Thank you for the reviews. Please keep going, and feel free to suggest changes or possible plot points. I'm open to suggestions, only having a vague idea how this story will progress.
Updated early I know. But it's my right! So hah! Odds are I won't be updating on Friday though so sorry.
Chapter 11. Assassin's Bible; An Assassin is Cold, An Assassin is Unfeeling, An Assassin is Bitchy. The Natural predisposition makes Women Good Assassins.
Pip was drunk. He was fairly sure of that. After all, the amount of alcohol he and the guys had consumed would be enough to send anyone over. The panic was now over and everyone was safe. Minus Alucard and Seras of course, but he figured anyone who had captured them were the ones who were least safe. The Asian girl was fine and Mireille was still talking to her.
So everything was accounted for. Except, as Luke had pointed out, a most pressing problem. They had gone through so much, and were still friggin' sober! But that problem was solved now!
"-Hic-, Hey Mark!" Ricardo called out, his hair matted somewhat. "I thought you could hold your booze?" Everyone laughed. Their youngest recruit was currently throwing up violently in the toilet. Youngsters these days just couldn't hold their drink down. Pip laughed.
A few rooms away Mireille cringed again at the raucous laughter. Kirika smiled slightly. The men were nothing if not annoying, she had to admit. But she didn't mind. Mireille was still here and that dream had been just that. Kirika was content with that.
"Hey Mireille?" Kirika ventured shyly. The blonde favoured her with an amused look. Kirika felt somewhat hesitant to continue.
"What is it?" Mireille asked, her voice curious.
"Are we going out later? You said we needed to go shopping." Kirika desperately wanted to get out of this sick bed and into some new clothes. Her current ones reeked of blood and sweat. She wasn't sure when she had become so self-conscious, but now she couldn't even imagine going back to how she had used to act. Years ago she had been uncaring about her condition, but now she hated being unclean.
"No." Mireille stated firmly in a voice that surprised Kirika. "You are staying in bed until you're better. I'll go out later and get us a few pairs of new clothes. Then we'll have a proper shopping expedition when you're fully healed." Kirika felt her mouth open slightly.
She switched almost guiltily to a trick she knew was very dirty. Her mouth opened slightly more and her eyes became misty with tears. She gave Mireille an imploring look, begging for pity.
"Mireille." She implored, lacing her accent thickly with Japanese and her youthfulness. She knew that Mireille couldn't resist her when she played the lonely waif. So she was surprised when Mireille's gaze became steely, her angry blue stare fixed on Kirika's eyes, making her freeze in shock.
"No. You are staying here Kirika." She stated with angry finality. Her voice letting Kirika know there would be no argument on this matter. Kirika felt like crying for real. Don't be foolish, she's concerned for your health, and angry because you tried such a dirty trick on her. She nodded that she understood, her face bland.
"I'm sorry Mireille." She croaked out, searching Mireille's eyes for forgiveness. The Corsican blonde smiled tenderly.
"It's alright, I know you want out of this bed, but it's for your own good. I'll be gone for a while and I don't want to hear of you getting up. Got it?" Kirika nodded again, wondering at where this commanding attitude had come from. Normally, and it embarrassed Kirika to admit it, she was a little bit spoiled. Not anymore it seemed. Was it a kind of punishment for failing in the sewers, for allowing herself to be shot? If so it was a very cruel one for such a small mistake.
"But Mireille!" She stammered and the blonde turned back to her. "What happens when I need the toilet?" She ventured somewhat agitatedly. It wasn't as if she could ask those drunk idiots in the other room for help.
"I'm sure you'll manage." Was Mireille's amused answer, which caused Kirika to mumble angrily under her breath. The Blonde stood and made her way to the door leading out of the room.
"Mireille?" Kirika hedged quietly, again Mireille turned to regard her, wondering if she would ever get out of the room. "Will you be back tonight?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but she needed an answer.
"I should be. But you need to rest soundly, so..." She paused as if wondering how to say something, Kirika's stomach twisted. Please no. She begged to herself. "I'll sleep on the spare bed, you don't need to be jostled in your sleep." Again her voice held that tone of finality. Mireille left.
"Why...?" Kirika whispered, her tears overflowing and spilling silently down her cheeks. Why was Mireille punishing her so? What have I done wrong... What have I done to deserve... Her breath caught in her throat and before she knew It she was sobbing quietly to herself.
"Mireille... why?"
Seras shifted slightly, pushing against what was holding her. Trying to get comfortable in the firm fabric she was clinging to. It was hard. She grumbled and shifted again, pushing out with more force, before giving it a sharp kick in her frustrated anger.
"Police girl," A voice wheezed, "That wasn't very nice now was it?" Seras froze in shock. Oh God master was holding her. He was carrying her, like she was some sick waif. She hated that!
"Let me go master I can walk!" She protested, shoving at his chest with her hands. There was a deep chuckle from her master, but he made no indication that he was about to place her down.
"I would be surprised if you could my child. You have fur bullets in your back. Blessed silver I might add. Even I might struggle to walk after taking such punishment." At the mention of it, she seemed to feel the pain in her back. It was a burning sensation whenever weight was applied to the marks. They weren't healing properly either, she could feel it.
"It will take you some time to heal. I will help remove the bullets later." He noticed her sick look, "Don't worry, I'll just phase my hand through you and come out with them in toe. You won't feel anything." She blushed but just nodded, not wanting to seem weak.
"Master where are we?" She asked. Over his shoulder she could see the looming dark figure of a castle. Undoubtedly the one they had just escaped from. There were flames licking at the wooden doors, and she could see smoke billowing from inside.
"That, my fledgling, was the castle known as "Koblenz Stolzenfels," It was built in the thirteenth century by some archbishop. It was to impose an illegal tax on the Rhine. But the French razed it to the ground in 1689. King Frederick rebuilt it in the nineteenth century." Seras let the words pass through her. As interesting as the history lesson was, she wasn't that interested.
"But where in Germany are we?" She persisted.
"Western Germany, in the uplands overlooking both the Rhine and the Moselle, we're a little far from civilization. But we'll meet up with Pip and the others soon. In a day or two I think." Seras thought for a moment. This was Alucard, the most powerful vampire in the known world.
"Why can't you find them now, fly us there?" She asked in a tired voice. Alucard's gaze was irritated.
"Because for your information I have been sucked dry of most of my power by some bloody parasitic rock waiting for you to have your beauty sleep." She had forgotten about that, assuming he was back in top form after no rest.
"Maybe you'll know how your victims feel now master." Seras replied. The master vampire gave her a dark look before his face became amused.
"Seras, a lot of my victims haven't been as unwilling as you seem to think." Alucard whispered seductively, nuzzling his face against her neck. Against her wishes she moaned as his fangs scraped against the skin of her neck. He pulled away laughing uproariously. Seras was mortified.
I don't believe how cruel that was! She thought to herself, burying her red face into his jacket and trying to hide from his laugh. God damn him! She cursed to herself. Pernicious bastard!
"Oh Seras. You are too easy!" He laughed and she buried her face further into his coat. Those were not the words she had needed to hear right then.
"Heh-heh, come on my child. The night is nearly over, and we must find a place to rest. I think I know just the place. I hope it's still here." He set off at a walk. Or at least Seras had thought it was a walk, he moved as such. His steps calm and her body bouncing only slightly. Yet the scenery seemed to be flying past them, emitting no sound, even as they passed over the Rhine.
"When were you last here master?" She asked, her eyes becoming heavy with sleep. She heard him chuckle as she snuggled further into his jacket. His chest was hard, but it wasn't that uncomfortable.
"The last time I was here Seras, was in World War Two." He replied, but he didn't think she had heard him, already sound asleep in his arms. He sighed a little. This was the person he wanted to be the next No-life king. Or queen as it was. How could someone so cute instil terror in people? It was going to take a lot of work. Oh well,... he had an eternity.
"Hello young lady." A cultured voice commented, startling Mireille. "May I sit here?" Mireille looked around before even glancing at the man. She was sitting at a table in the parlor outside a small bar. There were empty chairs everywhere.
"If you wish." Mireille replied, looking at the man for the first time. He was plain, with black hair streaked with grey and a dark black business suit. He had a small smile on his face as he sat down. The waiter came and he ordered a coffee for himself, offering to get Mireille a drink too, though she refused. Indicating her full cocktail before her. The waiter came back and gave him the coffee before leaving again.
"What do you want man of Soldats." Mireille stated calmly. Not making it a question, but an invitation to answer. If he was startled by her attitude he didn't show it. Simply sighing and taking a long sip of his coffee.
"I had hoped to get to know you." The man offered, giving her a charming smile which she returned with a bland look. "After all you are a beautiful woman. But yes I am also here on business." He paused again, as if waiting for a reply. Mireille made no move or sound.
"I am a messenger. An old friend wants to meet with you. To explain why you were attacked by Soldats, he is the friend who has aided you before, and hopes you will aid him. Is there anywhere he can meet with you?" Mireille thought for a moment. She could refuse, but if her guess was right then he also knew where they were. And she didn't want to involve the others in what was hers and Kirika's problem alone.
"Tomorrow, here at two in the afternoon. Tell him to bring a car. He can come to our table, then we'll pay up and leave with him. Will that do?" The man nodded, then thought for a moment.
"Bringing your partner?" She nodded, not offering any different. "Good, she probably needs to hear too. Well that's business dealt with. I don't suppose there's any chance you taking pity on poor little me?" He asked, giving her a hurt little puppy look. She rolled her eyes then took a long drink of her cocktail.
"Thanks for paying." She offered sweetly, getting up and picking up her bags. The man recovered quickly, leaning back in the chair and favouring her with a winning smile.
"My pleasure beautiful. My name's Blake." She nodded in understanding but didn't offer him her own name, simply smiling and walking away. Feeling much better, despite the fact that they would be dealing with Soldats tomorrow. And if she had any hunch, she was pretty sure which manipulative swine they would be dealing with.
It was late afternoon when she arrived back at their temporary home, she was greeted yet again by the drunken Wild geese himself. Dancing in the living area, to the general amusement of his men. The once clean room was now littered with empty cans, and cigarette ash was overflowing from the ashtray, floating around the room. Disgusting.
"'Ey Mireille!" Pip cried out delightedly, in thick French, he danced to her and tried to get her into the dance as well, but swiftly curled up as she punched him in the stomach. His men found this hilarious and were still laughing when she left to check on Kirika.
What she saw startled her. Kirika was huddled on the bed, her body drawn up into a ball under the blankets. She surveyed the room with shocked eyes. One of the bedsheets was in tatters, the remains strewn around the room. A vase seemed to have been flung against a wall, and Kirika's gun was cocked and loaded on the table by the bedside.
"Kirika!" She exclaimed, dropping the bags and rushing up to the girl. She came around to the side of the bed and inspected her face. The girl was awake, her eyes puffy from obvious crying. Mireille's concern grew. "What's wrong?" She asked, placing an arm on the girl's shoulder. The response startled her.
"Let go!" The girl hissed, throwing herself onto her side so she was looking away from Mireille. Presenting the worried blonde with her back. Mireille felt confused, and hurt.
"Kirika?" Mireille whispered, trying again and placing a hand on the Asian girl's shoulder, Kirika pulled her shoulder away angrily. Leaving Mireille with her arm outstretched and nowhere to put it.
"GO away!" She hissed furiously, the words laced with hate. Mireille stepped back, angry tears in her own eyes.
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow." She spoke calmly, or tried to. The words still sounded angry to her ears. She left the room quickly, slamming the door behind her and storming through the living area towards a spare room. The men of the Geese wisely left her alone, as if sensing that to bother her now would be akin to signing one's death warrant.
She undressed quickly and fairly flung herself under the covers. Damn Kirika. All this because Mireille had refused to sleep with her, bloody girl. Mireille knew that Kirika would not get much sleep tonight, and part of her was glad.
However,... the main part of her was crying, and she realised, as she felt the wetness on her cheeks that the angry part of her was simply trying to cope with the shock. After all it was her fault. She wanted to be professional, but was simply becoming cruel. It wasn't over emotional to sleep with Kirika, it helped them both to sleep soundly, and as such made them more rested. That was a very good professional reason.
Why did I have to lash out at her. She was just angry, and was right to be. But now... I bet she's crying... Like I am... It was true, the tears would not stop flowing, nor the sobs from sounding.
In the other room Kirika was staring blankly at her wall. The room was empty. She was in it of course, but that didn't help dispel the lifelessness of it. Her attitude being lifeless anyway. She wanted Mireille to be here,... needed her.
Why had she been so angry. She knew why. Because Mireille had abandoned her so... It was like a child's response, if left alone it would become angry at the person who left it. Resenting it's mother for leaving it alone and resisting contact for a while. And Kirika, through her childish reaction, had driven Mireille away. Perhaps ... for.. ever?
No, no, no. She begged to herself, Please no. I'm sorry Mireille, I'm so sorry, I don't want to be alone. I need you I love you. I don't want to be alone.
There were tears spilling from her eyes, falling untouched onto the quilts.
"I don't want to be alone..." She begged quietly.
She went unheard.
...I'm cruel I know. ... Someone kill me, I deserve it. You find when you write a fic or any story that you become attached to the characters, and it pains me to write such an unfortunate turn of events for Mireille and Kirika.
P.s. Koblenz Stolzenfels and the history around it were as accurate as I could get it. And that stuff about children being angry and resistant when left alone... Psychologically proven by, Ainsworth's strange situation study.
"See, I do listen in class!" Chapter changed due to mistake with the tea, pointed out by Phil. Thanks.