2 - Cat Nap
My head is spinning, and I think Tsuzuki will be the death of me. So many emotions, all about me, spinning round and round until I can't think any more, so I bite him... it's the only way I can get it to stop, but I feel bad about it. Little wounds tend to hurt more, and I bet cat teeth count as "little." Anyway, it's a good thing I'm not being forced to walk, because I can't think straight still... I just know that we're moving and going somewhere out of the house... ah, the hotel, that must be it. Did he give up already? Why am I upset that he did? Stupid emotions, this must be him rubbing off on me.
Why in the hell is he worrying so much, anyway? Did he worry this much before?... Now I feel guilty, just peachy. And he's confiding in me, that's a scary thought... And unknowingly doing so! If he finds out I heard all of this... I can't let him find out. Ever. What would I say!? "Hi, I just heard lots of your private thoughts without you realizing it?"
Ah, he said the word I knew was coming. Food. Even depressed, Tsuzuki has to eat something or he can't function. Hey, he actually put me down! Now I have to figure out just where I am... Lots of white, soft, and unstable, ok. Hotel bed, I can work with that. After cleaning my paws--oh I'm doing it AGAIN! Stupid instincts.
Wow.... I never realized how much things smell!! Tsuzuki is coffee, cream, chocolate, warmth, sugar, wood, a bit of sweat and something I don't recognize. Odd as the combination sounds, I found it nearly intoxicating. It makes no sense, really. Why should, all of a sudden, his smell act like some sort of... of catnip?!
I keep getting distracted, I have to
keep focus. Tsuzuki, Tsuzuki... he has food, something that's very smelly
and it's making me hungry. I haven't eaten all day, no wonder. Should
I beg for some off of him? Well, I don't know anything else that'd work, so
trying my feline charms will have to do. Really, this is beyond humiliating.
Walking around in a tiny body like this is disorienting, and being a cute
fuzzy animal that people are prone to cuddle makes it worse. Ah, there he
is, looking glum and stuffing his face. At least he hasn't lost his appetite
__________________
Even with dinner, the shinigami wasn't feeling much better. The meal was dull, without Hisoka there to chide him for spending too much or buying too many sweets. Empty. The room felt far too lonely and void with just him there. Something hopping onto his lap reminded him that he wasn't completely alone; the cat was with him. It was currently sniffing his ramen, quite interested in the crab bits. Tsuzuki, being a sucker for anything cute, picked out a piece of meat and held it out to the feline, a small smile coming to his face.
"You're pretty hungry, aren't you?" he murmured as it was snatched by the tiny pink tongue and white teeth. This lead to most of the meat being fed to the cat, with a noodle or two. He wasn't that hungry, really. Hisoka being gone killed much of his appetite, but he wasn't going to waste the food. The kitten became full after a while, so the violet-eyed man chowed down on the remainder, not noticing it was no longer warm.
"What should I do now?" the shinigami asked his furry companion, rubbing just under its chin. "I should probably tell Tatsumi that Hisoka is missing. He'll know what to do." A tiny rumble was his only answer, the kitten stretched out on his lap as far as possible, belly up. Tsuzuki rubbed the prooffered tummy absently as he tried to think up what was the best way to go about things. "I hope he doesn't get angry that I lost him. This was supposed to be a simple case... What do I do?"
The cat yawned in reply, licking its lips. "You're right, I should just send a notice and get some sleep. Maybe he'll have come back by then!" he shouted enthusiastically, trying to perk himself up. Despite the display, he doubted he'd be able to fall asleep. The best he could do was relax.
A bath! Those are perfect for relaxing!
There's only a Western-style one here, but it'll do. Maybe it'll wear off
the edge enough for me to get some shuteye. Yeah, a good soak should be just
right.
__________________
Damn. He stopped petting me. I hate
to admit how much I enjoy it, but it's undeniable. Funny how something so
simple--just fingers brushing hair back and forth--can be so sensual. It's
odd that I like this, considering... previous events. Maybe it's because I'm
a cat, or since it's Tsuzu--no, not that, definately not that. I just like
being held and cuddled oh so gently--I feel safe, because...
Can cats blush? I'm breathing kinda fast and my heart rate's up, but inside
the "blush" reaction is what I feel. Damn blush reflex! No matter
how hard I try, my face turns into tomato over every little thing
! Almost anything Tsuzuki does makes my face heat up, in fa-...
Shit!
TsuzukiistakingoffhisclothesinfrontofmewhatthehellamIdoinghereshitshitshitstupid
idiotwhyishestrippingohshitIwon'tlookwon'tlookwon'tidiotbakastupidmorondamnhelooksnice
NOnononotmenononotgonnathinkthat--BREATHE!
He's changing. in front of me. I will
NOT look. I won't. I won't. I'm not some sort of pervert, nor am I attracted
to men, (especially handsome purple-eyed idiots.) I don't need to swoon over
somebody like a schoolgirl, especially Tsuzuki! I'm currently a CAT, for Meifu's
sake! A hyperventilating cat whose heartrate is skyrocketing, at that. Fuck.
I'm feeling dizzy, I got too wound up and now everything is blurry I don't
think I'm walking straight. Why am I reacting like this oh I'm gonna die from
embarassment---
Tsu..zu..ki?!
_________________________
The brown-haired Shinigami sighed, already relaxing at the thought of a bath. His clothes seemed itchy and too restrictive as he pulled off his work-wear. Casual suits, day after day, got a bit tiring--though he never wore them "properly." Down to his socks and boxers, he paused, trying to figure out what the odd wheezing noise was. Glancing around for the origen of the sneeze-cough-gag, he found the poor cat having what, for all he could tell, looked like a nervous breakdown or asthma attack.
The cat, being his substitute-worry over Hisoka, was making him frantic. What was he supposed to give a panting, wheezing feline, anyway?! Not having a clue what to do, he fell back on the idea that holding small fluffy things cures all ills--even when it was the aforementioned fuzzy critter that was sick.
With the greatest care the clumsy man could manage, the cat was transferred to Tsuzuki's lap and laid out. He began to slowly pet the little feline, trying to make it calm down. "It's ok, little guy. No reason to get upset. Just relax, ne? It's only me and you. I can't have you getting sick, I don't need two people to worry about." The man went back to thinking about Hisoka, who was alone and lost because Tsuzuki didn't get there in time and it was all his fau--
"OW!!!"
Tsuzuki whimpered, nursing the hand
the kitten had attacked. "You're so mean! I didn't do anything!"
The feline, who seemed to be feeling fine now, gave him what the Shinigami
guessed was a glare. The sugar addict sighed, scratching behind the cat's
ears affectionately. "Thanks... I needed a wake-up call. On to a bath!
I suppose you'll want to stay out here. Cats don't like water... I think."
He picked up the pussycat, sitting him down on the bed before tossing off
the last of his clothing and scampering into the bathroom
________________________
That was confusing. Really, really, hard-to-follow situation...but hey, I
had reason to be distracted. How was I supposed to react to
being on my partner's lap, when he was nearly naked!?! I was already
dizzy from getting so embarassed, then he put me in his lap! I don't
think I can handle this much longer, not with all this stress. Well, the bellyrubs
may be decent compensation, but still...
Why in the Hell am I reacting so much about this, anyway?! I just saw another
guy without much clothing on, that's not something to freak out about!...
Ok, so being in his lap at the same time made it a bit different, but still!
It's Tsuzuki... just Tsuzuki...or is that the problem in the first place?
I'm being ridiculous. I'll just get
my bearings, then keep an empathic eye on him. That's all I have to do.
I don't want to stay out here alone. But I don't want to go in. What if he
finds out?!!? I could never live it down. I won't go, I'm not curious. Not
one bit. I'm not thirsty, either. Nope. Not one bit. This is stupid. Tsuzuki
will be fine, he can take care of himself... Besides, he thinks so loud I'd
wake up if he tried something idiotic. Just sleep a bit and figure out how
in the hell to fix this mess.
I will not think about Tsuzuki
taking a bath.
_________________________________________
Thank you SO much for your response! It means a lot to me. I hope everyone
enjoys what I write. The encouragement helped a ton...
So, how's this one? I know it's moving slow, since so much is introspection,
but I will get a plot in there eventually (next chapter, hopefully)... I just
like focusing on the relationship. ^-^
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I'm quite flattered that so many people liked
it!
Here's a little edit to tidy things up, enjoy!
-Imbrii
(PS - 3rd chapter is coming along, I hope to release it soon!)