Chapter 3 - Lost and Found

Normal POV:

Back downstairs Rei found Tyson and Hilary squeaking. Who ever knew that Tyson could summon that high pitched voice! Kenny was immersed in his self-appointed task of looking up information about why Kai has been changed as such by his fiery bit-beast.

"You have to see him Hilary! He is Kai but not actually Kai. He is like a replica of the grumpy Kai but much smaller and adorable and clumsy. He's got cute little ears complete with whiskers, small paws and a tail. And he must still be Kai underneath all the adorable looks because look at what he gave us; a scratch each! Only someone with Kai's personality would be so mean to us." Tyson was saying dragging his sleeve and that of Max up to show Hilary the angry looking scratches that decorated their forearm.

"And he kept clinging to Rei on the way back as if he was his lifeline." Max chimed in wving his arms around enthusiastically.

"Where is he? I want to see him! Rei, do you know if he can speak?"

"No I don't. He's got to utter a word yet. Hilary, don't wake him up please. He is sleeping in his own bed. He was so tiered. I am pretty sure you are sensible enough to know how best to handle him." Rei had Hilary wrapped around his little finger. He always knew that Hilary is easily convinced when you praise her.

As usual Tyson started to complain that he was hungry. They had skipped breakfast with all the morning happenings. So Rei having nothing better to do complied. Hilary soon came downstairs reporting that Kai was still sleeping.

After the late lunch, Rei went up to his and Kai's shared room to check on the little neko. The others had decided to go and see a movie since they were getting bored. The first thing Rei noticed upon entering the room was the open window. A quick search of the room told Rei that the room was really empty. Without hesitation he jumped from the open window to the ground below and started to search for the little Kai.

Kai's POV

Consciousness started tugging at my brain and slowly I started to remember the happenings of that morning.

I was ashamed of myself. Today I let my weakness show and look where it got me. Rei got to see my pathetic self, the one thing that I strived so hard not to show to my teammates.

I cannot let them see more of this vulnerable side of mine and in this state I doubt that I can help it! I have to leave the dojo immediately. I feel betrayed by Dranzer. Why did she decide to change me so?

Looking around the room I noticed the bedroom window open so I jumped out not once looking back. Luckily it isn't taking me a long time to adjust to this new body.

I didn't know where I was heading to for I just wanted to get out of that dojo, out of Tyson's, Max's and I bet Hilary's hands and out of Kenny's experimental clutches. I passed by the park were many children were playing. Shockingly a part of me which I didn't recognize wanted to go and join them but I disregarded the feeling and continued on my way. My aim was to find refuge before night fall and stay there until I return back to normal.

It was taking me longer than usual to walk and my sense of direction must be crooked because I swear that I was walking around in circles.

The afternoon was slowly turning into evening and the evening into night. After a while I noticed some shadows following me. Turning around I saw a group of boys much bigger and nasty looking eyeing me curiously. When they noticed that I was looking at them, the biggest one of them called me over but I panicked and started running the other way.

That was a bad move for they soon caught up with me and dragged me to a darker area in the park. "So what do we have here hmm? A freak?" At this his companions started laughing and one of them poked at my kitty ears in a rather rude manner. I looked around desperately, they were so big, but there was no one to ask for help. People had left the park for it was time for dinner and I hoped against hope that Rei would realize that I had left the dojo and come to look for me.

I tried to shout out for help when I felt myself being lifted but only mews came out of my mouth. Turning me around the guy who held me earned a scratch on his nose. But that was the only damage that I could do and I was rapidly losing hope of escaping.

Then I heard it, someone calling my name. Desperately I meowed one last time before I was flung out of my captors grasp and landed on my injured hand. Tears where running down my cheeks and I wasn't able to control my pain and emotions.

"Let him go" the voice that was calling my name said.

"Why should we? He's our price. We caught him first."

"Well, I suggest you let him go if you care to leave here without any injuries. Of course if you leave the police won't have to know that you attached a small defenseless kid." Thank the gods Rei managed to convince them to leave me alone.

"Kai! Kai are you alright?" Rei asked while picking me up. I couldn't believe it! He had to save me twice in one day! I was so relieved that I wanted to hug him tight; who knows what would have happened to me if he hadn't come in time, but I didn't and this time it had nothing to do with my pride. My wrist was hurting a lot, I couldn't speak 'human' language to express my happiness and tears kept running down my face.

The only thing I said was a stupid "Meow". Though he seemed to know what I wanted to do because wordlessly he hugged me close to his chest and carried me back home.

Rei's POV

When I saw those tugs picking Kai roughly, my heart went cold. How dare they pick on a defenseless kitten? I quickly intervened and luckily they didn't want to get into a lot of trouble.

After they left I crouched near the shaking Kai, who meowed once, and brought him up to my chest hugging him tight not wanting to let him go. For some reason I was sure that he wanted to be comforted. Kai kept sobbing the whole way home and I wondered if they had severely hurt him or if he was sobbing because of the scare. Once in our room again, I tried to pry his hand away from his body but he didn't let me. "Come on Kai I only want to help you. You'll see that after I see your hand it will stop hurting!" At this he stared at me as if trying to see if I was lying but then he relinquished his hand. I wasn't sure of what to do about it so I just rubbed some lotion and splinted it again.

All the time Kai watched me with great attention meowing a little only when I tugged a bit too hard on his arm. "Now I want you to promise me that you wouldn't escape like that again. You were lucky that I heard your cry for help …" I watched as he hesitantly nodded. Then I took him in my arms and went downstairs to watch some TV. Suddenly his stomach started to grumble and I was reminded that Kai hadn't eaten anything all day! When I looked down at him it was to see his eyes widened and a blush covering his kittenish cheeks. Seeing my grin across my features Kai's blush intensified and with a tiny meow as if to tell me 'what are you laughing at' he buried his head in my shirt.

After a small snack it didn't take long for Kai to sleep but I didn't want to take him upstairs and leave him alone for fear that he might try to escape again. So I kept him with me till the others came home.

When we went up I placed Kai in his own bed and tucked him in hoping that I haven't woken him up in the process. As I climbed in my own bed and prepared for sleep, another presence made itself known by the scratching at the bedspread. Must have moved Kai a bit roughly for he was awake and trying to climb in my bed. I was perplexed that he was looking for comfort as I scooped him up and covered him with my bed sheets. He just cuddled close to me and started purring softly.