Chapter Seven- Cats

Kuwabara applied a partial illusion before heading to dinner. He concealed only his facial changes and the tail so it only looked as if he had gained the ears today.

Shizuru found the ears cute and couldn't resist scratching behind them. Kuwabara savored it; so much so that he began to purr. The sound surprised both for a moment before sharing smiles. "I'm making cat sounds," Kuwabara said, affecting a surprised tone. "I hadn't done so before."

"So, you're getting closer?"

"Yes. But I don't plan to let it change me on the inside. I still plan to prepare for a good job and study hard for it."

"Have you decided yet?" she asked as she put a warm, bloody, and slightly cooked steak in front of him.

"I'm thinking about a doctor. Yukina's healing ability is an inspiration."

"A doctor." She nodded as she sat down. "I like that."

Kuwabara cut into his meal and inwardly smirked at his acting job. He had no intention of going to college and getting a job. He intended to terrorize weaker demons and hunt down any humans who inadvertently wander into Demon World. He recalled Koenma's words about what kind of tiger he could be and realized that the second possibility was occurring. I'll be the most vicious tiger who lived and, as a demon, I'll live longer than a human would.

Shizuru felt a little sick, watching her brother eat so she averted her eyes to her plate. Kazuma's become impressive as an almost demon. The only things missing are the tail and the facial features. Once he has those, the transition will be done and we'll see if he has truly overcome the demon instincts and tendencies.

Kuwabara left for school the next day as he had planned. He had written a note for Shizuru last night, asking her not to look for him or send his friends after him. He put the note on the desk where he knew Shizuru would see it. He sat in his classes but barely paid attention. He was anxious for school to end and was tempted to skip out after lunch, but reined it in. I haven't skipped out before and I won't do it now; it would look suspicious.

At long last, school ended and Kuwabara left at his usual pace until he had passed the gates. Then, he tapped his demon speed and took off for home. He reached the front door, not at all winded, but faked heavy breathing as he entered. "I'm home," he panted before taking deep breaths to pretend to recover from a long run that normally winded him. He eagerly went upstairs and into his room to see Hiei on the sill. He tossed his schoolbag on the floor, dropped his illusion, and seized his duffel bag. "I'm ready," he announced.

Hiei slid into the room. "Then, let's get going." He waved a hand that glowed with energy and a portal opened in mid-air. Kuwabara leaped into it and Hiei followed, the entrance closing behind him.

Kuwabara's ears folded back as a loud crack of thunder sounded. The sound faded and he looked around to see that they were in yet another forest. His nose flared as he tried to smell for other tigers. His eyes adjusted to the semidarkness as he tried to sight other tigers and he tried to sense the energy of other demons in general.

"I sense other demons, but no tigers save for me," he finally said.

"Hn, this could be your home and your territory," Hiei commented.

Kuwabara bared his sharp teeth in a grin. "I like that. Of course, I will have to prove myself worthy of this territory."

"Indeed you do," came a growling voice. From the darkness to his right came a group of cat demons. Kuwabara saw at least two dozens of them and they were varied: Leopards, lions, jaguars, panthers, cheetahs, and domestic cats. Some were on two legs while others stalked on four limbs. All were shorter than him but he knew that didn't make them less deadly.

The one who had spoken, a seven and a half foot tall lioness, said, "We own this forest in a castle as a pride with me as the lady. I will not permit an arrogant tiger to barge into our territory and take over."

Kuwabara growled angrily at the condescending remark and looked forward to providing proof that he was as vicious as tigers could be. I don't want to kill them, at least not all of them.

The lioness pointed at Kuwabara and one fo the four-legged cats, a leopard, charged forward and leaped, claws extended and aiming for his throat. The charge and leap were fast and most demons would be hard-pressed to avoid the attack, but Kuwabara had training from being an unofficial spirit detective and his new demon instincts. Thus, he was able to avoid the charge. The leopard landed and the moment he did, Kuwabara seized the tail, spun him above his head, and hurled him into he crowd of cats, knocking several down. Kuwabara snarled as he launched himself at the pride of cats and was soon a blur of orange, black, claws, and teeth. Hiei could almost not keep track of where Kuwabara was as the tiger unleashed his cruel side.

Soon Kuwabara stood panting with twenty-three injured cats around him and he faced the lioness with his teeth bared and a deep growl in his throat. He flexed his hands, prepared to attack and injure. He felt a euphoria at being quick and vicious in his attacks and wanted more. The lioness stared at her injured comrades and up at the tiger. She had heard that tigers were the most vicious of all cat demons but the ones she had seen and fought made her believe they were just an arrogant, weak breed of cat. Now, she stood before a tiger who had just taken down twenty-three of her best warriors. He had not killed them, but she could tell that he easily could have killed them.

She went to one knee and bowed her head. "Tiger, what is your name?"

"It's Kazuma Kuwabara," he replied, his voice having deepened during the fight and it perfectly suited his tall height.

"I am Sharnana. I acknowledge that you are a vicious cat; indeed the most vicious tiger I have ever encountered but merciful in that you did not kill my warriors though you could have."

"That's right. I have no qualms about killing anyone. I can still kill them and you as well."

"That won't be necessary." Sharnana rose and looked up. "Most tigers rule a castle or some kind of building as the lord and all within serve him or her. Our home has no tiger demon. We would be honored to have you as our lord. Lord Kazuma."

Lord, he thought. I could be a lord and I see no reason not to be. "Very well. I will be your lord."

The injured cats shifted around him into kneeling positions and all murmured, "Lord Kazuma." He looked down at them and felt pleased at their show of respect.

"Allow me to show you to your home, my lord," Sharnana said.

"Granted." He looked to where Hiei was as his new subjects began to head into the darkness. He gestured in a way that suggested that Hiei follow him. He saw the Jagan flare and then Hiei's voice in his head. "Do you really think I would be welcome in a castle of cat demons?"

"I think so. You have been a good friend and helpful in my transition. I would have you as an advisor and no one will object as I am the lord now."

Hiei smirked. "An advisor. That is a tempting offer and a better option than endlessly patrolling Demon World. I accept." Hiei cut the connection as he followed Kuwabara into the darkness and to a new home.