a/n Ok, why did this take so long to update? Seriously? Do I have anything to say for myself? Nothing?
Really sorry for the delay. I'm gonna post the next chapter very soon to make up for it. Promise. Again, thank you so, so much for any and all reviews. Even if you didn't like something, or if you want to add an idea for what to write next, I'm always open to suggestions. They really mean the world to me.
Thank you in particular to Skittybug, Trinitycrystalprincess89, and Storymaker7 for your sweet comments.
to Trinitycrystalprincess89:*slams down my art supplies and pushes them all to you,* you draw something pretty m'kay? I'm sure you're fantastic at art, and your comment seriously made my day:)
okay, now for the next chapter.
"What," Kai said. "Is that."
Lloyd's eyes leaped at the sight of his favorite brother and clambered off the bed. Completely ignoring Kai's sweaty state, he reached up with one hand for the red ninja to pick him up, who reluctantly complied.
"Zane found a cat, Kai! Isn't he cute?" The boy shoved the nervous kitten in the master of fire's face to drive the point home.
Kai's gaze cut from the cat to Lloyd to Zane and back again before pushing the fur out of his face. "There the heck did you find this thing?"
"Under a garbage bag," Zane said matter-o-factly.
Kai almost dropped Lloyd in grabbing the cat away from the child and chucking it to the floor, which, to the poor cat, was just rude. "Are you serious? Zane, that's disgusting, it could have fleas. Get it out of here!" The cat gave a wounded look and retreated back to the safety of Zane. Zane picked him up and gave Kai a similar wounded look.
"But Kai-" Lloyd whined.
"Nuh-uh. No arguments. That thing is out." He pointed to the door. The cat looked at Zane's fallen face as he carried slowly him past the two boys towards the hallway, shooting an apologetic glance at Lloyd. Lloyd, apparently, had other ideas.
"See his eye, Kai? He's been bullied," Lloyd coaxed, subtly brushing Kai's scarred left eye. He flashed a grin at Zane when Kai froze. "He was probably the runt of the litter, no one to take care of him, all alone on the streets," he continued, resting his head on the red ninja's shoulder innocently sniffling slightly, "does that remind you of anyone?"
After a minute of silence and nobody had moved, Kai made a sort of strangled, defeated groan in the back of his throat.
"Fine. Keep the runt. Just don't expect me to cover your sorry hides when Sensei finds out." He set Lloyd down, ruffling his hair resentfully after a moment. "Wash your hands, kid." He strolled toward the shower. "And don't let that thing in my bed!" He called behind him.
Lloyd grinned at Zane. Zane returned with his own little smile.
…
After the two ninjas had found a secure spot for the kitten's new home, in a nest of blankets at the bottom of their closet, Lloyd frowned. "We shouldn't just keep calling it 'the cat,' what should we call him?"
The white ninja finished pouring a cup of tap into a bowl and shook his head, "Lloyd, once you name something, you start getting attached to it, and-"
Lloyd held a finger to his chin, ignoring him and looking suspiciously like Kai. "Something that would really fit his personality..." He snapped his fingers. "How 'bout Yuki?"
Zane looked like he was about to say something then shut his mouth with a click. "That's...actually perfect." He gave himself a self-reprimanding lip bite.
Lloyd beamed. "Great. Now, what are we gonna feed him? It's Cole's turn to cook so I'll be happy to make a donation."
Zane huffed. "That would be animal abuse. I'll figure something out, and figure out how to tell the other three about our little secret."
Lloyd nodded, made a solemn zippering motion to his mouth, and scampered off.
Zane shook his head tiredly and softly closed the closet door after a final pat to Yuki's head.
From the comforting safety of the closet, Yuki had listened to the two quiet voices. He liked his name, actually. He didn't think it really fit him, but he trusted Lloyd's judgment. He curled up into a ball and burrowed his head deeper into the soft fabric. It smelled like Zane.
He knew he couldn't stay at these nice people's place; he didn't want them to get in trouble with whoever this "Sensei" was, and frankly, Kai scared him to death, but maybe he could just sleep and be warm a little longer, then he'd be on his way. He sighed and drifted off to sleep.
Another a/n: thus, the game of keeping the cat from sensei ensues. What could possibly go wrong?
Also, in case you were wondering, Yuki is a derivative of the Japanese word for brave.
I wasn't very happy with this chapter, but I promise it will get better. Now go have a wonderful day:)
