[A/N: Compared to last chapter I think I stepped up my game with this one. I've also been on the fence about having a second Traverse Town chapter I was thinking I'd just use that chapter to explore Juliet's character a little more since I'm not used to having her as a bad guy. Also don't be surprised if there's no chapter tomorrow since I'm supposed to spend the day with family. One last thing happy turkey day everyone! Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy the chapter!]
Juliet was still in her cat form as she ran through the translucent world. "Where is he? I'm sick of being a cat." She was having a difficult time getting through the world since she was so small compared to everything else when she saw Puck up ahead. "Puck, get over here."
Puck had been hoping he'd get some alone time to try and figure out how he was going to give Erik and Antonia the slip. He nearly burst out laughing when he saw that Juliet was still a cat. "Let me guess you want me to help you find Erik, right?"
"Yes."
"Do you want a saucer of milk too?"
"Don't be stupid Puck just find him for me."
"I was joking." Puck leaned down and picked Juliet up feeling her squirm in his grip. "What are you squirming for? I thought I'd give you a leg up since you're so low to the ground."
"You're squeezing me." She managed to get out of his hands and rested on his shoulder.
"So, you haven't told anyone what I told you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about?"
Puck frowned at her. "You mean you forgot what I told you? Wait, you didn't forget did you? Oh, I see what you're doing. Playing dumb I get it."
By the time they got to where Erik and Antonia were Puck was fidgeting nervously. He was still half expecting Juliet to spill the beans, but so far she'd kept quiet.
Juliet hopped off Puck's shoulder ripping his jacket with her claws a bit as she did so. "Do you think could change me back now?"
Erik looked down at Juliet. "I don't know if I should. It may be more amusing for me to keep you as a cat. Then again it would make your life a bit more difficult. All right hold still. Wouldn't want to change you into something else."
After Erik had worked his magic Juliet was feeling a bit more like herself.
"You'll be going to Deep Jungle next. And you'll be going by yourself."
"Why aren't you or Puck and Antonia coming with?"
"Because we have other things to do."
Juliet saw a dark portal open up for her before walking through it.
Puck watched her go and was still thinking about what he'd told her. He wanted to keep a close eye on her just in case she tried to get some alone time with Erik to tell him. "Are you sure one of us couldn't go with her?"
"Why bother?"
"Because Deep Jungle is full of gorillas it could be dangerous."
Antonia was unsuccessfully holding back a snigger. "What are you so worried about, Puck? Wait don't tell me…you have a crush on her don't you?"
"No, I don't I'm just worried about her getting hurt."
Juliet was completely unaware of what was going on and had landed in a house that was nestled in the tree tops. "So this is Deep Jungle? It looks like an uncivilized hole to me." She heard growling behind her and looked back to see a large leopard snarling at her. "What do you want?"
Sabor had been causing trouble in Deep Jungle for some years and was known to be bloodthirsty and vicious. However, Sabor didn't look particularly vicious at the moment. He walked up to her keeping his head down before rubbing his head against Juliet's hand.
Even though she was feeling immensely confused by this Juliet scratched Sabor behind the ear and heard a deep rumbling purr in response. "All right that's enough of that." She walked out towards the door of the house and heard Sabor padding after her. Juliet looked over the edge of the tree to see a thick canopy beneath her. "So, I just jump down?"She swung her legs over the edge of the tree before taking a deep breath and jumping down.
She'd landed in a green cave made of trees that had a dark tunnel that led further somewhere else. Juliet could hear voices coming from down the tunnel and recognized one of the voices as Sora. "So I found the Keyblade wielder." She looked down the tunnel, but only saw darkness. "What's the point of being scared? If he can go through I can go through."
The tunnel led out to a long vine that Juliet was struggling to keep her feet on. "So you just ride down the vine?" After a few minutes she was able to get her footing, but was going a bit quicker then she would have liked. The vine came to an end rather suddenly causing Juliet to nearly fall on her face. She looked up at the area she'd landed in and saw that she was in dusty brown area. "Doesn't look like Sora is here." She could hear Sora's voice coming from further up ahead and began to follow.
She was in a clearing that was surrounded by a thicket of trees when she heard something rustling around in the trees.
Sabor had been following her and went right to her rubbing his head against her hand.
"Look leopard it's flattering and everything that you like me, but I think this would go a little bit smoother if you didn't follow me." Juliet dropped her hand and started walking towards the other end of the clearing. She could hear Sora's voice coming from the other end of the clearing and looked around to see a tent. "He must be in there." Before Juliet was able to further investigate she felt Sabor rubbing against her purring again. "This is not a good time."
Sora came back out of the tent when he heard something coming from the clearing. "I guess no one was there."
Juliet shoved Sabor away again before creeping out of the clearing. She could hear Sora's voice coming from further ahead. How does he get from one place to another so quickly? Juliet slunk out of her hiding spot when she saw a tan skinned dreadlocked man walk out of the tent.
The man seemed to have recognized Juliet because he rushed over to her and pulled her into a nearly bone crushing hug.
"You release me, oaf."
The man frowned and let go before cupping her face and bringing it close to him. "Juliet, Tarzan, friend…" Tarzan frowned in confusion when she scowled at him.
"I'm not your friend now let go of my face."
Tarzan looked a bit dejected, but let go and went in the direction Sora had gone.
"What was that guy? Like I'd be friends with a savage like him. Still it couldn't hurt to follow him."
She came out into a swampy area that had a series of vines hanging down over a couple hippos were basking in the pools. Before she could begin climbing up the vines she heard a man's voice coming from the direction she'd come. Curiosity got the better of her and she peeked around the corner.
The man who was talking looked like a hunter of some kind since he was carrying a large gun with him. He was talking to a young brunette woman.
Juliet heard the man get called Clayton and the woman Jane. Jane….I might be able to do something with her. Him too maybe. She made her way towards the pair when she noticed that Clayton had spotted her.
Clayton aimed the gun and took a few steps back. "Who the devil are you?"
Jane pulled his arm down. "Mr. Clayton be reasonable. She looks like she's nothing more then an ordinary girl. All though her eyes are a little unsettling."
"You're looking for gorillas aren't you?"
Clayton and Jane exchanged puzzled looks before Clayton took a step forward; the gun still raised. "What do you know about it?"
"I couldn't help, but over hear your rather loud conversation. As it so happens I know where the gorilla's nest is."
Clayton lowered the gun ever so slightly; there was a wicked glimmer in his eyes. "Do you? Well missy, why don't you take us to them?"
"I'll only take you or no deal."
Jane looked between Clayton and Juliet in confusion. "I'm studying the gorillas. Why can't I come?"
Juliet rolled her eyes. She really wasn't in the mood for explanations. "If you study gorillas then you should know that they're very shy. I think it would be best if we went in pairs. After I've shown him I'll come back for you." I'll have plenty of time for you later.
"I think that sounds like a very reasonable plan, Ms. Porter. Lead the way Miss…."
"Don't bother asking my name." You won't be able to learn your own very soon. Juliet led the way back into the swampy area before beginning to climb up the vines. "I hope you have a lot of upper body strength."
Clayton was a bit slower than her since he was bigger and had his gun strapped to his back.
She stopped once they got the first set of vines. "Just follow me and we'll be at the gorilla's nest in no time." Juliet grabbed onto one of the vines and swung her swung herself to the next.
The hunter was gripping the vines a little extra tightly and was moving a bit more slowly; his eyes glued to the ground that was far below them. "Are you sure there isn't a different route we could take?"
"Nope, sorry this is the only way."
After they'd cleared the first area with vines Juliet turned to Clayton. "Mr. Clayton, what do you think lurks in the hearts of men?"
"Is this some kind of riddle?"
"I can see what's in your heart." Juliet took a step closer to him causing Clayton to back up into a tree; the gun pointed at her chest. "Greed, corruption, anger, and most of all a thirst for blood."
Clayton put his finger on the trigger. "Missy, you may want to back up."
Juliet smiled at him, but backed up. "The gorillas aren't too much further if you'll follow me." She grabbed onto another vine and began to swing forward again.
Clayton stared after in confusion for a few seconds before he realized he was being left behind. As much as what she'd just said had caught him off guard Clayton wasn't about to admit that a little girl frightened him. He could break her neck without breaking a sweat if he wanted. All the same what she'd said had sent a shiver up his spine.
By the time they got to the next clearing it was painfully aware that they weren't going to see the gorillas. Clayton was glaring at Juliet who had her back turned. "You said we were going to see the gorillas."
"This is their nest. It's not my fault they aren't here right now." She turned around. "However, I could always show you something more valuable then gorillas. That is your game isn't it? To kill the gorillas and sell their pelts or whatever?"
"How did you possibly know that?"
"I can read you like an open book, Mr. Clayton. I can see the darkness that's in you and all I want to do is set it free."
Clayton could feel sweat starting to accumulate on his forehead and pointed the gun at her. "Keep away from me…."
Juliet took a step closer with a look on her face that dared him to try shooting her.
"I'm warning you keep back…" When Clayton saw her take another step forward he pulled the trigger. He grinned in satisfaction thinking that had done the trick.
However, Juliet had caught onto his plan relatively quickly and had cast an aero spell on herself to deflect the bullet. "If you hold still you'll save yourself a lot of pain."
Clayton only snarled at her before shooting again. After he'd emptied the gun he threw it down and lunged at her.
Juliet side stepped him watching him crash to the ground. She put her foot on his back when he tried to get up. "Are you ready to be sensible about this, Mr. Clayton? If you're worried about it hurting I can assure you there is no pain. You don't even feel it happening."
He threw her foot off and tried to get up when she kicked him under the jaw. "What do you want from me?"
"Only the deepest darkest part of your heart." Juliet leaned down so that they were eye to eye before lightly pressing her hand to his chest.
Like with O'Malley there was a black cloud that came over Clayton's eyes.
Juliet stood up again before black vapor began to accumulate behind her.
Coming out of the vapor was what looked like a large green chameleon.
"Well it looks like my master has sent you a present, Mr. Clayton."
Clayton rose unsteadily to his feet as he stumbled over to the heartless.
Juliet picked the rifle up again and handed it to him. "You'll need this as well. Well, this has been lovely and everything, but I have one more person I need to pay a visit to so if you'll excuse me."
Once Juliet had gotten back into the camp sight she didn't see Jane. "Looks like that girl was smart enough to try and hide. No matter there are only so many places you can hide in, in a jungle."
She'd looked everywhere by this point and was beginning to feel a bit exasperated when she remembered the tree house.
When she got into the clearing that led up the tree house Juliet found Jane huddled together with a gorilla.
Jane looked up at her and tensed up. "What are you doing here? Where's Mr. Clayton?"
"Oh don't worry about him. You'll be joining him soon enough don't worry about that." Juliet took a step forward when she saw the gorilla stand in front of her. "Oh how cute it's trying to protect you." She cast a fire spell at the gorilla lighting some of its fur on fire.
Jane tried to inch away, but found that her path was blocked. "What are you going to do?"
"You'll see." Juliet did the same thing to Jane that she'd done to Clayton, but she wasn't aware that Tarzan was right behind her. She felt a pair of strong hands fling her off Jane.
Tarzan quickly pulled Jane up who had collapse and pressed his ear to her chest. He pulled away patting her cheek while saying her name over and over.
"Don't worry about her she'll be fine." Juliet got up and was ready to leave when she felt herself get thrown down.
Tarzan was towering over her and had his lips pulled back in a snarl. "What you do to Jane?"
"Nothing much….just corrupted her heart that's all. I don't know why I'm bothering to explain this to you its not like you can understand me."
Tarzan picked Juliet up by the scruff of her neck and shoved her against the wall of the clearing. "Fix Jane!"
"No can do. Now would you mind horribly putting me down?"
Before Tarzan could do anything else Jane had leapt to her feet and wrapped her arms around his neck. He dropped Juliet and tried to pull Jane off who was now hanging off his neck.
"I think that wraps this up." Juliet summoned a dark portal and disappeared though it in time to see Sora enter the clearing."
