A/N: It seems that I've got everyone in a confuzzled mess! Can't say I'm not disappointed in you all... It will take a few more chapter to fully explain and iron out the kinks here and there anyway. :)

Alyssa: Maybe Natsume, maybe Ruka. Maybe neither. Maybe both. ;) I've tossed in a few treats here, see if you can spot them, alrighty?

Feu: Yay, you again! Thanks for coming back to read the previous chapter. About Natsume... you may be right. MAYBE. As for the old man, you'll see about him later on.

Other Guest: Eh, Mikan isn't emotionall "mad," but she's Alice in Wonderland "mad," if you get what I mean.

Sammie: Wait and see, kiddo.

QH-pyon: Definitely the rain... Go catch up on sleep, alright? I don't want to be the one to blame...

Ummm: Confusing, huh? Eh... flame all you want and I help explain.

FrozenCrimsonCroissant: I swear, you sound like Sherlock Holmes... maybe Shirley Holmes? Just kidding. Yep, you got the orders right; you'll see what comes next. As for the religion part, I can't say that I'll minimalize it entirely, because I need some backup for what will happen in the future. :) I hope you understand. (Still contemplating about Mikan's status in society... Bleh. Any ideas?) You're not drunk, girl; I'm drunk!

Disclaimer: Disclaimed

Special thanks to Panda, Dwmalove, and Croissant!
Big hugs for Story and NFD.
This took too long...


I didn't even know that I had swim trunks and orange bras…

Digging in my closet again, the results were equally unappealing. I came up with a torn scarf and the decaying corpse of yet another cockroach.

So this is my life.

After several disputes with my disagreeable wardrobe, I was finally out the door.

This time, I didn't forget a raincoat or an umbrella.

Halfway to the lobby, however, I found myself patting my pockets. Shrugging, I thought nothing of it.

Now, walking down the rocky streets of New York, I ultimately realized that I had left my phone at home.

Well isn't that convenient.

"Just wing it?" I muttered to myself.

You've never been to the bloody bar before.

…..

This place is so crowded.

Truthfully, I don't understand why the idiotic man I call "brother" would even spend time here. He may have come from the same womb as me, but he took infinite pride in drinking himself to death.

I think my hangover is gone.

You weren't even drunk.

"Shut up." I've had enough of the nagging voice at the back of my head.

I. Don't. Drink.

Well, I do, just the least bit.

Fine, I do drink. I just have "self control" so I don't run the risk of drinking myself silly like these drunkards.

"Hey, Mikan! You're here!"

I spin around and find myself looking up at my brother. There are two girls latched to his arms.

"Blondie and Apparel," I blurt.

"What?"

I quickly shake my head. "Never mind."

My orange-headed brother shrugs, an eyebrow quirked, showing evident wonder. "Sure. Anyway, drinks are on me, little sis."

Pretending to pick at the nonexistent lint on my sweater, I pointed at the two girls at his side. "Who're they?"

Brother just shrugged and winked at me. "Just a few beautiful girls I picked up." He looked to and from each girl.

I made a face and stuck my hands to my hips. "Names?"

It didn't bother me that everyone in this tiny speakeasy was staring me; this just wasn't a speakeasy.

Mr Orangy over there slurred, "Monica 'n…"

The goth-looking brunette beside my brother stepped forward and thrust out her hand. In a monotone voice, she said, "Nice to meet your acquaintance."

I stared at the hand. Chuckling awkwardly, I accepted it and nodded. "I would say the same, but I'm not one to be accused of lying."

Stepping back, I sent my gawking brother a swift glance before pushing into the crowd.

So much for thinking that they're lesbian.

They didn't seem to recognize me anyway.

The more incognito, the better.

Turning away, I find no one I want to talk to. From the corner of my eye, I see familiar blobs of dark blue and pink hair.

Let's talk to them.

But no, I don't really know them, so screw that thought.

I hate bars. But I do kind of like drinks.

Don't drink yourself silly.

"Was that ad lib?"

I swivel around. "Pardon?"

Pardon seemed to be my favorite phrase nowadays.

The fair-haired blonde repeated, "Was that ad lib?

I blinked, confused.

"The sassy remark."

Oh that.

"Oh no. I rehearsed before arriving here."

Raising a skeptic eyebrow, the blonde coughed politely. "I am assuming that that was sarcasm."

"Bingo. Get your lifetime's savings rewards here," I answered warily.

"Oh yeah?" he joked. "How about a lifetime of red wine?"

I tilted my head to the side. Pretending to think, I shrugged. "That's not too bad either."

Under the colorful lights of the flashy bar, I could make out the blonde's unusually azure eyes.

Pointing at him, I said out of the blue, "Nice eyes."

He looked startled before grinning. "Why thank you. You don't look half bad yourself."

I will say so right now, that he has a gorgeous smile.

Angel spoke again. "Fancy a drink?"

Whoo-boy. "I wouldn't say no to such a gentlemanly offer."

He chuckled.

The crowd seemed to make way for him.

"Don't tell me this is another clichéd love story."

He turned away from the counter. "Chill. What makes you think I'm interested in you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Flirt."

He grinned and handed me a glass. "A Shirley Temple for someone as sweet as you."

Oh wow, a nonalcoholic beverage. He must think I'm merely a kid.

Raising an eyebrow, I pointed at him. "How old do you think I am?"

"Perhaps under drinking age."

I glared at him.

"What?"

"You think I'm a seventeen-year-old slut."

He shrugged. But anyone who wasn't blind would be able to make out the twinkle in his eyes. "Indeed."

Shaking my head, I took a sip of the Shirley Temple. "Thanks anyway."

"My pleasure." He bowed gentlemanly and straightened up. He was wearing a tuxedo, I realized.

Blinking, I set my glass on the table. "What's your name?"

"Well that escalated quickly."

"Okay. Hello, Mister Escalator. Are you currently out of service?"

That grin again. He downed his drink and shrugged, "The least to say is that I'm alive and well. I'd say that I'm in service."

I made a face. "Why does this always happen in bars?"

"We can go to a café."

I shook my head. Finishing my drink, I nodded in thanks at him. Turning away, I stepped a few feet away from him.

That was when my brain finally started to turn gears.

Honestly, it seems foolproof to me anyway. If I get blamed, all I have to do is turn the tables and blame my damned brother for inviting me to the bar.

"Hey pretty pretty girl!"

I made a face. He's not acknowledging you, idiot.

Got it.

"Hey, I I am talk, talking to you."

I looked around. Sure enough, several feet away, is a tall man pushing through the crowd. His features looked soft, but the wildness in his brown eyes declared otherwise.

You're hammered, Mister blondie.

Well, looks like my fun would have to wait. I waved to the man. "Hey there."

"Hee-eey there beautiful."

I coughed. This may not be the best idea of the year… "Why thank you. How are you?"

He paid no heed to cordiality before holding out a drink to me.

I want to go home and eat Kraft dinners.

Not knowing what to do, I reached out and accepted the glass. The scent of lemon lime pokes its way into my nostrils while Jack Daniel's and Triple sec make themselves known soon after. A thin slice of lemon garnishes the iced drink on top.

"Lynch. Lynchburg Lemonade," he said for me, shaking his head and twirling a finger through his blonde hair. "Let's start small, shall we?"

I shook my head and laughed. Downing the unusual sweet and tangy beverage, I nod at him in thanks.

I'm definitely a goner.

Several mild drinks later, I excuse myself from the loud music and trot to the restroom.

Pushing through the doors, I meet face-to-face with a man.

A man.

Baffled, I slowly back out of the way and stare at the door. Nope, no mistake. It's definitely the bathroom.

I head back in, accidentally bumping into a bushy tree in the process.

The man is still there. "Unisex," he chuckled.

I smile weakly and nod.

What. The?

Another thing: There are no bathroom stalls or dividers.

A strangled noise escapes my throat as my heart gets caught in that very same place. "Seemingly so."

The thought that continuously flashed through my mind was that I shouldn't have downed so many drinks. But hey, I wasn't even drunk!

But I really, really… gotta pee.

The man stepped forward into the light, heading towards the door. "See you around."

Red.

"Wait!"

Okay, I shouldn't have said that…

He stood at the doorway, one hand already on the knob. Turning around, he enquired, "Hm?"

Now what, genius?

But seriously, I don't want anyone to burst in while I'm on the toilet seat.

Somehow the guy managed to grow another eye. Straightening my back, I said, "Uh… May you stand outside so n-no one will come in?"

"What, little girl?" he asked incredulously.

"I – er, uh, you see…" I fiddled with the hem of my sweater. "You see, uh I…"

Once again, I was interrupted by the swinging of the door.

The incomer paid us no mind as he unzipped his pants and did his business. Once he finished, he zipped his pants back up, ran his hands through his green hair, and was back out the door.

He didn't even wash his hands!

Oh GROSS.

"Are you going to stand there all evening?"

I stared. All I could hear was the roaring of blood flooding my ears. The Niagara Falls was nothing compared to my embarrassment.

"Puh, uh. Nevermind." Spluttering, I reigned myself to a stop.

With a small smile, I gave a wave of my hand.

Skeptical, he asked, "Have you had too many drinks?"

"Bloody hell, no! Jeez!"

He looked taken aback by my outburst. "I was just asking, no need to explode."

I liked him instantly.

Yep, the alcohol was definitely getting to me…

Grinning coyly, I tap my lip with a finger. "Drinking contest?"

Somehow, he grinned. He fucking grinned.

Maybe a flicker of doubt passed through his eyes, but I swear he said, "Oh you're on, woman."

"On a second thought, I preferred being called a little girl."

He opened the door mockingly. "Milady?"

Laughing, I pointed at the door. "Wait outside and don't let anyone come in."

With a little shrug he stepped out.

Ten minutes later, the stranger and I were at the bar counter, downing drinks to the cheers of the loud crowd. The loudness of the music in the background was adding more to the adrenaline.

I turned around briefly. Searching the crowd for my brother, no familiar blot of orange was found.

He must have left.

Yeah.

I did, however, catch sight of Barbie and Apparel. Raising my glass towards the two girls grinding against one another.

Oh they were so drunk.

I looked towards the stranger. I had already subconsciously named him Sexy when I pointed at him. "Choose your shot."

I watched as Sexy's lips curled into an evil little grin before he signaled the bartender. "Diamondback."

Cocking my head to the side, I rashly twirled at a strand of hair. Hollering above the frenzy of the crowd, I asked, "Diamondback?"

The insanely sexy Sexy winked. "You'll see."

Shaking my head, I shifted my attention towards the bartender who had busied himself over the counter. Raising my voice slightly, I asked dumbly, "What's in a Diamondback?"

I swear I was getting a tad bit dizzy, but that wasn't stopping me from hearing the light chuckles behind me. Instead of the bartender replying my question, shouts came from all corners of the bar.

"Girl, there's Rye Whiskey!"

"Yeah Rye Whisky and, and that, that Green, Green Chart… uh Green Chartreuse."

Drunk bastards.

That thought must have run through my head, unleashed, several times already.

"And three-fourths measure of Apple Brandy," the bartender finished.

I nodded. I'm in for a wild ride tonight.

"Perfect," I said stupidly.

"It's strong," the man behind the counter warned.

I waved him off. And he thought I wasn't aware of that?

Sexy and I received our drinks. It looked… deadly… like a snake. Holy… I should have taken my precautions when I heard the mention of a 'Diamondback.'

Despite the obviousness that the liquor should be downed slowly, it was evident that the people around me were too drunk to care.

Eyeing one another, we had finished our drinks by the end of the eight-second countdown.

I clanked the glass against the counter. "That was disgusting."

Sexy just smirked and ruffled his hair before pointing at me. "Your turn."

"Hm…" I pretended to think about it before nodding. "Last drink."

"Your choice."

I didn't know what was coming over me at that instant, but I ruthlessly decided to end this drinking game on an absurd note. Directing my attention towards the bartender, I announced, "The Aunt Roberta."

The bar, said for the music, became silent.

It felt as if I were underwater as the music suddenly tuned down several notches. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, and everything seemed to be dark, and blurred.

"Hey—Gal, you sure—"

"You might not be able to handle –"

"Don't be too rash, Gorgeous. You'll be dead tomorrow morning."

So maybe the bartender looked surprised.

So maybe he tried to coax me to choose something else.

So maybe even Sexy looked at me incredulously, as if to ask what the bloody hell I was doing.

But I held steadfast. Nodding my head, I felt my feet swaying. Stupid after-effects. "Bring it on, pretty boy."

Hoo boy, that wasn't meant to come out.

The bartender nodded before unsurely turning around. "Just to make sure, this packs a punch. It's alcoholic beverages through and through."

My eyesight was beginning to blend. It felt as if I was back in the rain all over again.

"It's induced with absinthe, one-and-a-half ounce of vodka, one-fifty rum, brandy, gin, and blackberry liqueur."

"So do you," I tried again, "Do you think I can't take it, huh, huh?"

"Miss, I'm just trying to warn you."

I shook my head stubbornly. Feeling Sexy's gaze pinned on me, I pointed at the bartender. "Get us. Aunt Robertas."

Sighing in defeat, the bartender complied.

The music began to pulse louder. A small voice in the back of my mind asked if this was such a good idea.

Just blame it on Reo after this.

That was all the push my mind needed to get through this last drink.

But… Maybe I should have gone for Jello shots.


Chapter 6 Sneak Peek

"It's a pity that we met at a bar."

.

"How about a good night kiss?"

"Bastard."

.

"Is that an invitation?"


Thanks for reading, and my apologies for the long AN at the beginning! (P.S. It'll help so I could just PM you all instead of replying in stories. ;D)

(That was not aimed at you, Croissant; I was too lazy so I just replied here...)

Kindly drop a review? :)