41 See Right Through You
"We're Just Checking Out the Scenery"
Oh, if your teacher could see you now, chuckled the Nekomata as Kotori stood in front of the full length mirror in the maids' quarters that she shared with nine other women. Manami would die laughing if she knew that her apprentice is now playing call girl in a men's club, wouldn't you say so?
"I don't hear you complaining overmuch," Kotori muttered to the demon, tugging her skirt down so that it covered the most amount of skin for the minimal amount of fabric given. Her blouse received the same treatment, the girl sighing as she realized that this would be the best that she could do. She then swept her hair up and back, pinning it with its usual dagger-sharp hairpins – the only thing even remotely resembling a weapon that she had been permitted on this mission, everything else having been left back in Konoha to help preserve her assumed identity. "Damn, I feel naked in so many ways."
"You haven't been here that long, but you'll get used to it." Sayu, Rain Country, seventeen years old, the cat supplied as Kotori tried to identify the speaker. Working to pay off a 'debt' Masuyo claims her family owes, of which there actually is no such thing. "I swear, Miyu-chan, business has really picked up since you came along. It seems almost every man in fifty miles has come by here just to see you."
Turning to consider her profile in the mirror, Kotori silently mused, I wonder if you'd still say that if you knew what I really looked like. She spun once to get the full view of the illusion she'd crafted: a leggier, slightly taller and more elegantly rounded version of herself that could easily pass for early twenties, poised on the brink of graceful adulthood. "I wouldn't say that, dear. Give you some time and they'll forget all about me on their way to beating down your door."
Sayu giggled and shook her head. "You keep saying that, Miyuki, but I'll never believe it. I did get you something while I was out on errands today, though…" A furtive rummage through a storage drawer produced two small enameled cases which she handed to her colleague with a shy smile. "I had some extra money from tips and, well, since you've been so nice to me when no one else here has…"
Blinking at this unexpected display of gratitude, Kotori thumbed the cases open and peered down into the contents, one a delicate rouge pigment and the other a solid perfume that sent the scent of evening blooms drifting through the room. "Um, thank you. You really didn't have to, you know."
"I know, but like I said, you've done what no one else will. Besides, you're our star and you need to shine if you want that man to keep coming back!" Sayu bobbed a curtsy and then ran to the door, where she waved once before vanishing into the yard between the private quarters and the main building.
"If by 'that man' you're referring to that aged malcontent who thinks he favors me with his attention, I wouldn't need anything additional to keep him coming back. Boobs and booze alone will do it." Kotori shook her head ruefully and returned to the mirror just long enough to apply the faintest tint of rouge to cheeks and lips, nodding approvingly at the dewy flush this brought to her already pearl-like complexion. The perfume came next, lightly dabbed at wrists, elbows and neck. Both compacts were then stored with the minimal possessions that she had brought along with her. "However, the gesture is appreciated, I guess..." Giving her appearance one last check-over, Kotori likewise left the maids' quarters to begin her shift at the club.
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From where he sat at the rearmost gambling table, Taiki had an excellent view of the rest of the establishment and was able to keep tabs on any number of illicit activities carried on in the numerous dark corners and crannies. In the two weeks that had passed since he'd begun his current work, he'd learned the names of most players in the many rackets and schemes being spun out from day to day and had committed them to memory for later use. He could see who entered the building, who left, and from which door, and thus it was no surprise when the shapely redhead that regulars called Miyuki made her entrance from the staff door in the back of the room, passing by the bar to pick up a tray full of drink orders to be passed on to those who had ordered them.
Played beautifully as ever, Tori-chan, he thought with an appreciative smile, noting the graceful way she threaded amongst the tables to deposit the assorted flasks and cups while collecting empties and tips from the patrons and avoiding their reaching hands that sought a feel of her immaculately sculpted posterior. The former items were gathered with a warm smile and nod of thanks, and the latter gestures were frozen in the birthing by an icy glare that made the attempter think otherwise about his foolish endeavor as the hostess moved on to her next task. If there was a standard for the femme fatale, I think you've safely rewritten it.
Nice try, buddy. This last merited a blink and a quick headshake as Taiki wondered just how he could have heard this, unspoken as it was with Kotori halfway across the room and her back turned to him.
"Ne, Kohaku-san - are you all right?" These words were all too audible, spoken in a soft whisper from one of the two hostesses that attended Taiki at his post.
"Yes, just fine. Thank you." Pushing the phenomenon into the darkest corner of his mind, Taiki then turned his attention fully to the task of making sure that none of the money placed on the gambling table made its way back out in the pockets of any of the other patrons.
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Having finished the first rounds of drink orders for the evening, Kotori wandered to her usual place by the door to greet incoming clients and to wait for one in particular. Peering back over her shoulder at a wall clock hung by the bar, she mentally grumbled, Two more minutes, if he sticks to his habits. He really should vary his schedule a bit… Another small group came through the door and asked to be seated at one of the booths, which Kotori did with a barely perceptible frown of irritation. Damnit, where is he?
"Irasshaimase!" came the clear tones of Sayu, taking over greeter duties as Kotori was called elsewhere. "Oh, you want her again? I'm sure she's around here somewhere…" Pause, then, "Miyu-chan, your man is here!"
"Be right there," Kotori replied, suppressing a sigh as she bowed apologetically to the trio she'd just seated in a booth, signaling one of the other hostesses to take over. She forced her expression into something slightly more agreeable, returning to the entrance to greet her visitor with a welcoming bow. "So nice to see you again, Jiraiya! Follow me, please." Making a face over her shoulder at the again-giggling Sayu, Kotori led her patron off to one of the more secluded booths and bid him to sit while she fetched a drink tray as well as a selection of appetizers.
"Funny how it always takes me a few drinks to believe you when you say that," was the comment that waited for her when she returned. "Still, should your day job not work out for you, I think you could make a killing doing this."
"Hush, you. It's not like being here was actually my choice." Settling down onto the booth cushions just close enough not to arouse suspicion but far enough so as not to offend her own sensibilities, Kotori poured a saucer full of warmed sake and offered it to the older man. "In fact, none of the women here actually want to be, and the circumstances that keep them here are hardly legal."
"As I suspected." A light brush of skin as the saucer was passed from one hand to another and brief silence as it was emptied. "Are you wearing perfume, or is that your natural charming self that's making it so hard for me to think?"
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From his vantage point, it was hard for Taiki to miss the appearance of this latest guest, and the familiarity with which he greeted Kotori made it difficult for the young man to suppress a flinch. It took most of his skill to keep focused on the card game with which he was currently involved while suspicious thoughts nagged at him. I know we're working with him on this mission, but it's still hard to watch. And does she really have to act so enamored? Keeping one eye on the cards and the other on his teammate, Taiki tried not to appear too distracted as the night unfolded. I don't know what I'd give to know what they're talking about right now, he grumbled as a loud burst of laughter reached his ears, and he blanched as a quick glance showed Kotori leaning in to whisper something to Jiraiya while twirling a lock of his thick white hair on one of her fingers. Maybe she does lust after older men, but this is just pushing it! Tori-chan, how could you do this to me?
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"Oi, lazy, get up already!" The nudge on her shoulder did little to convince Kotori to get up from her futon, but a cold drip of water on her face jolted her awake with a shock. She opened her eyes to see Sayu standing above her with a wet washrag and a bucket of water, and Kotori sat up with a barely coherent moan of fatigue. "You promised you'd do the grocery shopping today if I took care of the cleaning."
"What time is it?" mumbled Kotori, straightening her sleeping robe before lurching to her feet.
"It's almost one in the afternoon, sleepyhead. The only reason you were allowed to go this late is because of how much you made off of your man."
This elicited a wince of disgust as Kotori knuckled the sleep from her eyes. "For the last time, he isn't 'my' man."
"You sure could have fooled us." Sayu shrugged and returned to wiping dust from cabinets and shelves with her dampened rag. "Anyways, you'd best get up and get to it. The cook's feeling ambitious today!"
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A half an hour later Kotori had made herself presentable and set out with an empty pack and the grocery list. The pleasant afternoon air reminded her of idle days in the Leaf Village, bringing a smile to her face as she walked from place to place on her errands. In case you've forgotten, we aren't in Konoha anymore, the Nekomata commented acidly as she caught hints of her host's eased mental state. Don't relax just yet. Something's afoot that I can't say I like.
"And you call me paranoid, furball?" Kotori muttered, stopping in front of a fruit stand to consider the selection. "Other than the usual assortment of creeps, I haven't noticed anything unusual." Putting the demon's warning aside, the young woman began to sort through a display of oranges. So absorbed was she that she barely noticed the presence of another person next to her, and it was only when she accidentally brushed their hand that she snapped back to alertness. "Excuse me," she murmured, idly noting that the nails of the stranger's hand were manicured and painted with a layer of light purple lacquer. Now that's something you don't see every day, she thought, selecting five of the fruit and offering payment to the vendor.
"That's all right," the owner of the strangely manicured hand replied, opting for an apple instead and likewise paying the operator of the fruit stand for their selection. As they handed their money over, Kotori noticed an oddly engraved silver band on the ring finger of their right hand, the idle voice of trivia in her mind telling her that the character displayed on the ring read as "scarlet". Shrugging this off, Kotori took her pack off of her shoulders, set it on the ground and bent to put the bag of oranges inside. So this person has a thing for purple nail polish, she told the demon when she saw that the stranger's toenails matched the nails of the hand in cosmetic decoration. Kinda creepy, yes, but nothing to get worried about.
Look a little bit harder, the Nekomata hissed. Look at the rest of him!
Doing as she was told, Kotori discreetly glanced at the stranger again. Much of their form was obscured by a knee-length black cloak that bore a decoration of stylized red clouds, topped off by a veiled conical bamboo hat. Okay, so I'm getting the evil vibe now too. But what do you expect me to do about it? Everyone here is evil to some degree. Then her eyes flicked up to the small part of the stranger's face visible through a gap in the veil. They returned her glance expressionlessly, but an eerie shimmer of red in the irises caused something leaden to settle in Kotori's gut. What is with his eyes!
Meet the Sharingan, the trophy bloodline of Clan Uchiha, the Nekomata replied, and Kotori could feel the demon recoiling from the hellish focus of the stranger's gaze. They enable their user to copy techniques and shatter illusions, so I would guess he knows who we really are.
A chill froze Kotori when she realized just what the demon was getting at. Then I have to let the others know my cover's been blown. Gods, this guy is freaking me out… Thanking her lucky stars that this had been the last errand on her list, Kotori gave the stranger a courteous albeit shaky nod in farewell before turning and walking away as quickly as she dared.
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"I told you, Miyu, you're popular! This is the second guest that's asked specifically for you, so you have to go out there."
Kotori splashed her face with cold water and let the chilled dampness ease the panicked flurrying of her mind. "I told you I can't, Sayu. I'm not feeling well."
"Then grit your teeth and bear it!" The other girl made a disgusted noise and handed her coworker a towel to dry off with. "There are some of us that could actually use the cash and would die to earn the type of money that you are. Do this for me, okay?"
You wouldn't understand if I told you, Kotori griped but took the towel and tidied her appearance. "Fine, I guess I will. Just don't get too upset if I throw up out there – I ran into the guy once before and he gave me a severe case of bad juju."
"He may give off bad juju, but I'll bet he pays well. Turn off your paranoia for once and just have fun." Patting her comfortingly on the shoulder, the other hostess turned to leave the washroom and left Kotori to her thoughts. Kotori took a deep breath to collect herself and glanced in the mirror to make sure that her illusion still held before likewise leaving to return to her job. No matter how badly this guy gives me the creeps, I still have to play it cool or else this will all go to hell very quickly. He may know this is just a cover, but that doesn't mean everyone else does. I'll tell Taiki and Pervert-sama as soon as I can to keep an eye on and watch out for this one. These thoughts lasted the short walk to the kitchen's back entrance where the staff usually came through on their way from the outside, and Kotori paused in the doorway between kitchen and bar to gaze out over that evening's guests in search of her quarry.
It took some minutes to find the stranger, seeing as he had at some point removed the distinctive cloak and hat and now blended into the dim, smoky atmosphere in loose-fitting, dark clothing. His face was hard to miss, though, and Kotori could not help but stare for a moment. Kinda cute for a guy who killed off his whole family, huh? the cat-demon mused, running her tongue along her fangs as if she were considering a delicious morsel. Yes, that is the angsty mullet-boy's older brother. Can't you see the resemblance? While Kotori thought this over, the cat added, And if something about this one didn't scare the hell out of me, I wouldn't mind having some fun with him.
"Not now you won't," Kotori retorted coolly, inhaling once and exhaling slowly to prepare herself for whatever would come once she stepped through the doorway. "But a little bit of help would be nice. Act the slut all you like, but do not touch." Then, drawing the Nekomata's confident aura around her like an insulating blanket, Kotori moved out to face her visitor.
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Something's got her scared, Taiki noted from his seat at the card table, watching the disguised Kotori begin her gliding path from the bar to greet a client. She's hiding it pretty well, but for some reason I can read her like a book. At some unseen prompt, alien images flicked through Taiki's mind – purple-manicured fingernails, a black cloak emblazoned with red clouds, the piercing gaze of blood-red eyes – and realization hit. She's facing Uchiha Itachi, weaponless and undefended! Gods, I hope she knows what she's doing because neither of us can afford to lose our cover just yet. Gritting his teeth, Taiki returned his attention to his cards and willed himself to blend into the background once again.
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"Good evening, sir. I was told that you wanted to see me?" Kotori thanked divine powers for the skimpy cut of her blouse as she bowed, an action that she normally avoided due to the amount of exposure it offered. At least that much isn't an illusion, she thought with a mental smirk. Feast your eyes on that, freak.
"That's right. My colleague and I were passing through the area and heard rumors about you…" A measuring look swept Kotori from head to toe, still causing her to inwardly shiver even though the eyes remained their normal inky black hue. "I for one am not disappointed."
"I'd agree with you there." The stranger's companion then leaned forward into view, and Kotori could not help a blink at this man's unusual appearance. Looks… fishy, the Nekomata muttered, and I get the notion that if you told him to bite you he just might. Casting a dark look into his empty shot glass, the shark-man grumbled, "That one went all too fast. Mind getting me another, miss?"
"Of course not. That's what I'm here for, isn't it?" Deftly plucking the glass out of his hand, Kotori then turned to her other visitor with a raised eyebrow. "Anything for you?"
A quiet head-shake. "I've had all I want, thank you."
Kotori wasted no time in returning to the bar to refill her guest's drink but kept her ears open for any snippets of conversation from the strange duo. "Are you sure that's her?" the shark-man was asking. "If she knows who we are, she seems remarkably self-assured."
"Yes, that's her, and she has some idea," replied the other, an unsolicited mental process associating the name Uchiha Itachi with the voice. "Don't worry, though, it's all an act. We'll have nothing to worry about when the time is right."
Anything else that may have been said after that was drowned out by the sudden drumbeat of Kotori's heart filling her mind with its panicked murmur. When the time is right, he said? Just what are they planning? Swallowing her fear back, she took the refilled shot glass back to where the pair sat and did her best to ignore the intense scrutiny she received from both men. "Your drink, sir."
"Ah, thank you." The shark-man favored Kotori with the sliver of a sharptoothed smile as he took the glass from her and tossed back the contents in one smooth motion. "Good stuff…"
"And on that note, I think it's time we should be going," interjected Itachi with a pointed look at the wall clock near the bar. "Heaven forbid we get in the way of the regulars."
"I guess you're right." A blue-gray hand, nails coated in the same light purple as those of its owner's associate, reached into a pocket and produced a bundle of bills which he counted and handed off to Kotori. "Thanks for your time, miss. We'll be back another time."
He pays well for someone who fell out of the ugly tree when he was born, the demon mused, Kotori agreeing silently as she tallied the total and put it with the rest of her earnings before walking the two to the doorway. See, you survived. It wasn't that bad, was it?
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Remaining by the door even after the elder Uchiha and his colleague had gone, Kotori's keen hearing caught a tense exchange out on the street that pulled her nerves taut as she listened. The first voice was easy to recognize as that of Jiraiya, threat evident even though it was cloaked in easy conversational tones: "I thought I'd run into you sooner or later. Hopefully you aren't here to cause trouble."
"Not tonight," was the calm reply from Itachi. "Besides, we didn't come to this place for a souvenir. We're just checking out the scenery."
"And what charming scenery it is," added the shark-man. "Now we know what to look for when we come back. You might have stopped us once, but it won't happen a second time."
"Thanks for the warning," Jiraiya grumbled with a derisive snort. "And I'm sure she'll just love to see you again."
"No more so than you," murmured Itachi, and Kotori could hear the light scuff of his footsteps as he resumed walking. "Good evening…"
Jiraiya appeared in the doorway of the club moments later, fixing the shock-paled Kotori with a concerned look. The young woman managed a shaky grin and asked, "Would you believe me tonight if I told you I was truly glad to see you?"
The concern changed to a sympathetic smile which Kotori found oddly comforting. "Relax, my dear. It seems you're in as much need of me now as I am of you, so let's find ourselves a nice quiet place to talk, hm?"