Fan Fiction ❯ Tag ❯ Girls' Day Out ( Chapter 4 )

 

TIME OUT

For the purposes of this story, and because I did not clarify it in the beginning or wherever most appropriate, let's get it straight. The hotel they're at is classy. Expensive. First-class. Upper crust. So the rooms are nice. But the suites, which the DOA competitors are in, are nicer. Think bay windows, balconies, and wet bars. Each one has a living room type thing, a kitchenette, and two bedrooms with a connecting bathroom. And a piano. (I'm tapping into my HP-lurking roots, lol) As comfy as it comes. Please adjust your imaginations accordingly.

 

Carry on.

 

Disclaimer: Itagaki, Tecmo, and Team Ninja inspired this.

 

 

\/\/\/\/\/`~Tag~\/\/\/\/\/\

Girls Day Out

 

“Where to?”

 

Lei Fang was holding a map of the city, and Hitomi looked at it over her shoulder.

 

“How about we start on Shiner Blvd. and work our way around Magnolia Square?”

 

“Okay, then we can make a left here and hit Poppy and Orange Street, and circle back around…”

 

“…cut through this dark scary alley, go down Alabaster and come back up Eden…”

 

“Oh, but we won't have enough time!”

 

“It's okay. I'll scout the left side, you can inspect the right, and we'll skip the crappy ones. Then we can go up Saks Fifth Avenue--”

 

“You know that's not a street, right?”

 

The roommates had a full day ahead of them, but that was no reason to be unorganized about it. Yes, they just met, but there are no two women in the world that shopping can't bring together instantly.

 

“Blue, Size 2, silk lace legwarmers, HIKE!”

And they were off.

 

They tore through shops, expertly rummaging through designer racks and skipping all of last season's rejects. But there weren't too many of those, being in a fashion capital and whatnot.

It was like Christmas in July for them, except it was May. You could tell where the shop-thirsty fighters had been by the sight of colors flying as they threw the clothes around, the trail of expensive fabric felt underfoot, the sound of angry salesmen's voices, and the…smell…of credit cards maxing out.

They came out with bags stuffed with Vera Wang blouses, silk scarves, and gloves.

And that was only the first street.

After they were warmed up, they really got moving. After all, they only had seven hours until sundown.

“We don't have enough time!” Hitomi wailed.

“Okay. Let's split up now, like we planned,” Lei Fang answered. They ripped through the city like a storm.

 

Four blocks, nine streets, and twenty-seven shops later, they met in Magnolia Square on a bench under a tree (three guesses what kind of tree) to compare their findings.

“I got a White Dolce and Gabbana fedora,” Hitomi said, putting it on and striking a pose. “How do I look?”

“Chic,” Lei Fang said laughing. “But do you have a Louis Vuitton Marelle purse?”

“Nothing compared to my Versace shoulder bag.”

“Red DKNY peacoat. $130.00.” Lei Fang countered.

“Spankin' fresh Dior pumps, $87.00. Top that,” Hitomi challenged.

“What? Okay, you win. You're lucky,” she said fake pouting. “I'm borrowing those.”

“Only if you lend me your peacoat sometime. Good game,” she added, shaking Lei Fang's hand.

 

They admired their other findings for a couple of minutes, but after the adrenaline wore off…

 

“I am so hungry,” Hitomi said in a raspy monotone.

“Me too. And I missed breakfast! Time flies when you're having fun.” Lei Fang answered. She looked up at a large clock tower. 5:30. The sun had started to set, but the street lights were already coming on.

“Let's eat now,” Hitomi said sounding dead.

“But it's too early for dinner.”

“Dunch.”

“Dunch?”

“Dinner. Lunch. Dunch.”

“Oh, okay. I guess we can eat back at home if we get hungry again.”

Between them, they had about 37 bags and took up an entire lane walking down the sidewalk. Even they were having problems balancing everything precariously while prancing around in heels.

“I should've worn better shoes,” Hitomi said, again sounding like war veteran in a desert who had been smoking their whole life.

They ambled down the boulevard, with many a person grumbling and stepping in the street to pass them, while looking for a place to eat. Soon they entered a charming Japanese fusion tea room.

“This place is really cute,” Hitomi said approvingly. It was as if the smells of food had revitalized her.

They followed the waiter to a low table with traditional cushions on the ground, and dropped their bags on either side of the table. The restaurant was well lighted, with a few lanterns here and there, and had paper screens between each table. On the other side of the room was a small sake bar.

 

After ordering their food, Hitomi tapped Lei Fang's arm and said, “Look!”

She turned around. On a TV, a fight was going on.

“Isn't that--?”

“Shh!” Hitomi whispered.

(TV): “--disappearing behind the trees. Competitor Bayman sneaked slowly towards it, only to be ambushed by that fast black and purple blur, his opponent Ayane. She carefully stayed just out of reach of Bayman, smartly evading his powerful throws, and knocked him out with a spinning kick. Now, I don't know about you, Chuck, but I had my money on Bayman at the start--“

“These are the recaps from today, I guess,” Hitomi said after a break in the footage.

“Hey, Zack might be on!” Lei Fang realized.

“Speak of the devil,” Hitomi answered.

The TV panned over to the Danger Zone, where Zack was standing across from Christie.

(TV): “--back with Chuck and Bryan, on DOA Today. And in what was easily the quickest paced battle of the day, Christie and Zack faced off. Doesn't he look tired, Chuck?”

“I agree, Bryan. I'll bet he was partying last night, but it didn't show when the fight began. These are the two fastest competitors in the league, and I do believe they are pretty evenly matched when it comes to speed; but when it comes to strength, my man Zack has obvious advantages. Take a look at these highlights--”

The camera proceeded to show clips of the fight. Zack got in a few hits, but Christie gained an early lead. After that, the match was up and down.

“--still surprising us with the comeback! Getting Christie into a compromising position, Zack finally brought this battle to a close with a Heaven Smash, giving him his third consecutive win.”

“Wow. Just call him butter because that brother is on a ROLL! Get it?”

Hitomi rolled her eyes as the polite laughter died. The camera zoomed in just as Zack had jumped on Christie and started dancing.

“And look at that! An exhibitionist if I ever did see one--”

Lei Fang and Hitomi started laughing. The waiter came back and served their food.

“I'm so glad he won.” Lei Fang felt proud of him, and couldn't help but thinking that maybe their training helped him out.

“Me too. I should get practicing! I've got a match with Kasumi soon. How about you?” Hitomi asked, happily stuffing udon into her mouth.

Lei Fang lifted her glass of iced tea, then frowned. “As a matter of fact, I'm having one with Helena on Saturday.”

“Great! So we can both tack up a win on our scores.”

“Maybe not,” Lei Fang answered thoughtfully, putting her cup back down. “Helena's a good friend of mine, and she knows my style.”

“Yeah, and you know hers too. Besides, she probably hasn't been training like you have. Don't think I haven't noticed you getting out of bed at like, 6 a.m.!” Hitomi added, when Lei Fang gave her a surprised look.

She smiled. “Maybe you should take it up too. Kasumi is good. Really good,” Lei Fang added, picking up a wonton with her chopsticks.

Hitomi laughed. “Yeah, she is. I'm sure I'd be more of a gym rat than a shopping freak if I wasn't deprived of it at home.”

“Why were you?” Lei Fang asked, wiping her lips with a napkin.

She rolled her eyes. “My daddy. It was always `Practice first, Hitomi,' with him. But I guess it's the better for me, you know? I always had my passion for the arena, but it was his fault it became an obsession.” Hitomi shrugged. “It's funny, he thought he was keeping my grounded at home, but since he started pushing me, I always searched for more.” She picked at her plate idly. “God, I miss him.”

Lei Fang patted Hitomi's hand consolingly. “It's okay. When you go back home, you'll have the chance to prove he made the right decision in letting you come. You gained experience, got stronger, made friends, and saved me from some serious fashion faux pas,” she said grinning.

Hitomi beamed. “Thanks Lei. I'll be sure to tell him that.”

 

It was nighttime, and the girls were back at the hotel. They had ended up sneaking out for a late snack after all, after putting their stuff down in the room. Right now they were back upstairs.

Lei Fang stepped out of the shower. She opened the door a crack and yelled, “Hitomi! I'm using your shampoo!” She paused. “I can't believe I'm out, I swear I just opened this bottle…” she said, more to herself than anyone.

“Uh, sure Lei, go ahead…” Hitomi yelled sheepishly. At least my hair smells good! She thought guiltily.

The brunette walked over to the door and picked up the mail, shuffling through it.

“Junk, junk, junk, illegitimate roofing contractor, junk, room service bill--” she looked around shiftily and stuffed it in the recycling bin. (Save the Earth) She slowly walked back towards the living room area. “Junk, junk…da**! Everywhere I go! Who gives these people my address?” She hopped on the couch and pulled her legs under her.

“Aw, sweet! Letters from home,” she said, ripping open a string tied bundle of envelopes.

A small sheet of paper folded in half and taped fell from her hands. It was plain, except on the front it had “Lei Fang” written on it in slanted red print. Hitomi picked it up.

“Lei, you have a conspicuous piece of mail addressed in blood here,” she called lazily over her shoulder.

Lei Fang sighed. “I know, I have a lot of adoring fans. Just leave it on the coffee table,” she answered smiling, turning on the blow dryer.

Hitomi rolled her eyes. “Maybe you misunderstood me. I said conspicuous, addressed in blood. It's probably an overdue library book notice, if Japanese librarians are anything like the ones in Germany.”

Lei Fang came out of the bathroom in a yellow robe with a towel wrapped around her hair. She sat next to her roommate and picked up her mail.

“Let's find out.” She slit the tape with her nail and read the scarce words on the paper:

5 a.m. Friday

Auxiliary gym

 

“Is that it?” Hitomi asked, peering over her shoulder.

She checked the back, but there was nothing else written. “I guess so.”

Hitomi went back to her own mail. “Not even a return address? That's pretty shady. Who would send you something like that?”

Lei Fang had an idea who. She sat back and bit her nail in thought. She was already going to be running a couple of miles…where was the harm in just peeking in? “There's only one way to know for sure.”

Hitomi looked up. “You're not actually going, are you? For all you know, it could be a gang set up! And that gym's nasty,” she added as a second thought.

Lei Fang laughed a little and looked at her roommate. “How would they get in here? And why would they want me? Besides, it's not like everyone in this entire building can't defend themselves, is it?” she asked, reassuring Hitomi. “I say the most threatening part about this whole situation is the dirt and odors in that gym.”

“Okay then, but don't say I didn't warn you,” Hitomi said, looking back at the mail. “And don't expect me to pay any ransoms, either!” she finished jokingly.

Lei Fang smiled, then she looked back at the note and it faltered. “I don't think we'll have to worry about that.”