Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
Sorry for the delay. As per normal, life got in the way of posting.
MisaRae, I don't know what I would do without you!
The five of them left Mrs. Frederick's house and walked the short distance over to Katerina's and Tina's new home.
Katerina opened the front door only to find Jake eyeing the place up like he was designing something.
"Jake, I have known you long enough to know, you're up to something, care to let the home owner in on what you are planning?" Katerina asked.
Before Jake could answer, Tina and the rest entered the house. "This will be a great house for both of you to raise Gwendlyn in, with a few modifications of course," Jake said as he eyed a space on the wall for a control panel, rubbing his chin with his right paw.
"And what modifications are you thinking of Jake?" Tina asked after she closed the front door.
He turned to face her and answered, "You've seen what I have done to mine and Felina's house, I was thinking of doing something similar, but on a smaller scale."
"Jake, as much as we love you and would appreciate you doing that, I like this place the way it is. This house has so many pleasant memories for me and many more that have yet to be made with my new family," Tina said as she walked over towards Katerina and wrapped her left arm around her waist.
"Tina is right Jake, we don't need all of that fancy stuff you and Felina have installed. Although, a decent security system with cameras would be useful," Katerina said.
Tina lifted her head to face Katerina, then asked, "Why do we need a security system? We are both enforcers, who would be stupid enough to try something with both of us here?"
Katerina turned her head to the right to face their now daughter, and asked, "Why don't you and your grandmothers take a tour of your new home, while us adults have a little talk?"
"Ok mommy," Gwendlyn said before she took Meridyth's and Mrs. Fredericks' paws in hers and headed off towards the kitchen.
Once they were gone, Tina let go of Katerina, and asked, "Spit it out Kat, what's got your tail in a twist?"
Katerina went over to Gary, then responded after she focused back on the love of her life, "While you, mom, and Gwendlyn were in the back of Mrs. Fredericks', dad and I had a small run in with the Black Diamonds. Dad and I took care of them and I think scared them off for a little while, but I have a feeling, they will be back. As good as a shot as you are Tina, I'd feel safer knowing the house was secure when we are asleep and slightly vulnerable."
"Are they that stupid to come after the daughter of two Enforcer Sergeants?" Felina asked.
"Niet, not stupid. Determined is more like it," Katerina answered.
"Would it make you feel more at ease if a certain four letter vigilante group watched over the house?" Chance asked.
"I don't think we need to get them involved, yet. I have made a call back home earlier and a small squadron is on their way here to watch over and protect Gwendlyn," Katerina said.
"You made a call to whom, exactly Kat?" Tina nervously asked.
Katerina walked over and put both of her paws on Tina's shoulders, then looked down into her eyes, before she answered, "I called my second in command. She and six of my best fighters are on the way here to protect the two cats I love more than anything. They arrive in two days."
"Kat, I love you and trust you with my life, but don't you think we should have talked about this first before you called back home?" Tina asked.
Katerina realized she should have talked to Tina before making that call. However, she wanted to keep Gwendlyn safe from the Black Diamonds while SWAT dealt with David. She embraced Tina with all her might, then answered, "I made a judgement call Tina. There is no way we can be dealing with The Society and watch over Gwendlyn at the same time. We need help with keeping her safe and I don't know or trust the local law enforcement to step up to that task. That is why I called one of the she-cats I trust the most to handle the job."
Tina was not happy at all about having her lover's old associates near their daughter, as well as near Katerina herself. The thought of Katerina returning to her former life and losing her was a little more than she could handle. She broke down and said, "There are ten of us Kat! Don't you think that we can handle one lousy street gang without involving your old crew!? I've seen you dressed as your old self and how confident you looked in your uniform and frankly, I'm quite surprised you weren't snatched up by one of your comrades. I don't want to lose you if you decide to return to your old life again Kat. There is no one else I want to ride a Cyclotron with, be partnered with, and be in love with. WE are a team Katerina, both as Enforcers as well as SWAT Kats and I will not give you up without a fight!"
Katerina stroked her hair as she responded, "I'm not going anywhere Tina. Turmoil is long dead and never returning. You are my partner in life as well as the Enforcers and SWAT. I love you to death Tina and no one from my old life is going to change that."
Gary heard every single word his daughters said, especially the part about being members of the SWAT Kats. "Hold up for a minute my daughters. I'm going to ask this question once and once only and I want the truth. Are you both really members of the SWAT Kats?"
"Dad, yes we are and these friends you see in front of you, minus Michael and his family are all members of the SWAT Kats. Please meet, T-Bone, Empress, Caliber, and Razor. Katerina and I have the code names Havoc and Sniper. There are four other cats that make up the rest of SWAT. Mark and Lisa, aka Adonis and Pirouette are on their honeymoon in Japan while Marissa aka Sure-Shot is studying manuals in the hangar, or at least we think she is studying those manuals and Felicia aka Sensei is teaching a class," Tina said.
Gary found an old fold up chair in the corner and unfolded it so he could sit down. He looked over his now family, then said, "Tina, Katerina, I don't know whether to be proud of both of you or scared silly right now. Both you and Katerina are my daughters and now you both are parents to a very special little girl. I don't want to have to explain to her why her mommies are not coming home because they were killed while protecting the city from Bast knows what! Its not just you two anymore, you both made the decision to adopt Gwendlyn and now she is a large part of your lives. And can someone tell me what the heck The Society is and why does SWAT have to deal with them?
Callie pulled away from Chance and squatted down on front of Gary before she said, "Your daughters are going to make great parents to Gwendlyn, just wait and see. I know they will put her first before anything else in the world. As you can plainly see, Felina and I are quite pregnant with kittens of our own and we are sitting on the side lines until they are born. What I'm saying is you have almost nothing to fear with them being part of our little family. We all watch out for the other and when one of us is down, there are nine others not only to pick up the slack, but to cover our tails. We all took a vow to give our lives for each other and I hope we never have to put ourselves in that situation, we all will do it in a heartbeat without thinking twice about it. Now, as far as who The Society is, they once were an organization to help magic users like myself as well as Michael and his family adjust to life in normal society. The leader has twisted its mission to his own. That is why he must be removed from power and The Society returned to what it once was." She put a comforting paw on his shoulder, then said, "I hope that makes you feel a little better about Tina and Katerina being members of SWAT Mr. Cassidy?"
"Sort of, ever since Meridyth and I lost our second child, we became distant towards each other. If it wasn't for Tina, we would have probably divorced. However, as I mentioned, and I'm sure Tina has, she became very needy, letting my wife take her out to some of the spots Meridyth loved and Tina hated. Because of Tina, Meridyth and I became close again, if not even deeper in love." Gary responded. He looked up to his daughters, then said, "You both are mine and Meridyth's life and now and you both have given us something we never thought we would have, a granddaughter." He turned his head to face Callie, then continued, "Miss Briggs, I appreciate what you have told me and that everyone of you are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the other. There are not many who would do that. But this is my family and even though they are grown up and have lives of their own, I'm still their father and I'm worried about my little girls."
"Dad, as you said. We have grown up and are now adults. We know everything we now do not only affects us, but Gwendlyn as well," Tina said. "Katerina and I know being members of SWAT comes with a large risk. However, that risk is worth the gains we both made. We are part of a small family that cares and loves each other and will do anything for another without question. Just wait until you meet Mark and Lisa. He reminds me so much of you dad that its scary. Mark is going to be an excellent father to his kittens, just like you are to me and now, you are an awesome grandfather to Gwendlyn." She went over to her father, hugged him tightly, then said, "Let us do this if not for the sake of the city, and to keep my family safe from all."
Gary hugged his daughter back, resting his head on her right shoulder. "Tina, I love you so much it hurts. If SWAT makes you happy, then I support your decision," Gary said.
Tina purred into her father for a second, then said, "I love you daddy."
"I love you too Tina," Gary said before he separated from his daughter long enough to pick her up in his arms.
"Dad! Put me down!" Tina screamed at her father.
"No can do Tina. I'm going to carry you around like I did when you were young," Gary said as he and Tina left the room and went to find the others.
Felina noticed the gun in Gary's waistband as he left the room. She quickly grabbed the gun from his pants which caused Gary to stop, flashed Felina a smile, and said, "You know, my wife might object to you reaching into my pants Felina."
"She might object more to you having this in your pants Gary," Felina replied while tucking the gun away in her cargo pants.
"You're right, my wife is still quite frisky for her age and she might accidentally grab that gun instead of my backside," Gary said before he turned around and noticed his wife standing in front of him, looking not to pleased with him at the moment. "Hi dear, enjoy the tour?" He nervously asked.
Meridyth was shooting daggers at him with her eyes as she replied, "The tour was lovely, my dear. Now would you mind explaining to me why my husband is telling our daughters' friends and I quote, 'I'm still quite frisky for my age!?'"
Gary slowly lowered Tina to the floor and started backing away from his loving wife. Who matched his steps with ones of her own. Her face was distorted with displeasure. "Be reasonable dear, there is no reason to use those sharp claws of yours, which I love so much," he pleaded as be backed his way into the kitchen.
As Gary turned tail and ran, Meridyth smirked, then said, "The hunt is on and my husband is my prey." She turned her head to face her daughter, then said, "I hope you have a shovel in the garage. You might need it to bury your father, once I'm done with him that is." She took off after him as fast as her legs could carry her.
The group heard the door to the back yard slam closed then Tina shook her head and said, "My father will never learn to keep his mouth shut. He might be all big and muscular. But when it comes to speed, my mother trumps him paws down. Her heritage makes my mother very fast and extremely nimble. Dad will be caught and most likely, be taught a lesson by my mother, again and again." She lifted her head up high, then asked, "Oh well, who wants to see the house, minus the backyard?"
Over in Osaka, Mark and Lisa were having breakfast with Yoso and Natsume. They were kneeling at a traditional dining table with their legs resting on small red pillows. The right side of the table faced a wall that opened up to the large garden with a flowing stream that ran right under the house. There were several Lotus trees alongside of the stream, full of blossoms.
"Lisa and I want to thank you both again for your hospitality over the past two weeks," Mark said. "I don't know how to repay you for all you have done and given us."
Yoso was taking a sip of his tea as he listened to Mark. He lowered his cup away from his mouth, then said, "It is our pleasure to have you both staying here with us. One day, we would like to have you both back and this time, with your child."
"Its been far too long since these floors had tiny paws on them. Ushio and Sosuke used to run all over this place when they were younger and I was hoping that their kittens would be running on these old floor boards as well," Natsume said before tears of sadness filled her eyes and he crumpled into her husband's arms.
Lisa and Mark instantly rose, went over to Natsume, and placed a comforting paw on each of her shoulders. Then Lisa asked, "Natsume, what happened to Ushio and Sosuke, if you are comfortable telling me?"
Yoso held onto his wife, stroking her long graying hair as he answered, "Sosuke and Ushio were our sons. They had just earned their tenth-degree black belts from my brother's dojo and were out celebrating with their fiancées Mariko and Aya. According to Mariko, my sons heard the cry of a she-cat down an alley. They kissed their respective fiancées one last time before heading down the alley to see if they could help. When they didn't return, Mariko and Aya walked down the alley to find them. Unfortunately, they did find them, with their heads severed from their bodies. They were killed that night during a Yakuza hit. If they weren't there, they would have married and given us grandkittens."
"I'm so sorry Yoso," Mark said. "I had no idea your children were killed, much less you had children to begin with."
"Its alright Mark. It happened a long time ago but it still hurts to think about them," Yoso said.
Natsume pulled herself away from Yoso, dried her eyes, then said, "Today is your last day here before you head back home. Yoso and I want to make it special for both of you." She reached into her happi coat and pulled out an envelope. "Please take this and enjoy your last day in our home country."
Lisa took the envelope from Natsume, opened it, and pulled out two bus tickets. She tried her best to read the kanji, but her crash course in Japanese didn't cover what she was trying to read. "Please forgive me for my ignorance but what does it say?"
"My husband and I wanted to give you two a parting gift. What you have in your paws are two tickets for a bus tour of Nikko. Its one of the last historic cities in Japan. Your bus leaves in about two hours from now."
Mark left Yoso's side and picked up Natsume in his large arms. "Thank you both! Lisa and I haven't had a chance to relax and be with each other in such a long time. You both have treated us like family since we arrived and we wanted to ask you if you and Yoso would be God-Parents to our kittens?"
"Mark, will you please put me down?" Natsume asked.
Mark smiled up at her, then replied, "Not until you answer my question first?"
Natsume wrapped her arms around Mark's neck, then answered, "Yoso and I would love to be your kitten's God-Parents Mark."
Mark lowered Natsume to the floor then Natsume said, "You have befriended our adoptive daughter and made her part of your family Mark and Lisa. Felicia may have the ability to take on the world on her own. However, she doesn't exactly make friends too easily. Having you both here with us was sort of like having either Ushio or Sosuke back home with their wife. The only thing missing would be a kitten or two calling us grandma or grandpa."
"When our kittens are a little older and can handle the flight, we will bring them here so they can meet two of the most dynamic and loving cats they will ever meet," Mark said as he went over to hug Lisa.
"Your family is welcome here anytime. Might I suggest that you both get ready for your tour?," Yoso said as he gracefully rose from his seat.
"Yes, Mark and I should get ready for the tour. I hope to be able to move like that when I get older. You still can move like a dancer," Lisa said.
"Thank you Lisa," Yoso said. "You know, your bus doesn't leave for two hours, care to come to my exercise room and have a little sparing match with little old me?"
"I don't think I should but my husband probably could use a workout," Lisa answered before she turned to Mark and asked, "Feel like sparing with Yoso dear?"
Mark cracked his shoulders and rolled his head, loosening his neck, then answered, "I could use a good workout. What do you have in mind Yoso?"
"Since you have been training with my daughter, I gather you must know something about the Martial Arts?" Yoso asked.
"Some. But I'm no where near as skilled as Felicia is. And by the way, she's dating my brother Kevin the last I heard," Mark answered.
"Then I will have to take it easy on you my son, please follow me," Yoso said as he started walking towards his personal exercise room.
The four of them walked over a small wooden bridge spanning the stream and into a small building with a clay shingle roof sliding panels for doors.
Yoso slid one of the panels open, took off his slippers, and entered the room.
Mark entered next, followed by Lisa, and finally, Natsume. Mark and Lisa looked at the pristine floors as well as the natural light being let in by the vast amount of skylights in the ceiling.
Mark happened to see Yoso stretching out. He noticed how flexible Yoso was and how me managed to make every move he made look as if he was dancing. He leaned over to Lisa and asked, "Are you seeing what I'm seeing? I hope the Enforcers has a good health plan, I think I'm going to need it."
"Do you really think Yoso is going to hurt you Mark?" Lisa asked before she watched Yoso kick with his left leg very high into the air. She then said, "It was nice being married to you my dear. I'm going to start preparing your funeral."
"Thanks for the confidence boost, my beautiful wife," Mark said before he kissed her, then joined Yoso in the center of the floor.
Yoso removed himself from the crouch he was in, eyed up his opponent, and asked, "Are you ready to be beaten by a tom over twice your age?"
Mark removed his shirt, flexed his muscles trying to intimidate Yoso, then said, "Ready as I'll ever be."
Yoso smirked, then looked over to his wife and Lisa. Who both were looking very intently at Mark's upper body. "Natsume! Why are you looking at Mark like a fresh piece of tuna?"
"My dearest husband. As much as I love you, you haven't had a body like his in a very long time. I'm only appreciating his form and nothing more," Natsume answered as her eyes lowered to his tail. She then leaned over to Lisa and asked, "Is his butt as tight as it looks?"
Lisa giggled as she covered her mouth with her paws. Then answered, "Oh, yes it is and its even better to grab and squeeze."
"I heard that Lisa!" Mark said.
"Good dear," Lisa replied. "Others may look at your tight butt. However, that tail is mine alone."
"Oh for crying out loud," Yoso said and removed his shirt as well.
Lisa's eyes wandered over Yoso's body and for a tom of his age, he was still very well built. "You know, Yoso isn't very hard on the eyes either Natsume."
"No he's not. After you and Mark leave, I might have to give him some training of my own," Natsume said.
Mark and Yoso heard both of their wives commenting on their forms, then Yoso said, "Final chance to back out son."
"Not happening, bring it on," Mark said as he slightly lowered himself and prepared for Yoso's attack.
Yoso quickly examined his opponent, then launched himself right at Mark's very exposed mis-section.
Mark was not expecting him to move that fast and misjudged his attack. Yoso's right fist connected with his abs, sending him to the floor.
"I'm going to have to call Felicia, if she is teaching you defense moves like that, she is not ready to take over my dojo," Yoso mocked him.
Mark rose to his feet and got ready for the next attack. "Felicia didn't have anything to do with my defense, or lack of it. That stance was something I picked up while I worked in the Street Crimes division while Lisa was away on vacation."
"Then, might I suggest that you start taking more classes from her. You are quite sloppy in your defense," Yoso said right before he went on the attack again.
Mark watched as Yoso went on the attack. He lowered himself and extended his arms out ever so slightly, waiting to grab the older tom when he tried to connect with his body.
Yoso extended his right leg behind him, preparing to kick Mark in the sternum. But Mark was prepared for this. At the last second, Mark grabbed Yoso's leg and threw him over his shoulders. "Still think my defense is sloppy Yoso?" Mark asked as he watched Yoso fly towards the back wall.
Yoso tucked up into a ball and rolled out of the toss and when he landed on his feet, he sprung right into the back of Mark's legs.
"Oh crud," was all that Mark was able to say before Yoso took him down, hard.
Yoso did a hand spring off of Mark and landed on his feet. After his braid fell to his back, he turned around and asked, "Had enough?"
"Yes, I'm done,," Mark said as he rose to his feet. "You know, this is going to leave a lovely bruise?"
"Consider it a mark of bravery son," Yoso said. He looked over to Lisa and Natsume and saw them giggling beneath their paws. "Besides, the ladies seem to be enjoying your misfortune."
Mark looked over to Lisa and Natsume and saw them laughing at him. He went over to his wife, picked her up in his arms, then said, "My dear, you seem to be really enjoying me being thrown around by Yoso. For that, you get to scrub my back for me."
Lisa wrapped her arms around her husband's neck, then said, "And why do I get to scrub your back?"
"Because, I love the feeling of your fingers, massaging my muscles after a workout my dear," Mark answered as he carried her back to the guesthouse.
Natsume went over to her husband, placed her left arm around his shoulders, then asked, "Do they remind you of anyone?"
"They most certainly do, my dear. I only hope they love each other as much as we do when they are our age. Come on, we have a So-Long dinner to prepare for our guests," Yoso said.
End of Chapter