The Heat is Crazy
By Yumetake
A/N: Sorry that it took so long, but six hours of physics in summer school had put to sleep all the poor brain cells that I possess who were responsible for imagination and creativity. Thanks for the reviews from last time, and to Cradlerobber Speedo-kun for pointing out that Duo does not speak Japanese. I fixed it and I apologize for that, I do get illogical from time to time, like that time when I said Lucius Malfoy owned a car in a HP fic. Anyways on with this chapter! ^^
Chapter Two: Operation Arabian Kitty
"Duo, what's that in your hand?"
"Uhh… nothing" Damn, if I hadn't crashed into the kitchen door I would have made it here before him.
"Duo!"
He narrows his eyes with distrust. That look always makes me feel like a six-year-old who has just stolen an apple from the church storage. As I stare at my feet, he snatches the crumpled piece of paper out of my hands.
A bright shade of crimson, glowing brighter than the rising sun, radiating more heat than a frying pan, creeps up from his neck to color the white Arabian's skin a brilliant touch of scarlet. He looks like he's ready to faint, which had been the result I was hoping to get last night, but now…
"Duo, are you harassing Quatre again."
"Who? Me?" Sheesh, that wasn't even a question but an accusation. And he's not helping, 'cause it only made the blonde's face grow a shade redder, if that is still possible. Man, I hope this is not going to become his permanent skin color.
"What is that?"
"Really nothing that you should worry about, Tro" I'm sweating now from that heat Quatre's face is giving off. I'll really need a bath when Heero is done.
Fortunately, Trowa decided to not inquire any further because Quatre looks as if he wants to turn into something much smaller than a kitty, and crawl into the gap under oven.
"Here's the mail."
Oof! My arms are sudden loaded with an overflowing a previously unnoticed bag of fan mail that Trowa had been carrying. A glance at it tells me that my statement from last night did not go unnoticed as slogans centered around 2x3 were found on nearly every envelope. Trowa, thankfully gave no sign that he took notice of those, but I feel a light blush starting up my check as well, that habit of Quatre's is really contagious, speaking of Quatre, he's no where in sight by now.
After a hasty breakfast, and a hasty shower, the stern look Heero gave me as he emerged from the bathroom totally threw me off, just another person who's mad at me in this house. That's makes four, no actually five, myself included for screwing up in front of Quatre, and Trowa, and Heero, but happily not Wufei. I think I should really leave this place before I'll have to slice myself up and bury myself under the oven to keep the others happy, but then the smell of Shinigami's rotting flesh might bother them still.
I find myself strolling along the streets in the shabbiest part of the town, most shops are not yet open at this hour of the morning, I wonder, why am I up and about hours earlier than I normally would be? Aha! Wufei, which reminds me, the apothecary… is closed. It's eight o'clock and all is quiet, not a creature is stirring and not even a mouse, except for…
A cat. He (or so I assume) was shuffling in his cardboard box behind the garbage bins, sniffing and meowing when I heard him. He raised his head to meet my gaze as I poke my head through the gap between two filthy bins.
Holy Arabian Gods! I swear that he must be the feline twin of a certain blonde that I know of, for he too is blonde and blue-eyed.
"Hey Quat-baby, what are u doing out h─Ah!" The hand that I held out to stroke his back was instantly met with his tooth (thank god that he's only a kitten). "So you hate me too huh?" Fine, be that way, stay here and starve… oh uhh, it's probably just the bacon grease from my breakfast that he smelled, the little guy must be hungry.
Someone must have abandoned him here, who would do such a thing!? It is my duty as Shinigami to protect all things orphaned. Therefore I take it upon myself to take this kitten home and uhh… hope that Quatre will become absorbed in this cute little thing and forgive me for what happened this morning, alright!
"I'm home!" Oh my, what a warm welcome, look Quatre's leather shoes and Wufei's Chinese slippers are all very excited to see me indeed. I left my own sneakers to chat with them and proceed to carry the boxed kitten into the living room.
Mmm! The aroma of roasted chicken! I climb the last three steps to reach the living room, and my eyes meet the sight of Quatre with a stack of plates emerging from the kitchen.
Bang! Clang!
"Ah!"
Boom! Clash!
"AURHG!"
Clunk. Clunk. Clunk… Clunk…
"MAXWELL!!!"
…And… Clunk.
Okay… the sequence of events that have just occurred is as follows: the kitten leapt out of box upon smelling roasted chicken, headed towards the kitchen, ran into Quatre who dropped all the plates and gave a little yelp. Then dashed through the rain of smashing plates, into the kitchen, straight at Wufei, who was carrying the platter of chicken, which fell to the floor. Wufei screamed out of anger and surprise, and had immediately identified me as the perpetrator of all nuisances in his life.
Pay no attention of the clunking sounds, as those are simply onomatopoeias [1] of me falling down the staircase step by step, as a result of the cat kick-jumping out of the box in my arms.
Hi Wufei's Chinese slippers, sorry that my head is resting on top of you, but I'm in no condition to lift it now. Your master won't be too happy about this though, he's unhappy about many thing, most of which has to do with me. Here he is, running down the stairs with his katana, but no there's five of him!
"Umm… Duo? Are you alright?"
Yes, but I want Wuwu's slippers for company! Where are they? I woke up to Quatre's voice with these ridiculous thoughts in my head, and found myself lying on the couch. Looks like I passed out before Wufei had a chance to roast me for lunch. How cowardly Duo! Even though there was five of him you still need to stand up and fight!
"Yeah I guess" Thank god Wufei's shoes were there to cushion my head, calling all remaining brain cells! What's the death toll among you?
Wufei sniffs angrily and stalks into the kitchen, to roast another chicken I suppose. Quatre looks at me worriedly. Hey, what d'you know, he's face is back to normal, still adorably peachy, but considerably less red.
"Where did you get him, Duo?"
"Among all other unwanted things." Looking in the direction of Quatre's eyes, I see that in the corner of the room, the blonde kitten is chewing contently at the chicken that he managed to purloin from under Wufei's nose.
"So can we keep him? Please?" The effort to smile and make puppy face is making my poor head throb.
"Well, if the other are okay with it, if they aren't allergic or anything, I don't see any reason why we can't…"
Yes! He likes the kitty! Quatre smiles lovingly at the kitten as it licks himself clean after devouring a chicken leg.
"You should rest now, Duo. We'll have to take him to the vet and buy him food and litter in the afternoon."
"Okay", Quatre thinks of everything, "It's a date then." I think I'll just leave it at that and let Quat figure it out on his own. He must think that I'm talking crazy because of the throbbing in my head. But Shinigami always knows what he's talking about! According to reports of my remaining brain cells, a handful of them have died, half is injured, and the other half is falling asleep…
Little Quatre climbs onto the couch and nestles beside little Shinigami. He rests his head gently on the crook of my neck, and gives a soft but low purr. His hair is soft and his tongue tickles my neck in a pleasing way as he licks me tenderly. He rubs himself against my arm and wraps his tail loosely around it…
A/N: Quatre Rabara Winner does not have a tail. ^^
Notes: [1] onomatopoeia – words that mimic sounds
TBC …The "Date"…
