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written-in-flowers · 1 year

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Kimura Delivery Service: Part 2

Chapter 2: W is for White Rascals

Pairing: fem!OC x Rocky

Word Count: 11k

Genre: Fluff

Fandom: High & Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D

Summary: After a life of swinging her fists, Sakyia is hopeful about her easy going job of delivering packages...However, her aunt neglected to mention the "regulars": The gang leaders of S.W.O.R.D. and the undeniable affection they all grow to have for her.

Overall Warnings: blood and violence, fighting, gang activity, crime, mentions of death, multiple relationships, girlboss being a girlboss, not really 'poly' but girl has a string of lovers,

Part 1 <; | > Chapter 3

Tagged: @belle64 @straysugzhpe (if you'd like to be tagged, let me know in the replies!)

***

Once she got a feel for the delivery service, Sakyia began enjoying it more. Her aunt appeared more backed up in orders than she’d realized. Every morning, Sakyia woke up, did her usual routine, put on her jacket and went downstairs. She’d grown to like the Sannoh neighborhood and the people in it. People welcomed her with smiles instead of scowls. They offered her things like bundles of apples for her health or insisted she take a basket of baked goods to her mother. Sakyia had never met such kind people before. Though, with every good aspect comes a bad one. Cobra did not lie when he mentioned the gangs to her. She’d been told what streets to avoid, and what the people wore so should she see them, she could avoid them. Sakyia knew better than to seek out a fight with more than possibly two or three people; she could fight well, but not that well. Whenever anyone asked her, Sakyia said she’d simply drive away if they chased her. During her first week, she didn’t run into anyone particularly bothersome, but she kept herself on guard for the moment it came.

“Just run away,” her mother warned her during their lunch break together. “I don’t want you coming back to me bruised up and bloody.”

“I have no interest in fighting anyone,” she replied, sitting curled on her barber chair and eating her lunch. “I don’t do that anymore.”

“Mhm,” she responded, unconvinced as she prepared her station for her next client. “I see you with that punching bag you found outside. You’re always punching and kicking it like it owes you money.”

She and the other girls chuckled. The Ichiago Milk girls came to the salon as they’d said. Askua sat at a nail station, having a young woman working on her fingers. The twins both finished having their hair styled, and Junko took their place. Sakyia liked having them around; they treated her as one of them and her mother liked them.

"It's good exercise," Sakyia said. "It keeps me in shape."

And also prepared. She still hadn't told her mother about the SWORD gangs, though she'd approached Hana about it.

"You know if I'd told you in front of your mother, she'd forbid it. I didn't tell you because I thought you might say 'no'. If you want to back out, then I'll understand."

Sakyia kept the job when her aunt raised her pay. She'd told Hana if fighting off thugs is a job hazard, she'd be compensated for it. Still, she kept it from her mother. Finishing her lunch, she checked her phone. She had a pick up order in half an hour, but she could do a drop off or two beforehand.

"Pfft, as if you need it," said Junko. "Your body's perfect. All the boys are always staring at you."

"I don't do it for boys, Junko."

"They stare anyways," she replied, staying still in her seat as the stylist started on her hair. "I wish I knew how you did it. All of them like you."

Sakyia knew she said this from a place of curiosity, not jealousy. Shiba and Oshiage told her Junko could be boy crazy, often falling in love with any pretty boy she sees. Sakiya didn't understand it at all, but she didn't judge.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I don't pay much attention to them."

"They pay attention to you," said Shiba with a teasing smile.

"Especially Cobra," her sister gave an identical smile. "He's always looking at you when you're not looking at him."

"It's super cute," Askua said.

Sakyia blushed, focusing on her phone instead. "Hush, you two," she said in a small voice, hiding her face. "He's not interested, and I wouldn't care if he was. He's just a guy."

A guy who made her feel 'the butterflies' whenever he came around.

"Ugh, you're so stubborn, Sakyia," Junko huffed. "If I even looked half as good as you…"

"You're beautiful as you are, Junko, and someone will see that soon," she assured her. "In the meantime, I gotta go."

"Already?" The twins said in unison.

"I have a long list," she said. She kissed her mother's cheek, "I might be back late. Don't wait for me."

"You know I will anyway."

She said farewell to the ladies and began her route. Sakyia went about her day making deliveries and picking up packages to take across town. Regulars already knew her by the second week, and prepared their "tips". These usually came in forms of money, but she sometimes received other items: charms, trinkets, books, or groceries. Sakyia didn’t mind. She’d grown to enjoy it honestly. It became one of the little perks of having the courier position. She usually came home with money to put in the box underneath her mother’s bed, and other things.

A particularly heavy package made her pause midday. On the top, the receiver’s name was printed on the sticker label. ‘Asahina Yamato, Asahina Motors.’ Yamato happened to be Cobra’s best friend who ran a mechanic shop. This means the possible chance of running into Cobra there. She couldn’t avoid delivering it; she thought about what the other ladies said about him: how he often looked at her when she didn’t notice and his obvious interest in her. Sakyia doubted it, but she couldn’t help flexing her scarred hand when she thought about him. Not many asked about her scars. Usually because they didn’t notice them, but Cobra’s too observant for her.

She put the mechanic shop in her navigation app, and headed there. The garage door remained wide open, and she saw a trio of motorcycles parked out front. Much like the rest of Sannoh, the building appeared old needing a fresh coat of paint and cleaner windows. Sakyia liked it this way. It reminded her of home, strangely enough. She parked her scooter near the garage entrance, and peeked inside to see a seating area with two worn out couches and a low coffee table. On one of them, she saw Yamato cleaning an engine part with a rag. On the other, she saw Cobra. She took a second to observe him: he leaned back on the couch, smoking a cigarette and relaxed. He appeared to be in thought, deep thought from what she guessed. Yamato didn’t seem to mind since the engine part kept him occupied. She wondered what he could be thinking about. She knew almost nothing about him, but if she learned things about him then he’d have to learn about her. She didn’t know if she wanted to share anything personal about herself.

“I’m glad Noboru is back and well,” said Yamato. “I hope he’s right about the casino project and Kuryu.”

“He is,” Cobra responded. “Kuryu is going to destroy this town and rebuild it; we can’t let them do that. It’ll ruin so many people’s lives, and change everything.”

“It doesn’t help that it’s corrupted as well.”

Kuryu? Casino project? She’d never heard anything about it. Her aunt told her that some parts of the town went under redevelopment, and housing costs went up. Luckily, it’d yet to touch the delivery business. The news disheartened her slightly. She’d only arrived in the town. Moving a second time won’t be easy for her, her mother, or Auntie Hana.

“Are you going to keep standing in the doorway or actually come inside, Sakyia?” Cobra’s voice cut through her thoughts, and she blushed bashfully.

“Oh, um, well, uh…I didn’t want to interrupt anything important,” she said, shuffling into the light. “I have a package for Yamato.”

“Oh good, it’s here!” Yamato smiled, standing up immediately. “It’s the new part for my bike,” he told them both, coming outside to see the heavy box in her cart. He lifted it out for her to bring inside, “I couldn’t find it anywhere in town, so I had to order it. Now I can get rid of that annoying rattling sound.”

“If you just sign here,” she felt Cobra’s eyes on her, and ‘the butterflies’ came back, “I can head on out of your way.”

“Yeah, of course.”

Yamato took her clipboard to sign, and she gazed around the shop. “Your family owns this place, I’m guessing?”

“Yeah, my dad did,” he said. “He’s the one who taught me how to fix cars and bikes.” He saw her scooter outside, “Is it running okay? Koichi often had trouble with the wheels.”

“It’s doing okay so far,” she replied, trying her best to ignore Cobra, “It’s old, but it runs well enough.”

“You seem pretty at home on it,” Cobra finally spoke, putting out his cigarette on an ashtray. “Have you ridden one before?”

“Not really, but it’s mostly about maintaining balance and I’m pretty good at that.” Thanks to Jiro and the hours he made her walk on a beam in their backyard. She could still feel the bar on her feet sometimes. “My dad rode a motorcycle, so I sort of picked up tips from him.”

“So, then you like guys with bikes?” Yamato asked, handing her the clipboard. “Cobra and I go riding all the time, right Cobra?” he glanced over at him with a grin, and Cobra returned it with indifference. “You should come with us sometime. Cobra’s bike is big enough to fit two.”

The image of her riding with Cobra crossed her mind. It reminded her of her parents: her dad steering and her mom’s arms wrapped around him, her cheek on his shoulder and a smile on her face. She pushed it from her mind, “Eh, thanks for the offer, but I think I’m fine on my scooter.” She checked the signature, ripping off Yamato’s copy and giving it to him. “Thanks, guys. See ya around.”

Run. Run from Cobra and his pretty, observant eyes.

“Wait,” Yamato called to her, “Your tip.” He dug in his overall pocket to hand her a few bills, which she pocketed. “Are you hungry?” He asked her, “My mom made some rice balls.”

A snack did sound good. The constant traveling and moving about worked up an appetite. But, this meant being in Cobra’s presence. “Sure,” she shrugged, “I could eat.”

"Great! Have a seat. I'll be back."

Cobra followed his friend with his eyes while Sakyia took the couch opposite him. Yamato's absence left a tense air between them. He and Noboru had been alone when Sakyia rushed out of the gas station. No doubt Noboru told him at least part of her story.

"So, why did they call you 'Viper'?" Cobra asked, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. When she froze, he said, "Noboru mentioned it to me yesterday. He said you fought in the warehouse fight clubs."

'Fight Club' implies people wanted to be there. She shifted in her seat, regretting the rice ball offer. "People did. I didn't like it."

"Why?"

"Because it was a lame nickname," she said. "They called me that because I was fast."

"I thought you didn't know how to fight?" She saw a shadow of a smile on his face.

"I'd…well…I'd rather not talk about that part of my life," she said, fidgeting with the loose threads on her jeans. "I’m not very proud of it,” Especially after Yoshi. She looked around the garage once more, and saw photographs nearby. She saw a few photos of Yamato, Cobra and Noboru, all smiling and happy. A very stark contrast to the brooding man she’d come to meet. “You’re close to him,” she said, “Noboru, I mean.”

“We’ve been best friends since childhood,” he replied. “We grew up in this town together. That's why we want to save it. It’s our home.”

“From the redevelopment project?” she assumed.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “The Kuryu families want to build a casino here, and it’s causing people to move out and abandon their businesses. Tettsu’s family is already thinking of closing their bath house.”

“Hm, what a shame,” she grinned, “I never got to go.”

Recalling Tettsu’s offer that first night made them both chuckle softly. Sakyia admitted she liked his smile. “It really is a shame though. This place was starting to grow on me. Even with the thugs that hang around this town; the people are really nice. I'm not used to that."

"They see that you're a good person," he said. When she turned to him, "It's a small place. Word spreads around quickly."

"Very quickly."

"I'm back!"

Yamato returned with a plate of triangular rice balls. Sakyia reached forward to grab one, and her hand brushed right into Cobra’s. The brief touch felt alien to her, but did not make her skin crawl. In fact, it made her want to hold it. They both blushed and picked up opposite ones. She turned the conversation to Yamato, doing her best to avoid what happened. She asked about his family and his garage. She couldn't help noticing Cobra watching her. When will that ever stop?

"-Then something serious happened with Noboru, and we wanted to give him a place to come home to," Yamato concluded. "But, as you know, he ended up working for Ieruma instead."

"I kind of don't blame him. He must've felt so alone and lost. It'd be like them to corner someone like that," she said. "Luckily, he has you two." Sakyia wished she had friends like that. Perhaps things might have turned out differently. "He did do good things with them, though. He helped my mother and I get away from my stepfather and his debt collectors. Because of his cleverness, I didn't have to fight anymore."

"Fight? You fight? I thought you didn't," he said, bemused.

She needed to start thinking before talking. "She used to fight in the warehouses on the bayside," Cobra answered for her. "Right?"

"Yeah."

"Wow!" Yamato said, eyes widened. "Those pit fights are no joke. I've heard they fight until someone's knocked out."

"Or yields," she added.

"You must be good then," Yamato said. "Maybe even as good as Cobra. You should see him-"

"-Yamato-"

"-He's very fast and precise. He's tough stuff. He wouldn't be our leader if he wasn't."

Clearly, the praise bothered Cobra. Humbleness? Or is he like her and doesn't want to show their abilities yet?

"I bet he is good," she said. "He looks like he could handle himself in a fight."

"Like you wouldn't believe."

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and realized she'd spent too long there. "Ah, crap, I gotta go," she said, standing up. "Thanks for the rice balls."

"Anytime. Really. Cobra and I are usually here during the day-"

"-Yamato-"

She giggled, "I'll see you two around."

She got back on her scooter to continue her route. Her stomach churned while she rode away. She shouldn't have said so much, but it came out of her. She'd hoped to keep that part of her life to herself; it isn't good and it's not who she is anymore. She worried they might think she's a fighting machine, which she was, but she wanted to leave that behind. She wanted to be normal. She wanted a regular life with regular friends. Her aunt already gave her a job because of what she could do.

Though, she did want to see Cobra fight one day.

Sakyia rode through the day and into the night. Auntie Hana extended her routes after her first week, so she finally saw the rest of Chikuni City. It was drastically different from Sannoh. People had more money here, and the stores did not appear so run down or old. She walked into night clubs and bars full of people, dropping off packages at back doors and meeting the owners. Her aunt’s clients were glad her service was up and running; they all appeared to be too busy to deliver or pick up from her. She liked the people she'd met, though she still preferred those back in Sannoh.

Downtown turned into a different place after dark. The lights drowned out the stars, and the noise of the streets filled the air. People walked out of various nightclubs and bars along the strip, and the atmosphere changed. She saw herself coming to such a lively place with friends, out for a night of drinking and dancing. Sakyia never went into a club before. But, fortunately, her route took her exactly there.

'Rocky Mutsugi, Club Heaven, 8pm.' The address of the place was printed alongside the name. Rocky Mutsugi's package was small, no larger than her fist and fit in her bag. She wondered what it could be, but she wouldn't dare ask. What the customers ordered or received isn't her business. The route took her to a nightclub where the name 'Club Heaven' went across the top in sleek, thin letters. A large man dressed in white stood outside the door, letting in groups of people at a time to avoid maximum capacity. Timidly approaching the front of the line, she showed the bouncer her clipboard and mentioned Rocky by name.

"He's inside. VIP lounge," he answered in a gruff voice.

A crowd of people protested when the bouncer allowed her through. Sakyia ignored them and walked inside. Music blared through speakers high on the dark walls and over the leather couches; the bright white lines shone from columns throughout the room and high above. A sea of people danced underneath colored lights; almost everyone there wore white. From the dancers on platforms, to the bartenders, and to the DJ at his elevated booth, everyone wore outfits of all white. Only a few of the clubbers wore different colors, usually the men, but some women did as well. Sakyia found it odd; she didn’t know clubs had dress codes. She put this aside and searched around for the VIP area. They're usually roped off from the rest of the room, but she saw no such place in the crowded room.

Spotting a man in a white jacket and jeans, she walked over to him. His long black hair curtained his face, and he appeared to be scanning the room casually. She gulped thickly and spoke.

"Uh, excuse me?" She caught his attention, "Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you knew where I could find Rocky Mutsugi? I'm Ms. Kimura’s courier?" She prayed to God that he knew what that meant.

Thankfully, he did. Yet, before he could say anything another man quickly came around the staircase and stepped between them. At least, Sakyia thought they were a man at first. Seeing them up close, there appeared to be a sense of femininity about them. She couldn't quite place it, but she sensed it. The woman glared at her, almost bothered by her presence.

"Hey, he's not interested," she said spitefully. "So beat it-"

"-The hell?" Sakyia instantly shot back. "Look, I'm not interested in him. I'm looking for-"

"-She works for Hana, Kizzy," the man said in her ear. "She has Rocky's package."

The woman's eyes lit up at once and the disgust vanished in seconds. They swept a glance over Sakyia, then she spoke.

"I'm so sorry! I thought you were hitting on my boyfriend," she apologized. "Welcome to Club Heaven, I'm Kizzy."

They shook hands. The sudden change in character surprised her. "Thanks," she said, "I was asking your boyfriend where I could find Rocky. I have his package and I don't want to be late giving it to him."

"Oh, honey, even if you were late, he'd still let it slide," Kizzy said. "He's upstairs. Follow me."

She followed the couple upstairs into a lounge area behind a door. Inside, she saw more dark furniture and a bar illuminated by white lights. On a long couch sat a group of women, all dressed in white. She noticed the men in the room wore white outfits, and appeared to be eyeing her once she walked in. So much damn white everywhere. Her body instantly tensed walking into the room. She hadn't run into any problems lately, and she hoped she didn't have to do it now. She remembered what Cobra said about the gangs of SWORD. These men must be one of them.

She didn't want to fight.

"Rocky," Kizzy said, "Ms. Kimura’s courier is here."

The man in the center of the couch sat up. Blond hair perfectly coiffed and styled, he wore red circular glasses and a handcuff hung from his left wrist. Dark eyes scanned her over his sunglasses, which made her shift uncomfortably. She'll admit, he was handsome, so she understood why so many women sat near him. Something about him exuded confidence and power that attracted people to him. His white coat had black zebra stripes down the sleeves, and he wore slacks. More white. Why so much damn white? It gave her a headache. He observed her for a moment, but did not speak.

"Um, uh, hello," she said awkwardly. "I'm Sakyia. I have your package right here," she withdrew it from her bag to show him, clipboard under her arm. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding on anything, but the instructions said it had to be delivered to you directly," though she couldn't imagine what she's walking in on.

"'Sakyia'...so close to 'Sakura', how sweet," giggled Kizzy. "Right, Rocky?"

"Uh, yes, okay, well," Sakyia stepped forward but Rocky stood up. "Here's…the package."

He stood a few inches taller than her. Broad and smelling of sweet cologne, she didn't need anymore examples of why the women in the room eyed him so fondly. Men like him tended to have strings of admirers. It reminded her vaguely of Jesse, who often had a girl or two following him around. Though, he never paid them any mind, much like the man before her.

"Hana never mentioned her courier would be a woman," he said, voice deep and rough, yet not off putting. "This job can be dangerous for a woman riding alone."

"It's been fine so far. My aunt wouldn't have given me the job if she thought I could not handle it," she said, feeling the need to prove she could do the job.

"Hana is your aunt?" He signed her clipboard.

"Yes. My mother is her sister. We just moved here a week ago, and she offered me the job to help her out." Why was she telling him this? He didn't have to know all that.

She saw a lit up monitor behind her flashing a logo. The words 'White Rascals' went across and beneath a wolf with a top hat and ruffled neck grinned maliciously.

"White Rascals?" she said thoughtfully. "That's your gang’s name?"

"It is," he said, giving her the clipboard back. "You don't sound impressed."

"Should I be?" She asked him.

"Most people are," he said.

"Why's that? Is it because of all the white in here? Do you use it to blind people before you attack?"

He chuckled softly, "Downtown is our territory. Nothing goes on in this place without us knowing about it."

"Except that Hana has a new courier?"

"I knew about you," he said, coming closer. He noticed her body tense at his approach and he stepped back. "She only neglected to mention you're a woman, that's all."

"Does that bother you?"

"Hana's business can be dangerous," he said. "You really shouldn't ride alone after dark."

"Trust me. These little SWORD gangs don't frighten me. I've met worse people."

"Ooh, I like her," Kizzy smiled with a laugh.

"It's not only the five gangs," Rocky told her. "There are others much worse. It's our job to protect women who come into our territory; we make sure they're safe and cared for. You're exactly the kind of woman those people would hurt."

"I'm not made of glass. I can handle myself."

Rocky surveyed her. "No, maybe you're made of something thicker."

"Have you met a lot of gangs then?" Kizzy asked, but her amused eyes stayed on Rocky. "If you're so fearless of them?"

"A few," she told them. "I've met plenty where I came from."

"And where is it you came from?" Rocky asked her, unable to look away from her.

"Chikuni Bay," she answered.

"The warehouses district?"

"That's the one." She double checked her phone. It was getting late. "Well, thank you," she gave a short bow of her head, "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr-"

"-Call me Rocky," he said, never looking away even once. "Stay for a drink. I imagine you've been riding around all day with how backed up Hana's business has been. You must be tired."

"No, thank you," she said politely. "I'm on my bike and it's getting late. My mother will be worried about me."

"Not even one?" Kizzy came to her side, pouting, "As a thank you for bringing the package all this way?"

"That's kind of you," she said, "But really I should go."

"You're free to come back whenever you like." Rocky handed her a small plastic card with the gang's symbol on it. She supposed it's meant to be a VIP card. "We'd love to have you."

"Thank you," she then smirked, "Would I have to be decked out in white too?" She asked, eyeing the people around them.

He laughed, "Not if you don't want to. I imagine you're lovely in any color."

Her cheeks burned when he said this. "Lucky for me, then. White isn't really my color." She stepped away before he spotted her pink cheeks. "I'll see you around then. Have a good night."

"Night, Sakyia."

She left the lounge on her own, going back down the stairs into the main floor. People danced around to the music, sat down on the leather couches talking and drinking, or otherwise enjoying the night club. She’d never been in such a loud place before. She often went deaf in a fighting pit, putting all her focus on her opponent. Here, there’s nobody to fight. There’s nobody coming up to her with anger flaring in their eyes. People are too absorbed into their own frivolity to notice her walking by. Sakyia gulped the dryness in her mouth, and thought she could at least have some water. She turned to the long white bar on one side of the room, and slipped between the patrons lining the front. The bartender, a young man with spiky dark hair, poured drinks expertly and took orders easily. When he finally reached her, he seemed relieved to have such an easy order. He handed her a water bottle, free of charge, and went back to his customers.

Sakyia took a drink from the bottle before she noticed them. A few seats away sat a young woman in a short black dress, her hair and makeup done up pretty for the night. In front of her stood a man in a dark-colored suit, his black hair slicked back from his face, and a smug grin on his face. The woman appeared to be trying to ignore him, but the man wasn’t taking the hint. Sakyia spotted the woman’s discomfort at once, and her multiple attempts to leave the bar. Not that this worked. When she managed to side step him, the man pursued her.

“Hey,” Sakyia called out from her seat, “She’s not interested, man. Leave her alone.”

The man sneered at her, “Ah, what? Jealous that I’m flirting with someone prettier than you?”

Ugh, so predictable. “No, I’ve had a long day and listening to this poor woman repeatedly telling you to fuck off is annoying me.” She looked at the woman, “Is this asshole bothering you?”

“Yeah, he is,” she nodded, glaring at the guy.

“Oh come on, babe,” he smirked at her, reaching for her arm, “You know you want it. That’s why you’re wearing that dress.”

Sakyia grunted, putting the bottle in her bag and walking over to him. Roughly, she turned him to face her. His cocky grin made her want to smack it off. “No, she’s wearing it because she wants to look pretty; not so assholes like you could harass her.”

“Look, honey, if you’re jealous, you can wait your turn,” he eyed her up and down, “You’re not too bad if you take off the grubby jacket and pants.”

“As if I would. I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot-pole.” She turned to the woman, “Did you come here with anyone?”

“Yeah, my friends,” she climbed off the stool, not bothering to take the drink on the bar. “I lost them on the dance floor.”

Some friends, Sakyia thought. She nodded to the dancers, “Let’s go find them.”

She let the girl walk in front of her, before a rough hand grabbed her wrist tightly. It happened out of nowhere. She didn’t know what made her do it, but she did it. In a single swing, Sakyia’s right fist landed right into the man’s cheek. It knocked him back to the bar. Having been hit by a woman in a room full of people, she saw the embarrassment flooding red into his cheeks. Adrenaline immediately pumped through her body. Every muscle in her constricted, and she prepared for another attack. He glared at her.

“You little bitch,” he snapped.

He moved to hit her before she kicked him in the groin, which certainly stopped him. Two white figures came to her side, and she shielded the woman from any more attackers out of habit. Briefly, it reminded her of Jiro’s drunken nights; nights where her mother tried to protect her from him. She saw the two figures were Rocky and Kizzy. Kizzy looked at the man with disgust on her face, while Rocky roughly pulled him to his feet.

“Get this scum out of our club,” Rocky said, the pommel of his cane under the man's chin. He stared down at him with pure hatred, as if he'd pummel the man himself. He then shoved him into the arms of two other white-clad men. “We’ll be watching you. If you hurt another woman like that again, we'll know.”

“I’m-I’m sor-sorry,” he stammered. “Please, no. I won’t do it again.”

“You're right,” he said, and motioned for the men to remove him from the club. "You won't."

Sakyia’s hand burned. She’d hit harder than she’d intended, she knew. Unable to assess the damage in the club lighting, she stretched her fingers and winced. Her mother will have questions. She doubted it’d be bruised, but she’d need an ice pack when she went home. Turning around to the woman, she asked:

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, thanks to you,” she sighed in relief. “That creep had been bothering me all night.”

“Kimi,” Rocky approached gently, the anger disappearing right away, “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I didn’t want to bother you with it,” she told her. “But thankfully, this woman saw him and told him to leave me alone.”

“From what I saw, she did more than tell him to leave,” Kizzy said, smiling over to Sakyia.

“Sakyia, your hand,” Rocky reached forward to hold it, examining her knuckles. Nerves bubbled inside her stomach at his warm, tender touch. "How bad is it?"

"Not too bad," she half lied. She already felt her cheeks reddening from the embarrassment. She'd never planned on causing a scene in this man's club or leaving a nasty impression. "I'll be okay."

"You can hardly move it," he said, seeing her hand in the light. "Come, I'll get you ice for it."

"You don't have to-"

"-I insist."

Sakyia followed him to a quiet spot of the bar, where the bartender quickly grabbed an ice pack from beneath the counter. He gingerly placed the square on her right hand. The ice shocked her skin, and she almost withdrew but didn't. She shouldn't have hit the guy; it was an extreme reaction, but she couldn't help it. She regretted more with Rocky so close to her. The faint smell of cigars came from him, and she recognized the brand from the scent alone. Iwata Cigars. Her father used to smoke them. She liked it.

"Do you often pick fights with men?" Rocky said, breaking through her thoughts. He was tracing his thumb over the faint scars on her left knuckles, particularly the long one in the middle. "You have plenty of these."

Lying felt pointless. Rocky saw her with his own eyes, and lying only insulted his intelligence. She snorted, "I used to fight often, yeah."

"How'd you get this one?"

"My fist clashed with the guy I was fighting, and it broke the bone." She then answered before she could stop herself, "It took me out of the pit for a while, so it worked out for me."

"Pit?"

She wished she'd never said anything. "Um, uh, well…" she'd already opened the bag, "I used to fight before. Not because I wanted to," she said quickly. "I did it because we were poor and didn't have a lot of money." Half true. "It was better than the other option," a full truth that unsettled her stomach. "I don't do it anymore though. I swear I'm not a crazy person who acts violently like that. I don’t know. I saw that man harassing that woman, and it bothered me. She clearly didn’t have an interest in him, and he kept going anyway. I wanted to help her out and get her away from him. He came after me and I don't know…I didn’t mean to hit him like that; it’s a reflex I suppose. I hadn't meant to cause a scene in your club."

Her stomach flopped admitting the fault to him. Seeing him in the lights, she saw his handsomeness close up. Tanned skin remained smooth and clear, she couldn’t help taking in his eyes and lips. A face she could draw for ages. Brown eyes stared over her features, and it made her suddenly nervous. Surely, he must be upset about it; any club owner would be.

"I'm not angry," he said, as if he read her mind. "That scum deserved it. I would've done it myself if you hadn't taken care of him." He put the pack back on her hand carefully, "What upsets me is that you had to do it at all. I don't like women feeling unsafe here. I made this club so they had a safe place to be."

"You certainly take their safety seriously."

"I do." He said, "I've seen too many terrible things happen to women. I couldn’t stand by and allow it to continue." He then said, tenderly, "Even to the ones who can handle themselves." She hoped the semi darkness hid her blushing cheeks, but Rocky’s vision is accustomed to the lighting. “Who taught you to fight? You must’ve been good if the scum at the warehouses let you fight there.”

“My father,” she answered. “He was a boxer before he retired. The rest I learned from people around me.”

“You shouldn’t have had to.”

Her phone pinged in her bag, and a quick look showed a text from her mother. It's grown far too late now. “I really should go,” she said, sliding off the stool and away from him. “Thank you for the ice, and I’m sorry again about that guy.”

“It’s no trouble, really,” he assured her. “I’m sure we’ll see one another soon. I enjoy your aunt’s service a lot.”

The prospect of meeting this man again blossomed excitement in her. “I’m sure we will,” she responded, “Goodnight, Rocky.”

“Night.”

She felt his eyes on her as she left him. During the route home, she thought about the gang leader. Suave and polished, he’s the mafia boss women write trashy romance novels about. He must think she’s some sort of hot-headed person, which she could be, but she tried her best. She’s not that person anymore. She hated that person.

She wanted to be different. She wanted to be better.

***

Rocky turned out to be one of her aunt’s most frequent clients. She mentioned this a few days after meeting him. Sakyia came downstairs in the morning to start packing drop-off boxes in her cart, while Auntie Hana flipped through her records on the counter.

“Wow, we managed to catch up with Sannoh’s regular flow in such a short time,” Hana awed when she typed new information into the clunky old computer. “Everyone has been raving about you, honey,” she told Sakyia. “They’ve all told me how prompt and professional you are; I told them you’ve always been such a sweet girl.”

“Bet they believed you,” Sakyia said from outside, figuring out where to put the last and tiniest package. “Being on-time is part of the job…” she found the right place and settled it down.

“They said you’re definitely an improvement over Koichi,” she told her when she came back inside. “He used to be rough with the fragile stuff, and he could be reckless on that thing. I hope you’re being safe when you ride.”

“I am, Auntie,” she said.

Hana typed down a few more lines, then printed out the day’s drop off and pick up list. Sakyia took it from the printer to read it, and bit the inside of her cheek. Rocky’s name is on the list. Multiple times. He had several pick up areas around the city, and they all needed to be dropped off at different times. Why didn’t he simply lump them together instead of getting them one by one? By the list, he has five in total throughout the day. She found it odd.

"Auntie," she looked over at her, "Did you do this route correctly?" She showed her the list, "Rocky's having multiple deliveries in one day. I thought most clients put them all at once for convenience?"

She should've known the answer by the sly grin. "Rocky is a busy man," she said, "He owns a club and different businesses in the downtown area. He can't be running around doing little things like this all day."

"But he has a whole gang. Why not let them do it?"

"He needs them at his side," she told her. "Besides, he is a handsome man and a true gentleman. If I were your age again, I'd be going to Club Heaven every night to see him." She then added, "It is the clients who make the appointments. Not me. Perhaps you charmed him in some way and now he's using this as an excuse to see you."

"Ugh, as if. I nearly beat up a guy in his club," she scoffed, putting the sheet on the clipboard. "He probably thinks I'm a psycho or something."

"Nah, I doubt it. Besides, it was Kizzy who placed the appointments, not Rocky, so I'm sure it was her doing."

Sakyia supposed it made sense, but what did she know about business people? She kissed her aunt goodbye, and was heading out the backdoor when she heard footsteps. Looking up, she saw Asuka, Shiba and Oshiage coming down the alleyway. They all wore their Ichigo Milk jackets, and outfits today. Sakyia noticed immediately they were absent their leader, Junko.

"Morning, guys," Sakyia said first, seeing their big smiles. "What's up?"

"We wanted to ask you something-" Shiba said first.

"-But we didn't want to ask in front of Junko-" said Oshiage.

"Ask me what?"

"The twins and I got invited to this party downtown," Asuka told her. "It's a matchmaking party. We usually go to local ones around the city, but a friend of mine is hosting one at his apartment this time. We hoped you might want to come."

"Matchmaking party?" She asked, confused. "I've never been to one of those before. What do you do there?"

"It's nothing gross," she assured. "We mostly just drink and dance; maybe meet a cute guy too."

"We'd like it if you came with us," both twins said together.

Sakyia observed the three of them. She hadn't known them very long, and she'd mostly worked since she arrived. A thought then came to her, seeing their friendly smiles.

"My mom put you three up to this, didn't she?"

"No, not at all," Asuka insisted. "We thought you might like a break from work. You're always working and you should take a break."

They're right, and she knows it. She did consider visiting downtown on her own; possibly going to Club Heaven with her VIP card. The idea of seeing Rocky again made her blush, but she hid it from them.

"Sure," she shrugged, "That sounds fun."

The three women squealed excitedly and hugged her together. Sakyia let out a laugh, squished between them before they released her.

"Is Junko coming?"she asked them.

Their smiles faltered, and they casted glances at one another. "No," said Asuka first. "Don't get us wrong. We love Junko; she's our leader but she gets…excitable at parties. Especially if there are cute guys around."

"She becomes a total 'pick me' girl," said Oshiage. "She tries too hard, and it's embarrassing."

"Isn't it kinda messed up to not invite her though? She is your friend, and I know I'd be hurt if my friends did that."

"You don't want Junko coming."

"Because she's a bit boy-crazy?"

"No, because you can't take her anywhere without her making a fool of herself to get a guy's attention," Asuka told her. "You should see the stuff she's done."

"It'll be worse with you around," Shiba added, hands in pockets. "She'll think she's in competition with you, and be worse. Trust us. We do hang out with Junko-"

"-Just not at parties."

Sakyia did not question them further. Their reasons sounded valid enough, though she had no idea what they meant by 'pick me' girl. They all agreed to meet up at the Itokan Diner, and hurried away. The thought that it might be a joke crossed her mind, but she dismissed it. They've been kind to her since their first meeting; they didn't appear to be the bullying type. Sakyia thought about what she'd even wear to the party. Riding on her scooter, she realized she didn't have many nice clothes. She never needed them before. Her mother will know what looks best on her; she'd do her makeup as well, since she'll no doubt be over the moon about it. Sakyia’s excitement over the invitation tonight fueled her throughout the day; she greeted her clients with smiles and did her best to not appear so delighted even if she was. She has never been invited to anything before. She daydreamed about the party, where she'd dance and drink all night.

Rocky's first package of the day came from his tailor, who'd fashioned him a long white coat with intricate patterns around the shoulders and chest. Sakyia placed it in her cart, then rode downtown towards his club, since that's where the drop off location happened to be. She didn't understand why he'd schedule his route that way, but that is his business. She reached the club and didn't see a single soul outside it; no doubt people came later on to party here. No bouncer stood outside, so she carefully opened the main doors.

Very few lights lit up the room, giving just enough for people to maneuver around the floor. She stared around for someone to point her in Rocky's directions, but didn't see anyone. Not even the bartender showed up yet. She stood around, aimlessly searching until footsteps came from around a corner. Kizzy beamed at her when they saw each other.

"Sakyia, you're back," she said, walking casually up to her. "A drop off?"

"Yeah. From Mr. Nita, his tailor," she replied, holding the box in front of her. "Do I leave it with you or…?"

"I'll take you to him," she said, wringing her arm around Sakyia’s. "He'll want to try it on. Rocky is very picky with his outfits, since he likes to dress well for the ladies who come here." Sakyia felt her eyes shift to her, "He might even ask for your opinion."

"I'm the worst person to ask about fashion," Sakyia snorted. "The most I can say is it looks nice."

"Fashonista or not, he'll like your opinion."

She sensed the words between the lines. Kizzy brought her to the VIP lounge, where Rocky sat with an entourage of people in all white. She looked at Kizzy.

"Is he always surrounded by women?"

"Not always," she then smirked, "Why? Jealous?"

"No, not at all. Just seems like they don't do much."

"They work here," she told her. "Come on, let's give him his new coat."

She brought Sakyia further into the room, "Rocky, Sakyia’s here with your coat order."

Rocky looked at her directly. He didn't wear his sunglasses today; they must be a night time look only. She preferred him like this; she saw more of his face this way. He seemed confused for a moment, then glanced at Kizzy. She released Sakyia and went to sit with Kaito.

"Hey," she breathed, nerves bundling in her stomach, "I have your first package here. I don't know where…"

She looked for a place to settle the box down, since it weighed heavy in her arms. But, it was Rocky who relieved her of the box.

"Thank you, Sakyia," she bit the inside of her cheek nervously. Her name sounded nicer in his deep, gruff voice. "I appreciate it."

"It's no trouble," she told him. She grabbed her clipboard from the top, and watched him hand the box to one of his gang. "It's my job." She then remembered, "Oh, and Mr. Nita said if the coat isn't to your liking, he'll gladly alter it when you come back to the shop."

"Nita is great at what he does," Rocky opened the box from beside him. On several red tissues sat the coat wrapped in plastic for protection. He pulled it out and removed the plastic. It was a lovely coat. It certainly fit Rocky's polished appearance. "He makes dresses too," Rocky mentioned, removing the jacket he currently wore. Sakyia avoided checking him out, trying not to focus on his tanned arms with their lean muscles. Broad and tall, he could encompass her completely. "You know, should you happen to need one."

"I can’t afford anything specially made," she shook her head. Her cheeks burned again thinking about the muscular figure underneath. "It's a clearance rack for me." She gulped and said, "I'll see you soon. I have other packages to get-"

"-Wait," he said. He straightened the long trench coat and asked, "What do you think?"

"It looks good," she nodded, using this moment to look him up and down. "It suits you."

"Suits me?"

"Yeah, you seem to wear lots of, like, cool, sleek clothes and it, you know, looks nice."

"So, you like cool guys, then?"

"I don't know. Does it matter?"

"No," he said, "I was only curious. How is your hand?"

"It's much better. I didn't hit him too hard, so it was fine the next day." She couldn't help staring at him. God, he's handsome. "I should get going. I'll see you all later."

"Later?" He looked over at Kizzy, who pretended to be admiring her nail polish. He sighed, "You don't have to pick up all those packages. A certain someone should've made the appointments all together, right Kizzy?"

"Hm? Oh, well, I knew they wouldn't be available all at once,” Kizzy replied coolly. “Plus, we obviously tip her more for the trouble."

"It's no trouble," she told him. "Most of my route is in this area, so it won't be difficult for me." Also gave her an excuse to come back.

"If you're alright with it…" then she swore he'd read her mind. In a low voice, he said to her, "At least, we'd have a reason to see each other again."

She smiled, "It is a perk." She then realized she should've kept that to herself. "I mean, um-"

His chuckle cut her off. "Cute," he said. "I can see why people underestimate you in a fight."

"She's like a feisty kitten," Kaito actually said.

"It's adorable."

He thought she was cute! "I should really get going. See you around."

"Your getaway phrase," he said with a small grin. "It only makes you look sweeter."

"Um, thanks. Yeah…"

What do you say to a handsome guy telling you he thinks you're cute? She took her clipboard, gave him one more glance before leaving the lounge. In front of other people, she realized as well. Those other girls sat there around him too. They must've heard him in the quiet room. Lord knows what they thought of it. Sakyia spent half her route thinking of his words and the gentle way he'd said them. He didn't have that creepy, flirtatious tone most men said. She'd felt his voice prickle on her skin, giving her goosebumps.

The second pick up came from a jeweler. She'd seen them place a silver wolf pommel into a fine, velvet lined box for her. She recalled Rocky's cane, and guessed he ordered a new one. She dropped off a few more packages before arriving at the club once more. Rocky sat by the bar with a drink beside him, and puffing a cigar. By the golden band around the middle, she knew it was an Iwata cigar. She smelled the scent of them as she approached, not bothered by the smell but rather his pensive stare elsewhere. Sakyia felt guilty interrupting him.

"Rocky?" She said his name in a quiet voice, as if afraid to disturb his silence.

Her voice broke through his thoughts, somewhat startled by her sudden appearance. "Sakyia," he said, "You're back already."

"With your new cane topper thing," she said, holding the box in her hands. She brought it over to the bar where he took up the cane beside him. “The jeweler said it’s made exactly as you asked.”

She watched him twist off the current pommel and set it aside. A bejeweled wolf’s head sat on the bar next to the box. Made entirely of rhinestones, the eyes shone bright red rubies. It must cost more than her aunt’s store, her scooter, and the apartment combined. She examined it from afar until he opened the second box, which held another topper. A running silver wolf topped the new cane, smoother and longer than the head pommel.

"What do you think?" His deep voice broke her from her thoughts.

"What do I think? Oh, um, it looks nice. The shape of it makes it a lot more useful in a fight than the smaller one," she said, "And I guess it'll be easier on your hand since it's silver and not covered in stones. You could always have worn gloves, but it's not winter yet and I read somewhere you can't wear stuff that's out of season or something like that? I don't know much about fashion, so don't quote me on that-"

His laugh cut her off, surveying her again. She realized she liked him without the sunglasses; she could see more of his face that way. "No, I don't imagine you are," he said. When he saw her brow furrowed, he explained himself, "I didn't mean anything by it. Not everyone is concerned with fashion like I am. My gang complains about it all the time."

"Dry cleaning is expensive," she replied. "I don't hate fashion. I wish I knew more about it; my mother runs a beauty salon, yet I know so little," she laughed sheepishly. "I should get going. I'll see you-"

"-Kizzy and Koto will get them," he insisted.

"I told you I really don't mind."

"I do."

"Why?" She then smirked, "Tired of seeing me already?"

"The opposite," he replied. "I prefer seeing you on my own terms, not Kizzy's." He stood from the bar and walked over to her. The sweet cologne faintly wafted over to her, and she did her best to not deeply inhale it. "What are you doing tonight?"

"I'm going to this party with some friends," she said. "It's something called a matchmaking party? I don't know, but it sounds fun and I don't really go out that much." Not at all, truthfully, but that sounded pathetic.

"A matchmaking party?" He sounded amused.

"It sounds stupid, I know. I'd never heard of them until this morning, but apparently, it's something people do," she replied, hands in her pockets. "They go to them to meet guys and drink and dance, but I don't really care about that right now."

"Because you're not like other girls?" He suggested, hand on his cane and smirking at her playfully.

"No," she grinned, "Because I’m still settling into my place. Dating isn’t really at the top of my list.”

“Hm, understandable. There’s nothing wrong with going to enjoy yourself,” he said. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, but she ignored it. Right at the same moment, Kono, a White Rascal, appeared from around a corner. He stood there expectantly, most likely with news for Rocky. “Work calls,” Rocky looked back over at her. “If you change your mind, I’d be glad if you came.”

She bashfully said her goodbye and they parted ways. Sakyia only recalled one other time a boy suggested they meet somewhere: Jesse. Riding on her bike to her next location, her mind wandered back to the time he asked if she wanted to meet him outside the warehouses. She’d agreed because he was the only real friend she had. They’d walked around Little Asia together, a neighborhood known for its roughness and near lawlessness, and they traveled down the boardwalk a short distance from the bay.

It’d been on that pier where he kissed her.

Sakyia didn’t see her mother for lunch. She went to the nearby thrift shop in town to find an outfit for the night. However, when she looked around the racks of clothes, she had no idea where to start. Her mother once mentioned ‘dressing for the occasion’, meaning dressing according to the style of the party. She assumed she’d need to dress up a bit more than she would, but not so much she’s overdressed. It reminded her of Rocky, who’d no doubt know exactly what she should pick. A part of her wished she’d continued her route for him; it gave her an excuse to keep going back to him. Sakyia didn’t expect anything to come from them, but Rocky’s presence brought on feelings so surreal to her. He made her nervous, most people did, yet not tense. She didn’t need to have her guard up around him. But, those walls existed for a reason.

She stood in front of a long mirror, holding a crimson camisole top in front of her. She’d gotten a similar top in dark green; both were made of satin with draping necklines. After looking at photos online, it seemed like the sort of thing a girl going to a party might wear. As she continued her inner conflict, a familiar voice spoke up behind her.

“I’d personally choose the red one. It’s one of Rocky’s favorite colors.”

Kizzy came from behind one of the clothing racks, Kaito following her. Sakyia smiled at her, “Then the answer is obvious, isn’t it?” She put back the red top, “I have to wear the green one now.” The two of them laughed, and she said, “What’re you two doing here? Did Rocky ask you to stalk me?”

“Do you want the real answer or a lie?”

“The real answer.”

“Rocky asked us to tail you,” Kaito answered before Kizzy.

“Why?” she asked, a bit surprised. “I’m nobody important.”

“Things are getting rough on this side of town,” Kizzy said, walking over to her. “He wants to make sure you’re safe while riding around here.”

“Why me specifically? He can’t be having every single woman in the city followed,” she said, arms crossed.

“Isn’t it obvious?” she huffed a laugh, “He likes you.”

The words froze her in place, and Kizzy chuckled. “Ah, you really are oblivious,” she said, picking up a pair of black pants from a rack. She sized them up to Sakyia, nodding her approval, “Rocky is a romantic. When he sees a woman he likes, he wants to shower her with gifts, affection and admiration. He likes to sweep them off their feet and make them feel special.”

“I barely know him.”

“And he’ll do his best to fix that,” Kaito said, nodding when Kizzy showed him the pants. “That's why he keeps trying to get you to stay at the club.”

“If he wanted me to keep coming back, why did he cancel the deliveries?”

“You already work so much,” she answered. “You’ll need a jacket. It’ll be cold tonight,” she gazed around the racks, “He told me he wanted to see you under more casual, personal circumstances instead of work. Well, he said this to me after he scolded me for doing it in the first place. Like, psh, sorry for wanting my good friend to be happy.”

“How about this one?” Kaito lifted a black cropped jacket.

“Good choice,” she grinned, taking the jacket to hang over Sakyia. She returned to Sakyia, “Rocky…Rocky tends to pick women who aren’t as intimidating as you.”

“I’m intimidating to him?”

“Not to him specifically, I think,” she said, “But he thinks he can’t woo you the way he does other women. You confuse him. He’s never met a woman who sticks up for herself and for others with her fists before.”

“He must not meet many, then.”

“None like you.” Sakyia spotted a twinkle in her eye for a moment, “I told him he could absolutely woo you, however.”

“What makes you think that?”

“The fact that you blushed from your ears to your cheeks whenever he paid you a compliment,” she said, “Or that you actually agreed to that crazy courier schedule I created. Wanted reasons to see him, hm?"

She turned away from Kizzy, pretending to be concentrated on the pants in her hand. “It would’ve made good money for the day,” she made an excuse.

“Okay, sure,” Kizzy said, unconvinced, taking her to the register. Sakyia moved to get her wallet, but Kizzy stopped her.

“Are you gonna come to the club tonight?” she asked casually. “It’s going to be tons of fun, especially since you have that little VIP card.”

“I already have plans,” she replied.

“Hm, what a shame,” she frowned, handing Sakyia a paper bag of clothes. “I know I would’ve liked it if you came. I love the other girls with all my heart; I wouldn’t trade them for anything, but it never hurts to have a breath of fresh air there.”

"Maybe another time,” Sakyia said. “I’d go, but I don’t know if my friends would want to. They’re quite set on the party.”

Hearing the words ‘I’d go’ brought a small grin to Kizzy’s face. Sakyia realized then she shouldn’t have said it. She thanked Kizzy for the clothes, and bustled off as her phone vibrated in her pocket again. As she rode away, she felt Kizzy and Kaito watch her until she turned a corner. Something deep inside told her that her ‘matchmaking party’ might be canceled tonight. She hoped not, but she couldn’t stop herself from imagining them at Club Heaven instead. Sakyia envisioned Rocky, wearing white, designer clothes, sitting in his VIP lounge. He’d look up at her as if she were the only thing in the world that mattered, and offer to get her a drink. It sounded so nice. Unfortunately for her, Kizzy was right. It’d be nice to have a handsome man give her attention. She’d by no means throw away her dignity to do it, but if Rocky showed any interest at all, she wouldn’t be upset.

Sakyia finished her route earlier than usual, considering Rocky canceled his appointments. She arrived home, and immediately the excitement hit her again. As expected, when she told her mother about the party, she insisted upon helping out. She approved of the outfit, which eased Sakyia’s worries about how it looked, and fixed her hair and makeup for her. Sakyia only wore makeup when she’d been eight-years-old and playing with her mother’s makeup kits. She didn’t realize how much work went into looking presentable for a party. By the time she finished, she looked like herself, but different somehow. She felt different.

"Ah, you look so beautiful," her mother beamed, pushing a wavy lock from her face. "The boys there will be drooling over you."

"Psh, please," she rolled her eyes, fixing the jacket on her shoulders. "As if that matters."

"It doesn't hurt to have some male attention once in a while, you know. Nothing has to come from it."

She thought about Rocky and those daydreams again. She liked thinking she may run into him somehow, and how he’d put all his focus on her throughout the night. She knew it’s stupid to imagine such things with a person she hardly knows, but it made her feel good. She wanted to feel good. She kissed her mother goodbye, told her not to wait up for her, and headed to the diner on foot. The girls wanted to meet there so then they could all go together, which is something she guessed they did often. She didn’t really think about where she was going and who she’d be seeing there until it was too late.

Walking into the diner, the sounds of chatter and laughter reached her ears. She spotted Naomi at the bar with Asuka, and the twins sitting at the table with Junko. Perhaps they decided to invite her after all. Yamato, Dan, Tettsu and Chiharu sat around, drinking and talking amongst themselves. It dawned on her that Sannoh Hoodlum Squad hung out here regularly as their homebase. Clutching her bag, she noticed another person sitting at his usual booth, absorbed in a magazine on the table. Cobra’s presence briefly erased Rocky from her mind; the butterflies returned and moved about in her stomach, weakening her resolve and bringing on anxiousness. She hated that he had this effect on her. Cobra saw her walk in first, head lifting from his magazine to see her. She gave a small smile and bowed her head. He did the same, but did not look away. He gave her a once over, a sudden softness in his eyes instead of his usual brooding stare. She blushed and looked away. That was when everyone else noticed her.

“Wow, you look awesome!” the twins said together, beaming and looking her up and down.

“Thanks,” she smiled brightly, blushing softly.

“Guys are definitely going to come to us with you around,” said Junko, smiling excitedly.

“That’s not why we invited her, Junko,” Asuka said, nudging her. She rolled her eyes, and turned to Sakyia, “You do clean up well, Sakyia.”

She laughed. “Thanks. So do you guys.”

None of the men spoke. They simply took her in until Naomi snapped at them.

“Hey, put your eyes back in your heads, idiots,” she barked at them, and the men looked over at her.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I wasn’t looking.”

“Psh, whatever.”

Cobra, as usual, said nothing and turned his head away when Naomi caught them. He appeared far more interested in a page of his magazine. She tried not thinking about it.

“So, should we head out? Where is this party anyways?” Sakyia asked, digging through her bag to make sure she had everything she needed.

Her mother stuck a whole bunch of other things she claimed she’d need: breath mints, face wipes, lip balm, a powder compact, and a small bottle of perfume. Sakyia usually carried her keys, wallet, and a snack for her ride around town. It made it harder to search around.

“It’s at my friend’s apartment,” said Asuka. “He lives downtown, so we better get going if we want to show up on time.”

Sakyia found her wallet, and realized she couldn’t find her credit card amongst it. A streak of panic went through her. She started taking out useless cards to find it, putting them on the table, when she realized it was in the bill fold.

“Oh my god!” Shiba’s exclamation made Sakyia lift her head up. She saw her holding the white card with its silver wolf printed on the front. “How did you get this? This is a Club Heaven VIP card.”

“You have a VIP card?” Junko came over to the table to see it.

“Wow, so we’re just taking things now?” Sakyia asked, more amused than affronted. “It’s a card Rocky gave to me when I delivered a package. I’m not really sure what it’s for, but I didn’t want to be rude.” Also, she’d been too distracted by him to ask about it.

“This card gets you into the door without lining up,” said Junko. “You get discounted drinks, special seating, and everything. I think you’re allowed to bring guests with you too, so we can all go.”

“You’re going to go White Rascals’ club?” asked Dan reproachfully. “Psh, I thought you all had a sense of loyalty to Sannoh.”

“Maybe if Sannoh had proper clubs, we’d stay here,” spat Asuka. She walked over to the table, and checked out the plastic card.

"And just because we live in Sannoh doesn't mean we can't go to other places," said Shiba.

“Maybe we can go another time?” Sakyia suggested it when Asuka gave it back. “We have a party to get to, no?”

“Um, no?” Asuka scoffed. “No way am I going to some lame party now when you have a Club Heaven card.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah,” agreed the twins.

"Club Heaven is way better than that dumb party," said Junko.

“You guys want to go there instead? What about your friend?”

“He’ll survive,” Asuka brushed it off, grabbing her bag. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Rocky gave you that?” Cobra’s deep voice immediately caught her attention.

“He did.”

“Why? He doesn’t hand those out for free.”

“I suppose it’s meant to be a tip?” she shrugged, putting it into her wallet. “A tip that keeps on giving.”

“You should be careful,” he said. “Downtown can be dangerous at night.”

She chuckled, “As stated to me multiple times.” She took up her bag again and looked at the other girls, “Well? Club Heaven, then?”

“Hell yes!”

The girls all squealed, and led Sakyia out the door. Perhaps she’d see Rocky after all.

***

A/N: Looks like Sakyia is turning some heads! I really hope you liked this chapter, and it'd mean a lot if you guys liked or reblogged (comments are always greatly appreciated). Thanks so much for reading <3

#high and low fanfiction #high and low the story of sword #high and low #high & low #high & low the story of sword #high&low the worst #rocky x reader #rocky mutsugi #rocky high and low

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nerdasaurus1200 · 2 months

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I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner but when Poly joins the gang Eugene starts referring to her and Cass as “the Cobra Twins”

#tts #rta #tangled #tangled the series #rapunzel's tangled adventure #nerd talks #cassandra #polyxena #eugene fitzherbert #headcanon

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ggukkiereads · 3 years

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hello gukkie I'm trying to read aus other than college / fwb, f2l. What are your go to aus or tropes and fics to recommend? do you have aus you don't like too? Am I the only one tired of pwps 🥴? By the way thank you for your fic recs

🌷 Hi there, anonie! I actually read variety of tropes/AUs but I have limited exposure to the ff.: idolverse (I find it too close for comfort), hogwarts (probably just read four or five fics), not much poly fics yet.

I also had a phase of Hanahaki AUs/ Soulmate AUs and Dystopian AUs / Sci-fi / Alien AUs. But will only put my Top 3 AUs below, in order of obsession (lol).

Mafia/Gang/Mobster AUs

Supernatural & Fantasy

Secret Agent AU, Assassins, Spy AUs, Heists

The fic recs per AU are also top of mind; but given much thought, there are more fics to recommend.

note: mostly mature | m x f |

These fics are not mine. Credits go to the authors and I’d like to thank you all for sharing your fics 🥰.

1. Mafia/Gang/Mobster AUs - I started reading fanfics because of Mafia AUs (some have deactivated though 😥).

🌷 BTS Mafia AU | BTS Gang AU

Amor Vincit Omnia (MYG) by @sunshyngal

Angel in the Darkness (JJK) by @icyhobi

Arrow to the Heart (JJK) @kidguk

Blackjack (JJK) by @kpopfanfictrash

Coin Toss (JJK) by @yoondoze

Desperado Series (PJM) (JJK) (KTH)by @heartbeatan (I’ve yet to read Taehyung’s story)

Drug Wars (JJK) @plumblackjeon

Guarded AU Mafia series (Hoseok, Namjoon, Yoongi) by @xjoonchildx

Heartbeat (JHS) by @joonbird

It’s You (PJM) by @/silhouetted-beauty (Run-In spin-off)

Mafia Series by @neonlights92 - OT7 - currently on JJK’s story (this is probably the first mafia fic I’ve read)

Omerta (KNJ) by @lamourche

Queen Cobra (KTH) by @fantasybangtan

Run-In and Run-in: Fate (MYG) by @silhouetted-beauty

The Bird Cage (PJM) by @untaemedqueen

The Serendipity of Things (JHS) @oh-so-scenarios (also soulmate!au)

Top Priority Suspects (OT7) by @yminie (7/7 stories)

2. Supernatural & Fantasy (Werewolf, Demon, Angel, Magic, Witch AU, etc.) - waah where to start? It feels like choosing from a vast ocean of fics I’m probably not doing this AU justice 😬

🌷 BTS Fantasy AU | BTS Supernatural AU

Taehyung Werewolf AUs

Jungkook Werewolf AUs

Book of Beasts (OT7) @httpjeon (4/7 stories posted so far)

By its Cover (JHS) by @crystaljins

Concentric (JJK) @gingerpeachtae (reco by other readers!)

Darkmist (MYG) @/kpopfanfictrash

Feeling (JJK) @sometimeinjoon

Heaven’s Winter (MYG) by @jksangelic

Hellblazer (JJK) by @jungkookiebus

Into the Woods (JJK) series by @junqkook

I Won’t Stop You (JJK) @imsarabum

Lost and Found (JHS) @fortunexkookie

No Face & Hades fics (MYG) @seokoloqy

Of Fire and Love (MYG) @hollyhomburg

Song of the Sea (KNJ) by @jamaisjoons

Spellbound and Raising Demons @/jeonseok (fluffy)

The Sea and the Storm (JJK) by @/jamaisjoons

The Taste of Black Magic (KTH) by @/chillingkoo (deactivated)

To Tame a God and Drown for You (JJK) @vinterjeon

What’s in a Name (JJK) @minsimagines

Welcome to the Underworld (JJK) by krookedkoo (AO3)

Wintervale series (KTH) (JJK) @/fantasybangtan

I’d recommend just going through the masterlist of the ff. authors for this AU:

@jincherie @jinpire @magicalsalamander @inktae @mygsii @/seokoloqy @readyplayerhobi (for sci-fi fics too) @kpopisthereasonihavenolife (Blight & Fury of their Scles) @army-author @koyamuses (Winter Court and I remember reading a Yoongi sea serpent fic before) @cutaepatootie (Tales of Greyria) @therealmintedmango (currently reading Kingdom Come)

3. Secret Agent AU, Assassins, Spy AUs, Heists

🌷 BTS Secret Agent AU | BTS Assassin AU

Airplane Pt. 2 (JJK) by @/xjoonchildx

Assassin!JK x Doctor!Reader drabbles by @yeojaa

Bloom (KNJ) by @hobidreams

Concealed Weapon (JJK) by @gimmesumsuga

Crosshairs (JJK) and Budapest (MYG) by @junghelioseok

Downfall (JJK) by @donewithjeon

Mad Money (JJK) + Sunburnt (PJM) by @h2yeri

Next Time (JHS) by @/lamourche

Stole (JJK) by @/silhouetted-beauty (criminal, heist au)

Straight Shooter (MYG) by @snackhobi

The Company Series (OT7) by @btsmakesmehappy (3/7 stories out so far)

To Bloom a Pretty Flower (KTH) @eleventoes

Where do we go From Here (KTH) @jungnoir (ah great drabble; this has so many possibilities)

Young Spy by @/vinterjeon - JJK (Vendettas is another fic of theirs but they delete, not sure if they’ll repost)

The first one I’ve read was Kill Code by nochugguk (deactivated 😥) & Touche (JJK) by taechubs (now @scriptaed but not sure if they’ll repost) - update: they reposted! Please check their masterlist for the fic

I didn’t include the other AUs I like that are too broad and would need its own masterpost or something: Arranged Marriage AUs, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, F2L, S2L, FWB AU, Bad Boy AUs, Break-up/Exes, Office/CEO AU, College AUs, Slice of Life, etc.

Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with PWPs because there are really great well-written ones. I guess the key is to mix up the genres so you won’t find it repetitive. Hope these fic recs will be of help in case you want to try these AUs.👍🥰

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terrence-silver · 2 years

Note

what would poly! john and terry do if they found out their beloved was quite upset because they've always wanted to get married, but obviously couldn't marry both john and terry at the same time, and thus refused to get married at all despite how much as they've dreamed of it?

Beloved can always legally marry one of them.

And then, since I always felt Cobra Kai functions a bit like a cult (or rather, a lot like a cult) in any era, I envision Terry and John would just commit to their beloved as beloved's husbands through some intricate, extremely private ritual they devise entirely on their own to mark themselves as beloved's partners and it is an entirely viable thing in their eyes that they actually maintain to and respect no matter how much time passes. Sure, it is not enforceable in any court of law per se and beloved can only carry one of their surnames as such, but it doesn't need to be enforceable in the practical sense, because it is enforceable in Terry's and John's world and that's all that matters. They make and break the rules. Cobra Kai has a great many markers of a brotherhood or a gang, so, as it were, the two lead kingpins sharing a common partner isn't all that fantastical or unprecedented. They're bigamists and they work around their bigamy by simply coming up with a secret ceremony that can symbolically wed all three of them and depending of the era this takes place in, said ceremony can be as simple and as morbidly variable and effective as Terry, John and Beloved cutting their palms and holding them together, letting the blood intermingle, getting matching tattoos (or rather, giving beloved a tattoo that matches their own), getting rings for each other or simply branding beloved.Then again, easier solution is Terry simply flying John and beloved out to some country where plural marriages are legal.

Like appearantly, the Maldives.

#terry silver #john krese #terry silver x reader x john kreese #poly!terry x john #polyam #polyamorous #kk3 #cobra kai #yandere

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orphan-with-a-stutter · 4 years

Text

Request Rules

Request are Closed

This is for when I open request back up

If you want to see what I write for my side account click HERE

Below just a few guidelines if you would like to send in an imagine/HC request:

Things I am fine writing for:

Romantic relationships for male characters

Platonic relationships for male and female characters

Female, male, and gender neutral reader (please tell me which when you request)

Human x elf, elf x hobbit, etc

Song imagines (It highly depends on the song)

Soulmate and Modern HCs ONLY

Newsies is the only I will write character x character

Please note if you don’t give me a prompt or scenario I will make one up

Things I don’t and won’t write:

No smuts/NSFW

No rape or abuse or cheating or anything of that nature

Poly relationships

Personal imagines (this is just because I think it pulls away from other readers being able to imagine it’s for them as well)

Moodboard request:

First, please give a character (from fandom list below)

Second I will need a certain theme or color (ex. Legolas with a green theme or Legolas trying to bake theme)

Fandoms I write for and who:

Newsies - any newsies or Katherine

The Outsiders - any of the gang

Dead Poets Society - any of the group

Teen Wolf - any of the pack

Dunkirk - Collins, Alex, Tommy, Gibson, Peter, or George

Harry Potter/Fantastic Beast/Next Gen/ Marauders - most of the main characters

West Side Story - Sharks and Jets

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - any of the brothers

Marvel Avengers - Captain America, Spider-man, Winter Soldier, Ant-man

BBC Merlin- Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot, Leon

Netflix Dark - Jonas, Magnus, Noah (younger or older), Bartosz

Disney Descendants - Harry hook, Ben, Jay, Gil

Cobra Kai - Miguel, Robby, Eli,

1917 - Joe, Tom, Will

Hunger Games - Cato, Peeta, Finnick, Gale

Sky High - Will, Warren, Zach

Peaky Blinders - Tommy, Arthur, John, Finn, Bonnie, Isaiah, Michael

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bts-ficrecs · 4 years

Note

Wow thank u so much for always recommending the best fics 😭😭 if ur not too busy, can u rec any good hybrid aus if u haven't already? 🥺🥺🥺

(this gif has no relevance to the ask but who cares. ur welcome for this rude gif.)

I AM FINALLY HEEERRRRE. Someone hold my coffee cause i’m ready to dance.

My goodness, the love i have for hybrid aus. I was so excited when I received this ask (…almost 6 months ago i’m so sorry i’ve taken so long asfjkawfkjw) hybrid fics are so softsoftsoftsoft… and when it gets spicy boi does it get s p i c y y y ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

As always, idk what portion control is so feast yourself on these 40+ fics….LOL

Note: I didn’t include werewolf aus because, well,… they’re not hybrids. Maybe I’ll have a future rec for werewolves!

KEY: (🤍)=Personal favorite! // (🛆)=Haven’t read yet but still going to rec bc it just looks so good!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

NAMJOON

๑ Bait by @mintedmango oneshot | angst, fluff, smut

๑ Butterfingers by @jincherie (🤍) oneshot | fluff, teacher!au

๑ Instinct by @mintedmango oneshot | smut

๑ Something In The Way by @tayegi ongoing series | smut, ceo!AU

๑ Tigerboy by @joonbird part of the “Zodiac Hybrid” series | smut

SEOKJIN

๑ Bad Kitten by @jamaisjoons oneshot | smut

๑ Dance To This by @hollyhomburg complete series | fluff, poly!AU, eventual BTS x Reader

๑ Eight by @mintedmango oneshot | smut

๑ Pink Panther by @gimmesumsuga oneshot | smut

๑ Royally Fucked by @couture-kookie oneshot | angst, fluff, smut, royalty!AU

๑ Silly Kitty by @jincherie oneshot | fluff

YOONGI

๑ At Your Service by @magicalsalamander oneshot | angst, fluff, smut, bodyguard!AU

๑ Inheritance by @jincherie complete series | fluff, smut

๑ King Cobra by @joonbird part of the “Zodiac Hybrid” series | smut, ft. Taehyung

๑ Mighty by @mintedmango oneshot | smut

๑ The Guardian by @letspurpletogether ongoing series | angst, fluff, smut

๑ The Honeytrap by @jamaisjoons oneshot | smut

๑ Pure Instinct by @maptoyoongi ongoing series | angst

๑ Warm Embrace by @zerotexas1975 part of the “Peaceful Piano” drabble series | fluff

HOSEOK

๑ Costume by @gardentulips oneshot | smut

๑ Run Little Rabbit by @readyplayerhobi complete series | fluff, angst, smut

๑ Orectic by @gimmesumsuga oneshot | fluff, smut

๑ Perihelion by @jincherie (🤍) ongoing series | college!AU, roommate!AU, enemies to lovers!AU, fluff

๑ Senses by @mintedmango oneshot | smut

๑ Welcome Home by @inkjam-moon oneshot | fluff, smut

JIMIN

๑ Don’t Care If It Hurts by @hollyhomburg (🤍) complete series | angst, fluff, smut, gang!AU

๑ Love Me, Love Me by @winetae oneshot | smut

๑ Magic & Mysteries by @jimlingss (🤍) complete series | angst, fluff, mentions of smut

๑ Sunny Day by @baepsaets complete series | fluff

๑ The Evolution Of You And I by @readyplayerhobi oneshot | fluff

๑ Timid by @jincherie oneshot | fluff

๑ Venom by @mintedmango oneshot | smut, enemies to lovers!AU

TAEHYUNG

๑ 4 o’clock by @jincherie (🤍) ongoing series | angst, fluff

๑ Beastly Gods by @lemonjoonah (🛆) oneshot | angst, smut, thriller

๑ Cats And Dogs by @bxebxee oneshot | smut

๑ It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right by @imaginethisbts oneshot | smut, ft. Jungkook

๑ Little Dove by @yminie oneshot | smut

๑ Patience by @btsreactsarchive complete series | fluff

๑ Plunge by @mintedmango oneshot | smut

๑ Roar by @mintedmango oneshot | smut

๑ Territory by @imaginethisbts complete series | smut

๑ The Firefly that Guards the Fox by @magicalsalamander (🛆) complete series | angst, fluff, smut, childhood friends to lovers!AU, mafia!AU

JUNGKOOK

๑ Bunbun by @jungkookienoona complete series | fluff, smut

๑ Favorite Human by @kpopisthereasonihavenolife oneshot | fluff, friends to lovers!AU

๑ Felicity by @nochugguk (🛆) ongoing series | thriller, smut

๑ Fluffles and Kerfuffles by @jinpire oneshot | fluff

๑ Hopping Mad For You by @readyplayerhobi oneshot | fluff, smut

๑ Out of the Blue by @imaginethisbts (🤍) ongoing series | smut

๑ Safety by @guksthighs oneshot | fluff

๑ through the flames (and into the lava) by @winetae oneshot | fluff, smut

OT7

๑ A Hundred Percent Human by Wrienne (🤍) ongoing series | angst, fluff, smut

๑ Holidays With the Hybrids by @arrianna21 oneshot | fluff

๑ Pack Trials by @writersrealmbts (🛆) series | angst, fluff

๑ Veiled by @curlykoo ongoing series | fluff

#anon #ask #g replies #g recs

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cryinglittlepeople · 5 years

Text

midnights-cobra replied to your post: tell me, what are some of your favorite bleach...

Rangiku/Nel/Hallibel big tiddy girl gang

a poly ship so powerful

#midnights-cobra

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sensei-venus · 10 months

Text

New Gen Cobra Gang! Mean!Miguel & Mean!Hawk

(Unedited) (Support The Writer🌺) (Bullying, Kyler and his group bullying Reader, Mean!Miguel & Mean!Hawk kinda Bully’s???, Smut, Double Penetration/Double Stuffing, Degradation, Slightly Rough Sex, Public/Car Sex, lot of “Whore” calling💀,) ( @gemini-sensei , @may-moskowitz , @miguelnation )

🌺✨ Reader is new and starts school around the same time that Miguel did. She's isn't too shy but she is a bit submissive. In her case being a bit more naturally submissive goes against her the first few weeks of school. People start to take notice about how she shys away or let's people walk over her more then others. Sadly it's the bad kids of the school who see this.

🌺✨ The bullies of the school are quick to target her out and use this against her. Taking advantage of her nice and submissive traits. But as the weeks go by they get tired of it. Pushing her around to get what they want was only entertainment for so long. After a while they wanted something different, something new. So they start bullying her out right. They push, shove, and even kick her. They use every insult they can, from her chubby body to her introverted nature.

🌺✨Everyone gets a peak at the constant bullying they put her under. They poke her, push her up against walls, and even on occasion slap her ass in the hallway. She yelps and shivers at their every move around her. She admits that they scare her. She sees what they do to some of the other kids at school as well. Sometimes she try’s to ignore it and thinks she at least gets treated slightly better then some of the other kids that the group bully’s on a daily basis.

🌺✨It’s weeks until the bully slowly starts to settle down. It never stops but most of the group that messes with her doesn’t come at her as frequently as they use to. It all started when her main bully, Kyler, ended up getting into a fight in the lunch room with some kid. Then it escalated and later that month Kyler came back with half his face smashed in covered in cuts and bruises. Reader felt a huge sigh of relief leave her. She believed that this would be a sign that Kyle would stop messing with her for a while as he sorted out his own bully situation.

🌺✨Reader was wrong because not even a week after Kyler came back to school all messed up, he was messing with her again. This time even worse then before. He was shoving her around more to the point she was having bruises pop up everywhere. Her bones ached when he pushed her into the hard metal lockers in the hall.

🌺✨Everything changed when she ended up paired with, Eli or better know as Hawk and his friend Miguel. Both of them kept to themselves but there was a vibe around both of them. Something telling Reader that they where bad, something in her said they where possible just as bad as Kyler. But she couldn’t put her finger on it. As she worked with them she started to see both of them for what they where, both of them where snarky and easily angered. Hawk was pretty good and manipulating situations to his liking. Miguel was a bit over the top and mouthy. Both of them where straight up mean. They didn’t target her like Kyler did but they did say rude and mean things to her. They where more handsy too and didn’t seem to get personal space. But Reader couldn’t deny she kinda likes it, she actually grew to like the attention and rough touches.

🌺✨On multiple occasions she saw both boys messing with other students around the school. Most of the kids they messed with here also assholes, some bully’s, some jerks, a few narcs. But that didn’t take away how cruel they could be. During lunch Miguel threw a tray of sloppy mash potatoes at a kid, drenching him in it. She walked down the hall once’s and heard Hawk talking to someone before a toilet flushed and someone started to watery scream. Another time she saw them both smirk while walking passed a graffiti covered locker with “bitch” written in red spray paint.

🌺✨Things really took a turn when one day while Reader was in the library, Kyler and his goons jumped her. She was trying to grab a book off a shelf when he came up behind her. He grabbed her and threw her to the ground. It was probably shock that made her not yell out. The next minute she is being dragged across the floor by her shirt. Kyler snickers and laughs with his friends. She thrashes around trying to get him to let go of her shirt but nothing works. She finally yelps when she is being half chocked by her own shirt as she hauled up to her feet. Moments later she’s being pushed back and slams into a trash can. Eyes wide as she falls straight into the open can. She’s stuck.

🌺✨ “What the fuck are you doing Kyler?!” “Teaching the fat pig a lesson that’s all. Why don’t you two fuck off.”

Hawks voice cuts in making her shiver. Her ears are full of static at this point. She doesn’t have time to collect herself because suddenly the trash can is being pushed over. She falls to the floor inside the can but is able to wiggle herself out. Tears start to fill her vision as she successfully gets out of the right space. She fails to get up, her legs and back to sore from being stuffed into the metal trap. Moments later age is being pulled up forcefully by her arm.

“We called dibs on her and you know it!”

“Technically I was messing with her first so she’s mine.”

“Fuck off Kyler!”

Miguel's voice was raised from a few feet away, Hawk was pulling her up. For a minute she thought they were just trying to be nice and help her out. She was dead wrong because the next minute Hawk was literally kicking her in the ass. Miguel was already swinging when Hawk was pushing and kicking her out of the library.

🌺✨Outside of the library Hawk pulls her down the hall near one of the bathrooms. Pushinh her up between the bathroom door and a locker. She was out a whimper as her back hits the hard wall behind her. Bottom lip trembles as she looks up at Hawk. She can't tell if she is going to get the same treatment that Miguel was giving Kyler back in the library.

“Next time Kyler and those little shit heads of his try touching you, you come to me or Miguel. I thought we made it clear to everyone that we are the only ones that get to fuck with you. Clearly the message wasn't clear enough.”

“W-What-”

A moment later Hawk was kissing her, hard on the lips. She moaned as the blue haired boy kissed her. The kiss was messy and sloppy but made her head go fuzzy. Hawk liked her? Miguel liked her? This was news to her. She couldn't deny that she might have feelings for the two delinquents but she never thought they might have similar feelings for her.

They separated as they both needed air. Hawk was quick to go back in but this time going for her soft neck. Sucking fat hickeys into her skin, her eyes fluttered at the sensation.

“Hey you could have waited for me before getting started on marking our territory~” Miguel’s voice cuts through the air.

From that day on both boys were always on her ass. Be it messing with her or messing with her~

“Miguel......”

Reader hisses as Miguel slaps her ass for the third time that day. The only difference was that this time they were locked away in Hawk’s car out in the school parking lot. Hawl was currently smirking as he helped to rip her panties off. She wants to yelp when the material is shredded when the boy completely rips it from her thighs and crotch. She doesn’t have the nerve to say anything once it’s thrown onto the car floor.

The article of clothing completely destroyed.

Miguel just smirks from under her, his big hands moving to squeeze her fat ass cheeks and spread them wide open for Hawk.

“Fucking bitch, your already dripping for us like some whore. You wanted a booty call today didn't you? You wanted up to come dick you down during lunch huh? Don't act all shy about it.” Hawk's fingers rub through her slowly moistening folds. Her lower lips started to get wet from all the attention. Her hole starts to drool the more Hawk messes with her. Thick fingers starting to thrust into her and her legs shake.

She clenches around him as he slams his fingers right into her gspot over and over again. She moans and closes her eyes, unable to look down at Miguel. She knew he was looking right up at her, studying her face for every little movement. He chuckles which vibrates through her whole body.

He pulls harder on her ass saying in almost a whisper “You're not going to answer him? Awe I thought we were training you better than that. And you better open those eyes and look at me.” he jerks her up making her let out a high pitch yelp.

The next minute he licked up her neck and sucked at her collarbone.

Her eyes roll as she feels Hawk help to unzip Miguel’s jeans and pull his dick out from his boxers. He's already hard and twitching once Hawk helps to guide him though her fat wet folds. The tip hits her clit just right and makes her clench her thighs.

Seconds later his tip is pushing at her twitching entrance, popping into her tight channel. She moans out as he slides home. He bottoms put right against her cervix just right.

He's thrusting up into her with the help of Hawk who helps guide her over his thick cock.

Within a few minutes she's already dripping down his balls. Fat cunt pulsating, and clenching around him like a vice. Long thick drags out of her. She whines into his shoulder as he slaps her ass again, making her shake it for Hawk.

It's not long before the other boy is whipping out his fat cock and jerking it. He bites his lip as he shoves hid thumb into her tight hold, brushing against Miguel in the process.

“Fat bitch is already ready for another dick. You really where ready for us. Hope you like being double stuffed bitch.”

With the help of his thumb he lines himself up next to Miguel and pushes in slowly. They meet with a hard warm friction that has them both groaning out. Hawo bottoms out right next to Miguel, both of them sitting in the tight warmth of the chubby girl's pussy. Hawk takes her hips in his hand and squeezes her soft sides and rolls. He uses them for leverage as he starts moving her back against her. Her ass slapped against him.

Soon enough she was squealing out and rocking back and forth on the two guys. Their dicks buried inside her.

It was only a few minutes later that Hawk was pulling at the roots of her hair with one hand as both him and Miguel stuffed her cunt full of their load. She killed them for ever drop they had. It spilled out between their cocks and drooled down Miguel’s tight balls. Both of them jerking into her filled with pleasure as they dumped they heavy loads into her.

Ever so slowly they pulled out of her used raw hole. Cum spilling out in waves as her walls spasmed, now empty except for thick layer of milky white.

“Stupid bitch, bet you can’t wait until tonight.”

“We’re going to take you out after lessons at the dojo. Get you stuffed with some good food before we pound that sweet cunt again. Stuff you full with out fat nut all over again.”

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sensei-venus · 1 year

Note

anyway I might be a masochist or a straight up wh*re but I can’t get the thought of og cobras with a chubby!reader out of my head and teasing her in school, staring at her, flipping her skirt up (Dutch would do it all the time imho) and telling her how hot she is, how that outfit looks so good on her, etc and she’s thinking that they’re just being dicks to her because she’s chubby and then one day she just has enough of it and confronts them and tells them to stop being dicks and they’re just like oops-

because I 100% agree that those boys are giant himbos so they were being genuine and flirting and teasing her because they like her and think she’s hot and they don’t realize that she thinks they’re being mean to her and they’re like “oh my god no-“

and yeah it ends up in a giant orgy of them showing her that they’re actually serious 🤤

No! I definitely get this and I love it. Honestly I love the trope where the more “bad guy character/s” pick on their crush but it's actually because their kinda stupid to the fact what they are doing can be seen as mean.

Half of them just think they are giving her compliments. And when she gets upset or mad they think she's trying to play with them, trying to play hard to get.

Bobby and Jimmy always give her straight-up nice compliments, like how her new hair style is cute or how pretty she is. They always take notice of her looks or how she's acting. Both of them are the first to know of she is doing something new with her make up or skin routine. Both of them are just overly sweet to her even if the other guys aren't.

Johnny and Tommy are the ones glaring her down from afar. They both talk about how hot she looks and how sexy she is. They don't go to overboard with the comments but they can't help but admit how attractive she is. As long as Dutch isn't around it's pretty tame conversations.

The minute Dutch is around, oh no because this guy can't keep his mouth shut for the life of him. He's always spewing something and he has no filter on his thoughts either. Everything always gets nasty when he's around and talking. All the bous could be sitting around and talking a out the pure thing they know about Reader, but then he opens his mouth.

Dutch is the starter if jerk circles and he knows it. It's all his fault and he's happy about it.

Besides Bobby, Johnny is actually one of the sweetest in the group. He's the first one to say something to her when they are all around. Yes his comments may be....a tad bit gross or borderline inappropriate but he's trying to be nice. He just doesn't seem to get that you can't say “Wow your tits look great stuffed into that shirt babe.” to someone and they automatically think you're a great guy.

Insert Johnny getting backhanded multiple times but never dodging. All the other cobras won't admit it but they think it's hot to see her get so mad.

Dutch definitely flips her skirts and dresses like a lot but never in front of too many people. Dude gets off on panty shots way to much. Of course the other boys don't mind it either. They all end up popping boners a lot because of Dutch’s gross stupidity.

They don't really understand until one day it goes a bit too far.

Dutch tries to pinch her hip to get her skirt to ride up just a little because he wants to get a good look at her thick thighs. They're so soft and pillowy. But her on accident actually snap her painted which makes her yelp and shoot up with a huge blush on her face while trying to hold her skirt down. She turns around and tells them off for once, not carrying about her normal shyness. She calls them assholes and morons and that she's tired of their bullying. They kinda scratch their heads at this because, like, their not bullying her? They wouldn't be complaining her left and right and trying to see up her skirt if they didn't actually like her.

At that moment they start to put together the pieces and realize the mistake. She actually thought they were picking on her and trying to make her into a joke.

After the incident they try to think of a way to get her to see they actually meant all of the nice things they said to her.

Which ends up being them inviting them over to Bobby’s, where they spoil her for the night with food and a movie. This ultimately ends with them in Bobby’s decked-out basement having a huge orgy. Jerking each other off before fucking the chubby girl. Taking turns using all her holes, and after a while, she gives them up. They switch from her mouth to her pussy to anything else she wants. It's pure bliss all night long.

And after the night is done, Reader fully understands that her new group of boyfriends isn't that bad. Their just stupid, aggressive himbos. But she wouldn't trade them for anything after finding out the truth, and giving them a lesson.

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sensei-venus · 9 months

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Moonlight (1/?) (Alpha Werewolves! OG Cobra Gang/Chubby!Omega Werewolf!Reader

(Unedited) (Adding tw and tags later, I'm tired )

“What the fuck am I doing out here... I should have never agreed to do this stupid bet with those girls. Now I'm stuck in the middle of these dark woods, in the middle of the night all by myself. I'm so stupid!” I whisper to myself.

I should have never that bet with those girls from school. I just wanted to fit in with the new crowd but this wasn't the best idea looking back on it. I should have just played a round of truth or dare it something. Right now I would rather be at home in my nice warm bed knowing I took a L by not doing this stupid bet. But I was oh so stupid, laughing it off when they bet me to come out to these “haunted woods” in the middle of the night to show off.

Ali tried to be nice and told me not to go, that this was just a little hazing thing they did to everyone. Well to all the girls who wanted to join their little group. I brushed her off and announced that I would go, that it wasn't that big of a deal and that I could easily pass the test they where throwing at me. She was a little off put but let me go on my way.

Now I was really wishing I had taken her advice and just said no.

The woods were dark with the only exception being the bright moon above the trees. The bright light of the full moon seeped in from over the treetops and trickled onto the ground below. The sound of owls and birds in the trees, ruffling the beaches and leaves. Random animals and bugs chipping and moving around.

The only sounds are the occasional sound of animals going about their nocturnal business and the sound of my feet.

“Where is this stupid rest stop at? The girl said that it should be a mile or so out in the wood but I haven't seen any sign of it. Please tell me I haven't been going around in circles..” I groan to myself as I walk faster. Hoping I could find this stupid rest stop and go back to my car. The girls said that there should be a little shelf thing at the rest stop that has pamphlets on the area. I just had to bring one back to prove I actually went out to the woods.

“Shit...I think I'm actually off the path, maybe I went too far. I have no idea how long I have actually been out here for.” my voice is filled with worry this time as I try to do a one-eighty on where I'm at. I only won't off the path for a minute, I can't be that to far away. I walked faster through the trees, the sound of snapping twigs filling the air as I crushed them with my sneakers. If I could just find the path I should be just fine. That's what I tell myself as I walk deeper into the woods. After a little while I find myself out of the brush of the woods and in a more clear space, a small clearing of just a few feet. Sighing I look around to see if I can find the path again.

Squinting I see something in the distance, something large like a building. Maybe a cabin? But who builds a cabin out in the woods like these, I thought the place was owned by the state. I decided to walk closer I find that I was right, it is a cabin. It's small, maybe a one-bedroom type thing. It looks old and abandoned as the wood is peeling and hunks are missing from around the edging. The thing definitely had better days with the way it was falling apart. Getting closer I can see in the moonlight that it's falling apart, all around it is scratched up. Eyes wide at the claw marks of some kind of animal dug into the wood.

I circle around the building hoping to find something that might tell me how far I am from the entrance of the woods, maybe where some of the trails are so I could find my way back to the entrance. There is nothing that might suggest that it belongs to the park. My hope is slowly starting to fade by the second.

As I round the front of the cabin I find something strange, at least in my opinion. Next to the barely still hanging door is a metal plaque. It's covered in dirt and grime but I grip the end of my shirt and use it to rub the filth off. Once clean I can see it a bit better.

My blood runs cold as I read the words our loud.

“Warning Werewolves”

That had to be a sick joke some other teens pulled right? Put a stupid sign on a old ass cabin in the woods to scare people. They probably use the cabin as a hidout. Get drunk in the goss-ass cabin, maybe get high and have sex or something. Yeah, that's it right? Werewolves aren't really. Only weird ass conspiracy theorists and those supernatural wack jobs think they are real at this point, and little kids on Halloween. I snort as I shake my head at the sign.

It's almost as if someone knew I was thinking that because a second later I hear the loud howl of what is probably a wolf nearby.

My heart sinks at the sound and I can feel myself start to sweat a bit. Palms starting to get clammy and my breathing picking up. My chest started to feel tight as I whipped around to look back at the open field. There was nothing there but those loud screaming howls were close and I knew it. I had to get the hell out of these woods now. Looking around one more time I bolted away from the cabin and back the way I came. I tried my best to run and not fall over any of the objects on the floor of the woods. Dodging branches and piles of leaves, trying not to trip over the occasional vine. My chest heaved as I ran as fast as I could, the cold air doing little to keep me cool.

All I could hear now was my own hear beat.

Then the sound of howls getting closer and closer to me.

Please I don't want to die to wolves!

I don't know how long I ran but the whole time I swear I could hear them. The wolves. Drawing closer and closer to me as I run. I can hear their paws hit the ground and crunching leaves. There has to be a few of them, I can hear them grunting and howling at different moments. It's like my brain is on autopilot, I just have to get away from them. Get to my car and leave! Just get as far as I can from here, forget the stupid bet I just want to live.

Being ripped apart by wolves was not on my list of ways to die.

I don't know what direction I was running I just hoped it was the right one at this point. I was getting tired and weak and I could only guess I had been running for a good few minutes. My chest was tight, but not from just anxiety and fear, but now severe exhaustion. My legs grew weaker by the minute. My tank was running on empty now.

My eyes lit up in hope as I gazed upon the glistening hood of my car. The moonlight bounced off of it just perfectly. In some kind of dumb luck I had made it back to where I had parked my car. As quickly as possible I run towards my car, making it out of the perimeter of the looming tree and onto the side of the road. Feeling around all of my pockets I found my keys. I couldn't hear the wolves anymore I wondered for only a moment if I had gotten out of their territory. Maybe I was far enough away that they no longer felt the need to chase me. My keys jingled in my hands as I pried open my car door and hopped in. Getting into the driver's seat I slammed the car door behind me and hurried to shove the key into the ignition.

With the flick of my wrist the car started at once and I hit the gas. I speed away from the woods and onto the road in seconds.

For a moment I was scared to look back but I did, I could make out the almost eerie glowing five pairs of eyes that watched my car leave.

That following Monday I went straight to the girls as soon as I got out of my car. That morning I threw all of my stuff in my backpack, leaving one lone text book for me to carry. It was gripped snugly to my side as I made my way through the small crowd of people in the hallways. I moved through them trying my best not to bump anyone along my way. I found the group of girls surrounding Ali’s locker chatting about something. I don't really care as I stormed up to them.

“You guys didn't warn me about the wolves!?!” I hissed at them. Some of them just giggled while Ali frowned and Susan rolled her eyes.

“Well duh, it's the woods what did you think was out there? They would probably feed off of you for days,” she says in a sarcastic voice followed by a high-pitched laugh. Ali is quick to shush her with an elbow to the side making her yelp and rub her stomach. She looked away and off in the other direction of me. Ali was quick to say “I'm sorry we should have told you but it did slip my mind. The wolves only come out during the full moon out there. I completely for there was one that was supposed to happen yesterday. I'm really sorry Reader.” her voice sounds genuine. She folds her arms up and looks a bit sad at my reaction.

“It's ok...but they definitely were out last night and they did chase me to my car. I didn’t get the stupid pamphlet. They chased me all the way back tothe edge of the woods. Luckily they stopped once I got in my car, but I'm telling you it was weird.”

Susan looked back at me with wide eyes just like Ali was.

“It's weird enough that they where chasing you in the first place. What could be weirder then that?” she says.

“When I looked back at the woods while I was driving away... I swear I saw them watching me leave. What was even freakier, I swear their eyes were glowing. My stomach is already getting all twisted just trying to remember the way they were long at me.” I shiver at the mental image. Their eyes burned into my mind forever.

Ali looked at Susan for a moment saying “I don't think we should make girls go out there anymore. It was all a big joke but of they are trying to go after people now we can't let people go out there. Reader that is the first time they have every tried to attack anyone. You have to believe us, we didn't know they would come for you.”

“Yeah usually they just make a lot of noise and scare the girls off when they go out there. They have never tried to attack anyone.” Susan says, some of the other girls nod from experience. I could only nod, as long as they didn't send anyone else out there I was happy.

“We should put this behind us. Reader your ok, let's just get to class...” Ali says trying to change the topic. Everyone nods and starts to split off to go to their own classes. Luckily I had Ali in my first period along with Susan so we could head off to class together. The two of them started to talk about something but I slowly started to tone them out as we walked. I walked next to them in silence as we made out way down the hall together.

I couldn't shake this weird feeling that started to bubble up inside me.

As much as I never wanted to go back to those sickly creepy woods. Terror would fill me as I even think about going back there. I can't get over this new feeling that eats at the back of my mind. My heart pounding in my chest.

Something tells me to go back, it pulls at me.

Dutch absolutely destroys the toothpick he's been chewing on for the last two minutes, spiting it out on the ground.

“Dude don't do that shot next to my bike, I don't want your nasty ass spit on my new paint job.” Johnny almost barks out. He rolls his eyes as he pulls out a new toothpick. Stuffing it between his lips and chewing on it again. His mind is in a whole different world. Johnny finishes dusting off his bike before standing up again. The other boys are crowded around him and his bike in the school parking lot.

“So are we just going to ignore what happened on Sunday or...” Tommy say with no hesitation. Jimmy and Bobby nod as they look to their leader. Dutch also quirks a brow at the blond. He looks at them before huffing and saying “So there was a omega out in the woods who ran off from us. So what?”

“Well that's never happened before.”

“She smelled fresh, unmatted.”

“Why would she come to the woods and then just run away? Those woods are literally known as the biggest wolf playground in this side of the valley. Why come and then just bolt without having any fun~” Dutch wiggles his eyebrows and gets a slap to the chest from Bobby who is definitely not amusement. Of course Dutch has to have his own in the gutter.

Johnny rolls his eyes “You guys are acting like I'm supposed to have all the answers. I can't read her mind on why she ran away from us. Mayshe just wasn't interested. I'm pretty sure she didn't even try to transform before getting away. Am I kinda pissed? Yeah. But it's what ever I guess.”

“She smelled really good...like REALLY good,” Bobby says embarrassed, his cheeks flushing pink as he thinks about it. Trying his best to remember exactly how warm and sweet the omega smelled last night. Her scent was all over the woods.

“But it was kinda light... Maybe, maybe she doesn't know how to transition yet?” Tommy exclaimed. “Maybe she was embarrassed because she couldn't fully transform yet so when she heard us and then saw us she got embarrassed and freaked out. She ran off because she didn't want us to see her, like you know, naked at stuff just yet.”

Jimmy scratches at his chin as he thinks about it, for once Tommy made a good point. Most of the time he had scatter brained ideas that never come out too much. But for once one of his ideas actually made some sense.

“He might be right her scent was super light even for being in the full moon. Maybe she just hit her werewolf puberty and downs know how to transform yet.”

“But shouldn't her parents or family members have shown net how to transition and then transform of thats the case.”

“Well I mean some people don't have that privilege. Maybe she doesn't have anyone to show her how to. It's possible that she was out there last night to try and practice? Perhaps she didn’t think about there being other wolves out. Just saying.“ Jimmy shrugged. There was a long pause as they all thought the new explanation over in their heads. It did make a lot of sense when they really gave it a good thought.

Dutch picked himself up off the ground and dusted his wants off before grunting out “So what we just wait for her to come back to the woods during the next full moon?” he honestly didn't want to wait that long. He wanted to find the omega now and find out why she really took off. He wanted to track her down and find out the real truth.

Bobby hummed picking at the strap of his bag “I mean what else are we supposed to do? It's not like we can really go out and track her down. We didn't even know who she is or where she came from. She could be from the other side of town for all we know.” The other boys nodded which was Dutch growing under his breath. Johnny chimes in “Listen, we just wait and see if she comes back that's all we can really do at this point.“ his voice was gruff, his inner alphas itching to get out and find the omega himself.

But they wheere a pack, a package deal to anyone who was interested in getting with any of them.

Sadly they learned that the hard way when Johnny started dating Ali a year or two back. The pulling and tugging between the two parties was unbearable. The boys wanted Johnny while at the same time so did Ali. It was a never-ending battle between all of them. The two of them breaking up was for the best in the end as the boys were not willing go let the blond alpha go. Lucky for them Ali never suspected the five being in a relationship.

Ali also wasn't a werewolf like them which ultimately left a huge gap in the idea of them being in a permanent relationship.

She would never understand where he stood as a pack leader to four other alphas, along with each being in an intimate relationship with all of them. He couldn't exactly tell her he was a werewolf, it's forbidden to tell humans about their existence. All of them know that if they were ever to settle down with someone, it would have to be an omega. It would be a long shot to find one. The west side of California was a ghost town for werewolves these days as most headed east. Most of the werewolves in the valley where loners, wolves without a pack who did their own thing and tried to stay away from other werewolves in the area. The only real place to go during the full moon was the woods.

“Let's just head in already. This talk of the mysterious omega is bumming me out right now. I don't want to think about it anymore.” Bobby says with a small frown. Bobby was the more sensitive alpha of the group and the others knew it. As much as the others wanted to play of the feeling of being indirectly rejected by the mystery omega, they knew Bobby felt the worse out of all of them.

They could go on and on explaining to him that he didn't do anything wrong to chase the omega off but it would be like talking to a brink wall. He was still going to feel like shit afterwards.

With a little grumbling they all grabbed their stuff and headed into the school.

They were halfway to class when they smelled it. Johnny was the first as he did little to hide the fact that he sniffed the air. They all stopped in their tracks as they watched him. Dutch and Tommy were second to catch on and follow suit. Bobby and Jimmy could only watch for a minute or two before copying the other alphas. All of them did their best to sniff out whatever the first two alphas were smelling. Humans had their own scent that was nothing like werewolves, nothing special. They could smell another alpha a mile away, an omega even quicker.

Dutch's mouth started to water at the sweet scent that filled his nose.

“Fuck that's nice.”

“It's just as sweet as in the woods.”

“It's still super light but it is definitely there. She's not doing a good job of hiding it at all.”

“Why didn't we smell her before? Has she really been here the whole time without us knowing?”

“New plan boys, we track her down today. She is definitely somewhere in this school and we just have to find her.”

#cobra kai #cobra kai blog #cobra kai imagine #cobra kai ask blog #karate kid #the karate kid series #karate kid blog #karate kid fanfiction #karate kid imagine #werewolf au #alpha!bobby #alpha!johnny #alpha!dutch #alpha!jimmy #alpha!tommy #omega!reader #poly og cobra gang #og cobra gang #cobra gang

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sensei-venus · 9 months

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I am literally INLOVE with the werewolf fic! There’s like no OG Cobra Kai gang fics on tumblr, so reading yours always makes my day! (I also love you include everyone from the OG gang, a lot of the time people leave Dutch and Jimmy out)

I love the og cobra gang boys so much! Like uhh!!!! Like they are just a whole bunch of violent himbos, what's not to like??

Honestly I get the while Dutch and Jimmy, but I always get the feeling people leave out Jimmy and Tommy more?

If I had to rank the boys is would have to say:

-Johnny

-Bobby

-Dutch

-Jimmy

-Tommy

(Tommy babe you are only last because that's where you landed.😭)

Honestly I love talking bout them but not a lot of people are super interested in them. I like to think about them during kk1 a lot. Like I just love the dynamic between all of them for some reason. It's so interesting to think( probably overthink in my case because I love thinking about little scenarios that probably happened in their little friend group) about what they did as a friend group together.

I could talk forever about them to be honest.

I want to actually so feel free to send in literally ANYTHING about them and I would love to talk about and discuss it.

#sensei venus speaks #i love them so much you don't get it-#Please I need more of them #og cobra gang #cobra kai #cobra kai blog #cobra kai ask blog #karate kid #karate kid confession #karate kid headcanons #the karate kid series #poly og cobra gang #johnny lawrence #bobby brown #karate kid jimmy #karate kid tommy #karate kid dutch

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written-in-flowers · 1 year

Text

Kimura Delivery Service: Pt. 1

Pairing: OC x S.W.O.R.D leaders (yes, you read that right)

Genre: smut, fluff, angst,

Word Count: 9k

Fandom: High & Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D

Summary: After a life of swinging her fists, Sakyia is hopeful about her easy going job of delivering packages…However, her aunt neglected to mention the “regulars”: The gang leaders of S.W.O.R.D. and the undeniable affection they all grow to have for her.

Overall Warnings: blood and violence, fighting, gang activity, crime, mentions of death, multiple relationships, girlboss being a girlboss, not really ‘poly’ but girl has a string of lovers.

Prologue < | > Part 2

Tagged: @belle643

Chapter 1: S is for Sannoh Hoodlum Squad

The apartment above the store was smaller than her old home, but it looked cozy. Even with the old furniture, chipped wallpaper and musty carpet underneath her feet, she felt a sense of warmth throughout the room. Looking around, they’d certainly have to fix it up to be comfortable. With a separate bedroom on the side, the bathroom remained the only other room. She figured her and her mother would be sharing a room until they could afford a bigger place. She didn’t mind. It was better than having no bed at all. She opened a window to let out the stuffy air, and saw the spectacular view…

A small courtyard and the opposite building behind them.

When her mother and aunt came back up, Sakyia noticed they’d brought two young men with them. One was tall with long black dreadlocks, and his companion was darker and shorter. She guessed these were Junpei’s friends. The boy with the dreadlocks smiled when he saw her, then nudged his friend, who also grinned.

“Sakyia,” Hana said, “I’d like you to meet Tettsu,” the tall one waved, “And Dan,” the short one bowed slightly. “They come and help me from time to time.”

“Because Junpei tells them too.”

“Cobra doesn’t force us to do anything,” Tettsu immediately said, placing down one of their boxes. “We’re always here for our neighborhood. It’s what Sannoh Hoodlum Squad is about: protecting and caring for the town.”

She tried to stifle a laugh, “Sannoh Hoodlum Squad? That’s your gang’s name?” It wasn’t the worst name she’d ever heard.

“Yeah,” he replied. “Cobra is our leader.”

“His nickname is ‘Cobra’?” she snickered, picking up the box of kitchen items. “It would be.”

“Sakyia!” Midori furrowed her brow, “Stop being rude.”

“I’m not being rude,” she put it on the counter, giggling softly, “Just voicing an opinion. You told me Sannoh is a good place to live.”

“It is,” Dan told her reassuringly. “You’ll see once you’re settled in. Sannoh Hoodlum Squad isn’t like the ones you’re probably used to seeing. We take care of our people.”

“You can come to the diner and see for yourself,” Tettsu suggested. “It’s called the Itokan Diner.”

“Ooh! That sounds nice!” Midori said. “Is it a new place? I haven’t been home in such a long time; everything’s changed around here.”

The pair began explaining it to her as Sakyia helped unload the car downstairs. They seemed nice, but most gangsters did. However, looking them both over, and listening to them talk, they did not seem the type to be in gangs. They were friendly and helpful to her aunt, who appreciated them enough to offer rice balls the next time they came. They didn’t brag or flaunt any fancy things they’d bought. Should she have passed them in the street, they’d appear like any normal youths. Sakyia knew more than most that appearances can be deceiving. She decided she’d leave her judgment for more contemplative hours; she had work to do.

Sakyia spent the rest of the day putting things away and trying to make something of a home in the apartment. She made shelf space for her art supplies and books; her mother brought small potted plants to place along the window sill for some life. Family photos went on shelves and walls; they’d put her father’s remains in an ornate wooden box on the bedroom dresser. By the time they’d finished, night fell and the apartment seemed less empty and shabby.

“We need food,” her mother frowned when she saw the empty fridge. “I’ll order take out for tonight. Burgers, Blossom?”

“I guess,” she shrugged.

“Don’t get burgers,” Hana said, unpacking the last kitchen box. “There’s a perfectly good diner down from here that serves way better food.”

“That diner your friends mentioned?” asked Sakyia.

“You’ll love their food,” she insisted. “Naomi is such a great cook, and the prices are reasonable.” Midori looked at Sakyia with raised eyebrows, and Sakyia shrugged again. They turned to Hana who nodded, “I’ll place the order. Sakyia can go pick it up. You can walk there, it’s not too far.”

“Ugh, Auntie,” she groaned, plopping onto the couch. She let her body sink into it as she said, “I’m so tired. Can’t they deliver?”

“They don’t do that,” Hana replied. “Stop being lazy. You’re young. Besides, Junpei might be there.”

“Um okay, so?”

She caught her mother and her aunt looking at one another. She groaned and let her head fall back on the couch. It was inevitable that this would come up: Cobra was a young man. Sakyia was a young woman, new in town. “He’s a man of few words, but he’s very nice-” Hana began, but Sakyia cut her off.

“-I literally just arrived,” she said. “I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I’m looking to sit down and never get back up again.”

“We weren’t thinking that at all,” her mother said unconvincingly. She grabbed a bottle of wine that Hana brought, and said, “Your aunt was telling us what a nice young man Junpei is, that’s all.”

“Mh-hm, your mom keeps complaining to me about how you’re always at home, you don’t go to school, you don’t have a lot of friends-”

“-Well, I wasn’t really in a place to make any friends.”

No, she hadn’t been. Yes, there’d been fighters she became friendly with in the warehouse, but nobody she saw outside of the place. Twelve years fighting on dirt and sawdust, her hands and wrists wrapped up, forged her into something. A weapon. Jiro took up most of her time, so she never went out with friends or her mother all that much. The one person she'd grown closest to sat in a Rasen prison cell. Sakyia recalled the times she’d tried fitting in with girls at her school: going shopping, wearing makeup and pretty clothes; talking about boys they liked and things they did over the weekend. She wanted that life. She wanted a circle of friends who stuck by her side, and lifted her up. Often, she imagined going shopping with a group of friends, and visiting her mother's salon togethet.

But, Jiro pulled her away from that to fight in the pits. Plus, the bruises kept people at a distance. Thinking of the endless fights night after night already tired her out. She withdrew the small sketchpad from her bag with a pencil, and returned to her drawing.

She was done with fighting. She did not mind a bit of practice to keep herself in shape, but fighting people? Sakyia refused to do it ever again. She’d wasted her life on pointless fighting. She’d only done it because of Jiro; otherwise she might’ve given up on it entirely and focused on her art. Martial arts used to be something her father and her shared. When he died, it felt meaningless to continue. Sakyia looked forward to helping her mother in the salon, doing simple tasks and meeting people. Maybe she can enroll in a beauty school and become a stylist herself. She could still go, if she wanted; she was only twenty-five. She still had so much ahead, and with Jiro and the warehouse gone, she could be something more than that.

“-Alright, she’ll come by to pick it up,” Hana said over the phone. “Thank you, Naomi. Have a good night.” She turned back to Midori and Sakyia by the television, “Alright you, time to go. Here’s the address,” she scribbled it down on a piece of paper and handed it to Sakyia, “She says it’ll be done in thirty minutes or so.”

“Then, I’ll go in thirty minutes.”

“No, young lady,” said Midori, picking up her glass of wine from the coffee table. “You’ll go now. That way it’ll be hot when you bring it back.”

“You two just want me out of the house so you can have the wine to yourselves,” Sakyia accused, putting her pad and pencil aside.

“That’s right,” she smiled, pouring her sister a glass. “I haven’t drank properly since I married Jiro,” she said to Hana. “He said he thought women drinking was an ugly trait. I can’t believe I actually listened to him.”

“I can’t believe you married him!” said Hana, sitting on the sofa between her and Sakyia.

This was her cue to leave. She slowly stood from the couch, slipped on her jacket and shoes, and headed out the door. Once outside, she entered the address into her phone and began walking. The sky started changing from day into night, and she saw businesses already closing. She did receive curious looks from locals who’d never seen her, but she nodded politely. Walking down the street, Sannoh did not seem like such a rough place. It did appear a bit run down in places, yet she liked that. It felt real. Sakyia saw herself living in this small town. She could inherit the salon or start her own art gallery and sell her drawings, if they were good enough. She smiled softly. This could be a good place for her and her mother.

She found the Itokan Diner wedged in a corner of the street with a small sign bearing its name in bold letters. Sakyia took a deep breath, and then pushed on the door. Her stomach growled at the scent of savory food in the air. She took a look around the small diner: it had bench tables, posters and words plastered on the walls, and chandeliers made from glass bottles. The rustic, comforting look must draw in a good amount of people during the night. She then noticed the room going quiet when she walked in.

“Hey, Sakyia!” Tettsu called to her from one of the tables, “You actually came!”

“Um, yeah,” she said, caught off guard by his grin, “My aunt ordered some food and I’m picking it up.”

Behind the counter, a short slim woman with brown hair stirred a pot over the stove. Sakyia guessed this was Naomi, the woman her aunt mentioned. She turned around when the door opened and smiled at Sayika.

"You must be Sakyia," she said. "Hana said you'd be coming by to pick up the food. It won't be ready for a while, so if you want to sit and have a drink, you're welcome to."

"Thanks," she took a seat at the bar. "They kicked me out so they can have all the wine to themselves. What do you have to drink around here?"

"Beer mostly," she replied.

Beer wasn't her favorite, but she asked for one. She gazed around the diner and noticed a drawing on the wall. It was a crown with two tigers on either side with the gang's name on a banner. She snorted. It was a decent design. She'd still seen worse. She took a swig from the beer Naomi placed in front of her and noted the photos on a shelf nearby. Two men stood together in front of a familiar logo on the wall. Two snakes tangled together in a circle underneath the words "Mugen" was a familiar sight to her.

"This used to be Mugen’s place?" the question came out before she stopped herself.

Naomi finished wiping a glass and said, "Ah, no. My brother, Tatsuya, was in it before he started the diner. The other man was his best friend, Kohaku. Why? Did you know them?"

"Not personally, but guys in the warehouse used to wear their vests and talk about them." She took another drink of beer when Naomi moved closer to her.

"Warehouse?"

She'd said too much. If this woman's brother was part of Mugen, she might not know about their part in the fighting rings. "I used to be a secretary in a warehouse in the bay area. With so many men around, they all try to impress you and say they know guys in Mugen or are a part of it."

"A lot of guys used to do that," said a male voice behind her.

She turned to see a dark haired man sitting not too far away, his own plate of food in front of him. His wide shoulders slimmed down his torso, though hidden behind the green sweater he wore. Judging by his face, he didn't like what Sakyia was saying.

"Doesn't mean Kohaku was involved," he said. "Guys in Mugen used its name to do bad things like deal drugs and women. But we weren't involved in that."

"Never said they did," she replied, a bit taken back by his reaction. "Just things I heard." She noticed another photo with Cobra and the other man with the first two. They also wore Mugen vests. It explained the man's reaction.

"She was only saying, Yamato. She didn't mean anything by it," Naomi defended her.

Men were so sensitive. She wondered what Yamato might say if she told him that Mugen members liked to fight and bet in the warehouse. Drinking her beer, she remembered a boy she'd fought who boasted about being part of Mugen. He made it sound as if she should've been scared of him. Sakyia would admit he dislocated her shoulder, broke her upper lip, bruised up her stomach and nearly choked her, but she'd beat him. He lost when a swift kick to the temple knocked him out. Sakyia smirked to herself. She recalled what she'd said to his manager.

"It appears that Mugen isn't as tough as they say."

"You were a part of Mugen, then?" she asked.

"Cobra and Yamato were," said Tettsu, coming over to her side, "But the rest of us joined them when they started the Sannoh Hoodlum Squad."

"Is there a signup sheet or something? How do you even join a gang?" The idea amused her. Naomi laughed as she turned back to the stove.

"Well, um, you sort of show up to the base and, kind of, join?"

"Why? Are you interested?" a deep voice asked from nearby.

She turned around to see Cobra sitting in a corner booth, a motorcycle magazine in front of him. In the dim lighting of the diner, his hair shone a dark gold color and softened his features. She understood her mother's suggestion at once. Even Sakyia wouldn't deny it: he was handsome. He didn't smile and spoke in a low voice.

"What if I was?" she asked, leaning back on the bar. "Do you accept women?"

The men in the bar laughed, but Cobra gazed at her. She tried not showing her uneasiness at his silent staring. His eyes remained absent the usual flirtatiousness; they observed her closely, as if they could see through her act. He studied her and she didn't like it. It reminded her too much of the men at the warehouse, who examined her like a horse for sale. The men who trained her said she had a slim body good for dodging and speed. She often fought men and women larger than her and her size came in handy. Cobra looked at her the way they did now.

"Depends," he said, "How good of a fighter are you?"

"Fighter?" Dan furrowed his brow.

Yamato turned to him in surprise, "What do you mean by that? She's a girl."

"That doesn't mean she couldn't fight any of you," said Naomi, who continued stirring her noodles. "She's got the body for it. She’s smaller and probably quicker than you, Baldy."

“Hag,” Yamato spat back, though his smile gave away the affection.

"Oh, I can't fight to save my life," Sakyia fibbed, finishing her beer. "I can't do all that fancy, tough guy martial arts stuff that guys do nowadays." It wasn't anyone's business what she could and couldn't do. Her father used to tell her not to show off or boast about her skills; that way she had the element of surprise. "I don't mind watching though. It’s kinda hot when guys fight each other," she added, winking at him. She expected a reaction, but didn't get one. He continued staring, and she stared right back. "What about you guys? What's your gang all about?"

"We protect the town," Cobra said. "There are other gangs around here who like hurting people and stealing. We stop them. We look after each other and make sure everyone is safe."

"How admirable. Most gangs I know deal drugs and fight all the time."

"Don't be fooled," said Naomi, putting rice into a small styrofoam container. "These guys use their fists to solve their problems all the time. You won't believe the amount of times they walk in here all bruised up and bleeding."

"But we win," Yamato quickly added, digging back into a hot plate of food.

"That’s not why we fight though,” said Cobra, going back to his magazine. “We fight hard because this town is worth fighting for. We all came together because of that shared love for our town. If you stick around long enough, you'll see it for yourself."

"Who could possibly want to mess with this little place?" she asked, the smell of the food making her hungry again. "There isn't anything here."

"People who want to step on the weak," he said. "The people who steal from those who already have nothing."

“I suppose my mom and I should be glad we moved into such a well protected area then,” she said, smirking at his righteous statement. She found it funny how serious he sounded. “So, do I call you if I ever need ‘protection’ or do you guys operate like Batman, and you happen to show up at the right time?”

The younger members chuckled at the joke, but stopped once Cobra stood up. All the nerves inside Sakyia lifted her shoulders slightly. She didn’t want to fight. Cobra came a few feet to her, then said, “I don’t think someone like you needs protection in the first place.”

“Meaning?”

“You claim you don’t know how to fight,” he said, “But then explain the scars on your knuckles.”

Sakyia looked at the hand on the bar, where a long scar stood out against her skin amongst smaller ones. “Accident,” she answered quickly. “It’s how I got this too, if you were planning on mentioning it,” she tapped the thin scar where Yoshi busted her nose. It healed well enough, but left a mark. “I was riding on a motorcycle with a friend, and it turned over. I broke my knuckle bone and my nose. Nothing suspicious about that.”

Cobra’s seriousness broke into a shadow of amusement. “I’ve been riding my motorcycle for years. I’ve never seen people get such specific injuries from an accident.”

“Are you some kind of motorcycle accident expert or something?” she spat back, “I got them from an accident, that’s it.”

"Your mom said she was opening up Sungmi's salon," Tettsu said, taking your attention from Cobra and his questions. "Will you be working there too?"

"Yeah," she nodded, peeling her eyes away from Cobra. "I'm not a stylist or anything, but she says I can clean and do reception."

Naomi came to her holding three styrofoam boxes. "Oh, she's opening back up the salon?"

"She'll be helping run it, yeah."

"Thank god!" She sighed in relief, "All the women around here have been going to the barber because the salon’s closed. It'd be nice to get a proper haircut."

"And a manicure or pedicure," Sakyia added. "My mom is hiring some nail artists to bring in more clients. She's going to have it properly running in a week or so. She actually does my hair," she showed off her short wavy bob, the ombre colors of brown and black fading out. "You should stop by when it's open."

"I definitely will," she said, "And I know plenty of other women who will stop by."

"I can come too," Tettsu chimed in eagerly.

"Salons are for women, Tettsu," Yamato rolled his eyes.

"There's nothing wrong with a man going to a salon," Sakyia said to him. "Same as a woman going to a barber shop.”

"Then I will come by," Tettsu smiled. "And you can come to my family's onsen."

"Your family's bathhouse is for men," Naomi told him.

"We could make a private space for her."

Sakyia chuckled, "The offer is nice, but no thank you."

"Well, if you change your mind…" he blushed, turning away. “You can just, you know, drop by or whatever.”

"What's with your nickname anyways?" She turned to Cobra again. She hated how he’d seen her scars and deduced their cause. She needed to prod him back. Her mother might scold her, but she didn’t care. "Is it supposed to compensate for something?"

Yamato nearly choked on his food. Dan and Tettsu stifled laughter and Naomi busied herself with putting the food in take out bags. Cobra didn't smile but he didn't glare either. His lack of reactions had begun to annoy her. Also, his stare made her squirm inside.

"In school," he said, smiling somewhat when he saw she wasn't being malicious, "There was this grapple I learned how to do. People said I did it so tight, it was like a cobra squeezing them. Someone said it and the name stuck," he shrugged.

"Maybe you can show me," she suggested, picking up the plastic bags Naomi handed her. "You know, since this town is so dangerous and I'm a defenseless woman wandering the streets at night."

Yamato gawked at her, "Wow, this girl's bold!"

“I doubt you’re defenseless,” Cobra smirked.

She tried not laughing at their reactions. She paid for the food and drink, thanked Naomi and said her farewell. Once outside, she giggled to herself. Men were so easily shocked by bold behavior. They seemed like a decent group. She decided she might stop by the diner more often.

That was how people made friends, right?

When she returned to the shop, she climbed the stairs and heard her mother laughing behind it. Sakyia stood outside the door for a moment to listen. She hadn’t heard her mother’s laugh for a long time. Full of mirth and giddiness, she’s sure the wine is helping it along but Auntie Hana’s presence adds to this. A surge of hope actually swirled in her chest. Maybe things will work out for them in this little town.

“Ma, I’m back,” she called into the apartment as she entered.

“Oh, good! We’re starving!” Hana sighed in relief, coming to the kitchen counter where Sakyia placed the bags. She began opening the bags, deeply inhaling the food, “Perfect. Naomi is a great cook. You’re both going to love her food.”

“Okay, okay, let’s get to eating.”

Her mother grabbed utensils, and passed them around. Sitting at the small dining table next to the kitchen, the women dug into their meals. Sakyia agreed with her aunt about the food: it was delicious. The tender chunks of meat stew melted in her mouth, full of seasonings and spices that complimented the bed of rice underneath. Only her mother’s own cooking surpassed it. Dipping a piece of broccoli in the sauce and eating it, her mother spoke.

“Sakyia,” she began, “Your aunt and I have been talking while you were gone.”

“Uh-oh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hana asked, affronted.

“Because whenever she starts a sentence with ‘your aunt and I have been talking’, it’s about to be something crazy.”

“Ah, hush you,” her mother nudged her with a smile. “I know we talked about you working with me in the salon, but Hana here told me she’s been looking for a delivery person for the store.”

“Okay…” she listened, eating another piece of saucy steamed vegetables.

“I think it’d be a better fit for you,” she stated, eating a bit of her own rice. “You’d be bored in the salon. You used to whine and wail about it when you were little, and you haven’t changed since then. Going around the districts, seeing the different places and meeting new people might be better for you. You’d be occupied and stimulated instead of sweeping floors and listening to gossip.”

“I wanted to sweep floors and listen to gossip,” she said. After the years she spent in the rings, she’d somewhat looked forward to ‘boring mundane work’.

“No, you didn’t,” her mother said. “You only want that because of, you know, your last…job.” She watched her daughter for a moment, seeing the way she avoided her gaze. “It’d be good for you,” she added. “You might make some friends that way and have a normal life.”

It sounded convincing, she wouldn’t lie. Sakyia knew deep down she’d get tired of working in the salon. It’d been the same during her childhood. She looked at Hana, “What would I be doing? Just delivering stuff to people?”

“Yes,” she nodded, drinking some of her wine. “People drop off their packages or send them in through other people; I charge and stamp them, and you’d take them where they need to go. Before you ask, a lot of these people don’t have the means or the time to give the packages and letters themselves. The family service is there to help them out. Besides, it’s good money,” she eyed them both before eating from her bowl. “It’ll help you greatly to have two incomes instead of one.”

“She’s got a point,” her mother agreed, washing down her food with water. “It’ll be good for us to have extra money coming in; then we’ll be able to get our own place quicker.”

Sakyia mulled this over while she ate. Her mother and her left their old home in a hurry, leaving them with little chances to find a proper and affordable place. If they save enough money, they can move into an apartment and leave the dingy flat above the postal shop.

“How would I get around?” Sakyia asked, seeing the flaw right away.

“You can use Koichi’s scooter,” she said. “He left it behind when he moved out of town. It’s in the courtyard between our building and the ones behind it.” She saw Sakyia’s hesitancy. “It’ll be good for you. Trust me. Not to mention,” she smirked to herself, “Some of my regulars are rather handsome.”

“Ooh!” her mother smiled, eyebrows raised at Sakyia.

“I’m not interested in that.”

“Oh please! A heartbreaker like you? I doubt it,” she rapped her arm and Sakyia smirked. “I remember all the little boys your mother used to tell me about; all of them trying to gain the attention of Tanaka Sakyia and being ignored. You don’t have to marry them, but,�� she sneered, “It doesn’t hurt to have some fun.”

“My daughter is not that kind of girl, Hana.”

“I never said she was, but come on, Midori. We used to do the same when we were her age. You didn’t have a proper boyfriend until you met Kenji. But, that’s not important,” she said. “The job is easy and simple. The clients tip well for the service, and they’ll tip twice when they see how pretty you are. You won’t be fighting anyone or be in any sort of danger.” When Sakyia did not appear convinced, she continued, “Look, try it out for a week. I have clients around the district here, so you’ll at least get familiar with the area before you make a decision. How about it?”

Sakyia weighed the pros and cons of this job. It’d include a lot of travel and talking to strangers, going into places of the district she’d yet to explore. Yet, she’d be making her own money, and contributing to her home rather than sweep floors and take calls in a salon for free. This new job will give her something to do, since little Sannoh did not appear to offer much. She looked to her mother, who smiled at her encouragingly. Sakyia felt slightly disappointed. Boring work sounded so nice. No bloody fists. No broken bones or bruised skin. No rings. She’d have only a broom and dustpan; a phone and a computer to write down appointments. With this little bike and parcels, she may run into trouble, which she wished to avoid. But, looking around their new home, they needed the money.

“I’ll give it a shot,” she finally said. “How hard can it really be?”

Hana cheered and smiled widely, “Excellent! Oh, you’re gonna love it! It’ll be an easy gig for you, I promise.”

“You’ll do well,” her mother added, gripping her hand gently.

“I hope so.”

The three women finished their dinner, and then Hana left for the night. Sakyia felt too tired to unpack anything else, so she showered in the small bathroom and crashed onto her new bed. The full mattress squeaked, and felt slightly firm underneath her. It was better than nothing. Her mother took the bed on the other side of the room, and both of them fixed their beds for sleep.

“I think this will be good for us,” her mother said, her voice breaking the silence in the dark room. “This is the new beginning we needed. No debt collectors. No punks. No Jiro. Just you and me and this shabby apartment.”

Sakyia smiled to herself, turning her head to look at her mother a few feet away. “We’ll find a way to make this apartment a home, until we find our own. You’ll buy Sungmi’s salon and have your own business again.”

“And maybe you’ll finally make friends.” She then hesitated, “Possibly even boyfriends.”

“Boyfriends?” she scoffed. “As if.”

“Eh, well, you’re a lot more popular with boys than you’ve ever realized. Jiro kept you so close and isolated, you never noticed the boys. Maybe now that you’re older you’ll become the little heartbreaker your father said you’d be,” she snickered at the last point.

She snorted, pulling the covers to her chin. “He never said that.”

“He did,” she insisted. “He kept saying he’d have to train more to fight off the line of boys that’ll be at our door.” She then said, “Just make sure he’s a nice boy? You know, who comes from a good family, has a job, is kind and gentle with you. A real gentleman.”

“Oh, Ma, can we stop the boyfriend talk, please?”

Midori laughed at her daughter’s groaning, remembering briefly how her husband used to do the same. “Alright, fine. Goodnight, Blossom.”

“Night, Ma.”

****

Her mother busy with setting up the salon and acquainting herself with employees, she’d left Sakyia to her own devices. She ate a quick breakfast of leftovers and washed up. Pulling on her father’s bomber jacket, dark navy and worn in the seams, she tied up half of her hair and went downstairs to find stacks of parcels left on the counter. Hana moved around them, smiling at her.

“Ah good, you’re here,” she said, kissing Sakyia’s cheek. “I got some packages that need to be sent as soon as possible. Don’t worry, I picked out local places so you can get familiar with Sannoh first. That way, if you decide you don’t want the job, my regulars won’t be accustomed to you.”

“Sounds good to me,” she nodded. “What do I do with them? Can that little bike hold all these?”

Hana began explaining the job to her. People normally made calls to have packages picked up or dropped off from one place to another. Sakyia only needed to drop it off, have them sign for it, and she went on to the next place. To pick up orders, she’d have to go to the address on the appointment sheet, and make sure to be there on time since the longer she took, the lower her tip is likely to be. The job sounded easy enough, especially with the bike in the back.

“Here it is,” Hana led her to the courtyard behind the shop, each woman carrying stacks of boxes.

Against a wall leant an aquamarine and white motor scooter. The previous owner painted orange and red flames on the back, and plastered bumper stickers that were later scratched off. Sakyia never rode one before, but it could not be much different from a motorcycle, which she knew how to navigate decently. Attached to the back was a wire cart, which she guessed added extra space for parcels.

“It’s not the fanciest thing in the world,” Hana said, putting her stack carefully in the cart. “But it runs well. If you ever have trouble, there’s a little mechanic shop in town where you can go. Yamato is very good at fixing bikes.”

She recalled Yamato from the previous night. “Hm, noted,” she said, adding hers beside them.

“Here are the keys,” she handed her a small set of keys. “The first place on your list is the Dan Convenience store. The owner is a good friend, but he’s too busy with the store to pick them up. Make sure they get there in one piece.”

Sakyia looked at the clipboard her aunt put on top of the parcels. On it were several names, addresses, and times to be delivered. Her aunt must’ve spent the early morning making phone calls to get them. She supposed she should start right away. Putting on the matching helmet hanging off the handle, she guided the bike around the side of the shop and onto the street. She typed the address into her navigation app, and saw a clear path to the little store. She planted herself firmly on the seat, nerves starting to numb her fingers and toes as she turned on the engine. It hummed to life underneath her, and she pressed the pedal to jolt forward. The first few starts startled her, but once she finally turned onto the street, she got the hang of it. Thankfully, years of maintaining balance helped.

The app took her to a small store a few blocks away. It appeared to be the typical convenience store, with the wide windows displaying special deals or sales. She turned off the bike and removed her helmet. She went over what she’d say as she picked up the first of the big boxes. A simple ‘hello, package for you’ might be a good start. It did not need to be a whole conversation. Though, being the newcomer in town, she might have to actually have a conversation. She’d done fine the other night in the diner. This won’t be any different. Keep things easy. Keep things flowing.

“Welcome!” Two voices said in unison.

Twin girls stood up from the register counter, hands behind their backs and formally bowing their heads when she walked in. She noticed they wore pink and black jackets, and long pink aprons. They were also tall. They almost towered over her.

“Um, good morning,” Sakyia said, “I have some packages for the owner…” she looked at the name on her clipboard, “Dan?”

“Dan’s not the owner,” said the twin with long brown hair.

“His dad is,” said her sister, who had shorter hair in two braids.

“He’s not here right now.”

“You can leave the packages with us.”

“Alright…” she said, but then someone else came up.

“Oh, Sakyia, you’re here.”

It was Dan, one of the Sannoh members, she remembered. Tall with black hair parted to the side, he gave her a smile as he wiped his hands on his apron.

“Morning, Dan,” she said, showing she hadn’t forgotten his name. “I take it by the name, this is your family’s store?”

“Yes, it is,” he nodded, taking the box from her carefully. “My dad’s not here, but I can sign for the packages.”

“Okay, good.”

She handed him the clipboard, and stared around the store. She recalled the empty fridge back home, and considered picking up some of the basics. Sakyia knew she had time in between locations to put the things back home. “Do you sell ready-to-eat meals?” she heard herself ask, peeking the fridges along the wall.

“We do,” he nodded, handing her the clipboard. “We sell lots of things here for a lady on the go,” she noticed his friendly smile, “As well as necessities.”

“Hm, good,” she nodded. “My mom and I moved in yesterday, and neither of us has had time to shop.” She checked her phone for the time. She could do a bit of shopping.

“Oh, so you’re the newcomer,” said the long-haired twin. “Naomi mentioned you. I’m Oshiage-”

“-And I’m Shiba,” said the short-haired one. “She said your mother’s a hairstylist-”

“-And that she’s opening up Sungmi’s salon.”

Did they always do that? Sakyia nodded slowly, “Yeah, she’s working there. She’s really good at what she does. Her salon back home was really popular.”

“Where was, um, home?” Dan asked, hands in his back pockets. “Ms. Kimura mentioned you came from another district.”

“Chikuni Bay,” she answered. “We lived near the warehouse district by the water until we had to move.”

“Gosh, it must’ve been nice living by the water,” he smiled, gazing over her face. Why was he doing that? It unnerved her.

“She’s not interested,” said Shiba, irritably.

“Stop being a creep.”

“I’m not being a creep!” he exclaimed, mouth agape and a blush tinging his cheeks. “I’m only being friendly, that’s all. She’s new and as part of the Sannoh Hoodlum Squad, it’s my duty to make people feel welcome here.”

They rolled their eyes together, unconvinced by his argument. “I think I’ll go, um, get the rest of the boxes-” she began to say, backing away to the doors.

“-No, no, I’ll get them,” Dan insisted. “You can take a look around the shop in the meantime.”

“Alright, thanks.”

She left him to get the packages, while she picked up a basket. Scanning the different aisles, she picked out bread and fruits for the home. She’d been looking at the refrigerated area, examining the different types of ready-to-eat meals on the shelves, when she heard another person enter the store.

“Hey Junko,” the twins said together.

“Hey Twin Towers.”

Sakyia did not really pay much mind to the women who walked into the store. She’d been deciding between a curry meal or a bento box when footsteps approached. The chicken curry and rice sounded more to her mother’s taste. She’d be fine with a bento.

“Hey,” a voice caught her attention. She looked to see two girls dressed in black with long pink and white jackets standing a few feet from her. The one with the short black hair seemed to have spoken. “You’re Ms. Kimura’s niece?”

“I am,” she nodded, putting the two items in her basket. “Who are you?”

“I’m Junko,” she said. “This is Asuka,” she nodded to the girl wearing a long ponytail behind her. “We’re part of Ichigo Milku.”

“Strawberry milk?”

“It’s our favorite drink,” said Asuka. “It's our gang name.”

Ah, another Sannoh gang. “That’s…cool,” Sakyia said, “I wasn’t aware Sannoh had a girl gang.”

“We’re the only ones,” Junko said proudly. “We take care of the women in Sannoh, and make sure they’re safe.”

“How admirable,” she checked her time again, and saw she was running out. “It was nice meeting you guys, but I gotta check out and then get back on my route.”

“We heard your mom’s opening up Sungmi’s salon,” Junko said. “Is she any good?”

“She’s amazing,” she told them honestly. “She does my hair all the time.” Like with Naomi, she showed them her hair cut. “It’s faded out, but she retouches it for me when she has the time,” she added, in case they thought the dye job was bad. She walked over to the register, putting down her items. It wasn’t much, but enough to get them until they could shop together. “She’s hired nail artists too, if you all are interested in that,” she said, “and all the old stylists that used to work there before Sungmi left.”

“That sounds great!” Asuka beamed, “I’ve been dying to get my nails done!”

“Us too!” the two twins said.

They began scanning her items when she spotted the cupcake display. Vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with different colored frosting and sprinkles lined a small case by the register. They looked good. Sakyia could not remember the last time she ate anything sweet. Jiro often kept her on a strict diet, and prohibited sweets. She knew if he stood next to her, he’d sharply scold her for thinking about it. It made her want one even more.

“-Junko,” Asuka whispered her name and nodded to the door.

Sakyia saw Junko’s hard exterior melt once she looked at the door. She turned to see Cobra walking into the shop, hands in his pockets. Sakyia guessed Junko liked him by how she stared at him with dreamy eyes. It reminded her of the girls she used to know in school. She recalled how they acted around boys they liked, and the stupid things they did to get his attention. Sakyia never had time to care about boys; Jiro took up most of it. Cobra noticed them all in the shop, and his eyes locked with hers for a moment. He was as broody today as he’d been last night. Still such a mystery to her.

“Morning,” she said politely, nodding her head at him.

“Morning, Sakyia.”

He took a spot behind her in line, and she noticed the nervous glances Junko and the other girls gave one another. She turned back to the twins, who finished scanning and bagging her meager selection.

“You’re taking up Koichi’s job then?” Cobra asked her, much to the shock of the other girls.

“I am,” she nodded, fishing for her wallet in her jacket pocket. “It helps out my aunt’s business and gives me a little extra money.”

“I’m glad Hana’s back in business,” he said. “Her service helps a lot of people in Sannoh.”

“And helps me out at the same time,” she said, trying her best to joke. He made her nervous with his stare and his handsome face and his presence. She looked at the dessert display again. “How much are the cupcakes?” she asked the twins.

“216 yen each,” said Shiba.

She sucked her teeth. Her slight against Jiro would have to wait another day. She paid for everything, and stepped aside. Another check of her phone told her she needed to get going before her next appointment. She hated her impulsive decisions. Dan having removed his packages, she had space for her bags.

“I’ll see you all around,” she said. That’s something friendly people say, don’t they?

“See ya, Sakyia!” said Asuka and the twins.

“Bye Sakyia!” Dan popped out from the back with a wide smile. “Come back whenever you want, really!”

“Ugh, you’re so pathetic, Dan,” said one of the twins.

Junko seemed too transfixed on Cobra, who only nodded at Sakyia. She felt his eyes on her still as she left the shop. It bothered her so damn much. Why did he have to stare? It made her hot under the collar, and her cheeks flushed pink. She set her bags down inside securely, then looked to see that she needed to get to her next location soon. She entered the next address on her phone when someone came up beside her.

"Here."

Cobra stood next to her bike, handing her a small bag. Inside, on a plate, sat a vanilla cupcake with baby blue frosting. Sakyia looked between him and the cupcake, a bit confused and stunned.

"Thank you," she said, gingerly taking the bag. "You didn't have to do that. I would've gotten it another time."

"I wanted to," he replied, shrugging.

She straddled her bike and put on her helmet with urgency. The small gesture reminded her of another person she’d known. He liked to give her random gifts as well; he used to brush it off too. Jesse was never one for grandiose gestures of affection even at fourteen. She placed the cupcake bag with the ones in the cart, and looked back at him.

“Why?”

“You looked like you could use it.”

“I could use a lot more things than a cupcake.”

“Still, we can find happiness in the little things too, you know.” Her phone pinged, and he said, “Looks like you have a busy day ahead.”

“Seriously busy,” she said. “My aunt’s orders are super backed up; there’s more waiting at the store. I’m sure it would’ve been worse if your friends hadn’t helped her before.”

“Your family’s business helps a lot of people around here, and Hana’s a good friend of my parents,” he said. “It would’ve been cruel of me to not lend a hand. She also helps keep the balance around here.”

“Balance? What ‘balance’?”

“Between the gangs in SWORD,” he answered. “There are five gangs in Chikuni, and we all use your aunt’s business when we want to deal with one another. That way, nobody walks into each other’s territories without warning first.”

“SWORD? The city’s Chikuni though.”

“It’s the nickname. I thought your aunt told you?”

“She neglected to mention it to me,” she grumbled. “Five gangs? Are they dangerous?”

“They can be, if you’re not careful. But, I’m sure once you tell them who you work for, they’ll lay off you,” he explained. “I’m sure Hana’s already informed the other leaders about you too.”

“Lovely. She warns them, but not me.”

“She probably didn’t want to scare you off the job,” he suggested. “Besides, perhaps she thinks you’re capable of handling it. Koichi was a pretty good fighter too.”

“Fighting?”

“Like I said, ‘five gangs’.” He stepped forward, “I could, you know, come with you? That way, you’ll have some protection.”

“I don’t need it.” She said this quicker than she meant to. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Her sudden rejection didn’t upset Cobra. He smirked and said, “Yeah, you will be, huh?”

She hated the feeling that smirk gave her. Cobra’s gentle eyes and words made her nervous. Not in the ‘fight-or-flight’ way she’d become so accustomed to either. Her mother used to call it ‘the butterflies’, and she didn’t like them. They made her warm and hopeful, like she’d been as a girl in school.

“See you around,” she said quickly. “Thanks again for the cupcake."

"No problem."

Sakyia started the scooter and went on her way. Chikuni City had five gangs, all controlling different parts of the city, and her aunt’s little delivery business kept them from fighting. Sakyia knew the job sounded a bit too good to be true. She decided she’d ask her aunt about it later, but she’ll keep it from her mother. Her mother worries plenty about everything else; Sakyia won’t pile on any supposed possibilities. She just hoped she did not have to fight. She was done fighting. Sakyia pushed Cobra and the gangs to the back of her mind, then carried on with her day.

She dropped off a few more packages to different locations, meeting her aunt’s customers and people around the town. The gangs aside, the people of Sannoh greeted her with friendly smiles. Mrs. Saito owns an antique shop, and she gave Sakyia a small beckoning cat keychain for good luck. Mr. Ito runs a grocery store, and told her amusing stories about his youth in Sannoh whilst she waited for his signature. People seemed to know all about her parents, and her mother opened the salon. Sakyia did what she could to spread the word herself, hoping it’ll help. She’d gone to the salon for lunch, giving her mother one of the meals she’d bought, and told her about her morning.

“Ah, I remember Mrs. Saito. Your grandmother loved going into her shop. She has a lot of interesting things in there,” she smiled fondly at the memory. She sat across from Sakyia on one of the hair drying chairs, who sat on the barber chair. “I missed this place,” she said, chewing a piece of chicken curry with rice. “I always meant to bring you here one day so you can see where your father and I grew up, but I never got around to it.” She noticed the cupcake Sakyia had sitting with the rest of the groceries. “You bought a sweet treat, huh?” she smiled, “Jiro would’ve scolded you if he was here.”

“It’s why I wanted it, but I didn’t have enough for it.”

“Then how did you get it?”

She slurped some of the chicken broth in her cup, then said, “Junpei.” Her mother hid her grin behind a scoop of rice. “Ugh, it didn’t mean anything. He was only being friendly.”

“There’s a difference between ‘friendly’ and ‘friendly’, she smirked. “Your aunt tells me he’s a very nice boy.”

“Ma…” she said warningly.

“Alright, alright,” she finished off her meal, and dumped it in the trash. “I’ll lay off. But, you can at least try making friends your own age. I know that’s easier said than done, but I…I want you to have a life, Sakyia.”

She knew this. Jiro robbed her of a proper social life and childhood. From thirteen to twenty-five, Sakyia cannot say she had any ‘proper’ friends.

“You know who you should call up one day?” her mother broke into her thoughts. “That boy you used to hang around with when you were younger. What was his name? Skinny boy with black hair? Never wore his shoes the right way?”

“Jesse?”

Sakyia’s stomach rumbled, and she stopped eating her ramen. She remembered Jesse vividly. A lot of teenagers fought in the warehouse pits during her time there. The managers often pitted them against one another to keep things fair, but occasionally she’d fight people bigger than her. Jesse was one of the kids she often fought against. Strong and fast with lots of stamina, it always took several rounds before either of them went down. Jesse never yielded. He either knocked her out or she knocked him out. One night, after a fight, they got to talking in the locker room and clicked. She often met up with him at the warehouse since he lived in Little Asia, and she lived near the bay. He liked her. She didn’t know at the time, but as a woman now, the signs were obvious. He went easy on her in fights; he often tended to her wounds afterwards; he hung around her before and afterwards, and even brought her a flower for her birthday.

“I heard he’s in prison,” she said, remembering the boy who wore his sneakers like sandals. Word spread that he’d been lifted by police and gone to Rasan Prison, where he’s been for a long time. “So, there isn’t any way of ‘calling him’.” Not that she would. It’d been so long ago, she doubted her recalled her at all.

“What a shame,” her mother mused, going back to fixing up the hair station. “He’d liked you a lot.”

Her phone rang in her pocket, and Sakyia sighed. “I have to go, Ma,” she told her, cleaning up her spot and dumping the garbage. “Auntie Hana gave me a long list of drop-offs for today, so I might not be back until later.”

“Be careful, Blossom,” she said, kissing her daughter’s cheek.

They said their farewells, and Sakyia went back on her route. Sannoh didn't seem like a bad place. People were friendly in a way that threw her off at times. She blamed it on the places where she received nothing but grimaces of pain or dirty glares. She briefly remembered Jesse, who'd always smiled at her approach. He did it when he fought her too, teasing and goading her into charging at him. Sannoh might've been different after all.

The sky turned dark by the time she finished delivering packages around the area. She’d driven back towards home when she noticed the gas tank dial. The tiny yellow hand pointed dangerously close to the ‘empty’ symbol. She’ll admit she’d put off getting gas since she wanted to get to her drop offs and pickups on time. Yet, cruising through the streets, she worried she may not make it home on a near empty tank. She remembered passing a gas station on her way southwards, so she searched on her phone for the station and drove in its direction.

‘Hina Gas’ went across the top in bold letters. It appeared a bit run down, but nothing that threw her guard off. Sakyia parked the scooter by a pump, then went inside. ‘The butterflies’ made their return. Cobra sat behind the register, magazine in his lap and his feet propped on a counter. His head poked up when the doorbell jingled throughout the small store.

“Hey,” she heard herself say out loud.

“Hey,” he said. “It’s late. Shouldn’t you be home?”

“Shouldn’t you?”

“I live nearby.”

“So do I.” Why is everything an inquest with this man? “I just needed gas,” she nodded to the pumps outside, “Otherwise I’d get stranded.”

She walked up to the counter, and he stood from his chair. The air remained tense and quiet. They didn’t have to talk. It’s not needed. Yet, the butterflies continued fluttering in her stomach. Cobra put in the gas charge, and she fished through her bag for the cash.

“How was it?” he asked, processing her payment.

“Huh?”

“Your day,” he specified. “How’d it go?”

“Oh, um, it went well. My aunt kept most of the addresses in Sannoh, so at least I can see the rest of the place,” she said, fiddling with the strap of her bag. Her fingernails picked into the polyester strap, dragging over the prints nervously. “It’s actually a nice place. The people I’ve met are nice, at least. Mrs. Saito from the antique store gave me this little cat charm,” she showed it to him, the golden cat hanging from her keychain. “For good luck,” she continued. “Overall, not a bad day. How was yours?” it only felt right to ask, since he did first.

The corner of his mouth twitched at the cat. He handed her back the bills, and said, “It’s been a quiet one, that’s for sure, but not unpleasant.” He hesitated, about to add on to it before stopping himself. “It is, um, you know, getting late though. Sannoh isn’t always as pleasant at night. You really shouldn’t go on your own.”

“I have my scooter. No worries,” she insisted, putting her money away. “I can just ride away if danger comes near me.”

“Still,” he said, looking over her face, “Be careful.”

“I will, thanks. Night.”

“Night.”

She moved to leave when someone else entered the shop. Seeing his black hair hanging over his eyes, dressed in a hoodie and jeans, Noboru leaned on a walking stick as he walked in. He looked different from the young man who’d come to her old house a month and a half ago. His eyes met hers, and he gave a friendly grin.

“Oh, hello, Sakyia,” he said, giving a bow of his head. “I heard you and your mom moved into the neighborhood.” He went over to the counter, giving Cobra a fist pump. “I hope you settled in okay.”

“We did, thanks,” she said. “What happened to your leg? You weren’t injured when we met.”

“You’ve met before?” Cobra asked, looking between them.

“An accident,” he answered Sakyia. “It’s a bit of a complicated story, but I no longer work for the Iemura family.”

Sakyia did not need him to tell her more. He must’ve upset them somehow, and they’d punished him for it. She pitied him. “I’m sorry that happened to you,” she told him. “You and Kawata helped my mother and I a lot. She told me later you’d been the one who suggested the exchange.”

“I thought it’d benefit everyone involved,” he shrugged. “You and your mother could have a new life somewhere else, and Iemura would get their money.”

“And Jiro?” she asked cautiously.

“I don’t know,” he shook his head. “They’re still looking for him, from what I heard.”

Jiro escaped them. She figured he would. He’s too cowardly to own up to his mistakes. It was why he forced Sakyia to do it. “I know this might sound harsh to say, but I hope they do find him,” she said. Knowing Jiro, he’ll crop up somewhere eventually. “He deserves whatever they give him.”

“That is a bit harsh-”

“-I’m sorry, but how do you two know each other?” Cobra asked a second time, a bit louder.

“Sakyia’s mother sold her salon in Chikuni Bay to Kuryu,” he told him before Sakyia could intervene. “I heard she’s managing Sungmi’s salon though,” he looked at Sakyia. “I was just talking to Naomi, and she told me.”

“She is.”

“Why did she sell her salon?” asked Cobra.

“Because we were moving,” Sakyia lied. “She couldn’t manage it from somewhere else, so she sold it to start over.”

Cobra did not believe her. She could tell in the way he slightly raised his eyebrows. “I gotta go,” she said hurriedly. “It’s getting late, and my mom’s waiting. I’ll see you guys around.”

“Night,” Noboru said innocently.

“Night.”

She left the gas station before any more questions came up. Her mother waited for her at home, and she’d been out too long already. She didn't have time for anyone’s prying questions.

Especially not Cobra’s.

#high & low #high and low #H&L #High and low the story of SWORD #cobra x reader #high and low fanfiction #high and low fanfic #hina junpei #junpei hina #iwata takanori

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