Episode 6: Bounty at Last Narrator: It's another dull day in the apartment of Satsuki and Kanoe. No new bounties have shown up, and it's been raining for fifteen days straight. It's so flooded travel is practically impossible, and even Satsuki's getting bored. Narrator: Val has been trying its best to alleviate Satsuki's boredom, but she's even getting a little tired with it. Kanoe, on the other hand, is dealing with things a *little* differently... Kanoe: *Slashes viciously at an imaginary foe. Is practicing in the living room, dancing around like she's actually fighting. Obviously in a BAD mood.* Satsuki: *tapping at Val impatiently* Yeesh! You'd think that in a city like this, there'd be SOMEBODY who's wanted... Kai: *Plays checkers with Sailor Bob. Paying more attention to Bob than the game.* Sailor Bob: *losing horribly* ;.# Sailor Bob: *isn't very good at checkers* Satsuki: *taps, practically punching holes into the keyboard* Kai: Let's play with money! Kanoe: *kicks at the enemy* Take that! Satsuki: What money? Sailor Bob: ?.? Satsuki: We're broke. Kai: Oh yeah... Kanoe: We don't have any money. Kai: Hmmm... Kanoe: Not since Sakura-chan had to visit her dying best friend... Kanoe: *viciously execute a roundhouse kick* YAH! Satsuki: We need money. Kai: If it wasn't raining I would go sing in the street. That used to get me money. Satsuki: You sing? Kai: A little... Sailor Bob: *eyes get all starry* Ooh, Kai-chan, will you sing for me? Satsuki: >.< *hates being surrounded by lovebirds* Kai: *blushes* I'm not very good. Val: *beeps at Satsuki reprovingly for her bad attitude* Kai: What do you want me to sing? Sailor Bob: *still looks starry-eyed* Sailor Bob: Anou... Satsuki: *taps, quite hard this time* Sailor Bob: *thinks* Val: *gives a scared little beep* Kanoe: *another roundhouse kick, narrowly missing the wall* YAAAH!!!! Satsuki: *muttering* Mattaku mo... Satsuki: E-CHAN! If you've GOT to practice this stuff, practice it OUTSIDE, where we don't keep anything VALUABLE! Kanoe: *glares at her* I CAN'T practice outside! It's RAINING! That's why I haven't already gone OUT to practice! Satsuki: Oh. Yeah. *glares at Val* Val: *shows crying face graphic* Kai: *beats Sailor Bob again* ^-^V I win another kiss! Sailor Bob: *gives it to him gladly* Kai: ^-^V Sailor Bob: o^-#o Satsuki: >.< Kanoe: *stops the kicking and bare-handed fighting, walks into her room* Kai: ^-^ Gomen ne, Satsuki. Satsuki: Eh, you can't help it. Sailor Bob: *looks sheepish* Satsuki: *taps at Val* GOD! There has GOT to be a bounty here SOMEWHERE that's worth going after! Val: *beeps hopefully* Kai: Are there any games you are good at besides cards, Bob-chan? Kanoe: *comes back out with a small wooden stick. It's broken in the middle by two bands of metal, and each half has a carving of a dragon on it.* Sailor Bob: Anou... Sailor Bob: *thinks* I'm good at gambling! Satsuki: *looks up* E-chan? What are you going to practice on with THOSE? Kai: How about dice? Kanoe: HAH! *pulls the wooden sticks apart, revealing two blades, and starts viciously slashing at the air with them* Satsuki: 9.9 *goes back to tapping* Sailor Bob: *watching Kanoe* O.# Okay... Kai: We need something to gamble with... Satsuki: *muttering* I hope there're ghosts around here, so that this isn't getting wasted... Kai: We need to up the stakes. Sailor Bob: *thinks* Anou... Kai: Winner fights Kanoe. ^-^ Sailor Bob: *looks scared* Anou... Kai: Maybe not... Kanoe: *stops dead still with both swords buried up to the hilt in an imaginary foe* Neither of you would stand a chance. Satsuki: *taps* She's right. Val: *beeps in agreement* Kai: 9.9 I know. Sailor Bob: *nods, frightened* Kanoe: *calmly and smoothly sheathes the swords and goes back to her room* Satsuki: This is getting to her more than the rest of us, even. Satsuki: God, but we need a bounty... and fast... Kanoe: *Comes back out with a dagger hanging off her belt. The sheath and the handle are both ornately carved, the hilt having two jade carvings on it, of birds. Begins practicing drawing it. On one edge, it is sharp and smooth, but on the other edge it is wickedly notched.* Kai: Why don't we make a ton of green tea ice cream while we have the chance? Satsuki: >.< Help yourselves. Sailor Bob: Yay! Kai: Heh. ^-^ Sailor Bob: *looks at the dagger in a scared way and scoots closer to Kai* O.# Kai: Kanoe-san won't hurt you. Val: *beeps excitedly* Satsuki: Ara? *taps* Kanoe: *finished with practicing drawing it, puts it away, draws a spoon out of her pocket, and weighs it in her hand* Hmm... About the same size... About the same balance... Satsuki: 0.0! *keeps tapping* Kanoe: *grips the spoon at one end and hurls it across the room* Satsuki: *gets up and does a victory dance* YES! YES! WE HAVE A WINNER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, *WE HAVE A WINNER*!!! Kai: ?.? Val: *beeps loudly* Satsuki: VAL FOUND US A BOUNTY! Kai: *cheers* Kanoe: *snaps her head around so fast she almost gets whiplash* WHAT?! Kanoe: WHERE?! LEMME AT 'IM! Sailor Bob: *scared even more by Kanoe, scoots even closer to Kai* O.#! Kai: *puts arms around him* It's all right... Satsuki: *reads the description* Hmmm... Satsuki: It's a protection racket... Irish, I believe... Kanoe: Irish? Satsuki: The bounty just went up from three thousand for the head to ten thousand for the head and five thousand for any additional members. Kanoe: !.! Kai: Money! Satsuki: And yep, it's THAT protection racket. Satsuki: *doesn't say anything, but wonders why the organization would be interested in the racket all of a sudden* Kanoe: *drops her spoon* Satsuki: Weird, huh? Satsuki: But money is money... Kanoe: *nods, a slow grin spreading across her face* Satsuki: ^________^ Kai: Money! Val: *gives a victory beep* Sailor Bob: Wai wai! Kai: Let’s go! Kanoe: Wait just a minute, Mr. "I'm not a bounty hunter." Satsuki: *sniggers* Kai: I want to go play out in the rain... ;.; Satsuki: *laughs as she packs up Val* Kanoe: Which has nothing to do with going with us. Kanoe: This is a dangerous mission. Kanoe: You're not trained enough to go on it. Satsuki: Sou. Kanoe: And besides, who would stay with Sailor Bob if you came with us? Satsuki: *sniggers* Sailor Bob: Hey! Kai: -.- Kanoe: *pats Bob on the arm* I'm sure you two will find some way to amuse yourselves... As long as you spare us the details when we get back. Kai: I want some money, though. Kanoe: We'll give you some. Satsuki: Yeah. If this comes through, we'll have plenty to go around. Kanoe: It's a partnership. Kanoe: Which means we share equally. Kanoe: Except for Sailor Bob. Sailor Bob: Hey! Kai: He can share my money. =p Kanoe: Just kidding, just kidding! Sailor Bob: *looks hurt* Satsuki: ^-^;;; You have a mean sense of humor sometimes, E-chan. Kanoe: Yeah, I know! *goes to her room, supplies herself with roses and her double swords, and comes back out again* Ikimashou! Satsuki: Off to the restaurant! Satsuki: The boss promised you info, so let's go collect on it. Kanoe: Yup! Kanoe: *walks out the door, waving to Bob and Kai* Satsuki: ^-^V *follows her, carefully making sure that Val's safely covered* Kai: ;.; I'm bored already. Sailor Bob: *gives him a wistful look* Does this mean we can't play dice? Kai: Well... Kai: If you want to... Sailor Bob: ^__#V Kai: But we have plenty of time so let’s do it later! *jumps on him, knocking him onto the couch* Sailor Bob: O.#! *is jumped upon* *That particular scene fades.* Kanoe: *acting cheerful for the first time in weeks, despite the rain* ^_____^ Satsuki: *walks into the restaurant, also looking more cheerful than she has for a while* Kanoe: *has her double swords hidden in a hammerspace pocket, but has her dagger freely displayed* Waitress: *recognizes them* I'm sorry, ladies, but you can't come in here... Waitress: No personal computers are allowed. Satsuki: !.! ExCUSE me?! Kanoe: *looks up at her incredulously* Oh, come on. Is that the best excuse you can think of? Satsuki: I've been here before, and no one bothered me about Val! Waitress: *looking uncomfortable* I'm sorry, miss - it's house policy... Other Customers: *several are using computers* Satsuki: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Waitress: Please, miss, don't make a scene... Kanoe: *glares at her* I can see what you're getting at. Satsuki: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kanoe: *takes out a red marker from hammerspace, starts drawing on the tablecloth* Waitress: 0.0!!! *looks about ready to cry* Kanoe: *finishes her drawing* Permanent. Won't come out in the wash. Waitress: ;.;!!!!!!! Satsuki: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kanoe: Just in case you were going to "forget" to tell your boss about our visit. Kanoe: *gets up* Come on, Satsuki. Joker: *sees them and comes over* HEY! What are you two doing here? Kanoe: It's obvious we're not - oh, hi. Satsuki: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!! *refuses to budge an inch* Joker: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kanoe: Like my drawing? *points at the large depiction of a rose she drew on the tablecloth* Joker: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You two have a LOT of nerve coming around here at ALL, and now THIS?! Kanoe: *shrugs* Well, why not? Satsuki: -.-!!!!!!! Joker: *glares back, not at all intimidated* Kanoe: It's always nice to know when someone cares, isn't it? *flutters her eyelashes, not expecting much of a reaction, since Joker IS gay* Joker: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know WHAT happened the last time you guys met, but whatever it was, you're both OUT. Kanoe: *sighs* Yeah, fine, whatever. Come on, Satsu-kun. Satsuki: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *gets up* Kanoe: You may be stubborn, but I have a feeling he's more so. Joker: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kanoe: *waves cutely* Toodles, Joker-san! *drags Satsuki away* Satsuki: *pokes Joker* Satsuki: You tell that - that - THAT that I'll MAKE things more interesting if he's so damn INTERESTED! *has no idea what she's saying, but likes the sound of it* Joker: Yeah, whatEVER. Kanoe: *continues to drag Satsuki* Satsuki: *is dragged* -.-!!!!!!! Satsuki: *muttering to herself* Oooooh....! He has some nerve...! Kanoe: *takes out her dagger and twirls it with one hand, muttering darkly* Satsuki: *sighing* Geez... Satsuki: I guess we'll have to do this one on our own, huh? Kanoe: Yup. Kanoe: *smiles darkly* Luckily, I happen to have an ace up my sleeve for this one... Satsuki: ?.? Kanoe: In fact, I happen to have two. Satsuki: Do tell, E-chan. Kanoe: Or, if I count you, three. Kanoe: Do you think it would be hard to find out where our old friend Miles is staying? Satsuki: *sniggering* Hell no. Kanoe: *grins* Good. Satsuki: ^_____^ Satsuki: What else? Kanoe: I'll tell you when we find him. Come on. *leads the way away from the restaurant, in a northern direction* Satsuki: ~.- Riiiiiight... *follows* Kanoe: *after a little while, knocks on the door to Kisha's club, which isn't open yet* Kisha: *opening the door, bleary-eyed* e.e Not open. Come back at ten. *stifles a yawn* Kanoe: *looks pitiful and wilted* But Kisha, we need to dry off... Kisha: e.e? Hanako? Kanoe: *still looks like a lost puppy* Hai... Satsuki: And Satsuki. Let's not forget that I'm here. Kisha: *yawns* Come on in, then. Kisha: *opens the door* Kanoe: *goes in* ^__^V! Kisha: e_e Satsuki: *follows, looking around suspiciously* Kisha: 'S all safe. No one here... Kanoe: *hugs Kisha* Kishacanwepleaseuseyourplaceforalittleplanningitdoesn'tinvolveanyofyour customersandwecan'tgohomeyetbutweneedaplaceoutoftherainthatisn'tpublicand youknowIneveraskanyfavorsbut... Kisha: e.e? Kanoe: *slows down and says it again* Kisha: Uh - sure. Kanoe: Thanks so much, Kisha! Kanoe: ^__^V! Kisha: Welcome. *yawns and goes to crash in the corner* Satsuki: E-chan, what are we doing here? Kanoe: It's somewhere out of the rain where you can use Val. Satsuki: True. Kanoe: So use him. Kanoe: I have a phone call to make. Satsuki: Just a sec... *sits down, opens Val up, and starts tapping* Kanoe: *disappears off in another direction, to make her call* Satsuki: *taps* Val: *beeps* Kai: *Wakes up tangled up with Sailor Bob. Gets up slowly and quietly to make sure not to wake him up.* Sailor Bob: *sleeps peacefully* Kai: *puts his clothes on, then writes a note on a stickypad and sticks it to Bob's forehead before leaving* Kanoe: *yelling* WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU CAN'T?! Kanoe: YOU *OWE* ME! Satsuki: *looking up from her tapping* ?.? Kai: *does a cartwheel out in the rain* Wheeee! Kanoe: *lowers her voice, finishes the call and comes back in, looking pissed* Some people don't respond to anything but a good threat. Satsuki: Right. What'd you get? Kanoe: I called in a favor from an old "friend" of mine. Satsuki: *listens* Kanoe: He promises we won't have trouble getting to see Miles, as long as we can find out where Miles is. Kai: *looks up and down the street, trying to figure out where to go* Satsuki: Well, I'm working on that as we speak... *is still tapping* Kanoe: *grins* Great. Val: *beeps* Satsuki: *looking back at Val* Iie, Varu, not that one... Satsuki: *taps again* Kai: *decides on going to ask Tetsuya, as much as he hates it, and goes to the Chinese restaurant* Kanoe: *goes over to where Kisha is, just looks at her* Kisha: *sleeping on a mattress in the corner* Zzzzzz... Kanoe: *sighs* Satsuki: Kinda tough, isn't it? Kanoe: What? Satsuki: Liking Sakura and Kisha both. Kanoe: *blushes* I don't know what you mean! Satsuki: Yeah, whatever. Satsuki: *taps at Val* Geez, I'm glad that I don't have to worry about this crud. Kanoe: XP You will someday. Kanoe: Then you'll be happy I could set an example for you. Satsuki: 9.9 Sure, whatever you say, E-chan. Kanoe: *pouts* Kisha: *is still conked out in the corner* Zzzzz... Kanoe: *sits down next to Kisha, starts absently stroking her hair, like petting a dog or cat* Satsuki: 9.9 *taps* Val: *beeps* Satsuki: *peering at the screen* Hmmm... that looks right... Satsuki: Ne, E-chan, this the place? *points at the screen, which displays the name, prisoner list, and exact address of a prison in Kamakura* Kanoe: *gets up suddenly and peers over Satsuki's shoulder* Kanoe: Yes! That's it! Satsuki: ^-^V Told you I could find it. Satsuki: Me and Val are unbeatable. Val: *beeps proudly* Kanoe: ^__^V Well, let's go! Kanoe: *goes over to Kisha and shakes her slightly* Kisha: e.e Hn? Wha? Kanoe: Kisha, we gotta go... Kanoe: Thanks for letting us use your place... Kisha: No prob. Kisha: Good luck... *goes back to sleep* Kai: *rings little bell at the front desk* Waiter: *recognizing him* I'm sorry, sir, but you can't come in. Kai: =p I'll scream rat. Waiter: -.- Don't even think it. Kai: Rat! Rat! *cries frantically* Waiter *puts one hand over his mouth and tries to drag him out* Kai: *pulls hand off his mouth* I'm being oppressed! Joker: *hanging around as usual, spots Kai* Joker: What the HELL are you doing here?! Waiter: He's refusing to leave, that's what... Kai: =p I want info. Joker: -.- Well, you're NOT getting it. Joker: And you have a HELL of a lot of nerve coming around here like you OWNED the place...! Kai: If I owned the place I wouldn't yell rat. 9.9 Joker: -.-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joker: Get OUT. NOW. Before I THROW you out and do my bloody best to break your butt doing it. Man: *gets up from a nearby table* I'll deal with him. Joker: *steps back* Sure, I just don't want the punk in here anymore. Kai: O.O!!!!!! Lee! Joker: ?.? Waiter: ?.? Lee: *Bears strong resemblance to Kai. Namely the red hair and yellow eyes.* Waiter: *being of no importance, fades from the scene* Joker: *looks back and forth between the two, confused* Lee: *smiles coldly* Nice to see you, too, brother. Joker: !.! Joker: BROTHER?! Kai: I can leave on my own!!! Joker: Then DO it! Lee: I'm sure the family would like to know you’re alive, though. Joker: ?.? Joker: *back to confused again* Kai: I'm not going back! *runs out of the restaurant as fast as he can* Joker: @.@ Good grief, the shit that happens here... Joker: Well, at least he's gone. Lee: *to Joker* I'll make sure he doesn't bother you or your boss again. Call it a favor. Joker: Thanks. Who will we owe? Lee: The Komoshiro family. Joker: !.! Lee: *leaves* Joker: *now thoroughly confused and upset, goes to tell the boss what's happened and disappears from the story* Kai: *runs, not caring where he is going* Kai: *gets too tired to run and stops* Satsuki: *having noted down all the pertinent facts, packs up Val and leaves Kisha's place with Kanoe* Kanoe: Anou... Satsu-kun, you wouldn't happen to have money for the train ride, would you...? Satsuki: Money? Me? *looks completely innocent* Val: *beeps at her rudely* Satsuki: Not a cent, E-chan, sorry. Kanoe: *sweatdrops* Anou... Kanoe: Well, we need some cash... Satsuki: Ask your girlfriend, then. *points back towards the club* Kanoe: *spots a random thug* Ooh, I bet he's got a bounty on him! Satsuki: 9.9 E-chan... Kanoe: *walks up to thug, flirts with him until he happens to brag about the bounty, then stabs him and datmarks him* Kai: *looks around him to make sure Lee didn't follow him, then heads toward the bounty hunting office* Satsuki: 9.9 Brutal, E-chan. Just brutal. Kanoe: *goes back over to Satsuki* V^__^V Hai! Kanoe: *waits patiently, then hears a beep, takes out her datcard* Yay! Money! Satsuki: *sweatdrops, but is perfectly happy to use the money to buy tickets to Kamakura* Kanoe: Well, let's go! Kanoe: *leads the way* Satsuki: Ha-i... *follows E-chan* Kanoe: *pays at the train office, then gets on train* Satsuki: *grabs a window seat and presses her nose against the window, going into five-year-old mode* Satsuki: Ooh! Cool! Kai: *looks around on the computer for information on the IPR* Kanoe: *rolls her eyes and starts flirting with a guy sitting next to them, since he looks like he might be a thug too* Satsuki: *keeps nose pressed against the window, even though they haven't actually left the station yet* Thug: *flirts back* Kanoe: *Tries to get him to brag that he has a bounty or something. Every little bit helps, after all.* Thug: *is not stupid, does not boast about his bounty* Thug: *does boast about other attributes, though* Railroad Attendant: All aboooooard! Kai: ^-^V *manages to find the location of Miles and guesses that is as good a lead as any* Kanoe: *inwardly wrinkles her nose, wonders why she isn't just a lesbian, with the majority of the guys whom she deals with* Attendant: *closes the door to the train and begins to walk up the aisle, taking up tickets and stamping them* Kanoe: *gives him their tickets* Attendant: *stamps them both* Well, where you two young ladies headed to? Kanoe: Kamakura. Thug: *hands over his ticket, enabling Kanoe to see his name and notice that he's a member of the IPR* Satsuki: Yeah. What she said. *still glued to the window* Kai: *goes towards the train station, wishing it wasn't raining so people would be out and he could make some money* Attendant: *takes the ticket and stamps it, but fumbles handing it back and drops it in Kanoe's lap* Attendant: Oops... Darn these old hands... Gettin' kinda clumsy... Kanoe: *smiles* It's okay. *hands the ticket back to the thug, winking at him* Thug: *smiles back at her nervously* Thug: *starts trying to flirt again, but his heart has obviously gone out of it* Kanoe: *smiling and trying to make him at ease again* Kai: *sighs* Back to my old tricks. Kai: *brushes into a man getting onto the train, slips his hand into the man’s pocket, steals the ticket, then gets on also* Attendant: *walks back in the direction he was coming in, greets Kai as he gets on the train* Hello, young man. Ticket? Thug: *eventually does relax and start flirting again* Kanoe: *smiles even more* Satsuki: *stays glued to the window* Kanoe: *flirts shamelessly, just waiting until she can get this guy alone and kill him* Kai: *hands him the ticket* Attendant: Very good... Where are you headed? Kai: Kamakura. Attendant: Oh.. Well, you might want to sit with those girls right up there... *points out Satsuki and Kanoe* They're headed there, too. Satsuki: *ears perk up at the sound of Kai's voice saying "Kamakura"* Kai: Thanks. Kanoe: *too busy flirting* Thug: *could care less, is also still flirting* Kai: *sits behind them* Kai: *stares at the back of the seat* Attendant: *after collecting all the tickets, heads for the front of the train* Satsuki: *manages to pull her face away from the window, turns around and sees Kai* 0.0! Satsuki: Kai-san! What are you DOING here? Kai: Nothing... Satsuki: -.- Reeeeeeeeeeeeally. *Suddenly, the train starts chugging, steam blows and they're off!* Kanoe: *jerks her head around* Kai! What the HELL are you DOING here?! Kai: *doesn't really pay attention to them* Kai: Nothing... Satsuki: *distracted* Ooh! The train's leaving! Satsuki: *glues herself to the window again, forgetting about Kai* Satsuki: *goes into ferret shock* Kanoe: Oh, mister, you are SO dead when we get home! Kai: Whatever... *The train speeds along the countryside, as scenes of domestic peace play out into any watching eyes.* Kanoe: *makes up quick excuse* Your sister must to be worried sick! Thug: ~.- *looks at both of them funny* Kai: It's my brother I'm more worried about... Thug: *decides he's better off not getting involved in this conversation, turns away* Kanoe: *gives Kai a funny look, but decides now's not the time to ask, turns back to the thug and flirts again* Kanoe: *or tries to* Thug: *doesn't flirt any more, has been scared off* *The whistle blows, announcing they are halfway to their first destination.* Kai: *stares at back of the seat* Kanoe: *wishes she was telepathic, so she could blow Kai's mind to pieces* Satsuki: *still at the window, apparently having left a permanent noseprint on the plexiglass* Thug: *thinks that this is going to be a loooooooong trip* *Speaking of telepaths, let's check in on our favorite psychic, who just happens to be in Kamakura...* Sakura: *is walking down the main street in Kamakura, heading for the prison* I can't believe after all this time, I get a letter... from prison, no less. Kai: *is terrified his family will find him* Thug: *is hoping that this chick isn't what he's beginning to think she is* Attendant: *over loudspeaker* Next stop, Kamakura... Satsuki: *is happily oblivious to everything except the view out of the window* Kanoe: *sits back and pouts* Sakura: *arrives at the prison, is let in after she shows her letter* Kanoe: *If she doesn't manage to catch this guy one way or another, she's going to be VERY pissed.* Thug: *gives her another look, thinks she's ADORABLE with a pout, tries to strike up flirting again* *The train slows to a stop, and the doors open* Kamakura, everyone off... Kai: *is just as afraid that Kanoe and Satsuki will find out who his family is and decide to do something* Kanoe: *starts flirting with the guy again* Thug: *starts relaxing again and flirts back* Kai: *gets off the train* Kanoe: *inwardly* ^__^V! Satsuki: *has to be dragged off the train* ;.;!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOO!!! I DON' WANNA GET OFF!!! Attendant: *once again, over the loudspeaker* Kamakura stop... Anyone with a Kamakura ticket must exit. Satsuki: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! Kanoe: *sweatdrops at Satsuki* Satsuki: ;.;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kai: *pretends not to know her* Kanoe: *looks at guy, sees he's not getting off* ;.;!!! Thug: Sorry, sweet thing... Thug: *smiles crookedly* See you back in Tokyo? Kanoe: *purrs* Can't I just stay with you? Satsuki: ;.;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thug: *looks at Satsuki* Um - I don't think so... Thug: *names a restaurant and a time* Okay? Sakura: *meanwhile, is waiting in the visitation room for her old flame Aono to get out of the inspection area* Kanoe: Sure! Thug: ^________^V *stays on train* Kai: *waits for them to get off* Kanoe: *follows Satsuki, blowing a goodbye kiss* Thug: *catches the kiss and sends it back to her* Satsuki: *is dragged off by guards and dumped on the platform* ;.;!!!! Aono: *is lead into the visitation area* Sakura: *looks up* Aono... Aono: *looks very ill - skinny as hell, bad color, sunken eyes, and slightly bruised* Aono: Sakura...? You came...? Kai: *stares at platform* Aono: *even sounds ill* Sakura: Of course I came... You look awful, what's wrong? Aono: *smiles feebly* Nothing that seeing you doesn't cure. Kanoe: *as soon as she's off the train, she grimaces* Ick... The things I have to do... Satsuki: *sitting and bawling* Kai: *helps her to her feet* Satsuki: *lets him help her up* ;.; Satsuki: Thanks... Kai: *mumbles something that might have been a "you're welcome"* Sakura: Are they mistreating you here? Aono: *makes an effort to straighten up* No, no... it's not that kind of prison... Aono: I just wasn't well to begin with... and even the best prisons... Sakura: I understand. Aono: I'm just glad you came. Aono: I didn't want our last words to be an argument... Kanoe: That guy was so gross... Satsuki: *still sniffling* Guy? Kanoe: 9.9 Never mind, Satsu-kun. Kanoe: Let's go. Sakura: Last... words? Sakura: What do you mean? Aono: My sentence is for another five years - and I'm not going to make it that long. Kanoe: The sooner we go, the sooner we get back to the train. Satsuki: *perks up instantly* Hontou ni?! Kanoe: Yes. Satsuki: *straightens up and bounces off after Kanoe and Kai* Wai wai wai! V^-^V Kai: *follows Kanoe* Sakura: I'm so sorry... Aono: *smiles feebly again* It's all right. I've been getting used to it, one day at a time, and I'm not as scared as I was. Kanoe: *leads the way to the prison as fast as she can* Sakura: We had some good times. It was a long time ago, and it was pretty quick, but they were good. Aono: ^-^ They were. Remember when... *goes off into long but good reminiscence* Sakura: *follows her, reminiscing herself* Satsuki: *happily follows Kanoe, chanting about the train under her breath* Kanoe: *sometimes can't help but think Satsu-kun's just too weird* Kai: *shivers to himself* Val: *beeps, seeming to sympathize with Kanoe on this one* Sakura: *after that one is done* I'm sorry for all of this, Aono. But... I've found someone. Aono: ?.? Really? Sakura: Yes. I think she's the one for me. Aono: Oh... Aono: Well... that's good. *manages a smile* Aono: No one should go through life lonely. Sakura: I'm so sorry. I just didn't want you thinking there were any more chances with me. Aono: *with great effort, manages another smile* It's okay. Aono: I'm not much of a catch now, anyway. Sakura: *manages a smile of her own* You’re always a good catch, Aono. Don’t let anything make you think differently. Aono: You’re too kind, Sakura. But - thank you. *The scene fades on Sakura leaving the prison, looking troubled. She is effectively out of the story.* Kai: So what are we going to do exactly? Kanoe: *gets within a block of the prison, then stops* Satsu-kun... Satsuki: *waking up out of her train-trance* Un? Kanoe: Kai, you wait here. Kanoe: Satsu-kun, come with me. Kai: Why? Kanoe: *hisses at him* Because you almost messed my bounty up, and you owe me! Kanoe: And besides, we don't need you right now. Kai: -.- I'm not going to be left out. Kanoe: YOU ARE IF I SAY YOU ARE!!!! Satsuki: Guys, guys, take a breath here! Kanoe: NOW STAY PUT OR I'LL TIE YOU TO THE LAMPPOST!!! Kai: -.-!!! Kanoe: This is not a situation that you need to learn anything about. Kai: -.-!! I'm not going to be left out here! Kanoe: All right, you asked for it. Satsuki: *making calming motions with her hands* Now, now... come on, let's be reasonable... Kanoe: We're only going to be around the corner anyway, but if you insist... *takes some steel cord out of one of her hammerspace pockets and begins unwinding it* Satsuki: !.! Satsuki: KANOE! Satsuki: This is REALLY overdoing it! Kai: -.- Kanoe: *begins winding it around the lamppost* Satsuki: KANOE...! Kai: -.- Kanoe: *grabs hold of Kai and begins winding it around his wrists* Satsuki: *pulls out one of her daggers, as if by magic, and tries to hack at the cords, hoping for a weak point that the blade will be able to shear through* Kai: -.-!!! I'm not going to be bossed around by you or anyone! Satsuki: *has no luck, since they're steel cords* Satsuki: Geez, Kanoe! Take a frickin' BREATH here! Kanoe: *finishes with his wrists* There. Satsuki: This is WAY out of line! Satsuki: Untie him! Kanoe: Now if you try to run from an attacker, you're hands will get torn off, and I've heard that hurts. Satsuki: *gets sudden horrible mental image and makes retching noises* Satsuki: Kanoe, this is IT. This is TOO - FUCKING - MUCH. Kai: -.- Satsuki: *does not swear lightly, but means this with all her heart* Kanoe: Listen to ME! Kanoe: He did NOT need to follow us! Kanoe: He did NOT give us ANY reason! Kanoe: And he ALMOST FUCKED UP MY BOUNTY!!!! Kanoe: THAT WAS ONE OF MILES'S BUDDIES!!!! Satsuki: But you have a date with him later! Everything's fine! Satsuki: And you're STILL overreacting! Kanoe: Because I was LUCKY!!!! Kanoe: And he DOESN'T need to MEET this guy! Kanoe: I'm taking a risk letting YOU meet him! Satsuki: What makes ME such a risk?! *insulted* Kanoe: ANYONE is a risk! Kanoe: You don't know who my "friend" is! Satsuki: Yeah, because you're so frickin' closemouthed that it's a wonder I even know you like green tea. Kai: -.- Who is he? Kanoe: Listen, this guy... Kanoe: He's... Satsuki: *listens impatiently, still thinks that anything involving missing hands is overreacting* Kanoe: He's a legend. Satsuki: ?.? Kanoe: He's one of those bounties no one ever caught. Kanoe: He didn't OD, didn't have an accident. He just never got caught. Kanoe: If you had known about him before... Satsu-kun, you have no idea how much he's worth. Satsuki: And he's in jail now... why? Kanoe: No, he's not in jail. Kanoe: He's the one who's helping us get in. Satsuki: 0.0 Kanoe: See, he owes me major. Kanoe: Look, Kai can't meet him. Kai: Why?! Satsuki: Why not? Kanoe: *looks at Kai* Because you would forget about me making you promise not to say anything to anybody. Kanoe: You'd be blabbing it to everyone you met. Kanoe: Hell, I would if I didn't know him. Kanoe: And Satsu-kun is risky as it is. Kai: -.- I can keep quiet about things. Satsuki: Hmph. I don't gossip. Kanoe: *shakes her head* Not about this. Kanoe: Now, if you promise NOT to follow us, we won't be far enough away not to help if someone attacks you, and I'll untie you to boot. Kai: Who is there for me to tell? Sailor Bob? Kanoe: Oh, you wouldn't need to know anyone. Satsuki: This "brother" I heard mentioned? Kanoe: You'd be blabbing it to everyone on the street. Kai: *at Satsuki* -.-!!!!!!! Satsuki: What? Don't give me that look! Kanoe: Just promise, please. Kai: *doesn't talk to many people anyways* Satsuki: I heard the word "brother," that's all! Kanoe: I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't have a reason. Kai: Fine! Kanoe: *begins untying him* Thank you. Kai: -.- Satsuki: Well, if we're all done screaming at each other, let's just go. *is beginning to wish she'd never found out that the bounty on the IPR had risen* Kanoe: *nods* Kanoe: *turns the corner and walks about a block away, then ducks into an alley* Satsuki: *follows, still looking grumpy* Kai: *kicks a rock down the street and walks off* *Suddenly, strong arms seize Satsuki from behind.* Satsuki: !.! Satsuki: *twists around, pulling out a knife and managing to drop Val's bag so that nothing is hurt* Mysterious Man: *laughs and drops her* A friend, Hanako? Satsuki: *waves the knife at him* Kanoe: *smiles* Calm down, Satsu-kun. Satsuki: *not in the least mollified* If he touches me again, I'll... Man: *puts his hands up* I surrender, girl. Man: I don' wanna get slashed. Satsuki: -.- *does not like being made fun of, either* Kanoe: Satsu-kun, I would like you to meet - *drum roll, please* - Charles Jones, also known as Bloody Charlie. Satsuki: 0.0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charlie: *laughs* She's your partner, isn't she, Hanako? I shoulda' known from the computer bag. Satsuki: OH MY GOD! E-CHAN, *THIS* IS YOUR FRIEND?! Satsuki: *looks about ready to scream; grabs her bag* Kanoe: I told you. Satsuki: *opens her mouth to blab everything to the entire world, just as predicted* Charlie: Now, calm down. I'm not gonna hurtcha. Satsuki: *edges away from him* Charlie: I owe Hanako lots. Kanoe: *crosses her arms* Lee: *steps out from a alley next to Kai* A bounty hunter now? Doesn't look like they think much of you. Kai: O.O!!!! Satsuki: -.- Yeah, well, debts have a way of drying up sometimes. Especially in the middle of a tricky situation. Kanoe: Yeah, and can you deliver? Charlie: Now, Hanako, let me reminisce a little, willya? Kai: How did you follow me?! Lee: You're not exactly invisible, you know. Charlie: *turns to Satsuki* She almos' caught me, ya know. Satsuki: ?.? E-chan did? Charlie: Yup. Charlie: I was dead drunk at the time, a'course... Charlie: And delirious, ta boot. Satsuki: ~.- Figures. Even E-chan's not THAT good. Kanoe: -.-!! Satsuki: ^-^ Kai: What do you want? I'm out of the family's hair! Lee: We missed you, little brother. We were saddened when you ran away. Kai: You just want to do those horrible things to me! Charlie: Well, ya know, I had a daughter once... Satsuki: *listens, her five-year-old curiosity getting the better of her actual sense* Charlie: *looks suddenly much older* She was a pretty thing, jus' like Hanako... Charlie: And I guess I was a little too out of my head... Charlie: I musta thought it was my own Lila, 'cause the way Hanako tells it I was stumblin' all over her and calling her daughter and everythin'. Kanoe: Yeah, and you almost threw up on me, too. Satsuki: 9.9 What taste in friends you have, E-chan. Kanoe: Huh. Charlie: Well, I dunno why this girl didn't turn me in then and there... Charlie: But apparently she felt sorry for me. Kanoe: *looks uncomfortable* Well, it wasn't exactly fair... Kanoe: He was so drunk... Satsuki: *sniggers* Charlie: *smiles at her* She took me home, sobered me up, and let me go. Satsuki: *pokes E-chan* Satsuki: Yup. Soft. Kanoe: Hey, cut it out! Satsuki: ^-^ Charlie: *laughs* After that, I contacted her and told her that I owed her a ton, and any time she needed a favor, she could call me. Kanoe: And almost refused when I asked THIS favor! Satsuki: *grudgingly* Well, as long as you DON'T welsh out on us... Charlie: *laughs* I just needed a reminder. Lee: We never wanted to do those things to you... Father made us. But he has changed. Kai: You ENJOYED torturing me! You ENJOYED hunting me down! Lee: The past is the past. Kim is always hoping that you will come back. Satsuki: *shakes knife threateningly at Charlie* But if you welsh out on us like Tetsuya did, I swear I WILL come back and use this knife! Charlie: Girl, there won't be any need of that. Satsuki: -.- *is not nearly ready to trust him yet* Charlie: *hands Kanoe a piece of paper* Now, flash this at any guard you see, and they'll do whatever you want. Charlie: *shakes a finger at her as she takes it* But leave them young ones alone, y'hear?! Satsuki: !.! Kanoe: *laughs* Oh, don't worry, Charlie. Kanoe: I'm with someone now. Satsuki: 9.9 Charlie: Well, stay with 'em. Life's too short not to fall in love at least once. Kanoe: Thank you for your preaching. Seeya, Pops. Satsuki: Bye. Satsuki: *holds the knife up again meaningfully* Charlie: *looks after them fondly* Hope you reach your goals, girls. Kanoe: *leaves* Satsuki: *follows, still sort of shell-shocked* Kanoe: *reaches the corner and looks around* Kai? Satsuki: Kai-san? *looking* Kanoe: *calls* KAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Satsuki: Kaiiiiiiii-saaaaaaaaaaaaaan... Kai: *stares at Lee* Lee: Looks like your friends are searching for you, little brother. Kanoe: DOKO DESU KAAAAAAAAA?!?!?! Kai: Over here! Kai: *doesn't want to turn his back on Lee* Satsuki: *jogs over* Kai-san! Satsuki: What did you wander off - oro? Kanoe: *follows Satsuki* Kanoe: *has a rose in her hands, fiddling with it* Satsuki: *looks at Lee questioningly* Lee: *smiles* Hello. *leaves soundlessly* Kai: O.O Satsuki: ?.? Satsuki: Kai-san, who was that? Kanoe: Kai, uhm, that wouldn't happen to be the, ah, brother you mentioned before, would it? Kai: ;.; No one.. Satsuki: ~.- Ooooookay. Kanoe: *gives him the evil eye* Are you sure? Kanoe: It looked like someone to me... Kai: Yes... Kanoe: *shrugs* Well, fine. Satsuki: Right. Whatever. Satsuki: 'Fess up when you feel like it. Kai: What now..? Kanoe: I suppose if I have to keep secrets, you deserve some too. Satsuki: Well? Are we going or what? Kanoe: Yup! Satsuki: Well, Kai, let's go! Kai: OK... Kanoe: *leads the way* Kai: *follows* Satsuki: *follows, occasionally giving the direction Lee disappeared in a curious glance* Kanoe: *Reaches the gate, flashes the paper. They are instantly admitted.* Kai: *keeps looking around him like a hunted animal* Satsuki: *pokes Kai* Oi. Stop looking so guilty, they'll lock you up. Kai: Gomen ne... Kanoe: *Flashes the paper again and asks to see Miles. They're led to a visitor's room.* Satsuki: *follows, impressed by the power of the paper* Miles: *sitting in the visitor's room, looking scared but defiant* Kanoe: *smiles brilliantly* Hello, Miles. Remember me? Miles: -.- Yeah, you're the cunt that put me away. Kanoe: Good. Kanoe: You remember. Kanoe: Now, Miles dear, I certainly MUST ask a favor. Miles: Fuck that, cunt. I wouldn't tell you shit. Kanoe: Oh, really? Miles: -.- Yeah, really. *is putting up a tough front* Kanoe: *has her jagged knife out and at his throat* Well, maybe this will get your attention. Miles: !.! SHIT! And they let you IN?! Kanoe: Of course. Kanoe: I have a paper. Miles: *tries to edge backwards, fails and almost tips the chair over* SHIT! Kanoe: *keeping her knife at his throat* Have you ever been stabbed by a knife like this one? Miles: N- n- no... Kai: *stands in the corner quietly* Kanoe: It not only hurts going in, but when it comes out, it brings things with it. Satsuki: ^-^V *is behind Kanoe all the way on this one* Miles: Y- you - wo- wouldn't... d- dare... Kanoe: Oh, and did I ever show you my roses? No, of course not, I didn't have them when I caught you... Kanoe: *takes one out* See, I bioengineered them. Kanoe: They have poison in them. Miles: !.! Kanoe: Slow-working poison. Miles: 0.0!!! Kanoe: No one will know how you died... Kanoe: A lot less obvious then a knife-wound. Miles: Shit! Fine! Miles: Have it your way, you fucking cunt! Kanoe: Oh, are we going to be cooperative now? Miles: What the fuck do you wanna know?! Kanoe: *smiles* Good! Kanoe: Satsu-kun, start taking notes. Satsuki: *happily pulls out Val and starts tapping* All ready, E-chan! Kanoe: I want to know every single slimy jerk that ever even touched your fucking IPR. Miles: 0.0!!! Miles: I can't tell you that, they'll fucking KILL me! Kanoe: What's the difference between them and me? Miles: *looks at the knife and the roses* Miles: N- not a whole fuckin' lot. Kanoe: Oh, I know! Kanoe: I do it in much more painful ways! Miles: !.! Miles: Okay! Okay! I'll fucking tell! Kanoe: Good boy. Miles: *starts listing names, almost babbling in his haste to get them out* Satsuki: *faithfully types in every single one* Satsuki: *including the one that Kanoe talked with on the train* Kanoe: *grins smugly* Kai: *stares off into space* Miles: *in the babble is included one peculiarly non-Irish name* ...Morgan, Lee Komoshiroorsomethingfunnylikethat, James O'... Kai: O.O!!!! Satsuki: *notes the name down as a matter of course, but doesn't link it to anything* Kanoe: *when he's finally done, she claps her hands* Oh, good performance, Miles. Miles: -.- Fuck you, bitch. If you didn't have your fucking knife, I'd... Kanoe: Now, I have a present for you. Kai: O.O Satsuki: Ooh! A present! Satsuki: Can I deliver it? Huh? Can I? Kanoe: *pulls out a *blue* rose from a hammerspace pocket* This... Satsuki: *was praying that it was plastic explosives, disappointed at a mere rose* Kanoe: This is something I've been saving for a long, long time. Kanoe: *jabs Miles's arm with the rose's point* Miles: !.! Kanoe: Now, don't worry. Kanoe: You're not going to die. Kanoe: Not until I say. Miles: *edges backward, managing only to tip his chair over* SHIT...! Kanoe: See, within this very, very special rose, are microbes. Kanoe: Microbes that I can control from thousands of miles away. Satsuki: Aw, microbes are no fun. You shoulda borrowed some of my nanomachines, now THOSE can... Kanoe: If so much as one of those names is wrong, those microbes will eat you alive from the inside out. Miles: !.! Miles: GodDAMN, but you're a suspicious bitch! Kanoe: *grins* I like to call it insurance. Miles: They're all fuckin' genuine, what the fuck did you think I'd try to pull with that damn pigsticker at my fucking throat?! Kanoe: *shrugs* Well, if they're all real, then the microbes will be dormant for the rest of your life. Miles: *lies on his back and just glares pure evil at all of them* Miles: Some day... some fuckin' day... Kai: O.O Satsuki: *smiling brightly* - I'll come back and do what E-chan couldn't! Kanoe: I'll die. Kanoe: But no matter when that is, you won't be the one to bump me off. Satsuki: I can be just as immoral as she is! Miles: *continues with the glare* Kanoe: *gives her a look* Please, don't blow my mind just yet, okay? Satsuki: -.-!!! Kai: O.O Satsuki: *does fancy tricks with her knives* Satsuki: *stops suddenly, thinking* Oh, wait... Satsuki: I mean AMORAL! Not *im*moral, *a*moral! Satsuki: Okay, now that's cleared up... Kanoe: Okay, well, let's go back to the train. Satsuki: TRAIN TIME! V^-^V *dashes off* Kai: *follows* Miles: @.@ Fuckin' weirdos... Kanoe: *blows Miles a kiss, then turns and follows, putting the paper, roses and knife away as she leaves* Satsuki: *dances on her way to the train station* Kanoe: *On the train, she sighs as she looks out the window over Satsuki's shoulder. Mostly, she's anticipating the date she has that night, with her bounty, but she's also contemplating Charlie.* Kanoe: Oi, Satsu-kun... Satsuki: *distracted* Un? Kanoe: Did you know your father very well? Satsuki: Nope. Kai: *stares blankly at seat* Kanoe: What were the people who raised you like? Satsuki: They were - they were pretty good. Satsuki: They didn't spoil me rotten, but that's a good thing. Kanoe: *nods* Satsuki: I'm kinda mad at them still for - for taking Suzuki away... Kanoe: Understandably. Satsuki: But, you know, that was a long time ago, they thought they were doing the right thing, and now he’s back... Satsuki: I'm not holding a grudge. Satsuki: Life's too short. Kanoe: Yeah... Kanoe: Y'know... Satsuki: Yeah? Kanoe: I wish... I really wish I had known my dad... Kai: Sometimes it's better not to... Satsuki: *staring out the window again* Kanoe: My aunt used to tell me stories about my dad... Satsuki: *doesn't really feel she should be commenting on this, since she doesn't have a sob story* Kanoe: She used to tell me all sorts of things that they did when they were kids, she and him. Kanoe: He was a great big brother, she said. Satsuki: ^-^ Everyone should have one of those. Satsuki: There's nothing like it. Kanoe: I always wondered... what it would have been like, with him around... Kai: I wish I had as caring a family as you two around. Satsuki: *looking out the window, remembers Suzuki teaching her how to type, how they would make up code words from the mistakes she made* Satsuki: *turns around and gives him a hug, completely at random* Kai: O.O Kanoe: *smiles* Aww, Kai... Satsuki: Well, now you have us, and we'll do our best - won't we, E-chan? Kanoe: Don't you realize it? Kanoe: We are your family now. Satsuki: ^-^V That's us! Kanoe: *grins* And I think Charlie musta been a great dad... Satsuki: 9.9 I leave THAT judgment ENTIRELY up to you, E-chan. Kanoe: *laughs* I still remember when he was stumbling all over me, scolding me for wearing such an outfit... Kai: ... Satsuki: *snickers at the thought* Kanoe: Oh, you shoulda seen him... Satsuki: Falling down drunk, wasn't he? Kanoe: And when he calls me, it's always "Now, remember to brush your teeth," and "Don't talk to strangers...” Satsuki: *laughs* Kanoe: Like I was a little kid! Satsuki: The price you pay, E-chan. Satsuki: *pokes Kai* Speaking of which, YOU didn't eat breakfast this morning! Satsuki: You HAVE to eat breakfast! It's the most important meal of the day! Kai: I'll survive. Kanoe: *giggles and looks out the window again* Satsuki: -.#!!!!!!!!!!! Kai: You were right about that guy being my brother, Satsuki... Satsuki: ?.? Satsuki: Why'd he - disappear like that? Kai: Because you're bounty hunters, I guess... Satsuki: ~.- Okay... *decides not to pry* Satsuki: But you still need to eat breakfast! Kanoe: *sighs at this and thinks to herself* Well, I most certainly will not get bored with these two around... *And, as Satsuki nags Kai about eating, there is a sudden and sharp screeching sound, and the train is thrown into darkness.* *To be continued.* Credits Satsuki: Hokuto Kuzuki Kanoe: MokonaChiirushia Kai: Ryuujin Tatsu Sakura: XxGigasboltxX Joker: Hokuto Kuzuki Charlie: MokonaChiirushia Waiter/Waitress: Hokuto Kuzuki Lee: Ryuujin Tatsu Aono: Hokuto Kuzuki Railroad Attendant: XxGigasboltxX Miles: Hokuto Kuzuki Sailor Bob: MokonaChiirushia Val: Hokuto Kuzuki Kisha: Hokuto Kuzuki Thug on Train: Hokuto Kuzuki