In a world where nekos exist, part human part cat creatures made as pets, Akashi hated humans. He lived on the streets and took care of himself, avoiding humans the best he could.

It wasn't an easy life, he was often chased by humans who wanted to imprison him and food was hard to come by, but it was so much more satisfying than being collared.

He was content being by himself and he was never actually lonely. Sure, time to time he wished for a companion but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make to survive.

Then one day that changed.

It was an ordinary day and he was strolling the dirty streets of the city, the streets rich people turned their nosess to, when he caught sight of a shaking figure in a corner.

One closer inspection, Akashi ascertained it was a injured neko, dirt covering powder blue hair and marring milky soft pale skin. There was a rather nasty cut on one of his cat ears and his tail was in tatters. His tiny blue paws were all scratched up as well and he only wore light clothes all cut up and had holes.

Clicking his tongue Akashi gently and carefully picked up the light neko into his arms and began carrying him to his home, an abandoned warehouse in the outskirts of the city, where he would dress his wounds.

One neko, one named Kuroko Tetsuya, hadn't always lived a hard life. He had originally lived in a loving and caring home, his family of humans who took care of him and watched over him, and never treated him as a pet really. They treated him as if he were a family member. But those were his childhood days.

He grew up soon enough, and after a dreadful accident, he was left with a man who was related to the family, but lived far off so he didn't get hurt. That's where his life went down hill. Soon enough, he found himself with new cuts or bruises every day, ones that he did not know how to tend to. And his new owner never treated him either.

It had been like that for a while now, but soon, he had been abandoned. Kuroko didn't know whether to be happy that he wouldn't be abused no more, or if he should be scared, since he never lived alone before. Not knowing where to go, he just sat in an alleyway.

He curled up as best as he could, trying to keep his body warm but it wasn't easy with his horrible shredded clothing. It wasn't too hard to go to sleep, even if he was edgy. He didn't even feel another being pick him up in his slumber.

Akashi sighed as he kicked open the door and entered his home which honestly was nothing like a home should be. It was a huge expanse of cement walls and flooring with very little inside.

On a corner was a huge basin for drinking water that he refilled twice a week from a nearby creek. In another was a piles of blankets he nicked from clothing lines and in the other corner were various things he had stolen.

Luckily he had a first aid kit which he fetched after gently lying the little neko on his pile of blankets. He also grabbed a rag and wet it thoroughly before bringing everything to the neko.

He first washed the neko off with the rag, getting off all the dirt and dried blood off of him, revealing a battered starved body. Shaking his head in disapproval, a mark of humans no doubt, Akashi began patching him up with bandages.

No doubt the neko would most likely stay with him for a little while as he was too injured to face the streets by himself. One look at him and the large stray nekos would certainly eat him alive.

Still, that would mean that he needed more food and supplies...

Akashi put away his stuff and carried over the last bit of food he had stored, a box of crackers already half empty, and left it by the neko before he left to gather, steal, more food and perhaps more blankets.

Kuroko had been quiet the whole time in his sleep, just innocently curled around himself and never shifted in the redheads arms. Though he did snuggled into the pile of blankets once he was set down, liking the new warmth it provided.

He only flinched slightly while he was getting treated, but he didn't wake up yet. His body was tired, along with his mind, so he wouldn't expect himself to wake up soon in such a state. Though sooner or later he had to wake up.

Lightly opening his blue eyes, Kuroko scanned the area. This wasn't the ally, but someone's home? No, it looked run down and old, abandoned. Next he looked down, seeing what he was laying on. He only saw pieces of clothing, and it reminded him of his own torn up clothes. Then he saw the box of crackers.

He wasn't sure if they were someone else's, but they were set by him, and he was hungry. Just in case they were someone's else's, he only took one or two, nibbling on them slowly to savor the food. He wasn't much of an eater anyway

Akashi hummed, his red busy tail swaying and curling lightly, as his heterochromatic eyes scanned the stores that had fruit displays set outside. He pondered why humans left them out and didn't expect things to be stolen. Honestly, they were asking for it.

Still, as easy as fruit was to steal, he needed food that could be stored and saved for many days. Which meant he would have to actually enter a store to steal.

A plastic bag he had found flying in the wind crinkled noisily in his hand as he snuck into a grocery store and he wasted no time stealing anything he could get his paws on.

Nekos were small thanks to their cats gene, so nobody really noticed him luckily, not until his bag was full and ready to burst. The shop owner yelled angrily but Akashi was already running out, too quick for anyone to catch him.

With a satisfied smirk, the food should last him a week at least, Akashi sauntered back home, idly wondering if the little neko had woken up.

Soon enough, Kuroko didn't know what to do after it seemed like hours of laying down on the pile of clothes. He had eaten a cracker or two, and he had rested. He guessed he should check the place out. After all, the owner of the house might still be here.

Standing up, finding his legs were a bit wobbly, he ignored it. There was a little limp in his step, and he looked at his paws. He finally realized they were somewhat treated. He looked everywhere else on him, and noticed he was cleaned and bandaged. Did some human come find him and clean him up?

Deciding he would wait for whoever had saved him, Kuroko continued his own self tour. He stayed inside though. He made his way to this little basin, and saw only a little water inside. He leaned in as much as he could, without spilling the water, and began to patiently get a drink of water. His ragged tail, now bandaged, swaying back and forth, twitching at every sound that occurred.

Akashi kicked open the door, gritting his teeth at the heavy bag which was awkward to hold with paws, before he dropped it on the ground and wiped his brow.

He stretched his shoulder muscles thoroughly and then patted down his clothing, also stolen, from a rich person no less, before he peered around, tilting his head at the empty makeshift bed.

He turned and noticed the little neko by the basin and he quirked an eyebrow as he scanned the neko, nodding in approval when he seemed to be alright for the most part.

"My apologies for my meager lodgings." Akashi said. "My name is Akashi Seijuro."

Kuroko almost choked on the water, hearing the door slam open. He jumped away from the water, beside the basin, low to the ground. He was startled, so the little fur he had on his ears, tail, and paws were raised on end.

He eyed the stranger, wondering if they were bad or good. It was another neko, like him, but some of them were bad, he knew. He looked down a bit once Akashi started looking at him. He didn't answer, not speaking or even making a sound.

"Now now, I'm a friend. Of sorts." Akashi tilted his head in thought before shrugging. "At the very least I saved you from dying in the cold. I'm not like humans."

Akashi took the bag and began organizing the contents in the corner without looking at the neko. He saw the wariness in blue eyes and he didn't quite know what to do. He had seen the effects of human abuse, there was no doubt this neko had gone through it, but he had never had to actually deal with it.

He supposed it didn't matter much, he wasn't a good person, he only did enough to help his conscience. He had helped the poor thing and he would continue to until he thought he could take care of himself then out he goes.

He walked over to the basin, careful to avoid the neko in case he lashed out in fear, and peered inside, clicking his tongue when he saw the little amount in it. He would have to fill it which was an arduous task but he was to take in the neko, he would need more.

"I have to leave once more to fill this. Stay here or come with me, the choice is yours little one." Akashi said as he took two big buckets in his paws and made his way to the door.

Kuroko still didn't know whether to trust him, but it did make sense. He guessed it was possible that this neko saved him, rather then a human, but he didn't need to be rude about them. Not all humans were cruel.

He shaked a little bit when Akashi came over. For a second, he thought the neko had read his mind. When Akashi looked at the basin, be hoped he wasn't in trouble for drinking any. He was glad to hear he just needed to refill it.

Kuroko wasn't exactly sure if his body was up to a walk, possibly a long or short one, but he would get a chance to see where he was. After a moment, he slowly followed Akashi towards the door.

Akashi noticed the neko following him and made sure to walk slowly as they walked away from the city and into a field. On another day, when the neko was up for it, he would show him around the city and tell him the places to avoid. For now he would show him where to get a permanent supply of water which was vital for survival.

It was a bit of a long trek but Akashi took his time, pausing whenever he thought the neko needed a break. The little one didn't speak at all but Akashi didn't mind. He would rather a quiet neko over a hyperactive one.

By midday they arrived at a running creek and Akashi filled the buckets to the brim while beckoning to the neko to drink his fill. He himself lapped up some water to wet his dry throat.

"You can always get water here." Akashi said to the neko. "Humans rarely come here except some kids who shouldn't do any harm to you although I do warn you to be wary still."

Kuroko still had that limp in his step, but he ignored it again. It would heal soon, now that everything was treated. He could only imagine what could happen if he stayed behind in that alleyway.

He didn't take breaks for too long, maybe a good few minutes or so, before getting back up. He didn't want to sit or lay down, and not be able to get back up because he was tired again or exhausted.

So he was very happy to see a clear and clean creek up ahead, that looked beautiful. He sat by the water, watching Akashi fill the basins, until he was called over. Getting what Akashi meant, he walked over and got his small drink. His ears twitched, showing he was listening to Akashi.

"We should get back so you can rest." Akashi said as he hefted the two heavy baskets with his paws. They were heavy but it was something he was used to. In fact it was one of the reasons he was so strong since it helped him build muscle.

Kuroko finished getting a drink, looking up at Akashi once he lifted up the heavy baskets. That must have been tough to carry. "...Do you want help carrying those?" He asked, speaking for the first time since he met Akashi. He wasn't surprised that his voice was more quiet then usual.

Akashi blinked in slight surprise at the soft whispery voice before he registered the words and he shook his head.

"I thank you for the offer but it would only hurt you with your injuries." Akashi said. "Would you mind telling me your name or will i be left calling you 'little one' for the entirety of your stay?"

Kuroko would have frowned noticing that Akashi wouldn't let him help, but refrained from doing so. He looked down at his paws, seeing them fixed up, but the fur was still mangled or missing. He looked back up at Akashi, tilting his head. ".. Kuroko Tetsuya, and stay? I can't stay here.."

"Kuroko Tetsuya." Akashi repeated experimentally, finding that he liked the name. He motioned for Kuroko to follow him as he began to trek back to his home. "I don't really see why not, Tetsuya. You don't strike me as one accustomed to living on the streets. You suppose you can go back to the human who gave you those wounds but you almost looked close to death when I found you so I don't recommend that. So where else do you have to go? I am willing to teach you everything you need to know to survive while you heal."

As if on command, Kuroko followed the redhead, tail lightly swaying behind him. At the mention of his wounds, he looked at his paws again. He knew some humans were bad and abusive, but not all of them... He was sure of it. Though he didn't like the idea of nearly dying. His ears dropped at the statement. "Not all Humans are bad... It was only just that one.."

"...Naive little one aren't you?" Akashi said with a quirked eyebrow. He knew some neko's were foolish but honestly, Kuroko had been beaten so brutally, he would have thought it would have knocked some since into the little neko. "Well, believe what you want but right now, correct me if I'm wrong, you have nowhere else to go."

He growled a bit under his breath, hearing that the other called him naive. He wasn't naive, he just still believed that not all humans were cruel. But, it was true he had no where to go. "..You are not wrong. I have no owner anymore, so I have no where to go."

"So, I'm offering for you to stay at my home until you can survive on your own." Akashi said. "I mean, I suppose you can try on your own but the other nekos will tear you apart. That's if you don't starve or freeze to death."

"Alright I get it." He quietly hissed out, folding his arms as he walked. His tail was now swishing irritatingly, his ears pulled back, even if it hurt just slightly to do so. "If you are so set on keeping me at that abandoned place, then fine."

"Not technically abandoned if we live there." Akashi pointed out smugly as they arrived and entered his home. He immediately went to the large basin and poured the buckets of water into it. The basin wasn't completely full but Akashi didn't feel like making another trip.

Kuroko gave a dead panned look, before following him inside. While Akashi filled the basin, he headed towards the blankets again. He was planning to lay down, but he realized that Akashi probably wouldn't have anywhere to rest. So he just stood there and watched Akashi.

Akashi noticed and he frowned as he stared at the pile. Right...

"You go ahead and rest, I'll go steal some more blankets." Akashi said, a bit irritable that he hadn't during the first trip he made. Well, it was a somewhat decent day so there ought to be some blankets hanging to be dried.

Kuroko blinked, not familiar with someone out right saying that they were going out to steal something. He walked, limped, over to Akashi and he stared up at him. "You don't have to, I can lay on the floor or something. You don't have to go out and steal."

"Stealing is a huge part of surviving on the streets. Lesson number one." Akashi said as he stretched his shoulders which were sore from carrying the buckets. Maybe he should steal some more food while he was at it.

He didn't like that rule. Not at all. He never liked stealing, but... this was for survival, so maybe he could just see how it's done? "..Can I come with?" He didn't want to be alone in this abandoned building.

Akashi paused as he scanned Kuroko head to toe. He was injured and would undoubtedly get in his way but at the same time the little one needed to learn eventually.

"I suppose you can but you must hide while I do it." Akashi said finally. It would be hard and he would have to be more careful but it was doable.

Kuroko nodded, showing he understood. Hiding shouldn't be so hard, for someone like him. "Do we go now?" He asked, looking back at the pile of clothes for blankets.

"Yes. I do warn you, it's not the only thing I will be stealing. I need to steal more food as well." Akashi warned as they left his home and began walking into the city.

He nodded once again, walking beside him with his paws behind his back. "Why don't I get the clothes and you get the food? Just show me where the clothes are, I need to learn anyway." He suggested, staring at the redhead.

"It's not a bad idea, however, I am worried about your wounds hindering you." Akashi stated thoughtfully, looking Kuroko over as he considered it. It would save time but it would be useless if Kuroko got caught.

Kuroko just continued staring at him, before looking forward. "I can take care of myself, and I won't get caught. I promise. I won't let my wounds get in the way." He stated, as he was sure he could do it without hurting himself further.

"Your choice Tetsuya." Akashi said with a shrug, not having enough energy to argue. If Kuroko got taken then it wasn't his fault, he tried to reason with him. "Come along then."

Akashi led Kuroko to the deeper part of the city, taking care to be far away from his home, walking down quiet streets. They arrived on the richer part of the city, sneaking as best as they could so not to be seen before Akashi pointed at the clotheslines that held clean clothes.

"Just take them. Not much more to it. Take as much as you can and then run if they see you." Akashi said boredly as he leaned against the alleyway entrance where they hid. He would watch Kuroko to make sure he got it right before going on his own way to get food.

Kuroko happily followed him, glad that Akashi agreed to let him help. Though he still wasn't a big fan of stealing, but as Akashi said, this was for survival. If he was to live on the streets, this must be done.

He looked around, trying to remember the places they walked by or to. He was going to be here a while, so he should check out the place, just in case. Looking where Akashi pointed, he nodded. "I'll go now."

Kuroko looked around, making sure no one was really around. Once that was taken care of, he quietly walked out, heading towards the clothesline.

Akashi idly watched Kuroko as he approached a clothesline that was full of clothes with no one in sight. At least for now but humans had a nasty habit of appearing at the worst times.

Still, Akashi decided to stick around for a little longer just to make sure he was going to be okay. Honestly, he went through all the trouble of helping him, and mind you, medical supplies were not easy to get, and he would be upset to lose the neko not even a day later.

Kuroko looked around once again, once he reached the clothesline. He didn't seem nervous at all, really. He just started quickly taking the clothes off the line, all random going from shirts to pants to just sheets.

He was being quick, while watching his surroundings carefully. He couldn't tell if Akashi was still in the hidden alleyway or not.

Well at least he could get the clothes off the hanger. That was good. However, Akashi wondered if Kuroko spotted the maid coming his she had a curiously panicked look on her face instead of an angered one that was usually shown when seeing a neko stealing.

"Oi, littly kitty you have company!" Akashi called only loud enough for Kuroko's cat ears to pick up.

Kuroko spotted the maid, then heard Akashi. His ears twitched a bit at the yelling, but he soon gathered the clothes and sheets he stole into his arms. After that, he took off, headings towards Akashi. He didn't know whether it was reckless or not to lead the maid to Akashi, but he didn't know where else to go.

Besides, he should be okay. Not many people see him anyway.

"You brat." Akashi growled when he saw Kuroko running towards him before he peered over to the maid who was yelling something.

"A ghost is stealing the clothes!" The maid yelled and Akashi tilted his head in complete confusion. Ghost? Has the poor woman lost her mind?

Kuroko slowed to a stop, once he was inside the alleyway. He looked at Akashi, before holding out the clothes and such he got, showing everything he retrieved. "Will this be good enough?" He asked,tilting his head slightly.

Akashi didn't answer and just stared at Kuroko once more with his arms crossed against his chest. At first, just like before, he didn't notice anything off about the neko but then he realized something.

"You have no presence." Akashi said bluntly with a frown as his nose twitched, his tail slowly beginning to sway side to side.

He looked at Akashi confused, wondering why he looked irritated or mad. Didn't he do good? The maid didn't follow him, and he had gotten a lot of clothes, so what was wrong?

Oh, his lack of presence. He hasn't been bothered by that in a long time, as he was used to his family seeing him so much. "Yes, I do not. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't think it was important."

"Fascinating." Akashi said with a blink. "Looks like you'll do better than most then."

He would be able to steal and sneak about more without being noticed which honestly could be the difference between life and death sometimes. He would have an easier time getting food and supplies as well. Yes, once he knew the basics he would do very well for himself which was good because he was kind of scrawny.

"Well, that should be enough for the two of us. I'm going to go steal food now, you can go on home or you can come with." Akashi said as he began stalking off, eyeing a passing neko who eyed him back. The neko looked about ready to start a fight but obviously changed its mind and walked off in a different direction.

"That's good then.." Kuroko said, before making the clothes into a little ball, so he could carry it easier. He shook his head, holding the ball close. "I'll come with, I need to see where you can get food from."

He followed Akashi, instantly seeing that other neko, who obviously didn't see him. He looked like he wanted to fight, but walked off instead. Would other nekos be like that towards him, even if he was doing nothing but walking by?

They walked over to an area full of different shops and bustling people with nekos running about. Akashi pointed out different stores, telling Kuroko which store sold what and what stores to steal from. He pointed out which stores not to steal from because if caught, the punishment wouldn't be worth it.

"That stores is the best." Akashi pointed out as he pointed at a grocery store. "If you're caught the most that will happen to you is you get a beating."

Kuroko listened closely, remembering which store would be bad or good to steal from. Though hearing about the punishment of beating, his ears dropped. He still didn't like being beaten, and he still remembered it. But all humans weren't cruel, right?

"Alright, I will wait here. Please be careful."

"...Tetsuya, whatever you see, do not interfere. You will be of no help." Akashi said slowly and seriously. If he should be caught, as unlikely as that was, he would not risk the neko getting into trouble as well. If he got caught then he deserved whatever he got.

"..I understand." He said, shifting a little on his feet. Akashi was his only source of survival at the moment, even if he was slowly learning how to survive by himself. But he would surely need more time to get used to this life.

"Good." Akashi said before he darted out from their hiding spot, keeping low to the ground, his ears perked up and listening while he kept his eyes open to everyone he passed. He neared the store and paused, his tail twitching as he scanned the inside.

The store owner was behind the counter and he periodically looked around, probably wary from earlier when Akashi had stolen. Honestly, stealing a second time the same day wasn't very smart but Akashi needed the food. It had been a while since he had visited them, they were probably hungry.

So, with one last look around the store, memorizing where everyone was, Akashi darted and began grabbing whatever he could, trying to grab whatever looked like it had a lot inside. Crackers, chips, cans and whatnot. Whatever he could carry in his arms since he had foolishly forgotten a bag.

The store owner spotted him almost right away and Akashi just barely managed to avoid a kick in the side. The redhead smirked before he darted away outside, trying to mix with the crowd.

Kuroko stayed back, making sure to watch Akashi from the safe distance of the alleyway. He really hoped nothing bad happened to Akashi, as he knew that stealing was still dangerous.

He would have jumped into action if Akashi had actually gotten kicked, but he remembered that Akashi said not to interfere, plus he didn't get hit. He was glad that Akashi escaped, and tried to mix with the crowd. Smart but also a bit hard. He hoped he didn't drop anything.

The store owner was being particularly persistent, probably angry at being stolen of from the same neko twice in a row. Still, he needed to get the food safe and if this continued, he would eventually drop it.

So, Akashi did his best to mix in with the feet of all the people, tripping a few and occassionally getting kicked harshly by accident. The worst of it was when someone actually stepped on his tail and it was everything he could do to not yowl.

Soon enough he managed to lose the shop owner though and he gingerly returned to where Kuroko was hiding. He placed the food on the ground and looked at his tail which now had a dirty footprint on it. Screw the bruises he got from being kicked, his tail was filthy!

"Damn humans. Never watch where they're going." Akashi grumbled as he tried to wipe the dirt off his beautiful bushy tail.

Kuroko soon couldn't see Akashi any more within the crowd. He only watched worriedly. He didn't think Akashi got caught, since the store owner had went back to his store. Though he still didn't see Akashi-

Nope, here he comes. Kuroko's ears perked, seeing him still carry the food and seem okay, for the most part. He looked at the food, before at Akashi. His tail? What was wrong with it? "Oh,it got stepped on? Are you okay?" He asked.

"Certainly not alright. It's dirty." Akashi said bluntly before sighing and shaking his head. "You should always keep your ears and your tail clean. They mark you as a neko and you should take pride in that."

Akashi let go of his tail before picking up the food, hiding a wince as he moved a bruise he had gotten, and began to walk away, assuming Kuroko would follow him.

He gave a bit of a dead panned look, seeing how Akashi was upset that his tail was dirty. He looked at his own tail, and saw that it was still in tatters. How could he take pride in something that barley had it's fur on it?

Though he said nothing, following Akashi, still carrying the clothes and such.

From the corner of his eye he had seen the look Kuroko had given his tail and shook his head. The little one would learn. His tail would grow out and he would become stronger but after that happens it would be up to him if he was going to take pride in being a neko or let the humans beat him.

"I have a place I wish to visit. It had nothing to do with you or surviving so you can go home if you wish or come with me." Akashi said, uncaring of which choice Kuroko chose.

Looking up as he heard Akashi speak, Kuroko tilted his head. He didn't even remember how to get home, so that was out of the question. Plus, he was curious. "I'll go with you. After all, I still haven't learned how to go home yet."

"Alright but what I wish for you to keep the place I'm going to show you a secret. I want your word." Akashi said as he turned around and looked at Kuroko with an unwavering serious look.

Kuroko blinked as he watched Akashi turn around. "..Okay, I give my word. I will keep it secret." He didn't see what's so special about the place, but he was kind to keep it secret as Akashi asked.

"Alright then." Akashi said as he turned back around on his heel and walked through the city expertly, knowing the entirety of it like the back of his paw. They walked to the slums of the city where most homeless nekos dwell, their big sad eyes staring at Akashi and the food he held but the redhead paid them no heed as he continued onward.

Kuroko followed once again, noticing that Akashi probably memorized this whole city seeing how he knew good places to steal from and knew where to go. Though once they got to the slums, he was shocked to see so many homeless and starved Nekos. They looked helpless. And yet Akashi didn't help them.

"Is something the matter, Tetsuya?" Akashi asked when he saw an odd look cross on the neko's face. He could probably guess what it was but he wished for Kuroko to say it out loud.

He continued following Akashi, but still looked at the homeless nekos. "Why is there so many that look like they don't have a home?" He asked, looking back up at Akashi.

"Humans like nekos for a time but they often grow bored and kick them out." Akashi answered, his ears going back and hissing softly when a neko ambled toward him. The neko immediately backed off.

He gave the best apologetic look he could to the poor neko, before continuing on. "My old home didn't seem to get bored with me.." He had been with them for years, and they never seemed to get bored.

"Some humans have longer attention spans than others." Akashi said as he ducked around a building and began to look around, trying to keep out of view from humans and nekos alike.

"My people had long attention spans then. They were very kind and never treated me as a pet." Kuroko explained, following Akashi carefully.

"Then why are you here? On the streets, wounded, and looking half starved?" Akashi asked with a small huff as he turned to face Kuroko. Honestly, having silly ideals of kind humans would only hinder him at this point.

"Because that family had died a while ago." Kuroko said in a monotone voice. It didn't waver or anything with emotion. It was an empty statement. "And the new man that took me in was the one who did this to me."

"My condolences." Akashi said but it was also an empty statement for he would never regret a humans death, his hatred for them too strong. However, he could understand the feeling of losing a family which is why he expressed his regret for Kuroko at all. "However, do not think you will find humans like that here, little one. It will get you killed or worse."

What could be worse then getting killed? He was surprised that he had actually asked this question out loud. Shaking his head, Kuroko added on. "You don't need to answer that.. just how far is this place?"

Akashi was going to answer Kuroko's question, the answer on the tip of his tongue but he held it. He didn't think Kuroko was ready for the answer quite yet. Instead he continued walking without answering either of Kuroko's questions.

He led the small neko to another building, once more taking a cursory look around to make sure they weren't watched, and he went over to a large box pressed against the wall.

He pushed the box to the side revealing a small hole through the cement, a hole only large enough for a neko to get into. Without an explanation, AKashi went through it, leaving it up to Kuroko to follow or not.

Kuroko tilted his head, noticing that Akashi didn't answer any of his questions. He guessed they were close. Though once he saw Akashi look around again, before continuing to a few boxes, he knew he was right.

Eyeing the boxes, he wasn't expecting a hole to be hidden behind them. He stared at it, seeing Akashi go through first. Kuroko hesitated, before setting the clothes down, and crawled through. He soon turned back, bringing the clothes with him.

Akashi waited for Kuroko to slip through before he went over and moved the box outside to cover the wall the best he could before turning to the room they were in where several tiny nekos were scattered about. As soon as they spotted Akashi and the armful of food he held they all ran to him with wide excited eyes.

"Here, remember to share." Akashi said as he placed the food on the ground and stepped back, watching with soft eyes as they began to eat hungrily.

Kuroko waited for Akashi, letting him go first. He stood up as soon as he could, setting down the clothes. Though he didn't expect to see a whole bunch of little nekos to be in this room. He stared at them a bit wide eyed, as they ran to Akashi, and we're soon eating the food.

He never knew Akashi took in stray nekos. "You take care of them?" He asked quietly.

"Whenever I can. They have other nekos who regularly take care of them I just come whenever I feel like it. Make sure they aren't dead or anything." Akashi replied his tail twitching and swaying when he saw a neko staring at it wide eyed.

The neko crouched and darted forward. Akashi allowed the neko to play with his tail, messing up the fur, only growling warningly when it tried to bite it.

"..Even so, I never thought that you would do something like this, to be honest." Kuroko admitted, wAtching the neko play with Akashi's tail. It was cute, and it even got him to smile slightly. These nekos were somewhat young, it's a shame they live homeless lives.

"It's just something to pass the time, Tetsuya. Do not get the wrong ideas." Akashi said as he winced when the young neko tore out a patch of fur from his fur. "Oi, do you want me to tear your fur?"

The little neko yelped and looked at him fearfully while shaking its little head. Akashi sighed and patted its head reassuringly, letting the neko go back to playing with his tail.

Kuroko just watched the little neko, not replying. Though he still smiled, even when it tore a bit of Akashi's fur. "Make sure to keep your tail clean and looking good, right?" He asked a bit teasingly, looking innocently at Akashi.

He wondered what it would be like to be a young neko again.

"..." Akashi chose not to reply but he did pick up the neko and dump it into Kuroko's arms. "Oi, listen up you little runts. This is Tetsuya Kuroko."

It took the nekos a little while to see Kuroko, squeaking in surprise when they did, before the tentatively creeped toward the newcomer, curiosity in their eyes.

His eyes widened a bit when the neko was suddenly in his arms. It seemed the neko was surprised as well. He looked at Akashi, before the nekos. He didn't like the attention, but he dealt with it.

Kuroko stayed still as the approached, and kept a good hold on the neko in his arms, making sure not to drop it.

"Be gentle with him, he's hurt." Akashi said as he sat down crosslegged, allowing a neko to crawl onto his lap. He licked its ears clean like a mother would to her baby, while eyeing the nekos who crowded around Kuroko, making sure they didn't get too rowdy like they were apt to do.

Kuroko nodded, looking down at the little neko, as if trying to find out where he was hurt. Soon his legs got tired, and he slowly and carefully sat down, keeping the small neko in his lap and arms. He didn't mind the other nekos that we becoming interested in him.

"Mama Aka!" The neko in Akashi's arms said as it curled into his arms, slowly falling asleep as Akashi continued to bathe him as only a cat would. Akashi paused, tilted his head, before beginning to rock the neko in his arms.

"This is why I hate humans." Akashi murmured. "What they do to nekos in general are bad enough but how can they be so heartless to abandon babies?"

Kuroko looked over at the little neko, surprised by the name it called Akashi. It was quite cute actually. Looking back at the neko in his arms, he gently and slowly combed his hair with his fingers, lightly petting his ears in case it hurt the other by mistake.

His ears pulled back when he heard Akashi speak of humans so lowly again. Not all of them were the same. "Not every human will abandon children like these.." He tried to defend.

"No perhaps not but I cannot believe in the 'goodness in humans' any longer." Akashi said as his eyes glazed in memory before he shook himself out of it. "Your a stray now. You need to start acting like it soon."

Akashi stood up and carried the little sleeping neko to the huge pile of clothes in the corner, carefully tucking him in before patting himself off.

"We should leave." Akashi said as he walked back over.

His ears pulled back further, hearing Akashi call him a stray, and told him he should also ACT like one. He wasn't always a stray, so we're they supposed to act like this? Nodding, he slowly let the neko on his lap get off, before standing.

His tail swayed a bit, as he crossed his arms. "Alright, and we are going home after this, right?"

"Yes." Akashi said shortly before he bid farewell to the nekos who seemed to pout at his departure. With a small look at all of them, Akashi turned to the hole, unblocked it and easily crawled out.

He looked around to make sure nobody was around before beckoning to Kuroko for the ball of clothing so the other could crawl out without having to worry about it.

Kuroko let Akashi crawl through first, waving goodbyes to the little nekos. Then he gave him the little ball , so that he could crawl through. As soon as he stood up, he stretched, though stopped when it brought pain to his back.

As soon as Kuroko was through, Akashi hid the hole carefully, his eyes scanning the area thoroughly. He saw Kuroko wince, probably in pain, and hummed thoughtfully.

"I might have some pain meds at home." Akashi said. He didn't have a lot, they were really hard to steal, but Kuroko was probably sore for doing so much while he was injured.

Kuroko blink slightly at the offer, before shaking his head. "You have done enough for me already, don't waste your medical supplies on me."

"If you're sure." Akashi said before they made their way home. They passed by the slums and market place before they finally arrived home. Akashi himself felt drained of energy and he had no idea how Kuroko felt. He placed the clothes into a comfortable pile beside his own.

Kuroko was glad that Akashi didn't push him, and followed him quietly. He tried ignoring the poor nekos in the slums, though it was hard. Once they got home, he sighed lightly, happy to be home.

"So, make yourself at home. As I said you can stay here for as long as you need to. It isn't much but it's my home." Akashi said as he sat down on the blankets and began to clean his tail thoroughly. It still had that damn footprint on his tail and now a missing patch of fur to boot.

Kuroko usually would have denied his offer, but he was really tired. From his wounds to stealing and the walk to those small nekos, he was pretty tired. Nodding, he headed towards the blankets, instantly laying down carefully. He curled his tail around himself, snuggling his head into the blankets. He watched Akashi from where he laid.

Seeing Kuroko lie down beside him, he checked over the neko carefully, making sure his bandages were still wrapped around his wounds tightly and nothing bled through. He gently took Kuroko's tail inspecting it with narrowed eyes before nodding.

"Everything will heal well." Akashi said. "Tomorrow I'll change the bandages."

He was a bit surprised when Akashi took hold of his tail, but didn't bother stopping him. He just hoped he wouldn't hurt him further. Kuroko watched him carefully, tilting his head slightly. "I thank you for helping me, really, but again, please don't waste your medical supplies on me. I am guessing you have to steal them, and they aren't easy to get."

"...Let's make a deal. For the duration of your stay, you will help me steal since you have your lack of presence. In exchange, I help you heal by supplying medical supplies...Which you can help me restock anyway." Akashi squinted at Kuroko as he thought of all the possibilities. "Perhaps even get some for the kittens..." He murmured, not realizing he said it out loud.

Kuroko tilted his head, weighing his options. There really wasn't any reason to decline anymore, as he had no where else to go, and he needed to learn to live in the streets anyway. "I accept your offer." He said, before slightly smiling. "Akashi-kun does care for the kittens." He decided to test out the new name, to see if Akashi would like it or not.

"Whatever you say Tetsuya. It's all just a whim to me." Akashi said as he went back to grooming his tail thoroughly. If he stroked his fur a certain way, it covered the bald spot, which satisfied him. Once his tail was completely groomed he licked his paws and began cleaning his ears.

Kuroko forced himself not to roll his eyes, before he laid his head on his paws. He wanted to do the same, to clean his paws and ears and such, but they were either almost furless, been treated, or bandaged. He really couldn't. He sighed to himself, deciding to just watch Akashi.

Akashi noticed the wistful look on Kuroko's face and he looked over the neko once more, on the feeble patches of fur he did have. "Your fur will grow out again and from what I can see, you have beautiful fur. Take care of it when it comes back."

He looked down slightly, but nodded. "I know it will heal. And my fur isn't special, so it isn't something beautiful. It's just... fur." Kuroko said, slowly moving to lay on his side.

"Nothing is just fur." Akashi murmured before he licked one of Kuroko's ears like he did to the baby neko earlier. "You need have more pride as neko Tetsuya. Your fur will be beautiful."

Kuroko's ear twitched a bit, but he made no motion to move away from him. He just let out a little sigh, closing his eyes. "I will try. And I will try to see the beautifulness of my fur once it grows back."

"That's all I ask." Akashi said as he continued to groom Kuroko, purring softly to lull him to sleep. Kuroko had lived with humans for his entire life from the sounds of it and so suddenly being cast onto the streets and forced to survive was going to be jarring for him. Akashi had been in his position once so he could relate but he would see to it at least Kuroko would have help.

Kuroko curled up into a ball, careful of his wounds, and provided warmth for himself. He also tried covering himself a bit with the clothes, but kept most of them on the ground as a bed. He purred lightly to himself in relaxation, as he soon fell asleep to Akashi's own purring.

Akashi finished grooming Kuroko, even when he saw the neko fall asleep. He then stretched and curled himself around Kuroko to make sure he didn't get cold. It wasn't as warm anymore and the last thing they needed was for Kuroko to catch a cold.

He covered Kuroko with his tail the best he could, yawned widely, before he laid his head down and also fell asleep.

Kuroko tilted his head back, so it snuggled into Akashi a bit. He continued sleeping peacefully now that he was warmer. He didn't think he could thank Akashi enough, even though he didn't teach him everything yet, and is teaching him to steal and live on the streets.