A/N Hey guys so sorry about the slow updates but here it is


The usual trip to school now had a dangerous edge to it, both the boys worried they would get caught. It seemed like luck was on their side though, as Grandma pulled into the drop off area.

This was something their fool proof plan hadn't taken into consideration. How were they going to get Rin out of the car without her noticing?

"Um, Grandma?" Haru spoke up before she could get out of the car, "I think I can get my things myself today."

She looked at him in surprise before her expression softened, "My little dolphin is learning responsibility." She said proudly, "Alright dear."

Haru tried not to look guilty as he nodded, let her kiss him on the cheek, before getting out and hurrying to the back to get his back. He lifted the jumper just enough to coax Rin out who held his finger to his lips as he did. Once the catboy was clear Haru got his bag and waved goodbye, closing the door quickly and hurrying in through the gates, Rin on his heels.

Haru sighed in relief when the car drove away, "We did it!" he smiled a little at Rin who beamed back, purring in happiness. "Rin you gotta be quiet okay? Or else the teachers will find out. No purring."

"Oh! Okay!" Rin nodded, covering his mouth and shushing himself.

"Hey Haru!" A familiar voice caught their attention, Haru turned to find Makoto coming over. "Who's your fri- Rin?!" the brunette gasped when he saw who was with him. Rin, for his part, waved cheerfully.

"Makoto it's fine." Haru told him, already seeing his friend on the verge of freaking out.

"No it isn't! If the teachers find out, if your parents find out, you're going to be in so much trouble!" Makoto looked around nervously as though he expected a teacher to appear immediately and find them out. Rin whimpered softly, moving closer to Haru and hugging his arm nervously.

"It's okay Rin, you're not going to be in trouble I promise." Haru told him softly. "Makoto stop scaring him." he scolded.

Makoto looked down, obviously feeling guilty, and put his hand on Rin's shoulder, "Haru's right, I'm sure it'll be fine." He offered and while it wasn't very convincing, Rin appreciated it.

The bell rang, making Rin jump and look around in surprise. Haru fixed the beanie again to make sure it wouldn't come off, and took his hand, "Stay close." He told him and together the three went inside.


This place, school, was a bit overwhelming to the catboy. There were so many different smells and noises and people! He was glad that Haru continued to hold his hand, he knew he would get hopelessly lost without him. Makoto was with them too and that helped, even though he had frightened him earlier, the catboy still liked him.

He was Haru's friend and he was nice to Kisumi so Rin could trust him. Makoto stood on his other side, making sure no one bumped into Rin and telling him soft words of encouragement. Makoto, Rin decided, was a very smart human.

The two led him to one of the rooms, "This is our classroom Rin." Haru explained as they went inside and took their usual seats. Rin, seeing what they did, sat down at the table next to Haru. An older human was coming in and Rin assumed that she was the tea-chair that Haru had told him about. She had a nice smile. Rin had a feeling today would be a wonderful day!


Today was not a wonderful day.

The full proof plan that the two had fell apart rather quickly when the teacher didn't know who Rin was and when she insisted that the new student take his beanie off, revealing his cat ears.

Haru was sitting in the hallway of the principal's office, little fists balled in his frustration. Rin was doing anything wrong by being there! And besides, he was a cat-boy after all so why shouldn't he be allowed to go to school?!

While Haru was frustrated at the situation, Rin seemed to be terrified. His ears were near flat on his head and his tail was wrapped closely around his ankles; his knees drawn to his chest. Haru wished that Makoto had come with them to wait, he was much better at this whole comforting thing…

"Rin?" Haru called softly, "It's okay Rin…" he reached over to pat his hair an ears as it usually calmed the catboy down.

Today, however, Rin flinched away from his touch with a soft meow. One Haru only heard when he had nightmares. "Rin?" Haru repeated worriedly, but they were interrupted by the sounds of his parents coming.

"Haruka Nanase! What were you thinking?!" His mother demanded as she came to stand in front of him with her arms crossed.

Haru sighed and looked to the side stubbornly. Having had enough of that attitude, his mother lightly held his chin to make him look at her, his father standing silently behind her. Haru certainly got his stubborn streak from his parents and it wasn't until it the silence had grown uncomfortably awkward that he huffed and replied, "Rin gets sad when he has to stay at home and I don't understand why he can't come to school anyway!"

Haru's mother sighed, "Haru… it doesn't work that way."

"Then I'm staying home!" Haru declared.

"That's not how it works either," His father told him. When he spoke up, Rin seemed to try to make himself smaller, something that didn't go unnoticed by either of his parents.

Haru sighed again but didn't say anything as the principal came out to call his parents inside. Before they went inside though his father knelt down in front of Rin, trying not to let it show how much the quiet whimper squeezed his heart. "Rin? Would it be okay if I put your collar back on?" he asked.

Rin didn't say anything but he raised his head for him to put it around his neck, shaking the whole time but he seemed determined to stay impossibly still.


Once the meeting with the principle was finished the Nanase's headed home, the two boys going back with them. Haru would have detention the following day but since it wasn't too serious and he hadn't done anything with ill intent, the punishment wasn't too serious.

The car trip was rather quiet, it was a bit unnerving to see Rin, who was usually a bundle of wonder wherever they went, so incredibly subdued.

When they got home the boys were sent to their respective rooms while the adults discussed what to do and how to handle things. It was abundantly clear that something was going on with Rin. Ultimately it was decided that Haru's grandmother would be the one to try to talk to the catboy.

His father was out of the question and she had a better repour with the youngster.

And so Grandma went to knock on the catboys door, "Rin? Sweetie can I come in?" she called.

"In come," Rin called back.

She smiled at the boys endearing words and went inside, closing the door behind her. She walked to the bed where Rin was sitting cross-legged and sat on the other end. While the catboy still seemed a little nervous, he was nowhere near as scared as he seemed to be when they first came home.

"So, is it really so bad staying home with me? I know I'm old and boring but did you really have to sneak into the school?" She asked him, keeping her voice light.

It seemed to really catch the catboy off guard and he shook his head quickly, moving closer, "No! No bad stay with Grandma! Old Grandma is no boring though!"

She chuckled and patted his head, it wasn't quite what she had had in mind but she would take it. "You know though that you aren't allowed to go to school with Haru again right?"

Rin sighed and nodded sadly. "But why?"

"I'm sorry sweetie, it's just the way things are." She told him, wishing she could give him a better explanation than that. But explaining the inner workings of societal systems was a conversation for another day. Right now she was here to try to understand something a lot closer to home. "Rin… you know you can trust me right?"

The catboy nodded with a smile, nuzzling her arm a little, "Yes! Nice you are!"

"Then can I ask you about the family you lived with before coming to us?" She asked gently.

Rin's reaction was immediate. He seemed to retreat into himself and away from her at the same time as though that would allow him to escape the conversation. While she didn't want to see him distressed she knew this was important. "Rin? Why are you afraid of Haru's father? Did it have to do with the last family you were a part of?"

"N-not." Rin stuttered out, shaking his head.

"Not what sweetie?" she prompted, mentally bracing herself.

"Not family I part of… Rin is cat. Rin is pet. Rin not family." There was something in the hollowed certainty with which Rin said it that made Grandma convinced that it was something he had heard many times. "Rin not human. Rin is pet. Rin is a bad pet. R-Rin is b-bad… Rin deserve push-ment."

"Puch-ment…" She repeated, "Do you mean… punishment?"

Rin nodded, "Yeah… Rin deserve punishment. Mean old owner was, I good boy try to be! But Rin bad he says and and bad Rin deserve punishment…"

By this point, Rin's red eyes were starting to water and the waver in his voice was making her resolve waver too. "Rin come here." She said gently, opening up her arms to him and Rin quickly scrambled over for a much needed hug. She rubbed his back gently, "Rin sweetheart, you are a good boy. You're a very good boy and you are part of the family. I don't want you to be afraid anymore okay? You won't be punished here and you won't ever have to go back to that mean man ever again okay?"

Rin didn't reply but he nodded. As she held the little catboy, she could only hope that he believed her.


A/N next chapter will deal with what exactly went on with the past family. Also! If anyone know's Haru's parents names that would be super helpful