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We are all of us just links in a chain, a living breathing chain connected in some way to everything. Whether we stand on our own, depending only on our own strength to see us through, or whether we work with others, going farther together then we ever could alone. There isn't any one of us that can truly exist without others around to help us.

Chapter Thirty Nine : A place to call home.

Lying on Lady's couch, watching as her hips started to sway back and forth seductively while she cooked him dinner, Kato couldn't help but smile. She had managed to do alright for herself. Her apartment was clean, her furniture was almost new, and the neighborhood that she lived in was far enough away from the slums where most chimeras were forced to live that she didn't have to worry about the near constant threat of territorial violence that arose between the low level street gangs that had so often tried to recruit him.

And despite the fact that he had inadvertently revealed himself as a Freelancer, Kato had thoroughly enjoyed escorting Lady home. Mostly because it had been the first time he had ever been able to simply walk down the street without worrying that he was going to have to hurt someone, but more so because, to everyone who had been watching, they were just another couple out enjoying the night. His only regret was that they hadn't once been able to look up and see the stars.

Now, freed from the restrictions imposed upon him by the collar that he wore around his neck, along with the destiny that he had been burdened with since birth, he was reminded of all the little things that he had missed out on in his life. Things like being able to relax and enjoy the company of others without the ever present wariness that accompanied the hectic lifestyle of a bodyguard in service to the rich and powerful. To finally be able to let down his guard, and allow himself to act in a manner befitting a chimera of his nature.

Kato purred as he started to close his eyes. Too long had he gone without the warmth of a woman's touch, Lady's touch, awakening the other half of his soul, and making him feel complete. Who knows, Thought Kato, After tonight, she might even choose to take me on as her mate. I'd have to prove myself worthy of her but . . .

Cocking his head to the side as he breathed in the wonderful scent that was coming from the kitchen, Kato felt his heart suddenly skip a beat. If Lady did choose to take him as her mate, then his life might begin to follow a different course, a path that for so long he had been afraid to hope for, that he had almost forgotten he had even wanted it at all.

Seeing the endless possibilities unfold before his very eyes, Kato started thinking about all the choices that had been so long denied to him, along with the path to happiness that so many people took for granted.

It was strange but, wishing for the happiness of a normal life, a life without bloodshed, a life without fear and death and horror to him was like a far off dream. To be able to come home from work, to the arms of a woman who loved him, to a wife and a family that was all his own . . .

Leaning back to enjoy the view, it was, he decided, a life that he could grow accustomed to. But even if the dream is destined to remain just a dream, with these hands, I will turn it into a reality.

All alone in the kitchen, Lady could feel her fur rising in response to the way Kato's eyes were following her around the room. Like a subtle weight pressing in around her it seemed to weigh and measure everything about her.

Having felt the likes of such looks for all her life, Lady had raised her understanding of them to the level of an art form, and yet, there were subtle differences that seemed to set Kato's apart from the looks she had come to know.

No doubt he's already begun undressing me in his mind. Oddly enough, Lady found that the thought didn't bother her quite the way it had used too. Which was probably because she had already started doing the same to him as well. But there was something about the way Kato was doing it that simply felt . . . different.

It was a nameless sensation, but where the looks of others had been all too possessive and their desire to conquer her written plainly upon their faces, Kato's spoke of other things. In his gaze she felt a longing to be held, a desire to be caressed, and a need to be touched that went beyond simple pleasures. Feeling her heart beginning to beat a little bit faster as she went about her work, Lady realized that Kato was looking at her as if she were a goddess worthy of being worshiped, and that he would strive to fulfill her every need and desire if she would only give him the chance.

Isn't that what every woman wants? Thought Lady as she added spice into the half of the stir fry that she was making just for him. To be treated like a queen?

Experiencing the awakening thrill of a passion she had thought long buried pass through her body, Lady started to wonder what it would be like to make love to him. Would He be a mature practiced lover, one who could anticipate her every need and together, lead them into new heights of ecstasy? Or would he be completely inexperienced, yet filled with the kind of shy innocence and curiosity that led new lovers on a journey of self discovery that culminated in the fulfillment of their every want and desire? Either way, she decided, she would certainly know soon enough.

His mouth starting to water at the sight of Lady carrying a plate of home cooked stir fry, Kato was hungrier then even he cared to admit. Food, said his stomach to his brain, food is good. Eat good food. Kato wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Then we eat bunny girl . . . she probably taste good too.

“It's mostly carrots.” Said Lady as she handed Kato his plate. “I'm a vegetarian by nature so I forgot there wasn't any meat to put in it.” Looking embarrassed to have not thought of such a simple thing as his carnivorous nature she added. “I'm sorry, I hope it didn't turn out too badly.”

“That's okay.” Taking a bite Kato smiled. “It tastes good because you made it.”

Swallowing as much stir fry in one bite as he could without actually choking on it, Kato forced himself to eat without any complaint. Different chimera types had different dietary needs, and even though he knew that he could survive without eating a sufficient amount of protein, it didn't mean he wanted to.

Starting in on her own meal, Lady ate more slowly. Taking the time to enjoy it, she was surprised to see him return from the kitchen with seconds.

“So you work at The Rabbit Hole now.” Said Kato as his eyes suddenly started to water. For such a simple dish, it had been surprisingly spicy, although now, not so much.

“For over a year now. I haven't worked the streets since . . .” Lady's words trailed off as she paled visibly. Regaining some of her color she said. “It's not a bad job. They don't ask us to have sex with the customers unless we agree to first. And some of the bouncers are nice enough to escort us home every now and then.” Lady pushed a piece of carrot around her plate. “What about you? What have you been doing for the last few years? You aren't still working as a bodyguard for that bastard Johnathan are you?”

Kato was silent for a moment as he wondered how much he could tell her, how much he could trust her with. Even knowing that secrets such as the ones he kept would only serve to frighten her, he knew that by not telling her, he would destroy any love that might exist between them. Because without trust, love was nothing but betrayal's pale shadow. “No,” Said Kato after he had finished the food on his plate. “Not for awhile now. I've been busy, working on other things.”

Putting their plates aside, Lady joined Kato on the couch. Pushing him down so that she could lie on top of him, it felt so good just to be able to touch him. To feel the warmth of his body, solid and real. Placing his hands on her shoulders Lady looked into his eyes and said. “Well, I still think my body is safe in your hands.”

Purring softly, while returning her affections with equal vigor, Kato whispered into her ear. “Now I make people disappear.”

Busy tracing circles across his chest, Lady hesitated. “Kato, don't say something like that. Even if it was just a jest, you made it sound like you've started working for the mob.”

“No, no mobs, no gangs.” Watching as Lady visibly relaxed, Kato said. “Just solo jobs. Data thefts mostly. Hell, I even created a real corporation in order to manage some of my more, honest investments.”

Lady started staring him in the face, searching for any change in his expression. “Kato.” She said. “Good god, you aren't actually serious, are you?”

“Of course I'm serious.” Smiling up at her, Kato proved it by saying. “Last month, over fifty-six chimeras that were arranged to be delivered to Yamato Industries head office in Tokyo managed to disappear mysteriously into the night. They're calling it the work of a criminal mastermind unlike any the world has ever seen.” Kato half-purred, half-laughed. “Can you believe it? They made me famous, and all I had to do was let a couple chimeras off of a plane.”

Famous was an understatement. The day it had happened SynCity had been in an uproar. Chimeras everywhere had gathered together in secret to cheer for their mysterious savior, all the while calling him a hero in hushed whispers whenever they knew that their owners weren't watching. And having spent her entire shift serving drinks, Lady had been able to overhear every single conceivable sort of rumor and half-truth imaginable, as hundreds of different chimeras celebrated what was for them a decisive blow against years of cruelty and oppression. “It was you?” Said Lady. “You did that?”

Kato nodded that it was. “After making all the necessary arrangements to purchase their service contracts, I took the liberty of changing their transport destination in flight, altered their original ownership records to give them all new identities, and then shut down their control collars by remote. They're free now, and I can do it again.”

Despite the wonder that she felt in knowing that he had accomplished such a thing, Lady suddenly found herself becoming angry with him. “And what if something had happened to them? What if something does happen to them? Good god Kato, did you even think of what might have happened to them if they were caught before you decided to try and pull off your little stunt?”

“Nothing is going to happen to them.” He said defensively. “I've given them everything they'll need in order to start a new life. Money, proper transport papers, even instructions detailing what to do if they ever feel the need to return to SynCity.” Sighing as he rubbed her back in a feeble attempt to rekindle the romance, Kato said. “I've been working hard to make sure that nothing can go wrong, and I had hoped you would be proud of me.”

Lady felt her face drawing together in confusion. Her heart was torn between wanting to congratulate him and condemn him at the same time. And worse, she wasn't even sure she could claim the moral high ground and say whether his actions were wrong or right.

On the one hand, Kato has given them all a chance to do something no chimera has ever done before. But on the other . . .“It was just practice to you. Wasn't it?”

Reaching up to cup her face, Kato refused to let her look away. “They're free now. And we could be too.”

Shivering as his offer tempted her more then he could ever know, Lady looked into his eyes, and saw an emptiness she hadn't seen before. Almost as if a hole had opened within his soul, it was a window through which darkness had begun to flow.

“I was right,” Said Lady as she forced herself to look away. “You have changed.”

“Lady.” Said Kato as he pulled her in close. “I'm still me. And that's something that will never change. But I can't afford to remain innocent. Not after the things that I've seen.”

Kato was right, and Lady knew it. It hurt to admit it but . . . But if someone has to stand against the injustice's that exist in this world. Then I'm glad that person is you Kato.

Content simply to be held in his arms, Lady listened as Kato began talking about how he had finally managed to find her, and the plans he in store for them once he did.

“I want to leave SynCity behind forever.” Said Kato. “I've made all of the arrangements. New control collars, more than enough money for us to live on, I even managed to find a place where no one cares whether you're a chimera or not. Lady? Lady?”

“Huh?” Lady looked up. Listening to steady rhythm of Kato's heartbeat, She had become so wrapped in her own thoughts, that when she realized that he had finished talking to her it was all she could do to say. “What was that last part?”

“I said there's a train leaving in a couple of days. We can go together. The both of us, we wouldn't have to be slaves anymore.”

To be free. Truly free. The immensity of it frightened her. “But Kato,” Said Lady, “Don't you see it yet? You're already free, because your strong enough to live without needing to be a slave.”

Kato seemed surprised by her words. He had expected her to agree with him, to want to go with him. Instead he said. “W-what do you mean?”

And then she knew. She knew that they could never be together, not as long as there were forces conspiring to keep them apart. And that this moment had become the only bridge to exist between their two worlds. And that when it was gone, they would begin to drift apart once more. The reality of it made her want to cry.

Your too strong for me Kato. She thought to herself. But I'm happy that I got to meet you again, because it means we can still be together, even if it is only for a short time. Placing her head against his chest once more she said. “Kato, make love to me.”

“What? But . . . but you could have sex anytime you wanted it. Why would you want to have—” Blushing as Lady began pulling her shirt free of her chest, the act revealing her more than ample breasts, she silenced him with a kiss.

Without giving him any time to think or even argue, Lady started to lift Kato's own shirt off of him. She could see the redness spreading just beneath the fur on his face as she did so. It was so cute. “Sex is . . . sex,” Said Lady as she tossed his shirt aside. “In the end its just business. Love is more; personal. I want to know the difference; I want to know what it feels like to lie with someone that I love, to be held by someone who cares about me as much as I care about him. Just once, before you go. Please?” She kissed him, pouring her very self into it she said. “Finish what you started the night that we parted so long ago.”

It was all the encouragement he needed. Feeling her kiss returned with an equal intensity, an equal passion, Lady straddled his hips. And found that he was ready for her.