I was actually able to get this chapter done sooner than I thought. So yeah, read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Little Mermaid.

Chapter 9: Family Meeting

"But, mom, that's not fair!" Cat yelled. It had been two days since the incident. The royal family had been told by King Triton that he was the one who had freed Cat and that the thing pulling her down had been Morgana's daughter, Remidima.

*Flashback, two days ago*

"Daddy, how could this happen? Morgana is dead," Ariel questioned.

"Yes, but maybe she gave birth to her daughter before she died," he replied. King Triton turned towards his six oldest granddaughters. "Until we sort this out, I want the six of you to watch over the little one. As for you," he addressed Cat, "I want you to stay out of the water, so it doesn't happen again. Do you understand?"

Cat nodded, feeling very glum. She didn't like the fact that her grandfather had just called her 'the little one' for she really wasn't little at all. To make her even more upset, she wasn't allowed to go into the sea! The sea had always been Cat's second home... and now she couldn't even step into it.

Ariel had just told Cat and the girls that the wall, which had been used to keep mainly Melody in before, was now being built again, but this time to keep Cat in. Also, Cat had to always wear her necklace so the others could always see where she was. Cat hated the idea of the wall and necklace.

"Why do I have to wear the necklace? Melody didn't wear hers when the wall was built," Cat complained, "Can't you trust me to keep my promise?"

"Sweetheart, it's for your own safety," Ariel said calmly, "It's only until Remidima is found and killed. Besides, we never told you the secret until Melody ran away."

Cat crossed her arms and looked down at the floor. Melody sat down next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. She lifted her head so that there was eye contact.

"We all want you safe and like grandfather said, you are the little one here," she said, hoping it would calm her sister down.

"Ha, ha," Cat said, smiling for the first time since she was told the news. They all smiled and laughed. Everyone knew that Cat didn't like being called the little one just because she was the youngest.

"Alright, mom," Cat said after they settled down, "I'll follow through with the plan."

"Thank you, dear. Here's your necklace."

Ariel took down one necklace off of the shelf, where all of the necklaces were placed, and passed it to Melody. Cat held up her hair so her sister could put on her necklace. As soon as Melody finished, she dropped her hair and asked her mother,

"How is wearing my necklace going to help you find me?"

"Well, there is a special mirror that shows where you are whenever we ask."

"...Oh."

"Now, girls, I need you to get ready for the ball tonight."

They all got up and Ariel left so they could dress. That evening was the ball for Quellie's fourteenth birthday. There was a lot of chatter while they got ready, but Cat had finished earlier than the others and went onto the balcony and stared at the sea, which she wouldn't be let into any time soon.

Melody had finished and saw her walk out. She tapped Anna on the shoulder since she was the closest and told her to come with her. They walked out onto the balcony and stood next to Cat.

"You okay, sis?" Anna asked.

"Yah, I'm fine..." Cat replied.

"You miss the sea, don't you?" Melody asked, although she already knew the answer. Cat nodded as tears started to roll down her soft cheeks. "It'll be alright, Cat."

"I know. I'll be safe, but I just..."

"What?"

"I just feel like I'm not at home if I'm not in the sea."

More salty tears made their way to dripping off her face as she sobbed.

"Well, don't feel that way," Anna said, "You've got us."

"I know, Anna, but the sea has always been like a second home to me. It's like I'm connected to it."

Cat covered her face with her hands, trying to hide the tears.

"Hey, stop crying," Melody said, holding her sister tightly, "You'll be alright. As long as you stay on land, you'll be safe. You're always close to home, okay?"

She and Anna wiped the tears away from Cat's face. Cat smiled and hugged them both.

"Now," Anna said, "Let's go have some fun."

So, that was chapter 9! What do you think will happen next? Chapter 10 is coming shortly!