A/N: Welcome to the next installment of the Perspective Tale, when we last left off, we caught wind of the mysterious Kaka assassin targeting Kageo for some kind of data extraction. If not for the help of his best friend, he'd be in dire straights. This next chapter picks up again, with the sleeping pair, resting at Kageo's home. Let's tune in, without further adieu!

(End A/N)

Chapter III: Trial by Instinct

Feeling a weight against his side, shifting as he drifted in and out of sleep, Kageo yawned softly as he tried to drag himself from the wonderful comfort of dreamland. it was a feeling of scritching claws at his sides, some shuffling that made him feel it easier to wake up. Slowly but surely, as reality became more real to him, his ears twitched to the sound of a very familiar snore. He hadn't remembered at first, but Tao's low snore made him smile as he stretched out in part. With the drooling Tao on his back, he'd simply adjusted where he was laying, since he knew that Tao was going to keep on moving. And move she did, twisting to meet his movements so that she still had the most contact with her present source of warmth.

"Mew mew...stop Mewving so much..." Tao's murmured as she felt Kageo squirming beneath her.

"Agh...Tale, or something." Kageo murmured, something about his dream that seemed a little vaguely familiar.

Tao didn't make it easy for Kageo trying to rise either, she'd nipped him twice for moving, on on his shoulder and another on his hoodie, where the nape of his neck was. It was enough to make him jump, while he instinctively hunched into the nip at first, he'd shook the feeling off and tried to make more headaway escaping Tao. By now all of the squirming had gotten her resting on his midback, with her face over his shoulder with her chest pressing into his side, while she looped both arms around his waist. It showed that she had no intention to let him go, she was extra comfortable where she was. Clambering up her friend's back, she'd felt a little more shuffling from someone who stood up.

"It'd be odd if you tried to stay on my back longer Tao, I'm not as soft as the bed." Kageo had said as he felt the squeeze around his waist.

"Mmmrr...still mewving..." Tao murmured, as she was still mostly out of it.

Curling her legs around his hips from behind, she was now in something of a piggyback position on Kageo's back. Very determined to stay on his back, he was warm and she was stubborn when trying to sleep. Though it wouldn't last, as Kageo needed to take a shower to prepare for the new day. He'd gotten some water from a cup on the nearby stand and dipped his fingertips in it. using the little bit of water, he'd flicked some on Tao and it seemed to at least wake her more.

"Gruh..? Huh..? What- ouchie!" Tao had groggily come to and loosened her grip by part of her focus being lost. She ended up falling to the ground on her butt, much to her ire.

The shock had woke her up from her pleasant sleep-state. Why did Kageo have to go again? If ever she knew, she didn't remember at all now. Though it wouldn't stop her from asking him outright, she did want to know what it was.

"Why is Kage Kage getting up and active right mew? It's so early and Tao's still tired." her commentary somehow about sleepiness involving him as well.

"Business for the Tail lady, remember? I've got to go around today and listen in on another few spots." he'd already slipped into the bathroom and shut the door behind him.

Once in there, Kageo went about his business of freshening up, taking care of the showering first and just enjoying the shock of the cold and then warmth from the heat rising in the water. Something that while he was enjoying the feeling of the water, his physical weakness from sleep and thoughts going away. For a time, he'd heard nothing but the running water until he'd heard a knocking at the assumed to be Tao, and he imagined that she was hungry.

"Yes, Tao? What do you need?"

"Kageo, hurry up~, Tao's decided to wait for you before eating! But doon't take too long, 'cause Tao can only wait for soo long, meow!"

"Of course, Tao, just be patient for a little bit. I'm almost done!"

Musing over Tao's basic needs, he'd gone to hurry up and finish the shower. Some part of him was excited to just enjoy such a simple thing within the company of his best friend. He found that after she'd saved him yesterday and been so brave, that he had started to see her in a different light. The male kaka was no idiot about it, sure enough he knew what a crush was: he'd had one on the Professor as well. He wasn't sure what he could do about what he felt, but still some part of him was excited to see what may come of it?

(From Tao's POV)

"Mew, Kage takes sooo looong." the bored kaka warrior kicked her feet back and forth in a bored fashion.

It revealed the depth of her impatience at times, but also the playful side of her involved in this effort of hers. She was waiting for him so that the two could go eat, it was only natural that she wanted to hurry! Such a moment could not be missed, she was already thinking about what they'd be eating next. Since she had been young, far back as she could remember, the originally shy and meek Kageo had always been a friend. Though she always loved those times, she had never lingered on memories for long, just enough to remember she had them often enough.

Hopping to her feet, the blond feline paced back and forth, already considering knocking on the door. It had been a mere 2 minutes since she last checked with Kageo, she considered whether or not she should just drag him along; as she often did. Sometimes he could be so slow! It was only normally really, far back as she knew it; he could barely keep pace with her. She was the fastest of any of the Kaka present, with only her elder sister keeping ahead of her, she knew that training harder would help.

Finding that to be the best action, she'd approached the bathroom door and prepared to barge in. It would not be the first time she'd come in on Kageo, since he had a constant need to be herded along to the next thing for them to do in the day. Without another thought, Tao grabbed the handle and turned it, before pushing her way into the locked door.

"Meow, the door's locked Kage!" she alerted him to it, surprised by that fact.

"I know, Tao. We can't have you walking in on me again, now can we?" he'd said this in a musing manner, certainly she didn't think he'd fail to do that this time?

Certainly Tao knew about privacy and wasn't dumb on the matter. But it was different for her and Kage in her mind. They did an awful lot together, except for a few things that he was often embarrassed about; for whatever reason he was such a little kitten about some matters. Paying it no mind, she'd gave up on the door and moved to plop back down on the couch. With her tail twitching back and forth as she kicked her feet, the time stretched on to 5 minutes before Kageo finally emerged!

"Finaaally, took mew long enough to get out here, Kage Kage!" Tao's boisterous voice announced as she shot to her feet.

Standing in front of her, a clean and mostly dry Kageo stood ready to go, in his iconic dark cerulean kaka coat, and snow white spotted tail swishing. He'd let off a similar grin to Tao and he'd been holding his sleeve up for her to grab. Without missing a beat, Tao took his hand, through the sleeve and tugged him along with her out of his apartment. Taking him down the two of them had been along the street towards the center of the Village for the snack she normally enjoyed. They'd be able to catch the meal and enjoy company of the kittens, before heading off to the real business of the day.

Once they arrived at the center of the village, Tao and Kageo sat for the meal, taking up some of the offered food with glee. She scarfed her food down quickly, making sure to sate some of her hunger with this light snack. It was hard to live when good times to eat were there in such little succession. Today she'd drag Kageo to bust a Bounty! After eating of course, she'd make sure to find a good target. Maybe they could go after Rawrgna? She could ask Good guy if she saw him.

She found that Kageo's usual rate of eating was like he often was, slower than her. He always tried to take care and not make a mess, she'd found that at least a nice thought. Having heard her friend try to explain it to her once, something about 'aes-thet-ic' or something like that. Tao found her interest had changed, he tried to think all refined and acted in a capacity that parts of her did envy. Perhaps she was one who acted more rashly, but she wasn't as childish as she acted all the time.

'Kage always tries to keep things to himself, but he doesn't have to. We're friends! Tao will make sure he remembers that.'

While true that she didn't stop to think very often of more beyond her immediate needs, there were times like this that she did. Kageo was always looking out for her, he always fed her well, stayed close when they napped and slept. Generally tried to be there even when he didn't need to be. At least with her, it didn't go unnoticed. Tao was never entirely sure about how she felt about him, but he did make her cheeks get a little hot now and again.

She often paid her own wishes no mind, but today she would indulge a little bit. They were thoughts she didn't have very often. It was why it felt almost like a game! Tao was very good at those games she thought.

Out of the blue, Tao's tail found Kageo's own and curled with it, despite it being semi-wet. She'd scooted a little closer, just to let better feel the warmth from his side. It was a comfortable thing to notice that closeness they often shared. The pair had been close for long enough that proximity didn't often bother Kageo very much if at all. He did get funny whenever she pinned him though, it was something anyone would notice with how nervous he got.

That was something she'd especially remembered, to see him squirming, pinned beneath her, victim of her tickles. He was always so bad at that game, he thought too much and pounce was not about that kind of thing. It was sense and timing, she knew it in her blood when it was time to move. Tao could remember the rush of heat in his body, how his pulse quickened and he became extra nervous. Parts of her mind were aware of where she'd been placed upon him.

Though she was oblivious of it before, she was well aware

of his body and how he tried to keep her away from something. For a little bit she chased on that thought before letting it go. He was kind of cute acting so bashful. She wasn't exactly sure why, but it made her blush too. She wasn't sure of what she thought of it, simply put it had never come up before. Tao decided to ask Kageo about it when they went off.

How long had it been? She finished her bowl and hadn't even realized it. She hated thinking deeply for just this reason! It always stole away some of the most important things she enjoyed in life. But for this thinking, she didn't mind so much.

"Kage Kage, we ready to go?" she'd ask him, receiving a nod, before she set the bowls down for them and took his hand again.

Before long, she was leading them to Kagutsuchi through a favored path: one that would drop them off in Orient Town. Straight through another back alley, Tao decided to stop, she could ask him here and no one would hear them. As they stopped, he looked to her very confused and his features told her such.

"Eh? Why'd we stop, Tao? We're not to Orient Town yet." he asked.

"Tao has a question, and Kage has the answer." she responded quickly, knowing that he'd understand.

"Oh? Sure, Tao. What is it?"

"Kage has to tell me, why do you feel nervous when Tao pins you?"

The words had made his tail stiffen, she noticed his brief visual freeze. The reaction caused her ears to twitch and lean in towards him. As if not to miss a single part of his reaction. She could see him loosening within the seconds that followed, though he was still pink in the cheeks.

"Uh...well Tao, to be open about it. I just happen to like you, eh heh." he'd said this and shrugged, as that was it.

Tao blinked and let off a laugh, she thought there was some kind of mystery as to why he was acting funny around her. That was simple news, after all she liked him too. They were friends and that was common for that.

"Psh! Tao thought it was something biiig and unknown as a secret. Tao likes you too, Kage! Friends do that, silly, meow.~" she had not hidden that she also liked him.

Of course just how much did she like him? That was a thing that even she didn't really know. She'd give Kageo's hand a squeeze as she started tugging him towards the edge of the alleyway. They were done wasting time and it was time to get some more food! She led them both to the familiar Orient Town restaurant and seemed to just enjoy the comfort of the mood. Tao was content within the company of Kageo.

-With the assassin-

Having returned to observe her prey, the assassin took her time within Kageo's home. Looking around the open of the rooms, taking in his scent while she searched for any documentation he might be hiding. She did so carefully, making sure that she didn't leave any signs of her having been there. Even now, she was using ars to hide her scent and was extra careful while searching around. Her target was hanging closely with that annoying little kitten she ran into back there.

"Tch...lucky shot." she'd murmur, reminding herself about it from earlier.

Her side was still healing, despite the immediate treatment of the zone. It had been a surprisingly deep slash and she had not idea how she got caught off guard. Well perhaps it was due to her being relaxed, as she had no problem getting around Kageo's senses. With her specific coat of ars designed specifically for hiding her presence; she could continue to surprise him with ease. At least until he wised up to it, she'd hoped that her mind games would confuse him instead of leading her victim to a solution.

She was planning to surprise him when he came back home. Though it was something to consider that he might not be alone. Whether or not she liked that annoying kitten he was with was one thing, but she was not keen on killing a fellow Kaka if it could be helped. It didn't mean that she wouldn't beat her down for getting in her way. That much was not allowed, she wouldn't have it happening again. The little Kaka girl who thought herself some kind of savior would be taught her place. At least that was the plan, and things rarely, if ever went according to any plans.

"Tch...silly kittens, none of them know me." the assassin murmured to herself.
As she continued rummaging through one of his closets, she personally knew that this kaka had it together. He wasn't going to be caught with something as open as files in a closet. She was trying to think of how best to approach this moment. Figuring that she'd actually have to put some effort into her searching or plan a trap for him. Though anything she'd work with couldn't use any technology, even ars was a risk.
She knew that if he sensed something, he'd probably just relocate. Naturally the trap would be no less than her, she'd have to be careful with her plan. She couldn't take the risk of clashing with Kageo and his little friend at the same time. It was to be a thing that played into her favor, though she had her reservations about an all out fight. After just a single slash from that other kaka, something told her that would be uglier than even a fight with Kageo.

"Perhaps its just instinct, something's off about that little girl." she knew better, that's right...'she'.

Marinkaka was her name, it was something easy to forget when she so rarely used it nowadays. She knew what it meant to have an identity, that was easy to lose in this business of taking lives. She had thought about leaving it many a time, but money was always a commodity for those who tried to live normally. Even in her case, she took lots of small apartments and kept the rest for a rainy day. She may not have involved herself with the clan at her option, but she knew the plight of a low amount remaining.
She had her pride too, it was why when this assignment came to her option she accepted. Life was what you made of it, she'd found some human who had a fetish for cat-girls and found out about sex. It was like fine wine, difficult to fine; but wonderful when had properly. There was that and then reproducing, she knew what she desired; propagating the clan was a duty no matter how she chose to live. Why this kitten, she thought of it to herself and that answer was simple: unlike humans, she didn't have the luxury of awaiting another choice.

"...Damn shortage." she grumbled to herself, it was all the fault of their creators.

She grumbled briefly, it was a lot like humans to do that, create something and not think about anything else. That's what they were supposed to be, bio-weapons or something. Such a thing was fine with her, it made her job easier. She could kill people and leave no proof has to how it was done, even messy kills left mark free slashes on her victims. Either that or causing seithr poisoning was a fine way to get a job done.

Why the hell was she reflecting exactly? Shaking the pointless thought, she'd carefully put his closet back to the arrangement she remembered. She drew back and closed the door, thinking about what was the best place to attack him from? Though her morals slammed into her hard, as she thought about the kittens getting in the way. Right...it was clan above a pristine location.
It wasn't like she was conflicted, such was a simple measure against hurting her clan. It was nice to belong, even if only from the shadows.

"Heh, didn't think I'd make a good mother ever really. Guess I'll be taking my shot soon though." soon after saying it, she laughed, a rich deep feminine laugh.

Something about saying that aloud amused her. She had to CATCH her quarry first, extract the data and keep him alive. None of it would be an easy task, at least it was simple in words. Each thing represented a rapidly growing range in her case. He was a slippery little thing and it made the chase more fun, though her fun would be spoiled if her employer brought in extras. Such would complicate the matter heavily and she knew it.

"Better not fool around then, next time I'll be coming out swinging." her words marked that it meant the worse case scenario.

She'd be in for full on confrontation with a Kaka built by Sector Seven and likely his Kaka warrior friend. Veteran or not, she preferred a quick and decisive end. Such would not be the case now, gamble or risk? It was harder to say which it really was, either way it sucked.

-

"...Send in the clean up team. We can't trust that cat to get this done, if she gets in the way; then get rid of her as well. She has measures about releasing data, but we'll deal with that when we come to it. I'm done trusting this extraction to a single cat." the angry words spoken by the employer of the assassin came forth.

His purpose was simple: collecting a means of entry into the Sector Seven Database. He figured that extracting the data, to find out how the system ran would help his position. Ultimately, they'd change passwords or coding, but he only needed a sample to eventually crack the defenses of Professor Kokonoe's work. That damned cat that had screwed him earlier. It always seemed to be another of that cursed bloodline giving him trouble. But soon, there'd be one less and he'd be closer to his goals. What were the goals..? None had been around who actually knew. He trusted no one with the ambitions that carried him through day to day life. And he would succeed, no matter the cost, rather only time would tell whether he actually made it.

(End Chapter)