Disclaimer: I do not own KOF or its characters, for I am only a meager fan that wishes to play around and throw my fan-ramblings out into the world.
Authornotes: There's just something about kittens that makes me want to throw one into a fanfiction. And I'm surprised I could actually throw references to two pairings at once into a fic. So read, review, and enjoy.
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Shen Woo wiggled his left index finger at a small, fluffy mass on the floor, his sea-blue eyes watching the every move of the small creature; he'd found the stray kitten just outside the apartment building and couldn't help but take it in. Within moments of taking the kitten in, he had checked its gender--the kitten was a female, so he named her Mulan, for the legendary Chinese heroine. Duo showed up, sneezing upon entering the apartment. He didn't want to tell Shen--he was pretty sure that it would tear the guy up, even if Shen seemed to be the most unemotional stone on the bank--but he was allergic to cats. He gave a half-exasperated, half-humoring sigh, watching Shen, who was down on his knees in front of the fluffy mass he recognized as the source of his allergic distress, jiggle his finger and outstretch his right hand, which seemed to be full of crabmeat.
"Duo Lon? Didn't expect to see you today." Shen smirked, looking up from feeding Mulan some leftover steamed crabmeat from the palm of his leather-gloved hand. He wasn't sure if it was good for cats to eat, but it was the first thing he could think of to feed Mulan at the moment.
Duo observed curiously, pushing a few of his blackish-mahogany bangs aside, but said nothing. Sure, he didn't normally associate this kind of behavior with Shen; however, it wasn't too far of a stretch, either. An almost bemused smirk crossed his lips as he watched the blonde feed the kitten. He was curious, but said nothing; it wasn't his place to tell Shen to get rid of that kitten.
Mulan nibbled every last bite of the crabmeat before running under the nearest table; she didn't do well around strangers, as she was a stray. It was a miracle that she allowed Shen Woo to take her in, though the scent of crabmeat on Shen's hands might have been a factor.
"You bought a kitten, Shen?" Duo asked. "Or...was it...?"
"A stray." Shen replied.
Duo blinked a few times. "So you took in a stray kitten. I would not expect that of you, Shen."
That sealed it. He couldn't bring himself to tell Shen to get rid of the kitten now. It needed a home, and it seemed to accept Shen. The deal was already done.
"I wouldn't expect you to love riding motorcycles with your braid and your coat tails flapping in the breeze." Shen replied cryptically.
"I see you've mastered the art of subtle humor." Duo smiled lightly. "Perhaps it is...my influence?"
"Only if your crazy motorcycle stories are true." Shen smirked as he stood up.
Duo turned his head, a wry smirk on his face as he turned his dark copper-toned eyes in Shen Woo's general direction. "Maybe they are, maybe they are not."
Shen Woo couldn't help but laugh. He supposed that was the best answer he was going to get out of Duo.
"So, do you like cats, Duo?"
"Can't stand them, Shen."
