Giddyfangurl206- I don't want to kill you so here's what you've been waiting for.
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Nori- Yeah the Tigress/Wolf storyline is a little sad. I'm going to try to uncover their relationship and write about it in the next chapter.
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On with the SHOW!
Mamba and Raven
Hyena turned sharply, barely missing another dart and dagger. He made a low rumbling noise and produced his swords. Bear did the same, unsheathing a large pair of handguns.
"Two can play that game!" Bear growled, not hesitating to unload a round. He kept going until the only noise was that his labored breathing. He stopped, waiting for sign of life.
The seductress, Mamba, climbed through the window sill. Her leather getup was torn and dirty from her climb up the fire escape.
"Bear, sweetheart, you must control your anger," she said sweetly. She walked over to him, sliding a slender finger across his cheek. He shivered under her touch. His weapons clattered to the floor, and he spun around, knocking Mamba straight through the wall. Her blue widened in surprise as she hit the debris covered ground on the other side. She lay there. Bear turned to Hyena, who was trying to find the stealthy Raven.
Hyena moved noiselessly through the tiny loft checking every corner for the assassin. His elf-like ears straightened at the sound of someone breathing. He stalked into the kitchen, poised for a kill. He drew near to a shadowy corner of the room; Hyena was sure Raven was hiding in its depths. Hyena raised his sword and struck, but he hit something hard.
He reached down and picked it up, only to see it was a now-destroyed tape player. He began spin around until a debilitating pain raced through his left leg. He howled, sending the sword clattering to the floor, and clutched the painful area. He fell a warm, sticky liquid run down his leg and realized he was bleeding. He reached farther, only to feel a dagger lodged in his calf. He turned around to see the elusive Raven, clad in a leotard and a cloak. Hyena growled, knowing he'd been tricked.
"You always were gullible," she said in her trademark monotone, twirling another dagger in one hand, "Come on Hyena, you fell for the old tape-recorder-hidden-in-the-shadows trick? I give you credit for actually finding it though. My hearing certainly isn't that good." He sprung at her, wrestling the dagger out of her hand. She blinked in surprise.
"Come on Raven," Hyena asked mockingly, "Don't you know that you have to kill a hyena? If you injure them, it'll only make them angrier." Raven glared at him, not sure what to think. Each readied their weapons, preparing for full on battle. They circled each other and finally rushed one another to begin a battle only one would survive.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Bear and Mamba had littered the floor with bullets and darts. They dodged and ducked, weaved and shot. Bear held a two large handguns emptying cartridges at Mamba. She blew the darts at him furiously.
"Ha…. You call that straw a weapon?" yelled Bear, unimpressed her dart blower. She shot a dart, hitting him in the forearm.
"Ouch!" he cried, prying it from himself before the deadly poison could seep in. "That's it little girl, I ain't holdin' back now."
They shot each other until each ran out of ammo. Mamba looked surprised, because she knew she had brought more darts.
"Looking for these?" he said. In his hand was a large pocket containing most of Mamba's darts. She breathed in sharply, knowing he must have seized in their fight. In a flash, Bear had flipped out a lighter and set them on fire.
"Why you--" Mamba rushed him, vengeful for her lost darts. She clasped her hands around his thick neck and began squeeze with all her might. Bear gasped for air pawing fiercely at her, trying to get her to loosen her grip. Finally, after a long struggle, his hits stopped and his brown rolled back into his head. He had slipped into unconsciousness. She let go and he fell to the floor with a thump.
Mamba smiled and picked up one of Bear's guns. How do slaughter a bear, she thought, you shoot it. She picked up one of Bear's discarded gun and started to reload it.
Raven threw yet another dagger, this time catching Hyena in the shoulder. He flinched but did not hesitate in slashing Raven on the arm. The floor was covered in blood turning the white tiles a deep pink. She gulped; she was in pain. But she would give Hyena no pleasure in knowing this. She was getting slower as she lost blood. Hyena, on the other hand seemed more energized then before even in the same position. Suddenly Hyena faked a blow and managed to slash Raven's cheek. It was a thin cut, but it ran the length of her temple to her chin. She dropped her weapons. She remembered the last time this had happened…
Flashback
"Get some brandy, you damn girl!" Terrence roared. He was mad, madder than she'd ever seen him.
"Yes, father." The girl mumbled breathlessly. She didn't want him to beat her like he did in his fits…
"Get going then!" He roared, slapping her hard across the face. She stumbled back into the couch and ran for the kitchen before anymore blows could come her way. If she didn't get back soon with his brandy, she knew she was going get it. She reached up the liquor cabinet, her small 8-year-old body barely able to reach. She reached around for the brandy, only to find the bottle empty. She ran for the door, not even putting on a coat. She could make to the convenience store for some brandy and back if she hurried.
She ran in the pouring rain away from the shack she shared with her father. She rounded the corner and felt relief wash over her as she saw the store. Dodging cars and bikes, she crossed the street. She entered and hurriedly grabbed a bottle of brandy. She fumbled in her pocket for money to pay, only to find she had forgotten it.
She looked at the register. The cashier was turned around, sweeping his area. She shoved the bottle under her shirt and walked briskly out of the store. Thank goodness I wear these loose shirts, she thought. She sprinted home, her bruised and cut body and the brandy hidden by her billowy shirt.
She raced through the door. She opened the bottle and poured it into a large glass. She spotted a cleaver sitting in the sink and grabbed hiding it in her pants. She hurried back to the couch were her father sat and handed it to him silently. He looked at it and her and sniffed it suspiciously.
"It took you an awful long time to get it. You probably put arsenic in it!" He shouted.
She felt her heart drop. He would use any excuse to beat her.
"You're gonna get now!" He threw the glass at her. It shattered on the wall beside her, renegade pieces raining down on her. One scratched her cheek and she stood there, trembling, blood dripping down her cheek. Her life flashed before her eyes. He was going to kill her. She looked at him and something snapped. She pulled the knife.
His eyes widened. "Raven!" he cried. It was the last thing he ever said.
She sprang at him, burying the knife in his fleshy chest. She kept stabbing and stabbing even when she knew he was dead. She went in to the kitchen and washed the blood from her hands emotionlessly.
She went outside running into another child, maybe a year older then she. He had brown hair and deep green eyes.
He studied her and said "You're bit beat up aren't you?" She said nothing.
"You look hungry. Want something to eat he asked?" ha asked, looking into her violet eyes. She nodded. He dug in his pocket and gave her a sandwich. Isn't wasn't that good but she ate it ravenously.
"Got a place to stay?" he asked when she finished. She shook her head. "Don't say much do you?" She said nothing. "Well, I got a place you can bed down awhile."
He silently her through the streets until the at last came to a small house with a gang symbol on it. He led her inside to a bedroom.
"There are clean clothes in the dresser. Madam Arella runs this place. She is the best knifesmen around. Maybe she'll teach you some stuff. She'll take care of you as long as you need it." She nodded and he turned to leave.
"My name's Raven." She whispered.
"Hyena." he replied and left. She sat down on the bed and watched the rain splatter on the glass of the window. She never saw Hyena, her guardian angel again.
End Flashback
Raven snapped back to reality. "I can't kill you, Hyena." She whispered. She let go her dagger, letting slip onto the floor.
He looked at her. He too dropped his weapons. "I couldn't hurt you even if it cost me my life." He stared up at her with his deep green eyes. She felt herself tremble.
"Hyena--" She started until she realized the absence of Mamba and Bear and Venus. Something was wrong. Hyena sensed it too. He dashed into the living room.
Mamba had leveled the revolver to Bear's chest.
"NO!"
Hyena ran between the two. Mamba lost focus, but only for a second. She pulled the trigger as Raven ran into the room.
Raven watched Hyena crumple to the ground. Mamba started to shot again, to finish him off. Suddenly, she felt her self choke on something warm. She reached up to feel a something protruding from her throat. A dagger. She tumbled to the ground, death enveloping her. She gagged and then it was over.
Raven walked over to Mamba, a woman who would stop at nothing to get her way. Now, she lay on the ground, Raven's dagger sending her to Hell, where she belonged. Her blue eyes were glazed and held a thousand mile stare.
My last kill, Raven thought. Then everything went blurry and she drifted toward unconsciousness.
Raven….. Raven…..
A sweet voice called to her. She opened eyes. A face was above her.
Raven…..
She lay still, allowing her eyes to focus. Tigress's angelic face stared down at her.
"Tigresss…..?"
"Shhhhh, do not talk friend. You have lost much blood. Bear filled me in on last night's events. He was awake and tending to you when I came home from work. We disposed of Mamba's body, cleaned you up and put you to bed."
"Venus--" she started.
"She is fine. She hid in the secret bedroom."
Raven shifted on the mattress and rubbed her sore cheek, fingering the cut. Oh no where was…
"Hyena!" she cried, tears welling in her purple eyes. He had been shot and she hoped desperately he had not been shot.
"Calm down Raven….." came a weak voice at her side. She turned her head to see Hyena lying next to her on the mattress. His head was wrapped in a bandage and some blood had seeped through. His bare chest was wrapped in many bandages. His green eyes warm and smiling looked back her. She didn't if she had been so relieved ever. Worrying about Hyena, she thought, what's wrong with me.
"You look like hell." She said bluntly.
"As do you." He replied cheerfully. His laughed but it turned into a grimace. Raven sensed his pain.
"Don't hurt yourself." She said, trying to hide her worry.
"Yes friend Hyena, please rest," Tigress agreed. A sudden blast resonated through the loft. Tigress flinched. "Bear and Venus are playing with gunpowder again." Stated Tigress with annoyance. Raven chuckled. Only Bear and a child could be so easily amused.
"I better go get them; we're going out for dinner. We will bring some back for you two." Tigress rushed out of the loft leaving Raven and Hyena alone on the mattress. They were silent.
About 30 minutes after the others left, Hyena finally spoke. "I'm hungry. I am going to get something." Before Raven could discourage him, he rolled out of the bed and stood up. He shuddered, the pain of moving was almost too great. For the first time, Raven saw all of his injuries, for the sheet had hid them. Other than the heavily bandaged chest and the wrapped head, he had a cast on one leg and various cuts and bruises. He wore only a pair of pajama pants.
"Nice pants. They look like candy canes." She commented. He grinned and shuffled towards kitchen. He was sluggish and every part felt like lead. He stopped after 6 feet to catch his breath.
"Let me help you." Raven leaped out of bed. She was bit sore, but nothing major. She slipped her arm through the crook of Hyena's. She mentally slapped herself for being such a softie and for Hyena of all people. Hyena paused and gave her a look to make sure she wasn't tricking him. Satisfied that she was for real, he let her help him to the kitchen. With each step he felt himself grow stronger. And he couldn't wipe the smirk off his face. Raven was actually helping him. The remarks he could say…. No, he thought, don't blow this. She's being helpful and somewhat kind.
They made to the kitchen, neither saying a word.
Hyena inspected the fridges and cupboards for food.
"Oh look," he said to Raven, who was sitting at the kitchen table, "Ramon." He reached in to grab it. But his hand brushed something else. A radio. He took it out and plugged it in. He fiddled with the dial to find a station they would both enjoy.
Soft rock, he thought, no she won't like that to much. Classical, defiantly not. Rap, no. Hip hop, no. Pop, no way. Oldies, ok I guess. Its innocent enough.
He filled a pot with water to boil for the noodles, tapping his uninjured foot to the music.
"Could you stop that?" Raven snapped. He stopped immediately and Raven felt bad at snapping at him. She stood up to help him with the cooking.
Suddenly 'I Think We're Alone Now' came on the radio. Hyena paused for a few seconds and grabbed a celery stick.
"Children beeehhhhaaave," he sang into his celery microphone. Raven fought back a laugh. He stared at her as he sang, serenading her.
That's what they say when we're together,
And watch how you play,
They don't understand,
And so we're,
She glanced at him. His green eyes were filled with adoration. She looked away, not bothering to suppress her smile. He was just too cute. Stop it, she said to herself, don't you dare fall for him. He's chauvinistic, annoying, childish…..
Running just as fast as we can,
Holdin' onto one another's hand,
Tryin' to get away into the night,
And then you put your arms around me,
And we tumble to the ground,
And then you say,
…..And really hot. No he's not, she thought, focus Raven. Focus on the carrots your peeling. But she couldn't her eyes kept wandering to those of the man singing next to her.
I think we're alone now,
There does't seem to be anyone around.
I think we're alone now,
The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
Don't give in Raven, she pleaded with herself, he'll only hurt you. But of course, she thought, I can't I do this just this once? She stopped peeling the carrots and stared at him with mock annoyance.
Look at the way,
We gotta hide what we're doin'.
'Cause what would they say,
If they ever knew and so we're,
Hyena felt himself almost faint when he saw mouthing the words with him, staring at him. She was singing?
Running just as fast as we can,
Holdin' onto one another's hand,
Tryin' to get away into the night,
And then you put your arms around me,
And we tumble to the ground,
And then you say,
Raven sang with him, grabbing a carrot to sing into. They danced around the kitchen, each singing every other verse. They stared into each other's eyes, each looking a little vulnerable.
I think we're alone now,
There doesn't seem to be anyone around.
I think we're alone now,
The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
And for the first time in a long while, Raven felt happy.
I think we're alone now,
There doesn't seem to be anyone around.
I think we're alone now,
The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
Raven laughed and smiled, and Hyena didn't think he had heard or seen anything more beautiful in his life.
Running just as fast as we can,
Holdin' onto one another's hand,
Tryin' to get away into the night,
And then you put your arms around me,
And we tumble to the ground,
And then you say,
Hyena danced with her, both forgetting the injuries. They were cracking up, almost unable to sing the verses.
I think we're alone now,
There doesn't seem to be anyone around.
I think we're alone now,
The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
And at that moment, Raven realized she loved him. She stopped, stunned by this fact.
I think we're alone now,
There doesn't seem to be anyone around.
I think we're alone now,
The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
And then Hyena leaned over and kissed her. She felt as though time stopped, and she wished that they could stand there forever, his soft lips on her cheek and happiness and love filling her soul.
I think we're alone now,(alone now)
There doesn't seem to be anyone around.
I think we're alone now,(alone now)
The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
Hyena pulled back slowly and wanted to slap himself. Kissing Raven? What was he thinking? But she was just so beautiful. Dancing wildly with him, singing along with the radio. She was perfect and he loved her. He looked at her, checking he reaction. She looked stunned, like a deer caught in the headlights.
I think we're alone now,(alone now)
There doesn't seem to be anyone around.
I think we're alone now,(alone now)
The beating of our hearts is the only sound.
And then she turned around and kissed him back and Hyena realized he could't live without her.
I think we're alone now,(alone now)...
Slade pounded the table. Mamba had failed as did Raven. But it wasn't over yet. He had one assassin left. Wolf. And he would succeed.
Aaaaahhhh, there's nothing likeBBRae fluff in the morning. This wasan extra long chappie for the loyal reviewers! Alright that's all for now. I'll try to get the last 2 chapters up before I go to camp for a month. Thanks for all the reviews. Remember how many reviews do I need? Five! Cinco! Fünf! Cinq! Cinque! Vijf! The number of assassins in the D.S.F. in Chapter 1! The number of people Terra betrayed! The number of times I could kill her for betraying my love, Cyborg! Just kidding. (Sort of) Until next time. Ciao!