Chapter 10: Healing and Sharing

Latvia just seem to sleep, not dead. Even in deep wraps of bandages, the breathing could still be seen. Once again on crate-lock-down, Russia only having the slight chance to see him and maybe even talk to him. If only Latvia stayed up long enough to finish at least one full sentence. Some more than one or two words.

Russia's eyes would mindlessly shifted over to where the small man would sit, watch TV, and sometimes knit to pass the time. Finding him bored, as Russia always seemed to with the young man, looked about the house. Seeing of how tiny it was comparing to his master's house. The mere size of Raivis's house could fit in the cat playhouse easily.

"Russia . . . "

The quiet call to him, had Russia faced back to the crate.

"Da?"

"Water."

"One moment, mоя маленькая мышь, I'll be right back."

A groan of thanks was given back as Russia strutted over to where Raivis was. Giving meows, purrs, rubbing against the legs. Acting cute was something he wouldn't do often, unless with his master. But with these two history, best to call their little feud. For now.

"What's gotten into, Isen? Playing nice?"

Russia nipped at the bottom of the human's pants, pulling towards the crate.

"Oh, is little Ramzi hungry or something. Or just you?"

A faint warning growl left the mouth of Russia. Playing nice was starting to get to him.

"Oh, right. Oh, right. You watch him and I'll be right back."

Russia nodded his head as he watch the human leave the living room, having a short snort escape him.

"Russia . . . "

Upon hearing the voice. Russia dropped the feeling he had to scratch the man in the middle of the night and went to see what little Latvia needed. Coming into view of a pair of those baby indigo eyes. Thin lines of red trailed the whiteness of the eyes. Puffy paws crossed in front of the kitten's face, to sore of moving the back paws, the thick bandage didn't help. Nor did it help to keep him warm where fur was hastily shaved off and not covered.

"Da?"

"W-w-what d-d-did y-you c-c-call m-m-me?"

"My little mouse, kit."

"But I'm a cat."

"Da."

"So why . . . "

"Only for that I can. You not like it."

A small shook of the head.

"Alright then. Rest. Your master should quickly be back with some water."

"Okay."

Russia took the moment to curl up near the small entrance of the crate, wanting to have Latvia follow what he was doing. Not wanting him to weaken himself anymore. Seeing with how his master was acting when Latvia came returned from the back room.

Time just seemed to dragged on and on. Russia was getting antsy, mostly for the fact he had his checkup and was still there at the vet. And saw no Latvia in sight. His master's lover was still sitting by him, left foot tapping the ground as he read the same magazine for the sixth time. Not long a nurse came through the doors and walked over to Raivis.

"The surgery went fine. They're just doing some fix ups and he'll be ready to head soon."

"Did they tell you or see what was with Ramzi?"

"A broken tip of something of metal cut into his skin. When the object, I'm guessing a knife, broke. The wound healed with it still inside. It was a good thing the blade didn't go any deeper. If so, the surgery would have been more sweat breaking."

"There a chance he was from an abused home?"

"With how the angle and place of where the metal was creepily founded. There is a chance, that your cat might have fallen on it. Or it fell on him."

"But he'll be okay?"

"Yes. If there is anything else. Inform us."

Raivis nodded his head in understanding, walking with the nurse to have the sign-out sheet all ready. She added that, the kitten would be out in an hour or so. Raivis understood what she meant by that and didn't push it. Moving back where Ivan's cat was, calming him as if knowing Ramzi would be back soon and they could go home.

That was about nine hours ago, almost into the next day by what the clock read. But again, there was no worry, everything was fine. Little iffy here and there. Yet, Russia knew he wanted Latvia awake and ready when he was going to ask him about what happened before his master brought him into Russia' domain.

Not he was complaining about it or anything. Well at first, but over looked it and found Latvia better company than his little sister.

Russia gave a small shudder at the thought and tried again to sleep. Wanting to forget that very idea of her near him.

Thankfully, Raivis came back with food, water, and looked to somehow be medicine for the kit.

As three days ticked by, Latvia was slowly becoming his air-headed and cheerful self once more. Much to both other men delight.

Raivis thought better though, and made a small barrier around his pet, to make sure he stayed in one spot to heal until full health. If Russia wanted to join him, Raivis had to place him in by hand. Not liking to closeness those two had to distrusting be. Sighing greatly that it was only for a few seconds.

With a couple of hours they played within the barrier. Mostly with bell ringing balls and motor powered mice. For this now, with the two, it was simple roll of a back and forth.

Russia trying hard not to laugh when the ball rolled to far away, that Latvia would ram into the pillows that made the barrier with a light thud.

Soon hearing a groan of discomfort, light clawing at the feathers that stuck out the pillow he just ran into, plucking a few feathers in two strokes, picking up the ball with his mouth in a pouting matter and back to his spot. Rolling the ball as many times before.

It wasn't long for Russia to speak.

"мышь, where were you before my master found you?" He asked, rolling the back to the kit, only to have rushed by him.

Latvia didn't even twitch when the ball grazed his leg. Eyes only on the older cat in awe that he would bring up something like that.

"Latvia."

"Don't take me back . . . "

Russia was shock to see the kit so close to him, all of sudden no less.

"What?"

"Don't take me back. I don't want to. Like it here. With master, and his friends, and you. I don't want . . . "

"мышь. Ах крошечные мыши не думаю что. Hear me little mouse, don't think like that. I wouldn't do that. I only asked. You don't have to answer me."

"Really?"

"I might be a big, overpowering, feline. But I have a heart, you know."

"Da. You are not like. For that, I'm glad."

"Was your old home not kind to you?"

Latvia thought for a moment, looking to ground and then back to Russia. Wide eyes on him when shaking his head yes.

"You didn't get along?"

"Some. Not all. Only liked before my mummy died. And then . . . things went bad."

"I see." Russia answered back, lower his head to rubbed against Latvia.

Who purred at the sweet touch. Doing the same. Letting a little tongue to tickle the other's nose, only to have him knocked to his. Only to have giggles be heard not long later.

"I won't ask anymore about it. Da?"

"Really?" Latvia asked, getting back to his feet, minding his wraps and stood in front of the other.

"Da."

"Why?"

"I want you to open up to me. On your own feel will. Seeing as your still not ready." He said, seeing as they spoke about the kit's past, the little body started to shake until tears could be seen from the eyes.

"B-but w-what if I'm n-n-never r-r-ready."

"Then so be it."

Right then, little Latvia placed himself within the space of Russia. Rubbing his head against the other's chest in thanks. Purrs just echoing around the two. And then a sudden whinny yawn left the kit. Having Russia carry him by the stretchy skin of his neck to where a resting pillow was. Once the kit was in, he joined in.

For that is how Raivis found them when it was time for the cats dinner.