Chapter Four

Tabitha 'Tabby' / Age 27

I stalked back and forth on the tiled kitchen floor with my ears laying flat on my head. "I'm going to tear those childish beings into shreds!" I growled out loudly. My claws scratched at the cold surface, sharpening them into small, sharp daggers. "I'll feed their rotten remains to the pigs!" Allowing them to interfere on those children's lives would mean that I've failed, failed as a Guardian. Everything is finally slotting into place for them, everything is finally getting better now that they've gotten out of that place called high school. Why them? Why does this have to happen to them of all people?

The soft light that had sneaked its way into the kitchen disappeared and I turned my head to face the being blocking the light. A pair of piercing blue eyes stared down at me.

"You seemed frustrated." The she cat mused, concern lacing her voice.

"What gave it away?" I called out, narrowing my eyes at her. "My angry mumbling perhaps?"

"Perhaps." Azure said gently, clearly the Southern cat was amused at my behaviour.

"How did you get in here?" I asked as I sat down. No point in ranting to myself anymore.

"It seems your owner can be rather careless," Azure replied before she began tending to her glossy silver fur. I glanced down self-consciously at my own matted fur, too be young again would be great. "She left the window open just wide enough for pesky animals like George and I to slip through." Letting out a snarl, I snapped my head up to the stairs. How many times had I meowed to make sure that woman closed all the windows properly?

"So why are you so angry Tabitha?" I open my mouth to protest at the name before closing it shut. It was pointless the cat wouldn't listen. "Wait a moment." Azure lifted her head, closed her eyes and breathed in the air. Her ears twitched in surprise and her eyes sprung open. "My my, what do we have here? A human male."

I scoffed at what her tone implied. "It's not like that, they're just friends." Azure's blue eyes glided over to look at me and amusement danced in her eyes.

"I think you've gone a little senile," She jumped down from the window sill and stood beside me. "Can't you smell it? The love radiating from that boy is overpowering." I sighed in defeat, of course I could smell it! My ability to sniff out emotions may have died a little but this couldn't be ignored. Not even by the dense creatures like humans.

"I know, everybody knows of that boy's feelings towards Rue-May and it's a little-" To my great annoyance I was cut off by a loud, shrieking voice.

"Good God! This place reeks of death!" Speaking of love. I chuckled as Azure's expression shifted to one of annoyance to panic and then to a grimace. Her ears shifted to lay flat on her head and her tail swished around in anxiety. I turned around to face the large, slightly fat ginger cat. For such a large cat you can never hear him coming. However what he said allows reality to come flying back at me. He has a point, that black dog... No all those dogs. They all smell strongly of death like they have been slaughtering other living beings without hesitation.

"Yes indeed it does," Azure's facial expression changed to once of disgust. "How strange... What filthy creatures have you let into this house Tabitha?!"

Emerald green eyes appeared beside me scaring me slightly. "Ya know, it smells like dogs an' all. Dirty, smell mutts!" George snarled in a bitter tone, baring his yellow teeth and flicking his one ear.

"For the first time I think I may agree with you kit." Azure said with a smug, teasing look. Here comes the lover's squabble.

"Who tha hell ya callin' a kit?!" George growled with the hairs on his neck standing on their ends. "I'm a hell of a lot older than ya!"

"Yet you act like an impatient kitten caged in a room with nothing but a bell to amuse them."

As George open his mouth to fire back a reply I decided to take action. "Will you two behave for one Goddamn second? I don't know if you've noticed but we have a serious problem on our paws."

George gave me a look before approaching me cautiously. "Tabby, these things 'appen."

"What?" I step back appalled, what the hell is this kitten on about?

"Ya see," George began. "We can't prolong this forever... I know ya extremely protective when it's comes to ya owner but she's would bring a lover 'ome eventually and-"

"Shut up you moron!" I snarled, lashing my paw across his face. "Our problem has nothing to do with the fact that Rue has allowed a friend who just happens to be male stay the night."

"Are ya kiddin' me? I don't think they're friends, I mean come on Tabby-"

"Shut. Up." I said calmly, rolling out the words carefully on my tongue. Even George has enough sense to shut his mouth when I speak like this. "Those dogs you smelt... They aren't ordinary dogs."

"The scent implied that." Azure replied. "I've never smelt an animal beside the odd human who smelt so... Rotten before."

"So? Maybe they just like goin' on killin' sprees and killin' pidgins... Nothin' wrong with that! Those things are bats with wings!" I watch as George visibly shudders. Pidgins aren't the nicest tasting meal in the world but they're bearable.

"No...You don't get that scent from just killing pidgins." I closed my eyes in irritation as I tried to think. "They're young perhaps four months old. You don't smell like that at that age. You don't talk like they do at that age."

"Maybe it's a body switch." Azure murmured and I shiver in fear. "However such practices have been outlawed for centuries. The spells have been forgotten. It's practically impossible." I think for a moment before the names of the dogs flashes in my mind as well as their matched appearances.

"Nah, Tabs is old enough to remember such practices." George laughed but I didn't shot him a look to tell him off.

"This is going to sound crazy," I muttered in embarrassment. "Their names match those of fictional characters as well as their personalities and physical appearance. It's not impossible that somehow the mangaka who created those characters had some sort of link to their world. However that doesn't give us a explanation as to why they are here and it that form especially." I finish speaking and am met by a pair of amused expressions.

George throws back his head and lets out a yowl of laughter. "So what ya tellin' us is that a bunch of fictional characters are real? That they somehow made their way from their fictional world and into our real world? And they turned in the form of innocent yet bloodthirsty pups? Bloody hell, Tabs! What the fuck 'ave ya been eatin'? I think ya 'ave gone a teensie bit crazy!" I stare at him blankly knowing how stupid I sounded. If somebody were telling me this I wouldn't believe them either.

"Oh Tabitha! I know it's stressing you out a little but you must be rational about this. It's practically impossible for the character's of somebody's mind to become or be real. It's just not scientifically correct!" The last sentence and her pitying expression pushes me off the edge. The anger pulses its way through my veins like hot, scorching lava. Oh what I would do to be able to sink my claws into that little brat's pelt! I grumble to myself. It's a little saddening that a cat as spiritual as Azure would say something like that. Kittens these days are losing touch with their spiritual side and are chasing mindlessly after human science, forgetting about how this world truly works.

"Oh, it's absolutely hilarious that you of all cat are lecturing me on what is scientifically correct," I snarled sharply, my tone dripped with rich sarcasm. I shouldn't start an argument with Azure as it will only end badly however I very much doubt Rue would appreciate me destroying her sofa. "Isn't it funny how you have traded everything in order to live besides someone who cannot return your love, hmm?"

Azure stood up and stalked towards me with her fur bristling, her eyes narrowed into angry slits and threatening growls escaped her lips. "How dare you!" Her claws clenched and unclenched on the carpet. I knew I had crossed the line this time but I have a lot on my plate at the moment, the last thing I need is some kitten lecturing me.

"Ooo cat fight!" George snickered childishly however he was ignored.

"Imagine the consequences of your actions when she finally realises-" I silence myself when the sound of pacing footsteps is heard from overhead.

"Human awake! Human awake!" George yowled before darting out of the room. Azure was quick to follow but only after shooting me one final glare. Fabulous. She is going to be really moody with me for a while.

I flicked my ears towards the stairs and listened for anymore sounds of movement. A bed creaked as somebody sat down on it. The scent of sleep drifts from where Clay is sleeping soundlessly so it's obviously Rue who is awake. Her late night wanders are becoming more and more frequent, it's almost like she never sleeps anymore.

I turn around and pad quietly past the room where those creatures are residing. A hiss of annoyance escapes my lips when I hear nothing but loud snores. Lazy baboons.

The stairs provide a challenge for me as I struggle to climb up each one. My limbs are growing even more exhausted with each passing day. I grit my teeth in irritation and squeeze my eyes shut. Curse this body! I let out a pant as I reach the top of the stairs and slowly I make my way over to Rue's bedroom door. I scratch at the door a few times but when I get no response I let off a ear-splitting yowl that was sure to catch her attention.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming." A muffled voice says and the door is quickly open to allow skinny old me to slip through. "Why can't you come into my room before I fall asleep?" I stop still and turn towards her, narrowing my eyes at her. "Okay so I wasn't asleep yet, your yowling woke me me."Another look. "Fine, I haven't been to sleep yet."

Rue walks slowly over to her bed, her movements zombie like and hesitant. She collapsed onto her bed and closed her eyes, breathing heavily. "You see Tabby, I was browsing Tumblr and once you start you can't stop. You'll say to yourself just a few more post but by six o'clock in the morning you're wide awake and need to get ready for college." She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I should have taken Fauna's warning..."

I jump onto the bed beside her and tilt my head, a gesture which means spill everything. "What's going on with you Rue-May? You've not been sleeping well lately, hell you've collapsed twice! It's terrifying sometimes... You left me outside yesterday longer than usual and if that blonde lad hadn't turned up... Only the Gods know how much longer I might have been left out there!" I sigh before curling up beside her. The girl doesn't understand a word of what I am saying but it's comforting. I'm scolding her and she understand that I'm trying to communicate with her. She tells me everything.

"I guess you want to know what's going on with me huh?" Rue begins softly. Her left hand was brought to her eyes and her right hand was absent-mindedly placed on my back, giving me gentle strokes. I let out a relaxed purr and snuggle up against her, encouraging her to continue. "I don't really know Tabby... I'm not going to say that my life is terrible because it's know, to say it is would be extremely childish... Everything is getting on top of me. The work I do for my studies is getting a little sloppy and it's worrying the teachers. My job is hard too even though it's only part time... I thought once I left high school everything would be so much easier for everyone but it's not, nowhere near!" She spits out the word high school in disgust and anger. "My friends... They are all slipping away from me and there is nothing I can do... Fauna, oh my God Fauna, I'm scared for them. They don't care about anything any more, they're just shutting themselves away and it's killing me to know I can't do anything for them! Then there is Rhydian... I don't even know what to say."

"Life is a very hard thing Rue," I say carefully. "We can only hope that they will pull through it themselves and even if they don't, their souls will learn from the mistakes they made in this life. Everything will turn out just fine."

"Sometimes I want to break away from it all. Screw everything, go out and travel. Do something with my life." Rue sighs and looks over at me sadly. "I don't want to just get through life following the plan set out for me by my parents. I don't want to achieve my dream of becoming a vet then have my parents set me up with some 'perfect' guy for me to marry and have 'perfect' children with. I don't have the courage to say no to them..."

"Then don't," The frustration rushes through me when reality hits me and I remember she can't understand me. "Do whatever the hell you want! Marry whoever the hell you want and don't listen to them!"

Rue cuts me off and the subject changes. "Maybe it wasn't a good idea to allow my brother to stay here, I have so much work going on at the moment, it's a constant struggle and I really don't get a break. He's going to need lots of time and attention..." She trails off and stares into the distance with glazed worried eyes. "He arrives tomorrow at twelve o'clock. I have so many things I need to do to prepare for him. Plus there is those puppies as well, I can't exactly let Thomas around most of them!" I watch as her eyes begin to drop.

"Everything will work out fine," I say soothingly as I nudge her towards her pillow. She looks at me blankly for a moment before understanding what I am getting at. I watch as the brunette climbs under the covers of the bed and rests her head on the pillow. "Don't you worry about a thing, I'll make sure those disgusting mongrels don't lay a paw on little Tommy." I stare at her before giving her a small lick on the cheek.

"Eww Tabby, that's gross." She mumbles, smiling gently with half open eyes. I can sense the sleep quickly taking over her and I let out a purr.

"Goodnight Princess." I said before I leap down from the bed, knocking down the phone as I did and succeeded in kicking it underneath the bed. I look at the small device before padding quietly out of the room. I push the door with my head until I hear the click telling me it's been closed properly.

As I begin making my way down the stairs a stale smell hits me and I freeze in my tracks. Lifting my nose, I smell the air trying to pinpoint what the smell is. I feel my eyes widen when I recognise the scent as a dead being. It's something I have not smelt in a very long time. I wonder why such a being would be roaming around this house as far as I know no human has died in this newly built house; If they had the spirit would have been here long before now.

I sit down gracefully where the smell is the strongest and the shadows are shifting the most. I attempt to clean up my fur a little for these guest has a pleasant aura. If you take away the dead smell of course. I flick my ears impatiently as I realise the spirit is questioning whether to make their appearance or not. "I know you are there so you best come out before I get annoyed."

The sound of soft footsteps attracts my attention to my right and I stare in amazement as the shadows hiding the spirit separate, creating a simple pathway. This is something very few humans get to witness and I take joy in knowing that. I jerk my head up taking up a dominant stance just in case this spirit is not what they seem to be.

Within moments a young girl stands before, a gentle and curious expression gracing her face. She has deep brown eyes that stare down at me and glossy, rich brown hair. Her cheeks have two unusual purple markings on them, they were likely painted on in her mortal life but now they are tattooed permanently on her cheeks. She looks a little familiar."I knew cats could talk but I never knew they could see the dead as well." The girl says softly and her lips pull into a genuine smile.

I tilt my head at her. "Who are you?" I say jumping straight to the point.

"Oh silly me," She grins sheepishly. "My name is Rin... Rin Nohara."

My heart seems to stop in my chest and I finally realise why she looks so familiar.

She's a 'fictional' character.

PLEASE READ BEFORE READING REVIEW REPLIES

Okay so I get quite nervous about replying to reviews as I always think I'm going to offend/upset somebody unintentionally. I am terribly sorry if anything I wrote does offend you or comes off as rude, I really didn't mean for it to come off that way. If anything did offend you please message me and I will apologise and remove the review if you would like.

Once again I'm sorry

:)

Yay! My review got...um...reviewed! _
But that's enough of that. This chapter was awesomely orchestrated :) The Akatsuki getting a turn at every other chapter for their own thoughts and reactions works out really neatly.
Tabby...I'm starting to think is secretly really kick-butt... I mean, it's kind of like she said. When you're as old as she is...you can end up really awesome!
The Nagato-and-Yahiko-only-held-together-by-Konan fights are really well done and almost refreshing. It fills a space in the real Naruto series that never could have been broached on it's own. Now having all three of them alive at the same time opens up a whole new plane of, "The heck did you do the Akatsuki, Nagato?!" :)
Lastly, I find Tobi, Zetsu, Konan and actually Deidara surprisingly in-character! The OOCness isn't all bad ;)
Okay, big review. I can't wait for the next chapter, and keep up the good work! XD
P.S. I know it'd be a little prickly, but I really just want to give puppy Nagato a hug T_T

Thank you for the reviewing again (If that was you before :) )

I'm glad you liked Tabby, I was hesitant to add her into the story seeing as talking cats may be classed as overused but oh well. In the original I planned to return Yahiko because I just love him as a character and I thought it would be nice to include.

Thank you for telling me that the OOCness isn't all bad after reading my old story (I cringe so much every single time) I realised just how OOC the Akatsuki really were. Hopefully this time around I'll be better.

Aww, I do as well! Let's be honest here, if you had the Akatsuki as puppies in your house wouldn't you just cuddle them to death? Sure they will probably kill you later... Still when you're in heaven or whatever it's something to brag about!

I forgot to mention (when I should, ) how I always liked the original first chapter. It opened directly with some simple intresting lines from all of Akatsuki. But these changes are actually interesting, with Pein/Nagato now being to weak to actually move,because he is in his real body. Which makes sense. Thumbs up for that. :-)

I get the feeling like you should seperate this line "the largest being -" from the rest of the paragraph.

I found it weird that he would actually dare to tell them he is their leader, when he supposed to not let them know that he is crippled. Maybe he should have been shocked silent, or hestiating, but the others would regonize him by his eyes. I also find it strange why he would start shout for Konan. Or maybe not.

And they shouldnt know what a car is. Call it a metallic object instead. Or whatever dogs would call it. (I think I called it a car because I was writing in third person and not the Akatsuki's POV, if that makes sense? Though it says Akatsuki's POV, that probably doesn't make sense...)

And while Konan have been turned into a puppy, she is a shinobi and should have been able to jump away with no help (or would she?). There is no need for a damsel in distress trope. Although the scene with Konan and Yahiko was adorable.

Yahiko showing up turned out to be a intresting and a funny suprise that made me grin. I wish the scenes with Nagato and Yahiko could have been longer or show more of TOobitos thoughts.

Maybe the part where the "boy" shows up, could have been introduced with them hearing his footsteeps. Make it mysterious and feeling unknow for the Akatsuki-pack.

I like the boys reaction and him continue to be nice.

Oh I love Yahiko, answer to Kisame! XD

I dont think MadaToObito would say it so openly like that. He would say it more in a way subtle way. He wouldn't want to admit that has no clue, (he is too prideful for that,) but try to start plotting.

Rin is medic, what if she could have been helping the vet?

Anywhere, Im glad to see that you took the previous reviews as an experience to improve. :-) Good luck further.

First I would like to say thank you so much for such an in depth and detailed review, it's been really useful in helping improve the previous chapters(Well it will when I get round to editing them).

You made several good points especially the one about Nagato telling them he's his leader, I didn't think about it when I wrote it, I just thought Nagato would be to proud to deny the fact that's he's the leader and he would believe he still has chakra.

He shouted for Konan because despite everything, you could say Konan is the only family he has left and he loves her so in that moment he thought he was going to lose someone precious to him. Then there's also the fact that Yahiko died to protect him and Konan so if she dies maybe he would feel like he let Yahiko down?

Though you're right about Konan being a Shinobi and that she should have been able to escape the car, she has no chakra and her body is much weaker than she is used to, she would still be adapting to the change. At that moment she had the mind of the animal she had become (There is also a secret meaning for why she behaved like an animal but that's a secret until later ;) ) Also I couldn't think of another way to introduce Yahiko XD

Footsteps! I will do that! Seriously you're really good with ideas :D

As for Rin, I've thought of an idea of how to introduce her and her part which I think a lot of you may like. I hope.

I didn't like the first original chapter because I just felt like they were just talking for no apparent reason, you know with no emotion, just robots. That might just be me though -shrug-.

Once again thank you so much for this review and I will keep everything in mind when editing the previous chapters and writing futures ones

I like how you ended the chapter with Obitos thoughts. Of his team,and Rin.

Thank you :3 I'm glad you liked it :)

Oh Clayton... :,-( that hurt to read.. His parents are scary... I like how you choosen to have an male as an protagoist.
This is even more intresting, Clayton turning out to be a crossdresser, and thus having conflict with his parents being against it. And he feels guilty about it. This is intresting because its real! Its the very thing challenging the old traditional of "normal" right now in real life.
And the questing about his friends... heartbreaking and relateable.

So eyup, I like Clayton . :-)

You need to shorten down the information flow. Calm down, avoid telling it all in one glub. Dont be afraid of using punctations. commas, and "enter". They are your friends. ;-)

Example;
-"to see if the puppies would follow me.
Surprisingly, they did,
Frowning. I walked back to the car, and locked the door."

Hey, I like how youre using your previous characters in this fic. And having a balanced 50/50 portion of male-female characters.

How did Clayton know the puppy (Konan) was a female? He shouldnt be able to! Unless he lifted her to inspect. It would be hilarious to see Akatsukis reaction to that!

I can see you have done your homework. You have researched about dogs, medicine, crossdressing, etc. Well done!

Tabby! X-D I have only see a little of her,but that cat is so lovely and funny!

Clayton is so in love.

Rue has similairities to Rin. And Clayton to Obito. Yet they are their own characters.
(Please avoid make Rue turn out to be Rin, or having her be her angel...:-S

Hilarious, considering TOobito (and Akatsuki) is listening.
I like the meaningful choice of names.

This was a bit heartbreaking, yet very funny and cute chapter.
Good job! You have improved well! :-)

So many constructive reviews! I love it! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a long review I really appreciate it :)

I'm glad you like Clay, he's a very important character to me. Believe it or not when I first created him he was based off of Deidara XD Though I've changed him so much he's nothing like him.

Ah, my greatest writing weakness, cramming everything together and I here I was wondering if I used to many commas lol. I really struggle with this so it's really considerate of you to point it out and help me improve.(I'm sorry if that sounded sarcastic or rude, I'm reading it now and I just don't know how to change it so it doesn't sound rude...I'm really sorry if it offends or upsets you, I don't mean for it to come out sarcastic) I did try in this chapter to get this to flow a bit more.

I've tried to make the characters from the old fic more developed and believable as it was like they were just there to talk, it bothered me quite a bit at the time. Mimi is much different from the original and you should be able to see changes in both Luna and Mina.

Well Clayton is a magical being that's why he was able to know :) Just kidding, I don't really think these things through when I'm writing them even though I should, I'm doing a quick edit in a couple of days so this would be a good thing to include, thanks :D

I've tried to keep everything as realistic as possible but I was really nervous in case I did something wrong and offended somebody so thank you for reassuring me that is wasn't as bad as I thought it was. I just hope I don't do anything wrong.

I'm not sure if I've said this but Tabby is my cat in real life, I included her in the story because she's twenty at the moment and I worry that she could die soon so I'm putting her in so I don't forget how she behaved.

I've always wanted to write a love story where the boy is the one that's very shy towards the one he likes and not the other way around. I haven't read many ones like that.

(Please avoid make Rue turn out to be Rin, or having her be her angel...:-S) Don't worry Rue most definitely won't be Rin but I really wanted Rin to be her angel or guardian despite it being a Mary-Sue idea. Rin is a very amazing character and I barely ever see any fanfictions including her though she deserves it. I'm going to include her... Oh my gosh thank you so much! I literally, while writing this, thought of a new idea! I think it may be better and more believable... Hopefully.

Thanks, the names were one of the most difficult part of the story.( I didn't want to use the old names :P)

Overall, I'm very glad you liked this chapter and I'm glad to hear that I have improved but it's thanks to everybody that posts reviews whether it be little messages asking for another chapter or detailed ones like these ones, that I am able to carry on writing and help me improve.

Much better! Zetsu is focused on Madaras plan and Tobi is acting like it feels he should.
I like how you are showing Yahiko and Nagato being

Tabby! Awesome character! And her senses! I love how she can sense and smell evil and death. Just like dogs can detect disease before they manifest. l'm smelling a Witchy Cat here!;-)

Zetsu is half dog,half plant.

It was actually intresting to hear Tabbys reaction and telling Akatsuki the truth. Hearing that Akatsuki even had a good influence on Rue and Sia were positively surprising.

What if the next chapter can have something more to exciten ? Like something hilarious?;-)

Plot twist: Akatsuki learn about Masashi Kishimoto!

Something hilarious for the next chapter? I'm terrible at comedy XD I couldn't tell a interesting and good joke even if my life depended on it.

Tabby's a witch :) I dressed her up as a witch once, when I was like six and I put her in a box and wrapped her up in tinsel.

The good influence thing on Rue and Sia came from what I have read in other fanfictions and on online Naruto clubs. People talk about how the characters have helped them so much during their lives and that they're important to them even though they are simply imaginary characters. I think people don't tend to realise how much simple things like this can impact a person's life. Woah... I think that was a bit to much information lol

I will most definitely be introducing the Akatski to Masashi Kishimoto,it'll be quite a shock for them don't you think?

For this chapter I was going to do Rue's point of view but I couldn't think of a way to start it without changing it every time I logged on to write it so I give you Tabby. How many of you were expecting this? :)

This is a very short chapter written when I had writer's block, I know it's no excuse but yeah... I'm going to come back in about a month's time and edit it so it hopefully flows more. I did that with the previous chapter the other day but every time I read through it I want to change every single thing!

Sorry for the late chapter, I've been really busy lately and my stupid internet decided that it would like to break down for four whole months! I could only go on the internet for certain days at my nan's/mum's house and even then I would only use it for homework :/

Thank you for reading this chapter, constructive views are always appreciated :)