Not very different at all….
(A/N – I have decided to do an A/N at the start as well as the end because it is a very long/short story… I basically retell the same story twice and half of it is copied and pasted to make the other half of the story.
I.e – I have been very lazy and you can skip parts of it. It appears very long but I only wrote half of it then doubled it and changed the names. Sorry – At least the start is good though the rest is…. lazy…)
The three small, brown creatures scurried along the edge of the darkened hallway. The bumpy, stone wall and the occasional a dusty spider web resembled the ones found in ancient castles. The animals ignored the spider webs, crashing through them carelessly.
They paused, sniffing for safety at a corner. They could not get caught, not here, not in the open.
They soon continued again, their paws making soft pattering and scratching sounds on the hard, cold ground.
They knew where they were going.
What they did not know was that it was not safe as a pair of toxic green eyes trained on them with a dark intensity. The eyes, and the beast that they belonged to, stalked quickly and silently after the clueless animals.
A soft hiss suddenly alerted the furry mammals and they began to scatter.
However it was too late.
A flurry of red and teeth clutched up the first one instantly. It went limp and was quickly dropped.
The red monster suddenly turned on the second one, chasing it part ways down the hallway until its paws fell on it. The second animal was soon stilled too.
The red creature turned its head around, scanning and searching the hallway for the third. Its pointed ears twitched as it sniffed gently, trying to locate the third. It crept forward, its long tail hovering just off the ground as its slit eyes glared into the darkness for the final dark furred animal.
Suddenly the brown animal made a run for it.
It fled in fear and the red monster bounded after it.
It turned a corner and raced forward like the devil was on its tail, which it was.
Another corner turned.
It could see the small crack in the stone wall that lead to its home and freedom.
It was so close but so was the red fiend.
The crimson beast leaped, sailing through the air at the escaping mammal.
The paw landed on the tail as the brown thing escaped into the hole.
The small creature pulled at its tail, try to release it and finish its escape into its hole.
The red thing was tugging at its tail too, trying to pull it from the safety zone.
It was a desperate struggle to the death.
Suddenly the brown animal was in the open again!
It was snatched up quickly.
The cat had the mouse in its jaws now, dead and out of the way. He smirked victoriously and walked back to the other dead mice.
The cat had strangely red fur with dark stripes, thick eyebrows and two nicks from it left ear. His tail was long and slightly bushy and tipped with dark red. It had a blank worn, blue leather collar that was loose around its thick neck.
It was bigger than most cats and had messy fur with very large and pointed ears. Its claws and teeth were larger than normal cats too. It was what was known as a 'Heather Cat', a common Scottish wild cat.
Soon it had the three intruding vermin in his mouth and headed to the kitchen.
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He strolled confidently into the kitchen proud of his kill. That was his 'job' in the castle; to stop rats, mice and other small vermin.
He was actually very good and enjoyed hunting. It was his favourite activity and the endless supply of mice made it so he never ran out of prey.
He dropped the dead mice in his empty metal food bowl and glanced around the kitchen. His 'owner' wasn't in this room at the moment, though he would never admit that someone owned him. He was a little too proud for that.
He sniffed wiping his whiskers and cocking his head with a small yawn.
Suddenly loud, quick footsteps were heard. His human appeared, also yawning.
His human 'owner' had red fur like him and bright green eyes. Today he was wearing dark jeans, a white t-shirt and a blue zip-up hoodie.
His step brothers, especially Dallas with his loud mouth and beaming smile, always pointed out their similarities. The same colour of red messy fur and green eyes. He disagreed though, he was had dark orange stripes and his fur was shorter and all over his body.
They were very different.
Their personalities were very similar too according to the quiet and timid Merlin. Once again, he disagreed.
They were very different.
The human noticed him and crouched down to his level, holding out his hand.
The cat rushed up to his human and pressed his head into the warm hand. The red head cooed over his stroking his behind the ears and petting him gently. The cat in return purred loudly, pressing into the hands, begging for more attention.
"Aw. Mo bhòidheach Aiden. Mo smidean Aiddie." The man cooed, picking Aiden, the cat, up and holding him to his chest.
Aiden's head rested on his shoulder. The cat purred back and licked the human's cheek. "Mo mór Alba."
Yes, his human was actually a country, more specifically Scotland, though most normal humans called him Iain. It was meant to be a secret apparently which Aiden didn't understand.
Aiden didn't mind his name, it meant fiery as he was named after his coat colour, though most people shortened it to Aiddie.
This moment was also a secret for the red cat. Aiden loved humans and always cuddled into them embarrassingly for such a stoic and proud cat. He would be mortified if one of his brothers found out how soft and snugly he went when he was alone with Iain.
His human praised him for his three catches and his purring increased "Och. Look how weel ye did with yer hunting. Look at all tha wee mice ye caught. Yer a braw, wee hunter. Aye ye are, aye ye a~".
Iain was distracted when a white dove fluttered into the room.
The red cat regrettably jumped from Iain's hand to the table and Eithne sat beside him. Eithne was the only bird he would not hunt, even if he was allowed.
She twittered slightly jumping about on the table, revealing a note on her leg. His human took the note and began reading it. When he was distracted by the paper, Eithne turned to the red cat. She hopped side to side while the crimson cat cocked his head confused.
Suddenly it registered! It was a message!
His brothers were calling for a meeting!
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His brothers were calling for a meeting!
God dammit! Did they think he could just be summoned and told to leave like a lap dog?
Iain glanced at his cat, who also didn't seem very happy at the moment, and reached out a hand to pet him. He was currently rereading the small note from Eithne, written in Wale's tiny handwriting.
He sighed angrily. He would have to leave right now if he was going to drive and wanted to get there at the right time. Aiden hissed in annoyance on the table at seemingly nothing at the same time as his sigh.
The red head smiled and stroked the cat who melted at his touch.
He hoped his brothers never saw him like this. It was embarrassing for a grown man like him to suddenly become a big softie and coo over animals like a small child. It would be mortifying.
"Och, mo wee Aiddie, I'll be away in London. Yer gonnae be on yer own fer a day oor two."
He looked at the dead mice in his food bowl. He had never actually needed to feed his cat unless it had gotten itself injured in a fight with another cat or animal. Aiden had grown in the wild Highlands and was a wildcat, so fed his self quite easily. He certainly kept the hallways and rooms free of rodents.
Iain had found Aiden in a heather bush with a broken leg, scratched up and unconscious. He decided to save the red cat and expected to release him in a week but then the cat never left. He soon named it after its colour and gave it a collar.
Aiddie seemed happy here; lots of mice to hunt and eat, a warm, dry place to sleep, fairies to spoil him and Scotland to secretly coo over him.
What a lucky cat. He had such a simple life.
They were very different.
Iain sighed and began heading to the door, grabbing his car keys on the way.
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Aiden was annoyed with his brothers as Eithne finished the message from Merlin.
God dammit! Did they think he could just be summoned and told to leave like a lap cat?
He had purred under Iain's touch, rubbing his head into the hand, despite his irritation.
Humans were so lucky. They had such simple, easy lives.
They were very different.
When Iain mentioned London, Aiden's large ears perked up. Eithne had mentioned London, which was where the meeting was. He looked at his owner to follow him and surprised to see empty space.
"Ack! Eithne! Why didnae ye tell meh that Iain had left!"
Eithne ruffled her feathers angrily. Aidan ignored her and rushed to the window.
He jumped gracefully from the window, landing on all fours with the stealth and wildness of a true cat. He trotted to the garage, squeezing under the door after Iain.
The red cat climbed into the blue car's back seat when the red head had opened the door. Iain didn't seem to mind the company of the hitchhiking cat so left the wildcat to his own devices.
Today it was a shiny Audi A3. He had found out from a fairy that his owner had charmed the metal monster to change forms.
He curled up and shuffled under the chair. From experience that was always the warmest part of the car. He closed his eyes gently when he felt the car start up. It sounded loud at first but it quietened down into a gentle purr.
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Aiden was woken up by the sudden silent when the car was turned off. He scrambled to get out of the car before the door closed.
He had to be careful in any city, town or village because he counted as a wild animal if people recognised him as a Highland wildcat.
He walked in pace with Iain, idly, up to Sherlock's house.
Both of them were in no rush.
Iain opened the door and Aiden walked into a loud scene taking place on the top of England table.
Sherlock was yelling at Dallas about bringing food into the meeting. The copper coloured brown Havana Brown cat smiled carelessly with a mouse hanging by the tail from his mouth, obviously not paying attention.
Then Dallas saw the red cat enter and smiled widely, dropping the mouse thoughtlessly and tackled the much bigger cat.
"Aiddie! Yer here!"
"Ger oof Dallas!"
The dark brown cat was pushed aside but jumped back onto the crimson feline. He hissed annoyed.
Humans didn't have to cope with things like being jumped.
They were very different.
"I dinnae ken why yer called Dallas at all! Yer nae Wise at all!"
Sherlock jumped from the tabletop, landing beside the wrestling duo.
"Please refrain yourselves while in my house." He sniffed slightly as if offended. "I have no idea how I ended up with a brute and an idiot as my brothers."
Aiden flicked Sherlock's folded over the right light ginger ear. "Aye, whit ever 'Scottish Fold'. Ye haff Scottish blood in ye somewhere."
Sherlock scowled, batting the paw away.
"I am a British Short Hair." He sounded miffed.
Aiden rolled his eyes. He bet that Iain didn't have to deal with a proud, stubborn younger brother like this.
They were very different.
Dallas laughed while his nose, which ended very close to his eye, twitched.
A soft sigh distracted the group. Merlin sat on Colin's lap with his creamy tail swaying gently. His under fur colour was a dark brown so in places where his fur was thinner, it was surprisingly darker, giving him a patched look.
Since he was a Burmilla, it was strange to have markings. It gave him a vague similarity to Sherlock. He usually went unnoticed by the others though.
"Hey Merlin." Aiden greeted.
"Aiddie." He replied politely and quietly.
A sudden large mew from the kitchen startled the group.
Tully, another Havana Brown, stomped from the kitchen complaining loudly with a heavy scowl. His human coincidently happened to be entering and shouting at the same time.
"Dallas! Where is me dead mouse! Ye took it, didn't ye?"
Merlin rolled his eyes and was ignored again. Sherlock hissed at him angrily.
"Tully! Stop yelling!"
"Shut it Sherry!"
He snapped as he pouched on Merlin. Merlin jumped from Wale's lap in surprise and ran to the red cat as a fully grown human man and an angry cat leaped at him.
Colin, the Welsh human, was too slow though and was knocked to the ground by Seamus, the Irish human. Dallas laughed loudly again.
"That was Merry. Sherry is over here."
"And my name is Sherlock! Not 'Sherry'."
Merlin sighed and murmured quietly. "Merlin, not Merry…" Then he added in a louder voice. "Tully, yer nae 'Peaceful' at all. Why is it tha Irish cannae name anything. Tha rest of us fit oor names."
Ireland's cat made an annoyed hmpft, ignoring the comment.
Dallas was not 'Wise' and Tully was not 'Peaceful' so their names did not suit the Irish cats. However, neither minded this fact.
Aiden stretched, swaying his tail. Humans never have to deal with this chaos, he though absently.
They were very different.
Sherlock cleared his throat for attention. "We are here to discuss important matters. So try to pay attention."
There were a small collection of hisses and snarls in protest of the undermining of their intelligence. They were ignored as he continued.
"We need to discuss the recent depression. With the humans having less money, we will have less food to eat. I, myself, had a rather small bowl of kibble this morning."
The other four stared at him with blank faces.
"Ye git tae be kidding…"
"That is so stupid…"
"Yer oot tha windae, Sherlock…"
"…."
Sherlock blinked in surprised; that was not the intended reaction. "W-What?"
"Yer an eejit, wasting me time with this stupid meeting." Aidan snapped.
He was angry at being called so suddenly to take part in a 'important' meeting that he considered pointless. Cats only lived 10 or so years and he didn't want to spend them chasing after his younger brother like a servant.
Humans don't have things like this happen to them.
They are very different.
"How is this 'a stupid meeting'? Food is very important. If our humans are having difficulty feeding themselves, then how will they feed us, you gits?"
Aiden stalked up to Sherlock. "Shut yer face, ye pampered pussy cat. Yer nothing moore than a common lazy house cat."
Sherlock growled and the shackles on his back rised. "How dar~"
"If I'm hungry, I hunt fer me food!"
"If I need food and Paddy has forgotten to feed me, I gah oot ta another hoose. Another human will haff food if Paddy doesnae." Dallas added, smiling tensely, irritated. He had spent hours clinging to his owner while they speeded along the roads on a motorbike. Though he had enjoyed it at first, it had begun raining at some point.
"Me owner lives in a different country with a different economy. I dinnae have any trouble with food oor money!" Tully snapped. He had to hitch a ride with Dallas and that damn motor bike in the rain because Seamus didn't want cat hair in his newly cleaned car.
"Meh and Colin live on a sheep farm with pet chickens. If we need food, he will just kill one." Merlin spoke softly, obviously a bit annoyed too. He had spent hours in a pick-up truck that reeked like sheep manure.
Aiden glared down at the small cream and ginger cat. "Dinnae compare us tae a wee, tamed house cat like ye, who depends solely on a single human. This meeting is a waste of time fer us."
Sherlock glared back. "Wanker." He hissed out angrily.
Aiden bared his teeth and snatched the English cat's collar in his paw. "Listen ye bairn! I gon~"
"Whoa! You dudes sure act like your owners!"
The five cats turned to the door to see a tall, grinning blonde with an annoying familiar white cat with a black fuzzy mane at his feet, grinning as well.
"Well, don't worry! The Hero cat is here!" Aiden growled annoyed at the new presence.
Lucky humans.
They are very different.
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Iain arrived just outside England's house and had turned off the engine.
He watched the red cat wiggle out from the seat and hopped out of the car and onto the ground. He had closed the door with a thud.
He walked up to Arthur's house with Aidan at his side at a lazy pace.
Both of them were in no rush.
Iain opened the door and walked into a loud scene taking place.
Arthur was yelling at Patrick about bringing food into the meeting. The auburn haired smiled carelessly with a packet of crisps, obviously not paying attention.
Then Patrick saw the red cat enter and smiled widely, dropping the crisps thoughtlessly and tackled the older brother.
"Alba! Yer here!"
"Ger oof Paddy!"
The grinning was pushed aside but jumped back onto the crimson haired man.
"I dinnae ken why yer called Patrick at all! Yer nae a Nobleman at all!"
Arthur stamped over to the duo.
"Please refrain yourselves while in my house." He sniffed slightly as if offended. "I have no idea how I ended up with a brute and an idiot as my brothers."
Iain flicked the side of his youngest brother's head. "Aye, whit ever 'Kirkland'. Ye haff last name is Scottish so ye haff Scottish blood in ye somewhere."
Arthur scowled, batting the hand away. "I am British." He sounded miffed.
Aidan rolled his eyes. He bet that Iain didn't have to deal with a proud, stubborn younger brother like this.
They were very different.
Patrick laughed loudly.
A soft sigh distracted the group. Colin sat with his cat on his lap.
"Hey Colin." Iain greeted.
"Alba." He replied politely and quickly.
A sudden large shout from the kitchen startled the group.
Seamus, the other Irish man, stomped from the kitchen complaining loudly with a heavy scowl. His cat coincidently happened to be entering and mewing loudly at the same time.
"Patrick! Where is me crisps! Ye took them, didn't ye?"
Wales rolled his eyes and was ignored again. Arthur glared at him angrily.
"Seamus! Stop yelling!"
"Shut it Artie!" He snapped as he jumped on Colin.
Colin was knocked off the chair and to the ground by Seamus while his cat fled. Paddy laughed loudly. Patrick laughed loudly again.
"That was Colly. Artie is over here."
"And my name is Arthur! Not 'Artie'."
Colin sighed and murmured quietly. "Colin, not Colly…" Then he added in a louder voice. "Seamus, how are you meant to 'supplant' while you act so immature"
Ireland made an annoyed hmpft, ignoring the comment.
Patrick was not a 'Nobleman' and Seamus was too immature to 'succeed' the oldest so their names did not suit the Irish brothers. However, neither minded this fact.
Iain flexed, still stiff from the long car ride.
Cats never have to deal with this chaos, he though absently.
They were very different.
Arthur cleared his throat for attention. "We are here to discuss important matters. So try to pay attention."
There were a small collection of angry mumbling and growls in protest of the undermining of their intelligence. They were ignored as he continued.
"We need to discuss the recent depression. With less money, I am having difficulty buying necessities like decent tea leafs."
The other four stared at him with blank faces.
"Ye git tae be kidding…"
"That is so stupid…"
"Yer oot tha windae, Arthur…"
"…."
Arthur blinked in surprised; that was not the intended reaction.
"W-What?"
"Yer an eejit, wasting me time with this stupid meeting." Iain snapped.
He was angry at being called so suddenly to take part in a 'important' meeting that he considered pointless. He didn't want to spend his free time chasing after his younger brother like a servant.
Cats don't have things like this happen to them.
They are very different.
"How is this a 'stupid meeting'? Tea is very important. It helps with digestion and calms the nerves, you gits!"
Iain stalked up to Arthur.
"Shut yer face, ye pampered gentleman. Yer nothing moore than a bairn."
The blonde glared.
"How dar~"
"If I'm short of money, I git a part time job."
"If I need money, I trade items with other houses and help people with their chores for payment." Patrick added, smiling tensely.
"Me owner lives in a different country with a different economy. I dinnae have any trouble with money." Seamus snapped.
"I live on a working farm. I can just sell sheep or meat at the butchers and I get money at farm fairs when I win." Colin spoke softly, obviously a bit annoyed too.
The red head glared down at the English man.
"Dinnae compare us tae a soft English man like ye, who cannae make money when he needs it. This meeting is a waste of time fer us."
Arthur glared back. "Wanker." He muttered angrily.
Iain bared his teeth and snatched the English man's shirt collar in a fist.
"Listen ye bairn! I gon~"
"Whoa! You dudes sure act like your cats!"
The five men turned to the door to see a white and black cat at the feet of an annoying familiar tall, grinning blonde.
"Well, don't worry! The hero is here!"
The red head growled annoyed at the new presence.
Lucky cats.
They are very different.
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Alfred and Hero had decided to surprise their English friends.
Ignoring the door bell and the closed door, he invaded the room and stumbled onto an 'interesting' scene.
The two Irish brothers were cheering on Scotland who was angrily holding England's shirt collar while they were shouting at each other.
The two Irish cats were meowing on the Scottish cat who was pulling the English cat's collar while they were hissing at each other.
The two scenes mirrored each other exactly that it seemed kind of comical.
Almost at the same the two American's spoke.
"Whoa! You dudes sure act like your humans/cats."
The two groups turned to the intruders and the two red haired beings growled.
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"You wanker! I didn't invite you in. Don't barge into other people's houses like that! I raised you differently!"
"What ever dude…"
Sherlock's shackles rose again in annoyance. Aiden released Sherlock's collar and glared at the American cat.
"Gah away Hero."
"What? No way dude! I wanna help."
"With whit!"
"I dunno. What are you guys talking about?" Aiden scowled, preferring not to relive the discussion of the 'silly' meeting. He changed the topic instead.
"Whit did ye mean befoore aboot acting like oor owners?"
"Well, look." Hero pointed his paw at the humans.
Scotland was looking slightly puzzled but mainly annoyed while the blonde was pointing at the cats. Iain and Aiden's eyes emerald eyes met.
Almost instantly, the two looked away from each other.
Damn it. Why do humans have to be so cuddly? Stupid secret…
They are very different.
"Yer crazy. Humans and cats dinnae act alike at all!"
Hero cocked his head in confusion. "But the humans are even discussing the same things as us."
The red cat rolled his eyes."Yer a bampot. Humans talk aboot human things while cats talk aboot cat things. We are very different."
"But look! The Irish humans are play-fighting and so are the Dallas and Tully! And Sherlock and the other Sherlock at the same!"
Aiden glanced at North Ireland who was trying to wrap his arms around Ireland who was fighting him off.
He then turned to Dallas trying to cling onto Tully's tail while Tully fought against it.
Sherlock was busy grooming his whiskers while Arthur sorted his tie.
And Colin and Merlin were just sitting side by side watching the scene.
Aiden tsked. "Yer just lucky."
He turned away from Hero and walked up to the counter before bounding up onto it. He began walking towards the open window now. Sherlock noticed this sudden movement.
"Oi! Wanker! What are you doing?"
"Leaving." He replied curtly.
"We still haven't finished the meeting! Come back!"
The Scottish cat glanced at the chaotic scene of the squabbling cats and humans and rolled his eyes.
"I can only handle so much 'bampot bairn'" He gestured to Hero who was currently making a hero pose in front of Merlin and calling him Sherlock much to his chagrin.
Before creamy cat could argue any more, Aiden had left through the window as a door slammed.
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"You wanker! I didn't invite you in. Don't barge into other people's houses like that! I raised you differently!" "
What ever dude…" Arthur glared again in annoyance.
Scotland released the blonde's shirt collar and glared at the American.
"Gah away Alfred."
"What? No way dude! I wanna help."
"With whit!"
"I dunno. What are you guys talking about?" Iain scowled, preferring not to relive the discussion of the 'silly' meeting. He changed the topic instead while crossing his arms.
"Whit did ye mean befoore aboot acting like oor cats?"
"Well, look." Alfred pointed his finger at the cats.
Aiden was looking slightly puzzled but mainly annoyed while the white cat was pointing at the humans. Iain and Aiden's eyes emerald eyes met.
Almost instantly, the two looked away from each other.
Damn it. Why do cats have to be so cuddly? Stupid secret…
They are very different.
"Yer crazy. Cats and humans dinnae act alike at all!" Alfed cocked his head in confusion.
"But the cats are even mimicking the same gestures as us." The red cat rolled his eyes.
"Yer a bampot. Cats do cat gestures while humans do human gestures. We are very different."
"But look! Those Irish cats are fighting and so are the Irelands! And Arthur and the other Arthur are the same!"
Iain glanced at Dallas trying to cling onto Tully's tail while Tully fought against it.
He then turned to North Ireland who was trying to wrap his arms around Ireland who was fighting him off.
Arthur sorted his tie while Sherlock was busy grooming his whiskers.
And Merlin and Colin were just sitting side by side watching the scene.
The red head tsked. "Yer just lucky."
He turned away from the American and walked up to the door and opened it. Arthur noticed this sudden movement.
"Oi! Wanker! What are you doing?"
"Leaving." He replied curtly.
"We still haven't finished the meeting! Come back!" The Scottish man glanced at the chaotic scene of the squabbling humans and cats and rolled his eyes.
"I can only handle so much 'bampot bairn'" He gestured to Alfred who was currently making a hero pose in front of Colin and calling him Arthur much to his chagrin.
Before the blonde could argue any more, Iain had left through the door, slamming it shut.
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Aiden felt much better after he left the stuffy confines of the house. He always felt better outside; it was a natural instinct for a wild cat.
He explored the English man's back garden. It was considerably huge for something near a city. He enjoyed wandering among the new plants and bushes, clawing new trees and hunting new prey.
Speaking of new prey….
A fluttering sound came from a small shrub.
Aiden lay on his stomach and prowled closer to the shrub.
A high twittering sound came from low down.
It sounded sweet and innocent…
And tasty…
He shimmered under the leaves and branches and into the centre of the bush, silent and deadly. His let his nose and hunting instincts lead him to the prey.
From the outside, there was a suddenly low hiss from the bush followed by the shrub shaking violently as the frantic tweeting of a panicked bird rang out.
The plant suddenly stopped moving and it became silent.
Moments later a strange red cat exited a gap in the shrub. It was large but scrawny with scruffy fur.
Blood dripped from a still robin in its jaw.
It was soon gone from the scene.
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Iain felt much better after he slammed the door shut and left the house.
He liked being outside; especially on mild, dry days like this.
He explored the English capital's streets, with no direction in mind. He enjoyed wandering among the cafés, shops and food stalls.
Speaking of food stalls…
An enticing aroma wafted from one that had a chocolate fountain. He might as well indulge his sweet craving while he was here.
The warm chocolate smelled sweet and sugary mixed in with the creamy marshmallows and soft strawberries.
From the view of a passerby, he was just an ordinary man buying a snack.
Though his hair seemed too red to be normal that it must be dyed, he didn't particularly stand out much. It was almost as though he was trying to blend in.
He quickly vanished into a busy crowd on the street.
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Aiden sat in a middle branch of an oak tree in the city.
He didn't want to be lectured by Sherlock if he was caught eating in the garden so he searched for a new peaceful place. He eventually found a quiet side street with a tall oak on it.
After scaling the tree to a reasonable height with his meal in mouth, he sat down to enjoy his hunt.
He felt the tree shudder as a human leant against it but he ignored them. He was too busy to be concerned with the care-free humans.
They were very different.
He was chewing on the meat thoughtfully when he heard mewing laughter.
"Ohonhonhonho~ I never expected to find tu 'ere, mon ami."
He turned his head to the side to see a creamy Persian cat with a bushy tail on a lower branch. He smelt of expensive cat shampoo and had a rose in his collar.
"Cheryl?"
"Oui."
The long haired cat jumped up onto the same branch as Aiden with a smile.
"Bonjour Aiden."
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Iain leaned against an oak tree in the city.
He wanted to rest and relax while he ate so he searched for a peaceful place. He eventually found a quiet side street with a tall oak on it. He leant against it with his legs crossed.
He heard a rustle from a high branch but he ignored. It was probably just an animal like a bird or a cat.
He was too busy to be concerned with any cats or the like.
They were totally different.
He was chewing on a chocolate cover strawberry thoughtfully when he heard laughter.
"Ohonhonhonho~ I never expected to find tu 'ere, mon ami."
He turned his head to the side to see a casually dressed France with his hair tied back. He smelled of rose cologne and white lilies mixed with freshly baked bread.
"Francis?"
"Oui."
The Frenchman walked over gracefully and leant on the tree trunk beside the red head, smiling.
"Bonjour Iain."
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Cheryl was just elegantly strolling down a grimy English street. Normally he would step foot on such a dull rainy island unless to visit Aiden. However he decided to follow his master in hopes of irritating Sherlock.
Instead he spotted a red tail swinging down from a branch in an oak tree. It was such a bright and unusual red that it could only belong to one cat.
He gracefully climbed the tree, being careful not to get any twigs caught in his long, silky hair. When he was close enough to see his friend, he spoke.
"Ohonhonhonho~ I never expected to find tu 'ere, mon ami."
He watched the red cat turn to face him with clear emerald eyes. Those beautiful green, clear eyes, only broken by a narrow black slit.
"Cheryl?" He sounded surprised but pleased at his arrival. It made the French cat happy.
"Oui." He jumped up to beside the wild cat.
Aiden was currently finishing off a robin. He had feathers on his paws and some blood on his face and whiskers.
He tossed the dead bird over the back of his shoulder and onto the street below. He quickly began cleaning his paws hurriedly. He licked the area around his mouth as well. Cheryl found it fascinating and exciting to watch him. It was also arousing to see that cat tongue work. He stood on the branch near him, waiting for his friend to finish.
Once Aiden deemed himself clean enough to talk he turned to the cream coloured cat.
"I'm surprised that yer in England."
The French cat smiled. His eyes suddenly honed onto a smear of blood at the base of his whiskers that the cat's tongue had miss.
"Tu are ze same, Aiddie. Tu would normally be in L'Ecosse."
Aiden scowled slightly. "Me eejit brother called me fer a stupid meeting aboot kibble. It was a big~"
The French cat moved closer, laying right beside the red cat so their shoulders were touching. At first the Scottish cat didn't notice, still storming about how silly his brothers were for calling him half way across a country for a meeting about cat food.
"~ waste of me time! I cannae believe they would make meh travel all that way fer~"
Cheryl was staring at the blood smudge, quite near to hi sensitive nose. He licked his lips slightly, imagining licking it.
"~such a silly reason! Then tha damn bampot showed~"
He absently thought that Aiden looked tasty today. Maybe he would have a taste.
"~up and started havering aboot humans and cats being tha sa~"
The red cat's rant was cut short suddenly as Cheryl licked his cheek.
It was a surprise so he was unprepared for it. He felt his face heat up slightly as the French cat continued to lick his face. Cheryl smiled as he finished the blood up. He could tell that Aiden's face was blushing a bright red under the fur.
"Got tu~" He sang.
He found absolutely adorable when Aiden blushed but he only did it he was caught off guard. He grinned happily at the rare sight.
"Tu are so cute. And tu taste so sweet.~"
Suddenly he felt his face burn when his thick, bushy tail being wrapped up by the red head's tail. Their tails were intertwined now.
"Got ye" He faced Aiden who was staring intently with those toxic green eyes into the sky blue eyes.
The red head leaned forward and licked him on the nose.
"Eejit… Yer tha sweet one…" He mumbled softly into the other cat's ear with a sly smile.
The cream cat blush became heavier as the red cat leaned into the Persian slightly. Cheryl suddenly smiled more, leaning back into him.
"Je t'aime."
"Tha gaol agam ort."
Humans may be more carefree than cats but Aiden was sure that cats were better off with love.
They are very different but maybe for once, not for the worse.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Francis was just elegantly strolling down a grimy English street. Normally he would step foot on such a dull rainy island unless to visit Iain. However he decided to go anyway in hopes of irritating Arthur.
However he was distracted on the way to Arthur's house by a man with crimson hair. It was such a bright and unusual red that it could only belong to one man.
He gracefully walked up to Iain, flicking back a loose strand of silky hair that had escaped his hair band. When he was close enough to not yell, he spoke.
"Ohonhonhonho~ I never expected to find tu 'ere, mon ami."
He watched the red head turn to face him with clear emerald eyes. Those beautiful green, clear eyes surrounded by short red lashes.
"Francis?" He sounded surprised but pleased at his arrival. It made the French man happy.
"Oui." He leaned on the tree beside the Scottish man.
Iain was currently eating strawberries and marshmallows coated with melted chocolate. He had chocolate on his pale fingers and around his mouth.
He quickly began licking his fingers clean. He sucked on each digit individually until they were cleared of chocolate. It was slightly arousing for Francis to watch.
He licked his pale lips next with a short pink tongue. The French man would be lying if he didn't admit that it was an erotic sight for him. He watched the red head intently until he was finished.
Once Iain had finished cleaning the melted chocolate from his fingers and making France think dirty without realising it, he turned to his friend.
"I'm surprised that yer in England." Francis smiled. His eyes suddenly honed onto a blob of chocolate on the corner of Scotland's mouth.
"Tu are ze same, Iain. Tu would normally be in L'Ecosse."
Iain scowled slightly. "Me eejit brother called me fer a stupid meeting aboot tea. It was a big~"
The French man moved closer, standing right beside the red head so their shoulders were touching. At first the Scottish man didn't notice, still storming about how silly his brothers were for calling him half way across a country for a meeting about tea.
"~ waste of me time! I cannae believe they would make meh travel all that way fer~"
Francis was staring at the chocolate smudge so deliciously close to Iain's lips. He licked his lips slightly in response.
"~such a silly reason! Then tha damn bampot showed~"
He absently though that Iain looked tasty today. Maybe he could have a taste.
"~up and started havering aboot humans and cats being tha sa~"
Iain's rant was cut short suddenly as Francis licked the side of his mouth then placed his lips on the chocolate blob and began to suck.
It was a surprise so he was unprepared for it. He felt his face heat up slightly as the blonde sucked and licked the edge of his mouth. The French man smiled as he finished the chocolate up.
He grinned mischievously as he watched the red head turn a deep scarlet.
"Got tu~" He sang.
He found absolutely adorable when Iain blushed but he only did it he was caught off guard. He grinned happily at the rare sight.
"Tu are so cute and absolutely delectable~"
Suddenly he felt his face burn when Iain suddenly pulled their faces together and kissed him right on the lips. His sky blue eyes stared into toxic green eyes as their mouths melted together. It broke apart all too soon for Francis.
"Got ye"
The red head leaned forward and leaned his forward on the blonde's.
"Eejit… Yer tha delectable one…" He mumbled softly with a smile and closed eyes. The French blonde's blush became heavier.
Francis suddenly smiled more, closing his eyes as well.
"Je t'aime."
"Tha gaol agam ort."
Cats may be more carefree than humans but Iain was sure that humans were better off with love.
They are very different but maybe for once, not for the worse.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.
It was late evening now and the sky was dark blue with the stars and moon out and bright.
Iain was finally getting back to his car to head home. The red head's hair was messier than normal and his clothes were wrinkled from being thrown on the ground. He was grinning widely though.
He watched as Aiden also appeared at car's side at the same time. Aiddie's fur stuck up in random places and the cat looked pleased with himself as well.
They glanced at each other.
The wild cat noted that his human smelled strongly of sweat, rose perfume and other unusual scents.
Iain raised an eyebrow at the red rose tucked into the cat's blue collar and the long strands of creamy fur mixed in with the red fur.
Well maybe, they are not very different at all…
(A/N – This is cutekittenlady's one shot which she won. She requested something to do with Nekotalia (which I have never done before so was not very good) and I decided to do a comparison between the cat and human versions and how close they really are. Though they never actually notice this…. With Americat as the only exception.
And Scotland and Aiden at the end.
I was trying to find a cat which matched my image of Scotland's cat when I found this adorable brown one climbing over some heather. It looked just like him in my head. It turned out to be a wild cat as well which suited his personality. It was just luck that Aiden was a wild cat.
Scotland is embarrassingly soft when it comes to animals. He likes to cuddle and coo over them excessively but only when no one is there to see him. Only Wales knows this and France suspects it.
(Scotland) Iain – gift from god
(Ian is the English/ most other places version while Iain is the traditional Scottish version. Since Iain is actually a Scottish name, this is technically the correct spelling.)
(Wales) Colin – Anglicised version of a Gaelic name that means whelp or young pup (England gave it to him – he hates it a lot but doesn't want the hassle from England from trying to change it.)
(North Ireland) Patrick/Paddy – Nobleman
(Ireland) Seamus – one who supplants (succeeds/ replaces)
(England) Arthur – bear or stone (debateable because of unknown past)
(America) Alfred – Elf Counsel
(France) Francis – From France (ironically it's the English version of the name)
(Scotland's cat) Aiden – fiery
(Wales's cat) Merlin – Wise man
(North Ireland's cat) Dallas – Wise
(Ireland's cat) Tully – Peaceful
(England's cat) Sherlock – Famous detective – faired haired
(America's cat) – Hero
(France's cat) – Cheryl - beloved, dear
Scottish fold – when the cat's ear folds in half (it's genetic)
Heather Cat - the common wild cat in Scotland
Kirkland – Land of the Church (A Scottish last name shared by the brothers)
Also since I enjoyed describing the cats and I promised a friend, I have decided that the next story will be to do with cats. It will be completely different from this one. It will be about Wales turning England into his cat and handing him off to Scotland. Wales doesn't actually tell Scotland that it's England and England gets a new perspective on his brother when he sees how he acts when he isn't there.
Did you know – When you breed and domesticate an animal its ears become softer and rounder. So you can tell wild cats, dogs, foxes, ferrets etc from pet ones by their ears. The wild ones will have sharp point ears while the pets will have rounded and slightly floppy ones.
Gaelic translations –
Mo bhòidheach Aiden – My beautiful Aiden
Mo smidean Aiddie – My small Aiddie
Mo mór Alba – My big Scotland
Cats can understand humans but humans can't understand cats. Cats cannot read or write either. When it is italics – that person is speaking cat. Cats cannot speak human – they can only understand it.
Simple huh?
REVIEW PLEASE!)