"Well aint you perdy?!"
Kia let out a sigh, as she placed the last of the clean shot-glasses back into their spots. As punishment for being late, Zaru had left her with a crap load of dishes to clean, along with the task of wipping off the bar and cleaning the tables after everyone left! Frankly Kiafound her method of punishment to be abit extreme.
But Zaru was her boss first before friend when it came to work, and she respected the green-haired woman to much to ignore her order and just take the yelling she'd get. So in the end, Kia had sucked up her bitching and went to cleaning all the dishes first, finding that to be the most important, seeing as they needed glasses to serve their beverages.
"Sir... Could you please...Hey!" Kia, who had gone to wiping down the bar counter, let her head snap up at the sound of a distressed Erin. She was meet with the sight of an older male, most likely in his early thirties, with a dusty trucker hat and plaid shirt and old worn jeans. He was about a head and shoulder taller than Kia, and was missing a tooth on his lower mouth.
The sight of the male wasn't what shocked her. Oh no! She had seen plenty of truckers stop at Club Kunoichi before heading to the Motel about a mile down the road. The sight of one was not new to her. No the sight before her was the bigger male trying to pull Erin off her bar stool and onto the dance floor, his two drunk buddies laughing as Erin was pulled to his chest, the younger girl looking panicked. "Let me go! Hey!" Erin cried out.
Throwing her cleaning rag behind her, Kia stomped over to the side of the bar where the commotion was happening. "Aw come on, girlie? Don't ya wanna dance with Ol' Bill?" One of the bikers drunk companions laughed, as he went to grab Erin's arm.
"Hey!" The three males stopped, Ol' Bill still holding onto Erin's arm, after Erin had pulled away from his chest. "The girl said ta let her go! So? let go!" Kia narrowed her eyes at Ol' Bill, who gave her a stupefied look, before snorting. "Aw shucks, sweetheart! There's plenty of Ol' Bill ta go around! Aint no need ta get jealous! I'll come back to ya as soon as me and strawberry here have a little fun!" Erin's face paled, as she shock her head and jumped a step back, pressing her spine into the bar.
Kia felt her face redden and her fist clamp together. "I'm warning you! You lay one more hand on the girl and I'll kick yer fuckin' teeth in!" She snarled, taken a step back with one foot, ready to attack. Ol' Bill gave a drunk, whoop, of a laugh. "We got us a feisty one boys!" Ol' Bill grinned at her. "Davey! Jake! I think we need ta take this little kitten down. Hop to it boys!"
Davey and Jake, Ol' Bills buddies, laughed stupidly, as they each stepped towards the bar, both ready to drag her over the counter! "That's it!" Having enough of all this, Kia launched herself over the counter, sending her feet straight into Davey's gut, causing the male to double over. Jake launched himself towards her, only to end up with a fist in his nose. Since the boys were to drunk to get up, they just slumped on the ground.
Kia whipped around to face Ol' Bill, who was staring at her with a drunkin' scowl, as Erin shuffled away and behind the counter. "My mama always told me it weren't right ta hit a lady," He said, cracking his knuckles. "But mama aint here, and Ol' Bill don't see no lady."
Kia scoffed at the male. "Bring it on, Billy-Bob! I'll teach you ta pick on little girls!" With that, Kia ducked as Billy came barreling towards her, her head ramming into his gut, before she slid under him, and jumped to her feet behind him. Since Billy was drunker than a skunk, Kia knew it wouldn't take much ta confuse and take down the old idiot.
Billy, who recovered from having a head plowed into his gut, snarled, and whipped around, staggering, before he set his drunken gaze of anger on her. Kia was about to call him over, when the drunken moron let out a groan of pain, as a large, glass, mug was shattered against the back of his skull, causing the man to grab his head, groan, and fall to the ground on his hands and knees.
Raising a brow in confusion, Kia followed the direction of flight the glass had come from, a grin appearing on her face as she found Erin holding a frying pan, looking ready to go Rambo on anyone that came near her. "Hah! Nice shot, girl!" Kia laughed, earning a blush and sheepish grin from the strawberry top teen.
Chuckling, Kia walked over to Billy, grabbing his two friends by their ears, jerking them awake. Pulling the two struggling and cussing drunks into headlocks, Kia grunted as she shuffled over to Billy, and grabbed him by the scruff of his faded lumberman shirt, before dragging him toward the door. Billy groaned and stupidly tried to swing at her, only to end up with a kick back into his sack, causing him to gasp and stumble forward, following Kia, as she kicked open the entrance doors.
Stomping outside, Kia harshly released the two head-locked males, causing them to stumble down the steps and twirl down onto their asses! They cried out as Kia grunted and roughly pushed Billy down the stairs and onto them "Now get the hell outta here and keep this drunk bastard off this property or I'll castrate your asses! Got it!" She pointed at the two with emphasises, as they nodded and scrambled away, dragging their friend.
Kia whipped her hands together and turned to go back inside, only to stop when she caught a sight of copper red hair. Turning her head to the source, Kia raised a brow in wonderment, as she stared at a woman with copper red hair, pale skin, gray-blue eyes, and wearing what could only be described as a gothic sort of Alice in Wonderland attire. As if Kia was looking at an Alice in black and white, with matching stockings and black, shinny, shoes.
The woman was pretty, Kia could admit. Kind of like a gothic beauty princess. Turning completely to face the newcomer, who was staring at Kia with an uneasy look, as she shuffled back and forth on her feet, Kia gave a grunted response to the woman. "Hey, ginger? Can I help ya? Cause I'm gettin' a little annoyed at you staring at me like I just threatened ta kick yer ass. Cause that can be arranged if ya keep it up." To emphasize her point, Kia crossed her arms over her chest and glared, her fist bunched together.
The woman, whose eyed widened in what one would call disbelief, stepped forward cautiously. "Um, yes. Um... My name is Rose Connelly, and I was called in about a job acceptance from a miss Zaru Kiys." As she stammered, Kia had to pull her head back and wrinkle her nose at the woman's accent. It sounded so dang proper and foreign to her ears that it annoyed her slightly. Grunting, Kia nodded.
"Ah! So yer the new meat?" A large, Cheshire cat like, grin appeared on Kia's face, as she let her hands drop to her side, before turning to the door and motioning the woman inside. "Come on! Rose is it? Yeah! Zaru mentioned ya. Come inside and I'll tell her yer here." With that, Kiaopened the door and entered the club, leaving Rose outside as she made her way back to the bar.
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Rose felt...speechless.
She was sure her mouth was hanging open, as she had watched the raven-haired woman, dressed for boot camp, throw three grown, most likely drunk, men out onto their asses like they were nothing! Nervousness overtook the British woman, as she slowly made her way to follow the strange, accented, woman inside.
She was meet with loud, Kid Rock, music and bright neon lights flashing everywhere. Dodging around a couple making out against the wall near the doorway, Rose made her way to what she hopped was the bar. She had been told over the phone by Miss Zaru, that her bartender would show her to her office.
Pushing and excusing herself through people, Rose stumbled to one of the stool and grabbed it as she felt herself falling, her face red from embarrassment! "Oh! Are you OK?" Looking up, Rose turned to find a young girl, most likely still in her teens, staring art her with concerned, bright blue, eyes, covered slightly by strawberry blond hair.
Rose nodded as the girl helped the British woman to her feet after jumping off her stool. "Yes, thank-you, love. I'm alright." She said, earning a tilt of the head from the strawberry haired girl. "Your not from around her, are you?" The girl asked, jumping back onto her stool, patting down on the neighboring one for Rose to sit.
Rose shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I'm not. I moved her from Britain two months ago, so I'm still adjusting to the American ways." A look of aw appeared on the younger girls face. "Whoa! Thats amazing. I've never been out of the state, let alone another country!" Rose couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm and impressed voice. The girl held out her hand.
"I'm Erin. Erin Timmons! It's a pleasure to meet you..." Erins voice trailed off, as Rose chuckled and grasped the younger woman's hand with her own. "Rose. My name is Rose Connelly." Erin gave her a smile as they released hands. "See! Your name sounds so mysterious and beautiful! While Erin sounds so bland!" A pout was on the freckled girls face, as Rose blushed and laughed. "Well, actually. I rather like your name. Its simple, but it suits you perfectly." That earned a grin and blush from the teen.
"Hey, Erin? Ya don't see anymore glass on the ground, do ya?" Rose jumped as a loud voice interrupted the two. Erin turned to look behind her, Rose following her line of vision, to find the woman from earlier! She had a towel over her shoulder now, and she was wiping off a glass. "If Zaru finds out another mug was busted on my watch, she's gonna have a cow and two calves, and I aint in the mood ta get bitched at."
Erin gave a small smile. "No, Kia... I didn't see any on the ground. I think me and you got it all." The woman, Kia, simply shrugged. Rose watched as a stern look appeared on the strange, accented, girl. "Ya aint hurt, are ya? That dumb bastard didn't hurt ya much, did he?" Rose could hear a growl in the woman's voice, as Erin rubbed her arm. "No... Just a small bruise on my arm.. But I'm OK, though." Rose glanced over and saw a light outline of a large hand on Erin's wrist, causing the Britain's face to pale as she realized why the three men from earlier had been thrown out.
Rose jumped, as Kia slammed the glass she had been cleaning, into the counter with the others. "Dumb drunken bastards. I knew I should of beat them to pulps!" Rose gave Erin a side glance of concern, as Erin shrugged back at her. "Um... Kia! This is Rose Connelly, I think she's the Britishwoman that Miss Zaru was talking about." At this, Kia crannied her neck to look behind her at Rose with steely, ice-blue, eyes.
Rose gave slight wave, as Kia turned to completely face her. "Yeah! I know who she is. Ran into her in the parking lot," Kia grunted, making her way around the bar to come stand in front of Rose, who was half a head taller than her. Rose tiled her head down slightly, as Kia looked up with her a look of contemplation, before shrugging. "Follow me, ginger."
Rose was waved towards a door off to the side of the bar, where Kia banged loudly on the door. "What?!" A voice exclaimed in irritation. A grin appeared on Kia's face, as she motioned Rose forward, while she opened the door. "Hey, Z! The Brits here!"
Rose heard a shuffling of papers and a few curses. "Well let her in, Kia!" Rose was suddenly motioned into a well lit office. The walls were painted with old fashioned paintings of woman in fighting stances, geisha's, and bamboo on rice paper that covered the walls. A small table with sitting mats was placed to the left, a small Japanese tea-set in the middle of it.
To the left of the small table, was a large, oak, desk with stacks of papers, coffee mugs, a laptop computer, a lamp, and an ashtray full of cigarette butts. Sitting behind the desk, typing away at the computer, was, to Rose's utter surprise, an older woman with green hair pulled into a long ponytail at the back of her skull, and intense blue eyes.
Out of the corner of her eyes, Rose saw Kia roll her eyes, before taking the side of her right fist and slamming it into the door, causing the Brit and green haired woman to jump. "Kia!" The woman behind the desk exclaimed, as the raven-haired woman laughed. "Shit, Zaru! Lay of the nicotine and switch ta decaf, would ya!" Rose watched a murderous look appear on Zaru's face, as she took a drag of the cig she had resting in the ashtray, blowing out a puff of smoke in irritation.
"Here!" Rose felt Kia pat her on the back; hard. "Brought you yer accountant!" Rose winced as Kia gave gave her one more hard pat on the back before turning to leave, kicking the door shut. Leaving Rose to rub her shoulder and stand awkwardly in frontof an annoyed Miss Kiys.
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Zaru Kiys was by no means, an angry person. She had always been known as someone who, like many people, was not hostile or known to showing anger towards people, unless they provoked her. And she always thought she would never meet someone who she would want to slap all the time. Until she hired Kia Hawkins, that is.
Letting out an irritated sigh as the door was slammed shut, Zaru shook her head. "Why the hell do I put up with that woman?" Shaking her head, Zaru took a quick drag of her cigarette, before extinguishing it in the ashtray. "You can sit down, Miss Connelly. I promise I wont bite!" Zaru said, as she turned to the silent and shuffling British woman still standing in her door way.
Motioning to the seat in front of her, Zaru waited until the copper-red haired woman took a seat infront of her, a nervous smile on her face. Zaru gave a soft, inviting, smile towards the Brit. "I'm sorry you had to witness my little... tantrum upon entering," Zaru said, struggling for the right word. "I'm afraid you'll see a lot of that between me and Kia. But don't worry. I swear it rarely gets anywhere near physical." Rose seemed to relax abit.
"I see. Have you two known each other for a long time?" Zaru gave a snort. "To long if you ask me. My grandfather, Sakauchi Takigawa, and her grandfather, Logan Hawkins, were friends and me and Kia use to play together." Zaru smiled as she handed a picture of herself and Kia when they were younger. "Been friends ever since. And I have yet to figure out how I haven't strangled that girl!" Rose handed the picture back to Zaru, who began to shuffle through paper.
"Miss Kiys-" Zaru cut the woman off. "Please call me Zaru. Miss Kiys makes me sound old!" Rose gave a soft nod. "Of course. Zaru? Before I begin anything here, I have to wonder why you are so in need of an accountant like myself?" At this question, a pained and saddened look appeared on the older woman's face.
Sighing, Zaru leaned back in her black, swiveling, leather chair, her hands on her lap. "I'm afraid that Club Kunoichi is on the verge of being closed." At this, Rose gave her a confused look, "How? It seems to me that the club is prospering. There were quit a few people out there. Surely you are making some profit to sustain your business?" Zaru shook her head. You're absolutly right. As many people this club gets every night, things should be going great!" Zaru gave a defeated sigh.
"But they arn't. A few months back there was a burglary here. All the money was stolen, the place was trashed, and my ownership papers were shredded. The police were unable to find the criminals, and gave up after two weeks!" Zaru's voice was low, and a slight growl could be heard coming from her. "All of my employees were called in for questioning, and many left after that. Kia was the only one who decided to stay, even after they tried to place the blame on her because of her police records."
Rose gave a startled gasp. "Police records?" Zaru shook her head. "Oh don't worry. They're arn't for theft or anything. Mostly vandalizing, disturbing the peace, illegal street and dirt bike racing, and stuff like that." Zaru gave a small smile at the disbelief in the British woman's eyes.
"But of course Kia didn't do it. And since then, profits went down. People have been stealing from us because I don't have the money to update the security systems, and even though I've moved the safe to my house behind the bar, people have still thrashed this place so much that I have to have it repaired, and bills for repair and electricity and the works just keep rising!" Zaru's voice raised an octave, as she tried to keep herself from crying.
Club Kunoichi was her life. She had worked hard to buy and fix up the place when she was younger. To know that her dream and life could be taken from her, was enough to strike panic and stress into the woman. "I'm afraid I can't pay you much like most accountants would earn... But I could really use your assistance, Miss Connelly."
Zaru could see the sympathy in the Brit's gray-blue eyes, as she placed her hands on her lap and sat up straight. "When would you like me to start?" A swell of happiness and hope bloomed in Zaru's eyes and heart, as she smiled and reached out her hand. "Today. I'd love for you to start today." With that the two women shook hands, and a friendship began to form.
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"Optimus! Where are we going?"
Mikaela felt panicked. Sam and her had been waiting with Optimus and the other Autobots for about six hours and there had been no sign of the three other Autobots that had been said to be landing soon. Getting worried, Ratchet and Irionhide had attempted to contact them via link while Ratchet also rechecked their landing area.
"The Decepticons! It would seem that punk Soundwave and that pathetic Starscream have knocked them off course! They'll be landing in outskirts of Tranquility City now! Near a human habitat area!" Ratchet had growled, as Optimus had whisked Mikaela into his truck, Sam being pulled into Bumblebee's vehicle form.
"Yeah! Looks like we're gonna see some action after all!" Sideswipe exclaimed, as Mikaela, Sam, and the Autobots speed towards the Outter towns of Tranquility City from Mission City outskirts. It was a three hour drive, and at the rate they were all moving, they'd be their in an hour at least.
"Optimus! You dont think the Decepticons would attack with humans around, do you?" Sam exclaimed over the radio length between all the Autobots. Mikaela felt her stomach drop to the floor at the thought of anyone being hurt, or killed, by the Decepticons. She had seen first hand the brutality they could, and would, inflict on someone, human or Autobot, in their way. It never ended good.
"Pah! Of course the lousy excuse for mechs would, girlie!" Ironhide growled through the link. Mikaela flinched at the response, as her hands curled up into fist on her knees, as Sam's voice crackled over the link. "Mikaela. With Megatron gone, the remaining 'Cons on earth could have shown themselves by now. I don't think we have to much to worry about..." His voice trailed off, and Mikaela couldn't help but smile at his attempt at reassuring and calming her. He truly was one of the best guys she'd ever dated.
Silence fell between them all, as they continued towards Tranquility City, passing its welcoming sign. Mikaela bit her lower lip, and silently prayed that this would all end in no one dieing and non of the Autobots, any civilians, or Sam hurt.
R & R Plz
Figured I'd update since it's gonna take me awhile before the other two chapters I was gonna post are completely done. So enjoy, and prepare for fighting, more faces, and alot of cussing and... Well alot of other things X3