Zander cupped her shoulders. "Max, it's too dangerous here-"

"Not dangerous," a new voice purred. "But sacred to the felines, reptilian child."

"Reptilian?" Zander echoed.

A woman stepped from the shadows, dressed in a black dress and calf length boots. The cats all seemed to bow to her in reverent fear.

"Miss Kyle!" Max exclaimed, giving name to the woman.

"Hello, Maxine. I take it the grey eyes one is Terrence McGinnis?" Cecelia Kyle crossed her arms over her chest. "I see Isis led you well."

Terry frowned. "What's going on?"

"A simple ceremony, Terrence. No need to be so somber. Especially since you crashed it."

Terry fisted his hands, but was restrained by Max. "Cool it, Terry. Ms. Kyle, what's going on?"

Cecelia looked to her daughter lying on the slab. "A simple ceremony, Maxine. The revival of the Curana."

"Curana?"

Cecelia sauntered toward them only to kneel to pet Isis. "You've been a good kitty, haven't you? Such a good girl bringing your friend here..."

Isis mewled under her touch, seemingly content to let the woman scratch her ear.

"The Curana is a special title given to those of the Mau tribe. Only those who have completed a special rite and made all those who challenge her respect her power and prowess. Rylee has won that title."

"What's this about a revival?" Terry asked, calming himself substantially.

"Rylee's status as Curana is very coveted because of the revival capabilities. With a substantial amount of felines around her, her body can draw upon their life essence to pull her spirit back."

Zander spoke first. "So you'll kill the cats to revive Lee?"

The hissing of the cats was only hushed when Cecelia raised a hand. "No reptilian, we would never kill a cat in such a cold display."

"Why does she keep calling me that?" Zander muttered. "I'm not cold blooded."

Max soothed him. "Of course you aren't, baby..."

Terry barely paid Zander's confusion any mind.

"She will simply use their force to build a- bridge of sorts to this realm and reclaim her body. Only a Curana has this ability. And it can only be used nine times."

"Nine?"

"Of course; where do you think the myth of cats having nine lives originated from?" Cecelia chuckled. "Mother is always so dramatic about circumstances. I swear... The moment she felt a disturbance within her..."

"Why would Selina feel it?" Terry asked.

Cecelia glanced back at Lee's body. "We have time. The moon hasn't sent its beacon yet." To Terry she said, "For the same reason Maxine was led here. She is the witness to Life, just as Selina was witness to Death. Only someone outside of the Mau clan can do so. However Max has not developed this sense, so we had to use Isis."

Isis winded her way through Max's legs. "Okay, you're off the hook this time."

The cats all meowed in unison, and Terry looked over at the slab where Lee lay. Moonlight spilled over her, bathing her in an ethereal glow.

"The beacon has been received. The time is now." Cecelia rose to her feet. "Watch the magic, children..."

From all the cats present there stepped soft blue counterparts, which all bounded for the slab. One by one they seemed to find a place in what looked like a stairway, winding down into Lee. At the top stood a magnificent clouded leopard made of pure white and blue essence. It regally descended the stairway, the collar-like amulet proclaiming her royal status.

"Amazing..." awed Max.

"Yes, truly a divine sight..." Cecelia agreed.

When she reached the concrete, instead of descending into Lee, it leaped from the slab to the center. It let out a proud roar, that scattered the stairway essence back to their respective vessels. The leopardess then turned and with a flick of her tail, she leaped into Lee.

Gasping, Lee sat up off the concrete, violet eyes wide and lips a perfect "O". Her hand, which still had pieces of her glove claws on it, went to her throat. Lee closed her eyes and moaned. "Major headache right now..."

"Lee!" Max broke away to hug her friend. "You scare me again and I swear I will bring you down to your last life."

"Nice to see you too, Max." She looked over Max's shoulder at her mother. "Please tell me you brought a change of clothes for me?"

"Well, you can't go waltzing through town in that, can you?" Cecelia clapped twice and a clouded leopard came prancing from the shadows with a knapsack. "A pair of jeans and a T-shirt."

"Thanks."

Terry watched as Lee knelt next to the big cat and rubbed its head, cooing at it. He nearly jumped when Zander said, "She's like a cat whisperer."

Lee's head came up and her eyes zeroed in on Terry. "Terry..."

"Lee..."

They stared at each other for a while until Max retorted, "Are you two done? I want out of this drain tunnel before the smell sticks to me."

Lee flushed scarlet and looked down at the big cat. "Okay, let's get you home." She looked around at the assembled felines. "Let's get you all home."

XXXX

AK: Okay, I realize that my story is moving fast. So, I'll slow it down and maybe add filler chapters. R&R with which ones you think need work. Your input is valued. ;)