Part 4

Hunter paused in the doorway leading out onto the porch. The garden lights were on and illuminating the area beautifully. Hunter paused enjoying the sight a faint smile curling his lips as he remembered the way Stephanie had insisted on placing each light herself, angling them so they highlighted the best parts of the garden and showed of her planting scheme to its full potential. He closed his eyes taking a moment to compose himself, the beer and relaxed atmosphere of the evening had lowered his defences and he could feel the all too familiar prickle of tears stinging his eyes as he thought of her.

On the porch John was sprawled in a wicker chair, grinning to himself as he watched the two nekos. The cats were curled up together on the swing seat. Evan had dosed off and was lying with his head in Randy's lap, the larger neko absently stroking the smaller neko's ears as he sipped his soda.

Not realising Hunter had rejoined them John called across softly, "You know he's a great guy," Randy looked at him, the grey eyes glued to John's face as the older man continued, "I mean it. I can't think of a better person to have looking after you."

"We'll see," rumbled Randy his eyes narrowing slightly, his ears twitching as the breeze ruffled them. His tail curled up wrapping itself around Evan almost caressing the smaller figure.

"I mean it," insisted John. Leaning forward he rested his elbows on his knees adding, "He's a good man. Trust me and beside you and he both have something in common."

"I very much doubt that," huffed Randy shooting John a sarcastic look but it was tempered by a slight smile curling his lips. "What could he and I possible have in common?" he asked after a moment's silence, able to keep the note of interest out of his voice.

"You're both looking for a new beginning," explained John, "You need to move on from the past and Hunter needs to..."

"John!"

Both of them jumped at Hunter's call. As Randy settled back down, Evan gave a little growl of complaint, mewing, "Wha'happen? Why you moving?"

"Shhh," soothe Randy stroking Evan's head, "Sorry, I just jumped, go back to sleep, everything fine.

"'mkay," mumbled Evan snuggling into Randy rubbing his face against Randy's thigh as he did.

Hunter glared at John as he sat down mouthing, "Shut up."

John held the glare then looked away shaking his head mumbling, "It's been over a year Hunter and even longer since Shaw..."

"I don't care!" growled Hunter, cutting John off mid sentence. There was no way he wanted to hear that name right then.

He glared at John then flicking a look at Randy he noticed the way the neko was regarding him. The elegant head was held to one side, the eyes narrowed as if he was reassessing his opinion of Hunter or something - and that worried Hunter. Realising he needed to say something Hunter offered brokenly, "It's ...its difficult I...I can't..."

"You don't owe me an explanation," rumbled Randy.

"I know that!" snapped Hunter, brushing his hair back away from his face, "But equally I don't' want you thinking I'm hiding something from you." His voice wobbled slightly as he continued, "It's just I...I'm not ready to...I..."

"I understand," murmured Randy his voice little more than a low purr. He offered Hunter a soft smile adding meaningfully, "There's nothing to explain." he locked eyes with Hunter, a sudden understanding flashing between them both, Both of them acknowledging the other had boundaries and that for the moment both were happy not to know each other's secrets. Noticing the subtle interplay John lowered his head, hiding his smile wondering how long it would be before the two of them realised just how alike they really were.

x o x o x o x o x o x o

Opening the door of John's car Hunter stepped back watching with mild amusement as Randy carefully set the sleeping form of Evan onto the backseat. Catching John's eye they share a massive grin silently chuckling at the way the apparently fearsome sullen neko fussed over his smaller companion taking care to buckle Evan in before placing his jacket beneath the sleeping figures head. Brushing a hand over Evan's hip he eased his tail around as well, laying it over the small neko's thigh, the tip of the tip twitching and undulating as the little cat slept peacefully.

Wriggling out of the backseat Randy caught John's grin and with his face hardening he snarled, "Stop laughing at me."

"Hey, hey whoa!" exclaimed John, "No laughing at anyone going here. I'm just amazed at how gentle you are with him. I mean let's face it you are not a gentle kind of cat but where that kitten's concerned you'd do anything to protect him, wouldn't you?"

Randy drew himself up to his full height thereby gaining a few inches on the big man. Staring down into the open face he growled, "You have no idea what I would do to protect him – what I have done to protect him. So I suggest you get it into your thick head - you hurt him, you cause him one moment of upset and I will. Rip. You. Apart. I will make your life a livin..."

"Enough already!" snapped John, "I get it!"

The good-natured smile had faded, his face had hardened and for a moment he exerted his actual power. Squaring up Randy, he got back into the neko's space, the bright blue eyes flashing with a power and intensity that actually forced Randy take a step back, "But you get this. I would never hurt him. Hear me? Never. And anyone who did hurt him - anyone stupid enough to lay one finger on him - I would hunt them down and give them an ass whipping they would never recover from. So you need to get it into your thick catlike brain I am not the bad guy here."

They stared at each other, their faces only centimetre apart, both of them shaking with aggression and pent up feelings. Grey burned into blue as they stared at each other, a silent but heated argument flashing between them. But then suddenly, as if by mutual agreement, they both started to smile. Almost instantly the tension melted away and suddenly John was laughing out loud, shaking his head as he chuckled, "Damn it you are one fierce cat"

"and you're not too bad for a human," conceded Randy a playful smile curling his lips.

Stepping back out of Randy's space John nodded in approval drawling, "You're okay, Kitty-kat," he looked over at Hunter and winked calling, "See you for training tomorrow, big guy?"

"You bet," agreed Hunter he reached over to ease Randy away from the car. Absently stroking Randy's elbow, Hunter asked softly, "You okay?"

Randy nodded and for the first time he actually looked relaxed, as if the standoff with John had changed something within him. He flicked Hunter a look then turned his attention back to the car, watching as John fired the car up, gunning the engine until it was roaring. John nodded at them, gave a quick salute then backed the car up and set off leaving them alone on the driveway.

"Well I don't know about you, Kitty-kat," yawned Hunter, "But I'm ready for bed."

Randy tensed but didn't respond. He simply glowered at Hunter although the glower melted into surprise when Hunter asked, "Did Evan show you your bedroom yet?"

"No," confessed Randy having the decency to look slightly sheepish, "He was too busy giving me a hard time for being an idiot."

"You know I can actually see him doing that," chuckled Hunter. He turned and headed back towards the house calling over his shoulder, "Well come on then, Kitty-kat, don't you wanna see your room?"

x o x o x o x o x o x o

Hunter had never seen anyone look as amazed as the neko currently occupying the centre of the small bedroom. To Hunter's eyes it wasn't much - a standard double bed freshly made, a chest of drawers topped with a few nick knacks, a small walk in closet and a small desk were the only furniture. It was subtly decorate in a soft blue and white colour scheme, the curtains and bedding all matching to create a very calming elegant room.

"This is my room?" asked Randy softly his voice barely more than a whisper.

"Yeah," murmured Hunter rubbing the back of his neck slightly embarrassed at the spartan nature of the room, "I know it's not great but it'll do until..."

"Not great?" exclaimed Randy breathlessly, "It's beautiful. I've never...I..." he glanced away rumbling, "I've never had my own space. I've never had a room."

"Never?"

Randy shrugged dismissively, snarling bitterly, "Kats don't' get rooms, kats get cages," he spat the words out as if they burnt his mouth and as if they were something he'd been made to say against his will.

"Well that's a crock of shite!" growled Hunter, "This is your room and ..." he reached out catching Randy's arm as the cat turned away from him, "... tomorrow we'll go shopping get a few things to make it more... well, suitable for a cat like you."

Randy glared at him, his eyes flicking between the hand holding his bicep and Hunter's face. After a few moments he rumbled sullenly, "I can't go shopping, I don't..." he blushed and Hunter remember something that Evan had said about Randy's pride.

Suddenly understanding what Randy was trying to say the big man soothed, "Hey don't worry about the money. Consider these homecoming gifts. We'll get you some cloths as well, can't have you roaming around in my clothes, even if they do look good on you."

Randy started at him confusion, disbelief and a surprising amount of fear all visible in the neko's eyes.

"What's' wrong?" asked Hunter after a few moments strained silence, "Don't you want to get your own stuf..."

"I can't pay for it," growled Randy bitterly, bowing his head as he confessed, "I don't have money, I don't have...I won't take charity."

Hunter let his hand drop away and giving a bitter chuckle he snapped, "Kitty kat this ain't charity. This is me taking care of you. It's what an owner – a good owner – does. Its what I want to do and I..."

"I don't need hand outs!" snapped Randy, wincing when he realised how petulant he sounded. He closed his eyes then drawing in several deep breaths he forced himself to add, "I appreciate the offer, I really do but I...I can't take your money."

Hunter regarded him a moment. He was actually touched at Randy's refusal to take his money. It made him respect the neko even more than he already did. But he knew too that finding a job for a neko was hard. Their sole purpose was to be playthings, to be pleasure pets. They weren't meant to work regular jobs like humans and if they did earn money it was normally the sort of money that came at a very high personal price and he refused to contemplate any of those sources for Randy. He gnawed his bottom lips wondering if there was anything he could do, any strings he could pull to find a job suitable and safe for his kitty.

When he drew a blank he sighed angrily but realising he needed to do something to make Randy accept things, he offered, "Okay how about this. You let me buy you stuff tomorrow and then we'll sit down and work out how we can get you your own income and then once you're earning you can pay me back. Does that sound fair?"

Randy blinked at him, his tail swishing behind him pausing every now and then to curl up before swinging back again. He tilted his head, looking as if he was listening to a voice Hunter couldn't; hear, then slowly he nodded agreeing slowly, "That..that would work. But I will pay you back I...I don't want to be a kept thing I..."

"You won't be," promised Hunter absently stroking Randy's tail as it flicked around him. He froze expecting a slap but he didn't get one. If anything Randy seemed just as surprised by the fact that his tail seemed to like the touch and was undulating closer and closer to Hunter rather than swishing away as it normally did whenever anyone other than Evan tried to touch him.

"Is that's my bed?" asked Randy glancing at the bed.

"Yeah sorry," murmured Hunter. The blue and white delicate bedding didn't really suit the large masculine affliction-clad cat currently staring at it, "We'll get you some new linen as well," chuckled Hunter sharing a grin with Randy who nodded in total agreement.

"Okay you get yourself sorted out," ordered Hunter fondly, "and I'll go get you a t-shirt and shorts to sleep in," he turned and started to walk away only to be stopped dead in his tracks when Randy replied, "There's no need - I don't' wear anything when I sleep."

Gulping audibly Hunter looked back over his shoulder and fighting to keep the blush off his face he stammered," You...you sleep naked?"

Randy nodded, the grey eyes narrowing slightly as if waiting for Hunter to make some comment.

Hunter didn't. He just nodded and offered, "Well how about I get them anyway at least then you can put them on in the morning when you come down for breakfast."

The smile that Randy favoured him with was enough to make Hunter grin in return. Without waiting Hunter went to his own room grabbed a spare shirt and shorts and returned to find Randy bouncing on the bed, the neko lost in a private moment of joy as he realised how soft the mattress he'd been given really was.

Leaning in the doorway Hunter chuckled then called, "You know you look almost kittenish when you do that."

He excepted a scathing reply but he didn't get one. Instead he got a half smile and a playful, "Well I am still young just don't show it very often."

Hunter nodded and handing the clothes to Randy he hesitated then extended his hand further stroking Randy's ear loving the way Randy nuzzled his head into his hand a soft smile breaking out of the neko's face. Having to physically drag himself away Hunter padded out the room and as he shut the door behind him, he called, "By the way, the door locks from the inside and there's no other key."

Randy paused then looking at Hunter he gave a single nod to indicate he'd heard but made no other comment. Hunter pulled the door shut behind him and found himself waiting, waiting to hear the click of the lock just like he had with the bathroom. But there was nothing. Smiling to himself Hunter made his way to his own room.

Sinking into his own bed Hunter rolled onto his side and looking at the picture beside the bed he murmured, "Wish you were here to see this, Princess," he as he reached over touching the smiling image staring back at him, before closing his eyes wondering once again just what had John got him into.

TBC