Finessed by the Tiger // Lemon//

Chapter 12

Editors Note: the main characters and story line belong to the original owner.. LilyDusk. I have added my own twist on the story and interpretation of the characters. This chapter is a little graphic (Violence). I hope that you enjoy, and there is still a long way to go before this fan-fiction is finished. I have a lot more in store for you. Enjoy! ( oh and I am going to go back through and redo the first few chapters into this writing format, I believe that it is easier to read) Leave me a comment to let me know what you thought.

Everything started to fade away. There was only one thought running through my mind before my eyes closed... "Tora!"

Although I couldn't move, I could feel myself lifted and taken down the stairs. I could feel every jolt has my weight shifted, with every step. I could hear the same man that had kissed me laughing. "Look at her man, what I would give to have her. Tora is a lucky man; you think he would share her with me?" I feel the man who is carrying me, stop for a minute. "Ha, man he might. Word on the street is that he is gay, so who knows. However, he is a bit possessive over his stuff, and this lucky lady just now happens to be his".

The man started moving again. I could tell we finally made it out of the building when a strong guest of wind blew across my face. The man carrying me stopped, and I heard the creaking of car doors being opened. Then I was being lowered onto a cool floor. I was pushed further into the van and hit something warm and soft. "Ow, shit that hurt. Watch it you morons", a woman's voice yelled out. It wasn't just any ladies it; it was Cordelia.

I felt cold metal snap onto my wrists, and the jingle of chains filled my ears. Then the doors were slammed shut and a coldness crept in. I was starting to regain consciousness when I heard Cordelia speak "You okay?" I slowly opened my eyes and realized that it was still dark, and I couldn't see anything. Panic set in, until I realized it was only a bag that had been placed on my head. I somehow managed to pull it off and looked right at Cordelia. "Yeah, I'm alright, what about you?"

I could still taste the blood on my lips, that had dripped down my chin from biting that mans lip. I almost took a chunk out of his lip, and then started gagging at the thought. 'That would have been horrible'. Cordelia was looking at me with her mouth hanging wide open when the man started laughing. "You two are in for a treat, wonder if you will be has sweet has you smell?" The man leaned over and took a sniff of my hair, "if he doesn't want ya, I will gladly take ya" he chuckled.

Looking over at Cordelia, I motioned with my eyes at his legs, knowing that he would lean down to try to take another sniff of my hair, survival mode kicked in. 'After all, isn't this what mom and dad had trained me for?' Mom always said I was so weak, and that the world would chew me up and spit me out, so she showed me how to fight, to protect myself. Dad had taught me how to fight to take care of my bullies, but moms training was different. She would always get this dark look on her face, right before she would start sparring. That look used to scare me, but I remember it so clearly.

Shaking my head, I pulled myself out of my memories and tried to form a plan. One way or another I had to get us out of here. 'Tora would have made it to my apartment by now and realized something was off. He will come and free us'. Has I thought this, I got sick to my stomach... 'I have to stop relying on other people to save me, or mom would be right... this world really would chew me up and spit me out'.

Right has I pulled myself out of my thoughts again Cordelia nudged my foot. I looked up to see the man smiling down at me and leaning in closer. "Maybe, I could sneak in another kiss, before Tora gets you all to himself." He leaned in and went straight for my lips. Before he could kiss me again, I stretched my head up and sunk my teeth into his nose. He howled in pain, and swung at me, trying to detach my teeth from his face.

I could feel the blood gushing down my chin and resisted the urge to puke. 'Hold on Poppy, you got this, don't let go', right when I was getting to the point of gagging on the blood that was filling my mouth, the van stopped and Cordelia out of the corner of my eye stood up.

She managed to pick the locks of her chains and got to work on mine. The man up front turned around to see what all the commotion was and flew out the door to get to the back. Cordelia had already gotten my cuffs off, which was good, now I could stop the blows from hitting my head. She kicked her foot out, right into the mans leg, and it was followed with a loud crack.

The man was pushed backwards by the blow right has the doors were flung open. I had taken a chunk out of his nose and spit it out. 'That is going to be hard to get out of my head'. Cordelia and I made it out of the van before the other man had made it back to his feet. I still had blood dripping down my face and looked to the side and spit. "Cordelia, we have to run." She looked at me, and then looked at our surroundings. "We can't Poppy there are too many of them". Right has she said this the man had made it to us and was standing right in front of me. I stood my ground and raised my fists has my mother had taught me. 'At least she had done something for me, before abandoning me'.

There was shouting and yelling, and I recognized Tora and Quincy's voice, but it was too late. The man swung at me. I ducked and twirled behind him grabbing his arm and pinning it behind his back, I kicked his legs out from beneath him, and dropped him. Before I could get out of the way he grabbed my leg and pulled me down to the ground, and he was now on top of me trying to pin my hands above my head. "You aren't going to get out of this one bitch", he spat at me. I smiled, 'watch me'. In a move so quick, I managed to kick my knee up, effectively kicking him in the balls, and freed my arms has he clutched his crotch.

I bucked my hips, and kicked him off me, I swung my arm around collided my fist with his face. He was out cold. I pushed him off me and got up to my feet. I was out of breath, 'man I really need to exercise more'. Cordelia ran up and stood beside me has Tora and Quincy and a handful of other burly looking guys made their way towards us. The only thought running through my head was 'crap, I am supposed to be Quincy's editor, and now he is going to see me covered in blood etc. crap'.

It was dark out, but the area we were standing in was illuminated by outside lights. The men all froze, once they took a good look at us. I turned and looked at Cordelia, who was starring straight at Quincy, with a frown plastered on her face. She was bleeding too, she had a cut on her forehead, and multiple cuts running up her arms. Her hair was messed up, and she had a few bruises forming on her arms. She glared at Quincy "What the hell is going on?" Turning my attention to the men starring wide eyed at me I rested my gaze on Tora. "Tora, you care to explain to me why 'I am on my way' suddenly turned into being kidnapped and thrown into a van?"

I was beyond pissed. My earlier intoxication had worn off, and anger had taken its place. My name wasn't only poppy due to the flower, but it also represents the sounds that fireworks make, when I am angry. I could only imagine how I looked, wide eyed, angry, covered in blood, and hair flying everywhere. Tora looked at me stunned to silence; he probably witnessed the whole fight. I broke our eye contact and turned my head to spit, I still couldn't get the taste of blood out of my mouth. I looked at him once more.

He looked to be trying to convey an apology through eye contact, when I heard a man say, "What the hell is going on here?" I turn and am greeted by an older looking version of Quincy, a beautiful blonde woman, and a brunette that looked a lot like mom. She wasn't just similar... she was mom.