Yellow Moon

“Blah” – talking

/Blah/ - thoughts

Blah – flashback

Blah – Demons, spirits, scene change

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Eek, this update came later than I expected, but I’ve been struck by a lightning bolt of inspiration! So here you all go!

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Chapter 1:

A figure dressed in blue and black stands on the corner of the sidewalk. She waits until the horse and carriage pass before crossing the street. Her long jacket brushes lightly against the leaf-covered ground (late summer).

She walks into a building called. Grand Velvet Hotel.

The bell rings as she walks in. a man looks up as she approaches the counter.

“Hello, can I help you?” He asks with a smile.

The woman places money on the counter. “Room for one. I’ll be here all week.”

The man accepts the money and takes out a small book and quill. “Name?”

She hesitates. “… Baki… Baki Otonashi.”

He writes down the name. “All right, let me see what we have available.” He leaves.

“Otonashi… no sound. It suits you perfectly. Although… the ‘Baki’ makes it easy to tell who you really are…”

She turns, taking off her hat.

“Tsubaki Ronin.”

The mman has brown hair and brown eyes. There is a small amount of stubble on his chin, just below his lip. He’s wearing a green, Chinese style suit with a red rose in the pocket on his chest.

She raises a golden eyebrow. “What are you doing here, Sanji? Last I heard you were supposed to be in Yamaoto.”

“I was, but the boss had a last minute change in plans. So here I am.”

Tsubaki snorts.

“Ma’am.”

She turns around to face the receptionist.

“We only have one room left, one of the suites, and the money you’ve paid so far doesn’t quite cover the…”

Slam! Tsubaki places more money on the counter. “Keep the change.”

The receptionist is a bit taken aback. “Y-yes, ma’am. Just fill out this form and I’ll be right back.” He skitters away.

The blonde woman picks up a quill and begins writing. “So… what does Hotake-dono want with me this time?”

Sanji raises an eyebrow. “Who says it has anything to do with you?”

She looks back at him. “The only time you and I run into each other these days is when Hotake wants something.” She turns back to the paper. “And I’ve already made it clear that I’m not doing any more of his dirty work, so tell him to shove it.”

Sanji’s eyes widen a fraction. “Well, okay, but…”

“Here you are, ma’am.” The receptionist interrupts, coming back. “Room 423. It’s open to you all week.”

Wordlessly, Tsubaki swipes the keys off the counter and vanishes in a puff of smoke. The receptionist relaxes.

“Scary lady.”

Sanji rests his fingers on his forehead, sighing. “You have no idea.” He vanishes.

(Scene change)

A violet colored snake slithers through the steamy bath water. There is a yellow crescent moon on its forehead. It’s eyes are black and shiny.

Tsubaki lifts a face cloth out of the water ad begins washing her face and neck. Her hair is up in a bun.

The snake suddenly stops and looks around.

Tsubaki looks down at it questioningly. “Tsuki?”

Tsuki quickly swims toward her and slithers inside Tsubaki’s body through a flap on her wrist. Tsubaki sends out her senses for a moment before quickly sighing. She continues her bath.

“You have 10 seconds to tell me why I shouldn’t castrate you.”

Sanji appears out of the steam, smiling sheepishly. “Aww, Tsubaki-chan, you always ruin my fun.”

“7 seconds.”

He rolls his eyes. “For one, as you know full well, we’ve already been in that area. There isn’t anything on your body I haven’t seen before, and second, can you dish out as much damage as usual when that cow killer of yours is injured?”

Her eyebrow twitches in irritation. On her forearm, we see her tattoo has a scratch over it. She doesn’t answer and continues bathing, washing her legs.

Sanji sits on the edge of her bath.

She finally sighs and leans forward. “What do you want, Sanji? I already told you…”

“I’m not here because of Hotake-sama.” He says coolly with a small, half-smile.

“Then why are you here?”

His smile turns into a smirk. “Dinner. Tonight. 6:30.”

She quirks an eyebrow. “What’s the occasion? I know it’s not a date.”

“It’s my boyfriend. We’re getting really involved now and I want to make sure my best friend approves before I do something life-changing.”

She snorts and lies back, washing her arms. “You must not have many friends then.”

“Like you’re one to talk.”

She closes her eyes defiantly. “I don’t need any friends. They’ll only slow me down. Such is the life of an assassin.”

He shrugs. “Suit yourself. So you’ll be there?”

“Hn.”

“Great!” he exclaims happily. “I’ll meet you in the lobby at 6:15 then. Oh, and dress up like that stuck up, rich, Ronin woman you are.” He vanishes.

Tsubaki sighs. She lets down her hair and sinks down into the water. Bubbles pop onto the surface.

(Scene change)

Sanji and Tsubaki walk out of the hotel. It’s dark out. Sanji is wearing a fashionable suit and tie and Tsubaki is wearing a red cocktail dress and heels along with her usual style of hat. She sulks after him.

“I don’t recall agreeing to this.”

“Oh, come on, ‘Baki!’ It’s a beautiful night, smile for once!” Sanji exclaims, slinging an arm around the blonde woman.

“Don’t touch me.”

He backs off quickly. “Go-omen. Touchy.”

They enter a fancy restaurant called Bara Akai (Rose Red).

The hostess is a woman with short black hair. “Good evening, welcome to Bara Akai. Do you have a reservation?”

“Sanji Yamakichi.”

She flips through the reservation book. Her finger lands on a name and she looks up. “Mr. Yamakichi, Mr. Nara has already arrived. Please follow me.” She leads them through the restaurant, holding two menus.

A feminine man with long blonde hair and green eyes stands up to greet Sanji and Tsubaki. His hair is pulled back into a low ponytail. He is wearing a light blue yukata.

“Haku! You’re early!” Sanji says after a quick kiss.

Haku flaunts his hand. “Oh, I’m never early, you’re just late.” He turns to Tsubaki. “Hello, and who is this lovely lady? You’re not cheating on me, are you, Sanji-kun?” He teases.

Tsubaki - -.-

Sanji scratches the back of his neck, blushing. “No, no! This is my good friend, Baki Otonashi! Baki, this is my boyfriend, Haku Nara.”

Haku reaches out and grabs Tsubaki’s hand, shaking it. “It’s absolutely wonderful to meet you, Otonashi-san. I love that dress, where’d you get it?”

Tsubaki deadpans. “It’s custom made.”

“A woman with money, eh? I like that.” Haku winks. “Very nice. Well, sit down, sit down.” They all sit and begin looking through the menus. Haku looks at Tsubaki over the paper. “So, Otonashi-san, what do you work in?”

“I’m in… real estate.”

Sanji raises an eyebrow.

“Real estate? That’s a challenging occupation, especially this time of year. I’m in the jewelry business myself.”

“Oh, yes?” Tsubaki is interested now. “What sort of jewelry?”

“Well, usually…”

A waitress comes up to the table. “Good evening. Are you ready to order?”

“Oh!” Sanji quickly glances down at the menu. “I’ll have the… Tororo Soba and… some red wine.”

Haku looks up at the woman. “A glass of Chardonnay, spiced tofu, and seasoned oysters for me, please.”

“Boiled octopus and water.” Tsubaki says bluntly, handing over the menu.

The woman smiles cheerily. “All right. I’ll be back with your drinks shortly.” She walks away.

Tsubaki looks back over at the other blonde. “You were saying?”

“Hm? Oh, yes! I usually work with the raw materials themselves. You know, setting the diamonds and checking the quality and all. I think melting down and forming the metal is my favorite part of the job.

Tsubaki reaches around her neck and removes her necklace. She hands it to Haku. “Can you tell me what this is?”

The necklace is a yellow crescent moon connected to a thin, silver chain. Haku frowns at it for a moment before taking out one of those eyes things (I don’t know what it’s called). He observes the jewel.

“Where did you get this?”

Close up of the lower half of her face. “I… a snake had it.”

Haku looks skeptical, but doesn’t question her. He looks back at the jewel. “I’m not sure what this is, Otonashi-san. If I had to guess, I’d say it is one of the old Miko Jewels. See how it sparkles even there’s no uneven particles?” He hands it back to her. “I’ve never seen a Miko Jewel myself before. Heard of them? Yes. Seen pictures of them? Yes. But I’ve never seen one in real life, so I can’t be sure if that’s what it truly is or not.”

Tsubaki isn’t surprised and rolls the moon around on her palm.

“Ah, a Miko Jewel?”

They turn around in surprise to the new speaker, a dark haired, chubby man who looks wealthy.

“You recognize it?” Tsubaki asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Hai.” Without asking, the man snatches the jewel out of the woman’s hand. She frowns deeply. “This, little-lady, is one of seven sacred jewels that make up the Jewel of the Moon.”

“Care to explain?” Sanji presses, looking curious and concerned. He and Tsubaki share a glance.

“… (I haven’t completely thought this part out, but the man tells them a story about 7 ancient priestesses that worshipped the moon and created a jewel that was eventually shattered into 7 pieces ad they became consumed by lust for power).”

“How do you know all this?” Tsubaki asks, taking the jewel back. The man eyes it greedily.

He smiles and scratches his neck. “Well, when you get around as much as I do, you learn a little bit about everything.” He glances away. “Well, it looks like my supper has arrives. Ja ne.”

Tsubaki narrows her eyes suspiciously as he walks away. /He was lying… /

(Scene change)

Haku and Sanji share a deep kiss in the middle of the street before parting.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?” Haku asks with half-lidded eyes.

“You bet.” Sanji briefly kisses his boyfriend again before pulling away. “Goodnight, Haku-kun.”

Haku waves. “Goodnight! It was great meeting you, Otonahi-san!”

“You too.” Tsubaki says blandly. She’s holding a leftover box.

The blonde woman and Sanji walk away down the middle of the deserted street.

“So…” Sanji says. “What do you think of him.”

“He’s nice.”

“And…” he rolls his hand.

“And I think he’s the perfect man for you. You two will make a very cute married couple.”

Sanji blushes furiously. “W-who ever said anything about m-marriage?”

Tsubaki looks over at him. “You wanted my opinion of Haku before you decided to do anything ‘life changing.’ What else could that be other than marriage?”

He blushes harder and looks down at the ground. “Y-yeah. I haven’t picked out a ring yet. I want it to be perfect, you know? Since he specializes in jewels and all…”

“I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

Sanji grins, still blushing. They come to an intersection.

“Well, I’m in this direction.” He says, jabbing his thumb behind him.

“I’m… that way.”

Sanji’s smile softens, eyes glittering somewhat sadly. “So, I’ll see you around, Tsu?”

“Sure.”

He stars walking away. “Don’t get into trouble!”

Tsubaki rolls her eyes, but her eyes shimmer with a smirk. “Whatever.” She leaves, seemingly oblivious to the dark figure following her.

She eventually turns into an alleyway. The figure follows. It enters the alley and sees Tsubaki has vanished. It looks around it confusion.

Shing! Suddenly there is a zanbato pressed against its neck. It is the man from the restaurant. The sword is bleeding. He drops his dagger abruptly.

“W-w-what is th-this?” he asks in fear.

“Why did you follow me, old man?” Tsubaki hisses in his ear.

“Y-you!”

She tightens her hold. “Tell me now or I’ll kill you.”

He panics. “W-wait! Wait!”

“Now.” His own blood starts to trickle from a wound on his neck.

“Th-the jewel! I’m here for the jewel!”

She relaxes her hold slightly, if only to give him breathing room.

“If I were to possess the Miko Jewel, I could spend the rest of my life in luxury without having to lift a finger!”

Tsubaki narrows her eyes. /He’s lying again… why/

“Where did you really learn of the jewels?” She presses.

To her surprise, the man begins to laugh like an insane person. She quickly cuts his head off. The body collapses and there are dark blotches in his blood.

/Shadow spawn… looks like I’m in the right place after all. /

She makes a sybol with her hand and the still bleeding sword vanishes into her tattoo. The scratch on the tattoo gets bigger and begins to bleed. Tsubaki takes a tourniquet out of her clutch bag and wraps the wound. Kneeling, she picks up what seems to be a small, blood covered stone from the puddle of blood. She then leaves the alley.

Continuing down the street, she looks up from under her hate to see a man throw a child into a bunch of garbage cans.

“Steal; from someone else, you little street trash!” The man yells, walking away quickly.

Tsubaki walks up to the child, who sits, defeated, in the trash. He looks up at her, exposing his large brown eyes, grubby face, and black cat ears. A black tail is curled around his bare feet.

She stares down at him blankly. “Pitiful child. Nobody wants you. Hated for something you cannot control. Shunned and ignored by everyone you come across… for being a half-demon. You know you will die by the time winter comes.”

The boy tilts his head, eyes glimmering in the faint moonlight. “I know you…” he whispers.

Tsubaki stares in shock. Her eyes soften. /Like me… I know you too. /

She crouches and holds out her hand. The boy stares for a moment before talking her hand. He stands up and Tsubaki leads him away.

End Chapter 1.

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Wow, sorry, this didn’t get put up until now. I’ve finally got a good, firm plot in place with this, so hopefully I’ll be working on it more!

Yes, there is a gay couple in this story, but if you didn’t catch the hints, Tsubaki and Sanji used to have a relationship that will be revealed later, and the relationship between Sanji and Haku won’t go into detail, so you homophobes don’t have to worry about that. Tsubaki is also the reason Sanji is now paired with a guy.

The next chapter should be up much quicker and please read and review! I send people pictures of cookies!

Ja ne!

Mysteri