Foosha: Guys! I had the weirdest dream last night!

Nicky: What happened?

Foosha: A lot of random stuff that included being on some sort of a bus that rolled over once after getting hit by something and a party at my house… but that's not the part of the dream that was weird! For some reason I was in my old house (with a bunch of real and not real people) leaning over the stair railing and I fell off, but caught myself on the blanket hanging over the railing. Knowing I wouldn't be able to get up, I thought I'd die but Tobi came out of nowhere and pulled me up! So strange. I rarely have dreams with anime characters in them. Anyway, thanks for the reviews, alerts and faves! I love you all and you make me so happy that I decided to write this story :'D

Vash: So who won the poll for Nicky?

Foosha: Ah, it's gonna be a surprise (aka there was a four-way tie so we'll see what happens). So if any of you didn't vote for whatever reason, please message me and tell me who you vote for! It'd be very helpful if you did so, otherwise I'm just gonna write and see who she ends up with. Bahaha.

Nicky: *pouts* Fine. Foosha doesn't own Naruto, Nintendo, lolcats or any food or TV references.

Vash: *adjusts glasses* Also, my poll will be up this week. Do me proud and choose someone I'll like, please.

Nicky's POV

After our little semi-confrontational dinner last night, Vash and I had yet to say much. Today she had a day off so we planned to use it to talk about kitten matters. I sat at my usual space on the couch with Ghast lying atop my lap purring, while I stroked his back occasionally (when I wasn't battling Pokémon on my 3DS that is). Vash sat silently next to me in deep thought, absent-mindedly petting a resting Professor Layton by her left side and a Lila on her right. The other kitties were spread around the couch or randomly wandering about the room, in Marshmallow's case. I swear he has problems with sitting still. What's that called again? Uh… I'll call it antsy-feet syndrome until I can figure out the real name.

"Ya know… we should just keep them as long as we can down here. If Jen finds out, then we'll find a place for them. Until then though, we should enjoy our time with our furry friends," I spoke quietly and after setting down my game, I picked up Ghast and snuggled him to my face. I didn't want to lose them, but it seemed like we were limited with our choices and this would be the only way to have them, at least for a while. Jen wouldn't kick out her step-sister for disobeying the rules. …would she? Nah… Vash looked at me from the corner of her eye and nodded.

"Yeah, I guess you're right there," she mumbled and popped her earphones on, cranking up her iPod really loud, something she usually did when we were home. "What should we do today?" I pulled at my nonexistent goatee, trying to keep our moods up with silliness. After having such a serious conversation, I felt a bit awkward. And that's when I got a wonderful idea. I'm gonna make this day awesome. For everyone.

"Hrrmmm… oh! How about we celebrate today? Celebrate… having found the kitties! With… a cake! I have to babysit Rin anyway so it'll be like our own mini party! And Jen left already to the waterpark with Evan so it's perfect!" Vash looked up at me surprised by my random outburst, but smiled and nodded.

"That sounds like a good idea. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts but… we're gonna need some cake mix." I nodded, already getting excited.

"Okay! I'll take some kitties with me to get some and other party stuff. I just got paid from working last week, so awesome!" Yeah, I work, but only like twice every other week or something. At least it's enough to get by, though with the extra stuff for the party, it might be a bit harder. No worries though, it's totally worth it. And besides, I get babysitting money now too! "Now… who shall I take…" The kittens sat huddled around our feet, looking up at us expectantly. "I pick… Foofy, Fishy, Lila, annnnd Calcifer. Now come on guys, let's get some cakey!" Vash removed herself from the couch and headed to the kitchen, the remaining kittens following her curiously.

"What to wear, what to wear…" I mumbled to myself, sifting through the t-shirts in my closet. Finally, I decided on a simple teal v-neck, black shorts that went to my mid-thigh, and a large gray hoodie. For some reason I really enjoy oversized jackets. They're the comfiest, just like sweats. And really really warm. I'm so glad it's raining today. I missed wearing these as much as I missed the rain. It's a win-win! It seemed counterproductive to wear shorts and a sweater, but my legs never really got cold and it wasn't too bad outside, besides it being wet.

A loud meow startled me out of my thoughts and I looked down, to see Spirit looking irked. I furrowed my brows. "What's your problem? You're not even coming with me." He continued to look up at me with that strange expression, so I chose to ignore him and finish putting on my hoodie. "Okay weirdo. I'm goin', I'm goin'. Is that what you wanted?" His eyes narrowed at me and he stalked off. Stupid attitude. I hope he doesn't turn into another Marshmallow. Ugh that would suck… Once I was satisfied, I returned to the living room to see Vash getting started on some pudding and brownies. My eyes glazed over and drool started to form in my mouth. "Vash, you're really going all out, aren't ya? I love you." With a final glomp, and Vash detaching me from her in a rough manner, I walked to the door to leave, when I noticed Izaya and Marshmallow sitting near each other by the television. And that's when it hit me. "Holy cow! It's Basement Cat and Ceiling Cat! Why didn't I think of these names sooner! Argh…" I fell to the ground dramatically, unbelievingly disappointed that I just recognized the resemblance now. Vash sighed loudly from the kitchen.

"Get going so we can start the cake. Maybe I'll save some of the mix for you, if you're good." I perked up and nodded, grabbing my "accompany kitties" and rushing out the door. Curse my cookie dough/cake and brownie mix weakness! Opening the backdoor and seeing the downpour, I realized it'd be a good idea to keep the kitties dry.

"Here guys, hang on." I flipped my hood up over my head and set Lila on one of my shoulders and Foofy on the other (since he seemed rather fond of his long fur). "Okay… what to do with you two…" I muttered looking at Cal and Fishy. Apparently I didn't have to do much though, for they had jumped out of my arms and willingly embraced the rain coming down, almost eagerly. I grinned at them and picked them up in my arms. "Aww… after my own heart. How precious. C'mon guys. Let's get some cake mix!"

Vash's POV

Ever since I walked in the kitchen, the cats wouldn't leave me alone. It's like they knew exactly what I was making. Creepy… And to top it off they wouldn't stop staring at me! Just looking up at me with those big pleading eyes. At one point I snapped, my eye twitching in irritation.

"Just leave okay? It's hard to maneuver around with you guys practically sitting on my feet. I'll let you know when I finish. It might take a while since I'm making so much stuff and you won't be able to eat until they get back anyway." Finally, Nonny walked away, seemingly interested in "World's Dumbest Criminals" on TV. And eventually Spirit, Professor Layton, and Izaya left after him, leaving Helghast and Marshmallow who seemed adamant in staying near the food source. I frowned at them.

"If you're just going to stand around waiting at least make yourselves useful. You can understand most of what I say right? You know what different foods are, don't you?" Marshmallow scowled at me and let out a hiss, flicking his tail in an irritated fashion. Helghast on the other hand just nodded his head and continued to watch me, eyes wide. Ignoring the grumpy one, I turned to Ghast. "Okay, can you grab me the half-empty package of sugar? It's on that lower shelf. I think you can reach it."

He responded by walking over to the shelf and looking at the ingredients, before correctly grabbing the sugar bag in his mouth and bringing it over to me. Thank goodness for smart cats I guess. I smiled and patted his head, taking the sugar from his mouth and adding the correct amount to the brownie mix. He gave a short purr in return and jumped up to the sink and sat, watching eagerly as if waiting for more instructions. From the corner of my eye I could see Marshmallow pacing around the kitchen, still looking agitated. I wonder how Nicky is doing…

Nicky's POV

Though it seems odd, the only time I really enjoyed walking was during the fall, winter or when it was raining. I just enjoy wet seasons I guess. And wet it was. The rain was pouring down nonstop and it was fantastic! Foofy and Lila seemed thankful that I put them in the cover of my hood. And Cal and Fishy also seemed to be enjoying their position, catching raindrops with their tongues and looking, overall, livelier than usual. I love these guys. I'm not sure what I'd do if I hadn't found them. I grinned to myself as the cool air from Smith's hit my wet face. I feel safer going here than Harmon's. Who knows if those dudes are still hangin' around.

"Though I probably shouldn't be regularly bringing kittens to the store… oh well. They're more like mini-friends than pet's anehways… So it's a-okay!" The greeter guy looked at me oddly while I continued to converse with myself, holding Cal and Fishy close to me so no one would notice them. It's kinda hard though when you have cats that look like them. Understandable.

I wandered around for a bit, trying to remember what I came there for. Oh yeah! Cake mix! Occasionally one of the kittens would mew and try to point out something they wanted while I looked for the cake aisle. So, I had to explain to them quietly why I couldn't buy a random origami kit, a live lobster, a bucket of clay and a shank of cow meat. Weirdoes. Either watching too much Food Channel, Animal Planet or Vash doing her art stuff.

After successfully locating Rainbow Chip cake mix and frosting (my favorite!), and a few random streamers and balloons, I took my findings to the open cashier, ungracefully plopping them down on the belt and walking up to the dude, wallet in hand.

"Did you find everything all right?" I nodded my head slightly and let out a small "yup". He scanned the items slowly and I could feel his eyes on me, so I put my head down, pretending to be interested in playing with Cal's ear. Stop staring, stop staring! And inevitably, I felt my face flush a bit. I hated being the center of attention. I guess that's what I get for bringing cool kitties into a super market. Suddenly, he decided to speak again.

"Wow, those are some cool looking cats ya got there," he said in a chipper voice. I looked up from my hood for a second to see him gazing questionably at the kittens. "I've never seen them in such cool colors." Feeling proud that I found such awesome kittens, I lifted my head up and grinned.

"Yeah, they are pretty neat, aren't they? I found them one day and knew I had to keep them." He nodded approvingly after tallying up the last bit of the total and telling me what I owed. I paid quietly and grabbed my double bagged groceries, about to make my way out when he stopped me.

"Hey, is it okay if I pet one?" I turned around and blinked, just now noticing what he looked like. He was about my age, probably a little older, with dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. Nooo! He's cute! And he likes animals! Don't think about it Nicky, don't do it! But I did anyway, shaking my head yes, I shuffled back over to him, holding out Lila, since she seemed to be the calmest of the cats. Cautiously, the young man reached out and gently massaged Lila's head. Once satisfied he removed his hand and smiled at me. "They're pretty cool. If you come in again and I'm here, bring them by my station and I'll have a special treat for them. I have a few cats myself." He offered his hand to me and I shook it. "I'm Damon."

"Uh… I'm Nicky. Nice to meet you but… I better go… Bye." Abruptly, I turned tail and ran, completely embarrassed by… well I'm not sure what actually. I just had to get out of there. What is wrong with me? He was just interested in the cats, no need to spaz out, Nicky! You crazy person, you.

Vash's POV

Okay, brownies are in the oven, pudding is finished in the refrigerator… so now all that's left is to wait. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Wonder who that could be…" I opened it to reveal Rin, with her signature backpack and a different colorful unicorn shirt on. She looked up at me, her damp pigtails waving slightly and her face with the same neutral expression. Come to think of it, the only time I've seen her smile or show other emotion is when she's played with the kittens.

"Hello. I'm here to be babysat. Momma is at a fashion show downtown." And without even letting me reply, she walked under my arm that held the door open and took a seat on the couch, flipping the TV channel to My Little Pony. She called Izaya over to her with a click of her tongue, and after some hesitation he jumped up on the couch and lay next to her. Like she owns the place and it's only the second day. I'm not sure how fond of this relationship I'll be.

"Rin, we're celebrating finding the kittens today, do you want to help decorate? I've made some origami kittens and decorated them to resemble our cats, so if you could just carefully place them around the room, that'd be great." She nodded her head once and stood up, collecting the paper creatures from the kitchen table and began setting them in random spots all over the room.

"These are really cute. I want the Izaya one," she said in an almost demanding voice. Bossy bratty child…

"Well… you can have it when I'm done. I don't care what happens to them, but I know Nicky would like to keep as many as she can. I might even have to make another Izaya one." And as if on cue, Nicky walked through the door looking tired… and wet. She took her shoes off and left them outside before closing the door behind her. Immediately she handed off the groceries to me and I took them to the kitchen after a bit of teasing. "You look like a drowned rat with that oversized coat on you."

"You look like a drowned neh! I don't even care. I'm taking a hot shower, so start that cake, lady!"

"Say "please" first. Oh and by the way, Rin is here." She pulled down her hood, setting the kittens she had on the floor and looked at Rin who was busy watching her show.

"Oh, hi Rin, and PLEASE make cake, thank-you! I can help frost it if you want when I'm done!"

My face faltered slightly, remembering the last time she tried to ice a cake. "That won't be necessary… I don't mind doing it if you want the cake to be in one whole piece." She laughed nervously.

"Oh… right. Well then… I'll be back!" Mind you, she said this in a deep manly voice without an accent, since she hasn't actually seen "The Terminator". She likes to pretend she knows the voices. Whatever floats her boat. I chuckled a bit and waved her off to do her showering.

Nicky's POV

"Oh Rin, here I have something for you to do." She looked up at me just as I tossed her a bag of balloons and streamers. "Blow these up and hang up the streamers! It'll be fun! We can play "Hot Lava" with the balloon!"

"That game's for babies…" I frowned. What does she know? I like it… it's fun! I "hmphed" and looked down at the wet Fishy and Cal at my feet. They appeared to be shivering slightly.

"You guys are cold aren't you? Well do you want a towel or a shower? Though… I didn't think cats liked showers… Actually we probably have to wash you guys at some point. So if any of you other kitties want a shower, come get it! You're all probably a little stinky anyways from being in a box or shelter…" Come to think of it, I've let these cats in my bed and have been hugging them! I have no idea where they've been! I could feel the color being sucked from my face as I had my inner panic attack. The remaining kittens walked passed me, giving me a quick glance, to get into the bathroom and wait for their cleaning. I snapped out of my trance and skipped in after them, closing the door in case one of them went crazy over getting wet. They looked up at me as I pulled my hair back.

"Well… which one of you wants to go first? I'm not getting in there with you. It'd be too weird since you guys are like… aware and stuff." Some of them nodded and eventually Fishy stepped forward. "Figures since you like water, c'mon big guy." I hefted him up and sat him on the shower floor, turning on some warm water.

After about forty-five minutes of washing and blow-drying all of the kitties, they looked like brand new! Well… you know what I mean. Their fur colors were even more noticeable and vibrant and they looked very… well pretty! Feeling happy with my accomplishment, I kissed each of their heads and sent them out the door, locking it after they left.

"Now for my own shower."

Foofy's POV

"Ugh, un! I can't get it right!" The past ten minutes, I'd been spending my time in Nicky's room looking in her floor-length mirror, trying to fix the small tuft on my forehead so it would stop sticking straight up. It wasn't working though, no matter what I did. I swatted at the mirror in anger, though that didn't help much. Suddenly I realized I was the only one in that room. "Where'd everyone go, yeah?" I walked over to the door that led to the bathroom to see Nicky wrapped in a robe with a towel on her head. She noticed me immediately, and looked at me with a confused expression.

"Oh. Sorry dude, I guess I forgot about you." I gave her a flat expression but, she just smiled and picked me up placing me on the bathroom counter. "Looks like you got a cowlick goin' on here, eh?" She placed two of her fingers under the faucet to get them wet, and used them to smooth down the unruly hair, brushing it with a mini-comb afterwards. "There ya go. Hopefully that works. If not I think Vash has some random gel around her somewhere… but you probably wouldn't like that." I looked up at her, my head slightly tilted to the side.

It's strange. The relationship that us Akatsuki have built up with these normal girls. They're both so… abnormally kind and are willing to do anything for us. Even something they wouldn't normally do. So what would happen if they ever found out who we actually were? Would they still be like this? Or is this the only time that we'll ever have this kind treatment? We are criminals after all. There was a sudden warmness on my forehead, and I looked up, somewhat cross-eyed, to see Nicky kissing my forehead, like she usually did. She smiled at me and scratched behind my ear.

"Now get outta here, cutie. I gotta get ready for cake!" And with that, she gently placed me outside the door, closing it securely. I guess… when it's time, I might miss being treated like a regular human... well cat. But only a little.

Nicky's POV

"Vash it smells amazing in here! Is everything ready?" I practically screamed, running out of the bathroom to the kitchen, hopping over kittens in the process.

"Yeah I'm just about done. You can have a brownie though, if you'd like. I cleaned out the mixing bowls already so you'll just have to enjoy the results." Only somewhat disappointed, I snatched a brownie from a plate on the table and stuffed it in my mouth. Looking around the room, I noticed the kittens had congregated in the kitchen, along with Rin who sat at the table, feeding Izaya smalls bites of her vanilla pudding. I felt a small pressure on my shins and looked down to see Ghast, Cal and Marshmallow looking up expectantly, so I grabbed another brownie and broke it up into small pieces, popping one into each of the kittens open mouths. They seemed to enjoy it, well… except for Cal. I think he was just hungry overall, but he was definitely more of a fan of meat than anything else we've fed him.

"Hey, I'm gonna turn on some party music!" I shouted, scrambling out of my seat and to the living room, but not before tripping over the mini-medium separating the kitchen tile from the carpet. Landing over-exaggeratedly on the more comfortable side of the floor, I grabbed the big toe that I had stubbed, rolling back and forth. "Owowowowowowow! Vash help me!" I didn't look to where she was standing, but I could hear her laughing loudly. Even Rin giggled a bit. Trying to drag the act out a bit more I added, "You jerk! I'm in pain, can't you seeeee?" And suddenly there was a flash of smoke where Orangey was sitting on the tile. I sat up immediately to see what happened, and when the smoke cleared… it revealed a man in a dark black cloak, with red clouds and orange hair. "…what…?"

Foosha: Okay everyone, Vash's poll is up! I expect more votes for this one since she's awesome! And also, the real Vash is amazing at origami! She just isn't that fond of it.

Nicky: Am I not awesome? T_T

Foosha: When you aren't being neurotic, you're pretty awesome.

Nicky: Well… thanks I guess.

Vash: Vote please and don't give me a four-way tie like someone…

Nicky: You don't have to rub it in. :T

Foosha: And enjoy the cliff hanger! Mwahahaha.