One in the Same

Chapter Twenty-Five

   The harbor village at the coast was enough to make Cat want to rip throats out once again. There were children screaming and crying. Men running or fighting right there in the streets. Women with painted faces moved around with men that weren't fighting. She didn't need to read their minds to know what the intention was. Beggars, thieves, merchants, among other things. It almost felt like she was already home.
   Botan kept his jingasa pulled down as low as he could possibly get it over his eyes and growled at anything that came near them. She could sense his anger and frustration. The mistrust in anything that came around him.
   They have no honor here, Botan said with a growl.
   The are docks men. Of course they have no honor. Cat replied with a sly smirk.
   Why does it seem like you enjoy this?
   Oh I don't. I just understand it.

   It seemed like hours before they found the right barge, even though it hadn't even been a full hour. Due to both of their attitudes, nothing seemed to be going right and everything seemed to just be either a threat or a nuisance. Even Cat found herself growling and hissing like the animal that was her name at the children that would run up. She could see that they didn't look at her the way the children from the village did. These little ones were actually afraid of her. Feeling more and more like home every second.
   As they walked up, a man was on the dock yelling orders as men were loading crates and boxes. Cat watched him for a moment and smiled slyly. He's from Ireland.
   Botan looked down at her. How are you so sure?

   Because of the way he's talking. "Gabh mo leithscéal, a dhuine uasail. An tusa captaen na loinge seo?" She asked as she walked up to him.
   "Ag brath ar cé atá ag fiafraí," he replied gruffly looking back at her, spitting and crossing him arms with a growl.
   "Anata wa joō to hanashite iru." Botan said, with a growl, stepping up next to her and starring the man down. "Meiyo to keii o motte hanashite kudasai."
   We'll find neither in this one, my love. Cat replied, her voice dripping with venom.
   The man looked up at Botan and glared him down as well. "Well yer a big 'un."
   "The one who asks is precious cargo seeking to return home," Cat answered holding the pouch that Shin had given them to buy their way on. "You should have already been informed."
   "So what if ah was? We don't allow women on board." He replied, though he eyed the purse.
   "Ah've heard that before. And made it here all the same." Cat said, starring the man down beneath her own hood.
   "Ya think that li'l sack's gonna make me change my mind? Ya found yer way here, aye. Find another back." He turned and continued barking out orders.
   "There will be more waiting for you when we return to Ireland, sir. Ah can promise you that. On my honor." Cat said still holding out the purse.
   He turned back to her with disgust on his face. "And why should ah believe a bitch like you?"
   Her eyes went a brighter green with a dangerous red ring playing just at the edge of her iris. "Mar gheall ar an soith," Cat said as she put the purse back inside the pocket then pulled her hood back. "An bhfuil banphrionsa Caitlin tí Ó Catháin. Agus éilím pasáiste ar do long."
   The captain's eyes all but buldged out of his head as he immedietally dropped to his knee with his fist closed over his heart. "Forgive me, princess, ah did realize it was you."
   What is that word he called you? Botan asked looking towards her.
   Not something you call a woman, lets put it that way. Cat replied as she looked down at the man. "You will take both my love and I back to Ireland. Once I reach my home, you will be paid. Also if we are out to see for to long, my love with need a place large enough for him to stay comfortably without issue."
   The captain looked from her to Botan, who glared back at him. It was taking everything in him not to reach out and rip the man's head off. All in due time, my love. Cat told him. He growled in response. "Ya can sleep in my cabin. And have freedom of the deck as ya wish. Shouldn't take us more than a months time, winds permitting.
   Cat looked up at Botan. We have no choice.
   I will make due with what I have. He replied with a deep growl. But I will not enjoy being anywhere near this man.
   "You can help yourself to whatever we have on board. Whatever ya like. Ya jus' name it." The captain was going on. "I'll see that its done."
   "I do want something," Cat said looking back down at him. "Now that you mention it."
   "Name it, m'princess. I's yours."
   Cat laid her hands on her hips and bent low to him, almost to his face. "Next time a woman, man, or even a child comes to you offering to pay for passage, you best let them on."
   "Aye, do ghrásta. It will be done. On my honor." He says nodding aggressively.
   Cat simply raised her eye brow and began moving forward on the ramp. Botan was right behind her glaring at the man. When others saw them, there mouth simply dropped open, or their eyes widened. Several hustled to get out of her way. She didn't care to know if it was because of her, or if it was because of Botan behind her. Either way, it was more attention than what she wanted. But it was attention she was going to get. So she just needed to accept it. She was going home now. Everything was about to change.

One Month Later

   Cat stood at the bow of the ship. The coast of home was just barely visible, but the nest was already calling out land. Botan stepped up beside her and gently took her hips in his hand. She smiled and leaned back against him. "Now let me show you my home." She whispered and they both looked up together.