THE HEAT

Considering the guys this dude threw when she arrived, and the place around, she doubted the clients would satisfy her price standards. Plus, she already worked in Pendulum Labs, but that he did not need to know. A small furrow crossed her features, that definitely was the future pirate king, ladies and gentleman. 

He would have smacked her upside the head if he wasn’t sure Luffy would get his knickers in a knot. “That’s not just an 80% increase you’re asking for, that’s some incremental shit.” Bazz-B might not have been the most mathematical Quincy around, but he could do basic shit like 1 + 1 = a fuck tonne more than the kid deserved to be paid.

Pulling to a stop outside one of the many diversely decorated room (or so they said on the plaques outside), Luffy finally understood Bazz’s reasons for tucking the dozing man away. Whilst naps were certainly a bonus, Luffy’s view on innocent people being hurt were concurrent with his partner. “No hurting people, got it.” No one was in danger this time at least, so there was no need for drastic measures.

Bazz-B remained motionless, as if the slightest movement could somehow escalate the situation. When shortly after one of the girls hurried out, still primarily nude save for the garments she was holding close to cover her form, he dragged the unconscious body to the room.

It had clearly been in use, signs of certain activities’ aftermath still regrettably noticeable, but it would have to do for the time being.

“It stinks in here,” he grumbled, dumping the guy in the middle of a pile of the previous customer’s clothes. The man in question was still in a daze, visible from the door, splayed out like some avant garde work waiting to happen. Gagging a bit, he shouted for somebody to either get him out or have another girl attend to him. “You got some strength in those tiny arms,” he remarked.

“Of course you would.” she stated calmly, yet slightly raised her chin, “Even now, I’m willing to fulfil my duty one way or another. If anyone dare to disrupt the peace or protection to those I look after, will have to deal with me first.” she added while arching her brows.

Despise everything, as an ally, she was going to keep an eye on him as well, yet if he dared to break this truce, Rukia would not hesitate to strike with her blade.

The others he’d need to keep the details hidden from. Turning his back on the Shinigami, he took one last lingering look over the city. A peaceful view of the slice of hell Pandora had locked them in, the tranquility shared by one he’d once tried to roast alive. What a fucked up world they were living in.

Now if it meant modelling, probably that would be a more reasonable approach regarding the ginger’s greedy standards, but for that kind of show– “Like hell.” she exclaimed furrowing her brows towards the now frustrating guard. “I don’t think you’re appreciating what you have enough, Luffy does not only have the guts to declare war to tough guys but actually has the strength to defeat them and is a man of word–” 

That was it, light brown eyes widened with the realisation. 

There was real admiration in her for that moron, Bazz-B listening intently to her proclamation of his feats. Apparently the kid had been in a war, too. Maybe he really did need to get to know his partner. She cut short though, the former Quincy’s eyes narrowing as he wondered what ploy she’d stumbled across.

Honestly, Nami listened to the young man, and her rational side understood the logic of it. Yet right now, all her mind was thinking is in the money, specially if Luffy was going to stay at her place, she was not going to give charity to him.

“You’re not seeing things from our point of view. It’s easy enough to pout and ask for more, but what are getting out of it?”

Through Nami’s eyes, her captain has shown more than once his growth and strength, enough to gain respect not only from hers, or his crew’s, but even those many people he has helped throughout the journey and dare to say some marines even. “Underestimating him, is not an option.” she stated, before the young man continued, and as a matter of fact, caught her off guard. 

“ …“ What in the world did this guy drank? Seriously…He got everything wrong! Maybe this could turn to be a good advantage, though –!! Although did he just said plus? Oh so they do get paid.

He didn’t think he was changing the topic, but her demand had him laughing. “Lady, you’re really barking up the wrong tree. That moron can do his job, but it’s extra work keeping him on target. I’m not even sure he knows what sort of joint he’s guarding.” The kid had a good heart, which meant very little in this sort of role.

With no second thoughts, the ginger approached closer to the young man, only to hit him right in the head with her fist, “JUST WHAT KIND OF WOMAN DO YOU THINK I AM, IDIOT?!” she snapped before walking a couple of steps away and turning to him once more.

Sleeping with– Or trying to, as if! That guy had been spending way too much time in that brothel. 

The kid was a pirate, then? And apparently he was the captain of the crew. “You take orders from him?” What the hell? With looks and a temper like hers she could easily be bossing him around. Maybe he was a scapegoat? She did get to tell him where to go and how to spend his money.

“There’s another guard of this place, if I’m correct. About this height, peculiar hat, craves meat, and beats anyone who threatens someone who seems in danger. My question is, does this guy is even paid?” she asked with an arched brow. 

“Can’t eat meat if you can’t afford it,” he answered skeptically. Kid might have been an idiot, but if this chick was out for his money than she very easily could scam him. Luffy was an idiot as far as Bazz-B could tell. Batting her eyes wouldn’t work on him, but if she just asked for it he’d probably hand it over.

This place had all sorts of interesting things she’s never seen before. At first the heiress spent a few moments watching those already working out. Realizing that it must’ve been a little rude on her part, going by the looks she received. Finding a large open mat she began stretching.

Half way into her routine Hinata picked up the sound of something being hit across the room. Distracting her enough to slow, eyes slip over to find a man struggling with the bag he was hitting.

“I guess the extra hands could help.” Jumping to his feet, casting a quick glance to those who were staring, a quiet promise for retribution, he gave the bag another good whack to slow it down. “Can you stop it from moving all over the place? Can’t get any training done like this.”

She didn’t look like she’d be able to hold on for long, not if he was going all out. Probably just here to stay in shape, maybe use the treadmills or try some yoga. Could be she was a warrior too though, lost in Pendulum and trying to figure out how to hold her own without powers. Couldn’t count anything out until he’d seen what she could do.

“Ehhh, but I handled him just like you said! You either beat someone up or you don’t!” he pouted, slumping onto a nearby couch to calm himself, yet it seemed taking even a moment to relax was inaccessible in this place, as he was set upon by many of the scantically clad female bystanders. Some simply stared curiously, others approaching and cosying up next to him. A couple even began running their fingers in circles on his chest.

‘You’re so cool, beating that scumbag up like that.’ ‘I know right, just get a load of these muscles.’ ‘You must be super tough to take out someone like that.’

‘Uh, not really. That guy was nothing special…” he replied, shifting uncomfortably as the girls continued to make what others would consider rather suggestive noises and swoons. Luffy merely considered them as noisy, what had he done to provoke such attention? Regardless, he was called back into action by Bazz, much to the dismay of his new found company. Pushing past the small group of girls, he waltzed over to the limp body in the wall, throwing a leg over his shoulder and yanking the head out.

“We’ll stick him in a private room, away from the girls.” The sentence was met with a rise of complaints, sad faces and false tears. Scowling at the audience they’d attracted, he grabbed the aggressors legs while they carried him off. “If we leave him in the showroom, it’ll be bad for business.”

It wasn’t too far to the private rooms, where the guests would quickly be escorted in order to be serviced. The faster the girls could work, the sooner they could proposition the next customer and their next paycheck. Problem was this was a busy night, which meant the rooms were all occupied. Made sense why the guy was flipping out, he had to wait to get his whistle wet.

“What, worried about this are you?” he replied, giving his bandaged shoulder a resolute slap. “No need to worry, its all healed up now. I can take on pretty much anyone now.” His boasting complete, he quickly shoved past Pinky, rolling his shoulder over as he headed towards the source of the commotion.

“Might want to use restraint next time,” he advised, looking over at the kid. Seemed to pack some power in those fists, maybe there was more to him than met the eye. He’d need to pry later, first job was to fetch the others. Shouting for them, when they arrived he instructed them to man the door and call the ambulance. “We’ll stay inside with this idiot until they arrive,” he added. “Better than taking him out there.”

His injury now mostly healed, albeit still heavily bandaged, Luffy was at last granted free motility once again, or rather, Nami was no longer quite as concerned about his inevitable escapes from the house as before. No longer excused from his obligations, he had returned once more to his guard post, with the eccentric pink-haired guy for company.

“Oi Pinky, how long until dinner?” he grumbled, impatient that it had been a whole 15 minutes since their shift had commenced, and he’d been unable to eat in that entire time. Another 15 minutes and the situation could get dire. 

The Captain’s qualms were hastily interrupted when rather irate yelling begun to echo out of the ‘performance area’, as Luffy had been told. He was yet to actually to go inside, yet unbeknownst to him, one of the employee’s cries of ‘Get out of here scumbag!!’ would likely become his ticket.

“They sure are noisy in there. Must be a good show tonight!” he mused, recalling his colleagues opinion that more noise was a good thing.

The night was off to a rowdy start though, a ruckus echoing from within. Security inside should be able to usher the punk to Bazz-B and hatboy, so he wasn’t too concerned. Taking a moment to stare at his companion in disbelief at the remark, he peered inside to make sure everything was okay.

It wasn’t.

Though satisfying, it had caught the short shinigami off guard. She stood there motionless thinking about what she just heard. Did I just hear my name?… A second or two passed by while spent in thought. Shock and confusion mixing together, almost clouding her mind. She later was able to confidently say whoever this man was, he knew her name; once she had taken a few breaths to clear the mind.

The yellow-eyed shorty, mentally went through as many faces as she could; trying to match the voice to a face as she stared tensely into the night. In the end she came up short, unable to identify the unknown man.

The use of a blade of any kind, it just didn’t do it for him. Delivering blows with his own fists was so much more satisfying, more personal, knowing that he could readily mutilate his opponent with his bare hands. To him, that was proof. Proof of his superiority. Every tear of muscle, every crack of bone could be felt- what more could he ask for? He just couldn’t see the fun in a battle that ends far too quickly. That was a pussy’s way out, as far as he was concerned.

His need for a challenge was why Grimmjow’s eyes sparked when he caught sight of the makeshift dagger in the bastard’s hand, his vicious energy having already skyrocketed in the first place when his kick connected. Finally! Could this dumbass be good enough to get his blood pumping? He’d just have to wait and find out. Fists vs blade, go.

“THAT’S MORE LIKE IT!!” This was fucking great!

Grimmjow effectively dodged the swipes, the glass barely grazing the material of his sleeve. A grin, feral instincts rising. He had to hand it to this wuss, creativity points right there for improvising.

But if there was one thing that Grimmjow prized highly about his fighting style, it was its destructive unpredictability. There was no greater joy in catching an opponent offguard from outsmarting them.

Next move planned, once more he was caught off-guard by the unexpected, the Arrancar switching from evasion to blocking. Blow deflected, this time the Quincy was ready for whatever weird, whacky trick was going to get thrown at him. Eyes locking on to the incoming knee, he brought his free hand down hard to counter the blow, head launched forward to delver a headbutt. 

Bazz-B whirled around, eyes glistening in the evening sunlight as joy clouded any caution that might have shrouded any interaction between Shinigami and Quincy (regardless of a lack of powers). Almost in answer to the praise, his mohawk swayed valiantly in the cool breeze.

“I’ll survive it. I may not remember much of it or enjoy how I’ll feel tomorrow but I’ll survive no less.” – Did he always belittle his company? Hopefully this side of his personality only came out while sober. While she didn’t care for drama, she wouldn’t hesitate to ditch him for something better later on.

Maybe he couldn’t afford her.. “Pfft, who do you think I am? Bazz-B has you covered!” They were headed to the casino first, surely he’d get lucky.