Hello! Please, enjoy what you read at your own will, within reason and respect. Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: I do not claim nor own anything. All rights are reserved to their respective owners and no copyright infringement intended. This fiction is for pure entertainment only and not for commercial purposes.


The night was cold as the two women sought shelter and respite. Unfortunately, Mai did not own any houses around their current location. They were walking along a path that passed by a row of houses. Mikoto insisted going along this path, because her grandfather's old house was the closest within the block. Mikoto rarely slept there as she wandered about a lot. It was a peaceful and spacey house, despite of its poor state.

"Ah, it's still here." Mikoto wistfully smiled as they stopped in front of a gate to her grandfather's old house.

Mai looked at the abode made of just wood, simple sliding glass-windows, and a flat roof. It looked cute and welcoming for a warlord that Mikoto both adored and loved. Also, there were nine cats huddled and resting by the entrance of the door.

"Are they your cats?" Mai amusedly asked.

Mikoto blushed a bit and replied shyly, "Stray cats… Gramps saw me playing and chasing cats, so he trained them and made a gang out of them for me."

Mai smirked, "Trained to retaliate?" She chuckled as Mikoto cringed.

"They're pretty familiar around the area ever since Gramps trained them." Mikoto said and went down on her knees, crawling towards the cats.

Mai looked curiously at Mikoto, as the cats raised their heads the moment Mikoto's hand touched the snow-filled ground of the lot. Mai almost flinched and was ready to fight upon gazing the intense, piercing, and deadly stares of the cats. Mikoto tapped her 'paw' on the ground to gain the cats' attention. The gazes turned towards Mikoto, menacing and hostile. Mikoto stayed still and steadily stared back at the cats with a calm and firm gaze.

Mai tilted her head, bewildered yet astonished from the cats' gaze. Mai was certain the cats were going to attack. Animals or not, the cats managed to give Mai a rush of adrenaline. Maybe Mikoto's grandfather had done more than just tamed them to be disciplined cats.

A few seconds then, the cats stood up and crawled over to Mikoto, who sat down with her legs crossed. Their presence and demeanour changed instantly as they crowded and nuzzled around Mikoto, purring and meowing. Mikoto gave each nine cats her attention and petting them as they sat on her lap, climbed on her back, and playing with her twin-braids.

Mai stood on the pavement, watching Mikoto as the cats overwhelmed Mikoto. The cats toppled Mikoto to the side, laughing as they climbed and laid onto her. Mai smirked amusedly at the endearing sight.

"Mai can come over." Mikoto mumbled, her voice wheezing past the belly of a cat sprawled sideways just below her neck.

Mai took a gentle step on the snow, looking at the cats and gauging their reaction of her arrival. As if stepping into a territory, the cats stopped purring and meowing, looking at Mai with a turn of their heads. Mai ceased putting her other foot in and stayed still, casting her gaze back at the cats. Like before, a sense of hostility and pressure piled into Mai with just the gaze of the cats.

Unfortunately, the cats found Mai intrusive and got off Mikoto, hissing lowly and dangerously with their hackles raised. Mikoto sat upright and looked at Mai grimacing worriedly, but challenged the cats with a stare back.

"Mai…" Mikoto whispered, "Breathe… slow down the circulation of blood." She calmly advised.

Mai took in Mikoto's advice to heart, realising that her heart was beating too fast. The cats relied on their sense of instinct and assumed that Mai had a hostile intent, and they do not recognise her too. Taking a step back on the pavement, Mai knelt down on her knees, touching the snow while her foot were on the pavement. The snow was soft and cold against the cloth-covered knees, but Mai was willing to overcome the cats' disposition of her.

Mikoto watched the cats crawling towards Mai, as they growled lowly with their claws extended. They were not going to attack Mai, but were prepared to do so. Let it be said that the cats were Mikoto's daily sparring partners, and should not be underestimated with a legend to boast. Mai remained composed and cool despite of the imminent danger the cats possessed. Quietly inhaling and exhaling, Mai's heartbeat slowed down and returned the gazes with a fiery and steely glare.

Suddenly, the cats came to a halt, growling and arching their spines to appear intimidating. Mai was unfazed and shot a look that could make one shiver and melt. Mai's brows were slightly pinched, her eyes unmoving but deep and deadly, and her lips formed in a tight line. Mai was almost like a statue with an invisible fire scorching around her.

The cats' growls turned into hisses as they lowered their heads and bodies. Mikoto was impressed, but it was not over as their claws and hackles remained extended. The intent to overwhelm Mai with intimidation subsided soon. The cats retracted their claws and sat on the snow, their hackles lowering calmly. Mai was not sure if she had earned their trust, but she crawled over the snow on her knees and hands. Mai approached one of the cats closest to her. They were just staring with their tails swaying left and right in the air.

Within arm's reach to the closest cat to Mai, she raised her hand and let the cat sniffed them. The cat raised its head and smelled Mai's hand. The ears of the cat rose up and the tail was lowered. Then, the cat rose up and nuzzled its head to the back of Mai's hand. Mai softly smiled and softened her expression, petting the cat and bringing the other eight cats towards her. Mikoto grinned as all nine cats crowded around Mai and sniffed the newcomer's scent.

"For a minute there, I thought they would tear me to limbs." Mai commented, relief adorning her face.

Mikoto crawled over next to Mai, "Sure. That's what Gramps had them trained for." She chuckled as Mai stared at her baffled.

"They won't hurt anyone necessarily. And they're territorial and protective especially to Gramps' house." Mikoto stated as she stroked one of the cat's back.

"Necessarily?" Mai sharply questioned.

Mikoto shrugged her shoulders, "Only they and Gramps know. Mikoto never understood who or why it is, but I trust Gramps the most." She admitted uncertainly and honestly.

Mai looked at the two cats climbing on her lap and petted them, "Have they ever been reported before?"

Mikoto nodded as she carried a cat onto her lap that was nuzzling against her thigh.

"But, the people here loved and were frightened of them that they made a legend out of the cats, Nine Tails Gang." Mikoto chuckled.

"They must have misunderstood them." Mai said and earned a laugh from Mikoto.

Mikoto smirked amusedly, "Police didn't stand a chance against them, but they were grateful for their assistance at catching criminals. So, they have some leeway with the authorities."

Mai smiled as the cat on her lap got off to play with another cat, "You must feel very safe with them and your grandpa."

Mikoto grinned broadly, "Yup. I like staying here the most, where family returns to." She said while looking at the cats playing with each other.

Mai nodded agreeably, wistfully wishing for a home where her brother could turn to and be at ease. Alas, both siblings have moved on with their lives and the memories they had together still in their hearts. Only, Mai hoped to find a place that would allow Takumi to rest with his family there. Mai sighed and prayed it was not too soon for Takumi to start a family. A prince – a man in a foreign and traditional nation, weighed and burdened by the responsibilities and oath Takumi carried.

"Mai, are you tired?" Mikoto called and pulled Mai out of the thoughts.

"I… I am tired." Mai honestly admitted.

Mai was holding back, but Mikoto let her be. Mikoto stood up and brushed her pants with her hands. Mai followed suit and went to the door with Mikoto and the cats. Mai was about to ask if Mikoto had the key to the house, but one of the cats dug out the snow in the lot and returned with a key in its mouth.

"Thank you, Jema." Mikoto petted the cat with a sliced ear and took the key from his mouth.

Mikoto unlocked and opened the door, and the cats rushed in for the warmth inside. Mikoto and Mai giggled as they went inside, standing by the entranceway as the cats scuffed their paws and foot on the mat. Mikoto turned on the lights just by the entrance, which lit up the living room.

"I'm home." Mikoto said aloud, unzipping her coat after pulling off the shoes and socks and putting them at the side of the entranceway.

"Please forgive me for intruding." Mai said aloud, tugging off her shoes and socks placing them alongside the entranceway.

The cats mewled as they crawled ahead of the two women and going into the living room.

"I hear you. Mikoto will bring in the kotatsu." Mikoto amusedly replied, taking Mai's coat and hers to hang them up on the clothes stand.

"Please, make yourself at home, Mai." Mikoto warmly smiled and bowed.

"Thank you, Mikoto. I'm in your care." Mai replied sincerely and bowed.

Raising their torsos upright, greeted with a kind and sincere smile, Mikoto ushered Mai to the living room with a wave of her hand. Mai went forward and easily found the spacious living room. Nine cats were sitting on a pillow between the television and coffee table. There was no sofa or couch to sit on, and Mikoto was bringing in the kotatsu anyway. The cats rolled away from their pillows and mewled as they looked at Mikoto coming out from the storeroom.

Mikoto huffed as she brought the kotatsu out from the storeroom, "Goodness, you guys treat Mikoto like a slave sometimes." She said amusedly.

"Let me move the table." Mai went over to the coffee table and quietly dragged it to an empty corner.

"Thank you." Mikoto relieved herself of the kotatsu in the coffee table's place.

As soon as the kotatsu was put down, two cats scrambled inside the blanket.

"Hey! The plug is not in the socket yet." Mikoto frowned as the other cats went under the blanket and made themselves comfortable, or playing.

Mai giggled as one of the cats pulled out the plug for the heater to Mikoto. Mikoto lopsidedly grinned and petted the cat, and then she took the plug off its paws. The cats made themselves comfortable at first, but they came out and dragged their pillows under the blanket. Mikoto plugged in the plug into a socket next to the television, and turned on both the heater and TV. The cats snuggled beneath the blanket on their pillows, meowing as the TV's screen flickered alive.

"Did one of you-" Mikoto's question was answered, as a cat pushed the remote to her side and pawed on a button.

Mai chuckled amusedly at the sight as Mikoto frowned at the cats. Mikoto stood up and let the cats watch the TV.

"Does Mai want to go sleep now?" Mikoto asked upon looking at the heavy eyelids Mai had been urging back.

Mai nodded and followed Mikoto to a room. Mai did not have a good look inside the house, but there was a comforting and calming air in here. Mikoto opened the door to the guest room, which once belonged to her grandfather. Guiding Mai inside with the door left opened, Mikoto went for the wardrobe that mostly contained plain shirts and pants for day and night wears.

"I'm sorry for the lack of tasteful attires to sleep, but they're here if Mai wants to change." Mikoto turned to look at Mai and chuckled as she saw Mai rubbing an eye.

Mai covered her mouth as she yawned, "Is it alright if I burrow your bathroom to wash-up?"

Mikoto pulled out a shirt and pants, closed the drawer, and went to the bed to put the shirt and pants on it.

"Sure. It's just next to the door, beside the kitchen. The hamper is inside there too." Mikoto replied.

"Thank you. I hope I'm not too much of a bother in your home." Mai said with a small smile.

Mikoto shook her head and took Mai's hand to bring her out of the room, "Make yourself comfortable Mai. It'll be a long day tomorrow."

"What about you? Do you have anywhere to sleep? And the cats?" Mai worriedly asked.

"Mikoto has her own room the cats can sleep in, but I'm not tired yet. I want to read something that is very important for me to learn about." Mikoto answered.

"Okay. Then I'll take care of myself and go straight to bed if that's alright." Mai said, earning a gentle pat on her hand and smiling pleasantly.

Mai entered the bathroom as Mikoto let her hand go. Before the door closed, Mai turned her head and whispered a tired but grateful thank you. Mikoto smiled and curtly nodded, going off to the entranceway to grab the book in her coat's pocket. The door gently shut and Mai proceeded to clean herself up with a short, warm shower.

With the book in Mikoto's hand, she locked the front door and hung the key on a hook by the arch of the kitchen's wall. Then, Mikoto put the book aside on top of a counter to feed the cats with water. Mikoto knew the cats had eaten, as they had been sitting outside in the cold despite of the season. Grabbing three water bowls and filling them up with tap water, Mikoto balanced the bowls as she went to the living room and put each bowls between the TV and kotatsu.

Now that there was water, the cats came out of their spot to drink from the bowls, each bowl holding enough water for three cats to drink together. Mikoto stayed kneeling to see if there was anything wrong. The cats were drinking normally and were not pulling away from the bowls. Relieved that the cats were drinking healthily, Mikoto went back to the kitchen to grab the book and returning to the living room with it.

Mikoto just stepped into the living room and heard the bathroom's door opening. Mikoto looked to see Mai with a towel around the body and hair. Mai smiled and waved tiredly to Mikoto as she walked by towards the guest room. Mikoto waved back and lowered her hand as the door closed. It seemed like this day had taken a toll on Mai. Mikoto silently reminded herself to get some clothes for Mai, as her clothes would not fit Mai.

Mikoto sat down and draped her legs under the blanket, feeling the heater warming her up. With a relieved sigh, Mikoto stayed warm and comfortable for the moment before reading the book. Hopefully, Mai will have a good night's sleep, as Mikoto came back and stayed here for three days in every two weeks, sometimes. Within those three days, Mikoto kept the house clean and fresh, but to also check up on the cats.

Speaking of them, the cats returned from their drinking to snuggle back under the comfort of the kotatsu. A few of the cats decided to snuggle with Mikoto. Mikoto relaxed around the cats snuggling up to her side. Looking at the cats and around the house, Mikoto thought this might be a good place to celebrate Christmas with the cats. However, Mikoto does not know if Mai would even want to celebrate Christmas here.

Mikoto shook her head and ask Mai about it tomorrow. Looking at the book on the table, Mikoto tilted her head and dwelled on reading it tonight. Heeding the warning Nao gave, Mikoto assumed that she must have felt as if she was being watched the moment she had the book. Mikoto decided not to risk opening the book here and try to expose the stalkers lurking in the shadows of the book. Perhaps Mikoto's grandfather was worried of the secrets exposed in the book to the unfavourable or unworthy.

"Uyun." Mikoto called, and a cat with a scar across her forehead climbed onto the table, meowing in reply.

"Can I entrust to keep the book safe whenever it is in the house?" Mikoto tapped on the book so that the Uyun would know.

Uyun crawled towards the book and smelled it to remember the book's scent. A short moment later, after some pawing, gazing, sniffing, Uyun looked to Mikoto and meowed with her tail raised up. Mikoto stroked Uyun's head as thanks. Uyun went the table and snuggled back in the blanket to watch the TV with her gang members.

Mikoto grinned, "You guys are still watching 'Cattarad Bass'? There are other shows about gangster cats." She implied, and earned no response from any cats, except for one closest to her.

Mikoto looked down to see a cat with a curved scar at the corner of its lips furrowing its brows at her.

"It might be interesting to try something new, right Kata?" Mikoto smirked and wagged her eyebrows in plea.

Kata stood up on, and lunged at Mikoto with a swift paw jab to Mikoto forehead. Mikoto fell on her back, and then Kata leaped again and slammed the full weight of its body onto Mikoto's face. Kata lay sprawled over Mikoto's face, meowing triumphantly as if saying, only 'Cattarad Bass' is the best gangster cat show for us.