My midnight ears flickered back and forth as I lay on my side. I was curled half way into a ball, wondering what time it was. My white tipped tail was slowly swishing from side to side in a rhythmic gesture I've done since I was a kitten.
I waited, counting the times my tail swished right then left.
Eighty-one. Eighty-one times before the door to my little room opened; someone stepped inside. That someone was very special to me. He had been since I first opened my eyes and saw the one who would care for me for life. Count D.
I watched as the delicate raven haired kami walked easily across the floor and knelt next to my head. He reached out and scratched behind my ears, my favourite spot. I was too weak to lean into the touch like I could before. But I was able to muster up a purr. D smiled sadly.
Had it really been so many years? Was I really such an old cat? The years had been so happy, filled with memories I would never trade for anything in the world. In this shop I had been raised, had my own litter of kittens, and now I would die. I would make room for more pets that needed a good home. My time was up.
I licked D's hand, showing him my affection. I was becoming extremely tired. I could barely raise my head. My tail stopped swishing. The door opened again, I opened my eyes to small slits and watched as my five children came in. My oldest daughter had given birth to her own litter some months back, so the four little ones followed her in.
They all crowded around my bed, tears in the eyes. I smiled; it was a tired smile but still a smile.
"Rest now Althea." D soothed as I tried to keep my eyes opened. I wanted a few more minutes with my loved ones but it was becoming so hard.
My oldest daughter broke down, crying softly and hugging her children. They were too young to understand now but they would one day. I reached out a shaky hand, wanting to comfort her like I had all her life. She grasped my hand as the rest of the children took turns kissing my cheek and whispering their love.
Finally all my strength left me and I had to close my eyes. I breathed deeply. And just before my final breath expelled from my lungs a single tear slid from my eye and landed on the mattress.
D ran his hand through the soft silky fur on Althea's head as she passed away. He had raised her from a kitten, and was sad that she was gone. He did not hold it against her, every living thing eventually passes on to create room for new life. Althea had given birth to five kittens, who in turn will raise their own litters.
He slowly came to his feet and encouraged to other cats to leave. Everyone in the shop would mourn Althea's death. She had been around for years, playing sister and mother to many of the animals who had not had families of their own.
Just as he closed the door to her room a single tear slid from his one violet eye.
XXX
A/N: Depressing? Somewhat, suits my mood right now. Everyone who has lost a pet will be able to relate to this, I think. Please review and tell me your opinion on the piece, never done a one shot before (they usually turn into chapter stories like Hollow Target).