Chapter 1

A small black kitten walked out of the alley it had been huddled in with a pitiful mew and was rewarded with a loud clap of thunder after a series of lightning streaks followed by heavy, cold rain pelting his fur which had briefly shown yellow, black, and red in the soft glow of the street lamps lining the sidewalk. He shook his tiny head. flicking his ears to rid them of waterand he blinked involuntarily each time his nose was hit by an icy droplet.

It didn't take long before his alread clumped fur to become matted to his small, shivering, and aching form, but he paid no mind to that as he began to call out to the pedestrians walking at a brisk pace, or sprinting down the sidewalk, the humans obviously trying to get out of the storm. He hoped one of them would take mercy on him and take him in to a place where he could have shelter from the storm and maybe some food for his aching and empty stomach.

How long had it been since he'd last eaten anything?

Days?

Weeks?

He shook the thoughts from his head, continuing to call out, but alas, all those he cried out to either sneered at him and continued on their way without another glance at him, or just ignored him completely, making his ears and tail droop each time, his hopes getting crushed each time.

A few times, children walked by, raising the kittens hopes once again when a few seemed to want him, only to have the hope short lived once again when their parents strictly told them things like "you don't want a mangy alley cat", "our apartment doesn't allow pets", "I have allergies", or just a simple "NO!"

After an hour of trying and failing, the kitten looked back toward the alley he had come from, seeing a trash can he had noticed before, but had disregarded at the time, but now.. It may provide shelter from the storm, at least a little bit if it wasn't filling with water... and it may have food inside, but maybe it wouldn't.. But still, what choice did he have? A tin trash receptacle wasn't the ideal place to take shelter in a thunderstorm especially one that could be filling with water, but if he could, he would tip it over and drain the water that was inside.. It was the best he had for shelter.

People who talked as they passed by said that the storm was only going to get more violent as the evening wore on and the kitten's ears pressed against his head sadly, his eyes squinting due to the sudden bright flash of lightning and began limping back into the alley, his injured paw burning like fire as he put his weight on it. He heard the glass he had failed to get out of his paw scrape against the pavement beneath him as he walked, the throbbing fire getting worse the more he walked on it, most likely from pushing the glass shards in deeper. He cursed the dog once again who had chased him, intent to kill him, making the feline run for his life and over all manner of things to get away, one of those things a broken alcohol bottle..

The sound of footsteps approaching and gaining speed as they neared him, had the small cat looking up, hope renewed, but it was quickly obliterated as well when he had to half scamper, half limp out of the way to avoid being crushed and as he watched the man who had nearly squished him continue down the sidewalk. His eyes widened when he watched the male look over his shoulder at him, half grinning, half sneering, making the kitten's heart sink as realization set in..

The man WANTED to squish me..

That was enough for him for the last of his hope to die a horrible death as he continued toward the alley, giving up on asking for help. Why bother? No one wanted him, in fact they seemed to want to kill him instead. He recalled the man from just moments ago when those thoughts entered into his mind, trying to ignore the fierce burning in his paw, the growling in his stomach causing it to twist and ache painfully, demanding nourishment, his body hurting from where he'd been kicked by the people he had dared to follow a small way down the sidewalk.

"Will no one help me?" he asked aloud, but to the world it sounded only like a long and sorrow filled mew.

Just as he got to the alley entryway he looked down the sidewalk once again with one last pleading look, not truly expecting to see any signs someone other than a child was interested and even that was unlikely as all the kids that had traveled that way had long returned home, but was surprised to find his own eyes connected instantly with big and beautfiul violet eyes that reminded him of amethysts. Those brilliant eyes were surrounded by soft features and cinnamon colored skin, the soft and slightly rounded face framed by tri-color locks of spiked blond, black, and amethyst tips. He could tell this young man was a teen although he seemed small for his age, but it suited the young man very well, giving off the image of innocence though the violet eyes showed the same innocence, they also told of wisdom.

He watched the teen silently, almost holding his breath as the young man walked closer, their eyes still locked as the teen sttod before him and bent down, slowly holding out his hand with a soft and warm smile on his face. The kitten blinked, looking at the hand and then back into the eyes of the other before he too stepped closer.

Could it be, is this boy going to help me...?

As much as he berated himself for the inner question, he couldn't keep the hope from rising up once again and placed a small, wet and shivering paw in the teen's hand.

"What is your name little guy?"

The kitten tilted his head, still looking up at the other before opening his mouth and forcing out a reply through his throat that was beginning to become sore.

"Atem..."

TBC

Disclaimer: I don't own em'.

Author Note: I can't claim the full story as mine either, this is actually inspired by an RP that me and my onee-chan were doing so its ours. -Smiles.- Even so, I hope that you enjoy.

ED: I know what you're thinking, 'another one?!' right? Well don't worry the others will be updated soon, hopefully by tomorrow night in fact.

Atem: Right just like you said last week?

ED: Hey, I had things going on last week!

Heba: Go easy on her, Ate.

ED: Yeah, go easy on me!

Atem: And if I don't?

ED: I'll erase you!

Heba and Yu-Gi-Oh fans: NO YOU WON'T!

ED: Er.. I think I better run.. When will I stop sticking my foot in my mouth? -Runs away.-

Atem: -Grins before winking at readers.- Please enjoy and review, and don't worry the authoress won't erase me. She loves me too much. Lemons will come later.