Part 21

Hunter paused in the doorway to the lounge. Randy and Evan were curled up together on the old leather couch, the nekos' heads bent low and they were whispering together. He watched as Randy gently stroked Evan's back, his hand running all the way down and along the thick black tail before starting back up. He noted with interest the way Evan nuzzled his face against Randy's jaw line in response to the gentle caress. Suddenly all of the touches and the close physical interaction between the two of them made sense. What he had thought was a deep friendship, bordering on a possible relationship, was in fact just the nekos being true to their tactile nature.

"Hey,"

He glanced over his shoulder and found John watching him from half way down the steps. Hunter cocked an eye brow as he noticed the scratches on Johns' face and asked, "I'm guessing he didn't forgive you too quickly then?"

"No," chuckled John bowing his head as he gave a crocked smile, "That that little cat reminded me just how powerful he really is." His voice faded and looking at Hunter he sighed, "I nearly lost him Hunter, I…"

"I know," soothed Hunter. He glanced back over his shoulder and checked on the cats. They were too far away to hear what he and John were saying and for some reason he was glad. Moving to the foot of the stairs he waited until John drew level then asked flatly, "Did you know that nekos need physical contact?"

The look of confusion that clouded Johns face answered Hunter's question for him. Shoving a hand into his jean pocket he sighed, "Well it seems they need physical contact. They crave it, it's part of their DNA and I…" his voice caught as he remembered the way Randy had hissed at him, "I've been holding back. I was so afraid of hurting him I've hurt him even more."

"Hunter…" began John, but Hunter shook his head continuing," No just listen. I'm shit scared of starting something with him but if I don't…I'll hurt as much if not more than the bastards who abused for all those years. It stinks, John!" he snapped, "It fucking stinks!"

John nodded and was about to reply when he suddenly gave a very forced smile and with his voice sounding far more strained than before, he called with fake brightness, "Hey Squirt, you okay?"

Hunter look around and realised they had been joined by Evan. The little cat looked exhausted. Large dark rings were painfully visible under his eyes, highlighting the pale colour of his face. But it was his eyes that caught Hunter's attention. His eyes looked empty as if he had no more emotions to show. And it broke Hunter's heart.

Evan nodded then shooting John a strange half pleading half annoyed look, he asked softly, "Can we go home?"

"Sure we can," repaid John instantly moving to join his small neko. He hesitated then reached out draping a hand over Evan's shoulder. When Evan didn't push him away or claw him, John edged closer. He didn't have to look up to know Randy was watching his every move. Looking over he held Randy's gaze and, meaning every word he said, he called, "I'll take of him Kittykat, I promise. I'll take good care of him."

"You better," snarled Randy his tail starting to lash around behind him, "Or else I'll…"

"Guys stop it!" interrupted Evan cutting Randy off mid threat, "Please just stop butting head."

Grinning at his kitten's attempt to lighten the situation John risked brushing a kiss into the dark brown hair, his nose grazing the edge of Evan's neko ear. He got a sigh and a slight purr in response but nothing near the normal full body purr he usually received. He shot Hunter a look but before either man could speak there was a loud clap of thunder outside causing all of them to jump.

"Shit," hissed Hunter crossing to the front window. As he pulled the curtain back the heavens opened. "Damn it looks like a full summer storm. You sure you want to drive in this, John?" he asked, glancing back over his shoulder, "You're more than welcome to stay..."

"I'll be fine," assured John, "Besides its only twenty minutes to my house." He caught the look Hunter was giving him and added firmly, "We'll be oaky. I'll take it slow and I promise I'll call when we get home, the moment we get in the door I'll call."

While they had been talking Evan had crossed over and was currently wrapped around Randy, hugging the larger cat tightly. John frowned as he noticed how pale Randy had become and the way his ears were flat to his head and his eyes were darting around as if he suddenly felt trapped. Glancing at Hunter he gave an annoyed huffed when he realised the big man wasn't even aware of Randy's growing agitation.

With a sigh he called, "Evan come on baby let's go." He watched as Evan uncurled himself from around Randy.

The smaller neko went up on tip toe to kiss Randy's cheek, a last lingering caress between them before Evan joined John at the door.

Pulling the door open John called, "Hunter, I promise we'll call as soon as we get home, okay?"

Hunter nodded absently. He wasn't really listening; his eyes were glued to the rain drops bouncing off his drive. He wasn't really aware of the others leaving. He vaguely felt Evan hug him and John say something about calling him later to discuss training but he was more interested in the raindrops bouncing off his drive. Rain drops that reminded him of another storm, a storm that had cost him everything he held dear.

"Are you oaky?"

He jumped as he felt a hand touch his arm. Staring down at the fingers curled around his forearm he followed the line of the arm up until he was looking into the concerned face of randy. The neko look worried and on edge. His ears were flat to his head and his tail had fluffed up to about twice its normal thickness. With each loud crack of thunder the neko would jump, physically flinching away from the noise. A soft hiss would sound under his breath and his tail had began lashing around thumping into the wall as it did.

As another loud crack filled the hallway, Hunter closed his eyes and murmured bitterly, "Steph…"

The soft call drew Randy's attention back to the big man. As he force himself to look back at Hunter he saw the blank, nearly empty look on Hunter's face, and growled nervously, "Hunter – what's' wrong?"

Hunter went to answer but something stopped him. He wanted to tell Randy but he couldn't the words wouldn't come. Instead he just stared blankly at his neko before snapping, "Nothing. I'll…I'll be in my study."

Then before Randy could react, Hunter just pushed passed him, barging past so roughly he actually sent the cat stumbling back a few steps as he crossed the hall and entered his study and slammed the door shut behind him.

x x x x x x x x x x

Hunter was sitting at his desk staring at a creased photograph when the phone rang. Grabbing it of the hock he growled, "What?"

"Jesus nice phone manner!" snapped John down the line, "I'm calling like I promised I would," he paused then asked, "Are you okay?"

"What do you think?" hissed Hunter screwing his eyes shut refusing to let any more tears fall while he spoke to his best friend. It was one thing for John to think he as crying it was quite another thing to actually cry in front of him.

"I think you're probably holed up in your study staring at pictures of Steph and totally ignoring the fact that you have a live and very scared neko sitting somewhere in your house wondering what the hell is wrong with you," replied John bluntly.

"Have you got my house bugged?" asked Hunter unable to stop the sarcasm seeping in his voice.

"No" chuckled John, refusing to take the bait, "It's just I know you too well, Hunter. You're worse than me at emotions. Look I know storms freak the hell out of you and drag up all sorts of memories but according to Evan storms terrified Randy. I mean it, they really terrify him."

"What do you mean terrified?" asked Hunter a few seconds later, his brain only just realising what John had said.

"I mean just that," sighed John, "Squirt wouldn't tell me why he just said Randy hates storms. He got a really strange look in his eyes when he was talking…" he paused then dropping his voice as if trying to speak without anyone hearing him, he confided, "...it was the same look he got when he told us about some of the other shite those bastard did to them. Hunter, I think they did something to Randy during a storm. I don't what but I think they really hurt him, I mean worse than norm…"

"Shit John don't say things like that!" growled Hunter his depression over Stephanie's death morphing into anger over Randy's former treatment. He screwed his eyes shut trying to block out the idea of anyone hurting his beautiful neko. He sighed then realising that John was still talking he huffed, "Huh? What? John sorry... I'm not..."

"Yeah I know," chuckled John fondly, "You're out of it. Look just go check on Randy then you can keep moping." He didn't give Hunter a chance to reply adding, "I'll call you tomorrow and we can talk about that championship training schedule. Night Big guy."

And then he was gone, leaving Hunter alone staring down at the tear stained image of his deceased wife

Feeling fresh tears pricking his eyes Hunter bit his lower lip and tracing a finger over the image of Stephanie's face he murmured softly, "What should I do, Princess? I still love you baby but...but I'm starting to feel again and I…I don't know what to do." He closed his eyes wishing he knew what to do.

A loud clap of thunder broke the moment and as his eyes shot open he found himself staring at the legal form John had handed him earlier. Glancing down at the picture he gave a faint smile and murmured wryly, "If you were still here you'd be kicking my arse so hard right now, wouldn't you?"

He gave a little huff of a laugh and shaking his head he drew in a deep breath. Wiping his face with the back of his hand, he brushed away the traces of the most recent tears. As he set the picture down gently on the desk a flash of lightening lit up the room making him jump. Giving a low chuckle he glanced at the picture snapping fondly, "All right, all right I'm going."

Pushing himself up out of his office chair he hesitated then taking a final glance at the picture he murmured, "You'd have liked him, you know Princess. You'd really like him."

And with that he turned and headed out of his study, hoping to find Randy sitting happily somewhere and not suffering as much as John seemed to think he would be.

TBC