"Once you name them, you never let them go."

Kasai's words resound in my mind as I stand in the doorway to the bedroom, looking in at the stray cat I had picked up. He is sprawled face down on my bed, his right arm curled under his head for a pillow. His left arm is hanging off the bed, his hand curling against the floor. His black hair is messily hanging over his face, hiding his eyes from view. The pillows are tossed haphazardly on the floor and the blankets are piled beside the bed. He is wearing only a pair of loose sweat pants and even from here, I can see him shivering in the cold.

I sigh, stepping into the darkened room. My socked feet make the most slight sound and I can tell he hears, because both his hands ball into fists. I slip closer, watching his right hand the entire time. The 'monster' hand, the 'disgusting' hand as he calls it, is stronger than it looks. However, there is something about it that only I know.

It is softer than it looks. The fur, a light brown colour like warm caramel, is soft, like the fur of a kitten. It is warm too, a few degrees warmer than the rest of his body. The claws are sharp, but I know he can control his hand if he has to.

I lean over, picking up the blankets with my right hand. This is going to be a bit hard, trying to cover him with only one hand. This close, I can see how thin he is, his ribs pressing against the skin. Even with his 'monster' hand, he is still a human, frail and fragile. I know how easy it is to crush the bones hidden under that thin skin. I've broken and had that thin barrier broken many times, more times than I can count. I look down at the stray cat I picked up, watching his thin back rise and fall as he breathes. I sigh softly, realizing that I want to protect him, no matter what.

I shake my head, going back to my original task of covering him. I try not to touch him, trying to uphold the promise I made.

I finally get the covers up over his thin form. He moans softly, his violet eyes becoming visible for a quick second as he opens them as he turns, gathering the blankets around him, his shivering stopping as he curls into a cocoon of cloth.

I can't stop the smile that crosses my face as he cracks one violet eye again.

"Kubo-chan?" His voice is rough with sleep and I step back quickly. "Wha. . .?"

"You looked cold, Tokito." I reply softly, smiling at him.

"Oh. . ." He rolls over again, his eye shutting again. "G'night Kubo-chan."

"Good night Tokito."

I turn to leave, but pause in the doorway, looking back at the young man. Kasai's words echo in my head again and I laugh softly to myself.

He may have been a stray when I picked him up, but he's my cat now and there's no way I'm letting him go.