Four days had passed since Andrew found the injured black cat in the park. Four days of carefully changing bandages, offering gentle pets that grew bolder as trust developed, and preparing special meals that disappeared with remarkable speed. Kage's paw had healed faster than expected—the cut now little more than a thin pink line against the black paw pad.
"You're a quick healer," Andrew commented as he examined the paw one final time that Saturday morning. "Almost good as new."
Kage sat patiently on the kitchen counter as Andrew inspected her injury, no longer flinching at his touch. She had settled into the Slayn household with surprising ease, as though she had always belonged there. Even Haruko had grown fond of the cat, often speaking to her when she thought Andrew wasn't listening.
"Well, since you're staying a bit longer, we should probably get you some proper cat supplies," Andrew said, scratching behind Kage's ears. "Can't keep feeding you our leftovers forever, even if you do seem to prefer my cooking."
At the mention of leaving, Kage stood and stretched leisurely before doing something that had startled Andrew the first time—she leapt gracefully onto his shoulder, balancing there with perfect poise, her tail curling slightly around his neck.
"Still not sure how you do that without your claws digging in," Andrew mused as he gathered his wallet and keys. "But I'm not complaining."
The first time Kage had claimed his shoulder as her perch, two days ago, Andrew had nearly jumped out of his skin. Now it felt strangely natural, as though she belonged there. He'd even caught his reflection in the mirror yesterday—tall, supposedly intimidating Andrew Slayn with a small black cat riding on his shoulder like a pirate's parrot—and had laughed at how it somehow softened his appearance while making him look even more unusual.
"Mom, we're heading to the pet store," he called toward Haruko's bedroom, where she was catching up on sleep after a night shift.
"Take your phone," came the muffled reply. "And get something nice for Kage-chan."
Andrew smiled at the affectionate honorific his mother had started using. "Will do."
As they left the apartment, Andrew felt Kage tense slightly on his shoulder. She still seemed wary of the outside world, her green eyes constantly scanning for threats.
"Relax," he told her quietly. "I've got you."
Whether it was his words or his calm stride, Kage gradually settled, though her alertness never fully disappeared. As they walked through the neighborhood, Andrew became aware of the stares they were attracting. A tall, muscular teenager with a reputation for fighting, casually strolling with a black cat perched on his shoulder like some kind of familiar—it wasn't exactly an everyday sight in Shinjuku.
An elderly woman stepped off the sidewalk to avoid him, eyeing the cat with suspicion. Two middle-school boys pointed and whispered. Andrew ignored them all, having long since developed the ability to tune out unwanted attention.
"You're not helping my reputation," he murmured to Kage with wry amusement. "Though maybe they'll start rumors that I'm a witch now instead of a yakuza. Could be an improvement."
Kage made a small noise that almost sounded like a scoff.
The pet store was mercifully quiet when they arrived, just a few customers browsing the aisles. The teenage girl at the register looked up with the practiced smile of a retail worker, only for her expression to freeze when she saw Andrew. Her eyes darted anxiously between his face and the cat on his shoulder.
"W-welcome," she managed. "Can I help you find anything?"
"Cat supplies," Andrew replied simply, not bothering to elaborate. Experience had taught him that the less he spoke, the less intimidating people found him, oddly enough.
"Aisle three," she said quickly, pointing.
Andrew nodded his thanks and headed in that direction, conscious of the girl's eyes following him. Kage's tail twitched against his neck, a gesture he was beginning to recognize as amusement.
"Don't encourage them," he whispered to the cat, who merely blinked at him with what he could have sworn was innocence.
The cat food section was overwhelming—dozens of brands, each claiming superior nutrition, taste, or health benefits. Andrew frowned at the options, completely out of his depth.
"I have no idea what you'd like," he admitted to Kage. "Fancy Feast sounds promising?"
Kage's whiskers twitched.
"Helpful," Andrew muttered, selecting a variety pack of wet food tins. "We'll try a few and see what sticks."
They moved through the aisles, collecting essentials: a proper cat bed (though Andrew suspected Kage would continue to sleep on the cushion she'd claimed), a litter box and litter, a few toys that Kage showed surprising interest in, and a sleek black collar with a small bell.
"Just in case," Andrew explained as he held up the collar. "Though I have a feeling you're too smart to get lost."
By the time they reached the checkout, Andrew's arms were full. The nervous cashier rang up their items with record speed, barely making eye contact.
"Your cat is really pretty," she offered hesitantly as she bagged the supplies.
"Thanks," Andrew replied, surprised by the comment. "Her name's Kage."
"Shadow," the girl translated, glancing at the black cat. "That's... fitting."
It was possibly the longest pleasant interaction Andrew had experienced with a stranger in months. He nodded, placing Kage's new collar in his pocket rather than the bag, and gathered their purchases.
"Have a nice day," the cashier called as they left, sounding slightly more genuine than when they'd arrived.
"You're good for my social life," Andrew told Kage as they headed home. "Maybe I should take you to school."
Back at the apartment, Andrew set up Kage's new belongings in the corner of the living room that had unofficially become hers. Haruko was still sleeping, so he moved quietly, arranging the cat bed beside the cushion Kage seemed to prefer.
"Alright, let's see which of these gourmet cat foods appeals to your refined palate," Andrew said, opening one of the tins. The smell that wafted up made him wrinkle his nose. "That's... potent."
He scooped the brown mush into a small ceramic dish—one he'd specifically purchased for Kage, not wanting to use their regular dishes for cat food—and set it down. "Tuna and liver feast. Sounds appetizing, right?"
Kage approached the dish, sniffed it once, and backed away with what Andrew could only describe as feline disgust. Her ears flattened and she turned her head pointedly away from the offering.
"Not a fan, huh?" Andrew chuckled. "Let's try the chicken then."
The chicken variety met with the same rejection, as did the salmon and the turkey. After the fourth refusal, Andrew sat back on his heels, exasperated.
"You know cats are supposed to like this stuff, right? It's made specifically for your kind."
Kage merely groomed her paw, the picture of indifference.
"Mom was right," Andrew sighed, gathering the rejected food dishes. "I've spoiled you rotten with my 'four-star cooking,' as she calls it. Four days of grilled fish and chicken, and now commercial cat food isn't good enough for you."
He could have sworn the cat looked smug.
"Fine," Andrew conceded, disposing of the untouched food. "I'll cook for you. But you're helping me with the dishes."
Kage purred, rubbing against his leg as he washed his hands.
"You're manipulating me, and I'm letting you," Andrew informed her, though there was no real annoyance in his voice. He pulled ingredients from the refrigerator and began preparing a simple meal of white fish and rice. "I don't do this for just anyone, you know. Consider yourself special."
As he cooked, Andrew found himself thinking about how quickly Kage had become part of his daily routine. Four days ago, he'd been a loner struggling through his final year of high school, keeping his head down and counting the days until graduation. Now he was having one-sided conversations with a cat who seemed to understand everything he said, cooking special meals, and... enjoying himself, he realized with surprise.
"You're good company," he told Kage, who had settled on the counter to watch him cook. "Better than most people."
When the simple meal was ready, Andrew prepared a small portion for Kage, allowing it to cool before setting it down for her. This time, there was no hesitation—Kage ate with obvious appreciation, occasionally glancing up at Andrew as if to praise his culinary skills.
"See? This is why you've got no interest in that store-bought stuff," Andrew said, leaning against the counter as he ate his own portion. "You've experienced my cooking. No going back now."
He heard his mother's bedroom door open, followed by her soft footsteps.
"Are you cooking for that cat again?" Haruko asked as she entered the kitchen, her voice more amused than reproving.
"She wouldn't eat the store-bought food," Andrew defended.
Haruko laughed, ruffling her son's hair as she passed—a gesture she had to reach up to accomplish now that he'd grown so tall. "Of course she wouldn't. Not after experiencing the famous Andrew Slayn cuisine. That cat knew exactly what she was doing when she found you."
Andrew rolled his eyes, but secretly, he felt a warmth at the compliment to his cooking. It was one of the few things he took genuine pride in—a skill he'd developed out of necessity when his mother began working longer shifts, but had grown into a passion.
"I got her a collar," Andrew said, changing the subject. He pulled the black collar from his pocket and showed it to his mother. "It has our address on the tag, just in case."
"Planning ahead?" Haruko asked, a knowing look in her eyes. "So she's staying, then?"
Andrew shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "For now. Unless someone's looking for her."
Haruko smiled, not pressing the point. "I'm sure she appreciates your cooking at least." She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. "I'm heading back to bed for another hour. Wake me if you go out again."
After she left, Andrew turned to Kage, who had finished her meal and was now grooming herself contentedly.
"You're expensive, you know that?" he said, dangling the collar before her. "But I guess you're worth it."
He knelt and carefully secured the collar around Kage's neck, adjusting it to ensure it wasn't too tight. The small bell jingled softly with her movements.
"There. Now you're officially part of the household."
What Andrew couldn't know was how significant that simple act was to the disguised Digimon. In the Digital World, a collar often symbolized a bond between a Digimon and their partner—their Tamer. While this human had no idea of her true nature, Black Tailmon recognized the symbolism. This collar, with its small bell and tag bearing the Slayn name and address, was more meaningful than Andrew could possibly understand.
For Black Tailmon, it was the first step toward a formal partnership. Soon, she would need to reveal herself—the disguise could not be maintained indefinitely, and the threats that had driven her to the human world would eventually follow. But for now, she would enjoy this simple moment: the feeling of belonging somewhere, to someone who saw value in her even when he thought she was just a stray cat.
The bell jingled softly as she rubbed her head against Andrew's hand, a gesture of affection that was entirely genuine.
Andrew smiled, scratching behind her ears exactly how she liked. "Don't worry about the pet store food. I'll keep cooking for you as long as you stay."
After cleaning up the kitchen, Andrew glanced at the clock. "I've got some work to do now. You're welcome to join me."
He moved to his bedroom, Kage following curiously behind him. Unlike the rest of the apartment, Andrew's room reflected more of his personality—a few gaming posters on the walls, a neat bookshelf with a mix of Japanese and English titles, and a desk dominated by a sleek laptop and dual monitors. A small table next to the desk held various electronic components, tools, and what appeared to be half-assembled devices.
Andrew settled into his chair, booting up his computer while Kage jumped onto the desk, finding a spot between the keyboard and monitor where she could observe without being in the way.
"This is where the magic happens," Andrew told her, typing in a long password without hesitation. Multiple windows popped open, displaying lines of code, system architecture diagrams, and what looked like a corporate network layout. "Time to earn my keep."
As he worked, his fingers flew across the keyboard with impressive speed, his expression shifting to one of intense focus that was rarely seen on his normally guarded face.
"I'm a freelance security tester," he explained to Kage, who watched the screens with unusual interest. "Basically, companies hire me to try to break into their systems so they can fix the weak spots before real hackers get in."
He navigated through firewalls and security protocols, occasionally pausing to make notes or try alternative approaches. "It's all above board—I have signed contracts and everything. I just don't advertise it at school. Last thing I need is another reason for people to think I'm some kind of criminal."
Kage tilted her head, watching as Andrew worked through a particularly complex security system.
"I started learning programming when I was twelve," he continued, his voice relaxed as he spoke to the cat. "Dad had left, and Mom was taking extra shifts at the hospital. Bills were tight." He frowned slightly at the memory. "I wanted to help somehow. Turns out I had a knack for this."
He gestured to a certificate framed on the wall—a cybersecurity certification that would be impressive for a college graduate, let alone a high school student.
"Got my first paying gig when I was fourteen. Now I have a few regular clients—mostly testing their security updates or new implementations." A small smile tugged at his lips as he bypassed another layer of security. "Found that vulnerability," he murmured, typing rapidly to document the weakness.
"The pay is good—helps with bills, groceries. Mom doesn't have to take quite as many extra shifts now." He glanced at Kage. "And now it'll help with premium cat food ingredients, apparently."
Kage purred in response, seemingly approving of his skills.
"You know, it's nice having someone to talk to while I work," Andrew admitted, reaching over to stroke her head. "Usually it's just me in here, talking to myself."
For the next hour, Andrew methodically worked through the security system, documenting each vulnerability he found and occasionally explaining his process to Kage. The cat remained attentive, watching the screens with an intensity that might have seemed unusual if Andrew had been paying closer attention.
To Black Tailmon, Andrew's work was fascinating. As a digital being, she understood networks and coding on an intuitive level, though the human implementations were different from what she knew in the Digital World. She watched as Andrew navigated digital pathways with almost the same ease she would traverse the networks of the Digital World. It was another connection between them he didn't even realize—this affinity for the digital realm.
"And... done," Andrew announced eventually, sending off a detailed report to his client. He stretched, rolling his shoulders to release the tension from sitting hunched over his keyboard. "That should cover this month's electric bill and your fancy fish dinners."
He checked the time and sighed. "I should probably do some actual homework now. Being a delinquent hacker doesn't get me out of calculus, unfortunately."
As Andrew pulled out his textbooks and notebooks, Kage jumped down from the desk to settle comfortably on the edge of his bed, her green eyes still watching him with that peculiar attentiveness.
"You know," Andrew said, glancing at the cat as he opened his calculus textbook, "for a stray, you're remarkably well-behaved. No scratching furniture, no knocking things off shelves." He tapped his pencil against the paper. "Almost like you understand everything I'm saying."
Kage blinked slowly at him, the picture of feline innocence.
"Right," Andrew chuckled, turning back to his homework. "Just a normal cat with good manners. Who happens to only eat gourmet meals."
As Andrew became absorbed in his calculus problems, Black Tailmon continued to observe him, her digital mind processing everything she'd learned. This human was even more suitable as a partner than she'd initially thought. Not only was he kind and protective, but he also possessed an intuitive understanding of digital systems that might make explaining her true nature easier when the time came.
She settled into a comfortable position, the bell on her new collar jingling softly. The sound reminded her of the commitment this represented. In accepting this collar, in choosing to stay, she was doing more than simply finding shelter. She was choosing a Tamer.
Black Tailmon had made her decision. She would stay with Andrew—not just until her strength returned, but for whatever challenges lay ahead. This human, with his gentle hands, fierce heart, and surprising digital talents, was meant to be her Tamer. She was as certain of that as she had ever been of anything in her digital life.
In her mind, the partnership was already formed. Now she just needed to help him understand it too.
Author Note:
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