Chapter 9: The Ice Machine
O-Ren had lost her advantage and was now parrying up against the wall. She hacked a few quick slashes at the attackers arm making her grimace in pain. O-Ren grinned wide knowing she had gotten back the upper hand. She raised her blade for another blow but Miss Kung Fu was quick and stabbed O-Ren in the calf. She yelped in pain, a hand coming down to hold to her newly acquired wound. At her moment of weakness the shorter woman rose up her blade for the finally blow. O-Ren lifted her arm up to block it. She waited. Bang. The half breed blinked as she felt herself sprayed with warm liquid. She peered out from her arm to see her opponent on the ground, a gapping hole in her head.
"Need some help?" Came that ever so sweet but rough tone of voice that belonged to no other. "Budd." O-Ren gave a wry smile as she wiped the blood off on the side of her shirt. "No need to thank me," Budd retorted as he blew at the smoke from the barrel of his pistol.
Vernita brought her hand up for another strike, but her attacker (now with a very bloody mouth) grabbed her arm and twisted it around painfully. Vernita screamed loudly. She could feel her muscles tear under the woman's grip. She flinched when she heard a loud gunshot echo through the stairwell. Vernita rolled over, cupping her hand underneath her body...blinking at the pain. She kicked out, catching her attacker under the chin. The woman fell onto her back. Vernita leapt on top of her. She could see her own knife just a few feet away. If she could just get to it this bitch would be out.
The spiky haired assassin saw her opportunity and jumped Budd from behind. She wrapped her lanky arms around his neck attempting to choke him to death.
Meanwhile, Beatrix's tube top opponent was nearing closer. The woman sprang at Kiddo, gripping to the edge of her black tank top. The pull was strong and Beatrix fell over the woman's back to land on the stair landing with a loud thud. She quickly rolled back to her feet. She made a dash for the stair well exit. She pushed open the door and came out into the hallway. The hallway was short, decorated in a similar fashion to the others only there was a set of elevators on the left. Beatrix whipped around to meet the woman again. "Are you running away from me, sweets?" Her annoying voice questioned.
"Nah, I was just getting tired of being thrown down the stairs," Beatrix retorted coolly. The woman didn't give up easily; Beatrix had to give her that. She removed a small hang gun from her side. Beatrix glared. The woman shot, the bullet whizzing past the blonde woman's head as she dodged. This bitch had to die. Holding tight to the handle of her SOG, Beatrix did a small circle around the woman; a snake cornering it's pray. "Any last words?" Beatrix inclined as she poised her weapon to strike. "You're a very unique person, I'll give you that, sweet cheeks. And you can be a real cunt, but perhaps that's why I like ya so much."
Slender brows rose. "I get that from a lot of people. But thanks any way."
"Praytell the name of my viper?"
A pause was given as blue eyes stared down her down in the manner only a killer could supply. "Black Mamba." With a flick of her wrist the blade shot through the air, taking the distance between them, and sticking straight through the woman's throat. Blood seeped out, her body fell to the floor, the Hong Kong woman's face holding a tight smile in her last breath of life. Beatrix stared a moment. Her features stood emotionless as she took graceful strides to the dead body, knelt down and pulled out her weapon. Her head shot up in alert as she heard the bing indicating the arrival of an elevator.
Elle was disappointed she had not had the chance to kill Jun's bodyguards. She ran at the elevator doors, but they had already shut. "Fuck!" she kicked at the closed doors. "That's useless Elle." Bill said, limping over to his and Jun's swords, he picked up his blade. "She's going for reinforcements." He limped back towards the elevator, slamming the button.
un and her three bodyguards stepped out of the elevator. They stopped suddenly at the sight of a young blonde Caucasian woman with a cut up face and the body of one of their own at her feet. "Get her!!" Jun yelled furiously, the remainder of her hair frizzing out.
The dopey smile on Budd's face vanished as he felt his air supply cut off. He brought his own hands up to grab at the arms tight around his neck. He grabbed effortlessly at her arms but she couldn't get off. He took back steps and hit the woman hard up against the wall and began supplying all his weight against her in an attempt to get her off. Spiky hair's grip only tightened. She made a small screaming noise as her body was smashed up against the wall...but she seemed far from letting go. As if to emphasize this point, she managed to wrap her equally limber and strong legs around Budd's torso....attempting to not only choke him out, but to crack his ribs as well.
O-Ren was about to help Budd when she heard Vernita's scream. She bolted down the stair way to see Vernita in desperate attempts to get her attacker. She took another step down but paused as her foot hovered over a knife. O-Ren knelt down and pricked it up. "Copperhead," she called in a clear tone of voice. "Catch." She threw the blade through the air in Vernita's direction. Vernita reached out and caught the blade's handle in midair. In the same swift movement she brought blade down in an large arc...the ending point; her attacker's stomach. The woman screamed, rolling into a fetal position. Bloody and feeling pretty much like hell, Vernita picked herself up off the ground. A good amount of blood, and the bodies of two of Jun's assassins lay on the landing. Vernita looked up the stairwell at the sounds of Budd's struggle.
Beatrix Kiddo appeared rather worn down and ragged looking with blood caked on her face and clothing, blonde bangs stuck against her forehead at the increased exaggeration. Though, this did not bring down her adrenaline. With a flick of the wrist droplets of blood flew from the dagger she held in her grip. Intense blue hues stared at the three body guards with a blood thirsty glint. There were two female body guards and a male. The two women approached. They withdrew two hand guns and poised them at the blonde. Bea was able to dodge the first set of shots, rolling behind a desk that was on the side wall. As one woman stepped close to the area Beatrix was hiding under, Bea took no time to thrust the blade in the woman's thigh. She pulled out the dagger, the woman yelped in pain. Dagger out Beatrix made a quick swift movement, the steel cutting deep into the leg, the blade wasn't tough enough to break bone but it got down to the root. The woman fell down, clinging to her leg in immense pain. Beatrix got up, her hands tight to the edge of the desk, she pushed it forward as the second woman came at her. With a grunt of needed strength Beatrix pushed the wooden desk at an angle against the woman and pinned her against the far corner with the sharp edge.
Beatrix took a few steps back, her breathing labored and sweat trickled down her face. Both female body guards were more or less down for the count. She heard the frustrated yell of a remaining body guard running at her. This time she wasn't quick enough and felt fists hit her in the stomach that sent her through the air and collided with the wall. She slumped a little as she coughed; blood stained the side of her lips. The determination didn't leave those blue eyes as the man ran at her, blade up in the air and ready to come down on her. Closer. Wait. Still closer. Wait still. Closer. Now. Black Mamba pulled her shoe up and snatched out a small hand gun. She cocked back the hammer and shot. The man paused, faltered and fell landing at the white woman's feet blood spilling from the chest cavity.
Bill waited about five seconds for the elevator, and then spun towards the nearest exit. "Fuck this..." Sword in hand, he burst through the door and thundered down the staircase. Elle quickly recovered her wits and followed him, scowling.
Beatrix stuck the gun to her side holster, she knelt over and used the black jacket of the dead man's suit to wipe the blood and sweat off her face. She than casually raised to her feet and met eyes with the frazzled haired woman. Her head canted curiously. "Jun Lo Zhao, I presume?"
Bill waited about five seconds for the elevator, and then spun towards the nearest exit. "Fuck this..." Sword in hand, he burst through the door and thundered down the staircase. Elle quickly recovered her wits and followed him, scowling.....
"You presume correctly," Jun replied in her soft lyrical voice, turning towards the blonde woman who had just single-handedly slaughtered her bodyguards She appeared to have regained some of her cool but it was apparent that most of it had gone with her hair. She was barely standing on her left leg, showing the damage from her and Bill's fight and there was an obvious twitch in the corner of her mouth. She looked Beatrix up and down, almond eyes a mixture of awe and contempt. "I simply do not understand. Yellow haired girl kills my bodyguards, my assassins so easily.....very, very strange." She seemed perhaps to be showing a sign of respect to Beatrix, but she quickly frowned and bent gingerly to scoop up a sword from one of the fallen bodyguards. "You and your foolish master bring disgrace to us." She examined the blood spattered blade of the sword, "Thus, you and your kind cannot understand the ways of a warrior." She looked at Beatrix, "You never will." With that, Jun brought sword up, Her eyes were blazing with something that Beatrix often saw, the fire of a true killer. "I am wounded yellow haired girl, but I'm afraid you stand little chance either way." Jun leapt forward with an amazing amount of speed.
Budd began a stressing struggle of his own against his attacker. Grunting in pain he placed his hands the women's ankles and began to twist them in a rather awkward and painful angel. He wasn't about to give up that easily either. The woman on Budd's back gave another yowl, yet her grip remained the same. She seemed somewhat oblivious to the pain in her ankles. With a vicious grin she bent forward and bit Budd's ear as hard as she possibly could. A hint of a smile came over O-Ren's delicate features as she eyed her darker colored comrade. Her head tilted to the side at the commotion from upstairs. "Care to finish off the bitch upstairs so we can get out of here?" She questioned nonchalantly. Vernita flashed O-Ren a wide bloodthirsty smile. "I couldn't agree more Cottonmouth." She dashed up the stairs with O-Ren. The sight of Budd with a woman wrapped around the back of his body was somewhat humorous....but the fact that she had latched onto his ear like some sadistic female version of Mike Tyson was rather disturbing. "Shit!" Vernita exclaimed leaping towards Budd and his attacker.
The yellow haired girl didn't seem faltered by the Chinese warrior's words. She had for a mere second underestimated the women's skills. Intense blue eyes widened as she quickly dodged out of the way of the approaching blade. She hit the floor, followed by a roll over till she stopped at the side of a dead body. No time was wasted as she snatched out a sword from the sheath of the corpse. Beatrix rose to her feet, blade in hand. A glimmer of a smile in her eyes as swords were one of her favorite weapons. She rarely had the opportunity to play with them. She rose it to meet Jun's, the two blades clashed together, vibrating at the force of impact. Blue hues stared back into her brown hues, sparking the same amount of fury and killer instinct within them. "I believe it was you that showed a great disrespect to us," she hissed back. Long white fingers clenched to the hilt of the sword, pressing her body weight against it to try and gain the upper hand. "We weren't the ones that sent an assassin to kill another."
Jun was rather surprised to see the blonde woman's use of the sword. The sword was an elegant weapon used only by the most skilled of warriors. She was well aware of Bill's expertise but this young woman? Very odd indeed. Jun leaned on her blade; staring at the wide blue eyes of her adversary, "You do not understand our ways." she replied through gritted teeth, "Bill's lack of respect far outweighs mine. I have every right!" With that she swung out of their face off and followed with a series of deadly swings. All of which the blonde woman easily dodged out of. This was all very annoying. Jun leapt back, her injured leg coming off the ground, "You have some skills. I have underestimated you." She smiled thinly, "I will try harder next time." She bent low and leapt forward, blade stretched out before her.
Budd let out a yelp of pain as he felt his ear lobe gain an extra piercing. O-Ren had dashed up behind Vernita. She stopped midway, her head canted to watch the display before her. Her hand casually slid to the knife at her side. "Sidewinder, turn around please." Budd growled at her demand, "What the fuck for?"
"Just do it." The man complied with a tad bit of resistance. His attacker's back was now facing O-Ren as the half breed quickly raised her knife and sent it straight into the women's back area. The spiky haired, ear biter screamed her last. Instantly she let go of Budd and fell to the concrete with a shriek. In disgust Vernita kicked her in the head, silencing her. "Goddamn!" She breathed, exasperated. "You OK?" She looked at Budd,who, understandably looked a little shaken. Budd was rubbing his bloody ear as he shot a deadly gaze to the women dead on the floor. He kicked the body with the foot of his boot and spat on it for emphasize. "Yeah, I'll be fine," he mumbled half to himself.
O-Ren nodded tightly. "Good. Now, let's go find the others." Vernita nodded, agreeing silently with O-Ren. "C'mon..." she signaled to the others. They headed as a group, through the nearest door. Being back on that plane actually sounded pretty damn good to Vernita at the moment.....the sooner they get out of here the better.
Beatrix took a hop back to regain her stance. One leg bent back behind her as the other was bent forward in a rather traditional sword wielding stance. Blade held vertical to her body as it stood ready for the next attack. Her chin tilted down to her chest, blue eyes glared in an almost calm manner at Jun. "There won't be a next time," she corrected quietly her fingers flexed around the hilt. Bea decided to make the first move, the blade rose taking on a beautiful silhouette of the blonde warrior and her sword. With a snake's accuracy she came at Jun with deadly speed, sword slashing down upon her.
It wasn't all too hard to find where Jun was. Bill could hear the sword of sword clashing like a cat hears a can opening. Elle was on his heels. They burst through the exit door. The sight of Jun and Beatrix locked in deadly combat at the end of the hallway made Bill faultier just a tad. Elle stared with one wide eye. "Well, I'll be damned!" She exclaimed. Bill remained utterly silent.
Jun, despite all her smoothness and training, had not expected Beatrix's swift and rather adept attack. She wheeled backwards, sword flashing to match the blonde warrior's strikes. Her small pretty mouth was turned upside-down in frustration. The blonde warrior was matching the dark hair's slashes well. Evading attacks when needed but sending them back as well. Her features stood emotionless for a time, pale lips etched into a thin line of concentration. In backing up Jun made the slightest of mistakes. Her heel barely caught the edge of her silk gown and she stumbled a small half step. A seemingly minor and innocent mistake but a mistake nonetheless.
Jun's minor mistake immediately gave Beatrix the upper hand. She wiped the sword over her head and set the blade down to come horizontal to the Chinese women's neck line but she stopped inches before the sharp edge cut skin. A hint of a satisfactory smile tugged at the edge of her lips. "Tell Bill you're sorry," she instructed her tone deathly low. Of course, she had seen Bill and Elle's arrival, as concentrated as she was she always kept aware of her surroundings.
Jun stared at Beatrix for a few seconds, and then suddenly she broke into a long chilling peal of laughter. As suddenly as she started, she stopped. She looked completely insane.
Looking directly at Beatrix, instead of the newly arrived Bill, she replied in a deadly tone, "I'll tell Bill to burn in hell. It is the only place where he belongs. I will join him someday." She cocked her head to the side, "How lovely." In a desperate move she lashed out at Beatrix. Jun knew she had lost the advantage. She was off balance but it was obvious that meant nothing to her now.
Throughout this Bill remained unmoving, his expression completely unreadable. Elle stood behind him mesmerized. O-Ren followed the threesome down the stair well to the nearest exit. It was easy to hear the sword clashes from outside. They steadily stepped out into the hallway. Each stopped in a momentary bafflement as they stopped behind Elle to remain as spectators.
Perhaps the laughter was what caught Beatrix off guard this time around. She evaded the first swing in her direction but the second cut clean across the side of her left arm. That new wound began to trickle with a crimson liquid down her forearm and splatter to the floor. Blue eyes took on an intense fire that was only saved for occasions when Kiddo was extremely pissed off. "Bitch. If anything you're going to hell long before any of us ever do," she spat back, bringing her sword up to take another swing. This time it wasn't a game, it wasn't a show of how talented or deadly Black Mamba could be. This was just finishing the job.
Beatrix raised the sword over her head; her features stood emotionless, blue eyes took on a venom that almost stunned the Chinese warrior. Just as quickly as Beatrix took this stance, she brought the blade down, a soft warrior cry admitted, as the sword cut clean into Jun's neck. Decapitating head from body in one swift display. Jun had only had a few seconds to damn the yellow haired woman. She had realized her mistake and how she was paying for it. To the last she refused to admit, even to herself, that the woman known as Beatrix Kiddo had bested her. The rest of the Viper's stood in awe as Jun's head rolled to the middle of the hallway.
Vernita looked at Beatrix, beaming from ear to ear. Elle simply looked stunned as if she could hardly believe what had just happened. O-Ren was staring at the blonde with a new found respect but it would be hard to tell what it really was. Arms came to cross over her chest in an elegant manner. Bill's brother had his mouth agape and had yet to close it. An expected reaction for a man of Budd's stature.
Bill well Bill had a look of his own. His brown eyes were locked onto the face of the now departed Jun Lo. He looked pissed, but for anybody that knew Bill well enough, he was actually elated at the sight. His gaze rose to Beatrix, and a small smile touched his often cruel features. The smile was subtle, but it was packed tight full of messages perhaps some of them conflicting. All of them directed to Beatrix and Beatrix alone. He rose his sword to his forehead in salutation, fixing her with an intense gaze, "Well done Kiddo....."
All though covered in blood and sweat Beatrix Kiddo raised her own temporary sword in the same manner Bill rose his own. For once she wasn't one for words. Her own intense hues locked with his. A collaboration of emotions shot between them, neither was any easier to make out than the next. She blinked taking her gaze from Bill's and let the sword clatter down to the floor. Her own cruel and deadly facade was now taken over with a brief satisfaction and exhaustion. Eyes darted around to few the many faces before settling back to Bill once more. Her mouth was in a tight line, opened a fraction as if to speak, but she took actions against and walked down the hall to the exit.
After sneaking into the warehouse, it was somewhat liberating to just walk out it proudly. Everyone was covered in a good amount of blood and sweat some worse than others. But it was nothing more than the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad was used to. All in a day's work as they say.
They had returned to the hotel to clean up and apply some well learned first aid. The dark cloud over Bill's head seemed to have disappeared. He gladly helped everybody out, looking proud. Despite their moments, all of them worked very well as a team. This had been a major accomplishment and Bill, as well as everybody else, felt like celebrating. He proposed a victory dinner. They had to keep it somewhat low profile, since the news of Jun's Tiger's Claw massacre would no doubt spread like wildfire through Hong Kong. But they expected little anger at the group's sudden death.
It had only been a few hours since the group had strolled out of Jun's warehouse, when they found themselves seated around a large round table. Bill knew Hong Kong fairly well and had gotten them into a nice upscale restaurant/night club. The food was good, the drinks better. It was just questionable enough to make it a perfect choice. The restaurant side was decorated almost entirely in Chinese Empire red. Large red colored paper bulbs hung everywhere. The sound of the club side's music could be heard as a faint thump against the far wall. The help consisted of almost entirely female employees.
As soon as a large banquet of food had been spread across their table, Bill stood, drink in hand. He had changed into white kung fu silk's. "A toast," he smiled, raising his glass to a red bulb above the table, "To the best damn assassins...on any continent..." All five vipers rose up their respected glasses in absolute agreement to the toast. The mood of the table was cheerful which, was a rare sight when all of them were put together. Seeing that the drinks were better than the food everyone had their share of tipsiness but for once it wasn't enough to dampen the mood but made it more enjoyable. Everyone took a sip or gulp from the toasted glasses and proceeded to dig into the entrees.
O-Ren had to be one of the six that received the least amount of battle wounds. A few nicks and cuts and bruises but nothing too extensive. This was a good thing considering when they had first arrived back at the hotel she was able to help those more serious than herself. She was clad in a simple pale blue kimono to fit the setting. She sat at the table a look of solid contentment on her face, chopsticks in hand as she worked on her dinner plate.
Already on his third glass of beer which was an all time low, Budd was acting relatively sober. His wounds weren't terrible. His ear had to get a few stitches but luckily it didn't add an extra unneeded hole in his ear. Tonight he wore a black suit with a white button up undershirt. A casual but nice dress wear that he tried not to dirty as he inhaled his meal.
Beatrix Kiddo, she had a lovely assortment of battle wounds. None had hurt more than that bullet hole she received a few months ago but these were just plain annoying. A few stitches were needed for the gash on her arm. The two slash marks along her face had been applied with a few steri-strips to make sure they didn't open or become infected. The slash on her leg, which she couldn't remember how she received was given a band aid considering the small size. Bump and bruises were applied with ice a few hours before dinner and any swelling was prevented.
To try and take away from any displeasure of her wounds, Beatrix wore a gypsy style skirt, her usual style; this one was a forest green in color. She wore a white tank top beneath a sheer white long sleeve shirt, with flowey sleeves. Layered locks of blonde hair were blown out nicely and let loose. Her facade was a tad bit on the unreadable side but she made sure that happiness reigned over any other emotion. Chopsticks in hand she began to pick at her dinner plate. Everyone seemed to be eating away and this time she didn't feel comfortable breaking any silence. She'd leave that jump to someone else.
Elle, dressed in her usual white and black had never been very good with chopsticks. She had to ask the waitress for a fork. The waitress gave her a strange look. Pai Mai would have been very disappointed. With fork and hand, she returned happily to eating. Surprisingly enough she had drank very little thus far. After all, that was Budd's area of expertise.
Vernita had found a use for her slinky red skirt. She had topped it off with a black tank top and a small amount of casual jewelry. She was cradling her arm gingerly. There was little she could do for such an injury....for the most part it just took time to heal on its own. She seemed undaunted by it and smiled freely.
It was truly amazing how well the dinner was going. Perhaps everybody was too tired to be too much of a pain in the ass.
Bill, deftly wielding his chopsticks, reined over the proceedings, as was his calling and nature. It was hard to tell how badly he had been injured, or if he even had been injured at all. He had this way of concealing such things. He joked easily with the group and at one point shot Beatrix a look that could easily be misconstrued as a glare. But, in fact this was a sharp look of concern. Beatrix had probably received the worst amount of injuries and she seemed a tad on the quiet side. Then again, that could be one of many things.
At one point, Vernita turned to Bea, "You alright? Hell of a nasty fight. Shit, I wish I could have filmed that or something."
Bill nodded in agreement, tea in hand. "Most definitely worthy of the highlight reel."
Even Elle nodded, a large wad of chow mien noodles halfway in her mouth.
"I mean. I had no idea," Vernita shook her head, "I knew you were good but that was fucking amazing!"
Beatrix casually peered up from her plate that was half way cleaned off. A smirk and a red tinting in her cheeks could clearly be read as embarrassment. "Yes, well, now you know never to get on my bad side," she joked in a soft tone but shot a glare in Vernita's direction for dramatic effect.
"No shit," Vernita replied with a smirk, "Remind me never to fuck you over....." She snorted and went back to her food.
"No, really, Bea," Budd spoke up after swallowing the food that remained in his mouth. "Why such a display of power now out of all those other son of bitches we've killed?"
All eyes were set on her and for once she felt slightly uncomfortable. Perhaps it was something about becoming the center of attention. She lifted the napkin from her lap and patted the edge to her mouth. Lowering it, she spoke, "I'm not entirely sure. Decapitation seemed fitting." At this, Bill laughed quite heartily leaning back in his chair. He rested a very contented gaze upon Beatrix.
"Fitting and clean cut," O-Ren chimed in. Her gaze had lifted to Beatrix's amount before returning to scooping a wad of rice into her mouth. Vernita spoke up again, "Yeah, Budd's got a good point there. I mean we all knew you were good...hell we're all good. But that was pretty damn impressive. Shit, I'd bet you'd probably even be a match for Bill," she quipped.
Bill fixed her with a mock glare, "Well, now that might be going a bit too far. Her footwork needs improvement and I noticed at least three glaring mistakes. It was a good thing Jun was already scrapped up." He said all of this in good humor, it was obvious Bill was rather impressed. Beatrix shot Bill a glare of her own. That had to be one of the first times such a statement was said so openly. Bea wasn't entirely sure how to react to such a dose of information so she went back to her meal. "Hah, whatever you say Bill," Vernita replied.
Elle rolled her eye. Thus far she had not placed a single compliment in Bea's direction. "Yeah, well too bad Bea here doesn't have a Hanzo sword. I'd like to see what she could do with one of those."
Bill's expression turned serious. "That's because, Miss Driver, Hattori Hanzo swords are not simple toys to throw around." He glanced at Budd. "And even if that were the case. I have my doubts that Hanzo San would be willing to do me the favor anymore." He trailed off, sipping at his tea and leaving it at that.
''Oh, very mysterious!" Elle threw in snidely. "Shut up Elle," Vernita retorted. Elle just rolled her eye again and went back to her chow mein.
"Hattori Hanzo," O-Ren said in a cooing tone of voice. "I've recently heard from a friend in Tokyo that Hanzo has ceased his sword making."
Budd had finished what was on his plate and began dishing out another serving. He side glanced to O-Ren. "And why would he do that?"
"It's been said that our good friend Bill, here did Hanzo a great dishonor." O-Ren steadily raised her gaze to lock with Bill's, showing a hidden emotion of remorse than settled back downcast. "Ha, that's not a big surprise. Bill tends to bring that out in people." Budd flashed his brother a wide smile and shuffled a wad of rice into his mouth.
Kiddo had continued to keep hushed during the present conversation. She was eating her food rather contently but ears were open to take in the exchanged words of her comrades. A smirk tugged at her pink glossed lips and she pushed away her empty plate. She hadn't eaten a lot but it was enough to cease her growling stomach. "I'd love to try a Hanzo sword but with this new rumor it appears close to impossible," she piped in, slender brows rose a fraction.
"Impossible but probable," O-Ren clarified quietly.
Bill remained silent throughout Budd and O-Ren's exchange. He looked a little irritated. Slowly, he set down his chopsticks. "Hattori Hanzo...," he began quietly,".....and I...had some....shall we say, conflicts of ethical ideas." It was well known that Hanzo had been one of Bill's many "mentors" during his younger years. Somewhere along the line, Bill and Hanzo had had a falling out. Nobody was exactly sure why but Bill didn't seem open to discussing it much. Even now, he refused to dwell on it. "As far as Hanzo's possible decision to stop making swords.....well, I have a pretty good idea why." He studied his tea. "Hanzo thinks of himself as a master craftsman, which he is...I wouldn't question that. But, sometime ago he began to grow resentful of people using his swords to ruthlessly kill people. He found it disgusting and contrary to his art form." Bill shrugged, "Of course, I disagree....a weapon such as his should be used for nothing else. Such beauty deserves nothing less." It seemed for a moment that Bill was perhaps going to go into one of his usual women are like weapons analogies, but he went back to sipping his tea. "Shame...." he mumbled to himself nearly inaudibly.
"Hrn," Elle leaned her elbow on the table, "Well..that's pretty shitty."
Bill fixed Elle with a glare, "You have no idea."
Vernita rolled her eyes at Elle's typical comment. "Maybe it's a good thing Bill. The rarity of a Hanzo sword only adds to its appeal."
"That's true Vernita," Bill replied half heartedly.
"Hey Bea," Elle piped up...she had that glimmer in her eye, "Maybe Bill'll let ya use his Hanzo sword, if y-"
"Christ Elle!" Vernita cut the cycloptic blonde off.
Bill thought this was funny and laughed. "Nobody...." he waved a dangerous finger, "..touches my Hanzo sword. Now, Budd on the other hand is much easier bought..."
Budd exchanged a glare in Bill's direction as he downed the rest of his beer. Maybe he would start considering another glass full.
The other blonde found this quite funny as well. Her smirk grew wide and she canted her head in her blonde counterpart's direction. "Hey Elle, I bet Bill would let you use his Hanzo sword too if you--"
"Beatrix," O-Ren scolded sharply, pointing a chop stick in her direction. Beatrix rose knowing slender brows at Elle as she settled back in her seat. This was all in good fun she had no intention of starting a brathal with anyone. "Nah, Beatrix would have better luck with the whole 'if you would with Bill'," Budd spoke up before chugging down on his fourth mug of beer. Beatrix rolled her eyes and arms crossed elegantly over her chest, her mouth turned into a tight line in order not to make a smart-ass remark.
Bill laughed, "You all talk as if I was some kind of misogynistic epic woman loving bastard." There were a few laughs over this. "Believe me," Bill sobered up, "I have my limits and my Hanzo sword is one of them." Perhaps in a way, this was Bill's odd way of hinting at his complete lack of trust. No woman....ever, had really gotten to him in such a way. Well, at least not in such a way he was willing to lay her conniving hands on his Hattori Hanzo sword. Then again, maybe it was just another flippant comment. Bill was often hard to read.
Elle smirked, settling back in her seat. Beatrix hadn't taken the bait. Apparently she did possess some wisp of a sense of humor.
Vernita had found the whole thing pretty damn entertaining and she gave Beatrix a quirky smile. "I can't say I used to have these kind of conversations."
"Perk of the profession..." Bill replied with raised eyebrows. "You didn't used to shish kabob people in the skull on a regular basis either."
"You got me there." Vernita laughed.
"Speak for yourself Copperhead..." Elle said venomously. Vernita snorted, ignoring Elle. "I need a drink..." she massaged her arm, looking across the dim room for a waitress.
The rest of the evening went along quite nicely. Jokes and a large amount of sarcasm were exchanged from person to person. It was all in good fun and everyone had more or less enjoyed themselves. It was a friendly gathering of friends.
The Vipers arrived back at the hotel a few hours after midnight. All had their intoxication of alcohol which either in the end caused an enormous exhaustion to wear over like a rain cloud.
O-Ren retired to her shared room with Elle. "I am going to sleep," she stated in a soft tone that was laced with an inner threat. "Do what you'd like but keep it down---please." She than walked to the bathroom to change into her night time attire. Elle had nodded silently to O-ren and promptly switched on the TV. She turned it down and threw herself onto her bed, fully clothed. She switched the channels around until she found some stupid dating game show and, looking entertained, settled in.
Budd stumbled back into the hotel room and bluntly collapsed onto the bed. Seconds later one would hear a loud rumble of snoring from the bulky man spayed out on the bed.
Beatrix went to her room as well. She was worn with exhaustion and her body was beginning to ache. Sadly the alcohol only numbed her mind and not her wounds. Upon entering she quickly slipped on a pair of gray sweat pants, hand cut at the bottom to drop to her ankles, and a string lace at the waist. For the top she threw on a gray tank top similar in appearance to a sports bra but less fitting and clingy. Vernita was in the bathroom as Bea walked to the side table and grabbed up a bucket.
"I'm gonna go grab some more ice," she called through the sounds of rushing tap water. Bare feet padded lightly against the plush carpeting to the outside hallway. The ice machine was just down the narrow hall way and to the right, if she remembered correctly. Her only reason for going was to help with her aches and pains. Than it was off to sleepytime. Venita heard Beatrix and called back, "OK!" She went back to washing her face. She was exhausted....she was ready to drop.
When Beatrix came around the corner to the ice machine, she came upon a rather strange sight.
The flap like door of the ice machine was open. Bill had his head completely in the machine....the rest of him, still dressed in his kung fu silk's was leaning into the machine.
"Hi Kiddo.." his voice resounded odd and muffled from inside the confines of the ice machine. After a moment he pulled his head out. The lash on the face he had received earlier by Jun looked irritated. He ignored Beatrix's odd look. Actually, in the light of the ice machine she still managed to look stunning. Now that was a first.
"Great trick," Bill gestured to the machine. "I figured this out about twenty years ago when they first started putting these things everywhere. Works wonders." He pressed his hand up to his injured cheek. "By morning the swelling will be totally down." He stepped out of the way so she could fill her ice bucket.
Blue eyes stared at him for a long time. Beatrix wasn't sure whether to burst out laughing, continue to stare, or just go along with it. Her mind was fuzzy and she was having trouble interoperating the three options. She blinked out of her reviver, her tongue flicked out to coat her dry lips. Long white fingers flexed on the ice bucket handle before she dropped it to the floor. She didn't glance down to the fallen bucket but took graceful though slightly off set steps to the ice machine. A slender brow rose in question before she knelt down and stuck her head inside the ice machine in the same manner she had seen Bill.
Her reasons for doing this? The alcohol, the fact her face hurt? Or a mix of both. She only lasted a mere thirty seconds and popping back out. "Shit, that's cold." Hands came up to rub at her chilled features. Hands slipped back down to her sides, her cheeks were flushed and her nose took on a pink tip.
Once again, Beatrix Kiddo managed to surprise Bill. He had not expected her to stick her head in the ice machine....but for some reason, it was sort of cute......in a really weird way. He held back a bout of laughter as he watched her. But, he burst out laughing when she emerged from the machine. Her rosy cheeks and nose were priceless. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head, "Thirty three seconds....terrible. Once, I stayed in for over an hour. Then again, I nearly gave myself frostbite." He picked up Beatrix's ice bucket, filling it with handfuls of ice. "Not my brightest moment...."
When he was finished he handed her the bucket with a small smile. His voice dropped, "I know I said it earlier, but that was quite amazing what you did with Jun. She was no ordinary opponent....you handled it very well. I wasn't fucking around when I said all of that before." He searched her large blue eyes for a moment. For some reason he realized for the first time that she was nearly taller than he was. It was sort of annoying really. "You already had my respect Kiddo....but you continue to impress me. And believe me...that ain't no easy task."
Blue eyes locked and gazed into those hard brown ones. She pondered over whether to feel special that she was impressing Bill or flattered by it. Either way she couldn't deny that the compliment felt good. A real ego- booster. Realizing she had become lost in his eyes she immediately turned back around.
"It wasn't my intention to impress you. I was just doing my job," she clarified, her tone of voice deafly low. She really hadn't been trying to become the center of attention or trying to display the power she possessed. She was never one to boost about things and she stayed true to that.
Bill watched Beatrix closely. Her sudden turn, her clinging onto the bucket. There was no doubt that she was a complex person...something of a mystery really. It was, admittedly rather intriguing. "I know you weren't trying to impress me," Bill leaned on the ice machine. When she turned away, he leaned his cheek on the cool door, a pained expression on his face. Apparently the wound hurt allot more than Bill was putting on. "If you were trying to impress me," he continued, "I would have told you to get the fuck out of here. I hate that. You did your job and you did it well. That is what matters most to me." There was definite truth in that.
She held the bucket now tight to her chest, hugging it as if it were some kind of life saver. Beatrix didn't need saving, she could take care of herself but she had a few inner conflicts that could use a helping hand (which she'd never take anyway). Bea wasn't really sure why she was feeling so insecure all of a sudden. Especially around Bill of all people. She bit at her lower lip before speaking, "I've never done...that...before. I mean, hell, I knew I could do it..I just never did on..a human bean...and it's...wow... That and all those fucking drinks." Another wonder as to why Beatrix Kiddo was confiding in him suddenly. Of all people.
He listened as she continued. He could understand how she felt, even though he didn't say it or even show it. Similar feelings had died for him decades ago.....but he remembered. "Believe me Kiddo...you'll get used to it. Seems pretty weird now, but....it will grow on you. You're a natural born killer, I can see it. You were born a killer; you'll always be a killer." He shifted against the machine. "Don't ever try and change that. It would be an awful mistake." He could tell talking to him like this bothered her. "You don't have to feel weird about talking to me....you don' have to be drunk to do it either. Anytime you want....you can." He smiled against the cool door, "And I'm not trying to smooth talk you either. That would be highly unethical."
Beatrix turned back to him, she wasn't clinging as tightly to the ice bucket, her face stood emotionless, but blue eyes took on a glossy tint. She knew deep down that he was telling the truth. As much as they both seemed to lie when they didn't it was more than easy to see. A debate would pursue in her head later on and even years later on the subject of 'talking' to him. She blinked away that glossy tint and focused her eyes steadily on him. Bill had a charming air about him. The air was thicker tonight and she was finding herself becoming more engulfed in it. For once she was at a loose for words. A simple thank you didn't work and a smart ass remark wouldn't fit. Instead she gave a tight nod and lingered in place.
Bill smiled. It was at times like this that he remembered how old he was and how young Beatrix was. He had outgrown such awkwardness. If he wanted something he asked for it, if he had something to say he generally said it. With maturity came an impatience to beat around the bush. As one grew older it just seemed silly. One grew blunt and jaded. Perhaps it was simply because the years behind far outweighed the years ahead. Despite the moments of awkwardness, Bill realized that he often wished he could gain some of that innocence back. To be young and just a little scared wasn't such a bad thing.
He took his cheek off of the ice machine, putting his hands in his silk lined pockets; he pushed off of the machine He smiled knowingly, slowly walking towards her. Taking his hands out of his pockets he placed them on the sides of her chilled face. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I think I'll bid you a restful night Kiddo," he murmured into her skin. "You've drank a little too much and you'll just be mad at me tomorrow anyways."
This bit of information caused a smirk to fade over her features. "Why would I be mad at you?" She inquired in a gentler tone. Indeed she had drunk too much but she wasn't going to deny that tipsiness and numbness was a welcomed sensation. She idly and nonchalantly leaned forward and against him. A makeshift embrace if she went and actually put her arms around him. The alcohol wasn't helping with that growing maturity. Being close to him at that moment she found comforting. She felt like a lost child needing unconditional love.
Bill took the makeshift embrace for all it was worth. He smiled against her cheek, his hands now in her hair. "You would be mad at me if you did anything you would later regret." He continued on, speaking into her skin, "I'm not going to deny that I'm attracted to you...I think I've made that very clear. But on the other hand, I've often reacted on that simple emotion alone far too many times that I would be apt to admit and it's gotten me into nothing but trouble." Bill was unsure why the hell he was suddenly saying all of this, perhaps Beatrix's tipsy little confessions had gotten to him. "I refuse to get into trouble with you Kiddo; you're far too smart for that. And besides, for all I know, you find me repelling....or worse...like your father or something equally as disturbing. I have far too much pride in myself to fall into that trap." He stopped, smiling again, "See....even us cold bastards have moments of compassion." It was odd standing with her like that. Odd but strangely confuting. "But, if you ever feel the need to talk or....perhaps get into a little trouble......give me a ring."
Beatrix surely needed those words and feelings of closeness. She never thought of Bill as a father figure or so much older than herself. These could faults of her own. She never kept close to her real father when he was a live and since her own father was such a jerk off she thought of all father figures in such a manner and didn't want to acquire another. Her dampened mood began to clear up and a familiar facade came over her angelic features; amused but content. She tilted her head to the side, blue eyes coming back up to him, sparkling with mischievousness. He was right. Her mind wasn't in tune and she would most likely do something she'd regret. Luckily she had enough sense to stop before she went a head. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind." She reluctantly pulled away from his embrace, knelt down to retrieve the bucket of ice, and took a backwards step. "Good night Bill."
There was a reluctant little nod from Bill as Beatrix pulled away and picked up the ice bucket. "Hrm, yes that's the Beatrix Kiddo I remember..." he replied with a smile. He put his hands back in his pockets, watching her leave. "Goodnight Kiddo." His eyes followed her down the hallway and into her room. Blowing out a long breath, Bill turned back to the ice machine and stuck his face back in. He had just found a new use for the "cooling down" function of the ice machine. Good thing to keep in mind for future reference.
Bill decided to let everybody recover for a good day in the hotel before heading back home. He was appalled at himself when he woke up at 10am the next morning. He must have been more tired than he thought.
Then again, Budd was still sleeping in his bed.....snoring away his hangover. With a look of disgust Bill got up and began preparing for the day.
Elle was already up and watching TV diligently. There were all sorts of weird Chinese talk shows on. In the midst of this she ordered a huge breakfast via room service. Bill was paying anyways.
O-Ren was already in the shower when Elle awoke that morning. She came soon after dressed in a pair of casual jeans and a crimson blouse. Her hair was twisted up in a towel as she strolled into the room. Her brown eyes glanced to the television and than back to Elle. She raised a brow. "I hope you are aware that you are watching two Chinese couples debating about whether they should go doggy style or casual in bed," she noted this without a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Elle looked up at O-Ren, her blue eye widening. She started laughing, "I thought they were debating about if they should have children or get a dog....Hrm, well I guess I was a little off on that one." She cackled, taking a large bite out of a bagel.
Vernita had gotten up early to tend to her arm. She had it wrapped up ageist her body to support the weight. She had noticed that last night Beatrix had taken a hell of a long time to get some ice but she decided not to say anything...especially after Bea's little demonstration the day before.
It was nearing eleven o'clock and Beatrix was still sound asleep in the comforts of the hotel bed. She needed the rest as it was helping her body heal as well as taking away the hang over without having to be awake for it. The night before had been--odd and when she went to bed that night she was looking forward to waking up to her usual self. But until than she remained in dream land.
Vernita just let Beatrix sleep on.....she could tell that the woman needed sleep. She could hardly blame her. Deciding to leave Beatrix to herself, Vernita opted to head down to the lobby. Halfway there she spotted Bill coming right at her down the hallway. He was practially sprinting, a look of intense concentration on his face. "Vernita," he called, "we've got company....we've got to pack and get the hell out of Dodge now! I'll explain later!" He threw his own room door open. "BUDD! Get your lazy ass up!"
Turning back to her room, Vernita ran it and shook Beatrix, "Bea...Bea wake up!! We've got to move!"
"Five more minutes," came a muffled mutter from Budd as he held up a hand of five fingers. He jumped about five feet in the air when some object hit him harshly on the back. "Okay, shit, I'm up," he announced. Seeing the aggravated and intense look on his brother's face Budd knew he didn't have good news. He shuffled out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans and knelt down to stuff his clothes in his suitcase in an unruly manner.
O-Ren heard the shouts from outside. Her head picked up in alarm and she hit the television to turn it off. She took steps to the door and peeked her head outside. She spotted Bill standing a few feet away. "What's going on?"
Beatrix rolled over to face away from Vernita with a soft groan of annoyance. Another firm shake took her away from whatever good dream she was having and she sat up. Blonde hair was somewhat frizzed and there were evident black bags under her eyes. She blinked to clear the grogginess from her vision to settle on Vernita's frantic packing. Brows furrowed. "Fuck," she muttered. Bea quickly rose up from the bed to her feet, over come with a wave of dizziness she flopped back down to the bed in a bounce. Taking in a deep breath to regain herself she rose up again, slower. Moderate steps were taken over to the dresser were she began to hastily throw in her clothes to the duffle bag. She didn't need to ask what was going on. Vernita signaled it quite easily.
Apparently Bill had already packed. Either he was extremely diligent or he had thought something like this was going to happen. Standing between the two doors, sword in hand, he yelled into Vernita and Beatrix's room, "Hurry up!!" When O-Ren popped her head out, Bill just shook his head, "No time...I'll tell you later...." A number of hotel guests, who had been coming down the hall, turned and ran the other direction with gasps.
Elle repacked with an annoyed look on her face. Actually, she was packing like she usually did....stuffing clothes in haphazardly.
Vernita went to packing as soon as she was sure Beatrix wasn't going to flop back down on the bed.
Thankfully everybody was used to this sort of thing and they were ready to go within three minutes. Gathered in the hall, Bill signaled silently towards the back familiar back exit. They all made a mad, but efficient dash out of the hotel to the back lot where their limo was waiting. As the limo skidded around the hotel's corner, a group of suited men with an impressive array of guns came flooding out of the front doors heading right for them. Of course, by the time they had managed to get back into their cars the limo was well on its way to the airport.
Bill had alerted Max ahead of time. Hopefully, Max was sober. They piled onto the plane. Bill climbed into the cockpit, rambling a series of directions. Five minutes later the plane was in the air.
Vernita flopped into her seat, "That was a shitty wake up call."
"No kidding..." Elle kicked her shoes off, "What the fuck was that all about?"
Bill emerged from the cockpit, hearing Elle's question, "Looks like some sister gang found out where we were. I was down in the lobby and I took one look at the guy's handling the bags and knew we were in deep shit if we didn't get out there. My guess would be that this gang wanted to cash in on offing those who had killed Jun." He seemed actually pretty calm about the whole thing. "We'll just have to stay out of Hong Kong for awhile."
The rest of the plane ride back to Mexico was pretty uneventful and far less entertaining as the previous ride. Everybody was simply too tired and banged up to care.
It was nighttime when the private plane landed in the large field next to Bill's place. Everybody got off, hefting their bags with grimaces and trudged back "home."