The Serpent Queen

Nature Vs. Nurture | Part Two

By the time Phoebe and Hawk left the diner, the sun was setting in the sky casting an orange glow on the area. They had talked for hours and now were walking back to his motorcycle with their respective helmets.

Hawk glanced to her, "You know I thought about what you said about everything...about us."

"Uh-huh. Well?"

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back towards him. He caressed her cheek and kissed her.

Phoebe moaned softly and deepened the kiss. She felt his hand tangle in her hair and he unknowingly nearly touched the spot. She quickly broke the kiss and stepped back quickly fixing her hair.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just that...you nearly touched where the bat hit."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

"No. No. There's no pain...it's just...the surgeon's had to shave a little hair off to fix it. I'm self conscious about it."

"Can I see it?"

She hesitated and pulled up a few layers of hair so he could see the bald spot and the scar in it.

"I like it. It's badass."

"Don't quote me back to me." She giggled dropping her hair.

"It's a warrior scar. I'm serious. You survived the fight of your life. You should wear it with honour. Proof that Circus-freak didn't beat you. If you're worried about people seeing it, then make a distraction. Or in your case, do nothing. Hair grows back, Phoebe. Anyone who makes fun of it, deserves to get punched. My mohawk has gotten taller which means my hair has grew, and trust me, someday I'll have my hair down and it will rival yours in length. Imagine that?"

Phoebe chuckled.

"There's the smile I love. We're both badass and the best power couple in the dojo."

"We're together again?"

Hawk smiled and chuckled. "We sure are, princess."

—————————————————————

Kreese stepped into the laundry room of Tory's apartment complex. He saw the landlord taking out the coins from the washing machines. "Excuse me."

"I'm not here. Need to clean your dirties, come back tomorrow."

"I'd like to speak with you about Tory Nichols." The old war veteran approached him.

The man laughed, "Let me guess, she owes you some money? Get in line."

"No, I'm just a neutral party looking out for her well- being."

"Look, old man, I don't know you." The man turned around and faced him. "If you care about her well- being, you can pay her rent. Or she can do something else to get in my good graces."

Kreese didn't like what he implied and grabbed the man and got his arm in a lock. He took his cigar cutter and instead of using it what it was meant for, he put the man's index finger inside it. His own two fingers through the holes on the other sides had control of the blade.

"Shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit! I'm sorry! What, are you her grandpa or something?"

"Or something." Kreese replied.

"Please, you don't wanna do this."

"I think I do. Somebody's gotta teach you to keep your hands to yourself." The Sensei pushed on both sides to make the blade move closer to the landlord's finger.

"Okay, okay, okay! I'll do what you want! Come on, man!"

"Good. We're gonna make a little arrangement."