Chapter 2: Familiar, where art thou?
Night.
She's walking alone down the little lane through the field with a small paper light lamp. It wasn't the first time either. All she could see was the pathway and the endless darkness. The sky was clear, black, the stars were alone with no moon to be there for them type of night.
She sense movement.
She continues to walk down the pathway till she reaches the forest. The vegetation was thick and too dense to move forward through. She closes her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply as if to prepare for something.
Like a pair of curtains, the greenery parted in an oval shape tunnel, large enough for her to enter. Her eyes opens and steps through, another path is shown beneath her. The forest began to close behind her as she moves forward, as if to protect her.
She smiles, thanking the forest mentally.
Warmth could be felt as she walks down the path but it does not ease her. The movement she felt earlier on was still following her.
She bites her lip in the little anxiety that was coursing through her veins.
She could turn back and flee.
She could face it.
She, however, continues to walk on.
"Run, like you always do"
She stops.
She turns.
It was there, watching her.
Its two red eyes seemed to glow eerily at her.
"I will always catch up with you."
The shadows covered its face from her, but she knew it very well.
"It's pointless beautiful."
She sneered at it. The forest around her grew defensive, trying to protect her.
Energy began to crackle in the air.
"You could never escape."
Green eyes snapped open and couldn't see anything until Sakura bolted upright from the couch, allowing the book on her face to fall. She gasped for air, utterly freaked from the dream she had. Her shaky hand brushed through her hair before regained control of her senses. Blinking, she looked around her apartment before looking towards her apartment phone on her coffee table. It was ringing.
Taking a shaky breath she grabbed it and answered.
"H-hello?" Sakura said.
"Sakura, it's me Karin, you alright? You sound scared" Karin said, worriedly.
"Bad dream." Sakura said.
"Its five forty three, you've been napping?" Karin asked, slightly shocked.
"Yeah, tired." Sakura moaned.
"Well, I guess that would explain the weirdness in class, you looked kinda lost." Karin said.
Sakura bit her lip. Not completely off the mark are you, K.
"Uh yeah" Sakura said.
"Look, Ino and I are thinking of going to the movies tonight. Wanna come with?" Karin asked.
"Wait…weren't you two fighting this morning?" Sakura asked, blinking in surprise.
All because of a guy! What the hell is with those two???
"We made up already! Keep up Sak! I can't keep you always up to date!" Karin said.
"But–! Ah, never mind." Sakura muttered and looked at her books and sighed.
"Oh NO! Don't give me that sigh Sak!" Karin growled irritably.
"Karin, I really need to finish my work." Sakura argued.
"You and your nerdy butt. C'mon, don't you want to see The Covenant?" Karin asked.
"T-the what?!" Sakura asked, freaking instantly.
"The Covenant, you know that film about four sexy guys with magical powers and I heard there is toplessness and male shower room scenes!" Karin half squealed half drooled.
"Oooh the Covenant Film" Sakura said, utterly relieved.
"Yeah, what else would I be talking about?" Karin said, sounding confused and annoyed.
Sakura breathed out evenly.
"I have no idea." Sakura said, shaking her head.
"Well, are you coming or not?" Karin asked.
"Karin I got a lot of studying to do" Sakura sighed.
Thud.
"GAHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Sakura screamed.
The book Tsunade had given her had landed right in front of her. In the process of nearly having a heart attack she had dropped the phone and flipped off the couch to the floor. The book remained innocently on the table as she stared at it, distressed beyond the limits.
"HOLY BUDDAH!!! What the hell?!" Sakura screamed.
"CHRIST! SAKURA, WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE??!!" Karin shouted loud enough through the phone that she could be heard.
Trying to remain calm she grabbed the phone, placing her free hand over her eyes and brought the phone back up to her ear.
"I-I'm sorry K-Karin. I just had, um, had a fright." Sakura said.
"You don't say." Karin said peeved but relieved her friend was alright.
"Look, um, I'm going to let you go. I don't feel too good about the movie so maybe some other time." Sakura said and swallowed.
"You sure?" Karin asked concerned still.
"Y-yeah."
"Kay." Karin said, sounding unsure.
"Bye."
"Bye."
She removed her hand from her, staring at the book and Sakura hanged the phone up. The book opened and pages began race to one side till it hit one page.
~.~.~
Familiars
~.~.~
Familiars are magical creatures designed to protect and guide a Spell Caster from today's dangers and magic respectively.
All new Spell Casters are required one for these reasons, accidents do happen so please do not tempt fate. Only one
Familiar is assigned to one Spell Caster. A Spell Caster may not have more than one for fear of confusion and fights.
They are traditionally to be cats however they may take other forms such as dogs, hawks, frogs, snakes etc. This is because
some Familiars are reincarnations of souls who have done wrong yet are good enough to take corporeal form yet again.
When they have completed their goal they may take human form again as a reward or simply move on. Familiars can sense
magic and have been known to be quite resourceful in spells; a few protection spells have them as a catalyst to enhance the
end result. However make sure when doing a particular spell you read the warning label, spells that involve your familiar
in any shape or form can cause huge consequences. Despite that, it can create astounding effects in your life, so have fun.
Be warned though, Familiars are intelligent and independent as a human being; do not give them a reason to leave you
as they will. It will take time and effort to establish a loyal bond between the two of you, but it will be worth it.
To recognize one is to look into their eyes. You will know.
~.~.~
Sakura growled at the book.
"You freaked me out over an animal! I know I have to find one soon but could you at least be nicer about it!"
The book remained motionless.
"Where the heck am I going to find a pet store at this hour?! They'd be closing by now!"
Then the phone rang again. She sighed and picked it up yet again.
"Hello" Sakura sighed.
"H-hello Sakura."
She blinked.
"Hinata?"
She shouldn't be surprised that Hinata was calling her, after all she had given her phone number to her. But for her to call so soon was another story.
"Y-yes, I'm just calling to uh say sorry but I'm busy tomorrow and, um, we won't be able to d-do the project at my home to-tomorrow."
"Oh."
"Yeah, I'm very sorry. But we can work during lunch time instead."
"Sure. That'll be better than doing nothing, Kakashi-sensei can be a pain in the about these things being late. Pretty ironic huh?"
Hinata giggled over the phone. "Did you find a pet today?"
"No, it sorta slipped my mind when I remembered about Anko-sensei's homework."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"Well I know a great store you can go to, it's still open till six o'clock."
"Really? You mind giving me the address?"
*.*.*
"Dad, what would you say would be a good pet?" Sakura asked while she was on her cheap mobile phone she hated with all her might.
She enters the pet shop near Hinata had given directions to and looks around. Contrary how small the shop looked from the outside it was huge, stacked with pet food, toys and equipment from A-Z in shelves above the large cages and tanks of pets. It was no wonder Hinata recommended it, it was a very good pet shop in the area and she was going to thank the girl for mentioning it. She walks over to her right and watches the colourful tropical fish swimming about in the huge tank of the pet shop.
"No, I'm not kidding…yes I remember the incident…no…I'm just asking cause you're always busy with Ria and the business…no this isn't a guilt trip I just want something around the apartment to keep me company." Sakura said and rolls her eyes when her father begins to rant.
The fish in the tank seemed to dart around more vigorously when she approached it. She frowned in annoyance, was that another way to tell if she was a spell caster? She looks over to the other pets as they eyed her warily.
Seriously? Do I just give off the magic vibes for these normal guys? I can't even sense anything here to be a familiar.
"C'mon Dad, you know as well I do that I can look after an animal but if in doubt just think of it this way. It may be a great lesson in babysitting my new baby brother or sister…yes I understand that an animal and a baby have different needs…no…no…I'm not stupid…well I'm just saying I'll be cheaper than a babysitter and you know Ria's family are in another country."
She looks around to find the shop keeper but couldn't find one and sighs before eyeing the iguana behind the counter. It stares back at her for a second then moves slowly to a higher branch.
"Yes but I would have to learn how to look after one and with a pet I will have the basic's down, all you and Ria would have to do is to teach me on the nappies...Dad I could just go get pregnant, drop my studies, die my hair blonde and live like one of those Hilton sisters…just saying…yes I'll look after it and make sure it get's what it needs…what do I want? Well I haven't decided yet…I'm allergic to what?…Dad, Mum was allergic rabbits not me, I was tested several years ago…Yeah, aunt Tsunade was there too…Aunt Tsunade? Mum's sister, Blonde lady…she had big boobs…yes that was Mum's sister…you better hope she isn't psychic Dad otherwise I hate to be in your shoes…yeah…love you too…bye."
She snaps the phone shut.
"This is so troublesome." Sakura muttered.
"If I didn't know any better" a voice said, at that she turns to face the person "I would think you had a crush on Shikamaru, Sakura."
Sakura smirked at boy in front of her, his hair was brown and as shaggy as a dog, he was slightly above medium size yet a little skinny around his forearms. Besides him was his favourite white dog, Akamaru, who sat there patiently besides him yet his tail was wagging happily.
"Kiba, you work here?" Sakura asked.
"My mum owns the place while my sister runs a shelter in the back." Kiba said, gesturing to the door near the counter.
"Oh" was all Sakura could say.
It was a well know fact that everyone knew that Kiba liked dogs but she didn't know his family were in pets industry. She began to wonder how much time she had been in her own personal bubble to even care about other people besides her friends and family. Then again she wasn't much of the gossiping or social kind like her friends were.
"Never thought you were an animal lover Sakura, even though I know most girls are. You just didn't seem to fit the profile." Kiba said then shrugged at her look. "Neh, everyone makes mistakes. What can I help you with?"
"I'm looking for a pet" Sakura said.
"What kind?" Kiba asked.
"Nothing slimy" Sakura said.
"That narrows it down a bit." Kiba chuckled as he crossed his arms. "You didn't come here prepared. Most customers usually have an idea what they want."
"Well, I just want something that would keep me company" Sakura said.
"What? Ino and Karin don't already?" Kiba said with mirth.
"It's not that, my home is just too quiet at times" Sakura said.
It was true that her apartment just didn't have a lot of 'busy noises' like a normal home would but it was a blessing in disguise as it helped her concentrate for her studies. Now that she was going to get a pet, or more precisely a familiar, she was probably going to have to get use to bigger noise in her life. Something she was not keen on, she liked her space to herself but she was required to have a familiar. She prayed to kami it wasn't one of those yipping dogs or squawking parrots, she might end up killing the thing.
"You don't look so keen on the idea" Kiba pointed out.
She controlled the need to frown at him. What am I? A book? Stop reading me!
"Okay, more like in keeping me company. Nothing noisy or smelly and doesn't need much taking care of." Sakura said.
Kiba chuckled at her.
"All animals need taking care of, Sakura. Heard of those adverts? 'A pet is for life not a just a present you can just get rid of'? I don't think you're being serious about this." Kiba said.
Sakura huffed. This is getting ridiculous, I just want to get a familiar and get out.
"But the animal you seem to getting at is a cat." Kiba said. "They're independent, they can hunt for their own food, clean themselves, hardly makes noises unless it wants something and sleeps most of the time. As long as you leave them food, a litter tray, a safe place for them to go outside and give them some affection, it's a doddle."
"Right, I'll go for that" Sakura said with a smile. At least it's not a slug.
Kiba smiled back.
"We sold our last kitten yesterday." Kiba said. Sakura face dropped and he chuckled at that. "My sister has a few cats in her shelter in the back. Though I think you would want a cat without any history."
"Why?" Sakura asked.
"Mostly because we don't know the history of the cats that comes into the shelter. They are a little hard to assess whether they turn feral on children or just anyone really and no one wants that. Only breeders would take them off our hands if it meant a better looking cat would be turned out from them." Kiba said, serious for the first she had known him. "If not, we're usually given those kittens for free but if successful we pay only 20 percent of the full price for the patch. The cats in the shelters are adopted for free considering the history thing but we're happy for donations, it's a bit hard to run a shop and shelter at the same time."
"You mind if I still have a look?" Sakura asked.
"Sure, head through that door and tell my sister Hana I sent you through to see the cats" Kiba grinned.
As soon as Sakura entered the shelter in the back she immediately placed a hand over her nose. The smell of dog and disinfectant over powered her smell receptors. Kami, to think that the smell was this bad to her what did the dogs – that had better sense of smell – think of it? She rationalized that they may have been use to and they were dogs themselves. Slowly she let her nose go, trying to get use to it.
She frowned.
Yet again the place was quiet with the occasional whine as she began to look at dog after dog. They eyed her like she might suddenly attack them but there were a few that were curious of her. Did animals really have a sixth sense on magic? She knew familiars did but what of the normal ones?
"Animals, mainly Dogs, don't like new people staring at them."
Her frown increased a bit. She turns towards the voice, finding a girl that looked like Kiba only with more feminine features and longer hair. Her eyes were looking at her almost suspiciously, like she trusted the dogs' instincts.
"To them, you appear to be challenging them to fight."
"Oh" Sakura managed to say.
Okay that would explain the stares. Note to self: stop being so paranoid!
"Are you Hana? Kiba sent me through to see some of the cats." Sakura said, managing to get out of stupor.
"Yeah I'm Hana" Hana said as she looked a little annoyed "You want to look at those furballs?"
Sakura was surprised at her reaction, she thought with the family owning not only a pet shop but a shelter would make them animal lovers. Guess it meant animal lovers except cats.
"Er yeah." Sakura said, a little unsure.
"You're better with a dog, more loyal and less scratchy." Hana said.
She showed her arms to Sakura that were littered with red scratches that have recently closed up. Sakura gapped at the sight, she couldn't help but start to think that this familiar stuff should be banned. Hana suddenly grinned at her, her demeanour changed to a relaxed one.
"Don't worry it's just one of them, he's been giving me jip ever since he arrived. Starting to think he's part wild cat and those are vicious little buggers. A friend of the family brought him in as he was found fighting her pet. Fortunately for that hellcat we have a policy that we don't put a healthy animal down and he's very healthy." Hana said then gestured to follow her. "C'mon I'll show you the nicer ones."
They both walked through the kennels to another door. The place was three times bigger than her apartment and her apartment just big enough to hold to two people in. When opened the door to the cattery she was relieved that the only smell she can detect was a light disinfectant. Hana giggled at her reaction.
"You really aren't a dog person are you?" Hana said.
"They smell" Sakura grunted.
"It's a pack thing, in the wild pack animals uses it to hunt. A few of the pack members would use the wind direction towards their targeted prey and push them to the other pack members that lie in wait. It's a perfect trap. The prey only thinks of the pack members behind them but can't smell the other members that just happen to be in front." Hana said, totally enthralled with the information. "Cats are the opposite; they keep their scent hidden when hunting, making sure that no prey is alerted to their presence."
Oh my god, did I just land in the discovery channel?
"Interesting" Sakura managed to say.
"Anyway, go have a look." Hana said, motioned to the cats.
Sakura smiled at her then began to look into every white box that had little notes about them on the glass. The cats came in all different colour, shapes and sizes that sat on their own little blanket. All cats looked well kept and watched curiously at her but most were sleeping until she arrived at their box. Then these ones would open their eyes at her look at her, annoyed she disturbed them and zonked out again. She would look at them for a couple of moments, to see if they were a familiar or not. So far she couldn't feel anything.
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
Wait...nothing
Nothing
That was until she arrived at box that had more locks than necessary. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at.
"Ah, I'd stay away from that one" Hana said, a little worried. "He's the little misfit that gave me those little presents on my arms."
"How do you feed or clean him?" Sakura asked her voice laced with curiosity.
"Theirs a door at the back with a pen on the outside, we open it when we need to do either of those things." Hana said frowning at the box with the occupant in question. "He's the most vicious, suspicious little bugger I've ever laid eyes on. Usually I have a talent for taming any animal no matter what the circumstances had been for them, but this one…I think with the inbreeding that little pedigree had has made him go that way."
"You think he's a pedigree?" Sakura asked her interest slightly peeked.
Hana sighed.
"Yeah, he happens to be the best looking cat I've ever seen" Hana said.
Overcome with curiosity Sakura walked slowly towards the box. There in the corner of the white box was an elegant looking cat curled up sleeping in his blue little basket. She was awestruck at how black yet shiny the fur was. She swore there was some blue there when she glimpsed at his ears when they flicked slightly. His dainty paws looked strong yet she could see his brilliant white claws peeking out, ready for action. Hana was right; the cat was very suspicious and very good looking.
"He's beautiful" Sakura said.
Instantly his eyes snapped open to look at her. It had taken all her will not to jump. The cat continued to stare at her waiting for her to make her move.
"Which is why we've had so many breeders come in to look at him." Hana said. But Sakura wasn't paying attention, she was staring into eyes of the cat. There was something odd about the cat Hana had mentioned. She leaned forwards regardless of Hana's warning not get any closer. As she looked deeper into its eyes she felt a slight tingle running up and down her body. Then its eyes changed, looking more human.
"Are you a familiar?" She whispered.
Its tail flicked slightly before it turned to eye Hana. Hana frowned at the cat; she swore it was smirking at her. Huffing she turned her attention to a nicer cat. The black cat turned back to look at Sakura un-daunting. He stands, arching his back lazily before gracefully padded towards her. Sakura couldn't help but feel she was a prey under his gaze even though she was the bigger being. The cat began to assess her, looking at her face then all over before hitting her feet. Sakura couldn't believe the cat looked like he was judging her exterior. The cat then looked back into her eyes, giving off the impression that it was smirking, she couldn't help but feel sorry for any mouse that cat caught.
His eyes flashed red for a second.
She blinked, if anyone had seen her eyes in that moment they would have been completely black before they returned to normal. But she smirked back with the uncanny knowledge that the cat, the now known familiar, had accepted her. Why else would it reveal itself to her? Unless she was wrong of course.
"Cool" she whispered.
"I wouldn't get attached to him" Hana said.
Sakura frowned along with cat; they both looked over to Hana who began to pick her nails.
"We've finally had someone willing to take him today despite my warning and demonstration." Hana said eyeing her arms then gazed at Sakura lightly. "Good riddance I say, I'm glad to see the back of him."
"But-"
"I'm sorry, the new owner will be picking him up this evening" Hana said. "Besides he's dangerous and as I far as I know you don't know how to handle such a cat." She looked at the cat with annoyance, it had never gone up to the window not even once. "Even if he has taken a sudden liking to you."
Sakura sighed in irritation, none of the animals here gave off the impression they were familiars like this one did. There were no tingles of any kind but from this cat. It was like it was meant to be. She didn't want a familiar that would be so much of hassle to look after and Kiba had suggested the cat. This cat was extremely independent from her guessing.
"We do have another black cat over there" Hana said, pointing to a box a couple of spaces away from Sakura.
Sakura steps back, away from the cat to look at the other one. She shakes her instantly. It didn't feel right compared to the one in front of her.
"I'm sorry but I just felt this cat was the one" Sakura said.
Hana looked at the pinkette like she was crazy, did she not see the scratches on her arm? Or was she just selective in her sight?
"If it's any consolation his new owner is approved in the animal welfare. He's an exceptional breeder from his record and would take great care of the little…furball" Hana said.
Sakura sighed again.
"Come back later in the week, maybe we'll have a new selection for you" Hana suggested.
Doubt it.
"I'll think about it" Sakura said to Hana.
She looks back at the cat who stares at her patiently.
"Sorry dude, guess it wasn't meant to be" Sakura said. She turns away from the cat and walks back to the entrance with Hana as the black cat watches her go.
It wasn't until the door had closed did the cat frown. It looked towards the other cats. They all backed away in fear. They all knew he was different and not to be trifle with even if he was contained. Then with an equivalent of a smirk for a cat he looked towards the locks.
They began to rattle.
