Vincent opened his eyes, finding himself in a hotel room. There, sitting on the bed next to his, was a black cat. The feline had black spiky hair, and wore a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers. Vincent couldn't see his face.

After a few minutes of laying there, the cat finally looked over at him. He had ocean blue eyes, and a piercing underneath his bottom lip.

"Hey!" the cat said, a smile on his face. His voice was very... unique. "You're up!"

Vincent nodded once, a bit scared of the other male. Who was he? Was he the one who brought him here?

"You okay? I found you passed out in an ally." he said, getting off the bed, and walking over to him.

"Y-yes." Vincent replied, a bit scared. The cat's face fell. Obviously, he didn't like the fact the young squirrel was scared of him.

"Hey," he started softly, putting up his paws. "It's okay. I won't hurt you."

The boy just laid there, allowing the other male to get closer.

"My name's Jimmy. What's yours?" he asked, smiling once more.

"V-Vincent." he stuttered.

"Nice to meet you." he said, holding out his paw. The squirrel shook it, now smiling.

"What were doing all alone, anyways?" Jimmy asked. Both males were walking down the street, going anywhere the sidewalk led them to.

"I was looking for someone." Vincent replied quietly.

"Who?" the cat asked.

"Her name is Grim," he started, looking up at the older boy. "She's a fox. She had orange and white fur, red eyes, and black hair. She helped me yesterday!"

"Grim..." the cat repeated the name, almost as if he knew her. "She wouldn't happen to have scars on the corners of her mouth, would she?"

Vincent thought for a moment, before nodding happily.

"I know her," Jimmy said, smiling a little. "She and I used to go to high school together. I think I saw her by the old well."

"Can we go there, Mister Jimmy?" Vincent asked, smiling up at the feline, who nodded.

"Grim!" Vincent happily hugged the fox, who twitched. She stood there for a few moment, before smiling, and hugging the squirrel.

"Hey, Vincent!" she said, patting his back. The boy let go, still smiling at her.

"I was looking for you, and Mister Jimmy helped me find you!" he said, pointing to the black cat. Both older animals looked at one another. Jimmy smiled at her. Grim seemed to be lost in thought.

"You still owe me that twenty bucks." she said, a smile on her face. The cat's faded.

"You still remember that!" he nearly shouted, surprised the fox had remembered how much money he had owed her back in high school.

"Of course! I remember everyone who owes me money!" she replied, laughing. Jimmy sighed, pulling out his wallet, and giving her a twenty dollar bill. The female happily took it, putting it into her pocket. She then patted Vincent's head, who smiled up at her.

"Thanks for getting him to me." Grim said.

"He's your son?" Jimmy asked, smiling a bit. He never thought of Grim ever being a mother.

"Ha ha, funny!" she replied, laughing at him. "I'm protecting this kid from anyone. I have adopted him as my nephew."

"Why?" Jimmy asked, looking at Vincent, who seemed a bit sad at the girl's words.

"Because I shall never be a mother, and I think he already has one." she replied. The cat shrugged, his tail slightly swaying from side to side.

"It was nice seeing you again," Jimmy spoke, turning to walk away. "Bye, Grim. Bye Vincent."

"Don't think this is our last encounter!" Grim called after him, making the feline look back at her. "I'll see ya later."

With a wink, Grim grabbed Vincent's paw in her own, and walked away.

Some Time Later

"So," Grim started, both she and Vincent sitting near a lake. "Why were trying to find me?"

"I missed you." he told her, a smile on his face. The fox chuckled.

"Surprising. No one ever misses me." she replied, patting his head. Vincent shrugged, hugging her.

"I like you," he spoke, still smiling. "You're nice to me, you saved me, and you don't beat me!"

"Who beats you?" Grim asked, gritting her teeth, as she drug her sharp claws into the Earth. Vincent quickly shut his mouth, regretting he had said anything. When he didn't reply, Grim grabbed his face, making him look at her.

"Who beats you?" she repeated. Vincent's eyes filled with tears, remembering everything.

"Mommy." he told her quietly. Grim smiled, giving him a hug, allowing him to cry into her jacket.

"It's okay," she cooed into his ear. "I'm right here. I won't let anyone hurt you again."

After a few minutes, Vincent had stopped crying, and the two were now walking down the street.

"Vincent, when's your birthday?" Grim asked, looking down at the boy, who thought for a moment.

"I don't know," he replied, his head down. "Mommy never told me."

"I know when it is." she said, a smile on her face. Vincent looked up at her, surprised.

"You do?" he asked.

"Yep! It's today." she said, holding out a rectangle box. It wasn't wrapped, but it wasn't that had a label on it. Slowly, the boy opened the box, pulling out whatever was inside. Grim smiled as she watched the squirrel admire his new necklace. It was a necklace with a small knife at the end of it. Of course, he couldn't use it in battle. It was just there for looks. Vincent hugged Grim, thanking her for the gift.

"There's one more thing." she said, handing him another box. Vincent now noticed the duffel bag that was slung over her shoulder. Why hadn't he seen it before? Opening the box, he found something he thought he'd never get. There, clenched in his blue paw, was a black switchblade, skulls and fire covering the handle.

"Happy birthday, Vincent." Grim said, hugging the boy. Vincent smiled, hugging her back.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" he repeatedly said, hugging the fox back.

"You're welcome, kiddie. Now go inside. I'll see you tonight." she told him.

"Tonight?" he repeated, confused. Grim nodded.

"I have a few things to show you. And then, a question." she explained. After that, a strong gust of wind swept over them, just like the yesterday, and Grim faded away. The squirrel smiled, happily skipping inside the house. He went into his room, and hid his things. He also found something in his father's jacket pocket that wasn't there before. It was a twenty dollar bill, and a note. The note read:

'Hope you enjoyed your gifts. Buy something with the money. I'll be at your window at one in the morning. Don't forget! And bring your knife!

~Grim'

Vincent smiled, putting the note under his pillow and laying down in bed. He kept the money in his pocket, and closed his eyes.

"Vincent, you home?" Vincent's eyes shot open.

"In here, Takeo!" he called to his brother, who ran into the room, a huge smile on his face, and a bag in his white paw.

"I GOTS FOOD!" he said happily. Vincent smiled, hugging his brother.

"Why do you smell like blood cigarette?" Takeo asked, looking at his brother with confused and scared eyes.

"Well..." Vincent tried thinking up of a lie, but couldn't think of one. "I'm sorry. I'll tell you what's been going on."