The thunder was clapping overhead without a break as she limped through the alleyway. A large storm was rolling in, she was going to have to get home soon. She looked up at the dark sky. A very bad storm.
The rain started before she even got halfway across the city. Damn those brats who chased her so far. She groaned and with thoroughly soaked fur flipped over a discarded cardboard. This would be good enough until the storm clears. Her paw was aching, she was sure it was just a sprain though, some rest would do it good.
It wasn't long before she could hear footsteps reaching through the alley between the thunder claps. Sandals were slapping at the puddles and she hissed when water splashed into her small dry area. The startle caused her to fall out of the shelter. The cardboard box was ruined.
"Oh, sorry little cat"
The culprit was a teen, shaggy black hair was nearly covered by a yellow straw hat that had a red ribbon around it. He too was soaked, wearing only a red vest and jean shorts.
She sat up, careful to put no weight on her injured paw and meowed in annoyance. The teen was crutched down to her level, staring intently with dark eyes that held laughter behind them. He giggled as she flicked her tail at his nose. You got me all wet!
The sounds of rushing footsteps and yells caught her attention, ears flicking in the direction. So he was being chased, probably by Marines.
She meowed once, and limped off to a side alley that had a bunch of large crates stacked high. She meowed again, sitting in front of them. The teen finally heard the rushing footsteps, they were getting closer.
"Oops!" the teen quickly hid himself behind the boxes, and when the Marines came charging down the alley, they met the small midnight blue cat guarding the way.
She hissed, tail standing on end and seemly ready to pounce. One man tried to push past her when she swiped at his feet, and tried to bite his leg.
"Come'on he probably continued straight" another man pulled him back. "If she's got kittens over there she couldn't have let anyone through"
The one she almost bit grumbled "Stupid cat." But the platoon was on their way quickly.
"That was close" the boy fumbled out of the boxes, grinning even as the rain poured down and being so close to being caught.
"Thanks" he laughed as she just flicked her tail at him. She was turning to leave when a question stopped her heart.
"Why are you a cat?"
NO one had been able to tell. How could this teen…
His eyes were curious though, wide open and incredibly innocent looking. He wasn't going to let her not answer, that she knew.
With an almost human sigh, she changed.
Fur rolled back to reveal slightly pale skin. Paws turned to hands and limbs stretched out. Black nose and whiskers disappeared and a small round face formed.
A small woman, was in the cat's place. She had long midnight blue hair. Tuffs of it stood up and looked like cat ears. She had green eyes and wore a dirty white nightgown. She held her wrist carefully, the transformation wasn't good on the sprain.
"I ate a devil fruit. And I prefer being a cat if you don't mind" her voice was quiet and rough, she hadn't talked to anyone in what felt like years.
"That's so cool!" the teen grinned, it was like sparkles were in his eyes "I ate one too!" and he stretched out the skin of his cheek to an impossible length. "I ate the Gum Gum fruit. I'm a Rubber man!"
"I've never encountered another fruit user" she was amazed, and used her good hand to stretch out his cheek herself. Strange.
"Do you wanna be my ship's cat?" he asked suddenly "I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates!"
"I'm no fighter" she said bluntly "I prefer to be a cat" and instantly changed back to her furry form.
"That's OK!" he grinned "A Ship's cat is just a cat! But every ship has to have one! I want you!"
She thought about it for a second. After being chased out of her home. Forced to live on the streets. A ship can't be that different… No limit of food, safe place to sleep. What the hell.
"Ok. You better feed me well"
"Wow! You can talk as a cat too! That's awesome! Sanji is the best cook in the world! His food is delicious!" the teen grinned. "Now come'on. We better get to the ship!"
In a blink of her eye the teen picked her up by the middle and was running off towards the docks, a single thought crossed her mind.
What have I gotten myself into?