A Fox Among Cats
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Naruto x Cheetara
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Author's Note 4/25
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As someone pointed out, there wasn't really enough divergence to make this story all that enjoyable from canon. That and the slow burn of the romance and, I really do want to fix that. I really want to put more emphasis on the rebuilding, gather supplies, development, and all that so I decided to try and redo these chapters and add some different content and alter a few things. Not so much is majorly changed this chapter, but the up and coming chapters which will be updated Wednesday and Thursday will show the changed content.
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Story Start
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Naruto found himself weaving in between the crowds of cats as he continued following after his target. With stealth blessed to very few he zipped from barrel to barrel as he did his best not to arouse the unsavory elements of the slums. Illegal gambling and other such practices were being published. His eyes focused on the hooded figure followed by a small cat-like creature covered in red scales, with a cat face, and large red ears with furred tufts. The hooded figure walked, and then the sound of crashing and the whimpering of a dog were heard. The hooded figure turned to see a group of cats assaulting a dog.
Naruto watched in apt interest as the figure intervened with what was going on. He watched as each cat when down one by one. A lithe female cat who attempted to attack with a dagger had her arm grabbed and was hit with an open palm strike, rendering her unconscious. Another hood was nailed with a powerful spin kick sending him sprawling to the ground.
Another cat, a fourth one with a scimitar was about to plunge his blade into a figure when his pet dashed between the thug's legs, causing the Cat to fall over. "Nice going Snarf!" The figure said. Snarf gave a type of mew of pleasure, and then looked worried as the large cat grabbed the figure from behind, one huge arm on the figures neck; the other held up to lock the hold.
"Now, I'm going to gut you like a fish!" The cat said. The figure snarled, trying to break free from the iron grip, and then it loosened as there was a loud 'Thwack!' and from behind, another figure stood, cloaked in darkness, spinning something in the air, and then holding it still.
"Well now, who do I thank for the assist?" the figure said, turning to the stranger who walked into the light, showing a female cat with long blond hair with brown spots.
"Cheetara" she replied simply. The figure looked shock, and then he spoke.
"Hello there!" Then he cleared his throat and spoke in a deeper voice. "Hello there…"
"I don't think the king would find it fitting that his son was wrestling with alley cats…" Cheetara said. The figure pulled down his hood to reveal the spiked red hair and teal pupils of Prince Lion-o.
"He's the prince. Scatter!" The largest of the assembled cats bellowed as he and his minions ran.
"Ha… it's my dirtiest cloak and it's still a bad disguise!" Lion-o said, tugging on his cloak and shrugging. "Though I'm surprised that you helped me, I thought it was someone else!" He said.
''You're half right, I suppose he's waiting for a signal,'' she replied, looking to straight where Naruto was. The blond felt his face flush slightly, before regaining his composure and revealing himself.
''You and trouble seem synonymous my prince,'' Naruto replied as he chuckled. This wasn't his first time shadowing Lion-O after all, but it was one of the more interesting ones. ''I guess you can say I was curious on what was so important you'd risk your life coming here?" the blond asked.
''Curious enough to put the Prince's life in danger?'' Cheetara chastised as Naruto dipped his head down slightly in guilt. He hated it whenever Cheetara was annoyed or upset with him, especially considering how rare it was.
''I wasn't going to let him come to harm.'' Naruto defended himself. ''Besides, you were here as well Cheetara so I wasn't worried.'' he nervously chuckled, looking away from her stern gaze. He didn't know what it was about that gaze, but whenever he saw it he felt compelled to admit any guilt thought he had. Well, not all of them thankfully.
"You two know each other?" Lion-o asked wondering why Naruto never brought up the fact that he knew such a babe as a companion?
"Cheetara and I are...well part of the same crew.'' Naruto answered cryptically. As far as Lion-O knew Naruto was part of some special guard. Very few people in the kingdom were privy to the identity of the clerics.
"Shouldn't you two be somewhere? Why are you here anyways?" She asked.
"Think you can keep a secret?" Lion-o asked. The two clerics shared a brief look before turning back to the prince and nodded."Ooook… shall we go?" Lion-o asked, putting his hood back on and walking.
In the castle Claudus, Jaga, and Tygra sat in the audience chamber, waiting, Claudus tapping a claw on his arm rest. "He knows how important today is! Where is that boy Jaga?" Claudus asked the head of the clerics.
"Be easy on him Claudus… Remember when you were his age? Your father was never pleased with you." Jaga pointed out patiently.
"I never neglected my duties as prince! Why can't he be more like you Tygra?" Claudus said, turning to Tygra.
"You're asking for the impossible father…" Tygra answered simply.
"That boy will be the death of me!" He harshly said.
Back in the slums. Lion-o walked forward, heading down a gorge where shops lay against the walls. Naruto and Cheetara followed him. Lion-o came to a shop and a dog came out. "Lion-o! Come in, come in, I got something that should interest you!" The dog said, and he went back into his store. Lion-o looked at Naruto then at Cheetara.
"Jorma here sells certain uh… Collectibles…" He cautiously picked his words as he eyed the clerics, hoping they wouldn't pick up on the activities going on.
"You mean black market items?" She corrected.
"Regardless we're here for a reason might as well check it out!" Naruto said, and he entered the shop along with Lion-o. Cheetarah sighed, and then entered as well. As she entered, she saw various strange objects that she had never seen before.
"What is all this?" She asked.
"It's what's out there, beyond Thundera's walls!" Lion-o said. Looking around at the stuff, he grabbed an item and tossed it to Cheetara. "What the Book of Omens calls… technology."
"Doesn't everyone think that's just a fairy tale?" Cheetara asked. Naruto sighed, shaking his head.
"I don't know what to tell you. I don't even know who I am, let alone what I believe in.'' Naruto admitted with a pained gaze.
It was then that Jorma walked to his table, which had a cloak on it, and he pulled it off.
"You think this is a fairy tale?" Jorma asked, a small device lay with a circular design, screws coming out diagonally, and in the center was a type of bar. Lion-o picked it up, and he examined it, Naruto looked at it as well.
'This feels...familiar.'
"I think it's just junk people like you sell to people like him!" Cheetara said. Jorma looked at Lion-o.
"As cubs we believed tales about ships that could fly. Maybe everybody else grew out of them, but I didn't! I know there's a bigger world out there." He said, his eyes becoming glossy, and then he blinked and looked at Cheetara. "You think I'm crazy, don't you?"
"I think you're… different." She said cryptically, it was then a bell rang, Lion-o froze.
"The ceremony is today...I completely forgot!'' Lion-o exclaimed, as he tossed a coin to Jorma, and then he ran out, heading for the palace.
At the Lair Tygra yawned as the sounds of footsteps were heard, and from the far end, Lion-o came into view. "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Lion-o said hastily. Claudus glared at him, and then he turned to Jaga.
"Let us begin this sacred rite of passage Jaga." Claudus said. Jaga nodded, stood up, and raised his staff into the air.
"Guardians of the crown… bring forth the Sword of Omens!" he said, and from the entryway, several cloaked and robed figures walked forward, the one in the forefront holding something in its hands. The object was covered by a cloth, and as they walked forward. When the lead cleric walked forward with the object, Tygra winked and the cleric looked at him.
"Are you flirting?" Lion-o quietly asked, but Tygra didn't respond, just smirked.
"While you will one day wear the crown Lion-o," Jaga began, and he grabbed the cloth and pulled it off to reveal the Sword of Omens, a long sword with a red jewel near the hilt. "Only the Eye of Thundera, the source of our power, knows if there's a king inside of you. Take the sword, and become one with it." Jaga said. Lion-o nodded, and he grabbed the sword. He looked at it, marveling at its light weight. He walked to the center where the symbol of the Thundercats was.
"You now hold what built the Thundercat's Empire, but only he who has been deemed worthy can harness the blade's power!" Claudus said. Lion-o swung the sword experimentally. "Let me show you what it's capable of in the proper hands." Claudus said, walking forward, Tygra next to him, a sword in his hand. Claudus snatched the sword from Lion-o's hands, Tygra, standing next to Lion-o, turned to Claudus.
"Uh oh, catch!" Tygra said, tossing the sword in his hand to Lion-o, who caught it. Then Claudus turned, and raised the sword as he swung the Sword of Omens violently at Lion-o. Lion-o barely had time to react as the sword clashed against his own, sparks of electricity flying as the two clashed, knocking Lion-o back. Claudus then swung the sword downward, but Lion-o was ready, swinging his to clash against the Sword of Omens, electricity sparking between the two.
"The Book shows that it was our ancestors, the Thundercats, who defeated Mumm-ra! It was the Thundercats who brought law and order to a world of warring animals! And now, it is the Thundercats who are strong enough to maintain this fragile peace!" Claudus said, attacking Lion-o while he spoke, who parried each blow skillfully. Claudus then raised the Sword of Omens over his head and brought it down for a powerful downward slash. Lion-o blocked it, but the sheer strength of the blow sent him sprawling down to the ground. Claudus stabbed the sword downward into the center, thunder sounding and sparks flying from the blade. Lion-o and the others watched the display of power. Lion-o stood up and grabbed the sword, the weight and the power coursing through him as held the blade.
He grabbed it with both hands and began to swing the sword back and forth, releasing electricity from the sword which started as small sparks but grew to larger, more powerful bolts. "That's it! Concentrate!" Claudus said. Lion-o continued to swing the sword, growing more and more accustomed to it, his body smoothly flowing from one move to the other. He finished with a stab, the sword crackling with power as he stood in the center of the Thundercats symbol, and he held the sword down. He then held the sword in front of him and aligned it near his face, the hilt guards extending and the jewel formed an eye. Lion-o's eyes then began to glow with light and he felt his gaze extending to a distant place, and he saw a red pair of eyes and a wrinkled face. He pushed the sword away gasping. "Lion-o? Why did you stop?" Claudus asked. Lion-o turned to him.
"I… saw something…" He said quietly, while Jaga walked forward.
"Tell us," He said, sounding curious. Lion-o looked uncomfortable.
"Um…" He said, looking around, and then there was giggling. "That!" he said, and he ran to a window where two female cats, were walking, Claudus and Jaga followed. "Ha meow!" He said forcefully. Claudus looked disappointed.
"The sword is ready Lion-o, but you are not…" Claudus said, grabbing the sword from Lion-o. Lion-o watched sadly as his father walked away. Jaga walked next to Lion-o and gave him a meaningful look.
"What? I didn't see anything!" Lion-o said.
"And I did not say anything." Jaga countered.
From the far off side Naruto shook his head in disappointment. He felt bad for Lion-O and all, but a leader needed things the prince currently lacked. Though, he was pulled out from his thoughts by the sound of a horn blaring. Naruto took up a positioned from up high to see what was going on. From his vantage point he could see a large amount of lizards pulling a large rock-like object and on top of the rock was Grune looking triumphant, his arms folded across his chest.
Grune...Naruto never liked Grune. Then again he was a lot like the others who didn't think he belonged, but something else, deep in the recesses of his mind told him the cat was dangerous. Dropping down and moving closer he listened into the discussion.
"And where is our dear friend, Panthro?" Claudus asked, but Grune shook his head pityingly.
"He fought valiantly, alas; he fought against a force that was even too powerful for him to overcome." Grune said, and he pulled a bag from his belt and pulled out Panthro's famous nun-chucks. Naruto, who had been watching and listening, stood there disbelieving. He didn't say anything though, and watched Grune calmly. "It is only through his sacrifice I stand before you today." Grune said, and he handed Claudus the weapon, and Claudus took them.
"Tomorrow, we will mourn this great loss. But today, we will celebrate the return of Thundera's greatest general!" Claudus said putting a hand on Grune's shoulder, and walking back to Thundera, both talking to each other. Leaning all he could, Naruto retreated back to his post before it was discovered that he left. The blond found himself quietly listening to the speech Claudus gave. Season ago he sent Generals Grune and Panthro to find the fabled Book of Omens. While the book remained lost, Grune had returned with tales of adventure, great treasure, and new lands to conquer.
Music began to play and cats began to dance to the music. A large cat was eating a leg of chicken, when he felt something pulling his cloak. He turned to see two young cats looking at him, one a boy wearing a cloak of his own and light yellow coat of fur, the other a girl with unique red and black hair that was pulled back into a small ponytail. "Good evening sir! WilyKat and Kit at your service! Perhaps my sister and I can interest you in a melodic melody?" The cat glared at them.
"Scram you filthy street urchins!" The cat said.
"Oh but I am quite good, and you only need to pay if my gentle songs mousers your caring heart!" She said, holding up a strange ring like instrument with blow holes like a flute. She held it to her lips, and began to play, a wonderful song coming from it.
"I said- uuhhhh… Your music is lovely… as the day is long." The large cat said, looking groggy, and he even began to dance while Wilykat rummaged through his bag, pulling out a fish's remains.
"Ew… what does he keep in here?" He asked as he threw the fish away and he reached in, pulling out the remains of an apple, tossing that, and then he reached in again, and a jingle was heard as he pulled out several gold coins. "Oh, here we go!" Wilykat said, and pocketing the money, he ran as his sister finished playing the song. The cat blinked, and then he turned to Wilykit.
"I said scram kids!" He shouted.
"Of course… sorry to bother you." Wilykit said, bowing, and then she followed her brother. They grinned at each other as they ran away from the party.
Naruto shook his head in amusement. Those two were always up to something. They were just children, an orphan like he was, well as far as he knew. He couldn't help but feel pity for them and turned a blind eye. They were just children trying to feed himself. Hearing the sound of another alarm, he knew that meant The Games were about to begin. He arrived to the coliseum and got a good seat. Once again only catching part of the conversation from where he was at.
"I see nothing has changed Claudus… one son with his head on his shoulders, the other with his in the clouds!" Grune said. Apparently prince Lion-o must have asked something related to technology.
"I'm afraid Lion-o, I came across all manner of beast and warrior, but nothing even resembling technology. We did everything we could to find the book." Grune answered.
"Perhaps what the skeptics say is true… the book's existence is no more real than its stories of technology or Mumm-ra." Tygra said, Grune laughed at this.
"I see so much of me in you. You would've made a great king! Ah, but such honors must be reserved for the bloodline!" Grune said, putting his arm on Tygra's shoulder.
"Lion-o also will make a great king!" Claudus said.
"Of course he will… I would've just made a better one!" Tygra smugly said. Lion-o growled, glaring at Tygra.
"You're just so perfect aren't you Tygra?" Lion-o said angrily.
"Thank you Lion-o!" Tygra said.
"Too bad you're afraid to get your tail kicked in front of your favorite hero!" Lion-o challenged.
"Now's not the time!" Tygra said, standing up. Grune then chuckled, and pointed at the coliseum.
"Now is the perfect time!" he said. Lion-o and Tygra looked at each other, and then they jumped down into the stage, the people cheering for them.
Naruto watched as Lion-o and Tygra waited for the start. Then, the horn sounded, and the two launched themselves, climbing the large knotted tree. Lion-o had the lead, but when Tygra jumped, Lion-o stopped and kicked at Tygra, who grabbed Lion-o's foot, and punched Lion-o, knocking him off the branch he was climbing, into a lower branch. He recovered, and caught up with Tygra. He kicked at Tygra, who blocked the blow, and Lion-o responded with a punch, hitting Tygra in the cheek. Tygra responded with a spinning kick, hitting Lion-o in the face, sending him back down. Tygra leaped on the branch, holding the bell, and looking down at Lion-o. He then shouts.
"When it comes to everything but the crown, you'll always be second place!" He shouted, and Lion-o ran forward, his arm raised and ready to punch Tygra. But Tygra hit him first with such strength; it sent Lion-o into the water. Naruto winched, and looked away. As much as he wanted to go and help his friend, he figured Lion-o's pride had been bruised enough for one night.
''See underneath what's underneath?'' was that the exact way the phrase was stated. He didn't know he thought as he continued his duty of keeping an eye out for unsavory elements. Naruto wasn't sure why those words popped in his mind. Maybe it was what Jaga said not too long ago. 'Having sight beyond sight.' he was broken from his thoughts when some sort of disturbance was going on. He followed the disturbance down near the brigs.
He got down there just in time to see Lion-o, Tygra the prince's older brother, and Cheetara engaging a crowd. Seeing Cheetara being charged by several cats something triggered in him. A powerful energy washed over him as he was on the roof of one of the buildings one moment and the next he was between her and the crowd. His hand ram forward, some sort of energy orb briefly illuminated in his hand before sending the nearest cat flying back several feet.
''Glad you could join the party.'' Cheetara stated, almost startled by the speed Naruto displayed. It was almost as if he teleported.
''It figures the mangy fox would also be a lizard lover!" one of the cats shouted as he pulled out dagger.
''String him up and skin him alive!'' another one shouted causing Naruto to visibly freeze as panic filled his eyes.
''You will do no such thing!'' Cheetara shouted, for a brief moment giving into her anger as she used her natural speed to blast past the cats, swinging her staff to knock them back a lot harder than necessary. Eventually, she stopped, and began to knock them back en masse.
Moving swiftly, Naruto parried and attacked stragglers like a brawler. He was always more of a lightning bruiser that focused more on quick and powerful strikes. His ability to augment his strength made up for the lack of skilled the other trained warriors had shown. A cat attacked Lion-o, but he blocked the attack and elbowed the cat in the face. He reached for another cat, grabbing his collar ready to punch him.
When Claudus arrived, demanding to know what was going on; Naruto nearly had a panic attack. His heart, which nearly threatened to leap out of his chest, was calm when Lion-o somehow miraculously convinced his father to let the lizards go. Fortunately there wasn't much of an incident after that night.
Naruto found himself alone that night, using his hands to rub his arm as he tried to calm himself. He didn't know why, but he felt unbearably sad.
'It's that child!"
''What is he doing just walking around like that? He's a danger!''
''I don't care what anyone says! As far as I care he and that thing is one in the same and I say we skin him alive!''
Naruto was startled out of his thoughts when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. A dagger drawn and panic filled him before he realized it was just Cheetara. ''I...sorry.'' he mumbled, looking ashamed.
''No...I...I shouldn't have startled you.'' she surprised. 'Something happened tonight. I've never seen him freeze like that, look so frightened and confused. What could have happened in his past to make him have that sort of reaction?'
''Cheetara...'' Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. ''I...do you ever think...'' he looked away, hoping his face wasn't betraying him. ''You...''
Cheetara looked at him with interest. ''Naruto...''
At Thunder's walls General Lynx-o and a guard stood in one of Thundera's wall's tower, the guard with a telescope. It was then a strange sound was heard, the marching of footsteps. The guard, however couldn't see, "What is that?" He asked. Lynx-o pushed past him and sniffed.
"Even from this distance, I can smell them!" He opened his eyes, which were pale, showing that he was blind. "Lizards, and there are many! Sound the alarm!" He shouted. The horn sounded, alerting everyone, and soldiers began to arm themselves with pikes, bows, and arrows.
Naruto and Cheetara were interrupted. Their discussion was going to have to be put on hold as duty called.
Claudus, who had been watching the lizard army with a telescope, snarled and turned to Lion-o.
"You see what happened? Now the lizards think of us as being soft and weak! We should've killed those two instead of releasing them!" Claudus raved as his utter contempt for the species spilled out in his words.
Lion-o lowered his head.
"Tygra, Grune, come with me! Jaga prepare your clerics!" Claudus said. Lion-o stood there waiting. "You stay here Lion-o." Claudus said, and he walked away.
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Chapter End
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Like I said. Not to much changed, but I really want to add some elements that were touched upon by the series like survivors and stragglers and other such elements.