Author's warning; this story is a bit on the redundant side. It's loosely based off of The Little Mermaid (I went way off course as usual), but sincerely hope that everyone enjoys the story anyway.
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Chapter One: Daring Deeds
In the fading light of a small town, a tawny cat held a small kitten his mouth. Using every possible precaution, he slipped in between buildings and enclosed areas until he saw his goal.
To the untrained eye, it looked like all the other buildings in the area, save for the long signs over the double door entrance, proclaiming the name of a movie that was about to play within. He grinned, certain that he had made it in time. Using knowledge from previous visits, he slipped around to the back way, and let himself in through the lone open window.
"I don't see what's so special about this place, Father," the small kitten commented as the tomcat started climbing the stairs up to the special room. He would have answered his son, but decided to wait until after he reached his customary place. Coming to a large door, the tawny cat sat on his haunches and politely scratched at the door. Soon, an old and very tall human opened it, and grinned at the familiar cat. He stepped to the side and gave a bow, grinning widely.
"I was wondering if you were going to make it, my lord." The name was a bit of a joke, but it suited the cat well for his dignified air. He bowed politely as he entered the movie booth, and jumped into his customary place on the pillow next to the open window space that the movie projector could shoot its images out for the audience below to enjoy. The man walked over and stroked the kitten softly, chuckling a bit.
"I see that you're introducing your young to the finer things. Good lad; nothing beats a night at the movies."
The father nodded his head in acknowledgement before directing his son's attention to the screen.
At first, the kitten still didn't see anything different. But then the lights went off, and the projector next to him shot out a beam. The kitten yelped in surprise, but his father firmly kept him from falling over the edge. Once the kitten settled down, he started to enjoy the story that was playing out before him.
"This film's very old; older than your grandfather," the tawny cat whispered to the younger. "It's a silent film, but I know how to read human. Just enjoy the show, son."
The young kitten happily did so. The hero of the story was, strangely, an outlaw that stole from the rich in order to give to the poor. The people loved him, but not the higher class, save for one. A fair young maiden, a nobleman's daughter, was the outlaw's lover. With bated breath, the kitten watched the outlaw perform daring feats, punish the wicked, and save the damsel in distress. The outlaw was rewarded for his deeds by the returned king, and lived happily ever after with his love.
As the lights came on, signaling the end of the picture, the elder cat chuckled and nudged his son.
"Well? Did you see anything special?"
His son nodded.
"That was wonderful. Father, can I learn how to fight with a sword like that? Can I learn to do what Robin Hood did?"
The cat laughed again and licked his son's face affectionately.
"Yes, you can. You can do anything you set your mind to, as long as you believe you can."
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Years after that night, a familiar tawny cat was once again looking up at the signs, outside the movie theatre. But unlike last time, the building was in a terrible wreck, obviously condemned. The cat, instead of having dark emerald eyes, had soft and light mint ones.
Baron Humbert von Gikkingen sighed; wishing that he had paid a visit sooner. He hadn't visited the place since his father died three years before, and had been struck with a passionate desire to see the place again, before returning to his home in the Cat Kingdom. He had spent the past two years as the ambassador to the Southern Circle, which was far more south than most cats were willing to go. But the baron lived on going where no cat went before.
Sighing, he turned down the rain-ridden sidewalk and started searching for a safe place to make a portal to his home world. His fur was starting to stink terribly, and it would take him forever to dry off.
Without warning, a truck swerved on the slick road, and headed straight for him. Making a split-second decision, he jumped out of the way… and off a tall bridge, landing directly into the river below.
The icy water soaked him completely through, and he had so much difficulty, trying to stay above the water.
"Please! Someone… help…"
The raging water wouldn't allow him to say more as it flooded his mouth and body; making his spirit fade. The last thing he felt before giving himself up to fate was being held close to something firm, and safe.
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When the tawny cat finally struggled to regain consciousness, he was warm, and dry. He purred with pleasure as he opened his eyes, and looked directly into a portable heater, on full blast.
Realizing that he was wrapped up in a blanket and arms, Baron looked up in order to see his rescuer's face.
She was a very fetching young lady; a human, dressed completely in white. By using his sixth sense, he could tell that the girl was a cat speaker; a rare treasure indeed, to find in the human world. But there was something else; something of magical origin hidden deep within her soul. She was sitting semi-upright in a worn couch, in a large and inviting living room; sound asleep. Her long dark brown hair was also completely dry; making the cat wonder how long he had been out.
"Don't get any ideas, buster. Haru's my human, got that?"
Not recognizing the gruff voice, Baron looked over to the girl's side to see an enormous white cat glaring at him. The tawny feline blinked.
"By all means, I have no intention of stealing her."
The cat grunted, but kept glaring at him.
"If Haru gets sick from helping you, I'll skin you alive. She has enough grief to deal with."
'Her name's Miss Haru then.' The tawny cat looked up again, to study this brave girl. She didn't look like she was going to get sick, even if she was a few shades too pale. He smiled; wishing that she would wake up, so he could express his appreciation for her courageous deed.