Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever, own any of the characters used within this story. All characters belong to their respected creators, which is obviously not I.

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Love of a Kitten

Prelude

New Beginnings

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"Over here! Over here!"

"You can't catch me! Nyah!"

Sakaki sighed. Turning away from the scene, the little girl struggled to ignore the various children playing about in the park with one another. Although she tried, the action proved futile as she hopelessly looked back.

Everyone was playing with everyone, except her that is.

Letting out another small sigh, Sakaki looked down at her legs. It isn't fair. And with a soft push from her feet she began to sway gently to and fro on the swings once again.

Not fair, she thought for the second time.

It wasn't her fault that she was kind of tall for her age; she didn't ask for it. But it didn't seem to matter as all the children were content with just playing with one another with the occasional whispers and fingers pointed at her.

Not fair at all.

Holding in her sniffles, Sakaki closed her eyes to shut back the tears she knew were starting to gather at the edge of her eyes. Why couldn't I have been short and cute?

Not wanting to think about it anymore Sakaki reopened her eyes just before placing her feet firmly into the sand, effectively stopping the swing she was on. Getting off and ready to walk back to her mother Sakaki suddenly froze.

She didn't know why, but something peculiar had caught her eye. She didn't really get a good look as whatever it was came out as a blur. Stepping away from the swings, the little girl looked about only to find that everyone else was still busy with themselves.

Nani?

She was sure that she had seen something earlier, but no one else seemed to have noticed. Not one to let her curiosity remain unsolved, Sakaki gazed back intently in the direction she was sure to have had caught a glimpse of something.

Determined, the little girl took one quick glance at her mother to see her helping another woman with her baby. Okaa-san wouldn't mind.

And with that she ventured further towards the bushes that seemed to shake every few minutes. Now that she thought about it some more maybe this wasn't such a good idea, but she was already here. In front of the bushes. Her mother had always said that it wasn't good to stop what you're doing just because you got scared or frightened, especially if it was for a good cause.

Is this a good cause?

Sakaki didn't manage to give it much thought as at that moment she heard a vaguely familiar sound. Though she was sure she had heard the sound before, Sakaki thought it best to still be cautious around… whatever it was. And finding a stick on the ground, she had took it to use to poke around in the bush in front of her.

The result was immediate as the girl quickly found the stick lacking from her hands. And before long she too was taken in and through the bushes.

Her first reaction was to scream, but that action was nullified by the fact that there was a boy on top of her. So instead she opted to blush at the close proximity she shared with this… boy?

"Mrow."

She was pretty sure that it was a boy on top of her, but boys don't meow do they? No, only kitties do and….

Sugoi.

In an instant, the boy-kitty had moved his head closer to hers and started to sniff around. Fortunately Sakaki didn't think much of it, as the boy-kitty's actions had given her a good look at his blue eyes. And she couldn't help but be captivated by them.

-:-:-:-:-:-

Awkwardness aside, Sakaki couldn't help but enjoy the company of the boy-kitty. They had started playing with one another a while ago. And she could definitely say that she was enjoying herself, the boy-kitty seemed to too.

He was different, that was for sure. And he didn't appear to mind that she was tall; well, tall for her age that is. In fact, he used it to his advantage during certain games that they had played.

Sakaki didn't mind though; she didn't have many friends – if any at all. With her figure they were quick to become frightened of her than to befriend her. She really hoped that this boy-kitty would be her friend. Before she could voice her question, however, a man appeared and interrupted the game of tag they were currently playing.

"Boy! You get back here right this instant!"

The response was immediate.

The boy-kitty had swiftly pushed her away to the side before seeming to jump around in circles with the grimy man. Sakaki couldn't help but move her head back and forth like she was watching a tennis match. Of course, it didn't seem like much of a match as indicated by the multiple scratches the man had sported – both on himself and in his once white gi.

It wasn't long until the girl felt a bit faint from trying to keep track of what was going on around her. And it wasn't long before the man had noticed her presence and glanced her way.

That provoked the correction reaction and, as the man predicted, his opponent quickly ran towards Sakaki to shield her from any unwanted attacks. That wasn't the plan, unfortunately, and the boy-kitty had received a well-aimed chop at the back of his head before slumping into unconsciousness.

Sakaki stared.

"Forgive my son," was the only response from the man before he slung the boy-kitty over one of his shoulders.

The girl could only take a breath before a cry of "Sakaki?!" permeated the air.

Okaa-san!

Having looked away for just a moment was enough, as when Sakaki looked back the man and the boy-kitty had disappeared. Though sadden by this, Sakaki could still hear her mother calling for her in the background. With thoughts that her – hopefully – new friend should be safe with his own father, Sakaki made a silent wish that they would meet once again.

Then quickly she rushed back through the bushes she was pulled through earlier, and was promptly scooped up by her mother and into her arms.

"Sakaki! Where were you? You shouldn't have left the playground like that!" demanded Sakaki's near-frazzled mother. Sakaki subsequently had the decency to blush at the small scolding from her mother before remembering what she had been doing earlier.

"Gomen ne okaa-san, but… I saw something! And it was a kitty! He wasn't afraid of me or anything and even played with me!"

The little girl continued to ramble excitedly at what she had been doing beforehand and the joy she felt at how the kitten didn't run away. Nodding at certain parts of her daughter's tale, Sakaki's mother smiled softly while holding in the sigh she wanted to let out at how her little girl was perfectly safe the whole time she was freaking out prior. Of course, her demeanor soon changed when Sakaki asked her a simple question.

"Okaa-san, can I have a kitty?"

Fighting back the small frown that threatened to appear, Sakaki's mother just smiled as she mulled over her options.

I should tell Sakaki that I'm allergic to animals… but not now.

Putting the little girl down, the woman dusted some of the dirt off the girl's clothing before appearing to give the idea some thought. Letting out a big smile, she then took Sakaki by the hand before walking forward and leading them both out the park.

"I'll think about it. So how about we go get some ice cream until then?"

"Ice cream!"

To Be Continued….

Comments: Yes, this is a one-shot. A one-shot because this has been an idea of mine that floated through my mind a couple of times before I just had to get it out and over with. I wasn't really sure where I was going with this, except to explain a possible reason why Sakaki from Azumanga Daioh loves kittens so much. This was the result. I hope it was acceptable. I might continue this little story later on when I have an inkling of a thought of where I'm going with this.