Chapter 15

Yuri smiled indulgently at seeing Naomi's pretty blush. She thankfully paid it no mind, and continued her conversation with Kitty…as if it had never occurred. "Now, Kitty…do allow me to catch you up with what has happened in your absense, yes?"

"I'm listening, Yuri," Kitty promised, snuggling in close to a slightly embarrassed, yet still oddly thrilled Ling.

"Merci, cheri," Yuri purred. "Now, after you---and the others, of course---had departed C'est Sing, Naomi and I had ourselves a bit of a chat, as it were."

"Oh, really?" Kitty interjected, her blue eyes scanning both ladies' faces for clues. "What did you two gals chat about then?"

Yuri looked down her nose at Kitty, then chuckled. "As if you had to ask, you rogue! Why, about our budding realationships, of course, silly. I with Monsieur Bentley, and my sweet Naomi here with the kindly Murray."

Kitty grinned. "Ah, so you both admit it then, do you?" Kitty teased, then shrugged. "Well…that's the first step. Way to go, ladies…"

Naomi promptly blushed, smiling…but quickly looked away. Yuri's cheeks became pink too briefly…but she perservered. "Hush, you," Yuri warned with a frown. "I will not have you teasing poor Naomi, Ms. Petro. She is having enough trouble with things as it is, poor dear."

Kitty realized that maybe she was going to have to---at least temporarily---curtail the rascally side of her nature. She reached over to give Naomi's hand a squeeze in apology. "I'm sorry, Naomi," she said, leaning over so that she could look up into the cheetah girl's eyes. "I have a bad habit of making light of things sometimes…even when I should know better."

"It is nothing, Ms. Petro," Naomi replied with a weak smile, but Kitty could see her troubled eyes. "I too apologize…I seem to have very thin skin nowadays, I'm afraid."

"Hey," Kitty replied, understanding. "I know how that goes, Naomi."

Ling finally added his own voice to the conversation. "Indeed," he assured Naomi. "My Kitty would walk about the office with a seemingly perpetual blush on her lovely cheeks. I think that Carmelita was---how you say---paying her back for all the teasing Kitty did about her and Mister Cooper."

Kitty frowned at Ling, wishing he hadn't brought that up. "Okay, so I was a little bashful about our relationship at first. So, sue me!" Kitty retorted, glaring briefly at Ling.

Ling shrugged her glare off, telling her, "I would not," Ling answered, choosing to take what Kitty said at face value…and incorrectly. "I…found it rather cute, actually."

Yuri smiled at the bickering pair, shaking her head in amusement. Say what you will, Kitty Petro was definitely not your typical vixen…no, not by a long shot!

"Now," Yuri interjected before Kitty could continue. "If I may get back to my original conversation, hmm?"

Kitty looked over at Ling, who simply smiled adoringly at her. Gah, Kitty thought, I should be irked with him…but when he smiles at me that way, I just…can't! "Sure, Yuri," Kitty replied. "You were saying?"

"Merci, cheri," Yuri said gratefully, crossing her long alluring legs, then resting her slender hands upon her uppermost knee. "As I was saying…the problem that both Naomi and I face is not whether or not we have feelings for the gentlemen I mentioned…no, it is more that we dread angering or disappointing our families…especially our parents." Yuri paused to flip a long strand of her nearly platinum blonde hair over her shoulder. "Perhaps, I should explain, no?"

Kitty frowned slightly, not getting what all the hoopla was about, really. So what if your folks didn't like who you were dating, Kitty thought. It's not their life…it's yours! "Please do," she coaxed.

Yuri smiled at her thankfully. "As you most likely already know, mon petite," Yuri began. "I come from a family steeped in tradition. Why, the first Sings held positions in court for nearly a century in the French aristocracy…that is, before the Terror during the Revolution, you see…" Yuri's expression turned inward then.

Kitty wasn't what you'd call an avid history buff…so, she looked back confused at Yuri's mention of this 'Terror'…as well as the Revolution. Though, a part of her did vaguely remember France having one of those…well, back about a million years ago, or something… "So, what happened then?"

"When the last French king was deposed, the Revolution turned ugly," Yuri explained. "Needless to say, many members of the Sing family met their end at the care of Madame Guillotine," she said, shuddering.

Kitty knew what a guillotine was! "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said softly, realizing how so many of Yuri's predecessor met their untimely and ghastly ends. She briefly fingered her slender neck uncomfortably.

Yuri smiled, waving away her apology…but her face was still decidedly pale. "I apologize for bringing up such unpleasantness, cheri," Yuri answered. "I only meant to explain that the surviving members of my family still hold dear their aristocratic heritage…and so, are very particular of just who is added to our bloodlines, you understand."

"Huh," Kitty pondered. "So…do you have any siblings then? You know, to carry on the Sing name, I mean?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," Yuri replied, smiling. "I have an older brother, Jacques, who is happily married to a wonderful woman of the name of Celeste."

"Let me guess," Kitty mused aloud. "This Celeste…she wouldn't by chance be another snow leopard now, would she?"

"Oui, she is," Yuri answered, giving Kitty a regretful smile, her eyes dimming.

"Okay," Kitty said, bouncing all Yuri had told her around in her head. She turned then to the troubled Naomi. "So…what's your story, girl?"

"Nothing as grand as Madame's, I'm afraid," Naomi answered begrudgingly. She began to wring her hands softly as she spoke. "I am a Rousseau, and my father is but an automotive executive employeed at Citroen. However, Papa is from the old country---in Africa, you understand---and has always been quite insistent that when I marry, I marry another cheetah…like myself." Naomi lowered her long-lashed eyes in consternation, her lips a thin line. "Oh, but my heart is torn, Kitty," Naomi continued, a single tear coursing down her cheek, rolling down to the corner of her mouth. "I am faced with a terrible choice. Choose as my father and family wish…and perhaps marry someone I do not love. Or…choose as my heart bids me to…and face being ostracized from my only family. Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu…I cannot decide." Naomi's pretty face contorted as she struggled to compose herself.

Kitty's big heart went out to the troubled girl, and before she even realized what she was doing, she had gotten to her feet, moved over to Naomi, and put her arms comfortingly around the slender girl. "Oh, Naomi," Kitty said softly. "I'm sorry…"

Naomi's face writhed briefly, but then she could no longer hold back her tears, and began to softly cry…but only a moment. Kitty's sympathy had been too much for her, and she cracked for that brief moment. She pulled away from Kitty, her bright amber eyes gleaming with her tears, even as she wiped at them. "Pardonnez moi, Ms. Petro," Naomi sniffed, embarrassed.

"You've got nothing to apologize for, Naomi," Kitty said. "It's really okay for you to cry, you know. You can't just keep all that bottled up inside forever, you know."

"Oui, I know," Naomi replied, still sniffling. "It is just…I do not wish to embarrass Madame or you with my weakness."

Now, Yuri moved over to kneel down beside Naomi's chair, her own exotic green-gold eyes gleaming. "Hush, Naomi," Yuri told her. "You do not embarrass me. There is no weakness in crying, cheri. I myself have shed many a tear in my life."

"You have?" Naomi asked, surprised, her big amber-hued eyes regarding her boss, her friend. "Really, Madame?"

Yuri laughed softly, squeezing Naomi's knee. "Oh, my yes! Veritable oceans of them, cheri," she replied, then sobered a moment. "What? Did you somehow think that C'est Sing was an immediate success, Naomi? No, let me assure you of that. I had to work very long, and very hard to get it to where it is now. And, along the way, cheri…I too cried." Yuri's expression then turned contemplative. "Oh, how I had wished that I did not have to cry alone…all those nights…"

"Madame!" Naomi replied, looking down, her heart in her eyes. "I did not know! Oh, Madame…if you had but---"

"Hush, Naomi," Yuri replied briskly, yet smiled. "You have a big heart, cheri. But it was not a girlfriend I wished to share my pain with, I'm afraid."

"Ah," Naomi observed, then smiled. "I understand now, Madame." And…she did too! She wiped her eyes, and then laughed unexpectantly. "Oh, what a pair of gloomy gusses we make this evening, no Madame?"

Yuri laid her cheek on Naomi's lap a moment in thanks, then got to her feet. "Oui! You are right, cheri," she answered. "Let us concentrate on happier things, no?"

"Oui!" Naomi answered.

"Now you're talkin'," Kitty concurred.

Naomi sighed then, a small smile blooming on her lips. "Like every time that Murray has entered the store and gazes my way, my heart skips a beat," she admitted with another happy sigh. Her expression changed then a moment later. "That is until I realize that if my parents should ever figure out I fancy him, they will cast me out into the street."

"Oui," Yuri then added. "I too feel my heart lurch whenever Bentley gives me that look of his…as if he is wearing his heart on his sleeve…just for me." Yuri's expression then darkened. "Pah! And, then the knowledge that I would dreadfully disappoint my parents hits home and ruins that very special moment for me."

"Okay. So…what both of you are telling me," Kitty mused, trying to think while Ling rubbed her back lovingly, which she found to be very distracting indeed! "Um, what you are both telling me," she tried again, "is that the problem you both are having is that you want relationships with the boys…but can't for fear that your parents would flip out, and disinherit you both. That sound about right?"

Yuri sighed, but nodded. "Oui, Kitty…it is a curse," she explained. "My nobil birthright…and Naomi's family heritage. Both looming over each of our poor heads like Madame Guillotine herself."

"Okay, but---" Kitty was about to argue, but Yuri held up a quick hand to stop her.

"Non!" Yuri growled. "I have decided, Kitty. I am sick and tired of being told what I may and may not do with my life, my relationships. I do not need my parent's money, nor do I feel the need to maintain my 'pure' bloodlines…as my parents wish. The Sing bloodline is Jacques problem…not mine. I am a prospering entrepeneur. I have the respect of my industry and my many fans…as well as my wonderful employees. I need no more than that. Unless…I were to find happiness in affairs of the heart. Which, I think, I now am well on my way to having." Yuri drew herself proudly erect, her shoulders thrust back, her head held high. "I love Monsieur Bentley, with all my heart. If that does not sit well with my parent, well, then…that is their problem, not mine!"

Kitty grinned, feeling a surge of satisfaction just then. However, her nature wouldn't let her let it lie. "Okay, but if you've already decided, Yuri…then, er, why exactly am I here again?" Kitty asked, her blue eyes teasing.

Yuri smiled, shaking her head at the irascible Kitty. "You are here, mon petite reynard, so that I may be the first to tell you this. Now, as for somebody else…" Yuri flicked her glance over to where Naomi sat. The cheetah girl gave a small gasp, and her large eyes went even larger briefly. "She is still convinced that her parents would disown her should she follow her heart. I say that is all rubbish…but, does she believe me? Non!" She smiled at Naomi then, and then flicked her gaze over to Kitty. "Perhaps, Kitty…you might be able to cure her of this madness where I could not."

"Got it," Kitty replied, nodding her understanding.

Yuri then moved over before where Ling Chu sat. "I beg your pardon, Monsieur," she told him. "But, did you not express an interest in seeing my home?"

"Well, yes…I did, but---" Ling began, very interested, but he didn't want to leave Kitty alone.

"Non," Yuri replied, halting his protest. "Your lovely Kitty needs some time alone with my Naomi. And, as such, I would find myself frigthfully bored." Yuri then looked down at Ling. "However, if I were to have some company…"

Ling looked briefly over to Kitty, asking her permission. Kitty nodded, then indicated the shocked looking Naomi with a jerk of her chin. Ling got to his feet, forcing Yuri to step back a few steps. "I would be most honored to see your lovely home, Madame," Ling answered with a bow of his head.

Yuri smiled brightly, then rested her hand upon Ling's forearm. "You honor me, Monsieur," she replied. "Now, let me show you the Sing library…it is said that we have a number of books preserved from before the 1500s, did you know?"

"Please, Madame, lead on," Ling offered.

"Please, Monsieur," Yuri asked. "Call me Yuri. Madame Sing is my mother, young man."

Ling chuckled as they walked out of the living room. "Of course, Yuri," he said, then they disappeared from view, the voices fading as they moved away.

Kitty then got to her feet, moved over to the doors, and swung them shut. She returned to her seat, then sighed, looking over at Naomi. "So," she began, smiling. "Would you like to talk about it then?"

Naomi stiffened briefly, but then crossed her arms before herself. "There is nothing to discuss, really," Naomi replied. "I am a cheetah and Murray is a hippo. That being the case, Ms. Petro, it is impossible for the two of us---no matter what our feelings might be---to be together."

"Uh huh," Kitty replied, unconvinced. "Well, kiddo…Yuri sure doesn't seem to look at it that way," Kitty observed.

Naomi looked troubled a moment, but quickly scrambled to her own defense. "Oui, that is true. However, Madame and I have very different situations," Naomi explained.

"You do?" Kitty countered.

Naomi frowned, but continued after a moment. "Why yes, we do. Madame is very successful, you know…and as such, she has need not worry about carrying her family´s name. She has more than adequately proven herself worthy the name Sing." Naomi paused, then looked down at her hands in her lap. "Now, me," she snorted dismissively. "I am but an office functionary…despite what Madame might say." Naomi's stiff look softened a moment later. "Oh, very well, I do admit that I love working for Madame. And, yes, her shop is very prestagious, but still…"

Kitty sighed. "Hmm. So, is what you're saying is that you're too good for Murray then?" she demanded, knowing that a bald-faced lie.

Naomi, as if on command, stiffened in outrage. "Non! Of course not! How could you even think such a thing, Mademoiselle?" Naomi protested.

"Okay, okay," Kitty replied, holding up her hands grinning. Naomi realized she had walked into Kitty's trap, and sighed, smiling.

"Mon Dieu," Naomi continued, feeling agitated. "Ah, Kitty…I do not know, however, if I could go up against my family to have a relationship with Monsieur Murray. Family is very important to we Rousseaus, you know."

"So I've heard," Kitty admitted. "Look, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Carmelita when she wavered about pursuing a relationship with Sly Cooper."

"And, that would be?" Naomi asked, despite her inner protests.

"Look," Kitty began. "You and your family are very close, right?"

"Oui, I mean, yes," Naomi replied, nodding.

"And, they love you very much, yes?" Kitty continued. "And, you them, right?"

Naomi smiled but nodded. "Oui, I like to think so, Kitty," she admitted.

"I'm sure they do," Kitty replied, giving her a smile. "Especially by the way you seem to care so much about their happiness. So, like I told Carmelita…you got to live your life the way you see fit, Naomi. Now, true…your parents will undoubtedly be angry with your decision. But---and this is an important distinction, Naomi---they will still love you. Just because they dislike your decision does not mean that they will stop caring for you. Don't you think?"

Naomi blinked, surprised by that observation. It had never occurred to her…to disobey her parents. But, Kitty did have a point. She could not see her parents, who indeed loved her very much, denying her their love over her choice of husband. "Hmm, what you say is true, Kitty," Naomi hesitantly admitted. "And, after all…are not hippos also native to Africa?"

"Last I heard," Kitty replied. "So…why don't you give Murray a chance, Naomi?"

Naomi looked away, blushing. "Oh, dear. What if I am misreading his attention? What if he is only bashful around the beautiful Madame Sing? And, does not even know I even exist?"

"Good point," Kitty admitted, but then shook her head. "But, you're wrong, girl. Tell you what, listen up…and I'll tell you what Murray and I discussed earlier today, okay?"

"I am listening, Kitty," Naomi replied, beckoning for Kitty to speak.

Kitty then related to Naomi everything that she and Murray had talked about that time in the kitchen. When she had finished, she heard Naomi give one soft sniffle, a single tear sliding down her cheek, blending into the dark stripe that went from the inside corner of her eye to the corner of her lips on the same side.

Naomi sniffled again. "Oh, I…I had no idea. What a wonderful man," she said in a husky voice.

"That's Murray," Kitty declared. "Look, kid, that hippo is head-over-heels about you, okay?" Kitty added. "Hey, don't you think the very least you could do is to give the poor guy a chance?"

"But, he is a---" Naomi stubbornly began to point out.

Kitty growled in irritation. "Who the hell cares what species he is, girl?" she demanded. "Do you love him or not?"

Naomi choked, her slender hand flying up to cover her mouth, her eyes striken. After a few moments of holding back her tears, she nodded. "Oui, I do," she quietly admitted, wiping futilely at her eyes.

Kitty, who had enough pussyfooting around, continued her assault relentlessly. "Who give a rip about who Murray' parents were? What does that matter? He's not his parents! He's Murray!"

"Ah, but my parents will," Naomi countered.

"Well, then…then let's make even simplier then, sweetie," Kitty growled low. "What matters more, Naomi Rousseau…your parents wishes…or your own? Hmm? Tell me that!"

Naomi dropped her head to her chest, her chest heaving as she fought her internal battles silently.

Kitty finally relented. "Look, Naomi," Kitty told her. "I'll clue you into some pretty good advice my friend Carmelita once gave me, okay?"

Naomi said nothing, but nodded her head, her hair spilling over her shoulders to hid her face.

"She had just quit the force," Kitty related. "And I asked her what she was going to do. So, she said she was going to join Sly and his Gang. I pointed out that might not be such a good idea…that her parents would hate the very idea of what she was suggesting. And, you know what she said to that?"

"Non," Naomi replied from behind her blonde waterfall of hair. "What?"

"She said, and I quote, 'But, hey kid…that's life. I have to do something with my life now. And…I think this is what will make me happy'. How's that grab you?" Kitty finished, smiling over at Naomi. "Look, it all comes down to this, okay? Remember you have to live your own life, not your family's, and not your parents."

Naomi sighed, then looked up, brushing her long hair back over her shoulders. Kitty could nearly see the wheels spinning in Naomi's head as he digested and came to grips with all that had been said. After a while, Naomi nodded, then turned her big amber eyes to Kitty. "It's a difficult thing, this. But, Kitty…you are right," she finally said. "You were right the whole time, all along." She smiled weakly over at Kitty. "Very well, I have made my decision finally," she stated.

"Oh? And that would be…what, exactly?" Kitty asked.

"I shall give my Murray his proper chance," Naomi vowed, making Kitty smile. She then added, "Not that he does not already have me at a disadvantage, you know. His smiles make my knees turn to water…" She grinned.

Kitty laughed softly. "Good, very good," she said. "Murray will be ecstatic! Girl, you don't know what this is going to mean to that guy."

"I must see him in person, Kitty," Naomi insisted. "I owe him nothing less, you know."

"That's cool," Kitty said. "Hey, if you want, I can write down their address for you."

"Oui! I would like that. Very much," Naomi replied with a warm smile and a nod of her head.

Kitty snatched a nearby pen, and a fetched a piece of parchment from the desk in the living room, then promptly wrote down the address to Le Hotel Champlain. "Here you are," Kitty told her, handing it to the smiling cheetah girl. "Now…take your time, okay? But, when you tell him…tell him from your heart, Naomi."

"Oui," Naomi promised Kitty, taking her hand and squeezing it thankfully. "I will…"