I bet you people are sick and tired of us and our crazy pairings, huh? Too bad.
So Kaidoh and Jirou. See, one day me and Kirby had this long discussion/crack RP where we were figuring that Jirou acts a lot like a kitten and would make a cute cat-boy. (Ootori wins first place in this regard, though.) So we proceeded to RP this, and Kaidoh picked him up while he was a kitten and sweet cuddles commenced. Thus this insane pairing came about.
Oh yes, this is also going to be a CHAPTERFIC! I thought it would be a fun exercise, and a way to draw out our RPs when everything else has run dry - can't think of an idea for a oneshot, do a chapter of this. XD
Boldy boldness is Kirbs's doing. Nooooot mine.
Left, right, through the trees. A terrified and wounded kitten with peach-colored fur darted out onto the road. The dog, the dog was right behind him—it would catch up. Already he could see the jaws closing over his body, crushing bones... he let out a sharp meow at the thought and forced himself to go faster, despite a bleeding leg.
It was Kaidoh's day off and he was running as always, taking a different route to cover the minimum amount of miles required. The regular passed by the massive Hyotei campus without so much as a glance to the side. He stopped running when he heard the rustle, then noticed a strawberry blur shoot in front of him, followed by a rather large dog. It had a collar, and it had definitely broken free.
Immediately, he bolted after and tackled the beast, restraining him in order to let the kitten get to safety. At the same time, his arms were badly bitten and scratched, but he paid it no mind until a panicked civilian saw his struggle and called animal control.
The kitten halted and looked back. That human had saved him. He watched him struggle to his feet through claw and teeth marks, wincing. That should have been me, thought the kitten, and he padded back to the boy, meowing softly. His code of chivalry wouldn't let him simply walk away without at least saying thank you.
Animal control finally arrived to relieve the poor boy of the vicious animal and advised him to go to the hospital to make sure his wounds didn't get infected. Kaidoh bowed to them gratefully and exhaustedly before turning back to start heading in the hospital's direction. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the little patch of color that had flown so rapidly before him just moments ago, quickly interested when he saw that it was a small animal—a kitten, no less. Kaidoh knelt down, checking the baby carefully for injury. "Ah, your leg—are you okay?" he asked tenderly.
I don't think so, he thought, licking at it intently. He nudged up against the boy's fingers by way of a thank you, nosing one of the scratches.
He winced lightly and petted his head. "I'll be okay, I'm going to the hospital now... I think I should probably take you to the vet too, huh?" He made a gentle offer to pick him up.
The kitten warily crawled into his hands, wondering what on earth a 'vet' could be. It didn't sound too pleasant. However, he would just have to trust this person. I wish I knew his name, he thought wistfully.
Kaidoh held him carefully but securely in his strong arms, avoiding contact with the injured limb. It felt so incredible to hold a kitten; he wanted very much to have his own, but he knew his allergic mother would never allow it. Not even one as irresistibly cute as this one. Kaidoh almost felt his cheeks get warm as he remembered his focus and moved onward. "The vet will make you feel better."
It appeared that Kaidoh was one of the people who liked talking to animals. The kitten settled back on his haunches, unconvinced nonetheless. Still... this person was so sweet, caring for him... he couldn't help but start purring.
Kaidoh bit his lip and continued on. He dropped the animal off at the vet's office, relieved when the doctor gave him assurance that his furry friend would be okay, then reluctantly parted to get his own wounds checked on. It was probably someone else's cat anyway, he told himself. He knew he couldn't get to attached to something he couldn't have.
He watched the boy walk away with sad eyes, meowing at his back. The door closed and the kitten resigned himself to his fate, whatever it may be. He was given a small bandage around his leg and put on a soft blanket to sleep. He woke up the next day—the human had not returned. Sadly, he ate and lay back down.
Around a week later, the kitten was healed, but he wasn't allowed to go. He protested in his own kitten way, meowing loudly. He caught sight of the same boy passing the door of the vet's office and, when the cage was opened to put him in a carrier, he bolted away and through the open door. It closed, and he hid. He had lost sight of the human and desolately looked for him day after day.
Kaidoh had resumed his training like nothing had happened, minus the bandages on his arms, though he did think about the kitten occasionally, and how he was doing. He kept them on for about a week to ensure the closure of each mark. Every day, he took the same route, working as hard as he always did.
The kitten slunk back to where he had found the boy first, the site of the attack. It had been nearly two weeks, now. Loud, rhythmic pounding sounded in his ears, which twitched. Curious, he looked up, trying to locate the source of the noise. Come to think of it, it sounded like someone running... No, the kitten told himself, the odds were just too high.
But, in fact, the Seigaku regular WAS running in the kitten's direction. He suddenly noted the familiar peach color up ahead and slowed his pace. Was the kitten waiting for him? A whole week for him to come back? Kaidoh approached nervously, kneeling down. "You're still here, little one? Don't you have a home?"
The kitten meowed happily and excitedly, gently batting Kaidoh's fingers (the only part of him he could reach) and rubbing up against his leg with an ecstatic purr.
He chewed his lip and tried not to get excited. "Your leg seems to be healed now... don't you have a home? Or are you hoping that I can take you home with me?"
He leaped up in Kaidoh's lap, stretching his front legs up and placing them on the boy's abdomen, kneading softly. He purred his assent—yes, he very much wanted to be taken home by this wonderful and kind person.
His cheeks almost reddened. "I'd really like to take you home, but—no, I can't... my mom is allergic to cats, I'm sorry..." he reluctantly tried to inch the kitten off. Those sweet brown eyes glittering up at him were unbearable, almost immobilizing his body.
He continued to stare up at the boy with pleading eyes, nuzzling his head against Kaidoh's chest and purring. Please, please, please?
The viper hissed softly, looking around anxiously before finally picking the kitten up in his arms. "But you have to stay in my room—if my mom ever finds out, we'll both be out on the streets, understand?"
The kitten meowed in understanding, excitedly rubbing his back and head against Kaidoh's chest.
Kaidoh smiled and picked the kitten up into his arms, relishing in the familiar softness. He finished his route with a slow pace to keep from jostling his new guest until he reached his house again. Carefully, he kept the kitten under his shirt and stepped in cautiously, constantly checking around him for any sign of a relative. Finally, he made it to his room and shut the door quickly. He set the kitten down to let him get adjusted.
Shaking out his fur from the ride, the kitten eyed the room curiously, letting out a soft and questioning mew. He sniffed everything he could—it all smelled like him. He purred contently, clawing his way up onto the bed and settling himself into a comfortable fold in the blankets.
Kaidoh smiled and knelt down by the bed to scratch the kitten's ears. "I don't know what I'm going to feed you... and I'm going to have to get you a box... and—ah, you don't have a name, do you?"
Yes I do, he wanted to say, but he knew it was dangerous to try it. Instead, he curled up and purred contently. Bathroom and food wouldn't be a problem—not with his abilities.
He smiled again. Noting the peachy color of his fur, the viper was a little tempted to name him Momo, but immediately kicked the idea out. He would never forgive himself if the kitten liked the name. "I could name you Inui, then..." he shook his head quickly to that suggestion too. Who knows what Inui would do if he found out.
The kitten flicked his tail. Nothing to do with dogs, thank you, he sniped, though he couldn't really blame the human for not knowing his name. Never mind me, what is yours? he wondered.
"I think I'll just call you 'kitten' for now," he sighed, sadly unable to come up with a cute name. He pet down the animal's back, leaning up to kiss his small, damp nose.
He sneezed once, pawing his face irritably. The kitten stretched up and lightly licked his face.
Kaidoh couldn't help but smile. "Sorry... I'll think of a name... I don't guess it matters, but I'm Kaoru." He resumed scratching the fuzzy ear.
Kaoru, he murmured to himself. I like it. He purred cutely and promptly fell asleep, exhausted by the day's events.
The viper nuzzled it gently and let him sleep. When he heard his parents leave for work, he decided to take the opportunity to get food and litter. Kaidoh took the money he had been saving for new tennis shoes without a second thought and left for just a moment.
That evening, Kaidoh returned with a few bags, glad to see the kitten hadn't caused any trouble and had practically slept the entire day. He shut the door and started to get everything set up for his new roommate. The boy hoped his guest would like it.
The kitten rolled over, nose twitching at the smell of food. He shook the sleep off, hard as that was, and hopped off the bed, stumbling drunkenly over to the kibble. He blinked and glanced up at the tall boy, a small inquiring sound coming from his mouth.
"...The man at the pet store said this kind would help you grow healthy and strong," Kaidoh said assuringly, a small smile on his lips. "I've never had a cat before, so I don't know what they prefer best. Will you at least try it?"
Obligingly, the kitten sniffed the food and tasted it. The pieces were small, and very good. Feeling hungrier than he ever had been in his life, he ravenously ate, attempting not to make a mess and not entirely succeeding.
Kaidoh was pleased that he had made the right choice of food. "I also got you some toys, if you want to play after supper."
The kitten licked his lips, not really interested in anything but another good long sleep. He hopped up on the bed and eyed the clock—there was a nine and two zeros following after it. He wasn't sure what that meant, but all he knew was that he was tired again.
He put the bag in a drawer and cleaned up the small mess. "I need to take my shower now, I promise I'll be right back," he said, wondering if the kitten needed a bath too. Then again, it looked awfully tired, so he decided against it for the evening, taking some clean clothes with him into the bathroom.
The kitten spared long enough to use the litter box before clawing his way into the bed again, curling up. The sound of water made him a bit jumpy, though he knew it wasn't near enough to hurt him.
Kaidoh finally returned, tossing the dirty clothes in the hamper. He smiled and got comfortable in the bed as well, gently petting the peach-colored kitten to ease its worries.
Sleepily, the kitten dragged itself onto his still-warm chest, nestled against the beating heart. His body rose and fell with Kaidoh's breath and he purred in unison with it.
Very early the next morning, Kaidoh's internal clock was forcing him to wake up. He could hardly get his eyes open. He felt something much heavier than a kitten lying on top of him, but not really heavy enough to be a burden. "Mmnh... Inui-sempai?" he asked tiredly.
The kitten's ears twitched at Kaidoh's voice, and he woke. He stretched his arms and yawned widely, blinking his eyes open. Something felt wrong, and as soon as he looked down at himself, he figured it out. There was no fur on his body, and he was just a bit shorter than Kaidoh himself.
His brown human eyes widened. "Oh crap," he whispered to himself. He had relaxed too much, and now his other self was out in the open. He made a sharp meowing sound of surprise, roughened and deepened by the human voice box.
Kaidoh grunted and started to lean on his elbows, feeling a body similar to his rising with his chest. He fluttered his eyes open and saw, not Inui, but a smaller, strawberry-blonde boy with the same beautiful eyes as his kitten. Kaidoh shot awake and nearly screamed.
We've already started to plan out the second chapter, but I wanted to post this first before we started to make everyone wait. Yay for being evil!