❅──────✧❅The Hunter I❅✧──────❅•

The twilight sky hung heavy over Moscow, the faint glow of streetlights flickering like scattered stars against the encroaching darkness. Artemis moved with the quiet precision of a hunter, her small, agile body weaving through the alleys and rooftops with ease. Her fluffy tail swayed behind her, a banner of determination. Her quarry? The ever-sarcastic Ky Luc, lounging in his usual spot as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Ky sat on a low bench in one of the secluded alcoves near the opera house, his arms draped lazily over the backrest. His spiked weapon-turned-ring glimmered faintly on his hand, but his guard was lowered—a perfect target. Or so Artemis thought.

The small feline crouched low, her yellow-striped fur blending into the dim surroundings. Her blue eyes narrowed as she prepared her ambush. Each pawstep was silent, her tail flicking in rhythm with her focus. She was a tiger, a lioness, a force to be reckoned with—if only in her mind.

Then she leapt, paws outstretched, fangs bared, a warrior of the feline kind.

In the blink of an eye, Ky's hand shot up, catching her mid-air with an ease that could only come from centuries of honing his reflexes. He smirked, holding her up at arm's length as she wriggled and hissed indignantly.

"Well, well, look at this. The mighty Artemis strikes again," he drawled, his sharp, red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Tell me, little terror, how many times do I have to remind you that I'm not one of those fat rats you stalk in the alleys?"

Artemis meowed, her voice half-protest, half-challenge, as her claws flailed uselessly in the air.

"Oh no, don't pout," he mocked, spinning her slightly so she hung like a furry pendulum. "You've gotten a bit... plump lately, haven't you? All those fancy meals Lord Urd spoils you with. You're practically a little princess, you know that?"

He reached out with his free hand, poking her fluffy belly. Artemis bared her tiny fangs and growled, wriggling harder, her eyes flashing with indignation.

Ky laughed, the sound rich and unapologetic. "Oh, that's adorable. You think those little teeth scare me? Let me tell you, fluffball, my fangs are bigger than your entire head." He grinned wide, flashing them as if to prove his point.

Artemis hissed and lashed out with her claws, nicking the edge of his sleeve. She wriggled harder, twisting in his grip until her back legs could kick at him.

"Alright, alright, calm down," he said, still laughing. He set her down on the ground, where she immediately fluffed up her fur, puffing her tail like a bottle brush in mock outrage.

But before she could pounce again, he pressed a single finger onto the top of her head, holding her down as she squirmed and growled. "Now, now, behave. You're not nearly as terrifying as you think."

Artemis, in true feline fashion, snapped up the moment his finger lifted, claws extended as she swiped at his hand. Her tiny body radiated defiance, her ears pinned back as she hissed at him.

Ky's smirk widened. "Ah, there's the spirit. It's like you actually understand me. That makes this even more entertaining."

But just as their playful banter reached its peak, Artemis stopped abruptly. Her playful growls faded, her ears perked, and her body sagged slightly as if she'd suddenly grown weak. Ky frowned, leaning closer.

"What's this now? Feigning weakness? I didn't think you'd stoop to such cheap tricks." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "What are you up to—"

A shadow fell over him.

Ky froze. The familiar presence sent a chill down his spine, though he tried not to show it. He looked up slowly, and there was Urd Geales, his tall, commanding figure framed by the faint glow of the opera house lights. His pale blonde hair gleamed like moonlight, and his cold, piercing eyes locked onto Ky with an unreadable expression.

Artemis, still on the ground, looked almost gleeful as she let out a small, triumphant chirp. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as if she knew exactly how uncomfortable Ky was in that moment.

"Lord Urd," Ky said smoothly, standing and bowing with practiced grace. "I didn't realize you were nearby."

Urd said nothing at first. His gaze flicked briefly to Artemis, then back to Ky. The silence stretched, heavy and oppressive.

Artemis, ever the opportunist, sauntered over to Urd and meowed sweetly, brushing against his leg. Urd bent down and scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her in one arm as she purred loudly, her earlier indignation forgotten.

"She's been well entertained, it seems," Urd said, his voice calm but carrying an edge that made Ky straighten reflexively. "You weren't tormenting her too much, were you?"

"Me? Never," Ky said, his tone overly innocent. "She attacked me first. I was merely defending myself."

Urd raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. Artemis, nestled in his arm, turned to look at Ky, her expression smug.

Urd gently stroked her head, and she tilted her chin up, basking in his attention. "It seems she has better taste in companions," he remarked coolly, before turning and walking away, Artemis purring contentedly in his arms.

Ky stood there for a moment, watching them disappear into the shadows. He shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips despite himself. "Spoiled little princess," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Next time, I really will feed you to the street dogs."

But even as he said it, he couldn't help but chuckle. She was a menace, yes—but she was their menace, and life was never boring with her around.

•❅──────✧❅The Hunter II❅✧──────❅•

The night air was cool and quiet as Urd Geales stepped out from his chambers, his pristine coat billowing slightly in the breeze. The recent council meeting had been an exercise in tedium and frustration, as most of them were. The petty squabbles of progenitors, the endless debates over policies already settled, and the underlying tensions of an ageless existence left him drained. Beside him, Ky Luc walked with his usual nonchalance, hands in his pockets, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as though he found some private amusement in the world around him.

Urd's sharp eyes scanned the darkened streets of Moscow as they began their stroll. Artemis, his ever-curious feline companion, hadn't been at her usual spot in his chambers. Normally, she would be lounging in the corner or curled up on his coat by now, but tonight she was absent. A subtle irritation crept into Urd's demeanor, though he kept it buried under his usual composed exterior.

"You're certain she wasn't in the opera house earlier?" Urd asked, his voice calm but edged with mild annoyance.

"Positive, my lord," Ky replied, his smirk deepening as he side-eyed his master. "Maybe she finally decided to run off and join a pack of street dogs. I've been warning you about this day for ages."

Urd shot him a sidelong glance that could have frozen a lesser vampire in place. "And yet she tolerates you, despite your constant insults. Perhaps I should question her judgment."

Ky chuckled, unbothered. "She likes me more than she lets on. It's the charm."

Urd didn't dignify that with a response, though his pace quickened slightly as his senses extended outward, scanning for any trace of his wayward companion. Their route took them through the quieter parts of the city, where humans lived under the watchful eyes of vampires who enforced Urd's strict rules. The sight of the two high-ranking progenitors walking together, unhurried and imposing, caused the few vampires patrolling to bow deeply and the scattered humans to retreat into the shadows.

"Do you think she's causing trouble again?" Ky asked as they turned a corner.

"She's a cat," Urd replied. "She thrives on causing trouble."

Their search eventually brought them to a small, dimly lit square where a few human children were gathered, laughing softly as they tossed small pebbles and sticks for a lively yellow-striped feline. Urd stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixing on the scene with an unreadable expression. Artemis darted and pounced, her movements graceful but tinged with an overconfidence that bordered on comical.

Ky raised an eyebrow, a low chuckle escaping him. "Well, well. She's playing with the food."

"Leave her," Urd said quietly. "She's harmless."

They lingered at the edge of the square, Urd watching in silence as Artemis entertained the children. He had no intention of disturbing her. She rarely showed such openness, even with humans, and he found the sight oddly soothing after his stressful day. But the spell was broken as one of the children spotted the two figures standing under the shadows. The laughter died instantly, replaced by wide-eyed stares of pure terror.

The children froze, their gazes flicking between Urd's imposing presence and Ky's sly grin. Artemis, noticing the abrupt shift in atmosphere, shook herself off as if dismissing the tension. She bounded over to Urd and Ky with an air of practiced nonchalance, her tail high and proud.

"Artemis," Urd said, his voice soft but firm. She purred in response, weaving around his legs before turning her attention to Ky, who crouched down to greet her with a crooked grin.

"Back from your royal duties, I see," Ky said, reaching out to scratch behind her ears. "Enjoying your little subjects, were you?"

Artemis meowed in what sounded like agreement before tilting her head up at Urd, silently begging to be carried. But before Urd could oblige, a small movement in the corner of the square caught her attention. A mouse darted out from the shadows, its tiny form illuminated by the faint glow of a streetlamp. Artemis's eyes widened with predatory delight, and she crouched low, her tail flicking with anticipation.

"Here we go," Ky muttered, standing up to watch the spectacle.

With a sudden burst of energy, Artemis leapt toward the mouse—and missed spectacularly. The rodent scampered away, vanishing into the darkness while Artemis landed unceremoniously on the cobblestones. She sat up quickly, her ears flat and her fur bristling with embarrassment.

Ky burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the square. "Oh, that was pathetic. No wonder the mouse population is booming around here. You're single-handedly letting them thrive."

Artemis growled—or at least attempted to. The sound that emerged from her tiny frame was more of a squeaky rumble, but it carried all the indignation of a much larger predator. She turned on Ky, pouncing on his hand with a ferocity that made him laugh even harder.

"Look at this!" Ky exclaimed, holding her up by the scruff as she swatted at him with her tiny claws. "This is why you'd make such easy prey, little one."

Artemis hissed and flailed, her blue eyes darting to Urd in a silent plea for intervention. But Urd simply stood there, his face unreadable as he observed the scene. The faintest twitch of his lips betrayed a hint of amusement, but he said nothing.

Ky noticed Urd's gaze and, not wanting to push his luck, sighed theatrically. "Fine, fine. Don't look at me like that." He shifted Artemis into a more comfortable position, cradling her gently in his arms. "There you go, your majesty. Safe and sound."

Artemis puffed up her chest as if she'd won a great victory. Her pride was too large for her small body, and yet it only added to her charm. She looked at Urd, her eyes gleaming with the confidence of a queen who knew her place was secure.

Ky glanced at her, then at Urd, shaking his head. "She's spoiled rotten, you know. No wonder she thinks she's royalty."

"She's earned it," Urd replied simply, turning to continue their walk. Artemis settled comfortably in Ky's arms, purring loudly as if to affirm her position.

As they moved through the city, the sight of the two progenitors walking with the tiny, self-assured feline drew a mix of reactions from the humans they passed. For the vampires, it was an ordinary sight—one that spoke of the peculiarities of their king and his enigmatic right-hand man. But for the humans, it was an unforgettable image: a small creature holding sway over the two most powerful beings in the city.

•❅──────✧❅Her Majesty❅✧──────❅•

It was a chilly, overcast evening in Moscow, and Lest Karr had returned for the first time in decades. The air carried the heavy scent of damp stone and frost, a sharp contrast to the warmer elegance of his German territory. Strolling through the city's quiet streets, his sharp eyes took in the subtle changes—the new buildings, the faint traces of human resilience. Everything seemed orderly, a testament to Urd Geales' firm control over the area.

Lest turned a corner into one of the quieter alleys and stopped abruptly. There, in the dim light of a flickering streetlamp, stood Ky Luc, the ever-sardonic Fifth Progenitor. But it wasn't Ky's presence alone that arrested his attention—it was what Ky held in his arms.

A cat.

A small feline, striped with golden fur, was nestled comfortably against Ky's chest. Its tail flicked lazily, and its wide, unblinking eyes seemed to take in Lest's appearance with an unsettling intelligence. Ky, as if sensing Lest's incredulous stare, turned slightly, his usual smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Lest Karr," Ky greeted smoothly, his tone light with amusement. "What brings the great Third Progenitor to Moscow?"

Lest didn't reply immediately. His gaze shifted from Ky's face to the feline in his arms, then back again. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.

"Explain," Lest demanded, his tone sharp as a blade. "What...is that?"

Ky's smirk widened. "This?" he said, feigning nonchalance as he adjusted the cat in his arms. "Oh, this is 'Her Majesty.' She wouldn't stop pestering me, so I'm doing the noble thing and carrying her."

Lest's expression twisted into one of pure disbelief, as though Ky had just declared that the moon was made of cheese. "Her Majesty?" he echoed, his voice dripping with incredulity. "You mean to tell me you're carrying around a cat?"

Ky shrugged, a casual motion that somehow conveyed both mockery and defiance. "Well, what can I say? She's persistent."

Lest blinked, his face utterly blank. For a moment, there was only the sound of the cat's faint purring. "Why," he finally asked, his tone laced with growing irritation, "are you not simply getting rid of it?"

At this, Artemis, as if sensing the tension, remained unusually still in Ky's arms. Her sharp gaze flickered between the two vampires, her normally mischievous demeanor subdued. Ky, however, was clearly relishing the absurdity of the situation.

"I could never," Ky said mock-seriously. "You wouldn't believe how furious Lord Urd would be."

Lest froze, his crimson eyes narrowing dangerously. "Are you implying," he said slowly, his voice edged with disbelief, "that this...is Lord Urd's cat?"

Ky's smirk deepened into a grin. "Oh, she's more than just his cat," he said, his tone positively dripping with mischief. "She's his spoiled little princess. Isn't that right, Artemis?"

The cat gave a soft "meow" in response, breaking her silence, and Lest stared at her as though the creature had just grown wings and spoken fluent Greek. He looked back at Ky, his expression now a strange mix of horror and incredulity.

"You're serious?" Lest asked flatly.

"Deadly serious," Ky replied with mock gravity. "Lord Urd dotes on her like she's royalty. He even lets her sit on his lap during the opera."

For a long moment, Lest simply stood there, processing this baffling revelation. He opened his mouth to speak, closed it, then opened it again, words failing him entirely.

"This..." he finally managed, gesturing vaguely at Artemis. "This is absurd. A cat? Royalty? Have you all gone mad in Moscow?"

Ky shrugged again, the picture of relaxed indifference. "You'd have to take that up with Lord Urd," he said, his grin now openly mocking. "Though I wouldn't recommend it. He's very attached to her."

Lest's gaze shifted to Artemis, who stared back at him with wide, unblinking eyes. For the first time in centuries, the Third Progenitor was at a loss for words.

"I can't believe this," he muttered to himself. "A cat..."

As Lest turned to leave, shaking his head in stunned silence, Ky glanced down at Artemis, who looked up at him with a smug expression that seemed almost human. He chuckled softly.

"See, Your Majesty?" he murmured, scratching behind her ears. "You even managed to silence Lest Karr. Truly, you are a force to be reckoned with."

The cat let out another soft purr, and Ky smirked as he carried her back toward the city center, his mood lighter than it had been in years.

-END-

A/N: I'm back with a new chapter for this little story! :3The latest OnS chapter featuring Ky and Urd sparked my inspiration, so here we are with more fluffy chaos! :D