Author's Note: Altered more canon material. The trek to Mount Fubi with Bow in a trashcan gets omitted because it doesn't add to the main story anyway. I gave a direct hint to Corsair rather than "oh, why don't you ask around Hometown and Corsair for a bat girl" excuse like they did in the game. In this story, I'm making the assumption that Katt is about 18 and Rand is in his early thirties. Thus, Katt can still act fiery and hotheaded, but also has more life experience. Also, Rand can have that "calming, wise experience" trait that seems to fit with his patient personality.

Chapter Two: Katt and Mouse

Ryu woke up feeling queasy. He had the dream again. He dreamt of his father, Ganer, and his little sister, Yua. He dreamt of how everyone in his hometown of Gate had forgotten who he was. He dreamt of the loneliness he felt—the loneliness he continued to feel, even after befriending Bow for all these years. He dreamt of the demon in the cave, the demon with the Eye. He dreamt of the Eye.

The Eye…The Eye…The Eye….

Ryu shook away the slumber and looked around. "Bow?" But the Grass Runner was nowhere in sight. The crossbow and quiver were gone—a sure sign that Bow had gone off with some task in mind. First rule of being a ranger—never go unprepared, Ryu thought. But where'd Bow go that he would need his weapons?

Ryu left the apartment to look for him. He was about to leave the building when a city guardsman entered and shouted, "You! Stop!"

"Is something wrong, guardsman?" Ryu asked calmly.

"You're the roommate of the thief, Bow, right?" the guard asked.

"Yes—wait, what?" Ryu said, stunned. "What happened to Bow?"

The guard was all too willing to tell the gory details. "Bow Doggie was found breaking into Lord Trout's manor, intent on stealing some item of value. However, Doggie escaped before we could apprehend him. As his roommate, you are under suspicion of being an accomplice to burglary. I have a warrant to search your room."

"Go right ahead," Ryu said stonily. "You won't find anything there. I was just going to look for Bow myself."

After the guard had left, satisfied that there were no "incriminating pieces of evidence" in the apartment, Ryu buckled on his sword with a frown. "What you gotten yourself into this time, Bow?" he wondered worriedly. He walked into the streets of Hometown and made his way to Lord Trout's manor. Just as he turned a corner, a girl slammed headlong into him. Both crashed to the ground.

"Hey! Who're—" Ryu started when he saw the girl's wings. Unlike a Windian's, the girl's wings were like a bat's, fearsome and terrifying…yet somehow familiar. Ryu felt an ache in his heart when he looked into the strange girl's wide blue eyes.

A flash of blue hair…a memory of soft blue eyes.

Who is this girl? Ryu wondered.

"Sorry, sorry!" the girl said, darting back to her feet and fleeing. Ryu noticed that she was carrying a bag that clinked. Something fell out…a map of Corsair bearing Trout's family crest.

"Wait!" Ryu ordered, picking up the map. "Stop, thief!" But the girl had already vanished. "Damn it…. Bow! I have to find Bow!" He wandered through the streets, checking out all of his friend's favorite haunts: the Chuckling Woman, the Wandering Mage, the houses of Henrietta, Julie, and Pricilla…but Bow seemed to have dropped from the face of the earth.

"He always was good at hiding," Ryu grumbled in defeat, heading back to the apartment. He opened the door to find Bow yelping in surprise. "How'd you—" Ryu began, but decided that how was not as important as why. "You've got some explaining to do," he said simply.

"Yeah," Bow said sheepishly. "I guess I do."

Ryu sat down and waited for Bow's explanation. He obliged. "One of the nobles in town, Kilgore, asked me to steal something from Trout. Turns out that Trout had stolen something called a magic hood from Kilgore; he wanted it back. That's why he hired me. I know you're a decent thief, but I'm better, so I thought I could handle it."

"Way to handle it," Ryu cut in dryly.

Bow frowned. "It's not what you think. I didn't even get a chance to steal anything. Some girl with bat wings was already there and picked the place clean. She hightailed it and left me to take the fall. That's when the guards showed up."

"I saw her," Ryu said. "The girl with the wings. I tried to catch her, but she escaped."

"We've got to find her, Ryu!" Bow exclaimed. "It's the only way to clear my name!"

"I know, Bow. We will, don't worry. She can't have gotten too far. But first thing's first—we have to get you out of town. How good are you at sneaking past the watch?"

Bow grinned with his usual devil-may-care nonchalance. "As good as I was back when we were kids."

"Then go to the ruins west of Mount Fubi. Stay with that old man, Niro. Here, give him some of our food from the icebox, just to make sure he'll shelter you. No one will think of hiding at the ruins, if only because it's not on any maps. Speaking of maps, I think I know where the real thief is heading." Ryu produced the map the girl had dropped. "This is a detailed map of Corsair, every street, tourist spot, and bar. If you think about it, it makes sense. If you're a thief and you want to fence some goods, Corsair is the best place to do it. It's big, it has a black market, and it has a lot of shady characters working in the Coliseum."

"I see," said Bow. "So I'll hide out in the ruins while you chase after the thief. Sounds like a good plan." Bow shifted his feet, suddenly uncomfortable. "I've really made a mess of things, haven't I?"

Ryu was silent. But there was no judging in his blue eyes.

Bow lowered his head, ashamed. "I just realized that I've been the one getting us into trouble since the day we met. I'm the one who said we should follow that tail in the cave near Gate. It almost got us killed. I was the one who said we should explore the dungeon beneath the Silvergate Mountains. We almost starved. I was—"

"You're also the one who makes sure I'll never be bored," Ryu cut in calmly, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "As far as I'm concerned, this is just one more adventure. My only regret is that you won't be traveling with me."

Bow smiled. He looked like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Yeah. You know you're not going to make it without me, right, buddy?"

"Eva knows I'll be killed by the first monster I see," Ryu agreed with a grin.

"Take care, then."

"You too."

The journey to Corsair was a lonely one. Ryu had always felt alone, even with Bow, simply because of the strange events that happened ten years ago in Gate. He had his family taken from him, as well as made into a total stranger overnight. Loneliness was an old friend to Ryu. But he never realized just how lonely he was until he started on the road without a certain Grass Runner at his side.

It's like losing Yua again, Ryu thought. Like losing a brother.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he did not take in the sights of Corsair. Not that he needed to. He and Bow had been to Corsair several times over the last few years. Mercenary work was plentiful in the city, as the surrounding region was notorious for its high monster population. Whether it was guarding trade caravans, taking on bounties on monster tusks, or fighting in the Coliseum, Ryu and Bow had had their share of work and adventure within Corsair's walls.

The only difference now was that Ryu walked the streets alone.

There's the pub where Bow got me to challenge some thug to an arm-wrestling match. Hmm…perhaps I can find the thief there. Ryu entered and was immediately assailed by a man. He dodged out of the way and realized that the man was not attacking him—he was being thrown out of the pub! "What the hell?" Ryu walked in to see a bar brawl in full course.

At the center of the melee was an enormous gray-skinned man from the Shell clan, a large human with a thick axe, and a scantily-clad Woren girl twirling a stout staff. The human and the Woren were trading blows, while the Shell seemed to be taking bets. Those patrons who wanted their money back had started the brawl.

Ryu had to punch a few overzealous betters in order to make his way to the bar. "Ale," he said to the bartender, acting nonchalant. He watched the human and Woren with interest. The human's strong, but the girl's quick and sure, he noted with expert eyes. The Woren will win in the end. Sure enough, the Woren leaped over the human's sweeping axe blade, only to land a solid blow on his head with her staff. The human went down instantly.

"Nothing less than the best from you, Katt," congratulated the Shell. He applauded with big gray hands that were covered in calluses.

Those aren't a fighter's hands, Ryu thought. Those calluses are from working a hoe or a tiller. Like my father's…. He shook away those thoughts and focused on the present.

The Woren was beaming with self-assured confidence. She rested her staff across her shoulders. "Of course! No one beats Katt Chuan in a fight." She kicked her fallen opponent. "Ain't that right, Babadel? Who'd name their kid Baba, anyway? Stupid name!"

"Winning at the Coliseum will be a breeze for you, my friend," said the Shell, clapping her shoulder. "Just remember the rule of gladiators—entertain the audience and then beat the seven shades of shit out of the poor fool in front of you."

"Just make sure people are betting on me, Rand," said the Woren, "and I'll show them a real good time."

The Woren left the pub, stepping over the downed bodies of brawlers. The Shell sat down by the bar and nursed a mug of ale. Ryu decided to strike up a conversation. "You must be the manager of that interesting Woren."

The Shell, Rand, looked at him guardedly and replied slowly, "I may very well be. You do not look from these parts. You are?"

"Ryu Bateson. I'm looking for someone. As a manager of the Coliseum, you must come across lots of people. By chance, have you seen a girl with bat wings?"

"An odd question, stranger," Rand replied. "But no, I've not seen anyone of that particular description. The strangest I've seen in town would be Katt Chuan, the fighter who just floored the previous champion, Babadel."

"So she's the champion of the Coliseum," Ryu noted.

"Not until she beats the fighters in the arena," Rand said. "Babadel's getting old. Wanted a bit of his old glory back. He challenged Katt to an unofficial duel and lost. It was entertaining, earned me some gold tonight, but now I have to find someone to fill in for Baba tomorrow."

Ryu checked his purse. It was getting light. "Your name is Rand, right? Well, Rand, you're in luck. I'm broke and I need to earn some quick cash. Let me in the Coliseum and I'll split my take with you twenty-eighty in your favor."

Rand looked surprised. "Twenty-eighty? And in my favor? You must be mad. You'll still be broke with only twenty percent take."

Ryu shrugged. "I don't need much to get by."

"Apparently not," the Shell agreed. "All right, you bought yourself a slot in the arena, Ryu Bateson. Good luck in it."

Ryu ended up signing in under Baba's name, since Babadel was already registered. But the day was bright and promised a series of interesting fights. Bow often chided Ryu on his almost obsessive work ethic, but this was not to say that Ryu did not enjoy life. He simply did things for fun that other people would not. Such as reading textbooks about ancient history, or studying investigative skills from a bounty hunter, or learning a new martial art from a fighter. Or testing his mettle in an arena.

But first Ryu had to meet with his manager, a man named Angus—a formality, but one observed by custom in the Coliseum. Angus was a small and shady man, long of face and short of hair. There was sulfur in the air around him, possibly residue from a particularly potent weed that he had been smoking. Ryu noted that Angus carried a broad-bowled pipe in hand when he walked.

All in all, Ryu felt uncomfortable around him.

"You are Baba?" Angus asked, drawing on his pipe and expelling a ring of foul smoke. "You're smaller than I've heard. But no matter. I'm sure your skill is up to your reputation. Not that it matters. You will win this fight regardless. You see, Katt Chuan has a bit of an attitude, one that I do not appreciate. She must be taught a lesson. You will teach her that part of that lesson."

"I'm flattered that you think so highly of me," Ryu said warily, noting the hard edge in Angus' tone.

"Oh no, you mistake me, boy," said Angus. "Your skill will get you far, I'm sure. But I want to be certain that the girl knows her place. When you fight Chuan—and I'm sure you'll get that far at least—certain men in the audience will fire needles at her, coated in an extract of a scorpion's tail. With any luck, the poison will let her live long enough for her muscles to deteriorate, leaving her unable to fight for the rest of her life."

Angus looked at him with a bemused expression. "What's wrong, boy? You look a little…perturbed. Do you find my methods…displeasing? Well, I assure you that the little reward in your locker room will persuade you to see things my way." Angus dismissed Ryu then and there.

Ryu headed for the locker room to prepare for the upcoming fights. But despite a quick bath, he could not get the slimy feeling off his skin after his conversation with Angus. This isn't good, he thought as he dressed. Looks like I've gotten myself into a world of trouble even without Bow's help.

Ryu opened his locker and found a bag of large minted coins. "Bow'd have an orgasm just looking at this," he noted wryly.

Just then, Rand walked in. "Just wanted to make sure everything's going smooth for you, Ryu. You're up next, you know. Hey, what's that?" he asked, pointing at the bag.

"Dirt money," Ryu answered. "You're not going to believe this, but Angus wants Katt to lose. He's going to poison her fight against me. He wants to ruin her life as a fighter."

Rand's gray face went stone hard. "Had you said that to anyone else, they'd probably think you were crazy. But poison needles…Angus wasn't always the manager, you see. His predecessor, my former boss, died of a 'heart attack' a few months ago…but I recognized the signs of tetanus in him. Inflicted tetanus. I wondered who'd want to kill him, but it seems Angus fills the bill."

"I don't mind fighting someone, but I do mind this," Ryu said.

Rand thought for a moment. "Give me the money. I'll buy vaccines for both of you. While I'm out, you tell Katt about what Angus is up to."

Rand left the Coliseum while Ryu knocked on the door to the women's locker room. Katt Chuan, wrapped in a thin robe, answered. "What is it?" she demanded. "I'm getting changed here."

"There's been a complication," Ryu said ominously. "Angus intends to poison you. Rand will be here with an antidote. You have to take it."

Katt looked at him curiously and then narrowed her eyes dangerously. Emerald orbs glowed with rage. Her fur stood on end. "You've got to be kidding me! I'm not going to let an opponent feed me anything. Get out!" She slammed the door in his face.

"Fiery one," Ryu muttered. He returned to his locker room, where Rand waited with two vials. "Katt's being stubborn," he explained. "She won't take the antidote."

"Figures," Rand sighed. "She's like a Biruburu, that one is. Here," he handed him both vials. "Take both of them. It'll be up to you to protect her in the fight."

Ryu downed both vials in a gulp. The liquid was bitter, but he swallowed it anyway. "You care a lot about Katt, don't you, Rand?"

The Shell shrugged. "She's a friend. I look out for my friends. It's what I do. You better get out there, Ryu. The people want to see Baba fight."

Ryu had studied the fighting arts for ten years. In his travels with Bow, he had sought out swordsmen, martial artists, and cage fighters, learning the ways of battle through their lessons and his own self-tutelage. Bow used to say that he took his studies too seriously, but they paid off in their own way. For one thing, none of the fighters in the Coliseum could come near to Ryu's level of skill. He defeated most opponents after only a few passes. None were able to land a blow.

Thus, Ryu went up the tournament ladder faster than anyone expected. He was soon face to face with Katt Chuan. Let's hope these antidotes are worth it, he thought, looking around the audience for Angus' henchmen; he could not find them. Not that any decent hitmen would be easy to find. Ryu focused his attention on his opponent.

Katt cracked her knuckles and spun her staff expertly. She was ready for a rumble. "You ain't scaring me with your talk of poison and tricks, Baba. Bring it on, and we'll settle this man to woman!" She grinned fiercely, baring sharp teeth. Her purr sounded like a tigress' growl.

Ryu silently drew his sword and assumed a defensive stance, crouching low. Katt came on faster than he had expected, her staff striking harder than any fighter he had ever faced before. But Ryu deflected the blow, though it numbed his hands to do so. What uncanny speed! he thought in wonder. What uncanny strength!

"What's the matter?" Katt said haughtily. "Scared already? Come on and fight me!" She swung her staff again. Ryu ducked and brought his blade up to block its reverse sweep. Iron staff clanged loudly against steel sword. Numbness coursed up his arm, chillingly. But he did not cry out.

"The silent type, eh?" the Woren drawled lazily. "You're so boring!" She kicked at his head, but Ryu had already slipped under her leg and slammed the pommel of his weapon into the small of her back. Then he backed up and performed a roundhouse to her temple, landing a solid blow. The Woren wobbled, dazed, giving Ryu enough time knock the staff out of her hands.

That was when he saw the needle out of the corner of his eye. He raised his arm and let the projectile dig into his flesh. He felt more pinpricks of pain light up across his back. But he ignored the pain and his suddenly hazy vision. Moving mechanically, he swept Katt into his arms and hobbled to the safety of the locker rooms beyond.

"You really should thank him," Rand said from where he sat at the other end of the room. "He did save your life."

"Don't need to rub it in," Katt growled. She was leaning against the wall by the bed. The bed that a comatose Ryu was sleeping in. She punched the wall. "I was such a jerk to him earlier."

"Must take a lot for you to admit that," the Shell cut in.

"Would you lay off?" the Woren hissed. "I'm going to thank him, of course. I…just don't know how. I don't like being saved. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don't need anyone protecting me, especially a skinny blue-haired weirdo like him."

"Weirdo or no, you owe him your life, so the least you can do is be civil. After all, 'what we do for others is returned tenfold by ourselves,'" Rand said sagely, "or so sayeth the teachings of wise Saint Eva."

Katt frowned. "I didn't know you were the religious type."

Rand nodded. "Not of Saint Eva, at least. But it's good to know the doctrines of those who are popular in the area you're living in. It's called bearing an open-mind." Rand looked up as the bed stirred. "Ah, it seems our noble friend awakens."

Katt stiffened up, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. She was blushing furiously. She dipped into a low bow. "T-t-thank you for saving my lifeandI'msorryIactedlikeajerkearlier!" she said in a rush.

Ryu shook his head, as if clearing it. Then he looked at her and said calmly, "I'd appreciate it more if you said it slower."

"Thank you for saving my life," Katt repeated. "I'm sorry I acted like a jerk."

"Oh. You're welcome. My name is Ryu Bateson." He extended his hand.

She took it. "I'm Katt Chuan."

Ryu rolled his legs off the bed and stood up, stretching sore muscles. "A pleasure to meet you under less violent circumstances, Katt. Now, I don't know about you, but I just got shot full of needles by a rat bastard of a man. I'd like to punch his face in right now."

Katt cracked her knuckles. "Me too. He tried to kill me, after all."

Rand opened the door. "Since you two are dead set on beating Angus to a pulp, I better go with you." He smiled ironically. "Eva knows Katt will get you into no end of trouble, Ryu."

Ryu smiled as well. First dogs, now cats. Seems I just can't get away from troublemakers.