It was the end of Catia.

But in many ways, it was the re-birth of something else. Something terribly old and yet incredible new at the same time.

In an effort to lessen lingering hostilities and show they were moving forward together equally, the planet had been restored to its original name of Earth, while the capitol city remained Catia. This way neither Catians nor Humans would inherently feel they had a stronger 'claim' to their new joint home. They would be sharing it as they now shared all things. Catian technology was doing wonders to enrich the lives of the human women, while they were helping to reveal countless lost marvels of history and culture to their feline counterparts. Both sides were benefitting from this newfound alliance.

Despite this, both Humans and Catians did have their fair share of differences. A tiny percentage of DNA separated their species but their cultures were still vastly different. And they still had quite a colorful history of trouble and misunderstandings to call upon. The tiniest of sparks could ignite the flames of hatred and violence again.

What they needed was a negotiator. A fair, impartial third party to help resolve conflict between them. And they'd found just the right man for the job.

"By unanimous council vote..." Counselor Kuune read aloud, her voice carrying to everyone in the assembly. "... we the Catians have elected Lieutenant First Class Kio Kakazu to the position of Mediator for the Catian-Human Alliance, or cha!"

Cheering erupted from the council chambers, which were simply stuffed to the brim, both with Humans and Catians, in huge numbers. Leadership from both factions was here today, as well as countless civilians and military from across the region. Everyone who wished to be heard was being heard, and for once, they were all listening as well as speaking.

The clapping died down slowly as a bespeckled woman stood in her seat beside the purple-haired Counselor, adjusting her glasses before speaking.

"I, Maki Xandra Itukazu, on behalf of the human race, ratify the election of Lieutenant Kakazu to the position of Mediator for the C-H-A."

Thunderous applause broke out from the audience, who cheered for their newly elected savior. For his part, however, the young boy just looked tired.

Kio sighed and placed his head in his hands. "Can I get a recount?" he whined softly.

He hadn't even run for the position of Mediator, but everyone kept turning to him to be the savior of this new world. And with that had come a ton of new responsibilities. So against his will, he found himself a political figure. Not a particularly powerful one, but he carried an important responsibility of veto-ing any law, custom or technology he felt was unfair to either Catians or Humans. And when he talked, they listened. It was almost frightening how quickly they all seemed to take his advice to heart as almost divine law. Yet even Kio couldn't deny it was helping.

Fortunately, such a need was rare. Both sides were earnest in their efforts to make peace and grow together, instead of separately. It made things easier. So it left him time to himself. To pursue his own interests.

And time to spare for one of his... more important duties.

Night was just settling on the horizon as Kio stumbled into his new apartment, flopping down bonelessly into his cushioned chair. Eris, Manami, and Aoi were almost instantly at his sides, making sure he was rested, asking if he needed anything to eat.

"Girls, girls, I'm fine..." he said gently, favoring them each with a small smile. "Can we just relax tonight? Maybe play some music?"

Eris nodded. "I'll start up the soothing melody you like so much," she said, and hopped off to begin it.

"I'll get you something to drink," Manami added. "You must be thirsty, it was really hot out today."

Kio had to admit that was true, sinking into his plush seat. Aoi crouched by his feet, resting her head on his knee. Idly he patted the top of her head, brushing his fingers through her silky black hair. She still didn't speak much, and the only word she definitively knew was his name, but she was definitely improving.

Manami returned with a glass and some cookies that she knew Kio enjoyed, while Eris activated their 'music box' (the exact term of the technology escaped him at the moment) and let a lilting, soothing melody fill the air. Full of the gentle plucking of strings, it reminded Kio a lot of the sort of music he'd heard back in Japan, the sort associated with old time feudal melodies. It brought to mind simpler, calmer times. And it definitely helped to ease his troubled mind.

So did the fact that the girls were getting along as they prepared dinner. And for once, none of them came to blows over it. There wasn't even an argument this time.

Smiling, Kio slipped to his feet long enough to open up the wide open windows of their apartment, letting the sunlight drift in. He then shut off the artificial lighting, letting the red sun bathe the room in a relaxing aura as he settled back into his seat. A comfortable calm settled over the apartment as music filled the air, and Kio relaxed with his girls as the sun began to set on the horizon and the night sky began to light up with stars.

For the first time in a very long time he felt truly whole and content.

Kio excused himself to go to bed early that night, still a little weary from his duties during the daytime hours. So after taking a shower and freshening himself up a bit, he headed to his room on the second floor of the apartment. His bedroom was a simple enough affair. Most of his decorating he confined to the living room, keepsakes from his adventures and misadventures. But here there was nothing but some dull gray walls and one of the Catian-style round beds in the middle of the room. He'd finally gotten used to sleeping on the somewhat unusual style. It helped the sheets and comforter were softer than clouds. And the bed was big enough for four or five. It had to be, with all the tossing and turning that tended to happen during the night.

Plus, there was the fact that it was the only bed in the whole apartment.

They'd reached an unusual agreement.

Eris, Manami, and Aoi all cared for Kio on a deeper, more intimate level than simply wanting to jump his bones. And for all the briefness of his time getting to know them, he'd formed a strong connection with all of them. With Eris' carefree and curious spirit, with Manami's strong and tough attitude, with Aoi's gentle and nurturing soul.

Even so, when they'd first come to him with a proposal, he'd fainted dead away.

It was only after he'd woken up that he'd said yes.

It had been rough the first few weeks. Even when trying to be generous and sharing, humans could be instinctively jealous and petty, even greedy at times. Kio, however, had taken his time with each of the girls and shown them not only who he was (learning more about them in the process) but also how alike they were. Each of them had differences that made them unique (and if he was being generous, desirable) but they also shared many similarities, including bravery, kindness, and even wonder. The four of them fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

Suddenly, aware of movement in the room with him, Kio lifted his head, trying to peer into the darkness.

Amidst the shadows, he made out three silhouettes, one curvy, one busty, one slender. And three pairs of eyes lit up the darkness like six beacons. All locked on him. Kio gulped, knowing full well what was coming next.

"Hey girls..."

In that instance, they pounced.

Kio was still being sought after and encouraged for his rather 'unique' contribution to society, as the only male on the entire planet. That they knew of, at least. However, his new wives made it abundantly clear he would be shared only when and if he truly felt like it, and was under no one's obligation but his own. For their part, Eris, Manami and Aoi might have been just a little jealous having to share Kio, even with each other. But ultimately they'd decided they could not dream of denying his kindness to others. They certainly didn't deny it to each other.

If nothing else, all the physical activity did wonders to keep Kio fit, as Doctor Durrel was quick to point out. She made sure of that during her last full physical examination of him. Neither of them left that appointment the slightest bit disappointed.

Chancellor Kuune and Chieftain Mika had also done their part but it had been largely professional, with little affection in the act despite their fondness of the boy. A duty to produce future generations and little more. Others, like Jack and Melwin, were content to leave him be and only sought out Kio for non-sexually related activities as friends. Antonia was anxious to do her part as well, and was on a waiting list for when she was more physically matured.

They had reached a compromise that satisfied all parties. That in and of itself was cause to make Kio happy. The fact that he had so many beautiful women willing to share his bed was just a bonus at this point.

The next morning Kio awoke long after his alarm had gone off, stretching languidly in the late morning light. His arms brushed against the sleeping figures of the beautiful women at his side, but thankfully he didn't disturb their own rest as he crawled out of bed, finding a bathrobe to slip into. He decided to forego a shower for the time being, and just made his way to the kitchen to cook some breakfast for the girls. After last night, he was betting they'd be hungry.

He knew he was. Ravenous, in fact.

As the dark meat sizzled on the platters and the eggs crackled on the stove, Kio stepped over to the window to admire the rising sun on the horizon. True, it still looked very strange and alien to him, even after so many weeks here in Catia. The too big red sun, the warm air, the light gravity. Everything was different from the world he had known and the life he had lived there. But it was also beautiful in its own way, and after all he'd been through he couldn't bear the thought of leaving, even if he did have anywhere left to go. No, his home was here now.

Didn't mean he couldn't explore a little, however.

Chieftain Maki was still organizing (though not leading these days) expeditions to explore the ruins of Old Tokyo (as Kio identified) beneath the surface. Finding countless new treasures of a bygone age of science and culture. And now that Humans were with them, Catians were becoming braver at venturing out at sea. Small, simple rowboats and the like, with sails in the works. Who knows what sort of wonders they would find on the main lands, if such a drastic and radical change had come to their small little island?

Kio resolved to find out. And whatever else he'd be doing, he'd be doing it with Eris, Manami, and Aoi by his side. And both Humans and Catians backing them up. He had found a destiny for himself here. And a home.

He was glad he'd come to the Planet of the Cats.

Authors Notes:
As always, please leave a review if you enjoyed. Favoriting is nice too.

And so we end on the Ninth Chapter, not only being the same number as the lives of a Cat, but almost as many Planet of the Ape titles there are as well. I hope everyone enjoyed the ride. What started out as a silly little side-project to keep myself busy and fill time has garnered far more attention and love than I could have foreseen, even from myself.