A/N:

Behold the final chapter of The Hunt. It has been an amazing journey, and I hope you enjoy the ending. If you would, please let me know your thoughts on the entire story: things you really liked, things that could be improved upon, etc. Also, if you could share thoughts on the characters and things you liked/could be improved about them! Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! Love you all!3

Chapter Twenty:

Are my ears deceiving me?

I stand and simply gape at Casimer, and I make no attempt to hide it. Me? He left first! I didn't even know what to say, where to start... how was I supposed to respond to that? Yet, his gaze doesn't leave mine. Clearly, he is looking for an answer. I make my way over by him and sit down.

"I came back, didn't I? Why are you so upset over the fact anyhow?" I question, turning it back on him. A bold defiance crosses his eyes, but almost immediately fades.

"I just didn't expect to come back and find you gone," he finally states with a sigh.

I quickly counter. "Well, I didn't expect to come back and find you here, either, so I guess we're both surprised."

He pauses for a second, curiosity taking over his features. I wait, slightly impatient, although I don't know why. There's some strange tension, if I can even call it that, in my muscles, and my entire body feels on overdrive. I have no clue what is going on.

"Did you think I wouldn't come back?" Casimer asks. Well, he hit it right about on the nose. And suddenly, I'm doubting myself and my reasons for leaving. Did I truly think he wouldn't make it back? If anything, I should have known that he would do whatever it took to come.

"Um, I, I wasn't sure that you'd be able to," I sputter. "You know, it might have been too dangerous, or something." His brow creases a bit, eyes softening.

"I would always come back for you, Lucille."

Instantly I feel very awkward and sheepish. Casimer, as if he hadn't realized what he was saying, dips his head to stare intently at his paws. The air hangs around us like another layer of fur. Silence holds our mouths shut.

"So, uh, Rena – your mother – what happened to, to her?" I break in, needing to get rid of the uncomfortable atmosphere that has taken over the clearing.

"She decided to stay," Casimer explains quietly, voice still not recovered from his moment of embarrassment. I think something is wrong with my ears... did I mishear him again?

"She decided to stay?" I repeat incredulously. What did he mean she decided to stay? So, all this worrying about us slitting up, it wasn't even necessary. She didn't even come! And why would she not come? Oh, I'm given a chance at freedom from the dictatorship of an evil cat who basically killed my mate, but no, I'd rather stay here and let my son go himself? I don't understand...

"She said that this was not her journey."

I bite to hold back a sigh. What was that supposed to mean? If that's what she wanted, I guess. Now though, I realize why it hurt Casimer to come back and find me gone. He had just found out he would have to leave his mother behind with Maxim, and then comes back to his supposed friend who has left him. It makes me feel a bit remorseful.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, don't be sorry," he quickly replies.

The sun has risen up in a pale blue sky, slightly hazy with wispy clouds. The day is warm with a calm breeze. Birds sing from their branches and I am here with my best friend. This day seems to be fairly perfect.

"I found a great spot in the forest for when we decide to leave," I tell Casimer. He nods thoughtfully.

"I'd like to rest here a little longer – the journey back and forth has me a bit tired."

He closes his eyes, bathing in the sunlight. I can't help a glance his way, watching the sun dance off his shiny pelt. So comfortable in appearance, I wonder what is going through his head. Is he as calm there, or is he sorrowful that his mother would not leave?

I shake my head. What has happened is done and what will happen is not happening now. I close my own eyes, shutting out the world even if just for a few moments. It's a necessary thing every now and again, for everybody. Just a little time to myself, with no worry or fear or anything at all. Only peace...

When I open my eyes again, it is because of a movement from Casimer. He's right next to me now, so close that I have to fight against my instincts which want to move me away. He scrambles to his feet in an instant, and worry courses through me. The sky around us has dimmed into deeper shades of blue, along with splashes of reds and oranges and pinks – how long have we been asleep?

I watch Casimer, his ears perked towards the tunnel. My stomach flips over; he motions for me to be quiet. I strain to understand what he's interested in. And then, I catch it. Sounds, coming from the tunnel. Someone is joining us.

I jump up as well, and he flicks his tail beckoning me forward. As quietly and quickly as we can, we hurry over and take positions on either side of the tunnel. Hopefully, ambushing our visitor will start this meeting off in our favor.

The scrabbling that comes from the shadows worries me - this cat isn't even trying to keep quiet. Yet, at the same time, I find myself asking why. If this cat is really coming to attack us, no matter how confident they are of a win, they'd be a fool to alert us. The element of surprise is always helpful.

The sounds quiet for a moment, and then a fiery ginger tom shoulders his way out of the tunnel. He doesn't come out gracefully, and grumbles in spite of himself. Then, giving his pelt a shake, his eyes wander around the lake.

I'm crouched and ready for the attack. Casimer gives no signal, though. The low growl that started to build in his throat is suddenly cut off. The cat, hearing him, turns in shock, the hairs on his back fluffing up.

"Casimer! I was hoping I wasn't too late to catch you!"

My mouth craves to gape open. What is going on?

"Levi - I can't believe... how did you find us?"

This cat didn't sound like an enemy at all! He sits down where he's at, and Casimer follows suit. I'm awkwardly stuck behind him, not sure what to do. So, for now, I just stay put.

The newcomer flicks his tail. "Rena told me."

"Why did you come? This has to be dangerous for you," Casimer states with a worried tongue. I want to snort and the irony of it - it's not like we just had this problem or anything!

"Maxim - he's, well, now that The Hunt is over," Levi pauses and takes a deep breath. "Casimer, you have to go! Your mother told me what you're planning; you have to leave now. Maxim knows. They've had huge search parties out to try and survey the entire territory. If he finds you..."

"I'll be dead. Yeah, I've known that. We're going to leave, don't worry. I-"

But, he's interrupted before he can finish. "Wait, what is 'we'?"

Casimer gazes past Levi, meeting my eyes. His tail invites me over with a simple flick. I try to shake my head, feeling a knot stirring in the depths of my stomach. Yet, he is persistent, and finally, I make my way to his side with slow, steady steps. Levi's wide eyes hold me in astonishment.

"Who is this?" he asks timidly.

"This is Lucille," Casimer tells him, casting a warm glance in my direction. Heat flushes through my body at this. "She-she was a prisoner, a good friend of my father."

I watch Levi intently, slightly scared as to what might happen now. His eyes flutter closed for a moment, and he sighs. When he opens them again, he looks first at me, and then at Casimer, and slowly shakes his head.

"You are so lucky, Casimer. If you had been caught-"

"I know, I know. But, I wasn't, and that's the best part of it all."

Levi snorts, still appearing a bit exasperated, but he's being good about the whole ordeal. Maybe, he's not so bad. I've learned a lot about the Maligni cats in my short time. Truthfully, I should have known before. It's like saying all of us prisoners were bad cats because, well, for obvious reasons.

"You are a crazy cat, Casimer," Levi chuckles. "But, I guess you've always been, eh? Never very well suited for the Maligni life."

Casimer nods, pressing a bit against me. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

It's right then and there that I truly realize how lucky I am, for Casimer's entire family. If it weren't for Chet, I might have been dead before The Hunt even began! When Chet no longer could care for me, Casimer saved me from another sure death. They've helped me cheat death, that family, and they've become pretty good friends along the way.

"Well, I better head back, so I don't arouse any suspicion." Casimer leaves my side to touch his muzzle to his friend's shoulder. Levi does the same, and they remain like that for a moment before pulling away. "It was nice to see you again, Casimer. I'll miss you. And nice meeting you, Lucille," he adds in quickly.

"Goodbye, Levi. Stay strong in there for me."

Levi chuckles. "Will do."

And then, without another word or even a glance, he disappears back through the tunnel. Casimer stalks back to me and touches his muzzle to my ear, and I'm surprised by his touch - almost as much as the fact that I don't move away.

"Maybe we should get going too?"

"I think so," I reply, a smile evident in my voice.

Casimer's eyes shine, and we begin to make our way, side-by-side, to the forest on the far side of the lake. Together, we leave the territory of the Maligni, of the terrible reign that encompasses it. We escape the boundaries of the game. We steal away from Maxim's control.