PLEASE REVIEW MY STORY! IT WILL GET EVEN BETTER SOON! CATS RULE!
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"Hello students. I am the Panther. You will learn today from me. Let us take roll," the man said with no preamble. Cat recognized him as her instructor from two summers ago. She was glad to see him. They had become very close over that summer. He was named the Panther for his quietness and deadliness. No one but his birth mother, the Shang Unicorn, knew his real name.
He looked down the line of awed-looking students until he saw Cat and Cylon. The smoky blue cat began purring at the sight of him. Panther had discovered Cat's feline abilities and had begun training both her and Cylon at once.
He had nicknames for them both, saying they were both as good as other Shangs oftheir age and even older. Cat was obviously the Shang Cat while Cylon was the Shang Kitten.
He began calling out names, looking at a roll sheet Terrious had provided. First called was the only person in the room she disliked at the moment.
"Carmedd, James," the prince stepped forward. He looked like he wouldn't cause trouble in this class. She was surprised at what Panther had said for she had never known his last name.
"That's interesting," Cat told Cylon.
'Indeed. Then again, he is normally addressed as Your Highness or James of Seghim. Oh, and your name is next,' Cylon informed her. She snapped to attention just in time.
"Smith, Cat," said Panther in his deep voice. It was his way of letting her know that he recognized her. She smiled softly as he passed.
"Stutrian, Nathan" The young lord stepped forward, giving Cat an odd glance. I must have caught the name. She shrugged at him, universal language for 'I don't know why,'
He nodded to her then focused his attention back on the Shang Panther. "We will be practicing basic Shang fighting. I will pair you by height. Larian and Hermne please get together. Now…Stutrian and Puyrin. Cofie and Lifian, Carmedd and… Smith," as he continued, Cat zoned out.
Cat began ranting to herself, 'I can't be stuck with that arrogant little-,' she was cut off by Cylon's voice in her head.
'I pity Catherine Smith. With your disguise you can't beat him too easily. You might even have to lose,' Cylon said, the voice of reason.
"At least we only have a week left of school. No more stuck-up princes. I can't wait to get out of here. What do you think old Panther's going to teach us? I hope he-," Cat had been chatting with Cylon deeply until she noticed the Shang Panther stop with three more pairs to go.
"I would like for the class to refrain from talking and pay attention, even if you've already been paired," Panther said, eyes sweeping the room. Even though he was speaking to all the class, Cat could tell by his eyes he knew she had been talking with Cylon. She nodded apologetically at him and Cylon did the same.
Cat stood silent until Panther had finished with the pairs. "Go to your partner and wait for my instruction. You will be doing the Shang Hawk Flip today. Observe. Will Miss Smith come and demonstrate with me?"
Cat strode forward among whispers of, "I pity her. She'll be dead,"
"At least he didn't choose me!"
And even a chuckle of, "Now I won't have to work with her."
Cat stiffened angrily at the prince's comment but kept her stone mask on. "Now Smith, would you please remove all jewelry, weapons, shoes, belts and/or animals you may have on your person," the Shang instructed. Chuckles greeted his last statement. The observant people in the class had seen or heard of Cat's little friend, and those who hadn't thought he was joking. Cylon often was lounging around her neck so still some people thought she was a scarf.
Terrious cut in, "Students are not permitted weapons in this school." The Shang silenced him with a stare and he left the room, deciding not to interfere anymore.
Cylon jumped off Cat's neck and stood off to the side as she undid her sash belt, folding it carefully so no knives would be seen in the fabric. She made a great show of undoing her bracelets while actually undoing all the daggers she could.
Putting all of the jewelry under the belt and leaving Cylon to guard it, she finally undid her necklace. It was a small gold chain with an intricate cat-shaped charm on it. It was painted by the best of Coutrun and quite expensive. Looping it around Cylon's neck she stepped forward to show the Panther she was ready.
The Shang warrior came forward and did the trick in slow motion for the class. Cat put on an apprehensive face for the class and gasped as the Shang advanced. He grabbed her shoulder and wrist, put it behind her and slowly flipped her down. Cat instinctively spun and put her hands out so she wouldn't feel the pressure of the impact.
'Good show,' Cylon encouraged from the sidelines. Cat shot her a grateful smile. The Shang 'helped' her up and shook her hand.
"Very good job, Smith!" he said to the room at large. In undertones he murmured, "I see you've been practicing. Very good."
The class looked eager to try on their own, but first the Panther cautioned them. "I want you to do like Smith did. Landing on your hands will take the impact of the fall. You may begin. Oh, and Smith. Your cat may stay up here with me until class is over. I don't want any distractions."
The teen nodded and grinned at a forlorn looking Cylon. "Don't worry. You'll fine away from me for an hour." The cat yowled and Cat rolled her eyes. She walked over to the prince. "Ready?" she asked in monotone.
The prince grinned and said, "Who goes first?" There was something in his eyes that made her feel she needed to be on her guard. 'He's probably just sore about what happened in the hall,' she thought wearily to herself. She still had to spend another week as the weak Catherine Smith and it wasn't getting anymore fun.
"You can," she said; no emotion crept into her voice. The prince's grin grew wider.
"Remember, I won't go easy on you because you're a girl. Let's go," The prince said. The future king grabbed her arm and wrist painfully tight but didn't do the Hawk Flip. Instead, he twisted her arm behind her back painfully.
Bored at his petty anger, she simply untwisted herself and performed the Hawk Flip on him. He landed flat on his back, winded and angry. "If I recall right, I instructed you to do the Hawk Flip. Not the Chrine Twist, Your Majesty," said an angry voice from behind her.
"I'm sorry, Panther. I didn't realize I had messed up the names so badly. Accept my apologies. No harm done, right? I went easy on the little girl, she wasn't injured." Cat rolled her eyes. It was a shame the prince didn't know that the Shang bowed to no monarch.
"If you think you're better than Smith, how 'bout you duel? No weapons, just your clothes and limbs. But I advise against it. One of you may get hurt," Panther said, his voice calm but challenging.
"Alright, I will as long as you keep a Healer nearby. She'll need it. Unless she doesn't want to fight of course," the Prince James said. He had a huge smirk on his face. The whole class was listening now, one or two still on the floor.
"I'll do it," Cat said. "If you promise not to blame me for any injuries you may receive." The prince guffawed. He was very muscular and tall. He had dark blue eyes that looked mockingly at Cat, his handsome face smirking. (He looks like Tom Wellings and if you watch Smallville he looks like Clark when he is Kal.)
"Begin," Panther said simply. Cylon hopped onto Panther's tall shoulder and mind-yelled, 'See what happens when you do something without me?!' Panther held the hissing cat and pet her head until she calmed down.
The prince came towards Cat, revenge in his eyes. He punched out towards her face, but she calmly grabbed his fist and twisted it. Deciding to let him get at least one punch in, she loosened her grip. Prince James removed his fist and punched her hard in the shoulder in what would have been a dead arm if Cat hadn't shifted positions. She barely even felt the punch, but she made a show and gasping and clutching her arm as though she was hurt badly. Cat swept her leg into the backs of his knees and floored him. She put a foot to his throat. "I win," she said, false pain etched in her voice.
"Class is over now. Would Smith and Carmedd please see me? I will write you passes," Panther said, the only one not looking surprised at the results. The class filed out, Lord Stutrian tried to stay, but the prince nodded for him to leave.
Once the room was empty, the Panther looked at them both. "I want you to end this here. Shake hands and forgive and forget. Now," he said as the prince looked defiant. Cat slowly removed her hand from her 'hurt' arm and held it out.
He took her hand, gave it a quick shake and exited. She threw her hands up in the air in frustration. Cat turned to the Shang in time to see him smile at her unhurt arm. Though glad he approved, she hissed at him, "You know that I'm not supposed to fight in school! The prince had no clue what he was in for,"
Panther shrugged, "I wanted to teach him not to underestimate people. I believe that will be the last time for a while."
Cat sighed and went over to collect her gear. "Am I right to assume you did have weapons?" Panther asked. Cat nodded and showed him the array of knives hidden on her sash and the ones she had retrieved from her arms. "Is this all?" the Panther pressed.
Cat said, "I have eight on my legs, one in my boot and one more on each shoulder. Finally, I have three blade circles in my bandana." The blade circles were small round sharp pieces of metal that were easy to throw.
"Nice work with the bandana by the way. It was a good idea to keep your animal hair covered," Panther said. "Now get to class and give them this note," he said, handing her a paper that was in this pocket.
"You planned to keep me after class?" Cat accused, but grinned. Trust the Panther to be prepared for anything.
"Of course I did. Did you think I would miss a chance to speak with the Shang Cat and Kitten?" Panther asked, a grin playing on his old face.
"I understand, Panther." Cat said. 'Tell him I do to!' said Cylon in her mind. She relayed the message and Panther grinned.
"I hope you two learned a lesson about talking in my class," the Panther began.
"We did. I'm sorry, but Cylon is such a gossiper," said Cat smiling at her old instructor. She'd missed having someone who knows her secrets to talk to. "I hope to see you around," Cat said.
"I am leaving tonight, but we shall see each other at dinner. See you then Shang Cat," Panther said, walking her to the door.
"Goodbye," Cat murmured. Cylon meowed loudly to him before ducking behind Cat's neck.
She left the room and strode down the hall for her math class.
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True to his word, Panther was at dinner. Cat was unable to speak with him among so many people, so she sent Cylon to relay messages from him.
'He wants to know if you can practice duel him before he leaves,' Cylon said. 'I hope you do. Panther's nice.'
"Of course I will," Cat said to Cylon, "Just nod your head," she murmured aloud. Cylon cat-smiled and streaked back up to the Teacher Table.
Cat was sitting alone close to the end of the last table. There were almost thirty in all, and each had a bench next to it. So far, she was two feet into her Language of the Islands essay, and was aiming to finish in time to read a chapter in her new book on body guarding, Protect, before dinner was over.
She was so focused on her essay that she forgot to check if anyone had noticed that Cylon was going between Panther and Cat.
"Isn't that your cat?" asked a deep voice from behind her. She had heard his stealthy approach by the rustle of his silk shirt and his quiet breathing. Cat turned to face the Lord Stutrian.
"Well my lord-," she began. Lies flew into her head at the speed of light.
The lord cut her off, "Please, call me Nathan," he said. Cat rolled her eyes. At least he was able to be called by the appropriate title. She on the other hand was forced to go under a secret identity, instead of having the title of 'Lady Jarewl.'
"Well Nathan, it seems that Cylon has grown fond of the Shang Panther. She can't seem to choose between him and me," she said. The lie rolled smoothly off her tongue.
At that moment, Cylon ran back saying, 'Nice cover, Cat. Panther says to meet him at nine in the practice courts, if you can sneak out.'
"Of course I can. Tell him it would be my pleasure to the best of your ability," Cat mind-spoke to the feline. "See?" she asked Lord Nathan innocently as Cylon raced off again.
"Right. Whoa, is that our Language of the Isles essay!?" Nathan exclaimed, eyes landing on the long parchment in front of her.
"Yes, it is. I was hoping to finish it before dinner, so if you'll excuse me?" Cat turned back to her essay.
She heard another person bound up, "Hey Nathan! Oh, hello Smith,"
Cat rolled her uncontrolled eyes. While 'forgive but remember' was her policy, the prince had obviously not heard of it. Which was sad, as it was the thing her father, and his spy teacher, reinforced most often. "Why hello, Your Majesty. You might like to know I regained use of my arm just in time to write my essay. I would like to congratulate you on a good fight."
"My father will not be pleased. You probably broke my wrist," the prince said haughtily.
"You most likely deserved it. Imagine, punching a little girl in the arm like that. It hurt really bad," The smirk that was absent in her face was all too visible in her voice.
The prince sat down next to her. "You know, I don't see how a little girl was able to floor me in a fight. You must have had good teachers," he said, spy training kicking in. His voice was mocking so as to get information out of her. Obviously, her dad had taught him better than she had thought.
Resolutely deciding to regard him as a potential threat, she allowed herself to slip fully into the role of Catherine Smith. The shy girl who was scared of power.
"Your highness, will you please move? I need to complete this essay. Don't tell the king that I hurt you. My family is quite poor as it is," she fibbed, lower lip sticking out. She hated attempting to lie in front of him due to his Sight. Her father had warned her to be extra careful around him.
Scanning him with her own Sight she saw his wasn't active at the moment. 'Phew,' she mentally sighed. If he had tried, he would have Seen the lie on her lips. "Please move," she repeated, seeing the prince was not getting up yet.
He motioned behind her and she felt Lord Nathan sit on her other side. "You too?" she asked pitifully, turning to him. He looked decidedly uncomfortable.
The two teens were precariously close to her homework, though she had thankfully left all her spy reports in her room. Cylon raced up and leapt onto the table. "Wait a second," Cat instructed.
"Did you know I was trained by Silence? He taught me an awesome hand signal code. Watch this," Prince James said, an evil glint in his eyes. He quickly moved his wrists in a complicated pattern, but Cat recognized it immediately. Translated it said, 'Spill ink on essay.'
Cat sat frozen, knowing she couldn't give away that she knew what they were about to do. Cylon leapt up from her place on the table, 'Are you just going to sit there?! Stick up for yourself!'
"I can't." Cat mind-whispered soothingly. The prince winked at Nathan and held out a hand for him to high-five. Instead, both hands knocked over a separate ink well. The prince ruined her essay while Nathan destroyed her other homework.
"Sorry, my hand slipped. No harm done, right?" the prince asked cheekily. Cat forced false tears to well in her eyes and sat silently, staring at the parchments. She knew that if she got them to leave before the ink dried she could summon all the wet ink from the paper.
Cylon hissed in fury and arched her back. She walked haughtily up to the prince and with a snake-fast movement scratched him on the hand. "Stupid cat," said the prince, his voice not letting the pain show through.
'Stupid boy,' growled Cylon, sheathing her claws. The small blue-gray cat went over to Cat and leapt on her shoulder.
The prince and Lord Nathan left in a hurry, Nathan blushing very hard. Once Cat could see no one watching her, she summoned her Gift and called all the wet ink out of the papers. It floated for a moment then went obediently into its own ink well
'The Panther said its time,' said Cylon. Cat nodded and stuffed her dry parchments into her school bag.
The spy crept through the hall, invisible to all. She made it to the practice courts unseen. As she strode in, she heard a whir. Spinning, she caught the pole right before it hit her.
"Let's go," said the deep voice of the Panther from a corner. Cylon leapt off of her shoulder and sat back to watch.
They began dueling, neither one getting the upper hand. Every ten minutes or so, Panther would order a weapon switch. They sped smoothly through sword, lance, club, throwing circles and finally to hand-to-hand.
Cat was finally floored after five minutes, the Panther's foot resting over her throat. "Good work," said the Shang.
"I try," said Cat, grinning up at the man. It had been a long time since she had gotten to fight using all her moves. To last almost an hour against a Shang warrior was amazingly good even for someone with so much training.
Panther helped her to her feet and said, "We will see each other soon." When Cat looked up to agree, Panther was gone.
'Show-off,' mind-meowed Cylon in pleased tones. Cat laughed, shaking her head. She got a towel from her bag and patted her forehead dry. Putting it back, Cat began walking away. Cylon leapt on her shoulder as she went by, landing smoothly next to her neck.
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Thank you to my reviewers:
Cat the Wildmage: That is weird. But, the name Cat is cool. I'm glad you like the story. Cat also has the power to become a cat.
Bob the (female) dog: you are so cool! Thanx for reviewing! Keep reading, and if you have any ideas, let me know!
Nat the Phoenix: write longer reviews…. But thanx neways!
Warrior of Tortall: thank you
Catgirl: what is a marysue? I have NO CLUE! Plz inform me. Thanks
Personw/ideasnotime: how do u make anonymous reviewers welcome? I dunno
Rani singla: thanx, yep the mysterious guy, Silence, is her dad.
Wild-wizard-women: thanx for reviewing! She is similair to Stefan, and only talks to cats. U da bomb!
REVIEW MORE THANX!!!!!!!!