Chapter 12: When in doubt, drink brandy.

"Will you hurry up!?!" Yami shouted.

"I'm going as fast as I can!" Misto shouted back.

"Well if you don't want to go....." Yami said, knowing this would anger Misto. "I'll just tell Kate that you decided to be lazy and not come to her rescue!"

"What are you---" Templeton brought out some spears and saw the two arguing.

"I'm sure she'll be heartbroken....."

"Shut up Yami, you know that's not true! But you don't know who this Tom is! You don't know what happened....."

"Misto, calm down....." Templeton tried to keep the peace.

"No I won't! This girl is on her way to a whipped arse!" Misto ran at Yami who quickly dodged him laughing.

"Is that the best you can do?! Come on you lily livered dog!"

"Oh no....." Templeton shook his head. Yami said the 'D' word.

"Oh, you'll wish you never said that!" Misto pounced so quite even Yami didn't see it coming. They rolled and tossed about yelling, hissing and (in Yami's case) biting.

"ENOUGH!!!!"

The two on the ground stopped. Templeton stood over them.

"I had enough of this! Look at yourselves, both of you! Kate is out there and you too are acting like children squabbling at each other! I know you both care for Kate very much but we can't help her if you two can't even get along long enough to get to her! I understand your rush, Yami but it's a long way....."

"But not MY way....." Yami said as she stood up. Out of nowhere Draco swooped down from the sky and landed in front of them. Misto couldn't help but smile "Ok Yami you win."

"Thank you! Now come on we haven't all day ya know!" Yami climbed onto Draco's back as did Misto and Templeton.

Kate leaned against the dank stone wall of her cell. She wore the dress that Macavity had provided for her, hoping it would keep her warm, rather than the night dress she had. But it didn't do much for her except make her more ill. She wondered about who might have been the previous owner of the dress. Who ever it might have been, the dress had the essence of her captor.

"Psst.....Kate....." a voice whispered.

"Ah!" Kate sat up straight for the voice startled her. "Who's there?" she looked around. There was nobody in the cell, which was strange for the voice sounded so close like the speaker was beside her.

"It's ok Kate, be quiet....." the voice said again. Kate knew it now.

"Kanon?"

"Uh.....sort of....." said the voice.

"I can't see you....." Kate looked around hopefully.

"I'm speaking to you through your mind, Kate. I'll explain later. But listen, we are coming for you....."

"Oh god....." Kate said, now thinking instead of talking out loud, for even walls had ears.

"What's wrong Kate?"

"He's waiting for you, Kanon. He knows you would come for me....."

"I have a plan, Kate. Don't worry. I must go now luv. I'll see you soon." Then Kate felt alone once again.

"Oh no....." Kate leaned her head against the wall. She had no idea what her friends had up their sleeves and she wasn't sure if it could work.

Just then she heard footsteps once again heading for her cell. She knew the guard was coming to get her. She stood up. Indeed Macavity wished for her company. Knowing she had barely any strength left in her, she didn't fight the guard. She entered the great room again (this time with nobody dragging her) and walked slowly to the stoop of stairs. Macavity smiled at her obedience. He motioned for her to sit. Kate did as he bid. But not so close to him. She sat on one of the lower steps rather then one of the many pillows he had, which now looked tempting.

There was a pounding sound that echoed through the halls. Macavity stood up. Somebody was at the front gate. "You, boy, see who it is....." he ordered to a small tom.

"Yes, my lord." said the Tom eagerly and he scampered out of the room. He ran down the corridors and look out of the window to see who was at the gate below "Who goes there!" he shouted lowering his voice and trying to sound important.

"Ah! I'd like to have a word with your master, Boy!" said the knocker.

"What business do you have with him?"

"My business is none of your concern. It is between me and your lord. Open the gate, boy! I know, your master will be, wanting to see me!"

The tom quickly opened that gate to let them in. Then quickly ran back to inform his lord.

"Master! Master!" he called.

Macavity was standing had knelt down behind Kate with his paws on her shoulders. "Oh for the everlasting cat's sake, boy! Must you shout?" Macavity was starting loose his patience with him.

"I'm sorry Master but somebody is here, they crave a word with you....."

"Send them in then....."

"Don't bother, I can let myself in!" said a voice at the entrance to the room. Kate looked up in hearing this new voice and what she saw she almost didn't believe. There stood Kanon, (at least she thought it was Kanon) dressed as....a pirate? Indeed, Kanon was dressed in the whole pirate getup, sword and all! This confused Kate greatly. What was possibly going on in Kanon's head?

"Ah, lord Macavity?" she said as she walked closer "tis an honor suh! How ye be this fine morning?"

Kate looked as she walked closer and saw her eyes were still red. Then she realized this couldn't possibly be Kanon, no it was her Yami. Macavity hadn't said a word yet, he just stared with his eyebrow raised. Indeed he was quite surprised.

"Ah, now don't be giving me the eyebrow, Gov....." That's when Yami saw Kate sitting on the steps. She had been so quiet and sat so still, she didn't even notice her. Kate looked so thin and pale in the blood red frock she wore. Yami knew she must have gotten sick. But she didn't let her worry show in her face she just smirked and said "Ah, I see ya got yourself a lass. Good man.....Can't be a King without a Queen eh?" she laughed

Kate narrowed her eyes. She didn't find her situation humorous at all!

"You WERE plannin' on bein' a King, right?" Yami asked.

"I suppose you could put it that way....." Macavity said. Yami headed over to a table that head baskets of fruit. "If I may.....?"

"Oh help yourself." Macavity said. He knew this person was here for Kate.....but then again she seemed to be getting at something else. Yami grabbed an apple "Well I suppose it's a start....." she said "For an amateur." She was about to sink her teeth into the skin of the apple when she heard a whisper in head "Don't eat it!"

Yami looked at Kate and thought "Why? I'm hungry....."

Kate looked like she was about to answer then stiffened. She slowly looked up at Macavity who was staring straight down at her with cold eyes. Yami took this opportunity to stuff the apple in her coat. Kate quickly turned her eyes to the floor. She looked a fright. Yami knew Macavity must have said something to scare her.

"Ahem....." Yami cleared her throat. She watched as Macavity pat Kate's head "Good girl....." he said. "What does she look like? A dog?" Yami thought angrily but it seemed Macavity missed it.

"You were saying?" Macavity looked back at Yami.

"I was sayin' that only an amateur starts with a Queen....."

"Ah, I thought you were talking about the fruit."

Yami ignored that comment "Ya gatta build up an army, a strong one. And make the queen come to YOU.....but that's me."

"Yes it is....." Macavity rolled his eyes.

"So tell me, Mac..... what was ya planin' on doin' after ya made off with Kate, hmm?"

"Ah and why, would I tell you?"

Right now Kate was holding her face in her hands. She was in pain, physically and mentally and she wished she knew what the heck Yami was talking about!

"Well, Mac, I'm very interested is why. And I might want to offer my services to aide you.....and if you can read me mind, you'd know that I can be quite helpful.....So whadda ya say?" She offered her hand out to him. Macavity looked at her a moment then said "There seems to be a plot afoot."

"Plot?" Yami asked innocently.

"Kate?" Macavity looked at her. Kate looked like she was going to get sick again.....either that or go insane! Then Yami started laughing.

"Ok that's it!" Kate thought not caring in Macavity heard her "The girl has gone completely insane!"

Yami laughed even harder "You think, that I plan on SAVING YOU girl?! Ha! You are easily fooled!" she smirked evilly.

"Oh now I AM going to be ill....." Kate said out loud.

"The plan was to gain a partnership with Lord Macavity....." she laughed maniacally. Kate didn't know what to believe anymore. She new Kanon wouldn't betray her.....but this, this was her Yami. She didn't know how she really thought. Kate couldn't take much more of this. She looked at the table where the fruit basket was. There was also a bread basket and a jug of brandy. She walked over to the table. When Macavity she wasn't trying to run, he let her be. Kate poured a tumbler full of brandy and chugged it down!

"So lord, Macavity? Do we have a deal?" Yami asked, and she saw Kate take another tumbler.

"Well.....I shall sleep on it tonight....." Macavity said.

"Ha! You'll need more sleep then that!" Kate said as she was about to take her third tumbler. She was getting a bit more than a little tipsy.

"You like to be difficult, don'tcha m'lord?" Yami asked as she stepped closer.

Macavity walked passed her. He stood behind Kate and stopped her from taking her fourth tumbler "Now, now that's enough....." he said.

"No....." Kate hiccupped.

"But wait, m'lord there's more!"

"Yes, go on.....?"

"Grant me partnership, and I'll bring the Jellicle magician....."

Kate, who was fighting for her fourth brandy, nearly choked on it!

".....and with some of me own magic. HIS powers will be yours. THINK about it, m'lord! You would be the most powerful being in this world or any other! What do you say to that?"

Macavity turned, very interested. "I don't usually make bargains on promises.....but....."

"Of course my lord. But I swear I'll bring him, alive. Course, the magic switchin' process would kill the other Jellicle....but who cares!"

"Bring the magician to me, alive and well. And I shall consider it."

"No promises eh? But do ye make pleas for yer life?!" Before Macavity could blink, Yami was behind him with a dagger at this throat. It already began to cut through his skin.

"What do ye say now, Mister Macavity?" she whispered. Macavity quickly grabbed her arm and through her over his shoulders so she landed on the floor in front of him. Yami looked up as he said "I say 'we are not finished yet!'"

Yami got back on her feet fast and whipped out her sword.

"Where....where did you..." Hiccup "...that?" Kate said, she had won in taking the fourth tumbler and was rather intoxicated.

"Have ye a weapon? No? Alright then!" Yami prepared to thrust her sword into Macavity but a guard tossed his master a sword just in time for him to block. Yami looked the guard with her blood red eyes "Remind me to KILL you when I'm done with your boss here....."

At that the guard ran away in fright. Macavity rolled his eyes "Bloody coward....."

"Damn coward....." Yami said almost at the same time. She looked at Macavity in surprise but then resumed the battle.

"Do you think it wise, boy? Crossing blades with a pirate?" she asked.

"Do you think it wise, GIRL, crossing blades with the great Macavity?!"

"What sort of great person kidnaps a young woman from her home in the middle of the night?" Yami took a swing at him. He blocked.

"Oh, we go way back, her and me....." they both delivered a series of strikes and both block them.

"Really? How so?"

"We happened to cross paths in childhood....."

"Please spare me the histr'y lesson, mate....." she struck. He blocked her yet again.

"Well you did ask....."

"You know what you're doing I'll give you that....." Strike and block.

"But how's your footing?" Yami kicked him in the...well...you know where....Macavity struck as he doubled over in pain. Yami dodged him. It didn't take the ginger tom long to recover. "Damn....."

Yami jumped onto the table.

"Guard! Take the girl out of here!" Macavity yelled. But Yami had cut the guard down before he could lay a paw on Kate. She began to do samurai moves, which Macavity was of course not familiar with. All this time they were fighting, Misto and Templeton were sneaking into the room. They grabbed a hold on Kate and made for the door. When Yami saw this she sheathed her sword "TA!"

Macavity had gotten a bad blow to his arm. He saw that Kate had escaped. "Curses.....well this isn't over yet.....believe me.....this story is far, far from over!"

Yami turned back to him and smiled "You bet your ass it isn't!" and she bolted.

(A/N: Yes Alex was all about Pirates when we wrote this. There is still more to come. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!)