Chapter 7

Toboe tried not to stare at Leara, but it was practically impossible. She was so kind, she really was. They had gotten off at the same bus stop every day during the entire year, and he always noticed how she'd walk with an air of joy around her. She usually went the opposite way, but today, for some reason, she walked in front of him. It was a full 30 seconds of walking before he had the courage to catch up to her.

"Leara! Hey Leara!" He yelled, as she turned around and smiled.

"Oh, Toboe! How are you?" She asked, laughing at how he tried to catch his breath after his mini sprint. He was such a funny boy.

"I'm good, just walking home. Do you normally walk this way?" He asked, pretending like he didn't already know she lived on center street. She, in turn, humored his question, though she didn't stop walking.

"I don't, but Shelly was missing from school, today."

"Oh?" The girls had talked the day before, when they'd all been left behind from the school trip, but Toboe hadn't realize the girls had forged a friendship. Of course, he had been busy thinking all things Leara, and hadn't exactly been paying attention to the other girl.

"Yeah, I texted her, but she didn't answer, and so I decided I'd stop by her place and tell her what she missed in English and Math, at least."

"That's really nice of you"

"...No, not really."

At that, Toboe froze, not knowing what to respond. How could he tell this girl that he thought she was an angel? He kept walking along, knowing Shelly lived in the same building as him, and he could probably help Leara find the place faster.

"Well, this is me." He said smiling, a smile she returned, and that would have been the end of their short encounter, if it wasn't for the meowing heard in the rose bushes next to the building.

Leara quickly bent down and picked up the small, black kitten. Toboe tried not to make any faces, as cats had always creaped him out, but Leara was obviously in love already.

"Oh, no! Who would leave a kitten here? Do you think its been abandoned?"

Toboe shrugged, not knowing what to say. Strays were all around, why did Leara care?

"I'm not su-"

"Or maybe it just got out, and the owner is worried sick! Toboe, we can't just leave her here!"

"R...ight" He agreed, though he didn't really agree. Still, this was the longest Leara had ever talked to him, and he'd do anything to help her, and anyway, the poor kitten did look too young to be alone.

"Oh, but I really did want to see Shelly...Toboe, do you think you could take her for a bit? I'll come pick her up after I see Shelly. Oh! Maybe we can make some 'found kitten' posters."

At her enthusiasm, he couldn't do anything else but agree, though he did immediately worry that Tsume and Kiba would freak out about taking a stray into the small apartment. Kiba was allergic to cats, and Tsume...well, Tsume was Tsume. He didn't like or trust anyone or anything.

"Okay, sure!' He told Leara, who grinned and hugged him, before handing him the black kitten. She had blue eyes, and a soft purr. "I live on the third floor; It's the door on the right."

"Thanks Toboe, you really are the best. I'll see you soon!"


Hige frowned, as he realized Kiba had clearly not stayed in school. He always parked in the same spot, and if he wasn't there, it meant he had left at some point, and was not giving him a ride home. He didn't really care about having to walk, but they had given Blue a ride! Now she'd have to walk all the way to the shop to get her car.

"I'm so sorry, Blue, that jerk just left us here!"

"Oh, It's fine, I don't mind walking to my car. Exercise is great, right?" She laughed, mocking their P.E teacher.

"Exercise builds character" Hige caught on, laughing as well. "Blue...can I walk you to your car? It's not safe for a young, beautiful lady to walk by herself."

"Oh, okay, dad"

Hige frowned at that, though he knew she was just teasing him.

"I'm a tough girl, Hige. I can handle myself."

"I know that, I just..."

"Yes, I know, you're hopelessly in love with me."

He scoffed, and started walking. She really did love messing with him.

"I just, as a friend, want to make sure you're safe." It was a lie. He knew it, she knew it, and he should probably just man up and kiss her. He took a deep breath, and turned, so he was facing her. She smiled, waiting for him to say something dumb, but he just looked at her.

They stayed there for a moment, and then, suddenly, he came closer and kissed her as passionately as an inexperienced 14 year old boy could kiss.


Toboe bolted up the stairs as fast as he could, stopping quietly once he'd reached their front door. He had seen Tsume's car, and knew that his brother would most likely be in the kitchen or living room. The boy took his backpack off, and gently began putting the small kitten inside.

"Don't worry, okay? It's just for a few seconds, and I"ll take you out. Try not to make any noises." He explained, though he knew that kitten didn't understand him, and groaned when she began to cry.

"Oh, come on" He pleaded, as he tried his best to make her comfortable, keeping the backpack open, hugging in to his body and making sure that the small animal wasn't so easily visible, when she finally settled in, he got his key and went inside the small home, though he quickly had to do a double take when he saw a young, blond haired woman on the living room couch.

"Uh..." He would have questioned if he was in the right place, but the stain on the couch, thanks to Hige knocking over the 12 year old's soda last night, was so prevalent that he knew he wasn't in the wrong apartment.

The young woman quickly smiled at him, and stood up, waving. "Oh, hi!"

"Hello!" Toboe chirped, always happy and well mannered, though he was worried about the wiggling coming from his backpack.

"Um, this is awkward" She admitted, not exactly knowing who the child was, though being painfully aware that the stranger here, was her. Tsume had left her in charge of making sure dinner didn't burn, while he quickly took a shower...after she accidentally spilled flour all over him.

"Are you... a friend of..." He really couldn't imagine who she would be friend's with. She was beautiful, and very mature looking. Kiba already had a girlfriend, and Tsume hated people. She might be a social worker, so he was instantly wary. The brothers had been split up for almost half a year, after granny died. He had no intention of repeating that nightmare.

"Tsume's. Well, not a friend, friend. He's in the shower!" She tried to explain, though she was clearly flustered. This day hadn't exactly gone how she'd the 12 year old did immediately help her feel better. He didn't look like he'd hurt a fly. The young boy was wearing jeans and a red shirt, and he looked like the sweetest person on earth.

"He'll be out soon, we just met today, I was having trouble with my boyfriend, that ass, and-"

"meow"

Toboe froze, not really having been paying attention to the quirky woman, until the kitten in his arms meowed, trying desperately to get out of the backpack.

"Oh, you have a ..."

"It's a kitten!" He laughed awkwardly, going to sit next to her, a little too close, but he was worried that Tsume would come out any second and immediately make him kick out the kitten, which he'd already named "Cat".

"I'm helping a friend keep her for a few hours, but I don't want anyone to know. You won't tell, right? Nice lady?"

At that, Hamona just giggled. She didn't have younger siblings, and she'd never been a trouble maker, or even creative. She would have never dreamed of sneaking an animal in to her house. She liked the kid already.

"It's a secret." She winked, as he thanked her and started for his bedroom.

"Oh" He paused, gifting her another smile. "I'm Toboe, by the way."

"I'm Hamona...but my friend's call me Mona."

To Be Continued...