AUTHOR'S NOTE: First and foremost, my sincerest apologies for being out in like, forever for this chapter it seems. A lot of drama has happened to me and my family lately. I just had gotten over the grief of my dear great-grandfather passing away from cancer for almost two weeks now. We had his funeral last Thursday. And I've just been depressed and stressed over the whole situation….I haven't felt encouraged nor cared to update anything else lately. But I'm back now, and finally ready to continue this story in action!
I just want to thank everyone for their support, encouragement, and condolences with my situation. Especially with my close fanfic friends. It's their praises that reminds me why I have to come back and do the thing I love doing with everyone. Thank god I'm able to come back and continue my writing that helps me move on and ignore most of my troubles. But enough about me now and my blabbering….now it's on with the show! Enjoy and review; finally here is chapter 5! ^ . ^
School couldn't have ended any time sooner for Midori that afternoon. She walked with Yaya to her house as always, wheeling her bicycle along. "You sure that was her in the restroom?" Yaya asked.
Midori nodded. "No mistake about it. Though I wasn't as freaked out like the first time. She won't hurt me in any way, but still…. I feel as if those crimson eyes are watching me wherever I go, piercing right through me".
Yaya shook her head and shivered. "Geez, it goes to show how real all of this is. Do you get that yet, Midori-chan? Just remember, your life depends upon it".
"I know, I know", Midori sighed irritably. "I told you, I was going to give it some thought. I didn't say I was going to pull the thread exactly". Both girls finally reached Yaya's neighborhood in silence, almost heading towards the house. As they continued walking, something rustled from the bushes next to them. They stopped on their tracks and flinched, waiting to see what would happen. Their uneasiness turned to relief once a small, fragile kitten jumped out of the bushes in front of them. Its fur was pure white, having only small brown spots around the paws. But the feline's eyes shined a warm chocolate brown color, staring at the girls with friendliness and life. The kitten curved its small mouth into a grin.
"Meow", it squeaked.
"Aww, kawaii! It's a girl", Midori said, bending down and outstretched her hand for the kitten to come closer. Amazingly, the kitten came to the girls without hesitation, licking Midori's palm. Midori giggled.
"Guess she's not afraid of strangers", Yaya chuckled. "I wonder if she's from around here".
"Don't know, but she's just plain adorable to be left alone", Midori added, picking up the small kitten gently. It purred on the side of her thumb. Midori held the kitten against her chest. "Her fur is so soft and pretty, like the snow", she stated. Yaya walked over and smiled at the two.
"She's taking a strong interest in you too, Midori-chan". Midori and the kitten cuddled a little, then turned to Yaya.
"If this poor little thing is homeless, then not anymore. I think I'll take her in".
"That is of course, if Ryuji allows it", Yaya added with a slight worried look. "What would he say or do if he sees her with you in the house?"
"Fuck him", Midori replied simply. "I don't care what that bastard thinks or feels. You of all people know that. And who ever said he'll ever see this kitty at all? As long as I'm here, she'll survive. I'll protect her with my life.".
Yaya sighed, dropping the subject. "I believe you. I know how you love animals. So, what ya gonna name her?".
Midori thought for a moment, then smiled. "Yasashii", she answered.
"Ah, 'gentle', huh?", Yaya smirked. "That does suit her".
"In more ways than one. Besides…", Midori trailed, showing a small smile. "Her eyes remind me of…Mom. They show the exact same gentleness as Mom's beautiful brown eyes". Yaya looked at Midori's solemn expression at the mention of her mother, remembering how that was also her name. She patted her friend on the back with an encouraging smile.
"You're right. It's good you're naming this little fella after her in memory. At least you'll have another companion when I'm not around". Midori smiled back and nodded.
"Yeah. For once, it would be nice not being alone in my room at night, hearing nothing but my misery". Midori looked down at her new kitten, which still cuddled and purred against her chest. "Yasashii…", she repeated. "I promise to take good care of you, and won't have anyone hurt you". The girls walked in front of Yaya's house. Midori laid her bicycle against the fence. "I'll be leaving at seven so I can make it home before Ryuji does from work. Now let's get this cutie here some warm milk", Midori giggled.
Midori went to a small convenient store to buy cat food on the way home. She returned to the house by 7:20 that evening. Relieved that the house was still empty, she hurried upstairs to her room, carrying Yasashii in her arms, and quickly grabbed her night clothes from the drawer. She then took her clothes and Yasashii to the bathroom for her shower. "Just gonna clean myself up right quick, then I'll fix your food in the kitchen, okay girl?", Midori reassured gently. "Best to be safe than sorry leaving you in the room. He might show up any minute now". Yashashii meowed as her answer, showing that she didn't mind waiting for her new owner to finish her shower. Midori kissed her forehead and stepped in the tub to start the water. Moments later, she dried herself, got dressed, and went back to her room to comb her wet damped hair. Yasashii followed behind her. "There. Now let's get something to eat, shall we?", Midori smiled.
As she picked her up and headed toward the door, she suddenly heard an all too familiar voice yelling from outside her window. "GAAAAHHHH! GO ON! GET! GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!", screamed Ryuji. Midori walked to the window with Yasashii in her arms.
"Shit. He's here already. He doesn't normally come home this early", she wondered. But something else caught her eye that surprised her. She was watching the horrible man backing away in terror from another feline in their garage. A black cat with glowing yellow eyes kept walking toward Ryuji, despite his effort of trying to scare it away with the dangling of his keys. He even lifted his right leg as a bluff, warning the cat he'll kick him if he comes any closer.
Although the cat stopped and sat down, Ryuji grew angrier on how it stared at him calmly with those mysterious yellow eyes. "I-I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!". Unexpectedly, he took off his right shoe and threw it at the feline, which finally made it shriek and ran away down the street. Ryuji huffed several times while composing himself, got his shoe, and headed to the front door.
Midori took a step back from her window. "Wow…who would have thought that Ryuji was scared of…cats?", she asked herself. "I never knew he was afraid of anything. This is a first for me. But, if that's the case….", Midori paused and made a worried face, looking back at Yasashii. "He'll definitely kill you if he sees us. I can never let that happen, never!", she whispered. "I really need to be careful with you. You can never leave this room, except when I used the bathroom. I wish I could take you to school with me, but that's impossible. But oh god…he might see you if he comes here later on tonight and mess with me. And if he sees you with me in bed, or if you make a sound….". Midori stopped herself. She was getting more nervous for Yasashii's safety.
"Midori! Get the fuck down here right now!", Ryuji yelled from downstairs. Midori flinched a bit, almost dropping Yasashii.
"Meow", Yasashii said softly.
"Shh, please be quiet girl", Midori said, patting her. "Don't worry, I'll bring your food up here with my dinner. He can't see the cat food either".
"MIDORI!", Ryuji yelled again. "I told ya to get the fuck down here now or I'll come up and drag you by the hair!" Midori opened the door and quickly closed, after gently hiding Yasashii in her book bag in the closet. She came downstairs.
"H-here I am Uncle Ryuji", she answered politely. Ryuji grabbed her by the arm, pulling her closer. "Why the hell didn't you answer the first time I called you, huh?", he snapped, glaring at her.
"I'm sorry Uncle Ryuji, I was in the bathroom. I just came out of the shower", she lied.
Ryuji glared at her for a few more minutes, then shoved her away. "Tst. Fine, whatever. Now I can get in the bathroom and shower. It's been one hell of a long day. Move it".
"Okay Uncle Ryuji, don't mind me. I'll just get me something quick to eat and be out the way in the kitchen".
"Does it look like I give a rat's ass what you choose to eat? Just move it!". After Ryuji disappeared upstairs, Midori immediately ran to the kitchen. She grabbed a small bowl from the dish rack, the bag of cat food that she hid in one of the cabinets underneath the sink, took out some leftover pizza from the freezer, and heated a few slices in the microwave. She really wanted to hurry back to her room, fearing that Ryuji might hear even a faint sound of a cat's cry. Once her pizza was ready, she took it out and carried her and Yasashii's dinner back to the room, shutting and locking the door.
Fortunately, Ryuji was still in the shower. After setting the cat food bag and bowl on the floor, she placed her pizza plate on the bed and opened the closet. She took Yasashii out of her book bag, kissing her forehead. "Good thing I'm a fast worker", she said. She placed Yasashii on the floor in front of the bowl. Midori opened the bag and pour small amounts. "Here we go little lady, as promised". Midori sat on the floor next to Yasashii while eating her pizza, admiring how her new pet enjoyed her dinner. She rubbed her small head. "I'm so glad that you showed up in my life today", she said. "Ya know, it's really nice to have someone with me in this lonely room. It's good to have someone to cuddle while mentally crying myself to sleep".
Yasashii devoured every crumb in the bowl until it was completely empty. She stretched her tiny back, letting out an exhausted yawn. "Guess that means you're ready to call it a night", Midori chuckled. "Don't blame ya. I think I'll turn in early myself. I got this serious exam tomorrow, and I need all the sleep I could get after studying with Yaya for weeks. But let's go brush my teeth first". She placed her pizza plate on the desk, then picked Yasashii up to take her in the bathroom. She carefully opened her door, checking to see if Ryuji was still in there. As she heard the television downstairs, she knew that he was in the middle of another baseball game—along with his disgusting beer. Midori hurried in the bathroom, locked the door, brushed her teeth, and then hurried back to the room with the door locked for the night. She brushed her hair when it finally dried and fluffed it out.
"Okay, let's climb in the bed", Midori said. She crawled into her warm covers, pulling it up to her chest. Yasashii nuzzled against her chest, purring. Midori kissed and patted her tiny head. "Goodnight, Yasashii. I'm so glad you're here. I promise to protect you with my life". Her emerald orbs soon fell heavy, therefore sending her to a deep and good state of sleep. A small smile spread across her face, feeling happy that tonight would be a night she wouldn't have to spend alone. And she was able to dream a pleasant slumber with her new friend.
Midori came straight home the next day. The reason she didn't go to Yaya's house was because she grew sick and didn't attend school, but would visit her later or tomorrow. Now that Midori had Yasashii, she was more focused on her beloved cat's care than anything else. Besides, she couldn't wait to get home and tell her how her day was, for it was a good one. Midori couldn't have felt more proud of passing the exam that she struggled for the past few weeks. She just felt like expressing her victory to the feline, whether she was an animal that couldn't understand. Plus, she brought home some new toys for Yasashii; a little rubber mouse toy and a light pink ball of yarn. "Heehee, just wait until she sees these", Midori smiled to herself.
But once she reached the house with her bicycle, her heart skipped a beat. Already, Ryuji's car was still parked in the garage from this morning. Midori stopped and got off the bike. 'Oh no….he's home?', she thought. 'He didn't go to work today?'. Without wasting another minute, she ran to the door and entered the house. "Hello? Uncle Ryuji?", she called. She started panicking more when no one answered but the eerie silence. Midori then ran upstairs to her room, slowly opening her door. 'Surely he wouldn't find out about her already. I hid her in one of my old purse bags and carefully hid her deep in the closet after feeding her'. She got in her room and looked around, seeing everything was still in place the way it was. She then walked towards the closet and opened it. "What—what is this awful smell?". She picked up the bag, slowly unzipping it. Something told her that it was the awful stench of death. "Please God, no….", Midori trailed, finally opening the result of her dismay.
She stopped breathing as she dropped the bag on the floor in front of her, not believing what her emerald eyes were forcing her to see. She prayed they were playing tricks on her, that it wasn't real. The little kitten that was once pure and full of life was now a gruesome corpse. All four tiny paws were brutally severed from Yasashii's small legs. Her snow white fur was a coat of crimson red, her innocent blood spilled. But more disturbingly, her chocolate brown eyes remained opened, staring at Midori with such haunting emptiness. Midori fell on her knees, feeling her eyes moving with fright and utter shock. "No….Yasashii….", her voice shook. "YASASHIIIIII!". She lifted the bag to her chest, the heavy tears now flowing hard down her cheeks. "NOOOOOO! This can't be happening! Oh Yasashii!". She wept constantly, her entire body shaking and her head buried in the bag. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Yasashii! I—I couldn't protect you!". She pressed the bag against her harder, crying more. "Please…please forgive me. Forgive me...Mom...", she whispered.
"Well, well…ain't this a touching kodak moment", a cruel and mocking voice spoke out. Midori turned around and faced her beloved kitten's murderer. Ryuji stood leaning by the doorway, his arms folded while carrying a bottle of sake with his right hand, smiling mercilessly. "Guess cats really don't have nine lives after all".