Sandy: Um, hi, I'm Sandy, a muse, and on behalf of my mistress, we would like to apologize for the extremely late update. Rish has been struggling with school and her laptop was in the shop for a while. . .
Sheena: Well THAT, and her re-addiction to Fianl Fantasy IX. . .
Me: (sitting in a corner playing FFIX) Die, you albino thong-wearing freak, DIE!
Sandy and Sheena: (sweatdrop)
Sandy: I'll do reviews. . .
SchoolBoredom: We're glad you're patient! (sweatdrop) Yyyyeah, school's kinda tough for Rish right now, so thanks!
Chibi-Kari: Isn't it cute? Kai has a real soft spot for cats in the anime, so it's only natural he'd become a cat!
Hutchy: So hyper in fact, he'll be like that for two chapters!
Chikoro: Thank you! This is a fun story to write and we're really proud of the plot! One of the best we've written.
Monarch: Kai seems to be doing better, doesn't he? Yes, you can see how much Rish likes cats. She leaves out no detail when it comes to cats. The Warriors book series is one of her faves for this reason. Maybe Kai will earn a Warrior name. . . (grins) Thanks for the nice reviews!
Nubia: Sorry the last chapter was dull. This one will be better, we promise! B.T.W, we like your fics!
Sorekai: Sorry it took a while, but here it is!
Remix-69er: Very little Hil/Kai in this chapter, but there will be a LOT more toward the end, we promise!
JeLlYbEaN RuLz: Gee, thanks! Sure we'll look at your fics, it's the least we can do!
Kai's Phoenix: Yes, hyper Kai! Sorry it took so long!
Shadow's number 1fan: Dunno if Kai will get drunk off of catnip, but he'll get hyper! I think he'll get drunk off of warm cream though. (wink, wink)
Jani Rieme: Yayz! We love getting reviews from you, and you gave us such good suggestions! We never heard of Tailchaser but it sounds interesting. Could you tell us more? We are always looking for good books to read! A little of what you said will happen this chapter, but more will be in the next. We really hope you update "The Bonds" real soon! We love it!
Shadow Sentinel: Yes sir!
Dreaming star: Best book series EVER! Poor Kai has to now survive in that world. Poor, poor Kai. Makes good readin' though!
Lunar Flower: This'll be something new for Kai, that's for sure. Hee, hee. . .
Kai Hiwatari1: It isn't SOON, but it's updated! (sweatdrop)
Brat-always-day-and-night: Lots of questions! What we will say is yes Kai is important, and it will be strictly Kai/Hil in the end. We're glad you like Roary and Coldfire! Our biggest goal when we use any kind of OC, be it human or animal, is that we want them to be real, and we want them to be likeable in some way.
Kairi Hiwatari1015: Wow. . . dunno what else to say! (sweatdrop) First off, you have no idea how grateful we are to have someone who likes are fic so much they would threaten us like that! (eep) Seriously though, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, for your kind words and encouragement.
ALL YOU PEOPLE ROCK!
Sheena: Yes, another big THANK YOU to all of you who have stuck with us so far. It's the reviews that give us life and make us want to write our best.
Sandy and Sheena: ENJOY EVERYONE!
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CAT TALES
Chapter Seven:
The Seeds of Rebellion
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(The night before Coldfire and Kai went to Black Moon. . .)
The tension inside the Shrine of Feline, site of the Moon Tree, was so thick you could scratch it with your claws. Inside the old shed twelve cats sat in a wide circle. These cats were Grappleclaw's Twelve Captains who enforced his law across the city. None dared move from their spots, but the anxiety was starting to get to them. They flicked their tails, twitched theirs ears, and licked themselves needlessly.
Among these cats sat Gutterfang, shifting his yellow eyes back and forth. He tried desperately not to show it, but he was perhaps the most terrified of all the cats present. He had already caught nasty glares from some of the other cats that knew what could be coming to him. Word spread quickly of the Human Cat that had come about while Gutterfang was on shift, and that the Human Cat had eluded him twice. Grappleclaw did not tolerate weaknesses in his captains.
Another cat, a she-cat with a stunning reddish orange pelt with an oatmeal colored underside, glared suspiciously at the other captains. The captain found dead a few suns ago was one of only three she-cats in the Twelve, and her closest ally. The other she-cat had a "more holier than thou," attitude and was of little support. In a society run primarily by males, she needed to have some cat she knew would back her up if things suddenly turned against them. Now, she was alone. The cat that replaced her fallen friend was a smug little worm of a tom that was proudly awaiting his initiation ceremony into the Twelve that was to happen that night, when HE arrived.
Even the proud new tom showed hints of fear, as did all the rest. Although he entered without a sound, Grappleclaw brought a cold rush a fear into the shed as he stepped through the doorway.
Grappleclaw nearly dwarfed all his Captains in size. His thick, black, matted fur and tomcat jowls added to his girth, his eyes, a deep orange, glittered ominously, his ears seemed to droop slightly to the sides, long yellow fangs were visible through the fur on his snout, and gray scars criss-crossed through the black. Grappleclaw's paws were also very large, with gray colored toes that stood out from his black fur. But what made everycat's blood run cold was his crowning glory: four abnormally long, thick, needle-sharp black claws and a fifth dewclaw on each paw that curled outward like little scythes. His claws could not fully retract into his paws like other cats because of their size, and they clicked softly as he walked.
Good evening, all of you,- he purred warmly.
But the tension didn't ease in the slightest. It was a ploy. The first to let his or her guard down was the first one dead. They had all personally seen what this demonic cat was capable of. They all glanced at the new cat to see if he would pass the test. He stood firm, not showing relaxation nor fear. Grappleclaw took notice of this and flicked his tail approvingly.
And we have a new face among us, a cat I have chosen to command in place of Skyfang, who had met her untimely end, tragic thing that,- he said without a trace of sympathy. He then addressed the new cat to come forward. -State your name, Warrior.-
The new tom stood up proudly. He was white with some large gray spots and a gray tail.
Ashtail, sir,- he said proudly.
Grappleclaw suddenly lunged forward, his bared fangs a whisker's breath from Ashtail's face.
Ashtail, WHAT?- he snarled.
Ashtail, Lord Grappleclaw, SIR!- Ashtail all but choked out as he cowered from the massive cat.
Just as quickly as he lunged, Grappleclaw backed off.
Better,- he purred with his friendly tone again, though his eyes didn't lose their cunning edge. -But remember your place, Warrior. Don't let it happen again. Now, about your name, you need a proper Captain's name. From here on out you will be known as Ashfang, one of my Twelve Captains.-
Immediately a chant rose from the other cat Captains: -Ashfang! Ashfang! Ashfang!-
The newly named Ashfang held his head up once again. When the chant died down Grappleclaw sat in his place in the circle and commanded their attention with a flick of his tail.
Not to ruin the happy mood, but rather disturbing rumors are spreading,- he turned his cruel gaze toward Gutterfang as he continued to address his captains. -The creatures of city are talking, trouble is brewing, trouble that could've easily been avoided had one of us done his job.-
To Gutterfang, it was as if every nightmare he ever had was now standing right before him. He instinctively looked around him, but it was no use. There was no such thing as sympathy here. If anything the Captains were all now sneering at him, waiting for what they expected to come. However, it seemed that StarClan had intervened, and the reddish she-cat captain suddenly spoke.
My sincerest apologies Lord Grappleclaw sir, but Captain Gutterfang was up against more than just a man-cat. The Feral One of the wilds joined the fray on the human's side. Just one Captain and his posse can't win against her, as we have all witnessed, and at the time it seemed unlikely that the man-cat would've lasted the night, much less prove to be so troublesome.-
The great cat turned his gaze toward the she-cat. -How do you mean, Foxfang?-
Foxfang knew that Grappleclaw could kill her at any moment for even mentioning the Feral One. -With all due respect, Lord Grappleclaw sir, all I'm saying is give Captain Gutterfang another chance. It wasn't his fault this happened.-
Grappleclaw looked downward, as if pondering Foxfang's words. Foxfang glanced up, only to see Gutterfang staring at her with a look of utter disbelief. She didn't know why, but for some reason she felt that Gutterfang would be her best bet in finding a cat who would listen to her. She and Skyfang had begun to do something that would've definitely gotten themselves killed. They had begun to question Grappleclaw's regime and its laws. Gutterfang had a look in his eyes, a gleam of rebellion. It was known that he often acted on his own terms, not on Grappleclaw's.
Alright then,- Grappleclaw said suddenly. -I'm in a good mood today. But if any of you run across this human cat again don't let it leave you alive. Do I make myself clear?-
Yessir, Lord Grappleclaw, sir!-
Good. You are dismissed.-
Outside Foxfang ran up to Gutterfang as the other cats dispersed into the night, eager to get away from their tyrannical leader.
Hey Gutterfang, I. . .-
I didn't ask for your help, Foxfang,- Gutterfang cut her off sharply. -What are you trying to get at anyway?-
Because there needs to be more cats like us- she hissed. -Look at what happened to Skyfang. There's no way any dog could've inflicted those kinds of wounds. She was killed by cats, several cats, and they knew where to strike and they clearly ambushed her, right in the middle of her territory.-
So?-
So, she couldn't have been killed by outsiders, and it was preplanned. She was killed by her own clan, Gutterfang, and that Ashfang was probably the mastermind behind it. And this wasn't the first time it happened. In fact it's getting worse. How long do you think this will continue before it gets out of control?-
Gutterfang turned his head so his bright yellow eyes locked with her amber. Foxfang knew that what she had just said, if he reported it, could get her killed for treason. But she felt confident he wouldn't. A thoughtful look passed across his face as he thought about what she was implying.
Foxfang suddenly glanced backward and terror flickered in her eyes before they glossed over with an emotionless mask. She nodded toward Gutterfang.
Good night.- Foxfang then ran off into shadows, toward her home territory.
Gutterfang had already realized why Foxfang had run off. The Great Cat himself was padding casually toward him. He immediately turned and lowered his head toward him in submission.
Thank you again for your kind judgment today sir,- said Gutterfang.
Of course, of course,- he said in a tone that was both laidback and kind of 'don't let it happen again or else.' -However if you really want to make up for it then I have a favor to ask. Several of the queens in my clan have gotten sick and I am in need of replacements. I'll stop by your clan camp tomorrow and we'll work something out. How's that sound?-
S. . .sounds fine, Lord Grappleclaw, sir.-
Good. Ta ta.- And with that Grapple claw turned and headed back toward the shed.
Gutterfang, however, was frozen with terror.
'Oh no. . . no, no, no. . .' he thought. 'This can't. . . this is bad. . . very, VERY, bad. . .'
The stray cat then sprung from where he stood and dashed headlong into the night. He needed to get back to his clan, NOW. If Grappleclaw happened to choose HER. . . Gutterfang gulped. No, he wouldn't let him take her, even if it meant standing up to Grappleclaw himself. . .
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(Now, back to the present time. . .)
Outside the Kinomiya Dojo Rei stood alone, launcher in hand, readying himself before he set loose Driger on the aluminum can obstacle course he had just set up. Somewhere inside Kyoujyu was going though some beyblade modifications with Takao, Max, and Hiromi. Like the rest of the Bladebreakers, Rei was very worried about his team captain. Hiromi seemed blissfully unaware of Nikko's true identity. What had them worried was when she mentioned that Nikko would sometimes disappear for the entire day. After all, he may be Kai Hiwatari, but right now he's a little kitty in a very big city.
Rei launched Driger at the obstacle course, sending one can flying after another. He sighed, letting Driger spin a little more.
The vicious wildcat silently stalks his prey. . .-
"Huh?" Rei turned around, looking for the source of the voice. "Hello? Is anyone there?" Rei turned back toward his beyblade just as a blue furred streak dived right at it.
HE STRIKES!-
"Ahhh!" Rei instinctively maneuvered Driger away, and Kai the cat landed snout first in the dirt.
Ohhhh that's gonna hurt tomorrow. . . Rei! Heeeeeeey, wussup man?-
"Kai?"
Kai rolled onto his back. -No, it's a little blue bunny rabbit,- he jumped up again. -Of course it's me! Who did ya think I was?Hey that reminds me, something really funny happened to me on the way here.A bluebird was singing the way birds do you know?Oh wait you don't know.Nevermind.Anyway this bird was singing and. . . BUTTERFLY!-
Kai suddenly dashed after a purple butterfly that was floating over some flowers. Rei could only blink and stare at the blue cat that kind of sounded like his team captain, but was acting nothing like him.
'Wow, somehow I actually understood everything he said,' he thought.
Awwww, it flew away. Hey, my paw pads are pink. I didn't know that! Cooooool. . . have you ever just stopped to look at your paw? I mean, REALLY look at it?-
"Oooookaaay, what have you been eating Kai?" Rei knelt by Kai and picked him up to see if there was any residue of something Kai could've gotten into.
Whoa there, easy on the fur dude.-
"Catnip. Figures. How much did you eat?"
PRETTY LADIEEEEEE!- Kai suddenly wriggled from Rei's grasp and dashed toward Hiromi who had stepped outside for some fresh air.
"Nikko! How's my lil' kitty?" Hiromi scooped 'Nikko' up in her arms and gave him a hug. "Oh you're so cute!"
Kai's purring was on overdrive as he rubbed his head under her chin.
'H. . .he's being so cute, it's disgusting. . .' Rei thought at the sight before him.
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Roary sniffed hopefully at a trashcan that had just been put outside by some human in an alley. Sure enough, hopeful smells filled her nose and in the first time in days she wagged her tail in happiness. She looked around her, then up at the human apartment building for any signs of something that could harm her. When she saw nothing she jumped up on her back legs and knocked the trashcan over with her front. Following the tremendous crash she froze and listened. After a few moments she rushed over and started to sort through the garbage with her snout, searching for something edible.
The large she-mutt suddenly looked up at the sound of voices coming toward her. She bolted and squeezed her thin body behind a dumpster, waiting for the voices to pass. There where two voices, one belonging to large white tomcat, the other to a thin wiry oriental mix tomcat with a dark amber pelt and dark brown paws, tail, face, and ears.
You're kidding,- said the white cat. -This IS Gutterfang you're talking about, right? There's no way. . .-
It's true, Icepelt!- insisted the oriental mix. -All of the inner circle Warriors in Gutterfang's clan I have connections with say he's always kinder to this she-cat. Some say they even sneak away to talk secretly with each other. I always told Lord Grappleclaw that one would be trouble.-
Either way,- continued Icepelt. -I got a feeling His Lordship's gonna put an end to him today anyway, and the new females will be a plus. We had to exterminate quite a few of them when the greencough broke out.-
Behind the dumpster Roary shuddered at the almost lighthearted tone Icepelt had used to describe the deed.
What I don't get is why His Lordship needs us to patrol Gutterfang's territory. He's not gonna run way,- muttered the smaller cat.
It's just precaution, Tarfoot,- said Icepelt as the two cats disappeared from the alley.
Roary was frozen with terror with what she had just heard. Whatever the evil cat was plotting today she wasn't going to be anywhere near it. Completely forgetting about her meal of garbage, Roary ran from the alley toward the only place she had even felt safe.
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Sheena: That's all for now. Hope you liked it! It seems Gutterfang has a little secret, and Kai's catnip crazies continue next chapter!
Sandy: Read and Review! Buh-bye!
Me: WHY WON'T YOU DIE!
Sandy and Sheena: . . . . . . . . . . . .