A Deadly Kind of Love

“The insolent whore…” I growled as I struggled to pull myself out of the dumpster. With a great push of my muscular arms, I leapt out and I wiped off the stinking slimy filth from my body like an indignant feline. God knows what was in there! I paused as I wiped myself off…oozing white looking worms…maggots. I thought disdainfully. If there is one thing more I hate than someone else’s blood on my body, it is filth—wait—no…that may not be all true, you know. I hate getting dirty, but blood…well, all is fair in lust and war, no?

I took off my mask and pulled out my mirror from my sash to examine myself. I touched my face gently and breathed a sigh of relief. No damage but to my horror I did notice a red blemish on my cheek where my mask had pressed against my face. In the other hand was my mask and—a dent! Ay, dios mío! How did that ever happen? I thought. My blood boiled and my fists clenched as I thought of that mysterious girl who had the gall to humiliate me! Those kohl lined eyes I saw ever so briefly appearing in my mind like the eyes of the Devil were driving me even madder to think of her. Never in my life had a woman dared to challenge me…except Chun Li Xiang—but I do not wish to think of that now. I am a conquistador! I come from a long line of conquerors in the name of truth and justice and now this heathen beauty would be conquered like all the rest.

I went home to the hotel room to regroup and to shower and after what I had been through, I planned to be in there a few hours. Who was she? The question tormented me as I sat in my room contemplating my next move. She disrupted my kill and I certainly could not return to my employer without completing my task. The feral side of me wanted to shred her to pieces and continue with my assignment but the civil side demanded to know her. I consider myself to be extremely strong-willed especially when it comes to something I believe in and something that I wish to accomplish. I always get what I want. My only weakness is the fair female. This girl is no exception and she had my curiosity. What kind of woman would be an assassin? Obviously she was my match and remembering a faint jasmine smell before I hit the dumpster, I could detect yet some femininity in her. So, I came to a compromise with myself: I would take her as a woman and then I would shred her to pieces. My heart pounded as I thought of it. My revenge would be exact and so sweet! Now all was left was to track her down. I was confident that I could find her. My skills as an assassin are quite elite; my ears hear clearly, my eyes see far and I believe I even smell blood. And then it occurred to me! My laptop…issued to me by the Organization for easier tracking down of targets. Shadowlaw kept an in-depth database of every known or possibly unknown threat. This being the 21st century, I do not have to rely on primitive means alone. Surely, I thought another assassin would be in the database—if not for hiring, for killing. Sadly, it did not show her picture but I found her. While there are numerous terrorist organizations across the Middle East, I was careful to narrow it down to female, mid 20s. Cairo, Egypt. “Curare…” I muttered to myself. “What a beautiful name. Well, Curare, I shall soon find out just how beautiful you are and what lies beneath your shroud!”

The next morning, I dressed coolly and casually to face the hot Egyptian morning. I carried with me my assassin’s case with my weapon and mask, and I wore my matador’s uniform underneath my khaki slacks. It was extremely hot but, it was a necessary sacrifice. After all, one cannot be inconspicuous when making a kill! Clark Kent did not walk Metropolis wearing his glasses, costume and cape, no! I did not know where I might run into my current assignment but I knew I was close. I knew I had to be prepared…so I put Curare and her escapades in the back of my mind for the time being. I saw my target briefly at the party last night before I was knocked from the roof and I knew she would be sight-seeing the city today.

I scanned the crowds. Arab women with scarves draped around their heads walked passed, glancing at me shyly. I smiled and continued to walk. Vendors sold meats, nuts and fruits. The air was hot and thick with spices. I could feel a glare burning into me and whirled around. It was those kohl-lined eyes again! Was I being followed or had I been paranoid? There were many beautiful women to be seen here, their eyes lined and walking closely with male companions.

“Excuse me,” said a soft voice as I collided with a woman.

“Con permiso,” I replied. And she stepped back and passed me with a faint smile. I looked back to see it was an Asian woman, her thick black hair done in a braid. I knew that voice! Her English was ever-so slightly accented with Chinese. My target! Quickly, I ran and ducked in an alley-way, tearing off my shirt (it was most hot anyways), sliding off my khakis, and taking out my claw and mask. I hid the case behind some garbage bins and jumping on top of one, I leapt onto the roof, leaping from roof to roof, carefully keeping balance and I raced towards her. Angry women chided me from their top story windows as I leapt but I ignored them. I saw the woman walking unknowingly ahead, about to turn a corner. I somersaulted off the building and landed on my feet in front of her. She flew back in surprise, her almond eyes wide. I chuckled from behind my mask and stepped forward. I saw her surprise fade and a look of anger spread on her face as I saw her clench her fists and take a fighting stance.

“You!” she hissed and I couldn’t help another chuckle. Oh I loved their angry outbursts!

“Sí, soy yo…” I sneered, and I wasted no time with a swipe to her face. She ducked, landing a kick square into my chest and throwing me back. I was not going to let this woman unnerve me. She had defeated me earlier in the jungles of Brazil, near a drug storage house. I almost had her last night when I was so rudely interrupted…she ran a few steps away. I thought she was trying to flee, and perhaps she was. I tried to corner her but she kicked against the wall and bounded towards me. I was amazed but I focused in time to shield myself, returning another swipe to her face. I knew it would take more than a few kicks to kill her. My talons caught the edge of her braid, snapping the hair band. Her wavy hair flew out and I had to keep my composure still. She’s the target! I coolly reminded myself as my heart pounded at the beautiful sight. I smirked and kicked her and as she fell I swiped, this time my claw had made contact with her face, eliciting a scream. I could see her eyes burning with anger, with a savage gleam that only someone like I would know; she wiped the blood from her face.

I beckoned her towards me.

“Ven acá, gatita,” I sneered, curling a slender finger towards me. She couldn’t see my smirk but it was so easy to taunt one behind this mask. What was the use using English anyways? She knew what I was doing and besides—I hate speaking English! I only use it with Bison and my comrades at the compound. Any other time, I was free to speak as I pleased in relative privacy.

But she was no pussycat! Giving an angry grunt, she leapt into the air and pummeled me with one flying kick. I blocked as she landed on her feet again.

“¿Temes muerte?” I muttered as I crouched and swept my leg under her, causing her to fall back. I enjoyed the momentary sight of seeing on her on the ground and staring up at me but it did not last long. Somehow, I had to pin her and take her life. It was what I had come to do and Bison would not have me fail. She took advantage of her time on the ground and crouching on her hands, kicked my mask. Oh not again… I thought.

I couldn’t bear more damage to beloved Mask of Agony. Like my ancestors before me, it is my duty to serve God and purge the sinners from the land, and I wear this mask in pride and to honor those who served long before me. My mask in fact bears a T for Tomás de Torquemada, most respected official of the great Inquisition! How I aspire to be like him. So pious in his duties and he was not satisfied till the screams of the sinners could be heard!

I could feel my chest swelling with pride as I thought of defeating this woman and not for Bison but God. I licked her blood from my claw, longing to taste her; to taste her sin, to feel her energy draining as surely as her blood. She did not pause for me in my indulgence and continued punching at my body. I swiped at her again, and she dodged as I narrowly missed my head being taken off by two sharp swords! Looking over my victim’s shoulder, I saw her--

“¡Ay dios mío! I cried as I ducked again and Chun Li pinned her swords under her arms and made a side kick to the female assassin’s stomach. Her swords now rendered useless, Curare drew four daggers, holding two in each hand and throwing them. I could see her dark eyes staring back at me savagely; I knew those daggers were aimed at me…I blocked with my claw, a few the daggers bouncing off the talons. Chun Li cried out as one hit her in the calf; Curare’s swords hit the ground with a clang and Chun Li pulled the dagger from her leg, throwing it at Curare with a hit to her shoulder. As she turned to fight her, I saw my chance. I ran against the wall, my claw aimed at the Chinese fighter’s head, a sure end to her life but even as Chun Li was occupied, I could not anticipate her true power.

“Spinning Bird Kick!” she cried.

She began to spin on her hands, her legs whirling like a helicopter. She threw me against the wall and I saw Curare fly back as well. I felt as though my breath was taken completely from my body as I slid down the wall. I struggled to catch my breath and I looked over to see that Curare had vanished, as well as my target. I was not too concerned with her though, I could easily follow the trail of blood…it was more than clear now that this new assassin had to be dealt with soon.



Maki’s Note: I hope you all enjoyed this next installment! Stay tuned for the next chapter!

GLOSSARY:



¡Ay dios mío!- Oh my god!



Con permiso- Excuse me



Si, soy yo- Yes, that’s me; it is I



Ven acá, gatita-Come here, pussycat



¿Temes muerte?-Do you fear death?