Danger: Attack Cat
Home, school, work, repeat. For the past three years, this has been my daily routine. My name is Yami Sennen; I'm a seventeen year old junior at Domino High School. Monday through Friday, after school I work as a waiter at World Cuisine, a local fancy restaurant that specializes in dishes from around the world. They also like their staff to be foreign and hired me for my looks, as well as being the only Egyptian in Japan. Despite only being able to work part time, the pay is good enough for me to live on. I live in a house on the outskirts of the city. On the other side of my backyard is a forest. My parents bought it a long time ago, but took to traveling. By the time I was eleven, I was used to getting to school on my own. By fourteen, they stopped coming back at all. They just stayed wherever they wanted and called for my birthday and some holidays. They send enough money to cover the bills. That's why I took a job. Unfortunately, it also meant that I had no free time. No time for friends. And, since I was only home on the weekends, I didn't have time for a pet either.
Well, I had a fish tank full of tropical fish, but I don't think they count. However, with summer coming up, maybe this year I'd finally make a friend. Maybe.
That's the thought I left the house with Thursday morning.
I walked to school (only about a twenty minute walk) and entered the school gates, being careful not to bump into anyone as they ran to greet friends, get to class, or whatever makes other kids hurry.
"Tristan! There you are! What took you so long?" called a girl, stepping right in my path. As I dodged around her, I caught sight of the boy she was calling. He wore the boys uniform, but with a black turtleneck under his jacket.
'Odd' I thought, 'it's the begging of summer.' But that wasn't all that caught my attention. His face was unnaturally pale, and he appeared to be sweating. Apparently, his friend noticed too.
"Oh my God! What's wrong? You look terrible" the girl said.
"I'm alright. Just coming down with something"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
I walked off to my class. No use worrying about it. It's not like I really knew the guy, and besides, if he if he decides to ignore the fact that he's sick and come to school anyway, who am I to say anything?
The bell rang and the rest of my classmates filed in. Along with them, Tristan, now looking a bit better. Tea, the girl who had called him before, and a tall blonde boy I'd seen around school before. He used to hang out with Tristan all the time, but, last anyone heard, that'd had some big falling out.
The last one to enter the classroom, (after the teacher mind you) was the tall, ice blue eyed CEO Kaiba. Even the teachers just called him by his last name. The only one allowed to call him by anything else was his kid brother, Mokuba.
He stalked to the back of the class and pulled out his book. A reading one. Not a notes one. He got the highest scores out of anyone in class, but the teachers hated him because he never paid attention to their lessons.
We began the day by passing back assignments, and my thoughts returned to this morning. Maybe I should get a pet. It would be nice to have someone waiting for me when I come home. Not to mention I'm a teenager living alone in a house on the outskirts of the city. It would make me feel safer from burglars if I had someone.
Hmm. But it wouldn't be fair to the animal. Being locked up all day just to guard the place. I'm usually never home unless I'm asleep. Maybe I should just get a roommate. But I don't think that's a good idea either. Coming home to messes made by someone else, someone else living in my house, using my power, and eating my food.
*Sigh* maybe I should just stick with my fish; If someone breaks in, they'll leave soaking wet.
The teacher and entire class stared at me like I was insane when I began snickering. Let's just say I was extremely grateful when the bell finally rang.
"Order up!" came the timid but still audible call. The head chef at World Cuisine was a small boy no older than me, but he'd been working there for years. Ever since he was old enough. He was only slightly shorter than me, albino, with long white hair. Ryou Bakura was worthy of his position as head chef and all the respect he got.
"Thanks" I said, taking the plates. One looked like it was Mexican, and the other was American, or maybe Canadian.
I delivered them to their table, and then clocked out for the day. As I stepped out the back door into the ally, I realized I wasn't alone. Two figures were standing at the end of the ally that I wasn't heading for, and apparently, arguing.
"Oh come on! I'm bored! Could we just…"
"No 'Kura" I startled as I recognized the voice of my timid co- worker take on a tone I'd never even considered it could have.
"Not even just for a…"
"For the last time! No! I have to get back to work before they notice I'm missing. Now go home 'Kura. Alright?"
*Sigh* "fine" the voice didn't sound pleased, but I was still shocked that Ryou would stand up like that. Especially to someone who sounded so …dangerous.
"Tell you what. You promise to let me get back to work, and we'll go for a ride when I'm done."
"Alright." The voice replied, sounding a lot happier. "Now get back in there. The sooner you're done the sooner you'll be home!" And with that the taller figure turned and walked out of the ally.
Ryou shook his head, looking after him for a minute before turning to go back inside, catching sight of me.
"Yami?" He called, "How long have you been there?"
"Not long. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I wasn't sure if you were in trouble or not."
Ryou smiled. "Don't worry. That was just my roommate, Bakura. Anyway, I should get back to work. See you later, Yami." He called, going back inside, all traces of malice gone from his voice.
Someone, or rather, something was following me. True, I hadn't seen or even heard them, but my sixth sense was going haywire. I knew something was there. I could feel their eyes on me.
I'd been so focused on whatever may have been behind me, however, that I was taken off guard when something small came hurtling out of an alleyway beside me. The blur came up to my ankle and looked black. Before I could step out of the way, it pounced and fought with something. I stood back until the fight was over. What I saw made me gasp. There, on the ground, was a dead cobra. It had been right behind me, close enough to strike. Standing over its opponent, though, was the last thing I expected my hero to be. It was a sleek, small, adorable kitten. He (or she) was panting and I took a good look at him. He was a black kitten, with a few gold patches on his forehead between his eyes. His ears were faintly outlined in red while his eyes left me stunned. I'd never seen such big, soulful, amethyst eyes on any creature, much less a cat.
"Mew" I blinked as he made a faint sound, then slowly got down on one knee and extended my hand. I made small coaxing noises with my tongue, trying to get him closer.
"Come here. I won't hurt you, that's it. Good boy. Easy." I held my breath as the tiny creature took slow, small steps closer and closer, looking very nervous. When he got close enough, he sniffed my hand and then closed his eyes. It looked like he was bracing himself for something, but before I could figure out what; he quickly leaned forward and touched his head against my hand. We both froze, unsure what to do. I took a deep breath and eased my hand up his head and down his back. When he didn't run away, I felt encouraged and petted him again. Presently, he opened one eye, then the other. He blinked, then walked closer and put his paws up on my knee.
"Heh. I take it you're a stray? I can't see any house cat doing that." I said, glancing at the snake.
I swear he looked right at me, smiled, and said, "Meow."
I slipped one hand under his stomach, or rather his ribs, he was way too skinny, and picked him up. "I guess I can't just leave you here. And after you did just save my life, this is the least I can do." I held the tiny body close against my chest as I unknowingly turned the page in my life to a whole new chapter.
Thank you for reading! Please review! I actually made a bet that if I can get twenty reviews for this story then a certain someone will be forced to read it. Plus as I am a new author I would love the feedback!