Disclaimer: Kim Possible belongs to Disney. Bast kind of belongs to herself and the plot is mine. So don't sue me, I don't have any money. Just crazy ideas!

(X)

Chapter 11: Acceptance

The Oasis of the Cat Mistress, somewhere in the Dreamlands

Bast dodged Afurida's roundhouse kick by a mere inch and stepped back, panting heavily. Afurida followed up with some heavy punches, aiming at Bast's torso from different angles. The feline girl blocked them all, growling at the force of the blows. Seeing Afurida raising her fists for a powerful, but slow punch Bast moved forward like lightning, delivering fast, hard punches into the woman's abdomen. Afurida staggered from the force of the assault, only to be knocked back by a powerful head butt. She tumbled a few steps, trying to clear her mind, but was knocked down by Bast's foot sweep.

"Well done, young one." Afurida accepted Bast's hand and let herself be pulled onto her feet. She rubbed her brow. "But the head butt was really dirty. You have a skull as thick as an ox."

"And you kick like a mule!" Bast retorted good-naturedly. They shared a laugh. "So, ready for another round?"

"I think I've had enough for one night." Afurida said, walking over to the small table under the sunshade, pouring herself a glass of water. Since that first encounter ten days ago she had gained more and more of her old powers back. Here, between the world of Bast's dreams and the magic of Afurida's oasis, reinforced by the growing bond she shared with Bast, she had already gained the capability to manifest physically. Three nights ago they had started to spar together. "So, when are those try-outs for this … cheer squad?"

"In two days, on Friday." Bast came over to her, taking a drink herself.

"Are you ready? I know you were worried."

"The routine is tough, but not as tough as some of the things we did at Yamanochi. I'm worried about the girls on the selection board, though. There will be Kim, Bonnie and Tara. Tara said she will vote for me when I do a good performance, but I think neither Kim nor Bonnie will vote in my favour. And even if they do, the rest of the squad must agree as well. And until now, only Ron and Tara are on my side."

"You're worrying to much, young one. Everything will turn out alright." They sat down together and Afurida looked at Bast closely. "You haven't told me a word about the other things of school for some nights." she said quietly.

"There is not much to tell. I scored some A's on the first pop quizzes." Seeing Afurida's confused expression she explained: "A is the best score you can get in a test." She sighted. "Now I am not only rated as a freak, but as a nerd and a grind, too."

Afurida nodded, not really knowing what Bast meant, but feeling her sadness. "Any news from this other girl, what's her name? Bonnie?"

Bast looked away from Afurida, staring at the night sky and the moon, barely visible above the horizon. "Nothing."

Afurida gently laid her hands on Bast shoulders, turning the girl around to see her face. "Bast, I'm your guardian spirit and your friend. There's no need for you to lie to me."

Changing emotions played across Bast's face, but suddenly it all just blurted out of her. "I just don't know what to do. I am trying to be nice to her and the other kids, but nothing fruits. I know, I've only been there for a bit more than a week and should not expect too much too soon… and… and Tara and Felix are very nice to me and are my friends, but… but…" She started to sob and hiccupped slightly.

"Shhh, Bast, it's alright." Afurida hugged her and stroked her hair in a calming manner. "You can tell me everything."

After a few minutes Bast regained her composure, wiped her eyes and started to tell Afurida what happened during the last few days. How Bonnie and her friends shunned her, sneered at her and the other kids wouldn't even talk to her; how Bonnie had placed a cat toilet with several bags of litter next to the restroom doors near the cafeteria, with a huge sign above it reading "Cat Freaks only". How they threw her a tennis ball, spiced with catnip in the hallway and how she had played with it for nearly a minute, lost in the overwhelming scent, before the combined spiteful laughter of more than two dozen students snapped her out of it. How Mindy had "accidentally" spilled some instant glue on her hand during an arts and craft period, forcing her to shave the fur of the back of her left hand and that she would have to wear her fingerless gloves for about a month now, until the fur would recover. How even nice teachers like Miss Sudor pitied her and how that hurt even more than rejection. How Brick or some other bullies always bumped into her, making her drop her books, spill a drink or be late for lessons, disturbing whatever she was doing at that time. And how she never talked back, never put up resistance in the vague hope of convincing the other kids that she was one of them.

"Did you ever consider telling them to just leave you alone?" Afurida asked. "Did you tell your parents?"

"No!" Bast said forceful. "I do not want to bother them with this. They are doing so much for me already."

"They are your parents, young one." Afurida reminded her sternly. "They love you and you have to tell them."

Bast's facial fur bristled with embarrassment. "Mom would call Mr. Barkin or Mrs. Singer, giving them a piece of her mind. And it is already bad enough as it is, even without some teacher or older student sneaking around, trying to protect me." Bast straightened her shoulders, her eyes ablaze with inner fire. "I have to face this alone." she said with deep determination.

Afurida frowned at Bast's words. There was a deep sense of honour and pride behind her statement, reminding her of herself during her days as mistress of the Iron Cat Fist. "And your brother?"

"Ron has his own problems. He knows some of this, but I asked him not to tell. He respects my wish, with complaints, but he does. Besides, he is still not talking to Kim, sticking to his decision that she has to take the first step. There were some bullies out to get him, too, but he stood up against them and now they leave him alone. He does not need to be saddled with my problems. And the bullies stay away from me when I'm with him or with Tara and Felix."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Afurida spoke up again. "You are a wonderful girl, Bast, but full of contrasts, like every person, living or dead." She grinned a moment. "You want to face all of this alone, yet you cry into my arms like a little kitten. You let yourself be pushed around, you're never defending yourself, but you don't want or accept help."

Bast looked at her startled: "You said I could tell you everything and…"

"Bast, please, let me finish. You try to blend in, but you can't. You're different from them, but you're trying to act like you're not."

"Excuse me? What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you in a minute. Will you answer me one, just one question, sincere and honest?" Bast nodded. "When you think of yourself, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?"

Bast opened and closed her mouth a few times, before she answered in a very small voice: "Freak."

"See? Not girl, not cat girl, not warrior, nor sister or daughter. Only freak." Afurida hugged Bast again. "You have to accept what and who you are, Bast. You think of this mutation as a curse, seeing it mainly as a handicap. And in some situation it is." Afurida said quickly, trying to silence Bast protests before they came. "But it is also a gift, making you stronger, faster and physically superior to other humans." She sighted and released the girl from her embrace. "When I was a child, I lived in ancient Egypt and suffered from a terminal disease. My goddess saved me from a dishonourable death but she although changed me, my eyes were the visible proof. For a while I tried to blend in, just like you do now, tried to be everybody's friend, but the other children didn't want to have anything to do with me. So I stopped trying, allowed myself to be myself, and after some time some of the kids wanted to be my friends, because I behaved more natural. What I try to tell you is that you first have to accept yourself."

"I think I understand." whispered Bast. "But I am a mutant, not a human like you have been back then."

"Bast, forget about the mutation, first of all you are a woman, and second at least partially a cat. Yet you act like a little puppy dog, chasing after acknowledgement from people not worthy of being your friends. If they don't accept you, they are not worth your time."

"But I'm supposed to fit in! That is what is expected of me!"

Afurida shook her head. "Bast, you have the strong instincts and the free spirit of a cat, combined with the smart mind of a clever human girl. And you're strong; you want to solve your problems yourself, without aid. Yet you insist to belittle yourself! I sense a fierce love of freedom and independence in you and a strong will to fight your battles yourself. A fire, fuelled by the passion you have in your proud heart." Afurida looked into Bast's eyes, seeing that her words were indeed not lost on the younger girl, seeing a glimpse of the fire she so dearly hoped Bast would have. "Damn, why don't you use this passion?" she cried suddenly.

"Why are you yelling at me?" Bast asked a bit concerned.

"Because you're just a little cat, scared of the world and because I am able to, that's why!"

"May I remind you that I knocked you down earlier?" Bast said confused.

Afurida poked an accusing finger into Bast's shoulder. "Yeah, but you won by cheating, puppy! You have NO sense of honour whatsoever!"

"That is not true, I am a warrior!" Bast retorted, getting angry.

"Well, you're just a little kitty, only playing the big, bad cat! There is no way you can do it again after you confessed to me how scared you are of a little meanie like Bonnie."

"I am not scared of her!" Bast cried. "But she has so many friends…"

"And that is a reason for you to back down like a good little DOG after getting a whack on the head?" Afurida screamed, jumping up. "Face it, Bast, you allow others to push you around and string you along because you're afraid of embracing the CAT inside you, thereby neglecting an important part of your very soul!"

With a feral growl Bast jumped up. "How dare you say that? I thought we are friends!"

"You want me to stop, then come over and make me shut up!" Afurida challenged her, taking up a fighting stance. She observed the emotions on Bast's face, seeing the feline girl struggle to keep control of her anger. Her face twisted into a cruel smile. "So, you're not only a little cub, but a coward and a wimp."

(X)

With an ear-splitting roar Bast launched forward, her eyes ablaze with fiery anger and her claws extended, ready to rip Afurida apart. Taken back by Bast's display of feral anger Afurida tried to block her ferocious attacks, but was not really succeeding.

Bast punched left and right, high and low, with long, but incredibly fast rakes, leaving deep, bleeding gashes on Afuridas arms, her shoulders and face. Afurida attacked, throwing a knuckle fist right into Bast's solar plexus, trying to knock the wind out of her. The cat girl didn't even flinch; instead her return punch caught Afurida right in the jaw, snapping her head back. It took the Egyptian woman the fraction of a second to bring her head back and focus her eyes, but Bast was gone. Suddenly a sharp pain exploded along her spine, when Bast's flying kick hit the small of her back, sending her sprawling.

Afurida groaned in agony and forced herself to flip onto her back. She saw Bast advancing on her in a low crouch, ready to pounce. Her fangs were bared, ears laid back against the head and all of her fur was bristled. Her tail was all puffed up and brandished angrily back and forth.

"Enough!" Afurida said weakly, resting her head on the ground. She barely heard Bast, closing in on her. With another groan she sat up, seeing the mutant still ready to pounce. Like a cat, patient and silent, waiting for her opponent to make a mistake. "ENOUGH!" she repeated sharply.

Her voice pierced the wall of anger clouding Bast's mind and the girl straightened up, looking at Afurida with total dread and despair on her face, realizing the results of her angry claw rakes. "I'm sorry, I did not want to hurt you!" she sobbed, hiding her hands behind her back.

Afurida stood up, limped over to the cat girl und gently took her hands into her own. With some words of power she healed herself. "Bast, it's alright. See, no harm done. Besides, this is a dream, silly billy; you can't be harmed in here for real." She led her over to the sunshade and they sat down again. "What did you feel when you attacked me?"

"You played me, right? You coaxed me into fighting you for real!"

"Yes, I did. I wanted you to see what you can do when you accept what you are, even when it is done out of instinct. I wanted to see the fire of your passion." She smiled and ruffled Bast's hair. "I tell you, girl, you pack quite a punch when you're angry! And you said I kick like a mule! Now, back to the topic, please answer my question!"

Bast looked down ashamed. "I was hurt and felt betrayed. And I was angry. I… I lost control of my feelings and that's exactly why I back down trying to blend in… I don't want to hurt anybody."

"But these feelings made you strong. Ok, they made you unfocused and careless, too. You couldn't stop yourself from attacking me." Bast nodded. "Passion, Bast, passion gives you strength, physical and emotionally. Passion consists of a whole bundle of emotions. On the one side destructive ones like hate, anger or rage. They are dangerous, because they make you reckless, unconcerned about the life of others. But with a bit more training you can learn to control them instead of neglecting them."

"Once they get a hold of me, they make it hard for me to stop myself in the heat of the battle." Bast said.

"Yes. But you also got good ones, like love, compassion, sympathy and even lust." Seeing Bast's confusion Afurida laughed gently. "Women, and cats for that matter, are thought of as sensuous beings. That's why I mentioned lust." Afurida took a deep breath, she nearly had reached the point she wanted to emphasize. "These feelings give you the strength you need to protect those you love. This passion is a part of all living beings, but for you they are even more important. In you, through the cat blood that runs in your veins, this passion is amplified by instinct."

"That seems to be a bad thing." Bast objected. "Big freak factor."

"It is only a bad thing if you make it one. But if you embrace the passion in your heart, embrace the part of you which you neglected until now, you can gain strength unknown."

(X)

They sat together for a while, lost in thought. Bast looked again and again at the older girl, trying to figure out what to do. 'She is right, though. I always thought of me as half a human, a furred freak. Maybe it is time to see myself as a complete being. Not superior to or less than humans, but simply different from them.'

"Can you teach me to focus on my passion? When we first met you told me that times of great darkness lay ahead of us and I want to be ready to fight!"

Afurida smiled and hugged Bast fiercely. "I hoped that you would ask me to teach you!" She released her. "But I can teach you more; if you want, I can teach you a special martial arts technique called the Iron Cat Fist!"

"Iron Cat Fist? I am pretty sure I did not hear anything about it at Yamanochi. Sounds more like a mystical power like the Monkey Power."

Afurida gave her a smug smile. "Actually it is. I didn't want to tell you everything at the same time, but since you asked I'll tell you. The Iron Cat Fist and the Mystical Monkey Power were created a long time ago; during the dawn of the oldest civilisation known to mankind. They were bound to the fate of two mighty swords, the Lotus Blade and a sword called Midnight. Both powers are eternally linked, but opposed by their very nature. What I tell you now may sound a bit odd to you, but you must understand, that the ideas behind this are descended from ancient cultures. Ancient for you, that is, but from the time I was living." Bast nodded. She seemed to do that a lot tonight. "The Mystical Monkey Power is considered a male power; it draws its might from the soul and from the mind. Discipline and tranquillity are its core and although the heart knows the reason to fight, it takes no part in it. Wisdom and reason are essential and in the faith of the old times these were strictly male attributes. And the monkey was a metaphor for said wisdom."

"I don't think this description describes Ron very well."

"It seems so, but as you know he hides a serious and thoughtful nature behind his goofiness. He is worth of the gift he has received. And it is no coincidence that he, as a boy, was chosen to be the true Monkey Master. On the opposite, the Iron Cat Fist is considered a female power, drawing its strength from the passion one harbours in the heart. Desire and fury are the essential attributes of this power. What of course doesn't mean to act thoughtless. For example, the need to protect others is in fact a form of desire. It means the mistress of the Iron Cat Fist is a graceful, beautiful and deadly fighter, with an untamed style, but, at the same time, impressing and upsetting male enemies. And maybe teasing and exciting them a bit as well."

Bast bristled. "That in turn does not describe me very well."

Afurida laughed gently, a soft and slightly teasing sound. "Like I said, you need training. But the power of the Iron Cat Fist can do even more. The Mystical Monkey Power has always given special emphasize to the battle, it's the stronger fighting power. But, on the other hand, the Iron Cat Fist has some other, less dangerous benefits, the power of healing considered as the most useful."

"You mean the Cat Mistress can heal? With a touch?"

"Yes. Driven by the urge to protect you will be able to heal those you love. Enemies are not worth of such a gift, though." Afurida said harshly.

Bast decided to change the subject. "So, Ron will always be stronger than me, because he's the Monkey Master?"

Afurida laughed again and ruffled Bast's hair. "You got a head start, young one; this is one of the good sides of your cat blood. When you have inherited the power of the Iron Cat Fist you'll be one hell of a fighter."

Bast smiled gratefully, but then a frown darted across her beautiful face. "Do you think there is a bond between me and Ron? Was it only coincidence he found me or was it destiny?"

"Maybe it was fate, maybe it was coincidence. Does that matter? No, it doesn't." Afurida said. "All that matters is that you two are together, here, in this time."

Suddenly a specific thought flashed across Bast's mind. "Was there a Monkey Master back in your time? Did you know him?" Seeing Afurida's face drop Bast instantly regretted her words. "I didn't want to hurt you or bring up bad memories. Sorry!"

Afurida smiled sadly. "That is a separate story I will tell you another time." She hugged the younger girl, her voice thick with emotion. "Bast, promise me that you'll never ever fall in love with Ron."

"But I do love him, he's my brother." Bast murmured into Afuridas shoulder.

"I mean love, as in romantic love, between a man and a woman. You know, the kind of love consummated through actually MAKING love." Afurida emphasised her point by looking straight into Bast's eyes, showing her the look of resolve in them.

Bast wrinkled her little nose. "He is my BROTHER, that would be actually disgusting. But since it means so much to you, I promise."

"Ok, good girl." Afurida stood and walked over to the edge of the sunshade. After a minute of thinking she turned around again. "Remember your promise, Bast, it is the only condition for me training you!" she said with a harsh voice, but she immediately continued softer. "But besides that, I sincerely hope you find somebody to love. It doesn't matter what others may think or say about you two being together, hold onto that special somebody, no matter what." Afurida's mood lightened up, while the look in her eyes cut off all questions Bast might have had. "We start your training right now. Your first lesson already took place tonight, now it is time to practise what I told you."

"And that would be…?"

"Be yourself. Be the kind, lovely and clever girl you are. Be a loving daughter, a good sister, a caring friend." Afurida said, while her face split into a predatory smile. "But also free the proud, silent, sneaky, sensuous, playful and mischievous cat you've kept inside you for so long. Embrace and unite both parts of your soul. Just be yourself!"

Bast stared at her perplexed. "That is easy to say, but hard to do."

"It is easy actually. Just allow yourself to do it, the rest will come naturally. But Bast, don't dishonour yourself. Don't accept things like this mean treatment you told me about earlier from anyone anymore, but also don't start fights just to show off. The Cat Mistress protects, she doesn't fight just to prove she's better than others." Afurida's smile even widened a tad. "There are enough other methods to teach those who deserve it a lesson."

Bast returned Afurida's smile. "And I just got the idea how and where to start!"

(X)

She awoke in her bed; everything Afurida had told her fresh in her mind. And with the realisation that she actually remembered the time in the dreamlands the memories of the other night's flooded back. Bast smiled a feline grin with a lot of mischief in it. A quick glance at the clock told her that is was two o'clock in the morning and the house was still quiet. 'Enough time to play a little prank on a special someone' she thought, bouncing out of her bed. She had retired early; the training at the dojo she had started to attend had taken a lot out of her. But now she felt rested and energetic.

'Sensei Hogan is a nice man.' she thought, he had accepted her without a second consideration, after she had kicked the butt of some of his better students. She planned to go there three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Of course only in case she wouldn't make it into the squad. Mostly she just worked out at the connected gym, but yesterday the guys wanted her to spar with them. She had enjoyed it and had won some grudging respect from the other martial artists.

Bast switched on her computer and waited impatiently until it finished booting up. With a swift click she opened a special connection to Wade. They had occasional talks and chats and last weekend Wade had given her some basic tutoring about computers and stuff by online teaching. She liked him and she was sure he would help her.

After a few seconds Wade opened the line. "Good morning, Bast. You're up pretty early." he said, while typing and stealing occasional glances at another monitor.

"And you are up pretty late." Bast smiled. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just putting some finishing touches on a project for the guys over at the MIT. So, what's up?"

"I need some help on … let's call it a field trip."

Wade looked at her surprised for a second, but then he smiled. "Well, tell me what you have in mind."

Bast told him about her idea in a few sentences, bringing out the importance of her mission. Wade frowned. "I don't think that would be such a good idea."

"Wade please!" Bast begged, her eyes all big and watery with her ears sagging, while she was making soft meowing noises like a lost little kitten.

Wade blinked, gasped and trembled a few seconds, before he realised what he was doing. "Oh, Bast, that is even worse than the Puppy Dog Pout." He sighted. "Ok, I'll help. I'll put the data you asked me for in a Kimmunicator, you can pick up the device in about an hour at the following coordinates, but NEVER, I repeat NEVER EVER show it to Kim or Ron. I'll never see the end of this if they find out that I equipped you with mission gear."

"Thank you, Wade. You totally rock."

"Yeah, whatever. But I'll monitor your little excursion and the minute you run into trouble I'll call Ron. Understood?"

"Ok. I will call you from the Kimmunicator to let you know what happens."

Wade sighted. "How did you talk me into this again?"

Bast repeated her "Little Lost Kitty Cub Pout" and Wade sighted again. "Ok, I remember. Take care of yourself, ok?"

The feline girl smiled radiantly. "Thanks again Wade." She blew him a kiss. "Talk to you in an hour!"

(X)

A shadow clad into a black ninja suit sneaked into Ron's room and over to his cupboard. The shadow eased the door open and rummaged through the utility belt hanging from the coat stand. The person took a small device from the belt, stowing it away in its own suit. Suddenly the shadow was disturbed by a little pink rodent climbing up to its shoulder, scolding it with quite chirping.

"It is alright, Rufus." Bast whispered, who was the shadow in the black suit. "I am going on a little payback mission. Want to ride along?"

Rufus nodded and scampered down into Bast's pocket. A few minutes later they hurried away from the house, vanishing into the night.

(X)

Another chapter up. A big cheer for me and my buddy! And thanks to my readers for your continuing support.