So, we had to take another bath. I was liking the routine, but not this last time. I was upset to see that Hisoka wasn't gonna take a bath with me. He simply carried me into the bathroom, and washed me in the sink. I could handle not bathing with him like usual, but the look on his face… he looked as if he had been through hell, and it had only been one day! Maybe it wasn't good for him to be away from me? Still, his hands were gentle and he handled me with care.

After drying me a little, he left me on his bed and went to the kitchen to clean up my mess. I wanted to follow, but he threw a glare at me whenever I tried. He was in a bad mood most of the night. After cleanup, Hisoka went to his beanbag and sat there reading for a long time. I mewed occasionally, but he hardly glanced at me for a whole hour! Then, when I had started to get sleepy, he looked at me. I didn't see him as he walked over to me and picked me up, bringing me back to the beanbag. But, I was happy. Hisoka started petting me, and I guessed that he wasn't mad anymore.

"Stupid…"

Hm? Who, me? I know I made a mess, but it wasn't that bad! But when I looked up into my master's eyes, I saw something I hadn't before. Pain… My Hisoka was in terrible pain!

"So stupid…"

I tilted my head and looked at him, even though he was trying to avert his eyes. Who was stupid?

"Those kids at school… they don't know what they're talking about…!"

What? Some kids were being mean to you! I made an angry look. Oh, how I would bite them if I saw them! Hisoka is precious to me, and anyone who hurts him is in for it! I didn't realize that Hisoka was giving me an odd look. The pain and hurt was gone.

"What's wrong with you? You look… so serious, all of a sudden."

Of course I'm serious, I mewed. People hurt my Hisoka, and that makes me mad. Though he couldn't understand my mews, I think he understood my protectiveness towards him. He almost smiled again and patted my head as he stared out the window. Then, he pulled out a small chewy bar and fed me a little, taking small bites, himself.

"You're mad because they hurt me, aren't you?"

Damn strait!

" But it doesn't matter… they always say mean things… it's because I'm part of a rich family, and they think I'm some snotty brat."

So not true! Mm… this is good stuff! I was so hungry…

"You know, Tsuzuki…?"

Mew? I looked up from the snack, and his eyes were blank. This tore at my heart.

"I--"

Just then, the phone rang. Hisoka jumped, and he picked up the phone that was lying next to him. Funny… he didn't even say hello, or ask who was on the line. The second he brought it to his ear, the color faded from his face, and he abruptly stood up strait. It was as if he was in the military or something. I was knocked to the floor, but it didn't hurt. What hurt… was the sad look that had come back to mar my Hisoka's gentle features.

"S-sir… good evening!"

Sir? Who was he talking to?

"What? Oh, well I… no I didn't miss those two days on purpose, sir! No, you see I was… but, but I-"

What was going on? Hey, whoever it is, let my Hisoka speak! He was terribly ill! Who was he talking to?

"Sir… no, sir. No, I would never disobey you… I realize you sacrificed a lot to get me into this school! No, I… yes, sir… I promise never to let it happen again."

Without a farewell, Hisoka turned the phone off, and let his hand fall limply to his side. He stood perfectly still in the middle of the room for a long time, completely silent. His head was down, and his bangs covered his dazzling eyes. But, I doubt his eyes were full of joy. They're still dazzling to me! Then, Hisoka looked up and there was a fire burning inside him as he yelled and tossed the phone against the wall. It exploded into a million pieces, and I ran behind a box to escape flying debris. When I looked again, Hisoka was crouched on the floor with his knees brought up against his chest.

Hisoka's body was shaking terribly, and I was worried that he was cold. I ran past him to his bed and tugged on the corner of his big blanket, meowing for him to cover up. But what I saw dripping down over his face was not sweat from a fever… they were salty drops of sorrow. Tears…

That was the first time I had seen my Hisoka cry.

"Stupid… I hate him… I hate my father! I just hate him!"

His father? It was his father who was on the phone? Oh, it makes a little bit of sense now… He may have been a well-known man, but he was scum to make his son feel such pain and sorrow. I abandoned the blanket and crawled my way onto his knees. I may have scratched him a little, but if I did, he obviously didn't notice. When I was on top of his knees, I mewed quietly and nuzzled his head. That's when he looked up, and I saw the tears rolling down his cheeks. I just wanted to make him feel better, and I started licking up the salty tears. He let me for a moment before picking me up and holding me as he finished the job, by wiping the tears away with his shirt.

"Stupid cat… T-thank you, Tsuzuki…"

He just held me there, and I could do very little for him. If I were human, I would hold him close and hug him, and I would talk to him. I could tell him not to listen to the harsh words of others, and only listen to me. But, I was only a stupid cat… but still, I think that was enough for him.