Shaman King Fan Fiction ❯ Ivy, Shaman Runaway ❯ Tainted Past ( Chapter 27 )

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

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King.

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Tainted Past

I watched as my mistress walked off in a hurry. I thought `bout followin' `er, but I figured I already knew where she was goin', so why waste my time?

I was glad that Aikido was back (the bird was ecstatic to have the samurai with us again). She was right nice company to talk to, but she was less `er a romantic than I was. She would spend `er days spittin' out logical facts `n' advice that I knew she ain't never falla'd in `er life. I knew she jest wanted the best fur Ivy, but I thought it was downright annoyin' how she gave advice she ain't ner falla'd `erself.

I on the other hand, was a romantic. I `adn't always bin, but e'er since the last months of my life…well why don't I jest tell you the story?

==Flashback==

It was a hard time for my family we were starving in Peru. Well, my family was, I was fine. My mother and father gave all the food they could get their hands on to me and my brothers and sisters.

I was the oldest, so when Mama and Papa went out to do their day's work I staid home and watched the little ones. We tried our best to stay alive, but it was no use; Mom soon died of starvation. My oldest brother, Antonio, took over taking care of the young ones, and I took my mom's place out in the field. It was then that I found out what my parents really did for a living: they were thieves!!!

I was opposed to the idea of stealing at first, but soon I got used to the fact that it was steal or die. I made a pretty good thief, but I wasn't as great as my mom was. My father soon died as well and Antonio started helping me with the `family business'. He and I made a pretty good team. We were never caught and managed to get enough food to sustain the remaining bit of our broken family for a while.

Then the sickness came. It was awful! Most of the little ones didn't last the week. Soon Antonio, Sofía (our youngest sister), and I were all that was left of our once numerous family.

I couldn't stand living like that anymore, so I purposed that we move to America. More specifically out West. I had heard tale of cowboys and Indians, robbers and sheriffs; it all seemed so exciting!! So off we went to America. We travel by foot, snuck on a train, and bartered passage on a boat. It was a hard trip and Antonio and I barely made it to the West alive. There was a huge storm at sea, and the boat rocked so fiercely that we nearly fell off. Sofía slipped over the edge and drown. There was nothing we could do to save her.

When we landed we snuck past the inspectors who were looking for illegal immigrants. Thankfully we made it safely past the guards, and hopped another train out West. Unfortunately it was no better than my beloved Peru when it came to finding honest work. We were doomed to be thieves all our lives. We had scarcely enough money to stay in a halfway decent hotel for a few weeks.

Antonio didn't last that long. The doctors of the town, Tumbleweed, where we were staying, were not the best and could not treat my precious brother when he was bitten by a diamond back snake.

I was completely alone in the world at sixteen years of age. One day I found myself out after dark walking down some random alleyway. I don't even know why I was there. I just had to get away from the same four walls of my hotel room. I picked a bad time to be waltzing down that particular alley. From out the shadows came a band of thieves. They tried to mug me, but I whipped out my gun and pulled out my whip.

One thing I had learned about being in the American `Wild Wild West', was that ladies should always carry weapons to protect themselves. I managed to fight them off, but was completely out numbered. They only stopped their merciless assault when I had slain their leader. Every one of them halted to watch the leader fall. Next thing I knew they had dropped their weapons, and were bowing down to me. As it turns out, the leader had been invincible up to that point, but now, I, a young, foreign girl had beaten him. They made me the new leader of their little gang of thieves, and I changed my name to Cactus Rose.

I headed the gang for a year or so, and everything was running smoothly. We raided towns, robbed banks, murdered ruthlessly, and stole with no concern for the rich or poor. I had totally lost myself in an attempt to forget my painful life before I was Cactus Rose, the notorious bandita. I feared only one person, the sheriff. The sheriff could catch you and hang you. Not very pleasant. I also heard tale that you had to watch out for the sheriff's son. He would throw you in the slammer too. Of course, I had never met him, and personally didn't believe that the infamous, ruthless `sheriff's son' even existed.

It was a warm night in July; about 10 o' clock I suppose. My banditos and I were back from a raid at the Bar None Ranch. They had the best horses and cattle within fifty miles of our hideout, which was located just outside of town. (Notice I say they had the best cattle and horses.) My men were out partying, getting drunk, and raping the poor women of Tumbleweed. I didn't care; as long as they left me alone, that is.

I had become a cold heartless fiend over the past year, and I barely remembered my old life with Mama, Papa, Antonio, and the rest of my little brothers and sisters. They would have been ashamed of the murdering outlaw I had become. I would step on anyone in my way to get what I wanted without any second thoughts. Looking back now, it was really awful. Somewhere on that starry July night, among the never-ending hours of darkness that had become my life, a bright light stood out, glimmering for all to see it. A guiding star had appeared in my eternal night. Walking into that bar that I had frequented so many times before, I could never know that I would bump into someone who would change my entire existence forever—whether it be for better, or for worse, that is up to you to decide.

I walked into the `Snake Eyes Saloon' and the boisterous crowd grew silent. I glared at every one of the patrons as they quaked in their boots. The music stopped playing, the dancers hid behind the curtain, and all eyes were on me. Just before I had walked in, the bartender—Murray—had slid a mug of beer down to a customer on the other end of the bar counter. When I made my entrance, the customer had starred in fear at me and had not caught his beverage, resulting in said drink to fall off the counter, to the floor, and shatter in, I'm sure, millions of tiny wet pieces. I glared at the drink, daring to make noise when I was present.

When I had glared at everyone and everything in the room, showing them all who was boss, I let a smile slip, “Damn this place is dead! Don't just stare at me boys, it's time to party!!! Murray, drinks on the house!” I ordered as everyone cheered and went back to their previous activities.

Everyone in town knew who I was. They all feared me to no end, but they also knew that I didn't like to be treated like an outlaw. I wanted to be notorious, but I also wanted to be accepted. Pretty much everyone in town got that, and they all greeted me with open arms. All the townspeople greeted me warmly when they saw me on the streets; they practically threw free gifts at me. I ate for free at any place I went, and I did my shopping in a similar fashion. I could get whatever I wanted for free. It was their way of keeping me happy so I didn't rob and murder them. It was sort of as if they were offering tribute to appease an angry pagan goddess. I was never questioned or challenged; maybe because when I was, I got angry, and when I got angry heads rolled (that or got blasted off by my trusty pistol).

“Right away, Miss Cactus. Drinks on the house!” Murray echoed, acquiescing to my request—rather, order.

“Hey, ya'll!! Did ya `ear `bout Miss Cactus's successful raid today on the Bar None?!” One of the regulars, a shop owner named Bill, hollered. He talked highly of me, trying to bribe me not to rob his store.

Everyone erupted into loud congratulations to me, trying to act sincere. I laughed quietly at their little show.

“How was the pickens over at the Bar None anyway, Cactus?” Murray asked gently. He had always been sort of a father figure to me, and I allowed him certain stupid questions that I normally would not tolerate from others.

“Well, how do you think they were, being that the Bar None had the best horses and cattle this side of the plains?” I scoffed jokingly.

“Ay, I suppose that was a right stupid question.” He returned sheepishly.

I was about to take a seat at the bar counter when the doors of the Snake Eyes swung open, and there stood a young man no older than 18. He was the tall, dark, and handsome cowboy type, but I could tell he was no cowboy from the way he dressed. He wore city clothes! No boots, immaculate blue jeans without a speck of dirt on them, plain white nicely pressed shirt, and no hat! City boy, dead ahead!! The crowd fell into silence again as the young man looked around the room, looking totally out of place in the Saloon among the westerners. He spotted an empty bar stool and sat down in MY seat!! No one sits in MY seat and lives!!

“Bartender, may I have a shot of wild turkey?” And he ASKED for a drink!!! You don't ASK for a drink, you DEMAND a drink!!

This was very infuriating as some of you can imagine. I stalked over to him and banged my fist down on the counter, “You're sitting in my seat.” I seethed.

He looked up at me square in the eyes. He had beautiful eyes. Rich chocolate brown eyes, and shoulder length mahogany brown hair. He smiled up at me with a goofy grin, and laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I'm sorry Madam, I didn't know that this seat was yours. I'm not from around here, ya see.” He tried to explain himself.

`He's so cute!' I found myself thinking. I mentally slapped myself, `Cute or not, he's a man, and men are raping, betraying, murdering, bastards! Don't let him walk all over you!'

“Clearly you're new! No one calls me `madam'! It's `Miss' to you, City Boy!” I snarled back.

“Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, I am from the city, but my name's Rai.” The man said innocently, obviously missing my insult.

“You're incredibly stupid.” I stated. “Do you even know who I am?” I glared at the oblivious Rai who was still sitting on my barstool.

“Ummm…no. Should I?” He inquired.

I my glare intensified, and if he knew what I was capable of, namely murder, he would have been shaking in his (nonexistent) boots. But he, of course was utterly clueless, and just sat there looking confused as I burned a hole through him with my deadly gaze.

“Everyone.” Clink. “Knows.” Clink. “Who.” Clink. “I.” Clink. “Am.” No Clink. I bit out every word as I took a step closer to him, the spurs on my boots clinking and jiggling with every step.

“I'm sorry. Really I am, but I just got here, and I don't…would you mind introducing yourself?” He smiled his goofy oblivious smile at me again and I felt my knees buckle.

`Keep it together, Isabelle. He's just another guy trying to take advantage of you. Once he has his way with you, he'll up and leave.' I silently reminded myself.

“I don't do introductions like other people. Want to see how I introduce myself?” I asked in a mock-sweet tone.

“Mm-hmm!” He agreed eagerly not knowing what he was getting himself into.

I pushed him off the stool, whipped out my pistol, and shot the floor just centimeters below the area between his legs. “Whoops…I missed.” I stated with no emotion in my voice what so ever. I sat down on my bar stool and ignored the rather pale Rai on the floor. “Give me a shot of sumthin', Murray!” I barked.

Murray mixed my drink and set it down before me saying, “Cactus, you should take it easy on the poor boy, he doesn't know. And I just got the floor fixed from the last time you `introduced' yourself to an out of towner…”

“Someone's got to teach him his place. Might as well be me seeing's this is my town after all. I can't have no foreigners waltzin' inta town an tryin' to walk all over me. I own this place, and I run it an everyone in it.” I stated dignifiedly.

One of the older cowboys, Jagen, walked over to Rai, who was still sprawled out on the ground, and helped him up. “Come on, boy. Sit with us cowhands.”

Jagen steered Rai over to a table by the piano, where a few of the older cowhands—Rod, Sampson, and Van—were congregated. He pulled a chair out for Rai to sit in, and helped the poor shaken fellow to take a seat.

“What's the matter with the boy? Looks like he's seen a ghost!” Rod exclaimed, sliding Rai a shot of Vodka, which the young man downed quickly.

Jagen explained for Rai, “He's new in town. No `Wild West' experience at all, and he sat on Cactus's barstool.” The other men winced at the thought. “She demanded her seat back, and this poor boy made the mistake of trying to introduce himself to her.” The men looked in horror upon the boy. “Well she introduced herself her way.”

Van turned white and looked anxiously at the stranger, “Gods sakes man!! Are you all right!!? She didn't get you did she?!”

“N-no.” Rai managed to stammer.

“Thank goodness.” Sampson sighed as he downed another shot of Gin. “The last man so stupid as t' stand up t' `er got `is manhood blown clean off `em. Yer a lucky man that she spared ya.”

“She said she missed…but she didn't miss by much.” Rai gulped.

Jagen shook his head sadly at the boy, “Cactus doesn't miss. Where e'er she hit, that's where she wuz aimin'. She must be in a good mood, normally she would have emasculated ya, then take ya outside an beat ya up. Lady Luck must be smitten with you boy.”

Rai's face fell, “That's her in a good mood!!?? I'd hate to see her in a bad one! Who is that girl anyway, and why is everyone so scared of her? She can't be more than seventeen years old!”

Sampson spoke up again, “You don't know Cactus Rose?! Where have you been, Boy!?”

“Apparently the city.” Joked Van.

“Well, Boy, that there is Cactus Rose.” Started Rod. “She's just like her name implies, as beautiful as a rose to look at, but touch her, and she will whup yer arse!”

“I can see that.” Rai said in a rather dry tone. “I meant who is she? Where does she come from? Where can I find her during daylight hours?”

Jagen smiled at the young city boy's curiosity, “Well Boy, her real name is Isabelle. She arrived here about a year or so ago with her little brother. She had a beautiful Spanish accent back then. She sorta still does, but she's been around us westerners for so long, she's picked up a bit of a Western/Spanish mix accent. She wuz a real sweetie when she first moved here from Peru, but she had no real way of making an honest livin', and when her brother died…”

“And when her brother died,” Van picked up “she was left all alone. All her other friends and family were already dead, so she took up being a bandita. She killed the leader of a local gang, and kinda took over our town. She changed her name to Cactus Rose because she wanted to forget her past and move on…”

Rod took his turn in telling my sorrowful tale, “And forget she did. She forgot how to love, she forgot how to smile, she forgot how to make friends. She had now become a sort of town ghost.”

“What do you mean?” Rai cocked his head to the side like a confused puppy.

Rod tried his best to explain, “Well, ya see, she's always hangin' around town, and people are scared to death of `er, so they pretty much avoid her. She walks the streets alone, and we the townspeople are reminded when she used to stroll the streets happily with her brother Antonio. That was back when she was still our sweet little Isabelle…”

“Now we all fear her, and with good reason.” Sampson's gruff voice took up the tale. “She'll kill ya if ya git in `er way. Watch out fur `er Boy! She's a deadly gal.”

“But she's so pretty…” Rai looked at me longingly.

“Why I think the boy's smitten!” Sampson roared with laughter. “Poor man's fallen for Cactus Rose!!!”

The youth defended himself. “I said no such thing. I only said she was pretty. What does she like anyway?”

Jagen nodded knowingly, “She likes walking after dark, and watching the stars.”

“She likes to drink, and not to be treated like a thief.” Rod seconded.

“She likes men who buy her drinks and bring her presents.” Van joined in.

Sampson scoffed, “She likes men that can give her a real workout at night, and they have to have a really big—“

“—Sampson!!” The other three cut him off, frowning at their friend's use of innuendos.

“She doesn't like people who tell her what to do, and she hates the sheriff and his whole family. Other than that, don't smart off to `er, and you should be fine.” Van gave Rai wise advice.

“Oh…and what if you are related to the sheriff?” Rai asked nervously.

“Capulets and Montagues, dear boy. They don't mix. Why?” Rod pried.

“No reason.” Rai gulped. “Wish me luck.” Rai started back over to where I sat on my barstool.

“Ay, I wish you luck alright, but tonight, let her be on top some, eh?” Sampson called after the retreating figure.

“Hello, Miss.” A cheerful voice sang at my ear. “I think we got off on the wrong foot.” I turned and glared at him.

“You again. Do you want me to blow it clean off this time?” I could faintly hear Sampson in the background calling out drunkenly `Oh he wants you to blow it alright!!' after that remark, Sampson's new ten gallon hat got a bullet hole through it.

Rai blushed deeply. When he regained his composure he asked, “May I buy you a drink?”

“I get `em free anyway, but if you wanna pay, suit yerself.” I snapped.

“Oh.” He sounded a bit discouraged.

Murray, overhearing the conversation flew over and hastily spit, “Oh no you don't, Cactus! You're over your limit of free drinks tonight. You'll have to pay for the rest with cash.”

“What!?” I bellowed. “I could have sworn that I only had three shots!”

Murray shook his head at me, “You only drank three shots, but you ordered a drink for everyone in the place. No more drinks for you unless you pay.”

I glared at the bartender as I fished for change in my pocket. Finding none, I stood up to check all my other pants pockets. “I'm broke!!” I screeched.

“Well then, no money, no drinks. Perhaps you should take this young gentleman up on his offer and let him buy you a drink.”

“Wait, maybe I have some money in my saddlebag out front. Gimme a minute.” I walked outside to search my bags.

Murray smiled at Rai, “So what are your intentions with my little Isabelle?”

Rai looked rather taken aback, but soon replied, “I just want to try to help her. She's a gorgeous woman, and she looks like she's suffering quite terribly.”

Murray nodded at Rai's good intentions. “Alright then. You try to help her, and I'll give you all the drinks you buy her for free. She needs a good honest man like you in her life.”

Rai nodded at my surrogate father, and the boys finished up their conversation as I walked back into the bar, fuming.

“I can't believe it! I'm dead broke! Looks like I'll be taking you up on your offer, City Boy. You are one hell of a lucky guy! First I miss my mark for the first time in history, and then you get to buy my drinks for me!”

“I was talking to some guys, and they said you had aimed to miss in the first place. Is that true?” Rai couldn't help but ask.

I looked at him questioningly for a sec before I shrugged him off, “Fine, have it yer way. I took it easy on ya.”

“Why?” He pressured.

“You're young, and you might need that to get a girl someday. Wouldn't want to spoil a perfectly good man, jest cause he put me in a bad mood.” I stated as I gulped down another shot of Vermouth.

“Thanks. Do you come here a lot?” The boy tried to make polite conversation.

“Yes, every night. Why do you want to know?” I raised my eyebrow at the man, peering into his eyes.

I could feel my heart melt as he smiled stupidly at me again. “Just wanted to know what times to look for you here.”

“That's nice. I'm out of here. I might see you some other time. Be sure to keep out of my way.” I pick myself up out off the stool, and started to make my way home.

“Can I walk you home? You look a bit drunk, and it might be dangerous by yourself.” He stood and followed me to the door.

“I think I'll be fine. If you haven't noticed, people fear me, so I think I don't have to worry about being attacked. Also, there's no point in you following me home. You're not going to get some, so you should just sit down, and stay here.” I crushed his hopes. “Goodnight everyone.” The bar ceased noise again to bid me goodbye, but as soon as I was out the door, the volume level increased back to its normal setting.

Rai sat on his barstool talking to Murray, “Well, that went well…”

“At least she didn't kill you.” Murray suggested. “Don't be discouraged, she'll be back tomorrow at the same time. Come back here, and we'll woo her yet.”

The next day, I sold most of the livestock I had stolen the previous day, and made a pretty penny for it. My bandits went out to do their usual celebrating, and I went to the Snake Eyes Saloon in a very good mood.

“Howdy, ya'll!! Drinks on the house Murray, and I'm actually paying tonight!!” I barged into the bar.

A loud cheer rose up from the crowd as Murray started doling out the drinks. I went over to the counter and paid for the 50 or so drinks I had just bought. I went over to my barstool, and my uncharacteristically good mood was decimated then and there. Someone was SITTING in MY seat. I went over to the man and slammed my fist down into the counter (more like through the counter…leaving a pretty good sized hole), and spat, “You're. In. My. SEAT.”

The man looked up at me and for the second night in a row, I was stuck gazing into the eyes of the city boy, Rai. He smiled at me with his oblivious grin, and cheerfully greeted me, “Hello, Miss. Fancy meeting you here again. I really am sorry, I thought that seat to my right was yours.”

He stood up and bowed, offering the seat to me. I glared at him and sat down. He sat down next to me, on the seat to my left.

“You, City Boy, are really pushing your luck. If I wasn't in such a good mood today, I would have blown your head off with my trusty pistol.” I informed him.

He gulped, but quickly regained his nerve as he offered, “Well, Miss, may I buy you a few drinks to make it up to you?”

I rolled my eyes at him, “You really are a city boy. You don't ask a gal if you can buy her a drink. You insist that you buy her a drink; make her feel like she doesn't have a choice. Another thing, you'll call me Miss Rose from now on.”

Rai looked at Murray as if asking `Is calling her “Miss Rose” a step up or a step down from calling her “Miss”?' Murray nodded and smiled giving him the ok, and Rai's face mirrored the bartender's. “Okay Miss Rose, I'm buying you a drink.”

I nodded in approval as Murray brought me a shot of Tequila Sunrise. I downed it quickly, and Murray brought over more.

“So…how do you feel about the sheriff?” Rai inquired innocently.

I spat out my drink and the whole saloon fell silent, praying for the poor soul who had mentioned my number one nemesis. I slowly raised my head to glare directly into his eyes.

Murray rushed over to try to save Rai from my destructive power, “Cactus!! Please, don't! I really don't want to have to clean up a dead body again….He didn't mean it!”

Jagen and his gang of cowhands rushed over to aid Murray. “Come on, now little missy, he didn't know…”Jagen pleaded.

“Yeah, Isabelle, he had little to no idea that he should never mention Mr. Asakura to ya!” Rod seconded.

“Absolutely no idea what so ever! You don't want to waste such a gentleman now, do ya?” Van jumped in.

“Yeah, he's a nice piece of flesh. You may want to save him for entertainment purposes.” Sampson suggested.

I whipped out my trusty pistol, Jack and blew yet another hole in Sampson's hat (that was now a little less than 10 gallons).

I slung my whip out of its holster, and it almost took a few people's heads off as it encircled itself around Rai neck. He grabbed the whip trying to pull it loose so he could breathe. “I won't kill you, but I'm warning you: Don't talk about that no good sheriff t' me.”

“So I guess you two don't get along very well, huh?” Rai managed to gasp.

“No.” I pulled him closer. “We don't. Personally, I think that no good sheriff Asakura came all the way from Izumo just to torture me.” I tightened the whip around his neck. “Good night, and thanks for the drinks.” I let him drop to the floor as I turned a sauntered out the door.

The older cowboys helped Rai sit back up on the stool, and gave him a shot of Sherry. “You all right, Boy?” Rod questioned the city boy on the floor.

“Y-yeah.” Rai choked on the Sherry, “What a women!”

“I think he's drunk.” Scoffed Sampson.

“I'm not!!” Rai shouted back.

“He's just in love, that's all.” Murray said while cleaning a glass. “You remember being in love, don't you Sampson?”

“Yeah, it's worse than being drunk. Poor boy's fallen for Cactus Rose, the infamous bandita.” Sampson grunted.

The next morning I set off with my banditos for town. My recently bought hat was three weeks old, and I needed a new one. I don't know why my bandits were coming with me. They said that `E'ry once in a while we likes t' rid inta town witcha.' I knew that they wanted to get into town to loot, pillage, and have a little fun with the ladies, but I let them come anyway. I had to agree that it was fun to ride into town on our horses and make a big cloud of dust and hear the thunder of hooves.

We rolled into Tumbleweed with a giant dust cloud and stampede of horses' hooves. Outside the General Store stood the Sheriff, Seiji Asakura. He glared at my gang and me as we rode down the main street.

“Banditos disperse!!” I ordered, and they all went their separate ways. I pulled Tulio, my red roan, up beside the honorable sheriff. “Good morning Mr. Asakura. What are you doing up so early? It's only 6 o'clock.”

He glared, and resisted the urge to arrest me. “I'm making my rounds, and showing this young man around.” The 35 year-old man spat through gritted teeth.

I looked behind him with a raised eyebrow. “Whom are you talking about? There's no one there! You've finally lost it old man!!” I laughed.

“Laugh all you want; he was just here! At least I was married and my wife was pregnant at your age. You'll never have a nice husband the way you're going!” He growled at me.

“I'm right here Sir!” An all too familiar voice called from behind me.

I looked, and sure enough there was Rai. “Damn it!! I just can't get away from you, now can I?”

“Oh, hello Miss Rose. How are you this morning?” Rai smiled at me and I stifled a grin.

“Call me Cactus.” I winked at him.

He grinned back at me and nodded `okay.'

The Sheriff looked from me to Rai, then back to me, then back to Rai. “You know her!!??”

Rai nodded enthusiastically. “Yep! We met a few nights ago at the Snake Eyes Saloon.”

“Rai, she's an outlaw. Stay away from her.” Mr. Asakura demanded. “Cactus—“

“No! You will call me Madam! Only those close to me may call me Cactus!” I corrected him.

He was positively seething, “Fine. Madam, get along with you, and leave this poor innocent boy alone. I won't have you defiling and tainting him!”

“I plan to do no such thing! I just was going to volunteer to show him around my town.” I faked a smile.

Sheriff Asakura glared at me. “You'll be doing no such thing!, and this is not your town!” He started to protest.

I jumped off Tulio, and motioned for Rai to get on. He looked at Seiji in question, and the Sheriff glared and shook his head.

I pulled out my gun and chuckled, “Funny. You thought I was giving you a choice. Get on the horse.”

Rai shrugged and mounted Tulio. I jumped on behind him, encircling my arms around Rai's waist to hold the reigns, and I spurred my horse. Tulio broke into a gallop, and we were off. I slowly pulled Tulio to a stop in front of Mrs. Starr's bakery.

“Hungry?” I asked as I dismounted.

“Starving.” He answered, and followed me inside.

“Hello Mrs. Starr!” I called. “I brought a city boy with me today.”

Mrs. Starr came out from behind the counter and greeted me, “Why Isabelle!! You've got yerself a fella!! Welcome young man! You're a city boy? Well, that will be good for our little Isabelle, here.” Mrs. Starr ran up to Rai, and started to look over ever inch of him.

“Mrs. Starr?” I called to her.

“Yes dearie? Breakfast for you and yer man?” She stopped inspecting Rai for a minute to talk to me.

“Yes,” I returned, “But he's not my man. He's an acquaintance who has bought me a couple drinks. We're not even dating.”

“Oh…” a disheartened look came over the old woman's face. “Well sit yerselves down; I'll be with ya in a minute.” As we walked past her I faintly heard Mrs. Starr whisper something in Rai's ear. I couldn't hear what it was though.

`Not even dating! Get to it man! This town wants some grandchildren out of her and soon! Understand me?'

Rai blushed slightly but replied, `I'm trying, Madam, but she's a hard one to crack.'

`I'll give ya a hint, she likes tiger lilies.' Mrs. Starr said in a hushed tone.

`Thank you Madam.' Rai expressed his gratitude.

I didn't like being kept out of the loop, so I decided to crash their little party, “Hey! You two birds gonna stand around all day, or are ya gonna get me some breakfast?”

“Right away Miss! Good luck son.” Mrs. Starr rushed into the back to get plates and such.

“Coming, Cactus!” Rai called as he followed me to a booth. “So why did you kidnap me? What are you going to do with me?” He asked cheerfully.

“Oh don't be so excited, I only `kidnapped' you because it would make the Sheriff mad.” His face dropped a little, and an `Oh.' Expression came upon his face. I don't know why, but it made my feel really guilty seeing him sad. “And I'll do with you whatever I damn well please. Sampson's been suggesting I get a little a lot more intimate with you, so I may give you a go.” I winked.

His face turned bright red as he realized what I was suggesting. “Uhhh…I'd love to, but I'm a gentleman, and you're a lady, and it's not proper to do anything like that before marriage. I mean our eternal souls would be on the line, and I mean…. wouldn't our parents disapprove, and what if you got—“

“—Okay, shut up. I was just joking, God! I didn't think you'd take me seriously. You're really naïve. Super gullible!” I stopped his unceasing rambling.

“Oh…” He breathed. “I'm sorry Cactus. It's just that you looked and sounded so serious. I can never tell what you're really thinking. You have a very good poker face.” He smiled sheepishly and I couldn't help but smile back.

“Why thank you. I haven't really smiled in such a long time…you really are something special!” I could faintly hear Mrs. Starr cough something that sounded strangely like `that's why you should marry him!', but I ignored her. “You really do amuse me to no end.”

“Really?” His eyes lighted up as he inched forward to get closer to my face.

“Yes. You do.” He leaned even closer in until we were centimeters apart. I could see Mrs. Starr out of the corner of my eye jumping for joy behind the counter. “I think of you just like a reincarnation Antonio.”

Mrs. Starr fell to the floor and started weeping. Rai pulled back and laughed awkwardly. “Ya don't say…hehe.” I knew he was thinking, `Great…she thinks of me as a brother. Well there go my chances unless she's into incest…'

Mrs. Starr, the mother figure in my life rushed over to our table and scolded me, “Dearie you will never get a man! And you know what that means? It means this town won't get any grandchildren from you! Now this boy is clearly interested in you. Take advantage of him and have a baby for God's sake!! I mean it doesn't take a genius to figure out that plug X goes into socket Y!! And you young man! Don't just stand there, purpose to her!! Forget the ring, and dresses, and most of the ceremony!! There's a pastor right down the street that will have ya in, out, and married in fifteen minutes flat.” Mrs. Starr stormed off just as quickly as she had come leaving two very red faced and uncomfortable teenagers sitting in silence.

“Ummm…I'm sorry. She's very preoccupied with getting me married and pregnant. She's worried that I'll never leave her any kids. Mrs. Starr is sort of like my stand-in mom.” I tried to apologize for the old woman's blunt and rude behavior.

“It's okay.” He smiled at me again, “I really don't mind. She's worried about you. I find it kind of amusing that the whole town is trying to set us up. They've done this before, haven't they?”

I nodded and blushed a bit. “To every new guy in town that looks able to have kids.” I sighed.

“I'm sorry, but I do see where they're coming from.” I raised an eyebrow at him. “You're very beautiful, and they want to see you taken care of.” He stroked my cheek lightly and kissed me on the tip of my nose. “Let's make a deal; you show me around town today, and tonight I buy you all the drinks you want at the Snake Eyes. Deal?”

I grinned back at him, “It's a date!”

“A real date?” he pushed.

I wrinkled my brow slightly as I thought, “Hmmm…I guess so. Everyone else in town would kill me if I didn't agree, sooo I guess it's an official first date!”

“All righty then!” A lapse of silence fell between us as we finished the eggs and waffles that Mrs. Starr had brought us (she had then sent telegrams to all the other inhabitants of the town <except the Sheriff>announcing that I had a date with the new city boy.)

“Cactus?” Rai asked, as I was finishing up my waffles.

“Hmm?” I acknowledged him.

“What's your real name?”

I scowled at him. “I know perfectly well that Jagen, Rod, Van, and Sampson told you my real name was Isabelle. And you've heard the locals call me it sometimes. Why do you have to ask me?”

He smiled dreamily and my heart stopped beating for a second or two. “I wanted to hear you say it. The boys also said you had a beautiful Spanish accent. Could you say your name for me?”

I rolled my eyes at his easily amused ness. “My name is Isabelle Ignacio.” I stated.

He chuckled gently at me. “What's so funny!?” I snapped.

“They were right. You do have a beautiful accent.”

I blushed slightly at the compliment. I never got many compliments, and this man seemed like he couldn't say enough good things about me. “Come on, let's go see the town. I have some shopping to do.” I pulled him out of his seat by his wrist, and drug him out the door. “Goodbye Mrs. Starr!” I called back and Rai echoed me.

“Goodbye children!! Don't be afraid to dive head first into relationships!! Give into your passions and emotions tonight!!” The childless baker urged us.

I glared back over my shoulder at her while I shook my head. She really wanted grandchildren…just like the rest of the town.

Rai and I explored the town that day. I showed him all the coolest hangouts, and taught him some of the finer points of being a cowboy. We went to many shops and unfortunately all the shop owners suggested that we get married as soon as possible. I mentally made note that as soon as Rai left town to go back to where ever he came from I would beat up every single one of those insane townspeople.

That night when we walked into the Snake Eyes Saloon it was empty except for Murray and Jagen's crew. They were dressed in waiters' uniforms, and the lights were dimmed. A single table had a bright red tablecloth on it, and candelabra in the center. The whole town had worked hard to make this the most romantic night of our young lives.

“I think you better get the ring…” I whispered to Rai as we took a seat at the table.

“Yeah…looks like we're getting married even if they have to hold us at gunpoint.” He joked, only it really wasn't a joke…I knew that the townspeople would force us to get married even if they had to hold guns to our heads as we went through the ceremony.

The date went well, weeks passed, and we had many more nightly outings, most of them ending with me going home half drunk. I talked to Rai for hours, and he bought me drinks until I almost passed out. I never really noticed that he never drank more than a few shots. Murray warned me that I would do permanent damage to my brain. I ignored him, and every night went to the saloon with Rai.

One night I actually did pass out. One minute I was fine (just really drunk), the next I collapsed into Rai's arms. “Isabelle!!” a very pale looking Rai caught me.

“Oh, Isa! I warned you not to drink so much! Murray, help me with her will ya?” Rai repositioned me so I was easier to carry.

Murray came over to inspect my unconscious form. “Damn Boy!! You got the Cactus Rose, queen of banditos drunk off her ass!!” the kind old bartender chuckled.

“Well what should I do?” Rai puzzled, never having dealt with a drunken person before.

“Her.” Sampson stated seriously.

“Sampson!!” Rai reprimanded the perverted old man. “I meant, where should I take her?”

Sampson downed a cup of Gin. “Take her home with you. She won't be up till mornin'.”

“Seriously Sampson!! She can't just stay here.” Rai glared.

“Actually I think he is serious.” Jagen interrupted. “None of us know where she lives, and she will be out for a while. The safest place she could be is with you. Take good care of our girl.”

“But…I…?” Rai looked stumped. “Okay…”

I woke up the next morning and had no idea where I was. As far as I could see, I was in a nice warm bed. I didn't have my boots or hat on, and my weapons were nowhere to be found. Lying on the sofa across from the bed I was sleeping in was Rai. He was still asleep as far as I could tell. I got up, and looked around the spacious room.

“Well I see you're finally up.” A smooth voice came from behind me.

I spun around and came face to face with Rai.

“How ya feeling?” He whispered concernedly.

“Fine. Where am I?” I snapped. I don't like being out of the loop.

“My room.” SLAP.

“You bastard!! I wasn't even conscious!! How dare you take advantage of me like that!! I thought you were different from the others, but apparently I was wrong!”

Rai tried to quiet my sudden outburst while holding his bright red cheek, “Isabelle! Calm down! I didn't do anything, I swear! You better be quiet, or the Sheriff will hear you.”

“WTF!!” I whispered. “What do you mean, Sheriff?!”

Rai's tone lessened in volume as he answered, “Yes. I'm staying with the Sheriff, and he's asleep in the room down the hall.”

I nodded my head wide-eyed. “And you brought me here why?”

“You were out cold! What was I supposed to do?” Rai shrugged.

“Never mind.” I sighed. “How do I get out of here?”

“Disguise yourself so he doesn't recognize you, and we'll run for it.” He detailed.

“Great plan. Take off your pants.” I ordered.

Rai's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “What?! Isabelle? Are you sure you're not still drunk?!”

I rolled my eyes as I pushed him over onto the bed. “If I have to take them off myself, I will. Ya see, I'll put on your pants, and if anyone catches us, it'll look as if I was your `girl of the evening' and no one in the town will question us.” He nodded and blushed as he handed me his pants. “Thanks. Oh, and mess up your hair and turn your shirt inside out. It'll look more authentic that way.”

“You've done this before haven't you?” He pried.

“Maybe once or twice.” I answered not bothering to lie.

Once we were both ready, he opened the door and we began to sneak down the halls. We snuck down 9 halls, went through 33 doors, and descended 3 major staircases before I heard Rai whisper, “Don't worry, we're half way there.”

I almost fell over right then and there. `HALF WAY!!!! God this house is huge!!'

“Rai what are you doing up this early, and who is this young lady with you?” a gruff voice boomed from behind us.

“OH! Hello, Sir. I was just escorting my girlfriend out. She staid here last night.” Rai placed a possessive arm around me, and I snuggled up against his chest to complete the boyfriend-girlfriend image.

Seiji Asakura looked at us wide-eyed. “Boy, I didn't even know you had a girlfriend, let alone that you were so…intimate with her. What's her name?”

Rai looked at me not knowing how much he should say. “Uhhh…”

I put on my best western show-gal accent, “Jezebel. Jezebel Truett. Nice t' meetcha sir!”

“Nice to meet you too.” He smiled kindly at me. “Well, sonny walk your girl home, but when you get back, we're going to have to have a talk, man to man about women.”

I almost burst out laughing thinking about the Sheriff giving `the talk' to an 18 year-old teenager. “Yes, Sir.” He nodded.

We thankfully made it the rest of the way out of the giant building without getting caught. “`Jezebel'?” Rai laughed.

“Yeah. Jezebel. Got a problem with that?” I glared.

“Of course not. We still on tonight for drinks?” He smiled.

“Sure, but I'm keeping your pants.” I walked off leaving him standing there in his boxers.

“But!! You can't!!” He tried to reason with me.

“I can and will.” I strutted down the street, back to my hideout. Rai just stood there and grinned more widely than I had previously seen ever before. `What a woman…' he thought to himself as he leaned up against the doorway.

That night at the Snake Eyes started off normally, but on one could know that it would end so badly.

10:00 P.M. I come in `drinks on the house!' go over to my seat. Someone's sitting there, `get out of my seat!' Rai apologizes, `Sorry Cactus. I thought it was the other seat.' `Whatever. Call me Isabelle.' Normal night, right? Wrong. When I was on my third drink an unexpected visitor came into the saloon. A hush fell over the crowd as the Sheriff walked in. He spotted me over at the counter and waltzed over to me. The crowd remained silent, wanting to listen in on the conversation.

“Hello Miss Cactus Rose.” Seiji greeted mockingly.

“Hello Mr. Seiji Asakura.” I mimicked. “What do you want? You can't arrest me. I'm in a public place, and I've done nothing wrong.”

“I've come for my son.” His stuffy voice bellowed.

I chuckled at the thought. “I didn't know you had a son! You'd have to pay some poor woman for that to be possible! Now get your tike, and leave me and my date alone.” I smarted off.

“Watch your tongue, Missy. I may not be able to arrest you, but I'm still the Sheriff, and next time I see you out robbing someone, I'll take it doubly hard on you then. As for you Rai, I thought you were dating Jezebel. What happened to her?”

“Ummm, I…” Rai gulped.

I saw this as a perfect time to infuriate the Sheriff even more, so I put on my fake show-gal accent and answered, “Jezebel? Don't ya recognize me, Sheriff, Sir? Hahahahaha!!”

“!!” The Sheriff's face turned pale. “Wha—Rai!! Get away from her!! No son of mine will be sleeping with this bandit!!”

Now it was my turn to be surprised, “S-son?”

“Yes, `son'! Who did you think he was!!” Mr. Asakura shouted.

I looked at Rai as I stood up. “Rai…Asakura…Rai Asakura?”

“Y-yes.” Rai answered.

I shook my head and blinked a few times. “You lied to me.” I stated pulling out Jack, and pointing the gun at Rai's chest.

“Isabelle…” Rai tried to put out the fire in my heart.

“No!” I bit back at him. “That's Madam to you Asakura! You lied to me, you tricked me, and you set me up!! I should blow every part of your body off one by one!! I can't believe this!” I pulled the trigger.

Everyone in the saloon stared at me in horror. No more so than Rai (who was waiting to die). Soon a cry was heard, “Damn girl!! Can you come here a night when you don't blow a hole in my store!” I had hit the `bull's eye' mark on the dartboard a centimeter to the left of Rai's head. The bullet had gone straight through the board and the wall.

I dropped my whip and gun on the counter and yelled at Murray. “Keep these for me. I'm afraid I'm gonna really kill someone tonight.” I walked out of the bar in a daze.

“Damn that girl's crazy.” Mr. Asakura breathed. “You okay, Son?”

Rai was too busy looking longingly at the swinging double doors I had just walked through. “No…I'm not. Not at all. I love her. And she hates me. Because of you.” Rai glared at his father before he ran after me. That was Rai's first glare ever documented.

“Isabelle!! Wait!!!” I didn't turn to look at him, and kept walking. “Isabelle, please!! I don't want things to end this way between us!! Isabelle look at me!! I-don't walk away from me!! I need you! I love you, Isabelle!” I stopped in my tracks.

I turned to look at him, tears streaming down his cheeks glistening in the moonlight. He stepped closer to me, and took my face in his hands. I placed my hands on top of his. “I love you.” He whispered again as he gently kissed me.

If Mrs. Starr (in all her romantic ness) could see us she would have described the scene like this; “Two supposedly `star-crossed' lovers stood in the middle of a deserted ghost town street, silhouetted against the harvest moon. A light breeze stirred their garments, and they kissed as the heavens looked down upon them and smiled.”

As Rai pulled away, he whispered a short phrase into my ear. I jerked back shocked, unbelieving of what I thought I had heard. “W-what?!”

“You heard me.” He smiled.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him back into the bar where everyone was waiting, “I'm getting married?!” I shouted, still not believing it completely myself. The bar erupted into excited yelling, shouting, gunshots, and all other kinds of hoopla. Many women (Mrs. Starr) broke down crying. Murray yelled, “Free drinks this whole week!!” Mrs. Starr hugged him and started jumping up and down singing “Our baby's getting married!!!! I will have grandchildren!!!! There is a God in heaven!!!!” “Finally.” Sampson scoffed. Everyone was overjoyed except the Sheriff.

“STOP!!! He can't marry her!!” Seiji yelled.

Every person in the Snake Eyes glared flaming daggers at him. Some even took out his or her own real daggers and started sharpening them.

I stepped up to him and glared upward. “Why the hell not?! I love him, he loves me, and Mrs. Starr will murder you if you stop the wedding, so why do this? I'll see you tomorrow at the Church bright and early. Come on, Rai, we're renting a room tonight.”

Rai blushed bright red as he followed me. Mr. Duluth, the hotel owner called after us, “You two can have the honeymoon sweet tonight and tomorrow for free! This town's waited too long for her to have kids. Have fun, but don't stay up too late!”

Early the next morning I woke to find Rai asleep next to me. `So it wasn't a dream…I'm getting married…to him…'

An Hour Later Outside of Church

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked nervously.

“Why Cactus Rose! Are you getting cold feet?” Rai teased.

“No. And it's Isabelle. Isabelle Ignacio, soon to be Isabelle Asakura. I'm giving up murdering.” I smirked.

“What about robbing?” He playfully teased.

“No. I still have to strike fear into people's hearts. I'll keep stealing until I get pregnant. That shouldn't take too long if you do your job properly.” I teased back.

He rolled his eyes and blushed a little. “One last kiss while we're both still unattached?”

“Sure.” This kiss was deeper than the first one, and we might have stayed that way for a while more, but Samoan, one of the choirgirls, came and reprimanded us for being late to our own wedding.

It went beautifully until the `I dos'. More specifically the `If anyone has a reason that these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.' part. Sheriff Asakura stood up, as we all knew he would and said, “I just want to say that if Rai marries that she-devil, I'll disown him. Is this really what you want Son?”

Rai nodded. “More than anything, Dad.”

“Then I have no choice. I'll have to save you from yourself.” Mr. Asakura pulled out Jack and pointed it right at Rai's chest.

`Crap!! I must have left it on the counter back at the Snake Eyes!' “Rai watch out!!” I shrieked. BANG. I looked down at my dress. Blood. Blood permanently stained the pure white material. Not just a little, but huge amounts.

Rai dropped to his knees. “Isabelle…” He whispered as tears fell freely from his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I collapsed into his arms. He kissed me, and I closed my eyes, willing the world to leave us alone, and just let us be.

Soon I found myself looking down upon the scene. A girl with blue hair, wearing a pink kimono, sitting on what looked like an oar floated next to me.

“What happened?” I asked her.

“Well, sweetie, Seiji pulled out your gun and pulled the trigger on Rai. Is anything coming back to you?” She tried to comfort me.

“Yes…I couldn't let him die…I jumped in front of him. So that means I'm dead.” I asked more than stated.

“Bingo! Bingo! You've won the prize! I've come to take you to Spirit World. Come along now.” She smiled sweetly.

“I'm staying here.” I stated bluntly.

“You'll have to watch them all grow old, die, and eventually he'll marry, and have kids. You don't want to watch that. It'll be very painful.” She coaxed.

“I'm staying. It'd be far more painful not to watch him.” I decided.

So I staid and watched until they were all gone to the other side. He grew up, but he never did get married. The Asakura line continued through his older brother, Sachio. I greeted all of my old friends when they died. They were all happy to see me, but they soon moved on to the other world, even Rai. I still staid behind even after everyone I knew was gone. I couldn't detach myself from the earth, and so I staid and watched my old town be made into a tourist attraction. There was even a part of the tour in the Old Church dedicated to Rai and my wedding. I loved hearing about how the tour guides romanticized it.

One day, in with the tourists came a young shaman girl. Ivy took me in, and we made a great team. I looked after the girl and loaned her my whip and gunslinger skills when we integrated.

==End 9204 Word Flashback==

And that's my tale. I haven't run into another Asakura since Rai until I met Hao and Yoh. I would really be happy if my Ivy married into the Asakuras. As for me, I sometimes refer to myself as `Mrs. Asakura' in secret. Sometimes…