Alex gave Amanda a worried look.
"She's never this late." She said unwilling to admit that something had gone wrong.
"Think she got into some trouble?" Amanda asked, licking her sticky fingers clean. Alex's untouched pastry lay on the bench between them.
Eat me, Amanda. Amanda frowned. Alex sighed and nodded, her thoughts elsewhere.
"Knowing my cousin the way I do, yes, she's gotten into trouble."
You know you want me, Amanda. Amanda ripped her gaze away from the honey glazed pastry with some difficulty. Alex was seriously depressed.
"Oi, she's your cousin, nothing could have happened to her that she can't handle."
I'm so lonely all by my little bitty self. Alex sighed again and absently caressed the pommel of her sword. Amanda flinched, remembering Alex's skill.
"Okay, if I was a wanted criminal who'd just been attacked, where would I go?" She asked, oblivious to Amanda's dilemma. Amanda restrained herself and thought about the question.
I'm so light and fluffy on the inside, and my honey shell...oh! To die for ((Amanda)) Which I would if Alex caught me.
"To the nearest gate, ne?" Alex nodded. "And the nearest gate from Molly's inn would be... the Merchant's Gate." Alex said with satisfied smile. "So that's where we look first." Alex stood up determinedly and struck a heroic pose. "To the Merchant's Gate, Amanda!"
Common, just a nibble. She'll never know it's missing.
"Ah, Alex." Amanda tugged gently on her cap.
"Yes?"
"Are you going to eat that?" She pointed to the self-declared lonely pastry.
"Of course." Alex swallowed it whole, much to Amanda's dismay.
Tough luck, Toots
"Why, didja think it was calling you?"
Watching the two bounty hunters from an alley a young blue haired girl smiled at her tall companion. "Looks like they enlisted the help of that changeling girl, Molly, huh, Inazuma?"
The brunette girl nodded.
"Yep. Let's go tell the others."
A short raven-haired woman watched the two sets of females go on their separate ways. "Hey, Hopkins," She called over her shoulder to the small blond playing with her chemistry set. "Yeah?" "Looks like both the AA team and the Justice Scouts are out after our targets." Hopkins let out a squeal of delight.
"Yea! That'll make it more fun when we bring those two in!" The black haired woman chuckled at her partner's enthusiasm.
"Yes, I'd say it's about time that we showed them how real bounty hunters operate." The blond hurriedly cleans up her things and follows her partner to the street.
"Vincent, wait for me!"
Zelgadis and 'Dancer exchanged glances. Molly was being anything but co-operative. With a disgusted sigh 'Dancer looked back at their captive.
"I guess we'll just have to resort to torture." She said, grinning maliciously. Molly edged away from the Latina.
"I'll scream." She warned. 'Dancer shrugged. "So? I can gag you. In fact, I think I'd better." She approached Molly menacingly.
"Don't bother." Zelgadis placed a restraining hand on 'Dancer's shoulder. "I believe I know who she works for."
"Aside from the Inn? Who?" 'Dancer looked disappointed. Zelgadis gave her a disgusted look.
"The two who attacked us out side the Inn. You went and got them after you served us, didn't you?" Molly blanched, confirming Zelgadis's theory.
"Well, well. See, I told you that it wasn't your rugged looks that scare her off." Zelgadis glared at her. 'Dancer stuck her tongue out at him.
These two are crazy. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Molly's face. She cleared her throat.
"Ah, excuse me, but what are you going to do with me now?"
"Killing and burying her would take too much time." Zelgadis warned 'Dancer as she adopted a thoughtful look. 'Dancer shrugged.
" I know that. Let's just tie her up and leave her here. Someone'll find her before night." What? NO! Alex'll never forgive me if I let them out of my sight!
"Er, chotto, could you...maybe take me with you?" Molly asked, trying her best to look harmless.
"Why?" Her two captures demanded at the same time.
"Well, this isn't the best neighborhood to be left tied up in, if you take my meaning." Molly apologetically looked around. The neighborhood was definitely in one of the worst parts of town. And this way I can keep any eye on you.
As if. "She has a point." Zelgadis sighed. 'Dancer's jaw dropped. What's he being so nice to her for?!?
"Hola, any one home? Zel, hostage equals TROUBLE. Besides, she just trying to keep us in her sight until her friends come to rescue her. Just tie her up and leave her. If something bad happens to her, it's her own fault for spying on us." 'Dancer argued heatedly.
Zelgadis favored her with an unblinking look.
"I only look like a monster, 'Dancer." He finally answered, his soft voice loaded. Molly watched the blood drain from 'Dancer's face. Did I just miss something? Silent, 'Dancer turned away from him.
"Let's go." Zelgadis beckoned to Molly. Hopping off the barrel she'd been sitting on, Molly looked in confusion at the twosome.
"She's...not Lina?"
Zelgadis let out a bark of laughter and 'Dancer looked up, an unreadable expression on her face.
"Not even remotely." Molly looked crestfallen. "What, did her red hair confuse you? That's not even her natural color." He pointed to 'Dancer's increasingly obvious roots.
"You don't have to be rude." 'Dancer snapped, her pride stung. Ay! It's not like I'm terribly vain, but IT IS my hair! She glowered at Molly.
"Disappointed?" She asked, walking past the brunette. Molly thought of the double bounty with a wistful sigh. So much for getting out of the restaurant business...
"Are we going yet?" 'Dancer asked at the entrance of the alley.
The day progressed slowly, as the trio slipped through the city, from the poor ghetto area towards the more prosperous portion of the city. As the sun touched the horizon 'Dancer shot Zelgadis's silent form at poisonous look. He turned suddenly, as if he felt her eyes on him, and she quickly looked away. She was still angry with him, but he did have a point, and besides, why should she care if Zelgadis chose to keep a hostage? (Still it rankled.)
Molly stood a short distance behind Zelgadis, her back to 'Dancer, lost in her own thoughts. For a hostage, Zelgadis had treated her very courteously. Molly wondered what he had done to warrant the bounty on his head. He wasn't a cold blooded killer, even if he was distant and had spoken somewhat sharply at 'Dancer, not that she hadn't deserved it. Also, as she spent more time watching him, he really cut an elegant figure, despite the hood and veil. The grace of a large feline, she mused when something poked her.
"Oye, chica, you want something to drink żo no?" 'Dancer held out a waterskin. Molly politely took a sip, then spat out the coffee.
"Ack, no sugar." She wiped her mouth as 'Dancer drank deeply the bitter liquid.
"You'll get cramps that way." She said slyly. 'Dancer's eyes flashed dangerously, but she held her tongue. She passed the skin to Zelgadis who absently shook his head at the offer. 'Dancer took advantage of the break and sat down on a discarded crate. Molly did likewise.
"We'll wait here until twilight." Zelgadis announced suddenly, then realized that the girls were one step ahead of him. "Don't get comfortable all at once." 'Dancer yawned and gazed up at the deepening sky.
"Molly," she murmured after a long moment. "Yes?" "Why were you running around naked?" Molly made a strangled sound as Zelgadis glanced back at the two of them.
"She's a Changeling." His voice carried the faintest hint of mirth. 'Dancer sat up a little straighter.
"What's a changeling?" Molly stared in amazement at her. "What backwater are you from that you wouldn't know what a Changeling is?"
"I'm from a very isolated place." 'Dancer replied coolly.
"A Changeling is a person with the ability to shapeshift into any animal form that the person wishes. Usually a Changeling has a animal form of choice. I'm guessing Molly's is a bird form." Zelgadis calmly answered 'Dancer's question from his vantage point in the lengthening shadows.
"Raven, actually." Molly smiled ruefully.
"What's the difference between her and a werewolf?" 'Dancer wanted to know.
"Werewolves can't change back to full human or wolf form." How rude! Molly answered coldly. "Not mention that they're dirty, uncivilized brutes."
'Dancer smiled mirthlessly up at the sky. "You never met Marium, obviously." Molly cocked an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Nevermind."
Dusk settled over the city, and at the edge of the great road that bisected the city three figures moved semi-silently in the dark.
"Would you kindly stop walking on my feet? I'm busy using them myself." 'Dancer snapped at Molly, who'd stepped on her heels for about the fifth time.
" Sorry , I can't see in the dark you know." Molly growled back. 'Dancer stopped and glared at her. Molly belligerently glowered right back at her. The stare down lasted until Zelgadis grabbed 'Dancer and spun her around.
"Esta no es ni el tiempo ni el sitio." His voice was icy. 'Dancer quelled inside, but her face remained blank.
"Yo comprendo, Zel. You can let go of me." Zelgadis dropped his arm and gave Molly an almost concerned sideways glance. I wonder what he just said...
When did he learn Spanish?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
" Ahem , if you're done arguing, we'd appreciate it if you'd give us your undivided attention." As one the trio turned and stared at the speakers.
Amanda and Alex stood in the middle of the deserted street.
"You sure took your time." Molly grumbled.
"Nice to see you too 'Cuz. Lina Inverse and Zeldisga Greywers-"
"Alex, it's Zeldagis Greywers." Alex looked at Amanda slightly perplexed.
"You sure? That doesn't sound right."
'Dancer glanced at Zelgadis, who was getting crosser and crosser.
"Guys, it's Zelgadis." Molly ended the debate with an annoyed voice.
"Are you certain about that Molly-san?" Amanda asked. Molly stomped her foot.
"Yes I'm certain, I'm the freaken' hostage. Hurry up and save me!"
Finally, something I can hit. "Let's rumble, baby." 'Dancer smiled an all too sweet smile at the bounty hunters, upholstering her bo.
Zelgadis beat her to the action though. Grabbing Molly, he held his dagger to her throat and casually told 'Dancer to put away her weapon.
"I suggest that you let us by, ladies. You wouldn't want anything to happen to your cousin, would you?" He asked pleasantly.
"Let them go, Amanda." Alex whispered hoarsely. Amanda opened her mouth to argue, then flinched at Alex's glare. The two stood still as the trio walked past.
"Oye, Zel, what if we just dump the girl around the next corner?" 'Dancer asked in a low tone as they moved out of sight of the two bounty hunters. Zelgadis opened his mouth to answer when the street lit up.
"Stop you evil doers! Release the girl or face the terrible swift punishment of the Justice Scouts."
Standing at the enterance to the main intersecting road were four young teenaged girls. 'Dancer suddenly let out a strangled sound and sank to her knees.
" Sacre madre mia. They really exist?"
Each of the girls were dressed in similar, strangely reminiscent of fuku, clothing. Each girl had a different color scheme, the blond leader in white and orange, the sais wheedling raven haired girl in white and red, the tall brunette armed with a bow and arrows in white and green, and the short black haired girl in white and blue.
"Someone you know?" Zelgadis asked, unimpressed.
"Someone I'd rather not have known." 'Dancer said looking up for the first time since she'd fallen to her knees. Molly and Zelgadis could see tears flowing down her face and it suddenly struck them that 'Dancer was laughing so hard that she could barely breath. 'Dancer stuck her hand out.
"I fail to see what's so funny." Zelgadis helped 'Dancer to her feet. She brushed a tear away and smiled at him. "You...had to be there."
"See, even the terrible Lina Inverse knows to fear us! Surrende-"
"Oi! They're our bounty, you can't take them, we already called dibbs!"
Amanda and Alex suddenly appeared from behind angrily waving their swords at the Scouts. The Scouts only drew their weapons and waved them back at Amanda and Alex.
"Inverse and Greywers are ours, so go find your own bounty somewhere else." The tall brunette made a face at the duo.
"You know, I'm really getting tired of being confused with Lina." 'Dancer grumbled.
"Kuso- I'll teach you to be rude to me, FIRE-" Alex held her hand up like a pitcher ready to swing.
"DOWN!" As 'Dancer became one with the pavement Zelgadis pulled Molly down and shielded her.
"BALL!" Alex hurled the spell with all her might at the offending teen as the brunette yelled "THUNDER CRASH."
Alex's fireball grew larger and larger, and even larger as it boomeranged back at her and Amanda.
"Erk-!"
The lightening lit up the night further before, in the nature of lightening, it struck the tallest object, which happened to be the brunette.
"Inazuma!" The other Scouts cried in horror as their tall comrade collapsed in a heap. Behind the wanted party, Alex's fireball disintegrated a large building. Both hunters, although able to avoid the feral spell, were knocked unconscious by the shock wave.
'Dancer looked around then stood up and brushed herself off as nonchalantly as she could.
"And you said spell-sickness was a bad thing." She shot at Zelgadis as he helped a somewhat unsteady Molly to her feet.
"You've got spell-sickness?!" Molly gasped, feeling physically ill to her stomach at that revelation. That's why I can't shift-
"Yep!" 'Dancer answered all too cheerfully for Molly's liking.
"No one use magic, the witch can warp it!" Cried the blond. 'Dancer glowered at her.
"Witch?"
The taller black-haired girl stepped forward and branished her sais.
"Lina Inverse, I don't know how you did that, but you will pay for harming our comrade!"
"You and what army?" 'Dancer asked, unslinging her bo. She caught Zelgadis's eye out of the corner of hers. "Get out of here."
"I, Hono'o, challenge you, abazureon'na."
"Who are you calling a perra, puta?" Both females charged each other.
Twin battle cries piercing the night ended in a thunk. 'Dancer smiled grimly at Hono'o, who suddenly found it difficult to maneuver with both her sais pierced through the staff.
"What, can't move?" She asked sweetly, forcing the younger girl back with her sheer strength. Hono'o tossed her head angrily.
"No matter," she growled, and attempted to leg sweep her. 'Dancer noted the shift in her weight the second before and jumped up, landing a solid double front kick to Hono'o's unprotected chest.
"Ite-" the raven-haired girl's exclamation of pain was cut short by the elbow strike delivered to her head. With a tiny sob her eyes rolled back and she slipped to the ground.
"Hono'o! Die, you fiend!" 'Dancer barely dodged a well aimed spear thrust by the blond. Lowering her weight and stepping into the charge of the leader, she slipped her bo under the spear thrust and into the blonde's gut.
The blond sank to her knees before opting to sit the rest of the battle.
"Seiryoku!" The remaining girl, who had been cradling Inazuma's head, slowly rose to her feet.
"What sort of demon are you, Lina?" She asked, her voice trembling. 'Dancer looked over her shoulder at the white and blue clad girl and felt something akin to pity for her.
"Two things. First, I'm not Lina Inverse. And secondly, I'm ten times the demon that your target is." She yanked the sais out of her bow, then slipped them into her belt.
"Wh-what are you doing?!? Those belong to Hono'o!"
"Your friend shouldn't play with weapons she doesn't know how to use properly." 'Dancer turned towards Zelgadis and Molly, slightly surprised to see them still standing there.
"Why haven't you go-"
"HIIIIIYAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
'Dancer turned, bo in the defensive position. The short girl's short sword sliced through the stressed wood and pressed closer to 'Dancer's throat.
"Shi-!"
CHINK!
Cold steel laid against her throat, deflecting the younger girl's blade.
The girl, her eyes red from weeping, drew a ragged breath as she tried to disengage her sword from Zelgadis's. 'Dancer didn't even blink as she larynx struck the girl. With a sigh the girl dropped.
'Dancer let out a little sigh of her own, then turned to face Zelgadis who stood directly behind her, so that the back of her head had actually been directly in front of his face.
"Thank you." She murmured. Zelgadis smiled faintly as he stepped back from her and sheathed his dagger.
Oh Gods, she's good, he's even better, Alex and Amanda are out of it and I'm STILL the hostage. Molly thought despairingly as the two turned towards her.
"Can't we just dump her here?" 'Dancer asked softly. "We could just leave then." Zelgadis nodded.
"Molly, yo-"
"Halt there, state your names and business, in the name of the king."
'Dancer buried her face in her hand, as Zelgadis leap over and grabbed Molly a second time. Not again.
Again?!?
"Sorry Molly." Zelgadis apologized as he held her tightly to him, so the guard wouldn't get any fancy ideas about heroics.
What a pain. "This way." 'Dancer lead the way down a side-street.
Once out of sight, Zelgadis put his dagger away (again), picked up Molly and literally tucked her under his arm as he raced to catch up with 'Dancer.
'Dancer ran as fast and hard as she dared through the twisting backways, hurling over discarded crates and piles of junk, and sliding under dilapidated fences. She could hear Zelgadis directly behind her, running along side of her when the alleys permitted.
"Enjoying the ride?" she gasped at Molly, clearing another pile of refuse.
"Save your breath for running." Zelgadis chided, sounding unwinded. 'Dancer rewarded him by sticking her tongue out at him. Lawn ornament.
I'mgonnadieI'mgonnadieI'mgonnadie.
"Look out! Dead end!" Molly's timely yelp kept the trio from running into a brick wall.
"Mierda!" 'Dancer spat, turning on her heel to face the coming guard.
"Chotto!" Molly, no longer being carried, knocked 'Dancer into a pile of refuse, grabbed Zelgadis, spun him around, and passionately kissed him...
...just as the town guard turned the corner.
"About face!" The captain ordered quickly, not wishing to disturb the young lovers.
When the last guardsman's footsteps died away, Molly relinquished Zelgadis's lips and raced over to peer around the corner. 'Dancer extracted herself from her impromptu bed of discarded mattress filling and looked at Molly with admiration. Wish I had thought of that.
She walked over to Zelgadis, brushing off several pieces of straw. Zelgadis, who hadn't so much as blinked since Molly commandeered his mouth, stood stock still. Molly returned to their side with an all's clear.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked as 'Dancer waved a hand in front of his face.
"Creo...he's in shock." 'Dancer looked up at Molly. Molly was surprised to see respect reflected in her eyes.
"How'd you know that would work?" Molly smiled and shrugged. "I know the captain of the guard. He's a romantic like that." 'Dancer shook her head in mild disbelief.
"For what it's worth, thanks." She said softly, turning her attention back to the statue-still chimera.
"Ah,...oi, what are we going to do with him? The Guards gone, but the bounty hunters will soon catch up." 'Dancer's eyebrows disappeared into her bangs.
"So you're on our side now?" she asked. Molly nodded solemnly.
"I...don't believe that Zelgadis-san did all those terrible things, not after how nice he's been to me." 'Dancer stared at Molly, a smile playing on her lips.
"Ah, I see, you're doing all this for Zel." She said with a low chuckle. Molly blushed prettily. "And here I thought that the kiss was a smokescreen."
"Matte!" Molly became even redder as 'Dancer returned her attention to Zelgadis.
"Molly, go stand over... there." She pointed to a spot behind and to away from Zelgadis.
"Can I ask why?" Molly asked as she complied.
"So we don't put him back into shock by seeing you first thing after I pull him out of it." 'Dancer reached up and looped a single strand of purple hair around her finger. She paused suddenly and looked at Molly over Zelgadis's shoulder.
"Diga me, what was it like?" She asked. Molly turned a shade redder and coughed.
"Let's just say... very nice."
"Indeed."
'Dancer yanked with all her might, then jumped back as the strand broke free with a sprong sound.
"Ow!"
Zelgadis's sword sliced through the air where 'Dancer had been standing nanoseconds before.
"Buenas dias, Romeo." 'Dancer smirked at Zelgadis, holding up his hair for him to see.
"Shall we be going?" she asked nonchalantly as he glowered at her.
"Yes, the bounty hunters won't take long to find us if we stay here much longer." Molly concurred, stepping into view.
Wow, I've never seen that shade of purple before.
(Molly) Wow, I've never seen that particular shade of purple before.