JUNJOU
V
"I PROMISE"
The finding of his voice created a ripple of reactions in Shinobu and Miyagi. The first, excited and thrilled tried to express himself through constant mewling, hissing, growling, purring, chirping, even biting; learning what intrigued the man, what made him chuckle or scowl, and how to get what he wanted or needed. For the old professor it marked a great improvement, so he tried his best to understand the kitten, learning the difference between a stressed purr and a hungry purr or a content purr. Just like like the difference between the fluffing up of the base of his tail as a greeting versus the fluffing of his tail and back when hissing, because of fear. The second one a very easy to differentiate, because of the loud snake-like rattling that came with it, that also never stopped chilling the man.
"It's okay Shinobu-chin, it's only a frying pan" said Miyagi pointing at the metal pan in his hand. Salted vegetables, garlic and beef sizzled in it. "This is your food, you shouldn't hiss at it" Shinobu pouted in response from his spot on the couch, his tail still spiked. Miyagi sighted.
Shinobu seemed to wake up every day, more energetic than the day before. At the second day his curiosity pulled him out of his made-bed, he tossed around the sofas and inspected the balcony, taking a special liking to the plants. With that, Miyagi learned not to leave water around, the kitten loved splashing his paw against it, making a mess in his living room. On the third and fourth day Shinobu started eating at the low table, his tail would still fluff up, ears pinning at every loud sound, but he remained sit and put, till Miyagi said he could go back to his made-bed. He also learned where the food was stored, walking towards the kitchen whenever he felt hungry, sniffing around to find what he wanted to eat. Miyagi learned with that, a secret craving for chocolate pudding and spicy food, and a serious inability to hide his emotions from his oh-so-honest tail.
By the 5th day Shinobu felt braver and confident enough to go inspecting every corner of the house, checking all the cabinets he could and trying almost every clothe he could grab from Miyagi's closet. Making Miyagi angry at the disorder and laugh at the cuteness of the kitten in the too large shirts. Realizing as well that the kitten still wore the same worn out shirt and pants and was stinking also, he knew that THAT, meant hell was coming, and rather too soon, for either of their liking.
So on the 7th day, Miyagi decided that he could not prolong the inevitable anymore. Slowly he prepared the tub and towels, separated the shampoo, soap and a clean set of pajamas he had bough years ago, but ended up not using because they were way too small for him. They would, of course, still drown on Shinobu but that was better than nothing. And he could defiantly NOT let the kitten stay naked.
"Maybe he wont fight, he already likes playing with water" Miyagi thought, but looking at the muddy kitten he knew better than hope for the best, so, he locked the windows and doors, and barricaded every room without the kitten knowing. "The later he realizes the better."
"Shinobu" he called while preparing the bathtub, the kitten appeared mewling like always, tail straight and moving in broad circles, "come here I have to bathe you up" he said and the kitten entered with a curious look, "what does bath mean?" wondered Shinobu looking at the things Miyagi had collected. Miyagi took advantage of it and passed by him to close the door, locking it. Glancing at the kitten he threw the key inside the garbage can, Shinobu was bending close to the bathtub, smelling the water collected inside.
"Puuuurrrrr" Shinobu's senses were filled with the herbal and flowery smell from the bath water, "Miyagi's essence" Shinobu turned around and Miyagi smiled back, moving his hand to pet him, making Shinobu close his eyes and start purring even stronger. Miyagi knew by now how sensitive Shinobu's ears were, he petted them, rubbing the round tip with his thumb, following their shape.
"Good boy, now, let's take this off" he said with a calm voice, grabbing the hem of Shinobu's sweater, but Shinobu adding the water, soap and shampoo, to the impending nakedness, felt a dark omen above him. "Mooooouuuur" the troubled dark meow reverberated from Shinobu's chest, Miyagi just looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry, but you stink", as an answer Shinobu growled and tried to run away.
"Oh no! You won't!" Miyagi grabbed his skinny arm and pulling it towards himself restrained the kitten in a bear-hug. Thankfully the kitten was so petite he could control him with one hand and scrub the dirt out of him with his other. "Or you take the clothes off or I'll bath you with them!" Miyagi growled but Shinobu still fought. "I'll count to 10 and you'll be stark naked!" threatened Miyagi and Shinobu scowled, whining and hissing, adding a very certain "No!"
Miyagi blinked, stopping his movement and looking at the kitten's eyes, reading the mirroring confusion in them. The voice had being hoarse and pitch, shocking Miyagi for a second but Shinobu for 3, which Miyagi noticed and used to hold and pull off, the already worn out clothes. "Ha!"
Too late Shinobu reacted, he turned to meet Miyagi's eyes but a bowl of water was poured all over his head, followed by more of them and good layers of soap and shampoo. Miyagi's hands rubbed and scrubbed while the kitten hissed and trashed weakly, he wouldn't hurt Miyagi, and he knew it. After 30 minutes of struggling, the kitten was white and creamy with soap. "See? It wasn't so bad" Shinobu didn't answer, tail fluffed and ears pinned down. Miyagi sighted, "gacky"*
After purring more water to rinse him, he took the kitten over his shoulder and placed him as gently as he could in to the bathtub, Shinobu growled angrily and pitifully in return. "Mmmooooooowwwrr"
"Pffffff… sorry... Pfffss" Staring at the sight of the wet kitten Miyagi couldn't hold his laugh. "Hey! I said I'm sorry!" Shinobu glaring at him, pushed in revenge a wave of water against him, bathing the old professor with it. Miyagi was easily socked from head to toes, the sight made Shinobu laugh hard, kicking his long legs in delight. Miyagi, who was just about to form his most disapproving scowl stopped at the sound, clear and strong, the laugh was coming from the kitten's lips in merry waves. "Spoiled little terrorist" he muttered fighting hard a smile
Kneeling down at one side of the bathtub Miyagi folded his shirt's cuffs and moved closer to massage Shinobu's scalp, starting in circles from his forehead to the back of his neck, pressing down with his thumb to compress and relax the muscles, being careful not to wet the inside of Shinobu's round, perky ears. Under his fingertips he felt the tightness, nods and bruises making difficult the task. Miyagi's brows knitted together, his lips forming a thin line, how long will it take for the scars to heal?, how long till the pain and sorrow disappeared?
Bending he worked his way down, circling his neck, rubbing the small of his back up to his shoulders and down his arms, which were quiet long and slender. Looking at his legs he noticed the same was with them, weren't they too long for a kitten?. Letting his hands work on their own his mind searched everything he knew about house cat-pets, comparing it to the body in front of him. The skinny tail, now clean, was a color between caramel and orange, with black rings. Looking at his ears he noticed the back of them had black stripes with orange and caramel color as well. "What the..."
"Mmmm…" mumbled Shinobu tensing and relaxing, purring in content, obviously enjoying Miyagi's gentle and strong hands. This brought Miyagi back to continue on with the legs, but moving way to fast he accidentally caressed the kitten's inner thigh, making Shinobu mewl in surprise and move away, turning bright red. "Haha...! timid are you kid..." Miyagi's voice was cut off, seeing Shinobu's form trembling, his eyes full of fear. Memories played back, how wounded and lost he had being that fateful night. "Damn" he sighed lifting his hands, palms up "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I won't do anything, I promise."
Shinobu's ears lowered, Miyagi retreated, "No…" he said furrowing his brows and waving him away with his hand, Miyagi smiled and nodded "Oh right, oh right"
Turning around he started picking up the forgotten clothes, shredded now to the point of uselessness, thou they had already been quite torn to begin with. Finding many fallen items, a broken comb and some scratches on the wall Miyagi paused to replay the whole ordeal. Not once had Shinobu doubted his actions, and this was a far cry from the car ride on their first day. He had made some crucial mistakes in the process and it was only luck what had protected him from a sliced and bleeding arm, or an injured kitten. He should have maybe call a vet, or wait longer or who knows what. At this point he still didn't know what to do or how to help Shinobu, but one thing he was sure of was how resilient the beautiful cat was. After everything he had gone through he still had enough strength to believe in someone. He would never betray his trust.
When he turned around Shinobu was standing up, proceeding to open his arms as if waiting to be hugged. "You brat..." Miyagi scowled and threw the towel at Shinobu, landing on his face with a loud "pumf". Shinobu growled and muttered deflated. But, when he was drying his head Miyagi wrapped another towel around him, pulled him up in his arms and carried him to his bedroom, placing him on his bed.
"Meowww!" startled, Shinobu sat down and stared at Miyagi. "Why?" he asked, and Miyagi was surprised again, "you sure are speaking your thoughts out now, ha?" he said and smiled, "I just can't have you getting sick, dry yourself, I'll get the clothes and the hair-dryer."
Miyagi went back to the bathroom and came back with everything in his arms to find the kitten licking himself up. Sitting down at the edge, elbow pulled upwards, his tongue moving slowly back and forth to cover the patch of scratches he had there, Shinobu laser focused on the cleaning process. Miyagi remembered hearing before about "grooming" but this was not exactly what he had imagined, he felt his heart thumping and his body heating up, making him scowl gravely, "Stop that already, here, shirt and pants" Shinobu stopped, ears perking at the sound of the man's voice, raising his eyes he extended his arms to received the clothes, then pulling the fabric close to his nose he inhaled deeply, "Miyagi's" He correctly identified and purring contently he put them on quickly. It was a two piece pajama with a light green color and no design. Shinobu pulled and struggled with the pants thou, his legs not long enough, his claws easily tangling between threads. Miyagi laughed, unable to stop himself
"Stop moving around you'll fall", noticing a problem with the pants, he stopped Shinobu by grabbing his shoulder, and turned him around "Wait a second kid" he said and taking a pair of scissors he cut a hole for the ringed tail, now clean and fresh it looked fluffier and a much richer orange with a golden tint. Looking back at Shinobu's face he noticed a dark tear spot forming at the corner of his eyes, giving him a wild expression, this unsettled Miyagi greatly, being that he knew no domestic cat would have those markings.
"Sometimes I wonder Shinobu, if you're really a cat" Shinobu just mewled in answer, kneeling on the bed again to continue on with his grooming.
-0-
Having passed successfully the bath, on the 9th day Miyagi took an even bolder step. "Shinobu," called the old professor to the squirming kitten, "today we're going to have a visit," he tries to sound chirp, the kitten's ears only twitch in response. "She's a friend of mine, very good vet and even better, she specializes in your type of case" at this, Shinobu's nose wrinkles, "She's my friend so she won't hurt you and I'll be here the whole time, I promise," Shinobu's brows knitted together at that, but his tail remained calm. "Okay..."Miyagi, never loosing sight of the kitten walked to the main door and knocked 2 times, someone on the other side knocked 3 times to Shinobu's surprise and Miyagi opened the door. Miyagi couldn't help feeling distressed at someone else coming to their home, but hoped the kitten would behave half as good as he had on the past 6 days.
When the doctor came in Shinobu stared at her from his made-bed, Miyagi could easily tell by the movement of his tail and the soft furrow on his brows that Shinobu didn't like her. What he didn't know thought was that the reason for dislike wasn't the fact she was a stranger, but the way the doctor smiled so brightly at Miyagi, and how close she stood to HIS Miyagi. But of course, the moment Miyagi said he had called her, worried about Shinobu's health, "for HIS sake" Shinobu felt happy and forgave her for getting so cozy with him.
At first look the doctor thought it would be better to have Shinobu checked at the clinic, Miyagi agreed with her, but the kitten's ears and puffy nose twitched in disagreement, he said nothing at the beginning, but when the doctor went out and came back with a large cat-carrier, at the sight of it, Shinobu felt his heart stop and sink, beating so fast it was hammering in his chest, his breathing ragged, a flame of terror coiling in the pit of his stomach. Shinobu tried to look at the man's eye, remember who he was, the man who had saved him, but the metal bars grew bigger and bigger in his mind, trapping him forever.
Miyagi didn't notice the change, moving towards the kitten to take his hand. "Let's get going kid" he said but Shinobu, scared, slapped Miyagi's hand and hissed. Miyagi didn't take it well, grabbing Shinobu's hand and dragging him to the carrier, "Don't act spoiled, she can't drive you like I did" he tried to say but Shinobu kicked and pulled, hissing and growling in response. Then, feeling the metal bars of the carrier's door on the back of his hand he fell to the floor, breaking down, crying. Startled, Miyagi let him go and looked at the vet, she didn't have to say anything, instantly Miyagi knew what had happened.
Kicking the carrier as far away as he could Miyagi knelt and pulled Shinobu hard against him in embrace. Shinobu in response clawed him on his back, stricken with the fear of being separated from him. "No! No!" he cried over and over, his body trembling strongly. "No, please!" Dark faces surrounded him, cruel words like lashes cut him in his misted memory. Shinobu growled and cried, clawing and tearing skin, "Shinobu I'm here," Miyagi tried to speak as calm as he could through the burning on his back, "Shinobu... Shinobu!" his breathing came out in gaps of pain, "Come on kid, it's me, remember? Miyagi, you know me" the name pulled a cord in Shinobu's memory, like an iron hold, the sweet safety he had grown to love in just a few days. "Miyagi!" he cried hard.
Miyagi hissed and gasped in pain at the sudden cut of Shinobu's claws downwards, they had grown from the day they met, and they kept sinking deep, but he kept embracing him regardless "It's okay, It's okay, I'm here, I won't let anyone harm you" he said, caressing Shinobu's back, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I won't ever do it again" Shinobu cried long, letting his body tremble with waves of sorrow and fear, his claws retracting, his hands moving to surround Miyagi's neck.
Hours after, when the trembling subsided Miyagi separated himself from Shinobu, the enough space to bend his face and kiss Shinobu's fear fevered forehead. Closing his eyes Shinobu cried again "Never"
"Never" repeated Miyagi returning to embrace him tight against his chest. No one noticed when the doctor left and came back, a glass of milk in her hand. The doctor placed carefully the glass of milk at the table and left the apartment.
It took some time for Shinobu to relax, falling sleep in the process, when he woke up Miyagi gave him the milk, a mile tranquilizer in it drove him back to sleep, curled in a ball in Miyagi's lap. When the doctor came back with all her equipment she found them like that, Miyagi's hand slowly caressing the back of Shinobu's fur. "What time is it?"
"Around 3, it took me some time to get all the stuff I needed and clean the afternoon schedule"
"Thank you, I...He... He behaves so good that sometimes I forget how traumatized he is" Miyagi mumbled caressing Shinobu's sleeping form, the vet sat beside him. She cut his shirt with scissors, carefully checking othe wounds in silence. "I should have known"
"Io..." called him the doctor after long minutes of silence, "It was not your fault"
"I should have known..." repeated Miyagi tightening his hold on Shinobu, at this the kitten sniffed and sighted happily cuddling closer to the source of warmth.
"Say, now you know" she said and moved in front of him "learn on your mistakes and keep your word" Miyagi looked at her for a second and then returned to see the kitten in his arms, nodding.
Needless to say nothing much was done, the doctor sutured Miyagi's wounds, thankfully they didn't require too much stitching or it wouldn't have been possible without going to the emergency room. Explaining what had happened wasn't a risk Miyagi was keen on taking.
Then, she took 3 blood samples, as well as a fur sample from the sleeping kitten. Quickly moving on checking the multiple injuries and wounds that still healed. Some needed stitching unfortunately, others just disinfecting and bandaging. The tranquilizer facilitated her work and she used every second to assess the pet.
"I won't give him any vaccines yet, I want to make sure he's not carrying any auto immune disease or infection, I will also run his information in the data base, see if we can trace their breeder. You weren't kidding when you said he's not a house pet" she explained while putting everything back on boxes and her medical bag. "I still need to make some other tests when he's awake, but that will be another day. In the mean time, me him fill this 2 with urine and stool samples, and send them to my clinic" putting the cups on the low table she stood up, waving her hand to stop him from moving as well. "I'll see myself out, I have also given you an injection just in case he's got something, thou I doubt he could passed it to you" she said, smiling when his brows moved up on his forehead. "you have been out of it, don't worry, I understand." She took her bag and boxes and walked towards the door, fumbling with them enough o open it. "I'll push the results to come as fast as possible, tell Shinobu I'm sorry, I have left him a pack of treats for him, see if that gains me some forgiveness"
-0-
When Miyagi woke up again he realized he had fallen sleep on the floor, the kitten had been cradled in his arms, but now he was no longer there. Worried he stood up quickly, feeling light headed but calmed down almost immediately at seen Shinobu eating rapidly the treats.
"those are suppose to be treats, not your whole meal" he crocked, trying to fake annoyance, but he could hear his voice trembling, mentally thanking whatever divinity ensured the kitten still acted at ease, still trusted him. "No!" the kitten responded despondent, emptying the pack in his mouth.
"Brat, then I'll tell your doctor you have accepted her apology" Miyagi almost felt like chuckling, looking how comically big the kitten's eye turned, like he was deciding whether to spit the treats, but they must have been really savory, because his tail was tense, he didn't want to spit them out. "It's okay to forgive her you know?, the one on the wrong was me, she doesn't know what happened to you really, and I should have taken your thoughts in consideration"
Shinobu swallowed the cookies and scowled at him "Never" he said, his tail cut the air like a leather whip, putting strength to his words. "Yes, yes. I will never do that again and I'll ask you first what you want to do, I promise" Shinobu's nose twitched and his eyes moved to the kitchen fridge, where their dinner was waiting, a growling noise coming from his stomach.
"Want some dinner kid?" Miyagi asked while already moving towards the kitchen
"Mew!" Shinobu answered merrily, already salivating, Miyagi chuckled this time, again feeling deeply grateful.
- 0 -
On the 12th day, when the doctor came back Shinobu was as happy as always, watching tv and chirping. Showing him a box of chocolates Shinobu was bought easily, and the doctor was allowed to touch him, checking his wounds, as well as his general health; reflexes, hearing, vision, fur; weighting and measuring him, and while Shinobu held Miyagi's hand, ears lay down, tail rattling, she gave him his first set of vaccines and immunizations. At finishing Miyagi petted him, caressing like always his sensitive ears "Well done" he said and Shinobu felt proud "well done!" he mimicked
The doctor smiled, putting her things back to her bag "I see you have being working on your vocabulary" said the doctor, Shinobu smiled brightly "yes!"
"So very good!" she said and petted him, Shinobu allowed her to do it because he knew now she was not a bad person. Throughout the following days after her first appearance, she had called multiple times to speak with him, getting to know a bit of his story, and she told him how her father had been violent when she was a kid. Slowly they found some level of understanding and now he trusted her enough. But he didn't purr, that was for Miyagi only.
"Okay now, other medicines" called the doctor and gave Miyagi a few antibiotics and pain killers, to help the kitten heal up, thought, even when they were banana flavored Miyagi had to end up holding Shinobu down and pinch his nose to make him drink them. After that Shinobu stuck his tongue out and glared at him, making the doctor laugh merrily. "Oh! True… here, I brought you a small treat, Miyagi will give them to you" The doctor moved and took a box out, "depending on your good behavior" she said and gave the box to Miyagi, they were chocolate bonbons treats "They're extremely popular among Neko Pets right now"
"Is it okay to give him this?" asked Miyagi reading the box contents.
"Yes, he is in a rather good shape, and those would do him good, don't worry so much" she said and smiled at his worried friend "It puts my heart at ease to know you love the kitten so much even after..." she said and Miyagi felt a cold chill running through his back.
"I don't…" he tried to say but looking at the kitten by his side he bit his tongue.
"But I AM a very good cat!" beamed Shinobu perking his ears,
"Kitten" stated Miyagi,
"Cat!" growled back Shinobu
"Small kitten" continue on Miyagi smirking at the easily irked pet
"Cat! Cat! Not kitten! Grrrr!" spat and growled Shinobu pinning his ears, the doctor laughed again "So you do" she said walking towards the door "I'll see myself out, see you in about 2 months for the next round of vaccines, and Io, the books we spoke about are here" she said pointing at a small pile of books on their dinning table, "Since everything came out good we only have to tackle his malnutrition, I'm counting on you for that, see yah" and closing the door the doctor disappeared.
*gaky: expression that can be translated as "brat", "youngster", "delinquent", among other terms depending on the situation. Miyagi says it more like "brat"
A/N: This chapter has changed a lot because I wanted to portray a more rational evolution of trauma yet keeping with the passing I have used so far. I hope all is coherent and lovely as well. Oh! And I made the mistake of reading the previous chapters to check my timeline and found many more grammar and redaction errors… It seems that every time I read them I find new stuff to correct, it's annoying but that's also part of the process to evolve in my writing, so thank you all who read and even more if you have ever commented. 3