The Cruel Tutelage Of Elle Driver

Dear Kenny,

Hey what's up?

God, I don't know where to begin. So, I guess I should just begin from the beginning, right(laughs)?

Well, for starters if you've received this letter then you know that I'm okay. The people that I am staying with have only allowed me to do this once. Don't get upset. They haven't kidnapped me or anything like that. I haven't been coerced or bullied into writing this note either. I am here because I want to be.

So, please don't worry. I know how overprotective you can get. That is one of the things that I love most about you.

I've been in this location for almost a month now. Don't ask me where, because I was told not to say. Yeah, just me being secretive again, right? Believe me, If I could tell you I would.

The only thing that I can say is that I'm close. I'm close to finding her. I know you think the idea Is crazy; because at times I think it's fucked up myself. But, the longer my mother's death goes unresolved the more it eats at me. True, vigilante justice isn't the best thing, but she has to pay...one way or the other. For all I know she is leading a life of luxury while I suffer on a day to day basis. Kenny, sometimes I cannot even sleep at night. I have nightmares about that day, all the time. I have to do this for my own well being. I can't rest until I avenge my mother's murder.

You probably think I am a bad person or something, but I'm not. I don't know why I'm trying to explain it all away. My intent is to kill another human being. There's no sugar coating that. I guess it's because you're the only person whose opinion matters to me anymore. You've always been str8 with me Kenny. My whole life has been filled with treachery, lies, and deceit. But you have always been my honorable Knight in Shining Armor, My very own Hattori Honzo. I adore you.

I'll never forgive myself for bringing you to Tokyo. I should never have told you, and now I have probably made it impossible for you to ever go back there again. I am so sorry for that, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.

Things may not be like they were before. I may not be like I was before. But deep down I'm still the same girl. I'm still the same girl that loves you. In fact, as I write this, I realize just how much I love, want, and need you. Nothing will ever change the way that I feel about you. Nothing.

Kenny, I don't know when I will see you again. Honestly, I don't know if I will ever see you again. I could be walking straight into the arms of death. So, before I venture further I just needed you to know everything in my heart. Ken,You are my rock, and I don't dare think about where I'd be had fate not brought us together. That night you kissed me meant more than you can ever know. In a world full of insanity you were calm amidst the storm. I think about you all the time, and I even see you in my dreams. Sometimes I have to stop myself from thinking about us, because it hurts like hell. But it hurts even worse to not think about us. My mind often wonders how can a relationship like this work. It could be years before I ever find her. It could even be days. But, in that short length of time would I still be the same Nikkia Bell to you? Would I still be the same little girl who fractured your ribs, and then brought you flowers? Would I still be the same girl who climbed into your window when I was afraid to sleep alone at night? Would I still love you just the same? I don't know...It's just getting so hard to reconcile everything, y'know?

So, what I am about to say is probably the hardest thing I've ever written in my entire life...I Love you Kenny. God knows I cannot express it enough!But I also love you enough to let you go. I don't want my choices to affect you in an adverse way. You have so much potential and talent. You have everything going for you.You can't get caught up in my madness. When we finally hooked up I felt like I could walk on air. I always felt trepidatious about crossing that line with you, but it was worth it when we did. I was scared to love you Kenny, because my mission was--and still is--my priority. You deserve more than second best. I'm sure there is another girl out there that can love you better than I might have.

So for the sake of both our lives I am ending it right here and now. Go pursue your dreams, baby. Don't waste your time waiting for me.

Well, I have to go. Tell my aunt DeeDee that I am okay, and that she doesn't have to worry anymore. She knows what I am about to do.

Take care Kenny...

I Love You,

Nikki.

"Your beauty is your power, Nikkia. Remember that." Said Elle, as she gently traced my facial features with her delicate fingertips. Her lips formed a seductive half smile.

I swallowed hard. I hope she is not trying to feel me up. Elle continued to chart my countenance like a Braille roadmap. She had found herself in uncharted territory, and from the way she was smiling she seemed to be enjoying herself. It started making me nervous. I stepped away ever so slightly.

Elle's gleeful expression transformed into a scowl, "Don't be such a fucking prude. I wasn't trying to make a pass at you." She said, her voice flush with irritation. Elle stepped back and looked directly at me. Even though she was blind I felt like she could see right through me.

She balled her fists up and thrust them down in front of her,

"Are you ready for your first lesson?" she asked.

Elle's property was magnificent. It was quite ironic that I was training to become alethal warrior within a place that was reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. As the soft wind breezed through my hair I felt as if I had forsaken the entire outside world for a year in paradise. Just standing amidst the beauty of Elle's wondrous garden relaxed me. I knew I had made the right decision.

I adjusted the fabric of my traditional Chinese kung fu suit. The white fabric was made of soft linen that felt like down feathers tickling against my skin. It was loose fitting and comfortable, appropriate for my first training session.

I focused my attention on Elle—dressed in the same outfit, only black—standing before me,

"Yes." I replied.

"Come closer." She said.

I took three steps forward until she was only a foot or so away from me.

"Now bow." She commanded.

I leaned forward and did as she said.

Whap!

Elle slapped me on the back of my head! It felt like I had been slugged by a baseball bat.

"Ouch! Why did you hit me?!" I demanded, quickly stepping back.

WHAP!

Elle slapped me again. This time across the face, hard! My ears started ringing. My eyes began to water as I struggled to maintain my balance. The burning sensation of anger and humiliation rose to the surface like volcanic lava.

"Refer to me as your Mistress. The only way that our time together will prove fruitful is mutual respect between student and master. Now, bow to me again, Nikkia."

My pride was wounded much worse than my body. I got over my initial embarrassment and meandered towards Elle again. I slowly lowered my eyes and upper torso to the ground.

WHAP!

The third slap infuriated me!

"What the hell, Elle?! How can I concentrate if you keep hitting me!"

"Never look at the ground when you bow. When you face your opponent, ALWAYS keep your eye on him. Even when you are paying respect to an adversary never believe that they are honorable. My hand could just as easily have been a Honzo sword. Keep that in mind." She said, "And if you refer to me as Elle again I will kick the living shit out of you."

"How could you tell I was looking at the ground anyway...Mistress?"

"I could tell by your breathing pattern. Don't underestimate me simply because I cannot see the way that you can. Never underestimate your opponent…Especially one who is superior to you…"

Suddenly, Elle drew back in her fighting stance,

"Now, attack me with everything that you have."

I caressed the back of my neck. Elle's slaps hurt like hell. I could still feel the sting, like a horde of wasps had attacked my neck. For the first time, since my fight with Valentine, I started to doubt my own abilities. Elle was imposing. I felt vulnerable and unprepared. I had gone against, and killed, professional assassins. But there was something about Elle that commanded respect. She was not some lower level bodyguard. Elle was the real deal.

"Look, I can't attack you…you're blind." I said, in a vain attempt to mask my fear and inadequecy.

"My blindness has nothing to do with anything. Now, attack me before I attack you. And if I attack you I won't stop until you're dead."

She said.

I tensed up. Either way it was gonna go down.

"Are you sure about this?"

Elle smiled, "Oh I see. You are a weak, pathetic, cunt like your mother was. Maybe we should stop right here and call it a day?"

That was all it took for me to snap. Any hesitation I had evaporated. I ran at Elle like a rabid dog, and attacked her with a volley of punches and kicks. All of my attempts hit nothing but air. Elle was as fluid and agile as a crane. I tried to kick her in the face, but she grabbed my leg and slammed me into the ground almost effortlessly. I recoiled in pain.

"You have good form, but your style is erratic. You lack control. Never fight with emotion, no matter how your opponent riles you up. Get up." She commanded.

I forced myself to stand back up. I had been in worse situations than this. Elle had stoked my fire. She and I started fighting again. I decided to use the Tiger/Crane Kung-Fu style that I learned as a child. I formed my hands into claws and struck at her with all my power. Strikes that would have, potentially, killed a normal man or woman were nothing to Elle Driver. With one hand Elle blocked my attacks, "Shit, I'm wondering how you managed to last this long, Mongoose." Elle mocked. I ducked to the ground and attempted a turning back sweep kick. Elle leapt into the air, and kicked me in the jaw before I could even get back up. Iskidded into the foliage, as my lovely white suit became spattered in mud and dirt. Bloody spittle trickled out of my mouth as I struggled to get back to my feet.

"I can see your faults and I've only fought with you a few moments. You've studied everything but specialized in nothing. You don't know who you are as a fighter." Elle mused.

Fuck, she hasn't even broken a sweat!

"Get Up..."

"Can't we practice again tommorrow? I don't know if I can keep--"

"Cut the fucking whining you little brat! Did you think this was going to be fun and games, like a fucking Kung Fu movie? You volunteered and now you are mine...So, get up before I make you."

Elle's tone cut like a razor blade. I did as she said.

Elle and I went at it for over and hour. During that time I felt like an Everlast punching bag. Elle showed absolutely no mercy. The only pity she exhibited was restraint, and I was thankful for that much. I fought her as hard as I could, but everytime I ended up on the ground eating grass. When my first lesson ended I was a bruised and bloody heap. It hurt to even bat an eyelash.

"You have much too learn little Mongoose. This may take a little longer than I anticipated." Elle said, "Now, go and clean yourself up. Our next lesson begins tommorrow, before sunrise.You may ache now, but I guarantee it'll be worse in the morning. But, A warrior must battle her way through agony."

After she left I hobbled back into the house.

The very first day of training was excruciating. I went to bed crying. Not uncontrollable sobbing, but out and out blubbering. I wept like a small child, lost in a crowded mall, the day after Thanksgiving. Fortunately, Mama Esperanza was making her nightly rounds and decided to stop by my suite. She gave me a huge heartfelt hug and told me that Elle was like that with all of her proteges. She also told me that I should be proud of myself. All of Elle's other students quit the first day. I was the only one who remained. I don't know whether or not Mama Esperanza had lied to me, but It did make me feel a whole lot better. I knew that with more time I would be able to hang with Elle, mentally and physically. But it would be a long and arduous journey.

That night I took a long hot both, and stayed in the sauna for about an hour. It was exactly what I needed. My body was banged up and bruised, from head to toe, but it hurt a whole lot less after the spa treatment. I kept my mom and dad's framed photograph on my nightstand, for inspiration. I often thought about what I would say when I saw Beatrix Kiddo again. Would it be a straight to the point quip,like An action movie? Or would it be a long, drawn out, Shakesperean speech. I didn't know, nor did I really care. My goal had always been to confront her, face-to-face, and torcher her to death. And when she had finally suffered enough, deliver the death blow and pray that she felt my mother's pain.

Although Elle's lessons were cruel and merciless (In some cultures they may have been considered torcher), I evolved and adapted. I needed them. There were alot of intangibles that I lacked.I was quickly finding that out. None of my previous senseis had exploited my raw power like Elle had. I felt myself becoming stronger, faster, and more intuitive every single day. The more torcher I went through the more resilient I became...

"AAH!" My cries were shrill. I now knew why Elle had decided to bring me so far out into the woods. No one would have been able to concentrate listening to me. I clinched my teeth and held onto the ropes for dear life. It was the first time I had my limbs "stretched." It wouldn't be the last.

That morning, after a week of grueling ritual, Elle and I walked out into a tiny grove. In the center stood two small trees, adjacent to one another. Tied to the trees were four thick ropes, two on the top and two on the bottom.

"Slide your wrists and ankles into those ropes." Said Elle

"What for?"

"Don't ask why. Just do as I say."

I walked over to the trees and did as she wished. I slid my wrists and ankles into the loose fetters and stood between the small plants.

"Are you ready?" asked Elle. She was standing behind me. I turned my head to see her holding onto a large rope linked to a pulley.

I swallowed hard, "Yes."

Suddenly, I felt a hard tug. The ropes tightened around my ankles and wrists like handcuffs. As the two trees began to bow all four of my limbs were pulled in different directions. At first I remained silent, but the harder Elle pulled the louder I screamed. You would have sworn that someone was trying to kill me. Elle continued to pull. My body was now suspended in midair and stretched to it's limits. Finally, I stopped screaming. Not because I felt no more pain. I felt it intensely. My vocal chords were exhausted from the sheer amount of exertion. I remained there for what seemed like an eternity.

"How does it feel?" Elle asked.

I didn't say anything. I couldn't by then.

"When I'm done with you your tolerance for to this will be so high that no amount of pressure will faze you. Life is pain. A warrior knows that better than anyone. Pain is a reminder to us that we are still alive. Love it. Embrace it." She said.

The next few months was more of the same. I had gone from vaunted house guest to servant girl faster than you can say Lickety Split. Every morning before sunrise Elle and I practiced extreme power Yoga. Afterwards I was "stretched." Then we had our daily sparring sessions, and afterwards I had to do nearly all the chores around the huge estate. I was tempted to ask Elle whether or not she knew that Lincoln had freed the slaves. I carried buckets of water to and from the house, chopped firewood, picked vegetables from the garden, and even helped the maid staff wax the floors.

The work was strenuous but the benefits had not gone unnoticed by me. My body had become more lean and agile. I had the grace and flexibility of a cat now(not to mention the Body of a Sports Illustrated swim suit model). My reflexes were faster, and when I sparred with Elle I was better able to anticipate her moves. The fights were no longer ending with me on the floor, beaten to a pulp...Slowly but surely we were becoming evenly matched.

One particular night, after dinner, I went to my room to meditate. There was a rap on my door. It was Elle. I immediately bowed to her, with my eyes up. Even though she could not see she smiled. In her hands she held a large newly shined machete. The blade was huge. It almost resembled a sword.

"I have a taste for some fresh sugarcane." She said, "I want you to go and chop me some."

I rolled my eyes. If she could have seen the way that I looked at her she would have slapped me, "Mistress, it is dark outside." I replied, with a bit of attitude.

"So? I don't care. I have a sweet tooth and I want some sugarcane. I want you to take this machete and cut down three rows and bring them in." Elle pointed to her left, at my picture window, to the field that was several yards away, "But, I want it done a certain way. I want you to use the machete, with both hands, and chop down the cane at the stalk. Don't chop from the top, chop it down in the middle. When you do this make sure to watch your head. Those canes are the size of trees, and one falling stem can crack your skull open like a coconut. If you see one falling chop it as fast as you can. Remember, use both hands to make a clean swipe. I don't like jagged edges when I'm chewing." She furthered, "Also, I want you to go out there everynight until the entire field is harvested by the end of next month."

"Are you serious?!" I moaned.

"Hey, don't be so fucking condescending! Do as I say!" With that Elle grabbed my hands and placed the machete in them. She turned around and walked away.

I'd like to chop you down with this machete, fucking Bitch.

That night, and every night after that, for the next two months, I chopped sugarcane. It was hard work too. The cane stalks that Elle had on her property were almost the size of small trees. I hacked and slashed away at them for hours on end, and when I was done I had to lug them in every night. I had never worked that hard in my life. In the beginning I was pissed off. What the fuck does chopping sugarcane have to do with martial arts? This is completely unnecessary! I often though in anger. But, after I had managed to chop the entire field down I felt a certain sense of satisfaction.

The next day, after our Yoga session, Elle walked with me to her dojo. The place looked like a large wood paneled gymnasium. Elle sauntered towards the wooden sword stand and removed acolossal bamboo stick. "It is hightime we worked on your sword play." She said.

I was surprised. Elle said that my sword fighting skills sucked. She had also said that she would never train me in the way of the sword until I had more experience, "Mistress, why are we sword training when I haven't had the oppurtunity to do so in months?" I asked. I removed a large wooden stick from the rack and walked, slowly, towards Elle.

"Well, prove me wrong." She said. Elle raised her stick and charged at me. Reflexively I brought the wooden stick up to block my head. Her weapon clashed with mine. Elle came around and hit me in the side. The wind was knocked out of me. I staggered. Elle stopped swinging. She shook her head in disgust, "Fuck..." she sighed, "Nikki, haven't I taught you anything?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what I had done wrong. So I said nothing.

"Chop the fucking Sugarcane, Nikkia." Elle said, as she brought the bamboo rod back up.

You know that old cliche phrase, "A lightbulb moment?" Well, I had one of those. Only this light bulb was 2,000 watts. I finally realized why I had chopped down an entire acre of sugarcane. I lifted my psuedo sword, "I'm ready Mistress."

Elle came at me again. This time I knew what to do. It was instinctual. Everytime Elle attacked me I went through the motions of chopping down sugarcane. My body had internalized the method and now it was working! When Elle brought the bamboo stick down I countered by either blocking, or chopping. When she came from the right, I defended. And when she came from the left I managed to jab her hard in the right side. We continued our sword fight for several moments, until Elle called for a time out. A smile crossed her face. It wasn't her trademark malicious/ironic smile either. This was a genuinely happy face. Her entire demeanor had changed.

"You finally get it. Now, you are ready for the real training to begin." She said.

Elle bowed to me. I was floored. She had never done it to me, not once. I don't know if it was a light sheen of sweat, but I felt my eyes begin to mist. That night I had finally earned my mistress's respect.

I went to my room and eagerly awaited the next morning. I can't recall a time that I felt so enthusiastic about grueling torcher .

Weeks turned into months, months turned into a year, and one year became two. That is how long I stayed with Elle Driver and Sofie Fatale. When I first began the training I felt like an elephant in a ballet recital. Now the rigors felt routine to me. There wasn't a problem Elle could toss my way that I couldn't solve now. Physically and mentally I was a fighting machine, a true warrior woman. Everything was honed to near perfection. When I first met Elle I was an 18 year old self defense expert. Now I was 20 and capable of murdering someone with my bare hands. I hardly recognized myself in the mirror anymore. Sofie said that I resembled a Hollywood starlet. My eyes were brighter, my hair more lustrous, and My body was like a tightly wound coil, capable of doing anything that I willed it to. I was stronger, faster, and knew who I was as a warrior. I felt better than I had ever felt in my entire life. Elle no longer had to provoke me to train. I initiated every single session myself.

During all that time she and I became close friends. She lamented upon her glory days as a DiVA, and shared with me every single thing she knew about the art of war. I was like an empty vase, and Elle filled me with every ounce of her wisdom. We talked about life. She even listened to me talk about Kenny. I felt closer to her than anyone else due to our shared hatred of Kiddo. It was not a mother/daughter relationship. Elle was too afraid of getting old for that. We were sisters, plain and simple.

She continued to train me in the way of the sword, and in Kung-fu. Elle schooled me in the style of The Mongoose. I learned my strengths: speed and agility. My moves were ten times as fast, and destructive, as they had been before. I hadn't necessarily forsaken all of my previous training, but I committed myself to one art form. Elle taught me everything regarding the anatomy of the human body. I read more books about pressure points and weak spots than I had ever read in school. Elle's goal was to make me an efficient killer. Soon, I was going to find outwhether or notshe had succeeded.

Elle was the artist. I was her canvas. She painted a fine portrait, if I do say so myself.

Sofie was also apart of my training. She taught me the ways of a female assassin. "You must be as beautiful as you are powerful, Nikkia. The only thing you lack is balance. Remember, It is not all about your physical prowess. As a woman you have more than one strength.Your beauty will make women comfortable in your presence. Men will desire you. When they are at their most vulnerable that is when you strike, easily." She often said.

Sofie came home, from extravagant shopping sprees,with new outfits for me on almost a daily basis. By the time two years had passed I had a completely different wardrobe. I tossed aside all of my old clothing and grew accustomed to wearing very feminine designer duds. Sofie also taught me how to apply my make-up, accentuating my natural assets. One particular day Sofie made me over and I hardly recognized myself. I no longer resembled the sweet faced ingenue that I had been. My new image was that of a seductive siren.

Sofie taught me languages as well. Although I was fluent in Japanese I learned: Spanish, French, and portreguese. I also learned to be more fluid, graceful, and disarming. "Whenever you enter a room always remember to say sweet things thatleave people at ease. Even if the phrases you choose donot fit the occasion they always soften the mood." Sofie always emphasized the importance of being lady like and gentile. There was so much power in being a woman. I had been so naive. Elle taught me to be a warrior. Sofie made me a chameleon. I could be every woman, if I chose. When Sofie was done with me I had transformed from hiphop hottie to sophisticated femme fatale.

I was ready. I knew it. All I needed was one more thing...

"Mistress, you promised me that you would give me her location the day my training ended." I said. Elle sat across from me, in her dais like chair, at the dining hall table. It was quite ironic that we were discussing this two years later, at the same table, where we first met.

Elle turned her head towards me and smiled, "And I will. I don't go back on my word...anymore." She chuckled, "Now, I'm only telling you this because I believe that you're ready. If you are having any second thoughts--"

"I'm not." I interjected.

"I believe you." She replied, "I must admit. You impressed the hell out of me, and Sofie. I didn't think you were gonna last a week, let alone two years. Be that as it may, I think I'm gonna actually miss you around here."

I smiled. I couldn't believe that I was actually going to miss her too. Elle had put her heart and soul into teaching me how to fight. Even though her motives were selfish Elle gave of herself freely. Now, I had more amunition against Beatrix Kiddo. I loved Elle like a big sister.

"She's in Mexico City, Mexico."

My heart nearly skipped a beat, "Are you sure? I mean someone told me she was in San Diego, a few years ago."

Elle laughed, "Had you gone to San Diego, before you met me, you would have been dead. She has a gang of sleeper Body guards down there.They would have turned you into hamburger meat. No, that was a ruse. I've known where she is for quite sometime; unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about it...Now, you can."

I took Elle's hand into my own, "Thank you...For everything." I whispered. I had to keep myself from crying.

"Thank me by coming back, alive, with her head on a fucking stick." Elle said. She gently squeezed my hand, to show affection.

Elle and Sofie, unbeknownst to me, purchased a brand new Candy apple red, convertible Corvette. When I saw it I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Sofie said that my other car had to be destroyed, in order to cover up what happened at the La Chica Inn two years ago. I really didn't care too much. After a two year hiatus my mind was back in hunt mode. Elle gave me a map away from here state to Mexico(god knows I needed it. I hadn't left that property in two years), along with some very important information regarding Kiddo. Later that evening Elle and Sofie gave me a congratulatory dinner, complete with an old bottle of Don Perignon.

I left the very next morning.