SWITCHED

(under construction)

KOten Bar was a popular attraction for warriors to rest and do business, especially for bounty hunters and assassins. Bankai, who was visiting Ally Kingdom for the first time, did not know of the infamous bar. Seeing how full and noisy the bar was, she turn to leave, but the bartender stopped her.

“Sir, I suggest you come in,” Anna pressed, knowing Bankai would be annoyed. “It is best that you do not wander this late. There are many bad people about.”

Bankai eyed the bar and its dangerous warriors of assassins, bandits, slayers, fugitives, etc. “And they’re not?” she nodded towards the groups.

Anna shifted uncomfortably. If she did not get this man to come in, her boss will have her head. Anna didn’t even understand why the boss wanted this man to come in so much. “It’s much more dangerous outside. The ones in here are too busy with their business to be of much threat.”

“It’s daylight,” Bankai stated matter-of-factly.

“Uh… well… everyday is late. Ally Kingdom is not the safest,” Anna said quickly.

Bankai stared at the girl dumbly. I wonder if the girl knows she just said something bad about her own Kingdom, Bankai thought. Oh well, it didn’t look like this Anna girl was going to give up. Besides, it wasn’t like she, herself, had a choice either. Bankai sighed. “Find me a quiet corner and I’ll reconsider.”

“Thank you,” Anna breathe a sign of relief. Smiling, she led Bankai to a far back corner of the bar. “Is there anything you would like, sir?” she asked when Bankai seated herself.

“Just water,” Bankai said annoyed. “And another thing, I’m a woman.”

Anna quickly opened her mouth to apologized, but closed it. Her face burning from embarrassment, she looked down and spoke, stumbling over her words, “I… I’m sorry…” She turned and quickly walked away, but stop and look back. She saw
Bankai casually placing her sword on the table. How can anyone tell that is a woman with that black cloak and deep voice? Anna wondered. Is he really even a woman?

Bankai lie back against the soft chair and sighed. The corner Anna led her too was not even a quiet corner. She fell forward and rest her chin on her hand. A shadow fell on her.

“Here’s your water, sir… I mean ma’am! I’m so sorry!!” Anna exclaimed.

Bankai rolled her eyes. Sheesh… “It’s fine. You’re not the first,” she said annoyed. “I’m used to it. You can just call me sir.”

Anna placed the cup of water down with a shaking hand. Bankai was sure it was going to tip over, but surprisingly it didn’t.

“En… Enjoy you…” Anna trailed off. “Is there…”

Bankai stared at Anna in disbelief. Is she going to cry? “Everything is fine. I don’t need anything else. I’ll call you if I need anything, okay? You can leave now.”

Anna bowed her head and quickly left.

“I’m never working here again!” Anna muttered to herself angrily. I hate my boss!

Bankai watched as Anna walked away. A stupid girl, she considered. Scanning the bar, she noticed a man not far from where she was seating. The man was wearing a purple, flowery tunic she noticed, but over the brightly tunic and covering the rest of his body was steel armor. A Fen crest was printed on the chest of the armor. Her eyes suddenly narrow when he looked her way. And just as quickly, he began walking towards her table. Bankai became quickly frustrated as he stopped in front of her table and stare at her long and hard before leaning close to her face. His long, silky, dark emerald hair fell down his broad shoulder, touching her pale hand. She quickly moved her hand, and his meandering blue eyes followed. Watching him puffing his cigar, her already annoyed face turned into disgust as a cloud of smoke was blown into her face. She coughed and waved her hand in the air to disperse of the appalling smell.

“Your name, young man?” he asked her.

“Bankai…” she replied aggravated.

“What say you and I have a duel?”

Bankai watched annoyed as he continued to puff his cigar. “I’m sorry, I will have to refuse,” she said coolly.

The man smiled. “No? Do you dare say no to me, Yakan, Commander of the Fen’s army?” Yakan took the glass of water that was sitting on her table and drank it. When he finished, he dropped his cigar in the cup and placed the cup back on the table. Bankai stared skeptical.

“That is precisely why I do not wish to duel with you,” Bankai said trying her best to stay calm and not be anger by the man. Her eyes narrowed when he pick up her sword. She watched carefully as he unsheathed her sword and examined it.

“Ahh… is that so?” Yakan placed the sword back in its sheath but is still holding the sword. “This is a magnificent sword you have here.”

Bankai sat irritated and frustrated with Yakan and the situation.

The door suddenly swung open and a young man with a black cloak came walking in. His grim, almond eyes search wildly around the room. When he saw Bankai, he walked towards her quickly and slammed his hand on the table causing the cup to fall over and everyone’s attention to come to him, but the attention quickly ceased.

Bankai said through clenched teeth, “You’re late Anto, and then you come in making a scene…”

Anto was not sway by Bankai’s anger. “Sorry, sorry… I had businesses to take care of with a friend of mine. I didn’t realize it was going to take that long. But putting everything to the side, we have a new assignment,” he said happily.

“And who might you be, sir?” Yakan asked.

Anto turned to see Yakan. He was about to open his mouth and say a greeting, but he noticed Yakan holding Bankai’s sword. Looking over at the enraged Bankai, he said instead, “Why is he holding your sword, Bankai? Who is he anyway?”

“He’s the Commander of the Fen’s army,” Bankai replied, who is really an idiot.

“Oh! Really?!” Anto was surprised. “I thought it was a woman!”

Annoyed, but pleased nonetheless, Yakan said, “It turned out she wasn’t fit for the job of a man.”

“I see, that’s too bad,” Anto said, then turned to Bankai, “Seeing that you’ve made yourself a friend and all, which you rarely do, I’ll leave you with it.”

“What?!” Bankai said furiously.

“Goodbye, I’ll see you at the usual spot. I have something important to discuss with you about, so don’t be late. You have to come.” Anto turned to Yakan, “Nice meeting you.”

The two watched as watched as Anto left through the swinging doors.

“A friend of yours?”

“No,” Bankai replied tersely.

Yakan placed Bankai’s sword back on the table. “You still want to duel?”