Author: Furieux
Ratings: G [might be rated for language later ^_^]
Genre: Alternate Universe
Disclaimer: Takehiko Inoue owns Slam Dunk, and the slogging is mine.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Chapter One]
The kitten purred and nuzzled its cheek against the familiar leg, seeking more attention. Violé looked down and grinned, "I'll carry you later, all right?" She cashed in the money that the lady just gave her and bent down to pick the kitten up. "Wave," She told the kitten, waving its tiny paw at the amused customer.
"What a sweet kitten! She's yours?"
"Ah, hai, she belongs in Neko Mama's litter."
The lady thought for a while, "Oh, the grey tabby who's extremely protective of her territory? The fat one?"
"The very one," Violé smiled proudly, "This is the last one of her fourth litter, the others all went to good homes, but Tiddles is mine," She declared, patting the grey kitten, who purred again and snuggled up against Violé, preparing to fall asleep again.
"Oops! I have to go now, he must be so anxious, waiting for me out there," The lady thought of her husband who drove her to the Petshop.
"All right, see you soon!"
Violé sat in a corner of the shop, doing the accounts for that day. She looked up at the clock. "6.55pm,"
It was about time to close the shop. Her aunt, who owned the shop had gone off to the suppliers, left her in charge. She went back to the calculations, the grey kitten sleeping snugly on her lap.
The pet shop door opened, a faint tinkling sound accompanying it. Violé looked up and trained her vision upon the person who had just entered. This man, who looked around his Mid-thirties, had a tall, muscular build – unconcealed by the business-like suit that he wore, and had tanned, strong features. She silently thought that he did look very out of place in her little pet shop. "Need help?" She asked.
The man looked at her, and gave a smile, "Good evening, Miss, I'm here to look for a cat for my cousin,"
"Ah, I see, how old is she?"
"About 10 years old," He replied, "It's her birthday tomorrow, and I know she's dying to own a cat,"
Violé sighed, "Currently, We are out of stock…" The man showed some signs of distress, and she understood that he must be really desperate to find a suitable cat for his niece.
Tiddles stirred, and jumped onto the desk, her large green eyes fell on the man. He looked surprised for a second before his features broke out into a big smile, "What about this one? She's your personal pet?"
"Yeah," She stroked the kitten's fur, "Last baby of the litter,"
"She's a Persian cat? I think she'll do fine, would you sell it?"
Violé sighed again, she had grown a certain affection for the loving kitten, but it'll do Tiddles good to give her to a nice family who would love and care for her. "All right, but are you very sure that your niece and her family knew just what to do with a cat, specifically, a kitten?"
"Yes, she told me that she did loads of research, and even bought the stuff for cat owning. The only thing that she actually lacked was the cat."
"Good, her name is Tiddles, and the price is…" Violé got a cozy little carrion cage and coaxed Tiddles in.
The man paid for the kitten, and his attention went to Violé, "You don't look the age to own a shop,"
She replied solemnly, "This is my aunt's shop, I'm only taking care of it for her. I'll be going to high school next year – which is next week," She tore the receipt from the machine and gave it to the man.
"Ah, I see, which school?"
She scowled, "Why should I tell you?"
"Erm…just curious, anyway," The man looked at her seriously.
"Kainan High,"
His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to say something when his mobile phone rang, "Hello? Oh, yeah. What?! I'm coming over now…" He nodded at Violé and ran out.
Violé looked at the clock again. 7.10pm. She was way past closing time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maki did a neat lay-up, and dried his sweat with his jersey, deciding to go off for classes. He showered and packed before going out of the gym. People along the way either smiled or greeted him, as he was well known in the school as the famous basketball captain who topped the level for the two years that he was in Kainan High.
Violé grasped her file tentatively, walking down the corridor. First days for freshmen aren't always that exciting. It could be filled with nervousness and anticipation for the rest of the year. She made a turn round the corner and found herself staring into a brick wall. No, make that, someone's blazer. She took a step back and looked up.
"It's you!" Both of them exclaimed at the same time, startling the other students passing by.
"You are still at school?" Violé looked incredulous, "I thought you were…middle-age or something,"
"Ah-hem," Maki cleared his throat, a little frustrated, "People – often say that." He smiled, "Actually, I was about to tell you that you would be in my school, that day,"
"I see, I see," She nodded, "Which class are you in?"
"3-1, you would be in?"
"1-10, and I've got to go, I don't want to be late on my first day, ja!"
"Ja."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That was their first encounter, and it certainly wasn't their last.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================================
[Comments, suggestions, any?]