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Ninth Life

10. Careless Cat & Worried Wolf

By ©ancercute

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••Mimi••

A huge strong arm from behind grabbed me securely around my waist and arm, and pulled me tighter against the well built body of the man. His other arm clamped my mouth shut so firm that it almost bruised the corner of my lips. I couldn't get out from his hold. The smell of his palms was nasty and unpleasant that it could send me vomiting. His breathe that blew by my ear and neck was nauseating as I smelled it. It was almost like smoke and alcohol. This man is probably involved with drugs and weed, and it made him smell so rotten.

The hair in my arms stood. I was so nervous and it scared the shit out of me. My legs started to tremble and I couldn't feel anything but fear. Fear of what he might do to me. I could practically hear the drumming of my heart in my chest as it vibrated the horror and anxiety I felt. But I had to be strong, at least strong enough to try to fight him.

He snickered wickedly behind as he dragged me in a near dark empty alley between a closed coffee shop and an old abandoned store. Still in hold of his grip, I desperately tried to thrash myself- moving and twisting my torso from left to right, stomping and kicking. But it was no use. His grasp was too tight.

He shoved me towards the brick wall in the alley, hitting my back hard on the sturdy cement. I winced in pain as he smiled, coming nearer me. My anger fused inside, curling my hands into fists and locking my jaws. As I came to see the face of my opponent, I was welled with intense dislike and aversion. I was disgusted at just seeing his devious little nasty face. He had unruly black hair, and had a body packed with muscles. He wasn't huge, just average sized, tall and seriously hateful. He came closer to me, inches apart and he smirked. Without hesitation, I threw my most forceful punch at his cheek, making his head swing to his side, leaving a red mark on his face. And I completely hurt my knuckles. My overflowing rage made me shove, punch, kick and slap him in all possible ways I can. He turned to face me dangerously and grabbed my wrist.

"Be nice little kitty," he laughed a sick cruel laugh.

My eyes widened at him in shock. Only Yamato calls me that. No one has ever called me kitty except him.

I bombarded him with death glares while he just laughed at me, like I'm some tiny angry kitten who couldn't fight back.

He pinned me on the wall and rested his hands on both my shoulders. He eyed my bra strap and carefully slid it down my shoulders, making me shudder in complete revulsion. I was then fueled with great fury. With all force, I pushed him away- yet I can only make little effect on him.

"Get your dirty hands off me!" I pulled back my bra strap in place.

"Don't be too rough if you don't want to get hurt, chéri," he snapped back. He grabbed my arm again, pulling me towards him. I hastily tried to push him away but it was no use. He trapped me again between his body- which was pressed on me- and the wall. I dug my sharp nails deep into his arm and raked them on his skin like a cat scratching its enemy. He shouted in pain.

"Damn you bitch!"

"I said get the hell off me!" I struggled in vain to get free from his grasp. But he only made it worse for me. He hungrily placed his mouth on my collarbone, licking and kissing it in ways I found utterly gross. He bit my skin and trailed off kissing my neck with his cold wet lips. I shut my eyes close, hoping and praying to God that this was just a big nightmare and when I open my eyes, I would be in bed in my bedroom with Yamato. But the feel of his hands on my stomach made me realize what was actually happening. I jerked in shock and pity for myself. His unwanted touch of my skin sent waves of panic through my whole system. I was scared shitless, and tears began to brim down from the corner of my eyes. I felt weak, cold and alone. His presence was making me feel like I was in the deepest darkest pits of hell. I bit my trembling lips- fighting back the urge to cry- and shivered in fright. I wanted Yamato. I wanted him. Only him to touch me with care and love. I felt limp, losing the steadiness of my two feet. It was then that I realized I was beginning to make small sobs.

He pulled away to look at me in pleasure, triumphant that he made me look like a creature from the abyss- and that made me fiercely blaze my inner inferno.

"Fuck you bastard!"

He smiled even widely and moved his hands on my bare hips. Damn, wrong words.

"Oh, I intend to mi amour." He pushed me again, this time, so violent that my back hurt. I couldn't scream in pain because he quickly caught my mouth into his in a dirty and awful kiss. I hated it, detested it. Eagerly dying to get rid of his lips, I turned this way and that just to get out of his hold. I suddenly tasted blood on my mouth as he bit my lips. Tears were welling down my cheeks now, and I couldn't fight off. And I was sure hell wouldn't let myself be fucked by some stupid asshole.

His hands reached the button of my pants and unfastened it. He touched my pelvic bones and my back waist where he felt my scar. Then, the freak grabbed my butt squeezing it like the bullshit-headed maniac he was.

He roughly abused my entire being, leaving me bruises and wounds in certain areas of my body, especially my skin. He unzipped the zipper and tried to pull down my pants. Thankfully, it was denim and it exactly fitted me, so it was somehow difficult to lose. I stopped my foot to his and kicked his groin. He screamed and threw me cusses.

"Fuck it you slut!" He slapped my face so hard that it sounded so loud, making my head turn on my side and burned my right cheek in pain. He then grabbed my jaw with his hand and forced me to look straight at him. "Don't make me tick off my temper. I will fuck you so hard bitch and make you beg that you'll desperately scream my name in mercy." He reached his free hand under my spaghetti strapped shirt and rubbed my breasts.

"It's a shame pretty kitty that no one's here to your rescue. I could have you myself. Too bad you hang out too much with the wrong species. It makes you look like a cheap slut." He slid down his hand from my shirt and carefully went down to the buttons of my pants. Before he could extend his hand lower, I felt something whiff pass through me and I heard the guy cry out in agony. His grip went lose from me and I backed away from him.

My eyes bulged out open my sockets as uncontrollable disbelief flushed through me. I was numb, staring in mixed and confused emotion. Adrenaline washed over me as heat rose in my veins. My chest could have pumped out from my ribcage as I watched the wolf wrestle with the man. It was that Siberian husky look alike again- the wolf that I kept seeing usually. And again to save me.

The dirty blonde wolf was biting the man's arm, pushing him down to the ground on his back. It growled a loud, fury snarl that sent me tremors. Its white sharp teeth were bared at him, frightening the living shit out of him. He struggled to get up and pushed the wolf away, but it was in vain. The animal was intensely in rage that it sunk its teeth on his neck, wounding and biting it off his head. He gnawed on him, attacking the man with less than little mercy and nausea hit me. The deep rumble of the dog and the man's shouts blended together in one horrifying sound. I was watching a wolf kill a human! As the man's voice stopped, his shouts no longer hearable, I heard his neck snap and hot fresh crimson blood was all over the two. Right then and there, I realized he was dead- lifeless and motionless. The animal killed him and it sent flashbacks of a faithful day that happened ten years ago. It was exactly the same. I was frozen, traumatized and petrified all at the same time. My second witness of human death by wolves. My heart was racing rapidly that any moment I might faint. My brain disoriented and it might not work well- too stressed to absorb anything. That moment, I couldn't feel myself. I was so still that I can't sense the pavement beneath my feet, the cold wind brushing my skin and swirling my hair, the sound of the noiseless night. There wasn't anything coherent in my thoughts. If I was once detested in wolves, now I wasn't so sure I was more loathsome or scared towards them.

The wolf stopped gnawing at the dead man. Its ears perched up when it was all quiet, and it could probably hear my uneven breathing. Its head was bowed down, away from me as if he refused on looking at my face. I felt that it somehow knew from my tense aura that I was scared shitless. It stepped aside, running away from the alley, howling as it escaped from the crime scene. It was gone, and all I saw was the dead man lying on the cemented ground- head ripped, lifeless and bathed in his own blood. I breathed in heavy air and I swear, I could have chocked as the scent entered my nostrils. I undoubtedly know that smell. Familiar and natural. My stomach twisted in disgust and jolt surprise as I took in the unbearable realization.

Its blood reeked the smell of a dead werecat! Strong and fresh.

The man hadn't been human. He was of my own kind. My own kind raped me and was killed by a wolf. My head spun and it throbbed so painfully. I began to flex and relax my muscles. My whole body ached from physical abuse and mental shock. Everything was too much to take in a night.

I slowly walked over to my car, steadying my balance and supporting myself. I held on to my vehicle, clutching the door as I wrestled to regain control. My muscles were too frail and exhausted. My knees wobbled as I opened the car door and plopped down on the driver's seat. I wasn't in condition to drive and I might be worse than a drunken driver if I were put behind wheels.

I lied down, face up, taking in slow breaths. I let myself be composed- at least mentally- before I start the engine. Closing my eyes, I took a bottle of water and replenished my thirst. I pushed away the bad thoughts creeping in my head and tried to think of the better. Still, my mind was in pain but I struggled to start the vehicle and carefully drove my way home.

Along the way, I kept on thinking if I should go to Yamato's house instead and spend the night there. But since he was in practice, his house is probably locked. I parked the car by the gate and cut the engine. I was home at last! Hurriedly, I went to my bedroom, grabbed clean clothes and changed. After that, I curled up in bed under the blanket with two soft pillows and tears began to brim down my face, soaking the pillow case wet. I cried that night until I fell asleep.

••Yamato••

I gripped the steering wheel hard and my knuckles whitened as I drove frantically in high speed to Mimi's house. Anger, pity, concern and worry were all wrapped up in one giant feeling that was eating inside me. My foot pedaled with force that I was driving almost eighty miles an hour now. I have to go to Mimi.

Stupid! Stupid cruel asshole!

I was cursing myself all the way to Mimi's place. I was definitely stupid. How could I let her drive alone this night? Thinking of what happened to her a while ago, it made me furiously mad. The thought of that bastard's hands on my girlfriend- MY girlfriend- was utterly disturbing and infuriating. He was all over her! And it's driving me crazy that I ran my hand through my hair in complete frustration. I was angry for both myself and the bastard.

How could I be so damn careless about her? For God's sake, I don't know if I'd forgive myself. It was almost partially my fault for that goddamned incident. If I hadn't left her to drive herself alone, it wouldn't have happened. If I just haven't gone to practice, I wouldn't remember how painfully she screamed and how her tears looked like my death. Seeing her hurt was eating up all the energy in me.

I cut the engine as soon as I parked by her gate behind her car, and deliberately rushed inside her house, running upstairs and stopping before her bedroom door. Everything that had happened ached my brain in the memory. The guilt was growing bigger inside me, and I couldn't help but feel very sorry for her and for myself that I wasn't been there earlier to avoid it. I could have punched the door in rage if it wasn't for the sound of Mimi's breathing just in the other side of that door. I was selfish. Yes. I wanted nobody to touch her but me. It all came naturally because like most dogs, they like to hide their bone just for themselves so no one could have it. And Mimi was like that for me, though, more precious and beautiful. She was my own possession.

Bowing my head, I took the doorknob and twisted it, opening the door. Her room was dark, but her body was silhouetted by the moonlight penetrating through the glass windows. I stepped closer to her and watched her peaceful sleep. At least I came a little earlier before he could do the worst thing he could do to her. But still, it didn't comfort me that he bruised her and made her suffer. Wounds and marks were visible on her pale skin along her jaws, to her neck and arms. My eyes hardened at the sight. She was abused and it made me sick to my core.

Fighting the urge to be furious again, I settled myself on her queen sized bed. I wouldn't let her out of my sight now, and I needed to relax- have a good night sleep.

After taking my shoes off, I lied down her bed and rested my head on one pillow I found near her sofa. I shut my eyes close and inhaled a heavy doze of air. Then, my fist formed again, tight on my side and my jaw clamped. I jerked in surprise, and fury almost had me as I smelled the asshole's scent on Mimi.

Damn. How am I supposed to sleep?

His nasty smell lingered on her, not strong but a little faint. Still, I could smell it on Mimi and it bothered me more than it should. With great effort, I closed my eyes shut and forced myself to sleep.

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The bright sunlight that pierced through the glass windows was what had woke me up that morning. I opened my eyes and turned to my left, only to see Mimi's mocha colored hair. I inhaled its scent and thankfully, the bastard's odor wasn't reeking on her anymore. I slid my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me. I thought about the asshole last night. Sure enough, the smell I caught from his blood was definitely one of her own kind. I knew the difference of other animals' scent as what I have experienced when I shift and I come to cross other species. He was a werecat. And I don't know why he was suddenly attacking Mimi. Shouldn't he have at least some respect for his own kind?

I know the population of both our kind was decreasing due to that war years ago. Werewolves had became lesser than before and so are werecats. This time, it was all myths and legends, or even scary stories. Only few humans were there to witness that scene that happened in America.

Now, with both my werewolf parents gone, I was a wanderer. A stray wolf for others to be called, because I have left the pack three years ago, when I was fifteen. I had no reason to be there anymore and I took off on my own, living like a human and constantly shifting- being what half of me is.

We were alike. Mimi had her parents killed- like mine was- and by our own kind. I was upset that she hated part of me. And that I wasn't telling her the whole truth. Hell, she isn't even telling me her existence. And we're just even anyway.

My thinking was interrupted by her moaning, and looking down at her, I saw that she had woken up.

"Sorry to wake you up," I said. I must have startled her when she looked up at me with confused eyes. She was probably surprised on waking up to find me beside her.

"Matt!" she hugged me tight and buried her head on my chest feeling the relief and secure she felt. It was obvious that she wanted me to be here before she went to bed.

"Why? What's wrong?" I tried to act dumb, as if I didn't know what had happened to her- which, translated to the truth was I actually knew everything about it. But I couldn't tell her that. She believed I was in practice and she didn't find me there last night. I can't just blurt out the truth and tell her I was that raged dog she witnessed killing the man.

But it was stupid acting like I knew nothing. Like I haven't seen what he was doing- what he almost had done- to her. It didn't feel right pretending to be an idiotic dumb boyfriend. It sucked.

"I'm just glad you're here." She mumbled, clutching my shirt with her face on my chest. I knew she wasn't going to tell me. What could have I done anyway? Assuming I hadn't witnessed it.

"I'm glad too." I only managed to say, sniffing her chestnut hair.

If she didn't want to tell me what happened to her, I doubt that she will about her existence. Well, not know I guess. But it won't be easy for the two of us I know. I traced lazy circles and swirls on her arm, admiring how soft and flawlessly pale her skin was. When I reach down her hip, her scar was then what I saw. I traced the short three lines along her back hip and remembered what she had said before. It was a cat that scratched her. That must have been the reason why she became one of them.

Just when I glanced up, I noticed her alarm clock on the bedside table across me, and it read 7:46 in bright green colors.

"Let's get up. We're going to be late for class." I unwrapped my arms around her waist and got up to sit on the side of her bed. She sat up too as I looked for my shoes.

"I don't feel like going to class today," she complained. I looked at her expectantly to wait for more on what she wanted to say. Apparently, she had other things in mind.

"You want to ditch class?" I asked and she grinned in excitement as her eyes glowed.

I grinned back at her.

"Ditching doesn't hurt anyone," she explained. "There's no reason not to."

"There's no reason to ditch too," I reminded her. "But hell, why not?"

Her smile broadened and she quickly got off the bed, running to me. Before I could say something, she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me to my surprise. I returned her favor in eagerness. She seemed to be also delighted. I moved my lips against hers in hunger, savoring and licking every flavor of her sweet lips. My arms found her waist and my right hand slipped down to her left thighs, lifting her leg to my waist. She slid her tongue to my mouth and I accepted it. I moved toward the bed, pushing her down as I stayed on top of her. My mouth trailed down her neck, planting kisses all the way to her collarbone while her hands snaked my chest under my shirt. I locked her down on my hold, pinning her to the bed as I reached down to unbutton her shorts. She reached to my shirt and had the buttons undone, throwing it away. When I was successful on putting away her shorts, she gripped my hair, pulling my head down to her cleavage. She pushed me away to roll my side and then we exchanged positions. She was now on top of me, sitting on my bare naked abdomen with her legs on my side. She abruptly pulled her shirt up through her head and tossed it exposing her creamy skin and pink lacy bra. I grabbed her down to me and kissed her forcefully, putting my right hand around her silky waist while my left hand cupped her ass. Her hands gripped my hair as I lowered my head to her neck and down her chest, kissing it.

I suddenly stopped kissing her, ending our intimate actions when I heard her stomach growl. I looked up at her face and she gave me a sheepish childish smile. Our little charade could have gone so much better if that didn't happen. But I knew she was hungry.

"Hungry already?" I asked with a smirk.

She just smiled embarrassedly but then, it faded and replaced with a wicked look.

"I might not be… if you keep me busy," she winked but I only laughed.

"Right. C'mon, get up. Let's have breakfast." I struggled to get up as she got out of my way. We both put on our clothes back. "Hey, how about this? I come back later here after we both take a bath and grab breakfast somewhere."

"Alright. I guess I'll see you later," she said. I came up to her and kissed her forehead before I left the room.

I headed to my Ferrari and drove it back home. When I arrived, I grabbed my towel and went towards the bathroom. Minutes later, I got out and dressed. It's almost ten in the morning and I was also beginning to feel hungry. I pulled my dark green shirt over my head and combed my hair. All of last night's ugly festivities had been enough to exhaust me. I should guard Mimi more and have to watch out for her twice and not let carelessness take over. But I wouldn't evade her privacy of course. I was just completely scared of letting her get hurt again. The sound of her cries that night was excruciating.

Hopefully, if I wasn't here, she should be able to shift and protect herself somehow. I know cats had great eyesight, better than ours. And their hearing was advance too. But I doubt they could sniff better than us. Feline don't smell things better than we can. But I hope she'd use her senses enough to take care of herself. Not that I doubt them of course. Maybe I was just feeling too worried about her.

I put on my shoes and went outside, hopping to my car and drove back to Mimi's again. Entering her living room, she was already coming down the stairs in a black skirt that reached above her knees and a bright green top. Huh, what a coincidence. We both had the same color of shirt, except of its shade though. The bruises I found last night were no longer there. Of course, she heals fast. That wouldn't be surprising.

"Huh, you're back so soon," she commented when she reached the final step of the stairs.

"Missed you already, kitty," I smiled. "C'mon." I took her and put my arm around her shoulders and went for my car. "Where do you want to eat?"

"Anywhere's fine."

We drove down the main street and stopped at a restaurant. Then we settled on a table for two and ordered our meal. As we ate, we had our nonsense conversation and laughs. The breakfast we took was heavy so we'd plan on skipping lunch.

After eating, we decided to take a walk in the park. Hand in hand, we wandered around the place as I felt the warm midday breeze and watched it make Mimi's hair swirl around her face. The sun was shining brilliantly today and she looked stunning as ever. I squeezed her hand lightly, watching her radiant glowing face smile at me. And somehow, I felt like it was another bright beautiful summer day. I couldn't resist looking away because there was something in her that made me hold her gaze. I was magnetized by her beauty.

The park's tall green blades of grass swayed beneath our feet. I was compelled to say something, but nothing came out of my mouth. I was too stunned by her intent look on me.

Then she suddenly giggled.

"What?" I asked.

"You look funny," she giggled more.

I scoffed at her comment.

"Oh c'mon. Couldn't you take a joke?"

"Could you?" I shot back, grinning. She pursed her lips at my response.

"Whatever."

Then I laughed. I hauled her to a bench to sit and watch people pass by. There weren't many teenagers here since it was class time. But that wasn't us. We were ditching. And as far as I know, it could sometimes be healthy. Healthy for the heart.

We just sat there for a long moment, playing with each other's hand and fingers. Her head rested on my shoulders and mine on her head.

After a few more moments, bored of doing nothing, she suddenly sat up.

"Hey, do you wanna watch a movie?"

"Sure, whatever you like."

"C'mon. Let's go to the mall. I feel like watching one. I know what they're showing today."

She pulled me from the bench and went to the car, hoping in before I can open my door. It took fifteen minutes to reach the mall and entered in. The theaters were at the last floor so we took an elevator. When we stepped out, she dragged me to the popcorn stand.

"You buy popcorn and drinks," she said. "I'll buy the ticket."

Then she left me when she went to the ticket booth. After paying for the food, I walked up to her. I gave her her share of food and drink then she gave me my ticket. My eyes must have bolted open as I read it, because she seemed curiously concerned when I looked at her.

"We're going to watch Underworld?" I asked.

"Yeah. You don't like it?"

"I thought you hated wolves."

"I do," she replied. "I just wanted to see them fight with the enemies… and get killed." Then she smirked.

Man, she's violent. Does that mean she'd plan on killing me when she finds out? Loving Mimi might be suicidal. I'm putting myself at the edge of the cliff by just being with her, at the point of death where caring for her is going to put me to my fatality. Damn.

I should prepare myself for the worst. I know she can't do that. But hell, she might turn into one angry tiger when she gets pissed on me.

"You don't mind, do you?" she asked.

"No, don't worry. It's fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. What's better than to watch those lycans spare their lives. Better than the old crappy Romeo & Juliet anyway."

"Hey. I happen to like Shakespeare's works," she argued.

"Yeah sure," I snorted. "The man's dead anyway. Who'd care?" I smirked and put my arm around her shoulders and went inside the dark theater.

"Whatever."

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After almost two hours of watching the movie, I couldn't help think about the movie. It somehow relates to the both of us. What if she did know about me as a werewolf? What would she do? Hate me until my death or would she still love me? To think that Selene, the vampire or Lycan hunter in the movie fell in love with Michael who turned out to be a Lycan himself. Selene hated lycans as Mimi does to wolves.

Suddenly, her phone rang and she grabbed it from her pocket to answer.

"Hello?" she greeted.

"Oh. I'm with Matt."

"Sure. Don't worry. I'll be there in a few."

"Ok, bye." She flipped close her phone and looked at me.

"It's Sora. She wants to have a girl time. Drop me at my place, will you?" she asked.

"Sure."

We went back to the car and I started the engine. I drove back to her place and parked it steady by her gate when we reached it. I looked at her as she prepared to get out.

"What?" she asked.

"Take care, alright? Don't go out alone." Before she could respond, my phone vibrated in my pocket and rang in a continuous tone. I took it on my ear.

"Tsup dude?"

"Hey, relax. Chill. I'm coming."

"Alright. Hold up."

"Yeah, bye." I shoved away the phone and looked back at Mimi. "It was Tai. I'm meeting up with him at his place."

She nodded and I reached up to gently hold her wrist. The day was ending and night would eventually come. It was silent in the neighborhood, peaceful, yet I couldn't trust the security. No matter how quiet it was, silence doesn't always mean comfort. I brushed my hand on her fingers and held it.

"Don't go out. Stay inside with Sora. I don't want you straying around at night." I told her that multiple times before. Now, I had to make sure she does what I tell. "Promise me."

"You've been telling me that before."

"I know. And you never followed."

She sighed. "All right. I won't go out. Promise."

"Good," I leaned closer as I pulled her to me and kissed her softly on her lips. Then we parted. She pushed the door open and got out of the car.

"See you tomorrow," she said and closed the door. I waited for her to enter the house and then sped off. Running my hand through my hair in exasperation, I wondered what trouble Tai had put himself into.

©ancercute ©opyright

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-a/n-

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