I don't own Cowboy Bebop!
Cynical World
Chapter 3
"So, how are you doing?"
"Release me," the man growled.
"Excuse me, but I think you have me confused for those two goons that were beating the stuffing out of you," Zen snorted. "You are in no manner, way, shape, or form being held here against your will. Kal, make sure he at least eats. I'm going to phone our friend. By the way, you've been out for two days and I treated your wounds. You are on my ship, and yes, we are still on Mars."
"Huh, well isn't that convenient?" the man grumped.
"Not for me. I was planning to go visit a friend of mine today. I was out getting supplies when I stumbled over you and those two goons. You're welcome to stay until you get better, but there is no smoking in my ship."
"Who are you?" the man stretched and winced as he did so.
"My name is Zenia Cora, but I go by Zen. My furry little friend is Kal. Don't try to bother him."
"I'm Spike Spiegel, but please call me Spike."
"Pleasure to meet you, Spike. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to checking my…"
"INTRUDER! INTRUDER!" the alarm went off.
"Shit!" the girl cursed in front of Spike and went off running, a sword appearing in her hand as she ran towards the door.
Spike quickly threw on his shirt over the bandages, wincing as he did so. He grabbed his Jerrico 941R, and took off after Zen. He didn't realize that Kal, Zen's cat was keeping up with him.
"What the hell are you trying to do to my ship?!" Zen yelled angrily at three men toting pistols.
"We wanted to get your attention. Now, where is the man?" the leader sneered at her, not noticing her silver sword.
"Right here," Spike growled out angrily.
"Kal, get back inside the ship!" Zen hissed through clenched teeth. The three men were surprised as they watched a cat mew pityingly and walk back into the ship.
"So, little girl, if you'd be a dear and hand him over…"
"Isn't this world such a cynical one?" Zen's eyes hardened and her sword moved like lightening, cutting right through the gun in the leader's hands. "I believe your friends told you a bit about my sword, but you did not take heed of their warnings."
The leader back away a bit, keeping his eyes trained on both the girl and the man right behind her, "Why are you protecting this murderer?"
"Depends on your definition of murder," Spike growled out.
"Ever heard of women's intuition?" Zen chuckled coolly.
"Attack!" the leader ordered the two men, but Spike had shot both pistols out of their hands.
Zen's blade was pressed against the leader's throat, "I do not take kindly to threats on myself or others, sir. I suggest you tell your men to go home, or they will face death by my ship's guns."
"But…" the man swallowed slowly, very aware of the blade at his throat.
"Be thankful for your life and run back home. I do not wish your blood on my blade, it would only make it rust faster. Now, you and your men will leave," Zen glared angrily at the three men. The leader nodded in agreement and the three of them ran for their lives.
"All that so you didn't have to kill them?" Spike chuckled.
"I've never killed," Zen replied coldly back to Spike as she passed him and entered her cabin.
Spike's eyes widened, "Then why did you…"
"I am leaving. You are welcome to come with me, but I am sure that you have your own transport," Zen frowned. "It was interesting to meet you, Mr. Spiegel."
"Now wait just a damn minute!" Spike began to yell.
"I'm listening," Zen turned, and leaned against her ship, her eyebrow raised.
"You don't even know who you just fought!"
"The Red Dragons."
"How did you…?"
"That is none of your concern," Zen rolled her eyes. "Look, you want to get to your ship and get off Mars, go do it. I'm not waiting any longer to postpone my…" Zen felt something on her ship and scowled, "Stupid bleaters think they can track me." Zen threw a tiny chip on the ground and smashed it.
"Well, I guess I'm going with you," Spike sighed. "I owe you."
"It's your life," Zen shrugged.
"How old are you?" Spike raised his brow in suspicion.
"Nineteen," Zen laughed at his shocked face.
"So, where are we heading?" Spike sighed once he got over his surprise.
"Earth."
"You're kidding, right?" Spike blinked in surprise.
"No. I have a friend there who I haven't seen in a while…" Zen chuckled. "Though a bit strange, she has a delightful outlook on life."
"Why do I have the feeling that I'm gonna regret this?" Spike grumbled.
"How in the hell should I know? Then again, guys don't have women's intuition either…" Zen joked.
****************
"Hey, Zen, how much longer until we talk to this friend of yours?" Spike grimaced as they stood in the middle of nowhere.
"I've already talked to her. She's helped me out a lot. She taught me so much…" Zen chuckled. "Boy does that make her sound old!"
"So, when are we meeting Grandma?"
"She's right behind you," Zen smirked.
"SPIKE-SPIKE!" Ed jumped on Spike and gave him a massive hug.
"I guess you two know each other," Zen laughed.
"Ed thought Spike-Spike was dead! Faye-Faye and Jet-Jet both thought Spike-Spike gone too!"
"Hey Ed, I don't think Spike there, is getting enough air," Zen bit her lip as Spike's face began to turn red.
"Okay!" Ed let go of Spike and skipped around Zen and Spike.
"Women, children, and animals… are trouble," Spike sighed.
"Oh? Is that so? Well then, just so you know, Spike, you're trouble for me," Zen smirked. "If not for you, the Red Dragon's wouldn't be after me."
"Heh," Spike grimaced. "Thanks for reminding me. Now, why did you save me?"
"I don't really know, I guess I was just looking to see how good I was with my new katana Ed made me," Zen shrugged.
"Ed made you a katana?" Spike's face had a perplexed look.
"So, Ed, you coming with me this time?" Zen winked mischievously at the younger girl.
"Yup! Ed and Ein go with Zen-Zen!" Ed laughed and lightly hugged Zen.
"Well, I guess I'm stuck following you two," Spike sighed. "Can't have you getting into too much trouble…"
"Awe, that's sweet of you, but I have a sneaky suspicion that you're going to be the only real trouble Ed and I will have to worry about," Zen chuckled, mischief sparkled in her eyes.
"You think so?" Spike smirked.
"Female's intuition," Zen reminded him. "Besides, Ed can't cook worth beans and I doubt that you can either!"
"Huh," Spike grimaced. "You'd win that bet."
"I can try to teach you, if you want. I've been trying to teach Ed, but she eats all the ingredients while cooking," Zen shrugged. Laughing, "The last time she tried, she ate pure flour!"
"Ed was ghost Ed!" Edward giggled.
"No more ghost Ed's," Zen frowned at Edward seriously.
"Okie-doke!" Ed saluted Zen.
"You've got her trained, impressive," Spike smirked.
Zen glared at Spike, "I don't appreciate anyone putting down my friends, Mr. Spiegel."
"Uh-oh!" Ed frowned as she stared at Spike, "When Zen-Zen goes to last name basis or full, you in doggie house!"
"Very good Ed!" Zen smiled at the happy and bubbly young teen, "You made an entire sentence without too much baby-talk! Let's go get some spicy-sweet cheese dip and chips!"
"YEA! Ed loves spicy-sweet cheese and chips!"
"Um…" Spike looked very lost as the two girls interacted, and left him standing in the middle of nowhere, as they both headed towards Zen's ship.
"Even if you were rude, you may as well come along, Mr. Spiegel," Zen pushed her long black hair behind her ears, as she looked over her shoulder.
"So… I take it you're still not happy with me," Spike frowned.
"Irritated at the most," Zen shrugged, as she entered her ship. Ed trailed on her heals, along with Ein and Spike.
"So, you're not mad?" Spike raised an eyebrow.
"No, but if this line of pointless questioning continues, I will be most displeased and so will my furry friend," Zen fished inside a small refrigerator and pulled out her spicy-sweet cheese and a bag of chips. She also pulled out three sodas and tossed one to Spike.
"What, no beer?" Spike snorted.
"It's bad for your health, and Ed is only a pre-teen," Zen rolled her eyes as she opened her spicy-sweet cheese and dug into it with a chip.