"So how are you and Evelyn?"
Natalya looked out the window of her hotel while Susan asked that question. Her mind was elsewhere at the moment. Part of that was wondering exactly why Eve was taking so long. Another part was remembering exactly what Owen told her about Himiko's death considering where they were now. "She's doing good. We finally left Malaysia. I brought her to a town in Japan. Matsuyama, a nice quiet place from what I'm seeing. Seems like the perfect place to ease her in on another culture before exposing her to the busy side of the country.'
Susan sounded a little disappointed, "You're still babying her."
And she was tired of having this particular conversation, "I am not babying her. I'm making sure major culture shock isn't going to be a problem. I don't know the last time you've been to Tokyo but it can be a bit much for a first time visitor. And in our case..."
"All right, all right," Susan cut in, "I'll drop it."
"Finally," she mumbled. Natalya loved the woman to death, but she could do without he backseat driving when it came to her student.
"How is she coming along with defending herself?", Susan probably thought this was a safer subject. And it was.
"She's coming along great," she answered. "Once she figured out how to hold a sword properly she started to get the hang of it pretty quick. Although I think I may have to try that idea I had a while back about the pig spines to get her used to the idea of cutting off a head." Thinking of that made her think of Susan's old student Serenity, and of Keith. "How are things between you and Owen?"
"Fine," was the answer.
"That's good," she replied. "Because last time I talked to him, while he wouldn't say what happen, he did say something he did got you angry with him."
There was a bit of a pause before Susan answered, "He mentioned that huh? Something did happen, something I didn't agree with. But he knows where I stand and he's seems find with it."
"And you're not going to tell me either."
"It's a private matter between the two of us," Susan told her. "I'll let Owen decide if he wants to tell you what happened. He's not cheating on you if that's what you're worried about."
"A, I know you wouldn't keep that from me if you found out. And B, Owen know I would make his life a fucking nightmare right before I ended him," Natalya informed her. "But I can take a wild guess and assume it has something to do with Himiko's killer."
Another pause, "I'm not going to say you're wrong."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
"Nobody can know how obsessed a person can get with his grudges," Susan said.
Too bad Natalya had had more than a good idea what those grudges could do to a person. All she had to do was remember her father near the end. "We should have gotten a clue though, when Keith died."
"I don't understand" and the older immortal seemed genuinely confused.
"Owen did tell you how Himiko died didn't he?" she asked. "Helpless, one her knees and Owen powerless to stop it. Does that sound familiar at all? Because it became real clear to why he went fucking mental right after Dijkhuizen did it."
"You think Owen went back to that moment in his head."
"I don't just think it Susan," she said. "I told you before, you may have known him longer but I know him better than anyone. I can see it every time he mentions Himiko or Deborah. Hell I can tell exactly which one he's thinking about just by the look on his face And he's always looking a little sadder when it's Himiko."
"You almost sound as obsessed as he is,"Susan commented," to tell which one he's thinking about and all."
"Yeah, well you try competing with a dead woman," she mumbled without thinking. And immediately kicked herself mentally once she realized what she said. "Sorry, old baggage I thought I got passed. Back from when we tried living together the first time and I was slightly less mature."
"You know Owen doesn't compare you to them," Susan said, suddenly sounding like she did when she first started training under her. Old habits as they say.
"I know he doesn't, it just something I had a hard time with the first time around. It's just something I had to learn to live with. Just like Owen had to deal with the very few issues I bring to the relationship."
"Few issues?", Susan said in a teasing tone. Natalya could see the smile on her face she probably had. "I trained you for years young lady and I would say there's more than a few."
Natalya smiled, grateful for the change of subject more than anything, "Please I was the perfect student and you know it."
"Of course you were," Susan said, "It would explain why you looked so confused when I took that small branch off that tree after your first couple of weeks with me."
Her free hand went to her ass and rubbed it when that memory popped up. "It's not my fault they taught you bad habits in Nun school. Or any patience in dealing with a student."
"I will fly down, find a tree and show Evelyn exactly how I had to keep you in line back then."
"No, that won't be necessary," Natalya quickly said. Speaking of, she better find out where Evelyn was. She sent her out on a small task because she wanted her to get accustomed to the area but it's been awhile. "I hate to cut this off early Susan but I better get off of her. I'll call you later."
"Alright, take care of your self now."
"Always. Love you and keep me updated on Owen."
"You know I always do."
The phone call ended and Natalya went back to the window. Again, when did she become this responsible? Fortunately while they were still in Evelyn's home country Natalya bought her a phone. Well a better phone at any rate, something a little more modern than the hand me down her parents gave before before the girl's first death. No way an assistant of her's would be caught with something so outdated. So a simple phone call would answer this particular question. After a couple of rings she answered. "Where are you? That little job I gave you shouldn't have taken this long."
Sounding a little embarrassed she told her teacher, "I can't read the signs."
Young girl in a new culture Natalya reminder herself. "I t\aught you Japanese Eve," She reminded her.
"You taught me how to speak it not read it."
"So nicely ask for direction. You do nice very well I've seen it."
"I tried," she said. "well I start to but stop and walk away."
Here Natalya pinched the bridge of her nose, ""I had you broken out of that shell. It's easy to just ask for directions."
Her response was, "Easy for you to say."
Natalya eyes narrowed a bit, "Wait. Did you just talk back to me?" Normally she could have just imagined the horrified look on the girls face, probably expecting a lecture on respecting your superiors.. But instead Natalya went, "Aw, I'm finally rubbing off on you."
"What? No..."
"Oh yes. In fact I'm so happy I'm going to help you out. Just stay where you are I'll get you location from your phone." Natalya also made sure that phone she got her had a built in GPS just in case she did get lost in a new environment. Her father didn't raise an idiot after all. She found her soon enough, apparently being towered over by another immortal based on the way he looked in her direction as all of them felt the buzz.
Natalya quickly sized him up out of habit, Average height and build, suit didn't look like it would hinder his movements much, sword was probably somewhere in the overcoat draped over his arm. And he looked pissed about something. And as worried as Evelyn was looking at the moment this could go south in a hurry. Running up she quickly forced herself between her student and whomever this was. "Is there a problem?"
"I am not dealing with you woman." Great he was one of those. She glanced back at Evelyn trying to figure out what happen. The girl wasn't exactly being helpful in that department at this point.
"Well she is my student," Natalya said, not backing down from his gaze, "so now you're dealing with me. Now what is the problem exactly?"
"She disrespected me."
"He bumped into me," Evelyn said.
"You should have gotten out of my way! I am a busy man and don't have time for this nonsense."
"All right, let's just calm down," Natalya told him. "Obviously a bad day has been had somewhere and this was just the straw that broke the camel's back as they say. Let's just take a few deeps breath.."
"I challenge her," he said suddenly, but soft enough so nobody walking past them could over hear. "I will not let this disrespect go unpunished."
And now we just lost any chance of calming down and straight into trying to avoid a fight. "As her teacher that isn't her call, it's mine as I'm sure you are very aware. And you did cause it by bumping into her to begin with."
"Shut up woman." she was about done trying to play nice. Still she tried one more time to talk Evelyn out of this mess. Before she could get a word out he slapped her. "I said shut up!"
She was vaguely aware of some of the people around them looking at them and quickly leaving the area. She was aware that Evelyn put her hands to her mouth shocked. She was even aware of the still stinging sensation on her cheek. But right at that moment, she just had one thought, screw the bad day theory this bastard had it coming. Not really caring what he expected her to do she just smiled at him and said, "Would 'thank you sir may I have another' sound too cliche? It sounds a little too cliche."
"What are you doing?", Evelyn said trying to drag her away.
"Pay attention kiddo, important life lesson going on at the moment on dealing with a jerk with a superiority complex."
"You will not disrespect me," he said trying to intimidate her. Natalya just smiled which infuriated him even more. He tried to slap her again. She backed away just enough that the hand missed her. But he swung with so much force he turned around with the momentum. Natalya, never one to not seize an opportunity when presented, kick him in the back and made him stumble forward. Whomever this guy was looked back at them then at the crowd before running off.
"Come on kid,' Natalya said as she quickly herded Evelyn in the other direction, "let's get going."
"Is it over?", she asked.
"Not by a long shot," she told her. She's met guys like that jackass before. No he wasn't going to let this go at all, not until he was satisfied. She purposely directed them a few blocks away from the hotel they were staying at. Even hushed Evelyn when she noticed. But she wasn't just walking in hopes of getting away. Something Susan had taught her, based on habits she had learned in the era she grew up in. Whenever you are in a new territory keep an eye open for potential battlefields and learn the terrain because a potential enemy force probably will not it like the back of their hand. Same concept but smaller scale. The first few day here she and Evelyn walked around to get generally familiar with the town she located a couple of spot out of a habit that was drilled into her. If she read that guy right he'd find them eventually.
Almost on cue he stepped back into view, a straight sword in hand. Pushing Evelyn back she reached behind her head and drew her slim blade katana. He pointed the type of his sword at Evelyn as she calmly waked forward. "I want her."
"Well you're not getting her," Natalya said, swing the sword around a bit in her hand. "Unless you can't handle a real woman that is" He charged at her. Bracing for the force of the impact she blocked his initial strike. Pushing him back she came at him high and low, mainly trying to draw him away from this very open area and into the forest that was close by. Just to make sure she said something in Japanese, mainly something about the size of his manhood, which did the trick as he followed her through the trees. Sometimes men like this one made it too easy.
Turning back to face him she block another at her neck. With some effort she pushed him back again. "Still haven't given me your name," she said. "Kind of rude last I heard."
"You are not worth the breath it would take."
"How are the women not crawling all over you?" She went after him again. They blocked each others swings, testing each other defenses. After a few minutes of that particular dance she thought she got a decent enough bead on him that she could up her attack. But she wasn't over confident as she was sure Mr. Macho was doing the same thing. And if she guessed right...
He up his attacks, going for her neck every chance he got and trying to wear her down with just brute force. She guessed right. No finesse what so ever. Now it was all down to trying to get his timing. Because that was going to be the key to getting out alive. His sword came at her high one more time. She ducked just enough that it went over her head. She spun and swung low cutting deep into the back of his thigh. A primitive instinct made him grab at it. Bringing the sword around again she cut him down the back. He went down to a knee.
Holding the edge of her sword to his neck to freeze him in place Natalya slowly walked around until she was facing him. Still being careful to keep an eye out for any sudden moves on his part. He was still more angry than afraid, even in this position. Even looking at her with disdain filled eyes. Too bad he wasn't going to learn to grow out of this particular mindset. Still she couldn't help but get in one last jab, "Be glad I'm taking the right head." It confused him just long enough for her to bring the sword back and swing through his neck. His Quickening hit her faster than she was expecting. The energy ran through and assaulted her body, causing her to scream at the top of her lungs as she absorbed his power and essence.
Dropping to her knees after it was over she looked over to see Evelyn standing nearby. It wasn't the first time she'd seen her take a head or absorb a quickening, and unfortunately she didn't look as horrified as she had in the past. Unfortunate because she was starting to lose some of that wide eyed innocence she had when they first met. Natalya hated this life doing that to her but it couldn't be helped, wide eyed innocent didn't last long in the Game.
Still she offered her student a small smile, "That never stops sucking."
"Are you hurt?", Evelyn asked, getting closer than she ever had with a headless body around.
"Nothing that isn't already healing." With a grunt she got to her feet. Replacing her sword back into it's sheath she walked out of there with Evelyn in tow. "Okay Eve, we're going back into town. You still have a job to finish."
"Even after all of this? Don't you want to rest up.'
Putting an arm around her as they continued walking she said, "Another important life lesson kiddo, the world doesn't stop for anything. It might get delayed a bit due to circumstances but it keeps going. I gave you a task, despite a major roadblock, it still needs to be done. Don't worry I'll help you get there and be the moral support while you talk to the guy.'
"But I'm not fluent yet. I'll mess up."
"Best way to learn Eve, be right in the middle of it. Say the wrong verb. Get something totally by mistake. Try not to be put in jail." The girl look at her n horror."Maybe not now but back in the day saying the wrong thing to the wrong person could get you in a lot of hot water."
"Personal experience I'm sure," Evelyn said.
Grinning Natalya gave her a big squeeze as they continued walking, "See I am rubbing off on you."
