Love's Not Void

Chapter 2:

Call her crazy, but normal people don't refer to a person as a cat. Unless of course, she was in Lamento. But that would be impossible, because Lamento Beyond the Void wasn't real.

The girl's face sank with the thought. She quickly stood up, making the circle of cats gasp out of surprise. Some of them took a step or two back, while others looked ready to attack. 

"What the hell are you guys talking about? Where am I? How did I get here?" 

They all looked at each other. The person behind her was the first to say anything- or chuckle for that matter.

"You are a curious little thing. So many questions..." 

Thing? THING? Kimberly has been called numerous names, but never a 'thing'. 

"Well, this 'thing' is still waiting for the answers, jackass!"

The group of people suddenly began to close in on her. Slowly and eerily, she could see most of them grinning. A mysterious, evil, aura surrounded each stranger. It was like she were their pray, and they were her hunters.

"It is no devil, but it will make an exquisite sacrifice," one of them mused. 

Devil? Sacrifice?! Oh HELL no!

A rush of adrenaline came over her. Turning heel, she darted. Pushing past at least three would-be attackers, Kimberly jotted down the broad strip of land. She came close to the forest, and then was pushed down.

Someone loomed over her, and attempted to restrain her movements. The girl kicked and shoved, trying to get him off. In the mist of this, she could have sworn she heard hissing. But that didn't matter right now. All she wanted to do was get him off of her- one way or another. 

"Get off me you creep!" 

Kitty's fist balled up, and drew back. Before her mind could process her actions, her fist collided with the man's face. 

"Ah!" 

He stumbled backwards, landing on his rear. The force caused his hood to fall to his shoulders, revealing his brown hair and...cat ears. That isn't even a metaphor. Kimberly was looking at someone who had CAT ears!

So...she WAS in Lamento! There's no other explanation! Even if she were dreaming, she was standing before Meiji. That explains the cloaks, obvious devil worship, and sacrifice talk... This went so far as to cover the brief 'she's not a cat' comment. 

"Y-you're Ribika!?"

Everyone stared at her weirdly. As if the answer was obvious, they remained silent. 

"I think there's been a mistake." Kimberly stood up and outstretched her arms. She slowly turned around, giving everyone a good look at her appearance. "See? I'm not a cat. I'm a...um...Two Canes." 

Nobody asked for proof. Apparently, the profile was good enough. Everyone dropped to their knees, seemingly bowing before Kimberly. 

Bowing? Before HER? She wasn't royalty- far from it. But when they bowed, it made her feel so...powerful! She could probably order them around like trained kittens. But, as tempting as that would be, doing something like that would feel wrong. So instead, Kitty pinched the bridge of her nose.

"What are you doing? Get up, Jesus Christ."

They did as she asked. The shortest, and suggestively youngest cat here, spoke up. His voice was quiet and timid, like he was talking to a deity.

"Are you really a great ancestral being? If so...may I inquire about your presence?" 

The girl shrugged. She ran her fingers through her hair, and took a deep breath in.