Daffy here, back with the next chapter, enjoy
Partnership
Lock Jack was pacing around the forests of the Cat Kingdom, knowing that he couldn't go back to his home for fear of getting caught.
"Blast her she's getting stronger, and there is no way that wretched cat doll will let me near her now that he knows she is the key, he'll probably want her all to himself I can't let that happen! She is mine and mine alone! You hear that Haru, I'm coming for you!!!" he shouted up towards the heavens, a murderous glint in his eyes, daring anyone to disagree with him, when he heard the sound of rustling leaves causing him to make a sharp turn glaring at the one who dared to interrupt his murderous rant.
"Perhaps I could help you with that," a voice said coming from behind the bushes. The bushes parted as a figure emerged, "I am Zaru,"
Haru was still grieving over her mother's death, her mind was lost in memories of all the happy times they shared, a smile was on her face as tears slowly trailed down her cheeks. Muta sat watching Haru his heart breaking for her, when he thought Haru had died; to him it felt like the sun would never shine again. Haru was one of his best friends. So if she is feeling what he felt, he could understand her pain. He was just grateful that their loss came back to them. Slowly Muta approached Haru and pulled her into a hug letting her cry into his fur.
"Tell me about your mother kid?" Muta asked once Haru had calmed down a bit. Haru looked up at Muta.
"She was a great mum; she always tried to spend time with me asking if I wanted to help her with her quilting. I hate quilting but I wish for once I had said yes to her. I wish that I had spent more time with her!" Haru cried pushing her head into Muta's soft fur. Muta wrapped his arms around her trying to comfort her, he could feel sobs wrack her slender frame.
"You know she adopted me..." cried Haru making Muta look at her. "That's right and when I found out, I was so horrible to her, I told her she wasn't my mother but she was........... She really was........... I never told her.... how much..... I loved her!" Haru cried pulling at Muta's fur trying to hide herself from the world.
"I'm sure she knew Chicky, I only met your mother a couple of times, and it was clear that she loved you a lot," Muta said smiling. Haru looked up to Muta a smile on her face.
"That's right, she always asked when the piggy cat was coming back, she even started buying cat food, I think she like you," laughed Haru through her tears as she looked to Muta, who was just glad to see Haru smile and chose to ignore the piggy cat comment.
Baron, Yuki and Toto were watching Haru and Muta, staying hidden by the doorway.
"Baron what's going happen to Haru now?" asked Toto, "She can't go back home, they'll throw her out of the house and as Lune said, Haru doesn't just have Lock Jack after her," he said looking to Baron.
"I fear you're right Toto. She could stay with us at the refuge, but she still has her schooling to attend to," Baron said looking back to Haru a look of worry on his face. Yuki looked sadly towards her young friend knowing that there were more hardships to come.
Lock Jack looked towards Zaru.
"And how exactly can you help me?" he asked with a tone of mere tolerance. Zaru looked to Lock Jock an expression of annoyance on his face, which he quickly replaced with a blank look.
"I can give you Haru," he replied grabbing Lock Jacks full attention.
"Oh and how, may I ask will you accomplish this," Lock Jack asked in an interested tone.
"That is unimportant, what is important however, is what I shall receive in return," Zaru replied showing no emotion on his face. His expression annoyed Lock Jack who was looking at him suspiciously unable to read him.
"And what is it that you want?" Lock Jack asked crossing his arms as he glared at Zaru.
"What I want, is what you want, I want power but mostly, I want the key," Zaru replied in a neutral voice.
"Haru? You can't have her, she is mine," Lock Jack snarled at the thought of his Haru with another male.
"You misunderstand, I am not interested in the girl herself, just of the power and destruction she could unleash upon this miserable world," Zaru replied with a hint of disgust, Haru was human therefore not worthy of a cat.
"Why should I believe you?" Lock Jack questioned as he narrowed his eyes on the old cat.
"Believe what you want but the fact is that you can't get to her without my help, just as I can't get to the Key without your help," "And when I do the Key will be no more" Zaru thought to himself mentally smirking.
Lock Jack glared at Zaru, scrutinizing his every movement. He growled as he tried to read his expression, after thoroughly considering the out come, Lock Jack replied.
"It seems that I have no choice but to agree, but make no mistake. One wrong move, and I won't hesitate to kill you," he replied emotionlessly as he turned his back on Zaru. Zaru's ears twitched as he curled his paws; inside he was debating whether or not just to kill the foolish cat, but alas he knew that without his help he would not get close enough to destroy the Key, choosing to hold his tongue and instead think about the reason he had even considered joining forces with Lock Jack.
Back at the palace Yuki was talking to Lune about their current situation, word of the attacks on the Cat Kingdom had spread causing a wide panic among the cats of the Cat Kingdom. The Board of Cats had called for a meeting to discus the matter.
"Lune what are we going to do if the Order turn up, I'm Worried for Haru," Yuki said in a worried tone.
"I know my love, I fear for her too, but..........."
"But nothing, your highness you must put the kingdoms safety first and with this threat of Lock Jack hanging about our heads, the kingdom is in dire peril," one of the representatives of the Cat Kingdom said interrupting Lune.
"Yes but we can't leave Miss Haru out in the open, she is a friend!" cried Lune trying to make the others understand.
"You have no choice. You must put your people first. There's no telling how long it will take for Lock Jack to lose it and go on a rampage," another one of the representatives said as he thought about the power Lock Jack has at his disposal with all those shadow cats.
Meanwhile Haru had gone to look for Yuki hoping to seek comfort from her female friend, walking around, she heard a commotion coming from the royal hall. She hid behind the door and listened. She knew she was eavesdropping but her curiosity got the better of her.
"Lock Jack is a menace, we have all heard about what he is capable of, let the humans handle it on their own," she heard an unknown voice say.
"I refuse to let Miss Haru leave; she is our friend and is in need of help!" Haru smiled as she heard Lune defending her.
"Lock Jack is after her and has already begun to attack the people of this kingdom!" shouted the voice from before.
"And if he has Haru, then he will open the gates of darkness!" yelled Lune in reply. Haru heard a scoff before someone replied.
"Your Highness, you read too many fairytales, the gates of darkness is not real, if Lock Jack believes it to be, he is mistaken," someone said, Haru could hear murmurs of agreement.
"This Haru is Human, this is the Cat Kingdom and therefore she is none of our concern,"
"How dare you! Haru is a loving girl and has saved not only the life of your present King, but the life of the present Queen too," Baron said from inside the room, Haru took a quick peek around the door to see Baron standing next to Lune and Yuki, Haru could see that Yuki was trying to calm him down. More mummers of agreement could be heard around the room.
"Sire!! The west town has been attacked by Lock Jack, there are many casualties......... half the town was destroyed," said Natoru as he dashed into the room to deliver the message, Haru's eyes widened in shock, more had suffered because of her.
"Your Highness get rid of that girl before that maniac destroys the whole kingdom!" one of the representatives shouted as he jumped up from his seat.
"No, Haru is my friend and we can't......."
"I'm sorry to say this son, but if you don't do something quick, the people of this Kingdom will look to have you dethroned," said the Ex-Cat King as he sauntered into the room, a purr escaping his throat.
"Father, we cannot just let Haru leave, it's too dangerous out there!" cried Lune as he looked towards his father.
"I knew this would happen, king Lune is too young and inexperienced to rule," shouted out one of the board representatives. Haru could see that it was a white cat that had made this remark, looking towards her friends; Haru could see Baron clenching his fists, Lune look downtrodden as well, as Yuki glare at the representative. Again Haru could see nods of agreements. The Ex-Cat King turned away from his son a smug smile on his lips, Haru scowled at him as she saw his expression. Looking back to her friends she let out a silent sigh, "Great, now I'm ruining my friends' lives," she thought miserably to herself.
"I say we take a vote on the re-coronation of the Ex-Cat King," it was that same cat as before.
"Now wait just one........" argued Baron before he was interrupted by the same cat.
"All those who choose to re-coronate the Ex-Cat King raise your paws!" Haru looked around sadly as half the room raised their hands.
"Ten. All those against!" Haru sighed in relief as she counted 12 paws go up in the room. Lune smiled at those who choose to remain loyal to him. Baron smiled towards the white cat.
"I believe the voters have chosen to stick with Lune on this one," he replied in a dignified voice. The Ex-Cat King scowled as he looked towards the white cat, who was wearing a scowl of his own. Haru smirked, mentally laughing at the ex-monarch before she left the room.
Once the meeting was over the white cat could be seen entering a hovel located in the village.
"Brother Mercury, Have you succeeded in your mission?" an old voice asked.
"Forgive me elder Zaru, but I have failed, the board members are still loyal to Lune." Said Mercury bowing down before Zaru as the older cat stepped into the light.
"You worthless cat, I should deal with you myself!" an angry voice yelled.
"Calm yourself Lock Jack, it will do us no good if you destroy our members on the inside," Zaru said in a calming voice. Lock Jack nodded as he turned his back on Mercury.
"I guess, that we need to come up with a new plan to get the Ex-Cat King back on the throne," Lock Jack said, snarling out the words Ex-Cat King. Zaru looked towards Lock Jack before walking past him without saying a word, leaving Lock Jack to growl in his wake.