Chapter 14

"It's beautiful!" Selina said. Before her stood a clearing with a pool of water which was fed by a waterfall about twenty-five feet high. It poured violently over the edge, creating a mist that pervaded the area as it foamed at the bottom. It was guarded on each side by tall, lush trees, and on close examination, one could look through the falling water to a small cave behind it.

"I am happy you like it." Tygrus said smiling. "We come here often. It is our bathing grounds." He stared off towards the cliffs in the distance. "There's actually a larger waterfall near those cliffs. I used to go there often, but the guards' presence is too strong now."

Selina moved to the lip of the pool, and lowered herself on her hands and knees, her nose close to the water. It was clear as glass, she could see to the bottom several feet down. Its smell was pure, refreshing. She looked to Tygrus.

"I could use a dip? How about you?"


Ross loaded his weapon. AK-47, basic, but plenty effective. He wondered why the change in heart by this "benefactor," whoever he was. Especially over the protests of the administrator, whoever he was. Seriously, here he was, fearing for his life, losing his friends, all working for people he didn't know. If he ever got back, there'd be hell to pay. Somebody would hear about what went down here.

But that was the future. For now, he had one task: take down a certain cat freak. All the other guys were a buzz about the two free lancers they'd just brought in. No names for sure yet, just rumors. They said they were more assassins than mercs. That they'd kill a bystander that got in the way as soon as their target. That they'd worked successful missions against metahumans. That everyone else might as well pack up and go home, because they'll have the cats taken care of by breakfast tomorrow.

Well forget it. It didn't matter if he had a squad behind him or not. Oh they could have the kittens. But he was than man that was going to bring big grey down. And nobody was getting in his way.

He strapped extra ammo, and some smoke grenades to himself. Time to check on the boys.


Tygrus leaned his head back, letting the pouring water flow over his face, down his chest and back. He opened his mouth, and stream of cool water filled his mouth. He loved being cleansed. Smells fell off of him, like he was washing away layers upon layers of the island that had stuck to him. Of course he never totally removed it, but the smooth feeling after his fur had dried, free of dirt and grime, felt wonderful, invigorating. Selina, however, was enjoying it even more than he was. She ran her hands over her body, through her fur, turning to make sure every angle was washed. At one point she actually moaned in satisfaction.

After they were satisfied, they came out of the waterfall's stream onto the cool rock of the cave, the stream cascading behind them, creating a roaring echo against the red rock walls around them. Tygrus laid on all fours, and began a mighty shake of his body, sending large globs of water everywhere. Selina shielded her face, then gave Tygrus an amused look. She apparently wanted a better way. There weren't very many towels nearby of course. Then she sensed a breeze. She followed it, finding a hole in the cavern wall, where a strong blowing wind came through. Much more civilized, she thought. She walked toward the opening, and found it to be much like a cool, natural blow drier.

Tygrus sat; watching with intrigue. She stood in front of the opening, stretching her arms, rotating her body as her shimmering blond fur, brighter than ever after having been cleansed of the island's impurities, blew in the breeze. The warmth in his chest rose again. Selina turned to him, and smiled.

"Something on your mind?"

He did not lose his composure, but merely smiled in return, "Yes actually…come, I have something else to show you."


It was getting late, the sun had turned orange. Soon she would need to contemplate finding a place to rest. A second night alone, she thought. Suddenly, she thought she hear a rustle in the trees above her. Perhaps not that alone. She scanned the thick trees above her. There was nothing she could see. She opened up her belt and took out an extra ration. She looked up and shouted.

"I'm not here to hurt you! If you need some food, have some of mine! Just leave me alone!" She then tossed the ration into the bushes.

She waited a few seconds. Nothing. Lying against a tree, she contemplated starting a fire. And maybe attract those men to her? She doubted the tiger woman would care about a fire. She guessed that somehow, someway she was an experiment connected with the men who were chasing her. She was more a confused woman than an animal. Not that that made her less dangerous. She pulled out a knife, and held it close to her chest.

Batgirl tried to recall the last time she felt scared to go to sleep. She was a nine. She wasn't scared because of the boogeyman, or the monster in the closet. Her dad, still a lieutenant, was staked out on a hostage crisis. There had been shots fired. She didn't want to go to sleep because she wasn't sure her dad would be there in the morning.

Morning did come. He sat by her bed, with a fresh new teddy bear. She kept it in her bedroom to this day. Suck it up Barbara, she thought. You're not a little girl anymore. In fact…

She pulled out her transceiver. She'd been calling Batman every now and then, just in case. It was mostly therapeutic, like having someone to talk to. She clicked the send button and practically shouted into the device.

"Batman, no Bruce, if we get out of this, things are going to change. I'm in my mid twenties now; I've almost completed my Master's in Information Science. I've proven myself over and over again, and you recognize this. From now on, my name is Batwoman, you hear me? I'm a full equal now. I know you pay for everything in the Batcave, but on the field I'm every bit the detective, every bit the fighter you are. I…"

Her voice trailed off. Lowering the transceiver, she looked up through the trees at the slowly darkening sky.

"I sound really pathetic don't I?" Maybe she'd feel better in the morning. Cat or no cat, or who or whatever was out there, she was going to get some rest. She propped herself against the tree, her knife still clutched to her chest, and tried to relax.


The sun was slowly disappearing over the horizon. From atop the cliff, next to the roaring waterfall, Selina could see the castle off in the distance. She could also make out the cliffs to the south, and a bit of the larger falls Tygrus had mentioned. She recalled how menacing the island had seemed the first time she had come here, even that first night running from the guards. And the specter of the lit castle was still haunting. But against the setting sun, with the chorus of night creatures waking up around them, it was different. She wouldn't say the forest; the island no longer had a sense of danger, or of fearful mystery. There were too many wild things, too many dangers lurking amidst the trees and brush to say that. But now, amidst that darkness also rang splendor, intrigue and excitement.

"This is wonderful," she said to Tygrus, who was standing next to her, "Thank you."

"You are welcome," Tygrus said, still staring out across the expanse. "I often come here by myself. But I am glad to have someone to share it with."

Selina looked up to Tygrus, reaching high to place a hand tenderly on his shoulder. "You don't have to be alone anymore Tygrus. Cheetah is fine with being who she is, and it seems like some of the others are as well." Tygrus turned and looked down at her. His glossy yellow eyes were dilated in the evening light; his magnificent grey coat blew softly in the breeze. His scent…Selina began to continue, but was cut off as Tygrus took her hands in his, and spoke softly in his deep bass tone.

"Selina, they may choose to keep their new form, they may even choose to stay here. But I wanted to share this with you. It was you who opened my eyes to the lies father told me. The knowledge at first drove me to despair, but I have grown satisfied with the truth. I told you as you left that there was nothing for me anywhere. I now see that was wrong. This island is where I belong. Not because of my father's intentions, but because I choose to make it so. Because I choose to see the good parts of it." At this his voice and demeanor changed to reflect a sense of determination. "That is why those who have invaded this island must be stopped. They are repeating father's lies." He paused for a moment, as if to let this sink in, then softened his face.

"Selina, I wanted you to know I have found purpose here; that I have learned to see beauty in this island, despite what laws father may have broken here." Tygrus' paused and swallowed deeply. Selina noticed a change in Tygrus' face. He demeanor always displayed a fearsome primal presence combined somehow perfectly with a strong sense of personal dignity and focus. Yet he almost seemed to be unsure of himself. After a moment however, he composed himself, and now conferred an aura of perfect certainty. "Father was wrong to do this to you. I wish I could change that, but I cannot. I understand you must try to become human again, and return to your people. However, I wanted you to see how beautiful you are, right now." He leaned his head forward. "To me."

Selina stood still, unsure how to respond. She gazed directly into Tygrus' eyes. He was the design of a madman, mixing the DNA of various animals to create an unfeeling killer, his picture of the "ultimate life form." Yet those fearsome, fiery amber eyes conveyed feeling, intelligence…beauty. She smiled, her hands still in his. "Yes, I think can. Thank you for being so kind Tygrus. Thank you for everything." She rose to the balls of her feet and placed a light kiss on his cheek. Then, gently taking her hands from his, she backed away slightly, still smiling. She looked to where the sun had just set. A silver moon now hung in the sky. "It's late. We have much to do tomorrow, searching for Batman and Batgirl. Perhaps later in the day you'll have time to teach me to hunt." She then casually turned and walked to the side of the flowing river, five yards from where it poured over the cliff. The air was warm, the sound of the roaring waterfall almost hypnotic. She kneeled down, and turned her head back to Tygrus. "I'll be turning in now. Yourself?"

"Not yet," he said. "I am not used to going to sleep at sun set. I usually hunt at night. But I will rest soon. Do not let me keep you awake."

She nodded, and lay down flat, almost melting into the grass. Tygrus turned to look out over the cliff. He kneeled down, and gazed out into the stars silently.