Claws

by Taziwazi08

All Samantha and her cat Taz wanted was a place to stay while in Gotham, but when Selina Kyle (AKA Catwoman) opens her home to her, Samantha's usually calm life will become filled with training, last minute escapes, and one too many close encounters with the dynamic duo, as well as a few of Gotham cities nefarious residents.(Bad summary I know).

7. Chapter 7

Authors Note: Hello again! And welcome back to Kitty's messed-up life. I wanted to thank you guys for sticking with me this far and for response I got, I never thought that a story that spawned from a joke my sister made would get this response. This one took me a while to write, because I had exams and holidays, and ugh. Anyway I want to thank Nightwatching, Guest/Peacock1969,and xSapphirexRosesxFanx for reviewing. By the way, xSapphirexRosesxFanx, when I read your comment, I didn't know how to react to that. I still don't. But o' well, here's the next chapter. EnjoyJ

AAANNNNKKK! AAAANNNKKK! AAAANNNKKK! AAAAANNNKKKK! Samantha's eyes drooped open as the sound of her alarm rang in her ear. She rolled over onto her side and drifted back into sleep. AAANNNKK! AAANNNKKK! AAANNNKKK! AAANNNKKK! 20 minutes later she finally looked at the clock. 6:45AM. Samantha jumped nine feet in the air as she finished reading the clock. "6:45! Holy crap! I'm LATE" she was freaking out. Samantha started to run towards her door determined to wake Maven when realization hit her like a wooden plank in the face. She froze in mid step 'wait a minute….its Saturday' she placed her foot down and put her palm to her face 'Right because I started school on a Thursday, not Monday' she stared back at her bed where a pair of golden eyes stared back at her. "Ya I know Taz. I don't know what I'm more annoyed at. The fact that I forgot to re-set my alarm, or the fact that my alarm clock didn't wake me up."

Samantha looked at her clock and then longingly at her bed, the thing was once it was morning and she woke up she could never go back to sleep. Her clock said 6:50. "Well I have about 2 hours to kill before I actually have to get up. Might as well start doing something."

Taz stretched out her front paws and pulled her butt up in the air in an unusual stretch. Samantha inwardly sighed and directed her attention to her reflection in the mirror. "Woops!" she was still in her 'kitty clothes' the only thing she was missing was her mask which rested on her night stand table. "I should probably change." She went to work stripping herself on her alter ego but abruptly stopped once she felt a surge of pain as her hand touched her shoulder. She looked at her shoulder and saw the work that Carol did on her arm and the cut in her dark clothes. "Dang it, I forgot about that." She continued undressing and placed her clothes on her bed 'I'll have to fix this later, but for now I need to get dressed.' She walked to her large dresser and looked for some pants. 'Great, I'm out of pants.' She turned to her closet to look for something else. Her hazel green eyes gazed over the individual fabrics until she spotted a new dress. "What the?" She took it off the hanger and examined the pattern. It was a green dress with a blue and magenta leopard pattern on it. Its necktie was stringed with brown beads. Attacked to the hanger was a headband with a leopard print on it along with a black shoulder strap satchel, white fake diamond butterfly earrings, and a note. Samantha brought the dress over to her bed and set it down taking the note and reading it carefully.

'Think of this as a welcome to your new home present, I hope you'll like it here.' –Maven

Samantha finished reading and looked back and forth between the dress and the note. Taz, curious about the new clothing preventing her from laying down looked at Samantha with a questioning look. "Yes Taz, I normally don't wear dresses and I normally don't wear pur- satchels. But Maven must have thought that it would look good on me….and she is really nice so I'll wear it." She put on the clothes and looked in the mirror "Wow, I'm wearing a dress and girly things and here I thought that dressing up as a human cat every other night was weird." Samantha picked up the note from Maven and through it in the trash by her desk. She looked at her clock 7:00AM. 'I still have a lot of time to kill.' She thought to herself. She glanced around her room and spotted her kitty clothes "I should probably fix that and then hide it." She grabbed her costume and went to her desk to search for a needle and thread. She found a thin silver needle and a spool of black thread in the very back of her drawer. "Huh, I wasn't actually expecting to find a needle, much less any thread, but wow." Going to work, she expertly stitched it together. Once finished she examined her work, "Not perfect but it will be hard to notice without close inspection. "Heh! I guess mom's rule of 'you must learn to sew before you are allowed to leave the house' came in handy." Samantha said smiling at Taz. Getting up she stood on top of her desk to reach the vent. She opened it and placed her costume inside. Stepping down she noticed the letter from her family on her desk. Staring at it she took out a piece of lined paper and started writing.

'Dear Mom, Dad, and Abby,

I'm fitting in fine in Gotham. The people are okay and schools not that bad. I even made two new friends, and unfortunately a couple enemies. However, as you probably know, the original family I was supposed to stay with skipped on me so for my first few weeks I lived in an orphanage. I actually got lost on the way to the orphanage but it all worked out as I found another home with a Ms. Selina Kyle and her friend Maven. Adjusting to city life, it is…odd, but the more I learn the more amazing this place becomes. I've seen a lot of the city, even visiting a zoo and one of the historic districts. I'm grateful you let me take Taz even if I did kind of sneak her in the car. And I know you guys are worried about the crazies running around this town but don't worry I can take care of myself. I'm sure Selina will help the Florida panthers, don't worry. I love and miss you.

Love,

Sami

Finishing she put the pencil down and read it over. Satisfied she folded the paper and looked for an envelope. "Figures she gave me a needle and thread but no envelopes." Looking at her clock she read 7:30AM. "Well now seems like a good as time as ever to get up." Taz yawned then jumped down to meet Samantha at the door. Acting like a well-trained butler Samantha stood to the side and bowed her head, opened the door with one hand and gesturing for Taz to walk through with the other. Taz graciously accepted and trotted through the doorway. Entering the kitchen Samantha saw Maven making toast while Selina sat at the table sipping whatever cool liquid was in her cup.

"Good morning Samantha." Selina said looking up from her cup.

"Good morning." Maven walked over and handed Samantha some toast.

"Thanks Maven." Samantha smiled. Pulling a newspaper clipping out of her….her….satchel and handed it to Selina. "My family and I would like to know if you would help the Florida panthers."

Selina took the clipping and smiled "well of course but I'm going to need some help with funding. Maven do we have time to stop bye to see an old friend today?"

"Yes Selina you do, but it's my day off remember, I'm visiting my family on the other side of Gotham."

"Already? Oh Maven how will I ever manage without you by my side for a whole day?" Selina joked.

"You'll manage." Maven remarked.

Samantha noticing there words chimed in "Wait but if it's your day off….. Why are you here?"

Maven set down a glass of orange juice for Samantha, which she happily started to drink. "Because I want to be here when Detective Bullock questions you."

Twenty needles were stabbed in the back of Samantha's thought all at one time as she nearly choked on her juice. Putting the glass down, she spoke "I'm being interrogated?!"

Maven and Selina looked at Samantha worriedly "Well, yes you were a witness last night."

It was about this time that something clicked in Samantha's head. 'Right, what happened at the docks, Terra's uncle, I was the one who knocked Killer Croc out cold!' Samantha mentally face palmed 'Well that's just great!' "When do I see him?" She asked. Just then there was a very rough knocking at the door.

"Well I think that's him now." Selina said standing up and walking with Maven to the door.

Maven first looked through the peep hole and then opened the door to greet a rather large man in a grey trench coat and fedora that covered his shaggy jet black hair. "Well hello, you must be Detective Bullock." Maven said kindly.

Samantha shifted slightly in her seat at the table to get a better look at the man. Under the coat he wore a formal yellow shirt and a red neck tie, when he spoke his accent strongly hinted at Jersey. "Yeah that's right, ya gonna let me in?"

Selina answered with a smile that Samantha new was the result of good acting. "Why, yes, of course."

He pushed his way through the door. "So…ah…where is she?" Bullock said looking around the room.

"Here." Samantha said half-heartedly.

"Right so I need to ask you some questions, this may or may not take a while."

Samantha nodded and gestured to the couch. They walked over and sat across from each other.

"I'd like to speak to the…uh…witness alone if you don't mind."

Selina and Maven nodded and went out to the balcony then closed the door.

"Is this going to be like in the movies where I'm in a pitch-black room and you shine a bright light in my face and play good cop bad cop?" Samantha asked with just a tiny hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"No that's only if you're a suspect, but you're a witness and an apparent friend of my niece so I'll go easy on ya this time."

Samantha smiled prepared for this "alright then, let's get started."

The "interrogation" started the usual way, Bullock would ask her what she saw and what she was doing there, etc. etc. etc. She answered all of them with ease and had no problem telling the truth, but then he started asking more interesting questions.

"The other witness told me that when Killer Croc and Batman where duking it out you went behind Killer Croc and knocked him out by hitting his head with an anchor?"

Samantha nodded.

"Well this leads to a string of questions, first, I'd like to congratulate you for that. Killer Croc and I have some history. Second, do you have any relations with Killer Croc?"

Samantha looked questionly at him. "No, I've never seen him before in my life, a-at least until last night."

Bullock seemed unsatisfied with that answer "Killer Croc has incredibly tough skin, how did you know that a small anchor would knock him out?"

At this remark Samantha actual laughed "I-I didn't know, I just grabbed whatever looked heavy and hit him."

Bullock looked taken aback at this but continued "Okay miss, one last question, do you have any associations with the Batman?"

Samantha kept a calm face and replied with no hesitation "Well if I did I certainly wouldn't tell you, but I would only associate him if I had too, otherwise I would run in the opposite direction."

Bullock chuckled slightly at this, amused by her answer. "Right...ah…that will be all, you can go back to your day now."

Samantha walked Bullock to the door and opened it for him. Closing it she turned around to see Maven and Selina already walking in.

"So, how did it go?" Selina asked.

"Quiet well actually, I told him the truth, just maybe not all of it." Both Maven and Selina let lose a chuckle.

"Well that's certainly an honest way of doing it." Selina laughed.

Maven smiled and said goodbye as she left. After the door closed Samantha looked as Selina confused "But…um….why wasn't I interrogated last night?" Samantha asked, of course she knew why but she had to at least try to cover up.

"Because when Maven went to get you, you were gone."

Samantha's breath hitched 'Oh Crap! Well no use trying to hide now' giving a nervous laugh and smile she replied with a small "Yeah…."

Selina looked at her intently "By the way, where did you go?"

Samantha sighed and sat back down at the table to recount the events of last night. She told Selina of the events at the zoo, her encounter with the dynamic duo, the cab driver, and the burglar she apprehended, careful to leave out the events of crime alley. Selina at first found Samantha's story to be a little humorous all the while listening with a slight smile on her lips. She was proud that Samantha was able to take care of herself and sneak out successfully, even if she was discovered in the end. But when she heard the part about Batman, robin and the zoo she suddenly got serious.

"Look Samantha if I were you I would try not to get mixed up with Batman, he can be helpful but he also can bring bad luck. On the other hand though I'm glad you're okay and got more information about the zoo." Selina reached for her car keys as did Maven, "we'll talk more about this when I get back, I'm going out today so you'll be alone for today. Selina reached into her wallet, while I'm taking care of business why don't you walk around the city…" Selina took out a wad of cash and gave it to Samantha "…see the city the normal way, you can do what you want with the money just have fun."

Samantha took the wad and stared at it in awe. Taz brushed by her leg waking her from her trance and remembering something. Shoving the wad in her satchel placing it alongside her phone and a small pocket knife, she asked confidently "Selina, can I have a stamp for my letter?"

Selina walked to a drawer and pulled out a package of stamps which she gave to Samantha. Thanking her, Samantha got her letter and stuck the stamp in the upper right hand corner. Heading to the door Samantha said goodbye to Taz and accompanied Selina down. At the front of the building they said their goodbyes.

"Stay on the streets and don't talk to and suspicious or odd looking figures, I know you can handle yourself but its best to stay away from them for now."

Samantha placed her letter in the mail box "Okay, bye!" as she watched Selina's car drive away into the darkness she suddenly came face to face with an old friend she hadn't seen in a while, boredom. 'It figures, ever since I met Selina there has never been a dull moment.' She looked at the city and sighed 'well I might as well do what she says and walk around.'

It took her a while but she eventually found the main part of the city were most of the shops were. When Samantha saw it her jaw dropped and she mouthed the words 'holy crap!' It was huge. Shops upon shops littered the sides of the streets. Some were two or three stories tall. Clusters of people crowded the wide sidewalks while walking from store to store or trying to catch a taxi. For a moment Samantha just stared at the scene unfolding before her as she watched the people of the city move and bustle about. It was only after a taxi honked its horn that Samantha was pulled back to reality. She decided on just walking around and seeing the sights. As she walked she noticed dozens of shops and gazed through several windows. After leaving a particularly interesting window with robotic people buying beds, she wondered out loud "Should I call Karter or Terra and hang out?" Shaking her head she answered herself "Nah they're probably with their families right now….." The sudden thought of her friends with their families forced her to recall her own family. The image of her sister's, mother's, and father's face flashed inside her mind as she watched her feet make contact with the hard asphalt in perfect time. Looking back up, she lifted the heavy weight steadily growing in her eyes and focused back on her sight-seeing. She walked and walked passing each shops window with ease, she walked and walked until just after passing a jewelry shop window she finally stopped, for like the first time in like a mile. She froze with one foot still in the air and did a back track to the window. Within the clear glass she saw one of the most beautiful necklaces she had ever seen. A golden cat was sitting on a beautiful white diamond outline of a waning crescent moon on a gorgeous shimmering yellow chain. She stared, the price was within range, yes. The image of the money Selina had given her crossed her mind, she stared back at the necklace. And then turned away. She would use the money for something else. Continuing on her way she traversed the city. After an hour her legs started to hurt so she turned back and returned to Selina's after a very long walk. As she entered the threshold Samantha noticed Taz waiting for her at the door "Hey, Taz I'm back."

Taz meowed as Samantha leaned down and scratched the top of her head. After her quick hello Samantha went to work printing the pictures she had taken as her feline alter-ego 'Kitty'. Once they were ready she laid them out on the table. Then sat down and waited with Taz laying on the chair beside her. About 30 minutes later Selina, accompanied by Maven came back.

"Hello, Samantha. Did you enjoy your day?" Maven asked with Selina speaking another hello.

"Hi, yeah I did, it was actually quiet enjoyable."

Selina smiled and then they sat at the table. "Good, now shall we analyze?"

Samantha nodded and they all gathered around the table. Samantha started off by saying "Okay we know that the zoo had stopped taking care of their animals, and have taken part in a transfer with an implied Mr. Snow. What we don't know is what's in the boxes? Who wanted them? Why there so important, and what the people at the zoo had to gain from all this."

Maven continued "Mr. Snow could be related to the girl at your school or Mr. Snow could be a known criminal using a sort of code name to hide their true identity."

"The only snow related villain I know of is Mr. Freeze." Selina stated

"Right. So that would make him and Miss Priss's dad what they call prime suspects. But I can't help but wonder if this has to do with the string of robberies."

Selina frowned "But then again there's no real connection. Between the two."

"However first we should focus on finding out what was in those crates." Maven pointed out.

Samantha nodded and analyzed the pictures while wracking her memory for any clues what so ever. But she could find nothing. Hours passed as they discussed possible solutions and theories. Each being shot down, brought back up and then being shot down again. Each one being logged carefully away in Samantha's memory. In the end they concluded very little and only what they already knew and with no new discoveries.

After three mind wracking hours Selina stood from the table. "The fact is we know nothing for sure and need more information, there's just too many roads with too little connections."

Maven and Samantha grunted in agreement

"Until then, Samantha" the girl looked up and made eye contact "Take the pictures and hide them well."

Samantha began to gather the pictures together in a neat stack

"Oh and we will be having a very important visitor tomorrow. They're going help with the Florida panthers. Alright." Selina smiled "Good night Samantha."

"Goodnight." Samantha grabbed the pictures and grabbed Taz, then proceeded to walk to her room. Once there Taz jumped down from her arms and Samantha stood on her desk to hide the pictures and get her 'costume'. She slipped it on and checked her sleeve 'Fine'. Taz routinely climbed atop her shoulders and grabbed on. Kitty opened her window and climbed out.

Kitty sat on the edge of the roof top stroking Taz who was laying affectionately next to her leg. She was thinking about what she should do next. "I should probably begin investigating out prime suspects, and since Mr. Freeze is…unreachable, I guess I should start with Mr. Snow."

Taz purred in response. A small "meow" erupted from her.

"No I don't know where she lives."

"Meow!"

"Yes, in retrospect that probably would have been good information to have."

"Meow"

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't think of that at the time!" Kitty replied feeling stupid. Taz shifted her weight to look at Kitty. "Yeah, yeah, I'm working on it…." she picked Taz up and put her on her shoulders "…. just let me find a phone book."

"Meow"

"Yes it is easier said than done." Kitty used the fire escape to get down and began to look around the alley. As she searched Kitty caught a glimpse of Taz's eye "No I don't believe I'll actually fine one here but I have to start….some…..where." Kitty's eyes had just spotted a grand hotel across the way. "Ah ha!" Kitty readjusted her mask making sure it covered her face right then put on a ragged old baseball cap she had found in the alley then walked towards the hotel. Hiding behind a rather large woman with in a group of people she made sure that only her cap was visible. As she blended in with the small group the door man opened the door, Kitty left the group and stealthily found the phonebook. Flipping fast she searched 'snow, snow, snow, snow, snow, ah SNOW!' She read the address quickly and joined a group of teens leaving the hotel, once out side he darted off in the direction of the snow residence.

It took her an all of twenty minutes to reach the home of Miss Priss. It was a large house in the city several stories tall. She released her claws and climbed the vertical slope up to the nearest open window, which just happened to be the kitchen. She nimbly climbed through the window and found a dark silver laptop sitting open at the kitchen table. Kitty checked the perimeter and sat down at the table. Miss Priss's father had foolishly left his e-mail icon open she she had no trouble getting in. 'This is so wrong…' Kitty thought to herself. As a rule she told herself to only read ones sent or received from Mr. Kane. But when she checked the name Mr. Kane was nowhere to be found. 'Dang it, dead end.' Kitty quickly covered her tracks and left through the window just as she heard a door close. Climbing up the building further she noticed a room that had the name Nora written across it. 'I think I found her room.' Kitty peered through the window and she noticed that she had left the window slightly ajar. Suddenly a devilish idea popped in her head and a mischievous grin found a way to her lips. She silently slipped her glinting claws under the window and lifted up slowly. Once open all the way she found a black blanket and positioned it to look like batwings, then she found some slippers and placed them over her cat ears. She heard footsteps and waited behind the door. Not five seconds later Miss Priss came through the door dressed in night attire. She walked over to her bed and laid down to sleep. That was when Kitty started. As slow as she could she pushed the door away from her taking care to make it creek closed, Miss Priss's eyes opened and her body visibly tensed into a ball, Kitty got low to the ground and crawled ever so silently to the side of her bed. Miss Priss shrunk back into her bed as she let out a weak "Who's there?" Kitty remained perfectly still the only thing visible in the darkness was the faint glow of her and Taz's eyes and the glint of her silver claws. Slowly she rose from her position extending her arms to make her wings extend. Miss Priss was still gazing at her door when Kitty issued a terrible loud "HIIIISSSSSSSS" she shrieked and flailed her arms as her head whipped around to face Kitty. Kitty hissed again, this time louder and more threatening, Taz joined in as well. The terrified girl let lose another scream and covered her face. Kitty used this to rip off the additions to her outfit and jump out the window. Quickly she climbed down the building and ran into an alley where she was laughing her head off. Taz was grinning too, for Kitty had told her about their previous encounters. Once she had calmed down she hugged Taz and started off towards the historic district of Gotham.

Carol and Dee Dee got home late that night. "Now it's late I want you to go upstairs to your room and get ready to go to bed. I'll be right up with a glass of water to tuck you in." Carol explained to her daughter who smiled sleepily

"Okay mommy!" Dee Dee slowly climbed the stairs to her room while Carol entered the kitchen. She flipped on the light and notice a wad of money in the middle of her kitchen table, next to the money was a note with a tiny cat paw drawn on it, it said one word "Thanks".

Authors Note: Hey, did you notice? Wooden plank in the face, ha-ha PUNS! Well! The Mr. Snow lead was a dead end sooooo who on earth could it possibly be, and who did Selina invite over? Wait and see, ha-ha. Anyway I hope you liked this. Please, please, please review, I love reviews, even bad ones. And let me know what you think could enhance the story some or what you might want to see in the future, I might just work it in. Anyway see you in however long it takes for inspiration to hit me. ByeJ