Foosha: Woot! I'm on a roll. Didn't think I'd finish with this one so soon. The next one might not be for a bit depending on my school schedule. Anyways, this chapter is dedicated to Crescent Moons Suicide for being an awesome friend and giving me the confidence to put this story up in the first place! I love you! :D Also thank-you Chillybean for being awesome and talking to me about story stuff and random stuff! And a huge thanks to the reviews from ICanHasCheezburgr, Yuti-Chan, DeeaE, and of course Kim (whom Vash is based on), you guys are really a big help and it makes me very happy that you are enjoying the story as much as I am writing it. :D Also thanks to anyone who added my story to their favorites or watch list (whatever it's called)! You're all amazing!
Nicky: This chapter is embarrassing…
Vash: Suck it up.
Nicky: *sigh* Foosha doesn't own Naruto blah blah blah etc. Or any other random references, particularly song references. Let's get this humiliating thing over with.
Foosha: Argh, my back hurts from typing this thing forever.
Vash: You should probably work on your posture then. On with the story.
Kitty Names:
Pein – Nonopherian/Orangey
Konan – Lila
Zetsu – Calcifer
Tobi – Helghast
Deidara – Foofy
Sasori – Spirit
Itachi – Izaya
Kisame – Fishy
Kakuzu – Professor Layton
Hidan – Stupidhead I mean… *cough*Marshmallow
By the time I got back to the house, I realized that Vash was home. Not even bothering to stand my bike up properly, I grabbed the kittens and tossed the bike on the grass, racing towards the back door. A surprised looking Vash stood near the entry, holding a key in her hand.
"Nicky? What's up?" I stopped in front of her, trying to catch my breath.
"Vash the kittens got out and now I dunno where they are and I can't find them except for these two so I need to go back out and look for them again so you should come with me too 'cause I don't wanna lose them forever!" She gave me a confused look (since I forgot to breathe during that sentence), but frowned when she realized what I said.
"Okay. Let's put these guys inside so they don't get out and go look for the rest." I nodded and followed her in, setting the kittens down on the couch and refilling their water bowl. Thank goodness Vash is so levelheaded. I don't know if I could try to find the rest without having another freak-out. Vash went into the bedroom to change out of her scrubs and into more suitable "cat-chasing" clothing. I looked to the kittens, who immediately went to the bowl of water and were lapping it up eagerly.
"Okay guys, I'm sorry. It's my fault this happened, but I promise I'll find all your friends. So… don't worry, okay?" I patted them both on the head while exhaling a breath of anxiety. Now that Vash is here, we can do twice the looking. It'll be okay.
"I'm ready. Let's get going." I looked back to Vash who was in her signature outfit, besides scrubs; random college tee and jeans. A small smile made its way onto my face and I nodded. Determination spread through me, and even though doubts still clouded my mind, I knew I'd keep trying to find them no matter what. …Unless I died. Hopefully that doesn't happen. Of course it won't. Stupid worrisome thoughts.
We walked back out to the front yard, after making sure Izaya and Fishy were safe inside, and decided to split up the neighborhood. She would take her bike while I took mine and together we would form a mini bike gang of kitten finders. I'll call it MBGKF! And with a new sense of purpose, and a promise of notification if we found any kittens, we set off into the obnoxiously bright 5 o'clock sun.
Vash's POV
About a half hour after we started out, I passed a house with an older couple sitting out on their front porch, each in their own rocking chair. The older woman waved a bit while I rode by, so to be polite I waved back and that's when I noticed a familiar looking bluish grey cat sitting on her lap. I stopped my bike, leaning it on a nearby tree and jogged up to the old woman.
"Um excuse me. Where did you get that cat?" She smiled at me, petting the cat again. Said cat, who I recognized to be Lila, looked up at me with a look of recognition.
"Oh my, I just saw her walking along with this strange orange cat here," she motioned to Nonopherian who was sitting near her feet, "so I had my husband bring them over to me. They looked very lost. Are they yours?" I nodded to her, noticing the grumpy look her husband was giving from the corner of my eye.
"Yeah, my friend and I have been looking for them all day. We thought we might have lost them." Again the old woman smiled while handing me Lila.
"Well here you are then. I won't pick up the orange one because he seems a bit finicky, so I'll let you. I'm glad I was able to help you out." I gave her a smile back and picked up Nonny (his nickname).
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate the help. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to keep looking for the other cats." With a small wave, I made my way back to the bike, setting the cats in a small basket on the front. The woman waved back to me after assuring me she would look out for any other cats that were wandering around. How lucky was that. Now we only need six more. Ugh that's still a lot. I patted Nonny absent mindedly and proceeded around the block to continue looking. I wonder how Nicky is doing. Remembering our deal, I whipped out my phone and texted Nicky who I found.
Nicky's POV
"Oh thank goodness!" After reading the text from Vash I felt somewhat better about my bad luck. At least we're making progress. Now I just gotta be on the lookout for strange colored cats. Easier said than done I suppose. But nothing is too difficult for the MBGKF! And so my journey continued. Only a few blocks later, I came across the first sign of a potential smart kitty sighting: an animal control truck with a few officers (or whatever the heck they're called in animal control) wandering around near a local Harmon's market. I propped my bike on its stand and gathered my courage to talk to one of the officers. Authority figures have always had an intimidating effect on me. Come to think of it, most people have an intimidating effect on me. Stupid awkwardness.
"E-excuse me sir, what's going on here?" Even stumbled over my own words. At least I said something though. The guy turned around, revealing a tall thin figure with cropped blonde hair and a wild mustache. His expression was very serious.
"We have a report of some kittens wandering around here that appear to have been abused. We've been told they had strange markings and that someone dyed their fur. Have you seen anything suspicious?" He looked right into my eyes, raising a bushy eyebrow. No way! I'm a terrible liar! Now what?
"Yes. I saw some strange kittens at the p-park over by Smith's. Some pink lady was holding them." Not completely lying, so believe me! His look turned even more suspecting as he put a hand to his mustache, twiddling it thoughtfully. I wish I could have a mustache to do that with… wait what?
"Well maybe I'll have someone check it out. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for anything." He totally knew I knew something. I know I looked guilty. I always look guilty if someone suspects me of something. I can't help it, even if I didn't do anything! That or I start laughing. Stupid mind and its stupid reactions.
Giving him a nervous smile (or grimace) I sidled away from him and continued to walk into the store to relax for a bit. I sighed in relief when the cool air hit me after the doors opened. Shows how embarrassed I am if my face feels this hot. I glanced around and decided to walk down the frozen desserts aisle so I could settle down.
"I like to oat, oat, oat opples and bononos. I like to iat, iat, iat, ipples and bininis. I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas!" I sung this obnoxious song as I took abnormally long steps, observing the different ice creams as I passed them while trying to take my mind off the scary officer guy. Okay, he said that someone saw some kittens around here… so they'll probably be outside around the building somewhere. I'm kinda scared to go back out there though if that dude is there. What if I get arrested or something? I couldn't handle jail! It's filthy and the people would make me cry probably! While I was busy having another anxiety attack (and ending up having wandered to the "chips aisle"), a couple bags of Doritos came crashing down in front of me. I yelped and turned to the place where they fell to see Ghast, Cal, Foofy, and Spirit looking confused, surprised and… neutral I guess.
"I found you!" I cried, and grabbed them all, hugging them close to me and kissing the tops of their heads. "I thought I might have lost you for good you know. Now you're staying with me!" Relieved, I decided it would be in my best interest to get out of the store as quickly as possible with the dude-guys snooping around, so I picked up a bag of chips to put back on the shelf.
"Excuse me miss, what are you doing?" I froze at the voice I heard behind me. Not knowing what else to do, I did the first thing that came to mind; I shoved the smaller bag of chips with the kittens underneath my shirt, when a hand grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. It was a young guy with brunette hair and a uniform similar to the guy from earlier. He looked at me questionably then looked down to my bulging stomach, which I was holding onto with my hands. "What are you hiding there?" He reached out to grab my shirt and I swatted his hand away, feeling the burning of embarrassment come back to my face.
"I-I'm pregnant you jerk-face! How rude!" And suddenly, without even questioning why the bulge was slightly misshapen, he also turned red and glanced away from me, looking nervous.
"I'm s-s-so sorry miss! I've just been paranoid about some people hiding these abused cats that were wandering around here. I-I shouldn't have assumed-" I wouldn't let him finish though, in case my confidence faded.
"You should be! That's terrible! You should never point out that part on a woman, whether it looks pregnant or not! Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be going, good day sir!" And with that I stomped/waddled off, trying to keep the chips and kittens balanced against my stomach while I walked (which is extremely difficult, even though they were sitting still).
Once I was in the bread aisle, and sure that the guy was gone, I breathed out slowly and removed the kittens from my shirt, setting them on a shelf along with the now crushed chips. And then, all the stress of the situation from before hit me and I started laughing and then snorting. I couldn't believe I did something so silly in front of a random stranger! Just shows what you'll do when you're determined I suppose. That or too embarrassed to process information properly.
"Who knew I could pull off something like that? Hahaha! You guys are just full of trouble, you know that?" I grinned at the kittens and patted each of their heads. "I love you guys. Now let's get the heck outta this place and tell Vash you're not dead." With another sigh of relief, I took the kittens, under my shirt again, and walked right out of the store, receiving some strange looks, but none from the guys that mattered. And now back to the house! Only two kittens left!
Kitty POV (now reporting from under Nicky's shirt!)
"How lucky was that, yeah? I never expected to be found again," Deidara mumbled to no one in particular. He felt another furry body shift next to him.
"Exactly why Tobi was getting food so Tobi wouldn't starve!" There was a light "thwack" sound as Deidara swatted Tobi over the head (or at least tried to in his awkward position). Sasori sighed from their right and adjusted himself to a more comfortable arrangement.
"I was getting tired of waiting to be found… but I suppose it's better we waited than going with those men from that animal control place." Some of the other kittens nodded and suddenly there was a low grumble and Nicky's voice could be heard laughing nervously.
"Sorry guys, I guess I'm kinda hungry after running around all day." Some of the kittens stomachs also growled in agreement. Zetsu wiggled a bit restlessly in his position closest to Nicky's stomach.
"This positionis strange… It makes me hungry."
"Probably because you're near human flesh, hm." Deidara agreed to himself.
"Why does Tobi see polka-dots?" The other cats focused on Tobi as he gazed upwards, causing the rest to also look up.
"Ah, I think that's her bra," Sasori said thoughtfully. And the rest of the walk was quiet, until they were set in the bike basket, and pedaled back to safety.
Vash's POV
Only a few moments ago, I got a text from Nicky saying she found four other kittens. Thank god. No more riding these bikes for a while. I was sitting on the front porch of the house waiting for her return while petting Nonny and Lila. I think these two cats were my favorite so far; both calm and graceful, and just plain awesome. Especially in their colors. And especially Nonny. Who wouldn't love those random spots on his face?
"Perhaps this event is a good bonding experience for us all," Vash whispered to the cats. They looked up at her for a moment, then at each other. Vash sighed. "I'm acting like Nicky now, talking to animals. I guess that's okay though, since you guys seem to understand what we're saying to an extent." Suddenly there was a loud squeaking of rubber and Vash looked up from her lap to see Nicky stopped in front of the house panting.
"I made it! And look who I got!" Spirit, Calcifer, Helghast and Foofy all popped out of her bike basket. I smiled a bit.
"Now we're only missing two," I said quietly. Nicky gathered up her cats while I carried Lila and Nonny, and we both made our way to the back door again, making sure the gate was closed tight and the hole in the fence was now blocked.
"Hey! Look!" Nicky shouted, pointing near a bush by the back door. As I walked closer I noticed two familiar kittens sitting under the shrub, looking tired. Nicky picked up Marshmallow and started scolding him. "It's you and your big ego that started this mess mister! You guys could have died you know…" And before I knew it, she was crying while squeezing the poor kitten close to her. The others just sat on the ground watching the scene. Emotional Nicky as always.
I also decided to kneel down and acknowledge Professor Layton. He seemed pretty independent, but I still wanted to give him some recognition, so after setting down the other two I picked him up and scratched behind his ear.
"Good job at finding your way back little guy. And you even kept track of Marshmallow. Impressive indeed." He almost seemed to nod in agreement. I laughed lightly and opened the doors to our home. "Well let's go in guys, I think we had enough adventure for one day."
"And exercise! I think it's time for ice cream and cookies!" I shook my head and chuckled, following her in after the kittens.
"I don't know why you're so concerned with eating sweets only when you think you've had a good enough workout." Nicky just grinned at my sheepishly.
"'Cause I feel guilty eating all this crap and not being largely obese. I know it'll just creep up on me one day and BAM! I won't be able to get out of bed without rolling."
"Well if that's the case, I'll just help you." She just sighed and shook her head, collapsing onto the couch with Foofy in her arms.
"You don't even care about my health! How cruel, Vash. You'll just let me get all fat, and probably feed me more when I complain about wanting more sweets! And then I'll die of a crazy heart attack, and probably fall and land on the kittens when I die, and squish them, killing them also!" I just nodded to her and took a seat next to her on the couch. No use in arguing with an incredibly tired Nicky. She'll just start to make less and less sense.
I looked over the kittens, who were now reunited with each other and conversing, drinking or resting. Somehow, even though it was completely insane to have this many kittens, I had a feeling that it would work out. Nicky seems to be coming out of her shell more often than usual, so that's good. And we're both getting outside so that's even better. Maybe this is exactly what we needed in our life; an abnormal amount of random responsibility to wake us up from the daily monotony. Puts us on our toes I suppose. Heh. That rhymed. Suddenly, Nicky shot up from her seat, nearly throwing Foofy into the ceiling, before placing him gently down on the floor with the others. She turned to me with a grin.
"I call shower first!" And before I could even respond, she ran into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
"Well then, I hope we don't have another one of these instances for a while," I said loudly, looking to the kittens who were somewhat paying attention. I especially focused on Marshmallow while narrowing my eyes a bit. "No more running off, got it? Otherwise you don't get to do fun stuff with the other cats and I won't make you food. Nicky will." He just hissed at me slightly before turning back to the water bowl. I smirked a bit, feeling better for lecturing him before I laid my head back against the couch and closing my eyes. "Trouble-prone kitties…"
Foosha: I know it's strange that they still haven't turned into humans yet, but I figure that if they were human, they could just kill Nicky and Vash and chill at their place or something. So-
Nicky: I DON'T WANT TO DIE YET! I'm not ready! T_T *cries and rolls up into a ball*
Foosha: Anyways… I gotta make sure they somehow feel like they don't have to kill them before they turn back. You know what I mean? Anyways… thanks for reading and keep up the reviews! They really motivate me to get chapters out faster, not that you have to, it just helps and it's nice to know what my readers are thinking. :D