Chapter 2: A Deal with Death

Digging around in the dumpster was a nightly duty for the ally cat. Usually, there was bound to be something tasty within. Perhaps an old fish-head, or some rotton vegetables. Sure, it wasn't the tastiest meal a cat could have. But it's better then nothing.

The unsuspecting brown feline had just found tonight's lucky treat: a moldy tuna sandwich. Mewing with contentment, the cat sank it's teeth into it's dinner, sadly unaware of the cruel fate that awaited. Indeed, while the hungry animal crouched atop the metal dumpster, Death loomed ever closer, ready to cut the creature's life short with one fell swing...

"Ah bugger!" Gregg cried, as the stack of pricariously stacked crates wobbled and collapsed to the ground, taking the short skeleton with it. The crash brought the cat back to attention, and it lept off of it's perch and scampered off down the allyway. The grim reaper managed to untagle his robes from his scythe just in time to see his prize dart away. "Yeah! Go on!" he shouted after it. "You can run, but you can't hide forever, little prick!"

Hearing someone laughing behind him, Gregg stood up and turned around. Coming toward him through rain was a familiar red squirrel, wearing a lopsided crown and a cheeky grin.

"Oh bloody hell. Not you again," the miniature Death moaned. "Sod off, will ya?"

This just produced another chuckle from Conker. "What sort of Grim Reaper has to climb onto a tower of boxes to get at someone?" the squirrel said.

"It's not my bloody fault I'm short!" Gregg spat irretably. "Now sod off! I'm very busy!"

Conker didn't plan on going anywhere until he got what he wanted. "Hold up! This is very important. I gotta talk to you."

Gregg put a bony hand to his skull and shook his head. "You're not gonna leave, are you?" he said. Conker nodded. "Well, whatever it is you're going to ask, make it quick."

The squirrel did so. "Ok. When I died, you told me that squirrels are like cats. We have multiple lives, right?"

The robed skeleton tapped his foot impatiantly as he leaned on on his scythe. "Yes! Is that all?"

"I haven't gotten to the point yet," Conker said. "Now, if that's the case with me, it should also be the same with Berri, my girlfriend. Which means you could bring her back, right?"

Gregg looked thoughtful for a second. "Hmm," he said aloud. "I suppose I could...But what's in it for me?"

Conker had expected this. "Well...I have money," the rodent said hopefully.

Mr. Death laughed suddenly. "You offer me mortal cash? You're bloody thick! Look at me!" He spun around in a circle. "I'm the friggin' Grim Reaper! What use would I have for your money? None! Your stupid moolah won't matter none in the underworld!" Gregg sneered. "Try again!"

So much for that idea, Conker thought. Now the squirrel was stumped. What else could he offer?

Then, out of the blue, he had an idea. "You could have the old family estate!"

If Gregg had had eyes in his sockets, they would have gone wide right then. "What was that?" the skeleton said. "Are you talking about Batula Manor? Do you mean to tell me you'll give me the whole bloody house and grounds!?"

"Yep," Conker said, folding his arms and grinning. He had him!

"I've always wanted to own a lovely place like that," said Gregg in a far-off voice. "The creepy landscape, the gothic style, and imagine what I could do with the upstairs...Ahem. Well now," He snapped back into his usual manner. "tell you what, mate. If you give me the place, as well as help me move in, I'll see what I can do about your girlfriend. Well?"

"You've got yourself a deal, reaper man," Conker said happily. That was simpler then he had thought. All he had to do now was help the old bag of bones get settled in, and soon he'd see Berri again.

"Right then," said Gregg. "I'll go get packing. As for you, meet me tomarrow night, in front of the cemetary gates...You took care of all those pesky undead, right? I'm not gonna want the house if there are any bloody undead left."

"Don't worry," Conker said. "Got 'em all right through the head. You won't have to worry about them."

Gregg looked up at the sky, watching the clouds grow ever thicker. The rain started falling a lot harder by that point, soaking both he and the rodent.

"My robes are gonna be a bloody mess after this," the reaper muttered. "Anyway, remember. Tomarrow night. Cemetary gate. Got that? Good. Now sod off."

Conker watched as Gregg shuffled off through the downpour, vanishing into the shadows beyond his veiw. Shrugging to himself, the furry king turned around and started heading back toward the castle. Soon, everything would change for the better. All he had to do now was wait...

Tada! Chapter 2! Be happy, because I'm in a writing mood. It won't be long now until I get chapter 3 finished...Moving In!

Once again, I appreciate reveiws, so please give me them!

-Booster