging his arm instead. I'm glad no one was seriously hurt… Are you okay Ten'ou-san?
I'm fine, it's just a cut. Haruka replied, eyes shut as she fought a headache that came with a bottle hitting her temple. At the time she remembered a star burst in her vision and blinding pain, she was glad it had now died to a dull throb. A light hand took a hold of hers and led her to Setsuna's chair where she was forced to sit. She opened her eyes and found herself looking into deep blue eyes and a concerned face. Gentle hands turned her head and Michiru inspected the cut carefully.
Are you sure, it is bleeding quite a bit? Michiru asked as she accepted a piece of ice from Mamoru who'd raided Setsuna's mini refrigerator. She pressed the ice lightly to Haruka's cut and wiped blood and water away with a cloth Haruka hadn't noticed in her hand. It hurt a bit but the blonde knew enough to know in the end it was a good idea to allow the woman to treat the wound.
It really isn't that bad, thank you Kaioh-san. Haruka replied and received a smile as Michiru handed her the cloth now wrapped around the ice. Haruka placed it against her temple and held it there as the door opened and Setsuna was followed in by two police officers.
Hours later Haruka thanked every god she'd ever heard of that they made it back to the barracks. Setsuna and Michiru refused to let them leave if Haruka was driving; they had spent half an hour talking her into allowing her roommate to drive. Haruka hadn't honestly thought Minako would be this bad, now however she wondered how the blonde made it to anywhere with out crashing. The girl was great with video games but somehow driving a real car just seemed to be beyond her, at least from Haruka's point of view. Minako on the other hand seemed to be having the time of her life.
They pulled up behind the barracks and narrowly missed running over a specialist who was reading as she walked. Minako turned the engine off and bounced over to help the young woman up. She pulled the woman up and apologized over and over.
"Hey, Anderson." Haruka greeted, cutting off Minako's apologizes and causing the blue haired eighteen year old in combats to look up. "Just getting off shift?"
"Yes." Amy started but paused as she noticed the blood stained collar of Haruka's shirt and the once white cloth pressed to the blonde's temple. Amy's blue eyes widened a bit as she tugged the taller blonde down causing a surprised noise to escape her and moving Haruka's hand from the wound.
"We tried to tell her to go to a hospital." Minako said as Amy put her glasses on and looked closer.
"It isn't quiet as bad as it looks." Supplied the young medic as she allowed Haruka to stand straight again. Haruka threw Minako a look that clearly said 'I told you so.' and Amy gestured for them to follow. "You do need a bandage though, Ten'ou."
"Does that mean I'll have to go to the TMC Monday?" Haruka asked as they all entered the building and started for the stairs. Amy seemed to think but shook her head.
"No, the bandage should stop the bleeding so it should be fine as long as you don't poke it." Amy led them to the third floor and unlocked her door. Once they were all inside she instructed Haruka to sit on a bunk and went to retrieve a medical kit from her locker. "I don't know if your command chain is going to want you to though. How did you do this?"
"You could say it was kind of a bar fight." Haruka muttered a bit, her head ache not making her feel up to telling the whole story.
"Oh, it was cool." Minako put in and smiled at Amy as she watched the woman carefully disinfect and tend to Haruka's cut. "I never knew Ten'ou knew Karate!"
"It was Tea Kwon Do, and it wouldn't hurt you to take a few lessons." Haruka muttered as Amy started to tape a square bandage in place on her temple.
"Do you know where any classes are?" Minako asked hopefully and Haruka shook her head as best she could. Minako sighed for a moment, but quickly her eyes lit up again and she hopped up. "You'll just have to teach me a little I guess."
"Thank you, Specialist Anderson." Haruka said after Minako left and Amy smiled at the taller woman and led her to the door of the small room.
"Your welcome, please come by tomorrow afternoon so I can check it and change the bandage." Amy said and Haruka nodded. She was out the door and down the hall as she went over the nights events in her head. The tall blonde swore to herself that she would never again let her roommate talk her into going to any club, bar or other nighttime activity.
AN: Please let me know what you think.
Review responses:
D3V4n63L: Normally I like to keep to a small group of characters and add them kind of slowly, it allows me to keep better track of them and confuses me less. Still, this time it just seemed easier to add certain characters in quick succession.
You haven't posted in a while, hope you're doing okay.
Marah: Thanks for reviewing again. B-) You know, I kind of neglect that my space site, I really need to go update it. The dedication was no problem; I love to give credit now and then to reviewers because reading these really keep me motivated.
Hagancameron: Sorry about all the suspense, I was tied up… Thankfully not literally. Hmm, cloning myself to write stories faster? I think the clones would creep me out a bit to be honest.
Amnesia nymph: Don't worry; at the moment my plans to leave got canceled. I am actually unsure if I will ever work that part out, so for now no plans.
On that note, I'll go post this for all of you out there to read.