Akaneko
A small red cat entered the kitchen hesitantly. It paused by the stove and sniffed the air cautiously. Its delicate nose wrinkled as it inhaled the aromas pervading the cooking area. Shaking its head in a very human-like motion it padded towards the interior of the house.
Humming softly a tall woman with long honey-brown hair sat reading a book as dinner burned on the stove. The cat sighed, green eyes reflecting innocent amusement, and meowed cutely to catch her attention. The woman looked up in surprise, her gaze swinging from the red animal to the black smoke rising from the cook pot. She issued a startled exclamation and tossed the book aside to rescue what was left of a chicken.
Akaneko grinned, which looked frightening being a cat and all, and waited patiently for Milly to come back. She had told Wolfwood she'd get him a present and she would. After all he deserved some happiness.
"Thank you kitty, but I'm afraid I was too late." With that the woman chucked the blackened fowl out the nearest aperture. A masculine yelp of pain was heard from outside, but other than that nothing happened.
The woman resumed her position on the rocking chair and the cat joined her. Akaneko's dreamy purring filled the air as Milly absently stroked her silken fur. A moment later the cat was gone and in her place sat an elfin young woman, red hair cascading about her pale shoulders. Milly cried out in surprise, but that was all she managed before the girl grasped her face firmly and bestowed a smoldering kiss.
The cat-girl then vanished to leave a bewildered Milly staring at her empty lap, fingers resting gently upon her lips.
* * * *
"Wolfwood?" the singsong voice echoed through the amber haze and reached the rueful man sitting on the ground and wishing for a smoke. A crimson streak raced towards him at an alarming speed. He only had a few moments to prepare himself before an excited scarlet haired girl mauled him.
"I did it," she declared proudly, green eyes flashing in triumph. "A present from Milly."
"Oh no." He rubbed his face with his hand and sighed in resignation.
"Yep. Kuroneko doesn't know about it so don't tell him, okay?" She grinned cheerfully, revealing two delicately pointed canines. He looked up at her since her impact had forced him onto his back..
"You really don't listen to people, do you?" She continued to smile and leaned forward to deliver her present. "Hold on. Wait."
Carefully she kissed him and he felt Milly's essence course through the contact. A deep sadness resided there yet a sense of contentment regulated it to the background. Tranquility both comforting and lonely threaded through it like a mild spice. Something hot and wet slid down his cheeks and he knew he was crying.
"She's alright Wolfwood. She can't cook, but she's happy," the girl whispered as she pulled away.
"I know." She wiped away the remained tears with the comfort of a mother.
"She hasn't forgotten you, but she has moved on in life."
"Thank you. I…" She laughed and crawled off of him to settle lazily on the ground next to him.
"No thanks are necessary. I wanted to make you happy, there's too much sorrow in the world." Akaneko yawned loudly and curled up. Moments later her soft breaths filled the amber haze and Wolfwood sat thinking of Milly.
* * * *
"Akaneko." The crimson-haired girl paused, casting a guilty glance over her shoulder. Her mentor, Kuroneko, stood there looking rather miffed and a tad annoyed.
"Yes? Is something wrong?" she asked innocently aqua eyes wide. He glowered at her in disappointment and the first trace of anger.
"What have you been doing?"
"Nothing, why?" she replied with feigned confusion.
"Is it true that you've revealed yourself to a human and not just them?" he demanded. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared darkly at her.
"Sort of, but it was for a good cause." She twisted her hands anxiously in the hem of white dress and traced obscure patterns in the floor with her toe.
"I'm listening."
"I…I wanted to make Mr. Wolfwood happy. He seemed sad so I wanted to cheer him up. That's all. She probably thinks it was a dream anyway. No harm done."
"Enough." He held up a hand to forestall anymore excuses. A weary sighed fled his mouth as he muttered something to himself. "They want you to keep a closer watch on Knives. There has been a general agreement that he requires twenty-four hour surveillance now that he has regained use of his legs."
"Really? Can I play with him too?" He gave her a hard look and she looked away. "Okay, just watching, no playing."
He laughed warmly and strode towards her. She accepted his embrace and rested her head against his shoulder.
"You are so young, you make me feel old," he murmured rocking her in his strong arms. She giggled and snuggled closer.
"You're not that old. Only a few hundred years or so."
"Thanks for reminding me, kitten. Now go and start your new assignment and remember…"
"No playing and no revealing myself to the humans. I know, I know," she muttered as she vanished.
