Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction ❯ Unveiled Emotions ❯ Fast Forward ( Chapter 32 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Rei laid her hand on Vicious' forehead. He slept soundly but Rei was concerned for their safety. Pheonix was seen rarely and Rei was beginning to wonder just exactly how close he and the Snarlaxes were. Pheonix entered the room and Rei glanced at him. Vicious stirred and Rei ran her fingers through his hair.

"Where have you been?" she asked as Pheonix pulled out a cigarette from the package.

"Keeping them at bay. It's been four days and nothing's happened. They're getting a little restless. Here," Pheonix said and handed her a bottle of oil. "Try putting this on his cuts. Use small amounts only."

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure but they use it all the time to speed up the healing process."

Rei took the bottle and gently moved out from under Vicious. She stopped when he grabbed her wrist and she glanced at him.

"I'm sorry. I had to move. You've got to get better," she said and Vicious smiled slightly.

"I know. It's just that you were so comfortable," he replied as she opened the bottle and rubbed some of the contents on his wounds. He bared his teeth in pain and Rei drew back at his silent string of curses.

"I never said it would be painless," Pheonix said.

"What the hell is in that stuff?" Vicious asked.

"I don't know, but it works."

"Do you think they'll let us stay the full two weeks?" Rei asked.

"The way they are now? No. You'd better start working on your cries," Pheonix said.

"What?"

"We must perform for them before we're allowed to leave," Vicious said and Rei's eyes grew wide at his silent addition.

"You mean I have to show them....?"

"Every bit of it."

"What if I refuse?"

"They'll us all," Pheonix said then glanced at the clock. "I'll be back in an hour. I need to refresh myself."

"By stripping again," Vicious said as Rei covered the remainder of his wounds with the ointment.

"It's required. You just can't get to that concentration level while wearing clothes."

He took off his shirt as he left the room. Why couldn't Vicious understand human customs, either. He ran a hand over the image on his shoulder. It was the picture of a floren, an animal that looked similar to a german shepard with a much broader mouth and two tails. The animal was sitting with its tails resting on the hind legs and the words respect, respond, recoil written around the image. He set the temperature on the lower deck and brought a match to the candella candle.

"Angel," he whispered as he removed his shoes. "How I wish I could have stopped the sacrifice. We had slept together numerous times before your death to the water spirit Voreder. It wasn't your fault that you were the only Taliban with blue spots. But we needed money and so I took a job off planet. You were dead when I returned. After that, I vowed to never love again. These candella leaves are the only way I can see you. Please come to me again."

He lowered his head as he thought about her scent. He ran through about her scent. He ran his hands down his soft, thin fur and traced the outline of another tattoo near his right ankle. She had meant everything to him. He let the heat warm his face as he felt her hands on his body, gently stroking his fur.
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"Go down and find out what he's doing," Vicious said as he ran his hand over her leg.

"Are you sure I should?" she asked.

"I'm telling you to do it. He will make no moves against you. I'll be fine on my own."

"I can tell that you're doing better. I'm glad. All right. I'll go."

She kissed him then walked out of the room. She flushed at his comment about her backside then continued walking.
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"Angel my love, how I long for when we can be together again. I know that will never happen. I'm sure that even death will keep us apart. This body will never love like that again."

He sighed and ran his hand over his skin. He let his hands wander to his crotch and sighed.

"Why are you here?" Pheonix asked. "If he wants me, he's got his security cameras."

"I'm supposed to see what you're doing," Rei replied. "What ARE you doing?"

"How can I expect you to understand? You've never felt this way before."

"Perhaps talking will make you feel better."

"Some things should never be discussed. Leave it at that. I have my reasons and they do not concern either of you."

"I want to help."

"Then leave me to the memories of the past!"

He bared his fangs and Rei stopped short. She had never seen him in such a manner before and it made him nervous.

"I'm sorry."

"You know nothing of our ways, do you? You know nothing of our beliefs. How can I expect an ignorant half-breed to understand? Just leave before I forget who's corzan you are."

Pheonix turned around and bowed his head. Rei scratched her head as she tried to think of the translation for corzan. Her own language was never spoken much during her childhood so she didn't really know it.

"Mate," Pheonix growled. "Now leave before I do something irrational."

Rei turned and walked out of the room. She didn't know why but for some reason he was extremely upset about something. She wished she could hear his thoughts but she couldn't. So much about him was a mystery and he was unwilling to talk about his past. Rei folded her arms and gazed at Vicious, who was standing. He had changed clothes and he looked a lot better. He walked over to her and embraced her.

"He's not anything I'm going to worry about for awhile. I don't know why he's so pissed off, though. I suppose it's got something to do with his past. But that doesn't matter. We've got to get you prepared for the performance," Vicious said and Rei lowered her head.

"I don't want to do this," she replied.

"Stop."

Vicious laid a hand on her chest and gently squeezed her skin. Rei flushed and Vicious grinned as he ran a hand through her aqua hair. He heard the squawk of his bird and glanced up. The Battlemaster stood there and Vicious' gaze narrowed.

"I told you to stay away from my ship. That was what the agreement was," he said as he drew away from Rei.

"I've made modifications to the agreement. You are on my world. You must abide with what we say," the Battlemaster replied in broken Standard Speech.

"What do you want then? I am capable of killing you, you know."

"That would not be wise, considering you are just visitors. If you kill me, you've got to deal with a lot of pissed off warriors."

"I told you at the beginning that there was no reason to enter my ship. Now get out."

"Very well then. I will. I came to drop this off with the woman."

He held out a clawed hand and Rei gazed nervously at the Battlemaster. She glanced at Vicious, who held his sword at the ready and then at the Battlemaster again.

"What is it?" she asked and the Battlemaster grinned, an expression that did not look pleasant on his face.

"The ceremonial necklace. I had it cleaned for your performance," the Battlemaster replied and Rei looked at him suspiciously.

"Thank you."

"I thought I heard your voice in here," Pheonix said and Rei tightly grasped Vicious' hand.

"Stay away from me," she said and Pheonix glanced at her.

"What's with you?"

"You almost attacked me when I was sent down to see what was wrong with you. I'm not talking to you."

She looked at Vicious and drew back at his thought. She lowered her head and let go of his arm. He ran his hand over her rump and she flushed.

"I'm glad to see that you've been practicing with her. I don't think my people can wait until tonight," the Battlemaster said and Pheonix glanced at him.

"Tonight? But you had said...." he said and allowed his voice to trail off when the Battlemaster flashed his fangs.

"The deal has been modified. Tonight is your show. I'm looking forward to seeing that skin of yours. I'm sure it's beautiful," the Battlemaster said and walked out of the room.

"Tonight...." Rei whispered and Vicious embraced her. "I don't want to do this. Do we have to do this? Please don't make me do this in front of them."

"Come on. This has got to be done. I'll make it good for you, I promise. Just think about me and no one else will matter. You like what I do to you, don't you?" Vicious asked as he stroked her legs.

"Of course I like it. I just don't like the idea of these lizards seeing me like that."

"Okay once you're done, I'll have the ship standing by so we can make a quick takeoff,"
Pheonix said.

"Right. That's a good idea. They'll be after us and I don't think she'll be up to running with me. I may have to carry her. I plan on putting a lot of work into this," Vicious said as he kissed Rei's neck.

"How can you be so willing to do this in front of a group of horrible lizards?" Rei asked as Vicious ran his fingers over the pattern of her bra.

"It's easy. We don't have a choice. Just concern yourself with me and everything will be fine. Here. You've got to wear this."

Vicious placed the Snarlax necklace around Rei's neck. Rei began purring as she pressed her body close into Vicious'. Vicious watched her sudden mood change in amazement as she began to unbutton his shirt.

"What the hell has gotten into you?" Vicious asked as Rei tore the clothing off of her body.

"It's that necklace. Amplifies one's sex drive something fierce," Pheonix said as he glanced at Rei. "It also serves as a chest enhancer, by the looks of it."

"I heard that," Rei said. "My normal size isn't enough, is it?"

"I no longer have interest in women of my species, whether they be full-blood or otherwise. I don't care how you look."

"You aren't stimulated by this?"

"I'm leaving. I'd rather take my chance with the Snarlaxes."