Author's Note:(Blah, blah) usually Usopp's thoughts, but occasionally someone else's.
(Blah, blah) Sogeking's thoughts.
"Blah, blah" someone is talking over a radio or Den Den Mushi.

Return of a Foe-Black Cats Bare Their Claws

It was the middle of the night in Syrup Town as most of the residents were a snooze except for everyone's favorite Sharpshooter: Usopp AKA Sogeking. The masked hero was looking at the wall of one of the prisons twelve of Syrup Town. Why you ask? Someone had broken out of jail or rather into the jail from what he had heard. It was odd to everyone, even the police who were investigating, who weren't noticing Sogekingfrom a roof top as he examined it with his sharp vision. This was the 6th Jail that was hit. It also had the same mark as the others: a skull and crossbones, only the skull was a cat's skull.

(I don't get it. Why would someone brake into jail?) Sogeking thought to himself as he examined the crime scene. Before he could continue his thoughts, he felt a sudden chill run down his spine and through his chest painfully slowly. As he looked down, he saw what was disturbing him: the Ghost Princess Perona going through his body for the umpteenth time. Sogeking fought the urge to scream as Perona laughed her laugh at him. "Will you stop doing that?" he whispered at her.

"Why would I do that?" she asked playfully, fake confusion in her voice.

"Because it creeps me out! And it distracts me!" Sogeking shouted at her.

"Guys. You have to be quiet. The Marines might here you." said the calming voice of Kaya through a Den Den Mushi that was on Sogeking's shoulder.

It had been three days since Sogeking's victory over Perona. Ever since then, Perona became a student at Syrup High andmade friends with Kaya and-to some level-Usopp. Those four days were spent with Perona acting as Sogeking's back up and Kaya took the role as being Sogeking's technical support since her family's computer can get into any and every network in Syrup Town since they have so much strings that can be pulled. So Usopphadto deal with Perona's scare tacticsand death threats as their 'friendship' grew into a partnership.

Through the past days, Perona has been staying at Kaya's house, lieing to her parents that Peronawas a friend from out of town and needed a place to stay. Her parents, being gullible to even the lamest of fibs, believed it. Usopp didn't like that idea, but it was out of his hands now.

"So, what do we know?" Kaya asked, getting back to present time. Kaya was watching them through a security camera on the wall of the Prison.

"We know that whoever is doing this likes to break into jail instead of out. But that doesn't say much." Sogeking said aloud. He looked back down to the Police andsaw four small ghosts flying right through them, making them collapse onto the ground. "Perona! Why did you do that?" Sogeking shouted at the Ghost Princess.

"So they would move out the way so I could see what was written." Perona told him as she floated to the wall. Sogeking simply jumped down to see what she was talking about. The duo walked casually over to the wall, not caring about the police who were to depressed to call for back up as they got closer to the wall. "See?" Perona asked him as she got closer. Sogeking also got closer to the wall and something was written.

"What's going on?" Kaya asked., not able to see what they were talking about.

"There's something carved on the wall. It says 'The Black Cats shall be reunited'." Sogeking read, confusion going through his mind. "Who are the Black Cats?"

SCENE CHANGE

It was morning at Syrup High as Usopp, Kaya, and Perona were all gathered in there group, the teacher gone to do...teacher things as the three of them talked amongst themselves.

"So, who are the Black Cats?" Perona asked aloud. Perona, instead of wearing her usual clothing, wore a pink mini T-shirt with a white ghost on it, black skirt, andred boots with her usual black and white stockings. Kaya thought it would be better if she looked more normal at school.

"The Black Cats are a group of rouges that usually go around from town-to-town as they steal money andrare treasures. They've practically been around the world. They have a lot of members so it seems they are more like an army than a pack of thieves." Kaya told them as she read a sheet of paper telling them this. The sheet of paper was printed from a Police Computer.

"A-an army?" Usopp asked, fidgeting in his seat.

"What's the matter Long-Nose, you scared?" Perona taunted.

"No! Just surprised!"

"Sure~..."

"By the way you to act, you guys could be lovers." Kaya butted in, catching the attention of her friends.

"NO WAY KAYA! I WOULD NEVER BE WITH THAT...THAT MURDERER!" Usopp shouted. Lucky for him, nobody really cared about his screams since it wasn't rare Usopp burst into a screaming fit.

"THE LONG-NOSE IS MY MORTAL ENEMY! I WILL SOONER HAVE HIM DEAD!" Perona shouted. Kaya laughed at their reaction as she continued down the sheet. However, when she got halfway down, her eyes grew as a cold sweat came down her face.

"U-Usopp." Kaya said shaking. Usoppturnedto see his friendshaking like a leaf as she looked at the sniper with fear in her eyes. "The leader of the Black Cats is...Kuro." she told him. Usopp's eyes shot from his eyes as snot came from his nose as he released a blood curdling scream. "And The Black Cats are getting closer to freeing him because the next Prison they hit will be the one where he's being held." Kaya told him. Usopp's tan skin turned paper white as he fell from his chair onto his back, a look of fear fixed onto it.

SCENE CHANGE

Once again, we see Sogeking jumping off rooftops at his top speed as Perona, in her usual costume,flying behindhim as a ghost with her body stashed at Kaya's. During the day, Peronawasupdated with the information about Kuro and Sogeking's battle with him.

"Are you guys almost there?" Kaya asked through a Den-Den Mushi.

"We're almost there!" Sogeking shouted into the electric snail as he pushed himself to go faster. "No way are they busting out Kuro!"

"I agree." Perona spoke up, catching Sogeking off guard as he stared at the Ghost Princess. "What? I don't like this guy."

(Wow! We agree on something...)

(Perhaps there is common ground after all.)

"Don't get any ideas Long-Nose. I only dislike him because he dislikes you. If anyone is going to destroy you, it will be me." she said, arms folded as they continued.

(Never mind...)

The Sniper King and Ghost Princess continued their run to the Prison Kuro was being held. It was about another half a mile of running, but Sogeking was determined to defeat the Black Cats.

"Guys! We have a problem!" Kaya shouted into the Den Den Mushi, "Their was an explosion in the prison! The prison Kuro is in!"

"What? Their there already!" Sogeking shouted back in a panic.

"Yeah! There's about 50 guys blocking the entrance." Kaya told them. Perona rolled her eyes at Sogeking's panic.

"Stop worrying. They won't be a problem." Perona told the him.

"And why's that?" Sogeking asked her.

"I have a plan." Perona said simply as she floated up to the sniper, him flinching slightly, as she whispered something into his ear.

SCENE CHANGE

At the prison, the doors were knocked down as 50 guys guarded the door. They all wore the same uniform: black shirts with the cat skull and crossbones, white pants, black shoes, and all of them had their hair in the form of cat ears. They all held swords in their hands as they guarded the door of the prison, making sure nobody had the chance to get into the jail. All seemed fine...that is, until they heard a strange laugh.

"Horo horo horo horo..." it sounded, causing the Cat Guys to jump a bit.

"W-what was that?" a random one asked aloud.

"M-maybe it was a g-g-g-ghost." another stuttered, only to get smacked upside the head by another one.

"Don't be ridiculous!" he shouted as he glared at him and the others, "There ain't no such thing as ghosts!" he shouted at them.

"Isn't there?"

"Of course there...!" he began to shout, only to realize that the last voice belonged to nobody. He and the others looked around to find nobody. "W-who said that? Come out!" he shouted, trying to sound threatening.

"I'm already here." the voice said, causing everyone to look down at the ground where they saw a Perona's head sticking out of it as if it was decapitated. "BOO!" she shouted, causing everyone to scream as they ran away, screaming for there mothers. "Man, they're bigger scared then you are, Long-Nose." Peronasaid aloud as she floated out of the ground withease. Out from behind a near by building, Sogeking entered the scene as he walked over to Perona. Sogeking ignored the comment as the duo walked into the jail.

Inside, the walls were made of stone like any other jail and it was painted dark blue. All over the place were cops and guards, all of them laying on the ground with their eyes closed.

"A-are these guys..." Sogeking stuttered as he walked closer to one of the bodies, only to hear loud snores. "They're asleep? Kaya, why are they asleep?"

"I don't know. The second they walked in, they took out the cameras. And they keep smashing them so I can't find them." Kaya told them through Den Den Mushi.

"So how are we-eeeeeeeeeee!" Sogeking suddenly yelped as he felt Perona's Negative Hollows pierce through him. The four ghosts flew down the four hallways that were inside the jail as if Sogeking wasn't their. "What was that for? We're on the same side!"

"They didn't effect you, so what difference does it make? Besides, I can see through the ghosts." Perona reminded him, making Sogekingfeel stupid for not remembering such a useful detail. "Found them. They're down the 2nd hallway." Perona told him as she flew down the hallway past Sogeking. Sogekingfollowed right behind her, using her as a lead.

They ran down the hall as instructed. As they ran, they heard the footsteps of someone who wasn't Sogeking.

"That must be them." Sogeking muttered as he quickly dug through his bag and pulled out one of his musket balls. Perona and him ran faster andfaster as they turned the corner. "Freeze Black Cats! Or feel the wrath of-" Sogeking began to shout, only to see that nobody was there. "I thought you said they were down here." he said to Perona.

"I thought so too!" Peronashouted as she looked aroundthe dark place to not find anybody.

"Guys! They're their! They are-" before Kaya could finish, the Den Den Mushi was off of Sogeking'sshoulder as he felt a gust of wind blow right past him. Sogeking, flinched as he slowly turned around to see a man who had green hair, incredibly skinny, and a hunched back. He wore a black shirt, a bow tie, blue shorts, brown shoes, and a pair of cat-gloves. He was also holding the now scared looking Den Den Mushi. Before Kaya could continue, he through the snail down the hall.

"Hey! Who the hell are you?" Perona shouted at the green haired man who was smiling devilishly.

"I am Sham. I'm one of the high ranking Black Cats. Me and my fellow Black Cats have already freed our Captain, Kuro." Sham told them, a cat's grin on his face.

"What?" Sogeking shouted, anger in his voice. "Where is he?" he shouted, aiming his Kabuto at the cat guy.

"Like I'll ever tell you where our secret base is." Sham said smugly. Sogeking growled as his rage clouded his judgement.

"Exploding Star!" he shouted as he fired his basic attack. Sham laughed as he ducked under the projectile and ran at him. Before Sogekingcould grab another star to shoot, Sham had delivered powerful, deep slash on the hero. Blood splashed against the boy as he fell over from the attacks. Blood coughed from his mouth as he fell over onto his knees as he tried to keep himself from falling onto his face.

"Ha ha ha!" Sham laughed as he looked at Sogeking, "I would love to finish this, but captain says to let you live." he said as he started to walk away.

"Mini Hollow!" Perona shouted, shooting small ghosts at the Black Cat. Before Sham could react, the explosive ghosts exploded on his back when they made contact. Sham staggered a bit as he tried to not fall over in pain from the sudden attack. "If any one kills Long-Nose, it's me!" she shouted, shooting more Mini Hollows. Sham quickly dodged the ghosts before they made contact with him and started to run. "Get back here!" Perona shouted, chasing him. She stopped when she remembered that Sogekingwas still not moving. She quickly turned around to see that Sogekingwas struggling to stand up. "Y-you're alive?" she asked in astonishment.

"I...I am the King of Snipers. It's going to take more than that to kill me." he said as he used the Kabuto as a walking stick to move. "We better call Kaya. Help me find the Den Den Mushi." he told her, his response was Perona crossing her arms and pouting at him.

"Don't boss me around!" she shouted as she went to go and look for the Den Den Mushi.

SCENE CHANGE

In the middle of the darkness, Sham ran into a dark room. Inside the room, Kurowas standing in the center with two other people standing next to him, but were shrouded by the darkness.

"Good job Sham. You did well getting here with no cops." Kuro said as he walked over to him. Kuro was wearing the black andwhite stripes of a prisoner's uniform with his usual glasses. "Is Usopp alive?" Kuroasked, a death threat in his voice.

"Yeah boss! The long nosed kid is still alive andkicking." Sham told him with a creepy grin. Kuronodded, returning the grin with his.

"Good. I shall have his blood on my own claws." Kuro said as he walked over to the shadows.

"So what do we do?" one of the hidden figures asked him.

"Patients. We must plan 1st. We can't just attack him. As much as I hate to admit it, he is quite smart. But don't you worry. He may be smart, but I'm smarter." Kuro told him as he and the others started to laugh.

Holy mother of shit! Kurois back with a vengeance! Andhe brought the Black Cat Gang with him! What are is dasteredly plans to get his revenge? It will be explained...just not in the next chapter. ...It takes time to think of that! For now, enjoy this next adventure, introducing another important character. Episode Preview!

While dealing with battle wounds, school, and the unknown rath of Kuro, Usopp has to deal with another problem! A wild animal is on the loose and the Sniper is on the job to hunt it down and try to return it to the wild. Will he do it or will this beast bring something unexpected?