((I'm so glad I'm "allowed" to post again. You probably guessed that in the long period in which I was absent, I typed all of this in anticipation, neh. Guess what else? The whole Shadow-as-a-kid-in-a-spaceship thing was inspired by...:drumroll: EPCOT! The mission space ride is soooo fucking cool! I actually did character advocate that whole day, but it was too easy to envision a chibi Shadowness all psyched and hyper ready to blast off into space. The little foot-pounding thing was me... I was excited, neh. And I thought, what would a hedgehog do in this situation? Muscle memory told the legs to RUN! Anyway, I liked that chapter. This one is all planned out as well. So, let's get to it, shall we?))
Knuckles: but, we didn't get to say anything...
Sonic: yeah, and chilidogs.
K: ...stop copying me...
Sn: I'm not copying you. Then I'd have to say grapes.
K: GASP! You said grapes!
Sn:...have you been drinking red bull again?
K: YES!-!-!-!
Sn: ...by the over-usage of punctuation, I'd say the echidna speaks truth. Bad. Bad Knuckles. No milkbone.
K: ...what?
: Sally: yay, I'm on someone's hit list. Anyway, by the royal power vested in me I hereby denounce on Aeyvi's account any ownership to Sonic or anything pertaining to him save her own creations. :
A: that was lovely, Sal-sal.
Sa: yeah, I've had some practice...
Chapter 6- Confrontation
The scene opens on a quiet castle, a lamp-lit graveyard bearing the remains of royalty. The night was waning slowly, and the time may have been about three or four in the morning. The chill still clung to the darkness, materializing in the form of some stray mist gliding sparsely over the tombstones and undisturbed resting places. This was where he went to train.
High up in a large oak, he dangled a foot, sharpening one of his beloved knives. The eerie atmosphere didn't faze him in the least. He didn't believe in walking dead. Living dead, on the other hand, he'd seen. That still made him shudder occasionally.
He watched the coarse stone slide along the smooth, bright surface, hearing the clear chime of the blade. Sharp enough to cut through bone with little difficulty. Holding up the knife, he looked momentarily at his own reflection. Hello... Who are you? Hell if I know. He chuckled, sheathing one weapon and pulling out the other.
He almost dropped the knife as a whirring sound was heard, jerking out of the way as something wrapped itself around the trunk where he had just been. He leapt from the tree, whipping the second knife out once more.
"Coward! Show yourself!"
A dark form could be seen against the mist, lit from behind by the orange of the electric lights. The silhouette showed the being wore a long trench coat and a hat, tipped at an angle, the rim of one side pinned up. It stood for a moment silently.
Espio crouched as the humanoid form bounded to the branch he had occupied and removed its weapon from the tree. In looking at it from his current view, he could see the weapon was made of four leather balls and a length of sinuous string.The figure swung the thing over its head expertly, one hand outstretched to keep the target.
Espio just shook his head and smiled. They really thought they had a chance...
In an instant, the chameleon was gone from sight.
A feminine chuckle could be heard from the form; she stepped off the branch and landed as if she had only taken a step.
"You can't hide that way anymore, Espio...Not as long as you're heart's beating..."
Two large membranous flaps extended from her head.
'Her again,' he thought.
He had to swerve out of the way as the bowlies were flung at him again. She reached for her back and pulled out a large, bladed boomerang.
"Nowhere to hide..."
Kai stepped casually to the side as several throwing stars whistled past.
"Desperate, are we?" she chuckled as she swung back, wrist bent, then launched the boomerang with surprising force.
Espio had to bend backward to avoid the spinning blades. This caused him to fall, rather unfortunately, into an open grave.
She caught the boomerang skillfully, chuckling as she put it away, picking up a shovel as she walked slowly to her prey.
He lay still for a moment, trying to quiet his rapid breath. He could hear the light footfalls of the assassin, taking her sweet time. He looked up at her grinning face as she gazed down at him, shovel in hand.
"I appreciate your courtesy. You make things much easier, you know? Shooting snakes in a barrel! And when I'm done, you'll have a nice grave, too."
"Not yet."
The chameleon leapt from the gaping hole, tackling the basilisk lizard. The two reptiles tumbled to the ground in a haphazard wrestling match. He managed to get some good punches in, but she kneed him sharply in the groin, causing him to falter. His concentration was not broken, though, and he cracked his forehead against hers. She cried out in pain, slamming her gloved fist into the side of his head. He cracked their skulls together once more before pinning her to the damp grass, locking his legs around hers.
"It appears we're at a draw, my good friend." she said breathlessly, turning her head to spit a mouthful of blood. She chuckled, turning back to him, her teeth stained red.
"I don't want to have to kill you, but if you're going to persist, I'll have no choice."
"An appropriate place to die, wouldn't you agree?" she laughed, pressing her body up against his.
"You don't want to kill me...I don't doubt you have many plans for me, but you don't want to kill me..."
"What 'plans' do you think I have?" he asked, frowning.
She grinned, biting at a swelling lip. "all sorts of plans..." she arched her neck and kissed him suddenly.
This, being very unexpected, caused our practiced ninja to lose his concentration, lose his invisibility; and lose his hold on her.
She kicked him away with little difficulty, rising to her feet and wiping the blood from her mouth angrily. Espio stood hastily as well, spitting the blood that had transferred when she had kissed him.
"Do you have any idea how indescribably repelling that was? To think I had to kiss a man to save my own life... and YOU of all men..." She reached behind her once more, whipping out her hugecurved knife.
"I shall cut off your tongue for that, and keep it in a jar as a trophy."
"Wait a minute, you kissed me!"
He evaded her first attack, grabbing her wrist and twisting her around, snatching her other wrist in the process. Before she knew it, she was kneeling on the ground with her back to her opponent, both arms caught in a painful knot held together by the bodyguard.
"Who sent you? And don't lie to me this time!"
"I came on my own."
She cried out as he tightened the lock, and a soft cracking sound was heard.
"WE NEVER SEE HIS FACE! HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW WHO HE BLOODY IS?"
He thought this over for a moment, ignoring her loud growls of pain.
"I'll let you go if you promise never to come for me again."
"Alright. We'll be here all night then." She laughed painfully, clenching her sharp teeth in a mix between a grimace and a grin.
"You're impossible..." he hissed.
"That's what they tell me."
He let her go, turning his back on her.
"If you persist, you will die. It is a certainty."
"Oh, it is, is it? You think you can kill me?"
"Obviously you think you can kill me."
"I don't think I can, you bleeding ninny...I know I can. I'll get around to it..." she glanced at her watch. "But unfortunately, I'm off the clock as of the moment. Tomorrow morning at one?"
Espio smirked deviously. "It's a date."
And with that, the assassin calmly retrieved her bowlies and walked away, slinging them over her shoulder.
"That..." Espio said to himself once he was alone again, "was interesting."
-o-
"WHAT?" Knuckles had shouted incredulously.
In looking over the note again, I corrected myself.
"Oh, wait, sorry. That's not what it says! Silly me!" and I ducked to evade a punch.
"Ok, seriously. 'Hey, Knux. Guess who? Ok, anyway, yeah. Sorry for not writing. You must think I'm some kind of evil bitch, huh? Well, just because I haven't written doesn't mean I'm not still thinking of you'...oooo...this part's juicy...want me to go on?"
He snatched it from my hands. In looking at the following sentence, he blushed. Ha ha! I wonder what happened in the airport bathroom anyway... Ok, focus! Telling a story here... I watched as he continued to read. I guess it was good news because he looked relieved, and when he'd finished it he held it to his chest and sighed. Awwh! He misses his hunni! I was about to make a joke but he realized how he must've looked and set the letter down, glaring at me an' Tails.
"Where's the envelope?"
I handed it to him and he shook it. Three pieces of paper drifted into his lap.
"She sent three round-trip tickets to her parents' country. For some reason she wondered if you guys would like to come." he was obviously displeased.
"Ok, tell ya what, let's get you home and you can decide when you're sober." I offered. Whether he liked it or not, that's what was going to happen. He nodded sadly in defeat, climbing into the back of the Tsunami. What a cool name if I may say so myself.
For the next ten to twenty minutes, Tails and I struggled with Knux's bitchin-ass bike. For such a bitchin-ass bike, it sure was a heavy bastard. We finally managed to stuff it into the small storage dock and were soon on our way back to the Island. I guess I kinda hoped nothing had happened there while we were gone. I doubted it.
-o-
Three weeks previous in Tuskanon...
Well, Mum and Daddy took to Tarsa instantly. In fact, my mother gave her a hug before any words were exchanged. That's a little unlike her, but you have to understand she hadn't seen her own daughter in twenty years...
Now that the catching-up was well under way, I left them alone with her. I supposed they needed time to get to know her. Anyway, I was beginning to wonder where my Shadow had got to... it was a rather large estate, covering thirty-seven acres house and stables alone. Not to mention the servant's quarters and the vast land our line owned... but I won't brag, not I.
He had said something about going to find his room. I, of course gave him directions to my private wing (yes, I have my own wing), being that I fully expected him to be bedding down with me. That's not selfish is it? I guess he thought it might be inappropriate. Ah, I'm sure I can get my dear parents to understand. I AM a big girl now, heh heh...
I was on my way to help in preparations for dinner (which would no doubt be an event in itself) when I saw the large door to the "play room" open. Ok, I dubbed it that. The CORRECT title for it would be the master garage, but one keeps their toys in the play room...
"I see you've found the Diablo." I observed, flicking on a light to expose the culprit. Sure enough he was reclining in the leather seats of my favorite deep black Lamborghini, hands gripping the wheel and an expression of ecstasy crossing his hard features.
"Exactly how I felt when I first sat in it." I chuckled.
"Karpa... Can I marry you now?"
Oh, how I'd wished he were serious.
"Not until you help with dinner."
He looked at his reflection in the rear-view mirror, slipping a hand to the stick shift.
"One test drive?"
"Out. Now."
Damn him, he gave me one of those seductive smirks, raising an eyebrow. He patted the seat next to him, beckoning me.
"If you think I'm going to do THAT on Italian leather..."
"I could find some plastic to lay over it..."
I had to laugh at that one. "Shadow, no means no. We'll have time for that later." I winked, resting a hand on my hip. He sighed and raised the door- they open vertically, you see- and reluctantly got out. He looked around, marveling at my other 'toys,' my red Plymoth Prowler, the powder blue Ferrari 360Spider, the pearl white 1967 RollsRoyce Silver Cloud that belonged to my mother...then to my prized Porche Speedster in deep gold, black and red flame decals on the hood and sides.
"That's my baby." I mused, smiling proudly.
"Speedster, huh? Heh...I'll show you a real speedster..."
It took my brain a moment to react to the sudden tight embrace. He had been at least several yards from me a second ago... he truly was a fast one... but I quickly responded, kissing back with more passion than necessary... Oh, come on, Karpie! We don't have time for this!
"Shadow... Shadow, as much as I want to continue... Dinner's in an hour and..."
He sighed, giving me one last peck before drawing away and walking to the door.
"I'm getting that test drive..."
"Yes, yes, fine. To the kitchen."
My basic duty in the kitchen and dining hall was to make sure everything looked right. I'd fired the woman in charge of that a long time ago. My mother is a perfectionist and only I can satiate her when it comes to presentation. A seven course meal in Tarsa's honor... good lord, she wouldn't even be able to fully appreciate the gesture! Escargot, seven varieties of caviar, these were things I'm almost sure she had never come in close contact with. In fact, I'm sure she didn't even know what escargot was...
Maybe it was better if she didn't know at all...
I sensed disaster coming on...and a headache...
-o-
It's true I don't get many breaks, or very often at that, but the exercise session I had the night before earned me at least a few drinks...
It's hard to think of me as a drinking man... I'm not really... I try not to let the stress of my job get to me. But for the first time in my life, I was the target... not my client.
I finished off the small pitcher of sake (the thing only holds about four shots) and ordered another. Damn American-made shit doesn't hit me like the authentic kind. The trick is to make it hot, not lukewarm as Japanese custom permits. It absorbs faster... I guess... who the hell cares? I was on my third little pitcher and I had begun to find little use of the tiny cup they gave me, just downing the whole damn four shots in one gulp. I'll take time to savor it another day.
It was virtually the only bar in town that served sake, a little fancy place that had been a real bitch to find. It's fortunate my salary permitted a little indulgence now and then... I was alone for the most part. Some old tippler sat across from me, playing with his gold watch. Hiding from the missus? No doubt. I stared blankly at the little empty pitcher, thinking about that damned assassin. She reeked of Australian influence. She even used genuine Aborigine weapons. Such skill I had never before seen. I only hoped she'd give up and leave me alone... such hopes influenced by the alcohol which was finally setting in...
I heard the door open and shut behind me, apathetic to whoever it might be. The newcomer sat next to me, though, which was a little annoying. I looked up, swaying slightly.
In the next instant, I had stumbled off the barstool and had drawn my gun. Reflexes are getting a little slow... Oh fuck...
It was the assassin, of course. She just turned her head to look at me, frowning slightly in confusion.
"What?"
"WHAT? What do you mean WHAT?"
Her frown just deepened as if she were worried for my mental health, then she turned to the barkeep.
"Two doubleshots of wild turkey...an' give one of 'em to this guy. I think he needs it."
I stood there in rising bewilderment, hyperventilating and trying to make sense of it all through my slowly-draining mind. She's buying me a drink. Okaayy...
"Come on, then. Sit. I won't bite." She beckoned, jerking her head to the seat next to her.
Logic had left me at that moment. What the fuck. She didn't look too bad... and she wasn't trying to kill me... and she was buying me a drink.
I sat next to her, putting my gun back into its holster and taking the glass that had been placed in front of me. I finished it off in one gulp, then looked to her for an explanation.
"There, now. Isn't that better?" she asked, grinning.
"Why?"
"Why? Oh, why am I not killing you! That's actually a good question..." She looked to the TV above the bar absently.
"You didn't answer it."
"Oh, I thought I did." She raised an arm and pointed to her watch. "Off the clock. We don't have to be enemies until tomorrow morning at one." She then gave me a hearty pat on the back. "And besides, I haven't had a drinking buddy for awhile...he died... oh, that's sad..." She gulped her whiskey, pounding the glass on the bartop.
"One more round, my good fellow!"
Well, that's an Australian for you. I accepted the next drink gladly, my rising confusion needed to be drowned and quickly. She tapped her glass against mine, and we both emptied our doubleshots simultaneously.
"I give up trying to figure you out." I said, feeling a slur coming on.
"Most people do."
"I see why." We sat in silence for a moment. The mixture of whiskey and sake giving me courage, I decided to ask a bold question.
"Just out of curiosity... Do you have a boyfriend?"
She looked at me for a moment, mouth pursed as if she were trying not to laugh.
"No, can't say as I've ever had one."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I find men to be better friends..."
"How's that?"
"We agree on many things."
This was interesting. I prodded further.
"Like what?"
"Women are one, confusing and two, fun to play with. So therefore this makes them three, very desirable."
It just hit me. She was a dyke.
I lay my head on my arms for a moment, staring at the wooden surface of the bartop, trying to figure out why I was disappointed.
"Hey, man, thanks for the drink." I said without looking up.
"No worries!" she said gleefully. "Just one more round."
"Sure, alright."
(((LAA! Another wonderful chapter! Was that one longer than usual? I can't tell. Anyhoot, it's been fun and review. BTW, Pat the Kitsune... how old are you? because if you're under 17 I'm going to have to spank your little hiney! Shame shame shame.))
Sonic: and more shame!