[Liveman parents, mostly]

[catcameback]

Since Gai started going to school, I've actually started attending most of my classes. I also spend some time in a tree in the courtyard, but it's the effort that counts.

Not today, though, despite all of my best intentions, all I can focus on as I walk past Genta's sushi-cart (all closed up tight, and I haven't seen him in days, which is kind of a shame because fish) is the tiny mewling squeaking sound somewhere behind one of the wheels.

Which turns out to be a new born kitten, all small and spindly and confused and it's eyes aren't even open yet, but when I reach my hand towards it it balls up against the warmth of my palm and closes it's tiny mouth around the end of my pinkie.

It's cold, it's way too cold and shivering and there's no other cats around anywhere and I don't know what to do.

No, wait. Yes, I do. It needs a mom. A mother will take care of it. Or any kind of parent. But there's no cats around.

But I have three. And they always know what to do.

I run the entire way back to the house with the little guy cupped protectively against my chest. It fits easily in one hand but I use both just to keep it a little warmer.

I throw myself in through my cat flap, skid and almost fall over (man, sometimes I miss the grace of my original body). "Someone! Anyone? Is anyone still home?"

Comments

[catcameback]

I wait, somewhat impatiently, holding the kitten against my chest. My kitten.

Yummy.

I smile to myself and then turn the grin on Megumi. "I have some money saved up. I know he's my responsibility."

[bluedolphin]

That doesn't mean we won't help him out, but I won't say so for now, "why don't we buy him some things?" I pause to confirm with the vet that this is in fact a he. Kittens are lovely but just the one is enough for now.

[catcameback]

"Alright!" I can get behind that. I keep Yummy held against me with one hand, but I reach for Megumi with the other arm and hug her around the waist. "Thank you for helping me. I promise I'll go to school tomorrow."

[bluedolphin]

"It's okay. Why don't you take him out to the car?" I give him a little kiss on the top of his head. Better pay the vet and book this appointment for the kitten.

[catcameback]

"I can do that." My nose wrinkles up when she kisses my head, but I'm not about to complain, with all she's done for me today. I shoot a fleeting frown at the doctor because I guess I'm thankful but he's still a doctor, before leaving.

[bluedolphin]

I take care of business and then head back to the car. I've already made a little mental list of everything we're going to need for the cat.

"What are you going to name him?" I ask almost as an afterthought as I start the ignition.

[catcameback]

I'm settled back in the back seat of the car, huddled down with Yummy on my chest so I don't have to look out the windows while we drive.

"His name is Yummy!" I announce when she asks. "I think I knew it from the second I found him, but I had to be sure he wasn't going to die."

[bluedolphin]

"Yami?" Darkness? I suppose it is his pet. Maybe the name means something to him, I don't know.

[catcameback]

"Yummy," I repeat for emphasis, and the kitten in question actually makes a little purring sound in response. He already knows his name! I am the best cat owner alive, obviously.

Maybe Ankh would chill out if he got himself a pet bird.

"It's kind of an inside joke." I realize aloud, looking at my cat and then bumping him with my nose.

[bluedolphin]

"Yummy." I'm surprised when the kitten purrs. Kazari seems to be bonding with him already, "it's ... nice."

There's a pet shop about fifteen minutes away. I head off in that direction.

[catcameback]

"It's something from my other life, you know, before." I shrug a little, looking up into the rear view mirror. "When I was a Greeed. It's funny, kind of, but I think he likes it."

[bluedolphin]

"What will you tell the others about him?" At least we have a cat flap already.

I fill in Kazari on the kitten's medical details and all the things the vet told me about taking care of him. I can write them down when we get home.

[catcameback]

"Which others?" Does she mean the family, or the other Greeed? I could care less about them.

I listen to her the way I couldn't bring myself to listen to the doctor, nodding along. "I'll take care of it. I promise."

[bluedolphin]

We pull up outside the pet shop. It's a big one, different sections for all kind of pets. One of the biggest is devoted to cats so we should be able to find everything I need. I grab a trolley and begin checking off the list of things we'll need for ... Yummy.