The Catwoman Returns

            "A wedding shower? This should be interesting," Sgt. Fernsaarin said.

"Sergeant, be nice. King Van and Hitomi are good friends of mine. Please act accordingly."

The two leopard-people walked into the room, and everyone looked to see who it was.

Eriya was the first to notice her sister.

"Naria! For heaven's sake, where have you been?"

"Around."

"Why are you dressed in the Zaibach Militia uniform?"

"You didn't know? I enlisted in the Militia a long time ago."

"Oh. Well, who's your subordinate there?"

"He's not my subordinate. He's my sweetheart. His name is Sgt. Kerakera Fernsaarin."

Kerakera waved to everyone.

"We missed you terribly," Eriya said. "Unfortunately, we can't find Folken anywhere."

"Want me to find him?" Naria said.

"NO! I mean, Folken isn't too crazy over you right now. I mean, Folken is too crazy over you right now, and he doesn't want to see you or me."

"That makes no sense."

"I'll explain later on."

"Okay. How's my nephew?"

"He's sleeping right now."

"Oh. Has he started eating regular food yet?"

"Thank heavens, yes. Now I don't have to get up in the middle of the night and feed him."

"I'm sorry, Eriya, but I need to speak with Alena Garodrou."

Alena looked at Naria as soon as her name was mentioned.

"Alena, I must speak with you privately."

Oh, Naria is going to kill me because I know her secret!

"Do you mind if Allen tags along?"

"Well…it is personal…"

"I promise, Allen isn't that much of a big-mouth."

"Okay."

Allen followed Alena as she walked with Naria.

They entered a room that had no one in it.

"Alena, I thank the heavens that I am able to speak to you right now."

"Why?"

"I truly am in control of my body. Dilandau has been in withdrawal from my mind for over two days now. I'm still fighting Dilandau for permanent control of my body. Do you see this scar over my eye?"

"Yes. It looks terrible. What happened?"

"I received it when I fought Dilandau for the first time in my mind."

"Everyone reacts to psychic injuries differently. Yours seem to physically manifest themselves."

"Will I ever be normal again? Will I be rid of this ugly mark?"

"Unfortunately, no."

Naria began to cry. The tears were silent, and she did not bother to hide them.

"Look at it this way, it could be worse."

"How could it be any worse?"

"He could have dismembered you or something fatal. But you survived. That's important."

"I don't know how much longer I can last…"

"You've got to last, Naria. You don't have psychic powers, so you can't defeat Dilandau alone. I need to help you. And I think I can convince Hitomi to help too."

"What are you planning?"

"I can help you. But I can't help you if you give up on yourself. You need to find a source of strength, speed, agility, and endurance. The longer you hold out against Dilandau, The higher chance I have of finding a way to defeat him."

"How do I find it?"

"Find something or someone worth fighting for. Not something that Dilandau would fight for, but what Naria would fight for."

"But I can't fight for Folken anymore!"

"Then you must find something or someone else."

"What is your plan?"

"I can't tell you that. If I do, I could inadvertently be telling Dilandau my plan."

"When will you do it?"

"I can't tell you that either."

"I want you to get him out of my head! I hate this!"

"Patience, Naria. You can't expect a miracle cure over night. Let's go back to the party. It'll get your mind off things. And try to stay away from Van. That way you won't trigger Dilandau coming back."

"I hate this, Alena. I feel ugly and scared and alone—"

She began crying, and Alena hugged her.

"It's okay. It's natural to feel this way. When I first experienced my psychic powers, I was so scared, I couldn't sleep for months. Now I'm used to it."

"May I jump in?" Allen said.

"Go ahead. The more support she gets, the better off she is."

The blond biseinen sat down next to Naria.

"Look at me, Naria. Look into my eyes."

Naria would not look.

"Look at me!"

Naria looked, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh—"

"Naria, I'm looking at a pretty lady who just has had a few tussles with fate, that's all. I know I've always been quick to judge people, but I think you are just as good-looking as you were before this happened."

"You lie!" she cried.

"No, I'm not. I saw the way Sergeant Fernsaarin was looking at you. He worships you, Naria. He loves you for who you are, and not your position. He could care less about his military career."

"How do you know?"

"Because it's the same way I look at Alena, the same way King Van looks at Hitomi, and the same way Lord Folken looks at your sister. We don't see you all with the younger, more lustful eyes that we once had. Now it's more romantic and more permanent. We are ready to commit. I can't speak for Sergeant Fernsaarin, but I think I know how he feels. You aren't alone. There are people who love you, Naria. Romantically and otherwise. We care about you. Don't turn away from me Naria—!"

Naria got up.

"What would you know about my pain? You had your fucking life handed to you. I bet the women would just die if you came out of the closet. So why don't you just go back to your pathetically easy life with your private harem of princesses—"

"Shut up—"

"—and rich girls—"

"Shut up—"

"And your deluded, twisted fantasy where you think you are everyone's knight in shining armor!"

"SHUT UP!"

Allen broke down, the first time Naria had ever seen him cry.

"Naria! I can't believe you said that!" Alena said.

Naria ran out of the room, realizing that it was she who spoke those words, and not Dilandau.