"What's happening to me?" This was of course a rhetorical question as of course Carl knew what was happening to himself. What was happening you may ask? Why that awkward part in any young boy's life. That strange first step into adulthood that we all had to go through. Puberty. And man was puberty having it's way with dear Carl.

"I thought soaking in a bathtub would clear my head but it's not helping at all. Maybe I'll just sit here for a few more minutes." Ignoring the oddity that was the act of talking to himself Carl was currently contemplating spending another hour sitting in a warm bathtub filled with bubbles and little rubber ducks as he tried very hard to figure himself out. It wasn't even really a bath as he was was wearing swim trunks. This was Vigilante think time and bubbles and ducks and swim trunks were part of the process. Naturally.

The changes didn't start immediately but by now they had a hard grasp on the young man's mind. It was mainly caused by something most boys are greatly affected by. The opposite sex and all the mysteries that these terrifying, confusing, wonderful and astonishing creatures held. And Carl knew quite a few of these enigmas known as females. One thing Carl did understand about his female companions was that they were all incredibly attractive. Too attractive. "Why can't I get them out of my head. They're my friends and I shouldn't be thinking about them this way, right? It this what growing up feels like? Just looking at a beautiful girl and suddenly thinking odd thoughts?"

"I don't think you've grown up too much Shorty, meow."

"Well maybe not physically Tao but I mean in a-TAO?!" While Carl was lost in thought it seems Taokaka, who was currently mooching off of him and had no business anywhere near his bathroom, had decided to enter said bathroom unannounced. And was currently invading his personal space and whose face was currently far past comfort levels with his own. "Why are you here in my bathroom?! Get out before I get Ada to throw you out!"

"That's not very nice Shorty! You didn't mind when I came in 5 minutes ago. Tao's staying, meow!" '5 minutes ago? When exactly did Tao let herself in?' It was at this moment that Carl had noticed Tao was currently not wearing her normal Kaka Clan cat suit. She was in her underwear and wearing some kind of modified hood or face wrap. You could only see her eyes and mouth like always but her long blond hair was completely unwrapped and her brown skin was completely exposed. Considering that Tao's underwear was basically a modified sling bikini Carl was certainly not trained on her face. Tao was entirely oblivious.

"Tao please put some clothes on! You're not decent!"

"Shorty was in here foreeeeever! Tao needs a bath too you know, meow!"

"I'll get out when YOU get out! Just leave for a minute!"

"Shorty took too long so Tao's getting in!" With that the cat girl got into a proper pouncing position. Like a lioness stalking it's prey Tao was ready to leap at any moment. Carl couldn't be anymore embarrassed if he tried. "Heeeere I Come!" And pounce.

"Wah!" With a strong manly cry of a prepubescent girl Carl was indeed pounced on by Taokaka. Closing his eyes Carl braced for the inevitable impact. With a splash and some audible quacking from the rubber ducks Tao had entered the bath. Too embarrassed to open his eyes Carl remained partially submerged in the water with only his face protruding. And then...lick.

Carl opened his eyes in surprise as he came face to face with the older vigilante. "Did she just lick me?" As if Tao had somehow heard his thought she proceeded to lick him once again...on the poor boy's mouth. In an instant Carl fully submerged himself into the water. Straining his eyes and pursing his lips Carl sunk into the the water with the full intent of remaining there forever. It was one thing finding the women around him attractive. Noel, Tsubaki, Makoto and Litchi. That was okay as they were sane. Maybe a little eccentric but still sane. Tao is Tao and as far removed from sane as possible. Doesn't matter if she's pretty or a free spirit, insanity is an immediate deal breaker. Nope, better to drown in the water then deal with that headache. Of course Tao had other plans and in one movement grabbed Carl's sides and lifted him out of the water into her loving embrace. "Got ya Shorty! Tao wins!"

"...Yay…" said the poor vigilante in the most monotone voice possible. If Tao noticed his tone she didn't show it as she continued to squeeze Carl in her hug. His face was now squarely pressed against her chest because of course it was. "I hate this cliche so much yet here I am. What's next? Is an accidential kiss on my resume, too?"

"What are you talking about Shorty?"

"...Just shut up and enjoy your bath Tao."

"Okay!" With that Carl and Tao spent the next hour or so making the most of their bath together. Most of it was spent playing with the rubber ducks and blowing bubbles for Tao. Carl spent his time clearing his head and making sure that after they were done to never leave the bathroom door unlocked again. As their private time together came to a close Tao decided to share her thoughts. "This was fun Shorty! Let's do this all the time!"

"I don't think so Tao."

"Come on Shorty! Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with a Super Mega Ultra Turbo Extended Edition Meat Bun on top?!" Just the thought of such a meat bun was leaving Tao's mouth watering. "I really need to get Boobie Lady after this to make me some meat buns, meow." Carl was less than impressed.

"No Tao. How about I buy you a dozen meat buns and we never do this again?"

"Hmmmmm~." The cat pondered for a moment. Carl was pretty sure she was only pretending to really think. Then a moment later Tao had a answer. "Two dozen."

"Deal." With that Carl got up and prepared to drain the water from the tub and forget this incredibly awkward experience. Moving over the cat girl to get to the drain Carl moved one foot forward and with momentum reached for the drain. His other foot decided today it hated Carl, perhaps some incident with a stubbed toe in the past, and immediately lost its footing taking itself and the rest of its owner done with it. Right over the perfectly positioned Kaka cat girl below. "Wah!"

With the return of Carl's manly scream and and a thud Carl once again closed his eyes and braced for impact. And SPLASH!

His landing was surprising damage free, from what he could tell anyway. He wasn't sure about his bath mate but he was fine. "Can only hope Tao is okay after-"

"Mmmmmmm~" '...Was that Tao?' Finally Carl prepared to open his eyes, if only to see why Tao was making that sound. "Actually my mouth feels pretty moist right now. Drool? And there is something soft on my face. Where did I land on Tao-Wait don't tell me?" Carl's thoughts were immediately cut off as he found out exactly where he was. Opening his eyes Carl found out where on Tao his own face was pressed against. Tao's mouth, specifically her lips. And his own lips were sitting rather comfortably over her own.

"Wah!" Thrice Carl's totally masculine scream appeared but now it was accompanied by a blushing, confused and clearly happy Cat girl and an irate Clover. Not just because his first kiss was a literal face plant but mostly because-

"I JINXED IT!"

Author's Note: Wrote this in a few hours. Not much just something I had in my head. Will probably continue with a different bath mate. Maybe Bang or Amane. Really drive it over the top. Until next time. Happy Birthday Carl!

UPDATE 10/17/2015: Retreading a story is FUN! Thank you for the follows, reviews and favorites!