First part is written by Dash (me). Second part is co written with Dash and Feena. In fact.. that's summed up in the subtitle. "(Second half - co write with Feena)"

After turning back, Dash finds the remains of Cattaras's traitorous actions. It's another piece pretty much devoid of humor, but it's a powerful roleplay none the less.

Feena's first roleplay in her second mission, too.

Not counting his mistake to be an idiot that morning at the camp with Catrina Whiteclaw, it'd been a while since Sebastian Dash'd had to make one of those tough decisions. The type there really isn't a right answer to, and either choice feels horribly wrong.

Osbron, the appointed prince of the Kingdom of KOL in disguise, had made Dash's mission clear. Dash's job was to find out what the Penguin Mafia were up to. Yet, there was also the problem of Catrina. . . . fearless, but intensely bullheaded, that one. Yet, she'd always been loyal - how could Dash be anything but?

The plan was simple and straight forward. Dash had a pretty good idea of where to go to scout out the Penguin Mafia's mobile unit. To his advantage, he'd found and studied several important papers on the local penguin chapter a little further up the mountains. The penguins tended to avoid public places, and Dash had come to the conclusion earlier they'd avoid sending their precious cargo troops anywhere near Degrassi Knoll. After all, it was still heavily disputed by both the Penguins and the Mafia.

A stray wind sliced across Dash's throat, causing him to pause long enough to cough. The winds in the mountains could be despicable, and downright dangerous under the worst conditions.

Dash stopped, his ears perking up.. something in the wind sounded like a cry for. . . . Dash mentally repremanded himself. No, that *was* the wind. Or at least the whine of the wind.

Unless. .. Dash realized what he was trying to do- justify going back to follow Catrina. After all, regardless of what the Prince told her to do, Catrina had been stubborn from the day Dash met her, saved her life, and got clawed when Catrina assumed his intentions had been less honorable.

Dash slowed his pace as he got lost in thought.. It wouldn't be beyond the Prince to let her go about her duties. He'd be able to relate to the question of honor involved. Hell, Dash could relate to that question himself. It was her fight, so shouldn't it be within her rights to pursue him?

But the thought of losing her to that monster. . . Dash had a hard time seeing Catrina's ex as a feline of honor.. Plus, Catrina had said something about another feline. .. Dash gnashed his teeth at the thought. Two of them vrs. one of her wasn't Dash's idea of fair OR honorable.

Something in the back of Dash's mind felt like it was biting him with every step he took. Without totally remembering why, Dash turned around, sighing in resignation..

He had to help.. there was no alternative.

=-=-=-=--

Soonafter . . .

Feena's world was black, and she hurt... Alot... Something seemed wrong, especially since she'd heard Catrina's voice, or at least she thought was Catrina... Feline growling all sounded the same to her. She tried to move, but had no success. She was pretty sure she was in agony.

"Feena!" She heard the familiar voice calling out to her again over the vast darkness that seemed to separate her from consciousness. It had a funny echo, but not the kind you'd hear through the mountains. . . Almost tinny. Feena's groggy mind wanted her to chuckle, but she couldn't.

She felt a sensation as if she was being whisked through a tunnel of light to consciousness, and her eyes suddenly opened. The pain she'd thought she felt when her mind was still half unconscious was magnified ten fold or more.

"Feena, what happened? Can you move? Where's Catrina?"

She blinked at first, unsure who was demanding the answers. Then she realized.. it was him.. Sebastian.

She propped herself on her elbows with great effort. "Ugh... Sebastian... I feel like I've been beaten up a hundred times or so... What's goin' on?"

"I was kinda hoping you'd tell me. You look like you were mauled by a yeti hyped up on goofballs." Dash surveyed the damage. "It looks like someone started to tend to your wounds, but didn't get to finish.. Maybe I can find something to help. Meanwhile," Dash continued as he started rifling through a small bag attached to his belt, "Tell me what you remember."

Feena winced in pain, wanting to curl up into a small ball of bunny fur, but stood, trying to look dignified.

Dash reached a hand for her. "Whoa, don't try to stand yet.. Whatever did this do you, it knew what it was doing.."

"Yeah, it didn't want me dead... Like I was bait for Catrina... Sebastian... I think she traded herself for me..."

Dash's eyes shot open. He realized she was stubborn but this . . . And if he'd meant to kill Feena, and . . . "Is she . . . ?"

"I... Don't know..." Feena shook her head in apology, silently pressing her head against Sebastian's shoulder. "I'm so sorry... I couldn't do a thing..."

Unsure what to think now, Dash stroked her head, tenderly. "It's okay. No.. if he wanted her dead, I doubt he'd have left you, so she's got to be alive. Which means he wants her for something.. " Dash gently pulled back. "Which means I have to stop Him."

"Take me with you."

"No way," Dash answered gently. "You need to rest, and get medical attention before we can even think of tracking her down. These're dangerous forces we're dealing with."

"Sebastian, please... Just bring her back to me. She's the best friend I have." The priestess looked up to him with tears in her eyes. "I'll do what I can after I get some rest, but I can't stand to think that Catrina's out there in danger..."

"Then let me do what I do best," Dash answered as firmly as he could muster. "Let me save our friend, and reunite you two. I'll get you to Españolola, so he can get you back to the Kingdom.. That way, you can let everyone know what's happening." Dash paused, then added more forcefully, "And you can get some rest and medical attention."

The bunny nodded, collapsing into Sebastian. "Thanks, Sebastian..." Feena quietly closed her eyes and rested, tired from her wounds and the day's events.

Dash picked her up, and started down the hill, trying to keep himself from going too fast. Poor thing. If Dash failed here . .. . the alternative was unthinkable.

Failure was NOT an option this time.

Well, Feena's going back to the clan headquarters, but I'm not sure we've seen the last of her. . .