Okay~ Thank you guys, so much for reviewing and reading and all of that good stuff! ^_^ It makes me really happy! So here's the next chapter!

NekoRoma

Chapter Eight: The Dreaming Begins

Awkward silence filled the living room as Lovino fiddled with one of his old cat toys. The little feathered tip on the string dangled as he swung it side to side. The stupid little dog thing yipped at it occasionally, but Lovino shot him dirty glares and curled up as far on the end of the couch as possible.

He suppressed his own urge to attack the feathers, mostly because Antonio would scold him about it not being human and Francis was staring at him. It was kind of unnerving.

Antonio finally walked out of his room. A towel was draped over his head and he smiled, "All clean~!"

Francis smiled and stood up to wrap his arms over his friend's shoulders, "Oh, mon ami, it seems poor little Lovino is no where to be found~ Jacques was looking forward to playing~" the dog shook at the mention of his name.

The Spaniard nervously looked at his friend and to Lovino, "Um … actually … I had to give Lovino away … Roderich … didn't want him around … and L-Romano was allergic. I'm still cleaning up his stuff …"

With a swish of his hair, Francis grinned, "I see. Romano is allergic?" he seated himself back on the couch. That wasn't the truth. He knew it wasn't. Romano was playing with a cat toy. Sitting on a cat hair covered couch. He wasn't even sniffling or sneezing. Lovino's bed was still in the house. If Romano was really allergic-

"Anyways, let's get this party started. Talking about animals is so unawesome!"

"Says the man who always has a bird on his head, three dogs at home and a cat." Francis looked at Gilbert.

"Hey! Gilbird is awesome. Those dogs are West's and the cat is such a klutz. He's fun to watch. I even went and bought a laser pointer just to watch him run into things."

Lovino bit his lip to keep from running over and hitting Gilbert. That was his brother the man had been messing with! Yeah, Feli was stupid, but it was still his brother.

Antonio, whom was sitting beside Lovino, reached over and rubbed his thigh gently, calming him down.

Gilbert pulled out said laser pointer and turned it on, "Isn't it awesome? It came with these little tabs you put over the light to change the image. I have a bird, a rabbit, a star, a heart and a smiley face!" he pressed the button, creating a red dot on the wall. The dot moved as Gilbert made Jacques chase it. The chihuahua began yapping loudly, bouncing against the wall to get at it.

Lovino licked his lips and clutched his arms tightly to keep himself from chasing it as well. It darted across the floor, followed by laughter as Jacques chased it. Laughter wasn't the only thing following, Lovino's head darted after the dot as well. He wanted to attack it. He had to get rid of that thing!

Antonio gripped his sweater and gave him a worried look. Lovino licked his lips again and looked away, red faced and embarrassed that Antonio had seen him failing to be human … which he didn't understand why he was even worried about it. If those two bumbling idiots found out what he really was, the worst that would happen would be Antonio kicking him out. At least if he were on the streets, he wouldn't have to worry about pleasing anyone.

He was sure he'd find someway to support himself, even if it ended up him living like an alley cat.

"Romano? Is he listening to me?" Lovino snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at Gilbert.

"What do you want, potato bastard?" he snapped.

Gilbert raised his brow, slightly insulted, "I was just going to ask what part of Italy you're from, but if you're going to be so unawesome, forget it …" the man frowned, sipping his beer.

Antonio laughed nervously, "He's from Rome, right in the heart of Italy."

Lovino nodded, in agreement. He knew a few things about Italy, like Rome being the capital, art and food being some of the best in the world, huge landmarks and world wonders, Vatican city, and Sicily. He learned those things from the TV when he couldn't find the remote to change the channel and it was left on the history channel or some other documentary show.

"Oui, oui, is Rome nice, Romano?" Francis smiled.

Lovino glared, "It's gorgeous. Best fucking city in the world. I like the Colosseum. Is that what you'd like to hear?"

His face heated up lightly under Antonio's surprised look. It's not like he was stupid!

He turned away.

The three men continued talking about this and that, finally leaving Lovino alone to glared at the chihuahua that was staring at him.

"What?" he whispered. The thing blinked, shook and tilted its head. "Go away." he shook again and whimpered. Lovino used his foot to kick him away, but as he pulled his leg back, his tail got caught in a painful twist and he yelped, jumping up. Tears welled up in his eyes and he stomped off to the bathroom to rip the stupid pajama pants off.

While the stupid little boxer shorts were still annoying, at least his tail had a ton of freedom to swish about with his anger. He smoothed the fur and held it close to his chest. He hated being human, but at least this way Antonio couldn't give him away. He had wished for that, no?

"Lo-Romano … are you okay?" Antonio's voice cut through the door.

"Go away, bastard!" Lovino hissed, running his hand over his sore tail.

Antonio sighed, "I'll see you in a little bit then?"

Lovino didn't answer. He looked up into the mirror and glared at his reflection. The hat and sweater joined the pants on the floor and he sighed a breath of relief. His ears twitched happily at not being trapped under that itchy hat. He heard the door shut in the living room.

Antonio's voice came back to the door, "I sent Francis and Gilbert home … said you weren't feeling good … can you come out now and tell me what's wrong?"

The former cat ripped the door open and stormed passed Antonio, "Those stupid pants got twisted around my tail and it hurt!"

The Spaniard smiled, "That's all?" he walked over and grabbed Lovino's tail, running his hand to the tip like he used to when Lovino allowed him to pet him, "Does it feel better?"

Lovino blushed a deep red, but his tail yanked out of Antonio's grasp and wrapped around his right leg, "Um … it's fine, bastard …"

A yawn escaped Antonio and he rubbed his eyes, "I think it's time for bed …" he motioned for Lovino to follow him, "Go ahead and get some sleep, kay?" he walked to his closet and pulled out a spare blanket and grabbed a pillow from the bed.

Lovino was confused, "Where are you going?"

"To the couch, why?" they exchanged confused looks.

"You never slept there before … not even when I slept on your bed."

Antonio blushed lightly, "But … that was different … um …"

The angry Lovino glared and crossed his arms, "You hate me that much?"

"No! That's not … it's just … you're not really a cat anymore … and … oh … never mind …" Antonio's face was red as he set the bedding on the bed and sat down on the edge of the bed to turn on the TV. It was on Animal Planet, Lovino's favorite.

Lovino curled up on his side, near the edge of the bed, and he grinned watching the show on world's deadliest animals.

Antonio scratched his head and tucked himself under the covers. He made sure Lovino was comfortable, with the extra blanket and pillow. Lovino looked at him, but turned his attention back to the TV to watch on why the little spider it was showing was a deadly creature.

He smiled in relief. He'd survived one surprise after another, and when he woke up, it would be Saturday morning and Lovino would be a cat again. He'd have lunch with Roderich and go out for drinks with his friends.

Subconsciously, the man reached out to pet his Lovino. His hand met Lovino's leg and he frowned, pulling away. That's right … he must be too tired.

Lovino looked back when he felt the hand on his leg. Antonio had pulled away and looked at his hand sadly. A pang of guilt and something else ran through Lovino's heart and he frowned as well. Antonio sighed and rolled to his side to sleep. A short while later, the show ended and Antonio was fast asleep.

The former cat pushed his pillow to the lone space on the right side of the bed, to match the left side where Antonio slept. He covered himself with the blanket and licked his lips looking over at his 'owner'.

Did Antonio really miss having a cat that much? Lovino felt the sharp pang again. He couldn't do anything right, could he? As a cat, he was going to be tossed out. As a human, he couldn't be tossed out, but he was constantly reminding Antonio that he'd never see his cat again.

He sighed deeply and leaned forward to touch his nose to Antonio's cheek. It might not be entirely the same, but he didn't care.

Lovino curled up into a tight ball and finally managed to fall asleep.

His dreams horrified him. That voice continued echoing in his head, the words still muffled and distant, still unintelligible. Lovino felt trapped in the dream. He felt like he was sitting on the edge of a thin wall, ready to fall either way. It hurt and it felt like it was killing him to stay. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't fall to the safety of either side. He felt as though his mind wanted him to fall one way or the other, but his body clung to the thin wall.

His fingers became soaked in blood and he could taste it on his lips. It ran down his arms and legs, even his tail dripped with the crimson liquid. The voice … why did he have a feeling those words were there to help him? Why couldn't understand them? They were the key!

Lovino opened his mouth to call for help, but his voice was muffled as well. It just wouldn't come out. His words were refusing to form, or was it his body was refusing to listen to him still?

Tears streamed down his face. He felt pain again. It wasn't like before, though. This pain was a soreness that was slowly taking over his body. It was a pain he couldn't stop. Not until he fell from the wall that seemed to hold him tightly.

^_^ so? i hope you guys enjoyed~ I'm off to write more stories~~ or to the park ... maybe the park ... lol XD reviewer 90 get's the oneshot~

~Lady Pyrien