Assassin

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Speedy felt a shiver go through him as he ran through the woods with his bow in hand. He made a mental note to take the heels off his boots.

Suddenly he skidded to a stop his masked eyes wide. In front of him was the reason for his flight through the forest.

A girl in a bright green kimono was standing in the clearing. A white, cat mask with a wide grin covered her face. Two long black braids slithered down her back. From her sleeves were five hooked claws. She bowed at the waist then leapt into the air spinning like a top to come slamming down on the masked archer.

Speedy rolled out of the way then aimed an arrow at the girl. She was gone. He lowered his bow and carefully searched the trees above him. His hands shook violently.

"Clam down man," he whispered forcing his body to stop shaking "Don't panic, panicking will only make things worse."

"Wise words." a soft female voice said from behind him. Speedy felt a knife press into his back, "Do not turn around. If you do I will slit your throat."

The archer gulped slightly as he felt his quiver strap being cut. The case fell to the ground with a clatter, the arrows spilling over the ground "I thought you didn't talk."

The girl chuckled "There has never been anyone to tell the world that I am able to speak. I only speak before I kill."

Speedy tried to calm himself. His heart was racing wildly "Cheshire, can I ask you something?"

"Since you are about to die I suppose it will not be harmful."

The red head closed his eyes searching for words "This'll probably sound stupid but… why do you want to kill me?"

The five knives pressed into his spine a little harder "The Brotherhood has requested that you be brought to them…"

"But they didn't tell you to kill me?"

"…….."

"So why are you trying to?" slowly Speedy turned around to face the young assassin "I don't know what happened to make you this way but-."

The claws were pressed against his throat. Anger boiled behind the grinning mask "You are a strange man. I try to kill you and you do not run."

"I was running in case you forgot." Speedy replied trying not to move more than necessary; those claws looked pretty sharp.

"Very well, you have peeked my interest. I will give you an opportunity to run." the knife's pressure left his throat "You have one minute."

Speedy rubbed his throat but made no move to leave. Cheshire cocked her head in surprise "Aren't you going to run?" she asked puzzled.

The masked archer shook his head "Why? You're just going to catch up with me anyway. I'd rather save my strength."

The girl cocked her head the other way "You are very strange." she nodded curtly to herself "I will give you a gift in return."

It was Speedy's turn to cock his head "A gift?" he repeated "You're going to give me something? What happened to wanting to kill me?"

Cheshire shrugged and tucked her hands into her kimono sleeves "I have never met someone like you. And I have met many people, Speedy."

The young man blinked from surprise "Okay… so what is this 'gift'? Please don't say a knife in my throat." he winced slightly.

Cheshire chuckled "No…" she paused then lifted her head "I will allow you to remove my mask but you must also remove yours."

Speedy considered. Cheshire was a world renowned assassin. If he could somehow give a description to Green Arrow it would put a lot of people out of danger. "Alright." he agreed.

Cheshire didn't move. Slowly Speedy reached out and pulled the grinning cat mask away from her face. He studied her for a moment.

Her skin was very Asian looking. Her dark eyes were slanted ever so slightly. Her cheekbones were high and from her face it was evident she was confused about everything.

"You look a little different than what I would've thought." he commented with a slight grunt. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Your turn."

Surprise darted over the face before him. Slowly a hand slid out of the kimono sleeves. With a flick of the wrist the knives folded back. Her fingers brushed the mask then pulled it away.

Speedy blinked a few times to get used to the air against his eyeballs. He stared at Cheshire who was studying him carefully.

"You look very…" she trailed off.

"Strange?" Speedy supplied.

Cheshire shook her head "No, I have seen many people like you. But somehow… you are different."

The archer shrugged awkwardly. He couldn't think of anything to say. Why was he allowing this to happen? Green Arrow was going to murder him. If Cheshire didn't first anyway.

But the assassin hadn't made a move. Her eyes watched him hungrily as if searching for something. Then slowly she knelt down and scooped up is arrows and quiver.

"Uh… thanks." Speedy said taking the bundle from her. He studied the strap for a moment and added a note to his mental list to make it from stronger material next time.

Then a pair of lips was touching his. Speedy jumped, the arrows clattering at his feet. Cheshire pulled away instantly. She backed up as if surprised then ran away through the woods.

Speedy stood there for a moment then tore after her "Cheshire!" he yelled "Wait!" he rounded a bend and nearly collided with the girl. He grabbed her hand ignoring the knives.

"Release me!" she cried angrily trying to tear her hand away. The steel slashed through Speedy's gloves and tore at his skin. Crimson blood dripped onto the ground.

"Cheshire, stop." the archer begged oblivious to his wounds "I just want to talk to you. What did you do that for?"

The assassin turned away "I do not know!" she turned and tears welled up in her dark eyes "Please forgive me."

Speedy frowned in confusion "For what? I'm not mad at you!"

"No, forgive me for this."

Cheshire spun quickly. Her thick braids slammed into Speedy's head. He groaned slightly and slumped to the ground. Cheshire sighed slightly then picked up the unconscious young man and began making her way back to the clearing she had just ran from. She picked up her cat mask and stared at its grinning face then at Speedy.

A tear fell to the ground as she slipped it back in place. The she opened her communicator.

"Speedy has been detained and captured." she reported softly.

There was a brief moment of static "Good. Bring him in." Madame Rouge ordered.

Cheshire nodded and closed her communicator. Then she knelt beside the fallen archer. She picked up his mask from where she'd dropped it and replaced it over his blue eyes.

Then with a final kiss on his lips, Cheshire picked him up and left the woods.

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I did this oneshot as a request from an anonymus(sp?) reveiwer. It was rather fun. I don't really know anything about Cheshire and Speedy except that in the comics they have a kid together.

Send more ideas!

Raven's Shadow of Light