Len sighed, running his pale, slender fingers through his shoulder length blonde hair before rising from his crouched position. The large, spacious pet store was high end with a sleek black and smoky dark gray color scheme with curved, elegant silver accents. Len huffed in annoyance, he'd been wandering around Star Neko for twenty minutes.
True to its name, they had plenty of cats, some dogs, lizards, turtles and fish. None seemed unique enough, which meant… he'd have to ask an employee. He gulped, the only one he'd seen was an older girl behind the counter and she seemed sexy… intimidatingly so. He shivered slightly, going back through the aisles to reach the front.
Movement inside a large, black cage with a glass front caught his attention. The structure was built into the wall, painted a soothing dark gray. The fourteen year old's dark blue eyes widened – a young woman with short, silver hair sat against the wall. Two small, fluffy, petal shaped black cat ears peeked out from hair. She had a sleek looking matching tail and gazed down at the two dark haired babies – kittens? – cradled in her arms, eyes brimming with love and affection as they nursed. Her white shirt was pulled up to her chest and her slightly large milk filled breasts looked quite … soft. A small part of Len wanted to politely avert his gaze but a larger part tried to comprehend what he was seeing, having only heard rumors only these cute, adorable creatures. One kitten had black hair with dark brown ears and a dark brown tail while the other had pale gray hair with white ears and a white tail. Their two siblings slept contently beside their mother.
The blonde's eyes flitted down to a sticker outside the glass in the corner: Pika and kittens. Suddenly, one of Pika's kitten's let out a sneeze, causing them to jump as Len's attention was drawn back to see Pika wince, lifting her baby slightly away to rub at her sore nipple. Len caught a glimpse of the flesh throbbing with redness before quickly averting his eyes, about to move on as a light, soft laugh reached his ears.
"Pika and her babies sure are cute, aren't they?" A heavenly voice reached him, reminding him of cherry blossom petals drifting through a clear, bright sky.
"Uhhh, yea. They are." Len mentally congratulated himself for meeting the woman's eyes. They were dark blue and short black hair framed her pale, narrow heart shaped face. Her hair looked damp, as if she'd been caught in a rainstorm. The boy swallowed thickly as his eyes went to her nametag, the curve of her breast noticeable. His mind registered her name was Ame. She looked a little older, maybe early twenties, and her dark red lips were gently curved into a soft smile as Len discreetly checked to make sure his heart was still beating.
"Can I help you?" She asked sweetly and Len felt him mouth go dry as his sluggish brain tried to remember how to form words.
"Y-Yea, I'd like a unique pet." The blonde's voice came out somewhat nervous as he fought the urge to look anywhere else and his fingers played with the bottom of his shirt. Suddenly, his eyes widened subtly and he froze, as if forgetting something crucial.
"But y'know," His eyes darted to the sleek tiled floor beneath him, "not something venomous that I have to, y'know, worry about breaking out of its cage and killing me." He gave a small, awkward laugh, mentally kicking himself.
The attractive employee – Ame – laughed, the sound soft and light and melodic as Len's brain short circuited once more. It was a perfectly valid concern and she fought the urge to pat the nervous, admittedly cute, boy on the head.
"Umm… a unique pet." The short haired young woman pretended to ponder, leaning back in her sleek, comfortable, plush, gray office chair behind the wide, sleek, black marble counter as the boy fidgeted. After a few minutes, her unknowingly intimidating gaze settled on the teenager once more. Unable to help herself, a soft half smirk settled on her face.
"I think we might have the perfect pet for you." The blonde watched her walk around the large counter and down a hall, pausing to check that he was following.
Len followed, glancing at her hips, covered by short black shorts and seeming to sway side to side seductively. Although it was all in his head, he seemed unable to look away. The blonde swallowed thickly, cheeks burning.
They stopped at the entrance to a large, spacious room and he noticed a tall Neko looking at him longing as he stepped inside, moving forward as if in a strange, dream like trance. Ame smiled knowingly before quietly slipping away and Len caught sight of the large, semi tall cages with other Nekos, however they seemed to pale in comparison to the radiant goddess who stood before him now.
Drawings littered the floor of her cage, the bright color standing out vividly against the blackness and thin, black wire bars cast dull shadows around her. Her head was down, showcasing her fluffy, soft, blonde hair and her ears were down, almost pressed against her head, as her matching tail swished nervously behind her.
The boy noticed a faint blush on her pale cheeks as he took in her narrow, heart shaped face, pale and perfect as if lovingly carved by a Japanese artist. Her large, wide eyes were down but Len was sure the dark blue matched his own. A strong sense of familiarity tugged at his heart as her brightness drowned out everything in the large room, almost as if he was meant to see her.
"U-Um H-Hi," Len stuttered, cheeks a faint red and heart pounding nervously, holding out a hand, "I-I'm Len."
The adorable Neko rose her head – a tiny, subtle, barely noticeable movement – before swallowing thickly. Her large dark blue eyes met his and Len was surprised to see a hint of …. uncertainty. She wearily eyed his outstretched hand as if it was a snake that she expected to bite her at any moment.
After a long moment, her eyes flickered with something akin to recognition and for a brief, heart stopping moment, Len thought she recognized him.
"Hello Master Len," her soft, delicate voice was music to his ears — a whispered sound on a warm, pleasant summer breeze — and so sweet it made his heart ache with a strange, bittersweet, melancholy longing. She took his hand, shaking it in a gentle, hesitant motion as if she'd never done before and Len noticed her eyes has flitted to the ground.
"Uhhh… don't call me 'Master,' just call me Len." He rubbed his neck, his cheeks and the tips of his ears burning as he wondered if Nekos were trained for that.
"L e n." Her voice was an excited whisper as she tested the name on her tongue and her lips twitched, seeming to want to form into a smile.
"What's your name?" She looked at him, head tilted cutely.
"My… name?" Confusion swam in her large, wide eyes.
"Yea…" Len rubbed the back of neck, eyes down and a faint blush on his cheeks, "I can't just call you blonde." he vaguely gestured, steadily growing more embarrassed and dumbfounded. How do you explain the concept of a name?
"So… um… what do I call you?" He finished lamely, feeling as if he'd explained absolutely nothing.
"Len." The doll like, impossibly cute Neko whispered softly, more to herself than anyone else. Her head was tilted up, brow furrowed in though.
"I want an easy, simple name yours." She declared happily as her eyes meant his, bright with excitement and…. expectation. Len swallowed thickly, willing his heart to stop pounding wildly in his chest.
"Ok. How about…. Rin?" He tried.
Her lips parted as if to test her name, before her face lit up like a Halloween tree – warm and glowing – Len felt his heart stop as his soul left his body, ascending to heaven with a big, dopey grin splitting its face.
"I love it!" Without warning, she barreled into him in a tight, bone crushing, yet gentle hug, sending Len crashing back down to reality… and into her warm embrace. Quickly, she pulled away leaving Len overwhelmed and missing her scent. Len's head was filled with fuzz at the fact he just named someone…. the unsettling thought gave him an odd feeling in his stomach. He opened his mouth before closing it, eyes down as he walked away.
He wondered aimlessly, ending up at display with collars and leashes. A thin bright red collar with a matching leash caught his attention, gently running his hand down it as his mind drifted back to Rin.
Shaking off the lingering awkwardness, he ended up adopting her. Rin's eyes were sparking with happiness… and mischief as they exited the store, stepping into the bright, warm sunlight. Len gulped thickly.
'Oh boy, I have my hands full.' Nonetheless, he looked forward to the adventures ahead with the adorable, excitable Neko.