You know, it's kind of depressing not to get any feedback. Though I realize that I neglected to say last chappie that I won't update till I get three reviews, so I'll let it go. Besides, I really want to update this fic. So please, please, please have a heart and review. Constructive critisism is very welcome as well! So please let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH. Just Catalyn. Three reviews till I update!
CHAPTER FIVE – A LINGERING PAST
When Catalyn finally reached the camp, it was thanks to the fire the gang had created. It was so dark outside that, even though blessed – or cursed – with great vision, she had to rely on her other senses, such as her ears and her nose, to sniff out the smoke and hear the crackling of the fire. The gang was crowded around the fire, taking in its warmth – except for Hiei, who was up in an isolated tree. They looked up when she joined them by the fire.
"Here, Catalyn," Botan said cheerfully, handing her a sandwich. "It's not all that much, but it's food."
"Thanks," she mumbled before taking a large bite out of the sandwich.
There was an awkward silence. They were all staring at her. She stopped eating and glared at them.
"What?"
"Where were you?" Yusuke demanded instantly. "You were gone for an hour!"
She shrugged calmly, a new lie ready. "I wanted to go for a walk. I like my privacy, thank you very much." Okay, it wasn't a full lie. After all, she had been for a walk. She just did a bit more than that. Finishing her sandwich, she went over to the river to drink some water. It had a strange smell which she figured classified it as demonic water, but it was cool and refreshing all the same.
"Well!" Botan exclaimed, breaking yet another moment of silence. "How about we all get some shut-eye? We need to be in good shape for tomorrow!"
Yusuke and Kuwabara grumbled about not getting to roast marshmallows, but they entered the bigger of the two tents without further complaint. Kurama slowly followed them. As he opened the flap, he locked eyes with Catalyn, then entered the tent, saying, "Good night."
Catalyn stared as the flap fluttered shut. She had been quite taken aback by this, because no one had ever wished her good night since she left her parents to go to a martial arts school. Seven whole years had passed since then…
"You coming in, Catalyn?" Botan asked from the flap of the smaller tent.
She jumped a little. "Oh, yeah, sure Botan, soon," she stuttered.
"Okay!" Botan beamed, then entered her tent.
Catalyn was left alone. She sat by the fire in silence, taking a few twigs every now and then to feed it. But all she could think about was how her sensei was doing, wherever he was, and of the day it all began:
Catalyn twirled in front of her mirror, snuggling an orange cat close to her chest, all the while laughing gaily. "It's my birthday today, Kitkit!" she exclaimed delightedly. "All my classmates know too! I wonder if they've made a cake for me? Or better yet, maybe they'll get me some presents! Wouldn't that be awesome? Or what if I got a package from Mom and Dad? Oh, wow, this is so exciting! I wonder what kinds of presents I'll get!"
A hissing voice answered, "I know of a good present for you…"
Suddenly Kitkit clawed viciously at her arms, drawing blood. Catalyn screamed and dropped the cat. "Kitkit!" she yelled in surprise, clutching her stinging arms. "What's wrong?"
Kitkit's hairs stood on their ends, sharp as needles. Her yellow eyes grew larger and glowed red. A white-hot pain shot through Catalyn's forehead, so great that she was momentarily blinded as she screamed.
Kitkit bolted out the open window and vanished. "Kitkit!" Catalyn yelled desperately, but it was too late. Then she felt something strange just under her back. Feeling apprehensive, she reached around and her hands closed upon…a TAIL! She raced to the mirror and practically fainted when she saw her reflection. Her ears were gone, and higher up they had been replaced with cat ears! Her once blue eyes were the golden color of a cat's!
All the color drained from her face when she came to terms with what had just happened.
"I've been…demonified!"
Dressed in her martial arts uniform, shaking uncontrollably with each step, she managed to reach her classmates so that lessons could begin. They all stared at her, horrified. Then her greatest rival, Vladomir, yelled, "SHE'S A DEMON! ACK! SHE'S A DEMON!"
"I AM NOT!" she yelled back desperately, trying to fight off hysteria.
Everyone was yelling, Vladomir's voice high above the rest. "I KNEW IT ALL ALONG! THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET A GIRL INTO THIS SCHOOL! GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU FILTHY DE–"
He didn't get to finish his sentence. With her specialty kick, Vladomir was on the ground, completely winded. There was complete silence, during which everyone stared, wide-eyed. Vladomir sat up and yelled, "GET HER! KILL HER!"
Hysteria overwhelmed her as the boys rushed at her, all trying to fight her at once. She was the best in her class, but keeping them all at bay was impossible in her current state, and once Vladomir threw a tomato at her face she sank to her knees, breaking down completely…
Someone threw a blanket over her, and everyone stopped. A pair of strong arms drew her to her feet and began to lead her away.
"Easy, girl," her original sensei, a young man, told her. She looked fearfully into his kind eyes, but it was not kindness that she saw then. It was only pity, and a hint of resentment. Her tears flowed down uncontrollably as they walked. "Okay, Junsei, we're going to see the master. Keep it together." It would have been a soothing voice had she not seen the resentment in his eyes moments before.
Catalyn did not look up when she reached the master's chamber. She couldn't bear it. She had never seen him before, and despite always being curious, that curiosity was now gone.
"Junsei Muzai." His voice was calm but serious, deep and imposing. "Explain yourself."
She told him everything that had happened that morning. When she finished, she heard the master sigh. "I-I didn't mean for t-this to happen," she stammered fearfully. "I mean – my kitty…"
"Your pet attacked you, Miss Muzai," the master interrupted.
"No, really, she didn't," Catalyn gasped out, sobbing. "I –"
He cut her off so fiercely that she shed even more tears. "I beg to differ. Look at yourself! You are cursed!"
"No…" Catalyn sobbed, now on her knees, dreading what was coming.
"You must leave this school and never return!"
"Please, master!" she cried out. "Don't make me leave! My parents…I haven't heard from them in ages…they haven't replied to my letters in so long…they're probably dead by now…I have nowhere to go…please, I promise never to hurt you…please, please let me stay!"
"No," the master said shortly. "You are a demon, and a danger to this fine school. You have my deepest sympathies for this unfortunate event, but even so, you must leave or die."
"But…" she wailed. "I have the right to stay…"
"Not anymore," the master said, clearly pitying her.
"I wouldn't say that," an unfamiliar voice cut in.
Catalyn looked up, and saw an old man hobble into the room. She recognized him as the oldest sensei still living in the school, but one who no longer taught any students. He was using a cane to support himself, and he went straight up to the master.
"I know I am growing too old to teach," the old sensei said, "but I think I will be able to teach one last student. I will leave with this Junsei Muzai and help her complete her training."
"That is out of the question," the master objected immediately. "I need you here, at this school."
"But this girl needs the protection of a guardian," the old sensei argued. "She is still young. Without her completed training, she will not be able to survive on her own. And," he continued, "since when do we abandon a student?"
Catalyn stared at him in awe. So did the master. After a long silence, he sighed. "Very well," he agreed. "Junsei Muzai, you may leave with your new sensei. You have a half hour to gather your things. I will see to it that no one disturbs you. You may go."
As she sat by the dimming fire, Catalyn recalled those sorrowful memories, and how she went on to train with her new sensei in the wilderness, completing it with remarkable skill and grace. He also taught her how to use her feline powers as an advantageous weapon, and even thought her good enough to teach her the basics of reiki and go even a little bit farther with them. Then he gave her a new name to mark the beginning of a new – and hopefully better – life.
That life was now. She was no longer Junsei Muzai to anyone. She was just Catalyn, an unlucky human who was demonified and cursed.
Without realizing what she was doing, Catalyn started to sing a song she had known since she was a child, a beautiful but somewhat frightening one at the same time, and her soft voice filled the night sky:
"If you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
Don't be in doubt and stay
Cling to your lonesome folly
Now you're too close to the pain
Let all the rain go further
Come back and kiss me in vain
Mother oh do not bother
Hear the chorus of pain
Taking you back to proper ways
It's so easy to find
If you could remind me
Now you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
So I will find you again
Kiss you for lonesome folly."
"Shut up, baka onna. You can't sing for your life."
Startled, Catalyn turned around to see Hiei jump down from his tree, frowning at her.
"As if you could do better," she retorted. Then she thought of something. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"I could ask you the same thing," he replied. "But since you're up, we might as well begin your training."
Oh, right. Koenma's orders. Grumbling a little, she stood up. "Fine," she said. "But no big stuff tonight, got it?"
"Hn," was all he said as he drew his katana. Catalyn readied her fighting stance, and it began.
That's it for now! The song is called "A Stray Child" from the .hack/SIGN OST. Remember to please review!