The Order

Baron and Haru reluctantly broke apart at the sound of some one coughing. Turning to see who had interrupted their moment, they blushed at the sight of Yuki who was wearing an amused smile.

"I do hope I'm not interrupting," said Yuk, her smile growing bigger at the blush that had taken over both there faces. Not waiting for a reply she continued. "Lune's looking for you Baron, he thinks that there could be some information on the key located in a temple that's just outside of the Cat Kingdom. He's also sending out requests for information from other kingdoms, though we are unsure if it will help seeing as the prophecy is a cat prophecy," said Yuki the smile faltering a bit at the mention of the key. Baron nodded. His face still tinted a deep red. Hoping that no one would notice due to his fur, he took off into the direction of the hall, leaving Haru alone with Yuki.

Haru turned to Yuki her brain having just registered what she had said.

"Wait so there are more kingdoms out there?"

"Of course, there is a kingdom for all the major species such as cats and dogs," replied Yuki looking towards Haru who was now staring intently at her.

"Wow so how many kingdoms are there?" asked Haru feeling a little foolish for thinking that only cats could have there own kingdom.

"There are 5 kingdoms Haru. Amphibian, reptile, dog, bird and cat kingdoms," replied Yuki pausing to let Haru take in all she had said.

"But what about other animals, like cows or wolves?" Haru asked thinking about what Yuki had said. Yuki opened her mouth to reply but was beatten by a voice from the doorway.

"Animals such as cows, rodents and fish, belong in the human domain, they may not have there own kingdoms, but they are important to the world and are located in areas of there own, such as fields, forests and water. Animals like wolves and penguins are all members of the kingdoms, wolves being a type of dog and penguins being a type of bird," Muta answered from the door way.

"Hey what gives Chicky you almost gave me and birdbrain a heart attack with that disappearing act of yours?" asked Muta walking over to Haru with Toto right behind him.

"Oh sorry about that guys I just wanted to take a breath of fresh air," offered Haru meekly, rubbing the back of her head with her hand, catching Yuki's smirk in the corner of her eye.

"Yeah well next time a warning might be nice," snorted Muta.

"Heh.... But wait what about lions and tigers?" asked Haru thinking out loud.

"Well, lions, tigers and other big cats are too volatile and primitive to be a part of the cat kingdom, so they come under the same category as mice and cows," replied Muta nonchalantly.

Baron arrived in the hall to see Lune talking to his messengers, giving them instructions on what is needed from them. After all the messengers dispersed Baron decided to let his presence know by clearing his throat.

"Baron, I'm glad Yuki found you," said Lune looking towards the doorway.

"Yes she also told me that you wish to go to a temple out side of the Cat Kingdom," Baron informed remembering the scene on the balcony.

"Yes unfortunately the Temple is protected by magic which means we can't teleport inside," replied Lune, a rather grim look on his face.

"I see... Perhaps we could fly Toto over there," suggested Baron thinking it over.

"Yes I agree, but we can't take Miss Haru for safety reasons, and even on Toto we could be gone for a day and a half," said Lune looking towards the ground, pacing a circle with his paws behind his back thinking.

"Muta can look after Haru and Yuki until we get back.........." Baron stopped in mid sentence looking towards the hall entrance making Lune turn to look at what had caught Baron's attention. Standing on guard finding a group of hooded figures standing there.

"Who are you? What is the meaning of this?" asked Lune addressing the unknown group. The group took of there hoods revealing white cats bowing low in respect before the one standing in front answered.

"We are the Order of Grace," an old silver cat was the one who answered. He stood up letting Baron and Lune get a good look at him whilst the others remained in the bowing position. "Forgive the intrusion, your highness we are here to offer our help," he paused as if waiting for a reply after receiving none he continued. "The order was founded many years ago, when a prophecy described the opening of the gates of darkness. We who belong to the order have dedicated our lives to stopping the prophecy from being fulfilled, looking for the key to destroy it, as well as creating weapons to fight an onslaught of shadow creatures. I am Zaru, a fellow member of the Cat Kingdom and loyal to the royal family," Zaru finished waiting for the king's reply.

"You say you have weapons that can stop the shadow cats?" asked Lune intrigued by what Zaru had said.

"We have adapted man made torches to provide enough light to banish away the creatures of darkness," replied Zaru pulling a torch out of his robe and handing it to Lune. Lune inspected the torch turning it on. The light was pointing at one of the tapestries instantly incinerating it.

"Wow!" said Lune quickly turning it off before it could cause more damage. He looked towards Baron, who looked just as shocked as he did. Catching Baron's eye, he nodded his head in the direction of the hallway indicating that he wished to talk to him first. "Excuse me but I must consult with my friend here," replied Lune looking towards the group.

"Of course your majesty," replied Zaru who bowed once again in respect, watching as Lune and Baron left to converse.

"What do you think Baron?" Lune asked once he and Baron were out of earshot.

"I'm not quite sure what to think. I can't say I have ever heard of such an order, but then again I hadn't heard of the gates of darkness either," replied Baron thinking over what they had said.

"Yes, I can't say that I have ever heard of them either, but we don't seem to have much of a choice here. They do seem to know more about this then we do, and they have the weapons," said Lune looking Baron in the eye, looking to him for advice.

"Yes I agree, my suggestion is that we hear all that they know and see how it goes from there, though I don't think destroying the key is the right thing to do," said Baron mulling it over.

Baron and Lune returned to the hall where the group was still waiting. Having made there decision Lune stood in the centre of the hall.

"We have come to a decision," said Lune pausing to make sure he had all of there attentions.

"We will help you."