Cat Returns - Unfinished Stories

Far From Perfect pt 2

Chapter 2 – The Curse

Haru could feel Machida's eyes on her the entire time she was over at their house, but she stubbornly ignored it, choosing instead to focus on the adorable little kitten in her lap. They were sitting in front of the fire, with him curled up in her lap, and her fingers buried in his tawny fur. He was no longer shaking from cold, due to them having been sitting in front of the fire for the better part of an hour before he had fallen asleep in her lap, his breathing soft and slow. Haru's heart turned over in her chest as the tiny kitten mewed and shifted around in his sleep so that he was curled up against her. His soft purr was constant – a gentle melody that was slowly lulling her into dreamland. It was taking all of Haru's willpower not to just grab a blanket and lie down with the kitten curled up in her arms.

Haru's parents had called to say that she could come back at nine o'clock, but no sooner, so Haru knew that she had time for a nap, but that little fact just made it all the more hard to keep her eyes open.

"Haru, do you want to sleep in the spare room bed, so that you're comfier?" asked Machida, not really caring about how comfortable she would be – but what he did care about was that stupid cat that was the focus of her attentions.

"No thank you, Machida," she replied, exasperated at his constant attention. "I don't want to wake him." She nodded to the kitten who was currently having his back stroked by the gentle brunette holding him.

Machida huffed and left the room, hating that cat for stealing Haru's affections so quickly. Haru just sighed, ready to collapse onto the floor now that he was gone.

Now that the fire was dwindling, instead of an oppressing heat – like it had been when they had entered the house – it was radiating a pleasant warmth. Haru glanced back at the blanket lying across the back of the sofa, and deliberated whether or not moving would wake up the kitten. Eventually, she decided the risk was worth it, and stood up while shifting the tiny body into her arms. The kitten mewled in protest, rubbing its body into her in an effort to keep itself asleep. Haru shushed him gently as she grabbed the blanket to wrap around her shoulders as she crossed back over to the fire.

"It's okay, kitty. I'm just grabbing a blanket so we won't be frozen when we wake up," she cooed, rubbing gently at his ears.

The kitten's purr returned as the little girl lay down in front of the fire, keeping him in her grip.

"Goodnight, kitty. I'm really glad I met you."

——————————————————

The kitten watched the little girl's peaceful face as she slept with him in her arms. His own eyes were drooping, but he pushed off sleep for a little longer as he studied the girl.

She had helped him and held him when he was at his worst, and so far she had shown no inclination to leave him. He had never met a more pure-hearted individual, even with all the people his mother had shoved on him.

He shuddered to think of his mother. He was almost glad about his fate, if it would mean never seeing her again. And nothing would make him regret leaving Louise. It was unbearable enough that she had apparently staked some claim on him, but to be forced to be forever bound to her? He would never return to his old life. That was gone and behind him now, and he would much prefer to stay with the little girl that was currently hugging him closer in her sleep.

His heart softened as he stared up at the brunette. Such a kind, pure girl was surely a thousand times better than any of the other humans. Machida had proven that to him.