Cat and Fox

Chapter 4

Xina kept in pace with Catrina, clutching her hand. They had been called into Lord Death's office for some unknown reason. Although worried for what was to come she was glad to get out of Sid's class. His punishments were a bit...violent... When someone broke his rules that is. Catrina suddenly came to an abrupt stop, almost making Xina trip in the process. She realized that they were standing in front of Lord Death who was having a quiet chat with Stein. He quickly ended the conversation when he saw the girls. "Ah hello Catrina, Xina!" He said cheerfully.

"Hello Lord Death, what have you called us in for?" Catrina asked giving Setin a wary look."

"Well you see, we were wondering if a partner change would be alright with you-."

"No I am not comfortable at all with Xina being separated from me." Catrina interrupted. Although Xina agreed with her sister, she was slightly annoyed by Catrina for cutting in and making Xina sound like a weak little kid.

"Are you sure about this?" Lord Death asked

"Positive." Catrina answered.

"Well if you're not going to change partners then make room on your schedule for a mission."

"What?"

"You are officially off probation and you may now leave the DWMA without permission from me, Kid, or any other Meister or teacher. Although I did bend the rules for you by letting you go to your friends house, and letting Xina live with Kid."

"Your the one who set it up." Catrina said defensively.

"I'm well aware."

Xina was tired of being quiet. "What's the mission?" She cut in.

"Ah yes in the woods to the far east there's a cave called The Waterfalls Shortcut. A Kishin is living inside, he's been taking refuge there for awhile and we need him gone. However be warned that many meisters and weapons have lost their lives trying to fight it so you are not going alone. Kid will accompany you on this mission."

'Why does everything we do have to be with Kid' Xina groaned to herself.

"Furthermore I expect you all to get along. I will speak with Kid about this after class ends. You are dismissed." Xina and Catrina gave a small nod then turned and left without another word.

Stein watched them go. "Why did you give them such a simple mission. The only group that died from this kishin was a newbie group and they only died because they didn't see it."

"I want to see how they'll all get along, If we can get Kid and Catrina to trust each other then they could make a powerful alliance." Lord Death said quietly.

"Ugh where is she, it's two minutes past 8:00... and they were supposed to be here at 8:00 sharp!" Kid said angrily.

"It's not their fault you're insane." Liz snapped.

Kid, Liz, and Patty were waiting on the steps of the DWMA for Xina and Catrina. They had decided that tonight was the best time to go after the kishin. Only a few more minutes had passed before the two sisters finally arrived.

"You're late" Kid huffed

"Your annoying." Catrina said without looking at him. She would have thrown the asymmetrical insult at him but she didn't want to waste time. Xina ran up and hugged Patty.

"Guys lets get going we don't want to keep the kishin waiting." Liz said a hand on her hip.

"Lead on." Catrina answered.

The 5 soon arrived at the mouth of the cave. They entered cautiously and quietly. The cave was pitch black and while Kid had provided a lantern they still had to use the walls to know where the turns were. After a few minutes they reached a large area with strangely glowing moss. Kid turned his lamp off and set it down. "I sense a soul nearby, Liz, Patty transform."

"Kay!" Patty said cheerfully. Liz only mumbled something to herself then transformed. The two became pistols in Kid's hands.

"Xina turn into a short sword." Catrina whispered. Xina said nothing just nodded in reply before transforming. Catrina backed up bumped into Kid's back, the two stayed like that, keeping an eye out for any movement. There were scratching noises heard above them. Catrina whipped her head up. Red eyes glinted above her head. Her blue orbs widened in fear.

"Kid move!" She yelled yanking his arm towards her. Right as they moved away a fairly large creature dropped down to where the two had stood just moments before.

"Thank you." He said curtly before shooting at the kishin. It was twice as large as herself and had 4 arms. 2 of them looked like they had been stitched on. Its other 2 arms had long bony fingers that were sharp at the end. Knives stuck out of its palms.

Catrina raised her sword and ran to it. She slid under one of its arms and sliced its stomach, then she slid out the other side and moved away from the kishin. It roared in pain before running towards her. Catrina threw her sword over the kishin then jumped after it. Xina transformed into her normal self and Catrina changed into a connected double sword. Xina caught it and twirled it around her hand before getting into an attack position. She grinned.

"Let's dance."

She twirled it around her hand before jabbing one end into its stomach then twirled around and sliced its chest with the other. She ducked out the way and Kid took over. He fired at its eyes and dodged its hands. The Kishin let out an annoyed roar and turned, posing as if to attack Xina it started to swipe at her but turned and smacked Kid into the wall, pinning him. Kid gasped and looked down. The kishin had stuck the knife in its palm into his stomach. He coughed and his guns slid out of his hands. Kid felt blood trickle from his mouth.

"Kid!" The Thompson sisters cried out. The kishin grinned evilly and raised its other arm preparing to give the final attack. Kid winced waiting for the blow. Suddenly it screamed out in pain, a white fox was ripping flesh at its head.

'Xina.' Kid thought.

Catrina appeared too. She jumped off of Xina's back in her cat form and clawed at the creature's face. It screamed again and tried to grab the little cat but she was too fast. She jumped off of it and sprinted under its legs causing it to fall over.

"NOW XINA!" She cried out.

Catrina returned into her normal form, Xina turned back into a short sword. Catrina caught her and raised her sword, stabbing into its skull. It screeched again before falling limp and bursting into a soul. Xina returned to her normal form and grabbed the soul while Catrina ran to Kid's side.

"You all right?" She asked. She crouched down placing one hand on his stomach while using her other hand to wipe the blood from his face.

Kid winced, not expecting this kind of treatment from Catrina.

"I'm fine. I'm a shinigami I can take this." He coughed out

"Your leg is broken and you are bleeding from your stomach Mr. Shinigami." Catrina joked before pulling off the hoodie she had been wearing and tearing some of the fabric off. She then tore off the blood soaked portion of Kids shirt and tossed it before wrapping the fabric around the wound. Kid bit his lip in agony. When she was finished he let out a sigh of relief.

"I will probably need assistance getting back." He mumbled

Patty and Liz returned to their normal forms groaning in pain.

"It used it's soul wavelength when it hit us." Patty groaned.

Catrina helped Kid to his feet, throwing an arm around him to help him balance.

"Can you two make it back alright?"

"Yeah it just hurts." Liz whined. Xina chuckled and wrapped an arm around a moaning Patty. The group started to limp back. Kid summarized the battle in his mind. The two must have turned into their animal forms while he was pinned. When it tried to take the final blow they distracted it. 'I must have broken my leg when it slammed me into the wall.' Kid thought, to be honest he hadn't felt any pain from his leg. He glanced at Catrina who seemed to have no trouble carrying half his body weight.

"Thank you." He mumbled, he wasn't good with this whole 'I appreciate you for not letting me die.' Sort of thing.

"For what?"

"For not letting me die."

"No I was just going to let him slice your head off and not do a single dang thing." Catrina said sarcastically.

Kid sighed as he limped along. "Now I'm asymmetrical." He said tearing up.

"For Death's sake!" Liz yelled behind them. Xina chuckled. They made it back to Death City and continued to Gallows Manor. Liz unlocked the door and let them in. "Where's the bathroom?" Catrina asked.

"I'll show you." Xina answered leading them to the large room. Catrina laid Kid against the wall by the sink and pulled off the blood soaked fabric she had wrapped around him earlier.

"Liz get me some bandages and antiseptic!" Catrina called

"Catrina there is no need for this I'll heal soon enough." Kid groaned.

"Kid when that kishin hit you with his soul wavelength he prevented you from healing yourself with your powers."

"I'm aware but I can do this by myself." Kid whined.

"Shut up and let me help you." Catrina scolded as Liz handed her the items.

Kids face flushed but he said nothing more. Catrina poured the antiseptic on his wound and let it sit there for a minute while Kid writhed in pain. Catrina set a hand on his shoulder, calming him. She then wrapped the bandages around his wound and stood up to examine her work.

"There your done now, your welcome." Catrina turned to the sink and washed the blood off her hands.

"Stein can fix your leg tomorrow."

"How did you know to do this."

"It doesn't take a lot of brainpower to figure it out." Catrina remarked helping Kid to his feet and, with the guidance of Xina, led him to his room and sat him on the bed.

"I'm done babying you for today. Goodnight Kid." Catrina said curtly before running out the door.

Kid started to call out after her but stopped. He touched the bandages and sighed. Those girls were a hassle, Catrina especially. He appreciated what she did though, she spent all that time fussing over him...

He wondered why...

~Thats it for chapter 4 thanks for reading ^^~